24 -- the Game

Recently, I participated in a homeschool forum and earned a nice amount of money for two hours of my time. (As my 12-year-old nephew would say, "Sweet!") So I decided to do the responsible thing and buy a PlayStation 2. Yep. Very responsible, huh? I'm not a "gamer" in any form of the word. I used to hold the high scores for most of the games on our Commodore 64 -- but that says a lot...esp. these days.

I wanted a PS2 for several reasons. Firstly, I wanted to get my hubby Tomb Raider-Legend for Father's Day. He's a huge Lara Croft fan. Secondly, I wanted the 24 game. :o)! So after searching around Ebay, I found a nicely-priced, used copy and "bob's your uncle." (Did I mention I'm not a gamer?)

I saw Kiefer Sutherland on Jay Leno, talking about this game. He described how his stepsons tested the game for them and enjoyed getting "Jack" into the worst possible place before letting him die. Well, I'm not enjoying that, but let's just say Jack isn't really safe with me at the controls. I've managed to run him into walls, punch out his backup guys, shoot the bad guys I'm supposed to "restrain." Basically, Jack looks very drunk with me at the helm. At one point, I had him running, sitting and thinking, running, rolling, shooting walls, and socking his own guys.

I'm slightly better now. It's a cool game -- though the graphics are a little rough -- and I know I'll know I'll get to be even better once I figure out the 454+ button joystick. (Did I mention I grew up with a Commodore?? You know, with games that used a one-button joystick?)

For now, Jack will have to be patient with the "breathalizer tests," "nosebleeds," and hostile stares from his cohorts. Afterall, I'm not a gamer...yet.

From Hell-ish Kitchens -- a.k.a. Mine

Kinda of a "blah day" here in W. City. Very humid and warm, so I tried an awesome recipe for snickerdoodle cookies. Tres simple! (Which is great for someone with my cooking abilities. LOL!)

I'm posting it here:

Snickerdoodle Recipe

I have another very easy recipe for homemade fudge, but I'll save that for another blog.

Enjoy!

Thanks for the Memories

So I'm making din-din tonight. Actually cooking for a change. Roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, buttered carrots, and fresh hot-out-of-the-oven biscuits.... Biscuits. Usually I make my own bread. I've even got a wonderful bread-machine recipe for hamburger and hotdog buns. Tonight, I decided to use the last can of Pillsbury biscuits that I had been saving to make homemade donuts. I decided that they'd taste delicious with the rest of the roasted chicken meal.... That is until I had to...open...the...can.

WHO decided to make a food product can that brings back to life the horror of birthday-party-games-gone-by? That sound of a Bazooka shooting from the enemy lines. You know the game I'm talking about. That stupid sit-on-the-balloon-and-make-it-pop relay race game. I'm terrorized by that game. Ergo, I'm terrorized by opening those stupid cans.

"Rip packaging to expose line." I actually shut my eyes as I gingerly ripped the packaging which, of course, does nothing except expose the line. You then have to voluntarily (this is the hard part for me) push the edge of a spoon or knife on the line to make it "POP!" (Yes, I'm cringing even as I type this.) Stupid, stupid packaging.

Oh, well. Memories...memories.

Speaking of which, I decided (against my better judgment) to rent The X-File movie. Ugh! I was a HUGE fan of the show, but the movie was bad. The stars were good together, as always, but the story was so dumb, as my husband can attest to in that I fell asleep about 45 minutes into it. Oh, well. I'd give that one a pass.

Funny thing, though....Blockbuster offers a purchase price for movies you rent. Kind of a buy-out price. Well, the buy-out on this movie was $31. What?? I saw it at Target the other day for something like $9.95. What a joke...esp. after watching it.

It did bring back some great memories of watching the show. Memories...memories...

Buster's Birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BUSTER!

Our sweet "puppy," Buster Brown, turned 4 last Friday. I think he deserves a mention on this blog 'cuz he's so darn cute!

We adopted him three years ago from an animal shelter in Ohio. He was dropped off because he was becoming a "pest" on a farm with 8 children. They'd gotten bored with him. He "outlived" his cuteness.

It took us 7 hours to drive there, but it was certainly worth it. He's a very good dog. Super friendly and so willing to please. He's got "issues" (like not liking thunderstorms or dewy grass) -- some doggie psychologist would love him, I'm sure -- but he's been a perfect addition to our family.

Check out www.petfinder.com for other cuties looking for homes.

This has been a "public service announcement" for adopting your next friend!

Observation

I was perusing some online bulletin boards recently in the hopes of finding out something about the 24 movie and whether or not Kiefer Sutherland's been signed on to play Jack Bauer. I don't usually read those kinds of things because they're filled with groupies -- and other silly people -- but I got curious...

