Stories from Backstage

Sad Face Cake.

2010-10-29T21:36:00.006-04:00

I meant to post this about a month ago...oops....

My dear friend Heather gave her notice at work, because she is in school full-time working on her Master's in Library Science.

Completely understandable considering our ridiculous stage crew evening hours.

I made her a "going-away, but not really cause you're still in town, yet I'm still sad to see you go" cake.

The outside was gray (for sadness), but a butter-cream frosting. The inside was a tasty, neon green, vanilla pudding cake! Yum!

Talk about a crazy looking cake. (A few people even liked it better than the previous chocolate, blue Bob cake.)

One person thought it was an emoticon. Someone else called it the "Shrek" cake.

Could you imagine working somewhere for 20 years?

2010-09-25T13:35:00.011-04:00

On September 18, my boss celebrated his 20th anniversary of his employment at our hall.

I just passed my 9th anniversary, and I can't even imagine being here for 20 years.

I figured 20 years was AT LEAST worthy of a cake, so I took it upon myself to make one, and invite a few people to the office at lunch time to enjoy.

I made a chocolate chocolate-chip cake with butter-cream icing.

The cake recipe I got from Design Sponge Online, and it's called the Country Style Chocolate Chip Cake, with the recipe here.

I used a butter-cream icing recipe from AllRecipes.com. (Adding some aqua food coloring for pizazz.)

Luckily, I live near Party Favors in Brookline, for all my baking supply needs, have a great kitchen supply store near by at City Housewares, and have an AWESOME friend, Ching, who let me borrow some pans!

It came out really well, despite me not having baked in a long time. I guess it's like riding a foodie bicycle.

I like how the lettering turned out, despite my unsteady hands.

I even decorated it, but almost managed to have a "Cake Wreck", because I used black icing and the little "rosettes" almost look like poops.

The inside, I was little worried, I didn't put enough icing between the layers, but it turn out just right. I really love the color contrast of the aqua and dark brown. What a fun color combination!

So many chocolate chips! I dumped in a whole bag!

Now I want cake........

The Arrival of my Sketchbook Project 2011 Moleskin

2010-09-15T23:04:00.005-04:00

It arrived a few days ago, the unassuming empty Moleskin, in a simple yellow envelope.

With it, came one small page of instructions, as well as my Brooklyn Art Library Card.

The back had my name, appropriate bar code, my theme, and the future site of my information.

I say "future" because I need to fill it out...but only after I get started.

My theme, that I chose myself, not the "random" option, was "Dirigibles and Submersibles".

I've always loved the sky and the ocean, and thought those devices of travel were cool, but that's about it.

I wanted to give myself a challenge. Having been a drawer and doodler, but not a "serious artist" most of my life, I figured by picking theme that I wasn't too familiar with, I'd have to push my limits of creativity.

Open up my mind even more.

I may make myself crazy.

I may have a terrible amount of fun.

Either way, I'm looking forward to another adventure.

Time to sail through the skies and dive through the waves!

Flickr & The Sketchbook Project: The Marie Edition.

2010-09-06T23:23:00.011-04:00

I an attempt to get my creative "juices" flowing, I'm avoiding doing my ecology homework (just reading a few chapters) and spending more time on my visual arts interests: photography and drawing.

First, I've started a Flickr account, which can be viewed by clicking here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vonkampen/

or checking out the handy-dandy blogger gadget to the left.

Secondly, I've signed up for "The Sketchbook Project" 2011 Tour. The idea in a nutshell is you sign up for a theme and empty moleskin, have about 4 months to fill it up with the art of your choice, you send it back, and it goes on what TSP people call a "concert tour but with sketchbooks".

After the tour, all sketchbooks will enter into the permanent collection of The Brooklyn Art Library, where they will be barcoded and available for the public to view.

There was even a CNN news article about it!

All the info including the video can be found on their site:
http://www.arthousecoop.com/projects/sketchbookproject

I recommend it for artists of any level, including doodlers and moms, but not limited to any of those!!!!

"...and music is magic pure and clean you feel it you can hear it and it can’t be seen."

2010-04-11T21:39:00.002-04:00

Now...
Learn science with the Insane Clown Posse!

Upgrading systems...so to speak...

2010-04-06T22:21:00.013-04:00

Since I'm changing this blog from only work related things to a mix of work PLUS the artsy crap I like to do, I decided to do a change of title for my blog.

Good-bye, "I don't listen to classical music, but I work in this field".

Hell-o, "Stories from Backstage: Work, Photography, and other artsy crap"!

Thanks to my friends John and Mike. (Who were also the only two who chimed in on what I should change the blog name to.)

They win! (No, there was not actually a prize, but maybe I'll make them some chocolate Jesus-i.)

While getting reading for a dress rehearsal in BH, Sarah and I discovered that one of the ceiling lights (a PAR 56) was burned out. During the time Sarah traversed to the lighting storage closet, I hung out and waited in the creepy, dirtiness that is the ceiling above the stage.

Of course what better thing to do in creepy, dirty places than take photos.

I recently purchased the Hipstamatic app for my iPhone. It's a FANTASTIC photography app. I am absolutely in love with it.

*
Stolen from "The Nerdist", a side note about the history of the Hipstamatic:

SIDENOTE! The original Hipstamatic was a toy camera created in 1982 by two graphic designing brothers in the Twin Cities who were tragically killed before they were able to mass produce it. Only 157 were made. Read more about that here or visit the surviving brother’s tribute blog, The Great Hipstamatic 100.

A terrible tragedy, but a loving legacy by their older brother.
*

Now that you know a little more about the app, and the real camera that inspired it, here are a few shots I took:

Me, waiting for Sarah.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vonkampen/4963834747/in/set-72157624768061929/

The Pepsi bottle that has been here for at least the nine years I have worked here.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vonkampen/4964438308/in/set-72157624768061929/

The old bricks of the walls.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vonkampen/4963839817/in/set-72157624768061929/

Brick detail.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vonkampen/4964442866/in/set-72157624768061929/

Sarah, when she arrived with the new bulb.

----

The light bulb was successfully changed. I did not fall through the ceiling.

A win-win situation, as far as I am concerned.

Suzanne Vega: P.D.C. (Pretty Damn Cool)

2010-03-24T18:34:00.000-04:00

I guess I did work AT LEAST one cool show in 2009.

In November, I stage managed for Suzanne Vega at Sanders Theatre in Cambridge, and was hosted by the Celebrity Series of Boston.

I've always loved the song "Tom's Diner", but it wasn't until the sound-check that I put two and two together, and realized she was the artist!

The gig itself was simple, her guitarist and bass player were terrific, and I got to hear additional songs of Vega's that it turned out I like.

Post show, her tour manager was kind enough to take a photo of Sarah, Suzanne Vega, and myself, in that lovely transept.

2009 came and went like a thief in the night...

2010-03-24T17:56:00.003-04:00

...at least for this blog, it did.

Seriously, what was I doing?

Working?

Not a single post in 2009.

Does that qualify as a "fail"?

I'm considering revamping this blog into something else, but what exactly...

I have my more personal Livejournal.

I have my travel blog (which is linked on this one).

I could make this one, more about my crafty adventures and photography...

I guess I need to ponder this for a while. Until I figure it out, I'll keep it related to the concerts and events I work.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Carter

2008-12-03T23:19:00.003-05:00

Just finished up the Elliot Carter Festival at NEC. Tonight is the last of the concerts. Just in time for stage extension and risers for other groups, both renters and conservatory groups.

The usual contemporary music "madness"...lids off pianos, lots of percussion, 500 pound harpsichord being moved all around the building.

Most of the groups were small though, so luckily we had lots of space to work with on the stage. Mr. Cater even made an appearance for a panel discussion yesterday. Apparently his comments, jokingly, was that there was way too much of his music being played, the program cover art made him look like an architect, and it sounded better than he expected (whether in reference to his music that he wrote, I don't know.)

Happy 100th Birthday, Mr. Carter.

Hangin' with Leonard Nimoy

2008-11-10T17:59:00.004-05:00

Yesterday, I finished up a project I had been working on for a few months....

It was concert for the anniversary of the Jewish "Kristallnacht: Night of Broken Glass".

My first gig outside of Boston, thought not so far away. It was at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Providence, Rhode Island.

A really nice space, but has horrible green rooms. Conveniently locate by the train station and giant mall. All the union guys and the general manager were great.

I had worked with the stage director, the sound tech, and the lighting tech all before, so despite the madness of an orchestra, 8+ choirs, children's choirs, etc., it all went off well. Plus I had the help of two great Assistant Stage Managers, Ruthie and Jessica.

The only snafu was the conductor forgot the encore!

Did I mention Leonard Nimoy (Mr. Spock) was the narrator!?

Totally cool to meet him, and be his stage manager.

I'm such a Trekkie.

Recap: Ditson

2008-09-22T22:34:00.004-04:00

This little article has a review of two of the concerts I worked at the ICA. One featuring a photo of Mr. Jeff Means, an up and coming conductor.

Otherwise, the festival was a success from all apparent views. (And the new ICA has a FANTASTIC view!)

I had a 5 hour day, a 6.5 hour day, and 11 hour day, and two 15 hour days.

Needless to say I was beat.

I did enjoy seeing the usual suspects. A lot of them asked me if I was playing hookie from NEC. To which, I responded, "Yes."

I had a good time working with the crew at ICA as well.

Of course, I got back to the regular job, and there was a ton of drama. Great.

