Way Word Son

Review: Blackberry 8530

2010-05-17T15:27:00.000-05:00

Are you ready for a new Blackberry? The Curve 8530 may be a good choice for you. The biggest change is the introduction of a track pad rather than the trackball that has caused so much headache for so many people. You simply glide your finger over the track pad and you are able to navigate the screen smoothly and easily. This is a huge improvement over previous efforts.

Another improvement is the out of the box Mac compatibility. For years, anyone with a Mac had to search for compatible software and then download it before they were able to sync their Blackberry to their computer. This labor intensive step is no longer required. Not only can you backup your calendar, contacts and apps, but you can also sync with iTunes using Blackberry Media Sync. Mac users will be much happier with this Blackberry than any previous model.

For those who are using PCs, don't worry. You have not been forgotten. It is as easy as ever to backup your files, sync your information or download media. The team at RIM has done a great job of keeping in mind that not everyone is a computer genius. The software included with the Blackberry 8530 allows you to do all of this by simply plugging your phone in and clicking a button.

The Curve 8530 comes with a full QWERTY keyboard and the size of the phone is very comfortable in your hand. It is slightly smaller than the 8300 series and much slimmer but does not feel cheap or flimsy in any way. The 320x240 pixel screen displays over 65,000 colors making browsing the internet or viewing documents, emails or pictures easy and enjoyable. The dedicated media keys are a definite improvement. Located at the top of the device, these keys make it much easier to control music and multimedia playback. You no longer have to fumble with the awkward on screen displays.

The 8530 uses 3G technology, so you can be sure to have the fastest connection available. It is used with CDMA and GSM service providers making it easier for you to find the phone with your current cellular provider. Of course price and quality of service depends on which carrier you choose.

If you are in an area where your service provider has poor signal strength, you can use the Wi-Fi capability to connect to the internet. This comes in very handy for those who frequently travel and never know for sure when they will have 3G service or any service at all. The Wi-Fi not only allows you to access the internet but also give you access to Blackberry Enterprise Server and Blackberry Internet Server so you will continue to receive important emails and respond to them just as quickly.

The built in Blackberry Maps and GPS feature make it simple to locate your current location or get directions to any address. This feature is far beyond what has been offered on even recent models like the original Curve. You can click on an existing address from your contacts and get step by step directions or do a local search by typing in any term like “movies” to find local theaters. You can even send maps via email. The Blackberry App World offers a number of GPS capable applications that can help you find any business, restaurant or other location.

Using the 2 mega pixel camera you can take photos, record videos and send them to friends via email, Instant Messaging apps or Blackberry Messenger. You can also download social networking apps so you can update your status instantly right from your smartphone. Every major social networking site has an app available and they are simple to download and install instantly.

As with any Blackberry, sending and receiving email is still the best of any smartphone available. Every email is instantly sent directly to your messaging folder or email folder. From there you can read, reply, file, or delete from your handheld or both handheld and mailbox. With the continuing improvements made by RIM, they will dominate the business world with this easy yet effective tool.

If you have never owned a Blackberry before, you will be amazed at how user friendly this new device is. If you are a veteran Blackberry user, then you will be able to move into the 8530 with no problems.

Raindrops Keep Falling

2010-05-17T09:58:00.001-05:00

Has it ever occurred to you that we view rainy days differently as adults than when we were children? Why do we have a different outlook on rain? When did our view change?

When we were kids, rain was almost magical. We looked at it as if it was coming down just so we could go an play in it. Big puddles made to jump in and splash about. Mud that was just the right consistency to slide through like a Slip and Slide, only more fun. Or just to stick our arms out, open our mouths wide and spin around like a helicopter. These were the things that made rain fun.

Now that we are adults, we think of all of the negative things about rainfall. We can't mow the lawn now because it is too wet. We just washed our car and now it is ruined. If we get wet, we'll catch a cold. My shoes are soaked and now I have to wear a different pair. If it doesn't let up, someone is going to get flooded. We believe that rain is a nuisance that makes our days longer and less productive.

