"Life, Love, and the Pursuit of Writing Well"
This is just too good NOT to pass on to you.
This is one of my nieces, and two of my nephews, doing what they do best – being kooky and adorable all at the same time.
Vodpod videos no longer available.
(RSS readers – you’ll have to click over to see the video. Sorry about that! But truly, it’s cute and totally worth it. *smile*)
MERRY CHRISTMAS, PEEPS!
I recently stumbled on this great site that offers unique gifts and gadgets and since Christmas is NEXT WEEK (ACK!!), I thought this would be a fun, interesting and timely Thursday Thirteen.
Which gift idea is your favorite?
1. Dance Dance Revolution Pad Turned into a Purse
Liz Revision had a broken dance gaming pad from Dance Dance Revolution and didn’t know what to do with it. So she cut the top vinyl layer off, separating it from the electronics and then went to work refashioning it as a really cool ladies handbag.
2. Microwave that Plays Youtube Videos
Cast Oven is a microwave oven design that gives you a little bit of entertainment while your food cooks up. Instead of clear window, there’s an LCD screen. When you punch in the amount of time to cook the food, the microwave connects to the internet and streams a video clip from YouTube of the exact same length.
3. iMote: Kid Friendly Remote Control
Kids love stealing the remote and putting on whatever show they want to. With the iMote Kid Friendly Remote Control parents can take back some of that control. This programmable remote control lets parents enter in their kid’s five favorite channels. With hundreds of channels available today, it’s hard for kids to remember a bunch of three digit numbers to know where their favorites are- make it easy for them. 100 colorful stickers for popular channels are included to label the buttons.
(From Craziest Gadgets:)
The designers of this keyboard concept have claimed the design is for you to bring your own keyboard along to avoid infections when using other computers. While that’s a noble pursuit (and possibly overkill- just bring a wipe to swipe down the keyboard instead), the result is a great conceptual design for a keyboard that folds up like a fan. Unlike say a silicon roll-up keyboard, this one maintains the rigidity you’re used to for typing. Good idea, I can definitely see it being produced.
5. Bucket Boss Adds Pockets to your Buckets
Now there’s the Bucket Boss 56-Pocket Bucket Tool Organizer Bucket Boss Adds Pockets to your Buckets which turns your ordinary bucket into a round toolbox. There’s 38 exterior pockets and 18 on the inside.
6. Big Belly Coinosaurus Dinosaur Bank
The Coinasaurus is a big belly dinosaur bank that eats coins. Drop your change into his mouth and watch it wiggle down into his big ol’ belly. This bank is big at 20″ tall and can hold a lot of coins- 970 quarters ($242.50). Kids (and kids at heart) will love watching the coins zig zag downwards.
7. Texthook Lets You Text While Pushing a Stroller
Texting while driving is illegal in many states but texting while pushing a stroller is still totally legal! It’s just difficult. Unless you had something to mount your phone onto the handlebar of your stroller. Something like the Texthook.
8. Snow Shorts with a Sled Built into the Butt
There’s nothing more fun during the Winter than to climb up a giant hill and sled down. The only problem is that nobody likes dragging a sled up the hill. If you had Pull on Snow Shorts from Orvis, you wouldn’t have to worry about pulling the sled up the hill because the sled is built right into your bottomside. It’s basically a wearable sled! Just pull these snow shorts over your pants and glide on the foam-padded PVC seat all the way down the hill.
9. Lili Lite is a Bookshelf, Reading Light and Bookmark
The Lili Lite is a bookshelf that can do so much more than just hold books. Ok, not that much more but it does have a nice looking design with an integrated reading light underneath. It also has a peak in the middle which is made to function as a bookmark and keep your book open to the page where you stopped reading. The most interesting part about the Lili Lite is that when you place your book down on the “bookmark”, the light will automatically turn off and when you pick the book up again, the light turns on.
10. Instant Doorway Puppet Theater
This is the puppet theater that sets up in a doorway in seconds, unlike bulky wooden stages that require larger permanent spaces and time-consuming assembly. Made from heavy, hypoallergenic cotton and polyester, the theater includes a fold-down stage, working front and side curtains, and four back-stage storage pockets. Curved backdrop rod and black curtain provide a sense of stage depth. The theater mounts on an adjustable rod and can span a 28″ to 40″ doorway. Drawstring storage bag.
