April 30, 2008

Getting ready for The Good Stuff

It’s almost time for our Thursday Therapy again. Have you got some good news you’d like to share? Maybe you’ve found an uplifting blog post or news story online that you think should be seen by more eyes. Gather up that good news and send it to me. Thursdays are our day for escaping, however briefly, from the black headlines that shout for our attention on a daily basis. On Thursdays we celebrate the good stuff in life, whether small and personal or huge and earth-shattering. Post your good news or a link below. Late tomorrow I’ll write a post linking you up and giving us all a reason to smile. Can you do that for me, please? Mahalo!

Technorati Tags: current events, good news, local stories

Tuesday Teaser photo verification

Once more I must start by apologizing for making you all wait. My life has been a little crazy lately and I think we’ll just leave it at that. Aahz jumped right on the correct answer while the rest of you were still sleeping, I think. Yes, the photo snippet shows a bit of a car door handle. Aahz has won a blog review and is entered in the gift card drawing for April, which will take place any day now. Ooops! Make that two reviews, because there was no winner last week. This should be fun as Aahz in an anarchist. Maybe I should change that comment about radical politics in my Tuesday Teaser instructions. We’ll just have to see what I can do with this one. I have a list here somewhere of winners who have not yet gotten their reviews. I’m working hard and time management and will try diligently to get caught up soon.

Mahalo to you all for playing. We’ll all gather here again next Tuesday to see if I can rediscover my knack for stumping you!

Oh, the photo! I’m not sure if that’s a peahen or a young peacock. I need to consult my bird book to find out, but if one of you knows the answer we’d be happy to have you share that bit of info.

Technorati Tags: contest, game, peacock, photo, Tuesday Teaser

April 29, 2008

Tuesday Teaser for April 29, 2008

1. Write a comment giving your guess as to what the item is.
2. First person to identify the item wins.
3. The author of this blog will be the sole judge as to what constitutes a correct answer.

What will you win?

1. The author of this blog will write a LINKY LOVE POST (review) about the winner’s blog (commercial sites ineligible.) The LLP will contain the url for your blog plus at least two deep links and will be posted here on Skeet’s Stuff. Skeet writes good reviews.
2. The winner’s name will be entered into a drawing for a $10.00 gift card from Starbucks or Amazon. Sure, it’s not MP3 players or a world cruise, but it’ll be ten bucks you didn’t have before!
3. Drawing for the gift card will be held on or about May 1, 2008, and will include all weekly winners for the month. There are five Tuesdays in April, thus the maximum number of people who will be eligble is five.

Other stuff -EDITED - PLEASE READ!

1. All comments to this blog are time and date stamped. The winner will be the first person (according to time and date stamp) to provide the correct answer. Guess as many times as you please, but please place each guess in a separate comment.
2. No hints will be given.
3. Answers must specifically identify the item. For instance, if the item depicted were to be a USB cable, the answer “some kind of electronic connection” would not suffice.
4. Decisions of the judge are final. Don’t argue with me. I won’t answer.
5. I will attempt to post every few hours as to whether or not a winner has been declared, but I am not continuously at the keyboard so please be patient.
6. Entries must be posted before 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 1, Hawaii time (GMT -10, approximately forty-eight hours from now.)
7. This is intended to be an ongoing feature at Skeet’s Stuff. If you or I lose interest it will cease to exist, but all qualified winners will get their prizes.
8. Skeet’s Stuff is a do-follow blog, so you get some link value just for commenting.
9. You do not have to have a blog to enter. Your review can be donated to a charitable or non-profit site if you don’t have a blog or just want to share the love. Sites to be reviewed are subject to my approval. I’m not harsh, but I’m also not interested in donating space to a radical political website or a blog that is dedicated to porn. Commercial sites are ineligible and comments with commercial links will be deleted. If you would like to advertise on my site I’ll be happy to discuss your needs and my fees.

