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February 24, 2006
Pixelmash Movies
I found this on a site called Barbelith. This guy created little pixel-animated short versions of some of the greatest movies ever made including:
* Star Wars Episode IV-VI
* Indiana Jones I-III
* Ghostbusters
* Back to the Future
They're a LOT of fun to watch!! Enjoy!
Posted by Amy at 01:35 PM | Comments (0)
February 22, 2006
It Hurts to Think
The last two are REALLY scary!! Enjoy!
(On September 17, 1994, Alabama's Heather Whitestone was selected as Miss America 1995.)
Question: If you could live forever, would you and why?
Answer: "I would not live forever, because we should not live forever, because if we were supposed to live forever, then we would live forever, but we cannot live forever, which is why I would not live forever ."
--Miss Alabama in the 1994 Miss USA contest.
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"Whenever I watch TV and see those poor starving kids all over the world, I can't help but cry. I mean I'd love to be skinny like that, but not with all those flies and death and stuff."
--Mariah Carey
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"Smoking kills. If you're killed, you've lost a very important part of your life,"
--Brooke Shields, during an interview to become Spokesperson for federal anti-smoking campaign .
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"I've never had major knee surgery on any other part of my body,"
-- Winston Bennett, University of Kentucky basketball forward.
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"Outside of the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the country."
--Mayor Marion Barry, Washington, DC.
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"That lowdown scoundrel deserves to be kicked to death by a jackass, and I'm just the one to do it .."
--A congressional candidate in Texas.
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"Half this game is ninety percent mental."
--Philadelphia Phillies manager, Danny Ozark
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"It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it."
--Al Gore, Vice President
And .
"We are ready for an unforeseen event that may or may not occur."
--Al Gore, VP
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"I love California. I practically grew up in Phoenix."
--Dan Quayle
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"We've got to pause and ask ourselves: How much clean air do we need?"
--Lee Iacocca
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"The word "genius" isn't applicable in football. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein."
--Joe Theisman, NFL football quarterback & sports analyst.
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"We don't necessarily discriminate. We simply exclude certain types of people."
--Colonel Gerald Wellman, ROTC Instrutor.
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"Traditionally, most of Australia's imports come from overseas."
--Keppel Enderbery
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"Your food stamps will be stopped effective March 1992 because we received notice that you passed away. May God bless you. You may reapply if there is a change in your circumstances."
--Department of Social Services, Greenville South Carolina
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"If somebody has a bad heart, they can plug this jack in at night as they go to bed and it will monitor their heart throughout the night. And the next morning, when they wake up dead, there'll be a record."
--Mark S. Fowler, FCC Chairman
Posted by Amy at 08:00 AM | Comments (2)
February 20, 2006
Look Who's Talking
I had to share this hysterically cute little experience with you all. Last night, while visiting my mom and dad for dinner, my sister called. She put my neices and nephew on the phone to talk to their grandparents. Then it was my turn to talk to them. My 7-year-old neice, Sara (on the left in this picture) had told me that she had a day off from school: Martin Luther King Day.
I said, "Oh, that's nice! Now, do you know who he is?"
She said very confidently, "Yeah! I know who he is!"
I asked, "So who is he?"
She said, "He was the king!"
After a few minutes of heavy belly-laughing, I finally said, "He was the king? Really. Well, what was he the king of?"
Her response: "I don't know!"
Posted by Amy at 08:00 AM | Comments (0)
February 17, 2006
Sixth Sense
Now that I've been training as a brown belt for a while, things are really getting interesting and fun for me. I sort of feel like I've "crossed over" from the realm of being a beginner to a more advanced student.
The last couple of advanced classes I went to, we did these drills where I could actually envision the next step. Basically, one person would do an attack and the other would do a defense. Then it would progress to: attack, defense/counter-attack. It was pretty cool just doing the drill. But then my Spidey-sense kicked in and I thought, "Wouldn't it be cool if the next move was an 'ikyu' or a 'shiho-nage?'" Turns out, that's exactly what came next! I was able to figure out what the next defense/counter-attack would be before the sensei even told us what to do!
