Monday, August 31, 2009

Mickey-Man

Mickey Mouse and Spider Man?!

Disney catches comics giant Marvel in a $4B web

Pow! Disney captures Spider-Man, Iron Man and other Marvel characters in $4 billion deal

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The Walt Disney Co. is punching its way into the universe of superheroes and their male fans with a deal announced Monday to acquire Marvel Entertainment Inc. for $4 billion, bringing characters such as Iron Man and Spider-Man into the family of Mickey Mouse and "Toy Story."

The surprise cash-and-stock deal sent Spidey senses tingling in the comic book world. It could lead to new rides, movies, action figures and other outlets for Marvel's 5,000 characters, although Marvel already was aggressively licensing its properties for such uses.

More of the article here.

Races

Ryan and I went down to the wiener dog races on Saturday. It was super hot, but of course, tons of fun!! Check out a few of the pictures below.







Click here to see the rest of the pics.

Wolverine Work Outs

Wolverines blow the whistle on Michigan's 'absurd' workouts

Before he even arrived on campus in December 2007, a small cult built up around Michigan strength and conditioning coach Mike Barwis, an ex-mixed martial arts fighter known for his "raspy, drill sergeant's voice" and the pair of pet wolves he once kept at home. Taking over a program that had remained "in the family" for 40 years under Bo Schembechler, Gary Moeller and Lloyd Carr, Barwis followed head coach Rich Rodriguez from West Virginia and immediately ordered an overhaul for a weight room deemed unfit for the 21st Century -- the kind of thing, perhaps, that helps explain how ex-blue chip recruits could have possibly dropped a game against the likes of Appalachian State. The puke rate following even well-conditioned athletes' first encounters with a Barwis workout is said to be in the vicinity of 100 percent, and everyone who trains under him (including some ex-Wolverines and Mountaineers in the NFL) eventually seems to swear by the man.

More of the article here.

Creepy

I received this email through Facebook. Yes, it is slightly stalker-ish, but I also had to smile :)

"Ok i know this is probably the most creepiest/stalkerish message ever but i had to do it. So i love viewing picas web albums and i ran into yours and wanted to tell you i think it is soooooo hilarious how u put ur dog blackie and richard the dinosaur sky diving in ur pocket HAHAHAHHAH.. that is so something i would be and thought it was funny! well im done being creepy have a fun life with blackie and richard!!"

Everyone loves Blackie and Richard :)

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Scorcher

It's a real scorcher out today!

... HOT INLAND THROUGH SATURDAY...

HIGH PRESSURE WILL BRING HOT DAYTIME TEMPERATURES TO INLAND AREAS THROUGH SATURDAY... FOLLOWED BY SLOW COOLING FOR SUNDAY THROUGH EARLY NEXT WEEK.

HIGH TEMPERATURES NEAR THE COAST WILL BE IN THE 80S WITH HIGHS A FEW MILES INLAND IN THE 90S AND SEVERAL MILES INLAND ABOVE 100. HIGHS IN THE INLAND VALLEYS WILL REACH 105 TO 110 WITH 95 TO 105 IN THE UPPER DESERTS AND 110 TO 115 IN THE LOWER DESERTS. HIGHS IN THE MOUNTAINS ABOVE 6000 FEET WILL MOSTLY BE IN THE 80S.

TODAY SHOULD BE A FEW DEGREES WARMER THAN WEDNESDAY FOR INLAND AREAS WITH LITTLE CHANGE FOR FRIDAY. SLIGHT COOLING IS EXPECTED FOR SATURDAY AS HIGH PRESSURE ALOFT BEGINS TO WEAKEN. A LITTLE GREATER COOLING IS EXPECTED FOR SUNDAY THROUGH EARLY NEXT WEEK AS HIGH PRESSURE WEAKENS A LITTLE MORE AND THE MARINE LAYER RETURNS FOR COASTAL AREAS. HOWEVER... EVENING WITH THE COOLING... HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL REMAIN NEAR TO A LITTLE ABOVE ABOVE SEASONAL AVERAGES.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

More Boarding

Ryan and I went out in the water last night when he got home from work. I had him take some more pictures (because I mean I am surprised I am getting out there, so I need some sort of proof, right?).







Barrel

RYAN GOT A BARREL THIS MORNING!! He was soooo stoked!! And I am so happy for him!!

Barrel
A barrel is where the wave is hollow when it is breaking. For some surfers it's the be all and end all of surfing. Sometimes called a Tube.

Birthday Gift

Oh my goodness. So I was at work today. The bosses will be heading out tomorrow and be gone for the next 6 weeks (they are taking an RV trip to Alaska). They wanted to give me my birthday gift before they left. She brought up cupcakes and they both sang. They gave me a card each. I read his, funny. I read hers, sweet. While I am reading it, he is hiding behind the wall. He asked if I was ready for my gift. I told them that the cupcakes were plenty. They said that they got me a little something and he pulled a box from the other side of the office. I open it. In the meantime she is video'ing this whole ordeal (which I did NOT enjoy, hehe). I unwrap the box and it is just a brown box. I get scissors and cut open the top and what do I pull out....



