Earliest Memory

I'm not sure how many people remember earlier than maybe age 5... I can barely remember anything past yesterday half the time! So many can remember great details of their childhood, but mine are sporadic. It bums me out. Either I wasn't paying attention or my life has just always been boring. Ha ha.

My first memory, though, is from when I was about 18-20 months old. I'm not sure exactly when. I have a memory of flashy lights and a face looking at me through a car window. I have had this recurring memory for years before finally asking my parents if it meant anything to them. Dad immediately knew.

When the memory occurred, dad was driving me to my g'parents' house before going to work. He pulled to the side of the road because he was having chest pains and thought he was having a heart attack. This was before the days of cell phones, so thankfully a cop was waved over (I don't remember the story well enough to remember how) and they got dad help. Problem was when they went to get me out of the car to transport me to where I needed to be I threw more than a fit. Apparently I was traumatized! Just them coming to the car door had me flipping out.

They contacted my mom and she had to come get me.

I still have nightmares involving it from time to time. So obviously it made an impact. So that's my first memory.

So yesterday I went fishing with my dad and his friends. Caught a Sockeye (dad and his buddy limited out though). It's still early for the second run of reds, but we had a good time. Until the boat died on us and we floated dangerously down the river. Had several boats pull up alongside and offer assistance, problem was none of their boats were big enough to tow us where we needed to go. So dad called his buddies that had just flown into Alaska to come bail us out. Dan, Cary, and Rick are literal lifesavers! I owe them cookies!

Other than that, no real news or exciting things going on. Still waiting to see if Hi Speed Gear was able to save my external hard-drive or not. If they can't I'm screwed. So I'm sure Monday will suck as that's when they'll no doubt give me the bad news.

Oh well, 63 days till Disneyland.

What's in the fridge

LEFTOVERS!

 
We make a lot of food at dinner time... makes it nice cuz I don't eat breakfast food, so I eat dinner for breakfast a lot! Haha


Some of these prompts are kinda hard to get creative in how I can answer...

These are a few of my favorite things!

Day 11 has me listing fifteen of my favorite things, so here we go...

1. Photography. Mainly portrait, sport, and travel photography, but I love being able to document life.

2.Country Music - not the stuff from my grandfather's era, but 80s-today? Oh, yeah. Love me some country music!

3. Pugs - specifically the ones I've been blessed with in my life. I miss my Yuka girl every day. She was my heart, and there will most likely never be another one quite like her. No doubt she's tearing it up at the Rainbow Bridge.

4. My "Niece" Haille Rae. She is such a beautiful young lady. I was so blessed to be added into her family (granted I am related through my aunt but minor detail). I miss her, and wish we were closer so we could hang out like we used to. She's the funniest kid I know, and super smart. I'm so proud of her.

Taken a few years ago, how quickly they (kids and dogs) grow up!

5. My "Other Niece" Delaney. She's high energy, crazy, and highly entertaining. She is her momma through and through. She's a Disney Princess and a Pirate all rolled into one. I can barely keep up with her, but one thing about her - she's never boring! I am loving watching her grow up.

6. My Best Friend in the entire world - Erin. She is the Joey to my Chandler, the Larry to my Bob, the Dale to my Chip. She's my partner in crime, the one who's always willing to go along with a crazy idea or adventure. She's my sister from another mister (and the daughter my mother never had - my mom's words there, yup, feel the love). I miss her as she's all the way away in Montana, but when we're together we make up for lost time. Here's to another 15 years of friendship! Guess at this point we're stuck together for life!

7. Sled Dogs - I could say the Iditarod, but really it's the sled dogs (and most of the mushers) that I love. Sled dogs are AWESOME.I grew up loving the Iditarod and its stars, and after working for mushers for the last 7 years, I can definitely say it's gotta be one of the most awesome lifestyles. But the dogs... oh, the dogs.

Mitch Seavey's Iditarod Champion dog Pentecost in 2013.

8. Disney Parks - comes as no surprise, right? I've been to Disney World and Disneyland - and am going to Disneyland again this September. I'd love to visit the other four Disney destinations, they're definitely on my bucket list!

9. Figure Skating - I love watching it. No, I can't skate. Don't really care to learn, either. The idea is nice, but I have trouble balancing on two feet, I don't need to add blades to them. So I will watch and admire those that can do the most amazing things on those blades.

10. TACOS!!!!! As I said on one of the other prompts - I LOVE TACOS! My mom makes the best, but really I'm not too terribly picky about my tacos. Love me some Taco Bell. Love me some Playa Azul (local Mexican food place). Yum... TACOS!!!!

11.  The TV Show Terriers from FX. It was 13 episodes before it was cancelled. It makes me sad that there aren't more (though honestly if it hadn't been cancelled, Michael Raymond-James wouldn't have gone to Once Upon A Time, I'd have never seen Terriers because I'd have not fallen in love with MRJ). It's a good show, entertaining, and MRJ is freaking adorable as Britt Pollack.

12. Broadway Musicals - they can be on stage or in movies. Either way I LOVE them. I love some I haven't even seen, just heard the music. My iPod is filled with showtunes, and I have a movie musical collection. I'm a big time nerd, so this is no surprise either, right?

13. Alone Time - I LOVE being alone. I love the quiet. I love not having to answer to people, talk to people... listen to them eat/chew/talk with their mouths open. Watch what I want to, when I want to, how I want to. Give me my pets, and that's all the interaction I really need. If I need human interaction I can go online.


14. Historical Fiction - I love novels that use real historic events as the basis of their books. Favorite era is the Civil War for that type of reading, but I've been known to read a good Revolution piece, as well. I love reading in general, but when I can put my love for history into an "entertainment" form it's even better.

15. Spielberg movies. With the talk of Spielberg being an evil dinosaur trophy hunter this week on social media, I just thought I'd throw that out there. As I said in another prompt, I LOVE Spielberg. Love his work. Even when it creeps me out (ET) or makes me bawl buckets (War Horse). Gah. Love it!

65 Days till Disneyland!

Best Physical Feature

I have no clue. I've had people say my eyes, or my hair... I don't see it, though... Can I pick brain?

66 days till Disneyland... watching Thor with the Parentals. The only reason I find this movie entertaining is seeing Josh Dallas as a British sounding dude from another realm. He looks so ridiculous... but I do enjoy it when his shirt comes off...

Worst Habits

I have a laundry list of these, too. So, again, I'll do a top 5 list... because I don't want to admit to all of them. Ha ha!

1. I pick at my fingers. It's a nervous habit I've had for as long as I can remember. My hangnails bug me and instead of taking care of them like I'm supposed to I pick at them. Gross, right?

2. I procrastinate. A lot. Social media does not help. Internet does not help. I am easily distracted. Even when it's something I enjoy doing, I have a hard time not putting it off.

3.When watching an intense sport or movie moment I bite my knuckles. I have bloodied them during 49ers games, figure skating, and several movies.

4. I can easily memorize movie and TV lines... problem is I then have a hard time not quoting them when watching them over again with friends/family. Apparently this annoys people?

5. I pick apart timelines in TV shows and movies. Continuity is a BIG DEAL. Apparently, some say my "over analyzing" is a bad thing, but it's part of my enjoyment of anything I'm watching. Though sometimes it does bother me (especially when it means gaping plot holes and the like). Once Upon A Time is filled with such issues. But I love it anyway... well... for the most part...



67 days till Disneyland!

What's in your handbag?

Not much is in my purse. I carry the basics - wallet, coin purse, pens, eye drops (when I wear my contacts), and... yeah, that's about it. Oh, my keys and my cell phone.

yeah, that was a lame prompt! ha ha


68 days till Disneyland, though!

