thoughts from along the broken road...: January 2007

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

And I Quote: January 31, 2007

some favorite quotes & exchanges from last night's laugh-out-loud funny episode of Boston Legal...

Brad: Can we get you to put your tongue back in your mouth there soldier?
Alan: Thank goodness we have you, Brad, to keep track of our tongues. Would you like a list of all the places mine has been this week?
Brad: Perv.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Bella: You might keep in mind that should I marry Denny, I'll have a stake in this firm.
Shirley: Unless someone finds a way to drive that stake through your heart, small target that it is.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Denny: Here's another piece of advice: Always have your lawyer with you. That way when I deny having said something -- which I typically do -- you'll have a witness.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Vanessa (to Alan): I'm sure it's a very long, complicated answer, but what is your problem?

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

(*so* funny to a Red Sox fan!)
Mr Prigg (to Claire): I'm sorry, Ms Simms, but the New York Yankees take pride in being very humorless.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

(also *very* entertaining to Sox fans!)
Clarence (to Mr Prigg): Look here, you little gnome. You need to busy yourself with something important. Like buying up the best players on the free agent market so you can win championships; keeping your pompous asses all buffed; allowing your fans to feel good about themselves, even though most of them can't spell *and* have mugshots.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

(and one i just really liked...)
Denny: We all make mistakes. Too often people are judged by these mistakes. I find the true measure of a man lies in his willingness to right his wrongs.

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

89 years ago today...

my Gramp was born. this world was a better place for almost 85 years.

happy birthday,Gramp. i miss you...

little bits of happy: January 30, 2007

...a borrowed computer so i can get online at home until my computer isn't sick anymore

turns out it can actually get worse than Johnny Damon

yes. i finally said his name. that is because someone else has sunk lower than he has on the Traitor scale.

Adam Vinatieri.

he, who i still revered as the greatest clutch kicker in football. he, upon whose foot i still bestowed much gratitude for sealing the deal on many occasions.

he. he, who actually uttered the words that the Colts beating the Patriots in the AFC Championship game was the happiest win of his career.

what about the THREE Super Bowl rings you won in New England, Adam?? i realize that you have a new team now & all, but we keep hearing that as fans we should appreciate what you did for our team... and here you are, proclaiming that having your new team beat your old team in a lesser game than the Super Bowl is a far sweeter victory.

i don't get it. the choice to leave New England was yours. and it's not even like you were the one that won the game. (thank. God.)

and so... congratulations. you take possession of the Traitor crown. at least JD was man enough to say that he will always love the time he spent in Boston & will remember his place on the 2004 team.

Monday, January 29, 2007

let this be a lesson

so. where have i been all weekend, right?

in a nutshell, something weird happened to my computer & it will suddenly no longer acknowledge that i have a mouse or a keyboard as soon as Windows loads on my computer. basically, that renders my computer useless to me right now for very obvious reasons.

to make matters worse... i haven't backed up my photos since late August because i haven't had the means to do so. i should have been at least uploading them online somewhere but i haven't. and now i have learned that i will go back to being anal about backing up my photos, even if people pick on me for it. never again will i worry when my computer goes down because i will have everything important backed up. period.

so.
a. cross your fingers for me that i can retrieve my photos off my hard drive at the very least.
2. back up all your photos & important documents regularly!
d. i may be sporadic in my blogging until it's fixed so please bear with me.

Friday, January 26, 2007

And I Quote: January 26, 2007

favorite lines & exchanges from last night's Grey's Anatomy -- which, by the way, *rocked*

McSteamy: I'm crying on the inside.

i really don't like his character. but some of the stuff he says cracks me up. i can't help it.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Cristina: We are not friends. You and I are not friends. So please don't talk to me about what George... eats.
Callie: You know what? Forget it. I don't like you.
Cristina: Oh. Now my feelings are hurt.

whole scene just killed me. two most sarcastic girls on the show. too bad i couldn't capture the facial expressions that went with this.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Callie: Silence is overrated.

just liked this one... odd for a girl who is by nature pretty quiet, huh?

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Mc Dreamy: Of course I showed up. Why wouldn't I? You don't trust me?
Meredith: I do...
McDreamy: Ok, well, this is how it works. You fight sometimes and somebody apologizes.
Meredith: Well how I am supposed to know that?
McDreamy: You've never done this before...?
Meredith: No. I've never done this before.
McDreamy: Hmmm... All right. Well. This is... Uhhh. From now on, you can expect I'm going to show up. Even if I yell. Even if *you* yell. I'm always going to show up.

wow. maybe it's just me, but those are some of the most comforting words. ::sighs::

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

and i loved loved *loved* the closing voice over... so hit home with me.

