The Prophet – Kahlih Gibran

I had read this book some days back now, and I apologize that I’ve not been able to blog about it or blog period. It was a hectic weekend that started Thursday morning with my Technical Math finals.

In either case, The Prophet was amazing.  A masterpiece that takes less than an hour to read and more than a lifetime to digest.  Actually I had just recently lent a couple of books to a friend of mine but withheld this one knowing I needed it beside me for the rest of my life =P  I’ve adopted it as my own personal poetic reference guide to love, children, marriage, work, giving, and other basic topics, all covered by the books main character, Almustafa. 

Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet was first publsihed in 1923 and has since been considered “universally inspiring.”  Of course, the drama whore in me had to find a sort of scandal in this highly spiritual book, and whoever else has read this book, or will read it, please respond and tell me if you agree.  Does it seem like Almustafa had a relationship with Almitra the seeres?  Just something in the ending that left me sort of “Huh?”

Anyway, I definitely would recommend this book to everyone but probably will not be lending it out anytime soon.  Sorry.  It’s that good.

The next book I will be blogging about should be Crime and Punishment since I started and intend to finish reading it wherever it is.  Most likely I will give up and just buy another copy tomorrow.  It was really starting out to be a great page turner and I really don’t want to miss out on it anymore. 

And as for the past weekend, it was a lot of studying for the finals, preparing for fall semester, cleaning and getting the house ready for Ray’s grandma’s visit.  As well, we had our usual Friday night dinner, this time at Carabba’s, pool at the Pumphouse, and finished off at Finn’s.  Ray had that bachelor’s party he attended Saturday night, and I had dinner and movies with my friend Carly and her husband Kyle.  Oh, yeah, that’s a movie review in the making, though some people have already heard me ranting about it.  Sunday Ray and I had dinner at his folks and then joined Ching, Brian, Brian’s parents, and everyone else at the Loony Bin and watched Ricky Gutierrez.  And no worries, also a blog about that soon as well. 

Tons and tons of stuff, happening all at once.  Give me a little breather and I’ll be back, hopefully before Ray and I go back to Vegas for a visit, which we’re planning will be within the next two or three weeks.

My Charm Bracelet

My charm bracelet arrived today in the mail.  Well, actually it was delivered by the UPS guy along with the TV Ray had ordered for the gym room.  I was ecstatic.  We were told they would be delivered straight from the manufacturer, so I didn’t expect them to even mail out until the 29th.  When the door bell rang I thought it was the rug.  Then I saw the Sharp TV box and then a smaller brown box.  Ray was already on the phone so I begged him to let me open the smaller box.  When I found out it was my bracelet I told him to tell me Happy Birthday or something so I feel like it’s a celebration, he said “Happy I Love You Day.”  I love my I Love You Day present!

As I type, I’m clanking all over the desk, and trying to be careful not to scratch my new toy.  I only have three charms so far, and I found pictures of what they look like.  They are very cute.  I will have to buy more charms later but atleast I got a good start.  There was a bracelet I saw already with charms but this way I get to pick out which charms I want to have on.  It will probably end up costing me more, but it will also have more sentimental meaning for me in the long run.

Ray’s mirror for the gym was also delivered today.  I waited for it this morning since Ray had to be at work.  And then JCPenney’s called and said the dining room we ordered is already waiting for pick up at the store.  Ray is actually picking it up right now and we’ll probably spend the night putting it together.  So now all we’re waiting on is the rug.  And the whole upstairs will be set and the gym room as well.  I’m very excited to be able to finally take pictures and post them. 

We are still looking for plants and decorative accessories but atleast we have the big things out of the way.  Well, atleast for upstairs.  Ray is wanting to get a pool table for downstairs, and a hot tub by the time the privancy fence is put up.  Of course, I don’t necessarily encourage either but it’s his money and his house so his decision.  I’m just here to beautify the place.  Give advice on colors, decorations, and placement.  And of course, I sign for the delivery guys and hand over the check to the vendors.  I’m a glorified personal assistant, but I do have perks.

Tristan and Isolde

Oh, what a long drawn out tale.  Though believe me the literary version(s) would have been longer, more drawn out and a lot more confusing.  (Since according to the book Isolde’s mother was also named Isolde and they were both alive during the whole story.)

It had a lot of good fight scenes, which is always a must for me.  A good fight scene is anytime you yourself feel like jumping up and beating someone.  Yeah, it had a lot of those.  It also had a lot of “Run, idiots! You’re gonna get caught!” moments, which was almost torture.  And in the end you do get teary-eyed for the two lovers, but I won’t say why or I’ll ruin everything.

