Mr.bean Web Site

Mr.bean Web Site

The Honda FC Sport

The Honda FC Sport

Random A-Royals

Maybe it's time we just got rid of the Kansas City Royals...



They're clearly not playing up to today's standards

(from AP)
A-Rod nearly outearns Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are barely making more than Alex Rodriguez this year. The salaries for Kansas City's 27 players on its opening-day roster and disabled lists total $36.1 million, according to an analysis of major league contracts by The Associated Press. A-Rod alone makes $32 million atop the New York Yankees' $201.7 million payroll. He is baseball's highest-paid player for the 11th straight year. Overall, baseball salaries were nearly flat for this season, which started Thursday. The average salary for the 844 players on opening-day rosters and disabled lists was about $3.3 million, up just 0.2 percent from last year. The increase was the lowest since a 2.7 percent drop in 2004. READ MORE

2011 Horoscope: Aries

2011 Aries Horoscope General:

2011 is a positive year for you. Your hard work and ability to react to situations on time, will be the guiding spirit for progress this year.

While your mental abilities could be under a cloud till 8th May, beyond this date, mind and creative abilities would expand. You will experience a mix of higher luck in life and rise in your perception to grasp and act upon complicated situations.
Some amount of hurdles in luck would be present till 2nd May 2011. This could hold up specific opportunities even through the stage and platform was set prior to this. The blockage in luck will give way to better and more progressive times after the 2nd May 2011. You need to control your complexes, negative thoughts and wasteful expenses in the early part of May.
As per the 2011 Aries Horoscope you will find the period between May 2011 and 15th November, most productive as well as effective during this year. It would be useful to engineer all professional as well as personal tasks to complete as well as peak during this period for maximum results. During this period Luck as well as happiness from children will come to you. Inconsistency in thinking could emerge after the 31st August. You should seek outside counsel for crucial matters.
your confidence would be very high and bring gains due to your temperament between 8th January 2011 & 24th March 2011.
Stamina & self belief could dip between 25th March & 2nd May 2011.
broadly, the Aries Horoscope defines the trends during the year broken up between the following periods:
1st January to early May 2011
May to 15th November 2011
15th November to 31st December

2011 Aries Horoscope for Marriage/ Love

This is a positive year although not much proactive activity would take place now. You will feel more positive and receptive to relationships after 8th May 2011. A desire for new and somewhat out of bound relationships will be on your mind. There would be a rise in such thoughts after the 26th January 2011. If already married or in a relationship, an attraction with an outsider possible too.
Period beyond 15th November 2011 will see some distances in relationships. There would be some amount of harshness or temperamental mismatch with partner. Delays in marriage possible if unmarried till end October 2011. If married, you might feel distanced from spouse but position & financial status of spouse would rise.
Love & romance would be positive during February, May, August & December. Issues in marriage & love matters could come up during March, September & October 2011.

2011 Aries Horoscope for Career

Till early May 2011 you will be very high on professional activity. You will work hard and get results by your grit and competence. Your mind however will remain distant, unable to connect with people and could make you doubt yourself, at times, even though your work would progress well. Luck might desert you at crucial times and therefore progress might not be as much as you would want.
New projects / changes in career should be avoided after the 25th January. You need to follow the strategy which was being pursued prior to 25th January. Any changes after 26th January are not advised. Challenges if they present themselves should be taken up. Do not shy away from challenges.
The Aries Horoscope predicts that the period from May to 15th November will be the best and most productive part of the year. The inconsistent phase in career as well as your actions would get over on the 12th June. After this period you can get into new projects, take chances overall and go all out in your pursuits. Your ability & mental capabilities would expand now. It is also a learning experience during this time. New ideas and trends you commence now, would serve you over the next 4- 5 years. A higher level of wisdom would come to you.
The period between 16th November 2011 and 31st December 2011, would see a good level of success, but the ease with which growth has occurred in the past would get curtailed. You might get some prized assignments jointly with others as well as get involved with people in authority.
Your Aries Horoscope also recommends that speech and verbal aggression towards coworkers should be controlled between 31st March to 23rd April, 3rd August to 26th August & 25th November to 13th December.

