Today is supposed to be the work day from hell. I have to get in another...*checks TimekeeperE*...eleven hours today to make my charge hours this month. Since I often have to explain this, charge hours are the hours I work that are chargable to clients. So things like going to the bathroom, eating, and blogging are all things that I do at work that are not chargable to clients. Bleech. I'm taking tomorrow off, though, and I am very much looking forward to it. All I really have to do tomorrow is payroll at church, and after that, I'm home free. Josh is having a superbowl party, and making wings. Mmmm, wings. Since I don't really like professional football (that's another entry) and I don't care who wins, I will probably be in the kitchen eating and drinking and talking and running into the living room when the commercials come on. And, more Leah phonage! She's supposed to call sometime tomorrow afternoon, but she hasn't answered any of the four emails I sent her yesterday, so she's not getting any more until she acknowledges them. [wink]

I slept until 8:00 today. I love lying in bed, knowing I don't have to get up. I slept in a stocking cap last night. My head gets so cold at night when it's so cold outside, and I'm uncomfortable. I don't like putting my head under the covers because I like breathing the cold air, and pillows end up falling off. So I thought, "Of course! A hat!" It worked! My head was warm, and my lungs were cool. Always thinking, I am.

I knew he'd love it! Josh mentioned that he pretty much watched Firefly all the way through. He raved, and now Chelsea and Kristen want to borrow it. Just doing my part to help the eventual return of the best show ever. [grin]

Taken from a Wednesday conversation in TKD:

Me: "Ever heard the expression: 'Colder than a witch's teat?'"
Various assents or shaking heads.
Me: "Well, I am now intimately familiar with the term. I left my bag in my truck all day, and my do-bok is freezing."

I will leave to the imagination the fact that my sports bra was also in the bag.


Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it is officially colder than a witch's teat. The high today will be zero. Nought, nil, nothing. Ze-ro.

I'm jumping on the theft bandwagon again. I stalk all these people, but it's copied and pasted from Tina, who I stalk most often. [girlkissers] And frankly, I'm embarrassed at some of the movies I haven't seen. They're on my list. But I borrowed XXX from Emily, like, five months ago and still haven't watched it. Hey! Sometimes I'm just in the mood for a whatever-genre-XXX-falls-into-but-definitely-not-'good' movie.

[quoting Tina]Stolen (including preamble) from bettie, who stole it from The P@, who stole it from someone else. At what point does theft become homage?

[quoting Bettie] The list is from IMDB, and while I'm sure most of us have an opinion on the rankings (or the order of them), the point of this entry is to bold out the movies that you've seen. HTML ahoy!![/quote][/quote]

Hee! Quotage!


