Karen’s Opinion

One of the perks with my job is going out to measure for floor covering in homes and businesses. Today, my husband is measuring at a lake cottage in a town north of us. It is a beautiful day and I am enjoying the scenery. Lake Manitou is a man-made lake in Rochester, Indiana, created in 1767 by the Potowatomi Native American tribe. The name “Manitou” derives from the Potawatomi word for both “good spirit” and “evil spirit.” The Potawatomi tribes fished and hunted in this area for 150 years. They believed that the waters of Lake Manitou harbored a monster fish or serpent with supernatural powers. The lake is spring fed and provides activities such as fishing, boating, jet skiing, water skiing, swimming, and picnicking. Many people enjoy bird watching, letting their children splash in a beautiful fountain dedicated to veterans and simply relaxing in this quaint little town.

Hubby and I enjoyed a night out on Saturday. We had heard that the old Eagle Theater in Wabash had been newly painted, carpeted and generally refurbished. My husband has many memories of attending the old Roxy Theater where he grew up. Some of the memories include sticky floors and throwing red hots over the balcony. He was a bad boy! Sadly, the Roxy was torn down and a parking lot marks that spot. Thankfully, someone had the insight and fortitude to raise funding for the renovation of the Eagle. Many volunteers worked hard and are still working as even the kids behind the candy counter are volunteers.

We arrived at the theater and were greeted by the aroma of freshly popped popcorn. There is nothing better than movie theater popcorn! We, much to my trepidation, climbed the stairs and sat in the balcony. I told my husband he would need to behave himself, no popcorn throwing. The lights dimmed and the commercials began. Does anyone else think there are way too many commercials before the actual movie starts?

The screen, which sits above a stage, was a bit blurry and had streaky lines appearing during the beginning, making me think to myself, oh no, is this movie going to be difficult to see? Thankfully, the streaked lines only occurred during the first commercial. It actually made me feel like I was at an old movie. Perhaps that was the plan. If so, it worked.

The Dilemma was the movie for the night. I was prepared for a cheesy, slapstick comedy but hey, I was at the Eagles and that would make up for a bad movie. I was pleasantly surprised at the story line. It was great. Another couple went with us and my friend, Linda, and I laughed so hard that at one point we were snorting!

The Dilemma, in case you haven’t heard, is about two best friends who are on a mission to invent a motor for an electric car. The motor has to make the car sound and drive like a muscle car. The idea is to get people to buy electric cars and not feel like they are driving something wimpy. Lab coats and laptops complete the garage type atmosphere of the business where dreams are put into motion.

The personal lives of the two buddies is where the story gets interesting. One of the friends witnesses his friend’s wife smooching with another man. She is cheating on her husband! Vince Vaughn played Ronny, the guy with the dilemma, and Kevin James was Nick, the friend with the cheating wife. During the scene where Nick’s wife is cheating, Ronny, in an effort to spy on the scandalous scene, falls into a poisonous plant. I thought the people in the white medical uniforms might have to carry me away, I was laughing so hard. It is hard to explain how good the timing of the actors was as they bantered back and forth. At times, I had a huh? moment. I would guess that the actors, themselves, found it hard to say their lines with straight faces.

As we walked to our car, we laughed again at the antics of the characters in this movie. It was definitely not a cookie cutter movie, with a predictable story line. Have fun, go see this movie!

We might not want to admit it but we are a nation that loves our television programs. I cannot tell you how many people posted on their Facebook page how excited they were about the new fall lineup of shows. Once the shows started on Monday, I read conversations everywhere about Dancing with the Stars. Did you see the previews for Desperate Housewives that show the newest character will be played by Vanessa Williams? Is Ugly Betty off the air? The Biggest Loser, Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice are also on my list of must watch television. The new shows like Whole Truth and The Event might suck me in too. Oh my! See what I mean? We love television.

Unfortunately, most people have to accomplish tasks in the evening during the best television watching hours. We have to go to the grocery and clothes shop least our children go hungry and naked. Do businesses realize how their sales would increase if they had an Direct TV for lobby entertainment area for husbands and kids. By simply using Direct TV, wives and moms are free to shop while their husbands and kids are content! Retail stores need to take notice of how other businesses have incorporated entertainment to make their customers and clients feel comfortable. Direct TV for Hospitals and airports have made wait times not such a bad thing. Restaurants have made it fun to get together with family to watch their favorite sports team on game day by adding Direct TV. I never minded waiting for a bed at the tanning salon because I could get caught up on a favorite show because they offered Direct TV. Check out the awesome preview at http://www.dishbusiness.com/index.shtml.

Television brings us together. Direct TV makes it even better.

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Alvin and the Chipmunks. All opinions are 100% mine.

My mother in-law loves to tell the story of how, when my husband was a small child, he yelled out for Alvin the way Dave did in the song from Alvin and the Chipmunks. I guess he was pretty loud and got everyone’s attention. LOL Alvin does that to everyone. I love Alvin.

It has been years since I have bought anything chipmunky but I will admit to having watched their latest movie at the theater. I cannot resist those cute little characters, Alvin, Simon, and Theodore. Now you can see More Munk Mayhem when you purchase the new DVD, Blu-ray and/or Digital Download NOW. Now that my son got my shuffle working, I can even download the Chipmunk’s iTunes. This double DVD Pack includes “The Squeak Along” Bonus Disc and gives you and your kids music, mayhem and all-new singalongs!

Yes, the family friendly film, “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel”, is going to become your family’s favorite entertainment event. Have fun! You can buy it now and visit the website to have fun with the “munk’ yourself” feature that lets you dress the characters in the jazzy clothes of your choice. You’ll also want to visit the Fox Family Flicks Website and see what trouble those cute little munks are getting themselves into now.

I was reading a post on one of my favorite blogs, New York Traveler by Mrs. Mecomber. On this particular post, she was posting pictures in reference to the word “surprise.” I happened to notice that in one of her pictures, her children were visiting a museum display featuring the wonderful guitarist, Elizabeth Cotten.

Elizabeth Cotten taught herself to play the guitar. She started learning how to play a string instrument when she borrowed her brother’s banjo. At age 11 she was able to scrape together enough money to purchase a guitar for herself and named her guitar, “Stella.” Cotten developed her own original style. Her approach to left-handed guitar playing involved keeping the guitar in standard tuning but holding it upside down. This position required her to play the bass lines with her fingers and the melody with her thumb. Her signature, alternating bass style has become known as “Cotten picking”.

Since its release, her songs, especially her signature track, “Freight Train”, written when she was 11, have been covered by Peter, Paul, and Mary, Jerry Garcia, Bob Dylan, Devendra Banhart, Matt Valentine, Laura Veirs, and Taj Mahal.

The following video shows her unusual style of guitar playing as she performs with Pete Segeer.

In 1984 she won the Grammy Award for “Best Ethnic or Traditional Recording” for her album on Arhoolie Records.