Sunday, August 31, 2008

Manic Monday - Iron

This is the first thing that came to my mind when I read Mo's meme theme for Manic Monday.

This is my first Chotskies submission. I usually just submit from Maria's Space.



I honestly love Ozzy!!!

Check out my brother-in-laws Black Sabbath cover band Wicked Ways in Brooklyn if you ever get a chance.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Sarah Palin What Do You Think???



I am very intrigued by Sarah Palin, McCains appointed running mate but I am not sure about her the women!

Sarah is the Governor of Alaska and a mom of 5 the last baby was born in April (she was 44).
What I know about Sarah:

She is good looking. She won the Miss Wasilla beauty contest, then finished second in the Miss Alaska pageant, at which she won a college scholarship.

Her husband is hot.

Her baby was diagnosed with Down's Syndrome. On April 18, 2008, while in office as governor, Palin gave birth to her second son and fifth child, Trig Paxson Van Palin, who, as prenatal genetic testing had shown, has Down syndrome. She returned to the office three days after giving birth. Her decision to have the baby was applauded by the pro-life community.

Her son is serving in the Army.

Her kids all have strange names (Track, Bristol, Willow, Piper and Trig).

She would throw Roe vs. Wade (This is a big one for me, almost a make or break deal).

She has a bachelor of science degree in communications-journalism from the University of Idaho.

She hunts animals(when she was young she and her dad used to go hunt Moose before school).

She was a local sports reporter for a local Anchorage TV station.

She worked as a commercial fisher with her husband.

She is a marathon runner.

Is she a good candidate?

Palin initially expressed support for the Gravina Island Bridge project, commonly known outside the state as the "Bridge to Nowhere." However, once it had become a nationwide symbol of wasteful earmark spending and some federal funding was lost, Palin cancelled the bridge because Alaska's congressional delegation was unable to prevent the state of Alaska from having to pay for part of the bridge's construction. Alaska still kept the federal money,but she stated that Alaska should rely less on federal funding

She puts education, public safety, and transportation would be three cornerstones of her administration.

A poll published by Hays Research on July 28, 2008 showed Palin's approval rating at 80%,[28] while another Ivan Moore poll showed it at 76%. While Alaska's Daily News has her rating at 65%.

Palin frequently had an approval rating above 90% in 2007

n response to high oil and gas prices, and the resulting state government budget surplus, Palin proposed giving Alaskans $100-a-month energy debit cards. She also proposed providing grants to electrical utilities so that they would reduce customers' rates. She subsequently dropped the debit card proposal, and in its place she proposed to send Alaskans $1,200 directly, paid for partially by the money given to the state of Alaska that was to be spent on the "Bridge to Nowhere,"[citation needed] and eliminate the state sales tax on gasoline.

In August 2008, Palin signed a bill into law giving the state of Alaska authority to award TransCanada Pipelines a license to build and operate the $26-billion-dollar pipeline to transport natural gas from the North Slope to the Lower 48 through Canada.

In 2007, Palin approved a $150 cash incentive for each Alaskan wolf to be killed by hunters in helicopters. She agreed with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to allow Alaska state biologists to hunt wolves from helicopters as part of a "predator control" program which was allowed under a provision in a 35-year-old federal ban on the practice granting 700 permits to the state of Alaska

She has called the global warming theory supported by Kempthrone and most scientists "unreliable", and asserted that human activity has not caused Arctic ice to melt, stating that "I'm not one though who would attribute it [global warming] to being man-made" after she was announced as Senator McCain's presumptive running mate.

In June 2007, Palin signed into law a $6.6 billion operating budget—the largest in Alaska's history. At the same time, she used her veto power to make the second-largest cuts of the construction budget in state history. The $237 million in cuts represented over 300 local projects, and reduced the construction budget to nearly $1.6 billion

June 6, 2007, the Alaska Creamery Board recommended closing Matanuska Maid Dairy, an unprofitable state-owned business, Palin objected, citing concern for the impact on dairy farmers and the fact that the dairy had just received $600,000 in state money. When Palin found out that the Board of Agriculture and Conservation appoints Creamery Board members, she replaced the entire membership of the Board of Agriculture and Conservation. The new board reversed the decision to close the dairy, but later in 2007, with Palin's support, the unprofitable business was put up for sale.

On July 11, 2008, Palin dismissed Public Safety Commissioner Walter Monegan for not adequately filling state trooper vacancies, and because he "did not turn out to be a team player on budgeting issues." She instead offered him a position as executive director of the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, which he turned down. Her power to fire him is not in dispute, but Monegan alleged that his dismissal may have been an abuse of power tied to his reluctance to fire Palin's former brother-in-law, Alaska State Trooper Mike Wooten, who had been involved in a divorce and child custody battle with Palin's sister, Molly McCann. Palin is currently being investigated by an independent investigator hired by the Alaska Legislature to determine whether she abused her power when she fired Monegan.

Palin is pro-life and a prominent member of Feminists for Life, the largest and most visible pro-life feminist organization.

Concerning education, she did not feel higher education was important to support for women. In her opinion a wifes role is home and pregnant.

She opposes same sex marriage.

Palin admits that she used marijuana at a time when the state had legalized possession of small amounts. She says that she did not like it and she does not support legalizing marijuana, concerned about the message it would send to her children

Palin is a life-time member of the National Rifle Association, and is popular among gun rights activists.

Palin hunts, ice fishes, eats mooseburger, rides snowmobiles, has run a marathon, and owns a float plane.

What I think: I am really not sure yet how I feel about this MILF being the VP.

First, McCain is 72 years old and had been diagnosed with Cancer what like 4 times? He is just a broken hip away from Sarah being President.

I also think it is interesting that she is Pro-Life but shoots animals for fun and sport.

Also, she returned to the office 3 days after giving birth to her newest son but who is taking care of the baby? Is he getting early intervention?

I still have a lot of research to do, if you are looking for more, head over to one of those other political blogs who will undoubtedly have a lot more to say than me.

Friday, August 29, 2008

Lost Bloopers

Jason and Liz - She Thinks She Needs Me

I love this song and this is perfect for Jason and Liz's relationship.

Jason is my Daytime Sawyer

Happy Birthday Michael Jackson


MySpaceAnimations.com

Animations provided by MySpaceAnimations.com


Today Michael Jackson turned 50 years old. Isn't that crazy? That makes me feel very old.

The 13-time Grammy winner, has sold more than 750 million albums.

This morning he told "Good Morning America" that he's "looking forward to doing a lot of great things. ... I think the best is yet to come in my true humble opinion."

What is Michael going to do for his 50th Birthday?

"Probably have a little cake with his kids and watch some cartoons."

