What A Slacker!

Calling All Over the World

Add comment May 9th, 2008

It’s a small world after all and with technology it is getting even smaller. It is amazing to think we can pick up a phone and speak to someone half way around the world. I never gave international calling much thought, but I live in an area with a high immigrant population, which makes me wonder sometimes how big their phone bills must be. You move away from your family and friends to make a better life for yourself, but you still want to keep in touch and hear their voices. Luckily there are international calling cards, which can be a fraction of what you phone service would charge you.

With GetMeCallingCards.com you can get low rates on all your international calls like Mexico calling cards that let you call from the USA for only a penny a minute.

Flight of Your Life for Your Life

Add comment May 8th, 2008

The other night coming home from work I heard a report about a motorcycle accident on the turnpike that had caused traffic in both lanes to be closed due to a helicopter landing to airlift the person to the hospital. You know it is a bad accident when you hear the word “airlift”.

Thank goodness for companies like AeroCare. They are a 24 hour air ambulance service that offers the life saving Medivac services of transporting patients from just about any where in the world. While the services that AeroCare offers differ from those of the accident victim’s swift flight to the hospital they do offer an invaluable service to transplant patients around the globe. Which is a cause near and dear to my heart.

If you ever find yourself in need of medical transport you’ll be glad you heard about AeroCare and their professional medical flight team.

Steampunk House That Is A Must See

1 comment April 30th, 2008

Texas is a big state with lots of things to do. I am not sure one visit would be enough. I luckily have friends who live in different areas of the state so I should be able to plan several trips to get the most out of the state especially when it comes to making plans to visit my friends in Houston.

I just came across this beautiful historic site, W.H. Stark House that I have to fit into one of the trips even if it is on the wrong side of the state, but thank goodness for those friends in Houston. It is a huge Victorian home turned into a museum located in the City of Orange about 120 miles east of Houston. I absolutely love the Victorian time period. Not that I would have wanted to be a female back in those days as I am certainly not into wearing all the dresses and lace, but I can appreciate the beauty of it all.

Lately I have been really getting into the whole steampunk scene too and this place fits that bill to a tee. Just seeing the outside of this place makes me want to go. It is huge and gorgeous! The folks that built it, William Henry Stark and Miriam Melissa Lutcher Stark, were avid collectors. And we all know collecting is an obsession and not just a hobby. You have got to see the stuff they have online and that is only a small portion of the entire collection on view at the W.H. Stark House.

They even have a bronze death mask of Napoleon Bonaparte. This is right up my morbid little alley. Besides that there is other artwork, beautiful vintage household items (that only the rich then and now could ever hope to own) and not to be missed is the wonderfully steampunk 1909 Hupmobile Roadster. What an amazing looking automobile. What H. G. Wells or Jules Verne fan wouldn’t want to have that vehicle?

While the online images of this place are beyond amazing I truly do suggest that anyone near this place goes there.

Speak Clearly and Speak English When Ordering

Add comment March 19th, 2008

Geno’s Steaks in Philadelphia has a sign out front that says, “This is America please speak English when ordering”. The city of Philadelphia was trying to make the owner, Joey Vento remove the sign.

Personally, I feel it is his business and he has every right to expect his customers to order in a way that is understandable to himself and his employees. Therefore requesting they speak English when ordering does not seem to be asking too much.

I worked for a Greek boss who demanded that when ordering a gyro that you pronounced it properly [year-roh] or no sandwich. He would spend 10 or 15 minutes trying to get folks to say it correctly before taking their order for the sandwich.

I just heard that today the judge ruled that he did not have to take the sign down at least not just yet. Good as there is this little thing called freedom of speech. I think this falls under that. In any case Geno strikes a chord with many, especially in a time when almost all customer service calls are outsourced to India. It is hard dealing with someone in a busy environment when they do not speak English or do not speak without a heavy accent. I just saw an audio book in my local library that taught you to speak English with an American accent. Hey if Nicole Kidman can do anyone can.

That said if you are ever in Philadelphia you have to have a cheese steak, best hot sandwich in the world.

