Efficient Time Wasters

Worth Your Time: "Blood is Thicker than Water" on this Spin-Off of Real Housewives

2009-04-07T10:12:00.008-04:00

After getting a preview of The Real Housewives of New Jersey tonight on the Bravo Television Network, May 12th can't come soon enough.

New Jersey will introduce five of the most affluent Jersey Girls as they live lavish lifestyles and deal with all the drama that money can buy. They've got the best Jersey accents (that I’m sure will become annoying as time goes on), along with the best Mansions that look like castels.

The newest cast of Housewives is close-knit and includes friends, along with a pair of sisters who are married to brothers, as well as their sister-in-law.

It's more of a suburban life versus a city life like in The Real Housewives of New York City. This version is more of a family-based show rather than friend based like the other Real Housewives. There are a lot of close-knit relationships and communities as well.

The two sisters in the show come from a very extended family of eight siblings, and they're very much in each other's business and aren’t afraid to say what they want, even when it comes to how they're raising their kids. But as the montage of season was played, the sisters and all of the family makes sure that any outsiders know that, “blood is thicker than water and that they will do anything to protect their family.”

The preview for The Real Housewives of New Jersey may turn out to be the most fascinating of the Real Housewives shows to date. What might make it good and juicy is that there is a stunning break with tradition, with a couple of housewives being related; which changes the dynamic considerably.

But the juiciest moment of all will come, as the montage of the preview shows one of the husbands chocking a housewife…hmmm should lead to an interesting season.

Click here to check out the show’s site and learn about the new housewives and their families.

Here's the preview of the show:

The show is set to premiere on Tuesday, May 12 at 11pm.

Not Worth Your Time: You Don't Learn Anything from Knowing

2009-03-31T18:21:00.002-04:00

The film Knowing, which begins with an incredibly intense, pulse-pounding first hour, unfortunately stumbles towards one of the most absurd, unintentionally hilarious and just bizarre conclusions among the most recent films I’ve seen.

The apocalyptic time capsule thriller somehow managed to reel me in early on from the trailer I saw in theaters as it tantalized with its disasters and numerology. Too bad it lost me about 55-minutes along.

Lost in a cloud of chaos searching for answers, Nicolas Cage (the main character of the movie – “the hero”) offers up the numerically mad manic energy though the end-of-the-world gravitas that Knowing brings might have been the bigger key at play.

The only highlight of the film was the overwhelming NYC subway train crash disaster scene of mayhem and death. Though, the Boston plane crash scene seemed more gruesome and real.

Sure, there's some unintentional comedy to be made, including, but not limited to, Cage whacking a tree with a baseball bat while screaming about whisper people.

Knowing is certainly NOT worth a look, and was a waste of my time. (I was lucky to watch it on watch-movies.net for FREE) The movie overall turned out to be disorganized, a downer with a seriously flawed plot and a message of utter hopelessness for the human race.

There are plenty more reasons not to like this train wreck of a Hollywood feature film.

Want to judge this movie for yourself? Click here to watch it for FREE.

Worth Your Time: "Rock Out" on the Road

2009-03-30T17:51:00.000-04:00

Have you always wanted to “rock out” on the road? Well you don’t need a tour bus anymore to do it. Rock Band Unplugged will be with any gamer at anytime as the game has come out-of-nowhere and will serve the Sony Play Station Portable device. The game is a part of the series of the wildly successful Rock Band games. It has an official release date of June 9th.

Rock Band Unplugged creates a full band experience in the palm of your hand by combining key game-play elements from both Rock Band and Rock Band 2, with familiar songs as well as new songs.

Unplugged is surprisingly planned as an exclusive for Sony's portable, and will feature 40 master recordings.

In addition, Rock Band Unplugged will launch many tracks exclusively for the PSP, here are some just to name a couple:

•3 Doors Down - Kryptonite
•Blink 182 - What’s My Age Again

Rock Band Unplugged will also be part of the new Rock Band PSP Entertainment Pack. It will include the first fully-featured in-game store for downloadable content on the PSP system -- a system that utilizes the PSP's Wi-Fi internet capabilities and allows you to use your existing PlayStation Network account to purchase songs.

So, how does Rock Band Unplugged work on the PSP? For a quick first look at the game, check out the trailer below.

Worth Your Time: This Site Makes Spring Cleaning Easier

2009-03-30T11:29:00.000-04:00

It’s that time of year again to go through all of your junk and clean it out or at least organize it.

The website and company, Simplify 101 is here to help anyone who is looking to organize either their home or business to reduce the clutter and become a better organized area.

The website offers a variety of useful suggestions to help get rid of “junk” and paperwork that is making your life de-organized.

Simplify 101 offers free organizing tips through a monthly newsletter that is sent out via e-mail to anyone who signs up. The website also offers articles for site visitors to read as well, which includes more detailed tips and suggestions on how to become more organized from topics of scrapbooking to household chores like laundry.

Though the coolest thing of all is that Simplify 101 offers online workshop classes that will teach you one- on -one how to manage clutter and become a grounded organized person in life not just at home or at the office.

The site also offers a community blog where Aby (the founder of Simplify 101) blogs about being organized in a variety of ways and how to do it with a budget.

Another interesting thing that Simplify 101 offers is in-house appointments with experts from the company that will come to your own house or even office to help you organize anything that is of possible organization.

The site also offers a shopping page where you can purchase books and things to assist in the organization process.

Either way, this site is worth looking at for minutes or even hours.

Not Worth Your Time: Wingman Fails to Fly

2009-03-24T17:35:00.005-04:00

There’s a new show on the FLN (Fine Living Network) channel called Wingman that premiered in February which airs Tuesdays at 9pm. Too bad it turns out to be a letdown among singles looking for dating advice via television.

