Two weeks ago the Bears lost to the Packers at the championship. Tonight, the Packers went on to win the Super Bowl game. I was unsure of who I'd be rooting for since I don't like the Packers on principle (Bears fan) and, though I believe the Steelers are a better team, I am not a big fan of Roethlisberger (for obvious reasons.) However, I found myself cheering on the Steelers throughout the game and was let down when they lost. Not so much because I cared more about them, but because I really thought there was no way they would lose to the Packers.
(I did hear rumors that the Steelers were out partying a lot this week, so maybe that contributes, but they played a good game in the second half).
I was less impressed with the half time show. I'm not a big fan of the Black Eyed Peas and was even less a fan of Fergie's sparkly shoulder pads. Slash's appearance provided some redemption for the show but I can imagine the shame he must have felt to allow Fergie to butcher "Sweet Child of Mine." Usher's appearance was pretty cool, he maybe could have pulled his pants up a little more, but I'm honestly surprised we didn't see the Beiber pop up as well.
Anywho, I had a little Super Bowl party and I just have to say, I love my friends. Good food, good company, and an overall good game (even though I'm now going to have to put up with smug Packer fans until the end of time).
By the way, a coworker of mine had $1500 riding on the Steelers. Sucks to be him right about now, wouldn't ya say?
Black and yellow, black and yellow, black and yellow.
A Poll on Ethics
I'm taking a poll to aid me in an assignment I am doing for my Rhetoric class. Don't worry about the context, don't think too hard about your answer, just give me you initial gut opinion. The theme here is right vs. wrong. Base your answers on ethics not legality. I really appreciate the help. I will explain the point of this poll after I see some results and finish my assignment.
I know that some of these issues are not black and white and that you may want to justify your response. Please choose yes or no first based on initial reaction. After that, if you desire, you can use the comments section to explain or argue your case. However, for the purpose of my assignment, all I am really looking for is the yes or no.
Thanks for your time.
If you know a person is a recovering alcoholic and you put a drink in their hand, would you feel responsible if they drink it?
If you hand a person a shovel, would you feel responsible for the driveway getting cleared of snow?
If you know a kid is being bullied and you put a gun in their hand, would you feel responsible if they shoot someone?
If you supplied a person with illegal drugs, would you feel responsible if they overdosed?
If you lecture about the importance of physical appearance, would you feel responsible if a young girl in the audience develops an eating disorder?
If you give a speech about the importance of charity, would you feel responsible for the many audience members donating large sums of money?
I know that some of these issues are not black and white and that you may want to justify your response. Please choose yes or no first based on initial reaction. After that, if you desire, you can use the comments section to explain or argue your case. However, for the purpose of my assignment, all I am really looking for is the yes or no.
Thanks for your time.
Hello Again, Old Friend
I've been seriously neglecting this place. Mostly because I've been debating myself on whether or not to shut it down. I'm still not really sure, all I can tell you is that it's been far too long and I could really use the creative outlet right now. So here's what's going on in my life:
- My parents finished our basement so I've turned it into my own little apartment space. Yes, this is less cool that actually renting a legit apartment. But I never claimed to be cool. And I can't afford a car right now, let alone an apartment of my very own.
- I got a job at a local bakery/cafe. I 60% like it. I get tips, not as much as I would if I were a waitress, but tips nonetheless.
- I've recently grown accustomed to getting my legs waxed. It hurts like hell the first time but the second and third times aren't bad. I intend to never shave my legs again if I can help it. That's really not as gross as it sounds, I promise.
-I finished a novel. Kind of. I finished a little over 50K words for NaNoWriMo in November. It's still unedited and probably not worth revising, but still, I did it, and I'm proud of myself.
-I've started my third semester of grad school and I am taking my first couple of classes in the teaching certification program. It's a lot more work than last semester but hopefully doable. My MA class, Traditions in Rhetoric, has reading that is so dense I have to reread sentences two or three times to make sure I'm understanding them. But, despite the difficulty, I'm still excited to be learning. And I'm pretty excited to be getting into the classroom.
-I got my nose pierced. I realize that this was kind of a futile action since I'll be taking it out before I start student teaching. But it's something I've wanted to do for the past few years. I've only had it for a few days so it is still is sore and looks like a giant sparkly booger out of the corner of my eye.
