Friday, February 17, 2012

Lobsters and Balloons

I have no idea...it's just something my goofy husband says. I figured it would be fitting for a RANDOM BLOG!

My friend Bethany posted one and I thought it looked like fun. Here's the deal - I'm gonna list 11 random things about myself, answer the 11 questions Bethany asked on her blog of randomness, and then ask you 11 random questions, and the the chain continues. Get it? Good. Let's begin.

Eleven Random Things About Me:
1. I'm learning to play the ukulele. My daughter started classes, and when I went to buy her her very own ukulele I fell in love with one and decided that I must have it, and if I must have it, I must play it. I've never played an instrument before, and I'm thoroughly enjoying the time with my daughter when she gives me lessons.
My Uke!
2. I dance. I love all forms of dancing and at one point I've done ballet, tap, modern jazz, and even pointe. However, I discovered belly dancing in 2009 and fell absolutely in love, became obsessed. It's something that I think has always been in my blood; I just never knew it.

3. I have three tattoos and 7 piercings (four of those piercings being in my ear). I would have 8, but my tongue piercing closed up during a shrimp allergy experience. I want another tattoo. And maybe another piercing.

4. When I was a child, I thought being a veterinarian and a vegetarian were mutually exclusive. And I wanted to be one.

5. I'm absolutely, completely, without a cure, obsessed with sports. I can't get enough games, sports news, sports trivia, sports quizzes, sports rumors, sports sports sports...which is probably why I love my job so much working for a sports site. Of course I have my favorites (Seattle Seahawks, Anaheim Ducks, Seattle Mariners - any Seattle sports, really - and Indy Colts) but I'll watch just about anybody.

6. I've been fortunate enough to have road tripped across the entire United States and will do so again this summer, on the Coast Guard's dime. Well, the travel will be on the Coast Guard's dime...the fun stuff is all on us.

7. I don't cry when normal people do. I get the "happy" choked up tears and overwhelmed tears of pride etc. like normal, but tears of sadness don't seem to come at normal times. I didn't cry for three days after my dad died. I was catatonic. But when my 10yo goldfish died, I lost it.

8. I love gadgets and video games. And books.

9. I've recently started making baked goods from scratch, due to a recent gift from my husband for Yule (a KitchenAid). I even purchased a piping bag and want to keep practicing frosting until I get it perfect so I can make my cupcakes look like those on Cupcake Wars.
Will help me make lots of nummies!

10. I can't stop watching the ID channel or reading mystery suspense novels, even though they scare the hell out of me and I lock the house up like a fortress so nobody gets me.

11. I love anything artsy, but I suck at crafts. I write poetry, and I'm actually a decent artist when I try, but I don't have a lot of patience, which is something I've noticed is required of a good crafter.


Answers to Eleven Questions Asked by Bethany:
1. What is your most treasured possession?
I try not to put too much into material things, and I don't have a ton of stuff with much sentimental value because I've had too many things break or get lost over the years and I've tried to distance myself from "possessions" due to that. I would probably say at this point, my car. It gets me where I want to go safely, and it allows me road trips. Going without a car for a couple of years will make you appreciate such things.

2. Coffee or tea?
Coffee for sure - Starbucks Caramel Macchiato to be exact

3. If you could be an extra on any TV show, what show would it be?
Psych - no question

4. what is your favorite way to spend your weekend?
Depends on the season.
Fall and Winter - Saturday with the family doing something outdoorsy or something and then watching Saturday Night Hockey, Sunday watching football all day long and hockey at night.
Summer - out in the sun, on the water, whatever.
Spring - Reading, reading, reading...and sleeping and generally being lazy

5. If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Like one meal? Or just one thing? Meal = Steak w/asparagus or steamed veggies, confetti rice, and a salad. Just one thing = Steak

6. what did you want to be when you "grew-up" ?
I wanted to be a dancer and a sports journalist. I guess some dreams don't ever go away

7. what is your favorite childhood memory?
Trips to the Oregon coast with my family...any of them

8. If you could live anywhere in the world for one year, where would you live?
Mainland, Florida. I've grown to love it here but I want off the island.
New Smyrna Beach, Florida

9. Traditional books or e-readers? why?
Traditional books for classic novels - because nothing beats the feel and sound of turning a page, the smell of books, etc. I do love my Nook too though - because I can keep a lot of books on it without my husband having to tote heavy boxes all over. I'm always buying new books to read, and a lot of them are just regular fun novels that I will never get rid of and don't like to loan out anyway so I might as well do those on the e-reader. The good stuff though (Harry Potter, Twilight, Narnia, Eragon series, and classics) will remain on my regular bookcase.

10. Favorite flower ?
Any lily will do but specifically the calla

11. Favorite vacation you've ever been on?
Disney World and Universal with my husband, bar none.


Eleven Random Questions You Should Answer:
1. If you could learn how to play an instrument you don't already play, what would it be?

2. You're stranded on a deserted island, with electricity, oddly - what 3 CD's do you want with you?

3. Your favorite article of clothing?

4. All expenses paid trip anywhere in the United States for two weeks - where do you go?

5. Five cars you would like to put in your collector's garage?

6. What's your favorite book?

7. What's your "go-to" potluck dish? (If you don't bring a dish, what do you bring?)

8. If you could afford to give your parents the gift of their dreams, what would it be?

9. You have a surprise extra day off of work - what do you do?

10. Favorite snack?

11. What was your favorite birthday, and why?
GO!

Friday, January 20, 2012

Anticipation

I've gotta say, I'm a bit disappointed by fans of the Stephanie Plum books being so closed-minded about this movie! We have to remember that we all have our different interpretations of characters, how they look, etc. and I think that this movie looks like a LOT of fun for even people who've never heard of the books!

I must admit, I'm looking more forward to this movie than I've ever looked forward to any other..including Harry Potters, Twilights, Star Wars, etc. I'm so freaking excited!!



I'd never heard of the dude playing Morelli - but I imagined Daniel Sunjata as Ranger from the minute I started reading the books. And Sherri Shepherd as Lula!