Just So You Know...

As many know, I don't mind talking on the phone, or going out to get coffee every week. It gives me a chance to catch up with friends and usually get some shopping or errands done! Well, just so you know...beginning tonight, and every Thursday (for 8 weeks):

• Don't Call
• Don't Write
• Don't Message
• Don't Make Contact With Me Of Any Kind
  

Why, you might be asking yourself...well, one word, just so you know...

LOST

The Week-End Wrap & Review: 2 Books Done Edition

Well, this week has been another crazy week in the life of the Scribbler! Wednesday I had to run a Toastmaster Contest that was odd, by all means! The winners were all surprises this time around, but it seems as though much fun was had by all involved...

So here it is, the end of the week review:

What I Saw: This week I watched a couple of movies, yet I only remember one off the top of my head, which was Mr. Magorioum's Wonder Emporium and on all accounts it was such a great movie. Very uplifting and full of magic and wonderment. A great movie for kids of all ages (1-99). I also watched Resident Evil:Extinction, which was a good continuation of the series. Good suspense, good zombie movie!

What I Heard: This week I went back and was listening to the last Jewel album that had come out, Goodbye Alice In Wonderland, which was a great CD, and began her journey into the country genre. Also this week, I had listened to the usual mix of songs on iTunes!

What I Read: I got to finish two books today, The Four Agreements & Beyond The Spiderwick Chronicles. So with that I started another book, Dave Barry's History of the Millennium...So Far! And so far, it is typical hysterical Dave Barry! Reviews on the other two books to follow within the week!

Anyways, tomorrow I am off to the zoo with the cousins, and just a day to relax...much needed if you ask me!

The Monday Morning Mix-Up: It's Been A Long Time Coming Edition

Well this past weekend, my iPod was bestowed upon it a name. You see with Troy's Fred and Hilda's Lola, my "iPod" was sad without a name. Since we could not decide if my iPod was male or female, it got the name of Pat! So, for the first time in over a month...take it away Pat...

• Kenny Chesney - Something Sexy About The Rain: Yes there is! In fact it is extremely sexy and sensual...but that might too much information for some!
• Loretta Lynn - Story of my Life: A classic country singer who only gets better with age. A beautiful song from the Coalminers Daughter!
• Bon Jovi - Ordinary Day: A Bon Jovi sound with a country twist, but it is a rarity of a song from their box set that came out a couple years ago.
• Mandy Moore - All Good Things: A great song from her new cd. If you hear the name Mandy Moore and think of the old poppy sounding girl, she is so not that. She has turned into this folksy, bluesy, singer with a powerful voice!
• Vertical Horizon - Forever: One of my favorite "finds" from many years ago. It happened that I first heard them in Georgia (where they are from) only to find out that one of my best friends sisters went to college with the drummer and are good friends. The CD's are fantastic as are their songs and lyrics!
• Natasha Bedingfield - Wild Horses: A powerful and husky voice from this newer import from England. A pretty song, sung nicely.
• Steppenwolf - Born To Be Wild: Says enough all by itself!
• Kelly Clarkson - Beautiful Disaster: One of my all time favorite Kelly songs, but the piano only version is so much better!
• Carrie Underwood - Just A Dream: A very pretty song, but very sad at the same time. Reminds you of what people have lost in this crazy war we are in.
• Ben Folds - Gone: I agree with Troy, why don't more people know of him...even though it seems as though he is huge in college towns!
  

Well that is all for this week....have fun and good shuffling Pat!

The New Year's Meme (A Couple Weeks Late)

This is supposed to be a New Years Meme, but seeing as how my source and inspiration for this meme, and all memes, didn't post it until a few day ago...well, betther late than never.I am reaching out in the blog-a-sphere trying to make new friends, so this member will give them a chance to know a little more about moi!If you want to play, let me know in my comments.