I am not saying that we need to drop our maturity and run out in the rain every time it comes down, or that we should be a bunch of sour pusses that think the worst of everything. Maybe we can land somewhere in between. If you get stuck in the rain, accept it and try to laugh about it. You are going to get wet whether you are mad or happy, so you might as well enjoy it. Make the most of a "bad" situation and jump in that rain puddle like you used to do. We all might just might live longer if we laugh a little more about the bad stuff instead of letting it get the best of us.

Ground Turkey vs. Ground Beef

2010-05-11T15:11:00.001-05:00

vs.

Ground turkey used to sound to me like it was the most disgusting thing on the planet. I didn’t want to even hear the phrase “ground turkey” After all, what is wrong with ground beef? It is delicious and can be used in so many different ways. Well, as it turns out, ground turkey isn’t that bad after all. In fact it is just as good in most dishes as ground beef.

I have made burgers, tacos, lasagna, spaghetti, meat loaf and many other dishes with turkey and I have been just as pleased , if not more so, than with beef. It is less fatty which means less greasy. It also means that you won’t fell as though you have a rock sitting in your gut after you are finished. Some dishes need a little creative assistance to get them up to snuff, but overall, ground turkey is just as good to use as ground beef.

The next time you decide you want spaghetti for dinner, try substituting the beef with turkey and see for yourself. In fact, go one step further and replace the spaghetti with wheat or multi grain thin spaghetti. You will probably find that you like it even more than the old recipe. The ground turkey gives the dish the meatiness that you want. The multi grain pasta gives it a more full bodied flavor. It has a deeper, nutty flavor that is simply delicious.

If you are in the mood for tacos; cook up some ground turkey. Add in your favorite taco seasoning packet or create your own mixture. Put it all on a corn or wheat flour tortilla. Top it all off with some fresh lettuce, tomatoes and cheese. Add some salsa and you are in business.

Anything you use ground beef for can easily be substituted with ground turkey. It is healthier for you and the flavors are not hurt by the switch at all. Do yourself a favor and buy a pack the next time you are at the grocery store and try it for yourself. You won’t regret it.

The Boston Terrirer is a Breed Apart

2010-05-07T10:37:00.002-05:00

Boston Terriers are a great breed of dog for anyone who is looking for a fun, friendly, active and loyal companion. They are great with kids. Their fun loving attitude mixes great with the energy level of kids. They can run and play all day long and then snuggle up at the end of the day.

Their short coats make them easy to maintain. They rarely have that "dog" smell and don't need baths very often. In fact, it is best to bath them only once a month. More than that and you can wash away the natural oils that protect them. Due to the short coats of the Boston Terrier, they are more susceptible to sun burn, so it is not advised to leave them outdoors for long periods of time.

The Boston also has a short snout which can cause them to overheat because they can't breathe in enough for the amount of activity they want to do. You may see them reverse sneezing, but you just have to hold them and calm them down and it will go away fairly quickly. If you run around the back yard or park with them and give them plenty of water, they will be just fine.

The Boston comes in mainly a black coat with white markings or brindle. Occasionally, you can find them in seal, or brown/red. Even rarer is the reverse colors where the white is the predominant color and they have black markings. The ideal length of the body should be no more than length of the legs. However, if you are looking for a fun and loving dog, then don't concern yourself with what the "perfect" Boston looks like. Just pick the one that you like. Just make sure you go through a reputable breeder and not a puppy mill. You also want to try to get a one year health guarantee. This will allow you to get a refund if there is a serious health defect.

If you treat your Boston with love and friendship, they will return it to you ten fold. The Boston Terrier is a great companion and you will never know a better friend.

