tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35346240844737211052024-03-19T14:29:28.127-07:00Five Million Dollars, a Good Looking Guy and a PuppyRuby Bleuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04422997972302318316noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534624084473721105.post-67350768002816758302009-11-10T12:50:00.000-08:002009-11-10T12:51:40.909-08:00Happy Birthday Sesame Street!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJoPbTeUj7EHpvpq8pwlpMOuHIk9yVQ_oDmBTHKK9Jb2ZvQxqoOjxzi4GzbHrYB9tv0QYSdeemT0pi1gji50OXBdhjgHOILCvPXjvwJgdcbIubADk-bMI_gt0MsP69PyCxRlT8xMT2Ec/s1600-h/cookie.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJoPbTeUj7EHpvpq8pwlpMOuHIk9yVQ_oDmBTHKK9Jb2ZvQxqoOjxzi4GzbHrYB9tv0QYSdeemT0pi1gji50OXBdhjgHOILCvPXjvwJgdcbIubADk-bMI_gt0MsP69PyCxRlT8xMT2Ec/s320/cookie.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402580432745910050" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">And here's to 40 more!</div>Ruby Bleuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04422997972302318316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534624084473721105.post-61085505824743744812009-11-04T06:29:00.000-08:002009-11-04T06:31:15.578-08:00Last day...Hey Friends...don't forget to <a href="http://www.ironcupcakemilwaukee.com/2009/10/001icearth-20-music-voting-now-open.html">VOTE</a> for me. Today is the last day then it's on to <a href="http://www.ironcupcakemilwaukee.com/2009/11/002icearth-20-apple.html">Apples</a>!!!<br /><br />Thanks!Ruby Bleuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04422997972302318316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534624084473721105.post-18076059860195753282009-10-23T10:26:00.000-07:002009-11-04T07:24:33.936-08:00ICM-Earth: Music...There's an Englishman in my Cupcake<div>So, I did it...I actually have an <a href="http://www.ironcupcakeearth.com/">IronCupcake</a> recipe/entry this month - woo-hoo!!! I even did 2 taste tests!!!! Yay!!! This month's ICM-Earth theme is <a href="http://www.ironcupcakeearth.com/2009/10/001icearth-20-music.html">MUSIC</a>!!!! The challenge was to make a cupcake inspired by a song. So I scanned the ol' iPod and found one of my favorite Sting songs and it just clicked for me...</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Englishman_in_New_York">An Englishman in New York</a></div><div><br /></div><div>My friends couldn't figure out how that becomes a cuppy. But for me, that was easy...</div><div>Englishman = an Earl Grey cupcake</div><div>New York = with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_and_white_cookie">Black and White cookie</a> icing...you know the Black and White cookie made famous by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlLPAIrmqvE">Seinfeld</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>But before you read on about my cupcake adventure, you need to check out the great IC-Earth Sponsors!!! I'm competing to win some fab cupcake prizes with this entry. Check them out:</div><div><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold; "><a href="http://www.mydemy.com/">The </a></span><strong style="font-weight: bold; "><a href="http://www.mydemy.com/">Demy</a></strong><span style="font-weight: bold; "><a href="http://www.mydemy.com/">™ by Key Ingredient</a></span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold; "><a href="http://blog.hellocupcakebook.com/">Hello, Cupcake by Karen Tack & Alan Richardson</a></span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold; "><a href="http://www.bellacupcakecouture.com/">Bella Cupcake Couture</a></span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold; "><a href="http://www.gourmac.com/custset.html">Cupcake Stackers by Gourmac</a></span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold; "><a href="http://www.workman.com/products/9780761129615/">The Cake Mix Doctor Returns! by Anne Byrne</a></span></li></ul></div><div>And starting around October 30th, visit <a href="http://www.ironcupcakemilwaukee.com/">www.ironcupcakemilwaukee.com</a> to vote for me!!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Now back to the cupcake making excitement.</div><div>I started with the tea...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2801/4030506589_43c668748e_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="IMG_0002.JPG" /></div><div>I brewed 1 cup of <i>really</i> strong Earl Grey tea. You can really get the Bergamont and citrus notes when you bite into the cupcake...but I'm getting ahead of myself! <div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">First you need the cupcake! I creamed butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla until fluffy. I combined with flour, baking power, baking soda, some sour cream, lemon zest and the tea...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2724/4031258870_e3c4e3d379_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="IMG_0007.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Batter!!!!</div></div><div><br /></div><div>I lined a regular sized cupcake tin and filled each using an ice cream scoop about 1/2 way. The batter makes about 18 cupcakes.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:monospace;font-size:13px;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2714/4031258928_c5297d773f_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="IMG_0008.JPG" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bake well little cupcakes, bake well!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After about 18 minutes at 350°, I got some cupcakes! Do you know how hard it was to wait for these little guys to cool??? They smelled amazing!!