Judy, Judy, Judy

Dear friend,
Are you aware that Cary Grant didn't really say that quote so often attributed to him and now gracing my Title slot? He is reported as saying it on the set of Charade and then saying, "There I finally said it."
I adore Cary Grant films, in general, and was the thankful recipient of a box set of his films this Christmas. I am currently watching "Talk of the Town" right this second. I like this movie, even though I find it weird. It seems to alternate between being serious, and being silly. Every now and again the soundtrack goes through a series of cartoonish interludes, yet the plot is about a man accused of arson and murder. Plus, the scene with the other guy's "manservant" crying as his boss shaves is just plain odd.
I already watched "Holiday" one of the only films with Katherine Hepburn in it that I will gladly own. (I don't care for her, you see) Grant is good in it, but it's really more of her movie. She's on screen more often, and she plays the character that explains their ideals.
I love "His Girl Friday" though I admit to liking it a little less each time I watch. Honestly, Grant's character isn't a "good" guy, but he is likable somehow. I love the speed of the dialogue. It makes you pay attention.
"The Awful Truth" is adorable, even though it's about divorce. It's a Cary Grant comedy, so you know it has a happy ending. Besides, you have such fun getting to that ending.
I haven't seen "Only Angels have Wings" in years, and I don't remember liking it much. I'm going to give it a brand new chance, and try to watch as though it's brand new to me. It has Jean Arthur in it, whom I find cute, so I'm willing to like it if I can.
Speaking of cute, I really like the ladies in these films. The aforementioned Jean Arthur, Rosalind Russel and Irene Dunne are like able. The set includes some postcards, half movie posters, half promotional shots. My favorite are the promotional shots, really because of the ladies. Grant's pose is nearly identical in each photo, but the women look lovely. Next time I rearrange my cork board, they're going up on it.
It's not in this set, but Charade is a great Grant film, as is To Catch a Thief. He's older in both of those, but he's a good actor at any age.
The funny thing is, usually if I'm a fan of an actor, especially an attractive one, I say I have a crush on them. No such with me and Grant. I admire him, and appreciate him, but I don't fancy him. I guess he's the exception that proves the rule.

Yes, I do happen to be wearing a Santa hat

Dear friend,
Christmas shopping on the Friday evening before Christmas is just. plain. nuts. Don't you agree? I was in Best Buy tonight. The crowds and traffic and horrible parking were made up for by the necessity of stifling squee-ful laughter. As my mother was asking a question about a printer (yes, we did buy it) this train of thought traveled the track of my mind: "Gee, it's like my mom is asking Will Scarlet about printers. Could this guy look any more like- Oh my word! I think I just saw Allan A'Dale!!!" and then I needed to keep myself from randomly cracking up in a crowded electronics store.
Yes, friend, I saw two guys in Best Buy who look like characters on BBC's Robin Hood. I wondered aloud to my mom if I might find Much in the blue shirt and khakis. I also said that if "Allan" said "I'm not trying to be funny, but-" I'd dissolve into a puddle of laughter. Now that I think about it, I shouldn't have looked for Much in that store (for whom I have much love- ooh, bad pun, I apologize) but rather I should have combed the location for Guy of Gisborne. Now THAT would have been a find!
Eagerly awaiting Christmas. Love that I'm on vacation. Must go now, Patrick Stewart's version of A Christmas Carol is airing on TNT at this very moment!

Dear friend,
I've had a bad day. No really, it just plain sucked. I cried. Three seperate times. At work.
So, are you wondering what happened? Are you concerned for my sanity? Well, friend, I appreciate your concern. Let's just say that a growing problem got beyond control and I felt alone, helpless, frustrated and abandoned. Yeah, the day was that bad. If it happens again, I will probably quit my job.
Let's see, eh?

Are you a fan of delicious flavor?

Dear friend,
Aren't you excited about Christmas? I am. I love Christmas, just the sight of a tree ornament or a string of lights and I feel like grinning. I love carols, too. I'm a sucker for Christmas.
I've heard of a lot of carols lately. Did you know that despite so many songs claiming so, Angels don't sing. At least, the Bible never describes them as singing. They talk a lot, but never sing.
Psych has a Christmas special this Friday. I so must be there. I just had a mini marathon with the 2nd disc of my season 1 set. So fun.
I'm in charge of decorating the classroom, my friend. I've done a little shopping, but mostly I plan on raiding my family's well stocked holiday collection. I just want to post to take advantage of my new winter colorscheme and layout. Pretty, don't you think?

Wibbly wobbly, timey wimey

Dear Friend,
Yes, I did catch Time Crash on Youtube. How could I not, since, despite not really watching Dr. Who, my two favorite doctors meet. I've been watching some DW, and find that, shock, I don't like it. Not at all. I need to have something else to do while it's on because it doesn't hold my attention. When it does I tend to think, "This is too creepy to be enjoyable." so I don't really know why I keep trying.
Well, actually, my friend, I do know why: David Tennant is cute. On top of that it's the longest running sci-fi show, it must have something going on for it. It helps that this doctor wears Chuck Taylors, the world's coolest shoes. Whenever I wear my light tan/off white chucks I think of them as my "Who shoes." Yes, I'm a dork.
Anyway, friend, I didn't necessarily begin to write to talk about DW. Actually, I may have. I realized a couple of weeks ago that Netflix noticed I had a "thing" for Peter Davison. It's like the program that recommends things to users looked at my queue and said "Man, this dude's in nearly everything at the top of her list. Let's recommend more!" And so, in the top suggestions for me the had classic DW, and At Home with the Braithwaite's. Both programs that I know I have no intention of watching. (I may relent on the classic Who, though)
I found out that Peter was the voice of Mole in a Wind in the Willows Christmas special I saw as a kid only once and liked. Now I want nothing more than to see it again, sadly it's not to be found on DVD.

So, Friend, how is your Thanksgiving weekend going? I've enjoyed the time off, and thank God that I don't work retail. I can't imagine what it's like to work in a store on Black Friday. I hope yours goes very, very well.
Feel free to watch Time Crash, here:

Dear Friend,
This is where I found the awesome icon this entry is displaying, and many others that rock just as hard.
Now, the real reason I'm writing to you today, friend, is this: I'm starting to really like Chuck. Honestly, I has become the replacement for Psych right now. I'm sad to think that it's probably going to be "gone" soon thanks to the WGA strike. Between Chuck and Heroes Monday night is my TV night now. And thanks to the strike that will soon be over.
As far as the strike goes, I've only heard the side of the writers, and obviously the solutions sounds simple, give them the money. I haven't heard the perspective of the studios, yet I doubt I'd really end up changing my mind. I just want it over so I can get back to being entertained. Especially since only half of next season's LOST is filmed, production has ceased for the Office and they're threatening us with reality TV.
What do you think?

Wake up cat

Where've you been?

