Getting A Little Worked Up

I can get a little worked up at times. It’s something God & I are working on, not getting so worked up about stuff. But sometimes I think it is merited. What am I worked up about today? This stupid 9/11 commission. Okay it’s trite to say hindsight is 20/20, but for anyone to say now “well I would done things differently/better” is ridiculous. I’m sure that there are dozen of groups daily saying they want to lash out at the U.S. gov’t, and for anyone to have the discernment to know which ones have a legitimate shot at succeeding, so they can prevent it, would be miraculous. It was unpreventable. It was tragic, but it has made the U.S. stronger. What good is going to come of blaming each other, and isn’t that what they would laughing at? I had hoped that this would make the United States stay united against terrorists. Yes, I’m sure while Mr. Clinton and staff were stealing all the W’s off the computers he was saying “oh yeah, deal with this group, because they are going to be your biggest threat. Obviously I couldn’t have dealt with it because I was busy with my own problems.” As Geoff said this morning, if President Bush had said he was going to attack Afghanistan as preventative measures, everyone (and anti-war Kerry) would have been up in arms (pun intended). But yes, let’s blame it all on the mean, stupid, trigger-happy Republicans.

Alright, ranting done. On a lighter note, I caught the new Outkast video Roses and it had Kevin MacDonald in it! Way to go Kevin! I always feel tickled when I see KITH alumni on tv.

Had a pretty good day at work yesterday. I got several “good job” compliments, and I wowed everyone with my peanut butter cookies. 🙂 Hey, I just follow the recipe, and it helps to have great sous-chefs (Geoff & Honey). I forgot to mention I made a fabulously moist chocolate cake last week. It was something else, I don’t think I’ve ever made anything so tasty. I got the recipe off the back of the Hershey’s cocoa. Then I went to the Hershey’s website to get the high altitude adjustments.

I got a calendar for Christmas (or my birthday) from Diane (my mother-in-law), and it has some inspiring quotes in it. Yesterday’s quote was from Martha Washington, “I have learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not our circumstances”. I totally agree with that. I spent way too much of my youth not owning up to my mistakes, and blaming others. And while society would say it’s okay for me to blame my parents, I don’t think it’s wholly their fault. No, I didn’t go college, which by the way is foreign here in the U.S. Everyone goes to college. My grades weren’t great, and frankly I wasn’t motivated to go that far. Also, no money. Sure I could have taken out a student loan, but see points A & B. I’m still not certain I want to eventually go to college, I’ve done fine without it.

Lance: Dude, I never went to college and check me out. I’m kick ass!

I am still thinking about taking the Paleontology classes at the museum this summer. I’ll have to find out when they are being offered, and see how that fits into our summer plans.

I used to have a billion regrets, but I realized years ago that all those mistakes made me who I am. That doesn’t mean I don’t look back on those decisions and shake my head. But I went through all of that to be who I am. And I’m okay, I’m not so bad. I’m obviously still going to make mistakes, and hopefully not repeat any. But when I was going through that, I thought I’d never see the other side. I spent Meg & Mike’s gift opening talking with the parents of my friend Chris from high school, and after we left, they told Diane how they were pleased to see I was happy. They remembered me as a very sad teenager. Goodness yes, I was such a sullen, depressed teenager when I used to hang out with Chris. And they were happy to see that I am a happy well-adjusted young woman. That meant a lot to me.

I’m going to close with a quote from Toys. This quote is pretty much how I like my dinner plate to resemble.

Patrick Zevo: I can’t even eat. The food keeps touching. I like military plates, I’m a military man, I want a military meal. I want my string beans to be quarantined! I like a little fortress around my mashed potatoes so the meatloaf doesn’t invade my mashed potatoes and cause mixing in my plate! I HATE IT when food touches! I’m a military man, you understand that? And don’t let your food touch either, please?

Spring Is Here

Spring is here, spring is here,

life is skittles and life is beer,

I think the loveliest time of the year

is the spring, I do, don’t you? ‘course you do.

The weather was great this week, turned a little cooler yesterday, and today it snowed! It was like a mini blizzard by noon. I was so glad I started laundry early. And by 3:30, the sun was out, and there was no trace of it ever being awful. What kind of wacky spring is this?

