I went and saw this movie when it first came out, blogged about it (along with obnoxious kids). As mentioned I did buy the movie.

Twice.

Why twice? Because I forgot that I'd bought it and bought it again. Suppose I could send the second back, but I bought it through one of those annoying 'clubs' and returns there are too much a hassle.

So hey-I'll give it away instead.

Just so you know, 1408 is a scary movie. It's not really gory, the way a lot of so-called horror flicks are these days. No, it's weird-scary. Which is classic Stephen King, I guess. Nobody does weird like he does.

I try to keep my contests open to everybody, but please note, this is a Region 1 (North America) DVD, which won't play on all DVDs. If you win it and the format isn't compatible with your DVD player, welllll....sorry. But there aren't any substitutions on the prize. So if you don't know if it's compatible with your DVD player, it's probably best you don't enter.

As always, you do need to check back to see if you've won and if I don't hear from you within a reasonable amount of time, I may draw another name. You can only enter once (once per household) and suspicious entries may be deleted.

Contest is open for the next few days-I'll probably draw the winner and post it towards the end of next week. Other disclaimer info can be found on the disclaimer page.

To enter, just leave your name in comments... *G* if you've got a good scary movie suggestion, feel free to toss it out.

Petunia from the fabulous blog Educating Petunia is a homeschooling mom from California with an interesting book club. Here she talks about what makes it different.

My book group is not so typical.  I first saw the idea on the PBS Masterpiece site and knew I had to give it a try.  So four months ago I started a Book and Movie Group.  What we do is choose a book that has a movie associated with it.  We read our books on our own over the month, then we plan a Movie Night where the hostess makes the movie available to the group.  This is like a Mommy's Night Out for most of us and can be a lot of fun.  Then we meet to discuss the book and the movie together.  Watching the movie is not a necessity but it does add more to the discussion.  We talk about what changes were made to the plot and how it affected the story.  Was the main message different for those changes or were they simply part of interpreting the written word into a visual forum?

The best meetings are the ones where the hostess creates a theme and plans a game and/or prizes that go with the book.  For Much Ado About Nothing we had a spring wedding theme, each member bringing wedding photos to share.  Persuasion lent itself to an English Tea very nicely.  One member wanted to have a chocolate tasting at her meeting so she chose Chocolat for the book.  And I always try to offer a door prize that encourages further reading, like bookmarks, journals, pocket-sized books of poetry.

Blogger Bio: I will have been married to my husband for 15 years this July.  I wasn't much of a reader until 6 years ago when we got rid of the TV and started homeschooling our three kiddos.  I have found homeschooling to be as much as a learning experience for me as it is for them.  The classics are my favorite type of book and Edith Wharton is my favorite author.

***Would you like to share about your book club here at Books on the Brain?  If so, leave a comment and I will get in touch with you about a guest post!

For previous volumes of In Praise of Book Clubs, click HERE

For more info on starting your own book club, click HERE

For fun ways to make your book club better, click HERE

For a chance to win Springtime on Mars by Susan Woodring, click HERE and leave a comment by June 6.

Well, the new Medieval Party is here and the first thing you would want to know is that the free tunics available at the Dock.

Also, there is a new room above the tree in the Forest and you could use the steps to go up:

Or you could use the ladder to go up:

Here's a picture of the new room:

(Click to enlarge)

Well, here are some rooms that are very pretty and are well decorative:

The Ski Lodge:

The Night Club:

(Click to enlarge)

The Lodge Attic:

The Ice Rink:

There are A LOT of other rooms that I haven't mentioned above that are really nice. Be sure to visit the Coffee Shop, the Pizza Parlor, the Cave, the Mine, the Mountain(where you go Sled Racing), and more!

Last of all, my 150,000 hits party was a SUCCESS! A lot of people arrived and was saying cool phrases like "Party On!" and "We are penguins and we will rock you!" and more cool stuff like that. One guy that had a cool idea of forming a line and dancing with me! Pizzarocks was the man! That got the party going and the crowd was WILD! Thanks Pizzarocks! Here are the descriptions and pictures of the 4 penguins I have chosen:

1. Pizzarocks

About Pizzarocks: He had really great ideas for running my party and was sticking with me until the end of my party. Thanks Pizzarocks! Without him, I wouldn't have that great "Line" idea.

