I'm so excited about Thanksgiving! I can't wait to eat yummy food and cook it and spend time with my mom and my Rashan and my sister. If I could get Stace up here, it would be the perfect Thanksgiving! I love having all of my favorite people in one place. Preferably all at arms reach. You didn't know I was spoiled? I'm SO spoiled!! It's great. I've been planning my menu for weeks. That part is Aretha's fault. She's been planning hers for MONTHS. Yeah... ol psycho self! Lol.
Okay it's raining really hard right now as I write this at 1:30 in the morning. It's crazy. I don't feel like focusing. I'm trying to clear off the DVR and I saw this shiny gold glitter nail polish by OPISephora. I tested it out on my thumb nails and I adore it! I am looking for any excuse to buy... not it but a cheaper version of it. The glitter is in assorted sizes and so cute! it almost looks like paint splotches. So cool! My friend suggested WetNWild.... Honey... that is NO sub for OPI. And it's really not okay for you to suggest it. I'm a SallyHansen girl myself. Cheap but effective!
I went a little crazy on makeup the other day. The ELF makeup array? HORRID. It DOES.NOT show up on even moderately dark skin. Seriously? Who does that work for? The colors look incredibly vibrant in the palette... and they're NOT. Fail. And I want my money back.
Dear Life, Can I get back to cooking? And learn to say no when people ask me to hang out? Please? Love, Jameil
I need furniture.
I want some chicken...
10.27.2010
10.25.2010
Monday Mindspacing Vol. 71
1) Last Monday: I have reached the, "This sucks portion of the semester." I hate everything right now. This Monday: EVERYTHING doesn't suck... but some things do... a lot.
2) Post of the week: What's in the freezer? Probably not for the faint of heart.
3) Tevrow & Chase ... found the brand on a fashion blog and now want to marry it.... It was from this post. LOOK AT THAT SKIRT!!! And included the best phrase ever (she was working in the church nursery unexpectedly): They may just be toddlers but it's not too early for them to learn about fabulous. Indeed.
4) Guess who got engaged last weekend??? My bff Adei!! Yay!!! Everybody congratulate her!!
5) Is it bad that I very soon afterward started wondering what I'll be wearing to her wedding? LOL
6) The Record Dish would be growing cobwebs if not for Stace finally posting over there. I have two computers right now and to keep myself from going nuts I do the majority of stuff on the work computer and end up doing almost everything here. But I put pics on The Record Dish which requires me to use my personal computer. Too much hassle and I never get around to it. I'm at least 3 recipes and 3 outfit posts behind. Oops. I have posts scheduled for the week, though!
7) My friends retweet an ex and it makes me SO glad we parted ways. It was a toxic relationship and he has NOT evolved. If he has, he hasn't evolved enough.
8) I hate when people misuse the word "well." "What would look well." You mean good.
9) Can someone make it possible for me to cook more? Please?? Thanks.
10) I need to start researching my paper due in a few weeks. Let me get that together. Mk? :)
11) I've seen so many episodes of "Say Yes to the Dress" in the last two weeks that I don't know if I need to see another. I will... but I won't like it... all.
12) There's also NOT A CHANCE my future husband will see me in my dress before I walk down the aisle on our wedding day. Roll out.
2) Post of the week: What's in the freezer? Probably not for the faint of heart.
3) Tevrow & Chase ... found the brand on a fashion blog and now want to marry it.... It was from this post. LOOK AT THAT SKIRT!!! And included the best phrase ever (she was working in the church nursery unexpectedly): They may just be toddlers but it's not too early for them to learn about fabulous. Indeed.
4) Guess who got engaged last weekend??? My bff Adei!! Yay!!! Everybody congratulate her!!
5) Is it bad that I very soon afterward started wondering what I'll be wearing to her wedding? LOL
6) The Record Dish would be growing cobwebs if not for Stace finally posting over there. I have two computers right now and to keep myself from going nuts I do the majority of stuff on the work computer and end up doing almost everything here. But I put pics on The Record Dish which requires me to use my personal computer. Too much hassle and I never get around to it. I'm at least 3 recipes and 3 outfit posts behind. Oops. I have posts scheduled for the week, though!
7) My friends retweet an ex and it makes me SO glad we parted ways. It was a toxic relationship and he has NOT evolved. If he has, he hasn't evolved enough.
8) I hate when people misuse the word "well." "What would look well." You mean good.
9) Can someone make it possible for me to cook more? Please?? Thanks.
10) I need to start researching my paper due in a few weeks. Let me get that together. Mk? :)
11) I've seen so many episodes of "Say Yes to the Dress" in the last two weeks that I don't know if I need to see another. I will... but I won't like it... all.
12) There's also NOT A CHANCE my future husband will see me in my dress before I walk down the aisle on our wedding day. Roll out.
10.24.2010
Movies 2010, Weeks 39 & 40
October 10-16, 2010
191) Godfather II. I know, I know. You can't believe I'd never seen it. Really good movie! 4.1 stars
October 17-23, 2010
I really wonder how many movies I'll watch this year at this rate but who has time to watch movies? A lot of people, I'm sure but if I'm ever going to watch tv or leave the house or cook, not me.
192) Summer Stock. Judy Garland and Gene Kelly's last film together about a theater troupe that arrives at a farm to practice for a play. Weak start, decent middle, kind of odd abrupt end. I liked hearing "Get Happy." 3.6 stars
193) City Island. Indie film about a family full of secrets. Quite amusing with some good acting on multiple fronts. The end had some dissatisfaction, but mostly I liked it. 4 stars
194) In the Loop. Amusing British satire about the start of a war. Silly and ridiculous but in a smart way. 3.8 stars
195) No End in Sight. Documentary about the botching of the reconstruction of Iraq . Y'all know I have a sensitive propaganda meter and read a lot anyway so I didn't feel like this covered any new ground and it made the "opposition" look foolish or evil. That's always annoying to me. It also felt repetitive. It would make a point, then continue to make that point some more. Why? 3 stars
191) Godfather II. I know, I know. You can't believe I'd never seen it. Really good movie! 4.1 stars
October 17-23, 2010
I really wonder how many movies I'll watch this year at this rate but who has time to watch movies? A lot of people, I'm sure but if I'm ever going to watch tv or leave the house or cook, not me.
