Water + Seeds + Sun = Flowers (sometimes)

I have news to share about my 5th grade science project. Out of the 50 or so seeds I plants and tried to make grow, I was about 10% successful which I think is pretty good first time out. Who knew it was going to be so hard to keep things alive. I was really doing better than 10% but then I forgot to transfer them to the planter. Oh well. Lesson learned, plan on having no weddings going on while growing seeds.

I started this project in April and here it is some months later and I actually have a flower starting! I am like a proud parent. So excited that it lived and did something with it's life! I am sure I will treat all of my children's accomplishments this way. And like a proud parent I have a picture to prove mine kid is the most awesome.

Digital Fortress

I just finished reading Dan Brown's Digital Fortress less than 12 hours ago. I have read Angels and Demons, Da Vinci Code, and Deception Point by him as well. I enjoyed those books and that is why I plucked Digital Fortress from the used book store as another read.

I did not enjoy this book nearly as much as I enjoyed the others by him. I don't know if this was because the book was legitimately cheesy or if my book reading has matured and I need something with more substance. I believe it may have been a combo of the two.

Basically the book is about cryptography and what would happen if the NSA got a code it was unable to break. The topic sounded interesting enough, but in actual execution it lacked the thrill of what it promised. Since not everyone just knows about cryptography, it had to be explained. I don't believe this was done all that well. Then he made the elaborate scheme of who is the bad guy and after reading three of his books already, I knew who it was going to be. That took some fun out of it. Also, he tried to have a romantic undertone in the book which didn't really fit. The guy of the relationship was being chased in the book for about 10 chapters. That sucked because it just kept going. The real kicker though was how it ended. They had gotten one last clue to figure out in order to "save the world" and I got to the end before they did which is particularly annoying. I know some authors do it on purpose, but he doesn't strike me as the type. I may be wrong.

So overall, it was just ok. I wish I had just stuck with reading Harry Potter to gear up for the 7th book, but it was a nice break I guess. Oh well. :) It will at least be added to the list of books I have read this year, good, bad, or indifferent.

Movie Theater Etiquette

I recently had the opportunity to go to the movies to watch Shrek the Third. I haven't been to the movies much lately and if and when I go, it's usually during the day because it's cheaper and less crowded. Well Rob and I had the discount tickets I purchased from work that gets you into any movie after it's been out 2 weeks at a cheap flat rate no matter when it's showing. Shrek the Third was the first evening movie we have been to since I think we were in VA together which is almost a year ago. Whoa time flies...

In any event, I had never been in a noisier theater in all my life. It started off fine, but then a couple joined our row that decided to repeat almost everything, at a normal voice level, that was being said on the screen. No lie, ask Rob. Also, the brigade of about 20 children that came in during the previews and the antsy toddler that wanted to sit in 3 different seats in front of us. There was always background noise in the theater and not just laughing from a scene or other reactions to the movie, but conversations.

I know that kids sometimes don't understand the whole be quiet principle, but what are they doing out at a movie that starts at 9pm? Most of them were 10 and under ages and when I was that old, my bed time was 8pm and there were never any late night movies. Times change I guess.

I know I paid a discount rate to see that movie, but for 2 people to watch a movie these days it's close to $20 and I would think you would want to watch the movie, not listen to other people talk about it. I am just wondering at what point it became ok to do that? Did movie etiquette change? They still have the animation from 10 years ago with the little film guy telling it's not ok. Maybe before the movie starts, they should just start giving people the same thing they put on dogs when they don't want them to bark. I think I will stick to my matinées. Sometimes I feel so old.

Beach Week Wrap Up

It's that time again. Time to start packing the bags and cleaning out the sand from those mysterious places you never thought it would get into. This week has been a lot of fun. There was plenty of on the beach time, in the pool time (after it was cleaned), hot tub time, and of course puzzle time. I have also been successful in finishing a book and finishing a blanket that I have been crocheting for about 5 years now. WAHOO! I have also collected a bunch of neat shells, bought more stuff for my house, took plenty of pictures, did some body boarding. There was also the day that we didn't see Ben until 5pm which was a little concerning, but turns out he was ok.

But the highlight of the trip was the day Amanda and I went to Cape Hatteras. It was really neat to go up in the light house. The view was great and it was a beautiful day. Not to mention we went to the beach and the water was about 5 degrees warmer than what we had been swimming in about an hour north of the cape. Good times.

In conclusion the weather has been perfect and it has been a fantastic beach week! I have had a great time and I really don't want to go back to work. :P

Sunscreen Application Lesson

How many of us have gone to the beach and played out in the sun all day long only to find later that night that you missed a spot with the sunscreen? I have been most fortunate to play the "guess where I forgot to put sunscreen" game this beach week. The top parts of my legs by the bathing suit line was completely missed in all 3-4 applications of sunscreen. Ouch.

Bonnie was kind enough to share the tip of applying sunscreen before even putting a suit on. How ingenious! That way you won't miss a spot due to bathing suit obstruction. However I have one better! If you would to get a tub and fill it with sunscreen, then you could just dip in and get out. Presto change-o! This would eliminate the smear on and rub in factor. You could just air dry.

I am happy to say that I have not been burned since that day however I am still slowly recovering. It's starting to itch and that's not so cool. :P

$250 Fine for Littering

Since Mike has officially threatened to start giving me a rating I felt I could put aside some of my excuses and actually post - even on beach week. Since I have walked up and down the beach twice today I have a few topics for my blog.

One - some people really need to do a mirror check before leaving the house. Anna and I saw someone today who looked like she had stolen her little sisters bottoms. Crack is not something for the beach.

Two - And really the main reason for this blog. How much people litter. I honestly don't understand how the beach has just become the ashtray for so many smokers. Honestly, who wants to be swimming or walking on the beach and having every two steps be a cigarette butt? What kills me even more is when they see you picking up after them and they continue to carry on. I am sorry but you only get one earth and you shouldn't treat it like your personal trash bin. Some of our most amazing finds include a newspaper, fire cracker shells, water bottles, various candy/chip wrappers and the most favorite is part of a scissor handle which leads you to ask the question, where the hell was the other parts?

In any event, if you happen to go to the beach, please remember, carry in, carry out and if you happen to find someone littering, punch them in the face and remind them it's not cool.

Stress Decompress

I think this very well might have been the longest I have gone without posting to date. Well I figure I am still doing fairly well compared with some other bloggers. So well in fact, Mike P. said he can't keep up with how frequently I post and therefore my rating on his blog is blank. So really, that is the top honor. If you can post so much the person tracking can't keep up with you A++ for you! :)

So much has happened in the last two weeks that have caused various levels of stress to spike and slowly go back down. As I type I am still fairly stressed, but less so than say yesterday. I completed my Green Belt training class, now I just have to take a test to prove I was awake during the week. That's due soon although a smaller factor of stress.

Last Saturday I decided to sign up for a March of Dimes walk. I don't know why I went since my co-workers who boasted it up so much didn't even show up. "Oh it's just a couple of miles, it's so much fun, you get shirts." Well it was 7 miles and so disorganized that I had no idea what was happening. Look the crowd is moving, looks like it's time to go! I was told to be there at 7:20am for the picture, I was the 3rd Lockheed person there. The picture wasn't taken until after 8am. That shot most of the day, but I had many more things to do before Sunday afternoon.

Sunday morning I was up and about against the will of my own body, but I had to get some shopping done as well as some house cleaning for the arrival of the some house guests. It's great having them visit however, stressful making sure everything is ok.

I also wrote my essay for my graduate application, took the GRE's on Tuesday and was battling out bridesmaid issues with no dress arrival. FUN!! I felt like I was in college all over again aside from the bridesmaid dresses. I have been more concerned about school and the work required to get in than my actual work lately. In the long run, I know what will pay off. So, yes I did apply to grad school and now I really hope I get in. I am not a rocket scientist, but I work hard and can be taught, so we shall see. Even though I have applied to Mike P.'s department his doesn't seem to have the authority to put the lean on the right people. Mr. I am a Ph.D. student.

Oh and let's not forget that Rob had a birthday last week as well! In between all his final projects and papers and my bizzaro bunch of things that I was doing, we found time to have a nice lunch at Figo downtown near campus. I also made him a delicious cake. :)

Now it's time to decompress a little and maybe go shopping. I can't say whether shopping will help or hinder at this point, but I am willing to try! Besides, there is only 20 more days til I am at the beach with sunshine and drinks!