tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58054682011-12-14T21:45:05.343-05:00Carpe tabela! (Seize the writing tablet...or in this case the free blog space.) by Karin RexKarinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comBlogger1571100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1130430602612070062005-10-27T12:06:00.000-04:002005-10-27T12:30:02.683-04:00

I am always feeling overwhelmed by choices in life and always looking for work-arounds to increase my personal productivity. I have recently come across two wonderful sites that I especially found useful and entertaining.Lifehacker.com"Lifehacker makes getting things done easy and fun. Delving deep into the technoweb, Lifehacker brings back simple and totally life-altering tips and tricks for

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1128221712163161142005-10-01T22:54:00.000-04:002005-10-01T22:55:49.093-04:00

My October column is up at the Suite101 Digital Photography & Editing site:Photo Composition 101, Part 1: Leading a Viewer's Eye A photograph's composition is the sum of all of its graphical elements: the main subject, the foreground, the background, and any supplemental subjects within the frame. Photo Composition 101, Part 1 introduces you to photographic composition and discusses the concept

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1127391470565266052005-09-24T08:14:00.000-04:002005-09-22T08:18:41.473-04:00

If you would like more eyeballs perusing your blog, this guide will come in handy:10 Quick Steps to Chris Pirillo's Blog Traffic SchoolA brief description:Blogging is hot. Do you have one? Make it hotter with this new book. Chris Pirillo shows you, in 10 quick steps, the fastest, easiest way to build traffic to your blog, involve your community, post efficiently, get known for your blog's quirks,

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1127391074392945612005-09-22T08:08:00.000-04:002005-09-22T08:13:46.410-04:00

Want a blog of your very own? Check out this guide:10 Quick Steps to BloggingA brief description:Everyone's got a blog: your kid, your neighbor, Presidential candidates and superstar actors. If you've wanted to find out what all the hoopla is about, and jump feet first into the world of blogging, look no further: everything you need is right here. Designer and blogger Bryan Hoff shows you, in 10

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1125715915879189142005-09-02T22:50:00.000-04:002005-09-02T22:51:55.886-04:00

My September column is up at the Suite101 Digital Photography & Editing site:Picture This: Your Own PhotoBlog A photoblog can be a unique way for you to share your photographs. This article offers examples of photoblogs from all over the world as well as a list of websites that will host your blog for free.Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to my topic if you want to receive an e-mail when each new article

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1122911603323950552005-08-01T11:51:00.000-04:002005-08-01T11:53:23.323-04:00

My August column is up at the Suite101 Digital Photography & Editing site:Photo Screen Savers in Two Flavors: Windows and MacintoshLearn how to take your favorite photographs and turn them into a screen saver on either a Windows XP or Macintosh OSX platform.Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to my topic if you want to receive an e-mail when each new article comes out. (Click on the Subscribe link near the top

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1122911457671417572005-07-01T11:49:00.000-04:002005-08-01T11:53:47.450-04:00

My July column is up at the Suite101 Digital Photography & Editing site:Processing or Renaming Files by the Batch Learn how to batch convert, batch resize, and batch rename files using Photoshop Elements.Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to my topic if you want to receive an e-mail when each new article comes out. (Click on the Subscribe link near the top of the page in the box). If you subscribe you can also

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1117631118013616992005-06-01T09:03:00.000-04:002005-06-01T09:05:18.020-04:00

My June column is up at the Suite101 Digital Photography & Editing site:Flash in the PlanMake the most of your digital camera's flash capabilities by understanding what your camera can do and planning ahead for perfection.Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to my topic if you want to receive an e-mail when each new article comes out. (Click on the Subscribe link near the top of the page in the box). If you

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1115153879384986582005-05-03T16:56:00.000-04:002005-05-03T16:57:59.386-04:00

My May column is up at the Suite101 Digital Photography & Editing site:Zit Be Gone!This article examines how to zap zits and other such minor picture imperfections using either Photoshop Elements or Paint Shop Pro.Be sure to subscribe to my topic if you want to receive an e-mail when each new article comes out. (Click on the Subscribe link near the top of the page in the box). If you subscribe

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1112467303473805132005-04-01T23:59:00.000-05:002005-04-02T13:42:27.880-05:00

My April column is up at the Suite101 Digital Photography & Editing site:Google's Picture Perfect Picasa, Part 3In Google's Picture Perfect Picasa, Part 1 you learned the basics of importing and organizing pictures in Picasa. In Google's Picture Perfect Picasa, Part 2 you discovered how to use Picasa’s photo editing tools. This month's column will teach you how to share pictures using Picasa's

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1112398589367471102005-03-20T18:36:00.000-05:002005-04-02T13:38:03.770-05:00

This picture shows a portion of a statue in Vigeland Park, Oslo, Norway (taken during my June, 2004 trip). The sculptor is Gustav Vigeland.  All I remember thinking when I took this picture is "I miss my husband."

