Some Stuff

1. I hate Lent. 43 days left...

2. Does anyone else think Hugh Jackman would make the BEST Jean Valjean in the movie version of Les Mis (musical of course)? Holy cow---that's all I could think of when I watched Oscar clips on YouTube. (Cuz it was too boring and self-promoting to watch ALL of it in real life---I mean, you know I love celebrities and all, just not 4 hours-worth of them).

3. So, those Verizon commercials with the network of people? Would anyone else get totally annoyed with that massive crowd walking behind you all the time? Just thinking about it makes me feel all agoraphobe-ish.

4. I just found this statement online whilst looking for training tips for marathoning:
This race saw its inception after a Greek messenger from 400 BC ran from a town called Marathon to Athens, a distance of 26.2 miles or roughly 40 kilometers. Assigned to report the victory of the Athenians over Persia, he arrived in Athens and cried, "We have won!" ,and then dropped dead.
Awesome. Can't wait for my death.

Campaign for Obesity

So, Dove has this whole advertising slogan these days that's all about inner and/or natural beauty, no? Well, I say that's false. They're campaigning to make you fat and addicted to their chocolate. Have you ever had their individually wrapped chocolates with the sayings in them? You know, the 'wise-saying cookie' wannabes? Here are some examples:

-The best success comes after disappointment. Meaning, you just ate this junk food you crazy-head with no self control---but maybe now you can start another diet.
-Remind yourself that it's okay not to be perfect. Translation: so what if you eat a lot of these candies and gain some weight?
-Go ahead, have another:) Seriously---that's what it says. I mean, there's nothing subtle about that.
-Think without limits. That's right, don't give yourself a set amount of how much you eat. Eat what you want, when you want, and even more than you want if your stomach can handle it.
-Too much of a good thing is wonderful. Yeah---too much of our chocolate is a great thing---for us! You get addicted and have to keep eating, thereby ensuring our continued profit success. Jerks
-Indulge in life's little pleasures. Like our bags of Dove chocolates. Indulge all you want! Too much of a good thing is wonderful and it's okay not to be perfect!
-Learn to say hello in another language. Now, that one is just dumb. I guarantee everyone can do this. It's a sorry attempt to make the eater feel smart. I'm not fooled.

On that note, Lent is coming up. No, I'm not Catholic. Yes, I do celebrate it. (Although celebrate is probly the wrong word.) This will be my third year observing Lent along with my cousin Becky (and sometimes we can convince other people to be crazy with us as well). We go off junk food. For me, that means sweets, desserts, chips...and it looks like I'm gonna have to add peanut butter and jerky cuz that could easily turn into a replacement for the 46 days. Take that Dove candies!!! You can't control me!

*Disclaimer---I know Rychelle fully posted about Dove candies recently. But guess what? I had already started writing this post. I didn't copy-we're just fake twins.*

25 Things. Or Maybe Just 24.

Sue Q tagged me to do 25 things I love to hate. But some of these things I just plain hate. Is that okay? Good---I thought you'd agree. Oh and also, I'm only doing 24. And also again, I'm changing it up in the middle. Yes Crash-I do change around every tag I ever get.

1. Getting up early to go running.
2. Women's professional sports. I'm sorry-don't hate me for this, but it's true. I love to play and to compete---but I never have any desire to watch women play professionally. And I know I'm not alone in this. (I have at least 11 brothers to back me up, if nothing else)
3. Gwenyth Paltrow. Seriously---could there be anyone more annoying?
4. Hilary Swank---yep, she's more annoying.
5. Contestants on the Biggest Loser that try to work the system.
6. Celebrities that think their opinion is more important since they make exorbitant amounts of money.
7. People that say I speak incorrectly when really I just have a Utah accent. (This may be directed at the crazies in AZ.)
8. When guys wear pink. Or purple. It just shouldn't happen-and no, I don't think there are any exceptions.
9. Unnecessary planning meetings in the church.
10. Winter in February.
11. St. Patrick's Day. Cuz really---what is the point of this holiday?
12. The song "Unwritten." I swear, it makes my ears bleed.

*And now---since I don't want to be entirely negative, I'm listing 11 things I just plain love.
1. The feeling I get after finishing a serious run.
2. Playing intramural sports.
3. Reese Witherspoon
4.
5. Kristin from the Biggest Loser. And the Tongan team.
6. People that don't realize how important their opinion is.
7. People that speak with accents.
8. When guys wear snap shirts.
9. People I get to work with because of my church calling.
10. Winter in December.
11. The Fourth of July. And the 24th, too.
12. The song, "I Don't Feel Like Dancin" by Scissor Sisters. Great song. And also, "Love Me Dead" by Ludo.

Did you guys catch how I did opposite things? I'm real clever like that. And no, it was not a mistake that I left #4 blank. I couldn't think of another celebrity that I like.

Steamrolling Holidays

What day is it? February 11th, yes? Yes. So why, when I went to the grocery store today, did I see the Cadbury's mini-eggs on sale? Why? What's with candy/card/useless present companies steamrolling holidays?

We still have several important holidays to reach before Easter. Abraham Lincoln's birthday. Valentine's Day. George Washington's birthday. And the one to which I am most looking forward, Blame Someone Else Day. Seriously, I'm totally geared up for that.

Be that as it may, I'm kind of in love with Cadbury mini-eggs so yes, I purchased some. And no, I do not think that makes me part of the steamrolling problem.

Learning What I Didn't Know I Knew

The other day, as I was busily blog surfing, facebooking, emailing and TV watching (yes, I am a hardcore multi-tasker) the movie Clueless came on. For nostalgic-ish reasons I left it there and after awhile I realized I was quoting nearly every line word-for-word. Seriously. I was shocked. I had no idea I remembered that movie so well.

Now, my mom has always been real big on memorization, but she preferred we focused on things like scriptures or the Gettysburg Address. However, it also assisted one brother in memorizing every (seriously, EVERY) episode of Simpsons, another from knowing all lines of any Jim Carrey movie (except The Mask, cuz really, who watched that?), and apparently me knowing a good 85% of Clueless. I would have been more impressed with myself if my mind has chosen to memorize another 90's trendy, cult classic---but I suppose I can't help it. At least in defense of memorizing that movie, I can say I liked Paul Rudd before he became all big and famous. I'm a trend starter that way.

I think my favorite line of the movie: "I feel like such a heifer. Today, I had 2 bowls of Special K, 3 pieces of turkey bacon, a handful of popcorn, 5 peanut butter m&m's, and like three pieces of licorice."

I would just like to say that I only had one bowl of Special K today.

Penance

I said once before, I hate blind dates. Double hate.

And yet on Thursday evening, I found myself preparing for a blind date. And Thursday night/Friday morning I found myself in the midst of food sickness. Serves me right. Clearly I just need to learn to say no. But really. Is there any polite way to tell your co-worker that you don't wanna go out with his best friend? Yeah, I didn't think so.

From now on, I will follow the advice of Nancy Regan and Just Say No!