Author: James Fishman

James Fishman has been involved in the world of online magazines for more than 15 years. He helped launch Sunstone Online and continues to improve the magazine as site editor and administrator. His writing focuses primarily business and technology. To be in touch with James, feel free to contact him at james[at]sunstoneonline.com.

3 Staycation Ideas for the Whole Family

We can’t all get away this summer, either because prices are high or we still have concerns about COVID-19, but we can definitely try to improve our living space and to make it that much more fun to use. Many people are selecting to have staycations this year instead of risking exposure by going anywhere (and some people are locked down again and can’t go anywhere). So what is one to do? Here are a few great suggestions.

  1. Invest in games: There are so many fun games out there today and you can certainly buy a few (or a dozen) and get the family playing together. Yes, you can always download games on an iPad or computer, but it’s certainly more fun to sit around the table and to play a game together. Check out Perpetual Commotion, Rummy Cube, Rack-O, and GoSports Slammo for some fun game ideas.
  2. Cooking: If you haven’t already started focusing on cooking for yourself or teaching the kids to do more, now is a great time. If you look at a place like MasterClass, you’ll find chefs like Gordon Ramsey teaching cooking classes. You can learn some simple techniques, or really blossom into a master chef by the end of the summer.
  3. Hot tubs: So we can’t all get away to an expensive hotel this summer, but many people could probably afford to buy an inflatable hot tub. Yes, this is actually a thing, and CNN has recently done a story about the best inflatable hot tubs to buy! They aren’t that expensive, considering that you can use it in the comfort of your own home every single day. It might just be worth the splurge.

Director Peter Farrelly: Upcoming Projects

A new project in the works by the Russos’ company AGBO Films is worth noting, and the press has definitely been noting it in the last few days. AGBO Films will be producing the untitled Cambridge Analytica movie. They are in talks with Director Peter Farrelly to direct the film and have Eddie Redmayne planning to star in it.

The script was written by Christopher Markus and Stephen Mcfeely and the project is already financed and ready to start production. While the project was initially supposed to be directed by David Gordon Green, the ongoing talks with Director Peter Farrelly are an exciting twist.

The plan as we know it so far is that Eddie Redmayne will play the part of Christopher Wylie, the distinctly pink haired data consultant who came up with the idea for Cambridge Analytica. Feeling guilty, Wylie then became a whistleblower, and the movie is about his story.

Certainly, with Director Peter Farrelly onboard, the project should finally take off and be an intrigue to watch at some point. Stay tuned.

Diabetes and Poor Sleep – a Deadly Combination

Most of us know that diabetes can be dangerous and that people with diabetes need to safe guard their health and be careful in many ways. What people may not realize, is that this even includes their sleep. A new study that was published in the Journal of Sleep Research shows that diabetes and sleep issues can lead to detrimental health concerns.

The data analyzed almost half a million middle-aged people in the UK Biobank Study the study found that those who slept poorly and had diabetes were 12% more likely to die over the next nine year follow up period than were those with diabetes but no sleep issues. This study was the first of its kind to specifically look at diabetes and sleep and what they mean for mortality risks.

The study also highlighted that people who sleep poorly and don’t have diabetes are at higher risk for dying than are those who sleep well and don’t have diabetes. Sleep matters.

Read more about the study and about tips to help get better sleep on CNN.

You, Too, Can Be Darth Vader

Well, maybe you can’t be him, but you can certainly live in his house. It will take a bit of money to do it, but what’s money when you’re a Darth Vader fan? There actually is a Darth Vader house on the market right now in Houston, Texas. The 7000 square foot house is going for $4,300,000 and the house is shaped to look like the helmet worn in the Star Wars movies by Darth Vader. The home was built in 1992 and has four bedrooms, five bathrooms and an asking price far above others in the neighborhood. Even more pictures of the house and details are revealed here.

But the dark side might just be alluring enough to want in on this one – large price tag and all!

Google Stores Coming Soon

In case Google doesn’t yet have enough of the market – they are taking a foray into the retail space. The company has recently announced that they are opening their first retail store called, aptly enough, Google Store. It will be in New York City in the Chelsea neighborhood.

What will be sold at the Google Store? They are reporting they will have Pixel phones, Nest items, Fitbits and Pixelbooks, among other items. They plan to mimic the Apple Store experience by having experts on hand to help customers with troubleshooting and more.

Up until now, Google has sold its products through Best Buy and Amazon, but they are convinced that people like to touch and see products before they buy them. Microsoft might tell you otherwise, as they are currently closing all of their 83 Microsoft Store locations.

Time will tell if this was a good idea for Google!

Support on a Motherless Mother’s Day

We always worry about what to get for a mother or grandmother on Mother’s Day. But it’s easy for forget that there are many people who don’t have that worry – because they don’t have anyone to shower love on during this time. Mother’s Day often feels like a national event, and if your mother has died, or you never really knew her, or you’re estranged, it can turn into a very awkward day. Here are a few ways to try to get out of that funk, whether for yourself or for someone you love. And obviously, these ideas can be used next month for Father’s Day as well.

  1. Do something unconventional: Why subject yourself to sitting in a restaurant on Mother’s Day with all of the mothers and daughters? Do something that is completely unconventional on this day so that you aren’t surrounded by these reminders. Whether that is taking a walk on the beach, staying in and ordering food, watching a movie, or going for a drive – you can think of something that won’t cause you to be surrounded.
  2. Find others: There are certainly many people who could feel down on a day like this. Find them. Reach out to your friends who are in the same situation and get together. Have a pool party, go play billiards, do something together that will enable you have to have fun and to bond.
  3. Find someone who needs a mother figure: Getting out of yourself and your own situation can do wonders for your feelings of lose or other-ness. Maybe there is a young girl that you know of who doesn’t have a mom and could use some extra love on Mother’s Day. Speak to her father or loved ones and see if you can take her out. You aren’t trying to replace what she doesn’t have, necessarily, but are creating a new and different type of bond.

These are just a few of the many ways that you can try to turn this difficult day on its head and make it special for you.