tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40142176069199300802024-03-05T21:59:02.667-05:00Fun SpiritEncouraging laughter, fun and a cheerful outlook. Looking at the brighter side of life even on the gloomiest day.funspirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992894057101305742noreply@blogger.comBlogger16218tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4014217606919930080.post-62920974523566768592011-01-02T16:27:00.001-05:002011-01-02T16:28:58.325-05:00Have more FUN SPIRIT this year.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmf1ynLd_1nFBaqmcQ22zdh2Z-tdSoHhJTrnawsqCSRcbR1tjQKGoCLhq0gKXJwThUnMMMlnR_CMfHchbtoUfWzCkOel4TE5yU3VLe6hTHcAhPP23kXm_Gf1kW7a5WSpqbAQCDAQ4UaA/s1600/New+Year+Dog.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmf1ynLd_1nFBaqmcQ22zdh2Z-tdSoHhJTrnawsqCSRcbR1tjQKGoCLhq0gKXJwThUnMMMlnR_CMfHchbtoUfWzCkOel4TE5yU3VLe6hTHcAhPP23kXm_Gf1kW7a5WSpqbAQCDAQ4UaA/s320/New+Year+Dog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557703492955727522" border="0" /></a><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">New Year Dog by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mphoenix/">mphoenix</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">I’m re-inventing my blog this year.<span style=""> </span>Over time it’s fallen by the wayside.<span style=""> </span>I originally wrote about how to have fun, or how fun is good for your mind and health.<span style=""> </span>Eventually I ran out of ideas.<span style=""> </span>I wasn’t having fun.<span style=""> </span>(Well I was having SOME fun, but not enough for me to have ideas to tell you how to have fun.)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">This year the blog will just be anything fun – in any and all of it forms.<span style=""> </span>After all, sometimes fun isn’t about laughter or being silly.<span style=""> </span>For me, lots of times it’s about having time to read a book, or learn a new skill or even bargain shop at the local flea market.<span style=""> </span>(I’ve gotten some unusual things that way!)<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Also – what’s fun for me may not be fun for you.<span style=""> </span>Thanks <a href="http://www.happiness-project.com/">Gretchen</a> for that tidbit of wisdom.<span style=""> </span>So I’m just going to write about my fun.<span style=""> </span>What I know.<span style=""> </span>If you know of other, better ideas – share them.<span style=""> </span>Most of us want to have fun, but sometimes we run out of ideas.<span style=""> </span>That’s why we need this blog.<span style=""> </span>So we never lose that FUN SPIRIT.<span style=""> </span><span style="font-family:Wingdings;"><span style="">J</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Here’s some fun ideas I’ve heard others doing lately that sound good but I haven’t gotten around to:</b></p> <ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="square"><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><b style="">Baking cookies.</b><span style=""> </span>YUM!<span style=""> </span>Or cupcakes or brownies too!</li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><b style="">Getting a massage.</b><span style=""> </span>Haven’t had one yet, always make up the time or money excuse, but man this is one I need to do.<span style=""> </span>A coworker came back from a one-day spa day and looked VERY relaxed upon her return.<span style=""> </span>Oh yeah.<span style=""> </span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><b style="">Seeing a play or musical.</b><span style=""> </span>This is something I’ve been more interested in lately as my tastes have changed.<span style=""> </span>To hear the live music and the bright costumes would be cool.<span style=""> </span>How about the Wizard of Oz?<span style=""> </span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><b style="">Amusement parks and rollercoasters.</b><span style=""> </span>It’s winter, so most of my parks are closed.<span style=""> </span>But I lived in FL for almost 20 years and they were open all year.<span style=""> </span>I miss going.<span style=""> </span>Hello Disney World!</li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Some fun ordinary things I’ve done lately:</b></p> <ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="square"><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><b style="">Taken a walk at the park in the sun.</b><span style=""> </span>This was a big deal for me since it’s been a cold winter before winter even officially began.<span style=""> </span>The sun and warm tempatures was a nice change – even if only for a day.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><b style="">Read “The Magician – The secrets of the immortal Nicholas Flamel”. </b><span style=""> </span>This is book 2 in a series.<span style=""> </span>Has everything you need – immortals, monsters, super powers, danger and a quest to save the world.<span style=""> </span>Book 2 in a series.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><b style="">Played my new Wii.<span style=""> </span></b>I finally got one for Christmas.