Just-a-playin Around

Photos by Deb. hahaha. who can name that movie?!!

Anyway. Focus. Here are some more pics as a result of my playing around with my camera...and my dogs. What have I discovered?

1. I have a lot to learn!
2. I need a better and upgraded version of photoshop.
3. My dog Trooper is terrified of the camera and runs away as soon as I grab the gizmo gadget.
4. Ruby and Nyxie are camera sluts.
5. This is so fun!

Although Trooper is a camera pansy, I was able to get one of the best pics of him!


Ruby: "ummm, mother, can you please hold off the picture nazi role you have embraced so suddenly so that I can knaw on this massive stick for a while?

Picture Nazi: "absolutely not you sweet thing you, you just keep a knawing away."


Ruby: "sigh. you can be such an annoying human, mother. well, can you at least get my good side?"

Picture Nazi: "whatever you want my sweet little pumpkin."


Time for Nyxie's close up!



Time for Roo's close up!



Picture Nazi: "Nyxie girl, are you laughing at mommy?"

Nyxie Rae: "tee hee hee tee hee hee. I just remembered that picture you took of Roo that made her look like Jabba the Hutt."


Ruby: "Not funny."

Sweet Slumber

My New Little Gizmo Gadget

If you do not know by now, I will inform you that I am one very frugal little monkey. I wouldn't say cheap, but others might.

I rarely buy anything "fun" because I am obsessed with saving money...a whole other issue of mine on top of many others. So, when I decide that I would like something, I tend to obsess over this "something" for at least two weeks and most times several months. It is quite obnoxious to all that are around me because this "something" will be the only thing you will here me talk about when we are together. I will tell you how much I really really want it and I will tell you all the different places I have found it for a cheaper price. I will tell you my strategy if I were to get this "something" and what I would do with this "something." This is my process, people. You will tell me to go buy it already and shut-up. This is basically what happened with my decision to finally get a new camera.

Last year I had a digital camera. I don't remember what brand or anything special about it other than it was silver and digital. I bought it on a whim a couple of years ago because I needed a camera for a trip and the camera I purchased was just under $100...affordable and justifiable. So, last year around April, when I was moving into my new home, I did something I would not normally do. I left this camera sitting out somewhere in chewing reach of one of my dogs. Of course they -the dogs- found it. And I have been without a camera since. Why? Because I haven't been able to get myself to spend the dinero.

Here was my issue: I had always wanted a NICE camera. I took a photography class in college and found that I loved taking photos...I just never had the equipment and I was always full of excuses. In order for me to have a camera that I would be super happy with, I would definately need to shell out some mullah. So, I sat without a camera of my own for a year.

The past three weeks have been incredibly obnoxious for myself and my clint. After seeing the beautiful pics my sis' camera took, I made the committment to obsess over cameras for weeks and weeks until I found one that was right for me. I should probably get to the point, huh?



I bought myself a camera! It is a Canon PowerShot G9 and I am super stoked about how to use it! It is so rad. I know, it makes me blurt out silly adjectives as if I was raised by surfers.

So, I took some photos and played around with them on my photoshop. I had no real idea what I was doing...but I love black and whites and I will probably cover my home in my black and white photos once I get good at it. Check these out:

My little Roo face.


Mr. Trooper boy.


Miss Nyxie Rae.


And the old gas lamp post in my backyard!


I can't wait to learn how to REALLY use this stuff!

Fabulous Film Friday

I am torn today. Although there was not one film that stood out to me or a film that I have been anxiously waiting its release, I was torn on which film to feature today. So, since this is my blog and I can do whatever I please...I have chosen two films that I would be interested in seeing.

What do you think of these two movies?
Would you like to see one and not the other?

