Please please please please

Disney-to-beach transit gets funds
OCTA awards a grant to study building a transit line
from Surf City to Disneyland.
By JENNIFER MUIR
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

An idea to build a transit line stretching from
Disneyland to Huntington Beach got a $250,000 boost
Monday from the Orange County Transportation
Authority.

The OCTA board unanimously approved doling out grants
to several cities to find ways to connect with
existing Metrolink lines, including a total of
$250,000 to study the possibility of building a
transit service connecting the two tourist
destinations along a transportation corridor that cuts
through Garden Grove, Stanton, Westminster and
Anaheim.

Huntington Beach will head the study, which will
include evaluating the possibility of a transit line
along 18 miles of Union Pacific Railroad tracks
stretching from the Metrolink station in Anaheim to
the intersection of Ellis Avenue and Gothard Street in
Huntington Beach. It will evaluate ways to move people
to the beach and into the Disneyland resort area and
also will review other possible transportation routes.

The type of transportation -- such as light rail,
monorail, bus – also has not been determined. The
study could take up to a year and a half to complete.

The proposal is among those submitted by 18 cities
vying for a share of grant money from OCTA's Go Local
program. Each of Orange County's 34 cities was
eligible for $100,000 grants, offered to encourage
cities to think of ways to connect to Metrolink lines.

The best plans will qualify for cash to fund further
study. In all, $30 million is set aside.

News of the idea has angered some residents living
near the railroad corridor in Huntington Beach, who
fear building a transit line there will decrease their
property values.

Big Big SKy

Today,
driving home,
the sky
looked so big,
HUGE fluffy clouds
storm clouds,
rain clouds,
HUGE,
disorienting,
cloud
patches,
and yet there was still
so much sky.

Grey,
not much color,
you could touch them
crisp,
clear,
sharper than HD,
plucked
into the sky
huge,
disorienting,
in so much sky.

Hot drinks...

I am drinking hot chocolate right now. I have this weird thing with hot drinks. They have to be the perfect temperature. So, I have to wait until the drink cools enough so that it is comfortable to drink. Then I have a very short window where I can gobble down the rest before it gets too cold.

I've seen people drink cups of coffee for long periods of time - but I can't do that, even in those insulated sup thingies. blech...

Great Moments

Last night was our school's "Great moments" program. I think this is such a neat thing that we do, and I was so glad that my class participated this year.

Great Moments is based off of Laguna Beach's Pageant of the Masters. Each class that participates chooses a painting and recreates it as a "living picture" live on stage.

Our class did the painting George Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuele Leutze.

Here are the results!




The evening was fabulous - my kids did such a good job! I was very proud of them. Props also go out to my dad and Delaine for helping to create the boats and water effects. Also, thanks to Rob for helping me pick out the music - we used the last part of the fourth movement of "Pines of Rome."

Disney Cruise Line

Finally! Disney has announced that they are building two new ships! I am so excited! They will be about a third bigger then the current sister ships, the Magic and Wonder, as well as two decks taller, however they will follow the same classic ship design, the same Mickey Mouse color scheme, and the same elegant decor. The ships are scheduled to debut in 2011 and 2012.

I know, I know,

I know it has been a while... but you know if you've read my blog for a while that I go through dry spells every once in a while. I'm still here my faithful friends.

God... Jack Bauer is a bad ass...

I digress. Its hard to type and watch 24 at the same time. Did I mention my heart rate while watching this show? buh bump buh bump...

SO - this weekend Grant and I saw Music and Lyrics. I love Hugh Grant, and I love Drew Barrymore. So cool to see them in a romantic comedy together. (peaking of which, how do you like the new look of the IMDB?

We also went to a Korean/Japanese BBQ called Gyu Kaku in Huntington Beach. SO GOOD!!! I mean delicious.

Then, on Sunday, we went to Sea World with Angie, Drew, and Cori. I love that place - it is really cool there. Except - if anyone tells you that you only get a little bit wet on "Journey to Atlantis," don't believe them. I got soaked. drenched. and I am not exaggerating.

ok - more to come.

Entertainment Lately

I am so over Rob and Amber. I am not happy with this season of The Amazing Race. My game is going to work in reverse this time - I am going to be rooting for teams to lose each week - starting with my most hated, (Rob and Amber...) sigh.

