Do you know of the phenomenon known as "Puppy Cam"???
Last time I checked it out, there was even human interaction!!!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
MSNBC Keith Olbermann's Commentary on California's Prop. 8 and Gay Marriage
Right on!
I never understand why SOME people feel it's necessary for the government to take away the civil rights of certain groups of people, yet seem to go ape-shit (pardon my Français) when the government seems to even remotely encroach upon their own lives (e.g. gun restriction laws, raising taxes, lowering the speed limit on a certain part of the highway, etc.). There are some people I don't like either, but I would NEVER want the government to criminalize them based on my own personal opinion of them.
If you truly believe in God, and you believe God is the only One to deliver judgment, then you would do better than to have the government take away people's civil rights based on YOUR OWN judgment (because, yes, it is your own, as you reached your decision based on your own interpretation of the Word, or another's interpretation of it with which you agreed). But, most importantly, if you believe that God loves, then surely you can also believe that His love extends to all people, regardless of our differences.
I can only pray that this injustice towards our brothers and sisters will be overturned soon.
I never understand why SOME people feel it's necessary for the government to take away the civil rights of certain groups of people, yet seem to go ape-shit (pardon my Français) when the government seems to even remotely encroach upon their own lives (e.g. gun restriction laws, raising taxes, lowering the speed limit on a certain part of the highway, etc.). There are some people I don't like either, but I would NEVER want the government to criminalize them based on my own personal opinion of them.
If you truly believe in God, and you believe God is the only One to deliver judgment, then you would do better than to have the government take away people's civil rights based on YOUR OWN judgment (because, yes, it is your own, as you reached your decision based on your own interpretation of the Word, or another's interpretation of it with which you agreed). But, most importantly, if you believe that God loves, then surely you can also believe that His love extends to all people, regardless of our differences.
I can only pray that this injustice towards our brothers and sisters will be overturned soon.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
YouTube Make-up Tutorials
Thank GOD for YouTube! Without it, we wouldn't be able to watch all those great TV shows or movies from overseas, that episode of whatever we missed last night, or that episode of whatever we missed 10 years ago, and that video of that kid who wants everyone to leave Britney alone... Okay, so it does have its negative side, too.
Anyway, one of the things that YouTube has also brought to us is a plethora of tutorials for a variety of disciplines. One such discipline is cosmetics/make-up. YouTube has a bevy of make-up arists (aspiring and professional alike) creating tutorials for us gals (and guys) who want to know everything from glamorous make-up looks to special effects make-up looks.
I haven't had time to sit down and watch ALL of them, but I have found 2 YouTube make-up artists that I like and whose tutorial channels I have subscribed to and have become a fan of:
Scandalous Beauty (a.k.a. "Erin")
and Panacea81 (a.k.a. "Lauren")
I think the one thing that turns some women, including myself, off of cosmetics and make-up is that they don't know how to apply it (properly or at all) and, therefore, are intimidated. These two ladies are very personable and are GREAT at showing you how much fun you can have with all the colors make-up has to offer. Rather than using it as a way to subscribe to some sort of standard of femininity and/or beauty, make-up can really be used to create a bold statement of one's individuality. ... Sorry, get too philosophical there for you? ;-)
Anyway, so, yeah. Ladies and gentlemen, don't let make-up intimidate you. Go onto YouTube, grab a few tips from the thousands of skilled make-up artists online, and JUST. HAVE. FUN. !!!
Anyway, one of the things that YouTube has also brought to us is a plethora of tutorials for a variety of disciplines. One such discipline is cosmetics/make-up. YouTube has a bevy of make-up arists (aspiring and professional alike) creating tutorials for us gals (and guys) who want to know everything from glamorous make-up looks to special effects make-up looks.
I haven't had time to sit down and watch ALL of them, but I have found 2 YouTube make-up artists that I like and whose tutorial channels I have subscribed to and have become a fan of:
Scandalous Beauty (a.k.a. "Erin")
and Panacea81 (a.k.a. "Lauren")
I think the one thing that turns some women, including myself, off of cosmetics and make-up is that they don't know how to apply it (properly or at all) and, therefore, are intimidated. These two ladies are very personable and are GREAT at showing you how much fun you can have with all the colors make-up has to offer. Rather than using it as a way to subscribe to some sort of standard of femininity and/or beauty, make-up can really be used to create a bold statement of one's individuality. ... Sorry, get too philosophical there for you? ;-)
Anyway, so, yeah. Ladies and gentlemen, don't let make-up intimidate you. Go onto YouTube, grab a few tips from the thousands of skilled make-up artists online, and JUST. HAVE. FUN. !!!
Friday, November 7, 2008
10 Ways to Be Happier
How happy are you, really? If there’s room for improvement, then Gretchen Rubin has some suggestions.
