Random v.9.8

~First and foremost: HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHANNON!!!!!!!!

~For those that have been following my sickness status... I DIDN'T GET SICK!!!  :)  (shit, now I'm doomed)
I guess Airborne really works, 'cause I shoulda had strep plus the pukes...

~My trip this past weekend was not eventful enough for me to blog an entire blog about it, so here is a quick recap:

• I made a new friend on my flight from MSP to SEA - his name is Greg and I think I'm in love with him.  He bought me a beer on the flight and we talked everything from beer to business.  He may have been flirting with me... I may have been flirting back - he is old enough to be my dad.
• We drove from PDX to the Oregon Coast on Thursday night and got a vacation home.
• It was misting all day Friday, which we bucked up and braved.  I climbed a little cliff [or something like that, but I'm not sure if that's what is was], took several pictures [on a cloudy, misty day], and spend the rest of the day inside.
• It poured and was wicked windy all day Saturday; stayed inside, watched movies/TV shows and cooked.
• I took more photo's of wine and wine corks than I did anything else [apparently I think it's pretty stuff].
• I bought new ear buds at the SEA airport, I love them and they don't hurt my ears!
• I got 100+ pages into Angels & Demons over the weekend... I'm reading it again before the movie comes out so I can be current on it!

~People are extremely nice in the world.  Something I thought people had lost... travel used to be something I did and never really took the time to talk to anyone because most people are rude or don't want to talk... whatever.  Maybe it was me, maybe I was just giving the impression that I didn't want to talk.  This trip was so different for me... at the MSP airport I sat at the bar, ordered a Martini and a sandwich to-go [sandwich to-go, not the martini], ended up chatting with the bartender a bit and some Oregonian about God only knows what.  Then on the plane I made friends [Greg], and chatted a whole bit.  Then the fella on my second flight was extremely nice to me; although he did tell me he wasn't getting fresh with me because he was trying to make room for people to get by in the aisle.  All-in-all, my point is that nice people are awesome and kindness goes a long way.  Take the time to be nice... you'll be such a better person because of it!

~I drove by a Christmas Tree Farm the other day and gots to thinking: Don't you think it's sad that we grow these trees, which take YEARS to grow, just to cut them down and display them for a couple weeks out of the year?

~Last week I was told that I am one-of-a-kind.  It was said as a compliment and I am choosing to accept it as one; I think that could be taken the wrong way by many.  What do you think; am I really one-of-a-kind [in a good way]?

I'm out; WORD bitches!

Thoughts for Thursday - Poop

I'm so curious to see the reaction I get from this!


Yes kids, that's right - today we are going to talk about poop.  You obviously know what it is, generally speaking, but about 75% of your average poop is water, which of course varies from person to person. In case you want to read more, here is a link with more information than you can imagine [it even touches on the mystery of corn poop, ERIN!].


It seems like such a taboo topic, poop, but every one does it; it's natural.  You see all these commercials now-a-days for yogurt that is packed with Bifidus Regularis to help promote a healthy digestive tract aka make you 'regular' aka poop.
It makes me wonder what the hell is going on with people that they have to eat yogurt regularly just to poop!?


Surely I understand that people eat like crap {no pun intended} in today's world and their pooping schedule is greatly affected by that.  Fine, eat the yogurt if you must.
For those of you who are regular, good for you and keep up the good work [healthy diet, regular exercise, etc]!


So what is regular?  I've done some searching on the Google and there is a WIDE range of opinion on what is normal.  Some people say 3-4 times a day [within 2-3 hours of each meal], others say a few times a week, but the consensus is at least once a day is ideal.


Generally in my TFT's I speak about myself on a given topic... same holds true for this one, but I won't go into great detail.  I poop, yes - no surprise there, because remember, everybody's doing it.  I consider myself to be regular, regular for me anyhow.  I'll tell ya what though, with my new exploration of spicy foods, I'm a bit worried about how regular will feel in the future [my friends talk].
It's funny how eating/drinking different things can have such an impact on my pooping life.
One of the many unfortunate traits I get from my father is my extremely sensitive stomach, I can get a stomach ache at any give moment.  I've learned, though, what I can and cannot eat to avoid tummy aches.  Fast food is one thing I cannot eat and feel fine afterwards - which is pretty much a good thing because I shouldn't be eating that crap {no pun} anyhow.


