Psst! Drop the Gun!

Here's a funny video tidbit involving my favorite PS2 game at the moment: 24-The Game.

24 Horas "Drop The gun!" com Kiefer Sutherland

Jury Rigged

<----- My souvenirs. Well, I did my civic duty -- my deed of good citizenry -- and served as a juror today. Quite amusing really...esp. after my hubby assured me I "wouldn't be picked."

After arriving at the prescribed 8:15 a.m and waiting in an airport-lounge-like atmosphere with 179 other nervous potentials....we didn't actually enter the juror selection process until about 10:50 a.m. Not really gripping, Judge-Judy stuff. I know she doesn't actually have a jury, but I'm certain if she did they would have to speed up the process to 5 minutes to fit it all in during a 1/2-hour show. (On a side note, we did get to watch FOXNews and see the Discovery Space Shuttle land. Way cool...esp. since we don't get that channel at home, and I would have probably forgotten the shuttle was landing anyway.)

So...enter the juror selection process. They (the Judge, Commonwealth (a.k.a. Prosecutor), and Defense Counsel) asked each of the 45 chosen jurors ALL 4,634 questions, trying to stare us down/catch us up, I think, and eliminate us from the pool. We were a tough bunch. (Well, all but one of us who seemed to answer "yes" for all the questions even when they didn't pertain to him. He just wanted out.) The rest of us were in for the long haul...even the woman who stood up late because she didn't think being a victim of a drunk-driving-hit-and-run accident constituted "being a victim of a crime." The Judge set her straight.

Finally, after a volleying, "Go-Fish"-like match with the juror namelist in the blue folder, they came up with 12 jurors and 2 alternates. I was Juror #6...so much for NOT being picked. It was now 12:05 p.m. Lunchtime. We were dismissed to find our own food and return by 1:35 p.m. (I thought they'd feed us...sheesh.) Mind you, they were paying us $9 for the day. Lunch totaled $5.50.

We returned and lined up, yet again, and went back into the courtroom to hear all about the case. Case #1, 298 on the docket: The Commonwealth vs. the Alleged Dognapper (names changed to protect the innocent). We heard the evidence in a total of 15 minutes and then there was a recess because it was over so quickly. Traipse out...traipse back in. It was now 3 p.m.

It turned out that there wasn't enough evidence to prove "beyond a reasonable doubt" that the man was guilty of any of the three charges brought against him so the defendant was acquitted. No, duh! The 10-year-olds who testified couldn't corroborate their stories and the mother admitted to cussing out the defendant in order to get his confession. The only crime was that the we the jury never got to deliberate...though we did so on the elevator ride back down to the jurors' waiting room. Many of us still had questions...one man had wanted to say, "I object." And there was still Commonwealth Exhibit #1 to contemplate: the broken leash. Hmmmm...

I'm glad I was chosen for this experience. It certainly gave me an inside view of our judicial system and brought along a few chuckles with it.

Judging By What You Say

I've been called to do the dreaded JURY DUTY tomorrow. Watch this hilarious video (to help teach English of all things) and think about what verdict you'd give it. And think of me...hopefully not having to decide someone else's verdict.

Japanese robbers

Almost Is a Relative Term

Baby Blues

I've come to realize now that we have children, that ALMOST is a relative term. For example, when I call up the steps to ask if they're ready for bed and they shout, "ALMOST!" I know that they haven't even stripped. Or if I ask Edward if he's finished his breakfast (after nearly an hour) and he says, "Almost." I know that he's eaten approximately 1/100 of his bowl of cereal.

Think about it. It encompasses so much. Almost means you've at least started, right?

In that case, I'm almost grown up...

Pretty in Plaid...or Paisley?

Gotta love the look of the 70s. We look back at our photos and laugh (or cringe) at some of the outfits we wore. (Doesn't my hubby look adorable in his retro outfit?) Remember the plaids, paisleys, and stripes with rick-rack trim in mustard, plum, and avocado colors? My mom had a shirt with lines of black and red horses on a gold background. I loved that shirt.

