I want to see if this is the way I want to share my life and journey with the world. Am I ready to take on blogging for real? As funny and chaotic as my life is, can I take that and express it through words? Pondering...

It's been a while...

From years ago Summer of 2009... Oh, and the guy I fell in love with is now a close friend... I had it 6 1/2 year without a soda before I gave in. Had to restart 1/1/17.

So, while I was updating info on facebook, I noticed that with my crazy busy life I had completely neglected my blogger acct for some 7 months. I always say I am going to get caught up and post more, but who knows if that is ever going to happen....

so, the last 8 months.

Guy* turned out to be a complete arse, and unforunately we aren't talking anymore even though I had hoped a friendship would remain.

I survived a hurricane and watched our city come together to recover and rebuild.

I met a guy, fell in love, and after a long story got heartbroken. Currently in recovery...

Worked on my relationship with my best friend who has been there for everything.

Grown as a photographer.

Got another promotion at work.

Traveled to St. Croix, then moved here. Currently here for 2 months...

Lost 40 pounds, not sure when I started with the weightloss. Currently working on maintaining and going for another 10.

Still haven't had a soda. Now over 530 days without a soda; working on the 2 year mark.

Better Late than Never: Wall-e Widget

Well, I have seen Wall-e twice and I loved it!!! I can't wait until the movie comes out next month. While surfing, I found this widget and I have to add it...





Check back soon, Stephanie

edit:
So, the last widget is no longer receiving updates so this is the new one.

Preparing for Hurricane Ike

So, wow... I haven't blogged in like 9 months. I am always keeping busy with work, friends, and hobbies. Well, I finally have time.

Today, Sept 12th, all of Houston is gathered in their living rooms watching and waiting for Hurricane Ike to make landfall. Later this evening, Ike will crash onto Galveston with enough water to cover the island. As the storm passes through Houston, it will still be a caterogy 1 or 2 bringing strong winds and rains. The only fear I have for my third floor apt is maybe roof or window damage. I am crashing at a friend's house passing the time until the damage is done to the city. I was hoping to spend the day in my apt playing 360 with Guy*, but it turns out crashing at Erin's place is going to be better. We have movies, snacks, and great conversation. Hurricane Slumber Party! I will keep you out there posted and will write more often.

Eeriest moment so far: Those staying against advisement in water surge/ flooding areas being asked to mark their arms with their social security numbers so if necessary their bodies can be identified.

*Guy will be how I refer to the guy who was, is, and may be in my life in a variety of relationship types. I am sure that he would not want me to write about him by name. Nor would I want to draw specific attention to the weirdest relationship of my life.

Music Recommendation List

All songs listed as recommendations here on the blog with or without video:

• The Killers: Andy, You're a Star
• Lost Prophets: Last Summer
• Dave Matthews Band: Lie in Our Graves
• Something Corporate: The Runaway
• Third Eye Blind: Good for You, Semi-Charmed Life, & Deep Inside of You
• Madonna: Hung Up & Sorry
• Lisa Loeb: I Do
• Enya: Amarantine
• Jem: Just a Ride
• Coldplay: Speed of Sound
• The Postal Service: Such Great Heights
• Goo Goo Dolls: Iris
• Guster: I Hope Tomorrow is Like Today
• Air: Mike Mills
• Oasis: Wonderwall
• The All-American Rejects: Dirty Little Secret
• Jack Johnson: Upside Down
• Natasha Bedingfield: I Bruise Easily & Single
• Goo Goo Dolls: Better Days, Iris, & Name
• John Rzeznik: I'm Still Here
• Our Lady Peace: Life, 4am, & Is Anybody Home?
• U2: Elevation, Beautiful Day, & Sweetest Thing
• A Perfect Circle: Blue, 3 Libras, & Sleeping Beauty
• Shakira: Hips Don't Lie, La Tortura, & Whenever, Wherever
• The Fray: Over My Head (Cable Car)
• Red Hot Chili Peppers: Dani California
• Anna Nalick: Breathe (2am)
• Jason Mraz: You and I Both
• Kaiser Chiefs: Ruby
• Snow Patrol: Signal Fire & You're All I Have
• Dashboard Confessional: Stolen
• Enrique Iglesias: Do You Know
• Keane: A Bad Dream, Is It Any Wonder, Somewhere Only We Know, Crystal Ball, & Everybody's Changing
• Hilary Duff: Stranger & With Love
• Mandy Moore: Only Hope & Extraordinary
• Lily Allen: Smile
• Lifehouse: First Time
• Kayne West: Stronger
• Timbaland: The Way I Are
• Fergie: Clumsy
• Finger Eleven: Paralyzer
• Nelly Furtado: Do It
• Jennifer Lopez: Do It Well
• Aqualung: Strange and Beautiful & Brighter Than Sunshine

