Holiday Greetings from Rail Europe

This is hilarious. Click below and then click on a country. Be sure to turn up the sound.

http://downloads.raileurope.com/holidayCard/06_christmas_card.html

Song of the Week

"The Working Elf Blues" - Daron Norwood

I can't find the complete lyrics to this one *sob* here's the start of it:

I work for a fat man in a long, white beard
He's got rosy red cheeks, and he dresses weird...

I'm Santa's little helper, my name is Eugene
I'm just a little cog in his Christmas machine
Somebody better give Santa the news:
This little green man's got the working elf blues.

Second song of the week:

"Rockin' Little Christmas" - Brooks & Dunn

I wrote a letter to Santa last night
Told him what I want to make my
Christmas right
If I don’t get it, I’m gonna be blue
I wanna rockin’ little Christmas with you

I don’t want no tinker toys
Don’t wanna waste my time drinkin’ with the boys
There’s only one thing that I wanna do
I wanna rockin’ little Christmas with you

I want a rockin’ little Christmas
Rockin’ little Christmas
If I get my wishes
It’s gonna be delicious
A stockin’ full of love for two

Well, I’ve been a good boy all year
I deserve a little Christmas cheer
I want your arms around me the whole night through
I wanna rockin’ little Christmas with you

Tell me baby what’s it gonna be
Where you gonna spend your Christmas Eve
Will I be merry or will I be blue
I wanna rockin’ little Christmas with you

Word of the Day

(I'm notorious for doing this by accident! LOL)

Urban Word of the Day
www.urbandictionary.com

December 16, 2007: facebook limbo

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=facebook+limbo&defid=2692170

The electronic space between accepting and rejecting a [facebook] friendship. In facebook limbo, the user fails to accept or reject friend requests from would-be facebook friends from a variety of sources (e.g., random annoying classmates, despised work associates, ex-girlfriends, etc), because the user is uncertain if he or she will have to interact with these individuals in the future.

(At the bar)
Jim: How about that new kid, Ryan. He's so cool.
Thom: I dunno man, he already tried to facebook me, wtf?
Jim: So?
Thom: So I'm leaving him in facebook limbo, I don't want him [jo]'ing to pictures of my drunk girlfriend...

(At the lunchroom)
Alex's Stalker Ex: Why didn't you add me to your friends on facebook? I friend requested you last week! I thought we were [friends] now! How come every day when I go through your whole list of friends I'm not on there?
Alex: Baby, it's okay, I just haven't had a chance to approve you.

Shopping-obsessed? You’re not alone

This is an article from my bank for the holidays! I think it's very sound advise and would like to share it with you!

"Shopping-obsessed? You’re not alone
Whether it’s new clothes, gourmet foods, or a big-screen TV, we all have our indulgences. With all these spending temptations, it’s a good idea to remind ourselves of some time-tested principles for getting ahead financially: saving for the longer term, using credit smartly, and being a savvy shopper.

Let the good times roll
Canadian consumers are enjoying some good times. More of us are working than ever before. Low interest rates have made it more affordable to buy a home. Our dollar is strong and inflation is low. In 2006, disposable income rose by 6.2%, which kept our confidence high and our spending robust.

Did you know? The retail sector is the second largest employer in Canada, representing about 11% of total employment — just behind manufacturing.

Indeed, in 2006 retail sales across Canada grew by 6.4% from a year earlier, to almost $400 billion. Put differently, each Canadian spent almost $12,000 last year. More than half of our retail spending went to vehicles, gas, and food and drink.

Furniture, electronics, health and personal care products, clothing and footwear, and lawn and garden products are other big spending categories.

Consumer tip: Don’t forget to cash in reward points. Most of us carry loyalty cards in our wallets and purses. Have you actually used any of the points you’ve been gathering? If you haven’t, you may lose out to “loyalty-card inflation” — where the number of points needed to buy an item increases over time.

Where’s the growth in spending?
The biggest growth in spending in 2006 occurred in hardware, lawn and garden products — soaring almost 10% higher than a year earlier. Canadians’ passion for home renovation helped keep these sales strong.

Spending on gas and oil grew by 8.8% in 2006, largely the result of price increases. Despite higher fuel costs, we also spent more on vehicles than we did last year.

