Just keep swimming

Still in the box!!!!!

2008-12-08T05:20:00.000-08:00

Chairs and drinks

2008-12-07T20:00:00.000-08:00

So for the longest time we've used Tyler's old recliner that drops parts when you move it and sometimes sticks you in the butt with sharp bits when you sit on it.

That has been not so fun.

So this year we decided that our Christmas present to each other was going to be a new recliner. We've searched high and low and finally found a good coupon/selection at HOM furniture store.

But it wasn't just any deal. It was buy one chair, get the second chair... FREE.

WHO DOES THAT WITH FURNITURE?

So naturally, we snapped it up.

Ta da!

Make no mistake about it, there is absolutely no room in our apartment living room for two huge recliners. But we're ignoring that fact. And this is now our life:

Except for when I take a break to play with the giant box the chair came in... (please know I had a giant margarita with dinner and I was 'high' off the new-chair joy!)

December?

2008-12-03T05:58:00.000-08:00

Um, when did this happen?

December?

EXCUSE ME?

*sigh*

Well, my blogging has certainly suffered lately but real life has been great so I can't complain. We have the church and reception hall booked and I bought THE DRESS. So I feel like I have a good grip on the wedding end of things. So far I'm having fun planning. I figure there will be meltdowns but I'm hoping to keep a fairly level head.

Last night Tyler and I decorated our tree. It's the second year in a row that we've splurged and gone for a real one. Words cannot describe how happy Christmas trees make me. As I got ready for work this morning, I had to turn the lights on and play my Bette Midler Christmas CD. I admit that when I was little Christmas was all about the presents. Now I could really care less. Don't get me wrong, I love getting gifts and I love buying them for people in my life, but that part is less fun than the just getting home and seeing the people I care about. I'd probably be way more excited about gifts if I actually had some money to spend on them.

We're not going to talk about money right now though because money stresses me out.

Between holidays, wedding plans and everything else, I am ALSO starting a new job on Monday. TA DA!!! It only took me 2 years past college but I finally got a FULL-TIME job that I'm excited about and that's in my field. I'll be doing event-planning/marketing and sales stuff. So basically micro-managing, obsessing and organizing... in other words, I should rock at it.

But the coolest thing I'm doing right now (bu far) is dance class. It's really hard work but I'm having an absolute blast. I've tried learning ballroom dance in college and never felt like it was clicking-- I see now that's because I never had a really great teacher. The man who's teaching us, Victor Gelking is wonderful! He is perfect for beginners and really fun. I would recommend people go just for the fun stories he tells about his life --travelling the world, dancing and flying planes in World War II. Seriously, he's in his 80s and can move better than me!

I must leave you now :( but before I go... some Disney for the day!

Happy Holidays!

What the chef had in store :)

2008-10-29T09:14:00.000-07:00

Read the last post first and then make sure you click to view all individual pictures :)

Make a Smilebox postcard

My dude is full of win

2008-10-28T13:20:00.000-07:00

I try not to be so mushy and public with my affection towards Tyler. But I just gotta say he went above and beyond recently.

I left my part-time job at the mall last night. Ya see, I've been pulling some crazy schedules -- 8 hours at regular job then 4 more at part time gig so when I get home (near 9:30pm) it's very hard to cook anything.

Anyway, as I leave work and walk to my car, I see a bouquet of flowers in my front seat with rose petals everywhere. Also a printed menu with the meal I would be served when I got home. It had lots of flowery french language but it boiled down to taco bar/salad and dessert. Which sounded pretty much perfect after the day I had.

Stuff like that reminds me how wonderful he is. Not only is he great to me on a day-to-day basis, he will go out of his way to show me that he's there for me when times get tough.

I had to take some pics with my cell phone. Here are my flowers:

and a shot of the penguin clip art that was on our menu (cause when I think tacos, I think of a penguin Maître d')

and the photo of the table set all cute for when I got home

Not bad-- a lit candle and some wine! We ended up being too full for dessert.

There was also soothing classical music playing and when we were done eating, I could take a bath and get right in bed. It was pretty much heaven.

Anyway the "Ristorante" as he calls it, will be open again from 9pm-11 pm. I can't wait to see what the chef has for me tonight.

HAH I work with people like this!

2008-10-27T12:07:00.001-07:00

http://view.break.com/542649 - Watch more free videos

Quote of the day

2008-10-14T11:44:00.000-07:00

Tyler and I were eating Chinese for lunch today and checking out the zodiac calendar they put out. *Tyler is a boar and I am a rat.

This exchange occurred:

Tyler: It says I'm prone to marital strife.
Me: I don't feel strifey
Tyler: Well we're not marital.

For another random quote I direct you here

Pumpkins and part time jobs

2008-10-09T11:49:00.000-07:00

I am ready for pumpkins. At work, I've been surfing the net looking for a pumpkin patch to visit. Last year, Tyler and I went to Buffalo River Pumpkin Patch (with the petting zoo) and that was awesome but I figure we should try something new this time. I found a great one but it was out near Bismarck. 'Lil too far. Even with gas below $3 again....

I love this time of year. Fall has such a special quality. And it means you can get away with cozy sweaters and scarves but are not yet confined to winter coats and boots. And I have lots of kick ass scarves. Seriously. I should count them. I may have a scarf problem.

Much like my previously discussed problem with penguin stuff and candles.

Also fall proceeds the best holidays. And fall has the best beverages. Apple cider! Hot cocoa! PS: I found my new favorite thing. "A rich melange" of four cocoas = AWESOME. I've only had the one on the end so far but it was awesome.

GO. TO. STARBUCKS. NOW. Forget the crumbling economy and get yourself some $4 cocoa, dangit!

In other holiday-related news. I got a part time job and I start Sunday. I shouldn't speak too soon and jinx it but it sounds like the best thing ever. I will be a visual coordinator for Macy's. Which in real speak means I decorate the store for Christmas. The best thing is it's 4 weeks, 20 hours a week. So I won't be burning the candle at both ends for long AND EVEN BETTER. I'm not involved in holiday retail around Thanksgiving or Christmas! It's like the best thing EVAH!

God bless us everyone :)

In news that bugs me:

#1 Why do I hear New Kids on the Block on the radio? WHY? I'm sorry, Sarah but they just aren't my thing and they are way too old for this boy band business and the songs they are putting out are DREADFUL. If you're gonna foist a 'reunion' on us then at least put out decent music or JUST STICK TO THE OLD STUFF!

I defer to this video for my feelings on the NKOTB:

#2 Why can't I find a decent stereo? In sad news, my desk stereo died. I loved it. It was small and non-imposing. Kind of like this

It had a 5 disc CD changer, great speakers and a tape deck (which yes I still used from time to time).

I cannot find any of those things anymore. If you want a 5 disc changer, 99% of the time the stereo is obscenely huge and really, everything I've seen has been big, and some sort of sleek, macho, black thing. And very imposing. Like this

I don't get it, are they only making stereos for the 14 year old boy market?? Cause other than those two styles, I've only really seen novelty ones like, an old time jukebox looking one or Sponge Bob & Hello Kitty boom box. *sigh*. Maybe I just have to hum my music from now on?

So yeah, this was a link-happy post, and I have one more for ya. I had to look through a lot of old posts for some of the links I found here and in the process had fun reading old posts of mine. Go here to see a SUPER CUTE retro PSA I posted.

PS: Just one more good news bulletin. My cousin Shandra got engaged and my best friend Randi had a baby girl (her first, she has two boys). So weddings and babies. Pretty much the best thing ever. Hooray!!

The Economy

2008-09-24T06:12:00.001-07:00

Remember in my last post I said I was scared of the economy? Well... What he said:

STAT!

Parade candy and deep thoughts

2008-09-23T07:53:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I was in Eureka for Schmeckfest (think polka, strudels and quilt shows) and had a grand old time. Went to a parade and now I have this ziploc full of disgusting parade candy... and I'm eating it.... which begs the question why?

I mean, if you're gonna eat candy. It should be the good stuff. I'm just saying...

This bit of honey is gross. I think because it's rock hard... maybe if it wasn't rock hard...was this one they forgot to throw at last year's parade?

*sigh*

I'm at work and I'm dreadfully bored.

Today my mom and I ate lunch at Famous Dave's BBQ. I was distressed because the hostess who seated us seemed happier and more well adjusted at her job than I am at mine. What gives?

I'm just wretched and ungrateful. I don't wanna work my way up the ladder. I just want to be at the top. Can't I just step into the success of someone like Roger Ebert or Larry King? I'd like to interview people or review movies.

Speaking of movies...I've been on a Netflix kick lately. Going through films like crazy. I recommend:

The Contender perfect when you're in the mood for a political/ethical thriller. Joan Allen gives an Oscar-worthy performance. It also has a PPS (powerful Presidential speech) in it. Think American President or Independence Day (I'm a sucker for movies with those corny moments).

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is so happy and silly and fun. Think "It's a Wonderful Life" but starring two funny women (and uh--- nothing to do with holidays or dying). It just gives you warm fuzzy feelings.

I also recently re-watched Mystery, Alaska. We own that one but if you haven't seen it... do. I really don't think you'll be disappointed.

On a more serious note may I just say that the state of our economy terrifies me like nothing else? I hope our elected officials do not cave to this bailout. What Bush wants put through has no conditions and no oversight. It is, as Obama called it, a "blank check." There are so many people losing jobs and homes and living in tents in this country right now. When I was a young girl, this is not the America I thought I would inherit. I never imagined things could get like this. We have to do something but the proposed solution right now is not sitting right with me.

Seeing all this just reinforces to me that I have to get on top of my own credit card debt. It's all fallout from 2007 where I worked for poverty wages and put everything on my credit card. Now I'm in all this debt and I may need to consider finding another job to supplement my income. I used to be a freelance writer but with the economy kicking everyone's ass the people who used to hire me can no longer afford to do so.

Balls.

I have worked in retail and I have waitressed and both things gave me severe anxiety.

But things will work out. I have health and family and Tyler so things are already working out pretty well. Now if I could just get some decent candy.........

For your enjoyment (har har) - photos of the parade *(courtesy of cousin Lori)*

You can't see it but there's a man on this float playing accordian

Ah, small town America

Pants on fire

2008-09-09T11:29:00.000-07:00

I have no patience for liars. I understand there are rules to follow but don't freaking lie to me.

For example: When people call my work and ask for someone's number, I tell them, "I'm sorry, I'm not at liberty to give out any personal information about Mr./Ms. X, but I can transfer you to them or send an email on your behalf."

I don't try and claim that I don't have their numbers. Obviously I do-- I'm sending you to that person.

STORY:

My employee health insurance plan goes through Medco for prescription drugs. In my opinion, Medco is evil. Before we switched, I got my drugs at the supermarket pharmacy that's two blocks from my apartment. I had nice pharmacists who I knew and trusted. Through Medco we are only covered at big chain stores. So I switched to CVS (grumble grumble) where they claim they don't carry certain generic (read: cheaper) drugs so I have to get different ones (grumble).

THEN Medco starts harassing me to sign up for their prescriptions-through-the-mail program cause otherwise I will "waste $800 every year." (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Except my doctor tells me she HATES working with Medco mail and often gets complaints from her patients that they are waiting on urgent meds.

Since I require meds to breathe and breathing is pretty fracking urgent, I passed on the mail-order program.

And like a psycho stalker, they started sending me letters, emails ... they called me at WORK. Today I got an email from my dad saying they called HIS HOUSE. They called my parents to inform them that I am not on the "cheapest drug plan I could be!"

EXCUSE ME?

So I called.

ME: I don't think it's appropriate that I get these calls at work or that you're calling my parents at their home. Please delete my parent's home phone number or make a note in my file that I don't appreciate this.

MEDCO: There's no way for us to make a note or delete a number.

ME: You can't delete a phone number?

*silence*

MEDCO: That's correct.

ME: You expect me to believe you have no course of action when a customer changes their phone number?

MEDCO: Well, then we just update it, we don't delete it.

ME: Okay, well update my parent's number to my cell phone

MEDCO: We already have your cell phone on file. *they had it wrong-- some poor schmuck is probably being hounded for prescriptions by mail and going -- WHAT THE HELL*

ME: I don't care. I don't know why you have my parent's information...

MEDCO: (interrupting) They are your emergency contacts.

ME: Was this an emergency?

MEDCO: We can't delete the number.

ME: (thinking) TRY THE F*$#ING DELETE BUTTON...

ME: (saying) I have been told this program isn't very good but if I sign up to try and and don't like it, can I opt back out and continue getting my drugs at the pharmacy?

MEDCO: Wonderful-- we'll send you information on how to join.

ME: Ummm, that's not what I said... Can you please note that I don't want any outbound calls?

MEDCO: Have a good day.

So basically I just wasted 30 minutes of my life to argue with someone who had no intention of helping me and wanted to pretend you can't DELETE something on a computer.

......

balls.

Monday Muppets

2008-09-08T12:31:00.001-07:00

Feminist empowerment muppet style... I love it!

Yearbookyourself.com

2008-09-05T13:34:00.001-07:00

I had fun there :)

Roundup

2008-08-25T14:06:00.000-07:00

I had an awesome weekend. How about you?

