The "Numa Numa Guy," Star Wars, and Weird Al

I've had a couple of people ask about the strange assortment of songs on my playlist. I can't even begin to describe how happy the song Dragostea Din Tei makes me. I, along with a few million other people, was introduced to the song by this kid, who posted this video of himself lip-synching to it and became an internet phenomenon:

He kind of reminds me of Josh in the video. VH1 named him the number 1 Greatest Internet Star. He's interviewed in this clip and tells what he's up to now.

The video has inspired many, many other versions. Here's one dedicated to Kody and Kyle. After the Yoda dance, it's kind of boring (to me) with movie clips, but at about 3:45, Jango Fett does a tap dance with an umbrella, and then the VeggieTales sing for the credits...

And while we're on the Star-Wars streak, here's some Weird Al to round things out. The first video is his video of The Saga Begins. The second one is video from a live performance of Yoda. It's one of the highlights of his concerts (which, I, as a nerd and accompanied by Al, have been to). You'll see why starting at 3:55.

Extras

These are scenes of Extras, a series that ran two seasons on HBO by Ricky Gervais (you may recognize him from Night at the Museum, but he is also responsible for the British version of The Office, which started the whole thing in the U.S.)

The show revolves around Andy and Maggie, two actors who are finding odd jobs as extras on movie sets. Each show features a different star. This is one of my favorite moments. Andy is auditioning for a play directed by Sir Ian McKellen. In this scene, Ian explains to Andy his own acting process.

This next scene, with Patrick Stewart, is one you should watch minus the kiddies. Andy has snuck in to try to pitch his screenplay and Patrick Stewart tells Andy about his own movie he's been writing. I'd like to know how many takes this took because I have no idea how they got through it without laughing!

A "Sizzling" Ringtone...FREE!

Remember the commercial with the "I want my baby back, baby back, baby back..." Well, now you can have that on your phone...for FREE! Al and I expect each and every one of you to:

1) Download this ringtone and at the very least set it so that's how you know it's US calling you. Preferably, you'll set it as your all-the-time ringtone, so when you're out and your phone rings, then you or someone around you will think, "Chili's sounds good..."

2) Share this with everyone you know (...go ahead, put it on your blog...). This is also made much easier when you have your ringtone set to the baby back ribs song. Then your friends will laugh and think it's AWESOME and you'll be able to tell them how to get it for FREE!

Text the word "chilis" to 65579. It is not case-specific so you can do all lowercase, all caps, or if you're feeling fancy, alternate every other one. Also note that it doesn't include the apostrophe. You will get a text back within a couple of minutes which will allow you to download the ringtone. This doesn't work for Verizon customers for some reason.

So download, set your tone, enjoy, and share it with EVERYONE!

Game 1 Lost, but I Love WiiFit!

So yes, my Spurs just lost...but it's ok. It was a close game. Meanwhile, I've been playing WiiFit! Al picked it up today. We had reserved a copy a while back. The game itself is very cool. It uses a wireless balance board that registers how your body is moving. It keeps track of records, goals, daily activities and body changes. And it's fun!

There are several different things you can do with the game: Aerobic, Yoga, Strength Training, and Balance. As you get better, add time, and repeat activities, higher levels and new activities are unlocked. So far, my favorite is the aerobic section. This section uses your Mii and incorporates other Miis on your system in the "scenery."

I started off with the hula hoop. You have to mimic a hula-hoop motion while on the balance board. There are two other Miis in front of you that throw hula hoops at you so you have to stop for a second and lean over to catch them. I loved that Al and Madi were the ones throwing hula hoops at me.

I loved the running in place. You don't use the balance board for this, but you put the WiiMote in your pocket and it works like a pedometer while you run in place. Meanwhile, your Mii is running through a nice little park and across bridges. Grandma and Grandpa Barnard passed me and I saw my dad out there a couple of times, too. So far, this is my favorite.

Then there was the step aerobics which really made me laugh. First of all, you're on a big stage in front of an audience. I mean, I realize that Japanese people have their eccentricities that we Westerners find weird, but come on! Would people REALLY go watch a bunch of people on the stage doing step aerobics. I guess it's kind of like a dance because you have to step on and off in rhythm. But the best part is that EVERYONE was on stage with me. All of the family's Miis, along with Walter from The Big Lebowski and Weird Al. There's nothing quite like step aerobics with your family...

So if you don't have it, get it! It's fun and good for you! Also, I've heard of a few games that will utilize the balance board and there will likely to be more to come. One skiing game will use the balance board as skis and two WiiMotes for poles. EA is rumored to be trying to come up with a work out game to rival WiiFit, but with a bigger emphasis on the "sweaty" workout.

Me and My Yellow-Spotted-Lizard

It seems like our dear sweet dogs get all the attention. Well, I guess they kind of deserve it. Yesterday, I came home to find Trillian in the kitchen, but no Thursday. I looked all over the kitchen and finally turned my gaze toward the doorway to the front room, which had two baby gates stacked on top of each other. I thought, "No way...." and then saw Thursday on the other side.

Yep. Thursday had jumped them. You want to know the best part? They'd eaten a bird the day before which gave them doggy-food-poisoning and she had...well, it came out of the back end on my off white carpet--the carpet that is the reason there are two baby gates blocking the door to that room. She chose that day of all days to show us this trick. The irony is palpable.

The lizards eat, sleep, and poop, so they're not as exciting as the dogs. But I guess it's time to showcase at least one of the lizards. Moirane is a bearded dragon. She is named after one of the lead female characters in The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. Rand (the male lizard) is named after one of the lead male characters. There's this whole plotline about this very powerful person known as "The Dragon" and it's all very intense and exciting. So thank you, Robert Jordan, for helping us with a quick and easy bearded dragon theme.

These are the lizards that played the role of the yellow spotted lizards in Holes. They had some computer animation and a spray-paint job to help, but they're bearded dragons. If you talk about this with Al, he gets upset because he doesn't like that these sweet lizards are being portrayed as deadly. My argument is that they've been cosmetically altered to portray a fake animal. We can separate media from reality; after all, no one is going to run to Patrick Dempsy if they need brain surgery, right? Plus, if you're going to put two actors in a hole with two dozen lizards, you want the nice ones!

These lizards are very docile and friendly. They have definite personalities. For example, Rand thinks he can fly, so I can't hold him and take a picture at the same time. He also thinks he scares us and has a cute little attitude. Moirane is clingy and shy, and very sweet.

They start off eating about 80% protein (crickets and other insects) and 20% veggies, but as they get older, this ratio will reverse. They love heat, as they are desert animals, and like their cage to reflect those temperatures. They do need a lot of space, so they're not cheap to start raising, but once you have the stuff, it's fairly inexpensive to maintain. So far, we've been through three sizes of tanks as they've grown and will end up with one more even bigger one by the time we're done. You also need undertank heaters and full-spectrum heat lamps.

They look fierce but it's all for show. They're not great fighters or agressive, so the frightening look is all intimidation and no function. Their spikes actually feel like rubber.

They're low-maintenance, but probably not the greatest pets for kids who would want to handle and touch them. They are fine being handled, but not too much. They're speedy, so a flight risk like Rand would be gone in a flash, and young kids may hurt it while trying to catch it. Also, because they poop in their cages, there is a risk of harmful bacteria being transferred from the excrement to the lizard to the human, so careful sanitizing is necessary after handling. A bearded dragon as a child's pet would need to be very carefully monitored. Also, with an average life span of 10 years, they're not a low-commitment pet, either.

So those are our lizards! If they ever do anything exciting, I'll be sure to blog. Just a heads up, we're changing their substrate soon--from millet to "Desert Snow." We consider that exciting.

It All Started With This Guy

I was in the seventh grade. I lived in Charlottesville, Virginia. I loved playing basketball. Some guy named David Robinson playing for some team in Texas had this program called "Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood." It was aimed at middle school students (me), had to do with basketball (which I loved), and pushed good performance in school and staying off drugs (which I valued). We even got a rookie card (which I foolishly did not take good care of). So I started watching this guy on this team. That was in 1989. In 1991, my parents told us we were moving to San Antonio where I spent all four years of high school.

David Robinson made the Spurs what they are today. I don't like them because they're good players, I like them because they're good people. They've developed into an amazing team, but they're all just good people who stand for something. David Robinson knew what it meant to be a role model. He didn't ask to be put there, but when he knew that's where he was, he did something good and positive about it.

For example, he visited our teeny-tiny little school on an army base and spoke to us. When he got married, he donated all the gifts and money sent by fans. He started the Carver Academy in San Antonio and has donated 9 million dollars. The charitable efforts award given by the NBA to NBA players has been named after him.

Does anybody remember when Dennis Rodman joined the Spurs? He lasted for an entire season. The fans hated him. He was an upstart, self-centered, attention-starved moron who didn't know what it was to be a team player or a good person. He was wearing the uniform, but he wasn't a Spur.

When the Spurs won their first NBA Championship in 1999, I cried a little. First, because I was happy, and second, because people were yelling about how it wasn't a real championship because the lockout that year had postponed the beginning of the season until February. I didn't care how long the season was, the Spurs were the best for the duration, so that't good enough for me and I'd say the same even if they hadn't won. I was mad at all the bitter fans out there trying to spoil things.

Then came the 2002-2003 season that ended David Robinson's career...with another championship. I cried a little more. What a great way to end a great career of a great guy.

Now it's all about this guy:

I'm not sure what it is about Manu, but I adore him. He's another great guy. He has a foundation in Argentina that helps low-income families. You can see some things about in on http://www.manuginobili.com/, but the actual site for the foundation is in Spanish.

