Still Pondering

I usually hate watching commercials. I would rather put a show on go do things around the house for 15 min then come back and rewind to the beginning, just so that I can fast forward through the commercials. Commercials to me are just a reminder of what I should be doing instead of watching TV. So the other day I was watching a show and it happened - I watched a commercial. I don't even remember what it was for I just remember watching a woman park in a lot, get out and put cones in the spaces next to her. Then run off to go shopping. I just kept thinking why wouldn't someone just move the cones out of the way and park there. Then I thought about it, most people do think of orange cones as un-movable. When was the last time you thought you could just go over and pick up a cone and just move it? Then I started thinking why didn't I think of that. I could go out and buy a couple of $10 cones and put them in random places just to confuse people. That would make for such an exciting day. I could get the kids together pack a picnic, go to mall parking, and place a couple of cones in prime parking spaces and then watch to see what happens. Wow - good times.

School schedules have changed so much since I was in school. Back in the day we had school from 8:00 am to 2:30 pm and we had 3 months off in the summer. Now the kids go from 7:30 am to 3:00 pm and they only get 6 weeks off for summer. They should just make the school schedule 8:00 am to 5:00 pm all year. When you want to take a vacation you have to put in for it at least 30 days in advance. They would have to bring their school work with them on the vacation. That would be perfect, and then the kids would understand what real life is like.

When I first read the DaVinci Code I was very intrigued by the story. I have always been convinced that there was more to the story of the bible. I do believe that GOD sends down people to inspire us and to keep us on track. I do think that these people have learned over the years to keep it "real" and that the Jesus of yesterday would be locked up in 10 seconds in today’s world. There is a lot of talk about Jesus rising up and coming back. So does that mean that reincarnation does exist? I have always thought that I was Mona Lisa in a past life. I know what she was thinking when the painting was done. People have always told me I resemble her (except I have eye brows). So what if Jesus was already here. What if Mac the lead singer of 3rd Day is Jesus reincarnated. He has a strong message from GOD that is "real" he's not in danger of getting locked up. He looks like Jesus. What are we really expecting when he comes back? Unless he is riding on top the wave that is suppose to be coming to kill all of the sinners, then how will you know?

I know a lot of people that have pets. Most people you see with pets you never think anything of it. BUT what is with poor people thinking they need pets. I have known a couple of families with kids at home, and the parents aren't working or they're just squeaking by and they have cats and dogs, and rats, and lizards, and snakes, crazy pets and not just one MANY. They should have a rule if you can't feed your kids then you shouldn't have pets. Where are they coming up with the money to feed these things? We have a puppy and he costs a fortune. I couldn't even imagine having more with less. Then let’s talk about the smell. These animals smell, and these peoples houses weren't that clean to begin with then the people smell, but of course they don't think so. Poor pets : (

What do you do when you meet your soul mates wife? Or your husband’s soul mate? We as a society of people who don't like to be alone are rushing into relationships with people that sometimes we don't even like. There are so many people settling for just OK out there. Whose soul mate are you with? The sad part is that your soul mate can't find you because you settled for something less. What happens when you do meet your soul mate and there with someone else? Do you just walk away? Do you wait? Do you interfere and break them up? I believe that you have relations so that you can grow and learn as a person. When you are both ready then you find each other. But what if he doesn't realize he's with "not the one"? What if he's ok settling? People wake up! If you fight more than you make up, or you’re just in it for the kids, STOP you have someone else's "the one", let them go!

I was in that situation I was married to my 3rd husband and I met his "next", I had known all along that he wasn't "the one" so I had to let him go and let him find his "the one". Leaving me open to finally start searching for mine. I thought I had found him once, but I must be mistaken because he's happily married. So my search will go on.

 

Who Needs Donuts?

I know you can't tell from the picture, but this book has so much intricate detail in every picture found in Mark Stamaty's brilliant Who Needs Donuts? Even at this size, I fear you'll miss some of the humour, eccentricity and wit. But to help you out, the billboard next to the title is advertising "String Bean Cola," that's a small tree growing out of a pipe, and one of the rare books for sale is titled 499 Ways To Simplify Your Life.

