Life On Replay

But NOT real life, thank heavens...

Someone who's heard me sing along to the radio got me a present - a 'Sims 3' game, with a bonus package consisting of the essence of singer Katy Perry.

(and I said)...Wait..What?



I had to laugh; this 'Showtime' edition lets you create a mini-you and have him/her blunder through a KP style career track that starts you out busking on the street for coins and may let you into 'superstardom'.

But if your mini-you doesn't succeed?..
...there's infinite do-overs, whew!

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Definitely a more certain outcome than the lives of the characters in Ken Griswold's award-winning novel 'Replay' - where a few select people must randomly re-live portions of their past lives.

I re-read it recently, and their choices make it painfully clear that decisions must be made, and that you can't avoid all of life's uncertainties.

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Here's a few bits of one guy's Sims lives:

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As for me?...
I've yet to unwrap my Katy Perry simlife.

Maybe I'm not ready for all those colorful choices?

For TT's 'Life Uncertainties' day
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DriveBy Funnies

Stop, Look & Lol @ Funny Signs:







And because it can't be mentioned enough...



Finally, don't forget:

I just needed a few laughs today...

- Hope you did too :)

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btws, just found this - long but has good ones:



(A few more lol signs @ DailyMail )

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Bring Us Your In-Laws

`
I like amusement parks...

Especially the ones with quirky, unique rides.

I remember going to Disneyland as a teenager, and thinking 'Gee, wouldn't it be great to -live- here?!'. Then I grew up and realized that perhaps a few more vegetables and a few less decibels might make for a better life.

Yet I still yearn to see these two in person:


Cool Water Slide in St. Joseph, Missouri.

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and
Wildwood NJ's not-so-spooky boat ride:



Marvel at the bright day-glow colors.

Then lol at that final sign inside.

Thrills for the entire family...

so plan ahead for Halloween. ;-)

For our H'ween TThursday topic: 'Thrill'
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One Fish Two Fish Red Fish OMG FISH

A five foot flying fish, actually.

Ever want a 5 ft remote-controlled helium-filled flying fish? The video below shows a family that owns both the Shark and the Clown Fish 'Air Swimmer' models:



They fly both of them throughout the house.
And in the city. Just watch it. Awesome.

So awesome that I got my own 'Nemo' on Monday.

The box it came in is surprisingly small;
it fit into a regular priority mail box.

Now to find a helium source so mine can fly.
And hopefully I'll avoid the ceiling fan.
You know how fish hate ceiling fans.

And BTW, thanks Mrsupole for
our great new TT topic: 'FISH'
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How To Tell if Someone is Lying

Nonverbal clues, anyone?...

Chimpanzees can't talk, but they can still fib. Researchers found that chimps can divert other chimps, and thus keep them from realizing that the first chimp is hiding (and not sharing) a banana.

We humans are so much smarter, we should be able to tell when others are trying to deceive us, right? Just to be sure, here are two short videos:



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There, now I feel smarter, don't you?

For TT's Communication day
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Make A Sparkler

Here are two simple 4-item recipes:

1. For this fireworks sparkler you need:

Potassium Nitrate - 6 parts
Granular Magnesium - 4 parts
Charcoal - 1 part
and a starch or sugar 'binder'

Mix, and coat a wire or stick.

This guy uses -marshmallows- for his binder.



Or, if that sounds too messy...

2. You can mix up a Bond Street Sparkler.

blackberry puree,
St.Germain elderflower liqueur
Fresh Mint
and a quality Champagne...

For a simply fun July, I might make both.

For TT's 'simple' day
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Catapulting Cows and Coconuts

aka Playing with your food, SpamALot style:

1. To begin, pick your side, the English, or ze French!
2. Use the mouse cursor to drag ammo to the catapult
3. Aim by sliding the object at the catapult up and back.
4. Then release your mouse button to launch. Good Luck!

Click the pic to start SpamALot, the game!

*Its like Angry Birds, but with cows ;-)

hint: Get {killer bunnies!} with a Spam product code.
Just click the upper right 'scroll' marked 'unlock weapons'

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Or, if you're the more cerebral type,
click pic below to go to the Spam Museum!

"The museum features 16,500 square feet of SPAM® artifacts, history and fun—and all for free! Yes, that’s right— it’s free admission to check out vintage advertising, answer SPAM® trivia, try your hand at canning SPAM® products, stock up on collectible SPAM® memorabilia, and learn about all the SPAM® products."

