What A Slacker!

What the hell was People magazine thinking?

Add comment November 17th, 2007

People magazine has named Matt Damon the sexiest man alive. So who died and moved him up the evolutionary latter to get that honor?

They really must be nuts. Either that or his publicist is sleeping with someone at the magazine. Has to be that because all the money in the world couldn’t make him the sexiest man alive.

Aren’t their a few better choices out there? Anyone?

I just cannot stand the man. Don’t find him attractive. Don’t think he can act. Like Kevin Costner before him, I don’t go to any of his films and don’t watch them on DVD or TV unless overruled by others in the house. No sir just don’t like him.

Bad choice there People mag.

Ooo Free Stuff for My Blog from Ooprint.com

Add comment November 16th, 2007

I know by now you have heard of Web 2.0 but have you heard of Business Cards 2.0? No?

Business cards are not just for businessmen any more. With Business cards 2.0 you get a great way to advertise your website or blog offline.

Ooprint.com offers bloggers 100 free business cards to help them let other know about their blogs offline. What a nifty idea and a great offer. Get your free blogger cards today.

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Vanity Plates on Cars

Add comment November 16th, 2007

It is car registration time and that got me thinking about finally get that personalized license plate. You know for another way to express myself out on the road besides my bumper sticker and magnet.

As a further way to express myself beyond my TREK “fish” and my Assimilation is not a Family Value bumper sticker I have decided to finally a personalized license plate. I have often talked about getting one, but just never have. So with my registration coming due I think there is no better time than now.

Since I decided to finally bite this bullet, even though I have no idea what I want, I have seen a crap load of cars out there with personalized tags. So for the past couple of weeks I have been jotting these down as I see them. Here is a list of what I have seen:

• FLRPOWR
• 2BZ4U2
• HYDAWAY
• IGGGY
• DR JON
• SAN Z
• POP NONI
• COLTS
• KIRTY
• 380 TNG
• 4U MIAMI
• KRUN
• 225
• TEE2GRN
• ISLDCHZ
• HALLE DE

If You Don’t Get One For Xmas Get Yourself a Digital Camera

Add comment November 16th, 2007

I know the title of this post sounds pushy but you really won’t regret it. [Unless you by a super cheap one with with only one megapixel resolution that is.]

I was a diehard SLR user who refused to go digital. I never thought I would be happy with the quality of a digital camera. So when I first started coming around and looking for a digital camera I wanted one that have as many features as my SLR film cameras did.

Not an easy task back in 2000. My first thought was to get a digital body to go with all the Minolta lenses I already had. This proved impossible due to the high cost of digital SLR camera bodies at the time. So I started looking at point and shoot digital cameras, but I still kept hitting that same ole wall. I wanted more control the camera than these would provide.

Then I found the Olympus E-10. It was a more reasonably price SLR with the ability to manually focus and both aperture and shutter control as well as fully automatic functions. I bit the bullet and bought it. And I am so glad I did. The images are great. I have taken more photos than I could ever have with film. It has more than paid for itself in all the savings from no longer buying film.

Probably the most satisfying thing about the digital camera is being able to review the images and immediately reshooting if there is a problem or being able to shoot many shots without fear of running out of film.

I have since purchased another small pocket sized Kodak EasyShare V550, which easily fits in a pocket and goes anywhere. I use it almost every day for both personal and professional. Since I purchased my first digital camera I have been taking digital images for several online stores. It was that ease of editing, uploading and share of the photographs that finally convinced me to use one for family and friends pictures too.

The quality of digital cameras have been getting so much better over the years that I see another camera sometime in the near future too. So don’t put it off any longer. Dip into the pool of digital photography.

Get your camera at Ritz Camera

Khan! The Ships are Here.

Add comment November 16th, 2007

I just got my two versions of the Wrath of Khan Enterprise ships from Diamond Select Toys. Of the two the standard version is my favorite. When I got it out of the shipping box and pushed the button and heard, “KHAN!” I was hooked. I have been known to shout out KHAN! Out of the blue on many occasions. My friend walked by as I was playing with it and asked me if this was my favorite toy now. I honestly think it might be and I have not even taken it out of its display box yet.

Right after I got this way cool ship I received my Battle Damaged version from New Force Comics. Again, I have not removed it from the display box yet so I am not exactly sure how I feel about it, but from the top of the ship I do not se too much battle damage on this exclusive version.

