InvalidCookies

They are afraid of us

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:07:22 GMT

My boss totally thought I took today off. And I know I was thinking it, but I never formally requested it! I have a ton of work to do though so even if I did request it, I couldn't take it in good conscience. Damn responsibility!

Leaving for Comic Con this afternoon. I am hoping we get to town early enough for sweetcynic23 to pick up her pass for the weekend, then we're settling in with starspentswell and behindyou for SYTYCD tonight. Let's go, Mark!

Tomorrow is the Twilight panel. I'm honestly terrified. I don't really do fandom for Twilight and Heather's stories about the TwiMoms and the Lexicon weirdos and how hardcore they are make me feel really weary. But, I am interested in that cheesy as hell piece of celluloid and what the actors/director have to say about it, so, I guess I'm gonna have to take a valium and deal.

My main can't miss panel is The Office one on Saturday (MINDY!!!!) and I have yet to actually ever see a Heroes panel so I am going to that, too. I gave up on the show, but I haven't given up on seeing Milo Ventimiglia or Greg Grunberg in person. I think our other musts are Pushing Daisies, the Dr. Horrible panel and evening screening (Oh, NPH, how I love you), Fringe and maybe Dollhouse? I don't know. I'll be Twitter-ing throughout. I'm most excited about hanging out with my Team Logan girls and working on my Slytherin scarf during panels.

My sorrows, they learned to swim

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:33:58 GMT

Heh - I have a ton of work on my desk, but I'm here instead. Ooops.

So, REALLY, Emmy's? Boston Legal (which isn't really even a drama, right?) and Damages, but not The Wire for Best Drama Series? You couldn't even just throw it a token (pun not intended but hey...) nomination in that category?

Anyways, whatever, who cares, it's not like I'm gonna boycott the ceremony or anything.

* * *

So...So You Think You Can Dance

Wow, that was a hot mess of a show, y/n? Chemistry was mostly off the whole night and a lot of the dances were kind of boring. And seriously, can we take the Lite FM station off of Jean-Marc Genereaux's radio dial? Because he picks pretty much the worst songs in the world.

Poor Mark. He and Kherington had a terrible night. That two-step was TERRIBLE, I was really embarrassed for them. And more embarrassed for me to admit this, but I spent a lot of time in country & western clubs when I was in high school (TRUFAX: I had a huge crush on a guy who called himself 'Tex') and so I know what a great two-step is supposed to look like and YES, it's f-ing HARD to pull off convincingly. You cannot fake those turns. I was glad that the judges mostly criticized Kherington for her incorrect partnering. Also, her outfit was really dumb (not her fault). She would have looked way cuter if they had toned down the glitz. Mark looked hot, though. He was a Hawaiian Tex. The jazz was such a snoozer that it's not even worth talking about. Tyce Diorio, just sit down and shut it already. Anyways, I spent a lot of time voting for Mark last night so I hope he squeezes through this week and gets his spark back.

I thought Gev was the most exposed due to the partner changing. He seems to need some time to warm up to partners (see the first week Disco disaster) and now that they are changing weekly it doesn't look good for him. The contemporary was just okay for me, and why would you give such a shorty with average to weak extension those jump turns? He tried but I still couldn't help but wish anyone else was doing those instead. I felt like Chelsie pretty much carried him on her back during the jive, and without Courtney, his entertainment factor is dulled.

I like Will, okay? I don't feel like I like him because the producers want me to, I just think he's a very skilled and a beautiful dancer and I like watching him work. The pas de deux was GORGEOUS (as it should have been, considering they gave it to extremely skilled dancers) but I wasn't crazy about the Broadway (again, Tyce blows). Keeping the dance isolated in the boat made the routine small and it didn't really work for me even though the judges seemed to enjoy it.

I guess I'm done yammering. I'm curious to see if Comfort can scam herself another week.

* * *

Mamma Mia! tonight and I AM SO EXCITED. I have ABBA on my iPod to torture sweetcynic23 with later.

* * *

OH YEAH. So, I went to Starbucks on my way to work this morning because I slept poorly last night and needed some caffeine. When my order was ready, the barista called out, "A soy vanilla latte for... (*reads cup*) Sean!" I stepped up and said, "Is it Susan?" And she says, "Oh, Susan, yeah." I thought, wow, the girl who wrote on my cup must have some funky handwriting, so I look at the cup when I get it, and it looks like this:

I know the poor girl has probably been up for ages but I thought it was funny that she read that as Sean. Damn good latte, though!

* * *

OH HEY - one more thing. My brother called this morning with a question - he was thinking of a video from the 1980's, or early 1990's that took place at a circus or had clowns or a fun house or something like that. I guessed Mariah Carey's "Fantasy" since I knew that was at an amusement park and Usher's "My Way" since I think that has clowns or something but he said it was from earlier than that. Any guesses?

I sure hope that's it

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:41:06 GMT

Wooo - I just heard from my boss Luther and my unit has released me from my position here and I start my new job on the 28th - right after Comic-Con. Soo, it looks like I might be bailing kind of early on that Sunday so I can get some proper rest. I don't have a ticket for the Con on Sunday anyway so it's not such a big deal. I'm waiting to hear from my new boss so we can talk schedule and start time and objectives and all that. Now that I won't be fighting traffic, I am hoping to start work later in the morning so I don't have to get up so early!

