Sunday, January 30, 2005
And I Ran... I Ran so far away.
Okay, so this is odd. We don't know why, but this flock of seagulls landed in the parking lot of Ingles today. Apparantly, just a few seagulls had been hanging out there yesterday, during the ice storm. Today they brought their friends. This is in Loganville, Georgia. We are maybe 300 miles from any coast so this is just one of the strangest things we've seen in awhile. It does make me slightly nervous because either their navigator got a little mixed up, or there is some reason that seagulls are hanging out in Loganville. Anyway, here's the proof...
Saturday, January 29, 2005
Friday, January 28, 2005
TGIF
I'm so glad it is Friday. This has been such a stressful week. I've barely had time to breathe on top of being sick. And yes, I know that a lot of people are just as stressed or more stressed than me, I just complain a lot when I'm sick.
And, for some completely off-topic babbling, I would like to say that I don't think video games should be made into movies. We watched Resident Evil 2 last night. I wasn't thrilled about the first one. In fact I think I had blocked most of it out and we only saw it a couple of months ago. Anyway, although the first half was completely boring and I just kept thinking about what a waste of time it was to be watching it, the second half picked up a little bit and became mildly entertaining. But the point is, when a movie is made from a usually very loose video game plot, the movie just seems like a video game (look at Tombraider). It becomes a movie with a pretty stupid plot and the main character basically just goes through the movie doing acrobatic flips and stunts while fighting some kind of weird enemy. Sometimes there is a clear goal, sometimes not. But, the point is, if I wanted to sit and watch someone play a video game, I would have plenty of opportunity to do that without renting a movie to do it.
Movies based on comic books, on the other hand, can SOMETIMES be slightly more interesting, but in most cases they still bore me to tears (Daredevil, X-men, etc.). Batman and Spiderman were pretty entertaining though. Actually the best movies I've seen based on comic books were Ghost World and American Splendor, but those were a whole different genre of comic book.
And, for some completely off-topic babbling, I would like to say that I don't think video games should be made into movies. We watched Resident Evil 2 last night. I wasn't thrilled about the first one. In fact I think I had blocked most of it out and we only saw it a couple of months ago. Anyway, although the first half was completely boring and I just kept thinking about what a waste of time it was to be watching it, the second half picked up a little bit and became mildly entertaining. But the point is, when a movie is made from a usually very loose video game plot, the movie just seems like a video game (look at Tombraider). It becomes a movie with a pretty stupid plot and the main character basically just goes through the movie doing acrobatic flips and stunts while fighting some kind of weird enemy. Sometimes there is a clear goal, sometimes not. But, the point is, if I wanted to sit and watch someone play a video game, I would have plenty of opportunity to do that without renting a movie to do it.
Movies based on comic books, on the other hand, can SOMETIMES be slightly more interesting, but in most cases they still bore me to tears (Daredevil, X-men, etc.). Batman and Spiderman were pretty entertaining though. Actually the best movies I've seen based on comic books were Ghost World and American Splendor, but those were a whole different genre of comic book.
Thursday, January 27, 2005
Metal Mouth
Eww! I am taking antibiotics, because I've been sick. The doctor warned me that one of the side effects is a metallic taste in my mouth. I didn't really think much of it, but, for the last 2 mornings that I've been taking the antibiotics I have had the WORST metallic taste in my mouth when I wake up!! So gross!
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
I'm Eric
I did a test on Tickle.com (formerly emode) and I found out that of all of the That 70's Show characters I'm most like Eric. I was hoping to be more like Donna or Hyde, but oh well. At least I'm not Kelso or Jackie. And by the way, Tickle is now completely commercial now. All of the tests have sponsors.
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Sunday, January 23, 2005
Happy Birthday, Corinne!
Today Corinne is 27. We saw In Good Company and ate at Johnny Carrino's. It was a fun day, but unfortunately I feel like I'm getting sick. I have been sneezing and coughing and on the way home I thought I might throw up. Ick! I told Austin that I'll go to the doctor tomorrow if I'm still feeling bad.
Saturday, January 22, 2005
Woo-hoo!!! A new cell phone!!!
After my old one bit the dust and after having to pay a monsterous cell phone bill every month, I now have a new cell phone. It has direct connect so I can talk to Austin for free and unlimited incoming calls, so you all can call me all you want on my cell phone and we can chat for hours! Fun! By the way, it's a Blackberry!
