Caution - this site contains the rants and raves of a Michigan photographer and coffee junkie.

Frequent Abdominal Pain or Discomfort?

IBS Treatment Online HelpDo you suffer from frequent abdominal pain or discomfort?  Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS, is a functional disorder of the gastrointestinal tract characterized by chronic abdominal pain and major alterations in bowel habits with no discernable organic cause.  Irritable bowel syndrome is one disease that many people have but few talk about.  An estimated 15% of the population have it and have been treated for it.  For those suffering with IBS the pain and associated trips to the rest room can be irritating to say the least.  Most IBS is treated with medication.  But medication simply treats the symptoms and sometimes only one but not all of the symptoms.  Plus prolonged use of medication comes with it’s own side effects and risks.

So what is someone to do that wants more permanent IBS relief?  You may be shocked to find out that cognitive therapy and hypnosis IBS treatment have had the highest reported success rates in repeated formal research studies, with improvement seen in 80% or more of all treated patients in some studies.  If fact using hypnotherapy for irritable bowel syndrome has shown to be effective for many years even after the treatment has stopped.

So what if you have been diagnosed with IBS and can’t find a cognitive brain therapist who understands how to treat IBS?  Simple go to the Internet of course!  But you don’t want to contact just anybody on the internet you want to make sure that the help you are getting is from an expert.  How about a professional that has been treating IBS for almost 10 years and has successfully worked with over 1,500 patients.  If you have battled with IBS and had difficulty getting a working solution you would probably want the option of free IBS information and a money back guarantee.  Peter McMahon offers both.

Coupons Online

I’m not an extreme couponer.  In fact I very rarely use coupons when retail shopping at a brink and mortar.  But every time I buy something online I look for a discount code.  Many of these coupon sites I avoid because of pop-ups and pop-unders.  In fact some coupon websites give so many crappy ads I’m afraid I may have gotten spyware – and probably did.  So when a good coupon site comes along with no pop-ups, overs and arounds or spyware I’ve got to talk about it!

Coupons Online

Click to check it out – Online Coupon Codes For Over 2,000 Stores

As a photographer I’m always looking for deals on fabric to make backdrops out of (and usually get weird looks at the fabric store).  StoreCrowd has a great selection of fabric coupon codes.  Currently they are showing discounts as much as 15% off.  This can save me quite a bit on that extra wide muslin that I’m always ordering.

There are also a lot of discount codes for popular store such as Kohl’s and Sears.

Since I basically do all of my shopping, with the exception of groceries, online I have bookmarked StoreCrowd and look forward to even more discounts in the future.

Elite Ad Network

As a blogger (with multiple sites) I’m always looking for a way to pay for my expenses and hopefully make some extra money.  Over the years I’ve seen ad services come and go and the ones that have good technology and are easy to use for both advertiser and publisher seem to stay around.  I’ve tried quite a few and found most are not very user friendly and take to much time to learn.  This doesn’t seem to be the case with a new ad network that I found out about recently – Elite Ad Network.

Elite Ad Network Online

The interface for Elite Ad Network is easy to use and seems almost to simple.  I say to simple because I’m used to these things being really complicated like Commission Junction or Google’s Adwords.  If this online ad service delivers some money then it will be a huge success.  As a blogger I want to spend my time creating good content.  As an advertiser I want to run my business and sell my product and not have to be spending a lot of time managing my ads.  The Elite Ad Network claims, “With us you don’t have to search for ad placements or spend hours with keywords. Our unique algorithm will do it for you. 100% hands-free.”  I hope this is the case and look forward to getting my first check!

And don’t worry if you click the link above (or here http://eliteadnetwork.com) I’m not making money.  I didn’t find an affiliate program on the site so I’m not writing this post as link bait to line my own pocket with some money.  Although feel free to click the ad on the right that will make me some money!

We all know that as an advertiser want to increase your profits while cutting the expenses and for this you need brand new technology.  So check out this easy to use service and sell sell sell!!!

Midori Sushi Mt Pleasant

Ever since the first time I went to Midori restaurant with my daughter I’ve been trying to find an excuse to get back to Mt Pleasant and eat there again.  This past week I had the chance.  My daughters car basically blew up and she needed a new car.  One of my cars was down getting some repairs done so it was decent timing.  So we made arrangements and I drove out to Mt Pleasant to pick her up.

I was hungry for the Fire Up! roll but wanted to try something new also.  So I decided on the Fresh Rolls.  Another good choice.  They came with a spicy and a peanut sauce.  I like spicy so that was my sauce of choice.  I wish there was a Midori in Saginaw.  Oh well now I need another excuse to get out there again.  Perhaps the CMU graduation!

Midori Sushi Mt Pleasant MI

Picture of Midori fresh roll (above) was taken with cell phone.

Free Sudoku Online

Free Online SudokuI never really got into the sudoku craze a few years back but I know a few people who did.  I have to admit that these puzzles are fun and can be extremely challenging.  But what if you want to play sudoku and don’t have access to a book or money to get one?  A great option is to visit sudoku online and play online or print one out from there.  This easy to use site lets you choose the level of puzzle and shows you the solution if you can’t figure it out or as a help if you are a beginner.  Are you new to sudoku?  You can also watch some videos on how to solve a Sudoku game.  I found this helpful as I haven’t done very many puzzles.

So check this site out and you will probably find yourself returning over and over again.

(this photo is not by me it is by vialbost)

2012 Buick Verano Test Drive

2012 Buick Verano Quicksilver Metallic

I had taken pictures of the 2012 Buick Verano in a garage but had not driven one until today.  There was beautiful weather again in mid-Michigan today and I decided to enjoy some if it and take some car pictures.  Since I hadn’t driven the new Verano this was my car of choice for today.

