All Things Ally.

moving

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:51:00 +0000

I'm over here now, at a long overdue blog that will feature my photography. Maybe I'll see you there. :)

Monster Tree

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:10:00 +0000

When JP and I moved into our house 4.5 years ago, we realized that there was a tree planted in an odd position: right in between the front of the house and the fence of the neighboring house in front. There is not enough room in the front of this house for anything much more than a shrub, but the landscapers who determined plant placement decided it was the perfect spot. Oh, and did I mention that it is completely in the shade?

It was pretty small and narrow in its infancy. The first problems were that its branches started to grow into the neighbor's fence. So we started cutting back the lower branches with the hope it would grow high enough that it wouldn't hit the fence anymore. For several years it was growing along fine. It was ugly, but thriving. In fact, it began to grow so heartily that JP started to call it the weed tree*. We would just trim back certain branches now and again and admire its resilience to get to that sun, SO HELP IT GOD.

Last year it started to get a bit out of control. There were no branches in the back of it, the part that never sees sun, and the rest of the branches were growing like crazy, out to reach for the sun, like an alcoholic clamoring for his beer. But we decided that it was still okay because it was mostly growing up and it was our little weed tree, admittedly starting to lose the "little."

Unfortunately, the other evening we realized that the precious little weed tree has completely disappeared and in its place is an ugly monster. Its branches are thick, gargantuan limbs, and the whole tree, crazy sun addict that it is, is growing out at an embarrassing angle to get at its drug. We both looked at it at the same time and had a similar reaction.

Me: It's about to pull off its posts.
JP: Whoa. When did that happen?
Me: If it stretches out anymore, it's going to be growing into the neighbor's fence.
JP: I can't believe how tall it is.
Me: It's so spread out. Do you think it's a problem that the branches almost reach the neighbor's house?

After several more minutes of similarly intelligent realizations, we realized that the it must come down. Despite the monster it's become, we're still sad to lose our little weed tree. It will have to be dismantled at the hands of a professional though, because JP wielding a large saw is something I'd rather keep in my nightmares. I can almost imagine him mistaking his own arm for a branch of the tree, and then it'll end up costing us way more that it would've cost to pay someone in the first place. Besides, he looks good with two arms.

*Eventually I educated myself enough to learn that our weed tree is a mesquite, which does, in fact, grow like a weed.

#71 ... check!

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:20:00 +0000

Image via roy_

71. Watch a sunset at the beach.

A trip to southern CA to me means time at the beach and beautiful sunsets. The last trip was no exception. JP and I drove out to Coronado and walked down to check out the harbor and skyline. It was pretty windy and a lot of sailboats were tipping over to one side. One boat was even bailing water! It definitely made for some unexpected entertainment.

Then we went over to the beach and watched the sun go down over Point Loma. It was a beautiful evening and reminded me how grounded I feel watching the waves pound the shore in an incessant rhythm.

Decisions

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 05:12:00 +0000

Carlsbad Flower Fields, 3/29/2009, Nikon D40

I am one of those people who gets distant and quiet when things get tough and I am feeling down. It's just the way I tend to handle things. At the heart of everything, I am an introvert. I refuse to look at that as a bad thing, as much as people tout extroversion these days. It doesn't mean I'm a hermit. It just means my batteries are recharged with downtime. When I face big obstacles, I tend turn inward in the hopes that the direction I'm supposed to take will become clear. That means, of course, that blogging and spending time on the computer are the last things I feel like doing.

It started with me taking a week away from all things computer. I felt that it would give me the peace I needed to figure some things out. It turned out better than I expected. In fact, it was so great that the time away turned into six weeks without me doing much more than checking my e-mail every few days. The computer went quickly from being almost a reflex to something I realized I really didn't need or want. Now I am back, but only somewhat. I'm reading blogs again, but it's much less of an impulse and a weight that hangs over my head. I want the computer to work for me, rather than for me to feel tethered to it and like it's something I have to do. I'm pretty much to that point, and getting there was so much less painful than I imagined.

The big weight that was over my head, of course, was deciding where to focus our relocation efforts. JP and I were still going back and forth -- right up until about a week and a half ago when we decided where to focus our relocation efforts. I was finally able to separate my love for my loved ones and my desire to live somewhere we will thrive. My inability to separate the two caused a lot of emotional and mental stress, but once I was able to see things clearly I understood that there was only one place I really wanted to live day in and day out: San Diego, California.

