My Baby Purrrrs Again

If there is anything I hate spending money on its car repairs. Unfortunately, that means I hold off as long as possible to fix the repairs needed. About five months ago I took my car through an automatic car wash. Most washes have metal tracking bars so your car is placed where it is needed. Well, my car is more narrow than most so my wheels got knocked around a bit. It was about a week later that my car started to make a bad sound. Last week the sound grew so loud that I couldn’t hear my radio even at full volume, so it was time to fix the problem. I was thinking that I had a bent axle and I didn’t want to spend that much money on a car that I only owe a few more payments on. Well it just turned out to be a loose and wore out wheel bearing...so bad that the mechanic said he’s never seen one so bad and I had about a week before it totally blew, which could have cause a major accident. Well, I’m glad the repair wasn’t that serious and not too costly and I’m so happy my baby is purring perfectly yet again!


Quirky Quote: The car has become... an article of dress without which we feel uncertain, unclad, and incomplete. ~Marshall McLuhan

Cars, Cubicles and Park Benches…I’ll crash anywhere

Well it’s Monday again, but in my world it’s always Monday. My part time job at the post office is picking up a lot of extra work. Out of the 10 encoding centers in the nation, two were closed this month and another was affected by hurricane Ike, hence we get to pick up the slack. Well for my “part time” job, I worked 34 hours this week. That would be bad if I hadn’t already put in 40+ at the full time job and of course taking care of my very needy “friends” (aka…the emotional vampires). Most people look forward to Fridays and Saturdays, but I just dread it. In the 48 hours I work 28 of them. This weekend was extra bad as my work messed up my schedule big time. On Friday I worked until midnight and I had to start work the next day at 5:00am and to top it off I had not one but two people call me after midnight while I was trying to sleep in my car. People…why in the hell would you call anyone after midnight anyway if it wasn’t an emergency?!?

Total exhaustion would have hit me a few days ago if it weren’t for Red Bulls, Rockstars and caffeine pills. I know that it’s my choice to work more than one job, but after the last doctor visit and the lovely bill that came with it, the choice has become more of a need. I highly doubt there is anyone out there looking more forward to Thanksgiving than me. It’ll be my first day off in three months. Yeah for holidays!


Quirky Quote: Life is something that happens when you can't get to sleep. ~Fran Lebowitz

Music Shuffle Tag

This is a fun one! If you have started to read this blog, I tag you! Most people haven't updated their blogs lately, so here's another excuse to do so.

I) Set your music player in random mode

II) For each question, press the "next" button

III) You must write the name of the song no matter how dumb it sounds

IV) You can add a comment in parenthesis after the song

SOUNDS FUN! 8D

1.How would you describe yourself?
I Wanna Be Around by Tony Bennett
Yep…I pretty much want to be everywhere doing just about everything

2. What do you like on a person?
The Deliverer from the Xena Warrior Princess Soundtrack
Hum...delivery uniforms can be sexy if on the right person

3. How do you feel today?
I Need You by The Beatles
I feel like I need someone to do my jobs, so that I can have a day off :D

4. What’s your purpose in life?
Modern Times Rock ‘n’ Roll by Queen
Party like a rockstar!!!...Yeah that me, or I wish it was

5. What’s your nickname?
Whisper by Evanescence
This is about the exact opposite of me. I’m anything but quiet.

6. What do you friends think of you?
Believe by Elton John
I hope my friends believe in me

7. What do you think of your parents?
Rock ‘n’ Roll Party Queen from the Grease Soundtrack
Yeah my parents can get a little crazy now and then, but they’re no rockers.

8. What do you think of often?
Suga Suga by Baby Bash
Who doesn't?!?!

9. What’s 2+2?
Hard Time Killing Floor Blues from the O Brother, Where Art Thou Soundtrack
Yeah…I’d say trying to kill 4 people would give you the blues

10. What do you think of your best friend?
Too Much Love Will Kill You by Queen
Yeah…so back off! JK

11. What do you think of the person you love?
Hymn to the Sea from the Titanic Soundtrack
Slow death eh? That’s not good

12. What’s the story of your life?
Science Fiction from the Rocky Horror Picture Show Soundtrack
I wish I had more of a Sci-Fi life.

13. What do you want to be when you grow up?
Little Red Rider by The Monkees
I wanna be a wagon! Well how about a racecar driver, they both have four wheels and I can crash both of the just as easy.

14. What do you think of when you see the person you love?
I’ve Got a Feeling by the Beatles
This might be true if I was in love with someone.

15. What will you dance in your wedding?
The Lonely Man by Glenys Linos
Hehe…if he doesn’t play his cards right he’ll be lonely.

16. What music will play in your funeral?
Honky Tonk Badonkadonk by Trace Adkins
Wow! I’m more surprised that I have a country song on my iPod.

17. What’s your favorite hobby?
Bedroom Rockers by Kruder & Dorfmeister
I secretly hold concerts in my bedroom

18. What’s your greatest fear?
Shameless by Billy Joel
Apparently I have no fears and that's mostly true

19. What’s your greatest secret?
Zero by Hans Zimmer
It’s true, I don’t have secrets. I’m like an open book.

20. What do you think of your friends?
Things Have Changed by Panic! At the Disco
Many things have changed, but it’s mostly good changes.

21. What do you think of this test?
Pink Cashmere by Prince
It’s warm, soft and cozy

The Dark Knight - Funny Stuff

For all of you who enjoy The Dark Knight this summer, here some funnies for you to enjoy.




















Trailer Spoof...hehe, I just love the Bat-Scooter!

Court and Cats

Yesterday was a busy one. At work, I spent a good portion of my day in a court trial. A weird kind of trial, but a trial none the less. At my job, we had an ex-employee file for unemployment after only being here for 7 weeks. He wants to get employment from us, but he also found himself in a tight spot as he was collecting unemployment when he was working here and may have to pay it back depending on the judge’s decision. The odd trial was done all over the phone. When my boss and I started the phone call, we didn’t realize that it was an official trail, we thought it was going to be a conference call. The ex-employee had a lawyer, we were sworn in, and I was used as a witness. We were left surprised, defending ourselves in the trial. Overall I think it went well, but we’ll see once the judge makes his decisions.

But last night, my wonderful mom took me to see the musical Cats. Surprisingly, being the musical theater fan I am, I’ve never seen this show. Kids got to go to the show early and get their faces painted and the actor interacted very well with the audience, running up and down the aisle. The play didn’t have much of a plot, but the music, costumes and acrobatics we’re amazing! A fun show for everyone. I’m so glad I finally got to see it.

How Important Is Voting - From An Immigrant’s Point Of View

My fellow Americans, election time is getting closer and closer. As we prepare for November 4th to come along we’re bombarded with the media and politics, but does the media honestly show what is important to the country? We have celebrities trying to influence us or better yet, try to “sell us” our vote. Last Wednesday night while watching late night talk shows, I heard the best Political campaign come from Craig Ferguson. Craig in the last year has become a citizen of the U.S. and him voicing how important it is to vote struck a chord with me. He will not say who he is voting for, and I say...good for him! I want everyone to check out these videos and hopefully you'll have your eyes opened to how important voting truly is, while enjoying a good chuckle.

Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist

Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist
Rated PG-13
90 Minutes
Nicole’s Rating: C+

I had no clue what this movie was about when I saw it last night, but I got some free tickets so I thought “What the heck. I’ll see a free movie”. I found it entertaining for the most part for not know what it involved.

Nick is a teen that has recently been dumped by his cheating girlfriend. Moping around for over a month his gay friends, who are in his band, take them out of his home to play a gig in order to cheer him up. While at his set, he runs into girl trouble and the fun begins.

The two main actors Michael Cera (Nick) and Kat Dennings (Norah) did a good job and had great chemistry on film, but the scene stealers where Ari Grayno (Caroline) who plays a drunk blonde trying to find her way home, Nick’s band mates Aaron Yoo (Thom), Rafi Gavron (Dev) and the groupie Jonathan B. Wright (Lethario). The interaction of these four brought out a great supporting cast. Plus, I have to give the writers credit for making a piece a gum an ongoing joke (that worked) throughout the film.

