Updated list of Summer Fun

Well, it's been a tumultuous week. I've been playing a lot of D&D (yes, Ronnie did convince me to play it) and hanging out with Jack, Ryan, Mike B, and Ronnie. We weren't able to go camping last weekend, so I have to change my list. But that's okay though! I did lots of other productive things, and I can cross off things that I won't be able to do. I've also added things to this wondrous list. The things I am unable to do are italicized and those I have done will either be crossed out or bolded. For right now, they're bolded because the strikethrough html isn't working.

My dad promised me that sometime next week we can go fishing!! I still need to get my license, and Ronnie needs to also.

Ronnie's been playing this weird game called Culdcept Saga on his 360 and I don't really like it. It's kind of like Monopoly, except that you put creatures down on squares and opponents can either battle them or pay the toll. I just had to put that on here because it's the most boring game to watch. Ever.

In my spare time I've been killing random Sims and their pets in order to make the best graveyard ever on one of the lots. The best part? When Sims don't mourn the gravesites, harmless ghosts walk around the house and scare those living there. Cheap thrills.

As far as D&D goes, it isn't so bad. Honestly. It's not larping (thank goodness) but it's also not a board game. It's hard to explain, but I think it's okay. Right now I'm just learning (as is everyone else for the most part) so I'll give the final word later. I'm just excited to have a pet camel named Humphrey! I feel kind of nerdy right now....just a little bit.

So I've decided what I'm going to do career-wise. I'm going to be an archaeologist. A classical archaeologist, preferably. There's a good chance I'll end up working for the (U.S.) government in CRM - Cultural Resource Management. In order to get most archaeology jobs, one needs to have a master's degree in archaeology, usually from a field school. It'll take an extra 1-3 years, but it'll be worth it. Plus, it helps that I love my arch book already. I'm way past my goal of three chapters - I think I'm on chapter five!

1. Go fishing at least three times
2. Go camping (uncrossed out)
   
3. Visit Caitlyn in Sparta
4. Go canoing in Madison
5. Go to Summerfest
6. Go to Lollapalooza (or at least go to see Muse)
7. Take the dogs to the beach
   
8. Visit the Wind Point lighthouse and have a romantic date with Ronnie
9. Go to Six Flags
10. Go to the drive-up A&W
11. Read my archeology book (at least three chapters)
12. Go to the Dells
13. Get super tan
14. Ride bikes with Ronnie
    
15. Do the Danskin Triathlon - I have to work that day!
    
16. Watch the fireworks downtown
17. Watch the fireworks in OC
18. See Body Worlds
19. Go to the art museum
    
20. Go to the Majestic theater in Brookfield
21. Get in shape
    
22. See Amish people (maybe at Katie's?)
23. Swim in Katie's pool at Hilldale Towers
24. Go to Ikea
25. Learn "Hard to Concentrate" on bass
26. Complete the online assignments for the Leadership Certificate
27. Get engaged
28. Have a spa day with mom
29. Go somewhere out of the state (like, idk, New Mexico or Oklahoma?)
30. Finish off two the Grisham books I haven't read
31. Read/Begin the Count of Monte Cristo
32. (NEW) Finish at least four books total (one of which must be Wuthering Heights)
33. (NEW) Go to Mayfair
34. (NEW) Learn a song on my guitar
    
35. (NEW) Go mini golfing
36. (NEW) Try a new food and like it

Summer thus far

After doing some planning, I've decided to cross out those things which I have done. Just for fun. Because I'm bored. And I think I'll just keep reposting it. Because I can.

2. Go camping -- Friday May 23rd

Today Ronnie and I played basketball with the Malicki brothers, Jack, Mikel, and Ryan. Needless to say, no matter which team I ended up on, they were doomed to lose. I don't think anyone cared though. Afterwards everyone but Dan and Bob came over and grilled out at Ronnie's. I made mashed potatoes! It was nice seeing all those guys again. In fact, Jack, Ronnie, and I plan on going camping with whoever else ends up coming this Friday. We'll either take Ronnie's camper or my tent (which broke a little bit in the wind last year). Hilariously my brother invited him over to cook out on Friday afternoon with Chad, my cousin, but didn't invite me. I don't care, I just thought it was funny since my brother, boyfriend, and cousin will be there.

