Anything to get out of doing my mid-term and packing up for my move!

Everytime I watch a match of the World Cup the announcers always bombard the viewers with random facts and statistics that to me, as an amateur football fan, seem way out of left field. I decided, out of pure frustration with these silly scenarios that the sportcasters create, that I would write some wacked-out statistics of my own.

1) Germany has never advanced to the final four, on non-European soil and when cheap American Budweisers are downed by their team's rival's fan's mothers-in-law's cousins during teatime in London.

2) Mexico has only ever scored 2 goals in the second stage of the World Cup, except that time when 50% of the other team had serious constipation.

3) Its the first time in 40 years, Portugal has advanced to the second stage of the World Cup in which one of their team members is a young, hot, Prince-William look-a-like, not from the mainland.

4) Ecuador has lost everytime that the majority of their fans do NOT participate in the wave, sing the national anthem and buy expensive FIFA merchandise.

5) The longest distance a player has ever slid across the grass while other team members were celebrating the wrong goal in their second game, was 5 feet.

6) The Brazil vs. The African Brazil (Ghana) game will be the first time a South-American team has played against an African team which, within their own continent, is considered to be equal of the other team in that other continent.

Retribution At Last!

This has been a really bad year for me, and yesterday I said to myself, "for all of the bad things that have happened to me, there must be some retribution coming soon. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel, I must be at least close!" Well, retribution is coming in the form of a bigger apartment! The tenant of the original apartment just wouldn't quit, so my realtors (God bless them) worked their magic and got me an apartment, on the same floor of the same building, with a bigger lay-out, better views and the same original price. I was blown away! Basically, I just got an upgrade. Now I can resume packing with the knowledge that I actually have an apartment (an even nicer one to boot) to move into! Thank you kharma!

My World Comes Crashing Down

This is a really bad day.
 
For one, my beloved uncle died this morning at noon.
 
Secondly, the tenant of the apartment I was going to move into July 1st now doesn't want to move out. So I'm apartment-less.

To add to that, its crisis after crisis at work and I can't seem to catch up. And I have a midterm exam this week and a final exam next week.
 
::sigh::

The Cup Overfloweth With Opinions

I have a lot going on right now. I'm going to moving into my first apartment in a few weeks; I'm in the middle of my grad school summer session with a mid-term right around the corner; I'm working like a dog at my job trying to catch up because of the time I lost during my vacation. But even with all of this going on, my main focus still remains on soccer and the World Cup. It's all I can think about and all I'm interested in. I allot most of my time to packing, studying and working but I've got a serious case of soccer-on-the-brain. Here are my thoughts on the World Cup so far (Disclaimer: I'm not a professional sports fan):