192) Summer Stock. Judy Garland and Gene Kelly's last film together about a theater troupe that arrives at a farm to practice for a play. Weak start, decent middle, kind of odd abrupt end. I liked hearing "Get Happy." 3.6 stars
193) City Island. Indie film about a family full of secrets. Quite amusing with some good acting on multiple fronts. The end had some dissatisfaction, but mostly I liked it. 4 stars
194) In the Loop. Amusing British satire about the start of a war. Silly and ridiculous but in a smart way. 3.8 stars
195) No End in Sight. Documentary about the botching of the reconstruction of Iraq . Y'all know I have a sensitive propaganda meter and read a lot anyway so I didn't feel like this covered any new ground and it made the "opposition" look foolish or evil. That's always annoying to me. It also felt repetitive. It would make a point, then continue to make that point some more. Why? 3 stars
10.22.2010
Friday? Again? Already?
I hit that "I hate life" portion of the semester this week. I walked out of class on Monday hating the world and everybody in it. I hated all the work I had already done, all the work I was in the middle of, and all the work still to come. Yeah... that bad. I've since recovered... That was quick... While I love teaching, it makes me impatient about being a student. I'm just ready to get that part over with so I can get on with the rest of my life.
Now I'm like where the heck did the week go? I seriously feel like I looked up last night and was like, "Tomorrow's Friday???" I go all week long non-stop, come home and watch tv and work then work some more. It's such a ridiculous pattern but I think I can handle it and thankfully, now I know the rest of this year will go ahead and get itself behind me. Yippee for that! Peace out, loser!
Now I'm like where the heck did the week go? I seriously feel like I looked up last night and was like, "Tomorrow's Friday???" I go all week long non-stop, come home and watch tv and work then work some more. It's such a ridiculous pattern but I think I can handle it and thankfully, now I know the rest of this year will go ahead and get itself behind me. Yippee for that! Peace out, loser!
10.20.2010
Fitness Update
As you remember, I started working with a trainer on campus a few weeks ago. Things got off to a rough start when the kid front desk didn't know whether or not they took debit cards, then I had to run all over campus to get cash. What on earth? Why don't you know basic info??? So I was late and my trainer had an attitude. I have enough attitude for the both of us, I don't need yours. She rushed through the appointment. It was a very unpleasant experience. So unpleasant that I voiced my displeasure to the trainer coordinator. Apologies all around. Next time, I still don't really like my trainer's personality. She's too abrupt and almost manically energetic. Not in a good trainer way, in a please sit down somewhere way. Scattered. Yes. Perfect word. I also never felt like we were really working toward my goals. If we were, she never really mentioned my goals unless I asked and then it was like ehhh... I want to lose 7 lbs. (I know that's odd but it will make my clothes fit better), to be more toned and to be able to run a 5k without stopping.
The other thing is I was beyond the good sore after each session. I couldn't walk, sit or stand for days. Yes, I know I'm supposed to feel sore and learn new muscles but I also know we were moving too quickly. And I didn't feel like she was listening when I told her it wasn't really a good sore. I know a good workout sore and that ain't it. I was wondering if it was me or if personal training wasn't for me. I had gotten to the point where I didn't want to go workout. That's never good. So I looked up things about what to expect from a trainer (should be certified, ask you about injuries, etc.) and she had all the makings of a good trainer or paper. I also looked up how to break up with your trainer.
Finally, after pushing through my dislike for 6 sessions, I called it quits with my trainer. The trainer coordinator set me up with a woman who's run marathons and done triathlons for 18 years. She thought she would be a good fit but she said that about the last one so I was still skittish. I don't want to be in a situation where I hate working out and feel like I can't ever get personalized instruction. I also don't want to waste the 6 sessions remaining that I paid for. I enter the gym cautiously optimistic. I meet my trainer and right away feel much better about her personality. Then she starts talking and she's friendly and knowledgeable. We do some really cool exercises and at the end I feel 10xs happier than I felt after the best session with the other trainer. I also felt like I should have listened to my gut. I knew it wasn't working out but I kept going. After our first session, I felt moderately sore. I can go further than I went and work harder. I'd rather know that than feel like I may have injured myself. We're back on track! Yay!!!
The other thing is I was beyond the good sore after each session. I couldn't walk, sit or stand for days. Yes, I know I'm supposed to feel sore and learn new muscles but I also know we were moving too quickly. And I didn't feel like she was listening when I told her it wasn't really a good sore. I know a good workout sore and that ain't it. I was wondering if it was me or if personal training wasn't for me. I had gotten to the point where I didn't want to go workout. That's never good. So I looked up things about what to expect from a trainer (should be certified, ask you about injuries, etc.) and she had all the makings of a good trainer or paper. I also looked up how to break up with your trainer.
Finally, after pushing through my dislike for 6 sessions, I called it quits with my trainer. The trainer coordinator set me up with a woman who's run marathons and done triathlons for 18 years. She thought she would be a good fit but she said that about the last one so I was still skittish. I don't want to be in a situation where I hate working out and feel like I can't ever get personalized instruction. I also don't want to waste the 6 sessions remaining that I paid for. I enter the gym cautiously optimistic. I meet my trainer and right away feel much better about her personality. Then she starts talking and she's friendly and knowledgeable. We do some really cool exercises and at the end I feel 10xs happier than I felt after the best session with the other trainer. I also felt like I should have listened to my gut. I knew it wasn't working out but I kept going. After our first session, I felt moderately sore. I can go further than I went and work harder. I'd rather know that than feel like I may have injured myself. We're back on track! Yay!!!
10.18.2010
Monday Mindspacing Vol. 70
1) Rashan hates that I listen to the intro to "A Different World" every single time the show comes on even if it's been recorded. What? I like the intro. I do the same thing with "30 Rock." That intro is brilliant!
2) Please don't ever type "Happy Birthday." Why would you end a joyous declaration with a period? It's so final. Like this is yo LAST birthday. Enjoy. Sucka.
3) Tweet of the week goes to Tim Siedell, "Full of peace and calm this morning. Googled my symptoms and found out I died in my sleep." LOLOL! I convinced myself I had a torn rotator cuff the other week! All because of the Google!
4) I want to get Rashan a JustinBieber calendar for Christmas.
5) My fave roomie is nuts! She called to ask for my blog address then went back to comment on 6 or 7 posts....... lol
6) Why am I so popular?
