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Showing posts with label feature. Show all posts
Showing posts with label feature. Show all posts
Friday, September 25, 2009
Friday Feature: Swagbucks
You may have noticed a new little button on my sidebar, just a little way down. Or, if you're on Facebook, you may have noticed my posts that say "I just won 1 Swagbuck!" or something like that. Swagbucks is a search engine that rewards you for searching. Just normal searches that you already do anyway. It uses Google and Ask.com to feed its search engines, so the results are pretty much what you'd get if you searched in Google anyway. As you search, you collect Swagbucks that you can later redeem for prizes. Check it out here:
Friday, February 27, 2009
Friday Feature: Funnies
I figure it's about time to share with you where I get some of my laughs on a daily basis that keep me sane. I've got a few funny sites up my sleeve.
First is the English Fail Blog. Many of you may be familiar with simple FailBlog, but I found the other one first. That's the only reason I read the "english" one...I found it before I found the plain-jane version. (First of all, if you're not familiar with the "fail" phenomenon, or correct usage of the expression, please read here.) English Fail Blog posts pictures of "fails" -- misspellings, incorrect grammar uses, and sometimes sheer stupidity. It's good for a laugh.
Next is Glitter Gone Bad. Many people are familiar with the Cake Wrecks blog (which I really don't find very funny, actually...it's boring to me). Well, this is the craft version. Crafts gone horribly wrong.
One of my favorites is church-related. Overheard in the Ward posts funny anecdotes and slips of the tongue that have been heard at church. Sometimes it is "out of the mouths of babes," but not always.
That's Punny! appeals to my inner nerd. They post pictures of punnily named businesses or signs, like a hair salon called Curl Up and Dye.
This week I added The 9th Ward to my funny subscriptions. It's more LDS humor...cartoons, primarily.
The first funny site I really subscribed to was The "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks. They post funny pictures of quotations that have been improperly and unnecessarily used. They also give humorous commentary as to the interpretation and meaning of the phrases in quotes.
Enjoy your new-found funnies!
First is the English Fail Blog. Many of you may be familiar with simple FailBlog, but I found the other one first. That's the only reason I read the "english" one...I found it before I found the plain-jane version. (First of all, if you're not familiar with the "fail" phenomenon, or correct usage of the expression, please read here.) English Fail Blog posts pictures of "fails" -- misspellings, incorrect grammar uses, and sometimes sheer stupidity. It's good for a laugh.
Next is Glitter Gone Bad. Many people are familiar with the Cake Wrecks blog (which I really don't find very funny, actually...it's boring to me). Well, this is the craft version. Crafts gone horribly wrong.
One of my favorites is church-related. Overheard in the Ward posts funny anecdotes and slips of the tongue that have been heard at church. Sometimes it is "out of the mouths of babes," but not always.
That's Punny! appeals to my inner nerd. They post pictures of punnily named businesses or signs, like a hair salon called Curl Up and Dye.
This week I added The 9th Ward to my funny subscriptions. It's more LDS humor...cartoons, primarily.
The first funny site I really subscribed to was The "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks. They post funny pictures of quotations that have been improperly and unnecessarily used. They also give humorous commentary as to the interpretation and meaning of the phrases in quotes.
Enjoy your new-found funnies!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Friday Feature: House Hunting
Today's Friday Feature has to do with houses. There are a few blogs to which I subscribe that have to do with houses and home decorating.
It should be noted that for the most part, I really just look at the pictures. I don't really read much of what they actually have to say. I just like to drool over the pictures while I sit here and covet. As such, I don't really have a whole lot to say about any of the sites. Sorry.
The first one I really started with was Hooked on Houses. Sometimes it's the outsides of houses, sometimes it's the insides. Sometimes it's celebrity houses, and the readers guess who's house it is, with the aid of three clues. The answer comes the next day. Sometimes it's a movie house, and we get to guess which movie. Sometimes they put up a series of room photos, and the readers guess which room doesn't belong in the same house as all the rest. Mostly it's just about looking at really nice homes. This was the first post I read on the site, and the home that got me "hooked on houses."
Hooked on Houses had a neat little feature that I enjoy -- movie houses. It's a fun little item every now and then.
Okay, next in line is a site I found through reading Hooked on Houses. It's called Lookiloos. Now, this site has several sections. The only one I look at is the "peek of the week." This is the picture (click link for post) that got me hooked there:
Next up is At Home Redesigns. As you can imagine from the name, they deal more with interiors. Decorating, layouts, before and afters, fla market finds (and conversions). Take a gander over there.
There is also The Lettered Cottage. Her blog header reads: The Lettered Cottage: A journey by a girl who loves all things "home." She's got flea market finds, DIY projects, decor, and design consultations.
The Shabby Nest is a blog I've mentioned in the past for crafty projects. I include her here as well because she shows a lot of her home on her blog, and it's great for inspiration (if you're looking for it).
Finally, take a look at This Young House. I've only been checking out TYH for a month or so, but it seems to cover a wide range of topics. The website is maintained by a husband and wife team. They cover home decor as well as home maintenance. Lots of good info over there.
