I love Dwight Schrute!

If you don't know who Dwight Schrute is, turn on "The Office"! The show is full of memorable, original characters. But none are as interesting and laughter-provoking imho than Dwight. He is dedicated to his work at the paper company as well as his family's beet farm. He values honest work, self-reliance and simplicity. Check out his blog on NBC.com. I've got to get the bobble-head of him!

What I'm Reading: Marley and Me by John Grogan

Marley and Me by John Grogan

This book is cracking me up! I thought my dog was unruly! A great book for any dog lover, surprisingly funny.

The Golden Compass opens today!

I can't wait to see it! We are planning to go on Sunday.

Five Habits of Millionaires

Article: Five Habits of Millionaires at monster.com

"My Favorite Things" My Gift Ideas for 2007

Oprah has her "favorite things"-a list of typically pricey items she recomends as gifts-and these are my "favorite things". Please, note, this is not my wish list.

Books

The Dangerous Book for Boys
His Dark Materials (The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, The Amber Spyglass)
Born Standing-Up by Steve Martin
Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell
A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalacian Trail

Toys

Littlest Pet Shop Round and Round Pet Town
Discovery Fingerprint Lab
Black and Decker Power Tool Workshop
Mr Potato Head Spider-Man
Nerf Dart Tag
U.B. Funkeys

Video Games

Lego Starwars: The Complete Saga
Guitar Hero II (I know, the third one is out now, but it's not doing as well and everyone still wants this one)
Super Mario Galaxy for Nintendo Wii

DVDs

Bender's Big Score
Blade Runner Ultimate 5 disc collection
Superbad

Other

Victorinox Swiss Army Knife

Victorinox Swisscard Lite

646 lb Catfish!

2 Thai fishermen caught a 646 lb catfish in the Mekong River in northern Thailand.

Veterans Day - November 11

Veterans Day - November 11 - Public and Intergovernmental Affairs

Howstuffworks "How Love Works"

Howstuffworks "How Love Works":

An article about what makes us fall in love. Fascinating.

Vatican to Publish Trial Documents of the Knights Templar

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071012/ts_nm/vatican_templars_dc

Analysis: Crackdown May Haunt Junta - NEWS - Comcast.net

Analysis: Crackdown May Haunt Junta - NEWS - Comcast.net

Track star Marion Jones pleads guilty to lying to federal investigators about steroid use - Olympics - Yahoo! Sports

Track star Marion Jones pleads guilty to lying to federal investigators about steroid use - Olympics - Yahoo! Sports

Autumnal Equinox

Links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autumnal_Equinox_Day

Midnight Meat Train

Last night I did a trailer check at a local theater and a saw a trailer for this movie "Midnight Meat Train". The title cracks me up. I might have to see it just because of the name. The trailer opens like it is going to be an arty drama or mystery thriller, but you soon realize it is closer to a horror movie. I'm still not sure of the genre. It ended with "from the mind of Clive Barker". I love his books, which are mostly horror. I'm not sure if he wrote this or it is based on one of his stories. I'm going to do more research.

Links:
Midnight Meat Train at IMDB

Long memories in Jena - The Boston Globe

Long memories in Jena - The Boston Globe

Upcoming Movies I'm Excited About

American Gangster
Director Ridley Scott, starring perpetual good-guy Denzel Washington as a bad guy! Must see!!! Also starring Russell Crowe and Cuba Gooding, Jr.

Mr. Woodcock
This looks hilarious to me. OK, it probably can't compete with Superbad, but I still want to see it. Stars Billy Bob Thornton, Seann William Scott and Susan Sarandon.

3:10 to Yuma
It's been a while since I have seen a good Western, and this one looks promising. Stars Russell Crowe and Christian Bale.

Halloween
I normally am not interested in remakes of horror movies, but this one is directed by Rob Zombie!!! He directed one of my all-time favorites "House of 1000 Corpses".

