You Oughta Know....the 90s Quiz!

Same as before....one point each. First correct answer gets it, so if you have a different answer than what someone else posted, go ahead and give it a shot.

1. Whose death was marked with a tie-dyed flag flown at city hall in San Francisco?

2. How much of a rebate did a Chicago judge rule that each purchaser of a Milli Vanilli album was entitled to?

3. On "Mad About You" Paul and Jamie frequently ate at the same restaurant. Who was usually their waitress (hint: a character from another sitcom)

4. What was the biggest selling single of the 90s?

5. What TV series featured a guy who played bass in band called Dingoes Ate By Baby?

6. Who were the first two human hosts on Mystery Science Theater 3000?

7. How many different secretarys did Murphy Brown have during the course of the show? (if no correct answer, closest will get it, tie goes to lower guess)

8. What alternative rockers used the first Lollapalooza as their good-bye concert tour?

9. What movie gave the world the memorable motto: "There is no spoon"?

10. What future pop star knocked Aaliyah out of the Star Search running, at age 11?

I have been vindicated!

Ever since I can remember, family and friends have mocked me for my germ paranoia. I refuse to share drinks or food with anyone if their lips have touched it. Looks like I'm not the crazy one after all!

“Did You Just Double Dip That Chip?”
January 30th, 2008 · www.sogoodblog.com

Any Seinfeld fan probably remembers that line, when “Timmy” accused George Costanza of double dipping. “Timmy” complained, “that’s like putting your whole mouth right in the dip.” Now a new study conducted by Clemson University has measured just how much bacteria double dipping can actually transfer into the dip bowl. The answer - a lot.

According to the NY Times:

“A team of nine students instructed volunteers to take a bite of a wheat cracker and dip the cracker for three seconds into about a tablespoon of a test dip. They then repeated the process with new crackers, for a total of either three or six double dips per dip sample. The team then analyzed the remaining dip and counted the number of aerobic bacteria in it.”

Despite George’s dismissal of the idea that double dipping could transfer bacteria, the results of the study show otherwise:

“On average, the students found that three to six double dips transferred about 10,000 bacteria from the eater’s mouth to the remaining dip. Each cracker picked up between one and two grams of dip. That means that sporadic double dipping in a cup of dip would transfer at least 50 to 100 bacteria from one mouth to another with every bite.”

Something to consider before you double dip that chip at this weekend’s Super Bowl party.

What's playing on Paul's ipod?

If Heaven and Hell decide
That they both are satisfied
Illuminate the NOs on their vacancy signs

If there's no one beside you
When your soul embarks
Then I'll follow you into the dark

--Death Cab for Cutie

Tuesdays With Mor...ons?

At my work, we have a continuation high school on grounds. Most of the kids who go there are from our program, but we also take in some community kids who have been kicked out of other schools and are one step from being locked up themselves. They are usually a pain, because they know that if they act up enough they can get sent home. Other than that, there aren't any consequences set up for them. That means they do whatever they want and cuss out everyone all day long. Some even come to school announcing that they're "going home early that day just you wait and see".

Somehow I was "volunteered" to be school security one day a week.

There are two of us a day working the school. We're kind of out numbered with 100+ kids. Luckily, this morning it was actually quiet for a while. A few kids wandering out of class...nothing big. Then there was a problem. A kid came out and was up on the balcony. With hunks of metal.

Why he had hunks of metal I'll never know. A door hinge. A thin tent spike. Some bolts.

So, I walk up to him and ask what's going on. He ignored me. I tried getting him to go back in his class. He cussed me out and threw some of his metal at one of my regular class ditchers who was now walking around downstairs. I'm closest to the guy throwing stuff, so I try and block him and get him to stop. He continued trying to go around me and cuss me out more.

At that point I ran to the vice principal's office two doors down and let her know what was going on. I guess I chose poorly.

"Do you even bother talking to these kids? I don't know why you're even out there if you want me to deal with them!"

*sigh*

...

There are way too many Tuesdays on the school calendar.

