Andrea Lampros: Parent Regrets: Why I Wish We Never Had Gone to See Taylor Swift
I took Victoria to see Weird Al a few years ago, but it was nothing like this. Of course it was better, but I can't wait for him to come to San Antonio again.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
Alien Loves Predator
Found a new (new to me at least) webcomic, Alien Loves Predator.
Only four panels in but it's milk-out-the-nose funny.
Alien Loves Predator: First Post
Only four panels in but it's milk-out-the-nose funny.
Alien Loves Predator: First Post
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Netflix Gets Greedy
Netflix currently offers a plan where you can get streaming Netflix movies for $8.99 a month. Then, for $1.00 more, you can get 1 DVD at a time through the mail. So, $9.99 for all you can watch online and about 1 DVD a week.
Then, I get this email today.
I'm not sure of the marketing genius that came up with this, but I can think of no other reason than greed. Unless you are into really obscure DVDs that only Netflix carries, it very not worth it to continue the plan. It's cheaper to use Redbox, Blockbuster, or just borrow it from a friend or watch it at your brother's house.
Blockbuster did something similar. It had a mail-to-you service where you could return the mailed DVD at a store and check out a movie free while you waited for the next one. It was $14.99 for three at a time. Then it became two at a time. Then, the movie you rented from the store counted against the ones to be mailed to you, so no new movie would be sent until the store rented one was returned. At that point, it was no longer worth the money.
Netflix looks to be trying to outdo Blockbuster by making two separate packages. I want to say that consumers won't stand for this, but they will. They just won't bother to notice their bill changed until months later. At that point, they'll shrug their shoulders, mutter "You bastards", and keep right on paying it.
Then, I get this email today.
We are separating unlimited DVDs by mail and unlimited streaming into two separate plans to better reflect the costs of each. Now our members have a choice: a streaming only plan, a DVD only plan, or both.
Your current $9.99 a month membership for unlimited streaming and unlimited DVDs will be split into 2 distinct plans:
Plan 1: Unlimited Streaming (no DVDs) for $7.99 a month
Plan 2: Unlimited DVDs, 1 out at-a-time (no streaming) for $7.99 a month
Your price for getting both of these plans will be $15.98 a month ($7.99 + $7.99). You don't need to do anything to continue your memberships for both unlimited streaming and unlimited DVDs.
These prices will start for charges on or after September 1, 2011.
You can easily change or cancel your unlimited streaming plan, unlimited DVD plan, or both, by going to the Plan Change page in Your Account.
We realize you have many choices for home entertainment, and we thank you for your business. As always, if you have questions, please feel free to call us at 1-888-357-1516.
–The Netflix Team
I'm not sure of the marketing genius that came up with this, but I can think of no other reason than greed. Unless you are into really obscure DVDs that only Netflix carries, it very not worth it to continue the plan. It's cheaper to use Redbox, Blockbuster, or just borrow it from a friend or watch it at your brother's house.
Blockbuster did something similar. It had a mail-to-you service where you could return the mailed DVD at a store and check out a movie free while you waited for the next one. It was $14.99 for three at a time. Then it became two at a time. Then, the movie you rented from the store counted against the ones to be mailed to you, so no new movie would be sent until the store rented one was returned. At that point, it was no longer worth the money.
Netflix looks to be trying to outdo Blockbuster by making two separate packages. I want to say that consumers won't stand for this, but they will. They just won't bother to notice their bill changed until months later. At that point, they'll shrug their shoulders, mutter "You bastards", and keep right on paying it.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Children speak 'universal language' with art - San Antonio Express-News
Children speak 'universal language' with art - San Antonio Express-News
A child's vision of living in a world united by diverse languages and cultures was showcased Monday in an art show sponsored by Catholic Charities Refugee Services.
More than 70 people attended the show, which featured art and essays by refugee and American students in honor of World Refugee Day.
Master of ceremonies Jennifer Yanez-Alaniz said the children were asked to create art showing how they could learn from each other.
Steve Saldaña, president of Catholic Charities, said the children spoke a “universal language” through “art that we can understand.”
Local artists Adan Hernandez, Lauren Browning, Seth Camm, Jacinto Guevara and Safa Al Rubaye judged the artwork and selected 18 paintings from 300 submissions to show at the event.
Paula Walker, Catholic Charities' director of refugee programs, said the day, sponsored by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, encouraged the public to do one thing through the year. “It would change their lives and welcome them to our community,” Walker said.
Walker said Catholic Charities will auction the artwork at its gala in October, which benefits the refugee community.
“It's amazing how the schools adjusted to it,” Walker said. “There wasn't any red tape; just a beautiful thing, not just refugee children, but American children coming together.”
Slideshow images flashed on the front wall of creations from students in the Northside Independent School District. Drawings of foreign flags followed people wearing festive garb.
Bianca Bohne, 11, read her essay, which included a line that called the day an opportunity to “be in the shoes of a refugee.”
“I think it was pretty cool to write about World Refugee Day,” Bianca said. “I liked how everything came together and we shared everything.”
Jeddy Thang Val, 6, from Myanmar held one of the dozen certificates handed out to the young artists by refugee Lateef Mutleg, who fled his country to pursue his artwork.