I love bloopers - Lost Season 1

Lost - Season 4 - Bloopers

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Sawyer And Kate Video - Courtesy of You Tube

Sawyer Cracks Me Up



Because I Can't Get Enough Sawyer

Sawyer Clips

The Making of Cool Water Ad with Josh "My husband" Holloway

A Little Eye Candy on A Beautiful Day



Seriously! Is there a better piece of man meat out there???

More Dress Up Games For Girls - FREE

My niece will die over these new games I found surfing today.

AZdressup

This site is great for ages 6-13.

They even have a celebrity section where they can dress Troy and Gabriella from H.S. Muscial along with many other teen celebrities.

There is even a section where they can design their own guitar.

On the Cartoon Doll Emporium Site, your child gets to dress up some more dolls
and create the perfect look with cute animations.

Wish I had time to play.
Rachel Dress Up - Dress up the girl

Zwinky

Have you ever seen yourself as a Zwinky?

Zwinky's are cute little dolls you make to look like you. It's free which is one of my favorite 4 letter words.

 
 


Here is mine....isn't she cute.

Younger people will love this. Play games, earn points and hang out with your friends or make new ones all in a safe environment.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Standing at His Own Wake

Interesting? Creepy? Disturbing? Is this the new way?
I don't know what to make of this. It is a little weird but if this was his last wish I guess he should get it.

Doubt I would be able to attend a wake where the deceased was actually standing against the wall it would FREAK me out.

How did they actually stand him there? Did he have one of those mannequin poles around his waist?

Is anyone else as creeped out as I am?

Monday, August 25, 2008

American Idol Evens the Score


The 8th Season of American Idol will bring about a small change in the form of another female on the panel.

Grammy-nominated songwriter Kara DioGuard will be at the dais with Randy, Paula and Simon. Her songs have been recorded by Faith Hill, Christina Aguilera, Carrie Underwood, Ashlee Simpson, Pink, Pussy Cat Dolls, Britney Spears, Gwen Stefani and more.

I wonder if she will play the straight, good cop to Paula's wackiness and Simon and Randy's callousness.

The big wigs at Fox feel that Paula will have backup and that the show was in need of some "girl power." Ahhhh...ok.

I think waiting for another judge's opinion is a waste of time but that's just me. What the hell do I know? I am not running a money maker like Idol. I am just sitting here wasting time writing on a stupid blog that no body reads judging from my comment section.

Did that get your attention people??? No, still no comments! Oh well I tried.

Dancing with the Stars Announced

Dancing with the Stars is starting up again on September 22nd.

Which celebrities will be hitting the floor?

Susan Lucci - Soap star
Toni Braxton - R&B Singer
Lance Bass - Of Boy Band Fame
Cloris Leachman - Actress
Kim Kardashian - Tabloid Famous
Ted McGinley - Actor
Brooke Burke - Actress
Warren Sapp - NFL Champ
Misty May-Treanor - Olympic athlete for Volleyball
Maurice Greene who won two gold medals in track at the 2000 games in Sydney.
Rocco DiSpirito - Chef
Cody Linley from "Hannah Montana"
Jeffrey Ross - Comedian

Amateur Movie Review - War

I had high hopes for this movie. I didn't really feel that I would be at all interested but I thought my husband would love it and figured Jason Stratham would keep me very interested.

He didn't and Jason couldn't save this movie at all.

We were a little confused on the plot at times.

We understood that Jason plays an Jack Crawford an FBI agent who is seeking revenge on some dude named Rogue who killed Jack's partner, wife and daughter. We also got that Jack knows it was this dude Rogue because of some titanium bullet that Rogue uses. I guess the problem was this Rogue dude starts this War between to groups the Triads and Yakuzas in San Francisco. Why? We don't know but what we do eventually find out is that all of this has something to do with a particular someone getting plastic surgery and coming back as someone else to avenge his kin. He eventually kills the person who was avenging him yada, yada, yada...you get the picture? No? Us either.

Ummm... sounds good right? Wrong. We both hated it.

Chotskies gives this film a C-

My Amateur Transporter Review is here.

The only reason I didn't give it a D was because Jason Stratham was in it and I just find him so hot!

Sunday, August 24, 2008

The Lost Book Club - 2nd Book Begins Sept 1st



Are you a fan of Lost? Did you know they have a book club?

If you are reading along with the Lost Book Club you already know about this.

The Lost Book Club will be beginning their second book on September 1st.

The Book: The Lord of the Flies

The Read: September 1st - September 20th

The first book was Carrie by Stephen King.

Pick up a book, it's good for your soul!!

The Numbers Are Good - KFC Commercial

This is too funny...
KFC commercial spoofing Lost.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

How to Make An American Quilt


If you have not yet seen this movie or if it has been years see it!

This is a great movie with an amazing cast.

Winona Ryder, Anna Bancroft, Ellen Burstyn, Dermot Mulroney, Maya Angelo, Jarod Leto, Jean Simmons, Johnathon Schaech.

There are some sensual scenes (PG-13 due to drug and sensual scenes) that even now give my stomach butterflies. Picture a young Johnathon Schaech, hot wet and dripping water or removing Winona's hair pin in a field at night and you will understand.



Thursday, August 21, 2008

Big Brother HOH Competition - Spoiler

Does BB provide condoms????




Is April getting morning sickness? Doesn't it seem like she is thinking about the possibility in this video????

BB10 April and Ollie Getting it on like bunnies

I will not be placing this on my blog but I will link to it here and here

Big Brother 10 Live Elimination 8-21--08

Yeah, yeah, BB10; I kind of gave up on this show when I felt like a job to watch it. I did watch tonight and I was happy to see April go.

I feel bad that Ollie and her will not get to continue their little lovefest but oh well, someone had to go and it was time to break that showmance or as Ollie's father stated "showmass". He doesn't know what a showmass is. It's kind of cute that he said showmass giving that he is a preacher and all.

As for who is going to win....I truly don't care. There is not one person in the house that I find appealing in that "oh I hope they win, way"

Jerry - Lost me when he was shouting "judus" and "shut up" to people.

Keesha - And her confrontational ways annoys me.

Michelle - Just annoys me because she reminds me of someone of my family. She was a little crazy when Jessie was let go and kept shouting avenging lines at the camera to him.

Renny - I actually like Renny but I think she is tired and isn't really playing the game right now.

Dan - I really am not sure where I stand with Dan. On 1 hand I like him than he plays for the camera so I am not sure who he really is. Is he the great coach, spiritual, good guy or is he a total tool who is playing all of us as the underdog?

Memphis - You know, maybe Memphis. He hasn't rubbed me the wrong way too much. He stands up for what he believes in but I don't feel like he has has a chance to be in the spotlight enough to show me his true colors yet.

Ollie - Ummm...he doesn't rub me the wrong way either. I like Ollie. He stays true to his alliance and always tries to be diplomatic when he deals with everyone.

I am glad April is gone though! It will be interesting to see who Ollie aligns himself with now.

