Wallpaper border

The wallpaper border that we chose for Geoff's room is Mickey at the Circus. It is bright with primary colors and very busy - one of the reasons we chose it was because we thought it would be stimulating for him.

We put it up midway around the room - I believe it is called a chair rail or something? In any case, it happened to align perfectly with the top of Geoffrey's changing table - just at his eye level. One of the things he loves to do when we change him is stare at his border - it is so cool! He really loves to look at it! We really made a good choice with it!

Rent at Corona Del MAr High School

Three protest high school's production of 'Rent'

About 300 counterprotesters shout them down.

By NIYAZ PIRANI

The Orange County Register

| Recommend 4

NEWPORT BEACH - Three members of the Westboro Baptist Church of Kansas, who came to protest Corona del Mar High School's production of "Rent," were shouted down by 300 counterprotesters this afternoon at the school.

The group came with signs that read: "Fags are beasts" and "America is doomed." Another sign was anti-Obama, while a fourth sign used an obscenity and an image of a dead baby between two hamburger buns.

Counterprotesters' signs read: "Long live Elton John," "Hate is not a family value," and "Do you need a hug?"

After about 30 minutes of protesting, which started around 2 p.m., the three members of the Westboro Baptist Church asked police to escort them to their car. Students remained after the three left, holding signs and screaming and waving as drivers of passing cars honked.

Kaylin Alexander, a senior at Corona del Mar and of the counterprotesters, said "We think they are ridiculous. God loves everyone."

Fred Phelps, Jr., the son of the founder of the Kansas church, said, he was preaching to the crowd.

"(Rent) is catering to the totally out-of-control youth of this nation," Phelps said. "They've got no discipline, no morals. Only doom and destruction lie ahead for them."

Betty Phelps, also a member of the church, said, "This is the side of the fence we are always on. We speak the truth, and I don't know of any other church that does."

Rosanne Fall, of Costa Mesa and a member of the Orange County Equality Coalition, said, "We're here to support Rent. It's important for the kids.

We shouldn't discriminate based on sexual orientation."

Twenty Newport Beach police officers were on the scene for crowd and traffic control. There were no incidents or arrests at the protest, but there was a minor, noninjury traffic accident at the intersection of Eastbluff Drive and Jamboree Road.

The Tony Award-winning musical, plays tonight at 7:30 at the school and runs on select dates through May 2. The play deals with homosexuality and AIDS, became an on-again, off-again affair at Corona del Mar after drama teacher Ron Martin claimed that the school's principal, Fal Asrani, would not allow the play to go on. Asrani has denied that allegation and a "school-safe" version of the play was approved.

The play made its debut Thursday night in Corona del Mar's 230-seat Little Theatre.

Senior James Ramsey said he saw no reason for the "hoopla" because the school version has been pared down in comparison to the original.

"I think the school version does a very good job of bringing the material down and making it appropriate at a high school level," he said. "I feel like (homophobia) is just a common thing in high schools in general as well as in Orange County, being one of the most conservative counties in California."

Max Priestley, a sophomore and actor in the play, said the counterprotests are a peaceful way to express the students' side of the issue.

"It's amazing to do something this changing for so many people," he said. "Not just for me and the cast, but for so many others."

8 weeks

Mr. Geofferson is 8 weeks old now. He is so adorable! He is such a smiley boy. He is especially cute in the morning. First, he starts making noises. We go in and open the blinds, and then unswaddle him. Geogg starts to stretch and then opens his eyes, and then when he sees us, he gets a big, happy smile on his face!

Seriously, his stretches are just the cutest! Mommy and Daddy want to always remember them!

He is starting to exercize his vocal cords with babbles and coos and giggles.

He makes cute little milk-spit bubbles.

He farts a lot. He still loves the changing table, too. Sometimes, he'll stretch and fart and then get this goofy grin on his face.

He is such a good boy. He is mostly very chill andeasy to please. Yesterday, we went to California Adventure and it was 100 degrees! He was so good. He went on It's Tough to be a Bug, twice, to nurse (the termite "sqirting" startled him the first time, so Daddy shielded him with a burp cloth the 2nd time). He also did Monster's Inc, and looked at the Blue Sky Celler with us. We had dinner at Story Teller's Cafe, and he was such a good boy. He spend most of it laughing and cooing and talking to himself. Then he got a little tired and we held him until he fell asleep. Really, such a good boy!

Oh - for the past few days, he has had some green gunk in his right eye, and it has been a bit teary. It started on Friday and Saturday. Possibly a clogged tear duct - because his eye isn't red and he doesn't seem to have a cold or anything. We were going to call Dr. CHang, but he only had a little gunk yesterday (Sunday) and none today (Monday), so we're just going to watch it for now.

Avenue Q / Rat Pack: Live From the Sands

We saw two plays in the last few weeks: Avenue Q and Rat Pack, Live from the Sands.

Avenue Q is hilarious. It is a grown up Sesame Street and it keeps you laughing throughout the whole thing. We really enjoyed it!

Rat Pack didn't have a plot  - it was like a concert. The cast was really good, and the show was enjoyable, but not something I am dying to see again.

Next up is Grease!

Little things

Geoffrey doesn't use a pacifier. He doesn't like it and always spits it out if we try to give it to him. However, he does like to suck on the back of his fist - both to self soothe and to show he is hungry. So cute!

 
Also, my students say that Geoffrey looks like Bugsy from "Bedtime Stories" because of his big eyes. I must admit, I thought the same thing when I saw the movie last week.

*´¨)
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(¸.·´ (¸.·´*Bobbi Jo*
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7 weeks

Geoff is doing well! He is becoming more predictable.He is such a good baby! He is very adaptable during the day - whether we go out or stay home. He likes being out, though. He lets people hold him, and he simply sleeps when he is tired.

He has a pattern developing at night - although he is probably still too young for us to depend on it. In general, he goes to sleep at around eats between 10 - 11 and goes to sleep about 30 minutes later. He eats again around 3 AM, and again around 6:30 AM, and then sleeps. At around 10:00 Am, he wakes up to start his day. This has been working out well - as I can do the 10:30 feeding and then sleep until about 6:30. Grant does the early morning feeding and then sleeps in. Geoff is also really good about falling asleep in his crib on his own - 90% of the time, he is put in the crib awake and doesn't need comforting to fall asleep after his night time feedings.

When you put toys in his hands, like those plastic rings, he can hold on to them for short periods.

He is still not a fan of tummy time.

He smiles in response to things now. He smiles at Mommy and Daddy, Belle-dog, his goofy faces in the mirror above his swing, and some of his toys, such as the toys in his rainforest gym.

Mommy goes back to work tomorrow. It doesn't really feel real - like I don't really believe it. I think I will sort of be in automatic pilot at first - just sort of going through the motions, tomorrow. I don't know if that really makes sense at all. I mean, normally at this time, going back after Spring Break, I would be thinking about school, lesson planning in my head, feeling nervous about going back - but I haven't really had any of those feeling yet - barely even a dream - it just feels more like school/work is a numb, hazy feeling. Sigh. Summer will come quickly, I know. Geoff is home with his daddy, safe and loved. I have a good job - I can come home quickly most days. I am sure, someday, I will be able to find a balance between a teacher and a Mommy - Of course, being a mommy will always trump - but for now, being a teacher feels more like a job then ever - more like something I just have to do, as opposed to a deeper calling. Like I said, I know that will come back - that I can be both - but right now - I am a Mommy, it my only priority (not just my most significant priority).

Geoffrey's First Trip to Disneyland

Geoffrey was 6 weeks old on Friday, April 3. To celebrate, Grant and I took him to Disneyland for his first trip!

We arrived at about 2 in the afternoon, and after getting our renewed passes, we took Geoff on the Disneyland railroad to tour the whole park. Geoffrey slept through this - heh heh.

Next, we visited the baby care center where I changed Monsieur Benedict's diaper and nursed him.

We went to Fantasyland rode the Storybook Canal - it had just opened back up following the parade - and Geoff seemed to enjoy this! His eyes were big and open during the whole thing. Then we went to it's a small world. Geoff kept his eyes open for about half of it, he seemed to enjoy the lights and colors and music. He fell asleep about half way through.

We rode Snow White, Pinocchio, Winnie the Pooh, and Haunted Mansion, and then Pirates of the Caribbean (where Geoff ate dinner - hee hee), before Grant and I had dinner at Cafe Orleans. Geoff was wide awake during dinner and loved looking around. After dinner, we went to the Tiki Room (where Geoff had dessert...) and then we finished the evening on Buzz Lightyear.

