Today at one of our local movie theaters, they’re showing Food, Inc., and having a big discussion group about it.  My mom is looking for a movie to go to (because it’s rainy, and I think she wants to get out of the house) so I suggested she go to that.  She replied, “I don’t really want to see that.  I’ll read the book about that instead.”

She would rather read the book than see the movie.  How many other people out there can say that?  Usually it is the opposite.  They’d rather see the movie than spend the time reading the book.

What about you?  Are there any movies that you’ve seen so you didn’t have to read the book?

For those who have experienced both the movie and the book of a certain story, which did you enjoy more?

Has seeing a movie ever inspired you to read the book?

Has reading the book ever made you want to see the movie?

Does it ever anger you when they make a movie out of one of your favorite books?

Does it bother you if they leave out a lot of important details?  (I know my brother won’t see any of the Harry Potter movies because of the details they leave out)

I know that I saw the movie Twilight before I had any idea about it - I just tagged along with friends.  I fell in love with it, and quickly read all four books.  After seeing Coraline, I made sure I read the Neil Gaiman book.

For Five People You Meet in Heaven, I enjoyed the movie more than the book.  I read the book first, and it was veeeeeery slow.  Then I saw the movie with Jon Voight, and although it was long, it went faster than the book did.

Food for thought!

I recently started watching the TV show Roswell.  Each episode is 44 minutes long, so I watch them while I am on the elipitical at the gym.

Thanks to Emiliano, I have been to Roswell, NM, and I have even been to the International UFO Museum and Research Center.  Unfortunately, in the show, they do not use the real museum in the TV show.  It is quite similar, and I was fooled until I looked at my pictures from this past summer. (The one with the green is the fake TV show one.)

So while I’ve been watching Roswell (which isn’t that great of a show, but it’s not terrible), I’ve noticed that it is a LOT like the movie Twilight.  I had noticed some similarities after the first episode, and the more I watch, the more I see.  Anywho, so here’s the comparison:

• Alien vs. Vampire

• Non-human finds plain Jane human to be incredibly attractive

• Non-human saves the girls’ life

• Non-human says “Oh, we shouldn’t be friends”

• Human girls finds out about the truth about the guy - he’s a non human!

• The non-human’s family gets pissed at the guy.  He’s putting their lives in danger by allowing this human to know about them

• The guy and girl decide they can’t not be friends

So far, those are the only similarities.  But I’m only on episode 5 of Roswell, and there are many more to come.

As my mom said “There are only so many themes that these people can write about, and the Roswell and Twilight people just happened to pick the same theme!”

And there are a lot of people out there who really don’t like the Snuggie!  Well, I’m sure that NIles will think of you all as he’s comfortably reading his book with his arms warmly in the sleeves of his blanket.

Last night, my dad had their office Christmas party at Larry’s house.  It was planned for December 12th, but it was postponed, because no one had power!  Tonight we were invited over to friends for dinner.   I can do both of these things because I quit Destare.  Otherwise, I’d miss out on all the fun, and be at work.  I’m glad I get to experience things again.

I woke up this morning with a sore throat.  For breakfast, I made myself a part OJ, part water, and Emergen-C drink.  That was about 2,000 mg of Vitamin C, and then I think I’ve taken two more Vitamin C pills (each 500 mg) throughout the day.  I’ve spread them out, because I know that my body can only absorb so much at a time.  The Real Age doctors suggest taking 500 mg four times a day when you feel like you’re getting sick.  I was still tired at 11am, after being up and even eating breakfast a few hours before.  Then Jenny from work called to see if I was still interested in seeing Twilight again today. That woke me up!  I brought mom with me, cause she kind of wanted to see it, and I thought it’d be something nice for her to do on her day off.  She enjoyed it very much, even more than she thought she would.  Maybe I can get her to read the books with me.  Oh, and she was out shopping today at Marshalls, and I had her pick me up the second book, New Moon.  I’m probably about half way through Twilight.  Jenny said something to me during the movie, and I said “What does that mean?”  And she stopped herself, and said “Oh.  You’ll find that out in the second book.  Wow, I almost ruined something for you.  Sorry!!!”  Hahahaha. Luckily, she didn’t, but I have some theories of my own.

