These days, it seems like there is always a 3D movie option at your theater. While it might seem like a recent technological advancement, 3D movies have been around since the early twentieth century! The earliest 3D film shown to a paying audience was 1922’s The Power of Love. Other classics starred major actors such as John Wayne in Hondo and Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis in Money from Home. As the trend grew, Casper the Friendly Ghost and Popeye the Sailor were re-formatted in 3D for children’s enjoyment as well. 

3D involves filming 2 images simultaneously with 2 cameras positioned side by side, facing each other and filming at a 90° angle via mirrors. Human eyes interpret the pair of images as a single 3-dimensional image. Today’s computer technology reproduces pseudo-3D films using CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery) and without the need for dual cameras.

The flux and popularity of CGI movies has made 3D films even more popular – and lucrative. Current 3D films offer dynamic productions and generate large box-office revenues.

2003’s Spy Kids 3D: Game Over brought 3D movies back and cash registers continued to ring with 2004’s Polar Express – IMAX’s first full-length, animated 3D feature.

Miley Cyrus even joined in the fun. Her 2008 Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert video, presented in Disney Digital 3D, has grossed more than $65 million so far. Also, the band U2 produced U23D, the first live-action movie to be totally shot in digital 3D.

Look out for more 3D films in the future – they’re sure to land in your local theaters soon.

The commuter rant 
Getting revved up on the road

The title of this piece promises a rant, but I’m going to try and keep an even temper.

The reason? I’m not currently in my car and I’m actually able to keep an even temper. I commute two hours each day in my car, and I don’t like what it does to my personality. So, I try to be as good a person as possible while I’m not driving to make up for it. Later today I’m going to groom puppies at a soup kitchen.

But back to the “rant.” Anyone who drives to work has a list of the top driving sins that other motorists inflict upon them. What are mine? I’m glad you asked:

Using the turn signal to squeeze into the fast lane

No one needs to merge left on the highway the way they would need to merge right to exit. People merge left because they want to go faster, and this is certainly understandable. But what gets me is when someone in the middle lane puts their left turn signal on and expects a car in the left lane to slow down so they can merge in front of them. The left lane is a privilege, not a right. If there is no immediate opening, wait until there is one. 

Fast drivers/slow drivers

If you’re going 55mph in the fast lane, you’re driving too slow and holding up traffic. If you’re weaving in and out of traffic at 80mph, then you’re going to fast and endangering those around you. So, please hear my plea: if you prefer to drive slower, stay in the right lane. If you like weaving through traffic, find a sponsor and join the NASCAR circuit.

Traffic on the highway

Okay, everyone hates highway traffic, but aside from accidents, how does traffic ever come to a complete stop? There are no stop lights or stop signs. Shouldn’t traffic keep moving at reduced speeds? Yes, there are people merging onto the highway, but there are also people exiting the highway. I’m sure there is an explanation, I just can’t figure out what it is. If anyone knows or has any theories, please speak up!

Disagree with me or have some of your own pet peeves regarding your work commute? Feel free to share.

Yard Decorations
Know when to say when 

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, which is probably why some yards look beautiful and others look like a yard sale.

A beautifully landscaped lawn takes careful planning. You wouldn't build a house without blueprints, so why would you build your outdoor living space without a plan? As you plan, keep the style and location of your home in mind, and pick a complementing theme. A yard filled with white Greco-Roman statues, for instance, would look out of place in a modern suburban neighborhood.

If you think your yard looks empty, don't just fill the spaces with lawn ornaments. Instead, consider adding a plant. Even if you don't have a green thumb, there are plenty of low-maintenance plants that would look lovely.

For the most part, your yard decorations should blend in with existing plants. Your decorations should be small accents, not the main event. Tuck lawn gnomes and such into places where they look natural, and for the most part, get decorations that have colors you would find in nature.

If you love the plastic pink flamingos, go ahead and get yourself a pair – they add a fun quirkiness to your yard. But just because wild flamingos travel in large flocks doesn't mean that yours have to. Your neighbors will enjoy them more if they're used sparingly as opposed to an army of birds that they might feel inclined to protect themselves against.

Not sure if you have too many yard decorations? If any of the following can be used to describe your yard, you should probably consider eliminating some of the items displayed on your property.

• Your decorations outnumber the plants
  
• You have trouble or are unable to mow the lawn
  
• People approach you wondering if everything is for sale
  
• Yard decorations are less than 4 feet apart from each other (excluding groupings that need to be close together)
  
• You or someone has tripped over one of your yard decorations

Wireless Mice

Wireless mice are nice!