Geoff obviously lives DIsney. The poor guy was so upset when we left that he cried on the tram all the way to the car. Poor guy. He did really well!

Pediatrician - 6 week visit

On Wednesday, April 1st, Geoffrey had another well-visit with Doctor Chang. Geoff now weighs 12 pounds, 7 ounces, and he is 24 inches long! He is in the 95 percentile for both height and weight (which is good as long as he is proportional!) He is healthy and strong. He still has a bit of his jaundice - so his current skin color is not a reflection of what his skin tone will actually be.

Geoffrey got his next Hepatitis B shot, but that was all. Poor little guy - he was sleeping peacefully and theHe will get 2 more vaccines at his next visit in May (he will be 10 weeks at that visit). Dr. Chang likes to spread the vaccines out a bit so that he doesn't get bombarded with shots at his visits.

Also, Dr. Chang said we should coninue with Tummy Time - of course - and even if he cries it is ok to leave him on his tummy for at least 5 minutes.

Feeding - Dr. CHang said 7 times a day was normal for his age, and that when he eats from a bottle - he should have 4 - 5 ounces, during the day, but in the middle of the night, 2 ounces was fine if that was all he wanted before he goes back to sleep.

Yeah! Another good visit! 

been a while

Geoff's off to the pediatrician, so expect a big update!

In other news - Geoff has started making tears when he cries. He is dealing - rather good naturedly - with his first bout of diaper rash. And after 4 great nights of sleep - (feedings at 10 ish 2 ish 6 ish and 10 ish and falling asleep pretty much right after) he has thrown us for a loop and tried to stay up all night the past two nights!!!

Turkey Part 2

So I finish my email - have a little snack - and then decide I'd go ahead and pump - I hadn't pumped today.

I put the pump on, get it going, and just as my milk starts to flow - guess who wakes up?

What a Turkey!

I took Geoff upstairs because he was getting sleepy - after a few hours of active play in the bouncer and in his gym, he was nodding off during his lunch. I changed his diaper (an adventure in and of itself, as he had pooed almost up his back and he peed twice during the change...) Of course, all this excitement woke him back up, but I put him in his crib where he stayed happy enough.

My goal was to jump in the shower while he napped. While I waited for him to fall asleep I folded some diapers, straightened up the nursery, put some clothes away that were too small for Geoff, etc. while he babbled away happily in his crib. 45 minutes later - after giving me plenty of time, of course, to take a shower that I used to do other things - he finally started to nod off. So I started the shower, got undressed, and... Waaaaaaaah! Guess who woke up?

So I tried to soth him in the crib, and then picked him up and nursed him a bit and when he nodded off, I set him in the crib. He woke up, but he seemed happy, so I decided that instead of watching him for 10 minutes to make sure he'd be ok for me to jump in the shower, I'd just jump in - I could jump out quickly if needed, right?

So I get in and about half way through I hear him start to cry - so I fast forward my shower and get out and dry off and pick him up. I decide I'll go ahead and change him again before we go downstairs - so I set him on the changing table while I get dressed. He cries away on the table as I quickly throw on my clothes. Just as I get my tank top on, the cries stop, and he's snoozing on the table. So I brush my hair, put on my deoderant (thank GOODNESS his room attaches to my bathroom, No?) and there he is still snoozing. SO I put him into the crib - and guess who is still napping???

What a turkey!

33 Days

Grandma (Mom) flew home this morning to Michigan. We can't wait to see her in June!

Geoffers has had 2 good nights of sleep  in a row - last night he slept from 11:30 - 4:30 and the night before he slept from 12:00 - 5:00. I know he is still young an unpredictable, but it would sure be nice if that trend continued!

We've noticed that Geoff loves being on the changing table! We can set him up there and change his diaper and he sits there quite happily for some time looking around, happy as a clam. So cute!

Speaking of changing tables, Mom (Grandma) finally got initiated into the "get pooed on" club - big time! While she was changing him - Geoffrey pooed FIVE times - all over the changing table, up Mom's arm, and even a few squirts that arced up and over the table on to the floor! A real projectile pooper! Mom now holds the record over Grant and I for poo adventures!

I've also notices that he is starting to "hold on" when you carry him places - he doesn't really hold on to you, but he is positioning his hands on your shoulders when you carry him. It is so cute!

Well, I'm off to pump!

Comprehensive Blog

I know I have neglected you, dear blog. As you can see, I have started posting my baby blog entries here, too. I've decided to make this a comprehensive blog - copying posts from my baby blog and later on possibly my vacation blog here, too - so that when I am focusing on those, this one won't be neglected.

Obviously, I am mostly focused on Geoffrey and all of our exciting adventures - so anytime I've managed to blog it has been to my baby blog! I still have about 3 weeks left off of work and I am just trying to enjoy this time as much as possible!

Baby Gym

We put together Geoffrey's rainforest baby gym. He loves it already! I really wanted to wait until he'd use it and I wasn't sure if he'd quite be aware enough yet, but he totally is - this morning, he was transfixed staring at the monkey toy, and this evening he enjoyed the light show - he even smiled while he watched the lights change colors! That was cool because although he smiles a lot, they are still sort of random - today it really seemed like he was smiling in response to the lights. He also enjoyed the light reflecting off of the mirror.

Today was a very fun day!

 

Other Stuff

Sometimes when you hold Geoff up on your lap, his head sort of bobs around, like a bobble head. So cute!

He has had mixed reviews on bath time - but overall, I think he loves it. Usually the warm water soothes him and he sits there happy as a clam. However, one time he wailed through the whole thing. Personally, I think he was tired.

I may have mentioned this, but he loves being held up and bounced from under his arm pits. It is almost guarenteed to make him stop crying, and sometimes he'll even fall asleep that way! Only problem is that it is an odd angle and he is heavy - so your arms get really tired pretty quickly. Of course, the moment you stop, he starts crying again!
 

One Month

Geoffrey is one month old right now. How in the heck did that happen? He has changed so much!

One thing that has changed is his cry. When we first brought him home he had such a soft little cry, and it has become so much louder and stronger - most of the time, that is a good thing. He is so cute when he cries.

He is becoming more alert and aware. He has started noticing the fish on his aquarium bouncer (in fact, he didn't even like the bouncer at first!), and he can follow things with his eyes in an arc.

He can lift his head pretty high when he does his tummy time, and his neck is still very strong. It is not steady, but it doesn't flop around and I don't have to really worry about supporting it very much.

He sleeps in his Moses basket at night, and he has started sleeping in his Moses basket in his crib. He usually spends the first half of the night with Grant and I in our room in the Moses basket in the pack and play or in his room in the Moses basket in the crib, and the 2nd half of the night downstairs in his Moses basket with Grandma. His longer stretches are 3 - 4 hours.

He is very auditory - he loves singing, listening to Grandpa Bobby's  voice on the phone, or listening to the music Grant put on the ipod for him - it is a mix of musicals, Disney, and kids songs.

He is getting so tall and gaining lots of weight. He has big beautiful blue eyes. I love when he stretches - he sticks his butt out (which is accentuated by his cloth diapers) bends his arms under his chin or over his head.

He loves to eat - and does well on both the bottle and Mommy's breast. He is getting better at burping, although gas does seem to give him trouble. He spits up alot and he gets the hiccups often about an hour after he eats. He has been farting, too!

He loves going on walks - we've been around the track, to Central Park, Tewinkle, and the Talbert Nature Preserve, as well as downtown HB for Surf City Nights. He's been to a few restaurants as well - Islands, Sunny's, Pei Wei.

He has started to make other noises, too - not quite cooing - but noisy sighs.

Geoffrey - you have grown so much! We love you!

Date Night

Yesterday, Feb. 10, was my due date. Since baby G is not here yet, and there were no signs that he was coming soon, Mom suggested that grant and I go out on a date!

SO Grant and I went to dinner at Houston's. It was de-licious. I had this yummy thai noodle salad with steak, and Grant had ono and a braised cabbage with goat cheese side that he said was absolutely delicious.

 We shared an ice cream sundae for dessert, and they put a candle on it to congratulate us on our upcoming parenthood!

After dinner, we went and watched The Reader, which was a really great movie. I thought they did a good job adapting the book - and Kate Winslet was, of course, amazing, as was David Kross, who played Michael Burg.

What a nice night. I love being with Grant. I am so excited to share this time with him now, and I am so excited that he and I get to share the adventure of parenthood together!

Off of work

SO I am officially off of work - this is my first non school day! It is very weird, because I don't neccesarily feel any closer to delivering the baby then I did last week! I must admit, though, that it is nice to be home. Mom flew in last Tuesday, and we've been spending time working on the house (me nesting? nah... more like mom encouraging...) although it does feel good to have the house clean and in order!