I just need to say that watching the relationship between Bella and Edward (the two main characters) makes my heart hurt.  It seems as if they are soul mates, and are not only completely attracted to each other, but they spend every moment together smiling, and enjoying each other’s company.  He opens doors for her, gives her his jacket, and yearns to protect her.  I really sometimes wish that I could morph myself into these movies, and spend my life there.  I want to be in a relationship like that.  The reason it makes my heart hurt, I think, is because I don’t feel like that exists in real life.  Or, more so, I don’t think I will ever find that in my life.  I think that’s why I like reading these books so much, because I can pretend, for just a moment, that I am in their world.  How depressing.

Now it’s 4 o’clock, and I have class in an hour.  I am completed exhausted.  I feel like I could put my head down on the edge of the couch and fall fast asleep.  Since I went to the movie, I didn’t go to the gym this afternoon.  Class gets out at 8, so I’m planning on going then, but maybe I should take the day off since I’m so tired.  I’ll see how I feel at 8.  As long as I can get 20 minutes on the elipitical, I’m happy.  I should be able to do that.  Then, I’ll come right home, have a warm shower, and crawl into bed with Twilight.  I don’t have to wake up early for anything tomorrow, so I’ll let myself sleep as long as I can.  I really don’t want to get sick.  *Sneezes*  Of course.  I should wear a hat, scarf, and mittens to class tonight.

. . . That was the message on a bottle cap on Magic Hat #9 that Niles found while he and I picked up garbage yesterday! We went up Highland Ave through the college, and then down a bit on Highland Ave, where all the college students have apartments. That’s the college behind the trash in the picture. Niles wanted the college to be in the shot.

That afternoon, I went out to the store, and saw Hydrox.  That’s right, Hydrox cookies.  They make them again!!!!!  I know that I googled Hydrox a year or two ago, and they had been discontinued.  But they’re back!!  When I was a little kid, my mom would buy Oreos, she would buy Hydrox. Oreos had lard in them, but Hydrox didn’t, so that’s what she got.  I don’t think there really was a difference in taste, but this is what we had at my house, and we all loved them!!!!  Now, I most definitely wouldn’t buy them today (If I’m going to eat cookies, they’re going to be homemade), but I thought it was nice that they were back.  My sister will appreciate this picture.

Then, late last night, I had a meeting at the Fitchburg Armory to discuss the Brew Years Eve party we are planning for this New Year’s Eve. It’s a fundraiser to purchase books for the Fitchburg Public Library. The library had their budget cut by 65%, and they currently have no money for new books.  We’re throwing a kick ass New Year’s Party with great craft winter beers, live music (featuring New Pond Fondle and the Allstonians), and delicious appetizers to go with the beer (really good cheeses, a nice soup, kielbasa skewers).  Last night, we got to see the draft copy of the poster.  Liz’s husband, Jordan, is a graphic designer and does all of our artwork.  This design is on a piece of 11×17 paper, and we’re going to put two bottles on one piece of paper, and then cut it in the middle.  Then the poster will be very long and slim, just like a beer bottle.  We need to get the graphic completed because we need to get a “save the date” e-mail out!  It’s November already, so people are probably already thinking about their New Years plans.  We also want to get a website up and running, so people can have a place to find information on the event (and about the library).  This is the second event that we’ve planned (Trevor, Liz, my dad, and myself), and Liz thinks we should get a production company name and have that be the website.  That way, people know “Ohhh… this is put on by the same people who did the beer fest this summer!  That was awesome, we’ll definitely go to their New Year’s party.”  Liz suggested “River City Productions” and I like it!  But we NEED to get something together so people can start learning about the event, and can start mark their calendars! We also need volunteers to help set up (decorate), help out the night of the event (if you’re TIPS trained, we could use you to pour beer!), and also cleaning up on New Years day. We’re going to all bring brunch food that morning while we clean up, so we can have a celebratory brunch together. If you’re interested in helping, let me know. It’s a guaranteed great time.

