Airport Comedy

This is just too good NOT to write about. I am sitting in the airport waiting for my flight to Chicago (I am going to visit my friend Meghan for the weekend). But before I got to my gray and black plastic chair, I had a a couple of crazy mishaps that any comedy writer would be excited to have!
P.S. excuse my grammar, I am getting on the plane in a few..so I am not proof reading (sorry Bethany)
So, I through the ticket process ok. No big deal, but when I got to the check-point for my bags, I got all the way to the front and the lady told me I went to the North side instead of the South side. I had to walk all the way to the other side of the airport and go through the Disneyland style roping to get to the front. The guy who checked my ID was really nice. THEN I put my stuff in the gray buckets (why is everything gray) and I kept waiting. I put my bags on the conveyor belt and the lady yelled at me, so I pulled them back, then one tray slipped forward and she yelled again! Once I got through that, I went to find something to eat. I am a vegetarian and there is no good food for vegetarians. So i ended up with an $11.60 fruit cup and yogurt parfait. After my yummy and filling meal(hear the sarcasm), I went to get some magazines and some snacks. As I was finishing my purchase, I dumped the entire contents of my purse out onto the stacks of magazines below. THEN to top it all off, when I gathered all of my things, I hit my head on the way up. Ugg! Well, I have to go so I can catch my plane! I don't want to miss that!

Breaking through the Scotomas!

I have decided to make this summer a summer of discovery for myself. I took this 21 Keys Seminar at the beginning of the summer. It was a self help seminar. One of those "think positively and anything is possible" type deals. I am all up for that and I do try to think positive on a regular basis, but one of the most interesting things I got from the seminar was the idea of a scotoma. A scotoma is a blind spot. When you do don't want to try something new, you develop a scotoma to it. I am learning this summer to wipe some of my scotomas away and I have to say, it has been very liberating.

One of the first things I did this summer was actually blogging and letting people know about my blog! It was a big deal for me! That came with the 48 hour Book Challenge! I also started writing more frequently. I started working with a writing group and it has forced me to sit down and WRITE!
This summer I even changed it up with my routine in the gym. I went to a zumba class. http://www.zumba.com/us/ It is a dance aerobics class using hip-hop, salsa, and other Latin dances to getting you moving and sweating. I stood in the back and fumbled my way through some of the moves, but did it with a huge smile on my face! I have always wanted to take a dance class, so I am hoping if I can catch on to some of these moves, then maybe a beginning dance class is in my near future.
My next scotoma to overcome, spin class! AHH! SCARY!!
Another scotoma I had to overcome, was the mall. I have been working on my fashion. I have always been one of those t-shirt and jeans kind of girls. And don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with that, but I had this friend who always brought me down and made me feel like I needed to wear really dim and dull colors. She always gave me the wrong advice and honestly, now that I look back on it, I know she wasn't a good friend, hence, why we are not friends anymore. Now, I am so excited because I love wearing color and patterns and trying new styles and arrangements. The mall, which used to be a scary place for me, is now a palace of fashion and style; a place where I can find new ways to express myself.
I have been opening my eyes to the world around me. There is so many amazing things to do and see. I have been reading magazines and taking down websites and researching. I saw a cool restaruant advertized on a car and am going to try it out. http://www.pizzafusion.com/

I am going to the San Diego Comicon this summer! I can't even fathom who and what I will see there but I am going to be open to learning and seeing new things. Not closing my eyes and building my blind spot. Look out world! HERE I COME!

