Water safety for jet skis - Lake Lanier, GA

Today while taking our friends and their kids out on our pontoon boat, we were approached by a teenage boy on a jet ski yelling for help. We followed him to another jet ski where two kids fell off and the second jet ski had hit the girl while in the water. We transported the injured girl and the kids to the public boat dock where an ambulance and fire truck met us after a 911 call. The girl, 15, has 6 broken ribs, a punctured lung and a lacerated liver. She was lucky.

Please remember to exercise caution and stay at least 50 feet away from other watercraft. The person that hit her was her brother, and he was devastated. She will be in the hospital for a week and should fully recover.

Please be careful out there.

Personal Watercraft Boating Rules Lake Lanier, GA
http://www.georgiaoutdoors.com/watersports/PWC.asp

Harry Potter and Reading like PB&J

It's amazing what Harry Potter has contributed to our recent reading phenomenom. It's proof that a good story can compel anyone to read, even those who have not historically read before - adults and kids alike. This story and the DaVinci Code propelled my husband from non-reader to sometime reader, and I'm thrilled.

Good job Scholastic, JK Rowling and all those excellent authors out there and future ones with a story in their heads. Dream big and keep writing!

Harry Potter
The official site of Harry Potter! Movie trailers, film clips, behind the scenes at Hogwarts. JK Rowlings' wizards and witches.
http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com

JKRowling Official Site - Harry Potter and more
Official site about the author and the Harry Potter books. Includes book rumours, biography, movie information, FAQs, news, and links.
http://www.jkrowling.com

Scholastic.comHarry Potter
Go inside the best-selling series to learn more about Harry Potter and his world through wizarding games, a discussion chamber where you can share ideas.
http://www.scholastic.com/harrypotter/home.asp

MuggleNet.com The ULTIMATE Harry Potter Site
Features interactive forums, Potter profiles, and information about the books and the http://movie.www.mugglenet.com/

The Official Web Site of Bestselling Author Dan Brown
The Official Web Site of Bestselling Author Dan Brown, author of the novels Digital Fortress, Angels and Demons and Deception Point. Dan Brown is published.
http://www.danbrown.com

Tom Cruise is Nuts

I just heard about this web site and it's classic.

http://www.tomcruiseisnuts.com/home.php

Where are the Saturday morning cartoons?

How do? Bugs Bunny, Speed Racer, the Wonder Twins, the Banana Splits, Captain Caveman, the Laugh Olympics, Schoolhouse Rock. Where are they now? All I see on Saturday mornings now are mediocre cartoons filling in the slots that once had creativity, music and comedy rolled in to one wonderful short.

I bought the Looney Tunes DVD set and it's great. I have yet to find the Laugh Olympics and I think there is a Mickey Mouse one out now, but it's sad that our children can't share in the great memories of our childhoods if they had to depend on what is aired on TV today.

Bring them back! You won't be sorry!

Looney Tunes
www.looneytunes.com

Ed's 10 Best Saturday Morning Cartoons List
http://www.cinemapprentice.com/potpourripocrypha--Cartoons--ED.htm

Saturday Morning: Cartoons' Greatest Hits
http://home.earthlink.net/~jenolen/cartoons.htm

80sCartoons.net
http://www.80scartoons.net/

TV Party
http://www.tvparty.com/vaultcomsat.html
http://www.tvparty.com/dvdC.html

Saturday morning cartoons trivia - but this in your back pocket!
http://wso.williams.edu:8000/orgs/trivia/smedley/hours/cartoonsans.html

Remember When?
http://www.marriedinminnesota.com/2005/06/remember-when.html

Feeling Retro
http://www.feelingretro.com/cartoons.cfm

Class of 1989

I just had my high school girlfriends and their families visit for an overdue reunion. I have come to the realization that good girlfriends are hard to find the older you get.That is why I am so thankful to have the friends that I have found in high schoool and college. We can always pick up where we left off, even if we haven't talked in months. That is the sign of a true friend. We rocked out to old Prince, Echo and the Bunnymen, Meatloaf, Grease, you name it. And who else can you act like an entire idiot with (drunk or sober) and they still love you for it? :) That said, here are some great web sites about friendships formed in school and college. Rock on, my sisters. You rule. We have come so far from the BK Lounge, yet so much remains the same.

Riverside High School
http://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/rsidehs/

Classmates
http://www.classmates.com

Save Ferris - The 80s Server
http://www.80s.com/saveferris/frames.html

The John Hughes Files
http://www.riverblue.com/hughes/

We are the children of the 80s
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~hahn0053/

80s tees
http://www.80stees.com/

In the 80s - 80s trivia questions
http://www.inthe80s.com/mtvtriv.shtml

80s music lyrics
http://www.80smusiclyrics.com/

Don't Wake a Sleeping Baby

My daughter was up at 5:00 am today ready for the world. She had her balloon and was gold. After a few hours of mischief and cereal, she went back to sleep at 7:30 am. I took a nice hot shower and rejoiced. Now we have to go to work and daycare and I don't want to wake her! Yikes. I wish I could be a stay at home mom. This work stuff keeps getting in the way of my life. There has got to be a better way!

So as I ponder waking her and thinking of a million dollar idea, here is my favorite baby resource web site:

www.babycenter.com

Do all moms feel as guilty as I do?

Yard Sale Sign to End All Yard Sales

I am a law abiding citizen and I live in a lake community. It may be an oxymoron, but we have a variety of people in the neighborhood.

Here is the latest news from our subdivision in Forsyth County, GA.

I am not one to point out other people's dirty laundry, but when they air it for everyone to see, I had to take a picture and send it to my friends and family. Regardless of how our neighborhood looks after it, a picture is worth a thousand words. And my husband keeps asking me what "fodder" is - this is truly fodder. Enjoy!


A Saturday in Forsyth County, GA
Sign #1 - Cheating Man's Stuff 4 Sale
Sign #2 (after cheating man rips Sign #1 down according to an eyewitness) Scorned Woman Selling Cheating Man's Stuff

Abe Froman, Sausage King of Chicago.

Abe.

Heaven on Earth! 

The Cubs - Red Sox Series - Amazing

My husband and I went to the Cubs - Red Sox game last weekend with friends and family. What an amazing event. The energy in the crowd was electric. From the midway airport to the jam-packed elle, the fans were all adorned in Cubs and Red Sox jerseys, hats and other licensing adornments. My husband made fast friends with fellow Red Sox nation and I was at home with the Cubs crowd. High fives were made all around as our favorite teams played each other for the first time since 1918.

I even saw Abe Froman, the Sausage King of Chicago at Wrigley Field! With an Old Style in my hand and a toast to my grandpa in heaven, it was a day I will cherish forever.

See Paris Die and other thoughts on being a Hilton.

I married into a Hilton family. I was very happy to have an easier last name - I thought, I won't have to spell it out or explain it at all. Boy was I wrong. Now this namesake is carrying something special. People just love to make jokes and ask if I am one of The Hiltons. I wish I could answer "No, slutty mc hoho is not my cousin, sister or distant relative. I wish she would stop trashing the family name." Instead, I politely smile and say "No, I'm not. I wish I had the bank account but not the scandal." Now I'm ready to gather all of the other Hiltons in the world and start a backlash. I already ordered my "See Paris Die" House of Wax t-shirt and wear it with pride. It reminds me of the poor guy named Michael Bolton in Office Space. "Why should I change my name? He's the one who sucks." I agree. Rock on, Hiltons of the world. Fight the power.

http://www.shopkitson.com For those with money

http://www.ebay.com For those with less

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/officespace.html Office Space sound board

http://www.socialitelife.com/

A list celebrities and their fake dates

I was trying really hard to avoid this topic but with the media screaming about certain new couples, it kills me to think that the studios think the general public is as gullible as it used to be.

First of all, with access to gossip columns online and everywhere, I find it surprising that people are still in the dark with certain celebs and their romance claims.

Secondly, I really don't care what their preferences are, but don't play the general public out to be fools anymore.

With War of the Worlds and Batman releasing, it's no surprise there was a big PR spin there with two stars I will not name. Plus, the male star is battling gay rumors for over a decade and supposedly had "try outs" for his new girlfriend. Nice.

And let's chat about the actress who recently married the supposedly gay country singer. They have only been dating what, about a month?

Oh well. This is the business and these are the times that try men's souls. I hope that these people are happy at the end of their day. Money can't buy love or public admiration.

Watch the meltdown:
http://www.tvgasm.com/archives/miscellaneous_tv/000824.php

http://www.tvgasm.com/archives/miscellaneous_tv/000829.php

I used to like him, now he just freaks me out.

Telecommuters Unite!

There is a quiet revolution going on in America and across the world. Our culture is shifting through gains in technology to a place where we can work anywhere. The concept of the office is changing - it is becoming a meeting place for collaboration. Then workers go off to their own spaces - in some places, their home and get their tasks done.

I work full time and work from home on Fridays. This allows me to keep my daughter home 3 days a week and in daycare 4 days a week, which is a much better balance. It is a challenge, but I have a laptop, cable modem, email access, MSN instant messenger and a phone/fax machine. With this, I am armed with the tech tools that I need to succeed. Being a marketer, a lot of the job is communicating between vendors, customers, editors, the sales team and IT. Balancing projects and making sure they move along is the game.

I believe there will come a day when a job will be open in California, and I will be able to apply and work from home in Georgia. When employers find good people, location shouldn't be a problem.

As far as working from home full time, that is another situation unknown to me. You have to have incredible discipline, a solid agreement with your management on measuring performance (both ways), and you have got to make contact with fellow employees face to face once in awhile. There is nothing like being around other employees to be in touch with what is going on behind the scenes when you are face to face. You pick up on more details when you are in meetings with people rather than on the phone. You see expressions, hand movements, eye rolling and the rest.

But for me, my Fridays are special. I get my work done and spend glorious time with my daughter. It can't get better than that.

Don't think you can telecommute or that management won't allow it? Make a case. Pitch the idea. Go through a 3 month test. It's worth asking, isn't it?

Telecommuting Resources
http://www.networkworld.com/topics/telework.html

Interagency Telework
http://www.telework.gov/

International Telework Association
http://www.telecommute.org/

War Damn Eagle. Auburn University Rocks.

I just wanted to note that Auburn University is one of the best experiences of my life. I recommend it for all college bound students. And last year's perfect football season was the icing on the cake. We hadn't been to the Sugar Bowl since 1988. That was awesome.

It's a quaint small college town with pride and love of the alma mater. It's a great college to send your kids to. When I run into people wearing Auburn clothes, we always say "War Eagle" to each other and talk like we are old friends. My sister thinks it's the weirdest thing. She went to South Carolina and they don't have that kind of brotherhood building saying.

www.auburn.edu


Not sure if you have seen this yet...its the 2005 pre-game football trailer they will be showing this year before the team comes out on the field.

http://www.auburn.edu/~chavdhk/AuburnPregame05.mpeg

"Believe me on this. Please. I have descended into college football's Grand Canyon. I have stood in its Alps. I have gazed at its ocean sunset. I have attended a game at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. And I've been changed forever." – Bud Poliquin

Why the Burger King and Mentos ads are wrong and Ad Tunes and Family Guy is Right On Brother

That new burger king "King" creeps me out. It's not funny like the gnome that travels, it's just creepy with that stiff smile and no talking. What is up with that? It's not helping develop an image - at least McDonald's is building an image for healthier food options. When i think of the BK, I just think, creepy mask/helmet man.

And another thing, what's up with the mentos ads? They have to be foreign. Haven't they done their research and learned that what works in certain countries doesn't work in others?

Oh well. Just some late night advertising thoughts from a full time B2B marketer, part time consumer. The joys of marketing is never letting go!

Searching for TV commercial songs? Look no further - http://www.adtunes.com/

And I need to add that it is great to see the Family Guy back on tv where it belongs. God love Seth McFarlane and the whole cast for hanging in there. It really is a brilliant show. I hope you have many more seasons. I am a proud DVD owner.

Happy trails and good night!

Links relevant to my thoughts:

The Return of the KingBurger King is resurrecting a dubious icon. Why?
http://slate.msn.com/id/2107697/

Various ads
http://ad-rag.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Search&file=index&action=search&overview=1&active_stories=1&stories_topics[0]=38

Advertising mistakes
http://bears.ece.ucsb.edu/personnel/astornet/humor/humor91.html

Redheads and the people attached to them

Until I had my redheaded daughter, I never really knew just how special red hair was to the world. My mom and grandma have red hair. My grandpa gurney had red hair when he was younger. And my sister in law has red curly hair.

I have spent the last 21 months getting used to shopping and having all kinds of people suddenly stop me from whatever I was doing to admire Megan's red hair. (It's mostly older women who admit to trying to match Megan's shade of hair with over the counter hair color but I have had all types of people comment about her beautiful hair). I just wasn't aware of this phenomenon before I had her. I go out with Megan now and it's like she is a moving magnet for people everywhere. It's quite a trip, actually. It's a good thing Megan is good natured or she would have freaked out a few hundred times now!

I also never knew that in the fashion , haircare and beauty world, red hair is the only hair color that no one has been able to emulate. Sure, people like my great aunt marge tried to have red hair, but it always seemed a bit magenta to me.

What is the mystery surrounding redheads? Is it truly because you cannot "fake" being a redhead? The true uniqueness of red hair is like a target for those who seek it. So onward and upward, Megan. May your red hair guide you and your redhair followers everywhere you go. Red heads of the universe, UNITE!

Red hair fading out? Experts unsure
4 percent of humans have the red hair gene.
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050510/LIVING/505100338

Red hair
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_hair

http://www.answers.com/topic/red-hair

Let's talk paranoid micromanagers and the drones who work for them.

Sometimes I wonder just how some people rise in the corporate ranks. I currently work for a paranoid micromanager who seems to be like Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde. One day he is upbeat and joking and the next three we have a controlling psycho to contend with.

If someone in the office does something to make him mad, he sends a random email to the entire company. "I just want to remind you that lunch hour does encompass 60 minutes..." Then everyone wonders who it was. We usually get these a few times a year.

The sales team has a revolving door as his management style doesn't seem to agree with anyone. We have had more people go than are currently here.