It should be noted that for the most part, I really just look at the pictures. I don't really read much of what they actually have to say. I just like to drool over the pictures while I sit here and covet. As such, I don't really have a whole lot to say about any of the sites. Sorry.
The first one I really started with was Hooked on Houses. Sometimes it's the outsides of houses, sometimes it's the insides. Sometimes it's celebrity houses, and the readers guess who's house it is, with the aid of three clues. The answer comes the next day. Sometimes it's a movie house, and we get to guess which movie. Sometimes they put up a series of room photos, and the readers guess which room doesn't belong in the same house as all the rest. Mostly it's just about looking at really nice homes. This was the first post I read on the site, and the home that got me "hooked on houses."
Hooked on Houses had a neat little feature that I enjoy -- movie houses. It's a fun little item every now and then.Okay, next in line is a site I found through reading Hooked on Houses. It's called Lookiloos. Now, this site has several sections. The only one I look at is the "peek of the week." This is the picture (click link for post) that got me hooked there:
Next up is At Home Redesigns. As you can imagine from the name, they deal more with interiors. Decorating, layouts, before and afters, fla market finds (and conversions). Take a gander over there.
There is also The Lettered Cottage. Her blog header reads: The Lettered Cottage: A journey by a girl who loves all things "home." She's got flea market finds, DIY projects, decor, and design consultations.
The Shabby Nest is a blog I've mentioned in the past for crafty projects. I include her here as well because she shows a lot of her home on her blog, and it's great for inspiration (if you're looking for it).
Finally, take a look at This Young House. I've only been checking out TYH for a month or so, but it seems to cover a wide range of topics. The website is maintained by a husband and wife team. They cover home decor as well as home maintenance. Lots of good info over there.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Friday Feature: Scoopalicious
Today's installment of Friday Feature will be short and sweet (that'll be punny to you in a minute). Today I am highlighting Scoopalicious, a blog dedicated to the authors' love of ice cream. They try out new products, give you new recipes, recommend cookbooks, tell you about free promotions, and sometimes, they have contests for coupons for free ice cream. I won just such a contest yesterday! As a thankful gesture, I am sending readers their way.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Friday Feature: Photography
I'm back! I haven't done a Friday Feature (or any kind of feature) since the beginning of November, and considering that most of you who participated in my poll in November said that you enjoy finding out about other sites I visit, I thought I ought to get back on that!
The first feature I ever did on this blog was photography related. I decided to revisit it. There are six photography blogs/websites I subscribe to in my Google Reader. I'll give a favorite sample here from each one.
Angie Penrose Photography
Angie is the sister of a friend of mine here in Cleveland. She seems to do a lot of kidlets in her photo shoots. She is based in Washington State.
Brittann Photography
Brittany was an acquaintance of mine about 10 years ago. As the story goes (as many stories go these days), we recently connected on Facebook and I found I loved looking at her photography. She does a lot of families. She is based in Denver, CO.
Crossmark Design Photography
This site I have no personal connection with whatsoever. I came across it one day and fell in love instantly. The photographer mostly does scenery, architecture, and other non-people related photos. they can be ordered as cards and more. He is based in Portland, OR (which is partly why I'm so taken with his work...much of it is very familiar to me).
Erica Kirby Photography
I was briefly acquainted with Erica over a few weekends during my singles years in Connecticut. We too have re-aquainted on Facebook, and these days I mostly enjoy her photography by reading her personal blog (she has a little baby girl, which, as we all know, is a great excuse to take pictures). She is based in Northwest Arkansas.
ETF Photography
Liz's photo blog was the first one I ever started looking at regularly. Liz is a photography that doesn't mind being in front of the camera from time to time. She has a wide range of subjects...weddings, engagements, families, children/babies, scenery, as well as "femininity". Having previously highlighted some of her people work, I think I'll go back through her archives and share a few of my favorite scenery-type shots of hers. She is based in Northern Utah.
Sarah Palfreyman Photography
Sarah is a recent acquaintance.. She is who took Julie's six month pictures. She has shot a lot of families in the ward here, and otherwise locally. I would definitely use her again. She is based in Cleveland, OH.
The first feature I ever did on this blog was photography related. I decided to revisit it. There are six photography blogs/websites I subscribe to in my Google Reader. I'll give a favorite sample here from each one.
Angie Penrose Photography
Angie is the sister of a friend of mine here in Cleveland. She seems to do a lot of kidlets in her photo shoots. She is based in Washington State.
Brittann Photography
Brittany was an acquaintance of mine about 10 years ago. As the story goes (as many stories go these days), we recently connected on Facebook and I found I loved looking at her photography. She does a lot of families. She is based in Denver, CO.
Crossmark Design Photography
This site I have no personal connection with whatsoever. I came across it one day and fell in love instantly. The photographer mostly does scenery, architecture, and other non-people related photos. they can be ordered as cards and more. He is based in Portland, OR (which is partly why I'm so taken with his work...much of it is very familiar to me).
