Toy Story Trilogy Contemplations

As my son watched all 3 Toy Story movies this weekend and repeatedly watches 3, I have had ample time to think about these movies and decided it would be a great blog topic, so here it goes!

In case you don't know anything at all about Toy Story.  The original Toy Story came out in 1995.  It is about "Andy's Toys" that come to life when humans are not around and have their own life going on.  They live for being  there whenever Andy wants to play with them.  It is made by Disney/Pixar and features the main characters as Woody a cowboy toy voiced by Tom Hanks and a new intruder
for favorite toy as Buzz Lightyear an astronaut action figure voiced by Tim Allen. Woody is Andy's favorite toy until he receives Buzz as a birthday present.  The movie follows through with Woody being jealous of Buzz, knocking him out of a window and then going to great lengths to rescue him.  During this time the two of them end of becoming great pals and make it back to Andy together. 


Toy Story 2 was released in 1999 and  features the reprisal of the two main characters Buzz & Woody still as Andy's toys of course.  Woody is stolen by a toy collector when he is trying to rescue another
toy from being sold in a garage sale.  Buzz and the rest of the gang set out in search of Woody to rescue him.  Woody contemplates being in a museum forever while adding a few toys that were featured in the western children's television show in which he is famous for.  They have quite the adventure around town for toys to include an apartment complex, Al's Toy Barn, and the airport.  Eventually all is well, Woody is rescues and brings new toys Jessie the cowgirl and Bullseye, his trusty shy affectionate stead home to Andy with him.  This movie has a western feel about it in dedication to Woody's character. 


Toy Story 3 was released in 2010.  It brings back most of our old friends and still include Buzz & Woody.  Andy is getting ready to depart for college and he has not played with any of his toys in a

long time.  They are all depressed and thinking that they will be thrown out with the trash.  Andy intends to put them all in the attack  and take Woody to college with him, separating the friends.  Andy's mom mistakenly thinks that the toys are trash (because they are in a garbage bag) and puts them out on the curb.  They all climb into a box heading for a daycare in hopes for a new and better life.  Woody is the only toy that knows the truth and tries to convince them that they were not meant to be put out for trash.  None of them believe him and they embrace their new life at the daycare, only to realize that it is being run by the evil tyrant: Lotso Huggin' Bear.  Lotso resets Buzz back to factory settings and he turns on his friends, keeping them captive.  Woody has to return to help them all escape.  Eventually after a near miss at the incinerator they end up as a sweet girl Bonnie's toys and the movie ends with Andy playing with her and the toys one last time and Woody deciding to stay with all of his friends together instead of going to college with Andy. 

Toy Story 1 was one of my all time favorite Disney movies.  I remember watching Toy Story 2, but it still was not better than Toy Story 1 for me.  Then the third installment: Toy Story 3 came out and this movie stole my heart.  The first time I watched it, I cried twice for the toys and it does such an amazing job connecting you with each of the characters and not knowing if you will ever see them again.  It makes a person wonder about all of their toys and have a hard time ever getting rid of any toys  (possibly explains my son's 2 play rooms right now haha).  They are all great though and a complete story.  If you have never seen any of them or if you have missed any of them, you are missing out on some of the greatest Disney movies ever created. *Spanish Buzz is my favorite ;)  I highly recommend checking them out.