7) Why did I have a student contact me during fall break, less than 24 hours after the mid-term, to ask when I would be posting the grades? Girl, go play!!
8) I feel good about my mid-term because I gave them a list of things I would ask about and didn't stray from that. They didn't all get the same questions wrong so I know the things they missed weren't my fault! Yippee!!!
9) There's nothing worse than giving a disgruntled baby mama a facebook page. Wait. A CURRENTLY PREGNANT disgruntled baby mama....
10) I'm in the midst of a situation requiring tact (not number 9... lolol) and I really don't feel like having tact... at all.
11) I'm tired of being a student. My last class ends April 27th. 6 months (not including the fact that I'm off December 10th- January 12th). I can do it. And I know it'll pass in the blink of an eye.
12) It's weird to not be making plans to go home for Christmas break... I have an apartment, I'm already an hour and a half from home, I've seen my mom more in the last 2 months than I ever have during a school semester. Hmm...
2) Please don't ever type "Happy Birthday." Why would you end a joyous declaration with a period? It's so final. Like this is yo LAST birthday. Enjoy. Sucka.
3) Tweet of the week goes to Tim Siedell, "Full of peace and calm this morning. Googled my symptoms and found out I died in my sleep." LOLOL! I convinced myself I had a torn rotator cuff the other week! All because of the Google!
4) I want to get Rashan a JustinBieber calendar for Christmas.
5) My fave roomie is nuts! She called to ask for my blog address then went back to comment on 6 or 7 posts....... lol
6) Why am I so popular?
7) Why did I have a student contact me during fall break, less than 24 hours after the mid-term, to ask when I would be posting the grades? Girl, go play!!
8) I feel good about my mid-term because I gave them a list of things I would ask about and didn't stray from that. They didn't all get the same questions wrong so I know the things they missed weren't my fault! Yippee!!!
9) There's nothing worse than giving a disgruntled baby mama a facebook page. Wait. A CURRENTLY PREGNANT disgruntled baby mama....
10) I'm in the midst of a situation requiring tact (not number 9... lolol) and I really don't feel like having tact... at all.
11) I'm tired of being a student. My last class ends April 27th. 6 months (not including the fact that I'm off December 10th- January 12th). I can do it. And I know it'll pass in the blink of an eye.
12) It's weird to not be making plans to go home for Christmas break... I have an apartment, I'm already an hour and a half from home, I've seen my mom more in the last 2 months than I ever have during a school semester. Hmm...
10.15.2010
Open Letter to Ann Taylor Loft
I love the clothing in your stores. But I hate the service. I have been in Ann Taylor Loft stores up and down the eastern seaboard and have been continually ignored. From Coconut Grove, FL to Gainesville, FL to Winston-Salem, NC. Every time I walked into your stores I saw people joyously greeted, asked if they needed help. Conversely, I was ignored or followed like a criminal. On the off chance I asked for assistance, I was given a cold response, then further ignored. You have lost hundreds of dollars at a minimum from poor service from which I can put two and two together: my kind isn't wanted in your stores. I have continued going into stores to test my treatment and have been continually disappointed. I WILL NOT spend my money where I am not wanted. I am tired of being ignored in Ann Taylor Loft stores. If black customers are not welcome, put it on the front door. But for me? That sign isn't needed any more. Your response to my annoyance was insufficient (We're sorry, we'll tell the district managers to fix that, please give us another chance). After 6+ visits in different cities with the same outcome, I'm done. Boycott of Loft? ON.
10.13.2010
#26: Go To An Opera
Verdict? Really not that great. My mom says I need to go to a show with a big name. I'm willing to give opera another shot... but not in the next week... maybe not in the next month or few months. Know what I want next? Salsa lessons, then "The Nutcracker"!!!! Yay!!! Here are a few more pics of us on our adventure.
10.11.2010
Monday Mindspacing Vol. 69
1) How do chefs look so collected when chopping onions on tv? I am RARELY (see: maybe twice in my whole cooking life) without tears and sometimes I have tears and snot to fill the Seine. You're welcome for that visual. Delicious ain't it?
2) Why do I think in such vulgarities now? it's the fact that everyone in my whole life curses up and down a blue, red and yellow streak.
3) Don't ask me to do nothin between 3pm Friday and 11am Sunday. Not one single thing. I got sick sometimes between Wednesday and Thursday but had a full day Thursday. I was on campus for 12 full hours. NOT FUN. I got home and refused to leave when I woke up feeling worse Friday. So 9pm Thursday to 11am Sunday = mine. :P
4) I don't ever want to smell another cigarette. Ever.
5) Can I have Project Runway babies? I will name them Michael Kors, Heidi, Nina Garcia, Christian Siriano and Mondo. They will design, critique and model for me.
6) Please make people stop saying "Sorry for your lost." I can't take you seriously when you don't speak properly. Yep, I'm a cold-hearted snake.
7) I think it's been long enough. Pandora can stop calling itself a "new form of radio."
8) I pulled out the Christmas music this week! Yep! Show did! Lolol
9) Facebook post of the week: "Why are you at Disney on Ice eating cotton candy, wearing Toy Story hats, buying up souveniers, and getting all excited if you ain't got no ---- kids with you?" LOLOLOL
10) Guess who's giving her first mid-term this week??? That'd be me! Can't wait! I think they'll do well. I'm doing a review tomorrow.
2) Why do I think in such vulgarities now? it's the fact that everyone in my whole life curses up and down a blue, red and yellow streak.
3) Don't ask me to do nothin between 3pm Friday and 11am Sunday. Not one single thing. I got sick sometimes between Wednesday and Thursday but had a full day Thursday. I was on campus for 12 full hours. NOT FUN. I got home and refused to leave when I woke up feeling worse Friday. So 9pm Thursday to 11am Sunday = mine. :P
4) I don't ever want to smell another cigarette. Ever.
5) Can I have Project Runway babies? I will name them Michael Kors, Heidi, Nina Garcia, Christian Siriano and Mondo. They will design, critique and model for me.
6) Please make people stop saying "Sorry for your lost." I can't take you seriously when you don't speak properly. Yep, I'm a cold-hearted snake.
7) I think it's been long enough. Pandora can stop calling itself a "new form of radio."
