The One With the 29th

So.......IT'S ALL KINDS OF MY BIRTHDAY TODAY!!! Yeah!!!!

The One With Bear's Picture

Current Mood: Good
Current Music: Michael Buble It's Time

Good afternoon, everyone! I feel like writing, but I don't really have anything to say....such a quandry! So, I am taking requests. The next person to call me gets to decide my topic.



I'm waiting......




Let's go people!



Oh right, you can't read this yet! Silly Jason...


Wow, that was stupid. Don't read the first part. It's a waste of your time and i would NEVER waste your time (Hahahahahahahahahaha). Right, that's why I put such a MATURE serious link on here today. Okay, I am a goof, I'll admit it. The whole world knows it.

So, Bear went to the groomer last week and he is so CUTE! Would you like to see? Of course you would, why else would you be here?





Hee hee hee. Isn't he ADORABLE! And let me tell you, this picture was NOT easy to get. I have six other photos where he moved or the camera didn't flash or he looked at the ceiling at the last second.....Grrrrr.....

So he is now UBER dog-handsome.

And right now he is laying down under the window half-asleep. Can you imagine if humans had as much hair as dogs do? What would be the differences in society? Would we pay hairstylists or groomers? Would we still dye our hair? Who knows!


Whoa, that was stupid too. DON'T READ THIS POST! Anyway, thanks to C. Emily for complimenting the new layout (even though I only tweaked a few things, it made me feel like Bill Gates with my super coding abilities). I am off to take a shower now, then I am going to finish Eldest. Adios!

The One With NORAD

Hey, guys! I am sorry that I have been absent the past few days. In truth, time passes so much more quickly when I am sitting here at home than when I am working at Baylor. Ah, life's little ironies. Tomorrow is our big family Christmas (the Hunt side) and it is at our house. As much as I love my family, there are definitely times when they try my patience. These get-togethers are so tense! Everyone is burying irritation and trepidation with the pink niceties of polite etiquette. But it does mean that there will be present opening. I guess that's kind of horrible. Is it wrong that presents are the highlight? A friend of mine recently posted his feelings about the decline in our society's understanding or Christmas. A lot of what he said is true. I do get wrapped up in what's wrapped up under the tree (My, aren't I clever) and the origin of our celebration is relegated to the areas of my mind seldom explored. We probably all do. Far be it for me to counter someone who wrote so eloquently and acurately about this topic, but I think that in those gifts lies part of the meaning of Christmas.

True, Christmas is a celebration of Jesus' birth, but in a world where family members are often spread across the country, it has also become a time when families reunite. There is something about openning a present from a friend of family member that brings so much joy. Not in the gift itself, but in the thought it represents. I don't think that makes God angry. In fact, I dare say it pleases Him that His ultimate sacrifice in seperating His family now brings other together. I am not condoning the way we let other things cloud our minds during the holiday season, but I don't think God minds sharing a little.

Totally different topic--->I realize that you all probably know me as something of a Tech Geek. Not in the knowledgable sense, but in the Oooooo-I-want-one! sense. Well, ever since I wrote that post about the Robots in Beck's Video, I cannot stop watching it! Seriously, it's now cruising dangerously close to the border of Obsessiveland. There are even days when I find myself humming the music from the dance. Sad, sad, sad. But the robots are SOOOOO cool! I ran across another video for the bots today, and it got me all started up again. Turns out that they are really taking off! The robots are called QRIO (pronounced Curio) and are, as I said, made by Sony. If you get a chance, you really ought to check out their website, it is REALLY cool! Plus, it has a bunch more videos of them doing loads of things including directing a real symphony and performing handbells. I want one! Anyway, just thought I would share.

And I think that's it. I am getting a little sleepy now. I finally got presents for my family today and I think they are good. Being on an inhumanly small budget actually makes buying gifts more fun. It becomes this balance of thoughtfullness vs. economics. How can I get the most thought for my buck? ;-) So excited! And my apologies to my friends and colleagues who will not be receiving a gift from me. I know that most of you wouldn't expect one anyway, but believe me when I say that I wish I could buy one for everyone! In fact, the chances are good that I saw something I wanted to get you but couldn't. But don't worry. When God blesses me with fame and money, I will gift with interest. Good night, everyone!

The One With the Strange Bedfellows

I ran across these on some random guy's myspace a minute ago. I have now added him to my Bloglist because, let's face it, anybody who posts something this funny deserves a second look. Enjoy!

Yoko Ono married Sonny Bono, she'd be Yoko Ono Bono.

If Dolly Parton married Salvador Dali, she'd be Dolly Dali.

If Bo Derek married Don Ho, she'd be Bo Ho.

