Things to do when you're over 40 and unemployed

Baseball Book on Sale

2012-07-23T10:14:00.000-04:00

I Saw a great little baseball book on sale at the Kindle Store today. The 3,000 Hit Club. It is basically 28 mini biographies, one for each member of the 3,000 hit club. At the low price of just a 1.57 it is well worth picking up.

Brian

Get $2 in MP3's for Free

2012-06-13T11:11:00.000-04:00

Click thru to any MP3 page at Amazon (including today's free song, Lucky That Way by Joe Walsh), click the link next to the blue $ sign, underneath the Buy buttons, that reads "Redeem a gift card or promotion code & view balance", enter promo code MP3S4ALL and you'll get a $2 MP3 credit (must be redeemed by 11:59 p.m. PST on June 15, 2012).

Wondering what to spend it on? There are a number of $2.99 albums (which is nice; I already had a $1 credit, so I could pick any of them up for free), this month's $5 albums (including a 2-hour long Bob Marley compilation) or you could use it to pick up two of the 99 cent singles on the bestseller lists.

Enjoy!

2012-04-26T12:26:00.001-04:00

Saw a great app everyone with a smart phone or tablet should have who likes to get outdoors: Audubon Birds: A field Guide to North American Birds helping you identify those cool little flying guys you see on your hikes. Well worth the time it takes to download.

Brian

Get $2 in MP3's for Free

2012-03-30T20:40:00.000-04:00

Amazon is giving everyone (with a US billing address) a $2 MP3 Credit that can be used between now and midnight (PST) April 1, with no strings attached. Click here, then click the yellow Enter Your Code button, enter the code HITUMBLR, and click the "Apply" button. You'll get a green confirmation message if all goes well and can then go shopping in the MP3 store.

In any case, that's two free singles (they are generally 99 cents) or half-price album of the day (they are almost always $3.99; today's is A Different Kind Of Fix by Bombay Bicycle Club).

If you have any other credit already in your account (such as the $2 Student credit, which requires a code that you received in email -- if you are a part of Amazon Student, you definitely should search your email for this one, which expires April 2), then you can combine them for higher priced items. If you were considering purchasing one of the Hunger Games physical books (maybe as a gift?), you can get another $2 credit to use on one of the Hunger Games Movie Soundtracks, which would drop them to the fairly reasonable range.

A few other ideas:

Classical Music for the Reader 3: Great Masterpieces for the Dedicated Reader ($0.99)
Classical Music for the Reader: Great Masterpieces for the Dedicated Reader ($1.99)
Classical Music for the Reader 2: Great Masterpieces for the Dedicated Reader ($1.99)
Rise of the Masters: 100 Supreme Classical Masterpieces ($1.99)
66 Must-Have Spanish Guitar Masterpieces ($2.99)
2 Hours With, by Thelonious Monk ($3.39)
10 Greatest Hits, by Miles Davis ($2.79)
Scott Free, by Max Roach Quartet ($1.78)
Friday Night In San Francisco, by John McLaughlin;Paco De Lucia;Al Di Meola ($4.99)

Free MP3 Album

2012-03-27T10:05:00.000-04:00

I could not resist telling you about this free album Craig Taubman's Passover Songs For Red Sea Pedestrians a musical guide to the most important Jewish Holiday of the year. Even better for us failed Jews it is mostly in English so we can understand it. Download and enjoy at no cost to you.

