Wordless Wednesday: Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

For more Wordless/Wordful Wednesday posts:

parenting By dummies

Live and Love...Out Loud

A Beautiful Mess

‎12.1 song of the day

because I'll believe anything if you whisper it into my ear

If Cortland Finnegan didn't have pharaoh Pauly D's haircut, Andre would be suspended until 2011

Beautiful Wallpapers With Calendars For December - Free Download

All wallpapers with high resolution can be download HERE

Something in you dies.

Sweet Jesus, my brain hurts. Papers, exams, presentations, work, it never seems to end! I am completely fried and scarily enough the worst is yet to come. My life feels like a crappy zombie B-movie, except I'm already the undead but my academic life is still out to get me.RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!

PINT: I've Been Scrooged

God he's the best, I promise

*from Tom Chiarella, Esquire Magazine

The TSA's Thankless War

Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark Hits Broadway

Director Julie Taymor (Across the Universe and The Lion King on Broadway) and Bono are crazy. The Spider-Man musical has been nine years in the making and still isn't ready. With mixed reviews for Sunday's preview, the show that has been delayed for several months now is going all out. Fingers crossed that no one dies!

11.30 song of the day

to sometimes forgetting the words but always remembering the beat



make that beats*

Anne Hathaway and James Franco to Host Oscars: Love and Other Rock Climbing?

After last year's dynamic duo of Steve Martin and Alec Badwin, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will have another pair to host this year's Oscars. Anne Hathaway, the star of this year's Love and Other Drugs, and James Franco of 127 Hours will host this year's awards. The Academy seems to be geared toward a younger audience this year, and the picks are definitely not predictable. I wonder what will happen if Hathaway or Franco win Oscars?

The 83rd Academy Awards will take place on Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011.

Leslie Nielsen: 'Airplane!' and 'Naked Gun' dies at 84

The classic comedian passed away on Sunday from pneumonia at the age of 84. He's been acting since 1956 when he starred in the sci-fi flick Forbidden Planet. He will be missed!

Guest Blog: P-Jammie Good Time

Please welcome back Carrie from Meant to Be Mom.

Christmas Jammies

Turkey has been eaten, cleaned up, and eaten again.  Shopping has begun, wrapping isn't too far away, and the never-ending quest for the "perfect" gift has started.  It's officially the Christmas season.

Lines will be getting longer, patience will be getting shorter and time will seem like it is literally flying by.  In 4 short weeks, we will be unwrapping all the wrapped, exchanging all the ugly, and dieting from all the indulging, but until then...it's the season to eat, drink and be merry!

For some, Christmas may be about the long lines and traffic jams, but for others its about the time spent with family and the memories being made.  For me, it's about Christmas traditions.  It's about the cookies and breads baking in the oven, the family gatherings, the names being pulled, the ornaments hanging on the tree, and the trips to visit Santa.  For me, Christmas is about Christmas jammies.

Growing up I would often ask my mom about the things her and brothers and sisters did around Christmas.  I wanted to know what traditions stayed the same, and what ones were new and different.  One of my fondest memories is of her recollection of Christmas jammies; new pajamas given on Christmas Eve for her and her siblings to wear to bed and open their presents in in the morning.  

My mom had 7 brothers and sisters, so this was no small task for my grandmother.  I love the idea of her out shopping for toys and games, but also keeping her eye out for the perfect pair of pajamas to match each of her children's personalities and tastes.  I know she started this tradition for the logical purpose of having all of her kids wearing nice, clean, new pajamas for Christmas morning pictures, but for me it always symbolized a tradition, and one that I wanted to carry on with my children.

So, I went out this year and bought my son his (second) pair of traditional Christmas jammies.  I really wanted to go all out and buy my husband and myself a pair too, but I don't know how I would honestly be able to pull off the striped stretch pant myself, and I can't see my hubby sportin' the reindeer top with a smile either...so we'll stick with the "kid" for now.  

