Ok, I must say I am not terribly pleased with this season of Survivor. Uh uh. The girls/guys thing ticked me off. Not having three tribes ticked me off. Eliminating two people so early on ticked me off. Nobody is particularly endearing. The only guy I really liked was Brady, and he got kicked off. So now I'm just kinda...blah. I mean, I know as I grow to like, or more likely, hate, more people, I will find the show more interesting this season, but for now, there's no one I like, no one I hate, just a bunch of really boring people, in my opinion.
The boys are annoying, because they voted soley on the old young alliance, with the old winning out...which nomally, I would root for, but in this case, the young guys, for the most part, seemed nice, weren't cocky or conceited (the major reason I tend to hate the "young" crowd) and they were actually very hard workers. Most of the older guys are annoying, dumb, and out of shape (as witnessed by their inability to win competitons and their decision on who to vote off.)
The girls, sigh. I don't know. They're very flaky. Dolly, the nice girl, got voted off. Sigh. I just don't know. (Twila really does look nice with her hair braided, by the way.)
So now that the teams made it one more week (oh had Brady made it one more week...) strategies will have to mix up. We'll see.
FOr now, I am uninspired. sigh...
Maybe I am just not devoting enough attention to the show. Maybe the fact that I am watching the show while doing homework or grading papers? But I think not...usually, those other things get pushed off to the side becasue the show is dull this time around. Too bad. The format is awesome. I just wish they had a more entertaining cast this time around.
Amazing Race....I need Amazing Race....
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
Friday, October 15, 2004
Has it been forever since I blogged?
Actually, I succeeded in blogging 4 times in september, which averages to about once a week which isn't too bad. Ah, summer's over and real life has begun again.
Belle is working hard in her novice training class. While she is very good at doing all of her commands when we are alone, she is having no success when any other dogs around. (Except at the class where it is more formal and everyone is working with their dogs...) She did do well the other night with Kaya barking behind the gate, but we still have a long way to go with her. Not that she is a bad puppy. She just has ADHD. She gets so excited when other dogs are around that she can't focus on me or Grant. I know. She is still young.
So far, I am enjoying first grade. The lack of independence is a bit frustrating, and I have a few kids that are absolutly driving me crazy (don't I every year?...I think its just the nature of the beast!) But it is very rewarding, too.
One thing I really like is having only 20 kids. Beyond just the logistics of less grading. Here is the truly best part. I feel like I really know each of my kids. It is manageable. I can remember their quirks and ticks. WIth 30+ kids, I was constantly writing myself notes.."remember to tell parents this at conference..." where as with 20 kids, I have a very clear profile of each of my studnets in my head. I can easily categorize them in my head, and as a result, I turly feel like I better teacher. It is sincerely a great thing. It really should be funded to max the classes out at 20 all the way up, to at least junior high. It makes a huge difference. Not just in the logisitcs like "I have more time to assess each child" but also to really know them. Its very cool.
My birthday has come and gone and I am now 26. Sigh. It has been a very nice birthday week. I am feeling so spoiled. I got almost everything I asked for on my birthday list...the only downside is that I had planned on half of the list still being their for Christmas.
I got a hot water dispenser so that I can have tea at work.
I got a yoga mat so that I don't have to pick dog hairs off of my sweaty palms in the midst of my sun salutation.
I got a subscription to a scrapbooking magazine...something I really want to get ack in to.
I got my very own set of luggage...so I can travel everywhere and not have to borrow suitcases, and it is a very cool shade of navy blue.
I got a bouquet of flowers delivered to my school.
I got a gift certificate to Old Navy.
I got stickers and books for my classroom.
I got a gift certificate to Barnes and Noble.
And (which is quickly becoming my time consuming addiction and I haven't even started it yet...) The Sims 2. I have been reading forums and discussions and the manual...but I haven't played the game yet...
(see what I mean?????? Spoiled Rotten! - And very much loved!!!! I am the luckiest lady!)
Also, Grant and I are taking a mini vacation to Seattle next weekend. It was either that or San Francisco, but we decided to go for someplace new, that we'd never been to before. Happy Birthday to me!!!
Also, I finished the Dark Tower 4, 5, and 6....so now I just have book 7. Which I am 17th on the watiing list at the library (and they only ordered 7 copies in the whole system!) I don't want to buy it becasue I want to buy the boed set when it comes out. Sigh So I am on hold.
Which is good because I have been majorly procrastinating on my classes. (As in, spending the weekend doing my papers because I come home from school and read!!!)
I swear, if it weren't for the last minute, nothing would get done!
(I also use the weekend to catch up on my shows. I haven't watched Survivor yet, or 7th Heaven, or the Surreal Life from last Sunday.)
But I guess I should use this temporary hiatus I've been given (no 7th dark tower book, papers all graded, no major assignments...unless you count that pesky online short answer midterm...and no means to start sims 2 until we get a new computer which should happen next month becasue the game is to advenced for this here two-year-old computer...) to, well, I don't know, clean up the three inches of accumulated dog hair that has piled up in the corners (gross!!! I blush!!!), yeah I know...clean the house. Sigh.
And perhaps use getting off at 1 for parent conferences to actually file the papers that are stacked in random piles all over my classroom. Its getting hard to find the first graders! I jest...
Life in the sims is so much easier. You just hire a maid to come clean up for you for 70 simoleans a day. She'll even unclog the toilet for you.
Yeah yeah yeah.
well, I best take miss belle out for tonight's practice session. Its cool, its fall, I am sleepy, and if I sit here looking for more information on the sims or typing away on my blog, I'll never get around to wathcnig 7th heaven, and, in reality, I'd like nothing more then to just curl up i bed and go to sleep. But no! The puppy must come first...I would never neglect my puppy! Ah shit...its nine and I have to go feed her! Just kidding, Grant. Danny fed her when he got home. (45 minutes ago...hee hee...)
If your still reading, Thanks for reading...
Belle is working hard in her novice training class. While she is very good at doing all of her commands when we are alone, she is having no success when any other dogs around. (Except at the class where it is more formal and everyone is working with their dogs...) She did do well the other night with Kaya barking behind the gate, but we still have a long way to go with her. Not that she is a bad puppy. She just has ADHD. She gets so excited when other dogs are around that she can't focus on me or Grant. I know. She is still young.
So far, I am enjoying first grade. The lack of independence is a bit frustrating, and I have a few kids that are absolutly driving me crazy (don't I every year?...I think its just the nature of the beast!) But it is very rewarding, too.
One thing I really like is having only 20 kids. Beyond just the logistics of less grading. Here is the truly best part. I feel like I really know each of my kids. It is manageable. I can remember their quirks and ticks. WIth 30+ kids, I was constantly writing myself notes.."remember to tell parents this at conference..." where as with 20 kids, I have a very clear profile of each of my studnets in my head. I can easily categorize them in my head, and as a result, I turly feel like I better teacher. It is sincerely a great thing. It really should be funded to max the classes out at 20 all the way up, to at least junior high. It makes a huge difference. Not just in the logisitcs like "I have more time to assess each child" but also to really know them. Its very cool.
My birthday has come and gone and I am now 26. Sigh. It has been a very nice birthday week. I am feeling so spoiled. I got almost everything I asked for on my birthday list...the only downside is that I had planned on half of the list still being their for Christmas.
I got a hot water dispenser so that I can have tea at work.
I got a yoga mat so that I don't have to pick dog hairs off of my sweaty palms in the midst of my sun salutation.
I got a subscription to a scrapbooking magazine...something I really want to get ack in to.
I got my very own set of luggage...so I can travel everywhere and not have to borrow suitcases, and it is a very cool shade of navy blue.
I got a bouquet of flowers delivered to my school.
I got a gift certificate to Old Navy.
I got stickers and books for my classroom.
I got a gift certificate to Barnes and Noble.
And (which is quickly becoming my time consuming addiction and I haven't even started it yet...) The Sims 2. I have been reading forums and discussions and the manual...but I haven't played the game yet...
(see what I mean?????? Spoiled Rotten! - And very much loved!!!! I am the luckiest lady!)
Also, Grant and I are taking a mini vacation to Seattle next weekend. It was either that or San Francisco, but we decided to go for someplace new, that we'd never been to before. Happy Birthday to me!!!
Also, I finished the Dark Tower 4, 5, and 6....so now I just have book 7. Which I am 17th on the watiing list at the library (and they only ordered 7 copies in the whole system!) I don't want to buy it becasue I want to buy the boed set when it comes out. Sigh So I am on hold.
Which is good because I have been majorly procrastinating on my classes. (As in, spending the weekend doing my papers because I come home from school and read!!!)
I swear, if it weren't for the last minute, nothing would get done!
(I also use the weekend to catch up on my shows. I haven't watched Survivor yet, or 7th Heaven, or the Surreal Life from last Sunday.)