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1109681993036334842005-03-01T07:56:00.000-05:002005-03-01T07:59:53.036-05:00

My March column is up at the Suite101 Digital Photography & Editing site:Google's Picture Perfect Picasa, Part 2Last month’s article discussed the basics of importing and organizing pictures in Picasa. This month I cover Picasa’s editing and collage tools. Next month I will review sharing. If you haven't downloaded this cool tool yet -- I highly recommend it.Be sure to subscribe to my topic if

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1108785410767223652005-02-18T22:40:00.000-05:002005-02-18T22:56:50.766-05:00

Google has made a beta version of their new mapping program available: Google Maps. It's quite a bit different from other mapping programs out there (such as Yahoo or Mapquest) in that the maps are dynamic, interactive and draggable. For example, with other mapping programs, to view an adjacent part of a map you usually have to click on a directional arrow and then wait for the map graphic to

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1108488677286620902005-02-15T12:27:00.000-05:002005-02-18T23:03:36.166-05:00

The Firefox Explosion, by Josh McHugh echoes my sentiments from a few months ago. From the article:Firefox the browser is an impressive piece of software. It's easy to use, easy on the eyes, and safer than IE - partly because it's too new to have amassed a following of evil hackers. Firefox the phenomenon is something much bigger. It's a combination of innovations in engineering, developer

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1107448787361604712005-02-05T18:15:00.000-05:002005-02-18T23:03:11.453-05:00

You already know I am a fan of Firefox. I recently came across two useful extensions that can be added to Firefox. (An extension is a small program that enhances a program. )ScrapBook lets you collect web pages as "clippings" -- an excellent tool for those who do a lot of research on the 'net. It organizes the clippings and saves them to disk along with your own comments and annotations. The

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1107265910859269852005-02-03T11:41:00.000-05:002005-02-03T11:35:56.850-05:00

There's a new search tool out there that I am starting to like more and more: Clusty. Clusty (owned and operated by Vivísimo) uses a Clustering Engine to organize search results into folders that group similar items together. Searching for "golden retriever," for example, will result in the top 250-500 results being organized into subject folders such as Rescue, Puppies, Pets, Clubs/Events, and

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1107264393200092132005-02-01T08:19:00.000-05:002005-03-01T08:01:51.806-05:00

My February column is up at the Suite101 Digital Photography & Editing site:Google's Picture Perfect PicasaGoogle recently released Picasa 2. It's a free program that helps you find, organize, edit, and share your photographs. This article covers importing and organizing pictures using Picasa. Next month I will cover the program's editing features and the month after that, the sharing features.Be

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1105976328555791992005-01-17T10:14:00.000-05:002005-01-17T10:44:54.903-05:00

I just discovered a very cool website: 10 Quick Steps. Here's a description from the website: 10 Quick Steps Guides are low-cost, easy-to-purchase, easy-to-read, easy-to-listen-to and instantly downloadable electronic books and audio books that help you get things done in life. The 10 Quick Steps series is edited and voiced by network air personality, David Lawrence. 10 Quick Steps Guides help

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1105905997448460452005-01-16T15:04:00.000-05:002005-01-16T15:07:13.066-05:00

My poor Chiashrex is just an example of a good afro gone bad. He doesn't resemble his box picture at all. I don't know what I did wrong! Luckily, I have more seeds to try again. e-mail this writer

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1105474524460484962005-01-11T15:14:00.000-05:002005-01-11T15:16:51.920-05:00

Things are really growing now! I am just a little disappointed that nothing is really growing in the ears. e-mail this writer

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1105290798044516522005-01-09T13:08:00.000-05:002005-01-09T12:13:18.043-05:00

Day 9 and gross is really starting to happen. (Mu husband now steadfastly avoids the room that Chiashrex sits in, deeming it "too creepy.") I (of course) can't resist providing you with a close-up of the nostril! e-mail this writer

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1105034633107745582005-01-06T13:59:00.000-05:002005-01-09T12:13:53.073-05:00

Oooh...progress! It's only Day 6 and I am starting to see some sprouts -- especially in the nostril area, as you can see below. How gross! How wonderfully Shrek-like! e-mail this writer

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1104796371816323362005-01-03T18:33:00.000-05:002005-01-09T12:14:56.000-05:00

I write instructions for a living, so of course I did not read my Chia Shrek instructions very well. When I went to sow my seeds yesterday I discovered that I was supposed to have soaked them for 24 hours to make a little paste prior to planting. So, I had to wait until today to plant. Here is the result of my seed sowing: After the seeds were soaked overnight, they became a glutenous

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1104621623923351532005-01-01T18:13:00.000-05:002005-01-01T18:28:09.963-05:00

Well, my Chia Shrek (a Christmas gift from my brother!) is off to a soggy start as he must spend his first 24 hours under water. I will post a new picture of his progress every few days. I don't know about you, but I will be very excited to watch his progress! Given my last name, I have decided to dub him "Chiashrex." e-mail this writer

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1104427279163027022004-12-30T11:06:00.000-05:002004-12-30T12:21:37.950-05:00

Once you've spent time in a place and gotten to know some of its people, you gain a sense of connectedness to it. It’s an awareness that settles in slowly, as the country’s dust gathers on your feet and its people congregate in your heart. The place becomes a part of you, like your childhood bedroom or your first car. Your definition of “you” now carries with it this place, these people. In 1980

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1103749035239678662004-12-22T15:54:00.000-05:002004-12-22T15:57:15.240-05:00

I have not even ripped open a single well-wrapped gift or eaten one measly Christmas cookie and ALREADY I am getting post-holiday sale flyers in my snail mail and e-mail. This does NOT make me happy. Stop the world, I want to get off. Just for a week. e-mail this writer

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1103129952302668052004-12-15T11:56:00.000-05:002004-12-15T11:59:12.303-05:00

As I suspected, Firefox is a hit and about to become an even bigger hit as Paul Festa explains on ZDNEt: Firefox ad readied as market share increases. I really do highly recommend this browser (for Internet security reasons, plus Microsoft has enough toys), even though my blog page won't look as nice in it. (But I suspect that will be fixed soon.) e-mail this writer

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1102718733949689582004-12-11T00:30:00.000-05:002004-12-10T17:45:33.950-05:00

My sister-in-law sent me this today. I don't know who wrote it, but it's priceless, and I had to share it here. Holiday Eating Tips 1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls. 2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly.

