Rent A Vacation Home Anywhere

Wouldn’t it be fabulous to rent a beautiful villa in southern France? How about somewhere in the Greek isles? Maybe you’re just looking for that vacation rental right here in the states. Wherever you’re looking to vacation, HomeAway.com is the site to search.

The site is the world’s most complete marketplace of vacation rental properties, with more than 60,000 vacation rental homes, condos, guesthouses, cottages and cabins in over 45 different countries spanning the globe! That’s pretty awesome!

The site will give you pictures, property descriptions, booking availabilities, contacts to call or e-mail, and most of the time, the rental price. Each of the listings will also tell you what attractions are in the area.

I absolutely love this site and in my opinion you should be a little adventurous and rent a home in another country. That way, you’ll really be able to experience the culture.

MySpace/Cell Phones Get You Plugged In To Politics

Are you registered to vote? If not, grab your cell phone and text “Pgh” or “Pa” to 75444. You’ll get a message back asking for your name and address. Go ahead and reply with your info. Then keep your eyes open because you’ll get a voter registration form mailed right to your door, filled out and ready to go. All you have to do is sign it and drop it back in the mail by the Oct.10th deadline.

I think this is the coolest part…on Election Day, you’ll get a text message reminding you to vote! The text will even tell you where to go to vote.

Those of you out there living on www.MySpace.com, it too is getting plugged in to the political scene. The social networking site has launched a voter-registration drive. Go to www.myspace.com/declareyourself. There you can register to vote Nov. 7.

If you want to make a difference, begin by registering to vote! I am a huge believer in the action of voting. It is our right as Americans in the United States of America. There’s no excuse why you don’t register to voter. It’s our future.

Pandora For Your Music Taste

There are plenty of free internet radio services out there, but Pandora.com stands out from the rest. I absolutely love this site! It’s perfect when you’re at work in front of a computer all day. The genius behind this service isn’t how it plays music, but HOW it selects the music to play.

It’s kinda like an online dating service. Pandora tries to match your tastes or likes with certain types of music. The internet radio service will create playlists or stations based on your mood at any given time. Just tell Pandora the name of your favorite song or artist and it’ll explore and then create a streaming playlist of songs based on similar music by other artists.

Pandora searches more than 400,000 different songs of all types. If you don’t like the songs Pandora chooses you can skip them , but you can only skip about five songs in a row. There are two different types of subscriptions you can choose from. One is free, but you’ll have to endure some ads unfortunately. If you choose to pay for a subscription the ads will be taken out. It’s $36 for a year or $12 for 3 months.

I listened to the site all day long and loved every playlist I created. Pandora is my pick over any local radio stations when I’m at work.

The site does have some problems. First, you can’t listen to the exact search song. And your playlist may contain a bunch of artists and songs you’ve never heard before; but that’s not necessarily a bad thing because you may just discover a new favorite artist. If you want to learn more about Pandora check out my Plugged In story.

The Right Hairdo

Ladies, are you fed up with your hair, but not daring enough to do something drastic because you don’t know how it’ll look on you? How about a site that’ll let you try on various cuts and colors to find your best look?

Now you can have a virtual hair stylist right in your own home. Thehairstyler.com lets you upload a picture of yourself and try on all kinds of short, long, curly or straight hair styles in all types of colors. You can finally even try on your favorite celebrity’s hair.

There is a membership fee of $14.95, but that gives you a 3 month membership and unlimited photo uploads. Think about it, you can upload everyone in your family or circle of friends, so all of you can get a new do! Thehairstyler.com has more than 5,000 different hairstyles and 53 different color choices to try.

Here are some tips for taking the picture you’ll need to upload:

• Make sure it’s a head and shoulders photo
• Look directly at the camera against a plain white background without tilting your head
• Tie your hair back and behind your ears, so your face and ears are showing
• Make sure photo is in focus

Remember, the better quality photo you upload, the better you will look!

Lets be honest, you can spend hours on this site. I even played around with the beard and mustache section a little bit for fun.

I tried to upload some pictures of my different hairdos, but they wouldn’t load correctly, sorry. There is a free demo on the site you can check out to get an idea of what Thehairstyler.com hs to offer.

GPS and Personal Trainer

I found your new personal trainer, the Garmin Forerunner. You can use it on the streets of your neighborhood or be a little more extreme and hit the trails.
The device uses GPS to tell you how fast you’re going, how far you’ve gone and even how to get home. It automatically calculates your time, distance and pace even the calories you’ve burned. The best part may be the wireless heart rate monitor so you can see if you’re training too hard or not hard enough.

It offer several advanced features; AutoPause, AutoLap, Virtual Partner, and Multisport features. Check out my Plugged In story for more on what these features do.

Now the Forerunner 305 is a little on the pricy side. It’ll run you $350! The only real problem I found with it was the amount of time it took for the satellites to load. It is a little on the high tech side. You’ll want to make sure to read the manual so you can set the device specifically for your needs so you get the most out of it. You’ll find the Forerunner almost anywhere outdoor or digital gear is sold.

