Leaving Las Vegas

The worst part of every vacation is the end of it.
I HATED to leave Las Vegas.
I LOVE it there.
I will be back much sooner than later!

Final pictures .... click here!!

Sunday with the Stars

Sunday in Vegas was fun and relaxing. Okay, fine. It was slower than Saturday because we were still in recovery from Saturday night! Basically we had lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe. I paid $11.50 for a grilled cheese sandwich that I couldn't even finish.

Then we hopped back on the monorail to the Venetian so we could visit Madam Tussauds. It was actually pretty darn cool and a lot of fun. They had tons of celebrities from many different spectrums .... movies, tv, porn, sports, general entertainment, politics, history books .... Highlights for me would include Tupac, Elton John, Michael Crawford, Marlon Brando, Hugh Heffner and The Rock. I couldn't believe they actually let you touch them and practically climb on top of some! Other guests were also very courteous - which was a nice surprise. It wasn't uncommon for us to take pictures for other people - and vice versa. Everyone would just hold back, watch and laugh while we took our sometimes really silly photos. It was just a really fun way to spend a day!

The evening was all about the Phantom of the Opera! It was sooooo good! The Phantom actually sucked. Worst singing Phantom I have ever heard. But the rest of the cast was great and the production was just fantastic! I won't say anything specific, so as not to ruin it for anyone that hasn't yet seen this spectacle! I urge everyone to go see it if they make it to Las Vegas!

Sunday's photos are found here!

Titanic + Rum + Drag Queens = AMAZING!

Saturday in Vegas was AMAZING!! I was out of bed (without an alarm) before 7am, ready to start my first day as a legal adult in Las Vegas. I had left the window curtains open when we went to bed. I just had to fall asleep looking at all of the neon lights. In the morning I kept waking up so I could watch the sunrise - it was great! Once out of bed we hit the cutest little cafe called America for one of only 2 actual meals we had in Vegas. I couldn't resist - had to get All-You-Can-Eat pancakes. Apparently I can't even eat one and a half! The place was adorable; had we ever been hungry and had time, I'd have stopped in again!

After breakfast we were tourists on a mission! First, we decided to hit the Titanic exhibition at the Luxor. Only got lost a couple dozen times on the way. But it was worth it. The exhibition was worth the entire trip! Post-Titanic we were on a mission. A mission for fun, fruity drinks! We found them at Mandalay Bay. For an extra dollar you can get an extra shot. Hell yeah! We were all over that one! The rest of our afternoon was spent wandering around the big hotels, playing in stores, taking silly pictures and sharing that unspoken bond that seems to exist between those of us that buy the BIG frozen drinks!

I confess that things became a blur - but we sure had a good time! We visited the Venetian to pick up our Phantom of the Opera tickets, and, photos would show, we made our way though the Mirage and the Forum Shops. Ha - who knew?!?

Our nightlife wasn't what one would probably call "typical". After a short refueling session we hit a cab to FreeZone. FreeZone is this awesome gay club a couple of blocks off the strip - walking distance from the Hard Rock Cafe. My friend Alex is one of the performers in the What A Drag! show. He was fantastic, as always! Everybody there was so cool, made for a very entertaining Valentine's night! After the show we ended up at the MGM Grand and in the VIP line for Studio 54. I've been dying to go in there since I was 10 years old. Walking down the dark hall and into the main club was completely awesome! 4" heels took their toll .... both Lori and I ended up walking barefoot back to NYNY at the end of the night. Looking back, obviously I was under the influence .... I mean WALKING BAREFOOT ON THE STRIP?? Am I crazy?? Such a fun day. I was bummed that it had to come to an end! And now .... here are the pictures! Daytime shots and our Night Out!

Getting There is Part of the Fun!

My trip to Las Vegas was a very spontaneous thought - meaning I thought of it, 30 seconds later invited my friend to join me, 30 seconds later we were officially planning! We had barely bought our plane tickets and booked a hotel room before it was time to pack and head to Sin City!

We couldn't just go straight there. Why do that??

Cherry Redd, a rockabilly shop in Salem, was our first stop. I just HAD to pick up these saucy 4" black and red heels. Once there I spotted this clear/plastic stripper shoes. Of course I had to put them on for pictures. As if that wasn't enough, the guy working there insisted on cinching me into a real corset. Holy cow. I think I stopped breathing for a while!

From there we rushed to PDX, got on a flight to LAX, and then Las Vegas!

New York New York was our destination! Before we were there, we hopped in a shuttle, which ended up driving us up and down the strip. I think driving up and down the strip at night is the perfect way to start any Vegas Vacation - just ask Clark Griswold! Our room and view was amazing! And even more amazing after a day of traveling .... the pizza we got down near the casino!

See the photos from our day of travel by clicking here!

Need I Say More?

I think the following image sums me up (at this moment) pretty well!

RAD '09 was Rad!!

Thanks to all that joined me this year to celebrate R**** Appreciation Day!

I got to spend the whole day with my best friend and my three adorable little "nieces". Who knew three adorable little girls could actually like me and want to be attached to me all day long?? They've trained me well --- I now respond to "Aunt R****". So cute!

We all went to the mall together, where I was lucky enough to get to meet my friend Shannon in person for the first time -- FINALLY!! And it was only fitting that we met at the MAC counter while looking at some pretty snazzy eye shadow!

Another highlight for me was bowling. Not the actually bowling, but the company. My friend Jarrod, from college, joined us - and it was the first time we've seen each other in probably nine years!

After bowling an impromptu party just sort of happened back at Heather's house. If you weren't there, you'll never know what went down that night!

All in all - this was the best RAD so far!! I say next year we strive to top it -- if that's even possible!

For a little sneak peek at this year's rad .... click here!

Survey Time!

