This Week's Free Songs on iTunes

Loving all three of them. First time I downloaded all of them. "Mercy" by Duffy, "Promesas" by Los Mono, and "Better Brother" by Madita.


Here are the videos of the first two:

Been a Long Time

On Saturday, I watched the Spirit Awards, which honors Independent films. I requested a bunch of DVDs from the library.

So far I've watched "Year of the Dog" and "Rocket Science"; I just started "2 Days in Paris." To be picked up today are: "The Lookout", "History of Violence" and "The Darjeeling Limited."


I finished reading "The Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett. It was 973 pages long; the longest book I had ever read. I couldn't put it down. It was so good! I have requested the sequel "World Without End" from the library. I'm now reading "Love In the Time of Cholera" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.


I went to Atlantic City last week for 2 nights. Didn't win anything but I don't go there to gamble big time. Sure it's fun, but not as fun as it used to be. I just played nickel and quarter slot machines; mostly nickel. There are no coins anymore. You insert a bill, lowest five dollars, and you play. No more clinking of the coins you win; no more carrying around a plastic cup with your winnings. Oh well, times do change. I spent $40 on the slots for the 3 days I was there.

My parents went to Atlantic City for their honeymoon in 1960. They stayed in the Ambassador Hotel. I've tried to figure out if it's still there in some form or if it was torn down. Well, duh... there's little thing called the internet! It was torn down in 1981 for the Hilton Casino & Hotel. Here's a postcard I found online from about 1930:


In 1966, my family stayed at the "Hotel Dennis" which is now part of Bally's. I will scan some photos from our vacation sometime. Here's a pic from online:


Here are some photos I took last week:

Burned Again

My brakes have been grinding for 3 days. Brought my car to Meineke & Midas for estimate; Meineke - $384.26 and Midas $377.49... both for Front Pads & New Rotors. I got them down to $304.04 with Midas. I probably really didn't need the rotors or at least they could have been resurfaced. I'm pretty sure I got screwed. It just sucks that I have never found a mechanic I trust. My inspection is up next month and Midas said I need 4 new tires, which is probably true at least the fronts absolutely. I also have a long crack along almost the entire bottom. So in the next 7 weeks, I need another $600... oh and $105 for 2 year registration (I have a personalized license plate). Grand total = $1000 for my car in 7 weeks. Forgot about this... I think the desk guy did have a bit of remorse; he gave me a coupon for a free oil change as well as a free Full Service Car Wash ($19.50 Value - that's an expensive car wash) at a local car wash.

Took this photo at Taco Bell (gave him a bit of my 7 Layer Burrito):

Geez, It's Been a While

Voting

Well tomorrow is Super Tuesday. I'm getting the feeling that I never registered as a Democrat. I previously registered as Independent and since I live in NY, where it's necessary to be affiliated with a party in order to vote in a primary, I may not be able to vote. In a way, it's kind of good. I am really torn between Obama & Clinton. I've been flipping back and forth. I plan to go to my polling place to see if I can vote. If I can, I just may close my eyes and pick one, without looking who I picked.

All I know is that I want the next President to be a Democrat. My dream would be a Obama-Clinton or a Clinton-Obama Ticket. Could you just imagine? Now that would simply be FanFreakinTastic!!


New DVDs

On Sunday, I got the final season (the 7th) of Gilmore Girls. Boy, I loved that show! I also got City Slickers. Boy, I love this movie! I watched it and it has some of the best lines ever! I haven't seen it in a while and noticed that Jake Gyllenhaal played Billy Crystal's son; so little. I wonder if he can still pop his shoulder. Here's the trailer.


Lost

I watched the catch-up show, the finale from last season and the first episode of this season that I DVRed. I'm really into it. I had watched the 1st Season & maybe half the 2nd on DVD before the 3rd season started but didn't watch any more. I was thinking that this season was going to be the last so I wanted to watch, but someone told me it not the last. Hmmm... I kind of wish it was. I mean really, come on already.

Welcome 2008

I bought a new comforter set from Target yesterday morning. A picture:


I watched the first 2 seasons of "Six Feet Under" this past week, finishing up last night. I may just have to get the other 3 seasons this week. Such an awesome show! I'll be watching "Curb Your Enthusiasm" next.

Today I will be organizing my room, going through drawers and throwing away stuff I simply do not need. Now that I bought the bed risers (which I wish were 4" high and not 6), I have room under my bed for storing things. I also want to tackle fixing up my brother's old room; it's the junk room. Everything gets put in there and it's mess.

I'm off for 2 days and I'm psyched!

Ciao for Now.

My DVD Collection

The Adventures of Milo & Otis
The Bad News Bears
A Beautiful Mind
Best in Show
Black Beauty
The Brady Bunch - The Complete First Season
The Brady Bunch - The Complete Second Season
The Brady Bunch - The Complete Third Season
Breakfast At Tiffany's - from DVR
The Breakfast Club
Chicken Run
Cinema Paradiso
The Color Purple
Crash
Cruel Intentions
Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete First Season
Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Second Season
Dangerous Liaisons
Dirty Dancing
Pixar DVD 3-Pack - Toy Story, Toy Story 2, A Bug's Life
Down with Love
Fargo
Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Father of the Bride
Father of the Bride 2
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Forrest Gump
Friends - The Complete 1st Season
Friends - The Complete 2nd Season
Friends - The Complete 3rd Season
Friends - The Complete 4th Season
Friends - The Complete 5th Season
Friends - The Complete 6th Season
Friends - The Complete 7th Season
Friends - The Complete 8th Season
Friends - The Complete 9th Season
Friends - The Complete 10th Season
Gilmore Girls - The Complete 1st Season
Gilmore Girls - The Complete 2nd Season
Gilmore Girls - The Complete 3rd Season
Gilmore Girls - The Complete 4th Season
Gilmore Girls - The Complete 5th Season
Gilmore Girls - The Complete 6th Season
The Green Mile
Heathers
The Incredible Adventures of Wallace and Gromit
The Incredibles
The Iron Giant
It's a Wonderful Life
Jaws
Laugh-In
The Little Mermaid
The Little Shop of Horrors
Love Actually
Miracle on 34th Street
Mulholland Drive
National Lampoon's Animal House
Paper Moon
Parenthood
Pee-wee's Big Adventure
Pulp Fiction
Saturday Night Fever
Scarlet Street & The Stranger
Seinfeld - Season 1 & 2
Seinfeld - Season 3
Seinfeld - Season 4
Seinfeld - Season 5
Seinfeld - Season 6
Seinfeld - Season 7
Seinfeld - Season 9
Serial Mom
The Shawshank Redemption
Shrek
Six Feet Under - The Complete First Season
Six Feet Under - The Complete Second Season
Sleeper
Sling Blade - Director's Cut
Some Like It Hot
Stand By Me
Sunset Boulevard - from DVR
Thelma & Louise
This Is Spinal Tap
Titanic
Trading Places
Valley Girl
Waiting for Guffman
The Wedding Singer
West Side Story
When Harry Met Sally...
William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
The Wizard of Oz

Rest of My Christmas Presents

DVDs
Father of the Bride
Father of the Bride 2
Seinfeld - 9th Season
Six Feet Under - Seasons 1 & 2 ---> With Best Buy Gift Card & Cash Gift
Curb Your Enthusiasm - Seasons 1 & 2 ---> With Best Buy Gift Card & Cash Gift


Other Gift Cards
Apple Store - Used Toward AppleCare Protection Plan for iPod
Macys

and

a Can of Tennis Balls

My First Christmas Present

Well, actually second. The first was on Friday from the family I nanny for...
A week's salary (actually more than), yummy tea and this cool teacup/infuser:



This is my iHome Clock Radio from my Mom (the newest one - iH9):


I am psyched because I finally have speakers for my iPod and I really want to listen to it more at home instead of always having the TV on. I was also in need of a new alarm clock; my old one had the tiniest display that was impossible to see without picking it up and putting it right up to my face. Thanks Mom.

I'm going over my Brother's house for Christmas at 2pm.


Ciao for Now.

White House Holiday Card

“You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you. — Nehemiah 9:6 (NIV)

“May the joy of all creation fill your heart this blessed season.”

Anyone else feel that this is so not appropriate?

Oh and... Last week during a Presidential press conference I happened to catch (I watched for about 1o minutes before getting so annoyed at doofus that I had to switch the channel)...

Bozo said... In 3 weeks, Americans will be celebrating Christmas.

Hello, McFly! Not all Americans celebrate Christmas, you imbecile, so how dare you say such a thing?

Me, I celebrate Christmas. I guess I'm just conscious of the fact that not every does. Duh!!

While Out & About Today

A Doggie Waiting For His Parent:


A Cute Little House I Like:

Watch Mack Go

Loving This Commercial - Sucks It's for McDonalds

No Freakin' Way

This is what I woke up to this morning...



Last night we got the news that my Mother's brother in Ecuador died from a heart attack. He was 82.

R.I.P. Uncle Johnny.

Another Place for Photos

CLICK HERE

Very Cool

Federer vs Sampras - Exhibition Matches

Match 1

set 1
set 2


Match 2

set 1
set 2


Match 3

set 1
set 2


Click to download VLC Media Player.

MittyMoo Collection

The First one I saw:




The Second one I saw:




The Latest one:

Talking Cats

I first saw the original last week and thought that it would be great to have subtitles, pretending to translate what they were saying. Today I noticed that there was a link to the dubbed version. Too freakin' funny.


The original:




The Dub Version:

Bye Bye Wal-Mart

This morning I watched the documentary "Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price" and decided I will no longer buy from Wal-Mart. Here are some facts. Here's the movie trailer:




I had to return a pair of pants for my mother, so I went there today and took this photo as I walked to my car. The mother in the picture had just slapped one of her sons a bunch of times; can't stand that.



I had known that Wal-Mart's business practices were bad but still, I was psyched when I realized that a Wal-Mart was finally open in my area (it's in Commack on Long Island, NY).

After watching the film, I could no longer wear the blindfold that allowed me to look past their practices; blinded by low prices.

Bye Bye Wal-Mart.


P.S. I really want to cut down and ideally eliminate buying stuff made in China. I hope it's feasible. The way they treat their factory workers is deplorable.

My New Camera

It's a Kodak M883. I got it at Best Buy. I had wanted a small camera so I can always carry it with me. This was on sale, so I bought it.

NYC Marathon

I watch every year. It's simply amazing to me how people can run 26.2 miles without stopping. I love it! Also, the inspirational stories of the non-elite runners; wonderful!

Here's the bio of the woman who won. The woman who came in 2nd was right in back of her from the start of the race. Then Paula pulled away at the very end. It's just awesome!

I Got Paid!

I received a check in today's mail for the 2 websites I designed. I'm psyched! I have 1 thing I have to do on one of them; set up email. It was exactly 2 weeks ago that John contacted me.

I plan to use this to buy more RAM for my MacBook along with a bigger hardrive and the new Apple Operating Software - Leopard.


Here are the websites:

ScottHair.com

PeterSchmidtWeb.com

ScottHair.com

Today

The last few days here have been rainy & gray. Today started off the same, but all of a sudden the sky was blue and the sun was shining. I was so excited for some reason.



I decided to bite the bullet and buy the power adapter for my MacBook... ick $79.00. On my home, I decided that I was going to take advantage of the day and go play tennis. Since I hadn't exercised in 2 days, I played for 1 hour. My backhand keeps getting better. I can't wait to play with my brother.

Tennis

Kremlin Cup, a tennis tournament in Moscow, starts tomorrow. I'll be following it online with Live Scoring and maybe with Audio through EuroSport.com. The Tournament itself may be showing the matches online. Fingers crossed. I simply love tennis !!

Hoy

I danced in the morning, had breakfast, then went to play tennis. I'm glad I did. I'm working tonight and will not eat anything but fruit if necessary.

My 2 cats have been sleeping next to me all day all over each other, cuddling. Here's a few pics from my iSight camera in my computer:

US Open Semi-Finals

Women, to be played today:

Justine Henin BEL (1) vs. Venus Williams USA (12)

Svetlana Kuznetsova RUS (4) vs. Anna Chakvetadze RUS (6)


Men, to be played tomorrow:

Roger Federer SUI (1) vs. Nikolay Davydenko RUS (4)

Novak Djokovic SRB (3) vs. David Ferrer ESP (15)


I'll be at the Women's Final tomorrow night ---> I'm too excited for words!!!

Damn Apple

Why do they keep making new iPods? The bastards.
Look how cute the new Nano is.


I'm liking the blue and green.

Not Again !!!

I'm sick. Runny nose, sneezing... freakin' allergies. I want to be better by Saturday. OMG, Women's Final at the US Open. I'm so excited. A bit bummed that Maria Sharapova lost in the 3rd round. Oh well.

Justine Henin had a great win over Serena Williams last night, so she's the first into the semi-finals. Tonight, Venus Williams will play Jelena Jankovic; I think Venus will win. The winner meets Henin.

On the bottom half, Chakvetadze (Russia) v Peer (Israel), and Kuznetsova (Russia) v Szavay (Hungary). I would like it to be Peer and Szavay into the semi's. We shall see. I'll be watching tennis all day long into night. Roger Federer plays Andy Roddick tonight after Williams-Jankovic. Too exciting!

I love tennis!!!


Ciao for Now.
Maria


Here's a link to the photos I took when I went to the US Open.  These are not all of them.

US Open Starts Tomorrow

TV Schedule


I went to the US Open on Wednesday & Today to see players practice. It was fabulous. I took tons of photos. I posted many on a Women's Tennis Forum and will post some on my Photo Blog eventually.

I have tickets for Tuesday Night and Wednesday Night. I'm pretty sure I'll see Maria Sharapova on Tuesday Night; fingers crossed. I saw her practice on Wednesday & Today; both times by a touch of fate.

I'll blog more tomorrow. I'm exhausted.


Ciao for Now.
Maria

Then Again, Maybe Not

Flip Flopping at it's best. I am back to thinking a 125 cc would be better. I am going to check it out the Buddy 125 tomorrow in Brooklyn in between my tennis plans.

This is it in Cream:
This is it in two-tone Green (Series Italia) - love the whitewall tires:

I am meeting my brother at the Women's Tennis tournament in Forest Hills at the West Side Tennis Club. It's free up until the Finals. We've never been there and look forward to seeing this historic tennis venue. US Opens were played there until 1977.

Then, after taking a trip to Brooklyn to see the scooter (thought it would be less traffic at around 12 pm then at 5 pm), I will go to the US Open Qualifying round, also free. I know many more women tennis players now since following tennis much more closely this past year and will likely be seeing some I know trying to qualify for the Open. Also, you usually can see some of the high ranked players practicing as well. I am definitely bringing my camera.

Looking forward to a great day tomorrow!


Ciao for Now.
Maria

I Think I've Decided

When I got my 2004 Honda Element, I thought about getting a Honda Metropolitan Scooter.  Three years later and I'm definitely going to get one.

Other scooters I was considering were the Yamaha Vino Classic (49cc as well) and the Vino 125.  I decided that I should start out with a 49cc scooter.  I have never ridden one before and I figure I should start out small.  Sure it won't go as fast as a 125 cc, but really who cares.  Hills may be a problem but again, who cares.

I found a Ruby one at a dealer 23 miles away.  It's a beautiful color.  My fav color is blue though, and I really want to see the Sapphire.  Hopefully a dealer 10 miles away will be getting one in; I was told they're getting Metropolitans in 3 to 4 days.

I hope to get scooting soon!

Rosie's Dolphins

Click To Play

Saratoga & Albany

I'm on a weekend trip with my brother and sister-in-law.

We went to Saratoga Racetrack where I bet a total of $9.00 on 4 races and won $8.40 on the last one, for a net loss of 60 cents. Gambler, I am not. Too funny!

The starting gate:


My brother at the Horse Racing Museum & Hall of Fame:


A horse's branding:



We then went to the town of Saratoga Springs. A few pics:





We later went to downtown Albany and saw the Capital Building and others:






Tomorrow we're going to the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown.


Ciao for Now.

I'm Going to the Women's US Open Final

Boy am I psyched! I can't stop thinking about it.

The family I nanny for gave me two tickets for my birthday.

OMG! Best Birthday Present Ever!!

I'm Sick

I have a sore throat, fever, congested head.

I hope I feel better by Wednesday as I was planning on going to Montauk.

Fingers crossed.

US Open Series