You know that feeling when you have so many things to do and not enough time to do them so you just end up flailing around? Well that's how I'm feeling right now and my poor little brain is frazzled from it all.
The reason I'm having such a hectic time? Well I'm trying to promote my zazzle stores (have forgotten all about creating art/designs/products for this week) and I head out for an extended stay in the USA first thing Monday morning. The flights were only booked 2 days ago, so I'm in a mad rush trying to ogranise everything. Normally I excell under pressure so it feels really weird to be chasing my tail like this. I have promotion for zazzle lined up for several weeks/months in advance for some of my stores and also for promoting other artists, but I seem to have run out of time a tad to line up the rest of my stores. I have a hundred and one things to do in my house and relating to my car, finances ets before I leave - please give me an extra 10 hours in the day, maybe that way I can get 8 hours sleep and a few more things done!
Of course, I could possibly be refused entry at US immigration (really worried about that) because my trips and itineraries make them suspicious that I intend to stay illegally, beyond the visa waiver limit of 90 days, so there is always the possibility that I'll be right back here in grey and dreary Scotland first thing Tuesday morning. When I went over to the USA for Christmas last year I was taken aside at immigration control - a total shock because I'm probably one of the most law abiding, honest people you will ever meet - and questioned. They gave me clearance exentually and I only just managed to make my connecting flight - but I'm worried that they may now have a mark against my name, lol.
Wish me luck!
Thursday 30 September 2010
Tuesday 28 September 2010
Things got expensive!! - or Retro Memories Take 2
I was in the corner store the other day, buying a few things. When I got to the checkout, there on the counter top were "Chelsea Whoppers" - a favourite of mine when I was a kid. They stopped making them years ago but more recently a small company in Ayrshire re-discovered the recipe and has been manufacturing them and selling as a travelling rep. I can never resist when the corner shop manages to get Chelsea Whoppers in stock - it's not a regular thing - but this time, instead of getting 10 strips of whoppers for 40p, I only got 6!! I was majorly disappointed. Back in the day, the little strips were a penny each, the whole box was £2.50 for exactly 250 whoppers (yes, I saved up my pocket money to buy a whole box one time, lol).
I remember when we used to buy "10 pence mix-ups". A little paper bag (poke) filled with penny and half-penny candies. I wonder what you'd get in one of those nowadays - one strip of whopper and a midget gem?
I also remember back in primary school when we had a tuck shop at break time. You could buy a small bottle of Barrs soft drink for around 15 pence and even get 5 pence back for returning the glass bottle! Seems like similar sized bottles of pop are around £1 nowadays and you don't get anything back for recycling the plastic!
I'm really showing my age aren't I? lol
I remember when we used to buy "10 pence mix-ups". A little paper bag (poke) filled with penny and half-penny candies. I wonder what you'd get in one of those nowadays - one strip of whopper and a midget gem?
I also remember back in primary school when we had a tuck shop at break time. You could buy a small bottle of Barrs soft drink for around 15 pence and even get 5 pence back for returning the glass bottle! Seems like similar sized bottles of pop are around £1 nowadays and you don't get anything back for recycling the plastic!
I'm really showing my age aren't I? lol
by niagaragirl | by prawny | |
by elle0423 | ||
by SweetShoppe | ||
by SweetShoppe |
Monday 27 September 2010
50% Off Cards and 25% Off Pet Clothing
Grab a HUGE 50% off Greetings cards or a nice 25% off Pet clothing through Sunday 3rd October on zazzle.com. Enter code: HAPPYDOGWEEK at the checkout.
Just in time to get your pooch some warm t-shirts what with the weather turning colder, lol.
* 50% of the card net sale price and 25% of the pet apparel net sale price will be deducted when one or more qualifying products are purchased and the coupon code HAPPYDOGWEEK is applied at checkout. The net sale price is the price of the product (excluding shipping and taxes). Offer is valid from September 27, 2010 through October 3, 2010 at 11:59pm PT. This offer does not apply to past purchases and may not be combined with any other Zazzle promotional or volume discount offers. If a volume discount applies to your order, you will receive either the discount set forth in this offer or the standard volume discount, whichever is greater. Offer valid on Zazzle.com only.
Just in time to get your pooch some warm t-shirts what with the weather turning colder, lol.
* 50% of the card net sale price and 25% of the pet apparel net sale price will be deducted when one or more qualifying products are purchased and the coupon code HAPPYDOGWEEK is applied at checkout. The net sale price is the price of the product (excluding shipping and taxes). Offer is valid from September 27, 2010 through October 3, 2010 at 11:59pm PT. This offer does not apply to past purchases and may not be combined with any other Zazzle promotional or volume discount offers. If a volume discount applies to your order, you will receive either the discount set forth in this offer or the standard volume discount, whichever is greater. Offer valid on Zazzle.com only.