We all think we're going to be great. And we feel a little bit robbed when our expectations aren't met. But sometimes our expectations sell us short. Sometimes the expected pales in comparison to the unexpected. You've gotta wonder why we cling to our expectations. Because the expected is just what keeps us steady... standing... still... The expected is just the beginning. The unexpected is what changes our lives...

little bits of happy: January 26, 2007

...being able to wear my sweaters, even if that means it has to be cold

Five on Friday: January 26, 2007

Cool

1. How did you feel yesterday? very crampy & uncomfortable & sleepy.

2. What kind of obstacles do you face? mostly internal...

3. Who is a good friend? someone who sees you for who you are, strengths *and* weaknesses, loves you anyway, wants you to be happy above all, listens, encourages, and willingly shares both your triumphs & your sorrows.

4. What is your fondest memory? i have so many... i could never pick just one.

5. Does time always kill pain? no...

Friday Fill-In: January 26, 2007

1. Today I want.... to go to sleep.
2. If only.... Reche Caldwell had caught that pass he dropped in the endzone on Sunday. =/
3. Once upon a time.... in a kingdom far far away...
4. Cold weather.... is good for snuggling.
5. Dude! OMG... the last five minutes of last night's Grey's Anatomy completely caught me off guard.

Friday Fun: January 26, 2007

brought to you by Friday Fun

Friday Fun

We are going to do things a little differently this week. For each numbered question, list that many things as your answer. For example, 1 thing for #1, 2 things for #2, 3 things for #3, and so on!

1. thing you have done this morning: drive to work
2. things you plan to do this weekend: go to Animal Kingdom if it's not too cold. go grocery shopping.
3. things you wish you had: some high quality photo albums. more See's chocolates. a hug.
4. celebrity women you think are beautiful: Jennifer Aniston. Ashley Judd. Diane Lane. Sara Evans.
5. celebrity men you find attractive: ummmm... Mike Lowell. Brett Favre. Jason Varitek. i can't think of anyone else. i guess i really just don't pay attention to that now...
6. friends you regularly blog with: Nichole. Andie. Heather. Michelle. Chele. Stacy.
7. ways you would spend $1 million: pay off what's left of my debt. buy some living room furniture. buy some bedroom furniture. pay cash for a new car, just so i would have one covered by warranty again, but not have a car payment. get a few new pieces for my wardrobe. actually stay on WDW property, maybe in the Wilderness Lodge -- i've always loved that resort hotel. invest whatever is left.
8. personality traits you think are important: kindness. sincerity. gentleness. responsibility. accountability. honesty. sense of humor. trustworthiness.

definitely the peacemaker

You Are 9: The Peacemaker

You are emotionally stable and willing to find common ground with others.

Your friends and family often look to you to be the mediator when there is conflict.

You are easy going and accepting. You take things as they come.

Avoding conflict at all costs, you're content when things are calm.

What Number Are You?

ha!

totally not in agreement about the whole "rich" thing -- so not me -- but i still find this result amusing!

Orange County

You're rich, pretty, and living a charmed life. (Or you seriously wish you were.)

From Disneyland to Laguna Beach, you're all about living the California dream life.

Just make sure to marry rich - so you don't have to work for it!

Where Does Your Inner Californian Belong?

Stuff Portrait Fridays: January 26, 2007

the assignment:
So in light of missing our little guy tomorrow’s SPF picture is: YOUR BUDDY

i had to cheat a little bit with a photo from a few months ago, since none of my buddies are close enough to get photos of at will, but here is one of them! =) (that would be the one in the middle. the other two are *her* buddies.)

Thursday, January 25, 2007

is it obvious yet that i am killing time?

What Your Soul Really Looks Like

You are a warm hearted and open minded person. It's easy for you to forgive and forget.

You are a grounded person, but you also leave room for imagination and dreams. You feet may be on the ground, but you're head is in the clouds.

You believe that people see you as a bit small and insignificant. People pay more attention to you than you think.

Your near future is in a very different place (both physically and mentally) from where you are right now.

For you, love is all about caring and comfort. You couldn't fall in love with someone you didn't trust.

Inside the Room of Your Soul

white

this one seems pretty accurate! except that I rarely resent anyone for being demanding of me... oh & i do not believe that feeling good is more important than *being* good.

WHITES are motivated by PEACE, seek independence and require kindness. They resist confrontation at all costs. (Feeling good is more important than being good.) They are typically quiet by nature, they process things very deeply and objectively, and they are by far the best listeners of all the colors. They respect people who are kind, but recoil from perceived hostility or verbal battle.WHITES need their quiet independence and refuse to be controlled by others. WHITES want to do things their own way, in their own time. They ask little of others, and resent others demanding much of them. WHITES are much stronger than people think because they dont reveal their feelings. WHITES are kind, non-discriminate, patient and can be indecisive, timid, and silently stubborn. When you deal with a WHITE, be kind, accept (and support) their individuality, and look for nonverbal clues to their feelings.
Take this quiz!

blue

hmmmm...
not sure how i feel about this assessment. some of it i find accurate & the rest is...
=/

You are blue. You are somewhat innocent, in the fact that your genius only extends to the physical world. You have a false sense of contentness. You are usually the quiet one, the genius. Everyone can count on you to help when they have problems, but you only fall short of being able to solve your own.