A few years ago, on a morning like any other, I had a sudden realization: I was in danger of wasting my life. As I stared out the rain-spattered window of a New York City bus, I saw that the years were slipping by.
“What do I want from life?” I asked myself. “Well... I want to be happy.” I had many reasons to be happy: My husband was the tall, dark, handsome love of my life; we had two delightful girls, ages 1 and 7; I was a writer, living in my favorite city. I had friends; I had my health; I didn’t have to color my hair. But too often I sniped at my husband or the drugstore clerk. I felt dejected after even a minor professional setback. I lost my temper easily. Is that how a happy person would act?
I decided on the spot to begin a systematic study of happiness. (A little intense, I know. But that’s the kind of thing that appeals to me.) In the end, I spent a year test-driving the wisdom of the ages, current scientific studies, and tips from popular culture. If I followed all the advice, I wanted to know, would it work?
Well, the year is over, and I can say: It did. I made myself happier. And along the way I learned a lot about how to be happier. Here are those lessons.
1. Don’t start with profundities.
When I began my Happiness Project, I realized pretty quickly that, rather than jumping in with lengthy daily meditation or answering deep questions of self-identity, I should start with the basics, like going to sleep at a decent hour and not letting myself get too hungry. Science backs this up; these two factors have a big impact on happiness.
2. Do let the sun go down on anger.
I had always scrupulously aired every irritation as soon as possible, to make sure I vented all bad feelings before bedtime. Studies show, however, that the notion of anger catharsis is poppycock. Expressing anger related to minor, fleeting annoyances just amplifies bad feelings, while not expressing anger often allows it to dissipate.
3. Fake it til you feel it.
Feelings follow actions. If I’m feeling low, I deliberately act cheery, and I find myself actually feeling happier. If I’m feeling angry at someone, I do something thoughtful for her and my feelings toward her soften.
4. Realize that anything worth doing is worth doing badly.
Challenge and novelty are key elements of happiness. The brain is stimulated by surprise, and successfully dealing with an unexpected situation gives a powerful sense of satisfaction. People who do new things — learn a game, travel to unfamiliar places — are happier than people who stick to familiar activities that they already do well. I often remind myself to “Enjoy the fun of failure” and tackle some daunting goal.
5. Don’t treat the blues with a “treat.”
Often the things I choose as “treats” aren’t good for me. The pleasure lasts a minute, but then feelings of guilt and loss of control and other negative consequences deepen the lousiness of the day. While it’s easy to think, I’ll feel good after I have a few glasses of wine... a pint of ice cream... a cigarette... a new pair of jeans, it’s worth pausing to ask whether this will truly make things better.
6. Buy some happiness.
Our basic psychological needs include feeling loved, secure, and good at what we do and having a sense of control. Money doesn’t automatically fill these requirements, but it sure can help. I’ve learned to look for ways to spend money to stay in closer contact with my family and friends; to promote my health; to work more efficiently; to eliminate sources of irritation and marital conflict; to support important causes; and to have enlarging experiences. For example, when my sister got married, I splurged on a better digital camera. It was expensive, but it gave me a lot of happiness bang for the buck.
7. Don’t insist on the best.
There are two types of decision makers. Satisficers (yes, satisficers) make a decision once their criteria are met. When they find the hotel or the pasta sauce that has the qualities they want, they’re satisfied. Maximizers want to make the best possible decision. Even if they see a bicycle or a backpack that meets their requirements, they can’t make a decision until they’ve examined every option. Satisficers tend to be happier than maximizers. Maximizers expend more time and energy reaching decisions, and they’re often anxious about their choices. Sometimes good enough is good enough.
8. Exercise to boost energy.
I knew, intellectually, that this worked, but how often have I told myself, “I’m just too tired to go to the gym”? Exercise is one of the most dependable mood-boosters. Even a 10-minute walk can brighten my outlook.
9. Stop nagging.
I knew my nagging wasn’t working particularly well, but I figured that if I stopped, my husband would never do a thing around the house. Wrong. If anything, more work got done. Plus, I got a surprisingly big happiness boost from quitting nagging. I hadn’t realized how shrewish and angry I had felt as a result of speaking like that. I replaced nagging with the following persuasive tools: wordless hints (for example, leaving a new lightbulb on the counter); using just one word (saying “Milk!” instead of talking on and on); not insisting that something be done on my schedule; and, most effective of all, doing a task myself. Why did I get to set the assignments?
10. Take action.
Some people assume happiness is mostly a matter of inborn temperament: You’re born an Eeyore or a Tigger, and that’s that. Although it’s true that genetics play a big role, about 40 percent of your happiness level is within your control. Taking time to reflect, and conscious steps to make your life happier, really does work. So use these tips to start your own Happiness Project. I promise it won’t take you a whole year.
