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

Re-Cuts

Scary Mary


BIG Secret

A Cat & A Baby

Such an adorable cat... He's eaten a bit too much:



Such an adorable baby... She's cried a bit too much:

Thank You Madonna

At the Live Earth Concert yesterday, Madonna, performed "La Isla Bonita", introducing me to Eugene & Sergey from Gogol Bordello. I absolutely loved that song that they played interspersed throughout Madonna's song. The violin is what gets me. I needed to find out what it was.

Well after searching & searching through Gogol Bordello's songs on iTunes, I couldn't find it. Then I found a link to a NPR interview they did last year and there it was. It's called "Lela Pala Tute" (English name - Dying After You). I even found a MP3 of them singing it on NPR. I now want to find the lyrics.

I like some of Gogol Bordello's songs, classified as Gypsy Punk; the ones with Roma or Romani music predominantly played. Romani is what is usually called Gypsy. The lead singer, Eugene, grew up in the Carpathia region where Ukraine, Romania, Hungary meet.

I simply love this music. I want more of it !!

A Greener Me

A few weeks ago, I bought 12 CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs); unfortunately I broke one with a bad outlet.

I also bought 5 Reusable Bags; I love them. A few times I have been too slow in telling the cashier that either I don't need a plastic bag or I have my own bag and I feel bad about having them take the item(s) out. I also think they will throw that bag away. I can at least re-use it. I also call in a food order for pickup every now & again. They always have it waiting in a plastic bag. Next time, I'll tell them "no bag please". And Taco Bell drive thru... well, I really must stop eating that anyway.

Today, I re-arranged my power plugs to my Computer, Printer, Routers, TV, Cable Box with DVR, DVD Players. They were on power strips with no rhyme or reason and therefore on all the time. Now they're organized so that I can turn off the power strips on & off as needed. No more "phantom electricity". I learned today that TVs and VCRs waste $1 Billion in lost electricity in the USA annually.

When I got my Honda Element in 2004, I thought about getting a moped for short trips to bank, library, etc. About a month ago, I thought about getting a Toyota Prius, but could I give up my love of being high up on the road. And what about my kayak... not that I even use it, but what if I decide to. It was so much easier to put it inside my Element instead of strapping it to the roof.

I thought to myself... hey, I can keep my SUV and do other things. Hence, the CFLs & reusable bags. I also switched to "World's Best Cat Litter" so as to eliminate clay litter. As per TreeHugger.com... "Cat owners should avoid clumping clay litter at all costs. Not only is clay strip-mined (bad for the planet), but the clay sediment is also permeated with carcinogenic silica dust that can coat little kitty lungs (bad for the cat). Plus, the sodium bentonite that acts as the clumping agent can poison your cat through chronic ingestion through their fastidious need to groom. Because sodium bentonite acts like expanding cement—it’s also used as a grouting, sealing, and plugging material—it can swell up to 15 to18 times their dry size and clog up your cat’s insides. Eco-friendly cat litters avoid these problems; a happy cat is a cat that doesn’t claw your face off. "

Yesterday, I thought about an electric moped. That would eliminate using gasoline & oil entirely. Hmm... but I would be using electricity in charging the battery. I have no idea how much that would equal and I'm sure it would still be better than driving my car for short trips. I saw one online that was about $700. That was the low end; others $1200 to $2500.

Then I thought... why don't I just get my bicycle fixed up and use that. No gas. No electricity. Plus... exercise ! I'll need to get a tune-up and I probably need new tires. I'd also like to get a basket or two. If it's too much to fix it up, I may just get a new one.

I am also again thinking about getting a Prius. I still have 2.5 years left on my car loan. I'll look into what the payoff amount is. A Prius would be $23,370 without tax Retail. Here's something from Edmunds.com:


According to Toyota, the Prius' Mileage Estimates (mpg city/highway/combined) are 60/51/55. The EPA has new Mileage Ratings that take into account Air Conditioner use, colder weather, faster speed & acceleration. So, 48/45/46. It's about using less gas & emitting less pollutants.

That's it for now. I pledge to do what I can to be more Green. I think I'm moving in the right direction. Won't you join me?

Venus Wins Fourth Wimbledon Singles Title

She beat Marion Bartoli (France) 6-4, 6-1.

Marion beat #1 Justine Henin in the SemiFinal and #3 Jelena Jankovic in the 4th Round. She played well; didn't seem overwhelmed by the situation ---> playing on Centre Court in the Wimbledon Final. Venus played... well, like Venus. A true Champion.

Richard Williams turned to Marion's father in the stands, said whatever he did; they hugged. Marion's father started to cry & sat down. Me too! It was a very touching moment. Two fathers who were absolutely instrumental in their daughter's tennis development. It was a great moment!

Venus thanked Billie Jean King. She was in the Royal Box along with Martina Navratilova, Virginia Wade and... Bjorn Borg. How I loved him! I even played with his Donnay racquet.

Thank you Venus & Marion for a very enjoyable Wimbledon Final.


Ciao for Now.
Maria

Live Earth

7-7-07

What's Your Impact?

Resign

I Am So Devastated & Sad

Toto, Totie Floatie, The Totster, Totie FloatStuff, ToFuzz, has passed away. She was my favorite girl Brunner cat. She was The Queen. She was approaching 20 and died in her sleep.

The devasting part of it is, that it more than likely happened days ago. They found her under the TV cabinet today, one of her favorite places to sleep. I do not remember the last time I saw her up and about. We all have been so focused on Zoey, who got hit by a car and broke his elbow. I remember seeing her "sleeping" under the cabinet on Monday. I was there on Sunday but I can't remember seeing her. This is making me so sad. I cry & cry.

She was so damn fuzzy! Her top part of her head was simply amazing. I would put my fingers in it and say "I lost my fingers in your fluzz". (fluffy fuzz) She was the first cat I had ever seen lay on her belly with her legs straight out in back. The only other... my Obie. I will now think of her always when he does it. She had the cutest way of laying with her arms straight out crossed, like the Queen she was. Sometimes a full crossing, other times, one hand on top of the other. She would adjust them... uncrossing, crossing, uncrossing, crossing, to get it just right. So regal, so elegant.

Oh Toto... I wish I could have seen you one last time.

The Queen is Gone.

I Held One

I went to the Apple Store to see the iPhone. It's so gorgeous! Absolutely incredible!

Oh to have money to spend on something I have no need for just because it's so cool !!!

Williams Sisters... What a Day!

First, Venus resumed her match from Saturday. Akiko Morigami (Japan) won the 2nd set and I believe served for the match. She also had many break points that she couldn't finish it off. Venus fought & fought and finally won the 3rd set & match. She plays Maria Sharapova in the QuarterFinals tomorrow. Of course, I would have preferred Akiko to win, but Venus' determination was great to see and she deserved to win.

Then Serena... she was playing Daniela Hantuchova (Slovakia). She won the 1st set and was down 1-4 in the 2nd. She played very well and came back. Daniela was now serving at 5-5 when Serena got a major cramp/spasm in her left calf and goes down in major pain. "Oh my, she's out of the tournament" was on my mind and I imagine everyone else's mind, including Serena's. After medical treatment, the match continues. Daniela wins the game and then Serena manages to win the next. Tiebreaker next. Of course, Serena is severely hampered. Rain is looming. I believe she was down 1-4 in the tiebreaker. The rain begins... Serena's salvation.

I believe there was an 1 1/2 hour delay. She had both legs taped and was wearing crop pants. Daniela wins the tiebreaker... a third set! Well, guess what? Serena wins it and the match. Amazing! The hated rain, in this case, allowed Serena a chance to advance to the QuarterFinals. She fought hard & was rewarded.

I've said it before and will again... TENNIS IS AWESOME !!!

Stella Who ??!!

Saw her but didn't say hello.
Thought I would but decided against it.

Hingis defeats Kournikova ( both 13 years old)

The last 10 minutes in the SemiFinal match Martina Hingis won against Anna Kournikova in the 1994 Wimbledon Juniors. Martina went on to win in the Final. The two women commentators (Russian, I believe) never stop talking.
STFU already!

iPhone... Come and Get It

The iPhone goes on sale today at 6pm.

Per Apple, "iPhone, the revolutionary combination of a mobile phone, widescreen iPod, and Internet communications device..."


Apple iPhone Q & A


I would love to have one but $499 for the 4G and $599 for the 8G is way out of my price range. AT&T plans start at $59.99/month. Even that's too much for me. I pay $25.00 every 2 months or so.

Ahh, to dream.

It Starts... It Starts !!!!

The day began with rain. They got fourteen matches completed. Roger Federer, Andy Roddick and Martina Hingis won their matches. They are currently in a rain delay.

Centre Court is undergoing a renovation. They are adding a retractable roof. It definitely looks completely different without the partial roof that it used to have.

Cool... they are playing again. Serena Williams & Justine Henin are resuming their matches. They should both advance.

I don't know when Maria Sharapova plays her first match. It's either tomorrow or Wednesday.


Ciao for Now.
Maria

Poor Zoey

My favorite Brunner cat was hit by a car yesterday and broke his elbow & one of his big teeth and got a cut on his chin. He, thankfully, doesn't appear to have internal injuries. He has a huge cast on his arm. Poor guy! So sad!

Photos (6/25):

Wimbledon on TV

ESPN2

NBC
Sat, June 30 12:00 PM - Men's and Women's Third Rounds
Sun, July 1 12:00 PM
Mon, July 2 10:00 AM - Men's and Women's Round of 16
Tue, July 3 10:00 AM - Women's Quarterfinals
Wed, July 4 10:00 AM - Men's Quarterfinals
Thu, July 5 12:00 PM - Women's Semifinals

More coverage to follow