I have 31 students again this year, same as last. 16 girls, 15 boys. I was nervous starting todayy, but I have to admit, what was really hard was watching all my wonderful students from last year walk into other classes. Sigh. I know I;ve been teaching a while, but in my career I haven;t had many opportunities to see former students in another grade. I also have not had a class that was so wonderful as my last class was.
My new class is pretty cool so far. I have good kids. I have a group of boys that are quite chatty, and funny. I have some spunky girls.
We have a new teacher in my grade level, and I really like her. I think this is going to be an awesome year again!
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
On Tuesday, Grant and I and mom and Bobby went to the OC Performing Arts Center to see Dirty Rotten Socundrels. this was our first play in our subscription. It was really good! I had only seen the movie version, but it transfered very well into a musical. The stars were hill-air-ee-ous.
Our seats are really good, too! Awesome anniversery present for us!
Our seats are really good, too! Awesome anniversery present for us!
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Expect the Unexpected
SO... tomorrow we leave for Alaska.
The flight we have scheduled to take from Long Beach to Seattle tomorrow has taken off late for the past four days - we only have like a 45 minute layover before our flight to Fairbanks leaves, so chances are we will be sleeping in Seattle tomorrow night. We have a hotel booked just in case, so we'll see...
Have you heard about the heavy rains? Yeah, apparently some of the bridges have closed, and the train we are scheduled to take later next week is closed at least today and tomorrow due to a mud slide.
I am so excited! I know that sounds odd, but wow - who knows what is going to happen! It is a little exciting, don't you think? As long as everyone is safe, who knows what kind of adventure we'll end up having!
Have you heard about the heavy rains? Yeah, apparently some of the bridges have closed, and the train we are scheduled to take later next week is closed at least today and tomorrow due to a mud slide.
I am so excited! I know that sounds odd, but wow - who knows what is going to happen! It is a little exciting, don't you think? As long as everyone is safe, who knows what kind of adventure we'll end up having!
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Our credit card was declined
at Target today...
What?
So we call,
and the had put a block on our card,
so we could verify some recent charges...
$1500 at a car dealership in Lansing Michigan
Another $500 charge,
and 3 or 4 other charges
So our credit card is stopped,
and we will be getting new ones.
Grant asked them to rush the card since we'll be leaving for Alaska on Friday.
So, yeah,
Grant and I leave for Alaska on Friday.
ALASKA! It is almost surreal.
I am so excited.
I'll be doing my vacation blog for that one,
so check there.
My classroom is all set up.
Ready for a new year.
Well, mostly. Enough to make me happy, anyway.
Enough that I won;t be worried while gone.
Last thing I need in Alaska is to think about what I have left to do.
So why is it almost done?
Well, I printed up a bunch of new posters,
and decided to save ink and trees,
I would laminate them before I put them up.
Unfortunatly, we are out of laminate.
SO when I get back,
I will laminate.
If we have it then.
If not.
Oh well.
I'll put them up and laminate them later.
All supplies are bought.
folders for each kid,
pencil boxes,
book marks...
Ready to go.
Big Brother -
Kaysar gone
unbelievably sad
But its true -
he is too good for that game.
too good of a person.
I'd like to see him on the Amazing Race.
Anyway - HOH redo, due to technical difficulties.
Janelle won!
Unbelievably happy.
At least she is in for one more week!
at Target today...
What?
So we call,
and the had put a block on our card,
so we could verify some recent charges...
$1500 at a car dealership in Lansing Michigan
Another $500 charge,
and 3 or 4 other charges
So our credit card is stopped,
and we will be getting new ones.
Grant asked them to rush the card since we'll be leaving for Alaska on Friday.
So, yeah,
Grant and I leave for Alaska on Friday.
ALASKA! It is almost surreal.
I am so excited.
I'll be doing my vacation blog for that one,
so check there.
My classroom is all set up.
Ready for a new year.
Well, mostly. Enough to make me happy, anyway.
Enough that I won;t be worried while gone.
Last thing I need in Alaska is to think about what I have left to do.
So why is it almost done?
Well, I printed up a bunch of new posters,
and decided to save ink and trees,
I would laminate them before I put them up.
Unfortunatly, we are out of laminate.
SO when I get back,
I will laminate.
If we have it then.
If not.
Oh well.
I'll put them up and laminate them later.
All supplies are bought.
folders for each kid,
pencil boxes,
book marks...
Ready to go.
Big Brother -
Kaysar gone
unbelievably sad
But its true -
he is too good for that game.
too good of a person.
I'd like to see him on the Amazing Race.
Anyway - HOH redo, due to technical difficulties.
Janelle won!
Unbelievably happy.
At least she is in for one more week!
Our August Date
So, as an anniversery gift to my hunny, I made up this dating game. I thought it would be fun to plan a special date every month that is out of the ordainary or not neccesarily spontaneous like most of our dates are. We have to pick cards on the 23 of each month to determine who will plan a special date for the following month. There cards have different things on them to make planning the dates fun.
So on July 23, our 1 year anniversery, we chose three cards to determine who would plan our August date. Grant (card 1) had to plan a medium length date (cad 2) that involved spending less then $20 (card 3.)
I was so excited when we went on our date - to Disneyland! Once upon a time we went on a date to Dinseyland every Wednesday. Now are dates there are less frequent or involve going with other people, so it was really nice to have our first date be there.
Also, we were able to eat at the new Cafe Orleans - we ordered the Monte Cristo (I got the classic and Grant got the all cheese and we went halvsies.) Grant got around the $20 rule becasue he used our Disney reward dollars.
We went on Buzz Lightyear Astroblasters and I got the highest score I'd ever earned - 604,800
You can check out the proof here - for 30 days, anyway!
Visit http://disneyland.com/buzzphotos and enter the following code number into the code box to view a photo of Star Command's newest hero:
*********************************************
CODE NUMBER: 056A42BCE915F316F354C1759D70CD8B
So on July 23, our 1 year anniversery, we chose three cards to determine who would plan our August date. Grant (card 1) had to plan a medium length date (cad 2) that involved spending less then $20 (card 3.)
I was so excited when we went on our date - to Disneyland! Once upon a time we went on a date to Dinseyland every Wednesday. Now are dates there are less frequent or involve going with other people, so it was really nice to have our first date be there.
Also, we were able to eat at the new Cafe Orleans - we ordered the Monte Cristo (I got the classic and Grant got the all cheese and we went halvsies.) Grant got around the $20 rule becasue he used our Disney reward dollars.
We went on Buzz Lightyear Astroblasters and I got the highest score I'd ever earned - 604,800
You can check out the proof here - for 30 days, anyway!
Visit http://disneyland.com/buzzphotos and enter the following code number into the code box to view a photo of Star Command's newest hero:
*********************************************
CODE NUMBER: 056A42BCE915F316F354C1759D70CD8B
Saturday, August 05, 2006
The Alligator
Well, maybe its a crocodile. I am not really sure.
It is a statue over at Westminster Mall. Right now its on the first floor, I think on the Macy's branch.
Kids crawl all over it. They start at the end of the curled tail, (some kids skip that part and start higher up), and they work their way up the animal until they get to the snout, which is raised off of the ground about 2 feet. Some kids crawl up, the braver kids walk up. When they get to the snout, they sit a minute, enjoying their accomplishment, and then they get off. Some jump, some slide around... and then they go back to the tail to start again.
It has happened this way for decades. When I was a child, I would start at the tip of the tail, and follow the curl around.
Another part of the mall has bear statues, but they don't have as much appeal. Sure, you'll find kids crawling on them - anything is a welcome break from being dragged from store to store full of clothes, or worse, shoes (no racks to play in at shoe stores!), while being carefully steered clear of KB toys.
But kids really love to play on that alligator.
Yesterday, I went with Angie to the mall. She wanted to buy some shoes that were on sale. Drew wanted to go play on the statues. I was more then happy to take him and Cori. Right outside the shoestore, and a couple shops up, was that dear old alligator. I was oddly excited to be hanging 'round my old freind again.
I watched as Cori and Drew, along with other children, played on the alligator. I watched the younger ones crawl up. I watched the bigger, braver ones, balance, like on a balance beam. I watched one girl, 10 or 11, just passing by, trot quickly in and take her turn among the little ones, while her mom watched from outside... the girl ran up the alligator, savoring the memory of her younger years... "just one more time, Mom," and then she jumped off the snout, joined her mom, and they continued on their way.
It was such an odd, surreal experience. Watching Cori and Drew play, and having such powerful feelings about it.
In those moments, I thought about how amazing Drew and Cori are. Drew is such a caring big brother. He is thoughtful and considerate, inquisitive and charming. Cori is a character, dramatic and emotional, funny and charismatic. I realized how much I love those kids.
I had a memory of an old friend.
I had a glimpse of what it will be like when I have my own children, when Grant and I take them to expereince things that we did as a child. Disneyland, swimming in a pool, the alligator at the mall. I know that, in itself, will be emotional, but I didn't realize how much so.
It is a statue over at Westminster Mall. Right now its on the first floor, I think on the Macy's branch.
Kids crawl all over it. They start at the end of the curled tail, (some kids skip that part and start higher up), and they work their way up the animal until they get to the snout, which is raised off of the ground about 2 feet. Some kids crawl up, the braver kids walk up. When they get to the snout, they sit a minute, enjoying their accomplishment, and then they get off. Some jump, some slide around... and then they go back to the tail to start again.
It has happened this way for decades. When I was a child, I would start at the tip of the tail, and follow the curl around.
Another part of the mall has bear statues, but they don't have as much appeal. Sure, you'll find kids crawling on them - anything is a welcome break from being dragged from store to store full of clothes, or worse, shoes (no racks to play in at shoe stores!), while being carefully steered clear of KB toys.
But kids really love to play on that alligator.
Yesterday, I went with Angie to the mall. She wanted to buy some shoes that were on sale. Drew wanted to go play on the statues. I was more then happy to take him and Cori. Right outside the shoestore, and a couple shops up, was that dear old alligator. I was oddly excited to be hanging 'round my old freind again.
I watched as Cori and Drew, along with other children, played on the alligator. I watched the younger ones crawl up. I watched the bigger, braver ones, balance, like on a balance beam. I watched one girl, 10 or 11, just passing by, trot quickly in and take her turn among the little ones, while her mom watched from outside... the girl ran up the alligator, savoring the memory of her younger years... "just one more time, Mom," and then she jumped off the snout, joined her mom, and they continued on their way.
It was such an odd, surreal experience. Watching Cori and Drew play, and having such powerful feelings about it.
In those moments, I thought about how amazing Drew and Cori are. Drew is such a caring big brother. He is thoughtful and considerate, inquisitive and charming. Cori is a character, dramatic and emotional, funny and charismatic. I realized how much I love those kids.
I had a memory of an old friend.
I had a glimpse of what it will be like when I have my own children, when Grant and I take them to expereince things that we did as a child. Disneyland, swimming in a pool, the alligator at the mall. I know that, in itself, will be emotional, but I didn't realize how much so.
An acknowledgement
I know my blogs are often full of typos and misspelled words.
I am not the greatest speller in the world, something I tell my students at the very beginning of the year, and I am not a very good typer, either.
In addition, I often type out my blogs quickly, because what is on my mind wants to come out, quickly.
Yes, I could use spell check. I do know how to use it correctly.
However, I think of my blog as my journal, and like I tell my students, a journal is all about content. I'm not concerned with mechanics and grammar. I am concerned with thoughts.
I am not the greatest speller in the world, something I tell my students at the very beginning of the year, and I am not a very good typer, either.
In addition, I often type out my blogs quickly, because what is on my mind wants to come out, quickly.
Yes, I could use spell check. I do know how to use it correctly.
However, I think of my blog as my journal, and like I tell my students, a journal is all about content. I'm not concerned with mechanics and grammar. I am concerned with thoughts.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Saved!
I watched the movie Saved! last night.
I love that movie.
Loved it more this time then the first time I saw it.
Its a comedy/drama
Plot: Christian girl at a Christian high school,
Her Christian boyfriend admits to her that he is gay,
she prays and feels that Jesus has told her to have sex with her boyfriend
to help him with his perversion, to make him straight.
She thinks Jesus will resore her spirtual virginity.
His parents find a guy mag, realize he's gay, and send him to rehab.
She finds out she is pregnant,
and thus starts her senior year.
Great movie... some of the funniest scenes ever...
Awesome cast, too, Macaulay Culkin, Jena Malone, Mandy Moore, Heather Matarazzo, Mary Louise Parker, Eva Amurri
Here are some good quotes:
Mary: [about the Virgin Mary] I know this is wrong, but do you ever wonder if she just made the whole thing up? I mean, it's a pretty good one. It's not like anyone can ever use virgin birth as an excuse again.
[pause]
Mary: I don't really think she made it up, but I can understand why a girl would.
Lillian: I keep trying to remind myself that when Jesus closes a door he opens a window.
Mary: Yeah, so we have something to jump out of.
Cassandra: There's only one reason Christian girls comes down to the Planned Parenthood.
Roland: She's planting a pipe bomb?
Cassandra: Okay, two reasons.
Hilary Faye: I mean you're not born a gay, you're born again!
Pastor Skip: Let's get our Christ on, let's kick it Jesus-style!
Cassandra: I always get this really left out feeling at Christmas time
Hilary Faye: [to Patrick] Jewish.
[Back to Cassandra]
Hilary Faye: Well, if you decided to accept Jesus into your heart you and your people could join in on the fun!
Mary: So everything that doesn't fit into some stupid idea of what you think God wants you just try to hide or fix or get rid of? It's just all too much to live up to. No one fits in one hundred percent of the time. Not even you.....
Why would God make us all so different if he wanted us to be the same?
I love that movie.
Loved it more this time then the first time I saw it.
Its a comedy/drama
Plot: Christian girl at a Christian high school,
Her Christian boyfriend admits to her that he is gay,
she prays and feels that Jesus has told her to have sex with her boyfriend
to help him with his perversion, to make him straight.
She thinks Jesus will resore her spirtual virginity.
His parents find a guy mag, realize he's gay, and send him to rehab.
She finds out she is pregnant,
and thus starts her senior year.
Great movie... some of the funniest scenes ever...
Awesome cast, too, Macaulay Culkin, Jena Malone, Mandy Moore, Heather Matarazzo, Mary Louise Parker, Eva Amurri
Here are some good quotes:
Mary: [about the Virgin Mary] I know this is wrong, but do you ever wonder if she just made the whole thing up? I mean, it's a pretty good one. It's not like anyone can ever use virgin birth as an excuse again.
[pause]
Mary: I don't really think she made it up, but I can understand why a girl would.
Lillian: I keep trying to remind myself that when Jesus closes a door he opens a window.
Mary: Yeah, so we have something to jump out of.
Cassandra: There's only one reason Christian girls comes down to the Planned Parenthood.
Roland: She's planting a pipe bomb?
Cassandra: Okay, two reasons.
Hilary Faye: I mean you're not born a gay, you're born again!
Pastor Skip: Let's get our Christ on, let's kick it Jesus-style!
Cassandra: I always get this really left out feeling at Christmas time
Hilary Faye: [to Patrick] Jewish.
[Back to Cassandra]
Hilary Faye: Well, if you decided to accept Jesus into your heart you and your people could join in on the fun!
Mary: So everything that doesn't fit into some stupid idea of what you think God wants you just try to hide or fix or get rid of? It's just all too much to live up to. No one fits in one hundred percent of the time. Not even you.....
Why would God make us all so different if he wanted us to be the same?
Random Stuff
I love Exercise on Demand...
My current favorite?
Jab, Kick.
When I started, last month, it was Jab, Kick episode 2
That expired yesterday,
and now it has Jab, Kick ep. 3
I love it.
But now I am all yucky sweaty,
and too lazy to do anything but sit here and type.
I've been back to my classroom,
starting to set up,
organizing,
cleaning out cupboards.
Last year, with my broken wrist,
everything just sort of got thrown in,
in a semi organized fashion.
I have so many great ideas for this year!
I am excited. It will be a good year.
So summer time
brings my summer shows...
watching the random episode of Days of our Lives
doesn't take many to catch up,
A Baby Story
which is on all year,
but I only really watch in the summer,
Bringing Home Baby,
a new TLC show about the first 36 hours home with a newborn,
and of course, Big Brother,
Go season 6 alliance,
James, Janie, stay cool, don't screw it up...
I hope Janelle or Kayser wins.
Also, watching the new Treasure Hunters.
It would be much better is it were not one long commercial
"lets use ask.com and then book our best option on Orbitz before our next Motorolla message comes through."
gag
I've been back on AIM
off and on,
I haven't used Instant Messanger in years,
but I sign on now,
to see if Amy is on,
Its odd not seeing her three times a week.
She is doing well by the way,
recovering from her Bone Marrow transplant,
if all goes well, she will be back in school in September for third grade.
The puppies are being lazy,
Kanga is laying on the dog bed,
curled up,
Belle on the couch next to me,
both napping,
you know, busy day,
eating, barking, sniffing,
I love summer
My current favorite?
Jab, Kick.
When I started, last month, it was Jab, Kick episode 2
That expired yesterday,
and now it has Jab, Kick ep. 3
I love it.
But now I am all yucky sweaty,
and too lazy to do anything but sit here and type.
I've been back to my classroom,
starting to set up,
organizing,
cleaning out cupboards.
Last year, with my broken wrist,
everything just sort of got thrown in,
in a semi organized fashion.
I have so many great ideas for this year!
I am excited. It will be a good year.
So summer time
brings my summer shows...
watching the random episode of Days of our Lives
doesn't take many to catch up,
A Baby Story
which is on all year,
but I only really watch in the summer,
Bringing Home Baby,
a new TLC show about the first 36 hours home with a newborn,
and of course, Big Brother,
Go season 6 alliance,
James, Janie, stay cool, don't screw it up...
I hope Janelle or Kayser wins.
Also, watching the new Treasure Hunters.
It would be much better is it were not one long commercial
"lets use ask.com and then book our best option on Orbitz before our next Motorolla message comes through."
gag
I've been back on AIM
off and on,
I haven't used Instant Messanger in years,
but I sign on now,
to see if Amy is on,
Its odd not seeing her three times a week.
She is doing well by the way,
recovering from her Bone Marrow transplant,
if all goes well, she will be back in school in September for third grade.
