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June '10: ?? - 30

June 30;

Title: The Dark Hills Divide
Author: Patrick Carman
Rating:

Goal: 59/60 (98 1/3% Complete)
Pages: 251
Genre: Children's Lit/Fantasy
About: Inquisitive twelve-year-old Alexa Daley is spending another summer in the walled town of Bridewell. This year, she is set on solving the mystery of what lies beyond the walls. Legend says the walls were built to keep out an unnamed evil that lurks in the forests and The Dark Hills. But what exactly is it that the townspeople are so afraid of? As Alexa begins to unravel the truth, pushing beyond the protective barrier she's lived behind all her life, she discovers a strange and ancient enchantment - and exposes a danger that could destroy everything she holds dear.
My Thoughts: Imaginative and thoroughly enjoyable. Alexa is a truly likeable and relate-able character for all ages. She's witty, caring, intelligent and most importantly unique. I devoured this book in under a day and look forward to reading the next book in the series.

TV Show: In Plain Sight
Episode: 3.13 - A Priest Walks Into a Bar
Goal: 001/200 (0.5% Complete)
About: After a priest witnesses the murder of the daughter of a parishoner, he enters WITSEC and leaves the clergy. Brandi and Peter decide to live together.
Quote: "You're going to have to give up being a priest." -Marshall "Thank God." -Witness

Your throat is tight, you can't breathe; another kiss is all you need.

??;

It appears I got lost for about a year. Am I back? Possibly.

Misery is company because I know that it's real.

( Books! Movies! Plays! Madness! )

Current Music: Jimmy Eat World - Bleed American

July '09: 12 - 18

July 12;

One ragweed plant can release as many as a million grains of pollen in one day.

July 13;

People over the age of fifty will start to lose their dislike for foods that taste bitter.

July 14;

The adult human body requires about 88 pounds of oxygen daily.

July 15;

The average adult has approximately six pounds of skin.

July 16;

Title: The Strain
Author: Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan
Rating:

Goal: 32/60 (53 1/3% Complete)
Pages: 401
Genre: Horror
About: They have always been here. Vampires. In secret and in darkness. Waiting. Now their time has come.
In one week, Manhattan will be gone. In one month, the country.
In two months - the world.
A Boeing 777 arrives at JFK and is on its way across the tarmac, when it suddenly stops dead. All window shades are pulled down. All lights are out. All communication channels have gone quiet. Crews on the ground are lost for answers, but an alert goes out to the CDC. Dr. Eph Goodweather, head of their Canary project, a rapid-response team that investigates biological threats, gets the call and boards the plane. What he finds makes his blood run cold.
In a pawnshop in Spanish Harlem, a former professor and survivor of the Holocaust named Abraham Setrakian knows something is happening. And he knows the time has come, that a war is brewing . . .
So begins a battle of mammoth proportions as the vampiric virus that has infected New York begins to spill out into the streets. Eph, who is joined by Setrakian and a motley crew of fighters, must now find a way to stop the contagion and save his city - a city that includes his wife and son - before it is too late.
My Thoughts: The reviews definitely aren't lying when they say this book isn't for the feint of heart. It was constantly fast paced, intense and frankly disturbing. This book was easy to picture once you've seen del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth. Those creatures are right in line with this book's version of vampires. I recommend that movie more than this book, but honestly I wouldn't be surprised if this book were made into a movie.

The average person spends two weeks of their life kissing.

July 17;

Title: Kitty and The Midnight Hour
Author: Carrie Vaughn
Rating:

Goal: 33/60 (55% Complete)
Pages: 259
Genre: Urban Fantasy
About: VAMPIRES. WEREWOLVES. TALK RADIO. Kitty Norville is a midnight-shift DJ for a Denver radio station--and a werewolf in the closet. Sick of lame song requests, she accidentally starts "The Midnight Hour," a late-night advice show for the supernaturally disadvantaged. After desperate vampires, werewolves, and witches across the country begin calling in to share their woes, her new show is a raging success. But it's Kitty who can use some help. With one sexy werewolf-hunter and a few homicidal undead on her tail, Kitty may have bitten off more than she can chew…
My Thoughts: Very enjoyable. It was difficult for me to adjust to Vaughn's weres after being so used to Brigg's (Mercy Thompson). I didn't like Vaughn's as well but Kitty is quite likable and made up for this. I also really enjoyed the premise of the plot.

The feet have approximately 250,000 sweat glands.

July 18;

TV Show: Burn Notice
Episode: 3.05 - Signals and Codes
Goal: 171/400 (42.75% Complete)
About: Michael helps a mathematician with preventing the firm he works for from selling government secrets.
Quote: "Ladies and gentlemen, if I can borrow your attention I promise to return it on about an hour." -Sam

The space between your eyebrows is called the Glabella.

Current Music: Lola Ray - Wolves

July '09: 5 - 11

July 5;

Title: The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane
Author: Katherine Howe
Rating:

Goal: 30/60 (50% Complete)
Pages: 362
Genre: Historical Fiction/Fantasy
About: While clearing out her grandmother's cottage for sale, Connie Goodwin finds a parchment inscribed with the name Deliverance Dane. And so begins the hunt to uncover the woman behind the name, a hunt that takes her back to Salem in 1692 . . . and the infamous witchcraft trials. But nothing is entirely as it seems and when Connie unearths the existence of Deliverance's spell book, the Physick Book, the situation takes on a menacing edge as interested parties reveal their desperation to find this precious artefact at any cost. What secrets does the Physick Book contain? What magic is scrawled across its parchment pages? Connie must race to answer these questions - and reveal the truth about Salem's women - before an ancient family curse once more fulfils its dark and devastating prophecy . . .
My Thoughts: I picked this book up because USA Today compared it to Harry Potter, which I honestly don't see. It's more like The Da Vinci Code; a well known story, in this case the Salem with trials, evolves into something more as the hero solves mysteries. The plot was incredibly well done. Every little detail will come back later in the book as part of a clue or solution. The thing I loved most about this book was that it was actually solvable without being obvious. It is possible to put the clues together before Connie but even when she solves something first, you're like 'oh crap, that made perfect sense!'

A sneeze can travel as fast as one hundred miles per hour.

July 6;

Title: Santa Olivia
Author: Jacqueline Carey
Rating:

Goal: 31/60 (51 2/3% Complete)
Pages: 341
Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy
About: Loup Garron was born and raised in Santa Olivia, an isolated, disenfranchised town next to a US military base inside a DMZ buffer zone between Texas and Mexico. A fugitive "Wolf-Man" who had a love affair with a local woman, Loup's father was one of a group of men genetically-manipulated and used by the US government as a weapon. The "Wolf-Men" were engineered to have superhuman strength, speed, sensory capability, stamina, and a total lack of fear, and Loup, named for and sharing her father's wolf-like qualities, is marked as an outsider.
After her mother dies, Loup goes to live among the misfit orphans at the parish church, where they seethe from the injustices visited upon the locals by the soldiers. Eventually, the orphans find an outlet for their frustrations: They form a vigilante group to support Loup Garron who, costumed as their patron saint, Santa Olivia, uses her special abilities to avenge the town.
Aware that she could lose her freedom, and possibly her life, Loup is determined to fight to redress the wrongs her community has suffered. And like the reincarnation of their patron saint, she will bring hope to all of Santa Olivia.
My Thoughts: Freakin' amazing. The story was so unique and thrilling. Not much more to say other than this is my favorite of the year so far.

Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar were both epileptic.

July 7;

Babies' eyes do not produce tears until the baby is approximately six to eight weeks old.

July 8;

TV Show: Mythbusters
Episode: 1.10 - Explosive Decompression, Frog Giggin', Rear Axle
Goal: 169/400 (42.25% Complete)
About: Can a bullet hole in the hull of an airplane cause explosive decompression that destroys the plane? Can a .22 caliber gun cartridge attached to a car ignition be used as a fuse? Can a car be ripped off its rear axle?
Quote: "I'm the eighth dwarf: Dirty." -Adam

Children grow faster in the springtime than any other season during the year.

July 9;

Every day, the average person swallows about a quart of snot.

July 10;

TV Show: Mythbusters
Episode: 1.11 - Sinking Titanic, Goldfish Memory, Trombone Explosion
Goal: 170/400 (42.5% Complete)
About: Will a sinking ship suck you down as it goes under? Can fish actually remember things? What happens when you throw a firecracker down the neck of a trombone?
Quote: "We're looking for something in a trombone." -Adam "Ok. And, uh, like for a student?" -Store Owner "Well, actually we want to blow it up." -Adam

In ancient Egypt, doctors used jolts from the electric catfish to reduce the pain of arthritis.

July 11;

Obsessive nose picking is referred to as rhinotillexomania.

Current Music: Mayday Parade - When I Grow Up

July '09: 1 - 4

July 1;

TV Show: Mythbusters
Episode: 1.07 - Stinky Car, Raccoon Rocket
Goal: 165/400 (41.25% Complete)
About: Mythbusters, Jamie and Adam put their noses to the test to find out if that nasty smell in your car is there to stay. Is the myth of the stinky car true? Then follow the gasoline trail as they try to flush out the truth in the raccoon in the drain myth.
Quote: "If my baby's poo smelled like that, I'd take him to the hospital immediately." -Adam

TV Show: The Big Bang Theory
Episode: 2.21 - The Vegas Renormalization
Goal: 166/400 (41.5% Complete)
About: Leonard and Raj take Wolowitz to Las Vegas to help him get over his break-up with Leslie. Sheldon, home alone and looking forward to it, locks himself out and has only one other place to stay—Penny's.
Quote: "We should have a plan in case one of us gets lucky." -Raj "Okay, if I get lucky, I'll take her to my stately manor outside Gotham City, and if you get lucky, I'll sleep on the moon." -Leonard

A kiss for one minute can burn 26 calories.

July 2;

TV Show: Mythbusters
Episode: 1.08 - Escape From Alcatraz, Duck Quack, Stud Finder
Goal: 167/400 (41.75% Complete)
About: Jamie and Adam retrace the steps of the infamous prisoners who escaped from Alcatraz without a trace in 1962. Although presumed drowned, they'll find out if it was possible to survive the tides of the San Francisco Bay in a homemade raft. As for other myth, Jamie and Adam test whether quacks from ducks echo. They examine the urban legend about whether a stud finder can tell whether you have something implanted in your body.
Quote: "Don't mess with me, duck. When I say "quack", you're gonna quack, right? I'm the boss here. Don't give me any beak." -Jamie

TV Show: Mythbusters
Episode: 1.09 - Chicken Gun, Octopus Egg Pregnancy, Killer Washing Machine
Goal: 168/400 (42% Complete)
About: Can a cooked and raw chicken flying toward an airplane interfere with its flight or will the jet engine just blow it away? The team makes a huge pressurized cannon and shoots a chicken at a jet's windshield. Did a woman give birth to an octopus after swallowing an octopus egg? Can your washing machine kill you?
Quote: "That can't be necessary. I don't recognize it." -Adam

The world record for the number of body piercings on one individual is 702, which is held by Canadian Brent Moffat.