1 Godfather, The (1972)
2 Shawshank Redemption, The (1994)
3 Godfather: Part II, The (1974)
4 Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The (2003)
5 Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The (2002)
6 Casablanca (1942)
7 Schindler’s List (1993)
8 Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)
9 Shichinin no samurai (1954)
10 Star Wars (1977)
11 Citizen Kane (1941)
12 One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
13 Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
14 Rear Window (1954)
15 Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
16 Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
17 Memento (2000)
18 Usual Suspects, The (1995)
19 Pulp Fiction (1994)
20 North by Northwest (1959)
21 12 Angry Men (1957)
22 Amelie (2001)
23 Psycho (1960)
24 Lawrence of Arabia (1962) I'm not positive I haven't seen this one. I'll leave it unchecked, though.
25 Buono, il brutto, il cattivo, Il (1966)
26 Silence of the Lambs, The (1991)
27 It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
28 Goodfellas (1990)
29 American Beauty (1999)
30 Vertigo (1958)
31 Sunset Blvd. (1950)
32 Matrix, The (1999)
33 Pianist, The (2002)
34 Apocalypse Now (1979)
35 To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
36 Some Like It Hot (1959)
37 Taxi Driver (1976)
38 C’era una volta il West (1968) (Once Upon a Time in the West)
39 Third Man, The (1949)
40 Paths of Glory (1957)
41 Fight Club (1999)
42 Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi (2001) (Spirited Away)
43 Boot, Das (1981)
44 L.A. Confidential
45 Double Indemnity (1944)
46 Chinatown (1974)
47 Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
48 Maltese Falcon, The (1941)
49 Requiem for a Dream (2000)
50 M (1931)
51 Bridge on the River Kwai, The (1957)
52 All About Eve (1950)
53 Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
54 Se7en (1995)
55 Saving Private Ryan (1998)
56 Raging Bull (1980)
57 Cidade de Deus (2002)
58 Wizard of Oz, The (1939)
59 Rashômon (1950)
60 Sting, The (1973)
61 Alien (1979)
62 American History X (1998)
63 Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
64 Léon (1994) (The Professional)
65 Vita è bella, La (1997)
66 Touch of Evil (1958)
67 Manchurian Candidate, The (1962)
68 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
69 Treasure of the Sierra Madre, The (1948)
70 Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
71 Great Escape, The (1963)
72 Reservoir Dogs (1992)
73 Clockwork Orange, A (1971)
74 Amadeus (1984)
75 Modern Times (1936)
76 Annie Hall (1977)
77 Jaws (1975)
78 Ran (1985)
79 On the Waterfront (1954)
80 Braveheart (1995)
81 High Noon (1952)
82 Apartment, The (1960)
83 Fargo (1996)
84 Sixth Sense, The (1999)
85 Aliens (1986)
86 Shining, The (1980)
87 Strangers on a Train (1951)
88 Blade Runner (1982)
89 Metropolis (1927)
90 Duck Soup (1933)
91 Finding Nemo (2003)
92 Donnie Darko (2001)
93 General, The (1927)
94 Toy Story 2 (1999)
95 Princess Bride, The (1987)
96 City Lights (1931)
97 Great Dictator, The (1940)
98 Lola rennt (1998)
99 Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
100 Notorious (1946)


And this is stolen from bettie. I thought it was way cool. Lots of these I've merely driven through, because Dad's idea of a vacation was seeing how much driving you can get done in a day, while seeing as many Civil War battlefields as possible.




create your own visited states map
or write about it on the open travel guide

Wheeeee! Leah phonage! She called yesterday, and we talked for 40 minutes about nothing. It was wonderful!

Michelle is back! Wheeee! (It's to early to be this excited about too many things) She says she's back for good, so yay and a half!

I finally bought Natalie Merchant's Motherland...last month, I think. I've been listening to it a lot. I love Natalie Merchant. I love to sing her songs (a lot because our voices have almost the same ranges). I almost have to buy another copy of Ophelia because I've carted it around so much it's gotten a bit damaged and won't play in some players. I've had that trouble with The Cranberries' Everyone Else is Doing It, Why Can't We? and VAST's self-titled album. Those are the only three. It's kind of funny that you can play a CD so much it gets worn out. Wasn't compaq disc technology supposed to avoid that? Anyway, back to Natalie. I can't think of a song of hers that I don't like. And I think it's more the music than the words. A lot of artists just do variations of the same theme, but I think every one of her songs has a different personality. At the same time, they're the same, since her voice is so distinctive.

Motherland cradle me, close my eyes, lullaby me to sleep. Keep me safe, lie with me, stay beside me don't go....

If Tina can steal shamelessly, so can I. I'll get flak for stealing, so shhhhh!


Number of pillows you sleep with: 2

What do your teeth look like: Fairly straight, naturally enough to never need braces. Kristen called them something like dazzling the other day (but it was a lot funnier word). Thank you, Crest Whitestrips!

What are you wearing: White dress shirt with a green and tan sweater vest, tan suede pants and my Earth shoes.

What are you doing in 1 hour: Staff meeting.

What were you doing 12AM last night: Sleeping. I was at work at 6:00 am this morning!

Do you like trampolines: I have to be in the right mood.

How old will you be in 10 years: 35. Wow. I remember when eighth graders were ancient.

Do you have braces: Never.

Last thing you ate: English muffin and a cup of coffee. Hmm, I should get another cup.

Are you paranoid: Oh, sometimes I'm convinced people are talking about me. Especially when they're whispering and pointing at me.

Do you burn or tan: I'll steal this answer from Tina too: I'm lucky I don't turn into a pile of ash in the sunlight

Pen or pencil: Gel-pen

Do you check your mail regularly: Only when I'm at work

Describe your cd player: The stereo I got when I was a junior in high school, kind of like a little boom box, but with removable speakers (to put wider). It really is a nice little stereo. It probably cost $150 when I got it, but you could get the same thing for $30 now. It has served me well.

