Category: Entertainment

General Hospital

gh brand ambassador

I am so behind, the past week and a half have been absolutely wacky. Did you guys see GH at all in the last two weeks? There was some great stuff.

Let me first say that I LOVE the new beginning, which I noticed about two week ago. As each actor/character is shown they show both the actor’s name and the character’s name. All television shows could follow this lead. It’s a great way to help new viewers acclimate.

For the week before last, the big dramatic moment was when Dante lied and Sonny stayed free on bail. I think Dante was left wondering about Sonny after a conversation he had with Robin in the hospital. I wonder if this father and son pair will ever bond or become close.

Speaking of Robin. Is anyone else thinking Robin is a bit jealous of Patrick’s closeness with his ex?

There have been plenty of humorous moments too. Here are my two favorites.

A conversation between Diane and Sonny before the trial.
Diane - “Sonny go upstairs right now and take your clothes off. You might as well be wearing a big neon sign that the godfather is waiting for the jury to come kiss his ring.”

A conversation between Spinelli and Jason over the phone.
Spinelli - The eagle flies at midnight.
Jason - Spinelli, if you’re going to use code the other guy has to know what it means.

On the subject of Jason, one of my favorite characters. I liked seeing him work a little with Lucky, it’s a whole different spin on things. I think Jason really liked Johnny . I think by helping Lucky he’s hoping that maybe Johnny will be arrested before Jason has to take care of the problem.

Speaking of Lucky. Elizabeth has decided to take a paternity test. Any bets? Is the father Nikolas or Lucky?

I still find Lulu and Dante cute and funny. Do you like them as a couple?

A parting note. I notice that scenes from the week are now being shown at the ends of each episode. Thanks! I love little teasers about what’s coming up.

I’m still catching up so stay tuned for last week’s highlights.

general hospital logo

“I am a participant in a Mom Central campaign for ABC Daytime and will receive a tote bag or other General Hospital branded items to facilitate my review.”

Mar 10, 2010 | 1 comment | View Post

Momover - The New Mom’s Guide to Getting It Back Together - With Giveaway

Here’s a book for the moms!

momover book cover

Tapping into Meditation to Tame Your Restless Mind
by Dana Wood,
Author of Momover: The New Mom’s Guide to Getting It Back Together (even if you never had it in the first place!)

I can’t tell you how long “Learn to Meditate” has been sitting on my life-goals list. Not on my ho-hum to-do list, next to “schedule teeth cleaning” or “buy Huggies Pull-Ups.” I’m talking about the biggie, the list that serves as the repository for my deepest desires for myself, like “Find Hubby” and “Have Baby.” That’s how important I consider meditation to my overall health and wellness.

So if it’s so important, why haven’t I tackled it before now? I guess I wasn’t ready. Though I’m sure I could’ve benefited from meditation at earlier stages of my life, I was just too antsy to explore it (and yes, I see the irony in that). Another big reason is that I’d always assumed meditation required a lot of skill and knowledge. Not so. As it turns out, meditation is just like so many other things in life. Sometimes you just have to wade into the shallow end and start splashing around. “There’s no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ with meditation,” says intuitive guru Michele Bernhardt, a multitasking healer, astrologer, and metaphysician who’s produced several guided meditation CDs. (Learn more at her brilliant website, www.myinnerworld.com.) ”A big part of meditation is your intention.”

So at least intend to give meditation a shot, and in the process, you’ll be giving yourself the opportunity to relax, gain mental clarity, and connect with your spirituality.

Go with the Flow

As I said, I hope you don’t take a page out of my book by contemplating meditation for a good ten years before actually trying it. To help you move your intention into reality and make the whole shebang that much more compelling, here’s a list of tips:

