I know it's been quiet ‘round these parts lately. Part of that's been due to this darned craft fair coming up. I told my mom last night that I'm more talented in my head then I really am in practice. I've tried to do some artsy things lately beyond photography that just didn't pass my muster. I know I set a high bar, but really, if I wouldn't buy something, I'm certainly not going to put it out there and try to sell it to others. I know I have the creative bug in me, but creative talent is another issue. I suppose it doesn't help to have the pressure of a craft fair looming down on me. I had so many things that I wanted to make and sell, but I've decided to just stick to matted and framed prints of my photography along with a few note cards. My creative juices do not fare well under a time crunch.

So that's one reason I've been absent lately. I've listed the other reasons why in the past few posts. I know y'all get it since you're busy people too, so I won't go into the list of excuses. Just know that I'm thinking about this little old blog of mine a lot and the urge to get back to it is pulling at me. I just need to store up a wee bit more energy before I get back to pouring into it.

And to list one more sorry excuse, I can't find the cable to my camera, which means that I can't upload any photos and I hate not being able to upload photos. It's so boring without them. But don't you worry, as soon as I figure out where the WMD moved that cable (because he is the one who is always moving it and he is the one who can never remember where he put things), I'll have a whole plethora of photos to share with you. Heck, I don't even know what I have on the camera anymore, so it'll be a surprise for all of us. I'm thinking there's some fancy food photos on there and I know there's some photos of my mini-Christmas tree bleaching and dying project currently in process. Get ready, they're acoming!

To give a little more attention to this blog in the coming weeks, I thought I'd post some websites/blogs/Esty shops that I find really cool and worthy of passing along.  I'll post a few different sites each day. They're sites that I've discovered during my hours (and hours and hours) on the internet while the WMD had his nose in a book on Cicero or Adam Smith or someone or ‘nother. In my quest of new websites, I'm continually amazed at the creativity that exists out there. Really, it's quite inspiring.

2 amigos, Fleiv y Dudu, han creado un blog especializado en todo lo que tiene que ver con deportes llamado Fair Play, viene con reseñas, noticias, trivias, encuestas y mas cosas.

Si eres amante del deporte, date una vuelta en FairPlay

Tambien tienen mis amigos un programa de radio en Elocuencia8080.com que pasa todos los Jueves de 1 a 3 de la tarde, sintonizenlos

My favorite part of the fair was the ride where you lie on your stomach as if you were hang gliding. It was a very smooth ride. I loved being up high and feeling the wind on my face. I could have ridden it over and over.

And then there was the ride from hell...the zipper. I have ridden the zipper many times both at the state fair and the lee regional fair. I have always loved it and have had no problem. This ride, however, was pure hell. I have never been so scared in my entire life. Truly. I have had time to think about it now and I cannot think of another time when I was that scared. It all started when the ride operator struggled to lock the cage. I should have gotten us (yes, Hailey was with me) off right then. As we started to move, I shook the door to try to reassure myself that it was latched and we were safe...it didn't work. The ride was very rough and knocked us all around. If you have been on the zipper, you know that you can make your car flip...there was no way I was going to make the ride MORE scary but our car didn't need any help. We got flipped forwards and backwards over and over...and it was VERY rough. Every time we faced the ground, I was seriously afraid the door was going to open and we were going to fall out. At one point, my face got smacked hard against the door. I had Hailey around the waist and was holding on to her for dear life. As scared as I was, I was mad at myself for putting her on that ride and had to make sure I did my best to hide my fear. She was panicking and I just kept repeating to her over and over that she was ok and that we would be off soon. At the same time, I was praying silently that the ride would stop. If we had enjoyed the ride, it would have been over way too soon. As it was, it felt like we were never going to stop. I love rides...the bigger, the faster the better. I love twists and turns and going upside down...but I guarantee you I will never set foot on a zipper ride again for the rest of my life...and I seriously doubt Hailey will either!

I love our fair, but having grown up on the state fair, it always feels like you run out of things to do too soon. When I was in middle school and high school, the double ferris wheel was always our meeting place. We would hang out on the steps of the Red Cross center (which has since been torn down), we would eat Al's fries and funnel cake, we would test our love compatibility in the arcade, and our boyfriends would win is animals in the midway. And you know what...we would ride the zipper every time.

