Cake Wrecks

My co-worker introduced me to this blog and it's a must see. Cake of all kinds: The astounding, the WTF and the "holy hell who thought of doing that" as a cake. Check it out.

Click here to go to Cake Wrecks

Here's a small peek of what you'll see:

The Astounding:

The WTF?!?

And the holy "hell who thought of doing that" as a cake

2008…Good Riddance!

I must say I’m not too sad to see this year go away.  What a bummer of a year!  It seems like anything that I set out to do, never happen.   There were many upsets and mostly boredom that surround this year.  Yes I did have some good times, but there were just too few.

For everyone that is celebrating tonight, have fun and enjoy yourself.  Just be safe and please, please, please DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE!  Here’s to 2009, may this year be a year of good changes and wonderful experiences!

Quirky Quote:  An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in.  A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.  ~Bill Vaughan

Merry CHRISTmas!

I just want to tell everyone Merry Christmas…and I do mean Christmas not X-mas. This is something that has bothered me for years. I can’t stand it when people write X-mas! The whole purpose of Christmas is to celebrate Christ and to take him out of the word, to me means that Christmas means something else, something more worldly. I’ve even seen campaigns out there to take Christ out of the holiday because this is a holiday for all. Excuse me? Ah…do you even get the jest of why Christmas even started?!?

I think that’s what I have the hardest time with. I think of myself as a religious person and to see others cut me down because I want to celebrate my religion as well as others strikes a nerve. So to all Christians everywhere, MERRY CHRISTMAS…and let’s keep Christ in Christmas!

Quirky Quote: He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. ~Roy L. Smith

Another Reason to Hate the Holidays

If you didn’t realize it yet, it’s Christmas time…again. I’m such a Scrooge this time of year because I don’t feel the Christmas spirit like everyone else and I haven’t for years. I remember having such wonderful and elaborate Christmases when I was younger and I couldn’t wait for it to come around again. Ever since I worked retail, I haven’t looked forward to it. Well after working retail for six years I quit so I could possibly enjoy the holidays season, then I started to work at the Post Office…another hellish place to work for the holidays.

This year, I was going to make it a happy Christmas! I wasn’t going to let anything get me down and it was going great until this past weekend. When I got my work schedule earlier in the week I was delighted to see that I got Christmas day off. The first time in four years, I don’t have to work Christmas day! Yeah for me! While at work I told people how happy I was. Well one co-worker, one that many of us try to avoid, told me “That’s not fair! You should have to work Christmas because you don’t have children”. This may have been a simple statement to most, but it cut me to the core. First of all, thanks for reminding me that my dream of being a mom hasn’t come true and may never come true at that. Second, I still have a family; a family, that unlike many people I know, I WANT to spend time with.

Needless to say, I’ve spent the past few days in a major depression, caused from guilt of not working the holiday, while someone else could be spending time with their family and from the despair of not having a family of my own. I keep on thinking of myself as Ebenezer Scrooge, not caring about this time of year and having the great possibility of dying alone. Yeah it sounds like I’ve taken it a bit far, but when you work a 12 hour shift at a place where you can’t talk, the mind tends to wander. I’ll be so happy once the new year begins…at least that’s what I’m hoping for.

Quirky Quote: There's nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child. ~Erma Bombeck

Guilt…I Haz It

I’m so sick of feeling guilty for anything I do for myself. I feel like I’m constantly putting off making myself happy if someone else is suffering. Now I’ve only had two days off this year (and one of them was for a funeral) and we get a total of 10 vacation days and 5 sick days. If we don’t use them we lose them. Just today I put in a vacation request at work for three days off next week and my boss came up to me and said “It’s kind of short notice don’t you think”?

Oh great! Now I’m feeling guilty…AGAIN! If people are so dependent on me, why am I bored most of the time?!?


Quirky Quote: Emotion turning back on itself, and not leading on to thought or action, is the element of madness. ~John Sterling

The Great Office War

This is for anyone that works on office job that is waiting for Friday to end.

'Tis the Season – The Annual Meltdown

Most of you have notice that I haven't posted many blogs up, nor been out socializing, or have returned phone calls and this is all because of my Love/Hate relationship with this time of year.

It seems that once Thanksgiving is done and I start my drive back home from a wonderful time with our small family get together in Wyoming, the dark cloud of depression, over worked and just plain stress sinks in. I love the fact that this is the perfect time to give, give, give because that is something I truly enjoy! I love spending time and money on others, but then where does one stop… or should it?

