Pam Anderson Reveals How She Got the Part in Baywatch

Why does this not surprise me? According to an article at CelebDen.com; ex-Baywatch girl Pamela Anderson has revealed that she still has her famous red Baywatch swimsuit and often wears it to entertain her boyfriends. According to Pam, “I have one left. I wear it. I use it for my boyfriend and stuff. [I wear it] In the shower and then I run in slow motion and then give my friends mouth to mouth resuscitation.”

She also told how she got the part on Baywatch, which made her famous. She said, “I didn’t wear a bra to theaudition. It’s actually true. You had to have a swim test and Ifloated. You had to run in slow motion and swim in slow motion and then smile. I know how to work a defibrillator!"”

And all this time I thought she got her rising star as "Tim the Toolman
Taylor's Tool Girl!" : )

If you are looking for a red swimsuit -- we have one at Get Go Swimwear.com

Swimwear... Positive Proof of Global Warming

of course, if you want to see more swimsuits you could swing by our site at GetGoSwimwear.com : )

IPODS iin Paradise. What Would Jimmy Buffet Say?

Forget the two cheeseburgers in paradise! I was reading an article by Dan Frakes (MacWorld.com) who evidently on a trip to Kaui (Hawaii) visited the Kokee Lodge, which has a tiny restaurant and gift shop in the heart of Koke'e park where he saw the Tropical Ipod Beach Chair. That’s right; tiny Hawaiian iPod beach chairs—the perfect size for providing your iPod or iPhone with a few moments of relaxation. The chairs are functional, as well: the bottom of each chair’s seat has a small opening for Apple’s dock-connector cable, so you can actually charge and sync your iPod or iPhone while it’s relaxing.

So Kitschy, but also so cute. Goes on my "I Want" list. What will people think of next?

Polly Doesn't Want a Cracker - He Simply Wants to Go Home

This is the cutest little story ...

When a parrot by the name of Yosuke flew out of his cage and got lost, he did exactly what he had been taught — he recited his name and address to a stranger willing to help. (Why can’t we teach our kids to do this : ) )

Tokyo Police rescued the African grey parrot two weeks ago from a neighbor's roof and after spending a night at the station, the parrot was transferred to a nearby veterinary hospital while police searched for clues as to who owned the bird.

The bird refused to talk to the cops, but began chatting after a few days with the vet.

"I'm Mr. Yosuke Nakamura," the bird told the veterinarian. The parrot also provided his full home address, down to the street number, and even Police checked the address, and what do you know, a Nakamura family really lived there. The Nakamura family told police they had been teaching the bird its name and address for about two years.

"Lest We Forget." - Memorial Day

In Memory of 2nd Lt. Edward T. Mueller
MIA/KIA 12/22/43

Strike a Pose to Look Thinner in Your Swimsuit!

Strike A Pose!

Models know better than anyone the importance of posing. All those hours in front of a mirror to find your best angles pays off with award-winning images, and careers. The slant of the shoulder and flip of a hip are sometimes all the difference between mundane and marvelous photos!

You can also pose your way to a flatter, more toned midsection. Perfecting posture to make your tummy look flatter and your waistline look smaller is part of swimwear photography. Study some of the photos and you’ll notice that the best swimwear poses twist the body to its best advantage. A slight twist in the hips makes every waistline appear smaller.

GetGoSwimwear.com TIP: Stretch it out. You can take off the appearance of five pounds just by elongating your body when you pose. Hold your torso tall, imagining your head in a crown, and don’t be afraid to go up on those toes.



Leopard In the Mood 1-PC
You will look and feel so sexy in our In the Mood 1-PC. Deep front plunge is great for full or small bust lines. High hip lengthens and tones. Scooped back adds a sexy edge to put you in the mood for fun!

And if you prefer a bikini ....




Checkout Our Golden Leopard Belted Bikini
Leopards are on the prowl. This belted bikini offers coverage whilefeeling sexy. The underwire top and belted bottom highlightsyour curves and gives you tons of support. You will love the attention you get in this sassy bikini.

Police Officer Teaches "The Swimsuit Lesson"

A smart book that helps parents and kids learn about sexual abuse. What a wonderful way to explain to a child!

A Fort Collins police officer is on a mission to stop children from becoming victims of sexual abuse, so he wrote a book to help parents help their kids.

