Thoughtful Thursday with The Dalai Lama

While on a trip to SanFrancisco with friends back in 2009, we stumbled into a pretty cool store where each one of us found a corner that distracted our imaginations and spoke to our capitalist desires (spend! spend! spend!). I was in the back by the t-shirt rack, of course. It was there that I found my most comfortable t-shirt.

And I mean that in a number of ways.

It is made of soft organic cotton, it is kelly green and, these days, it's a little over sized, so with this it fits the standard qualifications of comfort and coolness. However, what it says and what message I am honored to carry with me when I wear it is a comfort to my soul. On the back of the t-shirt is the poem The Paradox of Our Age from his Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama.

If you are unfamiliar with this poem, then I would be honored to share it with you today as I will be sharing it with anyone who happens to read my shirt today. It is a poem about our world and each time I read it I reminded to be the change I want to see in the world.

THE PARADOX OF OUR AGE

We have bigger houses but smaller families;

more conveniences, but less time.

We have more degrees but less sense;

more knowledge but less judgment;

more experts, but more problems;

more medicines but less healthiness.

We’ve been all the way to the moon and back,

but have trouble in crossing the street to meet our new neighbor.

We built more computers to hold more copies than ever,

but have less real communication;

We have become long on quantity,

but short on quality.

These are times of fast foods but slow digestion;

Tall men but short characters;

Steep profits but shallow relationships.

It’s a time when there is much in the window 

but nothing in the room.

~HIS HOLINESS THE 14TH DALAI LAMA

This has been the paradox of our age, but I have faith that more and more people are recognizing it for what it is. I believe a new age is coming and I can't wait to be a part of it.

What do you think of this paradox? 

Do you think we are emerging from it or sinking deeper in?

Do You Love T-Shirts As Much As I Do?

Last June I wrote about the first essential piece of my everyday wardrobe: converse sneakers, in a post entitled 10 Reasons I LIVE in Converse Sneakers (which I really, really do). However, my expression of self does not end with my feet. In addition to my colorful collection I happen to adore t-shirts. Not just any old t-shirts, either, they have to say something or mean something and if they have some sort of geek reference, well then that's just 1,000 times better.

While writing this post I am wearing a brand new t-shirt that I simply can't stop smiling about. It is a Buffy the Vampire Slayer t-shirt and it is awesome.

Please ignore the mess behind me... I still haven't settled all of the files into my new filing cabinet.

Here's why I love the shirt:

1. I am an über-fan of the television show Buffy the Vampire Slayer (in case you didn't pick it up, that's why my beagle's name is Buffy).
2. Buffy and the "Scoobies" are adorable in this design.
3. I have never seen this design before (and I am always on the hunt for cool new BtVS t-shirts).
4. The shirt cost me only ten dollars!!!

Yep. $10. That's it. 

You see, it is from this website that I am now addicted to. Have you heard of TeeFury? I don't know how I heard of it (I wish I could give someone credit for this!), but ever since I have it has become a daily check in for me.

Here's how they work, in their own words:

So what's teeFury all about anyway?
TeeFury is a place where you will find amazing tees at amazing prices (and occasionally other non-tee things). It's pretty simple - one new super limited-edition tee every 24 hours for $10.

What happened to yesterday's tee or any of the other previous tees?
Each tee goes up for sale everyday at midnight eastern time. Once it sells out, or after 24 hours, whichever comes first, that tee is gone. And when we say, "gone", we mean G-O-N-E - never to be sold again at TeeFury. So, if you see something you like, and it hasn't sold out yet, you better grab one fast before the fat lady sings.

So you really only have ONE shirt for sale at a time on your entire site?
Yep. See above

 So... it's not just t-shirts, it's exciting t-shirts sold in an exciting way for a very cool price. I just think it is loads of fun. Here are some of the previous designs that have caught my eye:

I missed this one :(

Bought this for a Ghostbusters loving family member!

I think I'll be wearing this one tomorrow!

This was up long before I knew about teefury. I think it is brilliant! The design was called CoCoNuts.

I guess it goes without saying - I am a fan. It is for that reason that I decided to become an affiliate for teefury and put an ad for them in my sidebar. So, when you see this little box:

on the Rivera Runs Through It blog, now you know why its there. It's there because I love t-shirts, the shirts that I have received from Teefury are high quality and unique, and I thought, that if any of my readers were fans of cool geek and pop-culture referenced t-shirts they would really appreciate me sharing this information with them!

So do you love t-shirts, or know someone who does?

(I can't wait for Christmas to come back around now!)

Had you heard of teefury before?

Have you purchased any cool teefury shirts? If so, what designs caught your eye?

Do you know of any other super-cool places where I should be checking out t-shirts?

Time To Get Hunger Games Gear

You know I love books.

You know I love movies.

What could I possibly love more than books that become movies, right?

Well, I happen to love showing up at said movies all decked out in an appropriate t-shirt. I am happy to say that Hot Topic is finally stocking their Hunger Games movie t-shirts for all of us to go grab up before the March 23rd release. Click the banner below to be taken to their pages of goodies including t-shirts, jewelry, backpacks, key chains, journals, watches and more.