The puppies are being lazy,
Kanga is laying on the dog bed,
curled up,
Belle on the couch next to me,
both napping,
you know, busy day,
eating, barking, sniffing,
I love summer
Sunday, July 30, 2006
The Sims 2 Pets!
It is officially confirmed. The Sime 2 is coming out with a expansion this fall called "Sims 2 Pets!" The main features are the dogs and cats, which you can create yourself (as with new sims), adopt from the pound, breed from your own pets, or adopt strays.
Becasue this game is so sophisticated there are supposed to be some pretty funny intereactions.
For example, you have to train your pet, or you may end up with a house that has been compleatly trashed. One interaction includes teaching your dog to "play dead." The sim puts his hands up to his throat and wobbles around dramatically before falling down dead. The dog is concerened and walks up to sniff the owner. When the owner opens his eys, the dog gets excited and wags his tail (so cute!!!) Then, the dog tries it... and proceeds to wobble around the room up on his two legs inan even more dramatic fashion then his woner before falling down "dead"... then he peaks with one eye to see if he has an audience! So CUTE!
Other than dogs and cats, you can get parrots, wombats, and a new salt water aquarium. These animals don't breed... when they die, you buy another one, so they don't mix genes or anything like the breeding doggies and kitties do.
Here are articles if you are interested:
The official EA site
An article with lots of screen shots
An article from TheSimsResource Website
Becasue this game is so sophisticated there are supposed to be some pretty funny intereactions.
For example, you have to train your pet, or you may end up with a house that has been compleatly trashed. One interaction includes teaching your dog to "play dead." The sim puts his hands up to his throat and wobbles around dramatically before falling down dead. The dog is concerened and walks up to sniff the owner. When the owner opens his eys, the dog gets excited and wags his tail (so cute!!!) Then, the dog tries it... and proceeds to wobble around the room up on his two legs inan even more dramatic fashion then his woner before falling down "dead"... then he peaks with one eye to see if he has an audience! So CUTE!
Other than dogs and cats, you can get parrots, wombats, and a new salt water aquarium. These animals don't breed... when they die, you buy another one, so they don't mix genes or anything like the breeding doggies and kitties do.
Here are articles if you are interested:
The official EA site
An article with lots of screen shots
An article from TheSimsResource Website
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Clarification
"but whgat is overwhelming is the amount of things I can do with these tools Iove learned... and of course, the fear that I am not using them to their best potential."
I'm confused, can you clarify? Thanks.
But what is overwhelming is the amount of things I can do with these tools I've learned... and of course, the fear that I am not using them to their best potential.
See, when it comes to these GATE strategies, there is not one cut and dry way to use them... its not spelled out in a curiculum book (like everything else is) which is one of the reasons that I love teaching GATE so much. There are so many things you can do with them!
The thing is, I can sometimes think of 5 ways to apply GATE strategies to a lesson (which would be overkill, redundant, and frankly there just isn't time) so choosing which way to apply the strategies on a particular lesson, which way would be the best, the most meaningful,
- and then the fear that the "best way" hasn't even occured to me...
or, if there is no "best way" then the knowledge that there is probably a better way that I haven't even thought of yet. Does that make sense?
I'm confused, can you clarify? Thanks.
But what is overwhelming is the amount of things I can do with these tools I've learned... and of course, the fear that I am not using them to their best potential.
See, when it comes to these GATE strategies, there is not one cut and dry way to use them... its not spelled out in a curiculum book (like everything else is) which is one of the reasons that I love teaching GATE so much. There are so many things you can do with them!
The thing is, I can sometimes think of 5 ways to apply GATE strategies to a lesson (which would be overkill, redundant, and frankly there just isn't time) so choosing which way to apply the strategies on a particular lesson, which way would be the best, the most meaningful,
- and then the fear that the "best way" hasn't even occured to me...
or, if there is no "best way" then the knowledge that there is probably a better way that I haven't even thought of yet. Does that make sense?
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
GATE trIaining
On Monday and tuesday I attended a GATE training through USC. I signed up for the novice section, but spent most of the second day ant the intermediate section. First, can I say that it is SO COOL that my fifth=grade team partner (and former master teacher) is one of the demonstration school teachers! That is so neat.
Anyway, the training was very helpful for me and clarified a lot of things. I felt really good becasue I feel like ai have more of an understanding of the basics then I realized... but whgat is overwhelming is the amount of things I can do with these tools Iove learned... and of course, the fear that I am not using them to their best potential.
I face every year the guilt that since I have learned so much more (through training and the experience I gained from the previous year) I constantly think of all the things I SHOULD have done with my previous students. I know thats silly, and part of learning, but I do twist it around to the positive and think, because of what I've learned, think of how much better I will be for next years students! Well, I try to think that anyway... but I constanly think there are so many things I need to do to become a better teacher.
Anyways, I have lots of ideas swimming and next week (when I have 3 weeks at home) I will spend some time planning and getting ready for the next school year. I have so many ideas!
Anyway, the training was very helpful for me and clarified a lot of things. I felt really good becasue I feel like ai have more of an understanding of the basics then I realized... but whgat is overwhelming is the amount of things I can do with these tools Iove learned... and of course, the fear that I am not using them to their best potential.
I face every year the guilt that since I have learned so much more (through training and the experience I gained from the previous year) I constantly think of all the things I SHOULD have done with my previous students. I know thats silly, and part of learning, but I do twist it around to the positive and think, because of what I've learned, think of how much better I will be for next years students! Well, I try to think that anyway... but I constanly think there are so many things I need to do to become a better teacher.
Anyways, I have lots of ideas swimming and next week (when I have 3 weeks at home) I will spend some time planning and getting ready for the next school year. I have so many ideas!
July 23, 2006
Celebrated our one year anniversary. WOW... Its so amazing... in one sense, it seems like a year went by so fast. In another, it feels like Grant and I have been together forever... it is such a natural fit.
We celebrated by going to the Blue Bayou at Disneyland. We waited for a water table so that we could watch all of the boats on the Pirates of the Caribbean go by.
Grant ordered the Filet Mignon and I had crab legs (which they cut in half lengthwise for you, making it very easy to eat!) Then for dessert, Grant got the Flying Dutchman cookie boat, a wedge of cookie with a scoop of icexream and an edible sail, while I got the trip of creme brulee, which was a dessert that consisted of two timy portions of passion fruit and chocolate creme brulee, and a small portion of vanilla bean creme brulee, that was servrd with a few cookies in an edible treasure chest. very yummy. The creme brulee was arranged on the plate to look like a mickey, with the vanilla up front and the two smaller ones as the ears.
After dinner we rode the new, updated Pirates of the Caribbean. We both felt they did a very good job on it. The classic attraction is still there, but they put in some sound track changes to create a tighter story line and added a really cool special effect.
We are now in Vegas (Its Wednesday morning as I write this) where we'll be for the next few days celebrating more of our anniversery!
We celebrated by going to the Blue Bayou at Disneyland. We waited for a water table so that we could watch all of the boats on the Pirates of the Caribbean go by.
Grant ordered the Filet Mignon and I had crab legs (which they cut in half lengthwise for you, making it very easy to eat!) Then for dessert, Grant got the Flying Dutchman cookie boat, a wedge of cookie with a scoop of icexream and an edible sail, while I got the trip of creme brulee, which was a dessert that consisted of two timy portions of passion fruit and chocolate creme brulee, and a small portion of vanilla bean creme brulee, that was servrd with a few cookies in an edible treasure chest. very yummy. The creme brulee was arranged on the plate to look like a mickey, with the vanilla up front and the two smaller ones as the ears.
After dinner we rode the new, updated Pirates of the Caribbean. We both felt they did a very good job on it. The classic attraction is still there, but they put in some sound track changes to create a tighter story line and added a really cool special effect.
We are now in Vegas (Its Wednesday morning as I write this) where we'll be for the next few days celebrating more of our anniversery!
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Fun Day At Sea
Thursday was our "Fun Day at Sea." After breakfast, Gina and I read by the pool for a while, and Jessica went to the Casino. Jess didn't want to sit in the sun anymore. Meanwhile, I had a soar throat and felt a cold coming on so I didn’t want to be in the casino around the cigarette smoke, so I joined Gina by the pool.
We all met up to watch the Newlywed/Not-so Newlywed game, which was funny, but could have been much funnier if he had the contestants say their own answers. Instead, they wrote their answer down and he read them aloud to us. However, it was all quite funny!
While there some girls dressed up in costumed handed out a flier that announced that the San Juan Sensations would be performing on the ship at 4:30 (not a Carnival sponsored event.) We thought we might come back for it.
Jessica went back to the cabin to take a nap while Gina and I went back out to the pool. I was reading "The Other Women," and almost finished with it. At around 4:30, Gina and I decided to go check out the girls dancing thing.
It was awful. I don’t know what other way to put it. It was so awful it was funny. It was like this weird classical dance. The thing is, the choreography was the same for every single song. Fast or slow, strong beat or melodic flow, the dance moves were these same slow spins leg lifts, strange jumps, and circles. I don't know how to describe it to you without Gina and I doing our fabulous demonstrations. The craziest thing was, at the end, the dance coaches came out on stage with the girls and clapped and danced along... like, I don't know, the girls doing their finale by themselves wasn't enough. Then, as the girls took their bow, their coaches came out at the end and took one, too, and stayed center stage until the curtains closed, with the girls behind them. It was very odd.
My theory? Some yuppie ex cheerleader couldn't stand that her glory days were over, so she started this dance club. What did you need to join the dance troupe? Not talent (The even announced that this was their last stop for touring this year - you would have thought the mistakes would have been adjusted by this point...) - Now, all you needed to join was $3000 to pay for your costumes and you Carnival Cruise trips. You may not be able to dance, but at least your outfit would look good.
Anyways, we went back to the room, took showers, and began packing. Before dinner, we went out and found our favorite photographer (Dushyant), and he took some more cute pictures of us.
Dinner was, as usual, madness. The main event for this evening was that one of the girls had persuaded one of the cabin stewards to give her their Carnival Name tag. SO for the rest of the evening, any Carnival person who walked by (waiters, photographers, bar tenders...) the girls would ask, repeatedly, "Can I have your name tag????" Over and over again, even when the person said no. Again, the parents said nothing.
After dinner, we went up to buy our last minute pictures. There were so many good ones to choose from! We ended up buying a total of 8 pictures. Most were taken by Dushyant. (If you go on Carnival's Paradise and he is there, get him to take your pics. He is awesome!) Then we swung by the casino to play that game where you try to bump quarters off of the ledge... we won a t shirt! Jessica put the quarter in that won it so she got to keep the shirt.
The show that night was Shout, and I thought it was the best show of the cruise. We knew almost every song, the singing and dancing were incredible - very high energy. After dinner we headed back to the casino to play the quarter game some more. At midnight we went to the adult comedy show which was pretty good, although by this time I was feeling really tired and congested.
The next morning, I was up by 6 (I couldn't sleep anymore I was so stuffy...) but that was fine because there was a problem on our fun pass bill that I had to go resolve. (They charged us for pictures that we didn't buy.) It was a mistake and they refunded it.
The girls got up around 8:00 and we went and had breakfast before departing the lovely Carnival Paradise.
What a fantastic trip!
We all met up to watch the Newlywed/Not-so Newlywed game, which was funny, but could have been much funnier if he had the contestants say their own answers. Instead, they wrote their answer down and he read them aloud to us. However, it was all quite funny!
While there some girls dressed up in costumed handed out a flier that announced that the San Juan Sensations would be performing on the ship at 4:30 (not a Carnival sponsored event.) We thought we might come back for it.
Jessica went back to the cabin to take a nap while Gina and I went back out to the pool. I was reading "The Other Women," and almost finished with it. At around 4:30, Gina and I decided to go check out the girls dancing thing.
It was awful. I don’t know what other way to put it. It was so awful it was funny. It was like this weird classical dance. The thing is, the choreography was the same for every single song. Fast or slow, strong beat or melodic flow, the dance moves were these same slow spins leg lifts, strange jumps, and circles. I don't know how to describe it to you without Gina and I doing our fabulous demonstrations. The craziest thing was, at the end, the dance coaches came out on stage with the girls and clapped and danced along... like, I don't know, the girls doing their finale by themselves wasn't enough. Then, as the girls took their bow, their coaches came out at the end and took one, too, and stayed center stage until the curtains closed, with the girls behind them. It was very odd.
My theory? Some yuppie ex cheerleader couldn't stand that her glory days were over, so she started this dance club. What did you need to join the dance troupe? Not talent (The even announced that this was their last stop for touring this year - you would have thought the mistakes would have been adjusted by this point...) - Now, all you needed to join was $3000 to pay for your costumes and you Carnival Cruise trips. You may not be able to dance, but at least your outfit would look good.
Anyways, we went back to the room, took showers, and began packing. Before dinner, we went out and found our favorite photographer (Dushyant), and he took some more cute pictures of us.
Dinner was, as usual, madness. The main event for this evening was that one of the girls had persuaded one of the cabin stewards to give her their Carnival Name tag. SO for the rest of the evening, any Carnival person who walked by (waiters, photographers, bar tenders...) the girls would ask, repeatedly, "Can I have your name tag????" Over and over again, even when the person said no. Again, the parents said nothing.
After dinner, we went up to buy our last minute pictures. There were so many good ones to choose from! We ended up buying a total of 8 pictures. Most were taken by Dushyant. (If you go on Carnival's Paradise and he is there, get him to take your pics. He is awesome!) Then we swung by the casino to play that game where you try to bump quarters off of the ledge... we won a t shirt! Jessica put the quarter in that won it so she got to keep the shirt.
The show that night was Shout, and I thought it was the best show of the cruise. We knew almost every song, the singing and dancing were incredible - very high energy. After dinner we headed back to the casino to play the quarter game some more. At midnight we went to the adult comedy show which was pretty good, although by this time I was feeling really tired and congested.
The next morning, I was up by 6 (I couldn't sleep anymore I was so stuffy...) but that was fine because there was a problem on our fun pass bill that I had to go resolve. (They charged us for pictures that we didn't buy.) It was a mistake and they refunded it.
The girls got up around 8:00 and we went and had breakfast before departing the lovely Carnival Paradise.
What a fantastic trip!
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Mexico Day - AKA Get the boat to ourselves day!
Today the boat docked at Ensenada... or so we were told,. although we really never got off of the ship to find out for sure. Instead, after breakfast, we grabbed books and towels and sun block and went up to the pool deck where we proceeded to lay out on lounge chairs, read, chat, and drink daiquiris and pina coladas. (Good thing they're cheaper without alcohol... gave us an excuse to order more!) We ate lunch when we were hungry from the nearby Lido Grill or Paris restaurant, but other then that. we didn’t really move for the next five hours. Sweet....
Around 4:30, we headed back to our cabin (M156) to compare sun burns. Gina has a skinny stripe right on her lower belly along with the edge of her bathing suit. I have some random spots here and there that the sun block just missed - the insides of my ankles, my right side under my arm 9I guess I was holding my book up, and a little patch on my belly. Poor Jessica, though, has a pretty painful burn on her thighs, and a little on her belly.
yes, we reapplied. Apparently not often enough. Also, although that new spray on sunscreen looks easy, the jury's still out on whether it works as well as the cream stuff, over all....
After showers and phone calls, we went up to the photo gallery, found all of the pictures we took last night, and chose 5 to purchase. The lines were super long, however, so we put them in a corner of one of the racks to get them when we returned. Then we rushed off to dinner.
I believe our waiter sort of avoids us because of the other people at our table, which sort of sucks,. They are rather rude. For example, the "grownups" showed up 15 minutes late again. Around 8:30, one of the kids(the daughter) shows up. Around 8:45 2 more show up (the 16 year old little shit sitting down next to me and saying, "Hi, I'm sexy, what's your name?" Um, ha ha...?) and the hyper little girl who is the daughter's friend. (the other boy never showed up at all)
These two (the friend and the boy) order dinner, and then decide to just leave. Um, rude much? And the grownups didn't say anything about it! (I did - 'Um, your leaving? Didn't you order food?") I also thought it was odd that the 16 year old boy was spending so much time with the 11 year old girl - they weren't siblings. Strange.
Anyways, dinner was yummy overall (The couple had requested escargot, which was served on the first night, and they brought out 6 double bowls of the stuff...we had a few but it was way too much.) I had a chicken quesadilla, won-ton soup, and sweet and sour shrimp. (I had also ordered a tomato and mozzarella dish, but in the confusion of the escargot and the kids coming late and then leaving, my tomato dish never came out. )
Gina ordered the quesadilla, lobster bisque, a salad (which never came out) and chicken pasta. She didn’t really like the pasta, but she had some of my shrimp, and also, the girl who left had ordered shrimp so Gina had some of that since they would just have thrown the food away anyway.
Jessica had the tomato/mozzarella, the lobster bisque, and filet mignon.
Dinners just seem so chaotic with this group. It doesn't feel, to me, as special when people don't take it seriously or respect the other people. Showing up late, taking off after ordering food, leaving a mess, ordering about the waiter, impolite manners... it is a bit frustrating at times. I wouldn't say its awful... at times it is funny, but it does sorry of take a bit of the special feeling out of going to such a nice dinner when people are behaving as though it were chucky cheese on free pizza night.
After dinner, we went back to buy our pictures... but they were gone! Apparently the staff moved pictures around and separated our stack.... but we looked through all of the pictures and couldn't find any of them except the top one!!! We both it but we're kind of bummed because there were some really good ones. The crew said they might show up later or they could look for them on the computers.
We took a few more pictures. There is one photographer who is very cool. He does a good job of really making people relax. I liked him.
At 10:30, we went to see the show. It was cool close-up magic and then a comedian.
(Another problem with having the late dining time - by the time your show is over its 11:00! It bed nice to have the early dining time and then a show at 8:00 so that you could hang out in one of the lunges or the sing along piano bar for a while - not to self for future cruises.)
We're back in our room - the girls are reading... I love fellow book worms.
Night!
Around 4:30, we headed back to our cabin (M156) to compare sun burns. Gina has a skinny stripe right on her lower belly along with the edge of her bathing suit. I have some random spots here and there that the sun block just missed - the insides of my ankles, my right side under my arm 9I guess I was holding my book up, and a little patch on my belly. Poor Jessica, though, has a pretty painful burn on her thighs, and a little on her belly.
yes, we reapplied. Apparently not often enough. Also, although that new spray on sunscreen looks easy, the jury's still out on whether it works as well as the cream stuff, over all....