Michael Somerville is a wingman to several men and women and tries to make their dating lives more successful in this reality based show; similar to Bravo’s dating show,The Millionaire Matchmaker but without the millionaires.

Two years ago, Somerville took over the Jake advice column for Glamour magazine, where he dishes out relationship tips to women. The success of the column led to reality show, Wingman which is Somerville’s first regular hosting gig on a series as he a regular on the Comedy Central channel.

On the reality show, Somerville serves as a likable jack-of-all-trades who works with bad daters on improving their dating habits. With the help of experts, he points out flaws and works on sharpening their social skills. Wingman was intentionally created with the 35-year-old in mind.

In each episode of the FLN series, the unique Somerville, will take a date-challenged man or woman under his "protective wing" and instruct them on the finer points of finding a prospective date.

With Somerville's guidance, the loveless will learn exactly what they need to do to increase their dating potential, while putting Somerville’s advice into practice and having a enjoyable time in the process.

Want to watch an episode of Wingman for judge it for yourself and, click here for free full episodes.

Worth Your Time: Sometimes It's Better to Buy Than Rent

2009-03-23T16:18:00.007-04:00

At first I wasn't sure if the movie Twilight was worth watching since it was one of those fad movies that everyone was running to see; like the Harry Potter series. But I took the plunge and I’m glad I did.

The movie turned out to be just the opposite of what I thought it would be. Instead of scary vampires every where killing people and sucking their blood, the movie was actually a love story between two teens, Bella (played by Kristen Stewart) and Edward (played by Robert Pattinson)who are looking to discover more about themselves and life during high school in a small town.

Although the movie was pretty much a love story, there was also some suspense and action throughout, making you grip the closet thing nearby.

The movie is based on the novel series by Stephenie Meyer, with three additional novels that accompany Twilight that will ultimately end up in the theaters. Even though the novels are better since they are more descriptive, it's always good to watch the movie as well just to see it come alive on the big screen.

The next sequel to Twilight, is New Moon which is tentatively scheduled for release this November in theaters. I can’t wait to run with the others to go see it; I’ll admit it.

Want to buy Twilight? Click here. Want to rent Twilight? Click here.

Worth Your Time: Catch a Millionaire

2009-03-19T13:23:00.006-04:00

Meeting a millionaire, capturing his heart and soul can be hard to find here in the United States, but Patti Stanger, a third generation matchmaker in Los Angeles, California makes it look oh so easy in her reality television show on the Bravo Television network.

The second season of the popular reality series, The Millionaire Matchmaker, premiered last month with Patti doing her usual set ups; millionaires with average looking want to be housewives. But creating a twist, by including female millionairesses and gay millionaire clients to the list. With that, includes famous former athletes as well.

The Millionaire Matchmaker follows Patti and her staff as they give “normal” and sometimes ivy league educated women the chance to meet, fall in love with and ultimately marry a millionaire. But this can only happen if the millionaires or millionairesses pay the big-bucks to join Patti’s elite dating service that is complete with beauty transformations , help of personal shoppers for new style, date coaches and therapists for the clients who have either ageism or commitment issues of that sort.

Patti founded her company the Millionaire's Club in January of 2000 with background she gained while working years earlier in a large popular dating service.

Her bluntness with clients on the show makes it comical, but informative too for single people looking for the right one...or the right one with a big bank account allowing this show to be a worth while one to say the most.

Patti’s staff includes:

•President of Matching, Chelsea Autumn.
•Executive assistant, Destin Pfaff .
•Pfaff's girlfriend, Rachel, the new office assistant.

The Millionaire Matchmaker is on every Thursday night on the Bravo network. To catch up on full episodes, click here.

Saves You Time: Time and Money Saved on this Site

2009-03-17T12:32:00.007-04:00

Do you find it hard to constantly go to the movie theater because of time or money problems? Well, here's a website that might be the most known one among viewing free still-in-the-theater movies without the hassle and threat of actually downloading them.

Watch-Movies-Links.net offers full length (bootlegged) movies that are currently in the theaters, giving site visitors more money in their pockets and the luxury of time.

The site also offers forums for site visitors to chat about new, old and even upcoming movies. Along with forums, you can also register and create a username and develop a playlist of movies you have already watched and want to watch in the future when you get time to do so. It makes it flexible for the viewer. Though in some cases, the site must delete a movie because of publication rights. But if you check out the site, that rarely occurs since they tons of movies to choose from within their database.

However, if you don’t become a registered user within the site, sometimes it won’t let you continue on in a movie. But all you must do it just pop in your email address and name and you’re ready to go back to the movie. If you want to actually download the movie to keep a digital copy you can pay between $1.99 to $4.99.

Although, the quality sometimes isn’t that great since it is really someone illegally filming the movie while they watch it in the actual movie theater, it is worth the time than the money spent if you had to go to an actual theater to see it.

Worth Your Time: A Website that Makes Scrapbooking Easier

2009-03-16T11:59:00.006-04:00

Having trouble finding a website to master your craft and scrapbooking skills? Well if so,Creatingkeepsakes.com might be the website for you, in order to help in a variety of ways when it comes to making something from the heart and soul.

Creaking Keepsakes, a scrapbooking magazine and website was formed from the CK Media company who is a noteworthy publisher of magazines relating to crafts of quilting, sewing, and scrapbooking. Creating Keepsakes tries to engage people in these activities while developing new ideas to engage a broader audience.

The website alone has a lot to offer just in case one might not be able to afford the sale price of $19.97 for the yearly subscription fee (12 issues). The website shares scrapbooking tips and more.

The website offers a variety of topics a beginner or even a veteran scrapbooker could learn and love.

•Community Page – Offers site visitors the interaction through blogs, forums, contests and software help.

•Gallery Page – Showcases published and unpublished scrapbook pages and other crafts to site visitors.