Now some people criticize his style of play, but I love it. He draws fouls and charges. He plays it up. (For those of you who may not know, this is referred to as "flopping.") I love it. I was actually disappointed when he only got #6 Greatest Flopper in NBA history. I think he should have been at least in the top 5.

Then there's always Tony Parker who tries to commit suicide at least twice a quarter, and Tim Duncan, who has mastered the I've-never-fouled-anyone-in-my-life face.

So to those of you who think I've jumped on the successful team bandwagon...19 seasons! I was a fan for an entire decade before they even won a title that many think was not actually a title! Sure, I jumped on the David Robinson bandwagon, but I hung on and am still on for the ride.

Go Spurs!

Game 7

It's now or never, Spurs! This past game, they became the first team this round to win an away game. They'll have to do it again tonight, or they're out!

GO SPURS!

At Least I'm Not Obsessed with American Karaoke...I Mean Idol

So I love Grey's Anatomy, but I think Meredith is a selfish, problem-ridden girl who doesn't deserve Dr. Shepherd and I'm glad they broke up. (By the way, that opinion has made me more enemies than the time I said that Aidan was too good for Carrie on Sex and the City and that Bella in the Twilight series is a co-dependent moron). I also think the over-marketing is out of control. There is a book, and now....an official magazine. I'm not kidding. Al actually brought it over to me in WalMart not too long ago. I'm fine with just the show, thank you very much!

That being said, I have a new favorite Grey's moment. It was the episode a couple of weeks ago when Addison came back for a surgery. First of all, I love Kate Walsh, even though my first experience with her was the CSI episode called Changes in which she played a transexual named something like Destiny and he/she asked Grissom if he found him/her attractive.

But the moment I'm talking about is when Dr. Shepherd is in the elevator and eventually he has the ex-wife, the ex-girlfriend, and the current girlfriend in there with him. The doors open for Dr. Sloan, who is waiting to get on and he sees the awkwardness that is going on in that elevator. The look on his face is classic. He didn't even need to say anything!

By the way, did you know that Justin Chamberlain (Alex) has five kids?

What you're thinking now...that's what I thought!

What We've Been Up To

So the past week has felt really busy...

On Saturday, we had a birthday/farewell party for Valerie. She's doing an internship in Southern Utah all summer, so we won't see her much. I spent the morning shopping, cleaning the house/yard, etc. We had a nice night, though, with a lot of great food and the fire pit going full blast. I probably ate an entire bag of marshmallows myself!

On Sunday, Al worked all day. Mother's Day is big in the restaurant industry. I got up and made sweet potatoes and a flourless chocolate cake with vanilla and raspberry sauces. It's amazing. Between cleaning up from the party and all the cooking, I ran the dishwasher four times. It was nice spending time at mom and dad's though. Grandma and Grandpa came. Dad made a great dinner! The flourless chocolate cake was a hit...but how could it not be? We debated over whether or not Dave really liked the pudding cake or if he was just trying to kiss up to the family (I liked it, too!). Jeff and Ashley brought Boom Blox back and we played that on the Wii and had a lot of fun!

School is coming to an end and I'm working on Summer School stuff. I'm reading a lot of curriuculum books because we're supposed to incorporate a novel into the course. I figure I'll work up Reading-strategy-based independent study programs for three or four and then the students get a choice. That's taking a while. However, I get so worked up with school stuff that I have to take a break, so I've been playing Harvest Moon DS Cute during my lunch breaks.

The yard is absolutely nuts. Al finally got the sprinkler system working the way he wants it to. There's a couple of adjustments that might help us save even more money on water. Right now, about 3/4 of our half acre is watered by an irrigation canal that runs on the edge of our property, so it's free! He's also installed a misting hose on the back porch. Our strawberry plants are starting to get little flowers on them, and I'm going to be planting my bell pepper seedlings tomorrow.

This Thursday and Friday, we're having friends over, and on Saturday, Jeff and Ashley are coming over with Daisy, so it should be good times this weekend! Al is off Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, so let the games begin!

Because My Human Nieces and Nephews Live Out of State

The weather has been great and the dogs are having a great time playing outside!


Trillian and Thursday found a fencepost somewhere and had a great time demolishing it. We're trying to figure out which one would be lady and which one would be the tramp...

We're starting to get lilacs...

Pears...
and apples... Daisy and Bear are starting to make friends...

But sometimes, Bear has had enough:

This is what the dogs do all day:

And Al and I will be giving Daisy Loofah Dogs for every special occasion possible:

We also picked her up a new collar. Come on, guys, black leather? Your dog is such a girl! She prances everywhere and is always looking for a snuggle or a kiss. So we bought her a belated birthday present. I hope you like it. Don't worry, we'll keep the old one safe for you in case you hate it, but she just needed an EK collar to fit in with her cousins.

