Alright, I’ll admit it. I am absolutely head over heels in love/lust with Pinterest. I want to have it’s babies.

Any bit of spare time is spent scouring pages and pages of random, hilarious, inspirational, sad, depressing, controversial, conventional, traditional pins and repins. Where else can you find a recipe for Nutella butterfinger cream cheese cookie brownie pie cake and right next to it 20 reasons to get fit in the New Year? Could it be more fantastic? P. S. I actually did my final project in one of my honors classes last semester, using Pinterest. Guess who got a 99% on her final? This lassie, right here.

So, on that note, here are 3 things I found on Pinterest that have changed my life. (Okay, that might be an exaggeration. But they definitely may have improved this sad existence that is college dorm life.)

1.) The Interview Checklist.

http://pinterest.com/pin/293156256963812571/

http://pinterest.com/pin/293156256963934717/

I have only been on a few interviews, here and there for internships or part time jobs. So when I had to interview for a huge study abroad scholarship at school I was super nervous. I am talking three days to plan my outfit and shoe combination, two hours to do my make- up just perfect, getting my roommates to help with my hairstyle; “Should I wear it up or down?” – “I don’t know?”- “Up or down, Rachel?! I have to know!”- “Lol. Alyssa they’re not going to pick you or not pick you based on your hairstyle.”-”Oh. What do you know, anyway!”

Haha so I found this little checklist on Pinterest that helped calm my nerves a bit while I waited in the lobby to be interviewed. By the way, I got the scholarship! (details on that to come later.)

2.) Personal Safety.

http://pinterest.com/pin/293156256963830431/

http://pinterest.com/pin/293156256963987342/

These two pins are basically about how to be a badass woman. The first link will show you tips about how rapists think and how to be aware of your surroundings at all times. It’s a very interesting read. Do you know that rapists target women with pony tails more often because it’s something to grab a hold of? Well Damn. Work that up do! Just maybe not in the sketchy part of town. The second link will take you to a site that shows you how to break out of zip ties- three separate ways I might add. God forbid, anyone ever need to actually know this stuff, but it’s kinda cool just to know this stuff anyway. Made me feel like a secret agent/spy (life goal).

5.) How to Live like a cheap college student.

http://pinterest.com/pin/293156256963956862/

and http://pinterest.com/pin/293156256963807154/

and http://pinterest.com/pin/293156256963798749/

and http://pinterest.com/pin/293156256963782663/

and http://pinterest.com/pin/63824519690875277/

I could post a million of these links. Wait, then that would actually be Pinterest.

I’m sure theres like 8 million more things I’ve learned from aimlessly scrolling through Pinterest like the lazy college student that I am. But here is a round up for those of you who actually have real jobs and families and so on.

Hope you liked it. Feel free to follow me on Pinterest – (Alyzza Ray) I’m rather amusing sometimes.

NOW ON TO PRODUCTS

My parents are hippies. Not in the free spirit, free love, naked dancing through the woods kind of hippie. In fact, my mother wouldn’t be caught dead wearing hemp, sporting dread locks and tatoos and she’d probably puke if she drank wheat grass juice.

I like to think of them as the modern day hippies. The chiropractor going, vitamin/supplement taking, water chugging, recycling, avoiding western medicine, healthy eating and nature taking it’s course kind of modern day hippie consumer. Don’t get me wrong, they still frequent Starbucks when we are not at home with regular access to our beloved Keurig. And they still shop at Kohl’s and Walmart and even will drive-thru McDonald’s for some gluten free fries if we’re hungry on the go.

But for the most part, we are the modern day “alternative” family. We all go to the chiropractor two or three times a month. My mother, father and I are gluten free. My brothers will eat anything put in front of them, so when they’re home; they’re part time gluten freebies. We rarely get sick, but when we do, we avoid doctors unless it’s absolutely necessary (just recently had my wisdom teeth pulled and I was not against the prescription codeine). We try to live a natural life, if that’s at all possible in this over- processed world.

