Saturday, August 27, 2011

Birthday Date Night

The other night my fiance and I went out and had a great date night. His birthday is today, and its been a rough few months trying to make ends meet. It was great being able to go out with him and just enjoy a nice break from reality. We ate at an amazing restaurant/bar in our area Buffalo Wild Wings . I had mini hotdogs with fries while Josh had slammers with fries and tried their black cherry mojito. The food was incredible! The fries had to be the best I have ever had. If you are ever near a Buffalo Wild Wings, definitely check it out. There are a ton of big screen TVs set on all the sports shows available, a great bar and bartender, and they even have karaoke!
















After we ate we stopped by Cold Stone Creamery. I have lived in the same area my whole life, and had heard about Cold Stone, but had never been there. I was kicking myself hard for not trying it sooner! The ice cream is completely customizable with a ridiculous amount of stuff you can put in it. They scoop out the flavor ice cream you choose, then lay it on the "cold stone" slab that gives it the name. They throw in the toppings/ingredients you choose, then use metal scoops/spatulas to mix everything together. You can see the whole process from the other side of the counter, and its worth every second waiting. The flavors are genuine and the combinations are amazing!!! They also have ice cream cupcakes, ice cream cakes, and pre-matched combinations to choose from. Unfortunately I didn't have a lot of room for ice cream after eating so I brought my ice cream home with me, its waiting in the freezer.
























When we finished eating we headed to the Carmike Theater near by. Everything we did was within a 2 minute drive, which was great. We don't go to the Carmike a lot because the ticket prices are ridiculous these days. It cost us $25 for two movie tickets and a drink. There are a few cheaper theaters in our area, The Carolina Theater that has movie tickets for $2.50 each adult, and The State Cinema that has movie tickets between $3 and $5.50 each adult. The problem with the Carolina is that it shows movies that have been out a while, and usually the week after they show at the Carolina they are available on DVD/Blu-Ray. The State Cinema has newer movies, but the place is in desperate need of renovations. There are three screens but they are really small and the chairs are falling apart. Anyway, we bought tickets to see Cowboys & Aliens. I loved it!!! I have seen the previews for a long time, and have been dying to see it. The CGI is pretty good, but the characters are better. Daniel Craig is one of my favorite actors, and he did an awesome job as Jake Lonergan. It was great to see a new idea in movies as well. I hate that there are so many remakes and movies from books. How many truly original ideas are there in Hollywood? The only things I didn't like about the movie were Ella's character being so unknown and Harrison Ford's acting skills as Dollarhyde. We didn't ever really learn anything about Ella and it wasn't something I could just make up a backstory to fill in the gaps. I love Harrison Ford as an actor, but I didn't like the way he played Dollarhyde, maybe I'm just not used to seeing him as a cowboy-type. Regardless this was a great movie. I recommend it to anyone who wants to see an action-packed, semi-suspenseful, original movie.




All over the date night was amazing. I am so glad everyday to have an amazing finance who enjoys the same things I do and always knows how to make a wonderful night. Happy Birthday to my fiance!

PS - I am one follower away from 100!!! Thanks for the support everyone :D

Friday, August 26, 2011

Embarrassed much?

I can't believe it took this frigging long for someone to say they are embarrassed by Jersey Shore!!! I don't understand the obsession with the show, or why people want to look or be anything like the "quidos." I know they are people just like we are, but seriously? How can we as a country be anywhere near proud of the these people? And why is it so popular?! I am of the breed not to care too much for shows like Jersey Shore, Big Brother, Survivor, etc. so I suppose I am impartial. I just don't understand how humanity has dropped so low that we find it entertaining to watch the drunken, psychotic, emotional, and dysfunctional exploits of others. I find it extremely hilarious that Abercrombie & Fitch is basically saying "Please stop embarrassing us!" I can't wait for the cast to respond to the offer, who wouldn't take it? I would love to get paid NOT to do something!!!

For your viewing pleasure here is CBS News on Abercrombie & Fitch's offer to The Situation and the cast of Jersey Shore NOT to wear their clothing.

Monday, August 22, 2011

New Desktop

I have been doing a lot of updating to my computer lately, and found some pretty cool upgrades. I'm sure most of you know about them, but I didn't, so I'm loving that I found some new stuff to play with. Right now I am using Rainmeter and ObjectDock. In case you don't know what these are, here is some information and site links:

Here is the site's description of Rainmeter:
"With Rainmeter, there are no secrets. Our bundled library of open-source skins covers a wide range of functions, but if you want your desktop to do something new, you don't have to wait for us. Every inch of a skin is completely customizable. Rainmeter skins are written in a simple, elegant language that's easy to learn for anyone who's willing to put in the effort. Skins call upon measures, a set of powerful built-in modules that do all the heavy lifting, and create interactive meters to display that information however you decide. In this way, Rainmeter brings productive innovation together with creative artistry like no other platform of its kind. Rainmeter is built by people like you. In the span of just a few months, a thriving community has built up around Rainmeter, as average users freely contribute their own original skins, their generous knowledge and support, and their inspirational ideas to a project whose scope and capabilities are constantly expanding. We can't wait to see where it goes from here. Will you join us?"

