It’s My Imagination

Join Social Spark

May 6, 2008 on 8:21 pm | In Blogging | No Comments

A few weeks ago I joined a new online social community called Social Spark. I’ve been so busy with everything lately that I haven’t had too much time to spend learning all the nuances of their website, but what I have learned is that it is not only fairly easy to navigate, but it’s a great place to meet fellow bloggers with common interests.

Upon registering at Social Spark, I created my own profile. It’s very simple to do and the information provided allows both bloggers and advertisers to get a better sense of who I am as a blogger and what my blog is all about. The profile includes a description of yourself as well as your blog. It also includes items like your interests, and personal information. This helps other members find bloggers with similar interests and advertisers find bloggers who can promote their product. Click here to see my Social Spark profile.

SocialSpark is many things all rolled into one site. First of all, it’s a social community. Meet up with other bloggers, join in discussions on the forum boards. Support other bloggers by giving them “props” or thumbs up votes when you find a blog you like and add them to your Social Spark friends list. You can also send messages between members, an easy way to contact each other.

In addition to being a place to communicate with other bloggers, Social Spark is also a way for bloggers to earn money with their blogs by creating paid posts, and a way for advertisers to get buzz about their products via bloggers. It’s taking me a bit longer to learn my way around the site than I would like, I’m hoping to get better at it with practice. I also wish that when other members sent me friendship requests they weren’t just interested in increasing the number of friends they have. It can feel like a popularity contest. I try to create friendships with sites that are similar to mine or sites I enjoy visiting or have something in common with, but that’s just my personal choice.

If you’re looking for a great social community and a legitimate way to monetize your blog, you really should check out Social Spark.

This post is sponsored by Social Spark.

Tags: Social Spark, socialspark.com

I Will Be Checked Out

May 6, 2008 on 4:14 pm | In Blogging, My Imagination | 1 Comment

As I said in my previous post, I am going to be traveling over the next few days in order to attend my niece’s nursing graduation.  I will be away from the blogoshpere while I’m gone, but I will be back.  My flight leaves tomorrow morning, so the shuttle service is picking me up early to get me to the airport.  I am not even taking my computer with me because I won’t have access to the internet while I’m gone. Unless I happen to be at my niece’s house, then I might get on.  Of course, then I’ll have to fight my sister over the computer because she’ll be away from her blogs, just like me!

I’ll be be back on Monday! 

Tags: Blogging, internet access, travel

More Travel Ahead

May 6, 2008 on 1:13 pm | In Family, Some of This Some of That | No Comments

I will be leaving tomorrow to head east to see my niece graduate from nursing school. She’s worked long and hard to complete her studies and internships and I think it’s the least the family can do to be there to celebrate her accomplishment with her. I’m traveling alone, I didn’t want to take my daughter out of school for this, and will be meeting up with both of my sisters and my mom tomorrow. I’ll be gone until Sunday, if my flight comes in on time, I’ll be able to go out and get Mother’s Day desert with my daughter and husband when they pick me up at the airport.

I return on Sunday and my husband is leaving Monday morning. He will be heading out on yet another business trip, this time he’s going to Toronto, Canada. He hasn’t had to travel for a few weeks and it’s been nice to have him home. Sometimes his travel schedule is so busy, it’s been nice having him home. Most of his travel is state side, but occasionally, he does leave the country for Mexico or Canada. Once or twice a year he also travels to Europe or Asia. I’m glad he’s not going that far this time.

I remember him traveling before cell phones were attached to us on a daily basis. It was always so hard to be apart knowing we would have very little contact. Now, with the popularity of cell phones, staying in contact is so much easier. We don’t have a land line at home, so we have to rely on our cell phones and international calls on cell phones can be way too expensive. We’ve discovered that using phone cards for international calls is actually a great way to save on the expense.

Just thinking about all the travels we’re doing over the next few weeks makes me tired. I’ll be glad we things settle back down!