Smart People



Film synopsis from Yahoo! Movies:

Professor Lawrence Wetherhold might be imperiously brilliant, monumentally self-possessed and an intellectual giant--but when it comes to solving the conundrums of love and family, he's as downright flummoxed as the next guy. His collegiate son won't confide in him, his teenaged daughter is an acid-tongued overachiever who follows all too closely in dad's misery-loving footsteps, and his adopted, preposterously ne'er-do-well brother has perfected the art of freeloading. A widower who can't seem to find passion in anything anymore, not even the Victorian Literature in which he's an expert, it seems Lawrence is sleepwalking through a very stunted middle age. When his brother shows up unexpectedly for an extended stay at just about the same time as he accidentally encounters his former student Janet, the circumstances cause him to stir from his deep, deep freeze, with consequences for himself and everyone around him.

The Smart People movie trailer:


Chaos Theory



Film Synopsis from Yahoo! Movies:

Frank Allen, celebrated author of the bestseller The Five Minute Efficiency Trainer, has perfected the art of living via a foolproof system of timetables and index cards. In fact, his daily "to do" lists are legendary. A man known for playing it safe, Frank doesn't believe in spontaneity. Every choice he makes is deliberately designed to contribute to a well-ordered, predictable life. But life, as he soon learns, never adheres to a strict schedule. Frank's wife, Susan, and seven-year-old daughter, Jesse, find his obsession charming in small doses, but as a steady diet it can be very frustrating. One morning, Susan attempts to loosen her husband's scheduling stranglehold by adding ten minutes to his day. But, by setting the clock backward instead of forward, she inadvertently unleashes a series of mishaps that turn his meticulously ordered life upside down. A belligerent ferryman, a ruthless seductress, a reluctant mother-to-be and the secret amor of his best friend, Buddy, combine to send his life into complete chaos. As his life unravels in several directions simultaneously, however, a stunning family revelation forces Frank to look fate squarely in the eye. Shaken to his core, he starts living entirely "in the moment," allowing him to defy the conventions that have heretofore defined him. Those carefully coordinated index cards that had once kept his life in perfect order now become a deck of chance as Frank scribbles spontaneous ideas on random cards, shuffles, chooses and follows the luck of the draw--with unexpected results. Frank is about to discover that not even an efficiency expert armed with timetables and index cards can change the serendipitous nature of family and friendship, love and forgiveness.

The Chaos Theory movie trailer:


I heart Ryan Reynolds...even when he looks like this:

Paris: Episode 1, The Launch of an Overseas Recollection

So, after heavy contemplation and ridiculously unneccessary indecisiveness, I have decided that my Paris Memoir will be posted in Episodes. They will be random, unplanned, and unexpected in hopes to keep you coming back for my pointless and sometimes seemingly endless blurbs. So, without further adieu...I present to you Paris: Episode 1, The Launch of an Overseas Recollection.

Our flight left on a Sunday afternoon but the day was also Daylight Savings. I was plagued with this uneasy feeling in my paranoid mind that I would miss my flight because of possibly setting my clocks backward rather than forward (fall back/spring forward!) or the one clock I continuously checked throughout the day would be the one clock I didn't change or I changed it completely wrong. The result: me checking every clock I could find and checking them every ten minutes. I annoy myself.

Moving on to more enticing moments:

Our arrival to Paris de Galle.

We were greeted by our friend, (we will call her "M") and her friend Sebastian. He does not speak a lot of English and neither Bridget nor I speak a bit of French other than "bonour." Oh well. "M" speaks both languages...sucks for her because this arrival was only the beginning of her constant translating...I still think she makes things up in her translations just to get some entertainment for herself. I would.

Anyway, "M" made a homemade sign she held at the arrival gate to ensure Bridget and I would not miss her. (I apologize ahead of time for what the sign said, but I have to be truthful in my telling of actual events.) Our welcome sign said something to the nature of: "Welcome, Motherfuckers!" The highlight being the "MF" word. Our friend "M" loves this word and is convinced most Parisians do not understand the meaning or offense behind it. And as she yelled the expression and made sure her sign was seen, I found no one who cared. Maybe she is right. So, what did I learn?? I learned you can go to Paris and scream the "MF" word in public and no one will care.

Moving on. I had to tell our "MF" story, but the remainder of this post will be an overview of some of my favorite highlights of the trip.

