I was tooling about the internet and found out about Record Store Day. It's a couple of weeks before Free Comic Book Day (this year's RSD is April 18th, FCBD is May 2nd) and is similar, but for independent record stores. They band together and get the word out about their stores, especially as they're trying to survive in the shadow of big box retailers. Music may not be my top interest, but I'd say it's in the top 5, and this is something I'm looking forward to checking out. The local record store near me is offering live music, free samples, limited edition vinyl, and a cookout with veggie burgers. I've never tried one before, but it sounds interesting. Why not check out where the nearest participating store will be and join in the fun on April 18th? One edge they have over the conglomerates is that they know their music and you may be introduced to something you haven't heard on the radio or your iPod a million times, and like. And you wouldn't have found otherwise.

Sometimes there are some people that find themselves away from the beaten path. No, this isn't a sermon or lecture about how you should live your life. Especially since one, I'm the last person to be able to guide anyone (as Jason Mewes said in Dogma "Me lead you? Lady look at me, I don't even know where I am half the time!") and two, this isn't exactly what I'm talking about. What I'm talking about is life taking you in places you never expected, ending up somewhere unexpected and isolated type of deal. Maybe there's hardly anybody like you where you live, if any. It can be tough with no one to talk to, no one who shares your interests and values.
But thanks to the internet, you don't have to be so isolated anymore. Finding anybody who you'd like to talk to is just a web search away. Or if you don't feel like doing the detective work, you can go to a site where you know others are waiting for you. A site like LDS Chat Room where you can talk to other LDS and not feel so alone anymore, especially if you're not in Utah right now.

One of the surprises I encountered when I started going up to the Chicago Comicon all those years ago was the concept that they released early editions of their Sunday papers on Saturday. It was a pleasant surprise, and one I looked forward to each year when I went up there. And a few years ago, the Indianapolis Star started doing the same for their Sunday editions. It's something I look forward to getting each Saturday. I pick up Kathy from work, we get something for lunch to take back home, and I get a Sunday paper. A good way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
But I ran into a snag today. The paper wasn't available at the usual locations where I get it. I went a few more miles to a town closer to Indianapolis where I was able to pick it up. While I was looking for a paper I started thinking about the recent troubles newspapers have had, with some cutting back or shutting down. I started wondering how much longer I would have the Sunday Star Early Edition as a Saturday afternoon tradition. Like with most traditions, you don't miss them until they're gone, especially when you look back and end up enjoying the nostalgia of them more than when you were actually doing it.

As you've probably read here and elsewhere (not to mention experienced it yourself) things are tougher out there. Those of us have taken a hard look at our finances and expenses and did some figuring to determine how we're going to ride out this financial storm. Help may be coming, but it isn't going to pay the bills. If you're like me, you've got it figured where you can make it, with some "luxuries" that will make it all worthwhile. But what if something unexpected happens? From time to time, life throws you a curveball that has puts you in a bind. What are you going to do?
You don't have to worry or think things are all bad. There are some avenues of help available to you. One possibility is payday loans to get you through that rough patch until you can get back on track. With the help of one of these faxless payday loans you don't have to worry about how you're going to pay that bill that you didn't see coming. As with all avenues available to you make sure that you review and understand the terms and fees you're responsible for before agreeing to a loan. The last thing you need is more unexpected charges.

As I alluded in my earlier post reviewing Fanboys we had a good time today. First I ducked into Barnes And Noble real quick to see if the new issue of Mental Floss was out, and they had it. Since we were going to the southside of Indianapolis to watch the movie, we decided that we would eat lunch at Godfather's Pizza. Hey, most people criticize us for that, but we love it. It's in the same mini maill as Downtown Comics, and I went in to see if they had the new issue of Savage Dragon with the Obama cover, but they didn't have it. I saw they got in the Starman Omnibus vol. 2 which I saw on this week's release list, but didn't get from DCBS. Hopefully it's coming in next week's shipment. Then we went to Half Price Books where I found a hardcover of Danger Girl and a hardcover of the first book of Simpsons episode guide. After seeing the movie, we went to Kroger's to pick up some sale items where got everything but the Aunt Jemima breakfasts for Kathy. They were out of scrambled egg and sausage, but she said she was getting burned out on them, so we got some pancake and sausage ones. Then we went to Wal Mart, where we looked at the TV we were going to get in a month or so, and picked up the non-sale grocery items on the list. I also found a couple of DC Comics Infinite Heroes, a Batman with the yellow oval bat insignia and a Sinestro. Then we went to another Kroger's where I got the Aunt Jemima's breakfasts that were there and a couple of Healthy Choice dinners I had a coupon for. Then we came home and I put up the stuff as Kathy had to take a shower before going to bed.
As a post script, I wanted to draw your attention to this story about how McDonald's denied worker's comp to someone who came to the aid of a woman being beaten in the restaurant. I may feel like a hypocrite for buying filet o fish sandwiches while they're on sale, but Mark Evanier has pointed out that boycotts of businesses aren't really effective. But as soon as someone shows that it will have some effect in this case, then count me in.