Anyways, that was a detour from what I intended to post. At work, we regularly watch movies during our lunch hour and last week one of the guys brought in this movie, Solstice. I'd never heard of it and wasn't really planning on watching until I saw that it starred Amanda Seyfried and Shawn Ashmore. It was pretty much the worst movie I've seen all year. But in like that "this is so stupid it's funny" way! So actually it was kind of entertaining. It's this faux horror film about teen-agers who have recently lost one of their group to suicide but decide to go to the Louisiana bayou for the summer solstice. THEN the dead friend starts sending messages to her twin sister. OR DOES SHE?? Apparently, it went straight to DVD (not a surprise) so if you ever get super bored I say check it out sometime.

It's movie week out here! Heather and C picked up passes for the Step Brothers premiere and I am not passing up a chance to see John C. Reilly in person so I am tagging along. I'm also going to see Mamma Mia! this week (So excited to see Amanda on the big screen! Singing!) and then OF COURSE The Dark Knight on Friday. Batman is my favorite superhero so I am so ready for this movie to show up and be awesome.

Comic-Con planning is already giving me a headache. But I am COMMITTED to having a good time and not having a stress meltdown like previous years. I also need to remember to stock up on some Lara Bars so I don't die of starvation while waiting for all the panels. Now I just need to decide what day to go get sloshed on post-Con margaritas.

This is why I'm called a hater

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 05:29:15 GMT

From a quick glance at my friends list, I am seeing I am a bit out of sync with the show this year. There is serious ranting underneath the cut.

In the words of my very wise sissy, sweetcynic23, "STFU AND STFD, NIGEL." Oh my god, he was pissing me off ROYALLY tonight. Actually, both he and Mary were for over praising the Katee/Josh Broadway number. First off, I really dislike Katee and I think she's not as good a dancer and she clearly thinks she is. Also, it's one thing to get shown up by Joshua when you're doing a hip-hop, his specialty, but to also seem superfluous during a Broadway number? That's just plain sad. I was waiting for that Broadway number to get exciting and lo, it never happened.

Also - sorry, I love Twitch as much as the next suburban white girl, but, that Viennese Waltz was...what do you call it when people try to wrench as much sympathy as possible out of an audience? OH, RIGHT - MANIPULATIVE. Come on - of course the story of the choreographer's kid is sad, but does that mean the dance can't be criticized? NO NIGEL, IT DOESN'T. So when Mia has a valid point about fucking Kherington and her stupid smiling, just let it stand. For the record, I thought they did a beautiful job but the lift kind of blew. SORRY NIGEL. Oh, I'm not sorry at all.

Okay - let me take some deep cleansing breaths.

I really liked Matt/Kourtni's dance tonight. I thought it was super pretty and largely performed well. I think Matt really looked great out there.

I thought Mark/Chelsie's dance was super pretty. They have hit on something really cool with that coupling. Mark was lucky to get her because I think the judges would have it out for him Matt style if she wasn't there balancing him out.

And this is kind of weird for me, but I really liked the krump tonight. I think Chris did an admirable job and Comfort was not as annoying as last week. But nope, Nigel had to ruin that, too, and make fun of poor Chris.

Blah blah blah - I am concerning myself too much with this show. I had a crappy work day so that's my excuse. Hurry up, Friday! Oh wait, it's going to be 101 on Friday. DAMN.

I'm sorry, so sorry

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 17:06:24 GMT

Hey everyone, life has been extremely difficult for me the past month so I ended doing a friends cut to simplify at least this part of my life. I find that I'm kind of immersing myself in LJ when I should be focusing on other stuff. It's nothing personal and if I didn't cut you and you wish I had, feel free to pull the trigger.

My first, my everything

Wed, 28 May 2008 19:04:28 GMT

Trying to get over a terrible headache, so why not procrasti-post a meme? Snagged from whirlygirly

Who was your FIRST prom date? Nobody! I didn't go to my prom. The guy I wanted to go with asked some other girl, then I asked this one guy I worked with and he was like, "Heh, no."

Do you still talk to your FIRST love? Not in a long while, but we are MySpace buddies.

What was your FIRST alcoholic drink? Other than "tasting" my mom's wine at various special occasions? My friend Crystal and I split a peach wine cooler once in high school. SPLIT. A. WINE. COOLER. HAHAHAHAA, that sounds so stupid now. I was not really an *~experimenter~*

What was your FIRST job? I baby-sat a ton, but my first job that gave me a real check was at McDonald's.

What was your FIRST car? 2000 Toyota Corolla that my mom let me take over her payments on. I think most of you know that I didn't start driving til I was 22.

Who was the FIRST person to text you today? Art surprised me with an early morning text.

Who is the FIRST person you thought of this morning? Myself. I am self-absorbed, okay?

Who was your FIRST grade teacher? Mrs. Weidner. The last teacher allowed to call me Susie. Once I matured to age 7, I started asking adults to call me Susan. She liked me a lot, and she told me I was smart all the time. Nice lady.

Where did you go on your FIRST ride on an airplane? Oakland, CA. Not too far. My mom took me on a plane to visit my paternal grandma, who lived in Pleasant Hill. My mom blabbered to the flight attendants that it was my first flight and they gave me one of their Southwest pins to wear.

Who was your FIRST best friend & do you still talk? Her name was Lisa Lopez and we met in pre-school. We emailed a little bit around the date of our high school reunion two years ago, but no, we don't still talk.

