Friday, January 30, 2009

Poetry Friday

TGIF! It’s Poetry Friday. As we are almost into the oh, so romantic month of February, I give you a sultry cinquain poem for today.
My cinquain is in the current issue of Amaze: The Cinquain Journal. I love writing and reading cinquains so I am thrilled to be part of this journal.
Click here to read ONE TOUCH.

Please visit Adventures in Daily Living for more fab poetry links. And yes, it did hurt a little when Poetry Friday was tattooed on my back ;0).

Thursday, January 29, 2009

This or That Thursday


This week’s edition of This or That is about communication. Today there are so many ways to communicate with one another. Which way do you prefer to keep in touch with your family, friends, and acquaintances (other than face to face)?
Text message or email or telephone?
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I’m not the most efficient texter. It will take me six minutes to write six words on the cell phone. So that is obviously not my first choice. I do love talking on the phone, but with three children around needing my attention, sometimes those calls get cut short. It seems as soon as I answer the phone my boys are wrestling, my daughter’s hair is caught in a fishing lure, or there is sticky orange juice seeping from a strange place. So I suppose my pick is email, because of the convenience. The note can be as long or short as you want and can be sent at any time of day.
And if you are wondering about the fishing lure thing, last week my daughter was yelling for my help from upstairs when I was on the phone. My youngest son’s room is decorated in a fishing theme, so I have fake fishing lures on the wall. As I scurried into his room, she was pinned to the wall, because her hair was stuck to a lure. Yep, she’s quite the catch.
Of course now there are message boards, Facebook, Myspace, and blogs to keep track of people. The main ways of communicating still seem to be the following three ways: telephone/cell phone, email, and texting. What is your pick?
Don’t forget to comment and/or vote on the poll to the right!

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Tune for Tuesday

On Friday’s post I mentioned the band Evanescence. Evanescence is a Grammy award winning alternative metal band headed by lead singer, Amy Lee. Today’s song is “Lithium” off their Open Door album that was released in 2006. Amy’s hauntingly beautiful voice resonates throughout this song. The winter imagery in the video is gorgeous, even as I sit freezing my buns off in the Midwest waiting for spring.
Check out "Lithium"




Also, please check out the My Poem Rocks website for a poem of mine about (surprise) music!

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Stains the Dog

I religiously watch The Soup on E! channel each week. Joel McHale is the funniest guy on TV. For some reason this clip from the latest show had me rolling on the floor (okay, I was giggling on the couch). I am a huge dog lover, but the look on this poor dog's face is priceless and I had to laugh.
NOTE: Joel swears in this clip, so don't play if small children are around!

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Poetry Friday

It’s Poetry Friday, and I found a funny poem to share. I’m a former grade school teacher that is thinking of going back to the classroom at some point. I’m going to dip my feet in the school realm by substitute teaching sometime this year. I am an avid music lover, so this poem by Bruce Lansky made me giggle. I must remember to leave my tunes at home when I reenter the classroom…

Click to read My Teacher Loves Her iPod by Bruce Lansky


I love my iPod, too! I usually wear my iPod when I grocery shop to make the task a little more bearable. One time I was singing a song softly to myself as I perused the aisles, but didn't realize how loud I was. The song was "Bring Me to Life" by Evanescence. I loudly whispered the lyric, "I've been living a lie. There's nothing inside." I then turned my eyes from the shelf and noticed a lady with wide eyes looking at me who quickly turned her cart around and hightailed it out of my aisle...Since then, I try to keep my singing to a minimal and just tap to the music on my shopping cart.
The very talented poet, Laura Purdie Salas , is hosting Poetry Friday today. Stop by her site for more wonderful poetry links.

This or That Thursday

Today’s edition of This or That is actually This or That or This or That. You have four choices today! Vampire books have been very successful through the years that many have been made into movies or TV shows. So today’s question is which vampire do you prefer?
Anne Rice’s Lestat (Interview with a Vampire) or Charlaine Harris’s Bill (Dead After Dark, the HBO series, True Blood) or Stephanie Meyer’s Edward (Twilight) or Bram Stoker’s Dracula?
Here's a clip from each:
Lestat

Dracula

Bill

Edward


I have only read Interview with a Vampire. I have started reading Dead After Dark, because I loved the HBO series, True Blood. I’ve seen Bram Stoker’s Dracula, but haven’t read it. I intend to read and watch Twilight this year.
Lestat is selfish (and Tom Cruise didn't seem right for the part). Dracula is way too scary. I will probably change my mind after reading/watching Twilight (Robert Pattinson played a dashing Cedric Diggory in the Harry Potter movie), but from what I have read/viewed so far my pick is Bill! I eagerly watched True Blood week after week this fall. And I love the way Bill says, “Sookie” with his Southern drawl. Which vampire is your pick? Don't forget to vote on the poll on the right, too!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