When I told Mr. Scott what happened, he said, "That's great! Now you're beginning to develop your sixth sense!" It got me so excited! But at the same time, I'm a little bummed because some of the moves I'd like to learn are more Aikido-based. But I can't take Aikido classes because even if I learned the joint-locks and other techniques, I wouldn't be able to get through it without being able to fall or roll—I would have to take turns with my partner and let them practice the technique on me for them to learn it. I'm physically unable to fall or roll properly because of the rods in my back from my scoliosis surgery years ago.
I can sort of get around that just because I can ask Don to teach me some things. I was asking him some questions last night and I actually got a "sneak peek" at one of the techniques you don't normally learn until you're a 3rd level brown belt (I'm currently only 1st level). It's not like taking the class itself, but the fact that Don can show me some Aiki moves is so exciting! I mean, one of the coolest things about Aikido and Karate is that each is like one half of a whole art. They really compliment each other perfectly and if you don't have one, you're not really getting the entire picture.
By the way, this picture shows Don practicing Nihon Jujitsu with Greg, but it still illustrates the kind of really practical (and VERY effective) techniques you can learn (such as in Aikido) when you go beyond one style. It takes your martial capability and understanding to a WHOLE new level!
Posted by Amy at 11:50 AM | Comments (0)
February 14, 2006
Valentine's Day
Don and I had a very lovely Valentine's Day. It started after midnight last night when I found a card that Don left by my purse that I believe he intended me to find as I left for work in the morning. It had a Victoria's Secret gift card in it. Yay! And since I found it early, I gave Don his card and presents early.
I gave him an action figure of a Cylon from the original Battlestar Galactica as well as a Viper fighter (which even comes with a tiny little pilot about 1/2 inch tall...hee hee). I also gave him some Star Trek movies and music and five, count 'em FIVE sticks of his Nautica Competition deodorant (which is becoming exceedingly hard to find). I think he was pretty happy.
But then I got to work and as I'm checking my e-mail, I get an e-mail from the receptionist telling me I have flowers at the front desk! I admit I was a little surprised to find that Don had sent me a dozen BEAUTIFUL roses on TOP of the VS gift card he gave me, not to mention we had dinner plans too. What a LOVELY surprise! Don usually doesn't give me flowers, which is ok with me because the cats usually destroy them. I'm usually pretty darned happy with chocolate, but they're really nice to have. So I'm keeping them at work where everyone can be jealous that I have such a perfect husband!
In the evening, we had reservations at the Quarter Bistro for dinner with 4 other couples, mostly dojo people. (I got to wear my red Chinese dress that I got off eBay for 1 cent...that's right 1 cent, plus $13 shipping.) When we got there, I saw other people in the room we had reserved and I was worried that they overbooked. I was going to be very angry if they had, especially since when we booked it, we were the only ones to do so. No one had thought of reserving that room for Valentine's Day at that point. But they were just getting the bill. So we waited in the bar for about a half hour.
We had a very nice dinner, except that the service could have been better. Sue's prime rib came to her cold and the waitress forgot to put Steve's order in. Then when we went to pay the bill, she took our money, then came back and said she'd forgotten to charge us for Steve's steak and that she needed to charge us. Plus she combined the bar bill with the dinner bill without asking permission first (which I think Greg wasn't happy about).
At least she didn't automatically add the tip like most restaurants do. Greg only gave her about 12 1/2 percent and wrote a note on the bill that "service could use improvement." I couldn't have agreed more.
By the end of the dinner, my nylons were driving me absolutely insane. I absolutely CANNOT stand wearing nylons unless I have to (which I did with this dress). They always start itching me after about an hour. Sitting on a hard chair with no cushion didn't help either. I was SOOOOO happy to change out of them when I got home! UGH! Then it was time to watch a little tv and download some more music. I EVEN got the music from the Prince of Persia Sands of Time video game! I don't even know how they could get the music off the game! But it was cool to have.
