Zotime Site of the Month

This month we like to extent the Zotime site of the month to Top Secret Recipes. This site is dedicated to giving out clone recipes of some "brand name" favorites. Top Secret is unique in that they actually provide the original custom recipes that have been created from scratch by Todd Wilbur who has been cloning recipes for over 15 years. The site is has so many original clone recipes that your heart will be content. And best of all, most of them are free. So if you've always wanted to make a 7-Eleven® Cherry Slurpee®, Olive Garden® Alfredo Pasta , or even Emeril's® Original Essence, then this is the place for you.

Man Cave - Gameing System

Every good Man Cave should have a way to enterainmen. So a gaming system is a must. The three main game systems out are the Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox, and the Sony Playstation 3.

The three systems each have their pros and cons and hopefully this post will help you decide which one is best for you.

Let's start with the Nintendo Wii. The Wii is the least expensive game system of the three at $250 from Best Buy this week. The Wii is an excellent choice for families that are not hard core gamers or families with younger kids. It has an excellent array of games that get the gamer moving and the graphics are acceptable. On the pro side it is the only game that gets you up out of the couch and moving with some great sports games and even a yoga fitness pad to improve your physical fitness. On the con side it does not allow online gaming and does not support Blu Ray or HDD.

The Xbox 360 has been a favorite of men that love games for several years running. The Xbox Pro is priced at $300 from Best Buy. It has an extensive library of games and great online play the Xbox is the best choice for gaming enthusiasts. While there are many games for children also, console is definitely geared toward older gamers. The price tag is slightly higher than the Nintendo Wii.

Lastly, the Playstation 3 is the ultimate game console of choice. On the con side, it is the most expensive of the three systems at a cost of $400. For the added cost the console has the added features of a blu-ray player standard for spectacular high-definition theater like picture and sound. The down side of the system is that it is a full year behind the Xbox with games release so the game library is not as extensive as the Xbox 360, but new titles continue to be added each month. On the pro side, even thought the console is the most expensive it is probably the best value of the three major units out. Not only do you get a Blu-Ray player, you also get free on line play, a Internet browser and the largest hard drive to store media.

Hopefully this will have helps you make your choice and choosing which console to buy. No matter what choice you make, you are sure to have a great time in the Man Cave.

Hot or Not Hot

Ashlee Simpson

Music Monday - Sinead O'Connor

Sinead O'Connor - Nothing Compares 2 U

This week we go old school and great voices again. Sinead is an alternative music singer that burst on the college music sceen in the late 80's. I remember it vividly when I saw her the first time. I was watching David Lettermans Late Night show and here walks in this tiny woman with the shaved head. The song started and it sounded popish and most of the vocals sounded the same, but then a rage within her exploded out of her vocal cords.

A few years later she got basically blew her career away when she tore a picture of the pope up on live television (Saturday Night Live was Live back then) and called out religious leaders. What could have been a very profitable and long career was over. I give her credit though, she always said that she did not like the attention that her music gave her and went so far as to not show up for the Grammies in protest when she won best alternative song.

This song was written by Prince (or is it symbol) and was originally going to be song by one of his bands that he was promoting, but the song was given to Sinead and she loved it. The song is about the loss of a loved one. Give it a listen and let me know what you think.



It's been seven hours and fifteen days,
Since you took your love away,
I go out every night and sleep all day,
Since you took your love away.
Since you've been gone I can do whatever I want,
I can see whomever I choose,
I can eat my dinner in a fancy restaurant,
But nothing, I said nothing can take away these blues.
'Cause nothing compares, nothing compares to you.

It's been so long without you here,
Like a bird without song,
Nothing can stop these lonely tears from falling,
Tell me, baby where did I go wrong?
I could put my arms around every boy I see,
But they'd only remind me of you,
I went to the doctor, guess what he told me,
He said "Girl, you better try to have fun, no matter what you do."
But he's a fool, 'cause nothing compares
Nothing compares to you.

All the flowers that you planted, mama, in the backyard,
All died in the wind and the rain,
I know that living with you, baby, was sometimes hard,
But I'm willing to give it another try,
'Cause nothing compares,
Nothing compares to you.

Festivus: A Holiday for the Rest of Us

Our family hosted the ninth annual Festivus again this year. Festivus in our family is on the Saturday between Christmas and New Years. It’s always a great time to get together, eat, drink and have fun. We sang the Festivus Pole song, aired grievances and had traditional Festivus food. From what I could see of the Seinfeld show, the food is salisbury steak or meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and corn. Add your favorite appetizer and desert and the party is on.

We had just over thirty people this year at our place. It works for us as our house is big enough to keep the different activities from spilling onto each other. We had the kids in the basement playing on the Guitar Hero and pool table, most of the wives were watching some TV, later in the evening we ordered the UFC pay per view. This year was a little different as we also hosted the end of the year culmination of the weekly poker games. Sixteen of us tried to claim the top prize and the game was fun.

Too bad there were so many of the family missing and hopefully next year we can have more of them attend.

