7 Wonders Wednesday: Cool Links for October 15th, 2008

This week my favorite and recent bookmarks run the gamut between politics, Halloween, computer-animation, Photoshop, and more! I sincerely hope that you find at least a few of them useful, interesting, and fun.

1. In light of the upcoming election, I am including a link I just discovered today. Glassbooth.org is a useful tool, especially if you remain undecided about which Presidential canididate will get your vote. This website offers a quiz based on your stance on the issues which are facing this country.  It involves 3 simple steps. The first step allows you to pinpoint which issues matter most to you. The next step offers a “quiz” based on those issues. There is no “right or wrong” answer. The questions merely ask for your beliefs and opinions on these issues. The finishing step lets you see which candidate’s views and stances are most similar to yours.  It ranks how similar you are to each candidate.  It is definitely worth a try.
2. I recently purchased the Abobe Creative Suite, and did not quite know where to begin. Several friends who are graphic designers suggested I begin with Photoshop, since all of the other programs are generally image-based. I was lucky enough to come across Smashing Magazine’s article detailing 35 Beautiful Vintage and Retro Photoshop Tutorials. I dug right in, and created my first Photoshop picture last night.  I started with the comic book photo effect.  I loved working with Photoshop, and discovering my creative side. I also discovered that I have much to learn! This article has some really cool ideas if you are into vintage and retro-style posters, photos, and effects.
3. Dwigger is a new site that combines Twitter with Digg-like voting. Basically, if you have a Twitter account, you can repost your tweets on Dwigger, and allow fellow-Dwiggers to vote them up or down. You can also tweet directly from Dwigger, follow people, and comment on others’ Dwiggs or Tweets.
4. Are you looking for a few fun, but cheap Halloween decorating ideas? The girls behind Pippin Party offer three easy, creative, and inexpensive ideas that will add some Spook to your home. Check out their how-to guide to making a spooky mirror, and  “Monster Family” pictures and magnets.
5. I was spending a relaxing Saturday night at home a couple of months ago. I turned on the tv and began flipping through the channels. Something caught my eye on PBS. They were presenting Animusic videos.  Animusic, at it’s core,  is high-tech, and extremely creative computer animated music. They are not just videos with music playing in the background. They are very creative scenes with instruments literally coming alive. I honestly don’t know how to describe them, other than to say they blew me away!
6. What do you get when you combine apples, crescent rolls, and Mountain Dew?  Why, you get apple dumplings, of course! A co-worker brought some semi-homemade apple dumplings to work one day. They were wonderful! I was surprised to learn just how deceptively easy they are to make. The recipe can be found at Simplycook.net. Just don’t tell your friends know how easy they were to make. Let them think that you spent all day in the kitchen!
7. Check out this Youtube video for some more really easy Halloween crafts you can make with your kids (or by yourself.)

Here is the direct YouTube link.

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7 Wonders Wednesday: Cool Links for September 10th, 2008

Well, it has been quite a while since I wrote a 7 Wonders Wednesday post. Actually, I have been a bit neglectful of this blog for a couple of months, writing only an occasional post. I can assure you that I am still alive and still kicking! In fact, I have been busy collecting favorite links, websites, and blog posts. I have several I want to share over the next few weeks. However, since the title of my link-sharing post is called 7 Wonders Wednesdays, I am limiting the number of links shared to exactly 7 each week.

1. I am starting with a link for writers, that is interesting and fun. Brave New Fiction is a Twitter-like platform for writers that fosters creativity. The concept is similar to Twitter and other micro-blogging services. The writer is limited to a certain number of characters in which to convey their thoughts and creativity. The challenge is for the author to write an ongoing story, while being allowed only one line per day. That line must not contain more than 140 characters, but can have less. The idea is to keep your readers coming back for more, as in every single day.
2. From the rumor mill: Microsoft maybe pulling an Apple! Apparently, Microsoft may in the process of establishing an app store, called Skymarket. The store will feature applications that can be used with Window’s Mobile-based phones, such as the Blackberry. Could this potentially cut into Apple’s iphone market? hmmm.
3. Do you monetize your blog? In their post about how to make money BECAUSE of your blog, the writers at Problogger, detail ten specific ways to do this. These tips go beyond the typical ads, such as google adsense. The ideas mentioned can lead to opportunities outside of your actual blog. Basically, you would use your blog to “sell yourself” so that you may use your writing talent in other ways. For example, you may be able to become a freelance writer, a book author, or sell e-resources. Check out the article for more specifics.
4. As a Facebook user, I started to notice a bunch of old-style yearbook pictures creeping up on my friends’ profiles. The faces in the photos were definitely those of my friends, but the hairstyles and fashions were very outdated. Plus, many of these friends hadn’t been in high school for years! I took a closer look, and realized that these photos were made on a new website, called Yearbook Yourself. I just HAD to give it a try. It is so much fun, and way too addictive! All that is involved is uploading a photo, and cropping it into the premade yearbook photo. Photos are available from the early 1950s up to the year 2000. There is a different photo for about every 2-4 years. Trust me, you will want to try out photos for all of the years. Like, I said, this site is quite addicting.