Dear Friend,
There is a distinct lack of blogging in my sphere of late. Have the blogs you've frequented experienced a drop in updates, too? I hope not. For some reason my regularly checked blogs (written by "real people" not celebrities or religious groups) have been very quiet of late.
Perhaps my friends have been inundated with hectic schedules just as I have been. I've been, in a way, "upgraded" at my job. I now regularly teach the students in our class. Each day, we divide the 20 three year old children into 3 groups, according to skill level. While one group plays, under my supervision, the second group gets a review from me, whilst the third group gets a new lesson from the teacher in the next room. After the lessons, they all switch, until we've each had time with all of them. I think that system would work best if we had another teacher in the room. However the ideal system for three year old children would be to stay home with a parent, in my opinion. Since that is either not the option or the choice of these children's parents I, and the teacher, are there.
I don't really understand people who think children are inherently good. I've believed for awhile that children are really worse than adults in their habits of selfishness, deceit and just plain sinfulness. You have no need to teach a child to lie, they will discover the talent on their own. Mostly they lie to cover their own butts, but they can even lie just to be awful to someone. You don't need to teach a child about racism or either. It's easy to see how someone is either the same as or different from you. Often you need to teach a child that differences are OK, really. A good deal of what we in our classroom is teach children to say they are sorry to those they've hurt and then forgive those who have hurt them. We try to stop finger pointing.
It amazes me that our biggest "tattletales" are the children who have the hardest time listening to the rules themselves. I can't decide if they're trying to draw attention away from themselves or trying to justify themselves, thinking, "Well, at least I'm not doing that like they are." One of our girls will outright disobey you the moment you tell her to do something, but if you tell a different child to do something she'll repeat it to them as though she's the authority. A different child, a boy, seems incapable of sitting still or paying attention, yet he's the first one to say "Ooh, look what he's doing." He is also frequently heard saying "I'm gonna tell on you."
I can't stand to phrase "tell on". I don't think it makes sense, "tell" followed by "on". Children have been saying it for generations, I've even said it, I'm sure. I also abhor the tone of "Ooh" that all children make when they see someone doing what they shouldn't. They often repeat it and it drives me crazy. If I never need to hear it again it will be too soon.
I couldn't believe when one mother told me her son had flushed his older brother's video game memory card down the toilet. Three times! And broken some of the video games. What got to me most was that she seemed not to punish her son for these actions. You've got to be kidding me! If that had been my son there wouldn't have been a second memory card down the toilet, let alone a third.

I don't get people. Maybe I should work with animals. They make more sense. But, oh, as awful as they can be I do love kids.

Open iTunes/iPod or Windows Media Player to answer the following. Go to your library. Answer, no matter how embarrassing it is.

Dear friend,
Here's a meme I stole from Livejournal. (I told you I go there a lot)
Just like the subject says, here goes...

How many tracks? 1,913

Sort by Artist:
First artist: "Weird Al" Yankovic (thanks to the quotation marks)
Last artist: The Zombies

Sort by Song Title:
First song: Well, the first track is "Jabberwocky" but the first proper song is (Everything I do) I do it for you by Brandy. (Hey, it says tell the truth no matter how embarassing)
Last song: Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah

Sort by Time:
Shortest song: Main Title from LOST at :16
Longest song: Well, the longest track is a teaching by Andrew Wommack at 1:18:17 but longest actual song is Alloway Grove by Paulo Nutitni at 14:12

Sort by Album:
First Album: #1's by Mariah Carey
Last Album: I have about 12 tracks with no Album, but the last album really listed is You Picked Me - Single by A Fine Frenzy

Random questions:

First song that comes up on Shuffle: Bedshaped by Vittorio
How many songs come up when you search for "sex": 0
... when you search for "death": 4
... when you search for "love" : 162 (I am such a sap)

There, wasn't that fun? Try it, it will be interesing.

Someone stop my constant banner changing

Dear Friend,
Seriously, I shouldn't change the banner and background colors with every post. Should I? What do you think of this one? I like that it has both of my favorite LOST characters. Now, if I could just find a Heroes banner with just Peter and Hiro. I suppose that's not too hard to find, if I actually tried.
Anyway, friend, I actually posted for a reason. If you like Christmas music you need to get Josh Groban's Noel right now. This man was born to sing Christmas Carols. Perhaps that seems a small and inconsequential calling, but really that's why God put him on earth. He can sing whatever he wants, and sound good doing it, but this is a great CD.
Maybe if you don't like really traditional carols you won't like it. I, however, enjoyed how classic the songs are. You don't always need to change the tempo of a carol to make it seem new and wonderful. This CD proves it.
I'm not too fond of the duets on the CD, that's my only complaint. Other than that, it's great. Buy it.
Since buying this CD my Josh Groban "luv" has been in full force. I've never had what I would call a crush on this guy, I don't find him attractive, per se, but he is photogenic in my view. In interviews he seems nice, but not really dynamic. My opinion of him is decidedly ho-hum, yet I'm becoming temporarily obsessed. Such is my fandom. Squee away!
I'm weird, aren't I?

Excessive size of Title picture, yup

Dear Friend,
Why did I use a wallpaper as a title picture? I don't know, because I could I suppose.
Have you been watching any new shows? I've only added Chuck to my regular lineup of TV shows. It's good, but I'm not in love with it. I'm sort of using it as a poor replacement of Psych. I don't get any new Psych until January. Not fun. Anyway, Chuck can be funny, it just seems lacking in... something. Maybe I'll find it down the line, or maybe I won't.
Still watching Heroes. I kind of wonder why, though. I know why, Peter Petrelli, but his current storyline is getting stupid. Yeah, sure, forget about finding out your identity by opening a box that's sitting right in front of you by instead making out with random Irish girl. I still dislike Claire, but Noah Bennet remains interesting. Maya and Alejandro fail to maintain my interest. The rest isn't worth noting.
Still watching Dancing with the Stars. Nothing worth mentioning.
The Office remains awesome.

In DVD news, Netflix has Jem. Yeah... Wow, does that show suck. In a good way. Awful clothes, awful music, horrible storylines just jammed into a limited time. Yup, nostalgic and awful. Such love.
The only part of Jem that I really hated was that it was between me and my Campion movies. Yeah, my queue on Netflix had Campion after Jem seasons 1 and 2. Campion is a mystery series that aired back in the 80s or something. I'm not sure. They're "calm" almost to the point of being dull. They are interesting, or I wouldn't watch them. No gore or violence, really. I think some parts of them are supposed to be scary, but fail. I still love them.

Dear Friend,
A few quizzes because I'm bored.

You Are 40% Emo

You're definitely not emo, but you do understand emo people a little. You are introspective, but not to the point of driving yourself crazy.

Are You Emo?

There's Not a Violent Bone in Your Body

You're cool and collected, even when someone really gets under your skin. And while you don't blow up when you're angry, you know how to express your anger calmly. You don't bottle emotions up or let them get out of control. For you, violence would never be an option.

Could You Be Violent?

You Should Play the Harp

You are a sensitive soul, with a great admiration for beauty. You definitely have what it takes to make beautiful music, but most instruments are too harsh for you. You are subtle, shy, and even a bit spoiled. You're very picky about most aspects of your life. It's just your style to play an eccentric, hard to transport instrument like the harp that few people consider. Overall, you have the relaxed demeanor of a leisurely upper class person, and your music would reflect that. Your calm yet soulful harp playing would be sure to help people forget their troubles for a while. Your dominant personality characteristic: your zen-ness Your secondary personality characteristic: your quiet independence

What Musical Instrument Should You Play?

