A pic for you

Ice on the oak tree

Once

Church was canceled today due to our ice storm, so I spent the day lounging and surfing the internet. One of the sites I hit was Summit Entertainment, a motion picture studio company. It was one of those sites you find through other sites. So anyway, I was looking at all the movies they've been involved with and I came across one that interested me. It's called Once.




Here's the synopsis:
"One fateful night on a quiet Dublin street, two lost souls cross paths. A broken-hearted street musician, lamenting his lost love, catches the attention of a vibrant, yet struggling single mother and immigrant, who yearns for something more in her lonely existence. A casual conversation leads to a life changing moment for both, when the two sit down at a piano in the back of a music shop and find the perfect harmony their voices naturally make. Over the course of just a few days, the pair finds new hope, creative passion and a little bit of romance, as they attempt to put their lives back together.

Starring Glen Hansard, lead singer of the well-known Irish band the Frames, and his real-life collaborator Marketa Irglova, a Czech singer and songwriter, ONCE is a nod to the classic musicals of the past, but with a singularly modern outlook that is at once delightfully effortless and heartbreakingly realistic."

I watched it this afternoon and fell in love. I loved the music especially. You can get a taste of the music at Amazon.
The only thing I want to complain about is their use of the F word over and over like any British movie will. I wish I knew how to edit out sound from a movie... I'll have to do some research. Anyway, for those reading this, check out the music at amazon and then leave a comment, I'm interested to see what you all think of the songs.

Happy December

Today was my 26th birthday and the first thing I thought when I woke up was, "thank goodness this isn't hitting me hard" Last year was a hard number to accept.

My main gift this year was a massage. I'm not talking chair massage or someone rubbing my shoulders, I'm talking 1 hour body massage!! It was great. Apparently my body was screaming at me to get straighten out, my muscles were twisted in knots and my arms, well let's just say, I won't be surprised it I get carpel tunnel before too long.

I also got a puzzle (which I love) and just got money for clothes this year, which I'm going to have to force myself to go out and get. I hate to shop for clothes. And yes, I know hate is a strong word. I would rather drive the length of the country in a small cramped vehicle than shop for clothes. I will post what I end up getting as I get them.

My family also went to the Cheesecake Factory for desert. I think if they weren't so expensive I'd go there all the time! Plus I thought it was very classy the way they helped celebrate my birthday. Some restaurants sing to you some embarrassing song, others make you wear ridiculous hats or just do whatever to make you turn red. They just took my plate and with chocolate wrote "Happy Birthday Rachael". No singing, no hats, no nothing!! I was saying a silent prayer of thanks for that one. It was really nice, too bad I'm not made of money and they are. I think if I were I'd buy a franchise. Oh well. I did however get a gift card for them from Rachel. I think I will use it for a lunch and drag someone along. Yummy!!

So in other news, I got a raise, a $1.50 one at that!!! It won't take effect until the 11th of January, but I'm very excited about it. Plus they told me I'm still eligible for what they called a merit. I had to have them explain that one to me. It's what should be called your yearly review and if you've done a good job you usually get a raise. I also am now eligible for bonuses. Before with my position I wasn't, but now if my projects get 97% done each week I get a bonus. Did I ever say I love my job?!? I love what I do, I love that my company is constantly looking for ways to keep morale as high as it can be. I also will be applying for a new position this next week. My direct supervisor got promoted over to HR. She is still acting in her old capacity until her position gets filled so they are looking to fill it quickly and wanting to promote within the company. They encouraged me to apply, so we'll see what happens. I would love to take on a new challenge, but I don't know if I have what it will take to excel in the position. Mostly because it is a job over people, and those who know me, I'd rather have people tell me what to do rather than the other way around.

For I don't know how long now, I've been going to a knitting group and still have not knitted a single stitch. Well I finally gave in and told my friend who organized our little group that I was finally ready to try. Wednesday's the day I will put my fingers to the test. I'm going to make myself a scarf, not sure about the colors yet. I'd like to do black, but I've been told I wear too much black. So I don't know, maybe gray. I just want something that will go with a bunch of stuff instead of one or two things. I think that's what I'll do. Again I'll post pictures as I work on it. Wish me luck cause I think I'm going to need it for this project.

I've been Tagged

The rules:
A. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.
B. Each player lists 6 facts/habits about themselves.
C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

1. I once went a whole working day with only saying "Have a good evening" to a co-worker only because she said it to me first (I couldn't be rude). For awhile it was a goal of mine to go a whole day without saying anything, never quite made it though. Beth and I were talking about that recently and we decided to make a t-shirt that says "I've taken a vow of silence today" in honor of my goal. (If anyone is interested I'd be willing to make them one as well, just let me know)

2. I don't like holidays... bah hum bug! Say what you will in their defense, but I don't enjoy them.

3. Going along with number 2, I'm eloping when the time comes. And I'm sending out postcards to let people know that I finally did get married.

4. I love music. I think if I had to pick just one passion in life it would have to be music.

5. Always and Forever!!!!


6. I can count to five in Japanese.

People I've tagged: Teri & Aaron, Carrie & Tony, Rachel, The Hennefers, Sarah, & Mom

Just keeping tabs

I've never been a morning person and sometimes I need that extra boost in the morning to help me get going. I don't drink coffee so the next best thing is Mountain Dew. With that said, yesterday I was really struggling to just keep my eyes open so I went to the soda machine and pushed the button for MD and the bells and whistles went off, I hit the jackpot... I got two MDs for the price of one! It made my day. That is all. Happy warm November!!

Here's to you Mrs. Robinson

So I thought it high time I updated this thing seeing as October is almost done. I'm actually looking forward to November, I am getting a five day weekend and I can't tell you how excited I am for it!!

Tonight after a frustrating drive home from work (there was an accident, construction a bicyclist in the middle of the road thinking he could peddle as fast as traffic, someone reading while driving, you name it it all happened to me today. AHHHH!) So back to what I was saying. I took off on a little adventure to the capital. One of my mission companions now lives in Topeka and is six months pregnant. I drove about 150 miles round trip to attend a baby shower. It was fun and I'm really glad we didn't play those stupid games that always seem to be at things like that. It was good to get out, but I'm looking forward to going to bed and getting a little R&R. The world is still turning in my neck of the woods, hope everyone's is doing the same.

This is me being a slacker

I promised playlists each month and have not yet delivered, I'm sorry. Moving on. First and foremost, the requests...

Lifehouse - First Time

Matchbox 20 - How Far We've Come

Boston - More Than a Feeling


What wasn't requested, but thought it note worthy...

Adele - Hometown Glory
Adele is from England and first heard her while I was at work listening to BBC radio. At first I wasn't sure of the song, but then it has become one that I love. If you don't like it, that's fine with me, I don't care. All I ask is that you give it a try.

Kate Nash - Mouthwash
Same thing goes for this one.

There are times where I just need to hear someone sing with passion and yell a bit while drums are beat and guitars strummed and 30 Seconds to Mars has done that for me as of late. They are alternative so some of you that read this probably will not be interested, but I thought I'd give them a shout out. I don't know if I am explaining it well enough, but there are songs that you can tell the person who is singing is giving it their all and you just connect. I suppose since I don't really share my feelings with others I express myself through music and this song was a stress reliever, not in a bad way like I'm over-worked or what have you, but in a liberating way. If you're interested in hearing the song they are on myspace and the song is called "The Kill". 30 Seconds to Mars myspace page. I didn't go to the trouble of putting the song up here due to the fact that no one would be interested, but if you are, that can be easily remedied.

A forewarning for those who care

Apparently putting music on the web takes up space among other things. So for those who haven't taken advantage of all this lovely music just waiting to be downloaded your clock is ticking. In order to fulfill a request, I need to "disable", for lack of a better word, the first several songs. Consider yourselves warned.

Chiefs!!

I went to my first ever pro football game last night, even if it was pre-season. The Chief's played the Miami Dolphins and unfortunately we sat by some of their fans. The Dolphins won by a point and to be honest I really don't think they should have won. There was a challenge on their 2 point conversion where they made it into the end zone, but the player's knee went down before the line. The ref called the conversion good and so the Chief's lost by a stupid point. Sigh. Oh well, it was still fun and exciting. We got rained on for about half the game which was really nice cause it was in the 90s and humid!! I don't know that I'll be going to another Chiefs game anytime soon, but I'd defiantly do it again!

Michelin Man

Since last writing, I have joined a knitting group, picked cross-stitching back up, accomplished several goals I set for myself and lost my calling as primary chorister. I'm not complaining about that last one too much, but I will miss it, it was starting to grow on me.
One of the goals I am very excited about was to buy a projector which I did Monday and since have turned my bedroom into a home theatre. It's rather fun lying in bed while watching movies on a big screen. Oh and I've acquired a Michelin man bobble head from work. I think it's rather funny to be honest. What am I going to do with an ugly bobble head?

This last weekend for my Dad's birthday, we went up to Iowa for a family reunion. I have been conveniently busy the past 6 or 7 years whenever we had a family reunion and decided that I should make an appearance after all this time. I really only went cause my Dad delayed the departure day to Saturday morning instead of Friday cause I wasn't willing to get the time off. (I'm still making up for NerdFest's time) Now that I've assured everyone that I am still alive and somewhat sane, I should be good for another 7 years before I have to go again.