What Inner Color Are You?

Dawn's Thursday Thirteen, Edition Twenty-One: Disney Magic

Thirteen Favorite Rides, Shows & Attractions at Walt Disney World

1) Soarin' (Epcot)

2) Mickey's Philharmagic (Magic Kingdom)

3) Fantasmic! (Disney's MGM Studios)

4) Festival of the Lion King (Animal Kingdom)

5) Kilimanjaro Safaris (Animal Kingdom)

6) Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin (Magic Kingdom)

7) Kali River Rapids (Animal Kingdom)

8) the People Mover -- or for those of you looking for it on the map, they call it Tomorrowland Transportation Authority & it is the *best* place to rest your feet while you get a breather from the crowds (Magic Kingdom)

9) Pirates of the Caribbean -- even though the one at Disneyland has spoiled me now (Magic Kingdom)

10) Test Track (Epcot)

11) Living With the Land (Epcot)

12) Wishes Fireworks Spectacular (Magic Kingdom)

13) the entire World Showcase (Epcot)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Friday Fiver: January 24, 2007

just going to catch up on some i hadn't done...

The moment I let go of it

1. What did you eat yesterday?
i had a yogurt for breakfast. some dried fruit for a morning snack. a ham & cheese sandwich and some cookies for lunch. and for dinner, i had chicken served over whole wheat spaghetti with a sauce made from diced tomatoes & some cream cheese.

2. Are you more likely to yell or give the silent treatment?
give the silent treatment. i the angrier i get, the quieter i become. if i actually start speaking *after* i go silent, that is never good. but i still don't yell. i speak in a low, cold tone.

3. Who did you last grieve?
i think i grieved some things on a very personal level, things i that i wish had been different or hadn't happened at all, but an actual person? that would be my Gramp, who passed away in January 2003.

4. What feels good today?
my soft warm cozy blanket felt really good. until i had to get out from under it.

5. Friday fill in: Thank you ___ for ___.
thank you Lisa for making me laugh last night.

..if it happened to you

1. When is your birthday?
October 12

2. How old will you be?
i just turned 30 this past October.

3. Do you prefer to throw a party or attend a party?
for myself?? i prefer something quiet & without much fuss. and i would *never* throw a party for myself.

4. Presents: take'em or leave'em?
of course i will take them, but they aren't really necessary.

5. Best birthday so far?
i loved the one that Alison came down for as my surprise. this past one was pretty good too -- can't beat going to Disneyland with people you love!

That is the question

1. What feels like home?
someplace cozy. streamlined but without being bare & stark. warm colors. soft light. a candle lit.

2. Do you look at yourself carefully in the mirror before you leave for the day?
of course! i have to make sure i don't look completely ridiculous! =P

3. How do you feel right now?
quiet. a little irritated by an obnoxious co-worker. kind of chilly.

4. Are you a star-gazer?
not really. i mean, i like to be outside at night & *see* the stars. but that's about it.

5. Friday Fill-In: How much time has passed since you last _____?
How much time has passed since you last had your hair high-lighted?
a little over five weeks. i will probably get it done again around the end of March.

Oops I did it again...

1. First kiss?
you know... i don't really remember it anymore...

2. Underwater swimming or skydiving?
no thanks. i am *so* not a water girl, *especially* if i have to be underwater. and since the dropping sensation makes me throw up, i am going to pass on the skydiving as well.

3. Careful as you cross the street or never look both ways?
very careful. people don't pay enough attention when they drive. i know pedestrian's "have the right of way," but what good does that do when the oncoming car will squish you flat? who *really* has the right of way here? ;-)

4. Ketchup: a vegetable?
no. it's a condiment.

5. Underwear - optional?
uh NO!

Too much of the bickering

1. Last person you told to shut up:
i don't usually tell people to shut up outside of in a joking manner. i really wanted to tell someone to shut up this morning though. he doesn't realize that it's not what he says that annoys me, it's that he is speaking to me in the first place that is irritating. instead, i was just silent...

2. Do you drink wine?
sometimes =)

3. Ever fly on a plane?
absolutely! quite a few times! and i will again in about nine days.

4. Do you yell at your friends?
i honestly cannot ever remember yelling at my friends.

5. What have you quit?
being trampled on.

Can't Not

1. Are you complicated?
sometimes. more so in retrospect though. now i am about as straightforward as it gets.

2. Do you retaliate?
when necessary. but it's usually subtle.

3. Last person to hug you?
does it even matter? it's already been too long.

4. Your latest complaint:
people who don't know when to close their mouths.

5. Who was the bully on your playground?
Jessica Minor. she was so mean!

Wait while I twist your fate

1. What is your nearest lake or river?
let me give you a clue: i like in LAKEland. (they are *everywhere*.)

2. Do you believe in heaven?
without a doubt.

3. What's your lucky number?
ummmm... maybe 11? i *know* it's not 2 or 3...

4. Ever know anyone who appeared on a game show?
LOL! no.

5. Charades: good times or lame?
i am not crazy about them, standing alone, but as part of the game Cranium, they are pretty funny!