•Events Page – Lists CK events like conventions, classes, retreats and other events that they host giving the opportunity for everyone to join across the country.

•Shopping Page – Offers an assortment of products ranging from books, magazines, editing software, page kits, scrapbook albums and other products that will help guide you to love scrapbooking or learn to do it.

•Workspace Page – Allowing site visitors to register and login and speak with other CK site visitors about their work. It also allows you to display your work to others as well.

Overall, Creatingkeepsakes.com is a website that is worth your time; taking your time without knowing as the site is filled with so much to read and learn from.

Worth Your Time: A Shallow Drama Warps You Back In Time

2009-03-12T10:59:00.006-04:00

The world's most famous ZIP code, 90210 returned to primetime this past September, but at a different network, the CW network rather than Fox and is still ongoing starting again in at the end of this month.

The show reverts to the old title of the original Beverly Hills 90210, but is simply shortened to 90210 to make it shorter to say and to well mostly avoid confusion with the original which ended in 2000.

The CW network in attempts to create a sister show to Gossip Girl which is all about wealthy, overpowered teens in New York City was now created in Beverly Hills, California. But by any definition, high school is high school and the world of spoiled teens and even parents creates the same feeling; which ultimately scores high on the list of primetime mild-drama.

The show isn’t a remake of the original, but revival of where it left off, just many years later. In fact, the show’s past actresses Jennie Garth (Kelly Taylor) who now plays the school psychologist and Shannen Doherty (Brenda Walsh) who ultimately is Kelly’s old time rival best friend returns making the show more interesting and the feeling of wanting to watch the original series all over again.

The plot has Harry Wilson (Rob Estes)and Debbie Wilson (Lori Loughlin) as the new family who moves from Kansas City to the ever-so populated Beverly Hills. Harry becomes the new principal at West Beverly High while his wife is a unpopular photographer while they bring along their honor-roll daughter Annie (Shenae Grimes) and adopted African American son Dixon (Tristan Wilds).

The story line of the spin off revolves around all of the usual upper-class concerns; cheating sexually, taking short cuts to success, love children and lavish cars and dates. The characters of the show are the same classic rich snobs who are surrounded by social groups made up of Naomi (Anna Lynne McCord), a blonde who is stuffy and thinks her shit doesn’t stink along with her on again off again boyfriend, Ethan (Dustin Milligan), who holds the role of the cute jock.

90210 might appear to be shallow, but actually turns out to be a feel good time warp that has anyone wanting more and more each week.

New episodes begin Tuesday, March 31st at 9pm eastern time on the CW network. Click here to get local listings.

Watch full episodes here to get caught up.

Not Worth Your Time: Watchmen Does Nothing But Slow Down Your Watch

2009-03-10T09:59:00.004-04:00

Watchmen offers up multiple striking visual moments, but fails to generate those ever-so-wanted goose bump moments that make the film as good as the other superhero comic films like Batman or Spiderman.

Finally, according to comic book fans everywhere the greatest comic ever written, the Watchmen was brought to theaters. Unfortunately it fell from the sky under pressure, just like one character does in the beginning. The bad news about the film really is that it crumbles and strangles itself for almost three hours while the plot is essentially given away in the first 20 minutes. So overall, the good news is that once you see the opening credits you can hit the exit doors as it is easily the highlight of the film.

The plot tells its tale ever so slowly, explaining how a bunch of crime-fighters formed a secret club which was known as the Minutemen, who then were succeeded by copycats of them who were now known as the Watchmen. This entails a flick through history from the nineteen-forties to the eighties, with scenes of masked figures shaking hands and taking photos with popular public officials during those times.

As far as the superheroes go, it’s unsuccessful in giving the spotlight to a single character for more than two minutes, like other superhero movies such as Fantastic Four.The main characters are played out by:

•Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley), a some what of a psychopath, his face covered by a mask where inky patches constantly blot and re-form making him actually a little scary along with his scratchy voice that depicts trouble all in its self.

•Dan(Patrick Wilson), better known as the Night Owl, who keeps his old superhero outfit locked away in his basement with the other Watchmen toys and gadgets for that “just in case” moment of the future.

•The Comedian, who also it referred to as Eddie Blake (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), who is tragically killed in the opening of the film but gives movie viewers flashbacks of his unique superhero bigot attitude.

•Laurie, whose known as the alias of Silk Spectre (Malin Akerman) is the remake of her mother’s character from the original Minutemen. She remains sexy in her tight costume, but falls in love by little surprise.

•Adrian Veidt(Matthew Goode), who likes to be called Ozymandias. Ozymandias who becomes the secret of the whole film, as one might have guessed since he is absent in almost the whole three hours of the film.

This isn’t your classic superhero movie whatsoever, but an attempt at one while including a couple of erotic and nude moments hoping to score more than that. However, the only thing that it actually scores is parents unhappy reactions to the sexual encounters of the film; even though it is purposely rated “R” for a reason.

To view Watchmen for yourself, click here for local showtimes.

Worth Your Time: Most Confess, They Enjoyed “Shopaholic”

2009-03-09T03:24:00.007-04:00

Confessions of a Shopaholic turns out to be light and cheerful fun film while relating the hidden truth of how the younger generation sees credit and the economy.

The film presents the adorable, funny, yet smart Rebecca Bloomwood (played by Isla Fisher) who is a 20-something who has maxed out all her credit cards by compensating for her childhood in which her mother (played by Joan Cusack) bought everything as sensible as it could be. In just the opposite, Rebecca ends up spending more than she earns on designer clothes, shoes, scarves, accessories and even underwear.

Although Rebecca is a little oblivious in seeing that consistently spending more than you earn is a formula for disaster. But for Rebecca the shopping sprees defines her identity and self-worth which correlates into the pleasure she gets from her new designer items. The problem is that the feeling doesn't last, so she has to buy more and more.