September's Baby

2008-04-25T13:27:00.002-05:00

Pragma Systems

2008-01-02T19:57:00.001-06:00

SFTP Server

Pragma Systems offers the market's leading and most feature complete ssh server product for your Windows environment. It offers many key features, including the following:

- Runs in Windows Longhorn/Vista/2003/2000/XP
- Secure Remote Access, Secure File Transfer, Secure Email Access
- Multiple Encryption Standards, including DES, 3DES, Arcfour, and AES
TCP/IP Port Forwarding
- GSSAPI Kerberos and NTLM authentication
- Accelerated SFTP and SCP file transfer
- Supports over 1,000 sessions
- Supports ANSI, VTXXX, WYSE emulation
- Ability to run, manage, and control any 16bit, 32bit, DOS character or console mode program, including edit.com, command.com, vi, emacs, pmon, net, ftp, lynx, perl and shells imported from Unix
- Allows history scroll back within the same session
- Autoloading of users public key
- Customizable login-shell
- User Defined Login Script
- IP Address Filtering
- All in One Wrap Technology makes running all console programs smooth and seamless
Full Auditing and Logging Capabilities
- Optimized for handheld RF device usage
- Lowest cost alternative

Click on the link above to read reviews and customer comments, find out about more products and services offered, get the latest news or to buy now.

Will Smith in "Hancock"

2008-01-02T19:40:00.002-06:00

Hancock Trailer

Will Smith is a blockbuster movie sensation. His films consistently perform well to outstanding and everyone loves him. His next movie project is Hancock, directed by Peter Berg.

In this film, Will Smith plays a superhero who is an alcoholic and needs a PR makeover. He saves Jason Bateman from certain death and in return Bateman, a PR rep, feels obligated to polish Hancock's image. The film also stars Charlize Theron as a housewife (maybe more?) who Hancock falls in love with.

I for one have not been a huge fan of Peter Berg films, but they are at least entertaining. Teaming with Will Smith in a superhero spoof of sorts could turn out to be a very good thing indeed. Especially after watching the trailer. Click on the link above and view it for yourself.

Hotel Reservations

2007-12-14T14:59:00.000-06:00

Hotel reservations can be one of the least pleasant things about a vacation. How far in advance do I make them? Which hotel do I choose? How much is too much? Well, with Hotel Reservations you will have one less thing to worry about.

They make it so easy to get everything you need for your vacation plans. You can make plans around the world with their website. Hotels are just the tip of the iceberg, though. You can get airfare, condos, car rentals, vacation packages, etc. The rates they offer are very competitive and they have great discounts and rebates.

It is easy to book your travel. You can do it online at their website or call 1-800-447-4136. The staff will help you with all of your needs. So the next time you need to book a vacation, try Hotelreservations.com.

This post sponsored by HotelReservations.com

Indiana Jones 4 Movie Poster

2007-12-11T07:57:00.001-06:00

The new Indiana Jones poster has been revealed and is available to view at Yahoo! Movies. It is classic just like the previous films were. Orange and yellow background with dark colors throughout to give it an aged appearance. It gives me a renewed excitement for the movie.

You can also download it as a wallpaper at the official Indiana Jones website by clicking below. There are all sorts of tidbits and pictures available there. Give it a look and let us know your expectations for this future blockbuster.

T

Indiana Jones

Be Kind Rewind

2007-12-10T19:10:00.000-06:00

Jack Black and Mos Def star in the new movie from Michel Gondry. It is the story of two friends who run a video rental store. One of them accidentally erases all of the videos while wearing an aluminum foil suit. Instead of buying all new copies of the movies (which would be way too expensive), they decide to film new movies starring themselves. They call this process sweding. Before they know it, they are the hottest thing in the city. Everyone wants to see their films and the studios want to shut them down.

This movie is one of those quirky titles that will probably not make much at the box office but everyone you know will want to see it. You can view the trailer and clips from the movie at the website by clicking the link below. There you can also swede yourself into the covers of some well known movies. It is pretty cool.

Be Kind Rewind

Insurance

2007-12-06T21:27:00.000-06:00

Insurance is one of the most important things we can get for ourselves. We need it for our health, our automobiles, our homes, recreation vehicles, pets, burial, loved ones, businesses, etc. The crazy thing is, most of us complain about having to get it. If we didn't have car insurance, who would be able to pay for damages in an accident. Without health insurance, would you be able to pay every medical bill that came along?

