Morale Boosters at Work: The BS Approach

Picture this: my company is training for a new system (it's called PACE) that will replace all existing systems and form a solid central way of tracking, paying and doing things. It's a big undertaking and many people have been frustrated or annoyed at the prospect of learning an entirely new way to do their everyday tasks. I have seen how parts will fit together, from Sales to Purchasing and Accounting. I think it will be a great tool if everyone pulls their own weight.

That said, I find it amusing that certain people find a need to boost company morale by instituting ridiculous practices. I think most "morale boosting" in the corporate and even not so corporate sector, is Bullshit. I worked for a company where the owner insisted that you read these "self-help morale booster" type books. I read half of the first one and threw the second and third away. Why? because it was all common sense. I don't need a book to tell me how to treat my customers and what works and what doesn't. Perhaps others felt it was helpful b/c they were lacking in common sense, but I felt that it was a waste of my time.

The morale boosts I have seen are a fancy way of blowing smoke up the employee's asses and making them focus on something completely ridiculous so they won't bitch about their work or current company practices. Yes, in the end company morale does improve, but only for a short period. Then the fun is done and people eventually realize the trick and sink further into their apathetic work habits.

Let's take Lean Manufacturing; something my company is instituting right now. Basically they are flowering the ideas to get everyone on board but if you read between the lines it's basically saying that we can do the same amount of work with less employees to pay. Yes, for the company, streamlining is a money and time saver, of course this is a good plan for them. However, those employees who's positions will be cut as a result, it does not bode well and sadly, many of them don't even realize it.(so I guess it is working).

I guess in most situations, like lean manufacturing, companies try to boost morale with fancy slogans or hype of a new project because they assume the loyal employees will follow them anywhere and the others are too stupid to understand the real situation. Obviously if I owned a company I would probably be worried about the bottom line and not about losing a few dozen deadweight employees, but for sake of argument, I see it from the employee position.

My next rant on morale boosting has to do with one of THE most ridiculous I have ever seen. Seriously, you will laugh at this (I hope).

Since we are instituting the new operating system that is company wide, our sales departments (or someone in them) has decided that decorating their proceedures manual for the system would be a great way to show your pride. Are we on the High School Pep Squad? Big Geek had told me that they had a whole table set up (complete with a sign that reads "Decorate your PACE Folder Station") with glitter pens, sharpies, feathers, bedazzle-type sticker beads etc. Oh and it gets better:

The Customer Service Rep who sits next to the table MUST be the culprit because she has brightly colored paper hung on the outside of her cubicle that reads "PACE Bring it on!". She isn't even the head of the department, but she is obviously the cheerleader. Perhaps she always wanted to be a cheerleader but never got on the squad and now she is taking her dream back!

Wouldn't their time be better spent by dealing with exisiting customer's orders and finding new customers to sell to? I think all this arts and craft stuff is a major time waster and if they can do that, I will NOT feel guilty for blogging as often as I do!!

I also hear that our visual guy is coming up with a Tagline for our Lean manufacturing..."Lean on Me". That sucks and I better come up with something better: how about "Jack Sprat could eat no fat, his wife could eat no LEAN."? Yeah, I crack myself up.

Does anyone else think these practices are futile and ridiculous?

Well, I guess all I can say is, get out those gel pens and stickers and Bring it on!

Memories: The Crow 1994

Tho this is not the mood I am in today (sad and meloncholy), I had it ready to post, so here it is.

1994 was a rough year. I lost a very close friend to a car accident that year. I think that's part of the reason that I love the movie The Crow so much. It's an emotional trigger for me, probably b/c it is the first movie I saw after Jenn's death. It was released in May, I saw it a few weeks after her funeral. I remember everything about that day: the theater and even the conversations that took place on the car ride home. Despite the theme of the movie, it was and still is very therapeutic for me to watch. I felt the need to watch it the other night and thought I would share some pics and quotes from this haunting film.

"People once believed that when someone dies, a crow carries their soul to the land of the dead. But sometimes, something so bad happens that a terrible sadness is carried with it and the soul can't rest. Then sometimes, just sometimes, the crow can bring that soul back to put the wrong things right. "

PLOT SUMMARY: Eric Draven and Shelly Webster were to be married on October 31 but they were brutally assaulted and murdered the night before, all for fighting tenant eviction in a bad part of town. A year later, the Crow brings Eric's soul back to seek vengeance and to finally earn his eternal rest.


Brandon Lee (son of legend Bruce Lee) died accidentally during the filming due to a misfired blank. He was to be married within the following year.

"Little things used to mean so much to Shelly- I used to think they were kind of trivial. Believe me, nothing is trivial. "

"It can't rain all the time."


"Mr. Gideon, you're not paying attention! I REPEAT: A Gold engagement ring, yes? It was pawned by a customer of yours named Tin Tin. He confided in me before he ran out of BREATH!"

(about Tin Tin) "He was already dead. He died one year ago the moment he touched her. They're all dead. They just don't know it yet."