2011 Aries Horoscope for Health

During May to 15th November your health could cause concern. In case of chronic health sufferers, this period could bring in higher struggle to maintain good health. Be careful overall till the end of the year.
Be cautious about over aggression & blood related disorders between 3rd May & 12th June 2011.

2011 Aries Horoscope for Family

From May to 15th November, family matters would see some differences. Mostly the issues could originate from some wrong speech & utterances which might come out inadvertently.
The results could be mental distance from family & lack of faith in relationships. You need to find faith to find happiness in family life. Caution is necessary till end of the year.

2011 Aries Horoscope for Finances

Wasteful expenses and non productive financial outlays are also possible from May to 15th November. Be careful on this count.

Aries January Horoscope:
Creative work and spirituality would be present in your outlook. Luck will be good too till the 13th January 2011. Career will grow based on new ideas as well as hard work from the 14th. People in authority as well as government sources would be supportive. Children related matters will be positive, while investments would blossom.
Aries February Horoscope:
Career will progress well, while you will still experience heightened activity in career. You will experience a position of authority till the 13th February 2011. Income and growth will jump after the 14th February 2011. You will find happiness in social life, while very positive reunion with friends possible now too. Some celebration in the family after the 15th February 2011 possible.
Aries March Horoscope:
Gainful period financially, while socially you would be active too till the 16th March 2011. A dip could be felt in health and stamina overall after the 17th March 2011. Chances of useless expenses, while some losses are possible too. It would be useful to keep the level of activity lower than usual.
Aries April Horoscope:
The month would begin with low activity and some amount of pressures and sluggishness which would remain till the 14th April 2011. Improvements in outlook, followed by rise in activity would come from the 15th April 2011. You should be careful about being egoistic and over aggression. You will experience leadership abilities now.
Aries May Horoscope:
Hard work and aggression would be high. Ego will remain an integral part of thinking as well as attitude. Ego related issues would remain internal and sub conscious till the 15th May 2011, while 16th May 2011 onwards, Ego could be apparent in speech. Finances would remain active and on your mind in the second half of the month. Family matters would be in the focus too.
Aries June Horoscope:
Creative work would bring in growth in finances till the 15th June 2011. Be humble in speech and communications this month. 16th June 2011, onwards your position will rise and growth would come due to your dynamic attitude as well as networking skills. Growth oriented period overall. Possibility of travel
Aries July Horoscope:
Positive period till 16th July 2011. You will experience growth and rise in repute. You will feel a higher level of energy & creative ability too. 17th July onwards a gradual distance from family & relatives could be felt. There could be some changes in property as well as domestic matters. As long as you are positive, there would be abundant energy to work out matters.
Aries August Horoscope:
Active period in work as well as domestic matters till the 16th August 2011. Some amount of resentment could build up against family members during this time. Avoid conflict. 17th August 2011 onwards, creative energies would be high and you will remain more self centered than usual. Children related matters could remain strained now.
Aries September Horoscope:
Mind could be over active and some amount of ego could run your thought patterns till the 15th September 2011. Issues with children could crop up too. Beyond 16th September 2011, you will find a rise in energy in work environment. You will find support from superiors and some rise in dynamism which could help you progress faster.
Aries October Horoscope:
Hard work and support from people in authority will help you make good progress in work till the 16th October 2011. It is a positive period in love life and relationships too. Beyond 17th October 2011, you could experience a higher level of hurdles and possibility opposition to ideas and relationships. If married, ego with spouse could erupt. New partnerships could come up.
Aries November Horoscope:
Issues with partners or in marital matters could come up till the 15th November 2011. You should remain cautious about fever etc. Health & stamina could dip after the 16th November 2011. Hurdles in routine matters could rise too during this period. Fatigue & level of tiredness could prevail now.
Aries December Horoscope:
Poor stamina & certain amount of challenges overall would remain. Work could experience a slowdown till the 16th December 2011. Important assignments are better postponed after 17th December 2011 or the next month. Improvements in luck and overall growth could come. Chances of travel possible too.
Best wishes to you for a wonderful 2011.

Random 'Crack'

At least this guy is honest...



and this might be the greatest music video ever made!

Thanks to C. Puls for the link!

Red Riding Hood

In Red Riding Hood, the age-old fairytale of a little girl who learns the perils of talking to strangers has been turned into a sort of supernatural murder mystery by the director of the teen vampire flick Twilight. In this version, the red-cloaked heroine, played by doe-eyed Amanda Seyfried, is given a name – Valerie – and cast as a headstrong and independent-minded young lady who would never fall for the tricks of some hairy beast camouflaged as her grandmother. Although engaged by parental arrangement to Henry, the respectable scion of a wealthy blacksmithing family, her heart really belongs to Peter, the darkly handsome town bad-boy whose chosen occupation, woodworker, apparently ranks far below blacksmith in the social hierarchy. Valerie is inclined to run off with Peter, but soon such inclinations must be shelved when her sister turns up dead, the apparent victim of a wolf that has terrorised the residents of Daggerhorn, the rustic, medieval mountain village in which the film is set. What we're left with is a gauzy romance that might have even ardent Twilight fans rolling their eyes.
                      

Battle: Los Angeles

This massive movie is about a race of aliens colonising our planet, but as the title suggests, the action is centered on the City of Angels. Instead of watching the world at war, we witness the American military's last stand on the West Coast by following a single squad of soldiers on the ground as they fight their way through the city to pick up scattered civilians before the Air Force levels Los Angeles. 2nd Lt. William Martinez leads the troop but is too young to be calling the shots in a cataclysmic event like this. Thankfully Squad Sgt. Michael Nantz (Aaron Eckhart) is called back in for one last mission, because it doesn't take long for the rest of the battalion to realise that the reluctant hero is their best chance for survival. Battle: Los Angeles is a roaring thrill ride that barely lets up from start to finish. Is it a rehash of the most exciting moments in War of the Worlds or Red Dawn? Sure it is, but it's also an electrifying film that manages to be engrossing and entertaining in spite of its flaws

Mars Needs Moms

Adapted from the children's novel by Berkeley Breathed and directed by Simon Wells, Mars Needs Moms follows Milo as he chases after his mother who's been stolen by Martians just a few hours after he told her he'd be better off without her. Once he arrives on Mars (by sneaking on the ship), he meets Gribble who informs him of his problem: the Martians are ruled by a ruthless queen-like Supervisor who's decided that the hatchlings must be divided: all males are thrown away into the dump and the females are raised by "nanny-bots" – robots programmed by the energy of good moms, like Milo's, from Earth. Milo and Gribble buddy-up and with the help of a rebel Martian named Ki, the three of them venture to save Milo's mom before it's too late. Coming from producer Robert Zemeckis and utilising the same motion-capture technology as The Polar Express, A Christmas Carol and Beowulf, Mars Needs Moms rushes forward, embracing its visually stunning universe without taking a moment to stop and breathe; children will definitely enjoy this one.

Turning 30

Turning 30 is a slice of life film. Debutante director Alankrita Shrivastava chooses to focus on a working woman living in a metropolis, how dejected she feels when a relationship fails, her perils, the hardships and how she eventually rediscovers herself on her 31st birthday. Turning 30 has great energy and humour as its aces. Gul's character in the film faces issues that several urban, independent women generally face and therefore, the identification with her character is immense. But the problem with the film is that it loses focus in its post-interval portions. Gul Panag delivers an elegant performance. She expresses the varied feelings well and literally grabs the film. In fact, her fine-tuned performance stays with you even after the film wraps up. Purab Kohli does a good jobs. On the whole, Turning 30 has its moments, but they are few and far in between. In totality however, Turning 30 misses the mark.

All Eyes On You

Learn how to apply colours, which ones to wear when, and discover the shades that will complete each look