When Ed and I were "just friends", we went to the state fair together and made a pact that we would return together every year. I think we have only missed one year since then. We love the ice cold milk in the exhibit hall and the honey cotton candy. We stand in line for the free hushpuppies and we get good seats for the lumberjack show. I once bought a penguin mobile at the fair and it hangs from the ceiling in my office at the center. Looking at that one mobile can bring back years of memories of the fair. If you have never been to the state fair, I encourage you to make this year your first of many trips to the fair!

So we get to the entrance and wait to pay for admittance. It was a shame we were downwind of an apparent horse, pig, skunk slaughter house. Or maybe that's just how a fair smells. Since I live next to a sewage treatment center I'm used to it and continued to wait in line. Once we got in I was amazed. This isn't some little tiny county fair. This was something pretty neat. There were lots of lights, games, rides, and food. The food was good and decently priced. The games were a plenty, with some being harder than others. The rides were impressive, from the two rollarcoasters to something and flips and drops and basically makes elephant ear vomit. Now the people working those rides and and games were a bit creepy to put it mildly but maybe that's part of the charm. The highlight of the evening was watching an eight year old work her way through a plexi-glass maze. At one point she was walking full speed and SLAMMED into a wall. Ouch! The three of us adults watching fell down with laughter, the attendant actually got up to see if she was OK. Priceless. So it was actually fun, I'll go next year. It's weird walking past a game and hearing someone say "Wanna play, it's only a dollar" and their voice sounds like a synthesizer. Ummm I'll pass, but maybe next year.

Come and have a trip on my carpet
It is embroidered, smooth like a cushion
I could make you discover Brooklyn
Or you'd prefer to travel over Mimate

Lay leisurely on my free magic carpet
It is fair, tacit, fantastically velvet
I wove it alone in a forgotten wood
Take a sit on it, even if a falsehood

Mae Linat © 2008

The American economy is sucking a lot of money out of consumers’ pockets due to high gas prices and the general increase in every other consumer good from food to clothing that is associated with high oil prices. However, there is good news on the horizon, and that is that auto insurance rates are being reduced. Despite this reduction, there are several things you should keep in mind when shopping for car insurance to ensure you receive the best rate and coverage for you and your vehicle.

Tip #1 Shop Around
There are so many different auto insurers out there you might think it difficult to find the best insurance at the lowest prices. However, don’t despair because all you have to do is shop around. The easiest way to do this is to go online and search all your favorite car insurers in order to receive a fast and free online quote. Then, you can simply compare the services and prices of the insurers and make the best choice for you. Spending a little time on research might save you hundreds of dollars on car insurance.

Tip #2 Look for the Discounts
You may not have known this, but many auto insurers provide discounts to drivers for good driving behavior and other reasons as well. So, ask about the discounts available through various insurance providers and consider how many you would qualify for. More than likely if you qualify for one or two then your rates could easily drop several hundred dollars per year.

Tip #3 Maintain Your Credit
Unbeknownst to you, your credit score affects your car insurance rate. As a result, you should be sure to maintain your credit score as high as possible in order to not only receive the benefits of good credit, but also to pay lower car insurance premiums. It is really worthwhile, and something you will benefit from economically.

These tips are great ways for you as a consumer to take your car insurance needs into your own hands and find the best provider with the lowest rates and most coverage. When you start doing the research, you will be amazed how much money you can save as well as how many more benefits you can receive. Go ahead and start saving on your auto insurance today, there is no reason to wait.

Thx to FanspaceOfDemi

"This Is Me"

thx to ncflovesjaj

"Get Back"

 Thx Dafr3ak

"DayDream"

Thx to DeathCabJenny

Sponsored by: Funny Shirts at Shame-U

Well, the Texas Stat Fair is great site for gameday and a  great Football Game, But it was really hard to see the signs this wee, those nets ESPN uses to shield Corso from rotten tomatoes, was like having cataracts this week!  AND the show was moved into the stadium for the 2nd hour. So any help you have to contribute this week will be appreciated! I saw the WAzzu flag again, Chik Fil A is getting good at their sign placement, and i saw no love for Erin Andrews this week anywhere, perhaps she accepted a proposal that I saw in LA or Vandy- and signed the pre nup. And texas tech is starting to bark, but who have they beaten ?  WHERE ARE THE Political signs ? You do know there is a presidential election soon, and KIRK or CORSO are not running!!  BTW , guys the coros-Merkin sign i saw was repeat from last year-sorry!