*sigh*

Ditson at the ICA

2008-09-15T09:39:00.003-04:00

Ditson Contemporary Music Festival--

This is what I'll be working on this coming week.

Plus some work at NEC, though I've taken a few days off to traverse to the ICA.

Back to Life, Back to Reality.

2008-09-12T23:49:00.001-04:00

Summer is over...unofficially.

School is back in sessions, students are swarming.

After the first three weeks of being back into the swing of things, I have a feeling it will be an interesting season.

More soon.

Ode To Joy (Muppet's style)

2008-07-28T16:09:00.002-04:00

After all the orchestra rehearsals that I have heard, sometimes they feel like this.

More cowbell.

2008-07-23T13:59:00.002-04:00

Today, we had youth orchestra rehearsal in the hall.

One of the pieces was written by the conductor and is titled "JewOrleans March".

There is a small kickset used in the piece, during rehearsal I heard the conductor stop, and tell the percussionist.....

"Need more cowbell. Really have to be able to hear it over the other instruments. Even more cowbell, please."

I kid you not.

Even better, none of the kids even laughed, I think they are too young to get it!

It was pretty awesome to hear "more cowbell" in my hall.

So...I guess I do listen to classical music.

2008-07-23T09:09:00.003-04:00

I've been getting back into the "blogging thing" again, and after dusting this one off, I realize the title might be a bit misleading for a few reasons.

1. I work in this field. I'm am surrounded by music, but usually it is just "background music". So technically, some part of my brain, at least the subconscious is hearing it.

2. After clearing and synching my iPOD, I've discover a few classical music treats have managed to find their way onto my iPod.

I've got Holst's Planets and Barber's Adagio.

The Holst recording I have was done with the Chicago Symphony conducted by James Levine, who looks to making a good recovery from recent surgery.

Both of these specific recordings were recommended by my friend Tom, when early on my days at NEC, I attempted to get a a little music appreciation. I also have a Beethoven Symphony 5 done by the BPO, or at least their conductor Ben Zander, and obtained at a BPO Gala, and has the Arthur Anderson logo on the the back. I'm keeping that one purely for that ironic logo.

"Helping you in ways you never imagined", was their motto right?

Random.

2008-07-17T17:14:00.002-04:00

In my feeble attempt to keep up with regular blogging, posting, and what-nots, here I go with some randomness.

This is an ad for the New England Aquarium's newest exhibit: Sharks and Rays. Featuring a little Photoshop on another Boston locale: The Hatchshell.

After living in Boston for almost 12 years, I find this amusing. At least the marine biologist in me does.

------------------------------

A pig who doesn't like to get dirty....his farmer/owner got him some boots, cause he was refusing to play with the other piglets.

Strange.

30 years down.....

2008-05-29T08:25:00.002-04:00

....and a few more to go.

I hope.

I turned the big "3-0" a few days ago. I aged in style, in the Turks and Caicos.

I couldn't think of a better way to "age gracefully".

It's a significant birthday, so I plan on starting it off right: make better decisions, be more financially secure, travel even more, and a few other personal goals.

Cheers! to anyone else who turns "30" this year, or had a birthday on May 26.

Hello, 2008! How are you?

2008-05-14T10:03:00.004-04:00

I haven't posted on this blog since October 2007.

What a lazy ass am I?

Shamelesss plug..... check out my friend Aaron's new blog Paper and Plastic.

Here is some fat kitty goodness as well.

"Work it harder, make it better..."

2007-10-19T20:58:00.000-04:00

Anyone still read this?

I haven't posted in over a year... I think?

Kayne West's song "Stronger" is stuck in my head. I could be because there is the underlying chorus of Daft Punk's "Stronger" in it.

Oh well. Catchy none the less. That Kayne is a smart man.

Wanderlust temporaritly fulfilled with a short 3-day trip to San Francisco.

No Rice-A-Roni, but I saw the hill they filmed the commercial at...

Updated, finally.

2006-11-08T10:57:00.000-05:00

Since my last post was in August, here's the reason why. I've gone to the dark side.

http://von_kampen.livejournal.com

More there.

Millions of Peaces...

2006-08-14T11:23:00.000-04:00

...Peaches for me!

"The Presidents of the United States" was fun band. Reminds me of high school.

I haven't blogged in a while, but it's all good.

Bitchin.

The Little Prince

2006-08-02T11:40:00.000-04:00

I haven't read this story in years. I saw it in the book store the other day.

Saint Exupery's 'The Little Prince' Quiz.

You are the flower.
Take this quiz!

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Join

| Make A Quiz | More Quizzes | Grab Code

Tired of moving.....

2006-07-30T18:04:00.000-04:00

....and I haven't even done it yet. I'm so tired of packing and getting ready.

It makes me tired and my head hurt.

I just want to disappear for a while.

Almost everything is annoying me.

Blah.

Blast from the Past

2006-07-26T20:10:00.000-04:00

The orange singing "Carmen" from "Sesame Street".

Super-duper!!!

I haven't seen this in years.

Or the man and clams. An old school ecology lesson.

How can you hate frogs?

Meet some animals....

Past lives

2006-07-24T12:32:00.000-04:00

I'd like to think I've had a lot more adventures in my past lives than in this one.

I would have wanted to be a female ninja, who specialty is looking hot and using a wire to cut people heads off. (Hahah, just kidding but there is a x-box game of this persuasion).

Ok, either ninja, pirate, or samuraii. Those are my choices.

Here I am today, drunk at Foundation Lounge, right before IL came to get me.

I kinda look the same now, cause I'm bored at work.

Dreams

2006-07-20T19:15:00.000-04:00

I haven't been "blogging" as appropriately much as should.

Huh?

Been having weird dreams, about death, lost friends, and being helpless.

Could be stress from finances and moving.

Can't wait to get it all done and go on vacation to Nantucket with IL.

Remember "Man at Arms" from "He-Man"? He was cool.

He-man's alter ego, Prince Adam, was definitely gay.

Jebus = Punk'd Hugh Jackman

2006-07-12T14:44:00.000-04:00

By the way, YouTube is Jebus.

This clip is Jebus too.

I love Hugh Jackman.

On Saturday Night Live...

EDPs, Buddy Holly glasses, scientific experiments concerning donuts, and taxidermy

2006-07-11T14:51:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, my EDP (for those that don't know the terminology = exclusive dating partner) brought me as a "guest" to the Harvard Museum Natural History.

I love that place; it's full of dead animals. I'm completely fascinated by taxidermy.

This is not an example of what they do, but a squirrel in a canoe which is cool.

HMHM has some cool extinct animals, like dodos and golden toads. The golden toads of Coasta Rica where last seen in the 80's, much like my last bad perm. The dodo was killed off by man, like Stellar's Sea Cow and the New Zealand Moa. Belows are skeletons of the cow and moa. Moa was the largest flightless bird and the sea cow was similar to the manatee but much bigger and slower.

Anyways, maybe I should go into taxidermy, it may be my only chance to see some of the animals before they go extinct.

Some fucker in Harvard Yard made fun of my new glasses. I hope he falls off a cliff.
Though last night was an orange moon, I should have done some voodoo instead.

I've been purchasing donuts for my NEC stage crew and doing an experiment on sugar intake.

Very, very fascinating.

Bitches = sand fleas

2006-07-05T08:47:00.000-04:00

Well, as a true American, I went to the Cape (for those that don't know the lingo = Cape Cod) for the July 4th long weekend.

To summarize:
Ate burgers at a sweet house near Brewster.
Went to watch a sunset. (*Believe it was Corporate Beach.*)
Too cloudy for sunset, but no sand fleas.
Instead of said sunset, had a photo shoot for a Christian rock band.
Went to a beach near Brewster.
Went kayaking with a mom.
Ate fried seafood ate beach previously mentioned for sunset.
Realized went to said sunset beach in college for marine invertebrates class at Woods Hole.
Got eaten up by sand fleas. (See below for more.)
Hung out (hanging out = sleeping) at a sweet house in Yarmouth.

I'll not fill you in with all the details.

Though Tuesday morning, as I was first waking up around 6:30am, I heard a crow outside. Aren't they bad omens? Do I believe in superstitions like that?

For those that have not had the privilege of sand fleas, here's one in a larval/pupal stage.

Turns out after their final stage of molting they become similar to gnats. And much more annoying.

They are VISCIOUS -- said sand fleas bit everyone all over their bodies. I keep finding more bites and they itch like the dickens.

I discoverd their scientific name is Bitches annoyinesous.

No, stop laughing, I'm serious.....

*sigh*

Didn't watch any fireworks except those I briefly saw while flipping through the tv channels. Yes, I'm lame but at least I didn't provide anyone with bad company.

Moving dogs

2006-06-29T09:53:00.000-04:00

I might have to move, cause of a change in the rent cost. "I should be practicing" might be saving my ass.

This is my FAVORITE commerical ever. I want a dog. Poor kitty, so unloved.

Holy Oceans, Batman! I can't spell.

2006-06-20T12:19:00.000-04:00

The correct spelling and descriptions of the movie I'd like to see is: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest.

I should learn how to spell Caribbean, as I was a marine biologist.

Do I have to wear a speedo?!

Also been looking up tattoos.
I like this one, but no one else does.

I should just stick with my Japanese themes ideas. I was thinking of my family crests, Ando (my obaasan/sobo = Japanese grandmother), or Akita, my mom's maiden name. Each family in Japan has a crest from feudal/samuraii time. I bought a book on it and have narrowed my families down. I will have to ask my mom for the exact one.