"I'm not going to kill you. Your job will be to tell the rest of them that death is coming for them, tonight. And tell them Eric Draven sends his regards."

"Is that gasoline I smell?"

"Victims; aren't we all?"

"It's not a good day to be a bad guy, huh, Skank? "

"Mother is the name for God on the lips and hearts of all children."


If the people we love are stolen from us, the way to have them live on is to never stop loving them. Buildings burn, people die, but real love is forever.

We're Surrounded by Idiots (in Colorado!)

I just couldn't resist posting again today. The latest news this am just really added to my already annoyed mood. Why was I annoyed this am you ask? Well, I woke up thinking I was going to puke I was so sick to my stomache, the iron went wonky and scorched my blouse, then it cooled off unexpectedly and waterstained my pants, I was 15 minutes late to work because of it and once I got to work I jammed my thumb on the stairs!

As usual, I was watching the Today Show and was irritated further by what I saw:

• First of all I want to mention the woman from Pueblo, Colorado who drove her jeep into rising flood waters "Thinking she could make it thru". (Oh yeah, that's right, you drive an SUV and you think you are invincible.) Then even tho the electronics were working in her car (the winshield wipers were still going) she sat there and called her brother on her cell phone for help as th jeep slowly sinks in to the waters. OPEN THE FREAKING DOOR OR WINDOW AND GET OUT!!!!! Then once she is out she almost drowns one of her rescuers! You must watch and listen to this video b/c I think a fwe things were said by the narrator that agrees with me...click here to see the Stupid Lady and the outcome of her stupidity.
  
• Next I would like to point out what I had said all along...Karr was not JonBenet's killer. He was a fantasy loving lunatic who wanted his 15 minutes of fame, for whatever reason and the media gave it to him. He's a sick freak who needs to be hung by his privates for his child porn obssessions and actions. What a circus it has been watching that when people are fighting and dying overseas! We miss so much news in this country b/c of these sensational stories.
  
  

Colorado must be so proud!!

Batman Returns and Dave Parrish Part 2

"Saved by kitty litter."


Selina Kyle:"It's gonna be a hot time in a cold town tonight."
Bruce Wayne: "You've got sort of a dark side, don't you?"
Selina Kyle: "No darker than your's, Bruce."


Selina Kyle:(Speaking of Alfred)“I’m sure he’s wonderful company, but doesn’t the gold-plated bachelor bit get a little stale?”
Bruce Wayne: "Kinda like the lonley Secretary syndrome I suppose."
Selina Kyle: Executive Assistant... (conceeding) Secretary."


Batman: Mistletoe can be deadly if you eat it.
Catwoman: A kiss can be even deadlier if you mean it.


"Oh god... does this mean we have to start fighting?"

"Six... Seven... All good girls go to heaven... Two lives left. I think I'll save one for next Christmas."


So many great lines and scenes in this movie I couldn't do them all. This memory week thing is turning out to be more nastalgic movie memories and beg the question, "How Dark can you get"!!?? Well, don't speak too soon bat fans, The Crow is up next!

Batman Returns and Dave Parrish

My first memory has to do with Dave Parrish, (yeah he has been on my mind lately) b/c I had found all of his old letters and cards. This lead to me watching Batman Returns Sunday night when I returned home. Here are some pics and favorite quotes from the movie (well the Bruce Wayne Selina Kyle portions anyway) that Dave and I were crazy about.

"How can you be so mean to someone so meaningless? " (notice the cat ear shadow cast on her forehead made by the rims of her galsses? Brilliant!)


Selina: "Ok, Intimidate me, bully me if it makes you feel big. I mean it's not like you can just kill me..."Max Schreck : "Actually, it's a lot like that."

"Honey, I'm home! Oh I forgot, I'm not married. "

" I don't know about you, Miss Kitty, but I feel so much... yummier. "


" I am Catwoman. Hear me roar. "

" You know, it's... a blur. I mean, not complete amnesia. I-I-I remember Sister Mary Margaret puking in church and Betsy Riley saying it was morning sickness and I remember the time when I forgot to wear my underpants to school and the name of the boy who noticed was Ricky Friedberg...He's dead now. But last night... complete blur. Couldn't you just die? "

Part 2 to follow....

Memory Lane Week!

I went to my parents home this weekend to sort thru some (Ok 5-6!) boxes I have there. I found a few fom high school, a few from college and the memories were overwhelming. I chucked pretty much everything, with the exception of one box that now contains a culmination of my achievements and activities from both High School and College. I kept just the important stuff and got rid of old letters, notes, and other stuff. SO this week I thought I would highlight a few things I came across that spark memories from those times.