I have sold health insurance before and it surprised me how many people had the attitude that they never get sick, so why bother. My question to them was; Do you ever get into car wrecks? Why are we so much more worried about our material belongings than our own health and that of our families?

I recently switched my home owners insurance and am much happier with my service. It took me some time to have the original company remove a claim from my history that was not supposed to be there. Finally I got fed up and switched over to the company I use for my car insurance. I get a better deal and I also get annual dividend checks. That's right; my insurance company pays me for not making claims.

Click on the links below to check out what they can offer you.

Home Insurance

Car Insurance

compare car insurance

This post sponsored by Nations Finance

Speed Racer Movie

2007-12-06T21:08:00.000-06:00

Speed Racer is coming to the big screen, courtesy of the Wachowski Brothers. Of course they are best known for the Matrix Trilogy. Many people cheered when they first heard the brothers were making this film. They have a knack for pulling off mind blowing special effects and great stories. Now there are scenes from Speed Racer available on the internet and some fans are not happy.

The movie is going to have a cartoon look about it while remaining a live action film. These are early clips put together to make a teaser trailer so it might still be really good. I, for one, grew up watching Speed Racer on t.v. and I am very excited to see the finished movie. When I first saw the trailer, I though it was a little cheesy. Then I thought it may have actually captured the essence of the original cartoon.

The only way to be sure the Wachowski Brothers do our memories justice, is to wait for the release set for May 9, 2008. Until then, click on the link below, view the teaser trailer and let us know what you think.

Speed Racer Sneak Peek

Cast

Emile Hirsch ... Speed
Susan Sarandon ... Mom Racer
Christina Ricci ... Trixie
Matthew Fox ... Racer X
Scott Porter ... Rex Racer
John Goodman ... Pops Racer
Richard Roundtree ... Ben Burns
Benno Fürmann ... Inspector Detector
Hiroyuki Sanada ... Mr. Musha
Christian Oliver ... Snake Oiler
Cosma Shiva Hagen
Paulie Litt ... Spritle

See you at the premiere.

T

LapBand by JourneyLite

2007-12-04T17:28:00.000-06:00

weight loss Woodlands

Journey Lite specializes in Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding which is also known as LAGB or the LAP BAND System procedure. The LAPBAND Adjustable Gastric Band is designed to help you lose excess body weight, improve weight-related health conditions and enhance quality of life. It reduces the stomach capacity and restricts the amount of food that can be consumed at one time.

During the procedure your Journey Lite surgeon will use laparoscopic techniques. This means that he or she will be making tiny incisions (rather than a large incision) and inserting special long-shafted instruments through these tiny incisions in order to wrap the inflatable silicone band around the upper part of your stomach. A narrow camera is passed through one of the incisions so your Journey Lite surgeon can view the operative site on a nearby video monitor. Like a wristwatch, the LAP-BAND ® is fastened around the upper stomach to create the new stomach pouch that limits and controls the amount of food you eat. The band is then locked securely in a ring around the stomach.

This creates a small stomach pouch that can hold a smaller amount of food so food storage in the stomach is reduced. The gastric band also controls the size of the stomach outlet between the new upper pouch and the lower part of the stomach. When the outlet is smaller, you feel full faster, while the food moves more slowly between your upper and lower stomach as it is digested. This procedure will allow you to feel full and satisfied while you actually eat less and lose weight.

This post sponsored by JourneyLite

Rambo: Red Band Trailer

2007-12-04T17:21:00.000-06:00

Rambo - Red Band Trailer

Stallone returns to the Rambo series with his newest film, John Rambo. This trailer is extremely violent. It seems to be taking advantage of the latest trend in horror movies to make it as gory as possible. This doesn't necessarily mean it is going to be a bad movie, it just won't be like any of the other Rambo films. This may be a good thing, though. First Blood was a great movie; the second and third were horrible. Now, I don't know anyone who has been asking for a new installment in this series but, after seeing the trailer, I will definitely catch it on DVD.