Jon Holsten said he was so appalled by the child sex abuse cases he's investigated, that he decided to do something about it. Holsten is also the father to six children. He said it started out as a simple idea, to write a children's book called "The Swimsuit Lesson." It teaches kids that anything covered by a swimsuit is off-limits, but his book has now turned into a full-blown crusade, "I just wanted parents to be able to educate their children without scaring them," he said.

On Tuesday, Holsten spoke to a group of mothers in Castle Rock, who gather twice a month to chat, eat and talk about their kids. The group is called "Mothers of Preschoolers." Holsten said the mom's group is his target audience, "The mothers of preschoolers are a group of moms who have a passion for the children's safety."

Lori Harry, one of the mothers who came to see Holsten speak said, "I think the book is going to be a great tool to introduce the subject to the kids and just really get them to understand the importance of telling their mom and dad if anything inappropriate happens."

Another mom, Jen Donahue said, "Using the illustration of the swimsuit by saying that anything your swimsuit covers is not okay to be touched. How perfect is that for kids? I mean, everybody has kids who wear swimsuits!"

Holsten said his goal is to help parents recognize the warning signs of sexual abuse, learn how they can talk to their kids about it and what to do if the unthinkable happens. He's hoping his book will help them achieve that.

The Swimsuit Lesson is self-published. You can order it online at The Swimsuit Lesson.

Fergie's Got Black : ) - Great Swimwear Shoot

Here’s Fergie looking “glamorous” in the latest Glamour Magazine. Fergie looks fantastic in this one piece suit. Very 50's and retro looking! As Fergie shows, showing less is more sexy ... there is something to the imagination. What do you all thing?

If Life Gives You Lemons, Better Not Make Lemonade

If life gives you lemons... better not make lemonade.

If you are worried about terrorists, nuclear war, global warming, or fire eating ants killing you, worry no more! I've got something better to worry about. Microbiologist Anne LaGrange Loving reports that a more immediate killer might be wedged into the top of your drinking glass. She tested lemon wedges from 21 different restaurants and found that 70% of them were contaminated with bacteria, including a s—load of fecal bacteria.

Sound's delicious doesn't it?

Danica McKellar AKA/ Winnie of the Wonder Years in Retro Swimsuit

Danica McKellar otherwise known as "Winnie" the "Dream Girl" of Fred Savage in the Wonder Years; in a fabulous Retro Inspired Photo Shoot.

This girl's really got it "goin' on!" Beautiful and smart. Did you know she is a math wiz with a bestselling book called, Math Doesn't Suck: How to Survive Middle-School Math Without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail, which has been named in Amazon's "100 Best Books of 2007."

Inspirational and beautiful.

The suit is similar to our Pink Floral swimsuit at Get Go Retro!

Shell Shock! Delaware in Guiness Book of Records for Largest Crab Cake!

In Delaware ... It's official. No one else has made a bigger crab cake. Guinness World Records this month officially certified a cake of Maryland blue crab as holding the record for the world's biggest fishcake. The giant delicacy was cooked in a 3-foot pan in October 2006 during the Diamond State BBQ Championship in Dover, Del. It weighed 235 pounds. The cake was developed with the help of food processor Handy International Inc. of Salisbury, Md. Handy regional sales manager Jim Cupp says it took nine hours to cook and was later divided into 600 crab sandwiches.

So pass the Old Bay : )

Portable Air Conditioning.... "There is a God!" : )

Joe Cool. Cool Dude. Cool Man Cool. So many versions of cool. But when you are at work and this little old blue haired lady turns the thermostat up to 80 degrees when it's 95 degrees outside... boy do you wish you had your own personal air conditoner! Well, now you can...

The Amcor NanoMax12000E portable air conditioner is designed to condition an average-sized room up to 400 sq. ft. Our patented Evaporative Booster Technology™ is coupled with our patented Innovative AutoDrain NanoMist Technology™. The AutoDrain NanoMist Technology™ redirects excess water in the drain bucket, up through a small hose, mounted within the hot air discharge hose located at the rear of the portable air conditioner. The water is expelled through a fine mist water atomizer, snap mounted within the hot air hose assembly, which prepares the fine water mist to be vaporized by the hot air discharge of the unit. The water vapor is then passed through the hot air hose, and out the window. This simple device has revolutionized the portable AC product category, as it eliminates the aggravating chore of emptying the water drain bucket.

