I am a Sell Out

I think I just sold out.

I don't feel guilty for it either.

If you notice a new link on my sidebar, I have made a recommendation to my readers. If you link to it directly from my blog and decide to purchase it, I get an Amazon.com gift certificate. Now, I think this is good for Amazon. Good for me.

I heard about this arrangement on Rosie O'Donnell's blog. All of her profits go to charity. My profits will feed my music/movie/book habit. It is a pretty simple process for those in the blog business. All you do is go to the Amazon site, sign up, and they make the links for you. All you have to do is post them in your blog's template. Email me if you have any questions. I am going to change my recommendation once or twice a week. I might even have two, but we'll start with one.

Tales From the Pedicurist's Chair

Big-Ups to my friend Jodi for convincing me to have a pedicure! For most people, the foot is an unpleasant part of the human body. Mine is no exception. Without going into disgusting detail, I was in desparate need of this pedicure.

Over some fast-food Chinese food, including Crab Rangoon, Jodi gave me the run-down of a pedicure. I hate surprises and like to know what to expect. When we arrived at the salon, I felt the need to apologize to the pedicurist.

"I am sorry. I have bad feet."

She just smiled and lied, "That is okay, I have seen worse." If she had seen worse, she would be the first to claim that after seeing my battered and somewhat dry feet. Yes, I know it is gross to mention such unmentionable things like dry feet, but I am just saying it like it is.

Bright Red! I chose bright red for my first pedicure because everything else seemed too muted for this triumphant occasion. This will not be my last pedicure. Wouldn't it be lovely if salons could file insurance because, medically speaking, I could really use a pedicure...both for pain relief from my dry feet and for mental relaxation. If you are a man reading this blog, you need to take your girlfriend/wife/squeeze to a salon and surprise her with a pedicure. She will kiss on you for awhile.

Dancin' Machines

I was going to keep this little tidbit of internet joy to myself, but I thought that was selfish.

You MUST check out The Daily Dancer! So, this guy videos himself dancing to a variety of songs. He posts a get down session everyday for our viewing enjoyment.

First, he is an exhibitionist like none I have seen in awhile. I like to pride myself on the guts it takes to sing in front of complete strangers when I obviously have no solo singing talent, but this guy prides himself on his less-than-able dancing talent. I love it! He always resorts to his standard back and forth with the feet. He is usually half dressed and has no shame about him.

He takes requests. I requested Billy Idols "Dancing With Myself". He sometimes will dance on location. Usually, though, I imagine The Daily Dancer throwing on his CD at about 1 AM before he hits the sack and breaks it down, boy-eee!

If only all of us could be as open and free to dance when the mood strikes us. I was once 'accused' of taking my disco dancing too seriously. Heck, yeah! Dancing is awesome and I have to say that I, too, like The Daily Dancer, dance at least once a day. Sure, it might be a little bouncing as I unload the dishwasher. It could be a little car dance when I hear a favorite tune on the radio. Most of my dancing occurs when I am cleaning the house with my CDs blaring. I am not ashamed...proud is more like it.

By the way, I was inspired at the karaoke bar last night to download P.Y.T by Michael Jackson's Thriller album. I dig Thriller!

Random Thoughts for a Friday...

• I don't remember a time in my life where I have felt so scattered. My brain is moving a hundred miles a minute, yet I don't seem to string any thoughts together in an organized fashion.
• I feel very satisfied when I have packed a box.
• How can a person go to such extremes in their emotions...one minute I am thrilled to be starting our new adventure in a new city and then, the next minute, I am regretful of all the relationships that I have to say good-bye to...more clearly, the relationships that are so underdeveloped. The idea of "just passing through" is too difficult for me. I need to stay in one place for awhile...awhile being more than three years.
• I don't like surface conversations. I want some meaty talks with people.
• When I am packing, I love...love...love to come across something that I feel can be thrown away or given to Goodwill.
• Everything was fantastic last night at the karaoke bar. The only thing that would have made it better would have been if our booth was not right next to the enormous speaker, if I would have been able to talk to more people, and if we would have seen more 'characters' at the bar.

That is all I have today...I can offer no more. I am spent.

Ugh, Packing

All at once it has hit me...I have a week and a half to pack my apartment. I thought I had all the time in the world.

From tomorrow on, my life will be little more than boxes, paper, and unfriendly tape. Thankfully, I have sandwiched packing between other fun events to keep me motivated. For example, tonight I will go out with my ultra-fun former co-workers and sing some karaoke.

Then, next weekend, there is a going away party planned for us. That will be the same crowd which makes it very fun. Then, finally, I have the long planned 10-year reunion. The reunion does not make me nervous. I am just glad that it all worked out...I hope. By then, I will no longer reside in Iowa. I will be spending some quality time in North Dakota before I take off to the east.

I will not pack today, only start thinking about packing. I will buy my packing supplies today so I can get a good start on things Friday.

Sara's Delusions of Pet Ownership

I have been having severe pet-envy lately. It always happens after I return from visiting Tim's relatives because they have plenty of cute pets. For example, his Aunt Suzy has three sweet Shitzu dogs. His grandma Jane has a wild Bishon.

With all this pet-lust, I need to accept that I am no dog person. They are a big responsibility. I like to visit dogs and pet them, but I don't think I am meant to own them.

However, I would like to adopt some dogs...hypothetically speaking...Here are a few puppies that I have adopted if only in my bizarro mind.

Meet Buster. Don't rush Buster. He is in charge. I think Buster would have a stubborn streak. He would also hate exercise and that gives him a special place in my heart.

Meet Honey! She has the amber color and even though she might be thinking nothing more than, "Hey, I like cheese too! Can I have some," she looks like she is so sad. So, I would give her a name that no one but bees could be sad about.

Meet Harley! I like this one because aren't Harley Davidsons supposed to look tough. Harley wants to look tough, but it is hard when you are a little pug. He'd growl a lot though...and then, he'd be tough.

Meet Scout! Doesn't he look like a dog that would want to do anything for you. He'd fetch and run and be a very helpful, dutiful dog.

Meet Root Beer! Doesn't he have the color, and I believe, the spirit of a bubbly soda pop.

School Supply Blues

I felt the pang of sadness today, folks.

I was walking through the store and came upon what has been a joyous moment for the last 23 years of my life...the school supply aisle.

I realized that I will not be investing, enjoying, and savoring the newness of a new school year and all the notebooks and crayons that come with it.

This was compounded by a phone conversation that I had with a former colleague who was busy working in her classroom to prepare for the new school year.

Let's take a moment and be dramatic about the whole thing...I am like a boat without a dock. I am a hamburger without a bun. I am a cell phone in roaming.

Really, I am fine. It is just a strange place to be when so much of my identity has been wrapped up in the role of "teacher". I know I am so much more than a teacher and have the capabilities to do more. I just really like being a teacher.

So, with the redundant realization that I really like being a teacher, I registered for two more of the tests that I need to take to receive my teaching license in Pennsylvania. This will show perspective employers that I am well on my way to becoming licensed. In unusual Sara fashion, I am taking the advice given to me. I am going to get ready to teach in Pennsylvania. It may not be for this school year, but I am not going to drop this teaching ball.

Next week, I will be plucking away at computerized and standardized tests that will measure if I have a clue. It ranks right up there with dentist visits and airport travel.

I Made Science Today

What makes a person blog about their life for complete friends, aquaintances, and strangers? MIT is trying to figure the answer to this question and part of their research is the surveying of bloggers. I am one such blogger.

Blogging is just another creative (and sometimes not-so-creative) outlet for me. Along with my creative endevours at home (cooking, scrapbooking, card making), blogging lets me do something others take some enjoyment from. Mostly, my blogging provides a space where my friends and family can find out what is new and old in my life.

Amazingly, the blog world does not creep me out. I am not weirded out by complete strangers knowing about my life. On the contrary, strangers have taken a genuine interest in my life and stop by everyday to check it out. I just hope that I am smart enough to read and understand the MIT research once it comes out.

Self-Absorbed Tuesday Post

When I suffer from Bloggers Block, a fellow blogger usually will offer some inspiration for a self-absorbed assessment of myself...here you go.

Three nicknames that you have had:

1. Bun-given to me by my brother and his Eddie Haskell-like best friend and I have no idea why.
2. Sunny-A name given to me only because we had to have a nickname on our senior jerseys in high school and I had never accepted a nickname of any sort by choice.
3. Baby Sara-given to me by our neighbor, Don, only because I was the youngest Sara on the block...this name stuck long into high school.

Three things you don't like about yourself:

1. My fears-too many to mention
2. My laziness with diet and exercise
3. My inability to understand things like insurance and other mumbo-jumbo.

Three things that scare you:

1. Tornadoes and any other weather related phenomena that could lead to my demise.
2. Bats-they could get stuck in my hair...now that is unreasonable fear.
3. Carnies-Smell like cabbage, you know.

