Princess on the Brink

So, yeah. It's been a while since the last post. The funny thing is I've been online everyday; I just haven't really felt like blogging. At any rate my last book read this year is Meg Cabot's Princess on the Brink.

Princess on the Brink picks up where we last left Princess Mia. She's going to be a junior. She's still dating Micheal and Mia's whole crew is back for the new school year. Only some shizz is about to go down like will Michael go to Japan for a year or more? And does JP really like Lilly? And Will Boris ever stop tucking his sweater into his pants?

Seriously though, this book is the first one where I literally wanted to smack Mia in the head and tell her to stop being so freaking insecure. Dude, if you don't realize that Michael loves you by now I am just not sure you are ever going to get it. Also, I did appreciate that the subject matter was a bit more mature this time around. I am anxious to read what happens in book 9: Princess Mia.

Yes, I do realize these are fictional teenagers.


Books Read in 2007:

Princess on the Brink ~ Meg Cabot
Jinx ~ Meg Cabot
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist ~ Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
Queen of Babble in the Big City ~ Meg Cabot
Devilish ~ Maureen Johnson
Eclipse ~ Stephenie Meyer
New Moon ~ Stephenie Meyer
Twilight ~ Stephenie Meyer
The Key to the Golden Firebird ~ Maureen Johnson
Enna Burning ~ Shannon Hale
Fool Moon ~ Jim Butcher
Queen of Babble ~ Meg Cabot
The Goose Girl ~ Shannon Hale
The Princess Academy ~ Shannon Hale
Avalon High ~ Meg Cabot
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows ~ J.K. Rowling
A Thousand Splendid Suns ~ Khaled Hosseini
The Bermudez Triangle ~ Maureen Johnson
Fray ~ Joss Whedon
The Dragonriders of Pern ~ Anne McCaffery
Embroideries ~ Marjane Satrapi
13 Little Blue Envelopes ~ Maureen Johnson
The Cider House Rules ~ John Irving
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince ~J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix ~ J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire ~ J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban ~ J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets ~ J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone ~ J.K. Rowling
The Good Men: A Novel of Heresy ~ Charmaine Craig
An Abundance of Katherines ~ John Green
The Count of Monte Cristo ~ Alexandre Dumas
Looking For Alaska ~ John Green
Band of Brothers: E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest ~ Stephen Ambrose
Drinking, Smoking, and Screwing: Great Writers on Good Times ~ edited by Sara Nikles
Forever in Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood ~ Ann Brashares

A to Z cds: Day 62

So we are getting ready to enter the Led Zepplin phase of the listening project. I know this is going to sound like blasphemy to some of you but I've never really listened to Led Zepplin before. I have these discs because DiRRty thought I should have them. I've never been opposed to Led Zepplin; it's just I've never really been exposed to them either. I know that they have influenced some of my favorite bands and musicians. That's why I graciously accepted these discs in the first place. I've always wanted to be a fan and really know their music but I haven't taken the time to do so. But now, as they are reuniting it seems fitting that I should finally listen to these discs. And possibly learn to love Led Zepplin.


293. Led Zepplin I ~ Led Zepplin (last listen: never)

294. Led Zepplin II ~ Led Zepplin (last listen: never)

295. Led Zepplin III ~ Led Zepplin (last listen: never)

296. Physical Graffiti ~ Led Zepplin (last listen: never)

297. In Through the Out Door ~ Led Zepplin (last listen: never)

298. BBC Sessions ~ Led Zepplin (last lisen: never)

Okay, Led Zepplin rules. How have I never listened to these guys before? I should say that I don't think you can live in society and be completely ignorant of Zepllin so I had heard some songs, obviously Whole Lotta Love, Dazed and Confused, etc., but these guys are amazing. Man, I am dumb for not listening to these guys before now. Communication Breakdown is a genius song. Now I need to get my hands on Led Zepplin IV. I am blown away. I hope that my being blown away makes up for the fact that I have been retarded for 31 years.

