Let's look at those World Cup predictions...

Each team has played 2 games now and the final group games for each team start tomorrow. Let's review and look at my predictions...

Group A
I said it would be Germany, Poland, Ecuador, Costa Rica. Well, I was wrong here. Especially about Poland. They have stunk it up. They play Costa Rica tomorrow in a game that is strictly for pride. Germany and Ecuador tomorrow should be fun. Ecuador is actually in first on goal differential and only needs a tie to win the group. How crazy would that be? But you know what, Ecuador has played pretty good. Germany has been ok, but will need to step it up in the knockout stages. I predict a 2-1 German win tomorrow with Germany and Ecuador finishing 1-2 in the group.

Group B
I think the biggest surprises have been the heart of Trinidad and Tobago and the difficulty that England has had in scoring. With England/Sweden and T&T/Paraguay tomorrow, there is still a little doubt in the air. England has already advanced. They move to second though if Sweden beats them. T&T can squeeze past Sweden for second if England beats Sweden, T&T beat Paraguay, and T&T make up the minus three goal differential. I would love to see T&T advance because of how hard they have played. It is a longshot though. I see Sweden and England drawing making the other game pointless. England and Sweden go one-two in the group as I predicted.

Group C
Ivory Coast has played well, but Argentina and Holland have been the class of the group. They have won both their games and now play each other for control of the group. Because of goal differential, Argentina wins the group with a draw. I still predict a 2-1 win by Argentina making Argentina and Holland go 1-2 in the group as I precited...

Group D
Well, it SHOULD end up Portugal and Mexico. Portugal has looked ok, while Mexico looks lost without Borgetti. Unless Mexico loses big to Portugal in the last game while Angola beats Iran by a bunch, it should be Portugal and Mexico going 1-2. Mexico can get first in thr group if they beat Portugal, but I don't see that happening. My predictions should remain correct.

Group E
Well, after that gutty tie by the US against Italy and the upset win by Ghana over the Czechs, I actually think the US will advance. As you may know, they have to beat Ghana and have Italy beat the Czechs. There are other scenarios possible, but they are LONGSHOTS. Yes, I see the US doing it. Italy and USA go 1-2 like I predicted...

Group F
Blah, blah, Brazil is going to win this group. What will be interesting is the fight for second place. Australia needs just a tie against Croatia while Croatia advances if they can beat Australia. Australia has been a pleasant surprise while Croatia has been so-so. I don't see Australia letting down now. The game will end in a tie making Australia the second place team to the Brazilians. I thought it would be Croatia, but I think I'll be wrong here. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, OY OY OY!!

Group G
The biggest surprise has been how bad France has looked again. However, they play Togo last while the two teams ahead of them have to play each other. If France wins and Switzerland and South Korea doesn't end in a tie, France will go on. They can even go on if that game ends in a tie and France wins by two goals. There are a lot of options. Therefore, I see Switzerland and South Korea drawing, with France beating Togo by two goals. Switzerland gets first and France gets second. Just the reverse of what I predicted, but the right two teams...

Group H
Despite being rocked 4-0 by Spain, Ukraine is still the second best team in this group. Both will win their matches against Saudi Arabia and Tunisia respectively making Spain and Ukraine go 1-2 as predicted.

I will make my predictions for the second round on Friday. Thank you to those who got this far. I had pictures for all these groups, but they aren't loading for some reason...damnit...

Running out of time...

