Dan does the Twist

So at the wedding last Saturday Dan was trying to do the twist. See for yourself. LOL.

Ice Storm

Dan and I went to a wedding this past week in New Hampshire. We decided to make a vacation out of it and went to NYC to start. Well the weather was very bad and we fly up to Manchester airport right before they completely closed down due to weather. While we were in the hotel the power went out. Apparently the whole state declared an Emergency and they weren't the only one. For Pics from ABC News click here. Well while driving to Wilton, NH to visit Uncle Dave, Aunt Evie, Amber, Robin, and Holly, I felt like I was driving in The Chronicles of Narnia. Uncle Dave described the scene... "When I looked out the window I saw Holly and Amber walking outside and it looked like they were exploring an alien world." It was very crazy, power lines were all over the ground, even hanging from branches in the middle of the road. Trees had fallen and caused roads to be blocked and debris was everywhere. Plus everything was COVERED in ice. Strange. Here are some pics.

GGRO pic

Here is a pic from my last official day of the season at GGRO.....

GGRO

today was my last day at GGRO for the season and guess what, I am way too tired to even blog about it. I usually fall asleep at 830 pm, but i held out until 1030. Goodnight............

Deep Thoughts with Cat Shipman

So Dan and I were talking today about family. He made some very good points that I mean to implement. He asked my why my family likes one sibling over the other. Well, hmmmm. My only answer was it isn't really the way it seems. We all love each other very much, it just may be that we have a stronger "connection" with one sibling vs another.

I got to thinking about this subject and wondered, have I made a brutal mistake and said the unthinkable? "You are my favorite nephew..." After careful consideration the answer was, yes. I am the devil. This is so wrong. Because, frankly it isn't really fundamentally true. Sure I may have a good "bond" with Jimmy over, say, Zachery, but well that's because I was Jimmy's nanny and I haven't spend much time with Zach.

But let me make this very very clear. I love Zach so much my heart could burst. In fact, I love ALL of my nephews (and niece) equally. All of them have their own special personalities that I find very enduring. It is the best gift to have such great nephews in my life and see my brothers so full of love and joy. When, as boys will do, I get rejected for a hug it actually hurts my feelings so much because I have so much love.

So for those who read this blog and those who don't, PLEASE, do not feel I am ever playing "favorites", I get very wrapped up in the nephew I am with at the time and make mistakes. I am human, but know, that in my eyes, ALL of my nephews (and niece) are my FAVORITE! ;)

San Bruno Mountain

Dan and I got to spend some time together and decided to hike San Bruno Mountain. He has been bugging me to do so for a long time. It was great, a little cold, but that's better than hot. We saw many raptors including, American Kestrels, Red Tailed Hawks, and I think some Coopers hawks. We hiked to the end of the ridge near the power lines and back, then we met up with Jonathan at YouTube HQ. :)

I love this City!!!

So as some of you may know, I volunteer every other Friday with the GGRO. I love it and get to see some of the most beautiful birds and views. I caught the quickest glimpse yesterday of a juvenile Golden Eagle. So amazing. Well we are basically atop the Marin headlands where no hikers can go. Here are a few shots.

View from the trail to Hawk blind. You can just make out the moon. Also, you can get a great view from Hawk Hill where any traveler can visit.The marine layer has begun its inevitable trip inland. You can see I am pretty high up. Just wonderful. Directly behind me is the City in the pic above this one.

A little bit late

Ok so here is the deal. I am a little on the late side. But well since this is the USA and I have freedom of speech then I can say what I want when I want. I am going to exercise this right, right now.

~NOV 4, 2008~

The BEST day of my life. Can I say that? Even though I got married, met my husband, um, traveled, let's see, met my nephews when they were born. True that all these things are very important days in my life. But, one day, just one special day, gives all those other days meaning. This day, gives me hope that my life and everyone around me and around around them will get the chance to have special days they will call the Best Day of their lives, all because of MY best day ever. Nov 4th, 2008. I have only one person to thank for giving me this day. Thank You, America.


I stole this from Bree(thanks!) and even though its over now, I still completely believe that my vote counted and everyone should too.

Part one:



Part two:

Halloweeeeeen!

So here we are again, celebrating Halloween in Oceanside with our friends. Its our new favorite annual party. We try to go every year and its always a blast! This year there was a creepy dude dressed as Ben Franklin, but I don't think he will be invited ever again. None of us really knew him that well or even at all. Dan was a nerd but a lot peeps asked if he was Weird Al which I thought was pretty cool!!! I kept telling everyone he wrote my term papers for me and the payment was he got to hold my hand!!!

