Victoria_Neely's Lensography

Victoria Neely's Movie Lensography 

Victoria_Neely's Movie Lensography

I don't watch TV anymore, and I don't go to the theater often. But I do love watching certain movies over and over again, especially animated films. I also enjoy silly, slightly demented movies such as Monty Python and the Holy Grail. There are also...

Squidoo about Squidoo, Part 1 

Learn How to Squidoo

Lens Critiques: Giving and Receiving Critiques on the SquidU Forum

Asking for critiques at the SquidU forum is a useful way to find out just how good your lenses are. Other lensmasters can share their experience and tips that will really make your lens shine. However, it could also be a demoralizing experience depe...

Squidoo Star Ratings

Do people like your Squidoo lenses? Do they love your lenses? Or do they think your lenses suck? Star ratings are a way for people to give you anonymous feedback. Unfortunately, some people misuse and abuse the rating system. The purpose of this len...

An Introduction to Squidoo

Squidoo is a place that lets you build mini sites for free. These mini sites are called "lenses," although I also like to think of them as web articles on steroids. Many people use Squidoo to write about their hobbies and passions. It's also...

Building Your Squidoo Fan Club

All Squidoo lensmasters can have their own personal fan clubs. The fan club feature is pretty cool, because it gives you a way to contact people who already appreciate your work and want to keep up with everything you're doing on Squidoo. Any time y...

Common Newbie Squidoo Mistakes

Making a Squidoo lens is easy. Making a good Squidoo lens, well, that's another story. A lot of Squidoo newbies ask veterans to critique their lenses, and most of these lenses are not nearly as good as they could be. (There are exceptions!) Hopefull...

Squidoo about Squidoo, Part 2 

Squidoo Help, Squidoo Tips, Squidoo Guides

Reviews of Squidoo eBooks and Tools

There are a number of guides and eBooks out there about being successful with Squidoo. Whether you want to pull a lot of traffic to your lenses or earn money with them, these guides claim to have the strategies you need. The problem is, you have to...

Spruce Up Your Squidoo Lens: What Every Lens Needs

Do you want to make your Squidoo lens the best that it can be? Do you want people to give it five star ratings? Do you want your lens to at least get noticed? Here are some tips to help you spruce up your lens and make it look as good as possible! ...

Victoria_Neely's Squidoo Stats

That's right, I've decided to join the Squidoo Stats club too. Keeping track of my progress should be a good exercise for me, and maybe it will help others too. I'll post an update around the end of each month to show how I'm doing. Because I don't...

Victoria_Neely's Squidoo Diary

Recently I started my own Squidoo stats lens. Although Squidoo stats can give you valuable insight on how your lenses are doing, it only shows numerical progress. I decided to create a complementary Squidoo diary to go with it. I plan to use this Sq...

Squidoo Group Directories 

Squidoo Food & Cooking Groups Directory

Who doesn't like food? It's something we can all enjoy, which might explain why there are a lot of good food & cooking groups on Squidoo. If you have some lenses dedicated to food or cooking, consider submitting them to one of these groups.

Squidoo Writing Groups Directory

If you're a writer who loves Squidoo, chances are you've made your own lenses dedicated to the art of writing. Good for you! Now how about submitting them to some writing groups? Personally, I hate hunting for groups, so I put together this list of...

Squidoo Group Directory

There are a lot of Squidoo groups out there, and sometimes you have to dig a bit to find the perfect one for your lenses. I thought that was a bit tedious, so I decided to create my own directory of great Squidoo groups to help keep track of them all...

Squidoo Pets & Animals Groups Directory

As you might expect, there are a ton of animal and pet groups on Squidoo--especially for dogs! However, you can also find a few groups for fish, horses, rodents, and reptiles. There are also some groups dedicated to wildlife and saving the animals....

Nature & Gardening Group Directory

If you're looking for a nature or gardening group, I have a list of several here. If you have a nature group that isn't listed here, you can add it to the appropriate list below. If you're looking for something more animal or pet-oriented, please vi...

Writing, Part 1 

Writing for Fun and Profit

Tips for Hiring a Freelance Writer

If you're a business owner, you need copy that convinces people to buy your products or services. If you're a job hunter, you need a query letter that persuades someone to give you a job interview. If you own a website, you need content that people wil...