My husband's blog

I haven't blogged in a few days because I needed a break! I couldn't even look at a book or any sort of writing for a few days after I got done with the 48 hour Reading Challenge. In fact, I think I watched enough reruns of Saved By the Bell and the Boomerang channel to get me through the next month. By the way, if you have not seen the Boomerang channel on Cox cable and want to get back to your childhood, check it out! http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/tv_shows/boomerang/
But back to my reason for writing this blog. My husband has started a blog called 25 in 50. He needs to lose 25 pounds because of a bunch of health problems, but he also wants to feel more fit. Now, him being a man, wants a BIG TV. So, we compromised. I told him, he could get his 50 inch TV if he loses 25 pounds. He is really motivated! He started a blog to help himself keep on track. It is still evolving, but I am so proud of him. We are doing Weight Watchers. I have been doing weight watchers for about a year and lost 15 pounds. It is has been helping me keep my weight down. I know that if I need to lose some weight, I just get back on the horse and eat healthier.
Below is my husband's blog! Happy Eating Healthy!
http://25for50.blogspot.com/

FINISHING LINE- 48 HOUR BOOK CHALLENGE COMPLETE!!

So before I go into the details of my journey, here is a table of what I did over the past 48 hours:


This is my first 48 Hour Book Challenge and it was a TON of fun! I was able to catch up on some of the books I have been meaning to read, but just haven't gotten to. I do have to say, sitting on my butt for as long as I did was a bit of a challenge. I am not one to just sit. I feel guilty when I just SIT! But I guess that is life; always moving and never taking time out for ourselves.


Above is a picture of my puppers Jersey, who is now famous (see blog entry below). She was sitting by my side for the majority of my reading probably to catch whatever snacks I was dropping. I have also included the books I read for the challenge. Oh, and if you can see the BBC Robin Hood, I threw that in for my friend Bethany just to show her I have been snuggling up with her Robin Hood while read (I fear a duel coming soon because of that).
I have reported about Fool, Pride Prejudice and Zombies, and The Watchmen. I started Tales of Beedle the Bard, but I wasn't in the mood. It was cute, but not in the mood. Then I started reading Girl, 15, Charming, but Insane by Sue Limb. It is such a fast read and super cute! It is about a girl who is just trying to figure herself out. She wants the cute boy, bigger boobs, and a normal mother, just like most of us gals did when we were 15. It is worth a read.
I also finished the manuscript I was reading. As I said before..AWESOME!
So, total number of books read: FIVE! WOO HOO! I was pretty shocked at that count! All in all this challenge was a new experience and a well worth it. It was so wonderful to start networking and seeing other blogs . There are so many intelligent people out there I have yet to meet and this challenge really opened up my eyes to what amazing humans we have walking around on this planet!
Until now, I have not told many people about my blog, so it was a liberating experience to say the least. I plan on continuing to write more without fear .
I have to end with the millions of thank yous. #1: To tea, coffee, soda, and any other caffeinated beverages. Without you, I would not have been able to stay up so long. #2: Thank you Pita Jungle and Spicy Pickle. Without you, I would have had to cook. #3: Thank you my WONDERFUL HUSBAND BILL! Without you, I could not have posted pictures, had a formatted table for my hours of reading and blogging, or had time to read! YOU ROCK MY SOCKS!
#4: Thank you to all of my friends and fellow bloggers out there with kind words to keep me going! You all rock as well!
That about wraps it up! Sorry the end sounds like a bad Oscar speech.
To all of you still reading out there, keep on plugging away! You are superstars!
Until next time...
Happy Reading!

And it continues! :) 48hbc

I woke up this morning early and felt super refreshed so I sat on the couch, grabbed my bowl of cereal and finished two books! I finished Fool by Christopher Moore. Oh, what to say about that book....Christopher Moore is a genius. Fool is the story of King Lear told from the Fool's perspective. For those of you who have read Christopher Moore, his books are full of cuss words and other things that I cannot say here, but it is done in such a humorous style. He included many Shakespearean insults as well as a new twist on the stuffy tragedy King Lear. There are many ongoing jokes that stretch throughout this book. I think my favorite joke is
There's always a bloody ghost" The Fool is being helped by a ghost and is sent on a journey by a ghost because "There's always a bloody ghost" in Shakespearean tragedies. What is cool about the ghost plot, is there is a super cool twist that ties everything together at the end of the book. This book is for those of you who do not get easily offended.

