Truth be told, this is more an “idea pitch” than an essay, as the rules limit the composition to 100-200 words. Ideas will be judged on the criteria of sense of fun and originality. Grand prize is the bed (does not include the mattress), and an additional prize of a $100 gift certificate will be awarded to the individual who recruits the most friends. By “Friends,” I mean, of course, Facebook friends.

Harry Potters Next Bedroom Contest runs from now through November 25, 2010. ***Important*** The contest runs until 6:00 P.M. Central Standard Time, rather than the midnight conclusion of most contests. In other words, it concludes at the end of the business day on Thursday, November 25,2010.

Did you know that 56% of American Schools are eliminating or deeply curtailing field trips for children 1st through 8th grades? Due to budget cuts, the extras are falling under the knife. There are some field trips that are truly educational and reinforce what is taught in the classroom. Some individuals learn better when they are shown rather than told. It can also create a hands on learning experience.

Lunchables Lunch Combinations is running a Field Trips For All contest, where 50 lucky classrooms will win a field trip for up to 30 students, a teacher, and one parent or guardian per child. The trip should be within an approximate 30 mile radius from the classroom and transportation and a meal is included. Individuals age 6 and up can enter their 1st through 8th grade classroom. Entries may be submitted until June 1, 2010, and the trip will take place before November 30th.

I remember going on several memorable field trips. The best one ever was a night at a museum. Not only did we get to see things we talked about in class, but it gave an appreciation of museums to children whose parents had never taken them. We saw lions, tigers and bears, but no aliens like these children saw.

I wonder if the class the student was in at the time of entry will be reunited, or it will be their new class for the Fall of 2010? I guess it might depend on where they decide to go.

Field Trips For All

There are different non-profit organizations that provide life changing medical surgeries for individuals. There are doctors that provide surgery to correct cleft palates to give children in third world countries a better sense of self esteem, for example. I have never heard of individuals competing for a procedure until I heard about the iLASIK Video Contest.

Entries were called for and individuals sent in creative videos on why their lives would be improved by iLasik surgery to correct nearsidedness or farsightedness. You may say that its a bit vain. However, the price of contact lenses and glasses over time can equal a few thousands or even over $20,000 as one entrant illustrates. For some it is not merely cost savings. There are folks who have such severe nearsightedness or farsightedness that they are far from a “correctable range.” Even with glasses, the world looks fuzzy. If their vision were to be corrected, or if not, and they were just brought into a correctable range, it could be even more life changing. Also, folks who were turned down for service as a pilot in the armed forces could pursue their dream not having to rely on corrective lenses. Truth be told, the prize was not a surgery per se, but the cost of the surgery. This was probably legally better to offer because not everyone medically is a candidate for the surgery and it allows people to do what they want with the money.

It was refreshing to see while the winner had some polish and appeared to me had some pretty sophisticated equipment, there were video winners  that appeared to be average folks who were not in the production industry or obvious film students that were taking a go at it. One entrant showed how annoying fumbling around with contact lenses were, while another employed stop action and toy army men to get their point across.

To see the rest of the winners and entrants, check out the iLASIK Video Contest on the web.

It may be a good idea to sit around and play Jenga using all of the remotes instead of playing pieces.  After all, trying to keep track of them is too much work, so I guess it means I am getting into shape. They also make a nice little vignette of the MacIntosh remote going on a Surfin’ Safari. At left, the artistry looks suspiciously like a cry for help, doesn’t it?

I have tried to get a universal remote before, and that took care of the TV and VCR, but wasn’t compatible with anything else. Now, there is a whole new type of remote that isn’t big, chunky, and plastic with buttons that make you feel like you need to shop in the large print section of the bookstore. The Yamaha neoHD solves the problem of the recliner holster full of remotes like a universal one would, but it goes one further. Okay, it goes two further. It not only handles your visual media, but your Ipod, Wii, PS2 and other gaming systems will pick up its vibe as well. There is an on screen interface that allows you to have complete and omnipotent control of it all!

One of the best parts is that you won’t be contorting yourself in all sorts of weird directions to line up with the “eye” of all the various players, stereos, and tvs.   All you have to do is select what you want on the screen…you can select Watch, Listen, or Play.   The icons are simple so everyone in the family, even those not very tech savvy can figure out how to use it.  There will be no calling Cousin Lester to come over and help Grandma stop it from blinking 12:00.

You will have a chance to try it yourself if you are the lucky winner in the Yamaha neoHD Sweepstakes. The winner receives a NeoHD remote system. I have searched around online and have found them in the $599-799 range, so this isn’t like entering to win a pack of scratch and sniff stickers. Nope, it’s nothing to sneeze at.

You can enter one of two ways:

1) On Twitter:  Tweet “I just entered to win a #neoHD b/c I have too many remotes, visit (blog.izea.com) to enter”

2) Leave a comment at blog.izea.com, the folks who are giving away the prize.

So, what is your remote life like?   Is it a jumbled mess of boxes and remotes, or have you tossed everything out the window already?  Would something like this make your life easier?

