Thursday Threesome for September 29th

Another month almost over. I'm just getting used to it being September, too.

Anyway, this week's edition is brought to us by me and The Back Porch. Okay, so I used to be a lost sheep before God found me. (Yes, I know I deserve a trip to the pool now.)

Onesome: Little-- by little we work our way through the week. Do you have anything fun coming up this weekend or in the next week? ...or maybe you're ready for a little relaxation?
Well, I'm supposed to be making Peach Cobbler for the game night this week, but with the cold both Casey and I are working on, it may not happen. Either way, I could use a good dose of relaxation.

Twosome: Lost-- Do you get lost easily? ...or are you one of those people who always seems to know where they are?
I generally know where I am at all times because I make a point of knowing directions.

Threesome: Sheep-- ...and goats and rabbits and, and, and: What is the favorite critter you look forward to seeing at the petting zoo (if you're a fair goer)? ...and if not, well, which one would just as soon not run across on a walk around the block? I mean, if you were the type who walked around the block and the farm animals escaped from Farmer John's truck on his way to the Fair...
Bunnies are cute.

Quick Update

I don't have time for a long post like I had planned to make, but I do have a couple quick things to post about.

Basically, today has been great!

1) I'm a top 100 reviewer at Amazon!!! I could still drop back out before I'm there to stay for a while, I know, but having made it once excites me so much!!!!!! (And I'm sure all of you agree it should after all my whining about not being there the last few months.)

2) I've finally finished August bank recs. Yes, I've been a very bad boy and been very behind. But I'm caught up now!

3) My new moniter came in at work, so I have a cool looking flat screen. I think it's bigger then my old moniter, too. But I think it catches a little more glare. I'll have to play around with it some.

And tonight is a new Lost and the season premier of Veronica Mars. Today has been a great day.

Broken Guards, Book Signings, Game Nights, and Hanging Up on Friends

And that's just Saturday!

Friday night was career Bible study again. Finished Ecc. 9. We've officially been on the book for over a year now. Of course, I am highly enjoying the study, so I can't complain too loudly.

Saturday morning, I got an early start to my day because I had lots I wanted to do. Starting with cutting my hair. I put the guard I wanted to use on. It felt a little loose and even came off a few times. But as I was taking a swipe while trying to make polish things off, it officially broke. Fortunately, I was really done, but now I need to replace it. And it was my favorite guard, too. :( On the bright side, I never wound up cutting my hair with the bare clippers, so I didn't have to shave, which I wasn't looking to do this weekend. Of course, no one would believe me if I said it was an accident.

The main reason I got up early was because there was a book signing I wanted to go to for Taffy Cannon's new book. Met up with Angelique there. We had fun wandering the bookstore and talking books, and got to talk to Taffy for a few minutes as well.

Then it was back up to finish cleaning because I was hosting the game night. We played Catch Phrase and had lots of fun doing it. And Carol brought Fudge Cupcakes from Joanne Fluke's recipe. They were so good.

Speaking of whom, she's one of the authors I've contacted to donate books for the FUNdraiser at Jix. She sent me the books so I could pass them on, but she also sent me a copy of Sugar Cookie in paperback for me. Wasn't expecting that, and it was a nice thought.

During the game night, I got a call. Now I want objective opinion if I was rude or not. I didn't recognize the name, number, or area code on my caller ID. In fact, I couldn't tell if it was a name or not because I glanced at it briefly. I answered the phone, and the person on the other end said, "Would you be interested if I could lower the interest rate on your mortgage." Thinking it was an unsolicited phone call, I told him no, asked him to stop calling me, and hung up. After all, I had a condo full of guest.

A couple minutes later, the phone rang again. Same number/name. I answered, "Look, I told you not to call me any more." The person on the other end said, "Didn't you recognize my voice?" After a few seconds of trying to place it, it dawned on me. Matt! I would have been more embarrassed had he not tried to fool me. And it is hard to recognize voices when you've got a house full of people talking while you're on the phone.

And a note to Matt. In the future, don't assume I'll recognize you voice. All my friends do that and I usually don't on a sentence or two. Go ahead and identify yourself. It'll save you from having to call me back when I hang up on you. Not that I would have had I known.

Of course, he must be mad at me. He said he'd call me back last night, but didn't. Then again, I was at church when I told him I'd be home.

Word Association for September 25th

Brought to us by Unconscious Mutterings.

1. Crave:: Sweets
2. Whole package:: Everything
3. Roommates:: Needed to make ends meet
4. 5:30:: half past quitting
5. Lesbian:: Sinner (just like everyone else)
6. Poignant:: Memory
7. Hurtful:: Remark
8. You and I:: Together
9. Grateful:: Dead
10. Giggle:: Amy Grant (old song from her second project.)

