The Fun Times Guide tag:thefuntimesguide.com,2009-08-29://1 2011-03-27T19:41:40Z Loaded with good news and fun stuff. Lots of little-known secrets about practical, everyday things -- always from a unique perspective, often with a humorous twist. A 'site about nothing'... yet there's something for everyone! It's the Seinfeld of the Internet! Movable Type Pro 4.34-en My Personal Skydiving Experience - How Tandem Skydiving Has Changed tag:thefuntimesguide.com,2011://1.12179 2011-03-01T23:44:14Z 2011-03-27T19:41:40Z I've gone skydiving 6 times since 1994. Since then, tandem skydiving has become much more popular, accessible, probably safe -- and less personal. Here's my personal experience through the years. Suzie http://stamping.thefuntimesguide.com/about/suzie.php skydiving-experience.jpgI've gone skydiving 6 times. 

My 6 tandem jumps were at these skydiving locations:

I can tell that in the 9 years between my jumps in 1998 and 2007, tandem skydiving has become much more popular, accessible, probably safe -- and less personal. 

 

]]> My Skydiving Experiences Prior To 2007

The preparation for my first 4 jumps was much more extensive than the more recent 2 jumps. 

All the different instructors took quite a bit of time talking with me -- asking about my previous jumps, telling me about themselves, describing in detail how my jump would go, teaching me skydiving terms and techniques, and answering any questions I had. 

We practiced our exit from the plane and my body posture during free fall.  I was able to learn and progress through different skydiving skills including free fall turns, landmark spotting, altitude checks with my altimeter, free fall forward dive, and ripcord pull. 

Yep, I got to pull the ripcord! 

I also learned the importance of canopy control (or driving the parachute).  My first 4 jumps had 4 canopy toggles -- 2 front and 2 back.  I was in charge of the front 2!!  That was an awesome and frightening responsibility.  We practiced how the landing would go while still in the air.  You have to pull all 4 corners straight down, essentially closing the parachute like an upside down water drop.  This was a lot of fun, because you kind of come to a full stop while still falling.  It's hard to describe!  

The landings I had were all different -- from a perfect landing on my feet to how it might feel if you jumped off a standard ladder to scooting along on my butt and finally landing on my knees.  All of them were thrilling and exhilarating... and safe!

My 2 most recent jumps were very different experiences... 
 

My 2007 Skydiving Experience Was Very Different

In Ohio (2007), I was walking to the airplane, almost in tears and ready to not jump!  I was so put off by my instructor, I was questioning if I trusted him to get me safely to the ground. 

He threw me into a jumpsuit and harness and told me to meet him at the plane.  And that - is - it.  I'm sure he didn't know my name, and I didn't know anything about him.  After he suited me up, he was running around trying to coordinate flight times with the pilots.  He gave me no instructions, asked me no questions, and he certainly didn't teach me anything new about skydiving.  

Oh, he did make sure I knew he had been the jump master for Paris Hilton when she went skydiving in Las Vegas for her birthday.  And his nickname was Crash.  (I'm not making this up.) 

As I was walking to the plane, I seriously wanted to leave.  But the friend I had with me was super-excited with her jump master, and no way was I leaving her. 

Once we were flying up, he started talking and giving me instructions about the jump.  Because of everything I knew from all my other jumps, I felt fairly confident and more excited.  The jump was fine and fun and safe.  I got to do my fun spins!. 

I learned that the parachutes now have only 2 control toggles, and the instructor does all the driving.  This is one way I believe tandem skydiving is a little safer, taking away the risk of people like me having any responsibility.

 

My Most Recent Skydiving Experience In 2010

My most recent jump (2010 in Indiana) was much like that one, but I was more prepared for it this time. 

My instructor this time thought it was fun to buckle me into my harness in silence.  I asked some questions:

Q: How long have you worked here?
A: "Oh, about a week."  

Q: Hmm, you're wearing a t-shirt that says "ground staff."  How many tandem jumps have you done? 
A: "As the instructor, this will be about my 10th."

Q: No, really, how many? 
A: "About 10.  Really."

As he walked away, he said to another instructor, "Hey, check her harness, okay?  I'm not sure I got it all."  

The next time I saw him, was walking to the plane.  He was still acting very blase about the whole thing, and not answering my questions.  I stopped walking and said, "Look, I need to know a few things.  I've done this before and I want to know how long you've done this and how many jumps you've done." He finally told me 8 years and over 5,500 jumps. 

Overall, my jump experience was ok.  It was still fun and safe, and I got to make flips out of the plane!  But it was very disappointing in terms of how I was treated.  The environment of that drop zone was chaotic, and the instructors all appeared cocky and crass. 

I was with a friend who was making his first jump, and his instructor treated him the same way as mine did.  He had a great experience, and I think he was more satisfied since he had nothing to compare it to.  He had a video made of his jump and has talked about going again.  I asked what advice he would give to those considering a tandem skydive:  "Just do it, man!"

 

Other Ways That Tandem Jumps Have Changed

The Accelerated Free Fall (AFF) training program for solo skydiving often includes a tandem jump as the first step.  I think that's why I was given so much more training on my earlier jumps. 

It wasn't set up that way, and I've always made it clear that I wasn't planning to do the AFF training.  I was given a Sport Parachutist's log book for my first jump, which is typically used to track the student status during AFF.  

I love that I have a good record of all my jumps.  But now - the tandem jumps are clearly designed as a one-time jump.  Drop zones are designed for volume, and the instructors are paid per jump, so the more the merrier. 

Safety does not appear to have been sacrificed, but quality of experience definitely has been.  I am so glad I've had it both ways, because I like knowing more about my death-defying experiences!  
 

]]> Check Out Our Fun Facebook And Twitter Pages! tag:thefuntimesguide.com,2010://1.10319 2011-02-23T17:09:11Z 2011-02-18T22:40:38Z Get fun ideas in real-time, helpful tips & tricks, and updates about fun things to see & do on our Facebook and Twitter pages for The Fun Times Guide! Lynnette http://thefuntimesguide.com/about/index.php Get fun ideas in real-time, helpful tips & tricks, and updates about fun things to see & do on our Facebook and Twitter pages!

 

Prefer one of our other sites on a specific topic? 

Here's a list of our other Facebook pages.

Or, follow one of these Twitter pages for lots of fun ideas, helpful tips & practical solutions by topic:

@FunBeautyTips @FunCoins
@FunCrafts @FunDogs
@FunFishingTips @FunFoodTips
@FunHealthTips @FunHomebuilding
@FunHouseHome @FunJeeps
@FunGreenTips @FunLogHomes
@FunMensFashion @FunMoneyTips
@FunNashville @FunPregnancy
@FunRVing @FunTriathlons
@FunWeather @FunWeddings

 

]]> Money Clamp: The Best Front Pocket Wallet For Guys tag:thefuntimesguide.com,2011://1.12417 2011-02-01T16:49:07Z 2011-03-27T23:59:21Z My husband SWEARS by the front pocket wallet called the Money Clamp. It's similar to a traditional money clip, yet different. Here's why he likes it so much... Lynnette http://thefuntimesguide.com/about/index.php money-clamp-front-pocket-wallet.jpg

My husband doesn't carry a wallet. He hasn't for years.

Instead, he keeps his cash and credit cards in a Money Clamp which he keeps in his front pants pocket at all times.

He wouldn't dream of using a "standard" money clip -- because he says they aren't nearly as sophisticated as the Money Clamp is. The official Money Clamp is similar to a traditional money clip, yet it's very different.

Here's why he thinks the Money Clamp is the best man's wallet around...

 

]]> My Husband's Money Clamp

Jim just got his 3rd Money Clamp (...in 11 years).

The first one was from back in the day when QVC used to sell mostly things that couldn't be found in stores. This neato money clip they were showcasing was just different enough to catch my attention, and it seemed like it would make a great gift for my hubby.

He loved it!

Several years later, his Money Clamp started looking a bit worn from being used day in and day out -- so I got him another one that I found online.

That one, too, lasted several years and it wasn't until recently that I noticed that the official Money Clamp is now available on Amazon, so I grabbed a shiny new one for him.