Thursday, January 20, 2005
Wisdom from the Wiggles
After watching about 4 hours of the same Wiggles episode on repeat this morning with Ethan, I think the most important lesson came when Ethan turned to me and said, "bees don't like pirates," in a very serious tone. Hmm. I would never have known that if it weren't for Ethan and the Wiggles.
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
Why, hello Mr. Lizard.
There is a lizard on my desk. I was sitting here working on my computer and talking on the phone when all of a sudden this lizard came running across my desk. I think he went to sleep. He seems to be a little bit wary of Holly.
Just when you think things are slowing down a bit...
BOOM! You're so busy you can't even see straight! It has been one of those days!
Sunday, January 16, 2005
Pat & Jack's Surprise 25th Anniversary Party
Everyone was to wear 70's themed attire for the surprise party. Some people did, some didn't, but it was certainly a fun time. And, I'm convinced that the world would be a much better place if every party had a margarita machine!!! Okay, lots of photos here, so stay with me...
Friday, January 14, 2005
Thursday, January 13, 2005
I left my coffee mug at the car dealership
That is like the 3rd coffee mug I've lost in less than a year, the second one I've left at that same car dealership!!! Ugh!
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
I promise to take some more pictures soon!
If not in the next two days, I will be taking pictures on Saturday for sure!
The 2 Hour Oil Change
Yes, you read correctly. I spent two hours getting the oil in Austin's car changed today. It wasn't too bad. I brought the handheld Tetris game that my parents got me for Christmas and I actually got 252 lines. I thought that was a pretty good go - I played that one game for a little over 30 minutes. Of course I waited with two of the most annoying women alive:
Woman #1: This woman must've been over 40 years old, but she had long hair that went down past her butt, a jean skirt that was WAY, WAY, TOO SHORT, and a very low cut tank top that showed A LOT of cleavage. She also had on platform sandals and hemp anklets and a charm bracelet that made noise every time she slightly moved. She was watching CNN and kept making noises like "aww" or "ohh" everytime they showed something sad. She also had some kind of hacking cough that was driving me crazy. Toward the end of my wait, she got up, stood right in front of the TV (which I was watching at the time) and spent like 5 minutes adjusting her skirt, putting on her leather jacket and fluffing her hair before she moved out of the way.
Woman #2: She came in about halfway through my wait so she didn't have time to annoy me as much as woman #1. She would either call someone or they would call her about every 5 minutes for about 30 minutes straight and she would say, "hello... hello... hello..." at least 5 times very loudly. Finally after about a half hour, she got through and sat there in the quiet waiting room talking VERY LOUDLY for like 20 minutes in Spanish. I couldn't even hear the news, so I went back to Tetris.
Woman #1: This woman must've been over 40 years old, but she had long hair that went down past her butt, a jean skirt that was WAY, WAY, TOO SHORT, and a very low cut tank top that showed A LOT of cleavage. She also had on platform sandals and hemp anklets and a charm bracelet that made noise every time she slightly moved. She was watching CNN and kept making noises like "aww" or "ohh" everytime they showed something sad. She also had some kind of hacking cough that was driving me crazy. Toward the end of my wait, she got up, stood right in front of the TV (which I was watching at the time) and spent like 5 minutes adjusting her skirt, putting on her leather jacket and fluffing her hair before she moved out of the way.
Woman #2: She came in about halfway through my wait so she didn't have time to annoy me as much as woman #1. She would either call someone or they would call her about every 5 minutes for about 30 minutes straight and she would say, "hello... hello... hello..." at least 5 times very loudly. Finally after about a half hour, she got through and sat there in the quiet waiting room talking VERY LOUDLY for like 20 minutes in Spanish. I couldn't even hear the news, so I went back to Tetris.
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Get a Life!
I hate this. I try to be very careful about what kind of information I divulge on my website. I don't even cuss or talk about politics like a lot of blogs seem to do. As cautious as I am, someone (and I'll be as vague about this as possible) has decided to steal information from my website to use in an argument against one of my family members. I have never had a problem with people downloading my pictures or linking my pictures before. In fact, it was kind of flattering for awhile there. But, for the losers with way too much time on their hands, I have now added a creative commons license to my website and people are not to use my pictures, thoughts, or artwork unless they ask me first. Thank you very much and goodnight!
Our doggie is so cute!
And she did exceptionally well in her obedience class on Saturday (If only the instructors could see her at home). Here is a picture of her being really good.