Oh well.

Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum.

2006-06-20T11:59:00.000-04:00

I'm kinda jonesin' for the Pirates of the Carribean sequal.

That's all I have to say.

Lots of hotness.

2006-06-14T10:00:00.000-04:00

A birthday picture with lots of hotness.

I also saw a great French movie. Is that ironic?
It was "District B13", a random sci-fi movie with lots of fun action.

Set in the ghettos of Paris in 2010, an undercover cop and ex-con try to infiltrate a gang in order to defuse a neutron bomb. Starring Cyril Raffaelli and David Belle.

David Belle, oooo-laa-laa!
He does this great style called Parkour.

Long weekend

2006-05-30T09:08:00.000-04:00

This Memorial Day, 3-day weekend seemed much longer. Maybe because I actually got stuff done and had fun!

I saw "X-Men 3" at 12:01 am on Friday. I went to dinner with a group of friends, to a Portuguese place called Atasca. The food was fantastic!

I hung out with my friend Corrie at Mt. Auburn Cemetery. One of my favorite places in Cambridge and everything was green and beautiful and I found a few cool headstones, I hadn't seen.

While Corrie did bird-watching, I did tombstone/flower watching. She saw about 20 species of birds, but I thought this flaming azalea was friggin' sweet.

Then for Memorial Day, slept in, then took a short ride to Plum Island, Newburyport, MA. Took a short walk and rescued a few crabs. IL provided company all weekend and the trip to the beach. :)

OOOOhhh, and fried clams at Bob Lobster.
Yum!

Birthday Calculator - May 26, 1978

2006-05-25T12:19:00.000-04:00

Your date of conception was on or about 2 September 1977 which was a Friday. (Wrong, I was premature).
You were born on a Friday
under the astrological sign Gemini.
Your Life path number is 11.
**************************************
Life path number 11: 2 (11/2, 20/2)
The Life Path 2 suggests that you entered this plane with a spiritual quality in your makeup allowing you to be one of the peacemakers in society. Your strengths come from an ability to listen and absorb. You are a fixer, a mediator, and a very diplomatic type of person using persuasive skills rather than forcefulness to make your way in the world. When you embrace and exhibit the strenghth of your spiritual side, you are intuitive, avant-garde, idealistic, and visionary. These extremes make you interesting with much to offer society. You have the potential to be a deep-thinker, and no doubt interested in understanding many of life's mysteries and more intriguing facets.

If you are living with the positive attributes of the number 2 Life Path, you are apt to have the most delicate ability to be balanced and fair. You clearly see the full spectrum of viewpoints in any argument or situation, and because of this, people may seek you out to be a mediator. In this role you are able to settle disputes with the most unbiased flair. There is sincere concern for others; you think the best of people, and want the best for them. You are honest and open in thought, word and deed. You excel in any form of group activity where your expertise in handling and blending people can be used effectively. Manners and tact mark your way with others, and you are not one to dominate a group or situation. You are the master of compromise and of maintaining harmony in your environment. As the ultimate team member, you never demand praise or recognition.

In many ways, you are a creature of habit and routine, and you like your path and pattern well worn and familiar. Your ability to analyze and render accurate judgments is a wonderful natural trait you bring to the business world. You strive for complete accuracy and even perfection in your work. Perhaps you are not a leader, but you are a visionary and a very talented idea person.

On the negative side of the 2, nervous energy is a trait often observed in the 2. Because of this, you may be seen as an extremist who is sometimes the zealot in expressing likes and dislikes. Nervous tension can bring the normally easygoing 2 into a state of emotional outrage, which to those around you, may seem so out of character. Indeed, the 2 can sometimes become oversensitive. In some instances, the strength of the 2 can also become its weakness. You may find it hard to decide what to do at times. Twos often struggle against indecisiveness. Making decisions and getting your life in gear, so to speak, may be a challenge. There is a tendency for the many 2s to harbor feelings of uneasiness, and dissatisfaction with accomplishments and personal progress in life. The biggest obstacle and difficulty you may face is that of passivity and a state of apathy and lethargy. The negative 2 can be very pessimistic. When this sets in to any degree, you are able to accomplishes very little. If living on the negative side of the 2, you may lack common sense, and you are quite often unable to distinguish between fantasy and reality.

Even the more positive individuals with the 2 Life Path will prefer a more amiable and less competitive environment, often shunning the business world. You can best serve society in endeavors utilizing your skills of counseling and guidance. Much of your idealism is people oriented and quite humanitarian in nature. You expect a great deal of yourself.
*****************************************************

Life Path Compatibility:
You are most compatible with those with the Life Path numbers 2, 4, 8, 11 & 22.
You should get along well with those with the Life Path numbers 3 & 6.
You may or may not get along well with those with the Life Path number 9.
You are least compatible with those with the Life Path numbers 1, 5 & 7.

The Julian calendar date of your birth is 2443654.5.
The golden number for 1978 is 3.
The epact number for 1978 is 21.
The year 1978 was not a leap year.

*****************************************
Golden Number:
A number showing the year of the lunar or Metonic cycle. It is reckoned from 1 to 19, and is so called from having formerly been written in the calendar in gold.
Epact Number:
The moon's age at the beginning of the calendar year, or the number of days by which the last new moon has preceded the beginning of the year.

The Life Path Number
The Life Path is the sum of the birth date. This number represents who you are at birth and the native traits that you will carry with you through life. The most important number that will be discussed here is your Life Path number. The Life Path describes the nature of this journey through life.

Julian date:
The number of days since noon 4713 BC January 1.
***********************************************************************

Your birthday falls into the Chinese year beginning 2/7/1978 and ending 1/27/1979.
You were born in the Chinese year of the Horse.

The date of Easter on your birth year was Sunday, 26 March 1978.
The date of Orthodox Easter on your birth year was Sunday, 30 April 1978.
The date of Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent) on your birth year was Wednesday 8 February 1978.
The date of Whitsun (Pentecost Sunday) in the year of your birth was Sunday 14 May 1978.
The date of Whisuntide in the year of your birth was Sunday 21 May 1978.
The date of Rosh Hashanah in the year of your birth was Monday, 2 October 1978.
The date of Passover in the year of your birth was Saturday, 22 April 1978.
The date of Mardi Gras on your birth year was Tuesday 7 February 1978.

As of 5/25/2006 12:10:51 PM EDT
You are 27 years old.
You are 336 months old.
You are 1,461 weeks old.
You are 10,226 days old.
You are 245,436 hours old.
You are 14,726,170 minutes old.
You are 883,570,251 seconds old.

Your age is the equivalent of a dog that is 4.00234833659491 years old. (Life's just a big chewy bone for you!)

There are 1 days till your next birthday
on which your cake will have 28 candles.

Those 28 candles produce 28 BTUs,
or 7,056 calories of heat (that's only 7.0560 food Calories!) .
You can boil 3.20 US ounces of water with that many candles.

In 1978 there were approximately 3.1 million births in the US.
In 1978 the US population was approximately 203,302,031 people, 57.4 persons per square mile.
In 1978 in the US there were approximately 2,152,662 marriages (10.1%) and 1,036,000 divorces (4.9%)
In 1978 in the US there were approximately 1,921,000 deaths (9.5 per 1000)
In the US a new person is born approximately every 8 seconds.
In the US one person dies approximately every 12 seconds.

Your birthstone is Emerald
The Mystical properties of Emerald

Though not meant to replace traditional medical treatment, Emerald is used for physical and emotional healing.
Some lists consider these stones to be your birthstone. (Birthstone lists come from Jewelers, Tibet, Ayurvedic Indian medicine, and other sources)

Agate, Chrysoprase

Your birth tree is

Ash Tree, the Ambition
Uncommonly attractive, vivacious, impulsive, demanding, does not care for criticism, ambitious, intelligent, talented, likes to play with its fate, can be egoistic, very reliable and trustworthy, faithful and prudent lover, sometimes brains rule over heart, but takes partnership very serious.

There are 214 days till Christmas 2006!
There are 227 days till Orthodox Christmas!

The moon's phase on the day you were
born was waning gibbous.
Friday, May 26, 1978
Moon's age (days): 19
Distance (Earth radii): 57.35
Percent Illumination 80.22%
Ecliptic latitude (degrees): 4.69
Ecliptic longitude (degrees): 299.26

Copyright © 2006 Paul R. Sadowski (http://www.paulsadowski.com)

What your name means...Numerology.

2006-05-25T12:18:00.000-04:00

You entered: Marie Minako von Kampen
There are 20 letters in your name.
Those 20 letters total to 94
There are 9 vowels and 11 consonants in your name.

Your number is: 4

The characteristics of #4 are: A foundation, order, service, struggle against limits, steady growth.

The expression or destiny for #4:
Order, service, and management are the cornerstones of the number 4 Expression. Your destiny is to express wonderful organization skills with your ever practical, down-to-earth approach. You are the kind of person who is always willing to work those long, hard hours to push a project through to completion. A patience with detail allows you to become expert in fields such as building, engineering, and all forms of craftsmanship. Your abilities to write and teach may lean toward the more technical and detailed. In the arts, music will likely be your choice. Artistic talents may also appear in such fields as horiculture and floral arrangement, as well. Many skilled physicians and especially surgeons have the 4 Expression.

