Make a Difference Monday: Darfur
I’m sure I’m not the only one who wants to do something about the genocide in Darfur. I mean, I know that he does:
I’ll watch a movie, read an article or see a show about it and get myself all pumped up to do something and then reality sets in and I just feel completely and utterly helpless when thinking about how huge and far away the problem seems to be. How could one person actually make a difference?
This brings me to a really wonderful thing going on over at Maw Books Blog that I’ve been wanting to tell you about. It is called Reading and Blogging for Darfur.
For the whole month of September, Natasha has committed to reading and blogging in an effort to create awareness and raise funds for the people of Darfur.
Not only will you learn more about the genocide in the Sudan, but if you visit her blog during September Natasha will donate 10 cents for every comment you leave.
If you have a blog and you put the above button in your sidebar, she will donate an additional 25 cents.
There are even more ways to get involved. So, what are you waiting for? Head on over to Maw Books Blog to learn more.
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I know I had mentioned having a giveaway, but unfortunately I’m going to have to have to postpone it for a bit. Hopefully, I’ll have something within the the next few weeks. Stay tuned.
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What have you done to make a difference this month? Write your own post and then come back here to link up.
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Blog Happenings
Just call me Julie McCoy, your friendly cruise blog director.
I though I’d remind you of a couple of fun-filled events going on here and around the blogosphere this week.
Here’s the scoop:
Monday (tomorrow), August 11–Make a Difference Monday
Write about a cause you feel passionate about or something you did this week to make the world a better place.
If you would like to participate but aren’t sure what to write about, may I suggest you check out Goodies for Mom and their Blogging for Blood Cancer Week. Throughout the week, post on your blogs about the importance of the LLS mission, share your personal stories of those you have come to know who have been affected by blood cancer, or share some of the stories you read on the Friends of Heroes site during the week that have touched your hearts
By the way, I’m thinking of making Make a Difference Monday a monthly feature, rather than every week. I have enough trouble trying to remember to switch the laundry from the washer to the dryer, let alone figure out how to save the world every week. I’m just thinking making it monthly might be more doable for everyone. What do you think? Good or bad idea?
Tuesday, August 12th–Movie Madness Carnival
Get your popcorn ready! We are talking about the movies.
Write a movie-related post and come back here to link up. It could be a review, a list of your favorite movies in a genre, a video clip of your favorite movie scenes, etc..
Come back here on Tuesday to link up!
Other fun events going on in BlogLand:
It’s a Bloggy Dinner Party! Auds at Barking Mad came up with this really fun idea. The idea is simple.
You create a post that describes which ten bloggers you would like to come to your dinner party. Of course the idea is to invite people you you think would be intriguing, funny and interesting to share a meal with.
This will be going on the entire month of August. Head on over to Barking Mad for more details.
Have I forgotten anything? Do you have a fun blog event planned? If so feel free to email me or leave a comment.
Make Me Laugh Monday: Sex Criminal Fashions
If you’re a parent and haven’t already done so, make sure to visit the Sex Offender Registry website. It’s always good to know if you have a pedophile living on your street.
Now, this is an important topic, and one that should be taken very seriously. It’s not necessarily one you would really expect to find on a Make Me Laugh Monday Post.
But did you ever notice how all the sex offenders have a similar look to them? It is almost like they shopped at the same store or read the same fashion magazine. I found a video that parodies this topic perfectly.
!!Caution: This one has some adult language and humor, so watch without the kids (oh and I think it goes without saying that I don’t endorse sexual offenders or their fashion choices).
So let’s get something straight–
Making fun of sexual abuse–NOT FUNNY! 
Making fun of sex offenders and their “personal style”–VERY FUNNY! 
For more funnies, visit Absolutely Bananas.
