Can you see me now?

Besides watching movies, one of the things I really love to do is work crossword puzzles. I especially like the ones I find in the Sunday paper. I get that paper every week for the coupons in it, but the puzzle is an added bonus as far as I’m concerned.

My biggest problem with the puzzles is exactly the same problem I have when I’m trying to read a book or even read my computer screen. I just can’t see it very well.

A few years ago I went to an eye doctor who actually told me all I need is reading glasses and not prescription glasses. I’m far sighted so everything “out there” I can see just fine. It’s the things up close that give me a problem.

So, I went to the dollar store and picked up a couple pairs of glasses just to use for reading and computer work. They really made a huge difference for me. Now I can actually read the credits on the movies I watch!

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Reading

I’ve been offline for almost two weeks, but I’m back online now and ready to review some entertainment again.

Being offline for so long did give me a chance to re-explore some entertainment I’ve put aside for a vey long time – reading. Yep, reading real, paper magazines and books! I think I’d forgotten how comforting it is to pull an throw up over my lap, curl up at the end of the sofa, and open a book to read. The turning of the pages and the feel of the paper are sensations I’ve neglected for far too long.

I do have Kindle for PC on my computer, so there were some offerings there to read, as well. But you can’t really snuggle up to a computer monitor to read, now can you?

Technorati Tags: reading

Personal choices in entertainment

Entertainment comes in all forms. For me personally, movies are at the top of my list when I’m at home. I generally have movies, TV series, or documentaries playing from Netflix while I also do other things. I’m a little bit ADHD in that regard.

When I’m visiting my Mother, though, working jigsaw puzzles and playing card games with her, my Sis and Sis’ hubbie are wonderful forms of entertainment. There, I’m away from the push of daily work and am able to just relax, have fun, and get some rest.

I’ll bet you also have your favorite forms of entertainment. Why don’t you share them in comments?

Technorati Tags: entertainment

Laptop woes

Awhile back, my laptop crashed and burned. Not literally, of course. I tried to boot it up one day after work, and even though it sounded like it was starting up, nothing ever appeared on the screen. It stayed black.

I really miss that old laptop, but now I’m using an even older PC. It’s not as fast and it doesn’t have nearly the RAM it needs, but at least it works. Right now there are two hard-drives in it, and I may just see if I can put the hard-drive from the laptop in it or at least put it in an external case to preserve the stuff the stuff I had saved. Maybe soon I can actually buy a new laptop!

It’s always something, huh?

Technorati Tags: laptop,computer

Entertainment goals

I no longer have my big screen HDTV. I sold it some time back. Why? Because I don't actually get TV reception out here where I live. I mainly just used it to play DVDs anyway. I kept my surround sound, though, because it has a good radio and I can still play my music CDs through it. I would like to get a proper stereo stand for that system and put the speakers all around the room, like they are supposed to be. For now, it's sitting on top of another piece of furniture and my speakers are lined up around it.

It works like that, but the other piece of furniture takes up a lot of space in my tiny house, so I'm really hoping that very soon I can move some things around and acquire just the shelving I need for the sound system.

 

Technorati Tags: stereo

Welcome back to me!

I had set aside my blogging efforts for awhile. Mainly because I found myself caught up in my outside job so much that I just didn't have time. I've been working, coming home, working, coming home...you get the drift. Then, the other day on a social networking site, a friend posted a picture that said "Don't spend so much time making a living that you forget to make a life."

That really hit me hard. So, I'm back. I'll be reviewing movies, music, and some TV shows as I always have in the past. Most I'll do right from the comfort of my own home. Others I'll post while I'm out of town visiting relatives. That's the beauty of blogging and of having a laptop!

November anniversary?

My late husband and I were married in November of 1984. I've discovered that a lot of folks got married in the fall of the year instead of in the spring, which we normally think of as the time for weddings. Maybe this year, your anniversary gift basket could include movies, popcorn, or movie theater tickets.

Why not make it a night on the town? Still, an intimate evening at home would be even more wonderful with that special person you said "I do" to. Make time for yourselves on your anniversary. It's your day to celebrate each other!

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Running on batteries

In the near future, very near I hope, I will be supplementing my electricity with solar power. Eventually I hope to go full solar/wind/generator for my electrical needs. I've switched over to very low wattage light bulbs, but will probably step that down even further through the use of LED lights throughout my house.

I will have some obstacles to overcome. Things like how to run a well pump and a small freezer on this type of off-grid power. Still, it's baby steps, I guess.