My job is killing me! No matter how hard I try, things just aren't clicking right now. I mean, I do what they ask me to, I try to stay busy, but the $ is just not coming in. I'm tired of things falling through for me and watching others who started at the same time as me start to get deals. I am not doing anything differently than them. They tell me that. Well, one lady just has a ton of friends who suddenly want to buy and sell, but I don't see that happening for me right now. I have my listing right now, but that still hasn't sold and it is frustrating. The overabundance of houses for sale and the way the market is right now is just killing me. I picked a career change at the absolute worst possible time. I talked to an experienced agent the other day and she said it has been the worst 6 months of her career. How is a new agent like me going to survive like that? If I could sell my listing it would be great because I will be getting 2 deals out of it. They tell me that they understand that I am doing all I can so at least I have that going for me. But they have given me until the end of July to sell it. Basically, I have 6 more weeks to sell it or I lose 2 deals. And if I lose them? Well, I could get lucky and pick up some more buyers in the meantime, but my luck hasn't gone that way yet. Jessica and I have basically given ourselves till the end of the Summer for this Real Estate thing. I love my job, she loves that I am happy, but we can't live with no paycheck from me. I only need about 8 deals in a year to make what I did as a teacher. Doesn't sound like a big deal, but it isn't going that way for me. And then what do I do? Well, I guess I have to find another job. I don't know what. I don't want to go back to teaching. I hated teaching. I guess I could get a state job. I just don't want to end up in some job that they will give to anyone with a high school diploma. I have a college degree from a good school. It would kill me to waste it. I don't know where to begin. I could always do Real Estate part time when deals happen, but that would require me switching companies as my office doesn't allow part timers. Who knows, maybe I will find the perfect job. I think I have the perfect job right now. Just not the perfect timing. Well, I guess we will see in a few more months.

I HATE YOU!!!

There is this doctor at work who, I think intentionally, gives me a bad time. Every time I speak with her on the telephone it is a battle. I can't remember every single instance, but for example, she has interrupted my report then accused me of not giving her all of the information. And last night, the following exchange occurred. For the sake of anonymity, we'll call the doctor Dr. A (and yes, Mom, she's taken care of you...)

Background: I had a patient with a bad rash and the skin had broken open and was causing the patient a great deal of discomfort. Being the good nurse I am, I called Dr. A.

*ring ring*
Dr. A: (speaker phone) Hello?
Me: Dr. A? (it didn't sound like her)
*silence*
Me: Hello?
Dr. A: Yeeeessss...
Me: It's Jessica from San Juan. I'm calling about (patient) who has a rash on her (location) that...

At this point she interrupts me and tells me what medicines to give her, which is cool, but I feel it is important to give her all the information and let her know that the skin is broken (which I was about to do before she interrupted me). So I tell her.

Dr. A: Ok... Give her the Diflucan and Neosporin like I told you.
Me: Ok, can you tell me how the Diflucan comes? Milligrams and all?
Dr. A: No.
*silence*
Me: Well, I don't know how it comes, Dr. A.
Dr. A. *sighs* 150 mg.
Me: Ok, how often? (There are always 4 things you need for a correct medication order: 1) the drug 2) the dose 3) how to give it 4) how often to give it)
*silence*
Dr. A: (very patronizing) Just once.

When I hung up I honestly was on the verge of tears from anger because speaking to a doctor and advocating for your patient's safety and comfort should not be that difficult. I should not be given a bad time, harassed or spoken to like I'm a 5 year old retard for doing my job. If it was only once that this happened, I could let it go, but every time I speak to her on the telephone, without fail, I hang up pissed off because she does something like this.

A wise woman at work said that I'm probably especially sensitive to it because I go into the call with her on the defensive. And that makes sense - if she's treated me like crap every phone conversation we've had before, why wouldn't I be prepared for more? But also, in so doing, it's like I'm looking for it, thus more sensitive when it does happen. It makes sense...

But it doesn't make it right. Whatever I did to piss her off or get on her bad side, I wish I could take back because it is a horrible feeling to be spoken down to/harassed/belittled for doing your job.

Hopefully, there is More Than Meets the Eye

Yup, just a little over a year away until my movie dream comes true. They sure are keeping a tight wrap on the filming right now. Most pictures that get leaked quickly disappear for fear of lawsuit.

Crap....

Well, the U.S, got watch the mighty Czechs celebrate three times today. Just depressing. Guess we have to go and beat Italy now. Yeah....

What many Americans wouldn't understand...