Before I begin those posts let me just list a few things that I found in my sorting that some of you will remember:

• Jess's invitations to her Annual Halloween Party: A staple of the Surf Side Six. Costumes were REQUIRED and that's what made it so fun!!! Lots of gerat memories at those parties!
• Pictures of HS Graduation
• Pics of Erin and Alysa and I when we were all younger, dancing like crazy!
• All sorts of letters from people I met thru Jess L.'s youth group trip and from Working at the Forest
• "The Rules" from our room freshman year at college...I am sending you a copy RedHead...after all they were rules for our room!
• Cards and letters from Aaron, that psycho guy from HS and some others that made me smile.
• ALL the Teen Beat and Big Bopper posters and pic I ever had on my walls in Jr high. Not even kidding! Corey Haim, Sean Astin, Michael J. Fox (the list goes on!) and even Johnny Depp!!
• My "portfolio" of fashion designs that I drew in Jr High when i wanted to be a fashion designer.
• My Harry Connick Jr. autographed fan club pic.
• Martial Farts Today poster... Jess R will remember that!!!
• My pro-beach volleyball posters and stuff.
• The GOONIES CLUB Scrapbook!!!!! circa 1987 folks!!!

I could go on and on. I had no idea all that stuff was down there! It was like my life flashed before me, looking at all these thing and remembering. It was fun and I laughed at a lot fo stuff I found. It was the perfect time to throw away 90% of that stuff b/c I wasn't emotional about any of it and it was easy to look, remember and let go. It felt great!

Later today: Batman Returns. A quick synopsis of my once favorite obsesison.

Quizzes for the Bored

Well, since I have nothing silly, obnoxious or "ranty" to say today, here are some random quizzes to peruse and participate in. Have a great weekend everyone!

Your Learning Style: Flexible and Adaptable

You are a great hands on learner, and you have an excellent memory. You Should Study: Acting Architecture Creative Writing Design Foreign Languages and Literature Journalism Literature Music Photography

What Should You Study?

The Movie Of Your Life Is A Cult Classic

Quirky, offbeat, and even a little campy - your life appeals to a select few. But if someone's obsessed with you, look out! Your fans are downright freaky. Your best movie matches: Office Space, Showgirls, The Big Lebowski

If Your Life Was a Movie, What Genre Would It Be?

Tea in the Sahara...

Who's Your Daddy?

I have to say I have had some interesting conversations in the past week or so here at work so here is my weekly rant. I am sick of being nice and letting things go because I don't want to start any problems. I need to stand up for myself and show that I will not tolerate being treated with anything other than respect. Let me explain.

I have had a few issues with some coworkers that might have required disciplinary action to be taken, but me being the nice person I am decided to take the bull by the horns and send out a warning flare.

1. Our courier seems to have a need to sneak up on me and grab me at the waist to scare me wherever and whenever he can. This has happened in the executive offices and most of the time on the production floor in front of other employees or whilst I am speaking with other employees. I had spoken to him once or twice before and told him to stop doing that. It would work for a few months and then he would start up again. This time I decided to tell a few choice people (ones who would tell him what I said) that the next time he tries it he better be ready b/c I will slam him. He has been avoiding me like the plague now for two weeks. If he starts up again, I will tell my boss and get disciplinary actions moving. My 3 rules: 1. Don't touch me 2. I will try to rectify the problem on my own 3. If my way doesn't work then I will get help.
   
   
2. The next one is "Creepy Married Guy" who works in the dreaded Press Dept. One time about 5 or 6 months after I had started here, he invited me to hang out with he and his wife and family at Coleman's bar one night. In an effort to meet people I said yes and brought my roomate along for the ride. They ended up being a very strange group of people and we excused ourselves early in the evening to get the hell out of there. I cannot prove it but there seemed to be alterior motives there like they were swingers or something disgusting like that. Carolyn and I both came to the same conclusion seperately in the bathroom whilst making our escape plan. Hence the "Creepy Married Guy" name. That was the last time I ever accepted and invitation from anyone on the floor to go out.
   
   

• Anywho, he was telling the maintenance guy that he knew me pretty well and that I don't embarrass easily the other day. I let the Maintenance guy know that Creepy doesn't know me at all. Maintenance guy said that he talks to me on a regular basis. That was really funny to me b/c after that "evening out" over a year ago I have been avoiding him like the plague. I also let him know that I am friendly to everyone and speak to whomever speaks to me. I told the maintenance guy that noone here knows anything about me, (with the exception of my friend Beth) b/c I don't discuss my personal life with people at work. It's like that MTV celebrity show "Diary": "You may think you know me, but you have NO idea". It makes me wonder what other tales Creepy has been telling...but the maintenance guy has a big mouth so I know it will get back to him. I could care less what anyone here thinks of me so who cares if it gets back to him that he and his wife and friends are pigs.
  
  

I am a friendly person who speaks to everyone regardless of their position in the company. It's harmless meaningless chit chat about work or the occaisional "have you seen this movie" that we all have to be polite to coworkers in the workplace. That's my deal. Unfortunately it gets me into trouble and people start to think because I speak to them or smile and say hello that they know me or I am their friend or that they can ask me out etc. Most of the time I don't know who they are, but if they speak to me I will speak back. It's just polite social ettiquette (which I forget that most of these people have no grasp of).

