Lolcat of the Week

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I laughed so hard when I first saw this picture. Is it photoshopped? I can't tell, and honestly I don't care. Either way, it's lolarious.

Have a great week everyone! :D

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All content on this site is the sole property of Ana Cristina Simon, unless otherwise stated, and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

"Animals are nothing but the portrayal of our virtues and vices..."

"From the oyster to the eagle, from the swine to the tiger, all animals are to be found in men and each of them exists in some man, sometimes several at the time. Animals are nothing but the portrayal of our virtues and vices made manifest to our eyes, the visible reflections of our souls."—Victor Hugo

I believe this -- animals can portray our true nature. And with this realization comes the understanding that we are animals, lofty-thinking though we might be. We may walk upright, but that doesn't make us that different. Not necessarily.

What brought on this blog post? Well, I was inspired by this post to ask you this question:

What animal best reflects you? I mean the real you -- the "ugly" you that you don't let anyone see. The "pretty" you that you bring out on special occasions. All of your vices and virtues, your hates and your desires. Let me know in the comments!

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All content on this site is the sole property of Ana Cristina Simon, unless otherwise stated, and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Lolcat of the Week

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Have a great week, everyone! :D

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All content on this site is the sole property of Ana Cristina Simon, unless otherwise stated, and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

TDM Discussions Presents: New Moon!

(This was originally published on my Twilight blog, The Danger Magnet.)

We’ve discussed the first book, Twilight. We’ve even discussed every character from Bella Swan to Leah Clearwater.

So what’s next? A discussion on the second book, of course, New Moon!

I’ve been wanting to reread New Moon for a while now, but I wanted to time it in such a way that the last chapter (the Epilogue) would coincide with the premiere of the film on November 20th. And then Cutie from Super Secret Twilight Blog gave me the wonderful idea: “Why not discuss New Moon?”

It happened just like in the cartoons, a light bulb literally turned on above my head. And then my boyf scolded me for using the computer in the dark (strains the eyes, ya know). ;)

But I digress…

The TDM Discussion Series: New Moon will formally begin this Thursday, September 24th. We’ll be reading 3 chapters a week, the last of which (the Epilogue) will be discussed on November 19th, Thursday. Just as before, recaps will be posted on Sundays, so be sure to participate in the discussion every Thursday from now until November 20th! (See the reading schedule below for more information.)

So spread the word, tell your friends, and please do participate in the discussion. Here’s a button you can place in your blog’s sidebar to help me promote this book discussion. You can link it back to this post because I’ll be updating the reading schedule with the individual posts’ links.

I can’t wait to start rereading New Moon with you! :D

Here’s the reading schedule:

Thursday, September 24 (Chapters 1, 2, 3)

Thursday, October 1 (Chapters 4, 5, 6)

Thursday, October 8 (Chapters 7, 8, 9)

Thursday, October 15 (Chapters 10, 11, 12)

Thursday, October 22 (Chapters 13, 14, 15)

Thursday, October 29 (Chapters 16, 17, 18)

Thursday, November 5 (Chapters 19, 20, 21)

Thursday, November 12 (Chapters 22, 23, 24)

Thursday, November 19 (Epilogue)

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All content on this site is the sole property of Ana Cristina Simon, unless otherwise stated, and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Lolcat of the Week

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I think this is exactly what makes me jealous of cats (and dogs, too, yes) -- their ability to find enjoyment in the smallest things. (:

Have a great week, everyone!

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All content on this site is the sole property of Ana Cristina Simon, unless otherwise stated, and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

These are a few of my (current) favorite things...

Bats for Lashes

I forget where I first heard about this singer. Maybe my boyf mentioned her to me, or I read her name somewhere. It doesn't matter. All that matters is that when Amazon recommended her to me, I decided to give her music a listen. I wound up buying her two albums, the mp3 versions of them anyway, on the spot. They are Fur and Gold and Two Suns, respectively. And they are both awesome.

Bat for Lashes (which is the pseudonym for Natasha Khan) sounds like a combination between Kate Bush, PJ Harvey, and Bjork. But what makes her unique is that voice of hers. It's bell-like, pure as snow, and it drives right through the listener. I was hooked on the very first listen.

Here's a sample of her music. This song is called "Good Love" and it's off the second album, Two Suns. I think I must have heard it a thousand times by now -- it's the one I always find myself rewinding. Enjoy!

Vampire Diaries

I knew these books existed, but I always thought of them as Twilight-wannabes.

How wrong I was.