I don't expect all the answers to come from living in San Diego. What's interesting to me is the sinking into life and getting down to shaping my life into what I want. Of course, I do think the delicious weather and proximity to nature and lots to do can't hurt. (I also expect that wearing hats and sunblock is going to become a way of life for this fair skinned lady, which is a good idea anyway really.) Moving out of Las Vegas is just a natural step in that direction. I am grateful for me time here and the opportunities I've had here, and it's time to move on.

This weekend we took an overnight trip to San Diego and enjoyed some time at the beach and visiting the Carlsbad Flower Fields, feeling even more secure that it is the place where we want to be -- that is is the next home for us.

I guess the strangest thing of all is actually proclaiming what I want. It feels rather surreal to have finally arrived at the point where JP and I can say this is what we want to do and to stand in that truth. I don't know how exactly it will happen, or what the details of it will be, but I am starting to have faith that it will all fall into place as we need it to. I am someone who likes to be in control, and this trusting life thing? It's tenuous ground for me, and it's requiring me to work on letting go. I am tentatively stepping to the edge of the precipice, ready to let life rise up to meet me. Now I just need to trust and jump.

Be Mine

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 00:51:00 +0000

I think this sums up the general American attitude toward V-day this year.

Whether you have a romantic someone in your life or not, I hope you have a fantastic weekend!

Penny Pinching

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 02:07:00 +0000

Image via AComment

When moving went from a murky eventuality to a clear inevitability, I realized that JP and I needed to cut down on our spending in a major way. The thing is that we were never crazy spenders, but we weren't exactly paying attention to everything we were spending either. If we went into a bookstore there was never really much question that we would come out of it with a book or three. When we moved into the house, we needed more furniture (not glamorous stuff -- I'm talking beds for the guest rooms and a sofa), so that went into a 0% account with the furniture store. We did manage to pay that off within a year, but then other things racked up, like once-a-year big vacations to the Pacific Northwest and Colorado. And if we ever wanted to go for a weekend trip to Utah, Arizona, or California, it was never really a question. We just did it.

The truth is that we weren't strict enough when it came to money. We just did things without thinking too much about what we were spending. We sometimes created credit card bills we couldn't pay off completely, but things were usually almost around the amount we could pay, so it didn't seem like a big deal. The debt that accumulated was never anything major or something we couldn't handle. We just kind of let things go because we didn't put any effort into being specific about finances.

Last year all that changed. We really buckled down in the beginning of 2008 and created a financial plan that would have every last cent paid off by the spring. All of that was going along well until my father decided to run off to Florida with a woman he met through his failing business and left my mom financially strapped. So JP's and my plan to pay off debt completely was derailed as we had to figure out a way to pay her mortgage for what ended up being six months.

At that point we had cut extraneous spending down to nearly nothing. I stopped buying books completely, opting for the library instead. We basically stopped shopping, other than for necessities, and instead started to make do with what we had. Here are the ways I've managed to bring about change in my own thinking:

1. I ask myself if it's a need or a want. Recognizing this was a big first step for me because it helped me realize that most of the things I thought about buying were actually wants instead of needs. Alternatively I ask myself if it's something I will feel guilty about purchasing or doing in a month when the bill shows up.

2. I make sure I don't own it already. There are so many times I've purchased something I thought I needed but actually already had, usually little things like lotion or post-it notes -- little things that add up to big amounts over time.

3. I take five minutes. The desire almost always passes and I'm left with a more level head.

4. I ask for a second opinion. This is important when I feel the edges of guilt about a potential purchase creeping in but I still want it. I'll ask JP what he thinks and try to reason it out logically with him.

5. I keep my eye on the goal: to be able to afford our lifestyle. I want what we value (security, time together, quality v. quantity, etc.) to fit with our spending habits.

While I am by no means a perfect and completely frugal spender and was never a compulsive shopper, I have become a lot more aware of what is coming in and what is going out. I still purchase a want every once in a while, but not nearly as often and not just for the sake of having something new. We are seeing surpluses (even though we spent a little extra on Black Friday a few months ago), so something is going right. There will always be months that require more money, just because of bills alone. Also, soon we'll be paying both a mortgage and property taxes AND apartment rent. That'll be a challenge, but at the same time more money should be coming in. What I really want is to have a decent amount saved so that we never have to worry.

Fortunately it hasn't been difficult for us to cut back on spending, and our bills and subscriptions are reasonable. We're thinking about cutting back to basic cable to save $36 a month because really, most of what we watch is on basic cable anyway and hello Netflix and internet options. Also, we could always do better with eating out. One of my goals is to eat in for 30 days straight, and I'm looking to starting that within the next week. Besides that my biggest pitfall is probably my desire to travel, but I figure that if we are able to keep saving there will be even more of that in the future.