For a car that retails from $23,000 to $28,000 this Buick is very impressive.  The car feels like a luxury car and is quiet on the road – really quiet.  I drove 5 Buick Verano’s today from a base to a fully loaded with sunroof, Bose Stereo and push button start.  The only con that I have is that there are times when the engine/transmission has a little hesitation.  This is common with 4 cylinder engines but is not an issue in the Buick Regal.  Perhaps there is something in the gear ratio or just that the Verano is an entry level Buick and to smooth this out would up the price.

Like a lot of people I love my music.  The base stereo in the Verano has fantastic sound and lots of features.  Even if you don’t want the satellite radio there is an accessory plug and USB in the center arm rest.  The placement of the accessory plug does not allow for access to you iPod or phone.  I didn’t have a cord with me so I wasn’t able to plug in my MP3 player to test the radio controls.

Overall I am very impressed with the 2012 Buick Verano.  I don’t know any other car in this price range that offers so much comfort.  This car was driven at Labadie Buick in Bay City, MI

New Toyota Prius Fan

2011 Toyota Prius Saginaw MI

In my work taking pictures at Labadie Toyota in Bay City, MI I have driven a lot of Toyota Prius’.  But I had never taken on a longer trip.  Last night I was attending a posing workshop at David Birdsong Photography in Pontiac, MI and decided to put a 2011 Toyota Prius to the test.  The round trip was about 180 miles.  My car is a 2002 Buick Regal which gets a respectable 26 miles per gallon.  With my car this round trip would have cost me (gas this morning was $3.78) $26.17.  I only had to put 4 gallons of gas in the car after this trip for a cost of $15.12.  This is a one trip savings of $11.05.  And that was only one trip.  I figured I would do a little more math.

I drive an average of 20,000 miles per year.  With my 26 MPG Regal and this mornings gas prices that would be about $2,910 per year just in gas or $242 per month.  With the Toyota Prius my annual cost of gas could be around $1,680 or $140 per month.  I have been paying over $200 per month for a 10 year old car (that is almost paid off).  I could get a nice used Prius or lease a new one with a payment around $260.  With a $100 per month savings in gas I could lower my monthly expenditures!  Ok Toyota you have sold me on the Prius – where do I sign?  Oh yeah – Labadie Toyota.

If you want to take this test for yourself you can also rent a Prius at Labadie Toyota.  Visit the car rental website at www.labadierentacar.com

Car Buffs Must Visit Website

Do you love cars?  Most people do.  If you love cars and want to take a walk (well click) down memory lane then you’ll want to visit the Unique Cars and Parts website.  But you may be thinking, “I don’t need car parts.”  Believe me you don’t need car parts or be looking for a car to kill hours on this fantastic site.  Under “Car Reviews” they seem to have every car listed from every manufacturer in the world.  I looked up the review and history of the car I drove in college a Fiat 124 Spider.  I found out more information than I knew when I owned the car including the fact that only 198,000 were built over the 19 years of production.

Unique Cars Parts History Video

Well if that’s not enough how about a fantastic collection of old car advertisements?  That’s right – there is an entire section of this website with video of old ads.  Love it!

Believe me you can spend hours on this site without even knowing that there is a huge section of classified ads for classic cars and parts.  So car enthusiasts check out this site and be sure to bookmark it because you will be visiting it over and over again.

Wedding Photographer Canada

As a photographer I’m always looking for inspiration and ideas.  And since I booked a few weddings this summer I wanted to see what other photographers are doing.  I found a photographer for wedding in Canada that had some interesting and unique images.  Looking at Jade’s wedding portfolio I love the image with the rings in an orchid plant.  (I’m going to steal it I’m sure Jade won’t mind.)

Wedding photography victoria bcAlso on Jade’s website is a testimonial that any wedding photographer would love.  "The comment I hear the very most about our wedding photos is “you looked so happy”. Taking technically correct pictures at a wedding is important, but capturing an emotion is insurmountable. Jade definitely captured emotions at our wedding, she has a sharp eye for recognizing emotion which then translates in her photos. Our photos tell a beautiful and unique tale of our special day which we will cherish for years to come. Jade was a delight to work with and we recommend her in the highest regard."

If I ever get up to Victoria, BC I would like to meet Jade and perhaps we can work together some time!

Creative Gazebos

Growing up in the North I didn’t really know what a gazebo was until I went to college in the south.  We had gazebo’s up north but we usually called them pavilions.  Many years later gazebo seems to be the term most commonly used and they are popular all over the country.  As a photographer I have come to love gazebos.  They are great for wedding pictures and fashion style senior pictures.  I have been looking for ways to turn my backyard into a photo studio.  One of the must have features will be a gazebo and preferably with some greenery growing around it.  It will probably take a few years for the greenery.  Looking for a unique and quality gazebo I came across the website for Creative Gazebos.

Shop Gazebos Online

Looking through the online catalog of gazebos I found that a lot of the Creative Gazebos were vinyl.  Well vinyl over treated wood.  Because of the seasons in Michigan I really don’t want to have to oil or seal my gazebo every 2-3 years so a vinyl one seems like a good idea.  I know that a lot of people in Michigan are switching their docks to vinyl because of ease of cleaning and how long they last.  Now if they could just transport the vinyl Cathedral Gazebo with all the landscaping attached in the picture to my backyard I would be a very happy photographer!

Reading a little more about this company from Lancaster County, PA, I was happy to find out that they are a family owned business. This makes me even more assured about the quality.  I will have to add this to my Pinterest landscaping wish board.  Oh and you may want a wood gazebo and not a vinyl one.  They’ve got them too.  And looking at the site they do have pavilions also.  So what exactly is the difference between a pavilion and a gazebo?  If you know leave a comment below.