Enter to win Travelin’ Tunes, the econolodge road trip music sweepstakes and you might just find yourself at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame or the Country Music Hall of Fame. The grand prize includes airfare for two, three nights at the appropriate Econo Lodge, $1,000 in spending money, and a VIP tour of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum or the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.

I researched a little, and found that the VIP package at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame usually costs $500, and I believe that is per person.  You have the opportunity of looking at items that are in the vault that are not on public display as part of your in depth tour.  There are items that are sometimes rotated in to ever changing exhibits, but I am sure there are some items that are not.  After the VIP tour, you can wander around the museum at leisure.

As for the pets, you can crate them in your room and then go back to take them to a walk around town before dinner.  They would love it.  If your pet is 17 lbs or under on airlines that accept them, they can ride in the cabin in their carrier under the seat in front of you.   If your pet is bigger, you might want to take them to the pet resort for a vacation of their own if you win, or forego the plane and drive.

Good luck!  If you win, let me know what your pets do, too.

The drawing is being hosted by VisitKissimmee.com. To enter, click on the Freedom to Enjoy Sweepstakes Icon, and then enter your email address.   The next drawing is on June 1st, which is right around the corner.  There is a 3 day/2 night trip for two, or a weeklong trip for four at stake.  Kissimmee is about fifteen miles from Disney, and ninety minutes from Daytona Beach, so fairly central to many different attractions.

What you may have never considered are the natural attractions of “Old Florida.”  Taking a glass bottom boat ride or an airboat ride will give you an appreciation for the wildlife that Florida has to offer.  Most people never see that, as they stay within the confines of amusement parks.  You owe it to yourself to investiage beyond the gates of the parks.

If you win, please let me know!

Where do you walk and when? Anywhere, and at any time! Walk with your dog, walk with friends, or walk alone. Online, you can commisserate with others, see how many calories you burn, and much more. What I find interesting is that you can actually also log what foods you eat and very concretely discover how good nutrition and exercise offset eachother.  That is the big difference between participating in a one time event, versus consciously taking a stand for your health, thus reducing your risk of breast cancer.  Isn’t that what its all about?

So, what’s the hold up?  You have nothing to lose, besides a higher risk of disease!

You heard me right.At this moment, there is a contest where one lucky person and three of their nearest and deareset will win a trip to SeaWorld, in honor of the new Manta ride.  I don’t think you quite fly through the air off the side of the Earth as the photo suggests, but I am sure that it will almost be equally as fun.  It is very easy to enter.  Just CLICK HERE.

After that, you will just need to do something simple to enter:
1) Leave a comment on the blog above stating why you want to take your posse to ride the Manta.
2) Tweet about the contest on Twitter
3) Write about the post on your blog.

Easy, huh? You can enter up to three times.

Good news…even if you are not a resident of the US, you can also win. You can also reside in Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, or Dominican Republic.

There are two blogs that are in the race that I recognize, and I am recommended you to VOTE.  I would like to see these two blogs win in a tie – as they are both winners!

Daisy the Curly Cat – This blog is the personal diary of the eponymous curly coated cat and her good pal, Harley.  Join Daisy for pictures, stories, videos and anecdotes about daily life.  Most every Sunday, Sunday funnies are posted starring Daisy, and often her friends Snail, Mr. Shrill, and Harley.   Great fun.  There is a lot to do and see, and after awhile, you won’t feel weird about talking back and forth with a kitty!   Daisy sometimes shows us kitties who need a home, too.

Holy Cuteness – An adorable picture or a video of a rediculously cute animal every day (I mean it…your head will explode into a million pieces of candy).  If you like pictures of baby monkeys making friends with birds, dogs and cats sleeping together, and baby Cheetahs who count a Puppy as their best friend, then this is where you need to be.   The Holy Cuteness blog posted a picture of a kitty in need for us once and the kitten plus a few others found homes that way!

Okay, I bid you to vote for your favorite and then call someone now to vote for the other one.  And then tell all your friends to vote for their favorite too!

CLICK HERE TO VOTE!!  

What are you waiting for?

Maybe the answer for me is to look into Charter.  They offer high speed internet and phone service, but right now they are offering extra incentive.   I might just lucky and winning one in the Charter Laptop-a-Day Giveaway. An HP Compaq Presario C770US will be given away each day for 30 days. When you place an order online for Charter services, not only will you have a chance to win the computer, but you will receive a gas card worth $100.    The odds in winning are very attractive and make folks like me, who never seem to win anything, believe they can win.   Afterall, I have a 1:1 chance of winning a gift card for gas.  I like those odds!

I wondered to myself.  If the Flintstones’ “dog” was a dinosaur, what kind of pet would a vegetable have?

The Sproutwells just added a dog, Phyto, to their family.  He looks a bit like a baby watermelon to me.  I think its so cute the way his little tongue keeps flopping.   He reminds me of my Ollie.   My dogs actually really like their carrots and little bits of watermelon, so I don’t think they would do well at the dog park together.

They say there are only a few plots in the dramatic universe: Innocence to Experience, The Quest, Fish Out of Water, Man/Woman vs. Self, etc.    One new Fish Out of water Story is actually a Vegetables Out of Garden Story.   The sproutwells are a family of fruits and vegetables living life among humans.