6 Red Hot Tips to Get Your Articles Read

Most people don't like reading articles that are boring, confusing, or poorly written. An article is supposed to share information, and if no one bothers to read it, it's a waste. You have to write good articles if you want people to read them. It d...

Conversational Writing vs. Formal Writing

Did you know that most people read at an 8th grade level? That means if you want to keep most people's attention, you can't write as if you're trying to impress college professors. On the web, it's even more important to write in a conversational to...

My Experience Writing for Helium

Helium is a website that invites writers to contribute articles on just about any subject. They don't pay you up front for your articles. Rather, you earn money from your articles based on how many people view them. You can cash out once you earn $25...

The Drawbacks of Being a Freelance Writer

If you want to be a freelance writer, there are a lot of resources that will tell you how to go about it. Many of them are quite good. However, while they usually make a point of telling you how great it is to make money with your own writing, they d...

Writing, Part 2 

Improve Your Writing

Tips for Choosing a Writing Journal

Anyone can benefit from writing in a journal or notebook. Writing down your thoughts and emotions can be most beneficial: It helps you clarify your thoughts, organize your ideas, and relieve stress. It's also a good way to help you remember things. Wr...

Top Ten Gift Ideas for Writers

Have you been racking your brain to pick out the perfect gift for the writer in your life? Writers aren't so hard to shop for, actually. Most of them could always use a new blank journal or a new set of pens. But there are also a few special gifts...

Commonly Misused Words in the English Language

Has anybody ever snapped at you for misusing a word? It's not nice to nitpick, but the truth is, you'll sound awfully funny if you use the wrong word. (I always want to giggle when I see "bare with me...") If you're ever in doubt as to whether you'r...

Commonly Overused Words and Phrases

Do cliches and worn-out old phrases make you want to hiss? When someone says "Think outside the box," do you feel like stuffing them inside a box? Are you going to scream if you hear some kid say "like, you know" one more time? This is my growing li...

Fictional Characters, Part I 

Sherlock Holmes: The Best Detective Ever

Sherlock Holmes is one of the greatest fictional detectives ever created, and arguably the most famous. He isn't just a detective; he's also a chemist, a violinist, and a master swordsman. He's famous for his keen observation and deductive reasoning....

Horatio Hornblower

Horatio Hornblower is a fictional character created by C. S. Forester. Hornblower is a British naval officer who has most of his seafaring adventures during the Napoleonic Wars. Hornblower is a moody, broody fellow who constantly second-guesses hims...

Miles Tails Prower

Tails is Sonic the Hedgehog's little sidekick, who first appeared in the Sega game "Sonic 2" in 1992. The two-tailed fox can fly by twirling his tails together. In the game series he's usually an eight-year-old prodigy who can fix machines and fly a...

Mr. Spock: The Best First Officer Ever

In the original Star Trek TV series, the ever-logical Mr. Spock is both the first officer and science officer of the USS Enterprise. Though he is half-Vulcan and half-human, he identifies himself as a Vulcan. Privately, he struggles between his stric...

Sonic The Hedgehog

Sonic is a speedy blue hedgehog who first appeared in "Sonic the Hedgehog," a sidescroller video game that was released for the Sega Genesis console. Since then, he has been Sega's mascot. He has appeared in many video games, TV shows, and comics. T...

Fictional Characters, Part II 

Guybrush Threepwood

 "Hi there, I'm Guybrush Threepwood, a mighty pirate!" Guybrush Threepwood is the main character from the Monkey Island computer game series by LucasArts. He starts off as a pirate wannabe, and doesn't have the qualities you'd expect in...

Donald Duck

Donald Duck is one of the greatest Disney characters of all time. Sure, Mickey Mouse might be Disney's mascot, but Donald stole his thunder years ago. The Duck has pluck, determination, and a feisty temper. He can be sweet and have the best intentio...

Donald Duck Gallery

Do you love Donald Duck? So do I, and it's rather annoying that Donald Duck T-shirts are difficult to find. You can't even guarantee that a Disney store will have one. Fortunately, Zazzle is a good source for just about any kind of Donald Duck t-shi...

Debate Lenses, Part 1 

"Hey Monkey Brain" Lenses

Steak: Rare, Medium, or Well Done?