Mom is always laughing at the outfits she put us in. Being the youngest of three girls, I ended up with at least two to three seasons of the same outfit since she usually matched at least two of us. But back then it was all we knew. We were semi-stylish, I guess.

But then again it wasn't about being in style. It was all about being a kid. We didn't care so much about what we looked like. We just enjoyed being kids and having fun. (Does anyone remember playing "Colored Eggs" or "TV Tag"? I was watching the movie Flatliners the other day and heard a line that took me right back to the past: "Ollie ollie oxenfree!" Do you remember that? It was almost haunting!)

I remember one of my favorite things was getting a new pair of Keds sneakers...usually red with the little rubber toe protectors. Those new sneaks gave me "super powers" and helped me run really fast! I could outrun my friends and any imaginary monsters! I could race the wind or a thunderstorm! With the help of a roll of Smarties, I could hurry even faster to make it to the ice cream truck...

Now that's the power of style!

Reflective Thoughts

I turn a bit reflective today. Not sure why...except there have been a few reminders of a happening from nearly 5 years ago that have me remembering. Is it perhaps because it's July 11th that I'm thinking about September 11th?

September 11th is my hubby's birthday. It's the day we celebrate him and his birth and the joy it's been to be a part of his life. We have cake and open presents and think of all sorts of ways to have fun with him.

It's also a day of national mourning.

This year marks the 5th year since those horrific events that shook our nation to its very foundations...brought our country -- and the world -- to its knees. Funny how quickly -- in our busy day-to-day lives -- we forget though. We move on. I'm sure the 1,000s who lost loved ones don't forget.

Several movies recounting the horrors that day have been released since that date. One was even nominated for an Emmy this year. I watched the documentary called 9/11 not long after the actual event. But I cannot seem to bring myself to watch anything else since.

Is it because I don't want to remember the shock of first hearing on the radio the news of a plane hitting the towers? (I thought it was only a little twin-engine Cessna off its flight path.) Is it because I can't bring myself to think about the moment my heart stopped as I watched the second plane hit the twin towers? (I was phoning my husband to tell him the news. He said the sound of my voice and the moment of shocked silence that followed made him catch his breath.) Or perhaps it's not wanting to recall the bark of my voice when I ordered our nearly 4-year-old daughter back up to her room to protect her from seeing the towers crumbled into dust? (I collapsed on the floor and prayed for all those people who didn't make it out.)

But I realize I need to remember. I need to mourn with those who lost loved ones and friends. I need to think that such a thing could happen again if our country does not remain on guard. I need to remember that I must tell my family how much I love them ALL the time and quickly heal rifts that come between us. Some of the families of the victims wish they could do just that: Go back to that one moment when they could have said "goodbye" or "I love you."

On New Year's Eve 2001, we sat together as a family and thanked God for different happenings in 2001. Edward joined our family in February. We'd been able to see Granny and Grampy from England in May. (They'd even been able to visit the World Trade Center.) Emily turned 4 years old. We'd gone to visit Niagara Falls. Then the mood turned somber, and we prayed for the families of all those who died on September 11th.

"And thank you, Jesus, for all those people who made it out of the buildings before they fell down," prayed our 4-year-old.

What an even more important reminder to us. The silver lining in a very dark cloud.

Game to Meet Again

Recently, I posted an entry about a game my hubby and I began about meeting famous people -- living or dead -- (if you missed it, click here) who we'd say "hi" to, who we'd ignore, and who we'd slap. It's a fun and silly way to see how we think. Well, I picked some more names. Why don't you give it a try! Post a comment with your choices!

Famous Writers:

Hi: Maeve Binchy (excellent in characterization)
Ignore: Ernest Hemingway (very overrated, in my humble opinion)
Slap (gently): John Steinbeck (leave some details to the imagination, please!)

More from Hell-ish Kitchens

Sitting down to dinner tonight, Edward, 5, said the grilled chicken and macaroni salad looked good. I said I hoped it tasted good. "I hope it tastes good, too," he agreed. The honesty of a 5-year-old.

Another tasty recipe to share. This one came from cooks.com and fits my criteria of being yummy and tres simple:

Seasoned Pretzels

6 cups miniature pretzels (or broken sourdough pieces)
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 pkg. Hidden Valley Ranch Original party dip mix (or any flavor dry dip mix)
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp. seasoned salt (I bypassed this since the pretzels are already salty, but...)

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. Place pretzels in a large shallow baking pan (13 X 9 inch). In a small bowl, combine all other ingredients. Pour mixture over pretzels, stir well. Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Pour onto waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container.

More another day!

Water Fountains of Truth

I got a huge chuckle out of the labels on the bottles of flavored water we bought recently. I'm the sort of person who enjoys the ads sometimes more than the actual TV show. Must be something to do with my journalism background and loving clever writing. So anyway...

Here are the actual labels from the bottles of Glaceau vitaminwater:

power-c
dragonfruit (c + taurine)

legally, we are prohibited from making exaggerated claims about the potency of the nutrients in this bottle. therefore, legally we wouldn't tell you that after drinking this, eugene from kansas started using horseshoes as a thighmaster or that this drink gave agnes from delaware enough strength to bench press llamas. heck, we can't even tell you this drink gives you the power to do a thousand pinkie pushups... just ask mike in queens.

legally, we can't say stuff like that -- 'cause that would be wrong, you know?

vitamins + water = all you need. for best results, stick it in the fridge. the inside is natural. the outside is plastic.

essential
orange-orange (c + calcium)

ah, orange juice commercials. funny stuff. mom cheerily prepares some huge breakfast while the rest of her family sleeps. sure, this could happen. but every morning? please. maybe if mom were heavily medicated, in which case, we wouldn't condone operating a stove or any electrical appliance.

for those of us who don't live in an orange juice commercial, there's still a way to get your morning nutrition. this product has calcium and lots of vitamin c, so you can get your day started right, minus the whole stepford mom thing.

vitamins + water = all you need. for best results, stick it in the fridge. the inside is natural. the outside is plastic.

Makes you want to buy some more just to read the labels, huh?

Apropos

Goodness....I do believe I've aptly named this blog. I'm having a definite time of "writer's block." So I'm sitting here trying to decide what to have for din-din -- my usual quandary this time of day -- and I'm trying to catch up on some blogging. (I was doing well for awhile.)

But nothing is coming to mind...nothing, I mean, nada, zilch, squat. I blame it on hormones -- they've got to be "good" for something, right? (I mean, it's like when the kids were teething and got miserable, we just blamed it on teething. I think you can use that excuse until they're at least finished getting their wisdom teeth. So all the teen problems in the world? Their attitudes and rebellion? Just plain ol' teething pains.)

So back to my blogging "blues"... It's summertime, and the kids seem to be enjoying the break in routine. I'm enjoying the break in the heat. It's been absolutely gorgeous the past few days. Highs in the low 80s, nice breeze, and low humidity. I'll take it. It certainly gives us a break on our electric bill! Weather is always a good conversation starter....

We're real "gamers" in our house. Not really PS2 or computer gamers...but physical boardgame gamers. We especially love to play Cranium games. Those people are geniuses for coming up with fun games that use all parts of your brain! Here's the link to their website: Cranium It's lots of fun to explore!

Speaking of PS2 games, I'm improving on my 24 game....though Jack may have his driver's license revoked sometime soon. I've managed to move on to Level 4 which is -- as you may have guessed -- a driving level. Wow! If I thought I made Jack look drunk walking...I'm even better at making him look like he should be pulled over for a DUI! On one attempt, I managed to mow down every human being walking on a sidewalk and hit a bus parked outside a church. Bits of Jack's car were flying in all directions. Then he decided to get out of his car, and I steered him back into the car, only to have him get out again. This went on for several more seconds before I realized I had my fingers on the wrong buttons. Go figure. I'm bound to improve before Jack has his license taken due to old age, right?

Well, enough drivel. I'll try to come up with something more interesting soon...promise.

Happy 4th of July!

July 4th 2004

Happy Fourth of July from our house to yours!

Enjoy this link! And enjoy the holiday!

Fireworks Display

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!