And just to get you in the right shopping mood, here is the latest Hunger Games trailer:

For fellow readers of The Hunger Games, what do you think of the omission of Madge (the mayor's daughter) from the movie? This trailer seems to give the first hints as to how the Mockingjay pin will be introduced without her.

5 Promo Codes from New York Comic Con 2011

It's finally here! While there is going to be tons of stuff to share with you as I get the opportunity to explore the Exhibitor Floor, Artist Alley, Panels and Screenings throughout the weekend, right now I can quickly share some of the great deals found here at the Con just in case you didn't have the chance to swing on by!

 20% Off At Midtown Comics Of course, there has to be some fantastic comic book deals at a ComicCon! Midtown Comics is a pretty famous comic book store found here in New York City (there are actually three now!), but they also have a great online store and presence. Head over to midtowncomics.com and use CODEWORD: NYCC before October 23, 2011 for 20% off any purchase (excluding gift cards and pre-orders).

10% Off at HasbroToyShop.com Toys and comic books seem to go hand in hand. It is no surprise that Hasbro has a strong presence at the New York Comic Con, or that they are happy to share a nice discount opportunity with a large portion of their fan base. Check out HasbroToyShop.com and enter promo code: NYCC2011 before November 6, 2011 to receive 10% off your online order. (This offer can not be used on gift cards, HasbroToyShop.com Exclusives, Hasbro Ultimate Gifts or PLAYATHON Fundraising Kits. The discount applies to pre-tax and pre-shipping amount.)

Free Movie Rental from FlixFling Need a movie night? (Who doesn't??!!) Flix Fling is a website that provides unlimited streaming movies online. You can sign up by visiting www.FlixFling.com and get a free rental (excluding "Premium" Titles) using the promo code: NYCOMICCON . If you are already a subscriber to FlixFling, then you can use this promo code toward any purchase!

$5 Off CSI: The Experience at Discovery Times Square Discovery Times Square, located on 44th Street right in between 7th and 8th Avenue, provides great experiences for fans. In promoting this most recent experience, Discovery says we can "Play the role of a crime scene investigator in CSI: The Experience... Complete with 3 Crime Scenes, 15 Forensic Lab Stations and dazzling special effects." To take advantage of this discount, use the promo code: CSICON when ordering tickets at CSIEXHIBIT.COM. This offer expires on March 2, 2012.

20% Off T-SHIRTS and FUN Apparel!!!! Every single Comic Con I go to, I come home with at least two brand new t-shirts and longing for about 15 more! www.StylinOnline.com is offering all of us 20% our next online order (so I can save on this year's take-home wish list!) simply by using coupon code: CON2011. So go check them out for easy Halloween ideas, fun and cool t-shirts for yourself or as gifts, or even some  super onesies for the little cuties in your life!


So I hope you can make use of at least one of these deals before they expire! Stay tuned for more goodies from the Con and (who knows?) maybe even more cool deals!

[UPDATED] Hot Topic Sales!!

'Tis the season to gear up with some new graphic tees, sneakers, denim, backpacks and more. My favorite place to do so? Hot Topic, of course! It's the place I run to when I'm looking for new Harry Potter apparel, t-shirts that express ME :) , fun and crazy socks, super cool wallets (right now I am rocking an awesome "I love Nerds" wallet from Hot Topic), or great deals on my CONVERSE!

Basically if you are looking for something fun to wear, to express your personality or support your favorite band, TV show, book, character or even thinking about going a little pop-retro, then check out Hot Topic and their latest sale going on until 9/3/11.

Here's the link:

UPDATED ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2011 - 20% OFF CONTINUES THROUGH OCTOBER 9TH!!

UPDATES: ALL OTHER SALES BELOW ARE OVER AS OF SEPTEMBER 6, 2011 (but get ready for HALLOWEEN!!)
TODAY ONLY
 
If you act today, there's even FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS MADE ON AUGUST 24, 2011!
ONE DAY ONLY: Free Shipping on All Orders at HotTopic.com - No minimum purchase necessary! Shop Now!


BACKPACKS, ANYONE?

From Jansport and Yakpak to character themed backpacks, Hot Topic has quite a selection for the back to school-ers, so it is definitely worth checking out their backpack sale going on right now, if you haven't found your perfect fit!
Get $10 Off Select Backpacks at HotTopic.com. Jansport, Yak Pak + More - Shop Now!


MY FAVORITE SALE OF THEM ALL

However, my favorite sale of all, the one that I simply CAN NOT resist (I doubt you will be able to either) is the RETURN OF THE BUY ONE, GET ONE 50% OFF T-SHIRT SALE!!! This starts tomorrow, so I am giving you a nice heads up to get your mouse-clicking hand ready for some seriously fun shopping! Awesomesauce.
Back for a Limited Time Only - Buy 1 Tee, Get the 2nd 50% Off, August 25th - 28th!


I hope you enjoy Hot Topic as much as I do. My love went so deep, I simply had to apply to be an affiliate and I am happy I have done so, this way I can spread the Hot Topic happiness on to you!