Wha happened?!?!

cheezer1225 @ 2008-06-11T23:59:00

2008-06-12T03:59:33Z

PS -- I have no idea what those blue dashes are underneath part of my entry. i have no idea how to get rid of them either. whoops!

cheezer1225 @ 2008-06-11T22:37:00

2008-06-12T03:58:12Z

so, i've actually got a pretty interesting story to tell this week! shocker, i know. not hte same old boring book/movie review, along with saying how nothing happens in my life!

so, about 2 weeks ago i wrote up an entry about the books i've read, (which can be found here), and i made a remark about how i may have to stop reading sophie kinsella novels since they are all starting to become rather predictable, which is why i stopped reading jane green novels a while ago. well, if you click on the entry, and scroll to the bottom, you'll notice that a comment got left there, which i will reproduce here for the lazy:

"Master Jen - like your blog, and I'm sorry you haven't enjoyed the last few books of mine. The Beach House is out in June and I think it's a little different - if you email me your address I'll send over an advance copy - jane@janegreen.com. Would love to hear what you think!

Warmest wishes,

Jane Green"

now, my first thought was that someone was pulling my leg, and just kidding with me. who reads this blog?? like, 3 people (if that). so i decided to take a gander at the website, see if it was really her legitimate website. which it was. so i was like, hmmm. maybe this is the real thing? i don't know. it can't hurt to email, right? so i send over an email, but agonized a little over what to write. do i apologize for what i wrote? well, no, because that would seem kind of lame, right? what do i say? i ended up sending this email:

"Ms. Green,

I can't believe you actually read that! I really didn't think that anyone other than a few friends read my blog, so imagine my utter shock when I woke up this morning to find a comment notification in my email, with a response from you. I would love to read The Beach House, and see what happens in your latest novel! My address is:

Jennifer

It was amazing to hear from you!

Sincerely,
Jennifer"

so i sent that off, and then didn't really think about it. until about 1 1/2 weeks later, when there was a brown envelope on my doorstep. the envelope is addressed to me, and i check the return address since i'm not expecting anything. and it's from Jane Green. say what?!?!?!?!?! yes, it is true. she sent me an advance copy of the book!!!! i got it may 30th, and in about a week, managed to polish off the book (i was also inbetween two other books). now, this book is not released until june 17th. so this is pretty kick ass!!

i'll put the details and pictures under a cut that way it doesn't destroy anyone's friends page, and also doesn't spoil the book for any potential readers!

So, i just have to say again -- this was totally awesome. i have had one other author interaction, which i don't think i've ever posted, which was equally awesome. i just must be drawn to awesome people? the other was with author Chuck Palahniuk (the guy who wrote Fight Club and one of my favorite books ever Invisible Monsters, who every once in a while accepts letters from fans, and he personally answers every letter, and sends a package of goodies along with it! it takes a little while to get the package (well, i sent my letter towards the deadline, so it took like 2 months to get mine), but it was awesome. and in his letter, he actually responds to what you wrote, and personally gives his opinion. it's pretty awesome.

but getting back to this. i was blown away that i actually received a copy, and that far before the book is being released! i have to say, i did enjoy it, and very much consider it a departure from what i had been used to reading from Jane Green. the book is about Nan Powell, an eccentric older woman who lives by herself in a beautiful home on Nantucket, and the people she meets when she decides to rent out rooms in the home to make a little extra money. you meet the different characters, learn their backstory, and then there's a pretty nifty twist towards the end which i honestly did not see coming. the characters all intermingle, there are some surprising revelations (one in particular that i really didn't see coming about a male character) , and i've managed to figure out quite a few twists in my time. i would definitely not categorize this under "chick lit", but more as a book geared towards women. it had some very funny bits, one that actually made me laugh out loud, causing my dad to ask what was so funny, me trying to explain it, and him just not getting it because it made a reference to television, which is something he would NEVER get anyways. i definitely enjoyed it, and liked that it was a good read. perfect for a summer book, and quite enjoyable when i was trying to escape the insane heat here last week. the following are some pics of my special delivery:

the actual package, the day it arrived (with mine and Ms. Green's address removed, of course!)

the actual book

the lovely signature and message that was on the title page of the book

so this has pretty much been an awesome experience for me. i am definitely more encouraged to read the Jane Green novels i haven't read. and who knows -- maybe i stopped reading at the exact time that i shoudl have continued!

cheezer1225 @ 2008-05-21T22:56:00

2008-05-22T04:05:15Z

so, i'm sure most of you here know that i love television. like, a lot. like, we're dating. we set aside times and days that we'll spend time together. i read about it online. sometimes, it's scandalous. however, i would like to share some sorrow. upfronts were recently held, which is when networks showcase their upcoming schedules, and this year revealed which shows were going to be coming back and which one's were cancelled (b/c of the writers strike, a lot of nets delayed their announcements). so it is with great sadness that i pass along hte news of the demise of Miss/Guided on ABC, and Beauty and the Geek on The CW. however, i do have to say that Beauty and the Geek was not surprising, b/c the CW had talked about taking it off the air for now, and bringing it back at a later time when the format doesn't seem so routine. this season wasn't that great either. last season was awesome. i think it had to do with the "beauties" they picked this season. they were all really mean and obnoxious. geez. anyways. on the bright side, that means that all my other fave shows got picked up. yay for Chuck, Reaper, Gossip Girl, and all my other shows.

onto movies! i've sadly seen a lot of movies since i last updated, although i do have to admit that i did have a winter break and a spring break to watch a lot of them during. but sadly, i did watch a lot of the tv shows when i should have been studying. onto the movies! and as always, there will be spoilers.

Talk to Me

I wasn't really sure what to expect with this one. I hadn't heard of Petey Greene, and knew nothing about what he did. The movie was pretty interesting though, with great performances from Don Cheadle (although, when has he ever given a crap one?), and one of my fave actors, Chiwetel Ejiofor. Some sad moments, but mostly a rousing, funny movie.

Ocean's 13

I thought this was supposed to be good? I mean, it was better than 12, but still seriously sub-par to 11. and there were times when i had to rewind, watch part of a scene again, rewind, and then finally give in and put the subtitles on because they would mumble and grumble, and then in the next scene someone would start yelling, which made me not want to crank the volume up. not bad, but not really worth watching again. and poor use of ellen barkin. geez.

The Office, Season 3

This was the first season I watched the whole thing, start to finish, when it first aired. I started watching Season 1, but it just couldn't compare to the brit version. and then i rewatched when i got it as a present, and really liked it. by then, season 2 had already started, so i ended up rewatching the beginning eps i had missed the first time around. now this season, i actually didn't really like until the end when it first aired. i just didn't think it was funny. but on rewatching, i found it hysterical. i don't know if it was being able to view the episodes back to back that helped me link together jokes, or if i was just in a better mood when i watched it the second time, it was just hysterical.

Drawn Together, Seasons 1 and 2

I was not prepared for it to be as....graphic? I don't know if you can call it graphic if it's cartoons. but it was more bawdy that i was thinking it was going to be. had it's funny moments, but overall, it was kind of eh. but it did have some absolutely hysterical scenes.

Undeclared

I had big hopes for this one. I love Freaks and Geeks, and have actually watched that whole series probably 5 or 6 times all the way through. i really need to invest in my own copy, instead of waiting until i go to albany to filch it from my sister. by the same people, and it even had some of the same cast! alas, Undeclared could not live up to it's way cooler, funnier older sibling. i don't know if it's because it was 1/2 episodes, or if it was the cast -- whatever it was, it just didn't click. it had funny moments, but there was not a whole episode that i loved. there was always some part of an episode that i just couldn't stand. sad, because i love LOVE love Freaks and Geeks.

Persuasion

I had never seen any other Jane Austen novel turned into a movie fully (i always fall asleep during Emma), of course with the exception of Pride and Prejudice (both the 5 hour BBC version and the Keira Knightly version). But my sister convinced me that I would love this version, which i totally did. absolutely loved the story, the actors, everything about this movie was just lovely. i really can't come up with a better word than lovely.

Pride and Prejudice

Speaking of the BBC version, after Persuasion, i decided to see if i still liked it as much as i thought i did. and yup, i do.

License to Wed

I love John Krasinski. OK, well, maybe not love. but i have a serious crush on the boy. between Jim on the office, and his cuteness, you just can't help but fall for the guy. which is the ONLY reason why i sat through this piece of crap. it had a funny premise, but it was just so absurdly done, you couldn't really move past being incredulous. it just seemed......creepy. robin williams' character does so many weird, almost stalker-ish things, and then when john's character has proof that he shows to his fiancee, she gets mad at him. i'm like, he has proof!! you saw it!!! and now you're mad at him, instead of the creepy pastor!! WTF????? that's how i spent most of the movie. until it ended, a thankfully brief 91 minutes later, when i felt enormous relief when i could pull the disc out of my dvd player.

