For those of you interested, they have cast for Rent the movie and are filming….it will be released this November (well, that is the current plan…) Interesting to note…they cast someone for the role of “Alison Grey.”
And Look! Most of the Original Cast! Isn't that refreshing?
Saturday, April 09, 2005
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
Last day of vacation
So...we woke up and packed...always a fun time... and checked out of our wonderful Marriot room.
We headed down towards San Jose, stopping to eat at Fudd Ruckers, which reminded me of Flakey Jakes, where Betty used to take us.
Anyway, Grant gor an Ostrich burger and I got a cow burger, and we loaded our fries up with nacho cheese sauce...plus I got a strawberry shake and Grant got a kona coffee shake and it was one of those perfectly heavenly meals...
We arrived at the Winchester Mystery House early in the afternoon and we did the estate tour. It was really quite interesting...for those of you that don't know the story, here is my brief summary...
Sarah Pardee married the guy who owned the Winshester Rifle Company (his father started the business and he continued it, and improved it, particularly by making a quality repeating rifle...)
Sarah Pardee Winchester had a daughter who died 20 days after she was born, and many years later her husband died of Tuberculosis.
As the story goes, she was deeply grieved for the untimley losses of her family, and went to see a psychic. This psychic told her that her family was being haunted by the spirits of all of those whose lives were lost by the Winchester Rifle, and if she wanted to live (and not fall to the curse) She would need to travel to where the sun touches the sea (west) and build a house for the spirits to dwell in. Here is the kicker, Sarah interepreted this to mean that as long as she continued to build the house, the spirits would not harm her...
So sarah came out west and bought a farm house, and began building. For the next 32 years, she had carpenters build the house non stop, 24 hours a day, adding rooms on to rooms, building new rooms around existing rooms, and creating a mansion with all sorts of oddities...Tiffany stain glass windows built into walls with rooms on both sides of the wall so that no sunlight touched the room, staircases that go into the ceiling, a window in the floor, a chimney that travels four stories up and stops just a foot and a half below the ceiling (there is an old myth that spirits enter and exit the house through chimnies, so perhaps Sarah was trying to confuse them...?).
Sarah held nightly seinces to talk to the spirits, and these talks led to her hand drawn plans for the carpenters to build the next day. As such, there are no blue prints and no formal apporvals for anything in the house.
Other interesting things...Sarah had a fascination with spiderweb designs, as evidenced in many of the stain glass windows. in addition, she was obsessed with the number 13...many staircases had 13 stairs, there were 13 bathrooms (and 13 windows in the 13 bathrooms) She had 13 palms lining the front driveway...oh, yeah, and another old wives tale says that if you install a post upside down in ahouse, it will bring you good luck. Every post in Sarah's estate was installed upside down.
(By the way, besides the large sum of money she recieved as being the heress to the Winchester fortune, she recieved revenues from the companies stocks and bonds which amounted to $1000 a day. ..in case you were wondering how she could afford this!)
In any case, there are so many interesting things, it is definatly worth checking out!
After our tour, we had some time before a flight, but we headed to the airport anyway, to see if we could fly Standby on an earlier flight. We got on (the flisht had about 20 empty seats) So after being subject to a polite but thourough body and barry on baggage search (yup, we got pulled aside...probably becasue we switched flights...) We got on a plane about 40 minutes after dropping our car off at the airport, and even got to move to the emergency row becasue nobody wanted to sit there. Sweet....
All in all, it was a great trip...have I mentioned how much I love traveling with Grant?
Other interesting things about the house...
We headed down towards San Jose, stopping to eat at Fudd Ruckers, which reminded me of Flakey Jakes, where Betty used to take us.
Anyway, Grant gor an Ostrich burger and I got a cow burger, and we loaded our fries up with nacho cheese sauce...plus I got a strawberry shake and Grant got a kona coffee shake and it was one of those perfectly heavenly meals...
We arrived at the Winchester Mystery House early in the afternoon and we did the estate tour. It was really quite interesting...for those of you that don't know the story, here is my brief summary...
Sarah Pardee married the guy who owned the Winshester Rifle Company (his father started the business and he continued it, and improved it, particularly by making a quality repeating rifle...)
Sarah Pardee Winchester had a daughter who died 20 days after she was born, and many years later her husband died of Tuberculosis.
As the story goes, she was deeply grieved for the untimley losses of her family, and went to see a psychic. This psychic told her that her family was being haunted by the spirits of all of those whose lives were lost by the Winchester Rifle, and if she wanted to live (and not fall to the curse) She would need to travel to where the sun touches the sea (west) and build a house for the spirits to dwell in. Here is the kicker, Sarah interepreted this to mean that as long as she continued to build the house, the spirits would not harm her...
So sarah came out west and bought a farm house, and began building. For the next 32 years, she had carpenters build the house non stop, 24 hours a day, adding rooms on to rooms, building new rooms around existing rooms, and creating a mansion with all sorts of oddities...Tiffany stain glass windows built into walls with rooms on both sides of the wall so that no sunlight touched the room, staircases that go into the ceiling, a window in the floor, a chimney that travels four stories up and stops just a foot and a half below the ceiling (there is an old myth that spirits enter and exit the house through chimnies, so perhaps Sarah was trying to confuse them...?).
Sarah held nightly seinces to talk to the spirits, and these talks led to her hand drawn plans for the carpenters to build the next day. As such, there are no blue prints and no formal apporvals for anything in the house.
Other interesting things...Sarah had a fascination with spiderweb designs, as evidenced in many of the stain glass windows. in addition, she was obsessed with the number 13...many staircases had 13 stairs, there were 13 bathrooms (and 13 windows in the 13 bathrooms) She had 13 palms lining the front driveway...oh, yeah, and another old wives tale says that if you install a post upside down in ahouse, it will bring you good luck. Every post in Sarah's estate was installed upside down.
(By the way, besides the large sum of money she recieved as being the heress to the Winchester fortune, she recieved revenues from the companies stocks and bonds which amounted to $1000 a day. ..in case you were wondering how she could afford this!)
In any case, there are so many interesting things, it is definatly worth checking out!
After our tour, we had some time before a flight, but we headed to the airport anyway, to see if we could fly Standby on an earlier flight. We got on (the flisht had about 20 empty seats) So after being subject to a polite but thourough body and barry on baggage search (yup, we got pulled aside...probably becasue we switched flights...) We got on a plane about 40 minutes after dropping our car off at the airport, and even got to move to the emergency row becasue nobody wanted to sit there. Sweet....
All in all, it was a great trip...have I mentioned how much I love traveling with Grant?
Other interesting things about the house...
Saturday, April 02, 2005
SF Day 2
We leave tonight! Back to the real world of work and school and writing papers...sigh.
But, let me tell you all about yesterday!
We drove into the city yesterday...(Yes, I actually drove around the city...up and down those steep, scary hills...I can't wait until Grant can do the driving.)
We had lunch at Round Table...they delivered Grant's pizza relly quick,but mine didin;t come out for 20 more minutes, by which time we had finished Grant's and i made two trips to the salad bar. So only a quarter of my pizza got eaten, so we gave the rest to a bum sitting outside and went on our way.
I drove down Lombard Street, which thankfully was NOT crowded. Next, we drove to the Exploritorium, which was really crowded...We spent a few hours there, and then left. We had reservations for thr Tactile Dome, but not until 6:45...
So we went towards Fisherman's Wharf, and lucked out by finding a spot the block abovr Ghiredelli Square...a free spot! We walked the 5 blocks or so to Fisherman's Wharf and took a bay cruise on the Red and White fleet. The had personal head sets to listen to the tour, which made it easier to hear then in SAeattle when they spoke on a microphone.
After out tour, we went back to Ghiredelli Square and had, you guessed it, Ice Cream Sundaes. This time, I had the Cable Car, which was a scoop of chocolate ice cream, chocolate chip, and rocky road, with Hot fudge and marshmellow topping. Grant had the warm cookie bottom sundae, which was a hot fudge sundae with a warm cookie...on the bottom (imagine that). You know what is so sweet about Grant? He always gives me his cherry.
After our sundae snack, we drove through the city again, therough the Italian districe and China town, and then back to th Explorotarium for our tactile Dome experience. The museum closed at 5 so unless you were going in the dome, you couldn't go in.
The tactile DOME is a labrynth that you climb through compleatly in the dark...pitch black...you use your hands to crawl, slide down and navigate your way through. It was very cool. We went through twice.
When we were done, we took the advice of the employees, and left our car there, and walked to Chestnut Street to have dinner. We found this place called Asqew Grill, just of Chestnut, which had different kinds of skewers. It was really good. Grant got balsamic Beef, and I got Thai BBQ chicken, and we got an appitizer of grilled asparagus. Yummy!
we walked back to our car and drove across the Golden Gate Bridge and through Berkley to get home. it was a little bit longer, but we thought a new route would be nice. And it wwould have been, if one of the bridges we went across (not the GOLDEN Gate) didin't have work being done on it which slowed us down ALOT!
over all it was a very good trip, and it is not over yet! Today, we are going to the Winchester Mystery House! I'll tell ya all about it, later. But now, we must pack!
But, let me tell you all about yesterday!
We drove into the city yesterday...(Yes, I actually drove around the city...up and down those steep, scary hills...I can't wait until Grant can do the driving.)
We had lunch at Round Table...they delivered Grant's pizza relly quick,but mine didin;t come out for 20 more minutes, by which time we had finished Grant's and i made two trips to the salad bar. So only a quarter of my pizza got eaten, so we gave the rest to a bum sitting outside and went on our way.
I drove down Lombard Street, which thankfully was NOT crowded. Next, we drove to the Exploritorium, which was really crowded...We spent a few hours there, and then left. We had reservations for thr Tactile Dome, but not until 6:45...
So we went towards Fisherman's Wharf, and lucked out by finding a spot the block abovr Ghiredelli Square...a free spot! We walked the 5 blocks or so to Fisherman's Wharf and took a bay cruise on the Red and White fleet. The had personal head sets to listen to the tour, which made it easier to hear then in SAeattle when they spoke on a microphone.
After out tour, we went back to Ghiredelli Square and had, you guessed it, Ice Cream Sundaes. This time, I had the Cable Car, which was a scoop of chocolate ice cream, chocolate chip, and rocky road, with Hot fudge and marshmellow topping. Grant had the warm cookie bottom sundae, which was a hot fudge sundae with a warm cookie...on the bottom (imagine that). You know what is so sweet about Grant? He always gives me his cherry.
After our sundae snack, we drove through the city again, therough the Italian districe and China town, and then back to th Explorotarium for our tactile Dome experience. The museum closed at 5 so unless you were going in the dome, you couldn't go in.
The tactile DOME is a labrynth that you climb through compleatly in the dark...pitch black...you use your hands to crawl, slide down and navigate your way through. It was very cool. We went through twice.
When we were done, we took the advice of the employees, and left our car there, and walked to Chestnut Street to have dinner. We found this place called Asqew Grill, just of Chestnut, which had different kinds of skewers. It was really good. Grant got balsamic Beef, and I got Thai BBQ chicken, and we got an appitizer of grilled asparagus. Yummy!
we walked back to our car and drove across the Golden Gate Bridge and through Berkley to get home. it was a little bit longer, but we thought a new route would be nice. And it wwould have been, if one of the bridges we went across (not the GOLDEN Gate) didin't have work being done on it which slowed us down ALOT!
over all it was a very good trip, and it is not over yet! Today, we are going to the Winchester Mystery House! I'll tell ya all about it, later. But now, we must pack!
Friday, April 01, 2005
Our Evening Downtown
Hi all! Well, last night, we took the Bart across the bay and the streetcar to Fisherman's wharf. It was packed down there! It was so crowded it almost wasn't enjoyable. In any case we walked through Pier 39, and over by the submarines where they had a tribute to the old sea side boardwalk carnivals, complete with about 100 old time machines, the movie flips, the press a button to see what your career would be, fortune telling machines and the like.
We got some fish and chips and clam chowder for dinner, and sat on a wall on a corner and listened to some street musicians play. After that, we went to Ghiredelli Square and had desert...Yummy sundaes for us from the Soda Fountain.
It was a nice evening, and we really enjoyed ourselves, but we were pretty tired.
When we got back we went to the Concierge Lounge, and had some snacks. The guy working it was having a lot of fun, this being the "eve of April Fool's Day" He put a sign on the door that said "Welcum to the Hilton Conseeerge. And he had "Centerpieces" on each table, for example, a jar of Olives or trays of Peanut Butter.
We went back to our room to plan the day and I pretty much just vegged in front of the TV. The bed is so comfortable...
Speaking of whcih, I wanted to describe our room for you, becasue it is oddly layed out becasue of its shape. The hotel shape is a long trapezoid. We have the second to last room so our room is shaped almost like a triangle. You walk in to the room and yo are in a short hallway, with the bathroom to the right and the closet to the left (this is like a rectangle attatched to the triangle) Around the corner, is the main part of the room. The wall on your left is straignt, like you'd expect, but the wall on the right is at an angle...making the base of the triangle. The bed is on that wall, so it faces at an angle instead of straignt. The TV is in the top corner of the room. At the opposite side from where you walk in, there is a chair and a little table. I don't know if that was a good description or not...somehow, I doubt it!
Have a good day...don't get fooled!
We got some fish and chips and clam chowder for dinner, and sat on a wall on a corner and listened to some street musicians play. After that, we went to Ghiredelli Square and had desert...Yummy sundaes for us from the Soda Fountain.
It was a nice evening, and we really enjoyed ourselves, but we were pretty tired.
When we got back we went to the Concierge Lounge, and had some snacks. The guy working it was having a lot of fun, this being the "eve of April Fool's Day" He put a sign on the door that said "Welcum to the Hilton Conseeerge. And he had "Centerpieces" on each table, for example, a jar of Olives or trays of Peanut Butter.
We went back to our room to plan the day and I pretty much just vegged in front of the TV. The bed is so comfortable...
Speaking of whcih, I wanted to describe our room for you, becasue it is oddly layed out becasue of its shape. The hotel shape is a long trapezoid. We have the second to last room so our room is shaped almost like a triangle. You walk in to the room and yo are in a short hallway, with the bathroom to the right and the closet to the left (this is like a rectangle attatched to the triangle) Around the corner, is the main part of the room. The wall on your left is straignt, like you'd expect, but the wall on the right is at an angle...making the base of the triangle. The bed is on that wall, so it faces at an angle instead of straignt. The TV is in the top corner of the room. At the opposite side from where you walk in, there is a chair and a little table. I don't know if that was a good description or not...somehow, I doubt it!
Have a good day...don't get fooled!
Thursday, March 31, 2005
Here in Oakland
We scrached our original plan of driving on the freeway through San jose to get to Oakland, and instead took the beautiful highway 1.
We stopped at a beach and looked at the tide pools, as well as did some rock climbing that would make our mothers cringe.
We arrived in Oakland (that Bay Bridge is a trip!) and checked in to our hotel. We are staying at the Marriot here, and the lldy who checked us in was really nice. We have concierge access, and a room on the 14th floor overlooking the bay and downtown San Francisico!
We are going to head into downtown tongiht, and have dinner at Fisherman's Wharf...
More to come tonight!
We stopped at a beach and looked at the tide pools, as well as did some rock climbing that would make our mothers cringe.
We arrived in Oakland (that Bay Bridge is a trip!) and checked in to our hotel. We are staying at the Marriot here, and the lldy who checked us in was really nice. We have concierge access, and a room on the 14th floor overlooking the bay and downtown San Francisico!
We are going to head into downtown tongiht, and have dinner at Fisherman's Wharf...
More to come tonight!
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
Santa Cruz Boardwalk
Grant and I spent our day on the boardwalk. It was a lot of fun! We went on a bunch of rides. The park has a very nice, amusement park (not carnival) family friendly feel to it.
Oh! ALso, it had fascination, this game we discovered in Reno...you roll a ball up into a grid and try to get it to go through 5 in a row to getg a bingo...it is so addicting. I love that game!
We also had lots of yummy food...we had a gyro, garlic fries, a deep fried twinkie, a shaved ice, a pretzel with cheese and a hot fudge sundae...yummy...my kind of diet.
The weather was nice...Spring Break for sure...Grant got a sunburn on his nose and cheeks..and it was pretty crowded down there.
We also played miniature golf, which was fun...although Grant was in an interesting mood...for example, did you know that it is a miniature golf rule that as long as the ball is still moving you can hit it as many times as you'd like with your club or your foot and it still only counts as one stroke? Yeah, neither did I.
We finished our Boardwalk day with two games of bowling...grant bowled a 137 and a 98, and I bowled a 100 and a 102. That was fun!
For dinner, we went to the Ideal bar and Grill at the beginning of the pier. they had lobsteron Wednesdays for 12.95 (a whole Maine Lobster.) Apparently, they ran out while I was there (after I got mine) so we got there just in time. yipee! Grant got Mahi Mahi. Although the food was very good, the service was terrible. We only got our water refilled once...fourty minutes after we sat there, after our food was delivered and mostly eaten...the waitress never came around! It was bad...she got a measly tip...and we are usually pretty good tippers.
We walked to the end of the huge pier...the pier has a two lone road and a parking lot on it...plus a whole bunch of shops and restaurants. Then we walked back to our hotel totally beat! We are so tired that we opted not to drive out to the store to get Grant some aloe.
I tried to publish this and lost it so this is my second try, so I am not going to reread and edit this tonight. Maybe I will tomorrow.
Tomorrow we had to 'Frisco...its been a great trip so far! Good night, all!
Oh! ALso, it had fascination, this game we discovered in Reno...you roll a ball up into a grid and try to get it to go through 5 in a row to getg a bingo...it is so addicting. I love that game!
We also had lots of yummy food...we had a gyro, garlic fries, a deep fried twinkie, a shaved ice, a pretzel with cheese and a hot fudge sundae...yummy...my kind of diet.
The weather was nice...Spring Break for sure...Grant got a sunburn on his nose and cheeks..and it was pretty crowded down there.
We also played miniature golf, which was fun...although Grant was in an interesting mood...for example, did you know that it is a miniature golf rule that as long as the ball is still moving you can hit it as many times as you'd like with your club or your foot and it still only counts as one stroke? Yeah, neither did I.
We finished our Boardwalk day with two games of bowling...grant bowled a 137 and a 98, and I bowled a 100 and a 102. That was fun!
For dinner, we went to the Ideal bar and Grill at the beginning of the pier. they had lobsteron Wednesdays for 12.95 (a whole Maine Lobster.) Apparently, they ran out while I was there (after I got mine) so we got there just in time. yipee! Grant got Mahi Mahi. Although the food was very good, the service was terrible. We only got our water refilled once...fourty minutes after we sat there, after our food was delivered and mostly eaten...the waitress never came around! It was bad...she got a measly tip...and we are usually pretty good tippers.
We walked to the end of the huge pier...the pier has a two lone road and a parking lot on it...plus a whole bunch of shops and restaurants. Then we walked back to our hotel totally beat! We are so tired that we opted not to drive out to the store to get Grant some aloe.
I tried to publish this and lost it so this is my second try, so I am not going to reread and edit this tonight. Maybe I will tomorrow.
Tomorrow we had to 'Frisco...its been a great trip so far! Good night, all!
The Santa Cruz Boardwalk
Grant and I went to the Boardwalk today. We rode many of the rides...the whole feel of the place is very fun and amusement park like....clean and family friendly...
It was Spring Break for sure...the boardwalk was packed and it got pretty warm...mid to high 70's. Poor Grant got a sun burn on his cheeks and nose!
We had lots of yummy carny food...a gyro, garlic fries, a deep fried twinkie, a shaved ice, a pretzel with cheese, and a hot fudge sundae...yeah, thats my kinda diet!
We also played a round of miniature golf, during which Grant was in a very interesting mood...(did you know that as long as the ball is rolling, and doesn't stop moving, you can hit it as many times as you want with your club or your foot and it still counts as one stroke on the score card? yeah, neither did I...
We also bowled two games...Grant got 134 and then 97...I got 100 and then 102.
Oh! I forgot! They also had fascination...that game we played in Reno, where you roll the red ball up and try to get five in a row based on the circles it rolls in too...oh...so addicting!
For dinner, we went to the Ideal Bar and Grill at the beginning of the pier. They had a live maine lobster for $11.95. SO I got Lobster and Grant got Mahi Mahi (About 30 minutes after I ordered they ran out of Lobster...I probably got the last one!) The food was good, but the service was lousy...She got a low tip...and we're usually really good tippers. She never checked on us or refilled the water...the kitchen server brought out the food and she ddin't come back to see if we needed anything for like 30 minutes. It was bad.
Anyway, after dinner, we walked to the end of the pier. The pier is huge...It has a two lane road and parking, and lots of shops and restaurants. We were beat..we booked it back to the hotel, and opted not to go out to the grocery store to purchase soma aloe for Grant's face.
Tomorrow, we leave Santa Cruz and head up to San Francisco...what a great trip so far!!!
It was Spring Break for sure...the boardwalk was packed and it got pretty warm...mid to high 70's. Poor Grant got a sun burn on his cheeks and nose!
We had lots of yummy carny food...a gyro, garlic fries, a deep fried twinkie, a shaved ice, a pretzel with cheese, and a hot fudge sundae...yeah, thats my kinda diet!
We also played a round of miniature golf, during which Grant was in a very interesting mood...(did you know that as long as the ball is rolling, and doesn't stop moving, you can hit it as many times as you want with your club or your foot and it still counts as one stroke on the score card? yeah, neither did I...
We also bowled two games...Grant got 134 and then 97...I got 100 and then 102.
Oh! I forgot! They also had fascination...that game we played in Reno, where you roll the red ball up and try to get five in a row based on the circles it rolls in too...oh...so addicting!
For dinner, we went to the Ideal Bar and Grill at the beginning of the pier. They had a live maine lobster for $11.95. SO I got Lobster and Grant got Mahi Mahi (About 30 minutes after I ordered they ran out of Lobster...I probably got the last one!) The food was good, but the service was lousy...She got a low tip...and we're usually really good tippers. She never checked on us or refilled the water...the kitchen server brought out the food and she ddin't come back to see if we needed anything for like 30 minutes. It was bad.
Anyway, after dinner, we walked to the end of the pier. The pier is huge...It has a two lane road and parking, and lots of shops and restaurants. We were beat..we booked it back to the hotel, and opted not to go out to the grocery store to purchase soma aloe for Grant's face.
Tomorrow, we leave Santa Cruz and head up to San Francisco...what a great trip so far!!!
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
On the trains in Santa Cruz
Grant and I woke up at around 8:30 this morning. We had breakfast in our hotel room...a combo of stuff we bought and stuff they had at the continenetal breakfaast (which wasn't much...English Muffins and Breakfast danishes...)
We walked down to the Boardwalk, but they didn't open until 11:00. We looked at the train times, and decided to drive up to Roaring Camp and try to catch the 10:30 Beach Train. We made it on time and took the Beach train, which began by going through a Redwood forest, and went down into Santa Cruz and back to the Boardwalk. This time, everything was opened at the boarkdwalk, and people were visiting, despite a little bit of drizzle held over from the morning rain.
We rode the famous, 80 year old Giant Dipper rollercoaster, which was quite fun. Then we walked around and looked at all of the rides. Lunch was good, old fashioned carny food...corn dogs, and a chocolate dipped cone for Grant and a rootbeer float for me! We walked down to the water and then it was time to head back to the train.
After we returned to Roaring Camp, we had 30 minutes before the next train (the narrow gauge steam train) departed, so we took a short .8 mile hike through a redwood grove.
The narrow gauge was very neat...we sat in the very back, so when we went backwards on the switchbacks we had a front row clear view. It was very cool.
After this train ride, we jumped in our car and headed up to the Mystery Spot, which supposedly has magnetic anamolies and spaces that refract light in different ways. The majority of the tour is identical to the Haunted Shack at Knott's Berry Farm, but there were some interesting features....for example, the trees in the vicinity all had branches growing only on one side of the trunk...
In any case, it was fun!
For dinner we had pizza from a place down town...it was yummy...and a salad with chicken, pecans, and gorganzola cheese.
We made it back to the hotel in time to watch American Idol and Amazing Race with a bag of popcorn...(speaking of Amazing Race...see what i mean about Amber? She has yet to make one damn decision in any game she's ever been on except for who's coat tails to ride...they are sitting at the bottom of the water tower waiting to see if the other team is going to complete the fast forward, and Rob's asking Amber to make a decision, wait, or go on, and she sits there and hems and haws the whole time, and never makes a decision, until the other team finishes and the decision is made for her! grrrr....)
One thing I forgot to mention in my previous blogs. I lost my ring! Not my engagement ring, so stop panicking, but the claddagh ring Grant got me 3 years ago for my birthday. I haven't taken that ring off in three years. We both saw me wearing it on the plane, and I realized when I got to the hotel that my ring was gone! Weird! It wasn't loose or anything, as as I mentioned before, I never take it off...it was just gone...sigh...
See ya manana! (Happy Birthday, Bobby G!)
We walked down to the Boardwalk, but they didn't open until 11:00. We looked at the train times, and decided to drive up to Roaring Camp and try to catch the 10:30 Beach Train. We made it on time and took the Beach train, which began by going through a Redwood forest, and went down into Santa Cruz and back to the Boardwalk. This time, everything was opened at the boarkdwalk, and people were visiting, despite a little bit of drizzle held over from the morning rain.
We rode the famous, 80 year old Giant Dipper rollercoaster, which was quite fun. Then we walked around and looked at all of the rides. Lunch was good, old fashioned carny food...corn dogs, and a chocolate dipped cone for Grant and a rootbeer float for me! We walked down to the water and then it was time to head back to the train.
After we returned to Roaring Camp, we had 30 minutes before the next train (the narrow gauge steam train) departed, so we took a short .8 mile hike through a redwood grove.
The narrow gauge was very neat...we sat in the very back, so when we went backwards on the switchbacks we had a front row clear view. It was very cool.
After this train ride, we jumped in our car and headed up to the Mystery Spot, which supposedly has magnetic anamolies and spaces that refract light in different ways. The majority of the tour is identical to the Haunted Shack at Knott's Berry Farm, but there were some interesting features....for example, the trees in the vicinity all had branches growing only on one side of the trunk...
In any case, it was fun!
For dinner we had pizza from a place down town...it was yummy...and a salad with chicken, pecans, and gorganzola cheese.
We made it back to the hotel in time to watch American Idol and Amazing Race with a bag of popcorn...(speaking of Amazing Race...see what i mean about Amber? She has yet to make one damn decision in any game she's ever been on except for who's coat tails to ride...they are sitting at the bottom of the water tower waiting to see if the other team is going to complete the fast forward, and Rob's asking Amber to make a decision, wait, or go on, and she sits there and hems and haws the whole time, and never makes a decision, until the other team finishes and the decision is made for her! grrrr....)
One thing I forgot to mention in my previous blogs. I lost my ring! Not my engagement ring, so stop panicking, but the claddagh ring Grant got me 3 years ago for my birthday. I haven't taken that ring off in three years. We both saw me wearing it on the plane, and I realized when I got to the hotel that my ring was gone! Weird! It wasn't loose or anything, as as I mentioned before, I never take it off...it was just gone...sigh...
See ya manana! (Happy Birthday, Bobby G!)
Monday, March 28, 2005
First Night in Santa Cruz
Its 9 pm...Grant has not slept in 28 hours, and he is in suprisingly good spirits...much better than I would be!
I forgot to mention our luck....when we first set up the computer we got a wireless internet signal, so we do not have to use our cell phone to access the internet! Cool beans!
So, we went to K-mart and Albertsons and got some snackins, Then we came back and unloaded our stuff. Grant did some research and found a Chinese restaurant, so we went there for dinner. The Chinese place was SO good! We shared a two Chicken dishes...Chicken and asparagus, and another chicken dish with a Chinese name that was really good as well. Plus, we had a candied cashew appetizer...yummy! Everything was fresh...really good!
We are ready for sleep...especially Grant! We are pleasently full, content, and happy to be together...
(Have I mentioned how much I love this guy???)
Plans for tomorrow...the beach train, down town santa cruise, and some little village that is close by, but I can't remember the nema and I don't want to get up to find it, so I'll leave you in suspense and tell ya'll about it manana!
I forgot to mention our luck....when we first set up the computer we got a wireless internet signal, so we do not have to use our cell phone to access the internet! Cool beans!
So, we went to K-mart and Albertsons and got some snackins, Then we came back and unloaded our stuff. Grant did some research and found a Chinese restaurant, so we went there for dinner. The Chinese place was SO good! We shared a two Chicken dishes...Chicken and asparagus, and another chicken dish with a Chinese name that was really good as well. Plus, we had a candied cashew appetizer...yummy! Everything was fresh...really good!
We are ready for sleep...especially Grant! We are pleasently full, content, and happy to be together...
(Have I mentioned how much I love this guy???)
Plans for tomorrow...the beach train, down town santa cruise, and some little village that is close by, but I can't remember the nema and I don't want to get up to find it, so I'll leave you in suspense and tell ya'll about it manana!
Arrival in San Jose/Santa Cruz
Hi All! Grant and I departed from LAX at 11:30 (although our flight was supposed to take off at 10:00...apparently there was a loose knob in the cockpit, so we had to change planes, after sitting on the original plane for 45 minutes....) But all's well that ends well, and we arrived safely in San Jose at 12:30.
We rented our car from Enterprise and drove down to Santa Cruz via the infamous windy road, and pulled into our motel. The lady at the front desk was really nice and she gave us lots of nice ideas...the room itself is basic but nice...(except Grant thinks the lavender pink trim is funny...) it was recently redone, and it has new carpet and floors in the bathroom. Plus, it has a mini fridge and microwave!
We are within walking distance of the boardwalk.
We are going to head out to the grocery story to get some snackin's.
I am suprised Grant hasn't passed out yet...he woke up at 5 PM yesterday evening and worked from 11-7 last night...he hasn't slept for 23 hours and he's still going...poor guy!
Talk to you later!
We rented our car from Enterprise and drove down to Santa Cruz via the infamous windy road, and pulled into our motel. The lady at the front desk was really nice and she gave us lots of nice ideas...the room itself is basic but nice...(except Grant thinks the lavender pink trim is funny...) it was recently redone, and it has new carpet and floors in the bathroom. Plus, it has a mini fridge and microwave!
We are within walking distance of the boardwalk.
We are going to head out to the grocery story to get some snackin's.
I am suprised Grant hasn't passed out yet...he woke up at 5 PM yesterday evening and worked from 11-7 last night...he hasn't slept for 23 hours and he's still going...poor guy!
Talk to you later!
Sunday, March 27, 2005
Writing Away
I am writing my chapter 4 for my fianl project. Sigh. It is fun, but long. And I hope that it is clear. Sigh.
Anywho, wanted to mention that I saw Lion King last week. I really enjoyed it...the music was good, the costumes amazing...I thought the sets were lacking, however. After seeing that Moses play, and seeing them use digital projection for the background, I thought of the possabilities of using digital projection in the background to show some of the African landscape...could be awesome...
Anywho, wanted to mention that I saw Lion King last week. I really enjoyed it...the music was good, the costumes amazing...I thought the sets were lacking, however. After seeing that Moses play, and seeing them use digital projection for the background, I thought of the possabilities of using digital projection in the background to show some of the African landscape...could be awesome...
Thursday, March 17, 2005
Amazing Race and Survivor
Well, I know I am behind...I have just watched the first episode of Amazing Race. I love this show...
Anyways...The recording I had started just after they began introducing the teams...so I missed Rob and Am-bah's little autobiography...which I suspect would have turned me off instantly.
As it is, the first opportunity I had to see them was when they were all lined up and listening to Phil remind them of the rules. I must say, for an instant, I thought, "You know, it is kind of cute that they were lucky enough to meet on a show like Survivor and fall in live and have this opportunity..." Yes, I admit it, for an instant, I softened toward them and they actually had a chance to win my respect and not automatically want them off my wonderful show...
Of course then the race began and they opened their mouths and, well....nope. They bug me. Want them off...
Here is the problem with them so far. Rob has a mouth...its cute and funny at times, but overall it comes of as dumb-cocky. Sigh.
And poor Amb-ah is such a little girl. She really is so clueless. For example, when the other couple was chasing down the bus in the airport parking lot and Rob and AMber were like "go, go, go..." and then the couple got on and Gretchen says, "I bet you were like 'go, get going' huh?" Amber goes, "Not neccesarily..." Which to me is about as weak and little girl as you can get...like "Uh oh, Mommy and daddy caught me in a lie and I am not able to lie convincingly about it, nor am I able to just laugh off the truth...so I give a luke warm answer..." Sigh.
But the saddest thing overall (besides the fact that I am going to be late for work again...)
Is that Rob and Am-bah just have a general distrust for people. They feel that people are always against them and trying to bring them down...and so they treat people back in a sneaky way becasue that is how they percieve others treating them. Now, granted, a lot of other teams DO want to bring them down...but besides them knowing that Rob and Amb-ah have already won Survivor, coulddn't it also be a bit like selg fulfilling prophesy? I mean here's the cycle...they expect people to want to bring them down, so they are sneaky and rude back, which in turn makes people want to bring them down more.
If people are friendly, others attitudes towards them will change...
But have you noticed that they are totally seperate from the group? Thus far,t hey seem to have done little socializing with the other teams...It comes across as stuck up...
Oh well, we'll see as I catch up watching the shows!!!
Gotta go, so all ill say about Survivor is at least it is shaping up to be a good seasobn...finally! There is hope for the show...
Sorry bout all the typos!
Anyways...The recording I had started just after they began introducing the teams...so I missed Rob and Am-bah's little autobiography...which I suspect would have turned me off instantly.
As it is, the first opportunity I had to see them was when they were all lined up and listening to Phil remind them of the rules. I must say, for an instant, I thought, "You know, it is kind of cute that they were lucky enough to meet on a show like Survivor and fall in live and have this opportunity..." Yes, I admit it, for an instant, I softened toward them and they actually had a chance to win my respect and not automatically want them off my wonderful show...
Of course then the race began and they opened their mouths and, well....nope. They bug me. Want them off...
Here is the problem with them so far. Rob has a mouth...its cute and funny at times, but overall it comes of as dumb-cocky. Sigh.
And poor Amb-ah is such a little girl. She really is so clueless. For example, when the other couple was chasing down the bus in the airport parking lot and Rob and AMber were like "go, go, go..." and then the couple got on and Gretchen says, "I bet you were like 'go, get going' huh?" Amber goes, "Not neccesarily..." Which to me is about as weak and little girl as you can get...like "Uh oh, Mommy and daddy caught me in a lie and I am not able to lie convincingly about it, nor am I able to just laugh off the truth...so I give a luke warm answer..." Sigh.
But the saddest thing overall (besides the fact that I am going to be late for work again...)
Is that Rob and Am-bah just have a general distrust for people. They feel that people are always against them and trying to bring them down...and so they treat people back in a sneaky way becasue that is how they percieve others treating them. Now, granted, a lot of other teams DO want to bring them down...but besides them knowing that Rob and Amb-ah have already won Survivor, coulddn't it also be a bit like selg fulfilling prophesy? I mean here's the cycle...they expect people to want to bring them down, so they are sneaky and rude back, which in turn makes people want to bring them down more.
If people are friendly, others attitudes towards them will change...
But have you noticed that they are totally seperate from the group? Thus far,t hey seem to have done little socializing with the other teams...It comes across as stuck up...
Oh well, we'll see as I catch up watching the shows!!!
Gotta go, so all ill say about Survivor is at least it is shaping up to be a good seasobn...finally! There is hope for the show...
Sorry bout all the typos!
Amazing Race and Survivor
Well, I know I am behind...I have just watched the first episode of Amazing Race. I love this show...
Anyways...The recording I had started just after they began introducing the teams...so I missed Rob and Am-bah's little autobiography...which I suspect would have turned me off instantly.
As it is, the first opportunity I had to see them was when they were all lined up and listening to Phil remind them of the rules. I must say, for an instant, I thought, "You know, it is kind of cute that they were lucky enough to meet on a show like Survivor and fall in live and have this opportunity..." Yes, I admit it, for an instant, I softened toward them and they actually had a chance to win my respect and not automatically want them off my wonderful show...
Of course then the race began and they opened their mouths and, well....nope. They bug me. Want them off...
Here is the problem with them so far. Rob has a mouth...its cute and funny at times, but overall it comes of as dumb-cocky. Sigh.
And poor Amb-ah is such a little girl. She really is so clueless. For example, when the other couple was chasing down the bus in the airport parking lot and Rob and AMber were like "go, go, go..." and then the couple got on and Gretchen says, "I bet you were like 'go, get going' huh?" Amber goes, "Not neccesarily..." Which to me is about as weak and little girl as you can get...like "Uh oh, Mommy and daddy caught me in a lie and I am not able to lie convincingly about it, nor am I able to just laugh off the truth...so I give a luke warm answer..." Sigh.
But the saddest thing overall (besides the fact that I am going to be late for work again...)
Is that Rob and Am-bah just have a general distrust for people. They feel that people are always against them and trying to bring them down...and so they treat people back in a sneaky way becasue that is how they percieve others treating them. Now, granted, a lot of other teams DO want to bring them down...but besides them knowing that Rob and Amb-ah have already won Survivor, coulddn't it also be a bit like selg fulfilling prophesy? I mean here's the cycle...they expect people to want to bring them down, so they are sneaky and rude back, which in turn makes people want to bring them down more.
If people are friendly, others attitudes towards them will change...
But have you noticed that they are totally seperate from the group? Thus far,t hey seem to have done little socializing with the other teams...It comes across as stuck up...
Oh well, we'll see as I catch up watching the shows!!!
Gotta go, so all ill say about Survivor is at least it is shaping up to be a good seasobn...finally! There is hope for the show...
Sorry bout all the typos!
Anyways...The recording I had started just after they began introducing the teams...so I missed Rob and Am-bah's little autobiography...which I suspect would have turned me off instantly.
As it is, the first opportunity I had to see them was when they were all lined up and listening to Phil remind them of the rules. I must say, for an instant, I thought, "You know, it is kind of cute that they were lucky enough to meet on a show like Survivor and fall in live and have this opportunity..." Yes, I admit it, for an instant, I softened toward them and they actually had a chance to win my respect and not automatically want them off my wonderful show...
Of course then the race began and they opened their mouths and, well....nope. They bug me. Want them off...
Here is the problem with them so far. Rob has a mouth...its cute and funny at times, but overall it comes of as dumb-cocky. Sigh.
And poor Amb-ah is such a little girl. She really is so clueless. For example, when the other couple was chasing down the bus in the airport parking lot and Rob and AMber were like "go, go, go..." and then the couple got on and Gretchen says, "I bet you were like 'go, get going' huh?" Amber goes, "Not neccesarily..." Which to me is about as weak and little girl as you can get...like "Uh oh, Mommy and daddy caught me in a lie and I am not able to lie convincingly about it, nor am I able to just laugh off the truth...so I give a luke warm answer..." Sigh.
But the saddest thing overall (besides the fact that I am going to be late for work again...)
Is that Rob and Am-bah just have a general distrust for people. They feel that people are always against them and trying to bring them down...and so they treat people back in a sneaky way becasue that is how they percieve others treating them. Now, granted, a lot of other teams DO want to bring them down...but besides them knowing that Rob and Amb-ah have already won Survivor, coulddn't it also be a bit like selg fulfilling prophesy? I mean here's the cycle...they expect people to want to bring them down, so they are sneaky and rude back, which in turn makes people want to bring them down more.
If people are friendly, others attitudes towards them will change...
But have you noticed that they are totally seperate from the group? Thus far,t hey seem to have done little socializing with the other teams...It comes across as stuck up...
Oh well, we'll see as I catch up watching the shows!!!
Gotta go, so all ill say about Survivor is at least it is shaping up to be a good seasobn...finally! There is hope for the show...
Sorry bout all the typos!
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters
On March 8th, I got a score of 40,900.
Today (March 16th) I got a score of 281,300 the first time, and 250,550 the second time...(Although, both times the ride stopped so I had some extra, non moving time to shoot...plus know I know which targets are worth the most...!)
Today (March 16th) I got a score of 281,300 the first time, and 250,550 the second time...(Although, both times the ride stopped so I had some extra, non moving time to shoot...plus know I know which targets are worth the most...!)
Monday, March 14, 2005
Um, Hello Mario...you are killing my cast...
What is up with this? Mario Vazquez dropped out of Idol. WTF? I can't wait to hear this one...
Sunday, March 13, 2005
American Idol's Rent Cast
Ok, I have been watching American Idol and as everyone knows, the boys are smokin hot.
I also think the boys make up an almost ready-made Rent cast, some of the girls may fit as well...Check it:
Mark - Anthony Fedorov
Angel - Mario Vazquez
Collins - Anwar Robinson
Roger - Bo Bice?
Benny - ???
Mimi - Nadia Turner
Jo Ann - Vonzell Solomon
Maureen - ???
Whatcha think?
I also think the boys make up an almost ready-made Rent cast, some of the girls may fit as well...Check it:
Mark - Anthony Fedorov
Angel - Mario Vazquez
Collins - Anwar Robinson
Roger - Bo Bice?
Benny - ???
Mimi - Nadia Turner
Jo Ann - Vonzell Solomon
Maureen - ???
Whatcha think?
Thursday, February 17, 2005
Sims
I have finally started playing the Sims 2.
I have four families.
Jim and Kate Windes, and Kate's father Air live on 60 Element Ave. They just had a son, named James, who has grown into an adorable toddler.
Jai and Carson Blaze, and Carson's mom, Fire, live at 62 Element Ave. Jai and Carson have recently adopted a little baby girl, whom they named Hannah. Hannah just had her birthday and is now a toddler.
Jeff and Casey Aquarius live at 64 Element Ave with Casey's dad, Water. They have just given birth to twin boys, Bryan and Kyan, and are currently raising them into toddlers.
Kelly and Lisa Terra live at 66 Element Ave with Lisa's mother, Earth. They have not yet adopted any children. However, Earth and Water have a little something going on 9tehy were recently caught down at the community lot in the jacuzzi...although I don't think they were relaxing....if you know what I mean...
Stay tuned as I continue to play goddess with my little sim families...I must say, I was extrordinarily excited to have twins!
I have four families.
Jim and Kate Windes, and Kate's father Air live on 60 Element Ave. They just had a son, named James, who has grown into an adorable toddler.
Jai and Carson Blaze, and Carson's mom, Fire, live at 62 Element Ave. Jai and Carson have recently adopted a little baby girl, whom they named Hannah. Hannah just had her birthday and is now a toddler.
Jeff and Casey Aquarius live at 64 Element Ave with Casey's dad, Water. They have just given birth to twin boys, Bryan and Kyan, and are currently raising them into toddlers.
Kelly and Lisa Terra live at 66 Element Ave with Lisa's mother, Earth. They have not yet adopted any children. However, Earth and Water have a little something going on 9tehy were recently caught down at the community lot in the jacuzzi...although I don't think they were relaxing....if you know what I mean...
Stay tuned as I continue to play goddess with my little sim families...I must say, I was extrordinarily excited to have twins!
Survivor and the Amazing Race
Boy is this season putting me in a bad mood.
First, I am desperate that Survivor, (once my favorite show but now has officially sucked for two seasons in a row), will do something to impress this season. I am holding out hope, but I just don't know...
(Have you heard my idea yet Survivor people??? Here is a recap!
18 Survivors. 3 teams of six.
No mixing up teams or swirching folks or changing to two tribes. Keep it at the 3 original teams until the merge.
THEN, once the merge hits, if tribes stay along tribal lines, cool....because they will have to team up with another team to dominate...there will be no one team eats the other becasue there will be a third element...a third block of votes...)
Survivor starts tonight, so we shall see.
Second, Amazing Race announced the next season starts in two weeks. Could I be much happier when I hear this? Not really...as Amazing Race is now more of a favorite than Survivor...and then, in a blink of an eye, my elation turns to shock, revulsion, and sunk into what has now become anger and depression. Sigh. Rob and Amber. From Survivor.
Just ro recap: Rob is the guy who on two seasons played the exact same lying, back stabbing game, and still made it to second place in All Stars
(Um hello, All Stars, did you not see the other seasons??? Did you really let someone play the exact same game and make it to second place? All Stars, you should be ashamed. You learned NOTHING.)
Now, Rob wasn't the sneakiest, dirtiest player on the block, but after a while, his likability just wore off. I hate a man who is full of himself.
Amber is the chick who on two seasons played the exact same "sit in the shadows and ride on someone else's coat tails so that they look like the bitch or the ass while she just looks like the niave little lost girl that she is, unable to make her own decisions" and still won All Stars
(Um, hello, All Stars...did you not see the other season? Did you really let people play the exact same game and not split up the two of them when you had the chance? Did you learn nothing? Have I mentioned that you should be ASHAMED to have called yourself All Stars?)
Amber is the most annoying player on the planet, becasue she didn't DO anything. She didn't even actively fly under the radar. She just walked around like a big ditz in a bikini doing everything she was told.
So now, I have to suffer through the Amazing Race with Rob and Ambah (Not a mis type. That schmuck Rob can't even pronounce her name correctly.) Lord help me. My only hope is that they are off early...like the Big Brother couple form two seasons ago. Is the first episode too much to ask for?
And to top it off Enterprise is being canceled.
Let's Pray for a good season of American Idol.
First, I am desperate that Survivor, (once my favorite show but now has officially sucked for two seasons in a row), will do something to impress this season. I am holding out hope, but I just don't know...
(Have you heard my idea yet Survivor people??? Here is a recap!
18 Survivors. 3 teams of six.
No mixing up teams or swirching folks or changing to two tribes. Keep it at the 3 original teams until the merge.
THEN, once the merge hits, if tribes stay along tribal lines, cool....because they will have to team up with another team to dominate...there will be no one team eats the other becasue there will be a third element...a third block of votes...)
Survivor starts tonight, so we shall see.
Second, Amazing Race announced the next season starts in two weeks. Could I be much happier when I hear this? Not really...as Amazing Race is now more of a favorite than Survivor...and then, in a blink of an eye, my elation turns to shock, revulsion, and sunk into what has now become anger and depression. Sigh. Rob and Amber. From Survivor.
Just ro recap: Rob is the guy who on two seasons played the exact same lying, back stabbing game, and still made it to second place in All Stars
(Um hello, All Stars, did you not see the other seasons??? Did you really let someone play the exact same game and make it to second place? All Stars, you should be ashamed. You learned NOTHING.)
Now, Rob wasn't the sneakiest, dirtiest player on the block, but after a while, his likability just wore off. I hate a man who is full of himself.
Amber is the chick who on two seasons played the exact same "sit in the shadows and ride on someone else's coat tails so that they look like the bitch or the ass while she just looks like the niave little lost girl that she is, unable to make her own decisions" and still won All Stars
(Um, hello, All Stars...did you not see the other season? Did you really let people play the exact same game and not split up the two of them when you had the chance? Did you learn nothing? Have I mentioned that you should be ASHAMED to have called yourself All Stars?)
Amber is the most annoying player on the planet, becasue she didn't DO anything. She didn't even actively fly under the radar. She just walked around like a big ditz in a bikini doing everything she was told.
So now, I have to suffer through the Amazing Race with Rob and Ambah (Not a mis type. That schmuck Rob can't even pronounce her name correctly.) Lord help me. My only hope is that they are off early...like the Big Brother couple form two seasons ago. Is the first episode too much to ask for?
And to top it off Enterprise is being canceled.
Let's Pray for a good season of American Idol.
Sick Days and Mormons
Hi all!
I have been hit with a pretty bad cold the last few days and I am finally feeling human again. Taking a sick day is such a pain int he ass becasue you have to make sub plans anyway...and they are more trouble then they are worth. Sigh.
So I have officially staryed my Final Masters Project. Topic? Internet Resources for the Steps of the Writing Process. Yipee! I have chapter one done and I am on my way to doing chapter 2. Sort of. I have lots of research that needs to be done.
I have been doing lots of thinking about those Mormons. I watched a moviea few weeks ago called "Latter Days" about an Mormon missionary (Aaron) who falls in love with a "party boy" named Christian. Although the movie has some weak points, in my opinion, with the edits (some scenes, I felt, cut way to quick....without giving time to pause and let the message sink in...) as well as some not so clever dialouge...I really enjoyed the film over all (In fact, I watched it again the next day.) It was very beautiful in that both characters helped the other grow. Most obviously (and heavliy touted in the reviews) Christian helps Aaron come to terms with who he really is, and to except love, even as a homosexual, which he has been taught all of his life is an evil lifestyle. Aaron, however, helps Christian come to terms with his own views of being gay...by letting helping Christian discover his true depth of character and compassion, and his ability to reach out to others.
After watching the movie, i went about my Mormon research, rereading their temple ceremonies and such, and I came upon a website called http://www.exmormon.org that I found fascinating. It relates stories and articles about people who have chosen to leave the Mormon religion and why.
What is it that fascinates me about Mormons? Not the underwear! Seriously. I think because, to truly be a Mormon, you have to be everything that I am not. You have to be someone who doesn't question, who doesn't seek, who doesn't think or quest. Mormons are not to read anti mormon literature. Much of the truth of their religion is hidden from them. Mormons should not ask questions. And for many Mormons, that is fine. It is so different from what I am. I must question, I must analzye. I want to know all, or as much as I possibly can. I can't just except.
Many argue that Ignorance is Bliss. Perhaps, for many, that is the true. And I can understand that. I have stumbled across potential truths that are not happy or positive. But for me, at least I am prepared. I want the truth. I want to know.
I have been hit with a pretty bad cold the last few days and I am finally feeling human again. Taking a sick day is such a pain int he ass becasue you have to make sub plans anyway...and they are more trouble then they are worth. Sigh.
So I have officially staryed my Final Masters Project. Topic? Internet Resources for the Steps of the Writing Process. Yipee! I have chapter one done and I am on my way to doing chapter 2. Sort of. I have lots of research that needs to be done.
I have been doing lots of thinking about those Mormons. I watched a moviea few weeks ago called "Latter Days" about an Mormon missionary (Aaron) who falls in love with a "party boy" named Christian. Although the movie has some weak points, in my opinion, with the edits (some scenes, I felt, cut way to quick....without giving time to pause and let the message sink in...) as well as some not so clever dialouge...I really enjoyed the film over all (In fact, I watched it again the next day.) It was very beautiful in that both characters helped the other grow. Most obviously (and heavliy touted in the reviews) Christian helps Aaron come to terms with who he really is, and to except love, even as a homosexual, which he has been taught all of his life is an evil lifestyle. Aaron, however, helps Christian come to terms with his own views of being gay...by letting helping Christian discover his true depth of character and compassion, and his ability to reach out to others.
After watching the movie, i went about my Mormon research, rereading their temple ceremonies and such, and I came upon a website called http://www.exmormon.org that I found fascinating. It relates stories and articles about people who have chosen to leave the Mormon religion and why.
What is it that fascinates me about Mormons? Not the underwear! Seriously. I think because, to truly be a Mormon, you have to be everything that I am not. You have to be someone who doesn't question, who doesn't seek, who doesn't think or quest. Mormons are not to read anti mormon literature. Much of the truth of their religion is hidden from them. Mormons should not ask questions. And for many Mormons, that is fine. It is so different from what I am. I must question, I must analzye. I want to know all, or as much as I possibly can. I can't just except.
Many argue that Ignorance is Bliss. Perhaps, for many, that is the true. And I can understand that. I have stumbled across potential truths that are not happy or positive. But for me, at least I am prepared. I want the truth. I want to know.