Where was your FIRST sleep over? My first sleep-over was at my SECOND best friend's house - chellepear's! I still talk to her all the time.

Who was the FIRST person you talked to today? Art, since I guess Ella isn't technically a person.

Whose wedding were you in the FIRST time? My eldest brother and sister-in-law's Vegas extravaganza.

What was the FIRST thing you thought this morning? 'OWWWWW.' I woke up with a mean headache.

What was the FIRST concert you ever went to? George Michael. The Faith Tour, 1989. It was AWESOME and yes, I am hoping to see George again this summer.

FIRST tattoo or piercings? My mom had my ears pierced when I was six weeks old. Yes, WEEKS. I still have them!

FIRST foreign country you went to? Canada. Which isn't really foreign is it? I've also been to Mexico but Canada was my first trip off U.S. soil. I've never left North America but that's gonna change, dammit.

FIRST movie you remember seeing in the theaters? This is a tough one. Oh, it was probably Annie, in 1982. I loved that movie and I think I saw it in the theatre twice.

When was your FIRST detention? Junior high. Probably for something like not doing homework or whatever. I became a detention MAGNET in high school though, I even had to go to Saturday detention a couple times. Which is NOTHING like The Breakfast Club, mind you.

First state you lived in? California, California - you're such a wonder that I think I'll stay in bed

Who was your FIRST roommate? Art! I lived at home til I got married.

Who was your FIRST? OH, whoops. Personal question! Kevin. He lives in Idaho now.

Who do you think will be the next person to post this? I don't know, but you should! It's fun!

Headache's gone! And now it's time for lunch! YAY!

It's Friday and I haven't posted in a while

Fri, 23 May 2008 15:34:19 GMT

My new favorite website: PassiveAgressiveNotes.com. A week or so ago, I came across the site and lost a ton of time going through all the archives. People are so petty!

Now that American Idol is done for the year, it's time for the summer fun of So You Think You Can Dance. I was really excited for the show to come back and set my recording on my DVR for the show nearly two weeks ago. But, as this crappy (non-TiVo) DVR is wont to do, it "forgot." So I missed the first 25 minutes of the show and WAS SO MAD. Anyways...

First thing - WHY did they have to show Dominic on my television again? I had just told superbonbon4 earlier in the day that he was my most hated former contestant and BAM! there he is. EW. I object, SYTYCD, do not do that again.

It was an okay episode. It's embarrassing to admit, but I got a kick out of seeing Gold Inferno again. He cracked me up during last year's auditions and it got me again. The "jump style" - it's so innovative! Hahahah. No one really jumped out at me except for Asuka, the ballroom dancer who I dubbed Asian Ellen Page and of course that insane popper from the end of the episode, Robert. Oh, and I also liked the one black guy who danced to that Jill Scott spoken word. I was glad to see he passed the choreography round. Still, it was enough to keep me excited about the show. Looking forward to next week!

Oh, and I did the handwriting meme that's been going around.

1) Your handle/name/username
2) Left or right handed?
3) Favourite letters to write
4) Least favourite characters to write
5) Write "The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog."
6) Tag 5 people

Yes, I am lazy and took the photo with my cell phone. Click for larger.

Schmupdate

Wed, 14 May 2008 15:51:47 GMT

I am a failure! I didn't finish my 12 of 12 this month. But I have a great excuse! I started it, but then after work, I went to grab my camera and it wasn't in my purse! I figured I had left it at work so I just kind of blew off taking photos. The next morning I was getting in my car to go to work and the camera was right there, sitting on my passenger seat. D'oh! So, I'm toying with the idea of doing a 12 of 16 since it's my day off. I know, I'm a cheat.

So, exciting news - I bought a new car! Well, a new to me car. It's a 2006 Honda Civic coupe. Art and I had been a single car family for quite some time, but that wasn't quite working for us anymore, particularly since I have a ton of summer plans coming up. I'm kind of geeked out about this because I've never owned my own car before. My previous (and only) car was given to me by my mom (I just took over the payments) and after that I drove Art's cars. So this one is mine, all mine, and I feel like a grown-up. I took photos, but I'm too lazy to find my camera cord, so here is a stock photo. That's the same color and everything!

Office finale tomorrow! I am actually really excited which is more than I can say for pretty much anything else on tv. What a waste of 30 minutes HIMYM was this week and The Hills finale was so stupid it bordered on ridiculous. Wait, bordered?? Scratch that. That show needs more Brody.

Right now I'm reading Billion Dollar Kiss, a biography of a television writer, and I'm finding it fascinating. I really like the peek behind the scenes that the book offers, particularly since I've been a tv junkie for so long.

Oh - one last thing - is anyone else watching the Jeopardy! College Tournament?

Yesterday, they had a kid from Harvey Mudd College, which is located out where I used to live, and the kid mentioned he gave campus tours and that one time he had gotten lost on campus while giving a tour. I was dying laughing at hte story. I WISH they had mentioned that the school is roughly the size of a postage stamp. How on earth do you get lost there? Also, LOL that no one knew the answer to final Jeopardy.

I had a million dollars but I spent it all

Sun, 11 May 2008 18:23:11 GMT

This showed up in my e-mail originally but I thought I could use it for LJ fodder. This is also me wasting time before I go to visit my mom.