Make Me Laugh Monday: The Ultimate Rejection Letter
If I ever get a rejection letter (like the one I’m about to get from Campus Progress), I am so going to send them back something like this:
Herbert A. Millington Chair - Search Committee 412A Clarkson Hall, Whitson University College Hill, MA 34109 Dear Professor Millington, Thank you for your letter of March 16. After careful consideration, I regret to inform you that I am unable to accept your refusal to offer me an assistant professor position in your department. This year I have been particularly fortunate in receiving an unusually large number of rejection letters. With such a varied and promising field of candidates, it is impossible for me to accept all refusals. Despite Whitson's outstanding qualifications and previous experience in rejecting applicants, I find that your rejection does not meet my needs at this time. Therefore, I will assume the position of assistant professor in your department this August. I look forward to seeing you then. Best of luck in rejecting future applicants. Sincerely, Chris L. Jensen
Go to Absolutely Bananas for more of Make Me Laugh Monday.
Make Me Laugh Monday: Computer Funny
You know the little pop-up paper clip guy that interrupts you whenever you try to do a task in Word. I really wish he would just go away. Someone needs to teach this guy a lesson in manners or tell him to MIND HIS OWN BUSINESS!! The guy thinks he’s an expert in everything.
I found this funny little picture of the ultimate “Clippie” interruption:
For the record, I don’t condone suicide or think it is funny. Making fun of “Clippie” is completely ok, though.
To see more funnies, go over to Absolutely Bananas.
Make Me Laugh Monday: Map of a Cat’s Brain
Notice the date on this says 1992. I just ran across this when I was cleaning out some things. It was forwarded it to me the original way you forwarded funny little things (the postal mail). I guess now that I found it online I can finally throw it away.
To find more laughs, visit Absolutely Bananas.
Make Me Laugh Monday–Belated Happy Mother’s Day
After this post I guess I’ll have to officially say goodbye to Mother’s Day 2008. :( I think I’ve milked the privileges as much as humanly possible. On Friday, I proclaimed that Mother’s Day weekend had started and that there would be no fighting, whining, or generally annoying behavior allowed. Saturday, I decided that we should go out to eat to celebrate (plus I don’t cook on Mother’s Day weekend-did you know it is now a whole weekend long extravaganza?)
I hope no one else has already posted this on Make Me Laugh Monday at Absolutely Bananas. My apologies if they did. I thought if I hadn’t seen it until today (and I spend waaaayyyy too much time on youtube), then maybe it would be new for you. Enjoy!
Hope all you moms out there had a great day yesterday!
Make Me Laugh Monday–Prank Calls
Back in the day before caller ID (yes, there was a time that you actually had to answer your phone to know who it was), making prank calls was like a teenage rite of passage. My friends and I would spend hours doing this and it was great fun. We were rebels, I tell you.
Our pranks were pretty lame. We would look up a Michael Brady in the phone book, call the house and ask if we could speak to Jan or Greg. Then when they said we had the wrong number we would ask for Mike Brady and say we were looking to speak to any one of his kids in the bunch. Oh, those were good times.
For this week’s Make me Laugh Monday, I found a couple of examples of really good prank calls. Hopefully at least one is new to you.
***You may want to watch these without kids in the room, as there is some mild language and adult content.***
For more laughs, head on over to Absolutely Bananas.
Make Me Laugh Monday: Diary or a Dog and Cat
This has to be my absolute favorite email forward of all time. I guess it is because I’m a cat lover, but this just cracked me up. It’s not that I don’t like dogs, but any pet that needs to wake me up to go to the bathroom is never living in my house.
Leave me a comment and let me know which four legged friend you prefer.
Enjoy!
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COMPARISON OF DOG AND CAT DIARIES
EXCERPTS FROM A DOG’S DIARY
Day number 180
8:00 am – OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
9:30 am – OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
9:40 am – OH BOY! A WALK! MY FAVORITE!
10:30 am – OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
11:30 am – OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
12:00 noon – OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
1:00 pm – OH BOY! THE YARD! MY FAVORITE!
4:00 pm – OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
5:00 PM – OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
5:30 PM – OH BOY! MOM! MY FAVORITE!
Day number 181
8:00 am – OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
9:30 am – OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
9:40 am – OH BOY! A WALK! MY FAVORITE!
10:30 am – OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
11:30 am – OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
12:00 noon – OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
1:00 pm – OH BOY! THE YARD! MY FAVORITE!