An Award and a Review

I have been awarded the Kreativ Blog Award by sruble and Brenda! Woo hoo! Thank you ladies for thinking of me and my blog! I so appreciate your shout out! Now in return I must list seven things I love.
I’m kind of a goof, and I love to giggle and guffaw. My kids tell me I’m weird just about every day. I tell them normal is boooooooooring (as I do the moonwalk). Sometimes we have a family dance party to music videos. Other times all five of us talk like a robot all through dinner. We think of fun, creative ways to keep our every day life a little more interesting.
So obviously I enjoy funny movies. For my list of seven things, I am going to list my favorite comedic actors/actresses.
1. Will Ferrell – Old School and Elf are two of my favorite movies. Will performed the funniest characters on Saturday Night Live. He’s just a big, hairy goofball.
2. Paul Rudd – I just watched Paul host SNL a few weeks ago. He’s a perfect mix of cute and funny. Paul was hilarious in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, The 40 Year Old Virgin, and Knocked Up.
3. Chevy Chase – My favorite movie character of all time is Clark Griswold. “Nuff said.
4. David Spade – I used to watch "The David Spade Show" where he would rip on various celebrities and movies. He’s sarcastic funny. He plays a snarky guy on TV oh so well.
5. Vince Vaughn – This big, towering man is another funny, sarcastic character. Who can forget “Ear muffs!” in Old School?
6. Amy Poehler/Tina Fey – Love these funny gals. They are awesome on Saturday Night Live. Tina Fey’s dry humor on 30 Rock makes me chuckle.
7. Eddie Murphy – I enjoyed Eddie’s early stuff the most like Beverly Hills Cop and his stand up for Raw and Delirious had me rolling on the floor. My husband and I quote lines from Delirious all the time…”Lemonade, that cool, refreshing drink.”
Honorable Mention: Chris Farley – one big, funny dude. He is missed in the comedy world. Don’t do drugs, people!

In turn, I will tag some bloggers who have made me laugh once, twice, or twenty times with their creative wit. My Kreativ Blog nominations go to Carrie, Ben Esch, Christy, Suzanne, Murph, and Ello.

QUICK KILLERS CONCERT REVIEW
My husband and I had such a great time at the Killers concert last night. We were pretty close to the stage. I am amazed at how many hit songs they have in the four short years that they have been around. Prettyboy lead singer, Brandon Flowers, sounded just as smooth on vocals live as he does on the CDs. The Killers have such danceable songs so I was moving all night! Who needs the treadmill when you can dance for two hours?! The entire concert was phenomenal so it’s hard to pick my favorite parts, but my fave songs of the night were “Human,” “Spaceman,” “For Reasons Unknown,” and “Somebody Told Me.” Here are a few pics of the night!
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Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Tune for Tuesday

Today’s Tune for Tuesday is a killer song, and it’s a song by the Killers. The Killers aren’t as dangerous as they sound. They are actually four quite unaggressive looking men that formed a band in Las Vegas.
This pop rock band achieved great success with their debut album, Hot Fuss in 2004 with hits like “Mr. Brightside” and “Somebody Told Me.” Sam’s Town, their second album, spawned hit songs “Read My Mind” and “When You Were Young.” . The Killers also released a B-sides album titled Sawdust in 2007. Day and Age is the latest Killers album. My favorite songs so far are “Human” and “Spaceman.”
My husband and I are going to a Killers concert tonight. I'm pretty excited to see them live. I love so many of their songs, so I picked the first one that brought my attention to the band, “Mr. Brightside.”
“I’m coming out of my cage, and I’ve been doing just fine. Gotta gotta be down, because I want it all…”
Check it!



If you like that song, be sure to check out one from their new album, “Human.”

Friday, January 16, 2009

Poetry Friday

If you read my blog regularly, you know that I am really into music. Due to my love of music, my children are exposed to music on a daily basis. When they were babies, I put on classical as well as my favorite rock tunes. Now we listen to mostly rock. While they are in their rooms, they may put on the Jonas Brothers or a Disney soundtrack. My nine year old's interest in music rivals my obsession . He surprised me this winter by purchasing a Megadeth CD with his Walmart gift card! Even I don't listen to Megadeth! He heard a song on the Playstation 2 Guitar Hero game. Since there was no parental warning, he gets to listen to it... My nine year old also started guitar lessons in the fall. I never learned to play an instrument and was thrilled that he took an interest. The J-Man is doing quite well. According to his guitar instructor, he is "an exceptional student to work with that is due to a dedicated drive to accomplish a task." Thankfully he is that dedicated in his schoolwork as well. Today's poem is about my favorite musician.