The Kingdom
Jamie Foxx and Jenifer Garner star. Government agents go into Saudi Arabia (I believe) to investigate a bombing.

The Heartbreak Kid
Stars Ben Stiller. It is a romantic comedy remake (2 strikes against it), but it looks like it could be good.

Michael Clayton

Dan in Real Life

Fred Claus

No Country for Old Men
Coen brothers and Tommy Lee Jones.

Sources: B-52 Mistakenly Carried Nukes - NEWS - US NATIONAL - Comcast.net

Sources: B-52 Mistakenly Carried Nukes - NEWS - US NATIONAL - Comcast.net

Superbad

I saw Superbad last Friday night. It is hilarious! I would go to see it again. Fresh jokes and comedy with lovable characters. I crack up thinking about the drawings! Definitely not for children.

Fishing this past Saturday

We went fishing saturday morning at Lake Nockamixin. I caught 2 smallmouth bass, my youngest caught 2 or 3 bass and a trout, and my husband caught 3 or 4 bass-with his spinner! :P

It is a beautiful park and I can't wait to go back.

Artificial Life Likely in 3 to 10 Years - NEWS - Comcast.net

Artificial Life Likely in 3 to 10 Years - NEWS - Comcast.net

Mexican officials raid game counterfeiters - News at GameSpot

Mexican officials raid game counterfeiters - News at GameSpot

"lego" people generator

Click link: Chris Doyle Presents - Reasonably Clever! Wasting your workday since 1995

Triangular theory of love

Triangular theory of love - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I have been researching the meaning of love, emotion, feelings, etc. online a lot lately. I just came across this interesting idea. It proposes that there are 8 forms of love (constructed from combinations/absences of intimacy, passion and commitment). I am still reading up on this, but I would appreciate any input.

Fishing Yesterday

My husband and I went fishing yesterday morning at Marsh Creek State Park. We had a few nibbles but we didn't catch anything. In fact, we didn't see anyone catch anything. A couple of guys in a boat said they saw someone catch a bass, I believe. But that's it.

I had a new pole and reel and it took a while to get the hang of casting with it. The line kept sticking.

Fisher-Price to recall 967,000 toys - Yahoo! News

Fisher-Price to recall 967,000 toys - Yahoo! News

Deadly Arizona Exorcism: Bloodied Mom 'Casts' Demons From 3-Year-Old - Original News: The Post Chronicle

Deadly Arizona Exorcism: Bloodied Mom 'Casts' Demons From 3-Year-Old - Original News: The Post Chronicle

China fights back by targeting U.S. meat - Yahoo! News

China fights back by targeting U.S. meat - Yahoo! News

Fishing

I bought a new fishing rod and reel this week. It isn't anything fancy, I just didn't have a rod to use anymore. Long story that I don't want to get into. I am thinking I'll go fishing tomorrow to break it in, after work. Yes, I have to work on a Saturday. You guys want your beef, right? (I work at a meat-packing plant as an administrative assistant.) I need a little relaxation, anyway.

Happy Birthday America!

I love being American! My husband is an Air Force veteran, my sister and my father are Army veterans, my maternal grandfather fought in World War II, I have an ancestor on my mother's side who fought in the Revolutionary War. My paternal great-grandparents came to America through Ellis Island from Sicily, Italy. I hold freedom most dear and wish freedom for all people in the world.

I am taking my kids to a 4th of July parade this morning and tonight I will see the fireworks as I am working at a booth at the local fair. Happy Independence Day/4th of July!