12,000 BTU


SO BE COOL ... YOU COOL MAN DUDE : )

Oh -- don't forget to put your name in permanent magic marker -- because first day you are out sick the little office fairies will want to borrow it : ) (via Cait)

Danica Patrick --- Nascar Swimsuit Model : )

Just looking over the net and of course the Sports Illustrated Swimwear edition is a huge topic. Of note, the articls on Danica Patrick. In many articles Patrick is often compared to the Anna Kournikova of the racing world due to the fact that she has yet to win in the IndyCar Series and her best points finish to date is 7th, which came last year in 2007. But, she continues to draw media attention not only because she’s a woman competing in a man’s sport, but also because she’s an attractive woman competing in a man’s sport.

My take on it .... "You go girl." Get the money while you can! : ) One's got nothing to do with the other. Racing - vs - modeling ... just be glad you can do both! : )

For a complete viewing of Danica’s SI swimsuit gallery, click here. For her interview with SI’s Dan Patrick, click here and here Do you Nascar

The Real Gidget is Alive and Well in Pacific Palisades

I Came across a really great story about the "real" Gidget. I didn't know there was a real Gidget!

Palisadian Kathy Kohner Zuckerman, 67, was immortalized in her father's (Frederick Kohner) 1957 book 'Gidget, The Little Girl with Big Ideas.' This semi-autobiographical account of Kohner's summer on a Malibu beach learning to surf and of experiencing a first love has sold more than three million copies.

The book was turned into a popular 1959 movie, which starred Sandra Dee and James Darren and which inspired a television show that starred Sally Field. This simple story became a cultural phenomenon because it brought surfing into the nation's spotlight while featuring a girl in a predominantly male sport. The 1950s were a time before Title IX and women's sports, and less than three percent of surfers were women.

'It wasn't something that girls did,' Zuckerman said, who was chosen in a 1999 Surfer magazine 40th Anniversary Collector's Issue as one of the most influential surfers of all time. She was ranked number seven of the 25 featured and one of only two women selected.

On January 9, Kathy spoke at a Palisades AARP meeting about her parents, her life and surfing.

'I always loved Malibu beach,' she told the more than 50 people in the audience. Her Czechoslovakian parents were refugees from the Holocaust, and relocated in Brentwood. Even though her father didn't swim, he took the family to the beach because a doctor relative had told him that it was healthy.

'I got bored sitting on the sand,' Kathy said. The 15-year-old wandered over to watch the surfers and her two interests blended, surfers and boys--in particular a boy named Bill Jensen, who became immortalized in the book and film as Gidget's love interest Moondoggie.

In order to be accepted by influential surfers such as Miki Dora, Mickey Mu'oz, Dewey Weber, Tom Morey, Nat Young, Terry "Tubesteak" Tracy and Jensen, Kathy decided to learn to surf. The men were amused by the 5'1' teenager, and one of the surfers nicknamed her 'Gidget,' a combination of girl and midget.

In 1956, Kathy went out on a surfboard for the first time. Her diary entry for the day read: 'I didn't do too much but go to the beach. I didn't think I'd have fun but I met Matt [Kivlin] and he took me out on his surfboard. He let me catch the waves by myself and once I fell off and the board went flying in the air. I didn't get hurt at all. . .I hope Matt will take me surfing again.' She paid $30 for her first board, which was 8' feet long and weighed 22 pounds.

The teenager confided to her father that she wished she could write a story about the beach. 'My dad said, 'Tell me everything and I'll write it for you.''

Kohner was a screenwriter in Hollywood. In 1939, he was nominated for best writing original story in 'Mad About Music,' in which a young woman at a boarding school in Switzerland writes herself letters from an imaginary explorer-adventurer father.

His credits include numerous stories such as 'Bride for Sale,' 'The Men in Her Life,' and 'Three Daring Daughters' that were made into films starring some of the greatest leading ladies of the day, including Loretta Young, Jeanette MacDonald and Rosalind Russell. His style of writing about spunky women was perfectly suited for 'Gidget,' and the book became a national bestseller, reaching seventh on the chart, above Jack Kerouac's 'On the Road.'

Not all reviewers applauded his work. A Nebraska reviewer called it 'A vulgar little book about a nice little girl who tries to be hard.' The reviewer ended by saying that he didn't like the language and suggesting that the young woman be spanked.

Whether it was his style or a truthfulness that spoke to young women, Kohner gained a large audience. 'Hundreds and hundreds of young girls wrote my dad letters,' Kathy said. He kept them and when he and his wife passed away in 2001, Kathy and her sister inherited the rights to Gidget as well as the letters. In 2001, Zuckerman brought out a new edition of the book, which contains beach photos of her from the 1950s, a foreword and introduction by writer/playwright Deanne Stillman.

