It’s My Imagination

Secret Menu Items

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of AMPM. All opinions are 100% mine.

Are you into online social networks? I am very new to Facebook, but one thing I quickly learned was how easy it is to connect with businesses and stay updated on sales, specials, coupons and special events. Facebook is precisely how I discovered the new secret menu tab at ampm. It is such a big secret, but I’m going to spill the beans and fill you in because it’s so cool. Just follow these two simple steps:

1. visit http://www.facebook.com/ampm
2. “Like” ampm

You have now gained access to the secret menu tab where you will find the Secret Menu Items.

I’m not sure which food item is my favorite, but I love the names; Chili Conquistador, Towering Inferno, and Hot Chihuahua. They sound very tasty, not to mention tempting.

You should check out all the secret menu items for yourself and don’t forget to leave a comment telling your favorite item and why it’s your favorite. New Yums will be coming out 7/26, 8/2, 8/9, 8/16, and 8/30 so check back often. Plus, on August 2nd you will be able to create your own ampm secret menu concoctions right on Facebook.

Dragon Blogger Technology & Entertainment Portal

This is a sponsored guest post written by Justin Germino on behalf of Dragon Blogger Technology. Post powered by Sponzai.

Whether you are a blogger, technology enthusiast or looking for entertainment articles and reviews you can find it all in one place on Dragon Blogger Technology and Entertainment Portal.    This site offers you the latest news and tips in wordpress Blogging, SEO, Twitter and other social media networks as well as providing you information on technology products, devices, reviews and information about whats up and coming in the technology world.

The site also mixes up some entertainment movie reviews and features the popular NBC Heroes reviews posted every Monday night after the show aires.  Dragon Blogger adds a unique aspect to his technology blog by offering featured original screencast video demonstrations that you won’t find anywhere else.

So whether you are someone looking to keep up with blogging news, technology articles or entertainment reviews, or an advertiser looking to showcase your software or hardware product and reach a wide target audience by visitng Dragon Blogger Techology and Entertainment portal today.

Enjoying the Rythm of My IPod

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Yamaha. All opinions are 100% mine.

Any of you who might read my other blog know that I sew, quite a bit.  However, I’ve been in a creative slump of late and one of the reasons is that when I go into my sewing room, there is no television, radio, or sound of any kind.  I enjoy the quiet, but, after a while, I feel sort of cut off from everything, it seems almost too quiet.  I have a clock/radio in my bedroom that I can also play my iPod through, but, it’s not exactly portable and I do use it for my morning alarm so don’t want to move it.  Since Christmas is right around the corner, I’m adding an iPod speaker to my wish list!

I’ve actually been known to wear my iPod around my neck with my earbuds in while sewing, but I’m always afraid of what could happen if my iPod or its harness were to get caught up in my sewing machine.  It really could be dangerous.  I’ve been wanting some sort of player for a while now and am looking into the Yamaha PDX-60 Speaker Dock. I like that it comes with a remote so I would be able to place the dock up on top of the sewing cabinet and still be able to operate it while sitting in my sewing chair.

I really like the Yamaha PDX-60 and all ready have it bookmarked and a link in an email to Santa (aka, my husband)!

Where do you listen to your iPod?

Super Target is Energy Efficient

I went shopping at our new Super Target this afternoon and I learned something very interesting.  To some, this may be not worth noting, but I found it very surprising and was very impressed.  So, you’re wondering, what is it that Target is doing to impress me?  Well, they are using energy efficient lighting in their frozen foods section!

You see, although the store is new, only open a couple of weeks, the store wasn’t very busy this afternoon and I was having a nice shopping experience.  I wheeled my cart around the end of the aisle and entered the frozen food section.  I just happened to notice a light in one of the glass front freezers going on.  I was thinking how it was surprising to all ready have faulty lighting in a brand new store, when I noticed something else.  As I was making my way down the aisle, both sides lined with glass front freezers, the lights were turning on inside the cases.  Then I noticed it.  Each case had a motion sensor attached so it knew I was coming and lit up so I could see what was inside!  Energy efficient lighting in the freezer section, now that’s going green in a very smart way!

So, here’s to you Target!  You scored big points today with me and I will be coming back!

Online Product Reviews

I find it amazing to think about all the things that can be done simply by having an internet connection. Really, think about it. There is so much information waiting for us on the world wide web and all we have to do is type a word or phrase in a little box and press enter. The list of possible search results could be endless and it could be a real time saver to know which links to click on and which could be useless information. This is exactly where a service such as HottestProducts.net can come into play because they have reviews of just about any online product or service that you could possibly think of.

Have a New Year’s resolution to go on a diet? Check their website for reviews on all the latest online dieting programs. Another big resolution is to get your finances in order. If you need help with that, check out the reviews on Credit Repair Programs to give you a head start on meeting your goal. Need your horoscope? Find the best place to get it online by reading a review first. How about your dog, does he need training and you don’t know how to go about it? Check the reviews at HottestProducts.net and you’ll get help.

There really are so many great products and services at our fingertips.  It’s nice to be able to read a product review to help consumers make informed decisions before making purchases.