I don't expect a slew of comments on this one [and those that do comment, feel free to go anonymous], but...
Thoughts for Thursday: Do you consider yourself to be regular?  Feel free to give me any crappy stories you may have about poop or pooping.  Tell me how often you poop or if you have problems pooping.  Tell me anything!  LET'S TALK ABOUT POOP!  Most importantly; why do you think poop is such a embarrassing topic for many people?


I'm going to be out of town all weekend, so I don't imagine I'll link to any other TFT's... but I will if they are posted right away in the am.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Let's say you were walking around a shopping development and found a fresh crisp $100.00 bill outside on the sidewalk.

Would you keep it?  Turn it in?  There is no wallet, purse or anything to claim ownership to this bill.
I posted this question in my status on facebook the other day and got a few responses; my answer [off the bat] would be spend it, my brain would later come in and say Ang, save it.

On Monday, I was out running errands for work and I had to make a personal stop for something.  In Princeton there are several little malls; one level buildings with a hallway leading to 5-10 stores.  I park my car outside one of them, walk up to the door, go to open it when I see something on the ground out the corner of my eye.  I look down and see money... fresh crisp money, it can't be real I think, it's too new looking, plus it's a hundred dollar bill, who would lose that.  I pick it up, look at it, look around to see if someone nearby had lost it, stand outside for about 30 seconds thinking what the hell should I do?!  I walk in the mall to take care of my business with the money in my jacket pocket... I go in the store and completely forget why I'm there as my mind is focused on this money.  After I walk the whole store and leave with nothing, I go back outside and look around again.  My eyes shot down to see if maybe there was another one I missed... no such luck.  I get in my car and drive away, all the while feeling extremely guilty for having it.  It's a lot of money, especially in though times.

I can't believe I have kept this a secret for so long!  It feels good to get it out.... I did tell Steve right away and I've now told a total of 5 people, including my mother.

First I though, SUSHI!  Then I thought, credit card bill.  Then I thought, partial car payment.  Then I thought, save it.  Then I thought, what the hell am I going to do with this?!
I decided a sushi dinner was in my future.
As the night wore on I remembered a few things I wanted, but wouldn't spend the money on right now because of uncertainty in my job.
Then it hit me; I have a small collection of art by a man named Chris Consani, it's classic shit - generally featuring Marylin Monroe, Elvis, James Dean, and Humphrey Bogart.  While at the mall the other week I found a store that had a few pieced I didn't own by him, all 50% off... why not spend my money on something I will have forever instead of something that will only be in my belly for a few hours [I wish I thought like that more often].  I have 4 pieces by him; one large, and three small/medium sized.  This would be how my money is spent.

This damn bill was just burning a hole in my pocket and I had to spend it quick!

Tonight we went to Rosedale, debated between 2 pieces for a few minutes and walked out knowing I made the right decision!
I now own one more piece of art by Chris Consani - and even had enough left over for my meal and part of Steve's ;)

Check out my daily photo blog - 365 Days of Hope for pictures of the bill and my newest Framed Art!

It's not hung yet... I have to figure that out still.

Banner 3.23.09

I really wanted to keep the coffee banner up for a bit longer, but I needed to open Photoshop and do something.  I've been avoiding it for awhile and for no good reason.

Spring is here and even though the weather might not be perfect spring weather... it was time for a fresh clean look on the blog.
With help from the Mosaic Maker and my Flikr favorites - this banner is just beautiful to me.  I really didn't spend that much time on it and there is nothing I learned by making it... I just needed something.  I love Pink, Orange, and Green combos of color... it's a pretty girly one for me.

Anyhow... Happy Spring!  Hope you like the new look :)

I don't want to be sick!

Since it's officially Spring I can safely say that I made it all Winter without getting sick... Spring is here though, and I'm pretty sure I won't make it all Spring.

Quick recap of my exposure to germs in the past 24 hours:

• Sunday from about noon to 4:30pm I was in a house with a little girl who, later that night, admitted she had a sore throat, had woke up with a headache, and overall just didn't feel well.  They think it will probably end up being strep because it's going around her school.  I didn't have a ton of close contact with her, but a solid 10 minutes of her cuddling on my lap with me.
  
