Property News and Zombies!

So... today I can OFFICIALLY say that Russell and I bought our property. I am pretty sure I have said that before but this time, the government or whoever looks at titles will recognize it. We had been going back and forth with the title company for months but yesterday, after dropping off my brothers' clothes at 4:30am so that he could be zombified I was able to find the title company's office and pay up the closing costs. After all the hassle it took to negotiate getting the title and making an appointment, or even just getting an answer to my emails and Russell's phone calls, the actual signing of the paperwork took about two minutes. The lady who had been such a pain in getting hold of before, actually redeemed my opinion of the title company somewhat in person. She was very nice and let me sign the papers about twenty minutes earlier than my appointment time (I was worried I wouldn't find the place so I got there early). Oh and also, she complemented my ring and gave me a pen. What can I say? I am easily appeased.

You may be wondering: Did she really say 4:30am ? Who in the world gets up at 4:30am on purpose?! Normally, not me. I tend to wake up around 9am actually. Even later on Tuesdays.

Oh wait... you may be wondering about what I meant by zombiefied. Yes. My brother was made into a zombie. Actually, so was I. And Russell, and his whole big family.

You may not have guessed it, but being a zombie is a BLAST. I mean, you get to look cool, you get to make really weird grunting/growling noises, and crawl around in creepy railroad tunnels. How awesome is that?! Here is a picture of me and my love before our first scene together, and before the really cool makeup artist added the finishing touches: oozy chocolate syrup blood, creepy contacts, and alka-seltzer for rabid foaming mouths. Sexy!

Well, a zombie movie called Humans vs. Zombies was being filmed this week near where my boyfriend's family lives, and they desperately needed extras. So that sounded like awesome fun to us, and we all showed up. The only downside to all this, was that call time was at 4:30 in the morning (GROAN). But I was so excited to actually see a movie set and get all this super cool makeup on that I didn't really care. All of us were picked to be in various scenes, and we each were in the front of the zombie horde at some point, so chances are, we made it into the movie for real. If you see a big, scary, orange haired zombie that gets shot in the front of a tunnel... that isn't me. I'm like one person over. hah. Check that off my bucket list.

After three days of filming, I still don't think any of us really know what the plot of this movie is. Supposedly it is based off of a game that college students play on big campuses. I definitely haven't seen anything like it at my small-town college. Humans vs. Zombies will supposedly have a limited release in theaters next Halloween. The plan is to sign a contract with HBO if everything is well received, for a short series based on the movie. Or something like that. I still am not sure. One thing is for certain: I will show up to the theater as if I am walking the red carpet!

By the way, I am pretty sure I am a horrible actress, even for an extra. Keep an eye out for the zombie that looks like she is trying not to laugh. That is probably me.

Tamara Drewe and Stuff

When I am bored at work I like to look at the "Trending Now" top ten on Yahoo's main page and click on topics that seem intriguing (or at least more interesting than what I am supposed to be doing) and a few days ago I clicked on Tamara Drewe because I like the name Tamara (mostly because I love Tamara Peirce's books) and because it had been popping in and out of the trend feed for awhile and was a name I didn't recognise. I figured it be some celebrity news about someone that I had never heard of, but it was actually news about a new English movie based on a comic strip by Posy Simmonds. So I found the web site that hosts the strip and have finished it today. Not bad. I want to see the movie. I don't want to post any spoilers, not like anyone will read it and actually be spoiled, but I would feel bad in the random off-chance. So I will just say that it starts out kinda slow and fairly unremarkble but consistently picks up pace, always keeps at the very least mildly interested and has a kicker of a climax! I was like wow!... wait am I supposed to think this is awesome... because it kinda is... but I am not sure I am supposed to...
Either way the story was an unexpected bit of a break from boredom and now I have a new movie to look foreward to. I saw the casting list and I am a little disappointed in the pick for Beth, but otherwise I think it looks promising!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/cartoon/2005/sep/17/tamara-drewe-1

Also, looking at the Tamara Drewe movie info reminded about the good news I had a few months ago when I found outthe author of a book series I love had agreed to a movie deal. The Uglies by Scott Westerfield is supposedly in movie production! So I checked on that and sad face, nothing appears to have changed in status so maybe it will fall through. But I hope not.
So then I started google-ing some of the old books I used to gobble-up before college forced me to abandon all lesiure reads for drab and almost always sleep inducing "scholarly" works. Its like someone said to all the academics of the world... "
In order to write a book that college professors will force their students to spend unwarrented amounts of their precious spagghetti-o and Ramen cash, you must

1. be as confusing as possible. That way the professor actually gets to answer questions and look at you as if your an idiot for not understanding-- but don't feel bad, secretly half the class also had no clue that the author was in fact speaking in modern english and the other half either didn't read it at all and is glad you are keeping the spotlight off them, or they are already asleep.
2. be as effective as a lullaby. I don't know why but I think this is somehow linked to the fact that the alchol in otc Nyquil was taken out. Maybe they worry college students don't get enough sleep because we always nod off in class (see #1)
3. write something nobody would buy unless they were forced too.

