tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52856443563194018752023-06-15T03:01:06.032-04:00Happiness is nature and video games...Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01224506467302465206noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5285644356319401875.post-11637261517892520832010-04-30T15:53:00.002-04:002010-04-30T16:04:26.419-04:00paper mario rules!Yes, it's true, I'm a nerd.... and a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Mario" target="_blank">Mario</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> whore. Maybe it's nostalgia, I have very fond memories of being a child and playing <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Mario" target="_blank">Mario</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> games on my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=NES" target="_blank"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word">NES</span></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" />. Whatever the reason may be, I LOVE <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Mario" target="_blank">Mario</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> games.<br />
<br />
One of my fave sets of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Mario" target="_blank">Mario</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> games is the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Paper Mario" target="_blank">Paper Mario</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> series. So. Much. Fun!!!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Paper-Mario-Primas-Official-Strategy/dp/0761531327?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Paper Mario: Prima's Official Strategy Guide" height="200" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0761531327&tag=happinessisna-20" width="155" /></a></div><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0761531327" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<br />
I'll admit, when I first started playing <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Paper Mario" target="_blank">Paper Mario</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> I was a little turned off by the amount of interaction required with villagers in the form of conversation, and all of the required reading of the story itself. I'm more of a shoot 'em up girl. There's no battle too big for me! But throw a bunch of text at me and I can easily lose interest quickly.<br />
<br />
But, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Paper Mario" target="_blank">Paper Mario</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> was one of the first games that I downloaded for my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-Sports-Pack-Wii/dp/B0009VXBAQ?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Wii</span></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0009VXBAQ" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" />, and I was determined to stick it out and give it a fair chance. Man am I glad I did. It quickly became one of my favorite <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Mario" target="_blank">Mario</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> games! Such a different take on a familiar story, and the bizarre ways of interacting with the characters were just so cool! <br />
<br />
For those of you who are not familiar with <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Paper Mario" target="_blank">Paper Mario</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> games, the characters (as the name implies) are paper thin. This adds a very unique spin because <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Mario" target="_blank">Mario</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> can do things he wasn't able to do in any previous games, like turn sideways so as not to be seen by enemies, and to fit into small cracks and crevices. Along the way you also meet up with other familiar characters, and you are able to play as them. Each character has it's own special abilities, which of course help you in different battles and when trying to accomplish different tasks on the various boards.<br />
<br />
The next game in the series <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door" target="_blank">Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door </a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" />was made for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=GameCube" target="_blank"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word">GameCube</span></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" />, so if you have a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Wii" target="_blank"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Wii</span></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> you'll have to pick up a <a href="http://gamestop.ca/"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word">GameCube</span> controller</a> and a <a href="http://gamestop.ca/"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word">GameCube</span> memory card</a>, which seem to be readily available used for a decent price at <a href="http://gamestop.ca/"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word">gamestop</span></a> if you drop by one of their stores. It is quite similar to the first as far as the style of game play goes. You end up with a few more pretty cool abilities as you progress in the game, like being able to fold up into a paper airplane to fly yourself across large gaps.... or fold up into a paper boat to sail yourself across bodies of water. Very cool and very fun.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Paper-Mario-The-Thousand-Year-Door/dp/B0002ILS1K?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door" height="200" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B0002ILS1K&tag=happinessisna-20" width="143" /></a></div><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0002ILS1K" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<br />
