Marriage and babies

I just checked the celebrity news today and one of the Survivor contestants has been secretly married for over a year.  So?  Well apparently they're pairing her up with Keith on the show.  Maybe I missed something or maybe it's the editing but I sure didn't see any kind of relationship going on other than maybe friendship and a smaller alliance.  Lord, what are people thinking these days.  If you're married, you're married.  You have to watch yourself and how people view you if you're going to go on a show like Survivor where there are cameras on you 24/7.  It's none of our business what happens next.  If something happened on the show than Whitney, it's up to you to work that out with your spouse.

And speaking of nobody's business, since when should anyone care how many babies the Duggars are having?  I know it's up to 20 now, but come on.  They're not breaking the law.  Who are we to judge what they're doing?  I personally would not have more than two.  But that's me.  I'm not sure why people are doing news stories on whether or not this family should have another child.  It's their business.  Not ours. 

It's not a Tumor! Oh but it was a tumor...

I have been exhausted for the last few years.  I always blamed my non-existent energy on mental health issues or being out of shape or something.  But something didn't feel quite right.  The exhaustion couldn't be normal though when I would mention it in physicals I was told to exercise more.  They just didn't understand that I couldn't even exercise.  I wasn't being lazy, there was just nothing to work with.

Finally I dug my heals in at my doctor's office and one of the doctors ran my calcium levels.  It was elevated.  More tests showed that my parathyroid hormone was also elevated and my vitamin D was frightfully low.  All of these are regulated by the parathyroid gland.  Off I went to an endocrinologist who with the help of an ultrasound, found a nickel-sized tumor in my neck on one of my parathyroid glands.

Four months later I was hooked up with a surgeon and out it was cut.  My vitamin D was normal. My calcium and parathyroid levels returned to normal, and now I'm just waiting for the scar to heal.  My energy level is through the roof and I'm trying to get used to having it again.

Next time I feel like something is off, I'm not going to be afraid to push the doctors harder to find out what's wrong.

Caesar's Ghost...

I had a dog named Caesar.  Actually he was my family's dog, but I loved him every bit as much as if he were only mine.  We had 14 great years together before he just got too sick to go on.  It was time to put him down.  My brothers were braver than I.  Two of them went with my step-father.  One of them stayed through it all.  I am grateful to him so that Caesar was not alone in the end.  This was 3 years ago.

For the last few months I've been having dreams where Caesar was alive.  In the dream I knew he wasn't supposed to be there, but I selfishly ignored my inner voice and enjoyed the dream.  Until I woke up.  Then the pain all came flooding back.  Usually I cry for awhile as quietly as possible so as not to let my husband hear.

I finally told some people today as I can't seem to let go of this pain.  My brother's response was "That's depressing and sucks".  My Dad seems to think I have some psychological issues that need working out.

I wish I could afford a therapist to help me figure out what my brain is trying to tell me.

In Anticipation of Harry Potter...

I am an avid Harry Potter fan to say the least.  I am eagerly awaiting the last movie, which I will be seeing at midnight tomorrow night.  But I also have some fears regarding the last movie.  I’ve always been one to separate the books from the movies, and therefore have less criticism of said movies than let’s say, the diehard fans of the books.  I am afraid however that this movie might stray a little to far from the last book, and it being the last movie, that won’t do.  I’ve been watching interviews and sneakpeaks, TV Specials and late night appearances, all for a glimpse at what to expect of the last movie.  Now as the night is almost upon me for when all those clips will be placed in a way in which they make some sense, I’m afraid of being let down. 

The truth of the matter is, when Harry Potter first became big, I boycotted it.  It was like the movie “Titanic” with Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.  I wasn’t into the hype, it was a huge turnoff.  Then one day, my sister, who swore I would like the movies, forced me to watch the first one on VHS.  I was riveted.  The next day I went to see the second one in the movie theatre, and went from there to a bookstore to buy the first 4 books, the only ones released at that point.  I remember laughing at Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire while sitting in the Mexico City airport, awaiting my flight home from Central America.  Rowling had captured my imagination.  I went on to write fan fiction of the series, though to this day, no one but myself has read it. 

So what to do now?  I suppose just wait out the next 26 hours and hope that I won’t be sitting behind a great tall fellow as I did at Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.  I will run my errands tomorrow and try not to think about it too much, lest I grow too impatient.  I have no doubt I will write a review of the movie, at least my kind of movie review which resembles nothing like a real movie critics’. 

A Few Thoughts...(Very few)

Dear Blog Readers, I have been asked by several of you why I haven’t posted anything in several months.  Truthfully I have not been feeling very witty or intelligent.  I’ll give it a go now.  Writing, not being witty or intelligent. 

On the subject of the royal wedding and the young royal couple:  I had fully intended on watching the Royal Wedding live on TV on April 19^th, however found that I preferred sleeping to the actual event.  I did catch the appearance on the balcony however and watched many a recap of the ceremony.  I loved her dress, elegant and classy.  She looked quite happy, beaming with those pearly whites.  Many people were either lovers or haters of all the media the young couple has attracted.  I’m obviously one who can’t get enough of the Royal Couple, so long as their privacy isn’t too glaringly intruded upon.  I am continually impressed by the Duchess of Cambridge’s continued grace and elegance as she settles into royal life.  The North American tour showed she can push through these appearances and hold her own.  Well done Princess Catherine. 

Twitter.  It’s this amazing program.  At first I thought it was dumb and boring.  Now I need to get my fix often.  I am fascinated by the world of celebrities.  I always have been and I’m pretty sure I always will.  There’s something very powerful about tweeting Adam Savage (Mythbusters), Wil Wheaton, or Craig Ferguson.  I almost get an adrenaline rush.  I don’t anticipate they’ll ever read my tweets, but the very thought they might is very exciting.  I don’t tweet often, as I doubt the 14 people who follow me really care much about what I’m doing at the moment, but the following of the 104 “people” I follow gets me all excited.  For instance, I wouldn’t have known Tom Felton would be on Dave Letterman tonight, and I might have missed out on his interview.  I love seeing behind the scenes pictures from a day on the Mythbusters shoot posted by Tory Belleci, Grant Imahara, or Kari Byron.  It’s wonderful for people like me who don’t have a life. 

That’s all for now, I think.  Who wants to read a blog entry that is 7 pages long, after all. 

Lord of the Rings Heals All Kind of Hurt

Need a good cry?  Lord of the Rings.  Need a laugh?  Lord of the Rings.  Need to do your taxes?  Lord of the Rings.  And I am referring to the Peter Jackson Film Trilogy in this instance.  It is very difficult to do taxes while reading a good book (or three). 

Yesterday was a weird day.  I was feeling a little more claustrophobic than usual, so I thought, what can I do to calm myself?  Ah yes, the Special Extended Version of the Lord of the Rings.  It did in fact help.  Now, by the time I got to the Two Towers, I was so relaxed I decided to do my taxes.  So as Eowyn attempted to win Aragorn’s heart with really terrible soup, I filed both Jason’s and my own Federal and State taxes. 

For those who knew me when the films first came out, you know the stats of how many times I saw the movies in the theatre.  Fellowship of the Ring: 2, Two Towers: 11, and Return of the King: 14 times.  You could say I was obsessed.  These days however, I don’t watch it nearly as often as I used to.  About twice a year do I sit down and watch the entire trilogy.  And more often than not, I fall asleep or snooze through some of the moments.  Not because it bores me, but because I have seen them so many times and know the whole thing by heart.

So why am I admitting such a silly obsession?  Because they really are great movies.  And please don’t leave comments regarding how they are not true to the books.  I know that.  I have the ability to separate out books from their film versions. 

So if you have an insane amount of time free and just want to be taken to a sweet fantasy land for about 12 hours, I highly recommend these films.  

I Want To Be A Comedy Writer

Okay folks, here's the truth.  I want to write.  I want to make people laugh.  I started my first novel when I was 15 in High School.  It ended up being 365 handwritten pages.  It was terrible, but at least it kept me from succumbing to absolute boredom in Math Class.  Sorry Mr. Brown.  I know I was a terrible student.

