Summer vacation is here, and the kids are excited for time off from early mornings and homework. . .for a couple days.  And then the complaint, “I’m bored!” becomes common.

If you have a free moment or two, playing a game with your child is a great boredom buster.  In addition to silencing complaints, it is the perfect setting for conversation.

When choosing a game, keep in mind that it should be fun for all playing.  Take turns choosing the game, even if it means playing your less than favorite game.  Plus, some of those games have more benefits than just amusing your child.  To learn more about the benefits of playing games with your child, visit our sister site, Your Parenting Info.

If you live in the northern hemisphere, summer should have arrived.  Gone (hopefully) are the days of subzero windchills, snow, and the need to wear multiple layers of clothing.  Also gone is the frequent request for hot cocoa after playing outside.

However, even though the cold is gone it doesn’t mean that you need to put your hot cocoa mix away for the next few months.  Check out an innovative use for this treat during the summer months at our sister site, Tasty Thoughts.  You’ll be surprised at how versatile this item can be.

With the Fourth of July just eleven days away, many people are finalizing their plans for the holiday.  As the Fourth falls on a Saturday this year, more people are likely to celebrate the day in some form.

If you are thinking about traveling for the holiday, a great destination would be a city with ties to the origin of Independence Day.  Why not travel to Philadelpia, location of Independence Hall where the Delcaration of Independence was signed?

To learn more about some popular destinations for tourists in Philadelphia, visit our sister site, Good Life Review.

Walking through a local grocery recently, I was overwhelmed with the variety of beers available.  Gone are the days of a simple choice between Budweiser or Coors; there are more microbrews than you can count.

To assist you with your choices, Parched No More has a weekly beer column.  Learn which beer tastes better warmer.  Discover beers that taste better with a little citrus.  Read about the prominent flavors in each beverage.

Before you purchase your next new beer, take a peek at the suggestions at our sister site, Parched No More.

You look at your calendar, and you realize that your brother’s birthday is next week.  Is your first thought, What am I going to give him?

If so, you aren’t alone.  Shopping for others can be a daunting chore.  What does the other person want or need that fits within your budget?

There are strategies that you can employ to make shopping for others easier.  Visit our sister site, Go Shopping Info, for some great tips on how to determine what would make a great purchase for friends, family members, or colleagues.

If you are a cat owner, you might understand a cat’s desire to go outside.  Sure, there are some cats that are content to stay inside, but the majority of them are anxious to get their little paws outside for a hunting session or a roam around the neighborhood.  However, there are many dangers for outdoor cats.

There are some options that will allow your cat to venture outside and keep him or her safe.  To learn one way to give your cat some freedom, visit our sister site, Feathers Fins and Fur.  While not a popular option with every cat, it is well worth trying.

Song Journals – Share More Than Just Music

SAN MATEO, CA (June 2009) Wasabi Ventures LLC, an innovative venture capital firm with a diverse portfolio of Internet-based endeavors, announced their latest online project this week with the unveiling of www.songjournals.com.

Song Journals is a collaborative online project that allows users to share their memories and emotions inspired by the songs that move them.  Song Journals blends audio, video, and text files in a unique interactive experience that unites users by sharing not just their favorite music, but the feelings and thoughts that make the music personally meaningful.

“Music is the most moving all of the artistic forms of expression,” said Tom Kuegler, Managing Partner at Wasabi Ventures. “Song Journals uses this call to emotions and partners it with social media technology allowing people to share their memories and feelings that songs cause in them.”

Unlike other music sites, Song Journals focuses less on the music itself than on the user’s interpretation. Whether it’s the memories of a grandfather inspired by the crooning of Sammy Davis Jr. or an old girlfriend brought to mind by Primus’ rampaging guitars, Song Journals gives registered users the forum for their musical musings.

Wasabi Ventures is a different kind of venture capital firm made up of three distinct, but connected aspects: venture funding, start-up advising, and incubation. For more information about Wasabi Ventures LLC, go to http://wasabiventures.com/ or contact Tom Kuegler at tk@wasabiventures.com.