July 3;

Teenage cosmetic surgeries nearly doubled in the USA between 1996 and 1998.

July 4;

A Russian man who wore a beard during the time of Peter the Great had to pay a special tax.

Current Music: Amber Pacific - Gone So Young

June '09: 28 - 30

June 28;

TV Show: In Plain Sight
Episode: 2.10 - Miles to Go
Goal: 162/400 (40.5% Complete)
About: Ed Fogerty, a Chicago security guard, enters WITSEC after uncovering an international auto theft ring. Mary and Marshall must find his missing son, Miles, or he will refuse to testify. During the search, they uncover a disturbing truth about Ed and Miles.

A study indicates that smokers are likely to die on average six and a half years earlier than non-smokers.

June 29;

Title: Watchmen
Author: Alan Moore
Rating:

Goal: 29/60 (48 1/3% Complete)
Pages: 416
Genre: Graphic Novel, Science Fiction
About: Imagine a future where Nixon is still President, America won the Vietnam War, and the nuclear clock stands at five minutes to midnight.
My Thoughts: This was the first graphic novel I've ever read. I discovered it's not really my thing. Looking at pictures and reading the words proved to be very difficult for me to the point where I was ready to just read the whole damn thing then do the pictures. Anyway, I enjoyed what this added to the movie.

Movie: Hostile Makeover
Rating:

Goal: 28/50 (56% Complete)
Genre: Mystery/Comedy
About: Lacey is in the middle of the murder of a reality show celebrity who had a big makeover and now is launching a clothing design line.
My Thoughts: Wonderful followup movie. I was excited that Mary McDonnel got a larger roll, looooveee her. The plot for this movie was wonderful, not at all predictable. I hope they end up making another movie!

Ironically, when doctors in Los Angeles, California went on strike in 1976, the daily number of deaths in the city dropped 18%.

June 30;

TV Show: Mythbusters
Episode: 1.06 - Lightning Strikes Tongue Piercing, Tree Cannon, Beat the Breath Test
Goal: 163/400 (40.75% Complete)
About: Could a small town have built a working cannon out of a tree? Can a pierced tongue withstand the electric force of a bolt of lightning? The team takes a mold of Adam's head and pierced the heck out of it to see if they could get a lighting strike from an electric rod. Are there ways of beating a Breathalyzer? The team tries many myths to see if they could drink and make it not show up on a Breathalyzer.
Quote: "Adam, the nice officer wants you to have another drink." -Jamie "You know, my doctor also told me that my body doesn't have enough tar. So, I need to start smoking again." -Adam

TV Show: Royal Pains
Episode: 1.04 - TB or Not TB
Goal: 164/400 (41% Complete)
About: On the day that Hank had previously planned to get married he spends time with Jill. Meanwhile, a Tuberculosis scare at a high-end Italian restaurant leads to a mysterious illness for the head chef, and Evan and Divya learn to work together.
Quote: "The clock, it will not last long." -Evan

There are approximately one hundred million people in the United States that have a chronic illness.

Current Music: Florence and the Machine - Cosmic Love

June '09: 21 - 27

June 21;

TV Show: In Plain Sight
Episode: 2.09 - Who's Bugging Mary?
Goal: 156/400 (39% Complete)
About: FBI agent O'Connor arrests Brandi on charges of drug trafficking and murder. Insisting her sister is innocent, Mary works to help Brandi while ultimately trying to discover O'Connor's real motive for his actions.
Quote: "You sure you want to do this?" -Mary "I'm positive I don't. But you seem to have become the train wreck I can't stop watching." -Marshall "Choo choo." -Mary

On average 1,668 gallons of water are used by each person in the United States daily.

June 22;

The average person falls asleep in about 12 to 14 minutes.

June 23;

Movie: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Rating:

Goal: 24/50 (48% Complete)
Genre: Comedy/Science Fiction; Spoofs and Satire
About: In this adventure based on the best-selling novel of the same name, Arthur Dent's house is about to be demolished when he discovers that his best friend is an alien and that the entire planet Earth is about to be destroyed to make way for a hyperspace bypass! Seems Arthur's only chance for survival is to hitch a ride on a passing spacecraft. Stars Martin Freeman, Mos Def, Zooey Deschanel, Bill Nighy and Sam Rockwell. Garth Jennings directs.
Quote: "Let's go somewhere." -Trillian "Where did you have in mind?" -Arthur "Madagascar." -Trillian "That new club on Dean Street?" -Arthur "No, it's a country. Off the coast of Africa." -Trillian
My Thoughts: Cute little movie. I really love just about anything with Zooey in it. I was sorta disappointed with the ending though, it didn't feel complete. Maybe I'd be happier if I'd read the book though.

Movie: Killer Hair
Rating:

Goal: 25/50 (50% Complete)
Genre: Mystery/Comedy
About: A fashion reporter stumbles on a murder investigation in the Nation's Capitol, only to be thrown for a loop when her police detective former lover is assigned to the case.
My Thoughts: Sooo good, I really liked how humorous this movie was too. The actress who played Stella was perfect. I'm not really a Lifetime movie kind of girl, but the main actress, Maggie Lawson, is on Psych. She's wonderful so I gave the movie a try. I will definitely be watching this again and checking out the book it was based on.

A person will burn 7 percent more calories if they walk on hard dirt compared to pavement.

June 24;

TV Show: Royal Pains
Episode: 1.03 - Strategic Planning
Goal: 157/400 (39.25% Complete)
About: Hank gets called in when a Senator's son gets infected with an unknown disease.

One out of 20 people have an extra rib.

June 25;

Movie: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Rating:

Goal: 26/50 (52% Complete)
Genre: Action/Science Fiction
About: Unlikely hero Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf), his foxy girlfriend, Mikaela Banes (Megan Fox), and the tough Capt. Lennox (Josh Duhamel) return to assist the Autobots in another epic battle against the evil Decepticons in this supercharged sequel to the 2007 megahit. Blockbuster impresario Michael Bay brings his trademark pyrotechnics to the proceedings, while comic whiz Rainn Wilson joins the cast as a college professor.
Quote: "Bee, I want to talk to you about the college thing, okay?" -Sam "I'm so excited and I just can't hide it..." -Bumblebee
My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this movie, it was ridiculously long though. There was a lot more (sex) humor in this movie than the previous one which was a little distracting from the storyline.

41% of women apply body or hand moisturizer a minimum three times a day.

June 26;

Movie: The Taking of Pelham 123
Rating:

Goal: 27/50 (54% Complete)
Genre: Action/Thriller/Suspense
About: When a group of hijackers led by criminal mastermind Ryder (John Travolta) take the passengers aboard a New York subway train hostage and demand a king's ransom, it's up to police Lt. Zachary Garber (Denzel Washington) to bring them down. Directed by Tony Scott (Man on Fire) this action thriller -- an update of the 1974 film from Joseph Sargent -- also stars James Gandolfini, John Turturro, Luis Guzmán and Gbenga Akinnagbe.
Quote: "Life is simple now. They just have to do what I say." -Ryder
My Thoughts: This movie was so intense and action driven, I really enjoyed that. I wasn't satisfied with the movie's ending however. It is a real ending, but I felt like there was still something that could have been added. There is literally no downtime in this movie though, if you aren't paying attention for even a minute, you'll be lost.

TV Show: Burn Notice
Episode: 3.04 - Fearless Leader
Goal: 158/400 (39.5% Complete)
About: Michael gets a hold of a crime lord who seems to be the prime suspect in a Miami PD investigation, so he wants to hand him over in return for being left alone.

The eight most common foods to cause food allergies are: milk, eggs, wheat, peanuts, soy, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish.

June 27;

	TV Show: Mythbusters Episode: 1.05 - Hammer Bridge Drop, Buried Alive, Cola Goal: 159/400 (39.75% Complete) About: Can a person jumping off a bridge be saved from death by throwing a hammer into the water to break the rigidity of the surface? How long will the air last in a coffin if you are buried alive? Can cola clean rust, cook a steak, or remove bloodstains? Quote: "Adam will use any excuse to run around in his undies. I think." -Jamie
	TV Show: Criminal Minds Episode: 4.25 - To Hell...And Back: Part 1 Goal: 160/400 (40% Complete) About: In one of its most difficult cases, the BAU is called to Detroit to help track down a serial killer who forces the team into Canada to catch him. Quote: "As far as I can tell, if your license doesn't ping for prior felonies, you're pretty much going to pass Go and collect $200 Canadian dollars." -Garcia
	TV Show: Criminal Minds Episode: 4.26 - To Hell...And Back: Part 2 Goal: 161/400 (40.25% Complete) About: The BAU continues its search for a serial killer who has forced the team into Canada to catch him. Meanwhile, a team member may have become the target of a killer from the past. Quote: "Like I said, sometimes there are no words, no clever quotes to sum up what's happened that day. Sometimes, the day just... ends." -Hotchner

Brain damage will only occur if a fever goes above 107.6 degrees farenheit.

Current Music: Era - Madona

June '09: 14 - 20

June 14;

TV Show: In Plain Sight
Episode: 2.08 - A Frond in Need
Goal: 153/400 (38.25% Complete)
About: When a series of murders seem to follow a new ex-con witness, including stabbing Mary's friend, she and Marshall have to figure out if he's the killer in time to save his next victim.

The sound made by the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe is so loud that it can be heard 40 miles away.

June 15;

A man named Charles Osborne had the hiccups for approximately sixty-nine years.

June 16;

TV Show: CSI
Episode: 9.12 - Disarmed and Dangerous
Goal: 154/400 (38.5% Complete)
About: The CSIs are called in when an undercover FBI agent is found brutally murdered. The CSIs must help the victim's parter find the killer.
Quote: "They acknowledged our jurisdiction, that's refreshing." -Catherine

People of Ancient China believed that swinging your arms could cure a headache.

