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- The Good Laugh I Need -
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Wednesday, June 30, 2004
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I Heart Homestar.
Click here and click "Puppet Stuff" on the remote control at the bottom of the screen.
"Puppet Jam: Vitamin/Celebrity" and "Puppet Jam: Tropical Lazor beams" are the ones that are making me piss a kidney right now.
Holy crap, this is hilarious.
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- Layout a la new -
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Tuesday, June 29, 2004
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*big cheesy grin*
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- Ten On Tuesday -
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Ten Athletes That You Admire
1. Michael Jordan - there's no doubt that he's the powerhouse of the sports world, both on and off the court. And he has what few NBA players have - integrity.
2. Lance Armstrong - the epitome of self-control and discipline, Lance is not only a champion, but a survivor. Also, I have good memories of watching the Tour De France with my father when I was younger, and my dad always thought highly of Lance.
3. 'Flo-Jo' Florence Griffith Joyner - she was amazing to watch, and one of the few women olympians that never failed to embody femininity and power simultaneously. Her life was taken from her too soon, but she showed the world all you could accomplish in only 38 short years.
4. Bonnie Blair - The one that couldn't be intimidated. I admire her ability to use the odds against her, and turn it around to capture 5 Olympic golds. Plus, I grew up watching her and wanting to be as fast as her.
5. Apolo Anton Ohno - I've given 2 years worth of reasons why I admire this Olympian, *wink*
6. Larry Bird - again, good memories of growing up watching him play and lead the Boston Celtics to the Championship. But Larry has to be the most consistent and humble professional b-ball player I've ever seen.
7. Napoleon Kaufman - now, I'm most definitely not a Raider's fan, but this guy has guts. He not only was off the hook on the football field, but he gave up so much fame and fortune for what he felt was to pursue his 'spiritual' calling. Anyone that gives up everything to follow their heart is awesome in my book.
8. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - For someone to follow their father in his sport, even if it took his life, something about that just gives me chills. In my eyes, he's also a survivor.
9. Karl Malone - this guy is a machine, in every sense of the word. He should have close to the most perfect attendance record in the NBA at games, and almost nothing will keep him from playing. And that's tough when you go 15 years without a Championship ring. I mean, I think if his kidney fell out, he'd grab it, tuck it into his $300 sneakers, and head down the court.
10. Kristi Yamaguchi - no surprise, EVERY little girl wanted to be Kristi. And after attending 2 of her P2P banquets for her Always Dream foundation, she's really touching lives and doing so much good with her celebrity status.
Hmm, I noticed that most of my Top 10 are Olympians. There's no secret to the fact that this form of sport just creates admirable people.
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- Smells like fire -
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Monday, June 28, 2004
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It's way too hot outside. I hate summer.
Unless...
unless I'm in an air conditioned building, or an ice cold swimming pool, or I'm a person that likes to watch her skin bubble off her arm for kicks.
I hate summer.
Off in search of food.
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- *no words, no words* -
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Sunday, June 27, 2004
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Apolo and Yuki, you are too kind.
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- Are we there yet? -
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Friday, June 25, 2004
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....are we there yet?
...are we -
Ok, I don't wanna make you turn this car around and head back home.
But serious, is it P2P yet? I'm waiting for Lupes to arrive here in Sac Town. With her speedy foot she should be her anytime now.
We'll have some shopping to do, and then I must pack a bit tonight. *sigh* I getting worn out just thinking about the costume changes I'm going to endure.
**update:
Lupes is here!!!
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- Fun, Food, and Farewells -
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Last night's wedding rehearsal dinner was great. We packed in our cars and headed over to the Old spaghetti Factory.
I couldn't be happier for my friend Crystal and her soon-to-be hubby, Ryan. I most certainly believe that you need to look for someone that isn't perfect, but perfect for you. Ryan is that for Crystal.
The yin to her yang. Of course, Ryan's yin is a bit tweeked and possibly malfunctional, but that's why we love 'em, lol.
The rehearsal went fine, I'm only wishing that I had taller shoes for the wedding. The groomsmen I'm walking with, Erick, is about 6'2", and that's quite laughable to my 5'1" frame (5'3" with the heels). We joked that we're going to have to practice 'synchronized walking', simply because his strides are much longer than...well...my whole body.
I always laugh, and we tease Crystal, at the fact that she was forever quoted as stating how she would NEVER get married. Not no way, not no how.