<span style=""> </span>I like the idea of being able to pop in and out of a game for 15 minutes or 30 minutes at a time.<span style=""> </span>This way I don’t have to complete every level or collect every hidden item.<span style=""> </span>Just play for a while and have fun.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><b style="">Watched Despicable Me again. </b><span style=""> </span>I like animated movies, and this one was fun.<span style=""> </span>I don’t know what it is about those funny little minions, but they are just too cute.<span style=""> </span>Of course any movie that includes a freeze ray, shrink ray and octopus gun has to be good.<span style=""> </span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><b style="">Falling off my balance ball.</b><span style=""> </span>I got a fitness ball for Christmas, and was surprised to find that even simple looking moves are much harder than I thought.<span style=""> </span>The amazing thing is that I had so much fun laughing at myself for not being able to keep my balance that I kept trying the exercise again and again.<span style=""> </span>(Note – the same thing originally happened when I tried to learn to juggle.<span style=""> </span>Some things are too much fun to mess up just once.)</li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">This year, let’s all invest more in our FUN SPIRIT.<span style=""> </span>Let’s have fun, and share that fun with others.</b><span style=""> </span>Perhaps we’ll find common interests, or explore a new interest.<span style=""> </span>Let’s try hard to make sure we relax, unwind, laugh, smile and enjoy our life more.<span style=""> </span>A worthy goal for anyone.<span style=""> </span></p>funspirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992894057101305742noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4014217606919930080.post-2545106101975504072010-06-30T21:07:00.005-04:002010-06-30T21:21:27.919-04:00Book Review: Breathless<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAbqqB-rM8fKaIp-Rv49imuoETWx6SSMwTbzP7RHI7kYNF_-fnc_is3VEkcs73nzaMPahX6xCEnh4HmUaQTABJnR_2DuBMSsFTE0g2HCVizW29iFwgEzAtN5n5PLM33PJbFs9LTsx82rk/s1600/Book+love.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAbqqB-rM8fKaIp-Rv49imuoETWx6SSMwTbzP7RHI7kYNF_-fnc_is3VEkcs73nzaMPahX6xCEnh4HmUaQTABJnR_2DuBMSsFTE0g2HCVizW29iFwgEzAtN5n5PLM33PJbFs9LTsx82rk/s320/Book+love.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488738529053583682" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Picture by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/vipulmathur/" title=""><b>Chocolate Geek</b></a></span><br /><br /><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Comic Sans MS"; panose-1:3 15 7 2 3 3 2 2 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:script; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:647 0 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Puzzle and Riddle.<span style=""> </span>There two enchanting creatures are the main reason why I liked this book.<span style=""> </span>As a huge Dean Koontz fan, this was the latest book on my list.<span style=""> </span>I am continually intrigued and captivated by the ideas and characters Koontz presents.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Breathless will leave you just that – holding your breath in anticipation of the next chapter, the next unique synchronous event to boggle your mind and stretch your imagination farther than it’s gone before.<span style=""> </span>Although it may be a bit disjointed and rambling at times, if you love to stretch your brain into areas of the unknown and unusual, this story will deliver.<span style=""> </span>Chaos theory, evolution, and glow-in-the dark pigs await.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">His love and adoration for the canine species pops up again with Merlin, a gentle and good-natured Irish wolfhound, who with his master Grady Adams discover an unusual pair of animals unlike anything seen before.<span style=""> </span>The playfulness, beauty and features of Puzzle and Riddle will captivate you and have you pondering the beauty and variety of life on planet Earth.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Grady requests the help of veterinarian Dr. Camillia Rivers to identify these eccentric creatures. Meanwhile synchronicity brings seemingly unrelated events together.<span style=""> </span>In <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Las Vegas</st1:city></st1:place> the casinos are visited by a card counter of a most unusual nature.<span style=""> </span>Dr. Lamar Woolsey, mathematician and physics professor uses his knowledge of cards to give great gifts.<span style=""> </span>A disfigured vagrant begins a strange journey into the unknown, following signs only he can see.<span style=""> </span>Violent psychopath Henry Rouvroy hunts down his identical twin to steal his identity.<span style=""> </span>Elsewhere a law-breaking lawyer sets up the murder of his own family.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">With his fast paced story telling, Koontz reveals intriguing characters bit by bit.