Abigail's Journal

On Facebook many people requested that they hear about my getting pulled over in downtown Detroit and it being my parents fault. For those of you that know my parents I know that visualizing all of this isn't going to be much of a stretch. For those of you that do NOT know my parents ... I'm sorry because that's what pretty much makes this story hilarious.

Last Saturday after I was doing work in the lab my parents and I decided we wanted to see the traveling Norman Rockwell exhibit at the Detroit Institute of Arts. I, obviously, drove separately seeing as I was coming from East Lansing. After going to the exhibit (which was GREAT!) and finishing up around 6:00ish my parents decided they wanted to get something eat. Dad suggested we go to Greektown to get the flaming cheese. Who doesn't like to yell "OPA!" after lighting a block of cheese on fire?! :-)

We left the DIA on our way to Greektown and this is where it all starts to go down. Here's where all of the problems started ... 1) We were in Detroit on a weekend 2) We were in Detroit during the night of a Red Wing series game. 3) Red Wings were playing in Detroit 4) We were driving around Cobo Hall and the Greektown Casino. Because of the wonderful merging of all of these events parking was super hard to find. As we all know, or at least those of you that know my parents, my Dad would rather waste about $10 in gas driving around to find cheap or free parking rather than pay the $10 to go into a parking garage. Why you ask? Who knows. He's special. :-)

As we're driving around Dad seems to like driving in the far left lane. Okay, that's cool. But at the last minute at a four way lighted intersection Dad would decide he was just kidding on the left lane and want to drive over two lanes into the right hand turn lane. He would decide this the minute the light turned green. He would then decide out of nowhere he no longer wanted to turn left but keep going straight. Looks like I have to follow him and piss off drivers behind me trying to merge out of the left turn lane and back into traffic. My dad did this about a dozen times. During all of this there were two times I forgot to use my blinker because I was so caught off guard by my Dad's erratic driving that I was more worried about not losing them in downtown Detroit.

After about a dozen erratic driving moves the cell phone rings. Here's the conversation as it played out while driving.

Me: "Thanks for getting me honked at three times and the middle finger twice. Where in the hell are we going? Greektown is the other way."
Mom: "Yeah I know. Dad doesn't want too park in that other area either. Meters are free today so we wants to try and find a meter spot."
Me: "That's great but what about me? Usually only one meter opens up at a time. I won't have anywhere."
Mom: *Talking to Dad, ignoring me ... this is typical*
Mom: *Finally* "What did you say?"
Me: "Never mind..."

Now ... as we're having this conversation and coming up to San Antoine Road I happen to look out my window and notice a cop car there but paying more attention to the "Psychic Reading" shop.

Me: "Where are we going? Let's just go home this isn't worth it. The Red Wings are playing tonight we're never going to find a place to park next to each other."
Mom: *Once again talking to Dad, ignoring me*
Mom: "What did you say?"
Me: "Never mind ... Hey! Don't just turn like that I wasn't expecting it. You guys have to quit weaving you're going to get us shot."
Mom: "Yeah I know I keep telling your father to quit driving like this because he's going to lose you."
Me: "It's not just that, we're weaving in and out of traffic really badly and it's going to piss off the wrong driver."

MEANWHILE ... after going about two/three blocks I notice the cop car now following me.

Me: "Awesome ... just awesome. Mom, I have to get off the phone, there's a cop behind me. I think he's going to pull me over for something."
Mom: *I can see her trying to look from their car* Oh you're right. Yeah, we'll get off the phone. I think we're just going to go back home and get something to eat. It will be much easier."

*Note: IF I would have had a free hand I would have face palmed it.

Me: "I think that's best, just go ahead and drive let's get home."
Mom: "Okay, bye"

*click*

NOW ... after two more erratic turns two things dawn on me. 1) I am SO getting pulled over because the cop didn't leave me 2) I finally realize the erratic driving is because Dad has no idea in hell WHERE we are going. Sure enough ... we finally get to a street that runs parallel to the city where it's not super congested.

*flashing lights WHOOP WHOOP WHOOP*

I realize my "I am soooooo fucked level" was running high. I pulled over and my parents pulled over also and were about two car lengths in front of me. NOW ... I would like to think that at age 25 and getting pulled over before I could handle this situation. It's at this point I think my Dad still has that protective urge and forgets that I'm not 10. I also am not stupid and realized EXACTLY why I was getting pulled over. As the cop is walking to my car I am getting out all of the paperwork because I already know what's coming.