Additional Notes:

10. Let the fun begin!

Technorati Tags: contests, photos, photo contest, blog contest

April 28, 2008

Birthstone jewelry for Mother’s Day

My son came to visit me for Mother’s Day last year. It’s not something he can do every year, as his time-off schedule is subject to the whims of other people. If he can’t come for Mother’s Day this year he’ll try for my birthday. I’d rather he make it for Mother’s Day, simply because it comes first, but it’s always a good time when he visits, no matter the time of year. We work in the garden and go to the beach and to restaurants for the local foods he misses. I can’t seem to get it through his head that by the time he arrives I’m excited about the prospect of cooking for him - he seems to think his visits should create no work for me, silly boy! I guess he’ll understand when he has kids of his own that parents revel in doing things for their kids. He thinks that should be a one-way street, with him giving and me recieving. And, oh, he knows how to give! I’m not sure where he got his talent for selecting presents. Since he was quite young he’s had a knack for picking just the right gifts to make my heart sing. I’ve told you about he insect jewelry collection he started for me shortly after I began my career in pest control. He also started and frequently contributes to my collection of kaleidoscopes, and likes to give me board games which we play when he visits. Whatever else he gives me, he always includes a Border’s gift card, too, since one can never have too many books. I can’t wait to see what he gives me when he finally gets around to blessing my with grandkids. Lots of framed photos, I’m sure, and maybe some birthstone jewelry, something to which I can add a charm with each addition to the family. I’d love to have something like that, with a tiny jewel I could touch each day to bring babies to mind. It would start with a garnet for his own birthstone, of course, and one for the love of his life. Then another and another as the years pass and his family grows. Oh, yeah! I’d like that lot. It won’t happen for me this year, but I know it will someday. Until then I content myself by weaving dreams and by making wish lists and wondering whether his first son will have my unfortunate family nose or his father’s amazing eyes. Ah, the stuff of dreams! I think I’ll go browse the birthstone jewelry again and work on those wish lists. I should be prepared, don’t you think, for those happy crowded-house days that will come someday!

Technorati Tags: birthstone jewelry, gifts, grandchildren, jewelry, Mother’s Day, sons

April 27, 2008

Self Portrait Sunday for April 27, 2008

My friend has been staying here for a few days. She’s selling her condo & folks are dropping in to see it, which means it has to be kept spotlessly clean and she has to take her two girls out every time realtor calls and says they someone is coming over to view the place. She had someone come in and professionally clean, though I’m not sure if they used Ladybug steam cleaners. Her girls are Gwen the beagle and Schwim the Weimaraner, so Lance is having a good week with his two girlfriends. It’s damp up in the mountains at their place, so they constantly track up the carpets. Having them all stay here helps keep the place ready for show. Tonight we all watched Charlie Wilson’s War (which is very good - you should watch it if you haven’t already done so.) So there’s me, watching a movie on DVD after spending the entire day working on my books (since tax day is past and I really need to file before the fines and late fees add up too much.)

What did you do today? I hope you had some relaxation time, perhaps with good friends (human and/or canine.) It does a body good, as does visiting all of the Self Portrait Sunday folks over at Midlife Musings.

Technorati Tags: meme, photos

Posted by skeet @ 11:18 pm • Photos, Meme • 3 comments  

April 25, 2008

Sharing the Good Stuff

Sometimes we get so overwhelmed with the bad news that we forget that there are good things going on around us all the time. We can’t change the headlines, but we can seek out that which is good, that which is uplifting, that which shines with a positive radiance - the good stuff. I put out a special call for good stuff this week. I really needed some help because I’ve been sick for several weeks and haven’t even been up to searching the internet and watching the news for those special feel-good stories. My readers and friends have overwhelmed me with their responses! Here are some recent stories they wanted to share:

Karen found a heartwarming story that reminds us that there are good people in the world who will go out of their way to help someone out, even if their troubles aren’t life-and-death. The housekeeping staff of a Disney resort crawled around in garbage bins to retrieve some keepsake jewelry for a heartbroken couple. Mahalo for the smiles, Karen!