In the story 'Surfing Sunset & Vine: Tales of Gidget and Other Short Subjects,' documentary filmmaker Brian Gillogly became fascinated by Zuckerman. As he got to know her, the story took on several dimensions and he decided to shoot a documentary about her.

'Surfing exploded after the 'Gidget' movie came out,' he said. 'Surfer lingo was introduced to the nation's culture. It was interesting to watch how the icon spread from Kathy and affected the country.'

Gillogly was also fascinated by the degree to which Gidget became a liberating force for women: she was dubbed a proto-feminist because she was participating in a male sport before the feminist scene exploded around the country. 'We have all these inspirational stories from women on the film and it's all because of Gidget [Kohner],' he said.

The documentary was only screened once at the Malibu Film Festival in 2006, where it received a standing ovation and rave reviews. Sony Pictures allowed Gillogly to pay a film festival fee for that showing, but in order to receive licensing to continue to screen the one-hour documentary, he must pay a $50,000. 'For a major network that would be nothing,' Gillogly said. 'For us that's a deal breaker.'

He has had queries from all over the world about showing the documentary, but so far Sony has not budged. The film is being reviewed by the Stanford Fair Use Project, which helps documentaries to legally use copyrighted clips.

When the 'Gidget' book was reissued in 2001, Zuckerman hit the road to promote it. She was featured in newspapers around the country, including the New York Times, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Tribune. Magazine stories and television appearances followed. Zuckerman has appeared on the 'CBS Morning Show' and Australia's 'Today Show,' as well as on National Public Radio.

Zuckerman has told her story to audiences and schools around the country. She recently found out that she will be inducted into the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame on January 27.

She left Malibu in 1960 to attend Oregon College. In 1965, she met her husband of 45 years, Marvin Zuckerman. The couple have two sons: David, a freelance magazine writer and independent film producer, and Phil, a sociology professor at Pitzer College. The Zuckerman's have three grandchildren: Ruby, Flora and August.

After taking a 40-year break from surfing, Kathy is in the water again. 'It's like a bike: once you learn it, you can do it,' she said.

Zuckerman belongs to the Surfers Club in Malibu and hits the waves once a week. She told the audience, 'It was a good place for me to spend my youth.' If Kathy's trim figure and bubbly enthusiasm are any indication of the benefits of surfing, it sounds as if the Pacific Ocean is still a good place to spend time.
(Article found here: January 23, 2008, Pacific Palisades, Sue Pascoe , Staff Writer

Bethany Hamilton and Heart of Soul ...

Bethany Hamilton is phenomenol. Not only did she survive a shark attack -- but she went back into the water!!! She is a true inspiration and so wise beyond her years. I saw this story and had to post it because the photo is beautiful and her courage and determination are just undeniable!

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 22 January, 2008 : - - Promising Surfer, Shark-Attack Victim and Bestselling Christian Author Details Her Return to the Water in New Documentary From Walking On Water Films. Bethany Hamilton, a 13-year-old girl poised to have a successful surfing career, lost her arm to a 14-foot tiger shark on Oct. 31, 2003. Yet the attack didn’t cause this determined Soul Surfer to give up and turn her back on surfing.

Instead, the attack compelled her to discover her purpose in life as she overcame the loss of her arm and began riding waves just three weeks later. The documentary "Heart of a Soul Surfer" - which is being released by the San Diego-based Christian surf film company Walking On Water - features exclusive footage of Hamilton surfing and with her family both before and after the attack, including Hamilton's first attempts at surfing with one arm and winning the 2005 NSSA National Surfing Championship just 19 months after the attack.

The documentary is a powerful story told from the heart of a young woman with great passion and dedication to God, said Mike Doyle, Walking On Water's director of outreach. The documentary, he said, digs deep into the heart of Hamilton's abiding faith in God, and tackles difficult questions such as, "Why does God allow bad things to happen in our lives?"

Since her attack, Hamilton has become an international celebrity and appeared on national news shows such as Oprah and The Today Show. She has also authored a bestselling book, "Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board." "Bethany is really an inspiration to anyone who's facing adversity or questioning the power of faith in their lives," Doyle said. "She's basically taken an event that could've easily ruined someone and used her faith and strong spirit to grow from it and help others."

