Christmas is almost here, and I'm not ready!!

OKAY! There's a week until Christmas!! I'm starting to pull my hair out! Why you ask?? I don't know what to get anyone for Christmas!! AHHH! I usually finish all my shopping before Thanksgiving, and I'm MORE than done by now. Thsi year, I've procrastinated so much...that I'm scared to go to the stores! I'm also looking for the best deals I can find. I'll never go to the store on Black Friday morning, I'm not THAT into being a deal shopper...but I'm definitely behind!! I looked up some of the hottest gifts to give this year...and I'm not a fan of any of them! The first was a Tablet PC. I CAN NOT afford that! That's out of my budget even for myself! The second is a lego set. While that is a cool gift for kids...I'm not buying for any kids this year, so that's no help, unless I give my parents and Godparents lego sets that are put together (HA! I'm NOT doing that...I don't have the time!) The third was a travel coffee mug. While I can see that being a practical gift, I think it's really a cheap way of saying to someone 'I didn't know what to get you soooo...' Yeah. I'm skipping that. I personally don't use the one I have, so if someone got that for me, it probably wouldn't leave the closet. I think that's a pretty bad gift idea, but it's tops this year! Go figure!!

Damn Stubborn Turkey!!

Okay, well let me preface this post by saying in the end...everything turned out okay. It was a production and a half!!! We named our tukey Henry this year. (I'm not sure why, I didn't even pick the name out!) I'll now formally refer to the turky as 'Henry.' It wasn't a total crisis, but Henry decided ythat after siiting in the fridge since Sunday, he didn't want to be entirely thawed out yet. So here I am, trying to get this turkey apart to get it ready for the oven, and I can't budge anything because he's still FROZEN!! I spent about an hour running it under cold water. I was finally able to get the turkey apart the way it needed to be...and all was good. I basted him up, popped him in the oven, and it was a success!! He looked like he went through a little trauma after he came out of the oven...his leg was kinda hanging there...but it was just because I was having SUCH a hard time getting him thawed out! This led me to look online about rinsing the trkey under water. I actually learned that the only reason they say not to rinse pultry with water is because of the splatter of water with bacteria...which will get on countertops, and any other surfaces in your kitchen. I'm a lysol fiend...so that was no problem! The worst thing that happened to me was nearly frostbitten fingers! That was quite an experience...and would have been a disaster if it had been frozen any more than it was!! I was talking to a co-worker today, and he informed me that usually it's 5 pounds per day for thawing in the fridge. So a 15 pound turkey would thaw for 3 days. That was Henry, he didn't follow the guidelines at all!!! Thank goodness that's over until next Thanksgiving!! Do I HAVE to cook!?

Lindsey Lohan Strikes Again!

This time on herself!!!! Oh Lindsey - you will NEVER learn!!! I know everyone is probably about as sick and tired of hearing about her as I am, but she really keeps doing the craziest things. Since she had her probation revoked for numerous violations reently, she showed up 40 minutes late to the L.A. City Morgue yesterday. That clearly did not please the supervisors...but they got everything cleared up. Now she will be FORCED to be on-time! Being late is not only disrespectful, but it can easily be avoided. Her council says she was stressed and confused - which is why she was late. However, it appears the greater issue was she was running 40 minutes behind on her own schedule...which made her late. EARTH TO LINDSEY!! You'll be in these situations the REST of your life if you don't wake up!!! I'm not sure what's going through her mind - then again, I don't think I want to know. What I do know is - Lindsey will always be known for her crazy shenanigans, and not for her roles in all those movies. Money can't fix everything!

HERE COMES IRENE!!!!!

I know it's the big talk, but I can't help but share all the harrowing experiences I HEARD of with everyone! I have had no problems personally, but I know it's been crazy. Some local gas stations are out of regular gas...which is kinda freaky. Almost EVERY store within a 500 mile radius has no water since everyone is counting on being without power for days...and any store you walk into is filled with absolute mass hysteria!! It's insane out there! I hope everyone is safe this weekend, and stocked up. I'll be at the station working all weekend, so I feel fearless!!! For now, until it really starts getting nuts. Watch creeks and streams...and major rivers for flooding!!!

