Archive for March, 2011

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The Disaster in Japan


14 Mar

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Posted in International Politics, Politics, Travel, Weather | Comments Off

The magnitude of the disaster in Japan is growing. I had such hopes that the number of dead would remain in the hundreds. As of this morning, 2,800 were confirmed dead, but with suspicions of 10s of thousands more.

The earthquake, tsunami, aftershocks, and explosions at the nuclear power plant are causing devastation not known in that country since the end of WWII.  Hopefully, an outpouring of aid will commence. Their government is not equipped to handle a disaster on this scale.

To my friends who have friends and family in the country- I hope your loved ones are safe.

Bejeweled 3


14 Mar

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Posted in Games | 1 Comment »

I’ve mentioned my Bejeweled addiction before. This weekend I bought Bejeweled 3. There’s a Poker mode! And a Quest section (I’ve completed all quests.) There are 6 other modes- normal, zen, lightening, ice storm, butterflies, and diamond mine. The Poker mode and Quest sections are my favorite. I like the Quest because it’s a bunch of mini-games based on all the available modes (and some that aren’t.)

I normally don’t pay for games I can play for free, but my Bejeweled addition is strong. Plus, my husband will play it when I’m not home, so we’ll get our money’s worth.

 

Universal Sports


13 Mar

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Posted in Television | 1 Comment »

I’m the sports fan in our house. I like football and hockey, but I also love watching a lot of sports that we normally only see during the Olympics. This is why I love the Universal Sports network (though I wish it came in HD).

Recently I have watched World Cup gymnastics, bobsled, skeleton, and luge. If I liked swimming and cycling (which really only work for me on the once every four years schedule) I could watch them, too. I do love that EVERY (and I really do mean every) non pro-sport (and some pro-sports) have World Cup competitions.

8.9 on the Richter Scale


12 Mar

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Posted in Finances, International Politics, Politics, Weather | Comments Off

The question for insensitive me is, will individual people be sending aid to Japan? The quake was huge- 8.9. But Japan has modern infrastructure. The quake has left hundreds dead- hundreds, not thousands. Can you imagine what this would have done to a coastal area of China?

At the same time, this is likely to be the most expensive natural disaster in history. The costs to repair will be huge. So will there be an outpouring of aid via the Red Cross? Will we text to donate $5. Or do we decide Japan can afford to care for its own?

Happy Comes from Inside You, Not Cash


11 Mar

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Posted in Finances, Marriage, Relationships | Comments Off

While money is listed as one of the most common reasons couples fight, most of us know that the arguments are usually about more than money. That’s certainly the case in this thread, from a woman who wishes she weren’t the breadwinner. In fact, all she really wanted was to be a stay at home mom.

Bless you, if you can make your way through all 13 pages of the thread. I was a participant in the beginning but had to stop for sanity’s sake. Yes, money can make your life better, but you have to choose to be happy.

Goodbye Crunch Berries?


10 Mar

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Posted in Advertising, Food | Comments Off

I am in favor the new regulations regarding marketing to children. That said, I am deeply saddened by the thought of Cap’n Crunch leaving us.

As a child, I didn’t get a lot of sugary cereals, unless I was at my grandparents’ house. Even as an adult, Fruity Pebbles is my favorite, but I do love Crunch Berries. We recently took some as a snack on a train ride from WA to CA.

So don’t advertise it to kids, but please leave it on the shelf so that the “big kids” can, every once in a while, decide to indulge.

What Not to Wear


09 Mar

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Posted in Television | 2 Comments »

My husband is in class on Tuesday nights, and I’ve started watching “What Not to Wear” on TLC. Overall, I enjoy the show. I think the hosts do a very good job of being sensitive to the needs of the women they are working with.

But what gets me most is what these people get (or don’t get) with their $5,000 dollars from the show. I accept that they are shopping in New York city, but does that mean they aren’t allowed to shop sales, or go to someplace like Penny’s or Sears, where prices are a little more reasonable?

 

American Idol


08 Mar

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Posted in Music, Television | Comments Off

I am watching American Idol this year, from Hollywood week on. I never watch the auditions because I hate seeing them make fun of the bad singers. Overall, I am pretty happy with the top 13. None of it was a huge surprise. I’m cheering for Casey Abrams to take 2nd because he plays upright bass and reminds me of my husband.

I cheer for 2nd because we determined long ago that the most talented person always ends up in 2nd, because they will still sell albums months after the show ends, and they are forced into a worse contract.

 

A House Full of Gamers


07 Mar

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Posted in Games, Role Playing Games | 1 Comment »

My living room was recently filled with discussion of the good and bad points of just about every MMORPG any of us have ever played, with the exception of Neocron.

Would you believe, there are things we miss about Everquest- like the concept that there can be more than two factions, but no one misses travel time. I think every game should have super jump, like City of Heroes, but the choices at character generation can be overwhelming. Eve is apparently the game to play if you can get a group of friends to agree to just hang out together.

 

Why the Hate?


06 Mar

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Posted in Advertising | Comments Off

I like it when companies take pride in their product and where they’re from. That’s a good way to sell me something, or at least earn my goodwill toward your company, even if I’m never going to be your target audience. In that sense, I’m predisposed to liking the Cadillac commercials celebrating their Detroit heritage.

But being proud of yourself does not mean you have to hate on other places. I understand saying your not one of the “famous” cities- New York, Chicago, but the line “and we’re certainly no one’s Emerald City”- why the hate on Seattle? Not needed.

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