Sven & Katrina's Blog

The Twilight Saga

2010-07-03T08:30:00.002-04:00

The Twilight Saga has taken hold of fans across the world! It makes young girls weep, adult women lust after younger men and it has made many men JEALOUS. But what is the real pull to the Twilight Saga? Is it the brooding Robert Pattinson or the perfectly bronzed Taylor Lautner? Is it the storyline? For one Twihard fan, I can tell you it's the storyline all the way. Don't get me wrong, the guys are nice to look at, but there has to be more than that to keep me interested for two hour periods of time. I think many female readers especially can identify with Bella's character. Who hasn't felt at one point that they are just average? Who hasn't had their heart broken? Who hasn't doubted their worthy of a person's love? Who hasn't done irrational things for love before? Who hasn't wanted to be involved in a love triangle and fought over? Who doesn't want to be protected at all times? Who doesn't want to spend forever with the love of their life? Meyer's stories appeal to females because she touches upon the very things we have at some point felt in our life. Some people feel Bella's character is too weak and her entire existence revolves around Edward and her love for him. What female hasn't felt this way, especially when you fell in love for the first time? So for me it really is the storyline that draws me to this saga time and time again.

-Katrina

Das Auto

2008-01-04T20:54:00.003-05:00

Dilbert Fix

2007-03-24T20:12:00.000-04:00

Get your daily Dilbert comic.

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Shek-A-Nator's Blog

2006-11-13T18:52:00.000-05:00

My good buddy Shek from India has a blog:
http://abhishekmukherjee.blogspot.com/

In the spirit of celebrating his heritage; here's some "masala" goodness that I "googled" about his homeland.

Quality of Life - Fact:

In india it is cheaper to have sex with a prostitue than buy a condom! link here

Infrastructure - Fact:

Indian Railways transport about five billion passengers annually. link here

Language - Fact:

The longest station name on the Indian Railways is Venkatanarasimharajuvariapeta. link here

Health - Fact:

India has health laughing clubs where people get together and laugh. link here

Math/Science - Fact:

The number system and decimal system was invented in India. link here

Social - Fact:

Though it is forbidden by the Government, many Indians still adhere to the caste system which says that it is a defilement for even the shadow of a person from a lowly caste to fall on a Braham ( a member of the highest priestly caste). link here

Scary - Fact:

The biggest ant in India is about an inch. link here

AQTHF

2006-10-31T18:36:00.000-05:00

Aqua Teen Hunger Force

The new season of Aqua Teen Hunger Force has started.
Be forewarned, this season's first two episodes resemble last season's closer.
It's definitely not for the kids or the old folks, but it's funnier than ever.

Car Tips (RX-8)

2006-09-16T18:24:00.000-04:00

Here's some ideas on keeping your car looking good:

Tip 1:
Lighting
Proper lighting will show off your cars best angles.

Tip 2:
Clean
Polish and buff it to bring out the paint's shine.

Don't forget to clean the tires:

and rims:

Tip 3:
Inspect
Take a good look after all that work to make sure no spots were missed:

Tip 4:
Relax
Your car is your second home. Enjoy it.
Like This:

Or This:

VOTE

2006-08-23T20:48:00.000-04:00

Primary Time!

Sep. 5th here in Jax and probably everywhere else.

GO VOTE!

http://www.vote-smart.org/index.htm

Loss of Pets

2006-08-15T16:29:00.000-04:00

RIP Sabbers! 1993-2006

This is for everyone out there who has lost a beloved pet :( Today, I learned that my beloved Sabi (short for Black Sabbath) died. He was a good cat and lived a very comfortable life. He had the best of both worlds, the inside and the outside, and he always had his companion Hallie by his side. Sabi lived about 13 years which is considerably long for a cat. He will be terribly missed :(

Gnarls Barkley

2006-07-18T23:16:00.000-04:00

If you haven't checked this album (St. Elsewhere) out yet, I suggest you do! The hit song "Crazy" is just the tip of the iceberg. You should check out "Boogie Monster" it's frightening! Oh yeah, I also like this band because they dressed in Star Wars costumes at the MTV Movie Awards. Anyone who supports the Star Wars franchise is okay with me :) If you missed the MTV performance you can view it through this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VCWJVvE0Fk

-Katrina

New Shows to watch out for 2006

2006-07-16T13:44:00.000-04:00

If you have not checked out these shows, yet you should! Some are in their 2nd & 3rd seasons, but don't worry they are quick to pick up on! for drama, let's start with Entourage on HBO. This is a great show! It follows Vince played by Adrian Grenier and his hometown boys (Turtle, E, & brother Johnny) around LA, while Vince makes it big as an actor. I personally like the many star studded appearances on the show, it makes the show more real to life than anything! You also get to see the behind the scenes networking that goes on between agents, their clients, and the press.