Bridget fits in. While waiting to have our money exchanged, Bridget bets us whether or not she will fit in the kiddie ride. She won.


I disovered I love escargot! Yum! It doesn't look appetizing at all, but it tastes so good!


I love public transportation! I wish the OKC had some good public transportation.


Even in the Louvre we can't be discreet. AND how do you pronounce the Louvre? I say it as if it is spelled Loove. They (my Parisian friends) say it as if it is spelled Loove-ra. Am I wrong and have I been pronouncing it like a dumb American?


Mona really does look like she is following you with her eyes!! Kinda strange.


Somehow we stumbled upon what I am sure is the only hot dog stand in all of Paris...is it ironic that it was in the gay district?


Eiffel Tower. Can you see me?


Toilettes! Pay per pee. lol.


Lighting a candle in Notre Dame. It cost me 2 Euros! Even saying a prayer is expensive!


I have discovered that I have a lot of photos of me EATING!!! What is up with that? This was the Frenchie's version of fast food. Just like U.S. fast food...it sucks.


And of course, Bridget's broken brella. It started raining while we were at the top of Montmarte and none of us had an umbrella. Luckily (more like duh, they know how to market to tourists!), there were some souvenire shops nearby and we each purchased a new Parisian umbrella for, I think, 7 Euros. Bridget's broke within the first 3 minutes due to the wind. She was not happy. I am still laughing.

Look What I Stumbled Upon....

Ok. So this could be classified as borderline obsessive; but look at what I stumbled upon in my attempt to pretend that I am working!

The "I heart Jim" T-shirt with Jim's face strategically placed inside the heart!



and

The "I heart Jim" magnet!



I was originally searching for the "I heart Jim" post-it notes. I swear they exist because Lincee at I Hate Green Beans has them. Take a look at her desk and you will see them! She supposedly found them at Target but I have yet to find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Dang it!!!!

Fabulous Film Friday

Leatherheads



Move over George, but John is in the film house. There is no need to fight over me. That is so sweet.


I heart John Krasinski aka Jim Halpert from "The Office."
He makes my goofy heart swoon. Add a football outfit and a screen shot of George every once and a while and you will have one happy gal.

So, obviously, this week's film is Leatherheads. I don't care what you say, but I just have a sneaky feeling this film will probably be fun, funny, cute and wonderful...all because of the fabulous Krasinski. I am absolutely counting on there being plenty of butt shots and butt slaps. I know you won't disappoint me, John.




So, here is the Yahoo! Movies synopsis:

In 1925, Dodge Connolly is a charming, brash football hero who is determined to guide his team from bar brawls to packed stadiums. But after the players lose their sponsor and the entire league faces certain collapse, Dodge convinces a college football star to join his ragtag ranks. The captain hopes his latest move will help the struggling sport finally capture the country's attention. Welcome to the team Carter Rutherford, America's favorite son. A golden-boy war hero who single-handedly forced multiple German soldiers to surrender in WWI, Carter has dashing good looks and unparalleled speed on the field. This new champ is almost too good to be true, and Lexie Littleton aims to prove that's the case. A cub journalist playing in the big leagues, Lexie is a spitfire newswoman who suspects there are holes in Carter's war story. But while she digs, the two teammates start to become serious off-field rivals for her fickle affections. As the new game of pro-football becomes less like the freewheeling sport he knew and loved, Dodge must both fight to keep his guys together and to get the girl of his dreams. Finding that love and football have a surprisingly similar playbook, however, he has one maneuver he will save just for the fourth quarter.

And of course the move trailer:




And a small tribute to John Krasinski:

Isn't he adorable?



Hmmm. You are so yummy my little comedian.


How do you manage to be so silly and adorable all at once? It must be difficult to be so wonderful all the time.



....The final close-up. Need I say more?

Arthritis Walk

This will be our second year participating in the Arthritis Walk.

