Your Money Friday: Work Wardrobe

18 May

Erin Shanendoah |  May 18th,2012 | Finances, Work |  Comments Off

Always of greater concern to women than men, today’s Your Money thread focuses on the work wardrobe. Where do you buy your clothes? How much do you spend? How dressy do you need to look?

A number of posters appear to like thrift and consignment stores. I might look in a consignment store, but I would not shop for work clothes in a thrift store. Not because I do not think I’d find them there, but because there are people who need to be able to find business dress at thrift store prices, and I am not one of them.

Book Review: Lost Books of the Odyssey by Zachary Mason

17 May

Erin Shanendoah |  May 17th,2012 | Authors & Books, Lost Books of the Odyssey, Zachary Mason |  Comments Off

I want to start by saying I really enjoyed Lost Books of the Odyssey, I’ve been wanting to read it since it came out, and I finally bought myself a copy. However, it bills itself as a novel. It’s not. There is a certain feel to the different episodes presented as supposed lost or alternate stories from the Odyssey, that make the book feel like there’s a progression from beginning to end, but there’s no plot, no cohesive story.

If you loved the Odyssey (and I did), you’ll like this book. But I wouldn’t recommend it for those who didn’t.

Even Dinosaurs Got Old

16 May

Erin Shanendoah |  May 16th,2012 | Science |  Comments Off

After a certain age, it seems like almost every day we “discover” a new creak in our joints, new stiffness or maybe even arthritis pain. We lament that we are not as young as we used to be. Well, it is not just those of us living in modern times who have suffered from the pains of old age. Even dinosaurs got arthritis.

Scientists studying a pliosaur (think Loch Ness monster) from the Mesozoic era have discovered that the reptile suffered from a degenerative disease much like arthritis, and that a bone that could heal eventually led to its death.

Faster Than Light Travel

15 May

Erin Shanendoah |  May 15th,2012 | Science, Technology |  Comments Off

We’re not there yet, but we are getting closer. A rocket powered by smashing matter and antimatter together could get us to about 70% the speed of light. I know that doesn’t make it seem like we are close to faster than light travel, but please note that the previous top speed was 33% the speed of light. That’s a jump of 37%. Another jump of that magnitude takes us over.

Still, I think my favorite thing about this is that the pair of people who did the research were a senior research fellow and a senior in high school.

#MythBusters (ep188)

14 May

Erin Shanendoah |  May 14th,2012 | Mythbusters, Science, Technology, Television |  Comments Off

I know the MythBusters love guns and gun myths, but if they are now able to get the rights to do Burn Notice myths, why was this the first one? I was not surprised the bullets through the undercarriage myth was busted, even though the components looked good.

The most important part of the surfing a shockwave myth came at the end, in their attempt to make it work. They coated a blanket in bed liner. Now I want to know if a blanket coated in bed liner would protect me from a blast. Exactly how strong is bed liner?

Movie Review: Clash of the Titans (2010)

13 May

Erin Shanendoah |  May 13th,2012 | Movies |  Comments Off

We recently saw the new Clash of the Titans. It mostly seemed like many scenes had been filmed and then ended up on the cutting room floor- especially of our two hunters who inserted themselves into the traveling party, got Perseus his shield, and the disappeared again, except for a brief cameo at the end. They ended up simply confusing us more than anything else, as we tried to keep track of who was who.

Then there were the random desert guys, who also appeared briefly and then left the party. I am still not certain what their purpose was.

Blog Feature: Tales and Tails

12 May

Erin Shanendoah |  May 12th,2012 | blogging, Dogs, Pets, Writing |  Comments Off

Let me start by saying that if you want to see some lovely photographs of dogs, you definitely need to head over to Tales and Tails. And while the Greyhounds, both Bunny and Blueberry, are absolutely gorgeous, I am partial to the shepherds. I grew up with an amazing GSD, so I just cannot help but be like everyone else, including the vet school students, and be in love with little Kuster. I am partial to crazy Morgan, though, too. And I just want to give her a hug, not that she would ever let me, but I want to.

Your Money Friday: Live with Roommates?

11 May

Erin Shanendoah |  May 11th,2012 | Finances, Relationships |  Comments Off

This has been a hot topic over at YM all week. Would you live with roommates to save money? A majority of the regular YM posters are 30s or older, with established families, so a lot of the instant reactions were along the lines of “not at my age” “I am too set in my ways to live with anyone” and “with kids in the house, absolutely not”.

Still, one of the defining factors of how people answered this thread was whether they considered roommates to be random strangers found through an ad in the paper, or friends or family.

President Obama Supports Gay Marriage

10 May

Erin Shanendoah |  May 10th,2012 | Discrimination, Gay Marriage, Politics |  Comments Off

I know that some people are upset it took Obama this long to come out for gay marriage. I, too, wish it could have happened sooner. I certainly wish it had not taken something likeNorth Carolina’s Amendment 1 passing, to get him do so. (Am I the only person who finds it ironic that this is called Amendment 1 and the First Amendment of the US Constitution is the one that calls out separation of church and state?) However, I also understand why it is still a risky move. Please remember to vote this November. Don’t let hate win.

#TheVoice (s2 Finale)

09 May

Erin Shanendoah |  May 9th,2012 | Music, Television |  Comments Off

Congratulations to Jermaine Paul, winner of season two of The Voice.

Since I have no beef with how the voting turned out, I want to talk about the show and differences from last year.

Both seasons have featured duets with the contestants and coaches. What I missed this year was the meaningful duets of contestants and other singers. Last year, Javier sang with Stevie Nicks, and it was amazing.

I also missed each of the contestants getting their own original song. It is nice to make a song your own, but it’s better when the song actually is your own.

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

100 Words On

topics explored in exactly 100 words