What are your pitfalls when it comes to spending? What have you done right?

--------------------------

Thank you for all your comments on my last post! I really appreciate the words of encouragement. I have faith that we will make the best decision as the time gets closer.

Indecisively undecided

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 20:49:00 +0000

You know, it kind of sucks not to know where we're going to be living in six months. I can't tell you how many times JP and I have gone back and forth about where to move. Here is a condensed version of a typical conversation we have had every other day in the, oh, I don't know, BILLION MONTHS since we decided we have to move.

JP: You know, San Diego has really awesome weather. I don't mind a higher cost of living if it means we get to live 20 minutes from the beach. I'd live in a shoebox for that.
Me: Yeah, San Diego is awesome. I could totally see myself living there. Plus, it would be easier to take care of this house... Wow, New Jersey has a lot of jobs.
JP: I know. It's unbelievable, right?
Me: Amazing. I don't think I want to live that close to your parents though. Plus, that is still five hours from my mom.
JP: I know what you mean. And the weather can get pretty bad.
Me: I bet. Hey, the DC area has a whole lot of jobs, too.
JP: Wow, you're right. And that's close to your mom.
Me: It would be great to see her more often.
JP: Definitely. I know that's important to you.
Me: The weather can be not the best there either, though. Cold winters and pretty brutal humid summers.
JP: That is a good point. Why'd we take San Diego off the list?
Me: Oh yeah! San Diego. I don't know. We should totally move there.

What is missing from this example is, of course, the amazing amount of time that goes into these conversations that basically get us nowhere. One minute I feel pretty (never completely) sure of what we should do, and the same day I can end up feeling completely different. I really wish I didn't feel so torn about things. I guess it's that I feel like it's a major decision and want to consider everything before we completely decide where to plant our roots next. But that leads to another serious problem: overthinking. Overthinking makes me feel crazy and doesn't help me feel like I am any closer to a decision. All it gets me is closer to a migraine.

And it's difficult for me, internets, because I hate being a waffler. HATE IT. And I really hate telling people one thing when it's entirely possible we will do something else. I tell them because it is the most major event on the horizon right now, but I am still left feeling like a major fail in the end. I know that whatever we decide will leave someone unhappy in the end. I need to stop thinking like that, though, because it's not helpful at all and really? I don't function well as a people pleaser. This is really about JP and me and what makes the most sense for both of us.

So I am not going to talk about our plans till we get to some kind of firm(er?) decision about where we're going because, let's be honest, right now our moving plans have a serious case of erectile dysfunction. Talking about it leaves me feeling exhausted because it's so highly likely that the pendulum will swing a different way tomorrow. I believe that everything will work out in the end. For now I just need to give myself a little mental break.

But God? If you're listening, I would be totally okay with you making me a bajillionaire so I could move my family to wherever we end up. Just sayin'.

27

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 04:14:00 +0000

This evening I turned 27. The older I get, the more I realize that birthdays are just a fact of life. Resisting them is like trying to defy gravity. Oh, and also that they happen to everybody. I hope I will continue to embrace my age as the counter keeps going up. To celebrate, here are 27 things I have learned in my life in no particular order.

1. It's okay to talk to people. They don't bite. Usually.

2. Arriving early to appointments is best, but being late doesn't make me a bad person.

3. I am allowed to make mistakes, too.

4. The critical voice in my head may be loud at times, but it's gotten much quieter.

5. Also, it isn't really me.

6. Meditation really is a good idea. I just need to actually devote myself to it.

7. I am worthy enough to try new things.

8. I am worthy of having good friends and making myself emotionally vulnerable.

9. Life is full of change.

10. The change isn't worth trying to fight.

11. Joining organizations is a great idea and something I need to do more often.

12. There are many valid paths to the divine.

13. The divine means different things to different people.

14. It's okay if I don't label myself with a major world religion.

15. Jealousy is a waste of time. Truly.

16. I am enough, just as I am.

17. I am exactly where I'm meant to be.

18. Magazines really tend to pile up, no matter how much I love them.

19. Staying organized is a constant process.

20. Friends are family.

21. Few things feel better than getting a letter in the mail just because.

22. My mom is stronger than I ever really knew.

23. Stepping away from the computer sometimes is a fantastic idea.

24. Even though there are fancier ways to keep notes, Post-It notes are still the best.

25. Having rocks as your backyard kind of sucks.

26. Vegetables actually taste good.

27. Peace has no conditions.

Looking ahead

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:41:00 +0000

Hi bloggy friends. This is the time of year when my energy seems to be at a low point. I am lucky that I live in a very sunny place right now, but I still find my energy levels in January to be less than optimal.