Some things that did bother me.  The main characters somehow forgot that they were in a scene of medieval Ireland and Brittany, and so they forgot their fake accents.  The acting itself would have probably been made fun of back in my high school drama stage.  Seriously, a little effort would have gone a long way.  Having the fake accents would have atleast compensated for Uncle Mark’s scene-stealing lazy eye, and the fact that Tristan is being played by a tool.

I’m sorry not a lot of great remarks about this movie. 

On a brighter unrelated note:  I am done with my HTML/CSS class.  I got a B on my final and I just turned in my two final projects, I’m feeling confident about them, but no grades yet so I will post as soon as I get them.  Thursday at 1:30pm will be my Tech Math finals, so I will be spending a good part of tomorrow preparing for that.  So excited for fall classes, so everyone send well wishes.

THE Engagement Ring

Ray is going to get mad.  He thinks he knows best what an engagement ring is supposed to be like, because he researches everything he buys.  He wants a diamond to be an investment.  I want something that can definitely cut someone’s face if I choose to slap them with it.  Anyway, I’ll post the one that’s caught my eye the most, in hopes that someone out there will take my side on this. 

Either way, I wanted to keep the blog semi-updated considering that Becky is not able to read the MySpace blog from the base.  I guess it poses a security issue. 

I had a fairly productive day, I guess.  I broke in the elliptical in the gym, and used the ab lounge.  I guess the only thing I can’t use in there is the cage, though I might venture to start doing pull-ups here pretty soon. 

I ate lunch with Ray at Heroe’s, and afterwards went to Michael’s trying to search out some decorative silk trees for the living room.  I found a 6 ft bamboo but it was the same price as the one at Dillards (Dillards is currently having a sale) and the Dillards tree had a more attractive pot.  So I phoned Ray at work letting him know that I didn’t find anything spectacular.  We’ve decided that since these fake trees are ranging from $70 – $200 in price we might as well check how much the real deals are.  We’ll probably search out some nurseries this weekend, though it seems this weekend is already filling up with tons of “prior obligations.”

Ray has planned on playing golf Friday.  (What good is it living in a golf course community if you don’t golf?)  Saturday we have my friend’s wedding, and Ray’s friend’s bachelor party.  Sunday is Loony Bin with Ching and Brian.  That’s our weekend so far.  I’ll probably beg to squeeze in a movie night for Friday, since there are a couple movies out I’ve been wanting to see.  But I won’t be bummed if we get no time for it.  Tonight is movie night anyway. 

We rented Tristan and Isolde.  We’ve been having Monday Movie Nights since we moved to the west side and we seriously have watched almost all the new releases.  I picked up Tristan and Isolde because it’s an epic and so far we haven’t watched a bad one.  So far.  Anyway, I’ll let everyone in on it as usual.  Since this is a duplicate blog, I’ll specify that the DVD reviews are only on the main blog.  Sorry, myspacers!

Getting Ready for The Week Ahead

Yesterday Ray and I started the day at The Good Egg. I love breakfasts there, so relaxing and yummy. After breakfast we headed to Towne East and ordered Ray’s dining set, finally. There has been so much stress involved with getting the house finally furnished, it’s almost a sigh of relief everytime he swipes his debit card because that means it’s one more thing off the list. We browsed the mall for a minute, of course, and then visited Circuit City and Best Buy to look at a TV for the gym. Ray already has all the equipment set up in it, and Monday or Tuesday we’ll be expecting the wall mirror for delivery. (I look forward to having to go downstairs and into the gym every morning to double check my outfits in the huge ass mirror.) So all that we’re missing is the TV, he didn’t find what he wanted at the stores, but he did end up ordering it online, another purchase another item off the list. He said he also bought a white shag rug. Now this item was the hardest to find. It seems no one sells shag let alone in a solid white color. Atleast not for under $400, but he said he bought it and that’s purchase number three for yesterday. All the items are being delivered so I will probably get everything set by vacuuming all day Monday.

We took a mid-afternoon nap, (that’s what weekends are for,) and then went to Towne West. I wanted to buy something for me. Initially I wanted to go to Victoria Secret but passing by Dillards I found a real cute charm bracelet I like. It was on sale, but still fairly expensive. I was pouting for the rest of the day until I got Ray to order me one online. Another delivery item but this one I will definitely track everyday, all day. So excited!