Mi casa es su casa.

1. Tell us about where you live:
living room. bed room. kitchen. bathroom. just enough space for one smallish girl. =) quiet. lots of small wildlife. trees.

2. If you could change one thing about your home, what would it be?
the cabinets. they really need to be updated.

3. Do you do laundry on a regular schedule?
every 7-10 days usually. always in the later evening because that's when the laundry facility is the quietest. i hate lugging over a laundry basket just to discover there are no available machines.

4. Describe the place that you sleep:
a bed. pillows. sheets. bedspread. my soft fuzzy tan blanket. ceiling fan on. and the room almost always stays on the dark side because there is an enormous tree right outside my window.

5. This morning: was it easy or difficult to start the day?
it was easy to wake up. not so easy to make myself actually get out from my cozy nest.

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

workday Disney fix

i was wandering through some of my favorite Disney-related sites today & found some interesting tidbits.

1. El Rio Del Tiempo Rehab - We don’t know exactly what will come of this yet, but what we do know is that this leisurely little mainstay at the Mexican Pavilion in the World Showcase is closed and won’t reopen until at least April. Does it take 3 months or more to change light bulbs, fix speakers and vacuum the boats? Or will this ride be truly “plussed”? (Mouse Extra) -- finally! i really hope that they are improving this part of the Mexico pavilion. it's a good idea -- a nice quiet, cool place to rest your feet for a few minutes & it's one of only two World Showcase pavilions that feature a ride. but i have been saying that it needs *major* updating since my first time on it.

2. New Restaurants at Downtown Disney and the Animal Kingdom - Two new places to eat are slated to debut in either 2007 or 2008. The Animal Kingdom will finally get another sit down option, this one with an Asian feel, and Downtown Disney is getting a T-Rex Café. Called T-Rex: A Prehistoric Family Adventure, A Place to Eat, Shop, Explore and Discover, the plans for this one look interesting. Both places are owned by Landry, the company that operates the Rainforest Café. (Mouse Extra) -- ooo! new dining! we all know how i feel about food! ;-)

3. Kilamanjaro Safari updates - …the attraction itself will see modifications to both the spiel and a show scene. The character of Miss Jobson will be eliminated from the radio conversation, and the “poacher scene” will be almost entirely removed. Safari drivers are undergoing training in the new spiel, and it should go live in late January or early February. The dates may slide in one direction or the other depending on various factors, but it looks like all of the changes are going forward at this time. (Mouse Planet) -- can't wait to see what they come up with for this, but the Big Red/Little Red Adventures were not necessary at best & far below Disney's capabilities at worst.

4. found this to be rather interesting: Western Way development. more shopping & one with a value angle is appealing. and more hotels? the resort hotels are all hidden treasures at WDW.

5. it's a boy! -- and i still have yet to see the baby giraffe!

little bits of happy: January 23, 2007

..an unexpected bottle of in sweet water when i haven't been able to find this hand soap anywhere lately!

Unconscious Mutterings: January 23, 2007

Week 207

I say ... and you think ... ?

Audition :: for a role
Urgent :: emergency
Lunch :: 11:30
Adult :: parent
Mug :: ugly
Awful :: most of this past weekend
Comics :: Pooch Cafe!
Damage :: break
Kicks :: field goals
Experience :: required

Tuesday Twosome: January 23, 2007

Short-term Memory

List the last two…

Movies you watched: all three Lord of the Rings movies
TV shows you saw: Grey's Anatomy & Ghost Whisperer
Items you purchased: newspaper & something i can't mention here =X
Beverages you drank: cranberry juice & water
Internet sites you surfed (before coming here): Gmail & Bloglines

At This Very Moment

List two things…

On your desk: sunglasses & highlighters
On your bed: pillows & the softest warmest tan blanket in the world
You are craving: chocolate & Disney
That are annoying you: people who talk smack about the Colts to me who haven't watched a single football game all season, *including* the playoff game this past Sunday & Peyton Manning
That best describes your “style”: classic & understated

Tuesday Two: January 23, 2007

Good things come in pairs... and so do fun memes!

Answer the questions below on your blog, and leave a comment telling us yours is up so we can come see what you picked. If you don't have a blog, you are welcome to leave your list in the comments.

Name your two favorite animals.
barring the cute & cuddly domesticated animals, i would have to say tigers (they are so regal & they look like they are made of velvet) & gibbons (their family dynamics amaze me)

Name your two favorite drinks.
nice cold water (hold the bubbles please!) & milkshakes

Name your two favorite colors.
a deep rich red & navy blue

Name your two favorite pairs of shoes.
my brown heeled boots & my strappy silver heeled sandals

Name your two favorite books you read last year.
i honestly didn't read much last year. and what i did read must not be very memorable, because i can't recall it now!