HOLY CRAP IT'S AUGUST!!!!

Well...almost! I just got back recently from my vacation. I went all over the place! The mountains, the ocean and saw some historic sites in Savannah, GA! I also stopped by Hilton head Island, SC...I definitely recommend that for anyone visiting South Carolina...it's beautiful! Just be sure to bring extra dough, because it's expensive! An inexpensive place to go is Myrtle Beach....I also stopped there for a few days. It's one of my favorite places!
I'm glad to be back home in the Valley...if you think over the past few weeks we've had traffic problems here...try this: I-95 CLOSED near Richmond with a 25 mile back up! People sat for 3-4 hours trying to get out of that mess. I only lost an hour using my trusty map!

V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N!!!!

I never thought it would get here this year, but tomorrow starts a week-long vacation for me! With the cold winter we had...and all the various illnesses floating around the office, it sure is good to finally break away! I'm just hoping it doesn't go too fast...because if you're like me, you like to relax on your vacay, but also do some really cool stuff!! I'm headed to the beach...so if you're looking for me, I'll be the dude with the cooler hanging out in the shade! I had a BLISTERING sunburn a few years ago - I'll NEVER do that again! I was miserable all vacation!

Hope you all get a chance to break away too!

Talk atcha soon!

Sal

That's What She Said!

It may be an old joke...but lately with co-workers...everything has turned into a statement that ends in 'that's what she said.' It may have been around forever, but we're all getting a lot of mileage out of it!
...that's what she said.....

- Sal

Hot Dog Eating Contest...really???

So, I was over at Hot Dog stand in Jersey a few nights ago and these people were there having hot dog eating contests among themselves. There are a LOT of things you can have that contest with, but really?? Hot dogs??? Those guys weren't looking too good when they left...one gu was even rolling on the floor in pain! The record was just 6 hot dogs...so I don't think they made it to the Guiness Book or anything...

Metallica Voted the 'Most Influential Rock Band'

A British magazine voted Metallica as the most influential Rock Band in the past 30 years. I may have a few other choices I'd personally set at number 1, but Metallica would definitely make the top 3. Some of the others...Green Day at number two, then Iron Maiden, My Chemical Romance (??!!) Slipknot, Linkin Park, Bullet for my Valentine, Blink 182, Ozzy Osbourne, and the Foo Fighters.

While I can agree with the majority of this list....My Chemical Romance sticks out. Ok, ok. I know what they USED to sound like...but their more recent work is like...not the same. They totally sound different! Almost as if they should have came up with a new name...

Stupid allergies!

I can't stand them!! Allergies, argh! I have been plagued with them most of my life, but this year, they seem to be worse than ever! Even people I know who don't have them, are suffering terribly! I actually got hay fever with my last bout of them, and I would just like to wave GOODBYE to them, because this has been a really bad season. Many people say when it rains, they are supposed to ease up...but I can attest that this does NOT happen! It rained ALL week, with no benefit! Plus, my car was still covered in pollen this morning. If you're suffering as much as I have this season, I hear ya...

New Show: 'The Voice'

The show "The Voice" hasn't been on for too long just yet, but I like the concept! I think it's really a wake-up call to many, that these singers that audition for something should only be judged upon their talent. Not how goofy they look, or how they act! I think it's a commendable thing to see (at least for the time being) that these contestants will be judged upon how they actually sound...not all the other crazy stuff! It really brings it back to the basics.

The show is hosted by Pop Singer Christina Aguliera, Cee Lo Green, and Country Singer Blake Shelton. YEAH!

- Sal

Boy oh boy....