So I want to share with you guys  five things we have found that we think are naturally awesome! By natural I don’t mean necessarily, strictly healthy for you. Actually some of these are rather junk foodie. But they are made with real ingredients - if you’re going to eat sugar, eat the real stuff. Also, a lot of these are MSG free, gluten free, no high fructose corn syrup, no artificial coloring, etc. And the best part? These are not found in hippie, boutique-y places only found in a hole in the wall place. These come from Walmart, and Giant, and Target!

In no specific order,…

1.) Noosa

This is stuff is AMAZING. I have been a guinea pig for my mom for years as she had brought back 80 million kinds of yoghurt from the grocery store. I like yoghurt. It’s alright. We have been into greek yoghurt for the past couple years as it’s grown in popularity for it’s health benefits. Plus it just taste better in my opinion. But this stuff. Oh dear lord, baby jesus. So goooodddd. It’s like dessert. I swear. Sometimes, I eat the honey flavor (which doesn’t really taste like Honey, which is good, because I hate honey) with some gluten free graham crackers and I swear it’s like eating cheesecake! I LOVE CHEESECAKE. And since, I’ve gone gluten free, it’s rather hard to find gluten free cheesecake unless I make it myself. And this is yoghurt! It’s rather nutritious for you! Noosa comes in mango, blueberry, raspberry, strawberry rhubarb, honey and peach flavors. Each tub is two servings, which may be a lot to eat at one sitting, but the tubs come with resealable lids! We have found them so far at Wegmans and Target.

2.) Talenti

Ladies and Gentleman, prepare yourselves. Talenti is gelato. Yes, gelato. Available at Target and Wegmans freezer section. Made with all real ingredients; real cream, real sugar, with none of those ten letter chemicals that no one can pronounce. All the flavors are vegan. All the flavors that don’t have cookies, or crunch are gluten free. All the sorbet flavors are dairy free. Pretty Sweet, right? You can start loving me now.

3.) Arnica Gel

I will put my hand on a bible and swear to this stuff in a court of law. It is amazing. “Arnica montana (Mountain Daisy), has been used for centuries for relief of injuries and pain. Arnica Gel absorbs quickly into the skin, providing maximum strength natural relief to the injured tissue. Arnica Gel contains no harsh chemicals, no aspirin or acetaminophen, no non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, animal products, or petroleum.” As a college swimmer for the past two and a half years, I have almost bathed in the stuff. Sore shoulders? Broken toe? Pulled muscle? broken ankle? x-acto knife art project gone wrong? Yup. Arnica speeds up healing and relieves the pain. Just give it a go, what have you got to loose? Found at Walmart, Giant, Walgreens and CVS.

4.) Roasted Carrots

I may be the product of two very healthy eating hippie parents who love veggies. But I’ll admit it, I am still five years old sometimes, and I fight them on eating peas and carrots. I love zucchini and squash, broccoli, asparagus  onions, etc., but something about carrots and I – just don’t get along. My mom’s gotten creative. She cooks carrots in maple syrup, which everyone in my family adores, and I hate. Ick. BUT, she has finally gotten a recipe that has me literally addicted to carrots. What is this voodoo? Olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic, sprinkled over carrots and then roasted in the oven. They come out tasting like sweet potato fries! Not even kidding. Ugh, writing this is making me crave them. Carrots found anywhere they sell produce!

5.) Sriracha

Again, this might be more well known. It seems to have a sort of underground cult following lately, but it’s a recent discovery to us so I thought I’d share. If you like some heat in your food, this is the hot sauce for you. A dime sized amount is about all I can handle. I’m not usually a spicy fan. But I like a little sriracha with my scrambled eggs or a little on my hamburgers, even a little in my egg salad. Mmmmm. (I should have eaten lunch before writing this post. lol) Available at Walmart and Shop Rite.

So there they are. 5 products we’ve tried, tested, loved and now can’t live without. I figure this is what blogging and the internet are all about, right? Sharing the human experience. If you have information that can be useful to me, please share it and I’ll try to do the same. Like a little community of sharing and loving. See, I told you I was raised by hippies.