I have since written the beginnings of more than 30 stories.  It's true that I don't finish most of them, but I'm proud of them nonetheless.  I think some of the strongest points of my writing is the dialog.  I'm not trying to toot my own horn, but I can come up with surprisingly witty banter.  In my head I hear the lines spoken out loud.  If only I could describe how each line was being said, however that's the point in having reader's interpretation.  Detail is not my strong suit.  I am much better at dialog.

I think if I ever wanted to pursue writing professionally, I need to stop "practicing" and take some classes on structure and form.  My nephew announced that he wanted to be a sitcom writer, and he would do what it takes to get there.  He's young, I am not so young.  I think it may be too late for me to join the writers of The Big Bang Theory.  But maybe, just maybe, I can life vicariously through my nephew.

Oh Charlie Sheen...

Well, it's finally happened.  Charlie Sheen has officially been fired from Two-And-A-Half Men.  Is it long overdue or should they look blindly away from his crazed behavior?  I think he crossed the line when he started insulting and mocking his boss, Chuck Lorre.  His poor behavior prior to this was questionable, but at that point I really don't know what he was thinking.  Frankly I've looked the other way through the drug, alcohol, and sex addictions, after all, who am I to judge?  But he's really crossed over the line.  Even his lawyers have been telling him to shut up.  His publicist quit, although Sheen fired him immediately afterwards.  But the most twisted thing is I am completely caught up in the media circus he has created.  I was one of the first 1 million followers on Twitter.  I read every news story that developed.  I have not however watched his Sheen's Korner broadcasts, though I understand they are available on YouTube, so it is only a matter of time before I give in.

I liked Two and a Half Men.  It was starting to get a little old, and I feel it was reaching the end of the road, but I still watched it every Monday night at 9pm.  Now his behavior not only affects him, but his costars, and the crew, most of which are considered freelance and won't get paid.  His behavior is causing massive speculation.  Is he pulling a Joaquin?  Is it an act?  Or is he in the middle of a manic episode?  He seems somewhat delusional to say the least.  I hope for his sake that he can pull his act together.  But I'm not sure anyone will hire him again. Look at the trouble Lindsay Lohan is having trying to move on with her life.  Good luck to him when he's ready to do the same.

My Obsession With Craig Ferguson

Now before you think I'm a Craig Ferguson stalker, I assure you, I'm not.  I follow him on Twitter, yes, but I also follow a lot of people on Twitter, and Mr. Ferguson doesn't even tweet that often.  I have only twice sent a question to his show, the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.  So why do I say I'm obsessed?  I suppose I'm not really, I just find him hilarious and fascinating.  Out of all the late night shows, I watch his daily, while the others I only watch if there is a guest I really want to see.  Thank goodness for the DVR!  I am a huge fan of all things British, which is probably why he's my favorite, with his Scottish brogue.  For all he puts down his show, it really is the best.  It's not trumped up with curtains and a band, which I actually like.  His sidekick is a robot built by the talented, Grant Imahara of Mythbusters.  Geoff Peterson (said robot) is full of prerecorded expressions that are played with excellent timing.  And even with all his new programmed expressions, my favorite is still "In Your Pants". 

Craig's simple studio is all he needs, because he has something most of the other hosts do not: talent.  With the exception of Conan O'Brien, I feel that the other shows don't hold a candle to Craig Ferguson.  I hate Leno after the Late Night Wars which screwed over Conan, I think Letterman is long past his comical prime, and Jimmy, he's okay sometimes, but he lacks the experience.  He also slurs his words a bit.  And forgive me Jimmy Fallon if you are getting over some kind of speech impediment, I did not mean to make light of your condition. 

Perhaps it is also Craig's guests that I find fascinating.  He manages to get a lot of people I actually care about, like the Mythbusters, the cast of the Big Bang Theory, and Stephen Fry.  Perhaps also it is his constant swearing on the show.  I LOVE the way they bleep it out with words in foreign languages with a flag over his mouth. 

If I were really obsessed with Craig Ferguson, I suppose I would know more about his personal life.  I don't know much.  I know basically all he's said in his stand-up and his show.  I do however wish him all the best, not that he'll ever read my blog.