2. Mousylil

About Mousylil: Mousylil stuck with me from the beginning to the end of my awesome party! She played all sorts of games with me like Sled Racing. Did you know that she also helps me with my funny pictures? She helped make the 1st awesome picture that everyone likes about the "Big Butt". You can go to the Funny Pictures page to view some pics made by Mousylil and I!

3. Terrysacker3

About Terrysacker3: I first met Terrysacker3 at the beginning of my party in the Dojo and that was the designated place for where my party would start. Terry was all like, "Hey I'm here for your party!" and I was so surprised to see Terry. Terry stuck with me and the party for at least 3 hours which is pretty sweet and WASN'T a party pooper like some of them... ...thank you so much for being my FIRST guest Terry!

4. Skater121Bam:

About Skater121Bam: Skater121Bam was also always there and rockin' at my party. He was the last guest to actually leave my party and make sure it ended because he didn't want to be a party pooper and leave. He is really a great penguin and if you get to know him, you'll be amazed!

Here is a picture of all the penguins crowded around me for my party:

I really can't wait until my 200,000 hits party! Keep coming if you want that to happen!

See Ya!

-Vietpride28 :cool:

Guess the name of the person depicted in the header image. This one is so easy. You should instantly recognize this supremely epic facial hair.

---

Congratulations! It's totally Tom Selleck. These are about to start getting way more difficult, by the way, so be thankful all of you who got to participate in the easy ones!

I have replaced my island hut with a beautiful Andrew Carnegie library in which to house all the new books I've been introduced to as well as my men.

My harem currently includes: Ethan McCabe (Demon Night, Meljean Brook) Hugh Castleford (Demon Angel, Meljean Brook) Westley (The Princess Bride, William Goldman), Lord Robert Andreville (Robin) (Angel Rogue, Mary Jo Putney), Kieran vel Solande (Tairen Soul Series, C.L. Wilson), Garret Langham, the Earl of Mayne, from Eloisa James' Pleasure for Pleasure, with one round left to go.

Cat fights have ensued. Comments have flown madly. Great books have been introduced. One unfortunate Guardian was turned into a feather duster. Wild drunken debauchery with our favorite romance and fantasy heroes is the name of the game.

To catch the action:

• ROUND 1: (now over) Hosted at CarolynJean's.
• ROUND 2: (now over) Hosted at Sarai's
• ROUND 3: (now over) Hosted at lisabea's.
• ROUND 4: (now over) Hosted at MaryKate's.
• ROUND 5: (now over) Hosted at Christine's.
• ROUND 6: Hosted at Katie(babs) & Kristie(J)'s.
  ROUND 7: Hosted at Sula's!

• Laura Baumbach
• Sarah McCarty
• Pepper Espinoza
• Vivien Dean
• Treva Harte
• Ally Blue
• Josh Lanyon
• Jet Mykles
• Meljean Brook
• Jules Jones
• J.L. Langley

Books Up For Grabs:

• Jules Jones winner's choice out of Dolphin Dreams, Lord and Master (which are the two recent novels), or both Spindrift books
• Meljean Brook, Demon Night, (and may I add that Charlie is one of the best ever female characters. Ever)
• Jamie Craig has two books to give away:a print copy of Chasing Silver and a print copy of Master of Obsidian
• Sarah McCarty's HOT OFF THE PRESS Running Wild that Lisabea covets. Covets.
• Josh Lanyon's collection....which means I have one of each to give away.The Adrien English Mysteries,The Hell You Say, Arresting Developments, Snowball in Hell, Partners in Crime, Man Oh Man, and Dangerous Ground. Heh.

The lucky winner of a signed hardcover copy of Matrimony by Joshua Henkin is commenter #12- Sara!

The lucky winner of a signed trade paperback copy of The Next Thing on My List by Jill Smolinski is commenter #27- Julia!

I will notify the winners by email.  Thanks to all who left comments!

I'm a lucky winner today, too!  I just got an email from The Book Club Cookbooks Book Club Buzz that I won a copy of Free Food for Millionaires by Min Jin Lee.  Woo Hoo!