The first three days of the World cup are over and what a spectacular time it has been. There have been beautiful goals, hard play, and a few surprises. No surprise can top 0-0 tie that Trinidad and Tobago was able to get with Sweden. In fact, this may have been the best of the 8 games so far. Wait, a 0-0 tie is the best game you may ask? See, this is where American sports mentality comes in. One of the reasons that many in America hate soccer is that they feel it is too low scoring. They feel a game can't be exciting unless many goals/points are scored. But they are so wrong. Let's look at this game deeper. This was Trinidad's first game in their first ever World Cup. They were going up against a fairly strong team in Sweden. By all accounts, they were supposed to get blown out. Yet, with one half down, they were still at 0-0. Then 1 minute into the second half, a Trinidad player gets ejected and now Trinidad has to play the entire second half with one less player. So, they are inexperienced, playing a good team, and have one less player. Yet somehow, they were able to play their hearts out, giving it all on the field. The last 5 minutes, as they blocked shot after shot from a charging Sweden side were some of the most tense moments I have ever seen in a soccer game. When the ref finally blew the whistle, the players of Trinidad mobbed each other as if they had just won the World Cup. They had accomplished what nobody thought they could. It was straight out of a movie. Yet, American mentality will look at the final score and say that it had to be boring. Little do they know, the game had a storybook ending. Trinidad may lose their next two games, but they will probably return home as heroes for the shocker they were able to pull on a Saturday afternoon. Not bad for a "boring" 0-0 game.

World Cup Time!!!

It only happens every four years and it is the greatest sports event in the world. Nope, not the Olympics, but the World Cup. For one month, I am going to be on the edge of my seat as the greatest soccer players in the world will compete in the game I love. Being that it is only every 4 years only adds to how great it is. Mess up in the first round, you have 4 whole years to think about it. So, here are my predictions and don't worry, if you don't care about soccer, there will be some movie trivia at the bottom...

First Round features 8 groups of 4 with the top two in each group advance. This is how I see each group finishing...

Group A
Germany
Poland
Ecuador
Costa Rica

Group B
England
Sweden
Paraguay
Trinidad and Tobago

Group C
Argentina
Holland
Ivory Coast
Serbia and Montenegro

Group D
Portugal
Mexico
Angola
Iran

Group E
Italy
USA
Czech Republic
Ghana

Group F
Brazil
Croatia
Australia
Japan

Group G
France
Switzerland
South Korea
Togo

Group H
Spain
Ukraine
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia


Second Round
Germany over Sweden
Argentina over Mexico
England over Poland
Holland over Portugal
Italy over Croatia
France over Ukraine
Brazil over USA
Spain over Switzerland

Quarterfinals
Argentina over Germany
Italy over France
England over Holland
Brazil over Spain

Semifinals
Argentina over Italy
England over Brazil

Finals
England over Argentina...and I will rejoice in England's win!!! It's finally their time to reclaim the cup. A betting man would put the $$$ on Brazil, but I hate Brazil and refuse to proclaim the winner. We shall see....


Movie trivia time...We'll make them sports movies in the spirit of the Cup. Name the movie and the character who said it.

1. Bats, they are sick. I cannot hit curveball. Straightball I hit it very much. Curveball, bats are afraid.

2. If we play 'em 10 times, they might win nine. But NOT this game.

3. Yeah, starting defense! PLACE AT THE TABLE!!! YEAH!!!

Early Morning Telephone Call

I was up this morning at 615am, which is no big deal, since I work tonight and will nap at some point today anyway. So I got up, fed and pottied the dogs, ate breakfast and checked e-mail/played on the computer until 700am, when I woke Manuel with a kiss to the forehead and the morning paper. When he got up to get ready for his day at work, I went back to the computer.

At 725am the telephone rang. Normally when it rings at that time, it is either my mom or step-mom calling, thinking I worked the night before and trying to catch me before I go to bed. I was sitting in the living room and when the ringing started, I looked up to where the phone usually is, but alas, it wasn't there. I stood up and looked around for it but still couldn't find it. I ran to the bedroom to answer the phone, and by the time I got there, the answering machine had picked up, so as the recording was going, I kept saying, "Hang on, hang on" to whoever was on the other end so they knew I was there and wouldn't hang up.