About the Author
Gretchen Rubin is the author of several books, and she keeps a daily blog at www.happiness-project.com. Her next book, The Happiness Project, will be published in late 2009. She lives in New York City with her husband and two daughters.
Thanks to Maria, who first forwarded this to me!
A few years ago, on a morning like any other, I had a sudden realization: I was in danger of wasting my life. As I stared out the rain-spattered window of a New York City bus, I saw that the years were slipping by.
“What do I want from life?” I asked myself. “Well... I want to be happy.” I had many reasons to be happy: My husband was the tall, dark, handsome love of my life; we had two delightful girls, ages 1 and 7; I was a writer, living in my favorite city. I had friends; I had my health; I didn’t have to color my hair. But too often I sniped at my husband or the drugstore clerk. I felt dejected after even a minor professional setback. I lost my temper easily. Is that how a happy person would act?
I decided on the spot to begin a systematic study of happiness. (A little intense, I know. But that’s the kind of thing that appeals to me.) In the end, I spent a year test-driving the wisdom of the ages, current scientific studies, and tips from popular culture. If I followed all the advice, I wanted to know, would it work?
Well, the year is over, and I can say: It did. I made myself happier. And along the way I learned a lot about how to be happier. Here are those lessons.
1. Don’t start with profundities.
When I began my Happiness Project, I realized pretty quickly that, rather than jumping in with lengthy daily meditation or answering deep questions of self-identity, I should start with the basics, like going to sleep at a decent hour and not letting myself get too hungry. Science backs this up; these two factors have a big impact on happiness.
2. Do let the sun go down on anger.
I had always scrupulously aired every irritation as soon as possible, to make sure I vented all bad feelings before bedtime. Studies show, however, that the notion of anger catharsis is poppycock. Expressing anger related to minor, fleeting annoyances just amplifies bad feelings, while not expressing anger often allows it to dissipate.
3. Fake it til you feel it.
Feelings follow actions. If I’m feeling low, I deliberately act cheery, and I find myself actually feeling happier. If I’m feeling angry at someone, I do something thoughtful for her and my feelings toward her soften.
4. Realize that anything worth doing is worth doing badly.
Challenge and novelty are key elements of happiness. The brain is stimulated by surprise, and successfully dealing with an unexpected situation gives a powerful sense of satisfaction. People who do new things — learn a game, travel to unfamiliar places — are happier than people who stick to familiar activities that they already do well. I often remind myself to “Enjoy the fun of failure” and tackle some daunting goal.
5. Don’t treat the blues with a “treat.”
Often the things I choose as “treats” aren’t good for me. The pleasure lasts a minute, but then feelings of guilt and loss of control and other negative consequences deepen the lousiness of the day. While it’s easy to think, I’ll feel good after I have a few glasses of wine... a pint of ice cream... a cigarette... a new pair of jeans, it’s worth pausing to ask whether this will truly make things better.
6. Buy some happiness.
Our basic psychological needs include feeling loved, secure, and good at what we do and having a sense of control. Money doesn’t automatically fill these requirements, but it sure can help. I’ve learned to look for ways to spend money to stay in closer contact with my family and friends; to promote my health; to work more efficiently; to eliminate sources of irritation and marital conflict; to support important causes; and to have enlarging experiences. For example, when my sister got married, I splurged on a better digital camera. It was expensive, but it gave me a lot of happiness bang for the buck.
7. Don’t insist on the best.
There are two types of decision makers. Satisficers (yes, satisficers) make a decision once their criteria are met. When they find the hotel or the pasta sauce that has the qualities they want, they’re satisfied. Maximizers want to make the best possible decision. Even if they see a bicycle or a backpack that meets their requirements, they can’t make a decision until they’ve examined every option. Satisficers tend to be happier than maximizers. Maximizers expend more time and energy reaching decisions, and they’re often anxious about their choices. Sometimes good enough is good enough.
8. Exercise to boost energy.
I knew, intellectually, that this worked, but how often have I told myself, “I’m just too tired to go to the gym”? Exercise is one of the most dependable mood-boosters. Even a 10-minute walk can brighten my outlook.
9. Stop nagging.
I knew my nagging wasn’t working particularly well, but I figured that if I stopped, my husband would never do a thing around the house. Wrong. If anything, more work got done. Plus, I got a surprisingly big happiness boost from quitting nagging. I hadn’t realized how shrewish and angry I had felt as a result of speaking like that. I replaced nagging with the following persuasive tools: wordless hints (for example, leaving a new lightbulb on the counter); using just one word (saying “Milk!” instead of talking on and on); not insisting that something be done on my schedule; and, most effective of all, doing a task myself. Why did I get to set the assignments?
