The Royal Nonesuch

Food Storage Analyzer

2010-10-29T10:16:00.000-07:00

I know it's been a while since I posted, but I had to post about this. I just tried the Food Storage Analyzer on Emergency Essentials. It's awesome. I am always looking for ways to make my life easier, and using he Food Storage Analyzer does just that. It's easy to use and really helps to give a clear picture of what you have on hand and what you need. I would definitely recommend using the Food Storage Analyzer.

Happy Birthday America!

2010-07-04T14:58:00.000-07:00

EARTH HOUR MARCH 28th 8:30pm

2009-03-02T15:40:00.000-08:00

Let's do it! One hour with no power!

End Prop 8

2009-02-09T08:32:00.001-08:00

"Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo.

10 Years - Nick Armstrong

2009-02-08T12:30:00.000-08:00

Today marks the 10th anniversary of my friend Nick's death. He was killed in a senseless act of violence on a college campus in 1999. Nick Armstrong was one of those guys that you just loved to be around. He was genuinely a nice guy. He was smart and funny and a hell of alot of fun. I remember one time Nick invited a bunch of us over for a bar-b-que at his parents house. We all showed up and after hours of slaving over the grill, he puts all of this meat on the table and then he goes, "oh no. I forgot to make the corn." There was nothing but meat. There was sausage and brisket and ribs and burgers... NOTHING but meat. It was awesome. I have so many wonderful memories of Nick, and for that I am grateful. Every year at this time I think about him and what he would be like now. Maybe he would be married. Maybe he would have children. He would have been a great dad. I personally am a better person for having known him, even if it was for much too short of a time.

Road Signs Hacked

2009-02-07T10:38:00.000-08:00

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/29060174#29060174

OK! I am in no way condoning the behavior of these hackers, but C'MON! This shit is FUNNY! I would probably wreck my car because I was laughing so hard.

Cheech and Chong

2009-01-26T08:58:00.000-08:00

Last night, thanks to Karen's friend Jocelyn who had an extra ticket, I went to see Cheech and Chong live. DUDE!! It was awesome. It was one of the funniest things I've ever seen. I was laughing the entire time. I will admit, I was a little afraid I might lose my sobriety just by being in the building, but all is well. Anyway, if you get a chance to go see them... GO! A thousand thanks to Jocelyn. I am forever indebted.

Georgia & K P

2009-01-25T14:30:00.001-08:00

Random Pics

2009-01-25T14:24:00.001-08:00

Here are some random pics... That's me and Flynn at the top, Me & Marissa, Me & Karen, Marissa, & Gabe

Art

2009-01-12T17:11:00.000-08:00

I feel inclined to include a few of my favorites on here. The first two are by Wassily Kandinsky. I am not really a huge fan of abstract art, but I have always liked his work. The last one is by Rene Magritte. I happened upon an exhibit of his work one time at The Menil Collection in Houston. He's a surrealist and some of his work is surreal, to say the least. I saw this one at the exhibit, and I loved it immediately.

Happy New Year !

2008-12-31T16:20:00.000-08:00

This year:

May we think of others before ourselves.
May we treat one another with kindness.
May we respect one another.
May we practice patience.
May we give without expectation.
May we love without conditions.
May we do our part everyday to make the world a better place.

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2009.

Mosaic

2008-12-22T16:37:00.000-08:00

I found this on another blog and it was fun.

Here's how it works:

a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd's mosaic maker).
The Questions:

1. What is your first name? (Allison)
2. What is your favorite food? (Cheese)
3. What high school did you go to? (Baytown Sterling)
4. What is your favorite color? (Orange)
5. Who is your celebrity crush? (Catherine Zeta Jones)
6. Favorite drink? (Iced tea)
7. Dream vacation? (Italy)
8. Favorite dessert? (Cookies)
9. What you want to be when you grow up? (A star)
10. What do you love most in life? (Music)
11. One Word to describe you. (Nuts)
12. First pet? (German shepherd)

Christmas

2008-11-28T09:54:00.000-08:00

I stole this from Ashley who stole it from Jennifer.

Christmas Fun

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags
Wrapping paper. I LOVE wrapped gifts. It makes Christmas so much fun, but Santa never wrapped our gifts. Everything always looked so magical sitting under the lights on the tree.

