Just Watched "Vantage Point"...

...and now I want a Sony HDV 1080i.

I guess the product placement had an effect on me. ;)

Spherical Chickens in a Vacuum

"The Big Bang Theory" is back! At least it will be on TV March 17th.

I went to the WB lot to watch the taping of the first show since the writers' strike tonight, and it was several hours of waiting, laughing, laughing at the same scene, and then more laughing at the re-written stuff in the same scene. It's nice to have writers available, huh? The warm-up guy was funniest when he was being random, and there were some wacky audience members.

My favorite audience member was a woman whom made great farm animal sounds...actual farm animals, not like the people who made the sound of a monkey (not me!) and a dinosaur....

Anyway, she and her husband of 25 years just LOVE the show, and really related to it from the very beginning, and was able to tell the cast & crew. She even referred to one of my favorite scenes, when Leonard uses a Light Saber as a flashlight. It's nice to see a true fan watch their favorite show.

A DJ played music between takes, and at one point there was a dance contest between members, and I could see Jim Parsons (Sheldon's portrayer) doing the Charleston/Jitterbug/whatever. He was having a good time with all of the music.

Another audience member was an elderly lady whom made a "buzzer" sound during the audience dating game. Unbeknownst to the warm-up guy who picked her, she actually turned out to be Johnny Galecki's Great Aunt Netty, whom had come all the way from the midwest to see the show.

The producers were so happy to be back that they ordered pizza and bottled water for everyone (this is not usual), and it was nice to hear the gal with the clapboard say at the start of the show, "Welcome Back!"

So I look forward to seeing which takes will end up on screen. I don't know when I'll be able to go back, but the backside will need to recover from all of that sitting first.

Oh, and the title above refers to one of the scenes that they had to do about 6 or 8 times.

Post Kodak 2/25/08

George and Viggo and Johnny, Oh MY!!!

I just needed to post this for posterity.

Thanks, Dodie. I couldn't have done any of that without you and your beautiful ripped dress. ;)

Whacked Out People

Sometimes people are just insane.

A couple of weeks ago, I texted some of my friends because a co-worker told me that one of my fellow team members didn't like me. I never thought it was true, but it still bugged me because that team member and I interact constantly.

So yesterday, I told my teammate what this manipulative person said to me. She got really offended because someone would tell an outright lie about her. I then told our superior about it in regular conversation, and she said that this same manipulative person says stuff like that to her all the time. "You know what? {Random Name} doesn't like you."

I mean, what the hell is that about? First of all, do I need to know that the person doesn't like me? Since when did that person become the Office Confidante, that anyone would tell her whom we don't like? Does she think that if I'm at odds with a fellow manager, that she would somehow get away with something because of it? Does she not think that I might actually TALK to the other manager about what she said? That's not the way our team works...at least, that's not how I work with my team.

I think it's sad that someone is so insecure that they need to pit people against each other just to make themselves feel better. Go fix yourself already, because there's enough real drama around that we don't need any made-up stuff to add to the office soap opera. Sheesh.

I honestly don't get paid enough to deal with this crap. I've already talked to this person about what she says to people. It obviously didn't get anywhere past her earlobe.

Yountville Highlights 2/14/08

Rockapella on Valentine's Day -- who cares if I lose my voice at this point?! I'm yelling anyway!

Yountville, CA -- Lincoln Theater -- Highlights

1. The earring malfunction.

2. TWO shout-outs to Fred...and I'm sure those were just because Karla was present, because they didn't do that last night when she was absent.

3. Geo gave good stage love to Wendy, and Kevin pointed out Wendy & Jeff during "For You"

4. Scott: "Is it 'Yownt' or 'Yahnt'?"

5. Sherry, while watching JT & Geo at the start of "Use Me": "They are so cute together!"

6. Scott smiling over at George when I yelled "YEAH, GEORGIE!!!" after "Paper Doll."

7. Scott's priceless reaction during the Zombie break when Kevin asked, "Will you be my Valentine?"

8. Scott: "That's the most beautiful grocery store girl I've ever seen. If we had girls like that at Publix, I'd eat a lot more."

