Blockbuster has a new DVD service to rival Netflix. In order to lure more people over, they’re adding a component - if you return an online rental to your local store, you’ll get a free rental on top of your online allowance. Check it out if that’s your thing. [Also, in the interest of full disclosure, I’m participating in a free trial of the service, and plan to review it here after we’ve used it for a while.] And if you just feel like getting some free movies, Blockbuster will take your Netflix flaps in exchange for free rentals.

Lisa over at The Rage Diaries has posted an entry urging us to make sure we have road safety kits in our cars. Her entry was inspired by the still-ongoing search for James Kim, who we talked about yesterday.

Emilie (she of Emilie&Chuck, as well as co-owner of the blog DIWhy) sent out an email today. I thought it was important enough to share with all of you. Please take some time to read it. Read the rest of this entry »

Beth was at the airport yesterday and decided to visit freakgirl.com. And this is what the airport thinks of me.

I smoke. I buy my cigarettes, like thousands of other people, on the internet, because the NJ cigarette tax is among the highest in the nation. Read this - it happened to me today. Retroactive to 2003. I’m not even going to say how much the bill is for, but ohmygod. I’m a little confused as to why it is retroactive to 2003, after finding this. Maybe some of you out there could explain it to me? I have no problem paying the government what I owe - hell, I watched My Name Is Earl last night - but I just want to understand why I’m paying what I’m paying.

So, did Philip Morris turn me in? This might be the kick in the ass I need to quit smoking. But first, I need a cigarette, because I am STRESSED OUT. And if you have been buying smokes online in Jersey, consider yourself warned.

Now really, how do they know it’s a laughing sound? Maybe the dog is telling the other dogs to shut the hell up or they’ll all be put to sleep. Seriously, though, this is kinda neat.

I apologize that it’s taken me this long to post that today is World AIDS Day.

18 Tricks to Teach Your Body, from Men’s Health. No, boys, not those kinds of tricks.

Did you know that the No Child Left Behind Act has a little-known provision that requires secondary schools to provide contact information for every student to military recruiters? You do now. This is the backdoor draft in action, people. If you have a child in high school, or on their way, let them know that they do not have to give out this information (6th paragraph).

Today is World AIDS Day, and the focus this year is Women & Girls.
“Today the face of AIDS is increasingly young and female,” said Peter Piot, head of UNAIDS. “We will not be able to stop this epidemic unless we put women at the heart of the response to AIDS.”

Good news for all you drunk-dialers out there.

Merry Christmas, and keep an eye on your dog.

The Rules of Blogging. [link via wacky neighbor]

Build your own TiVo.

Today is World AIDS Day. AIDS has drastically affected Africa, and people need your help. Here’s the UN’s AIDS website, where you can learn more about AIDS in our country and others.

Christmas Urban Legends. [link via fark]

Here’s a good reason not to get your nipples pierced, ladies.

If you like clementine oranges, then I’ve got some bad news for you.

For the woman (or drag queen) who has everything.

Again, the holidays are nearly upon us, and it’s nice to try to do a bit more charity - here’s some information on hunger in America.

Please make sure your virus software is updated. I spent more than four hours last week cleaning viruses off various family member’s computers.

Here’s a very cool website that reviews the best and worst websites in terms of usability. Really interesting, if you’re into that sort of stuff like I am.

Joanie Laurer, aka Chyna from the WWF, is in this month’s Playboy all naked and stuff.

This study says that if you make good small talk at your office Christmas party, you’ll get noticed. Gee, at our office Christmas party, the only way to get noticed is to get drunk and fall down the stairs.

In case you were wondering about proper cell phone etiquette. And seriously. What in the hell is up with people who talk on their cellphones while using a public restroom?