Off to the airport soon for the flight to Bismarck, North Dakota. I’ll be in and out - the laptop is going with me, along with Naomi’s camera - so maybe you will even get pictures! Off to finish the last minute packing!

First of all, many public thanks to Naomi, who has soooo generously offered to let me borrow her digital camera to take with me up to North Dakota & Minnesota when I leave tomorrow. I don’t know what I would do without her. I was going to buy one myself, but it turns out our checks don’t get deposited until Friday night (not tonight like I thought) so I won’t have the money before I leave. Public thanks too to Kymberlie, who is feeding the cats, fish and watering the few remaining plants. (my patio is cursed and only the begonias live out there! All my other flowers have died. Green plants do fine, just not flowers.) She is also loaning me the latest Jeffrey Deaver book, “The Empty Chair”, so I don’t have to go and buy a copy tonight. Yippeeeee!

Then I just called the Houston Camera Exchange because I want to take my “good” 35mm SLR camera to North Dakota too - but it needs batteries and somehow I tossed the last set without buying new ones. Oops! So I needed to know what kind of batteries to get for it. They were very helpful and answered that question for me, so I went ahead and asked about my flooded camera too. When the Honda flooded I had my camera in the car, so it got water in it. Of course it had a full roll of film in it too. I should have rewound it & taken it out, but nope. I left it in there. So he told me not to rewind the film, gave me the names of 3 custom labs with “rack” film processors, and told me to take the whole camera in so that they could use a changing box to get the film out for me. Fortunately, I took photography in high school, so I knew about some of these things and left the film all alone inside the camera. Thank goodness! Off to look for a lab so I can drop the camera off. It was a low, low end camera, auto nothing, point and shoot but it took good pictures - so hopefully the camera can be saved also.

The Honda isn’t ready yet to be picked up, and since we are leaving tomorrow I am going to have to turn in the rental before I go. My 30 days expire on July 8th and I won’t be back until the 10th. I hope it’s ready by the time I get home! They are also waiting on the check to come in for the payment, so I have to call in to Farmer’s now and hunt that down. Off to make more calls!

Yep… 3 months. Just 3 months. Better start shopping now, my birthday is coming up in 3 months. September 27, that’s the date. *grin* Sorry, one of the guys here at work gave me a drawing mannikan (sp?) today - one of those wooden figures that you can pose to learn how to draw. It is soooo cool. Someone had sent it in with their portfolio, which had an entire theme to it around this figure. Anyways, Seth told me “Now I don’t want you coming around here whining for a gift on your birthday” and I said “No way! I love it! Three months early too, to the day! Perfect!” So, I already have my first gift. Just thought it was amusing that it is 3 months away. I always seem to notice that on June 27th, I wonder why? Ironically, while I like a gift as much as the next person, I don’t get focused like that on my birthday. Not like *some* people I know (Chelsey…) who think their birthday should be celebrated at least the whole week, if not the whole month of October!

I need to update my Amazon.com wish list and link to it here. Then I need to go to Noah’s list and make a donation for using Greymatter. I could hand code all of this, but I like the archives, the comments, and other features - so Greymatter rocks!

I went back to see “Moulin Rouge” again last night. Alone. It is the first time I have ever gone to a movie by myself. Isn’t that a riot? But no one else could go and I wanted to see it before I leave on Friday, so off I went. On Saturday Naomi & I were stuck sitting up in the front row. That actually enhanced the effect of the movie I think, adding to the quality and fun. We were a *part* of the film. I would recommend the third or fourth row though, so you don’t get a neck cramp! But last night I sat in one of the “normal” upper rows, right in the middle. I have had many people ask me what the movie is about - and there is no simple summary for it. I have decided that most men would enjoy it if they gave it a chance, there is such great humor in it. It is not a musical - not in the normal sense of the word. It is like a kick-ass awesome music video (like they used to have in the ’80s) that is 2 hours long, great songs and fantastic singing, with a story line running through it and a touch of “Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” (my all time fav movie) for zaniness & quirks. (Or maybe a touch of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off … you know, things catch you off guard.) Noticed lots of laughs throughout the theater last night. I did not leave with that same “buzz” feeling as I did the first time, but I still loved the movie and will buy it when it comes out on DVD. I may buy the soundtrack before then. Normally I don’t care for Nicole Kidman - many films I have seen her in her acting seems stiff and forced. Not this one. I think this is her best performance ever. And Ewan… man, he could sing for me any day!

Go see “Moulin Rouge”!