How about you?  Do you or your spouse travel much?  How do you stay in touch?

Tags: phone cards

Best Buy - Will They Come Through?

May 5, 2008 on 7:42 pm | In Some of This Some of That | 1 Comment

This is an update on my ongoing Best Buy saga. The Geek Squad had sent my digital camera in for repair, it was less than 3 months old and still under manufacturer warranty. It was determined, after several weeks, that the camera was irrepairable and I would be given a new replacement camera.

Click here to read my previous post on the matter.

The update is that I received a call tonight from the Geek Squad. My old camera was recovered from the recycling center and is being returned to the store where I’ll be able to pick it up later in the week. If Best Buy cannot provide me with a replacement camera, I can then send my broken camera directly to HP and have them send me one.

In the mean time, Best Buy customer service is expecting an exact replacement be delivered to their store from Abilene and I will trade out for the new one. That camera should also be in later in the week.

Right now, I’m just hoping for the best.

Tags: Best Buy, HP digital camera

Want to See a Good Horror Flick?

May 4, 2008 on 10:28 am | In Some of This Some of That | No Comments

Do you like horror movies? I’m not a big fan of this genre personally, but my husband loves these movies! Horror and sci-fi and he’s happy! I’d probably enjoy these movies too except for the fact that I have nightmares after watching them. I have so much trouble sleeping anyway, I don’t think I need to add to the problem. My husband on the other hand, can watch a horror flick of the goriest kind and sleep like a baby. I guess we’re just wired differently.

I heard the other day about an unrated and uncensored movie coming to select theaters on May 9. The move, Frontier(s) is also coming out on DVD on May 13. Unfortunately for my husband, the nearest theater to us would be a 4-5 hour drive to Austin for him to see it and I know that’s not going to happen, so he’ll just have to wait for it to come out on DVD.

I’m sure he’s going to want to watch this movie though. The plot of the movie revolves around a group of thieves who’ve left the city of Paris to hide out. Unbenownst to them though, the dingy hotel they chose to hide out in is also occupied by a group of neo-Nazis that also happen to be cannibals. Hello? It’s not bad enough that they’re Nazis? The film writer had to throw in cannibalism too? Geez! This is sure to be gory and bloody, and horror at its finest.

I’m sure by now you’re wondering how you can enjoy this movie with your favorite popcorn. If you want to see it in person, check for the select theater listings to see if it’s showing near you. Remember, you’ll still be able to see it on DVD if it’s not coming to a theater near you.

Tags: horror film, scary movie

Stamp Out Hunger

May 4, 2008 on 7:54 am | In Some of This Some of That | No Comments

Saturday, May 10, Campbell’s Soup joins with the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) to Stamp Out Hunger! across America.

To help Stamp Out Hunger! this year, simply leave a sturdy bag containing non-perishable foods, such as canned soup, canned vegetables, pasta, rice or cereal next to your mailbox prior to the time of regular mail delivery on May 10. Be sure none of the items are in breakable containers.

Click here to find out more information.

Tags: Hunger

It’s Pure Horror

May 2, 2008 on 1:40 pm | In Some of This Some of That | 2 Comments

My husband and I have never really shared the same taste in movies, he prefers sci-fi and horror while I lean more towards romantic comedy and drama. That’s probably the biggest reason we don’t seem to attend a lot of new movies in the theater together, we can’t agree on what to see.

The biggest reason I don’t care to see scary movies is that they keep me awake at night. I have enough trouble sleeping without adding fear to the mix! My husband on the other hand, loves the adrenalin rush a good horror movie gives him. So, he’s going to be thrilled to hear that Frontier(s) unrated and uncut is coming to select theaters May 9, that’s just a week away, and, it will be out on DVD on May 13!