What did you do for Valentine's Day?
Posted by Amy at 11:59 PM | Comments (2)
February 13, 2006
Evil People Suck!
Maybe I'm just too naive or innocent-minded, but I just will NEVER understand why people have to be evil or mean. Like those jerk heads that spread computer viruses or those phishers that steal someone's identity. And most ESPECIALLY mean, inconsiderate drivers!!!
I had just arrived downtown Ann Arbor to go to my karate class. Usually, I park right outside the dojo on the street depending on whether there's an open spot along the curb. I saw one across the street from the dojo and had to do a 180 turn to grab it. There was a woman in a pickup truck just in front of the spot I was going to park in who was trying to re-adjust her car because she was on the curb, but I could tell she still wanted to keep her spot. Ok, no problem, there's two open spots behind her.
Just as I pull beside her and start putting it in reverse to pull in behind her, this guy in a white Subaru makes a left onto the street and pulls in RIGHT where I was going to park! What a buttmunch! At first I gave him the benefit of the doubt and thought maybe he didn't realize I was trying to park there, but after a moment, I could tell he knew FULL well. He kept backing up, then pulling forward just enough so that I couldn't back into the spot, like he was toying with me! I saw him in my rear view mirror smiling and sort of laughing at me. I couldn't believe it!
Finally, I just gave up cause he wasn't going to give up. So I do another 180 and park on the side of the street just in front of the dojo. As I look back in my mirror again, I see the other woman still trying to re-adjust her car. She had to pull out next to the car in front of her, then back up into the spot again. Well, as SOON as she pulls out and before she's able to put it in reverse, the asshole takes HER spot!!! And he WON'T give it up!
Now the stupid thing was that there were spots enough for ALL three of us, but he just COULDN'T allow us to park there at all! She got frustrated with him and took off, obviously as pissed at him as I was, perhaps more because she was there first!
The whole time, there was a guy on the sidewalk watching this whole thing happen. When the buttmunch got out of his car, the other guy called him out and said, "Man, those other women were trying to park there! Why'd you have to do that?" And the guy just looked at him trying to play dumb and said, "Oh, uhhhh, gee I didn't know." Yeah, RIGHT!
I wanted to yell at the asshole, but by the time I got out of my car, he was gone. I talked to the other guy and asked, "Did he just do what I THOUGHT he did??" He said, "Yeah...should we let the air out of his tires?" Oooohh! So tempting! Except I was parked across the street and didn't want the jackass to do anything to my car while I was at karate. If I wasn't parked there, I probably would have.
OH! And to top it all off?? By the time I got in the dojo and got dressed, I went back upstairs to the window to see if his car was still there and HE WAS GONE!! He wasn't even parked for five minutes and he had to be SUCH an ASSHOLE JERK!! Grrrr! I wish I could have called the cops on him or something. I've parked on that street a few times a week for about four years and I've NEVER seen anything like that there.
Come to think of it, maybe it was Christy's buttmunch customer Buster. Maybe he got fed up with driving her nuts and came all the way over from Cali to piss me off! By the way, Christy, somebody sent a buffalo nickel in the mail as a gimmick that I want to send to you.
MEAN PEOPLE SUUUUUUUUUCK!!!
Posted by Amy at 09:30 PM | Comments (3)
February 12, 2006
Ego Boost
I found out the other night that I'm the 3rd most beautiful woman in the world!
Ha ha ha!! Just kidding.
Don showed me the stats on people reading my blog. I had no idea I had more readers than just my friends and family. Turns out people find it by searching for different terms on Google and find my blog. Some of the search terms were things like: samurai, Prince of Persia, Chauncey Billups, and (wait for it)...3rd most beautiful woman in the world. I think people searching for that term found my site because I said in an entry that I thought Linda Carter was the most beautiful woman in the world. It made for a good laugh, even if it was a short-lived ego boost.