High School Musical 2

I had high hopes, since i really liked the first one. i am openly admitting it -- i really liked High School Musical. i made my dad nad sister sit through it, to which my dad's response was to get a bottle of wine and 2 glasses for him and my sister to be able to sit through it. so of course, going into 2, you hope that it's at least as good. and of course, it was eh. the songs were half good and half blech for me. the storyline was ridiculous to me though, especially since i'm footing my grad school bill. the fact that his friends get mad at him for potentially getting a full ride to a university -- at one point, i just started yelling at the television, because i was like, you are some kind of stupid, troy bolton!!!!

A New Wave

You would think I would have learned from License to Wed to not watch a movie just because John Krasinski is in it. no, i did not learn my lesson, which is why i sat through this painful film. the only good bits were honestly, the one's with John, because he had the funniest lines. and then you hit the climax of the film, and it's like, omg. noooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

Good Morning, Miss Bliss

One i watched online with my sister's Netflix subscription, i felt it was fitting that i see how the whole series started, since i so love Saved by the Bell. this series was exactly as i remember it -- lots of "lessons learned" courtesy of Miss Bliss (Haley Mills), following the crazy antics of zack morris in junior high. not quite as good as SBTB, but with more heart. makes you feel a little warm and squishy.

Day Watch

Another one that's not quite as good as the first in the series, the sequel to Night Watch, it's easier to follow than the first one. they were planning for a trilogy though, but i'm guessing they found out they wouldn't be, since this movie has a pretty final feeling to it. still really good though, and definitely a solid companion to the first one. not quite as good, but still better than a lot of the other crap i had watched (ahem ahem, License to Wed, cough cough A New Wave).

Mirrormask

Fantastic. For a movie that I saw 1 trailer for, quite a while ago, I'm amazed that i remembered the title, and what a shame it would have been if i hadn't seen this one. great movie, awesome story, fantastic effects. just a great great movie. as far as fantasy movies go, they can definitely go into cheesy dialogue, fake looking scenes, but while you could tell that a lot of it was CGI, it didn't matter, because the stuff they came up with was so fantastical and just amazing that you were blown away by how anyone could be that creative. loved it.

My Date with Drew

Hysterically funny, sweet, with a slightly creepy premise, this movie was just great. i hit quite a string of good movies, after a few really rotten ones. this one was just a sweet look at this guy who tries everything to try to get a date with drew barrymore in 30 days, because he can't actually afford a video camera, and 30 days is the return policy at circuit city. the end is fantastic, and who knew drew barrymore was such a sweetheart? I mean, i know you hear about it, but actually seeing it in this film just makes you go a little mushy for the gal.

Juno

Actually ended up seeing this one 3 times, for free each time. Obviously it was good, otherwise i wouldn't have gone for repeat viewings!! Fun, quirky (what other word can you use to describe indie films, really?), and funny, and I think a good portrayal of teen girls. other than the whole getting pregnant thing. but showing teen girls who aren't clawing each others eyes out, and trying ot be the most popular was refreshing, especially since every other movie coming out targeted for teens always seems to be a worse and worse rip-off of American Pie.

Fool's Gold

Alas, my great movie streak ended with this so-so one. it had it's funny movies, but as far as rom-com's go, it was more violent than i was expecting. typical matthew mcoinda;glkhasjhg shirtless, running, and kate hudson in a bikini. both of them gorgeous, blonde, and tan. same old same old, basically. at least How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days had some spark to it. this really was much flatter than that one. disappointing, really, becuase i liked How to Lose a Guy.

Once

After that last flub though, this movie more than redeemed my choice in films. at a quick 85 minutes, this movie has more elegance, grace, and sophistication than practically any other movie i've ever seen. a simple love story, with amazing music, this was just a great romantic movie that didn't seem to want to be a romantic movie, at least , not in the traditional sense. i really liked this movie, and have since gotten the soundtrack, and love it. it has it's funny moments, and it just makes your heart break at the end.

30 Rock, Season 1

I had seen bits and pieces of episodes when it aired, but i just couldn't get into it. upon seeing a whole episode, holy cow. could this be any funnier???? although, i think it was funnier to me considering all the GE jokes alec baldwin's character makes that i don't think a lot of other people would get (we studied GE like nobody's business). but still quick witted, funny, with lovely sarcasm.

King of Kong

A surprisingly interesting look at the battle for the world's highest Donkey Kong score. i don't know if it would hold that much interest for someone who doesn't like video games, but for me, it was actually pretty gripping. compelling "characters", an interesting storyline, and some twists made for a really good movie.

Run, Fatboy, Run

I really liked it, despite all the reviews i read hating it. i thought it was funny, although that could be because i love british humor (which it turns out, it was originally supposed to be in los angeles, but when they cast simon pegg, they relocated it to london, and he did some rewrites on the script to "britify" it). funny, kind of sweet at times, with a great great great cast. i think that's a big part of why i liked it so much. not to mention the random cameo of David Walliams, that i think i'm the only one in the theater who knew who he was, and found it funny. the stephen merchant cameo was caught by a few people (namely, the people i went with!).

alright, that's about it from me for tonight. i just couldn't bring myself to dig through photos and upload them to photobucket. but i will, i promise!!

cheezer1225 @ 2008-05-21T22:07:00

2008-05-22T02:56:05Z

so, i realize it's been a while (according to Livejournal, which so thoughtfully puts how many weeks it's been since your last post, 29 weeks) since i've posted, i'm done with school, a little bored, and figured why not? i'll try to do this in installments if it starts to get a little unwieldy.

so, of course, the biggest news right now -- i've graduated from MBA school, and now am officially Master Jen. well, i don't go around calling myself that. but i do now own a masters, since this semesters grades have all been posted, and i kicked ass this semester! so my gpa is high enoguh, i have enough credit hours, and i've taken all the required courses to have concentrations in both Information Systems/E-Business and Workforce Management (fancy name for HR). what do i plan to do with that??? i have no freaking clue. right now, i'm in a tough place because once again, i'm waiting to hear back from law schools. but if i don't get in, of course i'll try to get a real job. but i can't start applying for real jobs until i know if i'm going to be going anywhere this fall or not, and i'm still waiting to hear from schools. which is frustrating. even though it sucked last time that i got slammed with rejection letters all in the span of like, one month, i would rather have that than this stupid waiting game. it's like, if you're goign to say no, just do it quick and easy. don't make me wait, get my hopes up, and then crush them. not cool.

ummmmmmmm. other than that, nothing too terribly exciting. lots of end of the semester stuff, but i'll be posting pictures, so the stories will go along with those of course! i guess i'll cap this edition with the books i've read in the past 29 weeks (under a cut, of course, to preserve precious friend page space). as always, there will be spoilers.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Um, i was sort of underwhelmed, but it was an expected underwhelmed. i figured that there would be things i would be unhappy with, just because when something gets that big and awesome, the end will always be a letdown in some part. sadly, the death i was saddest about was hedwig's. i was just a mess when she died. i think the thing that got me was that a lot of the other deaths were just sort of mentioned, like, wow that battle was really fierce! oh yeah, tonks died. with hedwig, you were in the description of the scenario, and it was more detailed, i guess. but yeah. i cried the most over a fictional owl. i think i may have problems that need to be worked out.

A Buffalo in the House

A really good story that gave the interesting history of the buffalo in America. This couple ends up raising a buffalo at their ranch home, and it's actually a really funny story. The way the writer weaves in historical stories was pretty awesome because it was done really well. The history parts were interesting, and really resonated with the situation the buffalo found himself in with this couple. It was all really relevant nad really really interesting. I really did not expect this book to be as fascinating as it was, but it was a good quick read.

Tim Gunn's Guide to Style

You can practically hear Tim's voice in your head as you read this book. Full of good tips, although a lot of it you'll know if you read any sort of style/fashion anything, it's written in a funny, light way that helps you zip through the book. Funny, and a good way to tide you over until the next season of Project Runway!

I Love You, Beth Cooper

The story of the high school valedictorian who does something completely out of character -- he professes his love for a classmate during his valedictory speech. The book starts at the speech, and then follows the aftermath of his rash actions. Another quick read, it was funny, and i'm sure that anyone who was ever in high school could relate to at least part of a character.