Just when things get really bad as she loses her job, she lands a new one at a business magazine by accident, giving her the foot in the door to work at a major fashion magazine in which she really desires.

The entire plot of the film is told in a matter of a couple of weeks on explaining how Rebecca lets things get completely out of control throughout her entire life.However, along the way, she becomes surprisingly successful while creating poker faces to bluff her way through multiple situations, ultimately though she has to face the truth by first finding herself….and by falling in love of course.

Fisher is supported by the other remaining cast members that includes Hugh Dancy, John Goodman,and Kristin Scott Thomas along with a variety of others.

Confessions of a Shopaholic is a better film than might be expected, even if it turns out to be as shallow as most would say it is by just reading the title of the film.

Want to see the film for yourself? Click here to find local showtimes.

Worth Your Time: Wealth, Status, and Power Creates One Great Spin-Off Reality Show

2009-02-26T02:25:00.010-05:00

The Real Housewives of New York City, the spin-off reality television program on the Bravo Television Network perceives a better wrap and is actually worth watching than the original Orange County edition.

The show's first season premiered on March 4, 2008 with five New York City housewives, Bethenny Frankel, Countess LuAnn de Lesseps, Alex McCord, Ramona Singer, and Jill Zarin.

The series was renewed for a second season on April 15, 2008 and premiered last week welcoming the sixth housewife, Kelly Killoren Bensimon.

Even though the show is based on five females who are aspiring socialites, this edition of The Real Housewives actually has no real entree into Manhattan high society; but becomes an eye-opening look at the economic realities of New York at the dawn of the 21st century. This is something the Orange County edition fails to do.

The women’s personalities are not particularly unusual or distinct, they are actually the same kind of hasty, well-preserved and assertive as the women in Orange County; it’s their location that is a bit more sophisticated as New York is more widespread and more expensive than the women in California who only reside in Orange County.

These women of NYC don't mess around with overpriced SUVs or plastic surgery. All six women have actual careers, a massive social life, and a unique family life defining themselves more independent.

The season two premier is near superlative in its gossiping silliness as it is the mid of summer in the Hamptons and war breaks out among the housewives. After becoming stars in season one, the women are obviously excited to be squabbling again for the cameras and the public while attaining more fame.

Overall, this show is worth the hour of time one might usually spend web surfing or doing something else before the eleven o'clock news.

The Real Housewives of New York City airs on Bravo at 10pm eastern time. Click here for local listings. Click here to watch full episodes.

Saves You Time: Organizing Made: Clean, Neat & Easy

2009-02-24T18:13:00.015-05:00

Organize.com is a great site to help anyone organize almost anything no matter how un-organized you might be.

All products are designed to provide better storage and help organize things while remaining at a respectable price for its value.

The company’s online product catalog lists over five-thousand different products ranging from the usual storage and organization products to seasonal gift items.

The site offers so many choices in Tupperware alone that it can actually make it hard for customers to choose what they need and want.

The site offers a variety of organization systems for kitchens and closets to craft corners and college dorm life. Some items even have a theme of patterns to make organizing more personal.

With a philosophy of making one’s life simpler and more organized, the website has lead to be a web retailer rated among the top 500 web retailers according to internetretalier.com. However, the main philosophy is making the shopping experience, “clean, neat and easy” as it truly is. The website it very simple to use and divides sections at the top of the page no matter what page you are lead to.

Organize.com not only sells regular organization systems that are typically in plastic or laminate wood, but also sells real furniture that one might find at popular overpriced home furniture stores around town.

Although the site sells things, it also gives free advice on how to start and keep organized throughout the year, starting with the 30 Tips for 2009. The site also offers a Mrs. Organized blog that gives tips on organization to cooking with new recipes.

The most useful thing I found on the site was the registry, which allows you to register for a wedding, a baby or even for a college dorm room.

This site can have everything and anything anyone is looking for and more; making it a total worth while website to “waste” your time on...while in the end it will save you time.

Not Worth Your Time: Taken Doesn't Take as it Expected it Would

2009-02-23T16:58:00.008-05:00

Taken just wants to give us a good time, too bad it didn’t work.

The film classified as an action genre takes a lot of time to finally get to the “so-called” action, as the film takes the first 30 minutes to set up its plot. The film then becomes a single-role of just Liam Neeson (playing Bryan Mills) where he conveniently kicks the ass of scummy Europeans all over Paris, while everyone else in the film is incidental as the film proves in the end.

The general plot of Taken is about Bryan Mills who is trying to reconnect with his 17year-old daughter Kim (Maggie Grace) as he spent most of her life working all over the world for the CIA. Much to the dismay of his ex-wife Lenore (Famke Janssen), Bryan tries every effort to be a father again. Although, he finds the only way to reconnect with Kim and to make peace with his ex-wife is to go against his better judgment and allow Kim to travel to Europe with her older girlfriend only under his specific conditions.

Though he later finds out that he should have stood his ground, because shortly after landing in Paris Kim and her friend are kidnapped by Albanians and sold as sex slaves to the insanely rich and powerful.

Bryan arrives in Paris and begins to hunt for the abductors as promised while always winning brawls no matter how many opponents were involved.

What Taken is, is a good middle of the road “action” movie, that just meets the par. Taken has no ambition beyond holding your attention for 90 minutes and making a dollar, although it has already taken and “wasted” peoples time and money.

Want to judge this movie for yourself, find local listings here.

Worth Your Time: A Soap Opera that Appeals to Both Women and Men

2009-02-19T11:48:00.011-05:00

One Tree Hill which first appeared as a teen melodrama in 2003 became a huge hit and still is today.