The Birds have different animal heads (and people heads)  each tile of the sidewalk is covered with little circles.

Oh how I love this book. I first saw this book at The Alley. When I saw all of the detail I was immediatly drawn to it. After looking through it and seeing that there was more picture then story, I thought my daughter would love it too. It had been marked down to $5 - how could I lose.

Who Needs Donuts? is the story of a boy named Sam whos love of donuts takes him to the Big City where he makes friends with Mr. Bikferd, a world class collector of donuts. But when Mr. Bikferd falls in love with Pretzel Annie, the prophecy of an old homeless woman comes true: "Who needs donuts when you've got love?" Mr. Bikferd bequeaths his donut collection to Sam, who uses it to save the old homeless woman from drowning in a basement flooded with coffee.
The story is fun enough but the real delight with this book is the artwork. I've read the book over a dozen times now and I still find new puns, interesting characters, and visual gags. Anyone who enjoys sitting in the heart of a busy city and simply taking in the wild sights and sounds will enjoy this book. I highly recommend it to everyone, even if you don't have kids!
 

Originally published in 1973, Who Needs Donuts is a sweet visual feast that will have kids (and nostalgic parents) poring over its rich tableaus for hours. Every inch of each black-and-white page is covered in detailed, delightful drawings, at times bringing to mind the two-dimensional cartoons of Saul Steinberg, at others the scratchy realism of Lynda Barry’s comics. In fact, there is so much to look at in this short, simple story that new discoveries are sure to be made with each successive reading (of which there are bound to be countless).

Young Sam, clad (inexplicably, yet charmingly) in cowboy duds, already has a nice house with a big yard and lots of friends, but he feels nonetheless that something is missing. He mounts his trusty trike and heads for the big city in search of one thing: donuts, and not just a few, but "More than his mother and father could ever buy him."

His quest is rife with humor and adventure, not to mention a man in paisley suit and a woman named Pretzel Annie. Kids will adore the no-holds-barred kookiness displayed throughout (a street vendor selling fried oranges with optional mayonnaise; a "self-service" restaurant where the waiters look exactly like the customers), and adults will smile at the hippie-era moral that love is all you need. As the flap illustration warns, "This book is addictive," but this sugar habit need not be kicked. (Ages 5 to 10) --Brangien Davis

This is a reissue of Mark Alan Stamaty's masterpiece of the absurd, first published 30 years ago and out of print nearly as long. With an illustration style that mixes a benign Hieronymus Bosch with an urban Where's Waldo?, Stamaty's off-the-wall humor is on target for little kids and big kids today.

Lobster Fest Review

So I went to the Lobster Fest on Sunday. I brought my 13 and 6 year old with me. We had to park in the Cruise Ship parking and then buses took everybody to the event. We arrived at 12:30 and got our discount tickets to get in @ 7 for just me and my 13 year old. My 6 year old was free. Then they have you buy your lobster meal ticket at the same time, at $17. We went in and the kids wanted to go straight to the rides. We found the ticket booth and the rides where $1 a ticket or 30 tickets for $25. Each ride took 4 tickets. They had the spinner ride that goes pretty fast, a small Ferris wheel, a sack slide, a kiddy train, kiddy tea cups, kiddy swings, kiddy cars, and dizzy dinos. It was already hot, 91 deg, which surprised me I thought it would be cooler by the beach. Needless to say we weren't at the ride section for very long at those prices.
We walked by where you sit and eat lobster (packed). Then we went over to the food booths to look for something the kids wanted to eat. We found $4 nachos and Corn on the cob, with $2 cans of soda and bottled water. Then we found a wall to sit on and eat. I ran over and got my lobster platter. The lobster came with a smashed roll, a cup of butter, a cup of watery Cole slaw and a spoon full of Cajun potatoes. The food was ok; I had some concerns that the lobster hadn't been cooked long enough.