8) I pulled out the Christmas music this week! Yep! Show did! Lolol
9) Facebook post of the week: "Why are you at Disney on Ice eating cotton candy, wearing Toy Story hats, buying up souveniers, and getting all excited if you ain't got no ---- kids with you?" LOLOLOL
10) Guess who's giving her first mid-term this week??? That'd be me! Can't wait! I think they'll do well. I'm doing a review tomorrow.
10.10.2010
Movies 2010, Week 38
October 3-9, 2010
I'd better speed up if I'm going to watch 15 more movies this month!
188) American Hollow. HBO doc by Rory Kennedy about poor people in Appalachian Kentucky. Pretty interesting but I can see how people saw it as exploitive. If it was about poor black people, I would've been irritated. 4 stars
189) Dumbstruck. Ventriloquist documentary about the people behind the dummies... and the dummies. Funny at times, also sad at times. The story moved nicely at the beginning then slowed a bit toward the end. Still, worth watching. 3.7 stars
190) Elvis and Annabelle. Indie film about a girl who dies and is brought back to life by the undertaker's kiss. Blake Lively stars. I was intrigued by the fact that this was like one of the best shows ever cancelled, "Pushing Daisies" and in some respects I wasn't disappointed. It took some unnecessarily predictable turns, but took some sweet and/or surprising turns. The end was not nearly as strong as the beginning. 3.5 stars
I'd better speed up if I'm going to watch 15 more movies this month!
188) American Hollow. HBO doc by Rory Kennedy about poor people in Appalachian Kentucky. Pretty interesting but I can see how people saw it as exploitive. If it was about poor black people, I would've been irritated. 4 stars
189) Dumbstruck. Ventriloquist documentary about the people behind the dummies... and the dummies. Funny at times, also sad at times. The story moved nicely at the beginning then slowed a bit toward the end. Still, worth watching. 3.7 stars
190) Elvis and Annabelle. Indie film about a girl who dies and is brought back to life by the undertaker's kiss. Blake Lively stars. I was intrigued by the fact that this was like one of the best shows ever cancelled, "Pushing Daisies" and in some respects I wasn't disappointed. It took some unnecessarily predictable turns, but took some sweet and/or surprising turns. The end was not nearly as strong as the beginning. 3.5 stars
10.06.2010
Peeves of the Pet
Hello children! I know you wanted to know all about my many pet peeves... Here are just a few...
1) Open cabinets and drawers. This includes drawers to the cd players. Close it IMMEDIATELY after you finish using it!!
2) Standing with the refrigerator door open.
3) Cooking in a dirty kitchen. Gross.
4) Peeking through the blinds by pulling them apart rather than lifting a slat.
5) Smoking neighbors. OMG!! Get me my own house STAT. My next city I am TOTALLY renting a house rather than an apartment. I thought having 2 neighbors wouldn't be a problem but with the heat on, their smoke CIRCULATES through my house. OH HECK NO!! All kinds of ventilation options are under consideration. Something's happening STAT.
6) Monopolizers on my time. Y'all bought to have to miss me, shawty! I know you don't have anything to really occupy your time but, I'm about to start opting out of things. I need people breaks. I have been doing stuff non-stop for a few weeks now and everybody's about to get cut off. I also hate that I feel so compelled to particpate.
7) Leaving the refrigerator door open.
8) Leaving water running.
9) Leaving lights on when no one's in the room.
10) Conversely, sitting in the dark for no apparent reason.
11) Eating the components of my meals separately. I'll eat this but this isn't ready so I'll go ahead and eat what's ready and take the rest as it arrives.
12) Food that's supposed to be cold being left out for more than the exact amount of time it's in use (milk, butter, cheese).
13) Improperly wrapped food.
Yes, I know I'm a psycho.
1) Open cabinets and drawers. This includes drawers to the cd players. Close it IMMEDIATELY after you finish using it!!
2) Standing with the refrigerator door open.
3) Cooking in a dirty kitchen. Gross.
4) Peeking through the blinds by pulling them apart rather than lifting a slat.
5) Smoking neighbors. OMG!! Get me my own house STAT. My next city I am TOTALLY renting a house rather than an apartment. I thought having 2 neighbors wouldn't be a problem but with the heat on, their smoke CIRCULATES through my house. OH HECK NO!! All kinds of ventilation options are under consideration. Something's happening STAT.
6) Monopolizers on my time. Y'all bought to have to miss me, shawty! I know you don't have anything to really occupy your time but, I'm about to start opting out of things. I need people breaks. I have been doing stuff non-stop for a few weeks now and everybody's about to get cut off. I also hate that I feel so compelled to particpate.
7) Leaving the refrigerator door open.
8) Leaving water running.
9) Leaving lights on when no one's in the room.
10) Conversely, sitting in the dark for no apparent reason.
11) Eating the components of my meals separately. I'll eat this but this isn't ready so I'll go ahead and eat what's ready and take the rest as it arrives.
12) Food that's supposed to be cold being left out for more than the exact amount of time it's in use (milk, butter, cheese).
13) Improperly wrapped food.
Yes, I know I'm a psycho.
10.04.2010
Monday Mindspacing Vol. 68
1) When it's rainy for 2 days... I don't feel gloomy or depressed... because I've survived YEARS of that in Pittsburgh. I know MONTHS of sunless skies. Outside of Pittsburgh? I know it'll be sunny and beautiful in a few minutes by comparison. Lol. I sound noncommittal and vaguely disinterested when people mention it to me... because I am.
2) Google instant isn't fast enough to me. I'm so serious, too.
3) I LOVE NEW TWITTER!! Can you make people stop automatically hating things just b/c they're new? I was immediately drawn to the sleekness of the new look. Please find a real reason not to like something. "It's not like it used to be" is not enough. P.S. I seriously cannot explain twitter to people who don't get it because I don't "get" what they don't "get."
4) When I'm creating my PowerPoints for class, it takes me almost as long to choose the design and font as it did to write the rest of the stuff. Creativity can be such a curse. But not so much that I want it gone. Lol
5) I have 7 million pet peeves and things that make me crazy. They have all become more apparent since I've been in Winston-Salem.
6) Somebody make me eat better. What's the point in working out if your food is all of the fast variety. Ok not all just some, you know who you are. Bojangles, Cookout (with your dumb delicious strawberry cheesecake shake that tastes EXACTLY like GOOD strawberry cheesecake), both of you are just shameful in your taunting.