<span style=""> </span>They can be both innocently charming and hideously evil.<span style=""> </span>He weaves together story lines and characters so vastly different and divergent you are left contemplating their connection with each other and the unpredictability of life.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >While this may not have been Koontz’s best work, it was none the less an interesting and enjoyable read.</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" > Unlike many authors, Koontz leaves you with unanswered questions, things for you to ponder and think about.</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" > And that is what I love best about Dean Koontz – how he makes you think.</span><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>funspirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992894057101305742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4014217606919930080.post-2238550123348035942010-04-22T18:43:00.008-04:002010-04-22T19:07:08.463-04:00Humor Month is Time for Fun!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYMchfAwajgncTJrDVdDapvKxCYg9fdvCYnPBN_LPHVylve2E2cIGkK9HBLeNpd4PTXLZRVZ2ayNwDZEt24Brh4-Mmpxe_V9dFFFXZDW6cjKL6rfGt2e-8A74CXf2VvcWPAmmSe7zv6e8/s1600/Baby+hair.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 346px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYMchfAwajgncTJrDVdDapvKxCYg9fdvCYnPBN_LPHVylve2E2cIGkK9HBLeNpd4PTXLZRVZ2ayNwDZEt24Brh4-Mmpxe_V9dFFFXZDW6cjKL6rfGt2e-8A74CXf2VvcWPAmmSe7zv6e8/s320/Baby+hair.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463099188148816050" border="0" /></a><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Comic Sans MS"; panose-1:3 15 7 2 3 3 2 2 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:script; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:647 0 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {color:blue; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} span.answerbagvibrant1 {mso-style-name:answerbag_vibrant1; mso-hide:none;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--><span style="font-size:78%;">Picture by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8733585@N02/" title=""><b>hilmandale</b></a></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";" ><br /></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b style=""><span style="">As some of you know, April is National Humor Month.</span></b></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style=""> </span>Just in case you haven’t found the time to enjoy this national celebration, here are a few ideas to help you cram a month full of fun into 1 ½ weeks!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">First, you must stop by the great <a href="http://humormonth.com/">National Humor Month</a> web site.<span style=""> </span>Try some of their free downloads.<span style=""> </span>I recommend <a href="http://humormonth.com/30-ways-in-30-days.pdf">30 Days, 30 Ways</a> if you need a humor lift.<span style=""> </span>You can also try many of the ideas from their <a href="http://humormonth.com/48-Action-projects-plus-NHM-2.pdf">Classroom Tools</a> list.<span style=""> </span>This handy little brochure has lots of tips for teachers and students, but many, if not all can be used by anyone who wants to practice and enjoy the benefits of humor.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b style=""><span style="">Read some children’s poetry and books.</span></b></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style=""> </span>For riotous rhyming poems that will have you rolling on the floor laughing, visit Kenn Nesbitt’s <a href="http://www.poetry4kids.com/">Poetry for Kids</a> web site.<span style=""> </span><b style="">This fun-filled stop encourages children to try their hand at poetry and is full of playful, mischievous poems that you will love to repeat again and again.</b><span style=""> </span>Today my favorites are <a href="http://www.poetry4kids.com/poem-208.html">“My Car is Constructed of Pickles,”</a> and <a href="http://www.poetry4kids.com/poem-501.html">“A Rock Makes an Excellent Puppy.”</a><span style=""> </span>Kenn Nesbitt’s whimsical style is great fun that shouldn’t be missed.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b style=""><span style="">Here are a few other ideas:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <ul style="font-family:arial;"><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Tell a joke.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Watch a funny movie.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Say a <a href="http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/List_of_tongue-twisters">tongue twister. </a><span style=""> </span>“</span><span class="answerbagvibrant1" style="font-size:85%;"><span style="">Gobbling gargoyles gobbled gabbling goblins</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:85%;" >.”<o:p></o:p></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Practice different laughs.<span style=""> </span>Snicker, chuckle, chortle, giggle, guffaw, hee-hee.