The second book I finished was the graphic novel The Watchmen. My hubby has been trying to get me to read it for a while, so since I had some time on my hands, I did. It was just like the movie. The only thing I didn't get was the pirate plot. It was this whole other story. I guess they made a separate movie for that section too. Makes sense.

I have been reading others blogs as well and I am seeing a trend. It looks like Catching Fire is the book to read. I LOVED Hunger Games and I am jealous of all of you out there who are reading it right now! Sigh, I guess I will have to wait.

Well, on to my next book. I have to finish a manuscript of a friend's book, so I am off! I won't be reviewing that one, but I can tell you it is going to be GREAT!

I am about 13:05 hours in. My finish time is at 2:45 p.m. today. I am hoping to get as much reading in before my time is up!

Happy Reading!

Bragging rights!

One of the books I am hoping to read for my 48 hbc is The Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S. King. I have been following the author on her blog and sent in my puppy's information for her Wagging Wednesday. Wellllllll...MY PUPPY IS NOW FAMOUS!! Check it out!! http://dogfact9.blogspot.com/

48 Hour Book Challenge Update!

I have officially finished my first book! WOO HOO! I finished Pride Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith. It was AWESOME! I think my favorite part in the book was when Elizabeth Bennett and Lady Katherine were having an all out ninja fight over Mr. Darcy (try to wrap your head around that one). Even though it was about zombies, it wasn't all that gruesome. I was pretty surprised. I get queasy and this book didn't make my stomach turn at all. I don't want to write too much about this book because for any Jane Austen lovers, I don't want to ruin it. For those of you who know Pride and Prejudice frontwards and backwards, this book will make you laugh and be very impressed with the author!
I am about 8 1/2 hours into the challenge. My geeky but super cute hubby has been so supportive and has been taking pictures for me and even made me a spreadsheet so I can track my time more efficiently. Gotta love computer geeks and I do love my hubby :). He is MY Mr. Darcy.
I am taking a quick break and then back to Fool by Christopher Moore. I should finish that one tonight and then a review to come after.
Happy reading!

Day 2 of the 48 hour Book Challenge!

Yesterday I didn't quite get to six hours, but 5 hours of reading..not bad :). I couldn't hold out last night even with the coffee, tea, soda, and whatever caffeine I shoved into my veins. But I did start Fool by Christopher Moore. It is based on Shakespeare's King Lear. Here is the twist. It is from the fool's perspective. It is a hysterical novel full of naughty words, well thought out Shakespearian insults and an original story wove into a classic play. It is worth the read. But like the warning at the beginning of the book says, if you are in any way easily offended, this book is not for you.
Off to continue my reading! I am back to Pride Prejudice and Zombies! :) I have just eaten, which may have not been the best idea. Review of this book to come soon!
Happy Reading!

Update 48 hour Book Challenge!

Well, I am off to a slow start today. After lunch with my mommy and her wonderful friends, I had intended to started reading, but unfortunately, I had some serious back pain and had to take some pain meds to dull it. :(
I officially started off around 2:45 p.m. today.
I began by reading Faeries of Dreamdark, but it wasn't a faery kind of day, so I moved on to Pride Prejudice and Zombies! HOLY CRAP! That book ROCKS! I am in having the best time with that book. It is funny to read about Elizabeth Bennett slashing off zombie heads and Mr. Collins marrying a zombie! I guess it WAS a zombie kind of day. Then, my hubby came home and distracted me for a bit with some awesome mail! I received my BBC Robin Hood DVDs! WOO HOO! I was so excited I decided to cuddle with Jonas Armstrong (a.k.a. Robin Hood) for a bit while I read (see picture).
I read some more, got some dinner, got some coffee
(thank you Coffee Rush http://coffeerush.biz/) and now I am back to it. I am hoping to get in about 6-7 hours of reading tonight. Now, I am switching books, because I tend to have nightmares (I have a wild imagination) The book I am currently reading is Fool, by Christopher Moore.
More to come soon! Happy Reading!