*I roll down window*
Officer: "Do you know why I pulled you over?"
Me: *sigh* "Let me take a stab at it ... I was weaving in and out of traffic and I must have looked drunk. I was also driving and talking on a cell phone *Note: now illegal to do in Detroit city limits* and I think I forgot to use my blinker a couple of times."
Officer: *Looked a little surprised* Yes, those reasons are exactly why I pulled you over.
Me: "Do you see that Toyota up there that pulled over also? Those are my parents. I'm following them because they wanted to eat at Greektown. The reason for the erratic driving was because I was following them and my Dad couldn't make up his mind about which lane he wanted even after the light already changed. I really am sorry sir. I was on the phone because they were trying to direct me while following them. I am also really sorry about missing using my blinker a few times. I didn't do it on purpose. I was so worried about losing them that I blanked in using it because I was more worried about missing the turn they took."
Officer: "Okay, give me your information let me run it in the computer."

MEANWHILE AS HE'S TALKING TO ME my father decides to ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW and shout from the car the entire time. It was hard to hear him over traffic because what I did catch was blips of "this is our fault she was following us" "I don't know where I'm going" and "can I get out of the car we're lost?" I know what all of you are thinking now. Had he gotten out of the car they either would have shot him or arrested him. My mother realized this to and you could see her silhouette in the car yelling/talking sternly to him. Yes that's right ... as I'm talking to the cop he is yelling out the window the entire time and I'm thinking "shut up Dad ... I got this ... shut up" and also thinking "I am totally going to owe over $300 in fines and 5 points on my license. FUCK!"

NOW ... as Dad is yelling out the window this attracts the attention of cop number two who now GETS OUT OF THE CAR and starts slowly walking towards my parent's car with his hand on his gun in its holster!!!!! I wanted to call them to warn them to STFU but I realized I'm already in trouble for the phone and to not push my luck.

*cop walks back to me - Dad STILL SHOUTING OUT THE WINDOW*

Officer: "Okay, look, I can clearly tell you are not from around here. What I'm going to do is not write you a ticket because you currently have no points on your license and it looks like you're a clean driver. What I am going to tell you is you need to use your blinker, and it would probably be best if you guys left Detroit. Be careful driving home. It is now in the computer I pulled you over. If you do happen to get pulled over again today you will not be treated as lightly and you will definitely get ticketed."
Me: "Thank you SOOO much sir!!! We will definitely get out of here."

*Officer looks up*

Officer: "What is your father shouting out the window???"
Me: *embarrassed and thinking 'well my gut tells me what I should tell you is to ignore them because that's what I usually try and do but seeing as he won't stop yelling out the window you should probably just go over there.' NOW what I REALLY said... "Sir, the entire time he's been shouting that he's lost and doesn't know how to get back onto the highway from where we are."
Officer: "I'll walk over there after I'm done here with you."
Me: "Sounds good, because I can't leave until they leave."
Officer: "Have a good night and drive safely."
Me: "Thanks, you too."

The police officer is now walking towards their car, talks to them for a few minutes, and walks back to the squad car. I am waiting for my parents to start driving away so we can hightail it out of there. I then notice that my parents aren't driving away like you should be after getting pulled over. The cop car pulls out, drives, and then stops slightly and my Dad starts to go. That's when the realization hit me ... omg my parents are being escorted to the highway by the police. We are getting a POLICE ESCORT to the highway.

About two blocks of driving all of the sudden the cops puts on his lights and sirens for a sec. Yes that's right ... the cop stopped traffic at a four way intersection. He then GETS OUT OF THE CAR and physically POINTS to the road that leads to I-75 north bound. We received a POLICE ESCORT to basically say to us "please get the hell out of our city."

Yes people, this really happened. It's been the running joke on Facebook between my mother and I. Oh yes, my family is all sorts of fruity and fun.

That was my Saturday, how was your's???

Liz and Steve one upped me. I asked Liz and Steve to pick me up something in NYC and that I would send them a check for the shipping. I probably sent more than it cost to ship but I was so grateful they went out of their way I thought the amount was the least they deserved.

When I opened the package my check flew out. It had "VOID" in permanent black marker written across it with a smiley face. I was duped. I respect them for getting away with it and me not being any of the wiser. People are sneaky.

Now back to the Thesis O'Doom.