Pet Peeves

If you follow me on facebook or twitter you've no doubt seen my rants about some of my major pet peeves, so this will be redundant for most of my readers (the 3 or 4 that I might have), but this is today's prompt! Maybe I'll just do my top 5 pet peeves, otherwise we'll be here all day and I have things to do.

1. People chewing/talking with their mouth full. I CANNOT STAND listening to people chew. This is not new information, I've had this issue since at least jr. high. Yet the people I live with act like I've never mentioned my issue every single day. It's DISGUSTING. I start getting physically angry just hearing (or thinking) about it. It's actually a recognized "disorder" but really it's just good manners. I DON'T CARE TO HEAR OR SEE YOU CHEW. It's why I eat in my room most of the time, and rarely go to dinner parties/potlucks/etc. It's just easier than being angry.

2. Fake laughing. I hate it. It's just because you want attention. Or are trying to get on someone's good side. It's lame. Stop.

3. Talking just to talk. I am guilty of this myself because I don't like awkward silences either, but OMG... some people take it to the extreme. I like quiet. So, please, be quiet. Haha.

4. You're vs Your. It's not that hard. We learned it in 1st grade (if not sooner).


5. Obese pets. It drives me nuts to see dogs and cats so overweight! It's not cute, it's bad for them, you're decreasing their quality of life. Stop giving them treats for every little thing. It's one thing for people to be fat, it's another when it's an animal that relies on you for everything - including their health. They don't need ice cream, french fries, or anything else you put in your mouth. So stop the cycle. Care for your pets properly.



Whew. Now that I got that off my chest...

69 DAYS TILL DISNEYLAND! Gah! We're just a few days away from the two month mark! Just a few days till I can start to book our ADRs! Just a few days before I get really antsy that the countdown isn't going fast enough! Haha!

Anywho, I gotta get going. Shooting a wedding tonight and I haven't gotten my gear together yet. Gotta get 'er done!

Five Senses

My five senses right now?

Sight - Watching CSI New York (I forgot how much I love Eddie Cahill, and Gary Sinise is always amazing), and editing photos (still) from the wedding two weeks ago. I'm multi tasking.

Sound - Listening to CSI New York more than watching it really. Also listening to my mom talk through it. -_-

Taste - just water for now, I should eat something.

Smell - dog farts... so disgusting.

Touch - the keyboard, duh.

Top 10 Songs I love (at the moment)

1. The 1812 Overture

 Around this time of year this is always my go to song. In 7th and 8th grade our band teacher had us work, and work hard on this piece of music. We couldn't legally shoot cannons off in the band room or the auditorium, so she had the track coaches shoot track guns into large metal garbage cans. It was one of my most favorite memories of band in all 8 years that I played (5th-12th). I LOVE this piece of music and it's just not the 4th of July until I hear it (yes, I know, the music is not a patriotic piece... nor is it about the American Revolution/America in anyway). I mean, they SHOOT CANNONS as part of the music!

2. Don't Forget Me (Smash)

I loved the TV Show Smash. It lasted two seasons, and it's such a tragedy that it didn't get to go longer. I admit the only reason I stuck with it at first was because Jack Davenport was a main character and played his character extremely well, but I fell in love with so many of the characters as time went on (Christian Borle anyone?). Season 2 was a bit disappointing when they brought in a second musical, but it was still great. Wish it'd found its footing, because I miss the music. I blast "Don't Forget Me" while in the shower all the time. No, I don't try to belt it out like Kat McPhee, though.

3. Go The Distance (Michael Bolton - Disney's Hercules)

I've loved this song since Paul Wylie skated to it in his final season with Stars On Ice. It's just a great song, and it's another that gets blasted a lot while I'm in the shower or getting ready for the day. It's a power song, inspirational... and it's Disney. My mom was a fangirl of Bolton "back in the day" so I get that he's not really my generation's go to guy. But I don't care. I love this song.