I am becoming a kitchen fiend. I made dinner the other night, with some help from Geoff. But I came up with the menu on my own. And I made peanut butter cookies last night. They are awfully tasty. 🙂 I may be able to fend for myself while Geoff goes to Monterey. Though I will be lonely. Poor Honey, she’ll be stuck listening to me ramble on. I already have one plan for dinner while he’s gone. The Museum hosts a volunteer appreciation dinner every year, and it falls the week he’s gone. Now I just have to hope they serve something I eat.

I’ve been reading the book Jesus Freaks, and I feel like the Holy Spirit is convicting me. The book is about martyrs, people who spoke up about Jesus, and died because of it. It has a great quote from C.S. Lewis in it, that I read in his book A Grief Observed, “You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death to you”. When we first became Christians, and we told our families and friends, I always got the impression they thought “oh how cute” or “oh that’s nice”. Like they didn’t get it’s not hobby, it’s a lifestyle, it’s a relationship with God. And He calls us to tell the world about Him. It’s the Great Commission. But sometimes I’m not so bold in speaking up. I get nervous of how I’ll be received, and perceived. I struggle with the fact that I am not perfect, and I wonder how I can do God’s work. God loves me, He knows I’m imperfect, and He always works through the imperfect. I want my life to reflect God’s love to my loved ones, friends, and strangers.

So what did I do this weekend? Not a whole heck of a lot. We did the walk to Cherry Creek North, I got a great deal on a dress for Ashley’s wedding, we did chores, and we just chilled out. Very laid back. We’ll be going to the Bull & Bush with Brad (Geoff’s boss) and his family this week. That will be fun. I love his wife and daughter. And even though money is way tight in the Armstrong household (living off one income month to month), I may try to talk Geoff into seeing a matinee. The Whole Ten Yards opens the weekend of his birthday. 😉 What do you think Geoff?

I haven’t been getting a lot of email lately, so please feel free to drop me a line. That would be nice. Mail is fun to get. You know what else is fun? Seeing who has visited my blog, and via what (i.e.- what they Googled). I find it odd at times. But then I Google a lot of weird things too. A wonderful invention Google.

Alright, I’m done saying what I wanted to say. I’m closing with a quote from Mystery Men.

Mr. Furious: Don’t mess with the volcano my man, ’cause I will go Pompeii on your… butt.

‘Cause your crystal ball ain’t so crystal clear

I have a wide range of thoughts that enter my mind when I’m trying to get to sleep. Sometimes it’s a song stuck in my head. Last night, I had Beastie Boys in my head. The other night, it was I Believe In A Thing Called Love. I find that listening to classical music soothes me to sleep, so I put that on.

So…Penelope & Tom broke up. Thank goodness! Now, they are always quick to mention Tom’s love of Scientology, and how that isn’t to blame. But, let the record show, Nicole wasn’t into that, and didn’t want it for her kids (smart girl). And Penelope said it wasn’t for her either, but she humored him by going to some of the classes. What do I have against Scientology? Well, it’s bunk.

The Devil: How would you like to make one simple decision that will change your life forever?

Elliot Richards: Ok, I’m glad scientology works for you but…

My boss Jeff is an atheist. He likes to take shots at Christianity to see how I respond. Me, I’m biding my time for when we can have a talk and I can ask him some questions. Stuff like, what happens when you die? Where do you go? Where did morals come from? I’m curious what he’ll say. I always believed in God, but I didn’t go any further than that. Jesus, the Bible, Heaven & Hell, I never thought about it. I guess I shouldn’t have been so surprised Colin was the same. Colin, Dawn, Geoff & I talked about God, Jesus, and the afterlife during our visit. It was a good talk, and I hope the lines of communication are still open, as I think they still have questions. I have a friend named Tennille who did that for me. Just let me ask the hard questions. When I was going through my “there has to be more to this life” phase. And it was a long phase. I explored a few different possibilities, mostly cults, before coming to Christianity. And now it’s hard to talk to those people who are still in those places. Just as I feel like I treat them differently, they treat me differently. Some get defensive, and don’t want to talk about it. So I just pray for them. 🙂

Okay. Deep breath. Sigh. No big plans for today. Tomorrow we’re going to walk to Cherry Creek North to window shop. I hope the weather will be kind. Well, that’s all I have to say about that. I’ll close with a quote from Chicken Run (one of Geoff’s favorite movies).

