Here it is February 29th, and I am really asking myself where did the month go? It's been a hectic month, but a good one. I've been sick, but that happens now and then. I've been hit with insomnia this past week. I've found myself waking up between three and four in the morning, and I just lay there. I usually end up giving in and get out of bed. I either watch television and hop right back onto the computer. This means for some days where I've been feeling just exhausted. Naps have been in order during the day. I've been busy though. I've been out almost every day this week. I've taken two long walks to stores near by, one with the lunch from hell earlier this week, and today I headed to the movies to see The Other Boleyn Girl. I wrote a review of that movie, and it should be up on Blogcritics soon.
With the month almost done though, I'm looking ahead to March, and I know that a few friends of mine have birthdays. It seems to be a popular month. I love birthdays. I usually make my own cards for them, using whatever programs I have on my computer. Microsoft Publisher comes in handy! There are sites out there that can help you too. They have birthday cards all ready for you to choose from and then customize. There is a wide selection of styles to choose from but this one is my favorite. I think it might be the balloons and its festive look. I'm still stuck on where this month has gone! Tomorrow is a whole new month. Things need to slow down a bit.
Where did February go?
Friday's Feast #5
Appetizer
Who was the last person you hugged? I'm thinking this is probably my brother Joe. I know I hugged my cat Mikey today once or twice too.
Soup
Share a beauty or grooming trick or tip with us. I don't think I really have any tricks myself. I know my mom growing up used to use cucumbers on her eyes and all these different facial masks.
Salad
What does the color yellow make you think of? Sunshine.
Main Course
If you were to make your living as a photographer, what subject would your pictures revolve around? I've always loved photography. It's always fascinated me somehow. If I was a photographer, I would probably end up focusing on people and animals as my subjects.
Dessert
What was the longest book you ever read?: I'm thinking this must be either The Stand or It by Stephen King, whichever of the two is longer. I remember reading those both when I was a teenager. I read them cover to cover.
Be Aware
One oyster moved his way to plant himself next to another oyster one day on the bottom of the sea floor. He began talking about his day, the family and the kids. All the while, the other oyster said nothing. Not one word. Finally, the oyster became mad and told the other oyster to not be so clammy!
Bad joke, but I'm no joke teller. I do love sea food though. I always have. Shrimp, fish, lobsters, clams. I love them all, and I've always been an avid seafood eater. Clam Chowder is my favorite soup. Gulf oysters are also popular, but I haven't really had the opportunity to eat those very much. Maybe someday. I've just heard that they aren't good if you don't cook them properly. You can find out more about them on the Be Oyster Aware website.
I'm not in the mood to deal with food poisoning, especially since it looks like I have the stomach flu this week. That's why I haven't been around that much the last week or so. Things are just hectic at the moment. With oysters though, as long as you are aware of the dangers that go along with them and follow some safe simple rules. All can be well. I've been wanting some shrimp lately. Maybe next time I go out to lunch.
Customer Service
Sometimes you find good customer service, and sometimes you find bad customer service. Yesterday, I happen to be lucky enough to find bad. Just my luck. I decided to go out for lunch, which is something I don't do often. It was a beautiful day out, and I just didn't feel like staying indoors. I usually just stop at a burger joint to pick up something on the way home, but this time I decided to go to one of those soup and salad buffet places. There is one not far from my home. I went there, and first off the food wasn't the best. Yes, the salad was fine, but the chicken noodle soup tasted like noodles in plain water. No taste at all. I went on though, and by the end of my meal I was ready to make a phone call and meet someone before heading home. I was at a table near the restrooms, and there was a sign as clear as day stating telephones here. I went to where they said, and there wasn't one phone. I asked one of the servers, and they said they didn't have them anymore. She called to one of her fellow employees, and he said for a pay phone I had to walk to the other side of the shopping center.
I stared at him for a second because I don't think I've heard of many restaurants not having a pay phone. I went back to my table and decided to ask up front. They has a phone sitting right there. The one girl said sure hold on let me get you the phone. Then someone else said you can't call out. Once again I stared. I turned around, and there was the male employee that told me to walk to the other side of the center. He looked at me, and told me that he had said I had to walk to the other side of the complex. He had followed me over to cashier. I looked at him and then went back to the table, set down my drink and left through the back door without leaving a tip. You pay as you enter. His rude behavior astounding me. I waited an hour or two to calm down. Finding no phone where he had said. Thanks to the kindness of another shop owner, I made my phone call.
I ended up calling the restaurant's customer service line. Spoke to a lovely woman, who was just as shocked as I was at the male employee's behavior. Now I am being sent a ticket for a meal for two on them. I don't even know if I want to go back to that restaurant specifically, but I know of another they own not far away. The experience between the food and the service left me wanting a lot.
Thursday Thirteen #11
My Thirteen Favorite Grammy Artists
This is in honor of the Grammy's show this past weekend. I was pleasantly surprised by it. There were some old faces I hadn't seen perform in a long time. Morris Day and Tina Turner were both great to see. I think the night would have been even more perfect if Prince had performed too. The fact he was in attendance to present the night Morris Day once again takes the stage reminded me of Purple Rain and Graffiti Bridge and their old rivalry. Good night definitely. These are just some of my favorites who have appeared at the Grammy's over the years and this year as well in no particular order.
1. Madonna
2. Michael Jackson
3. Ricky Martin
4. Carrie Underwood
5. Tina Turner
6. Prince
7. Beyonce
8. Aerosmith
9. Shakira
10. Melissa Etheridge
11.Paula Abdul
12. Coldplay
13. Sugarland
Happy Valentine's Day everyone.
Valentine's Day Gifts
Valentine's Day is just a few days away now, and it is the time of year to let people know you love them. Although I've always been one to think you should let the people you love that more than just one day a year, Valentine's Day is one of those now commercial holidays were you want to buy people valentines day gifts. One of the easiest things to buy is flowers. Women love them. I know I loved getting flowers sent to me when it happened. It is one of those nice romantic gestures. There are so many ways to buy flowers now too. You can even buy them online and have them delivered to the one you love. That isn't how I've done it, but it does make things easier. I wish I could deliver myself to my valentine this year, but that just isn't in the cards!
Manic Monday #8
What is the most romantic movie that you've ever seen?: This one is so hard to pick because I've seen so many romantic movies over the years. I'm a big romance movie fan. Thinking about it though I think my pick has to go with Ghost, which is one of my favorite movies of all time, romance or not.
If you could be the lover of any person alive other than your current lover, who would you pick?: This is another hard one for me. I've always been a huge Bon Jovi fan. Jon Bon Jovi was my first big crush, and I will always say him first, but over the years I've crushed on so many people. Right now, my big crush is on Jason Behr, so those are my two choices for right now followed closely behind with Charlize Theron.
What scents remind you of a loved one?: Strawberries. That scent has always reminded me of loved ones. For a long time now.
Finances and money
Just the other day, my father and I signed a new lease where we are living. We had a huge rent hike, and I think we might have another once this lease term ends. We had been paying under the going rate for so long that they had to bump us up dramatically. For a small two bedroom apartment, we're paying as much as we would living in a house. We won't make the jump into a house though. We'd have to jump into a mortgage, and I'm not sure any of us are ready to do that. My dad is older, and my brother and I don't have the most stable of incomes. Even if my dad was to try to pay it off early with larger payments that wouldn't work. Sometimes its hard to just pay the monthly bills. If you do though, some lenders may knock down your payments some for being a good customer. First Time Buyer Mortgage is getting harder and harder to get in this market. Times are tough everywhere. The market is so unstable right now. I would love to have my own house someday, but it is something I'll have to work towards. It is good to keep informed though.
TGIF.
Here it is. Friday afternoon. Have you ever cleaned your keyboard out? Actually pop off all the keys and see what is underneath. I did that yesterday, and man was it filthy. I needed to clean it out, and now my keyboard is clean but it is being picky. A few of the keys are sticking and won't type right. The space key is one of them, and it is getting annoying. I'm hoping it is just temporary, but we will see. Good news is the writer's strike looks to be about over. A deal has been signed and it is now going to the writer's tomorrow. We will see if it goes through, but all signs look good. Television will return. We've had some new programming, but not enough. I miss my Grey's Anatomy. Lost is keeping me busy though. I want to know who the other three that make it off the island are. They are keeping us in suspense. With the strike ending, I hope this means we'll end up getting a full season of Lost. I have my fingers crossed. Who do you think the other three are? So far we know Kate, Jack and Hurley.
The Search Continues
For the past few months, I've mentioned time and again about my dad's search for a new car. We've had problem after problem with our current automobile, and even after paying nearly two thousand in repairs just in the last few months, we still have problems. They only continue. Dad and my brother always go out and look, but nothing is happening there. Car Prices are a concern. Sometimes its good to look around online too because I know its where I find my best deals. I know a car isn't the same as a DVD though. We do need a new car though. We actually need two, but one will do for now. We'll just keep searching!
Wordless Wednesday #10
One of my favorite television shows when I was a teenager was CBS' Beauty and the Beast starring Linda Hamilton from The Terminator movies. I was assigned the third season DVD set to review for Blogcritics, and I've been watching tonight. It is a classic show, and just watching a few episodes tonight reminded me of how much I used to love the series. It is a classic love story where love triumphs. It is making me wish I had the other two seasons on DVD. I've been looking for a good deal on them on eBay, but no luck yet. I'll keep looking.
A New Read
I am always looking for a new read. Right now, I am reading The Other Boleyn Girl, and I'm looking forward to picking up V: The Second Generation that I learned came out today. I have a varied taste in books, and I like discovering new writers. Even if they are just new to me. Today, there is a new release by Amanda Goldberg and Ruthanna Khalighi Hopper called Celebutantes. It is a story of a woman that is part of the Hollywood royalty as she tries to get those celebrities she grew up around to wear her gowns of choice at the Oscars. Sounds like a fun book to me. It makes me think of those Jackie Collins books I used to read when I was back in high school. In order to promote the book, the publisher has made some short videos using some familiar faces to go along with the characters. This video shows Autumn Reeser as the main character Lola!
A change
I'm not sure if I want to jinx it, but things are going really good this month. I woke up early this morning in a really good mood, and I'm not even sure why. I know my mood bounces up and down like nothing else. I have my good days, and my bad days just like everyone else. Sometimes my bad days last longer than a day. I'm one of those type of people that just like to keep to themselves. I have very few friends that I talk to online on a consistent basis. I drift in and out of some people's radar and lives depending on how I'm feeling. I know that might make me sound like a bad friend, but is just how I am.
I am a writer, and writers have always been said the most eccentric creatures on the planet. I'm always writing in one way or another, and it is a life that I enjoy. I like creating characters, getting into their heads and figuring what makes them who they are. It has always been fun for me. The past few weeks I've been losing myself in television a bit again. I haven't managed to watch much of American Idol this year, but I've been watching Kyle XY and The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Both shows I've been enjoying. I'm also all caught up with Moonlight, and I hope this series continues on for a second season. I love Beth and Mick, and the series is evolving nicely. I hope it isn't a casualty of the writer's strike, which looks to be soon coming to an end. I have my fingers crossed on that front.
Fly fly away
With the Super Bowl now over, everyone that came here to my city is now flying back home to wherever they live. The airport is probably back with travelers. Not only did we have the Super Bowl here this weekend, but last week over half a million attended the FBR Open. It was a good week for the city of Phoenix. Today though, it is raining and cold. I froze just going out to grab the mail a bit ago. It made me wish I could fly somewhere where it was nice a warm. So many are leaving the city today. Makes you wonder where everyone is going. I'm sure none of them are taking any flights to Egypt, but I know I sure would. It's some place I've always wanted to go. When I was growing up Ancient Egypt always fascinated me. I used to read up on it, and I just loved talking about it. It is the home of kings and the pyramids. They stand in the middle of the desert, and you wonder just how in the hell they got there in the first place. Were they created by hands of humans or as some believe were they created by aliens? We may never know, but its fun to think about, isn't it?
Manic Monday #7
Is there anything to serious to joke about? If so, what falls into that category for you?: I think there are a few topics that shouldn't be touched upon in a joking manner. Death being one of them. People die every day, and some people just don't see that it isn't something to be joked about or used for someone's pleasure. People are affected by the death of those around them, and the pain can live fresh inside them long after the death has taken place.
Would you rather be a tortured genius or a happy simple-minded person? Why?: I wouldn't call myself a genius, even with what my IQ is, but I know I have my moments where I just think way too much for my own damn good. It would be nice to not be like that. It would be nice for things to just be more simple. I have my moments of happiness, but sometimes they are few and far between.
A dear friend or family member has a terminal illness and is in agony. He/she wants you to help him/her die. What would you do?: This one is so hard because I've been in this situation before many years ago. My mother was sick for many years, and when I was nineteen, things were finally at the point there was no hope. Her organs were failing one by one, and she had slipped into a coma. She could have lived on like that for years, but we knew she wouldn't want that. All we had to do was give them permission to take her off the machines, she was on and we did that. She passed peacefully within moments. If the situation came up again, depending on the circumstances I more than likely would do it again.