This weekend on Netflix I checked out the Nicholas Cage/Jessica Biel movie "Next." It definitely (for my tastes) started off a little slow, but it started to pick up at the point when they were trapped inside the house with no viable option to escape in one piece. Nicholas Cage played his typical character, kinda crazy...which actually if you haven't heard recent news, may actually be true! He freaked out a few weeks back on his wife, debating whether they lived at a certain address or not, and took off in a fit of rage. Supposedly he had a few to drink, but you should still know where you live, unless you're that far gone!!!

As far as Jessica Biel goes..I guess moving on from the series 7th Heaven was the best thing for her, you'd hardly know that she's the same actor! The cast from that show seems to be surfacing all over the place lately - I'm not sure what's up with that, perhaps it's some sort of conspiracy!

Crying Child!

Have you seen the thing on YouTube with the child that is crying because he wants to be the Governor of NJ??? That's just crazy! I actually found it quite hilarious - someone told him he's 'too small' and he also said he would raise property taxes!!! I think his mom was right...he should go to college first! He's too honest to be in politics!!!
-Sal

The Most Annoying Song EVER!

I'm back! I haven't posted in awhile...eventhough I promised to post a few weeks back about the crazy man in the middle of a cornfield in his canoe...I still don't know what was up with that, but even though we got even MORE rain after that, it didn't fill up with water. This leads me to believe that the dude was seriously crazy enough to somehow get that area to fill with water, so he could go canoeing...

On another note. I pose the question: Why do people make ANNOYING music? I totally on accident ran across this thing on youtube of some chick singing it's "Friday, Friday..." and her voice is like nails on a chalk board. WHY!?!? Most people from what i see seem to think it's annoying too, but it's being made up to be a pretty big deal! I just love the one part of the song where she insults any common person's knowledge by educating us on the days of the week. This leads me to believe she must be pretty young. I guess that's why everyone is making such a big deal out of it...but dude, she has to be less annoying to be more "well-liked." Besides...that is EXACTLY why we play REAL music on the BONE!

TIME WARP!!!

I'm gonna start off by being honest...I really have this thing for watching old 80's movies and TV shows...but there was one I had forgotten about...I used to watch it as a kid! (yes my parents let me....) The show 'Knight Rider' has been on TV lately...and I'm once again addicted as I was many years ago. I KNOW! It's SO corny of me to be watching old 80's stuff like that, but to me, it's just one of those classics that once you start watching, you can't get enough of! I have to say...I'm jealous of the car...I mean, who wouldn't want a car that can talk to you, and give you any information you need...or turbo boot you through the side of a mountain! I could sure use a turbo boost when I sit in 22 traffic every day! I think there is something interesting to note: Back when the show was created, this was all perceived as the 'future'...some cars do talk, and have cell phones, or screens in them now...but that was a total pipe dream back then! Some of it still is!

Other than that...there are a few other things I've gotten addicted to...there are these shows where a car is getting repossessed...or someone needs to serve a person papers in a bad neighborhood and all hell breaks loose...I LOVE those shows!! A lot of my buddies tell me that it can't be real...but I think they are for real! I always get the "they wouldn't have cameras there for that" or "where are the cops." Well, I found out that the cops make them turn the cameras off usually when they show up, that's why you don't see certain things on there. Anyway hey - it's good entertainment! I must have been living under a rock the past 10 years...I missed a lot! I've also recently been watching the show '24' on re-runs...where have I been!?!? LOL

Ice, Ice Baby!

Okay, so I know I complain way too much about the weather...but I think I'm slowly earning my rights to do so! I've had a rough week so far, although I'm well aware many have had it FAR worse than me! I at least still had electricity after the last storm.

It all started...right outside the station yesterday. I THOUGHT I had my car parked in a safe place...out from under any power lines or trees where huge chunks of ice could potentially come and attack my car. I was right on that part...but what I didn't realize is that the part of the parking lot that I chose to park on was a slab of ICE! I got out of the car...and there it went, slip sliding away!! The car WAS in park...(I've forgotten to do that before, though...another story, for another time...) nonetheless...I had to go catch it, and put a stop the the madness. Then, of course it got stuck on the sheet of ice...so that took a little time out of my day to get situated again. Then, on the way home...I lost a windshield wiper while driving...that's always fun. The deal with that is, the wiper arm SCRRRRATCHES your windshield!