Mr. Tweedy: What is it?

Mrs. Tweedy: It’s a pie machine, you idiot. Chickens go in, pies come out.

Mr. Tweedy: Ooh, what kind of pies?

Mrs. Tweedy: Apple.

Mr. Tweedy: My favorite.

Mrs. Tweedy: Chicken pies, you great lummox.

Just Feel Like It

I just felt like posting, even though nothing much is new. I don’t really know where this is going to lead.

One of Geoff’s favorite bands is Big Sugar, and he was a little disappointed when they broke up. Gordie Johnson (lead singer), moved down to Austin, TX and started a new band, Grady. They played at SXSW, a music festival that even KUCI dj’s have been known to attend. Apparently the band has a club they play at regularly on Tuesday nights, but I can find no other info on the band. And frankly I have no plans to go to Texas anytime soon.

Julia Stiles has a new movie coming out, The Prince & Me, and we saw the trailer on tv. Geoff said “Great! Another one of her movies you’re going to want to watch every time it’s on tv”. (note: he’s being sardonic). In my defense, the only Julia Stiles movie they show regularly on tv is 10 Things I Hate About You, and yes, I watch it every time. But that’s the only one they show. (okay not the only one. Once a year, VH1 shows The 60’s, which I feel the need to watch. If he bought it for me, I’d be less likely to want to watch it on tv. Okay, I’m lying. I’d watch some of it. It is a long movie.) But she’s so darn cute, and a great actress.

I ordered a picture of Geoff & I at the wedding, and I’m anxious for it to come. Actually, the first copy I ordered, they screwed up, so I’m waiting for my replacement. I’m debating whether to order copies for my family, I may stew on it for a little longer.

Work has been good this week. I broke something at work today, so I followed the 5 steps we were taught. 1. Don’t feel bad. I felt a little bad, but not as bad as if I had broken something more valuable or irreplaceable. It was a toy model of a rocket. It’s just plastic.

The weather here has been great. Today was cooler than it has been, and it sprinkled for 5 minutes while I was walking from the bus stop. I think it’ll rain tonight. They forecasted dry thunderstorms for this week, and Geoff wants to get a surge protector.

All the shows I watch have been reruns the last few weeks. And since some aren’t coming back next year(Angel, Friends), I feel they owe me new episodes. Ah, what can you do.

We got our wedding invitation to Ashley & Chris’ wedding in May. 🙂 We’re very excited. I also got an invitation to Ashley’s bridal shower. I won’t be able to attend, but I will fill out my recipe card, and may send something small. For all the weddings I’ve been to, I’ve only attended one bridal shower (my own not included). And there have been cases where I wasn’t invited. It’s one of those weird situations where sometimes you want the invite extended, even if you have no intention of attending. Guys don’t go through this, just girls. Guys don’t care if their buddies invite them to stuff or not.

With Geoff’s birthday just 18 days away, I’m preparing to buy his gift soon. I have it picked out in my mind, and now I just have to find it. I did see something perfect for my new brother-in-law Mike (birthday in June), but

1. it would cost just as much as the gift to ship, and

2. I already have a gift picked out for him.

There you go. I found stuff to write about. 🙂 I’ll sign off now. I’ll close with a quote from The Mummy Returns.

Rick: All right – you’re here, the bad guys are here, Evie’s been kidnapped – let me guess…

Ardeth Bay: Yes. Once again they removed the creature from his grave.

Jonathan: I don’t mean to point fingers, but isn’t it your job to make sure that doesn’t happen?

Cousin Knows Best



Kelly wrote an article on the new cartoon This Just In airing on Spike TV. So we tuned in this last Sunday and laughed our butts off. I didn’t understand all the jokes (as I don’t follow politics that closely), but it didn’t matter. There was plenty of humor to go around. The main character Brian Newport even has a blog, which I added to my List of Blogs I read, and recommend you check it out.

I think it’s only slated to run for six episodes, I do hope it will get picked up for more. I better start to write to Spike TV now to let them know to keep it. Even though they call themselves “the first network for men”, they have some programming that I like. Reruns of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Oblivious (minus the new “O girls” they added), Most Extreme Elimination Challenge (we’ve been watching that for over a year), and the first season of Slamball. I used to watch Taboo, but they cancelled that.