Who will be the next lucky winner?  It could be YOU!  Just go check out my review of Springtime on Mars by Susan Woodring and leave a comment by June 6 for a chance to win a copy.

There is also a new room! Just go to the Forest and go up these stairs:

This is what the new Room looks like:

(Click to enlarge)

My favorite part of the party is the Dragon in the Mine:

Use the Switchbox 3000 in the Mine to control it:

The Ski Lodge Attic is also very nice:

(Click to enlarge)

-Ogo1234

If there are new Updates to the party I will post them!

I received a seemingly harmless SMS from a certain person who works for "Wheel of Fortune" on ABS-CBN. The guy told me to come to ABS-CBN center gate entrance on 19 May 2008 for the screening process as a potential contestant on the said show.

I initially reacted as if this is a scam since as far as I know, official communication of possible contestants' screening would be via a less than 7 digit number from the provider. Also, since I worked previously with GMA NMI, in a bit, communications should be through formal channels. However, my previous experience in participating in "Game KNB?" last September 2005 was almost similar to this scenario so there is a big chance of this invitation as true. Besides, on the infancy stage of the program, I already sent my intent to join through SMS.

HOWEVER.

I do have a training on that day. I cannot attend. I sent an SMS to the person if my "screening" can be moved to the following week but he hasn't replied yet. If this is not a hoax, then this is a missed opportunity.

And life is unfair. :(

Ten images for Ithaca 2008
7th poster competition of the island of Ithaca, Greece.

Theme: Dream
1st prize 900 €, 2nd prize 600 €, 3rd prize 500 €
Deadline: 31 May 2008

Size: Height 40cm (15,75"), Width 12cm (4,73")

The competition invites this year all designers to set their imagination free and talk about their dreams, whether these are images and feelings the human mind creates while we sleep or their hopes and wishes. Therefore, the term “dream” can also be used metaphorically, it can be the “starting point” of an idea or be the main theme for the final piece.

The ten best entries will be printed into banners with dimensions 2m x 60cm and will be hung along Ithaca’s promenade for the entire summer of 2008. Their creators will have free accommodation in Ithaca on the weekend of the exhibition’s opening (July 2008).

Each individual or group may submit up to two posters. In order to enter the competition, each artist has to register through this website. Each piece must have dimensions of 40cm height x 12cm width (15,75’’ height x 4.73’’ width) and must be uploaded as an electronic file (pdf or jpeg), resolution 360 dpi, maximum file size 10 MB.

Entries can be uploaded until the 31st of May 2008.

Fimios has the right to change, postpone or cancel the competition without prior notification. Works will be kept at Fimios posters archive. The winners will be notified via e-mail. Participation in the competition requires acceptance of these terms.

For more information:
ithaca (at) thedesignshop.gr
+30 210 3223410 (Mrs Olympia Aivazi)

Organised by Fimios-Cultural Events of the Municipality of Ithaca.

Endorsed by
the Greek Graphic Designers’ Association and
the Design Museum of Thessaloniki

Thursdays are for Girl Talk.  I'm joining Mommie Daze in her Girl Talk meme on Thursdays.   You can join too...just add yourself to Mr. Linky at Mommie Daze's Girl Talk post.

Girls, do we love books?  Oh, yeah!  I know I sure do.

Girls, do we love bags?  Mmmm hmmm!  I do!  I do!

I have bookshelves buckling from a bounty of books.  Do you?

I only wish I had a closet full of beautiful bags.  Let me think...how many bags do I own?  One pink purse, one brown hand bag...that's only two.  I own two purses.  How many do you own?

Don't get me wrong, I love purses.  I just love eating, being warm, and having a roof over my head more.  Good news, though!  Harper Collins is giving away stylish handbags filled with fiction!

I've entered to win one of these beautiful handbags filled with great reads.  What are you waiting for?  You'll want to bookmark the page because Harper Collins gives a bag of books away each month!

Well, wasn't Contest #1 more fun than shoving a weasel down your trousers? Why, I haven't had a good time like that since I first discovered that Human Torch: Hotshot was actually flammable!

As promised, the winner has been chosen by a completely disinterested third party - an old pal from Australia whose paths crossed with mine again a couple of weeks back. He has no idea what the heck VS even is, so I thought it only fitting that he choose the winning caption.

The winning entry: "After thirty years, the beast within Richard Simmons was awakened. Despite being a harsh dictator, his new form seemed like an improvement to me."

Huzzah! And applause and stuff. Ra's Al Cool, email me your mailing address and I'll get the prize package on the way to you.

Meantime, here's a brand new image! Once again, the winning caption will receive a price package of three cards selected from my stockpile of prize cards and Modern-legal rares.

In keeping with it being Crime Lords preview week, it's even got Kingpin and Red Skull!

You can fill in the word balloons, or just ignore them. Have fun with that!

There are three homeschoolers identified as finalists on the Doodle for Google contest website. Viewers can vote on the Doodle for Google page. Look for the homeschool entries in the following categories:

• Grades 4-6 in Region 4 and in Region 9
• Grades 7 -9 in region 7

Good luck homeschoolers!

Anyone can judge, this is new, let's see what happens!

Prizes? To be determined, do it for the love, for a link to your site, poetry is where it's at.

"Victor Kugler: The Man Who Hid Anne Frank" by Eda Shapiro & Rick Kardonne

This book is one that I received through the Early Reviewer's program in March over at LibraryThing.  It was the first book I got through the program so I was very excited to get it.  It arrived not too long ago.  I'm almost done reading it, and I'll post my review here, over at LibraryThing, and on Amazon.com.  The subject of the book is pretty much explained by the title :)

"Songs for the Missing" by Stewart O'Nan

This book came in the mail today!  I signed up for the First Look Program over at Barnes&Noble back in April, and this is the book I got.  It's fiction about a girl who goes missing, and how her family deals with it.  I've never read anything by this author, but it looks great.

"The Bridge of San Luis Rey" by Thorton Wilder

This is the book I was assigned through the Penguin Classics Blog.  I was one of the first, I think, 1400 people to sign up (sorry but they are no longer offering books!) and this book was randomly chosen for me.  I'd never heard of it.  Amazon's summary says: In this Pulitzer Prize winner, a bridge collapses in eighteenth-century Peru; five die. Who were they?  Sounds interesting, but makes me think of "Hiroshima" by John Hersey.

"The Aviary Gate: A Novel" by Katie Hickman

This one I snagged thanks to a heads up by Carey over at LibraryThing.  I've never read anything by Katie Hickman, but this is historical fiction so it's right up my alley.  I hope it's not too much romance and not enough plot, but we'll see!  You may still be able to get a copy of this book to read and review.  Send an email to marketing@bloomsburyusa.com with the subject line- Shelf Awareness ad for Aviary Gate copy.   I'd also include your name and address, and a blog if you have one in the body of the email, with a line about how you'd like to read it.

"The Dangerous Joy of Dr. Sex and Other True Short Stories" by Pagan Kennedy

Again, thanks to Carey over at LibraryThing.  I've never read anything by Kennedy either, and although this is a little outside my comfort zone, I decided to give it a shot.  This one, like "Victor Kugler" is nonfiction.  Like the above book, you may still be able to get a copy to read and review.  Send an email to info@sfwp.com with the suject line- Pagan Kennedy Advance Copy.  I'd also include your name and address, and a blog if you have one in the body of the email, with a line about how you'd like to read it.

“Farworld–Water” by J. Scott Savage

This is the very first book blog tour I'll be involved in, and so I'm very excited to read this book.  I've heard that the books are going out sometime in May.  Plus I'll be having J. Scott Savage on my blog in early August for an interview, and also I'll be giving away a copy of his book then too.  Head over to his blog to see the cover art, and a sneak peek at the first two chapters.

It seems out of all the fast food restaurants Burger King takes advantage of viral marketing the most often (think subservient chicken a few years ago, http://www.subservientchicken.com) . To tie in with the new highly anticipated thus highly marketed Indiana Jones movie Burger King has launched BKIndy.com. BK meaning Burger King and Indy of course meaning Indiana Jones. Simply go to BK Indy sign up and enter your “DIG” code. Everyday Burger King will give away $10,000 to the one talented winner who digs up the treasure. On the “DIG” virtual world game map it states, “Enter your code, then watch the beam, when your gut says it’s the right time click DIG.” Good luck my friends!

Advertisement:

Get Entertainment Book For 50% Off, $9.99

Until next time...

Waddle on!

Bodge101

Furthermore, the venue has been chosen and the date has been set! The CommuniTee Art Project Party will be held on the evening of Thursday, June 5th, starting at 5:30pm. Click here for the PDF version of the invitation.

When: June 5th, 2008 @ 5:30pm
Where: Gallery XIV, 37 Thayer Street, in Boston's South End.
Featuring: Cocktails, bites from Red Fez, silent auction!

There is a suggested donation of $20 at the door that will go towards the CommuniTee Art Program and will also get you a CommuniTee shirt!

The evening also features an exclusive premier of world renowned artist Christopher Hauck's latest collection.

Please RSVP to Caitlin Sullivan by email or by phone at 617-459-4921.

If you think, for one moment... that stating May 2nd the winners of the Caption Me! Contest would be announced was a lie .. well.. err... you would be SO wrong. It was a typo, yes a typo. That's it!( Is anyone else now singing that commercial... it must have been a typo, a typo, a typo... ). Seriously though... I had every intention of announcing the winners then, but the time to format all the entries just wasn't available to me.

Which is precisely why I decided to award more entries a prize!  

There are now 10 winners vs. 3!

Instead of choosing my favorite submissions (really, how is a girl supposed to choose) I used the list randomizer to select the winners - they are shown below in red! The 10 submissions chosen will be receiving a fine art photography print of mine, matted & ready to fit in an 11×14 frame! (Value of $30-$40.00). If your caption appears in red, please email me - khryctee [at] gmail.com - within the next week to receive your prize. I will notify winners if I get a chance -- but it's up to you to contact me so your prize isn't forfeited! I'll reply to your email with all applicable info. CONGRATULATIONS!

 The Submissions:

1. “should l glue, paint, weave or knit?” - Judy Scott
2. “Got floss”?  - Lia
3. “Hmm, what can I make with this?” - Cheryl
4. “Hmmm….smells like…fresh roasted peanuts!” - Lindsay
5. “Where’s the Atkin’s Diet when you need it…!”- Lindsay
6. “I’m sure this string bikini will fit…I’m just big boned!” - Linda
7. “yarn over, knit 2, pearl 2, increase…..or was it decrease?” - Doreen aka LuniLady
8. “Oh oui, I love zee smell of new straw! Should I sleep on it or make a new chapeau?” -Bunny
9. "First Come, First Served!!" - Vicki
10. “No, Mr Sparrow this is NOT your future home, it’s my future craft project!! Now, step away from the straw and no one gets hurt!!!” -Vicki
11. “That’s it! That’s the last straw!” - blendedcolors
12. “Knit one, purl two!” - Mrs. Kwitty
13. "OOOOO! Raffia! Just what I need to finish that ATC." - Mary W.
14. "How long is this straw? Will it make a nice necklace with the acorns I hid?" - Mary W.
15. "If this is long enough I might be able to craft a belt." - Mary W.
16. "Hmmm. Should I weave this for the handle of the shoulder bag or not?" - Mary W.
17. “Shall we discuss this over a nice Chateau?” -Brandie
18. "Fiber, that’s the key to weight loss." - Glenda J.
19. I love Feng Shui, but should should I put this in the “fame” quadrant, or maybe, “relationships?”-Christie
20. "Hmmm… smells like chicken, tastes like chicken… must be chicken!" -Stuart Vail
21. "Due to the suffering economy, the witness protection program is having to tighten up their belts as well..."  - bengalsfan1973
22. "This waxed floss just isn't making it for me." - TheNhBushman
23. "I WILL stick with the diet. I will ... I will!" - Robyn
24. "Prarie Floss"  - AdamT4
25. "It isn't quite a milk mustache, but it will do..."  - Kraften
26. "Knit one, pearl who?" -BonnieBlueDenim
27. "Dude, This is some PRIMO hemp, Holmes!" -spurmarks
28. A glimpse of the rare sub-species of prarie dog-- the prarieblood hound:
    "hmmmm...(sniff, sniff) I'd say that they passed by here about....*sniff*...about 3 hours ago." - Larry the Amateur
29. "Ernesto, connoseur of fine grasses and hay, is pictured here carefully reviewing this year's production before shipping worldwide." - Larry the Amateur
30. "You MUST pay the rent!" - english dixie
31. ((sniff, sniff)) "Nice bouquet, strong wood undertones with a hint of fruitiness."  -TheCrayonBin
32. "Enquiring prairie dogs want to know: how did I get fat on THIS?" - 4tuneseeker
33. "Come now, this won't hurt a bit." - 4tuneseeker
34. "My name is Pierre and I have a big moos-tash!" - Emma
35. "It's so hard to accessorize these days." -Sally Turlington
36. "Now I'm sure there was a needle here somewhere......." - LizBeth King
37. "You know, with a little alfredo sauce, this wouldn't be so bad..." - AntTree
38. "God, I wish this was chocolate." - Bianca
39. "Ah yes. Vintage 2006....... South side of the paddock, I think. A cheeky little stalk that will only improve with a little aging." - IanSand
40. "knit one pearl two...damn where are my glasses" - phicon99
41. "Yummy for my tummy, I love staying in for dinner" - rosegardener55
42. " Got Straw?" - Gina Smith
43. "What Jabba the Hut did after retiring from Star Wars." - Gina Smith
44. "Unadorned" - Flory Brick
45. "Does this outfit make me look fat?" - Kris Hubick
46. "Ah yes, Just one more step and my plan will be complete." - Kris Hubick
47. "Smells like chicken." - Kris Hubick
48. "My new mustache will drive her crazy!" - Kris Hubick
49. "DIY Halloween Costume" - Kris Hubick
50. A digital submission, see Picture below: - petit babycakes 