Sunday, January 09, 2005
Roaches are not good advertising!!!
I keep running across this awful animated ad on the web that has a roach running across it and says "smash the bug" or something like that. Yes it gets my attention, but it mainly just makes me mad and freaks me out. So I don't look at the ad because it is so gross. Whoever decided to put that ad all over the place really sucks. And I don't know what the ad is even for because I either close the page immediately or continue looking at the webpage, scrolling so I can't see the roach running around. I don't know whose attention they are trying to get!
Television
24 is back! And so far, it is just as exciting as the other seasons. I was worried about the lack of returning actors, but so far it has been good. By the way, it is kind of funny to see the kid from "Witness" all grown up.
And after finally getting around to watching the Amazing Race from last week, I saw that Jonathan is still acting like a complete jerk. I just hate him. He is so horrible to his wife.
And after finally getting around to watching the Amazing Race from last week, I saw that Jonathan is still acting like a complete jerk. I just hate him. He is so horrible to his wife.
Saturday, January 08, 2005
Friday, January 07, 2005
Yay! A New Season of 24 starts Sunday!!!
If any of you are as addicted to 24 as we are, you will all be excited to know that season 4 is on its way! Austin and I only watched part of season 3, so we have been cramming, trying to watch the rest of the episodes on DVD. We were watching it last night and Saunders, the bad guy, told Jack to upload a list to a website called sylviaimports.com. Since I had my laptop near me, I went to it to see if it was a real website. Check it out: Sylvia Imports. And please don't tell me how season 3 ends. We've still got a few hours left to finish it up.
Thursday, January 06, 2005
Telephone
My mom emailed me this story this morning. I thought it was cute.
We took food to Ethan, I mean Becca and Jake, last night and I played with Ethan while they relaxed and ate. We played with a telephone that rings and rings...The first time it rang, Ethan answered it and said "Hello? Oh, Hi "B"....yes, uh-huh...me and Nanny are playing....You wanna talk to Nanny....OK....Bye "B". The phone rang again and this time it was Austin, next time "Tug" that's his name for Doug! Then Granddaddy.....so, so cute!
We took food to Ethan, I mean Becca and Jake, last night and I played with Ethan while they relaxed and ate. We played with a telephone that rings and rings...The first time it rang, Ethan answered it and said "Hello? Oh, Hi "B"....yes, uh-huh...me and Nanny are playing....You wanna talk to Nanny....OK....Bye "B". The phone rang again and this time it was Austin, next time "Tug" that's his name for Doug! Then Granddaddy.....so, so cute!
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
Holly is afraid of heights.
She runs up the stairs just fine, but she WILL NOT go down them. Right now I am downstairs in my office and Holly is whining at the top of the stairs because the door to upstairs is closed and she refuses to even attempt to come down the stairs. So she's standing on the top step, forlorn. I must go rescue her now. What a strange dog?!
Believe it or not, it has a correct spelling and usage
and I am talking about the word "y'all." For one thing, it is a contraction formed from the words, "you" and "all," so don't spell it like this: "ya'll." That is not correct. Also, use it the right way. It should not be used to refer to a single person. You should be talking to a group of people. Okay, that is rant #2 for the day. Thanks.
Let's talk about the weather... and money
It is 66 degrees outside. And it is January 5th! Yesterday it hit 70 and the high for Tuesday is predicted to be 75 degrees. This is actually what I like about living in Georgia, but it is making Austin very irritated. He likes things to be the way they are supposed to be. I kind of like the nice weather. Except when I was driving home today and passed a field with a pile of what looked like dirt with my sun roof open. There's nothing like driving along, happily singing "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and having the intense odor of cow manure hit your nostrils! Yuck! Anyway, I'm glad to be having nice weather...
Although, it was getting really hot, so we had to turn on the air conditioning and it was messed up. Remember the heat had been giving us problems. So, anyway, after almost 600 dollars later, we now have a new circuit board and thermostat. Fun times. It came at an especially good time since my astronomical cell phone bill just came too (thank God that's a business expense). I don't know how I managed to talk 300 minutes over my 700 minute plan (at 35 cents a minute!). Anyway, just waiting for taxes now. We are so screwed!!!
