Gina.Place.

Thank you, Shawn Ryan

Thanks for *finally* giving my girl some quality screen time!  And, no, I am not talkiing about the *ahem* car action.  I am talking about last week's episode.  I haven't been on the edge of my seat throughout an entire episode like that in quite a while! 
Just a little reminder for any other Shield fans out there:  This Tuesday is the first-ever NINETY-MINUTE episode of The Shield!  And, to my friends and family, please do NOT call me between 10-11:30 pm this Tuesday night! :D
Hope you're all having a fun weekend!
Peace,
~G*

Quick Bit 'o Tech for your Friday

Textamerica launches Google group for TA support!  From TextAmerica.com:
'If you want answers and information, you want to be here. The official moblog community beta tester forum is where you can be "heard" by TA on your ideas, suggestions, bug reports and more!'

As anyone who uses TA knows, it is constantly changing and evolving.  I've been a member for almost a year now, and had some issues, but also some great experiences!  I've met some wonderful people (Lammy, Tim, Ali, .... I can't list them all, but  you all know who you are!! :D ) and participated in the starting of some new traditions (Pigtail Friday! yay!).   It is a wonderful community and a great place to share your photographs.  This forum will be open to anyone who wants to talk about TextAmerica issues, ideas, improvements, etc.  A great idea - thanks TA!!  Here's the link: TA Google Group Subscribe
Enjoy, fellow photography & TA-lovers!
Peace,
~G*

The Paypal Killer?

It looks like this site may be the Paypal killer. They're called GreenZap, and they claim to be the newer, easier way to send and receive money online.  Now, mind you, I still use Paypal, because I sell alot on Ebay, and so far it has been the least annoying way to accept payments.  But for others, it has been a complete nightmare.  And, like many people, I am always looking for the latest, greatest thing technology-wise.  Evolution is good.  If you sign up, use my referral code - hippyangel.  When you preregister for the service (you can start using it in June) you will get a certain amount of money for signing up.  Then, you refer people under you, and get credit for them signing up and THEY get money deposited in their accounts as well.  They're building an entire community, and an easier way to send/receive money electronically.  It is worldwide, and it seems like the limits that other sites put on sending & receiving are absent here.  I am still doing some research, and of course we have to wait for the site to be completely active, but you don't need to give much personal information to preregister, and if it does turn out to be the cool new thing, you'll be ahead of the game.  Here's the link to sign up.  Let me know what you think!  Have you had bad experiences with Paypal, or other online payment sites?  I'd love to hear your feedback!
Peace,
~G*

Buy My Stuff!

Hey Everyone,
If you're interested in bidding on some cool stuff, from a reputable Ebay seller with 100% positive feedback, check out my Ebay auctions: Hippyangel* Auctions when you have a minute.  I only have two items listed for auction right now, but I'm trying to add a few items a week so it's easy to manage the auctions.  I will be selling jewelry, clothes, and lots of items relating to Japanese Animation in the next few weeks; alot of the items are brand new or in nearly-new condition!  I have been out of the anime scene for quite a while now, and my stuff is just sitting around taking up space, so spring cleaning here I come!  I take very good care of all of my things, so the clothes and jewelry, if not new, are in excellent shape!!  I may also be selling some video games, and game-related equiptment, so there's something for the guys too!  Check back every once in a while to see what I have for sale that week :)  This bit of shameless self-promotion has a softer side though:  I love knowing that someone else is enjoying something that I'm not using anymore!  Nothing should go to waste if it's in good condition, right?  Hope everyone is having a great Tuesday!
New Shield tonight after waiting two weeks!!  And I have to get last night's 24...

Peace,
~G*

WTF?

Found in my last post:

Comments
_______________________________________________________________________________________
fake!!!

Posted by: faaake | May 16, 2005 02:30 PM

OK, here's a pet peeve of mine, illustrated in the flesh:  a vague, slightly insulting comment posted on my blog....anonymously.  What exactly was this person trying to say/prove?  What's fake?  Me?
Lindsey Lohan's breasts?  (Um...we already knew that...lol).   Seriously, if you have something to say, say it.  I'm all for free speech.  But, make it a little more specific, so I know what you're trying to say, and have the guts to post your name/email address/website!  No one takes anonymous commentors seriously; if you really have something important to say, have the balls to stand behind your words, stand up and take credit for your comments.
K THX BYE.  :)

In other news, I've added Ross, a friend from Textamerica to my links.  Check out his site when you get a chance, and thanks for the linkage Ross! :)