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:monospace;font-size:13px;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2639/4031259188_4f16496829_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="IMG_0017.JPG" /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">The batter did rise a bit more than I originally expected, but rather than adjust the recipe, I like the tops that way because they remind me so much more of a Black and White cookie!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After the cupcakes cooled about 45minutes, I started icing them. I chose to do icing, rather than frosting because it is more true to the B&W cookie. For the icing, I used confectioner's sugar, lemon juice, water, vanilla and a little light corn syrup for that glossy look! I mixed up the ingredients and iced half of each cupcake and let that set.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:monospace;font-size:13px;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2643/4031259238_7369a0769b_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="IMG_0018.JPG" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For the 'black' side, I followed the same basic recipe, I just omitted the lemon juice for just water. Also, I used about 1/4c less of the confectioner's sugar and in it's place, used unsweetened cocoa powder. Ice the other half of the cupcakes and let set and here's what you get...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:monospace;font-size:13px;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2644/4031283434_18d5128935.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="EINY1" /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The cupcake is moist and aromatic and the icing is such a nice compliment...not too overwhelming. It was music to my ears and mouth!!! Click <a href="http://andapuppy.blogspot.com/2009/10/englishman-in-new-york-cupcake.html">here</a> for the full recipe! And don't forget to <a href="http://www.ironcupcakemilwaukee.com/">VOTE</a> for me next week!</div></div></div>Ruby Bleuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04422997972302318316noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534624084473721105.post-71932194902530360052009-10-23T10:13:00.000-07:002009-10-23T10:45:34.436-07:00Englishman in New York CupcakeIngredients:<div><i>Tea -</i></div><div>1 c boiling water</div><div>6 bags of Earl Grey tea or 2TBS of loose tea</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Cupcake-</i></div><div>1/2C (1 stick) Unsalted butter</div><div>2 large Eggs</div><div>2 C Granulated Sugar</div><div>2 C All-purpose Flour</div><div>1tsp Baking Soda</div><div>1tsp Baking Powder</div><div>1/4tsp Kosher Salt</div><div>1/4C Sour Cream</div><div>1tsp Pure Vanilla Extract</div><div>1TBS Lemon Zest</div><div><br /></div><div><i>'White' Icing-</i></div><div>1 1/2C Confectioner's Sugar</div><div>1TBS Light Corn Syrup</div><div>2tsp Fresh Lemon Juice</div><div>1-2TBS Water</div><div><br /></div><div><div><i>'Black' Icing-</i></div><div>1 1/4C Confectioner's Sugar</div><div>1TBS Light Corn Syrup</div><div>2tsp Water plus...</div><div>1-2TBS Water</div><div>1/4C Unsweetened Dutch-processed Cocoa Powder</div><div><br /></div><div>Preparation:</div><div><i>Cupcakes - </i></div><div>1- Preheat oven to 350°. Line cupcake tine with liners.</div><div>2- Brew tea for 5 minutes. Remove tea bags or strain, set aside</div><div>3- Beat butter, eggs, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy</div><div>4- Beat in flour, baking soda, baking sugar, salt, sour cream and tea. Gently stir in lemon zest.</div><div>5- Fill cupcake cups 1/2 full.</div><div>6- Bake 16-18 minutes until lightly browned and toothpick comes out clean</div><div>7 - Cool on wire rack about 45 minutes.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>White Icing - </i></div><div>1- Mix all ingredients together until icing coats back of spatula. If too thick, add a little more water, if too thin, add a little more confectioner's sugar.</div><div>2- Ice one half of the cupcake and let set about 5 minutes.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><i>Black Icing - </i></div><div>1- Mix all ingredients together until icing coats back of spatula. If too thick, add a little more water, if too thin, add a little more confectioner's sugar.</div><div>2- Ice the other half of the cupcake and let set about 5 minutes.</div></div></div>Ruby Bleuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04422997972302318316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534624084473721105.post-46464328047922039322009-10-02T07:32:00.000-07:002009-10-18T07:57:57.255-07:00Dusting off the blog...<div style="text-align: left;">Hello...is there is any one still out there. I'm finally dusting off the blog. 'Bout time, huh? Well, I have a good reason. I'm <i>finally</i> going to stop lurking and join/enter <a href="http://www.ironcupcakeearth.com/">Iron Cupcake</a>. I love cupcakes...I love to try out new recipes...sounds like a match made in blog-heaven! So stay tuned as I clean up the blog and get a baking!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigIbnuo8wSby89ZLzbZ0nDFGyY1lH_iU-vUOiOqQDeeezh0n7yU-nxrRD22jOLJfSRrfcmSAUP42JqR6MSV4scnqWw3E_uquy9edyGVxegWngtcWjVsIrD6IVcWzEsHoMR69IigexnMAU/s1600-r/NEWHEADER.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigIbnuo8wSby89ZLzbZ0nDFGyY1lH_iU-vUOiOqQDeeezh0n7yU-nxrRD22jOLJfSRrfcmSAUP42JqR6MSV4scnqWw3E_uquy9edyGVxegWngtcWjVsIrD6IVcWzEsHoMR69IigexnMAU/s1600-r/NEWHEADER.jpg" alt="" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 499px; height: 162px;" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Ruby Bleuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04422997972302318316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534624084473721105.post-11840897852638638892008-11-03T13:26:00.001-08:002008-11-03T13:33:49.818-08:00Right on Amazon!