We ate dinner at PF Chang’s because that’s my favorite place ever, and then went downtown. Started at the Pumphouse, when I decided to invent a drinking game (maybe it’s been invented already before) where you drink the number that’s on the ball that your opponent sinks in a pool game. This is the stupidest game ever because Ray starts it by sinking the 14 ball. There was a point where I had to drink 42. I quit, of course, I’m not an idiot nor nominating myself as candidate for alcohol poisoning. But it was fun while it lasted. We played a couple more games of pool and then settled in front of the Megatouch machine where I actually beat Ray at Head2Head Gender Bender. I took a picture to commemorate, because this is rare. See?

We got bored with megatouch and went to Liquid, watched Soul Injection play, who are very good actually. And we bumped into my friend’s bachelorette party. It was an awesome night and some of us are not feeling in tip top shape today but we must all get ready for the week to come.

I’ve already have a to-do list growing. First I must clean the house, take out the trash (tomorrow is trash day) and iron, especially Ray’s work clothes. I have to get an oil change, and get a couple grocery items. I have to remember to blog about the last book I finished reading, and buy a new book. I have to finish my coding projects and take the final exam. I have to find out what books I need to buy for next semester. I have a job interview Tuesday at 8:30am, and remember to send my resume out to a couple more places, just in case.  I also want to see a couple of movies that are out in theatres right now and, of course, get some more DVDs.  Ray and I forgot to go to Linens-N-Things like we had planned to look at stuff to decorate the bathrooms with.  We have three themes, one for each bathroom – Asian, Tropical and Golf.  Anyway, I’ll have to remind him that we’ll have to do that next weekend. 

I guess the best way to start is to get off the computer.

“Thanks, but I prefer it my way.”

Lord of War DVD – the main character Yuri Orlov, played by Nicolas Cage, is an arms dealer.  He narrates the story starting from how he first became an arms dealer. 

The story seems to drag on.  The main character points out the advantages and disadvantages of being an arms dealer and we see three scenes for each.  Some of the scenes are graphic, especially if you have an aversion for small children and women getting wacked and massacred, which I hope you do. 

The biggest surprise of the movie was the character Andre Baptiste, the dictator of Liberia, who according to Wikipedia.org was based on Charles Taylor.  This a big quinky-dink because just two days previously I had picked up the latest issue of Mother Jones.  (Yes, I read political magazines.)  On page 28 starts the story of Charles Taylor, now 58 years old, was already exiled to Calabar, Nigeria and awaiting trial.  He is being charged with 650 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity. 

I ran straight upstairs after the movie, thinking I had read and watched about the same guy, but seeing the names were different and not suspecting it had been changed for movie purposes, I shook my head unbelieving that there could be more than one saddistic asshole running around.  Of course, there are more people like Taylor.  I believe there will be one for each generation.  My political and moral views will have to wait for another blog however.

Anyway, I wanted to blog about the movie, and of course, being bored as I am I went ahead and tried to find the real Yuri Orlov, since the movie said it was based on a true story.  The name must have been changed as well, because the only Yuri Orlov I found is a human rights activist (ironic?) and was born in 1924.  Charles Taylor escaped from a Massachusetts prison and ran to Libya in 1985, and did not overthrow the then Liberian president Samuel Doe until 1989.  That would put Yuri Orlov at 65 years old.  To add to this the peace agreement they mentioned in the movie, when Baptiste visited Orlov at his home unexpectedly, that would have happened in 1996, that places our real Orlov at 72 years of age already.  So we have the wrong guy.

Anyone who decides to do further research on this feel free to do so and comment what you find.  I am highly interested, obviously, with history and politics.

This image is of Charles Taylor resigning from the office of President of Liberia before going into exile.

Baby Asian Monkey Princess

I am a spoiled baby.  Because my boyfriend loves me very much.  I got flowers, and an hour spa massage for Forever Beautiful last week.  Dinner at Sumo’s complete with sherbert.  And today, during lunch at Uptown Bistro he tells me I can go get my haircut, and he stopped by the ATM and gave me cash. I went straight to the mall and that’s all I did today. I feel pretty.  Pretty and loved.  Ahhhhh!

This photo taken by my son, Logan.  When he saw me he said, “I thought I never met you before, but I knew you were Mommy Jen.”  =P

Wednesday Night at Liquid

Last night Ray went to Emerson Biggins with his coworkers, and I went to Liquid for my fruity orgasms =P I actually arrived at the scene a little before official opening, but being an ex-employee of the owner does have it’s perks, so I sat and sipped and watched the shananigans unfold. Apparently, Wednesday night is their Wet-N-Wild contest night. Best wet t-shirt, or best butt, according to Lisa, the bartender. All of this would not have started until 10ish so I didn’t really think I would be staying for that since Ray had work the next day. So for a good two hours I sat and caught up with Lisa on all the goings-on. Girl gossip is a favorite past time.  Pretty soon, everyone else showed up.  Nick, Eddy, Noah and Kate.  All employess enjoying a night-off to drink.  Well, Eddy didn’t have the night-off, he’s the DJ, but he was drinking either way.

