Sunday Post
Katie 
Product Review: Power Bank + Giveaway
On my recent road trip I had a brand new Power Bank to try out! Unfortunately, I didn’t time how long it actually kept my phone going after it said it was going to die on me – but it was enough time that I was out and didn’t end up with a dead phone by the time I got home!
The charger did get a bit hot to the touch, but I had it in my pocket and it didn’t feel like it was so hot that it was going to injure me – but if you have it in your purse you may want to to keep it away from lip gloss or lipstick or anything else that could melt. (I’m not sure it gets THAT hot, but better to be safe than sorry!)
The power bank comes with a 3 in 1 USB adapter which can be used to charge the power bank by plugging it into a USB port and flip it around and it can charge your iPod, iPhone or Android device (and probably many others with the same connectors!)
The power bank is light and fits in your pocket and won’t weigh your pants or purse down like a brick like some other devices. (And then you won’t be asked when getting your bag checked at concerts why the heck it is so heavy! I don’t want my phone to die, sir, so I have this brick of a battery pack with me!)
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
Product Review: Triple USB Car Charger & Giveaway
On my recent road trip to Canada I had 2 great items to review for the trip. (See another post today for the other!) One was the Triple USB Car Charger. For a while I had a single USB charger for my phone, but then I realized that having 2 wasn’t a bad idea. Then I could charge my camera on the way up to shows OR my friend could charge their phone too. Recently though I had the dilemma where I wanted to charge my phone, my camera AND my friend wanted to charge their phone. We somehow made it work on that trip, but for next time – I’m prepared! Now I can charge up to 3 devices at once and the charger is compatible with pretty much all USB devices – Android, iPhone, etc!
The ports are 2.1A, 2.0A and 1.0A and rapidly charge whatever is plugged into it, or keep it charged while you are using it on a road trip (or not using it because you are driving!) The charger also doesn’t stick out a lot like some others that I have used. My port is right by the cup holder and we had no problem on this trip with the charger, a couple of USB cords and a water bottle in the cup holder.
Sick of buying car chargers that don’t work or even starts to overheat and melt? Our Adfilic 5.1 Triple USB Port 25.5W / 5.1A USB Universal Car Charger allows you to charge Android smartphones, tablets, music players, and electronic devices on the trip, MFI (Made for iPhone iPad iPod) Approved, optimal performance on all Apple products, cable is not included. built-in circuit design which protects against over-heating, over-currents, over charging of all smartphones and tablets. The smart charging stops automatically when the battery is full!
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
Book Review: Kids Who Are Changing The World
Kids who are changing the world is about kids (I think the oldest is 15) who are from around the world who found problems with their local communities and figured out what they should do to try and fix them. From collecting used oils for bio-diesel to recycling programs and building wells in places that need water – these kids had great ideas to help others and were able to act on them and make a difference. Each chapter focuses on one kid and what he/she did to help. At the end of the chapter is a summary – starting with the objective – what they wanted to do, what their goal was. Then it breaks down how they accomplished this objective – what action they took, how they have changed the world, what role their parents played, what makes them the happiest about what they have done, what their biggest mistake was in reaching their goal and what their advice is.
If you think you have an idea that can help change the world, you’ll want to check out this book to see what these other kids did and also read what their mistakes and advice are to help you learn how to approach them. Together we can change the world, if everyone just makes 1 small step, think about what we all could do together!
I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review, I was not otherwise compensated.
About the Book
The inspiring stories of 45 young heroes who have made an impact on our planet.
Forty-five young people from around the world (including twelve from the U.S. and four from Canada) are doing something every day to make the world a better place. They discovered issues that concerned them and did something about it. With skills ranging from singing, drawing, and painting to fund-raising, public demonstrations, and events, they have fought climate change and pollution, and worked to protect animals and their natural habitats. This inspiring book also includes reference materials and suggestions on how readers can get involved.
Book Review: Joss Whedon The Biography
I didn’t know all that much about Joss Whedon before reading this book. I’ve heard his name a few times,I know that he was involved with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but I never watched that. Yet for some reason I felt drawn to reading this biography. And I am glad that I did. It was a very interesting read and now I know a lot more about Joss – maybe even more than I ever wanted to know 😉 From a kid who fell behind in school to a now big name creator, writer, director – Joss’ story was quite interesting and inspiring.
I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.
