Why Encourage Your Competition?

Because one day they could be your companion, compadre, or company.  Besides, you more than likely made them your competition when the only valid competitor you should have would be yourself.  (Only words to ponder.)

The Carnival Valor awaits.  My restless spirit awaits the set sail.  Soon.

Ciao Y'all

Forever Changed

Have you ever seen something you didn't want to see and your life was forever changed?

Me too...

Have you ever been told something you didn't want to hear and your life was forever changed?

Me too...

Have you ever said something you didn't want to say and your life was forever changed?

Me too...

Therefore see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil, and remember life will forever change if you live it, but God's love is unchanging.

Ciao Y'all

"Waaaiiit for it"

Probably the funniest line and deliverance of the year from Disney Pixar's BOLT!  The pigeon banter.  Go see the pigeon banter!

Okay, I must admit I was not enthused about getting in line - albeit the line was short and those who waited in that line for about 15 minutes were the only ones who attended the 4:40 show.  I was even kind of fine with going to, the concessions stand to get popcorn, nachos, candy, and drink for my entourage, hoping maybe I would miss some of the movie.  Luckily I did make it back into my semi-worn-out stadium seat before the opening scene when a little girl (voice of Miley Cyrus) picks out a doggy in the window and names him BOLT (voice of John Travolta).

Truly Disney, as I thought about Woody's laughable line to Buzz Lightyear -- "You are a toy!", with a keep you watching story line.  The second act may have stayed a bit longer than needed but the (sometimes difficult to keep together) third act was clean and on point in that it wasn't anti-climatic, and offered a maybe predictable but a smart resolution.  But all in all I loved the pigeons!

The line for TWILIGHT - which also opened this weekend - was four times as long and outside of seeing this dismal rated pic for myself, I was pleased with the cinema bucks spent.

Ciao Y'all.

(Photo still courtesy of Disney Pictures November 2008 IMDB)

Dropping Gas Prices

$2.19 a gallon in Santa Clarita, California!  How cool is that?!  Way cool!

How much is it in your neck of the woods?

Blog back.

Ciao Y'all

Follow the dropping prices:

November 22, 2008 in Santa Clarita -- $2.09, but in Venice, California -- $1.99

November 23, 2009 in Logansville, GA (Thank you Auntie) -- $1.59

November 23, 2009 in Huntintown, MD (Thank you Mama) -- $1.69

How low can they go!  Keep letting me know!

Gregorysm's

This didn't phase me when he said it, but now I wonder what exactly was going on to spark this comment ...

"When did people in California lose all of their class?"

Then there was last night when - after spending about an hour in the bathroom - he walked in the family room and asked...

"Am I pulling off an I don't give a damn look?"

Does his melancholy demeanor signify anything in particular?  Maybe, but it's all gregorysm.

Ciao Y'all!

"I don't think the dead care about vengeance..."

...a cool response to M's questioning of Bond's passion behind his latest mission in Quantum of Solace.

As I made my way to the stadium seating theater, I watched and listened as two twenty-something women chatted about this new James Bond film.  Neither understood the title but they were both in agreement about seeing the immortalization of the handsome Daniel Craig. 

O.K., maybe they phrased it more like this:

WOMAN 1:  What's up with the title?  Do you know what it means?

WOMAN 2:  No... but he's really hot and carries a big gun!

They laugh.

Must have been some kind of inside joke.  Whatever.  Despite the title, this movie raked in $67,528,882 opening week in the US.  Although I have never myself been a "Bond" girl -- I mean fan, I believe this movie rocked with explosive action and a dynamic cast that carried a weighted "so what" plot.  The inconsistencies of the final cut are worth the price of the ticket.   

You avid Bond followers don't have to be convinced to go see this newest installment, but for everyone else, I recommend you rent Casino Royale so you won't be lost in translation and you get another opportunity to ogle the swagger of Mr. Craig.

Ciao Y'all!

Movie still courtesy of MGM/Sony Pictures found on IMDB.

Do As I've Learned

Have you ever tried to move the forces of government?  The bureaucracy that keeps this country flowing is the same bs that keeps us at a stand still.  I have experienced the military's finest of late.  Dealing with JAG.  Hoping that the television show was much better but probably not.  For six weeks I have played a progressively aggravating game of phone tag with a LCDR who promised to assist me in the beginning but shortly after that promise became very hard to extremely difficult, to get in touch with about my predicament.