Payday Loan Quotes

2007-12-03T19:17:00.000-06:00

Faxless Payday Loans

Everyone has needed a little extra money to help them get to the next pay check. Well Payday Loan Quotes can help with your financial needs. They will give you a short term cash loan to help you out with the little surprises. It's quick and easy.

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There is also an easy to use payday loan calculator to help you figure your payment options. Check out their website and see if they can help you during this hectic season. To get started you can click on their link above or call 1-888-615-4346 and apply today.

This post sponsored by Payday Loan Quotes

Watchmen

2007-12-03T19:00:00.000-06:00

Watchmen

Watchmen is one of the most highly anticipated comic to movies adaptations ever produced. It has been in some form of development for many years but it has finally started to come together. Zack Snyder (300) is directing so the expectations are good for the outcome. Let's just hope he can do the series justice.

The story is complex and tense with many different subplots throughout. This has always been difficult to translate into film from the original source material (think Dune). The good news is that there will be one, maybe two direct to DVD titles that are a backdrop for the film taken directly from the comic. This will help the continuity of the movie, but it is not necessary to enjoy it on its own.

The cast is top notch and they spent plenty of time deciding who would be the best fir for each role.

Carla Gugino ... Sally Jupiter / Silk Spectre

Patrick Wilson ... Dan Dreiberg / Nite Owl

Malin Akerman ... Laurie Juspeczyk / Silk Spectre II

Billy Crudup ... Jon Osterman / Dr. Manhattan

Jeffrey Dean Morgan ... Edward Blake / The Comedian

Jackie Earle Haley ... Walter Kovacs / Rorschach

Matthew Goode ... Adrian Veidt / Ozymandias

Matt Frewer ... Moloch

Stephen McHattie

Danny Woodburn ... Big Figure

It is expected to be released on March 6, 2009, so we have plenty of time to spend hoping it will be good. In the meantime, read the graphic novel if you haven't had the chance. It is one of the best you will ever have the pleasure of picking up. Also, check out the website by clicking on the link above. See you in 2009.

100 Free Blogger Cards by OOPRINT.com

2007-11-30T08:51:00.000-06:00

100 FREE business cards
At ooprint.com you can now order a set of 100 business cards for free (you pay only shipping). This is a great way to get the word out about your blog. People tend to hold on to a business card or even post it on their refrigerator. This will allow you to leave your mark outside of the digital world.

In addition to business cards, ooprint.com offers a variety of products. You can create greeting cards, invitations and postcards. If you have an artistic streak, you can even upload your own artwork to make a totally unique card for yourself.

Products are shipped within 24 hours and your work is saved to make for easier re-ordering. Check out the site and see what you can do.

T

This post sponsored by ooprint.com

Terminator 4 Rumors

2007-11-30T08:31:00.000-06:00

After "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines" came out, the last thing I was thinking of was Terminator 4. The third installment was so lame it nearly ruined the previous movies for me. Now they have greenlit a new movie and have a name for it: "Teminator Salvation: The Future Begins".

So I am trying to deal with how I feel about a new Terminator movie and then I hear who is chosen to direct; McG. That's right, McG. Now this news isn't making me feel any better about the direction they are going in. Don't get me wrong, McG has directed some entertaining enough films, but this seems out of his league.

Now it seems they have possibly chosen an actor to portray John Connor. According to Aint it Cool News, Christian Bale has been cast as the hero. I am praying that this is true. If so, it may be the break we need to get a respectable film. Christian Bale brings a whole new level of quality to the project.

It seemed impossible to be excited about a new Terminator movie, but maybe the powers that be are going to try and make a good movie for a change.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

2007-11-29T21:03:00.000-06:00

visit the official Sweeney Todd movie site

This Christmas, we are going to be granted the opportunity to see a truly amazing film from Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp. When these two men join forces to make a film, we are never let down. You can visit the official website by clicking on the link above. There you will be able to view the trailer, register for updates, visit the Sweeney Todd MySpace page and much more.

Sweeney Todd is the story of a man who is ripped from his family and wrongfully imprisoned. During his imprisonment, his wife dies and the man responsible for sending him away is attempting to seduce his daughter. When Sweeney returns, he takes his chance to get his revenge on all those he deems responsible.

