Tuesday, February 28, 2006  

You must try this game, and part of the fun of it (for me) was having the volume up a little louder than normal (read, crank.) Have fun, let me know how many levels you complete.

   [ posted  @ 7:14 AM | ]

Okay i think i fixed enough of the #'s in the html to make the top of the banner come down. It was not as hard as i thought it would be, and i did it in IE even tho i would prefer not to have IE open. That is probably what most of the people who visit here use. Anyways, let me know if you can read this better and if there is space @ the top!

And that was about the only 15 min. of time i can afford to waste today bc i have 2 chapters of Greek to get thru, a comprehensive 300 word vocab review to sift thru, and a 5 chapter summary to finish in my workbook, not to mention (oops just did) this week's homework!

BIG TIME TV NIGHT! Gilmore Girls and American IDOL!!! I'll be at work but will be watching them when i get home.

   [ posted  @ 6:50 AM | ]

Trying a new layout... Not sure i like it. It looked different in the previews - there was supposed to be notebook paper in the background where you are reading these words but it's not showing up. And i use Mozilla Firefox browser; this looks quite different in Internet Explorer (yuck.) Anyways i'm up later than i should be listening to extremely loud music (Sinatra, Superchick, Anberlin and Number One Fan) in my headphones.

Found out yesterday the head of our student ministries dept. is moving his family to Iowa for a church job there... a huge void has been created. Not sure where we all go from here; he's been at CEFC for 10 years. God is bigger so i'm sure it will work out.

   [ posted  @ 9:48 PM | ]

My Idol of the Week: My star of the week: Frankie!

Wednesday AMIDOL spoiler!


"Waaanted waaaaaaaaaaanted, dead or alive!" haha!

Good show; guys are better than the girls, i think. Simon was right for most everyone, and Paula looked better. Her and Randy always say the same things tho... What's up with that?

Patrick Hall - No humility, this guy has to go. Voice is not strong enough. He reminds me of karoke. World's LONGEST neck award goes to this guy. Super boring performance.

David Radford - Adorable. He can sing but this was a weird performance. I thought he gave it his best shot, and i did vote for him. I am interested to see how he develops over the competition, but i think he'll get tons of young votes.

Bucky - Way too grovelly. I was suprised tho, he did the song proud, much better than i thought he would do. I don't think he fits A-I tho. The name is awful. I like all the other guys better than him. Good song choice but he pushed it too hard.

Will Makar - Too high school! Not a star. Lucky he got this far. I gave him one simpathy vote. I can tell he was nervous. Good song choice, but it shows how young he is.

Sway - I liked the hat. Did you see, his dad has no rhythm!! I don't think anyone will vote for this guy singing in falsetto. Yuck. I am not real familiar w/ the song he sang so it was yucky for me.

Chris Daughtry - True star!!! Good find!!! I voted for him a lot. You can tell he has lots of experience, i think he's the best male singer in the competition. But i agree he's got to start believing in himself and have some fun.

Kevin - He is poised. If he can take the darts from simon, i think he's got a shot bc of the votes he'll get from the kids. He's no where near as good as Chris but he did sing it good. He has no arrogance and i like him. I think Simon was too harsh on him. I gave him some votes.

Gideon - Looks a lot older than 17 to me! He can sing great, i just don't like him at all. Yuck-o.

FreshOutOfPrison-elliot -- I think he has an amazing voice but ouch, the teeth. His ears remind me of a hobbit from Lord of the Rings. I just can't see him winning. By the time my vcr got to him polls had closed, so i could not give him any votes.

Bobby - IT IS LIKE YOU ARE DRUNK. Go away. This kid is a cruise ship singer at best. How did he ever make it this far. I agree w/ Simon, America wants to know where they got this kid and how they put him thru. He will for sure be eliminated.

Ace - He can sing. I can't see he him the final winner but he'll make it to the top 3 probably. I didn't know what to make of his song choice... George Michael?? Ugg. What is that song about? I don't even want to know.

Taylor - No one will vote for him. He can't last long. He doesn't have the look. He could never be a top selling artist bc the audience for that kind of style doesn't exist right now. The teens who are voting will not put their votes on him. Too spazzy. But he can really sing. I think the praises he got last night will probably be the most he'll get and he'll phaze out soon.