Heart of a Soul Surfer is now available on DVD. For premiere dates and to view a Trailer of the film, go to heartofasoulsurfer.com Bethany will be at the free showing of 'Heart of a Soul Surfers' on January 27th at Phillip Island Adventure Resort 1775 Phillip Island Road Cowes 3922 7.30pm

http://www.heartofasoulsurfer.com

(photo by: Bethany Hamilton : photo courtesy Heart of a Soul Surfer (source: http://www.surfersvillage.com/surfing/32421/news.htm)

‘Baywatch’ Star Gena Lee Nolin On Winning Her Body Image Battle

Baywatch’s” Gena Lee Nolin seemed to be the picture of California perfection while starring on the show, but little did we know she was fighting a daily body image battle.

Gena is now finally ready to admit she went through extreme measures to stay swimsuit slim. Gena Lee is speaking out, looking to help others so they don’t fall into the same body image trap she did.

“It’s insane pressure in Hollywood,” Gena Lee told Access Hollywood. “I mean it’s so unhealthy. I lived it, I know. I have had the salad a day for a month so I could look almost just — sick, I was so thin.

“And I would even still think ‘Gosh, I think I had too much lettuce in that salad,‘ you know? I was worried about how thin I had to be,” she added.

In a looks-obsessed world, especially as a “Baywatch Babe,” Gena Lee Nolin really struggled to maintain an unhealthy weight.

“I’m 5’9 and I think then I weighed about 120 pounds which is – tiny,” Gena Lee admitted.
After having her first son, Spencer, 10 years ago, Nolin was back in that famous red swimsuit six weeks later.

“I had a private trainer, it was the whole Hollywood world I was living in,” Gena Lee said.
But now, living in Scottsdale, Arizona with husband Cale, after having second son Hudson, Gena Lee (at about 160 pounds) refuses to cave to the old Hollywood pressure.

“It is kind of sick world to sort of live in. And now my life, its, it is so different,” she said. “The whole family, my husband Cale, Spencer who is 10 and Hudson who is 18 months — thank you!” (source: Access Hollywood)

Hula Hoops Making a Comeback!

It must be official... I read it in the Post! Hula hoops once the playthings of children, are making a comeback in the adult fitness arena!

New, larger hoops are now made just for adults; their added weight and circumference makes it easier to keep the hoop spinning around the body. This means that even if you think you won't be able to hoop, chances are good that you'll catch on quickly. A growing group of people all over the world are using the hula hoop as a tool of artistic expression, meditation, fitness and unadulterated fun. They call themselves hoopers or hoop dancers, and have an online bible at Hooping.org. They can be found swirling their hips lazily in the sun at summer festivals, dancing with passion and precision in ightclubs and parties, and working up a sweat in fitness classes.

Also, game innovator of yesteryear, Wham-O, plans to bring some of its classic products -- including FRISBEES, HACKY SACKS, HULA HOOPS and others -- to the video gaming world. The company is working with FOG studios on multi-platform games, although the Wii system is obviously best for this project.

Want to give hooping a whirl? Check online for a hooping group near you at hooping.tribe.net, order an instructional DVD and premade hoop from Hoopnotica.com, or gather a few basic materials and make your own hoop (see instructions). Hooping is low impact and irresistibly enjoyable, so set your inhibitions aside and step into the spiral.

By the way, check out our hula swimsuit... just the style to wear if hoopin' at the beach : ) (Available at GetGoRetro.com)

World's First Surfing Mice - Radical Rodents!

This is really cheesy ... "get it?" : ) Sufing mice. Gotta see it to belive it!

Soda Pop Top Fashion....

Here's one way to recycle..... soda pop tops. Wish I had the patience to make my own or to have even thought of doing this, but due to time.... carpal tunnel and lack of patience, I'll leave it to others. Soda Pop Top fashions are pretty cool.....

Soda pop-top belt, 'Agnes in Gold'
Sleek and stylish, this belt by Neide Ambrosio celebrates eco-chic. Elegant in golden tones, the belt features pop-top panels held together by fine crochet work.

Soda pop-top backpack, 'Pink Dazzle'
Combining shining threads with gleaming aluminum, Neide Ambrosio
presents a delightful backpack-style purse. She crochets the innovative, modern piece by hand. By recycling pop-tops, she affirms environmental
responsibility.

Soda pop-top cell phone pouch, 'Three Colors True'
This versatile bag by Neide Ambrosio keeps a mobile phone handy. Carried on a shoulder strap, the cell phone pouch is crocheted by hand. She
incorporates pop-tops into the design, recycling them into fashionable works of art.

Reese Witherspoon's Spiced Tea Recipe - Makes a great gift!

