This Week’s Topic: 10 Things You’re Good At

1. Sensing what people are thinking… Like ESP
2. Wearing ridiculously feminine accessories
3. Choosing spiffy color combinations
4. Typing 130+ words per minute
5. Playing musical instruments
6. Dressing other people
7. Baking lemon cake
8. Forensic debate
9. My lame job
10. Dancing!

What are your special talents?

6 comments March 22nd, 2005

Stumbled upon a cool spot on the PBS site, all about Arcade Games! Looks like a companion site to a series I must have missed when it aired last September. Why do I always miss the good stuff?

“The Video Game Revolution examines the evolution and history of the video game industry, from the 1950s through today, the impact of video games on society and culture, and the future of electronic gaming.”

Fortunately the interactive web site does a great job of capturing all the fun and information. There are three main sections: History of Gaming, Inside the Games, and Impact of Gaming.

…And then there’s the fun part, the Arcade where you get to play!

7 comments March 21st, 2005

Time for another geeky quiz… Old school RPG fans, this one is for you!

7 comments March 20th, 2005

Most of us have some kind of addiction. For me it’s lip gloss and bikinis. No matter how many I posess, I want more. There’s always something new that, once discovered, I simply must have.

Rather than seeking treatment, I’m going to pretend I’m doing it all for the sake of Science, and publish the results of my “studies” right here. Attached, please find my preliminary thesis on the subject of Lip Gloss:

This report will begin with my current favorite, Nars Lip Gloss in Pillow Talk. An ideal choice for everyday wear. Not too sticky, too sheer, too opaque, or too sparkly …Just perfect! The color selections are to die for, and the sleek case stows nicely in your handbag, too.

A beauty staple, I buy them five at a time – DHC Fresh Lip Color in Chameleon. Looks clear in the tube, but transforms on your lips to a beautiful pink. Keep one in each purse, in your desk at work, and at home, because its emollients keep chapped lips at bay.

One of the first lip glosses packaged in a brush-tipped tube, Stila Lip Glaze in Strawberry is a favorite. Give it a twist. Just a few clicks and the gloss squeezes out onto the brush, then swipe and go. Just right for girls on the move.

Looking for a plumper pout? It’s a fun idea, so I tried a few different brands, hoping for some dazzling results. So far DuWop Lip Venom is the only one to even come close to showing results. Smells like cinnamon and feels tingly on your lips, but don’t expect miracles.

What about when you’re on the road? It’s a bit dangerous to fumble around in your purse looking for lipstick while driving, so keep Lancome Juicy Tubes in your glove box. Best of all, you don’t have to worry about it melting on a hot day.

If for the cool metal case alone, Cargo Glosses in Bora-Bora are a top pick. Every generously sized tin contains two complimentary shades, making it fun to blend a custom color. Find a duo that suits your style and you’ll be good to go for months.

Need a variety of shades at your beck and call? Look no further than Sephora Round-A-Pout. Four colors to mix and match, packed in an adorable spherical case… Best in your makeup case, not your handbag. Trust me on this one, I made a big fat mess.

Whip this out of your handbag when you want to look like a superstar – Dior Sparkling Palette. Pink crystals outline the logo set into the hefty metal case. Good luck finding one, especially in the best shades. Convince yourself it’s worth the price because it’s refillable.

Going somewhere special? With its couture heritage, Chanel Glossimer in Pulsar is just what you need to tuck inside your Judith Leiber minaudiere. Sophisticated colors with a rich three-dimensional finish, just right when you want some special attention.

11 comments March 19th, 2005

Heaven knows I’ve been a huge fan of The Sneeze for a while now, but Steven’s latest article on “Fun Dip” had me rolling on the floor laughing. Nice to know I’m not the only one who can turn even the most innocent of things into a foul joke. Click on an image above and ENJOY!

4 comments March 18th, 2005

The official Aurorealis iPod skin came in the mail today from MacSkinz. I’d been waiting for the limited edition “Rocket Girl” Bawidamann design to be released …and now here it is, in all its splendor!

You can get one just like mine, or choose from a host of other glorious options – Including the awesome Artist Series, limited to 100 of each design. Check out some of the other artists represented…

Jon Foster – His artwork has been described as dark, beautiful, and visually overpowering. From his Dark Horse Comics’ Star Wars covers to his game industry work on Dungeons & Dragons Third Edition and Alternity, Foster always knows how to move the soul of the viewer.

Ragnar – Illustrator Brandon Johnson grew up under the sweltering sun and bright lights of Las Vegas. From there it was stints in Japan, Taiwan, Mexico, and Hollywood before settling in Southern California with his wife and three children. There he writes and illustrates picture books, paints, designs toys, and develops animated television shows.

Glenn Barr – Based in Detroit, a graduate of the College for Creative Studies, exhibiting in galleries for the past 13 years. Original background artist for The Ren & Stimpy Show, head background stylist for Woody Woodpecker & The Baby Huey Show, he also works in toy design, sculpture, and set design.

8 comments March 17th, 2005

The big news for today is that my better blinder half went in for a LASIK consultation. After doing some research, he selected these guys to do the work, which seems like a good choice since they’ve performed over 30,000 corrective surgeries. But wow, the price is steep…

Nearly five thousand dollars!

My stance has always been that he should get it done. Things that improve your quality of life are worth every penny. Once your basic needs are met, you might as well direct any remaining disposable income into investments that yield enduring rewards.

When my husband’s vision went south he gave up a lifelong dream of becoming a fighter pilot. You’re thinking, “Yeah, him and every other kid” – But believe me, he would have made it. He was on the fast track until his eyes turned blurry on him at the age of seventeen.

Now he’s deciding whether the benefits outweigh the costs and risks, but I’m pulling for him to do it… Even if it means dipping into the wedding ring fund, I can’t think of anything better than seeing his face when he wakes up, reaches for his glasses, and realizes …they’re gone!

5 comments March 16th, 2005

There’s nothing as heartwarming as coming home to a family argument. I would rather gouge my eyes out with rusty forks like that guy on the Scorpions Blackout album cover. But oh well, it was time for the geyser (formerly known as my brother) to blow off some steam…

This poor kid lives with me, works with me, and generally can’t get rid of me because I’m helping him get through college. Familiarity breeds contempt, so I expect these occasional flare-ups. What I never expect is how totally inept he is at managing conflict.

So I offered him this wonderful piece of advice that was passed on to me some time ago, and has worked wonderfully ever since: Rather than attacking a person about their behavior, which only shuts them off from listening, focus instead on your own response to their actions.

When you do X, it makes me feel Y.

Keep the X concise and elaborate on the Y. It’s all about sidestepping the power struggle, avoiding defense mechanisms, communicating how you feel, and hopefully being understood. Try it… it works!

8 comments March 15th, 2005