Word Association for April 29th

Found here.

1. Order :: Disorder
2. Mortician :: Death
3. Determine :: (to) Succeed
4. Ignore :: Obnoxious
5. Guy :: Gal
6. Crush :: Turtle (you, know, Finding Nemo)
7. Garlic :: Yum!
8. Wacky :: Funny
9. Parent :: Child
10. Burning :: Fire

Thursday Threesome for April 26th

Better late than never, right? Right?

This weeks is brought to us by Coca Cola vs. Pepsi and The Back Porch.

Onesome: The-- marketing of goods and services. ...and the things they do to try to get us to buy their products! Are there any advertisments or commercials that really stand out to you right now?
I really don't watch commercials. Either I've taped it and fast forward through commercials, I switch the channel, or I am doing something. Or multiple like right now since I'm watching Survivor and blogging. Having said that, I do enjoy the Mac vs. PC ads even though I have and use a PC.

Twosome: Cola-- cola, cola: which cola do you drink? ...or do you? ...or the UnCola? (Do you remember that ad campaign?)
If I drink soda, I do drink 7 UP or root beer. Preferably A & W rootbeer.

Threesome: Wars?-- Are there any good advertising wars going on in your area? Burgers, newspapers, ISPs?
Not really. But again, I really don't pay attention to the ads.

I am in Serious Trouble

You know, posting last Wednesday turned out to be okay. I actually got everything done in my room I wanted to get done. Which is a good thing.

Thursday was a weird youth group. We started out with a small group, so I decided to do requests instead of what I had planned for worship. But we wound up with a large group anyway. Still, it was a good night.

Saturday was an absolute blast. Angelique and I met up at Disney's California Adventure. It was the first time she'd been and only the second time for me. The park is as I remember, rather small. It was easy to get everything we wanted in done, including two trips on Sourin' Over California (my favorite), California Screamin', and the Monster's, Inc. ride.

But we also gave in to temptation and started collection the pins that they sell in the stores. We hit all the shops since I was looking for a particular pin I had spotted in March. We did find that, but we found plenty we liked. I bought 10 pins and I don't remember how many Angelique bought.

They would be dangerous enough if it weren't for the fact that you can also find them on-line. Ebay has lots up for auction. I have been spending way too much time over there in the last few days and I bet I've bought at least another 10 pins by now, including the one I couldn't find. I may seriously need some kind of intervention. I don't think I can afford this hobby. Espcially since this weekend is the LA Times Festival of Books, where I always spend lots on books.

Thursday Threesome for April 19th

In honor of tax day this week, the Thursday Threesome is something accountants everywhere will love. I know I did.

Onesome: One-- or more siblings? ...or just you?
One sibling. Brother. 7 years younger. His birtherday is next Tuesday.

Twosome: Two-- favorite shows (TV or Movie, or heck, even iPod!) on this season?
At the moment, I'd have to go with Lost, which has gotten so much better in the second half of the season, and Drive. Yes, it's rather early on this last one, but I loved the first three hours. If I must pick something that's been on longer, I'll go with Monk.

Threesome: Three-- ways to cook hot dogs? That's what the kids tell me. Yes? No? More? I'll spot you the 'boiling water'...
Boil water! Grill 'em. Nuke 'em.

I really shouldn't be doing This

So, tonight I was going to spend some serious time tackling my room, cleaning stuff up to make room for Clint to move in next week. Instead, what am I doing? Reviewing and blogging. Yep, still the lazy guy I've always been.

Not that I haven't gotten something done. Sunday, I cleaned the closet, so I am only taking up half. Of course, I am taking every available space of my half. And I have put my CD's away. But I still have a ways to go.

Saturday, I certainly didn't have time. I started the day by heading down to Mysteries to Die For. They had three new authors I wanted to try. The author who was first was great. She had part of her book printed out like a script, and she had two audience members read with her. I read the part of the main character's brother. It was lots of fun. Unfortunately, I had to leave before the second two authors started their talk since we had a youth picnic of sorts and Kurt and Kellie's. Since the weather was cold, we spent most of the time indoors playings games. Still, it was lots of fun.

After that, Clint and I came back here and watched Spider-man 2. I must say, my opinion hasn't changed. While I like the first Spider-man, I find the second one too slow and boring. Not to mention depressing with everything Peter goes through.

Then, last night, my car was invited to spend the night at the Honda dealership. I took it in for minor service, and they found a couple other things that needed to be fixed. Most of it was covered by the warrantee, so it didn't cost me nearly as much as it could have. And they even paid for a rental car last night. It was nice, but it might have been more trouble then it was worth. Especially since I paid for the insurance and gas. Anyway, I have it back now. It's so nice to have my own wheels again.

Also last night, I got so addicted to Drive. I recorded it over the weekend, not sure if I wanted to get hooked on another show or even if I would like it. But I decided to watch the first of the three hours I have to see if I liked it. I watched all three hours last night. I couldn't stop. I am counting the hours until the next episode next Monday night.

Word Association for April 15th

Here's this week's word association.

1. Freeze :: Oranges
2. Naturally :: Of course
3. Painting :: Brush
4. Merits :: Consideration
5. Ironic :: Statement
6. Survival :: (of the) fittest
7. Cow :: Milk
8. Anchor :: News
9. Sisters :: Brothers
10. 70 :: 80

Spring Reading Challenge Update

So, I haven't updated you on my progress with the Spring Reading Challenge yet. Let's fix that.

Now, before I get to the list I made, I do need to talk about the book I was reading at the time.

I didn't list A Thousand Splendid Suns because I was already part way through it. Reading it was one of the few perks of being a top reviewer at Amazon. They sent everyone who is in the top 100 was interested in reviewing it an advanced copy. Even though it's outside my normal reading tastes, I decided to give it a try. My review is at the link, so I won't go into great detail. I'll just say that I found the character study to be gripping, moving, and well worth reading.

Now, from my list, I've read Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. I enjoyed it greatly.

Then I read The Last Word. I have really enjoyed the Diagnosis:Murder tie ins, and this one was no exception. It overcame a slow start to be completely worth reading. And, while it does act as a finale, I really want to see what happens next to the characters. Lee Goldberg has done a great job with this one.

This week, I finished Kingdom Come, which had better be the final Left Behind book. It was a little too obvious the authors really didn't know how to fill 350 pages. Never "great literature" at the best of times, they were usually at least entertaining. This one wasn't.

And now I'm part way through False Profits, which I am enjoying so far.

So far, I am half way done with the list I made to finish by the book festival, which is in two weeks. Maybe I can make it after all.

Thursday Threesome for April 12th

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

Onesome: Heroes-- from the movies? Who was your hero in a movie, TV show or book when you were growing up?
My favorite superhero as a kid was always Wonder Woman. In fact, I'd want to be her when we played superheroes. Then you wonder why I got teased all the time growing up. :)

Twosome: and-- while we're at it: any 'new' heroes in any shows or books lately?
Well, I am hooked on the TV show Heroes. That's about the only new show I'm watching. And I'm drawing a blank on any new book series I've discovered recently that I've loved.

Threesome: Villains-- can be "bad guys" or just plain scary; which one scaried the heck out of you as a kid? (No flashbacks, please; just go for a bad guy if you'd prefer!)
As a kid, I was scared of Marley's Ghost from the George C. Scott version of A Christmas Carol. Frankly, that part still makes me tense up, although I don't spend the next month worring about him showing up.

And this seems like a perfect post to once again plug the blog of a story my friends and I are working on called Superheroes and Villains. It's a lot of fun. It's stalled on the blog at the moment, but we are still working on it. And, we've got plenty up for you to read already. Check it out and let us know what you think.

Update Time

How do the weeks go by without me updating?

Actually, this week it's fairly easy to see why.

First, Wednesday night I went to a rock concert. Downhere was back in town at Grace Baptist. I think I had a better time this year then last year. Last year I was bummed because they did lots of songs from their new CD (which came out the day before), and I didn't know them. This year, I had no such excuse. And I loved hearing those songs live. And I got more autographs after the concert, too.

They had a warm up act this year, Jason Gray. I really liked him as well and get his CD.

Then Friday, I headed north to visit my parents for the weekend. Phil was great and actually let me leave early Friday. Well, earlier than I had planned. We had half a day off already, but he came in and told me to leave once I had the deposit for the day done. So I left an hour and a half early.

Saturday was a mostly relaxing day. We went to see Miss Potter, which I had wanted to see anyway. It showed for a week or two in the Southern CA area, but never expanded up here like it was supposed to. We all really enjoyed it. Then we went for a walk around a small man made lake in the area and played Rummikub.

Sunday started with church, naturally. Then my uncle, aunt, and the aunt's mom came up for Easter dinner. And I made the cheesecake for dessert. It was a great afternoon. Great food and conversation. Nice and relaxed.

Monday I stopped and saw Donald on the way back south, which was wonderful as always. I wished he lived closer so we could see each other more often.

The last couple days have been back to work. Nothing too exciting happening there.

Thursday Threesome for April 5th

This week's edition is brought to us by any car traveling cross country and The Back Porch.

Onesome: Bugs-- Bunny? Roadrunner? The Jetsons? What was (is?) your favorite cartoon series?
I'd have to say the series of cartoons that starred Goofy explaining how to do something. Those are a riot.

Twosome: on the-- Waterfront? Classic movies too: which is your all time favorite? Nope, it has to be at least ten years old! (You can cheat with a holiday favorite if you'd like ...)
Mine works. It's Disney's Beauty and the Beast, released in 1992.

Threesome: "Windshield-- wipers slappin'/keepin'...", now there's a song lyric! How many songs can you name with those words in them? Go ahead, use the net. Which one is the most upbeat? We're all about information here!
I'm not even sure I get this question. Are we supposed to come up with any beside "Me and Bobby McGee" (which, despite having played it in guitar class, I had to look up)?

That was Fun

Saturday, I went to Disneyland!

Since I had my last surgery at the end of September, I missed my annual pilgramage in October. Naturally, I was going though withdrawls.

I was the first to arrive, but at 9:30, I met up with Angelique. Then around 2, Josh, Bonnie, their two kids, and Bonnie's mom joined us. With the kids, we took things much slower then normal. But somehow we still managed to get in most everything we'd normally do.

Ironically, we missed most of Fantasyland and never set foot in Toon Town. The kids spent most of the time sleeping and didn't really enjoy the few rides we tried to take them on. But that's probably why we got in what the adults wanted, so I'm not really complaining.

The weather was absolutely perfect. Sunny and in the 80's. Couldn't have asked for a better day. I even managed to get a light enough sunburn that it turned into a tan. So I'm not complaining there.

Unfortunately, I've got my annual spring cold. I also seem to get one as fall starts and as spring starts, so I guess I'm right on track. I came down with it Monday, so I have several more days to go. Hopefully it will go away before I go home this weekend.

Sunday I talked to my family then Clint came over for a couple hours before church. We swam and talked, mainly about him moving in.

Yep, I'm getting a third roommate again. He's going to share the master with me, which means digging the lower half of the bunk bed out of the garage. I'm looking forward to that extra money every month.