What were you up to at 9pm last night​?​ Watching Kate Winslet being interviewed after winning her Best Actress Oscar - yay Kate!!
Last time you saw your best frien​d(​s)​? Heather -- all day Saturday; Brian -- October 2008
Why did you cry the last time you did? I was watching P.S. I Love You -- although I did get choked up during the Oscar's when Heath Leger won for Best Supporting Actor. He was amazing in that movie!
What are you looki​ng forwa​rd to in the next 7 days?​ Hanging out with Heather and my little nieces again.
What was the first​ thing​ you thoug​ht this morni​ng?​ "How long can I hit snooze before I really get up?"
Where​ were you at 10:​17 pm last night​? Home reading photo comments from the RAD Party on myspace
Will you be up befor​e 7am tomor​row?​ Of course! Not by choice, but I'll be up!
What’​s the great​est thing​ that happe​ned to you today​?​ I weighed myself and smiled!!
When was the last time you and an oppos​ite sex hugge​d?​ Saturday when I got to see Jarrod for the first time in 9 years!
What are you liste​ning to at the momen​t?​ The final broadcast of the Adam Carolla Radio Show. :(
What was the first​ thing​ you did this morni​ng?​ Turned on the radio in the bathroom.
How was last night​?​ Nice. Relaxed and cheered on my favorites at the Oscars.
How are you feeli​ng right​ now? Pretty darn good! I'm optimistic about the week ahead.
Have you made out with someo​ne in the past 2 weeks​?​ That's very personal. But no.
Last time you laugh​ed?​ Probably 45 minutes ago.
Excit​ed about​ anyth​ing?​ Excited about seeing friends this weekend, and maybe getting to hang out with more new/old friends again!
What'​s the last sport​ing event​ you watch​ed?​ Wow. The Super Bowl?
Are you weari​ng socks​?​ No, but I do have on some super groovy hot pink tights.
Conne​ction​ betwe​en you and the last perso​n who text messa​ged you? We used to be neighbors and go to movies together sometimes.
Do you think​ a lot of peopl​e think​ bad thing​s about​ you? Of course some people do, but those people mean nothing to me, so the people that I care about? No! :-)
Are you waiti​ng for somet​hing?​ Kind of. But not sure what yet.
Did you hate the last boyf​riend​ you kisse​d?​ This is tricky - considering I haven't had boyfriends in ages. And then that gets even more complicated - but in the scheme of all things complicated and affected by definitions, I can say No, not at all!
Did you and your most recen​t ex plan your futur​e out toget​her?​ Technicalities again ensue and so ........
Did you and the last perso​n you dated​ have baby names​ picke​d out? I have never picked out names with anyone. I KNOW what I am naming my baby. There isn't really any room for other opinions.
When'​s the last time you said you were fine,​ but reall​y weren​'​t?​ I have no idea. I guess that's a good thing?
Relat​ionsh​ips or one night​ stand​s?​ Relationships -- I'm not a trashy one night stand type of girl.
Is there​ somet​hing speci​al you wante​d for Chris​tmas?​ Nope!
Do you hold grudg​es?​ Excuse me, let me set down all these grudges I'm holding to type my answers. I can hold a grudge like there's no tomorrow!
When was the last time you wante​d to punch​ someo​ne in their​ face?​ I've never really had this urge. I had it ONE time. And I acted on it. Oh it felt great!
Do you have a frien​d you can tell stuff​ to and you'​re sure they won'​t tell? Absolutely!
Has anyon​e ever told you they love you? Yes
Is there​ anyon​e who doesn​'​t like you? Naturally
What happe​ned at 9:00 AM today​?​ Work happened.
What was the last thing​ you said aloud​?​ "I answered the phone!"
What was the last thing​ you bough​t?​ MAC eye shadow
Do you laugh​ a lot? Yep, but it takes a lot to get a genuine, good, hearty laugh.
Are you tickl​ish?​ Very.
Who'​s the last perso​n to call you? The last person to call that I chose to answer was my mom.
Have you ever wishe​d you had a diffe​rent last name?​ No. My last name is so crazy, I love it! Unless changing it to "Depp" is an option?
Do you wear lot of black​?​ This year I DO seem to wear a lot of black!
Can you sleep​ witho​ut blank​ets cover​ing you? No. I need weight on me in order to actually sleep well.
If someo​ne liked​ you right​ now, would​ you want them to tell you? Yes.
Do you enjoy​ late night​ phone​ conve​rsati​ons?​ Depends on the caller and their intent. I'm not down with desperate guy phone calls trying to talk dirty to me. HUGE turn off, don't even bother.
Do you consi​der yours​elf lucky​?​ Very.
What color​ is your hair?​ I'm the blondie with the dimples.
Do you have a reaso​n to smile​ right​ now? There's always a reason to smile!
Who is the last perso​n you got reall​y pisse​d off at? A "friend" that did a lot of lying to me.
Does anyon​e know your passw​ord besid​es you? No.
Why did your last relat​ionsh​ip fail?​ Relationship. Depends on what one would call relationship. And if one is in denial of being in a relationship, then it can't fail because it wasn't ever a relationship. It was just a lie.

"You Can Call Me Flower If You Want To"

I was driving just outside of town today and saw a little skunk. It had been hit by a car, but instead of looking damaged in anyway, it was just lying peacefully like it was taking a cute little skunk nap.

I've decided I want a pet skunk. I think they get a bad rap - its not their fault they have what we humans consider an off-putting odor.

Have you looked at the shape of a skunk's head? They just have these soft, delicate little features. I want one that I can cuddle with and rub its little head.

Can you have pet skunks? Can I do anything about the odor/spray issue? Maybe I should start googling this.

A Little Reminder ... Again

Saturday, February 21, 2009 ..... is ...... RAD!

R**** Appreciation Day!

It only comes around once a year - at least for now, until I get a whim and add more dates, so don't miss out on your chance to appreciate me! If you are looking for gift ideas ..... I really want to go back to Vegas. Feel free to start up a fund!

Highlights from Fabulous Las Vegas

I couldn't possibly write about all that went on in my new favorite vacation destination, so I thought of trying to just list a few of the highlights! (Pictures will be soon to follow!)