While we were out and about, one of our stops was at Wally World for supplies. One of the things we like to do is to look at the TV we're going to get with our tax refund money and say (like Wayne Campbell in Wayne's World) "It will be mine. Oh yes, it will be mine." One thing we've decided is that we want to keep the old entertainment center because of all the time and trouble it took to put it together, getting it to it's final location (including a mishap involing said center and my wife's foot) and the size of it. If we have to cut some of it, we're going to get that TV to fit in there.
Of course, what would make more sense would be to get an Entertainment Center that would fit the new TV, and maybe see about getting one that would fit that and any future televisions, like this expandable entertainment center they have:

And if you're in the market for TV Stands, a TV Console or one of these Armoires, this would be a good place to shop for them as well. And with their free shipping and discount prices, it's a lot easier to find what you're looking for there.

We had a great time watching Fanboys, and while there was bad language (which is the one thing Kathy hates in a movie) she didn't complain about it either during or after the movie. In case you're not familiar with the premise, it's about 4 friends reconnect for their love of Star Wars back in 1998, and deciding to break into Skywalker Ranch so one of them can watch Episode 1 before he succumbs to cancer before the scheduled theatrical release. I liked watching them go off on a fun adventure that lets you forget your troubles for a couple of hours, and catching both of us trying to out-geek the movie. It's one of those movies that when you talk to somebody about it you end up spoiling all the good parts. I won't do that, just leaving it to you to catch at the theatre if it makes it to your neck of the woods, or when it comes out on DVD. One of the features I like on the Joe Loves Crappy Movies webstrip is the question is the movie DVD worthy? I would say yes if it isn't a "bare bones" release, I would be curious to see how the so-called "cancer free cut" compares to this, or at least an extra feature talking about the long hard road to release.

Mental Floss has touted that their latest issue is available. I know, the latest issue of every magazine is available (have you ever written or said anything that, upon reflection, didn't turn out as you thought? Ususally it's things I say, this time it's something I've written) but I'm talking about an issue I haven't bought yet. The cover story is 25 influential novels of the past 25 years. And they've got a blog entry with fascinating questions, among them the 25 most influential movies of the past 25 years. As of this writing, there's one comment with some good suggestions. I admit the only one that came to mind was Pulp Fiction, but seeing the other suggestions and maybe reviewing what came out when will help me with my suggestions. I'll keep you posted.

If you're in need to travel around the Boston area and you don't have a car or you would prefer not to do the driving or use your own vehicle, then there's a Boston Limo service that can help you out. Whether you need limos for a wedding, prom, bachelor or bachelorette parties, or any other occasion in which you would need a limousine, they can help you get what you want. And they're more than just a Boston Limo Service. They also have busses and other types of vehicles available for rent. So if you need to transport more people than a limo can handle (even one of those Hummer limos) then they can help you out with that. Besides, it's better if you need a school bus. Can you imagine the field day the press would have if you were transporting students in a limo? And they have 4 locations in the Boston area and a fleet of vehicles that are ready to help you with your transportation needs. And they can help you beyond the Boston area by providing service to all of New England including MA, CT, RI, ME, NH, and VT. And check out their specials and tours page to find out the great deals available.

This weekend is the unofficial start of comic convention season with 2 conventions going on, MegaCon in Orlando and WonderCon in San Francisco. I know a lot of comics companies are wanting to attract people with their Booths for Trade Shows. Some try a do it yourself approach and others have companies like The Godfrey Group to help them with it, making for a more impressive display.

Surprisingly, Kathy said that she wanted to see Fanboys. I didn't go into details, but I did warn her that there was language in it. She considers it a dry run for Watchmen next week, so we'll see how it goes. There isn't that much stuff we need to get, so hopefully we won't be out too late.