In the meantime, I'll be looking at power supplies, inverters, and more batteries to supply my needs as I add to my power sources. My TV is fairly low wattage. I use a laptop computer, which can actually be charged in my vehicle by plugging in a small inverter there.

I'll post my progress from time to time.

Technorati Tags: off-grid,electricity.compact fluorescent bulbs,television

Intermission - weather

Well, folks, I really thought I'd be seeing a lot more movies over the next few days. It was predicted we'd get sleet and snow flurries, some of which would stick. That kind of forecast means I stay home and do not venture out on the highways. However, for some strange reason, the temperature from mid-afternoon yesterday until now -- 1:30 am on Christmas Day -- has remained at a steady 37 degrees F.

I haven't needed much more than a heated blanket and a small electric heater to stay warm in my house. Certainly, I haven't needed so much as a heavy coat to go outside. This is indeed strange weather, since it's rained most of the day Christmas Eve and is expected to be sunny and warm Christmas Day, all day.

No sleet. No snow. No white Christmas.

I can't say I'm sorry we didn't get all that, since I prefer warm weather anyway. I guess I'm just tired of the weather service announcing the hazardous weather warnings, preparing for the bad weather, then having it by-pass us completely.

Technorati Tags: weather,Christmas

Movies by mail

I am finally signed up for movies by mail. I'm sure many of you already know what company I'm talking about - NetFlix. I am on the option where you can get "unlimited" movies each month simply by mailing back the viewed ones in a timely manner and getting another one. I don't know about anyone else, but I figure I might be able to receive around a dozen movies a month this way, tops. However, it works for me because I don't have to think about return times costing me extra money, so I like this.

I signed up for this online, just the way I buy my car insurance, which makes it even easier. In fact, I do a lot of my business online so I don't have waste gas running all over two towns to pay regular bills.

The first movie I received was The Crazies, which I reviewed in the previous post. I have several in my queue and will go back to the site to add more. Might as well keep the wish list long and not have to keep returning to the site every few days, right?

Technorati Tags: movies

HOT!

In my part of the country, it's been too hot to move. We've had temperatures around 100 degrees F. for the past several days, and not enough rain to settle the dust. This means not many people are hanging out outside and more people (like me) are staying out of the heat and inside, watching movies. Or, maybe they're sitting around modern dining tables, enjoying chilled beverages and playing cards or board games.

Either way, no one is facing the raging, dangerous heat. I don't water my yard until it's nearly dark out, and spend my time off from work mostly on my laptop or in other indoor activities. Oh, and enjoying a cold beer!

Technorati Tags: games

Need fresh movies

I really need to invest in some new movies. I have a lot here already, but I'd like to see something fresh on my shelves. I would really like to own Avatar. I think I could watch that one over and over, the way I do Star Wars. However, first I want to find some really good deals on DVDs. I might even want to invest in a BluRay player. The price of BluRay disks has come way down.

Of course, there's not much on sale right now, and I do love to find a good bargain. I'm also patient, so I'll probably wind up waiting until Black Friday rolls around again before I do any serious shopping. For now, I'll just ooh and aah at the brilliant picture I find on the TVs in appliance and tech stores.

Technorati Tags: movies,DVD,BluRay

DSL outage

So, I went almost the whole weekend with my DSL down. I called Monday about getting it fixed and up again. Of course, they start telling me to do this and do that. I've already done everything they suggested and I tell them that. Then, they say it will be Monday afternoon before someone can come out and check the Linksys router to see if that's the problem, between noon and 7 PM.

I tell them that's no good. I have to be at work at 5 and leave home by 4. The tech on the other end of the phone promises they'll have someone out no later than 4. So I wait...

I got ready for work and waited until 4:20. No repair person. No DSL. When I got home from work, DSL was still down.
Then, this morning, it's working.

I'm thinking that there was rain water in the phone lines somewhere, causing noise that wouldn't let the signal go through, and that it simply dried up enough to work again with no help from them. I'm sure they'll take all the credit for it, though, as they do think they are so great they can control the very elements of the universe.

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Investing in myself

It looks like I'm going to be able to rent and buy more movies and music than I'd expected. I'm getting a nice tax refund, so I'm going to invest in things like that, a new printer, and maybe even a Moen kitchen faucet. (My kitchen faucet is pretty ugly looking and it wobbles on its base when you turn it left and right!)

So, I'll have lots of new stuff to review for you in the coming weeks. Get ready!