I have watched every episode of ER since the pilot episode. I skipped many elementary, junior high, and high school events because I had to watch the new ER. I remember being in fifth grade when the pilot aired and the opening scene was nurse Carol Hathaway being brought into the ER after trying to kill herself. I remember skipping a show choir concert for the episode where Lucy and Carter were stabbed by the schitzo. I remember her dying and me crying my eyes out. When Susan Lewis was stuck taking care of her sister's baby because Chloe had a substance abuse problem I was there freaking out at the TV. When Chloe came back and took her little Suzy back I remember Susan crying because she couldn't find her bunny and me crying and hating Chloe. Dr. Ross left with nurse Hathaway to Seattle to raise their twin girls. Dr. Greene developed the brain tumor. I cried my hardest in the episode where Dr. Greene died. I cried almost the entire episode going through half a box of Kleenex. I just got giddy tonight seeing bratty Rachel Greene all grown up and going to medical school.

I could not be more upset to see it done. Some of the most major moments of my life I remember because of the episode of ER that happened that week. I was easily one of their most devoted fans. I know I sound idiotic and overly obsessed but I'm still going to say.

I feel like a little part of me died inside in the end knowing that is it ... it's over.

I had to go to Babies R'Us to buy a couple of baby shower gifts for different people yesterday. Gordon willingly came with if I promised to let him look for his comic book stuff. I agreed.

I came to a few conclusions after going into it.

1) I love kids and I love my friend's children. Although that store serves as an effective form of birth control.

2) Could baby stuff be anymore expensive?

3) Apparently Playtex not only makes tampons, but apparently decided to go into the baby stuff business.

And last but not least ...

4) I need to open up a green, organic, and all natural baby store to rip off stupid people (specifically hippy and/or paranoid and ill-educated mothers) in which I can charge triple the price of stuff. I learned yesterday that people buy into this stuff. Gordon agreed to do the marketing for the store.

Here were a few of the things and items I noticed, good and bad.

BPA free bottles and pacifiers - I actually really liked seeing that. I have been trying to avoid even small amounts of BPA. I think it's wonderful. With either putting warm milk into the bottle, or heating it up for the baby to drink, I think it's great. The pacifiers were also great. I didn't realize, even though I probably should have, they make BPA free products for children. Infact, I was tempted to pick up a BPA free water bottle I saw there for myself.

Chlorine free diapers - For real? You get less and ripped off more. I laughed my ass off when I saw these. Clearly, the mothers who buy these things didn't do their research with basic biology or biochemistry. First off ... chlorine, if absorbed, will simply bind with either excess sodium or potassium in the body and after binding it becomes a salt and your baby pisses it out. Sodium cloride? NaCl? Table salt? Baby absorbs chlorine ... baby pisses out chlorine. My favorite was the mother that had a baby bikini in her cart with the chlorine free diapers. I think she missed the memo that a swimming pool has more chlorine in it than Huggies. I can promise her kid is either going to accidentally swallow pool water, or baby will stick hand in water and shove it in her mouth. Therefore, your child will be ingesting more chlorine that way. Unless you burn the diaper and inhale the chlorine fumes you will be fine. If you ARE burning diapers and inhaling the fumes, well ... um ... you have more issues than being ripped off.

Organic bibs/burpclothes/spit-up rags/etc - I don't even know where to begin with this one. I mean, first, during the process of preparing the cotton for threading it's treated and cleaned. Goodbye pesticides that might have been there. Then you get them home. Now not everybody, but I think I can safely assume you will probably wash them first before using them. Now it's 100% free of pesticides that even more so might have been on them. Even more entertaining is that conventionally sprayed cotton fields are not allowed to have their crops harvested if there is pesticide left and is regulated by USDA and EPA. So even if there were ppm or ppb residue levels left. They would have been eliminated by the threading processes and treatments. Not to mention after you wash it in your machine with Tide ... your kid (assuming you have one like I used to do and suck on the wet wash cloths in the tub) will suck in a boat load of Tide residue ... but no pesticides.

"green" home cleaning sprays - While they are fun and trendy you will not eliminate E-coli with them and some other bacterias. They need strong bleaches to kill them. There are many antibiotic resistant microbes out there ... they are most certainly resistant to a lot of the less potent cleaning solutions out there. Therefore, I'll stick to my bleaches and lysols and make my kids go outside and play while cleaning if I am concerned about the bleach fumes.

Natural and Organic Bedding - see organic bibs/etc

I could go on and on. All I know is I need to use my degrees to my advantage and open up a baby and kids store specializing in this crap. Although I was entertained by a lot of items too. I saw something called "butt paste." No joke ... if my kid ever gets diaper rash I'm so buying that stuff just because it's called "butt paste."

I also found a lot of the products by Kiddapotomus. I have no idea if I spelled it right. I would like to give major props to this company. They had some nifty stuff. I liked their swaddlers. I referred to it as "swaddling for dummies." Really, that's not an insult, because I never mastered swaddling. My mother always let me practice it on my baby sister when she was born. Even as an infact and I would practice over and over again. She never used to cry or get irritated, but I think she looked at me like I was moron. I remember one time she actually looked at me at a month old and arched one of her eyebrows up like "who's the ass? Really? Are you that retarded you can't wrap me in a blanket?" I need to keep that brand in mind for later in life.

Baby strollers are now made like all terrain vechicles. Talk about sweeeeet. Although after pushing one around I wondered how difficult they must be to push around in stores and stuff. They are so bulky and wide. Although some of them looked like had shock systems on them. You never know when you'll find yourself pushing your child on I-696 hitting potholes that you just don't want to jostle your child that much. Especially getting off that Mound Road exit with it. :-)

I guess I've made fun of enough stuff for now. I hope that all of you can get a laugh out of something in here. If any of you reading this out there is offended because you have bought this items for one reason or another. Please don't take offense. I meant to write all of this in jest for humor. Especially because when I open up my own organic/natural/green store I hope to have all of your business. :-D :-D ;-)

http://needsomefaith.blogspot.com/

All I'd like to know is at what point my immune system gave me the middle finger and decided it didn't feel like working anymore. I am so not friends with it anymore. Especially, since it doesn't believe in working.

Feeling like crap. Total crap actually. I'll do a worthwhile post when my body decides it doesn't want to rebel against me anymore.

Actually, what I find really funny as I'm typing this I'm clearly typing scientifically inaccurate statements left and right. I know my immune system is working. Especially since I am achy, have a runny nose, throat hurts, and I'm all over NOT a happy camper right now. If I didn't have these symptoms I would worry that my immune system really isn't working. Since these symptoms aren't a cold but are all from my immune system trying to fight this cold.

God, I need to take more Nyquil, shut up, and go back to sleep.

I was emailed today from the USDA about meeting up with someone from HR when I go out there in two weekends. It sounds like I can choose location wise where I want to go.

Everyone pray and cross your fingers for me!

I usually don't like to be a negative Nancy. I've noticed that the only time I really livejournal it is when I'm griping about something. In all fairness that means I'm happy about 95% of the time, except for when there is an entry. I figured I could do a little bit of both in this entry.

February hasn't really been my month. I was supposed to give my huge 40 minute seminar on Feb 16th at 1:30 pm. It's where I talk about my research to the department. That Saturday night (V-day) Gordon and I were leaving from seeing "He's Just Not That Into You" (GREAT movie btw!) and my gut feeling was telling me something wasn't right. Oooooh how right my gut was ... 15 minutes after feeling that bad my gut decided to remove everything that made me feel so horrible. I had a norovirus from the 14-17th. They are only supposed to stay for 60 hours max. Apparently my immune system decided to go on a coffee break and try and beat this record 60 hours. I had a nice little doctor's visit that Monday to get an IV because my blood pressure was incredibly low from dehydration. As I finally start to recover from that this past weekend my lovable and caring boyfriend who likes to share everything with me decides to share his cold. Because of the fact my immune system was already worn out I got this bad boy quickly and I STILL have it. DAMN YOU FEBRUARY DAMN YOU! Here's where I made the fatal mistake. I decided since I was losing sleep hacking all night this week that I would take some Nyquil to sleep though everything. And boy, did I sleep. I fell asleep at 9:30 and woke up at 10:00 am this morning and slept through my annoying buzzer alarm at 7:00am for work. The Nyquil did its job that's for sure. Right now I've been dragging through this Friday. I've had three espressos ... none of which has helped this sleepy stupor I'm in. Once I get off at five I'm going home and hitting the bed. That is how I will spend my Friday night, sleeping like it's my job.

Other than being sick things haven't been too shabby. I'm still on the job hunt. I thought there was a super promising lead with the USDA but so far that hasn't worked out. I had a couple of friends say what they did is they knew what cities and companies they wanted to work for. So on their resume they actually put a family or friend's address on their resume of someone that already lives in that area. That way companies will actually give you a second glance if they think they don't have to pay for relocation expenses. My friends that did that suggested I do that but I tried explaining all of my family lives here in Michigan. If I had super close friends that lived in the area and I could get away with doing that I would. It makes sense really. I am really frustrated that things aren't working out because of the lack of jobs. I do feel as though I will have an easier time finding something in person than Gordon will. I think what our game plan is that after graduation he is going to move back home for a little bit and when we both finish we'll figure out what to do. Once I graduate I think I'm going to pick up and move somewhere or stay with a friend for a week and everyday that week go hand out resumes at different companies. That in itself will feel like an 8-5 job just trying to find one!