This movie was a bit predictable and was defiantly written for a teenage audience. Unfortunately I can say much about the art direction, cinema photography, digital production etc., because what I saw wasn’t even the final edited version, just a sneak peek or what’s coming out next month.

With a drunk blonde, gay men and teenagers run amuck in NYC, funny things are bound to happen. I suggest this seeing this movie when it comes out on DVD. There’s nothing really you have to see on the big screen that you can’t enjoy on the television.



Fun Line
Nick: [leaving a message on his girlfriend's phone] I think we both said some things we didn't mean, like...when you broke up with me...on my birthday.

Space Chimps
Rated G
81 Minutes
Nicole’s Rating: A-

Yes, I went and saw this movie and no you’re not seeing things, I did give this an A- rating. I had my doubts when I went to see this film. I wanted it to be funny, but it was only the in the main theaters for less than 3 weeks. Not a good sign for any film. But in the movies defense, it opened up the same week as The Dark Knight.

The story is set in the near future where NASA sends out a mission rover that is sucked into a wormhole. To see if it is possible for life to survive the wormhole, three chimps are set into space to see what the aftermath would be. Landing on a planet with alien life, the adventures begin to get back home to earth.

This movie was not high quality animation, because it is one of the first from a new animation company, but that did not reflect from the plot. The storyline was not an in-depth, adult humor movie such as Shrek or Cars, it is more on the line for kids, but there is nothing wrong with that. During this film I found myself laughing so hard at some parts, that I missed the next funny lines of the film.

There was only one major issue I had with the film and that is the female chimp, Luna, looked too much like Michael Jackson and that’s all I could think about when I was watching her.

I suggest this film if you’re looking for something to take the family to or if you’re in one of those kiddish moods, you’ll find yourself smiling and reminiscing about a time when NASA actually meant something to the world.

Luna and Michael Jackson
separated at birth?

Best lines
Titan: Are you in alumimum clothes?
Ham III: Yes.
Titan: Are you in a rocket?
Ham III: Yes
Titan: In outer space?
Ham III: Yes.
Titan: Are you David Bowie?
Ham III: Uh... no.
Titan: Then you're an astronaut.

Is It Really Good News?

I got my MRI test results back last night. Apparently they finished looking it over after 4 hours and have found that there’s nothing wrong with that area of my body. It’s in good shape. I’m very happy that there is nothing wrong, but I can’t understand why I am in pain. Onto the next specialist I suppose, or better yet, I’ll just take some pain relievers and save my time and money. ARGHH…health issues suck!

Anyway, enough of the complaining. I did have a good day once I found the movie that I believe is the best one this year, had come out on DVD yesterday...The Fall. I love it and highly suggest it to anyone that enjoyed The Princess Bride. There's only about a 20 second clip that a bit too artsy and weird but the other 115 minutes are wonderful. Again, like my previous review on the film, DO NOT go off the R rating. I watched it last night with Eve and she honestly could not give me any reason why this had the rating it did. There is nothing on here that even a 10 year old couldn't watch. I might have to make a movie night with everyone to come and watch it.

click here to see my previous review and trailer about this film

Found Myself In A Tight Spot

Well, this morning I got up and got my MRI done. Not highly recommended for people, like myself, who are claustrophobic. I was in the tiny tube for 40 minutes, trying to control my breathing. The radiology tech said I did great, so I must have slipped into some sort of trans to get through. I won't find out the results of my test for 2-3 days, so hopefully they'll find what is causing this pain and extra hopefully (there's a couple grammatical errors there) it's not serious.

Just to let y'all know what I went in for; four years ago I had major pain in my side and it was caused due to gallstones. Oh the joy! So I had my gallbladder removed two days later. Even after so many years, I still have the same pain. Most of the time I forget about it because I'm so immune to it, but it's when I'm completely bored or if I start talking about it I notice it. The doctor thinks it might be something to do with my pancreas and/or liver. So with my doctor's appointment last week, I mentioned it and this is where it's led me.


Quirky Quote: Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind and spirit. When one is free from physical disabilities and mental distractions, the gates of the soul open. ~B.K.S. Iyengar

Doctors *~* Let the Games Begin

So yesterday I went into the doctor for a couple of simple issues. I have an ear infection that I’ve had for the past few months. I thought it was just due to allergies, but it never went away. Then I had the doctor look at my toes, because two years ago I had my first (and only) professional pedicure and got a major infection. I had 3 toe nails fall off but one of my big toes hasn’t recovered.