-I've set a goal for myself to lose 50 lbs by October. It's a big goal and is going to take a lot of commitment (and a lot less ice cream) but I'm going to try. I think I'm going to post here weekly on my progress to keep myself accountable.
That's all for now. Laters.
- My parents finished our basement so I've turned it into my own little apartment space. Yes, this is less cool that actually renting a legit apartment. But I never claimed to be cool. And I can't afford a car right now, let alone an apartment of my very own.
- I got a job at a local bakery/cafe. I 60% like it. I get tips, not as much as I would if I were a waitress, but tips nonetheless.
- I've recently grown accustomed to getting my legs waxed. It hurts like hell the first time but the second and third times aren't bad. I intend to never shave my legs again if I can help it. That's really not as gross as it sounds, I promise.
-I finished a novel. Kind of. I finished a little over 50K words for NaNoWriMo in November. It's still unedited and probably not worth revising, but still, I did it, and I'm proud of myself.
-I've started my third semester of grad school and I am taking my first couple of classes in the teaching certification program. It's a lot more work than last semester but hopefully doable. My MA class, Traditions in Rhetoric, has reading that is so dense I have to reread sentences two or three times to make sure I'm understanding them. But, despite the difficulty, I'm still excited to be learning. And I'm pretty excited to be getting into the classroom.
-I got my nose pierced. I realize that this was kind of a futile action since I'll be taking it out before I start student teaching. But it's something I've wanted to do for the past few years. I've only had it for a few days so it is still is sore and looks like a giant sparkly booger out of the corner of my eye.
-I've set a goal for myself to lose 50 lbs by October. It's a big goal and is going to take a lot of commitment (and a lot less ice cream) but I'm going to try. I think I'm going to post here weekly on my progress to keep myself accountable.
That's all for now. Laters.
Autobiography, Part 1
My mother once told me that my brother came quickly but my birth was long and painful. My brother was healthy and quiet. I was sickly and never stopped crying.
I was born premature, weighing 5 lbs, and my skin was so thin that my eyelids still remain purple. I grew up in a cozy ranch home with an exposed finished basement and a basketball hoop in the driveway. My house was in a suburban culdesac; my best fried lived ten little-girl-steps away.
I lived in a city of Swedes. Ninety percent of the families were descendants of Swedish immigrants, mine included. My grandmother tried to teach me a little Swedish when I was very young. I retained very little but the pronunciation of certain words sometimes sneaks out of me.
Though I have three older siblings, I lived much of my youth as an only child, finding companionship in my dolls, movies, and books. My older sister was always a mystery to me. I remember looking at a portrait of her in her dance costume and thinking she was the prettiest woman in the world. As a little girl, I was envious of her big eyes and womanly figure. I always wanted to be part of her life but she always seemed distant.
My older brother and I used to play cops and robbers; I was usually the robber (this later became ironic when he became a criminal).
Throughout my childhood, my extended family belonged to a country club where I (along with my siblings and ten cousins) swam and dove for the swim team, took tennis lessons and played golf. Some of my fondest memories of those summers included playing the card game, “Spoons,” and eating stale popcorn from the bar after a long swim practice.
I was a terrifying child. One of my older cousins dubbed me the “Red Tornado” due to my wild red hair and my hyperactive behavior. I taught my six year old cousin how to play “21.”
We moved out of my favorite house when I was 12. My best friend threatened to slash our tires – she didn’t – or to chase our car down the street for as long as she could – she did – even though we moved less than a mile away.
I was born premature, weighing 5 lbs, and my skin was so thin that my eyelids still remain purple. I grew up in a cozy ranch home with an exposed finished basement and a basketball hoop in the driveway. My house was in a suburban culdesac; my best fried lived ten little-girl-steps away.
I lived in a city of Swedes. Ninety percent of the families were descendants of Swedish immigrants, mine included. My grandmother tried to teach me a little Swedish when I was very young. I retained very little but the pronunciation of certain words sometimes sneaks out of me.
Though I have three older siblings, I lived much of my youth as an only child, finding companionship in my dolls, movies, and books. My older sister was always a mystery to me. I remember looking at a portrait of her in her dance costume and thinking she was the prettiest woman in the world. As a little girl, I was envious of her big eyes and womanly figure. I always wanted to be part of her life but she always seemed distant.