• Getting engaged on the flight from LAX to Vegas.
• "I'm gunn lay him o'er an ironin' board and straighten him out!"
• Driving down the strip and checking out the lights upon our arrival. (This would go hand in hand with seeing the strip from the plane!)
• Delicious Sicilian style pizza.
• French fries from Nathan's Hot Dogs!!!
  
• The view from my hotel room!
• The door to the Cathouse at the Luxor.
• Everything about Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition... including, but not limited to the Grand Staircase and Promenade Deck recreations, recovered artifacts, the "Big Piece", shopping, and meeting Lee Merideth - Titanic historian and author that was actually present at the site when the 15 ton "Big Piece" was raised. He was so interesting to talk to, and rather inspiring. I now have an autographed copy of his book, advice from him that I should write my own book if I am that interested in Titanic, and I got to shake his hand. The entire experience of Titanic was amazing! I highly recommend visiting. The Big Piece will be at the Luxor for 10 years - so you have time to go!
• Fat Tuesdays. Need I say more?
• Hot girls in garter belts everywhere you look.
• VIP Guest List to Studio 54.
• Being the novelty straight girl at the gay bar.
• Alex Serpa! Alex Serpa!! Alex Serpa!!!
• Phantom of the Opera EVERYTHING!
• The rich smell inside the Venetian.
• All You Can Eat pancakes.
• Walking barefoot down the strip.
• Singing and pole dancing on the monorail.
• Drunk dialing a friend back home. Hope that wasn't in the middle of the night!! Oh my - it felt like midnight - it was only 6:15pm!
• Getting married to Johnny Depp.
• Channeling my inner gangsta with Tupac.
• Being approached/propositioned/hit on by an old man who says he is "from Europe" and asked if we need a ride because he "has a car". When I say old, I don't mean hot older man like Mark Harmon - I mean maybe 70 years old!
  
• Margaritaville, Hard Rock Cafe, House of Blues --- I always feel at home!
• Getting an hour and a half of sleep at night - if that.
  
• The lights! The sounds! The gambling! The dancing! The drinks! The people! The EVERYTHING!

I am so in love with Sin City. It completes me. I am dying to go back, and I've not even been home for 24 hours!

Really. I do!

I LOVE Las Vegas!

No Robert England Sounds Like A Nightmare

I've read that A Nightmare on Elm Street is about to join the likes of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Halloween and Friday the 13th. A remake is said to be in the works - but who will star as my favorite horror icon Freddy Krueger? Robert Englund, according to reports, will NOT be reprising the role that we all know him best for.

I've always had a special liking for Robert Englund after we saw him at Universal Studios decades ago when he was there to host the Horror Hall of Fame Awards. Growing up I watched every single Nightmare movie - multiple times. Believe it or not, my partner in all of this was my grandma! She enjoyed them as much as I did, and even took me to see one in the theater. There we were sitting side by side watching Freddy terrorize everyone -- in 3-D glasses! I'm not completely embarrassed to admit that I even had posters of Freddy on my bedroom wall and still have my 3-D glasses!

When Universal's Halloween Horror Nights has a haunted maze with Freddy in it, that's the one time I don't get scared. Instead I get super excited and once nearly jumped on him to give him a hug and tell him how awesome he is. (I also had Hannibal Lecter propose marriage to me one year, but that's a different story!)

Robert Englund doesn't play Freddy Krueger, he IS Freddy. I can't imagine watching a new Nightmare movie, hearing that song (1, 2 Freddy's coming for you ....) and then not seeing THE Freddy Krueger. Will we, the fans, end up disappointed? Will the new Freddy make it his own Freddy, or just try to imitate THE Real Freddy? I guess only time will tell.

Random Story From the Asia Breakroom

The year was 2002. The month was .... some time between January and August.

I was working at Kali River Rapids.

It was time for my break.

I went into the tiny Asia break room to enjoy my few minutes of freedom. I was grabbing my purse, and standing in front of the vending machines. My back was to the machines, my purse in front of me on the table.

Suddenly I felt something land on my head. Before I could assess the situation, the mystery object was RUNNING DOWN MY LEFT ARM!!

It was a cockroach! A cockroach ON MY SKIN!

It ran down my arm ..... right into my open purse. Of course my purse that day was black, so I couldn't exactly SEE the stupid bug.

All of us in the immediate area started flipping out, and I'm sure some people just sat back and laughed.

Kevin was my savior. He manned up and took my purse outside. I followed behind, not that I knew how I would help. Before I could say "be nice" (to my things, not the bug), he dumped my entire purse contents on the ground. I flew in the air and squirmed around with major koodies as I watched this stupid black cockroach go scurrying away.

I didn't want to even touch my purse or any of its contents after that. Now that I think about it .... I don't use that one anymore. I should donate it to Goodwill. I won't tell them about the bug incident of 2002!

"For the next 5 hours, you're my bitch."

Angry Man: Oh great, I always end up sitting next to a damn baby.
Stewie Griffin: What did you just say?
Lois Griffin: Stewie, stop fussing.
Stewie Griffin: Pipe down Lois. Hey big man, turn around. Oh you can't hear me now. I was going to watch the movie, but forget it. For the next 5 hours, you're my bitch.
Stewie Griffin: [furiously kicks seat in front of him] Wah wah wah my ears are popping and there's no way to console me Wah! Maybe I'm teething, Maybe I'm hungry, who knows? I'm a baby!


I'm flying in just over 24 hours. I really hope I don't in sit front of the screaming kid. I really hope I'm not behind the token fat man. (Been there, done that -- even sitting behind the jack ass I had NO room. I swear he was about to break the seat with all his squirming and pushing back on his chair. So rude - not rude because of his size issues, he was just a complete ass.)

And I LOVE Family Guy! Stewie and Brian are my favorites. If I ever have a baby, and he's a boy, he'll be wearing little baby t-shirts with Stewie Griffin on them. My friends have already banned me from naming my offspring after Family Guy. Darn. But maybe I'll just get a dog and name him Stewie instead!