They’re sleek and stylish, fast and precise…and they’ll help “clean up” your work area by eliminating that old fashioned mouse cord that always seems to get tangled up in one thing or another. With their
3-6’ operating range, they’ll also give you additional freedom to reposition your computer exactly where you want on your desk!

There are two different kinds of wireless mice – optical and laser. Both types work great, but laser models do operate faster. Optical and laser models both rely on batteries, so make sure you consider battery life when making your selection (some models feature rechargeable batteries with their own recharging stand – you’ll pay a bit more for these rechargeable types of wireless mice in the beginning, but they could prove cost efficient in the long run).

For some, choosing the right wireless mouse isn’t so much a matter of performance…it’s a matter of style. Like the look of metallic black? Take a look at this Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 5000 with 5 customizable buttons and tilt wheel technology that lets you scroll 4 different ways. Prefer the sleek styling of silver? The Microsoft 5000 comes in that color, too!

If performance is a key element in your buying decision, take a look at the Logitech MX 620 cordless laser mouse.  It features a hyper-fast scroll wheel that lets you literally fly through long documents (scroll through 10,000 lines in just 7 seconds) and also features an on-off button that lets you prolong the battery life.

In-House Marketing

Your marketing budget is tight...and getting tighter. You still need to reach your customers, of course, but you now need to find a way to do it for a whole lot less.

If the above describes the challenge your office is currently facing, try creating and printing the marketing materials your office needs yourself! The benefits are many:

• You’ll save money—no outside agencies to deal with and no high priced designers and writers to pay

• You’re in control—no one know your organization better than you, so who better to write and design than yourself? It’s like the old saying goes—if you want something done right, do it yourself!

• You’ll gain added flexibility—print only the material you need, exactly when you need it! If something needs to change or be updated, you can do it in seconds without having to waste a bunch of previously printed pieces.

Of course, to create and produce the marketing material you need, you’ll need the right equipment. There are two excellent options you should to consider: multifunction machines or a high speed color laser printer.

Multifunction machines or laser printers-- what machine should I buy?

The answer, of course, depends upon what exactly you need to do to create your own marketing material. If you’re starting from “scratch”, we’d suggest multifunction machines like the Brother MFC-6490CW or the HP Officejet Pro OJ8500W because they let you scan in pictures and produce high quality printouts. If you already have your materials created and just need to make small updates to charts and text, then a color laser printer like the Lexmark C543DN would be an ideal choice with its fast 21 ppm output and sharp 1200x1200dpi resolution.

Crocs – Yes or No? 

Imagine this scenario: It's a Sunday afternoon and you're just coming in from gardening, wearing your Crocs. You decide to quickly run to the grocery store. Do you change your shoes or leave on your Crocs? I mean, they're just so easy to wear and super comfortable…and it'll only be a few minutes.

No! The answer is no. You remove the Crocs and put on any other shoe. Flip flops? Awesome. UGG boots? Yes, great. Jelly shoes? Okay, sure. But the Crocs should stay in the privacy of your home.

Let me tell you a little something about America's beloved Crocs shoes. They are boating shoes that were made to be worn outdoors and on boats. Then, I don't know, one day some boater went into Macy's after a sweaty day at sea to buy a pair of Dockers, and every woman dropped her giant sunglasses and exclaimed, "What are those things on your feet?  I must have them!" I think that's how it happened.

Crocs are everywhere and on everyone. People now wear them to errands and parties, make their kids wear them, and even wear them to the gym and work.  People, that is too far! Yes, I understand Crocs shoes are comfortable and light – like walking on rubber clouds, maybe. And, okay, maybe if you are a nurse – especially a nurse on a boat – and spend hours every day on your feet, I can admit that Crocs might be more comfortable… but enough is enough.

What started as a simple awkward-looking rubber clog has somehow morphed into a whole line of Crocs footwear. There are Crocs for every occasion – sandal Crocs, boot Crocs and even high-heeled Crocs. What? I wasn't aware we needed high-heeled Crocs. My mistake.

There's no stopping it now, of course – the Crocs have already been made and sold. But we can try to avoid future Crocs-like fads by keeping the occasion-specific footwear occasion specific. So, let's keep the snowshoes in the snow.

Healthy Pet Food

Humans watch what they eat to stay healthy, but a cat or dog can only watch their food go into a bowl. It’s up to caring pet owners to watch which nutrients their pets are getting from the food they eat.

