Since the last “real” post on this blog, I managed to grab a job taking Tier I tech calls for a major phone company offering FiOS. If you don’t know what FiOS is- look it up, it takes too long to explain. At any rate, although I’m looking for another job because management at the place who won the contract is well, less than adequate, I’m taking things in stride and doing my job. I honestly did not know how many computer-stupid people there were in the world- myself included.
I have never dealt with Macs before, so the other evening when this lady called in telling me she had gone to where the little airplane was and the airport light was green and a bunch of gibberish, I thought I had a nutcase on my hands. Until she said the magic words: “Oh and I’m using a Mac.” Bingo. So I run around trying to find the one evening Mac expert available and he, of course was busy. So, being me, I gave it a go. I told her I would be going slow because I had to read from a manual that was 25 pages long to find what we needed, (she couldn’t connect via wireless), she understood and away I went. I had her problem resolved in 5 minutes. She hadn’t added her WEP Key,(again, if you don’t use wireless, look it up), therefore she couldn’t connect. She actually said I was a genius if I had never worked on a Mac before but solved her problem. I said thank you and finished the call and thought to myself, “Why, yes, Beth, you are a freaking genius.” Proud? A tad.

As most people know, I collect frogs. I never intended to start the collection-it happened back in 1999 when I moved into an apartment and for some reason, the conclusion of myself and my friends-frogs were the answer for the decorating needs in the bathroom. I don’t have a huge collection, maybe 30 some odd frogs, both stuffed, ceramic and well, a shower curtain and tattoo. Not too obsessive. Ok, the tattoo may be a little eccentric, but, hey, it could have been worse.

The review I am providing on several products has nothing to do with free items, or the fact I was even asked to do a review: this is how I repay an advertiser I have written about in the past, who has contributed comments, not to get a backlink, but has participated with relevant input and not tried to spam my blog. This is what is expected of any person commenting on a blog. Participate, be relevant with your comments and you’re fine.

I know the products may seem quirky to some, but Vat19.com is about fun, but functional products. Take the frog bottle opener, for instance. I don’t drink anything which would require a normal bottle opener, however, this little gadget, ok frog, is functional. Ever have a heck of a time opening a 20-liter bottle of soda? Look at the hind legs-the ridges grab on to the lid and twist it right off-and yes it does work. I have it hanging on my fridge from a magnet, (it would be great if this was a magnet too). See, it’s all about functionality and cuteness.

Ah, yes. The frog tape dispenser. But look at it-cute, functional and the tape rolls off the frog’s tongue. I have it setting proudly on my desk, although at the moment I’ve yet to have a need for tape. I don’t care. It’s a frog, it’s me and it’s a conversation piece. Need I say more?

Last, but not least, my favorite item. I thought the tape dispenser would be my favorite, until I found another use for the frog potholder. Made from silicone, the potholder can withstand heat up to 446F and is dishwasher save. Slide your hand into the back of the head and the mouth opens, like a puppet. Inside the mouth are grips, so nothing will slide out of your hand. Two things I should mention about the product. When my mom tried it on, she loved it. She’s left handed and has always had to use a right-handed oven-mitt. We’ve never found a mitt for left handed people, but with the frog mitt, it felt comfortable since it will fit either hand. The one thing I didn’t expect to use the mitt for-of all things, gripping a jar of Ragu. I was making pasta the other evening and for the life of me I could not open the jar. I did the usual, run hot water over the lid, bang on the lid with a knife, almost tossed it across the room, until I remembered the frog oven mitt. The grips on the inside of the mouth, combined with the silicone, opened the jar with ease-mark this down as one more use for my little froggie mitt.

I enjoyed trying out all 3 products and really appreciated the chance to do so. Vat19.com has something for everyone, from office gear to items for the car. If you have someone in your life who has everything and you need a gift-this is one site to visit. Sometimes people like to receive a gift that’s a little out of the norm-even a box of frogs.

No, I’m not doing a public service announcement for cows, or promoting John Cow’s blog. Just when I thought search phrases leading to my site couldn’t get more odd, I am now dealing with pingbacks from sex sites. Yes, I know my blog screams of sex and skank, (insert sarcasm here), but when I noticed a link pointing to the post, How To Prevent Middle-Age Saggage And Sort Of Be Sexy With A Bare-Nipples Bra, after logging in to WordPress, I had to click. Mistake. You know how it is when you pass a bad accident- you don’t want to look, but you feel compelled to do so? This is what occurred when the site I was redirected to popped up. And when I say, popped up, I mean well-keep reading.

Maybe I have lived a sheltered life. I do live in West Virginia, after all and we’re always the last to see anything new. I wasn’t aware, however, of the market for long nipples. See the cow udders? Yeah, those on a 500 pound animal? The women on the site are not unlike this animal-in fact they give an entirely new meaning to the word “perky.” After looking, and having that, “Oh my God what did these women do to their nips,” look on my face, I started thinking. Do men find this attractive? And for God’s sakes why? To me, they look as if they have two tiny penises attached to each breast. And how in the hell did they get that way? I keep getting images of clothespins and bungee straps floating through my head-which in turn makes me want to run to my closet and put on a sports bra to not only protect my girls, but flatten them. To the men of the world attracted to -to- well, whatever you want to call it, long-nippled women, I live in a semi-rural area. I know a few good cows-and they’re lonely. (Insert shiver here). And no, I’m not providing a link to the site-it’s bad enough that I had to look at it.

It’s been a while since I’ve provided any sites which offer coupon codes for merchants online, but tonight is your lucky night. Well, if you’re looking for deals. GoGoShopper.com provides coupon codes ranging from apparel to computers. Even if you’re looking for just a dollar off, or free shipping, (which is a good deal if you can get free shipping), coupon codes can come in handy.

Right now, GoGoShopper.com has a free Zazzle coupon code list-if you have never heard of Zazzle, it’s an online shop offering on-demand, (meaning the product is made to order as soon as you purchase), merchandise from t-shirts, coffee mugs, bumper stickers- you name it. The best savings at the moment is free shipping on $50 or more when you purchase any apparel. That alone saves you at least $10. So, if you’re looking for a few good deals, check out the coupon code list.