There is a site where you can post your own acts of revenge. It is called Buzznet. You can post written or video confessions and view other's as well. Just click on Post a Confession and you can join the community.

I remember when I was younger, a little punk at my high school was taunting a girl that I liked. He eventually brought her to tears. I was in another part of the school so I did not hear about it until later in the day. One of my friends asked the girl if she wanted me to pay him back for his deeds. She tearfully said yes. I was already pumped up, so it didn't take much for me to track the boy down. I picked him up by the collar and made sure he knew he was going to be sorry for what he had done. I then kneed him in the groin and threw him to the ground. He came at me and I instinctively threw a punch. I connected with his nose and the snap of it breaking echoed throughout the courtyard we were in. From that point on, everyone knew not to mess with my girl.

These are the kinds of things you can discuss on the website. It is very therapeutic and you should give it a try.

Look for the movie this Christmas. I'll be first in line.

T

visit Sweeney Todd on MySpace

Holiday Movie Season

2007-11-29T20:51:00.000-06:00

The holiday movie season is in full swing now. Many movies have already been released and have generated record numbers for the movie industry. There are still plenty more to come.

I have been anxiously awaiting titles such as "No Country for Old Men", "American Gangster" and "Beowulf". These have not disappointed. Although "Fred Claus" has two of my favorite comedic actors in it; Vince Vaughn and Paul Giamatti; I was disappointed. Never the less, it is a successful motion picture.

My next films to see will be "I Am Legend" and "Sweeny Todd". These are promising to be the films we have been waiting for. I do find it a little unusual that the studios release very dark toned movies at Christmas time. One of the major highlights to "I Am Legend" is that they are promising a real trailer for the new Batman movie.

Every year at this time, I wonder how they are going to be able to top the previous years releases. Every year I am surprised at how well the studios have done. Get out there and support your favorite films. Next year may be even better because of it.

T

"The Mist" is a Must

2007-11-08T10:06:00.000-06:00

It has been a while since I have been excited about a Stephen King movie. Thankfully the executives at Dimension Films and MGM decided to hire Frank Darabont as the director. His previous films have been studies of the human psyche and the relationships developed and threatened by our own insecurities. With this film, he seems to have captured everything that is truly scary about us.

As I said, this film comes from the mind of the modern master of horror stories, Stephen King. Although not all movies based on his books turn out to be great. Most of them still capture the essence of the true horror; us. If you think back on every movie or book from Mr. King, you will realize that their is a beast or presence of some kind that is causing havoc. Then there are the people who are living through it and the extent they will go to survive.

A great example of this would be The Stand. The Devil was the main evil in the story but it was the people left to deal with the aftermath that was truly horrifying. Then there was The Shawshank Redemption. The prison staff is supposed to be the "good guys" and the prisoners are the "bad guys", but the roles are reversed. This modern movie classic shows how people in power can overstep there bounds and not even realize that they have become the very thing they once tried to help remove from society.

From the preview on the movie's website, "The Mist" seems to be a combination of these two stories. A group of people, trapped in a supermarket by an army of creatures, form into fractions that then fight against each other. One side is led by a religious zealot who believes there must be a sacrifice and the other is searching for a more rational solution. The fighting continues even as they are being attacked by the creatures who may be from another dimension.

The film stars Thomas Jane who shot to stardom with his role in The Punisher. While the movie was critically panned, he managed to bring a strong emotional tie to the movie. His portrayal of Frank Castle was fantastic. He had to try to keep his emotion in check while dishing out the punishment so justly deserved by those who murdered his family. In The Mist, he plays a father whose son is caught in the middle of the battle between the two factions trapped by the beasts.

Marcia Gay Harden also stars as a religious leader in the town who believes that the end of the world is upon them. She is always excellent in the roles she chooses and I expect her to be at the top of her game in this film.

I think this film has a chance at being great thanks to the cast of A-list actors and the talent of Frank Darabont behind the camera.

Click on the link below to go to the movie's website and check out the preview for yourself. Also browse the other sections and learn about the cast and crew or get cool downloads.