The positive attitudes of the 4 Expression yield responsibility; you are one who no doubt, fulfills obligations, and is highly systematic and orderly. You are serious and sincere, honest and faithful. It is your role to help and you are required to do a good job at everything you undertake.

If there is too much 4 energies present in your makeup, you may express some of the negative attitudes of the number 4. The obligations that you face may tend to create frustration and feelings of limitation or restriction. You may sometimes find yourself nursing negative attitudes in this regard and these can keep you in a rather low mood. Avoid becoming too rigid, stubborn, dogmatic, and fixed in your opinions. You may have a tendency to develop and hold very strong likes and dislikes, and some of these may border on the classification of prejudice. The negative side of 4 often produces dominant and bossy individuals who use disciplinarian to an excess. These tendencies must be avoided. Finally, like nearly all with 4 Expression, you must keep your eye on the big picture and not get overly wrapped up in detail and routine.

Your Soul Urge number is: 7

A Soul Urge number of 7 means:
With a number 7 Soul Urge you are very fond of reading, and retreating to periods of being alone and away from the disruptions of the outer world. You like to dream and develop you idealistic understandings, to study and analyze, to gain knowledge and wisdom. You may be too laid back and withdrawn to really succeed in the business world, and you will be much more comfortable in circumstances that are tolerant of your reserve, your analytical approach, and your desire to use your mind rather than your physical being.

You are very timid around people that you don't know very well, so much so at times that casual conversation and social situations can be strained. You tend to repress your emotions to the extend that some people have a good bit of difficult understanding you. You tend to be very selective with friends and you don't easily adapt to new environments or to new people very quickly.

The negative traits of the 7 include becoming too much the introvert and isolated from others.

Your Inner Dream number is: 6

An Inner Dream number of 6 means:
You dream of guiding and fostering the perfect family in the perfect home. You crave the devotion from offspring and a loving spouse. You picture yourself in the center of a successful domestic unit.

For your own information: http://www.paulsadowski.com

Year of the Horse, 1978

2006-05-23T08:43:00.000-04:00

As my birthday looms above me, I've been delving into my astrological something-or-others. My Chinese zodiac is the Year of the Horse, and in 1978 it was the Year of the Earth Horse. Does any of this sound like it fits me?

The Year of the Horse
The Horse gleefully gallops into his year, promising his reign to be one of reckless, carefree and romantic abandon. We all gain self-confidence and bravado, and will find ourselves doing the mad, adventurous things we always dreamed of doing, happily finding that the risks we take to be more rewarding than we imagined. The fast pace of the year is one where industry and economics will advance, and entrepreneurs will shine most brightly.

The Horse Personality
Black Beauty
Happy and Light hearted
Exudes sex Appeal
Vivacious
Energetic
Adventurous
Fun-loving
Independent and Non-conformist
Engaging and Charming
Honest and Straightforward
Hard-working
Considerate and Kind-hearted

Dark Horse
Indiscreet
Fiery Temper
Proud
Impulsive
Stubborn
Self-Centered
A Playboy / Playgirl
Restless, Bores Easily
Blunt

The Earth Horse: 1918, 1978
“The Cautious Horse”
It is a rare thing to find a horse who can settle down, but the Earth Horse will prove the punters wrong and even learn to cooperate with authority when necessary. This congenial chap is less decisive though, hedging his bets and considering all sides before acting. Still, he possesses the business acumen of the Horse, and can bring about a new lease of life to any sagging venture.

Prospects for the Horse in different years
Lucky years for Horse are the years of the Rabbit, the Horse, the Monkey and Dog.

Happy events, prosperity and achievements are in the spotlight, and the recognition of these will bring him much joy.

The years of the Dragon, the Goat, the Rooster, the Tiger and the Ox are fairly mixed – smooth in some ways, seemingly difficult in others. Nevertheless, obstacles presented during these times are never as bad as they seem, and will blow over quicker than the Horse predicts.

Trying times come in the years of the Rat, the Snake, and the Pig. Misfortunes and complications to his plans are likely, and any major decisions in business or love, should be left for now. These are years where the Horse must be cautious and persevering.

For your own interests go to Chinese Astrology.

Why I kinda like being half-asian.

2006-05-17T19:02:00.000-04:00

Top 10 Reasons why being half-Japanese is good! (Ok, reasons why I think it's cool.)

10. Lost of cultural exploration and adventures.

9. Anime.

8. Japanese food.

7. There's enough of us to make a new race, but instead we just diversify (and conquer).

6. We have very diverse looks. Ok, so maybe not but I needed another reason.

5. Depending on the rest of your heritage, you can fill in "Other" on all types of applications, or "Asian", it's up to your mood. I personally like to alternate.

4. Interesting names: Marie Minako von Kampen, Nokuthula Ngwenyama, Apolo Anton Ohno, Andrew Kohji Taylor.

3. You tend to tend to instantly bond with other half-Japanese, ok, so not always.

2. You're usually hot. For example, Doug Robb of "Hoobastank" and Devon Aoki.

1. That eternal question, "Are you half-asian?"

Yaddah, yaddah...

2006-05-17T12:25:00.000-04:00

This is randomly funny and put me in a good mood.

Thanks to Married to the Sea.

Need a blue sky holiday...having a bad day...

2006-05-16T10:50:00.000-04:00

Where is the moment when needed the most
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost
They tell me your blue skies fade to grey
They tell me your passion's gone away
And I don't need no carryin' on

You stand in the *light just to hit a new low
You're faking a smile with the coffee to go
You tell me your life's been way off line
You're falling to pieces everytime
And I don't need no carryin' on

Cause you had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
The camera don't lie
You're coming back down and you really don't mind
You had a bad day
You had a bad day

Well you need a blue sky holiday
The point is they laugh at what you say
And I don't need no carryin' on

You had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
The camera don't lie
You're coming back down and you really don't mind
You had a bad day

(Oh.. Holiday..)

Sometimes the system goes on the blink
And the whole thing turns out wrong
You might not make it back and you know
That you could be well oh that strong
And I'm not wrong

(yeah...)

So where is the passion when you need it the most
Oh you and I
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost

Cause you had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
You've seen what you like
And how does it feel for one more time
You had a bad day
You had a bad day

Starting my week off right....

2006-05-15T08:45:00.000-04:00

So the schedule back stage looks like it has been tie-dyed cause I managed to spill my red gator-ade all over it...it is sooooooo a Monday.

I found out "I should be practicing" is a closet "Highlander" fan like myself, and lent him my dvds of all 6 seasons. I am not going to see him for at least 2 months.

If you don't know what "Highlander" is about there are 3 movies and a tv series. Basically, dudes (and a few chicks) with swords....and lightning...and maybe kilts...and Roger Daltry from "The Who"...and Miss Alabama who slept with Bill Clinton...and the lead singer of "Fine Young Cannibals" (what a great name!)...and the guy who played Krycek on "The X-Files"...and Joan Jett....yes, THE JOAN JETT!

Here's Conner and Duncan MaCleod, don't really know about the proper capitalization of the clan name. Whatever.

Let Geekiness abide...

This is Krycek...he was cute until he was a bag guy...

Anyways, other than that, I saw "MI:3" -- twice. Can't get enough of JRM. Then "Poisidon", and "Thank you for smoking". A entertaining movie weekend...but the big one was...seeing the "X-Men 3" preview 4 times!!!! Yes. I am happy.

Dreary Day and Book Recommendations

2006-05-09T15:51:00.000-04:00

You Are Lightning

Beautiful yet dangerous
People will stop and watch you when you appear
Even though you're capable of random violence

You are best known for: your power

Your dominant state: performing

What Type of Weather Are You?

Yada-yada, for days like this, here's a book recommendation or two....

The Confessions of Max Tivoli : A Novel (Paperback) by Andrew Sean Greer.

This is one I want to read, The Stolen Child : A Novel (Hardcover) by Keith Donohue.

Otherwise, there are a few movies I want to see. Also I plan on crying a lot on May 26, for my birthday. Blah.

Blah, blah

2006-05-09T13:11:00.000-04:00

So bored but nothing worth writing about.
Later folks!

Last one, I'm really bored

2006-05-02T11:25:00.000-04:00

You Were a Crow

Eternally wise, you have a deep understand of ethics.
You guide people from the darkness to the light.

What Animal Were You In a Past Life?

My Hair Color

2006-05-02T11:19:00.000-04:00

Your Hair Should Be Blue

Wild, brilliant, and out of control.
You're a risk taker with an eye to the future.

What's Your Funky Inner Hair Color?

My Birthday

2006-05-02T11:15:00.000-04:00

Your Birthdate: May 26

You lucked out the the skills to succeed in almost any arena.
Put you in almost any business or classroom, and you'll rise to the top.
You're driven and intense, but you also know when to kick back and cooperate.
Your ability to adapt to almost any situation is part of what's going to make you a success.

Your strength: Your attention to detail

Your weakness: You can be a little too proud of your successes

Your power color: Turquoise

Your power symbol: Arrow pointing up

Your power month: August

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

My Name

2006-05-02T11:12:00.000-04:00

MARIE

M is for Musical
A is for Articulate
R is for Rebellious
I is for Intense
E is for Elitist

Oh yeah....

2006-05-02T09:06:00.000-04:00

My last entry had a point to it. Being called "we get better with age...", but at this point, I can't recall shizzle. So. Whatever.

This is funny. Fetuses are funny.

TA-DA!

We get better with age...