Happy Halloween everyone!!!
--Note: my face is super shiny cos I was dancing up a storm and sweating like a disgusting pig. UGH.

Vote Obama 2008!!!

So Dan and I finally got to vote tonight. It has been a long time coming and a very exciting moment for me. I have been looking forward to this event for oh, let's say, 8 very long years. Here is some footage to capture the moment.

Casting my vote for Prez. Yeah baby!!!!
Dan votes for Palin/McCain......Oops I mean, Obama/Biden.


OBAMA 2008!!!

Sin City

So I went to Vegas a few weeks back played some Bingo. Some stupid ugly ho-bags next to us won almost every game. If this were still the mafia days I'd have them iced. Now all I can do is give them icy looks. Ho-bags. So with that being said, I, nor Luke, nor Cherise won. We are pathetic. I did however manage to get some undercover footage. Enjoy!

SF Bluegrass Festival

Dan and I went on Friday to the Bluegrass festival in the Park and saw Allison Krauss and Robert Plant. They are touring and have a new album. Its really good and it was a great concert! We originally we up at the stage but we left to find our friends. check out the pics and hopefully the video will work.

GGRO pic

SO it looks like I am pulling the birds wing and its screaming at me but really its not. They like to look at you and open their mouths, I guess in hopes of a tasty morsel. I should however be holding the wing at the top, but hey it was my first day and first catch.
This is a Red Tail Hawk, hatch year bird. I love my "job". :)

GGRO

OK So a week ago or so I had my first real hands on day at the GGRO. For those of you who do not know what that is...Golden Gate Raptor Observatory. It was the most amazing day ever! I was super nervous and excited. In the morning I woke at 6am and carpooled to Fort Cronkite in the Marin Headlands. I was soo tired. We had a meeting with all the other volunteers and then headed to a place called Townesly where all the Lure Birds are kept. We spent around an hour taking care of them, washing out the cages, feeding them. The best possible conditions for these birds. Then we gather up the birds to use for the day and we all separate and go on a merry way. So I am going to be a bit vague here because it is a bit of a controversy, but we set up our area and wait in a blind for some raptors. Using an effective method we can lure a bird in and safely trap it in a net. I caught my first bird and my heart was racing. A juvenile Red tail hawk. It was soo beautiful. I fell in love. No Joke. I have a pic on cell phone of me holding the bird and when I can I will post it.

Needless to say, It was very fulfilling and it helped to solidify what I want to do with my life. Work with animals. SO Friday is my second day, hopefully this time I can take the bird out of the net by myself.

Birthday Party Slideshow

The time has come....

Ok, So I guess I have been postponing this blog for a while. I don't want to tell the tale, but I can no longer avoid the truth. I turned 30. So far, it sucks. I just feel old. Not enlightened, not wiser, not smarter, not prettier, just old. and fatter. I might as well apply for my AARP membership. They have been sending me broshures for years. next up, Medicare. Then, worst of all, playing Checkers at 6am with a old man I never met before in Golden Gate Park. God help me.


ok enough of that. I did however have an amazing bithday party. My friends (the ones that count anyway *wink*) came and helped me celebrate my 30th year. It was so much fun, with great food and wine, dessert and games. I couldn't have asked for more.

Thanks to all my friends and fam who helped out!!! Love you!!!

bday party

Once I get the photos from the party I will be posting a slide show of pics!!! Thanks to everyone who showed up! I had a blast!

After looking in the mirror.

Mental note: Buy a girdle.

American Apparel

My roommate and I recently were asked by American Apparel if we would model for them. Ryan agreed right away like a sell out but I held out a few days. Here some of our pics. NO autographs please.

Football is for freaks

We (meaning Ryan Mcallister aka Q-Crunk Palmer) just signed us up for NFL Sunday Ticket!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh HAILS YEAH!!!!! I can't friggin wait. Thanks Bro!!!! Goooooo San Diego Super Chargers!

California State Park Peace Officer Cadet (ranger)

Tomorrow I take my exams for the California State Park Peace Officer Cadet (ranger) position. I have a long written exam, math test, and then the physical fitness test. I am not worried about the written and math exams...as long as I can bring a calculator. However, the physical fitness test, well, I consider myself to be in pretty good condition..but my god, I am in trouble.