Truth be told, neither of his previous Money Clamps broke or failed in any way. The metal clamp had simply became scuffed after so much use, and the leather credit card holder was looking a little worn around the edges. I still keep his first two Money Clamps as backups in case of an emergency -- should he lose his or something.

 

Why He Likes The Money Clamp Best 

  • It's simple to use. You don't have to dig deep inside of anything (like a multi-fold wallet) to get to your individual credit cards or dollar bills.
  • It removes the wallet bulge that 95% of men have in their rear pockets. In effect, it streamlines the size of your "wallet" to about 2 inches by 3 inches in size.
  • It's much sturdier than a traditional money clip. It's a much more substantial piece. It never stretches out or loses its tight grip.
  • It's easy to eyeball the credit card you want or the denomination of bill that you're after. Just grab & go!
  • It helps you stay organized. With slots for up to 12 credit cards (the 3 slots on each side of the leather wallet hold 2 cards each), you only carry the ones you actually use the most. Yet 12 is much more than some money clips allow.
  • You can keep your "business" credit cards on one side and your "personal" credit cards on the other side (of the leather slotted pouch).
  • You can keep receipts and other things in the small center pocket found in the leather wallet itself. 
  • The clamp itself locks on tightly, so there's no chance of anything falling out! Everything (cards, cash, receipts) stays securely clamped in place within the Money Clamp's tight grip. 
  • A front pocket wallet like the Money Clamp is safer. No one's going to pick-pocket a guy's front pocket!
  • It's very sleek and stylish. Almost every time he pulls it out of his front pocket, people study it from afar. Many actually ask where he got it and how it likes it.
  • We didn't get Jim's Money Clamp monogrammed, but it's a great gift item that can be personalized

 

Money Clamp Is The Best Front Pocket Wallet

Even though it's easier to find traditional money clips in stores, try as I might, I haven't been able to get him to switch. Not even to a slightly different type of money clip / wallet combo that seemed a bit more practical to me. 

Nope. For the past 11 years, the Money Clamp is the only thing Jim has used to safeguard his money and credit cards on the go!
 
There are lots of different styles of the Money Clamp. Jim likes the Geneva the best -- in silver.
 
He's not the only one who thinks the Money Clamp is the best thing ever. Check out all of these amazing reviews:

 

 

]]> Best Feel Good Videos To Make You Smile tag:thefuntimesguide.com,2011://1.12382 2011-01-01T17:00:00Z 2011-03-27T20:30:25Z A growing list of online videos that will motivate you or just make you smile and feel happy to be alive. Enjoy! Lynnette http://thefuntimesguide.com/about/index.php Welcome to the New Year!

Here are my favorite, most motivating videos of all time.

Enjoy...

 

#1 The 8 Irresistible Principles of FUN:

 

 

#2 Suggestions On How To Live A Happy And Rewarding Life:

 

 

#3 Christian The Lion Reunited In The Wild:

 

 

#4 The 5.75 Questions You've Been Avoiding:

 

 

#5 Labrador Dog Befriends A Dolphin:

 

 

#6 Lost Generation

 

 

#7 Randy Pausch ~ The Last Lecture:

]]> My Favorite Android Apps For Newbies With A Droid Phone tag:thefuntimesguide.com,2010://1.12362 2010-12-03T15:00:01Z 2010-12-26T00:22:17Z These are my favorite Android apps that I use on my Droid X and highly recommend for other newbies to Android phones. Lynnette http://thefuntimesguide.com/about/index.php motorola-droid-x-phone.jpg Before I got my new Motorola Droid X phone, I had an iPhone 3.

Back then, I wrote about all of my favorite iPhone apps -- to help newbies figure out which ones might be worth exploring. (I also touched on the best iPhone game apps for non-gamers.)

Now, I'll share my favorite Android apps.

I've also been asking friends what their favorite Droid apps are. It's interesting to see what's important to some, what's not important to others, and where people put their priorities in terms of smartphone apps.

These are my favorites... today, as a brand new Android phone owner. I'm sure they'll change over time, which is why I plan to update this post as I find new apps and learn new things.

 

]]> If you read my earlier post about my switch from the iPhone to a Droid X, then you know I'm still fairly new to Android apps at this point.

Below I share which Droid apps are my favorites so far. I plan to add to this list as I fine-tune my favorites over time. 

 

Practical Tools

Droidlight LED Flashlight - FREE
by Motorola Inc
Why I Like It: It's the most powerful flashlight in the Android Marketplace because it uses the camera's LED flash instead of the phone's screen. Try it, you won't settle for those flashlight apps that just light up your phone's screen any longer!

Dictionary.com - FREE
by Dictionary.com LLC
Why I Like It: It helps me find good Scrabble words in a hurry when I'm playing word games with other Droid X owners. (UPDATE: I ended up removing this app and using Scrabble Helper for my word games instead)

Urbanspoon - FREE
by Urbanspoon Team
Why I Like It: It's a fast way to find restaurants nearby -- by cuisine, price, or city. I also use Places and Maps to find restaurants. They all pick up different restaurants and they display results in slightly different ways too.

 

PRODUCTIVITY

Handcent SMS - FREE
by handcent_admin
Why I Like It: It's a kick-butt text messaging program! I've never seen a program with more customizable options than this one. Every single little thing can be personalized just about any way you like it. You also have the option to make your txt notifications similar to iPhone notifications. I especially like the option that turns on the pop-up box which shows your incoming text messages (and lets you reply) without having to unlock your phone each time.

GDocs - FREE
by WildArt
Why I Like It: I use Google Docs on my desktop and laptop computers for all of my word processing (and spreadsheet and powerpoint) needs. This syncs perfectly, so I have all of my documents at my fingertips and can even edit them on the go.

Gmail - FREE
by Google Inc
Why I Like It: How do I love Gmail?... Oh, let me count the ways! There are too many to count, that's for sure. You can't beat the effortless syncing of your email across all computers.

Google Voice - FREE
by Google Inc
Why I Like It: It's how you get Visual Voicemail (for FREE) on your Android phone. Until you've tried it, you won't really understand just how great this app is. Plus, if you don't have an unlimited Data plan on your phone, you just use your Google Voice number (instead of your regular cell phone number) for texting and you don't pay a thing!

PdaNet - FREE
by June Fabrics Technology
Why I Like It: It's the only way that I know of to officially tether your phone to your laptop computer, giving you Internet access without having a WiFi spot nearby. Plus, it's more secure than WiFi hotspots as well.

GoMarks for Google Bookmarks - FREE
by AndroAppsDev
Why I Like It:  At first, I was frustrated to learn that Instapaper isn't available as an app on Android phones. Sure, I could have used Read It Later on the Droid to save things I find online to read later, but I found this GoMarks app even easier. Plus, it integrates with the GMarks app in Firefox (and the YAGBE app in Chrome) that I'm already using to sync my Google Bookmarks across all my computers. For the "read it later" function, I simply save things that I want to read later in a folder called "Later" on GoMarks. Now, that "Later" folder appears on all of my computers and I can read through those things at my leisure. (UPDATE: I later decided to only use Google Bookmarks for the personal bookmarks that I tend to use on a daily basis. I use Diigo Bookmarks for bookmarking other types of things -- see below.)

GTasks - FREE
by Dato
Why I Like It: It's the best to-do list around! Mostly because it automatically syncs with the Google Tasks program on your computer. You can create, edit, and view all of your lists from wherever you are. I use this program several times throughout the day - both on my computer and on my phone.

ReaderScope - $2.49 after a 5-day FREE trial
by altcanvas
Why I Like It:  I tried most of the popular RSS readers for Android phones that immediately sync with Google Reader feeds. On my desktop computer, I use Feedly to do that. On my Android phone, I found ReaderScope to be the best one. Runners up included Greed Lite and NewsRob (in that order).