10. Take action.
Some people assume happiness is mostly a matter of inborn temperament: You’re born an Eeyore or a Tigger, and that’s that. Although it’s true that genetics play a big role, about 40 percent of your happiness level is within your control. Taking time to reflect, and conscious steps to make your life happier, really does work. So use these tips to start your own Happiness Project. I promise it won’t take you a whole year.
About the Author
Gretchen Rubin is the author of several books, and she keeps a daily blog at www.happiness-project.com. Her next book, The Happiness Project, will be published in late 2009. She lives in New York City with her husband and two daughters.
Thanks to Maria, who first forwarded this to me!
Five Reasons Why I Prefer to Shop Sephora Online
1. Opportunity for Ebates cash back.
2. Great promotional gifts and deals (check Retailmenot.com for current promo codes).
3. You get 3 free samples with every purchase.
4. You get free shipping with any purchase of $50 or more. Even if you do have to pay for shipping, what with the cost of gas and all (unless you've got a Sephora down the street), you'll pretty much break even anyway.
5. There's a larger selection of items online.
Be sure to take advantage of the Holiday Friends and Family Discount (20% off your entire purchase!) by entering FF2008 when you check out.
Sephora.com
2. Great promotional gifts and deals (check Retailmenot.com for current promo codes).
3. You get 3 free samples with every purchase.
4. You get free shipping with any purchase of $50 or more. Even if you do have to pay for shipping, what with the cost of gas and all (unless you've got a Sephora down the street), you'll pretty much break even anyway.
5. There's a larger selection of items online.
Be sure to take advantage of the Holiday Friends and Family Discount (20% off your entire purchase!) by entering FF2008 when you check out.
Sephora.com
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
I LOVE Ebates!!!
Hey everyone! Ebates just got better! Many of their affiliated online retailers doubled their cash back bonuses in time for holiday shopping. Sephora, for example, went from 4% cash back to 8% cash back! Log into your Ebates account or check out their website to see all of their deals!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Roam If You Want To...
Roam around the world...
I used to really love that song. Still think it's a great song. ... Anyway, a quick update with my travels. Left New York the morning after Halloween (fun times!). Said "good-bye" to my friends Huy and Joe (who kindly let me crash at their place while I was there) and took a cab to Penn Station, where I caught a train down to Washington, D.C., en route to Chicago. Had a 4-hour layover there, which gave me a chance to catch up with my friends Chris and Erika (friends from film school who recently relocated to D.C.). Had lunch and a quick tour of our nation's capitol before I had to hop back on the train to Chicago, which is where I am now.
Riding the train is fun, but I don't think I would ever recommend going on a train ride that lasts longer than a day. The seats are roomy and comfy, but 20 hours of sitting down is no joke. However, seeing all the glory that is small town Americana is worth the trip (if you're into that sort of thing, which I am).
Anyway, arrived this morning at Chicago Union Station, where I was met by my brother. Dropped the luggage off, then hit the 'L' train down to Chinatown, where we gorged ourselves with some crazy fabulous dim sum (really, it was GREAT!). Whatever weight I lost last week walking all over New York and eating vegetarian all the time (both my employers and my friends are vegetarian), I think I gained it all back in that one sitting at Happy Chef. ... Oh well.
Hope everyone is doing well! Next stop on my trip: FLORIDA!!! X-D
I used to really love that song. Still think it's a great song. ... Anyway, a quick update with my travels. Left New York the morning after Halloween (fun times!). Said "good-bye" to my friends Huy and Joe (who kindly let me crash at their place while I was there) and took a cab to Penn Station, where I caught a train down to Washington, D.C., en route to Chicago. Had a 4-hour layover there, which gave me a chance to catch up with my friends Chris and Erika (friends from film school who recently relocated to D.C.). Had lunch and a quick tour of our nation's capitol before I had to hop back on the train to Chicago, which is where I am now.
Riding the train is fun, but I don't think I would ever recommend going on a train ride that lasts longer than a day. The seats are roomy and comfy, but 20 hours of sitting down is no joke. However, seeing all the glory that is small town Americana is worth the trip (if you're into that sort of thing, which I am).
Anyway, arrived this morning at Chicago Union Station, where I was met by my brother. Dropped the luggage off, then hit the 'L' train down to Chinatown, where we gorged ourselves with some crazy fabulous dim sum (really, it was GREAT!). Whatever weight I lost last week walking all over New York and eating vegetarian all the time (both my employers and my friends are vegetarian), I think I gained it all back in that one sitting at Happy Chef. ... Oh well.
Hope everyone is doing well! Next stop on my trip: FLORIDA!!! X-D
Happy Belated Halloween!!!
Hope everyone had a good Halloween! I know I did! ;-)
(That's me and my friend Huy getting ready for a night of Halloween party-hopping in Brooklyn.)
(That's me and my friend Huy getting ready for a night of Halloween party-hopping in Brooklyn.)
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