But I guess I should use this temporary hiatus I've been given (no 7th dark tower book, papers all graded, no major assignments...unless you count that pesky online short answer midterm...and no means to start sims 2 until we get a new computer which should happen next month becasue the game is to advenced for this here two-year-old computer...) to, well, I don't know, clean up the three inches of accumulated dog hair that has piled up in the corners (gross!!! I blush!!!), yeah I know...clean the house. Sigh.
And perhaps use getting off at 1 for parent conferences to actually file the papers that are stacked in random piles all over my classroom. Its getting hard to find the first graders! I jest...
Life in the sims is so much easier. You just hire a maid to come clean up for you for 70 simoleans a day. She'll even unclog the toilet for you.
Yeah yeah yeah.
well, I best take miss belle out for tonight's practice session. Its cool, its fall, I am sleepy, and if I sit here looking for more information on the sims or typing away on my blog, I'll never get around to wathcnig 7th heaven, and, in reality, I'd like nothing more then to just curl up i bed and go to sleep. But no! The puppy must come first...I would never neglect my puppy! Ah shit...its nine and I have to go feed her! Just kidding, Grant. Danny fed her when he got home. (45 minutes ago...hee hee...)
If your still reading, Thanks for reading...
Wednesday, October 06, 2004
With Liberty and Justice for All
I received this email from people that I dearly love, so I just want to say up front that I don't mean to offend anybody...I know that I think too much, and that on surface value, the following email doesn't sound too bad. You read it, and think, hmm sounds good, so you forward it along. But it just bothered me so much that I HAD to say something. ::wink, wink::
I received the following email today:
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG, OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC, FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL!
I was asked to send this on if I agree or delete if I don't. What do you think about this?
It is said that 86% of Americans believe in God. Therefore I have a very hard time understanding why there is such a mess about having "In God We Trust" on our money and having God in the Pledge of Allegiance. Why don't we just tell the 14% to Sit Down and BE QUIET!!!
If you agree, pass this on, if not delete. .
I AGREE!!!!
Ok. Now. Here is what has been running through my mind all day long.
1) 14% is a rather large amount. Not a majority by any means, 14% is certainly a significant chunk, none the less, particularly in a country the size of America. If I had a 14% chance of getting a disease, I'd be pretty worried. 14% chance of winning the lotto? Pretty sure I'd buy the ticket. I'd be satisfies with 14% of a pizza!
14 people out of 100. 7 people out of fifty. That's a decent number of opinions.
If you are in the 12% of the population that is over 65, should your voice not count?
If you are one of 26% of the population that has a college degree, should your voice not count?
If people hadn't fought for Liberty and Justice during the Civil Rights movement for the 12.9% of the American population that is African American, think of what life would be like today...America, still segregated...a concept we now scoff at when it applies to other countries.
And 14% of our population...14%! - do not believe in God. That IS a significant statistic. That's a significant number of people who if, in the spirit of nationality and patriotism, choose to recite their entire pledge of allegiance, are required to state words that are meaningless to them. A disheartening thought, considering that the pledge is supposed to be a unifying and patriotically meaningful anthem.
(Statistics taken from: 2003 US Census
Religious Tolerance
2) Ok, now this is truly that part that pissed me off the most. I deeply sympathize for the person who originally wrote the email...how mortified they must feel to have something so hypocritical and anti American floating around the internet that they have written. However just as they have the right to say what they want...
Here is the quote, again, from the email: "Why don't we just tell the 14% to Sit Down and BE QUIET!!!
Yes. Take a moment to reflect.
Let's break down the pledge, shall we? The pledge, mind you, in its original form, written in 1892 by Frances Bellamy, a Christian Socialist and Baptist minister.
I pledge Allegiance to my flag (I promise my loyalty to the flag, a symbol of my country)
And to the Republic for which it stands (the flag, as a symbol of my government, one of the people)
One Nation, indivisible (singular and unified)
with Liberty and Justice for all (Every citizen is entitled to freedom, and the responsibility such freedoms come with, as well as justice, the right to be treated fairly and equitably.)
Most people know that "Under God" was not in the original pledge, and with reason. You may or may not know that our forward thinking reverend Bellamy originally wanted the pledge to finish "with liberty, justice, and equality for all" but feared it would be rejected because African Americans and Women were still not considered equal.
(So perhaps, a better change would be back to its original intent? - but I digress...)
Obviously "United States of America" was later added to the pledge, but considering this is an oath to the government of that country, adding the name of said country would be appropriate.
So back to the quote that so inflamed me. Would you like to read it again? "Why don't we just tell the 14% to Sit Down and BE QUIET!!!
So let me get this straight. The author of this email wants to know, first and foremost, if we agree with the pledge, and urges us to pass it on if we do. And yet, within the same email, the author slanders their own pledge, mocks its inherent message, by asking 14% of the population it represents to "sit down and be quiet."
"Sit down and Be Quiet." The same words that I am sure thousands of Abolishinists heard. The same words that thousands of suffragettes heard. The same words that millions of people must hear every day as they fight for what they believe in.
In a country where our joy, our honor, our pride, our very nationality, depends on people being able to freely express their beliefs, in freedom and democracy, in God, gods, science, or humanism; someone is using that very pledge - the pledge that defends our rights to our own beliefs and to speak freely of them without fear of persecution - to tell people to "sit down and be quiet."
The author either does not understand the words he or she says when reciting the pledge, or does not believe them. How can a person, in the same message, claim their allegiance to a country that promises individuals the right to their beliefs, and then tell 14% of those individuals to "sit down and be quiet?"
I recognize that the author isn't telling people they they aren't allowed to not believe in God.
But what the author is telling those 14% of the people is that rather than voice their opinion regarding a NATIONAL PLEDGE, they should "sit down and be quiet." 14% of the people that flag represents in a national capacity (not a spiritual capacity) should "sit down and be quiet" rather than express their belief about what such a pledge should contain.
Does the author have the right to tell people that? Of course. Just like, in a country like ours, people have the right to express any belief, mainstream or not, politically correct or not, respectful or not.
But I have a right to defend my country, and the ideals it has set forth. Our founding fathers had faith in the people, and so do I. I would never, ever, use our pledge in such a disrespectful and hypocritical manner as this author did. I know what my pledge means, and I understand the republic for which it stands.
I believe in the Pledge of Allegiance.
I received the following email today:
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG, OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC, FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL!
I was asked to send this on if I agree or delete if I don't. What do you think about this?
It is said that 86% of Americans believe in God. Therefore I have a very hard time understanding why there is such a mess about having "In God We Trust" on our money and having God in the Pledge of Allegiance. Why don't we just tell the 14% to Sit Down and BE QUIET!!!
If you agree, pass this on, if not delete. .
I AGREE!!!!
Ok. Now. Here is what has been running through my mind all day long.
1) 14% is a rather large amount. Not a majority by any means, 14% is certainly a significant chunk, none the less, particularly in a country the size of America. If I had a 14% chance of getting a disease, I'd be pretty worried. 14% chance of winning the lotto? Pretty sure I'd buy the ticket. I'd be satisfies with 14% of a pizza!
14 people out of 100. 7 people out of fifty. That's a decent number of opinions.
If you are in the 12% of the population that is over 65, should your voice not count?
If you are one of 26% of the population that has a college degree, should your voice not count?
If people hadn't fought for Liberty and Justice during the Civil Rights movement for the 12.9% of the American population that is African American, think of what life would be like today...America, still segregated...a concept we now scoff at when it applies to other countries.
And 14% of our population...14%! - do not believe in God. That IS a significant statistic. That's a significant number of people who if, in the spirit of nationality and patriotism, choose to recite their entire pledge of allegiance, are required to state words that are meaningless to them. A disheartening thought, considering that the pledge is supposed to be a unifying and patriotically meaningful anthem.
(Statistics taken from: 2003 US Census
Religious Tolerance
2) Ok, now this is truly that part that pissed me off the most. I deeply sympathize for the person who originally wrote the email...how mortified they must feel to have something so hypocritical and anti American floating around the internet that they have written. However just as they have the right to say what they want...
Here is the quote, again, from the email: "Why don't we just tell the 14% to Sit Down and BE QUIET!!!
Yes. Take a moment to reflect.
Let's break down the pledge, shall we? The pledge, mind you, in its original form, written in 1892 by Frances Bellamy, a Christian Socialist and Baptist minister.
I pledge Allegiance to my flag (I promise my loyalty to the flag, a symbol of my country)
And to the Republic for which it stands (the flag, as a symbol of my government, one of the people)
One Nation, indivisible (singular and unified)
with Liberty and Justice for all (Every citizen is entitled to freedom, and the responsibility such freedoms come with, as well as justice, the right to be treated fairly and equitably.)
Most people know that "Under God" was not in the original pledge, and with reason. You may or may not know that our forward thinking reverend Bellamy originally wanted the pledge to finish "with liberty, justice, and equality for all" but feared it would be rejected because African Americans and Women were still not considered equal.