I hope you enjoyed reading this. Please write me comments if you have tried the above products and liked them or hated them. It won’t hurt my feelings. Everyone has they’re own tastebuds. If you have anymore tasty gluten free foods I could try, definitely leave me a comment!

Later days!

Alyzza

The first podcast of the new semester. This week we talk about Netflix, Mail, Videos, Pintrest, Products, Video Games, and Bands.

Alyssa’s Links to her Pinterest and Products – Alyzza Explains It All, Pinterest and Products

Caitrin’s awesome links to awesome new movies on Netflix! (For January) – New To Netflix! Jan, 2013

Enjoy!

What does this mean for those who normally use the lab?

We previously would close the lab completely during our recording times. We are going to try something new this semester. We are going to try to leave the lab open while we record.

• We will have to turn off the printer while we record to avoid feedback from the printer being so loud. Other printer options area available on campus if needed (Commuter Center, Noss Hall, & Library)
• All students are asked to remain quiet and refrain from watching videos without headphones and use headphones at a reasonable level (which is a normal rule of the MacLab).
• Lab assistance during this time will be limited. A staff member will be helping with the equipment of the podcast should be able to provide assistance. We ask you raise your hand if you need help.
• The door will have to remain shut at all times; the door can open and close loudly though. Please be gentle while opening/closing the door.

What’s the new format for the MacLab podcast?

• Hosts (1 or 2 MacLab staff members) will be who run the podcast, come up with outlines, and set the time for the podcasts.
• Guests (1 or 2 students, staff, or faculty from the university) will join us every week to talk about really anything they find interesting ranging from coding languages to carving pumpkins.
  • If you are interested in being a guest on the MacLab podcast please reach out via social media or ask one of the MacLab staff members.
• The rough draft for our podcast will be:
  • Introduction of the hosts and guests
  • Most interesting youtube video or reaction video
  • What the hosts and guests have been up to since the last podcast
  • Then we’ll go into individual topics that each host and guest come up with in on their own
    • These topics should be interesting, and spark talk back between all participants of the podcast
• We expect the podcast to be no longer than 1 hour time

The Red Bull Stratos was a success. Here’s the video Steve was talking about.

The last presidential debate will be held October 22nd.

The website that tells your taxes depending on the next President?

Homecoming recap, for past information visit the homecoming website.

Vulcan Theatre Movies & Televisions Premieres

Vulcan Theatre: 

• Savages – through October 19th
• Ted – through October 26th
• The Dark Knight Rises – through November 2nd

Vulcan Sports News

• Football
  • 30-0 Victory over Lock Haven
  • Highlights:
    • Season High 221 yards on 51 attempts
    • Lamont Smith for 118 yards on 21 carries
    • Kowan Scott for a 68 yard touchdown
  • Next Game: 10/20/12 vs. Gannon University
• Hockey
  • Men continue their perfect season with a 9-3 win against CCAC.
• Volleyball
  • Victory over Slippery Rock on Saturday (10/13/12)

Upcoming Campus Events

October 24th – Haunted House @ 12pm to 3pm in the Performance Center

October 25th – Chelsea Settles @ 11am in the Performance Center also will be live streamed

October 29th – Chris Fleming Ghost Hunter @7pm at the SAI Farmhouse

October 30th – Free Halloween Treat Bags @ 11am in the Union at the Wellness Center Table

October 31st – Jim Karol, The Psychic Madman @ 7pm in the Performance Center

NASA Endeavor - Flew over September 21st.