Lions Suck... We Know

Green Bay fans are great… Into their stadium marched our beloved Lions… and they get this treatment. Ok, so the Lions suck… we know they suck, but did the Green Bay fans need to chant out 0 – 16? The act was classless if you ask me. By the way Green Bay your not that much better, getting rid of Farve was a great move for you. He’s in the playoffs…your team is not. I guess, if you only have the Packers to root for, there is little less to do once your team is out of the playoffs. While we still have the Pistons and Wings to follow the rest of the winter you guys are off making more cheese heads.

I’m kind of surprised that the Lions defense didn’t knock out the Packers quarterback after they heard the jeers and the game was decided. I would have expected it, but in the end, I’m glad they didn’t resort to that level. So, it’s time for change not only in the country but hopefully also with the Lions team.

Stud or Dud

Howie Long

Music Monday - Snow Patrol

Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars

Snow Patrol was created over a few years in the middle 90's. The group is originally from Northern Ireland and is basically an alternative pop band. They have a good sound and although they have a pop sound they sound good together.

Chasing Cars is your typical love song, but I like the second half of the song best as the drum line kicks in and the drives the song to the end. I first heard it while watching Grey's Anatomy with Norm and didn't think much of it. I really liked it the first time I heard in a spin class I took and heard the aforementioned driving beat. Give it a listen and tell me what you think of it.



We'll do it all
Everything
On our own

We don't need
Anything
Or anyone

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

I don't quite know
How to say
How I feel

Those three words
Are said too much
But they're not enough

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life

Let's waste time
Chasing cars
Around our heads

I need your grace
To remind me
To find my own

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life

All that I am
All that I ever was
Is here in your perfect eyes, they're all I can see

I don't know where
Confused about how as well
Just know that these things will never change for us at all

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

Stud or Dud

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson

So Your Boss is an A$$

In a recent article at MSN a poll of a million workers said that the most common reason they have quit a job is because of their relationship with their supervisor.


So if you like your job but think your boss is an a$$ then here are a few ways to survive the relationship.


1. Take a look in the mirror.
Sure your boss is a jerk, but maybe you're being a pain-in-the-neck, too. Examine your actions and behavior. Consider what you might be doing to contribute to the problem. Then clean up your act, make nice, and do your best to ignore distractions and concentrate only on the work. Then see if things change.


2. Focus on your boss' needs.
Employees who perform well, make the boss look good and are easy to manage are usually in good graces. Think about what your supervisor wants and needs and how you can provide it. Ask him or her each week: "What can I do to make your job easier?" Focusing on your boss' needs will dissolve any ill feelings he or she may have toward you.


3. Show your worth.
Document your achievements and call them to your supervisor's attention. Keep him or her updated on the status of your important projects and initiatives and offer up new ideas and solutions.


4. Stop disagreeing.
Karyn was constantly butting heads with her boss. She didn't realize it but she disputed every idea he had. When her co-worker pointed this out, Karyn developed a new strategy. During the next staff meeting, each time her boss made a suggestion, she said, "That's a great idea, Bill!" or "I agree, this new system will be a great tool." Surprisingly, Karyn felt better after the meeting and found that her boss responded positively. While she isn't always a "yes man," she has learned to be more agreeable now and then.


5. Get buddies.
Find other sources of support at work. Develop other relationships in the company with people whom you can help and who can help you. Find a mentor whom you can go to for advice and support.


6. Report him (or her).
Talking to your boss' boss or HR is a last resort -- something you should do only after trying to resolve the matter yourself. If you go this route, document your boss' actions and provide evidence such as e-mails, voice mail messages and witnesses. It is often helpful to band with other employees who are having similar problems, so that you won't become branded as "difficult." Warning: This option is risky. Though it can be effective, you may find your days have become numbered. Many whistleblowers have found themselves ousted in the next wave of "restructuring."


7. Get a life.
Don't let problems on the job consume or define you. People who have interests outside work are not only happier, they also make better employees because they're able to put things in perspective and are more productive.


8. Have an exit strategy.
The goal here is to outlast your boss, but it's a good idea to have a contingency plan just in case it's decided that you need to leave first. Your plan should include negotiation strategies for an optimal severance arrangement, as well as a current résumé, names of recruiters and several references. Even if you never have to use it, having an exit strategy will give you a sense of confidence and control, and help you realize that ultimately, you are in charge.

I Think It's the Christmas Season

It's official.... I'm on Christmas break from work. That's what happens when the end of the year approaches and you still have 12 days of unused vacation.

So it's time to tackle the honey do list, get to gym, do some Christmas shopping, and generally do some battery recharging.

Yesterday I was on a Kung Fu movie kick, so when Norm was away I sat down and re-watched Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Hero again. Out of the two I liked Crouching Tiger better as it had a better story line behind it. Hero had some of the most stunning cinematography ever, but the story was just not as strong. The fight sequences in both of the film were outstanding.

I hope to blog a little more during the break, but you never know.