Fun Facts about the movies: Toy Story 1 was made on a $30 mil budget and brought in over $360 million.  At the time of it's release, Toy Story 2 was the third highest grossing animated film of all time only behind Aladdin & Lion King.  Overall it was ranked 16th highest grossing domestically and 21st internationally.  Toy Story 1 forever changed the computer animated movie industry and Pixar has done nothing but grow since then.  Apple's Steve Jobs was one of the executive produces.  Toy Story 1 was inducted into the National Film Registry as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" in 2005; its first year of eligibility.  The original script was about Tinny as "Buzz" a ventriloquist doll, going then to a military toy and later settling on a space theme.    
Toy Story 2 was made on a $90 million budget and brought in $485 million.   Toy Story 2 was originally slated to be a straight to DVD release.  It started production in a sperate studio from most of Pixar.  At the time A Bugs Life was the main focus of the Pixar studio.  After story boards came out showing what a great story it was turning out to be, it was immediately rewritten to be a theatrical release and still shot within the original time frame.  The 3-d Re-release in 2009 prompted the creation and later release of Toy Story 3.  Although I disagree, many critics consider Toy Story 2 to be one of the few films to outshine it's original.  At the time it was released in theaters it became the 2nd highest grossing animated film, falling only behind The Lion King.  It was 1999's highest grossing animated film.   
Toy Story 3 was made on a $200 million budget and brought in over $1 billion.  It became the first ever animated film in history to make over $1 billion worldwide.  Currently it is also the 11th highest grossing film of all time.  It was also the highest grossing film of 2010.  This is the only animated sequel in history to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture.

Here are the movie trailers, as borrowed from YouTube, for entertainment purposes only.  I urge you to check them out if you haven't before.  Even if you have it is always a happy place to revisit.  Enjoy!

Toy Story 1

Toy Story 2

Toy Story 3

Unconditional Movie Review

I want to review a movie that I have now seen three times, that most people I encounter have never heard of: Unconditional

I first came across this movie thanks to an enormous crush on Michael Ealy and a netflix search for available movies.  I originally got it through the mail on DVD but it is currently on Netflix's instant watch.  Initially I was hesitant to watch this movie as I am not big on religious types of movies.  I wrestled with whether or not I should even watch it because I do NOT like religion pushing movies.  Let me just say that although there IS a God presence within this movie that it is NOT like any other religious movie I have ever seen.  The main message and focus within this movie is the faith in LOVE not the faith in any one type of religious belief.  No one ever attends any church let alone a church of any kind, so I think that was great in making this a more open movie to all audiences.

This movie is based on a true story and is about a boy named Joe and a girl named Sam who are childhood friends.  Joe is played by Michael Ealy and Sam is played by Lynn Collins.  Sam's husband is murdered in a bad part of town in Tennessee, and she is in a deep depression, having lost all faith in life and the will to live.  She returns to the spot of her husband's murder and before taking matters into her own hands, two children run into the road and a little girl is hit by a car.  Sam puts herself on the back burner and takes the children to the hospital, where she randomly runs into Joe after not seeing him for many years.

Joe has taken it upon himself to become a haven and a source of positity and inspiration to encourage learning in school age children in the neighborhood.  His drive is able to help Sam find new purpose in her own life and bring her back to her true love, which is writing and illustrating children's books. 

I know that my words do the message of love in this story no justice, as the movie itself needs to be watched to truly understand.  Let me just say that this is one to take a chance on and not to pass up.  The love that you feel from the message is real and brought tears to my eyes.  I hope to be able to share this wonderful movie with you and have you not pass over it for assuming it is anything more than a story about the many forms of unconditional love.  

Here is a trailer for the film:

Chicken Veggie Pasta

Chicken Veggie Pasta      

Ingredients:

8-12 Oz Penne Pasta

1 bag frozen veggies (California Style Blend)

3-4 chicken breasts chopped

1-2 Tbsp Olive Oil

Seasoning (Alpine Touch, Crushed Rosemary, Mediterranean Oregano, Dash of Garlic salt)

1 Jar Four Cheese Alfredo

1 Jar Half & Half

Directions:

Boil the veggies and pasta together about 10-15 minutes.  Pour the oil into the pan and add the chopped chicken.  Pour the seasonings on the chicken and cook until browned all the way through (about 8-10 minutes).   Strain veggies & pasta and add the cooked chicken.  Stir in the jar of sauce and then add the milk or half and half to spread the sauce.  Mix on low heat to warm, add extra seasoning to the pasta to taste.  Serve when warmed and enjoy.