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Share your favorite TV commercials.<span style=""> </span>One of my favorites right now is the Ice cream and cake song.<span style=""> </span>“Ice cream and cake, ice cream and cake. . .”<span style=""> </span>The best part is the toy T-Rex dinosaur with bunny ears on.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Sing your favorite happy song.<span style=""> </span>“Don’t Worry be Happy.”<o:p></o:p></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Listen to comedians on CD.<span style=""> </span>Bill Cosby can still crack me up.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Read some comic strips in the newspaper.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">While looking for the Ice cream and cake video, I found that Baskin-Robbins updates it for the holidays. Here's the Easter one (note T-Rex's bunny ears.)</span></p><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GWKbGLDhd6M&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GWKbGLDhd6M&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >Here's the Halloween version. . .</span><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lIwqQwztx0E&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lIwqQwztx0E&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>funspirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992894057101305742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4014217606919930080.post-68517375203230462932010-04-15T19:37:00.003-04:002010-04-15T19:42:17.224-04:00Spring is here - ejnoy it!<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/v-DQoGxjjTA&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/v-DQoGxjjTA&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Here is a funny little video I found on You Tube about a hyperactive little lady bug. He must have had a touch of cabin fever. Makes you want to pay more attention next time you're outside.<div style="margin-top: 3px;"><a style="margin-left: 4px; font-size: 11px;" onclick="return false" href="#"><br /></a></div>funspirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992894057101305742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4014217606919930080.post-49377363391475723992010-04-09T18:40:00.005-04:002010-04-09T18:47:42.273-04:00Wacky Fun.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUR5qS1m6jUMB0a4QbvZ_-7QUN_pTkZvYwAkUIpshYodYSKLsZ72QDyPDsGjldBSfhAEOvl_Jq9yLClnhrBGnuzohsMnEpfl45G1ZsMjyfsB7XvjCeGN6plXbhV5_G5FrWWC47Ak1u-Yg/s1600/Pat+Pending.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUR5qS1m6jUMB0a4QbvZ_-7QUN_pTkZvYwAkUIpshYodYSKLsZ72QDyPDsGjldBSfhAEOvl_Jq9yLClnhrBGnuzohsMnEpfl45G1ZsMjyfsB7XvjCeGN6plXbhV5_G5FrWWC47Ak1u-Yg/s320/Pat+Pending.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458271506468374322" border="0" /></a>><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Comic Sans MS"; panose-1:3 15 7 2 3 3 2 2 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:script; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:647 0 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {color:blue; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">Pictures by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jane_sanders/" title="Link to jane_sanders' photostream" name="Account name"><b property="foaf:name">jane_sanders</b></a></span><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10pt;" ><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";" ><br /></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";" >I used to love the old Saturday morning cartoon <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wacky_Races">Wacky Races.</a><span style=""> </span></span></b></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:85%;" >You would think that week after week of watching cars race each other would get old after a while, but it never did.<span style=""> </span>First of all you had all the amazing teams (inclu</span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:85%;" >ding the cool cars.) <b style="">The purple menace of Dick Dastardly and Muttley in the Mean Machine</b>.<span style=""> </span>There’s the elegant beauty of Penelope Pitstop in her pink Compact Pussycat.<span style=""> </span>Or the inventive Professor Pat Pending in his Convert-a-ca</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOS1C3HOOwN3iKvaQHAO1vh-OckNGX3w19KHjW13Yf_fS0coUOHZru2NR9NqTp_pPb9KW6pjeN34H8dbmMSfaM9Ms4OJzM0mT74Ex5fz3RWofIq407s0LeTPyIeGxZMl9cZ94Mofq91M/s1600/Creepy+Coupe.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOS1C3HOOwN3iKvaQHAO1vh-OckNGX3w19KHjW13Yf_fS0coUOHZru2NR9NqTp_pPb9KW6pjeN34H8dbmMSfaM9Ms4OJzM0mT74Ex5fz3RWofIq407s0LeTPyIeGxZMl9cZ94Mofq91M/s320/Creepy+Coupe.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458271889402004322" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:85%;" >r.