After we ran over to the pirate treasure hunt. We were instructed to seek out 4 pirates and ask them for a clue. We found the first pirate by the concert section who told us "The captains treasure is without measure" the second pirate found by the lobster booth taught us the proper captain solute and "I I and thank you captain" we didn't have to search far for the 3rd pirate in front of the Coca Cola truck who's clue to us was " The captain is fair he'll give you your share" across the street was pirate 4 "keep to the code" he said. So off we went to report back to the captain. Jazzy told him the clues and he gave her a cup full of coins (plastic play coins) and that was that.

We walked around a bit more, paid way to much for jelly filled churro's (that were not advertised as jelly filled until you bit into them) and then we decided to go home. On our way out we couldn't help but notice the extremely long line for lobster. Then the even longer line to get in, and the even longer line to get on the buses to go to the event. So I am definitely glade we had gotten there early and were leaving at 3:00. I heard they ran out of lobster at 5:00, considering they are open till 7:00 that is bad. I'm not surprised though - the night before they had the competition for the Guinness Book of World Records for the most Seafood Prepared at an outdoor event. Here is the official report on it:

Saturday, Sept 19 the Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival surpassed the old record for The Most Seafood Prepared at an Outdoor Event of 3,835 lbs and one ounce in two hours and fifteen minutes, and at 9 pm set a new Guinness World Record of 12,527.4 lbs. Unlike the old record which included mostly sardines, but some other seafood as well, the Lobster Festival weighed only lobsters and nothing else.
Under the supervision of The Fine Living Network’s Chef Chris Cognac, aka The Hungry Detective, and Guinness Adjudicator Carlos Martinez, San Pedro Fish Markets cooked and prepared the meals.
The record setting meal was purchased by James Lam of Alhambra, California. Councilwoman Janice Hahn announced the new world record shortly after 9 pm in a ceremony in the lobster serving area.
The festival would like to thank all the dedicated people at the Port of Los Angeles who worked so hard behind the scenes to make this happen.

I wanted to thank David at Social Foodies Meetup Group for letting me know about this event. It was a great day to get out and walk around with the kids. I'm sorry that we didn't get to hang out more as a group. I just don't think this was an event where that was able to happen.

Duck vs. Canucks September 17, 2009

DUCKS FYI
So I went to the Ducks game last night. So normally I take a date with me to the games that way I don't have to pick between my three kids on which one gets to go. Last night I had not date so I had to pick, I took my middle kid. Joey he's 13 - he actually enjoyed the game, food, and cold. I had taken them before to an Ontario Reigns game, and they liked that. I have been to many actual games but this was my first Preseason game. Wow, what a difference. It kind of felt like watching a practice game of rookies. Like they were saying "hey guys I have a great idea, I'll race you to the other side of the rink." "Yea, that was fun, lets do it again." Then there was the series of Déjà vu the a Canadian wood grab a duck push him around the duck would beat the crap out of the Canadian and then the Canadian would try to throw a sucker punch then the refs would finally break it up. Every time the Canadians had the puck they immediately form this linked wall in front of the goalie and then sink the goal. The ducks couldn't even receive a pass last night. They seemed like they weren't even interested in actually making a goal after the first period was over.
Another pet peeve that I have at ALL Ducks games is goalie. When should it be ok to leave your goal, NEVER unless your switching goalies. Why? Why, is it ok for them to skate behind the goal and get the pucks when the other team is so close that as soon as he pushes it they can (and do) hit it right into the goal. That drives me crazy!!!

I have to say I figured out what the hardest job in the world is. Referee or Linesman of a Hockey game.


Think about it, they have to

Be quick on there feet

Stay out of the way

Get in the middle of fights

Get booed at by the crowd

Be better skaters then the players (when was the last time you saw a ref fall)

Keep there eyes open
A referee is responsible for the general supervision of the game. He can be identified by his orange armbands. Under most officiating systems, he is the only official with the authority to assess penalties for violations of the rules. However, the linesman can also call a variety of penalties, such as "too many players", and major penalties if the referee was unable to identify the penalty. The referee also conducts the opening faceoff in each period and faceoff’s that follow after a goal is scored, which are done from the center line.

Linesmen are primarily responsible for watching for violations involving the center line and the blue line. Such infractions include icing and offside’s infractions. Linesmen also conduct faceoff’s. They are also expected to break-up scuffles, and/or fistfights and other altercations that occur during the game. Some leagues allow linesmen to call penalties (such as too many players on the ice), while others only allow them to report the infraction to the referee.

Well since I am no sport authority I have included a review of the game from a real sport authority that had been posted in the LA TIMES, just incase you wanted to read more about the game. 

Saku Koivu struggles in his exhibition debut for Ducks
The longtime Montreal Canadiens player acknowledges being nervous during Anaheim's 3-0 loss to Vancouver. Anaheim's Saku Koivu brings the puck up ice against Vancouver's Travis Ramsey in the second period Thursday night. (Francis Specker / Associated Press / September 17, 2009)

Saku Koivu pulled on his jersey Thursday night and nearly did a double take. The Canadiens logo, to which he had brought such honor for so long, was not on his chest anymore, and he needed a moment to process that. "It felt a little odd the first time I put it on before the game. I was pretty nervous even though this was just a preseason game," said the Finnish center, who signed with the Ducks as a free agent in July. "It's a new situation for me after 13 years in Montreal and a different feeling.  "I'm glad the first one is over with and hopefully it's going to be easier for me from here on and I'll be more relaxed." At least he had the excuse of new surroundings and a new system to explain his subpar performance in a 3-0 exhibition loss to Vancouver at the Honda Center. His teammates didn't have that luxury. "We got outplayed," Ducks Coach Randy Carlyle said. "There weren't a lot of things that we could be happy with from a standpoint of our team game. They moved the puck around us. It was like they outskated us." Steve Bernier scored from close range in the first period, Kevin Bieksa scored from about 50 feet out during a second-period power play and former Duck Aaron Rome scored the final goal late in the second as the Ducks' exhibition season record fell to 1-1.
Goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere, fighting to regain the starting job he lost to Jonas Hiller, gave up two goals in 16 shots but couldn't really be blamed on either one; Justin Pogge gave up one goal in 20 shots in relief. Vancouver goalie Roberto Luongo stopped 19 shots over the first two periods and Cory Schneider stopped nine in a feisty game that included eight major fighting penalties and two misconduct penalties, the last against Corey Perry after the final whistle. "It was more physical than in the East. Maybe that's something that I have to get used to a bit more here in the West," Koivu said. Although Koivu didn't start the night alongside Finnish compatriot Teemu Selanne, they were thrown together soon and remained together most of the game. Koivu played 18 minutes 37 seconds, took three shots and was a minus-2 defensively; Selanne played 17:32, took three shots and was minus-1.

Having Selanne nearby helped Koivu but he's still making a variety of adjustments. "There's a lot of new stuff and style and things to get used to and feel comfortable," Koivu said. "After a long break in the summer it's always going to take a few games to get back into game tempo and the speed. It's extremely hot out there, so there's a lot of little factors. "I'm sure after we get a couple games into the season here and then if I'm with Teemu again a familiar face is going to make me more comfortable." Carlyle said the duo wasn't sharp but that he'd cut the accomplished veterans more slack than he would for most other players. "They had lots of turnovers and I thought they were trying to do too much and that's what happens when teams aren't going well, those leadership guys try to go out there and do things that they shouldn't be doing," Carlyle said.
"But it's a trait because they feel they're responsible. Those are all the things you try and teach them maybe it's the wrong time of the year to start that in their first exhibition game, you know? But that's the way the pro athlete is and we'll move on from it."

Giguere critiques himself
Although it looked as if Carlyle yanked Giguere in displeasure after Vancouver's second goal, a long shot that snaked past him at 9:44 of the second period, Carlyle said he had planned to switch goalies about then, anyway. "I thought he gave us a chance," Carlyle said.  Giguere rated his performance as "not bad" and said he's still refining his game. "These games are not always the funnest to play, but they're very important to get ready for the beginning of the season," he said. "I know they're painful probably to watch, but it gives the young guys a taste of what it is to be in the NHL and everybody else, the old guys, it's a good chance to get ready and find your game and find your timing and all that. I'm not where I want to be but I'm on my way."
He also said he doesn't feel extra pressure to avoid errors for fear a gaffe could cost him the No. 1 job.
"I can't really control what's going to happen, to be honest. I can only control how hard I'm going to work and what I'm going to do on the ice and I'm just going to focus on that," he said.  "The truth is Jonas is an excellent goalie and I can't control what he does. I know one thing: He's just going to play well. The last two years he's shown us that. I'm not going to worry about that. I'm going to worry about getting myself ready for the beginning of the season. And whatever happens, happens. "

Carlyle for the defense
As a former NHL defenseman, Carlyle can be tough on defensemen. But he praised youngsters Matt Clark and Stefan Warg on Thursday.  "I thought they competed. They played hard. I thought they played well," said Carlyle, who paired Clark with Scott Niedermayer and Warg with Ryan Whitney. "I thought Clark was strong along the wall and was able to take the body and didn't look out of place in the physical aspect of it. The Warg kid is another competitive kid, with his feet and that. I think both of them have a ways to go as far as mobility out there, but I thought they played fairly well."

Slap shots
Todd Marchant was awarded a penalty shot at 11:02 of the third period after being pulled down by Vancouver's Evan Oberg but he was stopped by Schneider.

Carlyle tinkered with the lines but for the most part used these configurations: Marchant-Koivu-Selanne; Kyle Calder-Andrew Ebbett-Perry; Matt McCue-McMillan-George Parros; and Josh Brittain-Logan MacMillan-Weller. The defense pairs were Niedermayer-Clark, Mark Mitera-James Wisniewski and Whitney-Warg.

Niedermayer said he has heard reports that his brother, Rob, an unsigned free agent who was not offered a contract by the Ducks, is considering playing in Russia this season. But he couldn't confirm it. "He doesn't tell me anything," Niedermayer said.

The Ducks' game Friday at Glendale, Ariz., will be their third of four in four nights. That wouldn't be allowed during the regular season but is permitted now because they still have a lot of players in camp. However, some might soon be returned to their junior teams. "We'll do some things along the way," Carlyle said, declining to elaborate.

Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival 2009

The 2009 Lobster Festival will be held on

September 18, 19 & 20 2009

at Ports O' Call Village, San Pedro CA



SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA'S BEST ENTERTAINMENT BARGAIN!

Here is where you can take a virtual visit to the Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival and check out some snapshots taken during the Lobster Festival. We've done our best to capture the fun of an authentic New England small town festival.

The focus of the Lobster Festival is, of course, fresh steamed hot Maine lobster. A lot of people want to know why we don't serve Pacific lobster. The answer is simple: Pacific lobster is not in season during the fest.

There's lots to eat at the Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival in addition to lobster. The menu varies from year to year depending on the vendors, but we usually have many other seafood items including steamed and fried clams, fried shrimp, shrimp cocktail, steamed mussels in wine and vegetable sauce, roast corn and all varieties of traditional fair food, all done in the California way.

If seafood isn't your thing, then you can dine on the finest ribs or tri-tip, chicken, Jamaican, Chinese, Thai and other international foods and desserts. Beer and wine is also available (responsible drinking and proof of age is strictly enforced).

In addition to the excellent food choices available there are many vendors exhibiting arts, crafts, and other goods that can only be found at the Festival. Several handmade, one-of-a-kind items can be found at the various booths.

Also showcased at the Festival is entertainment and activities for all ages. The entertainment changes every year, but it is always free. There may be a magician may be performing in the eating tent, a face painter in the kids' area while a country or oldies group performs on the Main Stage. Across the grounds Incan flute melodies might fill the air. Past nationally renowned up and coming performers include Jason Mraz, Tristan Prettyman, Brother, Royal Crown Revue, Jumpin Jimes, Flattop Tom and his Jump Cats, Red and the Red Hots, Lisa Haley and the Zydecats, The Red Elvises (Siberian Surf Rock), Waylon Payne and other great musical acts. Click here to see who is on the entertainment menu this year.

We have many other activities including marine exhibits, a chance to try scuba diving, the Lobster Breakfast and Red Hat Lady Throwdown on Friday morning, and the LobsterDog™ Pet Parade. On Saturday at noon the LobsterDog™ Pet Parade takes place in front of the main stage where dozens of dogs are dress up to honor Bob the LobsterDog™.





If you look on there website you can print a $2 off coupon for admission - making it only $7 to get in.

The Princess and the Frog 2009

Sep 09 Walt Disney Studios Hosts Special Engagement of the Princess and the Frog;


BURBANK, Calif. & NEW YORK — In celebration of Disney’s newest animated musical “The Princess and The Frog,” Walt Disney Studios is opening its Burbank gates to the public for a once-in-a-lifetime advance special engagement, welcoming Disney fans to experience its newest animated musical comedy Nov. 25-Dec. 13, 2009. The advance special engagement will also be featured in Clear view’s historic Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City. Following the film, fans on both coasts will also be treated to The Ultimate Disney Experience, an exciting extravaganza that will feature—for the first time ever—all nine of the Disney princesses (including the film’s Princess Tiana, Disney’s newest princess), as well as exciting Bayou games, movie archives, how-to presentations from Disney animators, Studio tours (for L.A. guests) and more. Tickets went on sale at midnight last night.

“We’re welcoming families to our Studio to see where Walt Disney made real movie magic,” said Dick Cook, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios. “Our Studio is not open to the public, so it’s an unprecedented opportunity for Disney fans to experience a movie right here on the Disney lot where we’ve filmed Disney classics like ‘Mary Poppins,’ ‘Princess Diaries,’ ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ and many more. In fact, Walt built the original theater on the Studio lot back in 1940; it opened just in time for special audiences to view his ‘Fantasia.’ With a newly renovated, state-of-the-art theater, the Studio will open its gates once again; inviting audiences to not only see our newest animated musical, but to take part in a one-of-a-kind experience after the movie. We’re bringing the same exciting experience to New York City at the historic Ziegfeld Theatre and Roseland Ballroom.”

Themed to the film’s setting, New Orleans, The Ultimate Disney Experience will feature something for the whole family.

* PRINCESS POWER – All nine of the Disney princesses will come together for the first time ever, welcoming Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Belle, Ariel, Pocahontas, Jasmine, Mulan and of course, Disney’s newest princess, Tiana.

* FUN ‘N GAMES — The Experience will feature opportunities to swing on ropes, climb trees, play games and race through the Bayou Adventure, plus a New Orleans’s Bead Toss, Naveen’s Leap Frog, video games and more.

* HOLLYWOOD HEIRLOOMS — Disney movie archives will be on display for the first time ever, including props and costumes from a variety of films like “Mary Poppins,” the “Pirates of the Caribbean” trilogy and more.

* MOVIE MAGIC – Guests can learn movie magic from real Disney animators who will be on hand teaching guests how to draw a character from the film.

* PICTURE THIS – Guests can put themselves in the movie at Kodak photo locations. Kodak photographers will capture guests’ images and place them in a scene from the movie.

* INSIDER’S GLIMPSE — Burbank guests will also have the rare opportunity to tour the Studio lot.

Several shows will be presented daily on both coasts from Nov. 25-Dec. 13; show times are 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., with a 9:30 p.m. show available select dates. Tickets go on sale at midnight Sept. 8, featuring three options for Disney fans wishing to experience “The Princess and The Frog” and The Ultimate Disney Experience in New York or Los Angeles. Group general admission tickets (for groups of 20 or more) are $20 each, general admission tickets are $30 each, and royal seating (a reserved seat, “The Princess and The Frog” Mardi Gras beads and an exclusive limited-edition collectible lithograph from “The Princess and The Frog”) is $50 per ticket. Guests can call 1-800-DISNEY6 or log onto www.princessandfrogtickets.com for more information and to purchase tickets.

Fast & Furious 2009

So what is this Fast & Furious 4 I think. There was Fast & Furious 1 that was cool, I think we all loved that one. Then 2 Fast - 2 Furious, that one was OK it all about the racing. Then Fast & Furious Tokyo Drift didn't like it. Now we got our peeps back and we are good.

I loved that all of the original people came back together for this one. It was a good movie with a good story line and good driving.

When a crime brings them back to L.A., fugitive ex-con Dom Toretto reignites his feud with agent Brian O'Connor. But as they are forced to confront a shared enemy, Dom and Brian must give in to an uncertain new trust if they hope to outmaneuver him. And from convoy heists to precision tunnel crawls across international lines, two men will find the best way to get revenge: push the limits of what's possible behind the wheel.

I was both excited and saddened by the ending of this movie. (Dominic is tried for his crimes and, though Brian appealed to the courts on his behalf, is sentenced to "25 years to life without the possibility of early parole." The movie concludes with Brian, Mia, Tego, and Rico racing towards the prison bus transporting Dom to the Lompoc Penitentiary.) I was excited because I wanted them to get him out, but saddened because if they make yet another Fast and Furious Movie will they be able to bring back Dom, Mia, and Brian? Or are they going to fill it in with more BS?

Twilight The Movie 2008

TWILIGHT tells the story of 17-year-old Bella Swan who moves to the small town of Forks, Washington to live with her father, and becomes drawn to Edward, a pale, mysterious classmate who seems determined to push her away. But neither can deny the attraction that pulls them together... even when Edward confides that he and his family are vampires. Their unorthodox romance puts her in physical danger when Edward's nemesis comes to town and sets his sights on Bella.
At first I didn't want to see this movie - just because I don't like following trends. Watching it is a very well thought out story and I can tell why all of the teenagers are drawn to the story. Who wouldn't be, a cute guy is obsessed with a girl he followers her around and saves her over and over again. They can't have the boring teenage relationship that is all about making out and getting hot and bothered. There is only real passion and the more they want each other the more they need to stay away from each other. Who wouldn't want that much less be able to watch it on the big screen?
Stephenie Meyer is my hero. Her writing style is so exquisite; it leaves you longing for the next moment. I love how she was able to come up with the phenomena we now call Twilight. This is her story: Stephenie Meyer's life changed dramatically on June 2, 2003. The stay-at-home mother of three young sons woke up from a dream featuring seemingly real characters that she could not get out of her head.
"Though I had a million things to do, I stayed in bed, thinking about the dream. Unwillingly, I eventually got up and did the immediate necessities, and then put everything that I possibly could on the back burner and sat down at the computer to write something I hadn't done in so long that I wondered why I was bothering."

Meyer invented the plot during the day through swim lessons and potty training, and wrote it out late at night when the house was quiet. Three months later she finished her first novel, Twilight. With encouragement from her older sister (the only other person who knew she had written a book), Meyer submitted her manuscript to various literary agencies. Twilight was picked out of a slush pile at Writer's House and eventually made its way to the publishing company Little, Brown where everyone fell immediately in love with the gripping, star-crossed lovers.
I as a writer could only hope for the same miracle. Just imagine waking up from a dream and writing it down and then that turning into a hit serious of books and movies. It obviously has happened to JRR Tolkien, JK Rowling and now Stephanie Meyers, if only I could be next. : )

Coraline The Movie 2009

So we rented Coraline this weekend and decided to watch the 3D side. I had talked about 3D movies a couple of months ago (or weeks) ago. So it turns out there are 2 different kinds. There is 3D - the one we are used to. The boring kind where you have to wear the cardboard glasses with 2 different colored eyes. Then there's RealD 3D - Which is the new really cool 3D like in the G-Force Movie. So of course this was 3D, well we only have RealD 3D glasses. They don't work on 3D movies, FYI. We were too lazy to get up and turn the DVD back over so we watched the fuzzy movie.

The movie is about a young girl who walks through a secret door in her new home and discovers an alternate version of her life. On the surface, this parallel reality is eerily similar to her real life - only much better. But when her adventure turns dangerous, and her counterfeit parents (including Other Mother) try to keep her forever, Coraline must count on her resourcefulness, determination, and bravery to get back home - and save her family.

The movie was ok, I loved the graphics, liked the cat, and the neighbors. What I couldn't stand was the girl’s attitude. She was a spoiled brat. I wish there had been a clearer lesson learned. I also think this movie would have been way better in RealD 3D, they should have waited.

 

Dating Sites

So I signed up for e-harmony, yahoo personals, and meetup.com.
E-harmony is a complete rip off. You have to go through this hour long survey (personality test) then they bug you about joining which cost $268. They display these great monthly prices and then when you read the 3 point font and see that it's all paid up front that’s were they get you. You have to subscribe for at least 3 months, but they say on there over and over again that it will take up to 6 months for you to find the one! If you don't sign up then they send you matches but you can only see the basic results of there personality test and that’s all. You have to sign up for the premium packages to see photos and communicate. It's not worth the time unless you are going to financially commit.

12 Month - Billed in one installment of $287.40 $23.95/ month I prefer 3 payments of $95.80

6 Month - Billed in one installment of $203.70 $33.95/ month I prefer 3 payments of $67.90

3 Month - Billed in one installment of $134.85 $44.95/ month I prefer 3 payments of $44.95

Yahoo Personals is a little better. At least you can see peoples pictures, read there profiles, and send a wink without joining. BUT then what you see someone you like you wink, they wink back, but are they worth spending the money on, do they think your worth spending the money - cause unless you both join your not getting anywhere. If they join and send you a message with any personal contact information in it then they get deleted. The cost is a lot less then e-harmony.

$15.99/mo for 6 months (Save 47%) Best Price. Plus our 6-Month Promise $95.94 billed every 6 months

$19.99/mo for 3 months (Save 33%) $59.97 billed every 3 months

$29.99 per month $29.99 billed every 1 month

Then there was meetup.com. It's the best because it's free. It's immediate. It's fun. I did a search on Google for singles in the Inland Empire and the meetup.com came up. So it's a site that has groups and you pick the group you want to belong to. That group has events and you go to the events and meet people. They do have profile pages, but there not as detailed as the pay sites. It's less pressure more fun. So I signed up with Inland Empire Singles Group and they have 3 to 5 events per week most of them are free. I RSVP to the events I want to go to, show up and have fun. So far I've been going to Salsa Class every Monday - and it's been a blast. I also signed up with a Writers Group and they only meet once a month so I haven't been to that yet. There are groups that charge money like cooking groups because there providing all the stuff. The only down side is that it's hard to find a group that you would really like. If I could find a group for single parents in there 30's with teens that like movies then that would be the perfect group for me. Or even single parents in there 30's with teens, I would settle for that. It just would be a pain in the rear to find that in my area. I figure eventually when my house is done I'll start my own. The group that I hang with now seems to be singles with no kids. Oh well its fun for now!

I think they should come up with a new dating site called "what does he drive." I think you can tell a lot about a guy based on what he drives.
If he doesn't drive - then he's not going anywhere. If he drives a bicycle - then he's not going anywhere any time soon.
If he drives a motorcycle - then he's going somewhere fast and alone.
If he drives a 2 seater truck - then he's going somewhere pumpy, & bringing a lot of crap with him.
If he's driving anything with 4 doors - then he has friends, is ready to settle down, and open for children.
If he drives a mini-van - then he's divorced, has kids, but is still a good guy.
If he drives a van with no windows - then run!