The television program which is aired on the CW network illustrates the interactions of a group of teens who are interconnected in their daily lives in a small North Carolina town.

The show is actually unique in the aspect that it first followed two half brothers competing in basketball and in love, giving men and women something new and intriguing to watch.

As the show progressed, the focus changed from light drama to full out backstabbing, scheming, love triangles, and even murder; typical of grimy drama fit for a soap opera.

Currently in its sixth season which premiered in September of 2008, One Tree Hill takes places about five years after graduating high school in the same small North Carolina town of Tree Hill. Though they have aged and learned more lessons in life, the group of friends still face drama in their lives; from a psycho nanny to tension on a semi-professional basketball court.

As the season continues, there are countless other dramatic story lines that keeps the show constantly going beyond reality leaving viewers hooked to show more than ever before. The drama picks up with new characters and relationships and there are some juicy moments that actually make the show solid.

Overall, the show can seem unrealistic with some of the outrageous plot lines; but for those who enjoy soap operas endlessly filled with drama this show will not fail to entertain.

Click here to watch full episodes of current and past seasons of One Tree Hill, along with photos, interviews and more.

Worth Your Time: Break a Sweat with the Wii

2009-02-17T21:01:00.002-05:00

Regardless of personal taste, there's one game that almost everyone plays when they purchase or play the Nintendo Wii; that’s Wii Sports. This is the game that Nintendo included with the Wii game system. It's a collection of simple games based on the sports of tennis, baseball, bowling, golf, and boxing.

Wii Sports uses common activities to provide an example of how to create a tangible experience on the Wii; which turned out to be effective.

Another key to Wii Sports is that it keeps you coming back as a daily fitness plan. Using this game you’ll break a sweat in no time; trust me I did and I thought I was in shape, so much for that idea.

What immediately makes Wii Sports attractive is its ease of use. Each of the sports games goes down to a few essential elements and use with only the Wii Remote.

•Tennis: All you'll be doing is swinging the remote as though it were a tennis racket. Each match you'll flick the remote up to toss the ball in the air, and then with a fast swing you'll serve the ball. It's either a two or four player game, though the game computer can serve out a doubles game if you're on your own.

•Golf: All you do is swing the remote as though it were a golf club. There are nine different holes of golf, which start off as straight shots then lead to harder holes as the game continues.

•Bowling: You'll start off holding the remote in front of you pointing straight up, then you'll move it down, back, and forward again to get the ball to hit all the pins. Up to four players can play a full 10 frames.

•Baseball: This part of the game is only about batting and pitching, with all of the field positions being handled by the game. The motions are pretty similar to the real thing, so you really just hold and swing the remote as though it were a real baseball bat.

•Boxing: Boxing ended up being my favorite part of the game. It is the only Wii Sports game that uses the Nunchuk remote accessory. You'll control your fighter's position by holding the remote and the Nunchuk and moving them to block punches or to throw them. You can also dodge punches by swaying forward, back and side to side while blocking your face, with those movements boxing can be the most physically exhausting game of all. The game goes to split screen mode when you're up against a live opponent which actually turns out as a good visual for others who are watching.

Regardless of the simplicity, there's a lot you can learn from the games even through the training mode, which can also help you polish your skills. But overall this can be a fun challenge for those who've already got a handle on the games.

Click here to buy a Wii game system, games and accessories.

Saves You Time: Entertainment at Anytime

2009-02-16T00:57:00.000-05:00

Fancast.com is a website that allows you to escape reality whether that be from 25 minutes to 90 minutes depending on what you choose.

This site is a all in one place where you can discover everything you want to know about television shows, movies, and celebrities. More than that, Fancast is a site where you can save time and watch the latest episode of your favorite television show or even full length movies on your schedule.

The most unique aspect of the site is that it offers episodes of past television shows that are no longer on the air, allowing you to save money rather than buying box DVD sets of these former television shows like Beverly Hills 90210 or even I Love Lucy.

Fancast allows you to watch the latest movie trailers, read news and reviews through blogs on movies and television shows.

Other aspects of the site also offers recaps of television shows along with local television listings just in case you can’t stay long on the site.

For entertainment enthusiasts that want to buy actual movies or boxed television DVD sets, Fancast offers that as well, click here to check out the store.

The site’s main goal is to keep you more informed and up to date with the latest entertainment based on your own schedule saving you tons of time.

Worth Your Time: Free Photo Editing Website Leads to Better Photos

2009-02-12T00:36:00.010-05:00

After taking a photo, what else is there to do besides framing it and displaying it on the wall?

Something I found better you could do with the photo is to give it kick with your creative side by editing the photo at Picnik.com, a free website that allows you to upload and edit your photos without the hassle of downloading programs to do so.

After you sign up using your email address, it’s super simple. You begin by selecting the photo you want to edit by uploading it from your files on your computer. Once the photo is uploaded to the site you can start to edit it right away.

There are one click fixes you can apply to the photo before adding the creative additions. Some of these one click fix buttons include: cropping, resizing, rotation, exposure and color correction.

Conveniently Picnik's website allows you to see the changes to the photo as you make them, which makes it easier to change your mind and red-do the changes. In fact, Picnik has an undo history button which allows you to undo any edit at any time even when it was first uploaded to the site.

The basic Picnik service is free and includes a surplus of creative editing tools. However, Picnik also offers a premium service for $24.95 a year giving you more effects to choose from to add to your photo.

The basic website offers more than 30 special effects, including numerous color effects from black tones to sepia tones, along with add on features like frames, borders, vignette edges and even text.

Here's a photo of my niece that I edited a year ago to make it more festive than just a plain birthday photo.

Before

After

When you're done editing a photo, you can save the it to your computer or upload it to any of the compatible sharing sites like Facebook and MySpace.