9. Karla: "If I'm going to lick something at a Rockapella concert, it ain't gonna be the Pocky."

10. I asked for hearts on my ticket and started a trend...
JT to Kev and down the line: "She wants hearts."

Made in Japan

Yes, Human Tetris, fans. They've granted your wish.

http://news.aol.com/entertainment/television/tv-news-story/ar/_a/fox-picks-up-human-tetris-game-show/20080213164809990001

This has also been played on Ellen's show, and I'm wondering how long it will take until there's an official one here, too:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOfZPZJHnKg

...maybe it could be sponsored by Peeps!

Cupertino Highlights 2/13/08

Rockapella at Cupertino High School -- Cupertino, CA 2/13/08 -- Highlights

(special Thera-Flu enhanced edition!)

1. JT wearing a nice black suit...and then taking off the jacket after no less than 3 songs. (sigh)

2. George giving stage love to me during ZIP. (swooooonnnn!)

3. John is bleeding my PayPal account dry, $1.50 at a time. (laughs all around)

4. Kevin rubbing my back during our picture taking. (OK, I'll just stay right here, then!)

5. Scott wearing Puma mocassin-type shoes after the show. (He even posed for a picture!)

6. Scott forgetting his solo during "Tell Me What You Want." (...and quietly re-lived it with the guys right afterward on stage)

7. George seeing Jeff E watch him during "Paper Doll." (We'll ALL be staring at him tomorrow)

8. Scott likes Wendy's style because it's just like his (casual one -- except without mocassins).

9. Scott likes my shoes! (The feeling's mutual, dahling)

10. Kevin's grandfather is Sandman Simms. ("That's an inside-Rockapella joke that you can all take home and share later..." and yes, we did).

Ice and Dine Adventure #1 02/10/08

Yes, we have decided that this will be a series of adventures.

A few of my friends and I decided to get some Filipino breakfast at a local place, then met up with my bro, sis-in-law, and nephew to go ice skating at the Pasadena ice rink (home of the current Women's National Champion, Mirai Nagasu!).

Although we were all worried about falling when we stepped onto the ice, we felt our ice legs in a short time, and skated around the rink quite a few times. Little 2-year-old nephew was eager to get on the ice at first, but soon requested to be carried, which did not fly with the Ice Patrol, so his parents had to take turns skating. It's too bad, because he looked way cute in his little skate boots! V was determined to learn to skate backward, and Linda taught her. Dodie did some backwards skating, too...and the rest of us just decided to go forward.

We decided that we need to go to the Torrance rink one of these days, then we can go to the King's Hawaiian restaurant while we're there. So we've formed a new club called "Ice and Dine."

Since the rest of my family hadn't eaten yet, we walked across the street and had a late lunch at Island's, then shopped at the Antique Mall. I bought a really cute necklace for $5.00....and we saw 7 different hippos! I ended up buying a hippo card, too. Due to our second meal, Dodie stated that we did "Double Dine and Ice." I like it, D.

If you'd like to join our club, let me know, and we'll make you aware of the next Ice and Dine. Maybe one of these days, Brady will feel comfortable enough to skate around the rink for at least a whole lap....and maybe one of these days, I'll learn to skate backward.

Thanks for the great day, my friends...and thanks to Dodie and Mox for helping me with the furniture moving. I had fun, and I look forward to our next adventure.

BTW, if you'd like to help save the ice skating activity in Pasadena, and would like to support the efforts to build a new facility with TWO ice rinks, please visit their website at http://www.skatepasadena.com/parties.htm. After all, we have plenty of restaurants to try out in Pas!

Pella Abounds and I'm Excited!!!

One week from today, I will be entranced by my 5 valentines. I'm going nutso already.

Someone posted video of Pella performing "Indiana" in New Albany. They usually sing it in Indiana only, but I've seen them perform it in San Francisco, as a Christmas gift to someone who requested it. That was waayyyy cool back then, but it's amazing that Geo and John have learned it now so that they can sing it in Scott's home state, too. This song is on the "Where in the World is Carmen SanDiego" soundtrack from the TV show.

You probably won't be able to figure out the lyrics because it's Scott and the words go by lickety-split. The video is in two parts. Enjoy. (There is a video of them actually singing IN Indiana, but it's not complete).





