Back when I first started running websites (before I ever had my own webspace and domains) the task was always to find free webhost services with NO ADS.
Eventually that became impossible so rather cave to having yucky ads on my site I bought my own webspace.
So, why do I see SO MANY fansites out there that have those friggin’ Google Ads or any OTHER kind of ads on them? I mean… what? Granted, if it’s a popular website the bandwidth could be hefty. But here’s the thing.
One of my webhosts is DreamHost. I pay around $10/mth (which could be cheaper if I signed up for a longer contract but I digress…). I GET OVER 6 TERABYTE A MONTH. That’s, roughly, 6000 GB. AND it increases by 40GB weekly!
Surely a fandom website (blog, forum, gallery, whatever) isn’t going to use more than that? When there are so many webhosts out there offering ridiculous amounts of space & bandwidth for such a low price, why are the ads present? I could understand if they were trying to offset the cost of webhosting but $10 is… well, less than 3 cups of coffee out here!
Okay, let’s talk Nim’s Island. Holy freaking CUTENESS, Batman!! I totally forgot that I saw the trailer for this when I went and saw 27 Dresses a few weeks back, and I fell in love with it.
#1, it’s got Gerry Butler in it. HELLO. And Gerry being goofy and awesome and…
#2, it’s got Jodie Foster being awesome.
#3, it looks just plain FUN. I will SO be seeing this when it comes out (April 3 - WOOHOO!! That weekend is shaping up to be bloody kick-arse! Seriously, BSG S4, Nim’s Island AND Dr Who? ).
I had been feeling decidedly off all afternoon. I had to work until 5 and it was, honest to God, the longest train ride home EVER. I thought I might have to hop off, more than once.
The off feeling continued after I got home but it’s only just before, watching GNW and cacking myself, that I felt surprisingly better.
My favourite part? Paul’s rant about the notebook. OMFG.
Here are a few I’m looking forward to seeing this year:
Mamma Mia!
Have never seen the musical this looks like it’s based on but this actually looks kinda cool! Got the shock of my life to see no other than Lily Kane in the lead! *g*
Wanted
Morgan Freeman, Angelina Jolie with guns, and James McAvoy being hot. HELL YES.
10,000 BC
New one from Roland Emmerich. This actually looks really cool (mammoths FTW!) but now that I know Steven Strait is in the lead, I’m definitely seeing it!
Definitely, Maybe
Out of all of them, this is DEFINITELY the cutest and one I’d really like to see. Ryan Reynolds as a dad? D’awwww. And who’s the little cutie who plays his daughter? She looks familiar.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
UM HELLO. Yes of course I’m seeing this. Big duh factor. Plus we get some proper eye candy in the form of Ben Barnes - w00t!
Cassandra’s Dream
There’s only one thing you need to know about this - Ewan McGregor and Colin Farrell are in it. YES PLEASE.
Leatherheads
George Clooney and John Krasinski in a movie about American football. Looks hilarious.
Forbidden Kingdom
I’m not usually big on the martial arts movies but even I would seriously consider going and seeing a movie with both Jackie Chan AND Jet Li.
And last but CERTAINLY not least, the movie I am waiting for most eagerly, which is released about a fortnight before my birthday - YES!!!!!!
The Dark Knight
HELL FRIGGIN’ YES. Christopher Nolan, I freakin’ LOVE you, man. If the movie is half as good as the trailer makes it looks, I’m going to die a happy fangirling death.
I heard this on the radio this morning and laughed myself silly. (Note: It was actually MUCH funnier listening to the audio by itself because it sounds SO MUCH LIKE HIM. Heeeeee.)
…and I’m DONE. I’ve spent most of tonight transferring my photo album/gallery over from another domain to this one. Thank God I’m finally finished. I also updated a whole lot of photos that I hadn’t included previously (like the Kitty Hawk and lunar eclipse photos I posted here).
If anyone wants a squiz at any of them, you can access them here.
Now I’m going to bed before I start sneezing my head off again. I hate colds.
So I’d sort of been deluding myself with this AWESOME tour (with Trafalgar) I wanted to do next year but just had a feeling that it was going to be too expensive.
Well, today I applied for a loan to help pay for it. But not only that, also to consolidate my other debt and get rid of the damn credit card that’s been bloody dead weight I couldn’t get rid of.
The girl I spoke to with Suncorp was really lovely and very helpful (I’m so pleased I got her and not some other person!). I’ve been told my application has been sent to the Credit Department for checking because I SHOULD be able to service this loan even though my financials say I can’t (it’s this whole ‘being named on the lease where I rent’ thing. I only pay a third of the house rent but I’m liable for 100% as I’m named on the lease. I explained all this to her and she was more than understanding).
ANYWAY. Please please PLEASE cross your fingers that I get this loan approved. Not only would it mean an absolutely awesome trip but it would mean getting rid of my other debt and I’m not entirely sure which I’d be more happy about.
*is trying to think lots of positive thoughts at the credit dept*
The trip is becoming that much clearer, especially after the visit I made to TrailFinders today to discuss prices and whatnot.
Rather than rehash everything here, I’ll redirect you to my travel journal, which I’ve had for yonks but hardly ever use. (The last time I used it for any length of time was four years ago when I was in NZ last!)
Anyway, all future travel/Europe-trip updates will be there. I’m getting uber-excited about this.
ETA: If you need the link in future, it’ll be linked in the sidebar off the main page of this blog.
It can’t possibly be 6 days ’til Christmas. Are you serious?? I never really wanted this year to hang on (in fact I’m glad it’s almost over) but there’s a very real feeling of I’ve blinked and missed something…
I made a decision today. Regarding travel.
I randomly picked up a Europe travel brochure from TrailFinders yesterday and actually had a look on the train in this morning. I found the tour I want to do.
The “Traditional Grand European” tour (which they say is offered by Globus). About 8 countries in 21 days. It goes through all the ‘major’ destinations in those countries (which, off the top of my head, included England, France, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and I can’t remember what else.) Jess and a few of the others at work had a look - there was much “ooh”ing and “aahhh”ing and “Sarah, you are going to LOVE that.”
My decision has been made. I’m travelling around Europe for 3 weeks next year. It’ll probably be the latest tour I can manage, around October or so I think? Mostly to give me ample time to save for it but there’s also the factor of not wanting to go in the middle of a European summer.
Now that I’ve made the decision, I’m REALLY looking forward to it.
ETA: For those wondering, this page has a pretty good replica of the map in the travel brochure. Not sure it’s EXACTLY the same tour as I’m not sure how old this page is and I’m sure some minor adjustments have been made in the brochure I have sitting on my desk at work. (eg I’m pretty sure the sidetrack to Bay of Naples wasn’t in the book!) But it gives you an idea at least.
).
and it was, honest to God, the longest train ride home EVER. I thought I might have to hop off, more than once.
