Thanksgiving / Lord of the Rings Movie Marathon Day 2

Once again like yesterday I woke up early and surprising not too hung over from the night before. I got up around 8ish and folks were still sleeping. I took a shower and by the time I got ready most of the folk were up and about. I made breakfast for everyone, eggs, potatoes, bacon, sausage and oj. While we ate breakfast we watched Galaxy Quest (several in our party had not seen it) and it's become a movie marathon tradition. After the movie and breakfast Leslie had to take off leaving us with 12 party goers.

After the movie everyone got in a quick game of extreme bocce ball. Leo was not feeling so hot so he left leaving us with 11 folks - Me, Jes, Chris, Scott, Aaron, Anthony, Ashphord, Luis, Anne, Nicki and Jen.

We finally sat down to start Lord of the Rings The Two Towers Extended Edition. Again we did the drinking game but since it was early and most of use didn't want to start drinking until later, we would just all yell out "Ring" or "Precious" and not really drink or drink soda or water. At the halfway point we took a break to prepare lunch (BBQ). Jen and Chris headed out to pick up some supplies. Jes BBQ burgers and hot dogs. During this time two more joined us Jennifer and her husband Matthew. I showed them around the house as folks ate lunch. Jen and Chris returned from "shopping" and Chris had a surprise for me. He purchased a set of bocce balls for me. So we now have our own set that we can play anytime.

We started back with The Two Towers second disc. Once that was done we took a break and folks started drinking again. When we started Lord of the Rings The Return of the King Extended Edition the drinking game was back on. Again like before this movie is on two disc so when disc one was over we stopped and took a breather before starting up disc two.

Return of the King finished around 9:30pm and our Lord of the Rings movie marathon was over.. but the party was far from it. We said our good byes to Jen, Anne, Nicki, Jennifer and Matthew. Leaving 7 to party on - Me, Scott, Chris, Ashphord, Anthony, Jes and Luis.

Now the drinking games began. We first did a few round of beer pong, we played teams and it was a blast but at this time it was 11pm and even though I live in a more secluded area I still have neighbors so we moved the party inside and started to play quarters. Well that quickly became a disaster as quarter were flying everyone and I think we started with 14 quarters and ended up with four or five. I'm sure as I cleaning I'm going to be finding those missing quarters. So in the end Chris mentioned a drinking card game called Asshole. And from about midnight to 3am we played Asshole and had a blast. Scott had left about halfway through the games so that left six of use but we played and played until none of us could keep our eyes open. I think Ashphord actually passed out about a half hour before we finished playing.

So the second day comes to an end. Once again I was nice and drunk. Got to play lots of fun games. Got to finally hang out with Jennifer and her husband Matthew. Watched several great movies. Made some very cool memories that I will never forget. Got even closer to this group of people that I just adore and love to dead.. couldn't have asked for a better two days.. and the best thing is we still have one more to go.

You can check out more pictures HERE

 

Thanksgiving / Lord of the Rings Movie Marathon Day 1

Today started early.. got up around 6:30am, was just too excited to sleep. I think I finally got out of bed around 8am and both Jes and Chris were just getting up. We finished up things around the house. Chris ran to the store to pick up some last minute supplies. Once he was back he and Jes started to make deviled eggs while I cleaned up a bit. Chris and I then moved my big TV to the dining room and proceeded to set up my surround sound (which I normally don't have hooked up). We relaxed a bit and around 10:30am Chris and I started to prep the Turkey. It was a 23 pounder, largest turkey that I have ever cooked. It must have been pretty funny for Jes watching Chris and I butter the turkey and prepare it, we make a good team. But by 11am it was ready to go and into the oven it went for five hours.

At this time Aaron, Anthony and Ashphord showed up then Leslie, Nicki and Anne. It was now noon and folks were pretty much just chatting, snacking and we decided to watch Elf. After the movie, Leo showed up with his bocce ball set and the guys wanted to go out and play so the ladies stayed inside and watched Never Been Kiss. More guests arrived Luis, Scott and Jen.

So our party was up to 13 - Me, Chris, Scott, Leslie, Jen, Jes, Anne, Nicki, Aaron, Anthony, Ashphord, Leo and Luis.

Once the movie and bocce ball or as I like to call it extreme bocce ball games were over everyone headed in as it was time for dinner (4pm).

I had come in a little earlier to finish prepping all the side for dinner. Folks brought cranberry sauce, mash potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, rolls, and at the request of Chris I made mac and cheese and Ashphord made collard greens. Chris and I carved the turkey and dinner was ready.

Everyone grabbed a plate and attacked the food. As we started our dinner we started to watch Lord of the Rings The Fellowship of the Rings Extended Edition. Chris started a drinking game and every time we heard "Ring" or "Precious" we had to drink. (he later came to regret starting this game :) ) At the halfway point (these movies are on two discs) we took about a half hour break and checked out the stars on my back porch.

Once we finished FOTR my buddy Chris had brought his beer pong table and set it up to play some games. I actually played my first ever game of beer pong and beat my friend Chris... it was pretty fun.  We took lots of fun pictures (some that will never see the light of day), we started a massage train, did shots, laughed alot, watched Chris walk around in his crushed velvet royal purple blanket... good times were had. Around midnight/1am we called it a night.. I think between drinking all day and the food coma we couldn't keep our eyes open.

