Speed Dating...Dating on Crack?

It's almost 2am, and I just can't go to sleep. This sounds like the beginning to a bad pop song...maybe I'll continue it sometime. It's come to my attention lately how strange the dating world is now. A friend recently tried to entice me to attend one of those speed dating adventures. I have always read about those and saw them on reality tv, but never had an opportunity to go. It's kind of tempting though. Who ever came up with this idea, is doing it right. Now, I don't know what kind of clientele attend these things, but it seems like a very rational way to meet 10 or 12 guys in one night without looking like a complete hussy. You even get a little notepad to make notes and mark whether you want to talk to that guy again. How sweet is that! The whole 7 minute date thing is right up my ally. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to go to the speed dating this time, but I may consider it in the future...I suck at meeting people normally.
I can't tell you how many times I have seen that commercial for eharmony.com too! The online thing just amazes me. I mean, how can you not find the most perfect person in the world for you with all these avenues available? It used to be that you just had to stumble upon Mr. Right at the grocery store, or meet him in a smelly bar. Now, there are compatibility profiles and special matches, and dating on crack. Christy and Mike from the eharmony.com commercial seem so in love. They are getting married in March! And all thanks to cyberspace Cupid. I was struck by the fairy tale of the many eharmony.com couples, and I took a trip to this little website. Just for kicks, and because I had nothing else to do on Sat night at 10 PM ... (this is getting really sad for me) I filled out their free evaluation and profile matching you up with Mr right thingy. Let me tell you, that thing takes about 7 hours to complete! But I learned alot. I learned how picky I really am, which explains my Saturday night solitude. After listing out everything you can think of about yourself and answering 128,889 questions about yourself and what you want in a mate...they give you your perfect matches. I had five. Five?? I guess they weren't kidding about finding that PERFECT person. This is where my journey to find harmony stopped however, because to go any further, you must sign up. . . of course. This was the dealbreaker. The prices....made me throw up a little. Over $230.00 for a year membership....or the "cheap" version ...$56.00 a month. Please. I may be alone, but I still have the companionship of my brain....
Thank god for that.
So I've decided that I'm just gonna let the chips fall where they may. Besides, I still have my heart set on finding my guy as we grab for the same head of lettuce in the produce department.... ok, maybe it's the chip and soda isle, but you get the point.

King Kong and Sock Thoughts

Long time no post....I gotta get better at this. I was doing so well...oh well. My life is a crazy, busy, mess. Well, maybe not that busy when compared to others lives. I think I have this thing about making myself think I am busier than I really am. I probably could get more done in a day if it wasn't for those 2-3 hours I need to set aside for general laziness and doing nothing. Those are very good for me though...I cherish those moments.
Before I forget...a friend turned me on to this new website and everyone must check it out! www.pandora.com
You can go there and put in one of your favorite music artists names, and it will crank out a bunch of cool songs that relate to that person...check it out. It's like your own personal DJ.
I saw King Kong over the weekend. It's unusual that I waited so long, because I was really looking forward to seeing this film. However, I was pretty much let down...or let up, as the case may be. Now, as a computer geek, I really respect the creativeness and innovation of computer graphics in movies. I don't really like the Lord of the Rings movies, but I thought they were very well done. After seeing the preview for King Kong, I expected nothing less than greatness from Peter Jackson. It looked very realistic and exciting. After seeing it, I kinda want to hang Peter Jackson upside down from a 100 foot pine tree and let him dangle there while being pulverized by giant flying insects and let loose a giant T-Rex to come after him. I just want to know how that makes him feel....because that is how I felt during this entire movie. Now I realize this may be the kind of amusement some folks are looking for in their AMC experience...but not me, and definately not for 3 hours and 15 minutes. Not only did the movie go on for 1.5 hours before we even see the anticipated Kong, but the whole thing was riddled with every piece of animated craziness that you can imagine. Don't get me wrong, it all looked very real and was exciting...but let us get a break man. When there is a fight scene between Kong and the Dinosaurs that goes on for what had to be like 35 mins, it just degrades the integrity of the film. What could have been a really cool glimpse of the creativity of computer graphics turned into a non-stop matrix-like debauchery. It just made me start to laugh after a while. Truly, I actually heard people snickering and commenting in the theatre..."enough already" Did they not get this reaction when they screened the movie? So overall...King Kong was alright. Not near as good as expected. It was a bit long and slow in the beginning. Jack Black was just confusing in his role. King Kong did look amazing with very expressive eyes and real emotion. Many props go to Naomi Watts for her portrayal...very reminiscent of the old school actresses, and very fitting for the film. I give it a B-.
A side note here... I just bought some socks today. You know those plain white socks that come in like a 6 pack. Here is my question... Why did my 6 pack of socks come in a resealable bag?? I am truly dumbfounded by this. Am I supposed to keep them in the bag? Do they stay fresh if I reseal them? I just don't get it.