1. What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before?Love unconditionally

2. Did you keep last year's new years' resolutions, and did you make more for 2008?I did not make any resolutions last year, actually this is the first time I have ever made resolutions, and I plan on sticking with them! Want to know what they are…just look a couple posts down…

3. Did anyone close to you give birth in 2007?My best friends wife and one of my cousins…

4. Did anyone close to you die?My grandfather- technically he passed away on December 31, 2006, but I consider it for the 2007 year…besides him, my Great Aunt (my grandfathers sister).

5. What countries did you visit?I did go to Hialeah once or twice…does that count? Oh…and I went around the world (at Epcot)! This year though I am planning to go to Calgary!

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?A flat stomach….and I will get there!

7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory?My best friends baby’s birth-day (10/12)

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?To successfully run the first half of the year for Toastmasters Area 1 in the Southern Miami area….second half…here I come!

9. What was your biggest failure?I don’t really know…I have programmed myself not to think of things as failures, but rather lessons.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?When don’t I? I was supposed to have my tonsils removed, but that got postponed. Then I went through all different tests to learn I could possibly have a bowel disease (not IBS or Chrones though)

11. What was the best thing you bought?I think I would have to go with my Playstation 3. It does everything…and I am sure if I open the cover it would reveal a Foreman Grill

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?Everybody who marked a milestone that I know….Troy & Mrs. Pheasant for their newborn and Wesley for growing up and being such a sweet kid. Kim & Erick for purchasing their new house and moving in. My parents for everything they do and put up with me. My grandmother for getting through what must be an extremely tough year after over 60 years of companionship. And to me, for beginning my college teaching career, all while maintaining a positive outlook on everything that is going on and coming up.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?Nothing much has appalled me over the past year…nor depressed really

14. Where did most of your money go?Probably on my new laptop that I got back in March. But so much went elsewhere as well.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?Anything new…becoming Area Governor in Toastmasters

16. What song will always remind you of 2007?It would have to be Rhianna’s Umbrella because not only was her version all over the radio but then it seemed like every artist was singing this song live or on special iTunes downloads….it was everywhere!

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier
b) thinner or fatter? Same (but not for long)
c) richer or poorer? Richer (in both the wallet and the mind)

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?Travel – Spend quality time with family

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?Work! But I guess that comes with age….instead, how about judge….even though I tend to not do it, sometimes it is inevitable

20. How did you spend Christmas 2007?Baking with friends, baking with family, visiting family

[21 is missing. Couldn't be bothered to stick around, apparently.]

22. Did you fall in love in 2007?Romantical love, no. In other senses, I have realized the amount that I do love particular people and care for them and the fact that I love these people with no strings attached, unconditionally (see #1)

23. How many one-night stands?I sleep at night, I don’t stand!

24. What was your favorite TV program?It would have to be Lost

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?Not really

26. What was the best book you read?The Alchemist

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?It would probably be Mika, a British import with that 70’s Pop style that is infectious, yet his lyrics are current and mean so much

28. What did you want and get?A great group of friends to pass the time with and laugh with

29. What did you want and not get?Nothing really…

30. What was your favorite film of this year?Pan’s Labryinth was by far my favorite this year…it had mystery, fantasy, reality, and some other –y’s that I just can’t think of. It was good. Another good one was Across The Universe.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?I turned 24, and this year I don’t think I did much. I went to Disney with friends 2 weeks before my birthday (but not for my birthday) and I went to dinner with my parents.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?Be more observant of things going on around

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?I switched from the Polo/Button Down with Jeans to the T-Shirt and Shorts, but it is time to bring the metrosexual back!

34. What kept you sane?Everyone I keep around me…(you know all the imaginary friends)

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?I don’t really know….there are a lot of celebrity crushes….but the most, I don’t know

36. What political issue stirred you the most?I agree with Hilda and Troy...The war in Iraq, even though the Florida Primary scandal kinda ticks me off!