"My grandmother had this spiced tea recipe — it's very southern. You take instant powdered tea, a can of Tang, a can of powdered lemonade, and you mix them all together with some nutmeg and cinnamon. I'm telling you, southern people will know this recipe. And you shake it all up, then you put it in a Mason jar, and put a piece of fabric on top and a piece of ribbon around it. Then, whenever you want, just put two scoops in hot water. It's the most delicious thing in the world."

I made it as an extra gift for the sisters.... it is quite good if I say so myself : )

(Source: Good Housekeeping)

Snowball the Dancing Cockatoo.... Loves the Backstreet Boys!

This is truly an adorable "feel good" video. And, this birds got more dance moves and rhythm than I have ever had in my life! Rock on Snowball!



This is a video of a medium sulphur crested Eleanora cockatoo named Snowball living at the Bird Lovers Only Rescue in Schererville, Indiana.

Snowball loves the Back Street boys and has taught himself to dance to their song "Everybody."

Esther Williams... Swimmingly Beautiful Suits

Watching the Turner Network channel and I love Esther Williams. Love her swimsuit line as well. Classy, Classic. Waterproof : )

Polka Dots One Piece Classic Sheath Swimdress Swimsuit by Esther Williams

Soft Cup Bra Tummy Control Lining Tie Halter Top Scoop Back 80% Nylon/20% Spandex Soft Cup Bra Provides Support and Coverage Tummy Control Lining Flattens Your Stomach to Give You a Smooth, Streamlined Shape

Morocco One Piece Swimsuit by Beach Native - $ 34.99
Soft Cup Bra Provides Comfortable Support Vivid Pattern Camouflages Flaws and Creates the Illusion of an Hourglass Figure Keyhole Back Prevents Slipping Straps Tummy Control Slims Waist 82% Nylon/18% Spandex

Keira Knightley Looks Gorgeous in her 1930s Inspired Swimsuit

The 1930's when less was more. And, there was a little more to the swimsuit. As you can see, a one piece full coverage IS sexy!

The beautiful Keira Knightley is taking a leap in her new film Atonement. Pirates of the Carribean. Keira is going retro for her new movie Atonement. It’s being hailed as the big British period drama of the year in Joe Wright's adaptation of Ian McEwan's best selling novel..

Knightley plays Cecilia Tallis, a young woman spending the summer on her family’s country estate. Also starring in the film is James McAvoy (Becoming Jane, The Chronicles of Narnia - The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe).

Oscar hopeful buzz is already in the air and Keira will bring an authenticity to the role that only she can pull off. She looks the part and executes the scenes flawlessly, according to an insider.

P.S. Who says swim caps aren't sexy? It sure looks sexy on Keira! And, if you are looking for a retro flair swimsuit, visit Get Go Retro!
(Sources: John How and GetGoRetro.com

Animated Singing Flamingo ... He's cute!

Anyone that knows me -- knows I love Flamingos -- and although this one is goofy looking he is still cute... cute enough to buy for Christmas... so without further adieu:

Animated Singing Santa Flamingo

It's A Wonderful Life (1946) - Feature Film Online FREE

My favorite movie all year 'round. It's a Wonderful Life! And, now with technology you can watch it on your laptop, or computer at work, play or home all for free. So whoever put this up on Google for all to see... You are my friend : ) and no man is a failure who has a friend! (via Cathy)

Hula Kitty Heads to the Beach .... She's so cute!

This is really cute ... the Hello Kitty Beach Pendant. Anyone seen the Tan Sanrio's Hula Kitty??? She is called the Hula Kitty and she is one hot chick who's not at all worried about her waistline. The huggable doll flaunts her round tan tummy in a hot pink hula skirt or bikini. At 10 inches tall, she's the right size for a child to take on a family trip to the beach. And she is cute, cute, cute. I can't find her anywhere, so I am watching for her on Ebay ....

Now, for big girls who have a little extra cash... there is the Beach Girl Hello Kitty Pendant which is cute too .... My wallet has to decide which one I get : )

This Hello Kitty pendant in sterling silver and multi-color enamel from the Hello Kitty Collection has pavé-set round diamonds totaling 1/10 ctw. and features Hello Kitty wearing sunglasses and a bikini and carrying a diamond beach bag with 18K rose gold accents. It has a bead chain.

Evolution of Dance ... IT WILL MAKE YOU SMILE!

As seen on Oprah ... I enjoyed this so much I had to post it. Supposedly it is the most watched You Tube video on record. I can see why . . . it will make you smile!

