Keep calm and flame on.

I know I said I was gonna post more last week but then I got sick so...that didn't happen.

101.6 fever, for real people.

Okay, so what did you miss?

Made more progress on the zombie apocalypse. (scroll down if you're lost)

Queen of the Known Universe has joined my army of misfit toys. She has volunteered to build a flamethrower.

Screw Amazon, we'll build our own using car mufflers and a welder.

Keep Calm and Flame On.

She's also graciously volunteered to be our fire department liaison. I know, such a sacrifice for someone doesn't like firefighters at all...that was sarcasm.

Have you seen her Firemen Fridays section of Facebook?

The Old New Guy said he'd man the tablesaw, and when I asked our newest staff addition - who tragically doesn't have a nickname, but I'm on it - what skills would make us want her on our team she replied she watches a lot of Survivor and she's good at assembling Ikea furniture.

So I'm putting her on the mechanical and logistics squads. She can help us plan and build an endgame.

Still gotta talk to the rest of our merry band at the work branch, I'll keep you posted.

I also continue to eat lunch with the Queen of the Known Universe in the basement facing the empty screen. It's basically like an white board but with our position it looks like we're at a theater or something.

Now we say "down in front" to anyone who walks past while we're eating. Even though there's nothing on the screen.

What else?

Life Size Game Day was a big hit. Had 10 of my TAB kids plus one of their friends come and play life size angry birds, candyland and scrabble, it was awesome.

Here are some pics of our epic layout.









Big thanks to the New Guy for his help. We got pretty into the design, as you can tell.

What else?

Went to Bubby's play. He was Moses. Got to rap, it was amusing.

They had a silent auction beforehand made up of random donations and then you bid and the profits go to the school.

Here was one of the items...



I was like, oh good god.

And then mom bid on it.

But only once and then she got beat out.

Although it would have made an interesting addition to dad's cabin decor.

I did finally see the boyfriend this weekend. That's how I got sick, cause he had it, well, has it. Interestingly enough our doctors diagnosed us with two different things. Granted mine was in a rush to get me out of there so his was probably right.

But when I saw him we watched the second Matrix...what is that one Reloaded? Right?



Scale of Awesome says 7/10. Was good but not as good as the first. Just the third one left.

And that's basically it.

I know.

But I was sick.

So I slept a lot, and then when I couldn't sleep I watched Iron Man, then Thor, then Captain America, then the Avengers.

Did I mention I was out for three days?

I skipped a few in the series (Hulk and Iron Man 2) but I really don't like the Hulk (except if they made one with Mark Ruffalo I'd probably watch it) and then I figured Iron Man 1 was good enough to get me started.

Which Hulk movie do they claim anyway? Cause there were two within a few years of each other. Edward Norton and Eric Bana.

Bana was 2003, Norton was I think 2008. Hmmm... will have to look into that.

Finally watching Anna Kendrick on SNL. Very amusing so far. I love how many of the sketches are put on in song. But it's Anna Kendrick so you have to make her sing.

And speaking of singing....on to the music.

What was that segment called? Songs You Should Know?

Or Why Don't People Know This Song?

Or something like that, you get my point.

Here are a few more of those. Give them a chance, they are wicked awesome.

16 Military Wives - Decemberists


cheer them on to their rivals...

Since You've Been Gone - Theory of a Deadman


this was my first ever music rec on this blog and it's still one of my favorite songs.

We Used To Be Friends - Dandy Warhols


*clap* *clap*

and that's all I got.

More to come later.

Remember, Remember the Fifth of November: Take Four

Another instance of: My Life in Closed Captions: Here's a little segment called: "My boss is cooler...
Got called to the backroom today. Superwoman says I work too much. She's making me take tomorrow off. I mean, what does she expect me to do? Sleep in? Lay on the couch all day catching up on TV - OMG, have you seen "Unforgettable"? it's fantastic. - and watching DVDs I have that are due this week, aka yesterday?

Geez. Watching out for my sanity like that.

That's why she's the coolest.


Alright, so we did Posts of the Year and Pictures and tomorrow is Quotes so I guess that makes today Music...

Favorite new songs I've discovered throughout the year.