Test # 1:
Step Test: step 310 steps on a 10 inch high step with 2.5 pounds on each ankle in 10 minutes.

Test #2:
Weight Carry: carry 45 pounds in each hand run 220 yards drop one weight then run another 220 yards in 6 minutes.

Test #3:
500 yard run: run 500 yards in FULL Peace Officer Uniform. (belt, gun, ammo, handcuffs, and baton)

Test #4:
Dummy drag: drag a dummy weighing 165 pounds 50 feet in 17 seconds.

Test #5:
100 Yard sprint: run like hell for 100 yards in 19 seconds.

Test #6:
Swim Test: Jump into deep end of pool fully dressed with 9 pound weight belt. drop weight then tread for 1 minute and then swim 20 yards.

Then DIE.

So you get ONE chance at a re-do with only a five minute rest. If you do not pass any test you are immediately disqualified. What really sucks is that this starts at 830 am. Well all know thats crazy early for me and its in Half Moon Bay. So I am getting up at 7am. I am really hoping that the physical exam is NOT tomorrow but it does not specify on my instructions. So I am going prepared. Just in case.

Napa anyone?

So Dan, Ryan , and I all decided to get crazy and go wine tasting in Napa. Wheeeeeeeee. Well like an idiot I said I would drive. Who are we kidding here? I HATE to drive. So I made Dan do it. But only after his 10th glass of wine of course. Sheesh, I mean c'mon. I got SOME sense. The first place we went Domaine Carneros was by far the best. Beautiful views, great service, nice dining area. We loved it, in fact we went back at the end of the day for some cheese. yummy. Then we went into town.....can you say...BOR-ING. We found a cafe to eat at (Smoking Cat- whatever that means)where I kicked some ass at Scrabble then hit the road for more drugs, er, I mean booze. We (meaning me) got a little lost on the search for our next stop. We called Dugan and dedicated "Rock Your Body" to him, cos well, he's hot and that was a highlight of our day. Oh and if you are going to wine country...DON"T go to Cosentino...they blew.

Even MORE Yosemite pics....

Aaron shows off his stunning good looks......








Cat and Laurie at the Falls.











Superman and his sidekicks: Aly and Schmefron plan the days' rescues.









Jeff and Ryan making fun of British bears.








The Gang at Lower Yosemite Falls. Minus Aaron.

In the end

I got an A in my math class. whew....

YOSEMITE PICS

Dan hiking on the Mist trail towards Nevada Falls....










Marcy, Rich, and Ryan attempt to roast marshmallows....







Half Dome in the clouds.









Davenport the Hammer is master of his domain. at Lower Yosemite Falls.










Cat and Dugan discuss man eating squirrels or something to that effect.










Rich, Aaron, and Ryan chat it up.










In the Valley on our way to Mirror Lake.











MORE TO FOLLOW!

The sweet taste of freedom

SO I am finally out of school. I took my math final and completely bombed it. Oh well. I did well all semester so I am hoping to get a B. I don't know when grades come out but I'm not in any hurry to check them either. So with my new found freedom Yosemite was on the horizon. As you may or may not have read, last year Dan and I went backpacking in Mammoth Lakes and missed out on our annual Yosemite vacation. So I was eagerly anticipating the end of the Spring Semester. My friend Laurie had flown in on Thurs and was staying with another friend and so she come over on Sunday afternoon. Rich and Marcy made it up in the later evening and Ryan's friend Aaron flew in from Texas. It was very exciting. We had some wine and goofed around and played Karaoke. You could feel every one's excitement. Then Rich and Marcy really dropped the bomb and announced their engagement. I almost pissed myself...... I was just telling Ryan the day before that I secretly hoped they would get married soon. Weird. Anyways, Very awesome. I told them they should get hitched in Yosemite.

We hit the road the next day at 6am. I know what you are thinking, that it isn't possible for me to wake up that early. But I dug down deep and found the motivation to do it. It was Dan and Ryan in his truck, Laurie and me in my car, and Rich, Marcy and Aaron to follow a couple hours later. Lazy bugs. It was a really great drive. Empty roads since it was a Holiday, so getting there was fun and quick. I could really feel my excitement build once we hit the Park. The beauty is just overwhelming. I even had tears in my eyes. Funny thing though, it was very cloudy and foggy and the fog was low on the trees and made the landscape very solemn and mysterious. It was a new experience for me and was very pretty. I kept saying, "This is so crazy!". Even Half Dome was shrouded and couldn't be seen.