See You Later Alligator ... This bride is not a croc!

Well, isn't that just precious. A dried-out, long-dead alligator, all dressed up like a bridesmaid or bride. She's all set to offer her hand in marriage to a dashing suitor. That is, if she had hands, and not just stumps.

I hope there's an afterlife, so that this alligator can have a long discussion with whoever did this to her mortal remains. (Found on Disturbing Auctions Daily)

Advice from a Carny Worker on Beating Those Dang Games!

Summer, Spring, Winter or Fall ... we have all done the carny or midway games. Moreso in the summer at the boardwalk (at least for me), so when I read this article "Get Right Up" in the Baltimore Sun in August, I set it aside to put on my blog later. The article is on how to boost the odds of winning those dang games at the carnival. I thought it was quite fascinating. Of course I lost the paper, but did find the site from whence it came : ) With great excitement, I am posting the article here which can be found by it's original authoer Chris Ashz a 37 year old ex-carny worker in Morgan Hills, CA who traveld with Butler Amusements, Inc. a major carnival operator on the west coat; Ashz puclished a two part series "Carnival Midaway Games Revealed on his website Philaahzophy.com. It's a great read -- AND you should check out his web site. Very interesting stuff there!

Carnival Midway Game Secrets Revealed (Part One)
Posted on July 21, 2007

Men spend countless dollars every summer in (usually) vain attempts to prove their manhood by winning a prize for their girlfriend, wife or child(ren) at the local amusement park, county fair or traveling carnival. Balls are thrown, guns are shot, and rings are tossed all in an attempt to be ‘the hero’. Well, as a former carny who spent years on the road with the Butler Brothers, I’m here to give you a few tips, save you a little cash, and maybe even help you look like the ‘man’ you want your loved ones to believe you are.

First, the basics:

Few, if any, carnivals still “rig” their games. There simply is no need. The odds are already stacked in the operator’s favor, just as they are in the casinos. The prizes are so cheap when purchased wholesale and the games so challenging, that cheating simply isn’t necessary.
The ’smaller’ the business behind the carnival the more difficult the games will be to win. In other words, amusement parks (backed by multi-billion dollar conglomerates) have no need to ‘con’ you out of a few more bucks, the games on the midway at your county or state fair are run by legitimate businesses as the fair is a repeat booking with nearly guaranteed attendance, and the mini-carnivals that spring up in abandoned parking lots are the most likely to be focused exclusively on your wallet.

Befriending a carny can increase your odds of walking away with a prize, but not at the amusement parks or ‘corporate’ carnivals. Almost all carnies (those who travel from town to town) work on a commission basis. Winners bring players, so fill their needs and they may well fill yours. This doesn’t work on the high school kids working at the local theme park, as the eyes of their corporate bosses are usually keeping careful watch through nearby surveillance cameras.

Jay White, of DumbLittleMan.com recently shared his tips on “How To Beat [4] Popular Carnival Games“. He covered The Ladder, Machine Gun Star, Basketball, and Dart games, with fine advice for all, but I’ve got a few more tips for each of them as well:

The Ladder: Definitely the most entertaining carnival game for the spectators. These ladders are connected at only a single point on either end. But it’s unlike any ladder you’ve ever climbed. First off, never grab the rungs of the ladder. Your hands should remain on the outer ropes while your feet either sit above the rungs on the ropes themselves or are tucked into the corner of the rung and rope. Move like an animal - a slow, steady animal. When you remove your right foot from the ladder, your left hand should be moving and vice versa. This allows you to keep your weight more evenly distributed.

Machine Gun Star / Target: You get 100 rounds to shoot out that little star? No problem! Or so you think. This is the most difficult game on the midway, so take any edge you can get! Forget about trying to use the sites to aim, these guns receive zero maintenance. However, keep an eye on the people playing before you. Don’t worry about the ‘accuracy’ of the weapon. Instead, choose the one with the tightest shot grouping. You’ll be tempted to work your way out from the center of the target, but this is a waste of your ammunition. Instead work your way around the outside edge of the colored area. A lot of carnies will leave loading tubes sitting on the counter. These are also poorly maintained and many have their ends crimped higher up than others. Look for the tubes with the shortest amount of space below the crimp as they’ll hold more pellets. Remember that tip about befriending the game operator? They have almost total discretion to determine winners at this game, so bring ‘em a beer if you really want to win.
Basketball: Yes, the balls are overinflated, neither the ball nor the hoop is regulation size, and the backboard has more action than a Ft. Lauderdale bar during Spring Break. The key here, as in most ‘ball through hoop/opening’ games is to drop straight down. Forget the backboard and avoid the rim at all costs. In fact, remember when you used to shoot hoops by swinging the ball between your legs and ‘alley-ooping’ it up at the basket? That’s probably your best bet here as well.