A Night At The Oscars

I'm blogging while watching.  The King's Speech just won Best Original Screenplay.  I'm going to be honest, I'm rooting for the King's Speech.  It could be the brilliant actors.  It could be the fact that it is about a subject I am eternally fascinated with, the British Royal Family.  Or it could simply be that I am in love with all things British. 

I was a little annoyed at the Kirk Douglas presentation, however.  He slowed down the pace so drastically it was painful.  I'm not sure I get the standing ovation.  Is he some kind of icon from before I was born?  I think perhaps he's had medical issues, and I know that he's very old.  But the fact that he kept dragging out the award just really annoyed me.  Then Melissa Leo's acceptance non-speech was equally painful to watch.  She just stood there and ate up all the time.  And they didn't play her off.  Now the following speeches are rushed because it's running ten minutes behind just because of that one segment. 

I'm beginning to really like Russell Brand.  I think he's actually funny.  I still have to see him fight with Geoff Peterson on Craig. Thank goodness for YouTube.

Let's talk a bit about the fashion for the night.  Sandra Bullock was gorgeous in that red dress.  Mila Kunis wore an interesting dress, but I feel like light lavender may not be the best color choice for her complexion.  Cate Blanchett, what were you thinking?  Anne Hathaway, stunning.  Reese Witherspoon, boring.  Jennifer Hudson had a very interesting dress, and I mean that in a positive way.  Scarlett Johanssen just looked dreadful.  Did she even brush her hair?

Damn.  Christian Bale just won over Geoffrey Rush.  I knew he would, but I love Geoffrey Rush, and I was desperately hoping he would win. 

I have to go back to Anne Hathaway.  Her red carpet dress was okay.  Her white dress for the first hour of the Oscars was gorgeous.  Now, her black and sparkly dress, I just love it.  And that necklace!  As far as hosting goes, their opening was shaky.  Anne's mother was funny, but James' granmother couldn't really deliver her line.  The opening montage was well done, and I liked Alec Baldwin's guest appearance.  Who wouldn't love Mr. Baldwin?

I should really see Inception.  Everyone says it's a really good movie, and it's racking up those awards.  I would have seen it already, but I know I won't understand it.  It seems like I'd have to think way too hard and would be frightfully confusing. 

Oh my gosh!  Harry Potter the Musical!  Love it!  Can I get "A Little Ball of Light" on iTunes?

Okay, life has interrupted my incessant blogging.  I'm not sure which awards I have missed, but I'm sure it was many.  Or have I gone back in time?  Bob Hope is on the screen! 

I am now officially bored.  I hope they move on to the awards I care about soon.  I know that's terrible, if I was nominated for something,it would be amazing.  But I just can't make myself care about people who get up there and read a laundry list of names.  I get it, those names are important.  Oh well.  Maybe if I'd seen more of the movies, I would be more interested in all the awards. 

Oh brilliant!  Tom Hooper won for the King's Speech.  Let's hear what he has to say.  Oh nifty, we can thank his mother for The King's Speech being made into a movie!  Beautiful speech.  "Listen to your mother". 

Okay, Best Actress.  If Natalie Portman doesn't win, I will have a heart attack and die.  So will the rest of the world.  It would be the biggest upset EVER.  And the Oscar goes to...  big suprise.  Natalie Portman for Black Swan.  Don't get me wrong, I so wanted her to win.  Poor woman, she is so emotional.  It must be hard enough to win, but to do it when pregnant.  I love her dress, but what's with the tassels for earrings? 

Here we go.  Doesn't Sandra look lovely?  Come on Colin Firth!  Colin Firth!  Colin Firth! Wow, she's funny.  Love Sandra.  Love.  And the Oscar goes to...  WOOOOHOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Colin Firth for the King's Speech!  YAY!!!!!  Now he really CAN go back to England.  Dance, Colin, DANCE!!!!!  He was a child 20 years ago?  Oh Colin...  Beautiful speech. 

