Shiny!

My original idea for this was to have a public, more blog-ish, less journal-ish version of my Livejournal, but the sad truth is that I'm not actually all that fond of Vox. So there goes that.

Maybe things would be different if I had more readers, or more readers who didn't already read LJ. As it is, I'm quite frustrated with the severe lack of HTML support and whatnot.

Goodbye for now, Vox.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest shattered the weekend box office opening record of 2002's Spiderman this summer by capturing $132 million dollars its first three days in theatres, and has quickly become the year's top-grossing film. But the world has been pirate-mad ever since the prequel three years ago, inspiring pirate-themed swag

Mischaskullcard

Even celebrities are embracing life on the high seas, or at least the Jolly Roger: Mischa Barton was seen leaving her acting class in London sporting the ubiquitous over-sozed sunglasses and this gray skull-bedecked cardigan. She's also been spotted wearing a 2-carat skull-and-crossbones necklace on a pearl chain, prominently enough that you can now buy imitations.

Actress Phoebe Cates' Blue Tree boutique was featured on the Early Show's look at pirate products. Among the items on the segment were:

- Pirate key ring $14
- Brass skeleton necklace $175
- Pendant with anchor hanging off a ribbon $75
- Skull tee shirt with the words "P.S. CHANGE THE WORLD" under the skull $65 (ages 2-16)
- Schooner medallion necklace with in white or pink gold 250
- Anchor on a 20" chain in yellow gold $265
- Double anchor earrings in either yellow gold and silver $90, or in pink gold and silver $110
- Skull key ring in handmade silver $245
- Vivienne Westwood black tunic with lace sleeves and gold dots $422

If your taste in home decorating also runs towards the nautical, check out the Pirate's Lair for authentic pirate's chests, tables made out of hatch covers, and the like.

Tiadalmaneck

And finally, if you'd rather the more traditional memorabilia, there's always Ebay, where you can find trinkets such as this reproduction of Tia Dalma's necklace.

Ok, admittedly I'm not really much into online dating sites, seeing as how I'm already taken and a bit younger and less desperate than most of those sites'  target demographics, but there are some really interesting/weird concepts for meeting people via the internet these days:

• Aitrtroductions --  Helps you arrange to choose to sit next to someone on your next flight, whether to date or simply share a flight with. Rack up a lot of frequent flyer miles? Make a free profile, choose what airport you're flying out next, and wham. Instant love connection?
• Ashley Madison Agency -- For when "monogomy becomes monotony", this site matches up already married men and women who are looking for exciting extramarital affairs and discreet adultery. Not the only site around with this goal, unfortunately. Similar sites include meet2cheat.com and adultdiscreet.com. If there ever was any proof  that the world is going to hell in a handbasket, I would think this would be it.
  
• Date My Pet -- Luckily, they don't mean literally. Meet other pet lovers online and go on "pet dates"-- activities that involve your pets (but not, I stress, in the carnal sense). Based on the assertion that "91% of people would use their pet as a conversation starter to get a date".
• Interracial Match -- Interested in dating outside of your race? Look no further. You can learn about other cultures/ethnicites AND guarantee that your children with be incredibly HOT! Ok, so maybe not guarantee, but it through extensive empirical research I have personally found that the majority of mixed people = amazing sexiness. =p
• Team Dating -- Scared of the awkwardness/potential safety hazard of meeting strangers all alone? Fear not. Team dating allows you and your friends to meet them and their friends. They are in the process of creating a "destination activity" to further eliminate the stress of face-to-face meetings.
• FunHi -- A dating service/game that allows members to buy virtual "gifts" for people whose profiles catch their interest. The catch? It costs real money. When you sign up, you choose from about 50 personas to "role-play" including "gangsta", "booty call", "cheating husband", and "drag queen". The concept is that of icons and fans.  As a fan, you try to give as much love as you can to other people you think might be icons.  The more love someone gets the higher they move up the rating chart.  Of course, icons have a job as well.  They need to take hot photographs that would make you want to spend your hard earned cash.

I'm a die-hard Livejournal fan, but I figured I might as well check this out...

I'm not too sure what I'll be doing with this account, though. My latest idea is to turn it into a review/product/link blog, much like Shiny Shiny, but less focused on gadgets & more about... well, anything I want, really.

Stay tuned?