Who will be the new head of household? Only time will tell.

Eye Candy



Things have been pretty busy over at the Chotskies residence.

Here is some eye candy to hold you over until the next post.

I know, I know, BB10 I've slacked this year. These people are boring little hamsters or I am just getting too old to be interested.

If you need a recap check out MY favorite recappers, mother and daughter (Beyond Reality)




Oh yeah, back to the eye candy....

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Like We Didn't Know!

The Bigfoot that was found by two Georgia residents Matthew Whitton and Ricky Dyer in the woods of northern Georgia turns out to be a hoax!

Is anyone surprised???

Steve Kulls, a self-described sasquatch hunter, wrote on the company's website that once the body arrived for examination, it became obvious that it wasn't real.

"As the team and I began examining this area near the feet, I observed the foot which looked unnatural, reached in and confirmed it was a rubber foot," he said.

Why would 2 guys decide to waste everyone's time? Too much pot on that camping trip I am thinking. Was there a time when they thought this was a dumb idea?

Check out the Squatchdetective website.

Product Review - Tiny Prints

Early last week I received a bag of samples from a company called Tiny Prints. Isn't that the cutest name for a company that specializes in adorable birth announcement, party invitations, thank you cards, gift cards, etc?

I have already given the company's website out to 4 friends sight unseen and the 2 I was able to show the samples to, want to use them for their Christmas cards.

Why do we love Tiny Prints so much? I love it because they are price compatible with so many companies however, the work is beyond anything I have paid for in the past and I have used many over the years between birth announcements and Christmas cards.
I love that all the company uses 100 and 110 pound matte stock paper to ensure the highest quality on every order. What this means for you is that it is durable, like a greeting card.

You know those thin Christmas photos we receive each year to catch up with friends and family's children? Well, no more tearing the photo when you open the envelope or creases from them being stuffed into a mailbox. The photo will remain smear free due to there is no gloss on the picture. It is printed right on the card stock.






You will be very impressed with the quality of Tiny Prints. Adorable designs and hundreds of designs to chose from. I almost want to have another baby to use some of the announcements.

Tiny Prints also does mint tins, address labels, gift tags, and more. Use them for all your stationary needs.

I will be using them for my Christmas cards this year. They also do Business Christmas Cards.

Tiny Prints was nice enough to offer a discount to my readers until December 31, 2008. I promise that you will not be disappointed.

-----------------
Use Tiny Prints coupon code TPBR136508 to receive 10% off your next order of stationery, invitations and photo cards.
Expires 12/31/2008
------------------
P.S. I also hear that have a Halloween line coming out soon.


Check out which celebrities love Tiny Prints and what they have been saying.

The Return of Mama Spencer



August 25th people.

Write it on your calendars, set your TIVO, Gene Francis is back again for sweeps. This time she is helping her daughter Lulu. I am so far out of the loop on GH these days. I have been watching since 1978 and haven't watched for the past two months.

I remember that Lulu killed her ex boyfriend Logan by hitting him in the head with something (isn't that how Laura ended up crazy? Didn't she kill Rick or someone by hitting them in the head with something?) Anyway, I digress, now she is seeing dead Logan and has been committed to the same psychiatric facility that her mom has been at for the past what 4 years now.


Genie Francis is returning to General Hospital in August 2008 to reprise her role as Laura Webber Spencer. Francis told the AP, "It's a mother-daughter story. Years ago when I started playing the character as a 14-year-old girl, it was a mother-daughter story, only I was the daughter. So it's kinda cool this is full circle. It's nice to come back for visits. General Hospital is my home." She continued, "I would stay on, but `General Hospital' honestly doesn't seem to want that relationship with this character at the moment," said Francis. "They want little short doses during sweeps periods. It's not entirely up to me. I'm thrilled and delighted my audience stands behind me. If they didn't, you can be sure I wouldn't get to come back for these visits.

Product Review - Skin MD Natural


Last week I received Skin MD Natural in the mail and let me just say there is nothing that I don't love about this product. The first thing I did when I received the bottle was open the cap to smell it. Is has a nice, fresh scent which was surprising considering the MD in the name. I expected it to be stronger.

Skin MD Natural™ is like a shield for your skin, it works by keeping natural or unnatural absorbents (i.e. the sun, dish detergents, antibacterial soaps from drying out your skin.

Their website says: This is an entirely new con­cept in skin care requiring a new classifi­cation: "Shielding Lotion". Skin MD Natural keeps moisture-robbing irri­tants away while proprietary "super" humectants hydrate the skin throughout the day.

Skin MD Natural is absorbed without leaving an oily feeling or residue, transforming the outer layer of skin into a hydrating invisible shield. I put it on my heels before bed and got right under the covers without having to wait for it to dry.

The cream smells fresh and relaxing and spreads easily on your skin with a natural and light feel. BTW...a little really does go a long way. You get maximum coverage with a very small amount of cream.

I used it on:

My daughter's knees which have taken a beating from going to the beach, they look beautiful.

My son's dry patches on his arms and legs from eczema that have been there since he was 2, they look amazing.

My heels (which I really have no right to display) from wearing sandals all summer are softer, without big, ugly dry patches.

My husband's hands which are all cut up from working in his field, never really look clean, are starting to look so much softer.

If you want to see more about this product go to their website where you can read more information about this wonderful product, see before and after photos, watch a demo video, read testimony from some of the country's well known Dermatologists.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Christina Applegate's Breats Are Cancer Free


Wow, talk about a very quick clean bill of health.

"I'm clear," Applegate, 36, tells Good Morning America. "Absolutely 100 percent clear and clean. ... They got everything out so I'm definitely not going to die from breast cancer."

Didn't we just hear about this yesterday. We should all be so lucky.

I wish her well and long health.

God bless.

Lu Lu Spencer is An Old Married Women


Cue the General Hospital theme....
Well not exactly.

Lu Lu, or her portrayer, 24 year old Julie Berman was married August 15th to some real estate broker dude named Michael Grady.

"Mike is my best friend, and ultimately he is my soul mate," Berman tells PEOPLE. "He's the guy I want to do everything with – the guy I want to be with when he's old and wrinkly."

Weddning Guests included GH co-stars Rebecca Herbst (who plays Elizabeth Webber), Jane Elliot (Tracy Quartermaine), Greg Vaughan (Lucky Spencer), and Kirsten Storms (Maxie Jones) and her boyfriend, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus guitarist Elias Reidy, took home favors of fresh-baked scones and organic peach preserves.

Berman says she and Grady hope to start a family – someday. "I want little kiddies running around, but not anytime soon," she says. "I'd like some time to enjoy married life before the kids start coming." The couple, who were engaged in London on Cinco de Mayo 2007, will honeymoon in Hawaii next month. This is the first marriage for both.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Product Review - Sunny's Adventures


Friday, I received Sunny's Adventures by Leketha Marie Johnson in the mail and have read it with my kids at least 6 times in two days. The reason I mention that little tidbit is because this is a chapter book with adorable black and white illustrations, geared toward ages 9-12. My children are 3 and 5 and can mostly sit for a picture for about 10 minutes let alone a chapter book.