Sometimes people want to get in a line of work that helps other people out and proves to be beneficial to people or society as a whole. But as with any position that requires a level of responsibility there are tests you need to pass and certification to obtain. It may sound daunting and overwhelming at first, but once you start working on it with the help of these social work exam guides, you can pass it and feel a sense of accomplishment by meeting and passing this challenge. You have the skills, talent and ability; all you need are the tools that can help you achieve your goals.

I had read something online awhile back that the Wonder Woman animated video coming out this Tuesday was going to be packed with an exclusive figure, but didn't remember where I saw it. Something was telling me that it was a Best Buy exclusive. I just saw confirmation via a scan of this Sunday's flyer. It looks like an Infinite Crisis figure done in the style of the video, and it isn't a teeny tiny figure like the Green Lantern that was packed with Justice League The New Frontier that they had last year. The ad says minimum 2 per store, and it isn't available on their website, so I may have to see about getting there when they open first thing on Tuesday to get it.

When it comes to looking for a job a lot of people take a reactive approach to it. Scouring the want ads, posting on the job web sites, following up any leads on jobs opening up or becoming available. But many job search experts say that the better approach is to tap into the "hidden job market" where most of the job openings can be found due to not being advertised or posted. You can tap into this market by networking and maintaining contacts in the field you are interested in or you can enlist the assistance of Lightship Research to take a proactive approach in your job search and find a new position quicker, easier and more effectively.

Here's the books I got in the mail today as part of my weekly comics shipment:
Captain America 47
Complete Terry And The Pirates HC Vol 6
Doctor Who Magazine 405
Knights Of The Dinner Table 148
Madame Xanadu 8
Marvels Eye Of The Camera 4
Previews March 2009
She Hulk 2 #38
Star Trek Last Generation 4
Whatmen

Sometimes it's hard to find that special someone out there. You spend most of your day working, and your work site either has a policy against dating, or experience has shown you that dating has turned out to be more trouble than it's worth, or something else has happened that has led you to the conclusion that work isn't the place to look for true love. And after sleep and personal time, that doesn't leave you with that much time to find anyone. You don't want to hit the bar scene, or try any of those tips you read in magazines that are at best hit or miss. So what do you do when you want to find someone? There's online dating, but you don't want to narrow the list and interests to a point where you don't find anybody. And doesn't it seem that other couples get together in ways that narrowing your search would eliminate that possibility? One good source for finding someone online is through passion search where you can meet, flirt, date, fall in love, and maybe even more. It's quick and easy to sign up and you have a variety of people to choose from, so it's a lot better use of your time. And when you find someone you'll say it's more valuable than that.

One of my favorite stops to make online on Friday mornings is to read the new Comic Book Urban Legends Revealed column at Comics Should Be Good. So it was good news to read that a collection of the columns will be coming out in book form on April 28th. Author Brian Cronin has provided an Amazon link to get him a few more cents on the sale. Even though I've read the columns, this is a book I'm looking forward to getting. Better to get this way than to try to get it through the comic shops, as Diamond tends to provide books that aren't specially made for the direct market late, if they provide them at all.

When you don't have an emergency but want to do some work fixing up your bathroom or kitchen is a good time to look for a dallas plumber that can take care of your needs. You can ask friends and relatives for referrals, but you may get the name of a friend or a relative that can help you out at a good price. You might want to see if they're licensed. If not, it may end up costing you more than what you saved, and you may find out no good deed goes unpunished. And they can help you out by not only giving you a free estimate when you call, but there's a coupon on their website good for 10% off your plumbing job.

A lot of people are wondering why we haven't had a terrorist attack since September 11th. If the management in charge at the time were still in charge, they would claim it was their efforts and tearing out the Constitution a piece at a time that resulted in that. But some people want to do a little digging for the answer. Slate has started a series answering that question, with the first installment up, and future installments promised in the coming days.

If you're looking for wooden blinds there's a good site to go to so you can find the blinds that you want. They offer a wide variety of blinds to choose from at discount prices. No more having to go from store to store being limited to the stock on hand to try to fit into your needs. With this site they can offer you the blinds you want that fit what you need. Not sure what blinds you want? You can request a free sample from them to help you determine which blinds are the best for you. But it's real easy to shop for blinds on this site. You can enter in the measurements of the blinds you're needing for your windows, along with the color you want and options, and they can get you a quote for the blinds. Beats trying to fit what the store had to what you wanted. And if you have any questions they'll be glad to work with you. This is a lot better than having to take what the store has to offer, instead of you having to fit what's out there to what you want, they'll work with you to fit what they have to offer to what you want. And they offer discount prices where you can save money on your purchases. Not to mention the time you'll save having to go to different stores looking for what you're needing.