Love's a sneaky little bastard, isn't it?
Ryan's an amazing guy, and I have not doubts that they'll be happy in life together. He's a hard working, goal oriented man and has no fuss about calling Crystal his "princess". It's refreshing because they're not the gushy, Marvin Gaye's Let's Get It On type of couple in public. There's that comfortable calmness about them both. That satisfaction and ease that comes with finding the one that is willing to spend their life with you.
That's the magic of finding a mate. I would imagine simple magic, really. It's not rockets going off, no drama brewing, or bells ringing. It's as comfy as finding the long lost match to your favorite pair of loafers. That's what lasts.
It's farewell to the hunting game for my 'Crickle', but she's going to be well taken care of, I know.
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- Wide awake = new layouts -
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Thursday, June 24, 2004
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I've since fallen head over heels for the Plumeria.
Well, Molly's hawaiian flower influence has finally got me hooked, although I went and found my own flower to love (Molls, I know the Tiare Gardenia is off limits, lol)
I thought it would make a pretty layout, and something fresh.
Ok, has anyone heard of making blog layouts while sleepwalking?
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- The Week heard 'round the world -
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Wednesday, June 23, 2004
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This week is just creeping by me.
Maybe that's partly due to getting organized for the first time in ages, knocking out tasks and to-do's like tin cans on a rusty fence w/ a sling shot.
Now, before you cue the cowboy western music and the token tumbleweed entrance, this is not to say that I'm not frazzled.
Wednesday
Got some major house cleaning done in prep for my Two Crazies that will be invading my NorCal home this weekend. Can never get too much of a good thing when it comes to fwends :) With or without a Hottie McHotHot (quoting phrase a la Molla...whoa, that was hard to say AND type), we're stuck together like glue. Well, of course I have taken in consideration the new equation that is quite stimulating. If you know your algebra, you'll agree:
Apolo(Friends + Ape) x 6month-short-track-season = Yhell-yes
Ok, enough math. My head hurts.
My friend Janelle's aunt is saving all our lives by doing some much needed alterations on the bridesmaid dresses, which I shall be picking up in a few hours. Lorie is a great seamstress and in a pinch she's been nothing but amazing. She strickly charges in payments of Starbucks cards. And you thought VISA was the only one that was 'anywhere you want to be'? Psh.
I have a hair appointment, but this one will be me taking the role of hairdresser. Joanne is coming tonight for her color and highlights, and I think if there's any bleach left over I'll throw some highlights in my hair.
Thursday
Nail appointment with Emma is at 1:00pm, plus light packing for staying overnight in San Fran. The Mazda is looking clean...finally, and will be ready to go. If I just don't think about how crazy Saturday is going to be then I'll be fine - for now. Wedding rehearsal and dinner should go from 5:30 - 8:00pm. Let's hope the dress alterations are stellar and Ape doesn't trip on her five-mile hemline and plummet down the aisle.
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- Just another manic monday -
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Monday, June 21, 2004
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....*sings* "wish it was sundaaaayyy..."
Oh.
Sorry.
So I have a few arrands to run today, and have come to find out that my own hair isn't the only tresses I'll be coloring. My friend Joanne will be saturday's wedding and she's kindly asked me to do her color and highlights.
Welcome to Lil Ape's Salon, where our motto is - if you don't love it, at least you'll like it
Ok, I'm an idiot. Yet I kid not in saying this whole week will be craziness. Do you want me to wait til you get here to do my Mystic tan? Ha, those silly mystic tans make me laugh. It's quite similar to being in a human car wash, or in this case, a human paint job. As long as I don't step out of there looking like Christina Aguilera on a good day, then I'll be alright.
Two things distrubing the Ape's today
1. Northern California heat (well, that MORE than just distrubs me)
2. News of Iraqi terrorists holding hostages and beheading prisoners.
This world is going to hell in a handbasket, and I certainly find myself on my knees praying more often.
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- Girls night out -
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Sunday, June 20, 2004
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Tonight's little shin-dig went quite well.
We laughed and I had a chance to meet all the other bridesmaids that I haven't met yet. Then I realized, holy -...there's a lot of freakin' people in this wedding!
Crystal gave us all a 'bridesmaid gift', since the actual day of the wedding will be a circus. It was the cutest silver charm bracelet and heart-shaped plated charm with our name and the date of the wedding engraved. Some bath lotions/gels and a CD of her and Ryan's favorite tunes (they had a sweet picture of them both on the cover).
