Top 8 things to get your guy for Christmas! December 20, 2007

It’s Christmas time and I’m not really fond of Christmas. I know, I know–everyone asks me why is that! The thing is that I never really had a great Christmas. I had a hard childhood and I can never really remember a happy Christmas nor a memorable one. So, I have vowed to dislike Christmas, but getting presents is always good, right?? So, in an attempt to get my boyfriend the perfect Christmas present, I came across some things that I thought other guys might like. Not the typical present, you may have to spend more than you want, but hey–what the hell?? It’s Christmas!!

Again–this is just my opinion

#8 on my list is probably something that guys always want:

-Clothes: Whether it be dress clothes or casual clothes, a guy can never have too much clothes. Plus, we are talking about the 21 century man; so have too much clothes is not an option.

#7 I guess is kind or ordinary, but can come in handy, especially if he needs it:

-Watch or jewelry: just because some guys collect watches (my dad) and they love certain types of jewelry, so indulging in a pricey watch might be a good thing.

#6 I think no guy would refuse:

-A new cell phone: There are great new smart phones out, getting one for your special guy might really be something different. He can email, IM, text and all the other good stuff that comes with a new cell phone.

#5 can be a special thing:

-Concert tickets to his favorite band: Guys absolutely love their music, why not get him tickets to see his favorite band or performer? Hey, you can accompany him, or he can go with friends.

#4 for men that like to read:

-ebook: Some guys don’t like to read, actually many of the guys I know don’t like to read, but there are a few guys that love to read. Why not get him an ebook? He can read books on the train, in bed or wherever he wants. Plus, it’s a gadget that many guys would like!

#3 If women can learn to love this, I know guys absolutely love it:

-Nintendo Wii: Who doesn’t love Wii? It’s fun to throw your hands at the TV and watch objects move on the screen. Boxing is my favorite because I always win You can play together and watch him squirm as you beat him at every game possible!!!

#2 kind of pricey–kind of:

-A laptop: For the computer geeks, a laptop would be a good idea. There are some great ones out and getting him a laptop might really set you over the top in his eyes. Personally, my boyfriend has 2 laptops–which he is always on. Why? Because he’s a computer GEEK and so am I to an extent, but he will literally use them both at one time! Hey, Computer guys, you know what I mean??

#1 for the person you love? Something that you can both benefit from:

-An LCD/Plasma HDTV: Yes, it can run you a pretty penny, but you can get some good deals out there and guess what? It’s really not too late to pick one of these things up. Trust me, he will love it!!

It’s too bad you can’t get guys cheap things–like just a bottle of cologne, that’s cheesy; especially for Christmas!! You have literally all year to save–do it!!

“I am Legend”- My own review! December 20, 2007

Disclaimer: The information given in this post is just my opinion.  Not responsible for spoiling the movie to others.  (In short, please don’t read this if you haven’t seen the movie or if you plan on seeing it).

 

Since I was down yesterday, I figured; hey, why not go see this movie that I was dying to see.  So, to the movies I went.  Of course, the theater was packed even though the movie opened like a week ago.
I was scared, I was jumpy throughout the entire movie.  There are some things that I don’t get.  Why did he not go with his family?  Did he really think that he would do this, find a cure all by himself?  As shoeMoney says, “I thought it was a 3 hour movie condensed into a 1:40 minute movie.”  I do absolutely agree.  Why didn’t all the vampires attack him when they set up that trap?  And, is it me, or was there like a “leader” vampire?  Overall, the saddest part of the movie for me was: you know?? When Sam died!!!  Yes!  I was tearing a little–what a cutie and I really couldn’t help it!!  I give this movie 31/2 stars.  Only because it didn’t quite explain everything as it should.  It should have been longer in order to complete the storyline.  I must say that Will Smith did an amazing job.  Just enough comedy, sadness, suspense, and horror!  Last night, my boyfriend asked me if I liked it or not.  I said I didn’t know and now after writing this review and reading other reviews, I still don’t know.  Bottom line: I don’t know if I liked it or disliked it!!  Perhaps by this weekend I will know when I sleep on it a little bit more.

