Instructables

Virtually all of us are trying to find ways to save money.  A lot of us like to create things with our little tiny hands, too.  That is why we need a website like Instructables.  From recipes to jewelry to making your own book scanner, it's all there.  And, they give you these fabulous step by step instructions with pictures! 

 So perhaps the next time I need a creative project, I will try making these yummy-looking LeGummies!  I love me some Gummy Candy!

May Playboy

So, I was reading the May issue of Playboy, and found a couple of nifty little new product blurbs that I thought I would share with you all.

Moon DNA Watch

This fancy little gadget is made of dust and steel.  That makes the $500,000 price tag seem kinda high, huh?  Well, how about if the dust comes from the moon, and the steel comes from an actual spacecraft?  Over-pricey suddenly became super-cool, no?  Check it out at Romain Jerome, though mastery of French may be helpful.

Guitar-Neck Belt Buckles

Maybe a half million dollars is a bit rich for your blood?  Well can you do $95?  Do you like music?  Do you wear pants?  How about a guitar-neck belt buckle?  They're really pretty nice.  Check 'em out here.  You know me, though, I really like this purse and would like one as a present.  Unfortunately, at $200, I don't think that's gonna happen.

Skin It!

Finally, are you looking for something to make your laptop luminous?  Is your I-Phone indistinct?  Does your car feel colorless?  Does your wall need a little more wow?  Then go to Infectious.com.  They have artsy designs like Shady by Mike Klay.  Pretty, isn't it?  Do you think hubby would let me make our Saturn into a Car-Tini like this one? 

Yeah, me neither. But he might like Lil Mort!

Garage Band

I like me some music.  A little jazz, a little country, some rock, classical, etc.  I'm pretty crazy about all kinds of music.  And, I like hearing things I've never heard before from little-known groups.  Enter GarageBand .  For people like me, it's a chance to review and download songs.  For musicians (not like me), it's a chance to get * a lot * of people listening to your music and giving a critique or two.

Here's how it works.  You listen to two songs from the same genre head to head.  You have to listen to at least 90 seconds of the song and then write a review.  The best reviews give helpful criticisms, whether good or bad, with detailed explanations.  The reviews are expected to be around 50-60 words, a breeze for blabby bloggers like us.  You also have to answer a couple of multiple choice questions and choose which of the two songs you like the best.  Easy-Peasy!  You are rated on your reviews from 1-11.  Your review is rated by a band member and a random member of the GB community.  It is also judged on quality and quantity.  So, even if you don't say the sweetest things about the songs, it won't make too much of a difference in your score.  AND, the band can choose your review to be a Signature Review - so far two of mine have been chosen!

Best thing ever - free music!  I like that even better than getting my opinions out there. 

What the ???

Ok, I knew that I was neglecting you guys, really. So, let's just give you a recap of life at Chez Susan.
On the personal front, life is about the same. We are still trying to get pregnant, but we haven't had any results yet. We're planning on moving in July, we'd like to rent a little house. Our downtown living was fun, but we've moved beyond it.

Things have gotten a bit difficult at my job. We have a small, 4 person ofice, and one of the girls left us. Workloads have increased significantly, so Susie ends up pretty tired at the end of the day.

What have I been reading? Well, here's a year to date recap.

January
1) Mistletoe and Holly - Janet Dailey 2/5
2) Love Walked In - Marisa de los Santos 4/5
3) Foul Play - Janet Evanovich 4/5

February
4) The Innocent - Harlan Coben 4/5
5) Today's Best Non-Fiction Volume 20:
1992 3/5

March
6) Reader's Digest Condensed Books,
1991 3/5
7) The Gargoyle - Andrew Davidson 5/5
8) After Glow - Jayne Castle 3/5
9) Killer Boy Was Here - George Bagby 2/5
10) Elephants Can Remember - Agatha Christie 3/5

April
11) The Lace Reader - Brunonia Barry 4/5
12) Going to the Dogs - Dan Kavanagh 2/5
13) Curse the Darkness - Lesley Grant-Adamson 1/5
- The Murder of My Aunt - Richard Hull - 0

So far as I have kept track this year, I only have the one did not finish, The Murder of my Aunt. I'm pretty sure there was another, but it escapes me right now.
My audios:

March
1) The Chase - Clive Cussler (read by Richard Ferrone) 4/5
- When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops - George Carlin (read by George Carlin) 0

So, I really enjoyed George Carlin's comedy. His book - not so much! But Clive Cussler - wow! I like his books quite a bit, though I've only listened to them on audio. Great stuff.

Movies - yes, I've been watching them. But apparently I need to keep track of them, too. I have a terrible time remembering what I've see, even just a few days later! One that I do remember is Yes, Man. This movie is one of the funniest that Jim Carrey has done in a while. It wasn't gross or crude either. In fact, it was kinda sweet. So check it out!

I'll see if I can dig up some giveaways soon. Meanwhile, check out my friend shaunesay's blog. She's giving away a copy of Hanger 13 by Lindsay McKenna and the author has even commented on it! Yay shaunie!