"I'm Into Something Good" The Bird and the Bee

i could recommend this over and over and over.

"Lover Lover" Jerrod Niemann

love the vocals. awesomeness.

"Tonight, Tonight" Hot Chelle Rae

summer song 2011 still lives on. somehow still not sick of it.

"Back At Your Door" Maroon 5

i've probably listened to this song more times in 24 hours than i have most songs ever.

"Time Warp" Glee Cast Version

okay so it's a little before the year mark, but i've listened to it enough times throughout the year that it still counts.

"He Wasn't There" Lily Allen live recording

i've been a fan of hers since college but just recently found this on youtube, love it.

"Misery" Glee Cast Version

i've watched this videos many times, mostly after i complete big assignments. wanting to throw all my papers up like that but not wanting to have to clean it up. i'll stick with just watching.

"Since You've Been Gone" Theory of a Deadman

my first ever video rec back on the first of the year. geez. (well this and 'heart of gold')

"Why Do You Let Me Stay Here" She & Him

morbid but awesome. stoked for their christmas album. love her voice. again, fan since college but never saw this video until a few months ago.



annnd now for the most rec'd videos I've posted.

3. "Forget You" Glee Cast feat. Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth man, no last name campaign.
Though I really do love this version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFnth12HyJU Audacity-Made, it's a program that can mess with vocals. Yeah, still Gwyneth. Just a bit lower. Just a bit. haha.

That was born after the blog was started. These two I had been big fans of before I started on here. Yes, complete opposites, but stick with me.

2. "You Drive Me Crazy" Shakin' Stevens

diggin' the dance moves. he's welsh. just go with it.

1. "Reflecting Light" Sam Phillips

love it.

Tomorrow is Quotes of the Year, such as this: "How do you expect me to get a woman if I can't blend a margarita?" Tune in for more like that one and I'll probably throw in some other random stuff as well.


"Why do you edit? Just give me credit. I'm just sitting on the shelf."

My coworkers are cooler than your coworkers...

The second segment in a series I'm going to call "My job is cooler than your job". I say as humbly as I can. Here's part one from back in December: My Life in Closed Captions: Here's a little segment called: "My boss is cooler...

What brought this back is that apparently, people think I'm nuts because I would rather work than do something else. Some are joking and some are boyfriends who are upset by my priority choices. But seriously, how often can you find coworkers who will pretend to be your girlfriend to make the creepers go away, or give you their happy meal toys, or form a fake band, or make up slogans to wear on matching tshirts, or go along with your crazy nickname system, or turn super protective when something goes wrong? When you're able to go to work and actually not mind the fact that you're at work instead of at home sleeping - that's when you know that you found somewhere you belong. Anyway, if you still don't understand and think my priorities are skewed then that just proves my point. You don't have coworkers as cool as mine.

Moving on.

Okay, so I had this major update to a new ipod recently since I have too much music to fit in an 8GB one. Sad, I know. So, instead of just 1500 songs now I have over 4000 and counting. I'm feeling a bit like Abby right now when she buys ipods for everyone on NCIS and Gibbs says he only listens to 5. She's like only 5000? Here I'll find it.


Anyway, since there's an increase in songs on the ipod there's also an increase in skippage aka putting it on shuffle and skipping songs until I get to one I actually listen to frequently. I mean, I listen to all of them but there are certain like contexts for each song... If that makes sense. Like sometimes you don't want to listen to a song, not because you don't like it, you're just not in the mood for it. Anyway, my point is, I found a few songs that I not only never skip but constantly put the thing on repeat and listen to them over and over. And I know I've done favorite songs day during favorites week My Life in Closed Captions: These are a few of my favorite things - Day One: M... (yes I will overload you with links in this post) so I'm limiting these to songs that have only come out recently (or semi-recently). I'm pretty sure I've posted at least half of these before, oh well.


Song 1: Since You've Been Gone - no not Kelly Clarkson or Aretha but Theory of a Deadman.

This was my first music rec ever on here (well that and Ashlyne Huff's "Heart of Gold") way back in January...My Life in Closed Captions: Happy , Happy New Year! Hooray for Apples to Apples.