Although, it was getting really hot, so we had to turn on the air conditioning and it was messed up. Remember the heat had been giving us problems. So, anyway, after almost 600 dollars later, we now have a new circuit board and thermostat. Fun times. It came at an especially good time since my astronomical cell phone bill just came too (thank God that's a business expense). I don't know how I managed to talk 300 minutes over my 700 minute plan (at 35 cents a minute!). Anyway, just waiting for taxes now. We are so screwed!!!
Get your stupid ramblin' wreck off the road
Okay, I realize that the majority of the people who went to Georgia Tech are probably more intellegent than the majority of the people who went to Georgia. Yes, I've accepted that. But, THAT IN NO WAY MEANS THAT PEOPLE WHO WENT TO GEORGIA TECH KNOW HOW TO DRIVE!!!* And, although I constantly find myself mad at people from Tech on the road, this post is dedicated to you, going slow in the fast lane jerk in the GMC truck with the Georgia Tech tags that would not get out of my way this morning.
*this of course excludes all of my friends, family and potential clients who went to Georgia Tech.
*this of course excludes all of my friends, family and potential clients who went to Georgia Tech.
"Happy, Sad, Happy, Sad"
This is what Ethan was saying in the background when I talked to Becca on the phone last night. She said that it's bad enough having pregnant mood swings all the time, but it is especially great to have your two and a half year old mock you for it!
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
Christmas with the Monroes 2004
I'm sorry it took so long to get these posted, but here they are. My dad took these on Christmas.
Monday, January 03, 2005
And here is my parents' Netflix list for 2004...
(You can tell which ones my mom made my dad rent!) They may have rented more movies than us. Of course, I didn't list the movies we rented from the video store, ordered on Pay per view or saw in the theater.
The Princess Diaries (Widescreen) (2001)
The Door in the Floor (2004)
Mary Poppins (1964)
Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! (2004)
Elf (2003)
Collateral (2004)
I, Robot (2004)
The Bourne Supremacy (2004)
The Terminal (2004)
Raising Helen (2004)
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004)
Spider-Man 2 (2004)
The Ladykillers (2004)
A Home at the End of the World (2004)
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Con Air (1997)
Near Dark (1987)
The Core (2003)
Envy (2004)
What Alice Found (2003)
The Ref (1994)
Aladdin: Platinum Edition (1992)
The Perfect Score (2004)
Laws of Attraction (2004)
Down With Love (2003)
The Day After Tomorrow (2004)
Walking Tall (2004)
Sliding Doors (1998)
The Alamo (2004)
Man on Fire (2004)
Jersey Girl (2004)
Ghost (1990)
Mean Girls (2004)
Star Wars: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)
Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)
Poolhall Junkies (2003)
The Punisher (2004)
The Passion of the Christ (2004)
The Girl Next Door (2004)
Taking Lives (2004)
Twisted (2004)
Step Into Liquid (2003)
Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004)
Hidalgo (2004)
The Whole Ten Yards (2004)
Formula 51 (2002)
Going on 30 (2004)
Johnny English (2003)
Starsky & Hutch (2004)
Life Is Beautiful (1997)
Intolerable Cruelty (2003)
Blow Up (1966)
That Thing You Do! (1996)
The Butterfly Effect: Director's Cut (2004)
Spartan (2004)
The Blob (1958)
Jeepers Creepers 2 (2003)
Charlotte's Web (1973)
Bad Santa (2003)
Cold Mountain (2003)
The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984)
Along Came Polly (2004)
Secret Window (2004)
Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo (2004)
Piglet's Big Movie (2003)
Welcome to Mooseport (2004)
50 First Dates (2004)
Mystic River (2003)
Miracle (2004)
Something to Talk About (1995)
Calendar Girls (2003)
Monster (2003)
Thirteen (2003)
The Matrix: Revolutions (2003)
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
The Last Samurai (2003)
Peter Pan (2003)
Mona Lisa Smile (2003)
Love Actually (2003)
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)
Big Fish (2003)
Bend It Like Beckham (2002)
Gothika (2003)
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
The Rundown (2003)
Duplex (Widescreen) (2003)
44 Minutes (2003)
Something's Gotta Give (2003)
Dead Alive (1992)
Interstate 60 (2002)
Slums of Beverly Hills (1998)
The Three Stooges: Three Smart Saps (1942)