Each time I pass by a Salvation Army bucket, I have to contribute; every time a charity calls up I donate; every homeless person I see I give them any spare change and cash I have on me; angel trees are the worse as I want to take all the names I see on there. I feel it’s because I’m a very fortunate person. Even though I may work many hours a week, I honestly don’t make much, but that doesn’t matter because I STILL have more than I need. Because of the wonderful blessing of being able to say that I have more than I need, I feel that I have to help and give to each and every person that comes my way. It literally hurts me to think that there is someone out there that is need of help and I may not be able to give that help to them. How do you choose who to help and how do you turn down others?!? This is my agonizing dilemma.

Then there is my birthday that’s thrown into the holiday season. Each year I try to forget that I’m another year old and basically haven’t done much with my life yet. Last year, I DID forget that it was my birthday until I got emails and text messages from everyone. Why don’t I enjoy my birthday? The main reason (and this is going to sound sappy)…Christmas cards. Each year I get hundreds of Christmas cards (yes hundreds) and most of them are filled with newsletters of what wonderful things happened to them and their families through the year and each year I have no major news to share and no family photos to take. And this year, I don’t even have my dog to take a picture with.

Even though I can say that I have too much, I still want more from life. The Love/Hate battle is one that I’m afraid is a never ending one.



Quirky Quote: Isn't it funny that at Christmas something in you gets so lonely for - I don't know what exactly, but it's something that you don't mind so much not having at other times. ~Kate L. Bosher

The Season of Giving

Most of you know that I have a deep love for animals and I donate monthly to the American Humane, which not only helps animals in need but children as well. If you find it in your hearts this season to give to a charity, here is one I highly suggest. Here is one of the many stories that shows where you're donations go to.

Left to Die in a Ditch
A man in Tennessee was heading back to his car after a day of fishing when he heard whimpers coming from a muddy ditch in the woods. A small, terrified beagle was trapped. She had been brutally shot and was desperately trying to pull herself up the steep wall of the ditch, her back legs dragging uselessly behind her.

The fisherman took pity on the little dog and brought her home. She spent three days living beneath the man’s parked car, clinging to life. When he realized the beagle wasn’t going to recuperate on her own, the man contacted a local animal rescue group. One of the group’s workers arrived and was amazed when the traumatized dog emerged -- in terrible pain, but so grateful for help she covered the worker with “kisses” as only a dog can.

Was Emma a ‘Lost Cause’?
The brave little beagle, named Emma by the shelter workers, still had a long way to go. Two gunshots had left both of her hind legs paralyzed. She had also lost control of her bladder and bowels. How would the shelter afford Emma’s vet bills and scooter -- a special dog wheelchair designed to help her get around with ease -- on its shoestring budget?

That’s when American Humane stepped in. Thanks to American Humane through donors, they have provided vital support through the Second Chance Fund to help cover Emma’s medical expenses and ready her for adoption.

Incredibly, Emma found a new home with a “forever mom” named Sheila, whose sweet disposition matched Emma’s. Sheila consulted with a canine rehabilitation center, brought Emma to physical therapy twice a week and even converted her own pool to a water therapy center for Emma. This spirited, fun-loving little dog -- expected to never get around without her scooter again -- is now able to walk a mile every day on her own!

Please give what you can to bring hope and success to other children and animals looking for a second chance, who still have tremendous love to share with new families.

click here to find out more and to donate

8 Things

I was tagged by Celeste with this one.

8 Favorite T.V. Shows

(I'll put them alphabetically)

~ American Idol
~ Biggest Loser
~ Dancing with the Stars
~ Fringe
~ The Colbert Report
~ The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
~ The Simpsons
~ Transformers Animated

8 Favorite Restaurants

~ Café Rio
~ Iggy’s
~ Johnny Carino’s
~ Market Street Grill
~ Mimi’s Café
~ Red Lobster
~ Thaifoon
~Wok-King

8 things that happened yesterday

I don't live that exciting of a life but here's what I can think of

~ Went to work

~ Played MSN games while at work

~ Replaced car tires

~ Watched Dancing with the Stars

~ Paid doctor bills

~ Had dinner with the folks

~ Bought some DVDs

~ Did some research on colleges/universities

8 Things to Look Forward to

~ A day off from all jobs
~ Any time spent with friends
~ Becoming debt free
~ Getting back into a shape other than round
~ Getting my helicopter pilot’s license
~ My trip to Australia
~ My trip to England
~ Purchasing my Camaro

8 Things I Love About Fall

~ Cooling temperatures
~ Halloween
~ Las Vegas is almost the perfect time to go.
~ New season of Dancing with the Stars
~ Possibly starting school myself
~ Seeing kids get excited about going back to school
~ The color of the leaves
~ The crispness in the air

8 Things On My Wish List

~ 2010 Camaro
~ Conquer depression
~ Get married
~ Go scuba diving with great white sharks
~ Have a degree that I can actually use
~ Have children
~ Own my own home
~ Take my dream vacation to Bora Bora