San Jose Mercury News - Revelers welcome summer solstice

San Jose Mercury News - Revelers welcome summer solstice

Where I am, My perspective

About 2 1/2 weeks ago I hurt my knee. I went on a rafting trip and tripped when I got out of the raft at the end of the trip, hitting my knee on a large rock. (I was fine during the 4 hour rafting trip!) I couldn't walk on it and it was very embarrassing. When I had the x-ray done at the emergency room, they found a spot on one of my bones that had nothing to do with my knee. It is very small, and probably nothing, but it made me really step back and take a look at life. So did the knee injury. I was thinking that maybe I shouldn't do all these fun things that I want to do, because I could get hurt. But then I asked myself, "is it worth the risk?" And the answer for me is "yes". I want to do all those things. Everything that I keep holding myself back from. I want to hike and climb and do all of those things and it is worth the risk of getting hurt, because I want to do it and I will enjoy it and it will challenge me. I am tired of just floating through life. I want to live it! I am trying to get into better shape, so that I can do all the things I want to do. I am walking (not long distance for now, I irritated my knee walking yesterday and it swelled-up again), I am doing a little bit of work with weights, and I am continuing in my physical therapy. It is really helping me. I feel so free. I am being true to myself and honest with myself and it is so freeing.

D-Day Anniversary

Battle of Normandy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Click here for President Reagan's 40th Anniversary of D-Day Normandy Speech.

Ala. officials probe 'Monster Pig' saga - Yahoo! News

Ala. officials probe 'Monster Pig' saga - Yahoo! News

Voting Information

VOTE411.org

Dog gets medal for saving kids - Yahoo! News

Dog gets medal for saving kids - Yahoo! News

Indian man chained for defying father in marriage | Oddly Enough | Reuters

Indian man chained for defying father in marriage Oddly Enough Reuters

Romney calls Sharpton's comments about Mormons "bigoted" - ABC4.com

Romney calls Sharpton's comments about Mormons "bigoted" - ABC4.com

VE day

Victory in Europe Day - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

20 Million Chickens Held Because of Feed - NEWS - Comcast.net

20 Million Chickens Held Because of Feed - NEWS - Comcast.net
Chicken feed was mixed with contaminated pet food.

Al Sharpton Among Protesters Marching for decency in Rap Music today

AllHipHop.com : Daily Hip-Hop News

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Photos

Check them out!
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Photos

American Scholar and Civil Rights Activist: W.E.B. Du Bois

W.E.B. Du Bois, 1868-1963, was a fascinating figure in American history. He was a civil rights activist from the early 20th century, scholar, writer, sociologist, the first African American to receive a Ph.D. from Harvard University, one of the co-founders of the NAACP.

I am planning to read his major writings, which had a profound influence on African American philosophy, sociology and the civil rights movement.

http://www.webdubois.org/

AnnualCreditReport - free

A law was passed that now allows consumers to request a free credit report from each of the credit reporting agency once per year.

AnnualCreditReport

Fun Website: MARSHMALLOW PEEPS®

Check it out:

MARSHMALLOW PEEPS®

Save internet radio!

Internet radio may be driven out of business within weeks by a Copyright Royalty Board decision that gives record companies a royalty rate that exceeds 100% of most webcasters' total revenues...

Fishermen catch big, old Alaska rockfish - Yahoo! News

Fishermen catch big, old Alaska rockfish - Yahoo! News

New "one click" technology

Use your camera phone to find further information or make purchases.
qode.com - It's in the code

Cool Website: HowStuffWorks - Learn how Everything Works!

HowStuffWorks - Learn how Everything Works!

Tearful homecoming for Britons freed by Iran - Yahoo! News

Tearful homecoming for Britons freed by Iran - Yahoo! News

15 British Sailors and Marines Hostages of Iran

15 British Sailors and Marines were captured and are being held hostage by Iran.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/03/27/iran.uk.sailors/index.html

Spring Equinox

Links:
BBC - Wiltshire - Moonraking - The Spring Equinox

Vernal Equinox History

Missing Boy Scout Found!!!

Father: It's a tremendous blessing to have Michael back - CNN.com

(Female) Teacher Gets 10 Years for Sex With (13 year old) Pupil

Teacher Gets 10 Years for Sex With Pupil - NEWS - US NATIONAL - Comcast.net

Photo Hunt - Architecture

A walkway at the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas.