Sometimes the only thing that gets me through January is looking ahead. Here are some things I'm looking forward to in the next few months or so.

- My birthday on Sunday. I'll be 27. And a birthday coinciding with a weekend? That's always a bonus.

- Going through stuff. It's kind of amazing how we've expanded to fit this 1357 square foot house. The one-bedroom apartment seemed too cramped, and now we've accumulated another 600 square feet of furniture and other assorted things. Now the task is going through these things and determining exactly what is worth moving and what can be donated or tossed. It's very possible that we're going to end up in an apartment again, so this is an important and overwhelming process that I am actually looking forward to.

- Figuring out exactly when and to where JP and I will be moving. This is still kind of up in the air at this point, but it's a change that has to happen this year. I know it's going to be a good change and one that we both need. Knowing that does a decent job of squelching the nerves.

- Reading. Lots and lots of reading of glorious books. Reading and me kind of go in up and down cycles and in the last week or so I've hit an upswing. You can see what I'm reading on Goodreads. If you've already added me as a contact there, awesome -- I love to see what you're reading!

- Day trips. I really love taking day trips around here, and once we've moved away it's unlikely that we'll be back. I want to enjoy the beautiful things around here before we move to a completely different landscape.

How is your January going?

Liquid Schmiquid

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 01:33:00 +0000

If you've traveled at all in the last 7+ years, you know that security checkpoints have become tedious and stressful zones. Since the liquid scare a year and a half ago, you can't even take full bottles of any kind of liquid, including clear water bottles. It is kind of a gigantic pain.

It's a pain, that is, unless you hastily pack your bags and accidentally leave liquids in your small personal item, including two small bottles you forgot to put in your quart size bag and one large bottle of hand sanitizer with a very visible pump that you shouldn't have had with you at the security checkpoint to begin with.

If there's one thing I feel, it's secure. There is no way anyone could get a 12 oz bottle of liquid through the x-ray scan with no one noticing.

Holiday Travels

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 00:17:00 +0000

I'm finally back from holiday travels! (At least I wasn't busy writing up blog posts to fill up your reader while you were too busy to keep up, right?) JP and I flew into BWI, spent four days with my family in Maryland, drove to New Jersey and spent four days with his family, and then made the trip back to BWI for the flight home.

The good:

1. Christmas with my mom and brother and other family members I haven't seen for years. My mom's brother and his wife came, which is still kind of shocking. They aren't the most social of people. They live next door to my grandmother, and his wife? She's so anti-social she never talks to her and runs inside from her car to avoid having to say something. So, that was kind of a big deal. They liked the Wii though, so maybe they'll come back again. Hard to say.

2. Some really interesting and cool gifts my mom came up with. The downside is that in the end the Christmas package we mailed home from NJ after opening gifts there was 62.85 lbs (no, that is not a typo) and cost $59 to mail. Ouch. But the stuff is pretty neat.

3. Watching my brother put me to shame with his skills on the Wii. I suck. But I'm who the Wii is catered to, so neener neener?

4. My mom's cooking. She is amazing. You would almost definitely love the food she makes.

5. Sleeping in, which I like to call "staying on west coast time" to make it sound less lazy.

6. Going out to the diner every night in New Jersey. The one thing I really like about NJ is the diner culture. Because of #5, our meal plan in NJ was lunch, dinner, diner.

7. Seeing JP's extended family. There were 14 people over for dinner on the 28th, which is a shocking number of people to me from a family where eight people at one holiday gathering is a rocking time. Also, the food setup was from the local market so there was plenty and it was good.

8. Arriving back at BWI two hours early and getting a tasty crabcake sandwich from Phillips Seafood. So. Good.

9. The flight back being on time, even though there was a whole lot of wind gusting that day. My mom said they were talking about delayed flights, downed trees, and gusts that reached 61 mph, so the on-time flight toward the end of the day was pretty miraculous.

10. Somehow making it to midnight on New Year's Eve even though I was wiped out. This was totally due to JP's prodding me to stay awake, though -- I can't take credit for keeping myself up after our 11 hour travel day. My NYE was as exciting as a grandma settling down with an electric blanket and a Nora Roberts novel. Actually, it wasn't even that exciting.

The bad:

1. The temperature when we got to BWI and having to wait for a shuttle for 15 minutes. I'm pretty sure it was -100 degrees. My ears were pretty close to falling off my head, and the shuttle driver had one of the windows down for the drive to the rental car facility. Crazy? Yes. And not fun.