Spam artifacts? Ew. Hope they're really, really old so they'll be dry by the time I visit...
Have a great weekend!

for TT's 'spam' day
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Escape The Cursed Room

Sounds like our average work day lament, eh? Its a breezy day, the sun is shining and we're stuck indoors. Don't mind it so much in the winter, but today I'd like to get out of this room.

But lucky for us, escape is now possible!

'Escape the Cursed Room' is a sequel to 'The Grudge', a point-n-click adventure / escape game. In this (free) online game, you are locked in a room and you try to escape the room by finding items and solving puzzles.

So, want to escape a bit right now?
Just click the image above and you'll go there.

Have Fun!

*And then please come back and tell me.
Because I've never gotten out.

Oh no, I might still be there!...

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fyi:

Never played a game like this before?...
Below is a quick & colorful walk-thru for the
'Escape The Bathroom' game. (has spoilers)
( other games @ EscapeGames24)
No, I couldn't get out of this bathroom without help.
Wait, that sounds pathetic doesn't it?...
But hey, I consider that fly part cheating!

For TT's 'Escape' day
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The Holy Grail of Silly

Because, what's sillier than 'Spamalot'?

(Perhaps a special edition can of SPAM-alot?)

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My favorite song from the show:


Diva's Lament _{{CardinalFang.net}}

What ever happened to my part?
It was exciting at the start.
Now we're halfway through Act 2
And I've had nothing yet to do.
I've been offstage for far too long
It's ages since I had a song.
This is one unhappy Diva
The producer's have deceived her.
There is nothing I can sing from my heart.
Whatever happened to My Part?


I am sick of my career
Always stuck in second gear
Up to here, with frustration and with fear.
I've no Grammy, no rewards,
I've no Tony Awards*,
I'm constantly replaced by Britney Spears.
Britney Spears!


Whatever happened to My Show?
I was a hit, now I don't know.
I'm with a bunch of British Knights,
Prancing 'round in woolly tights.
I might as well go to the Pub
They've been out searching for a shrub
Out shopping for a bush
Well they can kiss my Tush!
It seems to me they've really lost the plot


Whatever Happened to My…
I'll Call my Agent, Dammit!
Whatever Happened to My…
Not Yours! Not Yours!
But... My... Pa-art !


*btw, Sara Ramirez actually -did- win the Tony! :)

For our TT's 'Silly' day
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Party Animals

A wet T-shirt* contest.

*Except there's no shirts, and the only 'T' is on the end of the elephant.

Because its spring, and that means peewee pachyderms in the pool. This week, the keepers at the Houston zoo brought out the new 'baby' pool for their younger elephants. And it was quite a splash hit...


Baylor is over 1100 lbs, tiny Tupelo is only 600.

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Baby Baylor's first pool.
See at :20 where Mom sticks her foot in?
Notice the keepers bribe her (and auntie) with tidbits to keep their big feet (and 10,000lbs) out of his baby pool. But they still end up replacing the pools every few weeks.

Make you want a pool of your own?...
It just makes me want summer, stat! ;-)

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Luck Be A Lady

Some people get all the luck.

Lady goes to a show at the Roncalli Circus,
and gets to walk off with a new coat...



*Just in time for ThemeThursday's 'Luck' day.
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Yule Laugh

What not to do with your Xmas tree:

Mambo Santa Mambo

A new tune for your holiday mix.



Hm. I've never tried tequila eggnog.
Do we have to add the worm?...

Merry Christmas, y'all !

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Spin In The Wind

Actually, its an indoor windmill.
Made out of a cardboard box.
(a model for a later design)
So it will sit, but not even spin.

And for you observant types...

'Yes', it is a box from a case of Chablis.
(sigh) 'No', there isn't any left, (sorry)
But since its Friday...
'Yes', later we'll go get another. ;)

As its my only art for the day,
it becomes my 12th day of art, of 30.
this November's 'Art Every Day' month
See the other's art bits via twitter #aedm2010

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To see a livelier windmill, watch her go:

And she did it with no scrapes, I'm impressed!
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Sunshine Cinema

We've all seen movie trailers...
But this time the films are in the trailer?

Based in the UK, 'Sol Cinema' is a tiny, solar-powered movie house that seats eight adults or up to 16 kids if they're really, really friendly.



Their facebook page claims them to be the
World's Smallest Solar Powered Theatre.
Can't imagine anyone inside this tiny theater disputing it.

Think they'll host the premiere of this upcoming flick?:

Claustrophobia
?