Stud or Dud

Hugh Jackman

Hot or Not Hot

Sarah Silverman

Music Monday - Foo Fighters

Foo Fighters - The Pretender

Foo Fighters was created in 1995 by Dave Grohl after his previous band (Nirvana) front man Kurt Cobain commited suicide. You might think that this is sacralige, but I thing the Nirvana is one of the most overrated groups of all time. Sure, the founded the grunge movement but ther are much better bands IMHO then Nirvan for that gendra... Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Temple of the Dog, Soundgarden, and Stone Temple Pilots to name a few.

Dave Grohl described the song as a political song in that voters don't get what they voted for. I like the drums on it and the end where the stings play and Grohl vocal are on an offbeat are rythmacly apealing.




Keep you in the dark you know they all pretend
Keep you in the dark and so it all began

Send in your skeletons
Sing as their bones come marching in again
The need you buried deep
The secrets that you keep are at the ready, are you ready?

I'm finished making sense
Done pleading ignorance that whole defense
Spinning infinity, but the wheel is spinning me
It's never ending, never ending
Same old story

What if I say I'm not like the others
What if I say I'm not just another one of your plays
You're the pretender
What if I say I will never surrender

What if I say I'm not like the others
What if I say I'm not just another one of your plays
You're the pretender
What if I say that I'll never surrender

In time or so I'm told
I'm just another soul for sale, oh well
The page is out of print
We are not permanent, we're temporary, temporary
Same old story

What if I say I'm not like the others
What if I say I'm not just another one of your plays
You're the pretender
What if I say that I'll never surrender

What if I say I'm not like the others
What if I say I'm not just another one of your plays
You're the pretender
What if I say I will never surrender

I'm the voice inside your head, you refuse to hear
I'm the face that you have to face, mirrored in your stare
I'm what's left, I'm what's right, I'm the enemy
I'm the hand that'll take you down, bring you to your knees

So, who are you?
Yeah, who are you?
Yeah, who are you?
Yeah, who are you?

Keep you in the dark you know they all pretend

What if I say I'm not like the others
What if I say I'm not just another one of your plays
You're the pretender
What if I say I will never surrender

What if I say I'm not like the others
What if I say I'm not just another one of your plays
You're the pretender
What if I say that I'll never surrender

What if I say I'm not like the others?
(Keep you in the dark)
What if I say I'm not just another one of your plays
(You know they all)
You're the pretender
(Pretend)
What if I say I will never surrender

What if I say I'm not like the others?
(Keep you in the dark)
What if I say I'm not just another one of your plays
(You know they all)
You're the pretender
(Pretend)
What if I say I will never surrender

So who are you
Yeah who are you
Yeah who are you!

Stud or Dud

Daniel Craig

The Big Three are Downsizing Again

Humility

It’s going to be a long year for Shamrocks, but I told Scratchy it's going to be good because it would teach the team Humility. Scratchy didn’t know what that word meant so I explained it as best as I could but Scratchy was having none of it. Scratchy just could not grasp the meaning of it. I finally explained as it is the opposite as Arrogance.

Not that Arrogance is all bad, in some case I even think it is a good thing to have (so long as it doesn't go overboard and is kept in check).

Last year Scratchy’s team may have been called Arrogant as they hardly lost and knew that whenever they would step on the court they would be better then most of the teams they played against.

This year with so many younger kids on the team, they will be over matched most of the time. I told Scratchy that the goal for this year is to work on fundamentals and make the other kids better. One thing that should help is that I got wrangled into coaching so I’m going to keep pushing Scratchy.

Hot or Not Hot

Calista Flockhart

Music Monday - Nine Inch Nails

Nine Inch Nails - Hurt

Last time it was pop... this week it is deep and dark. Trent Reznor founded Nine Inch Nails in 1988. they are best described as industrial rock. Industrial rock is the antithesis of pop. NIN is to NSYNC what Marilyn Manson is to Michael Jackson.

"The song Hurt was recorded at the home of actress Sharon Tate, who was one of the victims in the Manson family murders (Reznor didn't know she used to live there when he rented it). This song, along with most of the Closer album was done in the mansion. The room they used for recording was the room that had the word "Pig" in blood. Reportedly this was painted over numerous times, but you could faintly see the outline of the word on the wall. Trent apparently never noticed the word until after he was told whose mansion it was. After The Downward Spiral was completed, Trent had the mansion demolished, but kept the front door handle "to remind him of what happened and the events that took place inside." (information compiled from the Nine Inch Nails CD biography book)

In 2002 Johnny Cash covered the song and created an equal to the original. Johnny has always been one of my favorites and this version of the song and video is like an autobiography of his life in just 5 minutes. You can click on the link to see Johny's version.



I hurt myself today
To see if I still feel
I focus on the pain
The only thing that's real

The needle tears a hole
The old familiar sting
Try to kill it all away
But I remember everything

What have I become?
My sweetest friend
Everyone I know
Goes away in the end

You could have it all
My empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt

I wear this crown of shit
Upon my liar's chair
Full of broken thoughts
I cannot repair

Beneath the stains of time
The feeling disappears
You are someone else
I am still right here

What have I become?
My sweetest friend
Everyone I know
Goes away in the end

You could have it all
My empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt

If I could start again
A million miles away
I would keep myself
I would find a way