Thursday 23 September 2010
Ridiculous Trademarks
With it being in the news recently about Facebook(TM) suing Teachbook over the use of the word 'book' in regards to a social networking website, I thought it would make a good post to point out some other ridiculous trademarks/wordmarks that have been granted around the world. How on earth trademark offices can grant registration on single words or everyday phrases in common use is beyond me. I do hope that I don't infringe any trademarks by writing this post ;oP
"Have a nice day" has a lot of 'dead' trademark registrations for a huge array of products and uses and as far as I can tell, one 'live' trademark.
"Life is Good" is currently trademarked for just about everything by a company of the same name - seriously??? Well ok then, "My Life is Good" .... that acceptable??
"Drama Queen" als has numerous live trademarks covering most commercial uses of the phrase.
"I bet on me" is covered for just about everything that it is possible for a person to wear.
I personally thought it was hilarious that "Roughneck Sausage" was trademarked. It only seems to cover pork sausage products, but really, when I read "Roughneck Sausage" I was thinking a WHOLE different thing, lol.
"GREEN RED NAUTICAL GEAR BY PORTSTARBOARD INDUSTRIES" is also trademarked along with a little pencil drawing circle design. DANG!! I soooo wanted to use that phrase on a t-shirt!!
"Go Green" is trademarked, so we'd better not become environmentally friendly or try to encourage others to do so. ;op
One company believes it has trademark over all uses of the word "Peeps" and trademark/copyright on anything that looks remotely like a chicken. Apparently, Peeps are an American candy that most people seem to find nauseating, but the company who makes them likes to make people sick in other ways too - by suing them for using the word peeps.
Well, I'm not going to be a Drama Queen, so not another Peep out of me. Have a Nice Day because Life is Good.
"Have a nice day" has a lot of 'dead' trademark registrations for a huge array of products and uses and as far as I can tell, one 'live' trademark.
"Life is Good" is currently trademarked for just about everything by a company of the same name - seriously??? Well ok then, "My Life is Good" .... that acceptable??
"Drama Queen" als has numerous live trademarks covering most commercial uses of the phrase.
"I bet on me" is covered for just about everything that it is possible for a person to wear.
I personally thought it was hilarious that "Roughneck Sausage" was trademarked. It only seems to cover pork sausage products, but really, when I read "Roughneck Sausage" I was thinking a WHOLE different thing, lol.
"GREEN RED NAUTICAL GEAR BY PORTSTARBOARD INDUSTRIES" is also trademarked along with a little pencil drawing circle design. DANG!! I soooo wanted to use that phrase on a t-shirt!!
"Go Green" is trademarked, so we'd better not become environmentally friendly or try to encourage others to do so. ;op
One company believes it has trademark over all uses of the word "Peeps" and trademark/copyright on anything that looks remotely like a chicken. Apparently, Peeps are an American candy that most people seem to find nauseating, but the company who makes them likes to make people sick in other ways too - by suing them for using the word peeps.
Well, I'm not going to be a Drama Queen, so not another Peep out of me. Have a Nice Day because Life is Good.
by FunGraphix
Go on, smile, hehehe.
Saturday 11 September 2010
From a Psoriasis Sufferer
I have psoriasis. On my hands it's pretty bad. Today for example, I have patches of dry on the heel of my hands and around the base of my thumbs, flaking skin, a few small areas where the skin is cracking, and over 100 tiny 'blisters' that are either itchy or painful depending on where they are (underneath a fingernail is worst!). I also have a patch on my scalp about the size of a dime or a 5p piece that is somewhat like a really bad case of dandruff. In the past I've had the scalp spot be around the size of a quarter or 10p piece and just assuming it was dandruf, scrubbed my scalp really hard with a succession of different dandruff treatments, only to end up with a bald spot (luckily it was easy enough to hide until the hair grew back but it did look rather strange having 'tufty' bits of hair atop my head when the rest is 3/4 way down my back).
Psoriasis looks awful, and if I'm being honest, had I seen it on someone else's hands, not knowing what it was, I would be more than slightly grossed out. It certainly looks as if it 'could' be some nasty, contagious disease and so I fully expect other people to be grossed out by it unless they have encountered it themelves.
Some psoriasis facts:
Firstly, no matter how bad psoriasis looks, it is not infectious. You cannot 'catch' it by touching affected skin.
It's caused by certain cells of the body's immune system becoming overactive and producing an inflammatory response.
The sclaes/plaques/blisters are caused by skin cells renewing themselves at an accelerated rate.
Any fluid within the blisters is actually sterile.
