Top Ten Best… Everything!

This won’t be a top ten list, because there weren’t 10 entries, but the entries we did receive were awesome. The judges had a tough time choosing and believe me, the numbers were close!

So, without further ado, here are the Top Ten Tattoo Contest Winners:

8. Jenn: Footprints Tattoo (we loved your story, but we couldn’t access the picture!)

Jenn describes the story behind her tattoo:

“My father is a minister and growing up my favorite poem had always been Footprints. It never really occured to me until a few years ago how much that poem and the meaning behind had helped me through so much in my life until my son and I were hours from any family and homeless. I’d already survived death threats from employees and my car being blown up in just the 4 months prior. As I sat there crying and wondering how I was going to get through yet another hard time I looked down and saw my son’s footprints in the mud. It reminded me of the poem and how I’d managed to stay alive and well this long because someone was watching out for me and ‘carrying’ me through the hard times. This tattoo reminds me how lucky I am even when I feel completely alone.”

7. Dawn: Ravens/Crows Tattoo

Dawn describes the meaning by her tattoo:

“The explanation behind it is that it’s a variation on German hex signs, which I think are a neat form of folk art. In my case, my last name means “bird” in German, and my ancestry is very German. I’m also terrified of birds, but these two “have my back.” The knotwork is because I wanted something quasi-Celtic (tiny bits of my ancestry that aren’t German are Irish), and if you look closely, you can see there’s a heart and a butterfly in the way the knotwork is shaped. My fiance designed that part of it for me. The star is my two favorite colors, and doesn’t have much meaning behind it, though originally I wanted it to be an 8-pointed star. It got drawn as a 6-pointed, and I didn’t notice it. Ah well. “

6. Keith: Sak Yant Buddhist Shaman Tattoo

Keith’s unique tattoo was applied with bamboo as opposed to a tattoo gun. Here, he describes the meaning behind it:

“My tattoo is a Sak Yant Buddhist Shaman tattoo. The tattoo is applied, not by a gun, but with a piece of bamboo with needles attached to the end. The tattoo artist then “pokes” you with the bamboo stick dipped in tattoo ink with the right amount of pressure to get to the layer of skin that will keep the ink.

The nine Spikes in the tattoo are called Yant Gao Yord ( Nine Spires Yanthra), Yanthra, or Yant, in Thai language, means a geometrical design with magical Powers to protect it’s wearer.The Nine Spires are actually Nine Buddhas with Nine sacred “Unaloem” (the squiggly spiral that shoots straight upwards above the Buddhas head. The buddha representation (of three oval shapes , one above the other), is called “Ongk Pra” (Monk Body).

These markings were a mix of Buddhist psalms and prayers, and shamanistic spells and sorcery that had survived the Religious transition from the pre-Buddhist era and been incorporated in the belief system of the newlyborn Buddhist countries. Since the days of King Nareswon, Thai soldiers have sought protection in the power of sak yant and the wearing and praying to of amulets.
Muay Thai Boxers (”Nak Muay”), also have a deep connection with sak yant tattoos. The art of Muay Thai was developed from the fighting arts developed by the warriors of Ancient times. As modernization and the industrial revolution arrived, the need for these fighting skills in war were no longer needed (we haved tanks and planes and cannons etc to do the job). As a result, the graceful fighting moves once used in real combat situations have developed into what is maybe one of the most graceful and also dangerous fighting sports on the planet.

I have been training in Muay Thai for 3 years now and i decided to get a tattoo while in Thailand. The tattoo took almost 4 hours.”

5.  Tara: Stars and Smoke Tattoo

Here’s what Tara says about her tattoo:

“This tattoo, to me, has a few meanings, it’s kind of a self portrait in art. One is simple, my name… Tara, means “star” in Sanskrit

The other is the stars coming through the smoke… showing the good (bright stars) coming out and conquering the bad (dark smoke). The reason there are so many stars is because they all symbolize all of the hard things I have been through in my life.”

4. Rissa: Hummingbird Tattoo

Click here for a link to a picture of Rissa’s tattoo, and here is the inspirational, goosebump worthy story behind her tattoo.