Peace 4 now,
~G*

Brief Rant on America's Obsession with Disappearing

The Daily News Reports: “Lindsay Lohan has gone from "Mean Girl" to "Lean Girl" in the blink of an eye. The teen screen queen shot to stardom on her wholesome good looks: red hair, freckles and a curvy figure. But these days the 18-year-old bottle blond looks more like a third Olsen twin with twiggy arms, jutting hips and a shrinking bosom. Lohan’s dramatic weight loss over the last year had already sparked talk of a possible eating disorder…”
It absolutely terrifies me to see these adorable young girls disappearing into nothingness one after the other.  When did we decide, as a culture, that looking malnourished was sexy?  It scares me to see these women walking down the red carpet looking like a strong wind would blow them over, and if it did, that their bones would break like twigs.
Now, before the backlash begins, I am not dissing naturally thin girls!  I used to be one of those girls who could eat anything and not gain an ounce;  that does not last forever.  I heard tons of comments about how I needed to eat more, see a doctor, etc.  I didn't, I was perfectly healthy.  There are many thin young women out there who are naturally like that, and DON'T need any help, or to eat more, they just have high metabolisms.  I am not addressing them.
I'm addressing the issue of someone who looks normal one moment, then a month later has lost all semblance of being a girl...no hips, no breasts, and a giant lollipop head.  This is not natural.  It will lead to health problems now, and later in life.  And my comment about bones breaking like twigs is not so far-fetched, as anorexic and bullemic women are more likely to develop osteoporosis later in life.  This is not the image we want to encourage our daughters to emulate!  Now, I'm not blaming Lindsey Lohan for the downfall of modern society.  But, every time I see a new young actress disappear into thin air, that's one more healthy role model down the drain for our future daughters.  Incidently, you may think "Well, actresses don't make good role models anyway!  My daughter's role models should be scientists, authors, etc." and I agree, but we all know that little girls look up to actresses, models, and singers.  We can't change that, but we can hope that they will realize that being photographed over and over again looking like they live on air alone is not a responsible way to further their careers.  And on a side note, (this is another rant for another day) it is not just our daughters that we have to worry about.  I have recently been sickened to overhear young men saying "I only like skinny girls...if she's not a size 0, she's a cow.  fat girls are nasty!"  when just a few years ago the majority of guys were saying "I don't like my girlfriend to be so thin that I feel like I will break her if I hug her!  I like hips and curves!".  Do we really want our sons thinking that women should look like little boys?  And do we really want them believing that anything over a size ZERO (what does that mean btw, that you don't actually exist?!?) is FAT!?!?  I think not!  Parents, take heed...please educate your kids now, because their role models are letting them down!!
Peace,
~G*

Monday, Monday...

*sigh*
I don't understand why people insist on thinking that I am a controlling person.  I have no desire to run anyone else's life.  Sometimes I can barely run my own.  People need to stop blaming me for decisions others make, and things that go wrong in other people's lives.  I am not, and never have been, one of those girlfriends that keeps my boyfriend from seeing his friends, family, etc.  I don't expect him to spend every waking minute with me.  I need my alone time, and so does he. 
Just because there are people at a party that neither of us would like to hang with, does not mean that I made him stay home.  It disgusts me to make an effort with someone only to be disappointed.  Screw that, I don't need it anymore.  I'm done going out of my way for people.  I am only going to spend my time, energy and caring on those who genuinely care about me, and the rest of the people can fall by the wayside.  I'm learning not to trust anyone, and that's sad.  But, if it's what I have to do to protect myself and my sanity, then so be it.
I don't even have the energy right now to go into any more specifics than that.  But, if you're my friend, make an effort to see me, talk to me, hang out with me.  If you don't, I'm not chasing after you.  If enough time goes by, I'm writing you off.  I'm tired of always being the one to make all the effort and not even being met halfway.  All my generosity, both emotional and otherwise, has gotten me nothing but hurt.   You have to GIVE, people...not just take.  No one can be friends with emotional vampires without being drained completely eventually, and that's where I am now.  No more giving.  I will only give back to those who give to me.  I will not pursue anyone, if you don't want to make the effort, it's your loss.  I am a trustworthy, loyal, generous, loving friend.  I deserve friends who are the same in return.  If that's not you, move along.  I will be screening new candidates randomly as I meet them, but history is no longer going to be a good enough reason for you to stay in my life.  I will not be completely selfless anymore.  I can't live that way.
Peace,
G*