Steak: Rare, Medium, or Well Done? Some people want their steaks well done: Charred on the outside, thoroughly brown and chewy on the inside. Others want their steaks done medium or medium rare, with a warm, succulent, juicy pink center. And some p...

Window or Aisle Seat

When it comes to air travel, nobody that I know of wants a middle seat. But a lot of people clamor for either a window or an aisle seat. The perks of the window seat: You get to enjoy a view of the land below, clouds, sunsets, and other things that...

Clowns: Scary or Funny?

Clowns: Scary or Funny? Some people love clowns. They think clowns are just funny, happy-go-lucky entertainers with a penchant for wearing silly clothes and making balloon critters. The rest of us can't sleep, because we know the truth: The clowns w...

The Comfy Chair or the Soft Cushions?

Our chief weapons are fear, surprise, a fanatical devotion to the Pope, and nice red uniforms! How do you plead? "Innocent?" Ha! A likely story. We'll torture a confession out of you! Would you rather we poke you with SOFT CUSHIONS, or shall we forc...

Peeps or Cadbury Creme Eggs?

Peeps or Cadbury Creme Eggs? Cadbury eggs: Creamy, gooey, chocolatey goodness. Peeps: Jet fuel in marshmallow form. You can't have a proper Easter without Just Born Peeps or Cadbury creme eggs. But while Peeps have that cute baby chick thing going...

Debate Lenses, Part 2 

GIANTmicrobes: Cute or Disturbing Toys?

GIANTmicrobes: Cute or Disturbing Toys? Who in the world thought that deadly microbes that make up illnesses and viruses such as malaria or chicken pox would make good plushies? Whoever came up with Giant Microbes was a genius. They make good gifts f...

Luke Skywalker or Han Solo?

Luke Skywalker or Han Solo? Over here we have Luke Skywalker, the idealistic and brash young fellow who wants to be a Jedi. He's a bit whiny sometimes, but he's cute and we love him anyway. And over here we have Han Solo, a roguish smuggler who pref...

Harry Potter vs. Lord of the Rings

Harry Potter vs. Lord of the Rings - you knew this debate had to turn up sometime! So which is it... Dumbledore or Gandalf? Harry or Frodo? Voldemort or Sauron? Horcruxes or Rings of Power? House elves or hobbits? Death Eaters or Uruk-hai? In short,...

Daffy Duck or Donald Duck?

Two legendary ducks: Daffy Duck and Donald Duck. Both ducks have a speech impediment. One duck is used to violence involving anvils and dynamite, the other throws memorable temper tantrums. One of them wears a cute sailor suit, the other is content w...

Daylight Saving Time Sucks

On May 5th I looked out the window and saw that it was still very light out. The time was 8:30 PM. It felt unnatural. In the US we observe Daylight Saving Time (DST): We change our clocks an hour ahead on the second Sunday of March, then we adjust t...

Computer & Internet, Part 1 

Why I'm Not Following You on Twitter

When it comes to Twitter, many people feel obliged to automatically follow all their followers. It's their personal code of etiquette. However, many others won't do the same. It may sound rude or snobby, but it's true: If someone doesn't recognize y...

Facebook Warning: Activities That Could Get You Banned

When it comes to look, feel, and utility, I think Facebook is superior to MySpace. Facebook's interface is cleaner and more professional. However, Facebook is more draconian than MySpace about enforcing its policies. More than that, Facebook has appa...

What is Facebook?

Facebook is a social networking site that makes it easy for you to keep in touch with friends, co-workers, and people who share the same interests as you. You can create a personal profile, upload pictures, write notes, and send messages to your frie...

What is Twitter?

Twitter is a microblogging tool that is geared around answering this question: What are you doing at this very moment? Many people who look at Twitter for the first time don't understand what all the fuss is about. What use is an online tool that li...

ESET NOD32 Antivirus System

The problem with most antivirus software is that it's bloatware: It cripples your machine's performance until it runs at the speed of a drunk snail. That's why I use ESET NOD32. Although it isn't as well known, it's lightweight while still being one...