We did more discussion about last minute stuff, since the big day is now a week away. So, all that's left is for me to find some nice strappy white shoes for my dress and settle on a hair do. It definitely has to be something that will hold it's own from morning til night considering my back-to-back events this day.
 I was thumbing through a hair mag with shots of brittany murphy (I just adore her) when she had her cute cropped do in these nice waves. Her hair is a bit shorter than mine, but I want the general idea. I went and had my hair layered, and I think I'm going to try to mimic her style. Hot rollers, finishing spray, pomade, and some hair glitter should do the trick. Eh, I was too in a rush and didn't leave the rollers in long enough, nor did I use enough hair spray so my curls are a bit flat. Of course, the small flower that I got from da Molla will actually do perfect with my yellow chiffon dress. I put up some pics on the apecam - just me messin' around.
I have nails to fill, a mystic tan to get, and a pedicure. *phew* This stuff is a lot of work, and I'M not even the one getting married! I've never been this high maintainance in my life, peeps.
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- Heat wave with a splash k-ray-z -
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Saturday, June 19, 2004
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I returned home from a 'mini-vacation'. Went to San Luis Obispo, CA which has some of the most beautiful coastal areas.
My last day of work was the 15th, and I'm off for the summer. I doubt that I'll be back to teach for another school year, but I told my boss I'd be returning anyhow.
I'm just taking these free moments I have to work on USSTfans.com, doing a re-vamp. I have my friend's wedding to get ready for in less than 2 weeks, and she invited the bridesmaids to come hang on at her house tonight. The big 'pre-marital bash'.
I'm just really excited about the rest of this year. Can't put my finger on why. A wise woman always told me that "good things come to those who wait".
Thanks, Mom.
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- Tell her what she's won, Johnny -
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Monday, June 14, 2004
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I've managed to survive this past week, and with flying colors might I add.
Three job-related testings, Two high school graduations, a bridal shower, and a partridge in a pear tree.
The last graduation will be my preschoolers tomorrow.
These final weeks of June are going to run me through the ringer, but I must have a game plan.
Target 1 - June 26th: My friend's wedding
I have another fitting and appointment to have the dress altered, unless they'd love for me to come down the isle on my head. I hate to say it but every moment leading up to this wedding haven't been happy ones. Just stuff, issues, and the like that always seem to surface right before someone is suppose to become blissfully happy. Yet, it's her big day, and I'm so happy for her.
Target 2 - June 26th: Passage to Paradise
Yeah, you saw that right. Same date. Well, that wasn't the case before hand, but she has a knack for changing things...often. So there I sat, with my ticket bought and my year-long plans made, and I'm praying to God that she doesn't decide to bust another change and make it an evening wedding. I lucked out. I will be superwoman - bridesmaid by day, and charity attendee by night.
As Donna Summers says it best, "I will survive".
note: did I mention those Apolo screengrabs on OZ? Holy Skate Guard, I'm still trying to muddle around searching for the eyes that popped outta my head! *phew*
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- D'oh! -
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Thursday, June 10, 2004
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*arg*
Don't you just hate when you post something on your blog, it's exactly what you wanted to say. You were REALLY hoping a certain person would read it, but you went back and erased it?
Hot Damn, I hate when I do that!
*wink*
Oh, and the weirdest thing?
When you find that other blogs update close to the exact time as you do. How creepy is that? I mean, it's almost like you're *gulp* the same person!
Some wonders in life the WonderBlog can't even fathom nor figure out.
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- Honey, I'm home. -
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Wednesday, June 09, 2004
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My friend Lacie and I love to go house-hunting, and in our town here in Sacramento there's a brand new county called Natomas.
It's home to a few Sacramento Kings, a couple California state congressmen, and a whole lotta people with cold hard cash to burn. Some sections are way outta anyone's league, but Lacie convinced me to go with her to look at these new townhomes that are being built.
They project about 400 homes at the end, but only have 150 finished. The name of this amazing place is Homecoming Creekside. I thought that I was going to see the same spread that we've been looking at for a while now, but when we drive up to the Clubhouse, I thought we'd taking the wrong street! This looked like a presidential estate! We walked in and then looked at each other.
Wow.