I picked out this pair with the same purpose my grandmother did all those years ago. I picked them out with him in mind- which explains the purchase of a size bigger (he's a little running back).  I know that in the millions of pictures I take on Christmas morning, my son will be wearing silly reindeer pajamas, that will no doubt haunt me later as I bring these photos out to show him, and hopefully we will all be wearing smiles on our faces as we pass on a favorite family tradition- Christmas jammies!

What are some of your favorite family traditions?

And I feel compelled to add that this is one of our traditions too. We did this growing up, and I do it with my kids now, though the last couple of years, they have been getting their Christmas jammies a little early in hopes that a cute Christmas card can be made. 

And if I might add, Carrie has good taste in pjs. Scooby is sporting this pair too!

11.29 song of the day

because it's easy to believe in ghosts if they're floating around your room

Vibes

So, I thrifted this goth tuxedo shirt ages ago, but haven't worn it until now. The black + asymmetry + ruffles a perfect for goth jams 2010.

11.28 song of the day

dedicated to my twitter feed, not my girl

a gem from Ace Carolla

Paul Williams


Jodie Foster

both are at the mercy of the vampires

Barack


Mehcad "Eggs" Brooks

Alan Cumming and Paul Reubens

they both love pee-wees

My girl calls this the Cheshire-Cat-Look

NaNoWriMo: Another Excerpt

I'm 35,000 words in (yay, me!), sick and still writing. A foggy brain makes the going a little tougher, but the ideas are still flowing. I'm starting to see this as a multi-book series. Ay-yi-yi. Anyway, here's your final, unedited, rough, and raw NaNo excerpt. Enjoy!

Characters: Prince Aletalian, Ulia (the evil sorceress)

Setting: Crystal Castle

“When will the creature be ready?” Prince Aletalian asks Ulia. He knew that the birth of the creature would mean Rtharo was at his full strength, waiting for words only Ulia would dare to utter. This day held a lot of importance to the Prince. As Rtharo grew stronger, his father, Rylias, the king of all Tylunand, was growing weaker. His Guild Knights had been prepped to begin coronation procedures immediately upon the king’s passing. He was not first in line for the throne, but with his sibling absent, an heir would be necessary, and he could secure his rightful place before she ever found out about their father. By then, it would be too late.

He also enjoyed the power that Ulia had given him. He admired the amulet around his neck in the opulence of her scrying pot. It was a bloodstone. It was as big as his fist, and held more power in its belly than a dozen druids. She told him she had enchanted it so that he would be invincible in battle, and when he became king, he was to meld it into his crown. When combined with the ruby sword, the sapphire shield, the topaz staff,  and the turquoise ring, it would make him immortal she claimed. He had always envied the Elves their immortality. He would be the last high king, ruling the kingdom forever in his immortality.

“Three fortnights, it will hatch.” The dark shape inside the egg could be seen through the shell, though it was still indiscernible. “The Drtuang will be here soon.  Unless you are anxious for your death, I suggest you leave now. The orcs and goblins are marching towards Tierna ‘Or as we speak. Have you prepared your people?” Ulia cackled. Prince Aletalian’s eyes widened.

“No. You promised me the city would not be touched!”

“No, Aletalian, I promised that the castle would not be touched. Never did I promise the city. Never. Besides, I have no control over the orcs and goblins.”

“You lie. You are controlling it all, at least until Rtharo is at his full strength. It is not an orc’s nature to travel with troublesome goblins. You have to be controlling them. Call them off.”

“I cannot. Rtharo is in full control of the armies. Even if I could, I wouldn’t.” This caught Aletalian off guard. He was flabbergasted.

“You wouldn’t if you could? I thought we were in agreement: my servitude to you in exchange for my coronation. It’s pointless to be king if there is no one to appreciate it.”

“Then you should go be a king. Make an army of your village. Let them fight. In the end, it doesn’t matter anyway, they’ll all be dead.”