As for the kitty pound, lol - just nuts. I don't know what to make of it. I agree w/ Ames that Paris bouncing was too much. Notice how the producers put their favorites in the front row (i.e. Kellie P.) so they get more exposure? It's not like she needs it tho. Tonight is the results show, Survivor, The Office -- big T.V. night and i'll be in class! Go VCR go!!!

Did i tell you i'm the last remining chick in my NT Greek class? Ugg. There were 4 women to start, now i'm the last hold out. It has truly got a lot harder - we are almost done w/ verb tenses, and the focus has shifted to the stars in the back row - FratBoy & Mr. SmartyPants. These two are carrying the class. I am lost half the time bc i haven't been studying like before. I will finish strong, tho, i'm determined.

That's all for now!

   [ posted  @ 7:51 AM | ]

AI THOUGHTS (spoiler) alert


Let's see, first the overall impressions. Dog pound, boring but part of the show, so i don't mind it too much. I love that lil' Kevin kid tho. He's so clueless. So cute. Paula did not look good. Did she have more nose work done or something? I mean she's starting to look like Michael Jackson... Yeah. I cannot stand the sky/fire ugly moving backdrops they use - so weird. I have never liked those. I thought it was awkward to have the girls looking DOWN on the performer. That was new and kind of weird. And so yes i agree w/ Amy that the theme song is so sickening and i'm so glad i watch this on tape so i can ffd thru it.

Here's my critiques.

* Mandise - Fun. Not impressive to me. Some off key. Who will vote for her? I think she's got talent but she's not quite pop star material bc of her age. I just don't know who will vote for her.

* Kellie Pickler - First, she's got to stop crying, and she's got to stop talking about her dad. That is just awkward. Then, i think she looks LIKE THE FOURTH BRADY SISTER!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG marsha marsha marsha! I do want her to win. Just like i picked Carrie U. early last year with most of the rest of my family. It's hard for me to believe she doesn't have a lot of experience. I voted for her.

* Becky O'Donohue. I had totally forgot she was one of the freaky twin couples. Ugg! She was kind of boring for me. What kind of album would she put out? Brittany Spears? I don't like her. She's *too* pretty.

* Ayla Brown. Didn't like that she curled her hair. Looked too much like Becky O'D. I think she's got one awesome voice. She nailed the song. I voted for her.

* Paris - Man she's just flawless to me. A little too bouncy but she deserves to go far, or all the way. She's great. She's like a natural star. I voted for her.

* Steve Scott - Her voice is not strong enough for this. Go back to opera. She won't pass thru to the next round. She's too fragile.

* Brenna Gethers - Yuck! Always posing. Yuck. Horribly boring song choice. She's another that reminds me of high school musical. I don't like her attitude (who would?) and i hope she doesn't make it to the next round.

* Heather Cox - I really wanted to like her, but she missed a ton of notes. Not a strong voice like some of the others. Ended the song nicely but she won't make it far.

* Melissa McGee - Looks too much LIKE A CABBAGE PATCH KID!!! Some wrong notes. I feel bad she's not got enough air time. Every year, the producers half rig the show but showcasing their favorites. This girl is forgettable.

* Lisa Tucker - Little kid, huge voice. Will go far. I don't think she can win. Reminds me of Jasmine from a season or two ago. I liked Jasmine a lot. She's very poised. Huge smile. I call her the "tiny star." I would have voted for her but by the time they got to her, the phone polls had closed.

* Kinnik Sky - Nice name. Another one who's not got a lot of air time. I think she could be a big star but she's too old. She seems fun and experienced.

* Katherine McPhee - She's the Rachel Ray look alike! Hope she goes far. Good voice. I would have probably given her a few votes too.

   [ posted  @ 9:46 PM | ]

Got my notes in front of me... Here's my American Idol breakdown!!


First biggest best best best awesomeest news is that THANK YOU JESUS THE BRITTENUM TWINS ARE GOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE omg were they not the most annoying people ever to hit Am-Idol???? UGGGGGG! And i was so disappointed the judges kept
putting them thru. They were so horrible!!!


Katharine McPhee - (remember her, she kissed the judges) - totally forgettable; boring.

Ace - will go far but won't win. Too much hype already... he kind of looks like some species of dog to me but i can't think of which one. (sorry amy). I predict he will one of the final 4 or 3 just bc of the hype and a great name. I do think he has a good voice tho.

Mandisa Hundley - (the really laaarge chick) - she's too old looking to me, besides her weight, i just don't think she can win. Who would vote for her? Certainly not the teenie boppers.