• This morning I drove the carpool of Bob and myself up from Elk River (20 minutes)... then about an hour and a half after we got to work Bob comes to me and says "I need you to take me back to Elk River, I just threw up in the bathroom".  I took him in my car back to Elk River (20 minutes), but gave him specific directions not to breath, cough, or touch ANYTHING.  Poor Bob, he sat in the passenger seat, hardly said a word, and had his head turned towards the window the entire time.
• Now, there is a guy here (at my work) who makes molds for us and I just over heard him say that he feels like crap, went home sick on Friday, slept all day Saturday, and is fighting hard to keep it away.  (really, away?  Sounds to me like it didn't stay away and you HAVE IT!)

Yep, I'm cranky... and I have every right to be.  I'm going out of town this weekend and being sick is the LAST thing I need!

I went to Walgreen's last night and bought some night time Airborne... I figured taking it once at night for a few days would be good enough just being possibly exposed to strep, being airborne boosts your immune system and that is exactly what I needed to do.  

After I dropped Bob off this morning I stopped and got some daytime airborne and I'm hoping my immune system will take this extra boost to fight off whatever he exposed me to!

Anyone have any other tips for how to avoid getting sick once you've been exposed?

random v.9.7

A few things I need you to know about me:

1. Every time I get out of the shower I find myself singing OutKast "So Fresh, So Clean".  Ain't nobody dope as me, I feel so fresh, so clean... so fresh and so clean clean  [yep, it's in your head now]
2. I learned this past weekend that my winter coat serves like 3 different purposes.  Well, that's not entirely true; I have a Columbia jacket and it has 2 layers that come apart.  There is fleece on the inside and it's like a windbreaker on the outside.  I've only ever used it as a winter coat, the 2 pieces put together... this year I've taken it apart and I'm wearing it as a spring jacket too!  I love it!  The fleece is light green and it not only matches my purse but it is nice to have a different look and still be warm!
3. I got my hairs cut last night.  I've gone with a slight angle, shorter in the back and a bit longer in the front.  I'll get a picture up soon.  I figure maybe a different style will help me like it better.
4. I've been tanning all winter, and I'm pretty sure it's helped my mood drastically.  Plus, I look SO much sexier with a tan!
5. A tip for you: when someone asks you to take a picture of them or a group, generally speaking, make sure you center them in the picture.  Meaning, don't have half their bodies cut off and the upper half of the picture be the sky or whatever is in the background.  It really makes for a better picture and they will be grateful, even if they don't know it.
6. Steve and I have kind of been on a guacamole tour as of late.  It's a lot of fun... we've ordered it at 4 restaurants in the past couple weeks and had the homemade stuff when I made the burgers.  It's quite interesting to see how different it can be at different places.  I wish I would have been taking pictures so I could have posted one big guacamole blog!  Oh well... 
7. I think it's time for me to take a nap.

Thoughts for Thursday - Eye Candy

eye candy

n. Informal

Someone or something that is visually attractive or pleasing to look at

In my life I have had several people who have been eye candy for me.  It's never Oh my God, I want to love him forever, but just a very casual Oh my God, I could look at him forever!  Hell [no surprise here], there are several women who are eye candy for me.

Last night I went to see my Chiropractor and ... well, he is most definitely eye candy for me; not only does he make me feel amazing, but he is amazing to look at!  He may be more than eye candy though, cause I could probably love him forever; that's a blog of a different color though.

So thinking back in my life I have now and have had lots of guys I just love to look at.  I remember going to Skywind shows with Erin and we'd both be all OMG, Wally is so hot!  Turns out there was more than eye candy sitting just behind him.  The point being he was something nice to look at, nothing more.
There is a server at B-dubs that I could just eat up!  Makes me really love walking into that place!

There may even be a few of you on my friends list [MS and FB] that are eye candy for me; male or female ;)
(Of course, there is also myself... mirrors are my best friend)
Also celebrities; there is lots of celebrity eye candy; Joe Mauer, Matt Damon, Channing Tatum, etc.

There used to be this one guy who was eye candy for almost my entire teenage life... then I grew up, found him, went on a date with him and destroyed my fantasy forever!  That's why it's best to keep it at eye candy and nothing more!
Matter of fact, I think I'll just keep updating this list as I think of more of my eye candy... I know there is a lot out there!