Again these are the best I saw, tell me the best ones I missed!

 There will IS STILL REWARD for ANYONE who gets a "FOOTBALL JESUS Las vegas" Sign on TV...or HI football Jesus Blog ,  be creative!  we need a good clear shot of it!!

Here is the list:

1. Kirk Herbstreit brought to you by Planet Tan
2. Stoops is a Hockey Mom
3. I had to walk to the fair , Phil Fulmer ate my car
4. Corso Wheres the Neck meat?  ( ??)
5. V Slice Born Born   (corrected)
6. Sam Bradford washed my Car
7. GSU HAIL SOUTHERN
8. UT the way the south was won
9. WE LOVE BOB
10. OU SUX

Thats all i could see clearly, and im not sure of these !!

http://footballjesus.wordpress.com/2008/10/04/best-signs-at-espn-college-gameday-vandy/

http://footballjesus.wordpress.com/2008/09/21/best-signs-at-espn-college-gameday-auburn/

http://footballjesus.wordpress.com/2008/09/17/dirty-sanchez-escapes-espn-sign-police/

http://footballjesus.wordpress.com/2008/09/14/best-signs-at-espn-college-gameday-los-angeles/

http://footballjesus.wordpress.com/2008/09/06/best-signs-seen-on-espn-college-gameday-gainesville/

Minneapolis: http://footballjesus.wordpress.com/2008/09/03/best-sign-at-republican-convention-msnbc/

Atlanta: http://footballjesus.wordpress.com/2008/08/30/best-signs-seen-on-espn-college-gameday-atlanta/

One of the presidential candidates wants more governmental intervention than we have now, and that leads toward socialism. In my opinion, there's too much government in the lives of ordinary citizens now and we should begin a move to downsize immediately. I am not advocating doing away with government, just having less of it.

There are several measures we could enact right away that would take quite a financial strain off the American taxpayer. This is not an all-inclusive list, it's just something my wife and I have been discussing for a long time. Perhaps you could add items to the list, too.

First, pay members of congress and senate what they are worth. I am not trying to be flippant here, just making an observation. I have always contended salaries of those who serve (themselves, mostly) in the congress and senate are greatly overpaid. My view comes from the years I spent in the military. It is difficult to imagine the soldier who defends this great nation, sometimes with the ultimate sacrifice, being paid far less than what is deserved, while members of the house and senate receive their inflated salaries and benefits.

According to the Sioux City Journal, a rank and file member of congress has an annual salary of $169,300, the speaker of the house gets paid $217,400. The house majority and minority leaders have a salary of $188,100. The article suggested life as members of congress wasn't that great in comparison to some small business operations. Let me just lay this out for anyone to read: members of congress are way overpaid for what they do. Add the many perks to their salary, and you get an idea why so many choose public service.

Secondly, fix the "anchor baby" problem. America is the greatest nation on earth, and one of the reasons is because we extend a helping hand to those in need all over the world. Here's a video that explains the problem, but so far, a solution to this growing problem has yet to be enacted.

I am not trying to be mean or un-Christ like, but I do advocate becoming a citizen of this great nation in the correct manner. Apply for citizenship and wait your turn. The 14th Amendment wasn't enacted in order to fill this nation with so many babies until it puts untold strain on an already ailing economy. An article from the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) suggests a problem that continues to add an increased tax burden on American citizens.

Perhaps we could enact policies which could alleviate some of the excessive burden on nation's economy. Allow a baby to become a citizen if the parents have already applied for citizenship and are well on their way to realizing that dream. I have no problem with decent people wanting to become citizens of this great nation; my family came from elsewhere a long time ago. However, scores of people skirt our laws, and we are left holding the bill.

One more big leak is the area of energy. We are far too dependent on foreign oil. Congress recently passed legislation which is supposed to give oil companies the ability to drill for more oil. Well, the bill was just for show, and doesn't allow drilling in the areas that hold the most potential for obtaining great amounts of oil. There are more details here. We need alternative energy, and need it NOW. Many in congress and the senate have fought against measures that would ensure energy independence for many years. Why?