Germany-4 ~ Costa Rica-2 : Can someone say "hometown advantage"?
Poland-0 ~ Ecuardor-2 : I was mesmerized by the Polish goalkeeper the whole time.
England-1 ~ Paraguay-0 : Probably one of the most boring games, ever. ::Yawn::
Trinidad & Tobago-0 ~ Sweden- 0: I loved the fact that T&T were so happy with their score!
Argentina-2 ~ Ivory Coast-1: Eh.
Serbia-Montenegro-0 ~ Netherlands-1: It's interesting that Serbia-Montenegro is no longer one country. I was rooting for the dudes in orange. Go PSV Eindhoven!
Mexico-3 ~ Iran-0: I almost cried when all the Mexican players at the end went to hug the goalkeeper who's father passed away recently. What a touching tribute!
Angola-0 ~ Portugal-0: This fascinated me because I have family that was born in both Portugal and Angola. But I'd rather ogle at C. Ronaldo from Portugal anyday!
Australia-3 ~ Japan-1 : This is nothing to what Australia will face with Brazil. Good thing they have a 3 point advantage!
USA-0 ~ Czech Republic-3: I watched this at a bar with a bunch of USA fans, but I was rooting Czech all the way! I'm so not a good American.
Italy-2 ~Ghana-0: The Italians have really good hair. I wonder what conditioner they use?
South Korea-2 ~ Togo-1: I'm embarassed to say, I didn't even know Togo was a country!
France-0 ~ Switzerland-0: France isn't as interesting this year. Shame.
Brazil-1 ~ Croatia-0: Doesn't surprise me that Brazil won.
Spain-4 ~ Ukraine-0: The two countries rhyme! I love it.
Tunisia-2 ~ Saudia Arabia-2: I wish I could say I was interested in this, but I really wasn't.
Germany-1 ~ Poland-0: See my comments below in my last entry. Poor Boruc.
Ecuador-3 ~ Costa Rica-0: Wow, those Ecuadorians have lots of energy!
England-2 ~ Trinidad & Tobago-0: I missed this one. I wish I could have seen Rooney in action.
Sweden-1 ~ Paraguay-0: I think I was in panic-mode at work when this game happened.
Argentina-6 ~ Serbia-Montengro-0: Wow! Argentina swept the floor with those poor Serbs.
Netherlands-2 ~ Ivory Coast-1: Go Orange! Go Orange!
Mexico-0 ~ Angola-0: As exciting as watching grass grow, but gives Portugal an advantage.
Portugal-2 ~ Iran-0: Go Portugal! It's your birthday! This is my favorite game so far!
Czech Republic-0 ~ Ghana-2: What the...? How the...? Huh?
USA-1 ~ Italy-1: Brutal, complete with actual blood. Emotionally draining, but USA impressed me.

Issa/Boruc

I have a soft spot for soccer players, especially those who struggle to make it to the World Cup only to be harshly ignored by lady luck. Last time, it was Pierre~Issa. A Lebanese, South-African born, French-raised soccer player who played for the South Africa team in the World Cup in 1998 and 2002. I thought he was beautiful and graceful. He was sleek and tall and his movements across the field looked more like ballet than sport. In 1998, he tried to intercept two shots on goal from the French only to have the ball slip over his foot and into the net both times! And because he technically was the last person to touch the ball, he was counted as responsible for the other team's goal. I don't know how, but he made it to the 2002 World Cup only to get an injury during his first part of the first game and had to sit on the bench while he watched his team get eliminated! My heart yearns for him, because this is his career, his passion!

South Africa didn't make it this year, but now I long to comfort someone else. A certain Artur-Boruc on the Polish team. He's one of the most beautiful men I've ever seen. I set eyes on him and I thought to myself, I must be dreaming, I didn't think they came this handsome. I did some research on him and found out that he's a very successful goalkeeper who's played for clubs in Poland and Scotland. But being a goalkeeper must be very difficult, especially since every goal the other teams scores is basically a result of your mistake! Ouch! And my heart went out to him when Germany got a goal in the 91st minute of a 0-0 game. He looked absolutely devastated. This may be a beautiful game but the highs are high and the lows are terribly low and its more than just a game that's at stake.

Below are some pictures of Boruc for your viewing pleasure. Sorry ladies, he's married (shucks!). But if you want to ogle at him some more go to is official website!

Boruc3

Boruc2

Borac

Beautiful Game

Once every four years, something amazing happens. No, it's not a break in the time-space continuum but it's a phenomenon that is almost equally astonishing. For one month, I am glued to the television watching nothing but sports! Not just any old sport, but the beautiful game - soccer. Or, to call it by it's true name, football. Also, it's not just any old football game, but the World Cup. I, who abhor watching any type of sport for the other 3 years and 11 months in my 4 year cycle, became infatuated with football. Athletic men, from around the world, join together to run around a field and kick a ball around, and I'm entranced. There's the thrill of knowing the one goal can change the entire game. There's the international aspect of seeing representatives from so many different countries all in one place. And the most important part, there's the feminine-hormonal surge in me which swoons at the sight of slender, athletic men drenched in sweat and running around in shorts that reveal just the right amount of perfectly sculpted leg muscles. And, if they are running fast enough, their uninforms cling to their bodies revealing their amazing shapes. Their outrageously gorgeous model wives and girlfriends are no where to be seen, so the fantasy is kept in tact. In just a few minutes, another game starts, so off I go to drool over the beautiful game.

