The thirty-sixth day...

Yes, that is a Pac-Man hat :)

Yet another Comic Con treasure that I had to have. What can I say? I loved Pac-Man as a kid and decided it was adorable and, thus, a nostalgic necessity. I would have actually loved a matching Mrs. Pac-Man hat so that I could wear that one and bestow this gift on my man, but they didn't have one. Oh well, we'll just have to share :)

My man gave me a brilliant idea that, one day when work has stressed me out enough, I will probably do. He suggested that I carry the hat to work, put it on and just sit and my desk like nothing's up. I'm guessing that it would take about 2 (maybe 3) minutes for my boss to come to my office and say how cute she thinks it is while somehow simultaneously willing me to take it off and hide it in a drawer with her mind. I plan to put it on and call it my thinking cap if anyone asks why I'm wearing it - if I build up enough "courage" :)

So, how was everyone's Thursday? All I can say is Friday can't get here soon enough. Hurry up and get here please :) This week you not only bring the weekend, but also the long awaited Wolverine movie. I cannot wait! I just hope it lives up to the hype. Is anyone else planning on seeing it tomorrow night/this weekend?

Well, enjoy the rest of the night everyone :)

The thirty-fifth day...

Work kicked my butt today - hard. Result? I am thoroughly exhausted, and need to catch those precious zzzzs so I can give my all again tomorrow. But first, Lost and remembering a nursery rhyme/fairy tale...

Hey diddle diddle,

The cat and the fiddle,

The cow jumped over the moon,

The little dog laughed to see such a sport,

And the dish ran away with the spoon.

Have a great night everyone!

The thirty-fourth day...

It was hot - again. Tomorrow's weather calls for showers, but it should be noticably cooler. So, boo! for rain, but yea! for being much more comfortable while going to work.

On a completely different note, how much am I loving these V8 V-Fusion juices? I absolutely detest the taste of regular V8, but these V-Fusion ones are delicious.

My two favorite flavors: Strawberry Banana and Peach Mango

Anyway, I hope everyone had a great day and enjoys the rest of the night :)

Getting-to-know-you on a Tuesday

Moonjava, over at Moonjava’s Muse, has tagged me to do this 6 happy things list :)

First the rules:

1. Mention the person who nominated you (done and done √)

2. List six unimportant things that make you happy (though I don’t think that anything that makes someone happy can really be called unimportant, so I choose to strike that word from the rules :)

3. Tag six blogs, state the rules & notify them with a teeny comment on their blog (I'm going to have to break this last rule and not tag anyone this time as everyone that I think I would tag has already been tagged :)

My list:

(1) When a new movie that I’ve been looking forward to is released – you hear that Wolverine?

(2) Getting a seat on the bus/train – it just makes for a better and more comfortable commute, which makes for a happier me

(3) Going for walks and exploring an area

(4) Reading a good book

(5) Taking pictures – especially candid shots

(6) Spending time with my friends and loved ones doing whatever - making them smile and laugh is a bonus :)

As I said above, I'm not going to tag anyone this time, but if anyone does choose to do their own 6 happy things list please let me know so I can check it out :)

Enjoy the rest of the day everyone!

The thirty-third day...

Today was another really warm day.

I wish the heat level could stay right here. No. that's a lie. I actually I wish that it was a few degrees cooler with a nice cross breeze. That hazy, hot and humid summer weather and I just do not get along; and tomorrow is supposed to be even hotter :(


Thank goodness for air conditioning/central air. That, coupled with a glass of some ice-cold iced tea, are truly beautiful things :)

How did everyone else enjoy the day? Was it good weather all around?

Have a great night!

Some Flower Power

Just wanted to share some of the nice flower pics that I was able to take after the Festival :)

G'night again everybody :)

The thirty-second day...Silent Films & Live Music :)

Well, my man and I went to a Silent Film Festival this afternoon. It was the second one that I've ever been to (my man's first) and it was wonderful. I love silent film festivals, and I love them even more when they (1) come with live music and (2) only cost $5 a ticket. I'm more of a Buster Keaton fan than a Charlie Chaplin fan, but I really love watching them all.