In the first two games in the series you are trying to save <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Princess Peach" target="_blank">Princess Peach</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" />, a theme we are of course familiar with already. She hasn't been captured by <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Bowser</span> in each of these installments though. In fact <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Bowser</span> ends up being your ally as he strong-arms his way through the enemies in an effort to try save the one he loves. Boy that Peach sure gets around ;) In <span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-Super-Paper-Mario/dp/B000NNDN1M?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Super Paper Mario</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000NNDN1M" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span> however Peach is part of your crew and you are all working together to try and save the universe basically, from the evil Count Bleck.<br />
<br />
The newest version of the game is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-Super-Paper-Mario/dp/B000NNDN1M?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Super Paper Mario</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000NNDN1M" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> (made specifically for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-Sports-Pack-Wii/dp/B0009VXBAQ?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Wii</span></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0009VXBAQ" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" />). I actually ended up playing the games out of order. I played <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Paper Mario" target="_blank">Paper Mario</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> first, and then I played <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-Super-Paper-Mario/dp/B000NNDN1M?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Super Paper Mario</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000NNDN1M" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> because it came out shortly after I finished <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Paper Mario" target="_blank">Paper Mario</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" />. That was when I discovered <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Paper-Mario-The-Thousand-Year-Door/dp/B0002ILS1K?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Thousand Year Door</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0002ILS1K" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> and went to <a href="http://gamestop.ca/">EB Games</a> to get my used <a href="http://gamestop.ca/"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word">GameCube</span> controllers and memory card</a>. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-Super-Paper-Mario/dp/B000NNDN1M?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Super Paper Mario" height="200" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B000NNDN1M&tag=happinessisna-20" width="142" /></a></div><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000NNDN1M" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-Super-Paper-Mario/dp/B000NNDN1M?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Super Paper Mario</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000NNDN1M" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> is crazy awesome as you have the ability to switch between 2D and 3D gaming at any time, something I've never seen done in another game. Of course since this game is made for the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-Sports-Pack-Wii/dp/B0009VXBAQ?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Wii</span></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0009VXBAQ" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> it does implement some use of the motion sensor <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-Wii-Remote-Controller/dp/B000IMWK2G?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word">wiimote</span></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000IMWK2G" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by being able to point the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=wiimote" target="_blank"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Wiimote</span></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> at the screen when you have <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Pixl</span> with you to find hidden objects, doors, etc. You can also shake the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=wiimote" target="_blank"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Wiimote</span></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> after attacking an enemy in battle which will help you pull off a "stylish move" which earns you extra points.<br />
<br />
I seriously need to replay all three games though. There is just so much to find and so much to do that I know there's likely a lot that I've missed. Not to mention the fact that I haven't finished the Pit of 100 Trials in any of the games. I know, I suck.<br />
<br />
Currently I'd say that the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Paper Mario" target="_blank">Paper Mario</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> series and the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=God of War" target="_blank">God of War</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> series are at the top of my list for awesomeness. Of course my list changes often. I'd love to see <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Mario" target="_blank">Mario</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Kratos" target="_blank"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Kratos</span></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> try and battle it out. Not that <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Mario" target="_blank">Mario</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> would stand a chance, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Kratos" target="_blank"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Kratos</span></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> would rip of his head in about 10 seconds, but it would still be fun as hell!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Super-Brothers-Master-Replicas-Figure/dp/B001EBK3QU?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Super Mario Brothers Master Replicas 5 inch PVC Figure Series 1 Mario" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B001EBK3QU&tag=happinessisna-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B003F2YX62" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/DC-Unlimited-God-War-Figures/dp/B003F2YX62?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="DC Unlimited God of War Series 1: Kratos Action Figures" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B003F2YX62&tag=happinessisna-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B003F2YX62" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div><br />