If Oprah Winfrey married Depak Chopra, she'd be Oprah Chopra.

If Cat Stevens married Snoop Doggy Dogg, hey! it's the '90's!, he'd be Cat Doggy Dogg.

If Olivia Newton-John married Wayne Newton, then divorced him to marry Elton John, she'd be Olivia Newton-John Newton John.

If Sondra Locke married Elliott Ness, then divorced him to marry Herman Munster, she'd become Sondra Locke Ness Munster.

If Bea Arthur married Sting, she'd be Bea Sting.

If Liv Ullman married Judge Lance Ito, then divorced him and married Jerry Mathers, she'd be Liv Ito Beaver.

If Snoop Doggy Dogg married Winnie the Pooh, he'd be Snoop Doggy Dogg Pooh.

How about a baseball marriage? If Boog Powell married Felipe Alou, he'd be Boog Alou.

If G. Gordon Liddy married Boutros-Boutros Ghali, then divorced him to marry Kenny G., he'd be G. Ghali G.

Nog (Quark's brother on "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine") has no other name, so he uses it twice when getting a marriage license. IF he married Howard Hughes, and then Pamela Dare, he'd be Nog Nog Hughes Dare.

If Jack Handy (SNL writer) married Andy Capp, then married Jack Paar, then moved on to Stephen King, he'd be Jack Handy Capp Paar King.

If Javier Lopez married Keiko the whale, and Edith Piaf married Rose Tu the elephant, they would be Javier Keiko and Edith Tu.

If Ivana Trump married, in succession, Orson Bean (actor), King Oscar (of Norway), Louis B. Mayer (of MGM), and Norbert Wiener (mathematician), she would then be Ivana Bean Oscar Mayer Wiener.

If Woody Allen married Natalie Wood, divorced her and married Gregory Peck, divorced him and married Ben Hur, he'd be Woody Wood Peck Hur.

If Dolly Parton married Tommy Smothers, then went even further back in show business and married Mr. Lucky, then divorced and married Martin Short, then divorced and married football kicker Ray Guy, we could all nod understandingly when we heard, "Dolly Parton Smothers Lucky Short Guy."



P.S. If you would like to personally thank the owner of the myspace that furnished this spurt of hilarity (and I know there are some of you out there just crazy enough to do it), his name is Augie, his screenname is AugMan85, and his phone number is 214-562-3593. Sheesh, when will people learn that if you publish your phone number on the internet, I WILL find it! ;-)

The One With No Title

Current Mood: Thoroughly Christmassy
Currently Watching: Swordfish


So, how you all doing tonight?! Are you having a good almost-Christmas week? I AM!!! Well, except for the few gifts I have yet to buy. No inspiration. None. Oh well, I'll find something I am sure. I don't really have a lot to say at the moment. My life is deliciously boring. I LOVE that! Nice to have a break. Although I haven't gotten to read at all today, which is mildly frustrating. This stupid music player that I am trying to rig will not cooperate! Grrr...I think I ended up spending almost three hours adjusting the code. All to no avail. This is what I get for fooling around in languages I don't know. Anyway, Jenn wants to watch the Triangle, so I going to have to plug my television set into my computer. On that note, I bid you adieu. Goodnight!

The One With the Cyber Me

What's up, everyone? So, I have come across this GREAT new toy on the internet and I am dying to share it with all of you! Last night I clicked across the IMVU site and within ten minutes, I was completely hooked! AIM no longer has a hold on me. This new little program rivals even Ventrilo. You simply MUST check it out! If nothing else, you will get to see Jim Hawkins for real.

That's right, he now exists in the cyber world. Just look up Guest_JimHawkins when you get hooked up and drop me a bubble!

P.S. I added some more music today, so enjoy! And I am working on a new music player that should make it easier to listen. I'll keep you posted.

The One With the Keys to My Heart

So, I was messing around with quizzes on BlogThings and I came across this one, so I thought I would share it with you. GASP! I know, I am giving you the keys to my heart. SHOCKER! ;-)

Blogthings - What Are The Keys To Your Heart?: "

The Keys to Your Heart

You are attracted to those who are unbridled, untrammeled, and free. In love, you feel the most alive when your lover is creative and never lets you feel bored. You'd like to your lover to think you are optimistic and happy. You would be forced to break up with someone who was emotional, moody, and difficult to please. Your ideal relationship is open. Both of you can talk about everything... no secrets. Your risk of cheating is zero. You care about society and morality. You would never break a commitment. You think of marriage as something precious. You'll treasure marriage and treat it as sacred. In this moment, you think of love as commitment. Love only works when both people are totally devoted.

What Are The Keys To Your Heart?