Looking for Plastic/Acrylic Displays for My Collection

2 comments November 16th, 2007

I have a huge Star Trek collection. I display the majority of it loose on shelves. This can be a huge problem when it comes to dusting to the toys, models and other collectibles. I really need a good solution to protect and better display my stuff.

That’s where Potomac Display company comes in handy. They make plastic and acrylic display cases. They’ll even do custom display cases if I cannot find something to fit my exact needs, but they carry so much I doubt I will need to do a custom case.

Since my action figures are mostly loose I am looking at their rectangular table for counter displays. They look perfect for raising the back row of figures for better viewing.

I will definitely be getting a bunch of ornament hangers for all those Hallmark ornaments I have sitting around waiting for a Christmas tree.

Inspired by Potomac Display - riker mounts free shipping

New Releases at Wal-mart Slightly Discounted Again But Not By Much

Add comment November 14th, 2007

I have to agree with a lot of folks out there Wal-Mart sucks. And I am sure I could find any number of sites to go post my bitching sessions. But I will try to contain it to my little blog here [if I can]. They just seem to keep aggravating me though.

As I have said previously, one of the Wal-marts I used to frequent stopped having their weekly discounts on the DVD new releases. I of course had to start something with them.

After that call I had pretty much written off that Wal-mart as I pass 4 more on the way home from work daily. But just out of curiosity I had to call Tuesday to see how much they were selling Shrek the Third for and was told $16.88 not the $14.97 the other stores have nor the $14.87 Walmart.com has it for, but at least a discount of sorts.

I still went to Target to get it for $14.99 instead of shopping there. Just like I told the guy on the phone.

 UPDATE: [Thurs. 11/15/07] as of now the price at the Elverson Walmart is back up to 19.96. Did the guy lie to me on the phone or was it only on sale for Tuesday only? I’ll never know as I won’t be going back into that Wal-mart for a very long time.

Who Knew I Would Have a Hit Recipe

Add comment November 14th, 2007

I love good homemade food but I rarely cook and almost never bake. So last year when my family was putting together family cookbook / scrapbook I was having a really bad time coming up with a recipe to put on my page. We were each to create a page with our favorite recipe, photo and memories. Memories I have plenty of, photos a few and recipes next to none. Now, a year later, I think I have found that new family recipe to hand down. The only time I bake is when we make holiday cookies.

I made a Tres Leches or three milk cake for a party my niece was having and it was a hit. So I made one for my sister’s birthday the next week and both my nieces requested one for their birthdays too. Only one more to go on the request list at this point.

You might ask how did I come by a Mexican Cake recipe when I don’t bake nor am I Mexican. A girl I work with brought a piece in for me to try and I loved it. Normally, I am not a fan of cakes. When I do eat cake I soak it in milk before eating it so this sounded really good to me and it was.

It is very easy to make and you can find about 20 variations on the recipe by searching the web.

1 Box Moist Yellow Cake Mix [add an extra egg to the instructions]
1 Can Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 Can Evaporated Milk
1 Pint Heavy Whipping Cream
½ tsp Vanilla

Follow the cake mix instructions but add an extra egg to the mix. [If you have a stand alone mixer like the Hamilton Beach® Eclectrics® All-Metal Stand Mixer mixing the cake is a snap, especially if you choose a scratch recipe]. Once you bake the cake allow it to cool for 5-10 minutes. Then in a bowl mix the three milks and the vanilla. You want to poke holes with a fork throughout the cake about ¼ inch apart. Then pour the milk mixture over the cake. Cover. Allow to soak in refrigerator overnight. The next day ice the cake with whipped topping or a light icing, nothing too sweet. Decorate with fresh fruit, my choice is raspberries.

Now this has me thinking of those holiday cookies and how much I hate using our old mixer. I always make a mess with it. Making the Tres Leches was no exception to that rule either. Oh, how I wish Santa could drop by early with a Hamilton Beach® Stand Mixer so we could mix up all those cookies with ease.

Heck, if I had a good Hamilton Beach® Mixer I might actually bake more often with everything it can do. So, Santa see what you can do about bringing me a Eclectrics® Mixer this year.

I’m Just a Little Black Rain Cloud Hovering Over the Honey Tree

Add comment November 14th, 2007

I love Pooh Bear. He’s all stuffed with fluff, you know?

I really thought the black cloud hanging over me when going out to eat [which is not Pooh with a balloon] was slowly moving on, but it appears to have returned.

