O What a Tangled Web We Weave

So I'm planning on taking some courses this fall in website design. Some people have learned this on their own, but I need STRUCTURE: a real live teacher, books, lecture, labs, etc. That's just how I am. I do not have the "computer" gene. But that won't stop me. I'm an eternal optimist. I CAN AND WILL LEARN CODE!!!

My goal is to be able to create websites for myself and others, and possibly work for a company or become a consultant. As an artist, I understand the aesthetic element in website design, but I'm really lacking in the technical aspects. Hence, the course work.

In preparation, I'm getting a head start studying on my own with a book called "Head First HTML with CSS and XHTML." I finished chapter three yesterday. Unfortunately, the copyright for this book is 2006 so it's outdated. However, hubby is a computer genius and plays around with computers pretty much all the time except when he's eating or sleeping.

Dwight's New Girlfriend

Isabel Poreba! The Angela-smacking, Amazon Princess of Scranton. She loves meat. She's O-negative (universal donor). She has birthing hips. Dwight's dream girl.

New Blog Design

Spring is here and it's time for a change. Fortunately, Blogger has made it easy for me by providing new templates and updated design features! Totally loving playing around with colors, fonts, layouts, etc. I've also incorporated more Wizard of Oz pics. After all, it IS Emerald City.

There's no place like home.

Alice and Charleton

So yesterday my good friend Jodi and I spent the whole day together. It was Sunday, so of course we went to church. She plays guitar and sings with the praise band. She's an amazing soprano and can sing harmony at the drop of a hat. Not me...I have to practice the alto part for weeks before I can sing harmony and even then I'm off key. God did not mean for me to be a singer, but that doesn't stop me from trying.

I am now the "announcement lady" at church, which means after the service I give the announcements of upcoming events. This week we're promoting the Creation video mini-series from Answers in Genesis and the Beth Moore bible study. At the last minute, the pastor asked me to announce that the church will be showing the movie "The Ten Commandments" starring Charlton Heston. It's a three-hour movie so we'll be showing it in installments over the next couple of weeks. When I do the announcements, I like to jazz it up a bit, maybe crack a few jokes or whatever, so I mention that Charlton Heston was my grandmother's favorite actor and every time I see him in a movie, I think of grandma.

Anyway: after church Jodi and I had lunch at Applebees. I ordered the half-size Santa Fe Chicken Salad and Jodi had the Chicken Fried Chicken. When the server brought the plates to our table, I noticed that my half-size salad was enormous and Jodi's chicken "steak," covered in white gravy, was the size of a steering wheel! I kid you not! It was enough to feed three people and a St. Bernard.

For the record, I've been watching Kitchen Nightmares with Gordon Ramsay and he says restaurants shouldn't show pictures of the food on the menu. He's also against gigantic portions. Applebees is guilty of both, but since it's not a gourmet restaurant, I guess they can get away with it.

After lunch we went to the theatre to see "Alice in Wonderland" because we're both HUGE fans of Johnny Depp. Two thumbs up! We saw the 2-D version because I HATE 3-D movies (don't get me started). My favorite character was Bayard the bloodhound who had been captive by the Red Queen and separated from his wife and pups. When they were reunited, I wept for joy. I also enjoyed the scenes of Alice in warrior garb slaying the Jabberwocky.

When the movie was over, we headed out to Starbucks to get a cup of java. I had a dark cherry mocha latte (DELICIOUS! Best latte EVER!) and Jodi had a cinnamon mocha latte - special ordered. I've noticed that she's pretty high maintenance when it comes to ordering food and drink. Reminiscent of Meg Ryan in "When Harry Met Sally."

During our coffee conversation, we talked about classic Disney cartoons. I learned that Jodi's favorite is "Sleeping Beauty" and she learned that I only like the Disney toons that feature animals: "Lady and the Tramp" and "101 Dalmations."

So at 4:30 we were in the auditorium at church watching Charleton Heston and Yul Brenner hash it out in "The Ten Commandments." I must say, Chuck and Yul had tans that would give George Hamilton a run for his money. After the movie, we stayed for the evening service. Jodi and the pastor played guitar and led the singing, then the pastor began our study in the book of Judges. (I've got homework...love it!)

I got home at 8:00, ate a hot dog and watched "Hoarders: Buried Alive" on TLC.

Day Done!

The Office this week

MICHAEL: Let's just follow the chain of events. Jo likes Michael. Jo invites Michael to house. Jo doesn't like Michael anymore. Hmmm.

Crazy About "Crazy Heart"

If you haven't seen "Crazy Heart" yet, stop everything you're doing, get to your local cinema and watch it right NOW!

It was Jeff Bridges' performance of a lifetime. I've always been a fan of Jeff. He can do comedy and drama equally well...very versatile. My favorite Jeff Bridges films include: The Fabulous Baker Boys, Sea Biscuit, Arlington Road, The Muse, The Big Lebowski, The Mirror Has Two Faces, Fearless, The Fisher King, King Kong.

The beautiful landscapes were breathtaking. I don't know where the movie was filmed, but the Western setting (New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Colorado) brought back memories of my childhood. I grew up in New Mexico, Wyoming, Colorado, Oklahoma and Texas. Yikes! I'm a nomad!

I'm not a huge fan of country music, but I loved the music in this movie. The bluesy, country sound really spoke to me and I wanted to go out and buy the soundtrack.

So what's the movie about?

IMBD says: "a faded country music musician is forced to reassess his dysfunctional life during a doomed romance that also inspires him."

Rotten Tomatoes says: "thanks to a captivating performance from Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart transcends its overly-familiar origins and finds new meaning in an old story."

Moviefone says: "Bad Blake (Jeff Bridges) is a broken-down, hard-living country music singer who's had way too many marriages, far too many years on the road and one too many drinks way too many times. And yet Bad can't help but reach for salvation with the help of Jean, a journalist who discovers the real man behind the musician."

I say: this is one of the best films I've seen in a long time. The transformation of Bad Blake is inspiring. He's lived a tragic life and tries to make amends for all the "bad" things he's done. He has many regrets and many sorrows. He reaches out to the adult son he never knew. He falls in love with a woman who gives him a reason to change. And through it all, he finds inspiration to write songs again.

Favorite scenes:

The fishing trip with Bad and his friend Wayne (Robert Duvall).

Bad calling his son on the phone wanting to meet with him.

Bad looking for Buddy (the little boy) in the mall.

Bad talking to Jean (Maggie Gyllenhaal) after going to AA.

TWO THUMBS UP!!!

Andrew is SAFE!

Watching American Idol results last night, I was thrilled that Big Mike, Andrew, Lee, Crystal and Siobhan made the cut. Of course, I wasn't worried. They are the best imo.

Surprised Katie is still in the game. Hmmm....I don't think she'll last long, though. Glad Didi made it; she won me over with "Rhiannon."

I'll miss Lilly. I would have liked seeing more of her in the following weeks; she always surprises me with her unique interpretations and quirky voice.

Prediction: Next to go (Lacey or Katie...Tim or Aaron)

Katelyn and Katie Have Got to Go

On American Idol this week, the final 12 will be revealed. That's when the hard-core competition really begins. Genre weeks, pointers from the pros, Ford commercials, group routines...oh YEAH!

Katelyn sang Carole King's "I Feel the Earth Move." Total karaoke. Nothing unique. No passion. No connection. Sure, she's a cute girl, but not "star" material.

Katie sang "Put Your Records On." She is just too immature. In a few years, she will definitely be a major contender. But not yet.

Tonight we hear from the guys. GO ANDREW!!!

The Office "Baby Cecilia"

Congrats to Jim and Pam Halpert on the birth of their baby girl Cecila!

Memorable scenes:
Pam nursing the wrong baby
Michael setting up Erin and Kevin
Andy hiding behind the plants.
The male nursing coach helping Pam nurse the baby while Jim looks on.
The cop pulling Dwight over and calling him by name.
Michael throwing the car keys into the bushes when told he can't park in front of the hospital.
Pam trying to tell Dwight on the phone where the key is to the house.
Dwight demolishing Jim's and Pam's kitchen.

Alice in Wonderland

Mad Hatter

As a fan of Lewis Carroll and Johnny Depp, I wouldn't miss this for the world. I'm totally loving these delicious images of Carroll's delightful characters.

Red Queen

Alice

Red Queen

Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum

My Favorite Bullas Painting

"Rabbi..."

Will Bullas and His Amazing Art

Okay. So I'm surfing online art galleries and clicked a local hangout called The Link Gallery. While admiring the artwork, I came across some amazing paintings by Will Bullas. Of course, I clicked on Will's website and got up close and personal with the most delightful paintings I've seen in years.

His works feature whimsical animals exhibiting human behaviors. I love his use of color and detail. Takes my breath away! The titles of his works are charming puns that are as much a part of the paintings as the images themselves. Enough with the chit-chat. Feast your eyes on the genius of Will Bullas!

Do Zebras Dream in Color

Bad to the Bun

Polar Ice Cap

Duck Tape

The Capybara Club

Don't Know Jack?