Midwest weather sucks

I'm just gonna say it....I HATE cold weather. I don't hate much. I'm not really that hard to please. But I can't stand it when it's 80 degrees one day then 40 the next. It's just not right nor humane to do that to people. This is what I hate about the midwest, and why I have made it my lifes ambition to move to San Diego. In San Diego, it is 78 all year long...no kidding. Sound like paradise? It is. Move there now. Not to warm, not to cold...you got good music, the ocean, the sun, Sea World....what more can you ask for?? Oh yeah....you may need to be a millionaire unless you are accustomed to living in squalor....
It's so annoying to buy clothes when the seasons change too. Everything that is on sale right now is summer attire. I don't need summer attire....it is 40 degrees out. I need a sweater. But in order to buy a sweater when you need one you must pay $40 more than what you should or could pay if you wait for a sale. BUT...if you wait for said sale, It will no longer be 40 degrees out. It will be 80 and you will need a tank top. But then the tank top will be $40. This is just a cruel cycle!! Why do stores do this to us. Of course, the logical thing to do would be to buy the tank top on sale now, and save it for next summer. NO. Next summer that tank top will be soooo last year. What the hell? I can't win here. I guess you just have to be a millionaire to look cute at the appropriate time.
I really can't believe it's October already. It seems like I was just outside tanning in the sun and watching my orchid bloom, and now I am thinking about what to be for Halloween. Trippy. Time flies when it's getting colder. I want to be something really extravagant and crazy for Halloween. I need some ideas. I am trying to convince the gang at work that we should all get together and be something as a group, like The Wizard of Oz or the Beatles or something. I am a dork like that. I came up with this idea....I could dress up as Dorothy and get a wagon to decorate like a wicker basket....then we put dog ears on Katie and I can drag her around in the wagon. I don't think she liked the idea.
I'm off to put on another layer of clothing...maybe I'll wear my $60 Sweater....geeesh!