Strata
Strata is a palette of classic neutral shades such as dark brown, warm medium brown and silky pinkish beige.
How To Use
• Apply the beige shade all over the upper eyelid up to the brow bone. Also apply it along the lower eyelid.
• Sweep the medium brown shade over upper eyelids, going over the crease.
• Roughly outline the upper eyelid with the dark brown shade to intensify the upper eyelid contour.
• Apply the same dark brown shade along the lower lashline as well.
Suitability
Great for creating a subtle, smouldering look either during daytime or at night. Suits fair and medium skin tones best.
Complemented By
Use a brown eyeliner pencil on the upper lashline for grater eye definition.
Tropicalia
Tropicalia is a palette of playful colours such as hot pink, acid green and luminous yellow.
How To Use
• Apply the green shade broadly over the upper eyelid. Apply the shadow cleanly under the eyes as well.
• Next apply the yellow shade around the outline of the upper eyelids to the outside of the crease. Blend well.
• Finally, sweep the pink shade over the upper eyelid contour to intensify the area.
Suitability
Great as daytime wear to create a refreshing and elevating mood. Women with a youthful spirit can use all three colours together, but those looking for more mature sophistication can skin the pink. Suits all skin tones.
Complemented By
For even better eye definition apply black eyeliner along the upper lashline, and then swathe the lashes in black mascara. For the lips, go for shades of dark rose or pink.
Boudoir
Boudoir is a palette of sensual pinks such as deep velvety rose, bright shimmering pink and pale powder pink.
How To Use
• Sweep the lightest pink shade all over the upper eyelid extending up to the brow bone. Apply a little of this pale pink shade under the eyes as well.
• Apply the medium pink shade on the upper eyelid contour extending way outside the crease. Blend well.
• Finally lend depth to the eyelid contours by applying the deep rose pink shade.
Suitability
Ideal as daytime make-up for a fun morning. Suits fair skin tones best.
Complemented By
Go for a lip colour in deep rose or any shade of pink.
Jungle
Jungle is a harmonious palette of lush green such as deep glossy green, bright leaf green and pale silvery green.
How To Use
• Apply the silvery green shade all over the upper eyelid up to the brow bone. Apply it along the lower lash line as well.
• Now apply medium leaf green shade over the eye contours, extending it beyond the crease. Blend well.
• Next apply the medium green shade along the lower lashline. Finally, sweep the glossy deep green shadow over the eyelid contours.
Suitability
Works fine as a daytime make-up look for an outdoor event or as a dramatic evening look. Looks good on all skin tones.
Complemented By
Natural beige-pink lip colour goes perfectly with the succulent green shade of eyes.
Opera
Opera is a trio of unusual yet harmonising contrasts like bright sky blue, pale gold and deep bronze.
How To Use
• Apply the blue shade all over the upper eyelid, up to the brow bone. Then using another brush apply the pale gold shade only to the upper eyelid contours.
• Now apply the bronze-brown shade from the outer corner of the eye and blend in along the crease to give it a deeper effect.
• Apply the bronze-brown shade along the lower lash line.
Suitability
Great for a sophisticated, formal evening look. Suits all skin tones.
Complemented By
A dark brown eyeliner pencil along the upper lashline. The complementing lip colour for this look is a natural rosy pink.
Snow Shadow
Snow Shadow is a beautiful combination of deep indigo blue, silver grey and snow-white shades.
How To Use
• Take the white shade and apply it broadly over the upper eyelid up to the eyebrows and along the lower lashline.
• Now apply the medium grey shade over the upper eyelid extending way outside the eye crease area.
• Finally, intensify the eye contour area with the dark blue shade applying it only up to the crease. Blend well with the previously applied shade.
Suitability
Works both as an intense evening look or even as a smouldering day make-up look. Looks good on fair and medium skin tones.
Complemented By
Define eyes with a black eye liner on the upper eyelid (optional) and finish the look with black mascara. Lipsticks in pink and rose shades complement this look well.
Fire
Fire is a trio featuring deep charcoal black with bright flaming orange and pale grey shades.
How To Use
• Apply black shadow cleanly all over the upper eyelid contour do not go beyond the crease. Apply black shadow on the lower eyelid as well.
• Then apply orange shadow with another brush straight on to the black colour, extending way outside the crease to leave a clear orange halo outside the black contour.
• Sweep the grey shadow just under the eyebrows to finish.
Suitability
Ideal for an evening make-up look, suits all skin tones.
Complemented By
A thin black eyeliner on the upper lashline and a generous coat of black mascara.

Ready, Steady, Go!