I love Rainmeter!!! I have about 10 different skins and using pieces of each one to get different things on my desktop that I use. I have CPU, RAM, and harddisk space meters, a network activity meter, a Google search, a wall calendar, and an events calendar that links to my Google calender. I also have a cool reminders box that replaced the ugly Sticky Notes program that Windows came with. Lastly, there is a clock and date app at the bottom of my screen. All of these individual apps I can customize completely, and I have been playing with them to get them just right. Because of the cool transparency of all the apps, I don't feel like my desktop is covered in crap and I can enjoy the backgrounds that I take so long to find. I'm very picky about things and love the new seamless feel of my computer. What's even better is that the ObjectDock I have melds perfectly with the new look of my desktop.

 The ObjectDock is pretty self explanatory when you see it. It is basically the Apple taskbar for Windows. I have always loved the Apple dock and love using it for my Windows programs. There are skins available, and the one I have matches the Rainmeter pretty well. There is a "plus" version of the ObjectDock that I would never pay for, simply because the basic is enough for me. It automatically grabbed all the programs I had pined to the taskbar and integrated them. It picked up icons for everything except the snipping tool that I use a lot, and the sticky notes program I spoke of earlier. Having replaced the sticky notes, I don't mind losing it. I am in search of an icon to use for my snipping tool so I can have it back on my dock without the ugly question mark that is the default. The dock also came with its own weather program through Accuweather, which is pretty accurate and does a cool expand when you hover over it. The calendar program that the dock has also syncs seamlessly with my Google calendar. All I do is click it, and it goes straight to Firefox and to my calendar. The whole set up is pretty awesome.

I love my new desktop and recommend the Rainmeter and the ObjectDock to anyone who wants to try something different. Here is a screenshot of what my desktop looks like today:


Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Furniture Designs

I was just bouncing around the internet the other day and found some pretty cool furniture/design concepts to share.



















This is a chair concept called the Creative Wedge. Its by a company called Brightside. This has to be the best idea I have ever seen for furniture. This chair can be anything you want it to be. I don't really like the three colors, and would like it a lot more if it had a single color so that it wouldn't be so hard to match in a room. But this is a great concept. The company designs everything from battery chargers to backpacks, and even a bed (that I couldn't find much info on).



















This is definitely something all us computer nerds can appreciate. This office chair doubles as a lounge, with an adjustable table. It even has a plug in so that you aren't tripping over the wires of your laptop. I love the concept and hope I can buy one like this soon. Unfortunately I can't find the original creator, so if you guys can, please let me know.























Who doesn't love Pac-Man? These are actually furniture pieces designed by a company called Qayot. Its an Italian company, and I can't understand a word of the site, but there are a lot of reposts online about it. I think its pretty awesome to have furniture that looks this cool!!! When I have a game room I would love to have several of these.





















This chaise lounge has to be my favorite! Perfect for gaming, movies, music, reading, whatever! This is like an entire bedroom in one furniture piece. It even has the desk on the outside. It was created by Roberta Ramme and is originally on display at DesignBoom. I don't like the big flower on the red one, but the black one is definitely my style. The only thing I would be worried about is hitting my head on the bookshelf at the headboard. And its not exactly designed to accommodate tall people like my fiance (he is 6feet 6inches tall).



And lastly, I can't leave out my four-legged friends. At DenHaus there is a whole website dedicated to chic pet homes. I love the idea of having furniture that is multifunctional. And why not? Pets are a part of just about everybody's everyday life. The more advanced we become as a civilization and species, the more we understand that our pets are more family than "just pets."

As always I look forward to your reactions!!!

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Falling In Stride

These people know how to take things in stride and make the best of what's given to them:














Obviously this dad is one of the coolest ever!!!



















I wish I could live like this dude. He looks like he would have fun no matter what happened in his life. My outlook is a lot bleaker. My fiance's car broke down yesterday, we think the transmission is shot. We don't know for sure, wont til Monday, but at this point we are guessing his car has had its day and its time to get another one. Problem being this couldn't have come at a worse time (except maybe when the baby was on the way). He just started a good job in sales, but he has to be able to travel. He was training this weekend, so he hasn't even gotten his first check yet. I figured up our budget and a plan for us to be able to move by September so we can get settled into our new apartment before December, and now that plan is shot. We were barely going to be able to have enough to move, and now we need a car. At this point I'm burnt out on working two jobs, and suffering in physical pain from standing all day. I am ready to go back to one job and still know we are okay, but that dream is squashed. Facing reality we may not get moved before Dexter gets here, and that is a scary thought, considering we wont have anywhere to live. Life sucks...then you die.


Sorry for the depressing post, maybe things will look up soon and I can get back to the cheery stuff.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Not A Lot of Time

I've been really busy this week, sorry about not posting more. It's already close to midnight here and I have a full day tomorrow, so I can't post anything long. I wanted to thank ya'll again for hanging in there while I get my schedule figured out. My fiance and I have to have about $3000 by the end of the month so we can move and still pay our bills, I'm stressing out, but hoping we can do it. He just got a new job and it looks like he could be making very good money, but its new so it will take some time to get it running smoothly. I calculated our bills today and set up a budget based on the new income, and its still really scary and stressful trying to make ends meet.

