Why Germany Hates Tom Cruise

I did not know that Germany was so vehemently opposed to Scientology. This is an interesting article.

Why Germany Hates Tom Cruise - TIME

Ta Da!

I had a little extra free time lately, so I taught myself to knit. I started a hat when I was in Perth and finished it today.
I also crocheted an organizer for my crochet supplied recently. Aren't I just the crafty one?

Another Reason to Support Charity

This article reports a study that shows that giving to charity makes you feel good. So, get out there and find a charity to support!

My Mom's Travel Map

Because she does not have her own blog :).

Note: This does not include places that she has only been to the airport :).

That TB guy from Atlanta

I have tried to avoid talking about that guy from Atlanta who decided to take a trip to Europe for his wedding and honeymoon despite being diagnosed with TB. Finally, I have decided to comment based on this article: Government e-mails show little help from TB patient's family - CNN.com

From everything I have read, which admittedly may not be the whole story, the whole bunch of them seem to be selfish and have a total disregard for anyone or anything else outside of what they want. His excuse for sneaking back into the country was because he feared for his life if he went to the hospital in Italy. If that is the case, what was he doing there in the first place? And if he was afraid for his life from the illness that he has, why would he expose (or potentially expose) so many people to it? It is just a total disregard. He is not a doctor. He had no way of knowing how contagious he might be and it didn't matter to him. All that mattered to him was taking his 3 week European vacation and then getting back to the US when he wanted. It is infuriating. I don't think he has done anything illegal and I hope that he did not actually infect anyone, but the simple fact that one family could be so collectively selfish is disgusting. I hope they are all feeling publicly shamed. I also hope he is flagged by every airline and never allowed to travel again.

I Ain't Bothered

This Catherine Tate sketch is hilarious...(at least I think it is)

Blink

This series' (season's) Doctor-lite episode of Doctor Who turned out to be great. Not only was it better than Love and Monsters (the Doctor-lite episode from series 2), but it was a good episode in its own right. The actors and the story carried the episode well. There was enough of the Doctor that you did not miss him too much and still knew you were watching Doctor Who. Here is a clip for those of you with no BBC1 access:



In case you did not see Love and Monsters, here is the trailer so you can get a feel for it:

Ocean's Thirteen

Yet another third installment of a fun series. Ocean's Thirteen does not disappoint. I recommend switching your brain off and sitting back to enjoy the ride. If you think too hard, it will all unravel...the "twists" aren't exactly a surprise. The fun of these movies, like the first in the series, is just the experience, the impact of the visual look combined with the music and the smooth dialogue. It is very light hearted and fun, as long as you don't expect it to me more than it really is (i.e. don't expect a bullet proof plot line).



As in the earlier movies, the Chinese lines are not translated. Judging by audience reaction around here, those lines are actually pretty good. One of them was hilarious...no idea what they said.

Travel Map

This travel map is a pretty fun way to see where we have been. 16% really doesn't sound like much...I guess I had better get busy!

Map is updated...I forgot that I went to Bratislava, which is now Slovakia, as a teenager :).

Doctor Who?

Caution: This entry might be a smidge on the geeky side. If you would like to maintain the super cool image that you have of me, do not continue reading. On the other hand, geek is in this year, so read on :).

So, I am really enjoying the new Doctor Who series. Until recently, I did not watch because I thought the remake could not be as good as the original. I was so wrong!! I saw one episode on my way to the UK in April and I have been hooked ever since. I have watched all of the third series so far and have also watched the first and second this past week.


The most recent two episodes were among the best. Very dramatic and well done! I recommend to everyone. If you don't currently have access, it should be on SciFi later this year.

Anyway, if you have seen it...or even if not...let's have a fun poll to get some participation going! I will add my thoughts after others have contributed. Or just later this week if no one joins in :).

1. The Ninth Doctor or the Tenth?

2. Rose or Martha?

3. The best episode?

Let me know what you think!!!

Special Bonus: Great Doctor Who Quotes

'He’s like fire and ice and rage... He’s like the night and the storm in the heart of the sun… He’s ancient and forever. He burns at the centre of time and he can see the turn of the universe... and... he’s wonderful.' - Family of Blood

"I'm The Doctor. And if you don't like it, if you want to take it to a higher authority: there isn't one. It stops with me." - New Earth

"The Doctor: (offering Rose to travel with him in the TARDIS) You could stay here, fill your life with work and food and sleep or you could go… anywhere.

Rose: Is it always this dangerous?

The Doctor: Yep." - Rose

"The Doctor: (as he and Rose are trapped by The Gelth) I saw the fall of Troy. World War Five. I pushed boxes at the Boston Tea Party. Now I’m going to die in a dungeon. In Cardiff! " - The Unquiet Dead [Side Note: I really enjoyed Cardiff. It is a fun town. See photos here.]

"Rose: Oh my God they're rats, dozens of rats, vacuum packed rats.
The Doctor: And you decided to scream.
Mickey: It took me by surprise.
The Doctor: Like a little girl.
Mickey: It was dark, I was covered in rats.
The Doctor: Nine, maybe ten years old, I'm seeing pigtails, frilly skirt... " - School Reunion

"The Doctor: (to a Clockwork droid) Ohhoho, brilliant! It's you! You're my favourite, you are, you're the best! You know why? 'Cause you're so thick! You're Mr Thick Thick Thickity Thick Face from Thicktown, Thickania. And so's your dad." - The Girl in the Fireplace

"The Doctor: If I kill you, I kill her. (The Beast laughs) Except that implies, in this big grand scheme of gods and devils, that she’s just a victim. But I’ve seen a lot of this universe. I’ve seen fake gods and bad gods and demigods and would-be gods. And out of all that, out of that whole pantheon, if I believe in one thing, just one thing… I believe in her." - The Satan Pit

"Elton: So, there you go. Turns out I’ve had the most terrible things happen. And the most brilliant things. And sometimes… well, I can’t tell the difference. They’re all the same thing. They’re… just me. You know, Stephen King said once, he said ‘salvation and damnation are the same thing’. And I never knew what he meant. But I do now. Cos the Doctor might be wonderful but… thinking back, I was having such a special time. Just for a bit. I had this nice little gang (brief clip of ‘musical L.I.N.D.A.’) and they were destroyed. It’s not his fault. Maybe that’s what happens when you touch the Doctor. Even for a second. I keep thinking about Rose and Jackie, and how much longer before they pay the price." - Love and Monsters

June Workouts

4 June Treadmill, Weights
5 June Treadmill (not very long because there is too much work to do!)

Just getting started...let's see how the months goes. For the second half, I will be busy traveling so I am not sure I will find time.