Slingbox

This device will transform the way you watch television. With the help of a Slingbox your PC will become your TV, seriously. The Slingbox will stream video over the Internet to wherever you are in the world with your laptop. It’ll even stream to select PDAs and cell phones. Yeah, I said anywhere in the world! Is that not crazy? So whether you’re in another room or in another country, as long as you have Internet capability you’ll always have access to your television.

The device hooks up directly to your cable, TiVo or DVR. In order for it to work you have to have it turned on and have Internet access through an air card, landline or wirelessly. The Slingbox will cost you 200 bucks but you’ll never have to miss another game or show again.

I got an email from Gary who is in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He set up a Slingbox, so he can keep up on the local news and sports here in Pittsburgh. Now that’s pretty cool!

‘Makeup’ Your Mind

Are you a makeup junkie? I know I am. I could spend hours in the makeup section of any store. I mean really, when it comes to buying beauty products the task is overwhelming. There are just so many brands out there to choose from, it’s unreal.

Makeupalley.com is a site where you can get reviews from other makeup junkies to find the best beauty products on the market. Seriously they have everything related to beauty. In fact the site has reviews of over 69,000 products. Did I mention it’s free? Each product gets an overall rating and a percentage of who would buy it again. There is a Top Pick section for the products that have gotten the best reviews.

What’s nice about the site is the reviews are not on all “designer” products. Most of the products you can find in any local makeup aisle. MakeupAlley.com also offers you the chance to get rid of that stock pile of beauty products under your sink. You can donate slightly used or unopened products to women in need. You can even trade those slightly used beauty products with other makeup junkies under their swap section. Although, I don’t really know how I feel about that and the whole germ issue. Regardless, it is a great site.

iPod Competition

It’s been a big week for iTunes and now the competition is finally on. Details of the highly anticipated competition to the iPod are out from Microsoft. The media player is called Zune and it has some pretty cool features that the iPod doesn’t.

It will come with 30 gigabytes of memory, a 3-inch screen, which is bigger than the iPod and a built in FM radio, another feature the iPod lacks.

It’s unique WiFi feature makes Zune stand out the most. Using WiFi, your Zune will connect with other Zunes, meaning you’ll be able to share music with your friends. That’s an awesome idea!

The built-in WiFi also means that as technology evolves so will your Zune. It will automatically be updated. HELLO! That’s great news! It means you won’t have to keep buying the latest versions when they come out on the market. Microsoft has also revealed their version of iTunes. It’s called Zune Marketplace. The site will let you download by song or opt for an unlimited monthly subscription.

Microsoft didn’t release any information on the price of Zune or the Zune Marketplace, so we don’t know yet how deep it will dig into your wallet. I just don’t know if it will really have a chance at competing with Apple’s iPod/iTunes. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

B-Mac Corner

On Monday, I went to the first taping of the Hometown Sports B-Mac Corner. If you can’t figure it out by the name, the shows host is Steeler’s #20 Bryant McFadden. The other co-hosts include Ty Miller of WAMO and my BFF Sandy Romah. Sandy and I went to school at Point Park together and she’s grown to be like a sister to me.
Sorry, the picture is a little dark.

Anyway, B-Mac Corner is taped at Red Star Tavern in Station Square every Monday night at 7 p.m., except this Monday, due to the game. The show is similarly set up like the Jerome Bettis Show, but since it is at Red Star you can sit at tables and enjoy dinner and drinks while you watch the taping. What makes the B-Mac Corner different is that special guest will include not only Steelers, but local high school and college athletes.

The first guest was #99 Brett Keisel. The taping was great! McFadden and crew are hilarious. I had an awesome time and plan to attend every taping.

Moving On

I had mentioned a while back I was looking for a new apartment. Well, I finally found one and I’m moving in this weekend. I just can’t wait to get settled into this new place. It seems like the past several weeks I have been driving home every weekend to exchange cars, pick up and drop off furniture.
I have lived in my current apartment for about 3 years. I can’t believe I am finally moving out. What an overwhelming, money draining experience this has been. I had no idea, or I forgot how much it sucks. Trust me the pictures just don’t do it justice.

One thing I have learned through this whole experiance is what a hoarder I am. My mother is a hoarder and I swore I would never be one; but somehow I have accumulated so much junk! My entire living room and half of my kitchen is stacked with boxes, bins and furniture housing all this junk of mine. I have yet to pack up my clothes in my bedroom. I might have a mental breakdown just thinking about that undertaking.

Now that I’ve actually grasped the fact that I am moving out, I’m a little sad. I have lived with my current roommate since my first day of college. We grew up in the same town and were friends since middle school. A chapter of my life is really closing. An era is coming to an end. It’s sad. I love Marissa as my friend, but more as my family. She has become my sister and confidante. We have grown together, relied and depended on one another. To think that I will no longer see her everyday breaks my heart. I know we will remain close; perhaps we will grow even closer when I am moved out. Lord knows I am a difficult person to live with. I’m bossy (“Bossy” by Kelis should be my theme song) and super anal about mmm… everything; but Marissa put up with it all.

And on top of losing Marissa, I am leaving my boyfriend Kalvin. He is her cat that I am absolutely in love with. His picture makes him look a little mean, but he’s a big lover. Kalvin is huge, but has so much personality! I am really going to miss him.