* artwork is mine, for
'Art Every Day' November.


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Flying Art

My Modern ScareCrow, done for a local art fest.

Didn't win, but it does spin nicely in the breeze.

And no crows landed on it.

*did the construction before H'ween, but just did the pic today, so I can enter it as my daily dose in this 'Art Every Day Month'... ;-)

Find other's art via Twitter, hashtag: #aedm2010 (or search twitter)

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And if you'd like a Thursday Travel Tip, here's mine:

The contest was held near La haska, PA, at a place called Peddler's (tho no one has a cart) Village. And now's the time to make holiday plans. Every store there is unique, no chains, so they get a lot of shoppers at gift giving time.

Its like a giant outdoor mall, {store map} with cobbled paths and quirky decorations. Plus lots of food, lodging, a kid play center, and a great variety of wares.


Half of the units are grouped around a big sloping 'village green', so disabled travellers beware. The closest Int'l airports are Newark & Philly; just click on the map for more info and reviews.

*And don't forget to tap her palm tree above if you'd like to enter phhst's most recent travel contest!
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Left Handed Art

My 'lefty' Mona Lisa
Now's the month for it.



Normally I do everything righthanded.
But lately I've been using my left hand to do art on the computer. (My mouse is on that side) So I'm joining this November's 'Art Every Day' month to see what comes of it.

Welcome to my left-handed month of art!

(plus my usual hits & bits ;-)

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Just for fun:

PSJ's 500 years of Women in Art, in 173 seconds.
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Panic! At The Party

Just thought I'd link to a few music videos to get us all in the mood for Halloween. So, without further ado...

''Its Almost Halloween''
(by 'Panic! At The Disco'...)

followed by their spooky hit song from

"Nightmare Before Christmas"

*now we finally know who wrote it :) lyrics below


'This Is Halloween' by P!ATD

Boys and girls of every age
Wouldn't you like to see something strange?
Come with us and you will see
This, our town of Halloween

This is Halloween, this is Halloween
Pumpkins scream in the dead of night
This is Halloween, everybody make a scene
Trick or treat till the neighbors gonna die of fright
It's our town, everybody scream
In this town of Halloween

I am the one hiding under your bed
Teeth ground sharp and eyes glowing red
I am the one hiding under your stairs
Fingers like snakes and spiders in my hair

This is Halloween, this is Halloween
Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween!

In this town we call home
Everyone hail to the pumpkin song
In this town, don't we love it now?
Everybody's waiting for the next surprise

Round that corner, man hiding in the trash can
Something's waiting now to pounce, and how you'll...

Scream! This is Halloween
Red 'n' black, slimy green
Aren't you scared?

Well, that's just fine
Say it once, say it twice
Take a chance and roll the dice
Ride with the moon in the dead of night

Everybody scream, everybody scream
In our town of Halloween!

I am the clown with the tear-away face
Here in a flash and gone without a trace
I am the "who" when you call, "Who's there?"
I am the wind blowing through your hair
I am the shadow on the moon at night
Filling your dreams to the brim with fright

This is Halloween, this is Halloween
Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween!
Halloween! Halloween!

Tender lumplings everywhere
Life's no fun without a good scare
That's our job, but we're not mean
In our town of Halloween

In this town
Don't we love it now?
Everyone's waiting for the next surprise

Skeleton Jack might catch you in the back
And scream like a banshee
Make you jump out of your skin
This is Halloween, everybody scream
Wont' ya please make way for a very special guy

Our man jack is King of the Pumpkin patch
Everyone hail to the Pumpkin King now

This is Halloween, this is Halloween
Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween!

In this town we call home
Everyone hail to the pumpkin song

La la-la la [Repeat]

Keep tappin' those pointy-toed shoes!

;-)

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For 'A Fanciful Twist's Blog Party
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Frogs Back In Fashion

With frog fans putting on quite a show...



Or, for the less artistic... go to the Japanese Consulate in Miami and they'll show you how to make an origami frog... but only on the first Monday of each month.

Or you could just watch this:

Making an origami frog, one-handed.

Isn't summer fun?

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Losing Your Lunch

_{(part of the TT lunch series :)}
Your school nightmare is back, as an 'action figure'. With nine mystery selections for your dining pleasure...?

Oh no!

So maybe you should eat here instead:



Or maybe not...

;-)

How about here (below) instead, since
these folks really seem to be enjoying lunch:



'Don't sing a song, man !' ... ha!

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