The final countdown

You know they say it only takes doing something for three weeks for it to become a habit. Which is why I am more than a little nervous about the looming date of December 31. See, Brotherhood 2.0 has become a habit for me. It's like crack in the form of a vlog. I am starting to get worried about going into John and Hank withdrawal. How will I be able to see happy dances anymore? And I will no longer hear a new song every Wednesday? And I won't know when puff levels are high or when Hank is on the weather channel or when John and the Yeti get their dog.

See, I am starting to lose it. Who knew way back in January when Maire innocently sent me a link to Bro 2.0 that I would become addicted and fall into major crushes with two married brothers who are so funny and smart? See, I am a die hard fan; before we all became nerdfighters made of awesome; before in my pants; I've been there since Jan. 9. And now it's all going to end.

We only have 9 (possibly only 8 if they take off on Christmas Eve) vlogs left. It's not fair or right.

I know in my logical part of my brain that this has most likely taken over their lives in ways they did not imagine both time and popularity-wise. But damn; I really hope they can post something like twice a month to keep all of nerdfighters up-to-date with their lives.

Gods, I sound like a total stalker, don't I? Sigh. I just think those guys are made of awesome and I really wish them all the best in life. I know I will be reading Paper Towns when it's published and I will keep reading Ecogeek after Jan. 1. But is it too much to hope for a vlog update every now and then? I think not.

ETA: This is what I will miss. How can you not love this?

Jinx

Hello. My name is Jalehlabad and I am a Meg Cabot-aholic. I can't help it; I am addicted to all her books and I love them. It's a disease, y'all. And had I known about her when I was in Bloomington I would have maybe tried to get her to meet me at the new Target and discussed the pros and cons of the Target being attached to the mall (since she is a B'ton native and an IU grad). It sounds like a conversation you might have with Meg. She even agrees with me on how awesome North and South is (see previous post).

So, right; the book. Jinx is the story of Jean Honeychurch. Jean's a PK (Preacher' kid) from Iowa who lands herself in a bit of a bind. Jean aka Jinx, because of her noted bad luck, ends of moving to NYC to live with her aunt's family. This is when the real trouble begins. Because Jinx's cousin Tory thinks that the oldest granddaughters of the family are hereditary witches. And Tory's kind of magic isn't the nice kind. On top of all that, Jinx and Tory both like Zach Rosen. Is Jinx a witch or does she just have some really bad luck? You'll have to read the book to find out.

Books Read in 2007:

Jinx ~ Meg Cabot
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist ~ Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
Queen of Babble in the Big City ~ Meg Cabot
Devilish ~ Maureen Johnson
Eclipse ~ Stephenie Meyer
New Moon ~ Stephenie Meyer
Twilight ~ Stephenie Meyer
The Key to the Golden Firebird ~ Maureen Johnson
Enna Burning ~ Shannon Hale
Fool Moon ~ Jim Butcher
Queen of Babble ~ Meg Cabot
The Goose Girl ~ Shannon Hale
The Princess Academy ~ Shannon Hale
Avalon High ~ Meg Cabot
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows ~ J.K. Rowling
A Thousand Splendid Suns ~ Khaled Hosseini
The Bermudez Triangle ~ Maureen Johnson
Fray ~ Joss Whedon
The Dragonriders of Pern ~ Anne McCaffery
Embroideries ~ Marjane Satrapi
13 Little Blue Envelopes ~ Maureen Johnson
The Cider House Rules ~ John Irving
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince ~J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix ~ J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire ~ J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban ~ J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets ~ J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone ~ J.K. Rowling
The Good Men: A Novel of Heresy ~ Charmaine Craig
An Abundance of Katherines ~ John Green
The Count of Monte Cristo ~ Alexandre Dumas
Looking For Alaska ~ John Green
Band of Brothers: E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest ~ Stephen Ambrose
Drinking, Smoking, and Screwing: Great Writers on Good Times ~ edited by Sara Nikles
Forever in Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood ~ Ann Brashares

Thanks, Santa

We had to have Christmas early this year because my sister is a nurse and she has to work on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the whole weekend before that. So, we had Christmas yesterday. Every year, my parents have this guy come dressed like Santa and he gives a present to all the kids and adults.

