Date Night

Friday night is traditionally date night and tonight I had a date. Kind of. I went to dinner and a movie with Scott and his wife, my friend from school, Dina. So my date wasn't romantic, that's fine, I had a really good time. After finally deciding where we'd go to dinner (seriously took us a long time) I met Dina and Scott at Me 'n Ed's Pizza over at The Marketplace. Ok, so when we were deciding we kind of were not thinking about how it's Friday night and all the teens hang out at The Marketplace...seriously, not exaggerating, all of them. Oh well.

After a few loops up and down the parking lot, we finally found spaces and went to dinner. I hadn't met Scott before but had heard a lot about him so it was nice to finally have a face to go with the name and stories. We all chatted quite a bit and did a lot of laughing. It was pretty warm in the pizzeria so we decided to continue our conversation outside. Not quite sure why since it's been really hot during the day. Guess we thought it would have cooled down more by 8:30. It hadn't. This fact, and that we had nothing else we had to do that night, lead to the decision to go to a movie. After all, we were standing in front of the theater. So the next big decision of the night was made: go see Night at the Museum 2, or Up? They both started at the same time so we only had to decide which promising film we were in the mood for. Now I know what you're thinking, how ever did they decide on a movie if they couldn't decide what they wanted to eat? Easy. Up was being shown in 3-D!!



Sure we had to pay an extra $3.50 for the 3-D glasses, but to see this movie in 3-D it's totally worth it. Plus I got a student discount so that helped. It's a good thing that I turned in my recyclables for cash Thursday because that money went straight to the movie. This was my first 3-D movie and I can't believe they aren't doing more movies in 3-D considering the new technology for it. The glasses don't look silly (they look just like Ray Bans) and you can still easily watch the film without them. The details and quality of the effect were outstanding. I vote for more 3-D, especially since I kept my glasses so I won't have to buy additional pairs.

As I'm sure you know, Pixar movies had a short film immediately before the feature presentation starts and this one was very cool. Don't worry, I won't give anything away. Consider this a non-spoiler alert, everything here is safe to read. Once the movie started we knew we were in for a treat. I hope to see it a second time (even in regular old 2-D) because I missed quite a few lines because everyone in the theater was laughing so hard, plus the movie was just that good.



My only complaint is regarding fellow movie-goers. Don't take your young kids to a 9:40 showing. Especially when you have to give them soda to stay awake long enough to see the film. That just makes them squirmy and more likely to behave like a parrot. I heard that line already, I don't need to hear it 20 more times thanks. I know, I am such a grump. Ha.

Tomorrow I'm going to a party at Dina and Scott's place. It's Scott's birthday and they are having a BBQ/pool party to celebrate so I'll be spending my afternoon hanging out by the pool. Don't worry, I'll wear sunscreen.
Loves.

I Want I Want I Want!

I just got an email from Ticketmaster letting me know that "one of my favorites is coming to a venue near me." I normally just delete their emails but decided I'd open it to see if it's anyone I care about. Turns out it totally is!

The Killers will be at the Santa Barbara Bowl September 13th and tickets go on sale starting this Friday. I was lucky enough to see them at UCSB when they were touring for their album Sam's Town. The show sold out as soon as the tickets went on sale and it took a lot of hard work to track down tickets (finally finding some a week before the show). It was totally worth it though because they put on a great show once they hit the stage. I am not even going to get into one of the opening acts...ugh.



As excited as I am at the fact that The Killers are going to be at a venue I could go to, I am bummed that I probably won't get to go. I would be able to attend the show in regards to when it is, but buying a ticket just is not something that I can afford to do right now. I just commented to Dad the other day that since I've moved out here to a place with a large enough venue to get good shows, I have not attended any. I missed my favorite comedian ever, Gabriel Iglesies, Jeff Dunham, and most recently, No Doubt. Now I'll miss another. I miss the size of my paychecks from the bank. Oh well, there is always next tour.
Loves.

Memorial Day Contest

At work we had a contest over Memorial Day weekend to reward our efforts in making sure that we were creating the best customer experience for our shoppers. Each day was a new opportunity to get our name entered into a drawing to win one of three prizes, a new foaming body wash of our choice. Now I try to do my best everyday so earning an entry into this contest would be a bonus. Of course I wanted to earn an entry (or three) but that was not the deciding factor of how I was going to behave at work.



This morning when I called work to check if they were using my call-in shift I was informed that my name was drawn as one of the three winners! Totally made me not care that they were not going to use my call-in. Excited to pick up my prize and it will totally be the Coconut Lime Verbena.
Loves.

Lies I Tell You

I'm going to tell you a secret: sometimes my blog lies. For example, you may have noticed in the past that blog updates have posted around ten in the morning. That's a lie. I'm not on the computer that early in the day. Heck, most of the time I'm not even up yet! Shortly after, sure, but if I get up "early" then I'm going to work or adjusting an AM with light while reclining on the couch. Now don't worry, those are still written by me (as if anyone else could ramble with my style), I just write them 24-48 hours earlier and tell my blog when to post them. It's my method for trying to give you regular(ish) updates and spare you from essays. I'll break up my thoughts into a few different posts and then post them every few days. So when you look back at some of my close together entries just be thankful that I do that and spare you from reading all those ridiculous words in one humongo post.