June 17;

Title: Wolfsbane and Mistletoe
Author: Charlaine Harris, Donna Andrews, Simon R. Green, Dana Cameron, Kat Richardson, Alan Gordan, Carrie Vaughn, Dana Stabenow, Keri Arthur, J.A. Konrath, Patricia Briggs, Nancy Pickard, Karen Chance, Rob Thurman, Toni L.P. Kelner
Rating:

Goal: 28/60 (46 2/3% Complete)
Pages: 340
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance/Horror
About: New York Times bestselling authors Charlaine Harris, Patricia Briggs, Keri Arthur, and Carrie Vaughn—along with eleven other masters of the genre—offer all-new stories on werewolves and the holidays, a fresh variation on the concept that worked so well with birthdays and vampires in Many Bloody Returns.
The holidays can bring out the beast in anyone. They are particularly hard for lycanthropes. Charlaine Harris and Toni L. P. Kelner have harvested the scariest, funniest and saddest werewolf tales by an outstanding pack of authors, best read by the light of a full moon with a silver bullet close at hand.
Whether wolfing down a holiday feast (use your imagination) or craving some hair of the dog on New Year’s morning, the werewolves in these frighteningly original stories will surprise, delight, amuse, and scare the pants off readers who love a little wolfsbane with their mistletoe.
My Thoughts: Gift Wrap (Charlaine Harris) - Goddammit. Who writes a short story for an anthology and fills it with spoilers? I liked the story though, very interesting plot. The Haire of the Beast (Donna Andrews) - Loved it. The plot was wonderful and I enjoyed Andrews' writing style, too bad the rest of her work doesn't look all that interesting. Lucy, at Christmastime (Simon R. Green) - Really powerful and wonderfully written. I will definitely be checking out something else he's written in the future. The Night Things Changed (Dana Cameron) - Her versions of vamps and weres were very...different. I actually like her versions but they're hard to adjust to and would have worked better in a novel than a short story. The Werewolf Before Christmas (Kat Richardson) - Really dark and really intriguing. I loved this story. I really wish more of an explanation had been given, but that didn't dampen my enjoyment. Fresh Meat (Alan Gordan) - This one was okay. I didn't really like the who werewolf to dog telepath thing; it seemed too out there even for supernatural. Il Est Ne (Carrie Vaughn) - This takes place after book two in her series, which I haven't read. I really like Kitty, so this series will definitely be on my to read list for this year. I hope I didn't read too many spoilers though... The Perfect Gift (Dana Stabenow) - Too vague and confusing. Christmas Past (Keri Arthur) - A perfect mix of action, mystery and romance; loved it. SA (J.A. Konrath) - Was he on crack when he wrote this? It's clearly meant to be funny, but it's not. The Star of David (Patricia Briggs) - Yayayay! Great story. I wish it had been a Mercy Thompson one but I enjoyed this one too. You'd Better Not Pyout (Nancy Pickard) - I didn't care for this story. It was weird. Rogue Elements (Karen Chance) - Really good. A lot goes on so that it could have easily made a novel, but I thought Chance did a good job condensing the plot without making it confusing. Milk and Cookies (Rob Thurman) - Uhh what? I really liked his writing style but the story wasn't my cup of tea. Keeping Watch Over His Flock (Toni L.P. Kelner) - Sweet story, the narrator grated on my nerves though.

Medical research has found substances in mistletoe that can slow down tumor growth.

June 18;

TV Show: Burn Notice
Episode: 3.03 - End Run
Goal: 155/400 (38.75% Complete)
About: Black market dealer Brennen kidnaps Michael's brother Nate in order to use Michael for a job, while Michael still has to deal with Detective Paxson's investigations.
Quote: "I wanna know everything. I wanna know who his buyer is, where he's got Nate, what brand of orange juice he drinks in the morning." -Michael

Between 12%-15% of the population is left-handed.

June 19;

In the United States, 8.5 million cosmetic surgical and non-surgical procedures were done in the year 2001.

June 20;

Movie: The International
Rating:

Goal: 23/50 (46% Complete)
Genre: Thriller; Crime & Espionage Thrillers
About: Interpol agent Louis Salinger (Clive Owen) and New York Assistant District Attorney Eleanor Whitman (Naomi Watts) team up to expose a global financial institution's money laundering, arms dealing and other illegal rackets. But as the pair race from New York to Milan and beyond to pursue their case, they soon discover that the ruthless bank will stop at nothing to continue its profitable activities. Tom Tykwer directs this tense thriller.
Quote: "Sometimes the hardest thing in life is to know which bridge to cross and which to burn... I'm the one you burn." -Louis Salinger
My Thoughts: The beginning of the movie was too slow and dense for my tastes but the second half of the movie was spectacular (more action and things started actually playing out). And then the credits rolled totally ruining the entire movie. I don't want to ruin it for anyone but sitting through a two hour movie only to have the ending blow that hard, wasn't all that fun.

Only one out of every three people wash their hands when leaving a public bathroom.

Current Music: Paramore - For A Pessimist, I'm Pretty Optimistic

June '09: 7 - 13

June 7;

Wherever a person is standing in the state of Michigan in the United States, they are within 85 miles of one of the Great Lakes.

June 8;

Movie: Fanboys
Rating:

Goal: 20/50 (40% Complete)
Genre: Comedy; Spoofs and Satire
About: They've waited patiently for years for the release of Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace. But when one of their own discovers he's terminally ill, a group of pals embarks on a road trip to Skywalker Ranch to steal the long-anticipated film. Sam Huntington, Chris Marquette, Dan Fogler, Jay Baruchel and Kristin Bell star in director Kyle Newman's labor of geek love. Star Wars alums Billy Dee Williams, Carrie Fisher and Ray Park make cameos.
Quote: "Nobody calls Han Solo a bitch!" -Hutch
My Thoughts: Okay, I'll admit I had no idea what this movie was about; I just rented it because of K. Bell. I really enjoyed the movie though even though I am not a Star Wars fan.

TV Show: In Plain Sight
Episode: 2.07 - Duplicate Bridge
Goal: 145/400 (36.25% Complete)
About: When a bridge collapses and plunges many to their death, the victims' families come after the engineer, who - once in Witsec - attempts to clear his name no matter what the consequence.
Quote: "What does your loved one say is your greatest asset? And don't say my chest. " -Brandi

Jupiter's Great Red Spot is 25,000 miles wide.

June 9;

Uranus is the only planet that rotates on its side.

June 10;

Movie: Scooby-Doo: Pirates Ahoy!
Rating:

Goal: 21/50 (42% Complete)
Genre: Animation/Family
About: Piracy on the high seas and the mysterious Bermuda Triangle loom on the horizon in Pirates Ahoy!, but solving mysteries is the last thing on the Scooby-Doo Gang's minds when Fred's parents invite the group on a luxury cruise to celebrate Fred's birthday. It turns out that the cruise is actually a mystery cruise, but the gang solves all the Program Director's mysteries so fast that it looks like their trip to the Bermuda Triangle will be an uneventful one full of rest, relaxation, and all-you-can-eat buffets. Enter the creepy Mr. Mysterio, astral photographer Rupert Garcia who swears his ship was attacked by ghost pirates, eccentric millionaire Biff Wellington, and an eerie green-glowing fog that envelopes everything in its path, and the gang is suddenly immersed in a mystery in which their own lives and the lives of Fred's parents are at stake.
My Thoughts: Scooby Doo is my absolute favorite cartoon. I wasn't impressed with the villain and explanation at the end of this movie, so this one wasn't one of my favorites. I did like the Irish/pirate music throughout this movie though.

TV Show: Royal Pains
Episode: 1.01 - Pilot
Goal: 146/400 (36.5% Complete)
About: When a hospital trustee dies on Dr. Hank Lawson's watch, he is shunned by the medical community. Later, at a party in the Hamptons, he saves the life of a guest and stumbles upon a new career as an on call doctor for high society.
Quote: "I love ya." -Evan "Like you." -Hank

Venus is the only planet that rotates clockwise.

June 11;

Title: Dog on It
Author: Spencer Quinn
Rating:

Goal: 27/60 (45% Complete)
Pages: 305
Genre: Mystery
About: Meet Chet, the wise and lovable canine narrator of Dog on It, who works alongside Bernie, a down-on-his-luck private investigator. Chet might have flunked out of police school ("I'd been the best leaper in K-9 class, which had led to all the trouble in a way I couldn't remember exactly, although blood was involved"), but he's a detective through and through.
In this, their first adventure, Chet and Bernie investigate the disappearance of Madison, a teenage girl who may or may not have been kidnapped, but who has definitely gotten mixed up with some very unsavory characters. A well-behaved, gifted student, she didn't arrive home after school and her divorced mother is frantic. Bernie is quick to take the case -- something about a cash flow problem that Chet's not all that clear about -- and he's relieved, if vaguely suspicious, when Madison turns up unharmed with a story that doesn't add up. But when she disappears for a second time in a week, Bernie and Chet aren't taking any chances; they launch a full-blown investigation. Without a ransom demand, they're not convinced it's a kidnapping, but they are sure of one thing: something smells funny.
Their search for clues takes them into the desert to biker bars and other exotic locals, with Chet's highly trained nose leading the way. Both Chet and Bernie bring their own special skills to the hunt, one that puts each of them in peril. But even as the bad guys try to turn the tables, this duo is nothing if not resourceful, and the result is an uncommonly satisfying adventure.
With his doggy ways and his endearingly hardboiled voice, Chet is full of heart and occasionally prone to mischief. He is intensely loyal to Bernie, who, though distracted by issues that Chet has difficulty understanding -- like divorce, child custody, and other peculiar human concerns -- is enormously likable himself, in his flawed, all-too-human way.
My Thoughts: Chet (the dog) was an amazing narrator. A good chunk of this book will have you dog lovers' hearts bleeding especially since you read it from Chet's POV. However, Chet keeps the rest of the book lighthearted with his unknowing wit. This book is definitely a must for all dog and mystery lovers.

TV Show: Burn Notice
Episode: 3.02 - Question and Answer
Goal: 147/400 (36.75% Complete)
About: Michael has trouble with Detective Paxson who tracks down a storage unit where he has hidden explosives. Meanwhile, Michael, Fiona and Sam help a couple find their kidnapped son.
Quote: "Well, someone once told me that caring for you is like trench warfare. So I thought you should arm yourself." -Fiona

If you were standing on Mercury, the Sun would appear 2.5 times larger than it appears from Earth.

June 12;

Movie: Transporter 3
Rating:

Goal: 22/50 (44% Complete)
Genre: Action/Thriller; Crime Thriller
About: Buckle up and hold on tight for the third installment of the action-packed Transporter series, which follows the thrilling adventures of Frank Martin (Jason Statham), a mercenary driver who makes his living by delivering important cargo, no questions asked. Co-written by French director Luc Besson, Transporter 3 brings back co-star François Berléand and welcomes the addition of Robert Knepper to the cast.
Quote: "I'd like to offer you a position." -Johnson "I'd like to offer you one - permanently disabled." -Frank Martin
My Thoughts: Jason Statham was amazing as usual. The plot and action in this movie was on par with the rest of the series but the love interest for this movie made me want to bash my head in. Both the actress and the character were terrible. The character was very poorly written...or she was severely bipolar. I gave the movie 5 stars anyway because I love Statham and Robert Knepper.