 

It feels very werid to be off of work though - and not on an official vacation or anything. I am not even really aware of days passing - it is hard for me to believe that it is Monday. Hee hee...

Belle dog scared of the Rain

It has been raining here off and on for about 4 days. Last night, at about 4 in the morning, the rain and wind were super strong and woke Belle up - so she came and sat on my head again. It seems sitting on our heads is the most comforting position for her when she's scared at night - sigh. Oh well, at least I didnlt have to stress about her sitting on my belly!

 

Speaking of bellys... due date is tomorrow! I don't think he's going to come on his due date - but hopefully he won't be too much after, either!

 

 

Fire at my sister's complex/my hero brother in law!

This was my sister's apartment complex - The apartment directly above her's burnt down.

Dave (David) Yochem, the hero of the story, is my brother in law! (o:

 - Bobbi Jo

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Manager, neighbor rescue couple from burning apartment

Man ran through glass in bare feet and carried woman down ladder, Huntington Beach fire officials said.

By ANNIE BURRIS

The Orange County Register

| Recommend 1

HUNTINGTON BEACH – A couple trapped in their second-story apartment by a raging fire were rescued by the complex manager and a downstairs neighbor who put a ladder next to the bedroom window and carried the woman to safety, city fire officials said today.

Without the rescuers' help, the couple, both in their 20s, could have died, Huntington Beach fire officials said.

"If they had not (helped), the people would have most likely inhaled enough smoke to pass out and possibly, it could have been fatal," said Fire Capt. George Shinrock.

Allyson Melvillue and Jason Awlins broke the window to their apartment to escape the heat and smoke coming from a fire burning between them and the front door about 3 a.m. Tuesday in the 7700 block of Garfield Ave., said fire spokeswoman Martha Werth.

Donald Snow, the apartment manager and maintenance worker, said he was woken by the sound of breaking glass and ran downstairs. He saw smoke coming out of Melvillue's and Awlins' apartment across the courtyard.

"My thing was, I needed to … find a way to get them out," Snow, 35, said in an interview today. "That was pretty much going through my head, to see whatever I could do to help them get out."

Snow grabbed a maintenance ladder and put it next to the window. That's when neighbor David Yochem, 29, ran out in his bare feet, sprinted through the broken glass and climbed the ladder. He carried Melvillue over his shoulder down from the window.

"It was pretty much instinct when you have people screaming to help them," Yochem recalled. "It was a little bit scary but pretty much the adrenaline and instinct took over."

Awlins followed Melvillue and Yochem down the ladder shortly after the fire department arrived. The couple's brown and black cat Kahlua had jumped safely from the window to the ground, Snow said.

Awlins and Yochem, who had some cuts and suffered smoke inhalation, were taken to Huntington Beach Hospital and released the same day. Yochem and Snow were not injured.

Shrinrock said this was the first time he has witnessed such a rescue in the 15 years he has been with the department.

"To help that girl out of the window – that was huge," he said. "I mean, total disregard for his safety to help someone else."

The total amount of damage from the fire is about $50,000, and all of the couple's belonging were destroyed, Werth said. The cause of the fire is under investigation, she said.

The Inauguration of Barack Obama

I just watched the Inauguration of Barack Obama with my students. What an amazing time - my class was so responsive. They are currently journaling about it, and so I thought I'd do the same. I loved his speech - his acknowledgment of all the work that we have to do, and his confidence that we can, indeed, do it.

We have a lot to be thankful for in our great nation. But it came with a lot of hard work - work we need to continue. It should never be over. We should feel a part of the pride of our nation, not revel in the memory of that pride.

We are on the dawn of great things, we have a great leader - but it is our collective spirit that will truly make this country great!

24 and Idol

A new season of tv has started up - so far, just Idol and 24 (for me - Grant's season of Battlestar Gallactica started up last night, too.)

24 - so far, so good - lots of us joking about all the "24 cliches" that took place in the first few hours of Day 7. I love the show except for the torture, and so far, that has been implied, but not shown.

American Idol - A new judge this year - um, the jury is still out but she seems ok. Not sure why she was needed, unless someone is thinking of leaving or they are afraid Paula might have a breakdown of some sorts. Poor girl. My one lament about the audidion portion of the show - I wish they'd do less talking and profiling, ans show every audition for every person that gets a golden ticket. I like to know the contestents at Hollywood week!

Stomp

We saw Stomp at OCPAC last week. I really liked it! The show was a good length - no intermission, just like Grant likes. It was so neat all the percussion and choreography they could create with every day objects. I wish they would do mini assemblies for schools. I could see my kids doing Stomp-esque stuff on the black top for the next four weeks! Music and exercise!

We don't have any more shows until April (and then we have two in a row!)

I thought it was very kind of the OCPAC to not schedule any shows for Feb. and March so that Grant and I could just stay home with the baby! Hee Hee...

Neglectful

Ok - Admittedly, I have been neglecting this blog - seeing how January is half over. Lately, when I feel like blogging, it has been about baby stuff, so I blog over there. Only 24 days left! Amazing! And, granted, I probably won't get too much blogging in during those first few months. But I'll try!

Las Vegas

Last week, I asked Grant when his next days off were, and he said Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Sweet - because I have Monday off too for MLK day! (Hence the reason he had requested the block of days off) So on Tuesday, he sent me an email: "Found a good deal in Vegas - wanna go?"

Sigh - who knows how long it will be before we can take a sponataneous trip like this once Baby G arrives? Did I want to go to Vegas? Heck yeah! Thus - we had our babymoon.

Grant thinks that "babymoon" is a funny name. Originally, Babymoon referred to the period of time after a baby was born to allow for the parents and baby to bond. More recently, it has evolved (thank you, travel industry) into a word describing a last rip before the baby comes for the couple to be together as a couple before all those sleepless nights with a newborn!

So, anyway, Vegas it is - no flying involved - yummy food, good shows (we have free tickets for the Blue Man Group from when Mom and the boys went to see Dr. Phil) and a great place to stay.

Originally, we were booked at the Marriott Reniassance, but yesterday monring, Grant emailed a bunch o people who still had unrented rooms for the MGM Signature and offered them a final deal (A - would you rather rent us the room for this much or have it go empty?)- and a bunch of people accepted - so he picked the highest floor = penthouse - floor 29. I do believe the MGM Signature is Grant's favorite. I love the access to the MGM pool, although I doubt it will be warm enough to use - and I also love the huge spa tub and the mini kitchenette with fridge and microwave. Plus, although "attached" to MGM, there is no casino in the lobby so it is not very smoky.

Anywho - not much to say about the actual trip yet. We didn't levae home till 7:30 to avoid traffic, and we rolled into Vegas around 11:30 - I slpet for about half of the drive... hee hee... We sung by Walmart to get some snackins' and then checked in! Plans for this trip? Eat at our favorite places (We have 3 in mind) Probably get tickets for a show tonight, Blue Man group tomorrow, and relax and be together!

Have I mentioned how much I love Grant lately?

 

Today...

Book.... Night Fall Nelson DeMille
Movie.... Mamma Mia
TV.... Gary Unmarried, Big Bang Theory, Bringing Home Baby
Video Game... Wii fit, Paper Mario
Internet Activities... Update website, blog
Around the house... laundry, straighten up the house

Lisr of guys I'd love to have come over and clean my house with no shirt on...

Joshua Jackson
Jesse L Martin
Johnny Depp
Jude Law
Jay Mohr

Survivor and Amazing Race

Another season of tv comes to a close.

Amazing Race - This was an odd season for me. I didn't like many of the teams. My favorite team, the techie-nerd guys, got out fairly early on because of a silly mistake not reading the directions. This season was FULL of incidents of racers screwing up because they didn't read the directions. As a 5th grade teacher, it was all too familiar. The winners, Nick and Starr, I didn't love, but I did feel that they were the most deserving.

Survivor - Again, another odd season for me because of the cast. I was so glad that Bob won - I really feel that he deserved it. I thought the other members of the cast treated him horribly. Time after time they rated him as a valuable player yer no one seemed really interested in befriending him.

However, I was royally pissed that Sugar didn't get any votes, and more pissed that Susie managed to get 3. Susie? She didn't do anything during the show! It just pointed to the idiocy of the Jury. I can't believe they would rather give Susie, who did nothing, votes, rather than Sugar, who they all acknowledged played a smart game, or Bob who was smart, good at challenges, and essential around camp. I love that Sugar kept Bob - because he truly deserved it! And screw the jury, Sugar knows most of America loves her.

Looking forward to next season!