Name your two favorite instruments.
piano & (used in the proper situations) trumpet

Name your two favorite seasons of the year.
Autumn & Winter

Name your two favorite ice cream flavors.
coffee & Road Runner Raspberry

Name your two favorite T.V. shows.
Boston Legal & Grey's Anatomy

Name your two favorite magazines.
Everyday with Rachael Ray & Redbook

having your cake & eating it too

so... let me get this straight.

when the Patriots win a big game, they are a fluke, but when they lose, they are the team to beat? how exactly does *that* work??

or... if you want to read someone who says it much better than i do, check out Cursed to First: On underdogs and upets, who says everything i was thinking but could not seem to articulate.

happy happy!

happy birthday Heather!!
(go ahead... click on her name... go wish her a happy birthday over on her blog!)

Monday, January 22, 2007

paradox

ok. so... it seems the vast majority of people were rooting against the Patriots yesterday. so many of them stated that it was because the Patriots have had their turn & they want to see someone new win for a change, that they felt for Peyton & wanted to see the "post season underdog" finally win one.

that being said...

why was it, then, that when the Red Sox finally won the World Series in 2004, so many people were rooting against *them*? shouldn't that, by application of that "root for the underdog rule," have meant that people were collectively cheering on the Red Sox?

i wonder what it is that makes so many people anti-Boston sports teams...

never doubt a gut feeling

even as far back as the last weeks of regular season play, i had the sinking feeling that this was not the year for the Patriots. i just didn't have the same confidence that i did during the years they took it all the way. i knew they were going to lose, i just didn't know when...

the only thing is... i wish they hadn't lost *this* game. i could have taken a loss to the Chargers or the Jets or even in the Super Bowl. this one was bitter. but... that's the way it goes. sometimes you lose to your nemesis. it just makes the next time you win that much sweeter.

i know there are a few people who will take great joy in taunting me. i could come back with some sharp retorts, but that's not my style. (i will say this: too bad one of them isn't big enough to apply his name to the comments he leaves here. he can talk smack, but has to do it anonymously. i could name him right now, but... eh. whatever. he can live under the safety of his anonymity.) it's a shame that none of them will get the reaction i am sure they are hoping for. i also know that not a single one of them had better call me a bandwagon fan again though.

just like the Red Sox ended their season with a game that was an appropriate summary of their season -- some pitcher we'd never heard of in a game that got called on account of rain -- so ended the season for the Patriots, with a microcosm of the season playing out like a season in review: no real receivers to speak of, a key defensive injury against Indy in the opening drive (though he somehow dragged himself back out onto the field to play injured, like the trooper that he is) & a Brady interception to seal the deal, sending the Colts on to the big game in Miami.

am i disappointed? sure. but i am also relieved that this roller coaster of a season has finally screeched to a halt & my heart rate can return to something more normal. i never expected them to even make it this far, not with a receiving corp like that. but there are some good things that came out of this season. we saw a strong running game emerge. and we learned to believe in the rookie kicker. there is some work to be done on defense (like teaching Ellis Hobbs *not* to make pass interference penalties!) & we really need a couple of wide receivers who won't let perfect passes fall right through their hands (seriously. with eyes that big, Reche Caldwell really ought to have no problem seeing the ball coming at him.) but the Patriots will be back. of that, i am sure.

two weeks. Miami. and i will live vicariously through every single hit the Indy offense suffers at the hands of Brian Urlacher. go Bears.

Sunday, January 21, 2007

...

go bears.

two & a half minutes left in regulation...

dying. i am dying here. all that's left to do now is pray...

halftime check-in

to quote Nicolas Cage in the movie commercial i've seen 42 times during the first half alone: "I feel like my skull's on fire, but I'm good." the other non-Nicolas-Cage commercials have, of course, all featured Peyton. there is apparently no escaping his face, even during commercial breaks. =P

for the record, i'm still scared of the Colts. there's still half a game remaining for them to remember how to play, scoring points using someone other than Vinatieri.

one hour til kickoff...

::gulp::

Snapshots of Saturday: January 21, 2007

on my way to my haircut yesterday morning, saw this shot & was kind of fascinated by it, so i had to stop & capture it. then i got all freaked out by the fact that there might be alligators in there & got back in my car. =P

after my haircut, it was off to Magic Kingdom to enjoy the perfect January day...

decided to go over to Epcot for a while...

i had a really long wait until my Soarin' Fast Pass would be good, so i took the Living With the Land ride. realized that what i thought were some kind of berries were actually coffee beans, saw a baby pineapple, a huge tree full of tomatoes (mmmm...), and, my favorite, the Cinderella Pumpkins.

i also rode the new Nemo ride in the Living With the Seas Pavilion. i can't believe how different the inside of that pavilion is!! then it was off to wander the countries in the World Showcase. where i ran into some people i didn't really expect to see... and then got called "sir"... so i decided i had had enough Epcot and headed back over to Magic Kingdom.