3. Tawnia: Tattoo Memorial to Her Grandfather

Tawnia talks about the symbolizm behind her tattoo:

“This one is for my grandpa Ted, whom I named my 1st son after. He is represented by the whale and I by the dolphin. I love marine life and he happened to have been the art director at Sea World for a number of years. We didn’t get to see each other very often but we had this incredible bond. He was one of those people who, when you met him, instantly loved him. He was so magnetic! He made everyone feel welcome, no matter what walk of life they came from. He died, also after being in a coma for a short time, 6 months after I lost my mom. 4 months before losing my mom I had also lost a baby in early pregnancy. During the time that pregnancy lasted, he was so supportive of me and the father. He was such an inventive, talented and amazing, wise and caring person I had to memorialize him on my body and show how special he is to me!”

2. Reb: Tribute to Her Brother and His Spirit Tattoo

Reb’s tattoo was inspired by her brother. Here’s how she describes the symbolism behind her tattoo:

“My brother passed away in 2001. We were very close and I still miss him terribly. I chose a sparrow because of the symbolism that dates back to Ancient Egypt. It is said that the sparrows are like the stars and when someone passes, the sparrow captures their spirit and that person is still “living” on. I also chose Japenese Cherry Blossoms that symbolize the circle of life. Even when we are feeling sad and experiencing grief, new life is created and born and little pieces of those that have died in our families, live on in the new faces.”

And finally, our winner is…

1. Tawnia: Memorial to Her Mother Tattoo

Tawnia talks about the heartbreaking, yet loving story behind her tattoo:

“I got this tat as a memorial to my mom who passed away in 1995 when I was only 17. I chose to have the portrait based on a high school pic of her, before her life got hectic, complicated and painful. She had been beaten, abused, and used starting with her first husband. Because of this man, she had to have brain surgery at 19. I was born when she was 23 despite her docs saying she couldn’t conceive. As the years went on we found out she was epileptic, bi-polar (which means she was suicidal at times) and used meth to self medicate. There were times when I had to call and beg family for a loaf of bread so we could eat. There were times she had to send me to live with someone else because she couldn’t support me. There were times I wished she were dead because of the hell of living with a drug addict. But, she was my mom and I love her. We had a rocky relationship but we always loved each other. After she died, she was cremated. To make it a little more unique, a small bit of her ashes was mixed into the ink of the tattoo.”

Thank you to everyone who entered, and congrats to Tawnia for winning The Top Ten Tattoo Contest!

Quite possibly the most creative radio ads ever created, the Budweiser Ads promoting “Real Men of Genius” are just that: genius. Although you only hear a select few over the airwaves, there are well over a hundred unique and hilarious ads. In fact, some of the most hilarious Real Men of Genius ads aren’t heard on the radio at all! Here’s a list of just 10 of the funniest Budweiser Ads (originally called Real American Heroes):

10.  Mr. Giant Foam Finger Maker

“They’re enormous, yes, but one size does fit all. Brilliant.”

9.  Mr. Bowling Shoe Giver Outer

“One wrong move and we’re on the fast train to Blisterville.”

8.  Mr. Athletic Groin Protector Inventor

“Here, stick this in your pants.”

7. Mr. Garden Gnome Maker

“What says, ‘Welcome to our home,’ like a dwarf in the hedge?”

6. Mr. 80 SPF Sunblock Wearer

“30 SPF? Please. You may as well be wearing cooking oil.”

5. Mr. Gangster Rapper Posse Member

“What do you do when you have no talent what-so-ever? Attach yourself to someone who does.”

4. Mr. T-Shirt Launcher Inventor

“Your high powered cotton cannon makes every section the nosebleed section.”

3. Mr. Pro Sports Heckler Guy

“Apparently those who can’t coach sit 30 rows back, shirtless, shouting obscenities.”

2. Mr.Edible Underwear Inventor

“Nothing says, ‘I want you,’ like a man with a mouth full of underpants.”

1. Mr. In the Car Nose Picker

“Why do you do it? ‘Cuz the windows are up and you think we can’t see you.”

Honorable mention goes to:

Mr. Nudest Colony Activities Coordinator

“Lawn darts? Out of the question.”

This is only the icing on the cake of those hilarious ads. Rest assured that I will have at least one more top ten list devoted to the Budweiser ads.

Finally, an update on the Tattoo Contest:

The entries are in, the page is locked, and I’m compiling entries to be sent to the judges. Check back on or before October 31st to see where your tattoo falls on our Top Ten Tattoos. Thank you to all who participated!