Uptown Girls (2003)
The Land Before Time (1988)
Pieces of April (2003)
Flirting with Disaster (1996)
The School of Rock (2003)
Crime Spree (2003)
Matchstick Men (2003)
The Missing (2003)
Ghost Ship (2002)
The Secret Lives of Dentists (2003)
Lost in Translation (2003)
Secondhand Lions (2003)
Beatles: First U.S. Visit (1994)
Rob Roy (1995)
The Beatles Anthology: Disc 4 (1995)
Open Range (2003)
Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)
Out of Time (2003)
Equilibrium (2002)
Tully (2002)
Freaky Friday (2003)
S.W.A.T. (2003)
Seabiscuit (2003)
The Princess Diaries (Widescreen) (2001)
The Door in the Floor (2004)
Mary Poppins (1964)
Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! (2004)
Elf (2003)
Collateral (2004)
I, Robot (2004)
The Bourne Supremacy (2004)
The Terminal (2004)
Raising Helen (2004)
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004)
Spider-Man 2 (2004)
The Ladykillers (2004)
A Home at the End of the World (2004)
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Con Air (1997)
Near Dark (1987)
The Core (2003)
Envy (2004)
What Alice Found (2003)
The Ref (1994)
Aladdin: Platinum Edition (1992)
The Perfect Score (2004)
Laws of Attraction (2004)
Down With Love (2003)
The Day After Tomorrow (2004)
Walking Tall (2004)
Sliding Doors (1998)
The Alamo (2004)
Man on Fire (2004)
Jersey Girl (2004)
Ghost (1990)
Mean Girls (2004)
Star Wars: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)
Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)
Poolhall Junkies (2003)
The Punisher (2004)
The Passion of the Christ (2004)
The Girl Next Door (2004)
Taking Lives (2004)
Twisted (2004)
Step Into Liquid (2003)
Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004)
Hidalgo (2004)
The Whole Ten Yards (2004)
Formula 51 (2002)
Going on 30 (2004)
Johnny English (2003)
Starsky & Hutch (2004)
Life Is Beautiful (1997)
Intolerable Cruelty (2003)
Blow Up (1966)
That Thing You Do! (1996)
The Butterfly Effect: Director's Cut (2004)
Spartan (2004)
The Blob (1958)
Jeepers Creepers 2 (2003)
Charlotte's Web (1973)
Bad Santa (2003)
Cold Mountain (2003)
The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984)
Along Came Polly (2004)
Secret Window (2004)
Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo (2004)
Piglet's Big Movie (2003)
Welcome to Mooseport (2004)
50 First Dates (2004)
Mystic River (2003)
Miracle (2004)
Something to Talk About (1995)
Calendar Girls (2003)
Monster (2003)
Thirteen (2003)
The Matrix: Revolutions (2003)
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
The Last Samurai (2003)
Peter Pan (2003)
Mona Lisa Smile (2003)
Love Actually (2003)
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)
Big Fish (2003)
Bend It Like Beckham (2002)
Gothika (2003)
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
The Rundown (2003)
Duplex (Widescreen) (2003)
44 Minutes (2003)
Something's Gotta Give (2003)
Dead Alive (1992)
Interstate 60 (2002)
Slums of Beverly Hills (1998)
The Three Stooges: Three Smart Saps (1942)
Uptown Girls (2003)
The Land Before Time (1988)
Pieces of April (2003)
Flirting with Disaster (1996)
The School of Rock (2003)
Crime Spree (2003)
Matchstick Men (2003)
The Missing (2003)
Ghost Ship (2002)
The Secret Lives of Dentists (2003)
Lost in Translation (2003)
Secondhand Lions (2003)
Beatles: First U.S. Visit (1994)
Rob Roy (1995)
The Beatles Anthology: Disc 4 (1995)
Open Range (2003)
Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)
Out of Time (2003)
Equilibrium (2002)
Tully (2002)
Freaky Friday (2003)
S.W.A.T. (2003)
Seabiscuit (2003)
New Year's Traditions
Austin and I were both taught some different traditions/superstitions while growing up and I was just curious about what other superstitions were out there. Of course, we both know to eat black-eyed peas and collards, but Austin has heard that you are not supposed to do laundry or have evergreen in the house after the New Year. After a little research, here's what I found:
One is advised to clean their homes spotless. Clean under the beds, wash the clothes etc. The most important part of this superstition is to sweep all garbage out the front door rather than distribute it to a garbage can in the house. Basically cleaning the house of all that occurred during the passing year. To dispose of the swept up garbage in a home garbage can would not be ridding the home of the past years' experience. All this be done before midnight.