"

The One With Parents

Last stop for a minute and discuss the marvel that is parents. Not in a gosh-parents-are-great kind of way, but a my-they-are-sneaky-little-buggers kind of way. Case in point. Right now, my 6-year-old neighbor is running laps around the backyard. And seems to be having a spectacular time doing it. It's like someone said, "There's a bucket of gold buried right over there. Just keep running until you find it." Probably a parent. Little kids make me laugh. You can tell them absolutely anything and they snatch it up! Anyway...moving right along.

Download the program at today's link! I wouldn't normally give you anything that had a constant reminder that it was a trial version, but it's SOOOO cool. It might be something that you would consider buying. At the moment, I am watching the trial version quite happily. It makes me smile! Have a great Christmas Eve Week, everyone!

The One With the Purloined Journal

So, today I had to finally admit that my journal has disappeared. It's very sad because it was my favorite one! It was bound in wood and so nice! Now I have to find another one that is as cool. Sad. Anyway, hope that you had a great week! I'll write more tomorrow!

The One With Christmas CHEER!

Current Mood: Christmassy
Current Music: Selah Joy

I don't know that there is really anything particularly cheery about this post, but I am feeling very cheery! I finally got to leave Waco today and am happily typing away at my parent's house. My mom has more Christmas decorations than Rockefeller center and walking into our house at Christmas time is like walking into Santa's house. If you are ever going to be in the neighborhood, you should really stop by and take a gander. At night, if you can. The lights definitely make a difference!

Oh, before I forget. Right here, out in public, I owe Diana an apology. Turns out, you were right, Diana, and it does NOT say anywhere on here that VTCII was cancelled. It was supposed to, but the post that talked about the general lack of interest was the one that got dumped when Norton reset my computer a few days ago. So...I am sorry that I was irritated with you for not reading my Blog. It would seem that you caught me in a bad mood. Gotta be careful about that. ;-)

I am feeling positively festive. I love this time of year! I love all of the lights and decorations. I love the touchy feely Christmas specials on television. I love all of the Christmas concerts and music (especially TSO tomorrow night...which I will not get to see. Rachel is going. We don't like Rachel today). It just seems like Christmas puts everyone in these thoughtful, spread-the-cheer kind of moods. Let me tell you a little story.

A while ago, a friend of mine mentioned to a guy that she happened to love the poetry of Emily Dickinson and mentioned which was her favorite poem. Well, today she got a package in the mail....Yup, a book of Dickinson's poems with that particular poem highlighted. Isn't that amazing?! I don't know this guy, but I am in awe at his thoughtfulness.

Just thought I would share. So, I decided to give you all a little laugh today. Check out Rudolph. Hee hee hee.

And I hope that you each have a wonderful week. Merry Christmas! Here is a little taste of Christmas at my house. Click the pictures for a larger version...








P.S. Those of you in Texas, join with me in prayer for a white Christmas! Pray hard!

The One With the Star Wars Kid

Current Mood: Dying of Laughter

I am not sad anymore. Gotta love those fleeting feelings. And I have no idea why I was writing all of that. I think it was just the image in my head so I decided to describe it for you. I miss Colorado.

Anyway, you MUST click the link up above. It is not a Christmas gift, it's just something I want you to see. I have no idea why I find it so funny, but...seriously, I just thought about it and started laughing all over again. Check it out!

Current Mood: Sad

Have you ever felt sad for no reason? It's not the someone in my family just died kind of sad. It's the kind of sad that, for some reason, you enjoy feeling. It's the kind of sad you might feel if you were walking through the deserted streets of a town on Christmas Eve. The lights are hanging from every building you pass. Snow covers the ground all around you and the only sound is the crunch of each step you take down the peaceful street. In the window of the house on your left, a family is sitting down to Christmas dinner. You can see a grandfather playfully plop a santa hat on the mousy-brown head of his granddaughter. A smile crosses your face as you move on, away from the quiet joy of one family to the subtle love of the couple spending their first Christmas together in the next house on the street. It's that kind of sad. A peaceful sadness that really isn't very sad at all. It's like the entire world has stopped and, just for one moment, you get to be the watcher - the one who sees all and is part of none.

So...ever felt that way? Sometimes I imagine that this is what it would feel like to be an angel - always watching, maybe subtly nudging here or there, but rarely interferring. I don't know...it
is the weirdest feeling of them all. Who ever heard of a sadness to be relished? It always makes me wonder what everyone is doing right at that moment. Of course, it's the middle of the night so my guess is that most people are asleep...but you know how I am with night.

Peacefully lonely.
Peacefully
Peace.

The One With the Christmas Fonts

Hey all! I just wanted to pop in to give you a little Christmas present! If you click on the link above, you will get a special Christmas font pack, put together just for you! You will need to extract the files and the copy them to your windows font directory (probably C:\WINDOWS\Fonts). Then write those final exam papers or company memos with a little holiday ZIP!