After showers and phone calls, we went up to the photo gallery, found all of the pictures we took last night, and chose 5 to purchase. The lines were super long, however, so we put them in a corner of one of the racks to get them when we returned. Then we rushed off to dinner.
I believe our waiter sort of avoids us because of the other people at our table, which sort of sucks,. They are rather rude. For example, the "grownups" showed up 15 minutes late again. Around 8:30, one of the kids(the daughter) shows up. Around 8:45 2 more show up (the 16 year old little shit sitting down next to me and saying, "Hi, I'm sexy, what's your name?" Um, ha ha...?) and the hyper little girl who is the daughter's friend. (the other boy never showed up at all)
These two (the friend and the boy) order dinner, and then decide to just leave. Um, rude much? And the grownups didn't say anything about it! (I did - 'Um, your leaving? Didn't you order food?") I also thought it was odd that the 16 year old boy was spending so much time with the 11 year old girl - they weren't siblings. Strange.
Anyways, dinner was yummy overall (The couple had requested escargot, which was served on the first night, and they brought out 6 double bowls of the stuff...we had a few but it was way too much.) I had a chicken quesadilla, won-ton soup, and sweet and sour shrimp. (I had also ordered a tomato and mozzarella dish, but in the confusion of the escargot and the kids coming late and then leaving, my tomato dish never came out. )
Gina ordered the quesadilla, lobster bisque, a salad (which never came out) and chicken pasta. She didn’t really like the pasta, but she had some of my shrimp, and also, the girl who left had ordered shrimp so Gina had some of that since they would just have thrown the food away anyway.
Jessica had the tomato/mozzarella, the lobster bisque, and filet mignon.
Dinners just seem so chaotic with this group. It doesn't feel, to me, as special when people don't take it seriously or respect the other people. Showing up late, taking off after ordering food, leaving a mess, ordering about the waiter, impolite manners... it is a bit frustrating at times. I wouldn't say its awful... at times it is funny, but it does sorry of take a bit of the special feeling out of going to such a nice dinner when people are behaving as though it were chucky cheese on free pizza night.
After dinner, we went back to buy our pictures... but they were gone! Apparently the staff moved pictures around and separated our stack.... but we looked through all of the pictures and couldn't find any of them except the top one!!! We both it but we're kind of bummed because there were some really good ones. The crew said they might show up later or they could look for them on the computers.
We took a few more pictures. There is one photographer who is very cool. He does a good job of really making people relax. I liked him.
At 10:30, we went to see the show. It was cool close-up magic and then a comedian.
(Another problem with having the late dining time - by the time your show is over its 11:00! It bed nice to have the early dining time and then a show at 8:00 so that you could hang out in one of the lunges or the sing along piano bar for a while - not to self for future cruises.)
We're back in our room - the girls are reading... I love fellow book worms.
Night!
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Catalina
Day 2 of our cruise!!! Today we went to Catalina. The boat anchored at 8:00, I guess, although we didn't really wake up until 9:00. After showers, we went down to the Internet Cafe and posted the blog and then we had breakfast in the Paris Buffet. Jessica liked the pancakes, Gina liked the hash browns, and I had a yummy omelet.
After breakfast, we took a tender over to Catalina. We rented bikes and rode all over the place (there... we exercised!) and did some shopping. We had a snack (ice cream, shaved ice...) and then rode our bikes some more. The day was nice, warm but not too hot, with a nice breeze that made biking pleasant.
Around 3;30, we went back to our ship. We changed into our bathing suits and went out by the pool. we grabbed snacks from the Lido Grill and read books as we sailed away from Catalina.
By the way, I just finished George Orwell's "1984". Very interesting read - I want to read Brave New World later... Jessica is reading "The Trickster’s Queen" by Tamora Pierce, and Gina is reading "The Other Boleyn Girl" by Philippa Gregory."
At 5:00, we went back inside and took showers and got all dressed up in our fancy formal clothes. We headed to the Casino and played some slot machines, and then took our picture about a thousand times at all of the different photo backdrops they had set up. Hopefully we'll find one or two that we all agree look nice.
Dinner was at 8. The funny couple showed up with their whole group. its all quite confusing because we have no clue how these people are related. The adult couple (we don't believe they are married,) showed up with four kids. Two somewhat sulky, bored teenage boys and two giggly, energetic (and in the case of one, very hyper) preteen girls. We suspect that one of the girls and one of the boys belongs to the adults (but we are not sure which one goes to which adult.) and that the other two are friends of the kids.
Tonight dinner was awesome. I had the Southwest egg roll, strawberry bisque, lobster (I had two lobster tails... yummy) and soufflé for dessert.
Jessica had the mushroom soup, artichoke, tomato, and celery salad, the lobster tail, and the soufflé.
Gina had the mushroom soup, the southwest egg roll, lobster, and banana sponge cake.
Ok, I admit that I am the stereotypical person who loves to cruise because of the food. Not that it isn't totally obvious.
After dinner, we took a few more pics and then we went to the 10:30 show. It was a tribute to Hollywood and the movies. The dancing and singing and costumes were good, but it would have been nice to have more songs and movies that we recognized. I don't think I could even venture a guess at what movies half of the songs were from. We were stoked when they finally started singing, 'Let's do the time warp again..." Something we could sing to and actually recognize!!!
Let's all sing along, shall we? get up and move if you'd like...
"It's just a jump to the left...
and a step to the ri- i-i-i-i-i-i-ight....
Put your hands on your hips...
and pull your knees in ti - i-ight...
its the pelvic thru -u -u - ust that will drive you in sa -a- a - a - a - a - a -a -ane
LETS DO THE TIME WARP AGAIN"
After that, we went to the other side of the ship to the Queen Mary lounge to see Jerome do his adult show. It was SO FUNNY! I was in tears laughing so hard. Well worth staying up for!
However, it is now 1:45 in the AM and I must be going to sleep!
Good night, y'all.
After breakfast, we took a tender over to Catalina. We rented bikes and rode all over the place (there... we exercised!) and did some shopping. We had a snack (ice cream, shaved ice...) and then rode our bikes some more. The day was nice, warm but not too hot, with a nice breeze that made biking pleasant.
Around 3;30, we went back to our ship. We changed into our bathing suits and went out by the pool. we grabbed snacks from the Lido Grill and read books as we sailed away from Catalina.
By the way, I just finished George Orwell's "1984". Very interesting read - I want to read Brave New World later... Jessica is reading "The Trickster’s Queen" by Tamora Pierce, and Gina is reading "The Other Boleyn Girl" by Philippa Gregory."
At 5:00, we went back inside and took showers and got all dressed up in our fancy formal clothes. We headed to the Casino and played some slot machines, and then took our picture about a thousand times at all of the different photo backdrops they had set up. Hopefully we'll find one or two that we all agree look nice.
Dinner was at 8. The funny couple showed up with their whole group. its all quite confusing because we have no clue how these people are related. The adult couple (we don't believe they are married,) showed up with four kids. Two somewhat sulky, bored teenage boys and two giggly, energetic (and in the case of one, very hyper) preteen girls. We suspect that one of the girls and one of the boys belongs to the adults (but we are not sure which one goes to which adult.) and that the other two are friends of the kids.
Tonight dinner was awesome. I had the Southwest egg roll, strawberry bisque, lobster (I had two lobster tails... yummy) and soufflé for dessert.
Jessica had the mushroom soup, artichoke, tomato, and celery salad, the lobster tail, and the soufflé.
Gina had the mushroom soup, the southwest egg roll, lobster, and banana sponge cake.
Ok, I admit that I am the stereotypical person who loves to cruise because of the food. Not that it isn't totally obvious.
After dinner, we took a few more pics and then we went to the 10:30 show. It was a tribute to Hollywood and the movies. The dancing and singing and costumes were good, but it would have been nice to have more songs and movies that we recognized. I don't think I could even venture a guess at what movies half of the songs were from. We were stoked when they finally started singing, 'Let's do the time warp again..." Something we could sing to and actually recognize!!!
Let's all sing along, shall we? get up and move if you'd like...
"It's just a jump to the left...
and a step to the ri- i-i-i-i-i-i-ight....
Put your hands on your hips...
and pull your knees in ti - i-ight...
its the pelvic thru -u -u - ust that will drive you in sa -a- a - a - a - a - a -a -ane
LETS DO THE TIME WARP AGAIN"
After that, we went to the other side of the ship to the Queen Mary lounge to see Jerome do his adult show. It was SO FUNNY! I was in tears laughing so hard. Well worth staying up for!
However, it is now 1:45 in the AM and I must be going to sleep!
Good night, y'all.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Mexico Cruise with the gals!
Hi All! I am on a 5 day Mexico Cruise with my gals, Jessica and Gina! We got on the boat around 1:00 and stopped by our cabin (M156). I like our deck because the cabin halls are painted blue.
Next, we went up to the Lido Deck for lunch... my favorite lunch entree was the eggplant tart (yummy! A thin pastry with eggplant mozzarella and tomato), Jessica liked the broiled fish and Gina (and Jess!) liked the cheesecake.
Sorry, but those of you who have read the "Grant and Bobbi vacation blog" know my obsession with describing food - particularly cruise food.
After lunch, we explored the ship some, and then came back to our cabin to unpack. After the lifeboat drill, we dropped off our lifejackets and headed up to the aft lido deck and got three lounge chairs to sit on for sail away.
We all called our men to say goodbye as we sailed away from port, and watched someone fly a kite off of the back of the ship.
Now, we are back in the room getting dressed for dinner!
Dinner was yummy. We ate in the Destiny Dining room at 8:00. By 8:20, we were still the only three at our 9 person table when two, well, interesting people showed up. (Around the time our soup was served, you could really begin to feel the ships motors shaking - the lady leaned over and said to us, "Is it just me or are your panties vibrating too?" And by dessert, we got a lovely joke from the man about two cowboys, a sheep, and well, you don't really need to know the rest.)
Anyway, for dinner, Jess and I both ordered the escargot, and Gina ordered a portable mushroom appetizer. We all got the pumpkin soup, and then Gina had linguine, Jessica had a seafood spectacular with prawns, scallops, and fish, while I had the beef Wellington. Dessert was strawberry cheesecake for Gina and I and Orange sponge-cake for Jessica.
After dinner, we went to see "Deal, or No Deal." Basically - you payed 10$ for a raffle ticket (or $20 for 3) and if your ticket was drawn you got to be a contestant. It was played just like the-real show, except there were 18 briefcases, and the most you could win was $1000. When they drew the ticket (Jessica, by the way, bought tickets to try to play) They had a little girl come up and draw. The man who played (and won $140) gave the little girl $20 of his winnings... ahhhh... so cute!
Then we went to the Queen Mary Lounge and watched a dating game. it was pretty funny, but we were pretty tired....
I am excited. These girls are like sisters to me. I have hoped for a long time that we could do something like this. I hope that this trip if full of fun memories and good times for them!
Tomorrow, Catalina!
Next, we went up to the Lido Deck for lunch... my favorite lunch entree was the eggplant tart (yummy! A thin pastry with eggplant mozzarella and tomato), Jessica liked the broiled fish and Gina (and Jess!) liked the cheesecake.
Sorry, but those of you who have read the "Grant and Bobbi vacation blog" know my obsession with describing food - particularly cruise food.
After lunch, we explored the ship some, and then came back to our cabin to unpack. After the lifeboat drill, we dropped off our lifejackets and headed up to the aft lido deck and got three lounge chairs to sit on for sail away.
We all called our men to say goodbye as we sailed away from port, and watched someone fly a kite off of the back of the ship.
Now, we are back in the room getting dressed for dinner!
Dinner was yummy. We ate in the Destiny Dining room at 8:00. By 8:20, we were still the only three at our 9 person table when two, well, interesting people showed up. (Around the time our soup was served, you could really begin to feel the ships motors shaking - the lady leaned over and said to us, "Is it just me or are your panties vibrating too?" And by dessert, we got a lovely joke from the man about two cowboys, a sheep, and well, you don't really need to know the rest.)
Anyway, for dinner, Jess and I both ordered the escargot, and Gina ordered a portable mushroom appetizer. We all got the pumpkin soup, and then Gina had linguine, Jessica had a seafood spectacular with prawns, scallops, and fish, while I had the beef Wellington. Dessert was strawberry cheesecake for Gina and I and Orange sponge-cake for Jessica.
After dinner, we went to see "Deal, or No Deal." Basically - you payed 10$ for a raffle ticket (or $20 for 3) and if your ticket was drawn you got to be a contestant. It was played just like the-real show, except there were 18 briefcases, and the most you could win was $1000. When they drew the ticket (Jessica, by the way, bought tickets to try to play) They had a little girl come up and draw. The man who played (and won $140) gave the little girl $20 of his winnings... ahhhh... so cute!
Then we went to the Queen Mary Lounge and watched a dating game. it was pretty funny, but we were pretty tired....
I am excited. These girls are like sisters to me. I have hoped for a long time that we could do something like this. I hope that this trip if full of fun memories and good times for them!
Tomorrow, Catalina!
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
RENT times 2
Oh. My. God.
SO Grant asks me, "what do you want to do tonight?"
"I don't know, what do you think? Take it easy?" I ask.
"Well," he says, "We could see Rent," while pulling out two tickets to Rent for the July 12th show.
"Wha...wha...what?"
I stare, blankly, confused... "Rent? Tonight? We just ... wha ...?"
I stutter about, and Grant watches, amused, until he fijnally decides to explain.
After he had bought our tickets for last night (Tuesday, July 11,) he went out to search for information about the new RENT tour. The website had a contest you could enter, and low and behold, Grant found out a month later that he had won... two more tickets to RENT!
So, we got to see Rent two nights in a row. I know your jealous.
So this time, we were in Orchestra section, row D, towards the right center.
So cool. It's neat becasue when you are farther back, like in the balcony, you can take in the whole stage, the big picture. But when you are so close, you can really focus on details. Its a different experience.
Roger (Bryce Ryness) and Mark (Jed Resnick) were both so full of expression from closer up. Again, I loved Joanne (Chante Carmel Frierson), amazing voice, and Collins ( Warren G. Nolan Jr.) showed so much emotion tonight!
"The opposite of war isn't peace... it's creation."
SO Grant asks me, "what do you want to do tonight?"
"I don't know, what do you think? Take it easy?" I ask.
"Well," he says, "We could see Rent," while pulling out two tickets to Rent for the July 12th show.
"Wha...wha...what?"
I stare, blankly, confused... "Rent? Tonight? We just ... wha ...?"
I stutter about, and Grant watches, amused, until he fijnally decides to explain.
After he had bought our tickets for last night (Tuesday, July 11,) he went out to search for information about the new RENT tour. The website had a contest you could enter, and low and behold, Grant found out a month later that he had won... two more tickets to RENT!
So, we got to see Rent two nights in a row. I know your jealous.
So this time, we were in Orchestra section, row D, towards the right center.
So cool. It's neat becasue when you are farther back, like in the balcony, you can take in the whole stage, the big picture. But when you are so close, you can really focus on details. Its a different experience.
Roger (Bryce Ryness) and Mark (Jed Resnick) were both so full of expression from closer up. Again, I loved Joanne (Chante Carmel Frierson), amazing voice, and Collins ( Warren G. Nolan Jr.) showed so much emotion tonight!
"The opposite of war isn't peace... it's creation."
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Officially a Renthead
We took the train down to San Diego today to celebrate Grant's birthday to see Rent.
This is my 5th time seeing it live on stage (London, LA, Orange County, New York, and now San Diego.) I read once that if you have seen Rent 5 times on stage, you are officially a Renthead. Yipee! Pretty good considering I don't live in New York and don't buy tickets to every performance while it is in town.
God, there is nothing like seeing Rent live. Hearing the first few notes, Mark's narration, and the stage lighting up in music and energy...it is just amazing!
At one point, Roger's ear mike stopped working and he had to use a handheld for a few numbers. He was so natural with it and made it blend right in.
Angel (Ano Okero) had a very deep, soulful voice... not what I'm used to as Angel, but he really acted the part well. Mark (Jed Resnick) did a great job all around, and I liked this portayal of Roger (Bryce Ryness - soulful, not overly angry or sulky, just introspective.) Joanne (Chante Carmel Frierson) had a very beautiful, powerful voice, I loved whenever she sang.
The crowd was FULL of RENT HEADS. Lots of cheers and screaming and loud applause. It was way cool to be there. Other then New York, this was the most energetic crowd I've seen... and actually, because the theater was so much bigger, the crowd seemed almost more enthusiastic, in my opinion.
"I trust my soul, my only goal, is just to be."
This is my 5th time seeing it live on stage (London, LA, Orange County, New York, and now San Diego.) I read once that if you have seen Rent 5 times on stage, you are officially a Renthead. Yipee! Pretty good considering I don't live in New York and don't buy tickets to every performance while it is in town.
God, there is nothing like seeing Rent live. Hearing the first few notes, Mark's narration, and the stage lighting up in music and energy...it is just amazing!
At one point, Roger's ear mike stopped working and he had to use a handheld for a few numbers. He was so natural with it and made it blend right in.
Angel (Ano Okero) had a very deep, soulful voice... not what I'm used to as Angel, but he really acted the part well. Mark (Jed Resnick) did a great job all around, and I liked this portayal of Roger (Bryce Ryness - soulful, not overly angry or sulky, just introspective.) Joanne (Chante Carmel Frierson) had a very beautiful, powerful voice, I loved whenever she sang.
The crowd was FULL of RENT HEADS. Lots of cheers and screaming and loud applause. It was way cool to be there. Other then New York, this was the most energetic crowd I've seen... and actually, because the theater was so much bigger, the crowd seemed almost more enthusiastic, in my opinion.
"I trust my soul, my only goal, is just to be."
Friday, July 07, 2006
On Demand
I'm babysitting Cori today.
No worries about Belle with kids. The first few times the kids came over, Belle was very hyper. Now, Belle knows them so she can be calm around Cori... when she lets him. But let me tell you, the amount of abuse that girl inflicts upon Belle, that Belle patiently takes, makes me realize that Belle will be just fine around kids.
Ever seen Tiny Toom Adventures with that little girl, Elmyrah, I think was her name, and how she "loved" all the animals and she would "squeeze them and hug them and kiss them and make them all her own..." yeah, Cori could have given her a few lessons.
No kidding, Cori's hands are all over Belle's snout and Belle just lays there, with a kiss now and then.
And when Cori gets so overwhelming, Belle just goes upstairs to lay down for a little bit. Its awesome.
