Friday, September 14, 2007

Movie Day

A rarity for me. I don't usually see a lot of movies in the theater that don't include a 6 year old. I treated myself today. I have a few actors that I truly follow and Jodie Foster is one of them.

I can say her last few films have not been my favorite. However The Brave One puts them all to shame. Ever see The Crying Game? Neil Jordan directed that one as well. Once again he comes through with a mind blowing film. The critics and reviews of this movie have completely missed the intensity of it. Even amongst the incredible amount of violence in the movie I enjoyed it (another rarity). The photography captures it all as it pans around almost in circles and Jodie's voice haunts us throughout.

So if you don't mind a lot of violence, and I mean a lot, and you enjoy thought-provoking and intense movies I recommend The Brave One.

Now on to your updates, enjoy.

Elisa

p.s. Thank you, Dez. We appreciate the comment! (see comment on 9-12)

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Bummed

Yep. The ol' computer went tits up again. Both times happened when I was working in Dreamweaver. Ever wanted to punch your computer? E checked all the links tonight because of my computer issues. I'm glad I have my laptop as a backup. *sigh*

Tamara

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Blank

Enjoy your updates!

Elisa

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Recipe Night!

I'm always looking for ways to use my too ripe bananas. I'm heartily sick of muffins and when mom found this recipe I figured what the heck. Oddly enough they're a lot like little cookie muffins. Also...I didn't add the optional chocolate chips to mine but I did add walnuts.
Banana Oatmeal Cookies

1 cup sugar
1 cup margarine
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 or 3 ripe bananas
2 cups oatmeal
1 cup chocolate chips*
Chopped nuts*

*Optional

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a medium bowl, cream the butter and sugar until smooth. Stir in the eggs and vanilla. Sift together the flour, baking soda, cloves and cinnamon. Stir into the creamed mixture. Add the mashed bananas, oatmeal, chocolate chips, nuts and mix well until blended. Drop dough by rounded spoonfuls on to unprepared cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes in the oven. Remove cookies from pan to cool.


I think the next time I make these I'll try adding a little brown sugar and some raisins. Might make them more oatmeal cookie-like and less muffin-like.

Tamara

Monday, September 10, 2007

Another day of summer here in Seattle....

I patiently wait for Fall. Been a long day and progressing into a long night as well. Hoping you all have a splendid evening/day. Got something to share...feel free to pass it along our way.

Now to the updates, enjoy 'em!

Elisa

Sunday, September 09, 2007

Computer Update

Thanks so much to everyone who sent suggestions for my computer. The general consensus was that it's definitely a hardware failure. Most likely an issue with overheating. I've taken the step of cleaning out the inside of the computer with a can of compressed air. The fan is now nice and dust free (a necessity here because Oklahoma's alternate name is Dustland). We'll see if that works. I'm not so sure I want to mess with replacing the power supply for this machine. It's several years old and I can likely replace it for less hassle. I would like to get at least a year more out of it though so let's hope making the insides a little less dusty will help.

Tamara

Saturday, September 08, 2007

Saturday Stroll

Easy update for you all. Hardly anything here, hence take the opportunity to stroll backwards and catch up on that huge night.

The day has been one of the crazy ones for me. I slept way too long and yet just long enough. Planning to get out and mow the lawn and then the slug that I am can feel like I made accomplishments today. After all one is better than none.

Enjoy your updates.

Elisa

Friday, September 07, 2007

Help!

Here's my problem. My computer was having the issue of shutting down suddenly. It didn't happen when a particular program was up, it didn't happen at a set time. Recently it started getting worse so I had Mike wipe everything from my hard drive and reinstall. I thought the issue was taken care of. The computer was running less sluggishly and I was a happy camper. It was not to be, however. Today it did that shut down thing again. Has anyone had an issue like this? Any suggestions what I should be looking for? I'm extremely frustrated. E-mail me if you have anything at all.

Tamara

Thursday, September 06, 2007

Blank

I am low on words, but tonight's update offers plenty for y'all, enjoy.

Elisa

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

Announcement Night

Let's see if y'all can give this new venture a little help.
Et tu, Conqueror? Help Wanted

You too, Conqueror will have a taste of power! This is the slogan of the soon to come "Et tu, Conqueror?" (EtC) Website. EtC is based on Xena the Conqueror and will be hosting everything and anything that has to do with the Conqueror and her glory. Currently, the EtC staff is looking to expand and needs more officials as well as donations. We don't need monetary donations as the Conqueror does pay for everything. However we look for fanfiction, artwork, graphics, reviews, and anything else Conqueror related. Please visit the website at: etc.redhope.net. We hope to see all Conqueror fans in October!

Hail, Conqueror!
-The EtC Officials


You'll be hearing more about this site soon I'm sure. If you can volunteer, give them a shout.

Tamara

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Ramble and Game from Phair

Fun to be had for all!
For my birthday, my amazingly brilliantly beautiful little sister made me an aunt for the first time again for the twelfth time since this my oldest niece, Laura Lyn arrived. But my sister also had a gift for me to keep for myself. An iPod. She got me a Shuffle. As I took the item from the bag, she told me not to open the box unless I really wanted to be trapped with 'limited technology.' Everything I needed to get going was in the bag she handed me but it was capped at 250 songs. No Pictures. No Movies. No Extras.