So the first day has come to an end. It was pretty awesome. I wanted to give those who didn't have family to celebrate Thanksgiving with a family (of friends) to celebrate with and I think it was a success. I got drunk and had a blast... Fellowship of the Rings is my favorite of the 3 movies so that made it even more special and my friend Jes made actual Lembas bread with fabricated leaves.. these were EPIC!!!

But for me the best part of the day and this weekend is spending time with the people I care about most. This group of friends is unlike any other group of friends that I have every had. And I am so Thankful for each and everyone of them.

You can check out more pictures HERE

Happy Thanksgiving

Today I headed out to my Mom's for Thanksgiving. Joining my dad, brother, sister-in-law, nephew, aunt, uncle, cousins and grandmother. She lives down in Newport (Balboa Island) so it's a nice trek to get down there. It's always nice hanging out with family. Of course I don't get to see them as much as I would like so when I can it's always special. Had a great Turkey dinner and spent about six hours with them.

Afterwards my buddies Jes and Chris traveled down from northern California for my Thanksgiving / Lord of the Rings movie marathon starting tomorrow. Since the live so far away they traveled down a day earlier and stayed with me. So around 8:30 they showed up and we hung out for a few hours visiting before heading to bed. I'm so excited for this upcoming three day event!!

Planning my Trip to the UK

So I put a call out to all my England and Ireland friends out there in the twitter and facebook world asking if anyone had a couch that I could crash on for a few days while on my 3 week vacation to the UK. My plan is to spend the first two weeks in England and then fly over to Ireland for my remaining week.

I got a few friends offering up couches and spare rooms and I pretty much have mid to southern England covered. Still looking for a place to stay in Scotland. Of course I'm not opposed to a hotel. But since I'm currently jobless and living off of unemployment and savings I'm trying to keep costs down. That brings me to another question that I put out there to all my Twitter and Facebook followers... should I be taking this trip since I'm jobless.  I got about 27 "Got for it!!" and 2 "Stupid idea". Many of them said.. "you only live once". I've never traveled outside the US, I've always been busy with work or other circumstances kept me from traveling. I'm now 41, single and not working. This is the perfect time to travel. I'm tired of being responsible all the time. I've been responsible for as long as I can remember. I want to fulfill a dream of mine and travel to England/Ireland and then eventually to Europe (2013 I hope). I'm not an idiot, I have savings and won't let my mortgage fall. But if I can set aside a few thousand for this trip, I'm going to do it. I may struggle a bit when I get back financially but I'm resourceful and will find a job and earn some money. I'm still hopeful to find a job in January and work until May.. that would be ideal.


I plan on renting a car and driving myself around the country.. figured it would be cheaper then taking trains/buses and such. Also it allows me to travel at my leisure. I'm a bit worried about driving on the wrong side of the road but if I can handle Los Angeles traffic I can handle anything. I checked prices and they aren't too bad. To rent a car in England for two weeks it will cost me 212.16 pounds which is currently $340 dollars. Which isn't bad in my opinion. I would of course have to rent another car in Ireland and figure it would cost about half that for one week. so total car rental is about $500, current plane tickets are about $800 so that's $1300, leaving me $700 for food, gas, hotel (if needed) and spending money. It will be tight but if I plan things out well I can make it stretch.

I hope to book my plane ticket in early December then I can start actually planning the trip. Who I'm staying with, for how long, what I want do while there.. you know all the fun stuff.

I'm extremely excited to actually be doing this. It's awesome to actually fulfill one of your life's dream

Blue markers are where friends live and offer my places to stay.

Parties & Podcasts

It's funny,  I have a love hate relationship with my podcasts. I love doing them but sometimes I hate editing them. Well today was a good day. I got up and was full of energy. I rearrange all my furniture for my upcoming Thanksgiving / Lord of the Rings movie marathon. Since I have about 20 folks coming my TV room is too small to accommodate for everyone so I moved my dining table against the wall and rearrange all my chairs and couches to face the front door where I'll be moving my TV. I did it this way for my Star Wars Marathon and it seemed to go over petty well.

After that I cleaned the kitchen and guest room but still had my master bedroom and master bath but instead I was motivated to edit the next MASH 4077 Podcast which isn't due to be released until Dec. 1st. Now if you follow my blog you know I have struggled with the last two MASH podcasts and edited them on the actual day they were due to be released. So when I got the urge I dropped everything and jumped on them. I actually got it completely done and even started the next Confessions of a Fangirl podcast. Still have to finish that and do a Knights of the Guild podcast before the 1st of December. And I'm waiting for my brother to record our first Alien Nation podcasts. His wife is about to give birth to their daughter (my niece) any day now so he wants to be close and I don't blame him. I live about an hour and a half way from him. She's due any day now so once she has the baby will be able to take a few hours and record a few episodes. I still hope to get the first episode out sometime in December.

My Dream House

I came across this article yesterday and was just amazed by this house. I've seen other houses done in the "hobbit" style but this one is by far the best looking and my favorite. This is truly my dream house. I would totally love to have a house just like this.

Not only is the house amazing but it was built for hardly no money. Of course they did all the work themselves and were carpentars but still it's an amazing looking house.

Here is the link to the original story LINK

I've attached some pixs to this blog but there are more on the site so be sure to check it out.