Erica Kirby Photography
I was briefly acquainted with Erica over a few weekends during my singles years in Connecticut. We too have re-aquainted on Facebook, and these days I mostly enjoy her photography by reading her personal blog (she has a little baby girl, which, as we all know, is a great excuse to take pictures). She is based in Northwest Arkansas.
ETF Photography
Liz's photo blog was the first one I ever started looking at regularly. Liz is a photography that doesn't mind being in front of the camera from time to time. She has a wide range of subjects...weddings, engagements, families, children/babies, scenery, as well as "femininity". Having previously highlighted some of her people work, I think I'll go back through her archives and share a few of my favorite scenery-type shots of hers. She is based in Northern Utah.
Sarah Palfreyman Photography
Sarah is a recent acquaintance.. She is who took Julie's six month pictures. She has shot a lot of families in the ward here, and otherwise locally. I would definitely use her again. She is based in Cleveland, OH.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Friday Feature: Blog Stuff
Since most of you reading my blog are bloggers yourselves, I thought it would be fun today to share some blog-related stuff in my feature.
Who likes a boring blog? A plain layout? Blah! Fun layouts are much better. Here are some sites with fun cool blog layouts.
Allie Brown's Layouts
Izzy Grace Blog Backgrounds
Kindra's Blogging Designs
Sam's Scraps
Simply Fabulous Blogger Templates
Smitten Blog Designs
I've saved two for the very end. One is my favorite, and another is new-found, and I really like it a lot.
Shel's Scraps has a really fun layout itself. I think you can generally trust a blog layout website if you like its own design. Her designs are simple, but not boring; basic, but not plain; familiar, but not common.
Leelou Blogs is the site I've used for my last several layouts. I like hers because they are different from the same basic template that you see so many others made from (think "Cutest Blog on the Block...they're basically all the same basic underlying design). Her patterns are different, textured, and fun! She recently launched a new design on her site, and is doing custom orders. As part of her launch, she did a week of giveaways (so if you visit her site, you'll probably have to scroll through a bunch of posts to get to actual blog layouts, or you can click on the 'free layouts' button on the header). Leelou is also LDS and has several blinky-type buttons that you can put on your sidebar that are related to the Church.
Happy blogging!
Who likes a boring blog? A plain layout? Blah! Fun layouts are much better. Here are some sites with fun cool blog layouts.
Allie Brown's Layouts
Izzy Grace Blog Backgrounds
Kindra's Blogging Designs
Sam's Scraps
Simply Fabulous Blogger Templates
Smitten Blog Designs
I've saved two for the very end. One is my favorite, and another is new-found, and I really like it a lot.
Shel's Scraps has a really fun layout itself. I think you can generally trust a blog layout website if you like its own design. Her designs are simple, but not boring; basic, but not plain; familiar, but not common.
Leelou Blogs is the site I've used for my last several layouts. I like hers because they are different from the same basic template that you see so many others made from (think "Cutest Blog on the Block...they're basically all the same basic underlying design). Her patterns are different, textured, and fun! She recently launched a new design on her site, and is doing custom orders. As part of her launch, she did a week of giveaways (so if you visit her site, you'll probably have to scroll through a bunch of posts to get to actual blog layouts, or you can click on the 'free layouts' button on the header). Leelou is also LDS and has several blinky-type buttons that you can put on your sidebar that are related to the Church.
Happy blogging!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Friday Feature: Me!
Okay, yeah, I'm talking about me today.
Wow...I think there are only two people still reading this. That's okay. I like talking about me, so I'll keep going for my own benefit.
I have three other blogs besides this one. You may be somewhat familiar with one or more of them already, but if not, here you go, in the order in which I started them.
The Kitchen Counter
The Kitchen Counter is a food-related blog (I know...big surprise, right?) It is a collaborative effort with a few other friends of mine, though I'm mostly the one who posts to it.
Snapshots by Janelle
I enjoy photography. I don't do a lot of people pictures (other than of Julie), but I enjoy photography things. This is where I show it off.
My Inkstand
I also enjoy writing (as evidenced by my multiple blogs). I occasionally get an itch for creative writing, but it's usually just rambling, so I didn't want to take up space here with it.
Wow...I think there are only two people still reading this. That's okay. I like talking about me, so I'll keep going for my own benefit.
I have three other blogs besides this one. You may be somewhat familiar with one or more of them already, but if not, here you go, in the order in which I started them.
The Kitchen Counter
The Kitchen Counter is a food-related blog (I know...big surprise, right?) It is a collaborative effort with a few other friends of mine, though I'm mostly the one who posts to it.
Snapshots by Janelle
I enjoy photography. I don't do a lot of people pictures (other than of Julie), but I enjoy photography things. This is where I show it off.
My Inkstand
I also enjoy writing (as evidenced by my multiple blogs). I occasionally get an itch for creative writing, but it's usually just rambling, so I didn't want to take up space here with it.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Friday Feature: Halloween Writings
Fall is always a fun time of year. Halloween is such a fun holiday, and the whole season builds up to Christmas. Oh, and my birthday is in November. But I'm focusing on Halloween today.