Rethinking Thin

One of the most boring books i've ever read. it took me 6 months to bust through this, and i didn't want to start another book during this one, because i knew i would never finish it. and i hate not finishing books. books, movies, magazines, anything like that, i need to finish them, otherwise it drives me nuts. but this book seemed promising from it's synopsis. it would take a scientific look at dieting and weight loss. yeah. it just basically went through the history of dieting, and then put in scientific research that's been done, to make it a really dense, hard to read book. it was just really dry. and it does have some interesting bits where it follows this group of participants in a university research study, but those parts were much too brief, and were really the only humanizing parts of the book. the rest of it is very dry, and while somewhat interesting and helpful, it's just too boring the way it's been written.

Gods Behaving Badly

I ripped through this one, since this was the first book i read after Rethinking Thin. This book was basically awesome -- it was really funny, kind of naughty, had some romance, but not like, gross, fake romance, and the end of the world. Well, not the end of the world, but close to it. and it's really funny. another quick read, this one was a great relief after the book before it.

The Know-It-All

This book i found about only because i read a review for the writer's second book, but i wanted to read his first once in case he brought over any information (which he did, so i'm glad i read them in order!) This book was written by A.J. Jacobs, who decided to read the entire Encyclopedia Britannica in a year. Cover to cover, letter to letter. I thought at first that it would be super boring, but the way he has the book set up makes it quick to finish chapters, or even just segments, because the book moves alphabetically through his reading, and he selects out words that have interesting stories or anecdotes related to them. i definitely laughed a lot while reading this book, which doesn't happen very often, because there's just something about reading books that doesn't really make me laugh out loud very often. but this one definitely had some out loud moments. very funny, i highly recommend reading this one.

The Year of Living Biblically

It's funny, because after taking me 6 months to read Rethinking Thin, i sort of ripped through a bunch of books, which felt really good, since i was stalled on that one for FOREVER. So this is A.J.'s second book, and it's funny, because he puts a lot of personal stories in both books, which makes me feel like I know him, and could spot him on the street, and just walk up and be like, hey! how's Julie (the wife)?? the 3 boys doing alright? for this one, he decided to try to live one year according to the Bible. he splits up the year by the old testament and the new, devoting the bulk of hte year to the old, but still reserving the end to the new. he goes on some really interesting trips (obviously the first book did well enough that he had a bigger budget to go travel), but they are all insightful. this book actually really had me change my outlook on religion, because some of the ideas that he brings up, and getting to hear the different opinions of the different religious sides he talks to, it was very revealing to how i feel about religion.

Remember Me?

While I have sworn off chick lit, and have stuck to it, i did have a caveat that i would continue to read a few of my fave authors. well, sophie kinsella is starting to get knocked off that list. the last "Shopaholic" book i wanted to throw in the garbage can, but of course, i had to finish reading it, and this was sort of more of the same. different premise, but of course, alientating of best friends, information everyone else knows except hte protagonist, cute perfect man that isn't quite what he seems, temptation in the form of the "unlikely" guy. it's just very formulaic compared to all her other books. i actually stopped reading Jane Green because she was getting the same way. there are actually no other chick lit writers i read besides sophie kinsella, and i'm starting to rethink whether i should keep her on the list. on the plus side, i was able to finish the book in a itidy 5 hours, so i guess i can't kick her to the curb just yet.

but i have to say, since swearing off chick lit all those years ago (i think it's been like, 5 years? ish?), i have really expanded what i read, and the range of genres. before, i probably would have never read non-fiction, but lately, i've been digging book about people who do stuff. not quite biographies, more like, snapshots at certain points in a person's life.

so that's it for the books!

cheezer1225 @ 2007-10-31T01:13:00

2007-10-31T05:14:26Z

so now you're all updated on my life since august!!!! not too shabby for a night's work. although, i still have some movies that i have to write up. but that can wait until tomorrow, right?? well, actually, later today. i'll bet you're looking forward to it!!!

cheezer1225 @ 2007-10-31T01:01:00

2007-10-31T05:13:14Z

so, friday night was the MBA halloween party at The Steer. Nicole was nice enough to go with me (and drive!!). it was...an interesting night. i had quite a bit to drink. and it's funny, because some of my classmates that know me were surprised to see me in that sort of state. but it was a good time, and i had a chance to let loose and just relax!!! i didn't take many pictures, so i don't have many to post. but we had a good time!

I went as a soccer player, and nicole went as a referee,so it worked out!

i tried to get a picture with some members from my study group last year, but hten these two guys popped up out of nowhere!!! i hadn't really noticed. but now that's what i'm left with.

cheezer1225 @ 2007-10-31T00:46:00

2007-10-31T04:59:19Z

on the same weekend, we went to the catskill mountains, because my parents had read a newspaper article about some beautiful waterfalls somewhere in there, and wanted to see them. so, due to my awesome(ly terrible) navigation skills, we ended up going the roundabout way that took us like, 1 1/2 hours too long. however!! we got to see the catskill mountains, and we went like, all the way up and then back down. it was beautiful. but we got to the Kaaterskill Falls, adn b/c the summer had been so dry, it was more of a trickle. but it still looked pretty cool.

i also got my tickets for the Ice Bowl!!! YAY!!! Don't know what that is?? For the first time in the USA, two NHL teams will play each other. Outdoors. And who are the two teams? That would be the Pittsburgh Penguins versus our very own BUFFFFFFAAAAAAAAALLLOOOOOOOOOOO SAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABRESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOHOO!!!! I am super excited. I got up early, made sure i hauled ass out of class so that I could get online to purchase these. I even set up an account with ticketmaster so that i could store my credit card info and check out hella fast, so that i didn't lose any tickets. apparently, that was some good thinking, b/c i think it sold out in like, 1 1/2 minutes? something ridiculous like that. but i got two tickets!!!! so apparently, i got quite lucky. the game will take place at Ralph Wilson Stadium, and I have seats in the first ring!!! quite exciting. i actually seats right in the price range i wanted, if not in the area i wanted. but still -- i'm still close!! and apparently, it's an unobstructed view. so i'm psyched.

and my lovely face, up close and personal!!!!

we also went to the Bills vs. Jets game (their first win of the season!!). we tailgated. we partied. we screamed. we had a good time. my sister has more pictures from her (finally purchased) digital camera, but she's still figuring out how to use it. so it may be a while before you lucky LJ-ers get to see those pictures. but here's a picture of the field!!

cheezer1225 @ 2007-10-31T00:34:00

2007-10-31T04:45:53Z

over labor day weekend, we went to visit my sister in albany. on the way there, we stopped by watkins glen because i had never been there. it was a beautiful day and quite perfect for walking around the beautiful state park. i took quite a few pictures. we went top to bottom, and i think if we had gone bottom to top (which you can walk), i would have died, b/c there is a lot of walking. and it's quite a stretch.

The drive to Watkins Glen.

Lunch!! Was kim-bap, sort of a korean sushi roll. Very tasty.

The start of the trail pictures!!

cheezer1225 @ 2007-10-31T00:31:00

2007-10-31T04:34:15Z

I just wanted to share this, b/c i think it's so cute. my mom had been eyeing this one statue in T.J. Maxx well, we saw it one day, and it had been moved to the clearance section, and she kept debating whether or not she should buy it. well, i finally managed to get her to buy it, b/c i knew if she didn't buy it, she would mention it every time she looked out in the garden!! but it's really cute.

cheezer1225 @ 2007-10-31T00:17:00

2007-10-31T04:30:20Z

various pictures that i've just been too lazy to upload the photobucket and post here. but now you can see htem!! and i'll spread htem out between posts, don't worry, i won't try to crash anyone's computer by posting like, a bajillion pictures in one post!!! AND i'll even put them all under cuts too. see, i care!!

So, you all saw the cupcakes i made the first time around for tennis. well, i made cupcakes AND funfetti cookies for the last party of the summer, and they turned out super cute!!! they tasted really good too, b/c i used cream cheese frosting with the funfetti. but i colored the frosting to make them look like....you'll see!!! but i ended up with 66 cupcakes, and 66 cookies. 4 boxes of funfetti mix, 4 cans of frosting, and 8 hours. it took a while. but i actually kind of had fun doing it! go figure.

the cookie mix (which is drier than cupcake batter)

the radio was a definite must. i had mixed cd's, the radio, and i even brought in the ipod with the itrip to keep it bumping.

all the cupcakes, pre-frosting

oh yeah, i had a few woodchucks to drink while baking (hard cider). um yeah. i learned that you probably shouldn't drink while baking on a hot day, and that 5 is my limit. actually, 4 1/2 is, becuase that last half makes me kind of sick.

the final frosted cupcakes!! they supposed to look like tennis balls, FYI.

a better look at the color.