In any case (subject change!!!), we just swapped out our satelite for cable. Cable or Satelite, don't care much, but they do have some side effects.
The bad news? Tivo has been demoted to the upstairs bedroom for the time being. I miss my Tivo, but I know it is only temporary, and I promise my Tivo that I will visit upstairs occasionally.
The good news, we get a DVR that records in hi-definition, and that can record two programs at a time. (When the new Tivo box comes out, we will bring Tivo back downstairs, most likely, unless we fall in live with our new DVR, which I don't really see happening. Tivo is my second love.)
The other good news is that Cable has "On-Demand," and it includes "On Demand Exercise," which has a whole unch of diferent exercise programs - short ones (10 minutes) long ones, cardi, aerobics, kick boxing, yoga, pilates, dance, you name it. Its really cool!
So today, I decided to play around with it. First, I picked a cardio dance mini (10 min) work out. (I thought Cori would like dancing with me.) The workout itself was challenging and fun and I enjoyed doing it, but Cori wasn't into it so much. But she was occupying herself torturing the dog, so after I finished the first workout, I decided to do a mini yoga workout.
Again, I enjoyed the workout... and so did Cori! She was more interested in doing the yoga with me then the other one! Well for a while anyway, until she decided to just come and sit on top of me while I finished the workout. Yeah, the extra weight helped burn more calories, I'm sure!
Anyway, I know its weird, but when its so easy to access the workout (just like picking a show to watch on, sigh, tivo...) I am more motivated to do it... if I can sit from my lazy ass and click it on, rather then have to get up and walk all the way over to the dvd case, set up the system to play a dvd which involves pushing, you know, like 3 buttons, putting the dvd in, sigh, what a pain (stop laughing!!!)
Plus its new stuff, and so many options, so I can try new stuff each time!
It is pretty cool!
Anyways, Cori is on the other room screaming, "Belle!" and Belle is in here pleading with me with her big brown puppy dog eyes...I best go intervene.
No worries about Belle with kids. The first few times the kids came over, Belle was very hyper. Now, Belle knows them so she can be calm around Cori... when she lets him. But let me tell you, the amount of abuse that girl inflicts upon Belle, that Belle patiently takes, makes me realize that Belle will be just fine around kids.
Ever seen Tiny Toom Adventures with that little girl, Elmyrah, I think was her name, and how she "loved" all the animals and she would "squeeze them and hug them and kiss them and make them all her own..." yeah, Cori could have given her a few lessons.
No kidding, Cori's hands are all over Belle's snout and Belle just lays there, with a kiss now and then.
And when Cori gets so overwhelming, Belle just goes upstairs to lay down for a little bit. Its awesome.
In any case (subject change!!!), we just swapped out our satelite for cable. Cable or Satelite, don't care much, but they do have some side effects.
The bad news? Tivo has been demoted to the upstairs bedroom for the time being. I miss my Tivo, but I know it is only temporary, and I promise my Tivo that I will visit upstairs occasionally.
The good news, we get a DVR that records in hi-definition, and that can record two programs at a time. (When the new Tivo box comes out, we will bring Tivo back downstairs, most likely, unless we fall in live with our new DVR, which I don't really see happening. Tivo is my second love.)
The other good news is that Cable has "On-Demand," and it includes "On Demand Exercise," which has a whole unch of diferent exercise programs - short ones (10 minutes) long ones, cardi, aerobics, kick boxing, yoga, pilates, dance, you name it. Its really cool!
So today, I decided to play around with it. First, I picked a cardio dance mini (10 min) work out. (I thought Cori would like dancing with me.) The workout itself was challenging and fun and I enjoyed doing it, but Cori wasn't into it so much. But she was occupying herself torturing the dog, so after I finished the first workout, I decided to do a mini yoga workout.
Again, I enjoyed the workout... and so did Cori! She was more interested in doing the yoga with me then the other one! Well for a while anyway, until she decided to just come and sit on top of me while I finished the workout. Yeah, the extra weight helped burn more calories, I'm sure!
Anyway, I know its weird, but when its so easy to access the workout (just like picking a show to watch on, sigh, tivo...) I am more motivated to do it... if I can sit from my lazy ass and click it on, rather then have to get up and walk all the way over to the dvd case, set up the system to play a dvd which involves pushing, you know, like 3 buttons, putting the dvd in, sigh, what a pain (stop laughing!!!)
Plus its new stuff, and so many options, so I can try new stuff each time!
It is pretty cool!
Anyways, Cori is on the other room screaming, "Belle!" and Belle is in here pleading with me with her big brown puppy dog eyes...I best go intervene.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Really???
Wow! I just checked my blog and saw that I haven't published here in a month! That 4th of July post isn't going to cut it! What have I been up to??? Well, I admit, It has been pretty hectic since that last post about my all time favorite Sex and the City episode.
First there was end of the year stuff. Which of course means report cards, goodbye stuff for my kids, thank you cards.
Then there was the fact that I was leaving for Florida the day after school let out, which means that the stuff I normally do on check out day Ihad to have done early... so I was at school packing things up and putting stuff away. I also had to pack for Florida.
Then June 22 hit and I was on a plane to Florida, finally relaxing! I just got back Saturday... so... there. All caught up!
First there was end of the year stuff. Which of course means report cards, goodbye stuff for my kids, thank you cards.
Then there was the fact that I was leaving for Florida the day after school let out, which means that the stuff I normally do on check out day Ihad to have done early... so I was at school packing things up and putting stuff away. I also had to pack for Florida.
Then June 22 hit and I was on a plane to Florida, finally relaxing! I just got back Saturday... so... there. All caught up!
Happy 4th of July!
One thing I love about living in Huntington Beach is our annual 4th of July Parade. It is so neat being there!
Belle and Kanga were such good puppies at the parade today! It was hot already, but luckily our friends showed up - and had umbrellas, so Bellers could sit in the shade. She wasn't always too sure about those drums, but she did good!
Happy 4th of July!
Belle and Kanga were such good puppies at the parade today! It was hot already, but luckily our friends showed up - and had umbrellas, so Bellers could sit in the shade. She wasn't always too sure about those drums, but she did good!
Happy 4th of July!
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
One
Season 6 Episode 12 -
Best episode so far. I actually cried. Please let them stay together until the end of the season!!!
Best episode so far. I actually cried. Please let them stay together until the end of the season!!!
Sex in the City
Old to many, new to me..
Grant's Aunt got the Sex and the City Seasons 1-6 on dvd and she generously lends them to me. I started watching in January and really enjoyed the first few seasons... But starting at Season 4 I got hooked.
I swear to God, I spent 5 months on he first 3 and a half seasons and in the last two weeks I zoomed through the rest of 4, and 5, and now I am on episode 9 of season 6. AAAHHH
There is one major thing driving me... Miranda and Steve!!! I have loved them since they first dated and, well, they HAVE to get together!!!!!!!!!! They have to!!! This has to be one of the most HAVE TO moments of TV history. I know you all know. Please don't ruin it for me! Just be waiting for my screams of joy or shouts of frustration!
Grant's Aunt got the Sex and the City Seasons 1-6 on dvd and she generously lends them to me. I started watching in January and really enjoyed the first few seasons... But starting at Season 4 I got hooked.
I swear to God, I spent 5 months on he first 3 and a half seasons and in the last two weeks I zoomed through the rest of 4, and 5, and now I am on episode 9 of season 6. AAAHHH
There is one major thing driving me... Miranda and Steve!!! I have loved them since they first dated and, well, they HAVE to get together!!!!!!!!!! They have to!!! This has to be one of the most HAVE TO moments of TV history. I know you all know. Please don't ruin it for me! Just be waiting for my screams of joy or shouts of frustration!
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Graduation
High school
I graduated ten years ago
So much has changed
Yet my fear of them stays the same.
So freakin odd.
Michelle graduated from 8th grade today.
It was so interesting to see her today.
Such a beautiful, intelligent young woman,
and yet a little girl...
She knows so much
She thinks she knows so much
This odd gap with us, a distance -
So much has changed,
so much stays the same.
Two weeks left,
and my students will be
6th graders..
another ending
another beginning
For one who hates change
hates goodbyes
hates endings,
hates new beginnings
I sure picked an odd career.
I graduated ten years ago
So much has changed
Yet my fear of them stays the same.
So freakin odd.
Michelle graduated from 8th grade today.
It was so interesting to see her today.
Such a beautiful, intelligent young woman,
and yet a little girl...
She knows so much
She thinks she knows so much
This odd gap with us, a distance -
So much has changed,
so much stays the same.
Two weeks left,
and my students will be
6th graders..
another ending
another beginning
For one who hates change
hates goodbyes
hates endings,
hates new beginnings
I sure picked an odd career.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
7th Heaven Returns
Thank goodness. After such a horrible season finale, 7th Heaven has a chance to redeem itself.
It has been picked up on the CW Network for one more season. My Monday nights will be complete again.
It has been picked up on the CW Network for one more season. My Monday nights will be complete again.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
I can't dance
My students are learning a dance to "Men in Black" for our school's dance festival.
I am trying to learn it too.
Pitiful reminder of how bad I am at dancing.
I want to make a family website this summer.
Reformat the wedding site into a family one.
Not exactly sure what I want on it yet.
I am reading "Creating Family Websites for Dummies..."
I got me a nice sunburn this weekend, while sitting outside to read The DaVinci Code.
Very painful on my legs.
I'm so stoopid.
16 days of school left.
Two weeks.
Two half weeks.
Yikes.
Summer. Takes forever to come.
Flies by so fast.
I live my life like I play the Sims.
Looking impatiently forward to what will come next,
instead of enjoying the moment.
When will my Sims graduate from University?
Will their marriage plans work out?
What kids will they have?
When will my next vacation be?
How long until summer?
When is Cafe Oreleans reopening at Disneyland?
Bad habit I need to break.
"After all that we've been through, I know we're cool"
I am trying to learn it too.
Pitiful reminder of how bad I am at dancing.
I want to make a family website this summer.
Reformat the wedding site into a family one.
Not exactly sure what I want on it yet.
I am reading "Creating Family Websites for Dummies..."
I got me a nice sunburn this weekend, while sitting outside to read The DaVinci Code.
Very painful on my legs.
I'm so stoopid.
16 days of school left.
Two weeks.
Two half weeks.
Yikes.
Summer. Takes forever to come.
Flies by so fast.
I live my life like I play the Sims.
Looking impatiently forward to what will come next,
instead of enjoying the moment.
When will my Sims graduate from University?
Will their marriage plans work out?
What kids will they have?
When will my next vacation be?
How long until summer?
When is Cafe Oreleans reopening at Disneyland?
Bad habit I need to break.
"After all that we've been through, I know we're cool"
Sunday, May 28, 2006
The DaVinci Code
In the past eight days I have:
Seen The DaVinci Code movie
Attended a talk by Josh McDowell at a nearby Church
Read a book called "The DaVinci Code: A Quest for Answers" by Josh McDowell
Reread "The DaVinci Code", by Dan Brown
I had planned to blog about my reaction to all of these things put together, but I feel as though the blog would be inadequate. My hope was to have some equal examination of both points of view: The theories presented in The DaVinci Code and why parts of them could be plausible, and the point of view that these theories are absolutely fictional in basis.
I understand that much more evidence than this would be needed to really come up with a historical response, but I was hoping to just come up with an intellectual one.
Unfortunately, I found McDowell's book, overall, to be extremely unhelpful.
First of all, it seemed to me that the McDowell was too interested in laughing at the characters and making subtle digs at the author. I could have done without the cheap shots.
Secondly, he tries to point out Brown's inaccuracies with a few examples of mistakes Brown made when describing architecture (the same examples he used both in his speech and in his book.) However, I was astounded to realize when I reread the novel, that Brown points out hundreds of "clues," and McDowell seems only to be able to refute a few of them. Not very convincing.
Granted, Brown claims at the beginning of his book that all descriptions of architecture and art are accurate and McDowell was able to find one mistake that I have confirmed thus far.
Next, McDowell sometimes argues irrelevant claims. I am not sure why he chooses to dispute claims that aren’t made in the book. For example:
McDowell states that Silas is referred to as a monk but that there are no monks in Opus Dei. However, the book refers to Silas as a monk because of the way he dresses, but when he officially announces himself, (or anyone officially talks about him) he is then referred to as a "brother," or a "numerary", which Opus Dei does have. So he is arguing a moot point. Brown never states in his book that Opus Dei has monks. He describes Silas as a monk from other's perspectives because that is how he appears.
Finally, and most irritatingly, every time McDowell made a really good point that I wanted to follow up on, he would reference me to another DaVinci code debunking book. How irritating. He complains about Dan Brown's sources, and yet many of his own (and most of which that claimed really intriguing points) simply refer to other authors who are clearly writing with the same agenda: "The Truth behind the DaVinci Code", "Breaking the DaVinci Code," "The DaVinci Deception," "DaVinci, Fact or Fiction." etc. This is not to say they are his only references. McDowell has many more. But again, almost every time he stated a fact and sited it that I was curious about the source, it was one of these books. Very frustrating.
So, as such, I do not recommend McDowell's book. Also, I feel I have much more research to do to look for the answer I want. If the authors of all these DaVinci-bunking books are merely a ring of authors quoting each other, I may have a problem. We'll see.
“…every faith in the world is based on fabrication. That is the definition of faith – acceptance of that which we imagine to be true, that which we can not prove. Every religion describes God through metaphor, allegory, and exaggeration, from the early Egyptians through modern Sunday school. Metaphors are a way to help our minds process the unprocessible. The problems arise when we begin to believe literally in our own metaphors.” – The DaVinci Code
Seen The DaVinci Code movie
Attended a talk by Josh McDowell at a nearby Church
Read a book called "The DaVinci Code: A Quest for Answers" by Josh McDowell
Reread "The DaVinci Code", by Dan Brown
I had planned to blog about my reaction to all of these things put together, but I feel as though the blog would be inadequate. My hope was to have some equal examination of both points of view: The theories presented in The DaVinci Code and why parts of them could be plausible, and the point of view that these theories are absolutely fictional in basis.
I understand that much more evidence than this would be needed to really come up with a historical response, but I was hoping to just come up with an intellectual one.
Unfortunately, I found McDowell's book, overall, to be extremely unhelpful.
First of all, it seemed to me that the McDowell was too interested in laughing at the characters and making subtle digs at the author. I could have done without the cheap shots.
Secondly, he tries to point out Brown's inaccuracies with a few examples of mistakes Brown made when describing architecture (the same examples he used both in his speech and in his book.) However, I was astounded to realize when I reread the novel, that Brown points out hundreds of "clues," and McDowell seems only to be able to refute a few of them. Not very convincing.
Granted, Brown claims at the beginning of his book that all descriptions of architecture and art are accurate and McDowell was able to find one mistake that I have confirmed thus far.
Next, McDowell sometimes argues irrelevant claims. I am not sure why he chooses to dispute claims that aren’t made in the book. For example:
McDowell states that Silas is referred to as a monk but that there are no monks in Opus Dei. However, the book refers to Silas as a monk because of the way he dresses, but when he officially announces himself, (or anyone officially talks about him) he is then referred to as a "brother," or a "numerary", which Opus Dei does have. So he is arguing a moot point. Brown never states in his book that Opus Dei has monks. He describes Silas as a monk from other's perspectives because that is how he appears.
Finally, and most irritatingly, every time McDowell made a really good point that I wanted to follow up on, he would reference me to another DaVinci code debunking book. How irritating. He complains about Dan Brown's sources, and yet many of his own (and most of which that claimed really intriguing points) simply refer to other authors who are clearly writing with the same agenda: "The Truth behind the DaVinci Code", "Breaking the DaVinci Code," "The DaVinci Deception," "DaVinci, Fact or Fiction." etc. This is not to say they are his only references. McDowell has many more. But again, almost every time he stated a fact and sited it that I was curious about the source, it was one of these books. Very frustrating.
So, as such, I do not recommend McDowell's book. Also, I feel I have much more research to do to look for the answer I want. If the authors of all these DaVinci-bunking books are merely a ring of authors quoting each other, I may have a problem. We'll see.
“…every faith in the world is based on fabrication. That is the definition of faith – acceptance of that which we imagine to be true, that which we can not prove. Every religion describes God through metaphor, allegory, and exaggeration, from the early Egyptians through modern Sunday school. Metaphors are a way to help our minds process the unprocessible. The problems arise when we begin to believe literally in our own metaphors.” – The DaVinci Code
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
The Da Vinci Code Message Boards
I've been hanging out over at the Da Vinci Code message boards on the IMDB and I have found some thread titles that were quite amusing.
For example:
"Is atheism a religion?"
"There is more truth to the Da Vinci Code then the Bible, True or False?"
"what has God done for us lately? Let's see..."
"The DaVinci COde is setting the stage for the Antichrist!!!"
"I bet a lot more athiests will be praying..."
"Why Christianity is fake"
"Who are you guys talking to"
"This is about movies. Not GAYS or RELIGION please respect"
"To all the ITS JUST FICTION parrots"
"STOP IT! I'M JEWISH! AAAAGGGHHHH!"
"If we evolved from monkeys, how come there are still monkeys today?"
"Can anyone be intelligent and religious?"
"Why did God give us unwanted body hair if we came from Adam and Eve?"
"INTELLIGENT DESIGN"
"Regarding all the "Why do Christians say I'm going to hell" questions."
"This book was written on a fourth grade reading level."
"Jesus Saves"
"Athiests - IF GOD WERE PROVEN TO EXIST"
"You guys need therapy"
For example:
"Is atheism a religion?"
"There is more truth to the Da Vinci Code then the Bible, True or False?"
"what has God done for us lately? Let's see..."
"The DaVinci COde is setting the stage for the Antichrist!!!"
"I bet a lot more athiests will be praying..."
"Why Christianity is fake"
"Who are you guys talking to"
"This is about movies. Not GAYS or RELIGION please respect"
"To all the ITS JUST FICTION parrots"
"STOP IT! I'M JEWISH! AAAAGGGHHHH!"
"If we evolved from monkeys, how come there are still monkeys today?"
"Can anyone be intelligent and religious?"
"Why did God give us unwanted body hair if we came from Adam and Eve?"
"INTELLIGENT DESIGN"
"Regarding all the "Why do Christians say I'm going to hell" questions."
"This book was written on a fourth grade reading level."