The main character Sunny is a very likable, smart, friendly girl who solves the problems or mysteries that come up in each of the 5 stories. Each chapter has a break down of clues that Sunny used to solve each mystery.

The book is great for reading comprehension, I was able to ask both my children a lot of open ended questions that allowed them to pay attention to the story and follow along, as Sunny solves a lost puppy case, a missing pie, a stolen class mascot turtle, and more.

The writer, Leketha Marie Johnson uses logic and children's natural desire to figure things out to write an excellent book geared to hopefully turning out some classic mystery fans as they get older.

What this mom liked the most about Sunny's Adventures, is that the main character was not precocious, or mischievous. There was never a time that I felt that the character belittled, poked fun at disrespected any of the other characters to make a point. Unfortunately, there are a lot of writers out there who do not realize that you don't need to create a mini adult to sell children's books.

Sunny's Adventures, is a book your children will love to read on their own or you won't mind reading to them again and again.


Honestly, I hope my children turn out half as respectful as Sunny is. I would be the proudest mommy.

Whether you want the book or an E-book find Sunny's Adventures order form here .

Note: At the website you can also sign up for a newsletter, download a fun coloring book, get a recipe for Lemony Lemon Cake, or find links for other fun stuff.
Enjoy and keep reading with your children.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

R U A Staind Fan???


I love Staind!

Watch out for their sixth studio album next week called THE ILLUSION OF PROGRESS. If you are a fan, don't make the mistake of taking its title at face value. Everything you know about Staind isn't wrong; it's just been rediscovered. Even guitarist Mike Mushok is proud to point out, with a laugh, that "consciously, I don't think Aaron says the word 'pain' once throughout the record!"



Oh be still my heart, one of my favorite bands doing my favorite song. Cool.

Find more videos like this on STAIND



Find more videos like this on STAIND

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

I Cannot Wait to See The Road by Cormac McCarthy



I read this book and absolutely loved it. I had heard this was going to be a movie and now I have some details.

The Road

Releasing - November 2008

Starring - Viggo Mortensen, Charlize Theron, Robert Duvall, Guy Pearce and newcomer Kodi Smit-McPhee.

Rating - R (For graphic subject matter, including cannibalism and infanticide)

The director of “The Road” is an Australian, John Hillcoat, best known for “The Proposition,” and many crew members were Aussies as well. In conversation the “Mad Max” movies, the Australian post-apocalyptic thrillers starring Mel Gibson, came up a lot, and not favorably. The team saw those movies, set in a world of futuristic bikers, as a sort of antimodel: a fanciful, imaginary version of the end of the world, not the grim, all-too-convincing one that Mr. McCarthy had depicted.

“What’s moving and shocking about McCarthy’s book is that it’s so believable,” Mr. Hillcoat said. “So what we wanted is a kind of heightened realism, as opposed to the ‘Mad Max’ thing, which is all about high concept and spectacle. We’re trying to avoid the clichés of apocalypse and make this more like a natural disaster.” He imagined the characters less as “Mad Max”-ian freaks outfitted in outlandish biker wear, he added, than as homeless people. They wear scavenged, ill-fitting clothing and layers of plastic bags for insulation.

The script for “The Road,” by Joe Penhall, is for the most part extremely faithful to Mr. McCarthy’s story of a father and son traveling alone through this blighted landscape and trying to keep alive the idea of goodness and civilization — the fire, they call it. The script does enlarge and develop in flashback the role of the man’s wife (played by Charlize Theron), who disappears quite early from the novel, choosing suicide rather than what she imagines will be starvation or worse. And of course the script lacks Mr. McCarthy’s heightened, almost biblical narrative style.

Some of that could be suggested by the look of the film, Mr. Hillcoat said, but mostly the nature of the bond between the man and the son, who in the script, as in the book, speak to each other in brief, freighted moments, would have to come out in the performances.

Viggo Mortensen, who plays the father, said the same thing. “It’s a love story that’s also an endurance contest,” he explained, and quickly added: “I mean that in a positive way. They’re on this difficult journey, and the father is basically learning from the son. So if the father-son thing doesn’t work, then the movie doesn’t work. The rest of it wouldn’t matter. It would never be more than a pretty good movie. But with Kodi in it, it has a chance to be an extremely good movie, maybe even a great one.”

In the novel the father and son have a relationship that is both tender and businesslike; they’re trying to survive against great odds, after all, and there isn’t much time for small talk. Both on and off the set Mr. Mortensen and his co-star behaved much the same way. In Erie, while Kodi’s father was away for a bit, Mr. Mortensen, who has a grown son of his own, moved from his suite to Kodi’s room, a double, where they jumped on the beds together. During filming Mr. Mortensen, protective of Kodi, worried, for example, about yanking or dragging him too hard, but also treated him as an equal, a fellow professional who happened to have a very different way of working.

Once he emerged from his trailer, Mr. Mortensen more or less stayed in character all day — bearded, gaunt, wound up and intense, going off by himself every now and then to smoke a cigarette. Kodi, on the other hand, wearing a ratty sweater, a wool cap and a pair of pants much too big for him, wandered around and hummed to himself between takes. He also engaged in lengthy fencing and stick-breaking contests with Jimi Johnson, a video assist operator.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Big Brother - Episode 13

Is anyone else as bored as I am with BB?

I hate not finishing something I have started so here goes the recap.

April vomited in her mouth and Keesha is proud of herself for getting Dan out of the house. Libra was glad to see Jesse leave and couldn't stop smiling.

Dan is worried about tension and his position in the house.

Jerry feels that Dan is hiding behind his cross and that he is going to burn in hell.

Michelle is walking around talking to cameras saying "I'm going to get them Jesse."

Oh good Lord, Michelle reminds me of way too many people that I no longer speaker with in my family and it annoys the hell out of me.

Jerry is telling Dan to stop hiding behind his cross. I'm confused. Isn't this the same guy who grabbed April's boob's on the first night in the house? Oh yeah, I think it is.

We see Dan taking his cross off in the food pantry before eviction. I love how a bunch of high and mighties are all of a sudden jumping on the JESUS wagon in the name of "EVICTION." Give me a friggin break. Dan says it is the first time in his life that he took the chain off and then gets a bit teary.

Keesha says that Michelle is pissed because she sent Jesse back to his REAL girlfriend.
It was so annoying to see Michelle slap her hand around and shout out whatever came to her mind. Ugh!

Renny gets pissed when Michelle brings up that she Renny was laughing at her for staying up all night. They have words and then Queen Michelle who is already letting the power go to her head tells Libra and Keesha to stop hiding. They head over to where she is sitting with April who is all of a sudden kissing unitard ass.