So, as I get closer and closer to starting my new schedule with the music school, this song (by none other than Natasha Bedingfield) seems especially appropriate. I LOVE the words, so I am going to put a few of them on here for you. I really like the concept that everything that happens from this moment forward has yet to be written. We are unfinished stories! Think of all the cool places the chapters to come could take us! Anyway, here you go. Merry Christmas!

Staring at the blank page before you

Open up the dirty window

Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance

So close you can almost taste it

Release your inhibitions

Feel the rain on your skin

No one else can feel it for you

Only you can let it in

No one else, no one else

Can speak the words on your lips

Drench yourself in words unspoken

Live your life with arms wide open

Today is where your book begins

The rest is still unwritten.

-Natasha Bedingfield

The One With More Quizzes

I had a great post all ready to send off today while I was installing a new program, but the program decided it was okay to reset my computer without asking first. Post gone. Bad mood made worse. Actually, it's probably for the best this way anyway. I was in something of a foul mood today. It's a long story. One that was included in the post, but oh well. The sun has gone done, so I am better now. I am still bored though. Are you? In means of entertaining myself, and you by extension, I thought that I would make a list. And maybe take some quizzed. So here comes the list.

OH! I'll put it on the top 10 list, DUH! All done...just needs to be uploaded. And now for the quizzes...



Your Mind -
Hey, you're like BATMAN! You don't
have invisiblity or superstrength, but with
your wit and intelligence you can do anything.

Batman
REAL NAME: Bruce Wanye
ENEMIES : The Joker
SIDEKICK : Robin


What's Your Superpower?
brought to you by Quizilla



Elvish


To which race of Middle Earth do you belong?
brought to you by Quizilla

You Passed the US Citizenship Test

Congratulations - you got 8 out of 10 correct!

Could You Pass the US Citizenship Test?

Slow and Steady

Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy. They see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder. It'd really surprise them if you ever did something impulsively or on the spur of the moment. They expect you to examine everything carefully from every angle and then usually decide against it.

How Do People See You?

Your Inner Child Is Sad

You're a very sensitive soul. You haven't grown that thick skin that most adults have. Easily hurt, you tend to retreat to your comfort zone. You don't let many people in - unless you've trusted them for a long time.

How Is Your Inner Child?

You are...Caspian. You are young and somewhat
insecure, but great potential is within you.
You are fiercely loyal to friends and are not
afraid to claim your rights, and theirs, when
threatened.


Which Chronicles of Narnia character are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

The One With the Crashes

OH MY GOODNESS!!! Every once in a while, my computer likes to remind me who is really in charge. For a year or so, I get to prance through life thinking that this computer that I built responds to my whims. Sadly, that is not the case. I am ever at its mercy. Two crashes in three days. Grrrr.....

Anyway, so sorry about not updating yesterday (save the audiopost). It's taken me something like 2.5 hours, but POSEIDON is back online. For the moment. I think that there is a bigger issue at heart, but I am enjoying mild denial while I work on some other stuff.

Oh, and the speaker cable popped out when I pulled the CPU out to check the hardware. Now I have to crawl under my desk to plug it back in. I don't wanna.

BACK ON TOPIC! MERRY CHRISTMAS! For those of you unable to listen to audioposts, let me just tell you that I finally called my new friend at the music school on Friday and she told me that I got in! Now, I am stuck here waiting for a piano placement test and a new schedule. But it's okay! I think I am about to rent Batman Begins. YEAH! GREAT MOVIE!

Speaking of great movies, if you have yet to see Chronicles of Narnia, WHY ARE YOU SITTING HERE READING THIS?!?!?!? Go watch it! It is my new favorite movie of all time. I love it!

Okay, I have rambled on long enough. I am not really in a posty kind of mood, so I will leave you with your Christmas present and be off.

Ever wanted your very own crackling fireplace without the hassle of possible home destruction, the constant need for dead trees, and the rustic smell of things burning? Use your computer! Today's Advent gift turns your computer screen into the perfect peaceful bookish atmosphere. Enjoy!

Audio Post #6

The One With Gift #3

And last, but not least...SNOWBALL FIGHT!!! Bored? Know someone lacking Christmas Spirit? Use this game to KNOCK some Christmas into their heads! Enjoy!

The One With Gift #2

This is my favorite Christmas commerical of ALL TIME!! I love the whole thing--->the song, the lights on the trucks and espically how the whole town lights up! Not to mention the look on the little kid's face! YEAH!!!!!