Once we made into the Park and to our campsite I was practically jumping for joy. I couldn't hold it in. However, when it started to rain my mood changed drastically. I was PISSED!!! I mean WTF? I had waited so long for this and now it was raining and sooo cold. This isn't the Yosemite I know and love. What was going on here? That Mother Earth, she can be a real biotch. SO what choice did we have but set up and get going. Jeff and his girl, Aly, joined up with us like 5 minutes after we arrived. While we set up Rich, Marcy, and Aaron showed up. All that remained was my elusive friend Shawn Dugan. He showed HOURS later. So we all hiked Mirror Lake and the horse shit trail. That was fun. Then I tried to kill myself and waded into the freezing river. brrr. What a big first day. Sheesh. We ended up hanging around the campsite and eating food and singing songs...."Fire Danger Warning....."

The Next Day, Aaron met a few young studs and left for Half Dome at 6am while we all slept. After waking and eating pancakes for breakfast, we went (minus Aaron) and hiked our first hike to Bridalveil Falls. In the rain. We all got soaked but it was a crazy easy hike. Then we headed over to Lower Yosemite Falls. That was a lot of fun and all of us (minus Danny) did some dangerous bouldering along the rocks where a big sign was posted "CLIMBING ON ROCKS IS DANGEROUS. " So with that, we all jumped the wall and off we went, looking for danger and death. Well Death seemed to elude us but it was pretty dangerous.

The following day Dan and I headed out for a big hike to the top of Nevada Falls. 6.5 miles. We started out on the Mist Trail which runs along the river and is pretty much 2.5 miles of stairs. I am not gonna lie, it was tough and slow going. But, oh man, was it beautiful!!!! I had been telling Dan that I want to hike Nevada Falls since I had never done it before. I had hiked Vernal Falls and that is along the same trail. Dan had never done either so it was really great getting to see him fascinated by it. Its so amazing and I saw the biggest rainbow ever. The sun peaked through a few times. While we hiked we seemed to be on the opposite side of the storm and so we got very lucky and had a rain free hike for the first 5 miles. It hailed a little and sprinkled but nothing too crazy. I only had to put on my poncho a couple of times.

When we made it to Vernal Falls we took a little snack break. It was nice sitting together and feeling good about getting there and just being able to enjoy our surroundings. It was too bad that no one hiked with us to enjoy it. I really think Ryan would have loved it but we heard later that everyone went for a bike ride and had tons of fun.

After eating we hit the trail again. I was really excited because this was a new hike for me. We stopped at Emerald Pool and took some video. Then we hit to road. This part was more trail for around a half mile. It was a nice break, then we got to the rock stair/road that became all switchbacks. UGH. I was pretty tired by that point but I was determined to make it to the top. Plus the view while hiking was phenomenal and so it made it worth every step.

We chatted a little to an older woman who looked around 55 or so. I thought if she can make it, so can I. At the top we rested again. Whew, I was grateful for the break and to be at the top. A few more feet down the trail and we made to the Top of Nevada Falls. WHAT A VIEW!!!! Unbelievable, it really took our breath away. no really, i was tired. Hanging over the edge of the Falls was SOOO scary and COLD! We got some pics and I think Dan may have gotten a video. It was very intense. I felt very liberated and proud of myself. I had originally intended on training before going to Yosemite but never did. I completely blazed this trail though and felt really good about it. We ended up taking the John Muir trail back and hit a little patch of snow. It was around 4 miles back to the trail head. We took our time and stopped often and took pics and hugged. I had wanted other people to go with us, but in the end it felt really good to be there alone with Danny. It was like we got to share this really special experience together and gave us time to reconnect. It was really nice.

When we got back to camp, we met up with everyone except Dugan who was out hiking Upper Yosemite Falls to Yosemite Point, so we all went to have dinner at Degnan's since it was pouring rain and we were all sick of it. It was nice to be inside. then the sun came out and we all went shopping and back to camp. We rearranged the camp to make it more suitable if another downpour came through. Then Dan build a great big and warm fire which we all loved. Sadly Rich and Marcy had to leave and we said our sad goodbyes, Marcy had to go back to work. Work Blows. We again made jokes and had beer. KING COBRA, and threw some potatoes on the fire. Dugan showed at at 9 and then the party got started. Around 1030 the ranger came over and scolded us for being so loud. oops. We all then went to bed.