A week ago we had dinner at the Red Lobster. It really was a good experience. The food was good [can’t go wrong with shrimp in any form] and the service was top notch. Really the only complaint I could have had was I found two shells in my Lobster bisque. I did not bite into them and I cannot fault the restaurant for using actual real lobster, now can I? This good experience has lead me to believe things would start to look up. But it was only a break in the storm.

A few weeks ago I wrote about Applebee’s for a second time. No I have not been back yet. But after that initial complaint I was told they would send out a gift certificate to make us happy and keep us coming back. Well almost three weeks later and no mail has come. It was only being mailed about 2 miles so it should have been here long ago. So I gave them a call and gentle reminder. We shall see.

But last night I went to my favorite Mexican restaurant, Alebrije. I ordered one of my usual dishes which I normally LOVE. Last night I was not so lucky. Not only was it merely luke warm the steak was extremely salty. I thought maybe it was the sauce, no. It was the meat. I could not eat more than a third of it and had to ask them to take it off the bill. Thank god[dess] for flan or I would have left there hungry, which would have been a first for me when leaving that restaurant.

In case my post title threw you off here are the lyrics to the song sung by Winnie the Pooh Bear in Disney’s cartoon:

I’m just a little black rain cloud
hovering under the honey tree,
Only a little black rain cloud,
pay no attention to little me.

Everyone knows that a rain cloud
never eats honey, no, not a nip.
I’m just floating around over the ground,
wondering where I will drip.

Vaginal Rejuvenation - Who Knew?

Add comment November 14th, 2007

I often thought things like vaginal rejuvenation was just something made up for shows like The L Word or Nip/Tuck, but it is a real procedure with real benefits. After doing a little research on Drs. Moore and Miklos’ website I have found other interesting conditions woman face in regards to their genital area that can cause some serious physical and emotional distress.

Their website is very thorough and informative not only about the doctors who are performing these procedures but about the procedures themselves. These doctors are world renowned in the field of urogynecology having performed surgeries on people from 25 countries and 46 states who have flown to Atlanta, GA seeking their help.

Vaginal surgery is not just the elective cosmetic procedure Hollywood would like us to think it is. It is a serious surgery that helps women the world over.

Plastic Surgery by Drs. Miklos & Moore - International leaders in laparoscopic and minimally invasive vaginal & reconstructive surgery.

Wal-Mart Overpriced DVD Update

Add comment November 12th, 2007

I got a chance to speak to an assistant manager at the Wal-mart in question regarding the overpriced, non-discounted new release DVDs.

She said she would take it up with their marketing manager and that without anyone actually telling them the price increase bothered them they would never know. What a crock. They were just taking advantage of the people in that small town by not offering them what is offered in 5 other area Wal-marts and online to boot.

I was told they do not price comparison other Wal-marts or their own website. So I guess what they are telling me is that any Wal-mart any where can for no reason other than they want a few extra bucks jack the prices up. There is no corporate control at the store level of prices. It is a shame. I know they have lost my business. I would rather buy online from DeepDiscountDVD.com then go back there even if they go back to the same sale prices for the new release DVDs.

Classic Red Ryder BB Gun Just Like Ralphie’s

Add comment November 12th, 2007

One of my all time favorite holiday films is The Christmas Story. I can relate to it because all I ever wanted growing up was a BB Gun. My Grandfather eventually got me one, just like in the film. In the film all Ralphie ever asks for is a Red Ryder BB Gun and all he ever hears is, “You’ll put your eye out.” Well with proper adult supervision and a little gun safety training a BB gun can be loads of fun and a valuable tool in teaching gun safety.

Well, the Red Ryder BB Gun is back and collectors and nostalgia freaks alike can get their very own! Get your inner little Ralphie a classic 1938 Daisy Red Ryder BB Gun with collectible BB tin available now at AirGunDepot.com.

Red Ryder at AirGunDepot.com

Site Pal Cool Idea But Too Expensive

Add comment November 8th, 2007

I received an email with one of those talking avatars – Site Pals. They are made using a service from oddcast.com. They are a pretty cool idea an animated figure [person, animal or alien] welcomes visitors to your site in your voice or someone else’s.

But the lowest cost is $10/month. That is pretty steep for a little flash animation you could host on your own site. I wish they would do a one-time fee with where you host it and there is no more cost to you. I would probably make a few of them, but not at $10/month or more no way.