This year Santa brought me North and South (BBC edition) on dvd. Sweet! I scored! As I previously mentioned; I frakkin' loved this miniseries. And now I can watch it anytime I like. Santa rules!

A to Z cds: Day 61

287. So Long, So Wrong ~ Alison Krauss and Union Station (last listen: 6 months - 1 year): Whoops! I listened to these a bit out of order since this gem was technically released before New Favorite. Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.

288. Live ~ Alison Krauss and Union Station (last listen: 1-3 years)

289. Lonely Runs Both Ways ~ Alison Krauss and Union Station (last listen: 0-3 months): This cd represents one of the best concerts I have ever been to. I say AK & US perform on this tour in Evansville, Indiana. It was amazing. No opening band; just these guys one the opening night of their tour playing for over two hours. Plus, we were sixth row center. I can honestly say that night was amazing. I think Squater agrees.

290. Circus ~ Lenny Kravitz (last listen: 5+ years)

291. Greatest Hits ~ Lenny Kravitz (last listen: 5+ years): I forgot how much I enjoy a little Lenny Kravitz from time to time. Plus, he is a fine looking man, especially when he rocks the dred locks.

292. Lagaan Soundtrack ~ Various artists (last listen: 0-3 months): The day after I saw this Academy Award winning film I bought the soundtrack. I loved the music and the dancing and the Bollywoodness of it all. I listen to this cd at least twice a month. Love it.

Persepolis trailer

When I read the graphic novels of Marjane Satrapi I felt like I was living her life. She really has a way of pulling the reader in. Now, they've turned what looks to be Persepolis and Persepolis 2 in a film. I cannot wait to see this. My only real complaint is all the stuff that takes place in Iran has French subtitles. Couldn't they have found people who could speak some Farsi?

**Thanks to Maire for posting this on her blog.**

Zune-a-licious

Bill and I have a funny relationship in terms of mp3 players. All the way back in 2003 (or was it 2004?), I decided to buy an mp3 player with some of my tax refund money. Bill and I talked a lot about the pros and cons of the back then ipod vs. creative vs. rio karma vs. blah, blah, blah. After a lot of thought, research and a lot of lobbying on the part of Bill, I ended up buying the Rio Karma. And I loved it. It was smaller than the back then ipod and had a ton more functionality. The only problem was that, shortly after I purchased the Karma, Rio got bought out and they stopped supporting the Karma. Then my Karma locked up probably because I dropped it on several occasions (What can I say? I am kind of a klutz). Bill helped me fix my Karma on several occasions. He was also constantly apologizing for convincing me to buy a product that while very cool, lacked the support I needed.

No matter how many times I said it wasn't his fault; he never really stopped apologizing. Finally, my Karma took a last gasp during a pretty intense lightening storm while I was in Cutesville, IN. That will teach me to leave things plugged in during storms. I never once regretted buying that Karma. I did like it better than the ipod and I loved all the cool programs that Rio had given the Karma and I never blamed Bill for convincing me to buy the Karma. I kind of liked not having an ipod and not being like everyone else. All of this leads me to this new development...

So, a few months back Bill won a free, rare, pink Zune. Since he already had a Zune (a brown one at that) he decided he was going to give this pink Zune away. I remember that post mostly because I thought it was neat that he was giving away his new, free Zune. I didn't even think that I would be considered in the running for this giveaway because I figured the Zune was going to go to his brother, Chazzbot, or to Becka.

But then he blogged a second post that said the person who he was giving to Zune to had no idea that they were getting the Zune. Which started to make me wonder because a) he said the Zune was going to a female (so that takes Chazzbot out) and b) the person didn't know (which, to me, took Becka out). So, that day I got a hold of Bill on gmail chat and told him, jokingly, that he should give me the Zune since he'd forced that headache of a Karma on me. And that's when he told me that I was getting the Zune to restore his mp3 karma. Get it? Heh. So, here it is. A free, pink Zune all for me. Can you believe it? I barely can.