First of all, this was the first news story I saw today. Nothing election related, no countries being invaded... just super happy cute picture time.

Also, this Saturday I went to Barnesville, MN for the Potato Days festival. Where I ate too much potato-themed food (dumplings and potato cookies both = awesome). Then on Sunday Tyler and I had a lovely date where we played mini golf.

Our adventure in pictures...

And we're off

Lots of concentration here

Our balls are hugging... heh.... (yes, I'm 12 years old)

I grew rather fond of my little pink ball. I shall call her Petunia...

Tyler is stressed for the journey up Mount Doom the volcano

PETUNIA!!! COME BACK!

Phew, all safe again.

Sunday evening we also saw The Dark Knight. Tyler had already seen it but I was beginning to feel like everyone every where had seen it but me. I really did enjoy the movie and for a summer action flick I left the theater with a lot of heavy thoughts on the mind. I read a lot of politics into the script. There are many questions brought up regarding terrorism and consequences -- for example the morality of spying on people with technology to catch the bad guys. Try and tell me that's not ripped from the headlines. Also, in one seen Batman is standing in rubble and the way it was shot I just thought, wow, Twin Towers...

Heath Ledger's performance was just astounding. I cannot believe that was him. He was lost in that role. I think his portrayal is one of the most frightening characters on screen ever. That night I actually had nightmares about the joker. But how he transformed made me mourn again that we lost such a talented actor and a young man/father in his prime.

I have to talk briefly about the stunts as well. Just unreal... that's all I can say. Usually I can take or leave fighting sequences, unless they are exceptional (for example in the movie Serenity). But this was new, interesting and exciting to watch. Good movie but a PG-13 rating was completely off base. This was an R film all the way.

Now it's back to the weekday blues. Thankfully the long weekend is ahead. September is shaping up pretty nicely. I've got some quick weekend trips planned, visiting home and grandma and the like. But Tyler also got us tickets for a Twins game -- I've never been and I'm pretty excited! Any tips on what I MUST do? I am thinking hot dog + beer + loud rousing chorus of "take me out the ballgame."

Some things that have been on my mind lately:

- I love onions. I especially love onions on my subway sandwiches. But when I eat them I have onion breath for 2 days straight --even after flossing, brushing and gargling. What gives?

- I bought some lip gloss that was billed as "infallible" for 6 hours. It's a hoax. Don't buy it. My lips have been ... "fallible" for the last 5 and a half hours.

- Why do I go shopping and then a day later find awesome coupons? I am seriously considering taking clothes back and immediately re-buying them. That's allowed right?

- I have a bee in my bonnet. I want to buy new bedding. I don't know why. But those stupid Macys catalogs call to me. I find myself gazing longingly at 500 thread count sheets. I think I've been watching too much HGTV because I'm convinced that new bedding is necessary to "create a spa-like retreat." Nevermind that one freakin' bed skirt is $99 -- that doesn't make me feel tranquil at all.

Is it Friday yet?

Bliss

2008-08-19T08:42:00.000-07:00

There are certain things I remember with starling clarity.

Too many of those moments are about humiliation or hurt, but I also recall some very happy moments in my life.

A few days ago, I decided to make a kettle of German knoephla soup. Knoephla is probably on my list '5 favorite comfort food' meals. I have made it so often that I don't need to think while doing it and I've gotten much better at making it. I can get the dumplings plump, the seasoning right and I've quit scorching the milk! I have a problem scorching things as I tend to be impatient.

Anywho. I had a nice kettle of knoephla and Tyler and I took a bowl to the balcony and ate under the stars. It's that time of summer where the nights are very cool and a bowl of hot soup is heaven. There was a light breeze and no bugs and we had found some random music channel on the TV playing opera. Yes, it's definitely a weird combination but I would say it was perfect.

We had one of those conversations that makes me forget we've been dating for four years. It's still new and exciting and romantic. Sometimes I'm amazed that we still have so many things to talk about. I hope we're still in love and eating under the stars in 40 more years.

I told him that this was one of those moments I hoped to remember forever. I felt calm (so rare for someone with an anxiety disorder), safe, and I was loved and warm. I got to thinking about other moments in my life where I had that. It was a fun exercise and I'd recommend trying it yourself-- very much a 'count your blessings' sort of deal.

*I remember laying outside in my grandparent's backyard on an old quilt. My grandpa gave me a butterfly net and I was trying to catch something. We ate strawberries together that we pulled out of my grandma's garden. He told me, "They taste better with a little dirt on them."

*I remember in 6th/7th grade, it was fall and my mom took me to Menards. She bought me some of those clear stickers for my bedroom window. It was Winnie the Pooh characters playing in piles of leaves. Later when I was in my room applying them, I had the window open and could smell fall (the smell that is part cold air, leaves and part chimney smoke). My mom called me out to the kitchen and we had slices of banana with honey, toast and hot cocoa. Just an average day, nothing special but she and I were very happy.

*I remember taking a trip to St. Louis. I was in a hotel room with Laura and Rehema (exchange student from Tanzania, Africa) and we were laughing so hard that we were gasping for air. I think it had something to do with the Swahili word for 'butt' being "taco."

Those are just some of my moments. I hope I have years and years to create more. But life is a fleeting thing and we have to try and create bliss moments wherever we can.

In other bliss-related news, I have a new fave show... Tyler found out that our TV pulls in channels like National Geographic that we didn't have before. I started watching "Cesar Millan: The Dog Whisperer." And I LOVE HIM. This youtube clip shows part of a show I watched the other night. Observe what happens when Cesar tries to acclimate Gracie, the puppy with a chicken (who Gracie wants to eat). The chicken has an interesting reaction...

I laughed for 10 minutes straight when I saw this clip... literally had tears. That poor bird!!

My idea of bliss -- naptime ;)

So true

2008-08-13T07:14:00.000-07:00

This commercial made me cry

Disney for the day

2008-08-12T08:28:00.000-07:00

A quick one today...

Vegas Vacation and other updates

2008-07-28T07:02:00.000-07:00

So it may appear as though I have vanished. Normally I prefer updating this blog more but this summer has been a whirlwind of activity. Over the fourth of July I was in Kearney, Nebraska for family time. It was wonderful but 18 hours in a car will put you off sitting at a desk.

Softball is still going every Wednesday and our team is getting much better. We tend to win both games now as opposed to winning one and getting squished in the next one. Just yesterday I was in the Twin Cities for Tyler's family and this Friday I will help my friend Ainsley move into her apartment. She's lived 4 hours away for a long time so I am BEYOND thrilled that she'll be just a few blocks down.

But the biggest adventure was last week when I flew to Vegas to meet my friend Sarah (aka SPENCE). She and I met in college and quickly learned that we were much too awesome to let a little distance separate us (she lives in Oregon, I'm in North Dakota).

Our home for the first few days in Vegas

The Gold Coast Casino where we stayed, was really nice and we were in a newly remodeled room --as in JUST opened that morning. It was modern styling and very posh. The shower was one of those open air things (no door) and inside was a window so you could view the strip as you showered.

There are some downsides to new room. I like the smell of fresh paint and all but at one point, our water turned off and another time we heard a buzzsaw that sounded THISCLOSE to coming through our wall!

We checked in around 7 pm and ordered room service (too hungry to move!) and then took the shuttle from our hotel to the strip. We immediately went into Bill's Gambling Hall and purchased tasty and cheap margaritas which we carried out onto the strip- Vegas has NO RULES I swear! We walked inside Paris hotel and casino and eventually went up to the Eiffel tower restaurant where we watched the Bellagio Dancing Waters fountain show (videos courtesy of my Canon power shot camera)

That night we walked as far as the Mirage before I was too tired to go on. We headed home every night around 2:30 am and the taxi drivers were constantly giving us grief:

"What'a you mean you go to bed? It's 2 am! You are young! You should be on the town! Spending money! I take you to Chippendales!"

Ahhh… no sir… no thank you… my hotel will be fine.

While staying at the Gold Coast, we started every day in the pool, usually with a cold beverage - which is pretty much the height of AWESOME as far as I'm concerned.

Friday night we saw Bette Midler at Caesar's Palace. It was an amazing performance and we had great seats in the mezzanine. She sang all her big hits (From a Distance, When a man loves a woman, Hello in there, Do you wanna dance, The Rose, Wind Beneath my Wings, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy etc.) Also her "Caesar salad" showgirls danced their butts off. After the show, we ate dinner at the Forum Shops at a fancy place called "Joe's." It was so fancy I was actually uncomfortable. Sarah and I split an appetizer called "The second mortgage" which was a plate of seafood heaven and then each had a sandwich.

At the end of the meal, the maître d came over and squirted lemon juice on our hands and dried us with a hot towel. It was nice but kind of odd – plus I wanted to eat more french fries so that was a dilemma. That night we looked at more casinos including the world-famous Wynn.

It's insane. Inside the hotel you can sit OUTISDE on the man-made lake with man-made mountain along with the man-made GIANT waterfall and watch this incredible light show "Lake of Dreams" with music and huge animatronic dancing flowers (it sounds cheesy but it was beautiful). However, when a giant animatronic frog started singing Louis Armstrong's "What a wonderful world" I nearly died laughing. Sarah said no more mojitos for me.

For lunch the next day we went to the "Top of the World" restaurant in the Stratosphere (the tallest building west of the Mississippi River). It's a revolving restaurant and the view is spectacular.

For dessert we ordered a chocolate-shaped Stratosphere. I think the world would be a better place if we made more things out of chocolate... -- helpful travel hint -- If you go to the Top of the World for lunch, the prices are better, the food is still amazing and you ride to the top for free!

and just to compare....

We spent the afternoon in the Venetian where we looked in all the fancy shops (Sarah bought a Michael Kors bag and shoes) and then took a gondola ride down the canals, where our awesome FEMALE gondolier sang to us.

I took a video of one of the male gondoliers as well.

Saturday night we saw Wayne Brady (from "Whose Line is it Anyway") perform a hilarious improv show. I am amazed at how people can be so funny on the spot like that. I would be terrified. After that show we ate at 'Social House,' a fancy sushi bar/grill in Treasure Island (apparently all the stars go there --which is nice and all, but I was there for the food!) I ordered a Kobe burger and onion rings for $24!!! The taste was unbelievable though. I've never been a huge onion ring fan but they fry it in grape-seed oil and it's all light and not greasy. I know I keep talking about food, but Vegas has some of the best dining EVER.

Our last day was supposed to be our Mandalay Bay/cabana day but wouldn't you know that was the one day that was gray and windy. We cancelled the cabana (HUGE $$$ saver) and sat by the pool anyway. It wasn't too much of a sacrifice because it was still 90 degrees out but definitely not ideal pool weather.

After we gave up sunbathing and dove into the wave pool, things got better. This isn't my video but it's a perfect description of the wave pool action.

We also ate at House of Blues and saw the shark reef at Mandalay Bay -- the komodo dragon scared me! Our last night we took in a Thunder from Down Under show at the Excalibur hotel/casino. It was a spectacle to be sure. I spent most of the show with my hands on my face half covering my eyes and half making sure I wasn't bursting into flames. But I laughed a lot and I would definitely recommend the show.

After the Australian thunder, we went to New York New York Casino and the Nine Fine Irishmen pub-- a MUST visit. They had all kinds of good beer, and we didn't eat there but it smelled AMAZING. The house band, Ri Ra was awesome as well and even had clogging.

Overall here are my top 10 tips for a great Vegas vacation

1. SHOES. I tried to buy bjorn sandals at the last minute because I figured they'd be good for walking. They were horrible! So make sure you have good walking sandals (you could do sneakers but it's really hot and your feet would probably rather breathe) that you've tested already.

2. Pack more outfits than you need. The outfit that you walk the strip in all day may NOT be the outfit you want to wear after you go back to the hotel and freshen up for nighttime. It's hot, you sweat, pack lots of options

3. CASH. It may be dangerous to carry it on you but it's nice to have for quick drinks or cab rides. In Vegas, you can use a card almost anywhere but you will be asked for photo ID. Makes sense, if you stole credit cards, wouldn't your first stop be Vegas?

4. Pace yourself -- the heat and the walking alone are extreme. Even being inside a Casino-- these places are huge. Walking all the way through Caesar's can take hours.

5. Make sure to catch a show. We say Bette, Wayne Brady, and Thunder from Down Under and all 3 were fabulous. Vegas has great acts from comedians to Cirque de Soleil (if that's your bag). I would have loved to see Le Reve at Wynn but not enough time/$$. Make time for shows!

6. Look up some dining places you want to hit up and make reservations -- you can always cancel if you can't make it. Make SURE to cancel because they will often charge you if you no show. Social House, Top of the World, House of Blues and Eiffel tower were all wonderful and there are so many more.

7. Nightlife -- remember there are options. When I planned my trip, I thought for sure I'd want to hit up a trendy nightclub like Pure or Tao... however, I didn't count on HUGE cover charges and lines. It wasn't really my scene. So, if you're more like me, I recommend the Nine Fine Irishmen pub in NYNY. It's a walk in type of place and you can sing and dance and raise a pint.

