This will be the second year for manager Fredi Gonzalez following Bobby Cox’s retirement and it is up to Fredi to make sure his Braves learn from last year’s mistakes. The 2012 Atlanta Braves lost a few pieces over the offseason including Derek Lowe (RHP), Alex Gonzalez (SS), Nate McLouth (OF), George Sherrill (LHP), and Scott Linebrink (RHP), and did not acquire anybody of significance so they need to have some other players step up and have a good season. The 2012 Atlanta Braves are projected to have a strong rotation as long as their pitchers stay healthy; especially Tommy Hanson who suffered a concussion from a car accident over the spring. The projected rotation for 2012 is Jair Jurrjens, Tommy Hanson, Tim Hudson, Brandon Beachy, and Mike Minor. Hanson, Jurrjens, and Hudson are all reliable pitchers, while Minor and Beachy are looking to make an impact, but the Braves also have top prospect Julio Teheran waiting for a spot on the rotation. This year’s projected lineup will feature Michael Bourn, Martin Prado, Chipper Jones, Brian McCann, Dan Uggla, Freddie Freeman, Jason Heyward, and Tyler Pastornicky. Jason Heyword along with Freeman and Prado are the players that need to propel this team and if they are successful, 2012 could be great year for the Braves. Heyword had a rough 2011, but the Braves new hitting coach Greg Walker is working hard with Heyward to help him get his swing back.

After this year’s Atlanta Braves spring training, the home opener is against Milwaukee on Friday, April 13th. I will be thrilled to be attending this game and cannot wait to see this young team in action. This year the MLB has added an additional playoff wildcard spot, so Atlanta has a great shot of being there this year. This is also the last year of one of the greatest Braves of all time, Chipper Jones. The Atlanta Braves can be either their own worst enemy or their best friend, and depending on players like Hanson and Heward the 2012 season will be a fantastic year to be a Braves fan.

That being said, I had no idea why my PC got slower and slower. Apparently laptop memory problems, which is something everyone should aware.

When buying a cheap computer (like me), still make sure that you have enough memory loaded. Otherwise your Facebook like will slow down and shopping online can be a hazzle.

My neighbor was so nice to show me a self-test site, which then resulted in me ordering 4 Gigabyte for my Lenovo IdeaPad Y430 2781-74U Memory over at A&E Memory. Also looked at Staples, but it was a bit cheaper and ships international.

Oh well..now I am fast as light an can order and Facebook as much as I want. You’ll hear more later from me

Those days are over, thanks to online sample sale websites like Gilt Groupe, Rue La La, Ideeli and Haute Look. These deal-a-day formatted sites bring discounted designer goods to their members all year long. Some sites, including Gilt Groupe, are invitation-only. That being said, shoppers can apply for membership or search through fashion blogs to find an invitation link. (They are abundant, as the referrer can often earn store credit when the member they recruited makes his or her first purchase.)

In true sample sale form, the designer duds offered on these sites are first come, first serve. All sites provide a calendar of upcoming sales, and Gilt and Ideeli actually let you download sale events to your iCal or Outlook so never miss a deal. Search the calendar for designers that peak your interest, then be sure to sign on early to get first pick. Remember that items added to your cart are not reserved for long, generally under 15 minutes, so don’t spend too much time deliberating whether or not you really need another pair of over-the-knee boots. (They’re all the rage this fall, so you probably do. And for that price, why not?)

Just a note: be sure to read the site’s terms and conditions. Gilt and Haute Look, for example, only offer store credit in exchange for a returned item, though they do pay for return shipping and handling.

Sample sale sites are also foraying into fields beyond fashion. Gilt Groupe and Ideeli have recently offered discounted room rates to five-star hotels and resorts in locales both familiar and exotic like Montauk, Berlin, Napa and the Philippines. They have also taken a cue from Groupon by localizing their services to provide deals and coupons to city-specific shops. Just enter your zip code to learn about specials at fitness centers, spas and restaurants, and impress your friends with your take on the city’s trendiest milieu.

If you’re tired of last-minute scrambling for gifts, sample sale sites also offer plenty of sales on home goods and small accessories like leather day planners or Voluspa candles. Buy in bulk and save until you need the perfect hostess or housewarming gift.

Scoring designer deals can be as simple as signing online, as long as you’re in the know. So, consider yourself a savvy shopper, and start saving!

$34 is pretty cheap, but another 15% would make this deal incredible.

I’d definitely go buy this one, but not sure if I want to spend $89.90 for it. Maybe some Ann Taylor Loft Coupons help. I am sure that Couponheaven or Retailmenot.com have something, which will at least give me free shipping.

Otherwise I might go back to Club Monaco.

On the other end I was looking into the small, but fun Nokia phones. Obviously screen is smaller and the OS is not so intuitive, but it could be a great phone for my purposes. I don’t need to surf the web or fool around. As long as I have Facebook and maybe Twitter, I should be good. I also need a keyboard, so I can type faster.

After having looked at the best Symbian Apps I am exactly a bit pulled to that phone. Allowing me to skype or use quick SMS functionality is actually exactly what I need. Also the music player app (without restrictions) looks quite fancy to me ( Symbian app download here).

Last I like the Iprint App for my HP printer. Pretty damn cool idea.  But whatever….since the What to wear App is only available for the Nokia, I’ll opt-in for that.

Interesting article from someone in the field”
“Women seem to learn more easily, develop more quickly and enjoy the process more than their male counterparts,” says Sid Wyemann, CEO of Forex For Beginners, a Forex company.

He basically made the following assumptions:

1. Women don’t have an ego problem
2. Women want to learn more detailed stuff than just going half way through
3. Women are more patient

Well…not sure about the last one, but I am willing to get in the Forex game a bit. However not sure who to use. I could go with Charles Schwab, Tforex orForex.com and others. Anybody a proposal?

In the US it is obviously easier to get customized shirts online…since Brooks Brothers . and Co. are national brands. But I am in the UK right now….so Youtailor or Youtailorshop would be convenient, but I just didn’t like the way these shops are setup online.
That’s why I had a look at Charlespinckney.co.uk’s made to measure shirts section and I’ve got to say that I really love it. Easy convenient and not overpriced..meaning they are actually priced at a fair price (for someone who doesn’t earn money in Pounds ).

Obviously I am just kidding. It’s about 90 degrees outside and yesterday I was hanging on my deck and noticed that I used the Xmas lights to make my deck shine. Usually I would order lights around Xmas, but this year I opt-in to order them before the season starts. Maybe I am actaully for once smart about this.