It was a good thing I couldn't find the phone and the answering machine recorded the whole conversation because it was entirely bizarre and what follows is a direct transcript I took by listening to the recorded conversation over and over again. The person calling had an VERY thick Indian accent and the words in parentheses are what I think he said.

Me: Ok, go ahead.
Him: Yes, Miss. Can I speak to Manuel?
Me: He's in the shower.
*pause*
Him: Ok...
Me: Who's calling?
Him: My name is (Satchel?) and I'm calling, uh, from the credit team at (paytroll?), ok?
*pause*
Me: And what is that?
Him: Well, this is regarding an online purchase that he made (out of a trite?), ok? What I will do is I'll just give him a call after 5 or 10 minutes, Alright? That ok?
Me: Ok, but, I mean, where are you calling from?
Him: I'm calling from United States.
Me: Well, I know United States but, I mean, it's 730 in the morning here.
*silence*
Him: (VERY quietly) Ok. I'm really sorry Ma'am.
Me: Ok.
Him (Still VERY quietly) Bye bye.

Yeah... Whatever online purchase Manuel made isn't important enough to require a telephone call at 730 in the morning.

Oh, and by the way, it is 845am right now, and he still hasn't called back. So much for that 5 to 10 minutes... I think I scared the crap out of him.

Free Money

I got a call from my boss at work a few days ago. She said she was embarassed to tell me this, but Human Resources never got the paperwork notifying them that I took my boards. So all this time, HR had me as an RN-IP, working under an interim permit that is good for 6 months or until I pass (or do not pass) my boards. My IP started 6/04, when I started working, and was due to expire 6 months later, 12/04. Well, I took my boards in 9/04 and passed, thus nullifying my IP and becoming a REAL nurse, and I've been working like that ever since.

Only, like I said above, HR never got that info (which REALLY gives me faith in our HR department, working under a licence that expired over a year and a half ago and nobody caught on to it...) But the good news is, and I did not know this, there is a pay difference between IP and real RN status, which I have not been receiving since 9/04 - 21 months! So yours truly is apparently going to get a check for retro pay, paying me 21 months worth of IP and RN pay difference. I don't know exactly how much the difference is, but regardless, it's like getting free money!

Now we can get those hardwood floors! Score!

Birthday update

Had a wonderful time in Vegas, but never have I felt so old before. Even though most of the guys are older than me, they are also mostly single. They always were in party mode and it just drained the crap out of me. It was like a nonstop party. I need more sleep than 530am-1030am(?!?!?) on Sunday morning and 4-7 am on Monday morning. By the time I got home at 11am on Monday, I was dead. However, as little energy as I had, I still went straight to the movies from the airport with Jess to see X-Men3. LOVED IT!!! Loved seeing all these characters although they still left out Gambit. Bastards! Maybe in the next one....and you know there will be one. Got some $$$ and gift certificates so I was able to pick up some great resin figures today at the store. Here are some pics...






I also have on order this new DVD set for your computer that has every Uncanny X-Men comic ever made to read on your computer. Only $40 bucks so I also ordered an Avengers set today with some money I got in the mail today. Looking forward to those!

Movie trivia: Last weeks mystery Will Smith quote was from Enemy of the State.

In honor of all this comic news, something different today. Each quote is from a different movie based on a comic. Name the movie and the comic character who says the quote...

1. Does it ever wake you in the middle of the night? The feeling that one day they will pass that foolish law or one just like it and come for you? And your children?

2.Well, to each his own. I chose my path, you chose the way of the hero. And they found you amusing for a while, the people of this city. But the one thing they love more than a hero is to see a hero fail, fall, die trying. In spite of everything you've done for them, eventually they will hate you. Why bother?

3.You're making me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry.

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All Alone

Manuel left for Vegas with the boys this morning. His ride came to pick him up at 930am. Since I worked last night, we hung out until about 915am, then he tucked me in bed and we said goodbye.