Survivor is interesting so far. It always takes me a long time to really see who everyone is and decide who I like.

Also - loving Joan of Arcadia - I've been watching it on DVD.

Saw Little Miss Sunshine. It is okay - not sure what they hype is about. I am not in the love it or hate it camp.

Finally - I'm on Season 4 of 24. I have such a love hate relationship with this show. I consider is aerobic activity to watch it since it raises my heart rate so much!

July 21

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows, the seventh and final ::sniff:: Harry Potter book in the series, will be released on July 21!

Amy

A little girl
with so much strength
with so much love.
let her find peace,
let her find rest.
let her be not afraid.

Disney Cruise

We booked a Disney Cruise for Aug. 2008! Disney cruise is coming out to the west coast to do 12 Mexican Riviera cruises.

Then, a fifteen night repositioning cruise on the Disney Magic from LA to Florida through the Panama Canal. Way cool. A repo cruise in August - one that I can actually go on!

Grant woke up at 5:00 am (8 eastern time - when the Mexico cruises went on sale,) on January 31, and booked two connecting balcony cabins for Grant and I and Mom and Bobby. Yipee!!!

Good thing, too, because we just went online and checked and currently the cruise is completely booked!

Amazing Race and Survivor

The Amazing Race - All Stars premiers on Feb. 18th.

This time around, its former teams (or in one case, a couple who met on the race while racing against each other.)

I'm pretty pissed about most of the selected teams. And dissapointed about some of the missing teams. No BJ and Tyler. No Chip and Kim.

But they included Rob and Amber. I am SO OVER Rob and Amber.
Those bitchy models from last season (Dustin and Kandice).
Grrr...

Oh well, Charla and Mirna are back. Good choice there. Uchena and Joyce - I'm all about them. The coalminer, David, and Mary.

What about Survivor: Fiji

It starts soon... Feb. 8. I am excited for a new season. Something to look forward to until Rob and Amber are eliminated from the race.

My favorite South Park Quotes

Kay, I was going to add one of these quotes to my email signature - but it would be my luck that I would accidentally email someone that wouldn't appreciate my humor... so here you go...

(This was my first choice... seeing as how I say this in my mind about 20 times a day... I'm kidding... sort of...)

Mr. Garrison: "Okay. Now, let's try to get an answer from someone who's not a complete retard...anyone?"

moving on...

Stan: Hey, do you know where I can find the clitoris?
Cartman: What is that like finding Jesus or something?

Satan: Saddaam! You're back. I thought I killed you!
Saddaam: Yeah, well where was I gonna go, Detroit?

Dr. Hallis: Look, us plastic surgeons have one philosophy: if we can help someone's self esteem a little, then why not do it if they have three thousand dollars?

Reporter: This week a boyscout leader has been apprehended for taking sick child pornography pictures, which we will now show you.

Rob Reiner: Sometimes lying is okay, like when you know what's good for people more than they do.

Mr. Garrison: A haiku is just like a normal American poem except it doesn't rhyme and it's totally stupid.

Goth Kid: You can't be a nonconformist if you don't drink coffee.

Mr. Garrison: I just don't trust anything that bleeds for five days and doesn't die.

Cartman: How 'bout we sing, 'Kyle's Mom is a stupid bitch' in D Minor.

Just curious... are these as funny to you as they are to me?

Cartman (singing): I want to get down on my knees and start pleasing Jesus. I want to feel his salvation all over my face.

"Just remember what the MPAA says: Horrific, deplorable violence is okay, as long as people don't say any naughty words!" -- Kyle's Mom

Other Mom: Can Eric spend the night?
Mrs. Cartman: No, I'm sorry, Eric is grounded for trying to exterminate the Jews last week.

Cartman: Think about it - it's the easiest, crappiest music in the world, right? If we just sing about how much we love Jesus, all the Christians will buy our crap."

Cartman: "That movie has warped my fragile little mind."

Stan: Wow! Cartoons are really getting dirty.

6 degrees - Rent to Aladdin

There's only us.... there's only this... forget regret, or life is your's to miss... no other road, no other way...

...way up high, there's a land that I've heard of, once in a lullaby. Somewhere...

...somewhere, out there, if love can see us through, then we'll be together...

...Together at last, together forever, we're tying a knot, they never can sever... I don't need sunshine now to turn my skies to blue

... blue...red, yellow green brown and scarlet and black and ocher and peach and ruby and olive and violet and fawn lilac and gold and chocolate and mauve cream and crimson and silver and rose and azure and lemon and russet and grey and purple and white and pink and orange and...

and the world will open its arms to me... I'm a young Norwegian princess..

princess, now when did you last let your heart decide?

I noticed

I've noticed I do something really stupid. When I meet someone new, someone I like, someone I want to like me... I tend to be really vocal about my faults and annoying traits. I loudly make it clear that I am a big ol' nerd and point out all of my nerdiness. Its like - if you can put up with me at my worst and most annoying, then, cool... you accept me for me.

I've also noticed that I think way to much about myself. Yes, I am somewhat narcisistic. Its my way of dealing with social situations - which I hate - I always think about myself - what shoulod I say next, what should I do next, how am I coming across... that I often miss what is going on or don;t pay enough attention to other person. Way not cool, huh...

Jesus - January's almost half over...

Yup - twice this week. I used my new Rachel Ray cookbook.

I got the new Karaoke Revolution - American Idol. I LOVE the American Idol game. I HATE the song list. Sigh.

What I wouldn't give for some kind of hard drive that you could access songs from all of the karaoke revs... god that would be so very awesome.

The new Sims 2 expansion, Seasons, is coming out in a little over a month - I am SO excited... seasons and weather in the pack... I can't wait to see the doggies playing in the snow - and my Sims raking leaves or playing Marco Polo.

I got my first crown yesterday. I think that means I am getting old. Yuck. At least I like my dentist - but I still hate going.

Angie's off to Myrtle Beach with the kids this weekend. Cori and Andrew came over for dinner last night. Have I mentioned how much I love those kids?

My friend from work is due on March 23. I am so excited! I can't wait to babysit for her! That is going to be so cool! (o:

I am reading a book called "The Faith CLub" right now - a great read! If only everyne could be so open, honest, and respectful as the three authors in this book are. I recommend it.

Talk to you later!

Yummy - and off we go...

I love
LOVE Love love
those Betty Crocker Moist Delights
molten fudge cake
caramel cake
and the chocolate chip cookie one
YUM
one minute and 15 seconds and
YUM

Tomorrow,
Grant and I are off
we'll be ringing in the new year
on the Diamond Princess
together...

I have a good feeling about this year...
I think the Diamond Princess is going to launch us
into another special, memorable year...

Happy New Year to you...

This one was cool

Question #1 was "Have you ever had a season pass to Disneyland?"

You're totally like 86% California!

Ahhh... a true California Aficionado! That's just like a California Avocado but not as green. Come on over and we'll make some guacamole and chips and watch a CHP chase on the news.

How California are You?

One confused Californian

Hee Hee - I took this quiz, and well, I guess I'm not SO Cal enough... (I knew I should have answered that I see anorexics everywhere and that I'd consider plastic surgery at the first sign of a wrinkle...

ah well... its like that SO CAL Barbie list... Huntington Beach is just a little pocket of culture all its own...

Are You a Northern Or Southern Californian Your Result: You're One Confused Californian Okay, so maybe you've been transferred around the state, but most likely you're just from Fresno. I mean black beans and pinto, really, both are good. All you know is that you are proud to be from the state of fruits AND nuts, and your a little of both. :)
You're a Northern Californian
You're a Southern Californian
You Don't Know Cali
Are You a Northern Or Southern Californian

25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S

I was so looking forward to this play ever since I first heard about it! And it was really good. I love when there is some improve, the characters had stories, an it wasn't altogether predictable. It had me laughing out loud during some parts.

Great show! I would totally see it again!

Good Friends, Good Times

Today, I went to lunch with the Cathy and Katherine - We hung out at Katherine's house and snaked all day, talked, had sandwiches, and watched TV. It was an awesome afternoon.

Also, Katherine lent me two dresses to wear on the cruise. I will have new dresses for my formal pics! Yipee!