My older brother and I used to play cops and robbers; I was usually the robber (this later became ironic when he became a criminal).
Throughout my childhood, my extended family belonged to a country club where I (along with my siblings and ten cousins) swam and dove for the swim team, took tennis lessons and played golf. Some of my fondest memories of those summers included playing the card game, “Spoons,” and eating stale popcorn from the bar after a long swim practice.
I was a terrifying child. One of my older cousins dubbed me the “Red Tornado” due to my wild red hair and my hyperactive behavior. I taught my six year old cousin how to play “21.”
We moved out of my favorite house when I was 12. My best friend threatened to slash our tires – she didn’t – or to chase our car down the street for as long as she could – she did – even though we moved less than a mile away.
Jai Ho
I don't know why I love this so much.
Possibly because it reminds me of the Food Court Musical that Improv Everywhere came up with.
But mostly, this video just makes me want to learn that dance, and also take a dance class without completely humiliating myself.
Apparently (from reading of the comments on YouTube) the first girl that starts dancing came up with the whole idea and got her friends to go along with it. It wasn't a class project or formal group thing, just a nice little way to relieve stress during finals.
Also, this video is a great spontaneous advertisement for the Flip video. I kind of really want one now. Birthday?...
Encore, Encore!
We all were sad when the Harry Potter series ended. I, for one, put that last book down and wasn't sure what to do next with my life. I've re-read them. I have both the British and American versions of the audiobooks (because I love both Stephen Fry AND Jim Dale). I've bought multiple copies of the books. (I actually have 5 different copies of the first book alone. I know. Sad.) I even knit my own Gryffindor scarf.Did you the word "fan" is short for "fanatic"?
Anyway, when Rowling released her short story "prequel" for charity, I felt temporary satisfaction. And again when she released the Tales of Beedle the Bard. But of course, I look most forward to the day she writes another book (whether its part of the Potter world or not).
Well, although she has not said outright that she is working on more books, she did say she has not dismissed the possibility, "maybe 10 years from now." (See also, CNN - J.K. Rowling)
So I was thinking, if Rowling were to continue the Potter series, or at least write more in that universe, what might she try? So here are my Top 4:
4. The gang all grown up in their adult lives. (This is number four, because I really think their story has really reached completion.)
3. A new series with new characters but still set in the Wizarding World.
2. A more complete prequel about James, Lily, Sirius, Lupin, Snape, etc....
1. The next generation at Hogwarts (i.e. a continuation of the Epilogue) - More specifically, I think a new storyline with Teddy Lupin as a protagonist would be great. He's even got the whole "orphan" thing going on. Seriously. Think about it.
Also, apparently, a Rowling barbie doll has been released. Um. I'm not sure how I feel about that. It does kind of look like her at least...kind of. Harry Potter
J.K. Rowling
Teddy Lupin
Online tag generator
Some are silver and the others gold
I've been thinking a lot lately about how people in life come and go. Some stay for ever, like your best friends and family (and of course the ONE, once you finally meet him or her) but others are only there for one thing. That thing could be to help you when you need them most or to be your friend when you have none, they might be there to inspire you or to let you inspire them. Whatever the reason they come, they leave just as swiftly.
Facebook is an interesting tool that allows us a slightly better opportunity to touch base with these people, or at least get updates once in a while on what they are up to. For example, one particular person that falls into this category just got engaged over the weekend. He is the guy who I once went on the most awkward date of my life with.
This guy was a few years older than me. We worked together at a summer job. He was starting Grad school when I was just getting out of high school. He had beautiful eyes and adorable curly-ish hair. I had the biggest crush on him, but he had a girlfriend, of course. I never thought he would be interested in me anyway, because I was kid and he was in Grad school. But I spent that whole summer daydreaming those "what ifs" and started writing them down. And when I started college that next year, I kept thinking about him and writing stuff down. Essentially, he was the inspiration for my first attempt at writing a screenplay.
Now, I have to say, I never finished that screenplay. It got a little too "Nicholas Sparks" for me and I wanted to move on to other stuff. But I never threw it away. I still have the hand written pages that I stapled together with notes to type up later.