I found that the Picnik website is well organized with tabs that clearly state where to go depending on what you want to do; like uploading photos, library of photos you have already edited, an edit section, a creative add on section, and a save and share section.

Overall, Picnik has a lot to offer as a free online photo editing tool application and allows you to create photos you would normally pay a bundle for.

Worth Your Time: Entertainment Exploration

2009-02-10T00:00:00.000-05:00

ComingSoon.net (CS) is a remarkable website that reports daily movie, DVD and television news with the latest updates.

CS gives site visitors a chance to watch the newest movie trailers, see on set photos and read the latest information concerning upcoming movies, DVD releases and television shows.

The site also offers video interviews as well as articles and review blogs with the casts of the hottest movie that is to hit theatres.

In addition, the site offers a discussion forum where entertainment enthusiasts can chat about almost anything ranging from movies, television shows, celebrities to books and even sports.

CS also has spinoff websites like Superhero Hype! that holds daily updates on superhero movies and TV shows. The newest byproduct website, Shock Till You Drop offers the most up to date horror movie and television news.

Another interesting thing that the site offers is the current box office information along with the and top selling DVD sales.

Predominantly, this site offers visitors the appeal of all around entertainment news and the most recent movies trailers not found anywhere else.

Not Worth Your Time: Valkyrie Crumbles Under Pressure

2009-02-09T19:11:00.008-05:00

With a more intelligent and rigid plot, Valkyrie which opened in theaters across the world this past December could have been much more interesting and stimulating rather than merely sporadically gripping, ultimately making it a stale film.

Even before it was in theaters, Valkyrie has its work cut out to portray Tom Cruise as Colonel Claus Von Stauffenberg, a German war hero and aristocrat (even without a German accent), who becomes astounded by Hitler's Germany enough, that he is willing to kill the Adolf Hitler himself. If you can believe this presentation, then what follows is a film that is intense and a thriller. If not, then you are in for 120 minutes of an unplanned comedy and time you won’t ever get back.

Valkyrie is a tale of Colonel Von Stauffenberg and others within the SS and their failed attempt on Hitler's life in July 1945. Von Stauffenberg proposes assassinating Hitler and then using this reserve army to arrest the SS and institute a new government that demonstrates better use of it’s country.

The plot does have some uphill excitement with the film starting off with a bombing blast in a desert in Africa, however fails throughout with uncanny background melodies that leads you to think there is action just around the corner, when really there isn’t.

Valkyrie's technique is commendable but forgets the mark of emotion and excitement for the viewer. Your brain that wants only historical scenes rather then action ones will be hooked, other than that it is nothing but a time waster and something that could have aired on the History Channel.

Click here to find local theaters that still have Valkyrie playing before it hits shelves in DVD later this spring, though it should have hit sheleves to begin with.

Tell me what you think!

Saves You Time: A Textbook That Actually Helps You Party More

2009-02-05T13:05:00.014-05:00

While in college it is very hard to find a textbook that can actually help someone make more time to party or just relax. On Course (fourth addition), is the textbook that can help a college student do both.

The key to this textbook’s appeal is the small length, tight focus, and importance on self-development that is written in a positive, motivational approach rather than just a boring textbook you’re required to buy for a class.

On Course empowers college students with skills they need to take charge of their success in school and in life.

The unique information in the textbook helps students develop essential life skills by encouraging exploration of their personal interdependence, self-worth, accountability and self-motivation.

The widespread coverage of study skills of: reading, note taking, memorizing, and test taking provided in the "Wise Choices in College" section helps students pass not only their courses, but allows them to have more free time to do whatever their heart desires by following those skills.

Within the textbook lies a treasure of information that can lead a college student to graduation without the agony and time it typically takes others.

•The "Choices of Successful Students" chart on the inside front cover shows eight key choices that successful students make in determining their own success.

•"Case Study in Critical Thinking," in the beginning of every chapter, includes topics such as procrastination and team work and encourages students to think seriously and artistically.

•"Wise Choices in College," an end of chapter study skills element, covers reading, note taking, studying, memorizing, test taking, writing, and researching.

•"On Course Principles at Work" shows how important the success strategies are for choosing the right career, getting hired and succeeding in the work world all while in college.

•"One Student's Story" student essays provide insight on which strategies worked for them and how they applied these skills to their life.

This textbook also has a useful internet website that interacts with what a reader is learning during each chapter and beyond with dicussion groups, technology exercises along with multiple assessments. The website allows the student success expand in time through time management, note-taking, reducing test anxiety, health and wellness, and decision-making.

You can purchase On Course at Amazon.com, Alibris.com or you can even rent the textbook at Chegg.com.

Worth Your Time: Film Unravels Relationship Mysteries

2009-02-03T11:32:00.000-05:00

He's Just Not That Into You, a film that attempts to help bridge the communication gaps that naturally occur between men and women soared in the box office as well as in women’s minds during the first weekend of February.

The film follows multiple characters and how they deal with the men and even women relationships in their lives pointing out the obvious signs most people don’t pick up on, but the film so cleverly points out.

Usually I find that most men aren't big fans of romantic comedies like this one, mostly because the entire plot is given away in the two minute teaser trailer; but I observed a significant amount of men in the audience on opening night when I went to go see this with four of my closest girlfriends in Orlando, Florida.

I did discover that there were some good performances in this film from:

•Ginnifer Goodwin, who plays the overbearing single woman who just wants to find “the one”.

•Bradley Cooper, who cheats on his newlywed wife just to be in another “relationship” even though he will never leave his wife.

•Justin Long, who plays the good guy friend approach.

•Scarlett Johansson who everyone loves to hate as she is the center of not only a single man’s obsession, but a married man’s as well.

With that noted, the film did a good job of addressing the complexities of relationships in the “real world” through the multiple characters in the plot. Though I believe there was still room for improvement as there were still some still clichés in the movie that made it a bit dull and familiar.

