Laptop Lunches and Bentos

Laptop Lunch System. Photo from Laptop Lunches.Com

A sweetheart of a friend has been mentioning Laptop Lunches in her blog and it got me interested in finding out more. I am just 'getting my feet wet' in this new trend, but I admit it is fascinating to me. I love the organizational and nutritional qualities, as well as the efficient use of food/ingredients.

Once I learn more, I am sure I will post more, but in the meanwhile, first, I will share the best sites I have found so far:

Laptop Lunches Product Website
Lunch in a Box by Biggie
Laptop Lunches Discussions on Flikr

And secondly, I will ask YOU for YOUR laptop lunch and Bento tips, tricks, etc. What got YOU into them, and what do you like best and least about them? Where is the best place to buy all the stuff you need, and what are YOUR best laptop lunch meals and recipes?

How Monopoly® Saved Lives

I just finished reading this story, How Board Game Helped Free POWs by Brian McMahon, and I admit, big baby that I am, my eyes are tearing up at the undeniable patriotism, courage, and love that was involved in creating this special version of the Monopoly® game for soldiers.

I am so grateful for people such as these who get involved, at tremendous risk to themselves, and do 'the right thing'. Any one of these people, organizations, or companies could have refused to participate, thus potentially ending any chance of the plan succeeding. Any one of these people, organizations, or companies could have spilled the beans and ruined the plan. Everyone involved took incredible chances: risking their safety, their lives, and their businesses.

I love stories like this one! What amazing people - true heroes.

I can't help but wonder, in today's seemingly self-serving and lawsuit-happy society, would such a thing occur again?

What do YOU think?

Japanese Cooking

This is unlike any other 'cooking show' you have ever seen! I thought it was pretty creative, although you have to be very familiar with cooking, and especially Japanese cooking, to really 'get it'.

If anyone speaks Japanese and can offer a translation of the conversation afterwards, please do so - it looks just as funny and interesting as the sketch itself - or maybe even more so.


Video from YouTube user simplydream

How's Your Vocabulary?

Photo by Chance Agrella














Over on one of my favorite blogs (Freelancewritinggigs.com by Deborah Ng) she took a humor break and listed a few fun sites. One was this quick vocabulary quiz. Results are given by letter grade - just like in school.

To Take the quiz: How's Your Vocabulary? (Quiz)

My Results:

***Your Vocabulary Score: A***
Congratulations on your multifarious vocabulary!
You must be quite an erudite person.

Actually, it would have been terribly embarrassing if I had scored anything less as I have a Master's Certification in English Vocabulary!

Please take the quiz and leave your input about it here. How did you do? Were you surprised by the results?

Happy quizzing!

The Downside of Visualization

I have a few philosophical disagreements with the popular 'visualize it and it will happen' theory.

1- Not everything works for everyone, and not everyone is visual. Some people have better results from tackling goal-achievement with other methods. To espouse 'visualization' as the be-all and end-all of success is incorrect.

2-Far too many people get stuck on the 'visualization' part and neglect the 'get off yer toochis and do something' part. They seem to get some twisted idea that if they just think about it enough it will happen. That is not reality, and it is a crock.

3- Despite all we wish for, hope for, visualize, and do, sometimes we still do not get what we want. That is life, and we need to learn how to be flexible and roll with the punches. Sometimes we need to change our goals.

If visualization helps you achieve your goals -fab! It is awesome that you have found the means to help you in all you strive for.

But you need to recognize that it is not the answer for everyone, and it does get heavily distorted into something it is not. It is not a 'miracle cure' for anyone or anything - you still have to actually DO something.

Life is not a Disney fairy tale - wishing doesn't make things come true.

Beans are not the Only Musical Food Around

I was checking out the latest additions to my subscriptions on YouTube when I saw a link to this video:

The Vegetable Orchestra (*NOTE: around midway through the sound gets a little obnoxious. Just bear with it for a few seconds - it does get amazing again!)

Video from YouTube user vegetableorchestra

Even my teenager was captivated by this music and the means by which it was produced (no pun intended).

So, if they played in your town, would you go see them?
How much would you be willing to shell out to do so (lame pun intended that time)?

Tis the Season for Giving - the Challenge

Photo by Neal McQ
I was surprised last night by a Secret Santa visit. We had a need of something, and someone found out and left it at our home.

I know of several other people in recent days who have also been shown the same kind of love and charity.

I know it should be a feeling we have all year long, but the best way to start is one step and one day at a time.

So, my challenge to you is to find someone every day you can serve or give to in some way. It doesn't have to cost money or take a lot of time. It can be anything.

A smile at a grouchy store clerk along with a friendly 'Hello' can be all it takes to change their day. Opening the door for someone behind you, or paying for the meal of the person behind you in the drive-thru (I have done that a couple of times and it rocks!)

When you make homemade goodies, share some with neighbors, the elderly, or homebound. Call a friend or loved one you haven't talked to for a while. Send a card anonymously to someone who is grieving or struggling with challenges. Rake someone's leaves or shovel their snow (anonymously).

It can be anything for anyone. Just do SOMETHING.

Then let us know what it has been like for you to undertake the challenge. Please also share any ideas and tips you have for things others can do as part of this challenge.

Good luck and thanks for participating!

If you are too shy to post it here, but would like to share, privately send me your story or tips/ideas and I will post them, minus your name.