2. Driving two hours to my mom's house at one in the morning. It was dark and the further we got, the less cars there were on the road. Exhaustion set in pretty quickly and the darkness made the road seem extra curvy.

3. Seeing The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. It was too long and tried to be a mix of too many movies, such as Forrest Gump and Big Fish. The payoff wasn't worthwhile, but it did have a nice look to it. Actually, it was kind of how I felt after seeing Forrest Gump (kind of eh, okay), so if you loved that maybe you would love this.

4. The drive to NJ. It was super foggy, and toward the NJ part it started raining. At least it wasn't snowing. And at least we weren't on the other side of the road. They weren't moving. At. All.

5. JP's immediate family's drama. They like to pick at each other to have something to do. At least none of it was directed at me this time, so I guess I should count my blessings.

6. JP's sister bringing along her cats. She tried to keep them in her room, but they got out at times. The newest one has long fur. JP and I are both allergic to cats, so playing the Wii downstairs wasn't an option after JP had a major sneezing attack and I started feeling like I wanted to gouge out my eyes and throat. She tried to vacuum and clean up the fur and dander, but I think that might have stirred things up more. All in all, it was a Claritin kind of visit and even that only dulled the pain slightly.

7. The bed we were sleeping on in NJ. I am pretty sure JP's parents chose it because it was on sale on account of it making people feel like they were testing out a wooden board. We put the comforter under the fitted sheet to give a little padding, but it still made for a pretty brutal night's sleep.

8. The rental car. Not only was it a PT Cruiser, but it was bright blue, making it that much more hideously flashy. The seats were not cushy at all. To top it off, the window controls were in the center of the dashboard, the clock looked exactly like a bigger version of my Indiglo watch from 7th grade (which, by the way, was not digital), and the engine started making a horrible tick if it got above 45 mph. Also, the plate was from Georgia, so we were just asking for the cop to pull us over. Let's just say, if you ever buy a PT Cruiser, YOU WILL HAVE MY NEVER ENDING SYMPATHY.

9. The weather on the drive back to BWI. It was snowing in northern NJ and the highway was totally covered with snow. (I'm guessing the salt trucks hadn't gotten the memo.) Plus, there was more fog. It cleared up and was nice for a little while and then the gusts of wind started blowing stuff around, not to metioned blowing the car itself around. It was a two-hands-on-the-wheel-in-a-death-grip kind of drive. Fortunately we had plenty of time to get there.

10.The airplane seats. They made the PT Cruiser's seats look like they were crafted for royalty. I'm pretty sure there was NO cushioning left in them. It got to be pretty painful for an almost 7 hour flight with a stop. My glutes are twitching just thinking about it.

On the whole it was a decent trip, but I am so glad to be back home and sleeping in my nice pillowtop mattress and driving around in the Honda that seems especially modern and luxurious right now. How was your holiday?

Winter Wonderland

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 19:15:00 +0000

Yesterday Las Vegas got hit with measurable snowfall. If you know anything about Las Vegas weather, you know that the clouds with the precipitation? They kind of almost always sail on by the valley to places like Utah, Colorado, and the midwest. You also know that even though, yes, it's a desert climate, it gets chilly here in the late-fall and winter months and you will need to bring long sleeves and a decent jacket, most of the time at least. You also might know that even though it can get chilly here in the winter, it doesn't usually get down to freezing more than a few days a year. Most of the time at least.

So imagine the collective shock everyone felt when yesterday the two rarest events to hit Las Vegas (precipitation and freezing temps -- you haven't nodded off, have you?) collided during the day to create the most unexpected and unusual events in the Las Vegas valley: SNOW. That's right. It snowed for hours yesterday. Big, puffy, heavy flakes. And they stuck! Enough to accumulate over three inches. It was a rare sight to behold. In fact, it's a once (maybe twice) in a lifetime event. The last time it snowed that much here was way back in 1979.

This is when it started to snow. I had never seen more snow (in Las Vegas) than this before.

And here it was an hour and a half later.

And it snowed even more after that.

Here is JP being his cute self and getting covered by the heavy snow.

Today it's sunny and the sky is bright blue. The mountains are still shrouded in heavy clouds, making them look like belong somewhere else. And, of course, the snow will be completely melted by the end of the day, which is really the best thing. Who wants gray snow and ice anyway?