I'd love to hear from anyone else who's played the games, what are your opinions on the game? Any tips/tricks?Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01224506467302465206noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5285644356319401875.post-24587876060293165822010-04-13T15:30:00.001-04:002010-04-13T15:32:49.914-04:00drumroll please...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Waste-Lands-Dark-Tower-Book/dp/0451210867?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="The Waste Lands (The Dark Tower, Book 3)" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0451210867&tag=happinessisna-20" /></a></div><span><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0451210867" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span><br />
<br />
Thankyou to everyone who made my first giveaway such a great success! I really appreciate everyone's enthusiasm, and I loved seeing everyone's favorite <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Stephen King" target="_blank">Stephen King</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> titles, all of which I have loved myself! (Yes, I have a huge <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Stephen King" target="_blank">Stephen King</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> collection).<br />
<br />
So after tallying up all of the entries (sorry, you can't win if you leave me absolutely no way to contact you, so a couple of entries had to be disqualified)... and with the help of random.org the winner of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Waste-Lands-Dark-Tower-Book/dp/0451210867?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Dark Tower III: The Wastelands</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0451210867" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> is yvonne! (aka gingermommy). Congratulations to you! I will be contacting you shortly to get your details so that I can send you out your book.<br />
<br />
I'm currently reading a fabulous and very motivating new book. I am very excited to finish reading, everytime I sit down with it gives me a little extra push I need. When I'm done I'll be having another giveaway for a copy of it so stay tuned! :)Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01224506467302465206noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5285644356319401875.post-84523380328391297472010-04-07T15:16:00.001-04:002010-04-07T16:44:24.141-04:00fabulous new place ;)In my last post I mentioned that I would be making a new blog that would be more focused on personal stuff/cancer stuff/etc. so that I could keep this blog focused on my nerdy/geeky side.... and here it is: <a href="http://survivelivethrive.blogspot.com/">Surviving and Thriving</a> shiny and new and just waiting to be visited and followed. ;) Oh and I have lots of super cool stuff to give away over there too so stay tuned!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://survivelivethrive.blogspot.com/">http://survivelivethrive.blogspot.com/</a>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01224506467302465206noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5285644356319401875.post-11576254827855821692010-03-31T13:06:00.000-04:002010-03-31T13:06:04.271-04:00walking to save women (aka having cancer made me get off my ass)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_G9Ls3XcxmTY/S7N_0NP1e3I/AAAAAAAAABI/lRtyOSHFNNU/s320/Remissionsm2.jpg" /></div>Some of you already know I have cancer, and that I recently got the news that I am in remission. Hooray! Only three more years until I am declared officially cancer-free. I know I'll get through it though, I'm in remission, and I'm staying there! <br />
<br />
Within days of finding out I was in remission I walked into Shoppers Drug Mart and saw the pamphlet for the <a href="http://endcancer.ca/goto/sarap">Weekend to End Women's Cancers</a> walk. I picked it up and browsed through it... a 60km walk over 2 days where the proceeds go to finding a cure for breast cancer and gynecological cancers. Hmmm.... I have gynecological cancer.... the walk is on my birthday weekend.... <br />
<br />
I decide that it can't be simply co-incidence that I just went into remission, this walk is fundraising for gynecological cancers, and it's on my birthday weekend. I bring the pamphlet home with me and promtly sign up for <a href="http://endcancer.ca/goto/sarap">the walk</a>. Then it hits me. The realization that I have just agreed to walk 60km. I don't mind that I've commited to raising a large sum of money for the cause, that I can deal with. The problem is that I've been sick, for a few years now. I've been home. Sitting. Puking. Playing <span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sony-98229-God-War-Collection/dp/B002NN7AKU?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">video games</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B002NN7AKU" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span>. I'm not sure of the last time I walked 1km, how in the world am I going to manage 60???<br />
<br />
Since signing up though I've been following my coaches advice. Start small. I started out walking 1.5km, then 2.6km, 3.5km, 4km, all in the comfort of my home on my manual treadmill. Then on Sunday I participated in an official training walk for <a href="http://endcancer.ca/goto/sarap">The Weekend</a>. It was a 5km walk around the mall before opening hours, so we even got to do a little shopping with no other people in the mall. That in itself is a fantastic experience, especially if you're like me and can't stand the crazy crowds usually associated with downtown shopping malls. <br />
<br />
The 5km itself was just fine. It made me realize that walking longer distances really isn't that hard when you've got something to distract you. Walking on the treadmill staring at a wall makes time drag on for an eternity (although on a side note I've recently realized that I'm talented enough to play my <span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Nintendo DS" target="_blank">Nintendo DS</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span> while walking on my treadmill...wooo!). In fact after finishing up the 5km I walked another 2.5km. Yay me! Of course I paid for it that night and the next day. I still get so rundown sometimes, and it seems to take me forever to recover from anything. Unfortunately the effects of chemo stay with you for way too long after you've finished.<br />