2006-04-25T11:29:00.000-04:00

So I saw, "Lucky Number Slevin" last night. It was great! I recommend it for a fun movie. Bruce Willis rocked. He just keeps getting better, even if he is almost the same character everytime. Josh Hartnett and Lucy Liu were also good and nice on the eyes.

I was bored at work as I usually am, and actually investigated "Mission Impossible: 3". The chick from "Felicity" is in it with straight hair. A hottie named Maggie Q, half Polish/Irish and Vietnamese.

I've felt crappy and tired since this past weekend. I think I've got some kind of bug, it seems to be making its rounds. I'm just glad I don't have allergies on top of it.

Married to the Sea, I enjoy because I am a marine biologist, and it has absolutely nothing to do with it. :) Just funny, like this.

or this...

Ahhhhhhh...I feel this is a well-rounded blog.

The end.

Just keep getting younger and how to show that you're not interested.

2006-04-21T09:08:00.000-04:00

Yeah, so my "hotness" seems to be getting more popular and younger.

22-24? Tuba player, leaves me a love note backstage and proposes marriage on my MySpace account.

23, Hot spy who speaks Russian.

21, Formerly religous pianist makes "eye contact" with me, but I don't notice.

18-19, Freshman or sophomore girl asks my friend, Who was that hot girl you came into the store with you?

Notice the trend of people getting younger?

Also, I spend a lot of time with "I should be practicing", and "no" not that kind of time. People get the wrong idea that we're together, even the X asks if we're dating.

I am interfering with his "hotness", so I need to wear a shirt that he suggested said "lesbian". I came up with a better one, "love men, but not Bush". It can be taken anyway you want. And by anyway you want, I mean.....

Can I make them more sweaters?

2006-04-18T08:49:00.000-04:00

Weirdos from my childhood...

2006-04-17T10:38:00.000-04:00

It is a given that everyone in my kindergarten class was a weirdo. I mean, come on, we were at a Baptist school.

Do you remember Slim-Good-Body? If you think about it now, it is kind a creepy. He ran around in a spandex the whole show.

How about Marty Stouffer? Dude was great, had his own show, took in lot so baby animals and stuff.

What about the Yip-yip monsters from Sesame Street?

Oh, vacation, I need you.

Rest in peace, Bob Ross.

Where's George dot com?

2006-04-13T18:48:00.000-04:00

Where a $10 bill I had was from...

Kinda cool, huh?

Had a 21 year old make dreamy eyes at me, but the best part was that I wasn't even paying attention. But luckily my friend Ferol was and laughed her butt off.

Ahhh.....men.

More me...

2006-04-12T11:24:00.000-04:00

Friendster:
MMvK

MySpace:
MMvK

"Inside Man" was a fantastic movie, btw.

It is me.

2006-04-11T17:57:00.000-04:00

"Beyond the Fuck-it..."

2006-04-06T10:41:00.000-04:00

This refers to the point during whatever you're doing, that you realize you don't care anymore, so you just let loose. Thie gem comes from the big BZ. So right now I'm having a little "BTFI".

I'm at this point in my life.

I FINALLY get paid tomorrow, thank God for a steady job. This has been the longest 2 weeks of my like. The major downside of being a freelance is that that you're never really sure when/where the next paycheck is coming from.

"I should be practicing" have provide me with nurishment this past week, and I owe him some food starting Friday. Mmmmm, Indian food! Yum. Speaking of hungry, I could go for some cashews right now.

Still considering ideas for some tattoos. I'm pretty sure I figured out which crests are from my mom's and grandmom's family, but I have to ask my mom to verify. Which means she might figure out that I'm planning to get a tattoo. Oh well. I'm almost 30, she can deal with it, plus she can tell me, "I told you so", in a couple of years.

Is it wrong to hate people? I don't think people realize how strong that word is, but I feel I may be coming to hate someone. I don't like the feeling.

On a higher note, I really want to be a ridiculous Bond girl.

Check this out "I should be practicing", Anne Akiko Meyers another easy on the eyes halvsie.

"Goddamn you half-Japanese girls..."

2006-04-04T15:50:00.000-04:00

WEEZER LYRICS

"El Scorcho"

Goddamn you half-Japanese girls
Do it to me every time
Oh, the redhead said you shred the cello
And I'm jello, baby
But you won't talk, won't look, won't think of me
I'm the epitome of public enemy
Why you wanna go and do me like that?
Come down on the street and dance with me

I'm a lot like you so please, hello, I'm here, I'm waiting
I think I'd be good for you and you'd be good for me

I asked you to go to the Green Day concert
You said you never heard of them (how cool is that)
How cool is that?
So I went to your room and read your diary:
Watching Grunge leg drop New-Jack through a presstable...
And then my heart stopped:
Listening to Cio-Cio San, fall in love all over again.

I'm a lot like you so please, hello, I'm here, I'm waiting
I think I'd be good for you and you'd be good for me

How stupid is it? I can't talk about it
I gotta sing about it and make a record of my heart
How stupid is it? Won't you gimme a minute
Just come up to me
And say hello to my heart
How stupid is it? For all I know you want me too
And maybe you just don't know what to do
Or maybe you're scared to say: 'I'm falling for you'

I wish I could get my head out of the sand
Cos I think we'd make a good team
And you would keep my fingernails clean
But that's just a stupid dream that I won't realize
Cos I can't even look in your eyes without shaking, and I ain't faking
I'll bring home the turkey if you bring home the bacon

I'm a lot like you so please, hello, I'm here, I'm waiting
I think I'd be good for you and you'd be good for me

I'm a lot like you
I'm a lot like you
I'm a lot like you
And I'm waiting
I think I'd be good for you and you'd be good for me

Wow.

2006-04-02T07:06:00.000-04:00

"Spring ahead" royally screwed me.

I worked from 4pm to midnight yesterday, and was so wound up, that I could not sleep.
I ended up staying up until I had to get ready for work. (I was in at 7am.) It wasn't that bad since I lost an hour. Woo-hoo.

Nice though...saw the sunrise for the first time in a long time. It was so beautiful.
Maybe it's going to be a good day.

Where I went for a date Sidney's Grill.

Flip-flops, Crossword Puzzles, and Sudoku

2006-03-31T08:50:00.000-05:00

So, it is supposed to hit a high of around 72 degress today!!! I am soooooo excited. In honor, I did my toenails and broke out the dusty flip-flops. My feets won't fail me now!

I've been doing the crossword puzzle every morning with Means, then we let Erica do most of it. Means and I have our days of genious. I finished most of it on Wednesday. Means was brilliant on Thursday, and I've done almost all of the bottom half today.

Haven't quite figured out the Sudoku thing. I know how it works, but have yet to finish a puzzle with out scribbling over most of it. Maybe I'll try todays.

Cash flow is short until next payday, but at least I've got a date tonight, and you can believe he's paying. Actually he offered, so I'm flattered. But he did take my job.

Blah, blah, blah, and blah.

Indian Food and a Bad Morning

2006-03-29T09:20:00.000-05:00

No, I don't have morning sickness or anything silly like that. (Whew.)
I got to work way early -- like 7:15am early. Spilled my ice coffee all over the office, before I was even able to take a sip. I then cut my knuckle in Brown Hall, and bled all over the set-up (poor, poor wind section). I even got my call connected to Hell...yes, that "Hell". Who new extension 1184 at my job, takes you right to Satan's voice mail. I sure as hell didn't.

Oh yeah, the point of my bad morning mentions is that I'm not in a bad mood at all. Go figure. I guess sucking coffee out of a carpet makes sure you still get caffine in your system. (Just kidding about the sucking thing, the coffee that is.)

Well, I'm almost finished knitting a scarf and armwarmers and Mumz's panta. What should I find for my next project.

I gave the guy shit who took my job at Haaaavaaad. I'm glad he got it but I was a little miffed. I am more miffed at the ex, who continues to put me in a bad mood.
But Haaavaaad is distracting me in a good way.

The Indian food reference is to that I really, really want Indian food. Or maybe I should learn how to make it.

Am I alone in the universe?

2006-03-27T09:49:00.000-05:00

Do you believe in soul mates? I've spent a better part of my time in Boston, debating this issue.

My current view is "no". As I stare at the pipe cleaner animals of backstage Jordan Hall, I wonder, "As a half-Japanese, ridiculously long armed, freakishly tall gal, is there hope for me?"

Maybe.

Anyways, enough waxing poetic. I worked most of the weekend, and most of that was on Sunday.

I got up at 6am, left by 7am, and was at Sanders by 8:15am, my call time was 8:30am.
I worked 2 shows, and didn't leave until almost midnight. I only officially worked until 11pm, but got caught up talking until then.

I'm still tired so this is all you're going to get.

Plans for Life

2006-03-24T10:38:00.000-05:00

These are my plans to get through life, if one doesn't work, I'll move to the next.

Plan A: Filthy rich on my own, my taking over the stage crew scene in Boston
Plan B: Sleep with appropriate people to do so and find rich guy
Plan C: Be a Bond Girl with shaved head
Plan D: Be a cartoon character with shave head and great body
Plan E: Marry movie star
Plan F: Be a superhero
Plan G-Z: Have arms and teeth made smaller, finish crossword puzzle, drink lots of coffee.

As you can see, I've got the coffee part down of it.