8. Baby powder-- it's not pretty to admit, but if you wear summer dresses/skirts and are like the majority of women out there, your thighs do touch. The heat and constant movement can create some friction. A little powder applied every few hours can save you the dreaded chaffing.

9. Sit in the pool. Vegas is so hot that sitting in the pool is sometimes the best spa treatment. Dunk yourself in sunscreen, grab a cocktail and get in. You'll feel amazing.

10. Don't bet on gambling (*ba doom ching*) -- Unless you really are into gambling, I wouldn't make that a focal point of the trip. Every casino has something to offer. The "Lake of dreams" water show at the Wynn, the beautiful floral conservatory at Bellagio, the view from Stratosphere or Eiffel Tower, the lion habitat at MGM.... there's TONS more to see than slot machines!!!

Be safe, have fun and remember you are on VACATION. So sleep in, stay out late and buy an expensive souvenir. For example a $20 polaroid picture that is TOTALLY worth it :)

Worth every penny

Hell yeah

2008-06-20T13:59:00.000-07:00

Your results:
You are Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman		80%
Spider-Man		75%
The Flash		65%
Robin		60%
Green Lantern		60%
Iron Man		60%
Superman		50%
Hulk		50%
Batman		45%
Supergirl		40%
Catwoman		20%

You are a beautiful princess
with great strength of character.
.

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Quiz

Forgive me

2008-06-20T11:32:00.000-07:00

...but I have to brag and boast for just a moment. In 30 days I am going to be in Vegas, specifically at Mandalay Bay where the beach/pool area covers 11 acres (a wave pool, lazy river, three swimming pools and 2,700 tons of real sand.) Oh yeah!

It'll be me and my friend Spence, lounging the day away. If that wasn't good enough, we splurged on our own private gazebo. I booked it this morning!! The price was a bit steep, but I was told on the phone that besides having guaranteed space to call our own and a lock safe for purses etc the shade in Las Vegas is worth every penny.

I have been gazing at the online photos of our gazebo ever since... and I think I'm in love :)

Disney-type thing for the Day

2008-06-15T13:06:00.000-07:00

Doom on you!!!!!

Friday the 13th update

2008-06-13T12:15:00.000-07:00

It's Friday the 13th and I think the only spooky thing I'm doing today is cleaning my bathroom.

Random change of subject time---- So there's a couple who's getting married in Fargo today and they really wanted this one song played when the bride walked down the aisle. Trouble was-- there was no sheet music and the church didn't allow recorded music.

So the bride contacted the group, Australian rock band, Borne to ask about it and -- long story short.... The lead singer/song writer is flying 24 hours to sing it for them in person!!!!

How beautiful is that? What kind of song is worth paying a $3000 airfare/hotel package for you ask? This one:

The super cool part (for me) is that I got to write the story for the Herald! I got to interview the bride (total sweetheart) and call Australia and interview lead singer, Cameron Tapp (who called me "mate" and made my whole day) You can read the story here.

Tyler and I were talking about this today at lunch and I asked him, "So what do you want me to walk down the aisle to?"

He thought for a split second and without hesitation, suggested this.

Wouldn't that be an entrance? What the hell kinda bridal dress do you wear for something like that? I think leather would be involved. Yikes. Not me.

So we missed softball this week because -- as per usual -- it was raining cats and dogs. Every week we get an email at work where we vote on whether or not we can make it. The guy who writes the emails always thinks of funny little sayings like "no thanks, can't make it, I have to shave my back" but this week it was very fitting.

If you think I'm exaggerating the biblical weather around here. Check out this headline.

Seriously? Flying cows.

I am at work and (go figure) not working so I must cut this short. I leave you with my newfound hero-- Sarah Haskins. She has done some other great videos but this one (her latest) is AWESOME beyond COMPARE!

Rut

2008-06-10T07:03:00.000-07:00

I'm in a rut. Nothing serious or anything. It's not like I'm unhappy. I'm just in a rut. Every day the weather is rainy/stormy. Every Wednesday I play softball. Every day I sit at my desk and think to myself, "lame lame lame lame lame."

I have been applying for little things here and there again. I hate that change makes me so anxious - even when I'm clearly in the wrong job, I'm reluctant to change. See cause... I know exactly what to expect from my life here. I know the people I work with (I even like most of them!) and I know what I can get away with (blogging while it's slow, for instance) so the idea of a new place, new people and new set of rules doesn't so much excite me as it does terrify me.

How weak is that? I need to quit being so scared. I need to get out of a rut and find my passion. But as long as we're complaining... I just need to vent that I HATE job applications. With a burning passion. I feel incredibly uncomfortable pointing out whatever positive attribute I might have. Is that a German thing? We're just more comfortable criticizing ourselves? Maybe it's a woman thing? Like, girls shouldn't toot their own horns so much, it makes 'em look arrogant or snobby. Guys seem self-assured, girls seem like stuck-up beyotches.

I hope not, cause I'm applying for something that I really, REALLY want a shot at. I'm too nervous to even discuss it here for fear I might jinx it. I just ask that you send good thoughts my way. I think the Universe could throw me a bone on this one because I've been in a weird holding pattern since college graduation and I'd like a wacky, crazy, scare-the-shit out of myself opportunity to come my way. It'd be good for me.

In more laid back news, my mom came by this weekend. I took her to Sex and the City, which she LOVED (she even blogged about it). I figured she'd point out the bad character decisions and get hung up on them. Instead we had a lot of fun. The movie even held her attention for 2+ hours (and my mother has a self-admitted case of adult ADD). We must have caught the shopping bug from the movie, because then we blew way too much money at the mall and Barnes & Noble *they had their buy 2 DVDs get the 3rd free sale* I also finally got flowers for my balcony pots. It's nice to see greenery again. When they re-bloom (mom made me pinch them all back) I will take pictures.

16 days until the movie Wall E comes out! (I've been pumped since March)
36 days until Spence and I have our "VEGAS BABY!" trip
?? days until I find out if I got my shot at something crazy and new

Wish me luck and I wish you a rut-less, exciting existance!

Disney (type thing) for the day

2008-06-06T14:18:00.000-07:00

Cross posted

2008-06-03T06:52:00.000-07:00

I review Sex and the City -- if you're interested, please read.

If you haven't seen it-- be warned, there are spoilers in my post-- but I give you lots of warning :)

That sounds about right

2008-05-30T06:12:00.000-07:00

*sigh*

Take the quiz here

Ambition

2008-05-19T13:17:00.000-07:00

It's nearing the end of May and the trees here are just getting their first buds. I am so excited. Everyone is. I think Tyler and I had five separate conversations yesterday that revolved around leaves and when they'll be blooming. It's slightly pathetic but I don't care.

You know what? Life is good.

I'm in a wonderful relationship, I'm healthy and I live in a safe place. Sometimes, when I read about what's happening in the world I just cannot fathom how freaking lucky I am. That's not to say I don't have problems, but in the grand scheme of things that could be going down-- I don't think I'd trade my situation with anyone.

***

One of my coworkers sent around some articles about work/ambition etc. I enjoyed them because I'm in a weird place work-wise. I have a good job in that it pays bills, I'm not miserable and I work with nice people. But this isn't what I want and every day I am here and not on a "career-path" I feel sort of melancholy or failure-like. The article is called "The Ups and Downs of Ambition" and it really spoke to me:

Helplessness allows us to shun responsibility for the choices we make and the frustrations we encounter. We blame circumstances, fate, or other people, giving ourselves excuses for copping out. But nowhere is it written that everything must be easy or that others are the cause of our difficulties. Refusing to capitulate to helplessness allows us to accomplish the enduring goals we have for ourselves—and we mobilize the positive energy known as ambition.

I've been really down on myself recently. I applied for a writing job and kinda had the equivalent of a verbal smackdown. "Sorry you're not qualified enough, not good enough, not enough experience" etc.

I have been moping a lot. And I need to get over it. I think it's time to me to really face my future and find my passion again. Do I want to go back to grad school, do I want to write for a living? It's time to take some ownership of my destiny.

The article had some good examples:

Make A List: If a goal seems unreachable, first describe it as objectively as possible to yourself. Write down a list of its advantages and disadvantages (a hedonic calculus).

Don't globalize: See that getting down about getting down is a second-order trap. Helplessness results from taking any defeat too seriously—and generalizing it to your entire existence.

Know Your Tendencies: Accept the existence of an involuntary all-or-nothing defeat strategy as a legacy from evolution—without giving in to it.

Seize the Challenge: See frustration as the way to keep getting stronger, rather than as something that has to bring you down.

Take the Long View: Defeats are usually temporary and their effects short-lived. The battle is not the war.

I think my list will include finally calling some grad school people and having face-to-face meetings to talk options. I need to check on job listings more often and tell myself "I am going somewhere" instead of letting myself wallow in the "What if I don't" fear.

This shouldn't be difficult. I'm easy to please. I don't require fame and fortune. I just want a job where I can grow and be proud of my work and also a place where I don't have to make any more spreadsheets (well maybe one or two but not daily like now).

***

In lighter news, the much anticipated (anticipated by me) softball match-up of my team vs. Tyler's team finally went down. Sadly, I was all talk and not enough action. My team lost which means I had to pay for a fancy dinner at Granite City. However, we have a rematch in June and I plan on some payback.

I still can't believe how much I like softball, although I need to like it a little-less enthusiastically because I couldn't walk right for 4 days. Big shocker-- when you move like the Tin Man in Wizard of Oz, people look at you funny.

***

Yesterday I went to Target and bought a swimsuit (cute huh?) and it wasn't the usual horrendous process it normally is -- this leads me to wonder if someone is slipping me anti-depressants.

***

In news that could have been tragic, but ended up funny, a truck driver fell asleep at the wheel and got into an accident. The truck spilled 14 tons of double-stuffed Oreos all over the road and backed up traffic outside of Chicago. Is that crazy or what? I think I'd pull over, run to a 7-11 and get a gallon of milk and just dig in :)

If you need a good cry...

2008-05-08T14:19:00.000-07:00

Seriously. Best sports story ever.

Primary School Mafia

2008-04-29T19:16:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don't know, I joined my company's softball team. (I'm pausing to give you time to laugh). I am not good at sports. I think the last time I did anything organized sports-related I was 3 feet tall and in pigtails (and I may have scored on my own team).

All that aside, I'm having lots of fun so far. We had our second practice today and everyone is very encouraing and supportive. Tyler is on HIS company's softball team so eventually we shall meet for a show-down-- until then, he's helping me practice by playing catch at home- so that's fun too.

Back to the main point... Before I came to practice. I grabbed a 6 inch sub and some baked lays (fuel for the game, right?) I sat on the sidelines and was scarfing when two of my coworkers kids, Ivan and Gus approached me. They are about 7 and 4 I'd guess. Here's our interaction.

Ivan: Hi
me: Hi Ivan! What's up?
Ivan: I'm the new bat boy!!! I'm only 7 and I have a job. I'm a big deal.
me: That's cool. Do you get good dental?
Ivan: (pause) I don't know what that is...
me: It's lame adult stuff, no worries. Are you having fun so far today?
Ivan: Yeah... Subway is my favorite food... *stops and stares me down*
Ivan's mom (five feet away): Ivan! That's so rude!!!
me: It's okay. What's your favorite sub?
Ivan: Turkey (stares me down... I'm eating a turkey sub)
mom: *warning tone* IVAN...
me: What do you like on your sub?
Ivan: Just turkey, cheese and mayo.
me: that sounds nice
*beat*
Ivan: I'M HUNGRY!!!
mom: IVAN! You stop that!!!
me: How about you help me finish off my chips? I'll give them to you if you share with your brother
Ivan: *snatching chips from me* Okay, but he should get his own.
mom: IVAN!! GEEEZ!

That kid drives a hard bargain, and he's pretty hardcore. I don't ever want to cross him.

But he actually is a pretty good bat boy.

gotta go put a hot pack on my shoulder-- why does tossing a ball around make you so sore?

Winter... again

2008-04-26T10:41:00.000-07:00

Monday... my birthday

Tyler, Laura, Jim and I played Bocce ball in the park... in the sunshine.... wearing shorts!

*side note: the boys were blue, notice how bad the girls did on that round*

And then there's today...

May is next week. I'm SO OVER THIS

Thought for the day

2008-04-11T14:14:00.001-07:00

Here's a question for you all. I got an e-coupon today from Bath&Body Works. They are advertising summer lotions.

Now I love sweet things as much as the next person but I don't think I want to smell like frosting or banana smoothies. I admit, I bought the "cherry pie" bubble bath once and I liked it. But I don't know if I'd enjoy smelling like frosting, especially since I remember how hungry that pie bubble bath made me.

Thoughts on this? What fragrances do you like or what fragrances do you think are just too 'out there.'

I normally love all B&B products but these just seemed odd.

PS: It's snowing today. So I'm grouchy. That is all...

I've always felt like a berry of some sort...

2008-04-06T12:27:00.000-07:00

This is total BS

2008-04-06T10:56:00.001-07:00

What month is this again? Oh right.. April. My Sunday project was going to be vacuuming my car and giving it a bath. Guess that has to wait.

*expletive expletive expletive*

new glasses

2008-04-06T10:43:00.000-07:00

What do you prefer... the green or blue?

Green

Blue

Amazing You Tube!

2008-04-01T18:59:00.000-07:00

Weird stuff I've seen online lately.

Video #1 This is the gal from the new soul apple computer commercial- you know the one where it gets pulled out of an envelope. I think she does a good job covering Britney Spears.

Video #2 Only recently have I learned about an internet prank... the rick roll. It's where you post a link that looks all innocent but when someone clicks on it they get redirected to Rick Astley's song "Never gonna give you up." It's hilarious initially then quickly annoying.

On April Fool's Day all the you tube videos on the main page took you to Rick Astley. I thought I had seen it all till I saw this. It's obviously been edited and its really quite affronting to watch but every time I see it I start laughing hysterically. Something about a tiny, nerdy kid screaming in German and COMPLETELY overreacting... gets me every time. Make sure your sound isn't too high...

Disney for the Day

2008-03-26T11:15:00.000-07:00

One of my fave Pixar creations is Ratatouille. Poor little Remy loves gourmet cooking, but he's a rat and his gift of sensitive smell is used to test the rat colony's food supply for poison.

But that all changes and ensuing hilarity follows.

PS: At about 3:30, something happens to Remy and his brother, Emil that makes me laugh HYSTERICALLY every time. Their fur gets all poofy too.

Enjoy

Best line also from Emil: "Don't like it... not good... she's gonna wake up...."

Emily does her taxes

2008-03-25T05:49:00.000-07:00

Last night I finally sat down to e-file. Tyler helped me and I 100% needed him to complete the operation (any type of government form tends to give me panic attacks).

Some snippets to paint you a mental picture.

Tyler: Okay, what was the federal income tax withheld on that W2?

Me: Um.... 6 cents.

Tyler: (beat) What?

ME: 6 cents.

Tyler: oooooh

Me: Not good?

Tyler: Not for your rebate, no.

This year I seriously had 5 or 6 W2's. And after entering every single one, I had a grand total of my combined incomes for '07. A whopping 10 grand.

For one whole year I made $10,000. It was the 9-month Americorps internship that paid $350 a month that did me in. Sure it was a great experience and a good way to make community connections but youch.

I honestly figured there would be some sort of kickback for that... like, "Hey you did a bunch of really hard work for almost no wages and it benefited your community and state.... Here's a hundred bucks for your trouble." Nope.

You get kickbacks for the weirdest stuff.

Example:

Tyler: Okay ... did you drive a hybrid car last year?

Me: (blink) Seriously?

Tyler: What? They ask!

Me: I made 10 grand last year, how the heck could I afford a new hybrid car?

Tyler: So no... okay

Me: Oooh! But I did donate $15 to a wildlife fund that says they're trying to save the polar bears...

Tyler: Great. There's no box for that.

Me: son of a...

The other fun thing about e-filing is you see immediately see how things affect (effect? who the hell can explain the rule on that one) your refund. A little box in the top shows your current refund total and it will literally roll up or down like a slot machine. The more W2's I added, the more it seemed to plummet. Especially when I added the $700 tax-free work I did as a freelance writer. That really, really sucked up my refund. My reaction was of course one of maturity and wisdom...

Me: WHAT IN THE HELL?

Tyler: It's tax free work. You have to pay on that eventually.

Me: (sputtering) Nu uh!

We finally finished and I was naturally a little grumpy.

Me: (pouting) So why do we even get a big hundred-some dollar refund. Why don't they just take the correct amount in the first place and leave us alone?

Tyler: Think of it like this. You helped the country by providing the government with an interest free loan last year.

Me: Are you kidding me? I made 10 grand! They should have given ME a loan.

The good news. 2008 has found me in a steady 40+ a week job with a decent wage so next year I will feel less like an impoverished ragamuffin when I file again.

For those of you lucky enough to get a refund or substantial "economic stimulus" check... do you have any fun plans?

My life as expressed in cats

2008-03-20T08:50:00.000-07:00

Below is how I reacted when my alarm went off at 6 am this morning

(watch that your sound isn’t too high)

This is what I’m now doing at my desk

ND makes news today on CNN

2008-03-18T14:17:00.000-07:00

For a mummified dinosaur... see! Our state IS interesting!

:)

Excited for Wall E

2008-03-18T14:03:00.000-07:00

I've seen movie previews for WALL-E for months but they've all been very non-descript. Like this one:

Even knowing that little, I knew I wanted to see it. An adorable, goofy robot with a soft spot for small animals! What's not to love here?

Then today I saw a new preview came out which revealed TONS more of the plot.

I think it looks like so much fun! But then, I've always been a sucker for those Pixar films.

Embarassing side note: I like to make Tyler do the robot "Wall-E" voice.

Also excited for "Get Smart" which Christy plugs on her blog!

***

This week in March

2008-03-14T12:00:00.000-07:00

First item of business.... I'd like to go on record and say that Dr. Laura Schlessinger is a boil on the butt of humanity. First off this week, she went on MSNBC to say that we shouldn't be shocked at the Gov. Eliot Spitzer prostitute scandal because:

"When the wife does not focus in on the needs and the feelings, sexually, personally, to make him feel like a man, to make him feel like a success, to make him feel like her hero, he’s very susceptible to the charm of some other woman making him feel what he needs."

I'd like to take a moment and say a prayer for Dr. Laura-- because I feel so very SORRY FOR HER. The men in her life must be a serious breed of lame-ass if they'll jump into another woman's bed just because they don't feel 'hero worshipped' enough.

I mean, seriously, that’s just not giving men enough credit. I know some amazing men and they do not deserve this type of bad PR. Ladies, if you ever hear: "Well I had to go to the prostitutes, honey. You weren't praising my ego and giving me enough sex." -- IT'S A LINE. HE'S A LOSER. RUN AWAY.

Only in Dr. Laura land is it your job to give up your happiness to please "your man," lest he run off and find happiness elsewhere. Reason # 1,956,492,001 why feminism benefits women AND MEN. Feminists see men as our allies, friends and lovers in an equal and healthy relationship-- not as an extra child to dote on and kowtow too (who's also so pathetic and sex-driven, he'll run off if you turn your back for a second).

Part II of 'Dr. Laura is a butt boil':

She called Brett Favre names because he cried during his retirement press conference saying of him, “All these years, and I didn't know there was a woman quarterback in the NFL”:

"Brett Favre ... we're watching this in the studio, obviously retiring from the NFL, great quarterback, handsome 38-year-old man, he gets up there and he does this press conference that was frankly one of the most embarrassing things I have ever seen...That's a great message for young boys. 'Get up there and act like a girl and start blubbering like a baby."

Well isn’t that just the epitome of class? Yeah this guy didn’t think so either.

Anyway. I’ve had it with that doorknob.

What else? This week in our "Emily needs a dream" segment we discuss a potential new job idea--- So, as many of you know-- I am currently a receptionist doing nothing of significance and having a crisis of conscious about what I can do to "bring my light to the world" (as mom would say). So here's this week's DREAM JOB:

Movie reviewer: I love movies. It would be seriously kick ass to talk about movies for a living. I bet I'd have a unique view to bring to the table: A young, feminist, female examines it all (except for horror movies because they give her nightmares). Last week I saw Penelope and Juno-- and had a good time with both.

Ooh I could also review TV shows and books -- but not music. I'm terrible with music. I'm the opposite of a music snob. I'll be the first to admit that some of the music I listen to is complete and utter garbage. Yes I work out to Britney Spears-- don't judge me-- it has a good beat and it keeps my ass on the treadmill!

Speaking of amazing television. The TV show Veronica Mars is amazing. I first blogged about it in 2005. The third season just came out on DVD and I just finished the whole thing and now want to cry.

Veronica Mars was amazing. Seriously. AMAZING. Did I mention AMAZING?
- It had a hilarious, funny, female protagonist.
- It had iteresting characters and plot lines, many that touched on important political themes like child soldiers, sexual assault, divorce, youth violence, drugs and gang culture
- It had the perfect (PERFECT!) blend of drama, comedy and mystery and just plain awesomeness

Sadly it was misused by its network, not promoted and shuttled around to many different time slots, thereby confusing the audience. In May of 2007 it aired its last episode and was cancelled so that new, fine programming (like reality TV about pussycat dolls) could air on the CW.

I was angry before, but after watching the DVD extras (which included the creative pitch for the season 4) I am FURIOUS. Season 4 looked amazing. And it just makes it that much more infuriating that instead of having a fun TV show to watch once a week, I get crap. Thanks corporate media conglomerate. For fans of the show -- or people curious to take a look. Here are the first 5 minutes of what would have been episode 1 of season 4.

You can tell based on video quality and short intro that it would have been tweaked. We also jumped from Veronica the college years to Veronica at the FBI but it still looks great. I wish wish wish that show would come back. Like I'm sickly obsessed! Seriously. If I had terminal cancer and Make a Wish came by to grant me a wish, I might pull a Family Guy and make my wish, "BRING BACK VERONICA MARS!" Or maybe I'd go to Europe.

Last note to leave you on. I am generally pretty horrified of American Idol but tend to watch it anyway as it seems to be on when Tyler and I are eating dinner and watching TV. This past week, some Carrie Underwood-wannabe butchered the Beatles... and this resulted.

May God have mercy on her soul.

PS: GO ELLEN!

Also... tomorrow my parent's arrive to go with me to a Celtic Festival. We're gonna eat potatos and listen to bagpipes so its pretty much gonna rock.

**BIG UPDATE**

SO I was mistaken. Dr. Laura Schlessinger did not make the comment about Brett Favre. That was another conservative Laura, radio host Laura Ingraham. Still a butt boil :)

Things I've learned this week

2008-03-07T12:32:00.000-08:00

--I need to order happier movies. First it was Rendition (really good but HUGE bummer). Then I got Munich in the mail but I've had it at home for nearly a month and have only seen the first 40 minutes. Ugh. I just bit the bullet and sent Syriana back (didn't even OPEN that one). I am tired of movies about war, torture and assassinations. I moved all happy movies up on my netflix queue. I have the Nanny Diaries up next along with August Rush. Color me optimistic.

-- Little things make me happy. All week long I think I've been to 3 places. Work, my apartment and the grocery store. And I'm perfectly content with that. I enjoy reading books, watching my favorite shows, making dinner and going to bed early. No harm being lame, right? Except I have to get off my butt and add the YMCA to my list of stops or that membership is nothing more than a fat tax.

-- Winter driving gives me heartburn. I was in GF this weekend for my dad's birthday and had to leave for Fargo on Sunday. The 70 some miles took approx. 2 hours and I was honest to God going 30 at some points on the interstate. Not cool. Also if the temperature doesn't go above freezing and stay there, I may just lose my mind and drive my car through a building.

-- Wisdom comes from cookies. The other day a fortune cookie told me, "You will be successful someday." And I took it to work and laminated it! Now every time I'm assigned some menial receptionist task, I look at it and tell myself to breathe.

And to leave you with something fun... I want to try that stuff!

V-E-G-A-S

2008-02-22T18:29:00.000-08:00

I LOVE LOVE LOVE (x 1000) the Sara Bareilles CD "little voice." Very rarely do I buy Cds where I love every song but that CD, wow, every song = awesome.

This song is perfect right now because -- I AM GOING TO VEGAS! Today I bought my ticket to see Bette perform at Caesar's Palace. I'm actually doing it. I've never been before and I'm totally stoked.

Looking for cheap hotels and suggestions from people who've been to Vegas and did more than gamble. I know I want to walk the strip and see that bellagio fountain show but other than that and bette-- what else MUST I do in Vegas?

Well damn

2008-02-19T11:01:00.000-08:00

I should never listen to country music stations. Especially on my lunch break. Cause what happens is I hear songs that make me cry so hard that I hiccup and my eyes get all red. Everyone at work is like "Whoa, you okay?"

Yep, I'm fine. I just made the mistake of listening to the radio...

This is what did me in today:

Disney for the Day

2008-02-19T06:45:00.000-08:00

Maleficent is the most bad ass Disney villain of all time and she did/does scare the ever loving crap out of me. But her evilness is also mixed with a wisdom and seductiveness that makes her fun. Still I'm glad when she turns into a dragon and Prince Phillip stabs her. Good times.

I mean-- damn, it takes a special type of evil to say, "By the way, I won't kill you. I'll just keep you imprisoned for years until you're too old and decrepit to be with your true love." Then there's that evil laugh!

Plus she has a pet crow. That's sinister. And her last evil line is brilliant: "A most gratifying day." I'm so going to use that someday.

Thank goodness for the 3 good fairies!

One big update

2008-02-18T07:06:00.001-08:00

It's been awhile and lots of fun stuff has happened. So strap in because it's time for a super, awesome, mega-post! Okay actually my life doesn't warrant that much excitement but still, I've had some good times lately.

In late January, my mom and I blasted down to the Twin Cities to see my beloved Davey, Ainsley (and new boyfriend, Paul) and Heather and Aaron. Much fun was had, especially the part where I tried to pick David up in front of the Xcel energy center and had to keep driving around in circles. We finally found each other via cellphone and I tried to convince him to make a run for our car --- over 6 lanes of St. Paul traffic-- :) He started our way but was moving as if he was taking an evening jaunt! I had to lean out my car and yell "RUN BITCH!" --- and he did. So all was well.