Diigodroid - FREE
by Tarmo Toikkanen
Why I Like It:  For years, I've been saving bookmarks that pertain to articles I plan to write, things I plan to Tweet, and stuff I plan to share with my Facebook friends in Diigo. It's great for storing bookmarks online that you can access across all computers (and share with friends and co-workers). I use a unique Tag naming structure for my Diigo bookmarks which is different from the Tags I use for my daily-use bookmarks that I store in Google Bookmarks (or GMarks/GoMarks/YAGBE), The Diigodroid app makes it relatively easy to save things directly to my Diigo account, rather than having to save them first to Instapaper or Read It Later (or even to my "later" folder in GoMarks for that matter).

Dropbox - FREE
by Dropbox Inc
Why I Like It: You can easily send files and photos from your phone to your computer (or from one computer to another, or from one friend to another). Think of it as a virtual network between your own computers (without having to "network" your computers and buy a wireless router). It's similar to Go To My PC. Instead of having access to your entire computer wherever you go, you have access to this one folder anywhere you go. Kind of like a permanent flash drive! You can have up to 2GB of info in that folder at any one time (or more for a fee). Here are some other clever ways to use Dropbox.

If you decide to try Dropbox, if you use this link then you and I both get an extra 250MB of storage space! (On top of the standard 2GB that's already FREE. It's their incentive for helping to spread the word about Dropbox.)

 

SOCIAL NETWORKING

social-networking-screen-droid-x.jpg Facebook for Android - FREE
(by Facebook)
Why I Like It: I don't really use this "official" Facebook app. It downloaded automatically when I connected the Social Networking widget with my Facebook account. I primarily view, comment, and like friends' Facebook posts through the Social Networking widget alone. If you haven't tried this Motorola Widget yet, it's definitely worth a look. I have 3 of them set up on one of my screens. One for my really close friends, one for people I'm trying to get to know better, and one that I just watch what others are saying. You can pick and choose exactly which Facebook friends you want to include in each one.

Hootsuite - FREE
(by Hootsuite)
Why I Like It: I tried the #1 Twitter app for Android (Twidroyd). It's good, but Hootsuite is better in terms of managing multiple Twitter accounts, receiving notifications, scheduling tweets, and viewing lists. Plus, you can do all of those same things with your Facebook account (including Facebook Pages) through the Hootsuite app.

 

MOVIES & TV

PhoneFlicks-Netflix Android - FREE
by Next Mobile Web
Why I Like It: It syncs flawlessly with your Netflix account. You can do everything... including move items around in your queue (both disc and instant streaming queues). Your entire account is available at your fingertips. I also like it for seeing at a glance if a movie got decent ratings or not, along with details about each movie.

TV Guide Mobile - FREE
Roundbox
Why I Like It: It's FAST! You can see in a millisecond what's on TV, save your favorite shows, and set reminders.

Movies - FREE
Flixster Inc
Why I Like It: It has everything you could possibly want to know about movies including what's in theaters right now, which movies are coming soon, what's on DVD this week, and a log of movies you want to see, plus much more. I mostly use the Theater tab which shows what's playing at all the movie theaters near you.

 

MONEY-SAVING COUPONS & SHOPPING

Google Shopper - FREE
by Google Inc
Why I Like It: The built-in barcode scanner works great. You can also "search" for info about something by taking a picture of it (similar to Google Goggles) or by using a voice search instead of the barcode scanner if you want to.

Barcode Scanner - FREE
ZXing Team
Why I Like It: It's very similar to Google Shopper (above). The built-in barcode scanner works well. You can do a product search to see who's selling that item and for how much near you. You can also do a web search, or switch to use Google Shopper's features.

NOTE: I will end up only keeping one of the above barcode scanners. I'm just not sure which one yet.

GeoQpons - FREE
by XYMOB Inc
Why I Like It: It uses your current location to find all of the special offers available in your area then provides the coupons for you on your phone. Either print them out (I email them to my desktop computer), or take them directly to the establishment to be scanned on-site. There are currently 100 in my area -- mostly "fashion" and "general"; only a few "auto", "dining", and "sports".

The Coupons App - FREE
by Most Popular Download
Why I Like It: Lots of freebies and retail offers that change daily. You can either print them out (I email them to my desktop computer), or take them directly to the establishment to be scanned on-site. Some of the recent offers have been free magazine subscriptions, bonus Kohl's coupons, free dog food samples, etc.

The Dealmap - FREE
by The Dealmap
Why I Like It: It uses your current location to show you a list (or a map) of all the specials & coupons at nearby restaurants & bars, as well as "daily deals" that change every morning. They're pretty good deals that you don't normally see in programs like this.

 

MUSIC & AUDIO

Listen - FREE
by Google Inc
Why I Like It: It's a cinch to download podcasts. My favorite is This Week In Google (TWIG) by Leo Laporte. You can also subscribe to them, so they download automatically to your phone and you don't miss one of your favorites.

Pandora Radio - FREE
by Pandora
Why I Like It: It's the best free music player that gets to know the type of music you like as you thumb up and thumb down songs. It starts with a song by an artist you like, then plays similar songs by similar artists from there on.

 

Photos & Camera

Picasa Tool Pro - FREE
by ColifeR Lab
Why I Like It: It's a fast-loading viewer for all of the photos that I've saved in Web Albums via my desktop Picasa program. You can also edit albums and add to albums from your phone. I'll be using this even more as I start using Picasa Web Albums more than I have up to now.

Pixelpipe Post & Upload HD - FREE
by Pixelpipe
Why I Like It: It's a simple way to upload mobile photos and videos to my Picasa web albums. You don't even have to use the app, just the Menu button option. You can also add photo captions, titles, and tags before uploading.

 

GAMES

TetrIs - FREE
by GameBox
Why I Like It: Who doesn't like Tetris? On the iPhone, the Tetris app was a paid-for app. Not on the Droid! This one is simple and fun. UPDATE: I found a better one that's not so "cutesy" and a bit more like the original Tetris. it's called Freedom Blocks. It's also FREE.

Andoku Sudoku - FREE
Markus Wiederkehr
Why I Like It: It's one of the more sophisticated Sudoku games I've found. There are lots of great options.

Wordfeud - $3.25 (there's also a free version with ads)
by hbwares
Why I Like It: It's similar to Words With Friends on the iPhone. You can have several Scrabble games going on at the same time... with friends or strangers. There's no time limitation, you just play your next turn whenever you get a chance.

WordSmith - FREE
by Second Breakfast Studios
Why I Like It: It's very much like Wordfued, in terms of being a multi-player Scrabble-type game, but has a couple of other features (like tallying the score for a word before you submit that word) that are nice. I usually have ongoing games in both Wordfeud and WordSmith round the clock.

Tile Takedown - FREE
by udroid.org
Why I Like It: Similar to Boggle, you see how many letters you can connect to find words before the timer runs out. I like this game because you can simply try to better your own score each time (the stats are amazing), or you can play against other people. As a multi-player game, you can see each player's stats before/after each game. TIP: Use the Menu button to "rotate" the screen occassionally, so you can find even more words!

Angry Birds - FREE
by Rovio Mobile
Why I Like it: I never thought I'd like a game like this, but peer pressure eventually got me to downloand and try it. (Everyone and their brother is talking about Angry Birds these days!) It's actually a very fun -- and addicting -- game. The best part: there are tons and tons of levels... and they keep adding more. I also like to try to better my score in levels that I've already completed.

 

Standard Android Apps & Buttons I Use

I actually removed every single app/button that was on the Droid X screens as soon as I got my phone.

NOTE: They don't really go away; they're still accessible from the background app screen on the phone, in case you decide that you want to put one back on your screen at some point.

The only ones that I put back -- and actually use -- are:

  • Maps - The voice navigation GPS is to die for!
  • Places - I like how you can add shortcuts for your own favorite Places.
  • Camera - I rarely use this icon though, because I set my phone to access the Camera by double-tapping the Home button. (I didn't add the Camcorder icon because you can access it from the open Camera screen.)

    UPDATE: I've since abandoned the standard Camera app altogether. First, I downloaded the SilentSnap Camera FREE app (which simply removes the loud shutter sound every time you take a picture). I used that for awhile, until I became frustrated with the standard Android camera itself. The photos never appeared crisp, clear and colorful -- even at 8MP. So I paid $4.72 for an awesome app called Camera ZOOM FX which significantly improves the quality of the photos and it has the option to make the shutter silent. I've never spent that much for an app befire, but I'm glad I did for this one.