Things to do today (from yesterday)

2006-03-23T08:20:00.000-05:00

Make sure Dmitri doesn't leave Siegfried (poor Roy).
Discover 12lb lobster (but don't eat it)
Discover land (semi-giant) squid
Don't go crazy
Find good Wonder Woman costume
Become superhero
Learn to breathe underwater
Be a nun, just cause
Don't freeze to death
Enjoy screwdrivers (drink and tool)
Be a cartoon character
Make a pipe cleaner "Mona Lisa"
Tattoos, at least 5
Shrink my teeth
Wrestle an alligator and crocodile
Ride an ostrich
Have white hair before I'm 30
Never set "AA" row again
Figure out world peace
Eat all 31 flavors of ice cream
Have a tv show
Talk to animals
Stop jaywalking
Don't go crazy again
Repeat all

"Cute guys are an illusion created by the government to make sure women don't succeed."

2006-03-21T19:31:00.000-05:00

This is my theory on cute guys in the world. It is all an illusion. Off I go be a superpowered nun. Flight and breathing under water is my style.

Too Many Quizzes

2006-03-21T16:32:00.000-05:00

You scored as Mysterious. You wish to hide who you are from all those around you. You find it very hard to trust people. You also may enjoy the fun that comes from playing mind games with others around you.Click here!My advice Get out there and reveal the true you if only to one person!

Mysterious

75%

Eyes full of Pain

67%

Diamond Eyes

67%

Passion

67%

What do your eyes reveal about you?(PICS!)
created with QuizFarm.com

"V" for von Kampen

2006-03-21T16:20:00.000-05:00

Yes, my lame reference is to the fact that I saw "V for Vendetta". I expected it to be crap, which means I actually enjoyed the movie. The only thing was I kept expecting "V" to take in his "Matrix" voice and ask for "Mr. Anderson". I'm kinda curious about the comic book now.

You scored as Mermaid. Mermaid: Mermaids are also known as Sirens. These creatures were beautiful women who tricked sailors into becoming completely entranced by their haunting voices and found death soon after. Not all stories of Mermaids are about gentle loving sea people. They are mystical, magical, and extremely dangerous. They have a way about them that brings anyone they are around to seem enchanted. They are very mysterious creatures and to meet one... Would mean certain Death. Let the song of the Sea fill your soul, for you are a Mermaid.

Mermaid

67%

Dragon

59%

Angel

58%

Faerie

50%

WereWolf

42%

Demon

17%

What Mythological Creature are you? (Cool Pics!)
created with QuizFarm.com

What am I this week?

2006-03-20T13:46:00.000-05:00

You scored as Water. You're water. You love to laugh at your jokes even when they're not funny. You're a little forgetful but also caring and outgoing.

Water

74%

Fire

67%

Earth

67%

Air

53%

Which Element are you most like?
created with QuizFarm.com

Who am I this week?

2006-03-20T13:44:00.000-05:00

You scored as Captain Malcolm. You are the captain of Serenity, Mal Reynolds. You may be somewhat bitter and hardened, but somewhare in there you are actually very idealistic and would do anything to protect those you care bout most.

Captain Malcolm

75%

Inara Serra

69%

Dr. Simon Tam

63%

Zoe Alleyne Washburne

56%

River Tam

56%

Hoban "Wash" Washburne

56%

The Operative

56%

Jayne Cobb

56%

Shepherd Derrial Book

44%

Kaywinnit Lee 'Kaylee' Frye

44%

What FireflySerenity Character Are You?
created with QuizFarm.com

Forgive me Father for I have sinned, it has been 10 days since my last blog entry.

2006-03-20T10:06:00.000-05:00

According to Blogger, my last entry was on March 10th, today is March 20th. So as long as my math serves me well, then that's 10 days.

To be honest I don't remember much over the past week and a half.

I did see "Match Point" which was f*#%@'n FANTASTIC! My new Irish crush (sounds like a soda) is Jonathan Rhys Meyers. You know how I love my crazies, and doesn't he look crazy in these pictures?

He'll be my crush until the next movie I see, then whatever.

I had a good work weekend. I got told by one group that they were very happy to have me there at their shows. The other was that I was described as "high caliber", while I was being referred to a job. So that was nice. (Too bad nice, doesn't mean more money always. I could use it. I guess I just have to work on Plan B to get into Symphony.) Plan B involves no morals whatsoever, so it's good that mine have been beaten out of me.

I went out for St. Patty's day with a few friends, it involved drinking, dancing, and checking out hot chicks and guys. I'm trained to look for both.

Did some random internet searching. My name in Hawaiian is "Malia". Kinda cool huh?

I'm doing research on getting a tattoo. I'm looking to get some on my wrists. One idea is to get the Japanese feudal/samurai crests of my gran's maiden name and my mom's maiden name. I've been doing a lot of online searches for information. I guess every family in Japan that was involved in feudal wars or samurai battle had a family crest. There are hundreds of them.

My other tataus (Oceanic term for them), I'd like to do is something with my pop's side. I'm having a harder time finding family crest information. So I'll just keep researching.

I found out that the job at Harvard went to a friend, so I'm not so upset about him getting it. I'll even take him out for a congratulatory drink. Cause I'm such a big person, I mean come on, I'm friends with my ex.

I've been making pipe cleaner creatures, so there is a high possibility that I've reverted back to kindergarten age. Which is fine, cause I had tons of guys all over me then. Oh well. We all have our times of hotness, mine was when I was too young to appreciate it.

Other randomness includes, PetCo. has a new commercial out with a doxie. He as a favorite toy name Bobo, that he takes everywhere. It gets disgusting and his owner throws it away and then takes him to PetCo. to get another one.

I've watched "Serenity" several times this week and want to get my hands on the newest Miyazaki movie.

I decided last night, that if I was a nun with superpowers, that I would be able to fly and breathe underwater. Also I plan on, in the future, discovering a semi-giant land squid and making its scientific name "Butt-face".

Hehehe, you love it.

Just Getting Over My Cold

2006-03-10T10:20:00.000-05:00

You are

What Rejected Crayon Are You?

"You are what you think about all day long."

2006-03-08T17:45:00.000-05:00

I've been a royal ass this past week and a half. Mostly my fault, or basically all my fault. I've been stressed for various reasons, some of which I shouldn't be but am. Plus, March is my hump month. This time of year, I get cranky for sun, heat, flip-flops, men in shorts, and hoochies in minis. (Ok, kidding about the hoochies, or is it hooches?) Unfortunately, my cat (I've been completely ignoring him) and my coworkers have been taking the brunt of it.

I only hope they are better people than I, and do not hate me completely. I know at least one person does.

The title of this entry comes from the fortune cookie that I got at dinner on Monday night. I thought it was very fitting. Being stressed out and feeling like shit, made me a shitty person. I'm not sure where I get that from, but my Momma is very outspoken and my Pop can be cranky. A "super" combination of both, did I get. (Now, I'm turning into Yoda.)

On a lighter side, I've offered everyone on stage crew a Marie knit object. I've got requests for armwarmers, a sweater dress, and embroidered leather pants. Gee, can you guess who asked for those?

I've been in a better mood in general, after a pep talk from a friend late Monday night, lots of communication with my Rosatia, seeing Mikey, dinner and buzz with my dear lawyer friend, and actually "I Should Be Practicing" coming back into town. Can you believe that I just said I need people? I'm just not the tough cookie I used to be in highschool, when I hid in the ladies room, instead of eating lunch. Considering I am just a well-adjusted, lovable, fine individual, can you imagine me hiding in a stall for the entire year of 11th grade? High school was rough.

I also have plans next week to do some single's things and hang out with more friends. I think my bad mood wasn't help out all by being alone.

This place has fantastic farm raised organic yarn. Ok, so not such a good sentence, but can you imagine yarn grazing in a field? Maybe not, but they are Alchemy Yarns, a great name and a great website. I would recommend giving them some web traffic.

Oh, the fortune cookie, also gave me the Chinese for "April"; which isn't coming soon enough. My lucky numbers were: 7,12,35,46,18,6.

The pictures in this entry are an illustration for a video game I played in highschool. I know it is kind of silly, but it was always so beautiful to me. Someplace, that I wished exhisted. It is helping with my craving for green, sun, and magic.

Both pictures of a Tree of Mana, and red ibis birds.

Gizoogle and Whiny Boys

2006-03-05T13:53:00.000-05:00

My newly translated blog:

http://sites.gizoogle.com/index2.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmarievonkampen.blogspot.com%2F

Thanks to "I Should Be Practicing" for making me feel better.

I love James Blunt, by the way. He's very original, and perfect break-up/crying music.

I purchased the "Happy Hooker" by the chick that did the Stich n' Bitch books. I haven't even started reading it, but it looks "hot".

Anyways, since it is March, I think I should finally get around to my New Year's resolutions. The ones I haven't started are: exercising regularly, eating healthier, being a superb person.

I only exercise, whilst moving pianos, and I don't even do that well. I had for breaky today, roasted-unsalted almonds and Special K with berries (no milk, I don't do white milk, only on occasion chocolate).

As far as being a superb person, I'm at the fantastic level right now, so I'm about 5000 points from being superb. I think I need to seel about 500 more boxes of World's Finest Chocolates, and I'll have enough points to be superb. I can then work on getting to the next level --

SuperFrigginChocoHotTastic!!!

Yesterday, Saturday, I actually had the day off. So I planned on calling my parents, doing laundry, and maybe sleep - alot.

I've been drinking a lot of Cola and alchohol recently, but I know it is probably not so good for me, but I'm having a great time.