Although the medical profession maintains that psoriasis is neither caused nor triggered by stress, having suffered from it for almost two and a half years, I can tell you that stress most definately does cause psoriasis to flare up. (Let's face it, depression and stress can weaken the body's immune system and cause a whole host of other physical symptoms, so I will not believe that stress is unable to trigger/worsen psoriasis and quite frankly I resent being told that it's a 'ridiculous idea').
Psoriasis can affect any part of the body but the most commonly affected areas are the hands, feet, elbows and scalp.
Types of treatment:
Topical creams and ointments are the first 'go to'. These can be steroid based, vitamin analogues or coal tar preparations.
Phototherapy (UV treatment) is usually the first option if topical treatments are unsuccessful. But don't try it yourself!! Phototherapy uses a very specific, narrow UV spectrum for very controlled time periods and should only be done under medical supervision.
Systemic treatments (tablets in this case) can be prescribed by a dermatologist and most work by slowing down the rate, although cylcosporin is an immune suppressant that can also be used. Systemic treatments spread throughout the entire body and can cause a variety of side effects.
Biological injections differ from the systemic treatments in that they use naturally occuring proteins (hormones, inhibitors etc) and are targeted specifically to the affected site.
Psoriasis looks awful, and if I'm being honest, had I seen it on someone else's hands, not knowing what it was, I would be more than slightly grossed out. It certainly looks as if it 'could' be some nasty, contagious disease and so I fully expect other people to be grossed out by it unless they have encountered it themelves.
Some psoriasis facts:
Firstly, no matter how bad psoriasis looks, it is not infectious. You cannot 'catch' it by touching affected skin.
It's caused by certain cells of the body's immune system becoming overactive and producing an inflammatory response.
The sclaes/plaques/blisters are caused by skin cells renewing themselves at an accelerated rate.
Any fluid within the blisters is actually sterile.
Although the medical profession maintains that psoriasis is neither caused nor triggered by stress, having suffered from it for almost two and a half years, I can tell you that stress most definately does cause psoriasis to flare up. (Let's face it, depression and stress can weaken the body's immune system and cause a whole host of other physical symptoms, so I will not believe that stress is unable to trigger/worsen psoriasis and quite frankly I resent being told that it's a 'ridiculous idea').
Psoriasis can affect any part of the body but the most commonly affected areas are the hands, feet, elbows and scalp.
Types of treatment:
Topical creams and ointments are the first 'go to'. These can be steroid based, vitamin analogues or coal tar preparations.
Phototherapy (UV treatment) is usually the first option if topical treatments are unsuccessful. But don't try it yourself!! Phototherapy uses a very specific, narrow UV spectrum for very controlled time periods and should only be done under medical supervision.
Systemic treatments (tablets in this case) can be prescribed by a dermatologist and most work by slowing down the rate, although cylcosporin is an immune suppressant that can also be used. Systemic treatments spread throughout the entire body and can cause a variety of side effects.
Biological injections differ from the systemic treatments in that they use naturally occuring proteins (hormones, inhibitors etc) and are targeted specifically to the affected site.
------------
I have personally tried half a dozen different topical treatments, most of which had no effect whatsoever. I was placed on a waiting list for UV treatment by my dermatologist back in April. Finally two weeks ago I got a telephone call that a spot had opened up. However, the treatment is given several days per week over a period of 10 weeks and as I was supposed to be going to the USA for 2-3 months, I had to ask to be bumped farther down the waiting list. Now it would appear that I'm NOT going to America at all (because being practical and worrying about certain, very real and impotrant issues means that I'm not enthusiastic enough and therefore not wanted - * lots of expletives about hipocrisy & double standards removed *) but I'm going to have to wait until at least December to start the treatment now - thanks!
------------
Whenever I blog, I try to include some relevant products from zazzle in the post; partly to illustrate my post and partly in the hope of earning a small referral fee (don't worry, the fee isn't added onto the price of the prducts, you pay the same whether the sale is referred or not). However, writing this post I really didn't think there would be anything suitable. There are many 'cause' products on zazzle, but since psoriasis isn't life-threatening and often considered nothing more than an inconvenience, I didn't think that it would make it onto the zazzle radar. WRONG. There are actually 1,826 zazzle products tagged with 'psoriasis'. Even then, I don't like promoting 'awareness' products because some storekeepers either do not donate a single penny to the cause they are profiting from (grr!!), or have no way to guarantee to customers that they DO donate. On this occassion however, I found that the National Psoriasis Foundation (a genuine non-profit organisation) actually have their own official zazzle store. Their main website can be found here, packed full of information, and their zazzle store here. Another point that is encouraging about the NPF is that they acknowledge a link between psoriasis and stress, something which finally makes me feel somewhat vindicated!!
Tuesday 7 September 2010
Do you love Vampires?