11. Voice Recognition Grocery Organizer
This device stores and prints grocery lists generated from the items you speak into its microphone. Using an integrated voice recognition system, the shopping list manager matches a spoken item with one of the 2,500 food, beverage, household, beauty, and office products in its database. Each spoken product appears on the LCD and you can add it to the list and print an alphabetized record with the touch of a button. The device recognizes words as specific as swordfish, emery boards, and lawn bags, and identifies errands, such as going to the bank, library, or veterinarian. You can create and manage two different lists simultaneously, add products to the database
12. Laptop steering Wheel Desk
Introducing the AutoExec WM-01 Wheelmate Steering Wheel Desk Tray. Attaches to your steering wheel for easy access to a writing and drink storage surface; perfect for lunch or a snack. This Go Office Wheel Mate Steering Wheel Desk stores neatly in your car.
Obviously, you shouldn’t use this while driving, but what a PERFECT gift for someone who is on the go all the time – like MOMS who have to drive their CHILDREN to soccer practice, or dance lessons, or music lessons, or …
Personally? This one is my favorite. Hey NaNoWriMos! Wouldn’t this be perfect in to use during National Novel Writing Month!?
Have you been looking for a new knife block for your kitchen? The Voodoo Knife Set is fun, functional and stylish. Your future suitors will get the “point”. You are not someone to be messed with!
Oh come on, you have to admit, this one is FUNNY, in a sick, sort of twisted way. 😀
tags: thursday thirteen
More from Write From Karen
Jazz’s band put on their Christmas concert last night. They actually divided the band up into three groups: percussion, concert band and symphonic band.
Jazz was in the concert band.
Here is a video of Jazz’s band performance:
The songs are: “Fantasia on a Christmas Carol” and “Moscow, 1941.”
I also taped part of the percussion performance. I DIG drums. There is something so … primal about them. I always get goosebumps when the guys do their drum thing. It’s rather long, but worth watching till the end. I can’t believe how in sync they are.
The name of the tune is “Trio per Uno” and it’s a college-level piece. The dude who instructed them is from Missouri State University (local college) and he said they were better than his college students. DOH! I’m betting they don’t have any trouble getting into THAT college, do you? 🙂
The semester is coming to a close. Jazz is scheduled for Jazz band next semester so stay tuned for some “funky” shows. 🙂
How’s the Christmas shopping coming along?
Can we talk?
Great. Have a seat.
No. That wasn’t a suggestion, have a seat. This is going to take a while.
Look. I have a confession to make. I’ve been a rather …. erhm … controlling mother to my boys. And as a result, they will not tolerate a woman who tells them what to do, yells at them, or tries to brush their unruly, greasy hair before going to a family function; I know these things.
So, word to the wise – don’t do those things if you hope to have one inkling of a chance with my sons.
In addition, it’s crucial that you have a sense of humor. Not only for my boys’ sakes, but for me, too. For you see? I have a rather warped sense of humor and tend to find the funny in the weirdest places. And if you don’t laugh?
I won’t like you.
I like being around people who can laugh at themselves. I like being around people who don’t take themselves too seriously. And it’s important that I like you. Why? Because if I don’t like you, I’m betting my sons’ won’t like you either.
And even if they do, you’re going to, at some point, HAVE to deal with me.
So. Laugh, damn it. It’ll make life a lot easier.
I also should point out, that if you talk too loud? Or you think you’re a know-it-all? I will take great delight in bringing you down a notch or two. Because even though I admire confidence and independence? I do not tolerate cocky ignorance very well. So, check your b*tchy attitudes at the door, please.
But if you must know the deal breaker with me? Here it is:
You must treat my sons like the gods they are. Because even though they are sweet, kind, gentle, caring, intelligent, sweet, handsome, courteous boys, they are human and if you trample on their self-esteem too much, you’ll have me to deal with.
And my mama bear getup? Is scary. (Trust me on this one).
I also feel compelled to add, that you are not allowed to get in the way of my son’s ambitions in life. Just as I fully expect them to support you in what ever you decide to do, I absolutely expect you to do the same. So, if he would like to occasionally (and I say occasionally because his first obligation is to be there for YOU) go out with his friends and have a good time, without you, then you must allow him to do so. It doesn’t mean he’s leaving you, it doesn’t mean he doesn’t love you, it just means he needs a little guy time.
Get over yourself. ‘Kay?
In exchange for your understanding and your willingness to bend over backwards to make sure he is happy and well-cared for, I will guarantee he will be an excellent husband, and someday father to your future children.
