Crappy Computers

So, I really hate computers right now (even though ironically enough I'm using one to post this). My laptop decided to go on the fritz last week. REALLY bad timing, by the way because of my MA project that I need to finish immediately. It started slowly and will now no longer boot up. I called tech support and was on the phone with them for about 2 hours, which was bad because it was already 10 pm, I was tired and frustrated, and the guy was just reading prompts (no effort to be personable). We tried all sorts of things, but nothing worked. Finally, the guy said to do a hard disk test which would take over an hour and then to call them back. I did the test, but was so tired and cranky that I decided not to do so. He called back on Friday, but was not in the mood to deal with my computer so I didn't answer. He called back Saturday. I didn't hear my phone, so obviously I didn't answer; however, I knew I needed to call. So I did and had a much better experience. The guy was very friendly, made conversation, and helped me order a recovery disc since nothing else worked. It was done in about 20 minutes or less. So, the disc should be arriving within the next day or two. I'll try it out and if it doesn't work, I'm SO having them send me a new one since it's under warranty. I think that's the most frustrating thing; I haven't even had it for an entire year and it totally died.

Anyways, I just want to say thanks to tech support people who are friendly and care about the customer, or at least are really good at pretending to. It makes the process a whole lot easier on both sides (at least when the customer isn't a big jerk, like some are).

Jewelry

So, one of my ultimate favorite hobbies is to make jewelry. I absolutely love it. So much so that I have a jewelry cabinet furniture thing instead of a jewelry box. I just go through these phases sometimes when I make several necklaces and then take a break for a month or so and make tons again and so on. Because of my love for making jewelry I usually make it for my friends as gifts. My most recent creation is a wedding necklace for a friend of mine who is getting married. While shopping for a dress she found a necklace that she liked and I told her I could make one like it. We talked about a few revisions and here is how it turned out:

I'm pretty proud of it and she loves it. Success!

So, I figured, while I'm showing you that one I may as well show you a few others. Some of these are recent and others are a little older, but I wanted to show varying styles. So, here you go.

I love Sheldon!

This last week I finished watching the second season of Big Bang Theory. Frickin' hilarious show. My brother and sister-in-law introduced me to it a little while ago and I've been netflixing it. I haven't been able to watch any of the third season because I don't have TV, but I thought I would post my favorite Sheldon moments from the first two seasons, giving those of you who have seen it a happy moment in your day and for those of you who haven't seen it a glimpse of my favorite character in the show. So, here's the countdown of my favorite moments:

#9 Being caught in a loop in his "how to make friends" algorithm.

#8 Sheldon, defending his point that he could be batman, saying, "I'm batman."

#7 Rock, paper, scissors, lizard, Spock

#6 In a drunken state, singing a song from Fiddler on the Roof in a restaurant.

#5 Going to a Renaissance fair dressed as Spock.

#4 Forcing smiles when Raj is in People magazine.

#3 Soft Kitty, twice.

#2 Being defeated in the neighbor battle with Penny by receiving a phone call from his mom.

#1 Receiving the used napkin signed by Leonard Nemoy.

Trip to Jersey

So, I love Jersey and I love visiting Jersey. Two reasons why: my brother and sister-in-law and their kids live there, and I served my mission there. Wonderful place. I did a lot of fun things: celebrated S's birthday, went to Six Flags, went to NY, played Star Wars camping and Indiana Jones Legos, and so on. And of course I took many pictures. I've been trying to post an album on Facebook, but have failed miserably. Every time I try to post it, it fails. I don't know if it's the lack of strong wireless connection or what, but whatever is going on is annoying and hereby deserves a "Hehhhh!" (Mad cat hissing sound with accompanying mad cat facial expression). Anyways, back to the subject at hand, here are some of the pics from my awesome week that I wish could have been longer.

When parts of obstacle courses set up for a birthday party become hats...

...and leave behind a whole lot of static.

Kids just love throwing things...

...and hitting things. Knock the junk out of it S!

They also love gifts. But, hey, who doesn't? Well, Sheldon from Big Bang Theory doesn't, but since he's fictional he doesn't count (even though he's totally awesome).