Overall, He’s Just Not That Into You did achieve the classic romantic comedy moments along with interesting and comical noticeable dating advice throughout the film.

Click here to find local theaters to see this film.

Not Worth Your Time: Real Housewives Fail to Serve

2009-02-02T09:25:00.004-05:00

The “reality” series, The Real Housewives of Orange County, follows the upscale lives of several unknown women who live in the swank community of Coto de Caza, California. The show first premiered in March of 2006 on the Bravo television network, and with surprise has been renewed season after season.

Now in its fourth season which premiered in November of 2008, the show returns with three of the original housewives, Vicki Gunvalson, Jeana Keough, Lori Peterson and season three newcomer Tamra Barney.

In the newest season, a new housewife, Gretchen Rossi, replaces two other housewives who left the show in the previous season and another new housewife, Lynne Curtin joins the cast to compensate for the mid-season departure of Peterson.

Here's part of the season four cast on a local talk show in California to discuss the season.

This show is not at all reality, but a fake wannabe just like the ladies on the show. Every week it is nothing but 60 minutes of rich women who have breast implants, a lot Botox and tons of free time to whine about their lives while on vacation in Las Vegas, San Diego and other extravagant places they have ventured off to. It fails to serve viewers with the accounts of true reality within these women’s lives.

The problem with The Real Housewives of Orange County is that the producers of the show go out of their way to show us how nasty these women are when it comes to money and power. In all actuality it's sort of an occasion for us to laugh at which is the only positive of the entire show; but sad at the same time to know that women with this much money and authority waste it own plastic surgery, designer clothing, jewelry, expensive automobiles and huge mansions.

Below is a clip from season four showing just how rich and spoiled the women of this show really are.

Either way, the show is not worth the hour of time you’ll never get back if you’re a person who actually values their time; especially when Bravo plays the same episode repeatedly throughout the week. But if you do enjoy wasting your time on numb minding television shows that don’t cause you to think, then The Real Housewives is the show for you.

Want to judge yourself whether the show is a waste of time, click here and view full episodes from season one to the current fourth season.

Tell me what you think!

What's your thought on "The Real Housewives of Orange County" ( polls)

Worth Your Time: Why Men Love Bitches

2009-01-29T17:14:00.010-05:00

Looking for a book that can boost your self-esteem and dating life? Why Men Love Bitches might be the book for you.

Though Why Men Love Bitches was published back in 2002, it has recently come into mine and my friend Brenda's hands by accident after she found it at her work.

Why Men Love Bitches is not what some might think it is, it's actually a book that can make a woman a strong force in what sometimes is called a "mans world".

The author, Sherry Argov a semi-famous radio host, defines "bitch" as being a woman who can hold her own and stand up for herself, though, more commonly, the word suggests a rude, tough or manipulative woman.

The book gives good insights into how a man actually thinks and wants from a woman. It also delivers a unique perspective as to why men are attracted to a strong woman who stands up for herself.

The Argov offers compelling answers to the confusing questions women typically ask:

- Why are men so romantic in the beginning and why do they change?

- Why do men take nice women for granted?

- Why does a man respect a woman when she stands up for herself?

- What do I need to do to become that one woman he will fall for?

The read is full of advice, comical real-life relationship scenarios and much more might need before, during or after a relationship. It helps you find who you truly are, how to stand up for yourself and overall relate to men on a whole new level.

This book might just be what your relationship and your guy need, or even just plain you...an efficient time waster for sure.

If you're interested in more of Argov's Why Men ______ Bitches, you can visit her website that holds other books on this great topic as well as pod casts and message boards.

Worth Your Time: Mid-life Crisis at the Age of 25

2009-01-28T23:51:00.015-05:00

Did anyone ever tell you that life’s hard out there…especially after you graduate college?

Well it can definitely be true in this time and economy. This period of anxiety and depression within the age of the mid-twenties is typically known as the quarter life crisis.

According to dictionary.com, it is an emotional crisis in one's twenties with anxiety and self-doubt after leaving academic life.

There is even a special website that only handles this calamity, quarterlifecrisis.com. A worthwhile time “waster” that can help almost anyone boost their self-esteem during this un-sturdy time period.

The website is full of interesting and helpful suggestions on how one might survive this situation as well as practices one can do before this predicament takes over their mind. Topics on the site range from simple life situations of finance and living circumstances to one’s social life.

Quarterlifecrisis.com is an easy site to navigate with sections listed concerning any problem one might have during this situation with updated monthly articles that relates to each section, books that might assist, along with links to other websites that would be helpful. There are also multiple surveys that can be taken and message boards that can be written in or read.

•Life – This section within the website gives advice for people in their twenties on the financial needs and wants and how to plan for their future. It even has links to other websites that you can test your knowledge on finance planning and spending, as well as where one might find roommates online.

•Work – This section relates to how someone can achieve a career rather than just a job and situations and hints on how to keep it. It also has a side panel that allows a site visitor to complete a quick job search.

•Play – This section explains and gives advice on how to mange one’s social life, all while trying to build your financial and career areas within your life. It gives links to other sites that could advance your social realm if that is what one is trying to do. Links of dating websites, dating advice websites and even links where you can purchase a variety of books that could help you even further.

I personally talked with a friend, lets call her Ashley (as she doesn’t want to be identified) about this website as she was going through this crisis without really knowing she was, and found the site to be interesting and worth the time she spent reading the advice and visiting the links that were given.

“I didn’t think there was a site that catered to a problem like this” she said. “But I googled some of what I was feeling and the term quarter life crisis popped up along with this website. I’m glad I came across it.”

Whether your still in college, graduating a few months away or even have graduated already, this website is one that could help with life’s little and big problems you could or already be facing. It’s just a click away.