Garlic Butter for Toast

Ingredients:
6 Tbsp Butter
1/4 Cup Heavy Cream
2 Tbsp Garlic Salt

Directions:
Melt Butter and mix int he cream and garlic salt.  Can use immediately.  Store remainder in fridge.

              

Boil Veggies & Add Chicken to the oil in the pan

Boil Veggies & add seasoning to the chicken

Continue boiling veggies & brown the chicken thoroughly

Mix Sauce into the veggies, pasta & chicken mixture

Add seasoning to the pasta

Garlic Butter

Serve & Enjoy!

The Wolverine Review

Last night I had the opportunity to make it out to see Wolverine.  As a fan of the X-Men movies from the very beginning, I can honestly say that they have done a superb job with both Wolverine installments.  Although it is helpful to have seen previous movies before watching The Wolverine, I would say that the number one movie that you must watch before this one is X-Men Last Stand.  There any many Jean Grey references and if you have not yet seen this movie, you may feel at a loss as to why this is such a big deal for Logan.  The time period of this movie is after the X-Men last stand, with Logan hiding out in Canada. 

In case you know nothing about the X-Men it is based upon the Marvel Comics.  Wolverine is played by Hugh Jackman and he is a mutant who can heal himself (which also greatly decreases the rate at which he ages), very keen senses and also has adamantium (an insanely strong medal) throughout his
body with 3 retractable claws in each hand to slash and fight with. 

In this movie, Logan (Wolverine) is having constant bad dreams, usually about Jean Grey, but also one about Japan and the bombing at Nagasaki and a samurai soldier that he rescued.  He ends up being summoned by this same samurai soldier on his death bed and ends up in the middle of a corrupt Japanese political game.  The man Yashida offers to provide Logan with a way to end his eternal life and finish out a normal life and die at the end.  This movie also features Viper as a villain. 

I rate movies based on movie theater worthy, DVD worthy, or Netflix worthy.  This movie was definitely movie theater worthy.  There were some great cinematography, and it does not bore with a great story line.  I recommend staying through the end of the credits as you will get some insight into what is in store next for the X-Men.  X-Men movies are notorious for leaving clues about future projects at the end of the credits, and this one does not fail to answer some speculative questions, as well as leave you thirsty for more X-Men.   I will definitely buy this movie when it comes out!

Here is the Trailer, I used the International one and I do not have any rights to this video , it is used for entertainment purposes only. 

*I do not recommend looking into the wikipedia on this movie before you watch it.  It is filled with spoilers. 

Orange balsamic pork with loaded mashed sweet potatoes

Orange Balsamic Pork

Ingredients: 

Extra Light Tasting Olive Oil

Garlic Salt

Rosemary

Sea Salt

Basil

Hickory Smoked Balsamic Seasoning

Pack of thinly sliced pork tenderloin

1 Cup Orange Blossom Honey Balsamic Vinegar

1/2 Cup Orange Liquor

Dollop of sour cream

Rosemary leaves

Directions: 

Prepare the grill (I used my handy George Foreman Grill).  Bring the Balsamic Vinegar & Orange Liquor to  a boil in a saucepan over high heat.  Cook until reduced by half.  While the sauce is reducing season the pork tenderloins but lightly brushing oil on them and evenly adding the seasoning.  Place on the grill.  Cook for 8-10 minutes until cooked all the way through, until light pink in the center.  Remove from the grill.  Cover or keep warm in the microwave.  As soon as the sauce is thoroughly reduced score the meat to ensure the sauce will seep in.  To serve spoon the balsamic reduction over the meat to just cover (or to taste).  Garnish with a dollop of sour cream and rosemary leaves on top.  *Do not shy away from the sour cream, it enhances the flavor tremendously and makes the taste sweeter.

*Optional: You may also garnish with a few mini orange slices ( I used some from a cutie orange)

Loaded Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients:

1 Large Yam/Sweet Potato

1/2 Cup Cream

1/4 cup Brown sugar (loose not packed)

2 Tbsp Marshmallow Cream Sauce (or you can use 1/2 cup Marshmallows)

2 tsp Cinnamon

Directions:
Peel and Slice the Sweet potato into cubes.  Barely cover with water and boil until soft (10-15 min).   Add the cream and mix while mashing.  Add the remaining ingredients and stir until mixed fully.  Serve and enjoy!

 

Season the pork

Boil the Balsamic Vinegar & Orange Liquor

Also boil the sweet potatoes

Add remaining ingredients to the sweet potatoes

Stir until thoroughly mixed

Serve & Enjoy

Racist Cereal Commercial Contemplations

Today I was asked by a friend if I would do a blog on the "controversial" Cheerios commercial.  Not having already seen this commercial I went out to YouTube and found it.  I had heard from other people about the backlash surrounding the commercial so before watching it I was expecting something completely different from what I actually ended up seeing.

In case you have not already seen the commercial, it is about a biracial family.  A white mother, a mixed daughter and a black father.  The adorable little girl asks her mom if it's true that Cheerios are good for your heart.  One her mom says yes the little girl pours a bunch of cereal on top of her dad's heart (over his shirt) while he is taking a nap on the couch.  The only possible racist thing that I could think of in this commercial was the fact that African American men are more likely to be diagnosed with heart disease than white men.  However, I still don't view this as racist as it is a medical fact.

This commercial was viewed more in anger with racism due to the fact that it was a white woman and a black man as parents to the mixed little girl.

As a mother to a mixed son myself I do not understand this way of thinking.  It is very fear and ignorance based.  I was not raised to look at people by the color of their skin, but by their character.  This sort of thinking is not doing anything to progress us as humans in this world.  I have never been able to understand this, not having been raised around it.  In case you have never seen a picture of my son Liam, he is quite a few shades darker than I am.  However I think that we have quite a few facial features in common.  I do come across this racism quite often in the constant questioning about if or where I adopted my son.  Fortunately I just laugh at them and say "No I gave birth to him."  I know I am translucent white, but he really is my biological son.  The main reason this line of thinking bothers me is because I do not want it to lead my son to ever question anything about himself later in life.  I hope that I can raise him in confidence and pride for who and what he is, and not to ever judge a person for the color of their skin.

The best parody video that I could find featured a white mother a mixed child and a black mother.  This was a great in your face to the biracial and lesbian parentage.  This to me was the greatest way to laugh at this issue.

I must say that my faith in humanity WAS redeemed when I came across an excellent video showing how kids reacted to the commercial.  It features many kids all being asked specific questions about the video.  Overall, none of them agree with the anger that anyone felt at this commercial and think that people should just be loved for who we are.  It is great to see that we are raising kids to NOT judge others based on skin colors, even if some adults are STILL living in the past. 

Here are the videos that I discussed:  Please form your own opinion, I would love to hear your take.

The "controversial" commercial

Parody commercial

Faith restoring children's take

Man Parts in the News....

This evening I was going through news stories and came across the one from Monday about the subway employees.  One who would freeze his pee at work and the other one who was putting his penis on the bread.  First of all WHY oh WHY would you do either of these things, especially at work.  Where there are cameras to catch you, and if that wasn't enough, why don't you take your own pictures and spread them all over the web thanks to social networking sites!  Why do people always have to do disgusting things with food.  Why is it not enough to leave someone's food alone, make it and give it to them cleanly.  I never understood the whole messing this people's food in any dirty manner.  This is very juvenile and unacceptable to me.  Probably another big reason why I prefer to cook my own food.  I am picky and want to have control over as much of my food cooking process as possible. 

subway-employee-puts-penis-on-bread

Of course curiosity took over and I decided (mainly for blog purposes) to search through other recent news to see what I could find.  I also came across an article talking about famous men and their sexed up selfies.  Weiner made the news again.  I guess with a name like that he can't help but live up to the hype haha.  If you are going to send anything through any sort of digital medium.  You must always know that it is always out there for the world to see no matter how careful you are.  Just make sure that you can stand up next to that picture with a "Hell yes that is me and I look amazing" kind of attitude and you should be fine.

