Halloween 2011

Hey, Everyone!

Happy Halloween!

Last week was more or less of a constant nightmare.  So I'm not going to talk about it.  Instead, I'm going to talk about the one good day we had, which was yesterday.  We carved pumpkins:

Your reward for getting to the end of this post is seeing these babies in the dark!

I was really happy with the way everyone's pumpkins turned out this year!  We all really stepped up our games and gave it our all.  Check 'em out!

Dad's:

Mom's:

Mine (2):

Ramiro's (2):

 

And, as promised, here they all are with the lights out:

 You can click on any of the pictures to enlarge them for a better look.

As for what I did today...?

Come on, Guys!  It's Monday.  I worked.  You know I'm no fun on weekdays.

Happy Halloween!

--Lauren*
http://littlezotz.com

All for One...

Hey, Everyone!

Still not much to report other than "the usual."  Have you been reading my "pro" Blog (updates Wednesdays) and ReviewHat (updates Tues/Thurs)?  Other than that, I've just been doing my every day work for WebTalk Radio and writing articles for various clients.

I did, however, hang out with my parents on Saturday.  We went out to eat and then saw this movie:

 Click pic to enlarge

It was about what you'd expect from a Three Musketeers movie (but with perhaps more explosions than usual).

Some things I really liked:  They used an actual teenager to play D'Artagnan!  I also thought that the King & Queen were simply adorable, and I liked how everyone looked very at home in their froo-froo costumes (probably because most of the cast seems to have been typecast for these types of movies--I swear, I've never seen Orlando Bloom in street clothes!).  I was able to believe that, yes, those are the Three Musketeers, not actors playing awkward dress-up (a problem I had with the 1993 Disney version).

Some things I didn't like:  The movie was under 2 hours long, but felt like it was much, much longer.  I also hated the 3D--It served no purpose other than to give me a headache.  Up until the last scene (where the Musketeers point their swords at the camera and do their "One for all..." catchphrase), I didn't even notice the 3D.  It would have been just as good (better!!) if it had been in 2D.

Like that review?  You should head on over to ReviewHat to read some of my reviews of everyday items! ;)

That's all for now.  Time to start my work day!

--Lauren*
http://littlezotz.com

Terrible Gifts and a Healthier Future

Hey, Everyone!

Not much to report on this end.  I was ill for most of the week's end.

A few of you know that I've been having some complications with my health recently that have resulted in massive migraines, vomiting, dizzy spells, and on-going fatigue over the past few months.  Fortunately, I'm finally starting a medication to "fix" these problems as of tomorrow.  To which I say "Hooray!--if it works..."  Hopefully there won't be any weird side-effects.

Also, you remember Robert and Ringo, right?  Of course you do.  Who wouldn't remember these guys:

 "Oh, yeah... Those guys..."

They tried to make me feel better by bringing me gifts!

Unfortunately those gifts were a grotesquely mangled mouse (thanks, Ringo...) and a live wasp (thanks, Robert...).

Since Christmas is coming, I'll take this time to mention that I consider dead mice and live wasps terrible gifts.  Please do not get me any.  ~_~


That's about it!  Everything else I've done consisted of "the usual" (writing for clients, working on my professional Blog, tinkering with ReviewHat, and so on).

See you next Monday!

--Lauren*
http://littlezotz.com

They rolled over at the exact same time. I lol'd hard.

Next Week for Sure!

Hey, Everyone!

I'm too busy to make a proper Blog post this week!

But be sure to check out my professional Blog on Wednesday for a new update titled "That's Not My Job... Is it?"  I think you'll like it!

Also, ReviewHat is updating every Tuesday and Thursday now.  Two updates a week!

So, as you can see, I may not have anything on my personal Blog this week, but I'm far from leaving you with  nothing to read!  :)

And, of course, here's a brand new cat pic for ya:

 At least someone gets to relax this week! ;)

See you next Monday!

--Lauren*
http://littlezotz.com

!!!REVIEW HAT!!!...and the Oktoberfest

Hello, Everyone!

The time has finally come for me to announce the "secret" project I've been working on!  Check THIS out:

ReviewHat

http://reviewhat.com

Please click on either of those two links (or the picture itself) to be magically transported to ReviewHat--a site for reviews.  It's a joint project between Ramiro, our friend Ray, and myself.  You can read more about it in the site's "About" section.  I hope you find our reviews useful (and maybe a little funny).

So that's my big announcement that you've waited two weeks to hear!

In other news, I was in the hospital on Friday. (What a way to end September!).  I passed another kidney stone.  I won't go into details...  Unless you want me to.  If you ask me, I will regale you with all the bloody (literally) details and you will cringe in horror and awe.

On the bright side, I got to see a rainbow on our way to the hospital...

The next morning, Ramiro, Ray, and I got in the car and headed a few towns over to the Montrose Oktoberfest.  I'd promised 2 months in advance that I would be there to help film my dojo's demonstration.  Plus, I love the martial arts demo!  I wouldn't miss it just because I was in pain and on anti-biotics!  So I suited up in long-sleeves, pants, a hat, and plenty of sunscreen (I wasn't supposed to go out in the sun thanks to the anti-biotics the doc gave me) in 90+ degree heat and filmed the demo! 

Everyone performed really well!  While I was filming the action with a video camera, Ray was behind me taking still pictures with my digital camera.  Here's a couple:

About to begin.  That's Master Armen Heroian in the red jacket.

Ryan up in the air with his bo-staff!

 I taught most of those kids! I'm so proud.  :3

Master Dannon doing his thing.

Look out! Those kicks are coming right at you!

Everyone lined up to take a bow.

It was a great demonstration.  I wished I could have been up there with them.  I used to really enjoy being a part of the Oktoberfest demos.  :)

Despite my precautions, I was feeling pretty woozy by the end of the demo so the guys and I went home immediately after it was over.

I spent Sunday resting and putting the final touches on ReviewHat.

And, today, I'm back to work!  One day of recovery is more than enough for a tough gal like I am!  (I hope...)

Oh, and be sure to tune into my pro Blog on Wednesday for another thrilling "People I Know" interview!  It's slightly Halloween-themed, so you know it's gonna be good!  ;)

See you next Monday!

--Lauren*

http://littlezotz.com

PS: If any of you Glendale Villari people want more pics from the Oktoberfest demo, feel free to e-mail me at littlezotz@gmail.com  Ray took about 40 pics!