Recently in Girly Stuff Category

I’ve been asked to review the ViDerm line of Skin Care Products by Kalil Medical.  The first thing I noticed is that they are not organic, which makes me sad.  They were originally a prescription line of skin care products, but they are now available without a prescription.  If you have serious skin issues with blemishes or dryness, this line of products will probably appeal to you. 

On the FAQ page, ViDerm is described as using “high quality botanical extracts and essential oils” but with “other ingredients that have been scientifically engineered,” hence the lack of “all natural” or “organic” on the label.  These products are really meant for people who need a serious anti-aging product, and if you need these you probably hate me and my mom for our youthful and perfect skin.  (Ha hah.)

ViDerm also sells body wash and most interestingly, men’s products.  The men’s products do not smell like Dial soap, which is a huge bonus.  If I had a boyfriend, I would buy him some so that his skin is properly cared for and doesn’t smell like a shower stall.  The packaging is nicely gender neutral, and could even be tossed in a gym bag without comment.

And finally, please note that ViDerm does not test on animals, otherwise I wouldn’t even have bothered looking at the product.  Their beauty is cruelty-free, and yours should be too.

I live right across the tracks.  It’s pretty literal, on one side of the tracks, you can see people dressed like hookers and skanks with too many babies waiting for the bus.  On my side, there are manicured lawns and cute little condos and midrises and stuff.  I live in the buffer zone in the middle of nowhere.  The farther north you walk from my condo, the nicer it gets.  But there are still weird pockets of not-niceness.

So when I was buying the condo, and insurance, the first thing the insurance agent asked me was “Do you have an alarm system?”  So I went online and searched for alarm systems for the home; I was pretty sure I was going to go with ADT since that’s what my mom has.  But I felt compelled to search and compare anyway.  I ended up with ADT, and a nice discount on my insurance and a really big ol’ thing on my keychain.  I need to get a smaller one.

Also, do remember that if you buy a security system, you usually have to register it with the local police/fire department or something.  It’s a teensy extra cost, but something you have to consider and usually you have to fill out the form again every year so that all your information is up to date.  Also, if you have DSL you will have to get a wireless solution as the system can’t be on the phone line.  It’s not much of a hassle, really.  I think the peace of mind is worth it.

Why yes, I did put them on and do a little Russian dancing.  Now I have to figure out how to embroider something (and decide what to embroider) on the sides so I can have a real right and left.

And I need to get that second kaloshi on properly.

1. Get Job
• Details: Fix resume, return all calls, assess real minimum salary requirements, start saving again
2. Lose Weight
• Details: Numeric values are not as important as health benefits (being able to walk up 3 flights without panting) and fitting into the clothes I currently own (no more buying fat clothes)
3. Write Novel
• Details: I have a notebook filled with one page synopses.  At least one of those could be a fully fledged novel.  And it would probably be saleable.  This resolution includes writing RPG modules, not just novels
4. Make Profit from Crafting
• Details: Make a lightbox, take decent pictures, fix Etsy and ArtFire shops, list items, tag items and pictures properly, price items properly
5. Get Real Significant Other
• Details: Um.  Yeah, I have no details for this and I'm not sure it should really be on my list.  Unless stalking counts as a detail.

Or if you prefer, a generic happy day.  Me, I'll be over here being gleeful with all my new presents including the entire Buffy Series - the Chosen Collection.  YAY.

Mom needs to make an angel costume, but she doesn't want wings.  Nephew wants a better costume than the cruddy one the church has for the High Priest (it's just a fugly robe, nothing else).  Where can they turn for costuming ideas and painful historical accuracy?

Oh, that's right.  Me.

So I suggested that Mom replace the wings with golden streamers to represent Glory.  She likes the idea.  I didn't tell her I stole that from Diablo II.  Don't you tell her either.

For the nephew, I found a picture of the traditional garb worn by Levite High Priests.  That's got enough bling to satisfy anyone.  He's happy now.  I also sent pictures of garb worn by noblewomen of Ancient Judah in case my niece suddenly decides her costume is boring (she will, she's been trying to steal my bangle collection for years).

Of course I loved the movie.  I still think the book was better - but not by much!  The movie was visually the perfect equivalent of the book, except that I think it could have incorporated slightly more of the sarcasm (the Princess training especially cracked me up, and I thought they could have added it somehow).

So someone has made a series of kids' games for the PC/Mac based on the Princess Bride.  The picture alone looks amusing. The Princess Bride Game features voice acting by some of the original cast members, is completely animated, and is actually five minigames based on different parts of the movie.  Looks like a casual fun in-between what you're really supposed to be doing kind of game.  It also has multiple levels for each minigame, so it should last a while.  No word on whether it is statically generating each level, tho.  It would be a good gift for a non-gamer chick, if you know any.  I'd probably beat it in a few days, unless the puzzle platformer requires too many jumps too quickly.  I hate that.  Can you hear me, Prince of Persia?  I HATE YOU.

Oddly, for something with so many good reviews, I haven't heard a peep about this game.  I need to come out from under my rock more often.

P.S.  Buttercup needs to wear a bra.

HISTORY!

WE HAVE IT!

And now the United States can say "All men are created equal," and mean it!

It's Blog Action Day, and the word of the day is: Poverty.  Something that is approaching a little too close to my life lately.

Granted, I have a house to live in.  I even have a backup location to flee too if need be.  I have food in my refrigerator, I have a positive balance in my bank account, a bed, and clean clothes to wear to the job that I still have.

Heck, I even still have a pittance in my 401(k).

What I don't have is any extra money.  NONE.  I used to sponsor a child through World Vision but I just can't afford that right now.  Well, I could if I weren't so shallow and didn't buy things for myself.  But sadly, I am shallow and consider my sanity a more pressing matter than the welfare of others.  Especially others I can't see.  It's a failing that I apparently share with lots of people.  That doesn't make it any better, but it makes it easier to live with.

I do wonder sometimes wonder why drugs and prison were allowed to replace interfering with people's lives for the better.  Instead, we have to wait for people to fall so low they'll take any hand up.  How are we supposed to break the cycle of poverty?  And don't say education, because public school education - the kind that impoverished neighborhoods get, anyway - is beyond worthless.  Everyone else is educated, but they aren't learning the important lessons about caring for your neighbor - even the ones you can't see.

A what, you ask?  An Infrared Sauna, I say.  Why do I want one?  Well, because I like being warm.  I like lying out in the sun.  Also, I have had JRA (Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis) since I was a teenager in my wrists and knees and since I am now overweight, also in my hips.

I love staying in hotels that have saunas, you can just go and wrap yourself in a towel and be warm all over.  Your joints relax, you sweat away some pounds, (always drink lots of water before you go into a sauna!), your skin glows, your sinuses open up, and it's warm.  This is why cats curl up in the sunshine and just look so content, it's the same feeling.

A far infrared sauna is even better because you don't have to worry about UV rays burning your skin.  It's the same theory as those heated rocks that savages used back in the old day, only updated for modern times.  Note that the savages never had to worry about high blood pressure or asthma.  Heck, even Native Americans didn't have high blood pressure until the Europeans came with their bibles and their fire water and their smallpox.  Sweat lodges!  Hot rocks!  And now I want one too, only it won't fit in my tiny condo.  They have small ones that fit three people, which is good because saunas should be social things.  I'll need a husband too....