About the Book
From the cult favorite Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which netted four million viewers per episode, to the summer blockbuster The Avengers, which amassed a box office of $1.5 billion, Joss Whedon has made a name for himself in Hollywood for his penchant for telling meaningful, personal tales about love, death, and redemption even against the most dramatic and larger-than-life backdrops. This biography follows his development from a creative child and teenager who spent years away from his family at an elite English public school, through his early successes—which often turned into frustrating heartbreak in both television (Roseanne) and film (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)—to his breakout turn as the creator, writer, and director of the Buffy television series. Extensive, original interviews with Whedon’s family, friends, collaborators, and stars—and with the man himself—offer candid, behind-the-scenes accounts of the making of groundbreaking series such as Buffy, Angel, Firefly, and Dollhouse, as well as new stories about his work with Pixar writers and animators during the creation ofToy Story. Most importantly, however, these conversations present an intimate and revealing portrait of a man whose creativity and storytelling ability have manifested themselves in comics, online media, television, and film.
Book Review: Rising Above a Toxic Workplace
Many people are struggling in a Toxic Workplace. For whatever reason, they may not be able to get out and get a new job – unable to relocate, no prospects, etc. This book gives survival strategies for helping you cope with the environment. What I found to be the most profound was “Face Your Fears”, certainly something we all are afraid of doing (that’s why they are called fears) but if you face them you just may take that leap you need to move to a new location or take a new job doing something different that you weren’t sure if you’d excel at or not. The other important strategy was to “Stay Positive”, it’s often easier said than done but going on interviews for a new job when you are bitter about your current job may not give off the best vibe. Stay positive about everything and it will hopefully rub off and you can move your life in a new, better direction!
If you think you may be in a toxic workplace, definitely check out this book. There are questions for discussion at the end of each chapter which will definitely get you thinking and hopefully you’ll end up with the confidence and survival skills you need to get out while you still can!
I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.
About the Book
Toxic organizations are rife with conflict, fear and anger. The environment causes people to have physiological responses as if they’re in a fight-or-flight situation. Healthy people become ill. Colds, flu and stress-related illnesses such as heart attacks are more common. By contrast, in resonant organizations, people take fewer sick days and turnover is low. People smile, make jokes, talk openly and help one another.” – Annie McKee (author, consultant)
Many employees experience the reality of bulling bosses, poisonous people, and soul-crushing cultures on a daily basis. Rising Above a Toxic Workplace tells authentic stories from today’s workers who share how they cope, change-or quit. Candidly they open up about what they learned, what they wish they had done, and how to gain resilience. Insightfully illustrating from these accounts, authors Gary Chapman, Paul White, and Harold Myra blend their combined experiences in ministry and business to deliver hope and practical guidance to those who find themselves in an unhealthy work environment. Includes a Survival Guide and Toolkit full of strategies and realistic insights.
Book Review: What’s Great about New York?
What’s great about New York tells the story about one of our greatest states and while it does focus mostly on New York City – there are chapters on the Erie Canal, Baseball Hall of Fame and Niagara Falls. In addition to fun facts about the states and places your should check out there are a ton of great photos included as well. It was fun to go through the book and say “Hey, I’ve been there!” for a lot of the places that were featured. The book comes in at just over 30 pages and would be a great book to give your child to teach him/her about New York before a trip there!
I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.
About the Book
What’s so great about New York? Find out the top ten sites to see or things to do in the Empire State! Explore New York’s busy Big Apple, beautiful waterways, and rich history. The New York by Map feature shows where you’ll find all the places covered in the book. A special section provides quick state facts such as the state motto, capital, population, animals, foods, and more. Take a fun-filled tour of all there is to discover in New York.
CD Review: Train Bulletproof Picasso
Tracklisting for Bulletproof Picasso:
1. Cadillac, Cadillac
2. Bulletproof Picasso
3. Angel In Blue Jeans
4. Give It All
5. Wonder What You’re Doing For The Rest Of Your Life
6. Son Of A Prison Guard
7. Just A Memory
8. I’m Drinkin’ Tonight
9. I Will Remember
10. The Bridge
11. Baby, Happy Birthday
12. Don’t Grow Up So Fast
I often times post about how I am not a Train fan, but then I get caught singing along to their songs when I see them in concert… Maybe I’m not 100% ready to admit that I like *all* their stuff – but I am getting there 😉 Bulletproof Picasso is the SEVENTH album from the band – it consists of 12 tracks – 2 of which I really, really loved (Bulletproof Picasso and The Bridge) and the rest are pretty good as well! (I also got a kick out of the fact that they rhymed ‘Cadillac’ with ‘Bernie Mac’, I mean, it obviously works, but it wasn’t something I was expecting to hear!)
The album is available for preorder now on iTunes: http://smarturl.it/
If you’re not sure that you are a Train fan you should still check out this album because I think you’ll be surprised. It’s similar enough to their older stuff that if you’re a fan you’ll love it, but it’s a bit different too so I think it will appeal to non fans and ones that may be on the fence about the album as well.