Today's festival featured three films: High and Dizzy (starring Harold Lloyd), The Rink (starring Charlie Chaplin), and The Boat (starring Buster Keaton). The live music and vocals were provided by Donald Sosin and Joanna Seaton. If anyone is interested, you can find information about them on their website http://www.oldmoviemusic.com/.

It was a Tony the Tiger kind of great day. The weather was unbelievably lovely, my man and I saw three funny films and I got some nice pictures (see below :) How was everyone else's day?

My man and me :)

Have a great night everyone :)

The thirty-first day...

It was another gorgeous day here. It was even a little too hot for me; brilliantly sunny though. Beautiful as it was, I actually spent most of the day inside - lounging and catching up on my reading, paperwork, TV and Netflix.

Sis 1 came home for the weekend and we watched Blindness and are now watching RockNRolla (thanks Netflix) and enjoying cupcakes (thanks Crumbs). Blindness was beyond horrible. No stars out of five stars horrible. Julianne Moore's films have just been one miss after another. I'm not a big Guy Ritchie fan, but I'm really hoping that RockNRolla is better - though truthfully, it can't be worse.

Yes, I went to Crumbs again. As you can see, I claimed the Red Velvet cupcake on the lower left hand side by eating half of it :)

Have a great night everyone!

The thirtieth day...

It was GORGEOUS outside today; an abundance of sun with a light breeze :)

Now this is the kind of weather I love.

Thanks Mother Nature! Keep it coming :)

So, how was everyone else's Friday (weather-wise, work-wise, life-wise)?

Have a great night :)

The Friday 5

T.G.I.F. again everybody :)

I'm still feeling under the weather, but it's FRIDAY!!! Hello weekend :) So, in honor of the day, enjoy the Friday 5!

1) What’s the most annoying sound in the world?
The squeak of Styrofoam being pulled out of a box and fingernails scraping a chalkboard

2) Which of other people’s mannerisms do you find very annoying?
People who cough and sneeze without covering their noses/mouths, when people do continuous rapid-fire cracking of their knuckles, and when people touch/borrow my stuff without my permission

3) What do you do that really annoys others?
I can be indecisive at times...I think...maybe :)

4) In what way has your own behavior recently caused you annoyance?
Procrastinating and nail-biting - though these have been annoying me for a while

5) Who’s the most annoying person you know?
Yeah, I'm going to plead the 5th on that :)

Happy Friday everyone!

The twenty-ninth day...

So everyone, how was your day?

All I can say is thank goodness my workweek is over. Flexing takes it out of you, but I have to say that having the day off as a result is completely worth it. I didn't go out for that drink. Some of my co-workers went out to have drinks with some of our other co-workers who were directly affected by the downsizing; but I didn't end up leaving work until 8, and when I did my mental balancing of drinks vs. sleep, sleep won out. Easily. The combination of stress, fatigue, and an unwelcome, but oncoming cold made it a landslide victory.

Speaking of drinks, one of my best friends, K, who is currently calling Canada her home (at least for another month or so), is going to be here for the weekend and wants to get a group of together to go out for drinks tomorrow night. I'm hoping to go, but I already feel semi-sick. I haven't seen K since November though, so I'm really hoping a good night's sleep will knock it out of me.

And now for a horse of a different color...here are some random pics for the day :)

Scraggly trees :)

I just like the bottom sign :)

The shot's a little dark, but it does make today's beautiful sky more noticeable.

Have a great night everyone!

My doggy :)

A pic of my Maltese hun bun, T, at the request of Amy :)

Unfortunately, I don't have that many pics of him on this computer, so this one is an older one - and he just refused to face the camera. He had just come back from the groomer :)

G'Night again :)

The twenty-eighth day...It's been that kind of week

Why is it that when the crap hits the fan, all of it has to hit that fan at once? I received some more news at work today regarding shifts in my Department that are due to take effect by Monday. There are going to be some adjustments that have to made really quickly; AND, I have the projects of nightmares waiting for me on my desk. Seriously, it's like 4 different ones that all exploded at once. Crap. Someone turn off that stupid fan.

