Better Than I Thought. . .

You Are 42% Pure

You're not so innocent... in fact, you're quite unpure. You have seen and experienced a lot. And you're no worse for the wear!

The 100 Question Purity Test

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Zucchini Bread

I had way too many zucchini (that was the only thing the freaking deer didn't chow down on) and I got sick of eating it plain so C-Fresh and I made zucchini bread and WOW was it good. . .

3 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups white sugar
2 cups grated zucchini
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F ( 165 degrees C). Grease and flour two 8x4 inch loaf pans.
2. In a large bowl, beat eggs until light and frothy. Mix in oil and sugar. Stir in zucchini and vanilla. Combine flour, cinnamon, soda, baking powder, salt and nuts; stir into the egg mixture. Divide batter into prepared pans.
3. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes, or until done.

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Draco and Harry. . .

What's the real story behind their animosity? The Whomping Willows have a theory.


Okay, it does sort of disturb me that A)somebody drew all those pictures and that B)somebody collected all those pictures. . .

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Post Potter?

Already the wags are out trying to guess what the next Harry Potter will be. Did you ever notice that as soon as something phenomenal finishes everybody is trying to find the next whatever it was be it a tv show (Friends, Seinfeld) or book (Harry Potter) or whatever. The "experts" are now trotting out a book called Tunnels by Roderick Gordon and Brian Willams as the next big thing. It is about a boy archaeologist ho discovers a world of adventures after digging a hole. It could be good but calling it the next HP is just setting it up against a cultural milestone. Say what you will about the books but it is hard to deny that they had a huge impact on our pop culture. Since the advent of tv and video games and the Internet did you ever think that teens would go INSANE over a book? I wouldn't and I'm an avid reader. Why don't we all just savor the ending of HP and not try to call out the next big thing. When it comes it won't be the experts who say it is. . .it'll be the readers and their pockets that decide it.

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Snapes On a Plane

C-Fresh just sent me this and I have to share it with you since it is the week of my HP Mania

Draco and the Malfoy's

Last night Tracy, Suzanne, and I went to go see Harry and the Potter's and Draco and the Malfoy's at the CPL. The opening act was one I had never heard of. . .The Whomping Willows. He opened with a song detailing how Cedric deserved what he got (how long have you been at the school Cedric, you know you can't win against Harry Potter). He ended his set with a crowd pleasing rendition of why he thinks Harry and Draco don't get along. No, it isn't hate, but the flip side of that coing (Harry and Draco in a tree. . .S-N-O-G-G-I-N-G). It was amazing watching the girls in the "pit" go crazy over this song but the guys all stood there like "Man, I ain't dancing to that. . .I ain't gay." even though half of them obviously were.
Draco and the Malfoys came on next and what a show they put on. Musically they were the best of the three groups as they rocked it like only Slytherins can. I am so happy they opened with my favorite song (My dad is rich, your dad is dead). On a side note Tracy was so crushing on the older of the two brothers. I tried to talk her into getting her pic taken with him. . .he probably would have been loving attention from a girl who wasn't jail bait.
Up next were Harry and the Potters. Musically they are missing something but those boys put on one hell of a show. They really get the crowd involved and they know how to work a crowd. It is amusing as hell watching them go all punk rock in their Gryffindor uniforms. Of course they sang their anthem "SAVE GINNY WEASLEY" to the great delight of the teenage girls in the audience.
Just in case you were wondering. . .yes i was the oldest person there without a child but that is why I took people with me so I wouldn't be that creepy old guy in the back that mothers keep their kids from.
OH, and yeah, I totally had to get my souvenir Draco and the Malfoys tee shirt.

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99 Death Eaters

I'll be posting my full review of the Draco and the Malfoys and Harry and the Potters concert in a bit but to tide you over here is a little preview. . .

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Harry Potter Mania

I'm sensing some sort of theme going on with my posts this week. I just can't quite put my finger on why they all seem so similar. Hmm...I'll have to mull it over for a bit. Anyway, I am on my way out right now to go see Harry and the Potters and Draco and the Malfoys. Woo-Hoo. . .two for the price of one (which is free incidentally). I can't wait to go listen to some evil wizard rock. Luckily two of the girls who work with me will be going as well so I don't look like that creepy old man that Moms warn their kids to stay away from.

