iFrame working and finally the pictures from Groundhog's Day!

   current mood: Feeling Smart...


Looks like I got past the JavaScript tag issue I kept hitting in trying to post to blogger. Buttheads would not let me use the cool script I wrote to put the music I was listening to on the page. But I fixed it with a nifty little iFrame call. Nothing too fancy, but it gets the job done. Now you can hear what I hear while I am writing these posts.

Ok finally, here are the pictures I have been promising.. enjoy!

Of course Ivanna Luz stars in this album!


This is before anyone got Drunk...


And this is what they look like when they are drunk...
Just a lil Photoshop fun...

Okie Dokes... my work here is done for the night... see ya soon! And don't be afraid to leave comments

Hudson Bay or Bust

current mood: Shocked!

You have to see this:

Hudson Bay or Bust

Absolute craziness... although driving up to see Hudson Bay in the winter sounds fun!

"Habla Con Ella" and other movies

current mood: Sleepy!

We just finished wacthing a movie called Talk to Her (Hable con Ella).

If you like Pedro Almódovar, you will enjoy this movie as it has many of the characteristics that make his movies funny, touching and very strange at the same time. It will definitely leave you in a thought provoking mood. Its worth watching for sure even if you haven’t seen an Almódovar movie before. The soundtrack was really good as well! I think Richard should get it so I can add it to his iPod.

Also, last evening Karla and Richard went to see The Wedding Date.

A romatic comedy that Karla really wanted to see. Not a bad movie, but you may want to wait until video unless you are really a big Debra Messing fan.

Oh yeah, On Friday we all saw Ray (Widescreen Edition)

Now that was an excellent movie! Richard had bought when it first came out on DVD a while back, but with Karla's busy schedule, it wasn't until 2 days ago that we all sat down to watch it! The music is incredible and we all learned about just what an unbelievable life that Ray Charles led. Such a wonderful movie. I am torn as to who I think deserves to win best actor now. Jamie Foxx was awesome and seemingly born for the role of Ray Charles, but on the other hand, Leonardo DiCaprio was so awesome in The Aviator. Its going to be a close one at the oscars this year... wow its next week already.

Ok I am heading to sleep now... I will publish the uploaded pictures from the Groundhog's Day party tomorrow... I promise.

We'll Miss You Clyde!

current mood: Very Sad...

After a long series of ups and downs with illness, Clyde, a good doggie friend of ours, is now at rest...

We'll miss you!

Valentine's Weekend & Rental Movies

current mood: sleepy...

I know I know... where are the pictures from the Groundhog's Day party??? I am just lazy to upload... besides, yesterday I had no time since I had a "spa day". OK, actually I was taken to the groomers and I fought like heck when they tried to clip my front nails... I hate when they do that!

Anyways, this weekend was nice and relaxing. On Friday Karla and Richard left me alone to rest while they went to Philip and René’s party. I am sure they enjoyed themselves, but they did get home kind of early. In any case they did not take the camera cause I still have not downloaded the pictures… hehe whoops!

Saturday was even more relaxing. Richard rented three movies and we got to see one of them while Karla studied, AVP - Alien Vs. Predator (Widescreen Edition). It was actually better than I thought it would be. If you like action and alien blood and guts that is…

Then I was left alone again as Karla & Richard went on their Valentine's Dinner out to Boi Na Braza

 

I wish I had gone with them, all that delicious meat! Yummy! If y'all ever come to visit, this is the place to go!

The next movie was Van Helsing (Widescreen Edition). Again, much better than the critics had led us to believe, especially Kate Beckinsale!!! Wow she is really hot!

Finally, we all saw Shall We Dance (Widescreen Edition) last night for Valentine’s Day. Karla made Beef Stroganoff, and even I got to eat a noodle. Shall We Dance was a decent movie. It is very much a girl/date movie, but not so intolerable that Richard and I couldn’t watch it. They opened up the bottle and had a couple of glasses of wine that Berenice & Memo got them from Napa. It was really good; from the Guenoc Winery.

All in all it was a great weekend relaxing. Somehow, in-between the movies and wine and parties, Richard managed to start redoing the guest bathroom. He painted it and added new furniture and fixtures. It still needs more décor, and how it turns out remains to be seen, but so far so good.