7) Son. Did you really just schedule something for a Sunday morning? I don't care if you go to church, you have to be here instead. Fail.
8) Remember last week when we talked about going NOWHERE on the weekends? Didn't happen this weekend and I have an idea it'll bite me in the booty this week. That picture? That would be my schedule for the month of October SO FAR. But I'm still very happy about my life. :)
9) I'm going to the opera tomorrow!!!! I'm so excited!! I love getting all fancy! And crossing stuff off of my 30 Before 30 list! Wheeeee!!!
10) I'm horrible at blog tags. I can never remember to add them. I do it for 3 posts then forget again. It's a little more intuitive on my food blog for some reason. Can you imagine how many tags I would have if I had been tagging for 5 years? You would never have to wonder where "that post" was. You'd just go to the tag and it'd take you to 90 related posts. LOLOL. For the record, they didn't have tags when I started blogging lo these many years ago. LOL. I think future-dating posts was also impossible or really complicated.
11) My neighbors on either side both smoke (which I can smell through the walls... GROSS) & have at least one small, yippy dog. How? How did this happen to me? I don't like either of those things!! And snarl at both of them! Yep, I snarl at small, yippy dogs. If that thing's gonna bark, it should bark like a man.
12) I did these exercises that are supposed to help runners with their hips... and now my hip hurts... FAIL, ExerciseTV. FAIL.
13) Not riding the bus is really murdering my magazine-reading schedule. I just can't convince myself to give myself time to do that. I'm two months behind in BOTH of my food mags. Uhhh... oops. Also, don't tell anyone, but I just bought two more cookbooks because they were on sale at Borders.... (after I told Aretha not to buy anymore books until she read what she had.......... *waves at kettle*)
2) Google instant isn't fast enough to me. I'm so serious, too.
3) I LOVE NEW TWITTER!! Can you make people stop automatically hating things just b/c they're new? I was immediately drawn to the sleekness of the new look. Please find a real reason not to like something. "It's not like it used to be" is not enough. P.S. I seriously cannot explain twitter to people who don't get it because I don't "get" what they don't "get."
4) When I'm creating my PowerPoints for class, it takes me almost as long to choose the design and font as it did to write the rest of the stuff. Creativity can be such a curse. But not so much that I want it gone. Lol
5) I have 7 million pet peeves and things that make me crazy. They have all become more apparent since I've been in Winston-Salem.
6) Somebody make me eat better. What's the point in working out if your food is all of the fast variety. Ok not all just some, you know who you are. Bojangles, Cookout (with your dumb delicious strawberry cheesecake shake that tastes EXACTLY like GOOD strawberry cheesecake), both of you are just shameful in your taunting.
7) Son. Did you really just schedule something for a Sunday morning? I don't care if you go to church, you have to be here instead. Fail.
9) I'm going to the opera tomorrow!!!! I'm so excited!! I love getting all fancy! And crossing stuff off of my 30 Before 30 list! Wheeeee!!!
10) I'm horrible at blog tags. I can never remember to add them. I do it for 3 posts then forget again. It's a little more intuitive on my food blog for some reason. Can you imagine how many tags I would have if I had been tagging for 5 years? You would never have to wonder where "that post" was. You'd just go to the tag and it'd take you to 90 related posts. LOLOL. For the record, they didn't have tags when I started blogging lo these many years ago. LOL. I think future-dating posts was also impossible or really complicated.
11) My neighbors on either side both smoke (which I can smell through the walls... GROSS) & have at least one small, yippy dog. How? How did this happen to me? I don't like either of those things!! And snarl at both of them! Yep, I snarl at small, yippy dogs. If that thing's gonna bark, it should bark like a man.
12) I did these exercises that are supposed to help runners with their hips... and now my hip hurts... FAIL, ExerciseTV. FAIL.
13) Not riding the bus is really murdering my magazine-reading schedule. I just can't convince myself to give myself time to do that. I'm two months behind in BOTH of my food mags. Uhhh... oops. Also, don't tell anyone, but I just bought two more cookbooks because they were on sale at Borders.... (after I told Aretha not to buy anymore books until she read what she had.......... *waves at kettle*)
10.03.2010
Movies 2010, Weeks 36 & 37
My goal is to watch 20 films this month so I'd better get a move on!
September 19- 25, 2010
182) The Town. Ben Affleck directs and stars in a film about a Boston criminal gang. Some of his monologue scenes had me rolling my eyes but the action sequences were amazing! 3.6 stars
183) Monkey Business. Cary Grant (swoon) and Ginger Rogers star in a film about a chemist looking for a potion for youth. When he stumbles upon it, him and his wife take some and insanity ensues. Marilyn Monroe makes a few appearances as the ditzy (of course) secretary. Quite funny at times. 3.8 stars
September 26- October 2, 2010
184) Now Voyager. Bette Davis stars in a film about an unloved woman who has to get from beneath her mother's thumb to find herself. 2hrs 14mins felt like 2 or 3 movies. You saw what seemed like several lifetimes, but not in a bad way. A bit soap opera-y. Entertaining and pretty well-written. 4 stars
185) Leap Year. Cute enough film starring Amy Adams about a girl determined to propose to her longtime boyfriend on leap day in Ireland. What you would think it would be with a few unexpected moments. Not bad at all. 3.5 stars
---
186) Iron Man 2. Second installment of the Robert Downey Jr.-starred film, this time with an appearance from ScarJo. Yes, there were some good action sequences, but Downey's character was annoying, and the story line was bad and boring. I kept waiting for it to end. 3 stars
187) Calendar Girls. Helen Mirren stars in a film about old ladies posing n.ude in a calender to raise money for a leukemia fund and the backlash that comes along with it. Nice, low key enjoyable film. 3.6 stars
September 19- 25, 2010
182) The Town. Ben Affleck directs and stars in a film about a Boston criminal gang. Some of his monologue scenes had me rolling my eyes but the action sequences were amazing! 3.6 stars
183) Monkey Business. Cary Grant (swoon) and Ginger Rogers star in a film about a chemist looking for a potion for youth. When he stumbles upon it, him and his wife take some and insanity ensues. Marilyn Monroe makes a few appearances as the ditzy (of course) secretary. Quite funny at times. 3.8 stars
September 26- October 2, 2010
184) Now Voyager. Bette Davis stars in a film about an unloved woman who has to get from beneath her mother's thumb to find herself. 2hrs 14mins felt like 2 or 3 movies. You saw what seemed like several lifetimes, but not in a bad way. A bit soap opera-y. Entertaining and pretty well-written. 4 stars
185) Leap Year. Cute enough film starring Amy Adams about a girl determined to propose to her longtime boyfriend on leap day in Ireland. What you would think it would be with a few unexpected moments. Not bad at all. 3.5 stars
---
186) Iron Man 2. Second installment of the Robert Downey Jr.-starred film, this time with an appearance from ScarJo. Yes, there were some good action sequences, but Downey's character was annoying, and the story line was bad and boring. I kept waiting for it to end. 3 stars
187) Calendar Girls. Helen Mirren stars in a film about old ladies posing n.ude in a calender to raise money for a leukemia fund and the backlash that comes along with it. Nice, low key enjoyable film. 3.6 stars
10.01.2010
October Goals
1) Work on my relationship with God. I finished II Samuel (I wrote I Samuel but I had already completed it. I meant II Samuel), the first book of Psalms (which contains 5 books to divide its 150 chapters) and Zechariah. I hit my goal of 335. On the nose! Whoohoo!! My October goal is to reach 415 total chapters, an increase of 80. I'm not sure about my book goals just yet.