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1102627030130871162004-12-10T00:01:00.000-05:002004-12-09T16:17:10.130-05:00

At least I know that I am not alone in my Luddite yearnings. Newsday.com published this article yeserday: Experts Urge People to Unplug Occasionally by Martha Irvine. I like the new term they use - "hyper-accessible" - it's a good way to describe the phenomenon. e-mail this writer

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1102608947415326192004-12-09T11:13:00.000-05:002004-12-09T11:24:36.096-05:00

Worry is a severe misuse of imagination. Think about it, how many times have you gotten totally caught up in imagining terrible things? (People dying, accidents happening, health turning south, going broke, etc.) What if you made a conscious decision to "block that thought" whenever you found yourself doing this and instead imagined something wonderful? Think of all the good karma that simple

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1102004426694179452004-12-02T10:44:00.000-05:002004-12-02T11:37:57.363-05:00

A student in my online Photoshop Elements course that I am just wrapping up for HP, read my Twas the Night Before Black Friday poem at Suite101 and wrote: I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but you need a month's vacation on a South Pacific island, that doesn't have any technology...lol. I'm addicted, but you're obsessed! Hey! I resemble that remark! I DO admit to being a bit obsessed with

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1101402719469240622004-11-25T13:07:00.000-05:002004-11-25T12:16:01.003-05:00

The holiday shopping season is upon us and we could all use a giggle to keep our spirits soaring (especially if you have not started your Christmas shopping, like me). For my monthly Digital Photography and Editing column at Suite101, I published my take-off on 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, retitled 'Twas the Night Before Black Friday. Check it out. Special thanks to my hubbie John and my

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1100963196765569292004-11-20T10:03:00.000-05:002004-11-20T10:13:23.630-05:00

Apparently other people are happy switching to Firefox as well. Here's a review that recently appeared in eWeek: Firefox 1.0 lives up to Hype by Jim Paroza. And here's another article that just appeared at RedNova.com: Firefox Browser Alternative to Microsoft (AP Service). The second article gives you an idea of how Firefox is different from Explorer. Unfortunately, however -- I have had to

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1100617625752924772004-11-16T09:53:00.000-05:002004-11-16T10:10:54.576-05:00

I've had it with Spyware and security flaws. I hereby vow to never use Microsoft's Internet Explorer on my PC again (unless, of course, a site specifically requires it and I cannot view it otherwise). Microsoft hasn't made a significant upgrade to their browser in years and consistently allows Spyware to invade my PC and I am tired of it. I have switched to the free Mozilla FireFox browser and I

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1099848480329827052004-11-08T11:14:00.000-05:002004-11-16T10:11:54.960-05:00

Last month I was appointed the new Contributing Editor for Suite 101's Digital Photography and Editing topic. This means I get to publish a monthly column and manage the discussion board for the topic. They've published two of my articles so far: Testing 1-2-3: Putting Your New Digital Camera through its Paces Of Megawhozits and Pixawhatzils Prior to my taking over, there were two other editors,

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1099847426902224042004-11-07T13:03:00.000-05:002004-11-07T12:14:33.706-05:00

Gadget freak that I am, I am teaching a new FREE course at the CNET Help site: PDAs, Cell Phones, and More. Here's the description from their website: Whether you already own one or not, you'll be amazed at the variety of fun and practical ways that you can use a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or other pocket digital device in your life. In this course, you'll learn how to choose and take full

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1099352824622504482004-11-02T00:01:00.000-05:002004-11-01T18:47:04.623-05:00

Vote FOR somebody. Vote AGAINST somebody. Whatever. Just VOTE today. e-mail this writer

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1098651138480220222004-10-24T16:40:00.000-04:002004-10-24T17:12:21.603-04:00

I've added a resource page to my website on the the topic of Internet Safety. The page is the online companion to a "Keeping Children Safe in Cyberspace" seminar that I recently started offering. The seminar is designed for parents and grandparents but is also informative for teachers and law enforcement personnel. The 90-minute presentation examines how children are using the Internet, the

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1094762448987298112004-09-09T16:30:00.000-04:002004-09-09T16:47:13.530-04:00

Jennifer Garrett's blog titled "Eats, Blogs & Leaves" is one of the more interesting blogs I've read in a long time. Garrett quotes Lynne Truss, the author of the way-more-popular-than-you-would've-expected grammar book Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation and goes on to make an impassioned plea for well-written blogs. Eats, Blogs & Leaves I will try harder to be a

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1090972388600276812004-07-28T19:50:00.000-04:002004-07-29T12:46:19.083-04:00