guys-we-dont-want-see-your-sexed-selfies 

Next I came across "The Gothamist" a New York online publication that seems to have a plethora of penile stories.  Of course the top story right now is a supposed "smallest penis in Brooklyn" contest that is being held.   I guess someone out there is trying to prove that he doesn't have the smallest penis?  I don't know why anyone would want to enter this contest especially if you thought that you had a chance to win....  You are more than welcome to read other great penis related news by following the link haha. 

 http://gothamist.com

And then of course I came across this gem of a story in today's news about a news reporter who was from a local station in Saginaw Michigan and giving a report on live television.  During this time she is indicating areas on a street map where road construction is taking place.  During this drawing phase, she accidentally draws a penis, while on live television.  That poor reporter will never live this one down haha.  It is quite hilarious to watch!

 

sometimes-you-draw-a-penis-by-accident-on-tv 

 I definitely wouldn't want to leave the women out, although this is somewhat unrelated, I came across an  energy drink website called "pussybythecase.com"  The headlines and testimonials are enough to leave you with tears in your eyes, of course that is assuming your mind is as dirty as mine is.....   Such as "Pussy Preferred "Compared to a cup of coffee, Pussy gives me mental energy and focus for a tough workout without keeping me awake at night later on."-A Devoted Fan"  This one kills me "Make sure you have plenty of PUSSY around the house for your next party or when friends drop by. There never seems to be enough Pussy to go around. Order yours today!"   And finally at the bottom of the page you will see  "Looking for Pussy?  Have it discreetly delivered to your door!"  This statement makes me wonder if this is really JUST an energy drink, why does it need to be discreetly delivered to your door.  Is this some sort of code for sex???  Supposedly, this is a legitimate energy drink product made by a British man, but who really knows for sure.....

http://pussybythecase.com/ 

And last but not least, you know how I love to cook, so I leave you with "11 Ways to Make Food Shaped Like Penises!"  This goes through everything from penis shaped eggs to start your morning out right to Penis pasta, to children's cakes made from phallic shaped cake pans, and of course the fully effective penis jello shots!  Enjoy! 

11-ways-to-make-foods-shaped-like-penises

Vehicular Heat Exhaustion PSA

Earlier today I came across an article that featured a video about vehicular heat exhaustion.  In the video a woman knowingly leaves her child in the car and goes into a grocery store to pick up a short list of items.  She locks the car, leaves all the windows up and does not leave the car running.  I would assume that the child is about 18 months to 2 years old.  He is young but seems unable to speak.  As the mother is in the store shopping it shows what happens to the child as the car heats up.  There are 2 people that walk by and see the child inside.  One waves to the child and then goes on her way.  Another woman tries the doors, but as they are locked she keeps going on her way.  By the time that the child has reached unconsciousness a man is coming out to his car and finding the doors unlocked finally breaks in.  We are to assume that he is too late at this point. 

Now I think that forgetting your child in the car is a travesty and that you need to do whatever it is that you possibly can to ensure that you do not forget your child in the car.  However knowingly leaving your child in the car so that you can "run an errand."  In the video ad, the mother is going around in a shopping cart.  What can be so horrible about bringing your child into the store and having them sit in the shopping cart?  I do not understand this.  It in inexcusable to me.

I never go more than an arms length away from my child with my son.  I never even leave his car seat uncovered.  I cover his car seat with a blanket during the day so as not to have him get burned on the car seat when he gets into the car. 

Here is the video, although I warn you that is is hard to watch even though it is just a re-enactment.  

http://thestir.cafemom.com/toddler/158650/horrifying_ad_shows_what_15

And here is the original article of the story.  Please feel free to pass along this message to anyone who may need to watch it for a wake-up call.  Or possibly even for a reminder.

