TresSugar

Win a Kindle and $125 Amazon Bucks!

CitizenSugar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 07:30:42 -0700

In the marathon of this election, we're three weeks from the big day. Those three weeks though, like the end of a big race, might make us all have to dig pretty deep to carry us over the finish line. We're thinking it might be the perfect time to take some of the advice in Liberty's Election Survival Guide series, pick up some new news sources and reading material - the candidates' books, perhaps? I'm currently reading Sarah Vowell's newest, The Wordy Shipmates about the Puritans and loving it. Wouldn't a snazzy new Kindle and some Amazon Bucks be the perfect antidote to jazz up your own reading for the end of the election? Enter our giveaway, and you could win!

To enter, you must log in and take the quiz below. Your eligibility is not based on getting the answers correct, just by completing the quiz once you are logged in. You do, however, need to be a TeamSugar member and log in before you take the quiz. If you're not already a member, just register here for an account. One quiz entry per person; all repeat quizzes will be ignored.

The contest is open to US residents only and ends on Oct. 20, 2008, at 5 p.m. PDT. For Official Rules, click here.

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Voting by the Book: Amazon Maps US's Political Reading List

CitizenSugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 10:00:13 -0700

If our electoral map were as red as Amazon's map of our political book-buying habits, things would be looking up for John McCain. Yet while Americans are buying up conservative books, our electoral map is getting bluer and bluer each day.

I initially chalked up this discrepancy to how unscientific Amazon's map is. After all, so many variables could affect this. Like how book publishers began feverishly launching conservative imprints five years ago to keep up with an increasing public demand. Could there just be a lot of conservative books to buy right now? Maybe they are better? Republicans tend to be older and older people read print over websites. Or maybe Democrats are at the library, or just buying all their books at indie stores. Who knows?

However, I became more convinced of a real connection when I compared the 2008 map to the 2004. I couldn't help but concoct a few theories about what we're ~~reading~~ buying. To see what I found, read more.

The map this year is much redder than it was four years ago; however, we elected a Republican president then and, if polls can be believed, we're about to elect a Democratic president. It could be possible that people read more when they're looking for answers, or an alternative to a reality they don't like. Did Democrats fear Republican control in 2004? Are Republicans worried about a Democratic president, Senate, and Congress today? Or is this just a meaningless map to help Amazon sell books?

Source

Amazon Find of the Day

GiggleSugar — Tue, 06 May 2008 10:00:00 -0700

Who said phones have to look like gadgets? Think outside of the sandbox.

Source

Got . . . Beads?

GiggleSugar — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 09:00:00 -0700

You know what they say, "the stuff in one man's trunk is another man's treasure." Hee-hee. I always wondered how anyone out of grade school could find "arts and crafts" projects appealing and worthwhile. Thanks to LibertySugar, now I know.

Source and Source

You Asked: I'm Afraid I Talk Too Much

DearSugar — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 03:00:00 -0800

DearSugar,

Ever since I was a little girl, after my Mom died (I was 10), I've talked too much! Even my young friends were annoyed! Why do I do this, and what can I do to stop? I've tried telling myself to shut up, people don't care, but my mouth keeps going on and on. I feel sorry for people who help me at the store or answer customer service calls, because I know I'll trap them and not shut up!

Please, help me! My job is at stake. -- Chatty Cathy

To see DEARSUGAR's answer read more

Dear Chatty Cathy --

I'm impressed with your level of self-awareness, as many people don't recognize the ways in which they leave little room for others in conversation. We all have a great need to be heard, so I hope you'll start by treating yourself with greater compassion and patience while you grow around this issue.

Loneliness, isolation, or anxiety can exacerbate our basic need to speak and be heard. These feelings also make it challenging to be curious about others, to listen, and to give our full attention to someone else -- someone who very likely has the same desire to share in conversation.

There are several good ways to burn off an overwhelming need to communicate, and they might help you be more appropriate and available to others when talking. I recommend starting a journal. Pour out your feelings and ideas there. Alternate that practice with an exercise in brevity: Try to write how you're feeling about 10 things in 10 words or less. Do this every day, as much as you can.

Find blogs you enjoy and get to know other people through how they express themselves. Read memoirs written by interesting women. You'll soon see that you're not alone in your desire to be known and cared about. Practice being both a listener and a talker in chat rooms and in your daily life at work. Ask questions. Focus on others.

You might begin a short meditation practice as well, to help slow things down on the inside. FitSugar has great information on her site, and I'm including the link here for beginning meditators.

If you haven't read Motherless Daughters, it might be very useful for you. A good reference book for learning specific tips to manage your self-consciousness or nervousness is called Conversationally Speaking. The links will take you to Amazon.com, where you can read more about them both.

I think you only need a little practice, polish, and confidence, Chatty Cathy. And I believe your willingness and openness means you'll master yourself this way very, very soon.

Source

Uncontacted Human Tribe Sighted in Amazon

LibertySugar — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:30:31 -0700

Anthropologists have discovered an "uncontacted tribe" living in Brazil deep within the Amazon. Aerial photos show red-painted people, living in huts, and ready to defend themselves with bows and arrows. If you think you're out of touch with world events, think again.