First up comes my own tutorial on how to carve a Jack-o-lantern. You can find my past entries (posted on this blog last year) here:
Carving Jack: Part I
Carving Jack: Part II
Carving Jack: Part III
Or you can find the tutorial in its entirety (not parts) here: Carving Jack
Second comes the results post from this month's Write-Away Contest over at Scribbit | A Blog About Motherhood in Alaska. (Click here to read my feature about Scribbit last Friday.) Her theme this month was "Ghosts." Not all the entries will probably be literal, or even completely Halloween themed, but they all will be about ghosts in some fashion.
This brings me to my final comment in this post: why I had a good day yesterday. I found out that I WON this month's Write-Away Contest!!!
First up comes my own tutorial on how to carve a Jack-o-lantern. You can find my past entries (posted on this blog last year) here:
Carving Jack: Part I
Carving Jack: Part II
Carving Jack: Part III
Or you can find the tutorial in its entirety (not parts) here: Carving Jack
Second comes the results post from this month's Write-Away Contest over at Scribbit | A Blog About Motherhood in Alaska. (Click here to read my feature about Scribbit last Friday.) Her theme this month was "Ghosts." Not all the entries will probably be literal, or even completely Halloween themed, but they all will be about ghosts in some fashion.
This brings me to my final comment in this post: why I had a good day yesterday. I found out that I WON this month's Write-Away Contest!!!
Friday, October 17, 2008
Friday Feature: Scribbit
Okay, you're probably wondering if I typed that right. If you're not wondering that, you're probably repeating the word several times, because it feels weird on your mouth or on your tongue.
Scribbit | A Blog About Motherhood In Alaska is a blog written by a "real" mother (not a supermom). She lives in Anchorage, and among her blog praises are the following:
Scribbit | A Blog About Motherhood In Alaska is a blog written by a "real" mother (not a supermom). She lives in Anchorage, and among her blog praises are the following:
- Scribbit was ranked second in the list of forty most popular parent blogs by Mamablogga
- She was ranked fifth on the list of ten Top Motherhood Blogs in the Wall Street Journal
- She has been interviewed on 5 Minutes for Mom several times
- She was a speaker at BlogHer 2008
- In May 2008, Blogger.com featured her as a "Blog of Note" on their homepage
Friday, October 10, 2008
Friday Feature: Flash Games
Today's feature is just fun and silly.
Boomshine is a fun and simple computer game. It's easy to learn and quick to play.
Halloween Hangman is, well, Halloween Hangman. Pretty self-explanatory.
Have fun!
Boomshine is a fun and simple computer game. It's easy to learn and quick to play.
Halloween Hangman is, well, Halloween Hangman. Pretty self-explanatory.
Have fun!
Friday, October 3, 2008
Friday Feature: Voter Registration
Are you registered to vote yet? Regardless of your political views, if you plan on voting in November, time is running out to register. Google Maps has a nifty little service to help you figure out what you need to do.
Google Maps Election Info
Click the above link, enter your address and zip code into the address field, and you will see something like this:
It will provide you with links to the appropriate websites to register to vote, and let you know how long you have until the deadline.
Google Maps Election Info
Click the above link, enter your address and zip code into the address field, and you will see something like this:
It will provide you with links to the appropriate websites to register to vote, and let you know how long you have until the deadline.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Friday Feature: For the crafty girl
I’m not a huge crafter. I would like to me more of a crafter, but not an excessive crafter. Most crafting type blogs that I find out there are a little too over-the-top for my taste, but there are a few gems that I have stumbled across that I would like to share.
First is Unnecessary Necessities. I first noticed a link to it on a friend’s blog (I think it’s maybe someone that she knows personally), and was immediately attracted to the fun blog name. The author finds her ideas across the internet and blogosphere and shares her favorites. There are some that I’m not too interested in, and others that I love, like this idea for making a tray with a picture frame. Most of her crafts are relatively simple, and often (like the tray), versatile as well. I am often hesitant to make something that isn’t versatile enough.
Second up is Grace Violet. I love her ideas. There have been one after another that I have just wanted to copy. She made a decorative cash wallet (which I want to make for carrying coupons in, so I actually USE coupons), a set of flashcards with scrapbook paper and plastic name badge holders, and a covered baby wipes case. Her website is simple in design and not distracting, making it easy to focus on her projects. To me, these are “real people crafts,” not super-mom things.
Lastly I have The Shabby Nest. I found this blog through a suggestion from my Google Reader, but I stayed because I was drawn to her simple “cutified” (to steal her word) clipboards. Most “cute” clipboards that I see look like someone threaded a mop through the handle and the top and tied a pen on. If that’s your style, more power to you, but it is most definitely NOT my style. The author of this blog lives in Maine, which most of you know is where I lived before I moved to Cleveland. New England décor is relatively simple but very cute. I’m not sure how to best describe it, but she’s got it. I really like it, and her crafts seem to go along with her home.
Are you working on any crafty projects?
