Look what's new on Squidoo: SquidFlix movie reviews

I'm addicted to Squidoo. If you haven't checked it out yet, you should do so right away. There is not an easier, faster, cheaper way to make a web page on anything you like. Plus, you can link back to your own blog or site (free backlinks!), and you can even earn cash royalties for yourself or charity. Seriously, Squidoo rocks.

Now, there's a new way to Squidoo. It's called SquidFlix, and it's a fun and easy way to build your own movie review page. Just type in the name of the movie you want to review (whether it's your favorite or least favorite), add some information to make it unique, and voila! Now Squidoo will pay you for traffic that clicks through your page. Isn't that nice?

I've made my first SquidFlix page on one of my all-time favorite movies, The Princess Bride. I used the default modules as a starting point, and added some awesome quotes, video clips of my favorite scenes, and links to DVDs on Amazon. It was quick and easy to put together, and I plan to fill it out a bit in the next few days. If you're a fan of The Princess Bride, stop by and add your own 2 cents.

And while you're there, don't forget to try building your own page. All the other kids are doing it. You know you want to. :-)

Geek Mom: I think I have Wii elbow!

My husband surprised me with the news a few months ago. "Honey, I got a Wii! I wasn't looking for one, but I just happened to wander into the game store, and the guy said they had just got the shipment, and they hadn't even unpacked them yet. They're really hard to find, so I was lucky to find one, and I had to get it, and we can give it to the kids for Christmas..." That was back in September.

We love video games, and it's not that I didn't want a Wii. It's just that I don't need another device that encourages me to waste more time playing games. I know that once the Wii is unwrapped and installed, there will be almost no chance of turning it off. The kids will want to play it all the time. And worse yet, I will want to play it all the time! And I'll have to take turns!

So Hubby brought it home, and we tried it out (after the kids were asleep). We played tennis, golf, bowling, baseball, even boxing! It was awesome! I lost every challenge except for boxing. I don't know what got into me, but I turned into a crazy manic Wii punching machine, and somehow I knocked him out. I was sweating and out of breath, but I won!

I think I'm developing "Wii elbow."

We put it back in the box, and we're hiding it under the bed until Christmas. Don't tell the kids!

Google: I hate myself for loving you

Before you flame me and call me a hypocrite, let me disclose a few things. Yes, I use Google's products. I love that I can see my house from space with Google Earth! I've used Adsense and Adwords, and I still use Blogger, Gmail, etc. In all likelihood, I will continue to use Google products. Google is everywhere, and most of the stuff is free -- how can I help it?

But it's getting out of hand. I think about Google all the time -- keywords, backlinks, SEO strategies... What will Google think if I do this? Will Google like that? What if that makes Google mad? I don't want to upset Google!

But I hate that I HAVE to do that! Google's looming Google-icious omnipresence gets on my nerves and under my skin, and I hate myself for having to love Google, especially when Google gives no evidence of loving me in return. Some days it seems like Google loves me, and other days, Google turns all fickle and ignores me for no apparent reason. It's maddening!

Some days, I just want to break up with Google. I want Google to take all his stuff and get out, and leave me alone with my own quiet life. And I can make my place just the way I like it, without having to worry about what Google will think.

But then I'm jerked back to reality. I can't live without Google. Nobody will like me if Google doesn't like me. I'm nothing without Google.

And then I'm back to where I started. I hate myself for loving Google. I hate Google for making me love him. Google, come back! I didn't mean it! Call me!

Geek Gift Idea: Lorem Ipsum...

This is my latest geek design: "Lorem ipsum..." Lots of people won't understand the humor of this one, but if you are someone who routinely builds or uses web site templates and such, you'll recognize the familiar dummy text. I thought it would be funny to put it on shirts and stuff, so here it is. Maybe this would look great on your office wall. Or maybe it would make the perfect gift for a certain someone. Enjoy!

These rechargeable batteries are awesome-tastic!

I think these little USB rechargeable batteries are going to be huge. They are NiMH cells, rechargeable at any USB port. You don't need a cradle and cable. Just charge and go. Not only are they easy to use, but they are nicer for the environment, by preventing the disposal of lots of regular batteries. I don't remember all the chemistry of batteries in landfills (those grad-school brain cells have been taken over by new bits of information, like the names of all four Wiggles), but batteries in landfills are bad!

In addition to AA cells, they will be available in AAA, 9 volt, and sizes for cell phones and PDAs. Visit usbcell.com for more information.

Great Geek Gadgets: best.geekgadgets.ever.com

I've been working on a new project this week! This one is called best.geekgadgets.ever.com. It's a page dedicated to geek toys, gadgets, gifts, and other things that I think are super cool. Some of the products I've listed so far are a USB lava lamp, a wi-fi detector t-shirt, and some very cute Darth Vader nesting dolls. I love this stuff! If you're interested, stop by and have a look. And if you think of something I should include, please let me know. If it appeals to my inner geek, I'll add it and give you a nod. :-)

I want Yoda on my iPod

As you know, I just got a tiny new iPod Shuffle for my birthday, and I love it! I want to hug it and squeeze it, and I will call it George. uh... So I was browsing for iPod stuff, like a little protective case, to keep it from getting scratched up. Well, I was not prepared for the amazing selection of iPod accessories Out There! One of my favorites is this cute little Yoda case for the old Shuffle design. Yoda! Since I'm addicted to Squidoo these days, I made a whole page on all the iPod stuff I found, in case you're curious.

Yes, I am proud to be a geek

One of my hobbies is putting silly slogans on shirts and stuff. Before I had kids and replaced my hard-earned college knowledge with the lyrics for all the Wiggles songs, I was a scientist. And even if I can't remember Avogadro's number anymore (it has nothing to do with guacamole - I remember that much), I still get a giggle out of math and science related jokes. Here is one especially for fall - it is "pi" season, after all! And I love pie!