Salut!

I've decided that this poster will be the main focal piece in my new living room. Yes that's right, I've got a new living room meaning I have a new apartment! Yay! I will be less than 2 miles from work and only a hop skip and a jump away from school. Most importantly, I'll be at a distance from my parents who are still making plans to control my life while I'm away. Its going to be a great opportunity to become truly independent. I'll learn, mostly the hard way, how to be solely responsible for myself. I still see myself running back home for certain things such as mom's home cooking, our home garden complete with flowers, vegetables, fruit and herbs and my dad's mechanical expertise. I also don't want to give up my bank, my hair stylist, my dentist, my chiropractor, my aesthetician and my eye doctor. So I'll be doing lots of travelling home. But I do get to say goodbye to Monday morning/Friday afternoon commutes and paying outrageous amounts of money at the pump. I'm both excited and nervous because I know I have a lot of growing up to do! My move-in date is July 1st and I'll keep you in the loop on the details of the new pad!

Book Expo

Last Saturday was truly an unforgettable day. I woke up at 4am-ish -- which should be a crime by the way -- got ready, got on a bus and then got on a plane to D.C. Besides my disabilitating fear of flying, I was super excited. For one day, I got to go to Book Expo America, the biggest event in book publishing. It's a convention held every May (sometimes June) when book publishers and other business create elaborate booths in a grandiose convention center to show off their wares to booksellers and other folk. Authors and remainder buyers swarm around the booths like hawks hoping to court a publisher or two. It's all shmooze and all excitement. When I arrived at the Washington Convention Center I was in awe! I got to wander around for a few hours oggling at other publisher's goodies before going to my company's booth for "booth duty." My job was basically to handsell our titles, pass out free goodies (something Book Expo is famous for) such as galleys (pre-publication copies of books), tote bags, postcards and catalogs, and answer as many questions as I could. It was so great to see so many people excited about the industry. The whole experience reminded me why I'm in this business: because I truly love books. And being around so many other people who've dedicated huge parts of their lives to books, only made me more proud of my career! I still can't stop talking about the experience! I have made a Yahoo! Photo Album for you to see some pictures from my trip. Please enjoy.

Back for Good

I really needed a hiatus from everything and work on getting some issues resolved. So now I'm back for good. When I have some time, I will write a proper post. For now, I will just highlight some important things that are going on in my life:

1. I'm back in school, taking a class I like on a schedule that works for me.
2. My chiro sessions ended and now I don't have back and neck pain.
3. I'm slowly coming to terms with my dog's death, although I'm forever traumatized.
4. I went to Washington DC on Saturday to go to Book Expo America! And I saw celebrities! Pictures and details to come.
5. I think I found an apartment close to work. I will probably apply for it today.
6. I have a full week vacation coming soon. Finally!
7. I was a victim of identity theft. Again! Argh...I can't wait to catch up with everyone and get back to blogging!

He Broke My Heart

Tammy 1992-2006

I've been so despondent. I feel like my heart has been broken and my soul has been shattered. On Wednesday, my beloved dog Tammy passed away. He (yes he) was diagnosed with lymphoma back in December of 2004. We took him to a special Veterinary hospital where he underwent 2 or 3 operations and had chemotherapy for 4 months. He was in remission until a few weeks ago, when his tumors started growing back. It happened so quickly but I had been expecting it for so long. I can't recall a time that I never cried so much. Tammy has been a part of my life since I was 11 years old. I've gone through so much with him and now he's gone. I'll miss him dearly and will always cherish his memory. Pets give us a type of love that people just can't. It's unconditional, non-judgemental, shameless and always in full supply. My life was better for having Tammy in it. Although, I suffer the pain of losing him I know that now he's suffering no pain. Above is the last picture I took of him, it was a couple of hours before we had to bring him to the hospital to put him to sleep. He sat so quietly next to me and looked so sad. The lumps you see on his chest and neck are a result of his illness. Yet even disfigured by the disease, he still looks as handsome as that 3 month old puppy that I held in my arms that fateful day in 1992. Godspeed Tammy! I will always love you.