The next morning bright and early we packed up and went to breakfast and hit the road. It was a sad departure. Especially since it was CRAZY SUNNY! It was a sad drive home but it was nice when we walked in the door. Nothing sad about coming home to San Francisco.

Math Blows

So my awesome Math Prof. Chen thought it was brilliant to give his students a take home quiz on chapter 6 and 7. This may sound very exciting but in reality where the math haters live it totally sucked. I had to FLY to San Diego and have my superhero friend Scott save me from certain peril. Well, at least a certain D grade. So Thanks Scott, and I am dedicating this A to you buddy!!!!!

a party tale

So I am turning a new leaf. Well, a year older anyways. The big 3-0. Geezas. Time flies when you're doing all you can to survive your awkward, miserable childhood. At least my time has. Its all downhill from now on. I might as well jump off the Golden Bridge. Er, well, maybe not. So instead I think I will throw a party. Check the Details and go. Oh and bring lots of gifts. I prefer Bling and a Rolls Royce. I'm kidding people. Sheesh can't you take a friggin joke?! I only want Bling.

AUGUST 9th 2008
7:00 PM
1114 Harwich Drive,
San Marcos, CA 92069


CLICK ME FOR WISH LIST

FREE TIBET

(04-07) 18:31 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- Three demonstrators scaled cables near the south tower of the Golden Gate Bridge today and unfurled banners intended to draw attention to Chinese human rights violations in Tibet.

The protest by Students for a Free Tibet came the day before the Olympic Torch is to arrive in San Francisco for its only North American stop before this summer's games in Beijing.

The protesters, two men and a woman, scaled the cables around 10:30 a.m., and unfurled two banners around 11:20 a.m. One banner read, "One World, One Dream, Free Tibet 08," a play on the official slogan of this year's Olympic Games, "One World, One Dream." The other read simply, "Free Tibet."

The protesters also hung two Tibetan flags.

The activists used climbing gear to reach a spot 150 feet over the roadway and 370 feet above the water. They rappelled down about 1 p.m. and were arrested by California Highway Patrol officers. Iron workers will remove the banners and flags, authorities said.

California Highway Patrol spokeswoman Mary Ziegenbein said police arrested another four activists who did not scale the cables.

Bridge manager Kary Witt said cameras are trained on the span, but that authorities at first hadn't realized that protesters were about to climb the cables because they wore "ordinary" clothing and pushed a baby stroller. Their "Team Tibet" T-shirts were covered, and their banners and climbing gear were disguised by the stroller, he said.

Witt said the group came down after he went out with a bullhorn and pleaded with them. He told the activists that they were posing a danger to themselves and bridge employees.

It took the group an hour to get down, Witt said, partly because the female protester got caught in one of the banners and needed help getting untangled.

Arrested were Mac Sutherlin, 30, of Sausalito; Hannah Strange, 29, of Oakland; Duane Martinez, 27, of Sausalito; Alexandra Taub, 22, of Vancouver; Thomas Parkin, 38, of San Francisco; Tashi Sharzur, 47, of San Mateo; and Leslie Kaup, 31, of St. Paul, Minn. All were booked on suspicion of felony conspiracy and misdemeanor causing a public nuisance, the CHP said.

Sutherlin, Strange and Martinez, the three who climbed the cables, were also booked on suspicion of misdemeanor trespassing, the CHP said.

Yangchen Lhamo, a Tibetan American who lives in San Francisco, said Students for a Free Tibet hopes to persuade the International Olympic Committee to keep the torch out of Tibet this summer. It is scheduled to pass through Tibet on June 19-21.

Lhamo said the group planned other protests Tuesday and Wednesday that she said would be peaceful. On Tuesday, there will be an alternative torch event, the celebration of the Tibetan Freedom Torch, beginning at 11 a.m. at United Nations Plaza in San Francisco.

A number of visitors who were prevented from crossing the bridge for several hours appeared to take the protest in stride. Cincinnati resident Jim Hayden, 62, who is visiting San Francisco for the first time, said he was well aware of the city's reputation for political activity.

"If they're going to do it, do it here," Hayden said. "These people have their point of view, and find very strange ways to express them."

and our newest addition..

Please welcome our roommate Ryan to the pad. He is a super good roommate and lots of fun and keeps me entertained when Dan isnt around and well, even when he is.. check it out.

the City of Angels..