i got there just in time to catch the flag retreat ceremony. i *love* this ceremony. it makes me feel so patriotic. they usually have someone who has served (or is serving) in military assist in the ceremony. (i think my father would love to do this... if i could ever get him down here... but that is neither here nor there.) the Main Street Philharmonic played patriotic music & it was really moving to see all these people standing there, with their hands over their hearts or saluting the stars & stripes as it was taken down & folded for the evening, while the National Anthem was played.

then i wandered around again for a while, just playing with my camera.

then i grabbed myself a yummy raspberry white chocolate chip cookie & a hot dog with sauerkraut for dinner, headed over to the seating area at The Noodle Station, snagged myself a good viewing spot & ate dinner while i waited. when i was done, i snapped some shots of Cinderella Castle until...

...it was time for fireworks!

Friday, January 19, 2007

little bits of happy: January 19, 2007

...text messages that finally go through, from my cell phone to hers, instead of between my cell phone & her email

there will be a space in right field

...and it will always be Trot's.

i wasn't ready to say goodbye to Number 7, but then, i guess, i never would be. i surely wish him well & i can't wait to hear the ovation he receives on his first trip back to Fenway. JD Drew could be bigger than Manny & Papi together, and he still would never be able to replace the dirty cap in right field -- the one played with heart & soul, who would have breathed Boston baseball until his last day. thank you for being a real team player, for wanting to be a career Red Sock, for gritting your teeth & playing hurt, and for wearing your socks right. you'll always be a Red Sock to this fan.

The Dismantling of the World Series Champions Continues in Boston ...

Wakefield, 'Tek, Manny, Big Papi, Schilling, Timlin, and Mirabelli are the Only Core Members Left from the 2004 World Champion Would-Be Dynasty

Well, it's all over but the tears.

The awful news that's been looming for six months has finally arrived. Trot Nixon is no longer a member of the Boston Red Sox. Another one bites the dust.

Ownership has failed Trot and failed the Nation. Come to think of it, the fans have failed Trot as well. I was astounded and ashamed that there wasn't more of a hue and cry about Theo and Co.'s abandonment of him since it became evident last season that they would let him go or when he wasn't offered arbitration. This is the one guy who was truly the heart and soul of the ball club, a career-long Boston product... until now.

He played with grit and honor and he cared about the team. He never drew undue attention to himself, he supported teammates and they supported him. He played clean but his uniform got dirty. He was the exemplar of a Dirt Dog. He got ejected from a game for grousing at the ump while on the disabled list.

Sure, he should have flown to spring training in '04 instead of driving his truck and wrenching his back upon arrival and missing half the season. Sure, he was on the DL too much the last few years. But unlike bigger names that pretty likely feigned injury because they lost interest at the end of last year, Trot would have played if he could have.

And even in partial seasons, he produced when he was on the field. But more importantly, he played the right way, he upheld the standards of the team, he was a link to the past, he was a character, he was a fan favorite... and now he's gone.

Let's see how many games JD Drew actually plays over the next few years and see if his eventual contract fee will be worth his performance.

Trot Nixon is a guy who should have been a lifelong Red Sox, he should have moved directly to the coaching staff upon retirement and someday should have managed the Olde Towne Team.

When will this ownership and this general manager learn that players are not just interchangeable parts to be plugged into a machine that will then spit out success? Fans follow a team because they get attached to the players and those players play and fight the good fight on behalf of us.

One of the best has left the building. And we're all less because of it.
-- Mark Huntley, Red Sox Nation In NYC
(as seen on Boston Dirt Dogs)

Scattergories

had no choice but to steal this from Chele, since it is based on one of my favorite games! (and i am embarrased to admit how many of these i needed assistance with! D is a difficult letter!)

Rules: Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following...They MUST be real places, names, things...NOTHING made up! If you can't think of anything, skip it. Try to use different answers if the person in front of you had the same 1st initial. You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question.

Your Name: Dawn

1. Famous Athlete: David Ortiz
2. 4 letter word: damp. drop. dewy.
3. Street name: Downing Street
4. Color: denim blue (real Crayola crayon color!)
5. Gifts/presents: diamond bracelet
6. Vehicles: Dodge Dakota
7. Tropical Locations: Dominican Republic
8. College Majors: Dramatic Arts
9. Dairy Products: Dubliner cheese
10. Things in a Souvenir Shop: dolls
11. Boy Name: Daniel
12. Girl Name: Desiree
13. Movie Titles: Driving Miss Daisy
14. Alcohol: daquiri
15. Occupations: dentist
16. Flowers: delphinium
17. Celebrities: Diane Lane
18. Magazines: Domino
19. U.S. Cities: Denver
20. Pro Sports Teams: Detroit Tigers
21. Something Found in a kitchen: dish towels
22. Reason for Being Late: delayed departure
23. Something You Throw Away: dead batteries
24. Things You Shout: Dude!!
25. Cartoon Character: Donald Duck

Friday Fun: January 19, 2007

brought to you by Friday Fun

Friday Follicles

1. Do you have long or short hair?
as you can see in my photos, i have pretty short hair. it used to be long -- down to the middle of my back! -- but i cut it shoulder-length when i turned 18 & it's just gotten progressively shorter ever since. i think i am about as short as i am willing to go though.

