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ROFL!!

more animals

I am totally, totally hooked on this website. What took me so long to discover it? I’d heard other bloggers talk about it for the longest time before I went to take a peek. ROFL! When I am in a discouraged mood or feeling low, I sometimes go here. Nothing like an hour-long belly laugh to chase the frowns away. LOL!

Another Template

I know! I know! I have another template installed! How many have I tried the past six months?! lol. I change templates more frequently than bedsheets on bed frames, ha!

I just haven’t found the PERFECT template, I guess. I am horribly fussy. But this new one, Brian Gardner’s Revolution Code Blue, is very nice. This theme was one of the original Revolution themes, and was selling for $80!!!! But Gardner graciously released some of his themes to open source, and I got it for free. I really like it– it’s fast and very clean and classy-looking. What do you think? Should I keep it? Who knows what tomorrow may bring! lol.

Blog’s New Look

Hey! So what do you think? I decided for a new look for the blog. It’s still extremely simple, especially when compared to my other blogs. I do try to keep this one very simple– my lean, mean, blogging machine, like a blog template on fat burners!! My other blogs are so graphic-heavy that I prefer a very fast-loading, streamlined look for this one. I like the theme, it was very easy to install and customize. I just love the special sidebar with the “Search,” “Archives,” and “Categories” tabs. I really love that with blogs.

Sorry about the gray “Ad” blocks in the sidebar. I’d put my own blog ads there, but my ads are 125×125, and this theme requires 100×100. So I have to design some nice little widget ads to go there yet. In the meantime, please excuse the incomplete look of the sidebar.

If you’re wanting a new look for your blog, I did write a post with a huge list of WordPress themes I found. Most are free. The list is here.

It Pays to Shop Around

I’m so happy! I am always so happy when I get a great deal.

I have a computer with a Vista 64-bit operating system. It’s much easier to find compatible software than it used to be, but it can still be a challenge with the older programs, like my beloved Paint Shop Pro 8 and 9. I loved those programs. But they won’t really work on my machine. PSP 9 will technically “work,” but it has to re-adjust the display settings when it starts up and closes, and I just hate it. SO I’d been keeping my eyes peeled for a newer version of PSP (and my kids wanted the older versions of their computers, so…).

I was browsing at Staples and saw a terrific package called the “Corel Word Perfect Home Media Works” but it was priced at $80! And that was a sale price, too! Gulp. The package looked perfect though– it has Paint Shop Pro X, ULead VideoStudio (which I’ve been wanting for a long time, to replace the Windows MovieMaker I have), WordPerfect X3, and the Intervideo DVD Copy 5 Express. All four programs for $80 was actually a great deal, since PSP sells for about $50 and the newest version is about $100. But still, $80? No way.

I shopped aorund on eBay and found two there. Oh my word, they were $20, brand new and never opened! I ordered it and it came today. The package is definitely brand new– everything is installed– and I just love it! I now have my new PSP (works perfectly) and my ULead. I am flying high!!

So when you see something, especially software, look around at Amazon and eBay. And if you are looking for software, try an older version. Usually there is nothing wrong with an older version and you can save the big bucks just by avoiding the new stuff.

Own Technology, Don’t Let Technology Own You

Way back when machines started to appear in the employment industry, machines were touted as the things that would make our lives better and more leisurely. Have you seen this happen in your life? I haven’t. I think our lives are much more hectic and fast-paced than ever before! As a matter of fact, Dr. Kathleen Hall of the Stress Institute is among many calling the stress the “epidemic of the 21st century.” The Stress Institute was founded in 1997 by award-winning author, Dr. Hall. The institute is a company of physicians and professionals dedicated to getting the word out about stress-causing elements in our fast-paced modern lifestyles, and working with clients toward stress reduction.

I’ve read studies that stress is the cause of a variety of illnesses and diseases. I know that I am susceptible to stress as I get older, and I feel terrible from it. I’ve been trying to build a new lifestyle of stress-free living; memorizing Bible verses has been very helpful for me! Things like exercise and setting aside parts of the day for peaceful moments are just a few things a person can do to relieve stress. The Stress Institute helps you to realize what’s making you stressed out, and it has an excellent website with media resources, articles (there’s a terrific one on work/life balance), tips and information to give you ideas for relieving stress in your life. Check it out for some practical and simple ideas. Don’t let our fast-paced society with all its consuming gadgets get to you!

Would You Do This?

I came across a VERY interesting ad campaign for www.airnewzealand.com. “Interesting” might just be the understatement for this campaign! I’m sure Air New Zealand will be getting tons of attention by this! This is from the site:

Air New Zealand is holding a casting call in late October to select 30 adults to be shaved and tattooed to serve as cranial billboards in Los Angeles as part of the airline’s marketing campaign promoting life-changing journeys to New Zealand.

Basically, Air New Zealand is asking for brave people to use their bald heads as a, uh, billboard. “Bald as a billiard ball billboard” might become a new proverb, eh? The illustrious airline is recruiting 70 people to stand in line at airports, advertising the airline with their bald heads. Have no fear! The tattoos are temporary; they are a two-week henna tattoo! Good thing! But you can’t wear a hat during the two-week tattoo time!

The lucky 70 persons selected from the casting call can get a cash prize or an economy round-trip ticket to New Zealand! The purpose of the campaign is to advertise for Air New Zealand, of course, but also to discuss “individuals’ needs for change and the transformation that a journey to New Zealand offers.” A journey to New Zealand would definitely transform my life! I’ve always wanted to see New Zealand.

Would you do this?

I have long, brown hair, and it would be very difficult to consider shaving it off! Although, at the rate my hair is thinning, maybe it wouldn’t be too bad, lol. Talk about a transformation, ugh! My hair was always my beauty… Anyway, men (or courageous ladies) who are already bald or have their heads shaved (which seems to be a trend right now) would really benefit from it. And Air New Zealand is a classy airline. So, hey! Maybe some folks would love this! Maybe someone like this, eh?

This Blog Got an Award

I was very surprised to get a message from Mom on the Rise, saying she had nominated me for an award here. I don’t market or promote this blog at all. It’s more like my little scratchpad or scrapbook of geeky and tecchy things I’ve learned along the way, and a place to share cool programs I’ve found. So to get an award here, and a reader as well, I’m surprised! Thank you so much, Mom!

And so I get to pass this along. I wish I had some page rank for this blog, to give you gooogle juice, but page rank for me is about as scarce as Halloween invitations (which is fine with me). You’ll just have to get the honor of knowing you have a cool blog! Here goes:

1. The Foundation Forum. Truly an excellent blog
2. Fida Abbott. A sweet lady with a lovely blog.
3. Northview Diary. A terrific blog and one of my favorites.
4. The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far. Always readable and interesting.
5. Yeah, Right. A great blog, with insightful and meaningful posts.

The rules of this award are:
1. The winner can put the logo on his/her blog.
2. Link the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs of the people you’ve nominated

I chose 5 because I like 5. Congrats, winners!

Looking for a LAN Chat

I use MSN Instant Messenger for our network IM chat. My daughter works on her computer upstairs, and rather than yelling for her to come down, I often IM her. It works wonderfully. However, I am tired of MSN’s IM program. I’d really rather not use a third-party IM at all. But I have had a terrible time finding a quality LAN chat. I’ve tried Tonic, and few other free kinds, but there’s always something missing or something wrong with them. I don’t want all the bells and whistles that comes with the third-party software, like Yahoo, AIM, Trillium, and ICQ. I JUST want a simple LAN chat. Why are they so hard to find? If you know of one, please leave a comment. Thanks!

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