Record Release Shows:
9/5 5pm ET Live 1-hour performance on QVC
9/17 Los Angeles, CA Pantages Theatre
9/18 Los Angeles, CA Pantages Theatre
9/21 San Francisco, CA The Masonic
9/22 San Francisco, CA The Masonic
9/25 New York, NY Radio City Music Hall
I participated in the Train Bulletproof Picasso album review program as a member of One2One Network. I was provided a free album to review but all opinions are my own.
Throwback Thursday – Disney!
With my Disney trip coming up – I figured for throwbacks it would be appropriate to do some pics of me on past Disney trips! 
It appears I am most photographed with Chip n Dale. (I also got a picture with them a few years back with my dad) I’m not sure if this was just 2 different days or 2 different trips. But Dale has some sort of funky outfit on in the first photo!
Hanson Show #100 – Toronto, Canada
When your next Hanson show is going to be #100 you start thinking that maybe it should be something really crazy. For a while, I thought it was going to be a 7-8 song set in Disney and while that was pretty crazy, I kept thinking that I could probably come up with something even crazier. It was announced a while back that Hanson would be playing at the CNE or “The Ex” in Toronto, Canada. At first I figured there was no way that it was going to happen because it was on a Thursday and I had no days for vacation from work – but when the boss kept mentioning “take off a Thursday and a Friday and come in on the weekend to make up hours” I thought – hey – maybe I can make this work to my advantage. Enter my partner in crime for this trip – Marisa – and we started planning out the 8 hour trip.
Wednesday night I ended up staying at Marisa’s house in NJ and we were hoping to leave at 6am. We ended up hitting the road at 7. We made it to Toronto by 3 after a couple of pit stops along the way/time spent crossing the border. We stopped at Kitten and the Bear which is a shop owned by one of Marisa’s friends. They make their own jam and scones and boy are they good! Like, really good.
Then we headed over to The Ex and tried to find a parking garage that I thought we should park in. We found a lot for $20, but drove around a while with no luck finding the street we needed since so many streets were blocked off. Finally we decided to go back to the lot we had originally passed – and instead of $20 it was $15! By getting lost and not knowing what we were doing we saved $5 so that was exciting. We ended up being at the entrance right by where the concert would be – which worked out pretty nicely!
We walked all the way to the other end of the fair in order to check out the “Let your fandom flag fly” exhibit and some of the sand sculptures. We were also excited to see that the “Share a Coke” kiosks were there. Marisa was able to get her name on a coke which is not available otherwise. I debated getting my name (which IS available, but I haven’t been able to find it) or getting one that said Hanson. Ultimately I decided to get one that said Hanson to commemorate my 100th show. After we headed towards the food area and stopped to get poutine. I bought a coke – and they said I could pick one out of the fridge. What name was right out front? KATIE! So my decision to skip getting my name turned out to be a good one. We stopped for some ice cream in the food building and continued to head over to the concert area.
The opening act was already on stage and the place was PACKED. We were able to get into the handicapped area even though it said it was only for wheelchairs and motor scooters. After the first part of Hanson’s set a lot of people in that area left so by the end of the show we were what you could consider “front row” (not against the barricade but no one was in front of us so it counts!). The Seasons were the opening act, they are from Montreal. They had a bit of a 70s vibe to them – probably because of their outfits – but they were a pretty good opener I thought!
Then it was time for Hanson! They played a full set show and had a few songs in the setlist that I was not expecting. (I actually rattled off a mock setlist on the car in the way there and missed I think 6 songs – some of the songs I even had in the right spot in the setlist too lol) Runaway Run was a really nice surprise, Thinking of You I kind of threw in my list as a wild card but they played it. They also pulled out Get Up and Go which was an interesting choice as well. The set ended with back to back jumping of If Only and In The City. (Taylor made a comment that if you ate any deep fried food you might be regretting it during these songs) and for the encore they did It’s a Long Way To The Top by AC/DC and I forgot how great of a cover that is for them!
After the show we left right away, even though there would be fireworks later on. We had a hotel in Rochester about 3 hours away and wanted to get there. We did decide to make a detour though when we realized that we were right by Niagara Falls. Unfortunately we arrived at 1am and the falls are only lit up until midnight. We obviously could see and hear the falls (and feel the mist!) but getting a photo of them was NOT happening. So while we were there – we don’t have much photographic evidence of it! (Though I did take pics around Clifton Hill and the surrounding areas while we were driving of stuff that was lit up.)
We ended up getting to Rochester at about 2:30 AM – but didn’t fall right asleep of course – we had to check our phones and catch up on everything we had missed for the day on social media 😉
We left Rochester around 8am, made it back to NJ by around 2 and then Connecticut welcomed me with hours and hours of traffic so I made it home about 5:30. It was kind of funny to be driving by where I get on the highway to come home from work at just about the same time I would have been coming home from work if it was a normal day!