GroceryWorks.com to Shut Down What a sad day. I love using GroceryWorks.com - I love the convenience of having groceries delivered, of beening able to browse through pages online instead of walking up and down the aisles and then standing in line at the checkout. Ugh. I will miss them if they don’t bring it back online. Maybe it will only be temporary - but the way things seem to be going lately, I doubt it.

FINE:This is the word we use at the end of any argument that we feel we are right about but need to shut you up. NEVER use fine to describe how a woman looks. This will cause you to have one of those arguments.

FIVE MINUTES: This is half an hour. It is equivalent to the five minutes that your football game is going to last before you take out the trash, so it’s an even trade.

NOTHING: This means something, and you should be on your toes. “Nothing” is usually used to describe the feeling a woman has of wanting to turn you inside out, upside down, and backwards. “Nothing” usually signifies an argument that will last “Five Minutes” and end with a huffy “Fine.”

GO AHEAD (with raised eyebrows): This is a dare, one that will result in my getting upset over “Nothing” and will end with the word “Fine.”

GO AHEAD (normal eyebrows): This means “I give up” or “do what you want because I don’t care.” You will get a raised eyebrow “Go ahead” in just a few minutes, followed by “Nothing” and “Fine” and she will talk to you in about “Five Minutes” when she cools off.

(LOUD SIGH): This is not actually a word, but is still often a verbal statement very misunderstood by men. A “Loud Sigh” means she thinks you are an idiot at that moment and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you over “Nothing.”

(SOFT SIGH): Again, not a word, but a verbal statement. “Soft Sighs” are one of the few things that some men actually understand. She is content. Your best bet is to not move or breathe, and she will stay content.

OH!: This exclamation, followed by any statement, is trouble. Example: “Oh, let me get that.” Or, “Oh, I talked to him about what you were doing last night.” If she says “Oh” before a statement, RUN, do not walk, to the nearest exit. She will tell you that she is “Fine” when she is done tossing your clothes out the window, but do not expect her to talk to you for at least 2 days. “Oh” as the lead to a sentence usually signifies that you are caught in a lie. Do not try to lie more to get out of it, or you will get raised eyebrows and “Go ahead” followed by acts so unspeakable that we can’t bring ourselves to write about them.

THAT’S OK: This is one of the most dangerous statements that a woman can say to a man. “That’s OK” means that she wants to think long and hard before paying you retribution for what ever it is that you have done. “That’s OK” is often used with the word “Fine” and used in conjunction with a raised eyebrow “Go ahead.” At some point in the near future when she has plotted and planned, you are going to be in some mighty big trouble.

PLEASE DO: This is not a statement; it is an offer. A woman is giving you the chance to come up with whatever excuse or reason you have for doing whatever it is that you have done. You have a fair chance to tell the truth, so be careful and you shouldn’t get a “That’s OK.”

THANKS: A woman is thanking you. Do not faint; just say, “You’re welcome.”

THANKS A LOT: This is much different from “Thanks.” A woman will say, “Thanks A LOT,” when she is really ticked off at you. It signifies that you have hurt her in some callous way, and will be followed by the “Loud Sigh.” Be careful not to ask what is wrong after the “Loud Sigh,” as she will only say “Nothing.”

Hope this clears up any misunderstandings

President George W. Bush says that faith-based organizations should be able to compete for government funds without being forced to hide their religious character. I think I might agree with the people that say this blurs the line of separation of church and state too much. Also, I have a hard time believing that Duhhhbya respects the constitutional separation of church and state. I just don’t buy into that. I have a hard time believing most words that come out of his mouth, and I have since he was ran for Governor of Texas. I don’t really know why, but the man has always rubbed me the wrong way. It’s just a personal thing.

For the record, I am neither “Democrat” or “Republican”, I vote based more on the candidates and the issues than party lines. I do lean more towards the Democrat side, but there are a few big issues where I definately lean Republican. Ironically, I support school vouchers, but that is probably because I went to Catholic schools for 8 years and have considered sending my son to Catholic school too. Since they are educating children that would otherwise be in the public school system I think that’s ok. Does that make me a hypocrite? Probably, considering how I feel about Duhhhbya. Wait, I’m not a hypocrite - I am just strongly opinionated when it comes to myself. I don’t care what other people believe in, as long as it isn’t the president of my country or a politician making laws that effect us all. Friends on the other hand are allowed to have opinions different than mine - I like diversity.

Look Naomi! Phallic Symbols galore! I am laughing so hard - good thing no one else is here! I wonder how soon I will start to see these pop up over at FilePile. (Link courtesy of Marilyn)

BookCrossing is a great concept. You read a book and then “release” it with a label inside hoping that others will come to the site and post their comments on the book. I have some books that I want to move off my shelves. Maybe I will leave on on the plane or somewhere up north when I go on vacation and see what path it takes. (Link courtesy of Melissa.)