When you're racing to get out of the door in the morning every second counts. These quick tricks will help you beat the clock. From the perfect pout to a smokey eye, nothing is impossible if you follow our step-by-step make-up guide

Get ready in…

1 Minute
(60 seconds)
1. Moisturise
Dab a tinted moisturiser over your face and neck as your make-up base.
Time: 20 seconds
2. Voluminous Lashes
Apply mascara only to your upper lashes, using quick movements and wiggling the wand as you swathe the lashes in pigment so that they don't clump together.
Time: 20 seconds
3. Lip And Cheek Tint
Quickly apply a lip and cheek tint by dotting it over your cheeks and lips. Rub and blend and you've managed a rosy blush and shiny lips in a matter of a few seconds.
Time: 20 seconds
2 Minutes
(120 seconds)
1. Daytime Base
Squeeze a small drop of foundation on your palm, then rub well between both hands, as you would with a moisturiser, then dab all over your face, blending smoothly as you go. The effect is that of a flawless tinted moisturiser, a subtle base that will be ideal for light daytime make-up.
Time: 30 seconds
2. Smokey Eyes
Take a coloured eye pencil crayon and draw a thick line along the upper eyelids. Smudge the outer edges slightly with your fingertips and quickly blend it over the eyelid contour.
Time: 1 minute
3. Matte Mouth
Line your lips with a soft matte lip pencil, then fill in the centre with a few soft strokes of the same lip pencil.
Time: 30 seconds
3 Minutes
(180 seconds)
1. Defined Eyes
Quickly rub a neutral, satin shade of eye-shadow over the upper eyelids with your fingertips. Draw a thick line along the upper eyelids with a dark brown eye pencil flicking slightly at the edges. Finish off with a black kohl pencil along the lower lashline.
Time: 80 seconds
2. Contour The Cheeks
Take a bronzer stick and rub a little of the shimmery product on your fingers. Blend well in upward movements along your cheeks. Step back, check the effect and blend more if needed. That's a subtle bronzed effect in less then 60 seconds.
Time: 60 seconds
3. The Perfect Pout
Roughly outline your lips with a neutral beige lip pencil, purse lips together and dab a drop of voluminising lipgloss in the centre.
Time: 40 seconds

4 Maxi Dresses And How to Wear Them Right Now

Long dresses seem to be like hats: Some ladies can pull them off with finesse while others think both are totally out of their league. We beg to disagree. Given the newest crop of maxi dresses we've been tracking lately, going super-long is something every lady can get in on. The trick is counter-acting the after-eight feel with more casual, everyday twists. We recommend pairing any of our favorite maxis with a wide vintage tooled belt, Doc Martens, a little blazer, or a great pair of platforms. Mixing the dramatic impact of a long dress with less feminine accents will ensure the look is modern and fun as opposed to fussy and formal.

Tip: Give a sweeping skirt more structure with a tailored blazer and opaque tights.
.



Above, clockwise from left: Vena Cava Maxi Dress, $550, available in March (in black) at Opening Ceremony; Rebecca Norman Disk Necklace, $138, available at Max & Chloe; Alexander Wang Wool Zipper Blazer, $562.59, available at My Theresa; Lipstick Queen Wine Saint, $18, available at Barneys New York; A.P.C. Madras Pointelle Tights, $56, available at La Garçonne; Robert Clergerie Deesse Platforms, $690, available at Barneys New York.

Tip: Toughen up your feminine florals with bad-ass boots and biker accents. 










Above, clockwise from left: Motel Painting Rose Long Sleeve Mini Dress, $67.99. available at ASOS; Madewell Suede Biker Vest, $295, available at J.Crew; Rika Love Scarf, $173, available at La Garçonne; Laura Mercier Lip Stain, $18, available at Sephora; Dr. Martens 1914 Boots, $124.95, available at Endless; Giles & Brother Domed Spiked Bangle, $140, available at Zoe.


Tip: Bring an ethereal dress down to earth with sturdy clog boots and a fun faux fur jacket. 




Above, clockwise from left: Topshop Meadow Print Maxi Dress, $190, available at Topshop; Juicy Couture Bracelet Sleeve Faux Fur Jacket, $398, available at Piperlime; Lorac Sheer Wash Lip and Cheek Tint, $20, available at Drugstore.com; Swedish Hasbeens 455 Lace-Up Boots, $428, available at Endless; ASOS Double Wrap Belt, $20.40, available at ASOS.