Jack Be Nimble
Jack Nicholson
Jack of all trades
Jack Sprat
Andrew Jackson
Jack Black
Jack Bauer
Jack and the Beanstalk
Jack London
Jack Tripper
Jack Kevorkian
Jack and Jill
Jackson Five
Jack Sparrow
Stonewall Jackson
Jack Lemmon
Jack Russell Terrier
Jack O'Lantern
Jack Frost
Little Jack Horner

I am probably...

...the only person in America watching "What Not to Wear" instead of the Super Bowl. For me, Stacy and Clinton are much more interesting. Today the dynamic duo helped a frumpy film editor named Amanda dress her age (36) and add some color to her life. Her new style is vintage 1940s with a modern edge. Her makeover was awesome, thanks to Stacy and Clinton!

Searching for the best...

...creamy potato soup in the universe. Went to Applebees for dinner a few weeks ago and ordered the creamy potato cheddar soup. FANTASTIC! Ever since I've been wanting to make my own. I've been searching recipes online and found a couple of possibilities.

My sister-in-law Marsha is the family soup queen. She makes soups of all kinds and they are delicious. When we saw her in January (she lives in PA we live in WY), she made some chicken noodle soup that really hit the spot. Nothing like hot soup on a winter's day.

Movie Date

Hubby and I usually go on a date at least every other week. Dinner and a movie. Our favorite theatre is the Capital 12 and we always sit in the back row on the far right. Since we go to the movies during the weekday (hubby works weekends and I have afternoons off), there aren't many people in the theatre; usually less than ten. The only time there was a full house was when "Doubt" was playing starring Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman. (Excellent film, btw...we also saw the play at the OpenStage in Fort Collins...WOW!)

This week we're going to see "Dear John." (solider falls in love with a college student while he's home on leave). Better than the alternative: "When in Rome" or "Edge of Darkness." I've read bad reviews about "Rome" and I'm not in the mood for a Mel Gibson action flick.

Overboard by Chip Dunham

Men of a Certain Age

Am I the only one who likes this show? None of my friends or family have ever heard of it. I've been watchng since it started a few weeks ago. Stars Ray Romano, Andre Braugher and Scott Bakula.

It's about three guys in their 40s who have been friends since they were kids. They live in L.A., hang out at the local diner, go for hikes and deal with personal issues. Joe (Ray) is separated from his wife, has two kids and owns a party store. He's a compulsive gambler. Owen (Andre) works at his father's car dealership, is married with children and has issues with his overbearing father. Terry (Scott) is an actor, never-married, a charming ladies' man and the poster boy for the Peter Pan Syndrome.

It's obvious the audience for the show is SUPPOSED to be men (advertisers include Jim Beam Whiskey), but I think women would be more likely to watch middle-aged men struggling with life issues. That's just me.

I told my sister-in-law about it and she's watching it, too.

This week had some sad moments: Terry applied to be a Big Brother but was turned down

Hopeful moments: Joe helped his father get a part-time job in a hardware store so he would feel useful again.

Funny moments: Owen had to make a car commercial with his father.

Vince Vaughn Won Me Over

I finally got to see "The Breakup" with Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston. Didn't think I'd like it, but I did. I've never been a Vince Vaughn fan since the mega-bomb "Dodge Ball." For the record, I was forced to see that film with my grandchildren; otherwise you couldn't pay me enough money to watch it. Totally not my style. That movie almost turned me off Ben Stiller, as well. But how can you not totally LOVE Ben Stiller?

Anyway, Vince was terrific in "The Breakup." Surprisingly, as a woman, I was on his side in the the scene where they have their first fight. Jennifer the Super Nag. It was like looking in a mirror. It struck a chord with me because I realized that I sounded just like her. My poor hubby sure puts up with a lot...oy! That movie made me realize that I needed to stop nagging my hubby so much. Give him a break.

I liked that Vince's character changed, but was disheartened that they didn't get back together.

All About Aniston

Did anybody see the Jennifer Aniston movie marathon on Lifetime last weekend?

I watched "Derailed." Surprise ending. The good thing about this was that Clive Owen got to kill the bad guy TWICE. Jenny was a bad girl.

I'm going to watch "The Break Up" (if I can stomach Vince Vaughn).

Saw "Marley and Me" a few weeks ago on MAX. Loved it. Marley should get the Oscar.

Liked her in "Bruce Almighty," "Along Came Polly" and "Love Happens."

Question of the Decade: How did Jennifer Aniston's hair become an American phenomenon?