So anyway... I was scrolling down reading the adulations about Jack Bauer and the show when I came across the funniest entry: **Posted: June 4, 2006 6:59 PM -- ya he's great but he's probobly the world's oldest action hero**

Aaack! I'm choking. He's like what...39 years old?? Gosh, forgive me, but I didn't think that was OLD yet. Maybe it's just a matter of perspective since I'm only a few years younger. (And just how old is that kid who posted that?? 12 maybe??) I thought of all the logical reasons "Jack" needs to be that age on the show and of all the other "action heroes" who are older....things someone younger might not grasp yet.

Still, it did bring me a laugh...even if it was a nervous one. Aging is inevitable.

The Era of Our Way

I made a new CD for Stuart. This one is called the DaddEE Mix since it contains songs that are important to Stuart and the kids -- either before or after they were born.

I was listening to it today and realized that our kids are being raised by parents from the '80s. The '80s... It doesn't seem that long ago, does it? Nearly all the pop songs I added were songs from that era: our era. When I was growing up, I remember hearing songs from my parents' era: the '50s. I loved those songs, both because of their musical merit and because they were songs my parents listened to as kids.

Now my kids are doing the same thing: listening to songs we listened to as kids.

As the song "Stand" played, I think our daughter -- now 8 -- knew the words to that song before she learned her ABCs. She could join in with her daddy on the song "End of the World" and mostly keep up with him on the chorus. And, at 4 years old, she knew some great dance moves for the song "Word Up."

Of course, I've always encouraged the traditional, too. I'm a purist in too many ways -- lots of Bach and Beethoven's V and all the normal nursery songs. But I'm suddenly enjoying sharing the music of our era.

Eras define who we are...and were. It's like sharing a page from a scrapbook with your kids....a small piece of the past. Our past.

Game to Meet

Recently, my hubby and I began a game about famous people: who we'd say "hi" to, who we'd ignore, and who we'd slap. It's a fun way to see how we think. We picked some names and went from there.

Famous people (for me):
Hi: Kiefer Sutherland (though I think I'd blush)
Ignore: Tom Cruise (he's SO stuck on himself)
Slap: Britney Spears (she seriously needs to see a shrink...or to grow up...or both!)

We started the game as a way to see who we'd "invite" 'round to play games. I've been all about Kiefer at the moment, watching nearly everything the poor guy's made, but I realize that no matter who we "invite" from Hollywood (or beyond), we'd never know the real person. We'd be swayed by what we've read or watched.

That must be a really hard life to live -- granted they're compensated nicely for their time and hard work. But when can a famous person ever be himself or herself? You know, let their "hair down" without having a hundred reporters and photographers there to document it. With the public eye so keenly fixated on them, the stars are bound to get weary.

I read an article about a "sighting" of Kiefer the other day. He was trying to buy a package of white undershirts. He was tired and frustrated, going store to store, to no avail. People thought this was amusing...and newsworthy. Of course, I read it along with millions of others, but I did find it sad that it was of interest.

I know they choose this lifestyle when the enter the acting field. And I know they reap the benefits of all of it...esp. in money. I learned all about public figures in my journalism ethics class. But it doesn't stop me from feeling like "hi" isn't enough. Thousands of fans say hello to them. It's like I want to offer more, maybe even a chance to get away from it all, and hang loose.

"So com'on 'round, Kiefer, and bring a friend. We'll play some Cranium and eat burgers and corn-on-the-cob. We promise not to be too amazed by your fame or ask for autographs or gawk at your presence. And we even promise not to make you sit and watch any episodes of 24 with us...well, not many anyway."

Nevermind... It's probably a hopeless cause, huh?

P.S. Try our game, and let me know your three people and why.

Juxtaposition

On our recent trip to Hershey Park, Stuart observed the following:

A group of sweet little girls -- ages 8 to 11 -- wearing pink t-shirts that said, "St. Agnatius Girl Scouts are Heavenly!"

Passing the girls to go on the same ride, a group of boys wore dark green t-shirts sporting the name "Nuke Troop."

Gotta love that juxtaposition!

Dyeing to Stay Young

Me on my 2nd birthday with my presents.


Okay, okay. So I finally broke down and dyed my hair. It's not that I'm opposed to doing it...it just takes so long. Plus, I'm always left with the fear of changing my hair color to something shockingly different from that of the woman on the box. (It's happened!) It reminds me of the scene in Anne of Green Gables when Anne emerges from under her covers, revealing green hair instead of her usual bright ginger locks. She explains to Marilla, "He assured me it would change to a beautiful raven color."

So why did I feel the need to alter the my coifure? I guess because it was becoming noticeably more grey. I don't feel "old enough" to have so much grey....though I'm not sure at what age I will feel differently.

I've watched quite a few 80s and early 90s movies lately. I've chuckled at the style differences and the youth of the actors. I've thought about how much older those actors are now....and then I've realized: I am that much older, too. Those actors are really my contemporaries. Ugh! 1990 wasn't that long ago, was it??

So maybe hiding a few grey hairs won't make me feel younger. But, gosh darn it, I'll look a bit younger...for now anyway. LOL!