For Great Short Stories, Look No Further

Like reading stories but don't have the time to sit down and read a 300+ story and don't have the money to buy one if you could?

I know how you feel. These days it's hard to find even 30 minutes of free time to sit down, relax, and enjoy the comforts of some other existence on a page in a book. After all, there's alway so many other things you need to be or "should" be doing, right?

But luckily, not all good stories have to be long or have to be purchased. One of my favorite websites to go to when I'm bored is east of the web. They offer short stories (most less than 10 minutes to read) by both obscure and famous writers. Plus, you don't have to sign up for anything or pay anything, you just sit down and read. Sure, you don't have the comfort of turning a page, but you also have hundreds of writers and hundreds of stories to read from.

The site also has reader reviews for each story, so if you're not sure if you'll like it, you can check what other people have to say. It's a great site to find a new favorite writer. I did!

One of my absolute favorites on the site is Fernando Sorrentino, a writer from Buenos Aires who specializes in humour stories. The best is "Method for Defense Against Scorpions." It's so hilarious and crazy yet so believable at the same time that you'll want to think he really has defensive moves that he uses on the millions of scorpions living in his house.

Check out the site. It has stories to suit everyone's taste.

Photography for Beginners

This semester in college I've been taking a digital art photography class. Like many people out there, I love taking pictures but I really didn't think I was that great. So when I got the chance to take the class for my major I had only three words to say, "Sign me up!"

While searching the net one day for photography information for class, a came across this blog site (Digital Photography School) about photography that seemed sort of interesting, so I signed up to be a follower just to see if I'd see any cool pictures.

Surprisingly, I have learned more about my camera and tips about taking great pictures from the blog than from the class (not to say that the class isn't great, it is). The site offers great advice and tips for both beginners and advanced photographers, including information on cameras, production, portrait taking, etc. It covers everything. And each week they send out new posts for ideas for taking pictures that weekend.

I especially like their tips for shooting portraits and water. They tell you how to get that professional shot without a professional camera. They even tell you what all those buttons mean and what they can help you do. The portrait to the right is a self portrait I did with my cheep camera, a white wall, and a stool to set my camera on.

So if you're interested in photography, I suggest checking it out, even if it's just taking photos on a summer trip. You'll be surprised on how much of a difference it makes to your pictures and the way you think about taking pictures.

Here's one of the pictures I took after reading their advice on photographing water. It's probably not professional quality, but it's definitely artistic and better than snap and go thinking that most people start off with. It's taken with a cheep digital camera from WalMart if you can believe that!

Renting Movies for Free: As Easy as a Library Card?

Libraries and movie rental aren't two things most people would put together, but amazingly enough, that place that most of you used (and still might) try to avoid while growing up is one of the simplest places to go when you're in the mood for a movie night.

I must say, if you're a fan of new releases and movies made only in this decade, than I'm sorry, but Netflix or those all-too-popular movie rental joints are just going to have to please you. However, if you're one of those people who enjoys old classics or even obscure movies that you may have never heard of but sound interesting or so ridiculous that you can't help but have to watch, then forget the nearest video store. Hop in your car and head to your nearest library!

Most public libraries around the country now offer dvd rentals of many movies. While you're probably not likely to see Brad Pitt's latest flick, you'll be more than likely to find movie versions of some of the greatest novels and stories ever written. Example? "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens, "Pride and Prejudice," at least a handful of Shakespeare's plays, the list goes on. Plus, most current movies and story lines draw from the early greats, so you just might be surprised how similar that movie you just spent $20 for is to one of the greats. And believe me, the old films are usually better.

The best part of renting movies from a library? Where can I begin....usually 3 days to a week rental compared to 48 hours or 24 hours for a new release at the video store. No long waits for a movie since few people rent from a library. And did I mention free?! That's right, all it takes is a library card which is easier to get than a Netflix membership. All you need is an address and a form of ID.

So what are you waiting for? Why pay upwards of $3 for a movie you may or may not like when you could be watching one for free?

Another meal under $5

One of my all time favorite Indian dishes is cooked bananas and it is also one of the dishes I lived off of as a vegetarian.

When I first had this, it reminded me of the Gerber's mashed banana baby food, only bright yellow. I must say though, from the fourth or fifth bite (you have to give your taste buds and brain a chance to comprehend exactly what you're eating) I absolutely loved this dish.