I realize now that I'm not really writing in my livejournal because I don't really have anything to talk about. I don't have the most eventful of lives. I'll be going to Baltimore in a couple of weekends. I'm going to try and hit up the USDA in person. We'll see how well that goes. I hope everyone that reads this is doing well. Maybe something exciting will happen for me soon so I'll have something great to talk about. Have a wonderful day everyone.

All I need to say is Jill ... you sly sly dog you. :-D

I'm off to a doctor's appointment. I'll write more later I'm sure.

I am at a coffee shop studying for my final exam, and have been since 8:30 this morning. Although I take 2/3 minute breaks here and there so my brain doesn't fry. I also realized I really like livejournal over blogger because of the ability to hide entries from the general public if I don't want to piss off the general public and I can limit it to my friends. ;-) This entry I'm not allowing comments because I don't want a fight to start between me and someone I care about, or even someone I don't know. If I don't allow comments, that means anything I may have said today to irritate you will probably be forgotten about by tomorrow or at least the next day.

My homepage ranges from CNN to the Drudgereport to the Independent to the Huffington Post. I don't know why I feel so strongly about something that really I don't have any control over, nor can do anything about, but all of these bailouts are pissing me off. While I was wary of it I totally understood the bailout for the mortgage companies. There's nothing that can be done about it now, but it still enrages me that during the Clinton presidency and his idiotic people cared more about mortgages being politically correct then the possible effects it could have. I love the fact that you rarely hear the Clintons speak about it publicly because they realize what a big f up occurred during his term. What did they think would happen when they force banks and other mortgage companies to give out loans requiring no equity and not have to put anything down on the house? You can't give out loans for $250,000 homes to people making $40,000 a year and think they'll be able to afford it! Being politically correct needs to stay out of anything to do with finances. Either you can get the loan/mortgage and pay it because you make that much money, or you can't. I'm irritated with this American attitude of either gimme-gimme-gimme, I deserve it because I say so, and this entitlement complex of people. Yes, we live in a great country where is tons of opportunity. I'm sorry, but America's poor are not poor. We have welfare systems, free public education up to graduation of high school, medicare and medicaid, free lunch programs in the school for low income students, worker compensation, etc etc. There is true poverty in the world. In Thailand parents sent their 5 year old to beat and box other 5 year olds for $10-$20 a night for money to feed their family. In Africa there are children starving to death because they don't have government welfare programs. There are Haitians who do not have clean water to drink or health care. I hate this entitlement attitude that Americans have. That we deserve things just because we want them or we are a richer country than most. This is what that attitude causes. When you buy things that you cannot afford on credit, this is what happens.

Although like I said, Clinton's term is over and all is said and done. No hard feelings because there isn't anything we can do about it any more.

Now I'm waiting the auto bailouts. Never have I been more against anything. The CEOs pocket most of the money with high school drop out Union workers being greedy in their pay and benefits along with companies wasting money on SUVs. This entire thing just pisses me off to no end! No, we should not be bailing them out. Did you know the average worker of an American car company makes $30 more an hour than his competitors at Honda or Toyota? Not to mention the foreign companies make better quality autos that last longer! The bigger kicker is there are more Honda and Toyota factors in the U.S. than the American companies have. When there is a business that goes under because it's not being run correctly they deserve to go under. If you want your company to thrive you have to be smart about running it. I know there are thousands of jobs with the car companies but maybe this was something that they should have thought about before running their own companies into the ground. Not only should the CEOs been taking massive pay cuts years ago, but the union workers should have agreed to take pay cuts as well. There is no reason for a person with only a high school degree to be making anywhere from $30-50 an hour on an assembly line. That's more than what a lot of college graduates make coming out. I am so dead against the bailouts. Yes, I'm sure things would get really bad if they crashed and burned and went under, but when companies go under that only means other businesses will take their places.

Now, I go on line this morning to see the newest bailouts. Government officials from different cities in the U.S. now want a government bailout!?!?!? NOOOOOO!!! WTF?!?!?!??! MAYBE INSTEAD OF SOAKING OFF THE PEOPLE'S TAXES TO EAT YOUR LOBSTER DINNERS EACH NIGHT AND DESIGNER DUDS AND APPLIED IT TO CREATING MORE LOCAL JOBS THIS WOULDN'T BE HAPPENING?!! I about blew a non existent aneurysm this morning reading this on CNN. FUCK! People bitch about the deficit and it's only going to be made worse. We all know all of these bailouts the government are giving are loans that no one that is receiving them is going to pay back. Let's get real! No, no way in hell should cities be getting loans from the government. My God what in the hell is going on here. Money just doesn't appear out of nowhere. Don't people realize this money is coming from their pockets?! All these billion dollar bailouts are going to be the downfall of this country. All of us are going to be paying higher taxes. Thankfully Obama isn't going to touch taxes until the 2010 ones run out that were in acted under Bush's term. But just imagine how everyones taxes are going to go up after that. It's not just going to be people over $250,000 ... EVERYONE is going to be paying for these screw ups.