Completed Video Game List

So, I am becoming a gamer or at least a better one. As I expand my collection, I want to track those I have reached the end credits in. Games take time and skill, so I can only imagine this list will grow slowly.

• Puzzle Quest (DS): puzzle game that resembles a RPG in the fact certain tasks have to be completed using different spells and items
• Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (DS): maybe the best game ever, I love it!, nothing compares to the use of the touch screen in this game
  

Twitter

So, I don't know what I was thinking, but I have joined twitter to follow along with my Flickr friends... I don't like the idea of inviting something else in that I know I will get addicted to but it's done, so what ya gonna do.... If you twitter, check it out here.

Following the 365

So, I have started a new blog to follow along with my 365 over on Flickr. Check it out if you like at:

365 blog

Here's to 25!

Happy Birthday, me! To all those who made today great, thanks. A few updates I would like to share with you guys:

• I have started the 365 self portrait project. Only mine will be 367 to go from 12/16 to 12/16. (Leap Year, baby!) I will be featuring those on flickr!
• This year, all my resolutions start today! I know 25 is going to be way more memorable than '08. So, I wanted to start on my terms.
• Of course, watch for changes here. I say it all the time, but you are about to see one determined blogger.

I will keep you updated on the 365 project and other events. Check back often! Holla!

Book List

I read books all the time that I don't always get around to reviewing, perhaps good but not great or I have written about the series before and not sure what new to add. Whatever the case may be, recently, I found myself in a situation reading a book with a case of deja vu. It turns out I had read a previous copy (different cover) and thought perhaps it was just reminding me of something else. So, I wished for a list of books I had read as a reference. I hope you view this list as an insight into my addiction to books of all types.

BOOK LIST

This list starts sometime this year with books I've read and not reviewed elsewhere on my blog. Books are listed title, author, and sort mention of genre, series, or plot line.

• Poison Ivy, Amy Goldman Koss: written in interview format about how a classroom courtroom that takes on some bullies; gives a somewhat realistic view of a geeky teen's struggle (young adult).
  
• The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, Kate DiCamillo: children's story about a child's toy that teaches quite a lesson (juv).
  
• Fearless Fourteen, Jane Evanovich: part of Stephanie Plum series (mystery).
  
• Plum Lucky, Janet Evanovich: part of Stephanie Plum series (mystery).
  
• I am Legend, Richard Matheson: story is great, but pretty different from the movie, but would definitely recommend (sci-fi).
• Lean, Mean 13, Janet Evanovich: part of the Stephanie Plum series, quite funny (mystery).
• Motor Mouth, Janet Evanovich: second of the Alex Barnaby series, follows along similar to the first as a murder mystery unfolds (mystery).
• Straight Talking, Jane Green: Tasha has to figure out the meaning and requirements of love in this easy-read set in England (chick-lit).
• Asking for Trouble, Elizabeth Young: Sophy uses lies to solve her relationship dilemmas, but the lies start to pile up fast creating one major, funny catastrophe surrounding a wedding in rural England (chick-lit).
• Island Book One: Shipwreck, Gordon Korman: book 1 of 3 about 6 children who face a horrible storm and find themselves alone at sea (juv).
• The Name of the Game was Murder, Joan Lowery Nixon: Samantha helps solve clues to discover the answer to a murder and a missing manuscript (juv mystery).
• A Chance of Love, Jimmy Liao: a beautiful picture/gift book about finding love just around the corner when you stop looking for it (gift).
• The Weekend Was Murder!, Joan Lowery Nixon: Liz helps solve the mystery behind the actual murder that takes place during the Murder Mystery Weekend at the hotel she works for while guests try to solve the fake one. follows after The Dark and Deadly Pool (juv mystery).
  

Lists!!!

So, as a new feature, I am going to start a few posts as lists.

Basically, I look at it this way, I would love to say I am some great writer that was a way of writing reviews and recommendations, but I'm not. I mean, just look at that sentence alone. Usually, a sentence or two is enough for me, and you know better than me that with a few seconds on google you can find descriptions of just about anything.

So, I am going to generate lists that I update with movies I've seen or books I've read (that I don't feel writing a special entry for) or music, etc. These lists may jump back in time a little because I have been putting off writing a lot. I will also create the LIST label as well as a side panel widget with links since the lists will eventually be buried off the home page here. I guess besides that I will create the rules as I go. My blog, right?

Happy In-love Music: not that I really know what that's like...

Aqualung: "Strange and Beautiful" and "Brighter than Sunshine"



For some reason I just really like the sound of this artist. The tracks are cool, relaxed and have these feel-good lyrics that make you want to smile and maybe daydream a little of that special someone you fell in love with one time. I hope the videos serve as a simple method for sampling. I will more than likely be finding more tracks for my mp3 player.

More music Videos

If you are going to "Do It", then "Do It Well"



I love both these songs (more music to dance around my room to) and hate both the videos, because they are absolutely ridiculous. I replaced the Jennifer Lopez video with the fan version, but feel free to choose the official video from the menu.

Fergie and Finger Eleven: connection?

These are a few songs that have me singing and dancing around my room like an idiot. Oh, and both helped me get through the work shifts by singing when no one could hear me. Enjoy!

Fergie: Clumsy and Finger Eleven: Paralyzer

Please note: If this or any video link is broken due to YouTube, please just post a comment and I will try to update as soon as possible.

I'm back!

So, I was out the majority of October due to my work schedule. I took a job working in a plant with very long hours trying to get ahead on my massive pile of debt. The work was both easy and hard on the mind and body, but I have come away looking a little better financially. I had started on a few posts before leaving about the WWW. And I do plan on continuing that series, but I also wanted to throw a few posts in about photos, music, and whatever randomness I come up with. Stay in touch and thanks for reading!

Firefox: My Internet Browser of Choice

Browser Choices
The most common web browser is that of Internet Explorer. The blue E is recognizable anywhere, and Microsoft does all it can to ensure you are accessing the net via IE by including it as the default browser for Windows operating systems and providing previous versions for Mac. The current version available is IE7 best known for the added tab option (similar to firefox). Another common option from days past is Netscape, but after several years, the majority of users have moved on. Mac operating systems feature Safari as its default browser; it has also undergone several updates throughout the years for Apple. Whereas these three browsers focused primarily on a specific operating system, new browsers developed as cross-platform browsers allowing users to use their browser on a variety of systems (Windows, Mac, Linux, etc.) The most popular are Mozilla Firefox and Opera.

To learn more about the history and popularity of these web browsers, see Wikipedia article: Internet browsers.