One more award.  Best Picture is all that's left.  It's a commercial break right now, so I can take a moment to reflect.  There are ten films nominated this year.  My prediction will be The Social Network, only because I've been watching the Academy Awards for many years now, and I know how they think.  The King's Speech has already racked up 3 awards in major catagories, so it is unlikely going to be awarded Best Picture as well.  But I could be wrong.  Steven Spielberg is now onstage.  And the Oscar goes to...  THE KING'S SPEECH!!!!!  OMG.  I NEVER would have thought.  I have been proven wrong!  I am so glad! 

Overall, not the best broadcast.  I think James Franco was not a good host.  I think Anne Hathaway was better, but by far, not the best.  And I hate her last dress.  Ew. 

Married to a Rock Star

So we just pulled my husband's bass guitar out of the closet so he could show it to me.  I swear, when he put it on I was 100 times more attracted to him than before.  And I was very attracted to him before.  I think I have fallen victim to the "Rockstar Attraction Syndrome".  Even in his pajamas, he looked so hot!  And he remembers some things from his lessons 5 or 6 years ago.  He looks so happy too.  Life is good. 

A Hobby For the Hubby

My husband and I are trying to find him a hobby.  He likes watching YouTube videos, but would like to expand his horizons.  Some ideas are sketching, painting, photography, but then I remembered he has a bass guitar in our closet.  I think he's going to give the bass a try.  Now I need to research good ways he can teach himself.  We can't afford lessons, so books and YouTube videos it is to teach him.  I think if he can get past the initial hand and finger pain, he'll really love it.  So it leads me to wonder, should I learn to play an instrument so we can form our own band?  I'm not really cut out for most instruments seeing as I won't commit to practicing.  I was thinking maybe a mouth organ.  That's a Harmonica for all you people who don't watch the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. 

As for my hobbies, I love to paint, write novels, and take pictures.  We got me a new drop cloth at Home Depot last night so I can start painting again.  It's been almost two years since I did my last painting.  I am itching to paint again, but now need inspiration.  I don't know what I want to paint, or who.  Well, I want to paint a portrait, I have the urge to work on my skin tones and shadowing.  But the question is who?  Maybe...Craig Ferguson? 

A Night of Stephen Fry

Wow.  Stephen Fry is an amazing speaker.  We got to the church where Stephen Fry was to accept a Lifetime Humanism Award in Harvard Yard an hour before the doors opened.  We were about 7^th in line.  For the next hour, crowds came and joined the line, which extended far into Harvard Yard.  And it was cold.  In that hour, the temperature dropped about 10 degrees.  I also heard a great deal of verbal abuse about Christians and religion, which made Jason and myself feel a little…uncomfortable.  I was wondering what we had gotten ourselves into.  Then the Humanism staff handed out wristbands that had something to do with there not being a God.  Jason and I passed.  When they finally let us in, I collected our tickets and we made a mad dash for seats.  We sat in the first pew of the left center section that was open for non VIPs.  Then we waited, my camera ever ready.  There was an opening act so to speak.  She was a ukulele player and singer, and it seemed like she was singing funny songs, but no one could quite make out the words, her mic was not lined up properly.  After she sang about 4 songs, the Humanism Chaplaincy members got up to make speeches and introduce Stephen Fry, who came out of a side door. 

Now, for those of you who don’t know what this humanism thing is all about, it’s basically a non-religious group of atheists who get together on Sunday and talk of doing good. 

Stephen Fry accepts the award and takes the podium.  He then talks for maybe 45 minutes in a very well put together speech.  Very eloquent.  But in it, he makes the point that a true Humanist would not condemn and mock those who do believe in God.  Just as religious folks shouldn’t try to push their beliefs on others, Humanists should not push their beliefs (or lack thereof) onto religious folks.  It kind of went against what those standing on the steps of the church during the cold hour beforehand were saying. 

What kept distracting me during his speech, besides the tall man in front of me who managed to constantly block my view of the podium, was the three women sitting to my right.  You don’t have to believe in any religion to be respectful of said religions.  The one immediately to my right had her Chucks on the pew in front of her the whole time.  The next two women had their feet resting on top of the pew Bibles.  One of them in her smelly socks.  You don’t have to believe in God, but at least be respectful of the items in the church, who are kindly letting your event take place in their church.  And when Mr. Fry did in fact drop the f-bomb twice as part of his speech, don’t stand up in front of everyone afterwards and rejoice in such foul language being spoken in the allegedly sacred space.  It is a sacred space, don’t be gleeful. 