Loves.

P.S. I wrote this at 11:41PM and decided to post it at 9:41AM for giggles. You all now know I delay posted this one!

A Complex Within The Complex

I like where I live. My apartment is cute, I still love it as much as when I first moved here. And honestly, I'm fairly surprised that it's as quiet here as it is. I know that some fellow Roadrunners live here because they've followed me to campus and visa versa a few times but people tend to really follow the "quiet time" rule. According to the "renter handbook" we're expected to lower volumes to neighbor friendly levels at 10pm. And it's funny how on a Friday night any music that has escaped on the wind will suddenly stop at 9:59pm. After that the main noises that'll be heard are people softly chatting while walking to or from their car.

Until about 2am that is. That's when one of my neighbors (I'm not sure who yet but I plan to find out and take action) gets home from work/kazoo practice/drive-thru duty/clubbing/whatever and feels the need to satisfy his complex of locking his car with the fob thingy. Now, I'm a big fan of the fob thingy with the cool buttons that make your car obey you from up to 50 feet away (I have the power!) but sometimes the old fashion buttons on the car door are pretty dandy too. Like, for instance, when you are parked by someone's bedroom window at 2am and your car fob thingy causes your car to not only lock your doors but to also flash its lights and honk! Now that, my friend, is not cool. Especially not cool when you can't remember 30 seconds ago and re-fob-lock just to make sure that everyone hears the car honk a second time.

Maybe I'll post this sign...



...along with a box for him to deposit my cash into. Next to a tip jar for putting up with him for this long. I think it's fair.
Loves.

Look Out Below!

Sometimes I am afraid that my upstairs neighbor is going to drop a heavy object one too many times and it's going to come crashing down on my head. I really hope that there is a lot of buffer between her falling hammer and my side of the ceiling. The noise alone can be especially startling when it's been fairly quiet up above. I guess I'll take the occasional THUD to the noise made when she's training elephants to dance. Some may say that it's simply a dog running across the apartment but I am pretty sure they're working on the quickstep or lindy hop.



Loves.

Farmer's Tan Not Desired

I had a moment of shock the other day when the temperature started to hover around the high eighties. I went to get dressed and noticed that I have very few tank tops. Didn't I realize that I was moving to a city that is hot more often than it is rainy in Seattle? How could I not have done a wardrobe inventory before I got to spring and summer?

As a result I have been eying sale prices on tank tops and am slowly acquiring summer wear. Hopefully by fall I'll be ready. Otherwise I'm living in my bathing suit at the pool.


Loves.

Biking In The Redwoods

The new rec center at school has finally opened. When I registered and applied to CSUB the rec center was scheduled to open early fall 2008. Then it rained so they pushed it back to January. Then in January it was obvious that it still was not finished, yet there was no new grand opening date set. So we all waited and did a little grumbling. I am sure that you can imagine how excited the campus was when the doors were officially opened April 30th.

I didn't get over for the grand opening but I was there a few days after. The only reason to have gone to the grand opening would have been for the free smoothie samples. But by waiting to go over I was not having to hunt for a free machine or be a work-out model for those touring the facilities.

The rec center is wonderful and I can forgive the delay in opening because of that. When you first walk in you are greeted by the rock walls. There is one giant one and two curved ones. There are also three indoor basketball courts with a suspended three lane track circling above them. There are a ton of cardio machines that have plug ins to listen to one of the many tvs on the tv tower. Very cool!

My current favorite feature is the stationary bikes because they are a step above your typical bike machine. These have tv screens that show the trail or path that you are biking and handlebars to steer. I am able to bike 2 miles through the redwoods with the benefit of air conditioning.



I am hoping to try out one of the many classes they offer sometime this week. Maybe bellydancing.
Loves.

I Have A Garden

I decided that if I am going to be hanging out on my patio it should be pretty. That and I was tired of looking out my window to nothing. To remedy this outdoor blandness I went to Target and Wal*Mart to get supplies. Here is what I created on my day off this week. Actually, I created a mess as well but decided to clean that up before the photos.


Yep, that is Shasta's old water bowl.




I find sitting out on my patio in my lawn chair to read much more appealing now. Even on hot days I get the shade and breeze to keep it from being too warm to enjoy being outside. The other day I spend nearly my entire afternoon out there lost in my book.
Loves.

Chickens & Kool-Aid

Last Wednesday my social psychology class participated in a flashmob. A flashmob is a large group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual action for a brief time, then quickly disperse. For our flashmob we walked down to the Marketplace (where my Vons is) and at exactly 3:30 we all walked around the fountain twice while clucking and flapping our "wings" like chickens. After our second lap we all layed eggs then dispersed. It was so silly and fun that I kept giggling the entire time. It's surprisingly easy to cluck while giggling. When we got to the Marketplace there were some kids playing around the fountain while their moms watched from a few benches in the shade. When we started our chicken act the moms kind of got worried and I could hear them calling over their kids, "come stand by mommy!"

