Green Eyes

If you like money...

Ok, this is (hopefully) the most miserably boring blog topic I'll ever post, but I think it's worth mentioning if it helps a few of you out. Last night I filed my own taxes for the first time online with H&R Block. The website answered EVERY question I had, it's 100% FREE, and it guided me through some questions made me realize I actually could get WAAAAAAAAY more back than I originally thought. I sound like a commercial. I'll end this now; again, I'm sorry for the bland topic.

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions on this blog are solely those of the author. The author was not paid, bribed, or threatened to display this information by H&R Block or any of its affiliates.

Irish Pub Stew

My kitchen was a mess of bloody lamb and tear jerking onions as I made my first attempt at recreating my favorite Irish dish. The finally outcome was delicious, BUT I'll definately be finding a different recipe next time, something less thick and perhaps a recipe including Guiness. I identified how badly I need a stockpot, too; cooking a stew in 3 different sized pots overflowing like a mad scientist's lab isn't the conventional or most efficient method, or so I hear.

So anybody have a good recipe for Irish Stew??

Amish Outlaws

Caught a HILARIOUS and very entertaining cover band this weekend at Rookies in Cromwell. They're called the Amish Outlaws, and if you hear of them coming your way, they're definately worth catching if you like drunken sing-a-longs and entertaining stage antics. This weekend I also recognizec how dangerous three female artists and three bottles of red wine can be. Ok, actually, that's a lie, I learned that lesson years ago... But the photo below will perhaps serve as a reminder of how ridiculous we can get. Giiirl...

Touch Me

A huge thing that happened to me this weekend is that I discovered The Doors. Yes, yes, I knooooooow, it's about time.  However, I'm not that sheltered, I've always been familiar with them, but never really listened mindfully until now. Touch Me is a song that I've probably heard a hundred times, but the use of the brass and string instruments blew my miiiiind when I gave it a close listen this weekend. It will be on repeat on my iPod until further notice.

Vermont Weekend

Heather and I enjoyed a very luxurious weekend up in VT... but it didn't start luxurious by any means. On the way up, the snow was coming down pretty good. We tried to get to the top of a mountain where the house was at, and since we were headed up long before the plows, the good ol' Escort just couldn't make it. In fact, it started to slide back down the mountain. I cut the wheel, pulled the e-brake, and ordered Heather to jump out just in case, but it stopped sliding; after the panic attack I inflicted upon Heather. So, having no one near, no lights visible, and no batteries in either of my flashlights, we had to abandon the vehicle and find the house using only the pathetic illumination of our cell phones (and some digital camera flashes). Those of you that know us both well, especially as a pair of blonde fools, I'm sure you can imagine that this was quite the humorous scene.

To our surprise, we didn't run into any bad guys or evil moose (What's the plural of moose, btw? Meese?), and we made it up to the Kimball's home; a beautiful timber-framed house, designed and constructed by John himself. Fully equipped with gorgeous woodwork, heated tiles (to eliminate all tracked-in snow), enough beds to sleep hundreds, extra sharp cheddar from the VT Country Store, the coziest fireplace ever, mimosas every morning, and most especially, the Kimballs!! The weekend was awesome.

Advice

There's a column that was written by a woman named Mary Schmich for the Chicago Tribune in June of 1997. It's basically, an "if I could share the knowledge I learned through experience over the years that I wish someone shared with me back when I was young, this is what I'd say" kind of message. A part of the column was actually turned into a corny pop song that summer, by Baz Luhrman called, "Everybody's Free to Wear Sunscreen". However, if you disregard the song, and take in a little bit of the advice the woman was actually trying to get across, as obvious as some of it is, and as often as we hear some of it, you might find it interesting. I think that one of the lines that particularly strikes me as something I've come to seriously realize over the past year is this:

"Understand that friends come and go, but for the precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography in lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young."

The Pursuit of Happyness

This movie was GREAT! It's based on a true story, and Will Smith is at his finest; trust me. Anyone whose ever worked their ass off to accomplish something will appreciate The Pursuit of Happyness. The best movie out in a LONG time.

Life Goes On

As most of you know, I had to put my little kitten, Sadie, to sleep a few weeks ago. She was a great companion, and her antics were and are very missed around our house. Unfortunately, she suffered from a heart disease that was not treatable in a 4 month old kitty. She showed no signs of discomfort until her last hours... poor little trooper! Anyways, my roomate Sean and I put her to rest by a pond where theres lots of birds; since bird watching was a favorite pastime of hers.

My days were too quiet around here, and it made me realize how much I really enjoy having pets. So I invited a new friend to live with me... a calico cutie I named "Molly Jones", after the the character in the Beatle's song, "Obla-di, Obla-da" (which is an anthem to the concept that life goes on). She's a playful and affectionate delight. Come meet her!!!!

Classic Movie List

Alright, so the guys at work had an explosive reaction when I revealed that I had never seen Star Wars or The Godfather. They got so worked up, in fact, they made me a list of classic films that "everyone should see." So far, I've completed the following films over the past few weeks:

• The Godfather
• The Godfather II
• Star Wars IV: A New Hope
• Goodfellas
• Spinal Tap
• The Usual Suspects
• A Clockwork Orange

Out of all of those, The Godfather II was absolutely my favorite. I was extremely unimpressed, for a loooong list of reasons, with Star Wars; but I'm giving George the benefit of the doubt by completing the series before I'm too harsh. Coming up soon, if cold and rainy days persist, are the following:

• Some Like it Hot
• The Secretary
• 2001 Space Odyssey
• Pulp Fiction
• Rocky
• Saturday Night Fever
• Road Warrior
• Blade Runner
• Conan the Barbarian
• The Godfather III
• The rest of the Star Wars saga

Children of Men

It's a movie that takes place in a future where infertility has sweeped the world for almost 20 years. It's a really captivating story, and has great acting... I think it's worth the 30 bucks or however much movies are now a days. Check it out.