Sing It, Amy!

Sure, she's totally cracked out and a mess right now - but I'm a Fan! I love me some Amy Winehouse! I am a fan of an artist that can write and actually sing their own music. If they actually play their own music, a la Fiona Apple, then I'm an even bigger fan. Amy has great lyrics. Lets take a look at a little sample that I happen to find particularly pertinent today!






Snippets from Me and Mr. Jones:

What kind of fuckery is this?
You made me miss the Slick Rick gig (oh Slick Rick)
You thought I didn't love you when I did (when I did)
Can't believe you played me out like that (Ahhh)

No you ain't worth guest list
Plus one of all them girls you kiss (all them girls)
You can't keep lying to yourself like this (to yourself)
Can't believe you played yourself (out) like this

What kind of fuckery are we?
Nowadays you don't mean dick to me (dick to me)
I might let you make it up to me (make it up)
Who's playing Saturday?

15 Companies That Might Not Survive 2009

After listening to Adam Carolla's radio show yesterday, I had to go to US New & World Report to see the official list.... of 15 companies that might not survive 2009.

Rite Aid. We occasionally walk down to Rite Aid on breaks. They charge way too much for tiny sizes of regular things like cereal, toothpaste, pet food, shampoo, everything. Our "new" Rite Aid downtown always stinks. I've decided that the "less affluent" residents of downtown are asked to leave their backpacks/personal belongings in the little foyer type area. Now I just know to hold my breath. It smells TERRIBLE in there, and usually anywhere you go in the store you can smell the person that had just been wandering around. The Rite Aid in our "mall" - yeah, not much better. It doesn't have the odor problem, but if you do find something to buy there you have to head to the far back corner of the store to pay. I can't remember the last time the former main check out area was used. Its like a tomb in there.

Claire's Stores. I feel this store must have lots of shoplifting. Its the home of cheap girly jewelry and High School Music crap. I go there before every vacation to get some sort of new earrings. Last month I bought a belt. Regular price $10, but the tag had it marked down to $8. It rang up for $2.50. Score! The quality of their products - not good. I'd kind of miss this store though - its the only place in town I can go to get a nose ring, bracelets, hair clips, belts, yada yada yada ... all at one time. BUT my big complaint - they still pierce ears with a gun. Time to get with the times. Guns are BAD!! I'd rather Claire's go belly up than Hot Topic! What would I do if I couldn't be the 30 year old shopping at Hot Topic?

Chrysler. I'm not into cars. I just bought a new Chevy that I love.

Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group. Rental cars. I never use them, until this October when Jessica and I buzz around Orlando, go to NASA and hit the beach! Woo hoo -- I'll worry about rental cars closer to our vacation, but this one company closing wouldn't hinder our mobility.

Realogy Corp. Real Estate doesn't affect me yet.

Station Casinos. I don't gamble. .... yet! But I love the atmosphere of a casino.

Loehmann's Capital Corp. Apparently this has something to do with clothes? It can disappear this year, I wouldn't notice.

Sbarro. We don't have one of these in town, but I do find it to be the place I gravitate toward when I am in airports. I LOVE their baked ziti. In one days travels alone I visited Sbarro in two different airports (Dayton and Philadelphia). Actually in Philadelphia I had a great experience there. The guy that helped me was just so nice - which I found to be typical of everyone I talked to in Pennsylvania.

Six Flags. Not all that surprising. Seems all I read about the Six Flags parks is that they are run down, dirty, and have problems with, how do I put this? Undesirable crowds? Not the same guests you'd see at a place like Disneyland or Walt Disney World. I've only been to Six Flags Magic Mountain once. It rained. Everything closed. I didn't get to really go on anything. I was bummed. And I was so cold and wet, I turned blue.

Blockbuster. This could go bye bye and not phase me. I haven't rented any movies in years.

Krispy Kreme. Please go away Krispy Kreme. I find you to be gross and a let down. If I had to choose, I'd hit the Dunkin Donuts before Krispy Kreme. I wouldn't even consider Krispy Kreme.

Landry's Restaurants. Landry's took over the Rainforest Cafe years ago. I used to like their food. USED TO. When Landry's took over, the menu changed for the worse. You used to be able to get a sandwich and on your plate would be a spear with yummy fresh fruit - including a pretty good sized slice of a pineapple. Now the only thing really yummy there is this fruity tropical drink that is probably overpriced.

Sirius Satellite Radio. Oh no! I LOVE my satellite radio! I refuse to listen to local radio. I don't like annoying commercials, DJs that think they are funny, same songs over and over. I love that I can listen to Radio Margaritaville 24 hours a day if I want. Please don't go away! Wait - I have XM Radio, not serious. Oopsies!

Trump Entertainment Resorts Holdings. Donald Trump is an ass. Buh-bye!

BearingPoint. This is apparently a Virginia-based consulting firm. Eh, whatever. Again, no loss to me!

Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now

So we are just hours away from leaving town for the big Girls Weekend, and of course something has to go wrong! Lori is a congested mess! I've decided that the wonder cure for her will be to take a shot of peppermint schnapps. She has some Rumplemintz at home, so after my brilliant advisement, she'll be testing that theory out tonight. I remember my very first shot of schnapps. Oh, it was a good one! I only had the slightest sip (I think I was just 19 at the time), and I instantly felt my sinuses clear. I didn't even feel congested - but after the shot I felt even better than before!

So the head congestion is our only snafu so far. That and neither of us have really started packing. I keep trying, but I think I'll need more than just underwear a skirt and a sweater - which is all that's in my suitcase. That's not entirely true. I have also packed my cameras and memory cards.

I am thinking tonight HAS to be the night I pack. That gives me Thursday night to take care of any last minute shopping I might have to do. Friday I might be stopping on the way to PDX to pick up the sassiest of all "Mommie Dearest" shoes - which most would refer to as F*** Me Pumps.

No colds will be stopping us! No lack of packing will stop us! In the ever so brilliant words of Starship -- Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now!

A R.A.D. Reminder!

Just a little reminder --- R**** Appreciation Day is just under a week away!

February 21st is rapidly approaching --- don't forget to Appreciate ME on this 3rd Annual R**** Appreciation Day - its RAD!

P.S. I Need A Tissue

P.S. I Love You - have you seen it? Do. My mother is trying to protest watching it with me, but I just feel she HAS to watch. Why? Mostly because I need to see if other people have the same reaction to it as I did.

I bought this movie last year, with the impression that it was a cute romantic comedy - something along the lines of You've Got Mail or Sleepless in Seattle. Holy cow was I wrong! I sat down alone to watch this movie completely naive as to what it would do to me. I was never really a movie crier until the Notebook came along. I thought that reaction was bad - that had nothing on P.S. I Love You!

By the time I was nearing the end, I was sobbing. Nearly uncontrollably sobbing. Steel Magnolias is a major tear jerker - but still, P.S. I Love You is worse! My hand wasn't sufficient to wipe away the tears, so I switched to my sleeve. That didn't work either. I had to resort to grabbing a towel from my kitchen just to keep up with the water works.

Gerard Butler is wonderful as Gerry. Of course he is my future husband, so I might be a little bit biased. I also loved Lisa Kudrow and Gina Gershon, but found the lead role of Holly to be miscast. Hillary Swank just didn't do it for me. She was fine I guess, but I get distracted by her huge teeth. She doesn't seem to be as young and soft as I would like the character to be. Jennifer Garner is who I imagine I'm watching every time I sit down for a good 2 hour cry.

So anyway, I really think you should watch it. And when you do, just give in and get the Kleenex handy. If you can make it through P.S. I Love You without crying let me know - and then I'll probably call you a liar! If I sobbed through it, anybody would!

Vegas, Baby, Vegas!

Swingers is a fantastic movie filled with totally awesome dialogue. This week my favorite line from the Vince Vaughn/Jon Favreau classic is "Vegas, Baby, Vegas!"
 

I wish I had something interesting to blog about, but considering I am just days away from being on a plane to Las Vegas, via Los Angeles, the only thing I have to talk about it Vegas, Baby, Vegas!
 
I still haven't started to pack. I set out my Nintendo DS - which then was moved - into my hands to play all weekend instead of packing. I set out a pack of gum, and an iPod charger. That's the extent of my packing. But I did watch Swingers in preparation for what I hope will be a vacation to remember! If you haven't seen this movie yet, you should! Big Bad Voodoo Daddy gets lots of play time in it. Nothing like a little Vince Vaughn AND Scotty Morris in the same movie. Scotty Morris, if you aren't familiar, is the founder of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. They are awesome! And that's all I have to say for now. Wait - no, one more thing .... 
 

I'M GOING TO VEGAS THIS WEEK!!! "VEGAS, BABY, VEGAS!!!"

Me in a Nutshell!

(Look this is me in a nutshell!) - Austin Powers - no?!? Anyway ... on with the blog!


I was born. I went to school. I graduated. I am now a blogaholic.

But how did I get here??

In kindergarten I loved Michael Jackson. I would bring my red tape player to school and get the whole class to dance around to MJ before and after school. In second grade I loved Boy George. I thought his make up, hair and clothes were so pretty! Music started to becoming more of a factor in my life, not just through the snazzy Boy George, but I also started taking piano lessons. That same year, I went to Disneyland with my mom and fell in love. I knew I just HAD to work there some day. In the sixth grade I wrote an essay about Eli Whitney and the cotton gin, which won me a trip to OMSI to meet Harrison "Jack" Schmitt - one of the Apollo 17 astronauts (the last mission to the moon). From that moment on I wanted to be an astronaut. More specifically I want to be the first woman to walk on the moon.

Junior high brought me more into the music of the world. We went to tons of shows - Phantom multiple times, Miss Saigon, Les Miserable, yada yada yada. I was also in Concert Band playing the flute, bells, chimes, etc... and Jazz band playing the piano. Music was my life and I wanted to be a professional musician and play in the orchestra for my favorite shows.

Seventh grade also brought me Silence of the Lambs. My mom didn't want me to see the movie after she read the book. I won! I was there opening night, and about 5 or 6 more nights after that. It became my favorite movie and I wanted to be Clarice Starling. I started reading books about serial killers and watching movies like the Deliberate Stranger and Helter Skelter.

In high school I started to lose my passion for playing music because my teacher was a total lame ass. But high school also introduced me to accounting. I took nearly every business class available to me. By the time graduation arrived I had won department awards up to wazoo for business. I knew then I wanted to be a CPA and opening my own accounting firm.

I went to college as a business student. Eh, it was okay - but not as much fun as high school. I wanted to do debits and credits, not listening to some guy babble to me about "sig-uh-mah square". That's all I could understand. I decided to be a music minor. That lasted 3 days. So I started taking more classes from the College of Liberal Arts. Art, Theater, Photography, Writing, Psychology.

Business and I weren't getting along. I took Intro to Fiction Writing and had the coolest teacher ever. He said to us, on our first day, "You know all those rules you learned in Writing 121 and high school? Well forget them. Write what you want. Write HOW you want." The best thing I have ever written was in that class, yet sadly I can't write fiction, so I just disguised the truth a bit! This class made me want to switch majors to become a writer.

But then I also considered Pharmacy or being a Vulcanologist or being a Veterinarian. My part-time job through college was at a travel agency. Naturally that made me want to be a travel agent so I could travel and see the world!

After my first day of Psych 101 I knew I had to switch majors. I was really good at it, understood it, and loved it. I found myself happily studying all the time and eager to take more classes. Psychology felt more "Clarice Starling" to me - and my advisor even talked just like her!