The cookies!!

the final cupcakes

cheezer1225 @ 2007-10-30T23:38:00

2007-10-31T04:16:02Z

ok, so that previous post was giving me trouble, and i couldn't add in anything the cut. it was weird. anyways!! those are my tennis stories that lingered.

i cashed in all the money from my change jar. since i had stuck quite a few more dollar bills in there, i ended up with a LOT more money that i had anticipated!! i had like, $180 come out of that jar. but sadly, it had to all pay for the new fabulous Coach bag i bought!! (instead of going towards the Wii i had been saving for!) but it's a really nice bag, and it fits my needs for school perfectly. like, i can fit a notebook and a small, light textbook perfectly in it. it's a little bit large for a handbag, but it's awesome nonetheless.

I was waffling in the store about whether or not i wanted to get it, and i kept going back and forth, and finally, i walked out and decided not to get it. only for the rest of the shopping trip, i couldn't stop thinking about it!!! so i went back to look at it one more time, and i walked out, my mom and i stopped to sit on the bench and take a break, and then we walked back in. there had only been two left, but when i went back in the third time, someone had bought one!!! so i quickly grabbed it and ran to the checkout desk, because i like, had a panic attack that someone else was going to own the bag.

this one gives you a better idea about the color of the leather on the handles

and here is how the big the bag is when i casually sling it over my shoulder! (please ignore the scotty dog pj pants!!)

all in all, a fantastic buy. definitely one i have no regretted since i bought it.

sadly, i did have to retire my sneakers after the beating they took this summer. i had a pair of brand new air max 360's, and i started wearing them around end of may, early june. by august, they were done. i had worn through the soles of the left foot so much that when i stepped, i kept hearing this like, whooshing noise, and it took me a little while to figure out what it was, but it was the sound of the air leaking from my shoes through the worn out part. it was a sad day. they currently sit in the garage, b/c i figure i may as well save them for when i need to do something that requires shoes getting very messy.

i think i've also worn through my other running shoes too. they say you're supposed to replace running shoes every like, 500 miles. i haven't gone that far in them (i think), but when i wear them for a longer period of time, when i take them off, my heels hurt. and i recently switched to another old pair (my trusty shox), and my feet feel tons better. so now that's two pairs of shoes i've wrecked this summer (i actually did do a lot, b/c i played a lot of tennis this summer), and i have another pair, but i really don't like them, and don't want to wear them in public. this is terrible and vain, but i can't stand the way they look, but they were a gift, so i didn't have a choice. sigh.

in more recent news, i've been hired as a lab assistant. yay!!! well, it's for the class i took on networking last year, b/c i have the same professor for another class this year. and i guess the guy he got to be the grader can't be the lab assistant too, so he asked me and two other students who took the class last year. since there are only 6 labs though, we each only have to proctor 2. so it's not bad. i'm getting paid $10 an hour, although i had to work 7 to get the first one up and running. that was a pain in the ass though, b/c it was like, all the equipment that i was supposed to use wasn't set up for hte lab i was doing. so i had to keep switching, or changing rooms, or whatever. but about 20 minutes before i was supposed to demo the lab, i got it to work!!! so that was very exciting.

i also went to a gallery opening at El Museo, this gallery on allen st. in downtown. pat (my co-worker at the library and friend) had a piece. every year they do a Day of the Dead exhibit, and people can put their pieces in hte exhibit. it's pretty cool.

Pat's piece

Three other pieces that Pat wanted pictures of!

cheezer1225 @ 2007-10-30T22:31:00

2007-10-31T03:14:17Z

so, obviously, it's been a while since i've updated. and there's actually quite a bit to write about!!! i'll just ahve to see what i can remember. i wrote a bunch of stuff down, but we'll see. what to start with???

school is almost over (well, the fall semester is almost over). i've almost made it!! i think i've wanted to die more than a few times -- definitely thought about quitting school lots of times. i am starting to regret my choice in concentration a little bit (information systems and e-business) because it is definitely over my head, and i just don't know that i want to work that hard at it. but i am, and i'm trying to get through it.

as far as summer though, there are a few stories i neglected to share, which i would like to share now. (with the help of some awesomely bad Paint illustrations).

That's right. I got to make my very first 911 call!!! It was terribly exciting. one of our adult tennis studnets went running for a ball along hte baseline,

and somehow his top half was goign faster than his bottom half.

well. his top half went straight onto the ground, and his face skid along hte courts.

i saw the whole thing happen too -- i just happen to be looking in that direction when it happened. so his face skid (his face skid!!!) along hte ground for probably at least a foot and a half, and he just sort of laid there. he didn't put out his arms or anythign to try to break his fall, he just leaned sideways and took it all on the face. so he didnt' move right away, and he's an older gentlemen, so i thought, OMG, he's dead. and i was the senior most person on duty that night (b/c our boss didn't show up), and so i sort of started freaking out a little bit, because i wans't sure what to do. so he got up, was a little woozy, and then the blood started. it just started like, gushing from places,

and we're still not sure where it was comign from, b/c we couldn't tell like, if his nose was bleeding, or if that was just blood from his forehead that looked liek it was bleeding onto his nose. he was wearing glasses, and i think his racket came up, hit him in the face, and then the fall pushed his glasses into his face, becuase he had a good size gash right next to his eye, on his nose, that was just gushing blood.

he had a HUGE goose egg on his forehead (right between the eyes, and it looked like, someone placed an egg on his forehead, that's how big it was). his arm and leg were all scrapped up too. it was just not good. so i had to call 911 becuase he kept saying he was fine, but he kept bleeding, and the only lady said that she had gone to nursing school, andn that it looked like he woudl need stitches. so the ambulance took it's sweet time getting there, and they loaded him up and took him to millard filmore suburban. he ended up need stitches, and he was gone for like, 2 weeks before he came back to tennis. it was an itneresting night though. really scared the hell out of me.

my tennis boss also placed a call to the amherst police.

So, the electricity had been going on and off all over town (probably b/c it was one of the hottest days all summer, and people were pumping out hte a/c), and so a lot of people were out that night. we were teaching the adult evening lesson, and this group of kids (probably like, 12-13 years old, there were like, 7 of them) comes over, and goes around the courts, to hang out on the golf course part right next to hte courts.

they also start literally hanging on the fence. so they start yelling stuff, like, calling out to the adults while they're hitting,a nd my boss finally walks over and is like, ok you guys, i dont' mind you being here, tha'ts fine, but can you please not yell? it's really distracting for the students. and so of course, they wer elike, we can do whatever we want, it's a free country, blah blah idiot teenage blathering blah. now, i would be intimidated, b/c my boss is not a small guy. he won the mr. amherst pagent (granted it's been a while, but he still lifts), and he's pretty tall too. so this tall, built guy walks over and tells you to stop, and you don't stop?? i don't know. i think those kids had a death wish or somethig. so he's like, well, fi you don't leave, i won't have any hcoice but to call the police. and they wer elik,e yeah right! do it! they won't come out for something like that! go ahead! call thme!

so he calls htem. the kids are thinking that he faked the phone call, but he called htem. about 30 minutes later (and after one of the kids has left, b/c he clearly got spooked. that was the samrt kid) cop car pulls up. we pause the classes sot hat we can watch what happens. 2 cops get out of the car -- one in the uniform,w tih the bullet proof vest, scary army crew cut, and aviators, and another guy in a suit. they get out, looking super serious, and walk over to the edge of hte tennis court. they only walk as far as where the bike path end of hte court ends.

the one cop gestures that, Come here, gesture with two fingers. the kids are deathly silent now. the kids start walking over, and the cop goes, your bikes too. the kids are like, oh, we should bring our bikes, ok officer!!! like, peeing their pants their so scared. it was amazing. i was scared, and i wasn't even in trouble, that's how serious these cops were. so the kids are standing in front of the cops, and the cop points his finger to one kid, and he's like, you. where do you live? and the kid freaks out, and is like, um, over there, by the street, like, stammering and can't get out a full sentence. the cop goes, no, your address. where. you. live. and the kid gives his address. the cops just look at them for like, 3 beats. just enough to get uncomfortable. it's only been teh one cop talking this whole time -- the guy in teh suit just stands there with his arms crossed over his chest. so the cop points towards the street, and goes, i suggest you go there right now. the kids are all like, yes sir! hop on their bikes, and quickly pedal away. it was amazing. so the cops walk over, adn start chatting with my boss, adn they're all laughing over it. it was probably one of the single most awesome things i have ever seen before in my life. it. was. KICKASS.

cheezer1225 @ 2007-09-05T00:31:00

2007-09-05T05:23:39Z

While You Were Sleeping

Um, probably the cutest chick flick EVER. i love this movie, and finally broke down and purchased it at Target (for a mere $5.50!!!). Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman -- one the cutest pairings ever. I love this movie. It is a chick flick that does everything right. It's light, funny, endearing. And there isn't that big, let's have a fight and hate each other moment that seems to be prevalent in recent chick flicks (you know, boy does something that makes girl fly off in a rage, she hates him, then he has to make the big gesture to win her back [even though she was completely unreasonable with her reason for flying off the handle]). Not to mention, Bill Pullman is at his finest (as in, cutest) in this movie. I think this and Caspar are really the two movies that he looks the best in. Luckily, two good movies (although, I haven't seen Caspar in a reaaaaaaaaaaally long time).