OH MY GOODNESS!! They got me a brand new MacBook Pro!! HOW AWESOME!! They are just too sweet, huh?! Now I guess they can expect me to work 24-7 (hehe, just kidding). Happy Early Birthday to me!! :) (PS They told me not to expect something like this next year, haha)

CA Garage Sale

Wow - we MUST really be in bad shape...

California state garage sale: Many things must go

Well, the countdown is continuing for the Great California Garage Sale this Friday and Saturday.

The Golden State is in so much financial distress that it lost its lease and everything must go. Not really, but Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger decided to mark the end of soft news summer days with a sale of surplus, unused or wasteful state property.

To enhance interest and bidding, the ex-movie star even autographed the sun visors of some vehicles for sale.

They'll be selling hundreds of items, including highly used state cars, computers, BlackBerrys, desks and even some CHiPs motorcycles.


More of the article here.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Disney

Ryan and I went to Disney last night. We got to ride the Monorail! HOW FUN! We were told that we could ride it because we had annual passes - who knew!! We took Blackie in the park with us last night!!

Waiting in line for the Monorail!!

We rode the monorail!!

All three of us on the monorail :)

A MICKEY FLOWER I FOUND!!

We rode the Matternhorn - IT WAS QUITE SCARY!

Riding it at night was pretty freaky!!

It made me almost cry (just kiddin')!!

Disneyland!!


Check out the new pictures starting here.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Cash for Fridges

Latest in Stimulus: 'Cash for Refrigerators'

A $300 million cash-for-clunkers-type federal program to boost sales of energy-efficient home appliances provides a glimmer of hope for beleaguered makers of washing machines and dishwashers, but it's probably not enough to lift companies such as Whirlpool (NYSE:WHR - News) and Electrolux out of the worst down cycle in the sector's history.

Beginning late this fall, the program authorizes rebates of $50 to $200 for purchases of high-efficiency household appliances. The money is part of the broader economic stimulus bill passed earlier this year. Program details will vary by state, and the Energy Dept. has set a deadline of Oct. 15 for states to file formal applications. The Energy Dept. expects the bulk of the $300 million to be awarded by the end of November. (Unlike the clunkers auto program, consumers won't have to trade in their old appliances.)


More of the article here.

Snow @ Disney

I was looking up 'secrets' about Disney today (because I think it is fun to check out the little known facts while we are there) and I came across this story - so sweet. (And by the way, Ryan and I did see the 'snow' last winter time when we went - it is more bubbles and foam, but still super fun).

I was talking to a CM that gives tours. He was telling me little things here and there when he lit up and teared a bit. (I will never do this story the justice it requires so bear with me...)

The morning the Walt died he was supposed to lead the DL parade. Employees, not sure what to do about this called Mrs. Disney. Even though she was filled with grief, she said Walt would want things to go on, and decided to open the park as normal. So the park opened and things went normally. Some people knew of the death but others had no idea and lined up to see Walt lead the parade as normal. Mind you, weather at DL had always been tracked and recorded - not once had there ever been snow. Anyway, the parade started without a hitch. Employees went on and tried their best to keep tears from falling as the parade went on. Just about the middle of the parade, a strange thing happened... From the cold air and cloudy skies, beautiful white dust fell softly. It snowed. This had to be a sign that Walt was there and watching. Ever since then it has not snowed. But, as the CM I was talking to cried while telling the story, he said it was then made a point that snow would fall during the Christmas season to always remember Walts last touch on DL.

That story always gets me. So, there is a secret for you, with emotion.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

I Will Go



To the desperate eyes and reaching hands
To the suffering and the lean
To the ones the world has cast aside
Where you want me I will be

[Chorus:]
I will go, I will go
I will go, Lord send me
To the world, To the lost
To the poor and hungry
Take everything I am
I'm clay within your hands
I will go, I will go, send me

Let me not be blind with privilege
Give me eyes to see the pain
Let the blessing You've poured out on me
Not be spent on me in vain
Let this life be used for change

[Chorus]

Boogie Boarding

Ryan got me a boogie board for my birthday (well, early birthday gift, hehe). We hit the beach today to try it out. I am pretty much a professional :).










Burned Out

I have been burned out lately. Burned out with work mostly. I was telling Ryan about it and he said 'Take a day off'. I hate feeling like I am letting people down or disappointing people, so I normally don't call in sick, take extra time off, etc. I figured I would at least ask if they would be okay with me taking a day off (they are leaving for a 6 week long vacation on Thursday, so I figured if I wanted to do it I would need to do it soon). I asked and they were totally fine with it, so I will be taking Tuesday off as a Carlee Day. Not only is Ryan the bestest for suggesting to take the day off, but then he suggested 'Let's go to Disney Monday night since you won't have to wake up for work Tuesday morning'. OF COURSE! So I will be riding the train up to Irvine tomorrow afternoon to meet Ryan when he gets off from work and then we will be heading to Disney. YAY! Hopefully this mini vacation/ time-off will do me well :).