In the end I graduated with a BS in Psychology. I love to say that. BS and Psychology in the same sentence - just seems too silly! I never did have a minor, although I probably could have just minored in business since it was my major for the first 3 years. All of this switching around in my mind, and I still graduated in just 4 years! Gotta love summer school! Nothing like listening to a guy with a major Czechoslovakian type accent at 8am on a summer morning talk about the brain and its behavior!

So here I am now. A former Disney World cast member, now working in the accounting field; Inspired by almost any good song I hear; Reading Psychology Today just for fun; Teaching myself to play the accordion; longing to learn the cello, still playing the piano and occasionally the flute; Trying to be a painter; Taking pictures of everything - including any animal I can find; Doing a lot of traveling; Going back to NASA this year for my second visit... And writing about it all!

This -- all of the above -- is how I became this quirky girl that just LOVES to write about whatever I want, however I want. I don't even know or care if I have an audience. I just love to write it down and get it out there!

Maybe next I will write a detailed telling of synapses and the brain, and mix in some sig-uh-mah square and Freud for you all!

Everything - Michael Buble

You're a falling star
You're the getaway car
You're the line in the sand
When I go to far
You're the swimming pool
On an august day
And you're the perfect thing to say

And you play it coy but it's kinda cute
Oh when you smile at me you know exactly what you do
Baby don't pretend that you don't know it's true
Cause you can see it when I look at you

And in this crazy life
And through these crazy times
It's you
It's you
You make me sing
You're every line
You're every word
You're everything

You're a carousel
You're a wishing well
And you light me up
When you ring my bell
You're a mystery
You're from outer space
You're every minute of my every day

And I can't believe that I'm your man
And I get to kiss you baby just because I can
Whatever comes our way

We'll see it through
And you know that's what our love can do

And in this crazy life
And through these crazy times
It's you
It's you
You make me sing
You're every line
You're every word
You're everything

I LOVE this song! This isn't like mocking the Britney Spears song - I genuinely LOVE this song. It is the most played song out of all the current 4,620 songs on my iPod at the moment. I see I've played it 58 times -- and that's just since I reset the count! If I ever have another "party" - which hopefully then won't ever have to be referred to as just a "party" - I will have this song played at some point - maybe not 58 times though. I will also have drag queens at my next party. It feels right to me.

The Mystery of Britney

Womanizer, Woman-Womanizer
You're a womanizer,
Oh womanizer, Oh you're a womanizer, baby
You, you, you are
You, you, you are
Womanizer, womanizer, womanizer

Boy, don't try to front I, I
know just-just what you are, are, are
Boy, don't try to front I, I
know just-just what you are, are, are

(You) You say I'm crazy
(You) I got your crazy
(You) Your nothing but a
(You) Womanizer

Lord help me, I am totally digging this song. With such deep lyrics like that, how can I not?

For those of you that don't know immediately, this is Britney Spears' new song Womanizer. She kind of sings like a robot. I don't understand that. Maybe it makes it easier when it comes to concert lip syncing? I'm not really sure. Maybe the lyrics sort of sound like a stutter so that she can try to avoid a Milli Vanilli type mistake?

I also wonder what Britney's hair REALLY looks like. If she took off the extensions, would she even have hair left at this point? Would it look like a little pixie 'do?

I wonder if her sons will be bored one night in college and googling for naked pictures of Suri Cruise, and stumble across the pictures of Britney's girly bits. I would be absolutely mortified. I don't understand the trend of no underwear that swept through Hollywood. Seems very unhygienic. I wonder if her sons will make it to college.

So anyway, I apologize for this most embarrassing confession. Yep - I downloaded this most eloquent little tune of hers. I felt I needed it for Vegas. (Sorry Lori!)

Now if you'll excuse me I need to go and whip out some of my best dance moves to prep for my future karaoke debut of this instant classic!

An Idea Stolen from Shannon Who Stole It From Someone Else

10 THINGS I'D LIKE TO SAY TO 10 DIFFERENT PEOPLE
1. I love not being friends with you anymore.
2. Its Solid Rocket Boosters! Not Booster Rockets. If you are going to be a know-it-all at least get it right! They don't just randomly call it "SRB Separation"!! They put the S, the R and the B in that particular order for a reason!
3. I worry about you and hope you will be super happy again some day soon!
4. I miss hanging out with you so much! Looking back at my friendships over the last 30 years, you were one of the most genuine friends I ever had. I hope we get to meet up again soon!
5. To me you are perfect. I don't even want to imagine what life would be like had we never met. You're awesome!
6. Your ego is out of control.
7. I wish we had never met. But karma will make it all right!
8. You can do no wrong. I can only hope to be a fraction of the person you are.
9. It is NOT acceptable to talk to women the way you do. You are one the biggest losers I have ever met in my life. You think your life is the way to go, I find it childish, immature, and pathetic. I'm glad you treated me the way you did, it make it very very easy to just shut you out of my life and get rid of someone so pompous and degrading.
10. I am so glad that we met and bonded over something that is normal to us, and probably strange to everybody else. You are so super cool! I love being your friend!

9 THINGS ABOUT ME...
1. In 1996 I won 1st place for my use on an adding machine at the FBLA State Skills competition.
2. In 9th grade I got the 3 Year Contribution Award at our final band concert of the night.
3. My fingers crack open and bleed. At the final band concert of the year I had a band aid on every finger just so I could manage to play the piano during the Jazz Band part of the concert. My fingers eventually just went numb and stopped hurting.

4. I can make myself vomit just by thinking about it. I reserve this for moments of hangover desperation.
5. I have made friends with people from all over the world - from working with them in Disney World, to just meeting random strangers while on various vacations.
6. I have no accent, yet the people I spoke to in Louisville, Kentucky couldn't understand a word I said.

7. I have a degree in Psychology. This is mostly inspired by Silence of the Lambs. I want to be Clarice Starling and track down serial killers. And I want to meet Anthony Hopkins.

