From my eyes…

Over two years ago I purchased several classic novels. I hadn’t worked them into my reading schedule despite my efforts, but have now moved them to the top of the list. I mean afterall, I spent money on them, I’d better darn well read them, right?

I usually have a hard time with books written in old language. It takes a lot to plow through the descriptions and often the dialogue takes more effort to decipher also. This is probably why they’ve been on my bookshelf for so long.

I started Uncle Tom’s cabin, and though I’m only about 40 pages into it, I already feel smarter. I feel like my vocabulary has grown immensely and I’m refreshed by the use of proper grammar techniques - but don’t plan on seeing any of them here Plus, as an added bonus, I actually like the story!

Up next is Huck Finn!

Recently, a friend had a good country favorite playing on her webpage. It prompted me to return to country radio for a while. See, I love country because they still play the same stuff from junior high and high school mixed in with the new stuff. I enjoy the cozy memories it brings me and I feel up with current times when I learn the new Carrie Underwood hit.

My first day driving after I decided to tune into the country station, was 9/11. Simply, not the day to listen to country. They play all of the hillbilly American pride, let’s go invade and stand up for our rights songs that give me headaches from rolling me eyes at their ignorance.

I mean, I too feel like when someone is wronged, they (a country in this case) should stand up for what is right. I guess I just feel like killing isn’t right ever and there has got to be other options. I’m not savy enough to come up with any, but the songs (and mentality of the people who wrote them) that talk about going to the Middle East and taking them out make me sick. But this is only one element of why this is a bad day to listen to country.

The part that gets me most is that the chords of one simple song throws the brain and heart back to that day. Back to waking up to my TV as my alarm and in a half dream state turning it off certain I was dreaming. Back to waking up 30 mintues later to my father’s phone call telling me I needed to be watching TV. To the minutes I debated whether or not I should wake up my roommate and if I did how was I going to word this. Back to the hours I spent clutching the pillow in my pajamas sitting cross-legged on the couch and willing my phone to ring with a call from the guy I was dating who worked at one of the buildings in L.A. that was evacuated. And back to the several thankful prayers I lifted up grateful that no one I knew was involved in this tragedy.

Each year since the Twin Towers fell, I’ve debated how to deal with the emotions that come. I go back and forth between wanting to remember and wanting to forget. And no matter which one I choose, I feel like the other one was better.

This year, I think I’ve finally been able to even figure out how I felt. It took me five years, but I think I’ve pinned it. I’m not strong enough to yet deal with the intensity of it all. I’m just not. So this is why ignoring it is easier.

The rush that comes with putting myself back in that day. The overwhelming guilt and simultaneous joy that no one I love was hurt. I just can’t do it. My eyes well with tears when I hear the above mentioned songs, even the angry foolish ones, because really, it’s just someone making an attempt to verbalize how I feel. I cry for the children and each year recalculate where they are at in their lives and wonder how they are coping. I can hardly make it through the moment of silence that my school has after saying the pledge. And I struggle to help my current students understand “why?” without turning on the waterworks.

So that’s it. There is just so much emotional flooding that happens that I can’t deal with it. So if I say I’m avoiding the news or just going about my day normally, it’s not because I don’t care. It’s because I can’t.

I did it. I joined Spark People. It’s an online weight managment and health program. It helps you track your consumption and exercise in neat graphs and calorie counters. I’ve never done the calorie counting. I’ve only done one “diet” and that was South Beach. I liked it. It worked. I lost 12 pounds in two weeks, but as soon as you stop it comes back. Plus, I felt like I was loading up on fats to fill in for the missing carbs. I’ve tried SB again recently, but it just doesnt’ fit my lifestyle. I’ve also added a trainer to my workout routine, but other than my appointments with him I am finding it increasingly difficult to get my butt off the couch and to the gym on my own. I know this will change once the school year starts and my mind is out of summer mode, but I am disappointed that my will power is so weak at the moment.

So, I joined Spark People. A friend found it and let me know about it, and now I’m joining her. It’s day one and I’m already loving it. I am leaving the house now to take my puppy for a nice long walk. The weather is perfect (we’ve even turned our air off) and I need to get out and moving. Then I can come home and track it on my account page at sparkpeople.com.

My goal is 23 pounds by October 31st. Wish me luck!

I’ve been spending a lot of time watching movies with this new guy I’m hanging out with. And I tape them on DVR to watch while I check my email and drink my coffee in the morning.