I slept the majority of the day, got up, got ready and went to work. It was slow, so I volunteered to go home - I have plans for tomorrow and sleeping all night will be better than not.

So I'm sitting here, looking at websites, and I hear my cell phone ringing to Manuel's ring tone - The Simpsons. He's calling me! I run to catch the phone and sure enough, my sweet love is on the other end. I play yell at him for calling - Vegas is roaming, thus $0.50 a minute, and you know what he says? "I just wanted to tell you that I love you." I could hear his friends in the background, and normally he keeps the love stuff on the down low in front of his friends, but here he was, out with the guys for a weekend in Vegas and he calls to tell me he loves me.

I didn't realize how much I missed him until I heard his voice. It really filled my heart and made me happy talking to him. I smiled the whole time I was on the phone, and even for a few minutes after we hung up.

I love that boy SOOOOOO much!

Season Finales

Two exciting finales this week. Let's start with 24. Pretty exciting. Pretty much happened how I would thought except for the end. This is the first season we have watched so I don't know the whole story behind the Chinese, but I knew enough to know that when they took off their masks at the end, I knew I was supposed to say, "Oh shit!" Should be an exciting season next year and I am anxious to see where it goes. My only complaint was that they did not kill Chloe. We HATE her and I hope she dies a violent death soon!












Lost finished last night and again it was a trip. Yeah, it answered so many questions, but it just replaced them with others. Still, a great show and again, it will be a long summer waiting for this show to come back. I have heard rumors that this show is only going to be three seasons long so if that is the case, the end really started it on that path.

Jess and I saw Da Vinci Code last Friday. Pretty good movie. We both read it a few years ago, and recently bpth reread it to refresh our memories. For a movie, it was pretty entertaining. It had differences from the book, but overall, I just wanted to be entertained and my goal was met. Lot of people seem to hate the movie adaptation, but it would have been very hard to totally get it right from the book. I'm ok with the final product. Now bring on Angels and Demons which is an even better book. We passed on Poseidon from my list of Summer movies. We'll just NetFlix it instead. This week is X-Men 3, but with Jess working and Vegas this weekend with the boys, I don't think I will get to see until my birthday on the 29th. Oh well.

Trivia - Not very many answers from the last one. It was Tom Hanks and the first quote was from Toy Story. The 2nd was from That Thing Uou Do and the third was from Saving Private Ryan.

Today's:
1.Now back up, put the gun down, and get me a pack of Tropical Fruit Bubblicious.

2.It just be raining black people in New York.

3.You're the only woman for me. You and Janet Jackson.

Meet the Nielsons

So this is exciting news - we've been asked to be a Nielson family. They contacted us a couple of weeks ago to get some demographic information for their consideration. Well, today they came by and said we have been chosen. So, in a couple of weeks, they are going to come by, install some box to our two TVs in the house, and we are officially a Nielson family. In case you don't know what that is, they keep track of every TV show we watch so that they can come up with the TV ratings. Pretty cool. If our TV should break any time between now and when we stop being a Nielson family, they will pay for half of it. Kind of fun...

House(Castle) sitting was a blast. Meant to take pictures and of course, we forgot. Hopefully they will ask us again so we can rectify that. Their puppies were adorable, the scenery was great, and the BBQ/poker game on Saturday was a BLAST! Didn't hurt that I won the poker game. $140 for first isn't too shabby. Here is the only pic of the house I have for now:

















Some trivia for ya:
1.That wasn't flying! That was... falling with style!

2.It is very important that you don't stink today.

3.Earn this.

The many faces of Manuel

In case you didn't know, I've been working out!

















And don't get me angry! You won't like when I get angry!!! Manuel Smash!
















I'm joining the BlueMan-uel group...