There are many companies who pride themselves in making pet foods that are high in nutrients to keep pets healthy. For pet owners who want to be more involved in the diet of their pets by making the pet food themselves, the task isn’t that difficult.

Dogs prefer flavors like liver, lamb, beef, fish and cheese. Cats prefer fresh flavors, and they like chicken, liver, fish and turkey. Dogs are able to eat any vegetables, but cats cannot have starchy vegetables, like peas and corn, or onions. Grains, like wheat germ, cooked oatmeal and whole wheat bread, can also be added. For actual dog and cat food recipes, search the Internet or talk to your veterinarian for suggestions. Of course, pet owners should always consult a veterinarian before changing their pet’s diet.

With practice, pet owners will find that making their own pet food is not only healthy for their pets, but it is also inexpensive and fairly easy to do.           

Chicken & Rice for Dogs

Ingredients:

1 cup boiled chicken

½ cup cooked brown rice

½ cup steamed mixed vegetables (carrots, green beans, spinach, potatoes)

4 tablespoons unsalted chicken broth

Boil chicken and add to cooked rice. Steam the vegetables and add the broth, rice and chicken. Simmer for 10 minutes, cool and serve.

Sautéed Liver for Cats

Ingredients:

¼ pound beef liver

½ cup water

1 teaspoon corn oil

Heat the corn oil in a pan. Add the beef liver and fry on both sides until cooked but not dry inside. Add the water to the pan and mix it up with all the brown bits. Grind the liver in a blender with all of the juices from the pan. Cool and serve.

Sometimes the grass really is greener…

…depending on the amount of water, mulch, pesticides, fertilizers, time and money used on the project. But if you are looking for a fun, ecologically friendly way to free yourself from the tyranny of your lawn, consider finding a plant and revitalization project in your area.

Local plants, having adapted to local conditions, are often easier to maintain than foreign imports and are better able to support local animal life. This often translates to a healthier ecosystem. Greater biodiversity helps keep pests under control by encouraging a healthy competition for resources, therefore limiting the overgrowth of any one species.

One example of private and corporate citizens working together to assure conservation is the Chicago Wilderness Habitat Project. Through a combination of data gathering, workshops, volunteer planting and conservation efforts, Chicago Wilderness boasts a networked area of more than 250,000 acres crossing three states (Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana) and several metropolitan areas containing almost 9 million people.

While some of the Wilderness areas are officially protected, much is not. It is managed through the efforts of corporate and private citizens who voluntarily take part in the program by encouraging natural species on the land around their work and homes. In addition to providing reserves for several endangered plant and animal species, the Chicago Wilderness is also a working model for how natural diversity can be successfully managed in and around an urban environment for the benefit and enjoyment of everyone.

For more information on the Chicago Wilderness, check out Habitatproject.org

Does your business use office supplies in a very "special" way? If so, we would love to hear about it. Better yet, send us a picture!

We found this interesting use of a stapler in our own office!

How would you caption this:

 
A stapler that jams isn't always a bad thing!

Fitness Water 

Who wants to sip just plain old water when there are plenty of other, more flavorful, vitamin-packed bottled waters out there? They claim to give you energy, oxygen and vitamins, but are they really better for you than tap water?

Many of these fitness waters claim to give you energy. But what we may not realize is that energy comes from calories, and those calories are sugar. Also, be aware that most bottles contain more than one serving. So while the bottle label may claim that the drink only has 10 calories, you are likely to double or triple your caloric intake by consuming the entire bottle. Watch those labels – some fitness waters contain up to 125 calories per serving! That’s nearly the same as a can of soda! So, if you’re looking to lose weight, drinking these kinds of drinks will only slow down or inhibit your progress.

According to the article Vitamin water: Better than plain water? written by Mayo Clinic dietician Katherine Zeratsky, best way to get your vitamins is through fruits and vegetables. “If you’re eating a balanced diet or taking a multi-vitamin, you won’t likely benefit from drinking vitamin water.”

Dr. Larry Cheskin, professor of medicine and director of the Johns Hopkins Weight Management Center, advises people to drink cold tap water in his article, Medical Expert Puts Bottled Fitness Waters to the Test. He says to simply “Refill an empty bottle with it and take a multi-vitamin and eat a good diet.”

The argument in favor of these fitness waters is that many people don’t consume enough plain water because it doesn’t taste like anything. Fitness waters add flavor so drinkers consume more. While the daily recommended intake of water varies for each of us depending on our lifestyle, the number you most often hear is 8 glasses a day.

So, not crazy about plain water and don’t want to go the fitness water route? Jazz plain water up by simply adding a fresh lemon or a squirt of cranberry juice, or try sparkling water.