Andrea, the lady at the front foyer desk welcomed us in and offered to show us around. We took a tour of the entire club house. "Every amenity you see here is included in your monthly payments", she told us as we gawked at the business board room, the 24hr business office, professional full sized gym with steam room and sauna, a cyber cafe with laptop hook ups, and a theater! I think I mouthed the words Tapping Out to Lacie, and her eyes got a wide as saucers.
And the added bonus? These townhomes are three-stories. We went into the Linfield model first, which is 2 bdr, 2 and a half bath with a den. Every room comes standard with track lighting, ceiling fans, fireplaces, and each room has high speed internet connections. Yeah, holy crap.
We grabbed some paperwork and some more info on our way out, and the people there are incredibly nice. It would be like living on a damn cruise ship! And it's so close to the airport, which is a plus for me.
I've found my dream home. Now on to busting my ass to find the dream money to aquire this dream home.
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- Le Update -
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Tuesday, June 08, 2004
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...well, almost.
I've been so busy, I'll have to post an update tonight. I have 2 high school graduations, my preschoolers graduation, and a ton of other stuff to attend this week and next.
June is just not my month. Well, the end of June is gonna rock my world though. ;)
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- What the Blog are you? -
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Friday, June 04, 2004
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[via Jo-izy]
The 5 Types of Blogs
I like to think the Wonderblog is a shaker-mix of these 2 types:
The Zine Blog
"These kinds of blogs attempt to create diversity in their subject content. They may be witty, sarcastic, mockingly ridiculous, or scathingly cynical in their writing. Their main purpose of writing is for their readers to be entertained and to share ideas/opinions. They don't update often, as most will update once every few days/weeks. Their blog design may be very aesthetically pleasing, though most tend to focus more on the content of their blog rather than its visual components."
The Personal Blog
"Like its name suggests, this blog has a few readers limited to their close friends or family only, or would preferrably not have readers at all. These blogs consist of the writer's real and honest accounts of daily experiences/observations. These writers truly think of their blog as a diary or a journal, only better; for the typed word can be amended whereas the written word is static."
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- HP3 - The Prisoner of Azkaban -
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I just returned from watching Harry Potter 3, and I'm still trippin' over this movie. I've been following along with the books and was instantly hooked with J.K. Rowlings story-telling style. In a word, she's brilliant.
The previous Potter films were spectacular. Would you believe I've been anixously awaiting this third installment? It has that way of bringing out the child-like way of thinking and dreaming. This movie was a non-stop ride, plus I've grown so attached to the characters. They're so fit for these parts. The special effect were awesome, and the cinematography was incredible. I realized that the films couldn't follow the books verbatum, since that would be a sitting time longer than LOTR. I do think that all of the important elements were there, although I did wish that one tidbit would have been slipped in being the movie wasn't too long.
I think I may just go see this movie again. Definitely that's the talent of Rowlings; to be able to capture the audience from ages 5 to 55.
Another DVD to add to the collection!
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- Search me Saturday - on Friday -
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Top 10 key phrase searches for WonderBlog and/or ST Gear
1. yeah yeah yeah s layout
2. lil april
3. scott hamilton nikko san francisco
4. mardi graw
5. floyd ft. ashanti south side
6. homemade treadmil
7. bar
8. april
9. lycra speedskating
10. i ve got a crush on you and i think i like you lyrics
Yeah, don't ask me about that last one. And how the hell do you make a homemade treadmil? Lycra speedskating? Now, I may want to delve more into that one.
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- Random Thursday -
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Thursday, June 03, 2004
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Alright, I'm gonna say T.G.I.F a day early, cuz...I can do that.
Thursday is the perfect slip-n-slide to the weekend, but what a busy week it's been. Shipping out the first run of ST Gear orders was at the top of the list this morning. I got a call at work from Lucinda, the great chick that's workin' hard for me over at my silk-screening company here in Sac. She apologized profusely at the tardiness, to which I replied, "Memorial weekend's a bitch, ain't it?".
The clothing looks so awesome. I'm trying my best to keep my friends and relatives from stealing the merchandise, but I did let my younger sister have a ST Speedskating ladies raglan to sport at school. Not only did she wear it, but she had all the 8th graders in her class curious about the sport of short track and were asking her questions all day. Well, at least I know that this middle school in Sac is ready for some gear.
