Blizzard 2010 Peabody, MA = EPIC FAIL

Blizzard 2010...
I live on the Salem/Peabody line and I have to say our side street (located in Salem) was 100 times better that Tremont St in Peabody. I saw Peabody City plows riding around plows up and not plowing ...


Read more click here --> Blizzard 2010 Peabody, Ma = EPIC FAIL

Social Experiment

I was thinking last night while giving one of my ghost tours around Salem that I should try a social experiment.  I would be interested if someone had a really good platform just touching on everything that the average person finds in need of change, a friendly face which expresses compassion and honesty, is NOT a politician ...

To read more and comment... Click Here

Saving to Convert to Mac

I never thought this would be me.  I have been exposed more and more to the Apple world over the last few months.  I made the switch from Windows to Ubuntu (Lucid Linux) a few months ago.  Yet I still use Windows as my primary OS (operating System).  The other day I was sent the information on Apple, Inc's new MacBook Air and I have to say I am impressed.  I have wanted a nice small laptop that would be easy to throw in my bag and take with me out around town to blog as I go.  

Click Here to read a bit why I now LOVE the MacBook Air

Productive Time Away...

Hello everyone I am back.  I took time away to learn the history of Salem, Ma so I could start working as a tour guide beginning Oct. 1, 2010, just in time for Haunted Happenings.  I am enjoying the tour guide industry.
I am available for tours around Salem to the haunted locations through the Salem Ghost Tour website.  If you want me as your specific guide please call the contact # an make your reservations over the phone and be sure to request "Dawn aka June Gorey".  Check out my Facebook page by clicking on the left side banner.  I do short blog updates about the night tours and have photos posted from people who have taken my tour.

I will be back in full swing blogging on Nov. 1, 2010.  Keep checking back.

Lady Ga-Ga inspires Lanes Cove Design’s new “Wear Meat Eat Veggies” campaign

As much attention as Lady Gaga is getting over her meat dress I hate to disappoint her fans when I tell you that she is not the first person to wear meat.

...

As soon as I saw this I knew we had to start a new campaign called “Wear Meat Eat Veggies”.  The campaign will help get the vegetarian word out there in a thought provoking medium.  See our items on CafePress http://www.cafepress.com/LCDOddities.

Read entire post <-- Click here

Ignorance Runs Rampant in Gainesville, Florida

It was told to me by a few friends back in Gainesville, Fl. that the Dove World Outreach Center pastor was going to burn the Koran on September 11^th.  My initial response was “What an ignorant fool” and then I thought about it and my psychology side started to kick in.  So here we have a man who is trying to do what exactly either get in the news or get some attention.  Mr. Jones could be considered a threat to himself, the citizens of Gainesville and even the nation’s fundamental freedoms.

Read the rest of the post in Soapbox Ramblings.

Locally Roasted Artisan Coffee ... Cafe Review

I was walking through the shops area on Essex Street, Salem and saw a cute organic cafe called Cafe Valverde. I went in side and the staff was very helpful and nice.  It was one of the best Mocha Lattes I have had in a long time. 


Read the full review in Food & Entertainment

Not "Just Another Cafe"

We set out for a change of pace.  We noticed the Gulu-Gulu Cafe this past weekend while we were out and about checking out the night scene.  Yesterday we went in for lunch and a coffee.  A delightful surprise, there is a full menu, full bar, excellent lighting, great atmosphere and there are tons of outlets for laptop power.  Entertainment in the evenings.


Check out The Food & Entertainment Blog for the full story and review...

Firefox is losing the browser battle...

Are you among the hundreds of thousands who are still using Firefox on an outdated Mac or Windows system? 

Well, there is a good reason for all of this frustration that is occurring.  Fear not, if you are not Power PC Mac user then you will not endure the same tragic ending.  On the plus side Apple has been making computers with Intel since about 2005...  

Check out the Tech News page for the full article.

The Tech page is here...

In the "Tech News" page of this blog I will capture the newest (as well as some oldies but goodies) products and review them in terms we can all understand.  I want you, the average consumer, to be able to come to my site and know that you will get a not "Techie" review.  My reviews are meant to be fun to read with information and humor mixed together to bring about a refreshing page.  If there is something that seems like it is too technical leave a comment and either I or your fellow readers will explain it further.  I will admit right now I am a Palm fan which means I will tend to be pro Web OS but, that won't cloud my over all judgment of any new product coming out.  You may notice a little more information on Web OS as it comes out. 

The top 3 competing companies right now in the market place are Apple, Google and HP coming in 3rd.  Google is still a very close second to Apple (sorry Mr. Jobs, but they are really making strides to take over the marketplace).  With HP's recent purchase of the Web OS earlier this summer they are now one of the leading computer superpowers.  What does this mean for you the reader?  This means you will mostly see things about these three, however I will throw in information about Linux products as well as I am in the process of converting one of my systems to their most popular Operating System version: Ubuntu 10.04.  Once installed and running I will review the process as well as the Operating System as a whole.

Do you have a product suggestion you would like to see reviewed?  I would need to have the product to review it if you are interested in having a product reviewed please email me: ishtarianchronicles@gmail.com and I will be more than happy to review any product and give the "Average Joe" opinion.

** all new posts for the attached divisions will be a teaser on this (the main) site.  Please follow the link provided for all future entries **

Salem Witch Trials in a PC game...

I saw this game listed in the Salem News and finally got around to checking it out.  I just finished playing the trial version of this game.  Pretty neat for a clue like game where you have to go different places in the game by exploring and gathering needed items to get to the next step.  The graphics are on the low end however there are a few interesting features.  This is not an HD game by any means however I do think it has some substance.  It does keep to the main points of early Salem history.  It includes Nathanial Hawthorne and the House with the seven gables.  It is a fairly simple game to play and while there are parts where if you are faint at heart it might give you a little chill to think something just came through the screen to visit you where ever you may be.

I rate this a ♦♦♦◊◊

Do you have any suggestions for a review?

A Restaurant in the Salem Jail

I saw this article on the Salem News website. Here we will have an Italian American “eatery” that will have the true feel of a dining area placed within the old Jail. A nice bit of news is, maybe you might encounter a spirit or two while you eat. The old jail has some VERY interesting and eerie haunting tails. The Jail has many aspects that people might want to see such as there will be a small exhibit with a jail cell and the rest of the jail has been converted into apartments/condos. I will keep everyone posted about the opening day. We should plan a get together and give them a good turn out. Maybe I could give a “Haunted History” speech there, What do you guys think?


Follow this link and it will take you to the article written by Stacie Galang, a staff writer for the Salem News.

Opening nears for restaurant in former jail