My newest animal obsession is the kiwi bird of New Zealand. Which by the way must be the most fantastic place on earth. I used to think Oz was until theY had David Hasselhof as a national spokeman for Pepsi. *UGH*

I May Have Lost My Mind

2006-03-04T13:45:00.000-05:00

These are pretty flowers in a crappy arrangement that I did.

I've been really tense and stressed-out this week. I'm not sure why. It comes and goes and my eye even twitches occasionally, which has never happened before.

I think I really need some time off from this whole music business. I've had trouble sleeping or sleeping too much. Headaches out the wahzoo. Just feeling "blah" all around.

That's all I have to say.

Oh, and that I cried at work this past week. A long story, but let's just say I was quite embarrased.

Photos of My Co-Workers and Me

2006-03-02T10:58:00.000-05:00

We had a get together for stage crew.....

Heather and my fantastic boot.

I'm picking my nose as Erica looks on in awe.

Kwan being serious.

My brownie bowl.

Kwan killing happy Heather.

Aren't we a great looking group of adults?

Grimey Tympanyes

2006-03-01T19:24:00.000-05:00

From Heather's Universe, on Sunday, February 26, 2006, Timpanies....

In response to her tirade, I find that Grimesey has the BEST timpanies, by far.

They're sooo sexy and hot and they move like a dream. They are by far the MOST superior timpanies ever. They are so smooth.

That is all I have to say.

Compliment Day

2006-02-28T18:59:00.000-05:00

Sooo...on the high side of my day that included losing my voice, freezing my hands off, and still not getting manly attention...I got a compliment from my potent coworker, that "I am NOT huge and ugly."

What a GREAT compliment! I've never felt so good about myself. I think I need to crawl under a rock, or maybe the stage crew desk. This will officially scar me for at least another week.

Oh, yeah....here's a picture of me looking slutty next to the mayor.

If you couldn't figure it out, I'm the tall one next to the mayor. See....I'm not so huge and ugly, am I?

F-IN' Cold

2006-02-27T14:34:00.000-05:00

Well, I got up at 6am this morning and it was 8 degrees. I also knew this because there was a cat sleeping on my face. I guess a long weekend of B.Z. made me ill, cause I've got a bit of a fever, a cough, and congestions. "How fascinating!"

After an hour and a half, I went home to recuperate. (I don't think I spelled this right.) Whatever.

I got some garlic (rumored to boost my immune system), some Vicks44, and some OJ (the coke is obviously a given).

Photos from Russ Girsberger's going away party at his office in January.

From February, a photo of Jeff's visit to NEC. Jeff was a former FANTASTIC stage crew.

I look like I'm twelve, don't I?

For those that haven't seen me in a while, "Yes, my hair is black." I dyed it out of boredom and now I'm stuck with it. I've gotten compliments but I don't know if they're just trying to pick my up or what.

"I Should Be Practicing" had an audition today, and I hope it went well. He promised to take us skiing.

I also got a comment from "Fat Tony", makes him sound like a gangster, huh? He could be. Maybe I should stop calling him fat.

Actually he isn't fat at all. I was just pissy from a long weekend. He and Greg are probably the 2 coolest bass players I know, mostly cause they put up with my crap. John, the BZ assistant is pretty FANTASTIC, as well.

Next blog, I'll have a picture of myself with Mayor Menino. I look a little different than usual. I'm wearing a mini-skirt out-fit and a hat, plus lots of make-up.

Feel free to make your own conclusions.

I Am Glad I Didn't Settle Down

2006-02-25T12:19:00.000-05:00

Sooo....it has been a long week of my first week as the Assistant Production Manager at Jordan Hall. Mostly because I was helping out with another orchestra, which is why I'm at the computer backstage.

In a random google search I found one of my old classmates from highschool, we were friends and I lost contact. He was a cute at the time. I found he now has a child and a receding hair-line. Ehh..oh well. I should have know that from looking at his dad.

Even though I haven't done a lot of things I have wanted to do, I'm glad I haven't found someone to settle down with in life. If I had a kid right now, I'd go crazy. I mean, I can barely take care of my cat or myself.

I'm was so tired yesterday, I fell alseep on the train home and the conduction couldn't get me to wake up. I almost ended up in the MBTA depot. Then I was talkting to Rosatia and I fell asleep while talking to her, I woke up a couple hours later with the phone in my lap.

Oh well, I'll be single until I look like this again, which is going to take a lot of work.

I used to be attractive. *sigh*

I Need Some Lovin'

2006-02-24T00:40:00.000-05:00

Well, today, I got up at 6am, got to work at 7:19am, left there at 4pm, went to another job after buying clothes and getting dinner by 5:30pm, left that one at 11:45pm.

Quote of the day:

"You're a godsend, you really are! And I don't even belive in god and she sent you anyway!"

How tired was I today? I slept through part of a percussion ensemble (they're a little loud).

"Cabinet of Natural Curiosities", by the way is a FANTASTIC book of biological drawings and paintings. I recommend it, if you're into that kind of thing.

I'm getting ready to take out my contacts, and they've been in my eyes for 3 days due to being too exhausted to take them out.

What a day.

I need a massage or a back-rub. Booze and some man-leeee company to go with it.

Steven Seagal vs. Carrot Top

2006-02-22T01:25:00.000-05:00

Whew, I worked from 7:30am until 10:30pm. What a long day. The only saving grace was the deliverance of a drink.

Random...this is one weird-ass picture...

Pizza, Seatbelts, and Getting Up Early

2006-02-21T08:03:00.000-05:00

This past Sunday (two days ago), we had a Stage Crew Pizza party! And we didn't even have to pay! YEA!!! It was fun and I've got some pictures to prove it. It also involved a coup by Heather and Eric, and they stole my shoe.

Yesterday, Monday, my best friend in MS, was in a horrible car wreck. She was wearing her seatbelt, as well as her mother and nephew. Basically, the truck with a trailer in front of her had stopped to turn, she stopped behind it, the woman behind her rammed into her at about 50-6o miles per hour. This woman wasn't paying attention she was looking for her 3-year old's toy, he was in the car-seat in the front seat! Basically the front of the woman's car ended up inside my friend's rented SUV. The trailer in front of her ended up in the front of the SUV. She would have probably been seriously injured if she had been in a regular sized car. All are bruised and cut and shook up, but no serious injuries.

Today, Tuesday, I started my new position as Assistant Production Manager. I set 4 alarms to wake up, but that didn't matter, I couldn't sleep!!! I got up offically at 6am, left at 6:40am, got breaky, made it to NEC before 7:30am. It is 8:07 am now, and I've got some time to kill before my next move at 9am. So if I can keep up what I did today, I won't have to worry about being late.

Apolo Anton Oh-no!!!

2006-02-20T07:26:00.000-05:00

Hey, hey, in the spirit of the 2006 Winter Olympics, I've decided to get on an bandwagon (I'm assuming if I fall off, that alchohol will be involved), and pick a Olympian (what a great term, can I be a Stage Crewian?) to dish about.

I picked -- you guessed it -- Apolo Anto Ohno!

I choose him, because he's a halvsie, like myself. Though it may be a toss-up on who is cuter. He's pretty attractive except for the retarded, triangle facial hair. Maybe it looks better in person. He does that super speed skating, only topped by those crazy cool guys that do the skeleton (head first on a sled), and he wears spandex!

Ok, just kidding about the spandex, but he looks better in it that 85% of the U.S.A.

In my google image search, I found this:

Verne Troyer with Steve Irwin and Apolo Anton Ohno

How FREAKING weird is this!?!?!!? Talk about the most random grouping. It would be way better if Steve Irwin was Jeff Corwin, but Vern Troyer is pretty cool.

Oh...Jeff Corwin...he looks much better in shorts that Irwin.

*sigh*

Time to do laundry...

I was vacuuming earlier, and my kitty hissed at the dust-buster. Very entertaining!

Music Terms 2006

2006-02-20T01:42:00.000-05:00

Obbligato - being forced to practice
Con Moto - yeah baby, I have a car
Allegro - a little car
Metronome - short, city musician who can fit into a Honda Civic
Lento - the days leading up to Easto
Largo - beer brewed in Germany or the Florida Keys
Piu Animato - clean out the cat's litter box
Con Spirito - drunk again
Colla Voce - this shirt is so tight I can't sing
Improvisation - what you do when the music falls down
Prelude - warm-up before the clever stuff
Flats - English apartments
Chords - things organists play with one finger
Discords - thing that organists play with two fingers
Suspended Chords - useful for lynching the vocalist
Time Signatures - things for drummers to ignore
Melody - an ancient, now almost extinct art in songwriting
Klavierstuck - A term used by German furniture movers attempting to get a piano through a narrow doorway.
Music Stand - An intricate device used to hold music. Comes in two sizes- too high or too low - always broken.
Tonic - A medicinal drink consumed in great quantity befoe a performance, and in greater quantity afterwards.
Dominant - What parents must be if they expect their children to practice.
Concert Hall - A place where large audiences gather, for the sole purpose of removing paper wrappings from candy and gum.
Soto Voce - singing while drunk
Agogic - playing high enough on an oboe to make the eyes bulge.
Cadenza - slapping noise on office furniture
Fandango - grabbing the pull chain on the ceiling fan
Prima Volta - jump start with a battery
Refrain - proper technique for playing bagpipes
Smorzando - with melted chocolate and marshmallow

Photos of Injury, and the GONG

2006-02-19T02:05:00.000-05:00

So this is a photo of my finger, after catching it between two percussion stands. Ouch.
Do my ears look funny to you?
This is after it bled out a bit (onto some percussion) and I washed it with HOT water.