37. Who did you miss?My grandfather

38. Who was the best new person you met?Probably Dylan…(or Hilda)

39. What valuable life lesson did you learn in 2007?To be more positive about everything you do, everything you encounter, and so forth. If something bad happens, learn the lesson and move on. Remember the lesson, not the incident.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums 2007."Let it be"

Definitions

In response to some words used at last nights Game Night....I proudly present you with Definition Theatre (start Masterpiece Theatre Music here)

Wiki

(from the American Heritage Dictionary) a collaborative website whose content can be edited by anyone who has access to it. (NOUN)

(from the Websters New Millennium Dictionary of English) a collaborative website set up to allow user editing and adding of content. (NOUN)

Meme

(from Dictionary.com Unabridged) a cultural item that is transmitted by repetition in a manner analogous to the biological transmission of genes. (NOUN)

(from the American Heritage Dictionary) a unit of cultural information, such as a cultural practice or idea, that is transmitted verbally or by repeated action from one mind to another. (NOUN)

Scattergories! The Blog Edition

SCATTERGORIES...it's harder than it looks! Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following... they have to be real places, names, things...nothing made up! Try to use different answers. You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl and no combination words (only one word)!!!If you wanna play, leave me a note in my Comments section.

1. What is your name: Matthew
2. 4 letter word: meal
3. Vehicle: Mazda Miata (is that double points?)
4. City: Montreal (is that negative points because it's Canadian?)
5. Boy's Name: Michael
6. Girl's Name: Michelle
7. Alcoholic drink: Margarita
8. Occupation: Mathematician
9. Something you wear: Masks
10. Celebrity: Marky Mark (but no Funky Bunch)
11. Food: Mandarin Oranges
12. Something found in a bathroom: Mascara
13. Reason for Being Late: My car didn't start...
14. Cartoon character: Mickey Mouse
15. Something You Shout: Move It!
16. Animal: Muskrat (as in Muskrat Love)
17. Body part: Molars
18. Word to describe you: Meaningful

The Week-End Wrap & Review: The I Got Up To Early and Went To Bed Late Now I'm Tired At W I ork Edition

Well everyone, I am back! And ready to fall asleep at 8:45 AM! Last night was a very fun game night with some friends (from both the real world and the blogosphere). We played Apples to Apples, Trivial Pursuit, and of course debated if we needed slidey, or if reachy would be fine! (We chose slidey.) Anyways, I am at work now, where there is nothing going on...at all...so I will be blogging off and on these next two days...completing meme's galore, and so much more!

What I Saw: I didn't really get to watch too much this week, as I was babysitting in Coral Springs. I did watch the new season of American Idol, get to a start with a bang (or rather an off key yelp). I also watched the first episode of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, which I thought was fantastic! Lots of action, lots of drama, and just very entertaining! The only movie that I think I saw was Rob Zombie's version of Halloween, which was okay. It was violent and gory, but it was the same story, nothing new added really.

What I Heard: This week was more of a radio week for me. The one song that I heard that I have immediately fallen in love with is the new Jewel song. Now you won't hear this song on Coast 97.3 FM or Lite 101.5 FM, no for this one you have to tune into 99.9 Kiss Country! That's right, Jewel has finally gone country. The song is Stronger Woman, and it is fantastic. Her voice is amazing, and she will be here a week from this Sunday at the Chili Cookoff to host and sing!

What I Read: Well I am currently working on four different books (talk about multi-tasking). As you can see in the little sidebar, I have started Blink, as well as Dispatches From The Edge. So far those are both good books. I have switched for this weekend at work and am half-way through The Four Agreements, which so far is very insightful and fantastical. I am also going to start Beyond The Spiderwick Chronicles, which moves the previous story to here in Florida! I am also anticipating the new Stephen King novel Duma Key, which comes out on Tuesday and also takes place in South Florida and the Florida Keys!

Well, everyone have a very happy weekend! Catch ya on the Monday side!

New Year...New Resolutions

So I am not the kind of person who makes New Year's Resolutions, but this year I have actually made a few! Most are fairly straight forward, while the other one has many different parts to it!