Anyways, I found out some sequals of various books I like have finally been published so somehow between the books I have to read for class and for my thesis I have to fit them in! I always feel guilty reading anything not college related... 'cause in the back of my mind I know if I am going to be reading anything it should be for class. But I can't resist!

Okay, I guess that's enough for today... back to looking at the "Trending Now" list...

One Last Sunburn

Today was a loooot of fun. I got in one last sunburn before returning to college. Russell's family held a small party and we spent the day on the lake and in the pool. I am completely exhausted (in the good way) from all the fun so I am looking forward to winding down the day in front of the TV watching the Green Bay Packers play another preseason game. I really am excited about this season; I think we really have a good chance at making it to the superbowl! Now, if the Rangers will just keep doing well. It is about this time of year that they start slipping and make me sad. But I still cheer for them of course!

I cannot wait for move-in day. This will officially be the first time that I am living completely alone, in my own apartment! I suppose it is debateable if it really counts as living alone: my "sugar boo-boo" (bahahaha) boyfriend lives in the apartment directly above mine, and my brother is moving into one on the other side of the apartment complex. (Yey for scholarships!) Not to mention I will still be surrounded by the apartments of the many friends I have come close to over the last three years. So, okay, I am not technically alone, but I will be more alone than ever before.

And that means I need to go shopping!!! YEY!

My former roommate Lele (who has moved on to a better place.... not heaven, silly, student-teaching!) and I had pretty much split up the various appliances and decorations that one needs to have a functioning apartment so now that I am all by my lonesome I need to fill in the gaps left on the counter. Most notable is the absense of a microwave and I don't know why but I really miss the toaster that I never used. There are lots of little things that I am starting to realise I will need to get as well (like an oven mitt) but I don't mind.

Only four more days until move-in!

End of Summer Draws Near

I am moving back to my college apartment in 14 days. I haven't accomplished much of what I meant to this summer. By that I mean my thesis proposal. I meant to have it finished and presented by now. Oh well. I think I can still have a draft finished by the first day of class.

The guy on craigslist finally called Russell back about his "cabin" he put up for sale. We were interested in the little fixer upper for our property but after about two weeks of no answer from the seller, I had given up on it. Thing is, the little cabin is not so little. I have no idea if it can actually be moved. The seller is adament that it can be. Our parents are going to look at the cabin in person on saturday (we are going to a wedding) and then we will go from there.

I am excited, but Russell continues to be more realistic (and a lot more frugal) than I am, and constantly reminds me to be more grounded and not let my imagination get the best of me. I just really want to get us a place out there. Especially, before it gets too cold.

Hopefully I will also get to go camping with Russell before school starts. We meant to go last summer but just never got around to it. So maybe I can plan for next weekend :)

5 New Law Student Debt Relief Resources...and How to Apply - Money - Greedy Associates

5 New Law Student Debt Relief Resources...and How to Apply - Money - Greedy Associates


Russell!! I found another one you might like.

Is Law School Prestige Wildly Overrated?

Is Law School Prestige Wildly Overrated?

I put this on here for Russell to check out... and Lele as well.

Is it a Title or a Deed???

So after all this waiting, I am a little annoyed to find out that my deed/title thingy that says I (and Russell) officially own that little peice of land I kept talking about has been sitting in the auctioneer's office for weeks. Apparently, their office was supposed to contact me and never did. It is a good thing I wasn't the only one in this situation because otherwise I would have continued waiting for the title/deed to magically appear in my mailbox. Fortunately, Russell's wonderful mom (and my friend-- Russell doesn't like that I hang out with his mom) also bought land at the same auction. She is much more proactive than I am and she found out all about the lag on our paperwork. The plan is to go and pick up our title/deed some time this week.

Last time we went to the property, we found out that we do actually have living breathing neighbors. They were in the process of clearing the lot next to us when we drove up, and don't seem more than a few years older than us. Apparently they recieved their land from their Grandpop. The other neighbors are still MIA, and haven't been to their lot in years.

Hopefully, Russell and I will get out there even more once it starts to cool down. Yesterday, I think the high was 109 degrees! Ugh.

Mom's Approval

Happy Father's Day!! I am lucky to have the best father in the world! (I may be a little biased)
My brother got my dad a t-shirt that has the heavy guy from The Hangover holding the baby with a caption that says "Who's baby is this?" Funny, yes, but not when you have never seen the movie, like my parents. Then it is just weird (especially for a Father's Day present).Luckily my gift was a 3 month subscription to Netflix. I think I know what the first movie they request is going to be.