So for Spring Break I went to LA to visit Curtis, Renee, and my newest nephew Luke. I stayed for almost a week. It was great. I got to relax, sleep in (as of I dont so that already), spend time with Renee, and really get to know my nephew. I fell completely in love with him! He has so many faces, and cute noises, and I gave him around 3 nicknames!!! One eyed jack, when he's sleepy, Wiggle Worm, when he's curious, and Button Baby, cos he's cute as a button. I wonder which one will stick.... I am sure when he is 25 he prolly won't like his Auntie Cat calling him Button Baby. So, thats the one that will stick!!! Unfortunately I didnt get to hang with Curtis cos he had to work. Well, next time I will try to stay for the weekend. Thanks for putting me up!!!

After many moons

So after having some technical difficulties I am back on the Blog Wagon. I will start with a few weeks ago. Dan and I finally go the chance to hit the slopes in North Tahoe. I has been waiting all season to go and then Dan got a rare 4 days off and Curtis suggestion we get the hell out of Dodge. (what does that even mean?) Anyway, SO we were totally pumped and Ryan helped my pick out a killer Burton jacket and I may not know what I am doing on the mountain but dammit, im gonna look good doing it. I decided that I should take an official snowboarding lesson. Danny has always taught and helped me in the past, but I wanted him to be able to enjoy himself also! So I didn't really learn anything new but I had a really good time and it only took me around an hour to get down the freakin bunny slope. I know, Pathetic! But i really dont want to hit a tree. I took Jonathan's advice and "look where you want to go" but my body wouldnt follow my head!!! So I was forced to put out some killer moves I like to call "The Pinwheel". See video. Anyway, It was intoxicating and I met a few people and then felt completely exhausted and fell asleep on a lift while waiting for Danny. I wish I could go everyday.....

at&t

Dan and I just signed up for at&t internet services and will resume regularly scheduled blogging shortly. We have been experiencing technical difficulties. Thank you for your patience.

I want to win

www.winthetop20.com/index.php?Plink=L1205538965411396791

Math Exam #2

ok so tomorrow is my next big math exam. im sort of ready. i mean I called Curtis and asked him about the Max or Min value of Functions. Im not too great on that one. 1+ x2, anyone? yeah well, we shall see. Also Dan and I are finally headed for the slopes this weekend. Our first romantic rendezvous ( i have NO idea how to spell that) in a long time. I got an awesome outfit to wear also. So I may be a bad snowboarder but at least I will look good doing it!!!! Oh and a super hot fireman flirted with me today. God knows, I was on fire! ;0)

A night at the Oscars

So last night was the big night. When all the big stars are dressed in Gucci, Prada, Armani, and sometimes homemade Swan. Well every year my sis, Amanda, and I vote on who will win and we bet something like a dinner or movie. I won last year. woot woot. So i was telling my new roomate Ryan about it. and He wanted in. The bet...1000 pennies. so the wheels in my head started spinning, which they rarely do and I thought hey, maybe other peeps will want in on the action. In all, Laurie, Luke, Cherise, Ryan, Carrissa, and Amanda all threw down. IT was a good beginning with most of us winning the first catagory. But as the night progressed I become concerned. I had only 4 wins. Laurie was at 6, and Ryan going string at 7. However, Luke was sadly at 1. LOL. poor kid. Ryan was feeling pretty good, I wasnt. But still the night was young. I had a losing streak of around 4 in a row. I started bargaining with Ryan, since he lives in my house I should take a cut. 60/40 seemed fair. but he wouldnt respond. 70/30? 80/20? ok ok, 100/0. I will take 100 and he can have 0. Well, little did we know that I would make a strong comeback and win the game with 12. Sweet Victory. Here are the final standings:

Cat 12
Ryan 10
Laurie 9
Cherise 9
Amanda 8
Carissa 7
and Luke 3...my bad.

To the victor goes the spoils. as they say.

I would like to say Thank you to my friends, Ryan for upping the stakes, My best friend and husband, Danny. and to God, without him, I wouldnt be here.

Since it's no longer a secret....

FAA wants to know if go! pilots fell asleep

By The Honolulu Advertiser
The Federal Aviation Administration has opened an investigation into whether two go! airlines pilots fell asleep during a flight from Honolulu to Hilo last Wednesday.

Go! Flight 1002 was headed for Hilo Airport around 10 a.m. but overshot the airport by 15 miles before returning to land safely.

FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said yesterday the agency has opened an investigation.

"We're investigating whether the pilot and co-pilot of a Feb. 13 go! airlines flight fell asleep while the plane was in the air between Honolulu and Hilo," Gregor said.