Sometimes kids just need something to hold on to: a parent, a blanket, even a lunch bag. And boy W. had a tight grip on that thing.

Would not want to meet up with this thing in the deep blue.

Now, you all may be thinking, why the junk I took a picture of a worm and why the junk I posted it. Well, I'll tell you. When I first saw it, instead of thinking "worm" like any normal human being would do, I thought "Goa'uld. Proof that they exist." I had recently finished watching the Stargate SG1 series, so of course they would come to mind instead of worms.

Said "hi" to Rex.

Discovered the incredible length of an apatosaurus.

S. discovered heads.

Just thought it looked cool.

Yet again, static is the culprit.

S. loves chasing animals. Chased a bunny at his birthday party as well.

Found spring, while back in Utah it was still acting winter.

Just a cute little scene to finish up the lot.

What does a dead coyote say?

So, this story is not my own, but I thought it was so frickin' funny that I needed to share it with the world...well, at least those who actually read my blog that I haven't updated in 3 months. I am warning you now though, it is a little gross. When my roommate, B, was around two, her uncle was staying with them and he was a hunter. One day he had shot a coyote, and he took it back to B's home. For some reason, who knows why, B decided to repeatedly jump on the dead coyote, which would wheeze every time she landed on it. Gross, I know, but here's the funny part. Her uncle would then get the biggest kick out of asking her, "What does a dead coyote say?" and B's response was a big, wheezing "hehhh!"

Let me just say that I love my roommates and I love their stories.

Down and Out Oven

As mentioned previously, I have two new roommates. They're great, and we've already had several adventures. One of which I would like to share with you all. One Saturday, while I was taking a nap, one of my roommates (J) decided to cook dinner for some friends and family. While cooking, she was trying to change the oven from bake to broil. It wasn't switching over, so naturally she pushed the button harder. Turns out she pushed the button so hard that the oven's display caved into the oven. It still worked, it was just inside the oven. Well, she finished preparing the food and people came over and they ate. By this time, I had woken up and entered the kitchen where J confessed it all to me. I laughed and didn't think it was that big of a deal, but she still felt bad. Her brother is a Mr. Fixit and offered his assistance. He pulled it out and had at it with wire to try to get the display to stay back out. While all of this was going on, I was thinking to myself, "You know, we should probably unplug it, and I don't think we should be using wire." Did I say anything? No. I figured her brother had it under control. Then, my other roommate (B) decided to help out. Not the best idea because she moved the wire, not realizing she had moved it to where the live wires were. As soon as they touched, POW! All the electricity went out. Luckily nobody was zapped. We found flashlights and went to the fuse box in the hall, but apparently it wasn't the main box. We search the garage, the crawl space, and outside. We finally found it and got the electricity back on. We went back to the oven and the display was black and fried. Most of us, including myself, found the whole situation to be quite entertaining, but my roommates felt really bad for nuking the oven. They offered to buy a new display and her brother said he would install it. They looked around for the part, but nobody had it and they had to end up special ordering it. By the time we got the part and her brother could get it installed, it had been two weeks. We had survived for two weeks with a microwave and a crockpot. Not the most enjoyable two weeks, but totally worth the story.

Shipwrecking Party

This last Christmas I decided to make an awesome gingerbread creation. Instead of a regular house, I made a shipwrecked pirate ship, complete with giant hole for swag to fall out of. Totally cool beans! Just take a look.

After weeks of display on my dining room table, I decided it was finally time to complete the shipwrecking. So, I had a shipwrecking party. To celebrate, I invited many of my crazy friends, we dressed all piratey, and we went to Pirate Island. While there we had our favorite waiter, who then attacked one of my friends to get her pirate booty.

After our excursion to Pirate Island, we went back to my place and commenced Operation: Shipwreck. We began with Nerf-like guns and balls. Everyone took several shots, and we dented the ship, but no complete destruction.

So, a few of my friends and I decided it would be much more effective to just use our fists.

It was, indeed, much more effective.

The milk was then distributed and the ship was thoroughly enjoyed.