Technorati Tags: movies,music

Poor wifi connections

I am trying the wifi connection at a different location tonight. I drove up to where Son works to see if the connection is any better than the one I usually use. It's not.

Truly, even though the wifi is free, it should take you to the Internet at a speed faster than dial-up, don't you think? It's really insane to be sitting here, watching my laptop battery go down while I'm waiting for the connection to come up. And, the fact is, there's no place to plug my laptop in at this location, so I can't really charge it while I'm waiting.

I need to look up some rather important things online, such as insurance quotes for my vehicle. I've got to continue cutting costs and that is one way I can do it. In the meantime, though, I sit and wait...and wait...and wait.

Technorati Tags: internet,wifi

Intermission - seating

While I've been moving things in, I've also made some decisions about moving things out. Primarily, my worn out sofa and recliner. See, instead of those tired pieces of furniture, I'm thinking I'd just as soon have home theater seating so I can more comfortably watch movies. It would be nice to have a personal seat with a holder for a beverage while I'm viewing films instead of sitting on a lumpy old couch.

I live alone, so there's no real reason why I need to have a conventional looking living room. Even if I have visitors, other kinds of seating would work out just as well as regular living room furniture, don't you think?

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Review software?

I do a lot of reviews. Mostly movies and some music or TV, but I'm thinking of branching out into other areas such as games or software, including things like seo software, educational software, and more. So, what do you think? Should I add more diversity to this blog by reviewing software as well?

I don't have anything in particular in mind right now, but if it seems as if there could be a receptive audience for it, I'd be willing to add it. It's all up to you, folks, so let me know what you think.

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Earning in entertainment

I was really doing some thinking about the visit to the swans the other day. Sis is a photojournalist who carries her camera with her everywhere. Well, she took some nice shots of the swans and uploaded them to her Sixty Something blog. She went to college late in life to gain these photographic skills and hone her natural gift for writing. This way, she is doing the things she loves, finding entertainment, and still earning a few bucks from her photographs and articles.

I'd be willing to bet that even philadelphia pa jobs would include these pleasant activities and still net some income. It couldn't hurt to find out if there are freelance openings in your part of the country, allowing you to use your natural talents to earn a living. Even if it means taking a few college courses to improve your skills, it would be well worth it.

I like the concept of doing the things I love and still earning income from them! Isn't that what actors and other entertainers do?

Technorati Tags: entertainment,income

Swans in Arkansas

Entertainment doesn't always consist of movies, music, TV, or live appearances. Sometimes, entertainment can be as close a short drive to see swans. Here in Arkansas, we are blessed to have swans migrate to the north central part of the state, to Magness Lake, and stay from around Thanksgiving to around Valentine's Day.

These magnificent Trumpeter Swans began appearing here in 1992 and have returned every year since then, in greater numbers each year. The lake, privately owned, is now a wildlife refuge for the beautiful birds. It's free to go see them. All the folks ask is that you not cross the fence that runs along the shoreline of the lake, and only feed the birds shelled corn, which can be purchased at any feed store.

Though we were hoping for a sunny day for our outing, it was overcast and cool Still, these amazing birds were no less impressive. It's pretty special to view such large birds from such a close distance and to have them flock to the shoreline, trumpeting and stretching their great wings as they slide across the water barely creating a wake.

The birds mate for life and remain together with their offspring for up to four years, until the cygnets are old enough to start their own families. The males have no need of testosterone cream. Their sheer size makes it easy to distinguish them from the smaller females. Cygnets (young swans) remain gray colored until they reach breeding age.

If you have such wildlife in your area, its' certainly worth the time to spend an afternoon admiring them.

Technorati Tags: swans,Magness Lake

Renting movies

I am trying to decide if I should re-join an online movie rental place or just continue renting movies locally. I used to belong to one that delivered movies from a queued list. When I shipped them back in, they'd turn around and ship me a few more depending on what subscription I had signed up for.

This kind of ecommerce fulfillment is very convenient to use but I hate the thought of money being drafted from my bank account at odd times. What if something comes up and I don't actually have enough money to cover the rental?

However, I did enjoy the convenience of just dropping them in my mailbox and getting more movies a few days later in my mailbox. No worries about getting movies back to the store on time to avoid late fees.

Of course, I also like to just purchase movies that I intend to watch over and over again. We've got quite an eclectic collection of movies that we all enjoy watching. So, which way do you like it better - by mail or local rentals?

Technorati Tags: movie