It will take more to fix our economic woes that what has been written here, but if we find ways to enact some of the ideas suggested here, I'm certain it will help ease some of the burden on average taxpayers. For another perspective, look at my article Economic Crisis: We Need God. What are your thoughts?

Could any of us take the scrutiny that so many take in the media these days? 

From a mother disciplining her child in what she thought was private; to whether a FEMALE candidate should have her young family with her; to a mother so divided between so many duties, wife, mother, housekeeper, executive that she would forget her own newborn, these are ordinary people thrust into the limelight.  Being judged as if there was no humanity and that they should have never made a mistake or done that, shame on them.

Have you compared them with the Hollywood elite that all the media root for to do better, Brittany, Paris, Lindsey?  Seems they can make repeated mistakes, vowing to do something better with their lives and...well, you know the rest...they are rubber and we are glue.

Feel left out as an ordinary person?  What if it happened to you?  Which category would you fall into? 

It makes one wonder if "us worker bees" are being set up to work as computers with nary a mistake to be made and those that are deemed by the media as "queen bees" get passes for being "human." 

Makes a difference as to how the media depits it all, doesn't it?  Bias in the media?  Oh come on...they are all fair and balanced.

So which island will you land on?   THE ISLAND

!!!

Graduate Select is only a few days away and so here is another juicy piece of advice from one of our resident expert Careers Advisers on how to avoid looking stupid in front of exhibitors at the event...

‘So, what do you do then?’

‘Do you have any jobs for me?’

‘Do you take on people who require work permits?’

‘How much do you pay?’

‘What sort of roles do you have available?’

Those are a few — there are lots more. They are questions that make employers on stands at events like Graduate Select grind their teeth.

Some questions demonstrate your lack of research. Don’t ever ask anything you could have found out by rooting around on their website or by looking through their recruitment literature.

Some questions are presumptuous. They make the assumption that the recruiter already wants to employ you. It’s a little bit like asking a complete stranger what side of your bed they would like to sleep on before you even know they fancy you. Not recommended.

Some questions just miss a trick. It is possible to show the recruiter that you are an intelligent person who has done some researching and thinking. For example, ‘I know that forensic accountancy involves looking at the financial aspects of legal or criminal situations, but I would like to get an idea of the typical cases that a recent graduate might end up working on. Would you be able to give me a couple of examples?’ Or what about, ‘I know that you ask for candidates to demonstrate drive, focus and a commitment to deliver results. Could you give me an idea of what that means in practice and what sort of examples you look for in candidate applications?’

So, it’s not just a case of avoiding stupid questions. If you really want to make the most of the event, you need to be ready to ask some intelligent questions.

This is just a taster of the kind of advice you can expect to get at the pre-event Careers Coaching Session at this year's Graduate Select. This session promises to be a great final step in your preparation for the event, so don't miss out! The session starts at 12pm (limited places, so get there 10-15 minutes before...), with the Hall open at 1pm.

Be part of it

www.gradselect.co.uk

DOOOM! DOOOM I TELL YOU! RUN TO THE ARMS OF UR APOLOGETICS SAVIORS!

their is the first page.It is about halloween.here is a message you get if you put your mouse over the igloo.

Their is the message.Here is the second page.

It is about the new play coming tomorow.Here is the third page.

It is a review of the awsome fall fair.And here is the last page I am going to show you.

It is about club penguin turning 3 and the events that are going to happen soon.That is it for the newspaper.

• Fried Green Tomatoes
• Fried Olives Stuffed with Cheese and Salsa
• Fried Mac & Cheese Bytes
• Fried Green Beans
• Chocolate Dipped Bacon
• Corn on the Cob, not fried
• Alligator Jerky
• Stromboli (The Coach only)
• Pumpkin Pie (The Coach only)
• Pork Chop Sandwich (Dr. Disenchanted only)
• Buckeyes (The Coach only)
• Tree Bark (Rod pretzels dipped in white chocolate)
• Apple Cider (which we brought home for later)

This year though, this year there wasn't so much dread.  "Why?" you ask.  I'll tell you why.   Because of Misty.  Yes, Misty of Misty is Foreverlost.  She talks of fair-fudge.  Her whole fair-purpose is the fudge.  Not the rides, not the animals, not the people.  No, her fair-purpose seems to solely be the fudge.  I had never seen fudge at our fair.  This year, I did not dread the fair because I had a mission.  I had a fudge-finding mission

I had everyone looking for this so called fair-fudge.
We looked high.