A bunch of folks met up at an Irish pub establishment and drank beers and ate appetizers that will inevitably cause me cardiac arrest at some point later in my life... But so worth it. The most amazing part of the evening was that after all that excitement I still managed to drive myself back to my St. Paul hotel without getting lost. Guess I'm ready for the big city life now?

Mom and I toured the James J Hill House of St. Paul. Which as you can see is pretty amazing.

This place is nuts! 36,000 square feet over five floors! 13 bathrooms! 22 fireplaces! 16 crystal chandeliers! Two-story skylit art gallery with organ! 100-foot reception hall and everywhere you look elaborately carved oak and mahogany woodwork! Unreal but rather gloomy feeling being trapped in the middle of all that dark wood.

It's fascinating to try and imagine what living back then was like. Knowing my luck I wouldn't have been a "Mrs. Hill" but rather Mrs. Hill's butler or something. I bet it was an amazing time to be alive with the West still being settled and indstury taking off.... still I can't imagine living with the "medical care" they had back in the day. Mrs. Hill had 10 children... I can't imagine delivering ten children in the late 1800s. Must've been a tough woman.

This past Friday I took the day off to give myself a three-day weekend. Tyler and I spent Valentine's day together and had a really nice romantic dinner at Monte's. I had this amazing pork dish with fruits and veggies and blue cheese crumbles and Tyler had fillet mignon. For once I was too happy for dessert. That is UNHEARD of for me :)

I am planning on hoarding vacation time like a mad woman for awhile. I have 3 big trips I want to get in this year.

#1 Kearney, Nebraska over July 4th to visit my awesome family.

#2 Las Vegas this summer with my friend Spence. We're gonna have girl's night on the town and see Bette Midler perform!

#3 Palm Springs in November. Take Tyler to visit my aunt and uncle in Cali. It'll be great to see them and escape ND in November.

So yeah, no more fun 3 day weekends for awhile.

But you know what, that's okay. Because I'm young, I have a great guy in my life who loves me. I have my health, my family is doing well-- there's just a whole lot to be thankful for. I've been trying to say my prayers every night recently and I've been totally humbled by how TRULY lucky I am. When you think about what's going on in the world right now... it makes me shudder to think that I go to bed every night, well fed, peaceful and comfortable and elsewhere in the world--- well, it's just too painful to think of.

Last night I treated myself to a pricey, high fat drink at Starbucks and saw that for an extra $10 they'll ship a pound of their coffee to the troops. So I did my part to try and help people in tough situations. My Uncle Steve is over there somewhere, hopefully he can enjoy a cup on me.

Anyway, this is all getting way to heavy. Switching gears to----

RANDOM POP CULTURE NEWS THAT'S RELEVANT TO ME....

Even though I have strong feminist objections (and objections based on taste) I can't help but love America's Next Top Model. The new cycle starts this Wednesday and I'm thrilled. I also heard that season 4 contestant, Michelle (the one with the skin disease) had a baby girl with Survivor reality TV alum, Johnny Fairplay... yikes... reality couples are breeding, that can't be good.
*(Pic of Michelle chick if you don't remember her-- there have been about 100 seasons of top model now)*

Also --I was shopping over the weekend and got very pissy walking past clothing store, Express. I've never been a huge fan of the place. I think their styles are nice but their version of size XL would fit my over my right boob. And that really bothers me. Their latest marketing campaign also perpuates the "thin is in" mentality.

In the men's window display, the ad copy read "cool comfortable casual" and the woman's side was something like "longer, leaner, leggier." What the F? How come only the guys get to be comfy and cool? Apparently girls don't get to relax, it's all about being long and thin. And notice how happy the chicks in this picture look. I rest my case.

And lastly in pop culture news of me... movies I'm thrilled to see:

The Other Boleyn Girl (currently reading the book-- very goood)

Leatherheads (John Krasinski and George Clooney?? I've died and gone to heaven!)

OW! My cervix!

2008-02-05T13:20:00.001-08:00

I think this documentary looks absolutely fascinating and I want to see it. I am shocked by what I'm hearing in this preview alone-- ummm performing pelvic exams on unconscious, un-consenting women? -- creepy!! But the idea of doctors all learning how to provide better healthcare to women-- SWEETNESS.

Plus it's called "At your Cervix" -- frickin' genius!

Yeah, I know it's kind of an unseemly topic (I was sort of ... clenched... through most of this preview) but I still think its important to see and VERY important that our culture move past this ridiculous (and irrepsonsible) fear of all things anatomically female--- No more "hoo haa monologues!" It's a vagina... get over it.

Depressing news and my thoughts on drugs

2008-01-23T06:32:00.000-08:00

Some might say that I'm too interested in pop-culture. And they'd likely be right on the money. I have an obsession with movies-- love to watch them, would love to review them one day. After finishing a film, I often go look it up on imdb.com and read all the trivia, bios of actors, directors etc.

So I was beyond shocked yesterday when we lost an A-list star.

I was at work when, *PING* a pop up window opened. My co-worker types to me, in all caps, "HEATH LEDGER IS DEAD!!!!!"

Immediately I surfed over to cnn.com to confirm the news. I can't say why it made me so sad. It's just such a waste. Details are still fuzzy but supposedly Ledger was found with two bottles of sleeping pills nearby.

Just last week, another young actor, Brad Renfro, lost his life. I remember him fondly from Disney movie "Tom & Huck" and also more serious roles in "The Client" and "Sleepers." Renfro's death is widely believed to be drug-related as well.

..... sigh....

Last night I was rearranging furniture in our apartment and I had the TV on for comfort noise. My silly Vh1 show ended and on came "Celebrity Rehab." I can't handle shows like that. I think it's great to go to rehab and get help, and if you want to put it on TV in hopes of educating others, fine, but I hate watching it.

I'll never forget the night I watched one of those reality shows, "Intervention." They profiled this alcoholic woman who'd lost her children. She got piss drunk on vodka and laid on her floor wailing, "my babies... my babies."

Sorry. No. Can't handle it. Just too frickin' sad.

I can't understand the drug problem in this country. Why would anyone ever do drugs? I get that people have horrible depression, pain and memories they want to escape ... but seriously? You want to turn to THAT to help you? Then again, I'm the girl who freaked when the dentist gave her laughing gas. Clearly, I'm not a fan of feeling higher than a kite.

It's hard to hold empathy in your heart when you don't understand something. There are times when I look at drug addicts on those shows like "Celebrity Rehab" or "Intervention" and I feel anger at them. Here they are, living in a America with apparently enough money to buy copious amounts of drugs. And they're surrounded by caring family who seem willing to do anything to save them. And yet all they want to do is shoot up and cry about how horrible their life is. There are people in corners of this world (Iraq, Darfur...) who know what hell truly is-- and here you are creating your own hell at home-- simply because you can. It's maddening.

On the other hand. We all have our unhealthy vices we turn to. When life gets tough, some turn to casual sex, binge drinking at the bar to blow off steam, self-harm habits like cutting or shopping sprees with money we don't have. Me? I eat chocolate-- and often more than is necessary. Healing with food may not be comparable to healing with heroin but point is, we all make some bad choices in effort to mask pain.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, while I don't understand AT ALL, giving your life to drugs (of any kind) I do understand losing your way, and from what I've read, Ledger was going through some troubled times. It's miserable to think of such a young, handsome, talent gone-- taken from his daughter before she turned 3 and before he turned 30.

I think stuff like this hurts, not because I love the movie/entertainment culture, not even because I had a crush on Ledger back in the 10-things-I-hate-about-you days.... but because I know people like Ledger, who drove their lives into the ground and left us far too soon. And I can recognize.... there but for the grace of God go I.

I want to leave you with this clip. It was on You Tube's "most watched" homepage this morning--

It's nice to remember someone smiling, laughing and talking about their children.

Video game nostalgia

2008-01-22T14:07:00.000-08:00

This was my FAVE back in the day... I miss it :)

Last week's luck

2008-01-21T07:50:00.000-08:00

Well if you read my last post, you know that last week I had some ridiculous luck-- especially when it came to getting to work on time etc.

Monday isn't shaping up to be much better. This morning my glasses snapped and broke. I'm wearing an old pair and the prescription is outdated. I'm sorta blind.

Damn Monday.

TGIF

2008-01-18T14:02:00.000-08:00

It's Friday!!!! and it makes me so happy I could sing. I will not be sad to see this week go. It has been very, very exhausting for several reasons.

For starters--- the HIGH temperatures this week stayed below zero and nearly every day this week I had some chaotic mishap on my way into work.

Tuesday:

I was driving to work and stopped at a stop sign. A semi was turning and I noticed that it was taking the turn rather close. Then I noticed that it was too close, the back wheels were going to come up over the hood of my car. I reacted quickly by looking in my rear view mirror (no one behind me) but rather than throw it in reverse, I literally froze. I just watched the semi come at me and let my mouth hang open with this pathetic little "ehhhhh" coming out. Very reminiscent of this scene:

Thank GOD the guy stopped before crunching my car and I could move.

Wednesday: I hit black ice on my way to work. To add insult to injury, it was the turn RIGHT before my building so lots of people said, "did you see that Oldsmobile in the ditch with its hazards on?" Yes-- I saw it-- I LIVED IT! That little adventure cost me $50 in a towing fee.

Thursday: Our garage door at the apartment broke. Not frozen shut but broke, as in when we turned our key, the door didn't move or make a sound. The emergency override didn't work and emergency maintenance didn't show up until 8:45 (I was supposed to be at work at 7:30 am!!!!!) Consequently I fear/hate my own garage now (and it's below zero out, so we HAVE TO work together).

ALSO--- Tyler has a gross head cold which probably means I'm going to have a gross head cold soon. It's all very lame.

So there's been a lot of staying home and watching movies. I finally saw Stardust:

which I enjoyed

The Namesake

which I also enjoyed...

And I watched a few documentaries online via Netflix, "Before Stonewall" and "After Stonewall"-- both amazing.

But the most SERIOUSLY SCARY THING I saw this week was "MAXED OUT." Everyone who has a credit card needs to see this, and everyone with a student loan needs to see this. I watched it and am seriously considering cutting up my credit card and never opening another one again! And this is a fun documentary to watch-- not dry, but touching, funny and captivating.

So yeah, lots of movie watching :) I'd have more of a life, but it's too cold and I'm too poor to go out on the town.

Next week I pray the weather gets better because I am hoping to get to the Cities and visit people.

In the meantime, it's FRIDAY! ALL IS WELL AGAIN!

Disney for the day

2008-01-14T11:29:00.000-08:00

I loved Enchanted. I can't wait to buy it on DVD-- stuff like this just perks me up.

Mom and I tackle "Waitress"

2008-01-08T21:46:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite movies of 2007 was Waitress. I told everyone. Including my mom-- who ended up not liking it. We decided to do a mother/daughter review (ahhh cute/gross, right?). We posted the reviews on her blog. Yes my mom has a blog. Hilarious!

Why Emily likes Waitress

Why Mom doesn't like Waitress

VERY IMPORTANT: Do not go read these if you haven't seen the movie-- we reveal TONS of spoilers.

Humor for the day

2007-12-18T06:55:00.000-08:00

I did not expect to like the movie "Knocked Up" and there are still parts that bug me but overall I really enjoyed this movie-- especially this scene

Please take the chairs away. I don't like them. The big one is staring at me and that short one is being very droll.

I love that they're off taking "man time" in Vegas and getting high but instead they got all introspective about what crappy partners they are to the women in their life.

Recovery

2007-12-03T20:06:00.001-08:00

I just woke up from a nap that lasted from 5:30 until 9:30 and every frickin minute was necessary. I'm pretty sure I'll still go back to bed in an hour.

Many things contributed to this mega-nap. #1 being I got royally screwed last night as an on-call advocate. I love doing that work because it's so important but last night I was like, "I quit. Seriously." I couldn't catch a break. I went to the ER once in the evening, then went to bed and got called in again around 3:30. ER visits take several hours, so basically by the time I got done and back home, I had to get ready for work. So essentially I worked from 3:30-4:30 today. BLECH. I'm on call again right now and praying that the world stays peaceful tonight--- Hmmmm, reading that sentence I am struck by what a selfish bitch I am-- shouldn't I pray for that every night for the sake of victims-- not my sleep pattern? Sad. I feel horrible now.

This weekend was delightful fun. Tyler's been gone for nearly a week now in Colorado and I celebrated having the apartment to myself by having mom come up. We saw the Enchanted movie which was truly adorable.

I love the very end scene of the preview-- with the bikes. No matter how many times I see it, it's still hilarious.

We also went out for a nice dinner and had facials-- which I had never done before-- and which by the way, ROCK. If I had the money, I would make a weekly habit out of facials. I have uber dry skin and in the winter, I get that pink, raw, chapped look going on. Now I feel all silky. Plus they held me down and popped blackheads-- gross I know but again-- nicer skin. I'm so high maintenance it's ridiculous. Poor Tyler, he doesn't even know...

