Leaving on a Jet Plane

Not much news in my life. About the only thing to report is I'm on my way out the door from work for Thanksgiving. I'll be flying to Dallas, TX to spend the long weekend with my brother, sister-in-law, and parents. Should be lots of fun.

But right now, I've got to run. See you all Monday night or Tuesday.

And so a mild fall turns into winter

Friday night was the last time for the current group to all hang out together. We watched Muppet's Christmas Carol and then talked and looked at pictures Paparazzi Matt has taken this semester. He delights in obnoxious pictures, too. Like the ones with me with my mouth full. It was one before I got home.

Saturday, we took the jr. highers up to Palmdale for a service project. Each Sunday School class was supposed to do something nice for one of our church's missionaries during the holiday season. Most sent care packages, but our missionary is planting a church just 40 miles from us. So we headed up there. The ladies cleaned the house and we took care of the yard. Raking leaves, mowing the lawn, washing cars. Fun stuff like that. It was a nice day, temps in the 70's.

When we got back, I sat myself down in a chair and started working on my paper. It was slow going, but I did it! I still need to get the works cited page and title page done and turn my notes from parantethical references to footnotes, but that's the easy stuff. Hope to get to it tonight or tomorrow.

While I was working on it, I heard something hitting the window. Turns out it was hail. It was bitter cold yesterday. I'd be surprised to find out it was above 60 all day. And they had snow in Palmdale. That's right, 24 hours after I was enjoying a nice day in short sleeves, they got snow, something that might happen once a year or two. Winter has arrived with a vengence.

Wrote 6 reviews yesterday. I'm only four away from my goal of 600 by the end of the year. Should pass it with flying colors. I was planning to quit for the year when I hit it, but I'm just going to keep going and see how far I get. I have about 8 I'd really like to write between now and then, but I'm not going to push for any other number. And I plan to not write another one until after I get back from Thanksgiving.

Speaking of which, I don't have any class until I get back. And I have lots to do tomorrow before I go. As always, I'm trying to cram tons of stuff in before I leave. :)

Like decide on a lap top. I'd really like to have one before Christmas so I can get on the internet at home this year without getting on my parent's computer. But I just can't decide what to get and find it for the price I want to spend. Maybe they'll be on sale when I get back and I can find a great deal then. We'll just have to see.

Word Association for November 21st

As always, I take them from here.

1. Reconnect:: Old Friends
2. Gearshift:: Clutch
3. Mania:: Pac-Man
4. Manhattan:: NYC
5. First date:: Tennagers
6. District:: of Columbia
7. Yearbook:: High School
8. Breakup:: Sad
9. Episode:: TV Show
10. Costume:: Halloween

Something to say

I need a topic to talk about. I really should have a blog post today, but nothing much has happened.

I think I may have made some progress on research on my paper this week. Guess we'll see when I start writing this weekend. I still don't really feel like I have any clue what I'll be talking about.

And here's the worst part. I'm going to have to use footnotes or end notes! I was always able to use paraenthetical references when I was a student. The main reason I'm not looking forward to this? I hate trying to make word do what I want it do. That could take longer then the paper itself. Still, that' minor compared to getting the paper written.

And this is the guy who said a 5 page paper would be a breeze. LOL.

I'm really enjoying Jeremy Camp's new CD. Not as hard rock as his first with some great lyrics. Hope to get a review up next week.

And I got Clay Aiken's Christmas CD. Instant classic. I love it!

Youth group last night, we were in the music room for the school instead of the huge gym/sanctuary. It was more crowded, but we could actually hear everyone singing, which was so nice for a change. Small room, better accustics for a small group. Must remember that.

Wednesday night, of course, was the end of an era. The last night Matt would come over to watch sci-fi. Of the group that started three and a half years ago, he was the last one. Now it's just down to Matt. The other one.

Weather's been really nice during the day. Low 70's. Cools down to the 50's at night. Haven't had to run the heater or AC much this month at all. My electric bill will love that next month.

I bought a new coat Wednesday night. My old one got ruined by my airbag going off in my accident 3 years ago, and I finally replaced it. Got it on sale at Kohl's. 50% off. Can't beat a deal like that. It's heavier, too, which will be nice.

Look at that, I managed to find something to ramble about.

Thursday Threesome for November 18th

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

Onesome: No one-...to talk to? Nah, who is it you look forward to seeing at one of the holidays just to be able to sit around and chat with? Sure, even someone you see during the rest of the year!
My uncle and aunt. I don't see or talk to them nearly enough. Maybe I should change that. Will only see them for Christmas again this year, but looking forward to it. Haven't seen them since my brother's wedding.

Twosome: diets- Have you ever tried one of the "fad" diets out there? Yes, I include Atkins in this category! How did it work for you? Would you do it again or try another one?
Nope. I don't believe in dieting. Which is why I could stand to loose 10-20 pounds. :)

Threesome: on Thanksgiving- What's your favorite dish? Would you be happy just pigging out on turkey, or do you need all the fixings? Does the pumpkin pie make the meal or do you prefer Mom's green bean casserole?
I have a couple of favorites. Stuffing is a must. My mom makes the best stuffing you ever tasted! And my mom's yams, apples, raisins, and cinnimon is a must for us as well. And I really do love pumpkin pie for desert, much to my mom's dismay. She hates it!

I've Got Bad News and Good News

Actually, I've known the bad news for about a week now.

Matt, who has made a few appearances in my comments and almost constantly the last few months in posts, is leaving town this Saturday.
:( And we still have 2/3rd's of season 5 of Babylon 5 to go, too. Seriously, we've become very good friends in the last few months. Better then we were before. I thought I had until May, but now it's now.

Why do my friends keep doing this to me? Don't they realize that when you become my friend you sign a contrap to stay in town forever and ever amen?

We were talking about Heaven in both services in church Sunday. That forever things, while hard to wrap my brain around, sounds so good when I think of all the friends I'll be able to spend forever with. Like Matt, the Durons, Donald, Jeremiah, Grandma.

Got the good news last night. Effective January 1st, I'll be getting a raise. And a better raise then I'd hoped for, too. Considering it's been several years, I'm very happy. Not enough to allow me to kick out my roommates, but enough that Trixie camp by myself should be no problem what-so-ever.

Meanwhile, I am stressing about my paper big time. I have no clue when I'm going to get it written or even find research to be able to write it when I find the time.

And I've decided to get a laptop. Preferably before I head home for Christmas. Any thoughts are more then welcome. The sooner the better so I can get on-line at home again.

TV Tuesday for November 16th

Time one again for the TV Tuesday.

1. Any holiday favorites you can't live without?
A Charlie Brown Christmas. I don't know if I've ever missed it in all the Christmases I can remember. Close behind it is the animated How the Grinch Stole Christmas and some version of A Christmas Carol. I'm rather partial to the George C. Scott version, but also love the Muppet version.

2. Holiday viewing: Parades or Football?
Who has time to watch TV on the holiday itself? I'm too busy eating or spending time with family.

3. What's your favorite holiday TV memory?
Linus quoting the gospel of Luke comes close. Have I mentioned how much I love that special?

~Bonus~ Holiday remakes, are you a faithful fan of the old classics or do you prefer the newer versions?
Well, I already mentioned that I prefer the 1984 George C. Scott version of A Christmas Carol, so I think you know where this is going. I tend to like recent versions. Of course, on TV, I don't know if there is a classic episode of any show that gets played over and over again except on Nick and Nite. And people don't remake TV shows. At least most of the time.

I'm not ready for it to be Monday yet!

I need at least another two or three days on my weekend.

Of course, that would be because I didn't really do much Saturday that was at all productive. Other then talk to my family. And three loads of laundry. But I spent most of the afternoon playing around on the internet, not working on my paper, not working on the Sunday School message for Sunday morning, not working on either Trixie fan fic idea, not working on finishing the book for a group discussion on a mystery board I belong to. Yeah, other then that I got a lot done. :)

I did finally get the message prepared enough that I didn't look like a complete idiot Sunday morning. Went really short, but I was at a natural breaking point in Matthew 5, so I figured I should stop there. Which meant I dealt with Divorce and Oaths. Two topics that are sure to be part of every jr. higher's every day life. :)

Then Sunday afternoon, I went to my friend Debbie's house for an afternoon of praise. I brought my guitar, and we sang for at least an hour after we shared some praise from the Bible or songs. A really great afternoon. Couple that with the messages from both services Sunday (about Heaven from Revelation 20 & 21), and I was flying high.

Sunday night I finished the book for the discussion. Frankly, I was less then impressed with Sick of Shadows. Very weak plotting and not funny like it was supposed to be. I guess it was supposed to be a social satire on Southern culture, but not being a Southerner, I just didn't get it.

And I'm rather tired, too. Probably because I stayed up Saturday night to try my hand at Halo 2. Went to bed about 1 AM. And I stink at first person shooter games. Too many controls to try to keep track of.

Frankly, that game is going to cause some serious problems. All my roommates want to do is play it. On line if they can. Well, to do that, they have to be plugged into the DSL server. The same place my computer plugs in. Which means if I want to be on-line, I have to kick them off. And, getting the TV in the living room is even a bigger problem. Honestly, they play that things probably 12 hours a day between the three of them. And when Tom goes to bed early, I have no choice but to be out there. I wonder if they'd suspect me if the game suddenly got broken.

Finally got my new bumper stickers on magnets and four of them are on my car. Found them at bumperart.com. The four I have on my car read like this: "I used to be indecisive. Now I just don't know." "Hi!, I'm the dread pirate Roberts #3690. Ask about franchise opportunities in your area." (I know Mary will want to get that one.) "One by one, the penguins steal my sanity." And finally. "I'm not paranoid! Which of my enemies told you this?"

Looks like it's dinner time. Have a good night.

Word Association for November 14th

On line for a few minutes, so thought I should get this taken care of. As always, found here.

1. Childhood:: Home
2. Ransom:: Note
3. Melissa:: Gilbert
4. Trust me:: Board Game
5. Report:: Paper
6. Give up:: Quit
7. Nightgown:: Sleep
8. Smokes:: Chimney
9. Cookies & cream:: Ice Cream
10. Gameshow:: Prizes

My Week in Review

Not that there's too much to review.

Tuesday night, I went with Matt, Casey, and Stephanie to see The Incredibles. It was incredible! Seriously, it was loads of fun. Pixar has yet another hit on their hands. I hope their winning streak lasts for a long, long time. I'm thinking I'll probably go with my roommates this weekend, too. Disney was stupid to let them get away.

Last night we did a new song at youth group. "Pour Out my Heart." At least it was new to me. But I really like it. It'll definitely be making a come back.

I have done nothing toward my paper or the Sunday School lesson for Sunday yet. I guess that's what tomorrow is for.

I officially hate Halo 2. It will be months and months before I am able to use my TV in the living room without kicking someone off. And to hook it up to the internet, they have to unhook my computer. Not to mention the fact that it's a shoot 'em up game, which I dispise because I'm horrid at them, get lost, and they're pointless. Other then that, I like it. :)

Got our annual jr. high thanksgiving tonight. It's when everyone brings a food that starts with the first letter of their last name. I'm bringing my standard, bread and butter. Worked through lunch so I can get off at 4:30 and actually buy it and change clothes and get there on time. Should be fun, as always.