Two names you go by:
1. Sus
2. Awesome Girl (I just made that up right now)

Two things you are wearing right now:
1. polka dot pajama pants
2. a striped t-shirt (yes, stripes and polka dots, I am a total fashionista)

Two of your favorite things to do:
1. talk trash
2. listen to music

Two things you want very badly at the moment:
1. some more cash!
2. a promotion

Two favorite pets you have had/have:
1. Gatsby, the little dog with a big (but faulty) heart
2. Ella, my little pup with a face that melts even the hardest hearts

Two people who will fill this out:
1. Probably
2. no one

Two things you did last night:
1. drank way too much wine - sorry if you received any drunk texts/calls! Or actually listened to the worst phone post ever before I smartened up and made it private.
2. fixed dinner

Two things you ate today:
1. egg mcmuffin - hangover breakfast of cheap champions
2. a hash brown that was not up to the usual awesome McDonald's standards

Two people you last talked to:
1. Heather
2. my mommy

Two things you're doing tomorrow:
1. Driving my new car (!) to work, so that I can pay for said new car
2. taking pictures for the 12 of 12!

The longest car rides:
1. Southern California to Blue Lake, where Chelle and Damon used to live. twelve. hours.
2. Pasadena to Chino, even if there's no traffic, the amount of dread makes the drive seem endless.

Two favorite holidays:
1. Valentine's Day - I love you! Also, I am a sap. Also, it's a week before my birthday. Also - HELLO chocolate and flowers!
2. Thanksgiving - mmm...food AND two paid days off work.

Two favorite vacations:
1. Seattle, 2007 - you know it's a good vacation when you seriously consider never going home.
2. Chicago, 2002 - i saw an amazing town through a haze of pitchers of beer and fantastic pizza

Two favorite beverages:
1. Mr. Pibb
2. a Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon

--You guys, I'm not going to lie, but I am actually NERVOUS about The Office finale on Thursday. What's going to happen?!
--I was horrified when I opened up the Sunday paper today to read the Twilight article (wait - that wasn't the horrifying part) and found a GIANT picture and article about Spencer and Heidi. That was so not on, LA Times. Proof of the horror!
--Possible unpopular opinion alert, but, I honestly would not care at all if Moonlight is not renewed this week. This past episode was so ridiculous, you guys. Jason (and Alex for that matter) deserve a lot more.

Crap - I need to get moving. I told my mom I'd be there in an hour or so.

But I have feelings, too

Mon, 05 May 2008 05:16:48 GMT

Real life is not so fun right now, so how about some distractions?

The new Martha Wainwright album leaked a couple of weeks ago and I think it's a winner. Of course I'm biased because I have a big girlcrush on her. She's playing the Troubadour in June and I am so there even though I made a resolution to only see live shows for artists I've never seen before. Screw that, it's Martha time!

Couple of tracks to preview: You Cheated Me and an oldie but goodie (plus new studio version) Jimi.

* * *

Did some retail therapy this weekend at Target (natch).

Monkey Shower Curtain! It is silly and probably not very mature, but it was too cute for me to resist. It makes me smile every time I see it.

New sheets! They were on sale and are soooo comfy. Little known sinca fact: I have a thing for polka dots.

* * *

Didn't watch Moonlight til today because honestly that show bores me. But, it ended up cheering me up so much that I'm glad I watched it. Here's a few caps from my favorite scene.

JOSEF: Now Beth, you wouldn’t want me to kiss and tell, would you?

JOSEF: So, what do you want me to do about this Foster character?

OH. The stare. It's a surefire winner every time.

(caps from Moonlight Love.com)

Weekend's over. I'm going to bed because tomorrow is sure to be another day.

I'm not willing to let this drive a wedge between us

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 02:25:07 GMT

I stayed up all night last night for the first time in a very long while. Since it's so hot and sunny I could only manage to sleep for about four hours and now I'm up and doing laundry. It is due to this punchy, half awake feeling that I am going to now post about the Twilight series. I am both sorry and excited! This is TOTAL CRACK that produced actual flailing - looking back I feel a little cheap and powerless, but whatevs.

I was going to write out thoughts book by book but I don't have the patience for that. We can flesh more thoughts out in the comments if you want.

*YES, OF COURSE - EDWARD CULLEN!!!!!!!!!!!!! I realize that Edward is technically "overprotective" but I have a real thing for protective (see one Logan Echolls) so it works for me and I don't care what anyone else thinks LA LA LA I CAN'T HEAR YOU. Seriously though, when Edward just rolls up in Port Angeles to rescue Bella I was pretty much done for.

*But - I can't stand Bella. She is SO. ANNOYING. And so ungrateful. And SO EVERYTHING I CAN'T STAND. But I guess Edward loves her so we're stuck with her. Half the time I just kind of want Rosalie to kill her and get this over with. Or Jasper. She was such a bitch at her birthday party that I don't think Jasper attacked her by accident. He could FEEL THE UNGRATEFUL RADIATING OFF OF HER. Okay, so that's a bit harsh. I don't HATE her, but sometimes she can really drive me to a blind rage.

*Jacob Black. After I read New Moon, I got into a big old ~~argument~~ discussion with Heather about how I felt sorry for him, that I thought Bella was inadvertantly leading him on to get past her heartbreak, and that I didn't really understand Heather's total vitriol toward him. I was thinking, "The guy's just a kid and he's up against something (E/B's big love) that he can't understand." I mean, I understand the sting of unrequited love. But that all changed when I read,

His words cracked like snaps of a whip. "Anything. Anything else. You'd be better off dead.
I'd rather you were."