Designate a sacred space: For me, it’s my walk-in closet. I love the girl-power vibe — the shoes, the dresses, the purses. Attached to my office, my walk-in is a key part of my “Dana Zone.” I’ve stocked it with a few small pillows and a beautiful meditation mat Bernhardt gave me years ago. In one of my shoe cubbies, I’ve stashed a gorgeous sand timer, pictures of the ocean, candles, meditation CDs, and a player. Though pillows and candles are the norm, trick out your own sacred space with treasures that speak to you.
Create a ritual: This can involve repeating a mantra, listening to particular music (I like Gregorian chants, but you might prefer wind chimes, Tibetan bells, etc.), or inhaling certain scents. “I think, deep inside, most of us love a ritual,” says Bernhardt. “So use sounds, a candle, or some kind of scentlike incense or myrrh. Patchouli is also perfect. With a scent, right away your body says, ‘Okay, I’m ready.’”
Make sure you’re comfy: Sorry, that means no Spanx. (Kidding. Sort of.) If you’re not keen on sitting on the floor with your back erect and your hands on your knees, you can sit in a chair. Just make sure you’re maintaining good posture, that you’re positioned a few inches away from the back of the chair, and that your feet are on the floor. Kneeling is another possibility, though you might want to use a pillow for support.
Observe your thoughts without “feeding” them: We discuss how tricky this is below, but it becomes easier once you realize that it’s all about detachment. For instance, if, midmeditation, you think about the fact that you need to take your DD to the doc, you say to yourself, ”I’m having a thought about needing to take the baby to the pediatrician.” What you don’t do is take that original thought to the next level, as in, “Next Tuesday afternoon might work” or “I hope the poor little doll doesn’t need too many shots.” Just let those snippets pass in and out without reaction.

themotherload

“I’ve gotten much more deeply spiritual since I had my child. I trace it directly to being pregnant with him. I was introduced to the notion that our babies choose us as parents. Well, that terrified me to my core. So, I started an intense inner dialogue with my unborn child about who I really am, what kind of mother I hoped to be, my hopes and dreams, etc. To do that, I had to really dig deep and explore the whole ‘Who Am I? Why Am I Here?’ business. It got me on the path that has led to my becoming a meditation coach. I meditate daily and love it. ”

-Katherine, mama of one

The above is an excerpt from the book Momover: The New Mom’s Guide to Getting It Back Together (even if you never had it in the first place!) by Dana Wood, Foreword by Veronica Webb. The above excerpt is a digitally scanned reproduction of text from print. Although this excerpt has been proofread, occasional errors may appear due to the scanning process. Please refer to the finished book for accuracy.

Author Bio
Dana Wood, author of Momover: The New Mom’s Guide to Getting It Back Together (even if you never had it in the first place!), is a mother, wife, and the writer of “Momover,” an online column that explores the collision of age and first-time mommyhood. Currently the senior fashion features editor of W, Wood has served as the beauty director of W and the health and beauty director of Cookie. In her twenty-plus years of journalism, she has also written for numerous national publications, including Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, Women’s Health, Self, and People. Learn more about Wood and her her popular blog at Momover.net. She lives in New York, NY.

WIN IT!

ONE winner will receive a copy of the book Momover.

HOW TO ENTER. (MANDATORY)

To enter leave a comment on this post telling me if you have ever tried meditation and what you do to relax.

BONUS ENTRIES

1 - Subscribe to my newsletter. (sidebar)
1 - Subscribe to my RSS feed. (sidebar)
1 - Follow me on Twitter AND leave your Twitter name here. (sidebar)
1 - Tweet this giveaway.
1 - Friend me on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/valmg
1 - Fave this blog at Technorati AND leave your Technorati name here.
1 - Friend me using Google FriendConnect. (bottom right of page)
1 - Blog about this giveaway, including a link here.
1 - Place my button on your blog. (bottom of page)
1 - Visit Game Review Network and leave a comment on any post (except a giveaway post) there. Then return here and leave a comment on this post telling me one thing you read or learned there. (That’s two comments you need to leave for this bonus entry, one there and one here.) Unlimited entries for this method of entry.
1 - Visit HereAndThere.US (my Mom) and leave a comment on any post (except a giveaway post) there. Then return here and leave a comment on this post telling me one thing you read or learned on my Mom’s blog. (That’s two comments you need to leave for this bonus entry, one there and one here.) Unlimited entries for this method of entry.

Leave an additional comment for each entry you qualify for. You must have completed the first entry according to the instructions to be eligible for any bonus entries.

THE SMALL PRINT.

US addresses only please. This contest will end on Sunday 03/14/10 at 11:59 pm est. If you’ve entered any of my giveaways before then you know that only comments containing all of the requested information will be eligible for entry. The winner must contact me to confirm they wish to receive the prize within two days of my email notifying them they’ve won. Good luck to everyone!