The other day I thought about getting a mouse as a pet. Just a little guy! Jack, Ronnie, and I went to the pet store to get feeder mice for Jack's snake and they were really cute! The only bad thing was that they only live a week or so. Now that would be a crappy pet. It's too bad though, since I still have hamster stuff that I'm sure a baby mouse would enjoy.

It looks like I'm going to be seeing a lot of youngins this summer. Ronnie's neighbors, Noah, Drew, Abby, and Natalie, have already started coming next door and ringing the doorbell asking us to come out and play. Plus, there's Alexis who's going to be baptized at the end of the month. And not to mention how many kids I work with at Parks and Rec. To be honest, I like seeing Ronnie interact with all these kids. He's really good with them.

Remember how much I want to go to Branson, Missouri? Well, I mentioned it to all the guys today and it turns out that Mikel's family is going there in June. Ridic? I know! His family has a timeshare thing there so I might actually go with Ronnie et.al. this summer! Yay for Silver Dollar City!

Ronnie and I made smoothies yesterday and they were delicious, so we decided to make more today. Of course, using an old school blender that we broke the day before, and putting in frozen strawberries, we broke it beyond repair. Triste. Of course I left mine in Madison. I remembered thinking that we could make smoothies at his house. Well, I'm glad that worked for at least the first week of summer. So it goes. (any K.V. fans out there?)

So all night Ronnie has been trying to convince me to pick up a new hobby. What hobby? Dungeons and Dragons. And of course, it was parodied on Family Guy tonight while Lois and Peter about about to have relations. Ridiculous. I can't even think about it right now since I have to leave early tonight and take my mom to work at 7 am. Fortunately my dad has been nice enough to take her these past two days, but I think he's tired of doing it for me so that I can have a car. But back to the subject, D&D is so stereotyped that I don't know if I even want to go there. But, I do hear that they need a healer....and I'd get to roll lots of dice. I'll think about it....

The last thing I would like to mention is that I am having an epic nug war with Ronnie. In an effort to make sure I don't eat too many nugs, he won't let me eat any unless I earn them. Earn them, you ask? Yes. I have to ride my bike or play basketball well to earn them. It's kind of ridiculous because everyday at lunch time I get real mad at him and he just keeps denying me nugs. It is kind of funny though. I definitely earned nugs today with my mad basketball skills. I sweated! When I go too long without that golden treasure of Wendy's, I experience withdrawal: hunger, irritability, moodiness, and overall poutiness. I guess I'm a nug addict, and it's good that Ronnie's helping. Haha. I don't want to almost break up with Ronnie everyday at 11 am. But, if I don't get my nugs....who knows what will happen.

The Ataris = love

So wayyyyy back in 8th grade I got into this band, The Ataris. Since the first time I heard San Dimas High School Football Rules, I knew I had found a band I loved. So much so that when I went to visit Elizabeth in California I made us go to Santa Barbara and visit Down on Hailey, their official store. They even practice in the back! I ended up getting a few (misspelled) bass picks that say "The Atari's" but they're official....so I guess that's okay. I also got a drumstick from the actual band since I asked to buy a new one with their name on it for Katie K and they only had used ones! Not a bad deal, they were free! Just the other day I was listening to Summer '79 I was thinking how much both the band and I have changed since 8th grade. There I was wearing a giant metal ball necklace and bracelets up to my elbow contemplating what shows I might go to. Now I'm finishing my degree at UW and their sounds are still poppish, but more mature. I'm glad they stuck to their roots, but it would be nice if some of their sounds weren't so high school.

Right now, I'm really into Looking Back on Today and All You Can Ever Learn Is What You Already Know. Good songs! You should check them out, but be sure to listen to the former in its acoustic version.

Blue Skies and Broken Flip Flops

Today I broke my favorite pair of black Old Navy $5 flip flops. I've had this pair since high school, so it is definitely a tragic day. I went down to the maintenance office and they fixed the left one with super glue, which lasted until I got upstairs and broke it again. Luckily the right one is fine, so all I need to do is track down a size 8 left flip flop in black from Old Navy. I doubt this will happen, so I'll probably have to say goodbye to this pair and start a new relationship with some new black flip flops.


On the other hand, it is a beautiful day outside. I absolutely cannot wait to go home and see Ronnie, the puppies, and my family!! I miss good ol' Rusty Bucket and Widget the Midget. I'm also excited to meet Remy, Katie K's new puppy. Perhaps the Midge and Remy will become BFF! On Thursday I finish my exams at 9:25 pm so Ronnie will be picking me up! Lucky for him I will look scrubtastic because I plan on taking my exams in my NEW APO sweatpants and a t-shirt (maybe even my APO shirt...who knows??). So all of my packing must be done before 7:45 pm tomorrow night so that he can show up and we can leave right away. On Friday my mom and I are having a girly day and hanging out since she took off of work. On Saturday my parents have a spot at the annual OC rummage sale, so I'll be helping out with that!

I'm excited for all the WEDDINGS this summer!!!!! Three so far! Ronnie and I will be going to Tom's wedding and my cousin Holly's wedding! Exciting! My mom and I volunteered (more like she volunteered me) to bartend at her coworker's wedding. Luckily, I had this lady for PEP in elementary school and we have known each other for more than 13 years! Yay!!

Margs and Nugs

Move over, french fries, I may have a new favorite food. Yes, it's true. I know it may be hard to believe, but I am quite taken by these delicious "nuggets." Clever, huh? Wendy's chicken nuggets are made by the hand of God. It's evident by the golden coating they bear that only a higher power could have made them this perfect.

Now, McDonald's nugs on the other hand....much less delicious. Their odd coating and meat density do not make them a delicious treat. In fact, I would choose to eat just fries instead of them.

Liz and I had a delicious breakfast yesterday morning at McDonald's at 11:30 am consisting of a total of 20 nugs, one large fry, and a huge drink. This morning, we joined Josh for an upscale dining adventure at Wendy's, which to me, should be synonymous with Mt.Olympus (the most holy place ever, according to the Greeks). I managed to eat another meal of nugs, and it was everything I could have asked for. If only I could enjoy those delicious nugs right now....mmmm

So onto the Margs. What are margs? Why they are margaritas. Liz and I created a most delicious one from kool-aid. The recipe we invented below is for two large Pop's Cups worth (or 3 good-sized cups worth). Everybody loves them!

• .75 L water
• 3/4 tray of regular-sized ice cubes
• pre-mixed strawberry (or alternative) kool-aid flavor in powdered form - use amount necessary to make 1 qt. kool-aid
  
• splash of tequila
• splash of UV cherry

1. Add water, ice to blender
2. Pour in kool-aid powder
3. Add tequila and UV
4. The blender should be almost full, so put cap on and set to "ice crush" for about 15-20 seconds. We recommend putting a towel on top, just in case.
5. Serve and enjoy!
   

Margs and Nugs = <3

Back in the Day...

So Tommy V posted links to the old high school marching band shows. I was never one to go hang out with the band after I graduated, but it's cool reflecting back on the days when Ronnie and I had just met <3

2002 Show (my freshman year)
2003 Show (my sophomore year)
2004 Show (my junior year)
2005 Show (can't find a link yet)

Charlie's Visit

Today Liz's brother Charlie stopped by. It made me think of all of the brothers we have and how different they are.

Charlie, wants to go to Duke and he knows all about the old Brewer's logo. Apparently I am the last person on earth to pick out the "m" and "b." He likes soccer and is 17, but a junior in high school.

Steven is 19 and will be going to boot camp in July. He'll be graduating this year. From what I've heard he's changing, but he was a punk in high school. I don't mean a punk rocker, but someone who got into a lot of trouble.

Jeremy is Beth's younger brother. He's a nice guy so I gave a Jeopardy pom pom to him. He's only in 8th grade, so he's baby.

Tony is Beth's oldest brother. She never talks about him, so I have to assume that he's not as cool as Jeremy. He's 18, a senior, and will go to a tech school.

Scott is Steph's younger brother. He's 17 and would probably be good friends with my brother. He has long hair and I know weird information about him. I said hi to him once while he was in the shower and I think he was creeped out.

Andrew is Katie's oldest brother. He's a senior in high school also, and I don't know anything else about him. Other than last year he got a crazy disease from a cow but he's okay now.

Kevin is Katie's younger brother and he loves tacos, like Katie. He's only 10 and got in trouble in school for something he didn't do. He's visited more than any other brother.

Caitlyn has a secret brother whose name I do not know. He's 28 and a store manager at McDonalds. He is her half-brother but she loves him a lot!

Sometimes we think it would be fun to have to have a "Brother's Weekend" but then again our brothers are really different. So maybe not. But it would be hilarious.

Finals, finally

Well, it's that time again. Thank goodness for finals! They are the gateway to summer! Personally, I would take twice as many finals (which would mean only four total) if it meant that I would be on break now. I won't lie though, I will miss my friends here. I can't wait to be with Ronnie basically every day, but a whole summer without Cait and her "jag-bombs" and other similarly hilarious things? Sad face.

Ronnie said that he likes summer because it's when girls wear short skirts.

Liz likes everything about summer. Including skiing. Water-skiing, of course. She also listed about five other things that seemed like fun but I forgot to write down.

Steph is excited to makes lots of money and drive with the windows rolled down. This is probably to pick up high school guys. "Watching tennis nonstop and going to a tennis tournament" are also on her list. Maybe she'll get to meet Rafa and Feds again, like last year (see picture on right). Haha Steph you are ridic.

Melissa (me) can't wait to go fishing and take wondrous adventures throughout the state. Honestly though, it'll be nice to get away from the stress associated with school. Going home to my baby puppy and the big chunk will be so much fun! My mom took off of work on Friday (my first day of freedom!!) so we're going to have a girly day. My dad already bought the big box of freeze pops from Sam's Club, which is always a sign the summer is approaching! No pool this year though, unfortunately. Since I was the only one using it, the cost was too great to maintain it. Whatev. I'm also excited for Summerfest! I REALLY want to see Muse at Lollapalooza, but it's just too expensive, there's a wedding that weekend I'm gong to, and it's Ronnie's birthday weekend. Maybe next year? Speaking of weddings - Ronnie and I are going to TWO! Tom is getting married, and so is my cousin, Holly! I love weddings! Que fun!

To summarize, summer = fun, and school = less fun (but some fun, still). I can't wait for exams to be over so that everyone else is stress-free too. Yay for another great semester coming to an end!

Logo Secrets

So after reading the BH Shoutouts today, I discovered that the old Brewer's logo has an "M" and a "B" in it - wow. So for fun, I thought I would put up some other logos with secret things in them. Enjoy!



1. FedEx Logo: There's an arrow between the E and x. Get it? They ship things!






2. Goodwill Logo: See the "g" on goodwill? Looks happy, doesn't it?





3. Big Ten Conference Logo: Well, we all know that there aren't 10 schools...but who wants to change their name, anyway? So they put the number "11" near the "g" and "T."

4. Jazz Class Image: You should see the torso of a woman between the two figures. Probably an accident, unlike the above images.

5. Old Coca-Cola Ad: Take a very close look at the popped-out
image: see a lady about to put a pp in her mouth? Nice, Coke, nice.




Special thanks to this site and this site and this site and this site for the info and the pics.

Wow

So I was perusing Craigslist, a great place for creepers and stalkers to unite, when I went through the missed connections section for madison. Expecting hilarity, there was none. I backed out and saw a section called "misc romance" and decided to check it out. Big mistake. Not only are there categories for m4w and w4m, but there are crazy categories like m4ww and wm4t. Creepy. So I randomly picked m4ww and this was the only listing. Warning: Disturbing photos that surely violate content rules on Craigslist. Just thought I'd share. Steph, if you haven't clicked on the link above, I believe you should. lol. You'll love the description.