You Are: 30% Dog, 70% Cat

You and cats have a lot in common. You're both smart and in charge - with a good amount of attitude. However, you do have a very playful side that occasionally comes out!

Are You More Cat or Dog?

Livejournal... for anything really

Dear Friend,
Have you ever looked at a Livejournal page? I do often, between them and Google I think I could probably find an icon for anything that I want. All I do is go to Google, type in my subject plus the words "livejournal icon" and before you can say "What the hell's cracker dog?" you've got it. For example, I, a non-Dr. Who-fan, can find plenty of icons for the 5th doctor anytime I wish. For example, the icon adorning this post. (If photobucket, Blogger and life in general decide to behave today) I've never watched an entire episode of the longest running sci-fi show, but I have seen many YouTube clips, so I feel I can have an opinion. My favorite Dr. is 5 followed by 10. I am aware that I have no real idea what I'm talking about, but the bits of things I've seen about the show, I know I like these two.
Really, though, I've found LOST fans, The Office fans, Jane Austen fans and more on good old LJ, despite not having an account with them. I'm not into the whole "friending" thing, hence my avoidance of LJ and MySpace. They're both really handy when I feel like finding either Icons (LJ) or bands (MySpace).

ETA: I've no clue why the icon is so big, the internet hates me today.

Fruit salad, yummy yummy

Dear friend,
When you spend an entire week at work do you avoid all work related things for the weekend? I'm guessing quite a few people do. In fact, that was my plan this weekend. As I've mentioned, I work with three year old children. We sing simple (inane) songs, they learn their shapes, they learn their colors, the say yay for the simplest of accomplishments and they consider "chicken nugget" to be either the funniest or most shocking phrase in the English language. I intended to do things much more grown up this weekend, such as read some classic literature, watch a 5 hour miniseries based on classic literature, listen to interesting music that is not based on counting, cleaning, or being a polite well rounded person, or just having conversation with someone who can actually spell "conversation". So when I got out of bed this morning, guess what I ended up doing? I turned on Playhouse Disney and watched The Wiggles.
I'm so odd. I was too old for the Wiggles when they first came on Disney, but I still watched them. I got sucked in the instant I heard the song "Fruit Salad." I almost have to turn on the show for at least a few minutes whenever I see that it's on. Usually, I'm at work when it's on, so it doesn't often happen, but this morning I caught it. I watched almost the whole episode. I kept thinking, "I need more mental stimulation, turn off the TV, ooh, Jeff's asleep again!" Yeah, I know the names, not just the colors... I have no children of my own.

Pray for me.

I remember being so sad to find out that Greg had retired due to health problems and had to be replaced by some guy named Sam. Sam is not my yellow Wiggle, Greg is.
Gah, I need to stop talking about this. I should read some Dickens or one of the Brontes... or go to Youtube and search for some video of Yellow Sam, I've never seen him after all... I need help.
BTW, my favorite Wiggle is Anthony, the blue one.
I'm done!

Sleepy, sleepy, sleepy

Dear Friend,
I've had various topics to write about including, among others, the random stray thought that Peter Petrelli of Heroes would be a good K3 teacher. I simply am too tired to remember the actual reasons I came to that conclusion. I remember something about how the kids would be more inclined to pay attention to a man who could, at any given moment, blow up. He could entertain them by flying, and if they in their inherent clumsiness managed to injure him he could simply heal immediately which would cut down on catching any colds from the dear, germy kids. He was a nurse, he must care about people, and frankly, 3 year olds are some of the easiest people to love and care for. OK, so maybe I remember a few reasons...
I thought this because I watched the entire first season of Heroes in 48 hours. My brother was visiting, he brought the DVDs, he was leaving in 48 hours and it was either finish them then or wait a really, really long time. I chose to marathon so much that I think my brain turned to mush. Maybe that would be my hero ability, I'd be able to function despite severe brain damage. Nah.
Subject change, Sarah McClahlan has one of the most hauntingly beautiful voices ever. Yeah, I know, way to state the obvious. I've just been watching dueSOUTH, one of the most famous (to fans) episodes, Victoria's Secret, which heavily uses Sarah's haunting music. Amazing. Just to mention, as far as haunting sound, I like A Fine Frenzy lately.
OK, have a great weekend, friend,
SLS

Changes

Dear Friend,
How do you like the new banner? I got it from "crazy_in_lost" at livejournal. Nice, eh? I've got something of a James McAvoy interest lately, if you can't tell.
Tomorrow is my first day with students at my new job. I'm half looking forward to it, and half dreading it. I need to learn a lot, more than I actually have learned already to be honest. I'm glad I'm only the assistant and not the teacher.
Now, in an attempt to dissuade the nerves I'm writing a silly, silly blog entry. Boys who don't want to read my raving about guys I find cute need not read any further. I suppose that could apply to girls who have no interest in my opinion on guys don't need to read anymore, either. *shrug*

List of my current "Media Boyfriends"
The great part about media boyfriends is that since none of them know you, they don't care that they're not the only one.
James McAvoy
No surprise there, eh? He's only all over this blog at the moment. I loved him as Mr. Tumnus, fake ears and nose and goat legs aside. Frankly while watching Becoming Jane I didn't care much. But now I'm rather smitten.

Richard Armitage
North and South did me in. John Thornton is almost better than Mr. Darcy. As Guy of Gisbourne he isn't likable, but interesting, besides he's still attractive. Search YouTube for his bedtime stories on CeeBeeBies, they're awesome and adorable. That and his 2 episodes of Vicar Of Dibley could potentially "smite" anybody.

James Roday and Dule Hill
Psych is just awesome and I wound up thinking both these guys were cute mainly because they make me laugh. Honorary mention to, even I can't believe it, Tim Omundsun. Humor is quite attractive.

And now the weirdest one of all: ca. 1983 Peter Davison
He's Tristan on All Creatures Great and Small. He's Campion. He was Dr. Who (though I've never seen that). He's not at all my type and old enough to be my father (actually, he's 5 years older than my father, but like I said, I like him in the 80's)! Yet, once again, I'm smitten.

That's enough for now, maybe I'll do another of these in a few months. Or not.

Becoming Jane, and yet not

Dear Friend,
Despite the graphic ("pilfered" from a very talented livejournal user, netherfield_x) displayed at the top of my blog for the past month, I had not seen Becoming Jane until this afternoon. My final verdict, it was OK.
The film had an OK cast, OK story, OK costumes, OK scenery, OK music, and was just OK. I didn't dislike the movie, mind you, I simply won't be running out to buy it the moment it hits DVD.
As the movie began and we met "Jane" I realized that, yes, I am officially sick of Anne Hathaway. There are other actresses in this world, especially ones with real British accents. She did fine as Jane, but I never forgot that I was watching Anne Hathaway. I can watch other actresses and forget them and focus on the character, but in this case I couldn't.
Then we meet "Tom LeFroy". I was reminded of Jess from Gilmore Girls more than I was reminded of any Austen heroes. I wasn't immediately smitten, which somehow I felt I ought to be. Maybe I'm wrong, thinking of the plot line and his later actions, maybe I was supposed to dislike him along with Jane. The only problem with that is that while the movie was trying to tell me that Jane was falling for him, I still felt mild annoyance with him. I honestly didn't like him until they met in the woods after they each were engaged to someone else. I didn't begin to think of "loving" (as in the sort of way I love my fictional heroes such as Darcy, Thornton, Tilney, etc.) the poor man until Jane left him for good.
This film really felt like a period drama by the numbers. I think the filmmakers wanted us to say, "Look, it's like Pride and Prejudice, and Sense and Sensibility and the other Austen novels!" when I was actually thinking, "Haven't they an original idea in their heads?" I probably would like this movie more the second time, but that won't come until the DVD.
Besides the wild speculation about an author's life, which is understandable since little is actually known about her, and the blatant "mistakes," writing Pride and Prejudice (at least they called it First Impressions) before anything else for example, it was a pleasant diversion.
I'll tell you the moment I started to really like this film. It proves that I'm somewhat shallow and slightly sentimental and possibly "mental" but I'll confess anyway. I actually liked Tom and therefore the rest of this movie afterwards when at home I found out James McAvoy played Mr. Tumnus. Dude! I love Mr. Tumnus! Yeah, my friend, Mr. Tumnus makes Becoming Jane better. At least for me he does.

"Go to the mattresses"

Dear friend,
"What is it with men and 'The Godfather'?" Ah, my friend, "You've Got Mail" is on HBO right now. As always I saw it on the guide and had to watch it. I always do, even if it's only the final few minutes of the film, I turn it on. "I was eloquent! S**t!"
Guess what, my friend, I had a job interview today. The only school at which I dropped a resume last Friday called me back this morning and invited me down to interview. It's remarkably likely that I shall be shaping the minds of three year olds this school year. If you had asked me even last week if I thought this would happen I'd have been doubtful. It seems God is bringing things along very nicely and very quickly. Praise God, and please, God, give me strength. I adore little kids, but dang if they aren't a handful. They're sweet, but this will be a challenge. Pray for me, friend, I'll need it.
The Mr. Opportunity ads are on TV again. The random occurrences of Rob Paulsen's voice are pleasant.
Have a great day, my friend. I'll talk to you soon.

Memory

Dear Friend,
Have you been especially nostalgic lately, like I have? Do you also begin to remember the ends of old summers come "back to school time?" Or have you grown and matured to the point that you don't really notice anymore?
For some reason seeing notebooks and pencils take prominent store space each August still fills me with the same sadness and uncertainty that it gave me when I was small. I enjoyed school very much, I just didn't want to go back. Summer had been too short, surely it had been longer last year! I still wanted to wake up late, play in the sunshine, go swimming or running through sprinklers and watch Price is Right if I wanted to.
Now, they only part of that list that I still do is wake up late. At 24 my summers are not what my summer was at 12. But I still feel disappointment at seeing back to school sales.
I recently put up my cork board for small, temporary things that I like to hang on the wall. I put a few photos up and realized a sad thing: I have pictures of people I used to know, not friends that I have. Occasionally I'll send or receive e-mail from these people but they are decidedly in my past. I don't have anyone outside of my immediate family in my present. This fact troubles me, especially now that I must admit I don't know how to change that.
I read someone's account of making a new friend recently. One thing that struck in in the story was the author's claim that they "recognized" this stranger as a friend immediately. I remember being able to feel that way, the last time I felt it was in elementary school. Back then I could walk up to a person, say "Hi, my name is ______, what's yours?" and suddenly I had a best friend. I realized sometime in my teens that it doesn't work anymore. I don't know if I lost some ability to spot a "kindred spirit" from across the room or if children just have simpler needs from companions. I'd like to think it's the latter, but I fear it's the former. I've stumbled or been pushed into some friendships since then, and I've loved each of my friends no matter how awkward or long our acquaintance-ship (I don't think that's a word, but who cares) was. I just wish I had an "insta-friend," though. I hope when I get a job, or something, I find one.
There's always hope.

Out goes July, in comes August

Dear Friend,
How was your month of July? Mine was mostly sacrificial, what with the fast, but ended in a lovely way. Our family got great news from my brother, who is currently living in evidence that hard work and prayer put together really pay off.
I hope your August began better off than ours, though, as we had, withing 24 hours rather frustrating news from him, but not his fault. People can truly be selfish jerks, you know. He will get through this, I know, and we won't let it get us down, now will we? After all, it doesn't change the good news from yesterday.
Today seemed to be the day of the unwanted creatures. This morning the first thing my mom saw outside her window was a snake on the patio. She, unfortunately, doesn't have a very high opinion of snakes. You could almost say she's afraid of them. It only got worse when, as we drove up the driveway returning from errand running, we look over to see my dad flinging a snake out of his workshop, which mom and I enter frequently. It was a case of very bad timing, as Dad didn't want mom to see it, since we all know she'll be wary of entering said shop from now on, and we really need to get things done in there. Only a short time after that, as Mom went to the backyard to feed the birds she let in a butterfly. I've often mentioned (or ranted on if you prefer) my fear of moths, but my hatred of butterflies is equal to it. I may have also mentioned that our cat, Zoe, likes to catch and eat moths. I scurried upstairs to grab the cat, bring her down and point her in the direction of the loathsome insect. She performed her job just as I'd like, including a cute performance of running around the room, looking straight up at the butterfly flapping against the ceiling. The instant it dipped low enough for her to grab, Zoe had it, and as it was too big to eat in one big gulp, she chewed it into pieces. If I didn't love that cat so much I'd think she was disgusting.
Well, friend, I hope the change of the month was as fun and interesting for you as it was for me.

New title, somewhat new format

Dear friend,
That's how I'll start my entries now, "dear friend." I suppose I've been watching too much of "The Shop Around the Corner," "In the Good Old Summertime," and "You've Got Mail." If too much of that story is possible, I suppose. It seems such a dear and chummy way to begin a letter, I think, and possibly romantic as well.
Speaking of "that" storyline, which I love so much, I think I've finally seen the movie the "crush at first sight" (perhaps he'll simply be "the crush" from now on) told me about one day. He compared it to YGM, one of his quotable movies. Teacher's Pet, starring Doris Day and Clark Gable, is rather like it, only in reverse. Instead of hating each other in everyday life and loving each other over the mail, they hate over the mail and sort of love in real life. It was a cute movie, not mentally challenging in anyway, like most Doris Day films. I enjoyed it mostly for reminding me of "the crush" as I'm rather sure that is the film he referred to, despite his forgetting both the title and stars of the film. He mentioned journalism, similarity to YGM, and commented on how very much innuendo got into such an old movie. Perhaps he didn't watch many old films, the innuendo didn't surprise me at all, the past isn't as chaste and pure as some seem to remember it being.
Well, we shall see how long "dear friend" lasts, shall we?

Pineapple

Great moments of the day:

B plus grade in Big Brain Academy for the Wii.

Good round of Tiger Challenge in the Tiger Woods golf game for Wii.

Discovery of an "Anne of Windy Willows" copy of L. M. Montgomery's book usually title "Anne of Windy Poplars" in a used book store.

Managing to get my parakeet to sit on my finger three times in his finger training.

Unexpected, yet delicious, serving of mashed potatoes (my personal comfort food.)

"One More Round" song preview on the BarlowGirl site. (Best song on the new CD that's out tomorrow)

Being able to see the flashback of Friday's Psych, that I had previously missed.

Mandarin Oranges.

Fox sighting in the yard.

New episode of Spongebob.

Still pro at Wii Sports bowling.

And the best moment of all: Seeing two spotted fawns and the mommy doe in the yard just a few feet away from our kitchen window. *Squee* the cuteness!


This list was in no particular order until the final entry

Do I have to fall asleep with roses in my hand?

I'm at one of those times in life that everyone experiences, I think. I need to make a choice between something that could be perfect for me, or take a chance that something even better might be just around the bend. It's a hard, though somehow nice, place to be. I almost feel as though all the world were before me, but if I make the wrong choice then I'm screwed. Lots of prayer...
I had yet another of those dreams. Not heart breaking, or even sad. It made me curious to write and ask how the "crush at first sight" was doing. In the dream he apparently was engaged, and the "lucky girl" wasn't me. I won't ask anyone how he is, it would be a little too embarassing. I'll just go along, as I had been until this morning, rarely thinking of him, until finally I think of him no more. I do find it odd to dream of him now.
Besides fasting secular music I am also fasting soda and "sweets". I could have given a million dollars for a chocolate chip cookie today. Last weekend I'd have paid that for a Mountain Dew. I'm in the final week, though, and to give up now would be depressing. Winners never quit and quitters never win. Didn't some 80's cartoon tell us that? Or something?
I miss people today, probably because most of my CO friends were in the dream I had. I hope they're all well and happy.

Lather, Rinse, Repeat endlessly

Psych is back of Friday, I don't know if I could be happier about a TV show. I don't know if I anticipate LOST as much as I anticipate Psych. The previews look really funny. Well... that is, they did until I saw them so many times that I can almost say them along with the television. Still, I love Shawn and Gus. I've been watching the reruns this week, at midnight (1 AM bedtime, so fun... unless you want me to be useful before 10:30 AM) and I've just now noticed how Shaw and Juliet look at each other. It's cute. I can't tell if it's supposed to be like that on the show or if it's just because the actors are dating. Either way, I think it's kind of sweet. Just please, don't make them date on the show, that gets annoying. If they did that we'd have to have a storyline about whether or not Shawn will tell Juliet that he's not really psychic. Only Shawn, Gus and Shawn's dad should know that.

Last night's SYTYCD, *SQUEE*!!! Benji and Pasha in the same room, and Pasha dancing a Benji choreo! Love love love! OK, I'll try to stop being a fangirl now. (Why was Benji wearing those horrific glasses? and why didn't anyone other than Cat acknowledge Heidi's existence?)

The Singing Bee vs. Don't Forget the Lyrics: winner (for me, at least) Don't Forget the Lyrics. People kept saying the shows were identical, but thought they're based on the same concept the formats are different. And DFtL is decidedly less annoying. What's with the annoying dancers on TSB? Wayne Brady's a more entertaining and endearing host than Joey Fatone, as well.

I'm going 21 days without secular music. It's a sort of fast, it's driving me nuts. Unless it's on TV (and I won't turn on music videos, despite that loophole) or playing in a store or some such place, all I'm listening to is Christian. Kind of hard, actually, but fasting isn't supposed to be easy.

*squee* inducing

OK, so I saw Ratatouille today and I adored it. What a fab movie! Remy, so cute! Emile, even cuter! Linguini, wanna hug him! The food, want to eat it!
Also, Lifted, the short before it is quite humorous. It was a wonderful lead into the film.
The plot is a little predictable, but it's OK because you get involved with the characters. You know what's going to happen, but you still enjoy watching everyone get there. I can see how some critics think the love story comes out of nowhere, but that's only, I think, because they don't pay attention when we first meet Linguini. It didn't feel tacked on to me. Then again, I'm a slight romantic. I loved the fact that the characters felt like real "people" even if they weren't all human. There were times I wanted to tell Remy, "You look like your dad when your upset."
The atmosphere was amazing. I wanted to hop a flight to Paris.
Now, in describing food, I'll say whether I think Remy would eat it or Emile.
The "acting" for Remy was so good that I didn't notice at times that he'd gone for a good while without actually speaking.
I just adore this movie. It's my favorite Pixar film so far. The way Brad Bird does movies is great. This film's ending isn't fairy tale perfect, though it's far from realistic. Every issue addressed in this film isn't fixed, just like all the problems and issues in life aren't. I think Brad Bird has a way of presenting reality in kid's movies that is true and painfully honest sometimes. For example, in Incredibles, the scene in the cave where the mother tells her kids that the villains aren't playing, they could actually kill them, honest and real. Or again in Incredibles, commenting on how society isn't rewarding people for being special by giving everyone rewards whether they deserve them or not. True, very honest. I like Brad Bird. Go see this movie, NOW! OK, maybe not now, but soon, OK?

In case anybody is wondering who I'm rooting for in So You Think You Can Dance, it's Pasha! Go, Pasha, Go!

The voices in my head sound like Mel Blanc

I, about 7 years ago, described myself as a "voice junkie." Why I used that colorful phrase is yet to be understood, but I still love to hear good voices. I don't mean singing voices, just speaking voices. I once had an online pen pal for an entire year with whom I had nothing in common other than an appreciation for Rob Paulsen. I worked at reading quickly in order to read the credits of cartoons in order to know who was doing the voices. I have the "Speechless" memorial art for Mel Blanc. I like voices.
So, anyone who is as into voices as I am would of course like Mel Blanc. He's the man of a thousand voices, after all. I read his autobiography for a school report. I know why he changed his name from Blank to Blanc; a horrid teacher told him that he was always going to live up to his name, he would be blank, worth nothing. People like that shouldn't be allowed around children, let alone teach them. Anyway, I've been a Mel Blanc fan for longer than I've been a Rob Paulsen fan (which has got to be almost 15 years, now) so imagine my dismay at finally hearing Mel's radio show on XM classic radio and realizing I don't like his normal voice. It was like finding out Santa Claus doesn't exist. I still respect him for his talent, but man his normal voice was ugh. It didn't help that his character in the show was a moron... but then sitcoms, be they on TV or radio, are filled with idiots. I wish I'd never heard it.
Phil Harris is on XM, too. He's not known for doing a wide range of voices, but that's because his own was so cool. I first liked Phil as Little John in Disney's Robin Hood, who is basically Baloo from Jungle Book (which I also love), who is basically O'Malley in Aristocats (love the character, the movie is meh...) and recently I've heard his radio show and heard him on Jack Benny's show (I think it's Jack Benny). It's a voice from when I was a kid, and it's cool. The drunk jokes are somewhat amusing, too.
I bought the Many Adventures Of Winnie the Pooh this week. I love that this movie has great voices. Sterling Holloway sounds so soothing and sweet in all his Disney work. I assume that's how he always sounded, but without any research on him I won't say for sure. I remember watching A Day for Eeyore when I was little, and I could tell it was different, but my most recent veiwing showed me just how different it is. Jim Cummings, though great, is not Sterling Holloway. The only thing that keeps the magic in that short is the fact that I watched it as a kid. I also love John Fiedler as Piglet. I watched 12 Angry Men recently and smiled as soon as he talked. Paul Winchell and Barbara Luddy are great additions, too.
There are so many different voices that I've loved for a long time, but I think I've mentioned all the ones on my mind now. So I'll quit.

TV has ruined my talent at watching movies

I watch so many hour long television shows that movies now test my patience. Perhaps the problem is actually with the movies being unable to hold my attention as long as they ought. There is the chance, however, that my attention span is waning. I doubt that, actually, as I have been known to watch 5 and 6 hour mini-series all in one sitting and love it.
The last two movies I watched had me wondering "When does this thing end?" One of those movies was Spider man 3, and the fact that there were so many different plots going on could have contributed to my distraction. I thought the third was better than the second, but considering my opinion of the second it didn't have to do much.
I finished watching "Song of the Thin Man" a few hours ago. It was a good movie, but I expected the ending about halfway through.
Random change of subject, I love white German shepherds. I know they have a reputation of being dangerous, but the only one I've ever been acquainted with was the sweetest doggie I've ever known. His name was Jake, the only dog I've ever had. He killed spiders with his nose, and that was only one of the many reasons that he rocked.
Another random change of subject: I chose a great time to get obsessed with Gilmore Girls! I watched for the first time on the very day that the show ended. I didn't watch the final episode, I watched a rerun on family channel. I adored it, though, and now the season sets are running through my netflix list like crazy. I adore the dialogue. The aspect of the mother/daughter relationship is relatable for me. I love my mom but no one gets under my skin like her. She and I watch together, which makes it even more real sometimes. I missed that boat for 7 years, how did I manage that?

Why am I awake?

So... it's 2AM.

It's too hot to sleep... I need a quieter ceiling fan.

It wouldn't be this hot if I didn't have a laptop on my lap...

I'm typing way too many of these "..." things, aren't I?

Itunes is under the impression that I want to buy the rest of the Archies CD that I bought "Sugar, sugar" off of.

Yes, I bought Sugar, sugar.

No, I'm not embarrassed by that fact.

Good night.

But, but... I love Charlie!

I had a feeling, an awful feeling, that Charlie, my druggie "bloody rock god", would die a stupid, "What are you thinking? That was dumb! You should have done it this way!" sort of death. And, really, he did. Charlie Pace, you will be missed.













That is, if he's really dead, and with LOST you can hold out a little, tiny bit of hope. Though not much, really.

Anyway, about the fact that the island scenes were the real flashback: I'm such a moron for not realizing that the RAZR phone was a clue that this was all happening after the crash! I noticed the new, snazzy phone, but it didn't click.
Why didn't Locke shoot Jack. I wanted him to. However, I was angry that my "bloody rock god" had just drowned and wanted someone to pay for it. I was displeased with Jack, so he seemed as good a choice as any; after that I'd have chosen Kate just because I can't stand her. Figures that they're the only two guaranteed to live.
Hurley rocks.
Whose casket was that?
So Jack is capable of growing more than five o'clock shadow.
Sawyer is awesome, though not, yet yes. (awful grammar, but I don't care, I mean read the rest of my sentences in this entry, come on) I didn't believe Tom either, dude's too sarcastic to believe.
Way to greet your daughter after 16 years, Danielle. "Will you help me tie him up?" *thumbs up*
I was so worried that Jin was dead. Not Sayid, and certainly not Mr. "I'm a dentist, not Rambo" Bernard. Just Jin.
I'm falling out of love with Des...
Walt, how you've grown...
Why won't that eye patch guy just stinking DIE already!!!
Wah, Charlie's dead!

Squee like a fangirl!!!

I just watched the nine minute preview for Ratatouille on Yahoo! Movies. I cannot wait for this adorable, pretty, funny, cute, highly anticipated film from Brad Bird and Pixar.
Actually, I'm nervous that the film will disappoint. Why? Because it's the very first Pixar film that I like the teaser for. All the other teasers made me think "What the heck? That looks so stupid." This time, I was smitten immediately. I've been quoting the line "You don't know what it is, yet you're eating it." ever since. Oddly, I've had many opportunities for saying that... must be living with my Dad.
I adore little Remy. The scenery is stunning. I just can't wait for this movie.

Tonight, Dancing with the Stars ends tonight. I want Joey to win, but I don't expect it. In two days So You Think You Can Dance will begin again. I prefer the latter. Yet, I'm not expecting to be wowed too much this year. Maybe because Benji can only happen once in a lifetime, right? Yes, I'm being over the top and sarcastic. Thanks for asking.

I have e-mails to write... goodnight!

At Target they are selling a series of CDs called "Influences". I bought two of these CDs, one for Jason Mraz and another for Jamie Cullum. The songs that they have chosen to represent the sounds that inspired them make me wonder why I have more songs by Jamie Cullum than I have by Jason Mraz. I don't own a full CD by either one of them, but I consider them to be two of my favorite musicians.
I'm not entirely sure why I bought the Jamie C, album, I am well aware that his style doesn't always mesh with my taste. I had a feeling I wouldn't find too many songs that I loved, and I didn't. However, I consider his "Your Song" cover to be worth the price of the CD. Add in a Herbie Hancock track and I'm not entirely disappointed.
I love the Jason Mraz disc, I can hear a little of him in each track. It really does make me wonder why I don't like more of his music. The music of his that I like, I love, but everything else I just don't care. As far as the influences go, I love how mellow the tracks seem; and there are so many nice voices.
I've been thinking how in the future some artists will cite people like Britney Spears and Avril Lavigne as their inspiration to go into music. It makes me want to weep, really. But then again, we'll have people inspired by Jason Mraz, Jamie Cullum, John Mayer or other actual musicians. There will always be crud and there will always be quality. There's nothing new under the sun.

I watched three movies today. She's the Man, Just my Luck and By Way of the Stars. That last one won't be familiar to most people. It doesn't deserve to be. It's the worst movie I watched today. In a seemingly endless and extraordinarily absurd plot my life seemed to waste away; but I couldn't stop watching. It was something like a car wreck. She's the Man was the second worst of the day. I really only watched because it was based on my favorite Shakespeare play. Yeah, my favorite play of his is about a cross dressing girl... I'm weird. But anyway, It was also absurd. It didn't really hold my attention. I looked up every now and then to wonder who in their right mind would mistake Amanda Bynes for a guy. Just my Luck was the least horrible. It wasn't a good movie. It was saved only by the fact that I find Chris Pine attractive. I know, not very deep of me, but hey, the dude's cute. His character was sweet as well, which helped. It didn't hurt that the band wasn't too awful, in my opinion, and they had accents.

Back again

So... we had some issues with the wireless Internet access in the house and I haven't been able to surf the net in days. Yeah, I could use the desktop, but I no longer feel comfortable spending more than about 10 minutes sitting at a desk.
Bought my new ipod yesterday. Shiny, clean, black pretty little thing that it is. Did they improve the screen resolution on the 5.5? My 5th generation ipod screen never looked this clear. Then again, maybe I'm hypnotized by this little beauty's novelty and "new-ness". I love the search feature. I've only played around with it for one afternoon, but the battery seems to last longer too. Throw in my pretty new pink, hard case and I've got an ipod that's prettier than yours, nyah nyah. OK, just kidding.
Hey, how about the Office season finale? I'll just ignore everything else that wasn't about "JAM" (though it was all great) and say It's about time, Pam and Jim. Now, if the writer's keep things somewhat realistic (not too realistic because that's not what TV is about, anyway) we'll still have some issues that are interesting, engaging and funny concerning them. Please, Office, don't jump the shark.
Surprisingly, Music and Lyrics was really cute. I don't dislike Hugh Grant, he's just boring. He doesn't act, he does the same thing in every single movie, you see one Hugh Grant character you see them all. The same with Drew Barrymore, too, really. But it was sweet and cute and just funny enough not to be bland. If it weren't for the "album only" restrictions, I admit, I'd buy a few of the songs, particularly "Don't Write Me Off". Hey, I never claimed to have "great" taste in music.
I'm so glad Charlie isn't dead. Yet. Darn that "yet"... His flashbacks and story this past week were great. I love him more now. Charlie has always been my favorite LOST character, eventually being tied with Des, but now he's far and away above Des in my heart.

Man, I need to make "real" friends, not the fictional ones...

That's Life

I bought Michael Buble's newest Cd "Call Me Irresponsible" today. I'm sorely disappointed. It's not that the Cd is exactly bad, it's just that it's not actually good. It's more of the same, in a bad sort of way. I like standards, and I've liked most, nearly all, of his previous songs, and I don't dislike this album. I just feel as though I just bought things I already owned.
I suppose that's a big problem with covers, you've heard it all before. The real problem is that the arrangements don't feel new. I realize that having background voices, like band members shouting or a gospel choir backing him up, is new to him and his Cd's, but it's not new enough. He does have two new songs that he co-wrote (most of his fans claim he wrote them, but if he wrote them why are there two other people with writing credits?), and I adore those. Well, let me clarify, I adore Everything and I can see myself one day loving Lost. Maybe if he took the time and effort to write more of his own material I'd be satisfied. I read one persons review of Everything and they didn't like it because it was too different. Too pop, they claimed. I think this guy needs some change. He used to seem new, now he seems old. I'm grateful that I didn't feel like dishing out another $10 for the special addition, which is only special because of one extra song. I would have been truly angry had they gotten $20 for this mediocrity.

You and I Both

Ever smiled a sad, sad smile? When you feel that sensation of bittersweet memories of things that, sadly and gladly, never happened? I feel that every time I hear Jason Mraz's You and I Both. The "almost but never really was" sensation is just as comforting as it is hurtful. It makes you feel as though you lack while at the same time you're incredibly blessed.

Then again, maybe I'm the only person who ever feels like that.


But I doubt it.


I allowed a terrible, irreversible, and ultimately harmless thing happen. My ipod dropped into a pan of paint as I was helping paint our sun room. It was in a case, the paint was shallow and it landed face-down at a slight angle. This resulted in painted streaking across the click-wheel or whatever it's called. There's a bit of paint on the screen, and in the hold switch. It plays just as well as it ever did. However, due to the fact that in addition to this "awful" thing, there's a mark across the screen whenever the back light comes on (a result of a fall last January on my birthday) I am now in the market for a new ipod. Thank God for tax returns. I may need to look for a job soon in order to justify replacing a functional though imperfect $250 toy.

I dreamed of the "crush at first sight" the other morning. I think that's why I specifically played Jason Mraz. Someday, he'll leave my head, whether awake or asleep.

I'm not made for a "buggy" climate. As I write this I'm making quick glances around my room, dreading the possibility of finding some winged thing eagerly making it's way to the glow of my bedside lamp. That's part of why I loved Colorado: there were very few bugs. And of the few bugs that were in the state, even fewer flew. At least, that's how it seemed to me. I admit the yearly miller moth invasion always had me in a state of anxiety but it was only once a year. I probably have mentioned that I feel more at ease (or is it less ill at ease?) in the presence of a spider than in the presence of a moth.
I've now moved, and there are more bugs on our 5 acres of land than were in the whole state of CO. Perhaps I exaggerate, but it does seem that I have seen more insects in the last month than I saw in 5 years in my last home. The bugs also seem bigger, or more dangerous. The moths in VA are big moths, big black moths. Eww. Occasionally I would come across one wasp or hornet before. I see 5 at least daily here. My mother and I were attempting to unpack our garage with the doors open in an attempt not to overheat, but the wasps coming in for "friendly visits" drove us out 4 times.
Last night I was minding my own business watching TV when I suddenly heard the familiar sound of a disoriented moth hitting a ceiling. It was fluttering around a floor lamp and scared the hell out of me. Yes, I realize that moths don't bite, but that doesn't make them any less evil. Thank God my cat, Zoe, was in the room with me. She has a passion for eating moths. The mere sight of one will make her spring to her feet and chase without relenting until it's in her mouth. I love that cat. I think she killed a wasp one day. We must not have been home as we would have discouraged such behavior.
I hope to adjust so that I'm not ducking in fear with every step out of my house. If not I'll simply count the days until I can get a house in less of a wilderness environment. I know that insects are vital creatures, but I don't want them anywhere near me.

Armitage thoughts

I've seen Richard Armitage in three roles. Each new role has a new hairstyle. The hairstyles have been going downhill.
The first time I saw him was in North and South. Grand miniseries (ha, grand and mini... it's nearly 2 in the morning, cut me some slack) adapted from Elizabeth Gaskells novel. Nothing amazing about his hair, but it looked good on him. Heck, he looked good on his own... but the hair did help. Even when it was covered by that hat, that tall, tall hat. How he didn't hit things with that hat I don't know. Heck, maybe he did, it just wasn't on camera.
Then I started watching Robin Hood. His hair is too long. Guy of Gisborne is also way too evil, and potentially abusive. Yet, he still has his moments of looking good. You know, when I'm not wondering if he's wearing eyeliner. I love heavy eyeliner for myself, but I'm not so sure about guys, let alone guys in period shows.
I've been watching the Impressionists. Fascinating miniseries about my favorite artist(s). I'm finding out a lot of things that will certainly change how I look at their art, but I must admit that the first shot of Young Monet made me wonder "What is on Richard's head? It can't possibly be hair!" Fortunately, by the second episode he's had a haircut, but the beard is growing longer by the second.

I need sleep...

10 hours of TV leaves me fried

I watched ten hours worth of television programming today, my friends. And when you break it down, I only watched 3 shows.
I've been telling my mom about Robin Hood since before I started watching it. Today, in honor of "Tax day" they had a marathon of all the episodes that have aired in the US. Since my mom had trouble jumping in at the third episode, I told her in advance that she could start from the beginning today. She also used the time to sort through some paperwork, while I felt unwell and didn't do a thing. She enjoyed it, very much. I, however, having seen them all already was slightly bored and eventually the huge screen of our 60-something inch TV game me a headache. I took a break from looking at everything for awhile, and just listened to dialogue while I used my laptop. Strange, is it not, that a computer screen didn't bother me...
Just as "Brothers in Arms" (current favorite episode of mine) was ending, my dad came home and Planet Earth was starting on Discovery HD. I've been watching that with my dad since it started. I've gotten a little bored with how repetitive it's seemed, though. I feel like every single week I see elephants and hear about the life cycles in oceans. Thankfully, there wasn't an ocean episode tonight, though there were elephants. I adored the birds of paradise, actually. Those and the otters. Quite entertaining watching the otters gang up on an crocodile or alligator, I forget which.
After that, I don't know why I watched the Apprentice. I probably watched it because I've been watching with my mom since the beginning of the season. I don't care who wins, as I hate all of them. Tonight's episode was particularly dull since no on was fired. The task wasn't even interesting.

I'm surprised I'm still capable of coherent thought after such a marathon of the boob tube. Especially now that it's nearing 1 AM.

I know what I'm doing Saturday nights!

So, I've been watching and enjoying Robin Hood on BBCAmerica ever since we had DirectTV installed. Tonight was the first time it ever made me say "Good Lord!" in shock. I've gasped at moments, but tonight I gasped three times. Yeah, for some reason I'm really into this show. I've heard it described as "utter rubbish", but I like it. I think it must be a sort of "giddy teen" show. Not a stupid "angsty, dramatic teen" show, but definitely giddy. I like "giddy teen" shows, that's why I watch a grand amount of Disney channel shows.
Anyway, just wanted to express my admiration of this "stupid" show. It's entertaining, though imperfect.

Internet at home: Time to waste

You Are a Ring Finger

You are romantic, expressive, and hopeful. You see the best in everything. You are very artistic, and you see the world as your canvas. You are also drawn to the written word. Inventive and unique, you are often away in your own inner world. You get along well with: The Pinky Stay away from: The Index Finger

What Finger Are You?

Your Mind is 33% Cluttered

Your mind is very free. You've liberated yourself from most worries and problems. And even if something does start to clutter your mind, you're easily able to let it go.

How Cluttered is Your Mind?

Grammar banishment

Excuse "myself" but when did we banish the word "me"? Last time I checked "me" was a legitimate word with it's own proper usage. In my everyday life, however, few people seem to believe this. Three distinct times this morning my pastor misused the phrase "you and I" as an object of a sentence. "Jesus died for you and I." Well, yes, in a way that's true, Jesus died for us, but if you dropped the "you" out of that sentence you'd sound pretty foolish saying "Jesus died for I."
Not only is it in my church (where it has, by the way, afflicted every person I've seen standing behind the pulpit. They all get it wrong) but also nearly ever TV show I watch. The worst offenders would include "The Apprentice" and daytime court shows or talk shows.
It probably comes from people having a phobia of using "me" after "and." Really, everyone, it's OK to do it, you won't die. Grammar Nazi monkeys won't jump out and attack you for saying "and me." After all, if they haven't attacked you by now for all the mistakes we as a society make in our beautiful yet misused language, they never will.

Thank you, and goodnight.

The light at the end of the tunnel isn't a train

Everyone gets stressed. "Anyone who tells you differently is selling something." OK, I'll try not to quote Princess Bride anymore. I think I butchered that quote anyway.
Anyway, everybody gets stressed. The only difference I see for anyone is how they handle it. I don't think I'm too great at handling hard times. "And I just pray that problems go away if they're ignored." OK, I'll try not to quote Relient K songs either.
Things are good right now. I know that I'm getting Internet at my house soon, I don't know the date but I know it's coming. It's a bright sunny, but cool, day that makes everything seem happy, and I just caught sight of an infant in a funny hat and smiley face shirt. Babies make me smile. I have e-mails to answer, so I feel missed and loved. Really I'm not too hard to please.
Then again, I'm not too hard to hurt either.

I like myself that way.

In the middle

I'm going through another of those times during which my life is just short of being awful. None of my problems are big enough to be "important" but nothing is right. All around me things seem so dissatisfactory and they all need just one thing to go horribly, horribly wrong. Then again, just one thing could go delightfully right. You never know which way things will turn, and the optimist in me believes that things will go wonderfully. When the pessimist in me gets a chance to speak (when she wiggles out of her gag, you know) she tells me life is on the verge of being over. That's when I hit her over the head with a happy club, tie her up and throw her in the closet again, but that little seed of doubt lingers. I hate little seeds of doubt.
At least these sorts of mood let me get the benefit of my non-happy music. I don't have much, but it's worthwhile to listen to in these "troubled times".
I wonder if I've always been so over dramatic.

In other news; two disgusting creepy crawlies have been in my bed at two different times. The first was an ugly, big beetle that greeted me first thing one morning. It was right in front of my face. Yuck.
The second was a spider that fell onto my arm at 2:30 am. It was small, black, and decidedly fast. Eww.
Surprisingly, I dealt with the spider much more easily than the beetle. After the beetle I was afraid to go into my room for the rest of the day. After the spider, I killed it, cleaned it up and went right back into my bed. I wasn't really tired, despite the late hour, but felt I should be sleeping anyway. Weird me.

Randomly Random Randomness

I ought to be writing out e-mails, I ought to be uploading videos, I ought to be home painting (my room shall be orange, and maybe my blog will be in April, but I haven't decided. If you haven't noticed, I've decided to change the color of my blog every month) but I'm writing in my blog for no good reason. I suppose I could justify it by writing about my new home, my new furniture, my new found hatred and loathing of wasps (even more than the dreaded moth) but I won't.
Instead, I talk about whatever the heck pops into my head as I sit here in Panera, downloading stuff from Itunes and eating a cinnamon chip scone. Ahh, the good life.
I enjoyed the covers of Zombies songs by Blake and Chris from this week's American Idol. In a fit of boredom I turned on that show... despite Sanjaya still existing... ugh. I can't really believe I'm buying the originals, yet I am.
Elliot Yamin's debut CD was worth waiting for. I couldn't get it the day it came out, they were sold out. I guess that's what happens when you live in his hometown. They love him around here. He was signing Cd's at a store here yesterday. I didn't go, I don't consider meeting celebrities to be the most amazing thing I could ever do.
Isn't chocolate milk lovely?
I was watching What Not to Wear this morning, and decided that Stacey and Clinton would rip into me with horrific enthusiasm. I hope I never meet them, I like the way I dress. Even if I do still shop in the juniors section.
I hate that my downloads take so long at this Panera, it says I have to wait 4 hours for something to load. If I didn't have a life I wouldn't care, or even better if I had Internet at my house. Sadly, neither of those is the case.
Lewis Carrol is a delightful author. While reading his books and poems I find it hard to believe the bad stories about him. He'd be interesting to talk to. Sylive and Bruno is so much more entertaining than the Alice books that I'm surprised it's not more popular. The Hunting of the Snark is great, "For the snark was a boojum you see."
I think Matt Theissen of Relient K would be cool to talk to. I've never watched him just being him, but just from his song lyrics he seems interesting and thoughtful.
Michael Buble has a new cd coming on May 1! Come on May! Love that man's voice.
I want Internet at my house. I want it now. Screw patience, I'm throwing a temper tantrum until I get it. Oh wait, that won't help anything. Darn.
Bye...