Well, I’m on drugs for both of these lovely infections, but then the good stuff comes in. Apparently the doctor remembers me, or most likely saw notes about me, from a few years back and started asking me about my previous conditions. We got to talking, I am now scheduled next week for a MRI/MRCP as well as meeting up with two specialists. Man! This is going to kill my Camaro fund, since I won’t officially have my work’s insurance until next month, just my crappy personal insurance that only pays for basic visits. Some days I think it’s better off being sick than being in debt.


Quicky Quote: The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like, and do what you'd druther not. ~Mark Twain

Car Dealing To The Max

So my friend sent me this comic and being the nerdy fan-girl I am I thought I'd share it with y'all. I can see myself doing this next year when I custom order my new car. Enjoy!

click on images to enlarge

Picture Tag!

This was on Bertie's blog and she tagged anyone that wanted to do it. Her's turned out soooo cute, I had to do it myself. The object of this tag is to find all of our answers from the first page of google images. Enjoy!!

Name?

Nicole

(Nicole Kidman poped up the most)

Favorite Food?
Seafood and Italian

First Job?

Hotel Maid

Nickname?

Bear and Cocoa

Where were you born?

Kemmerer, Wyoming

(home of the 1st J.C. Penny's)

Bad Habit?

Road Rage

College Degree?

I have two - Music/Fine Arts with an emphasis in Opera and Travel

Where I want to go?

Bora Bora

Favorite Place?

Poipu Beach, Kauai

Favorite Color?

Baby Blue

Favorite animal?

Dogs

Past Love?

Bennie Babies

What I am doing now?

Working at a computer

Where I live?

South Jordan, Utah

Favorite object?

My fish pond

Grandmother's name?

Luella (mother's side) and Stellene (dad's side)

Age?

31

I tag anyone who wants to have a bit of fun for a few monents.

Know Your Party ~*~ Know Your Mascot

Yes, it’s Political season at its most high these days and even thought I’m having major issues with this year’s elections, I’ve been doing a lot of research on each groups stances, policies and candidates. Just to let you all know I am a registered Independent, and even though I have more liberal views than most I know, I tend to be middle-of-the-road in many political aspects. During all my research, I found it interesting on how each side got it’s mascots and color choice and thought I’d share this bit of history with y’all.

Republicans = Elephant, Red
Democrat = Donkey, Blue

It wasn’t until election night 2000 when the election was George W. Bush vs. Al Gore, that a color scheme was set for the parties, although both major political parties use the traditional American red, white, and blue colors in their marketing and representations. That night, for the first time, all major broadcast television networks used the same color scheme for the electoral map: blue states for Al Gore and red states for George W. Bush. Since then, the color blue has been widely used by the media to represent the party, much to the confusion of non-American observers, as blue is the traditional color of the right and red the color of the left outside of the United States.

In 1874, it was rumored that U. S. Grant would run for an unprecedented third term. As the rumors were surfacing, there was also a contemporary urban legend that several animals had escaped from the New York Zoo. Thomas Nast, the most popular and influential cartoonist of the time, took the opportunity to combine the two in a cartoon for The New Yorker magazine, representing the Republicans as elephants, docile but unmovable when calm, unstoppable and destructive when excited. The cartoon, entitled "The Third Term Panic," depicted the Republican vote as an elephant running inexorably into a tar pit of inflation and chaos. Interestingly, the elephant was running away from the already established Democratic donkey, dressed in a lion's skin. This was Nast's take on the Democrats' view of Grant as Caesar, and their feeling that they had an obligation to play Brutus before he let the power of his office corrupt him.

The donkey predated Nast by three decades, when it was used during Andrew Jackson's campaign, initially by his opponents, calling him a 'jackass' for his populist policies. Well known as stubborn, however, Jackson decided to co-opt the mascot, and used it to his own advantage. After Jackson retired, he was still looked at as a party leader, even though the party refused to be led, and the 1837 cartoon "A Modern Baalim and his Ass" showed him leading a donkey which refused to follow. However, the donkey image was not popularized until the ubiquitous Nast adopted it, first depicting the party as a kicking donkey, attacking Lincoln's secretary of war Edwin Stanton even after his death in an 1870 cartoon for Harper's Weekly.

