A word on Games and the weekend.

I hope most of you had a Happy Christmas.
I don't often talk about games on this site. Some times I think that is a pity. Other times I am lucid and realize that it would be a bad idea.
Anyways, this post is about two games that I have played over the last few days.

First off, Pictureka. We got it as a gift from Maxine's folks. We had such a freakin blast playing it! It is one of those games that is great for a variety of age groups and can be played in a relatively short amount of time. I loved it! (Jeff won, by the way.)

Second is Jam Legend. This is a browser based online game that equates to Guitar Hero. I participated in the demo a couple months back but it is in general release now. (And, best of all, its FREE!!!!!!!!) I love it. I freakin love it! It has a ton of different songs. Some I know, some I don't. If you love exploring music, check it out. It makes me remember how much I love Audiosurf. I may need to start playing that again...

Anyways, I will probably not post again this weekend. Today we say our goodbyes to Miss Stacy and tonight are the UFC fights. (Good fights tonight. I am stoked.)

To our secret santa(s)

You know who you are, even if I don't. (But I have my suspicions.)

You are the most awesometastic Christmas miracle!

The most perfect demonstration of the spirit of Christmas was placed lovingly on our doorstep. To give with no expectation of receiving. To do so anonymously without the expectation of recognition...

I have no words but Thank You. We are all appreciative and grateful to have such wonderful people in our lives.

12th Day of Christmas

At this wonderful time of year, keep your global perspective.

It's not just a song, its a message.

Merry Christmas everyone. I love you.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsqsiJRiCY0

11th Day of Christmas

For all you last minute shoppers. Need a great idea for a gift for that special someone?

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhwbxEfy7fg

10th Day of Christmas

From Love Actually....

Maxine's #2 movie EVER. There is a part where he does this song naked but I couldn't find it.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tcx8iA9dFUg

Miss Stacy Brunson

This morning we learned that Miss Stacy is no longer with us. There have been many tears around the house and we all have heavy hearts but I feel more complete as a human being having known her. The opportunities to have her in our house on her short visits and in my life have left me richer that you could ever possibly know. Anyone that spent any time with her could see she was masterful in her ability to brighten any room. Stacy proved to me that it is always possible to impact someone's life without ever having to speak to them. Maxine is convinced she is an angel. I cannot say I disagree. Although we are not blood relatives, I have thought of you as family for so very long.

My heart goes out to her family and we all offer our love and support.

9th Day of Christmas

Ok, Cerra and Lynne, this one is for you.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJD2ROYPPkc

8th Day of Christmas

What would Christmas be without Monty Python.

This has a ton of swears. Don't watch it. Unless you want to.

I warned you.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MfbR7JAzSo

Do NOT Eat Christmas Cookies This Year...

Every year, Grandma and her grandkids, Suzy, Jill, and Billy come stay with her over Christmas. And every Christmas Eve they would make a big bowl of cookie dough so they could make cookies on Christmas Day. And every time, the next morning the cookie dough would be gone. The grandma could never catch them, so this year she put metal bb's in the cookie dough. The next morning, the cookie dough was gone and soon Suzy came running downstairs.
''Grandma, I went to the bathroom to pee and bb's came out.''
"Suzy," Grandma said. "I know you've been eating cookie dough. Sit down." Then Jill came down and said ''Grandma, I went poo and there were bb's in it.''
"Jill, I know you've been eating cookie dough. Sit down." About five minutes later little Billy came.
''Grandma something terrible has happened, I was jerking off in the garage and I shot the cat!''

7th Day of Christmas

I have such a soft spot for Christina. No one can sing like her...