You know what I hate? Not having money! If I had money, I'd get so much stuff. Not just weekly facials but airline tickets to visit all my friends. I'd also buy many people nice Christmas presents. This year X-mas gifts are going to be very humble and probably just go to Tyler, and his parents and my parents. And if I had it my way, I'd get so many things for different people. I love buying gifts!! I really do! And it's tough because every newspaper is jammed full of glossy ads for stuff I can't afford to buy anyone. Oh well. There are way worse problems to have in life. I just sometimes think, "Am I ever going to have money? EVER?"

I suppose that's what the job is for. Today was my first day at the new building site which meant lots of hiccups. I have a duress button and yet it's not hooked up to anything. So if I'm in duress I guess I'm on my own. Everything from phone lines to vending machines are not working properly-- and who do you snip at when the machine eats your quarters and gives you no pop tart??? Oh yeah, the receptionist. Ah well. That's why the pay me the big bucks. *Cough* Yeah right *Cough*

Okay gotta go make some dinner and go back to bed. Pray for Peace!!!

Welcome to December!

2007-12-02T10:23:00.001-08:00

Winter is funny

2007-11-29T20:31:00.000-08:00

It's been below zero for a few days now. I forgot how much that hurts-- physically. I hop in my car and race to turn it on. Today I got in after work and shoved my key in and turned and cranked my heat in .01 seconds. Then I tried to move my mittened-hand to the steering wheel.

It wouldn't move.

Turned out, in my haste, I had shoved my key through my knit mitten, so my hand was physically attached to the key. I actually held it there too until the car warmed up. That's how pathetic it was.

Just sitting there for 10 minutes with my hand stuck holding my key in the ignition.

I have no shame.

Jingle Bells

2007-11-27T22:30:00.001-08:00

The snow has hit the ground. It's Christmas. In my mind at least. Snow = Christmas. That's the only way I can convince myself that this 10 below is worth it... funny thing is, it's going to get so much colder. **SIGH** Ah well.

I have been listening to pretty holiday music, some traditional, some not. These two songs are some of my favorite on a mix CD I bought:

BIG NEWS: We bought our first tree together-- it smells delightful!!

(the happy family)

lights displayed

and again..

Holiday love to all....

Honest opinion survey

2007-11-24T19:40:00.000-08:00

Okay, I've always wanted a non-traditional engagement ring. I'm drawn to really intricate bands and I like the idea of having color. I've hinted to Tyler that I really like aquamarine because it's a super light blue stone, almost like a diamond with a hint of blue.

Then a while ago I heard there is something called "chocolate" diamonds-- yeah, sign me up. I'm down.

Well I found this ring at Kay with an oval aquamarine *(did I mention I love oval cut gems?)* and a funky band WITH chocolate diamonds! Awesome right? Tyler thinks it gross-- says it reminds him of a wrestling heavy weight belt :( Sad moo. I think it's fun.

Honest thoughts?

PS: Just in case you were wondering, I'm not engaged and to my knowledge Tyler's not planning-- I'm just looking at pretty jewelry.

Tact anyone?

2007-11-15T19:04:00.000-08:00

I am so mad.

I used to work for a woman who sent out e-mails to all her employees. I no longer work for said woman but still get emails.

Today I got an email from her -- a MASS email that went to 20 some other people with the company, mind you -- about the termination of another employee. Giving details of why that person was terminated. She did it as a cautionary tale, like remember don't do THIS or I will terminate you.

Okay. This pissed me off for several reasons.

#1 It was completely unnecessary to divulge private information like that. If I am ever fired from a job (lord forbid) I'd like to think my boss would respect me enough to keep the circumstances relatively private. At least not send out a god damn email.

#2 The same email could have been sent asking people "Please do not do A, B, or C as it is bad for the company and could result in termination." NO need to make it personal.

#3 This is primarily an all-female work environment and stupid shit like this reinforces stereotypes that women are bitchy and bad bosses. Why get gossipy with all your other employees about another coworkers behavior? COMPLETELY unprofessional.

I wish I had the balls to send an e-mail back reminding her that this information was none of my business and I really don't care to get e-mails like this in the future. The more sane part of my head (and Tyler) remind me that it is unwise to burn brides. SO I shall keep my mouth shut and scream into the void that is my blog and try to remember there are some positives about my former boss. THIS just wasn't one of them.

Lame commercial

2007-11-10T08:41:00.000-08:00

Back off girls, this ain't for you

Sorry to rant but I keep seeing this tonka truck commercial that pisses me off. In it the narrator says,

Let's face it, boys are built differently- and WE have the blue print. Tonka, Built for boyhood

Ummm, boys are built differently how exactly? Aside from physical differences I don't think little boys and little girls are that different. Lots of girls like playing with trucks!

Apparently not according to playskool. Girls play with other things. Like the Rose Petal Cottage.

Guess being a girl means you want to keep house and play with a washer and dryer. THAT apparently is a girl's blueprint?

I CALL BS.

Dude, I'm not saying girls shouldn't like to play house-- but little boys play house too, just like little girls play with dump trucks. Stereotypical gender roles are not part of our blueprint --- just our culture.

So, Tonka, get a clue!

PS: If you google "tonka, buillt for boyhood," you get lots of other blogs that are pissed about this. Glad I'm not alone.

Video Post debut

2007-11-08T14:49:00.000-08:00

I just figured out this whole video thing! SWEETNESS. I love it. For my first video, here is Tyler and I feeding goats at the pumpkin patch.

Just a thought....

2007-11-08T08:54:00.000-08:00

Careful kiddies, Elmo may be covered in a date rape drug!

When are we going to start making toys in the US again? I mean... we've had HOW many recalls now for toys with lead paint? And now this INSANITY --- seriously, we are now finding date rape drugs basically on children's toys.

Who's for something made in the good ol' USA?

ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's about that time

2007-11-05T20:32:00.000-08:00

Today I drove to work and I saw it... slight at first... like maybe it wasn't there? I hope and prayed that I had imagined it.

But no. It was there.
The dreaded first snow.
It didn't snow long enough to leave a dusting, but it doesn't matter. We had the first snow-- the first major snowfall isn't far behind.

This means a whole load of crap is coming. Example: When I left work today (at a whopping 4:45 pm) it was DARK!??!

What the F()*#@!??!

It's the end of an era.

An era where I could sit on my patio, open the windows to let in a fresh breeze and drive without fear of flying around the road. And I could wear my cute ballet flats and my toes didn't hurt like a beyotch.

Tonight Tyler put the cover over our AC unit. *sob*

Dear God I'm not ready!!!!!

There is only one cure for this type of depression. I need to go look at all the fun Christmas stuff the stores are putting out. :)

This also cheers me up. Dang you Christy-- I'm a freakin' addict!

Sad for the Day

2007-11-01T21:07:00.000-07:00

I called 9-1-1 tonight. And when they picked up and said "9-1-1 Emergency," I seriously almost peed my pants.

Balls.

You see -- I'm an on-call advocate for a crisis line. Tonight I got a call from someone who said they were "gonna slit their wrists." When that happens you try and "contract" with them. You say something like, "Can you promise me that you will be safe and take care of yourself until tomorrow when we can see you at our office?"

She said no.

So I had to call 911.
And she was a minor.
And that probably means they hauled her off to juvie.
Which I bet is really helpful--- not.

I feel useless.

Happy for the Day

2007-10-30T20:26:00.000-07:00

I don't mean to steal from Christy--- she had the brilliance to start posting funny clips from The Office, but I saw this episode today and I lost it when this happened....

*Incidentally, Dwight has a blog. You can read the hilarity here

Uneasy about opportunities

2007-10-29T20:02:00.000-07:00

So I made the pumpkin seeds--- they turned out badly. I don't think I made them wrong. They were all golden brown and crispy but I just didn't care for them. So now I have all these seeds. I keep trying to give them to Tyler to "take to work." He keeps resisting. I think they may go in the trash. It's too bad. I was all excited. If you're in the area and want seeds, I have a big batch. Some were roasted in cinnamon and sugar, others with salt and a pinch of garlic. Oh well. At least our pumpkins turned out all cute.

Be advised that I am blogging under the influence of several glasses of champagne so this could be funny. I bought a bottle of champagne a few days ago because I decided I WOULD be getting a job offer (and soon DAMN IT). Apparently all you need is liquor in your fridge. Cause I had the bottle and then the offers rolled in. I am a little conflicted.

What would you choose?

JOB A: It's in a field that you've always enjoyed and felt you excelled in. You've worked with this "boss" for months already and you know she's cool and you like her style. However, this job is part-time to start, no benefits and no guarantee that it'll eventually be full time.

JOB B: Full time, benefits, paid vacation, 401k, opportunity to grow in the company, seems like a cool place, cool people. Starting as a receptionist making 50 cents/hr LESS than Job A.

I think I gotta do Job B, at least for a little while.... but I seriously hate decisions.

I spent over $60 today on a dutch oven. Totally worth it. Made amazing pork chops. I am rather obsessed with learning how to cook. This is why I need a full-time job. I'm blowing perfectly good shoe money on dutch ovens. 24 hours ago I didn't even know what the f*** a dutch oven was.

It's amazing that two days from now it's Halloween. I used to love that holiday but now that I'm not in college there isn't much in the way of partying to be done. I don't even know what I'd dress up as. I DO KNOW what I would NOT dress my daughter as..... any of these:

Sick. Those are marketed to "child to tween girls" -- BLECH.

Okay-- must go, weird thing just happened. Knock on our door at 11 pm and it was a cop! I was like --- what did I DO!? Apparently there was a 911 hang-up in our building. Scary! I hope no one is hurt.

Taking on the seeds

2007-10-24T13:45:00.000-07:00

click to enlarge

My fear of cooking or anything resembling cooking... is really big.

I have a recipe here and I keep walking out, staring at the seeds and going, EHHH.

How sad is that?

Ok, I think I'm gonna go get some cinnamon and try and make half sweet seeds and half salty.

I'll let you know how it goes...

WISH ME LUCK!

My life without employment...

2007-10-23T11:58:00.000-07:00

In many ways its cool. I can sleep in, take walks in the middle of the day, print off recipes from the internet and act like I'm gonna learn how to cook (someday... someday). I also get to do lots of odd jobs. This weekend I went to Crookston to help my friend/hair stylist. She and her husband are moving into a farmhouse that needs a lot of work. I felt like I was part of an HGTV special. I actually learned how to make a floor! HA! This weekend I made a floor, what did you do?

Sorry, I'm weirdly proud of my accomplishment. We painted every room in the house, including ceilings, ripped out carpet for new hardwood floors--- it was a big job. I'm actually still sore.

Perhaps I went about college the wrong way, I should have gone to a tech school to be a carpenter. It's fun, hard work and since a lot of people don't want to deal with it you can make serious money! For example, this is the first three advertised jobs in the Forum today...

lame. I totally went to school for the wrong thing. I could be putting floors in right now and making bank.

Tyler and I are getting ready for Halloween. We carved the pumpkins we obtained from the patch.

So strong!

Oh no, I cut off his head

And now I mercilessly gut him

And during the carving we watched Land Before Time -- ah the childhood memories

The family of pumpkins -- ahhh the love
*the one with the glasses is supposed to be me, the shorter one is Tyler*
:0)

Spooky

Ahh the romance of dismembering gourds

I saved a bunch of pumpkin seeds and now I need an online recipe on how to roast them. How about that, a recipe I may actually use.

One last thing... Usually I do Disney clips but this week my clip is animated but not the disney variety. In honor of the video we watched last night, and how much I love Spike... here you go.

Off to the patch

2007-10-14T23:58:00.000-07:00

Some days you just need to get away. Tyler and I set off this afternoon for Glyndon, Minnesota and the Buffalo River Pumpkin Patch.

I was excited because I LOVE FALL. The smell, colors, pumpkins, the crunchy sounds of leaves and Halloween costumes. Buying a pumpkin in a grocery store just isn't the same as getting out into the "wild."

Even though it was 20 minutes away, the patch was worth the trip. One of the three pumpkins we bought was actually taken off the vine. There was also a petting zoo with some very pushy goats and a horse-drawn carriage ride through a "haunted forest" -- completely G-rated but cute.

It was great leaving adulthood for a day-- Here are some pictures from our adventure.

*CLICK TO ENLARGE PHOTOS*

Pumpkins everywhere!

Artwork of the bale variety

I am so popular when I have corn

SO MANY FRIENDS

My new best friend

I try and get fresh

Tyler's new girlfriend

Our future family

After we left we decided to be TRULY adventurous-- we went the next 30 miles to Detroit Lakes. We had dinner in a bar that overlooked the lake and on the way home -- THIS HAPPENED IN MY CAR!

TO THIS...

Emily's short hair

2007-10-10T19:09:00.000-07:00

Scary nostalgia of the day

2007-10-09T14:42:00.000-07:00

Ugh. Games for little girls frighten me.

Major DUH of the moment

2007-10-09T00:24:00.000-07:00

<--- This book is really amazing.

I love Susan Faludi because she gets me thinking. In this book, she points out that Americans haven't really TALKED about 9/11. On each anniversary we replay the clips of the towers falling. We substitute repetition instead of reflection. WE NEED TO DISCUSS 9/11 and the plethora of issues surrounding it or we are doomed.