I do this all for my childhood friend Jenny. Jenny is a wonderful mother, wife, daughter, sister, and friend. Jenny and I have been pals since the 9th grade and we have been through all the crazy and wonderful events life has to offer together. Jenny was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis when she was 19 years young. Since her diagnosis, I was grateful to be her maid of honor in her wedding, I was blessed to sit in the waiting room while she gave birth to the super Jacob, and she has graduated from college. She is a true testament of how a disease cannot bring someone completely down. She is a true fighter.

This is me and the Super Jacob shortly after his emergence into this world.


This is Ruby at the Arthritis Walk last year.


This is the Crazy Fingers McQueen Team from the Arthritis Walk last year.



I have my own member page if you feel like donating or just perusing it for something to do.

What Color Green Are You?

I stole this little "Green" quiz from C. I thought it was fun. Thanks C.

You Are Teal Green

You are a one of a kind, original person. There's no one even close to being like you. Expressive and creative, you have a knack for making the impossible possible. While you are a bit offbeat, you don't scare people away with your quirks. Your warm personality nicely counteracts and strange habits you may have.

What Color Green Are You?

Fabulous Film Friday

21



Who loves Kevin Spacey???



I do, I do! So of course today's feature film has to include a Kevin Spacey film. And I have always thought Kate Bosworth was worth mentioning.



I don't care what any of you say, but Blue Crush is still one of my favorite movies to watch on a Sunday afternoon. But, back to 21, it is supposedly a true story and I love watching films that glorify actual events.

Movie synopsis from Yahoo! Movies:

The true story of the very brightest young minds in the country - and how they took Vegas for millions. Ben Campbell is a shy, brilliant M.I.T. student who -- needing to pay school tuition -- finds the answers in the cards. He is recruited to join a group of the school's most gifted students that heads to Vegas every weekend armed with fake identities and the know-how to turn the odds at blackjack in their favor. With unorthodox math professor and stats genius Micky Rosa leading the way, they've cracked the code. By counting cards and employing an intricate system of signals, the team can beat the casinos big time. Seduced by the money, the Vegas lifestyle, and by his smart and sexy teammate, Jill Taylor, Ben begins to push the limits. Though counting cards isn't illegal, the stakes are high, and the challenge becomes not only keeping the numbers straight, but staying one step ahead of the casinos' menacing enforcer: Cole Williams.


And of course the movie trailer:

Jewelry, Scrapbooking, and Lovely Company

I know, I know. Everyone wants to know how wonderful of a time I had in Paris. But, since I have been home, I have had more important and more exciting events controlling my life. I assure you though, I will have plenty of Paris photos and anecdotes to share with you shortly, but this entry is far more needed.

This past week has been spent running around, sitting around, eating around, shopping around, and getting to know my half sister and her getting to know our ENTIRE family…or so it seems to be the ENTIRE family. In addition to the fun getting to know you of the big sis, I have never spent so much time with my Aunt and my cousins. And this past week has been wonderful.

Without going into grave detail about this past week, I will keep this blurb down to the likes and dislikes. Let me start with my dislikes: Jewelry and Scrapbooking!!!!!

I have discovered this past week that I am the complete opposite and most contradicting form of ALL the women in my family. I am the runt and the elephant in the room in my insecure views of me with my family. Most females and especially the women in my family love jewelry. I certainly am blessed to not have this trait, which will allow for a more fruitful bank account balance now and in the future…in retrospect, I will probably spend the “what could have been jewelry” money on traveling, so I probably will be less fortunate in the end. But matching rings is what these women want and even though I am not a jewelry fanatic, the rings are pretty and are pretty neat…I guess. So my sis bought one to match and I will continue to think about it.

Now, let’s talk about scrapbooking. The idea is great. The final product is timeless. BUT the process, the cost, and the obsession are absolutely not for me. So, this means… obviously, that the wonderful world of scrapbooking is right up the alleys of the lovely ladies that share the same bloodline as I.

So, after a little jewelry shopping and scrapbook store shopping (YES! They have actual stores…more than 1…dedicated strictly to scrapbooking! Ack!) I am still alive and in great spirits. I will even offer one positive to both addictions: There is actually a ring I am considering only because my sis bought one and it would be kinda neat to have matching rings. Scrapbooking does have some pretty paper. That’s it. That is all you will get out of me.