Freshfunds.com is behind this series of cartoons.   When you buy specially marked Fresh Express and Chiquita products, enter the code on the item and you will start racking up Fresh Points.  You can make donations, bid on weekly auctions, or win prizes with your points.  Right now, bids are being taken on a Wii Fit.

I am glad I found this, as I happen to have a salad bag in my fridge right now that is almost used up.   I could have thrown valuable points in the trash!

I just know if Ollie was sitting on my lap at the moment, he would be barking like crazy at the “Watermelon TV Doggie.”

Cindy is now passed the time that they are supposed to hold a stray at Animal Control.

The teen was presented with the idea of the family paying the fee and spaying her, but there was protest because “Cindy is pregnant.” Does she look pregnant to you? It is thought that Cindy had been allowed to wander the neighborhood in heat and may or may not be pregnant. But if she actually is, it is just barely.  And if the family cannot take care of her, what are they going to do with a litter?  It set  seeemed like they would rather have her dead and unspayed than alive and spayed.

Cindy is a boxer mix – she looks like a very high mix at that.    She is now eligible for adoption by anyone, not just her family.  Her “time up” date is this coming Friday.  Technically, she can be euthanized at any time, but the schedule for all the dogs and cats is Friday.

My heart breaks for Cindy.   I know I always like to see a dog reunited with a family, even if it occassionally involves a little education and changing atitidues (like spay so Cindy will never be wandering and picked up as a stray again).  Sometimes it involves knowing it may not be all perfect, but she’s home.    But my heart breaks for her to have  a family who may never come back for her ever.   She may sit and wait and because people may hold out hope that they will come, she loses her life waiting.   She deserves so much to have a family who would be worried sick if they were seperated from her.

If your heart aches for Cindy and you would like to be her safety net, please contact Kaylene at Heard County Animal Control, or leave a message for me in comments, please.  Out of area adoptions welcome.  This shelter is small, and very off the beaten path and the dogs and cats there need all the help they can get.

Heard County Animal Control Center
11818 Ga Hwy 100
Franklin, GA 30217
Phone: 706-675-3570

There is also one other dog at this shelter that needs extra exposure.  (don’t mind the date on the camera, the camera was on the blink!)  This dog is sweetness personified.  She just simply loves everyone.  The reason rescues have shied away from her is that she has mange.  It is HIGHLY treatable but no boarding facility will take her.

I don’t know why she is listed as a shepherd mix.  She is less than 30 lbs, and her ears look more like an Ewok in this photo.  She was spared because a woman named Karen (or Caren, or Karyn: If you are out there, please let us know!) called to adopt her right before euthanization started on Friday but has not of yet followed up with the shelter so this sweet girl is back on the euthanization list! I know there is someone out there reading that will be touched by her.

Charter has cooked up quite a contest, Father’s Day in HD! Your father could win the biggest high definition television in the whole country? How does he do that? It is quite simple.  Their adoring child will write a short essay explaining why their dad deserves the “nation’s largest HDTV.”   As part of the prize, he wins Charter HD service and The Charter Bundle™ FREE for life.    I see many Saturday afternoon Creature Feature’s in my dad’s future if he was the lucky one.   He could sell tickets to sit on the lawn and watch it through the window.   I should stop imagining about it. The contest ends June 8th, so I better get my act together.

There is one small catch.  Your dad has to live in the Charter service area.   It is easy enough to type his zipcode into Charter’s website to figure it out.  Maybe if it involved owning the biggest HDTV in the nation, and perhaps the world, he would move.  (It is a 63″ flat panel!) 

I can just imagine my dogs going over there and flipping the dog show or Animal Planet on.  They get so excited.  I can’t imagine what they would do if those dogs were “life sized.”
 

Did you enter? If you didn’t, it is a little too late.  The deadline has passed to submit your entry.  However, it is not too late to have your voice be heard.   

Please visit the semi-finalist gallery where you can browse the entries.   Entries encompassed both videos and photos paired with short essays.  The

At left, this entry caught my eye.   It is from a desperate couple who are dealing with a home whose previous owner had many cats.  Apparently, the owner wasn’t too dilligent about tidying up after them, and there are cat stains everywhere.   The smell is so overpowering, that even with cleaning and a new family, the house still has reeks.   In fact, they have been putting off the housewarming party that people want to throw them because of it!  They are desperately hoping that they will win a scent makeover.  

There are nine other entries, and you are sure to find one that appeals to you.  Register for the site, if you haven’t already, in order to vote.  You may vote once per day for your favorite(s) until June 7th.

I know that would make a great donation to your local charity or to subsidize all the gas you have been using for running around town and state for your volunteer efforts.

FinGad.com is an online financial community that is hosting a competition to see who is the best stock picker. Don’t worry, only “virtual” money is used. You don’t have to make an investment of anything other than time in order to play. The entrant with the healthiest account of pretend money at the close of the competition wins a prize. Click here to check out the official rules. This contest ends May 15th.