	TV Show: Mythbusters Episode: 1.01 - Ice Bullet, Exploding Toilet, Who Gets Wetter? Goal: 148/400 (37% Complete) About: Can a toilet be made to explode by pouring a flammable liquid into it and lighting a match? Does running in the rain rather than walking get you less wet? Can assassins really use bullets made out of ice so that they leave no trace? Quote: "What did you do today honey?" -Jamie "I made a Meat Bullet. Is that what the kids are calling it these days?" -Adam
	TV Show: Mythbusters Episode: 1.03 - Barrel of Bricks, Pissing on the Third Rail, Eel Skin Wallet Goal: 149/400 (37.25% Complete) About: Can urinating on the electrified third rail of a train track cause you to be electrocuted? Can a wallet made from the skin of an electric eel erase the magnetic information from your credit cards? Can a construction worker be killed by a barrel of bricks? Quote: "It just goes to show you that you should not kneel down in front of the third rail, grab it with both hands, and piss on it from three feet away." -Adam
	TV Show: Mythbusters Episode: 1.02 - Cell Phone Destruction, Silicone Breasts, CD-ROM Shattering Goal: 150/400 (37.5% Complete) *About:* Can using a cell phone at a gas station cause the pump to explode? Can changes in air pressure at high altitude cause silicone breast implants to explode? Can spinning a CD-ROM at too high a speed cause it to shatter? Quote: "Jamie want big boom!" -Jamie

Even though red roses looks the same, there are over 900 different types of red roses.

June 13;

TV Show: Mythbusters
Episode: 1.04 - Penny Drop, Deadly Microwaves, Radio Tooth Fillings
Goal: 151/400 (37.75% Complete)
About: Can a pedestrian be killed by a penny dropped from the top of a skyscraper? The team finds out the terminal velocity of a penny and make a penny cannon, then shot it at a pigs scull. This showed if a penny being dropping at terminal velocity can kill someone. Can you be baked to death on a tanning bed? Can toothfillings transmit radio waves?
Quote: "Go on, shoot me in the ass, I can take it!" - Adam

TV Show: Royal Pains
Episode: 1.02 - There Will Be Food
Goal: 152/400 (38% Complete)
About: A ballerina Evan is dating loses consciousness after he feeds her junk foods she had to give up to keep her dancer's physique.
Quote: "Look, If you like her then... ask her out." -Hank "Did she ask you to tell me that?" -Evan "Yes, by my locker before homeroom." -Hank

An earthquake on Dec. 16, 1811 caused parts of the Mississippi River to flow backwards.

Current Music: The Mile After - So Damn Easy (Kelly Dear)

June '09: 1 - 6

June 1;

Title: High Five
Author: Janet Evanovich
Rating:

Goal: 24/60 (40% Complete)
Pages: 317
Genre: Mystery
About: In her fifth high-octane thriller, bounty hunter Stephanie Plum sets out to find her missing uncle-- and along the way smacks slam-bang into: a dead body, a nasty bookie, her stun-gun-toting grandmother, two very sexy men, an angry little man who won't leave her apartment, and a Mafia wedding...
Jersey's favorite bounty hunter has never been better! With high hair, street smarts and plenty of attitude, Steph's sure to nail this case-- or risk life and spandex-clad limb trying...
My Thoughts: My new favorite in the series so far! I loved all of the new characters in this book, especially the midget. I also loved Steph and Lula's interactions/apprehension attempts in this one. Not many series get better as they go, but this series does!

TV Show: In Plain Sight
Episode: 2.06 - One Night Stan
Goal: 143/400 (35.75% Complete)
About: When Stan's first witness turns up dead, with his badge amongst the bones, he becomes the Chief suspect - forcing Mary & Marshall to dig deeper into a 20-year old love triangle.

Each day the sun causes about one trillion tons of water to evaporate.

June 2;

Florida has twice as many lightning injuries and deaths than any other state.

June 3;

The largest volcano known is on Mars: Olympus Mons, 370 miles wide and 79,000 feet high, is almost three times higher than Mount Everest.

June 4;

Movie: V for Vendetta
Rating:

Goal: 18/50 (36% Complete)
Genre: Science Fiction/Thriller; Dramas Based on the Book, Political Thrillers
About: From the pages of David Lloyd and Alan Moore's groundbreaking graphic novel springs the enigmatic "V" (Hugo Weaving of The Matrix), a masked freedom fighter who's taken up arms against the totalitarian government in a futuristic Britain. Finding an unlikely ally in a young woman named Evey Hammond (Natalie Portman), V urges the citizenry to fight the oppression of the state. John Hurt and Stephen Rea also co-star.
Quote: "Voilà! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of Fate. This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is a vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished. However, this valorous visitation of a by-gone vexation, stands vivified and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin van-guarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition. The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous. Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose, so let me simply add that it's my very good honor to meet you and you may call me V." -V "Are you like a crazy person?" - Evey
My Thoughts: This was a rewatch for me, loved it just as much as the first time. I really don't like political movies, but this movie is just amazing.

Movie: Terminator: Salvation
Rating:

Goal: 19/50 (38% Complete)
Genre: Science Fiction/Thriller
About: All grown up in post-apocalyptic 2018, John Connor (Christian Bale) must lead the resistance of humans against the increasingly dominating militaristic robots in this fourth installment of the popular action-packed Terminator series. But when Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington) appears, his existence confuses the mission as Connor tries to determine whether Wright has come from the future or the past -- and whether he's friend or foe.
Quote: "We've been fighting a long time. We are out numbered by machines. Working around the clock,without quit. Humans have a strength that cannot be measured. This is John Connor. If you are listening to this,you are the resistance. " -John Connor
My Thoughts: Oh, Christian Bale, I still love you. I love special effects and fighting so this movie sat well with me, if you're looking for a real story or something meaningful, look elsewhere.

Ninety percent of the world's ice covers Antarctica. This ice also represents seventy percent of all the fresh water in the world.

June 5;

Title: Gods Behaving Badly
Author: Marie Phillips
Rating:

Goal: 25/60 (41 2/3% Complete)
Pages: 292
Genre: Fantasy
About: Being immortal isn't all it's cracked up to be. Life's hard for a Greek god in the 21st century: nobody believes in you any more, even your own family doesn't respect you, and you're stuck in a delapidated hovel in north London with too many siblings and not enough hot water. But for Artemis (goddess of hunting, professional dog walker), Aphrodite (goddess of beauty, telephone sex operator) and Apollo (god of the sun, TV psychic) there's no way out...Until a meek cleaner and her would-be boyfriend come into their lives, and turn the world literally upside down.
My Thoughts: For such a wonderful, interesting idea, this book turned out to be trash. There were so many instances that were obviously meant to be funny but instead came across as desperate and lame. To top it off, all of the characters irritated me.

Title: Hot Six
Author: Janet Evanovich
Rating:

Goal: 26/60 (43 1/3% Complete)
Pages: 336
Genre: Mystery
About: Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum and Trenton vice cop Joe Morelli join forces to find the madman killer who shot and barbecued the youngest son of international black-market arms dealer Alexander Ramos.
Carlos Manoso, street name Ranger, is caught on video just minutes before the crime occurs. He's at the scene, he's with the victim, and he's the number-one suspect. Ranger is former special forces turned soldier of fortune. He has a blue-chip stock portfolio and no known address. He moves in mysterious circles. He's Stephanie's mentor--the man who taught her everything she knows about fugitive apprehension. And he's more than her friend.
Now he's the hunted and Stephanie's the hunter, and it's time for her to test her skills against the master. But if she does catch him...what then? Can she bring herself to turn him in?
Plus there are other things keeping Stephanie awake at night. Her maternal grandmother has set up housekeeping in Stephanie's apartment, a homicidal maniac has selected Stephanie as his next victim, her love life is in the toilet, she's adopted a dog with an eating disorder, and she can't button the top snap on her Levi's.
Experience the world of Plum--in Janet Evanovich's new thriller. It's surreal, it's frenetic, it's incendiary. Hot Six. It's the best yet.
My Thoughts: I don't any anything new to say about this series that I haven't already said. I have to say that I wish the pursuit of Ranger had been more like when she had to catch Morelli though. Despite that, I really enjoyed this book.

TV Show: Burn Notice
Episode: 3.01 - Friends and Family
Goal: 144/400 (36% Complete)
About: After escaping "Management", Michael is caught by the police and put into jail. An old friend named Harlan bails him out but asks for a favor in return.
Quote: "One of the things covert operatives have to give up is the idea of a fair fight. Spies are not trained to fight fair. Spies are trained to win." -Michael

Delaware State Park isn't in Delaware, it is in Ohio.

June 6;

There are 500,000 detectable earthquakes in the world each year.

Current Music: Glee Cast - Don't Stop Believin'

May '09: 31

May 31;

Title: The Lies of Locke Lamora
Author: Scott Lynch
Rating:

Goal: 23/60 (38 1/3% Complete)
Pages: 499
Genre: Epic Fantasy
About: In this stunning debut, author Scott Lynch delivers the wonderfully thrilling tale of an audacious criminal and his band of confidence tricksters. Set in a fantastic city pulsing with the lives of decadent nobles and daring thieves, here is a story of adventure, loyalty, and survival that is one part “Robin Hood,” one part Ocean's Eleven, and entirely enthralling.…
An orphan's life is harsh - and often short - in the island city of Camorr, built on the ruins of a mysterious alien race. But born with a quick wit and a gift for thieving, Locke Lamora has dodged both death and slavery, only to fall into the hands of an eyeless priest known as Chains - a man who is neither blind nor a priest. A con artist of extraordinary talent, Chains passes his skills on to his carefully selected “family” of orphans - a group known as the Gentlemen Bastards. Under his tutelage, Locke grows to lead the Bastards, delightedly pulling off one outrageous confidence game after another. Soon he is infamous as the Thorn of Camorr, and no wealthy noble is safe from his sting.
Passing themselves off as petty thieves, the brilliant Locke and his tightly knit band of light-fingered brothers have fooled even the criminal underworld's most feared ruler, Capa Barsavi. But there is someone in the shadows more powerful - and more ambitious - than Locke has yet imagined.
Known as the Gray King, he is slowly killing Capa Barsavi's most trusted men - and using Locke as a pawn in his plot to take control of Camorr's underworld. With a bloody coup under way threatening to destroy everyone and everything that holds meaning in his mercenary life, Locke vows to beat the Gray King at his own brutal game - or die trying.…
My Thoughts: This was a wonderful book. The comparisons to Robin Hood and Ocean's 11 were spot on; however, this book was much darker and more graphically violent. The beginning is a little dry and hard to get through, but the rest of the book is impossible to put down.