First is Unnecessary Necessities. I first noticed a link to it on a friend’s blog (I think it’s maybe someone that she knows personally), and was immediately attracted to the fun blog name. The author finds her ideas across the internet and blogosphere and shares her favorites. There are some that I’m not too interested in, and others that I love, like this idea for making a tray with a picture frame. Most of her crafts are relatively simple, and often (like the tray), versatile as well. I am often hesitant to make something that isn’t versatile enough.
Second up is Grace Violet. I love her ideas. There have been one after another that I have just wanted to copy. She made a decorative cash wallet (which I want to make for carrying coupons in, so I actually USE coupons), a set of flashcards with scrapbook paper and plastic name badge holders, and a covered baby wipes case. Her website is simple in design and not distracting, making it easy to focus on her projects. To me, these are “real people crafts,” not super-mom things.
Lastly I have The Shabby Nest. I found this blog through a suggestion from my Google Reader, but I stayed because I was drawn to her simple “cutified” (to steal her word) clipboards. Most “cute” clipboards that I see look like someone threaded a mop through the handle and the top and tied a pen on. If that’s your style, more power to you, but it is most definitely NOT my style. The author of this blog lives in Maine, which most of you know is where I lived before I moved to Cleveland. New England décor is relatively simple but very cute. I’m not sure how to best describe it, but she’s got it. I really like it, and her crafts seem to go along with her home.
Are you working on any crafty projects?
Friday, September 19, 2008
Friday Feature: Google Reader
If you haven't yet discovered the convenience of Google Reader, boy have you been missing out!
Up until about six weeks ago, I individually checked over 50 blogs a day do updates. That only included people I actually knew, not even any cooking blogs or craft blogs or people-I-didn't-know-but-still-liked-to-read blogs. It got to be very inconvenient and tedious, as only a small handful of my blogging friends update their blogs every day.
Then one day, I discovered Google Reader, and life hasn't been the same since then. Basically, you "subscribe" to all the blogs you read, and anytime there is a new post on one of them, it will show up in your reader, without you having to check each page individually!
Pros:
You can find the Google Reader here.
Up until about six weeks ago, I individually checked over 50 blogs a day do updates. That only included people I actually knew, not even any cooking blogs or craft blogs or people-I-didn't-know-but-still-liked-to-read blogs. It got to be very inconvenient and tedious, as only a small handful of my blogging friends update their blogs every day.
Then one day, I discovered Google Reader, and life hasn't been the same since then. Basically, you "subscribe" to all the blogs you read, and anytime there is a new post on one of them, it will show up in your reader, without you having to check each page individually!
Pros:
- Saves time, saves clicking.
- Lets you sort your subscriptions and assign tags.
- Lets you flag entries that you want to keep track of or refer back to.
- You only have to check one website to check all your blogs.
- If you subscribe to any blog that is "private" (such as mine) where you have to login to read it, you are not able to subscribe to that blog because there is no feed. You still have to check it manually.
- You cannot see blog layouts (I don't know...this may be a "pro" for some people), including sidebar components, music, etc.
- You cannot comment on blog posts from the Reader window. You have to click through to the blog (really easy) if you want to leave a note.
You can find the Google Reader here.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Friday Feature: Movies
Sorry I'm so late getting my Friday Feature up today. It's been a busy day, and I didn't have this one ready to go in advance.
Today's feature is about the movies. Who doesn't like movies? Whether it's going to the theater, watching it on the big screen, eating popcorn so dripping it's practically soggy, or curling up on the couch with a blanket and some hot chocolate, I don't know a single person who doesn't like movies.
But have you ever watched a movie and said, "I know that guy... What do I know him from? Was he the guy that played (insert character here) in (insert movie/TV show here) like three years ago?" Did you know there's an easy way to find out? It's called the Internet Movie Database, or IMDB. It's a very comprehensive collection of who played what and when. There is trivia about the stars, synopses about movies and TV shows, gaffes in the editing, funny quotes and cross-referencing on screen appearances. If you're a movie person, and you get hung up on the actors, IMDB will become your new best friend.
The second part of today's feature is more for the local Clevelanders. Do you love going to the movies but just can't afford it? It's not like it's just a $10 trip anymore (for ticket and snacks). It's a lot tighter on the pocketbook to do dinner and a movie now than it used to be. But there are some movies that you just have to see on the big screen. Good action movies, for example. Well, there's a solution for you. There is a Cinemark dollar theater in Willoughby Hills. They get movies a couple of months after they originally come out, but if you're willing to wait it's a great deal! For example, Ben and I are WAY overdue to see the new Indiana Jones movie, but it's in the dollar theater now. I'm really excited. The first time we went, I thought the concessions were going to be way overpriced to make up for ticket prices, but was pleasantly surprised to find that the concession prices are only as expensive as a "normal" theater or maybe even a little less.
So Ben and I finally need to go see Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Anyone want to babysit next week? :)
Today's feature is about the movies. Who doesn't like movies? Whether it's going to the theater, watching it on the big screen, eating popcorn so dripping it's practically soggy, or curling up on the couch with a blanket and some hot chocolate, I don't know a single person who doesn't like movies.
