How Sweet the Smell… of a New Magazine

Ah, magazines…

I don’t know what it is about them I love so much.  Maybe it’s the smell?  Who doesn’t love the fresh scent of printed paper—and those perfume samples?

Okay so maybe the smell isn’t for everyone, but I guarantee there is a magazine for everyone.  Pretty much any subject you could ever dream up has it’s own magazine, even obscure interests.  Don’t believe me?  Just Google [insert interest here] magazine.  If there isn’t an official print magazine associated with it, there’s almost always an unofficial online-style zine.

So while I may not actually subscribe to all of my various interests’ magazines (I simply couldn’t afford it), I have been known to spend hours at the local bookstore perusing the newsstand.  It may not be top quality literature, but what can

Down to the Load: Music Downloads for (Almost) Free

Remember when Napster first came out?  There was a frenzy of free music downloads—and a TON of lawsuits.  There was talk of the music industry changing forever, and of artists not seeing a pound of profit.

Musicians had a good point.  As much as I love getting music for free (let’s face it, money doesn’t grow on trees and there’s too much music I want to get my hands on!) I understand the need to protect the artist’s rights.

The law must have agreed because Napster—and now iTunes—charge for downloads.  Granted, it’s still much cheaper to download a CD on iTunes or Napster than it is to buy a hard copy at the store, but I digress.

One thing is for sure: the internet has changed the music industry.  Some may pine away for the good ol’ days, but I think it’s brilliant that

Sleep When You’re Dead: Until Then, Travel!

What are you doing this upcoming Bank Holiday?  If you’re like me, maybe you haven’t made up your mind, but there’s still plenty of options left for affordable travel.

Personally I’m partial to a Parisian weekend getaway, and after the past couple weeks of entertaining guests at my place, it’s high time I treated myself to a mini vacation.  I consider it some kind of divine intervention that my guests find themselves picking up and leaving before the Bank Holiday.  I love my friends and family, but Halleluja!

My first stop usually is Rail Europe, and as expected, they’re featuring tickets to Paris starting at just £69.  Considering I’ve got friends to shack up with, this stay promises to be incredibly affordable.  I can instead spend my money on pretty things I don’t need,

Behind the Smoke and Mirrors

I’m not the most technologically-savvy individual, even if I can give my parents a run for their money.  For everything else, I turn to my brother Liam.  He designs websites for a living and enters electronic code gibberish—you know the type.  He could probably hack into my computer without blinking.  Luckily we’re past our pranky teen years and he can help me with any computer woes.

Recently I was impressed with his ability to copy a couple of my favourite DVDs to my iPhone so quickly.  I’ve gotten used to his electronic aptitude, but when I snooped around his home office, I stumbled upon quite a discovery.

The secret to a great deal of my brother’s seemingly all-powerful technological knowledge?  Roxio UK.  He had in his possession their Easy Video Copy & Convert, the

Good Tea Makes The World Go Round

On a cold, blustery day, there’s nothing like a warm cup of tea.  Or on a warm, summer day come to think of it.  Long story short? Tea is a good thing any time of day or year.

Besides tasting great, studies have shown that tea-drinkers show less cognitive decline than non-tea drinkers.  Not to mention tea’s ability to help the drinker relax, thereby relieving muscle tension.  It’s a win-win, really.

Not that I have to tell a Brit any of this.  Others may tease us about tea-time, but it’s clear they just haven’t caught on to this beneficial and simple ritual.  And that’s quite alright—more for us to enjoy!

Since in my household we go through tea so quickly it seems as though I’m always stocking up at the store, I’ve taken to shopping for tea online.  I can buy in bulk more