Lisa Tucker (Simon was concerned bc she's 16) she doesn't look 16 to me... maybe 19 ? Anyway i was not impressed w/ her voice. It was just "okay" I don't think she can win. She looks like an idol tho. Teenies may vote her way if they are not voting for Ace.

David Radford - The crooner. Yup you guessed it - i do like like him a ton. He's not my favorite but i do like him. He's got the look & seems like a good boy. I don't think he can win but i wish the best to him. Super cute.

Sway Penala - good name - will get a lot of initial votes but won't win. I think his voice is just average.

Elliot Yamin - Umm. I don't know about this guy. He reminds me of a gangsta - nice voice tho. I think he's one of these guys that will come out with a criminal record in a few weeks. Also, i think his last name reminds me of terrorists.

Brenna Gethers - This is the ultra drama queen... well i can't stand her... She is not humble at all and she just wants to be on this t.v. show. This is not about the competition for her. Her voice also does not impress me.

Gedeon McKinney - voice is TOO big and he can't win. He was the one who gave the speech about being "it" and Simon said that he would have said "no" if he heard the speech first. I agree. This kid drives me nuts. Too animated.

Stephanie Scott - Is she the opera chick ? Ugg. Her voice is not strong enough to do this over the long haul. I think she is aggrivating and can't decide what style she wants to be in. In her Hollywood audition, she sang about 4 different styles, blues, jazz, country, pop, all in one song. Ouch. She doesn't know what she wants to be. She'll be eliminated quickly.

Ayla Brown - This is the athlete chick. I like her story. I also like her a lot - her voice is great. She has a pop star quality and a smooth voice. I don't think it's anything out of the ordinary or special tho. I predict her to go far. She also seems like a "nice kid" and will probably not produce a lot of drama like some of the black chicks. (Omg did that sound racist??????? I didn't mean it to, but i think you know what i mean.)

Chris Daughtry - (Gets stuck on elevator) Now we're talkin'. I really love this guy. I love his voice and he's one of my favorites. I hope he goes far. Tho i think his rocker voice might get old... i think he's mature enough to do many styles.

Rebecca O'Donohue - She is too much of a victorias secret model for me... I think she's too "made up" and i think every performance will sound the same. Not an award winning voice either.

April Walsh- didn't make it thru, and HOW DID SHE EVEN MAKE THIS FAR???? She doesn't look anything like a pop star.......... YUCK!

Paris Bennet - Love her. I think she's adorable, humble, and her voice is unique. I don't think she can win but i think she'll go far. Great back-story too.

Heather Cox - from Denver. Probably won't make it to the end but she does have the pop star look. I like her voice too. We need to learn more about her.

Bucky Covington - GIVE ME A REALLY BIG MUPPET MONSTER HUGE BREAK!!! This guy is a loser! How did they hear that awful performance in Hollywood and put him THRU? Yuck!!! Are you kidding me? Joke! Awful audtion. Please let him be the first guy to go...

Patrick Hall - He says he deserves to be here bc he sings and plays. He's okay. He's too cocky. At this part of the competition you should be more humble. Don't act like you're too good for this. His voice is okay tho. He's almost too polished.

Kevin Covais - You will probably predict that i love this kid. You're right. I think he's so adorable and and i hope he goes far. He is so innocent!! His parents were so cute with their fingers crossed. He's so clueless. I'd vote for him for sure. His big eyes staring like he has no idea what is going on also reveals that he'll survive just fine if he gets elimated. He's just glad he made it this far. Which reminds me of the little montana (?) cowboy who looks like Steven Curtis Chapman who was eliminated... I LOVED THAT LITTLE GUY!!!! :( He was adorable!

Kellie Pickler - Mom is right. This chick will probably win the whole thing. I love her. Her comment about waterproof mascara was priceless. She's the total package. Her story is what this show was originally all about. I really want her to win.

Taylor Hicks - I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS UP WITH THIS GUY. I can't make up my mind at all about him. If i did not have to LOOK at his autistic savant thrashings and bodily jerkings, i think i would love his voice. But he just reminds me of a "special" person and i don't think he will have a big enough voting following to put him all the way. Ugg. I just don't know about him, at all. I don't know if i would vote for him over most of the other guys.

Last two girls - both are forgettable. I don't care about either one of them. I don't even care that one was picked and one was not. Didn't even bother writing down their names.