But have you ever watched a movie and said, "I know that guy... What do I know him from? Was he the guy that played (insert character here) in (insert movie/TV show here) like three years ago?" Did you know there's an easy way to find out? It's called the Internet Movie Database, or IMDB. It's a very comprehensive collection of who played what and when. There is trivia about the stars, synopses about movies and TV shows, gaffes in the editing, funny quotes and cross-referencing on screen appearances. If you're a movie person, and you get hung up on the actors, IMDB will become your new best friend.
The second part of today's feature is more for the local Clevelanders. Do you love going to the movies but just can't afford it? It's not like it's just a $10 trip anymore (for ticket and snacks). It's a lot tighter on the pocketbook to do dinner and a movie now than it used to be. But there are some movies that you just have to see on the big screen. Good action movies, for example. Well, there's a solution for you. There is a Cinemark dollar theater in Willoughby Hills. They get movies a couple of months after they originally come out, but if you're willing to wait it's a great deal! For example, Ben and I are WAY overdue to see the new Indiana Jones movie, but it's in the dollar theater now. I'm really excited. The first time we went, I thought the concessions were going to be way overpriced to make up for ticket prices, but was pleasantly surprised to find that the concession prices are only as expensive as a "normal" theater or maybe even a little less.
So Ben and I finally need to go see Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Anyone want to babysit next week? :)
Friday, September 5, 2008
Friday Feature: Reading & Books
Today I think I'll highlight my reading websites. Places to find book reviews or good books to read.
First we have 5 Minutes For Books. This is part of the "5 Minutes" community that includes 5 Minutes for Mom, 5 Minutes for Parenting, 5 Minutes for Going Green, and 5 Minutes for Special Needs. It is a collaborative website with book reviews, suggestions, and themes. There are also posts about reading in general. I'm still pretty new with this site, so I'm not super-familiar with it yet, but anything for book ideas, right?
Next up is GoodReads. Many of you are already familiar with GoodReads. It is a social networking site (like MySpace or Facebook) that is for book-lovers. You can add friends, see their books, and read their reviews. You can create your own bookshelf with books you've read, books you are reading, books you want to read, and any specific categories you want. You can rate books, review them, comment on other people's reviews. Let me know if you ever get around to reading everything on your "to read" list.
Third and last is the Book Nook Club. I am also not very familiar with this one yet either, but it seems okay. Also a collaborative website, it's somewhat of a book group. They choose a book for the month, read it, and then discuss it via comments on the blog. There are also book reviews.
I'm currently in the middle of reading Emma by Jane Austen. This is the first book by her that I've ever attempted, and I did so because I was inspired after watching The Jane Austen Book Club. However, I find myself increasing annoyed with Mr. Woodhouse. So far, his character seems relatively pointless and mostly just in the way. I also have a hard time with Austen's flowery 18th century prose, and the way she writes a lot of her dialogue. To the Jane Austen fans out there: Are all of her books equally odd?
What are you reading right now?
First we have 5 Minutes For Books. This is part of the "5 Minutes" community that includes 5 Minutes for Mom, 5 Minutes for Parenting, 5 Minutes for Going Green, and 5 Minutes for Special Needs. It is a collaborative website with book reviews, suggestions, and themes. There are also posts about reading in general. I'm still pretty new with this site, so I'm not super-familiar with it yet, but anything for book ideas, right?
Next up is GoodReads. Many of you are already familiar with GoodReads. It is a social networking site (like MySpace or Facebook) that is for book-lovers. You can add friends, see their books, and read their reviews. You can create your own bookshelf with books you've read, books you are reading, books you want to read, and any specific categories you want. You can rate books, review them, comment on other people's reviews. Let me know if you ever get around to reading everything on your "to read" list.
Third and last is the Book Nook Club. I am also not very familiar with this one yet either, but it seems okay. Also a collaborative website, it's somewhat of a book group. They choose a book for the month, read it, and then discuss it via comments on the blog. There are also book reviews.
I'm currently in the middle of reading Emma by Jane Austen. This is the first book by her that I've ever attempted, and I did so because I was inspired after watching The Jane Austen Book Club. However, I find myself increasing annoyed with Mr. Woodhouse. So far, his character seems relatively pointless and mostly just in the way. I also have a hard time with Austen's flowery 18th century prose, and the way she writes a lot of her dialogue. To the Jane Austen fans out there: Are all of her books equally odd?
What are you reading right now?
Friday, August 29, 2008
Friday Feature: SSB
I am trying to get myself to blog more. Perhaps that's not the best way to say it. I'm trying to get myself to write about more than "Julie blinked her eyes today...it was so cute!" I realize I'm exaggerating with that example, but I enjoy writing, and I enjoy blogging, and I haven't done much of either lately. I've decided to give scheduling a try. A specific thing on certain days of the week. And because alliteration is a blogger's best bud, Fridays will be Feature days. I haven't done a feature in a few weeks.