These people don't know me and they never will but their idea that they do know me and their actions freak me out sometimes. It's just frustrating b/c if you are a good, happy, friendly person and it kicks you in the ass. I refuse to change who I am just because a few losers make me uncomfortable. I guess I just have to start kicking some ass and taking names...I have to take care of myself b/c body guards are too expensive!:)

Greetings and Salutations

Greetings and Salutations...
The Lunchtime Poll:

Veronica Sawyer: This may seem like a really stupid question...
J.D.: There *are* no stupid questions.
Veronica Sawyer: You inherit 5 million dollars the same day aliens land on the earth and say they're going to blow it up in 2 days. What do you do?
J.D.: That's the stupidest question I've ever heard.

I just recently watched Heathers and thought of an old friend who I have lost touch with. It was difficult, he moved to the west coast and I was on the east coast in college.

We met at Enchanted Forest in the summers and from there became good friends. We were obsessed with Batman, Tim Burton, and Heathers. One year he came with me to a Halloween party dressed as JD. He bought me the rubber mask so I could be Catwoman. We had so much fun hanging out together.

He was the best, a great friend and a kindred spirit and I wish we were still in touch. This line in particular makes me think of him b/c it was on a mix he had made:

Veronica Sawyer: And to think that there was a time when I actually thought you were cool. Man, if you can't deal with me now, then stay home and shoot your tv, blow up a couple of toasters or something. Just don't come to school and don't mess with me

So, in feeling a little nostalgic today, this post is dedicated to Dave Parrish, wherever he may be...

J.D.: Our love is God, let's go get a Slushie.

Monday Already???!

It's Monday already, but boy did I have a productive weekend!! Friday night I bought a new bookcase (a nice cheapy from WalMart) since my books were overflowing from my existing one onto the floor. Soon I will have one room dedicatd to my books...I shall call it my STUDY. HAHA!@ Saturday I cleaned my room and rearranged. I clean it regularly (Vaccum etc) but it needed dusting and curtains to be washed, you know the MAJOR cleaning we do once every few months! It's so cozy and organized right now I love it!

That night I went to Stacy's Birthday party. We had some pizza at her place and then went downtown to a bunch of bars. I really wish that they were more my speed and type of people. I don't really ever have a great time with them. It's OK, but not memorable. I usually feel like I could be home watching a movie and having more fun...is that bad? I know these people thru my roomate who knows then thru her friend Sarah so it's an interesting situation. Oh well, I go with them every so often but they are so superficial that there is never any real connection made there to want to hang out with any of them on a regular basis. Thank God I have my friend Beth from work! She's the only person I have met that I enjoy hanging out with and wish we could hang out more. Otherwise I would be a hermit b/c I have met so many people I don't connect with that it's frustrating.

Sunday my parents came for dinner. Dad made pork parmesan (yummy!) and brought pasta and Mom had cut some fresh beans from the garden. He loves to cook and I love to eat, so it's all good! It was so nice to have them over to my place since I am usually at their's all the time in the summer! We had a great afternoon topped off with my dessert of Angel food cake with strawberries and blueberries. It was a great afternoon. I am so glad that I live so close by where we can do that for an afternoon. (I live about 1 hr and 20 minutes drive to home). Yeah, my parents are the best.

Ok, I guess I will get back to work now. I am a bit tired today and Joan is out and so it the Purchasing manager. So I guess I am the Purchasing department today... Yay.

Friday: Fun with Quizzes!

Your True Love Is a Scorpio

Why you'll love a Scorpio: Strong and sexy, Scorpio will overpower you into falling in love (before you even realize it!).You'll love being swept away by Scorpio - into a world of insane passion. Why a Scorpio will love you: You don't mind letting your Scorpio take the reigns, as long as you know you're truly cared for.Loyal and devoted, you would never do anything to set off insanely jealous Scorpio.

What Sign Is Your True Love?

Your 2006 Summer Anthem Is

Crazy by Gnarls Barkley "I remember when, I remember, I remember when I lost my mind There was something so pleasant about that phase Even your emotions had an echo In so much space"

What's Your 2006 Summer Anthem?

You Were a Cheetah

You are quick and elusive, with keen senses. You are able to have intense concentration for short periods of time.

What Animal Were You In a Past Life?

Your Bumper Sticker Should Be

Jesus is coming - everybody look busy

What Bumper Sticker Should Be On Your Car?

Your Chances of Being a Multimillionaire: 64%

You have a good chance of being a multimillionaire. Better than most people. You simply have a natural knack for money and the personality for success.

Will You Be a Multimillionaire?

God I hope that last one is true!!!! Hmmm... these were interesting...I'm a scorpio and now I need to find a scorpio? Sounds like fun! I love that "Crazy " song!! I think it's my favorite release this summer. Cheetahs are cool, I can live with knowing I was fast and beautiful in a previous life!!! Oh and that bumper sticker is hysterical.

So here it is folks! Friday. I am hoping to have a relaxing yet productive weekend. Hope you all do too!!

Thursday Thoughts

Well, here it is, Thursday again. Time for some thoughts from the village in my head.