Tip: Reinvent the glamorous hippie with western accents and a dramatic eye.





Above, clockwise from left: Topshop Meadow Print Maxi Dress, $190, available at Topshop; Juicy Couture Bracelet Sleeve Faux Fur Jacket, $398, available at Piperlime; Lorac Sheer Wash Lip and Cheek Tint, $20, available at Drugstore.com; Swedish Hasbeens 455 Lace-Up Boots, $428, available at Endless; ASOS Double Wrap Belt, $20.40, available at ASOS.


Tip: Reinvent the glamorous hippie with western accents and a dramatic eye.



Above, clockwise from left: Victoria's Secret Off-the-Shoulder Maxi Dress, $59.99, available at Victoria's Secret; Lucky Brand Freedom Message Belt, $59.50, available at Lucky Brand; Frye Antique Riding Boots, $498, available at Bergdorf Goodman; Victoria's Secret Eyeshadow Quad, $15, available at Victoria's Secret. 

Maxi Mini

I'm having a schizophrenic space-out... a multi-personality moment that has been preventing me from getting dressed properly or liking anything that I wear the minute I leave the house. The only solution I can think of is to put on all my favourite styles at once and hope that somehow, this whole bag-lady meets Jackson Pollack meets Joey-wearing-all-of-Chandler's-clothes thing is somehow considered "fashion." Does that make sense? I told you I was having issues.


For anyone else who is of two minds all the time, or is bipolar or indecisive, ne'er fear, someone has invented the maxi-mini dress, a sartorial homage to the psychologically imbalanced among us, and not a bad one at that. And so you don't have to obsessively-compulsively debate the merits of shopping from your couch versus the disadvantage of paying high shipping costs, go ASOS, where shipping is free this Xmas season.

Spot the Real: Ash Strappy Wedge Sandal

Sam Edelman's "Leroy" espadrille wedge sandals are $150 at Footnotesonline.com. The knockoff is $89.94. Can you tell which is the real and which is the steal? Click either image to find out.

Spring fashion for every shape

As the days get longer and the weather begins to warm, we can finally start tossing those bulky sweaters back in the closet and start reaching for our favorite spring clothes. Here are some great spring inspirations for every shape!

Petite

Go nautical in this aqua striped jersey tunic. It's lightweight and comfortable -- exactly what you would expect from spring fashion. Wear it with leggings and a denim jacket to spice up this spring look even more. Although every woman has learned (from birth) to fear horizontal stripes, this tie-waist tunic gives you the defined shape you want every time you step out.

10 Fashion finds that hide your flaws

With spring just around the corner, it is time to keep an eye out for spring clothes with an alter ego. We need clothes that not only look great but that make us feel great - while camouflaging our not so favorite parts!

Wedge heels

Heels are great for anyone who wants to add some height to their stature, as well as anyone wanting to show a bit more leg! Wedge heels are especially great for giving your legs a toned appearance because the heel mimics your calve muscles. Wedges are great for when you haven’t had time to hit the gym lately but want to look like you have.

Over-the-top accessories

For women who are shorter or who have shorter legs, but who still want to rock shorts and skirts this spring, wear jewelry. Necklaces and bracelets will draw the eye up which will move attention away from the shortness of your legs and onto your amazing jewels!

Denim jackets

If you are worried about losing your waistline in that must-have spring dress or tunic, a fitted denim jacket can give you a nice waistline. Make sure that the bottom of the jacket hits just below your waist — this will make your curves pop in any tunic.

Keds

Spring tends to creep up on us and before you know it you are wearing sandals again, which means pedicures and touching up that chipped polish. But for when you do not have the time and your toes are looking far from sandal friendly, throw on a pair of Keds. They are cute, comfortable and no one will know about the state of your toes!

Knee-length shorts

If you are not quite ready (or willing) to throw on a pair of short-shorts, well guess what? You don’t have too. Knee length shorts are in this spring and are perfect for keeping your legs covered comfortably.

Leggings

Leggings are great in spring because if you are still pretty pale from winter but really want to wear a new short dress or top, a great pair of leggings will tie you over until you have time to get outside or go for a spray tan.