So...I made it home...defeated, but in one piece. Little did I know, the adventures would continue this morning! All my car doors FROZE last night from the extreme cold! I have a Corolla...so the handles are plastic...and if you pull too hard, you risk breaking them. So, I had to get creative. The trunk opened...so I hopped in, folded the seats down, and pushed the doors open from the inside!

All I have to say is...bring on SPRING and SUMMER...70 degree weather and the beach!

New Year's Resolutions a bust already??

A few weeks back at the beginning of the year, I posted about New Year's resolutions. It's never too soon to follow-up...because official statistics show that by mid-January many people who started off strong with their resolutions have already given up, or have kind of trailed off-course. I found this interesting only because usually if you follow the whole science/medical world thing, they say it takes 2 weeks to form a new habit. Now, if you match that up with when they say most people fail at their resolutions...it's about two weeks!!!

So what gives????

It may not have been statistically studied, and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure it out, but generally...this is the most depressing time of year for many. The holidays are over...there's no greenery on trees...we're all cooped up inside because of the snow and cold outside. Already, just that alone puts a cramp on most people's lifestyles...so that diet and exercise goes down the tubes.

Maybe there's a better time of year for it? Perhaps May? But then there are holidays....or it can always be too hot outside and we end up with the same problem! My feeling is...reward yourself with each little step forward you take...just as long as you don't take two steps back. I know for me, this is the best way to look at it. Even though it may take you slightly longer to get to your goal, you're not going to kill yourself getting there...and you have a routine down about it!

Identity Crisis!

Okay....so what is going on!?!?!? I know everyone has been buzzing about it, but this thing with the Zodiac signs has gone too far. I mean, for decades, and maybe even centuries...the signs have remained the same. Now suddenly, there's a new sign called "Ophiuchus." Who knows what sort of personality types and such that will breed...

But! Nevertheless, astronomers and scientists believe this because of a "wobble" in the Earth's orbit, that slowly over time has thrown things off kilter. That's their explanation at least.

So...with that said...here's the "new listing" of zodiac signs...

Here's your new sign below:

Capricorn: Jan. 20-Feb. 16

Aquarius: Feb. 16-March 11

Pisces: March 11-April 18

Aries: April 18-May 13

Taurus: May 13-June 21

Gemini: June 21-July 20

Cancer: July 20-Aug. 10

Leo: Aug. 10-Sept. 16

Virgo: Sept. 16-Oct. 30

Libra: Oct. 30-Nov. 23

Scorpio: Nov. 23-Nov. 29

Ophiuchus: Nov. 29-Dec. 17

Sagittarius: Dec. 17-Jan. 20

I don't know about you, but I have ALWAYS been a Taurus...this says I'm and Aries...I totally have to disagree! I'm just going to follow my OLD sign...since that seems more accurate to me!

Snow Day!?!?

Well...another 'snowstorm' has struck us! Funny thing is - a lot of people seem to have went to bed last night thinking that they would have a delayed start or a snow day today! This may be true for a lot of kids...but for those of us with jobs...waking up this morning was quite the surprise! Side roads were a little icy, but all the major and main roads were okay! WHAT A BUMMER! I was hoping to sleep in this morning, but I heard the plow go by at 6 this morning...that will get you down! This winter has been so cold...and it seems like its been going on forever. I know I'm SO ready for spring to get here!!! Are you ready for spring?? I guess if you hit the slopes you may be really enjoying this stuff, but for me...I'm ready to be done!
- Sal

New Year's Resolutions

So since it's that time of year again....I've been thinking of some new year's resolutions that would work for me.


A few I've thought of are...

1. Exercising more
2. Eating healthier
3. Being more organized

All I can say is, if I plan to hold to any of those...I better get crackin' because I'm off to a MISERABLE start!

Let me know what some of yours are!!!