Mar 04, 2010 | 5 comments | View Post

never Before Seen Interview With Brandon Barash Of General Hospital

One of the reasons I’m so glad to have been chosen as a General Hospital Brand Ambassador is because it will give me access to information I might not have othersie. Like today, for example. Here’s a never-before-seen interview with Brandon Barash of General Hospital, the actor who plays Johnny Zacchara.

Interview Transcription

Q: What would you do if you could turn back time?
A: I would meet Benjamin Franklin.

Q: What do you do in your down time?
A: I like playing music, standing on my head, walking around in nature — and if I’m really feeling ambitious, I’ll do all three at the same time.

Q: What is the best way to prepare for a love scene?
A: The best way to prepare for a love scene is by spending lots of hours at the gym.

Q: What is your favorite sport?
A: Basketball – college or NBA.

Q: What would you be doing if you weren’t an actor?
A: If I could not act I would NOT be one of those people who give you tickets for expired parking meter. I would be a surgeon or a police office in Alaska. Only in Alaska.

Q: Describe your perfect date.
A: My perfect date is being with a girl I can talk to.

Q: What is one of your favorite things to do?
A: When it is just me and my dad my favorite thing is to sit outside, drink a scotch and talk about nothing.

Q: What do you do for Thanksgiving?
A: I spend Thanksgiving with both sides of my large extended family.

Q: describe your most memorable moment on GH.
A: When Jonny was shot 5 times and survived it, recovered and went to a wedding the next day.

Q: What was the most memorable moment of pop culture in 2009?
A: Clearly it was when we lost the late and great MJ.

“I am a participant in a Mom Central campaign for ABC Daytime and will receive a tote bag or other General Hospital branded items to facilitate my review.”

Mar 03, 2010 | 1 comment | View Post

I’m A General Hospital Brand Ambassador!

I have some more exciting news! I have been named an official General Hospital Brand Ambassador!

I have watched General Hospital, or GH, as many fans know it, since I was about 12-13 years old. My Mom got me hooked. I watched in high school and remember rushing home to watch Luke and Laura get married. I kept watching in high school, occasionally skipping class just to watch. I still watch GH today. I actually never miss an episode, thanks to the magic of the DVR. Truth be told, I actually have the DVR set to record the local station feed as well as the replay on SoapNet, who never has sports or political interruptions, whoohoo!

As a Brand Ambassador for General Hospital I will have a chance to get the inside scoop on show developments, storylines, and special promotions from the ABC Daytime Team, share that information with you and give feedback to them as well.

I hope you’ll stick around and chat with me about GH. I’d love to get to know my fellow fans better, because chatting about GH is one of my favorite things to do.

One of the things I love the most about General Hospital is that they incorporate humor. Some of my favorite moments from the past week include:

Lulu and Dante - Dante is recovering in the hospital and discovers “Glow in the dark condoms!”

Jason to Sam on the Valentine’s Day decorations - “It’s pink!”

Sonny and Luke discussing discovering a child they didn’t know they had -
“How did you finally connect with Ethan?
Well I didn’t shoot him in the chest…”

If you’re a General Hospital fan be sure to check out the General Hospital Moms Group. It’s a fun way to find other Moms that are fans and chat about the show. To join the group you need to be a member of Mom Central. If you aren’t already you can register for free. Once you’re registered and logged in to the Mom Central page go to the Groups tab and find the General Hospital Moms group and click join this group. That’s it!

Mom Central is currently running an exciting General Hospital sweepstakes that fans will definitely want to enter. One lucky winner will be randomly selected to receive a trip to Los Angeles to visit the set of General Hospital and have a walk-on role. The sweepstakes is open until February 28th. Here’s a link to the survey for the sweepstakes - http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22A5X5XEZD9. Hurry, there’s still time to enter!

“I am a participant in a Mom Central campaign for ABC Daytime and will receive a tote bag or other General Hospital branded items to facilitate my review.”

Feb 24, 2010 | 1 comment | View Post

TCM’s 31 Days Of Oscar Festival

31 days of oscar logo

One of the things that so many people enjoy talking about is awards shows, especially the Oscars. I think so many people enjoy watching, and talking about, movies is because they make us feel. How are you feeling today?

This year’s Oscars are being held on March 7, 2010.

The Turner Classic Movies Annual 31 Days of Oscar festival has officially begun! It features 360 Academy Award-nominated and winning movies, presented uncut and commercial-free. This year the films are scheduled in a format inspired by the ever-popular Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon game – starting with Only When I Laugh and ending with Diner, it’s designed so that each movie is linked to the next movie in the lineup through a shared actor or actress. These films are sure to get you in the mood for the big event on March 7, 2010 .

