I'm taking a vacation from the internet - world wide web-o-sphere and blogging. How rustic eh?
It's time to recharge and this means I'm going to unplug.
Life is more than blog posts, .coms and constant updates and time wasting internet games and quizzes.
I'll be back one day, just not in the near future.
Julie and Julia
It was great. I saw it with my mom on Saturday afternoon. We had to pry ourselves away from the Ted Kennedy televised funeral and go to the local cinema. We made it just in time and it was a delightful movie.
I was probably the younster in the audience as the majority seemed to be 40 somethings and up - sisters and mother/daughter combos. But that's ok - I'd do anything for Meryl.
I liked the Julia side of the movie better but related more with the Julia side. Cubical commeraderie if you will.
My mom read the book and said the movie was way better - she didn't really like the book so I'll try reading it someday once I get through the stack of gotta read it first.
There are some other movies coming out that I'm excited about -
I want to rent The Time Travellers Wife.
I want to see Meryl next movie this year - geared for the mature audience "Complicated" i think that's title - or maybe it's "It's Complicated"
500 days of Summer
anyways if you don't make to see Julie and Julia - netflix it when it comes out - or tell your mom to netflix it.
Nothing really new to report- I'm sick of the heat but glad it hasn't been this way the whole summer.
I have nothingreally blog worthy or entertaining at the moment to discuss but alas a lame post to say that I am lame.
Gran Torino:
If you didn't catch it in the theater - you should rent it. I saw it twice in the theater and my mom just bought it with her "mother's day gift card" from my brother- how thoughtful brother. *rolling eyes* but in any case it's a good movie.
It's funny - but then you kind of feel bad for laughing since it's so politically incorrect - but everyone has known some one that is similar to the charachter of Walt. So in any case I liked it -
This was also the first movie date Clint and I had. I cried.
Nights of Rodanthe:
Another Nicholas Sparks book made into a movie. Old Love lost. New Love found. Richard Gere and Diane Lane are great - it's a little slow and if you want a perfect happily ever after you shouldn't look here. I also cried.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button:
Slow movie. Interesting adaptation of the short story, clever special effects but a sad story. I didn't cry but got a teary eye. yes, only one eye. I think I'm becoming more and more of a sap.
Side note: During Up! I also cried.
New In Town:
Cute chick flick movie with exageratte Minnesota accents. Funny but I think it might have been better if the leads Zellweger and Connick Jr were replaced with differnt people. No suggestions really other than that - and no I didn't cry during this one.
Last Chance Harvey:
A quiet romantic comedy for an older generation. It's mostly conversations similar to to that of Before Sunset with Ethan Hawke. The story is good but It was a little longwinded but a sweet story of a couple of sad people. No tears on this one either.
Still on the list to rent:
Marley and Me - expecting to cry
Bolt
hmm i had more written down - where did I put my postit note!
Ok so I have this guilty pleasure of listening all day to talk radio (107.1 Minneapolis- living life out loud). But the defect of this happens that I'm not hearing any fancy new tunes so today I think I'll go on a quest to find some music to listen to. and quite possibly I might step into 2001 and get one of those mp3 player thingamagiggers. So yeah I'm a little slow on the uptake but believe me if tapes were still available I'd be all about the cassette tapes - but I reluctantly moved on to cds and now i just might be time to move on to the digital era. scary but true.
I know you've probably heard of a bad hair day. Maybe a bad eyebrow day? Well today - I had a bad face day. Let me describe for you my issues,
1.
dark circles under my eyes: yes, this is an ongoing issue for me - since i turned the tender age of 10 really. It's genetic and I can't help it - but some days it looks like I beaten in some dark alley.
If I remember to smear on my VitaK before bed it's a little better but today was not that day.
2. pimples. I rarely get them but I've got three. One in the middle of my upper lip, one on my chin and one above my eyebrow. I tried a new cleanser recently and will discontinue use.