<div>I went visited the Amazon site today and look what I found!!!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/green/promos/ffp_gw-jeffletter_vert.11c._V242822461_.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 487px; height: 1578px;" src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/green/promos/ffp_gw-jeffletter_vert.11c._V242822461_.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />How did they know I suffered from 'wrap rage'??? How did they know I was screaming to no one in particular yesterday as I attempted to free a timer for the living room lamp from the plastic prison it was in. How did they know???? It's a shame there are more items...but hopefully this will catch on.<br /><div><br /></div>Ruby Bleuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04422997972302318316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534624084473721105.post-26173130715876413792008-10-28T07:02:00.000-07:002008-10-28T07:05:39.990-07:00The solution to the economic crisis...<div style="text-align: center;"><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" height="388" width="464"><param name="movie" value="http://www2.funnyordie.com/public/flash/fodplayer.swf"><param name="flashvars" value="key=f88f8d6385"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><embed flashvars="key=f88f8d6385" allowfullscreen="true" quality="high" src="http://www2.funnyordie.com/public/flash/fodplayer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="388" width="464"></embed></object><div style="text-align: center; width: 464px;"><br /></div><br />I couldn't agree more!!!<br /></div>Ruby Bleuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04422997972302318316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534624084473721105.post-58592798421703683642008-10-19T08:30:00.000-07:002008-10-19T08:30:00.480-07:00If only I could crochet better...<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHmVhQKuCeRGZ2DUxncjDwUVGYkiYpJBq4QHbmTfBQUzAwvqoOZBJFaETcNuVIoNufct-JO8f39qHz0TaOZ_RoE6-fz4c-7Byx23Qf7YiWwBfZ-jusLbO37nVtcAHI6HKFZlC20h8huE/s400/puppets.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258147148561466018" /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">I could have my own debates! Don't you just love the comb over???</span><br /></div></span></div>Ruby Bleuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04422997972302318316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534624084473721105.post-66664312706612647292008-10-18T06:08:00.000-07:002008-10-18T06:16:39.162-07:00Boss' DaySo Thursday (Oct 16) is National Boss' Day. A day when your minions, uh I mean employees are supposed to be happy and celebrate what a great boss you are. Clearly it is just another holiday that Hallmark invented to buy more greeting cards (and there are lots).<br /><br />I of course did buy a card for my (male) boss. I always do. Remembering silly things somehow is what I'm good at. But in all the almost 10 years that I've been a manager I've never once got a card, a shout out...nothing! It's never really bothered me and I've always made a joke about it. Of course what I realized is that for the majority of the time I've been managing the number of women I had on my team was a whole whopping 1! Yep, that's what happens in the technology field...still!!!<br /><br />So imagine my surprise when I returned to my office from conducting an interview (with a man of course) to find a beautiful vase of flowers and a balloon from my team. Wanna know why I suddenly got flowers? For the first time I actually have 4 women who directly report to me!!! That made me laugh.Ruby Bleuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04422997972302318316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534624084473721105.post-37440412001977598612008-10-17T08:11:00.000-07:002008-10-17T08:30:37.782-07:00Fun Fact Friday #18<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0sc5ym96pj1DBsWfAo0CcVVTYA2STvd4fC1o7FMEaYKRW0HQVqJrXDJBeiBHbgHVxS6gD0Rfx8qbfmOQzzH6WXvvDrdjIJKN-YiNE7NyMwoE57LGgaTG8X1HpTKgxsagtT2_3-cIMWc/s1600-h/jack-o-lantern-1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0sc5ym96pj1DBsWfAo0CcVVTYA2STvd4fC1o7FMEaYKRW0HQVqJrXDJBeiBHbgHVxS6gD0Rfx8qbfmOQzzH6WXvvDrdjIJKN-YiNE7NyMwoE57LGgaTG8X1HpTKgxsagtT2_3-cIMWc/s320/jack-o-lantern-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258145415364234594" /></a>Ahhh....Politics and Halloween...two of my favorite things...<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Did you know...</span></div><div><br /></div><div>In 1985, the candy lobby (yes, there is a candy lobby) tried to convince Congress to move the end of Daylight Saving Time to AFTER Halloween so that the kiddies could have more time to trick-or-treat. Of course resulting in more candy sales. In fact, according to some, The national Confectioners Association even left pumpkins full of candy on Senators chairs. It never passed in '85, but did in 2007.</div>Ruby Bleuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04422997972302318316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534624084473721105.post-61415217222212596962008-10-10T05:51:00.000-07:002008-10-17T08:11:32.268-07:00Fun Fact Friday #17<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvAQVnZn7LSK4PLGjFNNXPZH6IJlMuLN2d14_IzgZo4igxDq0YDHAXMgHUMIfmSIPb4BWEsWSUSSGvFqbOQbRjI9sQaieJUsKXqPM7FYcmp1GWV9_IPAYOW2RTxoybAnV9FMJsMsp1XB4/s1600-h/nobel-medal.thumbnail_0.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvAQVnZn7LSK4PLGjFNNXPZH6IJlMuLN2d14_IzgZo4igxDq0YDHAXMgHUMIfmSIPb4BWEsWSUSSGvFqbOQbRjI9sQaieJUsKXqPM7FYcmp1GWV9_IPAYOW2RTxoybAnV9FMJsMsp1XB4/s320/nobel-medal.thumbnail_0.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258140690479623634" /></a>Around this time each year the Nobel Prizes are awarded. So in keeping with this annual event..<br /><br />Did you know...<br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><br />Alfred Nobel, who through his will called for the establishment of the famed awards, invented the explosive nitroglycerine. </span><br /><br />Although Nobel put it in his will that he wanted to start the awards, it took 5 years post his death for the first awards to be given out because he didn't put anything in his will on how to do it!Ruby Bleuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04422997972302318316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534624084473721105.post-71368731765908193352008-10-09T10:23:00.000-07:002008-10-09T10:35:40.206-07:00Mr. Puddles? Where are you Mr. Puddles?So as evidenced by yesterday's post I was cranky (and sleepy) about the debate. Well, my love Jon Stewart knew exactly how to cheer me up. The whole thing was hysterical (of course). But my favorite...<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">What <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">was</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>McCain doing when Obama was talking...skip to 07:24 in the video clip...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><embed flashvars="videoId=187584" src="http://www.comedycentral.com/sitewide/video_player/view/default/swf.jhtml" quality="high" bgcolor="#cccccc" width="332" height="316" name="comedy_central_player" align="middle" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="external" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I literally almost fell off the sofa. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I love you Jon Stewart.</div>Ruby Bleuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04422997972302318316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534624084473721105.post-64481650201493538192008-10-08T06:15:00.000-07:002008-10-09T10:23:18.171-07:00Is it wrong...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.granitegrok.com/pix/GOP_Dem_boxing.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://www.granitegrok.com/pix/GOP_Dem_boxing.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>...that I fell asleep during the debate last night. Literally, snoring away. If it wasn't for the fact that the phone rang, I probably would have slept right through the night!<br /><br />Now yes, this is showing I probably need more sleep, but to me what it means is that these two guys don't having anything new, different, exciting to say to keep me awake! How sad is that? We are in the middle of the worst financial crisis of our time. We are literally less than one month away from Election Day and no one is saying anything. Well, I take that back...they are saying lots of stuff. Lots of nasty stuff. And they are saying it over and over again. This is sooooo frustrating!<br /><br />You know, if it was for the fact that I made my voting decision a while ago AND I paid attention for the last year or so, if I was just checking in now on this election I just wouldn't vote...THAT'S how frustrated I am right now. I wonder how many others have just had it too???Ruby Bleuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04422997972302318316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534624084473721105.post-34250842823856570422008-10-03T06:00:00.000-07:002008-10-03T06:00:00.230-07:00Fun Fact Friday #16<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/76/Mrclean_circle.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/76/Mrclean_circle.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>This week <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Clean">Mr. Clean</a>, or at least the <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081002/people_nm/us_peters_1">actor</a> that portrayed Mr. Clean, is now scrubbing the big kitchen floor in the sky. So of course my fact needed to be on Mr. Clean... compliments (again) from one of my favorite sites, <a href="http://www.mentalfloss.com">Mental Floss</a>...<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Mr. Clean has a first name...it is Veritably.</span> </span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>If you as me, that is lame. It should be 'Squeaky' or something,am I right?</div><div><br /></div>Ruby Bleuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04422997972302318316noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534624084473721105.post-63857068555997442992008-09-30T19:14:00.000-07:002008-09-30T19:22:36.929-07:00Where or Where are you TV Tuesday???So I'm a bit behind on my TV posting. Heck I can hardly keep up with my TiVo!!! Plus I'm a little frustrated with some of the returning shows, but more on that in another post. So what have I been doing lately...work, work and oh did I mention work?<br /><br />Yeah, work is crazy...lots going on, same old-same old. But I've also got a whole list of home projects going too. I'm right now in the middle of a project to make crib bumpers for a very good friend who is expecting twins so that actually means TWO crib bumpers!!!! Surprisingly, they are coming out really, really cute. I need to take some pictures and post them.<br /><br />So hopefully I'll catch up on the TV thing soon...and get those darn bumpers done before the babies go off to college!!!