 

Shortcuts, Android Wdigets & Motorola Widgets I Use

droid-x-phone-screen.jpg Sticky Note - it's a post-it note that stays on your screen and can be edited on the fly. I use it for quick things I need to do right away. I use GTasks for To Do Lists that are ongoing. (Motorola widget)

Toggle Buttons - WiFi on/off, Bluetooth on/off, GPS on/off, Airplane Mode on/off (Motorola widget)

Calendar Widget - I have it showing the next 3 days' calendar events. It syncs my Google Calendar with Jim's, so everything's in one place. (Motorola widget)

AccuWeather - Most people prefer the Weather Channel app instead, because it provides up-to-the-minute weather info, but this one suits me fine... for now. I like the widget capabilities that are customizable. You can flip through your favorite cities easily, view radar & maps, and see the weather forecast up to 15 days in advance. (Motorola widget)

Google Search - Duh, this one's a given. It's fast and easy to use the Google Search widget to find things in a hurry. I like that the voice search is right there too, even though I don't use it much. (Android widget)

Pandora Widget - It's a fast way to get ot your Pandora playlists, with thumbs up, thumbs down, pause/play, and next buttons. (Android widget)

Music Widget - Just like the Pandora one, this one is for all of the mp3's that you've downloaded to your phone. I downloaded 20-some CDs to my phone. (Android widget)

Contact Quick Tasks - a one-click dialer for the people you call the most. (Motorola widget)

Social Networking - It's a fun way to view your Facebook friends. You can view, comment, and like friends' Facebook posts I have 3 of these widgets set up on one of my screens. One for my really close friends, one for people I'm trying to get to know better, and one that I just watch what others are saying. You can pick and choose exactly which Facebook friends you want to include in each one, and you don't have to include all friends in one of those groups if you don't want to. (Motorola widget)

 

Apps That Sound Interesting, But I Haven't Tried Yet

Fake-a-Call- Great for getting out of a meeting gone too long.  Set up a call to go off at a given time, and your phone fakes the call for you to conveniently step out and answer. Source

Extended Controls - Android comes with a “Power Control” widget (bottom) that I’ve always liked because it lets you quickly toggle Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Brightness, and more. However, I recently discovered the “Extended Controls” widget, which allows you to create a customized version of Power Control with a lot more toggle options. Source

Tasker - If you had to name one app that delivers on the promise of Android's open, customizable nature, Tasker would be it. The automation utility can pull off any tasks you can put your mind to. Want to have your phone turn on GPS and Bluetooth, raise the ringer volume, and automatically launch the Navigation app when you're in the car, but turn everything off and silent when you put your phone face-down at work? You can do almost anything with Tasker.  Source

Missed Call - You can customize your phone's LED light, ringtones, vibrations, and alerts for missed calls, incoming calls, SMS, Blue­tooth, and calendar events.  Source

DoubleTwist - Not only is it a great search engine for the Android Marketplace (much like App Brain), but it's also a phone/computer sync program for all your photos, videos, podcasts, and MP3's. The AirSync upgrade to doubleTwist and its Android app is really cool -- press a button, and music, pictures, and videos sync across Wi-Fi. You can move past the button, though, and have your Android sync everything wirelessly on a regular schedule. When this is set up -- and, really, it only takes about 15 minutes, much less if you've already connected AirSync -- you'll have a computer and phone that "check in" with each other regularly over Wi-Fi. No cables needed, and you don't have to click the Sync button.  Source

Vignette -  It takes the best pics of any app out there, hands down. It’s worth the download price of approximately $5, especially if you’re using one of the higher megapixel models. You’ll love Vignette’s wide range of effects and options, and so will your friends on Facebook and Flickr when you share your snaps with them.  Source

 

A Couple Of Tips For Newbies

I didn't figure these things out until a couple weeks after using my Droid X... 

  • In standby mode, it's a cinch to turn the sound setting for the ringer to "silent" with a quick slide from the unlock screen. But when the phone is in use, I didn't want have to go through the Settings menu to do so each time. So I created a one-click button through Shortcuts. Only later did I realize that by simply hitting the Power button at the top of the phone, you can switch the ringer to "silent" there as well. So I promptly removed that shortcut button.
  • Don't forget that you can customize the behavior when you double-click on the Home button. You get a handful of choices. Pick the one you use most frequently.
  • To turn on the Camera, you don't have to click on the official Camera button (or one of the 3rd party apps you've downloaded for a better Camera). Just hold down the hardware button itself for the Camera -- the shutter button -- until the Camera powers on.
  • To quickly switch between the programs you use most often on your Droid, simply hold down the Home button and the 8 most recent programs you've used will appear. This is a real time-saver for multi-tasking! 

 

More Great Apps For Android Phones

 

]]> Apple iPhone vs Google Android Phones (I Got The Droid X After 2 Years With An iPhone) tag:thefuntimesguide.com,2010://1.12360 2010-12-01T17:08:16Z 2010-12-01T17:08:32Z If you're thinking of getting an iPhone or an Android phone for the first time, then you will appreciate this summary of the similarities and differences between these 2 smartphones. Lynnette http://thefuntimesguide.com/about/index.php motorola-droid-x-by-Dushaun.jpg I recently got a Motorola Droid X smartphone. I cannot tell you how much I am completely in love with the Android phone!

But then, I really dig gadgets & electronics in general, so it's not all that surprising.

Before this, I had an iPhone 3.0. For the 2 years I had it, I absolutely loved that phone too!

Here's why I like the Droid X better than the iPhone...

 

]]> My Switch From iPhone To Android Phone

When the Android phones first came out, I knew from the get-go that I wanted to wait until the 2nd generation phones came out before I got one. I don't like to be the guinea pig on many 1st generation things. Not when it comes to electronics.

My husband Jim, on the other hand, was one of the first to own the Droid Original. It had a slide-out keyboard which was another reason I didn't want to jump on board just yet. Touchscreen is fine for me, so I didn't want the added bulk for a keyboard I'd never use.

About a year later, he upgraded to the Droid X and I became even more intrigued by all that the Android phone can do that my iPhone couldn't do.

What stood out most were these 3 things:

  • An Android phone is more like an actual computer, whereas the iPhone is more like a portal (or a way to view data in certain programs).
  • Android phones use a Google-based operating system, so they work seamlessly with all of the Google programs that I already use on a daily basis.
  • The Android phone is much faster than the iPhone and it has a larger screen (which means the touchscreen keyboard keys are bigger, pages are easier to read, therefore the overall experience is much better).

 

 

My "frugal self" clung to the fact that my iPhone managed to do the basic things that I wanted and needed. But my "gadget-friendly self" knew that an Android phone would do those things (and more) even better.

Still, I stuck with the iPhone a little longer. It wasn't until my battery stopped holding a charge and I had seen how happy Jim and his friends were with their Droids that I became really serious about finding an Android phone that I liked. 

So, I researched several different phones (including the iPhone 4.0) before I decided that one of these Android phones would be best for me:

I wasn't married to any one carrier. It wasn't a big deal when I was on AT&T that first year when Jim was on Verizon, so it wouldn't be a big deal for me to be on Sprint now while he's on Verizon either. In the end, I settled on the Droid X; so we're both with Verizon now.

In case you're wondering, I always had near flawless coverage from AT&T for the 10+ years that I was with them. After Jim made the switch from iPhone (AT&T) to Droid (Verizon) a year ago, his reception and coverage were just as good (if not better in other states when he's traveling) as AT&T's. So I knew I'd probably be happy no matter which carrier I chose.

For the record, Verizon coverage in some states, or some parts of states (like Peru, Indiana where my family lives) is NOT good. It just so happens that Verizon's coverage where we live (Nashville, TN) is great.

 

Why I Chose The Droid X

I'm a super-organized person, and I like things that are practical, time-saving, money-saving, and simple.

For me, the Droid X fit the bill.

Plus, I really like the way you can completely customize an Android phone right out of the box. I don't want to use a phone the way someone else thinks that I should use it. Instead, I want the freedom to use my phone in all the ways that I want to use it.