Thanks to Kwan for the photo!

For those of you that didn't believe there was giant 5 foot gong in Jordan Hall...
Here it is in all it's glory. It was hung from rope in the celing, cause we didn't have a stand big enough.

That's me, dragging my co-working in front of it, so we can have proof of its existance. (Kind of like tracking Big Foot.) I'm about 5' 10", so bending over makes me half of that, despite all 300 lbs of me.

Tonight was the re-scheduled Shostakovich. We started at 8:10 pm, intermission was at 9:34 pm, and the second half started at 10 pm. It was over at 11 pm. That's when my shift ends. So of course, I didn't leave then, the "lifer" that I am.

I did get a bunch of flowers that people left backstage! I'll post a photo of my ghetto arrangement in a few days.

My other co-worker gave me a great quote today. It is a shout out to all those that went to T.C.A.

"Never go Christian when under the influence of alchohol."

I laughed so hard when he said that.

Ooooo...ooooo, I read limericks to front of house today. My favorite one was about a rabid squirrel. I'll have to find it again....oh, wait! Here it is, by Rollio...

"I once knew a squirrel named Steven
Whose teeth were sparkly and even.
But then he got rabies
And ate all his babies -
SO I figured that I should be leavin'."

On that note, time for bed.

Insult and Injury

2006-02-17T00:58:00.000-05:00

Soooo, I worked a Wind Ensemble concert night, that surprisingly didn't have bad stage changes. A fantastic piece by Ran Blake! And a Messian piece that used like 20 gongs, with one 5 feet big and an almglocken, which was pretty cool. Fred played it.

Kwan took some pics of us with the 5 foot gong, so look for pictures in the future.

Yesterday, E.R. said I was fat, 300 lbs. to be exact. Jokingly, I assumed. Today, I super-smashed my finger putting away some percussion stands.
Swell.

I avoided getting blood on the stage, but my whole arm was shaking from the shock of the injury. I went hope and scalded it with hot water, and put some Neosporin on it as well.

Oh yeah, I got a promotion. I am now the Assistant Production Manager at NEC. I have to work Monday thru Friday now, from 8am to 4pm. I did get a pay raise.

Sad, thing will be I will miss working evenings and not getting up early. I will miss doing concerts and getting drunk afterward.

I'm excited, mostly about the money, but I'm kinda sad too.

Valentine's Day and David Hasselhoff

2006-02-15T02:59:00.000-05:00

I managed to lose my first post of this, so I'll try to be as clever and witty as the first time I wrote it.

I missed out on a skii trip with Bush and Han family, because I have to work tomorrow, but maybe next time, I can do a Sonny Bono - r.i.p.

Instead, I had a good time hanging out with my friend Mike. We went to P.F. Chang's and flirted with the waiter, and ate good food. Then I got this really weird fortune cookie....

"Ssoorrrryy,, dduupplleexx sswwiittcchh oonn.."

I asked the cute waiter, "What the hell?". He asked the woman who makes them and she said she was probably bored and the keys were lock on duplicate....STRANGE!

The back of it told me how to say "watch" in Chinese, but which one? The "clock-type" or the "I see a hot guy-type"...can't you tell I'm single again?

Oooooohhhhh, now you ask, "What does David Hasselhoff have to do with my day"?

Well, in a random search for knowledge on the internet, I found that D.H. was in a Pepsi Campaign in Austrailia for bus stop and subway posters.

For your viewing pleasure-ification....

And....

Now you can scratch out your eyes.

Both are disturbing and even slightly perverted...symbolism anyone?

But after seeing this, I definitely prefer Coca-Cola to Pepsi and my perfect image of Australia may be waning...maybe if a crocodile was having a go at D.H., then I might be no longer disturbed.

I thought he was only big in Germany?

Happy V-day to all, and to all a good night!

Europe, Anyone?

2006-02-14T00:19:00.000-05:00

My European experience only includes travel in Poland.

I was Warsaw for most of the time. There was a FANTASTIC ice cream place in Old Town, in Warsaw. I got all the people at the American Embassy to go there! I spent a day at Krakow, a beautiful old city. I also went to Auschwitz-Birkenau, a very terrible place.

My fascination with other European countries varies with reasons.

Germany: Bremerhaven, specifically, because my paternal grandparents came from there, and I'd like to see where I came from, as well as mabye other relatives.

Paris: As a fan of Highlander: The Series, you can't help to enjoy the seasons shot around Paris, including a tango on the Eiffel Tower.

London: Those cool double-decker buses and red phone booths. A Giant Clock and a secret treasure.

Italy: The land of white jeans!! Hahaha! Just kidding. A country with such different regions. Plus it looks like a FANTASTIC high-heeled boot!

Buhdapest: My mom said it was beautiful; she traveled about Europe, when she was my age.

Portugal: Azores, looked so beautiful from Lizz's pictures.

Spain: Canary Islands, I like islands and Canaries are pretty.

All the Scandenavian countries!!!

Oh, oh, I need to marry a rich man or make some phat cash soon....

The Spider-Hunter

2006-02-13T16:05:00.000-05:00

If your a fan of PBS, check out "The Real Life Adventure of the Spider-Hunter"!
Stan Lee quest stars as they compare Spider-man's powers to real spiders.
Here's some inforThe Spider-Hunter.

It was a pretty cool show, and I watched it around 3 times, cause they kept playing it last night. *As in 4am.*

Rest in Peace - Peter Benchley

2006-02-13T03:45:00.000-05:00

The creator of "Jaws", and other terrors of the sea has passed on...

He is one of the reasons, I first got interested in marine biology.

My earth science teacher was an extra in "Jaws 2", as a child on the beach. My dad met him on Nantucket, when they were both there in the 60's. Nantucket is where my dad was a cop for a while, in between stints in the Navy.

Adventures in Snow

2006-02-12T22:36:00.000-05:00

Sooooo....I get a call around noon from my boss B.W., says the 7pm concert is still a go. This a sold out Shostakovich concert, and his son is supposed to be there. They say they want to have a rehearsal around 4pm, so I should try to get to Jordan around 4pm-ish.
So I leave around 3pm, and it was a decent train ride considering the snow. But when I got to my front door, there was a snow bank, at least 2ft, and I knew there were stairs there, so I was real careful-like to not kill myself. I felt like I was in a PBS special!
So I get off at Hynes Convention Center and start to walk to NEC. As I cross Mass Ave, and try to avoid getting hit by traffic, my phone starts to ring. As I dig it out of my pocket, I start to fall in a snow bank. When I answer, my boss goes, "STOP!"; they came to their senses and cancelled. I was in the snow bank at that point so stopping was pretty easy.
So I went home, but stopped by to pick up some Ramen (yummy, non-goodness!).
I fell asleep and missed The Simpsons, but at least I got to watch some bad Ben Affleck movie. Marrying Jennifer Garner has been the best thing he's done recently.
I wore one of my fanstatic hats from Marie Galvin today!!!! A perfect day for one of her winter hats -- Galvenize HeadWear!

Let is Snow, Let is Snow, Let it Snow

2006-02-12T10:42:00.000-05:00

Sooooo far so good, the children's concert for the afternoon was cancelled -- FANTASTIC!

Waiting to hear about the Shostakovich (probably spelled wrong) fest for the evening...keeping my fingers crossed. I just don't want to trek through the snow.

Well, for anyone who's reading this from other places. I'm a freelance stage manager in the Boston area, and typically I don't have days off. But the gods are smiling at me! I got into this field, because I it was my work-study job at BU. The only down side really is that I'm not in a union, if I were, I'd be on real trouble if "I" went on strike! Hee-hee...
But the good things are have my own schedule, decent pay, lots of free concerts, and no desk job! I've got see Wynton Marsalis, Matt Haimavitz recently and many more in the past. There are a few perks to this job!

George Lucas in Love

2006-02-11T20:26:00.000-05:00

Octopus Eating a Shark!

2006-02-11T20:22:00.000-05:00

A FANTASTIC clip from a PBS special on the great octopus!

Praying for Snow

2006-02-11T18:13:00.000-05:00

Yes, as much as I despise winter, I'm praying for at least 2 feet of snow. There's a concert this weekend, that I really don't want to work, and I wouldn't have to except for Mr. E. (He know's who he is.)

Please, please snow BIG time.....

Simpsons Voice Actors on Conan

2006-02-10T02:59:00.000-05:00

A great clip from Conan!

Cookies...

2006-02-10T01:19:00.000-05:00

I love Double Chocolate Milano cookies....that's all I have to say.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

2006-01-17T00:59:00.000-05:00

WhEw.....

I haven't posted in almost 2 month, I'm not being censored just being lazy.

Have you ever wondered what "that song" was on a TV commercial or a movie trailer? If you have you may fine your answer at the wonderfule ADTUNES.COM; this site is a great source!

Jarhead

2005-11-28T13:08:00.000-05:00

Saw the movie "Jarhead", and dreams about being in charge of parking for the entire city of Boston.

Strange.

Ice Harvest

2005-11-27T01:56:00.000-05:00

Saw the movie "Ice Harvest" today, it was quite funny!

I'm enjoying the fact that the new "X-Men" movie opens up on my birthday in May 2006!

I bought "Crochet for Dummies" today, in an attempt to surprise my Mom -- wish me luck!!!