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Harry In The Hood

One of my co-workers sent this to me and I thought it was hysterical. . .

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Harry Potter

I just have to say that I am glad to know that I am not the only person who cried like a teenage girl who got stood up for prom after reading the last Harry Potter book. I can't believe that I became so emotionally invested in these books. While I don't think that Ms. Rowling's writing is the best there is something about the world she created and the characters that she populates it with that just seem to draw me in. It reminds me a lot of the Belgariad, by David Eddings. The writing is a bit above mediocre but his characters really draw the reader in and he makes you care about them.
I am currently re-reading The Deathly Hallows so I can savor the book more and truly enjoy the characters that Ms. Rowling has created. I am sure I'll still be a sobbing mess even the second time around.

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Artsy

Here is a little bit of artwork to perk up your day. Damn, I wish I had paid attention during art class at good ole Greenbriar Jr. High.

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Mug Shot Monday

I am totally loving Mug Shot Monday over at Famous Like Me. Donnie (version 2.0) goes out and finds mug shots of hot guys but what I like best are the really scary people and the captions he puts to them. I highly recommend checking it out if you are dork like me and find that amusing.

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Harry Potter: No Spoiler

Will somebody please hurry up and finish the book so I can discuss it with someone without ruining it for them? OH MY GOD! I was a freaking mess by the time I finished it. I'm sure poor C-Fresh thought something was wrong when I called him up sobbing "it was so good. . .". Either that or he thought it was some sort of weird prank call. Again, I have to say "WOW!" and "DAMN!"

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HP Mania

There was an article in today's Cleveland Plain Dealer (okay, a whole bunch of articles) about the whole Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7) Mania thing going on tonight. Almost all of the retailers seem very excited (I know we are at work) about the mania surrounding the book despite nobody (except of course J.K. herself) making any money off of the book. Well, everyone is excited except for Jane Kessler who owns Appletree Books. What does she think of it? "I'm going to be glad when Saturday is over. What a headache. Everybody is in such a dither." Wow, makes you want to run right out to her store eh? Geez Jane, you don't find it exciting that there is this much excitement over a book when there are a million other things grabbing the attention of kids and adults alike? You don't find it amazing that kids want to stay up all night and read a 700+ page book? You don't think that this is an exciting opportunity too hook HP fans on other great or enduring books such as Fablehaven or The Belgariad, Vol. 1 (Books 1-3): Pawn of Prophecy, Queen of Sorcery, Magician's Gambit? Really? How sad for you that you don't see the terrific opportunities involved in this to hook readers in for life. Remind me not to go to your store, you'll probably suck the life right out of me.

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Nuf Said

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Cafe Conversations

Tomorrow is the big release (well, at least for those of us who didn't order from deepdiscount.com) and so we have been trying to generate excitement in the store to get people to come back for our Midnight Magic party (and spend more money in the store). Part of what we have done for that is we put some wizard hats and wands in the cafe as decorations.
Lady: Isn't it a bit earlier to decorate for Halloween?
Me: Those (pointing at the hats and wands) are for the Harry Potter release party tomorrow.
Lady: Harry Potter? What's that (in a very haughty tone of voice)
Me: You know, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. (blank stare) The books. . .
Lady: I don't know what you are talking about. I've never heard of Harry Potter
Me: (with a very obvious skeptical look on my face) You've never heard of Harry Potter? The books or the movies? (I looked very pointedly at the magazine covers nearby 1/2 of which featured Daniel Radcliffe then at the windows which are plastered with HP posters). Really?
Lady: Of course not, that's ridiculous. You're making this stuff up.
AT which point she grabbed her cup and sauntered off. Now I would have a hard time believing this was true even if I hadn't cleaned off her table two days ago and on the cover of her People magazine was Daniel Radcliffe and the whole richest teens issue. What the hell? Does she think that I would honestly be impressed if she claimed to have never heard of Harry Potter?

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MMMMM Pretty!

Hot Rugby players naked. How hot is that?