Tooth brush: Aqua and white Oral B.

Computer: I don't have one. My work computer is a Compaq Armada M700 laptop.

Purse: The one I use most regularly is a little black shoulder number, and when you open it up, there's a little light inside that goes on. The light is what sold me.

What color are your nails: I don't wear polish.

What color are your eyes: Dark brown.

Last person you yelled at: Couldn't tell you.

First real memory of something: I think I remember getting my diapers changes on the dining room table, but I'm not sure. I did surprise my mother a couple weeks ago by describing the house of a guy where I first walked, and haven't been back since then.

First car: Red Volkswagon Rabbit

First date: I think my first real date was the junior prom.

First job: Cashier at Econofoods.

First piercing/tattoo: I got my ears pierced when I was 12, I believe. I don't wear earrings anymore. I got my navel pierced when I was a freshman in college. That's still there, but I hardly ever remember it is.

First big trip: What's the definition of big? I think the first family vacation we took that wasn't camping or Adventureland was after dad took a second job. We went West. Drove. 12 states in 14 days.

First musician you remember hearing in your house: Got me. Mom listened to the radio all the time.

Last kiss: I take the fifth.

Last good cry: When Leah left.

Last library book checked out: Paula. There's a fine waiting for me on that one.

Last movie seen: It's been a while. It was either one of the commentaries on The Two Towers, or back when I saw Paycheck with Josh.

Last book read: Living with your Genes, don't remember the author

Last beverage drank: Coffee. Still need that second cup.

Last TV show watched: Oh, what was the last one on my tape? A West Wing, I think. Bravo's showing last year's episodes, the ones I missed because Angel moved, so I'm recording those and watching them.

Last time showered: Yesterday morning

Last shoes worn: I'm wearing my Earth shoes.

Last item bought: I went to McDonald's yesterday and bought cheeseburgers. Hee!

Last soda drank: Diet Vanilla Pepsi

Last thing written by hand: Tickmarks for a tax return

Last sexual fantasy: I'm taking the fifth on this one, too. There was an odd person involved.

Last ice cream eaten: I really don't eat ice cream.

Last time hugged: I gave Ken a hug hello Wednesday.

Last time scolded: Couldn't tell you.

I suppose that settles it. I didn't get in enough hours this weekend to go to the tournament. I just couldn't bring myself to come in yesterday. I was at church doing the books until almost 4:00, since I was sick last week, and all the normal stuff had been put off all month so I could get last year closed. So I went home and talked to my parents, whom I hadn't talked to since Jacob's wedding (two weeks! I think that's a record. I can't believe I went that long without calling my mom!), and watched most of the TV I'd taped to watch later. It was a fairly relaxing day, and I'm pretty sure I needed it.

We start doing trust returns out at Hills Bank today. It's a nice change of pace, but less internet access. I'm coming in in the mornings to work so I can go to TKD in the evenings. Check out the time stamp.

I don't know what to do! I'm behind on my charge hours, but making them up is doable, if I work next Saturday. But I really want to go to that tournament in Des Moines. If I don't work next Saturday, I'll really have to break myself at work, and probably even give up some TKD practice time (which I really need if my form is going to be tournament-worthy by Saturday). Stupid January. It's always the hardest, because the beginning of the month is really slow and you're working break-neck at the end to make charge hours. I even lowered my budget expectations for January this year, and still I'm in the same boat. Bleeech. I suppose I find out how many hours I can get in this weekend. If I can get 15, I can work 10 hours a day M-F easy and take Saturday off. Maybe that's the deal I'll make with my boss. We'll see.

I lent Firefly to Josh. He missed it while it was on TV (along with the rest of the world), but I think I'm recruiting a fan. I think he'll really appreciate the camera work. It's a style all it's own. I can see him stealing ideas from it for at least one of his own projects.