It's time I highlight a seriously funny blog. Seriously, So Blessed! is a satire blog about LDS mom bloggers, specifically of the Utah Valley variety. The author is entirely anonymous (even her friends don't know she's the genius behind it), but entirely brilliant. She makes excellent (and very enthusiastic) use of exclamation marks, smiley faces, and acronyms. She calls herself TAMN -- Tiffany/Amber/Megan/Nicole, and she is married to JJWT -- Jordan/Jason/Wes/Taylor, who is in law/dental/business/medical school. She enjoys stampin', Cafe Rio, GNO's, manis/pedis, modest bikinis, and growing the "hottest fetus ever." She treats her blog as her journal, because after all, it is for posterity's sake. Wow, I sound like an announcer for a dating game show.
The woman behind SSB was on KSL TV in Utah this week. You can watch the clip here (there is an ad that will run before it actually starts).
Be prepared to laugh at yourself when you read this blog. Whether you want to or not, you will find some of yourself there. Somewhere. As much as you may not want to.
It's time I highlight a seriously funny blog. Seriously, So Blessed! is a satire blog about LDS mom bloggers, specifically of the Utah Valley variety. The author is entirely anonymous (even her friends don't know she's the genius behind it), but entirely brilliant. She makes excellent (and very enthusiastic) use of exclamation marks, smiley faces, and acronyms. She calls herself TAMN -- Tiffany/Amber/Megan/Nicole, and she is married to JJWT -- Jordan/Jason/Wes/Taylor, who is in law/dental/business/medical school. She enjoys stampin', Cafe Rio, GNO's, manis/pedis, modest bikinis, and growing the "hottest fetus ever." She treats her blog as her journal, because after all, it is for posterity's sake. Wow, I sound like an announcer for a dating game show.
The woman behind SSB was on KSL TV in Utah this week. You can watch the clip here (there is an ad that will run before it actually starts).
Be prepared to laugh at yourself when you read this blog. Whether you want to or not, you will find some of yourself there. Somewhere. As much as you may not want to.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Musical feature
Today's feature is somewhat of a repeat, but with more detail. I will be highlighting all my musical links.
First, you may have noticed that I have removed the music player from my blog. Mostly it's because I don't listen to the radio as much anymore now that I'm not out in the car every day, so I wasn't hearing any new music. I may put it back up at some point in the future. We'll see. In the meantime, the website I used to create my playlist (you can create multiple lists, with different themes if you want even) is Project Playlist.
Next up we have my friend Erin. I've mentioned her previously as the giver of a unique gift to Ben, Julie, and I. I have two links on my page to her music. The first is to her MySpace page, which doesn't have her newest work on it, but enjoyable tunes nonetheless, and an occasional blog entry. Her other link requires a little explaining.
Every year for the last three (I think) years, Erin has participated in February Album Writing Month, or FAWM. It is a challenge that songwriters participate in in which they try to write 14 songs in 28 days. This year, in addition to her regular FAWM activities, she is participating in the 50 Song Challenge -- 50 songs in 90 days, or 50/90. The song she wrote for Julie was her first of the challenge. She continues to upload songs to her 50/90 page as she gets the demos recorded. So far, I get to listen to a new one about every 2-3 days, which is really fun.
First, you may have noticed that I have removed the music player from my blog. Mostly it's because I don't listen to the radio as much anymore now that I'm not out in the car every day, so I wasn't hearing any new music. I may put it back up at some point in the future. We'll see. In the meantime, the website I used to create my playlist (you can create multiple lists, with different themes if you want even) is Project Playlist.
Next up we have my friend Erin. I've mentioned her previously as the giver of a unique gift to Ben, Julie, and I. I have two links on my page to her music. The first is to her MySpace page, which doesn't have her newest work on it, but enjoyable tunes nonetheless, and an occasional blog entry. Her other link requires a little explaining.
Every year for the last three (I think) years, Erin has participated in February Album Writing Month, or FAWM. It is a challenge that songwriters participate in in which they try to write 14 songs in 28 days. This year, in addition to her regular FAWM activities, she is participating in the 50 Song Challenge -- 50 songs in 90 days, or 50/90. The song she wrote for Julie was her first of the challenge. She continues to upload songs to her 50/90 page as she gets the demos recorded. So far, I get to listen to a new one about every 2-3 days, which is really fun.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
In which she demonstrates her nerdiness
Tonight's feature is for my fellow nerds out there (I know there's more than one of you). Or perhaps just the incredibly bored.
First up, we have The Daily Sudoku. Here you can play Sudoku online, in multiple forms. There is the traditional 9x9 box. There is also what they call the "Squiggly" version, in which each section contains 9 squares, but the lines move around. There is also a kids' version, ranging from a 4x4 board to a 9x9. The numbers can be swapped out for letter if the kids prefer. The ultimate Sudoku on this site is the "Monster" version. There are two levels of this. One involves the numbers 0-9 and the letters A-F. The other is only (I know, only) 1-9 and A-C. They are both certainly a challenge. There's a lot more to keep track of. The traditional and Squiggly versions are the only ones available for interactive play online, however the kids and the monster versions can be printed out. There is also a link to another Japanese logic-based grid game called Nurikabe.