They say they are not hiding and Keesha who is always up for a yelling chick debate storms over that she isn't scared. Libra wants to know if Michelle and April are all best friends now.

Yuck, all the girls yelling at each other and Jerry screaming out "you're going home!" Nasty folks. Then Michelle screams out something about Libra swearing on her children and calling her a skank or something. Where are these people from? I haven't heard talk like this since leaving high school.

Dan who is trying to lie in bed under a pillow to get some sympathy might as well join them.

Michelle mentions that Libra didn't even want a letter from her kids. Jerry calls Libra a Dummy and she goes into a rant about Mata Cum Lotte or some other Greek words. Jerry tells her "come on baby, I love it."

Michelle, shouts out that Dan is probably burning and that he needs to "put down that bible, put down that cross." April says he is a disgrace because she is such a holy roller. Memphis is so pissed and says, "that's a bit much." In diary he tells us that where he comes from people like that get punched in the mouth.

Memphis heads over to Dan and tells him that April is so arrogant and that he can't even relate to these people. Dan tells him to start doing damage control.

Memphis and Michelle are sitting and she asks him if he promised anything to the enemy. He tells her that he has been straight forward and that he will not say anything about Jesse.

Michelle heads over to Dan who is still in his bed. She asks if he is really a school teacher. She says, "why did you do it? Why did you lie? For those people, they will throw you right under the bus. They are getting you do to do your dirty work. You can't be honest in this house, you have to lie, cheat and steal but not for people like that." He plays the sad sack and says he feels terrible and that he doesn't know what to do.

Libra asks if Michelle wants her to see her HOH room and Michelle says she would be insulted if they didn't go up.

Michelle's HOH room was annoying with April laughing and applauding everything.

Memphis was annoyed with April and her cheer leading.

Michelle reads her letter out loud and starts crying. Renny gets teary and ends up leaving the room. Everyone listens as she reads and congratulates her. Renny leaves the room and heads downstairs to cry.


Keesha, and Libra hug and kiss her telling her that it was a well deserved win.

Renny misses her family, she is crying and Dan walks in and hugs her and tells her to hang in there, that her family is proud of her. Keesha goes in and hugs her.
Jerry and April are with Michelle in HOH with Ollie. Jerry says he will never respect or talk to him again. He says he is going to hold up his fingers in a cross and say, "you will burn." Old folks!

After Dan they move on to Libra and what a bad mother she is for not taking the letter from home instead of a Hawaiian vacation.

The Food competition is under way and it is a game show. Brian who was evicted in the 1st week is hosting and the house guests will be playing against other house guests from past seasons.


The game is called In The News and old house guests will tell a new house guests whether a story was in the news or not. The new house guest gets to choose whether to go with the old house guest or against them. The new house guest gets food and the old house guests will get cash. Confusing enough for ya?


-Dan picks Mike Boogie and goes against Boogie's story and loses.

-Renny picks Jen and goes with Jen's answer and wins food.

-Jerry picks Janelle and and doesn't go with Janelle's answer, he loses.

-Memphis chooses Miss Amy and doesn't go with Amy's answer, he loses.

-Ollie chooses Matt and doesn't go with Matt's answer, he loses.

-Libra picks Bunky and doesn't go with Bunky, she loses.

-Michelle chooses Jase and they speak alien language to each other. She doesn't go with his answer and wins.

-April picks Chicken George and goes with his answer, she loses.

-Keesha picks Jun, she goes against Jun's answer and wins.

Which means Renny, Michelle and Keesha win food for the week.

Memphis goes to HOH and tells her not to make an alliance with anyone. She says she already knows he has an alliance with the others. She is going this alone but she wants to go with him to final 2.

Renny goes up to HOH and tries to get Michelle to consider April. She tells Michelle that April didn't have to put Jesse up and that she is the reason he is gone. She tries to get Michelle to consider all the things April did that contributed to Jesse leaving.


The first person safe is April, followed by Memphis, Olli, Jerry, and Dan.

On the block is Keesha and Libra. Michelle tells them that they are big threats in the house and that it is strategy not personal.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Amateur Review - Twilight by Stephanie Meyer


Last month I borrowed a book from my friend Bek. She pretty much just held it out saying, "here, do you want to borrow this?" I was hesitant because well, I was reading something and we don't see each other that much. I hate borrowing and not returning right away but also because my SIL borrowed one of her books that I had at my house in December and still hasn't gotten it back to me.

We dished on the lost/will be returned eventually borrowed book and she said she would still loan it to me. I am so glad she did because it was GREAT!

I cannot wait to pick up the next installment of the series and cannot wait until the movie comes out.

Twilight was very easy to get into and to visualize the story as you read. I saw it playing out the whole time I was reading it. I actually feel that I have already seen the movie.

How do I describe this story without giving it away?

The story is about Bella the new kid at school who has an instant attraction to an Adonis named Edward. When Edward is absent from class, Bella finds herself very interested in finding out more about him and his family. When they finally reveal their mutual attraction their is more to him than meets the eye. Edward and his family are animal eating vampires. They don't kill humans for consumption although at any moment he could kill Bella. She is as drawn to him as he is too her and they try to make a go at a "normal" relationship.

When another group of vampires come to town, Edward and his family do what they can to protect Bella and the people she loves.

Stephanie Meyer spins a love story that can be enjoyed by teens and grown-ups alike. It is a fantasy story with realistic characters. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and wish I had my very own Edward. Someone who is intoxicated by the smell of me, can get me from point A to point B in a Mano second and someone who is so in touch with his feminine side he can hum me to sleep while holding me like a baby. Oh wait, that line was for my fetish blog. No, I don't have a fetish blog, but I should. Oh yeah, where were we? Twilight. Read it! You won't be disappointed.

If you love romance novels, vampire and werewolf stories, or if you are just looking for something different. Give it a try!

Note from Chotskies: I don't know that this book is for anyone under 16. Bella is a high schooler who becomes totally engrossed in her love for Edward and would rather die than live without him. Impressionable teen girls especially, may try to find the Edward in their own life.

For Readers 16+
4 Stars from Chotskies.


For information about the movie see my post here.

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Big Brother 10 - Episode 12 - Live Elimination

Football took off BB for me and I had to watch online.

April wants Memphis out.

Keesha and Libra are hoping April changes her mind. They finally understand they have to whisper and say that all Jessie does is eat and sleep. Funny becease everytime I see Libra she is in bed.

Keesha doesn't like April she finds her fake and annoying.

Libra tells April that Jessie is coming after them and they want him out. April says, someone is after all of us. Libra says, you want us to come to you but when we do you get upset. I love that everyone always thinks that they are actually friends in this house.