<br />
Now my problem is that it is soooo beautiful outside, that I want to start walking outside. Plus the coaches said that only walking on a treadmill is not a good idea because you're feet have to get used to walking on pavement. That's all good, I want to be outside roaming around my part of the city... but I have no idea of distance. How am I supposed to know how far I've walked? I thought of thinking of it in terms of time, but I don't know how accurate that would be because what if I slowed down to enjoy something that caught my eye? I really wish I had a better sense of distance. I really have no idea how far things are. If anyone has any advice on this I'd really appreciate it.<br />
<br />
Right now I'm off to go pick up some <span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Lego" target="_blank">Lego</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span> (oh <span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Lego" target="_blank">Lego</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span> how I love you!), and then I'm going to try to get in my first outdoor training walk.<br />
<br />
Oh! Stay tuned, I'm going to be starting a new blog with my home/cancer/health/family posts. Posting about cancer walks on my <span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=gaming" target="_blank">gaming</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span>/book blog seems counter productive. Procrastination and motivation just don't mix. Once I start it I'll post the link.Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01224506467302465206noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5285644356319401875.post-18977522363725077702010-03-30T18:44:00.000-04:002010-03-30T18:44:28.604-04:00adventures of a 30 something gal with braces<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_G9Ls3XcxmTY/S7J-uu7FhLI/AAAAAAAAABA/THu210eepPc/s1600/MyBraces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_G9Ls3XcxmTY/S7J-uu7FhLI/AAAAAAAAABA/THu210eepPc/s320/MyBraces.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I'm not sure how many of you out there have had braces as an adult, but it's a pretty crazy thing to experience. I got my braces on about 10 months ago (not that I'm counting lol), and life has certainly changed since then. The story of how I got my braces is a long one that deserves it's own post when I have more time.<br />
<br />
Since I've had my braces on I've suddenly become 16 again, at least in my appearance. I get asked for ID everywhere we go. Add to that the fact that people now look at my hubby like he is some sort of perv when we are out in public. To be honest though, I really don't mind all of that, I love my new straight smile.... even if it is silver and shiny. <br />
<br />
I never had a straight smile when I was growing up, my teeth were very crowded, and although I was considered pretty I would never ever smile. I was too embarassed. Now that my teeth are straight I can't stop smiling though! It's really amazing what it can do for a persons self-confidence. People always say that no one discriminates against people that have crooked teeth, but that is simply not the case. It's an inconvenient truth that the way we look (smiles included) makes an impression on people. Once I got my braces on people actually said to me, "Oh it will be you're going to look so great once your teeth are straight!". Nice. Whatever, it is what it is.<br />
<br />
Now that my front teeth are straight I'm dealing with the pain of moving my molars so that my bite lines up properly. Ouch. I got my wires changed last week and I've had terrible headaches everyday since then. I've been surviving on mashed potatoes, oatmeal, and melt in your mouth cookies. I really can't complain though, I'm am perfectly happy to go through all the anguish to get the final results.<br />
<br />
When I got my braces on I was told that I would have them on for 24 months, but now I'm being told that my teeth moved so quickly that it will probably be over much sooner than that. I have <a href="http://www.speedsystem.com/HTML/patient/index_patients.html">speed braces</a> on which work differently than traditional braces, the wires are able to move on their own through the brackets so they don't need elastics... which, as the name implies, <a href="http://www.speedsystem.com/HTML/patient/index_patients.html">speeds</a> things up considerably. Honestly, I'm kind of enjoying having them. I don't mind if I have to wear them for another year. I don't mind feeling young again. I don't mind brushing my teeth 5 times a day to make sure I don't end up embarassing myself when friends arrive for tea ;)<br />
<br />
Now I have to decide what to make for dinner, and I think it's a toss up between creamed corn, mashed potatoes, and soup. My hubby must hate the week after my orthodontist appointments ;)Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01224506467302465206noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5285644356319401875.post-69721015155741498172010-03-29T18:52:00.003-04:002010-04-07T17:56:45.933-04:00Giveaway: Stephen King's The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Waste-Lands-Dark-Tower-Book/dp/0451210867?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="The Waste Lands (The Dark Tower, Book 3)" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0451210867&tag=happinessisna-20" /></a></div><br />
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0451210867" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
Okay, everyone knows how much I love <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Stephen King" target="_blank">Stephen King</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" />, and that the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Dark Tower series" target="_blank">Dark Tower series</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> is my absolute fave! I'm currently re-reading the third book in the series which is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands" target="_blank">The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" />, and since I love it so much I want to share it! I have a brand new copy just waiting to grip someone's imagination.<br />
<br />
<br />