Next up is the bizarre Killer Sudoku. Killer Sudoku starts out with the 9x9 grid, but doesn't give you any numbers to start with. Each square is boxed with 1-8 other squares, and you are told the sum of the numbers contained within that box (no repeats), and you have to figure out every single number, without startup. They start with an easy one on Mondays and progress harder as the week goes on. I find that I can solve the easy ones on my own, and occasionally a "moderate" one, but past that I need hints. It does have a sum calculator you can use, which is pretty nifty. There are other types of super crazy versions of Sudoku on this page as well, but I don't play them very often.
Finally, for your inner word nerd/activist, I present Free Rice. Free Rice lets you test/build vocabulary skills while donating food to countries in need. For each correct definition you provide (out of a multiple choice list of synonyms), 10 grains of rice are donated. You don't have to sign up or register or anything like that.
First up, we have The Daily Sudoku. Here you can play Sudoku online, in multiple forms. There is the traditional 9x9 box. There is also what they call the "Squiggly" version, in which each section contains 9 squares, but the lines move around. There is also a kids' version, ranging from a 4x4 board to a 9x9. The numbers can be swapped out for letter if the kids prefer. The ultimate Sudoku on this site is the "Monster" version. There are two levels of this. One involves the numbers 0-9 and the letters A-F. The other is only (I know, only) 1-9 and A-C. They are both certainly a challenge. There's a lot more to keep track of. The traditional and Squiggly versions are the only ones available for interactive play online, however the kids and the monster versions can be printed out. There is also a link to another Japanese logic-based grid game called Nurikabe.
Next up is the bizarre Killer Sudoku. Killer Sudoku starts out with the 9x9 grid, but doesn't give you any numbers to start with. Each square is boxed with 1-8 other squares, and you are told the sum of the numbers contained within that box (no repeats), and you have to figure out every single number, without startup. They start with an easy one on Mondays and progress harder as the week goes on. I find that I can solve the easy ones on my own, and occasionally a "moderate" one, but past that I need hints. It does have a sum calculator you can use, which is pretty nifty. There are other types of super crazy versions of Sudoku on this page as well, but I don't play them very often.
Finally, for your inner word nerd/activist, I present Free Rice. Free Rice lets you test/build vocabulary skills while donating food to countries in need. For each correct definition you provide (out of a multiple choice list of synonyms), 10 grains of rice are donated. You don't have to sign up or register or anything like that.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Feature
I've been thinking for awhile that I would like to "feature" the websites I have listed under the "Other Links I Like" section of my sidebar. This is mostly because it gives me something to write about. I've found several of these through friends' blogs, and several on my own. Some of them are friends' websites (as you'll see today). I decided to finally start today because there is one in particular I want to highlight.
Brittann Photography is a business website (with a link to a blog as well) for a girl I knew at BYU. I only attended BYU for a year, and we weren't great friends during that time, but we were friendly. I recently came back in contact with her earlier this year, and found her website. She is a very talented photographer based in Denver, CO. She does bridals, weddings, portraits, families, babies, senior pics, etc. Even if you're not in the market, check out her site...it's worth a gander for 15 minutes.
The second site I'm highlighting today is ETF Photography (Elizabeth Taylor Frandsen Photography). Liz is a girl I only met once while I lived in Connecticut. I was acquainted with her then-fiance, who was in my singles' branch. She is also quite talented. She likewise does bridals, weddings, portraits, families, babies, and senior pics. You can view her work by clicking on the far right box on her website (this will take you to her blog), or by clicking here. She recently moved to Utah, and is now servicing the northern Utah area, but is willing to travel.
Beginning next month, she is working on expanding her portfolio, in what she's calling "Project Femininity." If you live in northern Utah (or will be visiting there in the next 2 months), you may want to check it out. Free fun portraits.
Brittann Photography is a business website (with a link to a blog as well) for a girl I knew at BYU. I only attended BYU for a year, and we weren't great friends during that time, but we were friendly. I recently came back in contact with her earlier this year, and found her website. She is a very talented photographer based in Denver, CO. She does bridals, weddings, portraits, families, babies, senior pics, etc. Even if you're not in the market, check out her site...it's worth a gander for 15 minutes.
The second site I'm highlighting today is ETF Photography (Elizabeth Taylor Frandsen Photography). Liz is a girl I only met once while I lived in Connecticut. I was acquainted with her then-fiance, who was in my singles' branch. She is also quite talented. She likewise does bridals, weddings, portraits, families, babies, and senior pics. You can view her work by clicking on the far right box on her website (this will take you to her blog), or by clicking here. She recently moved to Utah, and is now servicing the northern Utah area, but is willing to travel.
Beginning next month, she is working on expanding her portfolio, in what she's calling "Project Femininity." If you live in northern Utah (or will be visiting there in the next 2 months), you may want to check it out. Free fun portraits.
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