Here is my light bulb moment (give me a break, it's 2:30 am) --- Remember how Bush kept saying we were attacked because "evil doers" hate democracy and freedom???

Okay, fine. Then why was no one flying planes into Sweden, England, the Netherlands, France--- all other countries who have democratic freedoms-- some of those countries have even more liberal freedoms when it comes to sexuality, drugs etc -- all those issues. Why target America? Perhaps it's not as easy as "evildoers hate us." Perhaps it's very, very VERY complex and we should talk about it.

GOD I LOVE THIS BOOK!

If you please

2007-10-08T23:42:00.000-07:00

Once again, ripping off Christy with the "Disney clip of the week" <-- This week you have to click to watch because the contributor "disabled embedding" -- WEAK.

Lately I spend a lot of time trying to get hired. Technically I am "unemployed" since my Americorps internship ended. I have freelance jobs keeping me busy and paying the bills but am trying to scrape some interviews here and there. Hopefully I look hire-able to someone. I'm willing to start small and work my way up. Frankly I just want a paycheck and health insurance. Not that I'm getting desperate or anything.

In order to keep spirits up, I keep busy. Today I stopped at Starbucks to get my nonfat carmel latte and bought two stuffed creatures. My reasoning was this:

Pretty soon I'll get hired.
I'll probably have a desk at this job.
I want cute little stuffed things at my desk.
And these creatures look sort of quasi-Emily like with their glasses and books.

So what the hell. They were clearance at $2 each. Hip hip hooray.

My life is one big contradiction. I realized that last night as I alternated between nonfiction author, Susan Faludi's new hardcover, "The Terror Dream" and watching the VH1 reunion special of "Rock of Love".

It actually worked out really well because whenever the book really riled me up I could switch to something brainless. Keeps me from elevating my blood pressure.

This past week I've had great opportunities with my freelance work. Today I interviewed a man who works at a comedy club. I really enjoyed the time spent with him because he was funny but also thoughtful. He said -- the only thing that should really offend people is hate. And I tend to agree. He also told a really off color Planned Parenthood joke that I found clever. Cause it's sooo bad. I'll relay for you to judge:

A man goes to a PP clinic to get checked for STD's and he's given a clean bill of health-- whew. So he thanks the staff and heads out to the parking lot. He then realizes he has stupidly locked his keys in the car. He ventures back into PP and asks -- hey, anyone in here have a coat hanger?

Yowza. Got a shock laugh from me though. And kudos for telling a joke about abortion without picking an apparent 'side.'

We also had a discussion about why stand up comedy was so male dominated. I was fascinated to get his take on this and also surprised because it shows some real insight, not just "cause dudes are funnier." His sentiment was something like this:

Stand up comedy requires you to be bold and confident. Not just-- fearless in front of an audience, no stage fright confident but confident to make fun of your flaws -- physical especially. And "our society doesn't raise confident women" I thought that was really true. Part of me wants to go to amateur night and just go nuts. But the other part wants to hide in the closet. Course, that may be more of an "Emily thing" than a "woman thing."

I also got to interview a woman who paints religious icons. She was fascinating. Grew up in communist Bulgaria where religion was touted as "poison of the mind" and here she is painting religious icons. A sample of her breathtaking work...

Pretty wicked. Makes me resent the little stick-people I create.

My goals for the next week are as follows:

-- Help pull off an excellent Harvest Moon Fling event
-- Find a pumpkin patch and capture pumpkins for carving
-- Get another interview, or better yet a JOB!
-- Continue my nightly walks -- even though it's getting COLD

Music

2007-09-24T06:24:00.001-07:00

I found some new artists that I enjoy. Slightly embarrassed to admit that I found them while cruisin' Perez Hilton's blog --- he is totally trashy but the man does post music that you won't find on the radio.

First up

Eric Hutchinson -- super fun
http://www.myspace.com/erichutchinson

and way different sound

Emmy Rossum -- very ethereal
http://www.myspace.com/emmyrossum

That's all for now-- must go look decent for work.

BOOO MONDAY

Hooray!!!

2007-09-19T11:35:00.000-07:00

This is just crazy. Puts my little "bunny ear" puppet to shame!

Weird news of the day

2007-09-18T10:27:00.000-07:00

I saw this headline on CNN today-- it's a video clip. Just from the title it's like--- SERIOUSLY?

Man puts rattlesnake in mouth, gets bitten

WHAT!?!?!?!?

I loaded the clip and started watching but had to turn it off--couldn't even get to the snake-in-mouth part. Some people should just be stopped from reproducing. If you think putting a rattlesnake in your mouth is a good idea-- you SHOULD be bitten.

Then this story was truly appalling.

Student Tasered at campus forum

This was harder to watch than the snake clip. I felt literally SICK to my stomach. I am pretty sure if I met this guy (Andrew Meyer) in real life, he'd annoy the shit out of me. However-- in this country you have a right to ask your questions. This was an open forum! I saw the video this morning and it has stayed with me all day at work! It's just really disturbing.

I've been searching on facebook and found some groups about this. Some are in support of Meyer and some not. I wasn't at this event so I don't know if there was more to this situation than I'm seeing, but it seems like the police were way out of line. And it's so scary to see this video of this kid being tasered and screaming for help and everyone just standing there.

One commenter on CNN.com said it great:

It has been a long time since my heart started pumping while watching a video, but this one made it happen. This student had every right to ask the questions that he asked, whether we agree with him or not. He was, as far as I and others can see, not told why he was being arrested. He was manhandled even after he offered to leave the room. He was tasered for resisting arrest, sure- but why exactly was he being arrested? Shouldn't we all resist arrest when our rights are being violated? Should we lie down and allow ourselves to be taken away when we KNOW that in doing so, we are allowing our constitutional rights to wither away?

The most horrible part of this, I think, is the reaction of the student body and of Kerry. Pithy little jokes as a student is being hauled away from the mic and pushed to the floor? Giggles from students as they stare and grin? At least we can hear a few people in the background protesting the police treatment of Andrew. Whether you are Democrat or Republican, you have to agree: This is our country now people. Don't you love it?

See scary clip here:

After that you need something good to watch. WORD TO WANDA SYKES!!!

Higitus Figitus

2007-09-16T16:18:00.000-07:00

I really enjoy Christy's blog and her fun quotes/clips from "Friends" or "The Office" tv shows. I think I shall steal this concept for my space but I plan to dedicate it to my love of Disney movies.

This weekend, being all sick I went home and watched the classic, Sword in the Stone with momsie. This is one of my all-time fave Disney movies. This scene in particular is a classic. The fat squirrel is my hero. Although, the part of me which operates as "sexual harassment panda" can see she is clearly harassing poor Squirrel-Merlin.

And I've wished MANY a time that I could pack in this fashion...

It's a classic film and still enjoyable at 23.

Too much!

2007-09-13T14:30:00.000-07:00

In one day I went to the YWCA fundraiser "Chocolate Fantasy" -- which was, in a word, YUM! And now I'm heading to GF for the french fry feed. WHOA-- it's too much but I LOVE IT.

The chocolate fantasy was delightful fun and there were like 800 red hat ladies there. I've decided that someday when I'm old I want to be a red hat lady and go out to chocolate festivals with my other red-hatted friends.

I found a new fave artist, Colbie Caillat. A sample below: or click here to watch the music video

Life has been busy-- still job hunting like mad and getting mad because it's not going so good. I am enjoying my time with the young 'uns playing sexually harassment panda. We get along well. I got kind of frustrated today-- we talk so much about harassment and rude behavior and I keep telling these kids, "we don't allow bullying and name calling out in the real world." But then I read the newspapers -- where they call "Britney Spears a lardo" --- and I think, wait I guess we do allow bullying and name calling in the real world.

How delightful. If Britney Spears is a lardo then I am the elephant woman. She gave a crap performance -- like major bad -- but I'm sick of people just DELIGHTING in ripping her apart in the media. GROW UP. It's not high school people, stop acting like it's funny to pick someone apart that ruthlessly.

UGH. I hate it. I'm so sick of the negativity. I'm not watching MTV or any of those shows for awhile to cleanse my system.

And I need to go get ready to drive to the french fries! Wheeee!

I'm ready to get married

2007-09-09T20:58:00.000-07:00

I realized it this morning when Tyler brought me breakfast in bed.

Pancakes AND eggs-over-easy AND a big glass of orange juice.

That's true love, folks.

My future husband and me
:0)

I'm officially old

2007-09-09T18:52:00.000-07:00

Tyler and I flipped on MTV to catch the VMAs. Our attitude was "ahhh, why not?" But we were in for a shock.

Turns out... I got old. Yep, I saw the writing on the wall as I watched this show. First of all-- too many flashing lights/colors and quick cuts of the camera. Tyler muttered something about 'inducing seizures.' Then there were all the musical "artists" (and I think we know I use that term loosely) who neither Tyler or I had heard of before.

But watching Britney Spears was most painful. I felt sorry for the woman. She looked completely uncomfortable writhing around, crotch-grabbing in her sequin-bra and panties. Read a great description of it here.

Perhaps I'm giving Britney too much credit, but I could almost see her thinking, "What the hell am I doing? How is this making me look good?"

Seriously. I honestly feel bad for Britney Spears. She's just the trainwreck everyone likes to take pot shots at-- like Sarah Silverman-- who said after she left the stage, "she accomplished everything she'll ever accomplish by the age of 25." And then went on to make a crude comment about her vagina. Earth to Sarah Silverman, you are awkward and not funny. Not that I'm a Britney fan, I just really dislike Sarah Silverman.

Before I turn off this garbage, I must say one thing DID make me laugh-- the girls from "the Hills" reality TV show presented Justin Timberlake with an award and his comment was, "MTV, play more videos, we're tired of these bad reality programs."

HA!

I'm a sad panda

2007-09-06T10:11:00.000-07:00

Today my job is to talk to 8th graders about sexual harassment. They are not like the sixth graders-- who want to tell me about everything -- they refuse to participate or even nod along. It's takes a lot of coercing. And I try to be cool and all but sometimes I feel like this:

It doesn't help that I seem to be in recovery from all the wedding fun. My throat is all red and swollen and I feel like it's 800 degrees in every room I'm in. Mostly I just want to sleep. I have been eating lots of oranges and also a blizzard from Dairy Queen (never a bad idea).

I think I'm burned out in general. I feel like quitting each of my extracurricular activities. I don't want to volunteer on any more committees or go to any events. Just work and then home. My bad I know but there's just so little energy to go around. It's a constant struggle to keep going.

I'm all excited because next week is the french fry feed. One year ago memory flashback time: YAY FRENCH FRIES!

Post wedding whimsy

2007-09-03T22:48:00.000-07:00

Medora rocked. I am so bummed that it is over. I've had so much fun being part of this wedding planning and now it's all over. It was so beautiful. Note the happiness in this picture - just makes me smile.

I shall miss my time with these pretty gals.

I think I was in repair mode today as I mostly laid around recovering from all the excitement. I think I recovered too much though cause then I was suddenly full of whimsy. I went to the mall and just randomly got my ears pierced. Now I have two holes per ear! It's very good. And yes, one of those earrings is a penguin.

Then I made peach cobbler. Now I'm exhausted. I think I'm gonna go eat cobbler. It'll help with the back-to-work depression I'm experiencing.

BOOOOOO- someone else needs to get married!

Lastly, I rounded out the whimsy by seeing the movie "Becoming Jane"

I only give it a C. It was okay but slow at times and didn't move me in the way that Pride and Prejudice did.

My first spray tan

2007-08-30T18:03:00.000-07:00

Not sure if I like it. Tomorrow it's supposed to look less... well... orange. Hopefully this will fix the tan line issue for the wedding. I'm so not used to seeing myself this color. I'm freaked out by it - to tell ya the truth.

In other news, Tyler and I watched "Blades of Glory" last night and found it hilarious. I say two thumbs up if you need something purely silly.

Son of a-----

2007-08-27T11:26:00.000-07:00

This look is not gonna fly with a strapless bridesmaid dress
F***ing sun.

One more movie

2007-08-27T00:09:00.000-07:00

Okay so all I do apparently is watch movies. But my mom and I were in Best Buy today and she picked up this DVD and was like "try it out." So I did.

AND IT WAS AWESOME. Like nothing else I've ever seen. I laughed out loud and cried. This trailer does it no justice but gives you an idea. You should all check it out...

That's all. Off to bed

Emily goes to the fair

2007-08-26T15:43:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it feels so good to sit on the couch. The weekend was fun and busy-- My mom came down to visit and we hit up the Island Park Craft Fair. It was a good time. I am most excited because I purchased a crock -- an idea I stole from Laura's bridal shower--- the guy who glazed my crock was cute. I just like saying that-- "the guy who glazed my crock." Heh.

Pictured above: my sweet crock

My mom and I also found this jewlery stand with this super-funky lady. I got two pieces.

Funky necklace #1

Funky necklace #2

Sweeeeeeet! I really like the second one. The stone in the silver is aquamarine and I really love aquamarine. I've told Tyler many times that I want it in my engagement ring (cough... just in case that ever comes up... cough).