If you've never read any of the books in the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Dark Tower series" target="_blank">Dark Tower series</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" />, they are a bit different from what <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Stephen King" target="_blank">Stephen King</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> usually writes. A mix of horror, western and fantasy that grips you right from the first page. Each book you finish in the series leaves you aching for the next.... it's a very addicting journey. In this third book in the series Roland (who is the Gunslinger) is continuing on his quest to the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Dark Tower" target="_blank">Dark Tower</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> with Susanna (a woman who lost her legs under a subway train) and Eddie (a heroin addict who's brother was killed along their quest for the tower). The journey takes them through different times and places, through our world and other worlds.<br />
<br />
I highly recommend take in the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Dark Tower" target="_blank">first two books</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> in the series first, they are certainly worthy of the read. But be warned, once you start on this series you're not going to want to put it down, it's amazing!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Waste-Lands-Dark-Tower-Book/dp/0451210867?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="The Waste Lands (The Dark Tower, Book 3)" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0451210867&tag=happinessisna-20" /></a></div><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0451210867" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<br />
<strong>Buy it,</strong> and the rest of the series on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=The Dark Tower Series" target="_blank">Amazon here</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" />.<br />
<br />
<strong>The giveaway</strong> is for one copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Waste-Lands-Dark-Tower-Book/dp/0451210867?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0451210867" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<br />
<strong>TO WIN: Main Entry</strong> - Leave a comment with your favorite Stephen King title.<br />
<br />
<strong>Bonus entries</strong> (You MUST do the main entry first):<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Follow my blog via Google Friend connect (sidebar on the top right) and leave a comment saying that you are following. (Gets you 2 entries) </li>
<li>Follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/Natr_nVideoGamz">Twitter</a> (<a href="http://twitter.com/Natr_nVideoGamz">@Natr_nVideoGamz</a>) and leave a comment here telling me that you're following. (1 entry) </li>
<li>Tweet about the giveaway daily and leave a comment here with a link to your tweet (1 entry per day)</li>
<li>Blog about the giveaway and leave a comment with a link to your entry (Gets you 2 entries) </li>
<li>Enter my <a href="http://survivelivethrive.blogspot.com/2010/04/better-than-real-thing.html">Revlon Beyond Natural giveaway here</a> (Gets you 2 entries) </li>
</ul>Remember to leave a separate comment for each entry, and PLEASE leave your email address so I can contact you if you win. Giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents. Winner will be chosen randomly April 12th. Good Luck!Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01224506467302465206noreply@blogger.com118tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5285644356319401875.post-36653651832976454292010-03-26T19:09:00.001-04:002010-03-26T21:08:03.070-04:00the weeks winnings<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Wooo! I was fortunate enough to win something this week! And since I said I would post all my winnings, that is exactly what I am going to do. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Now don't get me wrong, I'm not rich now. I haven't won anything of any huge significant value. I won't driving any new vehicles, or topless tanning on an exotic beach. That doesn't mean I'm not excited. It's the start of a trend for me! (If I say that it makes it true right?) I'm just starting out small.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>So here's the list... drumroll please...<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Yesterday I won 1000 <a href="http://www.icoke.ca/">iCoke</a> points (and now my <a href="http://www.icoke.ca/">iCoke</a> account is screwed up and won't let me play anymore, so if any <a href="http://www.icoke.ca/">iCoke</a> tech guys happen to be reading this... please fix my account! I like the roll and win game). *ahem*, moving right along... Then I won a free music download from a box of Alphabits, which I promptly used to download the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Opeth" target="_blank">Opeth</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> song "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Trilogy-Blood-Metal-Sountracks-Download/dp/B003CNSS2Y?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Throat of Winter</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B003CNSS2Y" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" />" from puretracks.com. For those of you who don't know <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Trilogy-Blood-Metal-Sountracks-Download/dp/B003CNSS2Y?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Throat of Winter</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B003CNSS2Y" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> is from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=blood and metal god of war" target="_blank">Blood and Metal</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" />, which happens to be the soundtrack for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sony-98111-God-War-III/dp/B000ZK9QCS?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">God of War III</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000ZK9QCS" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" />, and the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=God of War" target="_blank">God of War</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> series of games happen to be my favorite games ever, and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Opeth" target="_blank">Opeth</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> happens to be my favorite band ever, so all of these things mixed together make me a happy girl.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blackwater-Park-Opeth/dp/B000068QVZ?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Blackwater Park" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B000068QVZ&tag=happinessisna-20" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000068QVZ" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div><br />