MR. A-Z is all about the Wordplay

Once again I have had the blessing of seeing The MAN live in concert. And the MAN I speak of, and who is ultimately deserving of a capitol M-A-N....is of course Jason Mraz. If you don't know of him...get ready. If you have never heard his music...I am sorry for your lack of art and wonderfulness and beauty in your life. Yes. . . he is that great.
This would be my fourth Mraz concert and each one is different and amazing in it's own way. He rocked the house as usual. His CD's are great and the music is thoughtful and enlightening and fun...but there is nothing like seeing it live. He is a poet-singer with a voice unlike anyone I have ever heard, and he writes like a genius. Not only music, but just in general. For a sample of the mind I love so much, check out his journal on his website. www.jasonmraz.com. He updates regularly, however he is on tour right now, so they are on hold for a while. But go back and read some archives...he is very funny...much entertainment.
I digress...back to the concert. When we first got to the campus at UMKC, Scott and I were walking up to the building where the concert was being held. My eye for tour busses never fails me so I spotted it when we were pulling up. We happened to have to walk right beside the bus to get to the line at the door. As we were approaching I saw a skinny fellow along with another, standing outside the bus smoking. When the pink of his t-shirt hit my eye, I knew it was him. The fact that no one was around and people were just casually walking by him made me doubt my suspicion that it was Jason. We got closer and it became more apparent....Gorgeous as ever...there he was in the flesh. He was talkin on his cell phone. As we walked by, he turned around and looked me in the eye. I'm sure he was slightly frightened when he saw I had one of his t-shirts on...but I didn't want to bother him just then anyway. I am just that way with celebrities. Although I don't really see him as such a celebrity. I never want to go up and talk to them, as much as my mind is telling me to just do it, cause I will maybe never get the chance again. But everyone does that...and I don't want to be another one of those annoying people. It's just an awkward situation all around. Fame is such a weird thing. Here is this random stranger, who doesn't know anything about you, but feels like they do because your career dictates that you are cranked into their lives on a daily basis. That must be very tough to deal with. These people feel a connection with you from music, interviews, concerts, meeting, etc. Even though we know that we will never truly know these so called "idols", it doesn't take away the fact that this relationship that is created, however weird it may be, still exists. This is what creates such an awkward situation when you finally see these people face to face. - I walked on past him and gave a little smile. I also saw Toca up in the window of the bus. Later, waiting in the line, I was wishing I just would have waved or something. He really probably wouldn't have minded.
After the show, and two hours of being utterly annoyed by some blonde bimbos that think they deserve to show up at 9:00 and push up in front of everyone in the crowd who has been there since 5:00, just because they reek of silicone and low self-esteem....I was amazed once again at the performance I just witnessed, despite the rude interruption. Scott and I met up with Tricia, Chrissy, and Mellisa after the show. We casually sat down on a ledge right by the bus I had my eye-contact encounter near earlier that evening. We had a good time out there for that hour and a half. We were chatting and laughing up a storm and just waiting to see what we could see, and maybe catch a glimpse of the Man. The band members trickled out of the venue and some came and talked to us, Toca included. He is such a cool guy. He just came over to us voluntarily, just to chat. It was a very "uncelebrity" thing to do, and it warmed my heart. We talked with him for a while, and then Jason came out ushered to his bus by two cops. We thought that he probably wasn't up for chatting much, hence the quick jump onto the bus. However we saw him in the bus window, grabbing a bite to eat and then he started peeking out and hangin out the window. The girls around us caught on to the fact that he was in that bus and started crowding around. He finally came out so we all went up to talk to him a bit. I hate it when there are a bunch of people around asking for autographs and pictures. You have to like wait your turn in line, and to me it makes the object of all this attention seem like some sort of circus attraction. I hate even taking part in that type of worshiping activity, it just feels odd to me. How can you make that person realize that you really enjoy what they do and aren't just trying to pull energy or anything from them - like alot of people do. You want to let them know that you know they are just another human being. Sure I wanted a picture with him, but more than that I just wanted to tell him that he makes me smile everyday. That even though he doesn't know me, I know a PART of him, and I am thankful for that. I didn't get to do that....but maybe next time.
This was the second time I got to meet Jason. He is very soft spoken. Comes off as a very shy person...and I can relate to that well. He was nothing but nice and down to earth. When I stepped up and asked for a picture with him, he made sure to ask my name and shake my hand. Told me he liked my shirt. . . Joked with us a bit. He was very refreshing, as far as "famous" people go. He really seemed like he tried to talk to everyone and make sure everyone was happy. Very respectable. Oh and side note...he was drinking a SugarFree Red Bull on Ice. . . only the drink that I have nearly every morning. Coincidence? I think not.
So needless to say this was one of the best nights that I will probably have this year. By the way, I would like to give a shout out and big high five to Tricia for yelling "Kiss Her!" right before the picture was taken with me and the MAN. I am forever in your debt. And yes....even though it was a painful experience and I waited as long as I could...I did wash my cheek. Damn the soap.
Next time Jason comes around....check him out...you won't be dissapointed.
He may be skinny at times but he's Phat full of rhymes. I'm out....

A Labor-less Day

As a holiday, Labor Day doesn't seem to get the props it deserves. It's ranked right up there with Christmas and Thanksgiving and Independence Day...but it just doesn't FEEL like a legit holiday. This feels like Sunday. And tomorrow (Tuesday) will most likely feel like Monday. Then, when Friday rolls around I'll think it's Thursday, but it will be the weekend again. Whew! So actually, Labor Day Holiday is becoming my new best friend. Simply because its throws me off for a good two weeks..and I actually feel like the weekends come quicker. Unlike Christmas or Thanksgiving where there is this big celebration, then you know it's just over. Labor Day just feel like you missed a day, or had this extra random day to rest. *if you understood any of this last diatribe...you are now my new best friend as well*
It was a good day...family came over...Barbecues commenced...Laughing...and a quick game of texas hold em. It's basically what we do every holiday. Except this time we painted our house at the request of the City of Grandview...they are kinda picky about the appearance of a residence around here. Anyway, when I say WE I of course mean everyone but me. I don't paint. Well, I do, but not in the sun. So actually Labor Day, for most of my family was very full of Labor. That kinda defeats the purpose of the holiday huh?
I have now been sitting at my computer for the past 2.5 hours looking at Google maps. I have recently discovered that Google Maps have satellite images to go along with their maps. You can look up anywhere in the world and zoom in to get a full color photo of the area. I have been finding my house, my friends houses, and all the places I have been and want to go. It is very cool, and kinda pathetically addicting. I decided that I would stop the madness, write a piece in my blog, and hit the hay. After that, I decided that I would never say 'hit the hay' again. But now as I sit here, I am struck with the grandest idea! I can look up Laguna Beach on Google Maps and check out all my favorite spoiled rich kids houses!! OK, I'm gonna be pullin an allnighter, I can feel it.