Please Ban Newspapers In Public Places

Add comment January 6th, 2008

We need to enact a ban of newspapers in public places. They are just too big and violate other personal spaces on buses, trains, planes, and even in waiting rooms. They just should not be allowed in crowded public areas. Sitting in a full waiting room I was constantly being nudged and annoyed by the person next to me as they flipped through their paper with no thought to the person 2 inches away from them. It is even worse on a plane. The last time I flew some where I was next to this guy who first of all showed how annoyed he was to be next to me then proceeded to fully open is paper over both his plane seat and mine! He was on the aisle but he just had to stick his paper right in front of me. Man I hate middle seats on a plane.

The average seat is about 15 inches and the average newspaper is almost twice that. How can someone reading a paper in public help but aggravate the person next to them? There would not be a need for a ban if the average human being was considerate enough not to push their paper into the face of the person next to them, but they are not.

Heck, a magazine is even pushing it in closer quarters, so please think before you spread your wings completely. The person next to you might want to read the same thing you are.

Ice Storms Got You Down? Get Away

Add comment December 12th, 2007

I am so sick of being cooped up in the house. And now the weatherman is threatening me with horrible weather. Last weekend we saw how an ice storm literally froze the mid-west. Heck, it looked like Mr. Freeze from Batman hit the area with his freeze ray. The poor folks in three states, which have now declared states of emergency, are sending their bad weather my way.

I don’t want to be stuck in the house with freezing cold temperatures outside and ice and snow swirling around me. I want to be somewhere warm.

Now is the perfect time to get away, unless of course you’re me, because the fine folks down in Florida (gloriously sunny and warm Florida) are having a great lodging special. Right now when you buy two nights you’ll get a third night free. You can book your stay at Amelia Island in any number of participating hotels and bed & breakfasts. Amelia Island has more to offer than simply escaping from the winter weather. They have historic tours, fishing, sailing, hiking, and golf just to name a few of their fun in the sun things to do.

Can you think of anything better than escaping the ice-cold winter weather and exchanging it for a warm glowing sunset on a beach? Since I am stuck in the cold of north eastern united states why not head to warmer climes and enjoy that sunset for me.

Parking in NY City is a Real Bitch

Add comment November 2nd, 2007

If you have ever been to New York City you know that getting around the city can be a big pain. If you have your own car then not only do you have to deal with the traffic but with parking as well. And that is a real bitch. So you found a spot or garage but the cost is out the wazoo. Last time we were there we paid $40 for an hour and a half! A great alternative to all the trouble and expense of dealing with your own vehicle in the city is Dial 7 Car & Limousine Service. They will take the hassle out of getting around the city, to the airport or anywhere in the tri-state area.

Their car service is affordable and reliable. Whether you need limo service Brooklyn, NY or Newark, NJ they’ll be there for you and on time too.

Looking for Something to do in Warmer Climes

Add comment October 29th, 2007

The weather is getting cooler up north and my thoughts start to turn toward a trip down south. One place I recently found out about is St. Augustine Ponte Vedra in Florida. It is located just south of Jacksonville along the east coast of Florida.

One of the things that caught my eye, besides all the history this place has, is the event Uptown Saturday Night. They have antique shops, galleries and one of my favorites the Ripley museum that all stay open for the special event. The Uptown Saturday Nights are on the last Saturday of every month. Sorry we just missed the October 27th one but there are more to come, but only two left in 2007 November 24th and December 29th. Of course 2008 is completely open too.

So what happens during these evenings? All kinds of special events that’s what! They have book signings, live music, and other fun events to make the whole thing a big party. It is right down town from 5 to 9 pm on the last Saturday of every month. So when you are heading down south for warmer weather be sure to head out to the events in St. Augustine Ponte Vedra along the Florida cost.

Oh and did I mention the parking is free and the admission is free.

Mr. Bean Movie Don’t Care Who You Are That There’s Funny

Add comment August 28th, 2007

Mr. Bean’s tragic trek across France on his vacation is hilarious, but not that anyone could tell by the box office reception. After opening weekend the film Mr. Bean’s Holiday only came in fourth for the weekend’s box office totals. This is a rather poor showing for a funny man like Rowan Atkins. But then again US audiences never do seem to get British comedy. Let’s not even venture into what usually happens when we try to Americanize a hit show [just remember what happened to Coupling once it hit the US and that will speak volumes].

This funny little flick from across the pond doesn’t seem to have faired much better with critics. This is a case of “time to make up your own mind about a film” and just to see it. You’ll laugh [rather often too]. Only thing missing is Teddy [and I hope he was not in the suitcase]. The final scene when everything seems to come together is really rather clever. Check it out and get your giggle on.