I was one of the first few people to start the flashmob and once more of the class got going as chickens the moms seemed less concerned and more confused as to why we were acting like chickens. The older kids were looking at us like we lost our minds and the younger kids we entertained by our actions. About halfway through our first lap a guy who was having lunch with his buddies jumped over a hedge to join in with us. He joined in at the end of one of the two mini-congaish lines and was so into it that I lost control of my giggles. He was doing a chicken head bob and flapping in the most exaggerated way. We all were talking about it afterwards, he totally rocked. After we layed our eggs we dispersed and I happened to walk by where the kids were standing and I heard one of the younger ones say to her friend, "I wonder why they weren't cows..." As if the flashmob hadn't been funny enough already.

I am hoping to get some video or photos because I sadly forgot to grab my camera and left it on the back of the couch. Here is a flashmob that was performed in London that also has a chicken theme.



When school was over for me I was approached by two 13ish year old boys just as I was leaving the building. They asked me if I would be willing to participating in a quick survey about spirituality. I wasn't in a hurry to get home so I agreed though I soon wished that I hadn't. Turns out that it wasn't quick, wasn't a real survey, and wasn't about spirituality. It was about Religion.

Them, first question: What's your religion?
Me: I consider myself spiritual, not religious.
Them: So you believe in God then?
Me: Um, (wondering how I said anything about God in those 6 words) I believe that there is some sort of higher being.
Them: Who is Jesus?
Me: Well according to what I learned growing up...[enter cliff notes version of Jesus here] (I so wanted to say he's some kid I went to High School with, not sure what he's up to now though)
...Here's where it gets fun...
Them: Are you a sinner?
Me: Sure. (long pause, they start to shift away from me) There are lots of things that are considered "sins". Heck, little white lies about loving someone's new shoes are lies, thus sins.
Them: Do you believe in Heaven and Hell?
Me: Well I don't believe that death is the end. I believe that our souls go somewhere afterwards so if that means Heaven or Hell then I believe in them. (I want to come back as a cat)
Them: If you were to die now would you go to Heaven or Hell?
Me: If those are my options, Heaven.
Them: (quoting the Bible) But those who sinned don't go to Heaven...
Me: So?
It continues for quite some time more. Me forcing myself to be polite and censor my answers and them asking more weighted questions. Didn't want to scare the kids too much by telling them I don't think homosexuality is a sin.
Them, final question: Are you willing to die for Jesus?
Me: Holy crap! They've got kool-aid!

Happy Mother's Day!

Love you!

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

A couple of weeks ago Mike and Lauren came over for a quick visit. Wednesday night at about 10:30 I got a text message asking if I was still awake (uh, duh, that's early) and if I would want some company the next day. Always up for visits, especially when I don't have a for sure shift or school, I said I would love to see them. I did have a call-in but if they used me I would still be done by the time they'd get into town. Thursday afternoon Mike and Lauren arrived and we were able to catch up over lunch at Johnny Rockets. I love the nickel jukeboxes.

I gave them the 5 minute tour of campus and we drove around town. After hitting up happy hour at Sonic that is. Mmmm...strawberry limeade. While driving around we went hunting for Rabobank arena and the ballpark that the Bakersfield Blaze play at. The Blaze are one of the Texas Ranger's minor league teams. Fun fact: Mike Piazza played for the Blaze when it was a feeder team for the Dodgers. We found the arena (mainly do to my amazing skills at following arrows on signs) along with quite a few cool looking buildings in what is obviously classic Bakersfield. Despite three of us in the car we (ok, I) managed to get lost and ended up finding a creative route home.

We hung out for a while back at my apartment and got directions to the ballpark to drive over to Thirsty Thursday. On the way we took a few trips around the round-a-bout because I forgot the next step in the directions. Whee! The Blaze have various promotions to up attendance and Thursday nights they offer $1 drinks (cheap beer and soda) through the fifth inning. Good idea considering that there are two colleges in town. The game was good, lots of big hits and the Blaze won 6-5. While Mike was really into the game Lauren and I got really into picking out the hot guys. (#s 5, 6, 18, and 32)

After the game we went over to BJ's Brewhouse for dinner. Mike suggested it early in the day because he wanted to try the root beer that they brew. Which, if you were wondering, is delish! This time I managed to leave room for dessert so Lauren and I shared a pizookie. I have no words to describe just how amazing this dessert is. As yummy as it sounds, it is even better. A fresh baked giant cookie with two scoops of ice cream stacked on top. Ah-mae-zing!


By the time we finished dinner it was pretty late (we got to BJ's a little after 10) so Lauren and Mike stayed over rather than drive back that night. This sofa couch has gotten a lot of use. Friday morning I woke up early to see if they were using my call-in that morning. I was hoping that they wouldn't so that I would not have to kick Mike and Lauren out early. Luckily, they did not end up needing to use my call-in. That morning we decided to go by the mall, because I never get over to the mall. Ha. After checking out the more exciting stores we had a quick lunch before Mike and Lauren had to leave to make home in time for league bowling. Which meant that I had most of my day to make flashcards for my class. Fun.
Loves.