I heard about this disc coming out from CDEarth that has some classic games that you can play on your computer. While I like the new games out there, and have an X Box 360, sometimes just kicking back with an old school game is the most fun and challenging. With these games, you can easily wile away the hours, and it'd be real easy to realize that the next thing you know you've been on the computer all night.

And the cool thing about these games is that once you get the kids to try it, they're hooked, too. One time years ago I dug out my old Atari 2600 and games, and once my younger nephew saw it and tried it, he wanted to keep on playing it. They can have fun and be glad that they spent time with you playing these games. Unless you get into a fight over who gets to play.
Press release follows:
CDEarth New Games CD - Hours of Wasted and Unproductive Fun
CD Earth new Greatest Classic Video Games CD includes 10 diverse, retro video games in one entertaining collection.
Dallas, TX May 31, 2008 -- CD Earth LLC, (http://www.cdearth.com) is excited to announce the release of the Greatest Classic Video Games CD now available for Windows PC and Mac OSX.
The new CD includes 10 classic games and will be a sure hit with anyone who played the original video games. Stack falling bubbles, break through brick walls, stack colors against the clock, eat cookies while avoiding pesky ghosts, pop balloons with harpoons, smash tomatoes plus rescue a princess all while putting your spaceship back together.
Preview of some of the games on the CD:
1. Break through over 50 unique, challenging levels. Power the bouncing ball to smash through brick walls. Lots of power-ups plus extra balls, energy balls, extra lives, weapons, glue, bonus floors, paddle expansion and extra score make the game even more fun.
2. Gobble up cookies while escaping from hungry ghosts in this updated version of the classic arcade game.
3. Smiling bubbles. Don't let the friendly smiles fool you. Group the falling bubbles to make them explode before they reach the top.
4. Pop balloons with a harpoon and avoid being hit in this fast-paced game.
5. Run and jump through multiple worlds, fighting off enemies by jumping on them or bumping them from below.
6. Eat your tomatoes. How many tomatoes can you smash in ten short minutes? If you have the time to spare, this game has the vegetables just waiting to be eliminated!
7. Colorful, addicting game where you quickly lineup blocks of the same color before time runs out.
8. Guide a lost traveler from outer space, through towers and across cemeteries to collect what he needs to rebuild his spaceship.
Customers can get this Greatest Classic Video Games CD for free by test-driving the CD Earth Software Library Club: http://www.cdearth.com/classic-games.htm
About CD Earth, LLC
CD Earth (http://www.cdearth.com) believes everyone should experience the benefits of a great software library. To help customers expand their software library, CDEarth offers a wide variety of some of the finest quality software on the market today through its unique Software Library Club. CD Earth's catalog includes software for families (http://www.cdearth.com/family-software.htm), children (http://www.cdearth.com/children-software.htm), home and office (http://www.cdearth.com/home-office-software.htm), computer graphics (http://www.cdearth.com/computer-graphics.htm) and, of course, computer games (http://www.cdearth.com/computer-games.htm).

Don't ask me why, but we're looking forward to Kit Kitteridge An American Girl movie coming out next week. Yes, the cynics among you are crying out that it's based on the books, dolls and merchandising juggernaut that is the American Girl series. I forget which blogger, but one of the ones I read and link to over on the right went to the American Girl store/restaurant in Chicago a while back. When we first heard about the movie was when we saw a preview of it, and it didn't mention any of the merchandising. It showed Joan Cusack was in it, and that's what got Kathy hooked on it. And the preview showed it was an interesting story. Roger Ebert gave it a great review. And I'm hoping we don't run into what the latest Multiplex strip showed when we go see it next week. Don't mind the kids, but the dolls are gonna hafta share a seat with them, that's all I'm saying. And Kathy likes the treehouse with the stain glass window in it. I did some checking on the books and where they're available at around us, and found a great deal online at Barnes & Noble where I went ahead and got the box set of 6 ordered today. There were some gaps in the stores. Both of us are looking forward to reading them.

With all the talk going on in the country about the future of gas, and cities looking into mass transit options, a lot of people are missing what's important: having a car that makes you look good to everyone, especially the ladies. Lane's Professional Car Products offers you the automotive car care that's important. Yeah, there's the changing the oil, and keeping it tuned up, and making sure it's running well, blah blah blah. What about how it looks? Don't you want a machine that's going to turn the heads? Sure, you can get your hands dirty taking care of your car, but what's the point if it looks like a clunker? You want to know where you can get the detailing kits and accessories to make your car the dream machine of the neighborhood. Who cares about maximizing your gas mileage and making sure it runs as best it can when you can get the latest accessories to make it shine? So before the federales crack down and give every body a bus pass, why not do everything to make your ride the sweetest one there is? And if worse comes to worse, it's sure to become a centerpiece to show off how attached we were to our rides.

