#75 - all the bacon in the world couldn't save you now

The CDC, as of this morning, reports 91 cases now in the United States:

– New York: 51

– Texas: 16

– California: 14

– Massachusetts: 2

– Michigan: 2

– Arizona: 1

– Nevada: 1

– Indiana: 1

– Kansas: 2

– Ohio: 1

Also, the WHO just announced that they are holdhing an emergency "scientific review" to determine what we know about it, it's effects, and treatment. More than 150 are now dead in Mexico and the infected count is now up to 2,400.

"The tricky thing is the virus will evolve very, very quickly, so we have to continuously monitor it," she said. "We have to receive sequential samples from cases and we have to exchange information among the countries that already have cases to monitor the change of the virus."
Shindo said WHO affiliates around the world will also consider a request from the Food and Agriculture Organization to stop calling the disease swine flu, since the virus is not food-borne and has nothing to do with eating pork. On Wednesday, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack suggested a new name, arguing that swine flu suggests a problem with pork products. China, Russia and Ukraine are among the countries who have banned pork imports from Mexico and parts of the United States affected by swine flu. Ooh, and evidently Egypt has begun slautering over 300,000 pigs "as a precaution against swine flu" ... which is ridiculous on two accounts: #1 there have been no reported cases there and #2 it's NOT contageous from pigs!

Personally, I think they know perfectly well that it's not transferrable through pork products, but are using this as an excuse to hit our economy while it's down by banning pork trade

Another personal note: I'm a little skeptical how "naturally occuring" this bizarre strain is. It's a combination of North American Avian, Human, and Swine Flu - Asian Avian Flu - Mexican Swine and Avian Flu, and one more I think. A little bit of a freak of nature to have all those different receptor sites on one virus from all over the world... curious.

#74 - up

One very magical childhood movie of mine is The Red Balloon. It's about a little boy who has a red balloon that follows him around. The balloon protects the little boy, defends him, and befriends him. It's a beautiful movie and got me thinking (about regular balloons mostly, not the sensitive kind). I wonder how many helium balloons it would take to lift me up, into the air?? Whenever I see a balloon escape from someone's hands, it's almost impossible to look away. You have to stop what you are doing and follow it drifting into the sky. I always wonder what happens to those freeones. Do they just give up and then fall from the sky? Somewhere in the world, did a random deflated balloon just hit someone in the head, appearing to come from nowhere? I hope that happens to me one day. I guess my dream of floating away on balloons is a watered down version of my goal to fly in a hot air balloon. Having nothing keeping you in but a little basket and seeing everything without the obstruction of metal and windows. I think the experience would be glorious!

<this post is dedicated to the Detectivegreenballoonsoontoblerone>

#73 - i have so many questions, my mind wanders

One of my favorite shows of all time was taken off the air last year because of not enough viewers. I think that if everyone just knew about this show, they would be a dedicated watcher, like me. The series ended abruptly in the middle of its second season with too many unsolved issues to count. I was very upset, confused, sad, frustrated... you name it. BUT never fear! News just came out that they are bringing it back to finish off the second season. Saturdays 10/9c for three weeks starting May 30th. Everyone in the world better watch so we can show ABC how much we love our daisies. Maybe then it will continue with a third season of blissful colors and happy people. If not, they are turning Pushing Daisies in to a comic strip and twisting it up by having them fight zombies... yes, that's right... zombies. Please help my daisies and watch!

#72 - lights! camera! action!

Up and comings that I am so excited for! (although, I will have to wait a while...):

December 25th 2009 - Sherlock Holmes with Robert Downy Jr. I thought this one might be a little goofy with Robert Downy Jr, but he is a great actor and I cant' wait! I always pictured Sherlock Holmes a little more emaciated...

May 14th 2010 - The newest remake of Robin Hood starring Russell Crowe. I am especially excited for this one because I have been craving to see Robin Hood, but the only version is the one with Kevin Costner who is on my "you're an actor?? really??" list.




?? 2010 - A Tim Burton Alice In Wonderland with Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter... I think this one will be a little terrifying. It's a sequel more than a re-make, but I'm sure it will be absolutely up to par with Tim Burton's other masterpieces.



For a little more immediate satisfaction, I get to look forward to Star Trek May 8th, Angels and Demons May 17th, Terminator (with Christian Bale) May 22nd, Parry Hotter July 15th, and 500 Days of Summer August 20th.
GET EXCITED WITH ME!!!!

#71 - seems like home to me

I just moved into my new (and last college) house. Sami and I own the place and are deciding how we want to decorate/arrange things. It is so wonderful so share a little space, perfect for just two, with my best friend. I am anticipating this semester being the BEST SEMESTER EVER! and this apartment is sealing the deal. Like I said, it's small and a little ghetto, but I just love it to pieces. Our first feat was to repair the mirror that fell off the medicine cabinet when I opened it. A little (lot) of duct tape later it was secured and we now learned something new about our house... don't open the medicine cabinet. The front door is found inside the garage of the attached house and there are only three small windows to let the world know that 'we are here we are here!!' Why I found this place only last semester I don't know and am a little sad about, but I love it while I have it!

#70A - romantic and satisfying

...There is something very romantic and satisfying about wandering through a record store

Last saturday I joined the "in the know" members of our nation in celebrating Record Store Day. This is the third annual Record Store Day, celebrated the third saturday in April. Hundreds of record stores around the country participate: live concerts, music discounts, festivals, food, body and clothing painting, and dances (recognizing the music and the individuality of the record stores). I went to a few in Seattle (about 15 were participating) and got The Old Ceremony, Mason Proper, and Cut Off Your Hands for about a buck each. In Sonic Boom I saw Say Hi perform but left before Vetiver went on.

I made up for that by going to a Vetiver concert at the Crocodile. One of the opening bands was Black Whales and they were amazing. The drummer was very "Ringo-esque" and one of the guitarists had insane fingering skills. It was phenomenal - fun to sing (if I knew the words) and move to. They were fun to watch (especially the drummer) and gave a great show. Now.... the second band... there are.... no.... words. No wait, there's two: Richard Swift. This guy's voice was almost painful to hear and the "songs" seemed to never end - - it almost made me want to leave before Vetiver. I'll just let you listen for yourself, but that's one band I recommend sticking on the no thank you list. Vetiver was great; as expected, but after Richard Swift the mood was a bit dampened.

#70 - oh the audacity

I'm not entirely sure as to why I didn't know this, but apparently pirates still roam the seven seas, inflicting chaos on chosen victims. I was reading Time magazine today and saw an article about how we are loosing the battle on the Indian Ocean. Last week there were six piracy attacks and they ended up capturing an American cargo ship of a crew of 20 and the pirates are holding the captain hostage. Flash images of Waterworld cross my mind as I read something like this. Someday I would love to own a boat and be seaworthy myself. Although, no matter how attractive Johnny Depp is, I still think that running into a pirate would be terrifying (and slightly thrilling).

I think part of the reason why I didn't think there were still pirates, falls into the category of why I didn't think there were still Buddhist temples being constructed. I just think of them as something ancient and historical that just aren't apart of life anymore...

#69 - couch accomplishments

I did it. It is done. One more semester under my belt and only one more to go. It's a good feeling to know that I did all I could and I can't do anything about anything now. In about a week I'll know my grades and can take the thrashing then. But until that time though, I am carefree! Just packing and moving stresses now (secretly, I love it - - cleaning, getting organized, throwing away things I don't need). In a few months I'll be living in an apartment in some sweet downtown that comes, unfortunately, unfurnished. I took inventory yesterday to see what kind of "furniture" I actually own. That would be a bookshelf. I can use the inside to put things in, the top to eat off of, and the back to lean against. There you go: a desk, cabinet, dining room table and chair all in one. Who could ask for more? I define actual adulthood to be when you own a bed frame. Not just the mattress mind you. Anyone can own a mattress, but it is not until you are frame-equipped that you have actually crossed the line and became an adult. A bed frame and a couch (not just one of those inflatable ones, or ones that belong on a deck; but a real life couch.)

The picture is Tessa's

#68 - "I'm So Universally Liked" - by The Next Great Champ

If you know me at all, you will laugh at how ridiculously ironic this album is that was randomly assembled. Every piece is perfectly sardonic.. I couldn't resist posting it.

"Make a Mess of It" - by Scientology In German

(by mom)

#67 - "Comfort, Use and Protection" - by Yours to Keep

I've felt a little stuck lately: stuck on the same music, stuck on the same movies, same pictures, same websites, same same same. It's been driving me crazy! Despite my search for new bands, I've come across a lot of the same. Thankfully, I was thrown a life preserver by my friend who supplied me with five new bands: four of which, I love. That, in itself, spun me away from the wall I had hit. Now I can branch off of those bands and be set for another forever-while. I also found a few more blogs I can subscribe to to keep me entertained and plenty of other mixer-uppers. So never fear! I have my sanity back!

I also created my own album; it's pretty cool actually. The CD cover meme:

1. Click Here - The first random article you get is the name of your band

2. Click Here - The last four or five words of the last quote is the title of your first album

3. Click Here - Third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover

4. Then use photoshop (or equivalent) to put it all together!

Have fun and email it to me, so I can see!! (vapark@gmail.com)

#66 - on the flip side

Shout out to the Sami:

Five things I was doing five years ago:

So that would be 2004...

1. Half way through my Junior year; basically with my three best guy friends all the time (they were my life). Working at the Library with my mama boss.

2. Changing loyalties from Dryden High (my school) to our enemy school, Lansing because that's where most of my friends went.

3. Finished my Junior year in high school and moved to Idaho for my senior year

4. Started dating my first 'official' boyfriend

5. Discovering what music I really liked and what music I really didn't

Five things on my to-do list for today:

1. Attend 3 classes that are relatively pointless at this point, but give me participation credit.

2. Study for and take 3 finals in the testing center... try to survive

3. Suffer through my last friday night working 9-midnight at the gym

4. Watch a movie and play with my friend Cameron (complete with stuffed oreos)

5. Sleep and get ready for a full day of studying tomorrow....

Five things I would do with a million dollars:

1. Go to Italy this year

2. Get an apartment in a sweet downtown

3. Save/invest for the future

4. Send my parents on a trip

5. Save some more...

(I'm boring now so I can have fun with my husband man later)

Five places I have lived

1. California

2. Germany

3. Texas

4. New York

5. Washington

Five jobs I've held

1. Library Page

2. Melaleuca Inc. Customer Service Representative

3. Legislative Assistant to the Attorney General of Washington

4. BYUI Wellness Center Director

5. BYUI Fitness Center Director

Five years from now

1. Make my home

2. Family of my own

3. Happy job (for me or for hubby)

4. Living on the west coast, but have traveled the world first

5. Happy, heathy

high five