If you’re a parent or spend a ton of time with a child, I don’t need to tell you how annoying it can be to watch movies over and over again. Next time you’re in the market for a kid’s movie that you’ll be forced to watch endlessly, check out these 10 great titles!

10. Toy Story I and II

So, they’re two titles, but how cheap would I be if I put them in two different spots on the countdown? The Toy Story movies are enjoyable, even after viewing number 100. Disney has the subtle adult humor down in these films. From the semi truck that honks, preventing Woody from saying “A** Hole” in the gas station, to Woody calling Buzz “Light Beer” instead of Lightyear, there’s a chuckle or two for adults and children alike.

9.  Cars

The soundtrack makes this movie enjoyable time and time again. In addition, the quick wit and a little more obvious adult humor (such as Larry the Cable Guy’s “Git er done” comment) make this an adult-friendly kid movie.

8. Surf’s Up

This movie is unlike any other kid’s movie out there. It is set up as a documentary of Cody Maverick, played by the ever talented Shia LaBeouf, and provides a feel-good story about pursuing your dreams and making friends. The MTV generation will appreciate the soundtrack that features tunes from Incubus, Green Day, and 311. (Don’t get this movie mixed up with its penguin-movie cousin Happy Feet. In my opinion, Happy Feet was a dark movie with an ulterior motive to guilt parents. But, that’s just me.)

7.  Shrek I, II, and III

Another great series featuring an outstanding cast, great music, and plenty of humor that parents will love. It gets a little raunchy at times, which turns many parents off, but overall these are enjoyable parent-friendly movies. (The second one is by far the best, according to fellow parents!)

6. Bee Movie

Even if you aren’t a fan of Jerry Seinfeld, you’ll enjoy the quick-wit in this movie, and your kids will love the bright colors and happy music.

5. Aladdin

Bring back a bit of your adolescence with this fun flick that has a fun-to-sing soundtrack and lots of Robin Williams humor (his clean humor, of course).

4. High School Musical

Even if your tike is just a toddler, they’ll probably enjoy this feel-good film and you’ll love the positive message and musical soundtrack! (Bonus: When you buy certain versions of the soundtrack, you get a karaoke CD so you and the kids can perform your favorite HSM songs solo.)

3. The Sandlot

Another film you might remember growing up, The Sandlot has a cute plot and great message for kids about honesty and making friends. Because it’s a live-action film, you’ll get into it too!

2. Elf

I know, it’s a Christmas movie, but I know quite a few moms (including myself) who love watching this one with their kids year-round. You can’t beat Will Farrell’s humor and the unique plot of this movie!

1. Enchanted

This movie is awesome. It begins as a cheesy cartoon fairy tale and turns into a live-action flick filled with lots of humor. This musical pokes fun at Disney fairy tales, and adults will love spotting which Disney movie is being made fun of. (A little interesting side note: The receptionist at the law firm was the voice of Ariel in The Little Mermaid. The fish tank in the lobby is a little clue to that fact.) You’ll love singing along to the musical numbers, and your kids will love watching a Disney princess come to life!

Don’t get stuck watching Barney over and over again. Break the cycle and get a movie that you and your kids can watch together and enjoy.

They’re out there, we’ve all heard them. Thanks to the internet, silly myths are quite easily passed around by the uber-gullible. Some of these myths are obviously fake, like Bubble Yum Gum being made of spider eggs, or Pop Rocks and soda creating a lethal combination. But other myths aren’t so obviously fake. So for your reading pleasure, here’s a list of the Top 10 Silliest Myths you’ll find anywhere… especially in your inbox.

10. “Beware” Email Forwards

These silly forwards include rapists luring women with $5 bills , murderers luring women out of their homes with the sound of a baby crying, robbers who spray women with perfume to steal their belongings, you get the drill. Have you received the email on how to defend yourself in an attack? You might be surprised that much of that forward is not very good information. Don’t believe me? Check it out here.

9. Urban Legends

Alright, people, keep it smart when you read your emails. There are no snakes in the ball pit at your favorite fast food restaurant. Your child will not be poisoned by their Halloween candy (although there could be razor blades or pins in there, apparently), and Dawn Dishwashing Liquid will not erode your tike’s corneas. Come on, now. Tell me you knew that already.