The One With Gift #1

I am SO SORRY! I know that I did not update yesterday and for that you have my undying apologetic spirit lingering over your head Ziggy-like! I got home very late last night to find my computer min-crash. It was DREAFUL! After much working, along with a little sweet talking and bribery, I finally convinced my computer (whose name is POSEIDON, in case you didn't know. Jenn's is HERA. Our network is called OLYMPUS, which is clever by incorrect, since Poseidon was not an Olympian god) that life as a function member of the household is infinitely better than life as a planter.

Anyway, I will make up for it with THREE Christmas Downloads today. How 'bout DEM apples?


On another note, I AM ALL DONE WITH SCHOOL! WOO HOO HOOOOOOOO!!!!! That's right, I turned in my last paper an hour ago, sold my books back and am now happily contemplatiung which room of the house to clean first. Gonna be a good day! I hope that your week is going as well as mine is! I am praying for those of you who will soon be facing exams yourself. Good luck!

And now, without further adieu, I present the Night Before Christmas Screensaver! It's one of my favs and I know you will like it too!

IMPORTANT! This is one of those installations that comes wrapped with sponsor programs. You do NOT have to install the extra programs, just watch carefully which checkboxes you leave marked. If you accidentally install an extra program, it can be easily removed, so don't worry! Have fun!

The One WIth Christmas Fred

Current Mood: Fantastically Frosty!
Current Music: "Christmas Contemporary" station on Pandora

IT'S SO COOL IN TEXAS! Woo HOO!!!!! I am positively delirious with Christmas spirit! And...

Are you ready for this?

Are you sitting down?

Here it comes!


IT SNOWED TODAY! Granted, it was only for around ten minutes and I have no lasting proof, but I don't mind! It snowed! I love snow. I miss Crested Butte. Forget Oceanside, I am moving back up to Colorado!

Sorry. So, before I forget, I thought that today would be a great day to give you the companion for the Grinch Screenmate. In case our little green friend is too much of a downer for ya', I present Christmas Fred! Fred represents what the world's favorite fun-loving festive big guy would be like were he in high school. Watching Fred prance around the screen is HYSTERICAL! So, download him and give him a try.

Anyway, it is UBER cold here! I'm talking like 28 degrees at 1:00 in the afternoon! Glorious!

Well, mostly...I don't know if you have these wherever you live, but in Waco we have these tiny little people (I think they are elves, but they are not very elf-like) who like to cause icy mayhem. I have named them Dafanooda and Girgis...because I like making up names. I should right a baby book.

What.

Anyway, Dafanooda and Girgis were paid by an as yet unnamed source to FREEZE MY MAILBOX SHUT today. I walked out to stick some bills in the mail and nonchalantly reached out to open the mailbox only to find myself in a not so comical position. Left foot in the road, right foot on my front lawn while straddling a sub-zero swimming pool of mucky water in the street. I pulled and tugged. I grunted and groaned. I kicked.

Then Ashton Kutcher popped out from behind the automobile graveyard in the driveway of the house across the street and yelled, "You've been punk'd!"

So I kicked him too. Then I dug a hole and buried him up to his waist in that nice little spot between my picket fence and the driveway.

Huh? What do you mean, WHY?

Because I don't have a garden gnome...duh. I know what you are saying to yourself. "Wow, that Jason is really mean!" Well, don't think that. I am not totally heartless. I dressed him up in a Christmas sweater and a Santa hat first. He makes an exceptional gnome now that the stiffness has gotten up to his mouth. Sheesh, all that yelling. You'd think I'd buried him halfway in the...you know what? Let's talk about something else.



Hahahahahaha. I swear, I did not plan to write all of that. I started talking about the mailbox and the rest of it just kinda popped out. Anyway, Happy Christmas, all!


P.S. Not a fan of Ashton Kutcher.

The One With Theresa, Mother

Current Mood: Blah
Current Music: Silent Night Radio on Pandora

So, I am not entirely sure what the genre of this particular station was supposed to be. I think it stemmed from the track "Silent Night" by Selah, which is a really good song! I am starting to get Selah a little more now. Thinking about buying their Christmas CD. Anyway, so I apparently started a station from them.



Right now, It's playing "It Happens Every Time"


By Dreamstreet.

I

Have

Not

the

Words.

So, this station is not quite ready yet. DON'T LISTEN TO IT! ;-) Now it's playing BBMAK. Seriously, I missed something here. Anyway, I wanted to put a quote up for all of you. I didn't find it. I stole it from Daniel.

Who apparently stole from somebody named Ben. Ben is the one who originally stole it from Mother Theresa. Yeah, he's a bad guy. Am I supposed to capitalize the "M" in Mother Theresa? Was that her first name? And, if so, weren't her parents kinda playing with her career goals right from the start?