Today's TFT is wicked simple and involves very little thought from you, the reader.  Everyone can play along because everyone has eye candy!

-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Who is your eye candy aside from your SO... someone you just like to look at and really want nothing else from?!  Is there at a hottie at the grocery store?  Do you have a hot co-worker?  Maybe you run into someone at the gym?  Tell me about your celeb eye candy too!  It can be anyone... 

Other TFT's: Denise, Christie, 

Britney is GENIUS!

Ever since the first day I laid my sweet little eyes on Britney [Spears] and her sweet little package, I've been in love with her.  I haven't kept this a secret.
She hit a bump; I kept my interest.  She's recovered and I'm still interested.  As an example I received 3 copies of her newest CD for Christmas... it's no secret.  Embarrassing, yes, but no secret.

Now, being a little behind on the times... over this past weekend I was up North with my cousins and they asked me "Do you know what the song If You Seek Amy is about?"  I started guessing things like it being about a prostitute, about drugs... you know all the hidden meaning behind songs that I generally overlook because I either love or hate the particular song.
Finally I stopped guessing and they told me that If You Seek Amy phonetically spells out 'F-U-C-K Me' [eff you see kay me].  Those of you who have played Mad Gab should follow along easy.

There is no Amy, so stop seeking her.  A few lyrics will help you understand:
Love me hate me, say what you want about me
But all of the boys and all of the girls are begging to if you seek Amy
Love me hate me, but can't you see what I see?
All of the boys and all of the girls are begging to if you seek Amy

Now, replace If You Seek Amy with F-U-C-K Me.  The lyrics make no sense to say All of the boy and all of the girls are begging to if you seek Amy.

Another line:
Oh baby baby if you seek Amy tonight
Oh baby baby we'll do whatever you like

Helps the theory, doesn't it?

Now, the point here is not trying to fight whether the song is good or bad, because after learning this; it's fricken GREAT!
Even if you hate Brit... you have to admit that its pretty clever [even if she didn't think of it herself], it takes some balls to put yourself out there like that and chance getting your music cut from the radio. Seems some parents are trying to make that happen too.

Follow the link here to see the video.  I think there is a lot that can be read into the lyrics and the video... at the end of the video she puts on this fake image and appears to be dealing with some controversy with the poperattzi; of course it's intentional.  She knew what would come of this and I think she's saying Look, I can dress this way and portray the image parents think is right, but in the end All of the boy and all of the girls are [still] begging to if you seek Amy.  I think she's right.

Britney's back bitches.

Photo Scavenger Hunt - CHECK!

It's DONE!  I got my last photo this weekend and all are posted here.  Nicole has a voting poll here - I highly encourage you to take a look at some of the other entries; I haven't seen them all yet, but I've looked at quite a few and am quite impressed!  People from all over the world have entered... it makes it extremely exciting!

The poll is on her sidebar... vote for me, cause you know I'm the bomb!

In all honesty, I had so much fun doing this!  I'd gladly remove myself from the vote just for everything I've gained from doing it.

Photo Scavenger Hunt

So, Kristi posted about a Photo Scavenger Hunt and I went back and forth on whether or not I should play along... I've decided that I'd take the items on the list and give it a shot.  

All Photo's taken with Nikon D60

Here it is... FINISHED!


Please vote for me HERE - if you like what you see.  You can also check out all other entires at that link.



CLICK ON ANY PICTURE TO ENLARGE IT!!!!

1) local currency - $1, $2, $5, $10, $20 United States Dollars

2) local flag - Andover City Hall; Andover, MN (Andover, Minnesota, and United States Flag)

3) local food - General Mills, located in Minnesota

4) something rusty - Pieces of the [old] 35W Bridge 

5) local wildlife - Ducks walking around in Anoka, MN

6) local nature - looking out onto Little Rock Lake; Rice, MN

7) local stamp - Graffiti @ Intermedia Arts; Uptown, MN

8) part of your neighborhood - Coon Rapids Dam; Coon Rapids, MN

9) traditional house - Princeton, MN

10) a local person - Graffiti Covering

11) local weather - Snow; Andover, MN

12) local transportation - Car ride through the Lowry Hill Tunnel on I-94; Minneapolis, MN

13) traditional local clothing -  Winter In Minnesota

14) night sky - This was taken when it was pitch black to the naked eye.