peace,
and Happy Non-Labor Day

Forrest Knows Best

There is something oddly comforting about doing absolutely nothing on a perfectly good Saturday. Something inside me tells me that I am wasting away a perfectly good day...but then I think of the fact that it's a three day weekend and this is really just like a Friday that I happen to have off. Not that it makes the wasting the day away any better, but it works in my mind.
I watched Forest Gump 1.5 times last night. It was on two times in a row. I tried to make it through them both...but it just seemed wrong. Why does TBS always show movies twice in a row? It seems kinda useless. Unless you are that person who turns the tv on in the last 20 minutes of a good movie...then you may be excited to find out it is starting all over again. But...then it taints the whole experience of the movie anyway, because you just watched the end, and now you are going back to watch the beginning? It sets the world off its axis or something....it's just wrong.
Back to Gump...I forget what a poineint and powerful movie this is. Very sweet, and sugary, and thoughtful...it's like a good friend. This is a movie that brings your mind back to it's most simple existence, which is very important to do sometimes. "Life is like a box of chocolates" "Stupid is as stupid does" "You can tell alot about a person by their shoes...where they been...where they're goin" It's all so true!!! Forrest is a genius. If we all thought a little bit more like him, the world would be a better place. Forrest is all about being free, and learning, and absolute loyalty. He reminds me what having a heart is all about. One day Forest decided that he wanted to run...so he did. And he ran all the way accross the country. Everyone made a big deal about his running, and wanted to know why he was doing it. Was it for world peace? or for the environment? Forest simply said (in one of the best quotes you can ever hear) "I just felt like runn-nin" As I sit here on my useless Saturday, I tip my glass of iced tea to Mr. Gump. Here is to always doing just whatever you feel like.... I love Forest Gump.
Today on TBS...I have watched parts of Sleepless in Seattle, and You've Got Mail. This must be Tom Hanks weekend or something...I'm waiting to for Cast Away, Saving Private Ryan, and Road to Perdition to come on....probably in vain though, because that goes way outside of the TBS movie genre. They always do this too....they always play these two movies back to back. Essentially, I suppose these movies are pretty much identical. What is it about Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan? Were they trying to make the same movie twice here? A feel good, hopeless romantic comedy, that deals with the torture of will they or won't they ever find eachother... and if they don't the world will never be the same, and I will never meet anyone ever again... because If Meg Ryan can't do it, what hope is there for me? it's crazy...yet, here I am rooting for these characters to meet and fall in love, and why? because it give me hope. Hope that fairy tales and perfect men can exist. . even in real life. Crazier things have happened. It gives me hope everytime I watch it.
Where are Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan now anyway...are they still actors? If you ask me they should have been cast in Mr. and Mrs. Smith....that would have made TBS rich. Can you imagine them with guns. I think that is what You've Got Mail is missing. Guns.

Here's to Hopeless Romance...
and Forrest...

*EDIT* I just realized that it's not TBS playing all these movies I love...it's TNT. But just like those movies from today...what's the difference? Oh and Forrest is on again now...they are really going for it.

Workin Hard....or Hardly Workin?

Today, I have been at my job for 2 years. It feels like about 7. Not really though. I have a good job, and I'm thankful. We work really hard around here. HA! On the day of my anniversary I think it only right that I let everyone in on what actually goes on around here. I work in an Art Department, so naturally, we are not the most normal of people. We require a daily dose of stupidity and off the wall humor to get our creative juices flowing. Hey, it's part of the job. There is a good amount of goofing off on any given day, and it helps us deal with the stress that comes along with the HUGE amount of work we do. I really have no idea how we get it all done. We must be super human.
This is me at my desk. It only becomes apparent to me after seeing this photo how absolutely crazy my work station is...and this is clean for my desk! How lucky I am to wear jeans and flip flops to work...

Here is Katie. We just recently moved her desk and had to set up a semi cubicle type work space so she could actually have walls to utilize. She likes it.

Our Boss? Yes he is...believe it or not, he keeps this place running and keeps us all sane by letting us act crazy! As you can see, working at a toy company, there are always opportunities to make fool out of yourself.

These are SOME of our new products for the 2006 catalog. Yeah. . . It gets a bit overwhelming at times.


My friend Ro"Bird"a ...and that's Bill in the background. He's a loner. I think we scare him most of the time.


Some of Katie's artwork....it's so cute!!

More random photos...

















Stay tuned...there will always be more to come!