Oh HELLS no. And then his behavior just kind of deteriorates from there and now I get it. I GET IT and it's time for him to just go ahead and imprint.

Weirdly, I was most exhilarated by the series once I finished New Moon. The Romeo/Juliet parallel is played out, for sure, but I loved the scenes in Italy and how Bella correctly speculated that Edward isn't completely sure that he has no soul. That was an observation I had made myself and I felt all smart. And then I realized these books are marketed to people half my age. I liked Twilight enough to keep going on but I started feeling the obsession creep in after New Moon. Eclipse I really enjoyed reading, but the ending left me a bit cold and feeling like Bella isn't so sure about the choices she is making. Which in turn made me feel all rage-y and I called Heather to ~~scream about~~ calmly discuss it.

Quickly
-Alice is my super most favorite character ever ever EVER and definitely my favorite Cullen by far. She is a bad ass (GTA on a Porsche?!) and knows fashion. Obvs, she's going to be my favorite.
-Now I feel like I understand so many more references, mostly, aprilbegins's LJ header.
-I normally don't talk about what a horndog I am, but come on...all this chasteness KILLS ME. Forget virtue, GET IT ON, already!

So, I lost about five whole days to this cracktastic book series and now I've lost my mind. Bring it, other Twilight fans, let's talk this out. Also - link me to your reaction posts! Fave comms! Tell me your favorite cheesy lines! I fear my sanity is gone for the long haul.

Will You Follow Me Down?

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:56:18 GMT

Oh man, I LOVE rock band drama! Is anyone else following the Velvet Revolver split and relishing it? It's been this big protracted drama for a while but it has been coming to a head the past few weeks with Scott Weiland announcing from the stage that the band was done (while they were in the midst of a tour in Europe!) and Weiland also going to the media with the news of the Stone Temple Pilots reunion.

So last night I read on Idolator that Velvet Revolver essentially fired him as soon as the tour ended and Slash was quoted saying, "This band is all about its fans and its music and Scott Weiland isn't 100 percent committed to either." SNAP!

As I was making my rounds this morning though, I see Entertainment Weekly has a story that includes Scott Weiland's reaction to that quote and it's kind of hilarious. He's all wounded and stuff: "After reading the comment by Duff, Matt, Dave and the illustrious "GUITAR HERO," Saul Hudson, a.k.a Slash, I find it humorous that the so called four "founding members" of Velvet Revolver, better known to themselves as "the Project" before I officially named the band, would decide to move on without me after I had already claimed the group dead in the water on March 20 in Glasgow." That sounds like, "You can't fire me, I QUIT!!"

So Weiland comes off a bit like a baby but whatever, I'm totes Team Weiland - he was one of my first rock star crushes back in the day. Plus, HELLO STP REUNION! I am already putting together a carpool!

Embrace Chaos

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 17:43:47 GMT

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, superbonbon4!

Happy birthday to my one and only BFF! I love you so very much and miss you all the time. Thank god for daily e-mails.

I'm wishing for you all the happiness that you desire and all the blessings that you deliver to come back to you tenfold. You inspire me to be much less selfish, which is no easy feat.

I am so sappy!

So glad you could make it

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:53:41 GMT

Okay, so, it's been pretty warm here recently so this morning I pulled a dress out of my closet to wear to work. I didn't have any stockings clean (and yes, I not only still wear stockings, but I CALL them stockings - I am 85) and the dress is kind of long so I am like, "Enh, I'll be okay bare legged." And that's all worked out in my mind until I see my reflection in the glass doors outside my office in the harsh light of day. My legs are as white like snow. Pale like I imagine Nicole Kidman would look if you stuck her in a cave for thirty days. Whoops.

HIMYM

No real discussion. I really enjoyed the episode, especially the part where Marshall ate the sloppy joe meal he determined he wanted ten weeks earlier. I loved seeing Sarah Chalke in a role outside of Eliot from Scrubs. She was great and her wardrobe was fantastic! I loved the blue dress she wore under her doctor coat in one of the visits with Ted. And yes, Barney and Robin. A world of yes there. _jems_ did a great picspam here that highlights my favorite part of the Barney/Robin stuff - the identical reaction faces!

Also - Big Star - Thirteen. The two minute date song, courtesy of the Gilmore Girls soundtrack.

I still haven't had a chance to watch The Hills premiere and I am starting to get the shakes. I love watching those girls and cringing when they do dumb things.

EDIT: Duh, forgot to mention. Rhett Miller at Largo before they shut down the Fairfax location and move. Who's in?

Best Part of March

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:48:58 GMT

I hope my co-workers do not mind that I will be ignoring them in favor of watching the basketball tournament on NCAA Sports.com. I am so excited! I finished my bracket last night. I usually do the bracket for both Art and myself but this year, Art and I are competing!

My Final Four - North Carolina (ew), Vanderbilt, Texas and UCLA.

Finals - UNC vs. UCLA with UCLA coming out on top. I think Kevin Love is the real deal and is ready to roll.

My spoiler is Baylor, who I have going all the way to the Elite 8.