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XzPBWiKFSY

A Few Words on Neil Gaiman

I have mentioned before, and I will probably mention again, that Neil Gaiman is my favorite author. In fact, I When I list my top 10 books, his work is the vast majority of the list. Don't get me wrong, I read other authors, but most of the books on this list have been read, re-read, and read some more. In fact, #2, 3, and 4 are on at least the third copy of each. IT makes #10 for being the first book that terrified me as a kid, even if the movie was brutally bad. I tried to limit the Neil Gaiman books to a handful but a)they are too damn good, and b)I can't think of many books that are top 10 worthy.
Here is the top 10.

1. American Gods - Neil Gaiman
2. Good Omens - Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
3. Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card
4. Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
5. The Graveyard Book - Neil Gaiman (Incidentally, that is what I am reading now. Blast me for not buying it. The library wants it back.)
6. Fragile Things - Neil Gaiman
7. Coraline - Neil Gaiman (Have I mentioned today that the movie comes out in February?)
8. Stardust - Neil Gaiman
9. Neverwhere - Neil Gaiman
10. IT - Stephen King

6th Day of Christmas

We sped things up yesterday, lets slow them down again today....

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdFZDKGO-A8

Christmas Videos that makes me giggles...

Nothing to say but HAHAHAHAHAHA

EMO Christmas (Song) - watch more funny videos

Thug Christmas - watch more funny videos

Jeff Dunham's Road Kill Christmas Pop-Up Video - watch more funny videos

5th Day of Christmas

Let's speed things up a little, shall we?

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8rjrPIGZ5U

Poker in the rear....

Awww yeah! I loves me some poker. Specifically, I love Hold 'Em.

 

I have registered to play in the PokerStars World Blogger Championship of Online Poker!

The WBCOOP is an online Poker tournament open to all Bloggers.

Registration code: 668959

 

Jealous much?

Five Guys-Once you go all the way, there is no other way.

I love to eat. I love food. That probably explains why I carry around so much more of myself than I did a few years ago.

Anyways, a little while back I posted about Five Guys burgers. I really think they spoiled me from ever enjoying another fast food burger.

I was thinking about it yesterday while trying to choose something for lunch. Now, in my life, there are homemade burgers, Five Guys burgers, and everything else. The everything else category is meh. 

If you haven't gone yet, get off your ass and go.

I suggest you order a "Cheeseburger all the way." Oh, and order a regular order of cajun fries. It's enough to share with that special someone.

They have locations all over the country. GO ALREADY!

4th Day of Christmas

Tee Hee. Are you bored yet?

I am struggling trying to find non-traditional stuff to post.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQAmwRM-vXU

3rd Day of Christmas

Yummy. This is just a yummy song.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RengWX0P5KA

Writing like a writer sometimes means not writing...

Have I ever mentioned that I suck?

Like, lemon juice on a papercut suck.

Or finally getting to kiss that hot girl in high school but not realizing that she puked 5 minutes ago suck.

Yeah. So. I want to be a writer. Anyone that has known me for any length of time knows that.

In the past month, I have written, rewritten, and scrapped so many story ideas.

Now that it is December I don't have the mental capacity to focus on writing so I am storing up more ideas for the new year. (And wiping them out almost as fast as I come up with new ones.)

It used to come so easy. When I was an angst filled teen, with no real responsibility other than worrying about where my next meal would come from,  I could write and write and write.

Now, not so much. I have tried writing comedy based on my life experiences but they always come out bitter and a bit nasty. (Which is wierd because I don't feel bitter or nasty.)

Anyways, I am not writing this for your sympathy or well-wishing. I am just getting it out of my brain so that some awesome ideas can have room to wiggle.

2nd Day of Christmas

Did you notice yesterday? I posted a music video about Christmas.

On the first day of Christmas...

I am doing the 12 days of Christmas set to music.

Ok, technically the 12th day will be Christmas eve, but I don't plan to post much on Christmas.

Here is today's tidbit!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzMeZI7fNJg

Christmas is coming

I am starting to get excited for Christmas!!!! (Finally)

Here is a little cheer for you!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MwdEzYkT8c

Coraline...again?