Brian

New Free Books Worth Reading

2012-02-28T12:52:00.000-05:00

I broke down and got a real job. So I have not been paying attention the way I should here at my blog, but now that I am getting comfortable at work I will try to make sure I post at least twice a week and keep somewhat updated on my free book list. Four new books today starting with a book that would be well worth reading for 4.99 or more. A well written historical novel with some sidelights into the paranormal The Silence of Trees is well written and takes you to Siberia during WWII, which for most Americans is a place we know little about. Good stuff. Next is an obvious mistake by the publisher, Moscow Sting is a modern cold war spy novel that stands by itself but ruins the first book Red To Black, which is at the price the second book will be at in a couple of days. Third is a cool twist on the paranormal genre, Coexist (Keegan's Chronicles #1) looks at the life a young elf trying to exist side by side with humans without them knowing. Finally a little non-fiction to warm your mind. Most of the time you hear about the Bombers of WWII you here about the European Theatre but in the new book from Gordon Bennett Robinson Jr. brings his side of the war to us in Bringing the Thunder: The Missions of a World War II B-29 Pilot in the Pacific (Stackpole Military History Series) an exiting and well written account of the Air Battles over Japan that helped decide the war. Good stuff for reading all around.

Brian

Free Android App of the Day

2012-02-20T09:39:00.000-05:00

I know we have gotten spoiled by having a calculator on our computer at all times. It turns out that pads and smart phones often don't have one. don't get caught without one, download one free today.

Brian

Free Android App of the Day

2012-02-19T10:34:00.000-05:00

Another great app today for all of you Mahjong fans Mahjong Artifacts is the game and it is a pretty good sized one as it is wi-fi only. Since most tablets are wi-fi this the majority of smart phones also do wi-fi this shouldn't be a problem for anyone.

Enjoy, Brian

Free Android App of the Day

2012-02-18T10:20:00.000-05:00

Today's free app wins points just for the name, Robin Hood: Twisted Fairy Tales. It is actually a what's missing game but I had such good (bad) thoughts before I actually read the description.

Brian

Free Android App of the Day

2012-02-16T12:11:00.000-05:00

In a paperless meeting with no way to doodle. No problem with Doodler you can doodle to your hearts content and then text them to your friends. Fight boredom today with this free app.

Brian

Free Android App of the Day

2012-02-15T11:24:00.001-05:00

I know I always say how cool I think today's app is but Word Collapse got a big oooh out of me as I have always enjoyed collapse style games.

Brian

Free Book From Tor

2012-02-14T12:36:00.001-05:00

Tor is one of the best publishers in Sci - Fi and Fantasy, and today they are giving away their yearly anthology Some of the Best from Tor.com: 2011 Edition: A Tor.Com Original. This has some of the more original stories this year, written by some of the future stars of the genre, and is an amazing way to introduce yourself to some great new writers. Download now for free and enjoy.

Brian

Free Android App of the Day

2012-02-14T12:28:00.001-05:00

I am back with free apps of the day. Today for Valentine's day they have a Valentine's version of Bag It a cool little puzzle game featuring grocery bags.

Brian

New Free Books Worth Reading

2012-02-11T16:56:00.000-05:00

Time for some more free books worth reading to add to you Kindle. I am going to start off with one of my mom's favorite author's of all time, Piers Anthony. Piers is doing these three day giveaways of the first books in a number of his series one book at a time, in other words a new book every three days. Today's free book is Pandora Park the first book in the Trail Mix series which is Piers' take on Alternate reality. Also his Trail Mix series, Amoeba and Beetlejuice are just 99 cents today and tomorrow only.
Now for the books I am going to put on the list hoping that they will stay free for a whole week. First on the list is a paranormal thriller from Sierra Dean with a smart aleck lead and a nice mix of action and romance called Something Secret This Way Comes (Secret McQueen Book 1). For a taste of less magic and more history I have found Of Blood and Honey set during the troubles in Ireland it has a well researched historical bent with some small paranormal twist to make it fun. Finally for Valentines Day Candy you can cook yourself from our friends at Gooseberry Patch and their easy to use recipes. Official reviews are below.

Brian

In Albany, New York, Mark hates getting dumped at the mall park while his mom shops. It’s so embarrassing! But Mark quickly changes his mind after he discovers a mysterious path leading to a magical forest.

In Bejing, China, Kelsie finds a similar path, and somehow, she meets Mark in the same magical world!