Idiocracy

This movie had such a great premise. Luke Wilson is a not too bright guy who gets signed up for a military experiment that goes awry, and ends up waking up in the future as the smartest man in the country. Sounds pretty good, right? Yeah, there's a reason they bumped the theatrical release and just scooted the movie straight to dvd. Wow. Not so much on the good side. It was alright, and it was mercifully short at 84 minutes. It pains me to think that the same guy who came up with the brilliant Office Space came up with this crap. Unless it was edited in such a way that it doesn't really resemble the original concept he had. Which is possible. But yuck.

Quinceanera

An interesting movie about something that I really only had a vague idea about. A quinceanera is sort of a coming out/debut for a Spanish/Latino (I'm not sure which) girl. It typically happens when she turns 15 years old (some have compared it to a bar/bat mitzvah). The movie takes a look at one girl who's quinceanera is coming up. Her father is a minister, and her family struggles to pay for her party. Then she finds herself pregnant. She ends up moving in with her great-granduncle and cousin (who has also been shunned from the family, for different reasons). It's interesting, although the way that she gets pregnant made me like, really? Let's just deal with the whole teen pregnancy thing instead of having her still be a "good girl" in a way. Eh. Another quick one at 90 minutes, so not bad.

Sense and Sensibility

Another $5.50 Target purchase, well worth it. I've seen this one before, but I figured I may as well write it up since I watched it recently. Um, definitely one of my favorite movies ever, and I just fall in love with it again every time I watch it. Emma Thompson's writing is just fabulous, and you just swoon when Alan Rickman carries Kate Winslet in from the rain. I mean, if you can watch that and not go, Awwww!!! then you are cruel and heartless, and probably would hate the movie anyways. I adore this movie (even though I've never read the book) and am sure that I will start busting it out when I need a good cheering up. The adorable foppishness of Hugh Grant doesn't really hurt either. What I wouldn't do to have a handsome English gentleman rescue me from the rain. Sigh.

The Bourne Ultimatum

Matt Damon returns as Jason Bourne, curious government agent who knows all these different languages and ways to kill people, yet does not remember his past. The third installment, I didn't think it was as good as the second one. However, I still thought this one was really good. I just felt the second one was better. And there were definitely some moments that were just terrific in this one. It also helps that David Strathairn is in it. I have just been in love with this man since Good Night, and Good Luck (which was also a terrific movie). Amazing action, and of course a kick ass car chase sequence. You sort of have to expect it out of a Bourne movie now, right?

I Think I Love My Wife

Coming from Chris Rock, you would think the movie would be hysterical. Now that I've opened with that, you can already tell, Crap. She didn't think it was funny. That's right. I didn't think it was that funny. It had funny moments. But overall? Not so much. You just wanted to yell at the characters on screen because they did such stupid things. At 94 minutes, I still felt it was a little long. I haven't seen Chloe in the Afternoon, the movie that this movie is based on, but I'm betting it's an improvement over this.

Therese

(I couldn't find a trailer for this one)

An interesting movie. A look at the life of St. Therese of Lisieux, shot in a really weird way. It was really minimalist, and in little chopped up bits (or vignettes, if you want to sound impressive). I got it from my co-worker/ friend Pat, who had seen it come through our branch and ordered it. She described it as creepy, which I agree with, but only because I can't think of a better word to describe it.

OK, i am a bit pooped from my long day today (Tuesdays are the longest day's, with 3 class, going from 8-9:20 am, 2-3:20 pm, and then finishing at 6:30-8:50). blech, let me tell you. Starting so early, and then finishing so late, it's like you're at school all day (even though i do get a nice break in the middle). Just yuck.

On a side note, does anyone actually enjoy the trailers I post in here? I was just excited that I figured out how to embed stuff (not that it's terribly hard in the "Rich Text" mode of LJ, but still).

Alright. Bed for me!!!! It's about 1:30 am right now, and even though I had a grande java chip frappucino during my night class (BIG mistake!!), i'm going to try to force myself to sleep now. I have to go to the bank and post office, becuase even though we were home, and all the doors were open, the mail carrier decided we weren't home, and left a notice saying that we had to come pick up our package. What a pain. I guess it has to be signed for? I don't know. I mean, yes, our doorbell is currently not working, but the doors were open!!!!!! OPEN!!!!! Aack. I'm just bitter because I was elected to go pick it up. Oh well. It had better be something good, since I'm going to get it!!!

cheezer1225 @ 2007-08-31T20:38:00

2007-09-01T03:26:47Z

OK, so it's been a while since i've posted, and sadly, like always, not too much has changed. tennis has ended, and i've started school (bleeeeeeeccccccchhhhhhhhhhh). but i'm surviving. started my second (and final) year of mba school, which will maybe be followed by law school. my first week impression -- i'm sort of screwed in my information systems classes. they just seem really beyond anything i've done, and they're with the ms/mis students, and they all seem really smart (bastards). so i think that may be more of it, that i'm feeling rather intimidated. so anyways. under the following cut will be the (vaaaaaaaaaast) list of movies seen this summer, along with books read, and hten in a separate entry, i'll detail my two enthralling stories from the summer!! (trust me -- these are good)

Ratatouille

This movie was sooooo cute! I really had some hesitation if Pixar could pull this one off (i mean, ew, rat cooking???), but it was really funny, cute, and clever. it was funny thoguh, b/c i saw this movie right around the same time my one tennis co-worker went to see La Vie En Rose,
and he talked about how that movie reminded him of his time in Paris. I didn't really think it would be ok if i said that Ratatouille did the same thing for me!

Hairspray

i have seen the musical version, which i absolutely adored. so i went into this with high expectations. but it turned out alright. i'm not a big fan of john travolta in this role, and i thought the accent was just bizarre (i had such a hard time understanding what he said!), but christopher walken was awesome, and nikki blonsky was really just perfectly cast. a lot of reviews called it the happiest movie of the summer, and i would definitely have to agree with that assessment! it had so much energy, and color and sound, it really was just a really happy movie. overall, it was alright. of course, it doesn't help me that they cut two of my fave songs (i think b/c brittany snow and amanda bynes probabyl can't really sing, and the two songs i really like rely heavily on one or both of them for it). but it was alright

1408

Man. i really wanted to like this movie. like, a lot. john cusack, samuel l. jackson. what's not to like? and really, for the first half, i was terrified. my sister and i saw this at the drive-in (paired with harry potter, oddly enough), and this was hte second show. i was getting really freaked out. like, i started rolling up windows, locking the doors, just really freaked. and then somewhere around the middle, it just flaked apart. it stopped being creepy and tense and started being cheesy and kind of cliche. i was really disappointed, b/c hte first half was just awesome. i was seriously concerned that i wouldn't be able ot get to sleep that night, and i had to get up sort of early for work the next morning. luckily, by the end of hte movie, i had nothing to worry about.

Stick It

there is just somethign about these teen movies that come out lately that just draw me in. it's sad, but true. this one had all the standard cliches, and cheesiness, BUT!!!! the cinematography of the gymnastics was actually really cool. instead of the traditional like, clips of girls just sort of compiled into a montage, they did this really nifty thing where they, like, layered what hte girls were doing. so in some shots, it looked almost like a kaleidiscope. it was pretty nifty. i'd recommend it just to see those bits (you can probably see them on youtube though). all in all not bad, but not great.

The Fountain

I wanted to like this one too. i really did. i thoguht it would be a movie that would have me thinking about love and time travel. um, sort of. i was kind of scratching my head at the end of it. and for a movie that is only 96 minutes, it felt like an eternity. i mean, that is one slow moving movie. but it was alright. i woudl watch it again to get a better perspective on it, but it took me three sessions to finish it, and i don't know if i can handle that again.

Extras

i only watched the first series, but that was more than enough to get me hooked!!! i was a little hesitant to watch it, becuase all i could think was, what if its not as good as The Office????? i don't know if i coudl handle it. luckily, i had nothing at all to worry about. the show is genius. it is so funny and ridiculous and ludicrous. yet, i think i nearly peed myself a few times i was laughing so hard. i was eating lunch while watching it,a nd i had to turn it off because i kept choking. it was taht funny.

