Waiting for Patrick

So we've been waiting a long time for Pat to finally get his orders for his next duty station. We finally received them yesterday and we now have a finalized date for his return! Pat will be back in the states on April 8th, plenty of time before the wedding on the 26th. And he'll be home awhile! He won't leave for Italy until May 20th. That leaves us with plenty of time to spend together before he lives for Italy. He will probably be in Italy without me for around 3 months. I will probably follow him right around the first of August. Yeah, We're getting married :)

Myspace Countdown or Myspace Layouts

Zombie Survival

As some of you know I love Zombie movies. I'm not sure why. I seem to fascinated with zombie movies and vampire movies and books. Weird, I know. Don't hate me for it. So my roommate recently sent me this quiz because we often have conversations about how well we'd survive in a zombie disaster. I was utterly horified that my score at this below quiz wasn't better. The questions are hard, and I don't own a gun so they basically say you are pretty much out of luck there. If you want to see how your zombie skills match up to mine, take the quiz!

52%

Life Soundtrack

I have posted before about bands that I like and music that I listen to. I can't express enough how I feel like I'm on a constant search for music.

I love music.

I feel like music is a soundtrack to everything you do. I need music to listen to all the time. If it wasn't so rude, and people wouldn't think I had a problem, I'd have headphones all the time blasting my favorite melodies as my own personal soundtrack.

Ok, so I download music probably more than I brush my teeth (for the record I brush at least twice a day!). I just want to alert you of some of my favorite bands, artisits, and tunes so if you life soundtrack is lacking you can steal from my soundtrack.

Page France
A friend of mine just passed me a long PF's "Hello, Dear Wind" to download. The song, Junkyard, will please you, I'm sure. The song motivates me to finish whatever project it is that I'm working on, not sure why. Page France is an indie folk-pop music band thats songs are simple, yet very melodic and emotional. Often referred to as a Christian band, the songs have many religious undertones.





Ray LaMontagne
Probably one of my most favorite artists. I would reccomend every single one of his songs. I think he is a perfect Life soundtrack candidate. His songs make me think of flowerful parks and sunny days. Every time I'm in the car on a beautiful fall day, such as today, I hear his music in my head. Perfect for long walks and calming drives, his music is colorful. If you haven't listened, please check out "Hold You in My Arms," from the album Trouble as well as "Can I Stay," from Until the Sun Turns Black. You'll be hard pressed to find a bad song on either album.

The New Pornographers
I know, you are turned off by the name. If you dismiss this band for that reason it would be a grave mistake. Their most recent album, Challengers boasts some amazing talent as well as some note-worthy songs. "My Rights Versus Yours," and "Challengers," are both meloncholy and thought provoking. I find myself craving the latter tune when I'm just walking around the city.

Feist
If you haven't heard of Feist, you may live under a rock. Her songs have recently been featured in a number of cell phone commericals and her song, "1234," plays all over MTV. Although I don't like many of the songs or groups that play on television, Feist was great fromt he beginning and will remain great no matter how many times her songs are exploited to sell mainstream media gadgets. Her most recent album, The Reminder, will break you heart in a good way. I love her. Her voice is clear yet sultry. Her albums have folk influences with undertones of pop and electronica. The beats often make you want to dance, or at the very least, tap you toes. Listen to "So Sorry," and "My Moon Man." Her song "1234," while grossly overplayed, makes you smile without you even knowing it.

Carla Bruni
Carla, arguably the most famous model in France, has also been linked to such celebrities as Eric Clapton, has recently released an English version of her french album, No Promises. While her raspy voice sounds just as tempting in English, I reccomend you listen to the french album, Quelqu'un m'a dit. Her songs are sung softly and are very thoughtful. Look up the song, "Le plus beau du quartier," by listening to it in French you forget to pay attention to words and you are forced the recognize the song for its beauty as opposed to composition.