Now the two friends must work together to unravel the origins of Pandora Park. This wild adventure crosses the globe and is packed with magical powers, dragons, talking unicorns, candy trees, on a roller coaster ride that never stops.

Some secrets are dangerous. This Secret is deadly.
Secret McQueen, Book 1
For Secret McQueen, her life feels like the punch line for a terrible joke. Abandoned at birth by her werewolf mother, hired as a teen by the vampire council of New York City to kill rogues, Secret is a part of both worlds, but belongs to neither. At twenty-two, she has carved out as close to a normal life as a bounty hunter can.
When an enemy from her past returns with her death on his mind, she is forced to call on every ounce of her mixed heritage to save herself—and everyone else in the city she calls home. As if the fate of the world wasn’t enough to deal with, there’s Lucas Rain, King of the East Coast werewolves, who seems to believe he and Secret are fated to be together. Too bad Secret also feels a connection with Desmond, Lucas’s second-in-command…
Warning: This book contains a sarcastic, kick-ass bounty hunter; a metaphysical love triangle with two sexy werewolves; a demanding vampire council; and a spicy seasoning of sex and violence.

From Publishers Weekly

Set in the Ireland of the Troubles, before the recent détente, this fraught debut captures the backdrop of tension and choosing sides that overlays even the smallest act. The lingering effects of the Kesh and Malone prisons are gut-wrenchingly convincing. Less developed are the magical elements. Former prisoner Liam's ignorance of his fae side makes sense, as his mother, Kathleen, and mentor, Father Murray, seek to protect him, but Leicht only introduces one full-fledged fae, Liam's father, and his offstage war with the Redcap is more told than shown. Liam's marriage to Mary Kate is a believable complex of love, lust, pride, anger and forgiveness, but the really pivotal relationship is with Father Murray, a member of an arm of the church that kills the fae in the belief that they are Fallen. Perhaps later books will expand the intriguing premise.

Get a taste of Gooseberry Patch in this collection of over 20 favorite candy recipes! In Gooseberry Patch Candy we've gathered some of our best-loved candy recipes like Chocolate Fantasy fudge, Nutty Maple Candy, Hard Tack and Grandma Weiser's English Toffee. We've even included Lollipops and Popcorn Balls so you can treat the kids. Quick & easy temperature chart for delicious results every time! Also, ideas for sweetly wrapping up candy gifts, too!

Free Android App of the Day

2012-01-27T12:29:00.000-05:00

Today's free app is a great little puzzle game.

New Free Books Worth Reading

2012-01-25T10:47:00.000-05:00

I have added three new books to my worth reading list. First off we have a fun little romp from L Ron Hubbard called the Iron Duke. Set during World War 2 this was actually pulp fiction when it was written. Good quick read. Pay Me in Flesh is much more modern version of pulp fiction. Bennett writes her own rules on Zombies and you end up with a fun little thriller with a Zombie bent. Finally I found another cool little cookbook from Gooseberry Patch. Quick & Easy Family Dinners are simple and tested recipes that taste great and anybody can use. Remember it is always cheaper to eat at home. Enjoy the books in depth reviews below.

Brian

The Iron Duke In the short space of a few pages, Hubbard gives us a fun, adventuresome character in Blacky Lee and if you are a fan of the sort of hijinx that occur in the OCEAN'S ELEVEN movies or Hitchcock's TO CATCH A THIEF then you're going to feel right at home with your feet curled right next to the fire with this story. Long on wit, short on fat, IRON DUKE is a movie that hasn't happened yet--but should. I would cast George Clooney in the lead with the Coen Bros. as the directing-producing team. This is a story that plays into all their sensibilities and period piece excellence.
I urge all my readers to pick this one up and give it a try. If I were to find fault with any of it, it would be that the story is too short. A small nit to pick to be sure in a story that features con games, sword fights, train escapes, royal politics, humor and romance. --Pulp 2.0

Quick & Easy Family Dinners Cookbook
There's nothing like gathering around the table for a homecooked meal. Our favorite dinners are always those tried & true recipes that have been handed down, or ones shared by a good friend. Start with Homestyle Baked Spaghetti, Oven Beef & Noodles or Barbecued Honey Ham, and then add a tasty side dish like Confetti Coleslaw, Creamy Macaroni & Cheese or Mom's Potato Salad. And who can resist scrumptious desserts? Cherry Delight, Peach Crinkle, Crustless Apple Pie and Sunny Day Brownies are all yummy ways to end a family meal.