Suite101.com is an online publishing community of writers, readers, and educators who have come together to share their many passions. This website is a destination for millions of Internet users who want to learn, express themselves, and share ideas, interests, and expertise with other like-minded individuals. I developed the Suite101 course titled "Searching the Web Fantastic". The course is

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1090971564542754522004-07-27T18:45:00.000-04:002004-07-29T12:37:31.443-04:00

I have been doing a lot of traveling for business lately. A lot. Too much. Currently I am in the Motor City in yet another Embassy Suites hotel. Last week I was in Razorbacks country, the week before, L.A. L.A. land, and the week before that...um, I can't remember. Somewhere. Where was the Mary Tyler Moore shot filmed? There. I remember the statue.   So I think I deserve the right to bitch a

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1090188903163603532004-07-18T18:07:00.000-04:002004-07-29T12:48:49.346-04:00

 Patty’s Scialfa’s 23rd Street Lullaby!    What? You’ve never heard of her? Does the name sound at least a bit familiar? It should if you are a Bruce Springsteen fan – she’s his wife, and a longtime member of the E-Street band. Admittedly, I’ve never given her solo career much thought, but with the release of her latest album in June, she’s all I can listen to and what I end up humming

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1090043934196496382004-07-17T01:49:00.000-04:002004-07-29T12:39:11.053-04:00

I am the Busiest Person on Earth. Yes, me. And you -- as a friend of the Busiest Person on Earth, or a relative of the Busiest Person on Earth -- can hardly expect me to actually behave the way a "normal" friend or loved one might behave, don't you agree?   So if you get your birthday card 2 weeks early (because I knew I would be otherwise occupied on the "real" date, of course, not because of

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1090043317490103102004-07-17T01:43:00.000-04:002004-07-29T12:40:06.953-04:00

Google's new (fairly) Blogger Knowledge blog is way cool:   http://www.blogger.com/knowledge/   If you've been experiencing blogger envy reading MY blog -- why not start writing one of your own? It sure as hell would take the pressure offa me. It's not easy coming up with alla this brilliant stuff, ya know. (As evidenced by my oh-so-spotty postings of late.) What not just try it YOURSELF. Yes

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1088190269216769062004-06-25T15:01:00.000-04:002004-06-25T15:04:29.216-04:00

Obviously, I have been taking some time off from blogging. I apologize to my more faithful readers (and you know who you are!). I DO intend on writing more blogs, I have just been trying to enjoy a bit of summer while I can. For the entire month of July and the first two weeks of August, I will be doing a lot of traveling and out-of-home-office work. A training project came up that I just

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1083285806431293762004-04-29T20:43:00.000-04:002004-04-29T20:46:32.576-04:00

The Wayback Machine is just too much fun! Internet Archive is working to preserve home pages in the same way that a library might preserve newspapers on microfiche. Read this article Way Back When (New Scientist) http://www.newscientist.com/opinion/opinterview.jsp?id=ns23701 and then visit the Wayback Machine site and give it a try. I looked up my own URL (karinrex.com) and was shocked to be

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1083156041598369202004-04-28T08:40:00.000-04:002004-04-28T08:43:46.436-04:00

Sometimes I just hate the suburbs. Is it wrong of me to wish for one warm, sunny day without the drone of lawnmowers? Is it petty to crave a few hours in my garden without the blare of leaf blowers? Am I wicked for entertaining fantasies of shoving my neighbors’ weed whackers up their collective noses? (Or, more accurately, up the noses of the lawn service guys who seem to show up around the

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1083076593792421592004-04-27T10:36:00.000-04:002004-04-27T10:55:55.733-04:00

Abbott and Costello Meet the 21st Century By Lincoln Spector ABBOTT: Ultimate SuperDuper Computer Store. Can I help you? COSTELLO: Thanks. I'm setting up a home office in the den, and I'm thinking of buying a computer. ABBOTT: Mac? COSTELLO: No, the name is Bud. ABBOTT: Your computer? COSTELLO: I don't own a computer. I want to buy one. ABBOTT: Mac? COSTELLO: I told you, my name is Bud.

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1082655503396661482004-04-22T13:38:00.000-04:002004-04-22T13:41:22.293-04:00

Read this poem aloud: Eye halve a spelling chequer It came with my pea sea It plainly marques four my revue Miss steaks eye kin not sea Eye strike a key and type a word And weight four it two say Weather eye am wrong oar Wright It shows me strait a weigh As soon as a mist ache is maid It nose bee fore two long And eye can put the error rite It rare lea ever wrong Eye have run this poem threw

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1081977450865768022004-04-12T16:40:00.000-04:002004-04-14T17:22:45.343-04:00

Easter was at our house this year, which is where we like it. I love Easter -- not only for its religious roots (after all who can resist the allure of a resurrected savior?), but also because it brings along with it the promise of spring, not to mention substantial amounts of chocolate). When I was a little girl I would wake to an Easter table unlike any other on earth. My mother transformed

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1081263773378824552004-04-06T11:02:00.000-04:002004-04-06T11:07:07.843-04:00

Did you ever wonder which was the better search tool? (I know I have, but then I am a bit obsessed with the topic of Internet search techniques). I came across a a strange little tool that allows you to do a simultaneous search in both of these tools and then creates an interactive graphic comparing the results between the two: langreiter.com Go to the above site and type in something you are