The Fourth Annual 48 Hour Book Challenge

Check out my other 48hbc updates! :)

I think I must be crazy, but I have decided to partake in the 48 hour Book Challenge. http://www.motherreader.com/2009/06/fourth-annual-48-hour-book-challenge_04.html
Why you ask? Because I have a ton of reading to catch up on and I deserve a break to sit on my butt and not do a darn thing but READ! There are so many great books out there that I have had to put off reading because I have been teaching and now, I have my excuse!. Now, there are times during the challenge, I will have to put down the book, but I will have a book with me at all time!
My starting list is as follows:
Pride Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith
Faeries of Dreamdark: Blackbringer by Laini Taylor
The Softwire: Wormhole Pirates on Orbis 3 by PJ Haarsma
Nothing But a Smile by Steve Amick
Fool by Christopher Moore

So, wish me luck! You will be hearing from me periodically with updates and reviews! AHH! I am so excited!!

British Accent vs British Accent

Have you ever had that urge to want to talk in a British accent just for fun? Or answer the phone to an unknown caller using a British accent? I have always wanted to do that, and tonight, I did.
I have been getting this unknown number on my phone and I usually don't answer the number but I was getting pissed off because they were calling so much. Tonight I decide to answer. In the sassiest of British accents I answered, "Hello". On the other end was an equally sassy British accent asking for Shannon. CRAP! THE PERSON ON THE OTHER END IS BRITISH! The British lady continued to speak and said, "I just want you to be aware that this call will be monitored for quality assurance." Bugger! At this point I had to continue with the accent. I tried to say as little as possible, and I did. I was just hoping she was not going to ask me where I was from. I don't know enough about England to answer that question...uh, London...?
So, I got out of that predicament ok with a funny story to add to my blog!
Tootles!

The "whoops" clause

I am instating the "whoops" clause! What is the "whoops" clause you ask? Well it is much like the Steve Urkel "Did I do that", but updated and so much less annoying. Tonight as Bill and I were driving home, we were getting off the freeway. I asked how long the "No turn on red" sign had been posted. He replied, "Uh, since we moved in". Now, we have been in our house a year and I swear that sign just popped up out of nowhere. I am thinking the sign gnomes put it out there just to screw with me.
I could only reply with "whoops". My husband just laughed and said, "oh baby". And then I got to thinking, if I could get out of that with a simple "whoops", then I bet I could get out of a lot of other things too! Get pulled over by a cop for running a red light, just tell the officer, "whoops" and smile politely. Accidentally smash a cake in someone's face, "whoops". The possibilities are endless!
------------continuation of clause----------------------------------------
So tonight I got in a car accident. So bad, totally sucks, front end of the car is a mess. I am super upset and have been crying all night. So to lighten the mood, my husband looked at me, and being the best guy ever, said, it was ok and everything would be ok. And I said, "whoops". He laughed so hard he was crying. And to tell you the truth, it made me feel a bit better watching him laugh. :) So goes the "whoops" clause

Burning bras and blisters

Tonight I had a very liberating experience. One of those "Let's burn our bra" experiences. Granted, I can't literally burn my bra because my boobs would hang to my knees, but that is a whole other can of tomatoes.
I went to the mall to meet up with my hubby and I was dressed up for my school's annual Awards Night. By the time I found him in the Apple store, the balls of my feet were covered in blisters. Two blisters on each foot the size of large pencil erasers.
As we got up to leave I promptly told my hubby I needed new shoes and I couldn't survive the rest of the night with the shoes I had on. So without hesitation, I walked into a store Naturalizers, shoes formed from the clouds Zeus himself sits on, picked out a pair of shoes (without looking at the price which I NEVER DO), and purchased them. The Flintstones episode where Wilma and Betty go shopping and yell "Charge it" came to mind!
The cashier even sweetened the deal with 20% off if I signed up to receive a catalog...uh,duh! I put my old torture shoes in the shoe box and he asked me if I wanted him to dispose of the evil shoes. I said, "yes, thank you". Mr. Cashier of course had to add the disclaimer that if he disposed of the shoes I couldn't get them back. I looked down at my feet floating slightly off the ground and replied with a "no, take them away".
My husband and I walked out of there and in 10 minutes, I had a new pair of shoes!