I'm Going to Washington DC!

There is a big convention in Washington DC in May where all the major book publishers and booksellers from across the country get together to sell/buy, shmooze, show off, collect free stuff and ogle celebrities. And yours truly is going! Yay! I'm so excited. My job in publishing doesn't really require me to go to this big event, but since my company needs an extra hand to help out at our booth this year I get to go! Oh yeah! I'm so excited. I might bring my camera and take pictures to share on this blog. Its not definite that I'm going but I'm 95% sure it is going to happen. Woohoo!

Tagged, I'm it!

Bev has been very kind and tagged little ole me to fill this marvelous list of fours. Enjoy and please feel free to share your own!

Four jobs you have had in your life:

1. Barnes & Noble Bookstore ~ Bookseller, Magazine Lead and Barista
2. Northeastern University Press ~ Intern
3. Current job at a Children's Book Publisher.
4. I've only had 3 jobs! All book-releated too.

Four movies you could watch over and over:

1. If a Man Answers (1962) w/ Bobby Darrin and Sandra Dee
2. Pillow Talk (1957) w/Rock Hudson and Doris Day
3. Pride & Prejudice BBC Adaptation
4. Father of the Bride (1950) w/ Elizabeth Taylor and Spencer Tracy

Four places you have lived:
1. Natick, Massachusetts
2. Boston, Massachusetts
3. 'Rents House, Massachusetts
4. My future apartment in Massachusetts

Four TV shows you love to watch:
1. Friends
2. The segments TCM shows in between movies.
3. A Fine Romance
4. Arthur!

Four places you have been on vacation:
1. Portugal
2. Dominican Republic
3. Alberta, Canada
4. England!

Four web sites I visit daily:
1. Hotmail
2. Work-related Website
3. IMDB
4. Netflix

Four of my favorite meals:
1. Clam Bake
2. Pulled Pork Sandwiches
3. Pepperoni Pizza
4. Pad Thai

Four places I would rather be right now:
1. At home with a good book
2. At home watching a good movie
3. At home surfing the net
4. At home playing with my dog

Four places you would like to visit:
1. France
2. Ireland
3. Italy
4. Maine (I've never been there!!)

Four friends I am tagging that I think will respond.
1. If you've done me the honor of reading this, then consider yourself tagged!!!

Gifted Borders

Because I think the copywriting team at Borders are a group of absolute geniuses, I thought I'd share two paragraphs about reading I just enjoyed from their March 2006 Fiction e-mail newsletter.

Sometimes it's a comfort to pick up a book and enter the life of a character not so much unlike one's self, with a life not unlike one's own, facing challenges that are all too familiar. There is a calming sense of empathy that emanates from the well-written quotidian tome, a sigh of relief when each of us encounters a character with whom we can almost completely identify. On other occasions, escapism is the order of the day, and nothing thrills us more than entering times, places, or realities that we find thoroughly…well…novel. How invigorating, and edifying, to tool around Venice with a courtesan and a dwarf, to learn that Death sports mint-green golf wear, to find interspersed within pages of text a graphic novel inspired by Dante.

Je suis toujours ici

I'm still here! I've just been very busy at work. So busy in fact, I've put most of my energy into work and when I come home I'm so drained that I just want to lounge about and watch movies all night. When I do scrounge up the energy on the weekend, I go see my chiropractor (my back's gotten worse), run some errands and start planning for my apartment. Yes that's right I said it, apartment. Its looking more like a possibility than a far off dream. With my recent promotion, I'm starting to become more financially secure and now is the perfect time to move out. I was hoping to move out before I start school again (end of May) but it looks like June is more realistic. I'm really super excited about the prospect of a little nook to call my own. Its really boosted my spirits, more than I can convey in words. It will be great to focus my energy on this. I'd like to revitalize my blog too and to post more often! I keep thinking my posts are boring and that's creating a form of writer's block. Not good! Stay tuned...

