... and spit over your left shoulder...

Good chilly morning,

How superstitious are YOU?  Are there certain things that you believe in, even though they make no sense, certain behaviors that you exhibit, which, to an outsider would make you look weird?   I know I do, and I am not ashamed to say it.

 I fear black cats crossing the street - and I would not drive or walk until someone else does it before me.  Which kind of made me think - if a black cat crosses in front of you, and then runs back - does it mean tht he changed his mind, or did he just double the bad omen?

I also wear a "red thread" on my left hand, to protect against an evil eye...  Many many years ago, a co-worker with an evil eye complimented me on something, and next morning I had a pink eye, a lip sore and a common "feel like shit" cold.  So, since then....

Question to you - what do you believe in???   Here are a few I found online...

 - If you catch a falling leaf on the first day of autumn you will not catch a cold all winter.

 - Before traveling a person should, apparently, sit on their luggage. (Russian)

 - If the clasp on your necklace has turned to the front, someone is
thinking of you.

 - If your nose itches, someone wants to kiss you.

 - Don't spill the salt.

 - If someone sweeps or vacuums under your feet, you will never get married! (now they tell me, LOL)

With this being said - please feel free to add, and I will revise the post,

Superstitually (is that even a word) yours,



The fear of Friday the 13th is called friggatriskaidekaphobia or paraskevidekatriaphobia  I hereby declare that if you can pronounce either one of these words - you will never have bad luck on Friday the 13th!



Julie

...for those of you who are fasting ...

I would like to wish all those who read the blog, and in particular, those who observe this day in various manners, a meaningful and easy Yom Kippur (Jewish Day of Atonement), and for those of you who are fasting – an easy fast!

May the coming year be a better year, and may we all be better, more meaningful, and more considerate people – to ourselves, to our family, to our community and to the whole world!

I for one would like to ask forgiveness from anyone that I may have hurt or wronged in the last year.

                                                                  Julie

... Remember when...?

Happy Tuesday ya'll,

Remember when you had a pager(beeper), and you thought you were the coolest chick(or lad) on the block?... There were a few, whose pagers were not even connected, but still were there, on a proud display in the jeans pocket, LOL.  All kidding aside, isn't it amazing how technology has mega-jumped in the last 20 years? 

As Apple is preparing to unveil its next iPhone, I figured it would be a good time to revisit the gizmos and gadgets of the past. Feel free to comment and add your own, 'cause I am sure I might've overlooked something...

So, without further delay...



Laugh all you want, iPhone users...  :-)



The revolution truly began in 1989 when Motorola launched MicroTAC, a phone  that featured a flip-lid mouthpiece and was the smallest and lightest phone on the market. In other words, you could hold it up for nearly five minutes before your arm started to go numb.

Oh, snap, I forgot the VHS tape rewinder machines... You remember "Be Kind-Rewind" slogan?

 

According to WWW, the first text message was sent 12/03/1992 - when Neil Papworth, a 22-year-old test engineer used a personal computer to send the text message "Merry Christmas" via the telephone network to the phone of Richard Jarvis.  Now - how many texts do YOU send a day???   :-)



Further down the list - did you know that the first digital camera could hold 8 photos?  Launched in 1994 and costing around £600, the QuickTake was the first consumer digital camera that worked with a home computer. It had a fixed focus, no zoom and no way to preview photos on the camera. Manufacture ceased in 1997

This is arguably the most influential invention of our time. The web changed the way people of all ages interacted with the outside world. The web went worldwide in 1991 but really took off at the beginning of 1995.  Do YOU remember your AOL/Compuserve screen name???  And did you cringe at the sound of the dial-up modem going "chhhhhhhhhhhh-shhhhh"???  :-)

Next item on my list - Tamogochi... 'nuff said..

Tamagotchi translates as "Watch inside an egg"

I, however, still have my Furby, and every now and then, it's never dying battery scares the beejeezuz out of my cat..

What?  TV, hanging on a wall, thin as a slice of paper??? Impossible... because back in the days, what we had was Sony Trinitron

I am sure I can go on and on and on.... But it would be more interesting if I had your input so - think of an item from your past - I will research it and revise this post... Isn't it amazing, though, how technology has changed and evolved??? But we do appreciate things of the past, we are even somewhat nostalgic for them.  So, for all of you who remember the "Thighmaster" - think of a thing - and we will make this post grow !!!

Adios,

Julie the Tech,











My review of: Sesame Street - The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular

Hello there...

Just in case you wanted to know what this Spooktacular is all about - this review is for you.

From 09/24 to 10/30 - Sesame Place will be transformed into a not-too-spooky Halloween haven featuring two themed mazes, a character hayride, three Halloween shows and everyone’s favorite Sesame Street friends dressed in their Halloween attire.