The government needs to stop bailing these people out. Let it crash and burn and in the mean time other businesses will rise in their place. The car companies are going to crash and burn anyway. Giving them money they won't be able to pay back because they'll go under with the money anyway is pointless. The greediness of this country and expecting people to bail you out instead of working harder and learning to budget and cut is going to be the downfall of this country. The "American Dream" isn't something you just deserve, it's something you need to work hard for.

Okay, I think I'm done with this rant for right now.

I would first off like to say that I just got back from the midnight premiere of Twilight after waiting in anticipation for what feels like forever. I would also like to add there will be no spoilers, but considering most of you have read the book, it's not like I would be spoiling the ending because you know it.

What ... the ... f? It was a far cry from great, I'm not sure I would even go with good, I think I'll pick "okay." Now in all fairness I do like the pick for Edward and the rest of the Cullen clan even though I was really unsure about their picks until I saw them act everything out. I feel Jacob is going to end up being a GREAT pick. Bella? She's not super but she's good.

All over there is MAJOR room for improvement without a doubt. I'm hoping what happened to Harry Potter happens to this. That this does score big money in the box office and because of it, they are able to apply a lot of that cash to the next films. The movie was roughly an hour and a half. If you didn't read the books and tried to watch the movie, you will have NO idea what's going on. They piece the book together horribly! They also follow the book I'll say about 60-70 percent of the time. That might even be a stretch actually. I just hope that each movie gets better because they are going to fix the sloppy pieced together story line, better computer graphics, make the movie at least two hours if not two and a half hours to make sure everything flows together better, and that the two lead characters quit trying to make the characters their own and try and really act like the book characters more.

I went with Whitney and I think she summed it up great. We all read these books and we were just enthralled in the story line. We couldn't put these books down and most of us flew through each of them. That's not the way the movie went. It was almost embarrassing and painful to watch in many scenes. Some important things were cut for made up things that they threw in the movie. I really do like their casting. And I don't think the movie is bad because of casting. Infact now that I really think about it I can't think of any other actors that would really have done a better job with what they had to work with.

All in all I was disappointed. I'm hoping the next movie is better. I have all the faith in the world that Edward Cullen, Bella Swan, and Jacob Black will get better and better with each film. I just have to hope the screen writer does a better job or they replace the one they are using. Note, the guy who was picked to play Bella's father was pretty hilarious and how I pictured him almost to a T. But two thumbs up to the actors, two major thumbs down for how the book was changed so horribly for the script. New screen writer is needed for sure!

I do have an idea of how I think they can fix it for the next one. As stupid as it sounds I think they need to get a huge group of girls in their mid to late twenties to read the books. I would suggest no one younger because they'll be more obsessed rather than be able to give good insight. But I think they need to really sit down with a bunch of fans of the book to not only maybe give their insights to how the characters could be portrayed better, but which scenes these girls would consider vital in understanding the book and it's flow. Then, when the movie is finished or near finished, screen it for these same women. Make sure it flows. As much as the makers of this film don't want it to be this movie really is for a niche market. If you please the niche you can get more people to see this flick. I know if the second one was much better I could talk my boyfriend into reading the first book so he could see the second movie and be able to follow it. I know that if I was asked to sit on a panel like that I'd reread the book a couple of dozen time, taking notes, and making sure to really give good insight to those making the movie. Although those are just my thoughts.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

Lame...so incredibly lame.

I have not been this disappointed in a movie in a long time.

An interesting topic seems to keep getting brought up to me as of recently and I think it's okay to publicly address it as long as I think about what I want to say and how to say it without offending people. About 5 people have asked me my opinion on the Prop 8 in CA and my view of homosexual marriage as of recently. I have no idea why, but maybe it's because I don't talk about it or because of all the political junk that has gone on this week.

It's a rather difficult topic for me to discuss because on one hand I have many close close friends that are homosexuals and on the other I'm a pretty devout Christian. I'm just going to lay it out here.

Starting simple ... no ... I do not believe homosexuality is a choice and I believe it's something that someone is born as. I think anyone that says they prayed and became straight or prayed and fought the urge is a lying bastard and wasn't really gay to begin with. I have heard stories where one or two people have gone up in church to say this is what they did and I sat there thinking "no, you weren't homosexual, you were straight and you were experimenting." Infact I think people who claim that are actually really insulting to those who struggle with homosexuality. And before you guys go ballistic on my use of "struggle" what I mean is I don't think most people would chose to be gay. It makes their lives in a lot of cases a lot more difficult than it should be. To be so really is a struggle in many ways. Moving on...

Now on the whole idea of gay marriage. I do believe that it should be legalized. If someone has met the one and want to make it legal, more power to 'em! I personally know more functional homosexual relationships than a lot of heterosexual relationships. I also believe if they have gotten married in another country, i.e. Canada, it should without a doubt be recognized as long as there is a wedding certificate. There are plenty of couples that go to judges and have themselves wed all the time. I say go for it! Make it legal! If you decide you want your friend to marry you and they do the 10 minute online course to becoming an ordained minister to perform the wedding (a lot of my friends have done that) then, yes, absolutely that marriage should be legally recognized.

If a pastor of one, or both parties of the couple want to bless the marriage during or after the ceremony, then that's the pastor's decision. If a pastor makes the choice to actually marry a homosexual couple I think that's really great. But, if I were a member of a church and found out my pastor married a homosexualy couple, not blessed it, but actually performed the entire ceremony of a union that is supposed to be sanctified by God, then while I support the pastor's decision, I could no longer be part of the congregation and would have to find a new church.

Here is my reasoning for it. I really do respect the idea of homosexual couples marrying, but at the same time I'm being called to live my life to a higher standard by God. I'm not saying I'm perfect, or able to live my life 100% to the standard wants me to. Although if there is something I can do proactively to prevent "sinning" so to speak, then I shall do it. Let me elaborate. In the eyes of God, and in the bible, it states very plainly that all sin is created equal. While many people would say "hell yeah rape and murder is much worse than stealing a candy bar from a 7-11" and I would 100% agree with that. In the eyes of God, a sin is a sin. In the bible it does plainly say in many areas that homosexuality is a sin. But there are what? 619 "sins" in the bible that we aren't supposed to do. I feel pretty confident that I've probably broken at least half, most of the time not meaning to. To me, even though most people see it as very different, I view a pastor performing a very sacred marriage that is blessed by God on a homosexual couple the same thing as a pastor telling a kid it's okay he stole a candy bar because the 7-11 brings in too much money anyway, or that it's okay to commit adultry if your wife is a nagging bitch. I see it as basically saying that they are condoning sin.

Now many of you are thinking "okay, you're okay with homosexuality and think it's okay to legalize it and it should be legalized, but you think it's a sin?" To be put bluntly, technically yes, it is a sin like everything else that's stated as a "sin" in the bible. But by birth I feel it's been born to me to lie when it might mean it might hurt someone's feelings to tell them the truth. I also think another sin of mine that I've been born with since I've always been like that, it to be nosy and super quick to anger and yell at people. I have always gotten angry quickly and spouted off on people. That is as equal of a "sin" as anything else is. God also warns against those to anger too quickly and lie. All sins are equal whether it being homosexual or lying or angering quickly. God does create us, and allow us to be born, imperfect and sinful. It's up to us how we deal with it.

I know that almost all of you will disagree with my view. And you know what? That's okay. I think it's great to disagree to get different perspectives. I respect everyone's on this topic whether it be to keep it illegal, or to legalize it with all the bells and whistles. If any of you are confused about my post or want to continue this. I would love to talk you whether it be email or cell phone. As long as you tell me who you are I'll gladly give you my cell phone number if you want something clarified.

So yes, I support gay marriage and civil unions and yes, I believe they should be recognized 100%.

I don't really have anything of any importance to write about today so I thought I would post fun quizzes.

You Should Live in a Purple State

Your preferences are 65% Blue, 35% Red You may not be a swing voter, but you feel comfortable around moderate people. You tend to do best in states with a red and blue mix - like Nevada and North Carolina. You are adaptable. You can converse with a church crowd as easily as with grad students.

You Are Aphrodite!

A total shining star with a ton of admirers And no wonder: you live life to the fullest! When things get bad, you can easily take off to a happier place But occasionally, you need to deal with problems head on

Your Psyche is Red

You are bright, bold, energetic, and intense. Your upbeat, zany energy inspires those who are down. Spontaneous and playful, you also have a courageous and fearless side. When you are too red: you are angry, overprotective, and truly scary. When you don't have enough red: you are depleted and lifeless.