Sprint Power View

In today’s world we’re leading a mobile lifestyle. Now your own TV network is available on the screen of your cell phone. Original sports and entertainment shows are now available through Sprint. It’s called Power Vision. It’s the first made-for-mobile video programming network and it’s free for Sprint Vision or Power Vision subscribers.

Under entertainment you can choose from the Mobile Minute, the Buzz and Special Events. You can also get breaking entertainment news updates. If you’re more into sports you’ll get the Daily Dose, the Buzz, the NFL Center and special events. You’ll even see some famous NFL veterans hosting some of the shows. And all this is free through your phone! The on-air personalities are really entertaining and fun to watch. I think the Power View is a great idea by Sprint! If I was a Sprint customer and wasn’t locked into another plan I would totally be all about the entertainment clips! Check out my Plugged In story.

Online Time Wasters

I’ve got the best sites for optical illusions, brain teasers, games, jokes, videos anything and everything you need to waste some time online.

BrainBashers.com is one of the largest and most popular puzzle sites on the Internet. You’ll find logic and mind riddles, online games, Sudoku, crossword puzzle, jigsaw puzzles, brain teasers and optical illusions. You’ll be glued for hours.

Killsometime.com is a site where you’ll do just that, kill some time.
Make sure to check out their Funny Video section and picture section.
Some of the stuff on the site is slightly inappropriate, but hilarious. It also offers you a good dose of games, jokes, illusions and animations.

Finally iTunes Has Movies

Apple has announced its much-anticipated movie download feature.
Now you can purchase and download full length motion pictures through the iTunes music store. This means you can forget your TV and the movie theaters. Just sit on down in front of your computer or iPod and enjoy a movie!

Apple also unveiled iTV. It’s a device/box that will allow consumers to wirelessly send purchased movies from the internet to a television set. It will sell for $299 and be available early next year. This will finally link your TV and computer together. All I have to say is it’s about time! I can’t wait for the iTV to come out!

Check out this CNET video about Apple’s iTV and movie download service.

Another A-lister will compete with Apple to feed your need to download. Amazon has launched Unbox. The new site offers thousands of TV show and movie downloads. It’ll even let you rent a movie online if you’re not in the mood to buy one. On Amazon you can choose from over 20 different TV networks and seven different major movie studios. Obviously you can’t upload to your iPod, but you can take your media library anywhere with your laptop.

Remembering Mayor O’Connor

On this day of Mayor O’Connor’s funeral I want to take a moment to remember the mayor who I had a chance to meet and interview on three separate occasions while I was still a student at Point Park University. I first met Bob O’Connor at a debate in Beechview prior to his election. I remember him saying how excited he was about Pittsburgh. What struck me was his passion for young people. He understood how important we are to the survival and continual success of the City of Pittsburgh.

The most memorable interview was the day after he was elected mayor. We were taping an election special at Point Park in our TV studio. We had the only sit-down interview with him that day. I remember the Point Park TV studio being filled with TV and print reporters and photographers from every news outlet in the city. Oh, I was so nervous and intimidated! Not only was I interviewing the new mayor, but in front of all these professionals. The interview went extremely well. Mayor O’Connor was great! He was just radiant with that sliver white hair. I felt comfortable talking to him and extremely privileged to be interviewing him. It was great, one of my most memorable college experiences. What a great way to end my college career.

The last time I interviewed the mayor was in February of this year, shortly after he took office. Our “On the Point” TV show was producing a show dedicated to young people staying in Pittsburgh. Mayor O’Connor was passionate about the amount of young people that call Pittsburgh home; thousands of them here for college. He knew that the success in the future of Pittsburgh was in the hands of my generation, those graduating and looking to begin their professional careers. The mayor’s goal was to get those graduates to give the city a chance, to find a job that would give them ample opportunity to lead a successful life. Here is a portion of the interview. You will see what a charismatic man he was and how much he loved the City of Pittsburgh.

His death is certainly a great loss to all of us. Mayor O’Connor accomplished a lot while he was in office and the City of Pittsburgh is a better city today because of him. I believe Pittsburgh is in a great position for young people to be here.

Big TVs Dropping in Price

Those big, beautiful flat screen TVs… many of us dream of the day when we’ll own one in our home. That day has come! LCD TV sets are dropping in price, 20 to 30 percent! In the past six to nine months prices of flat screens have dropped around $1,000. What better time to invest in that dream home theater system then right before the Steeler Kickoff game.

When you head out to buy a TV, which set should you choose, a plasma or LCD? What is the difference? Read this break down of the differences from CNET.com.

My opinion, buy a plasma if you’re going for the BIG screen, 42’ or bigger. They come in bigger sizes at a cheaper price. You’ll find more pixels on LCD screens, meaning higher quality, but you’ll be paying about a $1,000 more.

The best TV on the market for game day is a 42 inch plasma for under 2,000 bucks! There are several different brands all of which range between $1,800- $1,999. If you’re just not ready to invest that kind of money yet, keep your eye on the price they’ll drop again before this holiday season.