Adam Lambert - New Obsession?

At first I wasn't so sure about this guy... but he's crept up on me and now I'm finding myself searching the web for him... he is probably the first Idol I've ever seen as separate from or bigger than Idol... honestly I've never really taken the show seriously- until now! But it's not Idol - it's Adam, and if I could see him in concert two nights a week I'd ditch the rest of those Idol wannabe's in a heartbeat! Here are some cool videos I've found of Adam before he was "discovered" by Idol.

Repo! The Genetic Opera

Pete and I rented Repo! the other night - we both enjoyed it more than we expected! It was surprisingly fun in a gory way, and the music was really great!

http://www.repo-opera.com

More House Project Pics

Still working on the backyard, but took a break from the heat to focus on a couple of indoor projects:

We don't have a linen closet in the house so we used the "loft" area and created a storage space for our linens.

The picture isn't true to the color of the paint - we finally painted the fireplace bump-out. The texture is called "river rock." Turned out nice.

Valances and a new fan.

New kitchen light fixture and valance.

Socialism - Encouraging Us To Be Average

Hahaha Love This! A group of college students likens the concept of "redistribution of wealth," with redistributing and averaging student's grade point averages. Great analogy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7jd3_1xs5Y

A young woman was finishing her first year of college. Like so many others her age, she considered herself to be a very liberal Democrat, and was very much in favor of the “redistribution of wealth.”

She was deeply ashamed that her father was a rather staunch Republican, a feeling she openly expressed. Based on the lectures that she had participated in, and the occasional chat with a professor, she felt that her father had for years harbored an evil, selfish desire to keep what he thought should be his.

One day she was challenging her father on his opposition to higher taxes on the rich and the addition of more government welfare programs. The self-professed objectivity proclaimed by her professors had to be the truth and she indicated so to her father. He responded by asking how she was doing in school.

Taken aback, she answered rather haughtily that she had a 4.0 GPA, and let him know that it was tough to maintain, insisting that she was taking a very difficult course load and was constantly studying, which left her no time to go out and party like other people she knew. She didn’t even have time for a boyfriend, and didn’t really have many college friends because she spent all her time studying.

Her father listened and then asked, “How is your friend Audrey doing?”

She replied, “Audrey is barely getting by. All she takes are easy classes, she never studies, and she barely has a 2.0 GPA. She is so popular on campus; college for her is a blast. She’s always invited to all the parties, and lots of times she doesn’t even show up for classes because she’s too hung over.”

Her father then asked his daughter, “Why don’t you go to the Dean’s office and ask him to deduct a 1.0 off your GPA and give it to your friend who only has a 2.0. That way you will both have a 3.0 GPA and certainly that would be a fair and equal distribution of GPA.”

The daughter, visibly shocked by her father’s suggestion, angrily fired back, “That wouldn’t be fair! I have worked really hard for my grades! I’ve invested a lot of time, and a lot of hard work! Audrey has done next to nothing toward her degree. She played while I worked my tail off!”

The father slowly smiled, winked and said gently, “Welcome to the Republican Party.”

I Heart Sacramento

April 20th - 95 Degrees! Looking forward to our 6 month long summer!!

Trip Adviser Article:

Sacramento has the distinction of having been named by Time Magazine, "America's Most Integrated City." From Croatian to Greek to Asian (and everything in between), the city enjoys a rich texture of cultural and ethnic diversity that is reflected by its many yearly festivals and celebrations.

There's the Croatian Extravaganza, for example, and the Greek Food Festival. Or how about the Dragon Drum Boat Festival? More than an illustration of mere tolerance, the city's fusion of cultures displays its reception and acceptance of diversity.

While in one sense Sacramento's ambiance cannot be separated from its history, it boasts many modern offerings as well. Riverside Old Sacramento gives a taste of the gold rush era, and in Fort Sutter, surviving members of the ill-fated Donner Party were temporarily sheltered.

There is refinement and sophistication at the Sacramento Ballet, the Sacramento Opera, and the Sacramento Area Performing Arts. Or, if your style is of a different bent, the California Music Circus or the Studio Theatre might fit the bill.

The California State Fair, two zoos, several theatre companies, and museums galore spot the city with things to do and see throughout the year on a visit to Sacramento.

Don't Blame Me...

Backyard Project 2009

Spring is here! From weeds to trees - the backyard is almost finished! Two pineapple guavas (with edible flowers and fruit!), one lime and one kumquat - should be able to make a nice fruit salad this summer! The tree in the corner is flowering but no fruit - should eventually be the biggest of the bunch and provide some nice shade and privacy from the neighbors. Come over, let's BBQ!

Julie & Peter on the CBS Evening News

http://www.cbs13.com/video/?id=51824@kovr.dayport.com

Pete & I made the cut! Wait about 1.45 into the segment - the guy interviewed us for a good 5 minutes and this is what they took from it! Hahaha.

I want a Malshi!

Some of you know I've been researching dog breeds. Peter doesn't like dogs. I do, but I hate the hair that some of the shed, so I've been very picky about the breeds I'm looking at. I've done a lot of research over the last 6 months or so. I'd been looking at Cockapoos, however I found an adorable new hypoallergenic hybrid - the Malshi or Maltzu (half Maltese, half Shih Tzu):