Sometimes I get so sidetracked that when I read back over things I find that I repeat myself. I don't know how that happens. What was I talking about?




I forgot...but here's this quote I found. Well...I didn't find it. I stole it from Daniel who stole it from Ben.....oh, right, I get it now.

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered.
. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
. Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies.
. Succeed ANYway.

If you are honest and frank, people may ChEat you.
. Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight.

. Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous.
. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow.
. Do GOOD anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough.
Give the world the best you`ve got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God.

It was

never

between you

and them
anyway.
-Mother Teresa

The One With the Christmas Music

Good day to you! Today I decided to hold off on giving you things to download because I realized that I've given you ways to make your computer LOOK more festive, but not SOUND more festive. So, here are my recommendations for enjoying the best music Christmas has to offer.

Option #1 You can always use the music on this very page. I know it's very good. ;-)

Option #2 GodListens.com. #1 non-commercial radio station in the whole country! And they are playing Christmas music from now until the 25th just for you! You should definitely check it out.

Option #3 (My Favorite) Have you ever heard of the Music Genome Project? It's WAY cool! These guys decided to break songs down into every little part of what makes them what they are. Tempo, Style, Vocal type and Quality, Lyric Content, Rhythmic Syncopation, Genre...the list goes on. There are HUNDREDS of genes! Anyway, when you visit the MGP's newest creation, Pandora, you get to create your own radio stations based on the genes that you like (by inputing songs or artists you favor). It ROCKS! So go! Sign up is free and totally worth the 2 minutes it takes. The link is above, by the way.

Once you are there, click on the share button at the bottom of the interface and then click on "Fins a Shared Station." If you type in my e-mail address (iron__jay@yahoo.com), you can see the Christmas stations I set up just for you! I HIGHLY recommend the Christmas Instrumental Station. Enjoy!

The One Where I Scored a 115!

Okay, so....today's Christmas surprise is a tiny bit more crass than the items I usually include on my site (we are family-friendly here at SHINE, dontcha know), but it is so incredibly, absolutely, unbelievable hysterical that I am going to let it slide. SO...without further adieu, I present to you...

ELF BOWLING!

That's right, the elves of the North Pole have gone on strike and Santa is in the mood to whip them back into shape. I managed to score a 115 my first time out (better than I EVER did in bowling class), so let me know how you do!

The One With ICE!

Current Mood: Elated
Current Music:
"Angels We Have Heard on High" by ZOEgirl from WOW Christmas

Good morning, Sundayers!! None of you should be reading this right now...you should all be at church! Or at lunch with your friends AFTER church. Or chatting with your friends on the plaza while at church. So to sum up, GO TO CHURCH! ;-)

First off, a word about my gift to you today. I think that it is REALLY COOL!! It makes even a Texas computer feel all wintery. And that is tough for a measly screensaver. But that is not what makes me truly excited. Normally, screensavers come wrapped with other add on programs like extra toolbars or search assistants...blah, blah, blah. Those are mildly frustrating because you have to careful check and uncheck installation options to make sure you get only the screensaver and not the klingons.

Well, NOT WITH THIS ONE! *grins* With it, you get only the good stuff, so enjoy (because the next one may require a little bit of effort)!

So, for today, I decided to do something I haven't done in a while...the Top 10 Music Quiz...um...thing...It's where you stick all your music on random and write about the first ten songs, whatever they may be. I have done it twice in the past, but never about my Christmas music, so here goes!

Shuffling...

Song #1
"Christmas Time Is Here" by Sixpence None the Richer
Okay, right now I see that this was a stupid idea since a bunch of my Christmas songs of from compilation CDs. Oh well, I'll survive. This is obviously Sixpence's rendition of the Charlie Brown classic. The song is a little darker than most Christmas songs, but I still love it! And this version is prettier than most I have heard.

Song #2

"Christmas, Christmas" by Rushmore
Alrighty, so one day my sister walks into my room and says, "Here! You should listen to this Christmas CD. It's from a band of guys from my school and they're really good!" I, of course, relented and even told her I would update them in the CDDB.

Biggest mistake of my life. I'm serious! This HAS to be the single worst CD recorded EVER! It's THAT bad. In fact, I think you need to experience it yourself. Here is this song in all its melodically ear-screeching glory. Judge for yourself.

Song #3
"Jesus Born on this Day" by Mariah Carey
I bought this CD because of the song at the top of the Top 10 Player on the right --->All I Want for Christmas Is You (You're welcome, Jenn). I was pleasantly surprised by the album, because I am definitely NOT a Mariah Carey fan. Although, Heartbreaker is good. That's the only other song of hers that I can even name. Anyway, this song is good (Avalon's is better!), but the image of Mariah Carey singing about Jesus kinda puts me on edge. I normally skip it.