Silk tops

Silk tops are wonderful for spring. If you are feeling a bit insecure about the winter weight around your middle, have no fear because a silk top will make you feel great without feeling constricted. Silk tops that are fitted around the arms/chest and that are looser around the middle are best. However, beware of baby doll shirts, which can create an unflattering look on most figures!

Ankle pants

Ankle-length pants are a great addition to any spring wardrobe and are great for people who are not quite ready for shorts yet. If you are concerned about the way your legs look in shorts and skirts, save yourself the trouble and get a pair of ankle pants. The higher waist helps give your legs a longer look and a dark wash will give your legs a slimming look.

Cardigans

Springtime and cardigans go hand-in-hand, so if you are concerned about your arms or your lack of tan throw on a cheery colored cardigan and the only thing people will notice is how great you look in that sweater.

Skirts

Skirts: you either love them or you hate them. However, if you are worried about your legs, stop. All you need to do is find a nice floral print skirt, at any length you are comfortable with and soon you will start to feel the ‘spring’ in your step!

Making Writing Fun

This morning I woke up with a killer headache, an upset stomach, dizzy spells and the intense urge to just go back to sleep and let my poor Felicity fend for herself, despite her being oh-so-cute and kissing my cheek saying "Hi mommy". Now, I am not sick. I don't have a cold, or the flu. My yucky morning is self-inflicted. As crazy as that sounds, it really is. I had my first ever "buzz" last night, after a glass of Huiness, two Vitamin C's, and a Heineken. I wasn't even drunk, just that little bit of brain fuzziness that makes your head tingle. It was very, very weird. And not something that I am likely to repeat in the near future.

Anyway, so because of this nasty start to my day, I was absolutely loathing the idea of getting up, and forcing my brain to work long enough to even walk the 5 feet from my bed to the computer, let alone making a post here. I started thinking that I have less than 24 hours now to begin my Script Frenzy challenge, and how unprepared I feel for it. I have that same excited, anxious anticipation that I did the night before I started NaNoWriMo. I'm excited to start writing, because I believe in my story and my writing abilities. But I'm so afraid that I won't finish the challenge, or that my writing will suck and I'll get stuck. I started panicking. I got out my notepad and started plotting out my story in every little detail, from what I want the set to look like, how the lights should be, sound effects, even what I want the costumes to look like. I started writing down everything but the dialog itself {which I can't start yet. I'm not cheating!}. Having so much theater time under my belt already, I have a pretty good idea of what our team is capable of and what is actually doable. I'm the "Sound Girl" at the theater, and have over 100 hours of volunteer time doing JUST sound. That doesn't include all of the time I've spent as an actress, a set builder/painter, or even operating the light board and helping with getting the lights set up. I even designed a GOBO for a show once. So, in my mind, I have a pretty good idea of what the incredible people at our theater would be able to do, if our director really does allow me to direct it here.

That in itself adds a whole 'nother weight to my shoulders. I was told that "if my play is any good", several people will back me up and vote to have it actually preformed. While that is a huge honor and I would love to see my words and characters come to life, I'm terrified of it. Not of directing it, or anything like that, but my Inner Editor flung a new set of self-doubts at me. What if I really do suck? What if they hate it? What if, what if, what if?

And then, while surfing google images, I came across this picture. Make Writing Fun. I stopped and read it over and over again, like my brain couldn't comprehend what it was reading. Writing really is supposed to be FUN. It's not a chore that has to be done, even if it is a job to some authors. It's not supposed to be something that you procrastinate because you just don't want to do it. It's not cleaning the bathroom or doing the laundry. Writing, to me, should be something that makes you get out of bed in the morning and be excited that today you get to sit down and write! Whether it's about a new cast of characters, or some that you have long since become friends with. Instead of plopping down in the chair staring blankly at the computer screen, wishing you had something else to do {facebook and hulu are my tools of procrastination} you should hardly be able to keep your fingers from grazing those keys every time you walk past your computer.