1. Have you heard that David Copperfield has found the "Fountain of Youth"? You can read about it here at E Online. I think he is getting old and nutsy personally, or he just wants to lure people to his 300K /week resort and do magic for them. Hmmmm...or maybe David Copperfield can really do MAGIC!! Maybe Albus Dumbledore could sort all of this out...oh wait, he's dead. Does anyone know how to get in touch with the Ministry of Magic?
2. JonBenet's killer found in Thailand? This guy looks like he is living in a make-believe world and has either convinced himself that he killed her, or he knows he is full of crap and just has that insane "I want to be famous for killing JonBenet" thing going on. Well, he is getting his 15 minutes all right. He just looks like he is loving the attention which is sick. I think it's a sham personally. Hey, maybe he knows how to get in touch with the ministry of Magic!!
3. I still haven't heard from my apartment complex if we are getting a raise in rent again this year. I certainly hope not, for their sake, because I have a list of things they have not done, should have done better or did only half of. Our place is already overpriced as it is (after last year's hike). It seems as tho they have the dumbest people on the planet working the office AND in the maintenance department. This should be interesting.
4. I haven't found any jobs to apply to this week. It's kind of bumming me out. I really need to start looking someplace that's else I guess. I was watching the 1987 movie starring Michael J Fox (He was my first celebrity crush when I was little) "The Secret of My Success". As corny and cheesy as that movie was, I found myself shaking my head in agreement. The Suits (men) ruled the company, the people in higher positions either had no clue what they were doing or did nothing and made big money, and unless you have experience you can't get hired, "tho if noone hires you to give you experience, how do you gain said experience to get hired, Savvy?" (thank you Jack Sparrow). Michael J Fox's character Bradley keeps saying "I can do anything if you just give me a chance!" Basically that is how I feel and being female makes it even harder.
5. I am staying home for the first time in forever this weekend. I thought I might lay by the pool Saturday morning/afternoon. I have a birthday party to attend that night so that will be good (I guess). Sunday I can sleep in and spend the day cleaning and rearranging my room. There is alot I need to get done around the apartment, so this should work out well! Oh and I can grab the Sunday paper and job search too!
6. I have a list of skits, shorts and movie ideas for me and my boys. We have a talented cast so far for whatever our next project(s) will be but I need to add someone else to the list. Jessica G. must be in a film! She has a great horror movie idea (in classic B movie style) so I think she will need to be lead director as well on that one! I have been meeting lots of kindred spirits lately and Jessica is one of them. She does some amazing English Accents which will come in handy in our filmmaking I think! Hopefully she won't mind that I mentioned her in my blog! Hi Jessica!!! Have you seen Suri yet?
7. Here we are at Lucky 7. I guess my thoughts have run out so here is a quick update on other things: -The library job is going well. I work 3 nights a week now so I am getting a little more in my check every two weeks! yay! - Work sucks as usual. I basically come in , do my work, blog alot and then go to the library. -I have had the apartment to myself all week while my roomate was away. It has been GREAT! -I have been trying to catch up on Johnny Depp movies I have not seen: saw the Ninth Gate this week on Sci-fi and borrowed "Ed Wood" from the library to watch tonight or this weekend.

Don't you wish I could be that concise with all my blog posts! I am a terrible blogger with these long posts and I truly apologize. Well, have a great Thursday and if this post gave way to some of your own thoughts on the subjects let me know!

Ann Curry is My Hero

Ann Curry is my Hero. She has been my favorite news personality on tv ever since I started watching the TODAY Show about 6 years ago. She is elegant, eloquent, intelligent and compassionate. She reports the news in an unbiased way and has such class when interviewing everyone from polititians and world leaders to hollywood actors. If there was ever a role model to have, she would be the one.

Ann Curry is also very involved with charity work nationally and internationally. Her gentle demeanor and genuine concern for others is apparent. She seems very down to earth and grounded. She is not at all stiff and seems to also have a wicked sense of humor, something I obviously hold in high esteem.:)

Not only is she a classy lady, but she knows how to dress. Just today she had on a simple white blouse, a beautiful black skirt with a belt at the waist and RED SHOES. She just ROCKS! (Red shoes with a black or black and white outfit is one of my most favorite looks!)

Just for something different and real for a change, I wanted to share with you my thoughts on Ann Curry. She is a talented, inspiring lady and if I ever get asked "If you could meet anyone, who would it be?", Ann Curry would be on the top of my list.

Random photos of the day:

It's summer. How about some ice cream with attitude?


Just to keep with the theme of late:


And finally my favorite family from the Harry Potter Series: The Weasley's on Holiday!!!

Movie Magic!!

This weekend I visited my nephews. We always have a lot of fun, but this weekend was a riot. While watching Excalibur (quite possibly the worst movie EVER made and oops! it was rated R! We skipped some scenes!) we played "Mystery Science Theater3000" and busted chops throughout. From this an idea was born. We revised and brainstormed to make a movie based on our ridiculous spoofs of Excalibur. We are disgusting, but we are funny! The following is a cast list, synopsis, memorable quotes and other movie details.