Pay Me in Flesh (Mallory Caine, Zombie at Law)
Hungry For Justice-And Brains
Meet Mallory Caine. Attorney at law. Zombie at large. She's not like those "Living Dead” losers you see in the movies. She doesn't slobber, drool, or lurch-she's smart, stylish, and sexy. Sure, she's a zombie and a lawyer but, hey, a girl's got to eat. When Mallory's not in the courtroom, going head to head with her ex-boyfriend, killer-prosecutor Aaron Argula, she's in the seedy streets of Hollywood, hunting brain after brain. That is, until some psycho starts hunting zombie after zombie…

Free Android App of the Day

2012-01-25T09:44:00.001-05:00

A free treasure hinting game is the free app of the day

Free Offer for Congressmen

2012-01-25T09:40:00.000-05:00

Limited to qualified buyers only

Free MP3 of the Day

2012-01-24T09:45:00.000-05:00

A fun game to share with your child or grandchild is today's free app.

Free Android App of the Day

2012-01-23T10:01:00.000-05:00

Today's free app is pretty cool, it is a general purpose tracker. So you can track anything in your life from sales at work to when you last did laundry. There has to be something you want to keep track of.

Brian

Free Audiobook - You Are Not Your Brain

2012-01-20T18:17:00.000-05:00

Tanto Audio is giving away the audiobook Your Are Not Your Brain a self improvement book designed to help you get control of your life. This is a download only offer but once you get it downloaded transferring it to your favorite mp3 player will be easy. Free help to get your life on track is always a good idea. Summary down below.

Brian

Summary

A leading neuroplasticity researcher and the coauthor of the groundbreaking books Brain Lock and The Mind and the Brain, Jeffrey M. Schwartz has spent his career studying the structure and neuronal firing patterns of the human brain. He pioneered the first mindfulness-based treatment program for people suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder, teaching patients how to achieve long-term relief from ther compulsions.

For the past six years, Schwartz has worked with psychiatrist Rebecca Gladding to refine a program that successfully explains how the brain works and why we often feel besieged by bad brain wiring. Just like the compulsions of OCD patients, they discovered that bad habits, social anxieties, self-deprecating thoughts, and compulsive overindulgence are all rooted in overactive brain circuits. The key to making life changes that you want—to making your brain work for you—is to consciously choose to starve these circuits of focused attention, thereby decreasing their influence and strength.

In You Are Not Your Brain, Schwartz and Gladding carefully outline their program, showing listeners how to identify negative brain impulses, channel them through the power of focused attention, and ultimately lead more fulfilling and empowered lives.

Free Game for Your Kindle

2012-01-20T13:31:00.000-05:00

A cool game just became free in the Kindle Store. It is called Hamster Habitat and looks pretty fun. I downloaded it right away and can't wait to try it out.

Free Android App of the Day

2012-01-20T08:19:00.001-05:00

A knight on a steed, that's you today in Lame Castle the free app available from Amazon

Free Android App of the Day

2012-01-19T10:23:00.000-05:00

Today's free app is a great deal and truly valuable, as it is a budgeting app.

Chesty is a Champion Crawler

2012-01-18T17:49:00.001-05:00

Have I said yet what a cool dog Chesty is. By now you probably think he is a terror from the video and pictures I have posted. Actually he is a well behaved 9 month old with a plethora of tricks up his paw and the sale of at least one training class. Here is a video from his last Click a Trick class.

Brian