Was this word association or phrase association?

Almost

That seems to be a pretty good summary of my life right now.

I was going to be very good this year, and not listen to Christmas music until next week. I had picked next week because that's when new Christmas CD's by some of my favorite artists come out. I knew I'd have to listen to them right away so I could review them. And that was the only reason. Really!

Anyway, then I started reading Fourth Dawn by Bodie and Brock Thoene. It ends about six months before the first Christmas, and I just couldn't take it. I pulled my box out of the closet and started listening to a few.

Still, considering I didn't do this in July or August, I still say it's pretty impressive.

Meanwhile, after almost a month (29 days) stuck at the same rank at Amazon, I finally moved today! And it was up, not down!!! I'm currently tied for 102. Now, naturally, I could go back down to 103. But the guy I'm tied with hasn't written a review since June 2004 and that was his only 2004 review. Translation, his new votes will be much fewer and further between because his reviews will be buried on review pages. So I should have the spot all to myself before too long. And, he was just tied with 101 last week, so maybe I can catch him without too much more difficulty. In fact, the next four people seem to be rather close, so I might be a top 100 review before I know it. Definitely still think I can do it before the end of the year.

It's so close, I can taste it. And victory always tastes sweet.

In other news, we had a dead group at Bible study last night. Trying to lead songs with echos, and no one was echoing. And there were lots more females then males. We skipped the last song because it was our third echo of five.

And I'm so happy TV shows are back. Lost was wonderful Wednesday night. Survivor has hooked me again. And I watched CSI last night. I think it was the one filmed near me (trailer park) but it also made me convienced I had no desire to continue watching the show. Too depressing with lots of stuff I don't need to be watching.

So, if I cut it, CSI: Miami, and Without a Trace out of my schedule, that gives me 7 hours of prime time TV shows to follow this fall. It'll be up to 8 when 24 comes back in January. I can live with that for sure. I will be strong and not watch any new shows. I will be strong and not watch any new shows....

Of course, this doesn't count Fox News, which is currently 6 hours a week, but that will go down shortly I'm sure. And any reruns/TV on DVD I want to watch. Still, this leaves me lots more time for reading or other persuits. I'm actually very happy with this.

Thursday Threesome for September 22nd

Brought to us this week by mobsters and The Back Porch.

Onesome - Gunning - What is it that you have been gunning for lately?
That's easy. Making the top 100 at Amazon.com. But I seem to be stuck at 103. Haven't moved one way or the other for about a month now.

Twosome - Down - What brings you down?
People being mean to me. Frustration with how I'm behaving. And when I'm extremely shallow, things no going my way.

Threesome - Romance - What's the most romantic movie scene you can recall? Are there any scenes that get your heart-a-fluttering?
The ending of Beauty and the Beast. I tend to watch movies where the romance is a sub-plot, so this ones a little tougher for me.

Weekends Rock!

Especially because that seems to be about the only time anything exciting happens in my life these days. Otherwise, I have very little to blog about.

Saturday was game night, an out in Santa Clarita week. We went bowling. Got in three and a half games in the time we prepaid for. Konrad won two and I won one. But boy am I sore today! My right wrist and my left hip especially. No super high scores. My high for the night was 129.

After that, we went to Cold Stone for ice cream. Josh and Bonnie met up with us there, so we got to see them for a little while.

Sunday turned out to be pretty interesting. I found out when I got to Sunday school that we had indeed decided to turn out SNYF (Sunday Night Youth Fellowship) into a SAYF (Sunday Afternoon Youth Fellowship). Last I'd heard, we were thinking about it. Not only was it going to be during worship team practice, but it was also going to be during the time my family talks. And we really couldn't reschedule because of everyone else's activities. So I went late. It was a great time, when I was there.

I also got to be a couch potatoe this weekend, watching both Hitchhiker's Guide and Toy Story. It's been way too long since I watched the later. It's such a good movie!

It's looking like my brother and sister-in-law won't be out for Christmas this year. Now there's talk of us possibly going there and them coming out here for Thanksgiving. We'll just have to see what happens I guess. Either way it will be weird. We always go to my uncle and aunt's for Christmas dinner, but I've also spent every Christmas since he was born with my brother.

I hope we can work something out because it will kill mom if it doesn't happen. She's having a hard enough time with the holidays right now with all the recent deaths in the family. Bro and SiL not being out will be a huge blow. And yes, the thought of not seeing them has made me pretty upset as well.

Word Association for September 18th

Borrowed from here.