The taste, if it can be described, is a little tangy and sweet all at the same time. It has a similar texture to the mashed banana baby food, but once your mind works itself around the texture, the taste is actually something unexpected. The only way to describe it is a grown-up, gourmet version of Gerber's mashed bananas.

Although it sounds weird, I hope you give it a try, if you like bananas, I think you probably will enjoy this. The recipe is meant for two or three people. Just like the previous recipe, there are no exact measurements, but this dish is hard to get wrong.

Indian Bananas

• Three or four bananas, peeled and sliced
• Vegetable oil
• Turmeric
  Black mustard seed
• Minced ginger
• Sugar
• One tomato, chopped (optional, adds a little more tang to the dish)

Coat bottom of frying pan with oil and put on medium heat. Add turmeric and mustard seed. With bottom of spoon, lightly roll over seeds to crack open. Add ginger, and stir.

Add bananas and stir. Cook for about two minutes, bananas should start becoming soft and bright yellow. Add the tomato and cook for about four or five minutes more, stirring occasionally.

Add about a half to a teaspoon of sugar, stir and turn off heat.

Indian bananas are best served and eaten with warmed tortillas.

Culturing a Family for Under $5

In my last blog, I discussed trying something outside of your comfort zone. During my experience as a vegetarian I came to find new and delicious meals that were easy and cheep to make. One of my favorites is a simple two course meal that a friend of mine, who is a native of India (and a vegetarian), made for me.I often make these two dishes separately, but they're two of my favorite (and the simplest) Indian dishes to make.

When I started this blog, I hoped to find exciting and wonderful opportunities for the money savy folk. In my next two blogs, I'd like to continue this by offering these two Indian dishes, both of which can be made for under $5.

WARNING: Any good chef will tell you that the best way to cook is by using your eyes, mouth, and nose, and with Indian food, they do just that. What does this mean? Quite simply, there are no real quantitative amounts offered in the recipe-- best to base it off of the smell, look, and taste. But be not afraid, your senses will thank you for trying this.

Indian Veggie Slaw

The Under $5 Ingredients:

• 1 Package Chopped Cabbage (coleslaw)
• Turmeric (this is a yellow powder, usually found in the spice isle)
• Black Mustard Seed (if you can't find black, regular will work, but the results are not quite as delicious)
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Vegetable Oil
• Cayenne Pepper (optional for a little kick to your meal)
  
  

Start off by coating a skillet with vegetable oil. It should be just enough to cover the bottom of the skillet.

Place this over medium heat and add the black mustard seed right away. Gently roll the bottom of a spoon over the mustard seed so that it cracks the seed partially open. This will release more flavor.

Stir in turmeric. Add enough so that the oil appears lightly yellow.

Add at least a tablespoon each of garlic and ginger. Base this amount on your preference. I usually put in two spoonfuls of garlic and a little less ginger to give it a little more potency. Add a little cayenne pepper here (if you're not used to spicy food, stick with only a shake or two, cayenne pepper can be quite strong). Stir.

Add the whole package of cabbage and stir. As you stir, the cabbage should start turning yellow. Cover and cook for about 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

This is wonderful served with buttered and warmed tortillas. You can either warm them in the microwave, or when the cabbage is done cooking, empty the skillet and warm tortillas on that--this will add more of the turmeric and other spices to the tortillas for extra flavor.

Voila, an easy Indian dish for at least 4 people and all for under $5!

Meal of the Mind

I often watch Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations" on the Travel Channel during my lunch break. Between his pessimistic cynicism and odd antics can be seen a motif often presented by chefs and travellers around the world: you can tell a lot about someone by what they cook, eat, and serve.

This past fall, I and a friend left our comfort zone in the hopes of writing a creative nonfiction immersion piece for our writing workshop class. Of course, being young college students, we had to find a way to leave our comfort zone without venturing far from home.

So one day when watching "No Reservations" we got our motivation: if what you eat is a part of who you are and a part of your culture, as so many knowledgeable people seem to agree, then wouldn't eating differently be not only an experiment for the stomach, but also for the soul?

This was our question as we set out on a month-long venture in the lives of vegetarians. For one whole month, two Midwestern, meat and potato eating, small-town girls attempted to not only walk in the shoes of, but also eat from the plates of vegetarians. From grocery shopping to restaurant eating, we had to follow the rules of vegetarian living. Our quest: to find out the answer--does what you eat change how you think and how you live?