The Zune is one of the things that compelled me to buy a new computer. Because what good is a shiny new Zune if I can't load anything on to it? But before I had my computer and when I was unsure exactly when I would be getting a laptop I asked Bill to load some music on the Zune for me. Boy, did he deliver. I guess my taste in music is no big secret and Bill's seen my collection. He gave me a lot of great stuff. But the best part is in the picture section he loaded Everwood pictures! How awesome is that? Very awesome, indeed. Ephram Brown is my new background until I can load a picture of my darling Bright Abbot. Heh.

I don't have any new pictures of my Zune or me with my zune but I will take some this weekend and post them for your enjoyment. I've decided to take the train to work tomorrow just so I can listen to my Zune. Whee!

To His Coy Mistress

I don't know how many, if any, of you watch the show Life. I don't know how many of you have watched the hot, brave men in Band of Brothers as I have suggested on multiple occasions. But for those of you who love Damian Lewis as much as I do, well, this is a must watch. Rowr!

Blasts from the past

You know, I really, really hate pictures of myself. I don't know why that is. However, I happen to love this picture here on the left. Maybe it's because my face is obscured by Biz cup drinking. God, I miss playing Sink the Biz. But mostly I think because the look on my face says, "Bill, I am going to frakkin' punch you." I was asking Bill if he knew where to find this picture recently and at the time he couldn't recall. It looks like he delivered.

I am not going to post all the other pictures from this night, which was a joint birthday party for Amy and me. I'll let you peruse those on your own via Bill's flickr account. But I think I am going to get a copy of this picture made. It's the only pic I have of Bill and me. It sums up our relationship pretty well, if you ask me. Heh. Just teasing, Bill; you know I love you.

Enchanted

You know, I am not ashamed to admit that I enjoy Disney films. I even wrote a paper in undergrad that compared Ariel from The Little Mermaid to Belle in Beauty and The Beast in terms of their feminist qualities. I am sad to say that my fellow red head Ariel is not so much a feminist.

That's why when two pals from work asked if I wanted to go see Enchanted on Saturday I said, "hell yeah." Seriously, I love Amy Adams. And I have one other word for you...McDreamy.

I wasn't really expecting a lot out of this film. I was pleasantly surprised to find that even though people burst out into song for no good reason (which I love) and that there were some truly illogical logistical things that happened the movie was really good. (Wow. That was a long sentence.)

Susan Saradon really can play evil very well. James Marsden did a terrific job as the dull-witted prince. I loved seeing Idina Menzel! And the little girl who played McDreamy's daughter was too cute for words.

If that was Amy Adams real singing voice, well, then the girl has some pipes. Patrick Dempsey was very sigh worthy in this flick. If I was with a guy that looked remotely like him and he owned that outfit that McDreamy wore to the ball, well...I am not going to finish that sentence.

Anyway, if this is the kind of movie you might be into, go check it out. Or wait for it to become available on cable and watch it as much as you like.

A new toy

So, this weekend I went and bought myself a shiny, new laptop. I didn't want anything fancy. Just something to do music uploading and Internet cruising, and blog posting on. I ended up buying a Toshiba Satellite A135. A store that rhymes with Mest My had this computer on sale for under $500. So, I took full advantage of that awesome price. I think I may need to add some memory to it but that is easily done with the plethora of computer nerds that I know.

So, my three year drought of no home computer has ended. Although, honestly, I am not sure how I feel about that. Alas, I have no wifi until Dec. 10 when the cable people can come out to hook me up.

I went to Bread Co. (known to you none StL folks as Panera) and downloaded Firefox and some music software (more on that later).

Anyway, that's all for now. I will hopefully be blogging soon about another new shiny toy I will be getting this week.