15) sunrise - Princeton, MN

16) local product non food - Post-It Notes; 3M located in Minnesota

17) something furry - Tarantula, another of my dad's pets

18) something feathery - Jasper, my dad's bird

19) a sign of the season - Minnesota Parks In the Winter

20) a part of you - In a tanning bed

21) your main hobby - Photography... amongst many other things!

22) a local shop - The Round Barn in Andover, MN

23) a local restaurant - Serendipity is a local little gift shop/bakery/cafe in Andover, MN; delicious :)

24) a street sign - Andover, MN

25) a local mail box - Land of 10,000 Lakes, all full of fish; Rice, MN

Guacamole Burger

Another Burger Ang, really?!

Yeah, well the night was really supposed to just be about making homemade guacamole; turns out I have a friend who had never had it homemade.  Then, on the way home from work I gots to thinking Ang, you ain't got shit else at home to feed this person.  I added a few things to their grocery list and took my inspiration from a burger I had a few months back.  

My Guacamole consisted of:

• 4 Ripe Avocados [pitted, scooped, and mashed]
• 2 Roma Tomatoes [gutted and chopped]
• 1/4 Red Onion [chopped]
• 2 Garlic Cloves [smashed and minced]
• Juice from half a Lime
• Salt [to taste]

So, assuming you don't know how to make guac, basically you just take all that stuff and mix it together... wicked easy.

 Store it in the fridge while you prepare the burgers.

Moving on to the Burgers; you'll need:

• Meat [we used Ground Sirloin; you can use hamburger] formed into 1/4 lb. patties
• 1/4-1/2 Red Onion semi-chopped and fried to your liking
• Cheese [we used Provolone; again, use what you like]
• Guacamole [buy it if you're too lazy to make it]
• Buns

I cooked my burgers on the Foreman for 4-1/2 minutes, placed the cheese on top while they were still on the grill, turned the grill off and let them sit there for another 30 seconds or so.  Placed them on a bun, scooped some fried onion on top and plopped a couple nice sized scoops of guac on top of that, then the top bun.

Of course serve the rest of your guac with chips on the side of the burgers.

If you don't have a delicious meal sitting in front of you at this point, you've done something wrong; go back to the beginning and start over.

Twitter...

Okay yeah... so what?  I signed up for Twitter, after basically being forced into it; then quickly after, I realized I was forced into it so that I could figure it out and drop my knowledge on the forcer.  Follow?
Speaking of follow - Follow me here.


Not the point here people; Stay with me!


Renee actually sold me on the idea of Twitter as a way to direct more traffic to my blog.  I don't really want randoms following my blog, but I did just start to follow Joe Mauer, and if he were to take the time to read my blog... well, just maybe we'd fall in love after he realizes how amazing I am.  A girl can hope right?


UGH... stop distracting me!


I went on the Google and searched the exact phrase What is the point of twitter.  The results were endless.  I found this blog which helped me more than anything else I had read up to that point.  Really, go read it; it'll help you too; not only with Twitter, but with why blogging is better than email.
After reading the blog and still not fully getting why I signed up I thought well, let's see what this thing can do. So I started researching how to sync Twitter with Facebook - you have to install the Twitter app. on Facebook [which I was not crazy about doing as I try to avoid all apps.], then you just enter your Twitter login information and the next time you update your Twitter it will automatically update your Facebook status.  Score one for me; I found one use for it.  


Actually the first use was following Joe Mauer; 2 uses... How'm I doing so far Renee?


Moving on, I thought Well, maybe I want my status on my blog? - so I researched that, again, not really knowing if I wanted to have it on there... but what the heck, why not?!  I really have no idea how I did that other than searching the Google for syncing Twitter with blogger, following a link, clicking a button, and all of the sudden I'm sync'd.  
Speaking of Following - Follow me here.


Backup a paragraph... now that I have Twitter to update my status; why is Facebook even necessary?  Really, isn't the point of FB just the status and letting everyone know what you are doing all the time?  Kind of, but not really; I'll still use the book for photos and fun stuff like that... but I probably won't be logged in ALL THE TIME anymore.  Ahhh Hell, who am I kidding?  I'll still be on the bitch stalking all you fools, I just won't have to type my status a million times over


Wait a second... 