1. Less filling:: Tastes Great
2. Glue:: Gun
3. Surprise me:: But buy what I want
4. Model:: Home
5. Fee:: Paid
6. Microphone:: Singing
7. Choices:: Changes
8. To the bone:: Bad
9. Run!:: Away!
10. Appeal:: Higher Court

Thursday Threesome for September 15th

This week, brought to us by me and The Back Porch.

Onesome: Daily-- Hmmm... The tough one first? Sure! What part of your daily routine could you simply not do without? ...and just to make it interesting, your morning coffee is a given, so try something else!
Actually, I can do without my morning cup of coffee quite nicely since I don't drink. coffee that is. I'd have a hard time doing without my morning internet time.

Twosome: Dilly-- Okay, fess up; what's the latest really good one you've pulled? Well, at least something you can share with the gang here .
I can't remember that far back.

Threesome: Dally-- What is your favorite way to dally away some time instead of working on a project? Do you read, play games, look for lost kittens, study cloud formations? Come on...
Did you know you can find information on the most obscure stuff on the internet? Here, let me review that book I just finished. I wonder if there's anything good on TV....

Doldrums

I guess that's what to call it. I just don't know what's up with me these days. I just feel kinda blah.

And I've been having some frustrating experiences on line recently. Last week, I got into a heated discussion of who should be blamed for the mess in New Orleans. I was the only one saying that it shouldn't all be blamed on Bush. Granted, I wasn't making the best points I could have, but by the end I was being called a blind ideologue and worse over it. Guess I'm stupid.

Meanwhile, over on Blogs for Bush, I once again made a comment to a couple of the commenters who treat anyone who doesn't follow the blog line 110% horribly. And guess what. I was ripped apart for it.

So now I'm hated by the left and the right.

This week, I saw a discussion on whether on-line blogs and reviews help sell books. People started jumping on Amazon reviews as worthless. The same person who wants to get free copies of books to review on his blog. One of them is a total jerk who is a major hypocrite (and was involved in the discussion last week on the anti-Bush side). I should know better then to respond to him and I try to ignore his posts, but this week I just couldn't do it.

I've made quite an impression on The Lipstick Chronicles. I've been teasing Susan McBride about getting some revisions done, and now I'm being mentioned in posts. Guess I'm really going to have to read her first book next. Of course, the fact that it's on my nightstand to read it beside the point.

And of course, Jix is wild and crazy right now and fun for the most part. Yet with all this other stuff going on, my teasing defense is down a little. And I'm slipping in and out of pity mode every so often.

I've been stuck at 103 at Amazon for a couple weeks now. The guy who was right a head of me for a while has made it to top 100 status, but I just sit. Of course, the good news is, I'm not moving backwards. In fact, I think hardly anyone in my 10 person bracket is moving either way.

I'm even feeling apathetic to youth group right now. Got an e-mail last night saying we might be moving our SNYF's from Sunday Night to Sunday afternoon. There are lots of very good reasons for it, but all I can think about is how it effects me. I know I came across as incredibly selfish to Pastor Jon today, but that's how I'm feeling right now.

I think most of it might be sleep. Someone has been staying up too late the last few nights. First it was reading, then last night it was listening to a commentary on the Crusade set. I have a feeling if I start getting good sleep the next few nights it will do wonders for snapping me out of my mood.

Running Like Crazy

Before I get to my weekend, there's one thing I forgot to brag about last week. Blog, I mean blog about!

Monday night, I popped over to Lee's blog to find this as the top post. You had better believe it made my day!

Casey was gone this weekend for his grandparent's 50th anniversary party. That means lots of time to hang out and enjoy having the condo to myself (a very rare occurance since I moved in two years ago), right? Wrong!

Friday night was career Bible study. Very good study on Ecc. 9. Of course I was late for it. I got started writing the story of Brian and my fight over Honey and didn't want to stop. It's with editors now, so watch a message board near you (especially if it's Jix) for details on getting your pass to the event.

Saturday started out early. We'd decided it was the best day for my family to talk, so we talked before I left for the Dodger game.

Yes. You read that right. After ten years in Southern CA, I've finally been to Dodger Statium. Everyone acted like it was some special place. Not really. Especially since I'm not a sports fan. We had nose bleed seats, but it was fun because I got to spend time hanging out with the other staff whlie watching the kids.

Another great aspect of that was who I drove. Two girls. It was nice to have jr. high passengers who weren't out to drive me crazy and get into trouble.

Got back in time to pick up Matt and head to the game night. There turned out to be four of us, so Konrad and Carol taught us Rook, a game that only works with four. I hate the idea of bidding, but Carol and I managed to win anyway. It was a very close game, however.