Neither party started out with their mascots showing them in a positive or enlightening way, but were portrayed as inflexible, destructive and scheming; but each did what politicians do best and spin it around to make it look good for them. Somehow after hundreds of years, things haven’t changed much.

The Dark Knight vs. The Man of Steel *~* Poll Closed

Wow! It couldn't get much closer I don't think. Thanks to everyone who gave me their input. This has been a fun debate. Look for future polls in my blog.

I still say that Batman wins, because he knows that your underwear goes underneath the suit (well at least in the movie versions).

Batman: 13 votes (48%)

Superman: 14 votes (51%)

Superman vs. Batman by solidus636 on deviantART

Best and Worst of Summer 2008 Movies

Well Labor has passed and it’s officially the start of Fall Movies, in my opinion, this is the worst time for films as if the production companies are just trying to get these films out there before the holiday season starts and the Oscar contenders get their films out. But as Summer 2008 goes, I believe it was successful and a lot of fun. I had the chance to see most of my choice films; there were 30 on my list and I saw 24 of them. Not a bad season. Maybe I have too much time on my hands.

Here are my overviews, but let me explain how I rate them:

A Rating: A must see! Most likely I have or wanted to see it again at the movie theater

B Rating: A good film. Highly suggested to see it once on the big screen and see it before most people talk about it and spoil it for you.

C Rating: It’s entertaining and fun, but you can wait to see it on DVD in your own home theater.

D Rating: Eh…catch it on TV while doing chores around the house.

F Rating: Just give me your money now and I’ll flush it down the toilet for you.

I also base each movie on its on merits. Most of the time I go into a movie knowing what to expect, so I wouldn’t judge Mama Mia (musical), The Dark Knight (action film) and Zohan (comedy) in the same way. Each are based on how well they entertained and held up in their own category.

The Fall ~ A+

Get Smart ~ A

Iron Man ~ A

Kung Fu Panda ~ A

Hellboy II: The Golden Army ~ A-

Mongol ~ A

The Dark Knight ~ A-

Wall*E ~ A-

Journey to the Center of the Earth - 3D ~ B+

Tropic Thunder ~ B+

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull ~ B

Kit Kittredge: An American Girl ~ B

Speed Racer ~ B

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor ~ B

Baby Mama ~ B-

Mama Mia! ~ B-

Swing Vote ~ B-

Hancock ~ C+

The Incredible Hulk ~ C+

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian ~ C

Death Race ~ C

What Happens In Vegas ~ C

Made of Honor ~ D+

You Don’t Mess With the Zohan ~ F


Best (and Worst) of Summer 2008

Best Summer Movie: The Fall – A Princess Bride for the new age.

Worst Movie: You Don’t Mess with the Zohan – If I hear of anyone renting/buying this, I will personally come and destroy the DVD for you.

Best Actor: No surprise here but Heath Ledger as The Joker in The Dark Knight, but a close 2nd to Robert Downey Jr. in Tropic Thunder.

Best Actress: Catinca Untaru as Alexandra in The Fall

Biggest Surprise: Swing Vote

Biggest Disappointment: Hancock

Best Hero: Tony Stark/Iron Man in Iron Man

Best Villain: The Joker in The Dark Knight

Best Animation: Kung Fu Panda

Best Cameo: Tom Cruise in Tropic Thunder

Best Drug-Free Trip: Speed Racer

Best Fight: Temundjin (Genghis Kahn) and his “brother’s” final battle in Mongol

Best Group Show: Journey to the Center of the Earth in 3D

Best Kiss: Pierce Brosnan and Meryl Streep in Mama Mia!

Best Movie You Probably Didn’t See: The Fall

Best One-Liner: “Yep, you’re in love…have a beer”. From Hellboy II

Best Re-Make: Get Smart

Best Song: I Can’t Smile Without You by Barry Malilow in Hellboy II