The prince took off towards home, riding faster than he had ever ridden before to try to save his village from being pillaged and plundered by the goblins, and the women raped by the orcs. He realized that he was being betrayed by Ulia in this very moment, but he was sure that Rtharo would reward him for his loyalty. This thought, and this thought alone kept him going. He would teach his people to fight, so that they could aid in Rtharo’s uprising. He had the greatest army in the history of Savania at his disposal in his Guild Knights. They would open the army to allow any who are interested in joining in, arm them, and train them. It would sizable enough to give any army pause, even the legions of darkness that serve Rtharo. Yes, it would be perfect. The only person standing in his way was the king.

'The Godfather:' Movie 1

What a way to begin my 11 Movies to Watch Before 2011. I DVR'd The Godfather on AMC's "Thanksgiving With the Godfather." While they cut out a couple of choice words and one or two graphic images, according to my father, for the most part, everything was in there. My only other experience with Francis Ford Coppola thus far was Apocalypse Now. Both were great films, but between the two The Godfather is definitely my favorite. While Coppola's film was rather long, it proved to be worth the wait despite Marlon Brando's obnoxious voice (I said it).

Al Pacino made a beautiful transformation from innocent war veteran to head of the Corleone family. It was also nice to see Robert Duvall in a completely different role from Kilgore in Apocalypse Now.

QUICKIES

"Don Corleone, I am honored and grateful that you have invited me to your home on the wedding day of your daughter. And may their first child be a masculine child." Luca Brasi

"In Sicily, women are more dangerous than shotguns." Calo

"Hey, listen, I want somebody good — and I mean very good — to plant that gun. I don't want my brother coming out of that toilet with just his dick in his hands, alright?" Sonny

"My father is no different than any powerful man, any man with power, like a president or senator." Michael
"Do you know how naive you sound, Michael? Presidents and senators don't have men killed." Kay
"Oh. Who's being naive, Kay?" Michael

"That's my family Kay, that's not me." Michael

Fun Facts

Ernest Borgnine, Edward G. Robinson, Orson Welles, Danny Thomas, Richard Conte, Anthony Quinn and George C. Scott were considered by Paramount Pictures for the role of Vito Corleone.

The early buzz on the film was so positive that a sequel was planned before the film was finished filming.

Marlon Brando wanted to make Don Corleone "look "like a bulldog," so he stuffed his cheeks with cotton wool for the audition. For actual filming, he wore a mouthpiece made by a dentist; this appliance is on display in the American Museum of the Moving Image in Queens, New York.

During an early shot of the scene where Vito Corleone returns home and his people carry him up the stairs, Marlon Brando put weights under his body on the bed as a prank, to make it harder to lift him.

Marlon Brando did not memorize most of his lines and read from cue cards during most of the film.

The name of the traditional Sicilian hat (worn, for instance, by Michael's bodyguards) is "coppola."

Director Francis Ford Coppola worked with relatives in this film, (making it a family film in many contexts). In chronological order of appearance:
- his sister Talia Shore portrayed Connie Corleone throughout the trilogy
- his mother Italia Coppola serves as an extra in the restaurant meeting
- his father Carmine Coppola is the piano player in the Mattress sequence
- his sons Gian-Carlo Coppola and Roman Coppola can be seen as extras in the scene where Sonny beats up Carlo, and at the funeral
- and his daughter Sofia Coppola is the baby Michael Rizzi in the baptism (she was three weeks old at the time of shooting).

Don Vito Corleone's distinctive voice was based on real-life mobster Frank Costello. Marlon Brando had seen him on TV during the Kefauver hearings in 1951 and imitated his husky whisper in the film.

This was voted the "Greatest Film of All Time" by Entertainment Weekly.

11.27 song of the day

proof



*special thanks to Ronnie F.

If Greg Olsen was on a slim down for the lead in The Machinist Pt. 2

Greg Olsen


Matt-Money-Smith (hero of mine)

wax your asshole once and you'll know why we don't wax more often - Connie Britton (Diane Lane's top threat for over-40 sex title-holder)

Just a couple of guys whose names end in vowels

from a Bill Simmons reader

Marco Belinelli looks even more like Sly Stallone than Far-From-Over Frank

Thanksgiving at Uncle Bob's without my wretched soul.