Poop in the Tree (working title)
Release Date: Unknown, 2006

Directed by: CC, Tom and Nate
Produced by: CC, Tom and Nate
Cinematography: CC, Tom and Nate


Taglines: "A quest of epic proportions for Poop of great power."


Synopsis: Piehole has won the presidency, tho she was considerably behind in the polls. She thanks a secret "lucky charm" for her success. An Anti-Piehole group decides to take matters into their own hands and find out the source of her power only to find that in order to stop her reign of terror they will have to travel back in time to break the chain and save the world!

Alternate Synopsis: A petrified piece of poop found in a sacred tree in 1311 allows the bearer to hyptnotize everyone around them. An Anti-Piehole league must travel back in time to seize the poop breaking the historic chain that has allowed Piehole to become president and rule the world.


Cast:
Skeletron Minion: Tom
Skeletron Minion: Nate
Mystic Leader: CC
Sebastian (the historical accuracy guy): Nate
Evie (an archaeologist): CC
Tino (the PieHole Resistance Leader): Tom
Dr. Ganges: Kevin
Ezra: Kim
Old Man Malthus: Nate
The Evil French Knight: Kevin
Fudgey the Dog: as himself
The Gardener: Mike
News Announcer: CC

Makeup and Costumes by: CC, Tom and Nate
Stones Provided by: Kevin and the Contino Family Private Collection
Weaponry Provided by: Nate, Tom and Kevin


Memorable Quotes:

Mystic Leader: "Long ago, a Mythical Creature Pooped in a tree...a sacred tree"


Sebastian: "Yeah, we will need supplies"
Tino: "No, we don't need any supplies"
Sebastian: "And clothing of the time period"
Evie: "That might be difficult, conseidering OUR BUDGET!"


Evil French Knight: "ARRRAHHHHHH!!!"

1311 song: "Ahh ah ah ah ah ah ah ahhhh, He found a piece of poop in the tree. It will hyptnotise all but me"

Tino: "Piehole wants to collect all the old people and use them for energy!
Sebastian: "Hey, that's a great idea!"

Tino: "We must do CPR! (pumps Sebastian's chest) Ok now breathe!! (looks at Evie)
Evie: (inhales and exhales at Tino loudly)
Tino: (points at Sebastian)"No! On him!!!!"
Evie: "OOhhh!!!"

Evie: "The French...inventors of mayonaise..."




Production Stills:

Tom, Nate and CC on set during filming of their first collaborative effort.

The Mystics and the prophecy played by (left to right)Tom, CC, Nate.

1311: The Evil French Knight played by Kevin

Have your seen this movie and want to comment? Please use the comment section.

Fun with Paint & Pics and a Great Quiz!

As a final tie-in with POTC2 (and with a few minutes to spare), I decided to throw these together the other day. They are not as good as others b/c I was limited in time and I am using Microsoft Paint and not PhotoShop or some such tool. (Can you imagine how good they'd be if I had that?) Enjoy the fantasy portion of my vacation pics! ahaha!

Erin and Carol sharing Captain Jack's treasure?

Alysa is kidnapped By Captain Jack Sparrow:


Erin, dressed as Commodore Norrington fights Captain Jack and Will for the Dead Man's Chest:


Everybody Run!!!!


My goodness I crack myself up! The quality is not as good as those squirrel pics a few months back, but a riot all the same! Hope this made you giggle today!!:)

CC's Aliases

Your movie star name: BBQ Chips James Your fashion designer name is Carol London Your socialite name is Stink New York Your fly girl / guy name is C Con Your detective name is Dog Dolgeville Your barfly name is Snickers Bar Margarita Your soap opera name is Lynne Spencer Your rock star name is Reese's Peanut Butter Cups Airplane Your Star Wars name is Carcar Conger Your punk rock band name is The Relaxed Canopic Jar

The Amazing Meganame Generator

So many good ones like my rock band name and my barfly name! Too Funny!!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Thursday Thoughts

Random thoughts and opinions today Thursday August 10th, 2006: AMAZING things that confound me.

1. What amazes me lately is the standard of living. With gas prices rising and affecting the prices of everything that depends on transportation, why do companies insist that the standard of living increase is still 3%?
2. It's also quite amazing that people think only thru their own minds and eyes. If you are satisfied to waste away and get paid peanuts in a job that does not challenge you until you are 65 why would you assume that I want to do that as well? Just because you did not have the drive to find a job that you can accell and succeed in monetarily does not mean that I cannot strive for it.
3. How amazing is it that people still care if Jennifer Anniston and Vince Vaughn are engaged or not. Hollywood romances are just that...Hollywood ie: not real, fake, ridiculous, not based in reality! Why waste your time? Who cares! Just make movie Vince, you are a riot and we love you.
4. I am amazed at not only the lack of work ethic of those people who are my age or older but that are just beginning in the workforce. I don't know about anyone else, but I learned work ethic from watching my parents and siblings. I watched and I learned and I am proud of my work style. We have a 14 year old boy who started at the library who has NO IDEA about anything. His customer service skills are so horrendous I had to step in and give him a few pointers. I have only been there 2 months, but I don't care! The things I spoke with him about were COMMON SENSE issues (When a patron is standing in front of you, acknowledge them, put your non essential work to the side and speak (clearly) and look your patron in the eye to let them know you are listening and understanding them to name a few). He seems less than eager to learn, but if he lasts into next week (which is doubtful from the attitude he had this week: Sitting in a chair with his back facing the patrons!!!) I will boot camp that little F'er and he will know how to act on a job! ARE YOU LISTENING MAGGOT???
5. hahah. I was nicer to him than that, tho firm obviously, but I am amazed that I have finally come into my own and am competent enough in my skills that I can jump in and teach someone. I used to be too shy to say "Hey, I have worked for x amount of years and I have skills I can pass on". Now I am confident that I know my shit, so I feel I can mentor this young man and maybe make him a valuable citizen in a sea of lazy, uneducated rejects.
6. I am also amazed that I am that jaded by society...
7. Tho this does not amaze me necessarily, I am on my 4th day of running the purchasing department for the company. The Assistant Purchasing Manager (Who bitched that I checked my email more than I should a few weeks back) is out on vacation this week so I am ordering, receiving and assigning product all while trouble shooting and doing my normal duties. It's cake, I know what I am doing and how to find out if I don't. It has been a quiet week comparitively, but I could handle it even if it wasn't.
8. Whilst on that subject, it amazes me that while I have learned to do 80% of the major work in Purchasing, I will not get a substantial raise for taking on extra work. How is it that the Assistant Purchasing manager gets a HUGE paycheck, but I will not get a raise even tho I am doing 80% of her work when she is out? Hmmmm...brings me back to #1 since I have heard noone is getting more than a 3% raise this year (and most have only gotten a 1.5% raise...eek!). Makes me think the company is in trouble finacially when they issue a blanket raise cap like that...even when I have taken on new duties and responsibilities.
9. I am amazed that I found two jobs to apply for this week. Sent out my resume the beginning and middle of the week so we'll see how that goes. Yippee! Maybe there IS light at the end of the tunnel!
10. Aren't you amazed I am done with this list??? Finally!

I love Thursday Thoughts. Gives me time to vent a bit on the week. I haven't done it in awhile, so thanks for bearing with me! :)

ABC Meme

I found this ABC meme on a random blog I came across. I thought it would be fun to do it as each letter is the start of a movie line. Let's see how I do and if you can name any of the movies from the lines.

Are you kidding me? I love crab cakes! They're phenomenal!
Baby, you couldn't find the button with both hands and a map.
Clearly you've never been to Singapore
Does that make me Faust or the Devil?
Evil spawn of Satan!!!!
Follow them size five's!
Grab that net and catch that beautiful butterfly, pal!
Honest. We went over to Mikey's dads place and we found this map that said that underneath this place there's buried treasure.
If by my life or death I can protect you, I will. You have my sword...
Jack is dead, my friend. You can call me Joker and as you can see I'm a lot happier
Katanga, I got a feeling I'm not the first woman to travel with these pirates.
Life is like a box of chocolates.
Mikey! The screen door!
Nanuk Nanuk! What did you do to my dog you asshole?
Oh, he's very popular Ed. The sportos, the motorheads, geeks, sluts, bloods, waistoids, dweebies, dickheads - they all adore him. They think he's a righteous dude.
Po-tay-toes. Boil 'em, mash 'em, stick 'em in a stew. Lovely big golden chips with a nice piece of fried fish.
Quiet! You'll miss the humorous conclusion.
Relax. I'm the map. It's all up here!
Stop blowing holes in my ship!!!
Take her, forget me, forget all of this. Leave me alone, forget all you've seen. Go now, don't let them find you. Take the boat, swear to me never to tell. The secrets you know, of the Angel in Hell.
Uh, I remember we went to the Grand Canyon one time. We were flying there and I'd never been there before and Linda had, so you would think that she would give me the window seat but she didn't and... not that that's a big deal, you know. It's just there were a lot of little things like that. I know that sounds stupid...
Victims; aren't we all?
We are on high alert right now!! You do not even realize!!
X never, ever marks the spot.
You can't really dust for vomit.
Zoinks, yo!



ARGH!!! I did it!! It took me all freaking day but I found quotes starting with every letterof the alphabet! Man that was more of a challenge than I thought! I did about 1/2 myself and used IMDB for the rest. So I cheated...no big whoop. Oh, and oneof them is a TV show quote. Toodles I am exhausted!

Batman Sequel Ruined!!???

Here is the scoop from last week's announcement for casting the next Batman movie: The sequel to Batman Begins. I wanted to post earlier but had to finish up the MB Vacation!


Heath Ledger to Play Joker in Next 'Batman'
Aug 1, 2:56 PM EST


The Associated Press

Heath Ledger will play The Joker in the sequel to last year's "Batman Begins," Warner Bros. studio announced. "The Dark Knight" is set to begin production next year.

Christian Bale again will play Batman. Christopher Nolan will repeat as director.

Ledger was nominated for a best-actor Oscar for his role as an anguished gay ranch hand in last year's "Brokeback Mountain."

"Our challenge in casting The Joker was to find an actor who is not just extraordinarily talented but fearless," Nolan said in the Warner Bros. statement issued Monday. "Watching Heath Ledger's interpretation of this iconic character taking on Christian Bale's Batman is going to be incredible."

I don't know about anyone else, but I am disappointed by this news. Hey, maybe they will prove me wrong, but until I see something once they start filming, I will remain skeptical. The Joker is a menacing, evil, crazy nut-house criminal. Does Heath Ledger have the chops? Christopher Nolan has proven that he understand the darkness that is Batman, so does he know something about Heath Ledger we don't? Let's hope so!

I have seen a handful of Heath Ledger's films but I don't find his range so far to be convincing to play the role of the Joker. He must have had an incredible screen test to have gotten the role over Paul Bettany who was my top choice and who was rumored to be up for the part as well. I also thought John Malkavich would have been great although he is too old for the part. Next best thing to him? Peter Sarsgaard. Arrg!! He's a creepy one!(SNL Skit tee-hee) Another great actor would have been Robert Downey Jr. but apparently the choice has been made. :(

My hope is that I will be presently surprised by Heath Ledger. From the looks of it, Christopher Nolan has a way of creating the Batman Universe with one foot firmly placed in reality, which makes the characters eerily believeable. I doubt that The Joker will be the paint encrusted criminal that Jack Nicholson was. I have a feeling that he will be more real, earthy and sinister. I am interested to see what the makeup and costuming will be.

I am not counting Ledger out, but he will have to be amazing to win me over! No word on who the female love interest will be. If it is Scarlet Johanssen I will boycott! HAHA, not really! I mean anyone is better than Katie Holmes I guess! I just hope they pick a good female lead so I don't have to fret about 2 characters!!!

What do you think?

MB Vacation Part 6: Pirate Swordfight on the Beach!

What a week we had! Beachin' it everyday, good food, pirate fun! We had a wonderful time. Here we are from left Me, Erin, Kathy and Alysa. I actually took a decent pic with the timer! YAY!


And because we needed more fun, we decided to pose with our swords...but more of that is to come!


Erin, Alysa and I had planned to recreate the triple swordfight on the beach from POTC: Dead Man's Chest: From left Erin is Commadore Norrington, I am Captain Jack Sparrow and Alysa is brave Will Turner.


Erin flees and we chase after her:


Then we realize whilst we have been fighting, someone has stolen the Dead Man's Chest!! After them!!!


We said goodbye to the beach early Saturday morning (5am!! YAWN!)and made our way to pick up Nate my nephew in VA where he had been vacationing with his grandparents. We made it to Gettysburg and ran around there for a few hours. Here Erin and Nate and I are on top of one of the New York Monuments. This is an amazing place. I had been in Jr High on a school Honor Society trip but I really feel like I would get more out of it now. I would love to go back in September when it is a bit cooler and spend a weekend there. There is a ton to see and do and it is a sad and amazing part of our national history. Everyone should go at least once in their life.


Yep, even with a Ford Excursion we were packed to the gills! We gassed up and made our way to dinner at the Craker Barrel. holy heck! Those places are on every corner!!! But Yumm!!!


Ahhh, the only part of Pennsyvania that I really enjoyed: This sunset was amazing. No seriously, it's not Pennsylvania really, it's that after beign on the road for 13 hours or more (including stops) PA is a pain to drive thru b/c it's so freaking long!!!


Well, I hope you enjoyed my recap of my crazy South Carolina vacation! We had a great time and I was glad to hang with my girls. (especially since they like to play pirate and talk in english accents!)Haha! So Thank you Mr. D'arcy! I had a wonderful time on vacation with you all!:)

MB Vacation Part 5: Souvenirs & Piratical Putt-Putt!

Thursday we decided it was time to head into Myrtle Beach and souvenir shop. First stop was The Gay Dolphin. This place is awesome. It's 3 (or 4) floors of souvenirs and crazy stuff. Here is Alysa posing in her Captain Jack Sparrow stance with a chinese sword...Clearly she HAS been to Singapore!!! Arrgh, we managed to find some swords of our own here as well...


Erin and I, ever watchfull for booty, found this pirate sitting there with a treasure chest full of loot! This actually was the same pirate I had my picture taken with 10 years ago on spring break JR year of college. They spruced him up a bit, and he apparently has been tanning regularly!!

Next on the adjenda was Captain Hook's Mini Golf. I had played this last time I was in Myrtle about 5 years ago. They have added some more neat stuff and we had a blast playing. They still had the Skull to play thru!! It's reminds me of the Goonies!!


Me and my Goonies:


The course ran inside caves and thru waterfalls:


There was even a pirate ship that Erin and I could pose on!! Captain Hook was hanging from the mast overhead scared of the crocodile in the water below. What a riot!


Last but not least: Part 6!!