The Dead Sea has been sinking for last several years.

Current Music: The All-American Rejects - Another Heart Calls

May '09: 24 - 30

May 24;

Title: Two for the Dough
Author: Janet Evanovich
Rating:

Goal: 20/60 (33 1/3% Complete)
Pages: 312
Genre: Mystery
About: Kenny Mancuso shot his childhood buddy Moogey Bues and then jumped bail. Now bounty hunter Stephanie Plum is on the case to track Kenny down. Then someone finished Moogey off, Kenny can't be found, twenty-four coffins are missing, and there's some ex-army heavy artillery roaming the streets. And Joe Morelli - the cop with more than a professional interest in her every move - is tailing Stephanie. With a healthy disregard for the law, and an unhealthy dependence on marshmallow hot chocolate, Stephanie's a match for anyone - even Morelli. That is, until her eccentric grandmother goes AWOL and little pieces of corpses start to disappear...
My Thoughts: Just as wonderful as the first book. The grandmother is to die for.

Movie: Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Rating:

Goal: 16/50 (32% Complete)
Genre: Family/Fantasy/Comedy
About: Ben Stiller returns as hapless museum night watchman Larry Daley in this sequel to the hit comedy. Though he's now working at the Smithsonian Institution, Daley continues to deal with exhibits that come to life while the museum is closed. His adventures this time include close encounters with Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams), George Custer (Bill Hader) and Ivan the Terrible (Christopher Guest). Owen Wilson, Ricky Gervais and Dick Van Dyke co-star.
Quote: "Crimey, we've been jimmy-jacked! " -Amelia Earhart "Jimmy-jacked? " -Larry "It's how I speak! " -Amelia Earhart "Yeah, but that sounds made-up, even for you... " -Larry "'Oh no, our path has been blocked by bad people' where's the excitement in that? " -Amelia Earhart
My Thoughts: Didn't I say it was nothing special yesterday? Well guess what, I got tricked into paying to see it again less than 24 hours later. Still cute, still blah, totally not as cool when not played in IMAX.

Angel Falls in Venezuela is the world's highest waterfall, at 979 meters. This waterfall is sixteen times the height of Niagara Falls.

May 25;

The Rainbow Bridge is the world's largest natural bridge. It is located at the base of Navajo Mountain, Utah and is as long as a football field.

May 26;

Finland has 187,888 lakes and 179,584 islands.

May 27;

Title: Three to Get Deadly
Author: Janet Evanovich
Rating:

Goal: 21/60 (35% Complete)
Pages: 321
Genre: Mystery
About: Stephanie Plum, the brassy babe in the powder-blue Buick, has been given the unpopular task of finding Mo Bedemier, Trenton's most beloved citizen, arrested for carrying concealed and a no-show for his court appearance.
She's got big, blonde, black Lula, a former hooker turned file clerk -- now a wannabe bounty hunter -- at her side, sticking like glue. And Lula's itching to get the chance to lock up a crook in the trunk of her car.
Joe Morelli, the New Jersey vice cop with the slow-burning smile that undermines a girl's strongest resolve, is suddenly being polite. What gives? Might he be manipulating Steph, using her in his investigation, counting on her curiosity and competitive Jersey attitude?
Once again, the whole crew is in action, including Ranger and Grandma Mazur, searching for Mo, tripping down a trail of dead drug dealers, leading Stephanie to suspect Mo has traded his ice-cream scoop for a vigilante gun.
Cursed with a disastrous new hair color and an increasing sense that it's time to get a new job, Stephanie tumbles through Three to Get Deadly with all the high-speed hijinks her fans have come to love.
My Thoughts: Another winner! I'm glad Lula is given an even bigger role. I'm amazed at how often I'm actually laughing out loud while reading this series.

The world's highest capital is La Paz, which is the capital of Bolivia. The capital is located about 12,000 feet above sea level.

May 28;

TV Show: CSI
Episode: 9.05 - Leave Out All the Rest
Goal: 141/400 (35.25% Complete)
About: When the CSI team investigates a case involving the world of domination, Grissom pays a visit to Lady Heather to help find some answers.
Quote: "So, you're in love with Ian, Martin's in love with you, and they're both you're slaves. Sounds like a kinky soap opera." - Brass

The Earth's rain forest are home to about 75% of all known species of plant and animal life.

May 29;

Title: Four to Score
Author: Janet Evanovich
Rating:

Goal: 22/60 (36 2/3% Complete)
Pages: 313
Genre: Mystery
About: Stephanie Plum, Trenton, New Jersey's favorite pistol-packing, condom-carrying bounty hunter, is back--and on the trail of a revenge-seeking waitress who's skipped bail. With then help of 73-year-old Grandma Mazur, ex-hooker Lula, a transvestite musician named Sally Sweet, and the all-too-hospitable, all-too-sexy Joe Morelli, Stephanie might just catch her woman. Then again, with more mishaps than there are exits on the Jersey Turnpike--including murders, firebombs, and Stephanie's arch-rival bounty hunter chasing after the same fugative--Stephanie better watch her back big-time if she wants to live to crack this case.
My Thoughts: Sally Sweet is hilarious. (S)he really made this book stand out. I felt like there was a lot more going on in this book than in previous books. There was a secondary plot as well as a few new main voices. Evanovich did a great managing all of this.

Movie: Up
Rating:

Goal: 17/50 (34% Complete)
Genre: Animation/Family
About: After a lifetime of dreaming of traveling the world, 78-year-old homebody Carl (voiced by Ed Asner) is lured into an unbelievable adventure, thanks in part to the persistence of Russell, an 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer (Jordan Nagai). Together, the unlikely pair embarks on a thrilling odyssey full of jungle beasts and rough terrain. Other voices include the renowned Christopher Plummer and Pixar stalwart John Ratzenberger.
Quote: "Do you want to play a game? It's called See Who Can Go the Longest Without Saying Anything." -Carl Fredricksen "Cool! My mom loves that game!" -Russell
My Thoughts: Best Pixar movie yet. It amazes me how powerful they're able to make the animation, I practically cried twice. The movie is also unbelievably funny. Don't even get me started on how awesome all the balloons look. I could watch the movie again to just see all of the balloons. I was bummed that there was no short before the movie though.

An acre of trees can remove about 13 tons of dust and gases every year from the surrounding environment.

May 30;

TV Show: Glee
Episode: 1.01 - Pilot
Goal: 142/400 (35.5% Complete)
About: Will Schuester an optimistic high school teacher, tries to reinvent the McKinley High School's glee club, while reinventing himself. He challenge a group of outcasts to realize their true star potential, while facing harsh criticism from everyone in the school.
Quote: "You might think that all of the boys in school would want to tap this, but my MySpace schedule keeps me way too busy to date." -Rachel

Uranus has 27 moons.

Current Music: Asteria - Finding Love in a Bottle Of...

May '09: 17 - 23

May 17;

The three dots in Domino's pizza stand for the first three stores. They wanted to add a dot for each new store, but obviously that would be impossible since there are now over seven thousand stores.

May 18;

Title: Anansi Boys
Author: Neil Gaiman
Rating:

Goal: 17/60 (28 1/3% Complete)
Pages: 334
Genre: Urban Fantasy
About: God is dead. Meet the kids.
When Fat Charlie's dad named something, it stuck. Like calling Fat Charlie "Fat Charlie." Even now, twenty years later, Charlie Nancy can't shake that name, one of the many embarrassing "gifts his father bestowed - before he dropped dead on a karaoke stage and ruined Fat Charlie's life.
Mr. Nancy left Fat Charlie things. Things like the tall good-looking stranger who appears on Charlie's doorstep, who appears to be the brother he never knew. A brother as different from Charlie as night is to day, a brother who's going to show Charlie how to lighten up and have a little fun...just like Dear Old Dad. And all of a sudden, life starts getting very interesting for Fat Charlie.
Because, you see, Charlie's dad wasn't just any dad. He was Anansi, a trickster god, the spider-god. Anansi is the spirit of rebellion -- he is able to overturn the social order, create wealth out of thin air, and baffle the devil.
Exciting, scary, and deeply funny, Anansi Boys is a kaleidoscope journey deep into myth, a wild adventure, and a fierce and unstoppable farce, as Neil Gaiman shows us where gods come from, and how to survive your family.
My Thoughts: The premise for the book was so unique and interesting. I love Gaiman's writing but this book wasn't one of my favorites. I had trouble caring at all for any of the main characters.

TV Show: In Plain Sight
Episode: 2.05 - Aguna Matatala
Goal: 138/400 (34.5% Complete)
About: A shady figure begins following Mary's newest witness.
Quote: "Andy, Witness Protection is a little like 'Where's Waldo?'. Waldo is difficult to find because he blends in with the scenery." -Marshall "Which is why Waldo doesn't wear a yarmaka." -Mary

After the "Popeye" comic strip was launched in 1931, spinach consumption went up by thirty-three percent in the United States.

May 19;

TV Show: The Mentalist
Episode: 1.23 - Red John's Footsteps
Goal: 139/400 (34.75% Complete)
About: As the CBI investigates the murder of a young girl and the abduction of her twin sister, everything points towards Red John's return. However, Patrick Jane thinks somebody else is involved as well.
Quote: "You have wife?" -Asian Woman "No." -Cho "I have niece." -Asian Woman

Alexander the Great made his troops eat onions as he believed it would prove their vitality.

May 20;

One-third pound stalk of broccoli contains more vitamin C than 204 apples.

May 21;

TV Show: NCIS
Episode: 6.25 - Aliyah
Goal: 140/400 (35% Complete)
About: After Tony's confrontation with Rivkin, the NCIS team flies to Israel for a final showdown, where they aren't exactly welcomed by Ziva's father, the head of Mossad. Gibbs has to make a tough choice as the situation gets even more complicated.
Quote: "Forget Tel Aviv, how's Tony? How's Ziva? Are they talking yet?" -Abby "They're fine Abby." -Gibbs "I take that as a no. So how's Israel? It's magical right? I mean, I've been wanting to go there for years, it's like third on my list. Galapagos Island and of course, Dollywood." -Abby

Tomatos were once referred to as "love apples." This is because their was a superstition that people would fall in love by eating them.