The Fantastic Four Movie

current mood: Happy

Ok, its been a while since I have written I know, and I do have some interesting pictures to send from this weekends past Groundhog's Day Party, but those are going to have to wait until I upload them.

The interesting little tidbit is for you movie super-hero fans:

July 1, 2005
http://www.fantasticfourmovie.com

NEW ORDER, OLD TRICKS!

current mood: Dancing!

NEW ORDER have spoken to NME.COM about their long-awaited new album.

Recorded over the past year, ‘Waiting For The Sirens Call’ is divided between guitar tracks in the vein of previous album ‘Get Ready’ and the synth-based tunes that are their trademark.

A single, ‘Krafty’, will be released in advance of the album and, as normal, sleeve art will be designed by Peter Saville.

Other tracks slated to appear on the album include 'Road To Ruin', 'Jetstream', 'Waiting For The Siren's Call', 'MiniDisc 2', 'Pop', 'Working Overtime', 'I Told You So'.

Bernard Sumner told NME.COM: "The last album was guitar-heavy simply because we felt that we'd left that instrument alone for a long time and we thought that was what the general trend was and that was what people wanted to hear. Read more here...

Mini TEC VTEC Mini

current mood: Sweet!

This is too cool! I want one! hehe... then I can race Rich in his MINI!

Car & Driver article:
Just when you thought it was safe to buy a Mini.
BY TED WEST
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JIM CAIOZZO
February 2005

 

The Mini Tec VTEC is one of the fastest, and, um, furious-est, drives south of a Z06. Just look at the numbers from the one we tested-1792 pounds and a claimed 220 horsepower. The Honda engine was originally for the Acura Integra Type R and was rated for 195 horsepower. But Mini Tec says better-breathing intake and exhaust systems add 25 ponies, and despite copious amounts of wheelspin, the VTEC Mini still scooted to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds. Read more here...

10 tips for better sleep

current mood: Sleepy...

An interesting article from the Mayo Clinic for non-sleepers like Richard... (hey at least he's awake when I get up at 3AM to pee... hehe

10 tips for better sleep
By MayoClinic.com

Feeling crabby lately? It could be you aren't getting enough sleep. Although the average adult needs seven to nine hours of sleep a night, that number could be hard to come by if you factor in work, taking care of children and managing a household.

Then there are the unexpected challenges that can keep you up at night — financial worries, layoffs, illness or relationship issues.

Compounding the problem is the fact that if you don't get the rest you need, you'll find it even harder to deal with the stresses causing your sleep problems to begin with.

Grumpiness isn't the only result of sleep deprivation. Getting too little sleep impairs memory, reaction time and alertness. Tired people are less productive at work, less patient with others and less interactive in relationships.

Sleep deprivation can also be dangerous. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 100,000 crashes each year are due to drivers falling asleep at the wheel.

John Shepard Jr., M.D., of the Sleep Disorders Center at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., offers these tips to help you achieve restful sleep. You don't have to use every tip on the list.

"What works for one person doesn't always work for another," Dr. Shepard says.

Try one or two of the following tips or a combination until you have enough quality sleep to feel alert and well-rested. If these tips don't work, see your doctor. You could have a sleep disorder, such as obstructive sleep apnea, that requires medical attention.

1. Stick to a schedule, and don't sleep late on weekends. If you sleep late on Saturday and Sunday morning, you'll get Sunday night insomnia. Instead, go to bed and get up at about the same time every day.
   
   "You don't need to rely on an alarm clock to wake up when you get enough sleep," says Dr. Shepard.



2. Don't eat or drink a lot before bedtime. Eat a light dinner about two hours before sleeping. If you drink too much liquid before sleeping, you'll wake up repeatedly in the night for trips to the bathroom.
   
   Don't eat spicy or fatty foods. They can cause heartburn, which may interfere with your sleep.
   
   If you get the bedtime munchies, eat something that triggers serotonin, which makes you sleepy. Carbohydrates (bread or cereal) or foods containing the amino acid L-tryptophan (milk, tuna, or turkey) will do the trick.
   