Sunday was up for church, although not early enough to be on time. Next week, I need to go to bed when I get home from game night instead of getting on the internet. Anyway, it was very good. Nick is an absolutely wonderful teacher in jr. high. And pastor's message on a Christian's response to national tragedy was also great. Motivated me to get more involved in the fundraising at Jix, which has led to some of the auction items I have up right now.

The afternoon was lazy, although I spent most of it here in front of my computer. Did go back for a parent's meeting, but didn't learn too much. Of course, as staff, I didn't really expect to.

Casey was home when I got back. Sounded like his weekend was just as busy but equally good. At one point I unloaded on him things going on in my life. Ministry, whether I want to have kids or even get married, emotions. You know, the stuff guys don't normally talk about. But it was only for five minutes or so, so that hardly counts, right?

Never Forget...to Learn

As I'm sure everyone knows, today is the fourth anniversary of the terrible terrorist attacks on this country. Everywhere we look, there are specials and comments about what happened four years ago. And that's good. We need to remember what happened to us that day.

But have we learned anything from it?

What are we doing to stop these attacks from happening in the future?

And have we made the government any better to help us with a future attack?

Looking at what is happening in Lousianna and Mississippi, it seems obvious the answer to that last one is no. And since the responsibility for helping in a crisis like this falls on local, state, and federal government, I do blame all three equally.

Maybe once the rescueing is done and the rebulding starts, we can get past the politicing and start looking for the real solution to these questions.

In the mean time, we need to learn from these two tragedy. And if the politicans won't and just want to point the finger at each other, I say we vote all of them out of office, Democrat and Republican alike.

Word Association for Sept 11th

This week's word association.

1. Related:: Family
2. Soothing:: Cool
3. Flashback:: Lost
4. Turmoil:: Crisis
5. Immense:: Huge
6. Guitar:: Worship
7. Nonsense:: Misty
8. Blame:: Game
9. Childlike:: Behavior
10. Duff:: Stuff

Where Did My Summer Go?

*Double checks calendar.* Sure enough, fall doesn't officially start for another week and a half. So what happened to my summer weather?

Last weekend, it was high nineties. It was actually fun to be at Hurricane Harbor most the day (I was cold for a little while in the early evening.)

Today it was overcast and foggy. (And yes, I may live in LA, but I do know what fog is.) Clouds never did go away, and I bet it never hit 80 all day.

I know some people who are thrilled to be done with the heat of summer. But I'm not quite there. Of course, it will make my electric bill much better next month. Looking forward to that!

And for some reason, I'm really looking forward to Christmas this year. Yes, moreso then previous years, which is really saying much. I can't wait to decorate and listen to Christmas music and all that kind of fun stuff. But since I am getting some new Christmas CD's when they come out in a couple weeks, guess I won't have to wait too long.

Another reason I know summer is going is because of my skin. I have very dry skin, and recently the bad spots have really been dry. Fall is when it is at it's worst for me, so I've known all week summer was going.

Thursday Threesome for September 8th

Anyone else remember when I used to do these in the morning? Yeah, me too.

This week, it's brought to us by school and The Back Porch.

Onesome- Reading: What's on your reading list this fall? Are you one of those people that has a stack of books waiting to be read on your nightstand? Or do you prefer to savor one read at a time?
Lots! I've actually gotten rid of the pile on my nightstand, but I need to start building it up again. Should finish The Rising tonight and start on Chocolate Mouse Trap. Next is the Thoene's new book. Then I promised to read Susan McBride's first book. And somewhere I need to read more Mindy Starns Clark, Lee Goldberg, Harley Jane Kozak, Carolyn Hart....

Twosome- Writing: Do you write letters anymore? Or do you prefer the ease of e-mail? Do you keep up with your correspondence? And what's your stance on writing thank-you notes?
I barely keep up with e-mail, although I'm doing better then I once was in that reguard. I can't think of the last letter I wrote. I don't tend to write thank you notes either. I call instead or thank them in person.

Threesome- Arithmatic: What school subject did you do the best in? Which was your worst subject? Which subject did you like the best?
I'd have a hard time saying which subject I did the best since I got good grades in everything. I always loved US History. Naturally, I enjoyed my business classes as well. But I hated math above Algebra I.

8 Days This Time

If I keep going this long between life updates, I might wind up abandoning this place. Yikes! Guess I'd better get to it.

Thursday I had an interesting experience at the ATM. I went to get $100 out. Normally, I'd get 4 twenties and 2 tens. That's what that ATM gives out for whatever reason. This time, I got a fifty and 5 tens. While it was kind of fun to get something different, fifties can be hard to spend. Some places won't take anything above a twenty, and often my total bill is under ten. Kinda makes you wonder what you're supposed to spend that on. Hope this isn't a sign of things to come.