8 People that I tag

Here are some people I'd like to see do a tagged game

~ Adam Murray
~ Bobbie Mauss
~ Brandi Miller
~ Gabrini Mayhew
~ James Hofheins
~ Jennifer Lake
~ Lori Compton
~ Rob Church

The Flat and The Inflated

Yesterday I thought was going to be a good day, everything started out right. I got some good sleep the night before and I got to go home from work early. Well, going home early turned out to be not that great. I was driving down the road, almost to the freeway as someone decided not to strap down their stuff correctly, so I got a undercarriage full of junk and ended up with one tire totally destroyed and two more needed to be replaced. Thank goodness I know how to change a tire because I wasn't going to get help from anyone that passed me and this included two police vehicles. I have yet to meet up with anyone that gets more flats than me. Big-O Tires know me very well and I'll be meeting up with them again today.

Saturday was overall a great day. After doing my shift at work I went home got onto the computer and saw that a couple of my buddies from the UK were on. As I started to chat with them they invited to guest host with them on their Transformers Podcast. I have to admit that I was a bit nervous at first but I had a great time doing it. Thank you to David, Andy and Paul for letting me play with them. So needless to say I got my ego a bit inflated with the opportunity give give the views a fangirl in subject that's mostly filled with boys and men. Moonbase 2 is the world's 2nd largest Transformers podcast so who knows who heard me out there, but if you'd like to check it out and hear me in all my Transformer geekiness you can download it on iTunes or download it from this link. Let me know what y'all think.

iTunes Link (episode 30)
Direct Download

Quirky Quote: It is often hard to distinguish between the hard knocks in life and those of opportunity. ~Frederick Phillips

Miller-Hays Wedding

This past Saturday I got to attend the reception of my friend Brandi. I love weddings, I think it's a great way to celebrate with family and friends and this reception did just that. I got to meet up with some old friends that I haven't seen in so long and it was great catching up with y'all. Brandi, you looked amazing and you were just gleaming with happiness. Congratulations Brandi and Jason on your marriage! I'm so very happy for you :-D

The House Bunny
Rated PG-13
94 Minutes
Nicole’s Rating: B

Another girl’s night dollar show that was well worth it! This movie was one of those we went to because it was the only one we haven’t seen and we ended up having a good time.

A Playboy Bunny, Shelly, has been kicked out of the Playboy mansion the day after her 27th birthday, because she’ getting old and someone younger will be replacing her. This is leaving her homeless and has her trying to start over with life. She finds a sorority that needs a house mother and the good times start. Shelly turns the dorky, socially awkward girls into the hottest things on campus.

This movie really did surprise me. Yes it sounds like your typical nerd to beauty queen show, but this one actually sent out some good messages. I thought that Shelly would be your typical dumb blonde that doesn’t know much about the real world, but she ends up showing us that she just has a different way of thinking, very caring and is actually very motivated to help others.

Watching this movie, I can tell the sexes will watch it for different reasons. The men will get a load of eye-candy as Playboy centerfolds make appearances and women will love the storyline for a chick flick. I’d suggest this mostly for a girls night as most women will relate to at least one of girls depicted in the show and the witty one-liners will keep you laughing.

Dr. Phobos and Radio Free Xangaka

Hey everybody! I just want to give a quick promotion to my friend Michael who does some DJing on an Internet radio station. Mike goes by Dr. Phobos on Radio Free Xangaka, which basically plays anything and everything from Pop, Rap, Classical, Jazz even Comedy bits. So while you're at your computer check it out.

Plus if you're interested in trying out DJing they're hiring!

Dr. Phobos

Thursdays 10am-1pm

Saturdays 8am-11am

Radio Free Xangaka

Obama Wins!

Well election day is over with and we have a new President-Elect. Congratulations to Barack Obama on his win, now go out and show us the changes you've campaigned about.

As most of you know, I honestly didn't care who won, but I'm very grateful to be able to take part in this historical event. Now that the election is over I stand by the choice of the people and will fully support the new Commander-In-Chief and I hope that the rest of the nation, as well as the rest of the world, will do so as well.

Things I've Done

This is mostly for myself. I found the list on Bob and Lindy's blog and I had to give it a shot, just so I know that back in the day I did have some interesting stuff happen in my life.

(Just copy and paste this to your blog and bold the ones that you HAVE done.)

1. Started your own blog (hum...that's where this list is at)

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band (well, High School and College Band)

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity (yep, I'm a sucker)

7. Been to Disneyland (when I was four. I can hardly remember it)

8. Climbed a mountain (living in Wyoming and Utah it comes easy)

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables (does trying count?!?)