Dart Balloons: How hard could it be to pop a balloon with a dart? Well, it gets more difficult when the darts are duller than the corn dog you just ate and the balloons are so limp they’re barely holding their shape. Dumb Little Man suggests bringing your own darts, but are you really interested in carrying darts around all day just for a trinket? Go ahead and use their dull darts. But don’t worry about using the ’sharp’ point to try to pop the woefully under inflated balloon. Instead, arc the dart so that it hits the board on a steep downward trajectory, thus using the weight of the dart to do the damage.

Test Of Strength: Probably the definitive midway challenge is the ‘test of strength’. Unfortunately it’s not seen much anymore. As mentioned above, even here, it’s not as much about brawn as you might think. Accuracy is the true key to taking hope the Kewpie doll. You need to land the mallet perfectly flat in the dead center of the target. Anything else just wastes energy. Grip the very end of the hammer with both hands so as to get the most centrifugal force and swing it completely over your head, using your arcing back to add power.

Speed Throw: A modern version of the Test of Strength, which measures the speed or power in a thrown baseball or football. Much like its predecessor, accuracy is far more important here than strength. Watch a few players before stepping up yourself in order to judge where the ’sweet spot’ is on the target. Hint: if you’re looking at an over sized picture of a catcher, it’s most likely not in the dead center of his glove.

Chicken/Frog/Witch Catapult: These were first introduced in the late ’80s and consist of a small catapult with a mallet attatched; a rotating table with 4 to 6 cooking pots, lily pads or cauldrons; and a stuffed or rubber critter. You place the critter on one end of the catapult, whack the other end with the mallet, and try to make the critter land in the pot. The good news is you usually get three critters and only need to get one ‘in’ to be a winner. Make sure to tuck all of the extremities (arms, legs, wings, etc.) under the body of the critter, leaving yourself with a tight little projectile. On your first shot, aim for the cauldron farthest from you and hit the catapult as hard as you can. This will give you an idea of how much force is necessary and how much is too much. Landing a prize shouldn’t be too difficult at that point.

There are many more games out there that I’ve worked over the years. In part two I share the insider secrets to another 7 midway games: Cat Rack, Water Gun / Balloon Races, Dime/Quarter Toss, Bushel Baskets, Skee Ball, Crane Games, and the infamous Milk Bottles.
Hopefully these tips will come in handy the next time the carnival rolls through your town.

The Hello Kitty Exhaust Pipe..... A cat with more than 9 lives!

Okay gotta say it. A normal cat has nine lives ... if this is (which I am sure it is) made out of stainless....this cat's got forever! The Hello Ktty exhaust pipe . . . someone's making money on this really cool idea : ) And boy does she purr.... (especially if you have a mustang (sorry -- one of my fav cars)) and roar she does at times.

(Source BoingBoing) (photos from fickr)

"In Time" by Mark Collie - The Punisher : ) -- Great Singer!

Anybody been watching "The Punisher" this week. One of the best parts of the movie is Mark Collie singing "In Time" I kind of actually went nuts over the song which prompted me to look on You Tube to see if it was just a little blurb of a song or a full song. And to my surprise (and happiness) it's a full gon..... so, of course I have to share ... : ) And, I like this guy. I had never heard of him before :) Nice talent : ) Guess I'll be buying some records this weekend.

Underwater Sculpture Garden... Beautiful and Quiet.

The Underwater Sculpture Gallery Someplace off Grenada, a ring of steel and concrete women stand rooted in the ocean floor. Eyes closed, holding hands, facing outwards from the circle, these immobile figures have stood guard for about a year. If their sculptor has his way, they will stay there for as long as they endure the effects of sea water, algae, and other aquatic agents. Jason Taylor planted the submerged women—and other figures in their concrete family—as a project in coordination with the island's ministry of culture. This "artificial reef of sculptures" represents the people of Grenada and "highlights the environmental processes" forever at work in its waters. The generous supplementary site not only shows off the sculptures in their marine home, but walks viewers through the process of creating the pieces, shares two slideshows of what happens to the work over time, and finishes with a video that indicates how eerie—and amazing—it must be to dive among the deep sea bodies. (in Visual Arts) (From Yahoo Picks)