"Jesus Saves"
"Athiests - IF GOD WERE PROVEN TO EXIST"
"You guys need therapy"
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Hooray for Hollywood
So this weekend, Grant and I went to LA! We took the train up after school on Friday (It was very close, the train pulled up a minute after we got on the platform... yikes!)
We arrived at Union sation and took the redline to Hollywood and Highland and checked into the Marriott Reniassance Hotel at Hollywood and Highland. Our room was on the 14th floor, overlooking the Hollywood hills.
Then we hopped back on the redline and took it to Hollywood and Vine, where we walked to the Cinerama Dome in Hollywood to see The Da Vinci Code. COmplete with protesters and a news van. Sweet!
After the movie we went to dinner at Miceli's Restaurant which was very cool, complete with a piano player and at an opera singer and great Italian food.
Finally, we swung by Coldstone Creamery at Hollywood and Highland before heading abck to our room to watch some TV and go to bed.
On Saturday we went to Universal Studios. We went ahead and got an Annual Pass, which is good because Fear Factor Live was closed, and that was the one thing we wanted to see because it was new since we'd last been.
And I was SO excited (Ok my nerdiness comes out, again, here) on the tram tour we went by the old courthouse square... you know, my favorite part where the clock tower scenes from Back to the Future were filmed... Yeah, well its dressed up for something else, and it happens to be one of my current favorite TV shows... Ghost Whisperer!!! The courthouse Sqare is the Grandview Mainstreet, complete with the plants, the memorial in the middle, and on the left "Same as it Never Was" antiques shop!!! AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!! How cool is that???
We left Universal at about 6 and had dinner at the City Walk before catching the redline back to our hotel to pick up our bag, and then taking the redline to the Union Sation to catch the Amtrak home.
What a great weekend, and I still have all day today!
We arrived at Union sation and took the redline to Hollywood and Highland and checked into the Marriott Reniassance Hotel at Hollywood and Highland. Our room was on the 14th floor, overlooking the Hollywood hills.
Then we hopped back on the redline and took it to Hollywood and Vine, where we walked to the Cinerama Dome in Hollywood to see The Da Vinci Code. COmplete with protesters and a news van. Sweet!
After the movie we went to dinner at Miceli's Restaurant which was very cool, complete with a piano player and at an opera singer and great Italian food.
Finally, we swung by Coldstone Creamery at Hollywood and Highland before heading abck to our room to watch some TV and go to bed.
On Saturday we went to Universal Studios. We went ahead and got an Annual Pass, which is good because Fear Factor Live was closed, and that was the one thing we wanted to see because it was new since we'd last been.
And I was SO excited (Ok my nerdiness comes out, again, here) on the tram tour we went by the old courthouse square... you know, my favorite part where the clock tower scenes from Back to the Future were filmed... Yeah, well its dressed up for something else, and it happens to be one of my current favorite TV shows... Ghost Whisperer!!! The courthouse Sqare is the Grandview Mainstreet, complete with the plants, the memorial in the middle, and on the left "Same as it Never Was" antiques shop!!! AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!! How cool is that???
We left Universal at about 6 and had dinner at the City Walk before catching the redline back to our hotel to pick up our bag, and then taking the redline to the Union Sation to catch the Amtrak home.
What a great weekend, and I still have all day today!
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Amazing Race Finale?
I can't take this stress!
Will it be TTOW or Damn you frat boys???
Crap!!! This is a great final task!!!
breathe breathe breathe
Please we REALLY need a good season ending this year!!!!
TTOW!!!!!!!!!!
YES!!!!!!! THE HIPPIES ROCK!!!! THE HIPPIES HAVE WON!!!!!!
SEE, GOOD WILL ALWAYS CONQUER!!!!
Will it be TTOW or Damn you frat boys???
Crap!!! This is a great final task!!!
breathe breathe breathe
Please we REALLY need a good season ending this year!!!!
TTOW!!!!!!!!!!
YES!!!!!!! THE HIPPIES ROCK!!!! THE HIPPIES HAVE WON!!!!!!
SEE, GOOD WILL ALWAYS CONQUER!!!!
why i do not like the frat brothers
Ok, the frat brothers are like mean ol' bullies. They are just like those jerks who keep talking trying to make people feel bad and deflect what they've done.
You know those people. They are jerks, and do jerky things. And then, someone plays along, follows thier game, jumps in... so the jerks wine and loudly talk abou what the other people did, becasue they are mad that they got a taste of their own medicine. They're goal is to embarrass and make the others feel guilty.
The worst part about jerks like that is when they prey on those that actually have a conscience... because the guilt trip can sometimes work.
When BJ and Tyler beat the frat boys in a paddle race to the pit stop, the boys were embarrassed and angry that they'd lost, and loudly in fromt of Phil, complained that the hippies were "playing dirty" because they mislead the frat boys about a clue... Thne frat boys saying the hippies are playing dirty? Thats the pot calling the kettle black... the frat boys once called the taxi company and canceled everyone's taxis! The most annoying thing was that they wouldn't shut up about it! It was irritiating...
God, I hope the hippies win!
TTOW!!!!!
You know those people. They are jerks, and do jerky things. And then, someone plays along, follows thier game, jumps in... so the jerks wine and loudly talk abou what the other people did, becasue they are mad that they got a taste of their own medicine. They're goal is to embarrass and make the others feel guilty.
The worst part about jerks like that is when they prey on those that actually have a conscience... because the guilt trip can sometimes work.
When BJ and Tyler beat the frat boys in a paddle race to the pit stop, the boys were embarrassed and angry that they'd lost, and loudly in fromt of Phil, complained that the hippies were "playing dirty" because they mislead the frat boys about a clue... Thne frat boys saying the hippies are playing dirty? Thats the pot calling the kettle black... the frat boys once called the taxi company and canceled everyone's taxis! The most annoying thing was that they wouldn't shut up about it! It was irritiating...
God, I hope the hippies win!
TTOW!!!!!
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Subscribers!
Well, Its official. Grant and I are subscribers to the Orange County Performing Arts Center Broadway series. WOW!
Grant and I have talked about it often in the past, but we've always opted not to, due to the expense.
This year, I had decided to get the tickets for Grant and I for my first year anniversey present to him (built in dates throughout the year, plus, traditionally, the first year gift is supposed to be paper, right?)
SO last week, Grant says to me, "Hey! Let's get season tickets to the broadway season at the Performing Arts Center!"
"Well," I stutter, "Isn't it kind of expensive?"
"Come on, we've talked about it, and I know you want to!"
sigh. "yes Grant. I do..." IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE YOUR ANNIVERSERY GIFT!!! grr..
Well, see, on the bright side, that's why we belong together. We think alike, and like the same stuff!
So this season, we will be seeing:
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Sweet Charity starring Molly Ringwald
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Annie
The Light in the Piazza
All Shook Up
Pippin
Chita Rivera - A Dancer's Life
Mamma Mia!
Riverdance
Grant and I have talked about it often in the past, but we've always opted not to, due to the expense.
This year, I had decided to get the tickets for Grant and I for my first year anniversey present to him (built in dates throughout the year, plus, traditionally, the first year gift is supposed to be paper, right?)
SO last week, Grant says to me, "Hey! Let's get season tickets to the broadway season at the Performing Arts Center!"
"Well," I stutter, "Isn't it kind of expensive?"
"Come on, we've talked about it, and I know you want to!"
sigh. "yes Grant. I do..." IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE YOUR ANNIVERSERY GIFT!!! grr..
Well, see, on the bright side, that's why we belong together. We think alike, and like the same stuff!
So this season, we will be seeing:
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Sweet Charity starring Molly Ringwald
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Annie
The Light in the Piazza
All Shook Up
Pippin
Chita Rivera - A Dancer's Life
Mamma Mia!
Riverdance
Monday, May 08, 2006
And the most disappointing finale ever goes to...
The 7th Heaven Series Finale was tonight, and it was majorly dissapointing.
The first 50 minutes (of the one hour episode, mind you) was the same Simon and Rose, will they or won't they get married debate. Sigh. Then, they come back from a commercial, and show everyone at the reception!! (Waaaa? What happened to the wedding? Well they keep us guessing for the next 8 minutes...)
In the mean time, they squeeze in that Matt and Sarah are pregnant with twin boys, Lucy and Kevin are pregnant with twin boys, oh and Carlos and Mary (who calls - and doesn't even join the family in person) are back together and, guess what? They're pregnant with twin girls.
Uh huh...
SO then, Sandy shows up with her baby and Simon explains that he and Rose were NOT married. They both realized that they shouldn't go into a marriage so undecided. (Good decision - 1 thing that made me happy)
And then Sandy says, "Did Rose talk to you about the baby?"
Simon says, "No.."
and Sandy says, "We need to talk." and the freakin episode ends. Waaaa???
So lets start with the positive:
Rose and Simon don't get married.
Carlos and Mary are back together.
Mary is suprising her parents with the fact that she is graduating from college.
Mary, Sarah, and Lucy are pregnant.
The negatives:
Mary, Sarah, and Lucy are pregnant... with twins (how unbelievably cheesy corny retarded is that? You could argue that fraternal twins are genetic, but that doesn't exactly help Sarah's case... and besides... at the same time??? whatever.)
Mary comes back for a "what if" sequence with the family, but doesn't appear in real time with the family... which she should have... this is the series finale! A phone call doesn't cut it! I'm glad Jessica Biel came back for the episode, but it should have been more connection with her family. Even if she only came in at the very end. It would not have been unlikely for her to show up for a wedding.
Dropping a bomb by implying that Simon might be the father of Sandy's baby. I mean, I understand that they want us to realize that life with the Camdens is going to continue, but seriously... a bomb like that in the series finale?? Totally unneeded. That's more like a season finale cliff hanger. Series finales are supposed to tie up loose ends, not create a bunch more!
Where was Martin?
No emotion. Except for a couple of flashbacks, there was very little different about this episode then any other. I didn't get all weepy (I can cry at the drop of a hat, especially on goodbye episodes...) I mean, it was so empty, with so much crammed in the last 10 minutes, most of which was idiotic.
that's it??
I seriously hope the show comes back on the new CW station. That the script was so bad, because they really believed that they were coming back, so they left a cliff hanger...
If this was truly the last episode, they should have ended it with Matt and Sarah's graduation from Med School, which was happening the next day, or with Mary's graduation, or some big momentous ceremony or event, that left us believing that life was good, the family was together for a special event, and some hints about the heppy future they would have together...
...an ending is not a 50 minute, will-they won't-they build up to a half-assed wedding that didn't even happen... followed by 10 minutes of hurried conversations to tie up loose ends in the crappiest manner possible, only to put the icing on the cake by dropping a bomb that could totally alter the course of a major character's life...
...and not one tear. Not even a sniffle.
The first 50 minutes (of the one hour episode, mind you) was the same Simon and Rose, will they or won't they get married debate. Sigh. Then, they come back from a commercial, and show everyone at the reception!! (Waaaa? What happened to the wedding? Well they keep us guessing for the next 8 minutes...)
In the mean time, they squeeze in that Matt and Sarah are pregnant with twin boys, Lucy and Kevin are pregnant with twin boys, oh and Carlos and Mary (who calls - and doesn't even join the family in person) are back together and, guess what? They're pregnant with twin girls.
Uh huh...
SO then, Sandy shows up with her baby and Simon explains that he and Rose were NOT married. They both realized that they shouldn't go into a marriage so undecided. (Good decision - 1 thing that made me happy)
And then Sandy says, "Did Rose talk to you about the baby?"
Simon says, "No.."
and Sandy says, "We need to talk." and the freakin episode ends. Waaaa???
So lets start with the positive:
Rose and Simon don't get married.
Carlos and Mary are back together.
Mary is suprising her parents with the fact that she is graduating from college.
Mary, Sarah, and Lucy are pregnant.
The negatives:
Mary, Sarah, and Lucy are pregnant... with twins (how unbelievably cheesy corny retarded is that? You could argue that fraternal twins are genetic, but that doesn't exactly help Sarah's case... and besides... at the same time??? whatever.)
Mary comes back for a "what if" sequence with the family, but doesn't appear in real time with the family... which she should have... this is the series finale! A phone call doesn't cut it! I'm glad Jessica Biel came back for the episode, but it should have been more connection with her family. Even if she only came in at the very end. It would not have been unlikely for her to show up for a wedding.
Dropping a bomb by implying that Simon might be the father of Sandy's baby. I mean, I understand that they want us to realize that life with the Camdens is going to continue, but seriously... a bomb like that in the series finale?? Totally unneeded. That's more like a season finale cliff hanger. Series finales are supposed to tie up loose ends, not create a bunch more!
Where was Martin?
No emotion. Except for a couple of flashbacks, there was very little different about this episode then any other. I didn't get all weepy (I can cry at the drop of a hat, especially on goodbye episodes...) I mean, it was so empty, with so much crammed in the last 10 minutes, most of which was idiotic.
that's it??
I seriously hope the show comes back on the new CW station. That the script was so bad, because they really believed that they were coming back, so they left a cliff hanger...
If this was truly the last episode, they should have ended it with Matt and Sarah's graduation from Med School, which was happening the next day, or with Mary's graduation, or some big momentous ceremony or event, that left us believing that life was good, the family was together for a special event, and some hints about the heppy future they would have together...
...an ending is not a 50 minute, will-they won't-they build up to a half-assed wedding that didn't even happen... followed by 10 minutes of hurried conversations to tie up loose ends in the crappiest manner possible, only to put the icing on the cake by dropping a bomb that could totally alter the course of a major character's life...
...and not one tear. Not even a sniffle.
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Vote for your favorite Survivor
Watch Survivor? Terry made it to the final four, which by default gets him to the final 3. hee hee.
Anyways you can vote for your favorite Survivor to win a new GMC.
I voted for Cerie, because Terry already won. It was between Cerie and Dan, the astronaut for me, and I thought with three younger kids she could possibly use it more.
Anyways you can vote for your favorite Survivor to win a new GMC.
I voted for Cerie, because Terry already won. It was between Cerie and Dan, the astronaut for me, and I thought with three younger kids she could possibly use it more.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Hodge Podge
I love the new Strawberry Mini-wheats. They're not as good as the old kind, but I dig them.
I rode my bike home from school yesterday. That was fun. I might try to do that once or twice a week. It really wiped me out, though.
I am so sad Paris was voted off American Idol. I think she is SO GOOD, and truly an American Idol.
I love 24, but it stresses me out so much!!! I almost bit Grant's head off the other night while I was watching it because he asked me a question in the middle of a particularly stressful part.
I hate state testing.
I am SO EXCITED that Rosie is going to be on The View in September.
Bye now.
I rode my bike home from school yesterday. That was fun. I might try to do that once or twice a week. It really wiped me out, though.
I am so sad Paris was voted off American Idol. I think she is SO GOOD, and truly an American Idol.
I love 24, but it stresses me out so much!!! I almost bit Grant's head off the other night while I was watching it because he asked me a question in the middle of a particularly stressful part.
I hate state testing.
I am SO EXCITED that Rosie is going to be on The View in September.
Bye now.
Friday, April 28, 2006
BJ and Tyler
I LOVE BJ and Tyler. LOVE THEM!
Here's why: They are so friendly. They are so nice and goofy and happy-go-lucky.
But what I really love is that they have learned to say something (at the very least, "thank you,") in the language of all of the countries they visited. AND THEY USE IT!!!
Often times, people will know how to use the language but not actually do it (so often you hear them say thank you in English with attempting the other language... in the case of The Race, it could very well be the stress of racing, being in a hurry... but often it is being nervous about saing it wrong, or just not knowing it or whatever...
BJ and Tyler are SO GRACIOUS!!! They ALWAYS talk to the locals and always say something in that language. I LOVE that about them... They are so fun and happy and unselfconscious and friendly.
They are my All Time favorite Racers
Here's why: They are so friendly. They are so nice and goofy and happy-go-lucky.
But what I really love is that they have learned to say something (at the very least, "thank you,") in the language of all of the countries they visited. AND THEY USE IT!!!
Often times, people will know how to use the language but not actually do it (so often you hear them say thank you in English with attempting the other language... in the case of The Race, it could very well be the stress of racing, being in a hurry... but often it is being nervous about saing it wrong, or just not knowing it or whatever...
BJ and Tyler are SO GRACIOUS!!! They ALWAYS talk to the locals and always say something in that language. I LOVE that about them... They are so fun and happy and unselfconscious and friendly.
They are my All Time favorite Racers
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Glad I'm an HB Barbie
Irvine Barbie
This princess Barbie is only sold at The Irvine Spectrum. She comes
With an assortment of Louis Vuitton handbags, a Lexus SUV, a toy dog named Honey, and a cookie-cutter house. Available with or without tummy tuck and face lift. Workaholic Ken sold only in conjunction with "augmented" version.
Orange Barbie
This modern-day homemaker Barbie is available with Ford Windstar
Minivan and white silouette stickers of family members on the rear
window. Known as a "soccer mom" she gets lost easily and has no full time occupation or secondary education. Has PTA membership and comes with Tupperware accessories. Cell phone sold separately.
Garden Grove Barbie
In addition to perfect English, this Barbie also speaks fluent
Japanese, Vietnamese, Chinese, Mandarin and Tagalog. Comes with her own
street-racing import car, complete with Japanese animation decals. Large collection of video games sold separately. Careers or homes for this Barbie are not available, because she will stay with her parents until they die. If you purchase a Ken doll, he must move into her family's home and wait for their inheritance.
Buena Park Barbie
This recently paroled former "Porn Actress" Barbie comes with a 9mm
handgun, a Ray Lewis knife, a Chevy with dark tinted windows, and a
meth lab kit. This model is only available after dark and can only be
paid for in cash.
Tustin Ranch Barbie
This yuppie Blond Barbie comes with your choice of a convertible
Mercedes AMG55 or a Cadillac Escalade. Included are her own Starbucks cup, credit card, and Curves membership. Comes also with Giorgio Armani fragrance, Gucci bag and Kate Spade sunglasses. Additional options for this set are Shallow Ken and Private School Skipper. (You won't be able to afford any of them).
Yorba Linda Barbie
This brunette Barbie is the sister to Tustin Ranch Barbie and comes
with or without highlig hts. She comes with a BMW convertible or Hummer H2, Kenneth Cole Sunglasses, a Country Club Membership, and a Pier 1 credit line. Options for Yorba Linda Barbie are the Shiseido makeup kit; the Bvlgari jewelry set, or the Prada shoe collection. Yorba Linda Barbie has optional yuppie Ken doll complete with Corvette, hair gel and Rolex watch.