Late in the afternoon, after many failed attempts, my mother finally made it to our little plot of land and I was able to show her around the neighborhood with my dad. I forgot to mention it before, but the land we bought comes with a few amenities via paying our POA dues. There is an olympic sized pool sans lane ropes that the children love, and I enjoy a lot too. The is also a community boat ramp next to the community fishing pier. It is a brand new and really picturesque area, especially during sunset. The dues also cover road maintainece and any use of the play ground or picnic pavillion. Not bad for $100 a year. (plus we split all expenses)

I could tell that my mom really was suprised at how much work we had done on the property and how nice everything was. After the golf-cart tour was over (that is the only cool way to travel there) my mom, my dad, and I hung out in my Russell's parents' jacuzzi. Their trailer is just down the street from us, so it was nice to walk over and just relax with a drink after we were done. Not a bad day at all.

A Weekend of Work

I was afraid that it would rain this weekend, but luckily it didn't do much more than sprinkle. On Friday my brother, Jared, came up to help me find the metal property line markers with his metal detector, and rope off the property bounds. He is real serious with his metal detector, he has been a member of some national metal detecting association since high school. Kinda dorky :) but his skills definately came in handy. I told him he could have anything cool on the property for helping us, but mostly we just found aluminum scraps. We spent the afternoon clearing out these vines and thorn brush, and clipping down the small trees and plants. Jared is like a clydesdale and pulled up an old stump and knocked down a big tree trunk, all without any tools!

After awhile Russell arrived and got to work with the axe and huge pruners and by the time we finished, our pile of debris was about shoulder high and 25 feet wide. I was really proud of our progress! We were smelly and sweaty so we hit the pool during the hottest part of the day. Oh, it was wonderful. At nightfall Russell left for home, but Jared and I decided to stay the night at Russell's Family's trailer (only a lot or so down from our property) and got a big fire going to roast up some chocolate-free s'mores (we unfortunately had left this vital ingredient at home), and watched the new Alice in Wonderland movie. Not a bad movie, except Anne Hathaway's character was, well, dumb. Everything else was creative and enticing. I loved the actress who played Alice. She was really convincing.

The next day Jared had to get back to the college for a test review, and I had to make it to Dallas to attend Wicked! The play was AWESOME!! Very intelligent and well executed. The singing performances were beautiful. And the air conditioning was divine :)

Russell and his dad spent another day clearing out the property and the one Russell's sister bought down the street from us. I haven't seen what they did yet, but I bet it looks great. I am really impressed with what we were able to do this weekend.

Today, is all about my thesis and test prep. Blah... but it needs to get done sometime.

Proud Plot Parent

I am the proud co-owner of a small plot of land near the tri-lakes region. It is 30x92 feet and covered in skinny trees and mean little thorny vines. My boyfriend and I bought it for only $300 dollars at auction, and technically since we split it, I only paid $150. Not bad! I am so proud of it, I feel like its my new puppy or something. Considering all the work that we will have to put into the land to get it to look as nice as we want it, we are sort of making the same kind of long term commitment that you make when you adopt a puppy. (I sooo want a dog- darn dorm rules) You have to train it, groom it, nurture it, and of course: spend your money on it! Luckily, the plot of land can't make a puddle on the floor, unless I now own a hidden oil reserve and accidentally tap into it, hopefully my land does not have any leaks of any kind!

I am probably a little over excited about it, but this un-built on plot of land awakens my creative side just like a blank page or empty canvas does. There are just so many possibilities! Between me and Russell I know we can come up with some great ideas, and I have faith that we can pull it off too. It will take awhile of course, but I am excited to get this show on the road.

I will write more soon! Hopefully I can get some pics on here too.

Two Weeks til the Cruise! (oh yeah, and school)

The next two weeks I am going to be extra conscientious about what I am spending my money on! If it is not cruise or back-to-school related I will not buy it. A few exceptions may apply: Duct Tape, Twizzlers or any other life-sustaining necessities. After several dress searching mishaps (grrrr at JCPenny, and YAY! at Ross) I finally found what I needed for the cruise. I am still keeping my eyes on the lookout for a red cocktail dress though. You can't go wrong with a red dress! (Well, actually you can, but I think I'm safe.)

School is starting back next week. Blah, Blah. I am not thrilled about that. I will have a lighter class load than ever before this semester, at least hypothetically. That's a nice thought. And I will have less books to buy than ever and that is a WONDERFUL thought! More left over scholarship money! Which, of course, I will hoard until the cruise... unless I see that dress. Technically, that would be a cruise expense anyway, right?

I do like Movies!

I have a new idea. I was worried that I would not be able to form a blog full of coherent posts. I liked that his blog is all about one thing: his upcoming trip to China. All my previous blog-like endeavors have been very spur of the moment blah-blahs about whatever I felt like ranting about at that particular moment. I was assured by Corey that he had a list of blog ideas, like blog conversation starters, that I could use. Who knows where he got that from. Either way, I liked one idea: blogging personal movie reviews. I do watch a lot of movies! I didn't used to watch so much television, but my boyfriend seems to rent movies every other day (It helps to live right across from a video store with decent prices.) and I like to watch tv with him. Our taste in movies is nearly completely opposite, so being with him as made me more open to things I never would have seen before.

So, I have talked him into making a movie review blog with me. Whether or not anyone actually reads it is besides the point. Doing it together is the important thing.

I will keep this blog for kicks and giggles I think.