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1080667909475824542004-03-30T12:31:00.000-05:002004-03-30T12:36:04.373-05:00

For years my husband has been after me to eat breakfast. As a staid and stolid member of the “Breakfast Cereal Rules” club it annoys the heck out of him that I refuse to eat the stuff. But with the possible exception of Lucky Charms (which even I admit is magically delicious) I really hate it. For me, cereal is too soggy, too sweet, or too boring. Plus it has the unpleasant effect of making my

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1080603597323613632004-03-29T18:39:00.000-05:002004-03-30T11:28:43.950-05:00

I’ve owned ComputerEase since 1989. With the exception of one bartered-for ad in the old Desktop Publisher Newsletter (early 90’s), a listing in the Philadelphia Women’s Yellow Pages (late-80’s and currently) and an online listing in the Philadelphia Business Journal online (just recently), I’ve never advertised. Most of my business opportunities have come my way via word-of-mouth. In addition

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1080412474150145232004-03-27T13:34:00.000-05:002004-03-27T13:42:25.326-05:00

I have a love/hate relationship with computers. I love them when they work and I hate them when they don't. On Friday night my husband and I went on a “date” to the local computer store where we bought the necessary equipment to finally get him off dial-up and onto my fast DSL connection. This purchase wasn't planned -- we were there just to buy a cable, actually. But there happened to be a

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1080317487737058762004-03-26T11:11:00.000-05:002004-03-26T19:20:17.746-05:00

So I found this very cool screensaver online and decided to download it. I should know better, dontcha think? I mean I am, after all, "in the business." A day later when my browser came down with a serious case of the "weirds," -- a new toolbar appearing that I hadn't installed, a side panel that wasn't there before, an inclination to go to the Incredifind site at every possible chance -- I

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1079653328843850352004-03-18T18:42:00.000-05:002004-03-25T13:27:09.950-05:00

I am sharing a glass of virtual champagne with all of you who took the time in the last few days to review my new ComputerEase website design while it was being tested at geekygurl.com. I incorporated many of your comments within the site's design, organization, and text, and I know it's a better site because of YOU! So cheers! The site is now LIVE at its proper URL: http://www.karinrex.com.

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1079264177970900452004-03-14T06:36:00.000-05:002004-03-14T06:38:37.560-05:00

A lot of you have asked me why I haven't been blogging lately, so I figured I better post my reason. I have been working on a complete redesign of my web pages and that has been taking up all of my time. I got "shamed" into this because a potential client mentioned that he'd been exploring my web pages and instead of being glad I was embarrassed because it's been so long since I've done anything

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1077594585269474532004-02-23T22:49:00.000-05:002004-02-23T22:56:38.373-05:00

I used to dream of one day visiting Paris, but after watching the final episode of Sex and the City last night, I think the City of Lights should be renamed the City of Lighters. I believe I just might suffocate in that city. I am old enough to remember when people used to smoke anywhere and everywhere -- restaurants, the teacher’s lounge at school, movie theatres, my family’s and friend’s

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1077211648740460662004-02-19T12:27:00.000-05:002004-02-23T23:01:25.936-05:00

I wrote a response to an article that was published in my local newspaper last week and it actually got published today in their "Your Say" column -- here's the text: Having developed and taught an online course for parents on the topic of “Keeping Children Safe in Cyberspace,” I found Charles Favata’s article on Internet safety (“Your Say” 2-12-04) both valuable and timely. It is true that many

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1077128960956381302004-02-18T13:29:00.000-05:002004-02-18T13:31:15.936-05:00

I teach a variety of courses online for a number of online learning sites (Element K, HP University, Sony University, Barnes & Noble University). I love teaching online. I can usually expect enthusiastic students from all over the world who seem to truly appreciate the chance to learn conveniently from their home or office. When I first started teaching online (just two years short of a decade

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1075697721121581332004-02-01T23:55:00.000-05:002004-02-02T00:10:48.826-05:00

You have just won one million dollars: Who do you call first? My husband if he’s not already standing next to me, which he usually is. And then I would conference call my mother and brother so I could tell them together. What is the first thing you buy for yourself? Hmmm…it’s “only” a million bucks, so I wouldn’t be able to afford a home on the ResidenSea, which is my ultimate dream. I think I

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1075696529162427642004-01-31T11:00:00.000-05:002004-02-01T23:37:07.390-05:00

Too quiet around here for ya? It’s not that I have nothing too say. It’s that I have too much to say and not enough time to write it. That, and the fact that my fingers and brain are frozen due to Pennsylvania's cold snap. Ya know, "cold snap" just doesn't do this rotten weather justice. "Cold snap" makes it sound cute and fun, when it's really malicious and cruel and gray and mean. Mean

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1075344189571853732004-01-28T21:43:00.000-05:002004-01-28T21:44:43.606-05:00

Why, why, why do I live in Pennsylvania? Why? e-mail this writer

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1074895709532540902004-01-23T17:08:00.000-05:002004-01-23T17:10:42.326-05:00

At this moment, what is your favorite song? Well, according to my iPod’s “Top 25 Most Played” playlist, it’s “Sheep May Safely Graze” by Johan Sebastian Bach, but I think that’s only because I use my “Bach at Bedtime” CD as background music while I am working. Lately I have been listening to Edie Brickell’s new album “Volcano.” There is a song on there titled “Once in a Blue Moon” that is just