Song 2: "Something Good Can Work" Two Door Cinema Club

This is a total jam out song, I'm diggin it. Loving these guys (despite that they look like they're 12), and iTunes for giving it to me for free. iTunes' free music each week isn't actually all that bad, especially for indie stuff.


Song 3: Back at Your Door - Maroon 5

Why my new relationships never work. Kind of a theme song for me actually. Which is why it goes on repeat.


Song 4: Somebody to Love - Glee version of Queen

Loving this version, and the choreography is excellent as always.


Song 5: Lover Lover - Jerrod Neimann

Pretty sure this one has everything to do with the deep voice. It's like Josh Turner all over again.


Song 6: Forget You - Glee version of Cee-Lo Green

If you're only going to watch one of these videos make it this one. Gwyneth is amazing. She's like Cher or Ellen - she doesn't even need a last name, I'm gonna start a campaign! I'll call it the "Gwyneth needs no last name campaign" . Rhymes and everything. She's so talented and so funny that there can only be one word to describe her awesomeness: "Gwyneth". You could use it as an adjective like as in, "That outfit is so Gwyneth! Like oh my god!" She's someone who can actually pull off something like naming her child "Apple" and I'm okay with it. (Look it up I'm not making that up). I'm doing it. I'll start a trend. "Gwyneth" is going to be my word of the week. Don't question the "Gwyneth".
I don't know about you, but I'm totally making the Wordsmith watch "Country Strong" with me tonight. He's used to my chick flicks anyway.

Okay, honorable mentions that are basically great songs but I've posted them too recently and I don't want to bore you with repetition. "Misery" (Glee version) "Raise Your Glass" (also Glee version or Pink's really either is fantastic) "How" (Maroon 5) "She's Not There" (Glee version or the Zombies original classic) "Safety Dance" (okay a lot of these are Glee versions but I'm a soundtracks kind of girl) "We Used to be Friends" (Dandy Warhols) and "Blackbird" (Glee version, I love the Beatles but I'm loving the updated acapella style).


The Wordsmith is bringing food and I'm thinking movie night then crash cause early mornings (like todays) are totally exhausting.

Happy , Happy New Year!

Every time I heard the words 'happy new year' I could hear Captain Raydor's voice in my head and then Tao's follow-up, "I really hate her! Did I say that out loud?" Gotta love the Closer. I'm beginning to really like Mary McDonnell. Excellent addition to the cast, even if it is only a recurring guest spot.

And Wow, 1-1-11, that's new.

Today was our family xmas, so right now I'm exhausted and it's only 9:55. Sad day. Two nights of staying up late will do that to a girl I guess. First, two nights ago, I got to watch us get our butts wooped by Washington. That was just pitiful and sucks because now I gotta put up with my coworker who said we were gonna lose. There was no motivation from us at all. It's like our whole team is depressed or something. Bo needs to turn that around.
Then, last night was filled with playstation - aka SSX Tricky, Simpson's Road Rage and Dance Dance Revolution - drinking lots of sparkling cider even though we're both of age, flipping between Carson and Ryan and their crews (um, did Dick Clark look really at retiring age to anyone else or is that just me? and c'mon MTV step it up! Jersey Shore? Seriously?!) and falling asleep watching Boy Meets World. Same thing every year, but the Boy Meets World is new. We usually watch Pirates or Jason Bourne. Also, we didn't run around the house at midnight, sad day. Usually we bring a bottle of sparkling cider with us, shake it and then pop the cork spraying it everywhere in the process of awesomeness. (I say that word a lot, Awesomeness. I've noticed that my aunt has started saying it as well. It's catchy. Say it with me: Awesomeness.) Anyway, we took this year off of running as it was freaking freezing out there. And we're old. We figured that out while playing DDR and almost dying out after the first round. But it was fun. Same thing every year. Nothing really planned - it was funny. She texted and was like "you have plans for new years" and I was like "yeah with you!" and that was as far as the planning process went. We go with the flow.
And what was up with the countdown acts this year? I really need to listen to the radio more or something because the only people I recognized were MCR and Avril (hooray for a comeback from her btw).
Interesting fact about CK #-whatever-we're-up-to: I don't listen to the radio. I listen to my ipod. Constantly. And have a hookup for my car so it plays through the speakers.
So, because of this interesting fact, I had to text my best friend - "okay, i'm lame. who is that?" But she didn't know either so that was helpful.
Good times.