May 22;

In the dry valleys region of Antarctica, it has not rained in 2 million years according to scientists.

May 23;

Title: One for the Money
Author: Janet Evanovich
Rating:

Goal: 18/60 (30% Complete)
Pages: 287
Genre: Mystery
About: Welcome to Trenton, New Jersey, home to wiseguys, average Joes, and Stephanie Plum, who sports a big attitude and even bigger money problems (since losing her job as a lingerie buyer for a department store). Stephanie needs cash--fast--but times are tough, and soon she's forced to turn to the last resort of the truly desperate: family.
Stephanie lands a gig at her sleazy cousin Vinnie's bail bonding company. She's got no experience. But that doesn't matter. Neither does the fact that the bail jumper in question is local vice cop Joe Morelli. From the time he first looked up her dress to the time he first got into her pants to the time Steph hit him with her father's Buick, M-o-r-e-l-l-i has spelled t-r-o-u-b-l-e. And now the hot guy is in hot water--wanted for murder.
Abject poverty is a great motivator for learning new skills, but being trained in the school of hard knocks by people like psycho prizefighter Benito Ramirez isn't. Still, if Stephanie can nab Morelli in a week, she'll make a cool ten grand. All she has to do is become an expert bounty hunter overnight--and keep herself from getting killed before she gets her man.
My Thoughts: 100% wonderful. Stephanie is hilarious, witty and lovable. And the team of characters that come with her are just as charming. I'm pretty late to the party reading these books but I hate reading things my mom recommends because it makes her smug.

Title: Definitely Dead
Author: Charlaine Harris
Rating:

Goal: 19/60 (31 2/3% Complete)
Pages: 324
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Horror/Paranormal Romance
About: Spiked with a "frothy fusion of romance, mystery, and fantasy" (Publishers Weekly), this "deliciously fiendish...increasingly riotous series" (Dallas Morning News) sends the supernaturally gifted cocktail waitress to New Orleans, where she has to deal with the legacy of one of her own family and a host of potentially dangerous characters.
My Thoughts: There wasn't really a plot to this book except in the last 50 pages or so. The whole first half of the book felt like it was just a filler for the series or a super long short story from an anthology. I loved the introduction of Amelia the witch though.

Movie: Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Rating:

Goal: 15/50 (30% Complete)
Genre: Family/Fantasy/Comedy
About: Ben Stiller returns as hapless museum night watchman Larry Daley in this sequel to the hit comedy. Though he's now working at the Smithsonian Institution, Daley continues to deal with exhibits that come to life while the museum is closed. His adventures this time include close encounters with Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams), George Custer (Bill Hader) and Ivan the Terrible (Christopher Guest). Owen Wilson, Ricky Gervais and Dick Van Dyke co-star.
Quote: "Crimey, we've been jimmy-jacked! " -Amelia Earhart "Jimmy-jacked? " -Larry "It's how I speak! " -Amelia Earhart "Yeah, but that sounds made-up, even for you... " -Larry "'Oh no, our path has been blocked by bad people' where's the excitement in that? " -Amelia Earhart
My Thoughts: Amy Adams was the real star in this movie, she was phenomenal. Overall the movie was cute and worth seeing but it (other than Adams) wasn't anything special.

Istanbul, Turkey is the only city in the world located on two continents.

Current Music: Kids In Glass Houses - Raise Hell

May '09: 10 - 16

May 10;

TV Show: In Plain Sight
Episode: 2.04 - Rubble with a Cause
Goal: 132/400 (33% Complete)
About: A building collapses on one of Mary's witnesses, leaving him exposed to outside threats.
Quote: "Oh, and Marshall for the record, I'd sell you out for a twinkie." -Mary

Botanically a rhubarb is a vegetable. It was changed to a fruit in 1947 by a U.S. Custom Court.

May 11;

Title: The Mysterious Affair at Styles
Author: Agatha Christie
Rating:

Goal: 15/60 (25% Complete)
Pages: 198
Genre: Classic Literature/Mystery
About: In her first published mystery, Agatha Christie introduces readers to the heroic detective, Hercule Poirot. This is a classic murder mystery set in the outskirts of Essex. The victim is the wealthy mistress of Styles Court. The list of suspects is long and includes her gold-digging new spouse and stepsons, her doctor, and her hired companion.
My Thoughts: Poirot is the man. This book was a wonderful introduction for him; Hastings did a lovely job describing Poirot and at keeping the reader guessing until the very end about who the killer was. I love how 'mean' Poirot is to Hastings, best team ever.

"Pomology" is the science of growing an apple.

May 12;

TV Show: The Mentalist
Episode: 1.22 - Blood Brothers
Goal: 133/400 (33.25% Complete)
About: Patrick Jane must find a way to convince a group of students at a wilderness program for troubled kids to tell him the truth about the circumstances leading to the death of one of their fellow students.
Quote: "I think you might show a little more respect." -Asher "Respect for...?" -Jane "There's a dead child here." -Chief Brody "Yes, yes, he's dead. He doesn't care how I talk to you." -Jane

At one time, Pumpkins were recommended for the removal of freckles and curing snake bites.

May 13;

TV Show: Criminal Minds
Episode: 4.24 - Amplification
Goal: 134/400 (33.5% Complete)
About: The BAU responds quickly after a serial killer releases a new strain of a deadly anthrax virus in Annapolis that threatens the public and puts a member of the team at risk.
Quote: "I'm going to see you off to the hospital." -Morgan "I'm about to get naked so they can scrub me down. Is that something you really want to see?" -Reid

After being picked an orange cannot ripen.

May 14;

Title: Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science
Author: Mary Roach
Rating:

Goal: 16/60 (26 2/3% Complete)
Pages: 307
Genre: Non-fiction
About: The best-selling author of Stiff turns her outrageous curiosity and infectious wit on the most alluring scientific subject of all: sex.
My Thoughts: This book was wonderful. Roach's writing is hilarious and easily read. Non-fiction is typically too dry to hold my interest; however, this book was anything but dry.

TV Show: NCIS
Episode: 6.24 - Semper Fidelis
Goal: 135/400 (33.75% Complete)
About: When an ICE agent is murdered after a security breach at the SecNav's residence, the NCIS team is forced to work with the FBI and the ICE in order to solve the murder. Meanwhile, Tony faces Rivkin.
Quote: "Looks like someone dropped a cocktail weenie." -Tony "I have a riddle for you; What is not food, but tastes very well. I'll give you a hint. And you should come up with an answer before Officer David, since it's right on the..." -Ducky "Tip of your tongue." -Tony

The water inside of a coconut is identical to human blood plasma. Many lives in third world countries have been saved from coconut water fed through an IV.

May 15;

TV Show: CSI: NY
Episode: 5.24 - Grounds for Deception
Goal: 136/400 (34% Complete)
About: Stella gets in big trouble when Mac finds out she didn't follow an order.
Quote: "You didn't just steal artefacts from your country. You stole from me. You knew my mother. You knew her. You knew who she was. And you never told me." -Stella

Coca-Cola contained cocaine when it was initially introduced.

May 16;

Movie: Star Trek
Rating:

Goal: 14/50 (28% Complete)
Genre: Science Fiction
About: Capt. Kirk (Chris Pine) and his trusted team on the starship USS Enterprise boldly go where no man has gone before in this installment of Gene Roddenberry's sci-fi franchise that follows the early days of the intergalactic adventurers. The crew includes Spock (Zachary Quinto), Chekov (Anton Yelchin), Uhura (Zoe Saldana), Scotty (Simon Pegg) and Sulu (John Cho). Eric Bana co-stars, and Leonard Nimoy appears as an older version of Spock.
Quote: "Captain, what are you doing? " -Spock "Showing them compassion. It may be the only way to earn peace with Romulus. It's logic, Spock, I thought you'd like that. " -Kirk "No, not really. Not this time. " -Spock
My Thoughts: This is the first movie I saw in IMAX. I'm not sure if I'm more infatuated with the theater or the movie. Science fiction and I aren't bffs but this movie was more about kicking ass, which I'm perfectly happy with.

TV Show: CSI: NY
Episode: 5.25 - Pay Up
Goal: 137/400 (34.25% Complete)
About: In the season finale the team comes together for one of their own.
Quote: "Your son was minutes away from testifying against you in the grand jury. I swear to God, if you had something to do with this, you better hope that somebody other than me comes to arrest your ass." -Mac

The capital of Vermont, Montpelier is the only state capital in the United States that does not have a McDonalds.

Current Music: Maroon 5 - Wake Up Call

May '09: 3 - 9

May 3;

TV Show: In Plain Sight
Episode: 2.03 - A Stand-Up Triple
Goal: 125/400 (31.25% Complete)
About: Mary is forced to babysit the three children of a woman entering the program after she has difficulties with them.
Quote: "I've gazed into the eyes of contract killers, listening to them explain they were only trying to feed their kids, con artists who insist it's the mark's fault for being so stupid, and Dylan fans who, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, defend their love of 'Down in the Groove'. Yes, it's the rare individual who admits they're a heartless, greedy bastard possessing absolutely no musical taste." -Mary

Hershey's most popular product is the Reese Cup, not the Hershey bar.

May 4;

TV Show: NCIS
Episode: 6.22 - Legend: Part 1
Goal: 126/400 (31.5% Complete)
About: The team heads to LA to work with the team there to investigate a murder, which soon turns into something bigger. Meanwhile, Tony begins snooping into Ziva's private life.
Quote: "After out last trip to LA, I do not understand why you would think I would be such an eager platypus, Tony." -Ziva

The popular chocolate bar "Three Musketeers" got its name because when it was first introduced in 1932 there were three individual bars. The flavours were strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla.

May 5;

TV Show: The Mentalist
Episode: 1.21 - Miss Red
Goal: 127/400 (31.75% Complete)
About: When the CEO and founder of a software company vanishes from his yacht, Jane and the CBI team are asked to investigate.
Quote: "I've been checking shoes for years. This is the first time it's ever paid off. First time. It's gratifying, man. Very, very gratifying." -Jane "Ah, he's a pistol, isn't he?" -Lisbon

The candy bar "Baby Ruth" was named after U.S. President Grover Cleveland's daughter, Ruth.

May 6;

TV Show: Criminal Minds
Episode: 4.23 - Roadkill
Goal: 128/400 (32% Complete)
About: Local authorities summon the assistance of the BAU after a series of homicides occur that appear to have been caused by a serial killer's car near Bend, Oregon.
Quote: "I think it's safe to assume our unsub is male." -Prentiss "I agree with you, given what we know about aggressive driving and road rage." -Hotchner "And the fact that men have an unnatural bond with their cars." -Prentiss "That is true." -JJ "Wait a minute, I don't know about 'unnatural.'" -Morgan

Coffee has about five times the amount of caffeine as a can of Coke.