(1) Learn how to say NO! - For the many of you who know me, I am very easy to get a favor out of, even if I don't necessarily have the time to do it. This is because I cannot say no! Well that will be changing this year! I will learn those two little letters, and I will use them!

(2) Better Myself - At first I felt selfish thinking of this as a resolution, but then this year I do want to focus my energy on myself and taking care of myself. Last year I was ridden with allergies and infections, so this year I want to (a) eat better (b) exercise more (c) learn more (d) have more adventures, etc. I know this sounds like any "common" resolution, but I am not necessarily looking to lose a certain amount of weight or anything, just to become healthier.

(3) Blog on a more regular basis.

As part of #2, I am taking up the goal to read 40 books over the course of 2008! This was partially inspired by a fellow blogger at 50 Books. So, my sidebar will be updating everyone of this! I will of course include my review of these books!

So, wish me luck and NO!

The Week-End Wrap Up & Review: The Tallahassee Airport Edition

Well, this week has gone by so fast. I have been on vacation in Tallahassee for the past week. What would anyone do on vacation in Tallahassee you ask? Well, I got to hang out and visit my 22 cousins that live here. It was a fun week with lots of doings which I get to share with you!

What I Saw: This week was eventful when it comes to things I have seen! I watched at home with the cousins, 28 Weeks Later, Flushed Away, a bunch of Law & Order episodes, and the regular television shows. 28 Weeks was a good suspense zombie movie, however it was not as good as the original. I also fully enjoyed Flushed Away, full of references to other movies and just plain fun! At the movies I saw Sweeney Todd and National Treasure: Book of Secrets. Sweeney Todd was fantastic, many critics have lauded the latest pairing of Depp and Burton, and it was again a home run! The story is extremely dark but the movie is full of great songs and voices that give to a great story. National Treasure was a fun movie to watch, not as much action as the original, but more humor, which was good. The sidekick Riley, is absolutely hilarious!

What I Heard: Nothing this week, I have not had the iPod with me, and I have not been listening to much music!

What I Read: Well since I have finished The Book of Lost Things, I have started the Spiderwick Chronicles, so out of the five books in the series, I am halfway into book four, and should finish the books by the time my plane touches down in Orlando!

Besides that I am looking forward to finally get home Saturday night, while I have one week at home before I go to Coral Springs to look after my cousins! Also, my class starts again a week from tomorrow so that will give me something to do!

The Book Review: The Book of Lost Things

So here it is everybody, the book review many of you have been waiting for... The Book of Lost Things! As many of you have read, I began this book about two months ago (I only read at work on Saturdays), and I have finally finished the book! So here it goes:

Overall, this book was extremely entertaining and fun to read. It reminded me of the stories that I used to read as a child, and also the fun suspenseful stories I read today! It has hints and allusions to various stories: Alice In Wonderland, Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel & Gretel, Sleeping Beauty, and The Wizard of Oz. However, each of these stories had various twists and turns that lead to the unexpected.

The characters are well developed as is the setting, which actually creates vivid pictures (which aren't always good pictures to imagine.) The story moves along at a fairly quick pace, and the book is very easy to read. Mostly, the story is fairly dark and bleak, but it is incredibly fun to read! One of the things that really captivated me with the story though is the theme of naming and ownership, which has always garnered my attention, but this book really puts it in the forefront.

My one suggestion: If you get the book to read, get the newer paperback version, as it has the original stories that are used in the book, which gives you some more perspective towards the story.

Anyways, that is my take on the novel, I will be reading more by John Connolly in the future, specifically his book Nocturnes, but for now I have to finish The Spiderwick Chronicles and then decide what is going to be next.

Happy New Year

Just a quick note to say
Since your New Year starts today
Hope your year is full of bliss
And it started with a kiss
And everything good comes your way!

Have a Happy, Merry, Blissful, and Healthy 2008!