Browning, one of the judges who picked the piece by second-grader Ernest Dusengimana, from Burundi, as Best in Show, said she was moved working with refugee children.
“Art has a power to heal,” Browning said, “and teach compassion and camaraderie. It's an amazing thing.”
Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/community/article/Refugee-American-children-create-art-for-World-1432603.php#ixzz1PvVKwYpG
A child's vision of living in a world united by diverse languages and cultures was showcased Monday in an art show sponsored by Catholic Charities Refugee Services.
More than 70 people attended the show, which featured art and essays by refugee and American students in honor of World Refugee Day.
Master of ceremonies Jennifer Yanez-Alaniz said the children were asked to create art showing how they could learn from each other.
Steve Saldaña, president of Catholic Charities, said the children spoke a “universal language” through “art that we can understand.”
Local artists Adan Hernandez, Lauren Browning, Seth Camm, Jacinto Guevara and Safa Al Rubaye judged the artwork and selected 18 paintings from 300 submissions to show at the event.
Paula Walker, Catholic Charities' director of refugee programs, said the day, sponsored by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, encouraged the public to do one thing through the year. “It would change their lives and welcome them to our community,” Walker said.
Walker said Catholic Charities will auction the artwork at its gala in October, which benefits the refugee community.
“It's amazing how the schools adjusted to it,” Walker said. “There wasn't any red tape; just a beautiful thing, not just refugee children, but American children coming together.”
Slideshow images flashed on the front wall of creations from students in the Northside Independent School District. Drawings of foreign flags followed people wearing festive garb.
Bianca Bohne, 11, read her essay, which included a line that called the day an opportunity to “be in the shoes of a refugee.”
“I think it was pretty cool to write about World Refugee Day,” Bianca said. “I liked how everything came together and we shared everything.”
Jeddy Thang Val, 6, from Myanmar held one of the dozen certificates handed out to the young artists by refugee Lateef Mutleg, who fled his country to pursue his artwork.
Browning, one of the judges who picked the piece by second-grader Ernest Dusengimana, from Burundi, as Best in Show, said she was moved working with refugee children.
“Art has a power to heal,” Browning said, “and teach compassion and camaraderie. It's an amazing thing.”
Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/community/article/Refugee-American-children-create-art-for-World-1432603.php#ixzz1PvVKwYpG
Monday, June 13, 2011
Best book series: Grades 4-6 - Peter and the Starcatchers | GreatSchools
Best book series: Grades 4-6 - Peter and the Starcatchers | GreatSchools
Had this in my drafts for some reason, so it's probably incomplete. But still good, and since I don't remember why I didn't post it, here it is.
Peter and the Starcatchers By Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
Tells how Peter Pan became Peter Pan.
Cirque Du Freak By Darren Shan
Like the movie
Artemis Fowl By Eoin Colfer
12 year old Evil Genius
Goosebumps by R.L. Stine
Well-written scary stories for kids.
They made a few into shows. The scariest one to me was the one where on Halloween, everyone wearing a mask became whatever mask they were wearing. Creepy good fun! :-)
Maximum Ride By James Patterson
I remember reading the ARC edition of this that Victoria brought home. It was pretty good. Bought her the next in the series.
Also recently read the “adult” version that starts the series by Patterson. Ill Wind Blows or something.
Like three in the series. More mature kids could read the two starting novels, When the Ill Wind Blows and The Lake House.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid By Jeff Kinney
Grat book, good movie. Might as well read all 5.
A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
The movie covered the first three books (you know, sort of). The books, of course, are even better.
Little House By Laura Ingalls Wilder
At some point, all kids should read these. They’re not hard reads, and are good historical fiction.
His Dark Materials Trilogy By Philip Pullman
The Golden Compass and the rest of the books. The movie was great, so the book is probably better.
The Chronicles of Narnia By C.S. Lewis
I re-read these every few years, because the stories are just that good.
Had this in my drafts for some reason, so it's probably incomplete. But still good, and since I don't remember why I didn't post it, here it is.
Peter and the Starcatchers By Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
Tells how Peter Pan became Peter Pan.
Cirque Du Freak By Darren Shan
Like the movie
Artemis Fowl By Eoin Colfer
12 year old Evil Genius
Goosebumps by R.L. Stine
Well-written scary stories for kids.
They made a few into shows. The scariest one to me was the one where on Halloween, everyone wearing a mask became whatever mask they were wearing. Creepy good fun! :-)
Maximum Ride By James Patterson
I remember reading the ARC edition of this that Victoria brought home. It was pretty good. Bought her the next in the series.
Also recently read the “adult” version that starts the series by Patterson. Ill Wind Blows or something.
Like three in the series. More mature kids could read the two starting novels, When the Ill Wind Blows and The Lake House.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid By Jeff Kinney
Grat book, good movie. Might as well read all 5.
A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
The movie covered the first three books (you know, sort of). The books, of course, are even better.
Little House By Laura Ingalls Wilder
At some point, all kids should read these. They’re not hard reads, and are good historical fiction.
His Dark Materials Trilogy By Philip Pullman
The Golden Compass and the rest of the books. The movie was great, so the book is probably better.
The Chronicles of Narnia By C.S. Lewis
I re-read these every few years, because the stories are just that good.
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