March

This comes from a Borders newsletter, of all places. Its such an encouragement when you are struggling through those last days of winter and are so hungry for a taste of spring! Here it is! Enjoy:

We are now in a month of transition. March carries us through the dead end of winter and gives us our first glimpse of spring. As the days move from shorter to longer, our energy levels rise, and we emerge from whatever physical and mental hibernation we may have been in. Suddenly, it is as if the earth itself blew the warm breeze of a final yawn across the land, urging its floral tenants and faunal boarders to awaken renewed and refreshed.

Indulgences

The lovely Bev had a marvelous idea for a post, which I have decided (with all due credit to her for the concept) to use on my blog. It has been so hectic these past few months, that its nice to step back and appreciate the little things that make life so precious. Those moments you savor as you indulge in something you truly enjoy. Here are some of my indulgences. (Please feel free to share yours too!)

Doggie Talk: There is nothing better than talking incomprehensible gibberish to my lovely beagle, who enjoys every minute of it. He doesn't understand a word, but knows its the language of love.

Purging: Not what you think! One of my favorite things to do is take a big trash bag, scavenge around the house for disposable items, filling up the bag and throwing it away. Its as if I've filled that bag with stress and clutter and just got rid of it. Pure bliss!

Croissant and Coffee: This is my favorite breakfast. It all started when I watched the hunky Rock Hudson accept an offer of coffee and a roll from the beautiful Jane Wyman in All That Heaven Allows (1955). There is something so appealing about the simplicity of that scene.

Magazines: I love buying several women's magazines (Real Simple, Shape, InStyle, Glamour, etc.) and just plonking myself on my sofa and devouring all the articles. It makes me feel like a real girl's girl for an hour or so.

Kindness: Its highly underrated! It makes the other person feel good and that feeling only comes right back at you.

Old Movies: I know this is an obvious one, because I talk about them all the time, but movies from the 30's, 40's, 50's (and 1960-1962 ~ I'm very specific) are my absolute favorites! Its my escape into another world, one much more simple and innocent than the one I know.

Books: Another obvious one, but I love everything about them and have based my career on them. As the years go by, my appreciation for their beauty, complexity and power never wanes.

A Good Night's Sleep: Feeling refreshed after sleeping in a nice warm bed, is there anything better?

Two-Cent Reviews

Been watching a lot of movies lately. Here are my Two-Cent reviews that I post on Netflix for the stuff I've recently seen.

Designing Woman (1957) ~ Who spilled the ravioli? Very funny film. Gotta love Bacall and Peck!

Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1949) ~ Blanding's Dream House is more like a nightmare. Hilarious!

Beyond the Sea (2004) ~ Shameful! A disgrace on the memory of the lovely Bobby Darin!

Asylum (2005) ~ Psycho stalker love stories are my favorite. And this one is steaming hot! ::sizzle::

Butterfield 8 (1960) ~ Very captivating film. Taylor and Harvey are dynamic and Fisher is just bleh!

East of Eden (1955) ~ James Dean cries, gets drunk and is sad. Nothing really new. Good anyways!

Imitation of Life (1934/1959) ~ It will move you to tears. Not the drippy kind but the gushing kind.

Merchant of Venice (2004) ~ Overacted by everyone except Pacino who was amazingly disturbing as the man who wanted a pound of flesh!

An American in Paris (1951) ~ Gene Kelly, we know you can dance, now stop showing off!

Gigi (1958) ~ Gigi looks 13 but Leslie Caron was 27. Her fling with Louis Jordan would be weird if he wasn't so hot!

~Raquelle~