2. What is your biggest hair problem?
it has a mind of its own! that's why this style works so well for me. it actually works with the crazy, random cowlicks my hair gets when it decides that half of it wants to curl while the rest remains straight! and there's no consistency to when it decides to be straight or curlier either. =P

3. Dyed or not?
never completely dyed. i have done varying amounts of highlights though. usually some shade of blonde.

4. Name one male and one female celebrity whose hair you love!
i can't think of anyone off the top of my head, but i do remember loving when Courteney Cox Arquette had her hair really short on Friends.

5. Any funny hair stories?
well... there was the time i thought i would highlight my own hair back in college. i was going to put in some auburn highlights. i got the box & got myself all set up. problem is i got the box that was meant for brunettes. i am brunette but i also have a fair amount of natural blonde highlights. and the dye i used turned them all plum-colored. after that i vowed to leave all hair ventures to the professionals.

6. Worst hair cut EVER?
the one my parents gave me when i was in fourth grade. it was a perm. with small rollers. i looked like an electrocuted poodle.

Friday Favorites

Name your five favorite…

1. current TV shows?
Grey's Anatomy. Boston Legal. Ghost Whisperer (i know, i know! guilty pleasure. i always think how dumb it is & then find myself sucked in. again.) Cold Case. CSI.

2. things to shop for?
gifts for the people i love. other than that... not really so crazy about shopping.

3. magazines?
Everyday with Rachael Ray. Real Simple. Redbook. Simple Scrapbooks. Kraft Food & Family (don't laugh! i find some really great recipes in here! and it's *free*.)

4. non-blog sites to visit?
FOXSports. Red Sox. Patriots. Walt Disney World. Pooch Cafe.

5. things about yourself?
my eyes. my determination. my sense of self-discipline. my ability to listen. my flexible approach to most situations.

Friday's Feast: January 19, 2007

Feast One Hundred & Twenty Seven

Appetizer
Which television shows do you just refuse to miss?
must see tv for me: Boston Legal and Grey's Anantomy

Soup
Who did you last speak to on the telephone?
Disneyland. that's right. Disneyland.

Salad
How many pillows do you keep on your bed?
i have six pillows for sleeping. sometimes i use all of them. sometimes i use some. every once in a while i will use only one or even none. no decorative pillows on my bed though. probably not room for them anyway. =P

Main Course
Name one addition to your computer (software, hardware, etc.) that you'd love to have.
i would really like a printer/scanner combo capable of printing good quality photos. just a dream though...

Dessert
What is your favorite foreign food?
i like all the "standards" -- Chinese, Italian, Mexican -- but my very favorite is traditional German food which i am lucky enough to be able to get when i go to Epcot! just like eating my Gram's home cooking. =)

Stuff Portrait Fridays: January 19, 2007

SPF is back!
::does a little happy dance::

the assignment: Your Television Remote/s

Thursday, January 18, 2007

little bits of happy: January 18, 2007

...full refrigerator, freezer & cabinets after a trip to the grocery store

six of one. half dozen of another.

borrowed from Marianne!

1. Name six things in your refrigerator.
Bertolli Balsamico Vinaigrette Dressing. Grey Poupon Dijon Mustard. four gallons of water. Ocean Spray 100% Cranberry Juice. zucchini squash. carrots.

2. Name six things in your freezer.
Birds Eye Sweet Garden Peas. raspberry Creamsicles. thin sliced boneless pork loin chops. one pound of lean ground beef. three boneless skinless chicken breasts. a half gallon of Publix Premium "Santa's White Christmas" ice cream.

3. Name six things under your kitchen sink.
SOS Clean & Toss Pads. Mr Clean Magic Erasers. Cascade dishwasher detergent. Scotch Brite No Scratch sponges. Clorox wipes. Febreeze fabric refresher in "Spring & Renewal" scent.

4. Name six things around your computer.
digital camera. cell phone. framed photo of my god daughter. speakers. cordless phone. wireless optical mouse.

5. Name six things in your medicine cabinet.
Advil Liqui-Gels. Aveeno hyrocortisone cream. Aveeno Baby sunscreen. Crest ProHealth toothpaste. Neosporin. deodorant.

6. Name six things on or around your nightstand.
alarm clock. coaster. cordless phone. bottle of Vanilla Bean Noel lotion. lamp. two framed photos: one of my Gram & me when i was a baby and one of me with Nichole & Daniel at Disney's California Adventure taken last September.