(So perhaps, a better change would be back to its original intent? - but I digress...)
Obviously "United States of America" was later added to the pledge, but considering this is an oath to the government of that country, adding the name of said country would be appropriate.
So back to the quote that so inflamed me. Would you like to read it again? "Why don't we just tell the 14% to Sit Down and BE QUIET!!!
So let me get this straight. The author of this email wants to know, first and foremost, if we agree with the pledge, and urges us to pass it on if we do. And yet, within the same email, the author slanders their own pledge, mocks its inherent message, by asking 14% of the population it represents to "sit down and be quiet."
"Sit down and Be Quiet." The same words that I am sure thousands of Abolishinists heard. The same words that thousands of suffragettes heard. The same words that millions of people must hear every day as they fight for what they believe in.
In a country where our joy, our honor, our pride, our very nationality, depends on people being able to freely express their beliefs, in freedom and democracy, in God, gods, science, or humanism; someone is using that very pledge - the pledge that defends our rights to our own beliefs and to speak freely of them without fear of persecution - to tell people to "sit down and be quiet."
The author either does not understand the words he or she says when reciting the pledge, or does not believe them. How can a person, in the same message, claim their allegiance to a country that promises individuals the right to their beliefs, and then tell 14% of those individuals to "sit down and be quiet?"
I recognize that the author isn't telling people they they aren't allowed to not believe in God.
But what the author is telling those 14% of the people is that rather than voice their opinion regarding a NATIONAL PLEDGE, they should "sit down and be quiet." 14% of the people that flag represents in a national capacity (not a spiritual capacity) should "sit down and be quiet" rather than express their belief about what such a pledge should contain.
Does the author have the right to tell people that? Of course. Just like, in a country like ours, people have the right to express any belief, mainstream or not, politically correct or not, respectful or not.
But I have a right to defend my country, and the ideals it has set forth. Our founding fathers had faith in the people, and so do I. I would never, ever, use our pledge in such a disrespectful and hypocritical manner as this author did. I know what my pledge means, and I understand the republic for which it stands.
I believe in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Can't think
Can't think,
brain numb,
inspiration
won't come
bad ink,
worse pen,
best wishes,
Amen
Heard that poem somewhere. As I sit here with a head ache and a runny nose and an occasional sneeze, it seems to fit.
brain numb,
inspiration
won't come
bad ink,
worse pen,
best wishes,
Amen
Heard that poem somewhere. As I sit here with a head ache and a runny nose and an occasional sneeze, it seems to fit.
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
Catch Up: Extended Version
I know...I've heard from you guys! (Wow, I have fans!) I'm just getting tinto the whole swing of things...back to school...back to school...sigh.
Cal State Fullerton is going great! I have one class that I absolutly adore; it has thus far been my favorite class in the Master's program! I am taking Web Design in Education. I have learned html, and I have designed my very own web page!
Teacher Resources
My next big project is to revamp our school's web site. I have also created a classroom blog. becasue I know html, I was able to edit the tags on the template so that the potion to see my profile wouldn't show on that blog, but you can still see it here. (I am using the sam account to do both blogs. That way, if I fall behind on one blog, seeing it look so lonely while I update my other blog will guilt me into catching up!) That blog is just starting, but if you want to check it out, it's
Ms. Kramer's Class
Speaking of school (work), that is going well, too. I am enjoying first grade in many ways, and I am becoming a better (read: more patient) teacher every day. My latest trauma consisits of trying to choose 2 studens to leave my class, because I have too many students (I can only have 20 in my class.) Well let me tell you, I am even attatched to my stinkers! Sigh. And besides, if you pass off a stinker to a co teacher, they will hate you for the rest of the year! sigh. Anyway I had my decision all made, but then something occured to me and now I am trying to get a hold of my principal...on her cell phone, mind you, becasue she was a t a meeting all day and I couldn't talk to her at school today, to see if I should change to another kid. The switch happens tomorrow. PLUS we have a staff meeting before school, so it will be difficult for me to talk to her before school, even if I get there at the butt crack of dawn. Sigh.
So thats todays Trauma.
On the entertainment note, I am watching Survivor, but there really isn't much to report - the beginning is always quite vauge becasue you are still getting to know everybody. Eliza bugs me. I am still rooting for my HB man, Brady. We'll see.
I am pissed at CBS for putting of the Amazing Race 6 until later in the season (possibly even November!)
7th Heaven is turning into a pretty interesting season so far, but they're gettin' kind of Jesus-y. (I know, its a show about a Preacher's family; what should I expect?)
South Park and Star Trek Enterprise have yet to premiere, but they will...oh yes, they will! In October, which is this friday. (Crap. I am getting old.)
And...I am finally reading the fifth Dark Tower Book, Song of Susannah. And let me tell ya, its good! (o:
Well, thats all folks. I'm off to take Belle for a walk, sohopefully we can burn of some excess energy before our first training class tonight.
Love ya!
Cal State Fullerton is going great! I have one class that I absolutly adore; it has thus far been my favorite class in the Master's program! I am taking Web Design in Education. I have learned html, and I have designed my very own web page!
Teacher Resources
My next big project is to revamp our school's web site. I have also created a classroom blog. becasue I know html, I was able to edit the tags on the template so that the potion to see my profile wouldn't show on that blog, but you can still see it here. (I am using the sam account to do both blogs. That way, if I fall behind on one blog, seeing it look so lonely while I update my other blog will guilt me into catching up!) That blog is just starting, but if you want to check it out, it's
Ms. Kramer's Class
Speaking of school (work), that is going well, too. I am enjoying first grade in many ways, and I am becoming a better (read: more patient) teacher every day. My latest trauma consisits of trying to choose 2 studens to leave my class, because I have too many students (I can only have 20 in my class.) Well let me tell you, I am even attatched to my stinkers! Sigh. And besides, if you pass off a stinker to a co teacher, they will hate you for the rest of the year! sigh. Anyway I had my decision all made, but then something occured to me and now I am trying to get a hold of my principal...on her cell phone, mind you, becasue she was a t a meeting all day and I couldn't talk to her at school today, to see if I should change to another kid. The switch happens tomorrow. PLUS we have a staff meeting before school, so it will be difficult for me to talk to her before school, even if I get there at the butt crack of dawn. Sigh.
So thats todays Trauma.
On the entertainment note, I am watching Survivor, but there really isn't much to report - the beginning is always quite vauge becasue you are still getting to know everybody. Eliza bugs me. I am still rooting for my HB man, Brady. We'll see.
I am pissed at CBS for putting of the Amazing Race 6 until later in the season (possibly even November!)
7th Heaven is turning into a pretty interesting season so far, but they're gettin' kind of Jesus-y. (I know, its a show about a Preacher's family; what should I expect?)
South Park and Star Trek Enterprise have yet to premiere, but they will...oh yes, they will! In October, which is this friday. (Crap. I am getting old.)
And...I am finally reading the fifth Dark Tower Book, Song of Susannah. And let me tell ya, its good! (o:
Well, thats all folks. I'm off to take Belle for a walk, sohopefully we can burn of some excess energy before our first training class tonight.
Love ya!
Friday, September 17, 2004
Catch Up
Its been a while. I am so tired! Teaching first grade has its ups and downs...it is different, for sure, in many ways, than upper grade. But one thing is for certain. I am so tired!
Also, I made my first web page. It is very simple, but I did it all in html, typing out all the tags, so I am rather proud. You can go check it out if you want at My Teacher Resource Page
I saw Rent on Tuesday as well. Collins and Mimi were fantastic.
Can you tell I am tired?
Later!
Also, I made my first web page. It is very simple, but I did it all in html, typing out all the tags, so I am rather proud. You can go check it out if you want at My Teacher Resource Page
I saw Rent on Tuesday as well. Collins and Mimi were fantastic.
Can you tell I am tired?
Later!
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
Bands Reunited -or- My New Respect for Jordan and Jon -or- Why Joe, Donny and Danny suck!
Ok. So I tune into watch Bands Reunited on VH1, because New Kids on the Block were on the show. How excited was I? Particularly when Jordan Knight graciously signed on, as did Jon Knight. Both however expressed their concern that it would be hard to get the other's to sign on.
Joe at least did the interview, but said that any reunion would have to be on the New Kids terms, and not someone elses like this shows.
My response? Shit dude. Life is busy. People always intend to do things, but never do. Sometimes it just takes someone else to encourage you or remaind you or give you the motivation to do that something that is in the back of your mind. It pissed me off that he said no. It really did.
Donny and Danny wouldn't even do the interviews. Danny's response was that he was no longer in the business, and Donny's that he was moving on to be an actor. Well let me tell you, Donny, any publicity is better than nothing.