I’m all for believe what you want, but as Stephen Fry explained, don’t offend other people while doing it.

The staff Q&A section was first.  4 very well thought out complicated questions were asked before Ukulele Girl got up to serenade Stephen for her question.  She offered her body to bear him a child in a very funny song.  I thought if he turned anymore red, he might explode.

The book signing followed, though I hadn’t brought a book to have him sign, nor could I afford one they were selling in back.  I took a few more snapshots and we headed home. 

Stephen Fry Part 1

I am extremely excited for tonight.  I will be witnesing Stephen Fry win an award for Humanism, and he will give a performance.  I respect him more than any other celebrity in the world.  He uses his powers for good instead of evil.  I'm bringing my camera in the small hope that perhaps I will manage to get close enough to him that my husband can get a snapshot of me next to him.  Oh Stephen Fry, what a difference you've made in my life. 

Best Tribal Council EVER

BEWARE of SURVIVOR SPOILERS Wow, I have never seen a Survivor episode like that!  I was praying Boston Rob would not be going home.  I was happily surprised when it appeared he had a solid gameplan.  Then when Phillip the "Former Federal Agent" opened his mouth, things got a thousand times better.  Then when he revealed the existance of the Immunity Idol and that Kristina had it in her possession, I nearly wet myself.  A-MAZ-ING.  I can't wait to check out Jeff Probst's VLOG tomorrow morning.  This season should be insane!

Super...What? No, Just Kidding.

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!  May the Packers cream the Steelers.  Although, I shouldn't hate the Steelers all together.  They did beat the Jets.  Also, Happy Birthday R!  My Sister-In-Law's Brithday is today.  I haven't posted because I still have no theme.  I broke my little toe a week ago, and I was going to post about that.  But I didn't.  We got more snow, which made me want to explode, but I did not vent.  This really should not be so difficult.  I love to share.  I think my friend's hate that about me.  I share too much.  So why is it so hard?  Possibly because I still haven't figured out how to password protect my posts yet, so I'm uneasy writing about things.  I did actually think of one theme, writing about the things my husband says or does that drives me insane.  But then you'd get the wrong idea.  He is a sweet wonderful man, and I shouldn't air our laundry out for all to see.  Enough musings for the day.  Enjoy the game, whoever you are.

Theme for my blog

Okay, so I'm told by most people that I can't just ramble endlessly on some medium out there in the void of the internet.  I need to pick some kind of theme.  My friends all have one.  Friend A uses hers to provide photos and updates on her family, Friend Al uses his for movie reviews, friend J uses hers to chronicle a medical journey, Friend S also uses his for movie reviews and movie news.  So what on earth should my theme be?  I could talk about medical issues, but I don't want to.  My journey is exceedingly personal that most people don't know about.  And if you're reading this and think you know what I'm talking about, you probably don't.  I've only shared it with one friend and limited family.  It's something that belongs on a support group message board, not a blog that could potentially one day be read by a future employer.  So that's out.  I don't really I don't feel like I have enough knowledge of Film Criticism to review movies.  I don't understand film structure.  Perhaps I could critique television shows, I do watch a lot.  I could provide updates on my family, but I only have a husband at the moment.  Which....I don't want to talk about.  Perhaps for now I will simply keep thinking.  Any suggestions?  Oh that's right, no one knows this blog exists. 

In The beginning....

Okay, so every blog I read basically starts, with "I'm starting a blog and am not sure where to start".  I've decided not to do that.  Okay, I really am doing that.  Just wording it differently.  I don't know how to blog.  I never have.  But I figure that my Facebook friends are probably sick of my constant status updates.  A blog may be a more approriate place to post my useless information.  Of course, now I have to worry about privacy settings and letting people know that I have a blog, otherwise, what's the point.  This blog post is actually a space saver, until I manage to figure out how to set privacy settings.  No offense strangers, but I don't want random people reading my blog.  I'm not even going to add images until this is sorted out.  So, here's my first ever blog post.  Not very exciting.  I will say this:  Vote for Alex Higle for President 2012!