Find out when This Just In airs in your neck of the woods and then tune in! I’ll end with a quote from Brian Newport.

Watching democrats debate is like watching children put on a play.  It’s cute, but it’s never gonna make it to Broadway.

Again With The Random Button Fun

Here’s a fun one:

1. Open your MP3 player

2. Put all your music on random play

3. Write down the first fifteen, no matter how embarrassing.

Lee Tenacious D

Hungry (Falling On My Knees) Something Like Silas

Countdown To Love Streets Of Fire Soundtrack

The Stranger Billy Joel

Old Time Romans Road (Parody of Old Time Rock N’ Roll) ApologetiX

Jug O’ Punch Captain Tractor

Middle Class Gangsters Matthew Good Band

Someone Saved My Life Tonight Elton John

You’re Still You Josh Groban

Holiday On The Cote D’Azur Johnny Favorite Swing Orchestra

Ava Adore Smashing Pumpkins

The Pony Man Gordon Lightfoot

Big Rock Candy Mountain O Brother, Where Art Thou? Soundtrack

Something I Should Know Great Big Sea

Lonely Nights Chris Isaak

Rob: he hangs out with the musical moron twins…

Lewis Black Slays Me

Lewis Black on The Passion Of The Christ

I was hoping Comedy Central would put this video clip out. 🙂

Le Peep, C’est Chic

After church this morning we went out to Le Peep. It’s a breakfast restaurant, and the food was pretty good. I was impressed with the portion sizes. Jayla ordered a “cinnamonster”, and I couldn’t believe the size of it.

Our friend Jason has to go to Salt Lake City for a conference, and he’s driving, so he wants to try to swing through Denver. That would be neat. I hope it works out.

I had a very strange dream last night, someone was trying to mess with me. They sent me an email, and I traced their IP address to discover who it was. Then I had to track them down to ask why they were doing that. It was someone I knew in high school, and oddly enough he grew a foot taller since I last saw him. And I asked him why he was being such a freak, causing trouble for me. “What, do you think you’re Martin Blank?” Which might seem odd to some people that you’d make a movie reference in your dreams, but to me it didn’t seem so weird. The fact that he understood the reference was weird. “Yeah, I love that movie”. Sometimes I really wonder about my sub-conscience.

I feel almost back to normal, though I’m sure I’ll be back to my routine after work tomorrow. Since not much could have changed since I’ve been gone, it makes it easier. Most days we do the same things each shift. But I like that. I will go to the library tomorrow and try to get a book on Egyptology.

We need another bookcase, we have more books than we have space for. Now, true, one shelf on the big bookcase is taken up by my giraffe stuff, and another shelf is devoted to small picture frames & knickknacks, but where else would I put that stuff? Sadly there is no Ikea anywhere near us, so we’re at a loss as to where we could get a nice affordable bookcase. There is a seniors home near us, maybe I should keep my eyes open for an estate sale. I’ve never been to one, but it might be a neat experience.

Geoff shared with me yesterday that he thought it was good that I brought up my dad at my Uncle Kim’s the other night. He got the impression that loved ones who’ve moved on aren’t necessarily brought up much, or remembered through stories. But he felt by the end of the night there was a feeling of comfort in all of us sharing. We talk about my dad, grandpa Jim, and grandma Bessie all the time at our house. We miss them dearly, but it makes us smile to remember stories about them.

Alright, I’m gonna close with a quote from Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. I still think it’s a funny movie, and I will likely rent Jim Carrey’s new movie once it comes out on DVD.

Lois Einhorn: How would you like me to make your life a living hell?

Ace Ventura: Well, I’m not really ready for a relationship, Lois, but thank you for asking. Hey, maybe I’ll give you a call sometime. Your number’s still 911?

Just When I Thought It Was Safe To Go Into The Water

Sigh. I’m still suffering from a sore throat, but it isn’t so bad today. I do feel a little lightheaded as well, but… I wanted to blog.

After a day of recouping from our trip, there’s talk of a new trip this summer. Right now it’s just talk, which is good as I’ve hardly recovered from this one. A whirlwind, and nearly fitted everyone in. It’s impossible to fit everyone in, especially since some people don’t get along with others. Once upon a time, we could throw a party and have everyone there. Not so anymore.