You know, it’s not very often that an unrated movie ever makes it to the movie theater. While this one is in limited release, that is still quite an accomplishment. The action revolves around a group of common thieves who flee Paris and hide out in a local small hotel. Unfortunately for them, the hotel is also occupied by a group of neo-Nazi cannibals who are more than happy to share their dingy hotel with their next meal.

This is definitely a film for hardcore horror movie fans and not for the faint of heart (like me). While my husband may have to wait for the DVD release, I’m sure he’ll be wanting to see this movie.

**Keep in mind, this IS a horror movie and some of the images as well as the movie trailer may not be suitable for all audiences **

Tags: Cannibalism, Criminals, France, Heists, Horror, Theatrical Release

Annoyed with Best Buy

May 2, 2008 on 1:04 pm | In Some of This Some of That | 6 Comments

A month and a half ago, I took my digital camera in to Best Buy for repair.  The camera was not even three months old and a plastic piece used to hold the battery and memory card in place had snapped off.  The camera had a one year manufacturer warranty on it.

After 6 weeks of hearing nothing from Best Buy, I called them.  I was told that it had been determined that the camera could not be repaired so I would be given a new camera to replace.  What they failed to tell me was that Best Buy no longer carries HP cameras, so they did not have the same camera to replace it with.  To get an equivalent camera with even half the features, I would have to pay almost $100 extra!  They failed to mention that as well.

They found a store in Abilene that the computer says has one camera remaining in stock and I asked if it could be transferred to the McKinney store.  They are checking.  I asked for my camera to be returned to me so that I can send it to HP myself for a replacement.  Sounds simple right?  Well, my camera was sent by the repair center to be recycled!  So, I currently have no camera and am out the money we spent on it in the first place.

I’m waiting for the McKinney Best Buy to call me with status as to whether or not they are getting the camera from Abilene or not.  It’s going on two hours since I left there.  How long does it take to call another store?

I am so annoyed!

Tags: Best Buy

The Rookie Day 3: Extraction

May 2, 2008 on 9:21 am | In Some of This Some of That | No Comments

Are you a fan of action adventure films and television? If you said yes, you’re going to love this webisode!

Take a look at this, The Rookie Day 3: The Extraction.

You can view all of the webisodes at The Rookie Day 3. These are all digital shorts, 3-6 minutes in length that chronicle the adventures of American Counter Terrorism agent, Jason Blaine, presented by Degree Men ®. There are a total of 6 chapters. For more detailed information on The Rookie Day 3, visit the Webmaster’s Resources Page.

Don’t forget to check out the sponsor, Degree Men, a great deodorant for all rugged, active men!

Tags: Degree Men, The Rookie Day 3

What’s Your Style?

April 30, 2008 on 6:00 pm | In My Imagination | 2 Comments

Yesterday, I knew I had to go to the dealership to drop my car of for some routine maintenance, so I thought I should put on some of my better clothes for the outing. I’m usually just in my jeans are denim capris now that I don’t work outside the home any longer, but I wanted to look a bit nicer.

So, I stood in my closet yesterday morning looking through all the clothes that I used to wear to work. I worked in an elementary school and so I dressed comfortably, but at the same time always wanted to look like I was dressed for work, not the playground. I decided to go with a pair of Dockers and a short sleeved linen blouse. It felt a bit strange to no longer be in denim, but I also felt that I was dressed appropriately. I put on my new backless canvas sneakers and headed out the door.

The funny thing about yesterday was that all day, I felt like I was Meg Ryan in  Sleepless in Seattle, just the way I was dressed in Dockers and canvas sneakers. It was the strangest feeling, but at least I associated my outfit with Meg Ryan, someone who has been known to set trends both in fashion and hairstyle. I do have a decent imagination!

With my imagination and the way I was dressed, maybe I should create my own T.V. commercial and enter the Dockers contest. I think it could be a lot of fun and my daughter and I get a kick out of making videos, so we could do it together.

What about you? Why not create your own commercial and enter the contest?

Tags: Dockers Contest, fashion trend