Dan Rua shared some good news about his daughter:

“When I came home last Friday, my 9yo daughter was printing business cards for her first startup company. Delaney’s Designs specializes in digitizing paper photos as problem/solution #1 and then creating various products from those digitized photos such as Family Photo Sites, Personalized Calendars, etc. She even has an April special: first 5 digitized photos free and digitizing $2 per 50 photos. As a startup investor, I couldn’t help but smile!” (Dan is a venture capitalist, and provided some of the early funding for PayPerPost, so you know he’s smiling ear to ear about this proof that his daughter is following in his footsteps!)

Dan is also promoting his Human Powered Cause Discovery, a way for you to get the word out about your favorite charities and causes. Make sure you check it out and let Dan know about the cause that is dear to your heart. Really good stuff! Mahalo, Dan!

Lisa shared some great news abour Dr. Lorna Stuart, who founded and operates a clinic for the uninsured, a cause that is dear to my heart. For those who don’t know, I can’t get medical coverage because I have a chronic condition. Dr. Stuart’s clinic can’t help me, but I applaud her for coming to the aid of others who, for whatever reason, have been shut out of the health care system. Mahalo, Lisa, for giving me and others hope that there may be an answer for us someday, too!

Valerie Joy has a wonderful weekly feature called Thurday Thank Yous. Mahalo, Valerie for reminding us that expressing our gratitude never goes out of style!

I was really glad to hear that my pal Val managed to have a phone conversation with her bother, recently deployed with the U.S. Navy. Mahalo for sharing that news, Val, and could you do me afavor? Next time you talk to him, tell him skeet says “Mahalo for all that you’re doing!”

I missed another great story that Val shared while I’ve been sick and not spending much time online. Read her account of a very special prom and the wonderful people who made it happen.

A special mahalo to all of you for sharing the Good Stuff. I’m feeling much better now!

Have you checked the back pages of your local paper lately? Do yourself a favor and make it a point to find the good news that never gets the bold headlines. Pick a news source anywhere in the world or something great you’ve found on the web. Better yet, share a heart-warming first-person moment that made you smile. Those little day-to-day moments that make us smile are the stuff of a happy life and worthy of sharing. Here’s your chance to recognize them for what they are and spread a little sunshine in the process. Make sure you send me a link when you’re moved to blog about something good going on. I’ll hook you up the next time we Share Some Good Stuff and then we can all feel a little better about what this world is coming to!

Technorati Tags: good news, current events, local stories, meme

Four Foods on Friday #26

Val over at Fun, Crafts and Recipes has once again invited us to share our opinions and good taste on the subject of food. It’s a bit late, but you can join in by copying the questions below, answering them in a post on your blog, then posting a link to your post as a comment to Four Foods on Friday #26. Here’s my answers:

#1. When going out to dinner what items do your order? Appetizers, soup, salad, dinner, dessert.

Usually just a dinner, and I usually have lots of leftovers to take home. I love good food, but can only eat small amounts at a time. If the place has a fabulous dessert menu, I’ll somtimes order an appetizer, then dessert.

#2. How predictable are you when eating out? Do you usually order a meal that you’ve had before or do you like to try new things?

I’m somewhat adventuresome. I have a lot of dietary restrictions, so at some places there are only a few things I can order, but if they have plenty of stuff I can eat I’ll try different things.

#3. When eating at a restaurant, what beverage do you like to order with your meal?

Iced tea. Always. It’s a Southern thing.

#4. Name a meal that you ate at a restaurant that you liked so much you tried to recreate it, as well as the name of the restaurant and the recipe.

Kalbi Ribs (that’s the meat on top in the photo above.) They’re available at all of the local drive-ins and Korean restaurants, but I like them best from Barbeque Kai right here on the Coast. They’re easy to make. Mix sesame oil with shoyu (soy sauce - I prefer low-salt.) Add fresh grated ginger, garlic and some sesame seeds. Marinate the ribs in it for a couple of hours, then grill. Yummy!

Hmmmmmm! Val wants suggestions on how to improve, add to or enhance Fun, Crafts and Recipes. It’s perty perfect as is. Maybe more recipes with pictures? I dunno - it really doesn’t need anything at all!

Technorati Tags: food, Kalbi Ribs, meme, recipe

April 24, 2008

I could really use some good stuff!

Yep, still sick. What is it now? Three weeks? Four? I can’t remember. I guess my immune system was battered and forlorn after the palgue. Now it’s allergies plus a sore throat and a really nasty cough from the vog. I’m better today than yesterday, though, so I’m seeing a little light at the end of the tunnel. I haven’t been watching the news or seeing anyone, so it’s a little difficult for me to find some good stuff to focus on. Maybe you guys could lend a hand? Tell me something good going on in your life, or something you heard on the news or found online that made you smile. You’ll be doing me a world of good, and I’ll write a post tomorrow linking you all up and telling you how much better you’ve made me feel. Just post your news below, with a link to your post if you’ve blogged it. You can do that for me, right? Yeah, I though so! I’ll try to find my own sunshine between now and then, too, because I’m sure there’s some somewhere, hiding behind a cloud just waiting for me to find it.

Technorati Tags: good news

April 22, 2008

The Hidden Object Show - new hidden object game

The Hidden Object Show is the latest release from SpinTop Games. It’s a bit of a twist on the genre, combining many of the modes of play you’re probably familiar with.

The artwork is colorful and most of the objects you’ll search for are clearly defined. A few objects are hidden behind other items, with only a small piece of the sought-after object showing, and a few are not drawn sharply enough to be definitively identified. In the screenshot above, there’s a footprint (at least I think that’s what it’s supposed to be) on the inside wall of the desk, in the kneehole. When it’s on the search list as a silhouette, it’s a poorly defined blob that could be almost anything. This goes against the spirit of fairplay, but I only noticed these faults a couple of times. Overall gameplay is satisfying.

Objects to be found are typical of the hidden object games you’ve played before, from toys to steam cleaners to animals and clothing. Question marks hidden in each scene can be clicked on to earn hints or to exclude modes of play that don’t interest you.

The premise: You’re a contestant on a gameshow. The first round in each level is a standard hidden object search with the player working from a list of items to find. When you’ve completed a search you’ll spin a wheel which will determine the next mode of play. The screen you’ve just completed is re-played, but you might have riddles or sillouettes for clues instead of list, or be assigned to find ten items of the same type, like keys or dominos. It’s a fun twist and I like the variety it adds to this game. I enjoyed it enough that I might buy the full version soon, but right now I’ve got more games than I have time to play. Go to the SpinTop Games links above to get a free download of The Hidden Object Show and play it for an hour. I think you’ll like it!

You can see all of my hidden object game reviews in the games category for skeet’s stuff. Each will provide you with my opinion of the game and a link to a free download so you can try it for yourself. Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: games, hidden object games, The Hidden Object Show

Tuesday Teaser photo verification

Well, darn it all! I had several photo puzzle pieces prepared and lined them all up last night to choose from. I selected the ice cube trays, thinking it would stump you all for a while, but Jennifer is too smart for that! She’s once again figured out the puzzle and won herself a linky love post. She’ll also be entered in the monthly drawing for a $10.00 gift card. Maybe the winner this month will use it for a cup of Starbucks the next time they vacation in a condo hotel, or to select some summer reading from Amazon.

Congrats, Jennifer! Mahalo to you all for playing. I think I’ve got a goodie lined up for next week, but I guess we’ll all find out at the same time whether or not that’s true. Make sure to pop back in next Tuesday and we’ll see.

Technorati Tags: contest, game, ice, ice cube trays, photo, Tuesday Teaser