Um... Hi

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 02:15:00 +0000

This is the time of year when I usually feel overwhelmed and ready to crawl into a hole. It is a time of inadequacy. Someone inevitable ends up disappointed. Wouldn't it be great if I count cut myself into halves or thirds and be multiple places at once? Things would be so much easier.

But... I'm not letting myself feel so overwhelmed this year. I'm determined to have a good time no matter what. I am learning to be a duck. Like Eckhart Tolle says, if a duck has an issue with another duck, she just flaps her wings to get her anger out and then it's over. She doesn't spend time afterward feeling angry at the other duck, plotting her revenge on the other duck, or berating herself for allowing the situation to happen in the first place. She just rises up and flaps her wings and it's over.

Me? I'm learning to flap my wings and let go. This process may take the rest of my life, but I'm in it to learn. Letting go is a frustratingly beautiful lesson, and this life thing? It is definitely a process.

------------------

Wasn't it nice of Pam to give me this pretty award last week? Thanks, Pam!

If I were to pass it on to one blogger, it would be Karen (a.k.a. faded willow) who has been feeling a little under the weather lately and subsequently choking on pills. Karen could totally use an award. She is definitely a creative blogger. So creative you might say she is kreativ. With a capital K. (I've been known to call her Kreativ Karen when I get a little carried away.)

I am certainly not feeling much like any kind of blogger lately, but that's what seems to inevitably happen after NaBloPoMo and when things start to get demanding around Christmas. I will be in and out randomly until things normalize after the holidays.

Do you have all your Christmas shopping done? I would like to say I do, but there is still one more thing I need to buy...

Top 100 Movies

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:44:00 +0000

The top 100 of the 250 movies voted by IMDB users. I've seen only 22 of these, which is probably entirely unacceptable to movie buffs.

There is a high likelihood I've missed some decent ones. Any recommendations from this list? Any you want to see yourself but haven't? Any you think should be in the top 100 that aren't? I vote for Breakfast at Tiffany's, Big Fish, and The Wizard of Oz.

italics = movies I've seen

* = the ones I especially liked

1. The Shawshank Redemption (1994) *

2. The Godfather (1972)

3. The Godfather: Part II (1974)

4. The Dark Knight (2008)

5. Buono, il brutto, il cattivo., Il (1966)

6. Pulp Fiction (1994)

7. Schindler's List (1993)

8. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)

9. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

10. 12 Angry Men (1957)

11. Casablanca (1942)

12. Star Wars (1977)

13. Shichinin no samurai (1954)

14. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

15. Goodfellas (1990)

16. Rear Window (1954)

17. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

18. Cidade de Deus (2002)

19. C'era una volta il West (1968)

20. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

21. The Usual Suspects (1995)

22. Psycho (1960)

23. Fight Club (1999)

24. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

25. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

26. Sunset Blvd. (1950)

27. North by Northwest (1959)

28. Memento (2000)

29. Citizen Kane (1941) *

30. The Matrix (1999)

31. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

32. It's a Wonderful Life (1946) *

33. WALL·E (2008)

34. Se7en (1995)

35. Léon (1994)

36. Apocalypse Now (1979)

37. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

38. Taxi Driver (1976)

39. American Beauty (1999)

40. American History X (1998)

41. Vertigo (1958)

42. Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain, Le (2001) *

43. Paths of Glory (1957)

44. M (1931)

45. Forrest Gump (1994) *

46. The Departed (2006)

47. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) *

48. A Clockwork Orange (1971)

49. Alien (1979)

50. Double Indemnity (1944)

51. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)

52. Leben der Anderen, Das (2006)

53. Chinatown (1974)

54. The Third Man (1949)

55. The Shining (1980) *

56. The Pianist (2002)

57. Saving Private Ryan (1998)

58. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) *

59. Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi (2001)

60. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

61. Laberinto del fauno, El (2006)

62. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

63. L.A. Confidential (1997)

64. Requiem for a Dream (2000)

65. Aliens (1986)

66. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

67. Boot, Das (1981)

68. Reservoir Dogs (1992)

69. The Maltese Falcon (1941)

70. Raging Bull (1980)

71. Rashômon (1950)

72. City Lights (1931)

73. Metropolis (1927)

74. Untergang, Der (2004)

75. All About Eve (1950)

76. Modern Times (1936)

77. Singin' in the Rain (1952) *

78. Rebecca (1940)

79. Some Like It Hot (1959)

80. Amadeus (1984)

81. The Prestige (2006)

82.2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

83. The Elephant Man (1980)

84.Vita è bella, La (1997)