<br /><br />Oh and tomorrow I find out if I've been selected to go to the <a href="http://andapuppy.blogspot.com/2008/09/cross-your-fingers.html">Women's Conference</a>.Ruby Bleuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04422997972302318316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534624084473721105.post-64959133811881517442008-09-26T06:00:00.000-07:002008-09-26T15:26:40.258-07:00Fun Fact Friday #15<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.mentalfloss.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/frosted-flakes.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://www.mentalfloss.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/frosted-flakes.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;font-family:arial;font-size:12;">My sister's name is Joey (hi Joey!) and so as kids she always got anything related to kangaroos. Even today if I see something with a kanagroo on it I have to get it for her. So when I saw this posting on <a href="http://www.mentalfloss.com/">Mental Floss</a> I couldn't resist.<br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;font-family:arial;font-size:12;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Tony the Tiger beat out several other spokes-animals to become the mascot for Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes. Newt the Gnu and Elmo the Elephant were top contenders, but they never made it into stores. Katy the Kangaroo, however, was displayed right next to Tony. The tiger swiftly clobbered the kangaroo in sales, and Katy was relegated to the bargain bin of history.</span></span><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;font-family:arial;font-size:18;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:12;">Even in the wilds of advertising, a Tiger will always win!</span></span></div>Ruby Bleuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04422997972302318316noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534624084473721105.post-84357135562805741342008-09-22T06:53:00.000-07:002008-09-22T07:02:14.747-07:00Life Imitating Art<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/21/opinion/21dowd-sorkin.html?_r=2&em&oref=slogin&loc=interstitialskip&oref=slogin">This</a> op-ed piece was in the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/">New York Times</a> the other day. I always wished <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_West_Wing_%28TV_series%29">Bartlet</a> was really president...now we know what he would have thought of the craziness today...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/21/opinion/21dowd-sorkin.html?_r=2&em&oref=slogin&loc=interstitialskip&oref=slogin"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xMvPtJqed4ReyYkjAbqg8hyphenhyphenwzdDCerLrt-NIcFUXnYj5DeaSSArIo3XZDHMhqaiUx6yqURiA5GhbuIEZ0-cpbzIi7_nNEg8ErorP2boKp8JX2Jtti3YRQZCe95BSOV6uotd1wYHCWAg/s400/nyt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248845445958855330" border="0" /></a>Ruby Bleuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04422997972302318316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534624084473721105.post-26058261963373032372008-09-19T06:00:00.000-07:002008-09-19T06:00:01.743-07:00Fun Fact Friday #14<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3c/EmmyAward.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 406px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3c/EmmyAward.png" alt="" border="0" /></a>This Sunday is yet another one of my favorite sporting events. That's right, it is the <a href="http://cdn.emmys.tv/awards/primetimeawards.php">Emmy Awards</a>! I think I appreciate the Emmy's more and more in recent years because I have seen a lot more of the nominated shows; unlike the Oscars since I never go to the movies anymore :(<br /><br />This year's hosting should be interesting...it's being hosted by reality TV hosts like Ryan Seacrest and Heidi Klum. I sure hope this doesn't break the record of longest show (which BTW is 4 hours...that was is 1987). There is only so much Seacrest one should be subjected to!<br /><br />Anywho...here's today's fun fact honoring the Emmy's.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >The name "Emmy" is a feminization of the nickname "Immy," which was named after the image orthicon tube, part of a TV camera. </span><br /><br />I'm sure you are as satisfied to know that as I am ;)Ruby Bleuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04422997972302318316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534624084473721105.post-49737398050058891162008-09-16T19:30:00.001-07:002008-09-16T20:02:28.952-07:00TV Tuesday Bonus: Whatever MarthaThis couldn't wait a week! Here's a little math problem for you:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Overexposed Lifestyle Goddess * will do anything for $/prison + bitter daughter =<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.fineliving.com/fine/whatever_martha/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4y8qbReBEXZzBcWa94Pcwr8UZqWxYo6pgiggP2pz60PmForDllPAnmG8GWVhKnM1GTMYUVniKHmysR8c4y3zQhJCjFQKu7UNoUqPM5JSAjPIeL88T88PdtONI6thBM163Aq-ZunY0ng/s320/whatever.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246818899155526082" border="0" /></a><br />So here is the premise...Alexis Stewart and her friend, Jennifer Koppleman Hutt, take Martha Stewart show clips and provide commentary on them and the queen herself (Think <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mystery_Science_Theater_3000">Mystery Science Theater 3000</a> crossed with an episode of classic Martha Stewart Living). And trust me, NOTHING and I mean nothing is held back. These gals are vicious! Is Alexis just a little bitter...I think so!