Yesterday, Don and I went to Lansing with Nick. While Don and Nick were practicing Judo, I went shopping. I tell you the Meridian Mall in E. Lansing sucks! Seems like every time I go to Lansing, it sucks more and more which makes me love Ann Arbor more and more. Anyway, it was a successful shopping trip. I got a new pair of jeans and a few really nice button-down shirts--a nice change from my plain stupid t-shirts.
Aaaaaand, I got to play Samurai Shodown II at Pinball Pete's. I think I played for about 45 minutes or so before it was time to go meet Don and Nick for dinner. It was so much fun! I used my usual character, Chamu Chami. I was a little surprised to find that I remembered how to do most of her moves. Though, the first round, I beat a few characters before I got to Nakoruru who kicked my ass back and forth. (Eric, I'm sure you'll be amused at that.) So I put another quarter in and gave her what for! :) But then Earthquake started kicking my ass and I finally had to concede and start a new round.
I was again tempted to offer to buy the Samurai Shodown II arcade cabinet. No idea what it would be worth, but since it has that plus another of my favorite games, I'd love to have it. Didn't see any on eBay. Hm, I wonder if it would fit in the cubbyhole under the stairs of the basement?
Posted by Amy at 08:00 PM | Comments (0)
February 06, 2006
DLO TransPod
Ok, I'm gonna follow a cue from Don here and write about something that rulz. The DLO TransPod FM transmitter for iPod, which Don gave me as an early Valentine's Day present. Thank you honey!!
I'd been wanting a better FM transmitter for my iPod for quite a long time now. I've been using the Monster cable FM transmitter which worked pretty darned well in the beginning. But it seemed like the more time went on, the worse it got. The thing only has 10 FM channels to choose from and the only one that worked half-way decent (88.5) has been giving me lots of static and feedback, especially when I pull into my office where I get a high-pitched feedback and more static.
So I went on Amazon to see which one people liked the most. Turns out it was this thing called the DLO TransPod. Everyone gave it really high marks for how well it worked and how little static it gave them (if any at all). Only one idiot said it didn't work at all, but he was trying to use AM stations, not FM! DUH!!!
Anyway, the only thing people complained about was its physical design, saying that it wasn't very good looking and that the plastic they use seems a bit cheap. I don't think it looks bad and even if it did, I wouldn't really care. All I really want is for the thing to work well and give me no more static (and not be a huge impediment to other dashboard controls). So far it works, though I've only used it once this morning. I want to play around with it a bit more to test it out and configure its position a little better (I was kind of in a hurry this morning), but I have a good feeling about it. No feedback in the office parking lot!
Of course, it isn't like CD quality which I was aware of before I got it, but it's like a strong radio station. The DLO TransPod is a more powerful transmitter than the Monster (or any other I've heard of) because it doesn't use a cable. Plus, you can use any frequency throughout the entire car radio spectrum, from 87.9 through 107.9! WOW! I didn't think any of them could do that!
Other drawbacks are that I have to reach a little further to change the song (I used to have it in my cupholder which is right by my hip); also when I put my car into park, my pinkie hits it. And it costs almost twice as much as the Monster. But for as well as it works, it's totally worth spending the extra money instead of saving the $40 or $50 bucks and getting a piece of crap that doesn't work. The drawbacks are just not big enough of a deal to turn me away from using it. So far, I'm pretty pleased as punch with it!
I really love using my iPod since it has nearly every song I want to listen to. And maybe in the future, I might see about putting in Sirius satellite radio in my car to augment it; I'm not sure yet. Don loves it and raves about it (mostly because he can listen to Howard Stern). I think I might like the 80's and classic rock stations as well as some of the comedy. Though, when we listen in Don's car, I STILL can't get used to hearing them swear! It's weird! LOL.
Posted by Amy at 08:45 AM | Comments (0)
February 03, 2006
Famous
Well, they finally did it. They made me famous and put me up on the homepage. If you click on the image, you'll go to the Quicken Loans homepage. If you see a blonde girl, clear your cache and try again till you see me. (They're testing 2 different homepages.)
Read about what Don refers to as "The Amy Effect".
Posted by Amy at 10:00 AM | Comments (3)