Then and Now

I have always wanted to be on this show. I love it.

Tonight I laughed hard when a history teacher quoted the five D's from Dodgeball "dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge!"

Summer Blockbuster?

This afternoon Jeri and I braved the latest rain storm and headed to the block to catch a free preview of Kung Fu Panda, an animated movie due out this summer. It is still a work in progress but very entertaining. If you would like to view the trailer you can click here.

Before you travel

Think twice before using your glasses. To find out why click here.

Smash 'em

Around here January means heading to Angel Stadium for Monster Jam. As you all know Cyndi loves her trucks and the bigger the better.

When we got to Anaheim we were sad that it had already started raining and started preparing ourselves for sitting in the cold and wet for a couple of hours BUT we got darn lucky. Did it stop raining you ask? NO, there was only about 5 minutes between 7:30 and 10pm where it wasn't raining. However our seats just happened to be in the upper level and we were a few rows back so we were under the roof part. Sweet!

Paul, Cyndi and the Morgan household once again settled in for a crashin, smashin and smokin good time. We were not disappointed. We saw trucks cutting each other off, trucks flying, flipping, spinning and smoking.

Jealous

I so wish I had heard about these benefit concerts in time to get tickets! I cannot believe I am missing The Man on stage right now, and I am stuck watching from home.

The Block

We headed down to walk around the mall. Cyndi wanted to check out the wireless store to see about a protector case for her new phone. Paul wanted to check out the used game store and we both wanted to walk around Borders for awhile. Dinner was also thrown in the mix.

To end the evening we stopped by Dave and Busters since we still had some monies left from when we went with Jeric for Paul's birthday. Of course we headed straight to our trivia game where we kicked some booty.

To start it off we played against two other guys and two very drunk girls. The girl sitting next to Paul said "You are mother f-ing smart, man!" Then when she didn't know the answer to a questions she cheated off Paul and told him. Paul replied that she should give him her tickets in a joking manner. When she got third place she actually tore off her tickets and gave him about half!

When Cyndi got all 5 questions the fastest this girl said she had to give her a high-five. And finally when the two girls were leaving and we were still playing she said an answer to a question and was stunned when she was wrong. Then told us she supposed we shouldn't take advice from a drunk girl.

Since we didn't take our camera and forgot to post photos from when we went for Paul's birthday here are a few photos for your viewing pleasure.

New After Two

Like many of you out there with Verizon we have the privilledge of getting a new phone after every two years. This month our contract was up so over to our neighborhood Verizon store we went. After much deliberation we chose our new phones.

My mom came home with a krazer

Paul decided to give the VX8350 a try

And I finally got my full keyboard with the Orange enV

So far we are all happy with our choices.

We have a month to decide if we would like to exchange it for another phone.

Horray for new phones!

Mom's Clippings

She did. We played Wii bowling. It was fun!

Stay Classy San Diego

T-town may not be as safe as we perceive it to be. I spent this past weekend with my mom while we were visiting she mentioned a couple things happening in the neighborhood. The first is our beloved subway being robbed. You can read the story here. The second is the McDonald's near Murphy Canyon had a stabbing. Apparently while a father and son were having lunch some ruffiants came in and were using foul language, the father asked them to please watch their mouths around the kids. When the father and son went to leave the restaurant one of the men stabbed him in the back. I can't find a news story with the exact details of this incident.

Cousin Joshua

Then

&

Now

I just want to say Happy Birthday little cousin.

Hope you had a great day. <3>

The hot Australian gone

Heath Ledger Dead at 28

New toy...

If the Wii is crack, we also got the pipe this weekend. We still had lots of Best Buy gift cards so we went out and got Guitar Hero 3. I was reluctant at first, because I don't think it's a game I'll be very good at. I haven't been able to get very far on a regular guitar, and I'm usually bad at video games anyway. The combination of the two just seemed like lots of frustration. So far that hasn't been the case. I'm not very good, but I like all the songs and I can at least hold my own on the easy level. I think that will have to do for now. Next month they are supposed to start putting new songs online to download so that will be fun. Anywho, if you're reading this and want to discover your inner Slash or Tom Morello, feel free to stop by and rock out with us sometime.