Here’s the schedule.

There are a number of movies I like listed but I think my favorite is Tootsie - I loved that movie! Which movie is your favorite?

I received a TCM Oscar Party pack – complete with popcorn, candy, a martini shaker, coasters to thank me for taking the time to mention the festival. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post are my own and have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.

Feb 23, 2010 | 1 comment | View Post

Join The Mom Central General Hospital Moms Group And Enter To Win A Walk On Role On GH

general hospital win walk on banner

I watch soap operas. I’m an ABC girl, always have been. I started watching them in high school, I was about twelve. When I went to college at the age of fifteen you could almost always find me in front of the television at 3 pm for General Hospital. GH has always been my favorite. I still watch it to this day. I have the DVR set to record it every afternoon. I even have the DVR set to record the backup program on Soap Net later in the evening in case the network show was preempted. Does that border on obsessive or what?!

Mom Central and ABC Daytime are hunting for fans interested in joining a General Hospital Moms Group. Members of the group will be able to easily find other Moms that are fans and chat about the show. Right now members of the group can enter a contest where the prize is a trip to the GH set and a walk-on role! To join the group you need to be a member of Mom Central. If you aren’t already you can register for free. Once you’re registered and logged in to the Mom Central page go to the Groups tab and find the General Hospital Moms group and click join this group. That’s it! Now you can complete the survey to enter you into the contest, which ends 02/28/10.

Another thing you can do once you’re a member of the group is apply to be a General Hospital Brand Ambassador. (I’d love to do this! Pick me! Pick me!) How cool would it be to have an inside peek at story lines, developments and promotions from ABC Daytime! If you’d like to apply for the General Hospital Brand Ambassador program, please click here.

Feb 04, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

Have A Question You’d Like Asked On The Red Carpet At The People’s Choice Awards

red carpet

Something a lot of people have in common is an interest in celebrities. For some it is just a minor interest, for others a deep fascination. I’ve met a couple of celebrities in my day. Some include Bill Elliott (Nascar driver), John Loprieno (actor, One Life To Live), James DePaiva (actor, One Life To Live) are the ones that come to mind quickly. I was fortunate enough to meet my all time favorite Nascar driver Rusty Wallace twice. What do they all have in common? I have no doubt that not a one of them remembers who in the world I am.

Let’s face it, celebrities meet a lot of people. If you hope to make an impression you definitely want to have something original or memorable to say or ask. If I had the chance to meet them all again for the first time, this time I’d have a good question for them.

Lee, another blogger that hangs out at MomDot, is going to have a really neat opportunity this week. She’s going to be interviewing celebs on the People’s Choice Awards red carpet on January 6th. How cool is that!

She’d like to be prepared with some questions and is asking for help from people like you and I. If you click here to go to Lee’s blog you can leave a comment on her blog with your name, city and state, the name of your favorite People’s Choice Awards nominee and your question for that celebrity. Then watch www.momtv.com on Thursday at 10PM EST and see if your question gets asked. There will also be a replay at 8PM on Friday night.

Have you met any celebrities? I’d love it if you left me a comment here on someone you’ve met and how it went.

Jan 03, 2010 | 1 comment | View Post

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE - MUST HAVES - V Tech VSmile Cyber Pocket

vtech cyber pocket

CJ is 10 but developmentally he’s much younger. It can be very hard to shop for toys for him because usually he’s either got it or it’s just not a good fit for him. One thing he enjoys tremendously is playing video games. His old VSmile has seen much better days. V Tech now makes a newer model, the VSmile Cyber Pocket.

About the VSmile Cyber Pocket

Kid-smart video gaming goes anywhere with V.Smile Cyber Pocket – featuring a flip top high resolution screen and easy touch writing pad, V.Smile Cyber Pocket even adjust to both right and left-handed players.

V.Smile Cyber Pocket users can also access a secure website using V.Link to show kids how their game scores stack up as well as provide them with bonus games to reward their progress. It’s easy to use and encourages them to keep up the good work!

Best of all, V.Smile Cyber Pocket toys play all of the Smartridges in the V.Smile Library. So as kids’ skills grow, you can keep supplying them with new challenges.

