Word Association for March 21st

Here's my word association for this week.

1. Sweetpea :: Doodle Dice
2. Fuss :: Baby
3. Stocky :: Heavy
4. Reason :: Faith
5. Humble :: St. Paul
6. Purposeful :: Quest
7. Week :: 7 Days
8. Intimidate :: Couple
9. Choice :: Change
10. Coming home :: Relax

Spring Reading Thing 2013

Yes, there is a Spring Reading Things in 2013.  But I won't be posting about it here.  Instead, you can read my intro post over at Carstairs Considers.

Happy Spring Everyone!!!!

March Disneyland Trip

When I bought my Disneyland pass, I had always had in mind taking a day off work here and there while school was in session to go.  Of course, I’ve been working my temp job for six months now, and taking time off means losing pay.  But I did do that this last Tuesday to go.

The reason?  I got to hang out with my friend and former roommate Mark.  We hadn’t seen each other since we hung out at Disneyland 10 months ago.

The day in the park was great.  It was more crowded than I wanted it to be, but we still got in quite a few rides.  Mark hadn’t spent any times in Cars Land, so we hit all three of the rides there.  I also introduced him to Toy Story Midway Mania, which he loved.  Unfortunately, he beat me at that and Buzz Lightyear over in Tomorrowland.

We started and ended out day in CA Adventure, but we did hit Disneyland in the middle of the day.  Thanks to some perfect timing and fast passes, we hit all the big rides over there, too.

And we got to catch up.  That’s fairly easy when you are spending hours with someone in lines, but it was nice to find out what all is happening with him and still have time to goof off.

And the weather was perfect!  I was wearing shorts all day.  I did put on a sweatshirt, but I never felt the need to put on the pants I brought.

I’ve only got six weeks left on my pass!  And I’ve got to get one more visit in before it expires.  It’ll probably be right at the end of April, but I’ve got until the end of April to use it one last time.

Weekly TV Recap for March 16th

The Amazing Race – A team leaves with an express pass in their pocket.  Obviously, they should have used it instead of switching tasks, but I can see the temptation to save it as long as possible.  I wasn’t a big fan of that team, so I’m okay with seeing them go.  Can’t believe the father/son came in first again.  I just wonder what he is doing to his leg long term by continuing on.

Once Upon a Time – I seriously can’t believe they killed Cora.  I was bracing myself for one of our heroes, so I was glad she was the one to go.  However, the consequences for Snow and Regina for the rest of the season are going to be dramatic.  Can’t wait to see where things go next week.

Survivor - Brandon is as delusional as ever.  How was making people so upset they wanted to get rid of you being the master of your own fate?  Seriously?  He is right about one thing - Phillip is in charge.  I only hope the rest of his tribe sees that and stands up to him because I really want them both gone now.

Psych - My roommate and I are both a little disappointed in the season so far.  It's lost the spark, partially because Gus has become a one note character.  It didn't help that I'm not a fan of the lost footage format of storytelling.  This one had its moments, but overall they need to step up their game.

Big Bang Theory - Every so often, they throw us a more serious episode, and that's definitely what this one was.  Still, I liked it, and I really like the development they gave Howard.  I'm very curious what was really in the letter, although all of those answers would have been great.  Well, except for Sheldon's.

Nikita - Yes, I've gotten both of them watched.  Enjoyed last weeks, but I found a serious plot hole in this week's.  Why couldn't they go after Ari and then go after Alex's friend?  Why did both have to happen right now?  That's the part I do not get.  Although the tension between Nikita and Alex will certainly be interesting to watch.

Parental Visit

Friday was my birthday, and to help me celebrate, my parents came down for a visit.

They weren’t able to leave until Friday, so they got down here on Friday night.  By the time they got here, we didn’t have time for much else beside dinner, presents, and bed.

And Saturday, our weekend was off and running.  We spent most of the day at the Reagan Presidential Library.  I used to go regularly before they jacked up the prices.  That obviously isn’t keeping people away because it was crowded while we were there.  It was fun to be back.  Boy, so many of Reagan’s quotes sounded like they could have been said today.

We were there for a Disney exhibit, which was certainly fun.  However, I think I liked the one they did 12 years ago (the first time I went there.  Yikes!) better.

Saturday night, we headed over to my friends Joe and Erica’s house so my parents could finally meet them.  We had a great visit with them.

Sunday started with church followed by lunch with my friends Josh and Beth.

After lunch, we headed to a county park in the area and went for a hike.  While the day was windy, the wind was pretty much missing the canyon, so it turned out to be perfect weather for the hike.  From there, we came back to my condo for some slight work, dinner, a quick game, and The Amazing Race.

So as you can see, it was busy, but it was also lots of fun.  Monday, I was back to work and they were driving home.

Word Association for March 11th

Here's this week's word association.

1. Align :: Straighten
2. Collar :: White
3. Orphan :: Annie
4. Program :: Computer
5. Waves :: Ocean
6. Accident :: Car
7. Offices :: Work
8. Corrupt :: Politician
9. Tears :: Cry
10. Family :: Visit

Weekly TV Recap for March 9th

I haven't had a chance to watch Nikita yet, but here's the rest of my TV thoughts for the week.

Once Upon a Time – I can certainly see where Mary Margaret is coming from, but her change in attitude is going to spell bad news.  And I knew that even before they showed us the preview of the episode.  And they told us how Neal could still be so young – he’s a lost boy!  I love it!!  Now, to see how next week turns out.  I’m very, very worried about it.

White Collar – Speaking of worried, how could they leave us with that cliffhanger????  And Neal’s dad running off like that?  They’d better nail him and good.  Is it fall yet?

Survivor – Well the team of fans finally made some smart decisions by voting off the weakest player.  Alliances are good, but if they blind you to what needs to be done to help your team, they’re just stupid.  I’m not sorry to see the guy leave, although I’m sorry to see him leaving for medical reasons.

Psych – I knew where they were ultimately going with this one early on.  I just wonder how long Shawn’s mom will be around.  One episode?  More?  Not the best episode, but entertaining

The Big Bang Theory – I really like Raj with this gal.  I hope she sticks around for at least a few more episodes.  And he is so sweet with her.  Granted, we’ve seen that side of him before.  The guys at the school was cringe worthy, but I did enjoy the ladies going to Disneyland (naturally).

Word Association - Birthday Edition

I'd better do a quick word association post or it won't happen this week.

1. Schedule :: Work
2. Guest :: Party
3. Stall :: Horse
4. Cold :: Weather
5. Editorial :: Opinion
6. Striped :: shirt
7. Curtains :: Night
8. Cramping :: Foot
9. March :: Soldier
10. Folder :: Paper

Mardi Gras Madness 5K 2013

This past Saturday was the Mardi Gras Madness 5K here in town, and I did it for the second year in a row.

The course was the same as last year.  It was pretty much flat except for the bridge they have us use to cross over the main street and get to the bike path.  Starts and ends in a strip mall. It’s actually kind of fun that way for something different.

Last year, it was my first time doing a 5K in under 30 minutes.  I was a bit slower than that this year – I completed it in 30:38.  But considering I’ve been running once a week most of the year, I’m actually okay with that.  If I’d been using my watch to pace myself, I probably could have done it under half an hour, but I really didn’t care.

Another difference this year was my roommate did it with me.  He beat me, but I was kind of expecting that.  And I think it was only by a couple of minutes.

This race benefits a program that trains teens in town to run the LA marathon.  What was fun is that two teens I know are part of the program this year, and I spotted one of them at the race directing traffic.  I got a kick out of that.

The weather was perfect, a tad nippy but warming up quickly.  In fact, it was so nice, I went to play ultimate Frisbee that morning after the run.  I just couldn’t sit inside on a day like that.

It did cool off that evening by the time I went out for a friend’s birthday party.  We were sitting outside for a while, and I wished I had brought by jacket.

Weekly TV Recap for March 2nd

Castle – I was right.  It really was all about Alexis.  And Sarah was cover/a draw for Castle’s dad.  I wish I hadn’t known we were going to meet him during sweeps since that took a big twist out of the show (and kind of helped me know it was Alexis), but it was still a cool episode.  I’ll be interested to see how finally meeting him plays out over the course of the rest of the season.

White Collar – I was almost liking the new boss, but then she had to go and be working for the enemy.  I was expecting that “twist” but I hoped to be proved wrong.  The case itself was fun, although I did feel a little sorry for the true artist.

Survivor – So is it wrong that I’m rooting for the Favorite over the Fans?  Especially if they are going to keep that one guy around.  He’s a whiner of the first order and needs to go.  Granted, there are several “favorites” I want to see off my TV as well, but he’s annoying me the most right now.

Arrow – A gripping episode.  I was worried that the man would die, so I was glad he didn’t.  Arrow revealing his identity to his friend?  Who’s next?  And the fact that he said he never intended to tell him?  Amazing honesty.  But just what is his mom into, and will she tried to kill this guy again?

Psych – It was good to have them back.  A bit more of a serious episode, but since they were coming back from that cliffhanger, I’m not surprised.  I also wasn’t surprised that Henry lived.  It’s not the kind of show to kill someone, plus Shawn and Henry’s relationship is a key to things.  The plot seemed to head off away from what happened last time, but that might just be me and my faulty memory since it’s been a year since the last episode aired.

Nikita - Amanda is devious and so vengeful.  She makes the best villain!  I think she's better while on the run than Percy ever was, although he was a pretty good villain, too.