Do you think it strange that I am excited about Coraline? (Coming Feb. 2009)

It is, I suppose, a children's novel afterall. But I was a child once. (And, some may say, still a child in many ways)

I was also excited about Stardust when it came out. I think I am more excited for Coraline. Check out the website, and if you are lucky or smart, I will tell you the "Otherworld"ly password to get in to it.

It is going to be awesome.

That's so the drama...

Being an NFL household, we all have our teams that we cheer for. Of course, the Chicago Bears are mine, and Maxine cheers for the Washington Redskins. Jeff has decided that the New England Patriots are his team and Andrew claims the New York Giants. Regin cheers for Miley Cyrus.
So, as it stands, I try to keep up on all four teams so I know what is going on and can answer the questions of "How are (insert team name) doing?" Usually with much more detail than they care about. I think I do fairly well with the exception of Miley Cyrus. (I even had to google to get the spelling.) I don't watch as much football as I would like, mostly because I get fidgety sitting in front of the TV that long, so I make it up be doing ALOT of reading.

I was doing my Redskins homework this morning and came across an article from ESPN about Clinton Portis and Jim Zorn. It is never a good thing to call out your coach. It is especially bad when that coach is making something great happen for your team. Even though they are in a bit of a skid, they have a very promising future ahead of them. I just wonder if Clinton Portis is worried that the future will not include him. He is putting up some pretty great numbers this year, but I think it has become obvious that Jason Campbell will be their future star. He is fantastic and getting better all the time. I have mad respect for Portis and the work he does. (And has done during his career) I would love to see him stay a Redskin and put up monster numbers.
I want to see the Redskins vs. the Bears in the NFC championship every year. It won't happen, but we can wish, can't we?

Eating cheap when money counts

While tromping around the interwebbies looking for new and exciting recipes to add to my arsenal, (Imagine the groaning of my kids at that statement) I came across Better Budgeting.com. It is a site devoted saving money without living like a miser. I am in no way affiliated with, or a paid endorser for, Michelle but I think the site has a lot of great information. (And some pretty tasty recipes too.) I would encourage you to check it out.
Even those of us that are not struggling through the economy as badly as others could do with a few cost saving techniques. (And it is never a bad idea to read up on some new perspectives.)

We have tried some exciting and yummy recipes over the past few months. I haven't decided if I am going to post some of them or not. I may give them their own blog. Its still up in the air.

Horoscopes and you...

Have you ever had a day where your horoscope was DEAD ON!
Man, it kind of creeps me out sometimes.

Here is mine from today:
You have a strong sense of the future and even know how you can be successful. But today can become difficult when you run into an unexpected obstacle. Handling the problem may not be easy, yet it's crucial that you don't just ignore it. Instead of going for the quick and easy fix now, set your mind on finding a long-term solution.

My horoscopes have been freaking me out for a couple of weeks. I wonder if tomorrow it will say...You will go grocery shopping and buy milk.

Eerie.

Prop 8 is a bunch of BS

Sometimes I am glad I am not a Californian. Oh wait, I live in Utah...

Ideas for writing THAT book.

Right now I have several story ideas floating around in my notebooks. Some are good, some are mediocre, and some seemed really great when I wrote them down and now when I read them I am really confused.

It has long been my habit to sit on an idea for several weeks before working on it or discarding it.

Come to think of it, that is probably why I mostly wrote poetry and lyrics in my younger days. There has never been much of a time commitment to it.

Anyways, the question I pose to you is this....

Do you prefer, as a reader, novels or collections of short stories?

It is an interesting question to me. When I was young, and had far fewer responsibilities and much more time, I consumed as many different books on as wide a variety of topics as I could find. I would often pick up the longest books I could find, knowing it might be a few days before I could get something new. Now that time is precious, I have found that I prefer collected short stories. It could take me a couple of weeks to read a novel. Short stories can be done in an evening.

So, dear reader and future consumer, what do you prefer? Novels or short stories?