2. Real tree or artificial?
REAL

3. When do you put up the tree?
Whenever we have time. It's a delicate situation when you're using a real tree.

4. When do you take it down?
Depends on time - probably after the New Year.

5. Do you like eggnog?
not really

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
my Redline bike is the first thing that comes to mind

7. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes... see Ashley's post

8. Hardest person to buy for?
Grandaddy and Dad... they already have everything

9. Easiest person to buy for?
Marissa

10. Worst gift you received?
I don't remember, but it was probably some clothes with ruffles or something that I would never wear.

11. Mail or email cards?
Mail

12. Favorite Christmas movie?
Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Usually October

14. Have you ever recycled a gift?
Yes

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
mom's chocolate pie and peanut brittle

16. Clear or colored lights?
Colored

17. Favorite holiday song?
O Holy Night

18. Travel or stay at home at Christmas?
Travel around Christmas, but stay home on Christmas

19. Can you name all the reindeer?
Let's see... Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blitzen, & Rudolf

20. Angel or star on top of the tree?
Star

21. Open Christmas eve or morning?
When I was growing up we always opened gifts on Christmas Eve, but now we open some before, or after depending on when we're all there. At my house we open them on Christmas Day.

22. What’s the corniest tradition you miss doing?
Decorating the tree to Captain Kangaroo's Christmas Album

23. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
Crowds!

24. What’s the worst thing you’ve seen related to Christmas?
People behaving like idiots.

25. Which looks best, theme trees or homey trees?
I think both look nice, but I prefer homey trees.

26. Gingerbread or sugar cookies?
Sugar cookies for sure.

27. Do you like fruitcake?
I don't think so. I'm not sure if I've ever actually tried it.

EQUALITY

2008-11-20T10:33:00.001-08:00

I have reached my limit. I have always been one to keep quite and not rock the boat especially when I thought it may make people uncomfortable. I have decided to break free of those chains. At the risk of offending, upsetting, or alienating people I just want to say Wake Up!

I am tired of feeling like a second class citizen. I am tired of feeling like I need to justify my lifestyle or my relationshhips. I am tired of people using religion as a weapon against me. I will not stand for it any more.

This country was founded on religious freedom, which I completely agree with. I believe that everyone has the right to believe and practice whatever form of religion they choose. I also believe that I have a right as an American citizen not to be forced to practice someone else's religion. That is why this country's founders also established a seperation of church and state.

I am talking about civil rights. If you do not believe in gay marriage because of your religion, then I suggest going to a church that does not perform marriage ceremonies for gay people. It is that simple. Believe what you want, practice what you want, but don't try to force it on me.

Jonestown

2008-11-17T08:25:00.000-08:00

This is an actual image of the aftermath at Jonestown. I tried to avoid pictures of the carnage, but I wanted a picture that had this sign in it. This was a sign that hung in the pavilion at Jonestown. An appropriate message.

Tomorrow marks the 30th anniversary of the tragedy at Jonestown. Some of you may wonder why I would include this on my blog, or maybe even why I care about Jonestown at all. Well let me see if I can explain. The tragedy occurred on November 18,1978. I was almost 4 yrs old and even though I didn't know what was going on, I remember seeing photos on television at my grandmother's house. Fast forward to adulthood... I have always been interested in why people do things, why they become part of certain groups, why they follow certain people. I had read a few things about the People's Temple over the years, and I guess like many people I just assumed they were some whack job cult. I couple of years ago I came across a book about Jim Jones and The People's Temple at a garage sale. I read this book and was so moved by the stories of the people that belonged to the temple that I began to read more stories. I did some research and was blown away. I guess my point is that whether or not you ever read anything else about The People's Temple, I would like to say that by all accounts, the vast majority of the members were wonderful people. They came from all walks of life. They were regular people just like you and me. If you are interested in reading more check out this link. http://jonestown.sdsu.edu.

Over 900 people died that day in Guyana, many of them were children. Take pause and remember them.

Songs to Live By

2008-11-10T16:21:00.000-08:00

Check out my other blog if you haven't already.

songstoliveby.blogspot.com

2008-11-04T09:28:00.001-08:00

Cuties

2008-11-03T09:16:00.000-08:00

Is Home A State Of Mind?

2008-11-01T17:00:00.000-07:00

"Terezka, a disturbed child in an orphanage. The scrawl on the blackboard is her drawing of "home". Poland, 1948" ... I read that before she was placed in an orphanage, she lived in a concentration camp. -ak

I was moved the first time I saw this picture, and I continue to be moved every time I see it. We are all imprisoned by our minds to some extent.