Alright, let me get to the stuff I wanted to share before I forget. As I mentioned yesterday, photos are up from the wedding. A good time was had by all. Everyone looked great all cleaned up. It went off without a hitch. I tried to get the dj to play some stuff I wanted to hear, but he didn’t have a lot of the songs I wanted to hear, and the one I did ask for he didn’t play. Ah, well, that’s why I have my iPod. I’m my own dj. 🙂

Now about the customs agent with attitude. We always get a little tense going through customs as we worry about some agent who decides to pull a power trip (much like the DMV incident). And wouldn’t you know it. He was totally looking for a fight. We walked up to the counter and had him our passports & visas. he pulls out the visas, and without looking at them asks (in a curt voice) “what’s this?”. Geoff tells him it’s our visas. He looks at them and asks “are you married?”. “Yes”. “Legally?” “Yes”. At this point, we know there is trouble. He looks over the customs form as I wrote we spent $30. He asks what we bought, so I said souvenirs. “Can you be more descriptive?” Well geez, I dunno. I don’t even think I spent $30, it was just a number. “Uh, a book and a cd”. In actuality we bought 2 lanyards (for my work), some socks, a bra, and a cd. So he looks at my visa and passport a few times before correcting on my visa that the last person wrote I was on a J-1 visa (I’m on a J-2). I tell you, I was afraid he was going to make something up just to keep us longer. It’s crap like that that makes me want to move back to Canada (or become a U.S. citizen).

So Sunday night we went to my Uncle Kim’s for dinner. He makes a pizza buffet, 6 different pizzas to choose from, along with salads, breadsticks, and munchies. It’s quite an event, and I feel lucky that he invites to come over for it when we are in town. During dinner, Geoff asked if we could put on the Brier. And while there was a hockey game on, Geoff resorted to playing the Wayne card “Wayne would have wanted to watch the Brier”. Everyone laughed, and it got put on. And what a time we had watching it! I’m telling you we never laughed so much listening to Uncle Kim give his commentary on the game. And while Alberta lost, it was still fun. We’re talking about coming to Edmonton next March as the Brier will be held there. We’ll see where we are at in the Fall before we decide. But Uncle Kim thought that sounded good.

Tuesday night Colin & I went to the Oilers game. It was so much fun, and may explain where the sore throat came from. Colin says Georges Laraque scored just for me (He’s Dylan’s favorite). I haven’t been to an Oilers game in likely 10 years. It’s a little different. I wondered if I would see anyone from my days working there, and I did. A girl I knew in high school. Really, I remember hanging out with her brother Palmer more than I remember hanging out with her. And wouldn’t you know it, if sitting 4 rows down was someone I knew in high school. At least I think it was, I didn’t get the chance to say hello to find out. His name is Nathan, and we met in yearbook (for the 2 weeks I was in it). Then I dated two of his friends. Talking with Kirsty, she told me he had asked her out once. Funny how Kirsty and I had talked about him that morning.

Because I’m under the weather, I rented some movies from the library. I got All The President’s Men (love it!), Signs (love it!), and Moonlight Mile (haven’t seen). I also rented Two Weeks Notice, as I’m on a Sandra Bullock kick. Not enough to rent Speed (I’ve never seen it). As for Hugh Grant, I dunno. He’s kinda give or take. I don’t really have an opinion on him. But the movie provided some laughs, so I’ll end with two quotes from it.

George Wade: Is this belt tacky or beltacular?

————————————————————-

June Carter: Do you know what I like even more than chess?

George Wade: Pokemon?

Still Under The Weather

Sorry, I’m still feeling sick, and I just don’t want to sit and type. But I did put together the pictures of the wedding I took. Bearing in mind I was a bridesmaid, I couldn’t take pictures of the ceremony. But some of the family has done that so visit here.

I will try to tackle writing tomorrow. In the meantime, Kelly has 2 new articles posted, Geoff has written about the scotch he tried at the wedding, and Chris Neuman has posted (in his words) “A somewhat compressed, very cleaned up “exchange of ideas” with the local energy concern on the topic of customer service”. I feel for you Chris. 🙂