Her Minor Thing

i didn't have very high hopes for this one, since i had never really heard of it, but beth and i have had success picking random indie movies from blockbuster, and i had a coupon for a free rental. um. yeah. it had cute moments, but like most movies that go direct to dvd, it had cliches and cutesy things up the arse. not bad, especially since i didn't spend any money on it, but slightly disappointing none the less.

Sunshine

OK, let's talk about a movie that kicks some ass, shall we? This movie kicked ass. you really can't seem to beat the combination of danny boyle, alex garland, and cillian murphy. they all previously collaborated on 28 Days Later, which also kicked ass, in a different, infected/zombie kind of way. i do have one beef, where I feel that the one thing that happens about half way through the movie, really happened out of nowhere, and was sort of unnecessary. the track that they were riding on was perfectly fine, and i really didn't see a need to add that in. i feel like it sort of cheapened the plot. but seeing it in the theater was really my main motivation for going to see it (all alone). it was just breathtaking seeing it on the big screen. it definitely won't have the same impact at home (unless you have like, a ginormous television and surround sound). but it was pretty damn kick ass.

Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law

I watched the second volume of this show, and as it gets more and more bizarre, it gets funnier and funnier. this show is hysterical! the crimes they come up with the characters to commit are ridiculous. this volume really made a lot of references to the first one though, so i definitely recommend watching the episodes in order. it'll make a lot more sense that way.

Mr. Show

David Cross. the mere thought of the man really just makes me giggle, because i remember him from Arrested Development. so i was really disappointed when i couldn't even get through teh first episode of this show. it had a few strained laughs, but really, not so much. it may have gotten better, but i just had a really hard time with the first episode -- so much so that i really didn't even want to finish the rest of it. i was really disappointed.

The Daily Show -- Indecision 2004

i know the link takes you to just THe Daily Show, but for some reason, 2004 isn't up on imdb.com. 2000, 2002, 2006 are all up there, but not the one that i've seen. bummer. anyways. hilarious. hysterical. downright gut blasting funny. those would all describe this dvd set. although, it did not contain footage of their coverage of the actual presidential election. it covered the democrative national convention, and hte republican national convention. still hystiercal.

ok, that's only actually about half, but i'm sleepy. it's gettin glate, and we're driving to cornell (to visit a friend of the family who now attends the prestigious university), before it's on to albany to hang with the sister on sunday (since that's her only day off this weekend). so. it's times like this that i wish i had either a portable dvd player, or a laptop that played dvd's. i coudl just fall asleep to a movie in bed. but i can't. because i don't own either. lame.

cheezer1225 @ 2007-08-22T00:06:00

2007-08-22T04:30:25Z

Posted due to popular demand (or rather, demand by one popular person?), for your pleasure...

Fill this out about your SENIOR year of high school! The longer ago it was, the more fun the answers will be.

1. Who was your best friend?
Good Lord -- probably a tie between kirstin beebe and beth krainz.

2.What sports did you play?
I made first doubles team on the tennis team. But that was my only sport. However, clearly, made an impression since i still play it, and in fact, teach it

3. What kind of car did you drive?
That beautiful/hideous poo brown Chevy Astro van, that died when i was hauling too many people in it. oh that was sad. and then i drove a pontiac firebird for a while, and then finished out with my current car -- seafoam green honda accord station wagon (which is really a genius piece of engineering, because it's 15 years old, and still running amazing)

4. It's Friday night, where were you?
At home? No, probably out shopping or to the movies with the bffs, and that whole group we ran around with.

5. Were you a party animal?
HA!!!!! That's a good one.

6. Were you considered a flirt?
I can almost guarantee no

7. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir?
Was still in orchestra at that point, but had already switched from violin to cello, which was just the best move ever.

8. Were you a nerd?
About not school things. I'm such a nerd about other stuff, not school related, it's sort of sad.

9. Did you get suspended/expelled?
I think that if I had ever gotten suspended/expelled, a few things would happen -- the world would end, my parents woudl end me, everyone in my graduating class woudl have a collective heart attack.

10. Can you sing the fight song?
I remembered it through high school, but could only sing the alto version b/c that ws the only version i learned.

11. Who were your favorite teachers?
Oh man, Ulrich, Duffy, Szfranski, Fordham (not a great teacher, but an AWESOME person), marfino, thomas, spielberger, contrary to popular opinion, i actually did like kocinski, that's probably about it.

12. Where did you sit during lunch?
I think at one of the center tables, actually, if memory serves me correctly

13.What was your school's full name?
Amherst Central High School

14. School mascot?
Tigers!! Which i quite liked, and felt lucky that we weren't burdended with something crappy like the billies (goats?? really??)

15. Did you go to Prom?
I went to Prom with a HUGE group of people, although technically i was stag, in my awesome $35 outfit that i paid for myself, which was comfortable as hell (and i still feel bad because I haven't been able to track down the skirt i borrowed from beth, which still haunts me to this day), and had a pretty great time. the after party at alissa's was also memorable, if for that girl who fought with her date all night, that one girl who was just weird, and the scandal with sara meka nad mike that we all thought was soooooooooooooooo major!! (that was a victoria beckham reference, btw)

16. If you could go back and do it over, would you?
I totally would. I actually enjoyed high school quite a bit, which i guess is something of an anomaly.

17. What do you remember most about graduation?
Trying not to sweat, and trying to not trip while wearing shoes that weren't mine.

18. What was your fave class?
Definitely AP English, although AP Bio Lab comes in a close second along with frosh english

19. Where were you on senior skip day?
I don't remember having a senior skip day, actually. i know we had that senior trip day, which i didn't go on, but i don't remember a skip day. and let's face it -- i wouldn't have skipped anyways. even though on saved by the bell, that is one of the best episodes ever (when zack and a.c. make that bet, and mr. belding keeps trying to catch zack skipping? and jessie has the protest over the cafeteria using styrofoam cups?? wow. see -- nerd about not school related things!)

20. Did you have a job your senior year?
I worked for the Eggertsville-Snyder Library (which i still do! in my seventh year of working there right now)

21. Where did you go most often for lunch?
I think i just ate cafeteria food, really. brought my lunch fairly infrequently.

22. Have you gained weight since then?
We don't need to discuss this question at all.

23. What did you do after graduation?
Went home, and i think we went out to dinner? But that was like, literally after graduation. but that summer was just hanging out with everyone before htey left, having fun before college started.

24. When did you graduate?
2002

25. Who was your Senior prom date?
MEEEEE!!!!!!

26. Are you going to your 10 year reunion?
I wish i coudl have given the same answer as dori (only if cool people like me go), but really -- i'm going if i get a seriously kick ass job (which, by the time i'm done with school, i will have 1 year to get that kickass job). no seriously -- i'd have to agree with dori's answer. i'm only going if other really awesome people go!

27. Who was your home room teacher?
That lady. she got married between our frosh and senior year. mrs. smith? something like that. she was alright. never marked me late, which was pretty awesome.

28. What was your favorite thing to eat at lunch?
Bagel bar was always a good choice. and for me, the mac and cheese. always a good selection.

29. Who was your boy/girlfriend?
sadly, i have no one to put into this answer

30. What was your favorite memory your senior year?
Good lord -- the italy trip, having the italian students coming here, being on the tennis team, pretty mcuh every AP english class, hanging out in the bookstore iwth dori, karen, and matt, having senioritis, getting ot not care earlier than everyone else since i was accepted early to UB (my one and only choice)

31. Did you like how you looked in your senior picture?
at hte time, i was like, i love this picture!!!! but now, i'm like, eh. it's not horrible, but it could have been better. and why did i get that haircut????

32. Who will repost this after you?
i would love to see answers from kirstin or beth or sari. but two of those three seemed to have dropped off the face of the earth. so i want Sari to answer these!!!!

33. How have you changed since high school?
I think i understand people better. I'm still as big of a pushover, but i can recognize when I'm being used by people better (i don't always change anything about it, but i realize it). i have started to learn how to say no if i can't do something. my hair grooming skills have gotten waaaaaaaaaaaaay better (since i realized i had curly hair). my fashion sense has certainly improved. i think i've become more creative. i'm much better at communicating wtih people. i have found hobbies that i really enjoy doing. i think i know myself better too. i am much better at reading people. i think i might be a worse driver. my spending habits have improved, btu really only recently. my study habits have gotten better. i think my work ethic has really improved too. i'm sure there's a bunch more changes, but that's all i can come up with off hte top of my head. oh, i've also gained weight, but i'm trying to lose it, so hopefully by the 10 year reunion (which we are halfway too!!!), i'll be back at my original weight (at least!!!), hopefully less than, but we'll see. probably not.

cheezer1225 @ 2007-07-19T19:29:00

2007-07-20T00:45:21Z

so, i finally got the pictures on my camera onto my computer, and guess what that means?? Picture post!!!