Amazingly enough, the answer was yes. Living a vegetarian lifestyle truly required us to pay close attention to what we ate. Even grocery shopping became a hunt in the beginning as we realized the amount of products that contained non-vegetarian friendly ingredients.

But as the days progressed, we soon grew accustomed to the new rules. Not only that, but by the end of the month I'd avoid walking into a restaurant because the smell of mean cooking actually was unappetizing to me. Seem believable? It did to me, too. Although I'd never been a person who had to eat meat every day, it was a surprise to not even miss eating meat by the end of the month.

Our plan when we had completed our vegetarian month was to have our first non vegetarian meal include meat--my choice chicken (something not so overtly meaty). When it came to eating our first non vegetarian meal, I actually had to force myself to eat the half piece of chicken breast on my plate. Plus, I felt guilty for it, like I was breaking a rule.

It took another couple of weeks before I could eat meat again.

So what does this have to do with my blog? Most people are so set in their lifestyles that it's hard to change any of their ways. But when you take yourself out of your comfort zone--even through something as simple as a meal--you'd be amazed what you find in yourself. You just might find a new and better activity or object to make a part of your life.

The fact is, TV isn't the only way to experience a new lifestyle, but it can prompt ideas that could change your future. So, keep your eyes, ears, and mouths open to every new opportunity that passes your way. It may prove to be more entertaining than 70 channel package you buy every month on cable TV!

Free movies? Can it be? Movie Addicts Beware

I absolutely love movies, particularly horror and suspense films. I guess you could say I grew up on them. There's just something about that adrenaline rush you get that is so addicting you want to keep watching even if you're creating permanent indents in the arm of your chair and your heart is racing at an abnormal rate. It's wonderful. It's marvelous. Its a legal and cheap high!

Although I'd love to go see a new movie or even rent a movie every day, the adult in me has somehow guilted me into saving my wallet for essentials (most of the time, we all have our lapses into childlike behavior, right?!). Thus, like most of us who succumb to the adult in us, I have learned to find alternatives to expensive movie theaters and those all too easy to spend all your money at movie rentals.

Here's one alternative for you, and I promise, it's readily available even to those who live in the middle of farmland, pastures, and cow pastures; believe you me. The alternative is Hulu--a website where you can watch movies and even some television shows for free.

I know, I know, with all the scam websites out there, 'free' always comes with a price. However, it's really not that bad. The movies are free to watch, no need for downloading any weird player, no need to sign up for the program, you just pick and watch. There are a few commercials which is a pain, but they have a nice selection of older movies and even some more recent flicks. Plus, they have a good range of movies, from comedy to horror, romance to drama. You name it.

It's a bit hard to search for the film you want, but if you're in the mood for an older movie, it's definitely worth checking out. Watch out though, they do mix the full length ones in with just clips. Click on feature films in order to get the full length ones.

If you're in for an old horror movie, check out "The Rats"--it's a stereotypical suspense film about genetically altered animals that end up terrorizing humans, but pretty good for its age. If you're a horror movie junkie like me, you'll get a kick out of it or want to kick it--the rat that is.

A 99-Cent Critique

I've always been a fan of critics and I've dreamed of finding my little niche in their realm. Perhaps it's the power, perhaps the unabashing honesty that you get to dish out, perhaps a need to give credit to all the good and bad in the world. Who knows. The fact is, I believe everyone has a bit of critic in them. It's all a matter of whether it remains an inward critique or whether you have the guts to put it into words.

I'm an avid fan of music, movies, art, great food. Add this to my fan for critiquing, and the fact that the economic world we now live in makes it hard to lavish in these areas, and you get the point of this blog.

I am here to critique the regular, realistic options available to those whose pockets are filled with mere coins and lint. I'll be honest, I would love to spend upwards of $8 on a movie which may or may not be worth even half that price. But, realistically, I need grocery money, like many of you do. Thus, I find myself hunting the 99 cent rack at the local movie rental, looking for a real gem.

My goal of this blog: find the hidden gems without breaking my checkbook. I'm here to be a critic to the movies, art, food, and music that economically realistic people can afford. So, if that means critiquing the 99 cent movies, a meal a la deal, etc., so be it. I'll be here offering my advice and my critique of the realistically affordable good and bad, hidden gems and those that should have stayed hidden.

Any suggestions or ideas are greatly welcomed.