Flashcards with Liam :)

Just wanted to share the awesomeness that is Liam.  In these videos you can hear his cute little voice going through flashcards and making various animal noises.  Man am I lucky to be his mom :)  I hope to always continue to teach him new and positive things.  He absolutely loves to sing his own version of the ABCs and thrills at learning new words and colors and sounds!  I just love his little mannerisms and how he needs things to be a certain way, just like mommy.  :)  Share in the joy that is my little man :)

The awesomeness that is "Bu De Bu Ai"

As I was contemplating what to write about tonight, I decided to peruse my facebook posts for inspiration. I came across my notifications that one of my former Chinese classmates birthday was today.  I knew that she loved to laugh at cheesy Chinese music videos and went youtube searching for a birthday themed ones.  The one I discovered was a Chinese love birthday song.  This made me remember another Chinese love song "Bu De Bu Ai." by the internationally famous Wilber Pan.  We had many great times with this song with my incredible Chinese class.  Never have I met a group of people with a better all around sense of humor.  With that being said I am going to make the assumption that the majority of the people that read my blog do not also speak Mandarin.  Therefore I have included the English translation video for you to enjoy. *The English translation is very literal and therefore not great but you can get the gist.  I am thinking that whoever translated this was a Chinese speaker that did not have very good English skills.  Either way just reading the lyrics itself is quite entertaining haha.  Don't let it distract from the song though (you can do that in a moment)!  It is a very beautiful song in case you have never heard it before. 

Now we come to one of the most amazing lip syncing duos of all time.  The Back Dorm Boys.   In this rendition you will see them lip syncing to Wiber Pan's Bu De Bu Ai.  (The same music video that you just watched with the atrocious English translation.)  If you don't find these guys funny than you must be lacking in sense of humor.  Everything about their lipsync is hilarious.  They go all out and the facial expressions make the video.  These gentlemen have also lip-synced many other great songs including some Backstreet Boys songs.  Feel free to check out more of their awesomeness on YouTube.  Enjoy!

Opposites according to Liam

A glass being full or empty according to Liam.

Let me start by showing a picture of part of one of Liam's (my 2 and a half year old son for those of you who don't know) books that prompted this blog thought:

 

 As you can see on this page it is showing opposite of a glass full and empty and a girl being happy and sad.  I have always laughed at Liam when he reads this page because to him the glass is "drink" and "need more drink."  As he is learning more about emotions he is able to point them out in people around us.  So as he used to say that this girl was crying, this evening he said "happy" and "sad need more drink."  

Now you could go in many different directions with this.  Initially I thought about a glass being "half empty" or "half full" and how a child doesn't even see it that way at all.  My son views this glass as either having something that he wants in it, or needing to have something that he wants in it refilled.  Or "more drink."  If only the rest of us thought this way as this doesn't really have to be a glass "half empty" but just an opportunity to add more "drink" to it. 

You could also take this as my son is a future alcoholic haha.  He either has drink or needs more drink and you are sad when you need more drink haha.  I didn't really think about it that way until I was writing this blog and it popped into my head haha. 

Ultimately if we are only viewing something by what it needs (ie the solution) and the way that we can feel if we get it, than we are able to more easily overcome obstacles instead of just seeing emptiness.  Defining that emptiness and the "drink" that it needs more of can simplify our problems and make life run a lot more smoothly.   I don't know maybe I am just reaching here, but it makes sense in my head haha.  I would love to hear your take on it. 

Oh Sookie

As I am re-watching Season Three of True Blood, I have to laugh once again at the Snoop Dogg music video "Oh Sookie".  If you have never watched True Blood from the purchase of the Seasons than you may have missed out on this gem of a video.  The chorus cracks me up:  "Come and join my team, we can do it in the daytime, Bill won't know a thing."  I don't understand why all of the dancers have overly fake blonde wigs though, it looks pretty ridiculous.  They could have just found blonde girls to be in the video.  Or perhaps it was to show that no one can compare to Sookie.  I have to say that I  found it interesting that Sam turning into a dog makes him a bitch by Snoop's standards when he is a self proclaimed DOGG.  I guess when you add an extra G it makes a difference haha.  I love Snoop's full hand ring that says SOOKIE, as well as his Sookie necklace.  The attention to detail in the video is great to watch.  I just always loved that Snoop proclaimed himself as one of Sookie's biggest fans.  In case you have yet to see it, I have shared it from YouTube below.  Enjoy!