How can I guarantee that, you ask? Because I’ve taken great pains to teach my sons that if and/or when they reach the stage in their life that they have children, it is their top priority to make sure that that child grows up with both a mother AND a father. Even if that means they have to endure hardship (i.e. YOU) to obtain that goal.
But it would be so much more fun, for all of us, if you were the sort of girl that made it easy on all of us.
That is why I pray, every night and any other time that girls are mentioned (which seems to be more and more frequently, much to my chagrin), that when my sons choose a life-long mate, that they take the time to really choose wisely. That they don’t make any rash decisions (or DO anything rash, if you catch my drift) that they will then be forced to re-live either on a daily basis or anytime during visitation rights.
I’m writing this letter to you, not to scare you (unless it’s working and then, well, good), but to forewarn you that I don’t tolerate fools very well. In fact, it’s safe to say, I have zero patience for weak, wishy-washy women who blow dinner into a full-scale drama-fest every other night. That if you have any hope of getting along with me, you will know your mind, say what you mean and mean what you say. And yet, be willing to give in gracefully and to treat those around you fairly, when the situation warrants such behavior.
I respect a woman who is fair. Who is not afraid to admit when she’s wrong and to keep her emotions both in check and under control.
If you can do all of that, if you think you might be the woman of my sons’ dreams, then step forward and let the games begin.
Sincerely,
Your future mother-in-law
P.S. I’m really NOT as scary as I make myself out to be. No, actually, I’m worse.
P.S.S. Okay, so I exaggerated a bit on that last P.S. I will make every effort to get along with you.
P.S.S.S. But if I’ve been fair with you and you STILL act like a brat? All bets are off, missy.
Grade: C+
Last night, Kevin and I watched “Henry Poole Is Here.”
Here’s the trailer:
HENRY POOLE is HERE is a comedic drama about a disillusioned man who goes hiding in placid suburbia only to discover he cannot escape the forces of hope. Returning to the middle class neighborhood where he grew up, Henry chooses to live in indulgent isolation. Real life, however, refuses to cooperate with his plans. Nosy neighbors interrupt him with curious visits and prying questions. Then the situation escalates as a stain on Henry’s stucco wall is seen to have miraculous powers. His last-ditch hideout becomes a shrine; his backyard turns into an arena for passionate debate about faith and destiny. Seeking anonymous oblivion, cynical Henry Poole instead finds himself right at the center of the human comedy. A modern-day fable investigates the unexpected wonders of the everyday. A faithless man finds hope. A hopeless man finds love. Whether backyard miracles are real or triggered by hope and belief, their personal effects are permanent.
“Comedic drama” is exactly what this film is. It’s a drama with funny bits; a comedy steeped in drama. In short, it’s about life.
I confess, there was a moment when I nearly fell asleep. This film is slow moving. It’s sobering. And actually, downright depressing. Luke Wilson spends most of the movie either frowning or being quietly pathetic.
But considering the news his character receives? It’s to be expected.
It’s rare to find a movie that depicts faith fairly – most of the time, I think films that have a faith-based theme distort, or depict faith as something to mock, or shun. And though Wilson’s character does just that, the majority of the characters in this film are supporting strong faith and the power of CHOOSING to believe in a divine being or power.
I found that incredibly refreshing.
The fact that miracles happen to a few characters in this movie solidifies, in my mind, the importance of placing our faith in God. Faith is hope and often times, it’s ALL a person has. Without hope, life becomes meaningless, depressing, and pointless. Because Wilson’s character doesn’t believe in hope, in miracles, his life devolves into an empty shell so that he’s reduced to waiting for the inevitable.
Granted, I felt a little uncomfortable with the notion that people were coming to worship a “stain” on Henry Poole’s wall, the meaning behind the misplaced hope was apparent. And who’s to say that that stain WASN’T a message from God? I suppose hope can take any form, as long as we’re not worshiping that manifestation.
Overall, I think the film did a pretty good job juggling a sensitive subject. The overall message of the movie was the importance of recognizing hope – that faith does indeed perform miracles, if one is willing to embrace it.
I’m really beginning to like these “real-life” movies lately. And by “real-life” movies, I mean the movies that do a pretty good job at depicting real-life issues. There are no spectacular special effects, or outrageous plot twists in these types of movies, but instead, they are movies that are designed to make you think and to appreciate life on many multi-faceted levels.
I love how the play button is positioned squarely over my mouth.
Seems appropriate, don’t you think?