This situation blows my mind. To think that there is an independent human society living on this planet, with no knowledge of the dramas, histories, religions, languages, cities, wars, and everything else that makes up the rest of us, is almost unfathomable.

Despite the wealth of information this tribe could provide the outside world, experts warn against contact. Modern outsiders, including loggers, miners, and cattle ranchers, will kill these people for their land - a typical historical narrative. If not killed by violence, members of previously contacted tribes have died from common diseases.

Does this story amaze you as much as it amazes me? Will we be able to quell our fascination enough to leave these people alone and save their lives? How do we know we're not an uncontacted society?

Eco Paradox: Clean Air Bad for Rain Forest?

LibertySugar — Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:52 -0700

A new study claims that clean air may actually be worsening the drought in the Amazon rainforest - a region whose well being impacts the entire world's climate.

The scientists found that sun-reflective sulfate aerosols, released by coal-burning power plants, bounce light back to the sun, preventing it from hitting the Earth. Add a bunch of scientific mumbo-jumbo, and eventually the buffering impact of a concentrated amount of sulfates from the 1970s and 80s led to more rain in the Amazon. But now, the reduction in pollution, and thus rain, is one more factor leading to the loss of vegetation in the region.

So does this mean you should break out the Aqua Net hairspray? Not at all. The scientists do not recommend increasing the output of dangerous pollutants, and in fact say it is necessary to continue the decrease. In addition, the study urges more action, such as halting deforestation, in order to decrease carbon dioxide emissions.

Does this study surprise you? Are scientists just starting to figure out how Mother Nature and human activity impact the earth? Does this story make you apathetic? Confused? Or inspired to heed the scientists' recommendations that we keep reducing pollution?
Source

Uncontacted Amazonian Tribe: The True Douchebaggery Story

GiggleSugar — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 13:00:00 -0700

Last Friday, CitizenSugar briefed us on the uncontacted human tribe discovered deep inside the Amazon. These people reportedly paint themselves red, live in huts, and arm themselves with bows and arrows. Digitally-enhanced photos have since been released and have added a peculiar twist to the story. Are we sure those arrows aren't used for lady hunting and those huts for tanning parlors? The red-faced tribesman above looks awfully douche to me . . .

Source

You Asked: Should I See a Psychic About My Future?

DearSugar — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 17:00:00 -0800

DearSugar --

Hi. I am going through a difficult time in my life at the moment. I just graduated college a little while back and have no idea what I want to do with my life. I have no career path lined up like most of my friends and to top if off I just went through a terrible break-up. I am so sick of crying everyday and feeling confused and am pretty much willing to try anything to help me get out of this funk I have been in.

I have seriously been considering seeing a psychic. I just wanted to know if it's something I should pursue and if any of the readers have been to one themselves. I am very fearful I'm going to be conned. I am really just curious to hear people's experiences on their psychic meetings. -- Psychic Curious

To see DEARSUGAR's answer read more

Dear Psychic Curious --

It's really very tough to feel directionless after college, though it's not at all an unusual experience, despite the fact that many of your friends have found a path. You haven't failed or faltered, yet, Psychic Curious; these next years are exactly the time for you to experiment, wander, dabble and explore.

Passion and focus do not immediately come to all of us; we must discover those qualities in ourselves through trial and error. Unless you attended a vocational school, you are exactly where you should be. You are at the beginning.

Perhaps our community here can make some recommendations or share their experiences with psychics. I think it's possible any holisitic health practitioners in your community might be able to recommend reputable astrologers or tarot card readers, should you decide to go that route.

That said, Psychic Curious, nothing will substitute for getting to know yourself, exploring different subjects and careers, test-driving a few jobs, asking people for informational interviews, and reading some books that might inspire and guide you. Have you considered talking with a career counselor? They'll often help you evaluate, through various tests, your natural skills, your personality and temperment, and careers that might suit you.

There's also a great book called Roadtrip Nation: A Guide to Discovering Your Path in Life, written in 2003 by two college graduates who spent a summer in an RV, traveling the country, interviewing successful people, and trying to suss out their own career paths. That link will send you to Amazon.com, where you can find out more. Here's a great NPR interview with them, too. Another nice book to check out is called What Should I Do With My Life, written by Po Bronson. Several big universities now assign this book for all incoming freshman.

We'll be thinking about you, Psychic Curious. Check back in and let us know how you are and what you're discovering! Please.

Source

Ron Paul's New Book Hits #1 on Amazon

CitizenSugar — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:45:25 -0700

Rep. Ron Paul, former (?) outside-the-box, passion-inspiring presidential candidate has a new book - and it's become the #1 bestselling political book on Amazon.com even though it's not even being released until April 30.

The master of inspiring the grassroots revolution, Paul's book has a website where you can pledge to buy the book, making sure it will debut at the top of the New York Times best-seller list. He's either an incredible marketer or the only one with the right idea - you decide.

The book is called, The Revolution: A Manifesto. Are you buying it? Checking it out of the library?