Also, check out the Girls Next Door on E! for a does of reality TV. The Girls Next Door focuses on Hugh Hefner and his 3 girlfriends that live at the Playboy mansion. If anything you can't help but be in awe of this guy's life! The girls Holly, Kendra & Bridget are pretty fun to watch as well.

For a touch of comedy try Lucky Louie on HBO. This show is suprisingly funny, it's obviously low budget for starters but has real-life situations that I'm sure most people can relate to.

My last recommendations are all comedians who have shows on HBO, Comedy Central or E! Dane Cook, Carlos Mencia & Chelsea Handler respectively are comedians that are sure to fill the hole that Dave Chapelle has left since quitting his show. Dane Cook is well known by anyone under 25. Check him out, his CD's Harmful if Swallowed and Retaliation are well worth the money! He currently has a show on HBO called Tourgasm, which follows him and 3 other comics around the country on a comedy circuit to various colleges and universities around the USA. Carlos Mencia leaves no ethinic group unscathed on his show Mind of Mencia. He is definitely NOT for the PC sympathizers out there! DE-DE-DEEEEE!!!! Watch him, you'll see what I mean! Last but not least is Chelsea Handler who has her own show on E! which is respectively called the Chelsea Handler show. Watch her Q & A bits with the residents of retirement communities. Enough said!

DO NOT FORGOT TO WEAR YOUR SUNBLOCK!!!!!

2006-07-16T13:29:00.000-04:00

Please do not forget to wear your sunblock this summer! This is Trini's back, she was stupid and forgot to put sunblock on and now she won't stop complaining about her burn! Remember to re-apply often as well. Waterproof does not mean that you can apply once and have full coverage the whole day!!! Remember to get a good After Sun product as well to moisturize your skin after a brutal day in the sun!

Valentines Day Ideas

2006-02-09T22:02:00.000-05:00

Valentines Day is almost upon us! For those of you who haven't decided yet what you're going to do here are some ideas! Men, most women want at least one of the following: flowers (the expensive kind NOT carnations!), chocolates (Godiva), or jewelry (You can't go wrong with gold or diamonds!). A common misconception men make is that women actually want lingerie. If you go this route make sure you know her size! Ladies, men are slightly easier to please, just follow this easy recipe :)

A home cooked meal on the table (Fast food doesn't count!)
A beer in your hand when you greet them at the door (So they can relax after a hard day's work!)
For entertainment, pop in one of their favorite testosterone filled action packed movies (Something with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jean Claude Van Damme, or Bruce Willis should do!)

For those of you who prefer less materialsitic ideas (like me), there's always the option to have a nice quiet dinner and just enjoy spending time with the one you love!

For Valentines Day e-cards visit The Office website at http://www.nbc.com/nbc/The_Office/ecard/valentine.shtml

For some Valentines Day History read below:

Roman Roots
The history of Valentine's Day is obscure, and further clouded by various fanciful legends. The holiday's roots are in the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, a fertility celebration commemorated annually on February 15. Pope Gelasius I recast this pagan festival as a Christian feast day circa 496, declaring February 14 to be St. Valentine's Day.
Valentines Galore
Which St. Valentine this early pope intended to honor remains a mystery: according to the Catholic Encyclopedia, there were at least three early Christian saints by that name. One was a priest in Rome, another a bishop in Terni, and of a third St. Valentine almost nothing is known except that he met his end in Africa. Rather astonishingly, all three Valentines were said to have been martyred on Feb. 14.
Most scholars believe that the St. Valentine of the holiday was a priest who attracted the disfavor of Roman emperor Claudius II around 270. At this stage, the factual ends and the mythic begins. According to one legend, Claudius II had prohibited marriage for young men, claiming that bachelors made better soldiers. Valentine continued to secretly perform marriage ceremonies but was eventually apprehended by the Romans and put to death. Another legend has it that Valentine, imprisoned by Claudius, fell in love with the daughter of his jailer. Before he was executed, he allegedly sent her a letter signed "from your Valentine." Probably the most plausible story surrounding St. Valentine is one not focused on Eros (passionate love) but on agape (Christian love): he was martyred for refusing to renounce his religion.
In 1969, the Catholic Church revised its liturgical calendar, removing the feast days of saints whose historical origins were questionable. St. Valentine was one of the casualties.
Chaucer's Love Birds
It was not until the 14th century that this Christian feast day became definitively associated with love. According to UCLA medieval scholar Henry Ansgar Kelly, author of Chaucer and the Cult of Saint Valentine, it was Chaucer who first linked St. Valentine's Day with romance.
In 1381, Chaucer composed a poem in honor of the engagement between England's Richard II and Anne of Bohemia. As was the poetic tradition, Chaucer associated the occasion with a feast day. In "The Parliament of Fowls," the royal engagement, the mating season of birds, and St. Valentine's Day are linked:
For this was on St. Valentine's Day, When every fowl cometh there to choose his mate.
Tradition of Valentine's Cards
Going Global
Over the centuries, the holiday evolved, and by the 18th century, gift-giving and exchanging hand-made cards on Valentine's Day had become common in England. Hand-made valentine cards made of lace, ribbons, and featuring cupids and hearts eventually spread to the American colonies. The tradition of Valentine's cards did not become widespread in the United States, however, until the 1850s, when Esther A. Howland, a Mount Holyoke graduate and native of Worcester, Mass., began mass-producing them. Today, of course, the holiday has become a booming commercial success. According to the Greeting Card Association, 25% of all cards sent each year are valentines.