I'm just ridiculously grateful that I still have my job. Despite all the problem projects and silly everyday tensions, I really love it there. This week though, has been a mess so far. I may have to plan a little trip with some co-workers after work tomorrow.

I have two places in mind so far...

or

Or maybe I'll just come home and sleeeeeeeeeeeep :) Who knows.

So, how's the week going for all of you?

Have a great night everyone!

Getting-to-know-you on a Wednesday

It’s Wednesday everyone. That means that the workweek is half over – well more than half for me, as I have Friday off. Yea!

So, I have been tagged by both Haley Dawn at Cape Cod Love and jeanette at Cooler Ranch or Nacho Cheese? to do this ‘8 things’ list :) Enjoy!

Eight things I look forward to:
1) My upcoming three day weekend
2) The Silent Film event this weekend
3) My sisters coming home for the summer
4) Hopefully getting to take a mini-vacation somewhere this summer
5) My tax refund
6) Quite a few of the movies coming out this year
7) Getting more blog followers (anyone wanna help me with this one?) – I’m all for this one too jeanette :)
8) Finding even more interesting blogs to read and follow

Eight things I did yesterday:
1) Went to work
2) Went for a walk
3) Took some pictures
4) Confirm the date and my tickets for the Silent Film event this weekend
5) Watched The Mentalist
6) Watched Fringe
7) Ate a delicious turkey club sandwich
8) Posted to my blog/caught up on the blogs that I follow

Eight things I wish I could do:
1) Win the Lotto/Mega Millions jackpot
2) Be fluent in at least 3 languages
3) Buy/build my dream home
4) Sing or play an instrument really well
5) Go dancing at least once a week
6) Stop time (a la Piper Halliwell)
7) Watch the Wolverine movie, multiple times, right now :)
8) Travel at least 4 times a year

Eight shows I watch:
1) Heroes
2) How I Met Your Mother
3) Law & Order: SVU
4) Lost
5) Stargate SG1
6) Doctor Who
7) Torchwood
8) So You Think You Can Dance

Eight people who should do this!
1) Moonjava @ Moonjava's Muse
2) Snarkier Than You @ Twitarded
3) Amy @ wAxyhearts
4) Maisy Rocks @ mysocalledlife
5) Novelista Barista @ The Novelista Barista
6) kate @ PaperTrail
7) kimmiekat @ Dare to Discipline
8) One Bride with Broom @ One Bride, One Groom, and a Broom

If anyone does this list on their own blog - even if I didn't tag you - let me know so I can stop by and check it out :)

Enjoy the rest of the night!

Just a quick word to say

(1) Happy Earth Day Everyone!

Go reduce, reuse and recycle something :) If you want to check out what's going on at Grand Central, you can go here: http://www.earthdayny.org/;

and

(2) Happy Administrative Professional's Day to all the Admin. Professional's out there :)

Stay dry and have a great Hump Day everyone. The work week is halfway done!

The twenty-seventh day...

Well, today was a sad, frustrating, stress and tension filled day at work (to be read lay-offs of some of my co-workers and friends, and pestering phone calls regarding problem-filled projects).
I was able to get out and walk around for a bit at lunch time though. P and I just had to take a walk. The air was filled with too much tension in the office. As soon as we got outside, we each called our respective boyfriends. P wanted to tell her honey, L, about what had happened so far and how she was feeling. I just wanted to hear my man's voice. He has one of those calming and soothing voices, and always knows just what to say to make the day better. I needed some of that soothing calmness this afternoon.

Well, at least today wasn't as rain-filled as yesterday. I managed to snap a few shots on the way back to the office. I love when the tops of the skyscrapers disappear into the fog. It reminds me of Jack and the Beanstalk :) Yes, I absolutely love fairy tales. Always have.

