For what it is worth, here are my Top 10 favorite websites, as of December 2006: Places that are worth visiting once, twice, or every day.
So if you are looking for some fun places to go when you are finished with our site, why not check out some of these fun destinations!
1. The OP.com - The web site is off the hook! Absolutely my favorite destination over the past few years. It's a fan site for "Arrested Development," the greatest television show in the history of mankind. I check it every day. Even though the show is now cancelled, it's still a great forum where fans discuss a variety of topics, utilizing dialogue and phrases from the show. If you ever visit the fan forum on the site, look out for Frightened Inmate #2. That's me.
2. The Drudge Report - Great news resource with a slightly conservative bent, true, but it mainly compiles top news items of interest. Basic, and still the best way to get hot news fast.
3. Newsbusters - Conservative media watch site. Interesting look at the news, and analysis on liberal bias in the media. Actually some pretty fun stuff going on here.
4. You Tube - Yes, I have some videos on You Tube, including "Getting Evan," a goofy project I did with Steve Seeber for a video competition, a parody of the "Great Adventure" old man commercial, and a parody of "No Sleep Til Brooklyn." Of course, there's tons of other great stuff you can find at You Tube. This link will take you to all of my public videos.
5. LancasterGeneral.org - This is where Rick works, where he is one of the two webmasters that maintain and update this site. A great health resource. Check out the two publications Rick writes: Generally Speaking and Lancaster General Woman.
6. The Onion - Still the funniest site on the internet. Herbert Kornfeld is da bomb.
7. eBay - Still the best place to bargain hunt, or to sell stuff in your basement that you no longer want.
8. Genesis of a Reunion - Unless you've never met me, you are aware that Genesis is my favorite band. There are a lot of good fan sites for the band, but right now this is the one I'm following, as Genesis is planning a European tour in 2007, and word is that an American tour will follow. Naturally, I'm hoping to be there.
9. Lime Wire - So, you miss the golden era of Napster, and you weren't sure where to look for sharing some music files? If you haven't discovered the Gnutella file sharing community, then you should do so now. There are several programs that you can use to begin accessing music files... as well as video and more. But I have had great success with Lime Wire, and I recommend it. It is free to download if you don't mind a few ads rotating at the bottom; or about $10 for a more advanced version that eliminates the ads and gives you the satisfaction of supporting this software development.
10. Jump the Shark is a great site for TV fans. The name refers to that epic Happy Days episode where Fonzie "jumped the shark", and refers to that moment when your favorite show has reached the point where it begins to spiral toward its conclusion. Visitors get to vote for their "Jump the Shark" moments on their favorite (or dispised) programs, and votes are tallied. Some are obvious, like the switching of the Darrens on Bewitched. Others might surprise you. There are also departments for specific "Jump the Shark" moments, like when new characters are introduced, babies or weddings, and the most telling sign - when Ted McGinley joins the cast. McGinley is the patron saint of shark jumping, in case you didn't know.
Honorable mention:
Curtis Earth Trivia - He no longer lives in Lititz, but my former neighbor's trivia shows still thrive, both in Lancaster County and in his new home of Orlando, Fla. Fun stuff here!
Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon - If you want to play the game, here's a great way to do it!
PhotoWorks.com - Where I send all my digital photography for photos, calendars, mugs, etc. They do a good job and the price is reasonable.
Hollywood, PA - It's been awhile now since Greg Swartz filmed his movie, "Hollywood, PA," but the last I checked, it still had a website. Since my co-worker, Steve Seeber (above) has the starring role, and yours truly also has a cameo, its worth promoting. The rough cut of the movie is pretty funny. Hope it comes to a multiplex near you someday. Click here to see the photos, and to see the "Hollywood, Pa." website.
One of the clever things they did was to put the filming of the movie on the internet for people to experience live. Though filming is done, streaming video and highlights are available to examine. My big part can be witnessed near the end of the second day of filming (Feb. 25, about 3 1/2 hours into the video, in case you are interested in fast forwarding!) The movie also features Amber Benson (Tara on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", I'm in a scene with her) and features a cameo by Jennifer Ringley of the now defunct Jenni-cam.
Dead Ronnie - This is the latest film Greg is promoting. A 20 minute movie that sounds pretty good. Rumor has it he is thinking of turning it into a full length feature.
Babel Fish Translation - Need to convert something from one language to another in a hurry? Try Babel Fish, and in no time you will be sprekend een taal die u nooit vóór gedroomd u kon spreken. Het is een prachtige website! Like Dutch, for instance.
Amazon.com - Well of course I shop here. Where do you think they have the best deals on Arrested Development seasons 1-3?
Newsmax - Another right-of-center news service. Which in my book actually means it's well balanced.
My Space - Yes, I have a My Space page. But no, I don't really use it much. It was just something I set up as a way to enter a video in the "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" TV competition. But if you'd like to see what I look like as an Amish guy, then by all means, visit, leave messages, all that fun stuff!