*This video does not belong to be and is being shared from YouTube for entertainment purposes only.

Belly Pilates

Belly Pilates with Rania Review

I bought the DVD Belly Pilates with Rania a few years ago.  I have done it many times in the past but I am always in so much pain from sore muscles afterwards that I am no good at sticking with it.  Let me give you some background on the video:  Belly Pilates is a workout designed by revered Belly Dance fitness instructor Rania Bossonis and created in 2008.  In it she combines Belly Dancing & Pilates to do a lot of flowy and isometric moves.  Rania has many other Belly Dance inspired workouts that I will check out in the future to include Belly Abs, Belly Yoga, Belly Dance Fitness, & Belly Dance Fat Burning.  You can buy it on Amazon new for about $7 or used for less than $2.  It is a great workout to get many muscles in the legs, shoulders and abs.  I would suggest a lot of stretching afterwards.

Mychal and I have been working out in the evenings at home and we take turns deciding what we do.  So I challenged him to my belly pilates DVD.  Let's just say that I don't think he was expecting it to be as hard core as it was, and I spent more time giggling at his groans of movements than working out.  He claims to already be sore and is dreading how he will feel when he wakes up in the morning.

If you want to check out any samples of these video just look up Rania & Belly and all kinds of workout videos associated with her come up int he results.  I perused through a few but couldn't find one from Belly Pilates, it seems to be one of her first videos created and she seems to have gotten better production and helpers in the background since she first started.  I would definitely recommend Belly Pilates, as it is only about a half hour workout and then you are done.  It looks like the rest of her videos would be great as well.  Enjoy toning those abs, and feeling the burn in the morning :)

Raspberry Balsamic Glazed Chicken

Raspberry Balsamic Glazed Chicken

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp Butter

4 boneless skinless Chicken breasts

Salt & Pepper (I use Alpine Touch)

Oregano

Tarragon

1 Large Red Pepper sliced

1/2 Cup Vinegar (Balsamic is what is called for but I used White Wine Vinegar to make it sweeter)

1/3 Cup Chicken Stock

1/2 Cup Fresh Raspberries (You can substitute thawed frozen berries)

Thyme

Directions:

Melt the Butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Season the Chicken with the Salt & Pepper, Oregano & Tarragon.  Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until browned on both sides 5-8 minutes depending on the size of the chicken breasts.  Transfer to a plate (store in microwave to keep warm).  

Add the red pepper slices to the skillet and reduce heat to medium, cook until softened about 5 minutes.  Add the Vinegar and raise the heat, cook for about 3 minutes to reduce the vinegar to a syrupy state.  Whisk in the chicken stock and cook for another 1-3 minutes.  

Return the chicken breasts to the skillet and spoon the sauce and peppers over them.  Simmer for about 5 minutes.  Add the raspberries and thyme, swirl around to coat the raspberries.  Serve the chicken slices with sauce and raspberries on top of it.  Enjoy!

Brown the chicken on both sides

Add the red peppers to the skillet

Pour the vinegar into the skillet

Return the chicken back to the skillet

Add the raspberries & Thyme to the skillet

Fake butts in San Angelo

Fake butts in San Angelo

I came across a news article this evening that rated little San Angelo, Texas as in the top 5 cities for getting butt augmentations done.  This could include implants or just reshaping of the butt.  Considering that the other 4 cities included Miami, Orlando, Atlanta & Baltimore, this seemed quite random.  TO give you some frame of reference San Angelo is a smaller city of about 112,000 people. 