So, more importantly, what is my point and my likes? Although I do not enjoy these things and bad habits :)LOL... I do absolutely and without any doubt enjoy and love the company. I will jewelry shop and scrapbook shop with you lovely ladies anytime just because y’all are a riot to be around. You make me laugh, you make me happy, and you make me so grateful to have such a normal and loving family.

Fabulous Film Friday

10,000 B.C.



I think this movie looks pretty kick ass. I am not normally a fan and I rarely get excited about films that have obvious fake oversized wicked looking animals that will later be either your friend or foe...take your unexpected pick. Historical films or films about the future that I cannot and will not be able to ever fathom as realisitc rarely ever make my movie likes either. I admit...be prepared...that I never wanted to make it to the theater and I never got my panties in a wad about the Star Wars films, the Lord of the Rings films, or Harry Potter. I know...blasphemy is me. Get over it.

BUT! I am super stoked about the new movie 10,000 B.C. This films looks way wicked cool and interesting...to say the least. For some reason I like the word "wicked" today. Work with me.

Synopsis (from yahoo):
A young hunter is forced to lead a small group of hunters to pursue a band of mysterious warlords to the end of the world to save the girl he loves.

The above synopsis kinda lacked/sucked. So I went to the 10,000 B.C site and found a much better description:

From director Roland Emmerich (“Independence Day,” “The Day After Tomorrow”) comes a sweeping odyssey into a mythical age of prophesies and gods, when spirits rule the land and mighty mammoths shake the earth.
In a remote mountain tribe, the young hunter D’Leh (Steven Strait) has found his heart’s passion – the beautiful Evolet (Camilla Belle). But when a band of mysterious warlords raid his village and kidnap Evolet, D’Leh leads a small group of hunters to pursue the warlords to the end of the world to save her. As they venture into unknown lands for the first time, the group discovers there are civilizations beyond their own and that mankind’s reach is far greater than they ever knew. At each encounter the group is joined by other tribes who have been attacked by the slave raiders, turning D’Leh’s once-small band into an army.
Driven by destiny, the unlikely warriors must battle prehistoric predators while braving the harshest elements. At their heroic journey’s end, they uncover a lost civilization and learn their ultimate fate lies in an empire beyond imagination, where great pyramids reach into the skies.
Here they will take their stand against a tyrannical god who has brutally enslaved their own. And it is here that D’Leh finally comes to understand that he has been called to save not only Evolet but all of civilization.
Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Legendary Pictures, a Centropolis Production of a Roland Emmerich film: “10,000 BC,” starring Steven Strait, Camilla Belle and Cliff Curtis.

No wonder I think I am going to like it! It's a damn love story!

Steven Straight: Where did this little cutie come from??





And Camille Belle...Isn't she absolutely adorable??





Here is the trailer from you tube. I found one with Greek subtitles and thought it was only appropriate.

What Would You Do With $200 Million

Do you play POWERBALL?? I normally don't only because I forget to buy a ticket. I'd actually love to have a bad habit of getting a POWERBALL ticket every Wednesday and Saturday. But the POWERBALL is up to $200 MILLION with a take home cash value of $99.2 Million!!!

So, what would you do? First, would you take the lump sum of $99.2 million or have them disupurse it out over however many years?

I would tell them to take their dumb taxes and give me the rest now!! But what would I do with almost $100 million?

1. Pay off my house.
2. Pay off my car.
3. Pay off my parent's house.
4. Pay off all debt I have and my parent's have.
5. But new home with land for myself and buy my parent's a new one too.
6. TRAVEL!
7. I'd probably buy a vacation home somewhere.
8. DONATE. I'd definately donate money to various charities. Mostly for starving and underpriviledged children and diseases that need cures.
9. Invest.
10. Live a comfortable lifestyle but not luxurious. I want that money to draw INTEREST, baby!
11. Write. I'd sit on my butt and write for a good time.