Okay, focus... Then (and I'm super excited about this) I won an <a href="http://www.thebigtoybook.com/products-page/?category=1&product_id=135">Ugly Doll</a> from <a href="http://www.thebigtoybook.com/">TheBigToyBook</a> on Twitter (<a href="http://twitter.com/TheBigToyBook">@TheBigToyBook</a>). They also had a super fun giveaway party last night too I might add. They're my new <a href="http://www.thebigtoybook.com/">fave toy store</a> for sure. I know a certain little someone who's going to be very happy when it arrives!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ugly-Dolls-10091-Doll-Classic/dp/B0009I8FFU?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Ugly Doll Classic Ox" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B0009I8FFU&tag=happinessisna-20" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Finally today I woke up to an email saying that I had won advance passes to Max Manus for next Tuesday. I'm very excited about that one too, but the show is at 4pm, and everyone else I know is working, so I'm not sure who I'll be able to take with me... booo.</div><br />
All in all a very good 24hrs! <br />
<br />
I'm also super excited to be doing my first organized training walk for the <a href="http://endcancer.ca/goto/sarap">Weekend to End Women's Cancers</a> on Sunday. The big 60km walk isn't until Sept, but since I'm recovering from <a href="http://endcancer.ca/goto/sarap">chemo</a> I figure I need all the extra training I can get! Unfortunately it's at 9am. I'm not sure who invented being awake and doing physical acitivity before 11am, but I'm not pleased.<br />
<br />
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B002WUULXM" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ribbon-Breast-Awareness-Temporary-Tattoos/dp/B002WUULXM?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="100 Pack Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer Awareness Temporary Tattoo Tattoos" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B002WUULXM&tag=happinessisna-20" /></a></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01224506467302465206noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5285644356319401875.post-32069956173331516412010-03-22T21:01:00.000-04:002010-03-22T21:01:27.685-04:00watching hoarders makes me itchyI turned my TV on a few hours ago for some background noise and a mild distraction while I am doing work on my laptop. I haven't changed the channel at all, so I've ended up watching a few hours so far of "<span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hoarders-Complete-Season-One/dp/B0039ZBM0K?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Hoarders</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0039ZBM0K" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span>". In case you've never watched <span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hoarders-Complete-Season-One/dp/B0039ZBM0K?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Hoarders</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0039ZBM0K" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span> before it showcases the lives of families (usually 2 families per episode) who have extreme issues with hoarding stuff... garbage, animals, paper, crap.... <br />
<br />
Anyway, everytime I watch this show it makes me itchy. Seeing how dirty their houses are, and how unsanitary they are. Ack. And then it makes me want to get rid of everything I own. Now, I'm no hoarder, but everyone has stuff they don't need. Oh don't throw out those magazines, I might read them one day. Oh I'm going to keep that dress I've had since tenth grade because it might come back in style. You know how it is. <br />
<br />
So everytime I watch this show I end up getting rid of something, and after I do I'm always surprised at how relieved I feel. It's nice to have a little extra space, or at least to know that something useless is out of the house... or that someone else is getting some use out of something you have no use for anymore.<br />
<br />
Right now I got an episode on pause (thank God for <span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=PVR" target="_blank">PVR</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span>'s) because I suddenly feel the need to put my dishes away and wipe the potato chip crumbs from off the couch next to me ;) <br />
<br />
After I finish the episode I'm certainly going to need some stress relief. Screw <span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Calgon-Moisturizing-Spa-Bath-Breeze/dp/B000NKJ3SC?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Calgon</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000NKJ3SC" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span>.... <span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sony-98229-God-War-Collection/dp/B002NN7AKU?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Kratos</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B002NN7AKU" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span>, take me away!<br />
<span></span>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01224506467302465206noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5285644356319401875.post-761662237297715482010-03-19T17:58:00.001-04:002010-03-22T21:05:35.267-04:00i love stephen kingI probably say this way too often, but I love Stephen King. The first Stephen King book I read was <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pet-Sematary-Stephen-King/dp/0743412281?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Pet Sematary</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0743412281" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> when I was 12 and I have been hooked ever since.<br />
<br />
There is just something about escaping into a world of horror that makes you realize just how great your own life is. Or how boring. Either way. I'm currently hooked on the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=the gunslinger series stephen king" target="_blank">gunslinger series</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" />. So... Freaking... Awesome! I'm on book 3 of the series right now <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Waste-Lands-Dark-Tower-Book/dp/0451210867?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">(The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0451210867" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" />, and I LOVE it. The series is very different from most other Stephen King books I've read, but still so well written. These are probably my favorites of all his books, but for different reasons.<br />