85. Sin City (2005)

86. The Great Escape (1963)

87. No Country for Old Men (2007)

88. Nuovo cinema Paradiso (1988)

89. The Apartment (1960)

90. Sjunde inseglet, Det (1957)

91. Full Metal Jacket (1987)

92. Hotel Rwanda (2004)

93. The Sting (1973)

94. Once Upon a Time in America (1984)

95. On the Waterfront (1954)

96. Touch of Evil (1958)

97. Batman Begins (2005)

98. The Great Dictator (1940)

99. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

100. Jaws (1975)

Back to Normal

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 01:51:00 +0000

Today we *almost* finished up our Christmas shopping. We are so close it feels like a cruel joke. The only things we have left to do are find something for my brother and get JP's cousin-in-law some Las Vegas apparel. Really. That is all that's left. Oh, and the wrapping of the stuff. And then there's the standing in line to mail the stuff out. But the shopping! It's a hairsbreadth from being completed.

I am grateful that our combined family are not very big. I can't imagine shopping for more than ten people. The browsing. The standing in line. The spending money. It must be an awful and overwhelming burden.

**********

Well, I've gotten through NaBloPoMo once again with a perfect record. I am not sure what this proves, other than that I can somehow come up with something to say 30 days in a row. It's pushed me to my blogging limits several times. I feel like I've been posting for a year without stopping. To be honest, imagining what a year of posting every day would be like makes me feel a little nauseous.

I might be back again for it next year or I might not. I feel like any desire I have to participate has been fulfilled, but come next October it might look shiny and new once again. It's kind of deceitful that way. I am glad that I participated, though, because I have met a lot of new blogging friends! I hope that continues. Goodness knows 60-some blogs is just not enough for my feed reader. :) Regular blogging will resume shortly.

Holiday Madness

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 06:38:00 +0000

Today I really felt the repercussions of getting up at 3:30 AM yesterday. I don't think I'll be doing that again anytime soon. I spent most of the day just taking it easy around the house. Tomorrow, though, JP and I have to go out and finish our Christmas shopping. I wish I did not have to participate in this inevitable holiday ritual, but unfortunately I do not have much of a choice. I think Christmas would mean more to me if it was not as focused on things.

I read today that in 1939, FDR moved Thanksgiving up a week in order to extend the holiday shopping season. Thank goodness for that -- otherwise, how we would have enough time to find that perfect gift for JP's uncle?

Black Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 06:08:00 +0000

Today was a crazy day. JP and I woke up at 3:30 AM to go shopping. First we went to JCPenny. We took advantage of a bunch of the DoorBuster sales and got all new bedding for our bedroom. Next, we went to Kohl's. The primary thing we wanted to get there was a steam cleaner. There was only one left, so we snatched it up and JP got in line while I got some of the other things we wanted. We alternated holding our position in line and checking for bargains. There was no hurry because the line wound halfway around the store. By the time we got out of there, the sun had already come up. Last, we went to Office Depot and we got a wonderful new monitor. It is a 22 inch widescreen and it works great so far. The best thing is that I do not have to wait five minutes for it to warm up.

After our long morning shopping, we had a yummy breakfast at our favorite breakfast place. It was a very succesful trip and worth waking up extra early for. Did any of you get any good Black Friday deals?

Thanksgiving

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 06:01:00 +0000

I hope you all had a good Thanksgiving. JP and I ended up going to the feast buffet at Red Rock Station Casino. We went at noon and the line wasn't too crazy then. I am not really a fan of buffets for the most part. I am more about the quality than quantity, and quality is usually lacking at buffets. This, though, is the best I've ever been to. They have a great selection of food. I had salad and fruit, a small plate of Thanksgiving-style food (minus the turkey), and a few spoonfuls of gelato. Afterward we went to see Bolt in 3D. It was cute and it's so amazing what they can do with 3D technology now.

Tonight I am getting to sleep early because we're going to get up super early to get to JCPenny, then Kohl's, and then Office Depot. Needless to say there will be napping in this house tomorrow.

Youtube Advertising

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 04:22:00 +0000

I came across this video from littlebrownpen on Twitter yesterday . What a neat way to advertise the business! Fun, huh?

10 On Tuesday: Holiday Wants

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 04:25:00 +0000

This week's Ten on Tuesday is 10 Things You Want for the Holiday. Instead of getting philosophical, I'm going to list ten actual things I would like to have. In this pretend list, money is no object and/or I have a very rich friend/family member who is feeling extremely generous.

1. This new lens from Nikon that would work perfectly with my D40 and give me beautiful bokeh (blurry background).

2. An all expenses paid trip to somewhere new. Preferably to one of the places on my 101 in 1001. I wouldn't mind if it ended up being Europe though.

