Book.... Night Fall Nelson DeMille
Movie.... Mamma Mia
TV.... Gary Unmarried, Big Bang Theory, Bringing Home Baby
Video Game... Wii fit, Paper Mario
Internet Activities... Update website, blog
Around the house... laundry, straighten up the house
Friday, December 26, 2008
Lisr of guys I'd love to have come over and clean my house with no shirt on...
Joshua Jackson
Jesse L Martin
Johnny Depp
Jude Law
Jay Mohr
Jesse L Martin
Johnny Depp
Jude Law
Jay Mohr
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Survivor and Amazing Race
Another season of tv comes to a close.
Amazing Race - This was an odd season for me. I didn't like many of the teams. My favorite team, the techie-nerd guys, got out fairly early on because of a silly mistake not reading the directions. This season was FULL of incidents of racers screwing up because they didn't read the directions. As a 5th grade teacher, it was all too familiar. The winners, Nick and Starr, I didn't love, but I did feel that they were the most deserving.
Survivor - Again, another odd season for me because of the cast. I was so glad that Bob won - I really feel that he deserved it. I thought the other members of the cast treated him horribly. Time after time they rated him as a valuable player yer no one seemed really interested in befriending him.
However, I was royally pissed that Sugar didn't get any votes, and more pissed that Susie managed to get 3. Susie? She didn't do anything during the show! It just pointed to the idiocy of the Jury. I can't believe they would rather give Susie, who did nothing, votes, rather than Sugar, who they all acknowledged played a smart game, or Bob who was smart, good at challenges, and essential around camp. I love that Sugar kept Bob - because he truly deserved it! And screw the jury, Sugar knows most of America loves her.
Looking forward to next season!
Amazing Race - This was an odd season for me. I didn't like many of the teams. My favorite team, the techie-nerd guys, got out fairly early on because of a silly mistake not reading the directions. This season was FULL of incidents of racers screwing up because they didn't read the directions. As a 5th grade teacher, it was all too familiar. The winners, Nick and Starr, I didn't love, but I did feel that they were the most deserving.
Survivor - Again, another odd season for me because of the cast. I was so glad that Bob won - I really feel that he deserved it. I thought the other members of the cast treated him horribly. Time after time they rated him as a valuable player yer no one seemed really interested in befriending him.
However, I was royally pissed that Sugar didn't get any votes, and more pissed that Susie managed to get 3. Susie? She didn't do anything during the show! It just pointed to the idiocy of the Jury. I can't believe they would rather give Susie, who did nothing, votes, rather than Sugar, who they all acknowledged played a smart game, or Bob who was smart, good at challenges, and essential around camp. I love that Sugar kept Bob - because he truly deserved it! And screw the jury, Sugar knows most of America loves her.
Looking forward to next season!
Busy times
I am so glad that it is finally vacation! I need a bit of relaxation - some time to slow down and prepare for the upcoming months.
In the past few weeks my mom flew out and I had a baby shower, so I got to put together a lot of fun baby stuff, I've been teaching a parent training program on Thursday nights, and my doctor's appointments have been increasing in frequency. It is going to be nice to have a few weeks to slow down, start preparing my lesson plans for my maternity leave, and do some stuff around the house.
In the past few weeks my mom flew out and I had a baby shower, so I got to put together a lot of fun baby stuff, I've been teaching a parent training program on Thursday nights, and my doctor's appointments have been increasing in frequency. It is going to be nice to have a few weeks to slow down, start preparing my lesson plans for my maternity leave, and do some stuff around the house.
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Bell's Toy
Belle has this new toy - It is a squeaker duck. When it squeaked, it sounded like a duck. She's played with toys like this before - She loved Lily's duck - and she's had one of her own before - but Belle has become quite attached to this one, which is unusual for her.
Normally, all of her toys are downstairs, and she mostly pulls them out when other people are here because she wants to play with the visitors.
This duck she keeps upstairs in the bedroom.
She has completely gutted the inside - no squeaker, no stuffing, so it is just the duck "skin," left. She brings it up on the bed with her at night. She usually plays with it a little each night, you know, to make sure that it is good and dead, and then she slips with it on the bed next to her - like it is her teddy bear.
Belle's never done this with a toy before. It is so cute and so funny!
Normally, all of her toys are downstairs, and she mostly pulls them out when other people are here because she wants to play with the visitors.
This duck she keeps upstairs in the bedroom.
She has completely gutted the inside - no squeaker, no stuffing, so it is just the duck "skin," left. She brings it up on the bed with her at night. She usually plays with it a little each night, you know, to make sure that it is good and dead, and then she slips with it on the bed next to her - like it is her teddy bear.
Belle's never done this with a toy before. It is so cute and so funny!
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Rosie Live!
Risue Live - Rosie's variety show was on NBC last night. I was really looking forward to this - I had high hopes. You know my love for Rosie... and some parts of it were very good. I think it needs some polish - it has some rough edges to smooth out.
I would like to see it brought to primetime for a season. I think it has promise. But it needs more... variety. For a family draw, I didn't feel like it had enough acts to suit the younger set. The pacing seemed off. I was bummed that there were no broadway acts.
Still, as I said, this is really a good medium for Rosie. She could do well here. I hope she gets the chance!
I would like to see it brought to primetime for a season. I think it has promise. But it needs more... variety. For a family draw, I didn't feel like it had enough acts to suit the younger set. The pacing seemed off. I was bummed that there were no broadway acts.
Still, as I said, this is really a good medium for Rosie. She could do well here. I hope she gets the chance!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Yeah Robery Kirby!
"Shouldn 't it be against the law for stupid people to get married? What's more harmful to society — two well-dressed men getting married and settling down, or two idiots tying the knot and cranking out any number of additional idiots?"
-Robert Kirby
-Robert Kirby
California Wildfires
...one discussion I think we should have is that maybe California is on fire because God thinks gay people are awesome and is angry that Prop 8 passed. I mean, if every nutball theologian gets to have an audience preaching the opposite point of view, surely we can entertain the possibility that God hearts the Folsom Street Festival.
- Jason Linkins
- Jason Linkins
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Obama's Win
I am stoked about Obama's win. I think it is a positive, uplifting, and hopeful feeling that is spreading over the country.
I just hope people remember that change takes time. Every new president inherits the office - and the state of the nation. Things are not going to change over night on Jan. 20.
Also, we, as a nation, as a people, need to be the change we want to see. It is not up to the government, or Obama, to save us. We need to participate, we need to work for that change.
If we work together - these next four years can be wonderful - Obama has the passion, the drive, and the promise to be the president we need to lead us into a brighter future.
Yes, WE can!
I just hope people remember that change takes time. Every new president inherits the office - and the state of the nation. Things are not going to change over night on Jan. 20.
Also, we, as a nation, as a people, need to be the change we want to see. It is not up to the government, or Obama, to save us. We need to participate, we need to work for that change.
If we work together - these next four years can be wonderful - Obama has the passion, the drive, and the promise to be the president we need to lead us into a brighter future.
Yes, WE can!
Twilight Saga
I just finished reading the Twilight Saga this weekend. I started it a week and a half ago. It was a fun series - I am looking forward to the movie.
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Sunday, October 19, 2008
Turning 30
So, I have been 30 for over a week now. I think what amused me the most about turning 30 was other people's reactions. "Are you ok?" "Wow, 30!" "It's ok, you'll survive!" I kind of had to chuckle when I heard this stuff!
I was excited to turn 30! I mean, my 2o's were way better than my teens, so I feel like I have nothing but good stuff to look forward to. I feel like life can only get better! I am settled with the best husband ever. I have a fantastic job. We have our first baby on the way. I feel like I am more set to deal with things, more secure.
My 30's are going to be fantastic - and I am just at the start!
I was excited to turn 30! I mean, my 2o's were way better than my teens, so I feel like I have nothing but good stuff to look forward to. I feel like life can only get better! I am settled with the best husband ever. I have a fantastic job. We have our first baby on the way. I feel like I am more set to deal with things, more secure.
My 30's are going to be fantastic - and I am just at the start!
It does not impress me
It does not impress me when I go to nicer restaurants and the server who takes my order doesn't write it down. I mean, seriously, not impressive! I would much rather they reassure me and get my order correct by writing it down rather than try to impress me with their memorization skills.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Wii Fit
We got wii fit last week. Funny time for me to start and all - what with my ever expanding belly and changing sense of balance, since wii fit measures pretty much everything based on your sense of balance.
It also told me I was overweight, and then didn't blink an electronic eye when I set a goal to GAIN a pound and a half in the next two weeks. Hee hee.
It also told me I was overweight, and then didn't blink an electronic eye when I set a goal to GAIN a pound and a half in the next two weeks. Hee hee.
Rent: FIlmed Live on Broadway
So yesterday, I went to see Rent: Filmed Live on Broadway at Metro Pointe theater. This is part of a new thing that SOny is doing called "Hot Ticket," where they film big events - broadway shows, concerts, etc., and then play them in movie theaters on extremely limited engagements.
From feedback I've been reading, Rent did not do very well - meaning most of the theaters had 15 - 40 people in it. (I would expect that it could have done much better.) There were some big problems with it, though. First of all, it was VERY poorly advertised. Even I had trouble finding info on it, and I am a total rent head. Also, it was expensive - $20 a ticket. Again, even as a total rent head, I had trouble parting with $20 to see a movie of Rent that will be released on DVD in a few months. Finally, its engagement was very limited - in theaters across the country, your only options were to see it on Wednesday or Thursday at 7:00 pm, and Saturday and Sunday at noon. Noon? On the weekend? What were they thinking? I mean, all of the previews in the "first look" that they play when you're waiting for the real previews to start (you know the previews before the previews?) were geared towards little kids. It was not planned well.
That being said, I did enjoy the production. My and 16 other loyal Rentheads watched it Saturday, at noon, in Costa Mesa. At times, I could almost forget that I was in a theater, and feel like I was at an actual stage show. I loved that it was the musical, pure and simple - no cheesy edits or cookie cutter plots like the movie version. This is a true recording of the stage show as it is meant to be seen. However, some of the filming was not to my taste - I thought they spent way too much time doing close ups, and not enough shots pulled back to show more of the stage. Some of the close ups were WAY too close - those shots were distracting and unnecessary. Also unneeded were some of the shots where the cameras, zoomed in closer than needed, moved quickly to follow the action, which sometimes gave a dizzying effect.
The performances were awesome, the music flawless. I can't wait to get this on dvd - as I can guarantee it will get a lot more play then the movie dvd gets. If I come across people who have never seen it, I won't have quite as many qualms about recommending this as I do about the movie version.... (My normal advice is, don't see the movie until you see the play. Chances are, you won't like the movie.) This version, though, really does the musical justice.
From feedback I've been reading, Rent did not do very well - meaning most of the theaters had 15 - 40 people in it. (I would expect that it could have done much better.) There were some big problems with it, though. First of all, it was VERY poorly advertised. Even I had trouble finding info on it, and I am a total rent head. Also, it was expensive - $20 a ticket. Again, even as a total rent head, I had trouble parting with $20 to see a movie of Rent that will be released on DVD in a few months. Finally, its engagement was very limited - in theaters across the country, your only options were to see it on Wednesday or Thursday at 7:00 pm, and Saturday and Sunday at noon. Noon? On the weekend? What were they thinking? I mean, all of the previews in the "first look" that they play when you're waiting for the real previews to start (you know the previews before the previews?) were geared towards little kids. It was not planned well.
That being said, I did enjoy the production. My and 16 other loyal Rentheads watched it Saturday, at noon, in Costa Mesa. At times, I could almost forget that I was in a theater, and feel like I was at an actual stage show. I loved that it was the musical, pure and simple - no cheesy edits or cookie cutter plots like the movie version. This is a true recording of the stage show as it is meant to be seen. However, some of the filming was not to my taste - I thought they spent way too much time doing close ups, and not enough shots pulled back to show more of the stage. Some of the close ups were WAY too close - those shots were distracting and unnecessary. Also unneeded were some of the shots where the cameras, zoomed in closer than needed, moved quickly to follow the action, which sometimes gave a dizzying effect.
The performances were awesome, the music flawless. I can't wait to get this on dvd - as I can guarantee it will get a lot more play then the movie dvd gets. If I come across people who have never seen it, I won't have quite as many qualms about recommending this as I do about the movie version.... (My normal advice is, don't see the movie until you see the play. Chances are, you won't like the movie.) This version, though, really does the musical justice.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Kids say...
Last night, I was talking with Andrew - Angie's son. We told him that we were having a boy, and that his name had to start with G. Grant asked him, "Don't you have any friends that have names that start with G?"
Andrew says no, only girls. Then he says, "Well, I guess there's God and Jesus."
Grant tells him, "Jesus starts with a J, but God works."
"Yeah," I said. "We could name him God. How's that?"
and Andrew says, "No. I don't think you can name him God. I think the name is copyrighted or something...."
Andrew says no, only girls. Then he says, "Well, I guess there's God and Jesus."
Grant tells him, "Jesus starts with a J, but God works."
"Yeah," I said. "We could name him God. How's that?"
and Andrew says, "No. I don't think you can name him God. I think the name is copyrighted or something...."
Friday, September 19, 2008
Disneyland free on your birthday
Get in Disneyland for free on your birthday.
September 18th, 2008, 11:03 am · 8 Comments · posted by Adam Townsend
Starting Jan. 1, the two theme parks will let you in free to one of them on your birthday.
If you already have a multi-day ticket or annual pass, you can choose an "alternate birthday treat," like a gift card, a ticket for another day or Fast passes for the rest of your group – up to six people.
The gift will be worth the value of a day pass to one park.
"This is your birthday – come on in," Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo said in a Thursday telephone interview.
Regular admission into Disneyland is $69 for adults, and $59 for those ages 3-9; under age three is free.
The Disneyland and Disney World resorts are starting a new promotion to take advantage of the current tourism trend: celebration vacations.
According to industry research firm Ypartnership, more and more people are taking vacations to celebrate some life event, like a birthday, a reunion, a honeymoon or a retirement – so-called "milestone" vacations.
"People tend to plan more intensely and further in advance for certain vacations," Rasulo said. "Historically, most of our celebrations have focused on Disney milestones. This is a celebration that focuses on milestones in our guests' lives."
Disney has used that research to organize its promotional strategy — the resorts next year will institute Web programs that let park partiers order ahead cakes, flowers, restaurant table service, tea parties with characters and other special services.
To avoid delays at the park, officials suggest pre-registering for the free tickets at www.disneyparks.com. To get the free passes, park-goers must show a valid ID for adults or notarized birth certificates for children.
Monday, September 08, 2008
Miss Me?
I know - it has been a while! I had my long vacation, which was amazingly awesome.
I am back to school - I have 30 students this year - more girls than boys - and they seem like a really nice group. I have one student who has autism. So far, so good - I really like him. I am super busy though with back to school stuff. It will be nice when things settle back into a routine. We have a new 5th grade teacher on our team - the new dynamics are interesting but things are going well.
My belly is starting to pop out a bit. I can fit some of my regular clothes, but some are getting too tight. My belly is a little better on the left then on the right which is funny. Odd, though, is that my belly button hurts! It is kind of itchy and tender on the inside. My boobs are sore too. It is just like everything in stretching and getting tighter. Such fun!
I am back to school - I have 30 students this year - more girls than boys - and they seem like a really nice group. I have one student who has autism. So far, so good - I really like him. I am super busy though with back to school stuff. It will be nice when things settle back into a routine. We have a new 5th grade teacher on our team - the new dynamics are interesting but things are going well.
My belly is starting to pop out a bit. I can fit some of my regular clothes, but some are getting too tight. My belly is a little better on the left then on the right which is funny. Odd, though, is that my belly button hurts! It is kind of itchy and tender on the inside. My boobs are sore too. It is just like everything in stretching and getting tighter. Such fun!