Computer & Internet, Part 2 

Weebly: A Free Website Creation Tool

Weebly might sound like a fan page for Weebles, but it's actually a site that allows you to create websites and blogs using a widget-based interface. In fact, building a website with Weebly is a LOT like building a Squidoo lens. Weebly is free to us...

PC & Video Games, Part 1 

Spathi Alien Race

The Spathi are an alien race in the Star Control game series. Although they seem rather crustacean-like, they are actually more closely related to our mollusks. A Spathi has a single large eyeball perched on a green stalk protruding from its body, an...

PC and Video Games that Changed My Life

I grew up watching my Dad play computer games, and it wasn't long before I was hooked too. I spent many happy hours losing myself in games like Monkey Island, Star Control II, and Ultima VII. For better or worse, these games helped define who I am to...

Quest for Glory 2: Trial By Fire Video Showcase

I loved playing Quest for Glory 2: Trial by Fire. So imagine how pleased I was to discovered a whole collection of Trial by Fire videos on YouTube. When you watch these, you'll get a running commentary from "LateBlt." He explains how the game works,...

Quest for Glory 2: Trial by Fire

In Quest for Glory 2, you continue the adventures of a young hero who recently saved the valley of Spielburg from an evil ogress called Baba Yaga. Now he must save the desert city Shapeir, which faces an even greater doom. Magical elemental creatures...

Travian - General Hints

Travian is a free browser war game where you can play one of three tribes: Romans, Gauls, or Teutons. You start with one village, which you'll build up and use to train your armies. The idea is to grow an empire that dominates the map. You'll be surr...

PC & Video Games, Part 2 

Sonic the Hedgehog 2

I can still remember how thrilling it was when my mother gave me a Sega Genesis. It was the first video game console I ever owned, and I played it for years until it wouldn't go any more. Sonic the Hedgeog 2 was the first Sega game I played, and I lo...

Travel and Luggage Tips 

Prevent Lost Luggage, Protect Your Sanity When You Fly

How to Prevent Lost Luggage

When you fly, do you check in your bags? Watch out: Once that bag leaves your side, anything could happen to it. For every 1,000 bags, the typical airline mishandles 6. Sure, the odds don't sound too bad. But what if the dice doesn't roll in your favo...

Airline Lost Your Luggage! Now What?

So you waited and waited at the baggage carousel, watching as everyone else got their bag and went on their merry way. Now you're the last one there, and you don't have your bag! What do you do now? Stay calm, don't panic. This page will tell you what...

Disney Fairies, Part 1 

Disney's Tinker Bell and Friends

Disney Fairy Costumes for Girls: Dress Like Tinker Bell!

It's not anywhere near Halloween yet, and the Disney Tinker Bell movie isn't coming out until October. That means it's hard to find costumes of your child's favorite fairy! Fortunately, there are some Disney fairy costumes available online. If your...

Women's Tinker Bell Costumes

Who says only little girls can play dress-up? Well, fortunately ladies can have fun too. There are several Tinker Bell costumes for adults to choose from! Perfect if you want to do mother-daughter fairy costumes for Halloween, or just dress up for t...

Disney Fairy Books

Do you know someone who loves Tinker Bell and other Disney fairies? Maybe you're a fan yourself. If so, you should have a look at some of these beautiful fairy books! Oh, and if you're looking for fairy coloring books or guides on how to draw Disney...

Disney Fairy Silvermist

Silvermist is a water fairy, and one of Tinker Bell's friends. She's quiet but friendly, and has a calming way about her. She doesn't like shouting, but she's good at smoothing things over when fights break out amongst her friends in Pixie Hollow.

Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell and the Gang

We all know the spunky little fairy from Peter Pan, Tinker Bell. She's been a popular Disney icon for years. Well, lately Disney has expanded Tinker Bell's world: You can buy toys and books about Tinker Bell and all her other fairy friends. Disney is...

Disney Fairies, Part 2 

Tinker Bell Gallery

Have you been looking for a good Tinker Bell T-shirt? They're surprisingly hard to find at times. Fortunately, Zazzle offers lots of different Tinker Bell designs that you can have printed on a T-shirt--for a child or for an adult! Scroll down to se...

Disney Fairies T-shirts and Mugs

It's easy to find stuff with Tinker Bell on it, but what about Silvermist, Iridessa, or Fawn? Are you looking for a T-shirt that has Rani on it, or maybe a Prilla mug? You've come to the right place. This is a collection of Disney fairy T-shirts and...

