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December 2009
Thursday December 31, 2009
Any other Horned Frogs in Siouxland?
Posted by: SamanthaS at 3:55PM EST on December 31, 2009

As a TCU grad, I'm super stoked about our bowl game (the Fiesta Bowl) next week. I look forward to catching the game after work on Monday, Jan. 4. But as far as I know, I'm the only Horned Frog in Siouxland. If there are others, message me back and let me know who you are. I'd love to talk TCU with you!
Wednesday December 30, 2009
You know it's winter in the Midwest when...
Posted by: SamanthaS at 12:00PM EST on December 30, 2009
...you are at a four-way intersection with a snow plow, a tow truck and a pickup advertising a local plumbing company. I found myself in that exact scenario this morning on my way to work. When the roads are bad, cars are stuck and pipes are frozen, it's a good time to book the next flight to Bermuda.

A view from my windshield on my drive to work this morning:

Drive carefully and stay warm out there, folks!
Monday December 28, 2009
What was once hot, is now not
Posted by: SamanthaS at 12:44PM EST on December 28, 2009
As we enter a new decade this week, some are looking back on what was once in style in the 2000s that is no more. Most are technological items that have been replaced by a faster, small, more efficient thing. Huffington Post has one such list.



Some of the items on their list include wires, fax machines, phone books, handwritten notes, CDs and dial-up Internet. A few of those items I won't miss, such as the fax machine and dial-up Internet (because who has the patience for that? The annoying buzz and waiting to connect -- I am ever so grateful for my high-speed Internet.) But in my opinion, there is something about a written note that can never be replaced. A thank you e-mail just doesn't have quite the same meaning as a handwritten thank you note sent by snail mail. I proudly haul around a Yellow Pages in the backseat of my car. When you are still pretty new to town, it's helpful to carry a phone book for a quick address search. And as easy as iTunes music downloads are, I love having the real thing -- plastic CD case, paper booklet and all.

How would you modify Huffington Post's list? What did they leave off? Is there something you feel is outdated and want to see gone by 2010? Share your comments below.
Friday December 18, 2009
These Santas will make you smile
Posted by: SamanthaS at 3:42PM EST on December 18, 2009
Need a laugh this Christmas? Then check out SketchySantas.com. Whoever said Ol' St. Nick can't be creepy hasn't checked out this site. Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of the Clause, but he doesn't always photograph the best with young children in his lap. Some of the kids' expressions in these photos are priceless. Also, be sure to check out the beards on these Santas. Several of them bring the sketchy factor up a notch.



Wednesday December 16, 2009
"Avatar" descends on theaters Friday. Will you go see it?
Posted by: SamanthaS at 12:55PM EST on December 16, 2009

 

The much-hyped sci-fi action/adventure "Avatar" opens this Friday, December 18, and if you don't know much about it, let me fill you in. It has already landed four Golden Globe nominations, and it hasn't even opened yet. The film was directed by James Cameron, the same dude that made another big hit movie, "Titanic." And if that blockbuster wasn't expensive enough, he outdid himself this time, racking up a production budget of $230 million and a marketing budget of $150 million.

Much of the talk surrounding "Avatar" is about the advanced technologies Cameron used to make the film. For instance, he invented a special dual-camera 3-D system to shoot the sequences, as 3-D technology seems to be the thing right now. To read more about how Cameron utilized new technologies for this film, click here.

But the big question is... Will this big, expensive, technologically advanced movie be a hit at the box office? Bloomberg News reports the movie needs ticket sales of $217 million to just break even. Do you plan on seeing it? Share your comments below.

Tuesday December 15, 2009
We've passed the 1,000 member mark!
Posted by: SamanthaS at 7:18PM EST on December 15, 2009
Siouxland Voice has reached 1,050 registered users - yay! My plan was to write a blog when we hit 1,000, but we surpassed that between the last time I checked the latest member number (yesterday sometime) and now.

So thank you for joining, connecting and contributing to the site. Now that the site has been up and running for a little while, what kind of feedback do you have? What do you like? What could use improving? Share your thoughts below in the comment section.

Must. make. trip. to. theater. soon.
Posted by: SamanthaS at 12:07PM EST on December 15, 2009

 

This morning's Golden Globe nominations reminded me of how many good movies are out right now, and plenty others soon to be released. I have got to make a trip to the theater soon, or I'll never catch up! I have yet to see "The Blind Side," out for several weeks now and one I hear is great, a real tearjerker. Then there's "Invictus" which opened last Friday and looks phenomenal. Perhaps I should talk the family into making a trip to the movies on Christmas day, to catch "Nine" or "Sherlock Holmes." Or I could always watch "New Moon" again...

