I Have Discovered Ebay!!! (and I think I’m in love)

Just in case the title of the post didn’t clue you in, I have discovered ebay!! I know this is not new technology but I literally just jumped on the band wagon. My new discovery stemmed from the fact that while planning my wedding and getting ready for my sisters wedding I have stretched my finances farther than I should have…in other words, I love to shop but I just can’t afford to pay full price. I am not ashamed to admit that these rough economic times have hit me too but I just can’t give up shopping so it was necessary to find a compromise. The answer was ebay.

My lovely sister has allowed me to pick my own bridesmaid dress (god bless her) as long as it was full length and black easy enough right? Well all the dresses that I looked at were expensive…like $150 and over, which was, needless to say, out of my price range. During my search, I googled“Long Black Dress” and low and behold I was bombarded by ebay choices! I finally settled on a wonderful full-lengthed Calvin Klein Silk Halter… brand new without tags for $39.50…did I mention that the tag price was $198? I paid for my dress via paypal which ensures a secure “check out” and received my dress from the seller via US mail. It was simple, inexpensive, and convenient.

I am lovin’ it!!!

I know that ebay is a huge phenominom so I felt encouraged to research the company a bit further. Ebay was founded by Pierre Omidyar in 1995 in his home, since then ebay has proven to be the most successful site of internet retail…in other words, this guy is sitting pretty. What was once equated to an online garage sale is now a trusted site for sellers and buyer all over the world. I think that the most interesting fact I learned about eBay is the companies original name: Echo Bay Technology, we learn something new everyday.

I will now an forever be an avid eBay buyer…and maybe even one day a seller. This is a wonderful way to shop though I do fear that internet shopping allows people to disconnect from society. Why go out to shop when you can shop in your pajamas from the comfort of your home. Not that I am complaining, I am not a fan of waiting in line to get into a changing room or standing on an even longer line to check out and pay more money than the article of clothing is worth…but it does add to the sedentary lifestyle of Americans and citizens of other countries for that matter. But I am grateful for the seller who for what ever reason decided to give up this wonderful dress…Thank you eBay!!!

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Everyone Can Be a Rockstar

So I have to say that I am officially addicted to Guitar Hero! It is one of the best purchases that I have ever made and I certainly have played my money’s worth. I bought it from amazon for $89.99 which is an average price to pay. The kit included the game, a white Les Paul Gibson style wireless guitar controller, stickers to decorate the guitar, and a guitar strap.

I do fear that it is infringing upon my study time but I just can’t give it up. I could state the benefits such as hand eye coordination, quick thinking, agility, stress relief…but I have to admit that I play this game purely for entertainment. Whether I am playing “Slow Ride” or battling Slash I feel like a rockstar in my own home!

Guitar Hero was originally created by RedOctane, a company in Mountain View, CA run by Kai Huang and Charles Huang in Partnership with Activsion. It was first released in November of 2005 and has exploded on the gaming scene. Since its conception, Guitar Hero has been modified and manufactured for Playstation, Xbox, Wii (my personal favorite), Nintendo DS, MAC and PC consoles. This enables the game to reach every gamer in any gaming format.

Guitar Hero evokes the liknesses of Ozzy Osborn, Aerosmith, Sting, Billy Corgan, Tom Morello and even Jimi Hendrix. I would personally love to see Kurt Cobain and Ann Wilson thrown into the mix. A gamer can customize their player by changing the guitar model, outfits and hairstyle by using the money that the player made from all of the gigs that the player and the band completed throughout the game. A player can even enjoy the game post play by downloading and listening the the soundtracks provided by itunes.

It seems that Guitar Hero has become a cultural phenomenom! Bars across America host Guitar Hero competitions for money!

You can play it anywhere…I went to an REM concert last June that hosted a guitar hero competition where the winner got to meet the band!! Now I am good but I am not nearly that obsessed…plus we didn’t want to miss the opening band. (I totally would have done it if I didn’t like the opening band). Even one of my favorite bands that I used to follow around the country has jumped in the band wagon!!!!

Phish Guitar Hero

I would recommend this game to anyone with a gaming system who can devote a least a little time to this addiction. It is a fun game to play with a bunch of friends, especially if you have more than one guitar controller or to pass the time by yourself. All in all I would have to say I am huge fan of Guitar Hero.

Check out this Video!!!

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Blockbuster Total Access – Entertainment on a Budget

Blockbuster Total Access is a DVD rental option that Blockbuster, Inc. offers on their website, www.blockbuster.com. It costs $19.99 per month (plus tax) and allows the customer to receive 3 at a time, unlimited DVD mailings as well as unlimited in-store exchanges. This service differs from other sites that offer a similar product such as Netflix because one can actually go to their local Blockbuster and exchange their DVD for free.

Blockbuster, Inc. was founded by David Cook in October of 1985 and has become the world largest DVD and video game rental store. The company grosses billions of dollars a year, partly due to their shift online in 2004 as well as their retail storefronts.

As a full-time student, my fiance` and I do not have an abundance of money to throw around so this service offers us affordable entertainment. It is convenient because the DVD’s are sent directly to our home and we are able to choose from thousands of movies on www.blockbuster.com. We also have a Blockbuster storefront close to our house so we are able to exchange the DVD’s whenever we want. They even offer educational titles that I have often used for my college classes.

This product offers affordable entertainment with ultimate convenience. What can be easier than choosing your DVD titles online and checking your mailbox? The website offers titles that one may not even find in a Blockbuster store and recommends titles that the customer may not have thought of. This is a product that many people can enjoy, young and old, male and female. I highly recommend this service to anyone who enjoys renting movies.

If you are interested in this product and would like to find out more, please click on the this link: Blockbuster

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