On the way back P decided she need comfort food of the McDonald's kind; and I had to get a picture of their condiment policy poster. In what world should McD's be charging 20 cents for extra nugget sauce. Just give customers the extra sauce. I only say this because I love eating their sweet & sour sauce on my fries, but rarely actually buy the McNuggets :)

Have a great night everyone :)

The twenty-sixth day...It's Raining, It's Pouring

Well, it's another dreary and rainy day in the neighborhood. When I was leaving work the rain was blowing sideways. My jeans were completely soaked before I had even gone two blocks. At least my umbrella didn't flip inside out like one of the guys who was walking in front of me. Needless to say, it was a long, wet journey home, made even longer by the fact that everyone on the train was wet and uncomfortable.

Mother Nature, I know that all the gorgeous May flowers need all these drenching April showers; but, quite honestly, May's flowers bring bees and I hate bees so, could April choose to shower a little less please? Thanks in advance.

Enjoy the rest of the night everyone :)

Wonky comments

Something is wonky with comments today so, sorry if I've left a duplicate or partial comment on anyone's page :(

Getting-to-know-you on a Monday

Happy Monday everyone :)

Moonjava, over at Moonjava’s Muse, gave me a nifty award! Thanks Moonjava :) and as she said that the only requirements for the award are spreading some online friendship I would like to tag/award all of the lovely people who choose to follow my blog (i.e. kimmiekat, wany, Karie, Renée, Krystal, Haley Dawn, shansPLC, My Wooden Heart, Kim B, jeanette, One Bride with Broom, Novelista Barista, kate, Snarkier Than You, Maisy Daisy, Amy, Anna and, of course Moonjava).

Thanks to all of you for being amazing :)

I also found this questionnaire on Moonjava’s blog :) I think it’s pretty interesting, so I decided to do it. The instructions are simple – just bold the things that you’ve done:

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyworld/Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you were not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been laid off from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Enjoy the rest of the day everyone; and if anyone else chooses to fill out this questionnaire, leave a comment letting me know and I'll check it out :)

The twenty-fifth day...

My man and I headed out to the movies again this weekend :) We ended up pulling a double (again). We saw Dragonball Evolution and Monsters vs. Aliens in 3D.

I only loosely followed the Dragonball/Dragonball Z comics, cartoon, etc. so I have to say that I enjoyed the movie. I have to follow that up with saying that my man and I had also gone to see Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li when it came out and as completely god-awful as that travesty was, I had only the lowest expectations for this film. I mean, there were some sites that gave it half a star out of five. But, as I said, I enjoyed it. My man is a huge fan and, as such, he absolutely hated it. Not knowing the back story though, I was able to take it for what it was - a half ass attempt at bringing Dragonball to the big screen with some cheap laughs and some really nice special effects. And the movie also had the added bonuses of:

1) James Marsters (even though he was covered in green makeup and barely recognizable, he's still awesome);

2) Chow Yun-Fat (or rather Yun-Fat Chow, who is great); and

3) Justin Chatwin (who may have been a less than perfect choice for the role of Goku, has been adorable in quite a few films).

Monsters vs. Aliens was really good (my favorite character was BOB - of course :) I didn't enjoy it as much as Wall-E, but I did really like it; and I have to say that 3D technology has come a looong way since I was a kid. Goodbye red and blue lenses in a flimsy paper frame, and hello sturdy pair of actual glasses, and amazing effects. The fact that the 3D tickets were $14 a piece smarts a bit, but it's not like I'm planning on seeing 3D movies every day. I had to ask the cashier about the price tag though. I also asked him whether I would have to pay the trumped up price for my next 3D movie if I brought my own glasses. His response was that the price would be the same as the customer is paying for the privilege of seeing the film in 3D - the glasses are included in the price. Well, thanks for clearing that up. And thanks for bestowing that privilege on the viewing public Dreamworks :)

And now for today's picture...

I took this of the Train of Thought poster on the bus. I love looking up and seeing these posters on the buses and trains throughout the city. I love the quote listed on this sign, but I've been seeing the same quote for quite a while. I can't wait to see who they quote next.

How many goodly creatures are there here!

How beauteous mankind is!

O brave new world,

That has such people in't!

William Shakespeare (The Tempest, 5. 1)

Enjoy what's left of the weekend everyone :)

The twenty-fourth day...