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill (I call them mental health days)

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo's David

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt (living in Wyoming helps)

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling (one of my favorite experiences)

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud (I love playing in the mud)

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies (I was seller of the year one time)

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma (I can't unfortunately)

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy (I still have all my My Little Ponies)

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt (not very well though)

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone's life

90. Sat on a jury (I'm weird, but I really want to though)

91. Met someone famous (several celebrities when I volunteered for the 2002 Olympics, Stephen Speilberg and Jon Bon Jovi being one of my favorites.)

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake (I live in the Salt Lake City area, so that helps)

97. Been involved in a law suit (a few)

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee

Vote For None?

This weekend while at work, I was listening to a podcast called Common Sense with Dan Carlin and he said some things that struck me, as if he was talking just to me. I've already voted for this year's election, but I struggled to make my decision on the Presidential and V.P. choice. So when it came down to it I literally flipped a coin. McCain was heads and Obama was tails. I will not reveal the outcome though. In this podcast, he mentioned that we put another choice on the ballot. The choice "None of the Above".

Listen to the first half of the podcast (about 20 minutes) where he speaks of this new idea. It's very informative.

Click here to listen:
http://cdn2.libsyn.com/dancarlin/cswdcb37.mp3?nvb=20081103161619&nva=20081104161619&t=0092110001297f1a69c43

PS - it may take a minute or two to load.

Halloween Downer

So just to recap my Halloween, it was a major downer. I knew I was going to spend most of the day at work and I knew this year was going to be the 2nd year where I didn't get to dress up, so I was ready for that. What I wasn't ready for was having to hear that one of our employees here at The Document Group was going to be terminated. I loved having her around, especially with being the only two women in an office full of men. So J.J. if you're reading this, I wish you the best and hope to see you soon at the Post Office.

After working some overtime, I headed home as fast I as could to get ready for the Trick-or-Treaters. I honestly looked forward to this. I love seeing kids in the costumes and even adults with how creative they are with theirs. Well, there was a group of girls (I'd say 10 years old) who came running to the door and they were out of breath. I said "Wow! You must be in a hurry to get to as many houses as possible". They said "No, there's some boys in clown masks chasing us". Argghhh...why do people has to spoil a good time?!? So I found the boys (easily at least High School age), went out to talk to them and they took off. I hope they didn't go harassing any more people. Around 9:30pm I went to bed so I could get up at 3:30am to start off another work day. So to say, it wasn't the most enjoyable Halloween ever. Maybe next year I'll make up for it :-D

Happy Halloween!

Most people know I love, love, love this holiday! I spend months in advance trying to decide on a costume and maybe plan a party. This year it's not going to happen unfortunately because of work, but I'm not going to let that get me down. I may not be able to use my costume this year, but hey...I'll be already for next year :-D

I just want to wish all of you a happy and safe holiday and I can't wait to see all the pictures! To get into the holiday spirit, I'm leaving you with some pumpkin carvings that I found online. Hope you enjoy them!

Tagged - 60 Truths

I was tagged from a friend on deviantART, do I thought I'd post it hear.

1. Name → Nicole
2. Nickname(s) → Nic, Nicole-it-all, Bear (my dad's nickname for me)
3. Status → Bored at work

4. Zodiac sign → Western: Sagittarius (Sun Sign), Gemini (Moon Sign), Capricorn (Rising Sign)
Chinese: Dragon
Aztec: Lizard
Celtic: Fig Tree
Egyptian: Osiris
Native American: Owl
South African: The Harvest in the Granary
Indonesian Day Sign: PonThe Salasa

5. Male or female → Female the last time I checked.
6. Elementary → Kemmerer Elementary
7. Middle School → Kemmerer Jr. High
8. High School → Kemmerer High School
9. Smart? → I'm a know-it-all, or I try to pass it off like I do
10. Hair color → Dark Brown
11. Long or short → short now
12. Loud or Quiet → Me? Quiet?!?! Yeah right!
13. Sweats or Jeans → Jeans
14. Phone or Camera → camera, I spend too much time on the phone
15. Health freak → No, but I'd like to be back to my health nut phase
16. Drink or Smoke? → Nope.
17. Do you have a crush on someone? → Nope
18. Eating or Drinking → Eating
19. Piercings → 11 in the ears
20. Tattoos → Nope, because I'd get sick of it after 2 weeks

FIRSTS:
23. First piercing → 6 years old
24. First best friend → Kristin who lived two houses away from me
25. First award → Cookie seller of the year from Girl Scouts
26. First crush → Ricky Bettis in kindergarten
27. First pet → Buttons a apricot french poodle
28. First big vacation → I was four when the family went to Mazatlan, Mexico
29. First big birthday → 16, I got my first car!