Song #4
"Kiss Me at Midnight" by 'NSYNC
Um...let me start off by saying that I am not, as a rule, an 'NSYNC fan. That being said, I really liked Celebrity. What. Who said that? Moving along...With the exception of the cheesy countdown at the beginning, I like this one. Mostly because it fills me with hope that the next time I say, "Kiss me at midnight," I won't get slapped. Wait. Too much information? Sorry. Back on target. The song is a little dated (but what of 'NSYNC's isn't), so it's not a listen in June kinda song, but I'll let it out to play (Haha, pun intended) in December.

Song #5
"Do They Know It's Christmas?" by Band Aid
I don't really know why I like this song so much. I guess I am just a sucker for those cooperative recordings. This song was recorded in 1984 by twenty or so recording artists. All proceeds were sent to aid in famine relief in Africa (get it? Band AID?) It's not even all that great of a song, but I love it! OH! I was researching this entry and I just found out that the song was re-recorded. The following artists participated (I capitalized those that set my ears aflutter) ---->KEANE, Paul McCartney, The Sugababes, Skye (Morcheeba), Robbie Williams, Dido, Bono, Jamelia, Justin Hawkins (Darkness), CHRIS MARTIN (COLDPLAY), Fran Healy (Travis), Beverley Knight, Busted, Ms Dynamite, Danny Goffey (Supergrass), Katie Melua, Will Young, NATASHA BEDINGFIELD, Snow Patrol, Shaznay Lewis, JOSS STONE, DANIEL BEDINGFIELD, Rachel Stevens, The Thrills, Roisin Murphy (Moloko), Lemar, Estelle, Neil Hannon (Divine Comedy), Feeder and Dizzee Rascal. Dang it! Another CD to buy!

Song #6
"Silent Night" by Michael W. Smith
I really like this song and this entire CD because it showcases not only Michael W. Smith's vocal talent, but his composition talent as well. A number of the tracks are instrumental arrangements by Smith and they are fantastic!

Song #7
"That Night" by the Sanctuary Choir and the Nashville String Machine
Okay, this CD is one of my Christmas favorites! And that is quite impressive, seeing as how I do not particularly like the Sanctuary Choir (the adult choir at First Baptist Church Dallas). But the arrangements are EXCELLENT! One of their songs is in the Top 10 Player, so have a listen if you haven't already.

Song #8
"Winter Wonderland" by Avalon
Can you guess what I am going to say? LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT! I mean, I love all things Avalon (whose new album, STAND, comes out in January! WOOT!!!), but their version of this song is so much fun! You can't help but feel Christmas Party-y when it's playing in the background (unless you are my father, who decided the other night that he only listens to "traditional" Christmas music - read "boring").

Song #9
"Away in a Manger" by City on a Hill (In this case, Derri Daugherty and Julie Miller)
Second only to Avalon, City on a Hill records my favorite CDs. See what I mean about cooperative recordings? I am serious. When I stick a City on a Hill CD into the player, it could reside there for weeks! This song in particular is so sweet, it makes me think of late Christmas Eve when everone has gone to sleep and the living room is lit only by the lights from the Christmas Tree. It incorporates the two most widely spread melodies of the song and some lovely bells tinkling in the bakground. Yeah!

Song #10
"Gonna Eat for Christmas" by Rosie O'Donnell and Gloria Estevan
Again, something of a cooperative recording. Gloria Estevan is Rosie O'Donnell's next door neighbor and best friend. Not only is this song itself a hoot, but listening to these two taunt each other with food is hysterical. I LOVE IT! For those of you who have no experience with this CD, it is Rosie and a bunch of different celebrities singing new arrangements of Christmas songs, and it ROCKS! It is Number 3 in my list of favorite Christmas CDs (Following Avalon's and City on a Hill's). This one I really think you should look into!

Okay, that's it! A tiny peak into my Christmas music library. I hope you found it enlightening!

P.S. I bought that Band Aid recording I was raving about. It is by Band Aid 20 (1984-2004, clever, aren't they?). It's GREAT! I am going to have to put it in the player!

The One With The Grinch

Current Mood: 50,000 emotions at once

Good evening, ALL! I trust that this finds you having a spectacular saturday three days into December! OH!!! I get to open another drawer in my advent calendar.

Hold please.

MmMMmMMmmmMmMMm....So, Starbucks has these AWESOME advent calendars this year. The chocolate is SOOOOOo good. I know, I know...that is not the purpose behind them, but YUM! They are really nice, you should get one! Plus, each day has a Bible verse in it. How cool is that? Amen to Christmas witnessing.