In the South, eating black-eyed peas on New Year's Day is thought to bring good luck. The notion that eating black-eyed peas on New Year's Day will bring good luck likely derives in part from an ancient superstition that eating beans will increase fertility. Rice is another food that is supposed to increase fertility. It's part of the Chinese New Year's celebration. In fact, in most countries, New Year's celebrations historically have been connected to fertility festivals. People hoped for a bountiful year of crops and often wished for more children.
In the Ozarks, hanging a new calendar before sunup is considered bad luck. Also, you should not take anything out of the house unless you bring something back in.
In India, rice is boiled to bring luck in the coming year. In Spain, people eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight and the last grape must be consumed by the last stroke of the clock to have a good fortune.
An old English superstition states that you will have good luck through the New Year if your first visitor of the year is a tall, dark-haired man
Some people think that eating "ring-shaped" food during New Year's celebrations will bring good luck, as it symbolizes the "circle of events"
Kissing at midnight: We kiss those dearest to us at midnight not only to share a moment of celebration with our favorite people, but also to ensure those affections and ties will continue throughout the next twelve months. To fail to smooch our significant others at the stroke of twelve would be to set the stage for a year of coldness.
Stocking Up: The new year must not be seen in with bare cupboards, lest that be the way of things for the year. Larders must be topped up and plenty of money must be placed in every wallet in the home to guarantee prosperity.
Paying Off Bills: The new year should not be begun with the household in debt, so checks should be written and mailed off prior to January 1st. Likewise, personal debts should be settled before the New Year arrives.
First Footing: The first person to enter your home after the stroke of midnight will influence the year you're about to have. Ideally, he should be dark-haired, tall, and good-looking, and it would be even better if he came bearing certain small gifts such as a lump of coal, a silver coin, a bit of bread, a sprig of evergreen, and some salt. Blonde and redhead first footers bring bad luck, and female first footers should be shooed away before they bring disaster down on the household. Aim a gun at them if you have to, but don't let them near your door before a man crosses the threshold.
The first footer (sometimes called the "Lucky Bird") should knock and be let in rather than unceremoniously use a key, even if he is one of the householders. After greeting those in the house and dropping off whatever small tokens of luck he has brought with him, he should make his way through the house and leave by a different door than the one through which he entered. No one should leave the premises before the first footer arrives — the first traffic across the threshold must be headed in rather than striking out.
First footers must not be cross-eyed or have flat feet or eyebrows that meet in the middle.
Nothing prevents the cagey householder from stationing a dark-haired man outside the home just before midnight to ensure the speedy arrival of a suitable first footer as soon as the chimes sound. If one of the partygoers is recruited for this purpose, impress upon him the need to slip out quietly just prior to the witching hour.
Nothing Goes Out: Nothing — absolutely nothing, not even garbage — is to leave the house on the first day of the year. If you've presents to deliver on New Year's Day, leave them in the car overnight. Don't so much as shake out a rug or take the empties to the recycle bin.
Some people soften this rule by saying it's okay to remove things from the home on New Year's Day provided something else has been brought in first. This is similar to the caution regarding first footers; the year must begin with something's being added to the home before anything subtracts from it.
One who lives alone might place a lucky item or two in a basket that has a string tied to it, then place the basket just outside the front door before midnight. After midnight, the lone celebrant hauls in his catch, being careful to bring the item across the door jamb by pulling the string rather than by reaching out to retrieve it and thus breaking the plane of the threshold.
Black-Eyed Peas: A tradition common to the southern states of the USA dictates that the eating of black-eyed peas on New Year's Day will attract both general good luck and money in particular to the one doing the dining. Some choose to add other Southern fare to this tradition, but the black-eyed peas are key.
Work: Make sure to do — and be successful at — something related to your work on the first day of the year, even if you don't go near your place of employment that day. Limit your activity to a token amount, though, because to engage in a serious work project on that day is very unlucky.
Also, do not do the laundry on New Year's Day, lest a member of the family be 'washed away' (die) in the upcoming months. The more cautious eschew even washing dishes.
New Clothes: Wear something new on January 1 to increase the likelihood of your receiving more new garments during the year to follow.
Money: Do not pay back loans or lend money or other precious items on New Year's Day. To do so is to guarantee you'll be paying out all year.
Breakage: Avoid breaking things on that first day lest wreckage be part of your year. Also, avoid crying on the first day of the year lest that activity set the tone for the next twelve months.