Gitmo's Guerrilla Lawyers

Kuwait pays lawyers to get terrorists out of Guantanamo and to lobby Congress to shut the detention center down.

OpinionJournal - Featured Article

Oscars Tonight on ABC

Don't forget, the Oscars are on tonight on ABC at 8 or 8:30 Eastern time. I don't know why I still watch it, it has degenerated into something that barely resembles a real award show. It is more of a political campaign or popularity contest than awards for real merit.

Photo Hunt - Antique

A log cabin at Valley Forge in Pennsylvania. Photograph by my son, Devin.

25 Million Year Old Frog!

Tiny frog in amber may be 25M years old - Yahoo! News

Wisconsin man spears a 6-foot sturgeon - Yahoo! News

Check this out!!

Wisconsin man spears a 6-foot sturgeon - Yahoo! News

Iraq will close its borders with Syria and Iran

Iraq announces new security measures The Guardian Guardian Unlimited

Photo Hunt - Broken

A scientist peicing together a dinosaur bone at the Academy of Natural Science in Philadelphia, PA.

Make a Computer Chip Trivet

This is a cool idea. I don't know if I have time to do it, but we sure have a pile of old computer chips in the basement!

Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories - Make a Computer Chip Trivet

Parcel bomb injures U.K. office worker - Yahoo! News

Parcel bomb injures U.K. office worker - Yahoo! News

Global Warming: The Cold, Hard Facts?

Global Warming: The Cold, Hard Facts?

Dell Faces Investor Lawsuit Over Intel Pact - Yahoo! News

Dell Faces Investor Lawsuit Over Intel Pact - Yahoo! News

2007 Movie Preview

Here is a list of the movies I am looking forward to seeing this year.

Ghost Rider
Epic Movie
Smokin' Aces
Zodiac
300
The Last Mimzy
Superhero!
Disturbia
Balls of Fury
Fracture
The Last Legion
Spiderman 3
Lucky You
Shrek the Third
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Knocked Up
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
Nancy Drew
Evan Almighty
Live Free or Die Hard
Transformers
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
The Simpsons Movie
The Bourne Ultimatum
The Heartbreak Kid
Fred Claus
Beowulf
The Golden Compass
1408

Ashura - Perpetuating Differences

I fail to see why Shiite Muslims still commemorated this date. It highlights and celebrates the differences between the two largest sects in Islam, under the guise of commemorating the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali. Violence often errupts on this day. Wouldn't it be better to try to reach across the differences in these two Islamic sects and heal the pain of the past?

Bombs Kill 36 in Iraq on Shiite Holy Day - news -comcast.net
Day of Ashura - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

What I'm Reading

Benjamin Franklin: An American Life
by Walter Isaacson

How Secure is Your Password?

Find out here: Password Recovery Speeds

Muslim Fatwas Against Terrorism

Click The American Muslim (TAM) to find a list of Muslim Fatwas against terrorism.

Iran's Secret Plan For Mayhem

Iran's Secret Plan For Mayhem

Notable Movies of 2006 - My Picks

(Note: This list is subjective and is chosen only from the movies I have seen.)

Best Movie: The Departed

Best Family Movie: Pirates of the Caribean 2: Dead Man's Chest

Best Comedy: Borat

Summer Blockbuster: Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest

Best Special Effects: Mission Impossible 3

Best Cinematography: Happy Feet

Most over-hyped: The DaVinci Code

Disappointing sequal: Superman Returns

Pointless Remake: Poseidon

Just for Fun: Clerks 2

Most Innovative: A Scanner Darkly

Better than expected: Happy Feet

Best Car Chase: Mission Impossible 3

Best Actor: Matt Damon for The Departed

Best Actress:

Best Animated Film: Happy Feet

Honorable Mention: Over the Hedge

Obese can get healthier without diets - Diet & Nutrition - MSNBC.com

Obese can get healthier without diets - Diet & Nutrition - MSNBC.com