3. Dry patchy spots on my left side near my jaw bone
4. eyebrows - they were pretending to be centipede legs and wouldn't lay flat all day and no they are not in horrible shape I was waxed a week and a half ago... or was it a little longer - ok so I might have to remove a few strays but I'm not at the point where I need to wax them again.
5. the upper lip curse - this I know needs to be addressed - but due to the damn pimple I have dead center - I can't do anything with it but tweeze around it and I really don't feel like crying for an hour - getting half done and of course not as smooth and pretty as post wax (after the redness subsides that is)
So yes, I don't know if it's my horomones or if I slept funny but today was not a good face day for me. So now I'm off to get my beauty sleep. I hope to god it works since I see Clinton tomorrow.
So it might be that time in my life when I can't delusionally hope that 10-20 pounds will magically fall off. How did they get there. Well ok I admit it - I'm not the healthiest eater in the world,. I had a very strong addiction to king size kit kats for breakfast.
I've broken myself of that habit. But there are some things I will not sacrifice in the name of skinny jeans, like butter. I love my butter. I can eat buttered white bread (no, not toast- just bread) as a meal. I love the rich creamy goodness. I can pick out imposters with ease and I will not ever be a fan of anything but my sweet cream butter.
So since I won't give up butter or all chocolate - I've cut back the intake (minus of course this pms week from hell.) I tried drinking water - but I really need the bubbles - so maybe the next move is to bubble lightly flavored water.
I have cut back on McDonalds - this happened naturally I guess once my body hit the ripe old age of 27 I realized that McDonald's can only be consumed when in Rochester or LaCrosse or a once a year breakfast. The problem is probably eating out for date nights - it's not the easiest thing to do - but I have found a place that I will drag Clinton to - because it is both healthier and fun and you should check to see if you have one in your neighborhood. It's called Salad Creations. It's like subway for salads but has the one step up environment of a noodles or chipotle. I reacently had my first experience there and it was fun - and healthier than Arby's or at least more fiberous., Here's the link: http://www.saladcreations.net/
I'm just website woman today.
So I was an avid listener of ks95 for a couple years. But the morning show gal - is a little too self righteous for me and always banging her bible -- not exactly something I want to hear about on my hour long commute to work - (no this is not delilah that was ranting about earlier.)
So now - thanks to Jacque at work I have made the switch to 107.1Fm - It's hillarious talk radio.
It's great - so great in fact that I encourage you to take a listen or check out the website at least. I know I already put up a website for today - but if you are reading this you really must have 5 minutes to click here: it's a link to the afternoon show - which is a little more lively. But the morning show is a married couple and also entertaining since they are in two different studios.
Clinton doesn't particularily like Laurie and Julia but that's ok - we can listed to his radio station when he is in the car - and I can have funny talk radio for my 10+ hours of driving to and from work a week.
I don't know about you but sometimes I go into a store for 1 thing, usually under $20 - often under $10 and come out of said store spending over $40. Target is bad for this, so is any craft store.
The otherday I went to the grocery store to get : diet coke and a loaf of bread.
I came out with:
Diet Coke
Potato Chips
More Poato Chips
Vanilla Bean Icecream
Chocolate Fudge Sundae Icecream (yes, I know - I don't eat icecream - but I was craving it)
Loaf of bread
Chocolate frosted Cupcakes
White frosted cupcakes.
Gum
Candy bar
and $40.00 later I have satisfied all premenstural cravings.
Today was a little better - I was at work. I ate some heart healthy life cereal, some doritos were consumed to balance out the sweet of the cinnamon life and by lunch I was running a little low on diet coke - I luckilly made it out of the store for $12 - those chunky chips ahoy had my name on them - yes, two packages. Don't worry they are locked in my desk drawed for tomorrow.
I really hate it when I have to call some customer service center's toll free number - get put on hold and told that there are high volume calls and they reconmend I call back during a different time. I've called at various hours -- and they all seem to be high volume time. Grr.
I am a patient and understanding person most of the time. I however do not like it when I sign up online for a service but I can not cancel said service by clicking online - noooooooooo instead I have to talk to some english speaking person from India. Who is going by the name Kim or Tom or Dorothy.