CURRENTLY:
30. Eating → Apple Cinnamon low fat muffin
31. Drinking → Coldbuster Jamba Juice
32. I'm about to → Go insane from boredom
33. Listening to → 101.9 The End, the Chung Show
34. Plans for today → Work and catch the dollar movie with Heather

YOUR FUTURE:
35. Want kids? → Very much so!
36. Want to get married? → yes
37. Careers in mind → Life Flight Pilot

WHICH IS BETTER WITH GIRL/BOY?
38. Lips or eyes → Eyes
39. Shorter or taller? → Tall.
40. Romantic or spontaneous → spontaneous
41. Nice stomach or nice arms → Stomach
42. Sensitive or loud → Loud like me!
43. Hook-up or relationship → Hum...considering I've had both and they all failed, I'm going with relationship.
44. Trouble maker or hesitant → Trouble maker! They're more fun.

HAVE YOU EVER:
45. Lost glasses/contacts → don't wear either. My eyes are the only think that work on my body.
46. Ran away from home → Nope, I had the hook up with my parents....ah, still do ;-P
47. Broken someone's heart → yes
48. Been arrested → Yes, but never convicted, so my record is still clean.
49. Cried when someone died → many times, too many times.

DO YOU BELIEVE:
50. Yourself → I have a problem with self confidence
51. Miracles → I do.
52. Love at first sight → Sorry, I don't
53. Heaven → Very much so
54. Santa Claus → There is a spirit of Santa Claus out there
55. Sex on the first date → No way
56. Kiss on the first date → Kissing...yes

ANSWER TRUTHFULLY:
57. Is there one person you want to be with right now → no one in particular
58. Are you seriously happy with where you are in life → Hell no! I'm about as pathetic as one can get these days
59. Do you believe in God → Yes!
60. Who do you tag to post as 60 truths → Whoever feels like it.

Beverly Hills Chihuahua

Beverly Hills Chihuahua
Rated PG
91 Minutes
Nicole’s Rating: B

I know what you’re thinking when you see the title of this, “Why would you spend your money on this?” I even thought that when I bought the tickets to see it, but man was I wrong about this flick. I needed a good pick me up film and this one score big time!

*~* Warning: May Contain Spoilers *~*

A rich Beverly Hills business woman (Jamie Lee Curtis) is been called away for trip that will separate her and her most precious possession for a couple of weeks. That precious possession is Chloe her spoiled Chihuahua. She leaves Chloe in the hands of her niece, who then goes on a vacation to Mexico where she fails her duty to take care of Chloe when she is then dog-napped and put into a dog fighting ring. Escaping this near tragedy, that’s when all the adventure starts.

There was many talented voice actors that came into play in this movie: Drew Barrymore, Andy Garcia, George Lopez, Cheech Marin and Placido Domingo just to name a few. And I was very surprised about the lip-syncing for the animals, it was very well done. The story was a very cute one, I’m sure there’s something that everyone can relate to, through the eyes of a dog. Plus, there were some very well humane messages for the older audience.

This movie is great for a laugh, great for families and great for anyone that is an animal lover. Don’t pass this one over; I’m sure you’ll find it as enjoyable as I did. I give it two paws up!

Eagle Eye

Eagle Eye
Rated PG-13
118 Minutes
Nicole’s Rating: A-

When I say non-stop action, I can honestly mean it for this movie. There is hardly a time when you’re not trying to figure out what may happen next or if this is the scene that will end the movie.

*~* Warning: May Contain Spoilers *~*

Eagle Eye is a government program that has taken over “thinking” for itself and is trying to clean up how the politicians run the country. In order to do this, the program recruits ordinary people to do its deed and in the middle of this is Jerry Shaw (Shia LeBeouf) and Michelle Monaghan (Rachel Hollman) have the biggest tasks to do, if not major consequences will occur.

Overall this movie was great! It kept you going and your eyes peeled to what might happen next. The only thing I have a problem with is something that for some reason Hollywood loves to do lately, and that is extreme close up cinema-photography. I just wanted them the pull back the camera 20 feet in the chase scenes so we can get the full view of the landscape, instead of the full view the actors expressions.

I highly recommend this to anyone that enjoys a good action flick, but if you get motion sickness or don’t care for highly intense films, I’d pass this one by. Oh, and it has Shia in it, so you can't go wrong.

Voting Completed

Yesterday I went in to vote early. I figured my opinions of candidates most likely won't change in the next few days, so why not do it since I have the time. I spent my free time at work reading up, making notes and double checking my choices, so I could just go in and feel confident with my decisions. No, I will not announced who I voted for because I can't not stand the bickering about the candidates. Yes, it was a difficult decision voting for President and V.P., because I honestly don't care for either of the main choices, but I did make my choice and I feel confident with it.