Other superstitions attaching to the beginning of the new year are: Letting the Old Year Out: At midnight, all the doors of a house must be opened to let the old year escape unimpeded. He must leave before the New Year can come in, says popular wisdom, so doors are flung open to assist him in finding his way out.
Loud Noise: Make as much noise as possible at midnight. You're not just celebrating; you're scaring away evil spirits, so do a darned good job of it!
According to widespread superstition, evil spirits and the Devil himself hate loud noise. We celebrate by making as much of a din as possible not just as an expression of joy at having a new year at our disposal, but also to make sure Old Scratch and his minions don't stick around. (Church bells are rung on a couple's wedding day for the same reason.)
The Weather: Examine the weather in the early hours of New Year's Day. If the wind blows from the south, there will be fine weather and prosperous times in the year ahead. If it comes from the north, it will be a year of bad weather. The wind blowing from the east brings famine and calamities. Strangest of all, if the wind blows from the west, the year will witness plentiful supplies of milk and fish but will also see the death of a very important person. If there's no wind at all, a joyful and prosperous year may be expected by all.
Born on January 1: Babies born on this day will always have luck on their side.
And, as far as Evergreen in the house goes, I couldn't find anything about that. I did read in a few different sources that the proper time to take down the Christmas tree and decorations is January 6th, the 12th day of Christmas.
One is advised to clean their homes spotless. Clean under the beds, wash the clothes etc. The most important part of this superstition is to sweep all garbage out the front door rather than distribute it to a garbage can in the house. Basically cleaning the house of all that occurred during the passing year. To dispose of the swept up garbage in a home garbage can would not be ridding the home of the past years' experience. All this be done before midnight.
In the South, eating black-eyed peas on New Year's Day is thought to bring good luck. The notion that eating black-eyed peas on New Year's Day will bring good luck likely derives in part from an ancient superstition that eating beans will increase fertility. Rice is another food that is supposed to increase fertility. It's part of the Chinese New Year's celebration. In fact, in most countries, New Year's celebrations historically have been connected to fertility festivals. People hoped for a bountiful year of crops and often wished for more children.
In the Ozarks, hanging a new calendar before sunup is considered bad luck. Also, you should not take anything out of the house unless you bring something back in.
In India, rice is boiled to bring luck in the coming year. In Spain, people eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight and the last grape must be consumed by the last stroke of the clock to have a good fortune.
An old English superstition states that you will have good luck through the New Year if your first visitor of the year is a tall, dark-haired man
Some people think that eating "ring-shaped" food during New Year's celebrations will bring good luck, as it symbolizes the "circle of events"
Kissing at midnight: We kiss those dearest to us at midnight not only to share a moment of celebration with our favorite people, but also to ensure those affections and ties will continue throughout the next twelve months. To fail to smooch our significant others at the stroke of twelve would be to set the stage for a year of coldness.
Stocking Up: The new year must not be seen in with bare cupboards, lest that be the way of things for the year. Larders must be topped up and plenty of money must be placed in every wallet in the home to guarantee prosperity.
Paying Off Bills: The new year should not be begun with the household in debt, so checks should be written and mailed off prior to January 1st. Likewise, personal debts should be settled before the New Year arrives.
First Footing: The first person to enter your home after the stroke of midnight will influence the year you're about to have. Ideally, he should be dark-haired, tall, and good-looking, and it would be even better if he came bearing certain small gifts such as a lump of coal, a silver coin, a bit of bread, a sprig of evergreen, and some salt. Blonde and redhead first footers bring bad luck, and female first footers should be shooed away before they bring disaster down on the household. Aim a gun at them if you have to, but don't let them near your door before a man crosses the threshold.
The first footer (sometimes called the "Lucky Bird") should knock and be let in rather than unceremoniously use a key, even if he is one of the householders. After greeting those in the house and dropping off whatever small tokens of luck he has brought with him, he should make his way through the house and leave by a different door than the one through which he entered. No one should leave the premises before the first footer arrives — the first traffic across the threshold must be headed in rather than striking out.
First footers must not be cross-eyed or have flat feet or eyebrows that meet in the middle.
Nothing prevents the cagey householder from stationing a dark-haired man outside the home just before midnight to ensure the speedy arrival of a suitable first footer as soon as the chimes sound. If one of the partygoers is recruited for this purpose, impress upon him the need to slip out quietly just prior to the witching hour.