I have never done something like that before. Go in, know what I want, buy it and walk out. It was so liberating. I think we all need to do that once in a while. Just a fun impulse buy that will make us feel good. Something we don't need. I think we all get wrapped up in what we need, that we forget that sometimes, it is just nice to buy something fun for a change. Enjoy life. It is the little things that matter.

Project Book Babe video

This is the most amazing thing! To see authors do their thing!
Check it out!

I think I am addicted!

Here is another "llama song". It is "Obama llama". Only listen to it twice through otherwise you will be listening to the same thing for seven minutes and it gets pretty old or stuck in your head, whichever comes first!

FUNNIEST THING I HAVE SEEN ON YOU TUBE YET!

I have to share this because this is one of the funniest things I have seen on You Tube! I have been playing it over and over and over and over. I even got my hubby whistling the tune in the car and boy, did I catch crap for that! Check this out! It will make you laugh! Happy Saturday!

Bastard Cactus!

Rule #1 of hiking:
Don't pull on a cactus when trying to break your fall!

This week, I went hiking for the 156th time (I made that number up, but it is somewhere around there) and every time I have gone hiking, I have always been able to avoid two things I hate: rattlesnakes and cacti. But this time, well, I wasn't able to avoid one of those two.

I have always been a naturally gracefu...ok, not graceful gal. And I should avoid mountains and hiking because of the big drop factor. But I guess I like to live on the edge.

My friend came to town from Illinois and I took her hiking. As we were coming down the mountain, my friend Meghan said, "don't go that way, you will fall". Saying those words to anyone is like inviting Murphy himself to recite his law. Not three seconds later, I fell, and not only did I fall, but I decided to use a prickly cactus as a handrail! BASTARD CACTUS! I looked down at my left hand and saw one needle sticking out of my left middle finger (how appropriate for this situation). There were also tons of little red holes staring back at me. I cussed my way through the next few steps down the mountain and then whined about it because whining makes everything better (so does wine).
Needless to say, I have been reminded of rule #1. And next time I go up that mountain, I just may have to take a saw with me and cut down the bastard cactus. See who laughs last cactus, see who laughs last!

Talking on the cell phone

I know I shouldn't be listening in,but I just don't understand why people have to talk so loud when they are on their phones. I am sitting in a salon,waiting to get my nails done and this chick, we will call her Lola, is discussing her party busses,drunken nights, and hot guys that she slid in on to take a picture with. Lola is the stereotypical Snottsdale female,talking about her expensive dinner dates to the Melting Pot. As she continues to shout into the phone, she twirls her hair like a LA Valley girl from the movie Clueless.She let's everyone know..or tries to make them think that she is important, unaware that a future best selling author is sitting quietly in the corner chair and is creating a character out of her. More on Lola later.

National Grammar Day!

Today, March 4th, is National Grammar Day, so I am going to be as careful as I can about what I write. I was so thrilled to know there is still some type of celebration for good grammar. For us English teachers, any celebration of grammar or writing, makes us jump out of our skins and do the Irish Jig. Check out this website to see who has the best grammar and who has the worst (George Bush..cough, cough).
http://nationalgrammarday.com/
For those of you who are like me and celebrate good grammar all year round, check out http://www.spogg.org/
SPOGG stands for The Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar. They even made t-shirts!
This is my favorite line from SPOGG: " The Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar is for the pen-toters appalled by wanton displays of Bad English. (And we're not talking about Bad English, the band , although their song "Heaven is a 4 letter word" needs a hyphen)". Now, I am not the best at quotations, so oops on me if I goofed on MY grammar.