So that was yesterday at the fair.....Today my mom and I actually worked at the fair. We were parking lot attendants (cool, I know) collecting money that benefited the crisis center. It was super hot and we were sitting on cement so it quiclky felt like like we were baking. I kinda wish I had some cookie dough so I could try and bake something a'la Christy's 'dashboard car cookies.'

Being that I'm ghostly pale I also had to be adequately protected. I wore SPF 50, a visor and had to hold an umbrella - per my mother's orders. She and I both feared I would burn and then be peeling at Laura & Jim's wedding. But really I didn't look so cool holding an umbrella. Wish I had a picture of that to share with you..... NOT.

On a side note Laurita's bridal shower was mucho fun. My idea of decorating below:

Heh. Good times. Except that it's less than a week until the wedding and I have been eating leftover cake and candy from the shower -- like, I dunno-- EVERY DAY. That dress better have some extra room.

In a few days it'll be September. I still haven't found any full-time job to get once my Americorps internship is up. I'm trying not to panic. But it's not working! I was actually sitting with the classified section of the paper the other day and circling stuff with a big red pen (that always works in the movies). Trouble is, I don't fix cars or substitute teach so apparently I'm useless.

I really don't want to work retail anymore. And after the fiasco that was Red Lobster, I'd really like to rule out waitressing as well. There's a receptionist job open at the paper and I am applying... maybe working there they'll realize my amazing writing talent and offer me a six-figure income?

That wouldn't suck.

I'd like to leave you with these anecdotes:

-- I burned my finger today on a bowl of grapenuts that I left in the microwave for too long.

-- Really freaked out lately because whenever I see babies, I'm like 'ahhh, I want one!' Then it's like 'OH NOOOOO STOP IT!'

-- Not happy that tomorrow is Monday. Really prefer the weekend with craft fairs and hot bowl-glazing guys.

-- Seriously. I got way too much chocolate in this house, my bridesmaid dress is not gonna fit and then ... well... it'll be bad.

-- I've found another movie that I really enjoyed (thank you netflix). Check out preview below. If you are a Harry Potter fan, you will recognize the two leads (Julie Walters and Rupert Grint) because they played Ron & Mrs. Weasley in Harry Potter. It's fun seeing them in such different roles and the movie is funny and sweet!

Ummmmm, what?

2007-08-25T22:54:00.001-07:00

Poor girl.

Wedding Season

2007-08-19T23:19:00.000-07:00

Apparently the seasons of my life are as follows: Fall, Winter, Spring and WEDDING. But I won't complain, I love 'em. Tyler and I went to the cities back in July to watch his aunt get married. She had a fairy-tale wedding at the St. Paul hotel which was AWESOME. I have been meaning to post pics for some time because the event was super sweet.

The hotel was very pretty. A man in a top hat parked our car and carried all our bags. I felt a little lame because my purse had cupcakes on it and I had a WalMart bag full of fruit (classy, huh?). But we enjoyed ourselves at the wedding. For one --- the food rocked! I had sushi, scallops and other things that I don't even know what they were but they they were good. I like food a lot :)

I want to know if it's normal to start planning your own wedding in your head when you're not um... engaged? Is this a girl thing or a 'me' thing or a just plain weird thing? All of the above? I think it's becaus I've had so much fun planning Laura's shower and following her through her plans-- it becomes impossible not to start thinking of how your own special day would go down.

I've also been watching this new show on VH1 called 'My Big Fat Fabulous Wedding' where they follow people who spend half a million dollars on their wedding. It's insane in the membrane. My mother was commenting on how wasteful that is and I sort of agree but I have to admit, it would ROCK to be invited to a party like that.

In news of the regular variety--- I'm still job hunting, which is bumming me out. Americorps ends in one month and then I need new plans. I feel 2007 already slipping away from me-- the days are getting shorter and the nights colder. It already feels more like fall. It's amazing and terribly uncomfortable when you realize how much a year changes things.

Movie of the week: Tristan + Isolde --click to read movie review -- Laura and I watched it last night and I really loved it.

Happy song for the moment

2007-08-14T16:09:00.000-07:00

YAY!

The obsession continues...

2007-07-30T13:48:00.000-07:00

Only read this if

a) you care about Harry Potter

and

b) if you finished Deathly Hollows. It contains spoilers.

But this blog entry is funny.

I did it!

2007-07-23T14:47:00.000-07:00

The following post contains no spoilers....

I can't believe it's over! It feels amazing to finally have all questions answered. Now that I'm finally done I need to go like.... live again.... I've been a freak all day, hardly eating just pacing and reading. Time to get back to the real world.... *sigh*

Friends who have also finished the book, I look forward to enjoying a fun chat with you about the ending!

Hooray!

2007-07-20T13:51:00.000-07:00

Woe to you...

2007-07-17T18:10:00.000-07:00

... if you ruin the Harry Potter book for me. And we're so close to the release date! I was reading perezhilton.com today (don't judge me!) and as I was scrolling down I saw the cover of "Deathly Hollows" and the title of "It's leaked!!!" I screamed and had to close the window right away. People are sneaky. You gotta be careful.

Life has been crazy since July started. Tyler had a good birthday. We had a minor hiccup on our way to the wine tasting. Apparently going 19 miles over the speed limit is frowned upon-- at least by Officer Rumple who pulled me over and cited me. Only $23 but still. That day shall forever be marked by Rumple's revenge. We tried all sorts of fun wine while at the winery. We enjoyed chokecherry but I was not a fan of the apple jalapeno. You heard right... jalapeno.

Next weekend I jumped in the car with Deanna and Erin and hightailed it out to Milwaukee- all of 9-some hours away to help Laura shop for her wedding dress. The only sad thing to report was that I was only 13 miles from Lake Geneva and I didn't get to go. I went years and years ago with my Aunt June and my mom and fell in love with it. I really like Wisconsin. Wouldn't be sad to end up there someday. It still feels midwest but it has lots of festivals, beautiful countryside and big cities.

This past week has been mostly about recovering from the Milwaukee trip (not a lot of sleep, too much beer and cheese) and trying to keep myself from showing Laura's dress to everyone (kidding Laura! I'm keeping my promise).

July is child abuse awareness month so that is supposed to be my topic of discussion at the juvie centers. Problem is all the videos I've found on the subject are hopelessly dated or else really hokey-- bad hair, music, acting. I don't want to do that to these kids. They're just starting to respect me. I gotta get a better plan.

In other news. Credit cards are evil. I don't understand why mine keeps going up. Probably because I keep using it. That needs to stop. Like, yesterday.

Tyler and I finally have food back in our fridge. It's really exciting to go home and have options for dinner. Sometimes we still feel lazy and want to order pizza but not nearly as much as before when it was mostly ketchup and water in our fridge. Thank you mother for coming into our lives and being free with your checkbook.

Speaking of mom , last weekend she celebrated her birthday with me. We saw Ratatouille (very cute) did some serious damage at the mall and just generally enjoyed each other's company.

Mostly this week is about working, getting ready to head back to the Cities for a wedding and trying to keep planning fun parties for Laura. I jokingly suggested skydiving as a bachelorette excursion-- what in the hell was I thinking?

Betty frickin' Crocker

2007-06-30T02:25:00.000-07:00

As you recall from earlier posts. I am attempting to bake.

I'm happy to report, that I had another successful baking venture today. I made apple crisp. It didn't look very impressive (*hence, no picture from me-- merely one I stole from google images*) but it tastes freakin' AMAZING. Even better with Vanilla Bean Ice cream.

Just wanted to share.

Me baking is a huge deal. It makes me feel like I've done something amazing.

I'm glad it takes little-to-nothing to amuse me.

It's 2:30 am on Saturday morning and I can't sleep. Lame. Next weekend I will be driving to Milwaukee to visit Laurita and shop for wedding dresses. Looking forward to that but I really need to beat this insomnia thing.

Maybe apple crisp would make me dozy? ;)

Oh the memories

2007-06-28T16:13:00.001-07:00

Free Online Dating

Dear Joel, Tom, Christy, David, Laura, Jim & all others I annoyed in Mr. Palmer's science class,

Question #15 made me think of all of you. Remember the day that I refused to accept this idea?

Here is the question:

The color of a pure red rose in white sunlight is a result of the fact that:
a) The rose absorbs red light only.
b) The rose absorbs all white light.
c) The rose reflects only red light.
d) The rose reflects all light except red.

HA! Anyone recall the day when I challenged this theory? I was like, "nope, nope, nope-- don't believe it." Well all that drama paid off. Cause when I got to this question I knew exactly what answer they wanted...

....
...
...

Still think it's a load of crap though

:)

The post with too much stuff

2007-06-28T11:13:00.000-07:00

Warning: This post contains several you tube videos, photos and links... and also was written when I was not feeling so good... take it or leave it...

First Rant: I need to NOT watch the news. It's making me a crazy person. Not only that, I need to stop reading the local paper. There's been nonsense in this area for weeks regarding a statue of the Ten Commandments on public property. Grrrrrrr! If I have to read one more letter to the editor about how "you either follow God or follow Satan" I am going to personally track these people down and beat their door down with a Bible so they can read it. Like, really read it. I am not personally offended by the Commandments or anything-- but they obviously have no place on public property.

Second Rant: MEDIA and Paris Hilton. I really like this woman anchor, Mika Brzenzinski... when she loses it over the Paris Hilton story.

Okay enough ranting. You have to forgive me cause I'm in a bad place --- womanly speaking. I want to go to Target and buy a kiddie pool and fill it with Ben&Jerry's ice cream. Would that be so wrong? I ask you-- Grrrr.

Not much is new with me. Working away -- enjoying hanging with the delinquents. I also like to amuse myself with some new endeavors that include:

Gardening: Obviously I have no garden—merely a second floor apartment. I have a window box with petunias and butterfly daises (which are a little tired looking at the moment) and a pot with Gerber daisies and white geraniums. So far I haven’t killed any of them. They bring me joy. I also have two pet rocks.

Shopping: I have a problem. Really! But I am enjoying adding new and crazy stuff to my wardrobe. My latest funny purchase – a 3 foot tall lighted palm tree (it serves as an excellent nightlight) and a necklace that reads “F-BOMB.” Every time I put it on, I feel better. *click to enlarge to see FBOMB in all her glory*

Being excited: There are lots of things I’m excited about. It’s summer and therefore nice out, so that in itself is exciting. Fourth of July is coming up and that should be good. Also in July, there’s a wedding in the cities. I enjoy weddings. There is good food, fun clothes, dancing- does it get better? Then in September Laura & Jim get married--- HOORAY! Also happening in September, my internship is done (sad) but I will likely start a new job then (exciting).

You know what excites me the most? ***********Harry Potter********. Yeah. I’m a nerd. The movie and the book have me totally psyched. If anyone ruins either with spoilers, I will smoosh them. Well you can’t really spoil the movie, seeing as how I’ve read the book -- but the last book... NO ONE give away ANYTHING. You hear me?!

Lastly I love Elizabeth Edwards for standing up to Ann Coulter. I’m so sick of Coulter’s nasty, school-yard bully behavior.

I also love Kathy Griffin for skewering Coulter— scratch that-- I just love Kathy Griffin in general.

Blog Rating

2007-06-28T10:37:00.001-07:00

Mingle²

Based on the fact that I used the word "asshole" twice
and the word "sexy" once

Funny and random

Surprise Surprise

2007-06-11T16:11:00.000-07:00

You Are 100% Feminist

You are a total feminist. This doesn't mean you're a man hater (in fact, you may be a man).
You just think that men and women should be treated equally. It's a simple idea but somehow complicated for the world to put into action.

Are You a Feminist?

Paris Hilton Part II

2007-06-11T07:52:00.000-07:00

As usual, Feministe beats me to the punch and figures out-- BEFORE I EVEN DO-- why I'm mad.

And yes. I am mad about the Paris Hilton thing. And funny-- I'm really not mad at her. I find myself feeling sorry for her. She is the public's favorite whipping tool right now and it's kind of sick. Feministe points out the ugly truth behind it.

People who are gleeful to bash Paris aren't doing it so much because she's snotty, lazy, famous-for-nothing, racist and air-headed. No. People are gleeful because she's a SLUT who's finally gonna get hers. Whenever people talk about her it's with some really unflattering language-- stuff about her "being full of STDs" or much, MUCH worse as Feministe points out:

Commenters hoped that she’d get a “full-cavity search,” talked about their sexual gratification at the sight of her crying and the description of her being dragged off by a prison guard, expressed their desire for her to be raped, and even said that “the next story should be about the whore dying.

Charming, right?

Well I don't like Paris Hilton but I don't think we can really claim that her sitting in jail is some great victory for justice. Far from it. The sheriff probably should have sent her home. The jails are massively overcrowded ands she is not a violent criminal posing any threat to society. Also, imagine that shitstorm that would ensue if something actually did happen to her behind bars-- attack or illness. Can anyone say media frenzy/lawsuit? I don't see why she should serve 45 days in jail. Keep her part of the sentence, she broke the law, she should be punished but by all means, send her home if it makes room for criminals who are a REAL threat.

And people wishing rape upon this woman (vapid though she may be) are the ones who really gross me out.

Anyone else forget we're at WAR right now?