What movie have you seen lately that you recommend? Any I should avoid? Leave a comment below.


Sunday December 6, 2009
VIDEO: Sarah Palin book tour stop in Sioux City
Posted by: SamanthaS at 9:41PM EST on December 6, 2009
The following is a video about Sarah Palin's book tour stop at the Southern Hills Mall in Sioux City. It includes exclusive video you won't see elsewhere in the Siouxland news market.
Latest from Sarah Palin's Sioux City Stop
Posted by: SamanthaS at 3:45PM EST on December 6, 2009
I am here inside the Southern Hills Mall, outside of the Barnes & Noble Booksellers store where Sarah Palin is signing copies of her book, "Going Rogue." I was in the first group of media whisked away to the partitioned-off section of the bookstore, where Palin's book signing table was set up. She was sitting there, signing quickly. But I noticed she greeted everyone who came up, asking them their names, where they are from, etc. One woman told Palin she was praying for her and the book tour and Palin thanked her for the prayers, saying they were important. Another woman, who was visibly pregnant, presented her book to be signed. Palin congratulated her and asked when she was due. The woman thanked her for coming to Sioux City and told Palin she gives her hope.

I was up close for a very short time, but I talked to folks as they were leaving Barnes & Noble Booksellers. They were excited. One woman said she got to touch the baby, referring to Sarah's youngest child. I didn't see him when I was in the bookstore, but I did get a glimpse of her husband Todd.

Keep up with www.siouxcityjournal.com for more "Sarah Palin in Sioux City" coverage. We will be posting video throughout the day to the Web site.


Friday December 4, 2009
5 Ways to Stay Warm in Book Signing Line
Posted by: SamanthaS at 1:31PM EST on December 4, 2009
If you are wanting to get Sarah Palin's autograph on Sunday, plan on spending some time outside, waiting in line. Unfortunately, the National Weather Service is forecasting a cold and windy Sunday morning, with a chance of snow after noon. It's important to be prepared for such conditions, so I came up with five ways you can stay toasty warm in the Southern Hills Mall parking lot.

1. Dress in layers. Start with a long john layer and build up.

2. Bring the necessary accessories: gloves, hat, scarf, wool socks and earmuffs

3. Pack a thermos of something warm, such as hot cocoa, cider or coffee

4. Be active and move while in line. Activities might include: ring a cowbell, do some jumping jacks or start the wave. (Note: Others in line may or may not be OK with this.)

5. You might get hungry, so carry a snack along. Spicy food will keep you warm, so let me suggest you bring hot buffalo wings, soy wasabi glazed tuna or a big bag of jalapenos. 

Hopefully these tips will keep you frostbite-free while you wait to see Sarah in Sioux City. Feel free to add to the list, by leaving a comment below.

Thursday December 3, 2009
Dewey author to visit Sioux City
Posted by: SamanthaS at 2:23PM EST on December 3, 2009

 

Did you hear? Vicki Myron, a former librarian from Spencer, Iowa, and author of the internationally popular book "Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World" has written a second book about her beloved cat, titled "Dewey: There's a Cat in the Library!" And tomorrow, at 6 p.m., she will be signing her new book at the Barnes & Noble bookstore at the Southern Hills Mall. You've probably heard a lot about book signings and the Sioux City Barnes & Noble lately, since that's where Sarah Palin will be stopping this Sunday, to sign books. But let's not miss a chance to give our local celebrity author a little love this week!
Wednesday December 2, 2009
Super cute kitten video
Posted by: SamanthaS at 12:23PM EST on December 2, 2009
This video is going around, so I thought I'd share it here. Makes me want to run out and get a kitty!


Tuesday December 1, 2009
3 Web sites I'm digging
Posted by: SamanthaS at 2:09PM EST on December 1, 2009
I have a long list of bookmarked news Web sites and blogs I like to read on a regular basis. Here are three I've recently added to the list. Check 'em out and tell me what you think.

1. The Awl - Its tagline is "Be less stupid." So how can that site not be a good one to read?!

2. Soul Pancake - This site was created by Rainn Wilson, the guy that plays Dwight on "The Office." He is pretty hilarious on that show, and his Web site is pretty humorous too.

3. Thousand and One Words - This photography blog is by Ryan Howard, another actor/writer for "The Office." It's a little bit serious and ridiculous all at the same time.


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