Tell me how your bracket shakes out! Errr, I gotta get back to watching since I'm freaking out about this Xavier/Georgia game right now.

You could tell I was no debutante

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 02:57:39 GMT

Hey! I was tagged by tlace! How about that?!

People who have been tagged must write their answers on their blogs and replace any question they dislike with a new question formulated by themselves. Tag 8 people. Those who are tagged cannot refuse. These 8 people must state who they were tagged by. You cannot tag the person who tagged you. Continue this game by sending this to 8 other people.

1. If your lover betrayed you, what would your reaction be?
I would be gutted. Literally tears, tears, vomit. That being said, for me, it's not an automatic deal breaker. Though, ultimately, my trust issues would probably get in the way.

2. Why do you journal on the web?
OH, I LOVE IT! I do it because it has led me to some extremely cool people with similar niche interests. Also, it's nice to be able to share your experiences with people who can maybe relate and give feedback either way.

3. What is your most guilty pleasure?
Oh, I have so many! The People's Court. McDonald's vanilla soft serve cones. Chili Cheese fries from The Hat. Payless Shoe Source.

4. Are you confused as to what lies ahead of you?
Confused...no. Curious? YES.

5. Where do you see yourself in five years?
Still married, a homeowner, someone's boss, hopefully FINALLY successful at convincing Art to get another dog.

6. What is more blessed, loving someone or being loved by someone else?
Being able to give yourself freely and fully to someone else is divine. Being loved (truly loved) is an amazing feeling that everyone should have an opportunity to experience. But I think that loving someone else is a greater blessing. I sound like a magnificent tool, don't I?

7. If the person you like does not care about you back the same way, would you continue to wait for them to change their mind?
Welcome to three years of my high school experience. It took FOREVER before someone I liked liked me back. And yes, I usually dug in my heels for a while. I come by my stubborn nature honestly. As for non-romantic interests, if people don't like me, it will eat at me for a good while before I can finally write them off.

8. If the person you secretly like is already attached, what would you do?
Before I was married, I could not care less.

9. Is there anything that has made you unhappy recently?
Yes. Work, mostly. My cases have been stressful and annoying lately.

10. What do you want most in life?
Security.

11. Which of the 7 Deadly Sins do you think you relate to the most & why?
Toss-up! Greed and Sloth.

12. Which of the 7 Holy Virtues do you think you exemplify most regularly and why?
Oh, jeez. Tough! Kindness? I have no idea.

13. Who is currently the most important person to you?
My mother and my husband.

14. What kind of person do you think you are?
Funny, intelligent, lazy, loyal and shrewd.

15. Do you believe there is nothing higher than human kind?
Undecided.

16. Which fictional character could you most see yourself being friends with?
NOEL CRANE. FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS.

17. Would you give your all in a relationship?
Everyday.

18. Do you have a motto? If yes, which one?
"You can't take it with you."

19. What type of friends do you like?
I like attractive people who are intelligent but have no problem getting silly and are much more clever than I am (not hard). I also tend to collect people that are really 'live and let live' types and I dig that a lot. Also - patience is a plus because I can be SUPER ANNOYING.

20. Do you have an all time favorite song?
OOH - HARD. Toss-up! Paper Bag - Fiona Apple or Today - Smashing Pumpkins.

I'm supposed to tag people. Feel free to ignore me: lepapillon, unhappyending, faith21, aprilbegins, solflower22, superbonbon4, sweetcynic23, missst25

Play it

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 20:03:54 GMT

This post is for my Bay Area friends who might be looking for something fun to do this weekend. My friend Marcela is going up there to play a show! I've seen her a few times through the years and she just keeps getting better, so you should totally go so that when she gets big you can say you saw her 'way back then.' I'm posting her flyer below, which will give you the details on her show and a link to her myspace where you can hear how awesome and talented she is. I recommend you go, and when you do, tell her Susan sent you. That way, she'll forgive me for missing her last couple L.A. shows. Which I've only missed because I've been ill, not because I don't love her. Because I DO. Love her. Even though she hates green tea.

Let's not contemplate that I'm halfway to 60

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 17:10:53 GMT

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY! We are leaving for Vegas in about ninety minutes (and no, I'm still not packed...or even dressed, whatevs) but I wanted to stop by and say a big thanks for the birthday greetings from my friends list! It really means a lot to me, especially since I'm not especially posty or fandom-y anymore.

So, this is it. I'm actually 30. It is not as bad as 29 was, surprisingly. So, if you're ever dreading a birthday, I completely recommend planning a huge party, it helps soften the blow.

Things I probably should have done by now are, get a college degree and buy a house, but hey, gotta make these next 30 years worth living, right? I have a great job, found the love of my life, cultivated amazing friendships and the kid thing is not on my radar, so I say, not too shabby.

Art gave me my gifts at midnight, which was appreciated since the Phoenix Suns LOST to the freaking Lakers last night. He bought me an external hard drive (thank GOD because I was down to a gig and a half on my laptop) and season one of How I Met Your Mother! YAY! I LITERALLY cannot wait to sit down and watch that again. And - he's whisking me off to Las Vegas today to spend the next four days with friends. We used to try to go to Vegas twice a year and we haven't been together since before we were married. SO YAY EXCITING.

I have to shut up now because Art is done packing and I am not.

With Full Apologies to Superbonbon4

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 18:18:40 GMT

Phoenix Suns Close to Trading Marion for Shaq.