3. Voice lessons. I have wanted to take them since I started taking piano lessons back in elementary school.

4. A laptop computer. I have wanted one forever. The flexibility would be great.

5. A shootsac. It seems so convenient.

6. $50,000 in cold hard cash. This would make life infinitely easier.

7. A new dining set. The current one is not as nice as it once seemed.

8. A personal trainer for 6 months.

9. An electric piano with a touch-sensitive keyboard. Sometimes I think I'd like to play again.

10. A new LCD monitor. Mine actually has to warm up and I have to flip it off and back on to use it. Yeah. (It's only two years old, too.)

Wow, this was kind of fun to come up with. If money were no object, what would you want for the holiday?

NaBlo Haiku

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 04:31:00 +0000

I am tired, Nab.

We go 'round and 'round each fall;

I'm still back for more.

-----------------------------

Though I get worn out

you look good each November,

so good I forget.

-----------------------------

Blog updates daily

take a lot of time and thought.

I am spent from this.

----------------------------

Haiku is my grace

keeping me from wordy posts.

Thank you poetry.

New Toy

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 06:13:00 +0000

This is the new graphics tablet that JP requested for his birthday (and opened up early). No need to tell me how blown away you are by my skill with it. If you are lucky you will get more awesome pictures like this. Or maybe I'll try to write on it. One thing about it? I find it kind of difficult to be super accurate so far. But maybe I'll get better with it. Also, it makes my hand cramp up after a while. But it's still fun.

Get Your Scarf On

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 05:42:00 +0000

What a neat idea. If you would like to give/receive a scarf, sign up between now and Sunday November 30. How fun is that? I just signed up for it, so maybe you'll get me!

All About You

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 00:32:00 +0000

traditional decor or modern decor?

coffee or tea?

tv or movies?

candles or incense?

beach or mountains?

rain or sun?

Mac or PC?

car or SUV?

eating out or ordering in?

destiny or free will?

gum or mints?

color or black and white?

shower in the morning or shower at night?

travel nationally or travel internationally?

Europe or Asia?

sandals or boots?

DVR or satellite radio?

sweet or salty?

cash(/debit) or credit?

wake up early or stay up late?

cursive or print?

e-mail or call?

sheets tucked or sheets untucked?

Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie?

pen ink: blue or black?

TV: The Good, the Bad, and the I Can't Wait

noreply@blogger.com (Allison) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 04:37:00 +0000

There is no denying that I love me some good television. It's especially easy and quick to watch since I got a TiVo. This device has changed my life by cutting out all commercials. I'm never going back. Here is my take on some of the shows I'm watching this fall.

The Good:

Chuck - This one started last year and fortunately they brought it back. The plot is fairly predictable and ludicrous, but if you can get past that you'll see how funny it is. The side stories of his co-workers in the Buy More (fictional Best Buy) are hilarious and the lead actor is charming.

Fringe - It's not like the X-Files besides the fact that creepy things happen, it's sci-fi-ish, and it's on FOX. But it's fresh and original and has an overarching storyline (that's not alien-centered). It also has Joshua Jackson (Pacey from Dawson's Creek). I am not much of a sci-fi person and I am still entertained.

Lipstick Jungle - This show had a mini-season in the spring and I wasn't sure about it at first. Now? Love. It. It has really grown on me. It is definitely chick lit in action. Think Sex and the City grows up. I was so glad to hear that they aren't cancelling it just yet. You should watch it and tell all your girlfriends.

Top Chef - Yes, it's reality. Yes, it's snarky and full of drama. Yes, they cook some weird things. But it's entertaining and changes enough to be interesting. The season started two weeks ago and it's the third season in a row I've watched.

The Bad:

Private Practice - The Grey's Anatomy producer's attempt at producing... well, another Grey's Anatomy. First of all, the stories are ridiculous. It is missing the quirkiness of Grey's. And really, do we care about people running a private practice in Los Angeles who fight constantly and purposely cause drama? The only reason I've kept watching it is because I hoped that it would get better. It hasn't. It isn't. FAIL.

The I Can't Wait:

Lost - My favorite show on television. Seriously. I am crazy about it and I can't wait till it comes back early next year. I cannot wait to find out what happens yet. If you've never really watched it you must start at the beginning and not once consider skipping ahead.

Burn Notice - My friend Jen told me about this one. It's action/adventure meets humor with a little MacGuyver thrown in. I really like it since I started catching up on DVD. It's set to return in January.

What have you been watching?