icanhascheezburger.com? December 19, 2007

Today, I was feeling kind of down. I read hundreds of posts and still, nothing came to mind for me to write about. Why? Am I just too tired? Well, almost 3/4 into the day, someone showed me this site. Since I am a great animal lover, why would I not think that this site is awesome? Of course it is! It’s all about cats. The site uplifted my spirits and made me miss the animal(s) in my life. The site is pretty easy and straightforward. There are tons of things to do. There is an option that’s called “make me laff.” Basically, you click on the icon and tons of pictures come up with silly comments and funny “cat” pictures. It’s sure to bring a smile to your face especially when you’re feeling a little down at work. Anyone can vote on the picture or even upload one. It is really awesome….visit the site and tell me what you think….lolcats…that’s what it’s really about!!!

‘F’ Train Culture December 18, 2007

Today I took the bus to the train, as usual. It’s part of my morning routine. When I got to the 179th street station, I was sad to discover that there were “switch problems” at 36th street. Now, what exactly does “switch problem” mean?

• It means that there will be hundreds of people waiting at each stop to get on an already packed train.

• It means that people will start fighting and pushing and yelling to get to where they want to be.

• It also means that you will be late to your destination.

I think that trains are a great invention, but I can’t help but feel like the MTA is not trying its hardest. Let’s face it. There are thousands of people that take the trains each day, and to be honest, I have witnessed some awful things on the train; but that is not enough to make me give up. I don’t even think they disinfect the train poles when they are cleaning. Actually, I know they don’t because there are a number of times that the trains pull into the 179th street station and they clean the floors, take the garbage out, but they don’t wipe down the poles or the seats. I have even seen roaches in the ‘F’ train; disgusting. Think of all the germs that are growing, manifesting, multiplying each day and that is why my friends, germ gel is a good thing to carry with you at all times. For $2 each way from millions of people, I think they can afford to at least wipe the poles at least once a day. I can’t say that I have a solution, because I don’t; but sometimes it really gets frustrating.

Leaving your house on time does not mean that you will get to work on time, especially if you are a native New Yorker.

They cling helplessly– Think 24- 73V3N December 14, 2007

They cling helplessly to what is now left of the very vulnerable ice. Polar bears are stranded, no where to go, on one to help them. Although they can swim very well, especially if they have more weight; it’s still taking a toll on their bodies. Latest evidence states, according to The Wall Street Journal, that the polar bears are drowning because they have to swim too far to find ice. Scientists for the first time have documented multiple deaths of polar bears in Alaska. This is due to the Arctic ice shelf melting. The drowning polar bears have never been documented, because in years there hasn’t been this kind of a problem, hence no reason to document. “For anyone who has wondered how global warming and reduced sea ice will affect polar bears, the answer is simple — they die,” said Richard Steiner, a marine-biology professor at the University of Alaska.

The WWF said it was calling on participants at the Exeter conference to send a clear message to governments of the world’s leading industrialized nations, in hopes that they will comply to the rules and regulations that would help save the Arctic.

“If we are to ensure that unique ecosystems like the Arctic are not lost, the G8 meeting must take drastic action to reduce climate change,” said Catarina Cardoso, a WWF expert on sustainable energy.

According to Live Science, the United States is the only country in the Arctic region that has not signed the Kyoto Protocol, which takes effect next Feb. 16 and sets mandatory targets for industrial nations to reduce emissions by 2012. Russia ratified the U.N.-sponsored accord in November 2004.

The United States continues to be the largest polluter worldwide and consumes 1/4 of the oil on the planet. Hurricane Katrina was not enough for us. Will something will have to wipe out the entire nation for the government to notice? Again, just the beginning!

The year 2007 is said to be the fifth warmest year on the global scale. Seven of the eight warmest years have occurred since 2001, 73V3N.