Please, can SOMEONE with some SENSE intervene in the Suns front office? This would be a ridiculous trade for the Suns. Shaq is old, injury prone and even worse, too slow and lumbering for the Suns running style. Not to mention, in the midst of his worst season ever. I just don't see him shaking up anything. The Heat would be getting rid of some dead and expensive meat and gaining a still viable, exciting player in Shawn Marion. Sure, he has an attitude problem, but this is the NBA, after all. This trade is going to make me SO cranky. What a bummer. Damn you, Steve Kerr, after all the loyalty I've given to you? Even when you were a Bull??

In other news, I took my exam for work on Monday, and am pretty confident I did well. If I passed, I'll get a confirmation next month and it will likely take another month before I am placed on an eligibility list. Oh, civil service, you are so wondrous. STILL, it could be promotion time in just a few months. And that's exciting!

Also, I voted yesterday! It went smoothly other than the poll workers loudly yelling between each other that I needed a DEMOCRAT ballot! And that DEMOCRATS were supposed to vote over there, "WHERE IT SAYS DEMOCRAT." Because, I am a Democrat, after all, and apparently everyone in the room needed to know that. I really hated being disillusioned so early in the process but I did some reading beforehand and then voted for my gut choice. It can't get much WORSE, right?

Let it Go

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 17:55:33 GMT

Okay, I hate letting sad LJ entries linger, especially when they are public so I feel compelled to post again. Unfortunately, I don't have much time so it will be a bullet point post.

I apologize greatly since I was so sad in the face yesterday and did not acknowledge the birthdays of two great ladies - expatiates and maka2000. Tracy, I am glad you are having a lot of fun right now, and I hope it continues. Your enthusiasm is infectious. Maka, I hope that you paint the town red when you are ready - you deserve it.

So....good news...hm...

**I bought a ticket to see Tilly and the Wall! The show is next month at a tiny tiny venue. I'm really excited about it, and I have hellopoe to thank since it was her that got me listening. However, I'm going alone so someone else should get a ticket and come with me.

**Does anyone have a spinach and artichoke dip recipe handy? I get a fruit/veggie delivery every two weeks and this week it came with two artichokes. I don't want them to go to waste but I am at a loss for what to do with them.

**I have been The Office crazed ever since seeing the cast again at the SAG awards. I think I've almost convinced Heather to marathon the show with me this weekend. Lately though, I've been watching the UK version since -shocker- I've never seen it. I really like Gareth - he's HILARIOUS.

Okay, I am boring myself. I need to get back to work. Also - it smells like someone is frying bacon around here, investigation under way.

Bummer

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:34:06 GMT

Edwards to Drop Presidential Bid.

I am SO FREAKING BUMMED. I don't even know what to do now. I am so disillusioned. Couldn't he have waited a week?? I wanted to vote for him SO BAD.

Ugh. Ugh. Ugh.

Norbit is Oscar Nominated.

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 16:22:35 GMT

Oscar Nominations!

I am bitter about the following snubs: James McAvoy for Atonement, I think without his performance, the film wouldn't have worked as well as it did for me and Into the Wild for Best Picture.

Other than that, not too shabby, I guess. I don't know why I am so surprised by the amount of attention Michael Clayton recieved. I did really enjoy it, but I didn't think too many voters would still remember it. Thus is the star power of George Clooney.

I'm not rooting strongly for anything just yet. Mostly, I'm "enh." No Oscar party this year.

Thievery!

Sun, 06 Jan 2008 09:37:13 GMT

I am too lazy to post about me, so I am stealing an idea from keyser7soze! Here are some movies I've seen recently and what I thought of them. Art goes to see movies I am too chicken to see so I'll give you his opinion on those.

No Country for Old Men - Art's has seen this one twice now and if he's not yapping about how excited he is for the return of The Wire (today!), then he's talking about how much he loves this movie. He says it is brilliant and quotes the dialogue all the time. His favorite movie this year.

Atonement - Loved it. I thought it was devastating and loved the non-linear storytelling. I am no Keira Knightley fan but she won me over some here. Also - the costuming in the beginning of the movie is amazing.

Enchanted - Adorable! It was really entertaining and light and Amy Adams is so engaging. The ending was a bit pat for me, but it's not like we're re-inventing the wheel here.

The Orphanage - Art really liked it and thought it did a good job of stepping outside the traditional horror movie box and that it was really effective at creating suspense. The only thing he didn't like was that he didn't believe some of the character's motivations.

There Will be Blood - Art said it was a good movie and he loved Daniel Day Lewis in it (though, Art would watch Daniel Day Lewis read the phone book for two hours) but that Paul Thomas Anderson movies always make him feel like he's out of the loop.

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly - Art loved the cinematography and appreciated the story for what it was trying to do, but he said he thought it would be better.

Juno - I will be honest with you here, during the first twenty minutes I wanted to walk out. To borrow from one of my favorite episodes of The Simpsons, it reeked of effort. Then, the movie relaxed a bit and let the story take over and it was so much more enjoyable. Next thing I know, I am bawling like an idiot at the end. The performances were all fantastic and it saved the whole movie for me. Jennifer Garner was especially good, amazing with the vulnerability her part needed. Still, I would have preferred to have seen this on DVD or for free or something. Sorry for the babbling, I just saw this one tonight so it's fresh in my head.