Having gone to Sesame Place just a few months ago, I recommend to visit again, during the Spooktacular, because it is not as hot, not as humid(all water attractions have been turned off) and all those who love Elmo and Big Bird, and of course, The Count, will have a lot of fun!

So, we went in because my nephew loves The Count and his bats (who are named Grisha, Misha, Sasha and Tatiana).  The Count usually hangs out on a Main Street, where you can take a picture with him.  We did not see him there last time, but maybe he was rehearsing for the show (see video further below  :-) )

The rides are not scary, and there is a pretty cool maze, as well as trick-or-treating booths all over the park.  You can also paint or carve pumpkins (note: the price for those is not included in the admission ticket)



You know me, I loooove these rides





The winner of the Count's Maze

 As far as dining reservations, you have a choice - you can make reservations at Dine with Me, and Sesame Characters will entertain you while you are eating.  They will also walk around for the meet-and-greet, picture-taking and sing all-time favorites.  (Adults $24.95 and Kids $16.95 including tax)  There are also plenty of places for snacks - hot dogs, chicken nuggets, salads, etc. - so the choice is yours !!!

The main thing is - DO NOT FORGET TO WATCH THE SHOWS:
# 1 (and my personal favorite) Countdown to Halloween Show - you will be treated to a stage performance starring Count von Count, Elmo, Zoe and Abby. In this musical show, Count von Count goes on a journey on his favorite night of the year - Halloween! By the way, The Song of the Count is now my favorite!

All Sesame Street characters are walking around, posing for pictures.  You can catch the Cookie Monster, Oscar the Grouch, Bert and Ernie, and others all over the park. 

And of course, last, but definitely not the least - the Sesame Street Parade !!!
Light Halloween theme is mixed with the old-time favorites, as all characters pass by on colorful floats, dancing, jumping and behaving silly.  Parade time is 4pm (weekends only)

So, with that being said - go to http://www.sesameplace.com/, and makeplans to take a nice trip.  It is not a long drive, and you will definately enjoy it!!!   (For awesome burgers, check out Red Robin at 610 Middletown Blvd. Langhorne, PA 19047)

Signing off,

                     Julie von Count (HA-HA-HA)

Halloween is near...

Howdy there...  According to the nline countdown clock, Halloween is only 41 days away - that's 999 hours away, to be precise... So, have YOU figured out who you are going to be???

I like that holiday - it comes right after my birthday (hint-hint), and it is cool, if you are a free spirit and do not mind getting dressed up in ridiculous outfits.  Especially when there are kids involved, being fun and funky with them - it is like a breath of fresh air.

In any case -  here is a list of the most popular ideas for 2011 Halloween: 

1. Avatar's Neytiri
2 Batgirl
3. Sexy Gangster
4. Lady Ga-Ga
5. Angry Birds

1. Harry Potter
2. Vampire
3. Robert Pattinson (as himself)
4. Mike "the Situation" Sorrentino
5. Smurf

Please note that these are not in any particular order... And so my question to you is:

WHO TICKLES YOUR FANCY THIS HALLOWEEN???

If the #2 pencil is the most popular, why is it still #2?

I would not even research it and write about it, if the DJ on the radio would not ask that question... and now, I cannot stop thinking about it.  Apparently, there are other pencils, # 1, and # 3, and # 5....  Who knew???

Ah, the answer is short and sweet - it is just the best type of lead to use, for electronic exams, because it is not as smudgy and soft (or hard) as others...  Hence rest assured that your tests will be graded correctly :-)

And look, the question is so popular, that it has its own Facebook group, with over 4600 "likes"   http://www.facebook.com/pages/If-the-2-pencil-is-the-most-popular-why-is-it-still-2/10150133503115512

Enjoy your weekend, and the crispy weather we will have,

Signing off,
Yours truly

...To wear or not to wear...

Good chilly Friday morning,

According to UK's The Telegraph, women spend 1 year of their lives deciding what to wear.  " Experts found on average women spend 16 minutes every weekday morning deciding what to wear and around 14 minutes on a Saturday or Sunday morning."  (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/5783991/Women-spend-nearly-one-year-deciding-what-to-wear.html) So, I guess, the guy in a wifebeater and underpants, often looking into my window (in my old apartment) was, in fact, an expert from The Telegraph...  

But, as we've all felt a sudden change in weather, from the 80s+ to 50+ this morning, the question, or more like a statement is  I'VE GOT NOTHING TO WEAR!!!

I am posing a question - what is your favorite item of clothing?  How easy do you switch season wear? Do you have a piece that makes you feel comfortable, sort of like a security blanket from the childhood? What item you can wear with almost anything???   OK, my fashionistas and fashion(ummm)men - do tell, do tell !!!

Until then, as  I dive in the closet, fevereshly thinking that it would be so cool to come to work in a neon velour tracksuit...Nooooot!!!!   :-)