Vanity Fair

My own special space,
my very own showcase!

Others can play too-
There's a poll & guest book to say "Hey" or leave a comment.
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  KCStargazer

All My Spawn

Just a happy little Place for All My Spawn to Swim and dance in the Cyber-Sea, whatever their phase of development.
(Kind of like the Beatle's "Octopus's Garden". I'd like to be -- under the sea -- in an Squidoo Spawnling's Garden in the shade...)

From Zygote to Mature Cephalopod.

But note here that even the mature lenses undergo a certian level of transformation- updates, makeovers, face-lifts. Have you ever seen video of squid? They actually communicate through changes in skin tone and pattern! Well, that's what you can expect with the mature lenses, except I have yet to learn of a way to alter the actual backgroud color/ pattern of the lens. Maybe one day, that will become an option!

***All lenses here are Family & Office Friendly***

From A to Zygote: Where it All Began

My friend, and veteran Squidooer, Pat had been bugging me for about 6 months to try making a lens. She suggested a timely topic, and one very familiar to me: Astronomy, specifically the Transit of Mercury.

And so I entered the world of Squidoo on November 6, 2006 with my very first lens:
Transit of Mercury: A Curious Eclipse.

Wish I had the lens number, but it was pre-50,000.

2 dozen some lenses and 3 LOTD honors later, I say thanks, Pat, and I'll be sending you a bill for all the eye-drops!
Congratulations, you've created a Monster!
=)

Photo: Squid Eggs Attached to Kelp, by Jim Greenfield

Fresh from the Squid Incubator

"Muffin Top"
"Eros & Psyche" - Nearly fully grown
"Plumber's Butt" - An eternally adolescent Squidling
"Songs of Julia" - Julia in Titles or Lyrics
"SQUIDZILLA" - Gullet of the Monster Group - Peer into the Belly of the Beast!

Eros (Cupid) and Psyche - A Tale of True Love

Cupid and Psyche - a timeless tale of true love. Eros was the Greek god of Love. His name is the root of words like "erotic", "erotica", and "eroticism". He is also known as the Roman Cupid (Desire) or Amor (Love). Eros/Cu...

Plumber's Butt: The Crack Epidemic

Crimes of visual "over-share". They can happen anywhere, in any climate and every part of the world. In our culture of over-share, people somehow have come to think showing a sliver of your own full moon to the world in everyday settings is...

Copycat Songs

As they say "There is nothing new under the sun". Doesn't it just drive you nuts when you hear a "new" song and it just sounds oh-so-familiar, but you simply can't place it? How about when you CAN place it?   I know it re...

Squidzilla

Lurking in the murky depths-  the Beast is unleashed on Squidoo... Take a peek at it here: SQUIDZILLA Group HQ Does SQUIDZILLA scare you? Take the poll at the end!   

Do You Know the "Muffin Top"?

Muffin Top, Cup Cake, Mushroom, Popover...  All right, we're not talking tasty treats from the bakery - those cute, crumbly little creations from Panera Bread Company that eliminate the less-desireable bottom portion of the muffin, though they ma...

Fresh Catch

See them ALL: My Squid Spawn List

The latest tweaks:

Smart Shoes, All About Scorpio (The Scorpion), Kansas City Unique Eats, Grandma's Magic Pan: Adventures in Cast Iron Cooking, The Kraken: Giant Squid and Other Sea Monsters

Socially Responsible Squid

Though ALL MY LENSES GIVE A PORTION TO CHARITY, there are two that I've specifically set up so that 100% of the Squidoo proceeds go to charity.
Thus far, these lenses generate MORE REVENUE THAN ALL MY OTHERS COMBINED. Aw, go on -check 'em out!

Heart Attack & Stroke Awareness

The holidays are a time of extra stress for many. This means an increased risk and incidence of medical emergencies such as Heart Attack and Stroke. Know the warning signs and save a life! ACT QUICKLY - SECONDS COUNT From the American Heart Associ...

Best Boots: These Ain't Yer Granny's Galoshes!

Looking for some serious Outdoor Footwear? How about some Winter Boots to keep your feet warm and cozy with superb traction in icy conditions?   Maybe some Gardening Boots for mucking around in the mud?  Or some Rain Boots to keep your...

Special Spawn

Wow! I could hardly believe it!
My Roundabout the World of Traffic Circles was honored as "LOTD" on 11/22/2006.

I'm so proud of little "Roundie" and I can only dream that someday, more of my Squidoo Spawn will "Make the Grade..."
Really, that Lens was started on a crazy whim. I drive through a roundabout every day on my way to the office. Between the signs being more confusing that clarifying, and people in my neck of the woods not being used to such an animal, it can be very harrowing. They don't know what to do, so they panic and do some really dopey things. I've seen more near-misses on that thing- people driving the WRONG WAY, turning across lanes in FRONT of other cars and cutting them off, though the lines on the pavement are plain as day.
Well, I thought about it and then remembered some of the more fascinating circles I'd seen or heard about and just "went to town", having a jolly time along the way. There are some real beauts out there!