I was only typing my status into the book and occasionally into myspace [for a total of 2 sites]... so now I've just signed up for a site and spent way to much time researching how to sync, just to have my updates come from somewhere else, still updating only 2 sites?  
I guess I've added it to my blog, but did I care about that to begin with?


Ugh... I'm struggling here people.


So, the next step of Twitter is using it with your mobile phone, so fine.. I already log into the book to update my status.  Wouldn't it be easier to send a text to Twitter and have it done for me?  Sure it would, but I'm just not sure if that is really how it works.  I haven't signed up for that part yet and, in all honesty, I'm kind of scared to.  IF, by registering my cell, it only sends me updates of my friends... well, [sorry] I just don't care enough what you people do to need those things sent to my phone.


Ugh, Read Ang...


I just read some of the help section [turns out that is helpful]... you can send SMS texts to Twitter to update your status and/or receive updates from people you specify.  
I'll maybe add that another time... for now I still struggle with the point.


Here is the last thing [as I've been writing this blog for quite some time all while trying to learn the twit]: I don't get why someone who doesn't know me, would follow me.  There is no personal information on there, so I'm fine with it... but really?  
What's the point?  


Pretty sure that is the million dollar question....


anyone have anything to say?

Arby's Bacon Cheddar Roast Burger

So I just had to have it; I've seen the commercials, I heard the commercials... I couldn't take it anymore.  I stopped on my way home last night at Arby's to try a new Roast Burger.  I pull into the drive-thru window and was quite surprised by the fact that there is not only one roast burger, but THREE!!!  I opt for the Bacon Cheddar Roast Burger because it was the only one I could order with all the fixin's.  The All- American has mayo and mustard and the Bacon & Bleu has bleu cheese spread, and I didn't know if I wanted that for my first time.

The Bacon Cheddar Roast Burger has Roast Beef, pepper bacon, a slice of cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion.  It comes fully packed with 440 calories and comes packaged in a cute little box, much like McDonald's used to package the QP w/C and the Big Mac, and cost me a whole $3.49 here in Minnesota.

Looks pretty good, so I give in and bite down.  Tasty... definitely not a burger, but still kind of tastes similar.  I take a few more bites and decide it's pretty good.  I don't know that I'd write home about it, but maybe that is because I live at home?  I actually did it enjoy it quite a bit though... it was a nice change from a burger and I've always been a fan of Arby's and their Roast Beef, so it was a win for me.

There is a good chance I'd go back and try one of the other roast burgers... just minus the mayo, mustard, and I'd try the Bleu Burger... but probably last... Bleu cheese can be extremely overwhelming.

I'd suggest giving it a try if you're looking for something new... you probably won't be blown out of the water but you may find a new love.

'Food Review' Label

After posting this morning with a movie review it got me thinking... for quite some time I've logged onto Citysearch and wrote short little reviews every few months.  I often use the site to find places to eat around the cities, so I figure I should repay the favor.  I think it makes sense to post those here as well - so I've copied and pasted each review into my blog for you.
If you subscribe to the feed, you probably see a bunch of [old] posts by me, that is what they are.  If you do not have the feed, you can follow this link to my label "Food Review".  I've post dated them.  I called it Food and not Restaurant because I plan to review some store bought foods as well as restaurants.  This is not some extravagant review process, it's just my quick snippet on what I think of a place, their food, and/or their service.  If you want real reviews, check out Kristi's TCRB or citysearch itself.
On Citysearch, you are limited to a certain amount of space, so most of them are rather short... formatting is not an option on the site, so forgive that.

I've also created a label called "Product Review", which so far is only my review of Google Chrome.  Hopefully I'll get more added to that label in the near future.

Movie Review - The Watchmen

I'm generally pretty open to Sci-Fi; Superheroes, total destruction of a city, talking ducks, cities in space, etc. .. hell, I just finished watching all of the Star Wars movies by choice, so obviously I'm opened minded.



Where to even begin... Let me rewind back 2 hours and 43 minutes to the beginning of this movie.