As I said, last night was the first night back at Tae Kwon Do. It was nice being back. Went to McDonald's afterwards with Kristen for cheeseburgers. She said that Chris read this book that said they put something in them to make them addictive. That would explain why I've had four of them since I was sick. It was the first thing that sounded good after not eating for two days, and I've been eating them ever since. There's a McDonald's over by The Nest. If I'm hungry again tonight...$1 for a cheeseburger just cannot be turned down! And I did find that dollar in my laundry last night. Guess that seals it. Found money=cheeseburger.

Kristen also asked me a very exciting question, which I won't mention yet. I'll have to ask her first. Wheee! [/cryptic, hopefully]

Last night, I was also awake until after midnight. Angel was postponed until 10:00 because of the Iowa/Iowa State game (I'm so glad I'm not following basketball again this year, although it is Brody's last year - yum!), and then I laid in bed for at least an hour, running through my form and running through what hopefully will be tonight's lessons. Then I got up an hour early to come into work early, to get some extra work done, because I'm running behind on charge hours. I want to go to this tournament on the 31st, and I'm scared to try and ask it off if I'm going to fall short on hours this month. Dilemmas. Gary's been in a really good mood lately, so he might approve it even so. [crossfingers] In short, I'm a little tired today.

And Angel...I'm a little miffed that I figured everything out after the first act. I'm one of those people who watch TV purely for the mind-numbing go-along-for-the-ride of it. I don't analyze. But I have been entirely to analytical in my reviews on the board lately, and insightful and all about the character development, so I figured it out and then had my head bashed in with a shovel for the last three acts with the fulfillment of the arcs I predicted. This is what you've done to me, Joss! Making television smart, so I think!

Just checking in quick to let you know I've been sick. Sunday, I think I was awake for three hours total. But I'm feeling better today, and I'm planning on being back for the first night back of Tae Kwon Do tonight. Yay!

Way too much to catch up on at work, so that's it for today.

A pox on all those who said it couldn't be done! [dance] I just got Alias Season 1 on eBay, for $35, including shipping. I feel like I'm taking advantage of the poor girl. Oh well. She's the one who set the Buy It Now price. $35! Now, two problems: Season 2 and finding time to watch it...


Happy Birthday, little brother!

Jewels finds the best quizzes.


You are blessed with FAERY wings. Beauty,
laughter, life, magic...that's what you are all
about. You are refreshingly innocent and happy
with your life of purity and play. Life's a
game and it's a good one. In your eyes there's
no way to lose! You can be very mischeivous and
have been known to cause trouble, but it's all
in the name of fun and not meant to really harm
anyone. You like to play tricks on people who
aren't quite as bright or clever as you - which
is almost everyone. Nature is the setting you
prefer to be in - Always. Barefoot and wild you
can't be tamed. You're probably a restless
spirit who loves to travel, and quite a
dreamer. Your creativity is astounding and your
art (of whatever media - from writing to
painting to drama) is like something from
another world - ethereal and often very
fantasy-oriented. You can either be a social
butterfly or a loner with their head in the
clouds - but rarely inbetween. You stubbornly
refuse to accept responsibility or to give in
to the wishes of others - unless you feel like
it. You have a strong passion for music and
can't imagine life without it. You'll grow up
someday, but you'll always be a child at heart.
You are adventurous and love to take risks, and
feel a deep connection with the weather,
plants, and animals. You prefer sunshine to
thunder or snow, the warmth of summer to
autumn's chill, and quiet forests to suburban
backyards. Magic through and through, you are
far more powerful than you seem, and are
capable of being extremely passionate. Though
you can be childish, naive, stubborn, and
self-absorbed, one thing is certain - life with
you will never be boring!


*~*~*Claim Your Wings - Pics and Long Answers*~*~*
brought to you by Quizilla

Lotrboy Dating Service by dreaminaway
Username
Favorite Number
Your Date	Billy Boyd
Date activity	Movie premiere
Future of relationship	Become Hollywood Power Couple
Created with quill18's MemeGen!

Sweet! Watch out Hollywood, here we come! *Sigh* I could listen to that accent forever.

