A Deer Story to Warm Your Heart . . .

This happened over a year ago, but when Second Chance Ranch posted it on their Facebook page, the story went viral. While it may seem like a minor feat, some may even call it insignificant, the story of how Tom Satre of Alaska Quest Charters saved four young deer has heart. It is, when you read it and look at the pictures, a reminder that people are simply kind. That we have, in our hearts, the inclination to do good even when it means no benefit to us. This is a good thing at a time when we also see so much ugliness in the world. It helps to change perspective and appreciate that basic, simple joy . . . there for the taking to anyone who will inhale, smile and say, "It is good." God built us for fellowship with others and stewardship of the earth . . . and that's what I see happening in this story.

Read more about the swimming deer rescue story at Alaska Quest Charters' website, The Juneau Empire, and on Second Chance Ranch's Facebook profile.

Photos from The Seattle Weekly.

Nom Noms Inspired by Fantasy Saga

Yes, it's good. If your first choice for a good read is a lengthy, viscerally detail-orientated saga...If you find yourself salivating over George R. R. Martin's vivid descriptions of, say, Sansa's breakfast...Or, simply, if you enjoy a spot of epicurean gamboling and are wracked with ennui over the monotony of cookbook choices, here is something for you: Inn at the Crossroads. This website, inspired by foods mentioned in The Song of Fire and Ice, the renowned book series by George R. R. Martin, is the foodie opus of Chelsea Monroe-Cassel and Sariann Lehrer and is the best source on the web (or anywhere else!) to find recipes for both ordinary repast as well as kingly delicacies from history and imagination.

Inn at the Crossroads also provides good entertainment as each recipe is accompanied by a gorgeous photograph to gawk at and a bit of narrative to read.

Visit Innatthecrossroads.com for more information and recipes.

It's a Catchy Tune . . . How About You?

Krista Branch's single, "I Am America," is now a politician's campaign theme song. What?! But wherever you stand in your political leanings, this song has many inspirational notes worth pondering.  Maybe not the Star Spangled Banner, yet Branch's lyrics and upbeat melody manage to convey a significant motto of our societal generation.

A Picture is Worth . . . Much, Much More.

National Geographic's Your Shot provides a much needed escape from cynicism, apathy, and perhaps just plain boredom. It's sure to spark conversations and, the best part is, they're pictures that ordinary-yet-extraordinary people take every day. Not only does NatGeo host your photos on their website where all can gaze, gawk and admire—they also turn them into enjoyably diverting games: sliders, memory, jigsaw puzzles, and concentration/match games.

This photo of dolphins surfing, for example, was captured by Sarah Jones who proudly captions: "I had just finished photographing surfers when this school of dolphins came through. For once I had my camera with me and was able to get the shot!" (View it here with full accreditation: National Geographic's Your Shot Weekly Wrapper)

While dozens of social media and other sites also offer the means to photo-share, Nat Geo brings it all together under their infamous banner. Having your own photo published by an acclaimed magazine globally-known for absolutely amazing pictures since 1888 does have a special ego-boosting dynamism. Meanwhile, YouTube, for example, can only feint at fame for 15-minute bursts (Justin Beiber and the latest humorous monkey tricks notwithstanding).

There's a huge assortment of pics to browse through at National Geographic's Your Shot home page and you just might discover, while sifting through, your daily inspiration or just a reminder of how blessed you truly are. And that's worth, well, a lot—much more than just words.

Note: You can also give "My Shot" a try if you're looking for a more social-media-esque pic sharing experience.

(The above photo can be viewed full size, with its captions and source cited, at National Geographic's Your Shot Daily Dozen.)

(The above photo can be viewed full size, with its captions and source cited, at National Geographic's Your Shot Daily Dozen .)

(The above photo can be viewed full size, with its captions and source cited, at National Geographic's Your Shot Daily Dozen.)

A Song of Fire and Ice (aka how to be cruel to your readers)

A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


That's it! I can't read anymore. Martin is a great writer, skilled at weaving engaging and vibrant stories . . . but his perverse and sadistic obsession with making us love a character only to kill him or her off is torturing me. There is only so much I can take of these depressing twists of the knife. Someone give George R.R. Martin a hug and a big bar of chocolate. He needs more cheer.

Bah.



View all my reviews

Make It Yours, Make It Better

Better Facebook allows you to customize your facebook page via its browser app. Even better, Better Facebook is a free application (although, if you like freeware or even just like the idea of freeware, you should donate at least something to the cause) and a safe download.

With Better Facebook, add skins, tabs, easily hide annoying content (so you won't have to "unfriend" your Farmville loving pals), move notifications to where they are convenient for you, make chat work the way you want, and much more.

You have nothing to lose in trying; if you don't like it, the Better Facebook plug-in is as simple to remove as it is to add on.

We Love Our Social Media, So Why Does It Keep Changing?

Here's why:
Facebook's Singular Goal is to be THE Center of the World.
Well, the world wide web. Everything you do on the internet, Facebook wants to be a part of it. That's a tall order, though, for a site better known as a Farmville platform or a myspace 2.0. Then, you have to consider that Google+ is looming overhead, waiting to usurp them all.

That's not all; Facebook also has its face undergoing cosmetic surgery. An entire page is devoted to this update: Timeline, which has a very blog-like, web-page-y feel to it. Many will consider this a radical change and extremely terrifying to some users if even a small switch from "fan" to "like" could upset millions.

For some reason, even though we voted a man into The White House based on his promise for change, social media users do not like change. Every change made on Facebook sparks hundreds of new Facebook group pages devoted to protesting it, and many thousands more who banner their profiles with complaints and disgruntled "Me no like" status updates. Constant change, though, is what resulted in the technology we're now spoiled by and dependent upon.

In the meantime, you will find me on my blog more often. Any changes in format or content is in my (Muwahahahaha) absolute control. That's how I like it. Between Twitter and Blogger, what more could a girl want?

Well, more readers perhaps. And my own nuclear powered island. All that may come . . . in time.

Netflix Apology Is Defensive But Misses The Mark

In his blog last Sunday, Netflix CEO and Co-Founder Reed Hastings offered An Explanation and Some Reflections about the latest Netflix price hike. Last month, Netflix announced that it was splitting its services—dvd shipments and instant streaming—into two pay structures, angering millions of users as the change resulted in a significant increase in monthly subscription rates. As the effect took place September 1st, Netflix lost over one million subscribers and its stock values plunged.

Now Hastings' apology dumps another blow on his dissatisfied customers' heads; Netflix is splitting into two separate companies: Netflix for instant streaming content and Qwikster for DVD by mail service. Read more, and offer your opinion, here.

UPDATE: as of 10/10/11, Netflix has reversed its plans: DVDs are staying on the main site. Seems that the power of customer feedback also remains. Read more here.

As American as Mom, Apple Pie . . . and Lemonade Stands

While a republic without any laws or regulations would be akin to the dark ages to some, one that's governed by litigiousness and restrictions is nothing like the "America the Free" I once knew and loved. Ironically, the more we've gained for individual lifestyles and nonconformity, the more laws restricting our movements and actions have been heaped on us. Many of these laws come in the form of permits -- a process of paying our public officials for their permission to do something, much like having to go before the king for his approval. Have we really become so afraid of freedom? Let's try for more "America, Home of the Brave," too. Lemonade Freedom is a perfect start.

Learn more here: http://www.lemonadefreedom.com/

Join the cause on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=129646183789904

Cyber Era's Spooning Equiv?

The video I had shared here, which discussed the "If you love me, like me" phenom of the social media age, is no longer available.

In its place, enjoy some NoNoNo Cat: