Books Update

I feel like I can't, or don't, or won't, or don't have the time to read as much, which sucks. I have delusions that I might have the day to lounge by a sunny window reading a classic like Anna Karenina (which I've started a dozen times the past 5 years) or just plain reading something enjoyable. Seems I have neither the time, nor can I find something engrossing like the days of Sweet Valley High and Babysitters Club.

I did read:

Book #8 - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - which I finished in 3 days, over the summer. This book was much better than the previous, a much less whinier Harry, good solid plot line - I was hooked.

Book #9 - The Mermaid Chair - which I did not like at all, but I had started the book, so it was a sympathy finish. I finished it on the Vegas trip. It was painful, maybe because it was about an older woman going through a mid-life crisis, maybe it was because the book's plot felt so obviously contrived - I hate when books do that. Sue Monk Kidd's other book Secret Life of Bees was sooooo much better. I like how one Amazon reviewer puts it "Loved Life of Bees, but this is Daniel Steel."

I think I need to have Jelly Belly's around the house more often.

We had a family baby shower yesterday. It was a lot of fun. Friends shower to occur at a later date. I'll write more about that later...let's just say the highlight was watching my Uncle F. crawling on his knees like a baby....whoa! Can't get that image out of my head.

And I'm getting a little tired of the Spam commenters...must be a way to remedy that nuisance.

Homage to the Jelly Belly:

Ken and Barbie Update

Is it me or does Ken look a little to posh and stylish for his own good? Except for the 80s, he really isn't representing that era. He should be more "Boy George" less G-Dub. And where's the 90s flannel. I don't know what the 00s are, looks like surfer dude, is that what the kids are wearing these days? The kids I see have their trousers so big they droop to their knees, the dookie pants look, which is very reflective of their babish attitudes I suppose. I can't wait for that style to go out, it's so dumb, they can barely walk with their pants like that.

Apparently, Ken and Barbie broke up 2 years ago after a 43 year stint. Ken will be getting new look and "fans might see big changes this spring." Whoopee!

Las Vegas

Last weekend we went to Las Vegas. I thought I might enjoy the high rolling life, alas, I did not. Vegas is just too much. Too much money, too many brides everywhere, too much glitz and glam- trying to replicate places that already exist (i.e. Cesar's, New York, Eiffel tower). I like the way Kyle puts it - "Las Vegas is a giant turd rolled in rhinestones" - it has that stinky feeling.

We were there for a wedding - so I guess I should not complain to much - there was an agenda that could not be avoided. It's was way to expensive - we paid 60 dollars for breakfast one morning and didn't get a lot of food. A carafe of orange juice cost 20 dollars. This was the Four Seasons so I guess I should have expected to spend a lot there...whine whine whine.

It also doesn't help that we took the worst flight to get there. We flew Austin to Minneapolis, then Minneapolis to Las Vegas - awful! And Northworst..er Northwest Airlines suxs- it's no wonder why that company is bankrupt!!!!!!! Never again! On the return flight, I brillantly booked us for the 1 am red eye - so sleep sucked, my ass hurt, and Kyle sat in first class while I sucked it up in coach (I let him sit first class because he was going to work when our flight returned and I was not - President's day or Colombus sailed the ocean blue day or something- anyways aren't I just so sweet).

I did enjoy Sunday in Nevada hanging out with my aunt, uncle, cousin, her Navy Seals boyfriend, and Kyle. We went to see the Hoover Dam, which is quite amazing.
It is one of those great engineering projects. And don't our new Walmart sun glasses look so spiffy? In the end, we gambled a little, broke even, and kicked back as much as we could. The food at the wedding was delicious - sushi for the rehearsal dinner, beef tenderloin for the reception entree, two chocolate fountains - couldn't go wrong there.



Yummy







So easily distracted by food.

We also saw the fountain dance at the Bellagio to the tune.."I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind that I put down in words, how wonderful life is now your in the world" (Elton John maybe?) I wondered if that was a person's job to choreograph the fountain spigots. What an interesting job that might be.

I don't know if I'll ever want to go to Vegas again. Maybe when I have a lot of money that I don't care about to drop...but that's not likely. I'd much rather go back to Europe.

It's a Boy!

We found out yesterday after waiting almost 2 hours. Apparently I scheduled my sonogram for the crappiest part of the day.

Now to choose a name...damn did that keep me up last night.

The Valley, Mexico, and GIANT Mexican Sandals

We, Kyle and I, went to the Valley for Labor Day weekend. We ate a lot (Cheese on a stick, chic-fil-a, shrimp gumbo, yummy Mexican food, Duvalin - mexican candy) and shopped mostly. That's really all there is to in the valley, or at least all I really wanted to do. We also played Scrabble and Kyle and I tied twice, even though I was trying really hard to kick his butt.

Those giant Mexican sandals on Kyle was one of the highlights of the trip. I can't stop laughing about those shoes. The shoes were way bigger than his head as you can see.

Mexico is fun because you can shop and drink margaritas at the same time - if your coordinated enough. I didn't drink but I watched the others become drunk after one drink in the first store we stopped at - disgusting.

We also went to an art show in Nuevo Progresso Mexico which is impressive for the border. My sister's boyfriend is an artist - a very good one too - went to art school for his master's and everything. The art show was small, I'd say the audience was composed of my family and my sister's boyfriends family - gotta start some where.


Here are Kyle and my dad talking art, and my mom browsing the art in the back ground. All in all an enlightening experience.

The artist was Jason Cho a friend of the sister's boyfriend. Everyone was in agreement that he was a nice guy.



In this picture, ye shall witness drinking margaritas and talking Mexican merchandise -fascinating indeed.

Below, Cupcake, my sister's dog, cute and very spoiled. She beat that poor stuffed polar bear up.








That's all folks...

Go vote in November.

Get registered to vote.

Peace out!

Christian Bale for ye who don't know him. 

Go VOTE in NOVEMBER

I've been outta the loop for the while.

What I have been up to:

--Moving to an awesome new apartment - thanks to my whole family for help with the move
--Starting the new school year
--volunteering for the No Nonsense in November campaign
--watching the 1st season of Gilmore Girls
--on a Christian Bale movie kick
--stressing over Kyle not having a job
--rejoicing because Kyle just got a new job this Friday - Whoohoo!!!
--Growing a baby - 14 weeks ya'll


That's about it. Probably more stuff which I can't remember, when I get home, I crash into the bed and my ass stays there for a good while.

Kyle and I are now Deputy Registrar's for Travis county, so if anyone needs to get registered to vote, we can sign you up on the spot.

This is why we became deputy registrars and what we will be voting against in November (Proposition #2):

This proposed constitutional amendment shall be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 8, 2005. The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the proposition:

"The constitutional amendment providing that marriage in this state consists only of the union of one man and one woman and prohibiting this state or a political subdivision of this state from creating or recognizing any legal status identical or similar to marriage."

This not only effects gay/lesbian relationships. Because the language is so vague it could potentially effect the rights of those couples in common law marriage. The legislator was able to common up with this amendment and has done nothing for education or other issues that matter. Well, I guess they did pass something to prevent cheerleaders from dancing so sexy and naughty - barf!

We went to the Hot Sauce Festival today to get pledges from voters who will vote against this amendment. Kyle rocked at talking to people about the issue, I was just too nervous, I picked up his sloppy seconds, snuck a clipboard in when I could. I also registered my first voters - quite exciting.

VOTE VOTE VOTE Against this amendment in November! I'll register you!

Chicago

This is a test to see if this picture thing works.

Click HERE!!!!!!

More to come. Let me know if you can see the pictures.

The White Shirt Club

A Cute Squirrel this morning

Yay - that's us below - the white shirt club - at the arboretum hanging out on the cow statues. We were trying to escape the heat. It sure is a hard thing to do.

I finished Book #7 - The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay - very good book. About comic books and lots of other stuff too, like romance, mild homosexuality, and war.

I also saw the movie Howl's Moving Castle today. Also entertaining. This is an animation movie.

That's all, getting tired, andI have not done my lesson plans for the week.

8 more work days till my summer official starts.

Happy Father's Day to you dads out there!

The Cows 

Homestar Runner Old School

Homestar Runner Old School

This website is hillarious. In that strange, funny, Napolean Dynamite way. I guess. I think these guys just make stuff that is funny to them and it ends up being funny to lots of people.

Anyways, Kyle and I went to the Alamo Drafthouse on Saturday night to see the live Homestar Runner creators, the brothers Chapman, with their funny never before seen stuff. The Homestar Runner puppet was there too.

I think if you click on the picture it will take you to the website. Check out Strong Bad emails, they are funny.

with a lot of crap!

me

Brunch at Fonda San Miguel's

...is AMAZING!!! OMIGOD!

That's where we went today for that anniversary meal. Cuz we didn't go out last night because we went over to Kyle's brothers because his partner's family was in town and they were making dinner. More amazing food. Kelly's mom makes these delicious homemade cinnamon rolls. M-WAh!

Fonda San Miguel's is Mexican interior food, not Tex-Mex, which I believe Austin has a whole lot of this (Tex-Mex), and not very good. I like border Mexican food much better.

I'll start with the appetizers section of the buffet: guacamole, cerviche (M-Wah!), mushrooms, some other fish stuff, fresh fruit. The veggie section, for vegetarians and veggies sides: chilliquilles (sp?)- corn chips with verde sauce, cheese, and sour cream; some damn good migas (Kyle stated, "I didn't know that migas could taste that good."), refried black bean, some squash thing. Then there is an entree section which had 2 kinds of chicken (one mole kind), beef, and something pork. Then a desert section (the waitress said they have one of the best pastery chefs, I believe it): a variety of Mexican cookies, a mousse with alcohol, many types of cakes, and the best tres leches cake I ever had.

My favorite thing: a corn pudding/souflee - absolutely delicious!!!

If anyone is ever in town, has money, and wants to do a brunch at Fonda's, let me know, we can make reservations. I (and I'm positive Kyle) will accompany you, show you the ropes, visit that buffet table with you as much as you like, shamelessly and boldly. It is so worth it!

A Negative 1 Year Anniversary

That's right y'all. It's our negative 1 anniversary, because in one year today we are getting married...ACK, only one year left to plan, ACK!

I have tried on dresses last weekend, which was very exciting. Bridemart SUXS! They were rude and didn't even help us ( I was with Ash). Serendipity Bridal was absolutely delightful. They have plush furniture, snacks and drink when you walk in, and they helped us. But I was quite worn out after trying on dresses at just one place. The lady that helped us recommended I order in December. Who knows what my body will be like then?

Kyle is taking me out for our negative 1 anniversary. It was all his brilliant idea. And now I must think of something to top his brillance...muwahahahaaaa!

A Small Break

School's out for the summer...whoohoo! No more psycho 7th period, with kids yelling at each other, calling each other names, or yelling at me. That was really the class that drove me crazy. And 4th period was pretty bad.

I have one week off until I start summer school. So only 4 more days. Although I have been up at school already twice to finish packing up stuff. I guess it is sort of a break.

I finished Book # 6 - Dreams of My Father - Barack Obama. It was an interesting read. I like reading about how politicians get there beginnings. Even though the focus of the book was more on race and not politics. I really like Obama. He seems level headed.

I'm working on Book # 7 - The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay - which so far is about comic books and other things.

This past weekend I saw Star Wars, which was eh... not anything spectacular. The dialogue between Anakin Skywalker and Padmi was LAME-O! I was embarassed for them.

On Saturday, Ash and I somehow ended up in the Whole Foods area like 3 or 4 times. For no reason, we just couldn't figure out what to do with ourselves. And Kyle the decision maker was doing other things, so we were lost.

Yep, that's it. Till more work starts, then more work ends, and then we go to Chicago...whoohoo~

Fuzzy Toon 

Books Read Update

Over the past two months I have read books 3-5:

#3 - Get Fuzzy - Groovitude - hilarious stuff. It's a collection of comics, and I count it.

#4 - Spiderwick Chronicles - Book 1 - The Field Guide - a kid's book that take about an hour to read.

#5 - The Devil Wears Prada - I just finished this one yesterday. Took me three month to finish. I was kind of busy with stuff.