This is another good one. It's listed under mw4w. Yay for polygamists!

And who knows what this one is about.

At least this guy knows what he wants. Wow.

So yeah, I'm going to get back to reading/writing my supposedly one page paper. It's 3 am, so I should probably start the paper part.

Rumor has it

Sometimes when there are a lot of rumors going around, it's good to clear things up. Here is brief clarification for some of those rumors that may be causing stress.

• Can I really order Culvers and have it delivered to my house?
• Yes. They deliver to downtown Madison so long as your bill is >$25. No word on the delivery fee yet.
• Is Silver Dollar City for old people?
• No. It's for fun people who like olden-time mining fun.
• Is popcorn lung real? Does it suck?
  
• Yes. Check it out here. Eating less than three bags of popcorn each day means you are safe. For now.
  
• If I do something good, and enjoy a well conversation, do I have well grammar?
• NO. Things are good, you do things well. Learn it.
• Is Michael Jordan a jerk?
• Yes. Ronnie told me this a while ago. Apparently Mo Williams is a jerk too, according to Ronnie.
  
• Is tanning good for you?
• Yes and No. If you want nice skin when you're older, no. If the alternative is looking like a carrot, yes.
• Is Obama better than Hilary?
• No way. But he's still better than McCain.
  
• Is it normal to go to the bathroom 3 times a day?
• Apparently. See here.
• Are states really trying to lower the drinking age??
• Yes. Some states want 18, some want 19. Wisconsin is one of the states looking at lowering the age to 19, though it would be for military personnel.
  
• Is it okay to be sexiled?
• Yes. It is okay.
• Does anyone like DMB?
• Nope.
  
• Is it correct to say "I could care less"?
• No, the correct phrase is "I couldn't care less." If you don't care about something, you probably could not care any less about it.
• Is the Glue Factory in Oak Creek being torn down?
• Yes. No more ghost stories.

I hope this cleared a lot of things up.

There's no where else I'd rather be

I'm so excited to get home and see Ronnie, my dogs, and my family (in that order - haha kidding). I hope that Ronnie does work with my dad this summer so that I can see both of them more. Anyone remember the Glue Factory? Yeah, that's what Ronnie's job would entail: helping scrap it to make room for condos. It's supposedly haunted, but even scarier (according to my dad) is that homeless people go there a lot. It was recently closed down due to asbestos, but will be able to be gutted this summer. Fun stuff.

Elizabeth and I have any fun excursions planned for this summer. They will include:

• Going to Silver Dollar City
• Going to the Dells
• Going to Northwestern
  

I'm quite excited. I love Madison and Oak Creek, but it's nice to go other places sometimes. I can't wait to go to Mexico with Ronnie during winter break and then Greece next summer! Someday I'd like to make it back to Albuquerque since I haven't been there since Ronnie and I first started dating. I miss my grammy!

Under the sea....

down where it's wetter it is much better ;)

So we had Senior Prom the other day for the senior citizens living at a retirement center and the theme was "Under the Sea." After it was over, and the Prom King and Queen had been announced, we cleaned up, and Katie and I got stuck with the decorations. So Elizabeth and I put them to use and decorated the apartment with them. There will be photos, eventually.

Today we're all going to Mifflin. It's about 10:37 am, so I guess we're running kind of late. But that's based on Ashley being at Mifflin House at 10:30 for warm-ups. Elizabeth is asleep on the couch, April went to the Farmer's Market, Liz is eating a delicious blueberry muffin, and Beth is somewhere in the shower. I, am of course, writing a new post. As you can see, we're not in any hurry to get out there, though it will be fun. The other part I'm really excited for: we're going to order Culver's for lunch when we get back. Exciting!!

Seeing as we do EVENTUALLY want to make it Mifflin, I shall end this post here.