I did not make it to any churches AGAIN but I want to go to 2 this month so I'll work on that again this month. I have such a mental block with churches. I don't want to be disappointed again. This is my third search in my third city in less than 5 years. I'm tired of finding a church!!! And considering I probably won't be in Winston-Salem next year... there we go again. But there's one right down the street from me that comes highly recommended so there's really no excuse!! I'm going to make this happen!!
2) Start my next film. Woohoo!!! Check!
3) Take the next step in my career. I did some networking and training, a conference and there is more networking and training to come this month! So exciting! I want to send out job applications by the 15th.
4) Try new restaurants. I actually found a few places I liked this month! WHEEEE!! One Mexican, one Latin. LOLOL. I love it. I'd like to find one or 2 more this month. LET'S DO IT!
5) Cook at least 3xs a week, 2 of those new recipes. I started posting again! I am going for one meatless meal a week and cooking at least 3xs a week. I'm trying to get my mojo back again. You know a busy semester wreaks havoc on my cooking!
6) Watch more movies. My goal was 15. LOLOL. I am such a mess. I watched 11.5. Fail. My goal for October... is 20. Whoa... LOLOL
7) Workout more. I was shooting for 3xs a week. That didn't happen again but I did a weight loss challenge for September. I lost my goal of 6 pounds AND started working with a trainer! I'm in injury-recovery mode right now though. :( Hurt shoulder. I decided I want to lose about 5 more pounds.
8) Statecations. This month I wanted to go wine tasting... didn't happen. AGAIN. Enter sadness. :( Somebody please take me wine tasting... PLEASE!! And can we go look at the leaves in the mountain before Thanksgiving?? :(
9) Contact my grandma once a month. I was supposed to finally send her a package of my stuff from graduation & screening.... I didn't do that. Lol. I am so wack. But I called her! And she loved it as usual! Another call due in to her in the next week or so.
I did not make it to any churches AGAIN but I want to go to 2 this month so I'll work on that again this month. I have such a mental block with churches. I don't want to be disappointed again. This is my third search in my third city in less than 5 years. I'm tired of finding a church!!! And considering I probably won't be in Winston-Salem next year... there we go again. But there's one right down the street from me that comes highly recommended so there's really no excuse!! I'm going to make this happen!!
2) Start my next film. Woohoo!!! Check!
3) Take the next step in my career. I did some networking and training, a conference and there is more networking and training to come this month! So exciting! I want to send out job applications by the 15th.
4) Try new restaurants. I actually found a few places I liked this month! WHEEEE!! One Mexican, one Latin. LOLOL. I love it. I'd like to find one or 2 more this month. LET'S DO IT!
5) Cook at least 3xs a week, 2 of those new recipes. I started posting again! I am going for one meatless meal a week and cooking at least 3xs a week. I'm trying to get my mojo back again. You know a busy semester wreaks havoc on my cooking!
6) Watch more movies. My goal was 15. LOLOL. I am such a mess. I watched 11.5. Fail. My goal for October... is 20. Whoa... LOLOL
7) Workout more. I was shooting for 3xs a week. That didn't happen again but I did a weight loss challenge for September. I lost my goal of 6 pounds AND started working with a trainer! I'm in injury-recovery mode right now though. :( Hurt shoulder. I decided I want to lose about 5 more pounds.
8) Statecations. This month I wanted to go wine tasting... didn't happen. AGAIN. Enter sadness. :( Somebody please take me wine tasting... PLEASE!! And can we go look at the leaves in the mountain before Thanksgiving?? :(
9) Contact my grandma once a month. I was supposed to finally send her a package of my stuff from graduation & screening.... I didn't do that. Lol. I am so wack. But I called her! And she loved it as usual! Another call due in to her in the next week or so.
9.29.2010
Birthday Party!
Me, my mom, my sister & Rashan went out to lunch at a Mexican restaurant, then Krispy Kreme-- YUM!, then dinner at what's supposed to be the best sushi in town. Why was that sushi terrible? All the fried stuff was fried too hard and had too much breading. HORRID. I also took a look at the reviews after going there and they were like, "Good FOR WINSTON." Are you serious? Not good, but good for here??? I'll be saving up my sushi visits for other cities, then. Greensboro isn't that far. They've got to have better sushi. That's just not right. I was pissed. I wanted to have a delicious meal, possibly trying a meat I've never had before. I ended up disappointed.
I'm sure of my list you want to know what I actually got accomplished or received.
1) Nude or grey pumps (like these)-- No, put my godmother sent me enough money to get both! :)
2) A Giada de Laurentiis cookbook & An Ina Garten cookbook BOTH from Stace! YIPPEE!! :)
3) An awesome meal in a cute, delicious restaurant -- EPIC FAIL
4) A yummy trip to one of the many bakeries or ice cream shops here-- INDEED! Kernel Kustard absolutely did it for me!