Friday, I found out at noon that we could leave early. So I called Casey to see if he was free to leave, and he was. So we ran errands and didn't actually get home until 3PM. Watched some TV and then cleaned house for the game night.

Saturday I was up early to make a cheesecake for the game night. Finally got to try Joanne Fluke's title recipe for her next book. It has to chill for 8 hours, so I needed to be sure I got it done in plenty of time. It was a huge hit with everyone, even Casey who finished it off last night. My waste thanks him even if my taste buds don't.

Matt S. came over for the game night as well as Debbie, Bonnie (and Dawson), Konrad, Carol, and Neil. We played Taboo, which I haven't played in forever and a day. I'd forgotten just how much I love it. Then, because Bonnie really wanted to play it, we played Apples to Apples, which was fun as always. I'm sure one reason she liked it so much was because she won her first game ever.

Monday, I set my alarm again (never did just sleep in this weekend) and went to Hurricane Harbor with Konrad and Carol. We had a wonderful day at the water park. We epsecially enjoyed Tornado, the new ride. It's a huge funner on its side, and you slide down toward the bottom on giant four person tubes. We were getting half ways up the sides on the first couple passes. Quite the rush.

All this, of course means I hardly got anywhere on The Rising. And I was going to have it finished off easily this weekend. Guess not! And I have The Chocolate Mouse Trap waiting at home to be read, too. Still, I wouldn't trade anything I did this weekend for the world.

So, I gave into temptation last night and bought Lost season 1 on DVD. Should have saved my money for anything else, including the Horrorcane Fundraiser going on at Jix right now. But I couldn't resist the bonus DVD offer at Best Buy. I've got to tell you, the sound is amazing on the discs. There is beach or insect sounds, yet they aren't overdone. And the extras and interesting. Well worth the money, even if I should have saved it for something else.

Word Association for Sept 4th

Borrowed from here.

1. Julie:: Andrews
2. Emotional:: Movie
3. Head of household:: Father
4. Diva:: Singer
5. Devastation:: Hurricane
6. Business or pleasure:: Trip
7. Crown:: King
8. Eastern:: Hemisphere
9. Buzzed:: Haircut
10. Officer:: of the Law

Timing is Everything

I'm going to depart for talking about my boring life today. (Everyone rejoices.) Instead I'm going to rant about a political issue. (Everyone clicks away.) Still here? Good. Cause this is something I have to get off my chest.

For the last month, Cindy Sheehan has been camped outside Bush's ranch in Crawford demanding a second meeting with him. While I disagree with her in every way imaginable, that's not what this post is about.

This week, she and her supporters have left on a cross country bus trip to drum up support for withdrawing the troops from Iraq. While I think that is the most idiodic idea imaginable right now, that's not what this post is about.

Earlier this week, our country was hit by a hurricane. A major city is flooded and destroyed. There is looting. People are dying. This is the worst natural disaster I can remember in my lifetime. Possibly the worst one to hit our country in most people's lifetime.

Doesn't it seem heartless for people to be crossing the country on busses trying to gain support for an anti-war message right now? Yes, the majority of us are living our lives like normal. But my normal life isn't leading rallies for or against any political cause.

Now while I disagree with what these people are saying, I'm not saying they shouldn't say it. But waiting a couple weeks would seemed the best thing to do PR wise right now.

Word Association for September 1st

Brought to us this week by Matt and The Back Porch.

Onesome: Timber Wolves-- What do you think about collectables? Do you have any geegaws like wolves or dragons or crystals or tea cups and such hanging around the place? ...or maybe on your back in the form of a shirt or jacket?
I collect books like crazy, and some of them are actually rare. Not sure how valuable, but rare. I don't collect nick nacks, but I'm getting a nice Christmas ornament collection and mug collection together as well.

Twosome: of the -- Speaking of the clothes on your back, what is your favorite 'lounge around' stuff? You know, the type of thing you put on to eat ice cream and watch an old movie?
True confessions time? During the summer it's often just a pair of shorts. During colder weather it's an old T-shirt of some kind and some warm-up type pants I've had for years.

Threesome: North-- What's "North" to you? Is it the Mason-Dixon line? ...the Canadian border? ...the Arctic Circle (for Mary) ...or something a little less defined? ...and how far "North" have you been?
North for me is Canada. Maybe Washington, but certainly Canada. I've been very far north in an airplane, but the furthest north I've been on the ground is Jasper in Alberta.