I saw this sign while driving to the Kenilworth library, and thought it was so funny i snapped the picture on the way home:

we went to dinner at a friend of the family's, and they have the most adorable pomeranians. they were so cute. (please disregard the steak bones they are gnawing on)

either i've been really lonely, or my ice cream was trying to send me a message, but i saw this when i opened my little container of Perry's Panda Paws ice cream:

(i see a smiley face in the lid)

so, i made the cuuuuuuuuuuutest thing for my tennis kids. in Real Simple magazine, they have this New Uses for Old Things section,a dn they had ice cream cones in the June issue. And the new use is . . . cupcake holders!!!! You put the batter right into the cone, and bake it in there. The only thing is that the cones dont' stay crisp, they get a little chewy. BUt it's totally worth it, because they look adorable, and taste pretty darn good.

so, the ingredients:

that's right. i used funfetti mix. and it was amazing.

the funfetti batter, before i started spooning it into the ice cream cones:

the first two i did as a test to make sure i didn't put too much batter in them, and they didn't like, explode or somethign in the oven:

the first complete batch:

the cupcake on the bottom? ummm...that one had a hole in the cone, and i thoguht i could get away with just putting a little less batter in it, but it still oozed out the bottom. but it worked well, because it domed just like the other ones, so i just stuck on top, and frosted that sucker in!

the second batch, with some fo the first batch that went back in because they didn't seem quite done yet:

all 40 in the mini muffin tins that would ultimately be their carrying case:

the completed, frosted ones (these are the chocolate ones):

and a close up:

and then the pink vanilla ones (which, in my opinion, weren't as good as the chocolate ones):

the final products, ready for transport!!

also seen a few movies:

Harvey Birdman
(ok, yes, this one is a tv show)

I had always thoguht this would be really funny. It was alright. It's kind of weird, so it took a little bit to get into it. but by the end of volume 1, i really enjoyed it.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

it was good, as was expected, but still -- eh. i may go see the IMAX edition, and maybe that will lend a little more oomph to it. but it was good. not great, but good. i feel a little disappointed by this years sequels/threequels. Like, "Pirates" was alright, "Spider-Man" was alright, and this one was alright. i did the same thign wtih this one that i did with pirates -- tried to avoid trailers, pictures, articles so that i'd be surprised. eh.

Transformers

ok, you watn to talk about a kick ass summer movie? this woudl be it. this was probably one of the most amazing movies i've seen all year. it was just phenomenal. i loved every bit of this movie (well, ok, all the bits except the ones with jon voight), and just was really pleasantly surprised. i can't wait to see it again, which i'm hoping to do by dragging my sister (who will be in town next week) to the movies on saturday. because it was that awesome. i can't even impart how awesome it was here. it was just...awesome.

Me and You and Everyone We Know

this was definitely not what i thgouht it was going to be. i'm not even going to post the trailer, because what i got from the trailer is not even close to what hte movie is about. the trailer that i saw made the movie seem like it was two people who were sort of awkward, who end up falling in love with each other. yeah. not so much at all. but it was a good movie. don't get me wrong. i enjoyed it. it was just not even close to what i had been expecting, and i was sort of surprised by some of hte opening scenes, because i was like, wait......i have a feeling this won't be what i was thinking it was goign to be. but it was good.

Introducing the Dwights (aka Clubland)

i saw a sneak preview of this last night, and it was quite good. i adore brenda blethyn, and she was just great in this. now, this was a rated R movie, and i knew what it was about when i went to see it, and i was sort of surprised when this guy walked in wtih (i'm assuming) his daughters, who were probably aged 10 and 12, or there abouts. yeah. i'm sure that that was an uncomfortable ride home, since there are some graphic displays of sex and sexual activities. yeah. awwwwwkward. and its funny, because the two other movies playing at the Amherst Theater (which is a 3 screen theater) were "Sicko" and "Evening", both non-kid friendly movies. so i was quite perplexed when they walked in after i had walked in. and to make matters worse, they picked the exact center of hte row, in a row quite close to the front (the theater was actually quite full when i got there), and they were sitting towards the front. yeah. so not only were they in a movie not really for the kids, but htey were sittin gin the middle of the row, surrounded by people, and in the front. yeah.

but anyways. this is probably one fo the most accurate trailers i've ever seen -- it did not mislead or cause you to misinterpret what hte movie was about in any way. i was quite shocked, honestly.

well, that's about it from me for now. otherwise just working, working, working now that the Town of Amherst job has started. i did however just buy a terrific sweater today -- men's American Eagle sweater from T.J. Maxx for....$12.99!!!! i was really excited. it's sort of a sweatshirt, sweater mix. i'll have to snap photos nad post them. that'll happen in like, october. if then. ok!

cheezer1225 @ 2007-07-12T23:02:00

2007-07-13T03:30:35Z

so, yikes!!! it's been quite a while since i've updated. and i've only been busy for the past 3 weeks now. well, town of amherst tennis has started again. i'm working it full time, 40 hours a week, plus two days at the library. it's not too bad this summer. we've had really nice weather too, only 2 really unbearably hot days so far (fingers crossed!!!!). the kids we have are alright.

sigh. sadly, not much in my life has changed. i haven't gotten engaged or heard my co-workers having sex. just me and work. that's it. of course, been watching a TON of movies, but that probably just shows more how sad I am than anything else. i'm just going to list them off under a cut. i'm also goign to put in books that i've finished too (sadly, not too many of those either).

-Notes On a Scandal
-My Super Ex-Girlfriend
-Valentine
-To Die For
-Head Over Heels
-Flushed Away
-Music and Lyrics
-My Fair Lady
-Manchurian Candidate (2004 version)
-Bobby
-Spider-Man 3
-Tucker
-Dreamgirls
-Colour Me Kubrick
-Nightwatch
-Because I Said So
-Children of Men
-Circle of Friends
-Freedom Writers
-Imagine Me and You
-Just Like Heaven
-Indecision 2004
-Night at the Museum
-Bosom Buddies

I have done some reading. I have finished so far:

-Me and Emma by Elizabeth Flock
-My Secret Life on the McJob (written by one of my upcoming professors) by Jerry Newman
-Son of a Witch by Gregory Maguire

so that's a lot of movie watching, not so much on the reading. i'm trying though. i'm already half way through another book (and another non-fiction one too!!). i'm relatively sure that that is the whole list of what i've watched sinc ethe last time i updated. i think i woudl be more depressed if i had more to add to that list, quite honestly.

ugh. i'm so tired right now, i am having a hard time keeping my eyes open. it's only 11:30!!! but i am exhausted. i participated in the second adult lesson today, and i did a lot more than i normally do, i'll tell you that much!!! i guess writing checks will just have to wait until tomorrow. darn!! i'll ahve to put off sending my hard earned money away to other people. oh, the tragedy.

cheezer1225 @ 2007-05-25T21:36:00

2007-05-26T01:38:24Z

ok, one last note about Pirates -- and i promise this is not spoilerish.

that was a hard PG-13!!!! i was surprised at how violent (and how much violence they showed) for a movie like this. there was a young kid who left wiht his dad, and i assumed it was to go to the bathroom, but htey were gone for a large chunk of the movie. i'm guessing hte kid got scared. i wouldn't be surprised!!!

cheezer1225 @ 2007-05-24T23:51:00

2007-05-25T05:08:01Z

ok, so i just got home (like, literally -- i walked in, changed into my pj's, and just sat down in front of my computer) from seeing Pirates of the Caribbean. and now i need to vent. but i will do it under a cut, so as to maintain any surprises that anyone does not want to spoil. this will contain spoilers. MAJOR spoilers. i will probably talk about every surprise, every non-surprise, everything in the movie. be prepared. if you don't want to ruin the movie for yourself, DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER.