CJ adjusted to playing with the new VSmile Cyber Pocket quickly. There’s a lot of things I like about this game. It improves eye to hand coordination. It helps both fine and gross motor skills. It encourages concentration. The game skills have educational value while remaining fun and interesting. The game system itself fits well in his hands and isn’t too big or too small, making it the ideal toy for both home and long car rides. It’s great that all of the VSmile cartridges work in it, so games from the other systems like the VMotion can be used. The VSmile Cyber Pocket operates on 4 AA batteries. I have found the battery life to be quite reasonable but for those concerned there is an AC adapter available for about $10. We give this system six thumbs up - 2 from me, 2 from RB and 2 from CJ. The model we received did not have the capability to connect to a television but I believe the current model in stores does. That’s a feature we definitely would enjoy.

The V Tech VSmile Cyber Pocket sells for $49.99. It’s available for purchase online and in stores nationwide.

The product(s) featured in this review was provided free of cost to me for the sole purpose of product testing and review. This review has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.

Dec 27, 2009 | 1 comment | View Post

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE - The Game Of Things

hasbro the game of things contents

GIFT IDEA - THE GAME OF THINGS

About The Game Of Things

You won’t believe the hilarious, creative, outrageous and unforgettable THINGS your friends will say during this provocative party game! Draw a topic card and read it out loud. “THINGS a chimp thinks about when he sees you at the zoo.” Then the other players write down their own responses: “You think I’m weird looking?” “What are you looking at?” or perhaps “Are you my mommy?” Then try to figure out who said what! Remember, you can write anything that comes to mind… so be as fun as you want!

I received a sample of The Game Of Things. It’s an easy to play party game that’s a lot of fun. One person is the reader, the other players each receive a piece of paper and pencil. The reader gives a topic (question) and the players all write down their answer. Then the reader reads off the answers and everyone has to guess who wrote what answer. No worries, everyone has to take a turn as the reader. We tried this game with four people and it was a lot of fun. This is definitely one of those games that keeps you laughing! It’s a great party game and I think it’d be hysterical as a couples game. I can see possible expansion cards in the future if they came out with theme decks.

The game comes with 300 topic cards, 1 response pad, 1 score pad, 10 pencils and instructions.

The Game Of Things is for four or more adult players. It retails for $26.99 and is available for purchase in stores nationwide and online.

hasbro the game of things

The product(s) featured in this review was provided free of cost to me for the sole purpose of product testing and review. This review has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.

Dec 22, 2009 | 2 comments | View Post

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE - Monopoly City

monopoly city board

GIFT IDEA - MONOPOLY CITY

About Monopoly City

Monopoly City allows players to build their own 3-D city in this new twist on the classic game! For the first time ever players can build from the start, creating their own metropolis in the center of the board. The game includes 80 3-D buildings, including industrial blocks, skyscrapers, and even parks. But life as a real estate tycoon isn’t always easy - opponents can sabotage your plans. If they build a sewage plant on your land, your rent value will plummet!

We love Monopoly in our house. The reason we don’t play it more often is we don’t always want to sit around for an hour just moving around the board buying property. That’s what makes Monopoly City neat - you cut right to the action. Right from the start you can start negotiating and making deals. What I like best is that it’s easy to be a little sneaky and set your opponent up. Three of us played for almost two hours and had a blast. It was cool to play with the new 3D pieces.

Monopoly City is for two to six players and is recommended for age 8 and up. It retails for $34.99 and is available for purchase in stores nationwide and online.

monopoly city box

Dec 22, 2009 | 2 comments | View Post

DEAL ALERT - Rock Band Wireless Guitar for Xbox 360 with BONUS 2 Games - AC/DC Live Rock Band and Rock Revolution

buycom rock band wireless guitar acdc live rock revolution

My son is a video game nut. He love video games. His favorites are the Rock Band and Guitar Hero games. I’m not exaggerating when I say that he’s really good at them. He’s been known to draw a crowd when he plays in the store. He even won a local contest, beating out kids much older than him. Anyway. Because of his love for these games I’m always on the lookout for great deals and new things. I found a sale that immediately caught my eye.

The deal I found is for a Rock Band Wireless Guitar for Xbox 360 with two bonus games - AC/DC Live Rock Band and Rock Revolution. The whole package usually sells for $59.99. Right now it is currently the best selling item on the site and is priced at $24.99! It qualifies for free shipping or free second day express shipping if you’re paying with Paypal. The package includes a wireless guitar for use with the Rock Band game on Xbox 360, the AC/DC Live Song Pack for Rock Band on Xbox 360 and another game called Rock Revolution.The Rock Revolution is another music game.

I just ordered this for TJ. I’m pretty sure TJ doesn’t have the Rock Revolution game. (I can’t ask him because this is going under the tree.) I know that he doesn’t have the AC/DC Live Song Pack and has been wanting it.

If you’re interested I suggest you hurry! This deal is while supplies last only!

Dec 20, 2009 | 2 comments | View Post

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE - V-Moda Faze Earphones

vmoda faze

GIFT IDEA -V-MODA FAZE EARPHONES

I love music. I have an iPod and a Sirius Stiletto 2. Both of those come with a pair of standard inexpensive ear buds - the kid that doesn’t quite fit right in my ear and fits so poorly that other sound gets in with the music. The V-Moda Faze addresses this problem nicely.

About V-Moda Faze

Great sound meets hands-free convenience and ideal ergonomics with V-MODA’s Faze metal headphone with microphone. With V-MODA’s fundamentals of precise engineering, quality materials and fashion-forward design at its core, the Faze headphone offers its user the finest in sound and style.

The V-Moda Faze earphones are made of aluminum so they’re actually pretty light - I found them no heavier than standard ear buds. They have a longer narrower shape with three different size fittings that fits right into the ear canal. The sound that results is full and clear and no outside noise makes it’s way in.The Kevlar reinforced cable is much more stylish looking than the plastic cable on standard earbuds.

TJ has learned that now he has to tap me on the shoulder when I’m rocking out on the computer, before he used to be able to just say something and I’d hear him. I enjoy them tremendously and recommend them highly over any standard ear bud.

The V-Moda Faze headphones also has a hands-free microphone and call/music control button. They are compatible with the iPhone, iPod and Blackberry Smartphone as well as many MP3, CD and DVD players as well as computers.

The V-Moda Faze earphones are available exclusively at Best Buy for $50.

The product(s) featured in this review was provided free of cost to me for the sole purpose of product testing and review. This review has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.

Dec 20, 2009 | 2 comments | View Post

General Mills E-Movie Cash Campaign - With Giveaway

general mills emovie cash banner

Most people love going to the movies. But, going to the movies can be a bit costly. Last month General Mills kicked off a promotion where people that purchase specially marked packages of General Mills cereals received free movie tickets. The promo is still going on now. With holiday vacations looming I can’t think of many better times to have free movie tickets.

To get your free tickets just buy two select size boxes of General Mills cereals including Honey Nut Cheerios, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Lucky Charms, Trix and Reese’s Peanut Butter Puffs. After you’ve bought your cereal look inside the box for a code. Enter the codes online at generalmills.com/moviecash and print your free movie certificate good for admission to any movie at a participating theater. You can search for the nearest participating theater in your area by visiting http://emoviecash.com/dis_locator/.

WIN IT!

ONE winner will receive their own Movie Moment prize pack that includes 4 e-movie cash certificates ($12 each) and one (1) free coupon for a General Mills cereal. .

HOW TO ENTER. (MANDATORY)

To enter leave a comment on this post containing your favorite movie moment. It should be a few sentences about your favorite movie, your child’s favorite movie or the first movie you remember seeing.

BONUS ENTRIES

1 - Subscribe to my RSS feed.
1 - Follow me on Twitter AND leave your Twitter name here.
1 - Fave this blog at Technorati AND leave your Technorati name here.
1 - Friend me on Facebook.
1 - Blog about this giveaway, including a link here.
1 - Place my button on your blog.
1 - Place my holiday gift guide button on your blog.

Leave an additional comment for each entry you qualify for. You must have completed the first entry according to the instructions to be eligible for any bonus entries.

THE SMALL PRINT.

US addresses only please. This contest will end on Sunday 12/20/09 at 11:59 pm est. If you’ve entered any of my giveaways before then you know that only comments containing all of the requested information will be eligible for entry. The winner must contact me to confirm they wish to receive the prize by Monday 3 pm est. Good luck to everyone!

Four movie tickets, coupon, information, and giveaway have all been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.

Dec 20, 2009 | 70 comments | View Post

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE - A Very Special Christmas Volume 7 CD

a very special christmas cd cover

GIFT IDEA - A VERY SPECIAL CHRISTMAS VOLUME 7

The Special Olympics has brought my son opportunities he may never have had otherwise. He enjoys participating and we enjoy watching him.

The torch has been passed to a new generation of superstar talent for this album as top stars of 2009 contribute to the latest edition of the acclaimed series which benefits Special Olympics. A Very Special Christmas Volume 7 features original recordings of new and traditional Christmas songs which each artist selected especially for this album. Performers include: Colbie Caillat, Carter Twins, Charice, Miley Cyrus, Kristinia DeBarge, Gloriana, Vanessa Hudgens, Sean Kingston, Leighton Meester, Mitchel Musso, Kellie Pickler, Ashley Tisdale, and Carrie Underwood.

The album SRP is a budget-friendly $14.98, perfect for everyone on your gift list and it is set for release on November 23 through the Universal Music Enterprises. The album will be available in stores and online through most major retailers including iTunes, Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, Target, Borders and many more. The album marks the seventh installment in the A Very Special Christmas album series to benefit Special Olympics. Thanks to the generosity of more than 100 top internationally acclaimed recording artists, the A Very Special Christmas series has generated over $100 million in direct support for Special Olympics programs around the world.

To learn more about A Very Special Christmas visit www.veryspecialchristmas.org

This review has not been monetarily compensated nor have I received any products. I am including it in my gift guide because it benefits a cause I believe deserves attention.

Dec 17, 2009 | 1 comment | View Post

Words Move Me - Sony Reader Giveaway

words move me

What moves you?

The two things that move me the most are my children and knowledge. Knowledge takes many forms and my favorite form, by far, is the English language. That’s right - words. I love words. To me, words are interesting. They form knowledge. And you know the old saying - knowledge is power.

I’ve always loved words. The daughter of a 7th grade English teacher, I learned to read before I was 4 and have loved it ever since. As a teenager, when I was supposed to be delivering my newspaper route I
could be found sitting on a corner reading a book instead. Seriously. It was tough for my Mom to yell at me because I wasn’t getting into trouble - I was reading. You can’t get mad at someone for reading, right. Reading was my escape from everything back then. I could fall into a book and disappear for hours, not putting it down until I’d finished (or sometimes until it was too dark outside). To this day one of my favorite activities is to curl on on the couch with a book with a cup of coffee and read.

Sony has created Words Move Me to foster interest and interaction in words between readers all around the world. Readers can share their feelings via widgets. Other readers can search by emotions to find people with like interests. It’s pretty cool. My widget is below.

Sony and I are wondering what moves you. So let’s talk about that.

WIN IT!

ONE winner will receive a SONY Reader Pocket Edition (value $199)!

The Reader Pocket Edition™ lets you access up to 350 of your favorite books from anywhere. Its elegant, lightweight design is small enough to slip into a purse or jacket pocket, and features a 5″ display with E Ink® Vizplex paper-like screen technology for easy reading, even in direct sunlight. For added versatility, it supports multiple file formats including ePub and PDF, offering access to more books from more places, including the Reader™ Store and over one million free public domain titles from Google Books.

HOW TO ENTER. (MANDATORY)

To enter leave a comment telling me about your favorite book and why it is memorable.

IMPORTANT NOTE - These entries will be judged on originality and content and not randomly. You may enter daily as long as the book and the story are completely different.

BONUS ENTRIES

1 - Create an account on Words Move Me and leave a link to your profile in a comment on this post.

1 - Tweet this giveaway with the following message - Words move me. Share what words move you and enter to win a Sony Reader Pocket Edition from @valmg at http://tinyurl.com/ybr75o7

1 - Spread the word about this giveaway on Facebook with the following message - Words move me. Share what words move you and enter to win a Sony Reader Pocket Edition from @valmg at http://tinyurl.com/ybr75o7

Leave an additional comment for each entry you qualify for. You must have completed the first entry according to the instructions to be eligible for any bonus entries.

THE SMALL PRINT.

US addresses only please. This contest will end on Friday 12/18/09 at 11:59 pm est. If you’ve entered any of my giveaways before then you know that only comments containing all of the requested information will be eligible for entry. The winner must contact me to confirm they wish to receive the prize within two days of my email notifying them they’ve won. Good luck to everyone!

Please note that I am to receive a Sony Pocket Reader but that in no way have my opinions been influenced by the product or the sponsor.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.

Dec 14, 2009 | 83 comments | View Post