Thursday Threesome: January 18, 2007

brought to you by The Back Porch

::No California Oranges this Year!::

Onesome: No California-- drivers allowed! Do you drive and talk on the cell phone? Come on, fess up...
sometimes i do. but if traffic is really heavy, i use my headset or i say goodbye. and no texting while driving! at stoplights only.

Twosome: Oranges-- and Apples and Pears, oh my! Do you have a favorite fruit?
i am more of a berry girl but i do like an occasional crisp, tart green apple.

Threesome: this Year-- I'm going to _______ (go ahead; fill in the blank. No, it's not a resolution !)
...have fewer reasons to be dark & twisty. i hope.

::Strange Little Bud::

Onesome: Strange-- twists and turns on the web? Do you recall how you ended up here at the Back Porch? ...just curious.
i believe i followed the link Stacy had on her blog.

Twosome: Little-- by little we branch out and bloom. How often do you post per week? Is that more or less than six months ago?
i post whenever i feel like it. there is no rhyme or reason to it at all. and that is exactly how i've blogged from day one.

Threesome: Bud-- break time is coming later this year. ...but are the bulbs in your area pushing up through the soil yet?
they sure are! of course it's been in the 70s & 80s here so...

Dawn's Thursday Thirteen, Edition Twenty: Brand Loyal

Thirteen Things You Will Always Find in My Home

1)

2) (ETA: Michelle thinks this is TMI. i, however, say it is not. what would be TMI would be knowing *why* i am brand loyal to this specific item. heh.)

3) original scent only please!

4) makes me hair do what it does without being crunchy or greasy. it works & it isn't expensive at all. beat that!

5)

6)

7) these would be Puffs Ultra. a nice strong soft tissue. not to be confused with Puffs Plus which feels all slimy & greasy to me.

8)

9)

10)

11) VS Cotton Demi - ahhhh...

12)

13) just to clarify -- doesn't have to be strawberry. just Yoplait Original.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

i wasn't going to say anything...

i wasn't going to say hardly more than a peep about the Patriots this week, because i am a firm believer in the bad karma of trashtalking your opponents (especially in the post season, as has been evidenced by Freddie Mitchell, Mike Vanderjagt, my very own Patriots before playing Denver in last year's playoffs, and, most recently, the San Diego Chargers - it just doesn't turn out well); something called "mystique"; curses; and lucky shirts.

and so i really wasn't going to say anything, lest my running mouth somehow rain down bad karma on my boys (i have a pretty impressive ego to think i can cause something of this magnitude with a few words on my humble little blog, huh?) but this just pushed me over the edge & i can't resist making a comment.

apparently, the Colts have decided to follow suit & limit ticket sales for this Sunday's playoff game to people living in the Indianapolis area only.

ok (i thought to myself) it didn't matter in San Diego. if they want to look nervous going into Sunday's game, that's all right with me.

and then i read this from the Older Doofus Spawn himself:
"We need that stadium totally packed in blue. No Patriots," Manning said.

i'm sorry but my stomach *still* hurts from laughing. go ahead, Peyton. you just throw to the guys you see wearing some blue, mmm-kay?

Pats Pulpit nailed it i think:
This actually explains a lot, particularly Ty Law's three interceptions a few years ago. Apparently, Manning doesn't know that the Patriots and their fans wear a lot of blue.

i am actually far more concerned with the injury reports that came out yesterday:

DOUBTFUL: S Rodney Harrison (knee)
QUESTIONABLE: WR Troy Brown (flu), OT Ryan O'Callaghan (flu), DL Mike Wright (flu)
PROBABLE: QB Tom Brady (right shoulder)
There are several players no longer on the list, including Bam Childress, Benjamin Watson, Richard Seymour and Ellis Hobbs.

For the Colts:
QUESTIONABLE: T Ryan Diem (shoulder), CB Nicholas Harper (ankle), LB Cato June (concussion), G Ryan Lilja (knee), WR Ricky Proehl (hamstring), S Bob Sanders (knee)

several concerns for me. the obvious wishing we had Rodney, but i am really worried about this vicious flu that has been ripping through the team. not only do i hope Troy Brown makes it back for Sunday (the other guys too, of course, but not having him in particular really scares me for some reason), i am also hoping that no one else comes down with this thing between now & game time. we can't afford to be missing anyone. what also caught my attention were three names on the Colts report: Harper, June & Sanders -- all top performers on the (newly potent & acclaimed) Indy defense. this could be interesting. of course they are only questionable (50% chance of playing as of right now) & we could be merely back to playing injury report head games. remains to be seen. warrants watching in the mean time.

and on one last, very childish note. i was reading a pretty good article on SI.com about the Patriots efforts at creating depth on the team & the whole time i am reading, i can't pay attention. because i am laughing. inappropriately. at the author's first name. Nunyo. and thinking it's a good thing his last name isn't Business. i think the stress of last week's playoff game may have pushed me right off the deep end...

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