Newport Beach Barbie
This collagen injected, rhinoplastic Barbie wears an Yves Saint Laurent leopard print bikini outfit and drinks cosmopolitans while entertaining friends at the beach house. Percocet prescription and monthly alimony checks are included. This Barbie is only sold in Fashion Island.
Laguna Beach Barbie
This doll comes complete with craft set. She has long straight brown
hair, archless feet, no makeup, and Birkenstocks with white socks. She prefers that you call her "Willow." She does not want or need a Ken doll, but if you purchase two Laguna Beach Barbie's, you get a rainbow flag sticker free.
Long Beach Barbie
This Barbie now comes with a stroller and infant doll. Optional
accessories include a GED and a bus pass. Gangsta Ken and his '79 Caddy were available, but are now very difficult to find since the addition of an infant.
Huntington Beach Barbie
This very tan Barbie comes with string bikini, wet suit, 3 friendship
bracelets and surfboard. An MP3 player, Blockbuster video membership, pair of Vans and a beach cruiser are also included. Optional is her Lifeguard Yellow Ford Ranger with board rack (free KROQ sticker included!) Spicolli Ken can be purchased separately and comes with Hawaiian shirt and board shorts.
Rancho Santa Margarita Barbie
She 's perfect in every way. Her home is perfect. Her family is perfect. Comes with a part time job to earn her own spending money and a bible for church on Sundays. Also has a pre-assigned carpool day. We don't know who Ken is because he's always away hunting or biking or something...
Santa Ana Barbie
This Spanish-speaking-only Barbie comes with a 1984 Toyota with
expired temporary plates and three baby Barbies in the back seat, but
no car seats. The optional Ken doll comes with a meat-packer's uniform and is missing three fingers on his left hand. Green cards are not available for Santa Ana Barbie or Ken.
OUT OF TOWN BARBIES:
Fontana Barbie
This pale model comes dressed in low rise Levi's, a NASCAR shirt, and a Tweety Bird tattoo on her shoulder. She has a six-pack of Coors Light and a Hank Williams, Jr. CD set. She can spit over 5 feet and
kick mullet-haired Ken's ass when she is drunk. A mobile home is also
available.
Norco Barbie
This tobacco chewing, brassy-haired Barbie comes with her own horse and dog! Her ensemble includes pair of Wrangler jeans (2 sizes too small), straw hat, fake rhinestone belt and belt buckle bought from the local paw n shop. Purchase her pickup truck separately and get a confederate flag bumper sticker absolutely free!
Hemet Barbie
This aging Barbie is best kept indoors. She comes complete with wire
grocery stroller, Omni Trans bus pass, food stamps, coupon book and
sewing machine. Optional mobile home comes with choice of colored rock and various cactus varieties.
West Hollywood
Barbie/Ken
This versatile doll can be easily converted from Barbie to Ken by
Simply adding or subtracting the multiple "snap-on" parts.
This princess Barbie is only sold at The Irvine Spectrum. She comes
With an assortment of Louis Vuitton handbags, a Lexus SUV, a toy dog named Honey, and a cookie-cutter house. Available with or without tummy tuck and face lift. Workaholic Ken sold only in conjunction with "augmented" version.
Orange Barbie
This modern-day homemaker Barbie is available with Ford Windstar
Minivan and white silouette stickers of family members on the rear
window. Known as a "soccer mom" she gets lost easily and has no full time occupation or secondary education. Has PTA membership and comes with Tupperware accessories. Cell phone sold separately.
Garden Grove Barbie
In addition to perfect English, this Barbie also speaks fluent
Japanese, Vietnamese, Chinese, Mandarin and Tagalog. Comes with her own
street-racing import car, complete with Japanese animation decals. Large collection of video games sold separately. Careers or homes for this Barbie are not available, because she will stay with her parents until they die. If you purchase a Ken doll, he must move into her family's home and wait for their inheritance.
Buena Park Barbie
This recently paroled former "Porn Actress" Barbie comes with a 9mm
handgun, a Ray Lewis knife, a Chevy with dark tinted windows, and a
meth lab kit. This model is only available after dark and can only be
paid for in cash.
Tustin Ranch Barbie
This yuppie Blond Barbie comes with your choice of a convertible
Mercedes AMG55 or a Cadillac Escalade. Included are her own Starbucks cup, credit card, and Curves membership. Comes also with Giorgio Armani fragrance, Gucci bag and Kate Spade sunglasses. Additional options for this set are Shallow Ken and Private School Skipper. (You won't be able to afford any of them).
Yorba Linda Barbie
This brunette Barbie is the sister to Tustin Ranch Barbie and comes
with or without highlig hts. She comes with a BMW convertible or Hummer H2, Kenneth Cole Sunglasses, a Country Club Membership, and a Pier 1 credit line. Options for Yorba Linda Barbie are the Shiseido makeup kit; the Bvlgari jewelry set, or the Prada shoe collection. Yorba Linda Barbie has optional yuppie Ken doll complete with Corvette, hair gel and Rolex watch.
Newport Beach Barbie
This collagen injected, rhinoplastic Barbie wears an Yves Saint Laurent leopard print bikini outfit and drinks cosmopolitans while entertaining friends at the beach house. Percocet prescription and monthly alimony checks are included. This Barbie is only sold in Fashion Island.
Laguna Beach Barbie
This doll comes complete with craft set. She has long straight brown
hair, archless feet, no makeup, and Birkenstocks with white socks. She prefers that you call her "Willow." She does not want or need a Ken doll, but if you purchase two Laguna Beach Barbie's, you get a rainbow flag sticker free.
Long Beach Barbie
This Barbie now comes with a stroller and infant doll. Optional
accessories include a GED and a bus pass. Gangsta Ken and his '79 Caddy were available, but are now very difficult to find since the addition of an infant.
Huntington Beach Barbie
This very tan Barbie comes with string bikini, wet suit, 3 friendship
bracelets and surfboard. An MP3 player, Blockbuster video membership, pair of Vans and a beach cruiser are also included. Optional is her Lifeguard Yellow Ford Ranger with board rack (free KROQ sticker included!) Spicolli Ken can be purchased separately and comes with Hawaiian shirt and board shorts.
Rancho Santa Margarita Barbie
She 's perfect in every way. Her home is perfect. Her family is perfect. Comes with a part time job to earn her own spending money and a bible for church on Sundays. Also has a pre-assigned carpool day. We don't know who Ken is because he's always away hunting or biking or something...
Santa Ana Barbie
This Spanish-speaking-only Barbie comes with a 1984 Toyota with
expired temporary plates and three baby Barbies in the back seat, but
no car seats. The optional Ken doll comes with a meat-packer's uniform and is missing three fingers on his left hand. Green cards are not available for Santa Ana Barbie or Ken.
OUT OF TOWN BARBIES:
Fontana Barbie
This pale model comes dressed in low rise Levi's, a NASCAR shirt, and a Tweety Bird tattoo on her shoulder. She has a six-pack of Coors Light and a Hank Williams, Jr. CD set. She can spit over 5 feet and
kick mullet-haired Ken's ass when she is drunk. A mobile home is also
available.
Norco Barbie
This tobacco chewing, brassy-haired Barbie comes with her own horse and dog! Her ensemble includes pair of Wrangler jeans (2 sizes too small), straw hat, fake rhinestone belt and belt buckle bought from the local paw n shop. Purchase her pickup truck separately and get a confederate flag bumper sticker absolutely free!
Hemet Barbie
This aging Barbie is best kept indoors. She comes complete with wire
grocery stroller, Omni Trans bus pass, food stamps, coupon book and
sewing machine. Optional mobile home comes with choice of colored rock and various cactus varieties.
West Hollywood
Barbie/Ken
This versatile doll can be easily converted from Barbie to Ken by
Simply adding or subtracting the multiple "snap-on" parts.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Happy Birthdays
Not long ago, Brooke Shields bravely shares with the world her battle with postpartum depression.
Tom Cruise gets on the Today show and tells the world that there is no such thing as chemical imbalances that need to be treated with drugs.
Brooke lives a happy, peaceful life with her family, and recieves kudos and support from many in the community who have faced similar battles.
Tom jumps on people's couches, and delivers unintelligible interviews which typically involve the interviewer asking a question, and Tom Cruise responding by staring down the interviewer with a glazed look, complete with a half-smile, before answering with incoherent statements that badly dodge what the interviewer was looking for.
(And this behavior is proof that drugs are not needed for chemical imbalances?)
Today, April 18, Brooke Shields gave birth to her second daughter, Grier.
Also today, April 18, Katie Holmes (Tom Cruise's fiancee) gives birth to their daughter, Suri.
Let's hope Katie doesn't suffer from any depression.
Let's hope Tom comes out of the closet.
Let's hope Suri isn't totally screwed up by the time she's 10.
Tom Cruise gets on the Today show and tells the world that there is no such thing as chemical imbalances that need to be treated with drugs.
Brooke lives a happy, peaceful life with her family, and recieves kudos and support from many in the community who have faced similar battles.
Tom jumps on people's couches, and delivers unintelligible interviews which typically involve the interviewer asking a question, and Tom Cruise responding by staring down the interviewer with a glazed look, complete with a half-smile, before answering with incoherent statements that badly dodge what the interviewer was looking for.
(And this behavior is proof that drugs are not needed for chemical imbalances?)
Today, April 18, Brooke Shields gave birth to her second daughter, Grier.
Also today, April 18, Katie Holmes (Tom Cruise's fiancee) gives birth to their daughter, Suri.
Let's hope Katie doesn't suffer from any depression.
Let's hope Tom comes out of the closet.
Let's hope Suri isn't totally screwed up by the time she's 10.
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
In Michigan
I'm in Michigan this week spending time with my mom and Bobby. We are having a blast. Lots of talking, lots of singing karaoke. Oh and I keep playing on their treadmill. I want a treadmill! We went shopping yesterday and I bought a really cute skirt that I am going to wear on my Mexico cruise this summer!
Poor Ginger is blind now. Her eyes are kinda freaky looking becasue they are all cloudy white and covered with cateracts. However (and I guess this sounds strange about a dog, and really, what other choice does she have?) but I just feel such a sense of pride and admiration in this dog. She could just sit in one place every day, but she doesn't... she still roams about the house and out in the back yard... she moves slowly and cautiously, but to navigate the world blind like she does, its amazing to see. I know many people who aren't as brave as this little dog is.
We are going to Skyline Chili tonight. I am SO excited. I am getting a four way (for those of you who don't know the lingo, a four way is spaghetti topped with chili, cheese and onions,) and a coney. YUMMERS! I can't wait!
I'm going to hop in the shower and we're going to go to the mall now. Bye!
Poor Ginger is blind now. Her eyes are kinda freaky looking becasue they are all cloudy white and covered with cateracts. However (and I guess this sounds strange about a dog, and really, what other choice does she have?) but I just feel such a sense of pride and admiration in this dog. She could just sit in one place every day, but she doesn't... she still roams about the house and out in the back yard... she moves slowly and cautiously, but to navigate the world blind like she does, its amazing to see. I know many people who aren't as brave as this little dog is.
We are going to Skyline Chili tonight. I am SO excited. I am getting a four way (for those of you who don't know the lingo, a four way is spaghetti topped with chili, cheese and onions,) and a coney. YUMMERS! I can't wait!
I'm going to hop in the shower and we're going to go to the mall now. Bye!
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Good Morning
I saw a rainbow this morning on may way to work. The bottom half in front of me led me all the way here. And then when I got out I was greeted by the whole arc.
Beautiful.
Beautiful.
Sunday, April 02, 2006
Crash
Wow. I just saw the movie Crash. What an amazing, thought provoking movie. It was, in many ways, painful to watch.
Perspective.
Moving.
SO many amazing, powerful scenes. So many seemingly minor, yet incredibly thought provoking.
The odd thing about this world is that you can never really get inside someone else's head.
I could go in and describe scene detail by detail and analyze it (like I am doing on the phone with my mom right now..) but I can't because I don't know if you've seen it.
See this movie.
I like facts. I like dealing in facts. I like dealing with what is. The rational. The logical.
But the problem is we live in a world of people. And not all people are rational or logical or factual. People are emotional. People are opinionated. People often rely more on their beliefs then anything else. And no facts can change that.
If someone believes that one race is superior to another, their beliefs are going to create an alternate reality, despite the fact that no race is superior.
If someone believes that being gay is wrong, then it is their beliefs that are creating the reality.
If someone believes that people on the street have a choice, then their beliefs create the reality, despite what may be true for each individual.
If someone believes that a person with a tatoo is morally indecent or trashy, then every person they meet with a tatoo has entered into the reality of that person.
People's opinions, people's beliefs, create their reality. But that reality extends beyond their lives. It reached out and touches others.
People hurt each other, disrespect each other, call each other names, honk at each other, spread anger and hate... because they believe the person they are doing it to... what? doesn't have feelings? deserves it? Was a born a certain color? Lives a certain lifestyle?
If someone is pissed off and decides to pull a gun on someone, no amount of fact or logic or reason is going to change that situation.
But what I really liked about the movie is it wasn't all about death. Death isn't the only bad thing that can happen when people's opinions invade into other's lives.
This is the world that our opinions and beliefs are creating.
Are we happy with it?
When I was in high school, my friend wrote me a letter once. She has a child. She is white, and the baby's father is black. My friend was worried about being a good mom. She didin't know how to raise her daughter... in the black culture or the white. I thought that was the most ridiculous thig I had ever heard. I wrote back that she should raise her daughter to be herself. Why does she have to be raised black or white? My friend wrote back, "You live in such a bubble out there in California. The real world isn't like that."
That line resonates in my head to this day. What does it mean? I grew up rarely seeing racism. Or did I? Maybe I BELIEVED that racism didn't exist, so I never saw it. Maybe my beliefs made me just as blind?
When I see a movie like Crash, I want to think that it can't really be true. People don't really treat each other like this. Do they? It doesn't make sense.
But then I start thinking about beliefs that I have heard... "She has a tatoo, wow she must be pretty messed up" "Isn't being Gay totally sick?" "Asian drivers" "illegals working at the drive through."
Sigh. I'm not living in a bubble. It exists all around me. And whether its a choice (tatoo, piercings,) you were born with it (your race), or the jury's still out (being homosexual), not a single one of these things, in and of itself, is a reason for hate, meaness, disrespect. Its only people's beliefs that make it such.
I know people with tatoos who wouldn't hurt a fly, who are caring and respectful. I know Asians who are good drivers. I know Mexicans who have come legally to America and worked hard to learn English so that they could work at drive throughs. And I know gay people who are more family oriented and moral then many straight people I know. I've seen them. I've had their children in my classrooms.
Why the tendancy to have opinions that assume the worst out of people?
What good does that do? To make a more peaceful, humane, better society, wouldn't it be better to assume the best of people?
Think of it this way. If you go into a situation where you think negatively, how hard does the other person have to work to make you change your mind and view it positively? On the other hand, if you assume a positive view and need to change your mind, well, it is a lot easier to change your view to the negative then to the positive.
Another point the movie brought up is those within a certain stereotype who choose to perpetuate it. In this movie, blacks who continue to steal and rob was a major example.
Some great examples:
1) Anthony: That waitress sized us up in two seconds. We're black and black people don't tip. So she wasn't gonna waste her time. Now somebody like that? Nothing you can do to change their mind.
Peter: So, uh... how much did you leave?
Anthony: You expect me to pay for that kind of service?
2)
Anthony: Look around! You couldn't find a whiter, safer or better lit part of this city. But this white woman sees two black guys, who look like UCLA students, strolling down the sidewalk and her reaction is blind fear. I mean, look at us! Are we dressed like gangbangers? Do we look threatening? No. Fact, if anybody should be scared, it's us: the only two black faces surrounded by a sea of over-caffeinated white people, patrolled by the triggerhappy LAPD. So, why aren't we scared?
Peter: Because we have guns?
Anthony: You could be right.
And the response, later in the movie?
Cameron: [to Anthony] Look at me. You embarrass me. You embarrass yourself.
SO true. When people behave badly, they perpetuate stereotypes. WHen someone does something wrong, it reflects on their type. Someone commits a crime? Well, its becasue their black, or Mexican, or an Asian gang banger, or a spoile rich white kid, or poor white trash, or a punker with tatoos and piercings...
So what else needs to change? Not just people's beliefs, but people's actions. Represent. Remember, for every action you take, you are representing. Yourself, your family, your culture, your community, your "type."
And what about those who truly do represent in a positive way, but are still assumed to be "less then..." Keep fighting the good fight, people. Its a vicious cycle. Don't fall into it.
Where am I going with this? Sigh. I don't know either. Maybe that's why Crash "ended" the way it did. Kind of like this blog. It didn't really end.
Officer Hanson: Something else funny?
Peter: [laughing] People, man... people.
Perspective.
Moving.
SO many amazing, powerful scenes. So many seemingly minor, yet incredibly thought provoking.
The odd thing about this world is that you can never really get inside someone else's head.
I could go in and describe scene detail by detail and analyze it (like I am doing on the phone with my mom right now..) but I can't because I don't know if you've seen it.
See this movie.
I like facts. I like dealing in facts. I like dealing with what is. The rational. The logical.
But the problem is we live in a world of people. And not all people are rational or logical or factual. People are emotional. People are opinionated. People often rely more on their beliefs then anything else. And no facts can change that.
If someone believes that one race is superior to another, their beliefs are going to create an alternate reality, despite the fact that no race is superior.
If someone believes that being gay is wrong, then it is their beliefs that are creating the reality.
If someone believes that people on the street have a choice, then their beliefs create the reality, despite what may be true for each individual.
If someone believes that a person with a tatoo is morally indecent or trashy, then every person they meet with a tatoo has entered into the reality of that person.
People's opinions, people's beliefs, create their reality. But that reality extends beyond their lives. It reached out and touches others.
People hurt each other, disrespect each other, call each other names, honk at each other, spread anger and hate... because they believe the person they are doing it to... what? doesn't have feelings? deserves it? Was a born a certain color? Lives a certain lifestyle?
If someone is pissed off and decides to pull a gun on someone, no amount of fact or logic or reason is going to change that situation.
But what I really liked about the movie is it wasn't all about death. Death isn't the only bad thing that can happen when people's opinions invade into other's lives.
This is the world that our opinions and beliefs are creating.