I was sucha freakin Talent

About the author:
Richard Bauer is the 12 year old son of Denise Bauer. He is studying in St. Lawrence School in Sacramento, where is received the King Author Certificate of Excellence and also the Christian Citizenship Award.
The award reads : This young man exemplifies what our school stands for Christianity. He is respectful, courteous and friendly. During mass, Richard shows reverence and a quiet deep faith. In class he is helpful, for instance, after Math class last Monday, a fellow student needed assistance and Richard quietly and courteously gave his time to help. As a sportsplayer, Richard exhibits true sportsmanship- the desire and ability to win, but with humility. Richard is friendly to all and doesnt spek unkindly of anyone. He always tries his best whether it is at Mass, in the classroom, or on the playing field. Thank you Richard for being you.

Following is the unedited essay of Richard:

Being a piece of paper is exciting. I never know what is going to be written on me until its done. Sometimes a person writes poetry and expresses their feelings. Other times a person writes an essay for me, but for this one day, I would be an A paper.

It started when a kid named Richard was assigned an English essay. He had to write about a day in the life of an inanimate object. The day before the paper was due, I was chosen as the paper to be turned in. What an honor! For the first time I had a chance to be an A paper. When Richard started, two of my friends were crumple up. I was praying that he wouldnt throw me away. Richard was watching T.V. and he was halfway through the paper. I could be an A paper, only a paragraph to go.

I had always dreamed of this moment and it had finally come. It was my first and last chance. It was up to Richards teacher to decide if I was worthy of this honor. The next day, Richard turned me in and only fate could tell.

The next Monday Richard got me back and boy was he happy. He got an A and I had the honor of being that paper that was Richards first essay to be an A.

Monday

This video is pretty funny.





Only a few more days until we get to house sit at the castle. We're so excited! Maybe if I hang out in front of the house enough, I can get their neighbor, Mr Artest to come over and play poker. Yeah, maybe....

Nobody got the second quote last time. It was Nic Cage's great line from The Rock.

Here ya go with some more quotes...

1. I know that I have put you through hell, and I know that I have been one rough pecker. But from here on, you are all in my cool book.

2. There's a ninety-five pound Chinese man with a hundred sixty million dollars behind this door.

3. You fascinate me.

Survivor Women Top 10

In honor of Survivor's Finale tonight, I thought I would do a top 10 of the hottest girls that have been on the show. I've seen every episode of this damn addicting show and it has not been lacking in girls I thought were cute. Here ya go from 10-1...


10. Brianna - Cute, but didn't last very long. Was pretty worthless if I remember correctly.











9. Eliza - Another cute one, but I seem to remember her being pretty worthless also.











8. Sally - From this season. Cutie. Read she was a soccer player!!!











7. Neleh - Even though she was pretty much just a retread of the upcoming Elizabeth, I still thought she was pretty cute.











6. Danni - The winner last season. Waaaaaaayyyyyy too skinny, but she was damn hot. The fact that her skinniness was probably due more to running rather than just being a non-eating skeleton somehow made it better.









5. Jenna - Actually, I couldn't stand her the first season she was on, despite how hot she was. Then once All-Stars rolled around, she really grew on me and now totally dig her. 











4. Amber - Just a cutie. She seems totally opposite of Boston Rob, but hope it works out for them. 











3. Elizabeth - Pretty hard not to have a crush on this girl. Seems like she has done pretty well for herself now. Although, she does have to deal with that alien, Star Jone,s every day.









2. Colleen - I had the BIGGEST crush on her during the first season. Then she got a movie role. Then? Where are you Colleen?!?!?











1. Danielle - Number one didn't come around until this season. Besides her extremely fake boobs which I HATE, she is just so hot. She even has a chance to win. She is one of three people who I wouldn't mind winning tonight. We'll have to see how it goes. And.....another soccer player!!! Can't get much better!

Happy Mother's Day

To all mothers out there, especially my wonderful Mom, have a happy and fun Mother's Day. You ALL deserve it for what you do!

The Evolution of Dance

Press play to watch this video. It is HILARIOUS!!! This guy dances to pretty much every imaginable dance through the years from Elvis to N'Sync. Let me know what you think! There is still a quote below that needs answering!