Now, for those of you who could care less about the glamourous National Grammar Day, you have National Poundcake Day. So, go buy yourself some soft poundcake, juicy strawberries (they are in season you know), and make some homemade whipped cream and....oh yeah, that DOES sound good!
Peace out and Happy National Grammar Day AND National Poundcake Day!

blackberry post

I can't believe we have come this far! I am sitting in my car waiting for my husband to pump gas into out Chevy HHR and I am creating a blog post! I am not one for change,in fact, I resist it whenever possible. But this typing from the phone to the internet is freakin' cool! It may eventually lead to big brother knowing where we are at all times or even worse..our parents (just kidding mom and dad) but for now I am going to enjoy this and post my first blackberry blog.

Bethany

My friend Bethany was upset because I didn't have a picture of her up on my blog, so I am including a picture of her and a little description. Bethany is a 22 year old genius who is attending ASU to get her masters in being the smartest and cutest gal in the world (really, she is a history major and she IS super smart). Currently, she is single, but is looking for a strong, intelligent, and incredible cute man to sweep her off her feet. He must love British humor, lots o' chocolate, traveling the world, and root beer.
Bethany is one of my bestest buddies and life would be dull without her!

Fluxx

So tonight,my husband taught me Fluxx. This insanely complicated game. I won't even try to explain it, because the rules "fluxxuate". Anyways, we are playing the game and I beat him three times in a row! Either I really kick butt at this game, or he is a really good teacher.
***I just really kick butt at this game :)
Anyone who wants to challenge me, BRING IT!

To new and old friends...

Welcome to Shannon's blog! This is my first time blogging (I bet everyone says that the first time) and I figured I would start off by saying welcome to my friends and family!

I have so many wonderful people in life. These are just some of the wonderful people that I have surrounded myself with. My husband, Bill, the love of my life, and my book group friends (at BEA). These people are amazing, smart, and full of life! I am blessed to have each one of them in my life!
My life wouldn't be complete without talking about my parents. They are very good people and very good to me, although they do drive me crazy sometimes (but that is what parents are suppose to
do...right?).

Even with my tight-knit and loving group of friends, I recently made some NEW friends. I was picked to participate in a Chinese student teacher exchange program at my school. Six students from WuYi University observed in my classroom. Backy, (the shortest one in the picture), was my student teacher. She and I became very close over the three weeks she was here. I learned so many new things about the Chinese culture. I realized that although I am very accepting of other cultures and religions, there are things that I still didn't understand. I found myself asking about stereotypes to Backy because I didn't understand her ways. I feel I have a better understanding of the Chinese culture.

Let me tell you about some of the things I learned about their culture. First, dating. Most of the girls have boyfriends, but do not tell their parents about them. They keep their relationship very secret. She also said that American boys treat their girlfriends/wives better than Chinese men do! She can't go hiking and she has not had a drink because she is a girl and there are stricter rules.
One of the most interesting things I learned was when the girls gave us their business cards, it was suppose to be done very ceremonially. They give you the card with both hands and it should be facing towards you. This is done, so you as the receiver, must admire the craftsmanship of the card.

The picture with the girls was the night that they made us a traditional Chinese dinner. All I can say is WOWOOOOOWWW! Some of the most tasty and mouthwatering food I have ever eaten. I enjoyed eating the "Chinese" way. We had small bowls, no plates. We filled them with white rice and the Chinese food. I noticed that all of the Americans at the table at with their bowls down on the table, and the Chinese girls ate with their bowls close to their mouth. We all ate with chopsticks. It was hysterical to watch my principal eat with chopsticks. That was really the first time he had ever eaten with them! I have to say, way to go Matt!

So, there it is! My first blog! I am bad at endings, so....uh..The End