Star Wars Withdrawal

2006-01-02T14:45:00.000-05:00

For those of you Star Wars Fans who are just now realizing that episode 3 was the end of the saga and there's nothing else to look forward to...I highly recommend the Star Wars Clone Wars Volume I and Volume II DVD's! They are affordable and they help bridge the gap between episodes 2 and 3. The artwork is 2D and the dialogue is simple, but they do answer questions and tie up loose ends you might have had. For example, how did General Grevious get that terrible cough? or what was Anakin Skywalker's Jedi trials like? You'll find the answers to these questions and more in this two part series. Also, if you like the behind the scenes footage, this set comes with bonus features that show you the creative talent at Cartoon Network who are responsible for the Star Wars Clone Wars 2 disc volume.

Pet Safety During the Holidays

2005-11-30T17:39:00.000-05:00

All of you out there that have pets, please remember to take extra precautions this holiday season! My male cat has chewed through two cell phone adapters (while plugged in!) and needless to say other things!!!! This holiday season, remember to turn your christmas tree lights off when not in use. Why you may ask? This picture says a thousand words!
Vicious isn't he?!

Turkey Day is Upon Us!

2005-11-16T17:10:00.000-05:00

This Thanksgiving after you have stuffed yourself with turkey, candied yams, stuffing, and Mom's pumpkin pie, sit back and relax and give thanks! Give thanks for your friends and family's good health, and especially for the makers of Tums , because you're sure going to need them! In between seconds and thirds at the dinner table, how about taking a breather and taking this online Thanksgiving quiz! http://wilstar.com/holidays/thanksqz.htm

Easy to make recipes

2005-11-06T14:31:00.000-05:00

For those of you who cannot bake, or claim you don't have the time, Eagle Brand has come out with a dessert kit line! I was one of those lost souls who claimed I couldn't bake, I'd rather buy something from the bakery section than take 10 minutes out of my busy schedule! Well now Eagle Brand's dessert kits advertise there are just 4 easy steps between you and those delicious pumpkin pie gems! The catch is that they are also extremely affordable! Try these delicious desserts today!

"You've Arrived"

2005-11-05T23:10:00.000-05:00

Down South a Benz, a Bimmer, or a Lexus wont turn heads.

Status is aquired by owning:
1) land (lots of it)
2) guns (many of 'em),
3) a big bad "bubba" truck
4) a riding mower that you can put on your truck

I'm 1 for 4 (for now).

Notice the plush seat, the shine of the paint, and the beer holder.
I may only have a quarter of an acre to mow, but I can mow it twice in under an hour.

Blow

2005-11-04T16:28:00.000-05:00

I am currently reading Blow which is the story of George Jung, the american importer of cocaine during the 1980's. Maybe you have seen the film version of this story, starring Johny Depp and Penelope Cruz? Well forget about it, yeah it's a pretty good adaptation of George Jung's life, but in this case the book is better. Movies leave out too many details and gloss over the facts. The book follows through George's life from childhood to almost 20 years ago in 1987. It details how a small town boy went from an all-american teen to a drug supplier who dominated the 1970's and 1980's drug scene. George started off small, transporting marijuana from Mexico to the U.S., and dealing between the East and West coasts. While it was a profitable business, George envisioned more grandiose schemes in procuring larger profits. However, George got caught and sent away for 4 years. During those 4 years he was schooled in the supplying, transporting and selling of cocaine. When he was released George and his friend Carlos Lehder, a fellow inmate, soon went into business together. George and his Colombian friends soon became the largest suppliers of cocaine into the U.S. during the 1980's. The book also details George's dealings with Senor Pablo Escobar and the Medellin cocaine cartel. Anyone who is interested in the trafficking of marijuana and cocaine into the U.S. during it's heydey of the 1970's and 1980's, this is a must read! It is very insightful into the not so glamorous world of drug trafficking as based on George Jung's life and how he made cocaine and marijuana household names in America.