Now I am working on Barack Obama's book, Dreams from My Father. Hopefully I will finish it. It's a library book, and usually time gets the best of me. I hope someday Obama will be president.


Do you know what rapacious means?

I'm studing for the GRE amongst other things, planning to take it this summer. Knitting is coming along. I'm work on what I think will end up as a scarf, if I don't run out of yarn. It might end up being something else. I need to figure out how to finish it up when I am done.

How bout obivate?

Oh yeah! And we are going to Chicago the weekend of July 4. This will be my first time there, so any suggestions of sights to see are appeciated.

I think the favorite word I learned to today is nascent: “the moral shock of our nascent imperialism” (Richard Hofstadter). I also dig neologism.

Yup that's pretty much it.

Happy Passover!

The perm 

Say it's my birthday..dunuhnuhnuh..

Well, it is. And Kyle is in the process of making me a delicious homemade from scratch german chocolate cake. Yowza!

This weekend has been pretty packed. Friday I ran all kinds of errands and then we went to the Purim celebration. That was fun, made a lot of noise with groggers, ate pizza, there were children running around screaming every where and in costume, and the rabbi was dressed up as a giant Sponge Bob, it a surreal kind of experience.

After the service, we went to our friend's Susan's to cut some gourds open. We are using dried gourds to make mask for the play I'm in. Let me tell ya, it's a pain in the arse to cut open a dried groud. We were hacksawing it when a vicious storm came roaring in with hail. So the gourd cutting was delayed until Sat.

So instead of finishing that project we sat around drinking and talking. I learned how to knit too. The basic stitch at least, I still need to practice.

Sat morning I went bellydancing, which is fun yet difficult. I just don't know how they keep the hips moving and then move other things all at the same. Anyways, I'm hoping to go back this coming up Sat. I spent the rest of Sat. inhaling dead gourd guts and painting my mask. Stupid gourd made my allergies attack.

At night we saw Der Golem, an old german silent film, at the Alamodraft house with Ash. There was live music. We had to take Ash home early due to my allergies. Alas, we did get Ash a junior bacon cheeseburger to complete the night.

Today, I have rehearsal.

Book #2 completed for 2005: Bongwater. A book set in Portland, Oregon, kind of depressing subject matter, but the kind of depressing I wanted to keep reading.

Time to check out ebay.

Happy Birthday!!!

Awww....ssspring...brrreakk!

This past weekend I:

-Got a perm and cut. It's really curly and fun.

-I won 3rd place at the poker tounament at Fado's, winning a $10.00 gift certificate and I qualify for the final tounament sometime next month.

-spent way to much money

-rehearsed da play.

-suffered horrific allergies


Hmm...that's about it. I am infatuated with the color pink. I want to buy pink everything. What is wrong with me?

I will try to make my costume for the play I'm in over the next 2 days. I really wish we had space. We will when we move. Yes, we are moving again, in August. This time we are going to try to stay for more than a year. We shall see.

The new Whole Foods opened. It is amazing. I did not know food could exist in those quanties. I can't even put in to word the awesome power of the new Whole Foods. I'm the little Mermaid singing ...ahahaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa......

K'back to cleaning and trying to de-allergize this hole I call home.

Rolling, Rolling, Rolling Right Along

One Act Play is over!!!! Hallelujah!!! We competed this past Friday in Caldwell. Four of my kids received awards, 3 for honorable mention cast and 1 Allstar Cast actor. I was pleasantly surprised as I was quite embarassed at our production, they didn't know their lines, and they were just so bad. Apparently the judge understood and expected this from junior high.

Now I can focus more on the all women Scottish play more, and I can catch up on work that I've not done.

We bought some new music last weekend. These are some links if ya'd like to hear some clips. I love them all. There were many others I wanted, but managed to have self control.

Frou Frou
Kings of Convenience
Green Day
Hildegarde Von Bingen

Books read so far: 1
The Secret Life of Bees

I loved this book. I've had a hard time finding a book to get into as much as I was into this one. And I haven't had the time, so maybe now I can try to find something.

Tonight: Poker at Fado's. And we are in the process of making Brazilian cheese bread, which is sooooooooo tasty. Click here for the recipe to make pao de queijo.

Cheerios!