Once told and believed, the toughest job in the navy was being a navy wife, I find that after 19 years of marriage I can't seem to claim my due from the government.  They have these deadlines that no one makes readily available to you and when you miss them they question your sanity.  Long story short and without getting on the pity me party wagon, I think the opportunity here is to write a tell all book that could help other former spouses of the military to not have to suffer the same fate.  Title -- Do As I've Learned.

Monday morning.

Ciao Y'all!

Ever Wish Your Initials Were AIG?

It seems that company, amongst a short list of others is getting rewarded for bad business decisions.  The worse part is they hosted another extravagant celebration for their great fortune of finagling tax-payer money and did not invite all the tax-payers.  Not cool.

But...

Change has come and God is good.

Many blessings to you.

Ciao Y'all!

"That is so unfair"

The agonizing look on her face and the words "that is so unfair" spewed by Kym, when in the middle of a heated family discussion - her older sister, Rachel announces she's having a baby - is the picture that paints a thousand words in this beautiful film.  The realism of Anne Hathaway's selfish and self-centered co-dependent character in "Rachel Getting Married" is bravely and remarkably written by Jenny Lumet.  Nice job all around.  

I had a frustrated loathing for Kym as I sat and watched this drama, a real family drama centered around a multi-cultural wedding celebration on the heals of Kym's latest release from rehab.  A whole family full of suffering from one person's addiction to narcotics and the like.  As open to family meetings as they were, this family still suffered gravely from the unspoken.  The tragedy that held Kym hostage was also the tragedy that broke a family and yet led to their interdependence on each other and for each other.  

A sad, ugly, joyous, beautiful time, and yes, Rachel did get married.  I would bet my season ticket in the Dodgers dugout that this film is definitely Oscar worthy.  Okay -- maybe I don't have a dugout seat, but this flick is a winner.

Ciao Y'all.

"Rachel Getting Married" movie still courtesy of IMDB 2008.

Gregorysm's

Upon receiving his first summons to jury duty, Gregory noted sternly...

"Damn it!  I knew I shouldn't have registered to vote!"

Yet another hump day and all is well.

Ciao Y'all

No Chance to Blog

This past week has finally come to a whoa down.  A slow down that you have to stop yourself or continue on the same path.  Just back from "Fashion Week" in Scottsdale Arizona and the consensus from that weekend is -- EVERYONE IS BROKE!!!  In a very stingy sea of vendors I witnessed a mere pittance of sales transactions, or nobody was sellin' nothin', cuz nobody was buyin' nothin'. 

But...

I have hopes for a brighter day.  I'm taking my sensual apparel line next year.  Hello World -- Are you ready for L'amore?  

Ciao Y'all.

"THAT ONE"

I VOTED FOR "THAT ONE"!!

KUDOS to you - everyone who celebrates this historic time!  

YOU ROCK!

WOW!

Ciao Y'all!

Photo courtesy of "Obama scrap book" 2008.

VOTE!

Tomorrow is Today!

VOTE as defined by the Urban Dictionary:

The best way you have of voicing your opinion in a way that can matter.  Nothing's perfect, and there's always going to be mistakes, but there is simply no excuse for not casting a ballot for what you believe in.  Take the time to understand the issues and then take the time to vote.  Don't let people who aren't going to be around four years from now decide your future.  Complaining without voting is worse than any hanging chad.  

and might I add...Pit the Bull

Don't let your litmus test be based on one subjective view that's ultimately an excuse.  Weigh all the issues and seek discernment, then remember when it's all said and done, and all the votes have been tallied... God ordains leaders, and they are to be prayed for.

Ciao Y'all.

The Day Before Tomorrow

Does anyone really know the fate of our nation?  Will the next four years be any better than the last four years?  

What I pray is that tomorrow this nation is richly blessed with the right leader for this time.

See I talked about politics and religion in one blog!  Way Cool!

Get out and let your voice be heard.  VOTE!

Ciao Y'all!

PS: This link was added out of courtesy and respect for the person who requested I add it to my blog.  Please take time to click on it and read it, and if all you can do is pray than that's a lot.

NOVEMBER's HERE!!!

Finally, finally, finally!  No more months, or weeks, only days to wait for this election year to be behind us!  Thank God!

Mark your sample ballots now and get to the polls on the 4th -- if you can't vote early -- and VOTE!  Don't forget the voting rule:  no candidate ads can be displayed/worn within 100 feet of the polls.

Pit the Bull!

Ciao Y'all