Sadly, I would expect my frugal ways would still emerge and exist on a daily basis. I'd give more money away and spend it on others rather than on myself.

What would you do with almost $100 million??!!!

You Know?

You know those days that feel completely off kilter and you feel like you are functioning out of your own body and mind. I made a comment to someone today that was the only thing that made complete sense to me..."I think my mind took the day off and failed to send me the memo."

So, true. I was forgetful. I forgot in just a few moments what I wanted to say more than once. And I normally remember the most mundane of details. I left something at work only to realize it half way home. I absolutely needed it, so I had to turn around and head back to my office...talk about crapping all over my own cornflakes. I completely lost my entire day in doing "stuff" rather than enjoying the nice afternoon. Then I had to come home and work late on other obligations to bring home the bacon. The worst of it all? I know I was rediculously productive today, but nothing feels as if it had any significance. It's already forgotten. I think I am on overload and it is way past my bedtime.

I am ready to move on to a new day and hopefully I can remember it.

Horoscopic Thoughts

Yes, I am one of those optimistic, hopeful, and rediculously gullable people who enjoy reading their horoscope everyday. No, I am not a devil worshipper and I am not a freak...at least not in the mystic sense. IT'S FUN. So, this is my "Quickie" horoscope for today: Your ideas are just as good as anyone else's ideas -- promote your thoughts today.


Here are my thoughts:

1. I regularly "promote" my thoughts everyday. Sometimes too much. Does this mean I should promote them twice as much today? Because whoever gets the brunt of that ranting is surely getting the short ass end of the twig. sucks for you.


2. I came across this photo and article on yahoo. My thoughts? I'll give you the censored "G" rated version: Dang, shoot, holy poppy sticks. and firefighters are so giving.


Firefighters Charlie Schmidt, left, and John Stewart, both of Vancouver, Wash., fire dept., pick up their gear and head out after resting following racing up 1,311 stairs in competition Sunday, March 2, 2008, in the Columbia Center tower in Seattle. More than 1,000 firefighters from throughout the U.S., as well as Canada and New Zealand, raced 788 vertical feet up 69 floors in the 17th annual stair climb at the tower, in a benefit for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

3. I am extraordinarily hungry today. More than usual and I am normally always pretty hungry. What am I having for lunch? A lean cuisine. Probably why I am always so hungry, huh? But if I eat two lean cuisines, would that defeat the purpose? or is it still better than eating a whataburger burger, fries, and a chocolate milk shake? Because although I absolutely dislike fastfood, it is sounding quite tasty.

4. Should I feel guilty for writing this blog while at work? nah.

5. Countdown to Paris trip: 6 days, 3 hrs. Still need to get a purse that has a strap to wrap across my chest (diagnally). Not like you really needed that crappy description. But, it is what it is.

6. Sometimes I wish I was my dog. Spoiled and adorable and not having to lift a single paw for work and get to sleep all day. Then I wonder if I would really be satisfied with such an unrewarding life. Perhaps.

7. I wonder how the election will turn out tomorrow. I know who I voted for...even though this candidate did not win my state. Actually, every election I have voted in, my choice candidate lost my state. But, I would be happy with either democrat when it comes straight down to it. McCain is way too old. I can't believe the logic on the Republican side. At least choose a candidate that doesn't have a strong possibility of croaking very soon. I am with Chuck Norris on that issue.

8. Speaking of Chuck Norris. Have you checked out chucknorrisfacts? Check it out if you want a laugh or if you are super bored.

A Good Tune for a Sunday Afternoon

There is a morning radio talk show I regularly enjoy for good laughs on my way into work. Have you heard of Lex and Terry? They are in Texas...I think around the Dallas area and I also think they are broadcasted on one of the satellite radio services. Anyway, they try to find new musical bands that are cool and unique...when not doing there normal practical jokes and giving truthful advice. They have some hilarious regular segments if you take it for what it is...a reason to laugh. They are definitely not for the easily offended.

So, they found this band Odis and I just think this little Asian guy can absolutely rock out. He's great and this song just makes you want to bounce your head and move around however you feel natural. Check it out!