I've been really enjoying Four Past Midnight, the collection of novellas by Stephen King. I just finished Secret Window, Secret Garden. I loved it. It had me looking over my shoulders and checking the windows until the end. I'm a sucker for suspense. I'm starting on The Library Policeman tonight. Since I've always been a huge fan of King, I'm still stoked about the good deal I got on this collection at B&N.
I also did some mini-shopping - bought some army green cargo pants at Old Navy, and a new black purse from Target that I simply adore. It's by Xhilaration and it's called a Molly Cargo Satchel. Coincidence? I think so.
After work, I took my sister to the Regal 16 to pick up the most coveted movie tickets, Harry Potter 3. Yes, I'm a grown-ass woman hooked on this Harry Potter, and I'll soon be attending meetings for this disease.
My mother told me that she saw the actor Stephen Baldwin on a christian channel over Direct TV, and come to find out that he's a born-again christian and has been since 9/11. He now has his own outreach, called Livin' It, which is basically Extreme Sport pros of BMX and Skateboarding doing their thing and giving their testimony. Sort of like a church of skaters and bikers. It's quite a trip, and Stephen Baldwin is pretty sold out to this ministry. Props to him and others like rapper Mase, Kanye West, and Mel Gibson who are fearlessly sharing what has been the answer in their lives.
In conclusion to this random thursday post, I got a very random email today from jr. short track skater Marin Austin. She apparently enjoys the ST Fans site, and sent me a few things to update her info. I had no idea that the skaters have run across this site! I plan to add more Catagory I skaters to the bios, and revamp it for the upcoming season. It was just an unexpected surprise :)
*ugh* it's back to finishing my bills.
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- You Lyin' Bastards, I Love You -
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Wednesday, June 02, 2004
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It was just another weekend.
Or so I was MADE to believe.
I didn't have much to do over the Memorial weekend, just do some much needed laundry upkeep and maybe stalk my local starbucks. I had thought about going out of town, but for some reason staying home is what happened.
But that wasn't all that happened. These Two freaks had told me that they were swamped up to their tweezed eyebrows with work and things to do this weekend. And I concured, and hence was bummed.
Ok, enough dramatic emphasis: they surprised me by just showing up at my door step on saturday afternoon, carrying a birthday cake to end all other cakes.
I swear at first, I was sure that I had seen ghosts. I was in shock. Hell, I'm still in shock. And like an idiot, I get all emotional and damn near pull a JT and start cryin' a river. Mission accomplished. Surprise-the-shit-outta-Ape was a success. They had, along with the cake (which was the size of a regulation short track ice rink) a beautiful flower bouquet reminsicent of the american flag in color with gift cards to all my favorite places stuck in between. The gift was SO sweet, and almost as great as just having you both here.
You know, I love these guys. Of course it hasn't taking me over 2 years to figure that one out, but it's definitely cemented it. I can honestly say that, and judging by my reaction, I've never had friends that would do something like this for me. Go through great lengths to lie through they're teeth, and then drive all the way up to Sacramento to spend the weekend. I was beyond humbled, and still can't quite find the right words to say since Thank You, give me a platform cuz you rock, you rock doesn't really do justice.
We went out to Buca Di Beppo for dinner per their request since I had never been there. My sweet Italian catholic Lord, the food is off the hook! We were on a rampage and got 3 types of bake pasta (Manicotti, Cantaloni, and Ravioli), plus a side a of green beans in lemon and olive oil and a spicy sausage/mushroom pizza. And what was the drink we had? Was it called Vino Fresco? Well, it was called can-I-have-another-glass, cuz that stuff was delicious. Nothing better than amazing food with equally amazing friends.
And can we say never order the Tiramisu for dessert if you don't plan on getting completely potted? That sucker was so Rum-soaked, that my dear sista was reading the wall menu from the floor, damn near. It was heavenly; just nearly as heavenly as watching Anton walk away *wink* Oh.
The rest of the weekend was, by far, the best weekend ever. Full of sleeping comas, concerts, singing retards, late night gossip and laughs, more good food, and plenty of stops at My Starbucks. And yes, the girls now know what Ednil looks like...and they approve *double wink* Dude, when I say starbucks hottie, I MEAN HOTTIE!
So, with still being at a loss for words, I say Thank You to you both. From the depths of my hallmark wannabe heart, you guys made me feel so special.
I'll put some pictures on the apecam.
Next up? P2P. Muhahaha. Oh.
See you freaks at the end of June.
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Name: April