Dream Big
The Super Bowl is just hours away. This town is just insane right now. It's turned into party central this weekend. Last night, there was a huge fireworks show over the lake and it was so loud overhead five miles away where I am that I thought aliens had finally invaded. No joke. It's quiet day, and I'm surfing around a bit. I found Girl Mogul, and if you're a girl feeling high amounts of girl power this is the perfect site for you. It is a line of clothes and accessories that let you show the girl power in you.
I looked through the site, and a few things caught my eye. One being this t-shirt. Dream big has always been one of my life mottos. I've always had dreams. Even when I was a little girl I knew that I wanted to be a writer some day. I started writing when I was nine years old, but even before then I was making up stories. I just didn't write them down. My mom had a tape recorder, and I filled tape after tape with my ramblings. I still wish I had those to this day.
I have always told myself one day I will make the New York Times Bestseller list with one of my books. I just need to finish a book first. I still dream though. I haven't given up yet, and I have no intentions of giving up any time soon. I love to write. It is in me to write. Always has been. Always will be. I just need to make my dream a reality. I'm working on that. It's a long process, but I'll get there.
Blogging Your Blessings Sunday
It's been a few weeks since I've posted one of these. I really haven't felt much blessed. I mentioned more than once already how much the time of year that just passed gets to me. Too many days strung together to remind me of things. Good memories. Sad ones. And all the types of memories in between. It's a new month now though, and as weird as this may sound I am blessed this Sunday because it is a new month. It's February. The holidays are done for another year. My birthday has passed. My mother's birthday has passed. The second anniversary of my cat running off has passed. It is now a new year, and I am blessed because time has passed. Something small, but to me it means everything.
Super Bowl 2008 Ads
Super Bowl is tomorrow, and this year it is here in my town of Phoenix. This week is also the FBR Golf Tournament, so the town has been a bit crazy with traffic and people coming in for either one or both events. I actually have the chance to attend the FBR open if I want to. My brother has two passes for tomorrow's finals, but I'm not much of a golf fan. If he had two tickets for tomorrow's football game then it would be an entirely different story. I'd love to go to that game tomorrow. Instead, I'll be here watching it from an hour away in the comfort of my bedroom with the television on. Television means ads, and we all know Super Bowl is known for the big ads. Many will air tomorrow. SunSilk has released one using the images of Madonna and Shakira for their promotion. Marilyn Monroe is also featured. I've been a fan of Madonna since I was a young girl, and Shakira is a new favorite in recent years. The ad is short and flashy with star appeal. That might end up making it stand out this Super Bowl. Using Playphone.com you can get ringtones and games for your cell phone. Check out the ad below!
Saturday ramblings
Am I the only whose emotions seem to bounce and forth between good and bad? Sometimes I really wonder about it. I know there is some kind of chemical unbalance going on in my head, but I hate doctors and I hate the thought of medication. I've found a way to manage my life with a sense of happiness, and some might say that is the important part of all. I'm glad its February. The holidays and January are such a hard time for me personally. So many days to celebrate, but at the same time those days where it is time to celebrate just remind me of those that aren't with me. It would have been my mother's birthday this week, and she would have been seventy years old if she had lived to see fifty-eight. I still miss her each and every day. I even dreamed her this week, so I know in some way she is still with me. They do say those that have left usually use dreams to contact us, and that makes sense. The past month has been a down month, but things are getting better. They can only go up from here.
Buzz Traffic!
As bloggers, we are all looking for ways to get more and more traffic to our bloggers. We want people to see what we have to say, even if we are just talking about our cat or our favorite television shows. Some post pictures of people that mean something to them, and they want to share with the world just amazing these people are. I'm constantly trying to find new ways or sites to help drive traffic to my own blog here, and today I found Buzzfuse. I signed up with the site, and filled in my profile. After about five minutes I was set and ready to go. The system looks easy to use. You submit what you want to promote and post a little widget to the item. I've posted one here with this post. Although, in order to activate it you need to add ten contacts to your list. That I'm not sure I like very much. There are so many different sites that claim to help you get traffic to your site. This is just another.
Friday's Feast #4
Appetizer
What is your favorite kind of cereal?: Honey Nut Cheerios
Soup
When was the last time you purchased something for your home, what was it, and in which room did it go?: I bought a new stereo back in September, and it went straight into my bedroom to replace the one I had that broke.
Salad
What is the funniest commercial you’ve ever seen?: http://youtube.com/watch?v=fxPg7CwtG2w
Main Course
Make up a name for a company by using a spice and an animal (example: Cinnamon Monkey): Vanilla Tiger
Dessert
Fill in the blank: I haven’t ______ since ______. I haven't been to a concert since 2002, and that will change in April. I'm so excited.