Busy times

I am so glad that it is finally vacation! I need a bit of relaxation - some time to slow down and prepare for the upcoming months.

In the past few weeks my mom flew out and I had a baby shower, so I got to put together a lot of fun baby stuff, I've been teaching a parent training program on Thursday nights, and my doctor's appointments have been increasing in frequency. It is going to be nice to have a few weeks to slow down, start preparing my lesson plans for my maternity leave, and do some stuff around the house.

Bell's Toy

Belle has this new toy - It is a squeaker duck. When it squeaked, it sounded like a duck. She's played with toys like this before - She loved Lily's duck - and she's had one of her own before - but Belle has become quite attached to this one, which is unusual for her.

Normally, all of her toys are downstairs, and she mostly pulls them out when other people are here because she wants to play with the visitors.

This duck she keeps upstairs in the bedroom.

She has completely gutted the inside - no squeaker, no stuffing, so it is just the duck "skin," left. She brings it up on the bed with her at night. She usually plays with it a little each night, you know, to make sure that it is good and dead, and then she slips with it on the bed next to her - like it is her teddy bear.

Belle's never done this with a toy before. It is so cute and so funny!

Merry Christmas

Rosie Live!

Risue Live - Rosie's variety show was on NBC last night. I was really looking forward to this - I had high hopes. You know my love for Rosie... and some parts of it were very good. I think it needs some polish - it has some rough edges to smooth out.

I would like to see it brought to primetime for a season. I think it has promise. But it needs more... variety. For a family draw, I didn't feel like it had enough acts to suit the younger set. The pacing seemed off. I was bummed that there were no broadway acts.

Still, as I said, this is really a good medium for Rosie. She could do well here. I hope she gets the chance!

rain

I love the rain.

Yeah Robery Kirby!

"Shouldn 't it be against the law for stupid people to get married? What's more harmful to society — two well-dressed men getting married and settling down, or two idiots tying the knot and cranking out any number of additional idiots?"
-Robert Kirby

California Wildfires

...one discussion I think we should have is that maybe California is on fire because God thinks gay people are awesome and is angry that Prop 8 passed. I mean, if every nutball theologian gets to have an audience preaching the opposite point of view, surely we can entertain the possibility that God hearts the Folsom Street Festival.
  - Jason Linkins

 

Obama's Win

I am stoked about Obama's win. I think it is a positive, uplifting, and hopeful feeling that is spreading over the country.

I just hope people remember that change takes time. Every new president inherits the office - and the state of the nation. Things are not going to change over night on Jan. 20.

Also, we, as a nation, as a people, need to be the change we want to see. It is not up to the government, or Obama, to save us. We need to participate, we need to work for that change.

If we work together - these next four years can be wonderful - Obama has the passion, the drive, and the promise to be the president we need to lead us into a brighter future.

Yes, WE can!

Twilight Saga

I just finished reading the Twilight Saga this weekend. I started it a week and a half ago. It was a fun series - I am looking forward to the movie.

Baby Name Survey

Want to give us your opinion on baby names we're thinking of? Who doesn't?

Sound off in our baby name survey...

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Turning 30

So, I have been 30 for over a week now. I think what amused me the most about turning 30 was other people's reactions. "Are you ok?" "Wow, 30!" "It's ok, you'll survive!" I kind of had to chuckle when I heard this stuff!

I was excited to turn 30! I mean, my 2o's were way better than my teens, so I feel like I have nothing but good stuff to look forward to. I feel like life can only get better! I am settled with the best husband ever. I have a fantastic job. We have our first baby on the way. I feel like I am more set to deal with things, more secure.

My 30's are going to be fantastic - and I am just at the start!

It does not impress me

It does not impress me when I go to nicer restaurants and the server who takes my order doesn't write it down. I mean, seriously, not impressive! I would much rather they reassure me and get my order correct by writing it down rather than try to impress me with their memorization skills.

Wii Fit

We got wii fit last week. Funny time for me to start and all - what with my ever expanding belly and changing sense of balance, since wii fit measures pretty much everything based on your sense of balance.

It also told me I was overweight, and then didn't blink an electronic eye when I set a goal to GAIN a pound and a half in the next two weeks. Hee hee.

Rent: FIlmed Live on Broadway

So yesterday, I went to see Rent: Filmed Live on Broadway at Metro Pointe theater. This is part of a new thing that SOny is doing called "Hot Ticket," where they film big events - broadway shows, concerts, etc., and then play them in movie theaters on extremely limited engagements.

From feedback I've been reading, Rent did not do very well - meaning most of the theaters had 15 - 40 people in it. (I would expect that it could have done much better.) There were some big problems with it, though. First of all, it was VERY poorly advertised. Even I had trouble finding info on it, and I am a total rent head. Also, it was expensive - $20 a ticket. Again, even as a total rent head, I had trouble parting with $20 to see a movie of Rent that will be released on DVD in a few months. Finally, its engagement was very limited - in theaters across the country, your only options were to see it on Wednesday or Thursday at 7:00 pm, and Saturday and Sunday at noon. Noon? On the weekend? What were they thinking? I mean, all of the previews in the "first look" that they play when you're waiting for the real previews to start (you know the previews before the previews?) were geared towards little kids. It was not planned well.

That being said, I did enjoy the production. My and 16 other loyal Rentheads watched it Saturday, at noon, in Costa Mesa. At times, I could almost forget that I was in a theater, and feel like I was at an actual stage show. I loved that it was the musical, pure and simple - no cheesy edits or cookie cutter plots like the movie version. This is a true recording of the stage show as it is meant to be seen. However, some of the filming was not to my taste - I thought they spent way too much time doing close ups, and not enough shots pulled back to show more of the stage. Some of the close ups were WAY too close - those shots were distracting and unnecessary. Also unneeded were some of the shots where the cameras, zoomed in closer than needed, moved quickly to follow the action, which sometimes gave a dizzying effect.

The performances were awesome, the music flawless. I can't wait to get this on dvd - as I can guarantee it will get a lot more play then the movie dvd gets. If I come across people who have never seen it, I won't have quite as many qualms about recommending this as I do about the movie version.... (My normal advice is, don't see the movie until you see the play. Chances are, you won't like the movie.) This version, though, really does the musical justice.

Kids say...

Last night, I was talking with Andrew - Angie's son.  We told him that we were having a boy, and that his name had to start with G. Grant asked him, "Don't you have any friends that have names that start with G?"

Andrew says no, only girls. Then he says, "Well, I guess there's God and Jesus."

Grant tells him, "Jesus starts with a J, but God works."

"Yeah," I said. "We could name him God. How's that?"

and Andrew says, "No. I don't think you can name him God. I think the name is copyrighted or something...."

Disneyland free on your birthday

Get in Disneyland for free on your birthday.

September 18th, 2008, 11:03 am · 8 Comments · posted by Adam Townsend

If you've got a birthday next year, you can get into Disneyland or Disney's California Adventure for free.

Starting Jan. 1, the two theme parks will let you in free to one of them on your birthday.

If you already have a multi-day ticket or annual pass, you can choose an "alternate birthday treat," like a gift card, a ticket for another day or Fast passes for the rest of your group – up to six people.

The gift will be worth the value of a day pass to one park.

"This is your birthday – come on in," Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo said in a Thursday telephone interview.

Regular admission into Disneyland is $69 for adults, and $59 for those ages 3-9; under age three is free.

The Disneyland and Disney World resorts are starting a new promotion to take advantage of the current tourism trend: celebration vacations.

According to industry research firm Ypartnership, more and more people are taking vacations to celebrate some life event, like a birthday, a reunion, a honeymoon or a retirement – so-called "milestone" vacations.

"People tend to plan more intensely and further in advance for certain vacations," Rasulo said. "Historically, most of our celebrations have focused on Disney milestones. This is a celebration that focuses on milestones in our guests' lives."

Disney has used that research to organize its promotional strategy — the resorts next year will institute Web programs that let park partiers order ahead cakes, flowers, restaurant table service, tea parties with characters and other special services.

To avoid delays at the park, officials suggest pre-registering for the free tickets at www.disneyparks.com. To get the free passes, park-goers must show a valid ID for adults or notarized birth certificates for children.

Miss Me?

I know - it has been a while! I had my long vacation, which was amazingly awesome.

I am back to school  - I have 30 students this year - more girls than boys - and they seem like a really nice group. I have one student who has autism. So far, so good - I really like him. I am super busy though with back to school stuff. It will be nice when things settle back into a routine. We have a new 5th grade teacher on our team - the new dynamics are interesting but things are going well.

My belly is starting to pop out a bit. I can fit some of my regular clothes, but some are getting too tight. My belly is a little better on the left then on the right which is funny. Odd, though, is that my belly button hurts! It is kind of itchy and tender on the inside. My boobs are sore too. It is just like everything in stretching and getting tighter. Such fun!

Maternity Clothes

My friend Katherine lent me a whole bunch of her Maternity clothes - because she totally rocks. Also, Delaine took me shopping at the Gap for some clothes. I really don't need them yet, but I wanted to bring a few things on our cruise, since my belly "could" pop out in those two weeks. I just figures better safe then stuck on vacation with uncomfortable clothes.

Anyway - OH MY GOD - Maternity Clothes are SO comfortable. Seriously, I think the word would be a better place if everyone wore comfortable clothes, and I swear, going back to regular clothes is going to be a nightmare. I think that is a huge contribution to why people have trouble losing the baby weight. I swear, I would be perfectly happy wearing maternity clothes for the rest of my life!

wii sports

I played boxing with Andrew on wii sports last night. My arms are freakin' killing me.

Have you seen my baby blog yet?

0urbabybl0g.blogspot.com

Fall Shows

fall shows:
Fox: Fringe, Dollhouse
CBS: Survivor, Amazing Race, The Big Bang Theory, Gary  Unmarried, The ex list?
ABC: Ugly Betty, Opportunity Knocks?, (Pushing Daisies)
NBC: Kath and Kim,
CW: 90210,

 

High School Musical - Get in the Picture

Ok - I know pregnancy reeks havoc on my hormones and this crying crap is all related, but just hear me out...

Kay, I am watching this new abc show High School Musical: Get in the Picture. They are auditioning young talent from across America. First they have these open casting calls. What I love about it, is the auditioners are so respectful of everyone who auditions - whether they suck or not. If they don't pass into the semi finals, the judges are so kind and helpful and positive with their advice, and when the kids walk out, even if they did not pass they audition, they feel really good about it.

It made me think about how that compares to American Idol. I mean, I'll admit, there are some really funny auditions - I've laughed at really unbelievable performances, but still, I am not crazy about how mean the judges can be.

This show is interesting - and yet the judges don't put anyone down. I really like it!

Something I like about the show - is the alternative way kids can make it to the semi finals. Parents and teachers were bale to send in videos - and then the auditioners went out to watch them perform and then, if they pass their "secret" audition, they auditioners announce it in front of the school, friends and family. So cool!!!

I like it. I like it, I like it a lot.

The two extremes of life - birth and death...

Yesterday, Grant and I went to my first ultrasound. I got to see my little baby - the heart beat... the movement - it was so amazing to see. I am keeping a pregnancy blog at 0urbabyblog.blogspot.com

On a down note, yesterday, we had to put our dog, 13 year old dog, Kanga, to sleep. How much does that suck? Seriously - it happened so fast. A few days after we got back from Europe, she started peeing in the house - After a few days, with it starting so suddenly, we thought maybe she had a bladder infection. We took her to the vet and she got an antibiotic but after a few days, things didn't seem to be getting better. She stopped peeing in the house - she stopped peeing at all. She would squat and strain but nothing would come out. She also wasn't eating very much. We called the vet again, and they thought maybe she had kidney stones. I dropped her off yesterday to get x-rays. Well, the xrays showed no stones, so the vet suspected a tumor or bladder cancer. She put Kanga out to do the test and found that her bladdar was so blocked she couldn't get a catheter up, and the urine was very, very dark. Essentially, there was nothing they could do, and they suggested just letting her go at that point - since she was already underanesthetic for the test, it just seemed easier for her than reviving her so we could all say goodbye - it would have been selfish to put her through that pain.

Oasis of the Seas

Awhile back, I shared with you the "Central Park," neighborhood on the new Project Genesis ship that Royal Caribbean is building. Well, the ship is officially named the Oasis of the Seas (with its sister ship being named the Allure of the Seas.) Oasis will begin booking this September, and sail in December of 2009.

They are designing Oasis around the concept of neighborhoods - seven in all. The first that they revealed was the Central Park Neighborhood. The next one was the Royal Promenade, already a familiar concept to the Royal Caribbean Fleet. They just recently revealed the third neighborhood, and the will continue revealing information about the rest of the ship throughout the summer.

The most recent neighborhood is the Boardwalk. This neighborhood is adjacent to Central Park, above the Royal Promenade, on the back of the ship. It, too, opens to the sky, and recalls the feel of historic boardwalks - it will include an airbrush "tatoo" parlor, candy shop, fortune telling, Johnny Rockets, and the first ever at sea amusement ride - an old fashioned carosel! In addition, there is a zip line that travels across the Boardwalk Area that decends something like 9 decks.

The Boardwalk exits onto an ampitheater pool deck known as the AquaTheater. During the day, terraced decks filled with lounge chairs surround this aft pool, while two movie screens can, at time, offer entertainment to the sun batehrs and swimmers. Behind these decks are two rock climbing walls. At night, these lounge hairs convert into stadium seating, while the pool transforms into an aqua theater - complete with a suitable depth for high diving, synchronized swimming, and water ballet and acrobatics.

Can you even imagine?

Here, you can go to the official website. There is a photo gallery, a video with all sort of concept art, and all sorts of neat info.

Here are some interesting quotes from the recent chat event:
Foffie232: How will the space in the AquaTheater transform at night? Specifically, if the area is a public pool area during the day, with lounge chairs, what kind of seating will there be at night for the shows performed there?
Royal_Caribbean_Alice_Norsworthy: You'll find this very interesting. We will have very unique chairs which can convert from reclining sun lounge chairs by day, to fully upright stadium seating by night. Other "transformations" include: water show programming (day = passive; night = active), plus large screen tv programming, in-water lifting platforms which convert from standard pool bottom depth during day, to become ultra deep diving pool at night (17.9 ft), night lighting and sound, etc

Roe: What is a zip line?
Royal_Caribbean_Alice_Norsworthy: A zip line is best described as a pulley suspended on a cable. The zip line is designed to allow the guest to propell by gravity nine decks across the top of the Boardwalk. This is for those that are looking for an adventure.

dogloverCalifornia: what kind of shows are going to be in the aquatheater? the stage seems awfully small for any kind of real entertainment.
Royal_Caribbean_Alice_Norsworthy: The AquaTheater is the first of its kind at sea. At night the space will be transformed into a performance venue which feature dramatic acrobatics, synchronized swimming, water ballet and professional high-diving performances. There is ample space to execute wonderful performances.

patswife: WILL THERE BE INSIDE CABINS
Royal_Caribbean_Alice_Norsworthy: Yes, there will be inside, outside, and balcony staterooms. Actually, there will be a total of 37 stateroom categories to choose from.

BEACHCAT: ARE ALL THE TREES AND GRASS REAL?
Royal_Caribbean_Alice_Norsworthy: Yes, Central Park features real grass, foliage, shrubs, trees and flowers. It's going to be so neat!

Wicked

On Tuesday, we went up to see Wicked in LA. We took the train and spent the night at the Marriott at Hollywood and Highland!

Wicked really is a good play - and I loved the casting - Elphaba and Galinda were perfect in their roles! It seems like such a fun play to be in!

Evolution

Something that leaves my head scratching -

I know a lot of people who believe in creationism and say that evolution is absolutely wrong. Yet, when asked, they really don't understand what evolution is. I'll bring up a specific point and they'll say, "You know, I don't really know the details..." or "I don't really understand what that part (of evolution) is."

One example is micro versus macro evolution. I'll talk about a general point on micro evolution, and they'll readily admit that they don't understand the specific points of evolution.

So how can people discredit a scientific theory that they don't even understand? That seems a bit close minded. I would never reject (or accept) a theory that I don't understand. "Oh I don't understand refraction, so I don't believe rainbows are created from the separation of light."

School's Out for summer!

I hat the end of the school year - I totally cried, as usual! I am such a sucker. I hate endings. This day is always so emotionally exausting for me. And where did the time go???

Tomorrow, off to Amsterdam! If I don't blog here for a while - check my vacation blog!

Prices

Taco Bell has a new menu - .79, .89, .99 cents.

Sigh.

I remember in 6th grade - the .59, .79, .99 menu!

Gas prices today - $4.57, $4.67, and $4.77.

Lord.

Sorry -

End of the year. Report Cards. Vacation. Stuff.

Superhero Quiz

Your results:
You are Spider-Man

Spider-Man 60% Superman 60% Robin 57% Wonder Woman 50% Iron Man 50% Green Lantern 45% The Flash 45% Supergirl 45% Hulk 40% Catwoman 25% Batman 15%

You are intelligent, witty, a bit geeky and have great power and responsibility.