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";" ><br /></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";" >You can’t forget the rest of a great cast; </span></b></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:85%;" >The Slag Brothers in the Bouldermobile, The Ant Hill Mob in the Bulletproof Bomb, The Gruesome Twosome in the Creepy Coupe, Peter Perfect in the Turbo Terrific, Lazy Luke and Blubber Bear in the Arkansas Chuggabug, Red Max</span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:85%;" > in the Crimson Haybailer, Sergeant Blast and Private Meekly in the Army Surplus Special, and Rufus Ruffcut and Sawtooth in the Buzzwagon.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";" ><br /></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";" >Re-watching this now as an adult I enjoy it just as much as before.<span style=""> </span>I love the silly but inventive ways that the teams trick, cheat, and speed their way to the finish line.</span></b></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:85%;" ><span style=""> </span>You never knew who would have a sneaky trick up their sleeve (except for Dick Dastardly – the name says it all.)<span style=""> </span>Some of the special features were fun and clever, like Dragon Power in </span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:85%;" >the Creepy Coupe, or the Ant Hill mob shooting out the tires of their opponent.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29235310@N07/" title="Link to slappy427's photostream" name="Account name"></a><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";" ><br /></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";" >Week after week the cars raced across mountains, deserts, through cities and around various “shortcuts’ other drivers added to the course.</span></b></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:85%;" ><span style=""> </span>There were land mines from Sergeant Blast, cars sawed in half by Rufus Ruffcut, and scientist Pat Pending could transform his car into boat or plane as needed. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";" ><a href="http://www.zercustoms.com/photos/Wacky-Races-meets-Goodwood-Festival-of-Speed/Wacky-Races-Goodwood-Festival-Speed-2.jpg.html"><br /></a></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";" ><a href="http://www.zercustoms.com/photos/Wacky-Races-meets-Goodwood-Festival-of-Speed/Wacky-Races-Goodwood-Festival-Speed-2.jpg.html">Life-size working versions</a> of t</span></b><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfql65F4SVbwXs7HftyHRHA_y-iX4U01k9i67KivV7u-LsFSOx59e3HdOyrY41rKRMKG89N0BSiiTrPdrdy6X3l9NsSM68I2twKlyTDbQVNVCfmFzYju_cOFndhQtez3jkjGBy_Z1XNuA/s1600/Army+Surplus+Special.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfql65F4SVbwXs7HftyHRHA_y-iX4U01k9i67KivV7u-LsFSOx59e3HdOyrY41rKRMKG89N0BSiiTrPdrdy6X3l9NsSM68I2twKlyTDbQVNVCfmFzYju_cOFndhQtez3jkjGBy_Z1XNuA/s320/Army+Surplus+Special.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458272135660578658" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";" >hese cartoon cars were made for the <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">UK</st1:country-region></st1:place>’s Go</span></b></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";" >odwood Festival of Speed every year until 2008. </span></b></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10pt;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span><span style="font-size:85%;">They have now completed the entire set.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span><span style="font-size:85%;">How cool is that?</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span><span style="font-size:85%;">Head down nostalgia lane and purchase yourself a copy of this <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wacky-Races-Complete-Daws-Butler/dp/B0002MFGDW">fun TV show on DVD</a>.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span><span style="font-size:85%;">You’ll be glad you did.</span><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>funspirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992894057101305742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4014217606919930080.post-86386709215388656672010-04-03T10:09:00.003-04:002010-04-03T10:26:59.483-04:00Happy Easter!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk90xRkqPZPVCGyR5IzByunKw_PijCIzlCii8nxDZgt9ekUpHpniZPPWZtQJF3FMjmvD07rNMhw5u5limDU2_jQfzHxrN1Plu0bu-pnM3qAR8TTfjA4q9cO_hTZzRg_Ob_X5I-ggZIzrk/s1600/fuzzy+chicks.htm"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk90xRkqPZPVCGyR5IzByunKw_PijCIzlCii8nxDZgt9ekUpHpniZPPWZtQJF3FMjmvD07rNMhw5u5limDU2_jQfzHxrN1Plu0bu-pnM3qAR8TTfjA4q9cO_hTZzRg_Ob_X5I-ggZIzrk/s400/fuzzy+chicks.htm" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455917143261626306" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Spring colors are blooming everywhere!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirWUYa5oH1GjYDEfmMIGKuZRvFdHbVEY8g1bstCtLAk7a5cKOrL_8fHrCB6XwIq_GedIqZGlx6kCUvKD49rTRpht0tC-RWccjbAmXg2UxcjAebPMSnixxLesPvsPnqHK4TPVi807mtzEo/s1600/dog+with+bunny+ears.htm"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 316px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirWUYa5oH1GjYDEfmMIGKuZRvFdHbVEY8g1bstCtLAk7a5cKOrL_8fHrCB6XwIq_GedIqZGlx6kCUvKD49rTRpht0tC-RWccjbAmXg2UxcjAebPMSnixxLesPvsPnqHK4TPVi807mtzEo/s400/dog+with+bunny+ears.htm" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455917322614719554" border="0" /></a><br />Hope the Easter Bunny brings you the perfect treat!