Quirky Quote: The problem with political jokes is they get elected. ~Henry Cate, VII

My Transformer Geekiness is Spreading World Wide

Last Saturday I was online speaking with the hosts of the Moonbase 2 podcast, David and Andy. Well, they then gave me the opportunity to do a 15-20 second spot on their show and last night I finally got to hear it while at work. Man I feel sorry for anyone that has to listen to me talk. I didn’t realize that my voice was that Valley Girlish?!? Thanks to the guys for letting me play with them on their show. For those of you who don’t know, the Moonbase 2 is a Transformers fan podcast out of the U.K. that brings updated news and questions about the world of Transformers and if you’re a TF fan, I highly recommend listening to it and join in on their forums as well. These guys are gems!

To add to my geekness, I had an art commission done of my forum persona Hailstorm from an artist in India, who goes by JazylH on deviantART. He did a great job! I didn’t give him much details and he gave me a wonderful rendition of a female seeker. Definitely go and check out his work, it's amazing!

Man, I’m such a nerd, but a lovable one I hope!?!

Quirky Quote: The easiest way to save face is to keep the lower half shut. ~Author Unknown

Tagged!

My dear friend Celeste tagged me this time. I love these tagged games, I learn so much about others and maybe y'all will learn a little something about me as well.

:-P

3 Joys
* Free Time

* Freedom of choice

* A good conversation

3 Fears

* Drowning - I've experienced this twice in my life and that is not the way I want to go out.

* Stair without backs - You know the ones that you find at apartment buildings

* Dying alone

3 Obsessions

* Being on time - I can't stand being late for anything

* The Beatles (there's a shocker I'm sure)

* Trying to save up money for my future dream car (This isn't easy lately with those damn doctor bills coming in)

3 Surprising Facts

* My first major in college was music with an emphasis in Opera

* I wake myself up as soon as I notice I'm dreaming. This is to combat the violent nightmares I have.

* I cry when I get very tired, not that I'm sad, but because my eyes sting.

8 Things I'm Passionate About

* Finding new places to travel to (even if it's only in my imagination)

* Keeping in touch with friends old and new.

* Helping others. I have a thing for helping out people in need (this has come to bit me in the butt a couple times lately though)

* Reading - even though I hardly have time to do this anymore, I still enjoy it when I can get a good book in.

* Music - I love listening to it, playing it and in my past even composing.

* Learning about others - I love hearing what people believe and why. Religion, politics, their passions and hobbies. I just like knowing what makes other people tick.

* Studying - Give me the time and I'll go all at it learning something new. It may be a new recipe or even some new revolution in Physics.

* Genealogy - When I have the time, I love to do research on my ancestors

8 Words or Phrases I Often Say

* Team Xerox, how can I help you (if you can't tell, that's what I've gotta say at work)

* Sweet!

* Your mom!

* What the hell?!

* I'm off to go to work. See ya whenever.

* Derby! (that's an inside joke)

* What were they thinking?

* Oy vie!

8 Things I Want to do Before I die

* Have children

* Go to my top 10 travel destinations. Bora Bora being the #1.

* Get a degree that's worth having

* Do a shark dive with great whites

* Get to my goal weight

* Go to all 7 continents

* Be totally debt free

* Save someone's life

8 Things I Pray For

* Getting over this damn depression and feeling happy for myself
* People who are injured and/or emotionally suffering

* Lately it's to help guide me with politics

* Family and Friends

* Soldiers

* Guidance in my decisions for my future

* Finding the right doctors

* To wake up refreshed so that I can deal with the day.

8 Things I've Learned

* Always say "I love you" to people you care about, when you depart or when hanging up the phone. It may be your last chance.

* Give when you can, even if it's only a small amount.

* You can go back home. Things may have changed, but it's still home.

* There's joy in the smallest of things

* Always be honest, because the truth will come out eventually.

* Trust in your religious beliefs, no matter what those beliefs maybe. If it teaches you to become a better person, you will become that better person.

* Music can calm the ravaged beast or even help with your own inner emotions

* You can find true happiness through a child's laugh.

Here are my eight tags:

hum...some people I haven't seen blog lately

~ Bob Bateman
~ Cami Richards
~ Heather Tintle
~ James Hofheins
~ Jenn Lake
~ Lori Compton
~ Rob Church
~ Tricia Hansen

Tagged Again *~* A-Z About Me

I got tagged by a co-worker for this one. I doubt anyone cares to read these tagged games, but I enjoy them. They definitely help out in passing the time.

A]-Available?
Depends on who's asking

B] - Birthday?
Yes, I have one every year. BTW - it's December 14

C] Camera?
Samsung 8.5 pixel

D] - Drink you had last?
Red Bull - Currently I need this for surviving the long hours

E] - Easiest people to talk to?
My parents

F]-Favorite color?
Baby Blue

G] - Gummy Bears or Gummy Worms?
It doesn't matter the shape, gummies are just good stuff

H] - Hometown?
Kemmerer, Wyoming

I] - Favorite ice cream?
I'm not a ice cream fan, but I do get cravings for Phish Food once in awhile.

J] - Just something you and your friends always say?
Derby!

K] - Kissed someone in the past week?
Does giving little kids kisses on the check count?!?

L] - Limeade or lemonade?
Lemonade, preferable pink lemonade

M] - Money or Love?
I could use money more than love right now.

N] - Number of Siblings?
One sister

O] - Outgoing?
Maybe a bit too outgoing

P] - Person you last commented?
Jillaire - She's a co-worker that's just too cute for words.

Q] - Quitting any bad habits?
Trying to, but being successful at it is a different story.

R] - Reason you smile?
To hide the laugh lines

S] - Song you last heard?
Roxanne by The Police (it was on the radio)

T] - Time you woke up today?
6:00 AM...well, that's when the alarm went off, I was too awake for it though

U] - U doing anything today?
Working 16 hours...yeah, so fun

V] - Vegetables?
I enjoy the ones I want to enjoy :-P

W] - Worst habit?
Spacing off

X] - X-rays?
I've got a few in my life

Y] - Your favorite food?

Have you seen me or hung out with me for more than a day?!? You know I'm not picky when it comes to food.

Z] -Zodiac sign?
Sagittarius - the live wires and the most playful of the zodiac...that's me!

A Lighter Side of Politics

If you missed it last night, both McCain and Obama spoke at the Al Smith Memorial Foundation Charity Dinner. These little speeches bring new views and sheds new light on the candidates. I just wish politics were more like this and not the mud slinging B.S. we've been seeing lately.

It’s The Little Things

For those of you who don’t know, I live at home with my parents. I know it sounds pathetic, but it was my Mom who actually suggested it as I was going to be living all by myself in a apartment and she basically is home by herself a lot of the time because my Dad is out of town for business and is home only 6-8 days for most of the month. She thought instead of two people living alone that it’s better that we stayed together. I have no problem with that, because I do have the best parents a girl could ask for.

The other day, my Dad was at home and my Mom had to have major surgery on her teeth. My father took the time out to be by her the whole day. He isn’t home often, so he spends time catching up on things that need repair on the house and getting ready for the next trip, but he put my mother first. He even spent the whole day on the couch with her, while she slept for 12 hours. He just watched over her, hardly left her side, because the doctor said that she may come down with a fever. It’s the little things like this that make me gleam with delight and brings me happiness to be able to spend time with such caring and wonderful parents.


Quirky Quote: Don't worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you. ~Robert Fulghum

iPod Shuffle...yes again!

I found this iPod shuffle game on Lauren's blog, and I enjoy them, so I'm going to play...again. I have 34, 558 songs in my iPod so I can play this game, over and over again and laugh at the answers each time. I hope y'all will play along with me :-D

Here's what you do:
1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. You then write that song name down as the answer

* If someone says "Is this Okay?" You say: Freek-A-Leek by Petey Pabl0

That answer might confuse someone, including myself. Hey! I just might try it.

* How would you describe yourself?: Trust in Me from The Jungle Book
The title fits me, I'm a very trusting person, but the origin of the song makes me sound creepy.

* What do you like in a guy/girl?: Amazon Prye from the Xena Soundtrack

hum...yeah I like the warrior type :-S

* How do you feel today? I Want To Know What Love Is by Foreigner
Yeah, I suppose I was pretty intuitive today.

* What's your life purpose? Play The Funky Music by Wild Cherry
Life is all about the funk!!

* What do your friends think of you?: Just The Way You Are by Billy Joel
Ahhh...people love me for me. I'm blushing

* What do your parents think of you? Prodigal by OneRepublic
Well, if there was someone that might think of me in this way, it may be them

* What do you often think about? Sweet Cherry Wine by Tommy James
Wow! I sound like an alcoholic and I don't even drink?!?!

* What do you think about the person you like? Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles
Yep, I don't have a crush, I'm just a lonely gal with her music.

* What is your life's story? Staying Power by Queen
That's me! I don't quit!

* What do you want to be when you grow up? Ka 'Opihi O Kanapou by Keali'i Reichel
ah, sure. That fits me perfectly :-S

* What did you dance to at your wedding? Temptation by Bing Crosby
haha! The temptation should be over with once the wedding is over.

* What will they play at your funeral? I'm Down by The Beatles

OMG! That's just funny! Can't get any farther down than being dead right?!?

* What is your biggest fear? Beauty and the Beast from Disney's Beauty and the Beast
That's fitting. Waiting all these years to find a man for me and he turns out to be a beast. That'd scare any girl!!

* What is your biggest secret? What's Left of The Flag by Flogging Molly

I swear I did not do that to a flag...or did I???

* What do you think of your friends? All These Things That I've Done by The Killers

I honestly don't know how my friends would take being "Done"

* What is your future going to be like? Never Had A Dream by S Club 7
Not too far off. I'm not sure what it's going to be like

* What do you see in the person you like? Misty by Kitro

I'm "foggy" myself on who this person I'm suppose to like is.

* What will the song be for you and your spouse? I Wanna Know by Joe
Yes I do want to know everything about him, if I can find him that is.

Making a Difference…Maybe Not

Yesterday was almost like any other. ..working, except that I had to go to the store for some office supplies. I was happy to see that when I was leaving the store I ran into an old friend I haven’t seen in three years. He used to be in one of my old single wards from church. I went up to him with a smile and a happy greeting and he just looked at me like I was crazy. I explained to him who I was and he still didn’t remember me.

This saddens me to the point of almost crying on my lunch break. I had spent so much time with him in the past I thought he wouldn’t forget me. He is physically handicapped and confined to a wheelchair and he depended on me to pick him up and taking him to several places, such as work, church and even to go on some dates. I introduced him to several people, even one girl that he ended up dating for a few weeks. Here I was thinking that I helping him getting rid of his bad attitude that people ignore him because of wheelchair and was helping him to get around instead of relying on the bus system. I thought I was making a difference in his life and yesterday comes along and it was like a stab in the gut.

There are so many people that I help with, because it’s in my nature to do so and most of the time I do enjoy it, but I can’t help to think that I don’t mean much to them, that I’m not worth remembering. I’m not looking for praise or glory, I just want to be remembered as a good person, a friend and someone that people can depend on. But some days it feels like I’m the person that people will go to for help, because 90% of the time I’ll say yes. I’m more of a convenience than a friend type of thing. Maybe this is my wake-up call to forget about others, let them defend for themselves and just work on myself.

Crane Watch 2008

Yes, it’s the time of year again, where I spend any free time outside watching for the devil birds to come and eat my fish. Many of the birds are migrating and they know my pond is loaded with fish. This year is making me extra stressed because I finally bought some expensive Koi. I know it sounds funny, but I love my fish! I can’t stand to think of them being attacked by these birds. Saturday within just a half hour, there was a woodpecker (who loves waking me up in the middle of the night as well), egrets and 4 foot sandhill crane. The woodpecker and the egrets didn’t return but that damn crane just kept on circling our area. I was out there for two hours making sure it didn’t return, but anytime I turned my back he landed. ARGHHH! I haven't seen the big crane that's landed the last two years. That bird is 5 foot tall with a two foot beak and a 10 foot wing span...yeah, and I admit, it scares me. Well, thank goodness for this time of year, scarecrows are out in the store. I might just have to get a few to encircle the pond.

I’m welcome to any suggestions on how to keep these birds out of the pond. I will not hurt them, because 1st I’m not like that and 2nd two of the species are on the endangered list. But if anyone wants to bird watch for a few hours and make sure they don’t get the fish, you’re more than welcomed to come over.

Award Winning Blog!

Ok, maybe it isn't as cool as the "E" for Excellence award, or the "funniest" blog award-- BUT it is an award none the less!

Bertie has passed this Brillante Weblog-Premio 2008 Award to me :)

Here are the rules: I have to answer the following questions with one word answers and one word only! Then I must pass it on to seven others.

Here are the questions:


1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Where is your significant other? fantasies
3. Your hair color? mixture
4. Your mother? innovative
5. Your father? unequaled
6. Your favorite thing? tranquility
7. Your dream last night? black
8. Your dream/goal? children
9. The room you're in? office
10. Your hobby? cruising
11. Your fear? drowning
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? mommy
13. Where were you last night? USPS
14. What you're not? awake
15. One of your wish-list items? travel
16. Where you grew up? Kemmerer
17. The last thing you did? typed
18. What are you wearing? outfit
19. Your TV? LCD
20. Your pet? fish
21. Your computer? Acer
22. Your mood? fatigued
23. Missing someone? sure
24. Your car? Saturn
25. Something you're not wearing? necklace
26. Favorite store? Target
27. Your summer? lackluster
28. Love someone? Nix
29. Your favorite color? blue
30. When is the last time you laughed? Yesterday
31. Last time you cried? Yesterday

I now pass the award onto:
Beth Ann Mayberry
Celeste Weekes
Erin McBride
Heather Farr
Heather Webster
Lauren Whitney
Tiffany Guymon


To get the award just save the image and then add it to your blog post-- it is NOW yours! :)