<br />
I actually got to see the fabulous <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Stephen King" target="_blank">Stephen King</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> when he was on his tour promoting <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Under-Dome-Novel-Stephen-King/dp/1439148503?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Under the Dome</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1439148503" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" />. It was an evening with him and David Cronenberg. Simply amazing, a chance to experience two fantastic minds, in a very casual, informal discussion.<br />
<br />
At the end of the evening they drew tickets for a chance to purchase an autographed copy of the book, and I had one of the winning tickets! I felt like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Charlie-Chocolate-Factory-Roald-Dahl/dp/0142410314?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Charlie</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0142410314" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> must have felt on when he found his golden ticket for the chocolate factory. Of course I don't want to read it. I'll buy another copy, sans signature, and read that one. The "good" copy is going in the vault with my other valuable books, first editions, etc. The vault of course being a cardboard box with bubble wrap in it. Rest assured though, one day I will have a vault, and those books will make their way directly in there... bubble wrap and all.<br />
<br />
I'm torn at the moment for who I should go spend some time with.... Roland on his quest to the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=stripbooks&field-keywords=Dark Tower" target="_blank">Dark Tower</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" />, or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sony-98229-God-War-Collection/dp/B002NN7AKU?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Kratos</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B002NN7AKU" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> on his way to slay Zeus (again). Decisions, decisions.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="The Waste Lands (The Dark Tower, Book 3)" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0451210867&tag=happinessisna-20" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sony-98229-God-War-Collection/dp/B002NN7AKU?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="God of War: Collection" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B002NN7AKU&tag=happinessisna-20" /></a></div><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0451210867" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B002NN7AKU" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" />Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01224506467302465206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5285644356319401875.post-72669058240267165122010-03-19T16:59:00.000-04:002010-03-19T16:59:40.697-04:00cool contest I foundIn my quest today for contest gold, I came across a <a href="http://jotgiveaways.blogspot.com/2010/03/b-bye-butterfly-wine-charm-giveaway.html">giveaway for these super cool wine charms</a> by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/BByeButterfly">BByeButterfly</a> . Basically they make these scrabble tiles into awesome wine charms. I like wine. A lot. I also like not confusing my glass with someone elses. I dislike strange peoples germs. A lot.<br />
<br />
Thanks to <a href="http://jotgiveaways.blogspot.com/2010/03/b-bye-butterfly-wine-charm-giveaway.html">Jot Giveaways</a> for giving them away, here's hoping I snag a set.Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01224506467302465206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5285644356319401875.post-61300738009591544662010-03-18T17:11:00.001-04:002010-03-18T17:31:05.161-04:00to play or not to play.... an exercise in patience<span><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B002NN7AKU" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span>I received a wonderful package in the mail on Tuesday. Something I've been expecting since xmas, but have been dreaming of for several years. Something so wonderful it makes my heart race to type about it... and the much anticipated item is...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sony-98111-God-War-III/dp/B000ZK9QCS?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="God of War III" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B000ZK9QCS&tag=happinessisna-20" /></a></div><span><span><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000ZK9QCS" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span></span><br />
<br />
Oh joy! It is finally here! Kratos how I've missed having new adventures with you! And to see you in such quality, such stunning clarity... so.... fucking... excited.<br />
<br />
BUT, the problem is that while I was impatiently waiting the arrival of the new game I decided to purchase the new <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&keywords=God%20of%20War%20Collection&tag=happinessisna-20&index=videogames&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">HD version</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=ur2&o=1" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" />of the original games. Even though I've played <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&keywords=God%20of%20War%20Collection&tag=happinessisna-20&index=videogames&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">God of War</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=ur2&o=1" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&keywords=God%20of%20War%20Collection&tag=happinessisna-20&index=videogames&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">God of War II</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=ur2&o=1" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> countless times, I was so excited to have the chance to experience them with their new superior look. I haven't been disappointed, it's so much more fun to slay gorgons tear apart harpies when everything is a little more crisp and clear. (Even if the aspect ratio is off... I don't mind, I can deal with oval buttons).<br />