Naturally of course I have been conducting online research into the validity of this claim because it seemed quite crazy.  I found that there are at a minimum, 10 doctors in the city that perform butt augmentations. That is 1 doctor for about every 11,000 people.  That is a LOT of butt implants.  I know they do other cosmetic surgeries, but I didn’t realize San Angelo was so “fake.”  Especially when you take into consideration how much of the population included military and college students and retirees….  Maybe that’s what veteran’s wives like to do to keep their husbands around…  Get that ass back in shape hahaha…  Ok that was wrong I know…

I also came across a lot of before and after pictures.  Let’s just say that some of these women getting butt implants are the equivalent of someone with an A cup getting Double D’s.  I guess that is their prerogative, but it kind of sucks for people who are natural.  It’s like cheating at dating ;)  I guess guys say the same thing about push up bras though….  A lot of these procedures are now also being affectionately termed “Brazilian Butt Lifts.”

Part of my research brought me to a west Texas escorts page..  Naturally I searched through the San Angelo ones to see if there was anyone I knew and found it crazy that women really advertise themselves this way and put pictures of their faces out there.  After going through about 10 of the San Angelo ones, only one being remotely attractive I didn’t see anyone I knew and bored of trying to find any haha.  That is a whole other subject thought, so don’t let me get too off topic.  

A butt augmentation fact page also lead me to click on the link for vaginal rejuvenation surgery otherwise known as vaginoplasty…..  I really don’t have anything more to say about that…  Feel free to be an immature dirty minded person such as myself and laugh at that…. I know I know it can be a serious issue that people need, and goodness I hope I am never one of them….  Especially with all those class action suits against vaginal mesh gone wrong….  Ok I really am done with this subject now haha.    Wait wait wait..  As I was about to leave this intriguing curios of a page, I spotted a link to G spot amplification surgery.  In case you have never heard of this (as I never had previously); let me tell you about it.  Basically the doctor injects collagen in about a quarter size amount into the G spot potentially amplifying your G spot sensitivity.   This supposedly lasts for about 4 months….  I can’t imagine ever wanting to do this more than once…  Unless of course it made such an amazing difference that the natural G spot just couldn’t cut it anymore…  Vibrators seem a lot cheaper to me… as well as that amazing Purse Satisfaction Unisex Enhancement Gel you can get from “romance” parties….  But I digress, back the procedure:  Now I decided to share this tidbit with you all due to the fact that part of the procedure requires the woman to actually locate her G Spot and indicate where it is to the Doctor….  The endless possibilities of how this could go are not even fit for writing…  however I can imagine that this could get QUITE awkward for anyone that is not comfortable with their sexuality (however if that is true you most likely aren’t seeking this procedure to begin with).  Even if you are comfortable though, how badly do you need the amplification to actually have Doctor messing around in your vajayjay and showing her (or him) where your G spot is.  Somehow I keep picturing having to show a man in this awkward scenario in my head….  And what if you don’t know where your G spot actually is (which could be the driving need for the amplification surgery).  Does the doctor help you locate it……  And moving on now…..

Butt implants can go HORRIBLY wrong.  I also came across an article about a woman who had silicone butt implants put in.  Unfortunately the procedure did not go as planned and she ended up having to get both arms and legs amputated….  I don’t think a fake butt is worth all of that.  I wonder if she wishes that she would have just toned it more instead….   I came across another article of a woman going in for her second procedure and it ended up killing her.  :(

 

In conclusion, I found this concept quite intriguing.  I asked around to my local guy friends and was told that in fact with their experience that there are a LOT of girls in the local area that have fake butts.  I was told that it is easy to tell just like breast implants by touch…  I still have no concrete evidence to the validity of this claim but I certainly learned a lot of new things that I never needed to know, and now I can share that with the world and intrigue your sick fascination into the weird and wonderful world that we live in.  Have a wonderful night.

Signed, Naturally Bootyed Brittany ;)

In case you are interested here is the original article that spawned this great blog of the evening.   Comments of all kind are welcome as always!  

http://miami.cbslocal.com/2012/02/01/bigger-butts-most-popular-in-miami/