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Big Changes

Well, it is official now. . .I'll be moving down to Columbus in the next few weeks (the minor details have yet to be ironed out). I've accepted a job at one of our stores down there at a significant pay increase (YEAH!). Hopefully there will still be crazy ass people so cafe conversations can continue.
On a side note, when I informed my parents that I was moving to Columbus they asked where I'd be living so I told them with C-Fresh of course. My mom then said "Isn't he a bit young for that?"
Me: What?
Mom: Well, he is only 18
Me: Um, yeah, 18 times 2. . .he is 36 Mom
Mom: Oh, I thought he was a freshman at OSU
Me: Why would you think that?
Mom: Because he lives in Columbus

Yup, that is what I have lived with my whole life. Give that woman one little fact and all of a sudden she creates her own (usually incorrect) story then gets mad at you based on her own fictitious fabrications. It is bearable, and somewhat funny, now. . .but in high school it was a pain in the ass. I remember getting grounded once because she dreamed I had a party when she and my dad went out of town. Right there was a huge clue because the NEVER went out of town without taking my brother and me. Once she figured out that it was a dream I was still grounded so that way "you wouldn't get any dumb ass ideas and actually throw a party."

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Tech Support

One of my friends who works tech support sent me this. She goes nuts because they give computers to their people in the field and they have never even turned a computer on let alone used one. This is what she says it feels like some days.

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Big Changes

Big changes coming soon. . .watch this space for more details.

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Future Ex Husband Friday

I love it when the hotties can't be bothered to put on a shirt. Yummy! Paul Walker, not a great actor but he sure is easy on the eyes. What can I say? I'm shallow, I know it and I accept it so excuse me while I go look at him some more.

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El Radio

I have finally had enough with with Cleveland radio. I went out to day and bought myself a Sirius radio for my car. If I had to listen to one more day of the horrible morning radio one more time on my way to work I was going to freak out. Morning radio in Cleveland is absolutely horrible. The best morning show is just barely tolerable, and that is on their good day. Too often it degenerates into the head d.j. making fun of his weight (whatever, lose the weight or shut up. Nobody cares how much sushi you eat), the "funny song" guy who writes lyrics even Weird Al would be ashamed to sing and then "performs" them in the most nasally, irritating voice ever.
Then there is the so called "edgy" station that has the Howard Stern wannabe on it. That show must be populated with every reject from the Ohio Center for Broadcasting. Jesus, can the main guy even complete a sentence without stopping to think? He will be trying to say something like "She was 22" and it turns into "She was, oh I dunno, around, oh, say. . .about, I dunno, like. . .uh, 23, or maybe. . .uh. . .I dunno. . .22 or something". Christ, by the time he thinks of the minor detail of his story nobody cares about what actually happened. No wonder they got pulled from the Chicago market. They suck!
There is also the piped in show from, probably, LA that tries to be edgy and cool and have some personality but it comes off bland as crackers. You just know that the black guy on the show is putting on the "act" that he is cool and streetwise and they both talk in that generic radio voice. . .
Those are the best of the radio shows in the morning. How anyone puts up with them every morning I don't know, I'm just glad that I won't have to listen to any of them anymore.

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Final Project

So yet again my monthly writing project has gotten waylaid. I need to get rocking on my last two weeks of classes so I had to put my latest novel writing project on hold until August now. Dammit! Anyhow I have to come up with an idea for an 8 page Website for my final project. I am so not an idea man when it comes to this stuff. Give me an idea and I can run with it but make me think of my own idea and I get stuck. My ideas so far are
1)Harry Dresden/ Dresden Files fan site
2)Organic Garden/ Living site
3)Tongue firmly in cheek Zombie and/ or Vampire attack survival guide site.

I am sort of leaning towards #1 one right now. . .any helpful ideas would be greatly appreciated.

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Cafe Conversations

C-Fresh and I were down at the Starbucks in German Village on Sunday and got to witness this gem of a cafe conversation:
Lady: What is this?
Barista: Your iced latte.
Lady: (heaving a huge sigh of disgust) This isn't what I want (and she pushes it away). Just give me two shots of decaf espresso over ice (she continued with a sneer)
The barista makes it and gives it to her.
Lady: What the hell is that? (she shouted)
Barista: Your two decaf shots of espresso over ice
Lady: That isn't what I ordered (she huffed)

At that point C-Fresh just laughed because we ALL heard her order that. She grabbed the cup and spat out "Never mind," and huffed off to the coffee bar where she proceeded to bang and slam the creamer pitchers and condiment shakers like a spoiled four year old. On our way out we made it a point (or at least I did) to shoot her a dirty look.