Can I just say: I reallllllllllllyenjoyed doing this contest. All of your incredible submissions made me smile and truly brightened my days. I will definitely host more of these! A big thank you to all of you who submitted entries! I will be offering my prints the winners are receiving for sale soon ... in the meantime, there's a handful at etsy (sans mats though).

Off to work on another blog post -- Yup. You heard me right. Another one!

-Chrysti

ANNOUNCING THE SECOND ANNUAL
BOOKWYRM'S BIRTHDAY BLOG BASH!

So, that means a contest. Yay!

I have mostly dedicated this blog to three things: knitting, writing, and reading. So that means three prizes, one with each theme. In the comments, please let me know which of the three contests you would like to be entered for. (You can be entered in all of them, if you like. In fact, that is the default, so if you say nothing, that will be what I enter you in.) The prizes will be along these lines:

• knitting ~ some kind of yarny goodness. Your choice of weight, and I'm open to color suggestions. Quite possibly (but not definitely) from Knitpicks, as I love an excuse to shop there for myself.
• writing ~ some kind of writing inspiration, as we can all use something to keep us out of spring fever syndrome (or the fall doldrums, for my friends in the Southern Hemisphere).
• reading ~ a book. Obviously. Any paperback of your choice that I have pimped on this site (book pimping category here) or my reading site. I am not going to send out a book that I don't know or didn't like, because it's my contest and I can do that.

Now, a little bit more in the way of contest rules:

• Anyone can win any of the contests. However, each person is only allowed to win once. I will be drawing them in a random order, and will have three separate winners (provided I get that many entrants, which shouldn't be a problem).
• I will ship anywhere with a mailing address. I will be using USPS Priority Mail, in all likelihood.
• The contest will run for one week: that means from today, May 15th, until the day before my birthday (aka May 21). That night, I will draw the winners, and post them on my blog on my birthday, May 22.
• My birthday is a Thursday. Which means I "should" post a Thursday Thirteen. But I don't know what to post about. THEREFORE.... in order to be entered for the contest, please respond TO THIS POST with suggestions for what I should post for my Birthday TT. (Also mention any preferences for the drawings.)

Thank you all (in advance) for helping me celebrate my birthday on the blog! Last year was so much fun, I couldn't help but do it again...

Cheers, ~Bookie

*the show in question was Disney's Beauty and the Beast, and it was very fun.