Review and Compare Web Hosting

As we are all sitting around relaxing after ringing in the new year, it’s time to think about cleaning house. I don’t mean your actual house, although, I’m working on taking down holiday decorations. What I do mean is it’s time to review your website and see if it’s meeting your expectations. If not, maybe you need a new web host.

Perhaps you’re looking for cheap web hosting but still want service. Or, maybe you want to spend a little more and get ALL the bells and whistles that come with services like unlimited bandwidth and disk space. Or perhaps, you’re new and are looking to create a first time website or blog and need to know what to look for in a web hosting company.

Whatever your goal, if you’re looking for web hosting, check out webhostingreport.com where you can compare web hosting services side by side and be able to make an informed decision before locking yourself in.  Their reports cover topics such as “Best Cheap Hosting” and “Best Domain Hosting” and yes, they’ll even tell you what to look for in a good web host and give you a beginners guide.  They compare everything from pricing to features so it’s worth taking a look at their information before you make your final decision.  This simple step could save you lots of headaches in the future!

After Christmas Discounts

Did you receive all of the latest technology gadgets for Christmas this year? There may be one that you didn’t receive is possibly one of the most useful pieces of technology you could ever have. Piqued your curiosity? Watch a few of the videos and I’m sure you’ll agree, Dragon Naturally Speaking is a must have for anyone who spends time on the computer.

Dragon Naturally speaking is a great, time saving tool. Download the Dragon Naturally Speaking software and then, using a microphone, speak naturally and Dragon types exactly what you’re saying. Now, I took typing class in school and can type at a reasonably fast pace, but there is no way I could ever type as fast as I can speak. In fact, I don’t think there is anyone that could accurately type as fast as a person could speak. Try it and you’ll probably find a lot of mistakes, but that’s not the case with Dragon. Dragon types accurately and, on your command, even puts in the punctuation. It also allows you to go back and make changes, highlight text, underline and even make paragraphs.

There’s no better time to get your own Dragon Naturally Speaking because here are some after Christmas discounts of 10-25% off that are currently being offered:

• $50 Coupon Code- DNSMSBG -Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 Preferred
• $25 Coupon Code- DNSMSBG -Dragon Naturally Speaking 10 Standard
• $25 Coupon Code- DNSMSBG -MacSpeech Dictate

If you’ve been considering getting this product for yourself, now is a great time to do it because these discounts expire 12/31/08! By the way, this product can qualify as a business expense and may be eligible for a tax deduction for 2008 if purchased by the end of the year.

Display Weather Photos on Your New Kodak Digital Frame

5 Minutes For Mom and Kodak, are giving away one brand new EASYSHARE W820 Wireless Digital Frame with Home Decor Kit. This is an amazing digital frame that not only allows to display a slideshow of your favorite photos, including weather related if you so choose, but to also play MP3 audio along with your slideshow. It is also wireless and super easy to use. The contest runs until December 19, 2008, so what are you waiting for?

Blogging – Getting Started

I was recently asked by a friend of mine how to get started blogging. WOW! This is not as simple of a question as it might seem and I really had to sit back and think, where to begin.

I did decided though that Step 1 is to decide on a web host. Of course, everyone has their own opinion on this subject and there are so many hosts to choose from. I definitely recommended the host I use and even suggested they could click on the lovely affiliate button on either one of my blogs to be taken directly to the host site. I also felt it good advice to allow them to compare web hosting sites for service, quality and prices, because all of these vary widely.

In fact, Webhostinggeeks.com actually lists the top 10 Web Hosts for 2008 right on their home page which makes it so easy to shop and compare.  Their site provides independent reviews from actual users of those web hosts which makes the information quite useful to both new users and anyone looking to change hosts.  In fact,  click here to read a review of the web host that I use for both of my blogs.

I need to check in with my friend to see if she’s decided to move forward into the world of blogging or not.

Be an XML Superstar

Do you love XML? Do you have the skills to become the next XML Superstar?

Students, professionals and hobbyists are all encouraged to enter this contest sponsored by IDUG. The purpose of the IDUG contest is to increase awareness and familiarity with XQuery, XML and DB2.

To participate in this contest, you must be at least 18 and, if a student, provide identification or proof of enrollment in an accredited school. There are five different methods, or “tracks”, that can be entered. All of the 5 tracks can be entered as an individual while the Ported Contest and the XML Programming contest can be entered as an individual or as a team of up to 5 members.  Plus, you can enter 1 track or all 5.

The 5 different tracks to enter include:

Video Contest: Upload a video, judged by the community, prizes awarded monthly

Gadget Contest: Create a small widget or gadget, judged by the community, prizes awarded monthly

XQuery Challenge: Answer a series of questions by developing queries in XQuery. All correct answers (answer and query structure) entered to win larger prizes

Port an Application: Port an existing application to use XML, XQuery or DB2. Judged by a panel of judges

Develop an application: Develop a brand new application using XML and/or XQuery. Judged by a panel of judges

Thousands of dollars worth of prizes will be given away to winners including Wii’s, and complimentary technical conferences.  Plus, each entry earns participation points and the contestant with the most participation points will be deemed the “XML Grand Master” and receive a special prize.

Get registered and submit your entry.  Who knows, you may be next in the Winner’s Circle!