Last two guys - judges made the right choice, but William Makar (the white guy who they put thru) reminds me of a high school musical boy. I do like him tho.


Lastly, it must be said every season that there are several contestants they haven't even shown yet who made it thru, and i feel sorry for them. You've got a few people that got a lot of air time and this gives them a producers-rigged advantage. Oh well. Nothing we can do.

   [ posted  @ 11:07 AM | ]

yip yip yip uh-huh uh-huh!!!!!!!!!!!

   [ posted  @ 8:45 PM | ]

I just got done doing my taxes. I had a goal to finish in less than 1 hour and it only took like 40 min. I used TaxCut bc i could get the free efile and a 15$ OMX gift card. I've used TaxCut the last 3 years it's a snap. [I forgot to snag the free copies they were passing out at work... actually i think i threw them away when i was cleaning the office.]

And i'm happy... getting a bigger chunk back than last year... Filing early hopefully means it will arrive direct deposit SOON. yay! I listened to SuperChick's "Down to the Bottom" a total of 16 times on a repeated loop in Itunes and then it was done. haha. Great song. [And please remind me the tax returns are needed to pay off debt, not buy more stuff from Itunes or other fun stuff... the fun stuff is BOUGHT, now PAY FOR IT!]

Skipped class tonight; the weather was trying to be a mean snow storm - but it probably would have been an easy drive. It makes my mom nervous when i drive in snow! Besides, who wants to sit and listen to Grammar Teacher Number Two answer

EVERY
SINGLE
QUESTION

and talk on and on and on and on... omg. Someone get me a large anvil or banana cream pie so i can smash it in his face. Goodbye First Aorist Active/Middle Indicative... it's on to Aorist Passives i think this week. I'm keeping up with the homework so all should be well.

I'm also skipping work tomorrow... I don't normally do that. I think this is only the 2nd time in 5 years i've called in, but i'm on the verge of going postal there and after getting the shortest end of a short short stick the last 3 nights i decided to give them a day's notice and tell them they can take their stick and shov... I mean, Jesus loves you. Besides they don't really need me there tomorrow morning. I'll spend the day cleaning, studying and getting ready for date night w/ Matt (my turn to cook.)

Happy ValentiMes if i don't write before then... love!

   [ posted  @ 9:48 PM | ]

Matt and I went to see this movie on Sunday. I've read almost every book there was written on this (true story) of the missionaries to Equador who were speared down by Auca indians in the 1950's. (Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, et.all) It was a good movie... How the murdered men's wives stayed behind to carry on the work, and eventually many of the deadly tribe becomes Christian, and the son of one of the killed men becomes best friends with the man who speared his father to death.

It's not in all theaters but half of the proceeds are going straight to missions, so hats off to "Every Tribe" for making it. The way they did the ending was probably my favorite part but of course i won't give it away.

And finally, a fun work story. I decided to call today 'CRAZY-LAND' after dealing with a few customers who were just nuts and off their rockers. It's funny how some days people are generally crabby, some days people are great, some days like today people were just plain nuts.

One such man went into great detail about how the drum unit on his Brother fax machine was replaced and he even replaced the toner and it was still printing these shadow ghost images on paper (he even brought in samples.) I let him know by the time you replace your drum, you've had the thing 3 or 4 years, why not just get a new machine? It's less than the cost of a drum unit and how much longer do you think that machine is going to keep going ? He wanted to keep his machine so my 2nd option was to do an even-exchange; that perhaps he got a faulty drum unit. Swapping them out would hopefully fix it.

I offered to swap him part for part, and even said let's get you a new toner cartridge too just so we rule out all the variables. I would not charge him anything, i'd just take his, and give him the new ones, even. OMG. So he brings in his stuff, and i swap him out... and after he walked out the door, i was boxing the stuff up to ship it back to Brother, and take the toner cartridge out of the drum unit. It came out a little goofy and then i realized IT STILL HAD THE "REMOVE BEFORE USE" sticker on it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The dork never took the tape shield off to release the toner!!!!

OMG!

He was already too far gone for me to chase him down, so i left a note for the managers tomorrow that if he comes back with a faulty problem, to ask him to remove the stupid sticker.

I'm tellin' ya.... All the time i spent with that guy, that's 45 min. of my life i'll never get back.

   [ posted  @ 9:08 PM | ]

[=Links=]

[=Designed By=]