And to the three of you; you were a part of something big; something huge. There is nothing wrong with that. Some people are into music, and they were into you. You were a right of passage for many people. Nothing is saying you have to sign your life away. Its just a reunion. You can still move on. Be individual, pursue your goals. But you can't escape something so big that you were a part of. Your going to end up a bunch of bitter has-been band members like the Beatles where everyone desperatly withed for a reunion, and anyone in their right mind knew that a reunion was what the good men would do, and then too much time was wasted and it became too late.
So... Kudos to Jordan and Jon, my two favorite NKOTB members,
and to Joe I'm disapointed, and Donny, your damn attitude was probably the whole downfall of the NKOTB... so you lost me as a fan. Good luck with your careers. But if you can't show respect to the phenomenom that made you known to the world, and signed me on as a fan, then don't expect my respect to continue.
Hang Tough.
Joe at least did the interview, but said that any reunion would have to be on the New Kids terms, and not someone elses like this shows.
My response? Shit dude. Life is busy. People always intend to do things, but never do. Sometimes it just takes someone else to encourage you or remaind you or give you the motivation to do that something that is in the back of your mind. It pissed me off that he said no. It really did.
Donny and Danny wouldn't even do the interviews. Danny's response was that he was no longer in the business, and Donny's that he was moving on to be an actor. Well let me tell you, Donny, any publicity is better than nothing.
And to the three of you; you were a part of something big; something huge. There is nothing wrong with that. Some people are into music, and they were into you. You were a right of passage for many people. Nothing is saying you have to sign your life away. Its just a reunion. You can still move on. Be individual, pursue your goals. But you can't escape something so big that you were a part of. Your going to end up a bunch of bitter has-been band members like the Beatles where everyone desperatly withed for a reunion, and anyone in their right mind knew that a reunion was what the good men would do, and then too much time was wasted and it became too late.
So... Kudos to Jordan and Jon, my two favorite NKOTB members,
and to Joe I'm disapointed, and Donny, your damn attitude was probably the whole downfall of the NKOTB... so you lost me as a fan. Good luck with your careers. But if you can't show respect to the phenomenom that made you known to the world, and signed me on as a fan, then don't expect my respect to continue.
Hang Tough.
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
Karaoke Revolution 3
Hot on the tails of Karaoke Revolution 2, Volume 3 is set to release this November or December.
With more cool modes, including dual microphone use (for duets, and head to head competitions) this game is one I'm itching to but. However, the song list, like volume 2, isn't as good as the original. It can be frustrating to have all of these cool modes (like medley mode on volume 2) but not be able to use volume one songs!
I hope that there will be a way in the future to use the new Play Station Hard drive to make all of the songs accessible at one time on a later edition. Somehow, load songs from the previous editions on to the hard drive and then play the newest edition with access to all of the songs. That would be awesome!
Song list commentary:
Boo - no classic Madonna (I wanted Like a Prayer) I would have chosen a different Beatles song (Twist and Shout) but at least one got on there, enough Brittany already, All the songs I don't think I've even heard of, oh and, You're the one that I want? That is on the original version. Yes I know its a duet and we can't sing it in duet form on the original, but come on, something new, how about Summer Nights? huh?
Kudos, though, for continuing to make improvements to the game via new modes, and for adding more oldies to make the game more accessible to a wider audience. Yeah California Dreamin, New York, New York (mmmm obsession), Killing me Softly (please be a good version!) Michael Jackson! Take my Breath Away (Jessica Simpson version?)
KARAOKE REVOLUTION VOLUME 3 SONG LIST
ABC
Leave (Get Out)
Against All Odds
Love Shack
Ain't No Mountain High Enough
Meant to Live
Beat It
My Immortal
Burn
New York New York
California Dreaming
Oops!...I Did It Again
Careless Whisper
Respect
China Grove
Shining Star
Come Clean
Someday
Don't You (Forget About Me)
Take My Breath Away
Flashdance… What A Feeling
Thank You
Hold On
The Reason
I Got You Babe
Twist & Shout
If I Ain't Got You
Unchained Melody
In the Midnight Hour
Under Pressure
Joy To The World
When I'm Gone
Killing Me Softly
Why Can't I
You're the One that I Want
Check out an article describing the new modes here:
The html doesn't seem to be working so you can cut and paste this:
http://ps2.gamezone.com/news/08_20_04_07_10PM.htm
With more cool modes, including dual microphone use (for duets, and head to head competitions) this game is one I'm itching to but. However, the song list, like volume 2, isn't as good as the original. It can be frustrating to have all of these cool modes (like medley mode on volume 2) but not be able to use volume one songs!
I hope that there will be a way in the future to use the new Play Station Hard drive to make all of the songs accessible at one time on a later edition. Somehow, load songs from the previous editions on to the hard drive and then play the newest edition with access to all of the songs. That would be awesome!
Song list commentary:
Boo - no classic Madonna (I wanted Like a Prayer) I would have chosen a different Beatles song (Twist and Shout) but at least one got on there, enough Brittany already, All the songs I don't think I've even heard of, oh and, You're the one that I want? That is on the original version. Yes I know its a duet and we can't sing it in duet form on the original, but come on, something new, how about Summer Nights? huh?
Kudos, though, for continuing to make improvements to the game via new modes, and for adding more oldies to make the game more accessible to a wider audience. Yeah California Dreamin, New York, New York (mmmm obsession), Killing me Softly (please be a good version!) Michael Jackson! Take my Breath Away (Jessica Simpson version?)
KARAOKE REVOLUTION VOLUME 3 SONG LIST
ABC
Leave (Get Out)
Against All Odds
Love Shack
Ain't No Mountain High Enough
Meant to Live
Beat It
My Immortal
Burn
New York New York
California Dreaming
Oops!...I Did It Again
Careless Whisper
Respect
China Grove
Shining Star
Come Clean
Someday
Don't You (Forget About Me)
Take My Breath Away
Flashdance… What A Feeling
Thank You
Hold On
The Reason
I Got You Babe
Twist & Shout
If I Ain't Got You
Unchained Melody
In the Midnight Hour
Under Pressure
Joy To The World
When I'm Gone
Killing Me Softly
Why Can't I
You're the One that I Want
Check out an article describing the new modes here:
The html doesn't seem to be working so you can cut and paste this:
http://ps2.gamezone.com/news/08_20_04_07_10PM.htm
Friday, August 27, 2004
Library Crap
Yet another reason why I use the Orange County Library System and not the Huntington Beach system:
"Huntington Beach city leaders have adopted a
regulation banning the use of cell phones at
libraries.
That means no text messaging, no talking and
absolutely no ringing.
Under the city ordinance, which is scheduled to take
effect Sept. 15, offenders will be warned, then fined
$250 if they don't comply.
Second and third offenses will garner fines of $500
and $1,000, respectively."
Taken from:
Friday, August 27, 2004
Think roaming's pricey? Try calling in a library
By ZAHEERA WAHID
The Orange County Register
Now don't get me wrong, I agree that using cell phones in the library is rude...but a FINE?
Whatever.
Orange County Libraries have sings posted that say that Cell Phone Use is not permitted in the library, and I've never seen any problems there.
"Huntington Beach city leaders have adopted a
regulation banning the use of cell phones at
libraries.
That means no text messaging, no talking and
absolutely no ringing.
Under the city ordinance, which is scheduled to take
effect Sept. 15, offenders will be warned, then fined
$250 if they don't comply.
Second and third offenses will garner fines of $500
and $1,000, respectively."
Taken from:
Friday, August 27, 2004
Think roaming's pricey? Try calling in a library
By ZAHEERA WAHID
The Orange County Register
Now don't get me wrong, I agree that using cell phones in the library is rude...but a FINE?
Whatever.
Orange County Libraries have sings posted that say that Cell Phone Use is not permitted in the library, and I've never seen any problems there.
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
RENT RENT RENT RE-ENT RENT!
I am getting so excited to see Rent AGAIN!!! It is coming to Costa Mesa in September!!! I love this show!!! (In case you haven't guessed by previous posts!!!) This will be the fourth time I've seen it, tying with Les Miserables. (I've seen Les Mis in Long Beach, London, Pasadena, and Costa Mesa, and I've seen Rent in London, Los Angeles, and New York)
Sigh All Mighty I am so excited!
(Actually, I may surpass Les Miserables because I may see it more than once while it is here, so close...sigh)
"How do you leave the past behind when it keeps finding ways to get to your heart? It reaches way down deep and tears you inside out 'till your torn apart....Rent!"
sigh.
Everytime I see Queer Eye and see Jai, I think of Rent...
I am going Rent crazy.
I am rambling about Rent...
Here is the show info:
Rent
Sep. 14, 2004 - Sep. 19, 2004
Segerstrom Hall
$20.00 - $55.00
Show Dates & Times
Tue, Sep. 14, 2004 at 8:00pm
Wed, Sep. 15, 2004 at 8:00pm
Thu, Sep. 16, 2004 at 8:00pm
Fri, Sep. 17, 2004 at 8:00pm
Sat, Sep. 18, 2004 at 2:00pm
Sat, Sep. 18, 2004 at 8:00pm
Sun, Sep. 19, 2004 at 2:00pm
Sun, Sep. 19, 2004 at 7:30pm
"I've longed to discover something as true as this is....so with a thousand sweet kisses (when you're cold and you're lonely) I'll cover you, with a thousand sweet kisses (when you've got one nickel only) I'll cover you, with a thousand sweet kisses, (when you're cold and you're tired) I'll cover you, with a thousand sweet kisses (when your heart has expired...) oh, lover, I'll cover you...."