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MY GUITAR HERO by Kelly Polark

Young boy with big goals.
Strums with determination,
Tugs at my heartstrings.


Today's poetry roundup is hosted by Karen Edmisten. Stop by her site for some wonderful links to poetry. POETRY ROCKS!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

This or That Thursday

Hey all you blog fiends! This is the first installment of This or That Thursday. Every Thursday I’ll give you some choices, and you comment on which choice you prefer. You can elaborate why…or not. I’ll also put a poll up so vote there as well!
We’ll start with a simple one that you really don’t have to think about too much…

Coffee or Tea?

My preference is tea. I have never enjoyed the taste of coffee. Ever. I drink hot tea when I’m sick or want to stick my pinky out. I love Fuse Green Tea. I drink that a few times a week. This morning, however, was -10 when I woke up with 30 below wind chill. I will probably make the kids and I hot chocolate with marshmallows soon!

Don't forget to click on the poll at the right!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Tune for Tuesday

Today’s Tune for Tuesday comes from a band that was popular in the late nineties. Third Eye Blind is one of my favorite bands. Their self-titled debut album came out in 1997. It was a huge success with hits such as “Semi-charmed Life,” “How’s It Going to Be,” and “Graduate.” My favorite song from the album is “Narcolepsy.” That CD was continuously playing in my car throughout 1997 and 1998. I saw them in concert in 1998; they were just as good live. Third Eye Blind came out with another album, Blue, in 1999. “Never Let You Go” and another one of my favorites, “Anything,” were on that album. Their 2003 album, Out of the Vein, was not as much of a success as the first two. I own all three albums, and frequently listen to their music. It is rumored that Third Eye Blind will be coming out with another album this year. I would love to listen to some new material from them.
One of their hits from their first album is featured in the Jim Carrey film, Yes Man.
Listen to Jim Carrey sing the Third Eye Blind song, “Jumper.”


Now listen to Third Eye Blind’s “Jumper.” Third Eye Blind rocks!

Monday, January 12, 2009

Golden Globes

Last night I watched the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards. This award show celebrates television and movies, so it is jam packed with celebrities.

Here are some of the night's winners (I don’t have a complete list... Who do I look like, Mario Lopez? And please don’t compare my abs with his…).
Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture – Kate Winslet, The Reader
I didn’t see The Reader but love her.
Best Original Song in a Motion Picture Bruce Springsteen “The Wrestler”
I’m not a Springsteen fan (GASP!), but out of the clips I heard, I did like this song the best of the five nominated.
Best Motion Picture Comedy or Musical – Vicky Christy Barcelona
Haven’t seen any of the nominated movies, I need to get out more!
Best Actor TV Series Drama - Gabriel Byrne “In Treatment”
Michael C. Hall of "Dexter" was one of the actors nominated, I want to get that DVD series set to watch someday...
Best Actress TV Series Drama – Anna Paquin “True Blood”
Yay! I so wanted Sookie to win!
Best Animated Feature Film – Wall-E That movie deserved it!
Best Actress in Motion Picture Musical or Comedy - an overwhelmed Sally Hawkins for Happy-Go-Lucky
Best Actor in – Heath Ledger The Dark Knight (he got a standing ovation as the director accepted it)
Best Actress in TV Series - Laura Linney “John Adams”
Best Actor in TV Series Musical or Comedy - Alec Baldwin ”30 Rock” Funny show!
Best Actor TV Series, Mini Series or TV Movie - Paul Giamatti “John Adams”
Best TV Series Musical or Comedy – “30 Rock” Oh Yeah! Tina Fey rocks!
Best Actress TV Series Musical or Comedy – Tina Fey “30 Rock” Sweet! She looked awesome in her dress, too. Funny speech.
Best Actor Motion Picture Musical or Comedy - Colin Farrell In Bruges
Best Actress Motion Picture Drama – a teary eyed Kate Winslet Revolutionary Road
I have to go see that! She had two wins tonight!
Best TV Series Drama – Mad Men (wanted “True Blood” to win…)
Best Actor Motion Picture Drama – Mickey Rourke The Wrestler (Wow!)
Best Motion Picture Drama – Slum Dog Millionaire

The ladies looked lovely tonight. I love seeing all the beautiful dresses and jewelry. (I’ll know just what style to wear at the next ball I attend :0)
Best Dressed – Demi Moore, Beyonce, Evan Rachel Wood, Christina Applegate
Best Accessory - Loved Eva Mendes’ turquoise necklace.
The men looked dapper as well. My pick for best dressed is Kevin Connolly of “Entourage.”