Aqua Teen Hunger Force - Season 4 Premiere

2005-11-02T19:17:00.000-05:00

Thursday December 1, 2005
Season 4 Premiere

"The Office" on NBC

2005-11-02T19:04:00.000-05:00

Tuesday's 9:30 to 10:00pm; put all else aside.
"The Office" owns you.
Watch it!

Dwight Schrute ASSISTANT ~~(to the)~~ REGIONAL MANAGER has a blog:

It's funny.
Read it!

Star Wars Episode III now available!

2005-11-02T18:23:00.000-05:00

Star Wars Episode III Revenge of the Sith is now available!!!!! Star Wars geeks unite! Okay, okay, okay, now anyone who knows me, knows that I love the whole Star Wars franchise. I wanted to dress up as a jedi knight for Halloween, but my husband threatened to disown me if I did :( So I played it safe and went as the sexy nurse instead. Anyways, in my opinion this is the best episode yet out of all six of them. I mean there's fighting (the clone wars are still raging on), there's romance (Anakin and Padme), there's betrayal and distrust (the whole Jedi versus Senator Palpatine thing, the Obi-Wan and Anakin storyline, as well as the end of the Jedi as we know it), there's the whole fantasy theme (after all it does take place in a galaxy far, far away!) and there's also a sadness because of the finality of it all. The 3rd episode brings the saga full circle, so that the viewer ends up where the story began over 25 years ago. If you are into reading the Star Wars series, I highly recommend this book also. So much happens in between episodes 2 and 3 that they can't possibly put in the movie, so the book bridges the gap very nicely.

Holiday gift ideas No.1

2005-10-30T19:20:00.000-05:00

Here is a crafty gift idea for the upcoming holiday season!

You can make your own picture frames! Michael's has it all!

Materials:

Wood frame (unpainted/unfinished)
Felt (green in this case)
Small painted wood cut-outs (varies depending on theme)
Elmers Glue

Hackfleischpfanne

2005-10-30T18:55:00.000-05:00

This is a delicious German recipe that my Father-in-law taught me how to make.

Ingredients:

chopped onions
1 lb. ground beef
tsp garlic
1 whole green or red chopped pepper
tsp sugar
tsp salt
tbls vinegar
tbls worestershire sauce
6 chopped green olives
1/4 tsp oregano
1 can of chopped/crushed tomatoes
1-2 bay leaves

Sautee chopped onions, add ground beef and brown. Add garlic, peppers, sugar, salt, vinegar, worcestershire sauce, chopped olives, oregano, tomatoes and bay leaves. Simmer half an hour, covered, on very low heat.

*Serving suggestion: Serve over cooked white rice!

Pumpkin Pie

2005-10-30T18:45:00.000-05:00

See recipe on VeryBestBaking.com for Libby's 100% pure pumpkin pie recipe!

Photo Sharing

2005-10-30T18:10:00.000-05:00

Friends can check out our photos.

Restaurant Review

2005-10-30T17:36:00.000-05:00

October 28, 2005 I love Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse! By Trina (aka: wkrp79) - See my reviews (1)
Where else can you get heaping portions of delicious cuisine for next to nothing? Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse is where! Try the filet mignon and shrimp combo that way you get the best of both land and sea. Service is impeccable and the wait staff is on top of their game! The restaraunt is very comfortable to dine in with either hibachi style seating, regular dining tables or a sushi bar area. If you have enough room to try dessert the red bean ice cream and green tea ice cream are just wonderful!

October 28, 2005 I love Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse!

By Trina (aka: wkrp79) - See my reviews (1)

Where else can you get heaping portions of delicious cuisine for next to nothing? Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse is where! Try the filet mignon and shrimp combo that way you get the best of both land and sea. Service is impeccable and the wait staff is on top of their game! The restaraunt is very comfortable to dine in with either hibachi style seating, regular dining tables or a sushi bar area. If you have enough room to try dessert the red bean ice cream and green tea ice cream are just wonderful!

Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse

(904) 220-7665

12740 Atlantic Blvd Ste 103
Jacksonville, FL 32225

Cross Street:Between Connecting Road and Girvin Rd

Lawn Care Series

2005-10-30T14:55:00.000-05:00

coming soon...

Halloween #2

2005-10-30T12:25:00.000-05:00

The Doctor will see you now. He came highly recommended, but something about him makes me uneasy...

Pumpkin

2005-10-30T12:14:00.000-05:00

Carving this ferocious tiger into a pumpkin takes the touch of a $2.99 carving kit you can get at Walmart. On sale now.

Halloween

2005-10-30T12:09:00.000-05:00

Better not check into the hospital where she works!
That needle is real and it smarts bad.

The Beginning

2005-10-30T11:10:00.000-05:00

First entry.