Today I went to cancel my netzero dial up service. This subscription was to be a one month deal and today was the last day of the month - I being a procrastinator of course put this off. I only subscibed to netzero while I waited for my mother's preferred earthlink download disk to come in the mail. I really don't care, dial-up is dial-up - my mom likes earthlink, I like earthlinks format better, but really nothing is wrong with netzero either. I call the number - attempt to cancel the service with Customer Service Representative Kim. Kim is rude and curt from the get go but makes three attempts to convince me to stay with Netzero. I realize this is her job - I politely decline and state I would just like to cancel the service. She places me on hold. I listen to some bad elevator music. She comes back on said that it has been cancelled. I then proceed to request that my card which was prematurely charged be refunded. Kimmy must have had a bad day because she hung up on me.
I call back. Pissed off at Netzero. I go through the whole high volume bullshit - crappy music - and then I talk to Tom. I request a manager to report of course that Kim has hung up on me, get my refund and be done with Netzero. Tom is courteous and sympathetic to Kim's failure. He agrees to process my refund of $9.95 but the refund transaction to my card will take 2 billing cycles to appear on my account. I repeat back to him - "It will take 60 days for the $9.95 to be returned to my account?" Yes. "Is there any way to expidite that?" I can forward it to my superior. Ok. Please do. He gives me the confirmation number. Asks if I still need to speak with his manager about Kimmy. I go on hold for the manager. I get to speak to Dorothy next. Get the refund expidited to 48 hours. Complain about Kim and Praise Tom. But still I'm irritated with Netzero. I really didn't give two lumps about the $9.95 and probably would have just let it slide if Kimmy wasn't so rude, but after she hung up on me I went into the very rare bitch mode that of course is all powerful. So now I have to wait til Monday or Tuesday - check my account to see that the refund has been processed. Blah blah blah. Grr.
So in the land of this world wide web I've found a fun website to share.
http://www.divinecaroline.com/
It's fun, informative, check it out.
So my friend Mackenzie and I are starting a bookclub - and it has it's own blog woo hoo.
http://thesebooksarentforkids.blogspot.com/
Have you ever had that co-worker where you don't really know them - but you know that you don't like them.
There was said person working at XYZ let's call her Stomps. She is Stomps because she couldn't sit in her desk for more than 5 minutes, she lacked the ability to walk like a woman she Stomped around.
Well the Stomping has ceased. She is no longer there and it is Joy, evil evil Joy.
Also on a side note. I've mended the fence with Giggles. I don't have to like him - I can think he's annoying as all get out but he's not a horrible person - he's just socially unaware of his cubical surroundings and his ridiculous laugh. So bygones.
So tonight was a date night with Clinton. After our outing, I was driving home feeling like a goober - so I turned on the Lite Fm station. Delilah was ding her radio show. Some woman called in a requested a song that inspires. She gave her testimonial - now a prerequisite for having Delilah play a song for you.
It went something like this:
Caller:
My name is Melissa and I'm a mom of three kids and we want you to play a song for us. We are at a new stage in life and need something that inspires us! We are moving into a new house, my first house, I'm recently divorced, I just bought a new car and I'm also a foster mom. I love being a mom and my life is going really well right now, but I've been listening to your show and I left my husband since my marriage didn't sound as picturesque and happy and blissful as your sappy callers claimed it to be. But one day I hope to find the one. I deserve it. I'm a good person and great mom.
Delilah: Well it sounds like you need to inspire us with all the positive thing going on in your life.
Caller: Well I do get lonely listening to your show without that special someone to love.
Delilah: Well do you believe that there is something bigger than you and me out there - who loves you more than you love your children?
Caller: I'd like to think so. I believe God has a plan
Delilah: Well you know God loves you and do you believe he loves you more than you can possibly know?
Caller: I hope so. It's so hard to imagine.
Delilah: He does and he has a plan for you Melissa and for your children and you are on the road t greatness with the positive energy you have.
Caller: Thanks Delilah. I love God and will be patient for his plan.
Delilah: It's hard sometimes but while we wait for God's plan I have a song for you.
queue music:
Song Played: believe by Cher.
Moral of the Story - Divas are Deities?
So after my last post being all somber and moderatly melodramatic - I think I need another post to bring back the smiles.
but I'm kind of at a loss right now for what to write. I know, normally you just can't shut me up and now I'm being quiet wtf?
So I will rant on about how stupid facebook applications waste too much of my time. Yes, that's right Sorority Life - addicting and stupid and yet - I am addicted to playing the games for virtual outfits. What is wrong with me?
I've also found this fun website for photos on the interweb - check it out sometime - http://vi.sualize.us/.
Happy Easter Headbutt!
On to making lemonade with life.
So it's approaching. One year since my dad died. Grief is funny - it sneaks up on you once you think you're ok and reached some sort of acceptance, something pops into your head when you least expected. A year ago - I would have said I have a pretty healthy grieving process - I've lost grandparents and aunts and uncles and great aunts and great uncles and pets and friends and yet nothing really prepares you for losing a parent. I don't know if I'm doing it right - but I get up each day, put my pants on one leg at time and carry on - that's the plan anyway.
Everyone deals with the grasp on mortality a little different. The religious are convinced that the loved one is in heaven and safe and good. I don't really believe in the heaven/hell concept. But if there is one adage my Dad referred to was - although pessimistic and depressing, 'You start dying the day you are born' and the other classic one was 'After you die - you just die, you are put in the ground and become worm bait.' So someone asked me - knowing that my religious convictions are on that border line between non-existent and recovering if losing my dad has brought me back to Christianity. I think that quite the opposite has occurred. My dad was not a religious man - he believed what he wanted to believe and what that was I'll never know. But in the end -- we all die, Jesus will not save you from death or becoming worm bait. I guess the biggest thing that happened was the confirmation that it doesn't matter. You can believe in whatever you want - and pray as hard as you want but it doesn't change things that have or haven't happened - it can make you feel better and that can cause change - but you don't get to pray for an undo.
This may seem juvenile or selfish but I jealous when I think about things in life yet to come and how it'll be different without having my dad. Like today for instance - Clinton's dad was on the phone with his granddaughter talking about the Easter bunny coming and what she got in her basket. My dad would have been a good grandpa - a little cranky but good but I'll never really know. Or when I'm watching a chick flick movie and the bride and father have the father-daughter dance- not that I'm a big wedding person - but now I'll never have that option for the dorky dance. It's also weird to refer to everything as my mom's now - my mom's house, having Clinton meet my mom - instead of meet my parents. Or like today - I talked to my mom on the phone while at Clint's - and she said to say happy easter to everyone. So I said to Clint's mom - that my mom says Happy Easter. She then inquires oh well what are they doing? I don't know how to reply - So I just say that my mom and brother and sister are just hanging out making cake. It some how ends up sounding like my parents are divorced or I'm omitting my dad on purpose - but I just don't know what they know and I don't always feel like sharing for fear I'll start crying and being emotional girl. Then Clint who refers to his parent's as the folks - said 'I needed to get back to my folks' place for dinner' as we were leaving the brunch - so maybe he feels awkward too - or it was just a singular/plural slip up. Then there is the other obvious possibility and that is that I'm cranky and irritable and overly emotional due to having my period.
I'm thinking this will be a regular reoccuring post topic. Amazon does it - netflix does it - and now I will do it- I will give you suggestions based on your likes and dislikes. I will use amazon as my guide but filter out all the crap and try to offer selections that I have encountered and or read in conjunction with new to me titles.
We will start to day with if you like David Sedaris you will like the following:
Hypocrite in a Pouffy White Dress by Susan Jane Gilman (current bathroom read, super funny)
if you liked Hypocrite in a Pouffy White Dress you'd like:
I Love Everybody (and Other Atrocious Lies): True Tales of a Loudmouth Girl by Laurie Notaro
(also hillarious in the narrative/essay genre ) if you like I Love Everybody and other Atrocious Lies you'd like:
Why I'm Like This: True Stories (P.S.) by Cynthia Kaplan, as you can see todays theme is essay and funny/entertaining slightly autobiographical rantings. I love it when books read like blogs.
if you like Why I'm Like this you'd like:
Leave the Building Quickly: True Stories (P.S.) by Cynthia Kaplan this is the sequil to the aforementioned Cynthia Kaplan - I want this chick to come out with a new book.
and amazon says if you like Cynthia Kaplan you'd like:
I Was Told There'd Be Cake by Sloane Crosley ( it's on my to read stack but clint is currently holding the book hostage which is ok since I have a couple other books in the works at the moment.)
if you like I was told there'd be cake or Cynthia Kaplan you'd like
Running with Scissors: A Memoir by Augusten Burroughs , this was funny and gross and funny and disturbing...
if you like that you like this:
Possible Side Effects by Augusten Burroughs this one is also on the to read stack...
but I'm going to take a stab here and say if you like that you'll like this one:
My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One-Night Stands (Paperback)by Chelsea Handler
or the man version:
I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell by Tucker Max
and then onward:
I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence by Amy Sedaris
this looks good too:
Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip--Confessions of a Cynical Waiter (Hardcover)by Steve Dublanica Aka The Waiter
and that is this weeks installment of If you like this then you might like this
Ok so I'm not a uber feminazi however the tits and ass window clings have got to go. Seriously, are you that much more manly in your big truck that is obviously overcompensating for your small Mr. Winky that you think you'll get all the girls if you have Barbie's silhouette posing with pointy boobies and windblown hair? And what about the Married women - can't you satisfy your husband enough so he doesn't need to display such juvinille red neck window clings?
Sheesh where am I? I guess it's a smidge better than the Get R Done window cling but not by much.
So yesterday while Clint and I were playing Sunday Scrabble at Caribou. There was this annoying 19 year girl who like really liked the like word like. Totally.
When will this teeny bop talk stop. I know the kids aren't watching Sweet Valley High anymore. Do they even realize what they are saying or is it a nervous twitch. I felt bad for her friend -
this girl didn't stop talking, didn't ask questions - just gave the play by play of her life for the last 5 months and said the word "like" about 5,000 with out exaggeration. I know I can talk a lot, I can dominate the conversation like nobody's business - I often interject with a off kiltered tangent- but I also can listen and let other people talk and have conversations versious a constant monologue about how I'm a psychology major but I don't like science like totally at all. And my roomates are so like totally awesome and like he's so like cute. Oh and by the like way like how are like you?
Another thing I don't get is speaking out loud in accronym. Do they even know the words or just the intended meaning? Perplexing.
Then I overheard something disturbing today. My co-worker who has a couple teenage girls was telling another co-worker about this new fad. It's call "I wanna be Rhianna" and so girls want their boyfriends to beat them up so they can show off the bruises. Pardon my acronymism but WTF? Domestic violence is now trendy? Sick and disturbing.
Why can't kids just be kids. Well it's because parent's spoil them to the point of boiling all of childhood out of them. They don't play, they don't imagine, they obviously FAIL at learning the proper usage of similie and metaphor. They probably think Metaphors are in the sky. They are given whatever they want because their parents want to make up for something that was lacking in their own childhood. This is a major diservice. I'm not saying that children should be neglected or have a hard life or be domestic slaves to the household. But parent's these days aren't doing them any favors by giving them what ever they want - cause then they come up with this crazy idea that they want bruises and abuse from their boyfriends so they can be more and more like the celebrities they idolize. Sick and wrong. The closest thing I can remember wanting to be like someone famous was a slap bracelet or hoop earrings. If any boyfriend gave me a bruise I'd slap him and leave him. Not ask for another cause Ashley has 3 bruises from her boyfriend.