RANDOM THOUGHTS WHILE WATCHING THE GLOBES
That’s Sting? He looks quite different as a brunette with a beard.
How in the world is Eva Longoria walking in that tight dress?
Whoa, haven’t seen Mickey Rourke in a while.
Squeal! Johnny Depp!
Why isn’t Tom Cruise jumping up and down on his chair?
My mom is just like Demi Moore. She doesn’t look her age, and she reminds her daughter not to slouch!
I think Colin Farell just winked at me.
Awww, Kate is making Leo cry.
I’m so glad I can fast forward through this-it’s three freaking hours!
Eh, this award show was not as funny or spontaneous as in past years…

Friday, January 9, 2009

Poetry Friday


I have had babies on the mind lately. No, I’m not pregnant, but I have a few people close to me that are in their third trimester! Tomorrow I am attending a cousin’s baby shower. I’m so excited to visit with the family, and see what cute little things are in store for this sweet precious one. Another cousin that is due soon will also be there. As I write this, a friend could be heading to the hospital for baby number four. I adore babies. I treasured the time I had when my children were newborns. I loved just gazing at them, snuggling them, feeding them. I also remember that anxious time waiting to meet that special little person.
This haiku is for Amy, Liz, and Ginny (plus Megan and MK, too!).

Anxious mom awaits.
Flutters whisper in morse code,
“I’ll be here soon, Mom.”

Below is a picture of me when I was pregnant with my third child, JD. This picture was taken about a week before he was born. Can you tell he was a big baby? 9 pounds, 13 ounces! It’s not just the horizontal stripes that make me look huge in this picture!Photobucket



Today’s Poetry Friday is being hosted by Picture Book of the Day. Check out the fab links!

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

I said Good Day!

Yesterday was a good day. I sent out my signed contract to Highlights. They purchased a word puzzle for a future issue of Highlights Puzzlemania. I’m pretty excited to get my foot in the door of such a great magazine. To quote London Tipton, “Yay, me!” (that’s a Disney channel reference).
Last night one of my favorite TV programs finally aired its season premiere. Nip/Tuck is in its 6th season. My husband and I started watching it in its second season. My mother-in-law loved the show, and we happened to watch an episode when she stayed with us after our daughter was born. Later, the FX network reran the first season then second season again, so we started watching it from the beginning (but in its second year).
Nip/Tuck is a medical show with plastic surgeons, Christian Troy and Sean McNamara, as the main characters. They are best friends and business partners. Nip/Tuck does show graphic surgeries (I cover my eyes), but the series is really about Sean and Christian and their messed up lives. This show is bizarre, fascinating, and just plain crazy! I seriously don’t know how the writers can keep coming up with the unique situations for the characters week after week. My hubby and I exclaim, “OMG!” or “No way!” at least once every episode because there is something shocking, disturbing, or overtly racy. It is definitely for mature audiences due to the adult situations and violence that is showcased in most episodes.
What did we think of yesterday’s premiere? Of course, it opens up with the cliff hanger full of blood and gore from last season. We are so involved with the characters after watching it intently for years, we want to know what happens next. There was the usual over the top story line touched with dark humor (Christian’s new puppy is named Lipo). My hubby and I discussed how there is nothing these guys haven’t gone through, but yet the writers think of something else! But we are happy it is back and ready to see how the rest of the season unfolds. Nip/Tuck is still wickedly good.
If you do watch Nip/Tuck, what did you think about the premiere? If not, what show do you HAVE to watch each week?
Here’s a promo clip:

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Tune for Tuesday

2008 was a good year for music and concerts. I attended eight concerts this year-Queensryche/Don Dokken, Duran Duran, Blondie, Cruefest with Motley Crue/Buckcherry/Papa Roach/Sixx AM/Trapt, Great White/LA Guns/Nelson, Foo Fighters/Three Days Grace, Buckcherry/Shinedown/Saving Abel, and Smashing Pumpkins. I also downloaded lots of cool songs for my Ipod.

My top 8 rock singles for 2008 are the following:

8. "G.L.O.W." by Smashing Pumpkins
7. "Saints of Los Angeles" by Motley Crue
6. "Love Remains the Same" by Gavin Rossdale
5. "Long Road to Ruin" by Foo Fighters
4. "Human" by the Killers
3. "Inside the Fire" by Disturbed
2. "Afterlife" by Avenged Sevenfold
1. "Pork and Beans" by Weezer

Honorable Mention pop songs are "Disturbia" by Rihanna and "4 Minutes" by Madonna/Justin Timberlake.
What was your favorite song of 2008?
Today’s Tune for Tuesday is "Long Road to Ruin" by Foo Fighters, number five on my list. Foo Fighters are one of my favorite groups. I have seen them in concert a few times, most recently in August for the Harley Davidson 105th anniversary celebration. Pictured are my mom, my sister and I at that concert. If you notice the tshirt I am wearing, you will see that shirt featured in the next video. "Long Road to Ruin" isn’t my favorite song from the 2007 Foo album ("The Pretender" is), but it is pretty good. The video, like many Foo Fighter videos, is original and funny. At the end of the video, the lead singer, Dave Grohl, crosses his hands in front of his face at the ending notes of the song. When we are in the car and hear this song, the whole family mimics the hands when the song ends. You will see what I mean when you view the video.

Check out Long Road to Ruin. Saul Goode!

Monday, January 5, 2009

Polark Picks

Books! Books! I love books! I have always loved to read, and now I, like many of you, share that love of reading with my three children. With three children (ages 4, 6, 9), I read a wide variety of children’s literature. Each child has a bookcase bulging with books in his/her bedroom. We have bookcases in the living room and a basket full of books in two other rooms. Most nights I read a picture book to my four year old, a picture book or chapter of a chapter book to my first grader, and a chapter to my fourth grader. It gives me a little alone, snuggle time with each individual, and I love to hear each child’s reaction to the book. Once in a while, I’ll read a picture book or poetry to all of them at the same time. We have read some new publications and several classics in 2008.
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Here are some of my faves of the year:

My 4 year old, JD, is all boy. He loves to rough and tumble, he loves superheroes, he loves cars and trucks. Therefore we have to read the Spiderman, Transformers, Power Ranger thin paperback readers from the grocery store. Not my favorite, but boy, does he love them. I also sneak in my selections, maybe a Dr. Seuss or a Jane Yolen How Do Dinosaurs book from time to time. JD’s new favorite is Pajama Time! by Sandra Boynton. We chant the words together then whisper together at the end. He also now asks me to kiss his cheek each time I turn the page, which just melts my heart! This year I also discovered Jon Scieszka’s Trucktown series. I love the bright, animated illustrations, and JD loves the trucks.
My 6 year old, Lil Missy, has been a girly girl since day one. She is extremely dramatic, loves wearing dresses and skirts (though has been preferring jeans with her sparkly tops lately), and is a bit of a sassy one. And her room is pink, pink, pink! So naturally I enjoy reading the books with the spirited female main character to her. She loves all the Fancy Nancy books (as do I). My favorite is Fancy Nancy and the Boy from Paris. She also enjoys the Rainbow Fairy chapter books by Daisy Meadows. They aren’t my favorite, but as long as she is interested, I’m game. We just started reading the Junie B. Jones series. I started with Toothless Wonder when she lost her first two teeth several weeks ago. Junie B. is hilarious, and I see much of her sass and independence in my daughter. We giggle together as we read through those.
My 9 year old, J-Man, devoured nonfiction. He loves to read about sharks, volcanoes, Guinness World Records. Then he got into a Pokemon fad, and we read as many Pokemon chapter story books as we could find. I found it more fun to read than nonfiction, but I can take only so much of Pikachu. He also read a few Star Wars chapter books-better, but they were geared more for adults. He loves A Diary of a Wimpy Kid, too. This fall I was thrilled when my mom and I convinced him to start reading the Harry Potter series. Once he started reading them, he was hooked! I have never seen him read books so voraciously. We are currently reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix together. We also enjoy the movie together after each book is finished.
My fave books that I read with my kids in 2008 are the following:
Preschool: Smash! Crash! By Jon Scieszka
First Grade: Junie B. First Grader: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells (PS So Does May) by Barbara Parks
Fourth Grade: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling
All three: Hush, Little Dragon by Boni Ashburn

I’m looking forward to a 2009 packed with more reading and treasured time with my children.


Thursday, January 1, 2009

Poetry Friday




Happy New Year! It's a new year of wonderful poetry! Stop by for more fabulous poetry links today at A Year of Reading.



JOURNEY'S END by Kelly Polark


Green and white,
A welcome sight,
After a long drive tonight.
Shining bright
To my delight,
Here we stop to stay the night.