Are we happy with it?
When I was in high school, my friend wrote me a letter once. She has a child. She is white, and the baby's father is black. My friend was worried about being a good mom. She didin't know how to raise her daughter... in the black culture or the white. I thought that was the most ridiculous thig I had ever heard. I wrote back that she should raise her daughter to be herself. Why does she have to be raised black or white? My friend wrote back, "You live in such a bubble out there in California. The real world isn't like that."
That line resonates in my head to this day. What does it mean? I grew up rarely seeing racism. Or did I? Maybe I BELIEVED that racism didn't exist, so I never saw it. Maybe my beliefs made me just as blind?
When I see a movie like Crash, I want to think that it can't really be true. People don't really treat each other like this. Do they? It doesn't make sense.
But then I start thinking about beliefs that I have heard... "She has a tatoo, wow she must be pretty messed up" "Isn't being Gay totally sick?" "Asian drivers" "illegals working at the drive through."
Sigh. I'm not living in a bubble. It exists all around me. And whether its a choice (tatoo, piercings,) you were born with it (your race), or the jury's still out (being homosexual), not a single one of these things, in and of itself, is a reason for hate, meaness, disrespect. Its only people's beliefs that make it such.
I know people with tatoos who wouldn't hurt a fly, who are caring and respectful. I know Asians who are good drivers. I know Mexicans who have come legally to America and worked hard to learn English so that they could work at drive throughs. And I know gay people who are more family oriented and moral then many straight people I know. I've seen them. I've had their children in my classrooms.
Why the tendancy to have opinions that assume the worst out of people?
What good does that do? To make a more peaceful, humane, better society, wouldn't it be better to assume the best of people?
Think of it this way. If you go into a situation where you think negatively, how hard does the other person have to work to make you change your mind and view it positively? On the other hand, if you assume a positive view and need to change your mind, well, it is a lot easier to change your view to the negative then to the positive.
Another point the movie brought up is those within a certain stereotype who choose to perpetuate it. In this movie, blacks who continue to steal and rob was a major example.
Some great examples:
1) Anthony: That waitress sized us up in two seconds. We're black and black people don't tip. So she wasn't gonna waste her time. Now somebody like that? Nothing you can do to change their mind.
Peter: So, uh... how much did you leave?
Anthony: You expect me to pay for that kind of service?
2)
Anthony: Look around! You couldn't find a whiter, safer or better lit part of this city. But this white woman sees two black guys, who look like UCLA students, strolling down the sidewalk and her reaction is blind fear. I mean, look at us! Are we dressed like gangbangers? Do we look threatening? No. Fact, if anybody should be scared, it's us: the only two black faces surrounded by a sea of over-caffeinated white people, patrolled by the triggerhappy LAPD. So, why aren't we scared?
Peter: Because we have guns?
Anthony: You could be right.
And the response, later in the movie?
Cameron: [to Anthony] Look at me. You embarrass me. You embarrass yourself.
SO true. When people behave badly, they perpetuate stereotypes. WHen someone does something wrong, it reflects on their type. Someone commits a crime? Well, its becasue their black, or Mexican, or an Asian gang banger, or a spoile rich white kid, or poor white trash, or a punker with tatoos and piercings...
So what else needs to change? Not just people's beliefs, but people's actions. Represent. Remember, for every action you take, you are representing. Yourself, your family, your culture, your community, your "type."
And what about those who truly do represent in a positive way, but are still assumed to be "less then..." Keep fighting the good fight, people. Its a vicious cycle. Don't fall into it.
Where am I going with this? Sigh. I don't know either. Maybe that's why Crash "ended" the way it did. Kind of like this blog. It didn't really end.
Officer Hanson: Something else funny?
Peter: [laughing] People, man... people.
Monday, March 27, 2006
Cute Puppy!
Ok, so I was watching an episode of Great Cruises today. It was about an Alaskan Cruise on the Radiance of the Seas (which is the same cruise ship we are going to take to Alaska in August.)
Anyways, there was a long scene with an excursion that involved sled dogs.
Normally when dogs come on tv, Belle runns up to the screen and watches for a bit, and then loses interest, but this time, the sled dogs had her attention for the entire segment!
What was really funny was, several times, the sled dogs would run across the screen at an angle and run off a corner of the screen. Belle would go to the corner of the screen and track the dogs running of the edge of the screen with her head, as if she was trying to figure out where they were going! Her head whizzing down following the running dogs... it was so cute!
Anyways, there was a long scene with an excursion that involved sled dogs.
Normally when dogs come on tv, Belle runns up to the screen and watches for a bit, and then loses interest, but this time, the sled dogs had her attention for the entire segment!
What was really funny was, several times, the sled dogs would run across the screen at an angle and run off a corner of the screen. Belle would go to the corner of the screen and track the dogs running of the edge of the screen with her head, as if she was trying to figure out where they were going! Her head whizzing down following the running dogs... it was so cute!
Sunday, March 26, 2006
South Park goes in for the "kill."
This article comes from here
South Park: "The Return of Chef"
TV Review: The animated series comments on a cast members departure.
by Eric Goldman
March 23, 2006 - [SPOILER WARNING: Key episode plot points are discussed in the course of this review.]
Don't piss off Matt and Trey. The South Park season premiere this week once more proved that to be true in a big way. Though would you expect anything less? In the past couple of weeks there has been a lot of attention given to the fact that Isaac Hayes, the voice of Chef on the long running series, would not be returning this season. Hayes was quoted as saying he was upset over the show insulting religion as an explanation for his departure, but as many (including South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker) were quick to point out, the show has pretty much lampooned every religion through the years in equal measure. Thus it seemed somewhat notable that the show had done their big Scientology episode "Trapped in the Closet" last fall, and that Hayes is in fact a Scientologist.
One of the great things about South Park is that because the show is so quickly and crudely produced, they can have episodes on the air that are amazingly topical, often commenting on headlines that just occurred. And you knew there was no way there were going to let something like Hayes quitting the show go by without commenting upon it. "The Return of Chef" began with a fake "Previously on South Park" segment that showed Chef deciding to leave town and join a group called The Super Adventurers Club to travel around the world, as all of the kids (Cartman included!) got emotional and wept. But in the premiere Chef returns, and everyone rejoices… until they notice something isn't quite right with him.
In an extremely funny move, Parker and Stone took previously recorded footage of Hayes from old episodes and awkwardly spliced it together to create new dialogue for Chef. Chef it seems came back to South Park with a shocking new fondness for sex with children, and one of the episode's running jokes had Chef continually begin to sing his popular "I'm Gonna Make Love to you Woman" song, except "woman" was replaced with every rude and crude thing you can think that involved children and their bodies. Suffice to say, the show isn't getting any more family friendly as time goes on.
"Trapped in the Closet" had started this whole situation by parodying Scientology, and while Parker and Stone weren't about to bring up the religion by name again, they pointedly made it pretty clear what they think of the situation with Hayes, pulling no punches. We learn that the Super Adventurers Club has in fact brainwashed Chef, changing him from the friend all the boys loved to this "weirdo" they're talking to now. Make your own conclusions as to what that is supposed to signify. One inspired in-joke had the leader of the Super Adventures Club explaining their belief that having sex with children makes them immortal, as text on screen informed the audience that, "This is what the Super Adventures Club actually believes;" a clever reference to the "Trapped in the Closet" episode using the same wording when showing Scientology beliefs. The episode then went to the South Park extreme, as Chef makes his choice to stay with the Super Adventures Club rather then return with the boys… only to be burnt alive, fall off a cliff, get impaled and then finally be torn apart by a mountain lion and a bear. And yes, it was all wonderfully, horrifically hysterical.
In the end, a funeral is held for Chef, and Kyle delivers a eulogy that probably says how Parker and Stone really feel about Hayes, in which he says he's not going to let Chef's recent weirdness ruin his memories of his friend and the good times they had. It was a truly sweet sentiment for a show that had just had Chef's face ripped off by wild animals. Then again, as the Revenge of the Sith inspired coda proved, Chef has been rebuilt by the Super Adventure Club and you never know if he might pop up again, Hayes or no Hayes. There's been some pretty strange rumblings in the past couple of days involving rumors that Hayes had a stroke and speculation on whether or not he was even the one who actually quit or if someone did it on his behalf. If more of this story comes out, I wouldn't put it past the creators of South Park to bring forth more of their brash commentary on it in future episodes.
South Park: "The Return of Chef"
TV Review: The animated series comments on a cast members departure.
by Eric Goldman
March 23, 2006 - [SPOILER WARNING: Key episode plot points are discussed in the course of this review.]
Don't piss off Matt and Trey. The South Park season premiere this week once more proved that to be true in a big way. Though would you expect anything less? In the past couple of weeks there has been a lot of attention given to the fact that Isaac Hayes, the voice of Chef on the long running series, would not be returning this season. Hayes was quoted as saying he was upset over the show insulting religion as an explanation for his departure, but as many (including South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker) were quick to point out, the show has pretty much lampooned every religion through the years in equal measure. Thus it seemed somewhat notable that the show had done their big Scientology episode "Trapped in the Closet" last fall, and that Hayes is in fact a Scientologist.
One of the great things about South Park is that because the show is so quickly and crudely produced, they can have episodes on the air that are amazingly topical, often commenting on headlines that just occurred. And you knew there was no way there were going to let something like Hayes quitting the show go by without commenting upon it. "The Return of Chef" began with a fake "Previously on South Park" segment that showed Chef deciding to leave town and join a group called The Super Adventurers Club to travel around the world, as all of the kids (Cartman included!) got emotional and wept. But in the premiere Chef returns, and everyone rejoices… until they notice something isn't quite right with him.
In an extremely funny move, Parker and Stone took previously recorded footage of Hayes from old episodes and awkwardly spliced it together to create new dialogue for Chef. Chef it seems came back to South Park with a shocking new fondness for sex with children, and one of the episode's running jokes had Chef continually begin to sing his popular "I'm Gonna Make Love to you Woman" song, except "woman" was replaced with every rude and crude thing you can think that involved children and their bodies. Suffice to say, the show isn't getting any more family friendly as time goes on.
"Trapped in the Closet" had started this whole situation by parodying Scientology, and while Parker and Stone weren't about to bring up the religion by name again, they pointedly made it pretty clear what they think of the situation with Hayes, pulling no punches. We learn that the Super Adventurers Club has in fact brainwashed Chef, changing him from the friend all the boys loved to this "weirdo" they're talking to now. Make your own conclusions as to what that is supposed to signify. One inspired in-joke had the leader of the Super Adventures Club explaining their belief that having sex with children makes them immortal, as text on screen informed the audience that, "This is what the Super Adventures Club actually believes;" a clever reference to the "Trapped in the Closet" episode using the same wording when showing Scientology beliefs. The episode then went to the South Park extreme, as Chef makes his choice to stay with the Super Adventures Club rather then return with the boys… only to be burnt alive, fall off a cliff, get impaled and then finally be torn apart by a mountain lion and a bear. And yes, it was all wonderfully, horrifically hysterical.
In the end, a funeral is held for Chef, and Kyle delivers a eulogy that probably says how Parker and Stone really feel about Hayes, in which he says he's not going to let Chef's recent weirdness ruin his memories of his friend and the good times they had. It was a truly sweet sentiment for a show that had just had Chef's face ripped off by wild animals. Then again, as the Revenge of the Sith inspired coda proved, Chef has been rebuilt by the Super Adventure Club and you never know if he might pop up again, Hayes or no Hayes. There's been some pretty strange rumblings in the past couple of days involving rumors that Hayes had a stroke and speculation on whether or not he was even the one who actually quit or if someone did it on his behalf. If more of this story comes out, I wouldn't put it past the creators of South Park to bring forth more of their brash commentary on it in future episodes.
Just Like Heaven
I just finished watching Just Like Heaven. It was really good! It stars Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo. I knew the premise and it sounded like a cute romantic comedy, but I couldn't figure out how they were going to end it. I really thought it was all around good.
Also, it had Jon Heder in it... which was funny because I saw Napolean Dynamite for the first time last night. (I wasn't crazy about it, but I also slept through a lot of it 'cause I was so tired!) But anyway, I'm watching this guy in Just Like Heaven and its like one of those things where you know you've seen them in something else and then I realized... hey that's Napolean!
Also, I got my report cards done this morning. I got 1-15 done while watching Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, and 16-31 while watching Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
If each movie is 2 1/2 hours long, thats 150 minutes. Which means that each report card took aprx. 10 minutes. Yeah. Thats fun math.
Also, it had Jon Heder in it... which was funny because I saw Napolean Dynamite for the first time last night. (I wasn't crazy about it, but I also slept through a lot of it 'cause I was so tired!) But anyway, I'm watching this guy in Just Like Heaven and its like one of those things where you know you've seen them in something else and then I realized... hey that's Napolean!
Also, I got my report cards done this morning. I got 1-15 done while watching Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, and 16-31 while watching Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
If each movie is 2 1/2 hours long, thats 150 minutes. Which means that each report card took aprx. 10 minutes. Yeah. Thats fun math.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
From the pen of a 5th grader
Question: Transportation by water was very important to the British Colonies. The folowing term is related to water transportation. Explain how the term is related to water transportation.
Raw Materials:
Answer: People grow raw materials and then swim to the other side to trade.
Raw Materials:
Answer: People grow raw materials and then swim to the other side to trade.
South Park
Check this out: and pay careful attention to what Matt Stone says.
Soul singer Isaac Hayes quits 'South Park'
LOS ANGELES, California (Reuters) -- Soul singer Isaac Hayes said Monday he was quitting his job as the voice of the lusty character "Chef" on the satiric cable TV cartoon "South Park," citing the show's "inappropriate ridicule" of religion.
But series co-creator Matt Stone said the veteran recording artist was upset the show had recently lampooned the Church of Scientology, of which Hayes is an outspoken follower.
"In ten years and over 150 episodes of 'South Park,' Isaac never had a problem with the show making fun of Christians, Muslim, Mormons or Jews," Stone said in a statement issued by the Comedy Central network.
"He got a sudden case of religious sensitivity when it was his religion featured on the show."
He added: "Of course we will release Isaac from his contract, and we wish him well."
In a statement explaining his departure from the show, Hayes, 63, did not mention last fall's episode poking fun at Scientology and some of its celebrity adherents, including actor Tom Cruise.
Rather, Hayes said the show's parody of religion in general was part of what he saw as a "growing insensitivity toward personal spiritual beliefs" in the media, including the recent controversy over cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammad.
"There is a place in this world for satire, but there is a time when satire ends and intolerance and bigotry toward religious beliefs ... begins," Hayes said.
The crudely animated cartoon, heading into its 10th season next week as one of Comedy Central's biggest hits, centers on the antics of four foul-mouthed fourth graders in the town of South Park, Colorado.
Outlandish religious satire has been a mainstay of the show since its debut on the Viacom Inc.-owned network in 1997. The series grew out of two short films by Stone and collaborator Trey Parker -- "Jesus vs. Frosty" and "The Spirit of Christmas," the latter featuring a martial-arts duel between Jesus and Santa Claus over the true meaning of Christmas.
Hayes, the first black composer to win an Oscar for best song with his theme to the 1971 film "Shaft," gained renewed fame on "South Park" as the voice of Jerome "Chef" McElroy, the school cafeteria cook whom the boys often seek out for advice.
In an episode last fall, one of the gang, Stan, scores so high on a Scientology test that church followers think he is the next L. Ron Hubbard, the late science-fiction writer who founded the religion. Hayes did not take part in that episode.
In an interview with Reuters late last year, Hayes talked about a foundation he formed to bring Scientology-based study techniques to disadvantaged inner-city schools, in partnership with fellow devotee Lisa Marie Presley.
"But it's not religious," he said then, describing himself as Baptist by birth and Scientology as "an applied religious philosophy."
Comedy Central spokesman Tony Fox said producers have not decided whether Chef would be dropped from the show or continued with another actor supplying his voice.
Copyright 2006 Reuters. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Find this article at:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/TV/03/13/south.park.hayes.reut/index.html
A few more good points:
Remember, Isaacs said this:
... "he fumes, "Religious beliefs are sacred to people, and at all times should be respected and honored. As a civil rights activist of the past 40 years, I cannot support a show that disrespects those beliefs and practices."
Stone has fired back at Hayes saying, "This is 100 percent having to do with his faith of Scientology... He has no problem - and he's cashed plenty of checks - with our show making fun of Christians."
And here is the key point, which I couldn't have said better myself:
Stone adds that he and Parker "never heard a peep out of Isaac in any way until we did Scientology. He wants a different standard for religions other than his own, and, to me, that is where intolerance and bigotry begin."
Parker has previously said the show had avoided the controversial topic of Scientology out of respect for Hayes and his religious beliefs. He explains, "Finally, we just had to tell Isaac, 'Dude, we totally love working with you, and this is nothing personal, it's just we're South Park, and, if we don't do this, we're belittling everything else we've ripped on.'"
(These quotes are cited from various articles, including the one found at http://www.azcentral.com/ent/celeb/articles/0314hayes.html
I just want to add that one of the major reasons I love South Park is that they take on everyone. Matt is right. The fact is, Chef has particiated in plenty of episodes that bash Christians (I can think of one specifically about Catholics right now). He i turning himself into a hypocrite by saying that he can't support such a thing after participating in it for many years. Matt is so right when he points out that intlolerance begins when someone is okay with bashing all religions but then claims to support religious tolerance when their own beliefs are satired.
In other words, other belief systems aren't as important, so its okay to poke fun at them.
Soul singer Isaac Hayes quits 'South Park'
LOS ANGELES, California (Reuters) -- Soul singer Isaac Hayes said Monday he was quitting his job as the voice of the lusty character "Chef" on the satiric cable TV cartoon "South Park," citing the show's "inappropriate ridicule" of religion.
But series co-creator Matt Stone said the veteran recording artist was upset the show had recently lampooned the Church of Scientology, of which Hayes is an outspoken follower.
"In ten years and over 150 episodes of 'South Park,' Isaac never had a problem with the show making fun of Christians, Muslim, Mormons or Jews," Stone said in a statement issued by the Comedy Central network.
"He got a sudden case of religious sensitivity when it was his religion featured on the show."
He added: "Of course we will release Isaac from his contract, and we wish him well."
In a statement explaining his departure from the show, Hayes, 63, did not mention last fall's episode poking fun at Scientology and some of its celebrity adherents, including actor Tom Cruise.