Thanks oodles of plankton, Team-Squidoo!
I love ya!

12/29/2006
Jeepers- We did it again! This time it was my Best Boots: These Ain't Yer Granny's Galoshes! Lens for NEOS overshoes and the charitable Grameen Foundation.

Thanks again, Team Squidoo, and a Happy New Year!

Visit the Official Lens of the Day Group:
Official Lens of the Day

My Extra-Special Spawn: "Lens of the Day" Picks

Thanks Squid Team!

Links to Team Squid's comments:
07/27/2007 - Pimp My Lens!
12/29/2006 - Best Boots
11/22/2006 - Roundabout We Go!

Pimp My Lens: Great Lensmastering Tips & Tricks Headquarters

PIMP MY LENS: Great Lensmastering Tips & Tricks! The home for lenses & Info & tips on how to maintain or improve any lens on Squidoo! Why have an average lens when you can have a "Splendiferous" Lens? Content, Layout, Design, Re...

Best Boots: These Ain't Yer Granny's Galoshes!

Looking for some serious Outdoor Footwear? How about some Winter Boots to keep your feet warm and cozy with superb traction in icy conditions?   Maybe some Gardening Boots for mucking around in the mud?  Or some Rain Boots to keep your...

Roundabout the World of Traffic Circles

They're maddening, they're mesmerizing and sometimes magnificient... Explore the exciting world of Roundabouts, Traffic Cirlces, Rotaries, Multi-Modal Intersectons and Gyratory Systems! Once a rarity, they're popping up everywhere here in North Am...

Jury Duty

Since its inception, I've been on the jury for the People's Choice Awards.

This is a monthly contest where anyone my submit a lens for 3 Catgories: Content Lens, Commerce Lens and Humor Lens.

The Jury decides a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winner in e...

People's Choice Lenses & Lensmasters Headquarters

Headquarters Of The Winning Lensmasters & Lenses!

By Invitation Only Headquarters

'By Invitation Only' Great Lensmaster Monthly Contest

Add your best lens here!  Vote on the lenses here!  This is a community, grass-roots lensmaster effort to find, get to know, and support each other!  We are looking for the shining stars, the wonderful content pages, and the terrific c...

Squid Spawn from Outer Space

Squid from Outer Space? You betcha!
Astronomy AND Astrology. Why not?

Space Squid

"Transit of Mercury" is a Full-grown Squid
"Meteor Mania" -- Full-grown Squid
"Eclipses"-- Full-grown

Transit of Mercury - A Curious Eclipse

Skywatchers and Stargazers are preparing for a rare solar system event:  On November 8, 2006, at 2:12 PM EST and 11:12 AM PST, in less than 5 hours, speedy Mercury zips across the Solar Disc. (West of the International Date Line: Novemb...

Meteor Mania: Meteors, Meteorites, Meteoroids & Meteor Showers

Here we look at Meteors, those little chunks of debris that float around in space and sometimes graze the atmosphere and light up the sky or hit planets, moons or other solid bodies forming craters on the surface. They range in size from a speck...

Eclipses: Solar and Lunar

Photo: "Diamond Ring" Effect This rare spectacle of cosmic beauty occurs during a Total Solar Eclipse just seconds before and seconds after the moment of totality (Exact alignment at center).   2007 ECLIPSES: Times given in GMT/UT (Gree...

Constellation of the Squid

Here's the part where I tell you that I'm a professional Astrologer. I've been studying Astrology for close to 20 years now (since just a young 'un) and progressed into professional practice when I did my first paid consultation about 12 years ago. I write, teach, speak, research, do private consultations and continue to further my education on new findings and techniques. Wow, the Universe really is expanding! 20 years ago it was the "Standard Planets" plus a handful of asteroids. Now we have a whole bunch of "new stuff" to contend with: Centaurs, KBO's, TNO's, etc.

I have lenses on all 12 signs of the Zodiac in various stages of development, starting with the Sun-sign current to when I became a Squid-head: Scorpio and proceeding through the Zodiac from there.
Thus far there are 2 Mature Lenses:
Scorpio & Sagittarius
Capricorn is in a late adolescent stage

These are pretty involved, so one new one a month is plenty to manage!
The rest of the signs are eggs waiting for the right time to hatch!

Incubating:
Aquarius
Pisces
Aries
Taurus
Gemini
Cancer
Leo
Virgo
Libra

The picture here is of incandescent squid at night. They look to me just like constellations in the night sky on a clear, dark night. Cool, eh?

Zodiac Squid

"All About Scorpio" - fully grown
"All About Sagittarius" - fully grown
"All About Capricorn" - half-grown

These take a really long time to do- a lot of research & info in them!
1 or 2 new ones a month is plenty to manage!