I don't put bumper stickers on my car, but I might have to make an exception for some of these...

: *

Thank you to my friends who have called, texted me and commented here that they will support me in my journey to a healthier ME! I muchly appreciate it. For your information I have changed from my ToughEnough journal at Greatest Journal over to a new blog at Insane Journal. This is where I will be posting about my efforts to get in gear. Click here for the new link.

What's on TV?

Ever since David Letterman came back on with his writers, I've been watching it more regularly than I used to. Jay Leno just isn't funny on his own and seems to be struggling to come up with bits to fill time. I worry about Conan O'Brien. He's doing ok, but he's repeating a lot of the bits he's come up with so I'm hoping he's not running out of ideas already. Anyway, in honor of Dave, here's an election themed Top 10 list from his show and one of the most bizarre interviews he's ever done. Enjoy!

Dawning of a new day

Although I am not sure why I do my best thinking in the shower. Tonight I was thinking about how it became the 17th of Jan. and I had not gotten into gear and started walking/jogging on a daily basis. I have decided that since the day is done and I am getting ready for bed that when I wake up in the morning it will be a new day, a fresh start and it will be the start of becoming a healthier me.

I began reading a book that should help me throughout the beginning of my journey. What I need from you my blogging public is a circle of supporters. Specifically the females (Thany, TK, Jeri, MA, E-rock, Sher, and anyone else as there are too many to name here) who can support me through words of encouragement, asking me the tough questions and sparing me to push on. From the males... I would prefer you just say things like "wow, you look amazing." and "have you lost weight?" I have already read 3 chapters in my book and began a journal.

"Being aware of our issues and doing something about them are two very different things"

I have been aware for quite some time and tomorrow is the first day of the rest of my life where I am going to be proactive and do something to change things.

This one time...

Amy and I went to go see the Dr. Phil show. We had to get up super early and drive through much traffic. Luckily we had a little extra time to find some breakfast as we were hungry, thank you Winchell's. Then we headed over to the studio. Everything was real smooth with the check-in process. We had a good time during the show and then decided to drive around to check out the area a bit, after which we headed back to the house.

Are we playing blackout or straight bingo?

I collected another one today. I hope the winner gets a nice prize! =D

(click pic to enlarge)

Wii Weekend

We had the pleasure of Morgan showing up on our doorstep on Saturday. We hung out and talked for a bit and then introduced her to Wii. Morgan first tried out Brain Academy and then we moved on to the sports games. Morgan and I battled at tennis and boxing where I kicked booty. Then the three of us played a game of bowling. I can't bring myself to type who won... but you can see for yourself in the photo below.

Spinning

A week or so ago on Conan we saw him try to beat his ring spinning record. Click here if you haven't seen it yet. Paul also has a habit of taking his ring off and spinning it while we are sitting at any table of sorts. Paul and I decided to see how long he could spin it. He only tried it twice but I am sure he will continue to try and beat Conan's record. So far his longest ring spin is 37 seconds, a mere 4 seconds off Conan's best.

Thought I was faster...

65 words

Touch Typing online

You sir! How 'bout a shave?

Yesterday, while Cyndi was off having fun at work, I made a supreme sacrifice and went to the movies without her. It was either going to be No Country for Old Men or Sweeney Todd. Since I ended up sleeping in a bit too late (don't judge me), my choice was made and I saw Sweeney.

I am always a bit reluctant to go into musicals, even ones made by my favorite director. I had the same problem when I first saw Phantom of the Opera and Chicago, but those turned out ok. This one did too. I got into the songs, and loved the story. There was even a twist that got me which doesn't usually happen, but is fun when it does. The way everyone had talked, I was actually expecting more blood and gore than there was. I'm sure this will be one I buy when it comes out on DVD.

One day...