We looked low.

I tried to ask some that had spent all day at the fair if they had seen or heard of any fudge.

"Fudge? Someone say fudge?"

"Who needs fudge when you have an awesome ribbon?"

I'm sure you know what this one went on and on about. It's wasn't fudge.

We wandered about the grounds some more, looking all around. Until finally we spotted it. A choir broke out in the standard "AAAahhhhhhhhhh" as time stood still, all went dark and a light from nowhere shone upon the beauty that is fair-purpose.

That's right. Funnel Cake. The fudge forgotten, we looked that the 1500% profit confections.

Now, try as I might, I was unable to resist. I forked over the cash and received my warm sugary goodness. The family and I shared one of these delightfully messy treats before heading out.

We were covered in white flecks but were content.
It was a good time.

On the way out, though, I could have sworn I heard someone yelling out.
I wonder what that was all about...

.

.

.

.

"What about the fuuuuuudddgge?"

On the 18th and 19 October 2008 the ancients castles of Strassoldo, still inhabited by the same family that built them more than a thousand years ago, will open their doors for the eleventh edition of the fascinating show “In Autunno: Frutti, Acque e Castelli” (“In Autumn: Fruits, Water and Castles”).

TO VISIT THIS EVENT OUR AGRITURISMO "TENUTA REGINA" OFFERS RENTAL APARTMENTS FROM € 90,00 (2 PAX) UP TO € 120,00 (4 PAX).

Organised by the owners Gabriella and Ombretta di Strassoldo, the event has also got a Springtime twin (held on the week-end before Easter) and is a “must” appointment for those loving magical atmospheres and refined proposals. The visitors will have access to the private halls of both castles, where they will find Italian and foreign skilled artisans (many of which will work on the spot gold, silver, precious stones, leather, wire and glass), artists, decorators and antiquarians with their latest proposals and to the century-old parks, that in their Autumn glory will be slowly preparing themselves for the winter sleep. The park of the “Castello di Sopra” (Upper Castle) will be part of the fair itinerary and host several selected plant nurseries whilst the park of the “Castello di Sotto” (Lower Castle) will not be included in the itinerary but it will be possible to visit it on a specific schedule.

The event includes lovely decorations and many novelties among which the presentation of the restoration works of the ancient rice mill, which will be part of the itinerary. Lying in the spring-water area of the Friulan Lowlands, the castles and their medieval “borgo” are a beautiful rarity. The ancient walls have the fascinating flair of a centre which witnessed the most important historical events that touched this area since Roman times. This magical atmosphere is increased by a splendid natural environment, which gave birth, in the Seventeenth Century, to the castles’ beautiful gardens with their limpid streams, rare plants, ancient trees and ornaments. Owing to their high quality, the thousands of visitors they attract from all over Europe and the involvement of many other local operators, the Strassoldo shows have become an important factor for the Regional economy.

Cost of the ticket: € 10, which includes the entrance to: the halls of the “Castello di Sotto” (Lower Castles) and its “Folador” (Granary), the halls of the “Castello di Sopra (Upper Castles) and its “Vicinia” (medieval administrative house), its “Pileria del riso” (rice mill), its “Cancelleria” (Archives) and its park. The park of the “Castello di Sotto” (Lower Castles) is not included in the ticket but may be visited as indicated in the list of collateral events. Children under 5 years of age do not pay, whilst those from 6 to 12 years old pay € 4. 10% discount for groups of at least 25 people.

Note: the payment of a ticket is a guarantee for a safer and more tranquil visit of the internal areas and an aid for the preservation of the castles. It is renown that it is extremely difficult to maintain these complexes, so the owners who organise high quality events like these should, therefore, be encouraged, not only because they open their homes to the public and work hard, but also because they offer exhibitors a wonderful frame and give a considerable boost to the local economy.