Al is 10 Years Old!

Yesterday (May 3) was Al's 10 year anniversary with Chili's. He got a "Wings of Fire" statue, and will also be getting a $1000 bonus, which he will be spending on a PS3 and new receiver. He keeps talking about using the rest of it on house stuff, but I tell him it's his bonus and if he wants to blow it all on toys, I'm not going to say anything about it. Anyhow, when they finally get around to making Final Fantasy games for the PS3, I'll really enjoy the upgrades!

Because he had to work on his birthday, Al took his anniversary day off. (Managers usually get their birthday off, as well as their wedding anniversary, but unmarried managers get their Chili's anniversary off to keep things fair.) So what did he do on this momentous occassion?

Yardwork. He's really enjoying the iPod that I got him for his birthday, however. In the picture, he has it on an armband and is selecting a song. He mowed, he edged, and he trimmed the hedges along the front of our sidewalk. I think we'll get rid of those at some point in the next couple of years. Unfortunately, after all was said and done, he spent the rest of the day in pain. While mowing, he pulled a muscle in his back. I can't beleive he went on to edge and trim!

That night, we went to see his mom to do an early Mother's Day since Al is working next Sunday. She gave him a muscle relaxer that helped a lot.

The dogs are having a great time in this weather, so they're able to spend a lot of time outside. Daisy spent the day trying to get the other dogs to chase her. This is about how it went:

When we first got Trillian, we didn't know how calm she was until we got Thursday. We thought Thursday was a little bundle of energy, but after spending a few days with Daisy, we've seen that Thursday's got nothing in the crazy-energy-dog department. But this is why Thursday still reigns as Queen Mess:

Bear spent the day curled up in a bucket of dirt. He actually curls up and sleeps in this. (Don't worry, Mom, I watered the raspberries!)

We Love Our FURminator!

Jill wanted videos of the FURminator in action. Unfortunately, our animals have already given us enough fur to knit a couple of cardigans, so we're not pulling as much fur off when we brush them. However, if you go to:

www.furminator.com

you can go to the "Demos" tab and see videos of groomers using the tool. I'll tell you right now that the videos are NOT faked. I would guess that they chose animals who have as much undercoat/winter growth as possible, but that's exactly how our pets were when we got the tool. Enjoy!

This is why every door has two baby gates--one on top of the other

While Day-Z is with us, she's sharing Thursday's "room." Thursday is very good about keeping the excrement outside during the day, but she seems to be under the misconception that 9pm-7am is "poop wherever" time. Therefore, she sleeps in the hall and we don't have any problems.

Jeff and Ashley say that Day-Z isn't completely housebroken yet, but she's good about holding it while in her crate. So putting her up for the night with Thursday was the best option. So far, it's workded great.

But I wanted to see what they did when I left and went downstairs, so I set up my camera on the booth in the kitchen to "tell all." This is quite entertaining. You have to watch it clear through the end because Thursday makes a decisive move and the look on Day-Z's face is priceless.

Random Musings

It's Friday again!

These weeks seem so slow, but at the same time, they're flying by! I can't believe that school is going to be over this month! Then there's summer school for me throughout June, but I won't complain about an extra month's worth of pay.

I got my schedule for next year. I'm going to be teaching two classes of Junior English again, which makes me happy. I love the curriculum--it's American literature. I get to teach Edgar Allan Poe and Emily Dickinson and the Harlem Renaissance; plus my unit on performance poetry and Poetry Slam fits best in this curriculum. I will also have two classes of READ 180, which is a reading interventions class for sophomore students reading below grade level. I'm finishing my reading endorsement this summer, which makes me one of two English teachers in my school who are "highly qualified" to teach this class. The reading endorsement will have taken a little over two years once I finish my last class. Because I'm teaching low-level students and agreed to take over the Literary Magazine, I've also been given two sections of creative writing! I am soooo excited for next year!

We're watching Day-Z while Jeff and Ashley are in California this week. She arrived last night and is getting along famously. It's funny how she's the oldest dog, yet she's the smallest and most energetic. Trillian and Thursday are zonked out on the floor and Day-Z is still running circles and smelling things. Trillian's jealous/selfish side is really coming out now that yet another dog is around. When it's just her and Thursday, if you try to pet Thursday, Trillian pushes her away and puts herself under your hand, so you pretty much have to pet both of them at the same time. If we pet Thursday and Day-Z at the same time, she tries to knock both of them out of the way.

If you have pets, invest in a FURminator. They're expensive, but cheapest on Amazon.com. It's an amazing shedding tool. We've used in on both dogs and our cat, and today I gave Day-Z a good rubdown. I could probably give about 20 Barbie dolls a good head of hair or create a sandwich-bag-pillow with the undercoat I got off of her before she got bored and went to go play.