One day when I was working at Disneyland, an older man came up to me looking very lost. I asked him if he was ok and he said no. He was trying to find his family. They told him to take the tram out to the parking lot and they'd meet him there. There were 3 trams that ran to different parking areas. I talked to him for a bit and we figured out where he needed to be. It happened to be the tram I was going to be driving so I walked him over there and chatted until the tram arrived. We parted ways, and as he said thanks he shook my hand and slipped me a folded piece of paper. I glanced at the front and realized it was a Catholic tract so I just put it in my pocket. A co-worker came up to me and asked about "that old guy" and what he gave me. I pulled out the tract and opened it up to find a card for a free meal at Carl's Jr and a handwritten note....

"Thank you! Best wishes, Carl"

Carl Karcher 1917 -2008

Silence is Golden

So, my phone has decided to go wacky on me and the alarm will not go off unless the sound is turned up on my phone. Previously I would not have minded if my dear friends or family texted or called me after the hour of 10pm but now that the sound has to be all the way up I am requesting that no one dial my cell after 10:30pm during the week as I will most likely be on my way to dreamland. Thank you.

Sunday Funday

Mom and I headed out to church in the morning. It was a food for thought sermon. After I was able to chat with some of the ladies from church and Thany for a few minutes. For lunch I met up with Erin and Tif. We had some yummy chinese at La China, we had a good time hanging out and catching up. It was time to finish up my laundry afterwards, clean up around the house, watch a little football (Go Chargers), and grab a bite with mom before heading back north.

FYI I will be back in SD the weekend of the 19th if anyone wants to hang out, grab lunch, dinner, drinks or whatever.

No. Freaking. Way.

While we were at dinner this past Friday with Jeric one of our discussions was about the Wii. The four of us talked about games we were playing, enjoyed and wished they had online so we could download them. A game that Cyndi use to play with a friend of hers (Andrea San Martin) in Elementary school was called Bubble Bobble. No this is not like Bust-A-Move which some people confuse it with although it does have the same little dinosaur guys. Bubble Bobble was from the original NES. Anyway, Jeric told us that new games are put up every Tuesday which was news to us so once we got home Paul jumped online to see what new games had come out. And to our suprise one of the new games out was BUBBLE BOBBLE. I have never seen Cyndi move so fast to turn on the Wii so it could be downloaded.

36 years and counting...

"R"

I just wanted to say a big congratulations to R who delivered a healthy baby girl early this morning. Dad and Mom are doing well after the C-section. She is a cutie from what I can see on the little pictures in my phone. Also hooray for Squishy being an Auntie for the third time.

So. Dang. Exciting.

Ho Hum.

It was back to work today. After 16 days off and it being a Monday I am guessing I dont have to tell you what a long day it was for me. It also being the first Monday we had school this month there was a staff meeting which made the day extra long. The students were better than I expected. Some had a bit of difficulty concentrating but did fairly well. Hooray.

???

¡ʞuıɥʇ ʇɥƃıɯ noʎ uɐɥʇ ɹǝısɐǝ s,ʇı ¿ƃuılıǝɔ ǝɥʇ ɯoɹɟ uʍop ǝpısdn ƃuıƃuɐɥ ǝlıɥʍ ƃuıƃƃolq pǝıɹʇ ɹǝʌǝ noʎ ǝʌɐɥ

Suggestions Please

So, we have decided to change the theme in our bathroom. Since we have been married there have been ducks in the bathroom. Because our towels are white, blue and yellow I would like a new theme that could encorporate those colors. I have thought of possibly a beach theme, pepsi (if we could find stuff), or sports. I am looking for other ideas. Help a sister out!

8 from the 80's: answers....