Happy Saturday everyone :)

The weather is getting nicer by the day - of course now that I've said that, watch it start raining. It really was gorgeous today though. A little warm for my liking, but still.

Anyway, back in February my man and I attended New York Comic Con. It was a ridiculous amount of fun. I mean, it's not everyday that you get to meet Lou Ferrigno :) I just ran across some of the comic and graphic novels that we bought/received free and it reminded me of the event. I got this Emily the Strange hat there too.

I'm not the biggest Emily the Strange fan, but I do like the pattern on the hat :)

Speaking of comics, how excited am I getting about the X-Men Origins: Wolverine movie? So many people are saying how they've already seen it - via any number of methods - but I am waiting for it to come out on the first. It's the kind of movie that I prefer to experience on the big screen, with surround sound.

So, is anyone else but me saying that it's about time and looking forward to finally seeing Gambit incorporated into a big-screen X-men storyline?

Have a great night everyone :)

The twenty-third day...Tourist in the City

Work was difficult today. Three more problem ridden projects reared their heads - two of which also decided to push up their deadlines. Uggghhhh!!! I have quite a long workweek ahead of me next week. But it's the weekend, so no more worrying about work for now.

The day wasn't all problem ridden. In the course of running some lunch time errands (it was BEAUTIFUL outside today), I decided to play tourist - as I often do :) It was great. I love people watching and taking pictures of everything. I love that no matter how many pictures are taken of the same street or building, they can always look different and fresh with a change in angles, lighting, etc. Below are a few that I snapped today.

The Chrysler Building

Grand Central

Grand Central (again)

The MetLife Building

So again, TGIF everyone :) How was everyone else's Friday?

Enjoy the rest of the night!

The Friday 5

Well everyone, it’s Friday. Oh happy day! The weekend is here again – or at least it will be, for me, in about 9 hours :)

Anyway, enjoy the Friday 5!

1. When did you last sleep in a tent?
When I was about 12 – and the tent was pitched in my backyard.

2. What comes to mind when you think about relieving yourself in the great outdoors?
I’ll take the modern conveniences over ducking behind a tree any day.

3. Where’s the best place you ever went camping?
My backyard :)

4. What’s your favorite camp food?
I was in my backyard, so I just went inside the house to eat :)

5. What’s your sleeping bag like?
Royal blue and warm.

TGIF everyone!

The twenty-second day...(a little belated)

I didn't intend for this message to be belated, but I was beyond exhausted yesterday and fell asleep as soon as I got home, which thanks to my flexing, was almost 9:30. I had Monday off though, so I can't complain too much; and I'm still going to count this pic as one for Thursday :)

The picture above is of the statue/fountain in the small plaza near my job. The plaza is a nice space to enjoy lunch or just to sit and people watch, etc. There's no smoking allowed within the little plaza area, so I try to walk through there as often as I can and grab a breath of fresh air - fresh as city air can be anyway - on my way to work. Hopefully they'll get the fountain running again soon now that the weather is heating up again.

Well...have a great day everyone :)

The twenty-first day...Strawberry Shortcake and other tales from my childhood

Sometimes (okay, often) when I'm going through my stuff, I am amazed that I still have some of the items that I do. Case in point, my old (and I mean OLD) Strawberry Shortcake Berry-Go-Round Color Matching Carousel Game :)

I received this game when I was about 2 or 3 years old - cue flashback sequence here - and it was one of my absolute favorites. The box is literally crumbling, but I am proud to say that it has all the pieces, etc. Yes, I'm a board game geek, and I freely admit it :)

Anyway, the game was mixed in with a box of other board games and was found when my family was moving. There are quite a few old boardgames in that box actually. Some of them that I clearly remember loving, and some that I clearly remember not liking and never playing including these two:

(1) Streetwise

Yes, those are hubcap shaped playing pieces

(2) Smarts

I just remember looking at these games as a kid and thinking about how much fun they didn't look - to me at least. Maybe there are leagues of Streetwise and Smarts fans out there; but none of them lived in my house.

Enjoy the rest of the night everyone :)