The Watchmen, as best I could keep my eyes open, is about a society in the 1980's where costumed superheroes once walked the streets like you and I do today; now they have basically been forced into 'retirement'.  The movie begins with a murder of one of their own and goes on to show the investigation of said murder, by superheroes new and old.  As many past superheroes have wound up dead, Rorschach (one of the many masked superheroes) has a theory that someone wants them all dead.  During all of this it flashes in and out of some political stories as the USA is tracking the threat of nuclear war with the Soviet Union on a Doomsday Clock.  


Beyond all of that I'm not sure what else there is.  I hated this movie.  I walked into the theater completely crabby to begin with and left wanting to put a gun in my mouth!  The Watchmen never actually grabbed my attention; I was bored, antsy, and 100% underwhelmed.  Because this movie is based off a comic book I can see someone saying "but Ang, you've never read the comic, so you just don't get it"  Maybe true, I haven't, so maybe I don't.  That being said, I have never read Batman, Superman, X-Men, or any other comic book, and I love those movies!  I think the point is to tell the story so someone like myself, who hasn't read a line of the comic, can still watch and appreciate it, all the while keeping it real for those comic book nerds.  


The only 2 things that kept me going was a) Malin Akerman and 2) the fact that there were at least 2 hours [of a 2 hour and 43 minute movie] of blue penis of which I knew the 2 guys I was with would have something to say.  Jeff kept uttering afterwards something along the lines of If the dude has omni powers, he could at least make a loin cloth!  You'd have to see the movie to understand... but I wouldn't suggest it.  


$55.7 Million in it's first weekend has made The Watchmen the biggest film opening of 2009, keeping in mind it was the only new release this weekend and it cost $150 Million to make.  It still has a long way to go before they profit... hopefully everyone will read this blog and NOT go see it!


I'm just a girl sitting here in Minnesota; my opinion is just that, my opinion, but I will say that I went with 4 people to see this movie and none of us liked it.  Some of the most entertaining parts of being in the theater were: finishing a huge tub of popcorn between 2 of us, Jeff sucking on his Gatorade bottle and making obnoxious noises, and Jeff's phone falling out of his pocket and watching him try to find it.  We couldn't get out of the theater fast enough... did I mention it's almost 3 hours long?




Grade: D+ (would be an F if it weren't for the cute girl in it)
Warnings: Nudity, Violence, Sexual Content... and I don't recall if language was an issue or not.

Thoughts For Thursday - Buying Generic

After reading Dana's TFT last week about being thrifty and myself trying to find ways to cut some costs in my life... I've come to the conclusion that there are some things that you can't go cheap on.  From food to appliances to clothing.

There isn't really much to say about why other than the fact that cheap generally equals poor quality.  Some things are fine to buy generic... others, not so much.
I'd like to try and get a list going here of things you've found you cannot go cheap on; my input:

• Sheets
• Knives
• Cheese
• Chex Mix
• Imitation Crab Meat
• Plastic Wrap (Saran Wrap)
• Dish Soap
• Mt. Dew
• 
  

I'll add more as they come to me... I'm drawing a complete blank all of the sudden!

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My TFT for you today is: What things do you refuse to buy generic and why?

Other TFT's: Denise, Christie, ModernDayHW, 

Random v.9.6

I really only have a few short things to say here, so listen closely.

1.) If you've been paying attention you know that I've been trying to venture into the world of spice... slowly.  Last night I went to Esteban's in downtown Anoka with Steve to dive into yet another experience in spice.  Esteban's was a well established Mexican restaurant in Anoka for MANY MANY years, then closed for reasons unknown to me; they have now reopened in a new location just blocks from where they used to be.  In the past, sitting down at a Mexican restaurant for me would be a Margarita, chips, and fajitas minus the peppers - it was time to try something new! Steve ordered a shredded carne chimichanga and I told the waitress that I'd have the exact same.  The kicker here is what came on top of it - Queso Diablo Sauce... yikes!  My shit mouth was on fire... but I didn't hate it!  I ate the whole thing and enjoyed it much [except for the wicked fully belly afterwards].
Kristi, this would be a great place to review as I know you love Mexican food and they don't have a website up as of yet.  Cute little place too!

2.) Check out the progress I've made on the Scavenger Hunt... I'm closing in on my last few things and I'm pretty sure I have ideas for each of them!  I'm updating it almost daily and every other day at the very least... so keep checking; don't make me be a nag.  Exciting stuff here... I've neglected my blog while doing this, but it's okay, because I'm having so much fun doing this!  I can't wait to, hopefully, find another Hunt!
2.5.) Also check out my Daily Photo Blog - 365 Days of Hope; I've been updating that about every other day and I'm loving that I started it!

3.) Someone in the US ripped off our design for one of our motorcycle trailers at work... I will absolutely not link to their site because I don't want to advertise for them.  Pretty much our own fault, but do you have any idea how much it costs to get a product patent?!  It's crazy expensive... Here is a link to Matrix Motorcycle Trailers (Rover and Quest), in case you'd like to see them.  Pretty crappy though... they are making a fiberglass model, which is a lot less durable.  Our trailers are made of TPO, which is a blend of plastic and rubber, making them virtually indestructible.  Our cost is more, but sometimes you can't go cheap, if you want quality!  I wish that other company nothing but failure, you shouldn't steal other peoples hard work!  Phooey!

I'm out; Happy Hump Day!

Pesto Stuffed Burger

I can't take credit for this recipe, but I can take credit for my attempt to make it.  More than once I've done a Google search and ended up at a site called about.com.  I generally try to stay away from the site because I don't feel it's the most user friendly and sometimes doesn't have the best information on it.
As you may or may not be aware, I was house sitting all last week for my dad; he lives in Rice, MN which is about an hour from my house.  There was no quick trips home because I forgot something... I'm fortunate enough to have some amazing friends who came to stay with me a couple of the nights, turns out I'm kind of a scaredy cat when it comes to being alone in a strange house.  


One of the nights my friend Steve came up after work to stay the night; I couldn't let the guy go hungry, right?  My mouth was craving something new... something with pesto as a main focus.  Once upon a time I tried to make a Juicy Lucy (for those who don't know, a Juicy Lucy is a burger with cheese stuffed on the inside), they didn't turn out so well and I think I ended up eating a piece of bread or something instead.  I was ready to give a stuffed burger another try.

• 1 lb. lean ground beef
• 1/4 cup pesto
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• pinch pepper
• 1/4 cup pesto
• 4 thin slices Havarti cheese
• 4 English muffins, split
• 2 tablespoons butter

In medium bowl combine ground beef, 1/4 cup pesto, salt, and pepper and mix gently just until combined. Form into 8 thin patties. Divide 1/4 cup pesto between 4 of the patties and top with slices of cheese. Top with remaining thin patties and gently press sides to seal. Cook, 4-6" from medium coals, for 10-12 minutes, turning once, until thoroughly cooked (internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F). Or cook on a dual sided indoor grill for 6-7 minutes until thoroughly cooked. Spread butter on cut sides of English muffins and either toast on grill or in toaster oven. Serve burgers on muffins.

Recipe Found Here 

Using the same ingredients from above I followed the first couple steps... when putting the cheese and pesto inside, I had rather large slices of cheese so I quartered them and stacked them putting the pesto in between.  For cooking, my dad had a panini grill at his place that he told me he cooks meat on all the time, so I set the grill on Medium Heat, let it warm up and tossed those bad boys on there.  Now, the recipe calls for 6-7 minutes on a dual sided grill... I cooked them for 6 minutes and really wished I had done them for about 5 to 5-1/2 minutes.  Not only did the burgers explode all over the panini grill, but they were just overcooked imo; not so much that you couldn't eat them, but not so much on the juicy side.  Steve and I teamed up to attempt to re-stuff the burgers before all the cheese solidified on the press.  
We placed them on toasted wheat English muffins and enjoyed with a light Cesar Salad on the side and washed it all down with a nice glass of Cabernet.


I was convinced that there would be no ooze and, when making a stuffed burger, you expect ooze... You can imagine how excited I was at the first sign of ooze - it had to be documented and drank to:

There is a little bit of ooze there.. take note!
We clanked our glasses and continued to eat... all in all I think the flavor of these burgers is great, and I'm anxious to make them again, only cooking them for a bit less time.  I made 4 burgers and froze the other two for my dad and his wife to enjoy (such a nice daughter, huh?)... assuming he lets me know his thoughts, I'll pass them along to you all :)