Three of your everyday essentials:

1. Tim
2. Diet Coke
3. The Internet

Three things you are wearing right now:

1. Jean Capris
2. Rainbow Belt
3. Glasses

Three of your favorite bands/musicians growing up:

1. The Monkees
2. The Beach Boys
3. Cat Stevens

Two truths and a lie:

1. I have three dollars and some change in my pocket.
2. I love Pop-Tarts but only with frosting.
3. My Care Bear's name was Funshine--the yellow one.

Three things you can't do without:

1. Family
2. Friends
3. My toothbrush

Three things you most certainly can do without:

1. Beets
2. Rude people
3. War

Three places you want to go on vacation:

1. Scandinavian Countries
2. Australia/New Zealand
3. Some tropical wonderland where you drink brightly colored beverages and the only thing I am concerned with is what sarong I will wear to dinner and what song will be playing in my head as I walk down the beach as the sun sets on the ocean.

Three things you want to do before you die:

1. Show them what I am made of.
2. Open a can of worms.
3. Turn things upside down.

Three people you want to know these things about:

1. Actually, I would love to know these things about anyone. These are the types of things people talk about as they sit around a campfire or when they stay up too late.

Six Feet Under, Again

My friend Jodi deserves a big SHOUT OUT for including me in her big scoop! Six Feet Under, Season Four will be out August 2005! Fantasitc! Honestly, if you are not watching this show yet, go to your local video store and watch season one and you will be hooked. Six Feet Under is better than 90% of the movies at the video store.

Happy 4th of July Weekend

Today, I am leaving for St. Louis. We will be taking in a St. Louis Cardinals game on Saturday and spending time with family. Have a great July 4th!

Music and Scrabble...It Doesn't Get Better Than That

Absolutely, most certainly FANTASTIC!

I love it when something so entirely makes my day. Tonight while playing some Literati with my cute friend, Sara, I was searching for a public radio station that was playing one of my favorite programs World Cafe. I stumbled upon a great website. It lists all the programs that are being played on various public radio stations. This is great because my local station does not offer World Cafe, but it was a favorite when I lived in North Dakota. It is called publicradiofan.com. So, I was able to listen to some quality music as I laid down some serious Scrabble tile!

I am encouraging others to get on the Scrabble bandwagon. I have Mathman to thank for introducing me to Bugcafe.net where you can have on-going Scrabble games through email. Currently, I have two games going. First, it is neck and neck with Amy, yet Mathman is ahead by many, many points. Bugcafe.net is not time consuming and very simple. If you are interested in getting a game going with me, send me an email and I will set it up.

Mini Movie Review: Closer

I watched the movie Closer last night. This might be a small and limited review of the movie, but I thought I would put it out there…

Before I go on, let me say, I liked this movie. It may not seem to be the case after you read on, but I did like the movie. If you have not seen the movie, without giving the plot away, it is about adultery and the enormity of commitment.

The title is deceiving because there wasn't a single relationship in the story that was close. In my opinion, the relationships and choices made by these characters were isolated and detached. With the exception of Natalie Portman’s character, Alice, the characters fell as a casualty to temptation with total disregard for the people in their lives.

It is rare that I watch a movie and I dislike most of the main characters in the film. I couldn’t find sympathy and consideration for people/characters that lack all self-control in their lives. Maybe there was a deeper love between these characters, but I was left wondering since the movie jumped ahead months at a time. I guess as a viewer, I have to either assume that their relationships reached beyond sex and lust and entered that set apart place of reverence and love or believe that these characters were as shallow and naïve as their actions illustrated.

The word love was used so often in the movie, yet the actions shown by the narcissistic characters illustrated nothing but indifference for the ones they claimed to love. The actors must have done a good job for me to dislike them this much. This is not a ‘feel good movie’, but one that will lead to great discussion.

Five Things...Maybe Four

Five things society at large enjoys, but that I, for the most part, just don't get...or enjoy...


MELONS-I think they smell like garbage. No matter if they are fresh or not, they remind me of rotting garbage. Watermelon, cantelope, honeydew...I can't stand a one. The most appalling of all is artificially flavored watermelon candy, gums, or sorbets. I used to have to fill the sorbet machine at the frozen yogurt shop that I worked at in high school and college with watermelon sorbet. I would gag. The worst is when the melon is mixed with the other fruit. I am that awful person that picks for the strawberries and grapes in a fruit salad. When restraurants offer a side of fruit, it is usually all melon. Jerks.

CILANTRO-I believe that cilantro is such a strong herb that it ruins everything it comes in contact with. There is nothing worse than a delicious salsa that has been contaminated with this aggressive and somewhat rude seasoning. Along with spinach, it does tend to get stuck between your teeth. Beware.