Movie Review: Bridesmaids

Last night, my wife and I watched Bridesmaids on TV. Everyone had spoke highly of the movie since its release and we really enjoyed it. Some of the scenes were absolutely hysterical (especially the bridal shop scene). It did remind me of what happens when friends get older and when our lives adapt to new experiences like marriage and the consequences to the non-married people. Having kids also does this.

4 years later...

Today is the 4th anniversary of the death of E. Gary Gygax, the co-creator of the Dungeons and Dragons game. How time flies... We weren't able to get a game going this year to celebrate his achievements but his awesomeness is with us gaming geeks.

Van Halen's Tattoo

I heard the new single from Van Halen, Tattoo, today with the new/old lineup of Eddie, Alex, David and Wolfgang. It's not bad but it isn't the blockbuster song that the album 1984 produced so many of (Hot For Teacher being my favorite).

Several callers to the radio station were not impressed. This brings to mind what influence Michael Anthony brought to Van Halen's songwriting process vs. the relative inexeperience of Wolfgang Van Halen.

Let's wait and see what the whole album brings to the table. If Tattoo is the best song...it won't be pretty!

They don't make these like they used too...

If you are getting tired with buying stuff that last no longer than the common cold, please read this...

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/good-news/world-oldest-light-bulb-still-burning-bright-110-174107117.html

How to stay broke for life...

I found this article on Yahoo today. It is a reprint of an article found on http://www.goldengirlfinance.ca/.

You have no savings or investments - and you haven't even thought about retirement! But hey, you have a new car, a beautiful new house and enough power suits to last you until you're 100 years old. Plus, if you still have plenty of available credit, who cares about the bottom line when life is this good?

It's a good question, and one that many people aren't forced to consider — until it's too late. Check out the top ways you can keep the charade going and stay broke! Yes, BROKE! If you're lucky, you'll die before anyone notices...

1) Finance everything

Live for the now. If you can get a loan or buy something on credit, do it. This should be easy; after all, your salary isn't nearly big enough to cover all your "needs."

2) Pay the minimum — on everything

Take a look at your credit card statement. It should tell you how long it will take you to pay off the balance if you make the minimum payment. Shoot for a time frame that's longer than you can ever imagine living. That should do it. Now go have fun!

3) Spend it all

Financial advisors tend to recommend that you "save up" for things you want. That's impractical if you want things right now — now isn't it?!

4) Buy a huge house

Why have a smaller house, when you can afford the 40-year mortgage payments on a bigger one? If you're lucky, the market will rise, giving you some extra equity to spend!

5) Buy a new car

Car models don't change much year to year, but you can't put a price on that new car smell. Ideally, you should be sporting a new ride every two or three years and financing it (of course!) for the longest term possible. If you do this for long enough, you may end up owing more than your car is even worth. That's okay — you'll look great doing it!

6) Take a vacation

Pull out your credit card and go somewhere nice. There's nothing better than getting away from it all, and you totally deserve it! After all, you want to be able to brag about this for years to come.

7) Buy more toys

A great car is important, but what you really want to shoot for is a motor home pulling a truck, pulling a trailer with two ATVs inside (and possibly a boat, too). Then you'll know you've arrived — and you can arrive on any terrain you want.

8) Pay more when you can

Rather than worrying about saving a dollar here and there, just do what is most convenient. Coupons, shopping around and waiting for things to go on sale is such a pain — and why bother for only a few dollars? After all, time is money!

9) Shop every day

Treat yourself whenever you get the chance. After all, nothing feels better than coming home with something new at the end of a hard day. If you can't find a use for what you've bought, you can always add it to your gift closet. You do have a gift closet, right?

10) Eat out

Treat yourself to dinner out at least a few times a week. It's convenient, it's relaxing and your time is worth something - even if you wouldn't have spent it working.

You earned it?

That feeling of being on top is something only money can buy. Don't miss out. Money is made to be spent. After all, you earned it...right?

(Okay, wrong! This is where common sense finally kicks in. If there's anything that feels amazing, it's knowing you have money in the bank. The ultimate luxury is not a new car, designer wardrobe or scarlet-soled shoes; it's savings pure and simple. Don't you know that excessive spending went out of style with shoulder pads, teased bangs and Dynasty?)

Jim Henson's Birthday

Today would have been Jim Henson's 75th birthday. I was very saddened by his passing in 1990 because the Muppets meant so much to me as a child and even now as an adult. It is a great tribute to his memory that the Muppets still live on and that a new movie is coming on in November. Looking forward to it.

Artwork Project 1

I finally got the chance to install Ubuntu Studio this weekend on an old computer. It contains LOTS of software to do audio, video and graphics projects. I added the program MyPaint to it and gave it a try last night. MyPaint is an open-source clone of Corel Painter, ArtRage and other art packages.

I also used the Wacom Bamboo tablet that my wife gave me as a present 2.5 years ago. It was a blast to try it all out. It felt really natural to be drawing with the stylus while concentrating on the computer monitor.

Below is a drawing inspired by the Caribbean islands that my family have visited on various vacations. I used digital pastels to create the image with some layering effects such as opacity.

I hope you like it...