American Idol 

Yes, I watch American Idol. I tend not to advertise that in mixed company, but I don't care anymore! I love that show and I will hold it in no longer!

I recently made a friend of mine watch American Idol against her will, and during one of the more embarrassing performances she asked me, "Why do you watch this show?"  I turned to her and said, "I do NOT have to explain myself to you!"

But then I started thinking about it... Why DO I like Idol so much? It's not like I have ever listened to or purchased an idol winner’s album. So, it’s more than watching to hear talented singer’s perform and see who wins. It's these four things that make me tune into Idol each week:

The judges

They're an eclectic group and sometimes more entertaining than the contestants themselves. I love when Paula and Simon tell each other to be quiet, or Randy name drops about working with Whitney Houston or talks about being in Journey. The new judge, Kara DioGuardi, is holding her own at the table, but she hasn't been on long enough to reveal any quirks.

The interesting contestants

I was disappointed when the comedian in the sweatband and shiny shirt wasn't voted into the top twelve this season. Okay, maybe he wasn't the best singer, and maybe, during his two-minute performances, he momentarily turned the show into a joke. But at least he was fun to watch.

Guest singers

It's always interesting to see which guests they pull in during the later part of the season and how well the contestants sing the guests’ songs. For example, 17-year olds singing Manilow? Now that's good TV.

Random celebrities in the audience

Remember two years ago during the finale when the camera cut to David Hasselhoff in the audience? And he was crying?  Idol is full of golden audience moments like that. So far this season we've seen Neil Patrick Harris and Ted Dansen sitting together – random!  It's fun to see who else will show up for a split second.

Etsy.com 

It's the biggest, coolest craft fair you wish your neighborhood had – Etsy.com, the place to "Buy, Sell, and Live Homemade." It's like an artisan’s Amazon.com, where buyers can find anything and everything handmade, and sellers can share their art with a global audience.

With a mission to re-focus on the handmade craftsmanship of people versus machine, Etsy is bringing back that old-time feel of the marketplace, where people made a living with their hands and their craft, and sold directly to the public. But, aside from the idealism of living homemade, Etsy is just plain cool.

Founded in 2005 by three guys (Rob Kalin, Chris Maguire and Haim Schoppik) with a vision of a different kind of economy, Etsy has since become a community marketplace of more than  100,000 online shops all over the world. These shops sell anything you can imagine – and even things you can't – from jewelry, clothing, pottery, paper goods and furniture, to even wedding bouquets. The selling policy is strict – if it's not made by the seller themselves, it's not allowed on Etsy. Crafting supplies and vintage items, however, are also allowed, in support of the handmade and recycling revolution.

For a buyer, Etsy is the perfect place to find one-of-a-kind items – items that are made, it seems, just for you. In this unique marketplace, buyers can put a face to their purchases. They have direct communication with both the maker and the seller – because it's the same person. Each item sold has a story, unlike the anonymous mass-produced items that line store shelves today. And, they're reasonably priced and shipped to your door.

If you're looking for something specific and totally custom made, you can post a request on Etsy's "Alchemy" forum. Then, sellers bid on the item to make it.

It's a whole community – an entire world of incredibly talented, eclectic artists – right in your browser and ready to sell directly to you. Let the handmade movement march on.

GPS Devices

Fold up the old maps. Toss out the piles of MapQuest directions you’ve printed out. Start traveling the roads in a whole new way with the help of a GPS navigation device!

To the first-time buyer, all GPS receivers may look alluring with their bright lights and fancy buttons, but there are real differences you need to know about before making a purchase. Screen size is important (the bigger, the better!) but even more important is the screen resolution (240x320 pixels is good…272x480 pixels is even sharper). Some models are ready to go right out of the box – others may require you to first register software or copy data from a DVD to a media card.

There’s a lot to consider before buying, but perhaps the biggest difference in today’s vast array of available GPS devices are their prices – models range anywhere from about $150 to more than $1,000. If you’re only using your GPS for short trips around town, you’re probably OK with a less expensive model with fewer bells and whistles. If, on the other hand, you’re constantly driving to new (and unfamiliar) places, you might want to consider a higher priced model with enhanced features and capabilities.

Since prices vary to such a large extent, here are 3 of the GPS models on Quill.com to fit budgets both small and large:

Less than $200 – Tomtom ONE 130 GPS

Slim and lightweight, this GPS features a full-size touchscreen, crystal clear 3D graphics and turn-by-turn spoken instructions.  This model also features a foldable, EasyPort mount that lets you take it with you from car to car, and includes Tomtom’s Map Share technology so you can instantly modify street names, street direction, and Points of Interest on your own device. Switch on and go right out of the box – no activation, no monthly fees!