<br /><br /></div>funspirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992894057101305742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4014217606919930080.post-64730263466551446992009-09-30T20:42:00.004-04:002009-09-30T21:00:51.130-04:00Fun Things for Fall.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5hK1xOiaZ4zSV4iYSJaM7_G-g__CPOXowyyM8dlyF3KY6og4O7c6YqIaEuNrDRy3oTe5vvTCG4UjgEyy74WmMcDkX6zIU4aoQD35M4Dp-9NO0UtClzE-5Sdx5BNWqdj_EwxpIRx6oCI/s1600-h/Fall+leaves.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 305px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5hK1xOiaZ4zSV4iYSJaM7_G-g__CPOXowyyM8dlyF3KY6og4O7c6YqIaEuNrDRy3oTe5vvTCG4UjgEyy74WmMcDkX6zIU4aoQD35M4Dp-9NO0UtClzE-5Sdx5BNWqdj_EwxpIRx6oCI/s400/Fall+leaves.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387428141149996130" border="0" /></a><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {color:blue; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} /* List Definitions */ @list l0 {mso-list-id:187836157; mso-list-type:hybrid; mso-list-template-ids:-1775758762 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715;} @list l0:level1 {mso-level-tab-stop:.5in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in;} ol {margin-bottom:0in;} ul {margin-bottom:0in;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Fall picture by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/87659272@N00/" title=""><b>George E. Norkus</b></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/87659272@N00/" title=""><b><br /></b></a> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fall has arrived with all the fun it always brings – colorful changing leaves, cool, crisp nights, Halloween, and hot chocolate with marshmallows.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>But this year, I wanted to think of a few different things to appreciate about the season.<span style=""> </span>Here are a few ideas:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <ol style="margin-top: 0in;" start="1" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Candy bars don’t melt in the hot car on the way home from the store.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Entertainment – ever watch someone raking up leaves on a windy day?</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Cozy firelight.<span style=""> </span>Something about a warm, crackling fire just says contentment and comfort.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Singing in your car.<span style=""> </span>Finally a chance to roll up your windows and belting out your favorite tunes without hurting the sensitive ears of other drivers.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">No more pests.<span style=""> </span>Bees, mosquitoes, snakes and other creepy-crawlies go away for awhile.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Apples!<span style=""> </span>Apple pie, applesauce, apple cider, apple butter, and of course – an ordinary apple.<span style=""> </span>Yum!</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Bulky sweaters.<span style=""> </span>They’re colorful, bright, and great at hiding the flaws of our not-always-perfect figures.<span style=""> </span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Quieter Saturdays once the lawnmower is retired for the season.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Sunday is for Football!</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Romance time.<span style=""> </span>Snuggling under the covers for warmth leads into something more.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">New TV shows.<span style=""> </span>The end of summer re-runs and a return of old favorites.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=""> </span>After the exciting fireworks of multi-colored leaves, you get to crunch-crunch-crunch them under your feet as you walk.<span style=""> </span>I don’t know why it’s so fun, but it is.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Being outside all day long and not getting sweaty.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Pretending to be someone else for a day.<span style=""> </span>Isn’t Halloween great?</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Smelling cedar and pine in the chimney smoke.</li></ol> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">What are your favorites?</p>funspirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992894057101305742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4014217606919930080.post-17942428735010577622009-09-24T17:20:00.004-04:002009-09-24T17:39:45.717-04:00Best Ways to Deal With a Harry Potter Hater.<div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUpx0h-SO5KmxnPszoOu40gocCG_3CK7ezPtc4DZOG-PVFhNz4jUvk3YZI1WTcNVU6wM-YYjbk9Lj3An4AoD-3DJ18IGQ0A3kK-inU6ZI_iTni4bdL3qwobC-SyilvgbuYeWmhrZKqcQ/s1600-h/Lucius+Malfoy.