Let's Take a Look in the Back

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 17:53:50 GMT

Okay, I know that I haven't been here in a while but I am just here to drop off the End of Year Meme. More when I have time to think!

What Happened 2007??

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before? I ran a 5K!
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I went back in my posts and didn't see any resolutions so I guess I didn't. I have plenty for this year though and I'll post those on the 2nd.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? One of my 2nd cousins had a baby in October. A little boy named Julian. Cute!
4. Did anyone close to you die? No.
5. What countries did you visit? None! But Art and I made our travel plans for 2008 and the answer to this question SHOULD change next year.
6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007? An external hard drive. Seriously - I am running so low on room!
7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? March 12th - Heather, Tam and I roadtripped to San Diego. Oct. 9th - the day we celebrated 3 years of marriage and 10 years of being a couple.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? That 5K!
9. What was your biggest failure? I missed all of my god daughter's soccer games. I am a jerk.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Just my garden variety illnesses, a sinus infection here, a few days with back pain there.
11. What was the best thing you bought? Our new tv is pretty awesome.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? I have a couple of people in mind, but I should tell them in person before I say so on my LJ.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Oh, a lot of people. I could have used some work on my behavior, too.
14. Where did most of your money go? Probably to the sushi restaurant Art and I go to once a week. Oh, and yarn. I have a lot of yarn.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Knitting. OH man, did I get excited about knitting. Also, Jason Dohring.
16. What song will always remind you of 2007? Umbrella by Rihanna and Big Girls Don't Cry by Fergie. Hey, it didn't ask for the best songs!
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer? a) sadder, b) thinner, c) richer
18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Volunteering. I really need to start!
19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Sweating the small stuff.
20. How did you spend Christmas? Made breakfast and then went to visit with my family in Orange County. We saw Art's family the weekend before Christmas.
21. Did you fall in love in 2007? I never thought it was possible, but I fell even more in love with Art. I won the husband lottery.
22. What was your favorite TV program? The Office. Hands down! Honorable mention for The People's Court and Clean House, which is pretty much all I am watching nowadays.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? I don't think so, no.
24. What was the best book you read? Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery? The National. Ingrid Michaelson.
26. What did you want and get? The Office season 3 on DVD, Jason Dohring to get a new show, tickets to see The Decemberists.
27. What did you want and not get? a Mini Cooper.
28. What was your favorite film of this year? Waitress! I loved that movie.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 29. Art, my BiL, Heather and I went to Margarita Wednesday at Barragan's in Glendale. Good times.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Buying a house.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007? Find something that works and wear it constantly. I totally need new clothes.
32. What kept you sane? Daily e-mails with Kesha.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? John Edwards. ( and Jason Dohring)
34. What political issue stirred you the most? Too many to count.
35. Who did you miss? I miss hanging with C. I miss Kesha constantly!
36. Who was the best new person you met? Meeting and hanging out with briasoleil in July was pretty awesome.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007? Get over it, already.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year
I am likely to miss the main event
If I stop to cry and complain again
So I will keep a deliberate pace
Let the damn breeze dry my face
-Fiona Apple, A Better Version of Me

What are you all doing tonight? Art and I have invited a couple of people over for drinks and maybe a Scene It! tournament. I refuse to get too drunk so I am going to stick with just a steady stream of wine. I am making a baked brie that I'm pretty excited about. We don't usually go out anymore because the traffic in town gets pretty bad with the parade watchers. Lots of tourists out there right now. In fact, on my way in to work this morning, there were already people camped out on the street!

Tomorrow, I'm off work, so I am going to attempt some soul food. Fried fish and collared greens ("they're not called collard people") and mac 'n cheese. Heather is making a peach cobbler. Now, as long as Illinois beats USC in the Rose Bowl it should be a perfect day! Happy New Year! Please be careful if you are going out tonight.

Happy Birthday to glazedlife and velocityofsound!!

I refuse to stress, I refuse to stress!

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 16:44:44 GMT

This week has been a total challenge for me. Work has been disgusting, like standing in the bathroom stall telling yourself to stop weeping and pull yourself together already type of bad. Like, go home and run a mile or two to blow off steam type of bad. And now it's Christmas crunch time! ww1614 posted her to-do list, and I know I'll forget something, so I'm going to do the same.

figure out what to make for the family potluck and call my aunt to tell her,

~~Finish shopping! I still need gifts for Nephew 3, Niece 3, my mom, my m-i-l, Nephew 5, Niece 2, stocking stuffers for my b-i-l and last minute stuff for Art~~

~~track down some tamales since I forgot to place an order and my mom is bugging out~~

finish knitting the slippers for my mom

dye my hair

~~buy wrapping paper~~

wrap everything

grocery shop

make cookies

pick-up my nasty house

TL Christmas brunch

Light at the end of the tunnel: Jon Brion at Largo on Saturday night, and a movie date with Art on Christmas Eve (AFTER WORK, god! Why didn't I take vacation time?).

Good News: My friend B let me know she has a ticket for me to see Rufus Wainwright in March. Thank goodness because I totally forgot. I spaced on a ticket sale?? What is wrong with me? superbonbon4 - it's in LA, Mar. 5th - do you want me to see if she can get any more??

For those on the edge of their seats over my career: I made the application deadline for promotion. I have to take an exam in January.

Back to the salt mines.