Guess who just ordered her tickets to go to the midnight showing of Twilight? THIS GIRL RIGHT HERE! Never have I been more excited for a movie. Well, that's kinda a lie. I was equally as excited for the Harry Potter flicks and Sex and the City.

I hope I don't come out of this movie disappointed.

I'm now 25. I'm half way to 50. I freaked out this morning. I found a single strand of grey in my head. I about had a break down in the bathroom and made sure and pulled it out. It's like a way to add insult to injury. I remember when it was exciting to get older. Now ... not so much.

Friday night Gordon took me to Mongolian BBQ for dinner and to give me my gifts. From him total I got a pink cover for my Wii Fit so it doesn't get as dirty. I got vol. 2 in the SATC movie soundtrack, the SATC book, and two gift certificates. When it comes to GP's life it sometimes is like a bad sitcom. He is one of those that if he didn't have bad luck, he'd have no luck at all. He gave me my final gift that night as well. He knows my favorite thing in the world are Godiva's ganache chocolates. He decided to buy me over priced chocolate for my birthday. As I'm unwrapping the package, getting all excited, I take off the cover and something doesn't look right. I'm looking into the box and this is how the conversation goes and he proceeds to turn a shade of purplish/red.

Me: Uh, Gord, when did you get these?
GP: This morning, I took a longer lunch, why?
Me: Did you leave the box on it's side in the bag?
GP: Maybe, I don't think so. Why?
Me: Did you also leave them in the car the entire time you were at work?
GP: Yes ... why?

I showed him the inside of the box. I got Godiva chocolate syrup for my birthday. All of the chocolate pretty much absorbed into the cardboard sides of the box. He was super embarrassed and I kept telling him that it was the thought that counts. He knew this was the one gift I knew about ahead of time and was very much looking forward to. That was pretty much the highlight of the night because I found it so funny. Only Gordo would not think about leaving chocolate in a car on a day that the highs were supposed to be around 78 degrees.

Saturday for the day I got to start it out the right way and had my allergy shots at 11:00am. Nothing like two swollen itchy arms to start out my day. I was pretty cranky the first part of the day. We got home at around 1 in the afternoon and the grandparents came an hour later. My mother made an early thanksgiving dinner. She knows one of my favorite foods are really the foods she puts together for thanksgiving. We had turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes and so many other side dishes. I would have gone into a food coma and passed out in the family room after thirds if it weren't for the fact that I was too excited watching Michigan get beat by Toledo (MWAHAHAHAHA!) and State beating Northwestern. With a Michigan loss, a MSU win and a turkey with all the fixins' I don't think it could have gotten any better. But wait ... it did. To make it even funnier everyone knows my favorite color is purple. My mother gets us ice cream cakes every year for our birthdays. This year she decided to get me a purple cake from Baskin Robbins. Although they would only do an all lavender cake if it was a theme cake. I didn't get to see the cake until it was ready to blow out the candles. The cake was removed from the box. My mother, no joke, bought me a Barney cake. Sitting right there were a little plastic Barney and Baby Bop. I did the only thing I could do. I laughed. It was definitely a good cake that's for sure. :-) The rest of the day was pretty low key and we watched Iron Man later that night.

Sunday I didn't even get to sleep in either. I had my allergy shots the previous morning and I had to wake up early again for my eye appointment. Thankfully I now have my new glasses and contacts ordered. Sunday was a lazy day. I got a new cardigan from Nordstroms because I had a $20 gift certificate. It's actually pretty cute. I have more gift certificates to use this month ... looks like I get to go shopping with Whitney soon. :-) I'm sure she'll be really upset to get dragged to the mall. I also ran into Jill and Chad Trombley at the mall. Jill's baby Grace is so adorable. Jill put her hair into little pigtails. The cuteness of that baby is unreal.

That was the sum up of the weekend. I'm still trying to figure out what I'm going to do for Halloween. I'm still seriously considering going as Ugly Betty. Get fake braces, bad clothes, and see if I can find the Guadalajara poncho. The poncho might be hard to come by so it might be too difficult to pull off. I must admit ... Halloween doesn't hold the same fun that it used to in the past. I think some people are right and I'll get into it again when I have kids of my own.

I know it's amazing I'm writing in this thing. Anyway, some of you have asked for my new blog. I mine as well put the link up.

www.msugopgirl.blogspot.com

Hey everyone, I just wanted to say that I undeleted my journal. Not because I'm going to be writing in it. I got a new journal for that. But because I want to stay updated with all of your's. Therefore hello again. :-)