192 Days....Oh yeah, Did I say I am Moving to Italy???

It's officially 192 days until our wedding :)

Pat and I have been talking details and I feel like we're making some great progress. We now know where Pat is going to be stationed after we get married so that's a little less stress. Well, less and a little more. We just found out that we will be moving to Rome, Italy!!! I'm excited to be moving to another country and a little nervous. There is a lot to prepare for and we can't prepare for anything until Pat get's his official orders. There's no use in worrying over it. We'll have details when we need it and I'm just learning that God will take care of us no matter what. Needless to say I'm researching how best to learn Italian! I have some time so hopefully I can get a good foundation. I keep talking about going back to school so this is my chance. I probably won't be able to get a job while we're in Italy so I think I'm going to go back to school. I haven't decided what I want to study yet, but art history, literature and photography sound like great areas of study for Rome. I think I will have fun with this and hopefully be able to learn a lot!

Pat is past the halfway mark for his tour of duty and I can't wait for him to come home. Something like 5.5 months and he'll be home. I thought that the last part of his tour would be the easiest but I think it's harder so far. I suppose its because there is more to do for the wedding and there is little that he can be involved in from so far away.

I'm remaining surprisingly calm with the Italy news and the impending wedding. I suppose it's because I know we'll be together and, in the end, that's what really matters. The details of the wedding don't seem that important.

Please continue to keep Pat in your prayers. Oh yeah, keep me in them as well, who knows how long I'll remain this calm :)

The Bargainist

Okay, I was searching the web as usual and came across this amazing site. I hate paying full price for anything. I always feel like there is a better deal to be had. Sometimes I have to keep searching for the same thing at tons of stores just to be sure I'm getting the best deal. This website, The Bargainist, is full of great deals and Coupons!

You can search by store, product catagory, freebies, coupons and much more! The website searches the world wide web for all the best deals. I just found a coupon for a free, no purchase neccessary pizza from Domino's- I'd say THAT is so worth finding the website!

Neato Bandito

I search a lot of shopping blogs. I don't buy a lot...I just want to have options. I can't wait to one day have a house that I get to decorate. Just thought that I'd post a few of the cool things I've found on my blogging adventures. Enjoy!

LED Blow On-Off Candles
These LED Blow On-Off Candles are amazing! They are made from real wax but have no real flame. They give you the illusion of real candles but no fear of fire. What's even cooler is you can not only blow them out like real candles but they also blow on! (starting at $12)

Punctuation Pagemarks
I love sticky notes! These fun Pagemarks are great for the books your reading, homework or magazines. ($8)

WeeNinja

You can use the WeeNinja for many things, but it's best for protection. I'm not really sure what the best use is for a WeeNinja. I just know it's super cute and I want to just carry him around! ($20)

Goshdarnknit Card

I fell in love with this Goshdarnknit card the first time I saw it at a booth at Arts On Foot in DC. I bought the card and a matching pin to put on my jacket. The artist is great and the card makes you smile. ($2 +shipping)

Addiction

I watch a lot of TV. I'm not sure if I watch so much because I hear about it every day at work or if I'm just addicted. It's probably a staggering combination of both. This is the time of new television and it's devastating.

The networks Fall line-ups are out and everyone is watching to see what the next big hit is. Last years shows sucked me and kept me holding on for dear life. I can't abandon old favorites for the new hot trend. I have TV shows that I just can't miss: LOST (not back on until Jan.), Friday Night Lights, Grey's Anatomy, The Office, CSI, Heroes, House....already its too much television for one person to comprehend.

Thank GOODNESS for TiVo. Without such a device how can one aggressively watch too much pop culture crap???

So, back to my addiction....I give every show a shot. I know, I know, I should limit my time in front of the Tube. And I do. Like I said, I have a TiVo. So I record everything it watch it later. This season has presented some problems because there are too many shows I'd like to watch. Luckily I work in a business where people send me the Pilots so I can focus on time management and watch only the necessities.

If you don't have as much time as me, or even care to watch as much television as I do, I have listed below some of the must see television shows of this Fall season. Please read my reviews and understand that I care WAY too much about these characters lives probably to a fault. I talk about them as if I know them and pretend to understand their lives:

Chuck

Premise: The series is about an "average computer-whiz-next-door" who works at a standard electronics superstore. He receives an encoded e-mail from an old friend, a rogue CIA agent, which embeds the world's greatest spy secrets in his brain.

One of this seasons most humorous surprises. Please sit down to watch this one once. The show is laced with humor even in some of the most devastating situations. The CIA and NSA have operatives "watching" over Chuck as all sorts of rogue agencies try and 'take him out' because of the secrets he keeps in his head.

Journeyman

Premise:Dan Vasser is a San Francisco newspaper reporter and family man who inexplicably begins to travel through time and change people's lives. Along the way, he also must deal with the difficulties and strife at work and home brought on by his sudden disappearances.
However, his freewheeling travels through the decades reunite him with his long-lost fiance, Livia -- which complicates his present-day life with wife and their son.

I know, I know-WAY out there! This is like a modern day, quantum leap-ish type of show. Surprisingly captivating, the show transports you back in time with Vasser as he is sent on 'missions.' He is sent back to follow people and guide them on the correct path to better their life. There are a few twists set in place as he meets up with his former fiance who was expected to die in a plane crash. The show is shot well with great music. It's fun to watch him travel back to various decades and see how much things have changed.

Pushing Daisies

Premise: Ned works in a pie store and seems to lead a perfectly normal life. This, however, is far from the truth.Through his touch, Ned wake people from the dead. He decides to use this ability of his to solve crimes. But this proves complicated when he gives life back to his childhood crush, and decides to let her keep living.

I saved this show for last because it CAN NOT be missed!!! This is the BEST show this season! I know you think I'm crazy. You just read that premise and were completely turned off. I beg you, please don't pass this gem up. I too had the same reservations. But once you sit down to watch you will be immediately sucked in by its stunningly beautiful color scheme and won't be able to take your eyes away from its joyful character banter. Needless to say, this show will surprise you. The cast is expertly selected and the casual take on this life and death scenario with impress you. The cinematography is reminiscent of Tim Burton and the dialogue is quirky, to say the least. The show seems more like a major motion picture than a short television sitcom. You will most certainly be touched by its sentiment and unlikely humor. Pushing Daisies is MUST SEE television and will become a family favorite.

A Delightful Blog

I was searching the internet for honeymoon ideas and came across a blog that details a honeymoon much like the one Pat and I envision. As I read deeper into the posts I learned that this blog wasn't just a blog, it was a treasure trove of recipes of all types. Written fantasticly-chocolately rich, Orangette is a beautiful blog. The pictures are as tantalizing as the recipes within its pages. I'm not sure how I've missed this wonderful blog all these years. I encourage you to take a peek, you won't be disappointed. If you are, at least you can come away with a delightful recipe for a french style yogurt cake with lemon. Doesn't that just make your mouth water?

*the image above from the blog, "Orangette"

Let's GO Mountaineers!

Tonight is the WVU vs. USF game @8pm. It should be a really good game. USF beat us in a major upset last season and WVU is bound to not let it happen again. ESPN.com even has the head story about WVU on the college football homepage, please read it here: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3039139

They say some great things about our new running back Noel Devine. He is unbelievable for a freshman and can only get better. Tonights matchup will be the first real test for WVU. It's a major match-up between WVU's rushing offense and South Florida's run defense. Powerful as the game may be, I'm not sure that it will be high scoring. Nonetheless, if you are a football fan, you don't want to miss this game tonight.

LET'S GO MOUNTAINEERS!!!!!!!!

Here we Go Steelers!

I was visiting my cousins myspace page to see pictures of her baby, Luca. Not only is he the cutest Steeler fan I've ever known, but he's got to be one of the sweetest faces I've ever seen. I don't get to see him enough, and in fact, haven't seen him in forever! Please look at how adorable his sweet little cheeks are!

This Political Life

So things are starting pick up here at the office. If you haven't heard already, one of our clients is presidential hopeful, Rudy Giuliani. I have to say that I'm pretty stoked. I think he's a great guy and has done and could do a lot of great stuff.

So we're getting pretty busy planning the media and working out the numbers. Be sure to check out all the Rudy has to offer on his website and beyond. http://www.joinrudy2008.com/ From his website you can get links to his MySpace and Facebook pages and you can check up on videos from the campaign trail. You can also get codes from his webpage so you can post banners like this one:

If you aren't already registered to vote, please sign up! It's so easy and it makes such a difference in a primary. Make sure that you don't just vote in the General election in 2008, vote in the primary so you're sure that the best candidate for your party is represented.

A Song of Love

Here's a video that I found online. It's a guy singing about his iPhone to the tune of Enrique Iglesias' "Bailamos." It expresses the love that I have for my iPhone. It is slightly outdated because this is when the iPhone's first came out and before they went down in price. I hear this song playing in my head a lot....well at least every time I say "my iPhone."

Nancy's 21st Birthday

I spent this past weekend up in Buffalo, NY for Nancy's 21st Birthday. Lucky for me I had a new iPhone to occupy my time while I was sitting in the airport :)I flew up to NY and met my parents. We visited Nancy's college and met her new roommates. It was nice to get away for a little bit, do some shopping, and hang out with my sister. Here are a few pictures from the weekend.

My iPhone

I just made the best decision of my life.

I purchased an iPhone.

I was hesitant at first, but everything I read about them only made me want one more. I joked that if it went down $100 I was going to purchase it. Well, my wish came true. Not only did the iPhone go down $100...it actually went down $200! I couldn't resist.

The only problem that I've heard about the iPhone is that customers aren't satisfied with the AT&T network. I was a Cingular customer and have been just fine with the service that AT&T/Cingular offer. So I decided I wouldn't be dissappointed with what the iPhone had to offer.

So far, I haven't been.

This is the top of the line in technology and worth every penny. I can surf the internet whenever, where ever and it looks like what the internet is supposed to look like. The coolest feature I've found so far ( I'm still learning everything because its so cool) is being able to automatically search for shops, bars, and restaurants based on my current location. It's amazing.

I believe I could just go on and on and on about the greatness of the iPhone.

You'll just have to check it out for yourself.

My Surgery

I have to apologize for not updating my blog more frequently. For the past couple of weeks I have been out of service because I had surgery. If you read my blog about my emergency room visit you know that I have had some health problems. After a month of Dr. appointments and being poked with needles they were able to determine that I had gall stones and had to have my gall bladder removed.

I would like to inform you that I am well and almost 100% recovered and I'm doing very well. The surgery was all laproscopic and left me with very little scarring. In fact, they used super glue to stitch me up!

So, despite and uncomfortable visit in to the hospital I'm fine!

Envirosax Challenge

I was just reading the latest issue of "O" Magazine and I learned that San Francisco plans to ban plastic bags at grocery stores this fall. I started thinking about how at grocery stores in Europe you bring your own sack to fill with groceries. I always thought this was a a good idea. I have my Whole Foods bags that I use when I shop there but I forget to carry them with me. How silly of me to feel like I could ONLY use the grocery sack at Whole Foods. I could easily carry it with me to another store and fill with various sundries. The magazine went on to tell me about a great website for conscious shoppers that featured Envirosax. They have various vibrantly coloured tote bags that can hold to bags of groceries in one colorful sack. They are very strong, water proof and washable so they can be used over and over again. I decided that I was going to purchase a couple bags and take a vow to carry groceries in these bags only as much as possible.

I would like to challenge anyone that reads this blog post to do the same. Please visit http://usa.envirosax.com/index.php and purchase yourself some colorful bags. Then, please, keep them in your car or in your purse (they fold up to the size of your fist) and use them anytime you go to the grocery store. It may seem like something small, but it can make a big difference!

GO MOUNTAINEERS!!!!

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2961730

The above link is to an article talking about WVU Footballs upcoming season....MAN it gets me excited!!!!!!!!!!

So You Think You Can Dance

So I like to call myself a TV Guru because I watch so much of it. I claim that I watch this much because it's the business that I work in. But let's be honest: I just LOVE it!

So my addiction every summer is FOX's "So You Think You Can Dance."

I love this show because deep down I think I'm a great dancer (in all honesty, I can't dance AT ALL). I love to watch the dances and the people who get paired together. I've become such a fan of contemporary dance and of Mia Michaels as a choreographer. I believe she is so in tune to dance and I love watching her dances performed on stage.

Here are a few clips of some notable performances she had a hand it creating....

Mia Michaels "Calling You"

Fantasy Football

YES!!! Football season is just around the corner.....the glories of hard-hitting, long-throwing, heart-thumping action are just weeks away!

Today I started my Fantasy Football League: The Year of the Mountaineer.

Pretty much all day I've been reading about players and preparing for my upcoming domination of all the poor and innocent souls who dared joined my league :) It's so exciting.....

This year is going to be great. We've got a great league set up and lots of knowledgeable entrants. I can't wait to see who might come out on top...of course I'm predicting myself as the victor!!