Oh, and tickets went on sale for XRP at A Cappella Stock '08...AND John released his new single, available at http://www.myspace.com/projectjkb

Phew! I'm so excited that I keep rewinding "Lost" on the DVR because I'm totally distracted.

When 18 Seconds Lasts for Hours

I received this in an e-mail recently, and thought that I would post it. Why should I have all the stress, when it can be shared with others?

Air Force Test

It took a lot of practice to get me past 18 seconds (18.657 actually), but I finally did it! I didn't try to last 2 minutes, because that would just take way more effort, and I don't plan on flying a fighter plane anytime soon. (Supposedly, the USAF uses this for their fighter pilots, and they are required to last at least 2 minutes). Enjoy!

What a Pleasant Phone Call!

My dad called me about 5 times today to discuss some home improvements. Yes, V, I'll be resolving the door situation. :)

Then I got another phone call, but it wasn't from Dad. It was his grandson, aka my nephew Brady, who FINALLY decided to say the word "Tita." Awwwww......

I couldn't even believe it, but I'm glad they thought to call me. Thanks, guys! (No, apparently it wasn't a fluke, though he wouldn't repeat himself on the phone....it was apparently the 5th time he'd said the word that day when he saw my picture).

I'm all smiles now. That's my boy.

I Wonder If He's Still There...

So Linda and I went into McDonald's this morning to get some breakfast.

The guy in front of us was arguing with the manager about the amount of $ she was requesting. He tried to reason with her, outlining his own calculations:

4 Egg McMuffins at $1.50 each = $6.00
8 Apple Pies at 2/$1.00 = $4.00
Total $10.00 + Tax should be less than $11.00 (actually $10.85, I think).

Gal asked for $16.29.

He kept outlining his calculations, asking if she was following him. She said yes, still asking for $16.29. This frustrated him to no end, and he asked for a manager, which she already was. After a few times, he said, "I'm warning you, I'll call (some name of some guy that was higher up than her)." She said OK. But the bill is $16.29. Do you want the food or not? Dude just kept telling her that it was just wrong, but wouldn't tell her if he still wanted the food. This kept going for several minutes, at least about 10 minutes by the time Linda and I left.

So here's my input. Why couldn't the woman print out a receipt or a preliminary receipt showing each item and its price? He asked her to follow his calculations several times, and she never told him that he was wrong in his pricing. I'm guessing that he was wrong about the price of the actual McMuffins, but she never corrected him. (He had coupons, so I didn't know what deal he was using). Had she truly been listening to him, she would have caught that. Also, she could have deleted the whole bill, then shown him one by one as she pressed the buttons, what was being shown on the screen. Then maybe he'd see something that she'd done wrong or vice versa. Linda's guess was that perhaps she was charging for full meals instead of just the sandwiches.

The gal ended up helping us because she needed to approve my coupon while the guy called whomever, so I don't know when she eventually went back to talk to him, or if she did at all.

I wondered throughout the day how long it took the two of them to solve this problem, or if it never got solved, and he just left in frustration. He wasn't able to go to another register to ask for help, because she would still be the one needed to approve the coupon. I think that he should have just gone to another site, because we had actually come from the other location because it looked really crowded. Perhaps that store gets more customers because they're not charged over $5.00 extra for their meals there.

Customer service is a touchy kind of thing, and if neither party will look at the other side, all you have is a standstill. But simple math shouldn't be that difficult. Sheesh.

DLR LotD 02/03/08

Disneyland Resort Line of the Day
Sunday, February 3, 2008

"I'm annoying!" -- Dodie, at Golden Horseshoe, before proving that this could be a positive trait

There really can never be too much LEGO.

After my last response to Cindy's comment, I found this. I'll be ordering these soon!

http://www.thebricktestament.com/books/index.html

Love the Han Solo!!!

A few days ago, one of my friends blogged that LEGO was celebrating their 50th anniversary.

Here's a link to another site that another friend sent me.

Yes, Mom, that's LEGO, too. ;)

http://www.asylum.com/gallery/10-weirdest-lego-models/612398/