Quality Products for the Men in Your Life

My dad washed his face with the same kind of soap that he used in the shower. I would guess that most of the men of his generation did the same. But many of today’s guys are different, realizing that by taking good care of their skin, they can look better now and reduce the signs of aging. Men’s skincare products are no longer reserved for celebrities; many ‘regular guys’ take a few extra minutes to cleanse, moisturize, and protect their skin from the elements. Men who are outdoorsy expose their skin to wind, water, and sun, all having the potential to cause damage.

Men today are a new breed…they understand the value of taking care of themselves, being active, and many have strong opinions about the products they use, from personal care to home décor. Buying gifts for menno longer requires a trip to an outdoor outfitter or settling for a necktie. Modern men appreciate comfort items, high quality home furnishings, and even allow themselves some little indulgences now and then.

There was a time when women were those most likely to seek out nice things for personal use and for their homes, but that’s no longer the case. These days, men are every bit as interested in and capable of choosing things for themselves and as gifts for others as their female counterparts. And that’s a big relief for all of us who are tired of buying ties!

Music, Brought to Life

With the economy the way it is, cutting corners has become the norm. Unfortunately, many school districts have been forced to trim their budgets, too, leaving creative students at a bit of a loss. It seems to be that when times are tight, the first programs to go are art and music. Sad, especially since both are considered by many to be every bit as essential to a well-rounded education as math and science. Still, young composers create…even if they need to look for alternate ways in which to practice their craft, including Ravel Virtual Studios, which provides ways for composers to hear their music, as played by an orchestra.

Individual composers can submit their scores for transformation into performed pieces, and there are discounts available for schools and other institutions. With typical costs starting at only a few hundred dollars, taking a composition from paper to the ear needn’t break the bank.

Ravel Virtual Studios work closely with composers to ensure that the artist is satisfied with the finished product. Creative work often comes from the heart and seeing their work come to fruition can me a joyful experience for creative people. So yes, times are tough and everyone is tightening their belt a bit, but through good times and bad, art somehow thrives.

Collecting More than Dust

What do you collect? Besides dust bunnies, which have been multiplying rapidly at my house lately, I do have a few collectibles. It seems that if you hang onto stuff long enough, it becomes collectible. I’ve got a nice little bunch of “Love is…” figurines. Remember the old comic strip? Yeah, those.

My hubby used to have a boatload of comic books when he was a kid. A few weeks ago, he was talking to a friend of his who had a comic book buying guide and looking at what his childhood stuff is worth now made him cringe. If only he’d held on to that stuff! Forget the 401K, our retirement fund could have come from old Marvel comic books. :O)

Our son might have his old age money sitting in a closet and not even know it. When he was a child, we bought him a complete set of baseball cards every year and socked them away, all sealed up for eternity. So those cards are all in mint condition, just waiting to increase in value. Who knows? Someday, they may be worth a bundle. :O)

Peeper -- A Novel by Paul Chandler

What if you had a special gift? One that you could use to make you almost limitless amounts of money? You'd use it, right? And pretty quickly, you'd have more money than you could spend. But then what?

That's exactly what Andrew Ash must decide. You see, Andrew can read minds. With just a peep, he can pick up your current thoughts and he can stroll around through your memories, too. And what he does with the information he gathers changes lives, not the least of which is his own.

Paul Chandler's novel takes readers on an adventure through corporate greed and criminal arrogance with style and guts. Actions have consequences--we all know this--but sometimes, justice needs a helping hand.

Forever Friends