Monday, July 29, 2002 (comments?)
I don't have time to update this morning, so I thought I'd send you off to some weblogs I've recently discovered: She Speaks Good English, Popbook, Day For Night, Chocolate Orange. (All those have been added to my weblog links in the last week or two.)

Saturday, July 27, 2002 (comments?)
(Archived: June entries here.)

I ordered 4 posters from Art.com last night. I really like the site. The main reason? They let you pay by money order. Since I don't have a credit card, that's wonderful. They'll send me my posters as soon as they get the money order. (No, I'm not getting any kind of commission for linking to the site! I just really appreciate their services.)

What's your Ninja name? Mine is Seizaburo Kato-san.

National Soft Drink Association: "Soft Drinks: A Good Part of America" I find it funny that they say that, as if they're trying to convince themselves that's true!

According to this quiz, my weblog owns 25% of me. That's pretty accurate, I'd say.
[via the presurfer]

I just heard "She Hates Me," by Puddle of Mud. Two words: Nirvana wannabes! Sure, I understand if a band is inspired by another band, but to make your voice sound like the other band's lead vocalist is just wrong.

BlogAmp: "BlogAmp is a free Winamp plugin that allows the user to keep in his personal web page a list with the last songs played in his Winamp."

Woman not allowed to wear her hair in "twists." I think it looks great, not unprofessional!

I saw Austin Powers in Goldmember on Thursday night. This review pretty much sums up what I thought about the movie:

Ultimately, this Austin Powers wins the day in the same way its predecessors did (and the way Airplane did), with sheer, relentless, goofball quantity. The deluge of dumb jokes becomes a joke itself, the movie's eagerness to make us laugh as winning as anything that actually happens on screen.

The world would be a cold, cold place without bad movies that make us giggle. Austin Powers in Goldmember may be a hash (and a rehash), but it was cooked with laughing gas.

Yes, it's full of puerile jokes and inane characters, but oh it was funny!

From the Austin Powers site: What's your spy name?

Mine is: Joanna "Courageous" Blackwell.
You are more than a hero/heroine. You are an inspiration to your friends and a respected rival to your worst enemy. You take the big risks to protect your friends, family and country. Not many can walk in your shoes.

Vital Gear
Includes an item of clothing with your country's flag on it, picture of a loved one in wallet and strength of spirit.

One day late: The Friday Five:

1. How long have you had a weblog?
Since November 1999. For some reason, I didn't start archiving until December '99.

2. What was your first post about?
I don't remember. That was almost 3 years ago!

3. How many changes (name, location, etc.) of your weblog have there been, if more than one?
No name changes. I've only had two URLS: I started out at Pitas and stayed there until January 2002, when I moved to this URL.

4. What CMS (content management system) do you use? Do you like it or do you want to try something else?
I'm currently not using a CMS, just a guestbook. I have Greymatter installed, but haven't been using it. I might give YACCS a try.

5. Do you read people who have both a journal and a weblog? Or do you prefer to read people who have all of their writing in one central place?
I mostly read weblogs; but if the weblogger has a journal, I'll read that, too.

I'm jumping on the Blogchalk bandwagon: Google! DayPop! This is my blogchalk: English, United States, Corpus Christi, South Texas, Joanna, Female, 21-25!

Thursday, July 25, 2002 (comments?)
All you ever wanted to know about postcards: Postcard Resources.

Space rock 'on collision course': "An asteroid discovered just weeks ago has become the most threatening object yet detected in space." Could the asteroid be deflected? Maybe.

Aww, Ozzy is really a big ol' softy.

AOL is now under investigation by the SEC. I'm not surprised, not one bit.

ROTFL! Why oh why?

Get me to the church! Poor little hamster. People shouldn't be allowed to do that.

Instant Voodoo. Be nice now ;)

Spell your name in cookies. (Biscuits to all you British)

"Bitterlemons.org is a website that presents Israeli and Palestinian viewpoints on prominent issues of concern. It focuses on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and peace process, but other, related regional issues are also discussed. It is produced, edited and partially written by Ghassan Khatib, a Palestinian, and Yossi Alpher, an Israeli."

Wednesday, July 24, 2002 (comments?)
Weird Japanese Car Names. I want a Yamaha Mint!

More weird monikers: Molecules with Silly or Unusual Names.

Two CDs I am eagerly anticipating: Lifehouse's new album, Stanley Climbfall, and Chevelle's Wonder What's Next. I don't buy CDs that often, but I'm definitely buying those two.

Advice for clowns: What to do to scared children. Ok, I worded that wrong on purpose, but I hate clowns. Loathe them, despise them. Ok, well, the hatred isn't that deep; they're just creepy. I think Kramer would agree (Scroll down for his clown quote).

Sunday, July 21, 2002 (comments?)
I've struck with a summer cold. ::Sniff:: That's why I haven't been updating. Ack, I shouldn't even be online now!

Until I'm well enough to update, check out some other great 'blogs at Blog of the Day.

Thurdsay, July 18, 2002 (comments?)
Sorry for the lack of updates lately. I have no excuse, except that I'm being lazy right now. Plus, it's summer: can't spend all my time in front of the computer! ;)

They make a kind of odd couple, don't you think?

Watch the trailer for The Two Towers here.

Is this really necessary? I think not.

Why haven't I heard of Bagpuss before? Amercian insularity, I guess.

Words of the Day: Excite's Word of the Day, Dictionary.com's WOTD, Oxford English Dictionary WOTD, WordSmith's A Word a Day, YourDictionary.com's WOTD.

More words of the day: Irish Word of the Day, Hawaiian Word of the Day, Travlang's Word of the Day.

Since I'm on the subject of words and dictionaries, I've always thought PseudoDictionary.com is a great idea -- and oh so very entertaining! (I got a good laught out of this word!)

Stupid Product Warnings and Instructions. They have to aim for the lowest common denominator, but still! If you can read the warning lable/instructions, I'm pretty sure you're not moronic enough to do the things they warn you not to do.
[via walk my way]

Wednesday, July 17, 2002 (comments?)
No time to 'blog this morning, so I pulled out a Monday Mission that I filled out yesterday. Please forgive me if I bore you to death:

1. Have you ever sold anything through an online auction? What did you sell and did you make very much?
No, I've never sold anything through an online auction.

2. Have you ever bought anything through an online auction? How was your experience?
Yeah: I've bought two CDs. I was very happy with my purchaces; they were in excellent condition and the sellers were prompt in sending the CDs to me.

3. Do you like the sun? Getting a suntan? Have you ever had a bad sunburn?
I love the sun and I do have a tan right now. I've had quite a few sunburns (not good, I know!) and maybe about two or three severe sunburns; but I guess that's to be expected living in Texas. I don't go out without sunblock now, though.

4. Are you a vegetarian? Why? If not, have you ever considered it?
No, I'm not. I have considered it, am still considering it. I'm very sympathetic towards vegetarians and vegans.

5. Suppose you are getting into your car after you've just made your purchase from a store you visit twice a week. You suddenly realize you had a .35¢ item in your hand and you forgot to pay for it. What would you do next? (what *would* you do, not what *should* you do)
I'd go just go home. I'm too lazy to go back to pay for something that small.

Monday, July 15, 2002 (comments?)
Aw, Hobbitses. How can you not like them? (And Gollum is awesome, too!)

My name, according to the Baby Name-O-Meter, was most popular in the 1980s. I don't run into a lot of other Joannas. I wonder if that has anything to do with where I live? There are plenty of Jennifers, Ambers, and Sarahs here, that's for sure. I guess Joanna just isn't a Southern belle name.

Speaking of names, for the love of god, don't name your child Doubt, Fury, Irony; or, especially if you have more than one kid, Favorite! (Yes, these are actual suggested names.) Can you imagine having to go through life with a name like one of those?!

Oh, I thought I had more time to 'blog, but I've got to head off to work. I'll try to update more later on today.

Thursday, July 11, 2002 (comments?)
Are Your Beauty Products Killing You?:

A report released jointly July 10 by Coming Clean, the Environmental Working Group and Health Care Without Harm details the extent to which a toxic family of chemicals known as phthalates (THAY-lates) are used in everyday household products, especially beauty products like nail polish, lipstick and perfumes.

I adore sites like these: Logophilia: "This Web site and its associated mailing list are devoted to recently coined words, existing words that have enjoyed a recent renaissance, and older words that are being used in new ways."

Trend-spotting 'cool hunters' are getting the cold shoulder:

The biggest challenge that cool chasers face is the elusive nature of cool itself. "The true cool kid is a hard breed to put your finger on," Clark said. "You can't follow him around; he's going to change all the time. Copy him, and he'll move on to the next thing."

For people who profess that color matters, they sure seem to be color blind: Their site's splash page colors clash awfully! The content of the site is quite interesting, though. [You can even take a color survey]

"If we can create a machine whose reactions seem entirely human, do we need to waste our philosophical time wondering whether circuits can ever feel the way neurons do? It's all electrical impulses in the end, baby."

I'm so addicted to Flake, by Jack Johnson. I really should download some of his other songs. If I like them as much as the aforementioned song, I'll definitely buy his CD!

Eclectica has been listed at the Guardian's weblog guide, in the World Weblogs category. Hi to all of you visiting from there!

Tuesday, July 9, 2002 (comments?)
I just noticed that Eclectica is listed on Xenith's link page. How cool. Xenith is an awesome e-zine/webzine. Check it out!

Food scientists patent rose petal ice cream: "Food scientists in South Korea claim to have developed a rose petal ice cream which could even help prevent aging." Mmm, I bet it smells good!

The Surrealist Compliment Generator makes no sense whatsoever, but it's fun!

I hate SPAM (Oh, and I loathe the "meat product," as well!) hate it, hate it, hate it. Just had to get that out of my system! :)

Monday, July 8, 2002 (comments?)
How do you tell someone that it looks like he's Eugene Levy's long lost twin brother? This is how!

Make your own terror warning, Madlib-style!

Do Not Enter: A collection of "Do Not" & "Do Not Enter" signs Around The World.

If you have a broadband connection, check this out!

"A list of over 13000 English words (at last count, 13,429), ranging from the merely uncommon to the extremely rare, nearly obsolete and just plain nutty!"

Cape Canaveral is divorce capital of U.S. Wow, I never would have guessed that!

Saturday, July 6, 2002 (comments?)
The Booklist Center: The web's largest selection of books to read. So much to read, so little time!

Jerz's Online & Offline Literacy Weblog links to writing resources, as well as articles, essays, and amusing web pages relating to literacy (both online and offline).

How much money do you really make? Use the wage calculator to find out.

Artwork inspired by the works of J.R.R. Tolkien.

An American's Guide to Canada. Canada is more than just people playing hockey, drinking beer, and ending sentences with "eh?"

This has to be one of the weirdest things I've ever read. It's entertaining in a disturbing sort of way. (Most definitely not kid- or work-friendly!)
[via One Rainy Day]

Use salt to prevent runs in pantyhose, clean your iron, and more. Solve it with salt.

Celebrate something bizarre: Hatchetfish Day is coming up on July 10th!

Explore other people's aparments/living spaces in WhoLivesHere.com

"The Molecular Expressions Galleria is your gateway to our numerous collections of photographs taken through a microscope."

So disgusting: Man Gorges 50 Franks in 12 Minutes. Yuck! I can't even eat one hot dog!

The Science of Superheroes: Spider-man, Wonder Woman, The X-Men, and more. [Are you a superhero?]

Do animals self-medicate? Read more about it here.

Haha: Elgoog.
[via the presurfer]

Time Keepers: The History of Timekeeping.

I haven't seen Michael George's (Yuck!) controversial new video, but it doesn't sound that bad. Some people are offended too easily, I think. To get updset over a Michael George video is just silly. I agree with Jackie McKerrell: "It is NOT anti-American to criticise the American Government, it is anti-democratic to deny someone the right to express their opinion."

Insider Deals Catch Up with Bush:

This past Fourth of July, I was glad to see that George and Martha were in the media spotlight together. No, not the Washingtons, the first First Couple, but George W. Bush and Martha Stewart, a symbolic First Couple of insider capitalism. Thanks to WorldCom (which overstated pretax profits by a whopping $3.8 billion last year), Tyco International (which was run by executives who allegedly misused company money and covered up improper payments to themselves), Xerox (which over-duplicated its earnings), Martha Stewart (the domesticity-domme who stands accused of insider trading), and other alleged corporate malfeasants, Bush's own less-than-stellar corporate past has been revived.

Is the view outside your window just "blah"? Then, use a cityscape to brighten it up!

Oooh, look at that hair! I like these colors.

Swedish woman develops diapers that decompose:

"Most disposable diapers are no more than 40 percent biodegradable. Sandberg has boosted her brand's biodegradable content to 70 percent, partly by using corn starch instead of plastic to make the outer layer of her diapers."

If you really want to be eco-friendly, use cloth diapers.

Cannibal Culture:

When I was an undergraduate, the push was on in the American culture wars for young people to learn as many "cultural terms" (read: high culture terms) as possible, to correct their shameful cultural illiteracy. But the fact of the matter is that consumers of pop culture need a higher degree of cultural literacy than even the highbrows, since pop culture is the greater cannibal of other cultural products -- and, of course, of itself.

Yeah, it's Saturday, but I'm going to do the Friday Five, anyway:

1) Where are you right now?
In my bedroom.

2. What have you lost recently?
I haven't lost anything recently, thank goodness.

3. What was the first CD you ever purchased? Does that embarrass you now? Does that embarrass you now?
I don't remember, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be embarrassed about it.

4. What is your favorite kind of writing pen?

Ballpoint, black ink.

5. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Chocolate chip mint.

Tuesday, July 2, 2002 (comments?)
Kissing E with the Hair Band: "When Mark Edward Hornish hit the road to see America, he hoped for adventure. But the last thing he expected was help from a Rock Group on Tour."

YouThink.com. I never knew answering random questions could be addicting!

Doesn't this defeat the purpose?! That is truly one of the oddest things I've ever seen.
[via reenhead]

Newly discovered: MEETUP helps groups of people with shared interests to meetup in local cafes (and other places) around the world.

My randomly generated job: "You shall live in a tree. Your job shall be to get high for narcissistic miscreants." Hey, that doesn't sound too bad! ;)

Celeb or not? I answered 12 out of 16 correctly. Not the best, not the worst.

Her goal: Eat pizza each day for a year. I like pizza, but thinking about eating it every day makes me nauseous!
[two links above via pcjm]

Random word of the day: legerdemain.

archives: '99 - '02
1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  21  22 23  24  25  26  27 

eclectica, a weblog copyright (©) 1999 - 2002 by Joanna Blackwell. Don't take what's not yours.