Currently playing is First Daughter. Since it’s only just started I have no comment at this point, but I do like Katie Holmes (and unlike the rest of America who thinks she’s insane for this whole Tom Cruise situation, I just plain feel sorry for her because obviously she fell for the scary brainwashing tactics of Scientology - of which I have first hand experience, so don’t start giving me an BS about being open minded to other religions.) so I’m hoping that though cheesy, this may be a good show. *Sidenote, Michael Keaton is short! ** RILEY! Riley from Buffy just made an appearance in this movie….I’m guessing (hoping) he becomes the love interest.

 RENT - LOVED! So loved! I didn’t even mind that they cut parts of the songs and changed them to dialogue instead. So fun, so great, so right along with the soundtrack! And man, can they ever sing, whew!

Narnia - Also loved, but in a bias way since I’m a complete dork and would certainly love anything that falls in the dork/semi-dork ballpark. And it’s the sister movie to Lord of the Rings and did you see the little girl who plays Lucy. Sigh, too cute.

Boogeyman - Actually pretty good. I was impressed. I mean, I honestly didn’t think that a movie with someone from 7th Heaven could be that good. It was. And it kept moving and was kinda scary at times. Though I could have watched it at night and been fine (my normal thriller routine is to view it in broad daylight with several hours of awake time to follow).

Cellular -  WAY better than I thought it was going to be! I was really almost embarassed that I’d taped it, but when I sat down I was hooked in the first 5 minutes. This movie certainly moves from beginning to end and it was MUCH less unbelieveable than I thought it would be. I mean sure there are som driving stunts that are just that, but in general it was good. And I think Kim Basinger did a great job playing a desparately confused wife/mother.

Da Vinci Code - Good. Good movie. Took some deviations from the book, but Ron Howard put it together nicely. And I wasn’t thrilled with Tom Hanks as the main character, but again, loads of talent made it work. I did love the French gal who played the grand-daughter.

I’m hoping to see the second Pirates of the Carribean movie this weekend sometime.

Know any other great ones I need to check out?

To fit in at our house, Hanna has tried all she can to get along with Abby and Ricky. She tried to sit where they sit and do what they do. Here is a prime example of Hanna wanting to belong. She has become obsessed with squishing her big dog body into Abby’s little doggy bed.

Attempt One:

Attempt Two:

And Finally:

I am home from work today (Casimir Pulaski day. Who?)  and decided to give myself some time to play online. I went to my favorite quiz site again. Today I did “Who is Your Celebrity Style Twin”. I was so crossing my fingers for some great. Like Reese Witherspoon, or Jennifer Aniston, or Elizabeth Hurley.

Instead, I got someone I can’t stand (and next to Kirstin Dunst is the worst dresser ever)! Ever.

Your Celebrity Style Twin is Mischa Barton

Funky, bohemian, and girly.

AHHHHH!! Check her out here for even more horrendous attire.

 

Best friend: Oh damn, State of the Union.

Me: Yeah, that’s why my TV is off.

Best friend: Hold on, I need to turn mine off, too.

While I realize it would be an adult and responsible decision to watch tonight’s chat with the Pres, I just can’t stomach it. Work was hard enough today and I don’t need to see/hear anyone else whose meer voice will make my eyes roll increasing the already pounding headache.

Somebody pop on here and let me know what all I missed that I might actually care about. Social security is not on my list of things I care about, so if that’s all he talked about skip the update.

When you are 27 years old, it is NOT smart to drink enough to make your entire body feel like you either worked out for 8  hours straight or were mauled in an alley. Ugh. Too old for this.

I’ve been visiting this site every so often when I need a but of humor to lessen the boredom of my day.

Thought I’d share….

http://ynr.blogthings.com/ 

I just took this quiz and it said my ’80s heart throbe was Jason Bateman. Yum. Tell me answers after you try!

Enjoy

Like multitudes of other politically incorrect things, this is hilarious. If you are from AZ there is nothing you’ll be able to disagree with. If you are not from AZ, you could use this to help you decide what cities to visit if you ever venture that way.

 Limited Edition Barbies….
 Mattel recently announced the release of
 Limited-Edition Barbie dolls for the Arizona market:

Scottsdale Barbie
      This princess Barbie is only sold at Scottsdale Fashion Center. She comes with an assortment of Kate Spade handbags, a Lexus SUV a long-haired foreign lapdog named Honey, and a semi-custom
dream house with a saguaro Cactus in front. Available with or without tummy tuck and facelift.  Workaholic ex-husband Ken comes with squeeze-me Skipper and a Ferrari.

Chandler Barbie
This modern-day homemaker Barbie is available with Ford Windstar minivan and matching gym suit. She gets lost easily and has no full-time occupation or secondary education. Traffic-jamming cell phone sold separately. Can swear in English or Spanish.  Available at Target.
 

 Apache Junction Barbie
               This recently paroled Barbie comes with a 9mm handgun, bowie knife, a 78 El Camino with dark tinted windows, and a meth-lab kit.This model is only available after dark and can only be bought
with cash, preferably small bills, unless you are a cop, then we don’t know what you are talking about!!!

 Ahwatukee Barbie
          This yuppie Barbie comes with your choice of BMW convertible or HummerH2. Included are her own Starbucks cup, credit card set, and  country Club membership. Also available are Shallow Ken
and Private School Skipper. Ahwatukee Barbie hasn’t been affordable since the early 80’s.

Queen Creek Barbie
     This pale model comes dressed in her own Wrangler jeans two sizes too small, a classic Metallica shirt, and Tweety Bird tattoo on her shoulder. Wants to major in NASCAR at MCC. She has a six-pack of Coors  Light and a Hank Williams, Jr. CD set. She can spit over 5 feet and kick  mullet-haired Ken’s ss when she is drunk. Purchase her pickup truck  separately and get a confederate flag bumper sticker absolutely free.  Available at Super Wal-mart.

El Mirage Barbie
           This tobacco chewing, brassy-haired Barbie has a pair of her own high-heeled sandals with one broken heel from the time she chased Beer-Gut Ken out of Mesa Barbie’s (discontinued) house. Her
ensemble includes low-rise acid-washed jeans, fake fingernails, strawberry  lip-gloss, and a see-through halter-top.Comes with Barbie’s dream doublewide trailer. Available at Wal-Mart. Cheap.

Sedona Barbie
            This collagen injected, rhinoplastic (nose job) Barbie wears leopard print spandex, and drinks cosmopolitans to new age music with friends at the lodge. She’s into crystals. Comes with Percocet
prescription and two alimony checks. Also cheap.

Phoenix Barbie
              This Barbie now comes with a stroller and infant doll. Optional accessories include a G.E.D. and bus pass. Gangsta Ken and his ‘79 Caddy  Were available, but are now very difficult to find         since the addition of the infant.

Flagstaff Barbie
                This doll is made of actual tofu. She has long straight brown hair, archless feet, hairy armpits, no makeup, and Birkenstocks with white socks. She prefers that you call her “Willow.” She doesnot ant
or need a Ken doll, but if you purchase two Flagstaff Barbies and the optional Subaru wagon, you get a rainbow flag sticker for free.

Gilbert Barbie
                  Is pregnant, drives a new Ford Excursion and is perfect in every way. We don’t know who Ken is because he’s always away hunting or in Japan on business. Gilbert Barbie aspires to become          Scottsdale Barbie.  Not cheap,  but still very naive.

Tucson Barbie
                 Into basketball and marijuana. Dropped out of PCC. Does nothing but complain about Phoenix Barbie.

Colorado City Barbie
                This Barbie comes dressed in a lovely, ankle-length cotton dress and is sold with with her 8 sister-wife Barbies and 23 children. Husband Ken is not available for purchase at this time.
Available only at the Co-op  Mercantile.

Guadalupe Barbie
                  This Spanish-speaking-only Barbie comes with a 1984Toyota with expired temporary plates and three babies in the back, without car seats. This is the only Barbie who is willing to do manual
labor.  Ken comes in a meat-packer’s uniform and is missing three fingers on his left hand.  Green cards are not yet available for Guadalupe Barbie or Ken. Available at Food City.

 Van Buren Barbie/Ken
                   This versatile doll can be easily converted from Barbie to Ken by simply adding or subtracting the “snap-on” parts.

 Sun City Barbie/Ken
                  These dolls are going fast! Well, what we mean is they’re old and don’t have much time left. Both write checks for everything or pay in change, and can provide hours of endless repetitive conversation about ”The good ol’ days.” Drives a golf cart, signals right to turn left. Can be seen  in Barbie Grocery Store (sold separately) arguing over prices. Available at the doctor’s office.