So, today's Advent gift is a little different than the others. I wanted you to remember that Christmas doesn't make every one happy. There are some in the world who hate Christmas. Those are the people that you have to really work on. :-) So click the link and see why I am laughing!

Oh, and I had my audition for the music school today. I don't want to talk about it. If I get in, I'll talk about it then. If I don't, we are going to pretend that it never happened.

Good night, ALL!

P.S. Added more songs. Enjoy!

The One With More Music

Current Mood: Happy

Can't sleep. So, I decided to add a few more Christmas songs for your listening enjoyment. I also reprogrammed the Music Player to start on its own and play a random song for you. If that annoys you, just click "stop" and it will. I wish I knew how to make it go through the entire playlist so that you could have Christmas music playing in the background as long as you want. Alas, I know nothing about javascript. Someday I WILL learn though! Oh well, that's why we have KSBJ!

I am getting up in less than four hours so that I have ample time to get ready for my audition today and I am not sleepy in the least! I hope tomorrow goes well. I have had trouble sleeping before if I have been excited, but I am not really excited tonight. I am not even nervous. I will probably get nervous when I am just about to sing for...whomever... I have noticed though that I require the most warm-up time after I have had a good night's sleep, and I do my best singing late at night (except for that CD my freshman year of high school...OUCH, that one was BAAAAAADDDD). Maybe this is God's way of making sure I am at my best for the audition. Either way, I will be awake until I fall asleep. Good night, everyone!

The One With the Christmas Lights

Hey, everybody! I hope that thus far you are having a BRILLIANT December and Advent Season! In honor of Day 2, I am giving you yet another gift. Don't you feel special? You SHOULD! I know that yesterday's gift is loads of fun, but once you get finished, it leaves little of a lasting effect. So...Today I give you the means to make your computer as festive as those really big houses we all make a point of driving by each year. Not sure what I mean? Click the link and find out! And enjoy! Merry Christmas!

The end of the semester is so close, I can taste it!


And it tastes like chocolate.

No sugar added, just pure cacao. As in, I know that there is potential for deliciousness, but as of now, the taste overrunning my senses is a little bit bitter. Exams, exams, exams. Spurn of the college existence. In the next week, I have two exams and three papers to write. Hahahaha. YEAH!!! I am glad about the papers. It is always much nicer (for me) to write a paper than take an actual written exam...those are KILLERS! Plus, papers I get to do at my leisure in the comfort of my own home (that is, if I ever get my home cleaned up - Oh, where does the time go?) instead of sitting in a stuffy classroom that is FAR too quiet!


Do you work better with music? I work WAY better with music. One of my professors even mentioned that he was sorry that headphones weren't allowed in class because he knows that some students perform better with some tunes in the background.

Of course, with ME...that can be a distraction to everyone else. I tend to sing along sometimes. Without even realizing it. Ask the guys at Starbucks tonight. They were playing the CD that my mom bought for me a few weeks ago and I was jamming along...embarrassing. I'll survive.


And probably do it again. Ah, such is my life.

Oh! That brings me to my next topic! The only downside to having radio stations play Christmas music is that I hear all these songs that I MUST purchase! Right now, I really have it narrowed down to two that I want. First and formost, Josh Groban singing "Believe" from the Polar Express soundtrack? Um, yeah! Must buy! The rest of the CD is probably blah, but I'll get it anyway. Hang on, let me look. Yeah, it's mediocre. But I can live with that. I LOVE THAT SONG! The second song is this zydeco rendition of "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus." Hee hee hee, I love it too! Must find, must find.

Anyway, like I said, I hope this week has been great for you. Drop me a line if you get a chance! Or come talk to me on Ventrilo!

OH!!! I almost forgot! Do to circumstances well within my control, but ones that I have no desire to change, the date for VTCII has been changed to Thursday, December 15th. If this date is going to be a problem for anyone, PLEASE let me know. I will gladly move the date until we can accomadate everyone! I do NOT want you to miss out, whoever you may be! Good night, all!

The One With the Advent Kickoff

Current Mood: Festive

Hello, everyone, and Happy Holidays to you!! It's really starting to feel like Christmas is coming up and I hope that you are feeling it as well.


But just in case you aren't....I have decided to help you out! From now until Christmas Day, I am going to give you a nice little Christmas surprise each day. By Christmas, your computer will be the envy of all who know you! Click the link above to open your present.

On to our next matter of business. If you are planning on participating in VTCII, please let me know soon so that I can reserve a spot for you. As of this moment, no one has official signed up. And for those of you who have not bothered with Ventrilo, PAY ATTENTION! If you are reading this, you are invited to play! It's easy and SO MUCH FUN! I am lonely! So lonely! Come talk to me online!