Unrelated to the website I found a comical but also informative film relating to the quarter life crisis. I figured I would share just in case more of you were interested in this topic.

Worth Your Time: RSVP to Bride Wars

2009-01-28T16:21:00.008-05:00

If you like to watch catty girl fights, comical scenarios and have and hour and half to “waste”, then Bride Wars is the movie for you.

Though Bride Wars is categorized as a “romantic comedy”, it really isn’t that type of “lovey duvey” movie plot that has two love characters, typically a man and a woman go from good to perfect to bad to good again; it’s actually a movie that has a intriguing plot both men and women can enjoy.

I only say this because when I went and saw Bride Wars the theater was packed (which was surprising as I went the second weekend after the release date) with women and men and both my roommate and I noticed and thought it was funny that there was in fact men seated and stayed seated throughout the whole 90 minutes of the movie.

Bride Wars’ plot exemplifies on just how far a woman would go to have the perfect wedding. The film’s humorous situations leads both characters, played by Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway into a war of all girl wars ranging from black mail to just plain scary and hurtful tactics.

Surprising of all, the film ends in correlation to one short scene most viewers won’t pick up on (though I did pick up on it, my roommate didn’t) leaving viewers pleased with an ending they didn’t predict, unlike most movies out there.

Worth Your Time: Buying a Home for the First Time Can Be Fun to Watch and Informative Too

2009-01-27T12:00:00.007-05:00

My First Home is reality television show on the TLC Discovery television network that provides a real life of prospective home buyers and the process they go through to find and purchase a home for first time buyers.

This show is very interesting as it appeals to a diverse audience since the soon-to-be first time home buyers range in ages from the mid-twenties to people in their early forties. The show simply illustrates the process step by step that one must do to buy a home in any market across the United States; though typically, the show is filmed and produced in higher real state markets such as Miami, Florida, Atlanta, Georgia and Concord, New Hampshire just to name a few.

The show demonstrates each step within the show in order to make it simpler for the viewer to understand, as most viewers are typically future first time home buyers as well.

The process includes:

•Touring the real estate and picking out the right house.

•Making an offer or even a counter offer.

•Waiting through escrow along with safety inspections.

•The final exchange of keys along with all the paperwork.

This show truly represents the ups and downs that first time home buyers go through and must tackle before they call their home really theirs. Though, at times it also serves to the amusing side of home buying when couples tend to disagree among themselves or even with their own realtor.

My First Home is not only on television, but it also has an interactive website within the TLC Discovery network online. The website allows viewers to catch up on the latest show, take a home buyer quiz, read through a property guide and even chat with other viewers of this show and other TLC shows through a real estate forum.

Overall, this show is best to “waste” your time on because it is an example of real life home buying situations some might not be recognized with just yet, but will need to learn if home buying is in their near or even distant future.

Saves You Time: It can be 'Real Simple' to keep your New Year Resolutions

2009-01-26T04:47:00.003-05:00

With 2009 just beginning, a majority of people across the world begin their New Year’s Resolutions that either involves exercising, money management or even finishing things that they began but never finished from the previous year or in some cases previous years.

Real Simple is a helpful and easy to navigate website that could actually increase your chances of sticking to your New Year’s Resolutions or even add more resolutions to your list to check off.

The website includes a number of topics that explores any type of life from stay at home parents to college students. The topics also have weekly articles and weekly solutions within each.

Some topics include:

•Food and Recipes: Hi-lights recipes given by professional chefs to ordinary at home cooks. It also gives web surfers of the website entertainment ideas for dinner parties.

•Home and Organization: Gives organization ideas for any room in a home, cleaning directions, maintenance and repair guides, gardening suggestions, a list of new uses for old things (see below for my new use of an old thing that the site suggested), along with multiple check lists to organize one’s life.

•Beauty and Style: Offers fashion and beauty advice and ideas for every day women and sometimes men.

•Life and Soul: Explores and suggests ideas on how to manage money, travel situations, proper etiquette and health information.

•Celebrations: Provides holiday decorating ideas, gift giving ideas and even directions and other websites on how to send e-cards.

The website also offers places to purchase products from Real Simple. Such products can even be found at Target stores nation wide. I do in-fact have a product from their line and it does actually does make my life real simple at times.

Real Simple also has a monthly magazine that can be purchased and subscribed to on their website that offers more ideas and updates of the things that can be found on the site.

Another attractive part of the site offers recap videos of Real Simple’s own television show Real Simple, Real Life that airs on the TLC network. One recap is show below.

The Recap: Sue Procko Boxer - Real Simple
http://www.realsimplereallife.com/television/episo...

Overall, if you're looking for a website to search a variety of useful topics to browse quickly or to take your time on, Real Simple is the one for you.

Worth Your Time: A Reality Show with a Rush

2009-01-26T02:41:00.001-05:00

There are numerous reality television shows out in the “T.V. World” as I like to call it; though there are only some that make the cut to actually “waste” your time on.

Rookies, a reality show featured on the television network A&E TV is a show that takes viewers into the extreme first days of police officers in major cities. The show shoots on location in Jefferson Parish in Louisiana, and just hours away in the nearby city of Tampa.

Each week viewers can escape their dull everyday life and reality and voyage through the rookies’ real life reality that takes them into dangerous situations; though, at some points, the show can become comical because you can point out the rookies mistakes before they do themselves on the show.

The show also offers attractive tools online if you really enjoy and get caught up in all the police action and don’t want to leave it just yet. You can watch video recaps, see photos of the rookies at work and even compare notes and chat with other viewers of the show.

Overall, if you enjoy watching reality shows with risky situations, humorous scenes and a show where you can feel smarter than a trained police officer, Rookies is the one to “waste” your valuable time on.