1. What organization did Jesse Jackson found in 1984 to bring together U.S. citizens of all races?
Rainbow Coalition

2. What Pam Dawber sitcom was Rebecca Schaeffer's last TV series, before she was shot by a crazed fan?
My Sister Sam

3. Whose death was announced by Howard Cosell during Monday Night Football on December 8, 1980?
John Lennon

4. What 1984 Ron Howard movie is credited with popularizing Madison as a first name for girls?
Splash!

5. Who are the only 3 cast members to appear in every episode of Cheers?
Ted Danson, Rhea Perlman, George Wendt

6. What name did British dance-poppers Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe adopt, thinking that it sounded like a rap act?
The Pet Shop Boys

7. What Worlds of Wonder product was hyped as "The World's First Animated Talking Toy"?
Teddy Ruxpin

8. How many lanes of traffic did the frog need to cross on each screen in the original Frogger?
5

Photo Fun

We also goofed around with the camera a bit on Friday night.

NOF

Friday - Slept in! Then while Paul Wii'ed, Cyndi finished her book. In the evening we met up with Jeric @ Elephant Bar for some dinner. The four of us then drove over to Nickel, Nickel for some game time fun. Paul and I headed back home around 10pm where we broke out the Electronic Monopoly to battle each other. For the first time in history I won! After we watched Dave it was time to settle into bed for some good sleepy time.

Trivia Time -- 8 from the 80's!

Let's go back to the 80's for these questions.  One point each....

1.  What organization did Jesse Jackson found in 1984 to bring together U.S. citizens of all races?

2.  What Pam Dawber sitcom was Rebecca Schaeffer's last TV series, before she was shot by a crazed fan?

3.  Whose death was announced by Howard Cosell during Monday Night Football on December 8, 1980?

4.  What 1984 Ron Howard movie is credited with popularizing Madison as a first name for girls?

5.  Who are the only 3 cast members to appear in every episode of Cheers?

6.  What name did British dance-poppers Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe adopt, thinking that it sounded like a rap act?

7.  What Worlds of Wonder product was hyped as "The World's First Animated Talking Toy"?

8.  How many lanes of traffic did the frog need to cross on each screen in the original Frogger?

What's stuck in Paul's head today?

They won me over when I saw them in May. The video here has nothing to do with the song. It just had the best sound quality of the vids on youtube.



Believe -- The Bravery

Things to do this year

Talk to people on the phone

Continue to forge old friendships

Eat Better

Walk 500 miles

Lose 50 pounds

Go to my 10 yr. reunion

Take a couple trips

Goodbye Team Askew

Last night I had dinner out with the Askew clan along with family and friends. We all gathered together to say goodbye as they are leaving on a jetplane to head back to Oregon right about now. We all met up at Lampost. I am always sad to have to say goodbye to NickMoe and the chillins but it was nice to see everyone one last time.

Side Bar

Year In Review Photo Style

New Year's Day

Happy New Year everyone!

Today was a lazy day. I had the day off work so we both got to sleep in a bit. We got up and watched the Rose Parade during breakfast. Alhambra had a weak float this year. Optimist didn't have one for the first time in a while. Our favorite float of the day was the "transformer" float.

We alternated between bowl games (Michigan beating Florida and USC over Illinois) and playing Wii. I was mostly playing Wii Sports in the afternoon so at least I was up off my butt working up a sweat. The boxing was kicking my butt.

In the evening we met up with the Askews at Chuck E. Cheese for dinner. The kids had fun running around. We got to catch up a bit in between trying to catch the kids. Abby said we should come visit them in Oregon but Drew said there was no room so we weren't allowed.

Then we came home and battled each other on Wii Sports and Big Brain Acacemy.

New Years Eve 2007

Our tradition is to spend NYE with family in Alhambra. We had a great dinner with the parents and Amy (Bradley was sick and went to sleep when he got home from work :( ) Then around 7:30pm Mair, Papa and Jean came over. We played contentintal (card game, sort of like Phase 10) it is a dollar a person to get in to the game and Amy won. Cyndi was a distant second and well we wont mention where Paul ended up. At the end of the game we had ice cream and homemade cookies with coffee. It was time then to sit around and talk, watch the "NY ball drop" and toast to 2008 turning out better than 2007.

Getting ready to enjoy some cookies and ice cream.

Paul and Mair enjoying a moment

Amy showing off her winnings.