It's been a while since I posted a personal update. Kathy's still feeling sick and been coughing up stuff the past few days and nights. I've been giving her medicine and performing percussion (cupping my hands) on her back to loosen up the congestion. It was really bad last night, but we eventually went to sleep. As I said here a few days ago, she starts her vacation on Saturday and she doesn't want to be sick. I was getting worried since it's been going on a couple of weeks and even asked if I should take her to the doctor. She says it's going around at work and thought it was something to ride out. I made sure it wasn't a situation where she was saying she didn't want to go for any other reason (finances, etc) since her health is important, and she said it wasn't. I consulted Web MD's web site and from what I read it sounds like bronchitis. And we've been doing everything it says to do for treatment. It's been about a couple of weeks, so hopefully it's about run it's course per the site. She says that she is feeling a little better, so hopefully she'll be better by this weekend, and get her taste all back, too.

For most of us, doing an online search is as easy as going to Yahoo! But there are some people and industries that want a more detailed search. Due to the technical nature of their industry they want to be able to do a search for companies that allows them to search for specialized materials and components such as aluminum coil. Zycon is a company that allows those in the industry to do a quick search for companies that can help them find the parts they need, and they can submit attachments such as illustrations to several companies at once, saving them having to go to each company and submit the information and requests each time. And Zycon is faster and better than their competitors at helping you find the companies that can supply the components you want, but not so inside to intimate anyone using it.

Gary Sassaman talks about the history of movies on video and where they're going. I agree that if there's a way for the studios to take away our being able to own movies to watch whenever we want, they'll do it. The trick is to come up with a way that will overcome the market resistance to it (remember DIVX? The DVD that you paid rental prices for, could only watch for 48 hours unless you paid for more and could eventually own, until the format was abandoned along with those who invested in it?) And like Sassaman I'm not too keen on the download idea, because the DVD packaging looks nicer and any computer screw up will obliterate your collection. And that's assuming the computers don't turn bad on us.

Many people want to lose weight and keep it off. One way they want to do it is with weight loss pills. This site will give you advice to help you wade through all the pills in the market today. And as always, you should consult a physician before undergoing any kind of weight loss program.

For many people, lighting is whatever is in their homes and will accept what's there. And lamps are just something you can pick up at the store. But many people want to do something about that and get lighting that will tie in to their overall decor at home.
At Ferrey's they offer quality lighting in a variety of forms. They offer hundreds of thousands of lighting fixtures, fine art lamps, fights, lamps and outdoor lighting in a wide range of styles and at the lowest prices from dozens of top manufacturers including Quoizel Lighting, Hinkley Lighting and more. They back their product with a 30 day return policy, fast and safe shipping, and more.
So if you want to do something about the mishmash of lights in your house, or you need a new lamp, check out Farrey's today.

What if cookbook fans were like D&D fans? I think it would go something like this.
And Ken Levine waxes philosophic on Chicago on the occasion of his daughter's graduation. I wish I was going to the Chicago Comicon this weekend. And I don't mean that gussied up pig Wizard World Chicago, either.

One of the many problems with health care insurance in this country is that it's job related. It seems the only way you can get a good deal on it is if you have a job. But what about self-employed people, or other people who don't have full-time jobs? One solution is through Coventry Health Care insurance, a company that offers health care insurance to people in those situations. Just answer a few simple questions and you can see what they can do for you. They offer the best rates for health insurance from a nationally recognized company, great benefits including preventive care, free mammograms, hospitalization and prescription drugs; one of the largest provider networks, dental and vision coverage, and fast approval! You can be reviewed for approval in 3 days.

Why are the movies based on Marvel characters burning up the charts and DC less so? This article touches on some of it. Even though it's an MTV article, it quotes Neil Gaiman's Law of Superhero Movies, and has some good suggestions.
It makes me think of this "I'm a Marvel and I'm a DC" video:

If you like watching rap music videos and you want to see what you want to see when you want to see it, check out this site. They let you search by song or artist, have a top 10 list so you can see what's hot, and more. So what if MTV doesn't play videos? Who cares if the stations who show rap videos don't show the ones you wanted to see? With the internet, you're in control.

On one of my bills was a charge that shouldn't have been there. I knew I'd have to call to straighten it out, which wasn't something I was looking forward to. I've never liked having to do these things even though they've never come close to being a big a hassle as I think they are. And it was a small amount (5.99 a month) that I even thought of just eating the cost. But I'm hardly in a position to be eating any costs, and more important if I did it would've ate at me more and more that I gave in on it. And I was worried about what if they don't do anything and I had to pay it? It was for something I could do without, so it wasn't a utility or anything where I'd have to take their service and pay for it. It was getting to the point where the bill was coming due and I decided to go ahead and call. I explained the situation and after waiting on hold a few minutes, they said that they'd escalate it and the charge should be removed in 7-10 business days. After that, I went ahead and paid the full amount so I'd have a credit and the bill would be smaller next month.

If you're looking to start your own website, the thought of trying to find a web hosting business is driving you crazy. There's so many out there, and with all the different charges you're not sure which way to go. And is there anything you're not thinking about? You don't want to get socked with an unexpected expense, especially so early in the game. That's where a business such as Concentric Business Solutions can help you out. They spell out the different plans that are available, what's covered, and can help you with things such as shared hosting and compare plans so you can decide how best to proceed. Best of all, they're flexible and want to work with you as you go along.

Ain't It Cool News has a posting up about how some TV DVD releases have had to change their music due to rights issues. No word from them about the death of videotape. But they link to an article if you want to get up to speed on the matter. BTW, Best Buy has WKRP season 1 marked down to less than $20. Still a ripoff.

It's looking like my brother in law is going to move again pretty soon. It is a short move, and I don't know to what extent I'll be involved. But if needed I can check this moving website where I can get quotes from movers, moving vans, one way truck rental, and more. Not only that, but they offer tips on how to get the best deal and things to watch out for. A good thing if you haven't done this before, like me. Whether you want to do it yourself or hire someone to do it, Moving Orbit can help you with your move by helping you find the best deal and advising you of the different pitfalls in moving.

Mike Sterling has a couple of items of interest in his latest posting. First is his describing an insert discovered in one of George Carlin's CDs that's comics related. The other is talking about the glut of comics Marvel is releasing this week, and comparing it to the glut of '83.
And HBO is going to rerun some of George Carlin's specials as a tribute this week. Here's the schedule.
And Colleen Doran has a page up from back when she did a story for the Elvira comic. Worth checking out.

Even though they say the real estate market's heading into the dumpster, you know what? I like these Florida holiday villas available and even in this depressed market would be hard pressed to think that it would be anything but a good investment. Like they say about real estate they're not making any more of it. Even if it weren't purchased as an investment, or rented out to vacationers (and there certainly wouldn't be any shortage of tourists going to Orlando) it would be nice to have a place to go to whenever I went down there on vacation. I'd say with a purchase like this, the biggest problem would be dealing with the huge influx of friends and long-lost relatives that would get in touch with you wanting to stay at your place.

If you've seen those GPS systems but haven't got one yet, here's one for you TV fans. A Knight Rider GPS with voice by KITT himself William Daniels. At $299 isn't that the price they're going for now? I was a bit older than the target audience when the show came out, and never actually seen an episode, but I'd get one of these. I told Kathy about this, and she wants one with David Tennant's voice. And somebody needs to come out with one with Majel Barret Roddenberry's voice.

If you're part of the police force (or you want to get the stuff they've got, too) and you're looking for a good source for your gear such as Tactical Assault Gear, clothing, other equipment, and more, this is the place to go. They offer live online help and assorted deals and freebies on certain purchases.

Redundant headline, isn't it? You know how they're wanting to open up more areas for drilling? The protected areas that would give us more oil if those tree-hugging hippies and liberals protecting species won't let us? Here's a wacky idea: howzabout drilling in the areas where you have the right to do so but choose not to? Or, I dunno, build more refineries? Or maybe not have such high profits?

I would have to say the most memorable vacations I have had was when I went down to Orlando. Yes, there's the amusement parks at Disney and Universal, but there's all sorts of things to do in Orlando besides that. And I'm not talking about going over to the beaches, like Daytona Beach, like we used to do as well. And face it, I'm getting older and it's getting to the point where hitting the amusement parks isn't as high a priority as it used to be. I'm looking towards a more laid back relaxed sort of vacation.
But as far as picking most memorable vacation, I've been to Orlando a few times and it's hard to pick most memorable. There's always something from this trip or that vacation that stands out when I think of Orlando. Of course, I could always say the first one was most memorable when I was around 10, because I was experiencing everything for the first time.
But nowadays if you're going somewhere for the first time you have so many more resources available, including online travel guides that you can consult. And you can always sign up to take a tour in one of the cities that Trusted Tours & Attractions offers, including a tour to see the famous Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. If you're not sure where you're going on vacation, or want to learn more, you can sign up for their newsletter and also be entered in a drawing to win a GPS. So even if you don't win, if you take one of their tours you can learn more about a destination you're going to, even in the land of the mouse.

What a way to start the week. I get online and read that George Carlin has passed away. I would write something here, and I'm sure there's others who will, but Mark, Gordon and Steve have written pieces that pretty much touch upon anything I'd say here. And he was to receive the Mark Twain Prize for Humor.
I don't think I have any of his CDs, I usually got cassettes so I could listen to them in the car. I heard in an interview once that on each of his later albums when vinyl went away he requested a limited run to keep his collection consistent. A couple of links I mentioned before have video clips. And I would hope HBO would rerun some of his specials. His and Robert Klein's are associated with the channel.