May 7;

TV Show: NCIS
Episode: 6.23 - Legend: Part 2
Goal: 129/400 (32.25% Complete)
About: In Los Angeles, Gibbs and McGee continue working with the NCIS division in order to track a terrorist cell. Agent Callen goes undercover, while a psychologist uncovers the truth about the relationship between Gibbs and Agent Macy. Meanwhile, Tony fears that Ziva may not be loyal to NCIS.
Quote: "Are you jealous?" -Ziva "No. I'm worried. Because you don't seem to understand that your secret friend is interfering with this agency's ability to shut down a terrorist cell!" -Tony

Over the course of one year, a coffee tree only produces about 1.5 pounds of coffee.

May 8;

TV Show: CSI: NY
Episode: 5.22 - Yahrzeit
Goal: 130/400 (32.5% Complete)
About: A man is murdered at an auction selling jewelry and the evidence leads the team to investigating crimes committed during the Holocaust. Mac learns about the role his father played in World War II.
Quote: "I appreciate you picking up some of the slack when Hawkes goes out of town." -Mac "Oh yeah, well, I'm in between girlfriends at the moment, so I got a lot of time on my hands." -Adam

A person would have to drink more than 12 cups of hot cocoa to equal the amount of caffeine found in one cup of coffee.

May 9;

TV Show: CSI: NY
Episode: 5.23 - Greater Good
Goal: 131/400 (32.75% Complete)
About: The team re-opens a two year old case to clear someone of wrong doing. Lindsay returns from Montana and has her big moment.
Quote: "I'm about to go into labor and you are taking me to the hospital. Go!" -Lindsay "Okay." -Adam "Adam..." -Lindsay "Yeah, wrong way, sorry, j... just relax. Everything's going to be okay." -Adam

Coconuts kill more people in the world than sharks do.

Current Music: Lady GaGa - Beautiful, Dirty, Rich

May '09: 1 - 2

May 1;

Movie: X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Rating:

Goal: 13/50 (26% Complete)
Genre: Sci-Fi & Fantasy/Action; Comic Books and Superheroes
About: This action-packed prequel to the popular X-Men films explores Marvel Comics character Wolverine's (Hugh Jackman) past and the events that influenced the mutant before the Weapon X program bonded his skeleton with the powerfully strong metal alloy adamantium. After the death of his girlfriend, Wolverine seeks vengeance against supervillain Victor Creed (Liev Schreiber). Ryan Reynolds, Danny Huston and Lynn Collins co-star.
Quote: "I thought you were the Moon and I was your Wolverine. Turns out you're the Trickster, and I'm just the fool who got played. " -Logan
My Thoughts: Yay, my favorite x-men got their origins movie first! I really enjoyed this movie but it definitely has a different feel to it than the other x-men movies. Also, you need to have at least seen the first x-men movie or else the end of this movie really blows. The writers did a really good job fleshing out Wolverine's story, no complaints.

There were no red colored M&Ms from 1976 to 1987.

May 2;

Title: Dead as a Doornail
Author: Charlaine Harris
Rating:

Goal: 14/60 (23 1/3% Complete)
Pages: 295
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Horror/Paranormal Romance
About: When Sookie's brother Jason's eyes start to change, she knows he's about to turn into a were-panther for the first time. But her concern becomes cold fear when a sniper sets his deadly sights on the local changeling population-and Jason's new panther brethren suspect he may be the shooter. Now, Sookie has until the next full moon to find out who's behind the attacks, unless the killer decides to find her first.
My Thoughts: I really don't like the were-centric stories so this was a low point in the series for me.

The name "Snickers" for the popular candy bar was named after a horse that the Mars family owned.

Current Music: Brand New - Logan to Government Center

April '09: 26 - 30

April 26;

TV Show: In Plain Sight
Episode: 2.02 - In My Humboldt Opinion
Goal: 120/400 (30% Complete)
About: Mary is being interviewed by a psychiatrist. At the same time a witness refuses to testify without marijuana to help with his social anxiety.
Quote: "Opposite extremes; apt definitions of the same thing." -Mary

On average, Guinness sells 7 million glasses of beer a day.

April 27;

Title: Rules of Engagement
Author: Kathryn Caskie
Rating:

Goal: 13/60 (21 2/3% Complete)
Pages: 352
Genre: Historical Romance
About: From Golden Heart winner Kathryn Caskie comes a delightfully hilarious tale that tests the old adage "All is far in love as in war."
When two elderly aunts mistake a military strategy text, Rules of Engagement, for a how-to manual for getting engaged, London's ballrooms become battlefields in a war of wits when their headstrong niece snares a Scottish earl in need of a fast fortune.
My Thoughts: This is a wonderful start to the series. The aunts are hilarious and their presence in future books is definitely something I look forward to. The plot surrounding Eliza and her Scottish earl isn't even close to being original but I didn't read this book for it's literary merits so who cares.

TV Show: Chuck
Episode: 2.22 - Chuck Versus the Ring
Goal: 121/400 (30.25% Complete)
About: Ellie's big day finally arrives, and Chuck must save her life and her wedding from being ruined by Ted Roark and FULCRUM.
Quote: "Why are you letting Sam Kinison and an Indian lesbian wreck your wedding?" -Woody

Bananas trees are not really trees. They are considered to be giant herb plants.

April 28;

TV Show: The Mentalist
Episode: 1.20 - Red Sauce
Goal: 122/400 (30.5% Complete)
About: Jane and the CBI set out to determine who is responsible for the Mob-style execution of a man in the Witness Protection Program.
Quote: "Yeah. Screw the cops." -Teenager "Even for a midget villain like yourself, that's an untenable ethical position. Every modern society has some kind of police force. It's like saying 'screw the public transport system'." -Jane

The vegetable that is eaten most by Americans is potatoes. On average, a person eats about 140 pounds of potatoes annually.

April 29;

TV Show: Criminal Minds
Episode: 4.22 - The Big Wheel
Goal: 123/400 (30.75% Complete)
About: When a serial killer in Buffalo sends a videotape of one of his crimes to the BAU, the team discovers a message from the murderer that begs for help in stopping the killing.
Quote: "You're right. He's been doing this for 10 years." -Detective "Nah, more like 20. The woman in this video... she's wearing a sweater I haven't seen since Flashdance." -Garcia

People living on the east coast prefer creamy peanut butter, while people living on the west coast prefer chunky peanut butter.

April 30;

TV Show: Bones
Episode: 2.24 - The Beaver in the Otter
Goal: 124/400 (31% Complete)
About: Booth and Brennan investigate the case of a fraternity brother named "Beaver," whose body was found inside a rival school's mascot uniform. Meanwhile, Booth helps his brother Jared look for a new job.
Quote: "Test number one, Dr. Jack Hodgins supervising." -Hodgins "No. No no no." -Cam

Chocolate accounts for less than two percent of the fat in the American diet.

Current Music: The Spill Canvas - Staplegunned

April '09: 19 - 25

April 19;

TV Show: In Plain Sight
Episode: 2.01 - Gilted Lily
Goal: 116/400 (29% Complete)
About: US Marshals Mary Shannon and Marshall Mann come back together to help another witness.
Quote: "Actually, I'm in a really good mood. Which is kind of weird considering where I was 48 hours ago. Then I had a witness off herself and, like that is not bad enough, I've got to play second fiddle to a knucklehead like you." -Mary "Thanks for lumping me in with kidnapping, attempted rape and suicide. Can't tell you how much that means." -Marshall

One bushel of wheat can make enough sandwiches that you could eat three sandwiches a day for over six months.

April 20;

TV Show: Chuck
Episode: 2.21 - Chuck Versus the Colonel
Goal: 117/400 (29.25% Complete)
About: Chuck and Sarah go AWOL in their search for Chuck's kidnapped father, so Casey is ordered to pursue and return them after being promoted to Colonel. Meanwhile, Emmet promotes Morgan to assistant manager against his will.
Quote: "I'll, I'll sleep on the floor." -Chuck "No, it's okay." -Sarah "Why are you doing this?" -Chuck "Because the floor is gross and I'm not gonna make you sleep on it." -Sarah

TV Show: Bones
Episode: 4.22 - The Double Death of the Dearly Departed
Goal: 118/400 (29.5% Complete)
About: A Jeffersonian coworker dies of heart failure. While at the coworker's wake, Brennan sees the body and is convinced the death was no accident. Brennan asks Booth to help her steal the body so she can further examine it, and an odd mystery surrounding the coworker's cause of death unfolds.
Quote: "Say someone enters and desires to gaze upon the visage of their dead relative one more time, in a vain effort to say goodbye to someone who can neither see nor hear them because there's no such thing as a soul-" -Bones "Bones, just- ju- Bones, Bones. Just give him a reason not to show the body." -Booth "We are encountering fluid seepage at the moment, and the body is not available for viewing, just now." -Bones

There are over 600 different pasta shapes.

April 21;

Pepper was sold as individual grains during the Elizabethan times. The guards at the London docks had to sew up their pockets so they would not steal any of the pepper.

April 22;

Ten radishes only contain eight calories.

April 23;

If a raisin is dropped into a glass of champagne it will bounce up and down in the glass.

April 24;

Movie: Monsters Vs. Aliens
Rating:

Goal: 12/50 (24% Complete)
Genre: Science Fiction/Animation/Family
About: After Susan Murphy (voiced by Reese Witherspoon) is struck by a meteor and grows to be 50-feet tall, she's captured by the government and shuttled to a secret compound where she meets a team of other monsters -- soon to be Earth's only defense when an alien attacks. Under orders from the president (Stephen Colbert), Susan and her cohorts Dr. Cockroach (Hugh Laurie), the Missing Link (Will Arnett) and B.O.B. (Seth Rogen) set out to save the world.
Quote: "Might we ask for your name, madam?" - Dr. Cockroach "Susan. " -Susan "No, we mean like your monster name. You know, what do people scream when they see you coming? Like "Look out! Here comes...?" " -B.O.B. "Susan. " -Susan
My Thoughts: I didn't get to see this in 3D which was disappointing and then to top that off, it has all these amazing actors involved and the movie was just...blah.

TV Show: Bones
Episode: 4.23 - The Girl in the Mask
Goal: 119/400 (29.75% Complete)
About: Brennan and Booth investigate after Sachi, the sister of Booth's detective friend Ken from Japan, goes missing, only months after arriving in the U.S. After Sachi's decapitated head is found, Ken joins Brennan and Booth to help solve her murder.
Quote: "Why would someone cut the head off a body here and drive miles away to dispose of the head here?" -Cam "I rarely find motive in bird vomit." -Hodgins

In Australia, the average person uses 876 gallons of water daily. In Switzerland they use only 77 gallons of water per person daily.