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1074715480899667292004-01-21T15:04:00.000-05:002004-01-21T15:27:23.686-05:00

I am not the kind of person that would… Lie about it when you wake me up with a phone call. If you call me and I am sleeping I will probably sound groggy and grumpy. But why shouldn’t I? You woke me up! What is the purpose of fibbing about this? Almost without fail, the other person knows you are lying. So why bother? And what’s the big deal anyhow? I was only sleeping, not robbing a bank or

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1074186299592842052004-01-15T12:04:00.000-05:002004-01-15T15:17:39.296-05:00

OK, this is just pure silliness, but I liked the graphics it created! (This one if for you -- Mom -- my favorite Scrabble opponent even though you always beat me.) Pholph's Scrabble Generator My Scrabble© Score is: 18. What is your score? Get it here. Pholph's Scrabble Generator My Scrabble© Score is: 19. What is your score? Get it here. e-mail this writer

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1074129795243930972004-01-14T20:23:00.000-05:002004-01-15T14:08:18.810-05:00

Every time my husband buys a new piece of technology, I wish I could head for the hills. He is totally seduced by new technology, but unfortunately it is more like a moth being drawn to the bug zapper than the sweet siren call of successfully installed software or hardware. Within minutes of slitting the shrink wrap on a new application or freeing a new piece of hardware from its box, the

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1073948456289480842004-01-12T18:00:00.000-05:002004-01-12T18:26:30.546-05:00

I love taking those silly little test they have in magazines. You know the kind: "What Your Hair Care Routine Says About Your Personality," or "Are You a Selfish Lover?" The Internet is full of such tests. Here are a few that I tried recently: Want to find out if you have a Personality Disorder? Here's a fun little test you can take. Personality Disorder Test Disclaimer: A personality disorder

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1073947035910051182004-01-11T23:06:00.000-05:002004-01-12T17:51:55.950-05:00

So many of you who responded to my "Assessing the Fitness Assessment" blog entry expressed such outrage about my experience, that your collective ire has actually increased my own. More than a few of you were a little disappointed in me. I guess I must seem like more of an outspoken in-your-face type than I actually am. Many of you asked WHY? Why didn't I say anything? Why didn't I do anything

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1073535824715820252004-01-07T23:23:00.000-05:002004-01-12T17:51:42.000-05:00

I went to the gym yesterday for a “Fitness Assessment.” What a crock! It came “free” with my membership, which I’ve recently begun making more use of. Before I begin to tell this story, take a few seconds and think about what you might expect during a “Fitness Assessment” at a gym. OK, as far as a Fitness Assessment, here’s what I anticipated: I figured I’d go in, meet with a trainer, fill

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1073271095889538242004-01-04T21:51:00.000-05:002004-01-04T21:58:09.530-05:00

I read an article in one of the Sunday newspaper magazines today. (I already disposed of the paper, or I would tell you its title and author – sorry!) Its premise was that our ability to be happy has become more difficult because we have too many choices. The writer started the article describing how he went to the store to buy a pair of jeans. When the salesgirl asked if he needed help, he told

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1073268081914963402004-01-03T21:00:00.000-05:002004-01-04T21:03:22.233-05:00

New year, new calendar; but in reality it’s the same ol’ same ol’. Why do we have this totally unrealistic belief in what a new year holds? Is it just wishful thinking – hope beyond hope? Why do we believe that we will magically organize our homes or offices, lose weight, eat healthier, improve our minds, practice piano, be kinder, go to church, and exercise more just because the calendar

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1072920554446499712003-12-31T20:29:00.000-05:002003-12-31T20:32:27.560-05:00

In the past few weeks an inordinate number of people have expressed to me that they cannot wait for 2003 to be over and done with. It doesn't seem as though anybody was really fond of 2003 very much. And while I can't say that I blame them (after all, everybody has the right to judge their own year), I also can't say that I necessarily agree with them. Personally, I don't want time to pass any

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1072492772696880182003-12-26T21:39:00.000-05:002003-12-26T21:40:34.093-05:00

Haven’t you always wondered what Boxing Day was? It always appeared on our calendars on December 26th, yet we never roasted a pig or cooked a goose in honor of it, let alone baked a cake or listened to Boxing Day music. When I was a kid somebody told me it was the day you had to dispose of all the empty Christmas boxes. (The “somebody” was probably my clever mother who was more than a little

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1072491817751930912003-12-26T21:23:00.000-05:002003-12-26T21:24:39.340-05:00

When I was a kid, December 26th was the happiest day of the year. There was no school, I was allowed to eat a turkey sandwich with stuffing and cranberry sauce for breakfast if I wanted, the pesky cheek pinching relatives were out of the house, I had a bunch of new stuff to play with and best of all – so did my friends. The day usually started with a slew of “What did YOU get?” phone calls,

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1071722236766269872003-12-17T23:37:00.000-05:002003-12-17T23:48:18.496-05:00

I think the much-maligned Annual Holiday Letter has gotten a bad rap. According to many popular media outlets (see this article from Pioneer Press as one example), I seemingly am in the minority when I boldly state that I am genuinely happy when I spot a Holiday Letter tucked into a Christmas card. It's so much better than a plain old greeting card hastily signed, addressed, sealed and stamped