So here are some questions:

Would you like to volunteer your time to help out?  (Emiliano, you can volunteer to do our site design!)
Do you have any other ideas for food items that will go great with winter (dark) beers?  (We’re meeting next week to go over the menu)
Do you have a name for our production company? (They’re all Fitchburg based events, and Fitchburg is “The city by the river”)

I would love to own a café like this, with patio seating out front.
I just read the book Starbucked about how Starbucks has changed the world. I don’t drink coffee, or go to Starbucks, but after reading it, I really want to hang out in a coffee shop!  If it’s a busy one, I bet it’d be a great place to meet other people.

I was just telling mom how I’d love to live and work in a place where everything was included. Like, if I lived and worked in a hotel. All rent and food would be included and the money I made would go to me having fun (or saving). If I owned a café, I’d want to live above it, so I could save on traveling. I wouldn’t need a car!

Successfully made it to day three (but I haven’t been out yet today, it’s still early).  But I went out to Hooligans on day 1, and didn’t buy anything.  We also went down to Destare and I just got a water.  But I think that’s a problem, because just about a week ago I’ve said that I need to get out more and do more fun things.  Not being able to spend any money is not going to work out with that.  I can do either one or the other.  Sure, there are things I can do for free:  spend some time at Barnes and Noble, go for a walk with someone, a hike, hang out at a cafe and not buy anything…. but really, I’m limited by what I can do.

Pat made a good point with his comment, “the key to life lies not in extremes, but in moderation.”  Not spending anything is absolutely an extreme.  When I was at Destare, we got into talking about this whole challenge.  It seemed as though everyone thought there should be a limit as to what I can spend, say $10 a week.  I’m not allowed to go over that.  That will at least allow me to buy one drink, or a soda, or a matinee movie ticket, or a movie on Tuesday night (which is only $5).  It seems that what Pat is saying, is that I don’t even need to make a limit as to what I can spend, I just need to be more aware about my spending.  I won’t go to the mall, so I won’t be tempted to buy any clothes, but it’s okay for me to go out with friends and grab a drink. I won’t buy a bottle of soda at a gas station or anything like that.  I won’t go out to dinner on my own, or buy lunch at Panera Bread.  If I know I’m going to be on the road for lunch time, I will bring my own.  I pretty much do that anyway, but this way I’ll be sure that I definitely do it.  However, sometimes when I’m out, I’ll stop at the grocery store and buy myself an apple as a snack (the Barnes and Noble plaza has a grocery store in it, so I’m not making an extra trip).  I still think that’s ok, because I’m not buying it at Panera and paying $1 an apple.

I’m still thinking about this whole month, and what I want to do with it. I’m still doing the save my five-dollar bills, and I got about $30 worth of them last night at work.  Last night after work, when I owed Lance money, I gave him six $1 bills, instead of a one and a five, so I could save another $5!

I got a new computer today!!!!  They didn’t have the one that I was originally going to get, so it took a super long time at Circuit City.  I was there with my mom for about 2 hours.  She sat down and read a book, and she got through 140 pages.  Ridiculous.

Here’s the one I got.

Because of the super long trip to New Hampshire (to save on sales tax, and I did the math, I saved $27), plus that I got up super late, cause we were at Destare until 4am celebrating Alysha’s birthday, I did not have time to exercise, nor did I get to my 10,000 steps.  We didn’t get home until 5pm, then we went to Ixtapa, and then didn’t get home until 7pm.  Then, we got home and the power was off!!!  I went for a walk in the dark, which was good, I did something.  But I’m disappointed in myself for not making it to 10,000.  I wasn’t planning on running anyway, cause my legs are sore from doing squats yesterday.  But I am VERY disappointed that I didn’t make it to 10,000.  I’d go for another walk, but its already 10pm, and I’m afraid to walk in the dark.  Haha.

So I got my computer in time for buy nothing October.  My mom mentioned that we’re going to Florida for a weekend for my cousin’s wedding, and she said “Do you really want to buy nothing while you’re down there?”  And I said “Well, maybe I’ll make a vacation exception.”  But I’m not really sure.

I need a new computer.  I got my very first computer when I had just graduated high school, the summer before college, in 2002.  That PC has since been sitting on my desk in my room, struck ill with the Blue Screen of Death.  Its been pretty much unusable for 3 years or so.  Luckily, my sister bought a new laptop (after her’s broke), and took the new one with her to England.  My dad was able to fix her old laptop, and I had been using that as my computer to write papers with.  I always used the computer while sitting on the couch with my legs up, because I liked being in the living room with my family, rather than sitting alone in my room.  I had rested my computer on the couch (like I always did), and one unfortunate day, my brother knocked it onto the floor.  The battery became unlodged from the computer, and the electric pronges inside the machine became damaged, and the battery no longer fits correctly.  The computer works fine if it is plugged in, but the minute that the cord moves the wrong way, the computer loses all power, and just shuts down.  That is not very handy when I’m in the middle of writing a paper.
My father brought home a replacement laptop, one that he had hanging around work that no one used.  That worked for about a month, but all of a sudden, some keys on the keyboard stopped working.  There is no longer a T,Y, left shift, TAB, or backspace button.  That also makes it pretty impossible to write a paper.  And so, I was left using the main family computer in the family room.  I know that I need a new computer, but my dad said “Do you really NEED a computer?”  And I thought about it, and figured that, no, it wasn’t absolutely necessary.  I can use the family computer whenever I need, and it will be fine.  But then, yesterday, I was using the computer when my dad came home early from work, and he said he came home to “get some stuff done on the computer.” 

Problem.  I was using the computer.

And so, I think we’ve decided that I DO need a new computer.  My dad basically said “Well, people usually need a new computer every four years.   So you can either buy it now, or buy it later.  But you are going to have to buy one.  You might as well go out and get that good deal.”  Circuit City has a GREAT deal on a 17″ widescreen laptop, with 250 gig hard drive, and everything else I could possibly need to write papers, hold my music and photos, and surf the Internet.  It’s only $700.  Which, sure, is a lot, but for what this computer has, it’s a great deal, and I haven’t seen anything much cheaper. 

My dad also said “When you’re weighing the cost of the laptop, don’t forget to weigh the cost of NOT having your own computer.”  It will definitely make things a lot easier with our iPhones.  I have my iPhone set up with my GMail contacts, and recently, my dad synched his phone with his outlook express contacts.  But somehow (even though we did research on how to avoid this), all of my contacts went into his phone, and all of his contacts went into my phone.  Having my own computer will separate all of our music, and our info, and will definitely make my dad happy, because he hates when my crappy music gets onto his phone.

And so, I’m bummed that I have to get a new computer, but realistically, I haven’t had to purchase a new one in six years, and that’s pretty good.  My family usually gets a new PC every two years or so (my father and brother work with computers with their work/school), so six years is GREAT compared to them.

And since October is “buy nothing month,”  I need to go out and buy it before then!

There is a new used and new bookstore in Fitchburg. Amazing. Fitchburg just keeps getting better and better. I went today after I volunteered at the library, and I bought a book! It is this very cool cookbook. It features pasta, chicken and beef dishes and casseroles and such. All dinner items, which is exactly what I was looking for. Plus, every single recipe has a picture with it, which was a necessity in my buying a cookbook. The one I found is completely perfect, and I would say that 80% of the recipes look delicious to me. I am very excited to try them. When I do, I’ll post a picture of the final result and the thoughts on the food.

Finally, here are some pictures of Fitchburg’s new downtown treasure.

Like most people, I really liked the movie Juno. I don’t know if its because George Michael Bluth AND Michael Bluth were in it… or if its just a cute movie. But after a while, I started thinking about it. So, a 16 year old gets pregnant, has a baby, and gives it up. Then, 3 months later, she’s hanging out with her boyfriend, strumming away on her guitar.

I’m sorry . . . what?

Her life is completely back to normal after giving birth at 16. Yeah, right. I don’t believe it. It’s a very cute story, but the fact that she gave birth, and then gave the baby away didn’t affect her at ALL?? That is very unrealistic. What about the changes her body went through? She was lactating and everything, but still hanging out and having a fun time as a 16 year old? What about her stretch marks, and other crazy changes her body went through?  Not to mention the crazy emotional things that women go through?  Hormonal, and just the fact that she HAD A BABY!

It’s a cute movie, but now that I really think about it, it is very unrealistic portrayal of teen pregnancy.