Unconscious Mutterings

1. Dogma:: Ben Affleck
   
2. Spirit:: in the Night (one of my favorite Springsteen songs)
   
3. Voodoo:: economics
   
4. Demon:: Angels & Demons (great book, which is the prequel to "The DaVinci Code")
   
5. Digital:: camera
   
6. Ceremony:: wedding
   
7. Research:: labratory
   
8. Career:: path
   
9. Penis:: envy
   
10. Film:: movie
    

Why would they lie?

I got my first royalty check on Monday. Along with the check was the breakdown of how many books were sold, and where. All along I've said that if only half the people who told me they were going to buy the book actually bought it I'd be happy. And yes, I am happy with my sales although only half the people who told me they were going to buy it actually bought it.

But I'd like to know why the other half lied. To make me feel better? To be polite? Maybe they thought I'd never know who bought one and who didn't. I don't know why they lied or why they didn't buy it. But when the next book comes out I'd be happier if people who aren't going to buy it just congratulated me and went on their way. Or just don't say anything to me about it all. That would be better than a lie.

I haven't done a Friday Five in a while. So, although I'm a day late, here it is:

1. ...your first grade teacher's name?
Mrs. Grady. Hated her. She was so mean! I still don't think much of her.

2. ...your favorite Saturday morning cartoon?
Bugs Bunny

3. ...the name of your very first best friend?
Patty Patterson. She died when we were 8. :(

4. ...your favorite breakfast cereal?
Trix (Now I like Atkins Morning Start, preferrably almond, but blueberry is good, too)

5. ...your favorite thing to do after school?
hang out with friends & do nothing, really

What are the First Four things you think of when I say:

Best Friends

1.Steve
2.Nick
3.total disclosure
4.they make me smile

What's "average" anyway?

I didn't post about this earlier because I wasn't exactly sure how I felt about it. "It" is the "Average Joe 2" finale. Of course I was disappointed that Larissa didn't pick Brian, who obviously was in love with her. But I will give her credit for telling him that he deserved to be with a woman who loves him the way he loves her. With that being said, I still don't understand why she picked Gil. He's not all that good-looking, he's closed-off emotionally and seems very shallow. The last point was made quite clear when he bailed on Larissa after she told him she used to date Fabio. I totally didn't understand his reaction to that. Of course I never quite understood the whole Fabio thing anyway. *shrug* Actually, though, I probably wouldn't have even understood it if she said she dated George Clooney or Ewan McGregor. I mean, she's not with him now. So what's the big deal? Anyway, although she made the wrong choice I don't think she deserved to be treated the way Gil treated her. But maybe, because of that, she'll think twice next time before she picks looks over substance.

As for Brian and Adam, the "average" guys who weren't picked, I hope they both find women who are worthy of them. I would pick either of them over any so-called "hunks" on any of the reality dating shows. I'd like to think the majority of women in America would. Too bad Larissa and Malena aren't in the majority. Then again, Brian and Adam both deserve better.

Venting (or again .... huh?)

I really need to vent about something happening in an online group I belong to, but I don't want to say anymore than I have there because I know some people would take it the wrong way and jump all over me. They subtly did that the first time I said something.

A few weeks ago the founder of the group, for a number of reasons, changed the message board we use. I loved it right away, as did many others. It took some people some time to get used it -- after some bitching and whining about how much they hated it. But within the last couple of days two people have posted that they will never be back because they hate it. One of these people posted twice; the other once. They really gave it a chance, didn't they?

In their posts, these people said they will miss their friends but they won't be back. Uh, you're going to give up your friends because you don't like a freakin' message board? Something just doesn't seem right there.

Yeah, change is hard sometimes but, c'mon people, it's a message board!! When 99% of the people posting like the board and don't have any problem with it, wouldn't you think maybe you are the one who's being ... Well, I wasn't going to say it this way because it's just not nice, but the people who aren't giving it a chance are just being ignorant. And it's more than just the vast majority not having a problem with it ... we LOVE this new board & all the bells & whistles features. (When I got jumped on, "bells & whistles" was the phrase people used to let me know they didn't agree with me without having to use my name. Real clever, huh? *rolling eyes*) So, for heaven's sake, grow up, give it a chance and then make a decision. If you don't like it after you try it, that's one thing. But to not try it, then cry about it and run away? That's dumb.

/end rant

I know the founder of the group reads this blog sometimes so this part is a personal message to her: Don't let those people get you down! You did the right thing and, personally, I think the group is better for it. People are posting more, and more people are posting. That's a good thing.

Huh?

I was having lunch with a friend on Wednesday & we were talking about "The DaVinci Code." We both loved it & both read it in less than three days. Then she told me about a mutual acquaintance of ours who said he would never read it because "it might challenge my beliefs."

What?!?!?!? If a work of fiction might challenge his beliefs, how strong are they in the first place?

Then, today I read on a message board that I go to fairly regularly (not RAOK's, so you RAOKsters who may be reading this don't have to go searching for it *w*) that a woman would really like to go see "The Passion of the Christ" but she gave up popcorn for Lent and doesn't think she could sit in the movie theater, smell the popcorn and resist.

Again .... WHAT?!?!?!? I'm hoping that every Christian who read that said ... Good thing Jesus didn't say ... "Ya know, I'd like to do the whole crucifixtion thing, but the nails through the hands and feet, I dunno."

IT'S OFFICIAL!!!!

As of today I no longer have to say I've lost about 100 pounds. I have offically (according to my scale) lost 100 pounds!!!

When I stepped on the scale last January I thought losing the weight I had to lose was an unsurmountable task. I thought there was no way on earth I could ever do it. But, I knew I didn't have a choice. I had to do it. I didn't look good. I didn't feel well. There's a history of heart disease, diabetes and cancer in my family so I knew I would be risking my life if I didn't lose the weight.

So, I started counting calories and exercising. Walking just a little at first, because I could barely walk around the block. The pounds came off slowly. By August I lost 38 pounds. Then I decided I'd give Atkins a shot. Since Augst 4 I've lost 62 more pounds and I'm walking 4 miles a day.

I still have a little bit more to go -- little bit as opposed to 100 -- but now I'm extra-motivated and I know I'll do it.

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Ignore:: Fatal Attraction ("I will not be ignored, Dan!")
   
2. Death:: and Destruction
   
3. Missy:: Elliott
   
4. Ballet:: slippers
   
5. Guest:: book
   
6. Campus:: security (I'm not exactly sure what that says about me & my college life)
   
7. Lonely:: hearts club (as in Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band)
   
8. Company:: corporation
   
9. Helicopter:: Life Flight (medical helicopter)
   
10. Sterile:: infertile
    

What are the first four things you think of when I say:

Super Bowl
1.Buffalo Bills *sigh*
2.commercials
3.too much hype
4.parties