I don't want to be allergic!

I think I may be allergic to my pretty dangly earrings. My earlobes get all itchy when I wear them. However, they are fine when I wear my crappy WalMart studs. I guess I'll have to start looking for new jewelry or be forever doomed to a life of WalMart earrings. My problem is that I like to wear chunky-sort-of-funky type of earrings. I don't want diamonds or things that are 'pretty.' It makes it difficult for me to find earrings that I like. Maybe I'll check out Claire's or something. They might have something interesting.

Game review: Sherlock Holmes: Mystery of the Persian Carpet

Like many new hidden object games today, Sherlock Holmes: The Mystery of the Persian Carpet tries to make the genre harder than it should be. While there are some hidden object properties to the game, it tries to add more puzzles to make the player think harder. This is something that should be expected of a game with the Sherlock Holmes name on it but it should be filed under a different genre. For the most part, the game was fun. However, some of the puzzles are extremely difficult. In fact, they may require you to read a walkthrough for the game. If you are looking for something harder, this would be the game to try. If you are looking for a traditional hidden object game, look somewhere else.

I like watches

I love shopping for watches. The challenge of trying to find something that is "you' but versatile enough to work with more than one outfit is awesome. A lot of the time, the watches I think are really awesome are way out of my price range. Take the Parmigiani for example. It's beautiful. It's also $30,000. That is just insane. I can definitely think of better things to spend $30,000 on but at least I can look at them online for free!

Website of the week: SensibleUnits.com

Well, this isn't really a website of the *week* anymore, is it? I should find a new name for it. Anyway, SensibleUnits.com is the website and it is pretty darn neat. You basically plug any measurement into it and it will tell you how large that is in "real" terms. For example, 20 yards = 2.2 London buses end to end. 500mm = 4.2 CDs side by side. I could spend all day playing with this. And now I have infected you too!

Get rid of the pimples please!

ARGH. I am having pimple problems again. I blame the weather and stress at work. First off, the weather can't decide if it wants to be warm or cold or rainy or what. It's wreaking havoc with my body. Second, this is a rather stressful time of year at work. Of course, it makes my entire face break out. Does anyone have any good suggestions for acne treatments? I have combination skin and I am willing to try anything. Suggest away!

Game review: Pets Fun House

Yet another pet-themed time management game! Sadly, Pets Fun House isn't nearly as much fun as Pet Shop Hop was. In this game, you own a pet shop of sorts. You not only sell pets but you also sell pet food and other items. However, it is the pet part that is annoying. Instead of selling already-grown pets to customers, you must raise each pet from a puppy/kitten. You also must decide which breeds will be popular (based on "market information" they give you) so you will have the correct breeds at the correct age when a customer wants them. This is impossible. If the game tells you that dalmations are popular and you stock with mostly dalmations, customers will demand cats. And you can't change the breed on the fly since you have to raise them to an appropriate age.

I'm sure the developers were looking to mix a Sims game with a time management game. It just doesn't work here. Unless you have enough slots to have at least one of each breed on hand at all times (and you don't), it's impossible to keep your customers happy. They should choose which type of game they wish to make and stick with it. Mixing genres doesn't always work and this game is proof.

Colon Cleanse?

Have you ever thought about a colon cleanse? They seem...gross and unnecessary to me. The human body is built to kinda take care of itself for the most part. It doesn't need to be "cleansed" of toxins or whatever. Your body will rid itself of toxins on its own. If anything, something like this could be dangerous. Well, if you feel like you really have to do this, be careful and make sure you talk to a doctor first.

Music review: Ken Hirai - Pop Star

Artist: Ken Hirai Album: Ken Hirai 10th Anniversary Complete Single Collection '95- '05 Release date: 11/23/05 (album), 10/26/05 (single) Video link: Via YouTube

English translation: I wanna be a pop star and be more to you I’m lifted from the ground in a daze A sparling pop star I spread my wings and do my magic just for you

When I’m with you I’m so happy but then I’m so sad when I’m not Taking each other’s hands we run straight into a love affair I can’t fly to the sky but I can sing my song of loneliness at night if that would bring a smile to your cheeks When I held you close for the first time It was as if God himself came down upon me Now my destiny is to be a hero, just for you

*I wanna be a pop star and be more to you I’m lifted from the ground in a daze A sparling pop star I spread my wings and do my magic

**I wanna be your pop star try harder for you so come here so I can hold you A sparling pop star I spread my wings and do my magic just for you

I want to hide in darkness and have you pick up me gently If I’m imporatant to you, then hold me tight I keep walking this road, towards the light Using my right hand to protect you from pain so that I can hold you with my other hand

You’re gonna be my pop star and be more to me You smile in a daze A sparling pop star In your eyes, I do my magic

You’re my only pop star try harder for me Hold me, and don’t let go A sparling pop star Right now, in your eyes, I do my magic

As you fall in love anybody can be anyone’s pop star As God himself came down upon me Ny destiny was to be a hero, just for you

*Repeat **Repeat About the song: POP STAR is most famous for its video where Ken Hirai plays every role. It is a very catchy song and I can guarantee that once you hear it, it'll be very difficult to get it out of your head. All I can really say is listen to it. I hope you'll love it as much as I do.

Game review: Pet Shop Hop

Lately, a lot of pet-themed time management games have relied on grooming pets. You wash a dog, cut its hair then give it back to the owner. Pet Shop Hop is a pet-themed time management game but it is completely different from the others. Instead of grooming a pet, you are trying to sell them. However, you still need to feed each type of animal and clean their cages/tanks/pens. At the same time, you need to make sure you find the right pet for each customer. It sounds like there is a lot of work involved in playing this game. There isn't really. Your character doesn't move for the feeding and cleaning actions so there isn't time being wasted with her just wandering around the store. She only moves when she is preparing an animal for a customer. While this may seem like it's not a big deal, it is. Most games force the player's character to wander around the "game board" for every single action. This usually ends up making the player aggravated because the character doesn't move fast enough to fit everything in within the alloted time. Customers get angry because your character is busy in the corner feeding the fish or something. By allowing the feeding and cleaning to be done by the player without the character moving, the player can accomplish those tasks while the character is moving to a tank or cage to prepare an animal for the customer. We don't have to wait for the character to do something.

I did enjoy playing this game a lot. It's a slightly different take on the time management type of game but it makes all the right changes to keep it interesting and fun instead of aggravating.