<br />
I am nearing the end of the HD version of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&keywords=God%20of%20War%20Collection&tag=happinessisna-20&index=videogames&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">God of War II</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=ur2&o=1" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" />, but now that long awaited <span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sony-98111-God-War-III/dp/B000ZK9QCS?ie=UTF8&tag=happinessisna-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">God of War III </a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000ZK9QCS" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span>has arrived I have a decision to make. Do I keep playing the old game, or do begin the new one. I mean I could just throw it in the PS3 right? Just to see how it looks... just to get a taste... what's a girl to do?<br />
<br />
But I can't, it's just not right. I have to finish what I started. I have to be patient. I know if I put in the new one I'm not going to be able to just look. <br />
<br />
This week has been standing in my way of finishing my current battle and beginning my new one. Tuesday I couldn't miss LOST or the season finale of Death Comes to Town (ok, and Biggest Loser, I'll admit it, I love that show). Last night I went to see <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&keywords=Alice%20in%20Chains&tag=happinessisna-20&index=music&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">Alice in Chains</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=ur2&o=1" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" />, which was an amazing concert by the way.. and William DuVall is a damn sexy man. It really sucks being a petite girl at a concert, generally everyone else is much taller than I am and I have a terrible time seeing the stage (any my neck is sore as hell the next day), but I was able to get close enough to the stage to get a nice clear view of the band.<br />
<br />
Anyway, getting back on topic, hopefully tonight I will be able to finish <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&keywords=God%20of%20War%20Collection&tag=happinessisna-20&index=videogames&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">GOWII</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=happinessisna-20&l=ur2&o=1" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" />, so that I can start the new one. As soon as Survivor is over of course. Or maybe Survivor can wait.Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01224506467302465206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5285644356319401875.post-39084765459904620182010-03-15T13:04:00.000-04:002010-03-18T17:31:34.340-04:00an experiment in procrastinationHaving an unfortunate amount of time on my hands I have decided to do a little experiment, for no one's benefit but my own.<br />
<br />
I have heard in the past of people who win all the time. Contests, sweepstakes, lotteries, things of that nature. There are even e-books and blogs about how to become a master contest winner. I on the other hand never win anything. Ever. That is not to say that I haven't had my share of good fortune (mixed of course with my share of bad fortune).<br />
<br />
I got my braces (that I am currently sporting) for free because of one incredibly generous and empathetic person. That is of course balanced out by the fact that I had to go through my entire teenage years and twenties with crooked, crowded teeth... leaving me socially and emotionally scarred. Kids can be so cruel.<br />
<br />
I also am overjoyed to finally be in remission, free from any evil life sucking cancer cells. This is obviously balanced out by the fact that I had to deal with cancer for several years, and the physical, emotional and financial toll (of which I am still feeling the effects).<br />
<br />
So, of course life is always give and take. You give so much, and you get something in return. Now, however, I am fascinated by these people that just get. Huge windfalls drop at their feet, and they are giving very little (only the time it takes to fill out the entry forms) in order to receive it. Can this really be true? I can sometimes be a pessimistic person by nature, but now with my new lease on life I am trying to change that. Thus begins the experiment.<br />
<br />
I want to see if it is really possible to become a "winner" in this sense. So for the next month I am going to enter a minimum of 50 contests/sweepstakes etc. per day. There are many websites out there that have listings of all the various contests going on throughout this great nation that we are eligible for, so this really shouldn't be a difficult task. In fact maybe I will try to make it double that amount. Maybe I will do it for two months. I haven't quite ironed out the details.<br />
<br />
The simple fact is that I am going to enter as much as possible (min. 50/day) for at least a month and I will see how long it takes me to actually win something. I suppose if nothing happens in the first month I will just keep going. At some point I will either win something big, or prove everyone wrong. (Of course I am hoping not to have to prove anyone wrong).<br />
<br />
We shall see. I will post my progress, and of course any winnings I may encounter.Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01224506467302465206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5285644356319401875.post-61928639909357659782010-03-01T17:17:00.000-05:002010-04-01T17:31:41.822-04:00This policy is valid from 01 April 2010<br />
<br />
This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about this blog, please contact bunnyluvr2 at gmail dot com.<br />
<br />
This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.<br />
<br />
This blog abides by word of mouth marketing standards. We believe in honesty of relationship, opinion and identity. The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post will be clearly identified as paid or sponsored content.<br />
<br />
The owner of this blog is occasionally compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner of this blog occasionally receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers' own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.<br />
<br />
This blog does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01224506467302465206noreply@blogger.com