<br /><br />This was funny...and if you ever tried Martha anything (guilty as charged) you will at some level appreciate this. If you ever watched any of her million shows and yelled back at the TV at how ridiculous it was(case in point the segment they showed in the first episode about twine - yes, twine) you need to watch this.<br /><br />This show is based off the <a href="http://www.sirius.com/">Sirius</a> satellite show that Alexis hosts of the same name. After episode two Alexis really started to bug me...her hair was freaky and seriously, this girl is really bitter! The other thing that bugs me a bit is that the show is executive produced by Martha herself...which for some reason takes the fun out of it just a wee bit. But these gals let it rip, so I'll have to give Martha some credit for being able to laugh at herself...of course she's laughing while carrying all her bags of money to the bank!!!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.fineliving.com/fine/whatever_martha/">Whatever Martha</a> is found on the <a href="http://www.fineliving.com/">Fine Living</a> network Tuesday nights 9pm e/p and if you go to the site, there are a couple of the segments there to watch.Ruby Bleuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04422997972302318316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534624084473721105.post-43961701001962066282008-09-16T06:00:00.000-07:002008-09-16T06:00:00.837-07:00TV Tuesday: 90210<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCm5c5XYDfZjWSmR5t6ARmRSzIhjaxFslaxfA_gjImBlQEkm-kuADpEw6kOcSFoH00I8eMMy1DoaOruINIkcRCmvPXTkBo2O_fm0n2lBCd9i7x3rw8NqYv1_cRT8aG49HD4FIX4pNsWQ/s1600-h/90210.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCm5c5XYDfZjWSmR5t6ARmRSzIhjaxFslaxfA_gjImBlQEkm-kuADpEw6kOcSFoH00I8eMMy1DoaOruINIkcRCmvPXTkBo2O_fm0n2lBCd9i7x3rw8NqYv1_cRT8aG49HD4FIX4pNsWQ/s320/90210.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246475273257555026" border="0" /></a>OK I tried...really I did...honest. I was totally NOT going to watch this show but in a haze of food poisoning with my trusty MacBook and furry pup I curled up on the couch and I caved. So sue me....I enjoyed it!<br /><br />Yes I was a fan of the original and I think that is why I wasn't too interested about watching the 'new' 90210. Add on top of it all the media hype and the Shannen this and Tori that I was just not interested. But I watched and after just 1 episode I think I'm on the verge of getting seriously hooked. Oh God, please forgive me...<br /><br />So the premise is pretty much the same as the original...small town brother and sister move to West Bev-er-ly. There are definitely some twists like Dixon, the brother, is adopted and African American (and played by cutie Tristan Wilds of The Wire fame). The sister, Annie is far less brooding that her predecessor Brenda. The Dad is the new principal at West Beverly and has returned to help his aging movie star mother, played deliciously by Jessica Walter (oh how I miss Arrested Development). Oh and Dad also has a connection to Kelly and an illegitimate kid with one of the West Bev parents - whew, that was a lot!<br /><br />From there you move into the array of new and old faces. There's your mix of evil spoiled brats, jocks, nerds, druggies and outcasts. Sounds like high school to me, right? Returning faces include <span style="font-style: italic;">theatre</span> star (yes, you are supposed to say that with a fake English accent) Brenda; guidance counselor Kelly, in toe with a 4 year old son whose father is mysteriously out of the picture...hmmmm; Kelly's Mom who is still very high maintenance; little Erin (Kelly's baby sis) who is now all grown up and goes by Silver (and falls in the outcast catagory, but I like her); and last but not least the Peach Pit is back with good ol' Nat and boy has the Peach Pit grown up too.<br /><br />I've only watched the pilot, but I finished wanting more. I'm not exactly sure why I did...I was annoyed by a lot of the new characters, the story lines are kinda predictable, but for me I think it's like driving past an accident on the highway...you know you shouldn't look, but you just can't turn away. If you are into very cheesy, soap-operay, TV, than this is your show!<br /><br />90210 is on Tuesday's at 8:00pm on the CW. The 2 hour pilot and last week's episode are available online at <a href="http://www.cwtv.com/">cwtv.com</a>Ruby Bleuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04422997972302318316noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534624084473721105.post-73223405485160164852008-09-14T08:03:00.000-07:002008-09-14T08:05:20.224-07:00Sarah vs. Hillary<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Did I catch your attention? Nah, I'm not going to add to the debate, but I couldn't help but laugh after seeing this...<br /></div><br /><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://widgets.nbc.com/o/4727a250e66f9723/48cd27b2c25ad548/48cd0ef95b7396d3/7e7bb919" id="W4727a250e66f972348cd27b2c25ad548" height="283" width="384"><param value="http://widgets.nbc.com/o/4727a250e66f9723/48cd27b2c25ad548/48cd0ef95b7396d3/7e7bb919" name="movie"><param value="transparent" name="wmode"><param value="all" name="allowNetworking"><param value="always" name="allowScriptAccess"></object><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Tina Fey...you crack me up!<br /></div></div>Ruby Bleuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04422997972302318316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534624084473721105.post-4533622768651263502008-09-12T08:07:00.000-07:002008-09-12T08:18:09.098-07:00Fun Fact Friday #13<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1929132158/ref=s9sdps_c2_14_img1-rfc_g1-frt_g1-3215_p-3102_p?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0P95C401141RR81VKAAE&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=436516601&pf_rd_i=507846"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBFMCHnVAbm5MsaEO6XwEEtE8Bb5PRSOtr0Kc-oq6gMgwPDLoONjSruV-C9hHdwU1Zgp8K1HhSyEM6GDyX-YtJg2QU7g1qbRDcqU8kDz-2BQLKLw5jm2P58Y0UGpllhSAASHtc3Tx-jo/s320/tgwp.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245153257895413442" border="0" /></a>It's back....yup, I know you've missed my tidbits of useless information so here goes...<div><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(70, 69, 69); font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px;font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span">"According to doctors, humans suffer an average of 14 episodes of flatulence per day."</span></span><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(70, 69, 69); font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px;font-size:18;" ><br /></span></div><div>I found this interesting considering <a href="http://wonderruby.blogspot.com/">Ruby</a> (who although isn't a human) was totally in that range yesterday. Oh that and I'm suffering from a case of stomach poisoning today (Fromage, that damn fromage!!!)</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's hoping the air clears...</div>Ruby Bleuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04422997972302318316noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534624084473721105.post-67559560099985452442008-09-09T06:00:00.000-07:002008-09-09T06:43:25.398-07:00TV Tuesday: Sons of Anarchy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2t9DN1kiprmAiO9zHcSONetAYIfQuyOvKQQzhVa1rHZ3olyhYbDbng6CoTNhqQhAhK0ioQ_ZuQijg2M5Ej2G3L-GcWEI8WcYUYC63IxnasGSzfkPNbgUZyYNbIPCl-bCg-0PrvRLuGE/s1600-h/SoA.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2t9DN1kiprmAiO9zHcSONetAYIfQuyOvKQQzhVa1rHZ3olyhYbDbng6CoTNhqQhAhK0ioQ_ZuQijg2M5Ej2G3L-GcWEI8WcYUYC63IxnasGSzfkPNbgUZyYNbIPCl-bCg-0PrvRLuGE/s400/SoA.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243079003662404322" border="0" /></a>In an effort to try and keep blogging, I thought I might give take a stab at being an arm chair critic to give me something to write about on a somewhat regular basis. And to finally give up the ghost of saying I'm NOT addicted to TV ('Hi my name is Michele, and I'm a TV addict). Since it is the start of the new TV season I figured I'd give my 2cents on the new and the old and the good, the bad and the ugly! This week, I'll talk about the new FX series, <a href="http://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/originals/soa/#Nav/Homepage">Sons of Anarchy</a> (SoA).<br /><br />First a note on <a href="http://www.fxnetworks.com/">FX</a>...FX has some smokin' great shows. I know Jen is a huge fan of <a href="http://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/originals/the_shield/#Nav/Home">The Shield</a> and if you haven't seen <a href="http://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/originals/damages/#/home/">Damages</a> you really need to check it out. Also there is of course <a href="http://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/originals/niptuck_s5/#/home/">Nip/Tuck</a>, <a href="http://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/originals/theriches/#Home">The Riches</a> and <a href="http://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/originals/rescueme/#/home/">Rescue Me</a>. FX is definitely not afraid to go out on a limb with their programming. So when I saw previews of SoA I thought I'd give it a chance and in a word, I'm intrigued.<br /><br />Here's the premise...<br />The SoA are a motorcycle 'club' from the small town of Charming, CA (yep, a real place, I googled it!). The gang was started by two friends, Vietnam vets John Teller (deceased) and Clay Morrow current president. The SoA are intent on keeping the 'brotherhood' alive, keeping their town safe and keeping their livelyhood, let's just say <span style="font-style: italic;">lively</span>. As you can guess their liveyhood is less than on the up and up...they run guns.<br /><br />The V.P. of the club is Jax Teller son of the founding president John (and Clay's step-son) and in the pilot we find Jax dealing with a junkie ex-wife who just gave birth to their premie son. Jax it seems has a conscious...trying to figure out if this was the path his dad had wanted for the club and him. The club itself is also under siege with a rival gang destroying their stash of guns which were due for delivery to a 'customer'.<br /><br />In the pilot you meet the various different characters including Jax's Mom and Clay's Wife, Gemma, played by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005408/">Katey Sagal</a> in a very un-<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092400/">Peg Bundy</a>-like turn. Gemma is all about protecting her son and later you find out the way of life of the Sons too. The great <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000579/">Ron Perlman</a>, finally gets to take off the make-up of the Beast and Hellboy, plays Clay. You don't learn too much about Clay in the opening ep. but you definitely know there is more to learn about him. Jax definitely has the bad-boy with a heart of gold thing going and is played by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0402271/">Charlie Hunnam</a> of the original UK version of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queer_as_Folk_%28UK%29">Queer as Folk</a>...I knew he looked familiar. In fact there are a lot of familiar faces in the cast including <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005576/">Drea de Matteo</a>, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0683379/">Mitch Pileggi</a> and relative new comer (but great in <a href="http://www.amctv.com/originals/madmen/">Mad Men</a>) <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1745019/">Maggie Siff</a>.