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1071328544760595432003-12-12T22:09:00.000-05:002003-12-13T10:19:46.000-05:00

I am singing in a concert tomorrow night (preceeded by a 2-hour dress rehearsal). I have a 3-hour rehearsal in the city on Sunday. I have a 3-hour rehearsal on Tuesday night. I have a 3-hour rehearsal Thursday night in the city. I have a concert in the city on Saturday (preceeded by a 2-hour dress rehearsal). I have not written a single Christmas card yet. I have not wrapped a single Christmas

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1071163870688682462003-12-11T12:40:00.000-05:002003-12-11T12:46:03.750-05:00

If you've ever been to Miami, then you've probably stumbled across some of their tourist pitfalls. The tourism industry there has some very strange ideas about how to treat tourists. Some examples: Hotels charge you a daily fee for valet parking, and there are no other options. You got a car? You gotta pay for valet parking. At $18-$22 buck each day, this adds up! Especially if you are driving

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1070930686967179552003-12-10T17:03:00.000-05:002003-12-11T12:34:14.606-05:00

Sorry for the blog blackout, but was away on a mini-vacation in Miami and had no access to a computer. OK, I am lying. I could probably have had access to a computer, but I chose not to. So sue me. I can't remember the last time I had that many days away from a computer! I must admit that it's been nice having so many people send me e-mail asking where the heck I've been! That's how I know you

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1070317481053824562003-12-01T17:24:00.000-05:002003-12-01T17:25:17.890-05:00

Do you like to shop? Why or why not? I like to shop when I don’t HAVE to, but I don’t like to shop when I HAVE to – too much pressure. I like to shop when I have lots of money, but I don’t like to shop when I am feeling less than flush. I like to shop for myself (especially when I am supposed to be shopping for others), but I don’t like to shop under pressure for others…especial those who are

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1070130373654708692003-11-28T12:45:00.000-05:002003-11-29T23:06:28.653-05:00

I used to love shopping on Black Friday. In fact, it used to be a tradition for me. When I lived in Center City Philadelphia, I would get up very early in the morning and drive to the Northeast to shop at Franklin Mills Mall -- one of the busiest malls imaginable. They bus people into this mall from all over the tri-state area as though it were some sort of theme park. The hoards arrive in

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1070129059069780622003-11-27T23:59:00.000-05:002003-11-29T13:08:41.263-05:00

In the spirit of the day, I spent the morning writing a couple of thank you notes to some of the people in my life who I truly appreciate. I wish I'd had time to write a few more, but there was a veggie tray to make and a dog to walk and a Turkey Day wardrobe to plan, and only so much time to relax and cultivate my attitude of gratitude. When it comes to friends, I have it good. I have people in

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1069951137558828022003-11-26T23:23:00.000-05:002003-11-27T11:39:30.060-05:00

Thanksgiving is a great holiday. One that is uniquely American, and totally (well almost) non-commercial in nature. It's also full of great traditions like getting together with family and friends, overeating with great abandon, throwing the ol' pigskin around the yard, and expressing thanks for all that life brings us. But one of the most ridiculous traditions of the season has got to be the

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1069822842984514022003-11-25T11:59:00.000-05:002003-11-26T00:12:40.123-05:00

I sing Soprano II in the Choral Society of Montgomery County. The choir meets once each week for three hours in the local community college's auditorium, and we perform two or three times each semester. We performed at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia last spring, and will be there again this coming spring. Peter Nero and the Philly Pops invited us to sing with them the last two holiday seasons,

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1069738007782200972003-11-24T23:57:00.000-05:002003-11-25T00:32:45.733-05:00

If you've ever tried to put together even a small surprise gathering for somebody, then you are intimately familiar with Sir Walter Scott's famous quotation "Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive!" And if you add fuel to the fire by attempting to surprise somebody with an entire vacation, you will surely tell enough lies to send you straight to hell in a hand basket.

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1069518151498230342003-11-22T11:22:00.000-05:002003-11-22T11:23:46.140-05:00

This past Thursday marked the official release of this year’s fresh-off-the-vine Beaujolais Nouveau. I look forward to this day every year, so I celebrated last night by enjoying a bottle with my husband and friends (OK, two, and I have the headache to prove it). I know that most of the time people talk about wines and the aging process as though they were speaking of the Holy Grail. But I like

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1069451620245389152003-11-21T16:53:00.000-05:002003-11-22T11:14:32.860-05:00

List five things you'd like to accomplish by the end of the year. Pay off my Christmas shopping bills. Send out a dozen query letters to magazines. Get in a regular habit of going to the gym three times a week. Spend some quality time with my nieces and nephews. Unclutter my office. List five people you've lost contact with that you'd like to hear from again. Dr. Queeney, my college English

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1069333730460850672003-11-20T08:08:00.000-05:002003-11-21T13:58:19.263-05:00

I grew up in a bowling alley. Maybe that is a small exaggeration, but I did spend many of my formative years in one. My mother managed the local 32-lane bowling alley for almost 20 years. Some 18+ retired years later people still approach her in the grocery store, asking if she was the "bowling lady." Somehow she remembers every one of them, along with their brothers, sisters, parents and best

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1069279341302964132003-11-19T17:02:00.000-05:002003-11-20T06:48:08.403-05:00