Health and grooming are also taking up more of our budgets. Spending on health and personal care products rose 8.1% last year. Sales of prescription drugs (which represents more than half of the health and personal care category) increased 10.3% in 2006. Spending on beauty products (cosmetics, shaving cream, toilet paper) was up 5.2%.

Consumer tip: Stock up! We use things like soap and paper towels every day. And unlike the latest fashions, they never go out of style and have long shelf lives. Buying these items in bulk or larger sizes (or when they’re on sale) can save you money. If you live alone, consider splitting these purchases with friends or neighbours.

Be smart about your borrowing
If you shop with credit cards, as many of us do, make a point of paying off your balance in full and on time. This will help your credit rating and save you money on interest charges. Also, take advantage of your card’s grace period, which can be up to 26 days.

Limiting yourself to one or two cards will reduce the temptation to overdo it with credit. Choose cards that have benefits that you actually use, whether it’s free travel, free movies, or cash back on your purchases.

Online shopping tip. You can pretty well find anything you want online. More importantly, you can compare prices in a snap, and read a wealth of customer reviews on products, services, and merchants. So take the time to do your research before making big purchases.

A personal line of credit is a more cost-effective way to borrow for things like home renovations. If the line of credit is secured by your home, your borrowing costs may be even lower.

Did you know? Department store credit cards often carry the highest interest rate.

Stay focused on your goals

In a climate of rising spending it can be a challenge to keep your financial goals in mind. Here are a few suggestions.

Save more. Do whatever it takes to put aside more money: follow a budget, cut back on discretionary spending, clip coupons (in print and online).

Contribute to an RSP. For most Canadians, the best place to save is in a registered Retirement Savings Plan (RSP). It’s the best tax-saving vehicle available, and is also a powerful tool that can provide you with financial flexibility later in life.

Build a “rainy day” fund. Despite our best-laid plans, life can sometimes toss a curveball our way. An unexpected job loss, a transmission job, or home care for an elderly parent — any of these can throw our finances out of whack.

Rainy day funds are particularly important if you have dependants, or if your income fluctuates because you work on commission or are self-employed.

Consumer tip: Use your gift cards. A large number of gift cards are never redeemed (anywhere from 10% to 30%). If you receive gift cards this season (or have any from last year), make a point of using your cards before you forget about them. Some stores now allow you to use your cards when shopping online.

Pay yourself first. Whether you are contributing to an RSP or building a savings fund, pre-authorized contribution plans are the most convenient and disciplined way to save — and they won’t cost you a cent to set up.

The actual amount that you earmark for your different goals is not as important as setting aside money on a regular basis, and ensuring that you stay on course.

Your financial advisor can help evaluate your spending and saving habits and keep you on track to achieving your financial goals."

https://myvault.scotiabank.com/4105/mylibrary-personal/featured-articles-details.asp?article_id=193

Dolly & Kenny Christmas.

This is the Christmas album I grew up with... of all the Christmas albums out there this one and John Denver "Rocky Mountain Christmas" mean the most to me during the holidays!


http://www.amazon.com/Once-Upon-Christmas-Kenny-Rogers/dp/B000002X2E



http://www.amazon.com/Rocky-Mountain-Christmas-John-Denver/dp/B000AARKGM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1241513079&sr=1-1

New Sims Game Just in Time for Christmas

Here's a new one from EAGames, SimsCity Societies, from what I can tell it plays like SimCity but with a more personal touch, like you can customize what kind of city you build and who might like to live there:

"How Will You Shape Your Society?
SimCity™ Societies is one of the most powerful, most versatile, most creative city building games in existence. With it, you can build the city of your dreams, or your nightmares.

Are you a hedonistic mayor? Somebody who wants to show people a good time? Or are you more of a control freak? Someone who wants to maintain peace and order? With SimCity Societies, you can make your vision reality. Cyberpunk cities. Police-state cities. Fun cities. Haunted cities. Romantic cities. Quaint small towns and thriving metropolises.