Rather, Hayes said the show's parody of religion in general was part of what he saw as a "growing insensitivity toward personal spiritual beliefs" in the media, including the recent controversy over cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammad.
"There is a place in this world for satire, but there is a time when satire ends and intolerance and bigotry toward religious beliefs ... begins," Hayes said.
The crudely animated cartoon, heading into its 10th season next week as one of Comedy Central's biggest hits, centers on the antics of four foul-mouthed fourth graders in the town of South Park, Colorado.
Outlandish religious satire has been a mainstay of the show since its debut on the Viacom Inc.-owned network in 1997. The series grew out of two short films by Stone and collaborator Trey Parker -- "Jesus vs. Frosty" and "The Spirit of Christmas," the latter featuring a martial-arts duel between Jesus and Santa Claus over the true meaning of Christmas.
Hayes, the first black composer to win an Oscar for best song with his theme to the 1971 film "Shaft," gained renewed fame on "South Park" as the voice of Jerome "Chef" McElroy, the school cafeteria cook whom the boys often seek out for advice.
In an episode last fall, one of the gang, Stan, scores so high on a Scientology test that church followers think he is the next L. Ron Hubbard, the late science-fiction writer who founded the religion. Hayes did not take part in that episode.
In an interview with Reuters late last year, Hayes talked about a foundation he formed to bring Scientology-based study techniques to disadvantaged inner-city schools, in partnership with fellow devotee Lisa Marie Presley.
"But it's not religious," he said then, describing himself as Baptist by birth and Scientology as "an applied religious philosophy."
Comedy Central spokesman Tony Fox said producers have not decided whether Chef would be dropped from the show or continued with another actor supplying his voice.
Copyright 2006 Reuters. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Find this article at:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/TV/03/13/south.park.hayes.reut/index.html
A few more good points:
Remember, Isaacs said this:
... "he fumes, "Religious beliefs are sacred to people, and at all times should be respected and honored. As a civil rights activist of the past 40 years, I cannot support a show that disrespects those beliefs and practices."
Stone has fired back at Hayes saying, "This is 100 percent having to do with his faith of Scientology... He has no problem - and he's cashed plenty of checks - with our show making fun of Christians."
And here is the key point, which I couldn't have said better myself:
Stone adds that he and Parker "never heard a peep out of Isaac in any way until we did Scientology. He wants a different standard for religions other than his own, and, to me, that is where intolerance and bigotry begin."
Parker has previously said the show had avoided the controversial topic of Scientology out of respect for Hayes and his religious beliefs. He explains, "Finally, we just had to tell Isaac, 'Dude, we totally love working with you, and this is nothing personal, it's just we're South Park, and, if we don't do this, we're belittling everything else we've ripped on.'"
(These quotes are cited from various articles, including the one found at http://www.azcentral.com/ent/celeb/articles/0314hayes.html
I just want to add that one of the major reasons I love South Park is that they take on everyone. Matt is right. The fact is, Chef has particiated in plenty of episodes that bash Christians (I can think of one specifically about Catholics right now). He i turning himself into a hypocrite by saying that he can't support such a thing after participating in it for many years. Matt is so right when he points out that intlolerance begins when someone is okay with bashing all religions but then claims to support religious tolerance when their own beliefs are satired.
In other words, other belief systems aren't as important, so its okay to poke fun at them.
Monday, March 13, 2006
Frustrated
AAAAAAAAAAAAH. I am so upset. I want to cry. I cry about the stupidest things but still grrr....
So I go to the eye doctor to get my new contacts and I find out I have an eye infection (so my eyes don't just itch from the cold I have!)
So He writes me a prescription and I go to fill it.
SO my pharmasist says that my insurance won't fill my prescription because he is an eye doctor, not an MD. All I need to do is call my general practitioner and have them call in the same prescription.
WHAT??? Well thats all well in good, except I don't have a general practitioner.
SO I run over to the 24 hour clinic and pray they can help me.
SO the doctor there looks up my prescription in his little drug reference book, and then he looks at me, and then back at the RX, and then back at the reference book, and then looks at the RX again and says...
"so you have an infection..in your...? "
"eye" i say...
"Ok and this prescrition if for...?" (as he references his book)
"The infection" I repeat "in my eye..."
"Ok and your wearing contacts now?" (book reference)
"Yes, becasue I haven't been able to go home and get my glasses yet..."
"because you have an infection?" (look at the book again, flip back and forth a few pages...)
"Yes,"
"in your..."
" in my eye..."
"Is it on the cornea?" (scanning the book...)
"Yes. Its not pink eye, its on the cornea."
"the infection?"
"Yes. The infection is on the cornea. In my eye. "
"Come back here, please"
So he looks at my eye (like the guy knows what he's looking for. I mean seriously. I am asking for a prescription for an antibiotic eye drop. I'm sure thats big on the teen drug scene these days... Can't he just copy the damn perscription?)
So he looks in my eye with his chunty MD light and I say. "It should be easy to see. My eye doctor just put in the dye..." (As in, I just left the freakin doctors office, come on!"
So he says, "You shouldn't need dye to see this infection," (Excuse me? you baggin' on my eye doctor?)
"Well," he says, "I guess I'm just going to have to take his word for it..." Grrrrrr
(Which, by the way, really pisses me off because it sort of felt insulting toowards my eye doctor..."well, i better take his word for it..." Uh YEAH, he is an EYE DOCTOR, and to be honest, a damn good doctor at that! If I could find a GP and an OBGYN that were as nice as my eye doctor I'd be in heaven... I mean, imagine, not feeling rushed at my appointments, getting my questions answered, even a moment or two of genral conversation.... and he calls me back on the phone! Personally!)
Anyway back to the know-it-all at the clinic...
SO he writes me out the RX.
... and a run back and this time, "Sorry, this time it got declined because your insurance doesn't cover this medication."
Way to freaking go.
I was so pissed off. All that damn running around! Thank the gods that my doctor gave me a sample of the stuff to start out with.
Why does this have to be so complicated? I mean seriously! Some drugs covered, some not. What is the deal? I hate going to the doctor becasue it just seems like everything is so complicated when doing so. I don't deal well with this stuff. I know its stupid but hoops and loopholes and all this stuff just stresses me out. Things should be clear. I shouldn't have to wait until I get to the pharmacy to find out if my insurace covers my medicine. I shouldn't have to even worry about that. I pay good money for my health care insurance. I should get whatever medicine my doctor thinks I need.
And if I don't stop writing about this I am going to cry, which probably isn't good because I only have this teeny tiny sample bottle of antibiotic eyedrops, and they aren't going to do any freaking good if I cry the damn things out.
So I go to the eye doctor to get my new contacts and I find out I have an eye infection (so my eyes don't just itch from the cold I have!)
So He writes me a prescription and I go to fill it.
SO my pharmasist says that my insurance won't fill my prescription because he is an eye doctor, not an MD. All I need to do is call my general practitioner and have them call in the same prescription.
WHAT??? Well thats all well in good, except I don't have a general practitioner.
SO I run over to the 24 hour clinic and pray they can help me.
SO the doctor there looks up my prescription in his little drug reference book, and then he looks at me, and then back at the RX, and then back at the reference book, and then looks at the RX again and says...
"so you have an infection..in your...? "
"eye" i say...
"Ok and this prescrition if for...?" (as he references his book)
"The infection" I repeat "in my eye..."
"Ok and your wearing contacts now?" (book reference)
"Yes, becasue I haven't been able to go home and get my glasses yet..."
"because you have an infection?" (look at the book again, flip back and forth a few pages...)
"Yes,"
"in your..."
" in my eye..."
"Is it on the cornea?" (scanning the book...)
"Yes. Its not pink eye, its on the cornea."
"the infection?"
"Yes. The infection is on the cornea. In my eye. "
"Come back here, please"
So he looks at my eye (like the guy knows what he's looking for. I mean seriously. I am asking for a prescription for an antibiotic eye drop. I'm sure thats big on the teen drug scene these days... Can't he just copy the damn perscription?)
So he looks in my eye with his chunty MD light and I say. "It should be easy to see. My eye doctor just put in the dye..." (As in, I just left the freakin doctors office, come on!"
So he says, "You shouldn't need dye to see this infection," (Excuse me? you baggin' on my eye doctor?)
"Well," he says, "I guess I'm just going to have to take his word for it..." Grrrrrr
(Which, by the way, really pisses me off because it sort of felt insulting toowards my eye doctor..."well, i better take his word for it..." Uh YEAH, he is an EYE DOCTOR, and to be honest, a damn good doctor at that! If I could find a GP and an OBGYN that were as nice as my eye doctor I'd be in heaven... I mean, imagine, not feeling rushed at my appointments, getting my questions answered, even a moment or two of genral conversation.... and he calls me back on the phone! Personally!)
Anyway back to the know-it-all at the clinic...
SO he writes me out the RX.
... and a run back and this time, "Sorry, this time it got declined because your insurance doesn't cover this medication."
Way to freaking go.
I was so pissed off. All that damn running around! Thank the gods that my doctor gave me a sample of the stuff to start out with.
Why does this have to be so complicated? I mean seriously! Some drugs covered, some not. What is the deal? I hate going to the doctor becasue it just seems like everything is so complicated when doing so. I don't deal well with this stuff. I know its stupid but hoops and loopholes and all this stuff just stresses me out. Things should be clear. I shouldn't have to wait until I get to the pharmacy to find out if my insurace covers my medicine. I shouldn't have to even worry about that. I pay good money for my health care insurance. I should get whatever medicine my doctor thinks I need.
And if I don't stop writing about this I am going to cry, which probably isn't good because I only have this teeny tiny sample bottle of antibiotic eyedrops, and they aren't going to do any freaking good if I cry the damn things out.
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Do you hear the people sing?
From: Broadway World
Les Miserables to Return to Broadway for 6 Months Beginning October 21
February 16, 2006 - by BWW News Desk
To celebrate LES MISÉRABLES becoming the longest-running musical in the world in October of this year, producer Cameron Mackintosh announced today that Boublil and Schönberg’s legendary musical will return to Broadway for a special limited six-month engagement, beginning this coming fall at the Broadhurst Theatre (235 West 44th Street). Previews will begin Saturday, October 21, with an official opening slated for Thursday, November 9. Casting for the production will be announced in the coming months. Tickets will go on sale to the general public in June, with group sales beginning later this month.
LES MISÉRABLES is the third longest-running show in Broadway history and will, on October 9, pass the 21 year old record of Cats in London to become the longest-running musical ever on the West End or Broadway with 8,372 performances; a run nearly three years longer than Broadway’s record-holder The Phantom of the Opera, all three shows having been produced by Cameron Mackintosh. LES MISÉRABLES has been seen by over 53 million people in 38 countries and 21 languages since its first London performance in October 1985. The original Broadway production opened on March 12, 1987, at the Broadway Theatre, winning seven Tony Awards that season, including Best Musical. The show went on to play a total of 6,680 performances.
“2006 has been a very special year for me with Phantom becoming the longest running musical ever on Broadway and soon, in London, on October 9, LES MISÉRABLES becomes the longest-running musical in the world. So the opportunity to bring LES MIZ home to Broadway in the exquisite and intimate Broadhurst Theatre, next door to Phantom, to celebrate this historic achievement is irresistible. I am sure that the timeless power of the show will be an unforgettable experience both for new audiences and serial Les Miz-ers,” said Cameron Mackintosh.
Produced by Cameron Mackintosh, LES MISÉRABLES is musical by Alain Boublil & Claude-Michel Schönberg, based on the novel by Victor Hugo. It features music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer, with original French text by Alain Boublil & Jean-Marc Natel and additional material by James Fenton. Directed by Trevor Nunn & John Caird, the musical is designed by John Napier with lighting by David Hersey, costumes by Andreane Neofitou and sound by Andrew Bruce.
LES MISÉRABLES was first presented by Cameron Mackintosh and The Royal Shakespeare Company at the Barbican Theatre in October, 1985. The musical transferred to the West End’s Palace Theatre later that year, where it played for 19 years. LES MISÉRABLES transferred to the Queen’s Theatre in April, 2004, where it continues today.
Les Miserables to Return to Broadway for 6 Months Beginning October 21
February 16, 2006 - by BWW News Desk
To celebrate LES MISÉRABLES becoming the longest-running musical in the world in October of this year, producer Cameron Mackintosh announced today that Boublil and Schönberg’s legendary musical will return to Broadway for a special limited six-month engagement, beginning this coming fall at the Broadhurst Theatre (235 West 44th Street). Previews will begin Saturday, October 21, with an official opening slated for Thursday, November 9. Casting for the production will be announced in the coming months. Tickets will go on sale to the general public in June, with group sales beginning later this month.
LES MISÉRABLES is the third longest-running show in Broadway history and will, on October 9, pass the 21 year old record of Cats in London to become the longest-running musical ever on the West End or Broadway with 8,372 performances; a run nearly three years longer than Broadway’s record-holder The Phantom of the Opera, all three shows having been produced by Cameron Mackintosh. LES MISÉRABLES has been seen by over 53 million people in 38 countries and 21 languages since its first London performance in October 1985. The original Broadway production opened on March 12, 1987, at the Broadway Theatre, winning seven Tony Awards that season, including Best Musical. The show went on to play a total of 6,680 performances.
“2006 has been a very special year for me with Phantom becoming the longest running musical ever on Broadway and soon, in London, on October 9, LES MISÉRABLES becomes the longest-running musical in the world. So the opportunity to bring LES MIZ home to Broadway in the exquisite and intimate Broadhurst Theatre, next door to Phantom, to celebrate this historic achievement is irresistible. I am sure that the timeless power of the show will be an unforgettable experience both for new audiences and serial Les Miz-ers,” said Cameron Mackintosh.
Produced by Cameron Mackintosh, LES MISÉRABLES is musical by Alain Boublil & Claude-Michel Schönberg, based on the novel by Victor Hugo. It features music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer, with original French text by Alain Boublil & Jean-Marc Natel and additional material by James Fenton. Directed by Trevor Nunn & John Caird, the musical is designed by John Napier with lighting by David Hersey, costumes by Andreane Neofitou and sound by Andrew Bruce.
LES MISÉRABLES was first presented by Cameron Mackintosh and The Royal Shakespeare Company at the Barbican Theatre in October, 1985. The musical transferred to the West End’s Palace Theatre later that year, where it played for 19 years. LES MISÉRABLES transferred to the Queen’s Theatre in April, 2004, where it continues today.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
My Reality Stories
Well the season is in full swing and all my favorite shows are on!
Survivor is turning out to be a good season so far, with some characters I really like , and some that I don't. I think Cirie is turning out to be a very cool player, which I think is very good for her. I also like Dan a lot. Currently, I can't stand Shane, and for some reason, I'm not so crazy about Bruce.
The Amazing Race has some great teams this time around! Love the nerds, David and Lori, a team after my own heart. Also, love the hippies, BJ and Tyler (I hope they can stay focused!!! They were pretty excited on the first episode!) Ray and Yolanda are cool, I really admire Yolanda's attitutde while putting that bike together in San Paulo with all of those rude guys watching. She really kept her cool. I felt so bad for her! In the mother and daughter team, (Wanda and Desiree), I am struck at what a good team they make. They really seem to balance each other. and the daughter is beautiful! Lisa and joni, while, I don't like or dislike them, but gah... I could do without another set of screamers like the bowling moms. Finally, Lake and Michelle. DO they always have to put an ass hole guy and his submissive girl on each show? And his motion sick patch is annoying.
And of course there is American Idol. Getting ready for the top 12, I really like Paris, Mandisa, and Melissa, Ace, Chris, Will, and Elliot. But the show is overall quite enjoyable because there are a lot of good singers!
Thats it for my stories for now.
Survivor is turning out to be a good season so far, with some characters I really like , and some that I don't. I think Cirie is turning out to be a very cool player, which I think is very good for her. I also like Dan a lot. Currently, I can't stand Shane, and for some reason, I'm not so crazy about Bruce.
The Amazing Race has some great teams this time around! Love the nerds, David and Lori, a team after my own heart. Also, love the hippies, BJ and Tyler (I hope they can stay focused!!! They were pretty excited on the first episode!) Ray and Yolanda are cool, I really admire Yolanda's attitutde while putting that bike together in San Paulo with all of those rude guys watching. She really kept her cool. I felt so bad for her! In the mother and daughter team, (Wanda and Desiree), I am struck at what a good team they make. They really seem to balance each other. and the daughter is beautiful! Lisa and joni, while, I don't like or dislike them, but gah... I could do without another set of screamers like the bowling moms. Finally, Lake and Michelle. DO they always have to put an ass hole guy and his submissive girl on each show? And his motion sick patch is annoying.
And of course there is American Idol. Getting ready for the top 12, I really like Paris, Mandisa, and Melissa, Ace, Chris, Will, and Elliot. But the show is overall quite enjoyable because there are a lot of good singers!
Thats it for my stories for now.
CAG Conference
I went this weekend to Palm Springs for the California Association for the Gifted conference. It was very informative on many aspects. Its nice to be in a place where the general swing of things tends to go my way... towards creativity in teaching (instead of the cookie cutter robots that seems to be the current trend).
Also, I went to a highly reccomended conference on "Parenting the Gifted Child." The speaker was awesome and I walked away with so many ideas to pass along to parents of my students, as well as ideas of my own for when I have kids some day.
In addition, the confrence was very enlightening on a personal level. Some of us shared stories of when we had grown up, teachers and experiences we had, how we saw ourselves as learners and how teachers saw us as learners... it was very thought provoking.
At the end, Grant and I did the Palm Springs Ariel Tram, which was really cool. (I had never been to Palm Springs before!) We got home around 7:30 and I was falling asleep by 8:30, I was SOOOO tired! One of those weekends where you sit around alot and absorb a lot of information.
Also, I went to a highly reccomended conference on "Parenting the Gifted Child." The speaker was awesome and I walked away with so many ideas to pass along to parents of my students, as well as ideas of my own for when I have kids some day.
In addition, the confrence was very enlightening on a personal level. Some of us shared stories of when we had grown up, teachers and experiences we had, how we saw ourselves as learners and how teachers saw us as learners... it was very thought provoking.
At the end, Grant and I did the Palm Springs Ariel Tram, which was really cool. (I had never been to Palm Springs before!) We got home around 7:30 and I was falling asleep by 8:30, I was SOOOO tired! One of those weekends where you sit around alot and absorb a lot of information.