Advantages of Firefox
Firefox is most praised for being a cross-platform browser and for having open source code. Firefox allows for users to create add-ons, extensions, which generate endless possibilities for the personalization of the browser. Toolbars and bookmarks are easy to customize and share. Tabbing organizes several open pages in one window keeping the screen uncluttered. Because Firefox ranks second in most common used browser (behind IE), most web tools, pages, software work flawlessly. Greasemonkey is my favorite extension; it allows for several small scripts to be added and managed for specific web pages (like Flickr).

To learn more about Firefox and its amazing features or to download, see Mozilla Firefox's site: Firefox 2.

To learn more about Greasemonkey, see Wikipedia article: Greasemonkey or to install (after Firefox is installed) see: Firefox Add-ons: Greasemonkey.

My personalization of Firefox
With the toolbars, I changed around my Google search options, used the Google Toolbar Button Gallery to find the perfect assortment of buttons and removed all text, added page tools, and set up the auto-fill feature. When I started organizing my bookmarks, I took advantage of the bookmark toolbar and added all my daily links without the names just leaving the icons. I also set up my gmail account to be refreshed from my toolbar.

After downloading and installing Firefox, opening the browser will link to pages that can help set up all your preferences and search for add-ons and extensions to better your internet experience. If you already use Firefox, but want to check out your options, see Customize Firefox.

I really recommend checking out some of the sites for more, detailed information about browsers and what Firefox can do for you. In all fairness, I must add that I decided to download Opera as well to see how other features can change my routine.

Hope this post helped explain how Firefox has become my gateway to the world wide web and how others can use it to enhance their internet experience.

How I approach the Internet now...

First off, up until about 4 months ago, I could have cared less about my internet browser, how to host photos, or where to find new internet toys and services. I started this blog some time back, but didn't really utilize all that blogger could do and was quite okay with that. I did some time on myspace. What a disaster. haha. But overall, I kept it simple.

After people trying to force Firefox down my throat, I thought it might be time for me to rediscover the web and all I had missed from my comfort zone. I upgraded to the new IE7 and didn't much care for the layout and toolbars but learned that on my small laptop screen, I could learn to love Tabs. With no benefits apparent but Tabs, I realized that it was time for me to take my foot out of my mouth and get onboard with Firefox.

Let me tell you, this is the best internet decision I ever made and I didn't even realize it until much later. Over this summer, I began looking at the internet in a completely new light. I upgraded to the new blogger, started learning basic javascript and html code segments, introduced myself to widgets, flickr, greasemonkey, firefox add-ons, new bookmarking options, along with a list of sites and internet features I had never really tried.

I indeed to introduce my new internet changes in a series of posts about different internet features. If any of my readers out there are like me, then reading simple reviews and explanations may be the way to open a door to a new service that is a perfect fit.

90 Days and Counting!

So, it occurred to me today in 3 months time I will be 25. My quarter of a century mark. So, sitting here now, I am the worst shape of my life, can't remember when I last put on my ballet slippers, wondering where my life is going. And, of course, you know me, I indeed on changing it. I am again reseting my workout counter in sidebar. I wouldn't mind doing some barre work to strengthen my bod. While I am at it, I am going to take a more active role in making some serious career and financial choices. And I would like to open myself up to new social circles and continue to work on my cultural and educational goals.

All that said, I know you prolly don't know me or what this is about. But I feel if I write it here, I will be a little more motivated each time I see this. And for the dancing, I love to dance and miss it terribly each time I discover something I can't do anymore.


Yes, I realize that this mini-scroll thing is annoying as hell, but finding a decent countdown was a lot harder than I thought it should or could be.

Kanye and Timbaland

These are the songs I want to hear when I am driving windows down, dancing from the waist up, acting like an idiot (driving safely... promise).

Kanye West "Stronger"
I might add that his performance was one of only few that I didn't FF straight through from the VMA's (MTV 9/9/7). This song is fun, and he is a great performer. Love those shades, right?

Timbaland "The Way I Are"
So what if McD's made a commercial out of this song. I was envious of those kids on roller skates. I love the way this song is more of a collaboration than anything; everyone works well together.