I notice that ya'll are keeping up with me pretty well and I have several regular commenters which I look forward to every time I check in! But according to my stats I haven't been getting a lot of page views lately, probably from my lack of posting, but it's a little disappointing. If ya'll could share my blog with your friends I would greatly appreciate it. At this point I am following about 120 blogs, and still haven't hit 100 followers myself. Thanks in advance, and please comment if you share my blog, so I can return the favor.

Finally here is some funny stuff for those of you checking in :D











Gotta love marriage....LMAO



















Ummmmmm....I would so throw baking powder on this pastor's face!























Apple's response is the funniest part!


Enjoy and remember to comment!

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Baby Name Poll

Hey guys, do me a favor and check out the baby name poll I have on the Right column near the bottom. I'm having trouble deciding on a middle name for baby Dexter, and would love the input! Thanks :)

A New Way To Tell Time

My fiance stumbled upon these yesterday and I loved them so much I had to share. The links below take you to the original sites. Basically these are watches that use LEDs to tell time without numbers (for the most part). Most of them have a "ring" for the hour, minute in groups, and minute in singles. Some have "rings" to tell the dates as well.



































This is the Kiasi RPM LED watch. I love this one the most, as it has a traditional look mixed with a 21st century feel. You can get this one in black or silver, with green or blue LEDs. The rings are actually really easy to figure out. The inner ring is the hour, the outer is minutes in groups of five, and the very top is single minutes. The only problem I see with the design is that the lights only show when you press the button, so you can't just glance down and get the time. That, and its kind of a manly watch...LOL. I have very small wrists and have a hard time finding a watch that doesn't swallow my wrist whole. This one would definitely be too big! Click Here to read the full article (with video).
























This is my second favorite of the group. It is the S-mode Oberon LED watch. This one is more traditional, with the solid face. It comes in silver and blue LEDs. I like this one because it has a date function, just by pressing the button twice it gives you a date. It's a little different to read though, which may cause me some confusion. For time the outer ring tells the hour, the innermost ring tells groups of minutes in 10s, and the middle ring tells single minutes. For the date, the outer ring tells the month, the innermost ring tells days in groups of 10s, and the middle ring tells single days. I like the outward spiral on this one a lot. Again I run into the size issue, but its still a pretty cool watch. Click Here to read the full article (with video).
























This one I can't even begin to understand. Click Here to try your luck (with video). There are quite a few more on the site that are pretty interesting, and some that are so complicated (like this one) that it makes time reading feel like a job.

Check them all out! Tell me what you think. Do you have any cool watch concept ideas?


PS - I'm only 19 followers away from 100!!!! Thanks guys :D

Monday, August 1, 2011

As Promised

I finally have some time for a funny post! I am going to be doing a lot better with the blogging very soon as my amazing fiance found a pretty awesome job and I get to go back to one job!!! So here is some funny stuff I found on the web that I thought ya'll would like. Leave me comments!
















One of my girls from high school moved to New York last week with her fiance, and shared this with me. She said they drove by one day and saw the awesome 22" rims on this charger, but when they drove by the next day someone had decided they liked those rims a LOT. The funniest part is that this is on a dealership's lot on the front row no less!!! I really really hope that dealership had cameras, and if they didn't then, I bet they do now!


































Here in the south, as you may recall from an earlier post, it has been really really hot! Someone got pretty creative and took advantage of that heat. If you look closely you can see a cooking thermometer on the driver's side, which is pretty smart if you ask me. Who doesn't want their car smelling like fresh baked cookies? My only curiosity about this is why would you NEED to bake cookies in  your car? LOL

















This has to be the epitome of old people driving. That guy has probably had his car since it was new, and yet he forgets what side the pump is on...classic. I have seen people drive up on the wrong side before, but never go to this extreme. He could have just pulled around to the other side. I feel like this guy shouldn't be driving. Him pulling on the pump like that scares me a LOT, wouldn't it be just hilarious if that pump broke and he got all the gas he'd ever need?






















Read this sign very closely....Who cares? I care!!! Who wants to live in a world where computer nerds don't get to dress up nice and spend billions of dollars just to make our lives ridiculously easy? Who wants to live in a world where WW2 never ended? Come on lady! I am also a little curious about why this woman is obviously carrying a rainbow flag? Isn't that a little hypocritical? Or the fact that she looks like a lesbian...I mean really...Gotta love close minded idiots!
















And lastly, this one is the number one reason why my fiance refuses to work for big name "computer expert" companies like Best Buy, Office Max, or any other little computer business owned by people who just want your money. Those companies do everything they can to get you to pay out hundreds of dollars just to do something that takes 20 minutes and never endangers your hard drive's stability. I think its funny when these guys talk people into their "protection" packages. That's why I always back up everything I have on external, so should you all!!! I have lost 3 laptops in 4 years (I'm really really really bad with technology - I tend to break things) and before my fiance came around I kept loosing data that was really important (you know pictures I can't live without). So the lesson for the day: Don't be an idiot!!!