Joe Bock, a spokesman for go!, said the company is conducting its own investigation.

Gregor said the FAA plans to interview the pilots of the 214-mile flight. Under FAA rules, they could be subject to a warning, suspension or license revocation depending on the findings.

A radar track of the flight provided by the website www.flightaware.com shows the plane remained at 21,000 feet as it flew past Hilo before returning to the airport.

Air traffic controllers, which had been tracking the plane by radar, were unable to reach the plane for 25 minutes, according to a report by KGMB-TV.

Complaints of pilot fatigue are not new to go!'s parent company, Phoenix-based Mesa Air Group.

In 2006, Dallas television station WFAA-TV reported that pilot schedules at Mesa's mainland operations were so tight that many pilots were flying exhausted and some were forced to camp in their aircraft.

Last year, the Mesa unit of the Air Line Pilots Association complained that staff shortages hurt morale and affected Mesa's operations on the U.S. mainland.

Go!, which began flying in Hawaii in June 2006, is the state's fourth largest carrier. The company flies 50-seat Bombardier CRJ-200 aircraft.

Local pilots say that most commercial flights between Honolulu and Hilo have an autopilot function that can set the plane's route, altitude and speed. The autopilot also controls the aircraft's descent when it approaches an airport.

But toward the end of the flight, the pilot needs to manually set a lower altitude for landing. Failure to do this would mean that the plane would continue past its landing point, which may have occurred on Flight 1002, the local pilots said.

FAA officials could not recall the last time they investigated an off-course airliner in Hawaii.

In 1988, the FAA investigated a Hawaiian Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu that strayed 200 miles off course.

The DC-8 aircraft corrected its course and landed safely. Hawaiian said at the time that pilots had informed radio air traffic controllers that they were having navigational problems. No one was hurt.

babies r us

Yesterday my brother Curtis and his freakin awesome wife Renee welcomed their first son, Luke, into the world. He is sooo adorable. I am planning on visiting him in March. Here's a pic!!!

Quote of the Day

"Oh my god!"
-Danny while watching Cat eat shit, go flying towards the ground at 50 miles per hour, and slam her head on the floor.

sweet geezas

I got a freakin A on my first math exam. hell yes.

a new adventure in exercise

Ok so I have been off and on with exercising the past oh say 7 years. Recently I got back on the horse and really had been dedicated but then got sick. and thought I was dying so the exercise promptly stopped. Well today was my big day and I started with jump roping. I read in my Women's magazine 15 minutes to fitness guide that a good cardio session is to jump rope for 15 mins and do strength training after for 15 mins. well at around 12 mins of hop hop hop i fell the ground exhausted. I thought my heart was going to explode. Geezas. Im out of shape but man, jumping rope kicks ass. I highly recommend it.

WTF?

I drove all the over to class and no one was in the freakin parking lot. GRRRR. the teacher could have mentioned on Tuesday that we celebrate Holidays 4 days early!!!! Stupid....

Sweet Victory

With money bet on the Giants I thought for sure they'd lose. Yet, in one of the greatest of upsets of all time, they brought the big guns and won. therefore, so did my wallet.

A Giant upset

NFL.com

It was over when ..Eli Manning threw a 13-yard, go-ahead touchdown to Plaxico Burress with 35 seconds remaining in the game, completing a 12-play, 83-yard drive in which the Giants converted three third downs. The Patriots had one-last gasp, but Tom Brady's desperation pass on fourth down fell incomplete.

Game ball
Manning led the winning drive and was well deserving of the MVP award. But were it not for a couple of huge plays by receiver David Tyree, the Giants might not have been in position to overtake the Patriots in the fourth quarter. In addition to catching Manning's first touchdown pass, Tyree caught a critical 32-yard desperation pass on a third-and-5 on the Giants' final drive. On the play, Manning managed to escape intense pressure from New England only to get free and complete the pass over the middle of the field to an outstretched Tyree. Four plays later, Burress caught the winning touchdown.

Key stat
The Giants pressured Brady all game, never letting him get into a rhythm. Led by defensive end Justin Tuck (two sacks, six tackles, one forced fumble), the Giants sacked Brady five times.

Super Bowl

I have 15 bucks on the Giants to win it. I may have signed a contract with the Devil.