   Don't drink alcohol near bedtime. It may cause you to wake up repeatedly, to snore, and it may exacerbate sleep apnea.



3. Avoid caffeine and nicotine. They're addictive stimulants and keep you awake. Smokers often experience withdrawal symptoms at night, and smoking in bed can be dangerous. Caffeine should be avoided for eight hours before your desired bedtime.



4. Exercise. If you're trying to sleep better, the best time to exercise is in the afternoon. A program of regular physical activity enhances the quality of nocturnal sleep.



5. A slightly cool room is ideal for sleeping. This mimics your internal temperature drop during sleep, so turn off the heat and save on fuel bills.
   
   If you tend to get cold, use blankets. Try sleeping in warmer nightclothes and wear socks.
   
   If you overheat at night, wear light nightclothes and sleep under a single sheet. Use an air conditioner or fan to keep the room cool.
   
   Use a dehumidifier if you're bothered by moist air. Use a humidifier if you're bothered by dry air. Signs and symptoms of dry air irritation include a sore throat, nosebleeds and a dry throat.



6. Sleep primarily at night. Daytime naps steal hours from nighttime slumber. Limit daytime sleep to less than one hour, no later than 3 p.m.
   
   If you work nights, keep your window coverings closed so that sunlight, which interferes with the body's internal clock, doesn't interrupt your sleep.
   
   If you have a day job and sleep at night, but you still have trouble waking up, leave the window coverings open and let the sunlight wake you up.



7. Keep it quiet. Silence is more conducive to sleep. Turn off the radio and TV. Use earplugs or a fan or some other source of constant, soothing, background noise to mask sounds you can't control, such as a busy street, trains, airplanes or even a snoring partner. Double-pane windows and heavy curtains also muffle outside noise.



8. Make your bed. "A good bed is subjective and different for each person. Make sure you have a bed that is comfortable and offers orthopedic comfort," says Dr. Shepard.
   
   If you share your bed, make sure there's enough room for two. Children and pets are often disruptive, so you may need to set limits on how often they sleep in your bed with you.
   
   Use your bed only for sleep and sex.
   
   Go to bed when you're tired and turn out the lights. If you don't fall asleep in 30 minutes, get up and do something else. Go back to bed when you're tired.
   
   Don't agonize over falling asleep. The stress will only prevent sleep.



9. Soak and sack out. Taking a hot shower or bath before bed helps bring on sleep because they can relax tense muscles.



10. Don't rely on sleeping pills. Check with your doctor before using sleeping pills. Doctors generally recommend using sleeping pills for up to four weeks. Make sure the pills won't interact with other medications or with an existing medical condition. If you do take a sleep medication, reduce the dosage gradually when you want to quit.
    
    Use the lowest dosage, and never mix alcohol and sleeping pills.
    
    If you feel sleepy or dizzy during the day, talk to your doctor about changing the dosage or discontinuing the pills.

Determine the quality of your sleep

Insomnia — the inability to get enough sleep — may only last a night or it can last for weeks, months, years or even a lifetime. If you have any of the following signs and symptoms, you may not be getting enough sleep:

• You routinely ignore your alarm clock or snatch a few extra minutes to snooze before getting up.


• You look forward to catching up on your sleep on the weekends.


• You have to fight to stay awake during long meetings, in overheated rooms or after a heavy meal.


• You're irritable with co-workers, family and friends.


• You have difficulty concentrating or remembering.


• It takes you more than 30 minutes to fall asleep at night.


• You wake repeatedly throughout the night.


• You wake up groggy and not well rested.


• Your spouse or partner complains about your snoring or fitful sleeping.

Sleep centers
Many hospitals and medical centers operate sleep clinics to diagnose sleep disorders. These centers are accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. If you have a sleep problem, your doctor may refer you to a sleep center for testing. The results of these tests will be used to identify your condition so that it can be treated appropriately

Poema 20

current mood: Loving It!

I love this poem:

Poema 20
(de Veinte poemas de amor y una canción desesperada)
- Pablo Neruda

Puedo escribir los versos más tristes esta noche.
Escribir, por ejemplo: "La noche está estrellada,
y tiritan, azules, los astros, a lo lejos. "

El viento de la noche gira en el cielo y canta.