<br /><br />This show really does intrigue me...I think it's because it reminds me a heck of a lot of <a href="http://www.hbo.com/sopranos/">The Sopranos</a> (oh how I miss you Tony). I guess I've really missed my weekly supply of guns, blood, controlling mothers and bad guys with a concious. I think this show definitely has promise and I'll keep watching for now.<br /><br />You can catch Sons of Anarchy on Wednesday's at 10:00pm E/P. If you have <a href="http://www.comcast.com/">Comcast Cable</a>, it is available ONDemand and is also being rebroadcast tonight at 11:00pm E/P on FX.Ruby Bleuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04422997972302318316noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534624084473721105.post-51472793338659628272008-09-05T17:36:00.000-07:002008-09-05T17:53:38.953-07:00Cross your fingers...So my company is a co-sponsor of the <a href="http://www.californiawomen.org/the-womens-conference/">Women's Conference</a> which is a pretty big conference with some very <a href="http://www.californiawomen.org/speakers/">cool speakers.</a> It's a pretty big deal to be nominated within my company to go. They pay for you to go, you get great seats, etc. I found out today that 'my boys' aka my boss and the 3 male directors on my team have nominated me to go!!!! I'm pretty psyched about it. I <span style="font-weight: bold;">really</span> want to go!!! I think with the election and the speakers on tap it will be really really exciting<br /><br />Of course there are 8,000 people who work in my company... many of which are in fact women, I don't know what kind of a chance I have, but just think...I could get to meet Bono...OK, I might only get to see Bono...but wouldn't that be cool?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4tRzOG1v-Enjh9e-5wrFaAqnlP6PIZON5Uh1yTzihjhRWQH5y44vjIqcsOsOU1wUkQnKO4NfNOEz0fQmRcxeFWD8dduRv4n5QmorqQrP37WpD2SKTxEvYzvXH4d3eUFCRAA5liE82S3k/s1600-h/woconf.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4tRzOG1v-Enjh9e-5wrFaAqnlP6PIZON5Uh1yTzihjhRWQH5y44vjIqcsOsOU1wUkQnKO4NfNOEz0fQmRcxeFWD8dduRv4n5QmorqQrP37WpD2SKTxEvYzvXH4d3eUFCRAA5liE82S3k/s320/woconf.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242704953310455218" border="0" /></a>Ruby Bleuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04422997972302318316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534624084473721105.post-71901235433075093232008-09-04T20:32:00.000-07:002008-09-04T22:07:25.095-07:00It's the little things...OK, OK, I know...'Where the hell have I been'? Well it's been crazy...I think a lot of you know that. So I won't go into details other than to say I'm gonna give this blog thing another shot.<br /><br />---<br />What compelled me to finally sit down and post is something cool that happened today...a little background first. I consider myself pretty easy to please - some may actually disagree - but I really think I am. I mean the littlest things make me happy. When my co-worker Jen brings me in a cool notebook from Target, or when my friend Yvette likes some new recipe I made (usually from <a href="http://idinealone.blogspot.com/">Rhonda</a>) or when <a href="http://wonderruby.blogspot.com/">Ruby</a> actually comes to me the first time I call her. It really is the little things...they can keep me going for... like hours.<br /><br />I bring this up because today I had a monumental 'little thing' that I think might actually take me through till at least next month! I know, imagine that!!!<br /><br />Today I had to go to a management meeting...urgh. Add on top of that it was billed as 'leadership building'...double urgh. So I wasn't holding too much hope for my day. Well when the agenda came out yesterday I saw that our guest speaker was some dude named <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Kingsman">Paul Kingsman</a>. Who the heck is Paul Kingsman you might ask? Well of course I Googled him and found that he was an '88 Olympian from New Zealand who won the bronze in the 200m backstroke. The first male individual swimming medal for NZ. Kinda cool...but still, I just knew it was going to be some lame kumbuya session.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.paulkingsman.com/images/medal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 96px; height: 158px;" src="http://www.paulkingsman.com/images/medal.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Imagine my surprise that it really wasn't. The speaker was totally engaging. Had very relevant examples for what our company was going through. Honestly shared his Olympic experience - which I absolutely ate up being the total Olympic geek that I am. But here is the best part...he brought his bronze medal! <span style="font-weight: bold;">And</span> I got to actually hold it!!!! Seriously, I was so excited I could barely contain myself. Lame, I know (can we say 'get a life Michele?')...but seriously, this is going to last me for at the rest of the month...maybe two. Now, imagine if it was a gold medal? Or maybe an Oscar? See, it really is the little things that make me happy!Ruby Bleuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04422997972302318316noreply@blogger.com4