There Will Be Blood

Dan and I saw this movie recently and Holy crap, its good. See it. really. see it. I am pleasantly surprised to see its nominated for an Academy Award. Especially since last year was full of crap movies. Daniel Day Lewis does not disappoint. He, as always performs just as good as the best Hollywood and Bollywood, for that matter, has to offer. He is a great actor and the movie was really awesome. Dan didnt even fall asleep. SO there you go.

Danny Johnston Flies Away

So today Dan left to go to work on the morning flight out of SFO to OGG. He starts his shift at 1400 OGG time. Halfway there his flight TURNED around. Something silly like and engine failure light...... ok so maybe not so silly. Everything was fine and they landed safely back in SFO. But that meant Dan had to catch the next flight out to HNL. So lets add this up......2 hours out, 2 hours back, plus 5.5 hours out again....thats 9.5 hours. um, couldn't he have flown to Toyko by then? well anyway, he has to work once he gets there. What a long day............

Just to make it clear.

i HATE math. it is my enemy and if i could i would bitch slap it back handed in the face.

The Loss of a hottie...

Now the world is a little uglier. Its very depressing.

Heath Ledger found dead in New York

Police have confirmed that sleeping pills were discovered near the body of Australian actor Heath Ledger, 28, when he was found dead in a Manhattan apartment today.

New York Police Department deputy commissioner Paul Browne said the Oscar-nominated actor's body was found naked and face-down on the floor of his bedroom by a housekeeper about 3.30pm Tuesday (7.30am Melbourne time).

''There were pills within the vicinity of the bed,'' Mr Browne said.

But he stressed that pills were not scattered around Ledger's body, as had been previously reported.

"There were some prescription medications that included sleeping pills," he said.

The 28-year-old actor, who had reportedly been ill with pneumonia, had an appointment for a massage at the apartment, which is believed to be his home in Soho in Manhattan.

The housekeeper went to tell Ledger the masseuse had arrived and found him naked and unconscious at the foot of his bed.

Ledger's former fiancee, Brokeback Mountain co-star Michelle Williams - the mother of his two-year-daughter Matilda - was reported to be ''devastated'' by his death and had boarded a flight to New York.

Representatives of the actor's family said police had advised them his death was accidental, the TMZ.com website reported.

The site said representatives had made contact to say Ledger's family was particularly distraught over media speculation that he may have taken his own life. He was not that kind of person, the family said.

Ledger's Californian attorney, John LaViolette, could not be contacted this morning.

A spokeswoman at his office said he was currently on a plane.

"I'm sorry, we can't talk about this now, we're too upset," she said, before ending the phone call.

Ledger's death comes during the making of his latest film, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, directed by Terry Gilliam and in which he was to star alongside Christopher Plummer and Tom Waits.

Ledger was an Oscar nominee for his role in Brokeback Mountain and had numerous other screen credits.

He played a heroin addict in Candy, the suicidal son of Billy Bob Thornton in Monster's Ball and had starring roles in A Knight's Tale and The Patriot.

His most recent role was in I'm Not There, in which he played one of the many incarnations of singer Bob Dylan - as did Cate Blanchett, whose performance in that film earned her an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress.

What if

Whatif by Shel Silverstein

Last night, while I lay thinking here,
some Whatifs crawled inside my ear
and pranced and partied all night long
and sang their same old Whatif song:
Whatif I'm dumb in school?
Whatif they've closed the swimming pool?
Whatif I get beat up?
Whatif there's poison in my cup?
Whatif I start to cry?
Whatif I get sick and die?
Whatif I flunk that test?
Whatif green hair grows on my chest?
Whatif nobody likes me?
Whatif a bolt of lightning strikes me?
Whatif I don't grow talle?
Whatif my head starts getting smaller?
Whatif the fish won't bite?
Whatif the wind tears up my kite?
Whatif they start a war?
Whatif my parents get divorced?
Whatif the bus is late?
Whatif my teeth don't grow in straight?
Whatif I tear my pants?
Whatif I never learn to dance?
Everything seems well, and then
the nighttime Whatifs strike again!

Where did we go?

Ok so its been a very long time since i have blogged. Frankly, I got lazy. Its true. i just didnt care anymore. But I have a renewed interest. I start school tomorrow and well thats something to blog about. Recent events...in no particular order:
- went to Maui for 3 weeks
-flew to San Diego for Halloween
-met my new nephew Logan
-got kidney stones
-almost threw up on myself watching the Chargers vs Colts game

see, nothing too crazy, but I suppose blog worthy. I shall be steadfast in the future.