Time Magazine recently named the iTunes Music Store the "Coolest Invention of 2003". This comes as no surprise to me, since my iPod and I remain inseparable (2701 songs and counting), and I’ve had to institute a monthly cap on my iTunes spending sprees. (See my "What’s On YOUR iPod" blog from 9/15/03.) But the announcement did make me curious about what other things Time has designated as "cool

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1069158570314858882003-11-18T06:24:00.000-05:002003-11-18T12:40:24.060-05:00

Insomnia and I go way, way back. I think I was around thirty years old when we first met, but I don't believe we got really chummy until my forties. Since then we've shared a rock-solid, devoted relationship. Wasn't it Woody Allen who said "Love is to suffer."? That is the kind of beautiful bond I have with Insomnia. Actually, Woody Allen's entire quote was "To love is to suffer. To avoid

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1069108164854910162003-11-17T17:29:00.000-05:002003-11-18T06:25:06.140-05:00

Forget the lavender body lotion, forget the warm sweater, and forget the fancy kitchen doodad, here’s what I REALLY want for Christmas: Excellent health for myself and everybody I love. Without this, nothing else seems to matter anyhow. 4 more hours in a day. With the express stipulation that I am not allowed to work or touch a computer (or even think about or talk about computers) during those

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1069001088009696532003-11-16T11:44:00.000-05:002003-11-16T11:48:37.780-05:00

When I was growing up in New Jersey in the 60's and 70's we had these "Blue Laws" designed to make Sunday’s more relaxing (at least that is how I look at them now). There were bans on all sorts of activities, like buying booze or cars, going to the movies (at least that's what my parents told me), and other retail shopping. I remember when I worked as a cashier in the local Pathmark grocery store

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1069000800277729162003-11-15T22:45:00.000-05:002003-11-29T23:14:19.700-05:00

In addition to being "under the weather" this week, I have had the added joy of experiencing major computer snafus with my Windows 98 PC. geekygURL that I rightfully claim to be, I am not a "hardware person" when it comes to Windows PCs, and I don't think I ever will be. I cut my hardware chops on a Macintosh, and I have never been able to come to grips with why the Windows operating system has

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1068852845169803892003-11-14T18:32:00.000-05:002003-11-29T23:13:18.826-05:00

Oooh goody, the Friday Five for this week has been posted! This week's questions are very short, thank God -- because I am still under the weather and not feeling like an extended stay at the keyboard! 1. Using one adjective, describe your current living space. Commodious. 2. Using two adjectives, describe your current employer. Intelligent. Innovative. (I work for myself. ;-) 3. Using three

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1068769857888773822003-11-13T19:21:00.000-05:002003-11-13T19:31:16.890-05:00

Woke up this morning feeling really crappy. Fever...sore throat. Yuck. There is nothing like feeling under the weather to make me appreciate my normally good health. Did you ever wonder where the term "under the weather" comes from? The Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins by Robert Hendrickson had this to say on the matter: “Ik Marvel, a pseudonym that resulted from a misprinting of J.K.

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1068666192243868672003-11-12T14:43:00.000-05:002003-11-12T14:58:43.686-05:00

Outta shape, outta my mind – what was I thinking? I used to be a bit of a gym rat. I took step classes and high-low aerobic classes, participated in all-day charity workout events, did the weight machine circuit, and even tried racquetball, spinning, and kickboxing. In fact, at one point in my gym-nauseum, I had totally convinced myself that it was just easier to go to the gym every single day.

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1068565694247558432003-11-11T10:48:00.000-05:002003-11-11T15:10:17.160-05:00

OK, The Tuesday Five The Friday Five is a meme/blog has been around for about two years. Every Friday, a list of really important Earth-shattering questions is posted on the website and hundreds of bloggers from all over the world answer the questions within their own blog. So basically, it's a blog to stimulate bloggers into blogging. Gotta love that. And yes, I know it's Tuesday. But I liked

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1068552487178199452003-11-10T23:43:00.000-05:002003-11-18T07:58:46.420-05:00

I apologize in advance to all of this magazine's rabid fans out there (and you know who you are), but I think Real Simple Magazine is just plain silly. OK, I admit it, I do not actually subscribe to the gorgeously glossy magazine itself, but thanks to America Online’s partnership with Time (the publishing entity behind Real Simple), I get to read witty excerpts from the magazine each day on my

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1068401555677245932003-11-09T13:12:00.000-05:002003-11-11T07:18:13.926-05:00

(Really Simple Syndication = Not Quite So Simple Syndication) A Better RSS Validator It's a geekygURL's prerogative to change her mind. In Part 4 of my continuing serious of articles about RSS, I strongly suggested that you validate your RSS code on a regular basis. So, taking my own advice, that is exactly what I did this morning. Only my RSS wouldn't validate. And the UserLand Validator

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5805468.post-1068342842062936482003-11-08T20:54:00.000-05:002003-11-08T20:58:11.820-05:00

Were you there? Did you see it? Everybody who's anybody was there...the Sun, the Moon, the Stars, and the Earth... My husband and I just got in from watching tonight's Total Lunar Eclipse from the back yard. Eclipses happen when the Moon and Earth fall into line with each other and the Sun. In tonight's case, the Earth moved into a direct line between the Moon and the Sun, stopping all light

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02843554713886554717noreply@blogger.com