Nothing Goes Out: Nothing — absolutely nothing, not even garbage — is to leave the house on the first day of the year. If you've presents to deliver on New Year's Day, leave them in the car overnight. Don't so much as shake out a rug or take the empties to the recycle bin.
Some people soften this rule by saying it's okay to remove things from the home on New Year's Day provided something else has been brought in first. This is similar to the caution regarding first footers; the year must begin with something's being added to the home before anything subtracts from it.
One who lives alone might place a lucky item or two in a basket that has a string tied to it, then place the basket just outside the front door before midnight. After midnight, the lone celebrant hauls in his catch, being careful to bring the item across the door jamb by pulling the string rather than by reaching out to retrieve it and thus breaking the plane of the threshold.
Black-Eyed Peas: A tradition common to the southern states of the USA dictates that the eating of black-eyed peas on New Year's Day will attract both general good luck and money in particular to the one doing the dining. Some choose to add other Southern fare to this tradition, but the black-eyed peas are key.
Work: Make sure to do — and be successful at — something related to your work on the first day of the year, even if you don't go near your place of employment that day. Limit your activity to a token amount, though, because to engage in a serious work project on that day is very unlucky.
Also, do not do the laundry on New Year's Day, lest a member of the family be 'washed away' (die) in the upcoming months. The more cautious eschew even washing dishes.
New Clothes: Wear something new on January 1 to increase the likelihood of your receiving more new garments during the year to follow.
Money: Do not pay back loans or lend money or other precious items on New Year's Day. To do so is to guarantee you'll be paying out all year.
Breakage: Avoid breaking things on that first day lest wreckage be part of your year. Also, avoid crying on the first day of the year lest that activity set the tone for the next twelve months.
Other superstitions attaching to the beginning of the new year are: Letting the Old Year Out: At midnight, all the doors of a house must be opened to let the old year escape unimpeded. He must leave before the New Year can come in, says popular wisdom, so doors are flung open to assist him in finding his way out.
Loud Noise: Make as much noise as possible at midnight. You're not just celebrating; you're scaring away evil spirits, so do a darned good job of it!
According to widespread superstition, evil spirits and the Devil himself hate loud noise. We celebrate by making as much of a din as possible not just as an expression of joy at having a new year at our disposal, but also to make sure Old Scratch and his minions don't stick around. (Church bells are rung on a couple's wedding day for the same reason.)
The Weather: Examine the weather in the early hours of New Year's Day. If the wind blows from the south, there will be fine weather and prosperous times in the year ahead. If it comes from the north, it will be a year of bad weather. The wind blowing from the east brings famine and calamities. Strangest of all, if the wind blows from the west, the year will witness plentiful supplies of milk and fish but will also see the death of a very important person. If there's no wind at all, a joyful and prosperous year may be expected by all.
Born on January 1: Babies born on this day will always have luck on their side.
And, as far as Evergreen in the house goes, I couldn't find anything about that. I did read in a few different sources that the proper time to take down the Christmas tree and decorations is January 6th, the 12th day of Christmas.
New Year's Day 2005
Yum. We got together to watch the game at my parent's house and ate a traditional yummy New Year's meal - Pork Loin, Collards, Black-Eyed Peas, and Mexican cornbread. Afterwards, Ethan made friends with our next door neighbors' soon to be step grandson, Tyler. They were so cute together!
New Year's Eve (a.k.a. Becca's Birthday)
Okay, we are now officially old. My little sister is 24 and we spent New Year's Eve eating at Longhorn's, opening presents at my parent's house and then Austin and I went home and watched the ball drop in Times Square on HDTV. Oh well. We had fun, anyway!
It's "huge" not "yuge" you jerks!
Okay, I have a lot of stuff that I've thought about posting over the past couple of days. Let's start with me complaining (good way to start the New Year, huh?). The Georgia game was a little closer than it should've been, but it was still a pretty good game, since we won (24 to 21). What made me mad, was the commentary as we watched the game on ESPN. They kept calling one of our touchdowns a "fluke" and saying how Wisconsin was only losing because of the mistakes they were making. I guess it had nothing to do with our defense!! And I guess Georgia having 460 total yards to Wisconsin's 230 yards doesn't say anything about us having a better team! Jerks! And I couldn't count how many times they said "yuge" which drives me completely insane. And it does nothing to prove how impartial you are when you talk about playing golf with the head coach at Wisconsin!