Sigh All Mighty I am so excited!
(Actually, I may surpass Les Miserables because I may see it more than once while it is here, so close...sigh)
"How do you leave the past behind when it keeps finding ways to get to your heart? It reaches way down deep and tears you inside out 'till your torn apart....Rent!"
sigh.
Everytime I see Queer Eye and see Jai, I think of Rent...
I am going Rent crazy.
I am rambling about Rent...
Here is the show info:
Rent
Sep. 14, 2004 - Sep. 19, 2004
Segerstrom Hall
$20.00 - $55.00
Show Dates & Times
Tue, Sep. 14, 2004 at 8:00pm
Wed, Sep. 15, 2004 at 8:00pm
Thu, Sep. 16, 2004 at 8:00pm
Fri, Sep. 17, 2004 at 8:00pm
Sat, Sep. 18, 2004 at 2:00pm
Sat, Sep. 18, 2004 at 8:00pm
Sun, Sep. 19, 2004 at 2:00pm
Sun, Sep. 19, 2004 at 7:30pm
"I've longed to discover something as true as this is....so with a thousand sweet kisses (when you're cold and you're lonely) I'll cover you, with a thousand sweet kisses (when you've got one nickel only) I'll cover you, with a thousand sweet kisses, (when you're cold and you're tired) I'll cover you, with a thousand sweet kisses (when your heart has expired...) oh, lover, I'll cover you...."
Sunday, August 22, 2004
It is funny, damn it!
"Dude, it isn't that funny."
I am still laughing about it. No I am wigging out.
Just try it. Furrow your brow as deep as you can, tense your face up, poke your tongue out of the side of your mouth, and then poke at your forehead (actually, that soft spot between your eyes where your nose meets your forehead). Try it. Go look in the mirror.
It is funny, damnit!
I wish I could show you what he looks like.....Maybe I should just take a picture when he first reads this post.
Don't you think its funny?
"Yes it is funny, but not that funny."
I can't stop busting out in high pitched, full on belly laughs when I think of it.
"Sweetie, you are scaring the puppy..."
I am still laughing about it. No I am wigging out.
Just try it. Furrow your brow as deep as you can, tense your face up, poke your tongue out of the side of your mouth, and then poke at your forehead (actually, that soft spot between your eyes where your nose meets your forehead). Try it. Go look in the mirror.
It is funny, damnit!
I wish I could show you what he looks like.....Maybe I should just take a picture when he first reads this post.
Don't you think its funny?
"Yes it is funny, but not that funny."
I can't stop busting out in high pitched, full on belly laughs when I think of it.
"Sweetie, you are scaring the puppy..."
The "sticking out your tongue" phenomenon
Have you ever noticed that some people stick out their tongue when they are working on something that requires hand-eye coordination or intense concentration? My dad is the king of this. As far back as I can remember, everytime my dad had that hammer in his hand, he would pound those nails with is tongue sticking severely out of his mouth; sharp, shiny, and tense.
As a child, I thought this phenomenom was uniquly my father's. You know, just one of those quirky things about him. But now that I think about it I am sure it isn't. I mean, I've seen other people do it when they're hammering, and I know I've seen people do it when they are trying to thread a needle.
Still, there is something unique my dad's use of the concentration tongue. He doesn't only use it when he is working, you see. My brother, sister and I are quite familier with dad's other use of that tongue. You see, when my dad got angry, and I mean really pissed, at one of us kids, in leu of yelling, or sometimes in conjuction with, he would take a deep breath, stick out that tongue to the corner of his mouth, and push up his glassesinwith his index finger in an extreame measure of controlled concentration. This was probably an attempt to keep himself from beating the shit out of us when we probably would have deserved it. We saw this tongue when he caught us lying about feeding the neighbor kid mud in a bottle and telling him it was chocolate milk, when he found out about the slurpee fight in the kitchen by noticing the stains on our popcorn ceiling, and when he discovered the remnents of the mini-fires we started in the backyard.
The really funny thing was, after my dad got that laser surgery on his eyes, he still followed the same procedure, complete with the finger pushing up the glasses that no longer existed. Granted, we were older then so he didn't have as many opportunities to get quite as pissed, but thanks to my brother, I was still able to witness the phenomenom from an adult perspective. My dad came home one evening and found out Andy had thrown a little get together involving him and about 100 of his friend's closest friends that was not authorized by my dad, probably involving events that were not authorized by the state of California for people my brother's age. When my dad found out, I think he just about did everything in his power to not pick up my brother and throw him out of the house... through the window.
Out comes the tongue, and, up goes the finger, shoving an invisible pair of glasses up the bridge of my dad's nose. It wasn't until later that I noticed the humor in the situation. I guess, then, I was as used to seeing it all my life as he was of doing it. But later that night, as I replayed the scene in my head, I couldn't help but laugh at the image. (In fact, I can't stop laughing now as I think about it). (or, for that matter, again as I edit this.) But if you could just see my dad, tongue firm out of the spit-dewed corner of his mouth, forehead wrinkled in fury, and that index finger poking at his forehead....
Oh. My. God. My tummy is so sore from laughing. I wonder if you even get it or if this is one of those "you had to be there" moments. Oh well. I know that there are a few of there reading this that have been there...
Today, I was hammering the back of our new entertainment center, and, low and behold, my tounge was sticking out of my mouth. Sigh. Thanks, dad.
As a child, I thought this phenomenom was uniquly my father's. You know, just one of those quirky things about him. But now that I think about it I am sure it isn't. I mean, I've seen other people do it when they're hammering, and I know I've seen people do it when they are trying to thread a needle.
Still, there is something unique my dad's use of the concentration tongue. He doesn't only use it when he is working, you see. My brother, sister and I are quite familier with dad's other use of that tongue. You see, when my dad got angry, and I mean really pissed, at one of us kids, in leu of yelling, or sometimes in conjuction with, he would take a deep breath, stick out that tongue to the corner of his mouth, and push up his glassesinwith his index finger in an extreame measure of controlled concentration. This was probably an attempt to keep himself from beating the shit out of us when we probably would have deserved it. We saw this tongue when he caught us lying about feeding the neighbor kid mud in a bottle and telling him it was chocolate milk, when he found out about the slurpee fight in the kitchen by noticing the stains on our popcorn ceiling, and when he discovered the remnents of the mini-fires we started in the backyard.
The really funny thing was, after my dad got that laser surgery on his eyes, he still followed the same procedure, complete with the finger pushing up the glasses that no longer existed. Granted, we were older then so he didn't have as many opportunities to get quite as pissed, but thanks to my brother, I was still able to witness the phenomenom from an adult perspective. My dad came home one evening and found out Andy had thrown a little get together involving him and about 100 of his friend's closest friends that was not authorized by my dad, probably involving events that were not authorized by the state of California for people my brother's age. When my dad found out, I think he just about did everything in his power to not pick up my brother and throw him out of the house... through the window.
Out comes the tongue, and, up goes the finger, shoving an invisible pair of glasses up the bridge of my dad's nose. It wasn't until later that I noticed the humor in the situation. I guess, then, I was as used to seeing it all my life as he was of doing it. But later that night, as I replayed the scene in my head, I couldn't help but laugh at the image. (In fact, I can't stop laughing now as I think about it). (or, for that matter, again as I edit this.) But if you could just see my dad, tongue firm out of the spit-dewed corner of his mouth, forehead wrinkled in fury, and that index finger poking at his forehead....
Oh. My. God. My tummy is so sore from laughing. I wonder if you even get it or if this is one of those "you had to be there" moments. Oh well. I know that there are a few of there reading this that have been there...
Today, I was hammering the back of our new entertainment center, and, low and behold, my tounge was sticking out of my mouth. Sigh. Thanks, dad.
Saturday, August 21, 2004
Surprise from the pet store!
Ok, so I go to the Pet Store to buy Belle a new collar. See, she has now grown into the "large-sized" collar, seeing as how she, at 9 months, weighs in at about 65 pounds. I had bought her a pretty purple color with multi-colored paw prints on it. Unfortunately, Large in this particular brand measures 18-28 inches. See in the brand we usually buy, Large starts at 16 inches. Unfortunately, my Bellarina could far to easily slip out of her 18 inch collar, so I needed to get the other kind. (I got a red one this time, with reflective bones on it, which is good, I suppose, because if she is ever running around in the dark you sure as hell won't spot her otherwise. Her coat is so black that I can barely spot her at night when she is sleeping on the floor next to me. (unless of course, she is sleeping on her back and I can see her white belly. Cute Puppy!!!!!
But I digress.
SO anyways, I am at the pet store, and I decide to buy a couple of fish for our aquarium. I look at the fishies that are on sale and there are 4 that we have or have had in our aquarium. I decide to get two swordtails, a male and a female, becaue our female swordtail had died and I thought our male would have enjoyed the company (probably the compaby of two females, but hey...) I also decided on the sword tails because they can have live births...however if she gave birth in our aquarium the frys would just be eaten right up by the big fishies before I even knew it happened.
So I bring the fish home, set the bag in the water to acclimate to the aquarium temperature, and go beautify Belle (as if she could get any cuter) with her new, much better fitting collar. (gosh, love the grammar from the teacher, eh?)
Then my sister calls. A rare and joyous occasion. So we chat. ALl of a sudden, I realize that 15 minutes has long since past and I need to go dump my two new fishies into thier new home.
AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!! So imagine my suprise when there are not two fishies in the bag but about 25!!! Yes!! Momma had given birth (I must admit - although I didn't want to spoil the story by mentioning it earlier - that I thought her belly looked dark and commented to my cousin, "Wouldn't it be funny if she was pregnent?)
Then panic sets in. I cant put the babies in the tank, they'll get eaten. I can't go buy a maternity net for the babies to live in becaue the store is closed. I carefully dump daddy in to the tank, leaving mommy and the babies, and the debate ensues. DO I leave mommy in in case she is not done delievering babies and risk her eating some? Do I put mommy in the big tank and hope that if she does have anymore babies they'll hide out in the moss until they are big and strong?
I search the internet. So helpful. depending on their age, females can have 20-100 babies at a time. Now how am I suppsoed to decide when shes done? There are about 15-20 live ones, and maybe 10-15 more dead ones (still births?) I watch her for about 15 minutes and nothing comes out. Eventually I decide to let her in the big tank to keep the ones already in there alive. (Gosh...the morality of it all...)
As it turns out she wasn't quite finished, as witnessed by a tiny little newborn swimming carelessly across the tank and straight into the Tiger Barbs mouth. Sigh. The one thing I didn't want to see.
However, There are still about 10 babies swimming around in the maternity net that I bought the next morning. I am hoping a few survive. Of course if all ten do, I don't think are tank will be able to hold them all so we'll have to bring some back to the pet store.
How exciting!!!!
But I digress.
SO anyways, I am at the pet store, and I decide to buy a couple of fish for our aquarium. I look at the fishies that are on sale and there are 4 that we have or have had in our aquarium. I decide to get two swordtails, a male and a female, becaue our female swordtail had died and I thought our male would have enjoyed the company (probably the compaby of two females, but hey...) I also decided on the sword tails because they can have live births...however if she gave birth in our aquarium the frys would just be eaten right up by the big fishies before I even knew it happened.
So I bring the fish home, set the bag in the water to acclimate to the aquarium temperature, and go beautify Belle (as if she could get any cuter) with her new, much better fitting collar. (gosh, love the grammar from the teacher, eh?)
Then my sister calls. A rare and joyous occasion. So we chat. ALl of a sudden, I realize that 15 minutes has long since past and I need to go dump my two new fishies into thier new home.
AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!! So imagine my suprise when there are not two fishies in the bag but about 25!!! Yes!! Momma had given birth (I must admit - although I didn't want to spoil the story by mentioning it earlier - that I thought her belly looked dark and commented to my cousin, "Wouldn't it be funny if she was pregnent?)
Then panic sets in. I cant put the babies in the tank, they'll get eaten. I can't go buy a maternity net for the babies to live in becaue the store is closed. I carefully dump daddy in to the tank, leaving mommy and the babies, and the debate ensues. DO I leave mommy in in case she is not done delievering babies and risk her eating some? Do I put mommy in the big tank and hope that if she does have anymore babies they'll hide out in the moss until they are big and strong?
I search the internet. So helpful. depending on their age, females can have 20-100 babies at a time. Now how am I suppsoed to decide when shes done? There are about 15-20 live ones, and maybe 10-15 more dead ones (still births?) I watch her for about 15 minutes and nothing comes out. Eventually I decide to let her in the big tank to keep the ones already in there alive. (Gosh...the morality of it all...)
As it turns out she wasn't quite finished, as witnessed by a tiny little newborn swimming carelessly across the tank and straight into the Tiger Barbs mouth. Sigh. The one thing I didn't want to see.
However, There are still about 10 babies swimming around in the maternity net that I bought the next morning. I am hoping a few survive. Of course if all ten do, I don't think are tank will be able to hold them all so we'll have to bring some back to the pet store.
How exciting!!!!
Wednesday, August 18, 2004
Survivor Vanuatu Preview
Well folks, they posted the new Survivor contestants. I am so excited!!!
Those of you that have known me awhile, and have been following my obsession with Survivor beyond the point of nodding politely when ever I take a breath know that ever since season 2 or 3, I always thought that they should start out with three teams instead of two. Now, my reasoning behind this was because basically, solid alliances stuck along tribal lines, and whichever tribe had (or gained) the upperhand beyond the merge basically picked off the other tribe before getting evil within their own. A brilliant strategy if you ask me. It is safe, and it rewards the team that played hard to the merger. What it doesn't do, however, is force politics or alliance with the new team. It is very safe.
My theory was that with 3 tribes, once it came time to merge, the strategy of one tribe dominating another wouldn't work. With three tribes at the merge, tribes would be forced to deal with other tribes to gain the upper hand. Two tribes could unite to break down another. Tribes could split and join other alliances. All sorts of things could happen at that point.
Survivor mixed up the old solid tribal alliance starting in season 3 (Africa) when they mixed tribes up before the merge. Sometimes they randomly picked new buffs, other times they sent an ambassador and those two made new teams. This effectively mixed teams up and helped to somewhat eliminate the solid original tribal alliance, but not as much as I believe a 3 tribe show would.
Then, low and behold, Survivor 8, the All-Star game, comes out with 18 members instead of the regular 16, in order to get more former favorites on the show. Which means they can start out with 3 teams of 6. "Yes!" I say, my heart jumping for a chance at what I thought would make for great politics.
Problem: All Stars was not a group of strangers. There were previously relationships/alliances/opinions...And goals, for example, to get anyone who had already won the million off. It was still a good show, but I think as most will agree, lets stick with strangers for the most part. Once every 8 seasons for an all stars is my limit, I think. If that.
Good News: Now, Survivor Vanuatu has announced its new contestants, and guess what! There are 18 of them, instead of 16 as in season 1-7. Hee hee. And guess what else! They haven't listed the tribes each member is on as they usually do on the website. Which leads me to believe that they will, again, start with the three team concept!!!!
Now here is my hope of all hopes for Survivor; If they do indeed start with 3 tribes, then go back to basics for a season and let tribes stay as they are until the merger. If they start with 3, then the merge will be interesting even without switching members before the merger. In All Stars, after a couple of episodes, they dissolved one tribe and had 2. Later, they switched up the tribes as well. This time around, with all strangers, just leave it and see what will happen. The only way there could be the potential problem of one tribe voting the other off is if one of the three tribes gets completely eliminated prior to the merge, Which is possible if they merge at 10 with a jury of 8. Even if they upped the jury to ten with the merge at 12, technically it would still take 6 episodes, 6 votes, to make it to the merge, and a whole team could be eliminated. They could also merge way before jury time. There are many possibilities.
I would really like to see teams stay strong to the merge without mixing up members again. I think it could be very interesting to see how people relate at the merge at that point, as well as once they are down to the final few after having spent the whole game together.
ANYWAYS! On to the players. You can find all of this information (and more) at:
http://www.cbs.com/primetime/survivor9/
Amy - 31 - Barista/Model from Lakewood, Colorado
Brady - 33 - FBI agent from Huntington Beach, CA (Ok I may be slightly biased here, but it is interesting to note that he had to get FBI approval before he could apply for the show to insure a positive image for the FBI - they wouldn't approve any old schlump, so I may be voting for this guy.)
Brook (male) - 27- Project Manager - Winthrop, MA
Chad - 35 - teacher - Oakland California
Chris - 33 - Highway construction - South Vienna, OH
Dolly - 25 - Sheep Farmer - Mercer Pennsylvania
Eliza - 21 - prelaw student - Sycaruse, NY
John K. - 22 - Mechanical Bull Operator/model - LA, CA
John P. - 31 - Sales Manager - LA, California
Julie - 23 - Youth Mentor - Gorham, ME
Lea (male) 40 - Drill Sergeant - Columbia, South Carolina
Leann - 35 - Research Assistant - Kansasville, WI
Lisa - 44 - Real Estate Agent - New Orleans, LA
Mia - 30 - Finance Manager - Tom's River, NJ
Rory - 35 - S8 Housing Manager, Des Moines, IA
Scout (female) 59 - Rancher/entrepreneur Stillwater, OK
Travis - 33 - Loss Prevention, Blountville, TN
Twila - 41 -Highway repair - Marshall MO
Now what I really dig about this cast is that it is a more mature cast. The majority are in their thirties, with 5 players under 30 and 4 players 40 or above. Hopefully this will eliminate that boring "oh we hot girls need to bathe separately so as not to make the others feel jealous" bull shit that pisses me off. (Survivor 6 - gag me).
So there you have it. I am sure you are all just as excited as I! And for those of you who don't know, The Amazing Race 6 is this fall also! Yipee! So my Fall line up looks to be Survivor, Amazing Race, 7th Heaven, and Enterprise. Kick ass.
Survivor 9, Vanuata, premiers on CBS on Thursday, September 16th, at 8:00 PM. Yee haw!
Those of you that have known me awhile, and have been following my obsession with Survivor beyond the point of nodding politely when ever I take a breath know that ever since season 2 or 3, I always thought that they should start out with three teams instead of two. Now, my reasoning behind this was because basically, solid alliances stuck along tribal lines, and whichever tribe had (or gained) the upperhand beyond the merge basically picked off the other tribe before getting evil within their own. A brilliant strategy if you ask me. It is safe, and it rewards the team that played hard to the merger. What it doesn't do, however, is force politics or alliance with the new team. It is very safe.
My theory was that with 3 tribes, once it came time to merge, the strategy of one tribe dominating another wouldn't work. With three tribes at the merge, tribes would be forced to deal with other tribes to gain the upper hand. Two tribes could unite to break down another. Tribes could split and join other alliances. All sorts of things could happen at that point.
Survivor mixed up the old solid tribal alliance starting in season 3 (Africa) when they mixed tribes up before the merge. Sometimes they randomly picked new buffs, other times they sent an ambassador and those two made new teams. This effectively mixed teams up and helped to somewhat eliminate the solid original tribal alliance, but not as much as I believe a 3 tribe show would.
Then, low and behold, Survivor 8, the All-Star game, comes out with 18 members instead of the regular 16, in order to get more former favorites on the show. Which means they can start out with 3 teams of 6. "Yes!" I say, my heart jumping for a chance at what I thought would make for great politics.
Problem: All Stars was not a group of strangers. There were previously relationships/alliances/opinions...And goals, for example, to get anyone who had already won the million off. It was still a good show, but I think as most will agree, lets stick with strangers for the most part. Once every 8 seasons for an all stars is my limit, I think. If that.
Good News: Now, Survivor Vanuatu has announced its new contestants, and guess what! There are 18 of them, instead of 16 as in season 1-7. Hee hee. And guess what else! They haven't listed the tribes each member is on as they usually do on the website. Which leads me to believe that they will, again, start with the three team concept!!!!
Now here is my hope of all hopes for Survivor; If they do indeed start with 3 tribes, then go back to basics for a season and let tribes stay as they are until the merger. If they start with 3, then the merge will be interesting even without switching members before the merger. In All Stars, after a couple of episodes, they dissolved one tribe and had 2. Later, they switched up the tribes as well. This time around, with all strangers, just leave it and see what will happen. The only way there could be the potential problem of one tribe voting the other off is if one of the three tribes gets completely eliminated prior to the merge, Which is possible if they merge at 10 with a jury of 8. Even if they upped the jury to ten with the merge at 12, technically it would still take 6 episodes, 6 votes, to make it to the merge, and a whole team could be eliminated. They could also merge way before jury time. There are many possibilities.
I would really like to see teams stay strong to the merge without mixing up members again. I think it could be very interesting to see how people relate at the merge at that point, as well as once they are down to the final few after having spent the whole game together.
ANYWAYS! On to the players. You can find all of this information (and more) at:
http://www.cbs.com/primetime/survivor9/
Amy - 31 - Barista/Model from Lakewood, Colorado
Brady - 33 - FBI agent from Huntington Beach, CA (Ok I may be slightly biased here, but it is interesting to note that he had to get FBI approval before he could apply for the show to insure a positive image for the FBI - they wouldn't approve any old schlump, so I may be voting for this guy.)
Brook (male) - 27- Project Manager - Winthrop, MA
Chad - 35 - teacher - Oakland California
Chris - 33 - Highway construction - South Vienna, OH
Dolly - 25 - Sheep Farmer - Mercer Pennsylvania
Eliza - 21 - prelaw student - Sycaruse, NY
John K. - 22 - Mechanical Bull Operator/model - LA, CA
John P. - 31 - Sales Manager - LA, California
Julie - 23 - Youth Mentor - Gorham, ME
Lea (male) 40 - Drill Sergeant - Columbia, South Carolina
Leann - 35 - Research Assistant - Kansasville, WI
Lisa - 44 - Real Estate Agent - New Orleans, LA
Mia - 30 - Finance Manager - Tom's River, NJ
Rory - 35 - S8 Housing Manager, Des Moines, IA
Scout (female) 59 - Rancher/entrepreneur Stillwater, OK
Travis - 33 - Loss Prevention, Blountville, TN
Twila - 41 -Highway repair - Marshall MO
Now what I really dig about this cast is that it is a more mature cast. The majority are in their thirties, with 5 players under 30 and 4 players 40 or above. Hopefully this will eliminate that boring "oh we hot girls need to bathe separately so as not to make the others feel jealous" bull shit that pisses me off. (Survivor 6 - gag me).
So there you have it. I am sure you are all just as excited as I! And for those of you who don't know, The Amazing Race 6 is this fall also! Yipee! So my Fall line up looks to be Survivor, Amazing Race, 7th Heaven, and Enterprise. Kick ass.
Survivor 9, Vanuata, premiers on CBS on Thursday, September 16th, at 8:00 PM. Yee haw!
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Olympics!
Yes! It is time for the Olympics! I watched the opening ceremonies last night. I think the coolest effect was when the olympic rings came out of the water on fire. Pretty cool. I always get all emotional and choked up about this kinda stuff. Sigh.
The games are on! Let's hope for a peaceful, good spirited two weeks!
The games are on! Let's hope for a peaceful, good spirited two weeks!
Amazing Race/Big Brother
Ok, so I am slacking on the reports, so I'll just give you my opinions on a few things:
Amazing Race: I REALLY have a lot of respect for Charla. She is one strong lady. She does almost ALL of the Road Bloacks because Mirna is to wussy. Mirna bugs.
I am really pulling for Chip and Kim. I like them as a couple and I would like to see them win. They are, so far, the only team that hasn't REALLY bugged me at some point.
Big Brother: How excited am I that Jase and Scott are finally off? Now, i think, we can play the game without people being mean and angry and rude for no reason at all. I mean, sure, petty stuff is going to come up; your kicking each other off for crying out loud; but Jase and Scott were just MEAN. I am so glad they are gone!
Cowboy may be next, which is sad, in a way, becasue I like him, but really he is a STUPID player. He put all of his trust into those jerks (even after their reaction to him - calling him a liar - when he toled them Nakomis was his sister.)
Who am I rooting for? I like Nakomis a lot. I also like Will, he is a really good player.
Amazing Race: I REALLY have a lot of respect for Charla. She is one strong lady. She does almost ALL of the Road Bloacks because Mirna is to wussy. Mirna bugs.
I am really pulling for Chip and Kim. I like them as a couple and I would like to see them win. They are, so far, the only team that hasn't REALLY bugged me at some point.
Big Brother: How excited am I that Jase and Scott are finally off? Now, i think, we can play the game without people being mean and angry and rude for no reason at all. I mean, sure, petty stuff is going to come up; your kicking each other off for crying out loud; but Jase and Scott were just MEAN. I am so glad they are gone!
Cowboy may be next, which is sad, in a way, becasue I like him, but really he is a STUPID player. He put all of his trust into those jerks (even after their reaction to him - calling him a liar - when he toled them Nakomis was his sister.)
Who am I rooting for? I like Nakomis a lot. I also like Will, he is a really good player.
Sunday, August 08, 2004
The Great Outdoors
A trip to Universal Studios last Tuesday inspired me to watch The Great Outdoors with John Candy and Dan Aykroyd. I have never seen this movie before. Now, I suppose that to most people this movie would fall under the category of comedy. But let me tell you, when you have a Roman (Aykroyd) in your family, and you've been on vacation with him, this movie hits a little to close to home. Thus, for someone like me, this movie falls under the category of horror.
I think my first, last, and only camping trip with my Uncle Roman will prove to be a good case in point. Although in the movie, Roman shows up unannounced, my Uncle Roman was invited along - on a previously planned camping trip with my family and our family's friends. As a matter of fact, it was our friends idea in the first place.
As most people know, when you reach a campsite, you stake it out and decide as a group how to arrange the camp, set up the tents, and create your weekend community. (You should be cringing right about now.) Yes, my Uncle Roman pulls ahead of the rest of us (refusing to stop for more than a five minute lunch on our six hour drive to Mackinac Island) and arrives at the campground an hour ahead of time. We arrive to find that we have been assigned 3 side by side rectangular campsites, and mu Uncle Roman has his van parked and his giant tent set up smack dab in the middle of the middle camp site. (Reminder: He was invited along and he chose which campsite to use) Due to his set up, we weren't able to set up in a circle, and we had to walk around the van and tent to visit each others sites. If you can't envision it, trust me, it was inconvenient, annoying, and rude.
There were numerous other examples of my delightful Uncle Roman on this trip. His potato hashbrown tomato casserole (that was an unusual shade of pink when he finished with it) that he insisted everyone "try" (and his definition of "try" was about 2 cups full splattered on to a paper plate). His argumentative response to asking him to at least park his van on the outer edge of the camp site. Oh and of course, who can forget the repeated visits we got from our neighbors at the camp ground as they politely, and repeatedly, requested that Uncle Roman turn down his TELEVISION that he had set up in his tent to watch late at night in the middle of the campground.
Ah, those family vacations!
I think my first, last, and only camping trip with my Uncle Roman will prove to be a good case in point. Although in the movie, Roman shows up unannounced, my Uncle Roman was invited along - on a previously planned camping trip with my family and our family's friends. As a matter of fact, it was our friends idea in the first place.
As most people know, when you reach a campsite, you stake it out and decide as a group how to arrange the camp, set up the tents, and create your weekend community. (You should be cringing right about now.) Yes, my Uncle Roman pulls ahead of the rest of us (refusing to stop for more than a five minute lunch on our six hour drive to Mackinac Island) and arrives at the campground an hour ahead of time. We arrive to find that we have been assigned 3 side by side rectangular campsites, and mu Uncle Roman has his van parked and his giant tent set up smack dab in the middle of the middle camp site. (Reminder: He was invited along and he chose which campsite to use) Due to his set up, we weren't able to set up in a circle, and we had to walk around the van and tent to visit each others sites. If you can't envision it, trust me, it was inconvenient, annoying, and rude.
There were numerous other examples of my delightful Uncle Roman on this trip. His potato hashbrown tomato casserole (that was an unusual shade of pink when he finished with it) that he insisted everyone "try" (and his definition of "try" was about 2 cups full splattered on to a paper plate). His argumentative response to asking him to at least park his van on the outer edge of the camp site. Oh and of course, who can forget the repeated visits we got from our neighbors at the camp ground as they politely, and repeatedly, requested that Uncle Roman turn down his TELEVISION that he had set up in his tent to watch late at night in the middle of the campground.
Ah, those family vacations!
Friday, August 06, 2004
Stephen King update
Well, folks, this is it. We are on the downhill stretch. The final Dark Tower book will be published in September (I believe on Stephen King's birthday.) I am so excited. I almost ready. I just finished Bag of Bones (really good!) , so I have read every novel Stephen King has put out, as well as Richard Bauchman. I have not read all of his short stories, but I read "Everything's Eventual," and I will read the other short stories that pertain to the Dark Tower series.
I also plan to reread Insomnia, since I read it so long ago, and it strongly relates to the Dark Tower series.
So my plan is:
reRead Insomnia
Possibly reread Salem's Lot.
Read The Mist (short story from Skeletan Crew)
Read Little Sisters of Eularia (spell?) - short story from Everything's Eventual
And then....duh duh duh...
read the dark tower series from start to finish. (rereading the first four.)
I am so excited.
After I finish theh dark tower series, I don't know what I am going to do. There are still quite a few works (his non fiction, his screen plays such as storm of the century, which does...loosely... relate to the dark Tower so I will eventually read it...but after the Dark Tower series I may need to take a King break. or else, I will run out of King material!!!!
Laterz!
I also plan to reread Insomnia, since I read it so long ago, and it strongly relates to the Dark Tower series.
So my plan is:
reRead Insomnia
Possibly reread Salem's Lot.
Read The Mist (short story from Skeletan Crew)
Read Little Sisters of Eularia (spell?) - short story from Everything's Eventual
And then....duh duh duh...
read the dark tower series from start to finish. (rereading the first four.)
I am so excited.
After I finish theh dark tower series, I don't know what I am going to do. There are still quite a few works (his non fiction, his screen plays such as storm of the century, which does...loosely... relate to the dark Tower so I will eventually read it...but after the Dark Tower series I may need to take a King break. or else, I will run out of King material!!!!
Laterz!
Weeks are flying by
Well its been a while since I've updated. I know, no Amazing Race or anything! Oh well. What have I been up to? First and foremost, trying to put this house into some semblance of order. Which, I am discovering, is a much more difficult task than even I had imagined. Those of you that have owned homes have some inkling of what I am talking about, I am sure. It is difficult though, because it isn't as though i moved into an empty house. So trying to find room for all of our stuff, along with all the stuff that is already here, is a fairly difficult task. (And considering the size of the house, well, you can just imagine.)
Anyway, the way things have pretty much been going is I clean out one room, moving everything into other rooms, which then causes those rooms to need cleaning out. However, I am trying my darndest to keep moving in one direction. (Once I get a room cleaned out, I don't move anything back into it.)
Originally, I tried to just make all the rooms presentable. But there is just too much damn stuff.
I finally got one of the bedrooms compleatly cleared out upstairs, so I am moving all of by brother's and sister's things into that room. Hopefully it will all fit. (They also have a bunch of stuff in the garage that may eventually get moved up into that bedroom so we have more room in the garage so that maybe things like the tool kit can live there instead of on the floor in the family room. Sigh. see what I mean?) My dad's stuff is all being moved into the den.
You may ask, "why don't you just call the fam-damily and tell them to get their stuff?" Well, suffice it to say that my brother and sister just aren't in a position to come and get their stuff and bring it anywhere. And I am not comfortable with just throwing it out. But I do need them to come and look through it and make sure it isn't all crap (which it probably is) and decide what they truly want to keep. At some point they'll have to get it (particularly is I ever decide to have children, they might enjoy having a bedroom of their own).
Ahem...(let me repeat...) eventually THEY"ll HAVE TO COME AND GET IT...hint, hint.....
Other than that, lets see, I went and picked up my teachers manuals so I could start to look through them. We spend like four weeks on addition. One page in the science book consists of, "The wind can blow hard. It can blow a windmill to make electricity. The wind can be very strong." And the first two weeks are a review of the letters of the alphabet! Life is grand.
Well, thats is for now. I think I'll do summary of the last few episodes of Amazing Race (my view of the teams, a little commentary on the plot, nothing too deep.) And maybe some Big Brother assessment. We shall see.
Mostly, I want to get working in the Living room before it gets too hot.
::::hugs::::
Anyway, the way things have pretty much been going is I clean out one room, moving everything into other rooms, which then causes those rooms to need cleaning out. However, I am trying my darndest to keep moving in one direction. (Once I get a room cleaned out, I don't move anything back into it.)
Originally, I tried to just make all the rooms presentable. But there is just too much damn stuff.
I finally got one of the bedrooms compleatly cleared out upstairs, so I am moving all of by brother's and sister's things into that room. Hopefully it will all fit. (They also have a bunch of stuff in the garage that may eventually get moved up into that bedroom so we have more room in the garage so that maybe things like the tool kit can live there instead of on the floor in the family room. Sigh. see what I mean?) My dad's stuff is all being moved into the den.
You may ask, "why don't you just call the fam-damily and tell them to get their stuff?" Well, suffice it to say that my brother and sister just aren't in a position to come and get their stuff and bring it anywhere. And I am not comfortable with just throwing it out. But I do need them to come and look through it and make sure it isn't all crap (which it probably is) and decide what they truly want to keep. At some point they'll have to get it (particularly is I ever decide to have children, they might enjoy having a bedroom of their own).
Ahem...(let me repeat...) eventually THEY"ll HAVE TO COME AND GET IT...hint, hint.....
Other than that, lets see, I went and picked up my teachers manuals so I could start to look through them. We spend like four weeks on addition. One page in the science book consists of, "The wind can blow hard. It can blow a windmill to make electricity. The wind can be very strong." And the first two weeks are a review of the letters of the alphabet! Life is grand.
Well, thats is for now. I think I'll do summary of the last few episodes of Amazing Race (my view of the teams, a little commentary on the plot, nothing too deep.) And maybe some Big Brother assessment. We shall see.
Mostly, I want to get working in the Living room before it gets too hot.
::::hugs::::
Sunday, August 01, 2004
Weird
People are weird.
I, however, think I must be the weirdest of all.
I, however, think I must be the weirdest of all.
I have always been out of touch with my peers.
At various times in my life, I consoled myself with thoughts such as, "Weird is normal, so normal is weird."
But at some time in my life, I am just going to have to come to terms with the fact that I am very, very different. Sometimes that is okay, occasionally, it can bother me big time.
Is that weird?