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 277px; height: 331px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUpx0h-SO5KmxnPszoOu40gocCG_3CK7ezPtc4DZOG-PVFhNz4jUvk3YZI1WTcNVU6wM-YYjbk9Lj3An4AoD-3DJ18IGQ0A3kK-inU6ZI_iTni4bdL3qwobC-SyilvgbuYeWmhrZKqcQ/s400/Lucius+Malfoy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385147550977888978" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {color:blue; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} /* List Definitions */ @list l0 {mso-list-id:1086880848; mso-list-type:hybrid; mso-list-template-ids:778221554 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715;} @list l0:level1 {mso-level-tab-stop:.5in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in;} ol {margin-bottom:0in;} ul {margin-bottom:0in;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">Yes, believe it or not HP Fans, <span style="font-weight: bold;">there are actually people who do not adore our little black-haired, super-genius, evil-defeating hero known as Harry Potter.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>These foolish muggles overlook the greatness of The-Boy-Who-Lived, thinking him nothing more than a silly little child.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">When you come upon such addle-brained and unenlightened people, simply try some of these well proven strategies to cope with their narrow little minds:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <ol style="margin-top: 0in;" start="1" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-weight: bold;">Make sure they are healthy.</span><span style=""> </span>Find out if they have had a recent check-up.<span style=""> </span>A head injury could account for their confusion on the subject.<span style=""> </span>Check their pulse and peer into their eyes to be sure they are breathing and not in a coma.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Be friends.<span style=""> </span>Assure them that you understand how much better the Jedi in Star Trek was.<span style=""> </span>Always salute them with “Live Long in the Force.”<span style=""> </span>This is sure to please.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-weight: bold;">Squeal in horror as you recognize a Death Eater in disguise.</span><span style=""> </span>Shout “Death to Voldemort,” and run away screaming.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-weight: bold;">Express your sympathy </span>about their being dyslexic.<span style=""> </span>No wonder they haven’t read the books yet poor things!</li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-weight: bold;">Gently pat their hand and assure them</span> it’s alright to be afraid of the unknown.<span style=""> </span>Offer to teach them the “Lumos” spell if they’re also afraid of the dark.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-weight: bold;">Send them frequent HP updates</span>, including new movies, the upcoming theme park, each character’s film career and whatever other interesting tidbits you can find.<span style=""> </span>Tell them “you don’t know what you’re missing – let me show you.”</li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-weight: bold;">Remark on how much they look like a Harry Potter character.</span><span style=""> </span>Argue with yourself over which one they remind you of most.<span style=""> </span>“Hagrid - no, Dumbledore – certainly not, ahh, I have it – Dobby!”</li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-weight: bold;">Report them to the Ministry of Magic.</span><span style=""> </span>These are obviously criminal masterminds whose resistance to the esteemed Mr. Potter is simply a reflex of their dislike for any “meddling goody-two-shoes.”</li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-weight: bold;">Assume they are a pessimist who thinks everyone is terrible.</span><span style=""> </span>Suggest you can teach them skills to become as optimist as you have been inspired by the heroics of Harry and his friends.<span style=""> </span>Offer to give them numerous examples.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-weight: bold;">Check them into the nearest psychiatric hospital</span> for examination.<span style=""> </span>Nothing but mental impairment sufficiently explains their lack of adoration for our favorite hero.<span style=""> </span>:0)</li></ol> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Check out this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0ng0ikhTIY">fun video</a> on You Tube.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">For <a href="http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3439356/1/125_Ways_to_Annoy_Harry_Potter_Haters">more ways to annoy Harry Potter Haters</a>.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">P.S. Check out my other web site <a href="http://brightdays.wordpress.com/">Bright Days</a> for a look at the upcoming <a href="http://brightdays.wordpress.com/2009/09/24/hogwarts-is-coming-to-orlando/">Wizarding World of Harry Potter </a>theme park in Orlando, FL. Opening Spring 2010.<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>funspirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992894057101305742noreply@blogger.com3