Today was awesome but exhausting as well. Big dinner with the family, excellent food as always, then opening presents which always turns into some kind of a disaster area with all the wrapping paper everywhere. Our family splurges. After the disaster area was cleared we played - you guessed it - some Apples to Apples which is fastly becoming a family favorite. This time, Sarah and Mark got hosed, ha! And Cindy and Teina dominated. We didn't play it for four hours, but it was around 2. Times flies. And again with the good one-liners: "Okay, who put 'labor unions' as irresistable?" "Steakspeare" "Toasters? Someone got tired of looking at that one in their hand. I got discarded." "Hmmm, amputations or Sunday drivers for horrifying?"
After that was pitch - 2 tables so the losers walked a whole 2 feet to the other one. No real walk of shame like at my aunt's when you had to go all the way downstairs. Cindy and I partnered up and did pretty well. I shot the moon with a AKQJ2 and drew the 3. Awesome.
Then more good food, meanwhile kids running all over the place. But they're between the ages of 1 and 6, what else are they supposed to be doing? While Mandy and Joe hung with the adults. Some crazy grandma gave two 4-year-old-boys fake shotguns that make noise when you pull the trigger. I'm sure their parents are loving that right about now. Don't look at me. I didn't pick them out. Geez mom. And my oldest sister got them fake chainsaws. It's hilarious. One year, like years ago, my second sister Sarah gave our only nephew at the time a drum set. He loved it, his parents didn't. Ever since, it's like they've been trying to one up each other for loudness just for payback. It's become kind of a running joke.

So, I guess it's time for the official list. The dreaded one. Which I've cut down to hopefully things that might actually last for longer than this week.
1. Write more, read more, eat less.
The first two are healthy and entertaining and will keep me out of trouble. The third is basically just going to become no food after 10PM. And more eating healthy during the day instead of being lazy and picking up Arby's just because it's on my way home. The drivethru guy knows me. It's funny and pathetic all in one. We always end with , "see you around."
Which leads me to number
2. Learn how to cook. At some point this year. Doesn't have to be right away. Just more than mac-and-cheese and microwave meals. I'm putting it off because I like my apartment and don't want to watch as it goes up in flames. Read Sketch and Edit Make Grilled Cheese if you get a chance. Based on a true story.

3. I'm not putting exercise more. Because I know it won't happen. I'm on my feet all day, and I'm not going to wake up early or have any energy by the end of the day to go to the rec center. What I am putting is keeping my mind open to taking self-defense classes this summer with my favorite patron.
4. Is to work on time management. Grad school starts on the 15th. I already have homework for it I haven't started. That all starts Monday. Ordering the textbook, visiting all the websites, finding out what I need to have done by the first class. My aunt is awesome because she teaches on that campus so she's going to show me where I'm going and where to park. Gotta love family connections.

Those are all I'm ready to fully put in writing. I'm sure more will develop throughout the month.

In other news, Congrats go out to the TCU Hornfrogs! Woohoo! I routed for them in baseball in Omaha so I felt I should again today. We got to watch parts of the games between family stuff.
Also, I'm thinking Oregon as the champion over Auburn. I've always liked them. Maybe that's because we never play them but still...

Music Rec: Two musical groups I'm commending just for the heck of it are Ashlyne Huff - check out her single "Heart of Gold" and Theory of a Dead Man's "Since You've Been Gone". Both very good emotional-from-the-heart songs, one more upbeat than the other.

It's a decent video since there is actual music and dancing, that's new for MTV nowadays, sadly.


Now that's depressing.

Neither video is spectacular but you get the point. The music is good, and underrated. So I'm recommending it. Spread the word.

Hope your New Years was merry and bright. Or wait, was that Christmas? Whatever. Hope you all had fun and made it home safely.


"Since you've been gone, I need to hear youuuuuuuu SAAAAAAAAAYYYYYY......"