So, first of all, i was disappointed. Not majorly, but still disappointed. i was thinking, well, maybe they can recapture what made the first movie sooooo awesome. but i think, that's just not possible. the first one was so unique and new and different from everything else. it just clicked and worked.

now, that being said, i did like this better htan the second movie, but i don't know that anyone found the second particularly good. it was alright. it tided over the feelings of pirate wanting. but it wasn't hte same. if i had to rank them, i'd say the first pirates, this one, hten the second one.

i just found this one confusing. well, not confusing perse. there were a lot of deals made between characters, new deals made, back deals made, just a LOT of talking of deals being made. that confused me. b/c it got to the point wher ei was like, wait, does what he just said cross a deal? or did it just fufill it? wiat, what just happened? huh?

i also did get slightly naseous. i think from all hte rocking back and forth of hte boat.

it was super long too. for anyone who is thinking baout buying a beverage, remember -- hte movie is about 3 horus long. and it feels that long too.

ok, so chow yun fat was the "new" pirate, right? i thoguht he was going to be in it a lot more than he was. he was in for liek, 20 minutes? he gets killed,a dn amkes elizabeth (keira knightly) the captain of his ship. interesting.

i also thoguht keith richards would be in a little bit more. i know, i know -- he had a cameo, which means not a lot of screen time, but he just sort of wheezed a few words, and then sat down and strummed a guitar. eh.

so, here's the part htat gets my goat -- at hte end, will gets stabbed by davy jones, and jack has davy's heart. now, jack has said that he wants to be made immortal, so that he can roam the seas for forever. so he's got hte heart, but hten will gets stabbed nad is dying. will and elizabeth were married by captain barbossa at this point, so i'm thinking, ok, will and elizabeth stab the heart together, that way, even thoguh they'll be immortal and will hvae to ferry the dead, they'll be together FOREVER. only lame-o, jack takes will's hand, and has it stab the heart. so davy jones disappears into the sea, and will is now the captain of the flying dutchman. and he only gets to see elizabeth one day every ten years. ????????

htey're obviously setting up for ANOTHER installment, if this one goes over well. whatever.

so, tia (the voodoo lady) turns out to be Calypso, the goddess of the sea that hte bretheren of pirates turned into human form to keep her from ruling htem (or something like that). so, first of all, obvious!!! i actually saw that coming. and second -- when they released her from her human body -- she turned into the 60 foot woman. it was ridiculous. and then she turned into a bunch of crabs. that was just odd.

i also don't udnerstand why davy just fell into the ocean. is he dead? did he disappear??

althoguh, it probably dind't help that there was an idiot behind us who clearly didn't watn to come to the movie, but since all his friends were oging, he went, b/c he did nothing but complain (loudly) the whole time baout what a boring/corny/cheesy/lame movie it was. i'm thinking, then why didn't you save yourself $9 and stay home???

ugh. not to mention the fact that hte movie was about 1/2 late in starting, b/c hte projector wasn't working. not that that was anyone's fault. it wa sjust frustrating that we were all excited to have it start at 8:00, the first showing, and we didn't start until about 8:35. that was a little frustrating.

anyways. now that i've finished my whining abtou the movie, i can move on. i'd have to say though, i purposely didn't read anything about it online, or any revivews or ANYTHING. i mean that literally. the most i've seen was 1/2 a commercial on tv. i didn't watch any trailers, read any teasers. i wanted to go in wtih as little information as possible (and surprisingly, i didn't get it accidentally spoiled). but yeah. it was definitely better that way. i think if i had known any stuff, ti woudl have been eh. but the one frined of melissa's that came said that parts were sort of ruined, b/c you were expecting parts that you had seen from the commercials and trailesr, so it wasn't as surprising as it could have been b/c some parts (like the big storm) you were expecting to come out at some point.

so. that's about it.

cheezer1225 @ 2007-05-18T23:06:00

2007-05-19T03:06:18Z

just as a sidenote -- i did not use soy sauce in the pancakes. that just happened to be there.

cheezer1225 @ 2007-05-18T22:56:00

2007-05-19T03:04:13Z

i've decided to share my pancake making experience with everyone!! yay!!!

So, i just made the pancakes from the recipe on the back of hte Bisquick box, because i've never made pancakes before, and it looked super easy.

Here are all the ingredients i used, scattered all over our kitchen counter:

i made two kind sof pancakes -- plain and blueberry. this is the plain batter:

apologies for the slighty blurry pictures. i was trying to cook them and snap the pictures at the same time, so i was going between flipping pancakes and grabbing my camera off hte kitchen table to take pictures!!

my first pancakes, cooking in hte pan:

after i flipped them:

i got a stack going before i started attacking htem:

and then i made the blueberry ones:

and that was my pancake making adventure. it was actually kind of fun, but i had a little trouble with the blueberry ones, getting hte timing of when to flip them down. i also didn't realize that the batter woudl get sooooo watered down, but i probably shoudl ahve figured that out since there was ice allll over them, and the blueberries do contain juice. duh. but they stll tasted good. mmmmm. pancakes..........

cheezer1225 @ 2007-05-18T15:10:00

2007-05-18T20:29:22Z

748. anyone want to guess what that number is??

that's the total number of photos i'm developing from my trip to london/paris. 748. i am boggled. i knew that i had taken a lot of pictures, but wow. i suppose it doesn't help that i have pictures of the same thing from various angles, and close-ups, and all that jazz. i figured that if each album i want to use (i like using hte flimsy plastic one's that hold 4x6's, one on a page) holds 36 pictures. i also have ticket stubs, maps, and other assorted things that i'm goign tobe putting in with the pictures. sigh. i've got a rather large project ahead of me.

last night i had a dream about pancakes. i'm going to make pancakes for dinner tonight. my parents are going to a friend's house, so i'm all on my own. and i'm having pancakes. althoguh, in my dream, i was making pancakes, but when i cooked them, i had a big crystal bowl (almost like a punch bowl) lined in paper towels to make sure the pancakes didn't stick to the bowl, over the stove. it worked really well in my dream though. and the pancakes were delightfully fluffy. i will not, however, be using a crystal bowl to make my pancakes tonight. i will be using just a standard frying pan. mmmmmm. i'm really excited about this. i just wish we had breakfast sausage. that would make it perfect. but oh well. i'm not about to go buy breakfast sausage. althoguh, it was tempting when i went ot hte post office earlier today. but i just spent a TON of money developing my pictures. so i'm really not in a position to be buying breakfast sausage willy nilly.

cheezer1225 @ 2007-05-17T18:34:00

2007-05-17T23:05:40Z

i almost forgot...

I'd have to say, I can certainly sympathize wtih the main character in Accepted. rejection certainly does suck. the movie did have an interesting premise -- kid doesn't get into any of the colleges he applies to, so he makes up his own school. of course, the requisite crazy characters, crazy situations, "bad guy" all make their appearances. lewis black did certainly make an interesting "adult who gets put in the situation", ebcuase he was crazy. like, the character was mental. and of course, the bad guy finds a loophole that might get the good guy taken down, but it all gets figured out in the end. however, at 90 minutes, it's bearable. it has funny moments where you'll chuckle. definitely worth the free library borrow. not so much the blockbuster rental. and if i had paid $9 for htat to see it at the theater? i'd be underwhelmed.

cheezer1225 @ 2007-05-17T18:24:00

2007-05-17T22:29:43Z

so, i am FINALLY getting around to getting my england/paris pictures printed up and into albums. the question -- do i go wtih teh albums i already ahve at home, or do i get the cuter, trip appropriate ones at Target? because they have these two that are super cute -- one has passport-ish stamps on it, with different locations, and the other one has a brown cover with a blue airplane that says Bon Voyage in blue under the plane. both very mcuh trip-centric. i want to get hte new albums. but i alreayd have empty albums at home that i can use. i think i'm goign to wait ti see how many albums i'd have to buy first, becuase i have a TON of pictures, but of course, i have to weed out all the bad ones, the blurry ones and the duplicates. it'll still be a lot of pictures, for sure, but maybe i can get away with like, 5 albums. but each album holds i think 36 pictures. sot aht woudl be 180 pictures. i'm sure that i can easily exceed that. Easy.

so how bummed am i???? we get a game 5, and it's going to be on when i'm at work!! aack!!!! i will just have to keep espn.com on the screen at work, and constantly check it. blech. i can't believe that i'm goign to be working during such a crucial game. i am mad. i will also have to figure out what i'm wearing my sabres shirt under, because i finally broke down and wore it yesterday, so of course i ahve to wear it again on saturday. we'll see.

i think it's goign to take a while for me to upload alllll my pictures. i'm at 38 photos, and that only covers the airplane ride there and the train trip into ripley. i think i will be vastly exceeding 180 pictures. no problem. you know what that means??? i'll have to buy albums!!!!!! yay!!!!!!!!!!!

cheezer1225 @ 2007-05-17T00:52:00

2007-05-17T04:53:15Z

and whoops!! that paragraph wasn't supposed to be turned into a link. sorry!! sadly, i'd rather just make another update than go back and fix it. hahahahaha..........