Ever since I was a kid I loved horror movies. Way back when I was around 5 years old, my sister and I used to get up in the middle of the night to watch the 'Hammer House of Horror' double bills and anything else horror related. As I grew up, 'The Lost Boys' was one of my favourite movies - I developed a crush on the late Corey Haim whilst my older sister fell for Jason Patric. 'Bram Stoker's Dracula' the 1992 movie was a bit of a let down on the acting front, it could have been so great with a slightly different cast. The movie of 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' was completely cringeworthy, but embarassingly, I became hooked on the television series and was also a devout follower of the spin-off series 'Angel'. Interview with a Vampire' (the movie) came out the year after I graduated University and that got me started on reading all of the Anne Rice novels. I watched the first Twilight movie and skipped the rest - I guess I'm too old for that teenage stuff nowadays, lol, but I am hooked on 'True Blood' (it could do with a little less on the explicit sexual content though; yes, I am a prude).
 by everOctober |  |
 by clonecire |  |
by strangeling |  by gothictoggs |
 by gothictoggs |  by Animatastic |
 by Animatastic |  |
You may also be interested in the article The Origins of Vampires in Gothic Horror Fiction.
Friday 3 September 2010
Coolest new fashion accessory - yeah right!!
I was at the supermarket, buying cigarettes at the kiosk (I know, I really should stop!!) and I spotted a little display box beside the register. The box claimed theat the product inside was the "Coolest new fashion accessory" and it was only £1.99 (around $3.30). I'm not exactly fashion oriented, but I had to look closer and find out what this hot new fashion accessory was in a little plastic baggie. The bags were about an inch and a half square - this is a rather SMALL "Coolest new fashion accessory" then!! I picked on up and had a look .......... about a dozen or so two-tone elastic/rubber bands!!!!!! Are you kidding me???? lol. To paraphrase Billy Conolly: For a ******* rubber band??? I did a search online and found the almost-as-crazy idea of animal shaped rubber band bracelets - at least that's marginally original, but what's the point in animal shapes since they deform when you put them on? Maybe I'm getting too old, lol
This is a much better 'fashion' use of rubber bands (though I don't think I'd personally be brave enough to wear them, lol):
Rubber bands Keds Shoe by gavila_pt
Make custom shoes at zazzle
Remember that you can grab 30% off Keds shoes at zazzle this Labor Day Weekend.
This is a much better 'fashion' use of rubber bands (though I don't think I'd personally be brave enough to wear them, lol):
Rubber bands Keds Shoe by gavila_pt
Make custom shoes at zazzle
Remember that you can grab 30% off Keds shoes at zazzle this Labor Day Weekend.
Thursday 2 September 2010
Heads-Up on great savings at Zazzle - Up to 60% off!!
Zazzle are having a huge sale for the Labor Day Weekend, get in and grab some bargains while the promotion lasts!!
USE PROMO CODE: LABORDAYSALE
60% of the apron net sale price, 50% of the poster net sale price, 30% of the shoe net sale price, 20% of the bag and embroidered bag net sale price, 20% of the hat and embroidered hat net sale price, 10% off the shirt and embroidered shirt net sale price, and 10% of the mug net sale price will be deducted when one or more qualifying products are purchased and the coupon code LABORDAYSALE is applied at checkout. The net sale price is the price of the product (excluding shipping and taxes). Offer does not apply to framed posters. Offer is valid from September 2, 2010 through September 6, 2010 at 11:59pm PT. This offer does not apply to past purchases and may not be combined with any other Zazzle promotional or volume discount offers. If a volume discount applies to your order, you will receive either the discount set forth in this offer or the standard volume discount, whichever is greater. Offer valid on Zazzle.com only.
Visit any of our recommended stores for great savings:
ArtformTheHeart
ArtformNouveau
Animatastic
TheStepmomProject
TeeWhiz
Made in the USA
USE PROMO CODE: LABORDAYSALE
60% of the apron net sale price, 50% of the poster net sale price, 30% of the shoe net sale price, 20% of the bag and embroidered bag net sale price, 20% of the hat and embroidered hat net sale price, 10% off the shirt and embroidered shirt net sale price, and 10% of the mug net sale price will be deducted when one or more qualifying products are purchased and the coupon code LABORDAYSALE is applied at checkout. The net sale price is the price of the product (excluding shipping and taxes). Offer does not apply to framed posters. Offer is valid from September 2, 2010 through September 6, 2010 at 11:59pm PT. This offer does not apply to past purchases and may not be combined with any other Zazzle promotional or volume discount offers. If a volume discount applies to your order, you will receive either the discount set forth in this offer or the standard volume discount, whichever is greater. Offer valid on Zazzle.com only.
Visit any of our recommended stores for great savings:
ArtformTheHeart
ArtformNouveau
Animatastic
TheStepmomProject
TeeWhiz
Made in the USA
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