Why I Love Reality TV

Monday while watching the overnight dates on Ashley's season of The Bachelorette, I realized why I love reality tv so much.

I'm a sucker for romance.  Movies like The Notebook always strike a chord within me.  I can't help thinking, "Will someone love me like that one day?".  I can't get enough of the mushy stuff.  And always in the movies, things go pretty smoothly and there is always that perfect moment.  That moment when the two people both know they love each other.

On the Bachelorette, I am rooting for J.P.  I think he has been genuine from the beginning, (as genuine as reality tv can be).  And you can't fake that look he has in his eyes when he stares at Ashley.  On Monday night I found myself yelling at the tv., "J.P just tell her you love her," he hasn't yet, but I know he will. Based on the little truth that we see on this show, I think they will be very happy together.  (I'm an avid reader of Reality Steve's Blog, so I know who the rumored winner is, and I'm excited about it!)

Even though reality tv is scripted, I can still believe some of what they say.  I still want to believe these people are falling in love on National tv.  Call me a fool for believing that but I do.  I need to believe that love like that exists in the world.  That two people can find each other and know that they are meant to be together.

With all the bad in the world today,  I am comforted by the belief that love is out there.  I'll be a hopeless romantic forever.

Mom's Birthday

Me in my apron,
ready to bake!

This past weekend was my mom's birthday.  I decided to bake her a Velvet Cocoa Cake with Instant Buttercream by Martha Stewart.  I have baked a few of Martha's recipes before and they tasted very good.  (My favorite was the Fudgy Chocolate Brownies I made for Father's Day!)

I'm not a huge fan of chocolate cake, but this cake surprised me. The cake tasted almost brownie like, and it didn't need any icing in my opinion.

Speaking of the icing, the instant buttercream was my initial interest in this cake.  Who doesn't love buttercream icing, so an easy way to make that would be great.  This icing used marshmallow fluff (2 jars!!), butter, cocoa, and melted chocolate.

This icing was a little disappointing.  First off, the taste wasn't what I was expecting.  It was chocolaty, but not buttercreamy.  The texture wasn't like buttercream either.  It was more moussey and it melted very quickly in this Louisiana humidity.  So, I had to put the cake in the refrigerator which dried out the cake a bit.

Over all it was a tasty cake.  I will probably make the cake again but try a different icing.

Movie Review

Last week, two of my cowrkers (Jeff and Jimmy) highly recommended Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. I'll admit that I was skeptical, this movie didn't seem appealing to me.  But I can admit that I was pleasantly surprised.  

My inner geek was delighted with all the old school video game references.  My personal favorite was the nod to Zelda.(Check out the full list of video game references.) The movie was very entertaining, and I think even non-gamer/nerds would enjoy it.

On Saturday, we went to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2. I am sad to admit that I didn't attend a midnight showing like I have previously done for the Harry Potter movies.  But I am getting to old to stay up with those teenie-boppers and have them cheering and clapping throughout the movie.  

The movie was amazing!  I am a huge fan, but I really think the special effects were great!  If you go in expecting the movie to reflect the book 100% then you probably won't love it as much.  But it was a great ending to this series.  I  think the books are better than the movies, but the movies are still exciting to watch and it's interesting to see how certain scenes will be adapted for film.  

I do have some complaints.  I don't think non-book readers will understand the whole Snape and Lilly Potter plot.  I think some people are thinking that Snape was Harry's father.  (FYI, Snape loved Lilly, called her a mudblood and she never spoke to him for 3 years in which time she and James married and had Harry.) Also, Neville's speech while Harry was "dead", while nice for his character, not really how it happened.  

The sad part is that I haven't read the book since it came out in 2007.  So I think it's time I reread the entire series. This way I can be in denial that it's over.  

Apple of my eye

Dear Apple,

As I sit here typing this blog on my MacBook Pro, I can't help but think of all the Apple products I have owned. My first was a MacBook circa 2004 or 2005 that came with a Fifth generation iPod for a nominal fee.

My iPod

This MacBook lasted me 6 years, and I have since passed it on to my brother who is still enjoying it (He did purchase a new battery for it, since the old one wasn't holding a charge anymore).  I added extra memory to it, but other than that the MacBook gave me no problems.  I did have to replace the MagSafe Power Adaptor due to fraying.  I read numerous reports of this happening and I recall that Apple reconfigured the Adaptor material to help prevent this from occuring.

Then 2 years ago I got a 3GS iPhone.  I love my iPhone,  I honestly don't know how I lived without it. Within the past 2 years I have gone through 3 Apple Dock Connector to USB Cables.  I find it hard to believe I am the only person having this problem.  I don't abuse my cables, I don't wrap them up, or stuff them in my purse.  My cable just rests on my nightstand.  That's all.  Am I just cursed when it comes to Apple Cables and Adapters? Does someone else make these accessories?  Because if my MacBook and iPod can survive 6+ years then why can't the cables?

I am a loyal Apple fan.  I purchased a new MacBook Pro last year and I love it.  I love the OS, it's so easy to use. I love iTunes, iMovie, iEtc.  I'm a designer and I know many other designers who share my love for Apple.  But I also know some that don't.  (But everyone knows that Macs are better at the creative stuff ;).)

All I ask of you Apple, is to create all your products with the same standards as your computers and other devices.  Please don't make me a hypocrite for all the praises I have given you and for all the times I stood up for you when others were a "PC".

Because "Hello, my name is Sarah, and I'm a Mac."

Thanks Ma'am...

Don't tell anyone but I turned 26.  To be honest I am not where I thought I would be by now.  I had set goals for myself that I wanted to accomplish.  One was to visit Greece by the time I was 25.  Well, that didn't happen.  I don't even have a passport.  (I've been meaning to get one tho.)

Lately, I haven't been a fan of celebrating birthdays because they just remind me that I haven't accomplished everything I've wanted.

So, we didn't really celebrate my birthday, we worked at a fireworks stand this past weekend.  It's a lot of work but a fun experience.  But it was like everyone knew.  I was called Ma'am all day!!  Do I look like a Ma'am?  It was like salt in a wound. 

I think most girls have had a moment like this one Rachel Green from Friends had on her 30th Birthday.

I had it figured out that I would be married by the time I was 25, 26 at the latest, because I wanted to be married for a few years before I had children etc etc. Well, for those of you who don't know me, I'm not married, engaged or anything.  But I am in love.  I've found that person, which I think is probably the hardest part of "the plan". 

So, I want to thank him - for accepting that I hate celebrating birthdays, for saying I'm still 21, for everything he does.  He's amazing and the best birthday gift I could ever want.