"I didn't want to force you into the current techno babble society you complain about all the time. So, you can keep the Shuffle and enjoy OR..." It's OR 's like that which made Satan his fortune.

The OR was an upgrade. All I needed to do was go to the local Apple Store. I only went to the store to get help setting up my Shuffle. I swear I did. But the nice handsome chiseled featured man in the green shirt told me about all the advantages for...screw it, I'm lying! The handsome guy at the store wanted me to keep the Shuffle. He said he loved his and there was no need to upgrade given my current decreased techno demands. DAMN!

I craved that upgrade. It was a need I can't describe with only words. And, not just by one level. I went two steps up to the nano so I could get the red to match my phone. Dear God, I don't even match my clothes. Or even iron them for that matter. I would have gone up two levels to THE iPod but there was no red. I'm such a lost cause consumer! Please just take my money out of my pockets and charge me more for the curb side service. Ungggh.

Well, I sit here tonight with cool September winds blowing the summer tourists back to the main land and listening to my Nano iPod. All 18 songs. Yes, only 18 up loaded songs out of 9000 possible.

Fine, be disappointed in me but don't throw things yet. I thought of a game we could play to entertain ourselves, 'Name phair iTunes.' This could be fun for you and help me store good music. Just toss some songs and artists my way (it would be best if they were available at iTunes, easier to load but not a deal breaker if they're not). The winning categories are 1) The most happening, 2) The most forgotten best tune ever, 3) The most best music ever and 4) Most suggestions by an individual.

The winners in each category will be awarded a prize (a signed copy of my novel The Aethereal Sea). I'm the only judge. No contesting the outcome. I'm phair but not that fair.

To help narrow down my likes and dislikes and never rans, I'll tell you the songs currently on my iPod and in my car CD and house stereo (yes, I have a stereo, I still play records - stop laughing at me).

1 Photograph - Ringo Starr
2 The Wedding Song - Peter, Paul, and Mary
3 Heaven - Psychedelic Furs
4 Ghost in You - Psychedelic Furs
5 Pretty in Pink - Psychedelic Furs
6 Love My Way - Psychedelic Furs
7 President Gas - Psychedelic Furs
8 Life is Beautiful - Vega4
9 See the World - Gomez
10 Who Loves You - Frankie Valli
11 Shut Your Eyes - Snow Patrol
12 You're All I Have - Snow Patrol
13 Run - Snow Patrol
14 Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol
15 Chocolate - Snow Patrol
16 Nausea - Beck
17 Whole of the Moon - The Waterboys
18 Running up That Hill - Kate Bush
19 Mushaboom - Feist
20 My Moon My Man - Feist
21 People Get Ready - Eva Cassidy
22 Tall Trees in Georgia - Eva Cassidy
23 Take Me to the River - Eva Cassidy
24 What a Wonderful World - Eva Cassidy
25 The Perfect Kiss - New Order
26 I Take My Chances - Mary Chapin Carpenter
27 Born in the USA - Bruce Springsteen
28 One Step Up - Bruce Springsteen
29 Tunnel of Love - Bruce Springsteen

And while they are not currently loaded, RUSH and Peter Gabriel and Chuck Mangione are huge for me.

Hope to hear from you soon,
Phair
p.phair@comcast.net


I personally am a musicholic, hence tonight's ramble leaves me going through my collection and wondering what I can suggest. Join the fun and throw some suggestions to phair. You never know you may get a nifty book out of the deal! And phair, I still have my turntable as well, but it is hooked up to a dandy Audio CD-R burning machine.

Off to your updates, enjoy!

Elisa

Monday, September 03, 2007

Long Weekend

For those of us here in the US it's the long weekend that traditionally marks the end of summer. Evidently you're not supposed to wear white after today too. I've been a lazy slug. Organized more comic boxes for entering. I completed my run of Iron Man last night. I was very happy to be done with those.

Tonight most likely more comics will be entered. We'll partake of a traditional Labor Day feast of hamburgers and hot dogs. Labor Day thankfully involves very little labor. Have a good one.

Tamara

Sunday, September 02, 2007

Wandering Around?

Looking for a few more for your reading pleasure? Came to the right place. Remember if you have something to share we are interested in that as well, so please do let us know. We always are looking and hoping others will pop by to ramble.

Until then, enjoy the updates!

Elisa

Saturday, September 01, 2007

Slug

I did something special this morning...slept until almost 8am. That's a rarity for me. I'm one of those early morning people. 5-530am is my standard wake up time. Been feeling wiped though after the hard week. Feeding the cats late last night paid off for a few hours this morning.

The day has been pleasant in the 60's with sun and I have been a flawless slug. I ate breakfast late, laid on the couch and watched a horrible movie and that is the extent of my day so far. So other than checking on these links, I've done nothing useful. I do hope to gather, sort and clean out my extra room and perhaps a few cupboards as well. Who knows what will actually get done though. Slug I am means not much I am sure. But hey I have tomorrow and Monday as well, so all is good.

Now back to your regularly scheduled update, larger one this evening so enjoy!

Elisa