All About Capricorn (The Seagoat)

December 21- January 20 (Give or take a day, depending upon the year) Tenth Sign of the Zodiac   "I utilize" Element: Earth (Body/Form or Physicality)  Modality: Cardinal Polarity: Negative/ Feminie Ruling Planet: Saturn Positive Attribu...

All about Sagittarius (The Archer)

November 21 - December 22 (May vary by a day from year to year) Ninth Sign of the Zodiac  "I see" or "I perceive" Element: Fire (Spirit/Energy) Modality: Mutable Polarity: Positive/ Masculine  Ruling Planet: Jupiter Positive...

All About Scorpio (The Scorpion)

October 23- November 22 (may vary by a day from year to year) Eighth Sign of the Zodiac "I Desire" Element: Water / Emotion or Soul Modality: Fixed  Polarity: Negative/ Feminine  Ruling Planet: Pluto (modern), Mars (Ancient/ Vedic)&nbs...

Squidstrology: Astrology for Squid!

Read about astrology from an actual astrologer!

Astrology Clarified: What it Is and What it Isn't

An apt subtitle for this lens would be "A Basic Primer on Esoteric Practices". After defining Astrology, we'll introduce in brief the many practices that are often confused with Astrology. Astrology From the Greek roots Astron for 'star' or...

Astrology: Why Don't I Seem Like My Sun Sign?

Is our Solar System just the Sun? Well, it wouldn't be a "system" at all if it weren't for all the OTHER STUFF floating and orbiting around it! A look at the illustration shows the major planets in our solar system, pretty much to scale, wi...

Horoscope Highjinks: Astrology Humor

Come and laugh with us, or at us. We don't really care which, as long as everyone is having a good time! This is a work in progress! Please be sure to come back again and see what else shows up to send you into glactic giddiness.  

Land Squid?

Here are some Lenses of more "mundane" focus and origin...

Calamari

"Kitchen Gadgets 1: Graters & Zesters" - Fully Mature Squid
"Grandma's Magic Pan: Adventures in Cast Iron Cooking" - Calamari Steak!
"Basil: How to Grow, Cook & Enjoy" - Half-way grown
"Kansas City Eats" - Growing FAST!
"Whipped Cream...Flavors" new!

Basil: Easier than you think!

A member of the mint family, Basil is a versatile herb used in culinary and medicinal applications as well as purely a garden ornamental. It grows in warm climates from the Mediterranean coasts to Southeast Asia, and is popularly used in Italian, Ind...

Best Kitchen Tools 1: Graters & Zesters

Ever wonder what it takes to have a great, functional Kitchen? Cooking and baking can be a pleasure with the right tools! I have hand selected my very  favorite kitchen-tested tools, utensils and gadgets and share them with you here that you mig...

Whipped Cream Made Easy - Plain & Flavored

Whipped Cream. A perfect topping for a dessert, waffles, fancy coffee drink or hot cocoa. Just thinking about it is pleasant.  It is lovely, fluffy and dreamy like a cloud and a delight to the seneses. This has inspired many creative uses for thi...

Grandma's Magic Pan: Adventures in Cast Iron Cooking

This lens is dedicated to my Grandma. She could cook ANYTHING in that old iron skillet and it would be delicious! Heck, she could cook anything period and it would be delicious! Something as simple as a plain chicken breast, dredged in flour, with a...

Kansas City Unique Eats

Travelling to Kansas City and wondering where to eat? Living in Kansas City and looking for a new place to go? Tired of the McTaste, that bland sameness of Anytown USA, INC.? Here's a look at some Kansas City Metropolitan area one-of-a-kind places to...

Miscellaneous Squidlings

"Aura-Soma" Small Squidling
"The Kraken" Monster Squid!
"Stupid Shoes" Fully grown.
"Good English, Bad Grammar" Small squid
"Shawnee Mission, an Imaginary City" fully grown

Shawnee Mission: An Imaginary City

In the Greater Kansas City Metropolitain area, on the Kansas side of the state line and in the County of Johnson is a MYTHICAL CITY called "SHAWNEE MISSION". It is hight time to explode this myth, and the reasons behind it. Pictured here is...

The Kraken: Giant Squid and Other Sea Monsters

The Kraken is a giant Cephalopod of the deep seas infamous in sailing lore. Described as a massive, many-tentacled Squid or Octopus large enough and strong enough to crush large wooden sea vessels and devour entire crews, the mere mention of the crea...

Good English, Bad Grammar

Gruesome Grammar: Be part of the solution!  

Aura-Soma®: The Window of the Soul

"The power of color in your hands." My journey with the Aura-Soma system began in 2002. After directly experiencing the benefits of this system, I decided to become a practitioner. Aura-Soma is a color-energy system suspended in, and deliver...

Stupid Shoes

A Gallery of Horrible Footwear- Past & Present  They're ridiculous, they're impractical, they're.....downright stupid! And let's be honest, most of us have owned at least one pair of stupid shoes in our life. Stupid Shoes... We sqeeze our feet...

You asked for it, you got it- my Bio Lens

You might feel a bit like you're going "Round Robin" if you get there from here.

The fun part is you get to VOTE for your favorite Group managed or co-managed by me!

Julia Steffey: Astrologer, Artist, Writer, Cosmic Cook & Space Scamp

San Francisco Bay- based Astrologer, Artist, Writer, Cosmic Cook, Space Scamp & Aura-Soma® Consultant, Certified Level II. Scamp: Noun "one who is playfully mischievous" according to Princeton's WordNet On Squidoo I'm known as: KCStarga...

What do you think?

Squid Squad: My Groups (Part I)

As if lenses aren't enough!
Here are my Groups, in no particular order.
Some have high traffic volume, while others remain yet to be discovered...

You can VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITES at: My Bio Lens

Astrology - From Asteroids to Zodiac and Beyond Headquarters

Astrology From Asteroids to Zodiac and Beyond All about Astrology. A myriad of types, topics and techniques. Mostly Western, but Vedic (Hindu), Chinese, Mayan and others may appear here as well. Exploring the Stand...

Quantum Universe Headquarters

Quantum Universe:   Where Spirit Meets Matter Where primal wisdom meets modern knowledge we find a realm of Quantum Reality. What happens when the modern science o...

Eyes on the Skies Headquarters

Eyes on the Skies Astronomy Group Events, objects and phenomena from NEOS (Near Earth ObjectS) to deep space. We're sticking strictly with the left-brain here: Sciences of Astronomy, Meteorology etc. (Ain't knockin' it but, no woo-woo stuff here.) R...

Cook's Nook Headquarters

The Cook's Nook Like to Cook? Like to Eat? Maybe Dish a little? Well, sit yourself down and prepare for a feast of recipies, restaurant reviews, food selection and storage, nutrition, kitchen gadgets, cooking and baking tips galore!...

Kaleidescope: A Random Sampler of Lenses Headquarters

                      A Random Sampler of Splendid Lenses A whimsical ever-changing potpourri of lenses and topics to tickle your curiousity. Ju...

Squid Squad: Groups (Part II)

These are my most recently created groups.

Beware the tentacles of SQUIDZILLA!

Scrapbook Americana Headquarters

Scrapbook Americana What makes America Beautiful? All things American: Past, Present, Future. We are a blend of many things here in the United States of America. This is a space to share those many slices of American...

Squidzilla Headquarters

What is "SQUIDZILLA"? Now, wouldn't you just like to know? It's...it's... it's Aliiiiiiiiive! ...

Pimp My Lens: Great Lensmastering Tips & Tricks Headquarters

PIMP MY LENS: Great Lensmastering Tips & Tricks! The home for lenses & Info & tips on how to maintain or improve any lens on Squidoo! Why have an average lens when you can have a "Splendiferous" Lens? Content, Layout, Design, Re...

The Julia Set Headquarters

The Julia Set Anyone & anything named Julia! Lenses about Julias in Art, Film, History, Literature, Music, Places, Politics, Sports and more... Famous Julias, not-so-famous Julias.  Lensmasters named Julia.  Image: Fractal "Julia Set&...

Squid Ink: Art of the Sea Pen Writer's Group Headquarters

Squid Ink: Art of the Sea Pen Writers Group The place for writers on Squidoo! Pick up a Sea Pen and squeeze out some "Squid Ink"! Please Visit the 2 Polls & Sign our guest book! Interested in joining this Group? Please READ THIS ...

Check out the Grouping Action!

Check out the top 100 Groups on Squidoo

Have a Comment or Question?

Please squeeze some squid ink here...

quippingqueen Terrific idea...way to go! Tah tah, and pip pip from the queendom of quirky - http://www.squidoo.com/quippingqueen Posted July 10, 2007

KCStargazer What always amuses me is when people actually try to join this group. It doesn't happen much, but it makes it clear that they didn't bother to read the intro! =) LOL! Posted March 14, 2007

KCStargazer Hi Jack, thanks for your comments. I know what you mean about "slow loading"! My purpose here is really just to have a place to organize and "Scrapbook" my own "Squidoo Stuff" in a creative format. Being a one-person group makes it very low-maintenance so I don't worry too much about that here. Posted March 14, 2007

jackclee Very nice collection. My only reservation about using group to do this is the poor performance of groups. After having many lens, the dashboard is getting slow to load and I'm afraid the groups will be even worse. I chose to create a simple "home" lens page with links to all my lens grouped category Posted March 14, 2007

 

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Sweet Dreams, Dear Cephalopods