What came first for me was the show, though, not the book. I decided I would watch the pilot episode of "Vampire Diaries" last Thursday on the CW at 8 PM/EST. Fully preparing to snark at it, I might add, and telling myself I would turn it off if it proved sucky within the first five minutes.

I was not prepared to like it as much as I did! Yes there was much to snark at -- the laughable dialogue, the beer bottle that doubles as future-telling crystal ball, the ridunkulous special effects (that fog, lol!)... I could go on, but honestly none of it matters in the end.

Yes, it's a silly show. But there's something strangely compelling about it. Plus I think I'm just more forgiving of TV shows than I am of films. I got the first book on Friday and am about 5 chapters in at the moment. So far, it's very different from the show. The main character, Elena, is blond for starters. I think I prefer her brunette, as in the show. (Um, I'm a brunette and brunettes rule, 'kay?) I can't say which I like better, the book or the show, because it's too early to tell for both. But one thing's for sure -- I'll definitely be tuning in to the CW this Thursday!

TATE'S
What is TATE'S? Only the best comic book store. Ever. It sells everything from yes, comic books to anime, toys, and even food rarely found outside of Japan. The boyf first took me there a couple of months ago and it was love at first sight. I went again yesterday, Saturday, and walked out with a Totoro bag, some adorable pins, and a keychain of a monkey with LED flashing blue eyes that also happens to howl like a monkey. All this for under $26. Awesome.

If ever you should find yourself in Lauderhill, FL, do check out this fabulous store. You won't be disappointed.

Dr. Pepper
Where have you been all my life, Dr. Pepper?! I can't understand why I've never tried you before last night. It's insane, almost unforgivable. But last night when the boyf and I went to Chick-fil-A after visiting TATE'S, and the boyf asked me if I wanted to try his Dr. Pepper, I decided to give it a try. And Dr. Pepper, it was love at first sip. I can't lie.

The boyf says you taste good even in your diet version. Is this really true? I guess I'm going to have to try that out. Until then, hugs and kisses, you delicious drink, you.


Bangs
I love my bangs, even though they are in that awkward in-between stage, where I have to brush them to the side or restrain them with headband or clips. And maybe it wasn't such a smart idea to cut them at the end of August, when it's the hottest and most humid time of the year in Miami. But whatevs, I wanted them.

What inspired me to get them chopped off and risk the wrath of le boyf (who hates bangs for some ungodly reason)? The post Busy Bee Lauren wrote on Melissa as her "style icon." You see, Melissa has some rockin' bangs, and she inspired me to get my own. (Thanks, Melissa! :D)

I think bangs are very elegant and I feel quite girlish when I wear them forward. Which is getting harder to do, true, now that they're longer. I'm unsure whether or not to keep growing them or cut them again. What do you think?

And no, boyf, I didn't ask you. ;)

What are some of your favorite things this month?

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All content on this site is the sole property of Ana Cristina Simon, unless otherwise stated, and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Miss Honey

One of my AP English Language kidlets almost made me cry today -- she said I reminded her of Miss Honey, the beloved teacher from Dahl's book Matilda. I think that's one of the nicest compliments I've ever received as a teacher...

It also reminded me of how much I used to love this book as a young girl. Roald Dahl's books are all magical, but IMHO Matilda is the most magical of them all.

Matilda with Miss Honey

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All content on this site is the sole property of Ana Cristina Simon, unless otherwise stated, and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

We Can't Afford to Wait

Concerned about the future of health care in America? Want to do something about it? Learn more here.

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All content on this site is the sole property of Ana Cristina Simon, unless otherwise stated, and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

You will be mine...

I grow tired of my BlackBerry and how untrustworthy it has become. It drops calls like it's going out of style and randomly decides not to let me use the Interwebs... not cool. I fell in love with the beauty above when some friends of mine got theirs. After playing with various apps and oohing and aahhing over it in turn, I have decided to "upgrade" my faithless BB for a new toy. I hope to get it some time this week. :D

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All content on this site is the sole property of Ana Cristina Simon, unless otherwise stated, and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Lolcat of the Week

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Hee hee! This week's Lolcat is also a message to all my bloggy lurkers. Come here often? Go on, 'fess up -- I know you do! That's why I have that fancy schmancy site tracker thingy that even tells me where you come from. (*sniff* Told you it was fancy.)

So comment already, would ya? ;)

Happy Labor Day!

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All content on this site is the sole property of Ana Cristina Simon, unless otherwise stated, and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.