My IPod Makes Me Happy

I think it’s one of the best things ever made. I have 2128 songs and 1 movie (Finding Nemo). I know it would take a long time to get through all those songs but at least I have them when ready…. I put almost every CD I have and on there and have gotten a lot of music from ITunes.. I use my playlist a lot for easy access and change it often to hear new songs. It’s so easy and convenient. I've got numerous lists for specific things set up, such as a playlist specifically for working out, or a new CD I just put on there that I want to listen to a lot, etc.



I know they are common now and a lot of people have them but I was just thinking how happy mine makes me. I clean with it on, take it in my car, exercise with it, take it to the ice rink when I’m watching Brendan’s hockey practice for an hour and I don’t want to go home. I even listen to it when I’m done typing this one particular doctor who doesn’t dictate the date of birth and I have a huge long document of 40-50 patients and I wait until the end to go in and input the date of birth from the patient list. It makes it go by fast. Music is so powerful and so mood-changing when I want to relax, energy for exercise, praise music to feel great, etc. I love that you can play it through speakers you don’t always have to have headphones on.

I have such random music its funny. Besides a ton of predictable country music, I also have everyone from Frank Sinatra to Rod Stewart, Eric Clapton, Lifehouse, Third Day, Queen and tons more. Fun!

I love that ITunes has so much available. You can even download a show, such as Lost, for example, for free. I’ve done that in the past and watched it at Brendan’s practice or waiting to pick him up from school or the movies or just anywhere you find yourself waiting it’s great to have it. I’ve downloaded Podcasts and listened to interviews I wouldn’t normally have time to listen to. I’ve had it for over a year now and I was thinking I’d be really bummed if something happened to it. I know they have new ones out all the time that do extra things but I’m very content with mine and hope to have it for a very long time. I've come a long way from my portable CD player and cordless headphones. This just makes me happy.

Pirates Premiere At Disneyland

We went to the pirates premiere at Disneyland last Sunday. I like the pirate movies but I wouldn't say I'm a huge fan, it's just fun to go watch all the stars walk down Main Street on the red carpet. Laurie and I went last year and had so much fun but really didn't know what to expect and didn't have the best seats. We didn't even take a blanket to sit on we had to buy a Cinderella beach towel at Disneyland. This year we were determined to be on the rail in the very front and came prepared with snacks, blankets, cards, IPod, water (last year they sold out), etc. I read on a message board that people were going to start lining up at 3:30 a.m. so Laurie and I got there at 3 a.m...(I know, we're crazy! but we do almost that early for the day after Thanksgiving sales) and I dropped her off so I could go beg the guy at IHop to let me leave my car there until the parking garage opened at 5 a.m. I gave him my cell # and told him to call me if he needed me to move it and he let me do it.

In the meantime, Laurie called to tell me that there were already 250 people in front of her in line. It was amazing. By the time I got over there the line was so far past her it was incredible. I read later that there were 1000 people by 5 a.m. We didn't want to stay if we weren't going to get a good spot because it gets crazy. Emily and her friend Katie were really excited and came at about 4:45 and we both got our cars in the line that was forming for the parking garage. About that time Laurie had already gone through the security gates and was in line to get into Disneyland. We were anxious because they don't let you hold spaces and everyone turns crazy once inside there. We needed six seats. We finally got over to her and we told Em and Katie to go one direction and gave them all the scoop on what kind of spot we were looking for and how to throw your long blanket down and lay on it and call us to tell us and we could compare who had the best spot. They ended up getting the best possible spot. Laurie and I went in one direction and the media was all lined up and there were no seats and we just ran all down Main Street finding nothing and the girls called and said they were right in front of City Hall, a perfect spot with no problems at all, they didn't even have to run like we did. It was funny. Brendan and his girlfriend came at about 8 a.m. It was really packed so we basically stayed in our spots all day playing cards, etc. It was really hard to climb in and out of the spot to go on rides and even get food or go to the restroom.

The stars were real
ly friendly and since we were actually the first group they saw after media they came right over and signed autographs and took pictures. Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom actually said a few words to us. It was fun because there were so many random people there like the host of the Bachelor, stars from Dancing With The Stars, Teri Hatcher, too many to name. There were screaming, crying, girls there and it got crazy but it was worth it. Brendan was over it all long before the stars arrived but he was a trooper for his girlfriend. Emily had enough of the people around us too but once the arrivals started she and Katie had fun. Why did we go through this you ask??? Well, Laurie and I are determined to stay young so we thought being adventurous was a sure way. We both say we probably wouldn't do it a third time there was another movie. People around us did get crazy when they saw the stars and that part was annoying but that's another whole post and I'm trying to forget about them.

My First Blog Post

I'm finally sitting down to start my blog. It's been fun picking out formats and colors, it reminds me of scrapbooking. I know I will be playing with this more and will probably change my entire format and color.... I am surprised I wanted to do this but I have really enjoyed reading other blogs and reading what's going on with friends and family and seeing pictures. Having most of my family and friends close by you would think we'd be totally caught up on everything but not so. I also find myself sending frequent photo albums and E-mails to friends and family that I don't get to see so much so this is a great way to share life!

My kids are very happy I've finally settled on this blog site. They were horrified to think that I might get a MySpace account and embarrass them by asking their friends to be my friend like some of my friends have done. I must admit I do have my connections to checking those MySpace pages....so anyway, here's my first post.