The Meaning of Family, Alternative Thanksgivings and All

one of my top five favorite rogue writers

The Meaning of Family, Alternative Thanksgivings and All

Red Writing Hood: The Zoo

The Zoo

Lilacs and roses, and all the pretty trees

Butterflies, ladybugs, and even the bees

Pepperoni, peppermint, and American cheese

I'm thankful that  I haven't lost my car keys.

Raindrops and snowflakes that fall from the sky

Black Friday shopping, good deals to buy

Helicopters, airplanes, and all things that fly

Lord, I'm grateful for the invention of pie.

Paper, pens, and bloggers like you

Family, friends, and motherhood, too

I'm so thankful through and through

God, I thank you for this zoo.

BSOW: Carrie Does Black Friday

Happy Friday, y'all. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving full of good food and family. I've got some ice cream here to share with you with all that leftover pie. And, today's slice of pie is such a fabulous treat, too. She has successfully mastered mom language. She learned the real meaning behind three's a crowd. She's even handled a teething monster without breaking a sweat.


You want some pie, don't you? Yeah, me too. Please welcome Carrie, from a little slice of blog heaven called Meant to Be Mom.

Black Friday shopping is a lot like being a mom; messy, loud, unpredictable, and expensive.  We actually pay money to get up at the crack of dawn, sit in traffic, wait in lines and act like savages as we pilfer for the best deals.  It is when our animal instincts are most prevalent.  Moms have specially trained noses, the kind that comes in handy when sniffing out your child's dirty diaper in a crowd, deciphering between poop and chocolate, and finding the best deals on must-have toys, electronics and a little "something" for ourselves (Oh, I don't know honey, Santa must have left these leather boots for me this year!  Wow, and he even knew my size!).  

Black Friday shopping is not for the faint of heart.  That's why it's much better suited for moms than dads.  We could spend hours in a store, looking and deciding between the same two sweaters, only in different colors, where men can run in and out and buy an entirely new wardrobe in 30 minutes flat.  Most moms look forward to a shopping date, without their kids, and if that has to happen at 3 am, well so be it.  It's not like we're not up anyway!  But, if this year is your first time out, here are some tips from a Black Friday Shopping pro...

1. Dress comfortably:  This is not the day to pull out all the stops and do crazy things, like shower and apply make-up.  Sport the baseball cap and running shoes, ladies.  You can thank me later.

2.  Set an agenda:  Make your lists, check them twice; don't go in unprepared!  Do your homework the night before.  My family prefers to lay out all of the Black Friday fliers right after the men veg out in front of football and the desserts make their way to the table.  We keep the wine a' flowin', the dessert a' comin' and the ideas just sort of come to us.  We can sit down having just said, "I have no ideas what to get everyone this year" and an hour into flyer navigating, we have our shopping done!  The key to success is a well-thought out plan.  Try and get the most bang for your buck- so start where you know you'll get the most items checked off your list.  For me, this tends to be Kohl's, Target or Lowe's.

3.  Keep an eye on the clock:  Check the sale times.  Many Black Friday sales end between noon and 2.  Don't plan for the babysitter to come over "around 10", because you will not make it!  Black Friday is for the early risers- rain or shine.

I hope you find these tips helpful!  Black Friday was always my favorite day of the shopping year, and now as I watch my little guy grow more each day, I am really looking forward to the year when I can go out and buy him a bike to have under the tree.  Face it people- Santa doesn't work alone, and if it weren't for Black Friday, I just don't know how those elves would get it all done in time :-)  Happy Shopping!!!

Did you brave the shopping madness this morning? Tell us about your deals!

Don't forget to come back on Monday for a fabulous guest post from Carrie. Have a fantastic holiday weekend!!