Friday Photography - Have a Happy New Year

Have a happy New Year!

Stay safe, drink responsibly, and designate a driver so you can actually enjoy 2011! :)

Words of the Year for 2010

It is the last days of 2010, which of course means lists of the "top whatevers" in various forms for the year. Being that this is a blog about language and writing, I've compiled a list of some of the best word-related lists for 2010.

• Merriam-Websters Words of the Year 2010 - Merriam-Webster's List of Top Ten Words of the Year for 2010 is profile of America's mood and interests, as determined by the volume of user lookups at Merriam-Webster.com.
• New Oxford American Dictionary's 2010 Words of the Year - Not quite sure about their methodology for choosing these words, but some are definitely worth noting.
• Wall Street Journal's Words of the Year for 2010 - The Wall Street Journal reported an analysis of the news it published in 2010 reveals an array of words and terms that starred in this year's coverage.
• Top buzzwords of 2010 - From refudiate to gate rape, the events and happenings of the last 12 months are well represented by these phrases.
• Most Annoying Word or Phrases, 2010 Edition - According to The Marist Poll, “whatever” remains the most annoying word or phrase in conversation today according to 39% of the recipients polled. I am with the 28% that would rather hear that word than "like."
• 16 Words And Phrases We Want To Retire In 2010 - I wholeheartedly agree and would like to add the improper usage of the words "epic" and "fail" to this list. That is all. 

What words will be popular in 2011? Only time will tell.

Holiday Haiku News - December 21, 2010

Sleep deprivation
could turn Santa Claus into
a public menace...

...Perhaps that is why
one of his reindeer tried to
make the great escape.

Baby Jesus is
watched over by a higher
power: GPS.

This is the time of
year when Christmas Miracles
abound everywhere...

...Some really are, while
others could hardly be called
miracles at all...

...None should be confused
with the Christmas Beeracle,
a holiday brew.

Think of people less
fortunate at this time of
kindness and giving...

...Many families
are in need of even most
basic sustenance.

Please travel safely:
To live to celebrate next
year, don't drink then drive.

Most importantly,
take care of yourself and your
loved ones this season.

Friday Photography - Vegas Vacation, Part II

I have finished uploading my Las Vegas vacation photos, with the exception of those taken at my wedding ceremony. Not counting those, I've pretty much caught up on my photo sorting and uploading! I thought highlighting the Fabulous Las Vegas sign would be the perfect way to commemorate having newfound space on my harddrive - so I can fill it up again!

Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada

Ever since I knew we were going to Las Vegas, I knew I wanted to snap a photo of this sign at night. It's so iconic, it just had to be done. This sign is one of the only things that always stays the same in Las Vegas. Except for when people are throwing paint on it.

Drive Carefully - Come Back Soon

I have to say, though I try to always drive carefully, it will be a long time before I go back to Las Vegas. Maybe like my husband said we could go back for a 5 year anniversary thing, but not next freaking fall like some of my casino-lucky friends probably will. :)

Las Vegas Vacation, Part I
Las Vegas Vacation Photo Album

Sara Duane-Gladden is a freelance writer and photographer in the Twin Cities area of the great state of Minnesota.

Crow River Christmas

The first weekend of the first-ever Crow River Christmas seemed to be a hit, at least from this observer's point of view. The second weekend won't have quite as many events, but hopefully it will be as well attended.

On December 4, the first Saturday of the Crow River Christmas included a variety of activities suitable for all ages. There was a Medallion Hunt, pancake breakfast, Cookie Walk, Chili Contest, and a ceremony to Light Up the Park. Starting at 9:00 a.m. and ending at 7:00 p.m., there was something happening nearly every moment of the day.

This weekend on December 11, the festivities will be a little bit more subdued. There will be a Girl Scout Holiday Craft & Bake Sale with a varying admission policy starting at 9:00 a.m., but which will be officially open to the public at 10:30 until noon. Pictures with Santa will beheld from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Rockford Fire Station (bring a new toy, they'll be holding a toy drive to benefit local families!). And my personal favorite, the Ames Florida Stork House will be open for tours and decorated for Christmas in a turn-of-the-century style with offerings of hot chocolate and cookies.

The Stork House will also hold its traditional, low-key Victorian-Style Christmas Tea on Sunday, December 12, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

More photos of Crow River Christmas in Rockford, MN.

Haiku News - December 6, 2010

The TSA is
going for a world record
incurring lawsuits.

"We're only gonna
die for our arrogance - might
as well speed it up."

Men of the cloth risked
their lives to save a stranded
canine companion.

"Sex in the City"
is not comparative to
most females - STOP IT!

She lost her car, the
deer lost its life, but roadkill
can fetch a high price.

He plucked it from the
water, saying "Boomerangs
really do come back!"

This Kindergarten
took its love for "Survivor"
a little too far.

Its not bad enough
corporations are people,
but now renters aren't?

Cattle rustlers with
a long-term vision wanted
to begin small-scale.

Don't keep him from his
meds and whatever you do,
stay off his lawn, too!

Friday Photography - Vegas Vacation, Part I

As promised, photos from my trip to Las Vegas in September. One of my favorite places to snap pics was at Fremont Street, one of the more family-friendly areas of Las Vegas. No, really! There were kids everywhere! It was like a street-party that happens every day and night, with music and vendors and entertainment. Visiting Fremont Street was one of my favorite Las Vegas experiences. Ha! I made a funny.

Fremont Street Experience

Fremont Street has a screen that arches across it on which a variety of media, in particular musical medlies by popular classic rock bands with psychedelic video accompaniment. It is called the "Fremont Street Experience." Basically, they're the newest generation of laser light shows. I think this particular "performance" was the Beatles, but I'm not sure.

Smoking Cowboy

Las Vegas' infamous 50-foot Smoking Cowboy neon sign can be found under the video canopy on Fremont Street.

Glitter Gulch

Okay, Fremont Street is family friendly as long as you don't go inside the casinos and gentlemen’s' clubs. Stay in the pedestrian-only street where all the non-gambling fun is and you'll be just fine. But I love these neon signs.

Maybe I'll post actual photos of my wedding next week, though those won't be by me, I was busy getting married! :) In the meantime, you can view the rest of my Las Vegas Vacation / Wedding photos at Flickr - at least the ones I've uploaded so far. I also posted a few photos from the drive to Vegas at Sam Can Shoot.