The Mist by Stephen King

T

Oregon Sand Dunes

2007-10-19T12:04:00.000-05:00

Like many people, I don't think of sand dunes when I think of Oregon. I have visions of majestic mountain ranges, dense forests and rugged coast lines. That is why I was surprised to hear that Oregon has the largest area of sand dunes in the country. We're not just talking a nice little beach, here. These are huge dunes, 50 ft high in some parts with small lakes trapped inside some sand bowls and trees sprouting up sporadically.

After doing a little research, I discovered that you can rent sand rails (dune buggies) and either drive on the dunes or have a driver take you on an adventure tour. I was up to doing the driving myself, after all how often have you dreamed of driving on the dunes, but my family and I agreed it would be safer to let a trained driver take us out. We rented an eight passenger rail for a half hour and had the time of our lives.

You may be thinking thirty minutes isn't long enough, but you'd be wrong. First of all we made quick friends with the driver. At first he was a little stand offish. We softened him up and made him laugh and feel like he was part of our group. This is important because he is the decision maker of the ride. We told him we wanted the most adventurous ride he could give us. He did not disappoint.

We came out of a wooded area and the whole sand dune national park was out before us. It was amazing. Then he hit the gas and we were practically flying. He came up to the edge of a huge dune and we looked down to see a 30 ft drop. I thought, "Thank God we didn't go over the side". Then he drove us straight over the edge. We all screamed like we were little kids. He continued to rip through the sand going over the tops of the dunes, spitting sand in every direction and dropping over edges that did not seem safe at all. We loved it.

I have decided that every trip I take, I will search for a sand dune recreation area. If they offer sand rail rentals, you can bet your bottom dollar that I will be there. I always knew it would be a blast, I just never imagined it could be that much fun.

T

Wii Like to Play

2007-10-19T11:04:00.000-05:00

Like many people across the country, I have fallen in love with the Nintendo Wii. Of the big three consoles, it is by far the simplest. It doesn't have the greatest graphics or the most power but it is the most addictive.

It comes boxed with Wii Sports, one wii-mote (remote) and one nunchuck. Most games only need the wii-mote to play and these are usually the most fun. The games that require the nunchuck added are usually because they have a more traditional game play mode. The whole purpose of the Wii is to swing your hands around to control the game.

I was hooked on Wii Sports right off the bat. It has five games available; boxing, bowling, tennis, baseball and golf. The least fun is baseball. It doesn't make you feel like you are in the game like the others do. Bowling has become the hottest thing in my neighborhood. We have friends over all the time to play in tournaments.

At first most people thought we were silly to invite them over to play a video game. We're adults for crying out loud. So what. Just give it a shot and you will be laughing out loud and cheering for your friends.

Another cool feature is the ability to create a Mii in your image. After carefully adjusting the features of your face and hair, you will be displayed on screen in a somewhat cartoon effect. It is hilarious. In fact, I have gone a step further and created Miis of all types. We have Mario, Luigi, Wolverine, Storm, Cyclops, Neo, Trinity, Morpheus, Blade, Captain Jack Sparrow, V, the Power Puff Girls, Bart Simpson and his sister Lisa. We have also come up with some of our own creations. We have a male and female alien, a pair of giants and bug people.These creations can then be used in the Sports games. So not only are you enjoying a fun game, you are seeing a slightly skewed version of yourself in the game. How fun is that?

Of course their are a number of games available now. Tiger Woods Golf is great. It takes full advantage of the idea behind the system. Warioware is a fun title with multiple mini games built in. Legend of Zelda is great also.

In addition to playing all of the new Wii games available, you can play your Game Cube game as well. Just drop them in and plug you GC controller and memory card and enjoy. If you want to go really old school, go to the Nintendo store, accessed through your Wii via the internet, and download classic NES games. The fun seems endless.

If you haven't gotten a Wii yet, go down to your local Best Buy or Toys R Us and try it out. You'll get hooked immediately. It doesn't hurt that the price is much lower than anything else out there now.