Now, I know that for a lot of people, that isn't the case. I know for the last several months it certainly hasn't been the case with me. I've been making excuse after excuse not to edit my NaNovel, trying to just ignore it, hoping that one day I'll open up Word and see that it edited itself and that it's perfect. It, unfortunately, doesn't work that way, no matter how much I may wish it to be so. There are a lot of days where I have sat down, that thick stack of paper in my lap, red pencil in hand, and cried. I hate reading my own work, because my inner editor just kicks my arse. I get so depressed, and what makes it worse, is that I have words that have come out of a "friends" mouth that just devastated me. This "friend", while I was working on finishing my very first book, told me that I "shouldn't bother with it, because you will never finish it, and you will never get an agent. Nobody will publish you. Lots of people have been writing longer than you have and are better than you, and they don't get published." Nice friend, huh? My Inner Editor constantly takes those words, uttered by somebody who was supposed to be supportive and, well, friendly, and slam them against me, making me see my work as utter crap.

So tomorrow, I will be sitting down to my first day of script writing. I have the whole month planned out, with page milestones every week, and my goal is to finish it like I did NaNo, two whole days early. Now, Jenni, I don't know if you are doing it too, but I just have one rule for you. You are NOT allowed to finish two whole WEEKS early! Hehe, you know I love you.

Now, before I shiver myself onto the floor, I will sign off, finish my new queue list on Hulu, then I shall finish mapping out that darned 2nd Act. Until tomorrow!

Tampa Bay Heart Ball 2011

Here is a little teaser of the opening act performed by Event Show Productions from this year's Tampa Bay Heart Ball! This was shot from our Flip camera. As we receive more photos and videos we will be sure to post!

For the third year in a row, we have had the pleasure of being the event planners for the Tampa Bay Heart Ball. This year's theme was "A Passion for Life"- New Beginnings. Our opening act featured an aerial hammock act- where a performer came out of a cocoon- similar to a butterfly. Many other small details around the room showed 'new beginnings' such as butterflies hanging from the ceiling and spring flowers in the centerpieces. Corina, with A La Carte Event Pavilion, designed and decorated the ballroom perfectly, with shades of lavender and white!

Thank you to all the vendors who made this event a success!

Venue, Event Design/Decor, Lighting, Cuisine: A La Carte Event Pavilion

AV/Sound: AVSS

Entertainment: Dorene Collier's Event Show Productions

Photography: Carrie Wildes Photography

Valet: 717 Valet

Event Planning and Management: Simply Divine Events

 

The new Virage employs hand-built 6.0 liter V12 engine which produces 490 bhp and 570 nM of torque and is identified from other V12 in the relatives with a black plenum. The V12 engine has been designed to deliver over 85% of Virage's peak torque at only 1,500 rpm providing for instant and crucially, real-world useable traction.

Read more »

 

The new Virage employs hand-built 6.0 liter V12 engine which produces 490 bhp and 570 nM of torque and is identified from other V12 in the relatives with a black plenum. The V12 engine has been designed to deliver over 85% of Virage's peak torque at only 1,500 rpm providing for instant and crucially, real-world useable traction.

Read more »

 

The new Virage employs hand-built 6.0 liter V12 engine which produces 490 bhp and 570 nM of torque and is identified from other V12 in the relatives with a black plenum. The V12 engine has been designed to deliver over 85% of Virage's peak torque at only 1,500 rpm providing for instant and crucially, real-world useable traction.

Read more »

 

The new Virage employs hand-built 6.0 liter V12 engine which produces 490 bhp and 570 nM of torque and is identified from other V12 in the relatives with a black plenum. The V12 engine has been designed to deliver over 85% of Virage's peak torque at only 1,500 rpm providing for instant and crucially, real-world useable traction.

Read more »

Bottom Lip Kiss

 While kissing your partner, gently suck on their bottom lip. If you can, slightly pull away with their lip while you suck on it. This is a very passionate kiss that is fun to do and usually leads to more intense kissing.

Breath Kiss

While kissing, pull back slowly and make your way to the person's cheek or neck, and tell them to sit still. Gently breathe out of your mouth on the cheek/neck, and listen to them giggle and groan with delight!

Bubble Bath Kiss

Fill the bath tub up with water and tons of bubble bath. While in the tub together, wash and kiss each other at the same time. You and your partner will both love it and it can lead to even more fun things.

Bubble Gum Kiss

Blow a bubble with your favorite bubble gum, then ask your partner to put his or her mouth over the bubble and start kissing.