And don't even ask about holidays. We have five.

The guilt you feel asking for time off is unreal.

And please, when you are meeting with someone, don't look at your email. Look them in the eye. I could go on.

Movies like Office Space, Cartoons like Dilbert and TV Shows like The Office really hit a nail on teh head. The problem is, with this boss controlling and ruling our office, who is making sure he is doing his job properly? No one higher up asks the staff why there is such high turnover and there are no exit interviews. It is sad. Corporations need to also make sure that the right managers are in place rather than someone who is sinking in quicksand. All it would take is a simple interview. I feel better now having vented.

In honor of dysfunction in the office, here are some fun web sites:

www.dilbert.com Dilbert

http://www.bullshitjob.com/officespace/ Office Space fan site

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/officespace.html Sounds from Office Space

http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/theoffice/ BBC's The Office

http://c2.com/cgi/wiki?BuzzwordBingo Buzzword Bingo

http://www.buzzwhack.com/index.html BuzzWhack

http://www.iworkwithfools.com/ - Anonymously vent about coworkers, bosses, it's gold.

Where is the Alternative in Music Now?

It's funny that I can listen to the same song on four different radio stations in Atlanta and that stations are all claiming to be bigger, better and offer a more unique playlist than all the rest.

That is why I enjoy listening to my cable and online music channels commercial free. I can listen to big band, blues, reggae, 80s retro, punk, ska, you name it, whatever mood I'm in.

I'm also searching for the perfect channel that plays my truly alternative retro 80s music as well as other well defined channels. The 70s had motown and disco, so these channels need to define themselves and segment more than just a decade so they can better target their listeners.

I wonder what satellite radio will do to the traditional format we know of today. All I know is, bring on the competition. If I can get better, more targeted music as well as other media, I will be a more satisfied customer and companies will be much more successful in building their demographics and successfully marketing to these folks.

Some cool music information sites - The "download this" section in Entertainment weekly and also the "if you like this band, you might like ____" section of the magazine - www.ew.com

80s music free to listen online
http://www.flashbackalternatives.com/

http://www.live365.com/cgi-bin/directory.cgi?genre=80s

Here is an awesome list of many different stations online:
http://www.org.mk/radio/media.asp

Have I mentioned how certain areas in Europe and other ares have a funny fetish for 80s music? In Lucern, Switzerland, Carnival bands are jamming to anything from Bon Jovi to AC/DC.. On our honeymoon in St. Lucia, we danced to Madonna, Prince and Michael Jackson tunes from the early 80s. Classic.

Here is a Lucern radio station - check it out.
http://www.radiopilatus.ch/

So, keep searching for those great stations, whatever music you like. They are out there! Oh yeaah, and a plug to WEGL in Auburn University - they were great during my college years there.

http://wegl.auburn.edu/ War Damn Eagle!

A Child of the 80s

I was born in 1971 but I have a fonder recollection of the 80s than I do for the 70s, with the exception of Sesame Street, the Brady Bunch and various disco hits (anyone remember disco duck? was that in the 70s or 80s? And the Hustle.) Now the 80s is a fun memory of all things innocent (Strawberry Shortcake and rainbows) and back-then rebellios (Cyndi Lauper and spraying my hair pink in 8th grade for her concert in Kings Island - I was so cool. Not.)

I find myself drawn to the 80s - I can identify with the music, the tv shows, the fashion - the preppy handbook! whales! - although that scares me now - and all the rest. I am better at Trivial Pursuit the 80s edition than the original. My mom can beat our family in the original version. Maybe it's a generational thing.

Anyway, here are some guilty pleasures regarding the 80s. Play 80s video games on the web during your lunch hour at work. Read up on the decade of decadence. Here are some fun links. Enjoy!

http://www.tripletsandus.com/80s/80s_games/arcade.htm

http://www.80smusiclyrics.com/

http://www.80sxchange.com/

http://www.tripletsandus.com/80s/index.htm

A Leg Lamp for all Seasons

My sister got me a leg lamp nightlight from the Christmas Story this past Christmas and it was about the best thing I received due to the fond family memories we had growing up and the direct correlation with the movie. I still have it in my kitchen. I just can't bear to put it away. It's a leg lamp! It's not just for the holidays! There's nothing like the glow of electric sex in the kitchen in the middle of the night. My dad was the cuss word king and my sister and I were the equivalent of Ralphie and his little brother. There are few movies that are that worthy lately.


Shaun of the Dead was great and Harold and Kumar Got to White Castle were pretty funny. I love my Netflix subscription and keep my movie queue loaded. Doesn't it seem good movies no matter what genre are becoming more few and far between? There is a good article in Entertainment Weekly about star treatment and how it is costing moviegoers to pay for their perks. It is sad.

www.netflix.com
www.ew.com