8. Pregnancy Myths

Some people must enjoy preying on the delicate emotions of pregnant women. Ladies, do not believe these silly myths, please. First of all, it is impossible to get pregnant by simply swimming in a pool (now, if you were doing other things in the pool, that’s another story…). Also, do not count on Coca Cola as an effective form of birth control. Now, if you’re already pregnant, don’t count on Drano to predict your baby’s sex, and rest assured that certain restaurants will not put you in labor.

7. Nostradamus Myths

The French astrologer, Nostradamus was, no doubt, ahead of his time. But, he did not predict 9/11, George W. Bush’s election, or the crash of the Columbia Space Shuttle. I wonder how this guy would feel, being associated with such negative events? (Awww, come on, it was set up perfectly for a Bush pun, I couldn’t resist.)

6. Cell Phone Myths

Try as you might, you will not be able to unlock your car by calling someone who has a key-less remote and aiming your cell phone toward your car. In addition, you will not be able to track your cell phone using a free website, nor will you be able to reach an emergency call center by dialing 112 , or #77. Sorry!

5. Food and Drink Myths

It makes sense that you want to be careful about what you put into your body. But these silly myths put fear and concern where there shouldn’t be. First of all, Mountain Dew will not affect the “family jewels” in any way, shape, or form. Second, the ingredients in Red Bull are not associated with brain tumors. Believe it or not, Twinkies will not last an eternity and mixing Pop Rocks and Soda will not kill you.

4. Disney Myths

These myths, though quite entertaining to read, are not true. Walt Disney’s facade is not one of the singing busts found in the graveyard at the Haunted Mansion in Disneyland and no one suffered a heart attack after the ride first opened. As far as Disney movies go, there is no penis illustrated on the cover of The Little Mermaid, and the priest is not sporting wood in the wedding scene between Eric and Ariel’s imposter (take a look for yourself, though, I’m not so convinced on either of these myths).

3.  Religion Myths

I hate to break it to you, but declaring “Jedi” as your religion will not actually make it a religion (but, may the Force be with you, anyway). Scientists have never discovered a lost day, and no one has ever drilled their way to Hell.

2. Sports Myths 

This is slightly sports and slightly movie-related, but Back to the Future II did not predict the 1997 World Series. Tom Brady was never a cast of The Brady Bunch, Superbowl Sunday does not create the most domestic violence in a single day every year,  and no one has ever been eaten by a crocodile while golfing (but Chubbs did lose his hand to one in Happy Gilmore).

1. Political Myths

It’s that time again, political mudslinging, debates, and the usual crazy political myths about the candidates. These myths take the number one spot on the Top 10 Silliest Myths for one simple example: Barack Obama is the anti-Christ . Come on now people, seriously? I don’t care who you’re voting for, this is completely insane. Another silly political myth is this picture of Sarah Palin in a flag bikini wielding a weapon. You gotta love Photoshop!

If you haven’t checked out YouTube’s collection of Movie Trailer Spoofs, you are missing out, my friend! Have you ever gone to see a movie after watching the trailer, only to realize after the movie is over that it was nothing like what you expected? Well, a bunch of talented folks have taken that concept one step further and created some of the most hilarious movie trailer recuts on YouTube. Just in case you don’t know what a trailer spoof is, allow me to explain. Ya know those movie previews you see before the movie starts? They usually have music and cuts to match the theme of the film, right? Well, with these spoofs, the creative individuals who have put them together have taken different music (for instance slasher movie soundtrack for a children’s movie) and cut the movie up to create a whole new trailer with an entirely different meaning. It’s amazing what an editing job and some new music can do to recreate how a movie appears!

Here are 10 of the best YouTube trailer spoofs, let me know which one you enjoy the most:

10. Cat In The Hat: Family/Comedy-turned-Horror

9. The Princess Bride: Comedy-turned-Horror/Drama

8. Dumb and Dumber: Comedy-turned-Horror

7. The Waterboy: Comedy-turned-Horror/Drama

6. School of Rock: Comedy/Family-turned-Horror

5. Liar Liar: Comedy-turned-Drama

4. Dodgeball: Comedy-turned-Drama

3. Mary Poppins: Family-turned-Horror

(For the record, this one really freaked me out!)

2. Superbad: Comedy-turned-Action/Drama

And finally, the best YouTube Trailer Spoof of all time…

1. The Shining: Horror-turned-Comedy/Family

Did I miss your favorite YouTube Trailer Spoof? Post it in a comment below!