4. I'll Make A Man Out Of You (Mulan)

Let's get down to business, to defeat THE HUNS! This has been Erin and my go to song for almost as long as I can remember (where our relationship is concerned anyway). We have a weird fascination with Donny Osmond, and he's the singer in this song. But ultimately it's not Donny that gets us all excited to belt out this classic Disney tune. It's just a fun song that makes us laugh. Whenever this song pops up on my iPod I blast the volume and sing along. It keeps me connected to my beastie even with all the miles that separate us. So, come on, BE A MAN! And be swift as a coursing river, with all the force of a great typhoon, with all the strength of a raging fire, mysterious as the darkside of the moon!

5. On A Hymnsong of Phillip Bliss

Another pice of music that holds a special place in my heart. We played this in high school, down in Florida for a competition. My best friend nearly killed us all as she was supposed to play the triangle. She had ONE NOTE at the end of the program. ONE NOTE that the conductor POINTED AT HER so she knew when to play... and in that moment as we held onto our LOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNGGGGGG note she was off watching a spec of dust float around. Chalk up another win for her ADD. *facepalm* I loved that music. When our "band mascot" and "super duper Senior" Honorable Judge Cranston passed away a year? after I graduated, the KCHS band and alumni were asked to play this song at his service. It was amazing.

6. Monkey Silly Song (VeggieTales)

Another one of the songs that's more of an inside joke between myself and Erin. You will hear us say "It's a monkey" many times in conversation and this is the song we're referencing. Kinda silly, I'm sure, but it's a silly song! I remember when this song first came out. Erin and I watched it together via the phone and youtube and laughed our butts off... Bob is definitely me... and Larry is definitely Erin.

7. Who Am I (Casting Crowns)

Casting Crowns is one of my all time favorite Christian groups. Their songs are so powerful, and this song always speaks to my heart. It's the prayer/questioning of my heart.
Not because of who I am,
But because of what You've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are!

8. Home To Alaska (Lee Greenwood)

Yes, it's a dated song, but I absolutely love it. Because it's Alaska. And this would be my heart's cry if I ever leave this place for other parts of the world. Actually after about 10 days of vacation I'm normally crying "I WANNA GO HOME TO ALASKA!" I love traveling "outside", but there's no place like home.

9. Wagon Wheel (Darius Rucker with Lady Antebellum)

Don't ask me why, but this song just gets me every time. Good beat, good melody... and Darius Rucker is one of the best country singers we've got right now. Never thought I'd be a fan of "Hootie" (which I just read on twitter today he's not particularly a fan of being called that, whoops). Now I have the song stuck in my head.

10. Shameless (Garth Brooks)

Yes, it has to be Garth's version of this song. No, I don't want to debate it. Garth was my music idol when I was little. And he's still amazing! I was mad at him for ditching his first wife for Trisha Yearwood, but I'm over it. Because, really... it's not about his personal life, it's about his talent and what he brings on stage. Not as big a fan of his these days, but his music is still the best. So excited that he's supposedly coming out of retirement!

What are you afraid of?

I've struggled with this fear for most of my life - the fear of failure. I hate feeling like I've let someone down. Be it teachers, my family, myself, my boss... doesn't matter. It can be paralyzing at times. Even when I know that I'm good at whatever task is set in front of me, sometimes fear of failure overtakes me and it becomes a destructive pattern.

It's my greatest curse, I've yet to overcome it. If anyone at all has any idea how to magically erase this fear I would gladly learn the secret.

That's all I've got. It's the 4th of July, 72 days till Disneyland... and after a great afternoon of festivities I'm pooped. It was a great day and I'll hopefully have a few photos up later today from the parade. I walked home afterwards as Treat Street was packed and I wasn't handling the crowds or heat well (yes I realize I'm a walking contradiction considering I'd suck it up for Disney).

You know I'm lazy when I'm watching Thor (which I really don't like) and won't change the channel - not because I want to watch the movie, but just because I don't want to spend time finding something else (or turning on Netflix). Yup. Lazy. But at least I get to giggle at how weird it is to see Josh Dallas play a character that's NOT Prince Charming. Ha ha! Oh, my.