 

 

Here's the way I look at iPhone vs Android in terms of options and capabilities. In my opinion, the iPhone is a dummied-down version of a smartphone -- in much the same way that AOL is a dummied down version of the Internet.

All the basics are there. You can do just about anything you "need" to do on a phone. But the iPhone is set up as if Apple knows what's best for you and how they think you should view things and do things on your smartphone. Plus, you're limited in what you can eventually do with an iPhone -- not just in terms of the types of apps that come installed with the phone, but more in terms of how "open" the operating system itself is and how much you can customize it to best meet your needs.

One good example is tethering (being able to use your phone's Internet service on your laptop computer without having to tap into random WiFi hotspots). Tethering is not allowed on the iPhone 3.0, and not without monthly fees with the iPhone 4.0. With the Android phone, there's a free app (PDA Net) that makes tethering a cinch.

Just like the jailbreak community on the iPhone, there’s a group of Android developers determined to grant any Google-powered phone free access to every feature imaginable. And they’re able to accomplish this task more legitimately than underground iPhone hackers, since Android’s source code is completely open to developers.  Source

For the 2 years that I had my iPhone, it did everything I could want a phone to do, it just did it in the most basic ways. In my opinion, saving things, viewing things, and jumping to other things could have been easier (more customizable).

When I finally got my Droid X, this became even more evident. The Android operating system is completely customizable, and you can do most (but not all) things in fewer steps than it takes to achieve the same thing on an iPhone.

The iPhone is absolutely great for people who don't want to spend a lot of time "learning" a new gadget. There is virtually no learning curve. On the other hand, the Android phone is better for those who want a wider array of choices and options with their smartphone.

Here's what I wrote on my Facebook page a few days after getting my Droid X:

Loving the Droid X more and more each day. MUCH better than the iPhone 3.0 (faster, more customization opportunities, voice directions/gps/maps/places are to DIE for). Still haven't downloaded any apps yet & loving it right out of the box.

 

Droid X Shortcomings and Oddities

To be fair, I've done a fair amount of research on the Droid X, and it's not a perfect and flawless phone.

Lots and lots of people have had issues -- ranging from minor to major -- as I have (see below). But this is pretty common with all carriers and all phones.

Fortunately, the Android community is very active and helpful (much like the iPhone community), so it's easy to find quick fixes and reassurance that you're not alone with whatever problem you're having.

Unfortunately, there's not always an easy fix.

Some examples:
 

#1 Believe it or not, I practically had to start over with 3 Droid X phones in the first 11 days after I made the switch from my iPhone. The first time, the phone and email permanently froze after 2 days of use and wouldn't respond to anything. The folks at Verizon were stumped, so they gave me a new Droid X.

Then, about a week later, I had to re-set the phone back to its original state in order to get it working properly again. I took it back to the folks at Verizon, in case they knew of a workaround for the problem I was experiencing (Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Contacts were not syncing back and forth between my phone and my computer). But they didn't. They said the phone simply needed to be re-set.

Resetting your phone is definitely not fun after you've spent so much time syncing the phone with all of your accounts (Gmail, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) not to mention all of the widgets and apps that you had customized to your liking, and then taking the time to get all of the phone's screens back to the way you like them.

I wrote this on my Facebook page:

Having to go back to Square One and set up all my apps & configurations again wasn't fun. BUT... I still LOVE the Droid X. Weird huh?

 

#2 Due to its size (super-large screen; plus it's very tall from top to bottom), I was concerned that the Droid X would primarily be a 2-handed phone. Meaning: you need to have both hands free at all times in order to utilize this phone to its fullest. I had heard that it's not as easy to do things one-handedly, as with most other smartphones. 

I didn't find this to be true. But... I have larger hands (and longer fingers) than most females. They match my 5'9" height.

 

Droid X Does More Than iPhone 3.0

As I said, I really liked my iPhone when I had it!

The reception was always great. It never dropped calls. I had all of the apps I could possibly want. I never had one single problem with it. (Even though I did have to trade in my first iPhone for a replacement from the AT&T store only days after getting it due to a syncing problem very similar to what I experienced with my first Droid X.) 

But, in the end, I always knew that the Droid could do more. And it does. What that "more" is is kind of hard to define though.

  • It's not that there are more apps for Android phones. (In fact, there are far less.)
  • It's not that the Droid is easier to use. (There's a bit of a learning curve with the Android phones. The iPhone is much more intuitive.)
  • It's not that the battery life is better on the Droid. (I don't make many calls; I just use it for minimal texting, personal scheduling & note-taking, and all of my social networking... I get just over 1 full day's use from each battery charge.)

For me, it's actually a lot of very little things that all add up to "more" in favor of the Droid.

Here are a few examples:

  • The notifications ("You have an email/text/voicemail/etc") are much better on the Droid X.
  • The Maps and Places and GPS voice navigation programs on the Droid X completely eliminate the need for a standalone GPS unit. This alone makes the phone worth it to me.
  • You can have several programs open at once on an Android phone. On an iPhone, you have to manually close out of a program in order to open another one (except for the iPod/MP3 player, which could run simultaneously with other programs).
  • You have 24 hours to request a refund for any app purchased from the Android Marketplace that you don't like. This is not an option with the Apple Store or on iTunes.
  • Android apps can be set to automatically update on the Droid, which is something that is seriously lacking on the iPhone. I never liked having to manually log into iTunes or the App Store to see if there were updates for any of my iPhone apps. Plus, you don't have to download a program like iTunes onto your desktop computer just to keep your Android operating system up-to-date. iTunes is a space-hog, memory-hog, and it frequently needs updating -- which is a very slow process.
  • The Android phone far surpasses the syncing capabilities of the iPhone -- in terms of syncing with Google's Gmail, Contacts, Calendar, and everything else that's Google-based. (When you make a change in one, it is automatically reflected on the Droid. And vice versa... when you make a change on the Droid, it is automatically reflected on your desktop version of the same program.)
  • This last one I haven't even used yet, but I think it's pretty cool that you can send any caller immediately to voicemail. Plus, you can completely block calls so you don't even see them if you want! 

In the end, it's lots of little things like that which make the Android phone really unique and highly customizable.

 

iPhone Does These Things Better

One minor thing that I found lacking with the Droid X (it's still early, I'm sure I'll find more) is the fact that you can't take screenshots of your Droid without rooting your phone and downloading 3 pieces of software. With the iPhone, you can simply press the Power button and the Home button at the same time to capture a photo of one of your screens. 

My best tip: To make it fast and easy to re-configure my apps and their placement on each of my Droid screens after re-setting the phone, I used my SLR camera to take a photo of each screen first. I also took pictures of some of the deeper configuration settings screens.

Another thing the iPhone does better is Visual Voicemail. This was almost a deal-breaker for me, because I didn't want to have to call a separate number to check my voicemail each time. The iPhone has Visual Voicemail built-in. The Droid X does not. Fortunately, there's an app for that! The Google Voice app gives you Visual Voicemail and more (even free texting if you don't have an unlimited data plan).

 

A Reason To Love Google Products

I use Google products for most of the things I do online, including:

All of those things are synced perfectly for me on my Droid X!

That's the best thing about using Google products -- whether you have a smartphone or not. You're able to access your stuff from any computer (or smart phone) at any time. There are no extra logins or programs or steps required to do so.

You have access to your stuff 24/7 wherever you are since all of your Google data is stored (securely and privately) "in the cloud". Only you can see it (or access it), unless you decide to share things with others on a case-by-case basis.

Plus all of Google's products are... FREE!

 

Tips For Getting The Most From Your Droid X

#1 I would encourage you to at least try to use the Swype feature with your keyboard, rather than typing in each individual letter one by one all the time. There's a tutorial that makes it quick and easy to "see" how it's done.

My best tip: When you start Swyping, do NOT look at each word to see if the Droid got it right. (It usually does.) Instead, wait until you've completed your entire message to check each of the words before you hit Send. You will begin to see patterns with the type of words it usually doesn't get right -- like very unique words and names. Swype is a definite time-saver for me, but I didn't think it would be at first.