Arts, Crafts and Etsy 

House Dragons

They're very tiny dragons, rarely growing more than two inches tall. They're called "house dragons" because they are fond of living with or near humans, although they don't always reveal themselves. They know how to stay just out of sight w...

All About Polymer Clay

A collection of websites, books, and other resources full of great information about polymer clay. Whether you're already have experience with polymer clay or are just starting out, these resources will have something for you.

Artsy Feature: Promoting Etsy Artists and Street Teams

Artsy Feature is a blog that spotlights different sellers and street teams on Etsy. For those of you who are asking, "What the heck is Etsy?", well, Etsy is a site where you can buy and sell handmade goods. It's a bit like eBay, except it's...

Fantasy Artists of Etsy Street Team

Fantasy Artists of Etsy (FAE) is an Etsy street team dedicated to art in the fantasy genre: dragons, wizards, unicorns, trolls, fairies, Celtic items, fairy tales, Medieval costumes, invented creatures, and more. FAE's goal is to promote Etsy and the...

Shopping 

Top 10 Gift Ideas for Penguin Lovers

Do you know someone who just loves penguins? Maybe you'd like to give them a penguin-y gift... you're just not sure what. A T-shirt? A coffee table book? A penguin plush? What? Read on for some gift ideas for the penguin-lover in your life!

The Red Wedding Dress

True or false: A woman's wedding dress must be either white or cream. Answer: False! A woman should feel free to wear whatever she wants on her wedding day. Red is associated with passion and romance. In Asian countries, it is the color of fortune a...

Brighton Jewelry: Beautiful Silver Jewelry

If you love beautiful silver jewelry that looks and feels like it will last forever, you should see what Brighton has to offer. Brighton jewelry is high quality: Much of it is handcrafted. It's classy: It will always be in style. Read on to see exam...

Wrangler Jeans

Apart from cowboy boots and Stetson hats, few things are more Western than Wrangler jeans. They were meant to be work jeans from the very start, which means they don't just look good, they wear well. Even now, they are made to last.

Royal Albert Old Country Roses

It's no wonder that the Royal Albert Old Country Roses bone china pattern is the most popular in the world: Few china dish sets are more beautiful, feminine, or nostalgic. The cascading roses that grace these pieces are depicted in rich colors and fin...

Food and Health, Part 1 

What is Eczema?

Skin rashes caused by conditions like eczema are terrible to live with. They're painful, unsightly, and do terrible things to your self-esteem. What is the cause of eczema? More importantly, is there a cure for eczema?

Ear Candles: The Dumbest Folk Medicine Remedy Ever

So what are ear candles? Basically, they are long tube-shaped candles that you stick in your ears. The idea is that the burning candle will clean your ears for you by drawing out the earwax. Only problem is, it doesn't really work. Worst of all, it is...

Rosemary Herb: Facts and Lore About the Rosemary Plant

Rosemary is a popular herb with a distinctive piney scent. Not only is it an attractive herb that's easy to grow, it tastes great in lots of different recipes--especially Mediterranean-style meals!

Yogurt Facts: Health Benefits of Yogurt

Yogurt is very good for you! It's full of beneficial active cultures that help prevent bad bacteria from taking up residence in your body. The other benefits of yogurt is that it gives your body valuable nutrients such as calcium, protein, and vitami...

Strawberries: All About the Sweet Strawberry

Do you love fat, juicy strawberries? You're not the only one! The strawberry is the most popular berry in the world, though technically it's not a berry. In fact, it's not even a fruit! It's actually an enlarged receptacle of a flower. The real fruit...

Food and Health, Part 2 

Pastry Blender: An Essential Kitchen Tool!

I usually make biscuits from scratch on a weekly basis. To make proper biscuits, you need to cut some kind of fat into the flour--usually butter, margarine, or lard. Now, there are two ways to cut butter into a flour mixture: You can do it bit by bi...

Beef Enchiladas

I love enchiladas, particularly beef enchiladas. My mom would make them every so often as a treat. Hers were the best, easily restaurant quality. Then I got married and moved to another state. That meant if I wanted to enjoy those same enchiladas ev...

Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

Sure, apple cider vinegar is great as tangy salad dressing, but it's more than just a kitchen condiment. There are many health benefits associated with apple cider vinegar. Sometimes touted as a "wonder drug," apple cider vinegar can aid digestion an...

Chocolate Brownie Tips

Do you love brownies? I sure do. Every now and then I get this uncontrollable urge to eat some brownies... which of course won't happen unless I go to the trouble of making them. Read on for some tips for making tasty chocolate brownies!

Brach's Candy Corn

Those classic triangle-shaped yellow, orange, and white candies have been around forever and are one of the high points of the fall season. Candy corn is one of my favorite candies, but only when it's manufactured by Brach's. You can really taste the...

Rubber Ducks, Rubber Chickens 

The Rubber Ducky Shop

Do you like rubber duckies? I sure do. They're colorful, cheerful things that can brighten up any bathroom. After all, bath time isn't complete without a squeaky rubber duck or two floating with you. What? You mean to say you don't have a rubber duc...

Rubber Chickens: Classic Gag Gifts

Like a pair of Groucho glasses, the rubber chicken is a classic. It's the perfect gag gift, and it's just plain fun. The world would be a a lot less funny without rubber chickens. Read on if you want to learn more about rubber chickens, or if you ju...

Rubber Ducky Video Showcase

According to Ernie, rubber duckies are cute, adorable, sweet, and make a wonderful sound. Whether or not you agree, rubber duckies are pretty amusing. They're also hams for the camera...

Oh Rubber Ducky!

What bathroom would be complete without a lovable rubber ducky? Even the Queen of England is rumored to have her very own rubber ducky! Here you'll find pictures of rubber ducks, rubber ducky trivia, rubber duckies for sale, and more.

Everything Else, Part 1 

Harry Potter Wands

What self-respecting wizard or witch would go around without a wand? If you want to dress up like Harry Potter, a good wand is an absolute must. The problem is that many of the wands you can find for sale aren't the best quality. If all you want is a...

Glass Marbles

Do you love glass marbles? I sure do. There are tons of varieties, but my favorite kinds of marbles are large, colorful, and slightly iridescent. You can stare into these beautiful glass balls and lose yourself in them. It's almost like another world...

Buyer Beware: Wall-E DVD Won't Play for Everyone!

If you're thinking about getting a Wall-E DVD, be aware that you might have problems with it. Many people including myself have bought the DVD only to discover that it freezes, skips, or won't play at all on their machines. I'm speaking out because...

I Hate Roaches

I hate roaches. I'm not talking about those little so-called German roaches that like to infest apartment dwellings, although they're disgusting little buggers in their own right. I'm talking about cockroaches. Palmetto bugs. Those big, fat, dark br...

Dealing with a Broken Sewer Line

Sewer lines are one of those things we don't think about until something goes wrong. You start noticing the problem when you hear gurgling noises from the toilet, or when water drains more slowly than usual, or when a smelly sinkhole appears in your...

Everything Else, Part 2 

Roddy McDowall

Roddy McDowall is perhaps best known for his chimpanzee role in the sci-fi movie Planet of the Apes. But he appeared in many other films, too, including Cleopatra and Fright Night. Born on September 17, 1928, Roddy began acting in many British films...

Abel's Island by William Steig

Abel is a mouse of leisure. He wears elegant clothes, has a charming wife, gets an allowance from his wealthy mother, and doesn't have to do a bit of work. But then one day Abel is blown away by a storm while trying to retrieve his wife's scarf, and...

Muppet Show Music Videos

The Muppet Show was a lark! It was produced by Jim Henson from 1976 to 1981, and was a vaudeville/opera/variety show for Muppets. The Muppets sang their own slapstick versions of songs such as 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover, Danny Boy, and Feelings. The...

George's Secret Key to the Universe

Ever wish you could ride a comet or see the rings of Saturn up close? George gets to do all that when he meets his new neighbors and their marvelous computer, which is capable of opening doorways to the universe. But exploring outer space is a danger...

Celebrate Towel Day!

If you're a fan of Douglas Adams' Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, you already know how important it is for a hitchhiker to carry a towel at all times. It's even more important on Towel Day, a momentous holiday that occurs every May 25th.