Now you can impose your will on your citizens by manipulating the social energies that affect all of us every day -- productivity, prosperity, authority, knowledge, spirituality, or creativity. Like the New York mayor who turned Times Square into a family friendly shopping district or the Las Vegas mayor who is cultivating America’s party capital, you can impose your will and build your vision.

Create an artistic society or a police state, an industrial city or a spiritual community-or any society you want!

>> Check out the SimCity Societies Website Now!"

Personally this doesn't hold much interest for me, but then again SimCity was never really my thing. I'm more of a The Sims kinda girl. LOL

AccuHolidays

YAY!! It's that time again!!!!

"Dear AccuRadio listener,

Because hundreds of AccuRadio listeners have been telling their co-workers, family members, and friends about AccuHolidays, it's clear that we're going to be able to donate thousands of dollars to several great charities this holiday season with our Christmas Music for Charity program (More details on this are below).

New on AccuHolidays:
Build your own MUSIC MIX!

But first, something brand new! Earlier this year, we introduced a new way of personalizing AccuRadio in which you could mix and match genres: "Build-Your-Own AccuRadio."

Now, we're working on expanding the concept to our AccuHolidays channel: Build-Your-Own AccuHolidays! This new feature will enable you to create your own unique, personal AccuHolidays channel, mixing and matching any or all of our over 30 AccuHolidays subchannels! Imagine a Christmas music radio station that mixes together R&B, Celtic, and 100 different versions of "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" (for example). You can do it!"

http://www.accuradio.com/holidays/

Word of the Day

(YAY it made word of the day!!)

Urban Word of the Day
www.urbandictionary.com

December 12, 2007: w00t

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=w00t&defid=3217

An expression of joy and excitement.

I just got an A on my test. w00t!

Photo Tip: Photgraphing Christmas Trees and Lights

From http://blog.webshots.com/?p=779&tag=nl.e201

"Pro Tip: Photographing Christmas Trees and Lights

Filed under: Professional Photos — Penny Adams, Photo Editor at 12:01 am on Monday, December 3, 2007

If your Christmas tree is up and decorated, then it’s time to take some pictures and share them with your friends and family. But before you do, follow these handy tips to make sure your photos have that classic holiday feel—hey, you could even make them into postcards and send them out this year!

#1. Be mindful of the ambient light in the room. If you desire to include details like tree ornaments in the photo, be sure to turn on a lamp or two in the room. You may also want to turn off your flash as it will typically wash out the warm and cozy color in the room, though it might be necessary to include a fill flash if you’re also taking a portrait of someone in front of the tree.

#2. Whether you own a point-and-shoot camera or a digital SLR, use a tripod, use a tripod, use a tripod—yes, it’s that important!

#3. If your lens has a switch to turn off image stabilization, turn it off. The vibration of the lens will cause the camera to move slightly during a long exposure.

#4. If you’re photographing the tree by itself, turn off your flash and use a longer exposure. Set your camera’s ISO to 400 and then take some test shots on Manual or (M) mode instead of Program (P) or Automatic (A). Adjust the shutter speed and/or f-stop until the exposure looks right. As a place to start, try setting the ISO to 400, the f-stop to 8 and the exposure to 1/30th of a second. If the image appears too dark, increase your exposure to 1/15th or 1 second. Using an f-stop setting of 5.6, for example, will achieve a more shallow depth of field but require a shorter exposure than higher settings, such as f/16.

#5. If you don’t own a cable release or shutter remote for your digital camera, use the camera’s self timer to avoid shaking the camera during exposure.

#6. If your photo appears too orange for your taste, in the camera’s menu, adjust the white balance settings to tungsten.

#7. For capturing outdoor light displays, use the same exposure theory as you would for indoor shots, but switch the white balance settings to outdoor. I prefer to photograph outdoor displays around 30-40 minutes after sunset so that the camera can still record ambient light and capture some color that remains in the sky. For a shot like the one above, switch to aperture priority mode, set your f-stop to 5.6 or 8 and let the camera determine the proper exposure for you. Don’t forget to use the exposure compensation button (that’s the +/- button) to tweak the exposure: Use the (+) settings in increments to lighten the image and the (–) settings in increments to darken the image.

#8. Want to get this effect with the Christmas lights in your photo? Place a star filter in front of your lens and twinkle away!