Puedo escribir los versos más tristes esta noche.
Yo la quise, y a veces ella también me quiso.

En las noches como ésta la tuve entre mis brazos.
La besé tantas veces bajo el cielo infinito.

Ella me quiso, a veces yo también la quería.
Cómo no haber amado sus grandes ojos fijos.

Puedo escribir los versos más tristes esta noche.
Pensar que no la tengo. Sentir que la he perdido.

Oír la noche inmensa, más inmensa sin ella.
Y el verso cae al alma como pasto el rocío.

Qué importa que mi amor no pudiera guardarla.
La noche está estrellada y ella no está conmigo.

Eso es todo. A lo lejos alguien canta. A lo lejos.
Mi alma no se contenta con haberla perdido.

Como para acercarla mi mirada la busca.
Mi corazón la busca, y ella no está conmigo.

La misma noche que hace blanquear los mismos árboles.
Nosotros, los de entonces, ya no somos los mismos.

Ya no la quiero, es cierto, pero cuánto la quise.
Mi voz buscaba el viento para tocar su oído.

De otro. Será de otro. Como antes de mis besos.
Su voz, su cuerpo claro. Sus ojos infinitos.

Ya no la quiero, es cierto, pero tal vez la quiero.
Es tan corto el amor, y es tan largo el olvido.

Porque en noches como ésta la tuve entre mis brazos,
mi alma no se contenta con haberla perdido.

Aunque éste sea el último dolor que ella me causa,
y éstos sean los últimos versos que yo le escribo.

What do you think? Like it?

In Good Company

current mood: Dancing!


Karla & Richard saw In Good Company last night and thoroughly enjoyed! It was light and funny and touching all at the same time. For those of you who have ever experienced working for a big company that has to RIF people, you will see that side as well. It’s a story a young man trying to be successful both at a professional career and a personal life, and finding out that one does not necessarily mean the other and that is a choice that we all make someday.

Go see this movie and let us know what you think.

iTunes 4.7.1 update issues

current mood: Perplexed!


After loading the new 4.7.1 update for iTunes last night, I did a quick sync with Richard's iPod. Unfortunately he let me know that he ran into some issues with the album art not being displayed while he was listening to it today.

Quickly I began to research (i.e.:google) the problem which can be traced directly back to updating the version for iTunes. Here is what I found:

from Mac In Touch Forums

posted by Don Andrachuk
Reader David Rosenthal's iPod photo, and mine as well, stopped displaying album art following the update of iTunes to version 4.7.1. I was able to restore that functionality by turning off "Display album art" in iTunes' iPod preferences, saving the setting, and allowing iTunes sufficient time to update the iPod.

When it was done, I re-enabled the option, saved the setting, and iTunes then proceeded to restore the album art to the iPod. The last step took quite a while as I have about 4,700 songs that have associated art. The iPod is functioning fine now.

Considering that Richard has over 7200 songs, we may just have to leave it synching for about 30 minutes, but I think it will work and he will have his album art back right we do the above fix.

iPod Shuffle

current mood: Nerdy


Another new Apple product:

Looks like a lot of fun for the casual user, more inline with those who want to workout while listening to music, which is a bit more difficult to accomplish with the iPod Photo that Richard has. Not so bad when he is walking me, but when he has to run after me after I break away from the leash, the iPod shuffle would be better suited. hehe...

A New Mini...Mac that is!

current mood: Nerdy!


This is especially for Dave! I know you will appreciate this...

If Dave gets this hooked to wireless broadband and installed in his car, he will never stop working!

Full Throttle: MINI Cooper S

current mood: Dancing!


From MotoringFile.com:

Time to warm up the Tivos... this Wednesday (1.12.05) at 9pm EST the History Channel will feature a 1978 Mini on it's Full Throttle program. Here's the preview (from historychannel.com)

Holiday Pictures from San Antonio, El Paso & Dallas

current mood: Bored...

Ok gotta keep busy here while Richard and Karla are at work, so I uploaded all the pictures from the past holiday season. Enjoy!

Remember to click on a Picture to launch the Ofoto Album