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More Than Meets The Eye

C-Fresh and I went to go see Transformers this weekend and while it really isn't more than meets they eye for what it is it is good. It is a crapilicious, visually stunning, action packed summer blockbuster. The story is along the lines of a cartoon episode but who really expects a great story from these movies (we should, but we won't be given it). Shia LaBeouf made the movie. He was perfectly cast as the somewhat hyper, dorky kid who "discovers" his car is alive. Megan Fox as the love interest? Well, um, uh. . .all I have to say is she was there. Couldn't they have found a hot girl anywhere in Hollywood that could actually act? They had to go with her? I wonder who she knew (biblically or otherwise) to get that role because she had all the charm of a mannequin. Everything was there physically just nothing else going on. Thank God Shia had enough charisma for the both of them.
I could have also done without the over politicizing of the movie. We get it, war bad, peace good, make better choices, Bush idiot. If you are going to make the movie a political statement then do it better and more subtle or not at all. That said, the movie did keep my attention the whole 2 1/2 hours. No potty breaks and no surreptitious time checks. There was enough action and awesome visuals that the flaws in the movie could be overlooked and have the movie still be enjoyable.
The person who really stole all her scenes was the woman who played Shia's mother, Julie White. Her comedic timing, facial expressions, and mannerisms were spot on. I wish we could have seen more of her in the movie instead of the brain dead and characterless Megan Fox.

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Future Ex Husband Friday

What a hottie Michael Vartan is. I fist started crushing on him when he played the sensitive, and yet conflicted, English professor in Never Been Kissed. He was also the only reason why I went to go see Monster In Law.

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Is It Hot In Here?

Or is it just these guys?

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Happy Fourth

Happy Fourth of July everyone. While you are out picnicking and watching fireworks just stop for a moment and reflect on these words

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. .

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Day 3

It is the beginning of day three and I am already behind on my writing. I only have 1918 words done. Whoops, I should have been at 3226. Looks like I have a hell of a lot of catching up to on Thursday (my day off). I'll have time tonight to get some more done though so maybe by the time I go to bed I can be at 4839 words. We'll see, say a prayer to the tiki gods of thesauruses that I can do it.

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More Than Meets The Eye

I was the target audience when Transformers first appeared on the market. An eight year old kid with an overactive imagination. They were the hottest toy and the hottest cartoon back in the day and I had as many of those transforming toys as I could get my meager allowance to buy. My mother still has a bunch of them locked away in the attic that my niece will play with (of course she did throw away all my Star Sars action figures. I had the Darth Vader carrying case full up with them!). I even begged and pleaded my brother to take me to see the Transformers movie when it came out (The cartoon with the inappropriately named new leader of the autobots Rodimus Prime. . .who the hell thought that that was a good name?) That is why I am so jazzed to go see the new Transformers movie. CGI can now do what I had to do in my imagination. . .actually make the car turn into a robot or the tape deck an evil machine bent on destruction. This is my eight year old geek fantasy come to life and I can't freaking wait!

Oh yeah, that and Josh Duhamel is in it.

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Dingos Ate My Baby

Okay, so maybe it is more of a case that deer ate my pepper plants. The dumb sh*ts. Last Wednesday I moved my peppers to bigger pots because they were growing to be ginormous! This was the best luck I had had with peppers so far and these I had grown from seed. They were all beginning to flower and look all lush and tropical. Then I go out on Sunday to see this! WTF! The deer munched all four of my pepper plants better than halfway down! They had also started to nibble on my tomatoes but nothing like this. UGH it is so infuriating!

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Wow

Much better than I expected. . .

42%

Mingle² - Free Online Dating

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And I'm Off. . .

. . .and running with another attempt at my own personal NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). For those of you not familiar with this I am attempting to write a 50,000 word rough draft of a novel in a month (or 1613 words a day for every day in July). I did this once last year (or was it the year before?) and it was fun and infuriating all at the same time. After reading over what I had written I decided that it was a good first attempt but not really salvageable so here I go again. For those of you familiar with it before you ask why I am doing it in July and not the standard November I'll tell you why now. November is a crazy month at work and with school and a somewhat bit of a social life it will never happen for me. I am only taking one class this summer and work isn't too crazy so I have the time and I need something to do to ward off the summer blehs so that is why I choose to do it in July. Enough of this, I'm off to go pull a story out of my ass now. . .

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