You’re all set to snap some amazing pictures of your Christmas tree and all the wonderful outdoor displays."

Word of the Day

(My sister and I are notorious for this one...)

Urban Word of the Day
www.urbandictionary.com

December 10, 2007: compunicate

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=compunicate&defid=873030

When you are in the same room with someone, each on seperate computers, and you talk via Instant Messenger instead of speaking to them out loud, in person

Even though they are sitting right next to each other, Jesse and Justin only compunicate when they have to tell each other something.

Song of the Week

"All I Want for Christmas is a Real Good Tan" - Kenny Chesney

Ooooo, don't you think it's a pretty good plan?
All I want for christmas is a real good tan..

All I want for Christmas is a real good tan,
take me to the Islands put my feet in the sand,
rockin' to and fro with the rhythm of the ocean.
singin Silent Night with the palm trees blowin'..

Ooooo, don't you think it's a pretty good plan?
All I want for christmas is a real good tan..

Well, if you're thinkin' bout getting me a present this year,
let me put a bug in your cute little ear,
How bout 2 tickets to a tropical shore,
where we don't have to wear these winter clothes anymore,
instead of turkey we'll have mahi-mahi grill,
and Pina Coladas in the blender chillin'..

All I want for Christmas is a real good tan,
take me to the Islands put my feet in the sand,
rockin' to and fro with the rhythm of the ocean,
singin Silent Night with the palm trees blowin'..

Ooooo, don't you think it's a pretty good plan?
All I want for christmas is a real good tan..

Well everybody's praying for a Christmas so white,
come to think about it, that'd be alright,
as long as it's sand and not snow on the ground,
and everyday our skin gets a little more brown,
We'll string some lights in a coconut tree,
I'll rub some oil on you, and you can rub some on me..

All I want for Christmas is a real good tan,
I can see us baby on the beach hand in hand,
rockin' to and fro with the rhythm of the ocean..
Baby won't you say you and me we'll be going?
Ooooo, I can almost feel my toes in the sand,
All I want for Christmas is a real good tan..

Don't worry baby, we'll celebrate plenty,
I'll buy you some shades and a brand new bikini..
We won't have to worry about the holiday rush,
it'll be you and me fallin' deeper in love..

Ooooo, don't you think it's a pretty good plan?
All I want for christmas is a real good tan..

All I want for christmas is a real good tan..


Since Christmas music is only really good in December a 2nd song of the week:

"Mr. Christmas" - Joe Diffie

Hey look comin? down the way
Guess who got back in town today
I know he?s got some goodies on his sleigh
Could it be, why yes, it?s Mr. Christmas

Slidin? sideways kickin? up snow
Makin? a sound that goes ho ho ho
A big jelly belly and a cherry for a nose
Could it be, why yes, it?s Mr. Christmas

Everywhere he goes he?s spreadin? Christmas cheer
Everybody know he?ll be back again next year
Mr. Christmas

A Barbie doll and a little toy gun
Milk and cookies and he?s on the run
You?ve gotta love him that old son of a gun
Was that him? Why yes it was, Mr. Christmas

Everywhere he goes he?s spreadin? Christmas cheer
Everybody know he?ll be back again next year
Mr. Christmas

Word of the Day

"Ice is a girl's best friend" just doesn't have the same ring to it...)

Urban Word of the Day
www.urbandictionary.com

December 09, 2007: ice

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=ice&defid=93823

diamonds

"I keep my girlfriend flooded with ice."

Shoutcast

A friend of mine has a Shoutcast radio station I wanted to share with y'all, the link is as follows:

http://www.crazylogic.ca:8000/listen.pls

The music is pretty eclectic, but worth a listen to :-)

My Kind of Tree...

A tree sent to me from M&Ms... (this is so my kinda tree!!)

M&Ms homepage: http://www.mms.com

Word of the Day

(Just about every other conversation I have goes like this...)

Urban Word of the Day
www.urbandictionary.com

December 06, 2007: pre-sequitur

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=pre-sequitur&defid=2674550

Like a non-sequitur, a pre-sequitur doesn't follow what immediately preceded it, but instead relates to something that came much earlier. It is a sudden or jarring break in the chronology, but it does follow... when you remember what it refers to.

Jen: Why did you leave Los Angeles?
Keith: Well... have you ever lived there?
Jen: I visited once, for a week. I liked the street performers on the boardwalk...
Keith: Oh, the boardwalk is where I got this red scarf!
Jen: I was trying to knit a scarf just like that last year but I never finished.
Keith: Where do you get yarn around here?
Jen: There's a good store just a few blocks from here, wanna come see?

... ten minutes later ...

Jen: Huh, do you smell Indian food?
Keith: Hmm, not really... but now I'm in the mood to get some Indian Food.
Jen: Sure, let's!
Keith: It was the pollution, that's why.
Jen: pollution?
Keith: Yeah, I wanted somewhere with real air, and LA wasn't it!
Jen: Oh, why you left Los Angeles

Word of the Day

(hehe this happens to me far too often, especially when tired)

Urban Word of the Day
www.urbandictionary.com

December 05, 2007: mental constipation

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=mental+constipation&defid=595934

An inability to articulate one's thoughts or ideas, resulting in significant psychological distress and frustration.

Typically, this form of [cognitive impaction] is self-resolving. However, in cases where productive interchange with the afflicted is urgently needed, a [deadline] may be administered; indeed, this has proven to be one of the most effective treatments for stubborn cases of mental constipation.

Mark: "So, you know, it's like... uh, er... damn, you know, that, uh... thing!"
Dave: "Yeesh. It's too bad that they don't make a laxative for mental constipation!"

Word of the Day

(Well they had to come up with a word for it sooner or later...)

Urban Word of the Day
www.urbandictionary.com

December 04, 2007: Hobosexual

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Hobosexual&defid=1179918

Adjective. The opposite of metrosexual; one who cares little for one's own appearance.

Examples: Michael Moore, Peter Jackson.
First documented hobosexual - John the Baptist.

Song of the Week

"Hard Rock, Coco & Joe" - Stuart Hamblen

Ole olady olady I oh
That's Hardrock, and Coco, and Joe

Now listen my children and you shall hear
A story fantastic, a story so queer
It's all about Santa and his helpers three
There's Hardrock, and Coco, and Joe

Now Hardrock's the driver up there by his sleigh
Coco reads maps and he shows him the way
Though old Santa really has no need for Joe
But takes him cause he loves him so

Ole olady olady I ay
Donner and Blitzen away away
Ole olady olady I oh
I'm Hardrock, I'm Coco, I'm Joe

And Santa is busy with his heavy pack
He trusts his drivers and never looks back
Ole olady olady I oh
I'm Hardrock, I'm Coco, I'm Joe

Now go to bed early on this Christmas Eve
I've no way of knowing just what you'll recieve
But you'll hear their laughter that much I do know
‘Twill be Hardrock, and Coco, and Joe

The 3 little men only 2 feet high
Singing to Santa way up in the sky
Laughing and shouting as the sleigh bells ring
It's Hardrock, and Coco, and Joe

Ole olady olady I ay
Donner and Blitzen away away
Ole olady olady I oh
He's Hardrock, he's Coco, he's Joe

And Santa is busy with his heavy pack
He trusts his drivers and never looks back
Ole olady olady I oh
He's Hardrock, he's Coco, he's Joe

Ol' Santa will come in and set down his pack
And Hardrock will hold the reindeer till Santa comes back
If you hear a giggle as he turns to go
It's Coco, a snowball,...and Joe!

Ole olady olady I ay
Donner and Blitzen away away
Ole olady olady I oh
I'm Hardrock, I'm Coco, I'm Joe

And Santa is busy with his heavy pack
He trusts his drivers and never looks back
Ole olady olady I oh
I'm Hardrock, I'm Coco, I'm Joe
Ole olady olady I oh...

Cool Gifts for Kids

A good website offering advice on what kids really want for Christmas:

http://shopping.sympatico.msn.ca/content/shp/?ctid=8337

Songs That WILL Get Stuck in Your Head

Not a complete list but a collection of gooders... (sorry in advance lol, also sorry if I've posted these before)

Gummy Bear


Do You Like Waffles?


Banana Phone


Psycho Teddy


Song That Doesn't End