Think 24- 73V3N, Global Warming, the beginning! December 14, 2007

Where do I start? I honestly don’t know. Global Warming started bothering me a while ago when I noticed the climate change. Of course, I didn’t know it was “Global Warming” at the time, but now I do. The Al Gore movie, An Inconvenient Truth led to more disbelief. Sometimes I am so out of touch with the outside world that I really regret not being more involved. What bothers me most is the fact that the animals are suffering due to Global Warming.

Firstly, the Penguins. Due to the warm climate in the Antarctic, Penguins are having a hard time, based on a new report according the the World Wildlife Federation. Penguin populations such as Emperor, Gentoo, Chinstrap, and Adélie are under great pressure because the ice is melting. Emily Lewis-Brown, Marine and Climate Change Officer at WWF-UK says, “As the ice melts, these icons of the Antarctic will have to face an extremely tough battle to survive.” The Arctic and the Antarctic are melting at a much faster pace, all due to severe climate changes in the atmosphere. According to Julie Langer of the WWF-Canada; she states, “You’ve heard about global warming but it’s acute at the poles. As the temperatures increase, the ice melts. When you have less ice at the edge of the continent, you have less algae, less krill, less food for the penguins.” How could this not sadden anyone? What can we do? How can we? Not even solve this situation, but make a little better by helping a little. Over time, with enough help, we might a see a change. The report finds that:

• Adelie population: dropped 65% over the past 25 years (that’s younger than me)
• Gentoo population: dropped 40-60% of their population in some colonies
• Emperor population: dropped by half over the past 50 years (that’s younger than my dad and mom)
• Chinstrap population: a whopping 40-66% drop in their population

According to the study:

• The Southern Ocean has experienced warming all the way down to a depth of 3,000 meters.
• The Antarctic Peninsula is warming five times faster than the global average.
• Sea ice now covers 40% less area than it did 26 years ago off the West Antarctic Peninsula.

The ice has gotten so thin, that it’s hard for the penguins to mate. Most of the baby penguins get blown away; some way before they are old enough to fend for themselves. Even though there are all these reports, I don’t think the general public is taking this as serious as they should. Or perhaps they are just as bothered as I am, but don’t know what to do or even how to get started. This problem is not going away, it’s here to stay. The Penguins are only the beginning.

Animal Haven–an answer to the stray cats issue. December 12, 2007

So, after I kind of poured my heart out about the stray cats issue in my last blog, it was really on my mind for a long time. I thought about people I could approach, things I can do and so much more. Needless to say, I was stumped. I guess I could say that something good came out of me watching the news a couple of nights ago, because they featured a place called Animal Haven, that specializes in taking cats and dogs off of the street and finding them good homes. What is great about this place is that for $120 you can adopt a little kitty or doggy that already has all of its shots and everything. You just have to take care of it after. Awesome! Here are some of the things you can do:

1-Adopt a Cat/Dog

2-sponsor a Cat/Dog for $10 a month or $100 a year

3-Become a member by making a general donation

4- Make a donation to the center or their wish list

5-Post an on-line memorial for $15 or more

And so much more. They are not asking for much, and every little can help.

“Animal Haven Soho is a 7,000 square foot adoption center that will combine showcasing dogs and cats for adoption in a warm, friendly environment that will include a high-end pet boutique and grooming salon. In addition, the facility will offer pet training classes, agility training, workshops, pet-friendly events and humane education. Animal Haven Soho will be much more than a shelter or a store. It will shift negative perceptions of pet adoption, cultivate responsible pet guardianship, bring the community together and, of course, place many homeless animals with new families. And in a city where each year you can find up to 40,000 animals in city shelters, finding animals homes is a worthy cause – not only for the animals but for the people too,” press notes state.

This is such a good thing. I will be volunteering my services as soon as possible .

www.animalhavenshelter.org

Stray Cats, why is it a problem in the first place? December 9, 2007

I have a cat, and I love her with everything I’ve got. However, now that “we” the US is trying to kill all of the stray cats in order to wipe out the amount of cats roaming the streets, I can’t say that I agree. It is disheartening to know that innocent animals are being killed. I am an animal lover, and I really and truly regret not going into a career that has to do with the rights of animals. I know it’s never too late, and I really think I will make a career switch. I can’t say I can offer a solution to these stray cats, but I am positive that we can come up with something better, rather than killing them. They are innocent animals not to mention how cute they all are. If there were stray dogs, would we do that. Actually, I don’t even know if we are. I don’t know how this became a problem, but in ancient times, cats were dear to their owners, not even their owners, but to anyone. They were considered sacred in the community. In ancient Egypt, cats were actually considered to be one of the highest deities to roam the earth. No one can really be precise with the time period, but it is said that cats came about in Egypt around 2000 B.C. Whether they be domestic or stray, they were all considered “high.” When a cat would pass away, Egyptians would shave off their eyebrows to show respect for their feline friend.

Perhaps coming up with a plan to help these stray cats can be the first step in the US to help deal with the problem.  I feel like we shouldn’t kill these innocent animals.  Instead of killing, let’s find another way.

I can take all the help I can get, any comments or suggestions will be helpful.

Thank you

Matt Mullenweg-The most important “Matt” searched! December 4, 2007

Matt Mullenweg is just a regular guy that grew up in Texas. Well, he is not so regular. He is the co-founder of wordPress and he is only 23 years old. Amazing! Matt does not think of himself as a super star. What a modest guy! He has invented something that is used around the world, for many purposes. You can also now be a fan of WordPress on Facebook, awesome! There are so many things to look forward to when it comes to social marketing. I’m still an amateur and I’m still learning so much, day by day, and I love it. I am not inspired by many, but coming into this world of Internet Marketing, I love it. It’s opened my eyes to so much more, gave me so much more hope than I had just 8 months ago. Matt Mullenweg is an inspiration. He does a lot of public speaking and I hope one day, I can meet this person that has changed the blogging world. His ever popular personal blog called PhotoMatt has thousands of readers per day, including myself. Matt went to the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, where he studied the Jazz Saxophone. He decided to pursue his love of coding when he quit his job at CNET.

I guess quitting his job was the best thing he has ever done, because now he is the “#1 most important Matt in the world.”

He has so much information on his site, including free codes he has given away to the world. Perhaps I am now discovering this, but I guess it’s better to be late, than to never discover the greater things in life. I don’t want to meet many people, but two people that I would now like to meet are:

-Matt Mullenweg (Co-founder of WordPress)

-Mark Zuckerberg (Founder of Facebook)

Are chimps smarter than humans? December 3, 2007

In a recent study done in Japan, it has been suggested that Chimps are smarter than humans. Some young chimps were tested against adults for over all short term memory; and the chimps won. Unbelievable, forget about all of these reality TV shows, this is where it is folks. Chimpanzees are now smarter than we are, not that we should be surprised. For a long time it has been debated whether or not chimps were a little smarter than the average human being, but now, for some Japanese researchers, it’s actually true.

According to one of the researchers, Tetsuro Matsuzawa of Kyoto University, the chimps were only 5 years old and when given the test, they passed with flying colors. Matsuzawa claimed that even he was surprised when the results came through. One of the test entailed short term recollection of Arabic numerals 1-9 (which they learned earlier), with 3 chimps and a dozen adults. The chimps were to touch one of the numbers on the computer screen and then the remaining numbers would turn white. The test was for the chimps and humans to remember what the was on the screen. The chimps were actually faster and passed with flying colors, the humans passed but they weren’t as fast. One chimp did the best out of all. Ayumu is his name. He was taken aside along with nine college students to take another test. This test was much like the first one, only they had five numbers to remember is sequence. Again, Ayumu finished before everyone else.

When the numbers were displayed for about seven-tenths of a second, both parties pulled an average of 80 percent, but when it was displayed for only four to two-tenths of a second, the chimp still finished at 80 percent. It was also said that older chimps do just as humans did in the test, so this may have something to do with age. Ayumu will be running the show until he gets older, but until then….good luck Ayumu!