Less than $300 – Garmin nuvi 255W

A widescreen 4.3” display lets you easily view map details and driving directions in bright, brilliant 3D clarity. Text-to-speech feature speaks street names and “Where Am I?” feature lets you quickly and easily locate the nearest hospitals, police stations and gas stations. Pre-loaded with City Navigator NT – includes detailed maps of the lower 48 states plus Hawaii and Puerto Rico.

Less than $500 – Magellan Maestro 4350 GPS

One-touch interface lets you access your favorite routes, searches and applications with just a single tap of the screen. Features a widescreen 4.3” anti-glare display, built-in AAA travel information, text-to-speech, and built-in FM transmitter. Also includes the Magellan TrafficKit (subscription required) for real-time traffic updates and suggested alternative routes.

Digital Cameras

How many megapixels do I need? What’s the difference between digital zoom and optical zoom? If you’re about to buy your first digital camera, it’s easy to become confused by the overwhelming number of models currently on the market.

Following are some tips you can use to help you choose a new camera that’s just right for you…and just right for your office budget, too!

What’s the right number of megapixels?

It all depends on what you’re going to use the camera for. If you’re only going to use your pictures for posting on the Web or sending in an e-mail, you shouldn’t need more than 2 megapixels. If you want large printouts of your photos, than you should get a camera with 5 megapixels or more – you’ll be able to capture all the fine details you’re looking for.

What about a zoom lens?

You’ll most definitely want a camera with decent optical zoom (as opposed to digital zoom). Here’s why: optical zoom physically moves the camera lenses to “zoom” in on your subject – digital zoom only averages and magnifies the image within the camera’s microchip resulting in lower picture quality. Many experts recommend getting at least 3x optical zoom in any camera you buy.

Battery life

Often, this is the feature that digital camera buyers overlook. Make sure you find out how long the batteries in your camera will last so you don’t run out of power during your photo shoot. If you’re using a camera that runs on disposable batteries, AA lithium, CRV2 and AA Oxyride batteries offer longer life than standard alkaline batteries.

Now that you have some basic knowledge about what to look for in a digital camera, it’s time to start shopping. Start by checking out the Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-H50 (packed with user friendly features) and the Canon PowerShot SD870IS with its 3” pure color LCD screen…or take a step up to the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi with its full array of advanced features and technological advances!

Less gas more, emissions?

With warmer days fast approaching, have the open roads begun to beckon? Looking at the high cost of gas and insurance, it would only be natural to wonder if a scooter might be a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to enjoy the summer months than an automobile. If the thought has crossed your mind, you aren’t alone.

According to a Retail Sales Report released by the Motorcycle Industry Council, scooter sales increased 41% in 2008, and some dealers said they could have sold more if they hadn’t been limited by availability. With its small size and cheaper-than-a car price tag, you might think a scooter is a great way to go green, but the facts on these motorbikes may surprise you.

According to the California Air Resources Board, the average motorbike is 10 times more polluting per mile than a passenger car, light truck, or SUV. The reason? Although a motorbike uses less gas per mile than a four-wheeled vehicle (and thus theoretically contributes less carbon dioxide), it has a much higher emission rate for nitrogen oxides, which creates smog. According to recent studies, motorcycles and scooters – which represent only 1% of the vehicle miles traveled in California – contribute 10% of the smog-creating pollution.

Since bikes are lighter, they are generally not equipped with catalytic converters, which reduce these pollutants. Many bikes also use a two-stroke engine which burns an almost 50% fuel/oil mix, contributing more to the exhaust. Although the EPA is tightening emissions standards across the country in 2010, two-wheel standards will still be more lenient than emissions for four-wheel vehicles since they are generally tested longer and at higher speeds.

To make your scooter as green as possible, consider the following:

·         The faster you drive, the higher the emissions. Take the back road, slow down, and enjoy the view

·         Consider an electric scooter that can be recharged from renewable energy sources

·         If you’re buying a scooter that uses gas, avoid the two-stroke engine and look for a model with a 3-way catalytic converter

Whatever your reason for getting a scooter – economic, environmental, or just for fun – they are still motor vehicles and will be subject to insurance, licensing, and safety standards. Always wear a helmet and protective clothing, and seriously consider taking a motorcycle training course. You might even make new friends for those back country drives!