Keesha wants to keep Memphis in this game. Then she spends some time with Dan and they discuss how they trust each other. Keesha and Libra talk about the numbers and how many people they can influence to swing the vote to Jesse. They also talk about how this will create WWIII and how pissed April will be.

Keesha heads out to Dan and Memphis and asks them to come to the room. Libra tells Memphis that if she votes for him her better not put her up. They hug. Dan comes in and they all talk, shake, hug and promise the votes.

April goes to Jerry and says that she was double teamed by two alliance members and that they seem to be trying to swing the vote. Jerry says he will talk to Dan and since he brought Dan into the alliance he knows he will do what he says. He tells her that Jerry, Dan and Ollie will be her boys. Jerry heads over to Dan, he wants to know that Dan will stay loyal to Ollie, himself and April. He wants Dan to remember that they agreed to support HOH so that they are all on the same page. Afterwards he goes to April and tells her that it is done.

Dan talks out loud to the camera, addressing American and what he has to do. He is hoping that America gives him the right choice because it is going to be hard for him to have to lie to someone.

We get to see Dan's senior class and he talks about how much he misses his team. We see his team sitting on the couch watching him pep talk April and Michelle.

It was cute to see these guys cheering and wanting him to do well.

Dan's family his sister and mom were torn on his desicion to take America's challenge. His sister thought it was great and his mom is concerned about the house being suspicious.

Libra asks Dan if she gets an award if she figures out that he is American's player.

Julie asks Michelle if she has gotten used to the Unitard and she says, "I love and hate it, and I look good in it."

Libra is asked by the audience why she chose the Hawaiian vacation over a letter from home. She says her husband would have killed her. They always wanted to go there. Michelle rolled her eyes the whole time she was talking.

Julie talks to April and asks about Libra and Keesha's alliance to her. She says she saved them by getting HOH this week and feels disrespected. When Julie asks about her being able to look at Memphis when he knows that she is coming after him all week, April says he hasn't come up to her once asking to stay or telling his side of the story so she feels he doesn't want to be there. I guess she doesn't realize that he has made an alliance with her allies.

Jessie tells his father happy birthday and then tells the house guests that he would love to stay and play.

Memphis says he wants the guests to vote for themselves and if they feel that he cannot help their game than by all means vote them out. But if they feel he can help their game they should rethink the plan to get him out.

Michelle obviously votes for Memphis along with Ollie and Jerry.

Libra votes to evict Jessie, along with Keesha, Renny, and Dan who just found out America voted to evict Jessie.

Scandelous!!

Jessie is evicted from the BB house. April looks shocked!

Jessie walks out to a crowd of fans and the house is quiet. Someone is clapping annoyingly but I have no idea who. Michelle must feel very alone in her unitard right now. She walks into the sauna and back, pacing.

Julie tells Jessie he looks shocked and blind-sided. He knows Dan was the swing vote and knows that God has a plan. He also doesn't regret anything he did in the house.

Word Association Game:

Jerry - in really good shape.
Renny - was a trip the first week.
Michelle - Very proud of her.
Libra - Deviant.
Jesse - The man!

Then we get to hear America's wake up calls. I always hated this part of BB. It is so annoying. The houseguests are kept up by annoying messages by BB. Unfortunately there is no way to avoid this because it is piped all through the house.

The new HOH game is based on the messages they heard through the night. It is a true or false game and Renny and Ollie are eliminated on the 2nd question. Jerry, Dan, Keesha, Memphis are eliminated. Michelle and Libra are left in the game.

Michelle wins HOH on the next question. She so needed to win if she wanted to stay in the game next week. Jerry goes to Keesha and Libra, we don't hear what he says but they are looking down and he is moving his arms. Ollie goes over and breaks it up. Michelle says, "this is for you mom and dad and then "Jessie I am going to get them."

Michelle now shouts out that the HOH is for Jessie. She says she deserves this after the week she had. Memphis is feeling the love.

Matt McConaughey Placenta Talk Makes Me Want to Hurl


No you are not reading the weekly Sun rag magazine.

Matthew McConaughey will be planting his son Levi's placenta in an orchard so that it will one day "bear some wonderful fruit."

McConaughey says he hopes it will fertilize the land, a ritual long followed in several cultures.

"It's going to be in the orchards and it's going to bear some wonderful fruit," he says, according to an interview transcript. "When I was in Australia, they had a placenta tree that was on the river ... and all the placentas of all that tribe, all that clan, whatever aboriginal tribe that was, all the placentas went under that one tree and it was this huge behemoth of just health and strength.

"This tree was just growing taller and stronger above the rest of Mother Nature around it. It was gorgeous." [SOURCE]

Good for him! I would never be able to be near a "placenta tree" without fighting the urge to vomit, but that is just me.

I thought the sun rose and set upon my newborn son after giving birth to him but sealing the placenta in a ziplock bag so that I could plant it in my backyard and forever tell him the story never crossed my mind. "You see that tree over there? Your placenta is planted under it. Isn't that wonderful." Gag, I almost threw up in my mouth just writing that.

At least he isn't making chili or stew with it, let's rejoice in that little fact right there.

I was never a Matt fan and now I think he is even weirder.

However, here is what other cultures do with the placenta.

Among the Navajo Indians of the Southwest, bury a child's placenta within the sacred Four Corners of the tribe's reservation as a binder to ancestral land and people.

New Zealand's Maoris have the same tradition of burying the placenta within native soil.

The Bolivian Aymara and Quecha people believe the placenta has its own spirit. It is to be washed and buried by the husband in a secret and shady place. If this ritual is not performed correctly, they believe, the mother or baby may become very sick or even die.

The Ibo of Nigeria and Ghana treat the placenta as the dead twin of the live child and give it full burial rites.

Filipina mothers are known to bury the placenta with books, in hopes of a smart child.Other cultures place a symbol of their people with the placenta when burying it, as a kind of heritage insurance.

Among the Hmong culture of Southeast Asia, the word for placenta can be translated as "jacket," as it's considered an infant's first and finest clothing. The Hmong bury the placenta outside. They believe that after death, the soul must retrace the journeys undertaken in life until it reaches the burial place of its placenta jacket.

Vietnamese and Chinese people prepare the placenta for consumption by mothers. The Chinese believe a nursing mother should boil the placenta, make a broth, then drink it to improve her milk.

Then, there's the not-so-ceremonial use of it, the commercial use of "placenta extract" found in some cosmetics, such as facial cream sold in France. In 1994, Britain banned the practice of collecting placentas in hospitals from unsuspecting mothers, after it was learned that 360 tons of it were annually being bought and shipped by French pharmaceutical firms. They used it to make a protein, albumin, for burns and to make enzymes to treat rare genetic disorders.
The placenta is a vascular organ that develops within the uterus during pregnancy. Attached by the umbilical cord to the baby, the placenta discharges shortly after birth; thus, it is often called the afterbirth. Since it is the structure through which the fetus receives nourishment, many cultures consider it rich in nutrients; it's even said to relieve postnatal depression.