Presidential Debates

• October 3rd – Domestic Policy (Obama & Romney)
• October 11th – Foreign & Domestic Policy (Biden & Ryan)
• October 16th - Foreign & Domestic Policy (Obama & Romney)
• October 22nd - Foreign Policy (Obama & Romney)

Pitt Bomb threats – 100 threats since the Spring semester

WCCC Bomb threat 

Star Wars Theme Song has magic powers…

Vulcan Theatre Movies & Televisions Premieres

Vulcan Theatre: 

• Madagascar 3 – through September 28th
• Moonrise Kingdom – through October 12th
• Savages – through October 19th

Upcoming Video Game Releases

WoW: Mists of Pandaria – PC on September 25th

Resident Evil 6 – PS3, Xbox 360 on October 2nd

Just Dance 4 – Wii, PS3 Move, Xbox Kinect on October 9th

Vulcan Sports News

Cal U. Vulcans Football (Ranked No. 6) defeated No. 14 IUP in the 4th annual Coal Bowl on Saturday with a 26-24 win here at Adamson stadium. The win came during the final minute of the game. Down 7, Cal Jr. wide receiver Nadir Brown scored an 80 yd. touchdown with 52.3 seconds remaining followed by 30 yd. field goal from sophomore Cody Nuzzo to seal the victory with 3.5 seconds on the clock.

Next game Saturday (9/29) at home vs. West Chester. Kickoff at 3:30.

Upcoming Campus Events

• Friday, September 28 from 7:00 – 9:00 — Think Fast by SABUG in the Performance Center
• Tuesday, October 2 from 11:00 – 12:30 — Student Convocation in the Performance Center
• Tuesday, October 2 from 7:00 – 9:00 — “A Shot of Reality” in the Performance Center
• Wednesday, October 3 from 7:00 – 9:00 — Mission IMPROVable in the Performance Center
• Thursday, October 4 from 6:30 – 9:00 — No Turning Back in the Performance Center
• Saturday, October 5 from 11:00 – 3:00pm — Auditions for a Christmas Carol in Steele Hall

First up is BBedit. 

We’ve been paying for BBedit for a few years now. A few years ago this was one of the few editors that was as powerful and had the “oohs and ahs” similar to Dreamweaver. Today there are other editors even free ones that preform just as well as BBedit. The current version is around $49.99.

Pros:

• FTP Sync without using a 3rd Party Plugin or FTP Client
• Auto-Complete and Auto-Close Tags
• Save “Workspaces” to quickly open multiple files or projects
• Easy preview mode to see code changes

Cons:

• Install color schemes is difficult without the current version (10)
• Have to set up wordwrap and text options every time.
• Even though it’s only 49.99, there are free options that preform extremely well.

Next we have, Espresso.

Espresso was recently found about a year ago by one of the Maclab employees.  It’s simple, sleek, and powerful. The current version is $75.00.

Pros:

• FTP Sync without using a 3rd Party Plugin or FTP Client
• Auto-Complete and Auto-Close Tags
• Project Management with the ability to quickly manage and edit multiple projects.
• Easy to install themes and plugins called “Sugars”
• CSS3 Editor that allows to easily create shadows, rounded corners, etc.
• Easy preview

Cons:

• $75.00 is a little expensive
• Creates metadata files (optional) that can become slightly annoying if you constantly are working on multiple projects

Free Option #1, Text Wrangler 

Textwrangler is made by the same people who created BBedit. It looks pretty much exactly the same as BBedit. It still has a good bit of the same features as BBedit.

Pros:

• It’s a free editor with ftp synchronization
• Open multiple files to quickly edit projects

Cons:

• Text wrap is still an issue and settings have to be set every time
• No auto-complete or auto-close

Free-ish Option #2, Sublime Text 2

Sublime Text 2 is free while it’s being evaluated, however right now there is no time limit on the evaluation. If you would purchase it, it costs $59.99.

Pros:

• Non-boring colors scheme out of the box
• Best auto-complete features of all editors
• Save project option (2 files though vs other editors 1)
• Easy install plugins
• Multiple OS support (Windows, Linux, and Mac)

Cons:

• Only evaluation so a time limit may be enforced in the future
• No built-in FTP client or synchronization

Why do we dislike Dreamweaver?