5. How much can you say or show in 12-seconds flat? The start-up website, 12seconds.tv will help you find the answer to that. Right now, 12 Seconds is in private alpha. This means it is, most likely, still in the development process, and is by invitation-only. It is similar to micro-blogging services such as Twitter and Plurk. In micro-blogging, you usually have 140ish characters, or less, to write what you are wanting to write. This site is a micro-video service in the same way. With 12Seconds.tv, you have 12 seconds of less to say or show something. The results can range from hilarious and silly to dramatic and profound. See if you can snag an invitation, check out the other videos, and try your hand at making your own video of 12-seconds or less. See just how creative you can be.
6. Has it really been 10 years? Apparently, many are celebrating the 10th birthday of Google this month. However, some controversy remains over exactly which day that would fall. TechCrunch details the chronology of the internet-superpower, Google. Do we go by (a) the date the domain was registered (b) the date of incorporation, or (c) some made up day. Depending on which criteria you choose to go by, the dates would be different. Actually, the year, itself, could be entirely different. This month Google turns either, 10, 11, or 13-years old. Which date will you celebrate Google’s birthday? Do you really even care? I mean there are much greater things in this world to worry about than having a birthday party for Google.
7. Finally, I would like to share a link to the church of which I am a member. My friend is the webmaster for Lifepoint Church in Ozark, Missouri. She has been working diligently on a brand-spankin’ new website for Lifepoint. She rolled out latest version last weekend. The results are a website that is informative, user-friendly, and extremely professional-looking. Check it out, if you wish. If you are looking for a new church-home in the Springfield-Ozark, Missouri area, you should definitely give Lifepoint a try. It rocks!

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7 Wonders Wednesday: Cool Stuff on the World Wide Web

I have so many friends who are wonderful bloggers and writers. They have far more creativity in coming up with fun, unique, and informative ideas for posts than I have ever been able to muster. I have decided to follow suit with a weekly posting of links, articles, and other cool “finds” across the web. I have decided to call this weekly posting “7 Wonders Wednesday: Cool Stuff on the World Wide Web.” Each Wednesday, I will be posting exactly 7 fabulous finds, not one more, but not one less.

Without further adieu, here is the first of the 7 Wonders Wednesdays.  I do have to apologize that this will be posted after midnight, so technically, it will already be Thursday.

1. The Peanut Butter and Pickle Sandwich. Sound weird? Disgusting, you say? If those were the first thoughts that jumped into your head, think about it again. This sandwich sounded so bizarre, that I thought it just had to be great!  I decided to give it a try.  I actually really enjoyed that sandwich. It ended up being quite tasty.
2. Lifehacker: Twitter Users Worth Following. Are you perpetually asking yourself (and answering) that one question “what are you doing?”  Only true blue Twitter users will really know what I am talking about. If you are equally interested in finding out what others “are doing” and  broadening your horizons a  bit, then this Lifehacker post is just for you. Learn about some rather interesting, if not slightly unorthodox Twitterers you can, and should follow.
3. SBJ.net: Starbucks to close 600 locations. The Springfield Business Journal is a locally-based publication serving the Springfield, Missouri area. However, the 600 locations span across the United States, with the future of many of these stores remaining unknown at present. Whether you are a Starbucks lover or hater, you will most likely find this article both interesting and necessary, especially with the continuous downturn in the global economy. If it can happen to Starbucks, it can happen to many other high profile franchises too.
4. Weezer’s Pork and Beans Video offers a a fun and refreshing twist on your typical music video. Here the music group incorporates other youtube videos into their own. All of the videos used were, at some point, highly popular among youtube users.
5. If you enjoyed the Weezer video, you will definetly want to checkout the Dogoo Tech Sideshow Blog. In one post, the blog author offers a break down of the Weezer Pork and Beans video. They also went through the trouble of including links to all of the youtube video that were used in the making of the Weezer video.
6. Ten People Who Should Have Their Own Blog. Are you a mother-to-be? Or a missionary?  How about a weight-loser? If you are, then get your pen, or your keyboard ready!  Bloggersguide.net offers an informative and rather persuasive post detailing ten types of people who should consider starting their own blog.  Find out if you fall into one of these ten categories.
7. Need a dessert that is delicious, fabulous, and deceptively easy, all rolled into one? Try this recipe for a Sopapilla Cheesecake. All you need is canned crescent rolls, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, cream cheese, and a stick of butter. Follow the link for the complete recipe.

Check back next Wednesday for a brand new edition of 7 Wonders Wednesday.

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