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Quiz

After Thoughts

The Manicotti turned out pretty well. I am going to make it with Spinach and mushrooms next time. yum.

Sasha Baron Cohen. Freakin hilarious. Honestly, I think the guy is a genius.

Ten for Tuesday - On My MInd

Ten things on my mind (in completely random order... because I am... random that is...

1) I hope dinner is yummy... I am making Manicotti for the first time. (fingers crossed)

2) Tony Awards on Sunday - with the original cast of Rent... probably playing tribute since Rent is closing this year after it's 12 year run (it was the 7th longest running broadway musical).

3) The Mamma Mia movie. I am so excited for it - I really hope it is good! One thing I am bummed about - one of my favorite songs is not in the movie (or if it is, it is not on the soundtrack... :o( "Thank you for the music...."

4) Amsterdam... coming up in just a few more weeks! I hope I sleep on the flight. Should I check my bag or carry it on??? The Other Boleyn Girl is playing on the flight...

5) The Disney cruise. I am so So SO excited... SO excited. I can't even tell you. SO excited.

6) Million Dollar Password: Fun show!!! Neil Patrick Harris is pretty good! Really suspenseful! Seriously... I am getting so excited!!! Oh God he is going on..... and... OH! He didn't make it!

7) School: I really should start me report cards. More to the point, I really should be correcting research reports right now. Sigh. After dinner.

8) Summer TV. Man does it suck. Nothing is on until Big Brother in July. Thank GOD for Netflix.

9) Lost. I actually like the 2nd Season. A lot... so far...

10) Obama won. I am still praying for an Obama - Clinton ticket. Seriously, he would totally go up in my esteem if he did that!!!

9)
8)

Buzz Lightyear in Space!

Buzz Lightyear has launched to the International Space Station today on the Discovery!

See the promotion clip HERE on You Tube

Follow along on Buzz's mission at nasa.gov, or here at Buzz's official site through the Nasa Kid's Club

View Askewniverse

I'm watching Mallrats and thought I'd use this opportunity to list the View Askew movies in my personal favorite order (although I enjoy them all! Love them!)

1) DOGMA - Jay, Silent Bob, Alan Rickman, and religious dogma. Who could ask for anything more?

2) Mallrats - Brodie is to the mall as I am to Disneyland. Fear and respect the elevator. What, like the back of a volkswagon? Fly fat-ass Fly!

3) Clerks 2. A squeaky clean, dealin' Jay, the best bachelor party in the history of the world, a happy ending for Dante, and all the Mooby burgers you can eat.

4) Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back: Tickets? Since when did they start charging for the bus? Didn't we used to ride that shit to school every morning for free?

5) Chasing Amy: So, you've never been curious about men?
Curious about men? Well, I always wondered why my father watched Hee Haw.

6) Clerks: "I'm not even supposed to be here today...

Love Jersey Girls, but really, not a View Askew movie... you think?

Well, that's my list for today... of course, it is subject to change...

Chocolat

I just watched Chocolat. What a lovely movie. Really, I enjoyed it much more then I thought it would. I think I'll read the book this summer.

I know lovely isn't that I normally use, but it truly is a lovely story. Not awesome, fantastic, great, or cute - lovely.

Oh, and I think I am totally in love with Johnny Depp now.

Same Sex Marriage Legal!

I am so stoked! The California Supreme Court has ruled the Same Sex Marriage is legal! I am so, so incredibly happy!

When I heard the news on Thursday, I was so happy about it! Someone I know made a snide comment about it, and when asked me, with a completely disgusted look on her face, why I was to happy. It about broke my heart.

In our country, people have a right to equality. Who is anyone to say who someone else can love? As long as the love is between to consenting adults, then it should be legal. The government can't forbid people of different races from getting married. Civil Unions are not the same (Haven't we already had the separate but equal issue in America?)

I am so happy. This is a day I have been waiting for. What the world needs now, is love, sweet love, and why anyone would want to deny that of anyone else is beyond me.

A friend of mine said it best on Thursday. She said, "You know, I've always been for gay marriage. But now that I have my own children, I feel even strongly about it. I want my children to find love and to be happy, and if they happened to be gay, then I would want this for them. I would want them to have the right to be married."

Love. Love for your children. Love for your life partner. Love for your neighboy, your fellow man.

Love.

That's what life is all about, folks.

Survivor Finale

I am still pulling for Amanda...

I think that the Ozzie/Amanda romance is so cute - way better than  the gag me Rob and Amber reality show crap...

But, seriously, what is it with the all-star romances... seriously... I mean, I bet the stay-tgether rate of all-star romances is higher than the Bachelor....

Oh God... Jeff's gonna tally the votes!

I love when they pan across the Survivors back in the US looking all healthy and pretty...

What if there is a tie???

Parv
Amanda
Parv
Amanda
Parv
Amanda
Parv
Parvati

Parvati??? Wow! Holy Macaroni!

Well, congrats, Parvati. It has certainly been a season of blind sides!

Love the movie Juno

If you have not yet seen the movie Juno, please, go see it... I love Love LOVE it. Seriously. Love it.





















CLICK HERE TO SEE MY FAVORITE JUNO DELETED SCENE!

Quick Quiz on Politics

The Quiz I took can be found here...

The political group that
agrees with you most is...

.

CENTRIST



CENTRISTS espouse a "middle ground" regarding government

control of the economy and personal behavior. Depending on

the issue, they sometimes favor government intervention

and sometimes support individual freedom of choice.

Centrists pride themselves on keeping an open mind,

tend to oppose "political extremes," and emphasize what

they describe as "practical" solutions to problems.

Juno

Oh my gosh - Juno - such a cute movie! I really, really liked it!

It was funny and cute, with some heart tugging, poignent moments, and a quirky, simple soundtrack.

A MAJOR reason that I loved this movie is that it represents to me one of the most awesome things someone can do - It is about a teenager who gets pregnant, and decides to keep the baby and give it up for adoption - in my opinion, the kindest, most selfless thing a teen in that situation can do. Abortion just gets rid of the problem, and keeping it when you are not ready, finacnially or emotionally, is just a bad situation for the mom and the baby. Carrying the baby and giving it to a loving family who can take care of the child is a beautiful act.

This movie is fantastic - it is a beautiful story of growing up - of being faced with grown up problems when still young. WATCH IT!

Water for Elephants, The Glass Castle

I just read two books - Water for Elephants and The Glass Castle.

Both of them were great books, if you are looking for a good read.

Water for Elephants takes place on a traveling circus in the early part of the 20th century. It is a rich detailed description of the politics and workings of the traveling circus during the prohibition and The Great Depression, when circuses - and everyone - was struggling to stay afloat. It is also about growing old, as the protagonist is reliving his time in the circus while he is living in an elderly home. A beautiful story.

The Glass Castle is sort of like an "Angela's Ashes" type tale... a story of a family growing up in poverty and hard times and parents who have a, shall we say, different view of what a parents role should be. However, as a child growing up in the family, what to someone on the outside may seem horrific seems to her as, well, more or less, normal. Of course, the older you get, the less crap you are willing to accept. This is a tale of a family of children who made the best out of the circumstances they were dealt, and then became determined to not repeat the cycle in their own adult lives.

Royal Caribbean - Project Genesis

I am so excited about The new Royal Caribbean Genesis Class ships. OH MY GOD.... Seriously, it looks so awesomely awesome. I mean, check out the link... I am not kidding! It looks so great. My favorite part of the Adventure of the Seas was the promenade... and their "Central Park" plans for the promenade of the new ships just looks spectacular. Seriously? I would love to stay in a promenade view room!

2009, baby!!! SO excited!

Thank you for the music....

I swear, Abba must have been playing in the hospital when I was born. I can't believe how catchy the tunes are, and how easily I seem to pick up the lyrics. Granted, they aren't the most complicated songs int he world, but still... I think I may have a new musical obsession....

I mean, I ask you in all honesty, what would life be, without a song or a dance what are we? So I say thank you for the music, for giving it to me...

Cori's Fortune

Grant and I went out to eat with Angie, Andrew and Cori at Golden Garden. At the end of our meal, we got our Fortune Cookies. Grant read his out loud. Angie read hers. I read mine, and Andrew read his. Not wanting to be out done, four year old Cori pulls out her fortune, and starts reading/singing it, "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, How I wonder what you are!..."

Stupid IQ Test.

Don't go do this one. Trust me, it is not worth your time. Its not a real IQ test, and it makes yo9u wade through 15,000 ads before it gives you your results.


Take a Free IQ Test.

My 2nd choice

Your Personality Profile

You are dreamy, peaceful, and young at heart. Optimistic and caring, you tend to see the best in people. You tend to be always smiling - and making others smile. You are shy and intelligent... and a very hard worker. You're also funny, but many people don't see your funny side. Your subtle dry humor leaves your close friends in stitches.

The World's Shortest Personality Test

Shortest Personality Quiz

Your Personality Profile

You are dependable, popular, and observant. Deep and thoughtful, you are prone to moodiness. In fact, your emotions tend to influence everything you do. You are unique, creative, and expressive. You don't mind waving your freak flag every once and a while. And lucky for you, most people find your weird ways charming!

The World's Shortest Personality Test

Color Quiz

Bobbi+Jo took the free ColorQuiz.com personality test! "Needs a peaceful environment. Wants release from ..." Click here to read the rest of the results.

Here are all the results, but you can click above to take the quiz yourself!

Bobbi Jo's Existing Situation

This represents a barrier between the compensatory colors which precede it and the remaining colors.


Bobbi Jo's Stress Sources

Wishes to be independent, unhampered, and free from any limitation or restriction, other than those which she imposes of herself or by her own choice and decision.


Bobbi Jo's Restrained Characteristics

Clings to her belief that her hopes and ideas are realistic, but needs encouragement and reassurance. Applies very exacting standards to her choice of a partner and wants guarantees against loss or disappointment.

Becomes distressed when her needs or desires are misunderstood and feels that she has no one to turn to or rely on. Egocentric and therefore quick to take offense.

Able to achieve satisfaction through sexual activity.


Bobbi Jo's Desired Objective

Needs a peaceful environment. Wants release from stress, and freedom from conflicts or disagreement. Takes pains to control the situation and its problems by proceeding cautiously. Has sensitivity of feeling and a fine eye for detail.


Bobbi Jo's Actual Problem

Does not wish to be involved in differences of opinion, contention or argument, preferring to be left in peace.

19 Minutes

I just finished "19 Minutes," by Jodi Picoult. Almost everyone I know says that "19 Minutes" say that it is their favorite Picoult book.

I enjoyed it. I thought it was really good. However, I don't think it was my favorite. There were too many plot issues... the whole plot about the older brother who got killed by the drunk driver.... so? The only way I can see that that helped was to give the mom a sympathetic reason to not go through her son's room to be aware of the guns and stuff.

Anywho. A good read - you'll like it... much better than Mercy and Change of Heart, but I like The Tenth Circle and Plain Truth better...

Mamma Mia

I think Mamma Mia is one of my all time favorite shows. It really truly is the music that makes it so good. The story itself is far fetched but cute - and I really like how it is just as much about the mom (Donna) as the daughter (Sophie).

I just found out that they are making a movie. I don't really know how it will translate to the big screen - so many of the musical numbers barely work, but do, because it is on the stage... but I am still excited...

I am most excited about Amanda Seyfried as Sophie and Julie Walters as Rosie. Amanda plays Sarah Hendrickson in Big Love, and Julie Walters is Molly Weasley in the Harry Potter movies.

They cast Christine Baranski (Chicago, Grinch) as Tanya... I really like her as an actress, but not who I would picture in the role... every time I see the musical I picture Kim Cattrell (Sex and the City).

Here's the cast:
(Credited cast)

Colin Firth ... Harry Bright

Meryl Streep ... Donna

Pierce Brosnan ... Sam Carmichael

Amanda Seyfried ... Sophie
Dominic Cooper ... Sky

Stellan Skarsgård ... Bill

Julie Walters ... Rosie

Christine Baranski ... Tanya

NKOTB

New Kids on the Block

Reuniting

Friday. April 4th. On the Today Show.

I am SO EXCITED.

www.nkotb.com

2008 - 2009 Broadway Series at OCPAC

10 for Tuesday - 10 reasons to be excited about next season at the Orange County Performing Arts Center!

1) The Color Purple (regular season) in November

2) Cats (Curtain Call add on) in December

3) Stomp (Curtain Call add on) in January

4) Avenue Q (regular season) in March in April

5) The Rat Pack - Live at the Sands (Curtain Call add on) in April

6) Grease (regular season) April in May in June

7) Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (regular season) in July

8) Fiddler on the Roof (regular season) in August

9) Legally Blonde (regular season) in September

10) The fact that there are 9 shows again instead of 7, like the 2007 - 2008 season!

Reading

I love to read. So much. Too much, maybe. When I read a book, I get totally absorbed in it. I don't understand NOT liking to read.

I am reading a book called "Change of Heart" - Jodi Picoult's newest one. So far, eh, I don't know. I am way at the beginning, still, (page 80 of 400 and something...) but there are these things happening that suggest that there may be supernatural things occurring... now, I don't mind reading  supernatural  books, but it seems to be a little off putting in her novel, because thats not what she usually writes.

Plus, I am not sure if I am crazy about the message her book might be leading up...

On the other hand, it could be that there is a logical explanation for everything that is happening and I just haven't figured it out yet. We shall just have to wait and see.

 
Which to me, is the best part of books!

The Sims 3

The Sims 3 is on the horizon!

It is coming in 2009, and it has some definite features that I am way excited about - namely - the fact that you are playing in a whole neighborhood rather than one household at a time, so your Sims can stroll out of the house, down the street, to the park, or into a coffee shop without loading new lots constantly.

Also, I am excited about how we will be able to create our Sims personalities. In Sims 2, you were given 25 "points" that you could use to create your Sims personality, distributing them among 5 personality "bars" (sloppy-neat, shy-outgoing, lazy-active, serious-fun, and grouchy-nice) - with each bar having the possibility of 10 points max. The way you distributed your points gave your sim a personality.

The creators of Sims 3 noticed that in the real world, when people classify themselves, they do so by character traits - so when creating your sims personalities, you will have a list of 80 some odd character traits (lazy, clumsy, genius, family oriented, etc.) and you will pick 5 to describe your sim. This should really make sims customizable!

I am pretty excited. This is my favorite article so far.

There is also lots of information at Snooty Sims.

Newsies on Stage

I am watching Newsies right now, while working on report cards - you know, a little background noise and all, and I was just thinking again about how much I would LOVE to see a stage version of this - with a little tweaking - I've always believed that Newsies could be a huge hit on stage - like a new Oliver! or Annie. Seriously, it has some great songs, a good story, family appeal - it could be totally awesome!

So I decided to take a break and google to see if Disney telepathically read my thoughts ( like it does so often for many of its brilliant ideas that I also thought up)

... and sure enough, I found this Nov. 2007 article that says, way down, at the very end:

Other upcoming Menken projects include "working with Tim Rice on King David, a stage musical of 'Newsies' [also 1992], and a couple of new movie musicals with Stephen Schwartz. There's a whole agenda of what I want to do."

AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH Could it possibly be true? This could be a dream come true for me! Seriously, I'd probably fly out to New York to see it before it started its National Tour.

Also, I found this about it on wikipedia:

Stage Adaptation

Music Theater International is currently working on a stage adaptation of Newsies. In an e-mail response to a question, an MTI employee stated that "at this time, the performance rights to NEWSIES are still not available and a release date has not been set, although we are hopeful that a stage adaptation might finally be available sometime in 2008-2009".

Stresses

Top Ten Things I've been stressed about lately...

1) Not getting my top ten out on Tuesday

2) My field trip (stressful, but fun! It went really well...)

3) The walk through. Don't ask. I hate them. I have always hated them, and I always spend the next few months feeling like a shitty teacher.

4) Report Cards. I have to get them done. This weekend.

5) Grading my students writing. I have to get it done. This weekend. Before I can do report cards.

6) Student Led Conferences. I feel so unprepared this time around.

7) The writing portion of student led conferences. I feel like I have spent too much time on reading and science that my writing instruction has been really weak this year.

8) Not practicing or writing as much as I had hoped I would (Not working on my personal goals).

9) Not helping Grant as much as I should around the house.

10) This crazy dream I had. Seriously, you'd have had me committed. Maybe I should have my self committed.

Wednesday. Most of this will be over by Wednesday. My last conference is on Wednesday. I can make it to Wednesday....

My boyfriend's back!

My boyfriend has moved back in to the family room. And my boyfriend's better than ever.

Our new Tivo records in HD. It can record two channels at a time. Plus, it can access all of the shows on our old, 300 hour Tivo upstairs, so we can actually record 3 shows at once (if needed) and access all the programs (from upstairs or downstairs) on our spiffy new Tivo that is connected to our big TV.

I must credit Miranda from Sex and the City for being the first to call Tivo her boyfriend. I so understand.

I love my TV. I love my Tivo. I fully admit it.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Finally! Seriously, they should have done this for books 4, 5, and 6, too. And possibly book 3.

I hope someone makes a TV series out of it. 2 seasons. 24 48 minute episodes. Or as many as it takes to tell the story full, completely, and accurately.

Here is the story:

'Deathly Hallows' films are scheduled to be released in November 2010 and May 2011.

By Geoff Boucher, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
1:11 PM PDT, March 12, 2008

WATFORD, England -- It's official: Eight will be the magic number for the "Harry Potter" film franchise.

After months of rumors, Warner Bros. and the producers of the massively successful movies will announce Thursday that they plan to split "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," J.K. Rowling's seventh and final "Potter" novel, into two blockbuster films -- one to be released in November 2010 and the second in May 2011.

The films will be titled, simply, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I" and "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II," according to producer David Heyman. Director David Yates, who returned for his second tour of Potter duty with "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" and is quite popular with the cast, will direct both "Deathly Hallows" films, which will be filmed concurrently. Screenwriter Steve Kloves also returns and, by completion of the franchise, will have written seven of the eight films.

10 Jobs

10 for Tuesday -

10 Jobs I would love to have (if I had the ability) and/or (if I wasn't a teacher) and/or (if I could make a living doing it.) -

Presented in no particular order...

1) A singer.

2) A fiction writer

3) A Disney Imagineer

4) A year round camp counselor

5) A radio talk show host

6) A TV show series writer

7) A Travel Book Writer/Travel Magazine Writer

8) A Disney Tour Guide

9) A stand up comedian

10) A Broadway Legend

Maybe some of those jobs could be combines and it is not 10 actual songs, but hey, it is cool!

Today is a happy day!

Writer's Block

I did a lot of writing this weekend, and then I just stopped. Arg! I am totally stuck! I completely forgot what I wanted to come next. This morning, I woke up and remembered another key scene that I wanted to take place, so I thought I could skip over this transitional section and work on that, and then go in and fill the holes in.

About 1/2 of my story I have read twice - because I wrote it on different computers and merged them together and had to double check that everything fit correctly. What I enjoyed is that I revised a lot f the stuff that I had rewritten, and it is even better. I feel like I can tell a distinct difference between what I just wrote, and what I went through and revised. The dialogs flows more naturally (at least, I hope it does!) and things go better together.

In the past, one of the weakest things about my stories was my lack of dialog, I spend so much time focusing on giving back story that by the time I get to action, this story always sort of fizzled out. This time, I really tried to focus on dialog, and filling in the back story as I go along - however, I am afraid now it is too dialog  heavy - I don't know if I am striking the right balance. Again, always something I can work on.

If I can just finish it, I will be so proud of myself!

2008 is turning out to be quite the year for me, a year of new things, getting over personal hurdles, and trying things I've always said I wanted to do...and it is still just at the beginning!

 

All Good Things Must Come to an End

That is the title of the 2 hour season finale of Dawson's Creek that I just finished watching.

Which is why I am sitting here, crying like a baby.

All the big points I remembered... who ended up with who (except I had forgotten who Jack's boyfriend was) and what happened to all of the major characters. I wanted to avoid it, because I hate it when good storied end.

It had a good run. (You know, the whole inevitable video collage that shows just how much the characters aged throughout the series).

Ah, what can I say? Life is weird, is it not? Real or fictional. The thing about these shows is, they have to end on tv, even though the character's lives go on from here - we just don't get to see them anymore - so they have to make some big event to end it all for the viewing public. (I mean, look at Joan of Arcadia - that show just ended - totally left everyone hanging - but it didn't have all the drama of a finale....)

In real life, there are only a handful of major events that mark these monumentous endings of one life and beginnings of another - graduation, weddings, births, deaths. But the reality is, as you go back and look through your life, the big changes are more gradual. You don't see them until you look from a distance.

God, I am just trying to be all poetic by trying to put into words what I'm feeling in my chest right now.

Have I mentioned how much I hate endings?

"It's not about getting it right. It's about knowing when something is wrong and doing something about it."

One more thing to add... for now

I do seem to have a hard time - when I DO remember to not talk about myself - and I try to show my genuine interest in others, I feel like I come across as nosy. It is a tough balance. I envy those who are naturally social.

Guess what? I'm allowed to use my "head voice!" Don't ask - it is a random comment and not remotely related to this topic.

I'm just... random

Self Centered

 

I think I must be a very high maintenance friend. I am probably very tiring to be around at times. It sucks.

See, here is the thing. I am annoyed by people who are self centered. However, I have come to realize that I am one of the most self centered people I know.

My problem was, I always assumed that self centered people were that way because the thought that they were fabulous. So, with those glasses on, I could never really see myself as self centered because I know that I am anything but fabulous.

(Let me be clear - I don't suck, I'm just not fabulous. You know what I am trying to say. You've met those really and truly fabulous people. Some are very self centered, true, but some are extraordinarily humble in their fabulous-ness, which makes them, of course, all the more fabulous.)

However, it has become clear to me over the past year or so that I spend so much time thinking about all of the ways that I am NOT fabulous. Second guessing things I said, or things I did. With my close friends, I talk about it, a lot, and it must be terribly boring.

It occurred to me that all of this self doubt and self reflection add up to self centered-ness. I am TOTALLY self centered. If I spend most of my time thinking about how I can improve myself, how I can not be such a dork, how what the last thing I said or did was totally stupid, then that is pretty self centered, right?

Here's the problem. In many ways, I think I am a pretty cool person. I make good "big idea" decisions in the course of my life. Unfortunately, where I pretty much suck, is where anyone else is involved. Talking to  people, going to parties, hanging out with friends.

So, when I am with other people, I enter this sort of "freeze mode," where I forget everything I am supposed to do because I am so uncomfortable. I coach myself "Don't say this, Don't do that, Don't talk about yourself, Talk about others, Show interest in others." Then I get in the situation, and I forget everything that I am supposed to do. Upon reflection, I realize that as I sit there, wanting to join in a conversation, I don't know how, I don't know what to say in the moment, so I end up connecting the conversation to me. About me.

I forget all of my self coaching.

(Come on - you can totally relate - I can parallel this to when you take lessons in something new, and you have all this stuff you have to remember to get it to work right - like playing an instrument - remember how to play each note, remember to keep a tempo, remember to sit up straight, remember the correct position of your fingers, remember to breathe, oooooh wait now you're slouching and oops you're not keeping the tempo, but remember to breathe... you try to juggle all of those little things and you remember one thing and you forget another...)

I feel like I have so little patience with myself - because I know what I am suppose to do - but I forget to do it. I feel so stupid sometimes - and infuriated because I know I am NOT a stupid person. But I do think I am a SLOW person. I am very good at thinking out everything that I need to do, but I am not very good at actually doing them in the moment.

It's why I suck at playing the piano - I can't play and look at the music at the same time - I had to memorize the song. Maybe that is my problem. I spent so much time finding ways to "cheat" growing up (ie, memorizing the songs) that I didn't learn how to actually learn to do stuff.

Anyway. What was I talking about in the first place?

Oh yeah. Myself.

sigh

Ten songs in my head

Ten for Tuesday (A day late)

Ten Songs stuck in my head: (in no particular order).

1) Imagine - John Lennon "Imagine all the people, sharing all the world.... you, you may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one...."

2) Maria - Blondie "She walks like she don't care, smooth as silk, cool as air, oooh it makes you wanna cry..."

3) Life Support - Rent - Jonathan Larson "Will I lose my dignity? Will someone care? Will I wake tomorrow from this nightmare?"

4) Angel of Music - Phantom of the Opera - Webber, Hart, and Stilgoe "Where in the world have you been hiding? Really you are perfect! I only wish I knew your secret, who is this new tutor?"

5) Bathwater - No Doubt "But I still love to wash in your old bathwater, love to think that you couldn't love another, I can't help it.... you're my kind of man!"

6) White Houses - Vanessa Carlton "She's so pretty and she's so sure, maybe I'm more clever then a girl like her... the summer's all in bloom.... the summer's ending soon... "

7) Mamma Mia - Abba - "Just one look and I can hear a bell ring, one more look and I forget everything..."

8) Breakaway - Kelly Clarkson "I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly, I'll do what it takes 'till I touch the sky and I'll take a risk, take a chance, make a change.... and breakaway..."

9) What Time is It?  - High School Musical 2 - "What time is it? Summertime! It's our vacation!"

10) Theme Tune - Charlotte Church - The Charlotte Church Show (Season 2, I think)  "It's my theme tune, it's my theme tune, it goes on and on.... it's my theme tune, my lovely theme tune, it goes on and on."