If you know ever even thought about creating or coding a website, you’ve more than likely heard about Dreamweaver. While we may not like it or find ourselves using it, there is not denying that it has paved the way for the editors we use today. If you asked us to describe Dreamweaver in 1 word it would be “BULKY“. It’s loaded with unimpressive and sometimes useless features. It takes around 3 times longer to load than our other preferred editors. It’s also really expensive ($399) for something that can be done with free software.  The one feature that is actually beneficial that we like is Adobe’s Browser Labs which helps with compatibility issues that occurs across multiple browsers. We feel that one or two features can’t justify buying and using Dreamweaver.

 Staff Picks:

Pam : BBedit – “I find that it does everything I need it to do”

Koury : Espresso - “It runs really smooth and I’m always working on multiple things so I like the project manager.”

Adam : Any - “As long as it has a color scheme I’ll use it.”

Josh : Sublime Text 2 – “Because it’s awesome, the color schemes are better than other text editor. It’s easy to install plugins like Zen Coding and Lorem Ipsum Generator”

Caitrin : Espresso – “It’s cleaner and more organized than Dreamweaver. I feel like I learn more coding.”

Tuesday, September 25th 11:00 to 3:00 – Live Music by Gary Johnson

Wednesday, September 26th 6:00 to 8:00 – The Ballroom and Latin Dance Club (*Every Monday and Wednesday Evening)

Movies & Television

Vulcan Theatre:
Snow White & The Huntsman – September 10th through September 13th
Moonrise Kingdom – September 14h through September 20th Edit: I messed up, Magic Mike is actually playing from September 14th through September 20th

Madagascar 3 – September 21st through September 27th

Overpriced Movie Theatre: 

September 21st

• Dredd 3D
• End of Watch

September 28th

• Looper
• Trouble with the Curve

Fall Television Premieres:

Sons of Anarchy – Tuesday Sept 11 (FX) Channel 66 @ 10:00PM
Glee – Thursday, September 13 (Fox) Channel 9 @ 9:00PM
How I Met Your Mother – Monday, Sept. 24 (CBS) Channel 2 @ 8:00PM
CSI – Wednesday, September 26th (CBS) Channel 2 @ 10:00PM
The Big Bang Theory – Thursday, September 27th (CBS) Channel 2 @ 8:00PM

Games

SAB Rental Program Coming Soon

• NHL 13
• Madden 13
• SSX
• NCAA 13
• NBA 2k13
• Halo 4

Campus Events

• Paintball – Natali Turf 12 to 4, Tuesday September 18th
• Freebies – “Make Your Own Stress Ball” Natali Lobby 11 to 3, Tuesday, September 18th
• Family Day – September 22nd, Visit http://calu.edu/events/familyday

Sports

Olympics Recap

• USA – 104 Medals
• China – 87

Football - Record: 2W 0L - Next Game: September 15th Away at Edinboro @ 6:00PM

Men’s Soccer – Record: 1W 4L

Men’s Cross Country – Record: 1W

Men’s Golf – Record: 1L

Women’s Soccer – Record: 2W 1L

Women’s Volleyball – 2W 2L

Fortunately, vector and high resolution images are very easy to come by these days. The easiest way is a simple search engine like Google. A search for vector graphics will come up with countless results. You can narrow down these results by getting more specific, such as “cloud vector” or star vector”. If you are looking for a high resolution image then you can also use Google. On the side of the Google images page there is an option called “Larger than…” When you click this option a drop down menu will appear with many options. Usually anything over 2MP is good to use, but you may have to go larger depending on the size of your project. These images are really only for personal use though. Other people own the rights to them and it is possible to get into some trouble by using them without permission.

There also many websites dedicated to high resolution graphics. Some of them are free, but most of them cost money. A really great free one is Brands of the World (www.brandsoftheworld.com). This website has vector graphics of pretty much every brand, company, sports team, and many other things. A reliable site for images, if you have the money, is Getty Images (www.gettyimages.com). I personally have never had to use it yet, but I’ve heard good things from the people that have. As far as vectors, I just use Google. I like to look around at all the options that are out there before deciding on a file.

Hopefully this post could help a few people understand the importance of high resolution graphics and now know how to obtain these graphics.

-Sean Coyne