“The number 1 motivator of employees is appreciation. When employees are appreciated, they respond. So make sure your employees know how much they mean to you and to the company.” Wow, what a concept. *wink* It is so true. If your employees know they matter, they will work even harder for you. We’re not talking lip service here either - employees can see right through you pretty fast if you just tell them how much they matter but then don’t follow through with your actions. Great article. By the way, I haven’t said it in a week so it is safe to say it again - I love my new job. Still learning the ropes as things are set up a bit different here, but I am really enjoying it.

I forgot to mention in my post Saturday night that the reviews were from RottenTomatoes.com where Moulin Rouge was rated “Fresh” with a score of 70. Didn’t mean to overlook that, told you I was buzzing like a bee! I hope to try to go see it again before I go on vacation. Once I get up to North Dakota it is about an hour drive to a movie theater, and I seriously doubt that Moulin Rouge will be showing. I don’t think it will be showing here by the time I get home since it has already been moved to the “back” theaters at the local AMC 24.

Today’s question… why don’t more people use MovieTickets.com to buy their tickets. The line when we got to the theater on Saturday was about a mile long. Ok, maybe not a mile, but it weaved all the way through the cattle poles that they make you go through and then it stretched back from there at least 30-40 people, maybe more. We went inside to the ticket kiosks and there were about 4 people/couples in line for each kiosk, scrolling through the menus to select their movies and buy their tickets. I waited in that line (obviously much shorter) and then when it was my turn all I had to do was pop in my credit card, press “Print Tickets” (they are wise enough to give you the option to buy more if you want to) and Viola! Out comes my tickets and my Movie Watcher card coupons. It’s fantastic. I just don’t understand why more people don’t use that system. I really don’t understand why people stand in that ridiculously long line outside in the Houston heat instead of using the kiosks inside - although I am glad they do since it makes the line shorter for me!

Hmmmm… wonder when I can squeeze in seeing Moulin Rouge again this week.

Naomi and I just went to see Moulin Rouge - I seriously just got home, and it was so imazing the first thing I had to do was look up more about it online. I feel like I am buzzing like a bee right now! Fling! About all I can say about the movie is *WOW*. I loved it. Here are what some of the critics had to say - I picked the ones that summed up my feelings pretty well…

“It’s all very festive, like a party you didn’t really want to go to but then can’t leave once you get there.” (Joe Baltake, SACRAMENTO BEE) After the opening musical scene Naomi had this look on her face like she was simply scared. One of those “WHAT movie did you make me go see?” expressions. It only took another scene or two though for us to really get into it, and by the end we were both speechless.

“A film as unpredictable as the love it celebrates — you keep falling in and out of this giddy affair.” (Rick Groen, CANADIAN GLOBE AND MAIL) You know what? Once I fell “in” I never fell “out” of it again.

“Historical purists and those who enjoy only sedate films are likely to be infuriated by what Luhrmann has done here, but who cares?” (James Berardinelli, JAMES BERARDINELLI’S REELVIEWS) Be careful who you take to go see this movie. Kymberlie would love it, Naomi loved it, my parents? They would *hate* it. I can only think of a few men that would like it. You have to be very open to viewing things from an unusual angle. I am pretty easy to please when it comes to movies - but this was phenominal. I must, simply must, get it on DVD when it comes out.

“Weird? Definitely — but also strangely compelling.” (Robert W. Butler, KANSAS CITY STAR) Oh yes. That sums it up so well. When the characters start to say “Love lifts us up where we belong…” and there is a scene where they sing “Roxanne” by the Police (that was in the previews or clips on tv, so I was expecting it) you think to yourself that it is weird. Without a doubt. But as Naomi put it, to have such vision to use the imagery, the modern music, and everything else that they did in the movie is amazing. That takes incredible talent.

We have already decided that this is one of those movies that we have to see twice just to pick up on the nuances that we missed the first time. It was a feast for all of my senses. I loved it. What an incredible movie!!!

The greatest thing you can ever learn is how to love and be loved in return.

Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
Don’t believe all you hear.
When you say, “I love you”, mean it.
When you say, “I’m sorry”, look the person in the eye.
Be engaged at least six months before you get married.
Believe in love at first sight.
Don’t let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
Smile when picking up the phone, the caller will hear it in your voice.
Treat other’s the way you want to be treated!

Lookie-loo! You can use this link to add this site to your AvantGo account on your Handspring or Palm or other handheld! Isn’t that just the coolest thing? I love using AvantGo!