T

HUD Homes Are a Great Deal

2007-10-18T18:28:00.000-05:00

Whether you are in the market for a new home, rental property or a quick flip, you should look into a HUD home. These homes are often sold at below market value because they have been essentially foreclosed.

To buy a HUD home, you must go through an authorized realtor. These homes are not listed in the MLS so not all realtors have access to them, not to mention many don't want to have anything to do with them. This is not because they are a problem for the buyer, it is more work for potentially less money on the realtor's part.

If you are interested in finding a HUD home in your area click on the link below.

http://www.hud.gov/

To the left of the page you will then click on "HUD Homes" and choose the state you are looking in. A notice advising you are going to an external link will be shown; click on "Go to Requested Page". Then simply choose the city, if available. The listings in the area you choose will then be displayed. If you see a property you are interested in, click on it and you will be given all of the pertinent information.

I live in a HUD home and have never had any problems with it. In fact, My home is worth more than twice what I paid for it just a few years ago. Don't be afraid of going this route. Many people are not familiar with the HUD process and therefore speak poorly of it. Trust me, this is a wise choice.

Dane Cook

2007-10-18T17:42:00.000-05:00

Some may not know the name Dane Cook, but they should. If you are a fan of laughing so hard you think you might puke, then this comedian is for you. His timing is perfect, his jokes are relatable to everyone. Sure he can be a bit obscene at times, but that makes it even more funny.

I first saw his act years ago on Comedy Central. You don't often see a stand-up routine on that channel that is very good. His act blew me away. I laughed until I cried. Then I forgot about him until I came upon a rerun of his show about a year later. I was hooked. I got my wife to watch it with me and she laughed as hard as I did. The next thing I knew, I owned two of his concert CD's and set my Tivo to record anything with him in it. I was hooked. He was like crack in the form of a comedian. His jokes were my X.

It's too bad that he had to try and make a film career. So far every movie he has been in has pretty much sucked. Even his Saturday Night Live appearances have not lived up to his potential. That is why I am glad to see he is currently on a stand-up tour.

His tour is called Rough Around the Edges and will be traveling across the country this Fall. You can bet that I will be at at least one of his concerts. If you get the chance, you should make it a point to go as well. Below is a list of his tour dates and a link to his home page:

Date City, St Venue
11/02 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre BUY TICKETS
11/03 Chicago, IL United Center BUY TICKETS
11/04 St. Louis, MO Scottrade Center BUY TICKETS
11/07 Columbus, OH Schottenstein Center BUY TICKETS
11/08 Charlotte, NC Charlotte Bobcats Arena BUY TICKETS
11/09 Indianapolis, IN Conseco Fieldhouse BUY TICKETS
11/10 Cleveland, OH Wolstein Center at CSU BUY TICKETS
11/14 Orlando, FL Amway Arena BUY TICKETS
11/15 Atlanta, GA Arena at Gwinnett Center BUY TICKETS
11/16 Washington, DC Verizon Center BUY TICKETS
11/17 Boston, MA TD Banknorth Garden BUY TICKETS
11/18 New York, NY Madison Square Garden BUY TICKETS
11/21 Philadelphia, PA Wachovia Center BUY TICKETS
11/23 Minneapolis, MN Target Center BUY TICKETS
11/24 Auburn Hills, MI Palace of Auburn Hills BUY TICKETS
11/25 Kansas City, MO Sprint Center BUY TICKETS
11/29 Seattle, WA KeyArena BUY TICKETS
11/30 Boise, ID Taco Bell Center BUY TICKETS
12/01 Las Vegas, NV Mandalay Bay Resort BUY TICKETS
12/02 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center BUY TICKETS
12/05 San Jose, CA HP Pavilion BUY TICKETS
12/06 Glendale, AZ Jobing.com Arena BUY TICKETS
12/07 Houston, TX Toyota Center BUY TICKETS
12/08 Denver, CO Wells Fargo Theatre BUY TICKETS
12/09 Anaheim, CA Honda Center BUY TICKETS

http://www.danecook.com/

I'll be there. Will you?