 

#2 Yes, there are fewer apps in the Android Marketplace than there are in the Apple Store, but have no fear, most of the "major ones" are there. Plus, developers are rapidly adding more and more Android apps each day!

My best tip: Since the Android Marketplace is open to any and all developers (which is a good thing that the Android operating system is open source, rather than proprietary as the iPhone's is), be sure to read through the comments before downloading an app for the first time. Some apps are from not-so-reputable developers. That's why you usually want to know the name of the developer whenever someone points you to one of their favorite apps -- because apps of the same or similar names can actually be quite different.

 

#3 If you find yourself needing to troubleshoot a problem with your Android phone, there are 2 quick fixes you can try yourself. These usually remedy the minor problems:

  • Remove the battery. Do this if a program seems hung up. When my first Droid X got hung up and wouldn't send or receive emails or phone calls, the first thing the folks at the Verizon store did was remove the battery. It got the program that was hung-up to stop. But it didn't resolve the ultimate problem -- which led to them giving me my second Droid X as a replacement.
  • Dial *228 then choose option 2 to update your connection with Verizon's cell towers. Do this if your phone suddenly starts dropping calls, if you're only getting 1G coverage when others on Verizon phones around you are getting 3G, or if your phone seems to have difficulty finding your current location.


Next up: my favorite Android apps for the Droid X!

 

More Great Tips For New Android Phone Users

20 Tips & Tricks For The Android Newbie

Android Forums

Ultimate Guide To Every Android Phone

DoubleTwist: A Searchable Android Marketplace

]]> Black Friday Deals: You Don't Have To Wait Until The Day After Thanksgiving Anymore tag:thefuntimesguide.com,2010://1.12336 2010-11-09T19:00:13Z 2011-03-30T22:23:56Z Here are the best stores and websites for good pre-Black Friday steals: Ashley http://thefuntimesguide.com/about/ black-friday-deals-by-ChrisGonzales90.jpg Just when you take down the skeletons, throw out your carved pumpkins, and pack up the scary Halloween decorations, you turn on the TV and it’s already Christmas.

Wait a minute… did we fast-forward through Thanksgiving?       

The traditional Black Friday shopping scene is coming earlier to many stores that are already painting their sale signs with red ink and slashing prices left and right, beginning the first week of November!       

As seen in this CBS News video, giants like Sears, Walmart, and Best Buy want their registers ringing NOW -- marketing to eager shoppers who can’t wait until after Thanksgiving to gobble-up Black Friday deals.
      
The dismal economy is partially to blame, but like it or not, retailers' favorite holiday -- Black Friday -- is creeping in earlier and earlier every year.
 

]]> Big Stores Starting Early
       
Toys R Us launched its campaign on Halloween with an 80-page catalog -- The Great Big Christmas Book -- and there’s even an iPad app available to download the deals.
      
On the 1st of November, my favorite department store, Macy's, debuted their Holiday Gift Guide, which helps you find items specifically for the people you're shopping for based on how much you're willing to spend.
      
Already famous for signature sales on name-brand collections, Kohl’s is jumping on the bandwagon, offering discounts from 40% to 50% off apparel, kitchen appliances, and toys every weekend leading up to Black Friday. The superstore is also extending its hours to midnight -- a move most retailers don’t make until the big weekend.

Check out Consumer Search's pre-Black Friday sales updates for major retailers!
 


Not Buying It?
      
If you’re like me, and not falling for the early sales -- A. Thank you, and B. Let’s hope it’s worth the wait!
      
Sure, these pre-Black Friday sales rock. But, I’m betting most stores aren’t pulling out all the stops just yet. After all, each corporate store is fighting for your business with not only its regular competition, but also its sister stores.
      
What does that mean? Well, look at bebe, a high-end fashion store for the "modern, sexy, and sophisticated woman." In the Chicago area alone, there are 8 stores. While the corporate big-wigs want all of their stores to perform well on the biggest shopping day of the year, each lead manager is under pressure to beat out the other stores in the district. A little friendly competition goes a long way -- from bonuses for mangers, to in-house discounts for top-performing sales associates on Black Friday.

Therefore, there are Black Friday sales now, but the real marketing won’t start until the week leading up to Thanksgiving -- with phone calls, emails, and catalogs full of “doorbuster” incentives. 
      
And that was normal -- releasing the sales about a week beforehand.
      
But not anymore.
      
Forget suspense, shoppers need to know NOW. That’s why I think lots of retailers are hijacking the Black Friday label and slapping it on regular sales you would see every month anyway. Can you really blame them?
 


Waiting In Lines? Forget It!

black-friday-online-by-Kevin-Walter.jpg Looking to ditch the seemingly forced shopping day all together?

If crowded malls, messy stores, limited parking, and long lines on Black Friday aren’t your scene, but you still want the elf-sized prices, go cyber!

Many retailers offer free shipping, gift wrapping, and bang-for-your-buck deals online that you would find in the jam-packed stores anyway.
      
Here are my favorite sites for pre-Black Friday steals:

  • For electronics, movies, and books: Amazon (psst... on the Monday before Thanksgiving, you'll find Amazon's best Black Friday specials!)
     
  • For Christmas cards and beauty products: CVS
          
  • For brand name clothing, accessories, and home decor: Ideeli
          
  • For toys: Target (these sale items are only available until Black Friday!)
          
  • For sexy undergarments, perfume, and stellar shoes: Victoria’s Secret
     

All of these crazy Black Friday sales may leave your wallet empty, but make sure to set aside enough change to buy your Thanksgiving Day turkey.

And please, don’t decorate for Christmas until Black Friday. Or the next thing we know, retailers will be skipping Halloween too… now that’s scary!


More About Black Friday Deals

The Best Black Friday Shopping Tips... Ever!

A First-Time Black Friday Shopper's Guide To Scoring The Best Deals

Don't Forget About Cyber Monday Specials!

View All Current Black Friday Ads

]]> Magic Jack Eliminates Your Monthly Phone Bill, But How Well Does It Really Work? tag:thefuntimesguide.com,2010://1.12166 2010-11-01T18:44:38Z 2010-11-01T18:44:37Z As long as you have hi-speed Internet, you can use Magic Jack for your phone calls and never have to pay a phone bill again! Here's a video review from someone who's been using the MagicJack for a year now. Lynnette http://thefuntimesguide.com/about/index.php magic-jack-by-freephotos70.jpg You've probably heard about Magic Jack.

It's a USB device you plug into the USB port on your desktop computer or laptop computer, and then you never have to pay for phone calls again!

It works through your computer's high-speed Internet connection to deliver your calls (both local and long distance) to a standard land line phone in your home.

Sound too good to be true? Well, it's not.

The following video is a personal review from someone who's used MagicJack for 1 year, and he says it really works!

Here's how Magic Jack works:

 

]]> Some points worth noting:

  • Once you buy the MagicJack unit itself (for around $40), there's an annual feel ($40 the first year, $20 thereafter). If you look at the amount you're currently spending on your phone bill (not to mention the long distance calls alone), it's probably going to be worth it. Many say the huge cost savings makes the Magic Jack a good purchase.
     
  • You will need to leave your computer on (and connected to the Internet) 24/7. That way, you can make and receive calls without having to boot up your computer each time. For us, this isn't an issue. We leave our computers on 24/7.
     
  • In the event of a storm, or a problem with your Internet service, your Magic Jack phone line will be down as well. Your phone calls are 100% reliable on your Internet connectivity.
     
  • If you're trying to save money on your monthly bills -- including your cell phone and long distance phone calls -- then the Magic Jack may be worth trying. However, if your Internet is down a lot or not very fast, the MagicJack is probably not for you.

 

magicjack-by-freephotos70.jpg

 

 

]]> Using Teeny Tiny Mini Pumpkins As Fun Halloween Decorations tag:thefuntimesguide.com,2010://1.12283 2010-10-24T21:03:21Z 2010-10-24T21:03:50Z This video shows a really simple way to decorate your holiday dinner table using mini pumpkins. Lynnette http://thefuntimesguide.com/about/index.php The following video shows a really simple way to decorate your holiday dinner table using mini pumpkins.

 

halloween-pumpkin-decorations-by-MMChicago.jpg

 


It's so easy... and so adorable!

 

All you need is a few simple teeny tiny mini pumpkins!

 

 

halloween-pumpkin-decorations-by-Perfecto-Insecto.jpg

 

 

]]> Top Adult And Kids Halloween Costumes ~ Current Trends tag:thefuntimesguide.com,2010://1.12305 2010-10-18T00:40:41Z 2010-10-18T00:40:34Z After perusing various lists of the top Halloween costumes for this year from a number of sources, including the National Retail Federation, I've compiled the best of the best here for you. These are the most popular Halloween costumes based on today's current trends. Lynnette http://thefuntimesguide.com/about/index.php david-bowie-lady-gaga-adult-barbie-costumes-by-Alla_G.jpg After perusing various lists of the top Halloween costumes for this year from a number of sources (including the National Retail Federation), I've compiled the best of the best here for you.

So, if you haven't decided on your Halloween costume yet for this year, you're in luck.

There's still time. And choosing one of these costumes might give you an edge in a Halloween costume contest this year.

More people plan to dress up for the holiday than ever before — 40.1% compared with 33.4% last year and the highest percentage since the group started tracking Halloween trends in 2003.  Source

These are the most popular Halloween costumes based on today's current trends....


 

]]> Top Halloween Costumes For Adults



ADULT WOMEN

flo-progressive-insurance-costume-by-Rob-Speed.jpg

See how to make a Lady Gaga costume...




ADULT MEN

See how to make a Michael Jackson costume...

 


ADULT GROUPS

Hundreds of group Halloween costumes to buy or make yourself. Plus, dozens more group Halloween costumes.

 

Top Halloween Costumes For Children

 

LITTLE GIRLS

LITTLE BOYS

TODDLERS

 

 

Top Halloween Costumes For Dogs

Even costumes for pets are getting racier, with retailers offering “sexy schoolgirl,” ‘’playboy bunny” and “Darth Vader” for dogs.  Source

 


RESOURCES

 

]]> Photos + Videos Of The Worst Halloween Costumes Ever! tag:thefuntimesguide.com,2010://1.12158 2010-10-10T17:54:15Z 2011-04-01T20:45:19Z This is a huge sampler of some of the worst costumes ever. Click on the list names to see photos for them all. Some are DIY ideas. Others are legit Halloween costumes that you can buy. Lynnette http://thefuntimesguide.com/about/index.php worst-halloween-costume-ever-by-Marc-Toppel.jpg These first few were rated among the worst Halloween costumes by Threadbanger (as seen in the video below):

Okay, that was a brief summary. Now watch the video to see what those costumes really look like:


But that's not all.

Following are some great collections of the worst Halloween costumes ever!... 

]]> Who knows, you might find a way to turn some of these rather creative ideas that made the worst list into a better Halloween costume that rates as one of the best.

roller-coaster-halloween-costume-by-krossbow.jpg

 

Worst Halloween Costumes Ever

Below is just a sampler of some of the worst costumes. Click on the list names to see photos for them all.

Some are DIY costumes that you can make yourself. Others are legit Halloween costumes that you can buy.

Of course being labeled as "the worst" is simply a matter of opinion. Obviously, someone thought they were "the best" Halloween costumes ever!

Warning: Many of the photos and descriptions are rather explicit.
 

50 Worst Halloween Costumes - a Clump of Sod, Scar Tissue, the Big "O", a Peeping Tom, Microsoft Windows, a Suicide Bomber, God

VIDEO: Taking Your Halloween Costume Too Far - the Human Toilet Seat

7 Halloween Costumes To Avoid - instead of Sarah Palin... go as Levi Johnston; instead of Where The Wild Things Are... go as H.R. Puffinstuff; instead of dead celebrities like Michael Jackson... go as living Celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor or Kirk Douglas; instead of a Zombie or Vampire, go as a Banshee; instead of Balloon Boy... go as the Old Man from UP

13 Of The Most Tasteless Halloween Costumes Ever - Free Mammograms ("place boobs here"), a Priest and a Young Boy, Giving Birth to a Baby, a Box of Tampons (Believe it or not, these top those!)

10 Worst Halloween Costumes For Kids - baby Lady Gaga, Pimp Suit, Baby Rabbi, Jail Breaker, Human Turkey

paris-hilton-jail-by-jenniferlstoddart.jpg Best & Worst Costumes Celebrities Have Worn - Katie Couric as Donald Trump, Kim Kardashian as Wonder Woman, Paris Hilton as Jail Bait, Martha Stewart in a wetsuit as a Surfer, Mariah Carey as The Little Mermaid, Audrina Patridge as a Peacock. (Here are some celebrity look-a-like costumes.)

Video Slideshow Of The Worst Halloween Costumes - a sexy Ninja Turtle, a "Petting Zoo" (appropriately placed on a guy), a Bowl of LONGuini and Meatballs, a Banana Flasher, sexy Scrabble and Twister Games.

Worst Halloween Costume For Kids - a variety of kids Halloween costumes are discussed, including those that encourage Bad Behavior, aren't Age-Appropriate, or are simply in Bad Taste

25 Of The Most Insane Halloween Costumes From Around The World - Santa and his Reindeer, Party in my Pants, a Camel (for couples), a Bike with Speedometer (?)

10 Worst Halloween Costumes - Lady Gaga meat dress, 3D costumes, sexy couples costumes

Star Wars Costumes Don't Get Worse Than This - the entire cast of characters is included: Darth Vader, R2D2, Chewbacca, and more.

breathalyzer-machine-halloween-costume.jpg 20 Halloween Costumes That Will Earn You A Beating - Spongebob (for an adult man), a Breathalyzer Machine (for an adult man), a Lock and Key (for couples), Baby and Mommy (for an adult man), a One Night Stand, God's Gift to Women

10 Worst Kids Costumes - baby Pimp Daddy, a pint-sized Gene Simmons from KISS, a baby Michael Jackson, a child as Donald Trump, a baby Whoopie Cushion

25 Hilarious Examples Of Parents Trying To Save Money On Their Kids' Costumes - Leaves (for a crawling baby), a box of Cheerios, Lobster or Crawfish in a Pan, a Giraffe

Top 10 Worst Of The Worst Halloween Costumes - Baby with Bloody Creature Popping out of Chest, a Human Dick, Fat Elvis with Cameltoe, Bert and Ernie

Slutty Costumes For Dogs - a School Girl, a Harem, a Cheerleader, or Heidi

10 Worst DIY Sexy Costumes- a Sexy Blogger, a Naughty Grandma, McDonald's Drive-Thru Attendant, a Sultry Julia Child, a Sexy Janitor (For the record, sexy costumes can be fun in the bedroom too!)

 fat-elvis-costume-by-Whistling-in-the-Dark.jpgWorst Retro Costumes Of All Time - these are going way back to actual Halloween costumes you could buy in stores: Mr. Kotter & The Sweathogs, the Gong Show's Chuck Barris, Chachi from Happy Days, Flipper (the dolphin), Jaws, a Rubiks Cube, the "leather guy" from the Village People

10 Worst Halloween Costumes For Couples - Bun in the Oven, Adam and Eve, Bert and Ernie, Fork and Spoon, Ball and Chain, Plug and Socket

5 Terrible Food-Themed Halloween Costumes - these are costumes you could actually buy... Baby Wonder Bread, Ham, HamBURGER, a slice of Bacon, Blow Me bubble gum costume 

Worst Halloween Costumes Imaginable - the Wardrobe Malfunction / Nip Slip, a Botched Abortion, Baby Hitler, Penis Man (Here's a hilarious wardrobe malfunction with a little boy's costume.)

22 Terrible Tin Man Costumes - if the Wizard of Oz is your thing, use these ideas to guide you as to what NOT to do if you (or your dog) are going as the Tin Man. (Here's a similar single character collection: 24 Embarrassing Mario Costumes.)

 bearded-woman-costume-by-SanFranAnnie.jpg Worst Halloween Costumes For Cheap People - the Rap Star Goatee, South Park's Cartman costume, a Doggie Dojo martial arts costume for your dog, Pumpkin Booby Tassels (locally grown)

Slideshow Of The Most Inappropriate Halloween Costumes... Ever! - "Down" for the Count, Wet T-shirt Contest Winner, Zombie Fetus costume, Bestiality costume, Hooters costume for guys, Sperm Man, "Biggest Show On Earth", A Knight To Remember, Mangina, Slutty Cookie Monster, Jesus

 

My Personal Favorites

So there you have it. The worst Halloween costumes of all time!

My personal favorites are the truly tasteless ones that would make you squirm if you actually saw someone wearing them in public -- like the bloody tampon and the bloody maxi pad. The botched abortion and the "giving birth" ones were also pretty sickening. Oh, and the human toilet... how many people could actually pull that off?!

I would also rate many of the sexual inuendo ones -- like the priest and little boy, "down for the count," mangina, and "free mammograms" as ranking very high among the worst Halloween costumes ever. 

There are even more incredibly tasteless Halloween costumes that I didn't spell out here since this is mostly a G-rated site, but they're pretty darn funny (...in an "Eeew!" kind of way). It would take a lot of guts to actually wear those costumes out in public, if you ask me.

On the other hand, if you were looking for the worst creepy or scary Halloween costumes, these are among my favorites:

gross-halloween-costume-zombie-baby-by-ginnerobot.jpg  gross-halloween-costume-bloody-eyes-by-GlennB.jpg

 

zombie-dropping-dead-baby-by-Looking_Glass.jpg

 

 

]]> Videos, Photos & Instructions To Make An iPhone Costume For Halloween tag:thefuntimesguide.com,2010://1.12154 2010-10-08T14:36:21Z 2010-09-29T23:23:56Z One of the hottest Halloween costumes is the iPhone costume. What a great idea... If you're a fan of Apple or the iPhone, why not make your own iPhone costume, right?! Here are some great photos, instructions, and videos. Lynnette http://thefuntimesguide.com/about/index.php baby-iphone-costume-by-IngaMun.jpg One of the hottest Halloween costumes is the iPhone costume.

What a great idea... If you're a fan of Apple or the iPhone, why not make your own iPhone costume?!

First, some photos and instructions:

 

Okay, and now for the videos...

This first one shows 2 different examples of iPhone costumes that ROCK!

 

 

In case you couldn't tell, those iPhone costumes really work too!... as demonstrated in this next video.

 

 

Here's another video showing some clever iPhone costumes. 

 

 

And finally, if you have an iPhone and decide to upgrade, please recycle.

 

]]> How To Come Up With The Best Halloween Costume... Ever! tag:thefuntimesguide.com,2010://1.12159 2010-10-06T17:08:56Z 2010-10-08T20:09:02Z This video provides some great tips for creating your own one-of-a-kind Halloween costume. There are 6 simple things you can do to come up with some really fun ideas! Lynnette http://thefuntimesguide.com/about/index.php Don't do what everyone else is doing for Halloween this year.

Instead, try to get a little bit creative and come up with a fun Halloween costume yourself.

The following video provides some great tips for creating your own one-of-a-kind Halloween costume. 

Some highlights from the video: 

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  • Play on words. A clever or trendy term or phrase could inspire a really unique Halloween costume. For example, explore the banished words for the year (like sexting or tweet), or the newest additions to the dictionary (like bromance or tramp stamp).
     
  • Pull from current events. Use celebrity gossip, celebrity blogs, news sites, movies and other cultural happenings as your inspiration to create a Halloween costume based on someone famous who's in the news.
     
  • Think outside the box. Try to come up with a creative Halloween costume that personifies non-human things or events (like weather, signs, trends, etc.) or an abstract feeling or emotion (like happy, bankrupt, hungry, etc.)
     
  • Consider a group costume instead. A group costume can save you and your friends a bunch time and money -- because what works for one will work for all!
     
  • Turn the act of coming up with a unique Halloween costume into a game. Even if you don't get other friends involved, this can be a fun way to quickly put together the best Halloween costume from the resources that are immediately available to you. Just turn it into a challenge!
     
  • Simplicity is king. There's no need to brainstorm for days over a Halloween costume, when you could simply dress the part of a hobby or activity that you already do on a regular basis (like golfing, crafting, bike riding, or weightlifting).

    • And now, for the visuals associated with each of these ideas, check out the video:

     

     

    ]]>     How To Make Cheap Halloween Decorations From Everyday Items (VIDEO) tag:thefuntimesguide.com,2010://1.12260 2010-10-01T14:29:09Z 2010-10-17T17:21:15Z The best part about the Halloween decorating ideas described in this video is that they utilize everyday things that you have around the house. AND... they can all be un-done. So you aren't damaging any of your favorite things when you turn them into fun Halloween decorations. Lynnette http://thefuntimesguide.com/about/index.php green-witch-pumpkin-decorations-by-dane_brian.jpg The following DIY Halloween decorations are really inexpensive to make yourself.

    The best part about these craft ideas is that they utilize everyday things that you have around the house and they can all be un-done -- like this Halloween wreath made from Dollar Store bath scrubbers (instructions here).

     

    ]]> So you aren't damaging any of your favorite things when you turn them into fun Halloween decorations... temporarily.

    Yep, these are all reusable items that can be un-done and re-done for virtually any holiday.

    They're not permanent.

    As the representative from Parents magazine says in the video below, you can basically go around your house and turn just about anything into a pumpkin. It's amazing all of the 'round' things that you can find inside your home to decorate with!

    Instructions for each of these Halloween craft ideas are provided in the following video:

    • Along the lines of a Christmas tree... see how to make a Halloween tree like this one.
       
    • See how you can turn ordinary picture frames into fun Halloween decorations like these.
       
    • Turn any reusable canvas bag into a Trick-or-Treat bag using nothing but orange tape and green tape (similar to these).
       
    • See how to turn any throw pillow from your sofa into a pumpkin-shaped throw pillow (aka a Jack-o-Lantern slipcover).
       

     

     

    More Fun Halloween Decorations

    Okay, so you don't want to make your own Halloween decorations this year?... Here's a great selection of Halloween decorations you can buy. The best part: you can have them the next day! 

    Thinking of decorating the ouside of your house? Check out these unique Halloween yard decorations -- some you can buy, some you can make yourself. Need something fast?... Here are lots of Halloween yard decorations you can buy and have shipped the next day.

    ]]>     VIDEOS: Fun Ideas For Sexy Halloween Costumes (...That Work In The Bedroom As Well!) tag:thefuntimesguide.com,2010://1.12152 2010-09-14T22:11:35Z 2010-10-25T23:35:31Z Many view Halloween as the one time of year that it's safe to unleash your wild side. For some, that means sexy Halloween costumes. For others it means trashy Halloween costumes. These videos highlight the differences between the 2 types of Halloween costumes, along with some interesting ideas for wearing Halloween costumes in the bedroom. Lynnette http://thefuntimesguide.com/about/index.php sexy-halloween-costumes-by-Stinkie-Pinkie.jpg There's kind of a fine line between sexy Halloween costumes and trashy Halloween costumes.

    So, what's the real difference? 

    Well, many view Halloween as the one time of year that it's safe to unleash your wild side. And for some, that means sexy Halloween costumes. For others it means trashy Halloween costumes.

    This video highlights the differences between the 2 types of Halloween costumes by featuring some interesting man-on-the-street interviews with passersby. It's a good way to see what average people think of as trashy, compared to Halloween costumes that are truly sexy and fun.

     

     

     

    Want All Eyes On You & Your Sexy Halloween Costume?...

    This video provides some hot & sexy hair and makup ideas to go with your super-sexy Halloween costume:

     

     

    This video shows some extra tips for making sure that everyone notices you and your sexy Halloween costume:

     

     

    Sexy Halloween Costumes Are Fun In The Bedroom

    The real question is... Why wear your favorite sexy Halloween costume only on one day of the year?

    You can have Halloween all year long by taking those sexy Halloween costumes into the bedroom?!

    This video shows which Halloween costumes work best in the bedroom... 

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