8. I avoid confrontation. I hate it. I'd rather just avoid someone to prevent confrontation. I've not spoken to a family member in well over a year because of this.
9. I want to have a zoo in my backyard so I could save animals and give them love and attention and a nice place to live. Two deer walked in front of my car on I-5 last year, and sadly I hit one. I feel like I owe the animal community something now. The image of that poor deer still makes me cry.

8 WAYS TO WIN MY HEART...
1. Don't physically repulse me.
2. A great sense of humor that's original and not just copying someone you think is a funny comedian.
3. Intellect. Lacking common sense is very unattractive.
4. Be nice to my pets, my friends, and my family. If my pets don't like you, you stand no chance with me.
5. Be nice to me! No douche bags need apply.
6. Don't be nauseatingly mushy. And DON'T call me "baby"!
7. A steady job is a must. No job hoppers. No pansy assed mama's boys.
8. Actually make an effort to try to win me over.

7 THINGS THAT CROSS MY MIND A LOT...
1. Isabella Bijou. I miss that precious little dog.
2. Grandma. She should still be here, she left too young.
3. College. I really miss it.
4. All the fun times with my friends when I lived in Florida.
5. Vacation Vacation Vacation
6. How fat I always feel.
7. My age and the fact that when my mom was my age I was already 11 years old.

6 THINGS I DO BEFORE HITTING THE SACK...
1. Plug in my iPod to charge and update my podcasts
2. Take Lady out to go potty
3. Check my alarm
4. Pet Lady's tummy and tell her good night
5. Turn the heat down in the living room

6. Cuddle with Tinker Bell while she and I watch a movie together

5 PEOPLE OF THE OPPOSITE SEX WHO MEAN THE MOSTEST (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER)...
1. Grandpa!
2. Brian
3. Jim
4. Mike
5. Adam Carolla

4 THINGS I'M WEARING...
1. iPod headphones
2. skull/camo shoes
3. black sweater/jacket
4. denim skirt

3 SONGS I LISTEN TO OFTEN...
1. Everything - Michael Buble
2. A Little Less Conversation - Elvis
3. Get Him Back - Fiona Apple

2 THINGS I WANNA DO BEFORE I DIE...
1. Have my one child.
2. Go to Europe

1 CONFESSION...
1. I live alone. I love living alone. I really can't picture living with another adult in my house. I think I like it just being myself, my cat and my dog. We have room for one tiny little human to join us.

Spontaneity Should Be Easy, Right?

I have a tendency to get whims and plan spur of the moment trips. The idea of a spontaneous vacation sounds so fun, yet I find myself being a little bit like Martin Short in Captain Ron. And I shall now quote one of the best lines of the movie:

"I worked very hard to plan a spontaneous vacation!"

And that is me to a tee!

Sure the idea to go to Las Vegas was something that I thought about for maybe 30 seconds before telling my friend (Lori) that she and I should go away on a Girls Only Weekend. It took her all of 30 seconds to say Okay! This was about 2 or 3 weeks ago. We are now 1 week from take off and the spontaneity of it has disappeared and now I am becoming the ultimate planner.

Today Lori and I went to lunch. Once seated at our table out came her note pad/planner. Immediately we had four columns - one for each day of the trip. Under each day we found ourselves listing what we wanted to do.

Friday: Coyote Ugly, NYNY, liquor store!
Saturday: Titanic, see Alex in his drag show
Sunday: Phantom
Monday: :( home

So a rough plan - no biggie, right? Yeah, if only!

I am now trying to figure out how to accomplish all I need so that I feel prepared. Tonight I started by getting my hair cut and in proper vacation condition. I'm looking at my hands now. Is it too late to have a wonder cure for my cracked skin before we hit Sin City? Hm. Legs - those need to get tanned. Toe nails will need a fresh paint job. Finger nails - looking good, but a touch up won't hurt. Is the iPod play list officially completed? No - David Bowie. Lori wanted David Bowie. Still need to watch Swingers one more time, too. One more round of Vegas Vacation wouldn't hurt either. Need to get Tinker Bell ready for her trip to Grammy's house. Dishes should probably be washed first, too. Oy!

Packing. I'm overwhelmed at the thought. How can I pack light when I need my day clothes and my night clothes, with some spare options for "just in case" moments? And then I need to get both cameras fully charged, all memory cards wiped clean, batteries in the iPod speakers, Nintendo DS charged and a game or two packed. Make up? I'll just pack it all! I would hate to get there and not have THE essential color I may need. Jewelry. Wow. Hm. I guess if it is black or red it will go. The rest can stay. Shoes - flip-flops, obviously. And heels. Definitely need my "Mommy Dearest" shoes. .... which most would translate into "F*** Me" shoes. I choose to honor Joan Crawford when discussing my shoes.

Saturday is going to be a day of suitcases. (Ooh - phone charger!) A day of trying on outfits and making sure they look okay together. Checking things off of my list. Oh yes - did I neglect to mention that for every trip I go on I have an organized and typed out packing list that I make in Excel? But really, how else can you KNOW you have everything you may need? While there, if Lori needs a nail file - she'll know that I have one. Lint brush? Got it! Jet black eye shadow? Got it! Party camera for drunken nights of dancing? Got it!

I'm so overwhelmed.

Spontaneity is exhausting.

But it is totally worth it!

Testing the Font

Testing Testing 1 2 3
Check Check
Check 2
1 2
Check

And now I will attempt to make a larger font - for those readers that feel "visually impaired"!

Alma Mater Calls

An oldie, but a goodie, originally posted October 7, 2007 -- Grandma's birthday!


It is Saturday afternoon and I find myself back in the Memorial Union. I have on a bright orange hooded sweatshirt, jeans and a backpack. Memories from 1996-2000 are flooding my mind. Although I am at a place I will always consider home, I can't help but feel a tad homesick. The fight song is playing and the bookstore is bustling with mothers and daughters checking out all of the new OSU clothes. So far I have spent nearly 1/2 of the game in the MU, and I feel like I could stay here all day. The ballroom smells like it always did, with the floors as shiny as ever. I made a stop in my favorite bathroom on campus - best view - looks right out to the psych building.