Trivia Master

Before we went to the movie last night we went over to Lamppost to get some pizza and play some trivia. Ryan and I were two of the only people playing the trivia game (there was one more player - Tahoe), but I KICKED BOOTY! I was like the trivia master last night!! I don't want to toot my own horn - but I'm awesome (ha, JUST KIDDING). The reason I wanted to mention it is because normally I do TERRIBLE, but my guessing techniques were on point last night.

Ryan's Home

YAY! Ryan got back into town on Friday night. He went up to San Francisco for work on Thursday and Friday. They flew him up there, covered his plane ticket, rental car, hotel stay, and most of his food - how crazy. Why you ask? That is a question we are still asking ourselves, hehe. They went to Warped Tour for a few hours on Thursday and stopped by a few Tilly's on Friday, but other than that they did what they want... I guess it was a few days off (he just had to take it in San Fran). Well, anyways, he is back, which makes me happy!! Really the only time that he wasn't home was Thursday night, but still :). He took some pictures while he was up there, so maybe if he ever loads them to the computer I will post a link for them.

Inglourious Basterds

Ryan and I went and saw Inglourious Basterds last night and had a very enjoyable time. I have to say, 99% of Quentin Tarantino’s movies get my stamp of approval. If you don't like his type of movie, you probably won't enjoy this one. It is pretty long (over 2.5 hours long), but we stayed interested the whole time. Rather bloody and gory, but hey, that's what makes it fun. (PS MOM YOU WILL LOVE IT :), BUT YOU MAY HAVE TO GO BY YOURSELF, I DON'T THINK IT IS A DAD TYPE MOVIE :) ).

In the final scene of Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds, Brad Pitt looks directly at the camera and sneers. His final line of dialogue is simply, “I think I’ve made my masterpiece.” With that line of dialogue the entire cinema I was in broke out in cheers. This is not a movie you should see with stuffy film critics looking to break down everything wrong with a movie. This is not a movie you see in a half empty theater on a warm afternoon. This is a movie you see in a theater filled to the brim with Quentin Tarantino fans. I saw this at a theater fitting that description during the movie’s midnight showing with a loud energetic crowd, and I have not been entertained by a movie like this in a long time. Is this Tarantino’s masterpiece? No, that would still be Pulp Fiction. But if you are a real fan of Quentin Tarantino, Inglourious Basterds is the most fun you will have at the movies this year.

I found this review here (but a heads up, it does go into a lot of detail, so it you plan on seeing it I would not read it until after).

Friday, August 21, 2009

Christmas Shopping

Yep, I started my Christmas shopping already. Now what I try to do is pick up gifts when I see them (on sale of course) and think of who it would be a great gift for. I think this helps because not only do I spread the spending out over a full year, but I think it also helps to make gifts more personal (since I am thinking of them all year long :) ). Oh yeah, and by the way, I miss the shopping rush and crazies out there.

When do you start your shopping? (Maybe I am the only silly one, hehe)

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Gilmore Girls

I am selling some of my DVDs and such (trying to downsize, especially if Ryan and I plan on moving anytime soon). I put up my seasons of Gilmore Girls on Half.com. I wanted to post a link on here too, just in case someone out there may be interested. Season 1 is open (but only watched once) and Seasons 2-6 are brand new, factory sealed. If you (or someone you know) are interested, please check out the posting here. Let me know if you have any questions!!

Cash For Clunkers

Cash for Clunkers ending

With money running out, $3 billion Cash for Clunkers program will end on Monday. The tally so far: 457,000 cars and $1.9 billion in rebates.

The $3 billion Cash for Clunkers program will shut down on Monday, the government said Thursday.

Dealers must submit any pending Clunker deals, including any necessary paperwork, by 8 p.m. ET Monday.

"It's been a thrill to be part of the best economic news story in America," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "Now we are working toward an orderly wind down of this very popular program."

Officials decided to wind down the program, which Congress passed to spur flagging auto sales, after determining that it would soon run out of money.


More of the article here.

Dancing Phalanges



It's a Bones joke for Ry :)

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Tilly's Hat

My hubby designed a new logo for Tilly's. Not only is he trying to help re-brand the company, but they MADE HATS WITH RYAN'S LOGO ON THEM! How cool!! I'm so proud!! And I got one of the few hats that were made!! (They were originally produced for the 100th store opening, but I had Ryan pull some strings and get me one :) ).

Logo:

Hats:

Checker pattern under the brim:

Me in my hat: