Happy Halloween Kiddos!

My favorite holiday of the year has arrived- let’s celebrate!!!

The happy thoughts and mischievous plans I have for today are best expressed in the bizarrely awesome photo below. What can I say??! I live for this stuff!!!

What up

Disclaimer: I do not own this photo. Found via Flickr: mosippy’s photostream. Cat’s name is ‘Doo’ and photo is titled ‘Frankendoo.’

8 Minutes of Awesome: Twilight Movie

The other night Fitz asked me, “If the entire Twilight movie leaked on the Internet before it came out in theaters, would you watch it?”

“ABSOLUTELY!” I replied without a nanosecond of hesitation.

“But what about seeing it up on the big screen? Wouldn’t you feel like you ruined the surprise?” he asked.

“Um…no. Have you been reading my blog? You know how crazy I am about these books, right? I can’t stand surprises- I’m too obsessed with details!” I shrugged (without taking a breath I might add).

For those who think I’m too harsh about all of this, keep in mind that I own up to my own nerd-like obsessions. I’m not gonna sugar coat it! I wish I wasn’t so detail-crazed but it’s who I am…the anticipation of a surprise eats away at me! It’s a tragic flaw.

So this is why life is ironic and God has a sense of humor. Tonight I stumbled across an 8 minute clip of the Twilight movie that leaked from the premiere in Rome. Naturally, the quality is horrible. And naturally, I’ve already watched it 5 times.

So should I post it? Nah…I’ll just put the links. You’ll have to test your willpower, I won’t make the decision for you!

Click here!

Scenes that are included: a little ride in the silver Volvo, meeting the Cullens, touring Edward’s room, tree jumping and climbing, and the lullaby.

P.S. I HEART ALICE

***Earlier links got swiped up from Summit. I’ve updated the hyperllink so it should be good. And now I’ve updated it AGAIN. Sheesh.

The Scariest Movies Ever…Seriously

Just a sweet little list that I put together based on 27 years of horror-film watching. Enjoy and feel free to add to it. Happy Halloween!

1. The Exorcist. Just one word: crucifix.
2. Halloween. The movie takes place in small town Illinois, I grew up in small town Illinois- you put it together.
3. The Omen. I could hurl right now just thinking of the nanny throwing herself off the roof.
4. Silence of the Lambs. It’s the trifecta of the dog, lotion, and skin suit.
5. Saw. This movie was puzzling up until the very end. I thought the scariest part would involve a saw…not so. Scariest moment of all was the realization of where the key was.
6. Hostel. Wow, am I glad I had already traveled through Europe before seeing this flick.
7. Rosemary’s Baby. At the end I hid behind a pillow screaming at Fitz, “Are they showing the baby?! Are they showing it?!”
8. The Shining. This movie is scary for two reasons and Jack Nicholson is one of them. What I think is fascinating is that this movie proves that the SETTING can be the scariest element of all.
9. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Most terrifying prologue ever: “Based on a true story”
10. Se7en. Who knew Kevin Spacey could be so demented? That and a human head in a FedEx box will do it every time.
11. The Amityville Horror. I don’t know what is scarier- the book, the movie, or the fact that they filmed the remake in my hometown.

Best Twilight TV Spot Yet

It’s as if Summit Entertainment knows how to push every single one of my buttons- primarily the ones that make me run around shrieking on the verge of insanity after I view the many Twilight tv spots that have aired recently. Check it my fave below.

All I have to say is MORE VAMPIRES!!! MORE TWILIGHT!!! WOOHOO!!!

Disclaimer: I do not own the above clip. Property of Summit Entertainment. Found via YouTube: aless888

Oh right…this is beyond awesome too. I just haven’t seen it on tv yet…

Disclaimer: I do not own the above clip. Property of Summit Entertainment. Found via YouTube: fanpire246

Apparently Mr. Bill is more popular than I am

I kid you not…Mr. Bill gets the most searches, hits, referrals, etc. out of anything on my blog!!! He has the most staying power for sure…what a diva. The theme of this blog may as well be Mr. Bill world, Mr. Bill girl. I don’t even have to link to my previous Mr. Bill post- you will inevitably find it.

Doesn’t even make sense!!! AHHHHH!

Here he is, in all his arrogant glory, being all happy, giddy, and whatnot. Whatever.

Oh No They Didn’t…Yes, They Did

So I just got word that one of my FAVORITE people at my company got laid off. She’s around the same age as me, has the same position (different market), and is incredibly driven and hard working. I’m beyond sad to see this happen to someone who genuinely brought 150% to her job every day.

I’m angry and frustrated and I know that I shouldn’t be. I know how bad the economy is and we’ve all been warned that nothing is guaranteed at this point. But I just can’t shake the continuous waves of disappointment that wash over me. Will it ever cease?

Please keep my friend in your thoughts and prayers, along with the many others experiencing the same scenario. Pray for new opportunities to open up too…

Random Quote of the Day

“Or imagine being magically whisked away to…Delaware.”

“Hi…I’m in…Delaware.”

Can you name the movie?

This article in the Chicago Tribune made me think of this quote!

Details: Twilight movie script

WARNING: Spoilers below! These little Twilight script spoilers are extremely minor and not 100% verified (as the movie hasn’t been screened by the public yet), however they are true in my vampire-educated opinion based on what I have read, as well as the movie stills, promotional clips, and media coverage I have seen.

Oh, and one more thing- please don’t read the information below and then get all upset with me for ‘ruining’ the movie for you. I didn’t ruin anything for you- you’re the one choosing to read this blog. Also, if you’ve read the book, you already know what happens and therefore, you’ve ruined the movie yourself. Wait…did that even make sense??? Ugh, never mind.

So check it out the vamp-tastic goods:

1. The Cullens cook a meal for Bella (word on the street is that it’s Italian food) when she visits their home and meets them for the first time. Weird, right? After hundreds of years of not consuming any type of human food, how would they even recall how to cook? Do they know how difficult it is to cook for one person without having gargantuan amounts of leftovers that eventually go bad?! Can you tell that I lived alone for five years?! (this tidbit verified in the Twilight Movie Companion- the meal stuff, not the part about me living alone).

2. Kristen Stewart selected the final prom song that is played at the end: Iron & Wine’s ‘Flightless Bird, American Mouth.’ Original filming did NOT include a scene showing Jacob’s surprise appearance at Bella’s prom (to warn her about Edward). After initial test screenings, audiences responded that they felt the scene needed to be included…so it was, during the re-shoots.

3. In Biology class, the eccentric and enthusiastic teacher holds a contest with the prize being a ‘golden onion.’ It is believed that Bella and Edward, as lab partners, win the golden onion. If you watch the movie trailers, you can see Bella set the gold onion on top of her truck right before the blue van starts careening across the parking lot toward her.

4. Director Catherine Hardwicke has mentioned that one of the opening scenes of the film shows Bella tripping over some steps, to give the immediate impression of her clumsiness.

5. In the Twilight Movie Companion, a photo shows Bella and Edward having dinner at Bella Italia that fateful night in Port Angeles. The only thing missing? The infamous mushroom ravioli. A small cup of soup sits in front of Bella instead.

6. In the movie trailers, you see Edward climbing up massive trees with Bella clinging to his back. Because this is not in the story and the production crew didn’t want to steer too far off the page, they got author Stephenie Meyer’s blessing and she deemed the concept cool enough to include, despite never having appeared in any of the books (the book places more emphasis on the lightening fast running abilities of vampires). The line of dialogue where Edward says “You better hold on tight, Spidermonkey” was improvised by Robert Pattinson.

That’s all! Get excited…Nov. 21st will be here soon! Last night I saw a Twilight commercial air on NBC. Naturally, I went ballistic.

An Unspeakable Tragedy for Jennifer Hudson

There is breaking news on the Chicago Tribune’s websiteregarding the body of a young boy that was recovered this morning on the west side. Police are investigating the scene to determine if it is Julian King, the missing nephew of Jennifer Hudson.

As a resident of Chicago, I am horrified and disgusted to hear about the unspeakable crimes that have taken place. Ms. Hudson’s mother and brother were both murdered in their home, and a young child is missing. As a human being, I am devastated to think of what the Hudson family must be going through. The world weeps with them during this time.

Please send your thoughts and prayers to this grieving family…no one should ever have to endure what they are going through. I am ashamed in my city today- ashamed that this could happen and that it was allowed to happen.

I’m right here…for you. So is the Rock Band.

Yesterday was a very, very, very tough day for reasons I cannot go into at this time. This country, and the great big world we are a part of, have fallen to conditions much more worse than I could have imagined. No matter how shocking and somber the media reports have been….nothing really prepared me for what happened yesterday. I now have a new understanding that this is the worst of times for so many people, not just those involved in mortgage-backed securities. My life will absolutely be different from now on and there are some changes that will be underway shortly.

I ask you…

What is one to do when your emotions take over and the economy slaps you in the face and makes you its b*tch???

Answer: Play Rock Band 2 until 2a.m.

After three hours of belting out songs at the top of my lungs, I have no voice. But I have hope. And a shred of humor left. So let’s rally, people.

Twilight TV Spot: Yessssssss!!!

This officially rocks my world. Enjoy. Scream. Call your neighbor. The madness will only increase.

(I’m assuming this is the modified trailer that will be shown on tv to promote the movie…it’s pretty cool and it also shows a few new clips)

Disclaimer: I do not own this clip. Found via YouTube: Idman15. Property of Summit Entertainment.

My Shockingly Good Homemade Pizza Recipe

Below is the recipe for the homemade pizza I baked during the Spooktacular dinner event this past Sunday. Fitz really liked it and it was fairly easy to make so I thought I would share!

Ingredients:
2 individual-sized Boboli pizza crusts
Newman’s Own Marinara Sauce
8 slices of Provolone cheese
A block of Extra Sharp Cheddar cheese
1 red onion
Italian seasoning
Italian seasoned lean ground turkey
Optional garnishes: Parmesan cheese, crushed red pepper, pizza seasoning

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees
2. Spread a thick layer of marinara sauce onto the Boboli crusts, leaving one inch of crust around the outer edges
3. Chop red onion into small pieces and sprinkle generously on top of marinara sauce
4. Layer four pieces of Provolone cheese in a circular pattern on to of the onions and sauce
5. Cut medium sized squares of Extra Sharp Cheddar cheese and fan squares in a circular pattern on top of the provolone slices
6. Take uncooked ground turkey and gingerly portion pieces all over the entire pizza
7. Sprinkle Italian seasoning over the top

Bake both pizzas in the oven at 450 on a baking sheet for about 12 minutes. Ground turkey will be browned and cheese will have a faint golden color to it. Cut each pizza into four pieces and serve.
 

Pizza Perfection

Seasonal Fall Photos

Below are few fantastic photos that Fitz took. The pics of the sky and the trees are from our weekend in Mincoqua. The pic of me wearing monster oven-gloves was taken when I made my annual spooktacular dinner for Fitz- homemade pizzas! And yeah, I could have fixed my red eyes in the photo but I think it gives it that extra spooky vibe.

Light breaks through

 

Lake House

 

Happy Halloween

Chicago is cold, no one suprised

I finally broke down…and wore a winter coat today. It always makes me a little sad when this happens because it signals the onslaught of winter weather to come. But truth is, I was getting way too chilly in my lighter jackets and they just didn’t cut it on my long walks home. Sigh.

I know that I can’t complain because there is no snow on the ground just yet, but let me just say that I vividly remember a few childhood Halloween occasions that had me trick-or-treating in the middle of a snowfall (it is safe to say that I would overcome any adversity for the sake of delicious chocolate). That is enough to remind me that snow is literally a second away.

Just to get a few giggles out there, check out this HILARIOUS Chicago-weather-themed article in The Onion, aptly titled: “Chicago Rolls Out Cold Weather Prostitutes.”

Keep in mind that the link above is obviously not suitable for kids to read and is meant purely in jest. If you’re not in the mood for humor, this blog is probably not for you. Chicago is really frickin’ cold and I’m just trying to make light of a chilly, windy, and generally god-awful weather scenario with some good fake news.

CHEERS!

Unsolved Mystery: The Facebook Exposure

I’m completely puzzled as to why my blog is getting a lot of referrals from Facebook. I’m not on Facebook and I don’t really know about Facebook other than hearing people say, “Facebook is like MySpace…only better.”

I mean, really? How so? Aren’t both just sites that give you a personal web page with pictures and blogs?!

Regardless…if you know why or how my blog is tied into Facebook, will you please let me know? Until then…it is an unsolved mystery.