I am currently waiting for my Woodstock's pizza to be ready, and pondering passing through my old psych building on the way back to the tailgate area. The Commons area of the MU is very quiet today. I am sure it will be very different in a couple weeks when the OSU dads invade this beautiful campus.

______________________________________________________________

I have my pineapple pizza, my bread sticks and my marinara - I'm set to jet! Walking back to what I will always call Parker Stadium, I realize I am following the same pathways that I walked nearly every day for four years. Old habits die hard! Fiona Apple has come on my iPod and I feel almost overwhelmed. Fiona got me through college. Sophomore year she was practically my best friend. We exercised together, we spent nights not sleeping together, we watched uneaten meals go by together. She completed me. The song at the moment is Across the Universe.

Words are flowing out like
endless rain into a paper cup
they slither while they pass
they slip away across the universe.
Pools of sorrow
waves of joy
are driving through my open mind
possessing and caressing me

It hit me. OSU is my Pleasantville. Everything is good here. Life is happy. It is black and white, there is no rain or sadness in Pleasantville. Happily I have no rain for the moment!

This is my favorite time of year in Corvallis. Majestic trees line the streets and at the moment are the most beautiful things I have seen in a long time. One tree alone has shades of green, red, yellow, and orange. So much color accenting all of these stoic brick buildings. I can stand in just one spot and look around at the best years of my life.

To the southeast I see my old dorms. My time in the dorms is almost indescribable. I had awesome moments as well as moments where I really saw how ugly and racist people can be. I studied a lot in there and I spent a lot of time NOT studying!

To the southwest is Reser Stadium. I can hear the roar of the crowd right now. I can't help but remember 1996. The Beavers lost nearly ever game. Students didn't need a ticket at all - our section would remain bare nearly every game. But we always had fun! Dressing up in our orange and black, braiding our hair and deciding how cold it may be so we could dress appropriately. I didn't even have to worry about driving. I had a 2 minute walk from my bed to the stadium entrance. Life was so carefree and fun! My friends were working their hardest on the field, and even though they didn't always win, they were still the guys I lived with and watching them was always exciting!

______________________________________________________________

Even when I was a student, I never got tired of the walk down this street. People were always pleasant and I just knew I was lucky to be some place that I had found to be so peaceful and inspiring.

For my friends that are thinking about or are currently in college, I give you this advice... enjoy every single minute, good and bad! College was not a piece of cake, but with every negative moment I could find a positive. It has been 7 years since I was a student walking on these marble floors, and not one day has gone by that I haven't thought about my time here and missed it. I experienced so much, it would take a book to cover it all. I had times that I will probably never speak of, but they will always remain important to me and never be forgotten. Homework sucks, but I still miss it. Writing research papers actually sounds like fun to me now and I constantly find myself looking at things in a statistical way through the eyes of a psych major. (Female psych majors - watch out for them!)

Oregon State is the place that led me to Disney, which ended up being my biggest life changing experience to date. I can't, and don't even want to imagine life had I not been a proud Beaver. I come from a long line of Beavers and I think we are all very proud to be OSU alumni!
______________________________________________________________

So, as most people I know try to insult me and my school, you might notice an eye roll or perhaps the silent treatment for a while. This is why. You think you are talking smack and childishly insulting an entire school based on a football score. Well, to me you are insulting my memories, my education and my family. You won't hear me trash talking a team that you root for. I don't do it, it's not my style. To me football games are about family, and supporting those sons on the field that are making memories for new and future Beavers.

OSU is my happy place. If I didn't live in Roseburg, I would without a doubt be up in Corvallis.

My name is R**** R**, and I am proud to call OSU my alma mater!

I Need My Bonus Features!

Its my DVD obsession. I can't buy a DVD if it does not have adequate bonus features. My favorite feature -- the commentary!

Stand out commentaries would be Two Weeks Notice (how can you not swoon over Hugh Grant?), Titanic (with THREE different commentaries!) and Goonies. The Goonies commentary will never be topped. If you haven't yet watched it, run and do it now! It has all of the cast reunited together in one room watching this beloved classic and sharing stories and memories from the making of THE best movie of all time! Not only do we, the loyal viewers, get to hear the best cast of all time, we get to SEE them on the screen as they looked some 15 or so years later. I must admit I hardly ever just watch the movie anymore. I always pick the commentary version. Martha Plimpton is actually growing on me now - and Chunk - well he isn't such a chunky monkey now! (Have I mentioned to the world yet that Sean Astin and I stood maybe 6 feet from each other and had some moments of intense eye contact??)

If you have the time and interest, the Godfather is pretty good, too. The director talks nonstop (although he tends to repeat himself during the course of the trilogy) and has some pretty interesting things to say. If you aren't obsessed with the Godfather as I am, and haven't been working on your favorite dramatic monologues from the movie, perhaps this commentary will inspire you to become a super fan like me!

Along with DVD special features, I also enjoy buying TV on DVD. I like to watch without commercials - and have been known to watch hours in just one sitting. NCIS is my newest series to start buying. The first season only has one commentary, sadly. I'm hoping that I will be treated to more in the subsequent seasons. And I would really really REALLY love it if my boyfriend, Mark Harmon, would talk on some.

My future husband, Anthony Hopkins, apparently has a commentary on a 2-disc Silence of the Lambs dvd. I only have the original release - which was just one disc. How have I gone since 2007 without the 2-disc edition??? I don't know! BUT I just ordered it and will be happily sit ting down with my Hannibal Lecter action figure to listen to this new bit of bonus once it arrives in my mail box.

Welcome to My Blog!

I've had a lot to say lately - is this shocking?? - so I decided to just set up an official blog! I'd write more now for my introductory blog, but I sliced open the tip of my finger last night while hanging up a mirror, and it is very difficult to type. This little flap of skin keeps flipping open and causing me some pain.

I'm going to investigate a remedy in the form of a band-aid!