Liquid is an awesome place to just relax and sip whatever your poison of choice may be. Matt, the co-owner, did a great job creating the ambiance. I even got to watch the end part of The Hills on one of their flat screen TVs. Like I said, perks.  Now if only I can get them to put a Megatouch machine in a little corner for me, I might just start paying rent.  Of course, I doubt I would be as comfortable there if it wasn’t for the fact that most everyone that works there are my friends. 

Speaking of friends, I got a chance the meet a very interesting character, Dennis, or LP. I call him The MySpacer. We first started our conversation because of a Rhianna song playing, Unfaithful. He said, “This is so overplayed.” He explains that every girl on MySpace has this for their song. I reply, that maybe he just browses too much on MySpace and it seems that. He agrees, and I find out that: he has 200 some odd friends, 15 of which he actually talks to, and he changes his layout every week. As well, considering it’s 10am and he was probably out all night, he probably came straight home and checked his MySpace.  See last login?  Yeah, 07/20/2006.  That’s today.  Woohoo, Dennis, you need a life!

Just joking. We actually ended up chatting more during the night, until it got busier. When Ray got to Liquid I made a point to introduce him. He’s a very cool cat, I put a part of his MySpace on here to show everyone how hilarious he is. Yes, Dennis is a midget, and I think, he’s real proud of it. He has an awesome sense of humour about everything. Anyway, if you do find him on MySpace be sure to add him to your friend’s list and tell him I sent you. I think he’s collecting MySpace buddies and I’m happy to help out.  As he puts it, “MIDGET LOVE COME GET SOME.”

Here’s to you, MySpacer!

Casanova on DVD

We’d bought several DVD’s but with our increasingly hectic to-do lists, we’ve been unable to watch them all.  Last night we were finally able to watch Casanova.  Just a light-hearted romantic comedy about a legendary character, but it had it’s moments of hilarity and suspense. 

I’m definitely not mad for not seeing it in the theatres, but I’m glad to have watched it anyway, sort of thing.  The story line becomes a little predicatable but I won’t hold it against anyone, since it’s very hard to find a unique story line these days.

I also found a list of some interesting movie “oops” moments pointed out by moviemistakes.com, some we noticed and some that escaped our scrutiny.  Do not read, as it could be a spoiler if you still have plans on renting or buying this DVD.

Mistake #1 In the bedroom scene the bedding at the head of the bed slightly changes from one position to another and then back again.

Mistake #2 When we first see Francesca and her family in their house, in any wide shots showing Francesca’s brother, Giovanni, his mouth is not moving in sync with what he is saying.

Mistake #3 The tiny hot air balloon that Francesca released in the debate room would never be able to support Casanova’s weight.

Mistake #4 Francesca gives Guardi the note via the pig that “your services are no longer required,” yet it is stated later that Guardi can neither read nor write.

Mistake #5 The historical Casanova’s first name was Giovanni, not Giacomo. It may be that Giovanni Bruni, who, according to the movie, assumed the mantle of Casanova and later wrote down the many exploits of the legend, went down in history as Casanova, not Heath Ledger’s character.

Kurt Halsey – The Bestest Drawerer

As always instead of doing my homework I end up wandering cyberspace for lord knows what. But, as always, I find new obsessions. For example, Kurt Halsey, my new favorite artist. His work makes me love being in love, and nostalgic even for all the pain being in love can cause. One of his drawings called “Lay down, let go” has a post-it bearing the words “2 let go, 2 lay down, 2 forgive what we can’t forget” and pictures a couple laying down and getting ready to give each other the oh-so familiar good night kiss. Being in any relationship you learn it is never safe to go to bed angry, but usually right before bed you’re too groggy to keep arguing whatever it is you were arguing about, so both agree to let it go. Tomorrow, someone might still be sour, but the agreement has been made, and that is where the “forgive what we can’t forget” part plays the biggest role.

I’m also already debating tatooing a loveable pair of sparrows on my ankles, just because. Look at it below, and notice the post-it on the right, and see if you can read it.

Okay, I cheated and placed the punchline on Alt so if you can’t read it just mouse-over. I can sit here all day and go through each piece of art and why I like them but please do browse for yourself www.kurthalsey.com. And if you want to buy and send me some postcards, feel free!