5) A tour of the Krispy Kreme Doughnut Factory (WHICH IS JUST MINUTES FROM MY HOUSE!!!!!)-- Tour is too strong a word. I stood and watched doughnuts get drenched with glaze. MMMMM. I'll take it. Lol.
6) A film. Ooh! Got it! I'm going on a search for the history of the grandfather I never met.
7) To win that awesome & incredibly expensive mattress I entered a contest for! FAIL. :( I was really convinced I'd win. Blech.
8) Find the random items I'm missing from among my things (my silverware, a bag of shoes I haven't been able to find all summer, aluminum foil (see what I mean by random??))-- I didn't find ANY of this stuff. Scowl. But Ladynay will be pleased to know I did get some replacement foil. LOLOL
9) A really sharp knife. Why? Ask me no questions, I'll tell you no lies. OMG!! I won a contest on Therapeutic Musings' blog and she sent me one. WHY have I ever cooked without this knife?? Cooking is so much more a joy with a good sharp knife!!!
10) Le Creuset wasn't on my list and it's a stretch to call this a birthday gift but since I loved it and we're talking about kitchen stuff, I LOVE this brand and got my first piece the other day. I salivated, sighed and smiled. I may have hugged it, too but I'll never tell. So in love are we two!
Overall, pretty great though I was soooo disappointed in the food. I have tried to more than make up since then!
I'm sure of my list you want to know what I actually got accomplished or received.
1) Nude or grey pumps (like these)-- No, put my godmother sent me enough money to get both! :)
2) A Giada de Laurentiis cookbook & An Ina Garten cookbook BOTH from Stace! YIPPEE!! :)
3) An awesome meal in a cute, delicious restaurant -- EPIC FAIL
4) A yummy trip to one of the many bakeries or ice cream shops here-- INDEED! Kernel Kustard absolutely did it for me!
5) A tour of the Krispy Kreme Doughnut Factory (WHICH IS JUST MINUTES FROM MY HOUSE!!!!!)-- Tour is too strong a word. I stood and watched doughnuts get drenched with glaze. MMMMM. I'll take it. Lol.
6) A film. Ooh! Got it! I'm going on a search for the history of the grandfather I never met.
7) To win that awesome & incredibly expensive mattress I entered a contest for! FAIL. :( I was really convinced I'd win. Blech.
8) Find the random items I'm missing from among my things (my silverware, a bag of shoes I haven't been able to find all summer, aluminum foil (see what I mean by random??))-- I didn't find ANY of this stuff. Scowl. But Ladynay will be pleased to know I did get some replacement foil. LOLOL
9) A really sharp knife. Why? Ask me no questions, I'll tell you no lies. OMG!! I won a contest on Therapeutic Musings' blog and she sent me one. WHY have I ever cooked without this knife?? Cooking is so much more a joy with a good sharp knife!!!
10) Le Creuset wasn't on my list and it's a stretch to call this a birthday gift but since I loved it and we're talking about kitchen stuff, I LOVE this brand and got my first piece the other day. I salivated, sighed and smiled. I may have hugged it, too but I'll never tell. So in love are we two!
Overall, pretty great though I was soooo disappointed in the food. I have tried to more than make up since then!
9.27.2010
Monday Mindspacing Vol. 67
1) Dooo Yoooou Knooow What Tomorrow Issss? It's my bloggerversary! The day for me and meeeeeeeeeeeee!! Tomorrow I have officially been blogging for five years! Wow! My life is completely different than it would've been if I wasn't a blogger. I feel very enriched for this experience. Yay!!!
2) I hate when I'm talking to someone and they're looking all around and past my head. Do you have somewhere else to be? With someone more important? Please go there.
3) Is anyone else in BettyWhite overkill mode? Yeah, me too.
4) If a full arm tattoo is called a sleeve, what's a full leg tatt? Rashan and I decided on a stocking. Lol
5) I like to throw around the fact that I'm a faculty member. It makes people straighten up and act right. You're talking slick? I say I'm a faculty member and you quickly change your tone. That's what I thought.
6) I'm at least 4 recipes behind on The Record Dish so expect posts daily or near daily this week between 11 and 11:30 a.m. Lol. Oh specificity.
7) I had to wake up at or near the crack of dawn LITERALLY TWO TIMES last week for things I needed to do. Let's not repeat that this week... or ever. But I'll settle for not this week.
8) I really like taking trips with people. I went to a conference a couple of towns over and it was fun to chat with people in the car on the way and make stops on the way back.
9) My trainer is trying to murder me. I NEED TO BE ABLE TO WALK, SIT AND STAND!! I'm picky like that.
2) I hate when I'm talking to someone and they're looking all around and past my head. Do you have somewhere else to be? With someone more important? Please go there.
3) Is anyone else in BettyWhite overkill mode? Yeah, me too.
4) If a full arm tattoo is called a sleeve, what's a full leg tatt? Rashan and I decided on a stocking. Lol
5) I like to throw around the fact that I'm a faculty member. It makes people straighten up and act right. You're talking slick? I say I'm a faculty member and you quickly change your tone. That's what I thought.
6) I'm at least 4 recipes behind on The Record Dish so expect posts daily or near daily this week between 11 and 11:30 a.m. Lol. Oh specificity.
7) I had to wake up at or near the crack of dawn LITERALLY TWO TIMES last week for things I needed to do. Let's not repeat that this week... or ever. But I'll settle for not this week.
8) I really like taking trips with people. I went to a conference a couple of towns over and it was fun to chat with people in the car on the way and make stops on the way back.
9) My trainer is trying to murder me. I NEED TO BE ABLE TO WALK, SIT AND STAND!! I'm picky like that.
9.22.2010
Hey! Guess What??
I love teaching! I'm so excited to learn that! You know that was one of my goals before 30, right? Woohoo!! But I decided to wait until finals to declare it officially. So this is my unofficial non-announcement non-declaration. I love watching the little light bulbs of understanding go off in their heads. I also think it's cool that Stace and I can be educational bookends! She gets them in kindergarten, I get them junior and senior year of college. Wheeeeee!! I'm super busy between teaching, class and down time. I'm not saying I won't be blogging but I really am thinking about it only in the realm of I guess I should do that...
Oh yeah! And I started personal training last Monday. It's quite awesome! I'm learning lots of exercises I will use to whip Rashan into shape! TWOFER! My proper eating is sporadic. Have I ever mentioned how much I despise detoxes? I find them ridiculous in their unrealisticness. And why are there so many of them? There's no PERMANENT quick, easy fix. Sorry to be the one to break that to you. (No I'm not.)
