Thursday Threesome for March 29th

Brought to us this week by New York, MLB, and The Back Porch.

Onesome: Yankees-- How about it? Are you a baseball fan? ...or would you rather watch the grass grow?
Baseball, watching grass grow, watching paint dry. It's all about the same in my book.

Twosome: Opening-- Day? Opening Season? Mervyn's "Open, open, open" commercials? What opening do you wait for?
Right now I'm awaing Spiderman 3 and Pirates 3 in May. And I can't wait until Disneyland opens Saturday. I'll be there after not going for a year and a half.

Threesome: Day-- by day we learn something: playing hardball, what have you learned this week? (Okay, discoveries count...)
Last night I learned Nikki and Paulo's back story on a crazy episode of Lost. (You weren't looking for soemthing serious and earth shatering, were you?)

Moving Down and Out

This weekend was the big move. No, not mine (for a change). My friends Kurt and Kellie moved from an apartment to their first house. They had a whole group helping them Sunday afternoon. Took us about 3 hours. It was in the 70's, which made things hot. And their apartment was on the third story of their building, so it took lots of energy. But with as many people helping as there were, it wasn't as hard as it could have been.

After we finished, we swam for a little while. The water was cold, but it was lots of fun.

In other news this weekend, I went to see Pride. And, based on the box office, I was one of the few. Which is a shame since it was a good movie. And inspiring true story type of things, but I really liked it.

Which is funny since I guess I was supposed to be upset by it. Looking at the rating at IMDB shocked me. It's in the bottom 100. And people are rating it lowly because it is supposed to be racist. Yes, this is about an African American swim team. And the team that becomes their rivals is white. But this was 1974 Philadelphia. Those scenes rang true to me. And they weren't overdone.

Furthermore, not all the African American characters were good. And all the characters were flawed.

Then there's the theme of the movie, Pride is earned. Translation, before you can be proud of yourself, you need to work hard. That applies to anyone no matter their background.

I guess I don't get the controversy. I thought it was a great movie. So don't listen to the critics. Go see it yourself.

In other news, the weather sure has been weird. It was in the mid 70's over the weekend, but today was cold. It was raining for about 20 minutes today. One of my co-workers said it was sleet. It's definitely cold out there again. But by Thursday, it is supposed to be nice again.

March weather. You just can't count on it.

Word Association for March 25th

Taking a few minutes to do this before Amazing Race starts.

1. Groovy :: 70's
2. Jealousy :: Envy
3. Watching :: TV
4. Kenny :: Two (because I just spent the day with two Kennys)
5. Games :: Monopoly
6. Bread :: Sandwhich
7. City :: Hall
8. Stems :: Roses
9. Birds :: Flying
10. Listener :: Speaker

Spring Reading Challenge

So I learned about a Spring Reading Challenge and I thought I'd participate.

All I have to do is list the books I plan to read over the next three months. And then see how many of them I actually get read. So, let's get started, shall we?

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K Rowling (Yes, I'm finally reading these)
False Profits by Patricia Smiley
Down the Rabbit Hole by Peter Abrams (both of these are books I bought at last year's LA Times Festival of Books and planned to read before this year's)
Remains to be Scene by R. T. Jordan
Kingdom Come by Jerry Jenkins and Tim LaHaye
The Last Word by Lee Goldberg

I'd like to have all of these read by the LA Times book festival. Already I'm being overly optimistic.

To come in May and June:

The False Hearted Teddy by John J. Lamb
Whack a Mole by Chris Grabenstein
Christietown by Susan Kandel
Death in Lover's Lane by Carolyn Hart
Death by Panty Hose by Laura Levine
Sixth Covenant by Brock and Bodie Thoene
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling
The Lies of Saints by Sigmund Brouwer
Dead and Berried by Karen MacInerney
Facing Your Giants by Max Lucado

And probably several more I'm forgetting.