Want to see some graphic pictures of the human placenta come here and here (warning-very graphic)

Comedian Bernie Mac Dies at 50 Years Old


Last week I had heard that Bernie Mac was in the hospital suffering from Pneumonia. I mentioned to a friend and she said she liked him but hadn't heard this news.

The news was that he was in stable condition with pneumonia and would be released in a few weeks.

It went like this:

Bernie Mac To Be Released from Hospital Soon!

Comedian Bernie Mac is making a good recovery from pneumonia and should be released from a Chicago, Ill., hospital within the next few weeks, his representative has confirmed.
News of the ailing actor's illness broke last week, and at one point, his publicist Danica Smith was forced to play down reports Mac's health had rapidly deteriorated, with some rumors claiming he had died.

Speaking on Sunday, she insisted, "Bernie Mac is still alive and being treated in a Chicago hospital for pneumonia and is expected to make a full recovery. (He is) responding well to treatment and will be released soon."

Smith has now reiterated news of Mac's improving health after sources close to the star's family claimed he was in a "very, very critical" condition on Monday.

In a new statement released on Thursday, she says: "Bernie Mac is in stable condition in a Chicago-area hospital. He is responding well to treatment and hopes to be released in the next few weeks. His family thanks everyone for the well wishes and concern.

I figured this was all just Internet rumors but I guess they were trying to remain positive or Bernie took a turn for the worse.

While I am not a big fan of him, I know who he was and loved him in Ocean's 11, 12 and 13 and feel he was way too young.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Big Brother 10 - Episode 11

Jesse is honored to be nominated again because he is not the target this week.

April tells us Memphis is her target because she promised to keep Jesse safe even though the alliance wants him out. Ollie and April hug and tell Jessie he is safe.

Dan is told that America wants him to hug Jessie for 10 seconds. He wants to know what we are thinking but he will give us an awkward 10 seconds. He thinks Jesse is a softy and has a sob story ready. He heads over to Jessie and cries about how much he is worried that his girlfriend won't be there. Jessie walks over and wraps an arm around him telling him that she wants him to be in there and that she will be there.

Dan felt a little bad because Jessie was very moved by his story and gave him a pep talk. They hug for 17 seconds and Dan mugs for the camera.

The POV competition is underway. April pulls Michelle, Jessie pulls Libra and Memphis pulls Jerry. Renny is happy to host.

April is not sure she can count on Jerry or Libra for the competition which really pisses Libra off. Libra says she is ready and will try her best. April turns her head and Libra feels that she is not even there. She feels like she was nothing and that her team doesn't think she can do it.

April shouts to Ollie that "the girl is a bitch and I can't count on her. She has excuses for anything."


Jessie is lying down and Libra and loud mouth Keesha. Why is Keesha screeching? The talk was about Libra but Keesha made it about her. Jessie loves this and heads up to April's room to tell Ollie and April about Keesha screaming about April.



They all fall right into Jessie's trap. Ollie says that people's true colors come out when they get offended. April says she will confront her and it will get ugly.

Ollie tells her to get her mind right as she heads down to confront Libra.

Libra is lying in bed and tells April that her feelings are hurt. April tells her what she overhead. Libra wants to knew who she needs to talk to right now. She wants to know who is saying things. April says she is disappointed because Libra should have come to her.

Keesha walks around the house asking Michelle and Renny if they said something to April because she was just dismissed by April. It was so annoying to watch her talk to April to Renny and Michelle before she headed back into the room.

Keesha confronts her with guns blaring. She is upset that she was addressed. She doesn't think April has the right to treat her like that. She is tired of it and screeches that she is tired of being spoken about.

April tells them that it was Jessie who told her.

Memphis is talking to the camera telling us that BB put 30 year old women in the house because they are all crazy. Jerry overhears and walks into the room to tell the girls that Memphis is making fun of them. He wants them to know that they love the girls fighting. Libra tells him that she doesn't care and he tells her to shut up a minute. Libra stands up and tells him not to tell her to shut up. April says this is great this is what they want, us fighting with each other.

Renny gets crazy and leaves after telling Jerry to stop talking to people like that and to stop sticking fingers in people's faces that it is inappropriate.

Renny walks past the guys saying, "I can't stand when he talks to people like that. He better not stick his finger in my face. I'll shove it down his throat." Then she tells Memphis that he is talking about him.
Keesha says that Jessie is the one that has to go and she leaves the room.

A crying Libra tells April that she is sorry.

It is Keesha's birthday and Renny tries to get everyone to sing happy birthday to her.

Jessie walks into the girls room and Libra walks over to him and tells him that the conversation is over. She screams and he talks to her calmly. She claps her hands at him and repeats whatever he says. She says his name about 50 times in this argument which was really funny to me.

Keesha says she will take whoever is in the room to sing and Libra says she will get April. Libra again shouts at Jessie and says something about his ear being at the door.

The guests sing to Keesha like they are all going to the electric chair. Libra asks if anyone wants cake. Jessie apologizes for being honest. Michelle asks if anyone knows how the fight started which gets screechy Keesha to stand up saying she knows exactly what the fight was about. She says what she knows and when he tries to talk she gives him the finger and calls him a little kid and trouble maker. Libra tells Memphis that everyday is a new day as the girls leave the room.

The Veto comp is a hockey game where the guests will win prizes on top of the veto. They get their trophy which could have the veto or a prize. The winners can chose to keep their prize or trade it for one of the other prizes already given. They can steal someone's prize.




The first person ejected is Memphis, getting the first trophy. It is the POV. Michelle is ejected out next. Her trophy has a trip to Hawaii. Michelle jumps and screams saying that she has never been to Hawaii. Jessie is the third out and he says he couldn't play well because he didn't know what he was doing. His trophy has a slop surprise but he trades it for the POV. April is out of the game and her trophy 10,000 in BB gold bars. She keeps her gift saying she worked her ass off. "I did my part." I guess because she was HOH and had to nominate. I don't know. Jerry is next out and he pulls a letter from home. He asks April if she wants to split the 10,000 3 ways. She says yes and he trades with Jessie who tells April that he is taking money out of her pocket. Jessie says, "I love you Mom" when he is told he is getting a letter from home. Libra gets the first place trophy and it holds Jen and Sheila used unitard. She trades the unitard for Michelle's trip to Hawaii. Michelle is shocked! Libra holds that trophy and smiles pretty for the camera holding her prize. Michelle is pissed and screams that she got the shaft.


Jerry is sure that he proved the his house guests that he is willing to pay a price to help his alliance.

Michelle is done with this place. She tosses the unitard and when Jessie tries to give her the pep talk she says, he gets a letter from home and then proceeds to say what Libra should have her kids taken away because she is a skank, slut. Michelle tells us that she is not here to be made a fool out of.

She puts the unitard on and screams that this is her life, "I always get screwed, always, always." Jessie tries to talk to her and tells her that her ass looks terrific and if he wins he will buy her a trip to Hawaii.

Michelle gets ito bed and Jessie pep talks her about her family and that it is not her fault that she is in this position. I am thinking that as much as Jessie can be a real prick that he is someone you just might want on your side.

Michelle is wearing the unitard and everyone is waiting for the POV meeting. Jerry calls everyone in and says that he will not be using the POV.


Twilight - The Movie





I am almost done with the Stephanie Meyer's Twilight (look for my Amateur Book Review next week) which my girlfriend Bek was nice enough to loan me even though I have yet to return a book she loaned me last year.

The movie comes out in December 2008 and I am so excited about it.

Check out the trailer





Any Harry Potter Fans out there? FYI - Cedric Diggory is playing the lead of Edward in Twilight.

Amateur Book Review - My Sister's Keeper


Last week I finished My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. This was my first Jodi book and had no expectations going in. I liked it a lot, reading it in 5 days, not a record but for a mom with two kids, a husband who I work for, a freelance job, 5 blogs, MySpace and 2 therapists to work my schedule around not too bad.

My girlfriend (my personal book club bud) didn't love the book and had a hard time getting through it until the end hence the late review. I really wanted her to finish before I wrote about it.

The book is about Anna, a 13 year old girl who was the product of preimplantation genetic diagnosis, who has spent her life giving blood, marrow, platelets and more in order to keep her sister Kate alive. The book is about love, sisterhood, family, and controversial medical science. For those who love a court room story, there is a little of that there although as someone who isn't into those kind of reads, it worked for this story.

Anna decides to hire an attorney to fight her parents for emancipation and keep the kidney that they have scheduled to remove, or Kate will die.

The story was great and one that will hit a nerve with most readers. What do you do if your child is sick and dying but you are told that by having another, you could save her life. I chose not to have a tubaligation for this reason. Before kids I probably wouldn't have thought this was something that was morally correct. After having my babies, I knew there was nothing I wouldn't do for them, including having another baby.

My girlfriend and I had a wonderful conversation about morals and what we would do in this situation. We had very different opinions along with one of her daughters who chimed in that she would never want to hear that she was born to save a sibling.

I think that depending on which character you are sympathizing with at the moment your morals will change. You can sympathize with the father, the mother, the dying sister, the ignored brother, or 13 year old Anna and understand why they do what they do.

My biggest problem and it wasn't so much a problem well into the book was that each character had their own chapters, making them the primary character. I found that I had to keep going back to find out who was who.

I enjoyed the book and felt a connection to Anna, her father and to her brother Jesse all for different reasons. My heart ached at the end and I think the ending will stay with me longer than I want it to.

While trying to find a picture of the book cover, I found out that the movie will be out in 2009 starring Cameron Diaz, Abigail Breslin, Alec Baldwin and Jason Patric. I am so psyched. I love seeing movies that I have already read.

Amateur Book Review - Note to Self: On Keeping A Journal and Other Dangerous Pursuits



I want to be useful or bring enjoyment to all people, even those I’ve never met. I want to go on living even after my death! And that’s why I’m so grateful to God for having given me this gift, which I can use to develop myself and to express all that’s inside me!—Anne Frank, April 5, 1944

I was fortunate enough to receive a beautifully written book by Samara O'Shea called NOTE TO SELF: ON KEEPING A JOURNAL AND OTHER DANGEROUS PURSUITS - Don't be put off by the obscure title. When I first opened the package I thought that the book looked adorable but what is this book about? I couldn't tell by the title. Reading the book I realized that it was a book about keeping a journal.

In the first chapter she references Anne Frank. What girl who loved reading and writing didn't fall in love with the idea of writing a journal? The journal/diary industry has been helping people keeping memories alive for those who come after or just to remember specific moments for oneself.

As a young girl I received my first diary when I was 9. I still have it and wish I had written more. There were too many days between entries to really get a feel of what I was thinking then. The diary I received the year that my mom was sick, my eleventh year is just as empty. Sometimes I wonder if this is really a bad thing. To have the ability to relive such a devastating time in my life in black and white may have been too much for me at certain times in my life.

Back to Samara O'Shea's NOTE TO SELF: ON KEEPING A JOURNAL AND OTHER DANGEROUS PURSUITS. This is a great read for everyone. Not just people who love writing but others who want to document their lives or need a reason to take pen to paper. I dare you to not want to run out and buy yourself a new journal after reading this.

Some journal writing guidelines from the book:

* Write in a stream of consciousness: Forget everything you ever learned about writing and just write. Let it all out: the good, bad, mad, angry, boring, and ugly.

* Ask yourself questions: What do I want to change about myself? What would I never change about myself? (The book gives some to get you started).

* Copy quotes: Other people's words can help you figure out where you are in life, or where you'd like to be. (Something I have just started doing).

* It takes time: Don't lose faith if you don't imme­diately feel better after writing in your journal. Think of each entry as part of a collection that will eventually reveal its meaning to you.

Another thing that Samara does that I have not seen before is show the difference in writing as we mature. She was an avid writer and has journals/diary's from her youngest years until now and shares them.
I believe I will keep going back to this book for many years to come for guidance, almost like my bible for journaling.

Unlike Samara I loved the thought of a new book and feel that same feeling even now when I open a brand new journal with clean pages that I know will house my thoughts and memories. I love the idea of all the possibilities that will fill it as I run my hand over the pages like Vanna White. Samara, upon starting a book, felt a sense of pressure to fill that first page with something profound setting a precedence for the rest of the book.

What I loved more than anything I read is that as a blogaholic I have given up actually writing in the many books that I have.

-A Gratitude Journal where I was naming 5 things I was grateful for each day.

-Love Letter Journals to each of my kids that were started in the hospital and written in every birthday or holiday or when an important, profound milestone, profound met.

-A Personal Journal where I wrote something everyday no matter how significant or insignificant.

Reading Samara's entries were like getting to be a fly on the wall in someone's home. Some were deep, profound, funny, emotional and very private. I have read journals by others that I have found at garage sales, antique sales, or estate sales and seeing her journal entries were so much more easier and interesting to read.

To learn more about this stunning writer head over to her LetterLover site where you will also find information about her MySpace Page and Facebook Page.
Looking for a gift for a gift to give along with a new journal or diary? This is the one.

Important Note:
Samara, although I love her personality that shines through in the pages; has a very no nonsense approach and does have entries that may not be suitable to younger writers. She does talk about substance abuse and cheating on her comedian boyfriend (who by the way, I have seen and uses the cheating story in his act). So use your discretion when purchasing for a teen.

I will be running out to get her first book For the Love of Letters.


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