May is DivaCup Month

Gentlemen, you'll want to tune out on this one.

Ladies, I feel a little funny writing about this topic, but it's one that's close to my heart. I'm doing you a disservice if I don't tell you about it.

The DivaCup has totally changed my period. No longer am I a slave to it. In fact, I only think about it twice a day. No more tampon changes in public restrooms. I haven't bought another feminine care product in the 1.5 years I've owned my DivaCup.

I won't lie to you, it did take me a couple months to get used to it. But I'm really glad I stuck with it. And it isn't for the faint of heart. You can't be afraid of your body to use the DivaCup.

According to the Lunapads website, May is DivaCup month. So check out the resources there (FAQ, how-to guide, testimonials) and maybe give it a try. Let me know what you think! I'll never go back.

Indie Music Discovery ::shiny-thing(s) of the day::

Aside from my local radio station, I've found two fantastic sources for discovering new indie bands.

1. Echolocations, formerly In-Radio. I've been a subscriber now for 3 years to this fantastic music "magazine". Every other month I receive a CD with an eclectic selection of 15 or so tracks from indie artists. The quality of the website has declined since the magazine changed hands, but the music is just as good. Email the address on the website for a free issue.

2. Indiefeed. A grouping of several podcasts that cover different indie genres. I subscribe to the indie-pop flavor. I've heard a few familiar voices and discovered quite a few more on this weekly podcast.

Have any sources to recommend to me?

REI or BUST! ::shiny-thing of the day::

I headed home with Jay for the long weekend to CT, where they now have their very own REI! We're going to start backpacking this summer and I've been starting to accumulate some gear. I've been a member of the REI co-op for almost a year now, and just got my member dividend & 20% off coupon and was eager to use it! I have the REI VISA, which means I earn a dividend on all my VISA purchases in addition to the dividend I earn on REI purchases. This year I managed to accumulate $100, not too shabby. REI stocks brand names alongside their own gear. Often the REI gear is cheaper with all the same thought given to the construction of the brand name gear. I got an REI day pack a few months ago that has changed my entire Geocaching experience.

This was my first time a physical REI store. We spent 3 hours scouring the store for gear. I walked away with Asolo hiking boots fitted with Super Feet, an REI sleeping pad, a tech shirt, a Haiku purse to carry on cruise excursions, and a few other minor items. I also decided on the Marmot Angel Fire sleeping bag, but didn't purchase it at the time. I thought I'd be able to find it online for cheaper but haven't as of yet. They didn't have the stove and water filter that we wanted so we'll have to grab those online. I spent quite a bit of money, but I'm really happy with my purchases & can't wait to get on the trails. I definitely need some training first!

Etsy ::shiny-thing of the day::

This holiday season, won't you skip the mall and buy handmade indie gifts instead?
For one-stop shopping check out Etsy.com. You'll find jewelry, clothing, toys, household items, candles, and even stuff for your pet.



Oh, you can also sell YOUR handmade stuff there too!

Ideal Bite ::shiny-thing of the day::

Ideal Bite is a weekday e-newsletter that sends you a simple eco-tip for earth friendly living. The writing is down to earth and decidedly un-preachy. I've been a "Biter" for a few months and look forward to the tip in my inbox at the beginning of each work day. There's even a "Tip Library" of past issues that's searchable or browsable by category. Each tips includes additional links for more information or related shopping. My favorites are the tips that feature food or health & beauty!

threadless.com ::shiny-thing-of-the-day::

great, member-created, original, awesomely designed t-shirts. men's and women's fit, fairly priced. what else can i say? they do limited edition prints, and if a past design is sold out you can request a reprint, which will sometimes come true. it did for me. they just reprinted take a hike and i went and bought it!

.

flickr ::shiny-thing-of-the-day::

since i have my own webspace, i never looked around for photo hosting.. i happened upon www.flickr.com which has a great "badge" script to post 1-10 pictures and post them randomly on your website. so i've planted one with some of the postcards i've collected on my main page.

sorry i'm not much for punctuation or style today. spent 4.5 hours in a defensive driving class today. i can't complain too much, it should have been 6 hrs. might be time to catnap.

Paperbackswap ::shiny-thing-of-the-day::

i found a fun new website to exchange books at:



list 9 books and get 3 credits free!

yay books!

fly-bird ::shiny-thing(s)-of-the-day::

..after a great elapsation of time, your ::shiny-thing of the day::

fly-bird.net
curious items for the happy home, body & mind

i can't say enough about the fun items for sale on this site. nor do i have time to link to all of my favorite uglydolls.

but i *did* just buy this bag (black). it's been sold out for ages, try ebay *hop*

NaNoWriMo ::shiny-thing-of-the-day::

i went to my very first librarian conference yesterday, NYLA. it was pretty interesting. the best part was the program i attended about writing for publication in library science. Rachel Singer Gordon is a fabulous speaker, and i felt inspired when i left. she made some good points, and the first of which i intend to take: read, read, read. i need to make the time to read library publications. i need to head to the library weekly and dive in. that way when i'm ready to start writing, i'll already know what's out there.

until then, i'll write fiction. in little more than one week, i'll start my first book. i'm still not sure what i'll be writing about, i have two ideas that have about equal weight in my head. i may not know until nov 1st. that's ribbon cutting day for NaNoWriMo. and thus, National Novel Writing Month is todays ::shiny thing of the day::. write a book of 50k words in 30 days. become a novelist by dec 1st! it's something i've always wanted to do, and never thought i would. my only goal next month is to start writing (and finish, obvious). from there i work my way into better writing.
and one day,, submit it somewhere.

dreamhost ::shiny-thing-of-the-day::

so here i am again. i dropped my last host. something just wasn't quite right, and i decided i'd prefer not to spend the money.

so i read a post about a great web host, dreamhost and immediately signed up. part of the reason is because the mysql with this host is more generous and looks like it will be easier to use. also there's my cataloging project coming up: i'm creating a database of free knitting patterns on the web and putting them into a searchable database. the assignment is just for creating the catalog structure, but you and i both know i'll need to implement it.

cooler running ::shiny-thing of the day::

for the past month i've started running again. slowly. very slowly.
i've ran in fits and starts, sometimes painfully. this time, i'm taking my time.
i just love it too much, i love the sun coming up, i love feeling strong.

and now i've got backup. thus i bring you the shiny-thing of the day::
the couch to 5k training program at cool running.

::shiny-thing of the day:: (updated somedays)

make your own thong,,
book thong that is.

i am a sucker for these things. i'm going to start making them for my bookcrossing books.