April 25;

Title: The Pirate Next Door
Author: Jennifer Ashley
Rating:

Goal: 12/60 (20% Complete)
Pages: 342
Genre: Historical Romance
About: Pirates add a dash of outlaw excitement and irresistible allure to two smart and lively new romances.
Alexandra Alastair's new next-door neighbor, Grayson Finley, is nothing like the other men on her list of potential second husbands. Rescuing Grayson from ruffians, and then discovering that he not only has a young daughter but a pirate past, further convinces Alexandra that Grayson is far too different from the other respectable, suitable men on her list to ever be considered as proper husband material. But despite her best intentions, Alexandra discovers she can't stay away from the distractingly sexy nobleman, even if it means helping him battle a long-standing rival and find the whereabouts of a missing French king.
My Thoughts: Love love love Finley. I was surprised with how humorous parts of this book were, definitely a pleasant surprise.

Back in 1953, it took 27 hours to make one Marshmallow Peep. Now it takes only six minutes.

Current Music: Spitalfield - Kill the Drama

April '09: 12 - 18

April 12;

TV Show: CSI: NY
Episode: 5.20 - Prey
Goal: 110/400 (27.5% Complete)
About: Stella remembers something about the latest crime scene when the clues start to appear oddly familiar after a man is shot dead in an empty theater.
Quote: "Don't make me cuff your other hand." -Angell "That's good work, Detective." Flack

The Kraft company produces enough Cool Whip, a brand of whipping cream, in one year to fill the entire Grand Canyon.

April 13;

There was a molasses flood in Boston on January 15, 1919 that killed 21 people and injured 150 people.

April 14;

TV Show: Chuck
Episode: 2.20 - Chuck Versus the First Kill
Goal: 111/400 (27.75% Complete)
About: After Chuck's father is kidnapped by FULCRUM, Chuck finds himself in the need to ask his imprisoned ex-girlfriend Jill for help. Meanwhile, the Buy More team try to bring down Emmett's corporate evaluation, but he seems to be one step ahead.
Quote: "You're 100% sure you want to go through with this?" -Sarah "More like 45, maybe...maybe 30." -Chuck

Dustin Phillips of the U.S. has the record for ketchup drinking. He drank a 14-ounce bottle of tomato ketchup through a straw in 33 seconds on September 23, 1999.

April 15;

TV Show: Bones
Episode: 4.20 - The Cinderella in the Cardboard
Goal: 112/400 (28% Complete)
About: A female body is discovered at a recycling center, compacted into a stack of cardboard, and the Jeffersonian team is called in to investigate. Meanwhile, Booth and Brennan run into Sweets' girlfriend at a bridal dress shop -- but she's there with another man.
Quote: "Look Bones, you can't go around tellin' everybody what's on your mind even though it's the truth, okay? Look, what if you and I were going out, right? And you were, y'know, taking forever to get ready and you came out in this dress and, I told you I didn't like it, what are you gonna do?" -Booth "I'd reevaluate, change, or ignore you." -Bones "Of course you would, Bones. Good answer." -Booth

In the United States, the first cookbook was published in 1796 and it contained a recipes for watermelon rind pickles.

April 16;

TV Show: Bones
Episode: 4.21 - Mayhem on a Cross
Goal: 113/400 (28.25% Complete)
About: Brennan and Booth delve into the world of death metal music in an effort to discover who killed the bassist of an underground death metal band, whose skeleton was found being used as a stage prop by a black metal band in Norway. Meanwhile, Sweets is working on the book he's writing about Brennan and Booth, and asks Dr. Gordon Wyatt for some input.
Quote: "Well he's a good lad, Sweets. But this book he's writing, he's using it as the vehicle to get what he actually wants which is ... a family." -Gordan "So he ... imprinted on us, like a baby duck? So what do we do?" -Bones

In a year, about 90 million jars of Skippy Peanut Butter are sold. This works out to three jars sold every second.

April 17;

Movie: Hannah Montana: The Movie
Rating:

Goal: 11/50 (22% Complete)
Genre: Family/Comedy
About: When the pop star fame of her secret alter ego, Hannah Montana, becomes too much to bear, Miley Stewart (Miley Cyrus) takes a break and journeys back to her Tennessee hometown of Crowley Corners for a much-needed break from the spotlight. But the pressures of celebrity life prove difficult to escape when Miley is pursued by a snoop who suspects the truth about her identity. Peter Chelsom directs, and Billy Ray Cyrus and Emily Osment co-star.
Quote: "Do you know who I am? " -Tyra Banks "Well, I know you know who I am. " -Hannah Montana
My Thoughts: She gets so much crap, especially from parents who think she's not 'wholesome' enough for their kids. I mean really, come on, get a life. What are your kids doing surfing for nudie pics anyway? Maybe you should be a better parent and stop blaming tv. End rant. I really enjoyed this movie. It was cute and entertaining.

TV Show: Criminal Minds
Episode: 4.21 - A Shade of Gray
Goal: 114/400 (28.5% Complete)
About: During an investigation of a series of child abductions and murders in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, the BAU concludes the possibility that the last murder may not be the work of the suspect who had been apprehended.
Quote: "Tell me things, Sunshine." -Garcia

Tomato ketchup is a good conditioner for the hair. It also helps get the greenish tinge that some blonde haired people get after swimming in water with chlorine in it.

April 18;

TV Show: CSI: NY
Episode: 5.21 - The Past, Present and Murder
Goal: 115/400 (28.75% Complete)
About: Mac and the team are called in to investigate after a man falls twenty stories out of Dunbrook's office window. Complicating matters is the body has disappeared and the evidence ties into a past case.
Quote: "A man falls 20 stories, walks away. Boy, that'd make a good headline, sell a lot of newspapers." -Dunbrook "'Media Mogul Pushes Him' might sell more." -Mac

Chocolate contains a very small amount of caffeine. A cup of decaffeinated coffee has approximately the same amount of caffeine as in 50 M&M's.

Current Music: Meg & Dia - Strawberry Waltz

April '09: 5 - 11

April 5;

TV Show: CSI: NY
Episode: 5.18 - Point of No Return
Goal: 102/400 (25.5% Complete)
About: After the wife of a former member of Mac's team is found dead, the team discovers where the heroin is made.
Quote: "Little Stevie?" -Mac "Who's asking?" -Receptionist "Members of his fan club." -Flack

The sandwich was invented in the 1700's. The Earl of Sandwich was gambling one day and did not want to get up to eat, so he ordered his food in between two slices of bread and that is how the sandwich was invented.

April 6;

TV Show: Chuck
Episode: 2.19 - Chuck Versus the Dream Job
Goal: 103/400 (25.75% Complete)
About: Chuck's life seems to be coming together, his long-absent father has returned and he is about to land his dream job at Roark Instruments. Meanwhile, Lester and Jeff convince Big Mike to send them to NextExpo, which is hosted by Roark Instruments.
Quote: "Yeah. Maybe he's not as crazy as I remembered." -Chuck "Oookay, let's go get your sister married, hunh? Maybe we should...wait until dark, they're... they're tracking my every move. Rat bastards..." -Stephen

An fresh egg will sink in water, but a stale one will float.

April 7;

TV Show: The Mentalist
Episode: 1.19 - A Dozen Red Roses
Goal: 104/400 (26% Complete)
About: CBI investigates the murder of Hollywood movie producer Felix Hanson. Evidence leads to the belief that drugs are involved, but further investigations indicate a connection to a running movie production of a film called "A Dozen Roses".
Quote: "Nice. I could arrest you for that." -Cho "You'll never take me alive, copper." -Jane "Seriously." -Cho "Seriously, it's Marilyn and Charlie. What, do you want to make a comedy arrest, see your name written in the weird news section?" -Jane

The first soup ever made was made from hippo meat.

April 8;

TV Show: Life
Episode: 2.21 - One
Goal: 105/400 (26.25% Complete)
About: Crews continues his search for Reese, who disappeared while working with the F.B.I. In the course of his investigation, he discovers details about a conspiracy against him.
Quote: "They put you away for killing that guy you had that bar with. You did twelve years hard time, and you got fifty million dollars. Now you're eating burgers in the back of a minivan on the run from half the cops in LA. You've made some interesting career choices." -Agent Bodner

If all the salt were to be extracted from the Earth's oceans, you would have enough salt to cover all of the continents five feet deep.

April 9;

TV Show: Bones
Episode: 4.19 - The Science in the Physicist
Goal: 106/400 (26.5% Complete)
About: The team is led to a well-known physics research center after finding a piece of a meteorite in the ear of a victim whose pulverized remains were found in a garbage bag. Meanwhile, Angela's dad returns, seeking revenge on Hodgins.
Quote: "What did I tell you?" -Cam "That we aren't allowed in the same room without supervision." -Hodgins "Why?" -Cam "Because we were ... stupid enough to fire a cannon indoors." -Nigel-Murray

Mexican jumping beans jump because of moth larvae inside the bean.

April 10;

TV Show: CSI: NY
Episode: 5.19 - Communication Breakdown
Goal: 107/400 (26.75% Complete)
About: When an Indian Chief ends up dead on a commuter train, the team is continually surprised by the direction in which the evidence takes them.
Quote: "You got plenty of time on this name search. I mean, the kid's not even here yet. My mom and dad waited six weeks after I was born to name me." -Hawkes "Oh, they waited six weeks to name you Sheldon?" -Danny "Yeah. What's wrong with that?" -Hawkes

Ninety-nine percent of pumpkins sold in the United States are for the sole purpose of decoration.

April 11;

	TV Show: Criminal Minds Episode: 4.20 - Conflicted Goal: 108/400 (27% Complete) About: The BAU is called to Texas to investigate a serial killer who is targeting vacationing students on spring break on South Padre Island. Quote: "Stephen King wrote, 'Monsters are real, and ghosts are real, too. They live inside us. And sometimes, they win.'" -Reid
	TV Show: NCIS Episode: 6.21 - Toxic Goal: 109/400 (27.25% Complete) About: Abby has to take over a top secret government mission when their scientist goes missing, but soon realizes things may not be as they seem to be, while the rest of the team worries about Abby's safety. *Quote:* "You look pretty good for a dead guy, except for the blood draining from your face." -Abby

On average, a person will spend about five years eating during their lifetime.

Current Music: The Maine - Whoever She Is

Sometimes the truth hurts. In these situations, I recommend lying.

The more truth to your lie, the easier it is to remember.

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