4:00 pm – OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
5:00 PM – OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
5:30 PM – OH BOY! MOM! MY FAVORITE!
Day number 182
8:00 am – OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
9:30 am – OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
9:40 am – OH BOY! A WALK! MY FAVORITE!
10:30 am – OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
11:30 am – OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
12:00 noon – OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
1:00 pm – OH BOY! THE YARD! MY FAVORITE!
1:30 pm – ooooooo. bath. bummer.
4:00 pm – OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
5:00 PM – OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
5:30 PM – OH BOY! MOM! MY FAVORITE!
EXCERPTS FROM A CAT’S DIARY
DAY 752 – My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal. The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape, and the mild satisfaction I get from ruining the occasional piece of furniture. Tomorrow I may eat another houseplant.
DAY 761 – Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving around their feet while they were walking almost succeeded; I must try this at the top of the stairs. In an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile oppressors, I once again induced myself to vomit on their favorite chair…must try this on their bed.
DAY 765 – Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body, in attempt to make them aware of what I am capable of, and to try to strike fear into their hearts. They only cooed and condescended about what a good little cat I was…Hmmm. Not working according to plan.
DAY 768 – I am finally aware of how sadistic they are. For no good reason I was chosen for the water torture. This time however it included a burning foamy chemical called “shampoo.” What sick minds could invent such a liquid. My only consolation is the piece of thumb still stuck between my teeth.
DAY 771 – There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices. I as placed in solitary throughout the event. However, I could hear the noise and smell the foul odor of the glass tubes they call “beer.” More importantly I overheard that my confinement was due to MY power of “allergies.” Must learn what this is and how to use it to my advantage.
DAY 774 – I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and maybe snitches. The dog is routinely released and seems more than happy to return. He is obviously a half-wit. The bird on the other hand has got to be an informant, and speaks with them regularly. I am certain he reports my every move. Due to his current placement in the metal room his safety is assured.
But I can wait, it is only a matter of time..
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Find more funny stuff at Make Me Laugh Monday hosted by Absolutely Bananas.
Monday Mish Mash
Too many carnivals, too little time. So I thought I’d be real annoying efficient and put all 3 in one post. So if you are here from “Make Me Laugh Monday” or ”Countdown to Earth Day” scroll down past the boring menu for a little Monday morning humor.
I’ll start with my menu for the week (cause you know if I didn’t post that on here my family would go hungry for the week).
Monday–Salisbury Steak, Mashed Potatoes, corn
Tuesday–Honey-Sesame Chicken Skewers, cous cous, peas
Wednesday–Hot Dogs and Beans (I know, yuck, but it has to be super easy because we have baseball practice and a school concert tonight; still not sure how we’re going to manage to be in two places at one time, but I’m sure we’ll figure it out)
Thursday–Shrimp Creole, Rice, Beans
Friday—-Cuban Sandwich, Soup (some canned variety)
Saturday–Angel Chicken Pasta, Broccoli, Salad (This was on the menu last week but we never got to it, so here it is again.)
Sunday–Mom’s House
Ok, now that we got that over with, on to the good stuff…
I consider myself to be mildly “green”. I do a lot of the typical stuff–recycle, switched all bulbs to cfls, unplug my phone chargers when not in use, conserve gas by carpooling, yada, yada, yada. I know that I could do better, but its a start. My two main goals to do more are to purchase more produce from the farmer’s markets this summer and start using canvas grocery bags. I really do feel like every little bit counts and if we all make small changes, we can start to reverse the damage we’ve caused on the earth.
While we are on the subject of Earth Day, I thought this video was a funny parody on Al Gore’s documentary, An Inconvenient Truth (which btw I didn’t love. I thought I would but I didn’t. So there, I admit it. Maybe I’ll enjoy watching The 11th Hour a little more because its narrator is a little easier on the eyes and cuteness is so very important when trying to get my attention.)
So anyway, I present to you: An Inconvenient Youth
Here’s where I give credit where credit is due:
For more menus visit: Organizing Junkie
For more laughs visit: Absolutely Bananas
For more earth day musings visit: Seattle Moms Blog
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