That's already more then I'll read, however. Knowing me, others will get added and subtracted as the next three months go by. Heck, half the time I'm lucky to know for certain what I'm reading next.

I will definitely be back to look at this list again when the three months are over and summer starts. But in the mean time, you can track what I am reading by looking at the bar on the right had side. I'll also make a point of talking about my current reads as I read them or as I finish. And you can always check out my reviews at Amazon and Epinions (links to the right).

Thursday Threesome for March 22nd

This week's edition is brought to us by Clariol and The Back Porch.

Onesome: Precision--ist? Just how picky are you about 'getting things done' yourself? Is "good enough" good enough? ...or do you want to get it "just perfect" every time?
I must admit it depends. There are times I want it perfect and times I'll settle for whatever. It depends on the mood I'm in and how much time I have.

Twosome: Color-- preferences? What colors would you like to try for livening up the place a bit?
Greens. I'll always go for green.

Threesome: Management?-- Hey, are you in management or are you a line employee? Students: what do you plan to be? Moms: you get a pass since you're in administration already !
Line employee.

That was Work

I did more work this weekend then I'm used to. Not work work but actual physical labor.

Saturday morning was a church work day. It was supposed to be for the youth, but it was basically youth staff. We were planting and transplanting stuff around the church mostly. Actually, I enjoyed it more then I thought I would since I love transplanting plants. That's the one part of gardening I wish I could do more.

Then Sunday Kurt and Kellie got the keys to their house, so they are trying to repaint things before they get new carpeting Thursday. So I was over there for five hours helping paint the bedrooms. With the people that were there, it was fun. Although I was reminded how much work it is. I had actually been thinking about trying to repaint my place, but I've changed my mind.

Not that my weekend was all work. Saturday afternoon, I went to a book signing for Steve Hockensmith. I just read his first book, Holmes on the Range and enjoyed it. He's out selling book two, On the Wrong Track. I enjoyed getting to meet him.

And I even brought along a friend. Clint was looking for something to do when the work day ended, and I invited him to join me. He jumped at the chance. We even went down to Santa Monica afterward and walk around. I hadn't been down there for a couple years. Anyway, it was a nice day just chatting.

The one thing this does mean is I got almost no reviewing done this weekend. I really need to work on that if I'm going to get as much money as I would like from the contest Epinions is having this month. I could use the extra bucks.

Thursday Threesome for March 15th

Yep, it's that time again. As always, taken from The Back Porch.

Onesome: Starry-- skies above? Can you see stars in the sky at night? ...or are you over whelmed by city lights? (...or blocked by trees?)
Unfortunately, I'm overwhelmed by city lights. I love looking at stars when I can get away from them, however.

Twosome: "Eyed"-- wondered how well we all see: Glasses? Contacts? Nothing? Just curious...
I don't have glasses or contacts, but I also haven't gotten my eyes checked in years. My far vision isn't what it used to be, but I doubt they'd give me glasses.

Threesome: Surprise-- birthday parties? Are you into them? ...or do you dread someone pulling one on you?
I'd be absolutely thrilled if someone pulled a surprise birthday party together for me.

Fun Times

This last weekend was a blast.

My parents came for a visit, which was wonderful. I spent the entire weekend with them at their trailer. The weather has warmed up to Spring, so we swam both days. Saturday, we met up with Angelique, Debbie, and her uncle at Mountasia where Dad and I tied for the win. Then we went to Souplantation. Have I mentioned I love that place?

Then Sunday we went to church, where they got to finally meet my friends Kurt and Kellie. Plus they got to hear Pastor Jon preach. And he hit it out of the park talking about the background of The Lord's Supper. Especially the part about how "This is a new covenant in my blood" is actually taken from the traditional marriage proposal at the time. Really made me stop and think.

And Kurt and Kellie got me a birthday present, too, which was a nice surprise. I'll have to exchange the shoes for the right size, but with the Billabong shirt and thongs, I'll definitely be cool this summer, right? (Don't answer that.)

Then last night, Paul and I went to go see Amazing Grace. He wasn't super impressed, but I really liked it. Well acted. It took a little effort at first to follow who was who, but it didn't take long to get swept up in the film.

I also finished Key Lime Pie Murder, which I really enjoyed.

Thursday Threesome for March 8th

Welcome to this week's Thursday Threesome, brought to us this week by maps and The Back Porch.

Onesome: Looking-- all around today: what landmark or scene do you look for each morning on the way to work or school or wherever? Is there something on the way you look forward to seeing? ...or do you have something that lets you know you're close and it's time to shift mental gears?
My landmarks are the various stop lights. Boring, isn't it? Well, that and when I have to cross the street the college is on. That means I'm 10 minutes away. (There's a gate, so I can't go directly through.)

Twosome: for-- your typical lunchtime what do you see? ...a cafeteria? ...classroom? ...office? ...home? ...the surf in Hawai'i?
The inside of whatever book I'm currently reading.

Threesome: some direction--? Okay, if you go out your front door, which direction are you facing? ...or do you use the front door? Hmmm...
I live in a condo. There is no such thing as a back door. I almost said I was facing West when I went out the front door. That's the direction the stairs face. But the door itself actually faces South. Glad I didn't mess that up.

Another Crazy Weekend Down

After several quiet weekends at home, it seems I've suddenly hit a ton of busy weekends in a row. This was another one.

Friday night, I was actually home. Watched the season finales of Monk and Psych. I must say, I don't think any show but Monk could make a nose bleed funny. Best line? "I think I'll call you 'soft serve.'" "Thank you."

Saturday was when the fun began. I started by heading to Mysteries to Die For for a book signing by a new author. I'd met him at Laura Levine's launch party last year, so I had to get the book. Hopefully, I'll enjoy it. I finished up there just in time to come back, buy the new VeggieTales, and make it to Pete and Stacey's wedding. It was very nice, and I got to catch up with Josh and Bonnie at the reception.

Then Sunday, it was off and running again. After church and talking to my family, I headed down to the launch party for Key Lime Pie Murder (which I get to start reading tonight!). Angelique came, too, and it was great to catch up with her. After the official party, we were invited back to Joanne's house for the after party, which was fun as well. A day spent hob nobbing with a best selling author. (Yes, that was me bragging.)

On top of all this running around, I just couldn't sleep. I would go to bed later then I should and wake up before 6AM wide awake and ready to go. Naturally, this made me very tired in the afternoons.

Other then that, life has been pretty quiet. We didn't have youth group last week because the Christian school was having their annual open house.

The one thing that will make life interesting is that Epinions is running another promotion right now. For every ten reviews you write during the month of March, you'll make $10. It would be easy enough to keep my average of one review a day going, except for the fact that I am busy just about every weekend this month. We'll see if I can do it or not.

Thursday Threesome for March 1st

Welcome to March and this week's Thursday Threesome. Brought to us this week by common sense and The Back Porch.

Onesome: No Bicycles-- on the Freeway? Ya' think? Do you have a better 'sign of the times' for the gang? I'm thinking along the lines of "Coffee is Hot", if you catch my drift...
Why is it I always draw a blank on these questions? "Contents of this cup hot" is about all I can come up with.

Twosome: on the-- flip side, how about a sign you think needs to be in place? ...maybe something like one that lights up and says, "Get out" after you pull the fire alarm in a building?
"No tresspassing" always seem like good signs.

Threesome: Freeway-- friend or foe? Utility or necessary evil? Extra points if you have to use the Pennsylvania Turnpike or happen to live in Los Angeles !
I get extra points! I get extra points!!!

I don't mind the freeway when it is actually moving. If it slows down or stops, then I get frustrated with it. But I'm not afraid to drive on it. Which may be a sign that I've lived in LA too long.