I'm a teacher! I had my first night teaching Tae Kwon Do out at the Gym-Nest last night. I had fun. I had asked Leah for a few tips on teaching kids, since I really haven't been around kids much since I was one, and she came back with all kinds of helpful stuff. I ended up doing some one-on-few teaching with three groups of two to three kids, and that was a good start. I was so wound up last night, trying to keep names with faces, and what worked for me and what didn't, that I couldn't get to sleep until 11. The hardest part was remembering that they were beginners and didn't necessarily know the basics. Then I had to backtrack, and that just confused them. I'll have to work on that. Ashton imparted some wisdom, as well. Among other things, he mentioned that it would be a good idea to match up the kids with their parents. Not only because it helps with problems if you've at least met with them before, but that the demographics of the people who bring their kids here are basically that they're the exact people the firm is trying to target for clients. So I can chalk this up as a community-involvement activity, too. Bonus!

I have to start recording some of my dreams. I dream about the most bizarre stuff. This one is from the night before last:

If you've ever seen that episode of South Park called "Chinpokomon" (which I learned means 'penis' in Japanese), there's this 'ad' for a "Wacky Fun Crazy Bike" or something like that. It's impossible to drive. I know this because in my dream, I was riding it down Melrose Ave. Mine was a two-seater, and Leah was riding with me. When we got to the intersection of Melrose and Mormon Trek, the thing started throwing sparks, and five or six vehicles started on fire, as well as the traffic lights. One man jumped from his car, burning, and I helped him Stop, Drop and Roll. In starting all these vehicles on fire, I pissed off the cat from hell. It was fatter than all get out and had a split tongue. A policeman had to lift me into the air, because this cat was jumping really high into the air, trying to claw me in two. Kind of like The Cat Next Door on Peanuts. That's when I woke up scared. The funny thing is, the day before, the subject on my dream calendar was 'cats'. I told mom, and she said, "It was supposed to help you interpret your dreams, not cause them!"

Okay, I went with a different comment provider, hopefully I've got things sorted out...

I've been seeing this "two pies for $1" deal at McDonald's, and it had me craving one. I go through the drive-through. If two pies are one dollar, how much do you think one pie is? A dollar! In short, I ate two pies.

In the process of transferring part of my CD collection to the office, I've grabbed the soundtrack to Les Miserables. I'd forgotten how much I enjoy it. It was the first Broadway play I ever saw, and the only one I've seen actually on Broadway in New York. We went as part of the band trip in high school, because we had played a medley for one of our concerts, and I ended up falling in love. Probably mostly because it was my first, but I do love the story. I've read that 1200 page monstrosity three times. I decided that if I ever got cancer and was going to die, my wish would be to sing Eponine in a Broadway production. When I found out that the run was going to end last year(?) a little dream died. Or "Now life has killed the dream I dreamed." I'll just have to wait to get cancer until there's a revival. [grin]

Kristen and Todd are back in town. Thank goodness. I was feeling kind of lonely. Kind of. I'm dreading the end of the semester, when everyone leaves. *Sigh.* Have I said that before? I was giving Josh a run for his money at Scene It. I was quite proud. And, the girls beat the boys at Star Wars Trivial Pursuit. No cheating at all. [grin]



Lord of the Rings!


What movie Do you Belong in?(many different outcomes!)
brought to you by Quizilla

I ended up going home early on Thursday and taking Friday morning off. I feel much better, but I missed the first day of teaching Tae Kwon Do. [frown] First day working Saturdays. Is it April 15th yet?

I feel...I want to say 'like crap' but that's not quite true. I don't feel bad enough to feel like crap, but I certainly don't feel good. I woke up with a headache, which has been ebbing and flowing all day, and my stomach has been touchy. I was on the verge of nauseousness this morning, but was able to calm it with a piece of toast. There are few ills a piece of toast can't cure. [grin] I just don't want to get sick, not now. I can't afford to get sick until after April 15th. Maybe it's my back. I haven't seen my chriopractor for a while. I shoulda gone last week. I have to start working Saturdays this week, and it's always a pain and a half to find time to go back home during tax season. I really need to find a chiro in IC, but I like Dr. Jeff, dammit!

I miss Leah.

Well, she's gone. I miss her already, but I can't even begin to describe how I feel. I have been extremely anti-social for the past several days; I guess I've been in a sort of mourning period. I was starting to withdraw even while she was still here. To cushion the blow, I suppose. I felt kind of guilty for not helping her finish packing on the 1st, but I just couldn't handle it.

"Witch's teat" does not even begin to describe how cold it is today. Brrrr.