Anyway, this guy and I didn't really get back in touch until a few years later when Facebook took over the world. He had just been jilted by a fiance (remember that girlfriend he had that summer I had a crush on him?) We started commenting on each others' walls. Then we started chatting on AIM. I was dating my ex, then, and I would talk to him about it. When that relationship finally fizzled out, he asked if he could call me. And he did. Nearly every day until I came home for that summer. He told me he wanted to take me out on a date. I had never been on a date. Not with someone I wasn't already in a relationship with, anyway. (I don't count high school dances as dates, either.)
So, like I said, we went on the most awkward date ever. The more I think back on it, the more awkward it seems. Maybe it's just because I'm a really awkward person in general. Or maybe it's because I no longer had any romantic interest in this guy but was just shell-shocked that he wanted to go on a date with me! Because, remember, I was just a kid to him.
Anyway, after our date we both got busy and didn't talk as much. He moved to Chicago and I went back to California. He met someone and they started dating. I graduated from college, moved back home, and started Grad school. But like I said about Facebook, it keeps us in the loop. He and I still occasionally post comments on each others' pages. And I was able to see through my news feed that he proposed to his girlfriend over the weekend and she said yes. That girl turned out to be his One.
Why is this important? Well, he came into my life twice. The first time, he inspired that screenplay. He was my muse. The second time, we were there to help each other through our respective failed relationships. Even though that date was awkward, it was a date. It made me feel like even though I had just been rejected by my ex, I was still dateable to someone else. And for him, well, I like to think maybe I was a stepping stone for him before meeting his One. Maybe I'm giving myself too much credit. Ah, screw it. I can remember things the way I want to. It's my life.
Facebook is an interesting tool that allows us a slightly better opportunity to touch base with these people, or at least get updates once in a while on what they are up to. For example, one particular person that falls into this category just got engaged over the weekend. He is the guy who I once went on the most awkward date of my life with.
This guy was a few years older than me. We worked together at a summer job. He was starting Grad school when I was just getting out of high school. He had beautiful eyes and adorable curly-ish hair. I had the biggest crush on him, but he had a girlfriend, of course. I never thought he would be interested in me anyway, because I was kid and he was in Grad school. But I spent that whole summer daydreaming those "what ifs" and started writing them down. And when I started college that next year, I kept thinking about him and writing stuff down. Essentially, he was the inspiration for my first attempt at writing a screenplay.
Now, I have to say, I never finished that screenplay. It got a little too "Nicholas Sparks" for me and I wanted to move on to other stuff. But I never threw it away. I still have the hand written pages that I stapled together with notes to type up later.
Anyway, this guy and I didn't really get back in touch until a few years later when Facebook took over the world. He had just been jilted by a fiance (remember that girlfriend he had that summer I had a crush on him?) We started commenting on each others' walls. Then we started chatting on AIM. I was dating my ex, then, and I would talk to him about it. When that relationship finally fizzled out, he asked if he could call me. And he did. Nearly every day until I came home for that summer. He told me he wanted to take me out on a date. I had never been on a date. Not with someone I wasn't already in a relationship with, anyway. (I don't count high school dances as dates, either.)
So, like I said, we went on the most awkward date ever. The more I think back on it, the more awkward it seems. Maybe it's just because I'm a really awkward person in general. Or maybe it's because I no longer had any romantic interest in this guy but was just shell-shocked that he wanted to go on a date with me! Because, remember, I was just a kid to him.
Anyway, after our date we both got busy and didn't talk as much. He moved to Chicago and I went back to California. He met someone and they started dating. I graduated from college, moved back home, and started Grad school. But like I said about Facebook, it keeps us in the loop. He and I still occasionally post comments on each others' pages. And I was able to see through my news feed that he proposed to his girlfriend over the weekend and she said yes. That girl turned out to be his One.
Why is this important? Well, he came into my life twice. The first time, he inspired that screenplay. He was my muse. The second time, we were there to help each other through our respective failed relationships. Even though that date was awkward, it was a date. It made me feel like even though I had just been rejected by my ex, I was still dateable to someone else. And for him, well, I like to think maybe I was a stepping stone for him before meeting his One. Maybe I'm giving myself too much credit. Ah, screw it. I can remember things the way I want to. It's my life.
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