Oh yeah! And I started personal training last Monday. It's quite awesome! I'm learning lots of exercises I will use to whip Rashan into shape! TWOFER! My proper eating is sporadic. Have I ever mentioned how much I despise detoxes? I find them ridiculous in their unrealisticness. And why are there so many of them? There's no PERMANENT quick, easy fix. Sorry to be the one to break that to you. (No I'm not.)
9.20.2010
Monday Mindspacing Vol. 66
1) Can I please get more consecutive hours of sleep? Please? Thanks.
2) Please stop including grape or cherry tomatoes in your recipes. I hate how those things taste. My tomato pickiness hasn't ended... if you thought it had.
3) Sometimes I just want to lay in my bed and ignore the whole world. I'm not depressed. I just do a lot during the week. So on the weekend? I'm like, "Bye y'all!!"
4) I stopped saying y'all when I went to Hampton and people were making fun of me. Foolish New Yorkers. I think being in NC I'll get my y'all back!!
5) When I comment on your blog minutes after you post it, I PROMISE I'm not stalking you. You're just on my google reader blog roll... which I check constantly some hours of the day. Just wanna throw that out there. Lol.
6) Rashan said sometimes he thinks he has more in common with Stace than with me. ROTFL!! At least I know my love and my BFF can get along! Don't worry, this does not mean the end of us and the start of them. LOLOL. Y'all so messy! Rah & I have complementary personalities. Both of them are insanely laid back... as am I... LOLOL. I couldn't even finish that with a straight face.
7) I miss Atlanta. :(
2) Please stop including grape or cherry tomatoes in your recipes. I hate how those things taste. My tomato pickiness hasn't ended... if you thought it had.
3) Sometimes I just want to lay in my bed and ignore the whole world. I'm not depressed. I just do a lot during the week. So on the weekend? I'm like, "Bye y'all!!"
4) I stopped saying y'all when I went to Hampton and people were making fun of me. Foolish New Yorkers. I think being in NC I'll get my y'all back!!
5) When I comment on your blog minutes after you post it, I PROMISE I'm not stalking you. You're just on my google reader blog roll... which I check constantly some hours of the day. Just wanna throw that out there. Lol.
6) Rashan said sometimes he thinks he has more in common with Stace than with me. ROTFL!! At least I know my love and my BFF can get along! Don't worry, this does not mean the end of us and the start of them. LOLOL. Y'all so messy! Rah & I have complementary personalities. Both of them are insanely laid back... as am I... LOLOL. I couldn't even finish that with a straight face.
7) I miss Atlanta. :(
9.19.2010
Movies 2010, Weeks 34 & 35
At this rate I'll never make it to 300 films this year! Whatev...
September 5-11, 2010
176) Beetle.Queen.Conquers.Tokyo. Documentary about people in Japan and their love affair with insects, including beetles. No real story line. Felt like it meandered to an eventual conclusion. The director admitted to not liking this 56-minute "tv cut," preferring her 90-minute theatrical version. Okay... but seeing that makes me wonder how on earth you could pull a 90-minute film out of that material. Also, how do you make a film you don't even like? And then show it? *confused* 2 stars
177) Ahead.of.Time. Documentary that opened in NY on Friday about a nearly 100-year-old journalist who has covered and/or participated in a ton of amazing events. She was interesting... but the film tried to cover too much ground making most events feel underplayed and unfulfilling. There were some great scenes and wonderful moments but the full piece didn't move me like I'd hoped. I did have a wonderful epiphany during this film so I guess I got something out of it. 3.5 stars
September 12-18, 2010
178) Date Night. Steve Carrell & Tina Fey star as a boring New Jersey couple who steal someone's reservation and find themselves on the run. Really funny at times, too ridiculous at times. 3.5 stars
179) The Joneses. David Duchovny & Demi Moore star in this film about people trying to keep up with them... the Joneses. But the Joneses have a secret. Interesting enough concept. It took 3-7 minutes too long to reveal. As in they told you just about everything you needed to figure it out, then waited 3-5 minutes, then told you the rest and the pay off wasn't enough. An okay watch. 3.4 stars
180) Diary of A Wimpy Kid. Amusing kids film about a boy entering middle school and determined to be cool. 3.5 stars
181) I Love You Again. William Powell and Myrna Loy star as a couple divorce-bound because of her boredom. When he suddenly remembers an exciting, dangerous past, she reconsiders. Very cute! 4.8 stars
September 5-11, 2010
176) Beetle.Queen.Conquers.Tokyo. Documentary about people in Japan and their love affair with insects, including beetles. No real story line. Felt like it meandered to an eventual conclusion. The director admitted to not liking this 56-minute "tv cut," preferring her 90-minute theatrical version. Okay... but seeing that makes me wonder how on earth you could pull a 90-minute film out of that material. Also, how do you make a film you don't even like? And then show it? *confused* 2 stars
177) Ahead.of.Time. Documentary that opened in NY on Friday about a nearly 100-year-old journalist who has covered and/or participated in a ton of amazing events. She was interesting... but the film tried to cover too much ground making most events feel underplayed and unfulfilling. There were some great scenes and wonderful moments but the full piece didn't move me like I'd hoped. I did have a wonderful epiphany during this film so I guess I got something out of it. 3.5 stars
September 12-18, 2010
178) Date Night. Steve Carrell & Tina Fey star as a boring New Jersey couple who steal someone's reservation and find themselves on the run. Really funny at times, too ridiculous at times. 3.5 stars
179) The Joneses. David Duchovny & Demi Moore star in this film about people trying to keep up with them... the Joneses. But the Joneses have a secret. Interesting enough concept. It took 3-7 minutes too long to reveal. As in they told you just about everything you needed to figure it out, then waited 3-5 minutes, then told you the rest and the pay off wasn't enough. An okay watch. 3.4 stars
180) Diary of A Wimpy Kid. Amusing kids film about a boy entering middle school and determined to be cool. 3.5 stars
181) I Love You Again. William Powell and Myrna Loy star as a couple divorce-bound because of her boredom. When he suddenly remembers an exciting, dangerous past, she reconsiders. Very cute! 4.8 stars
9.17.2010
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