things that ruined my life - my top 6

If you know me at all, besides liking terrible things, I totally have a love for most "young people" or "youthful" entertainment as well. High School Musical, Hannah Montana. Don't hate.

I love to read and with my lovely little Kindle I received from Zack this Christmas it's become a full on obsession. I tend to read books of the humor variety or the dystopian variety, but with how easy it is to download on the device I'll read basically anything at this point.

I lean toward young adult fiction as well. Should I admit that? I have never read Twilight, so none of that will show here, but I thought I'd share my top 6 young adult books.


via

The Maze Runner 1-3 / James Dashner - Some save the best for last, I say give it at the beginning. Easily my favorite three books I read in 2011. It took the dystopian novel to a whole new level for me. The main character is thrusted into a giant maze with absolutely no explanation. Over the course of the series he gets out, gets caught by those who are running the maze, trying to justify it by saying it's to cure a disease that has wreaked havoc on the world. After escaping the maze he's again thrusted into a shadeless sun-ball desert and then on the run for the third book. It's non-stop action the entire time, there is not a single moment of downtime in the entire series which makes for excellent reading.


via

The Hunger Games 1-3 / Suzanne Collins - I really only want to talk about the first book. I will dodge your stones, but I can safely say that the second and third just didn't do it for me. The first book, however was insanely well-written. It reminded me a lot of The Giver, which I'll talk about in a moment. Dystopian society, kids killing kids to survive and a "not gay but totally gay" wardrobe consultant named Cinna. I am Team Peeta (more stones). Read now, so we can talk about the movie.


via

The Giver / Lowis Lowry - This is one of my favorite books to this day. I have read and re-read this countless times and I'd be hard pressed to find one junior high aged kid that didn't enjoy this book. Of all the books your forced to read in school this is the one that I didn't mind. It was my first look into the dystopian fiction I find so joyous today. Only seeing in black and white, pills to stop the "stirrings" of adolecense and celebrating your birthday with everyone else born in the same year. Interesting, eh?


via

Just As Long As We're Together / Judy Blume - I can basically recite the first chapter off the top of my head. "Stephanie is into hunks." Doesn't that opening line just make you want, no, need to read more? For the record the hunk that Stephanie is into is Richard Gere. She has a poster of youngin' Gere on her ceiling and she calls him Benjamin Moore. I have read this book more than any other book out there and even as an adult I can relate it into my life. Never be too organized, it's okay to gain weight, it happens to everyone and apparently if a boy has hairy legs he is experienced? Oh Judy Blume.


via

Harry Potter 1-7 / JK Rowling - Now, I became addicted to Potter quite late in life. I began the first books in seventh grade and finished the last four in my twenties. I'm actually happy that I waited so long to finish because I believe I got more out of it. The world of magic may seem like it's for children, but the world of Harry Potter is actually steered towards the older crowd. It was designed to grow with the reader and that it did.
I still believe that if I had the right wand I'd be able to conjure my patronus charm (it's Aadi).


via

The Perks Of Being A Wallflower / Stephen Chbosky - I bought this book and read it in an hour. Tell me one emo kid that can't quote the whole thing. It's a "coming of age" book if there ever was one and quick to get through so you can read it again and again.

things that ruined my life - my top 4

The Spice Girls. They ruined my life.

When I was in 6th grade I joined a Spice Girls band. We didn't have a full band but it was a band nonetheless. Oh, and by band I mean singing group and by singing group I mean we lip synced to Spice Girls songs.

I promise we were legit.

I, as the only strawberry-headed gal in my group of friends, was Ginger Spice. My friend Brittany who was the most athletic, was Sporty Spice. Missy was Posh Spice with her dark hair and smoky eyes, and little blondie Katie was Baby Spice. There was never an official Scary Spice, but on the off chance someone else came to our sleepovers, they would be the resident Scary for the evening.

Katie's dad was in a band (a real one) and he had a little band room in the garage where we could practice. And by practice I mean we would sing backup vocals to Cats In The Cradle while he actually practiced for real life gigs.

I know present you with my top four Spice Girl's songs on our setlist. We only mastered four songs to the point of choreography and costumes. I find this to be quite extensive considering we were twelve.



1. Wanna-Be - Probably the first Spice Girls song most people here, and easily the most convenient one to get stuck in your head. True, we stole most of our moves from the video, but either way, we had them down. We could perform this song in our sleep and sometimes we did...or at sleepovers. Same thing. This song was primarily performed on my front porch in front of my mother. I have yet to add this to my karaoke repertoire but I feel it may be time.



2. Say You'll Be There - Now, there weren't really any "moves" required of us in this song, except for Missy needing to perform Victoria's world renowned arm stretch sexy thing. I'm not sure if this is considered choreography or not, but we'll let it count for the sake of this blog post. Now, they did have choreography when they performed this at the 1999 Video Music Awards, but we never got to learning that, it was actually kind of complex and our hearts just weren't in it. I think this is when our band started to go south.



3. Spice Up Your Life - Favorite Spice Girls song ever, mkay? Now, here is where the Spice Girls started to go all futuristic on us. This choreography we happened to know quite well considering the lyrics of the chorus spell out almost exactly what to do (Rocky Horror Picture Show, anyone?). You slam to the left, but only if you're having a good time, and then you shake it to the right. Oh don't forget the chicka's to the front (huh, huh), HI-C YA, HOLD TIGHT.



4. Stop - Now of course I save the best for last. This song was part of our first and only live performance in front of people other than our parents. It was performed during a free period at school by myself, Missy, and our friend Brooke (sadly Brittany and Katie were not in this class). We dressed up (I wore pleather) and danced to our own choreography (nope, didn't rip it off, are you proud?) and I really don't think anyone remembers that we even did it. I do, it was a highlight of that year for me.

I am still a regular listener of the group and await the day the reunite (again, when the tickets aren't ridiculous). Until then I will settle for watching and re-watching my VHS of Spiceworld and trying to make platforms out of cardboard (I never did that, however my friend Regina did, and she may still have them).

Till next time.

things that ruined my life - my top 8

Guys, it's almost Valentine's Day so I figured for this weeks Things That Ruined My Life I would take a page from Michael Doxey's contribution post and share some of my favorite Rom Coms. Who doesn't like a good romantic comedy. I don't care if you're single, married, dating, loathing, there is usually at least ONE that can put you in a frickin' good mood. I couldn't settle on just six and believe me there are several more that I wish I could add so you get eight. Eight is a good number.


Don't cry, shopgirl.

You've Got Mail - Oh, this movie. The first that condoned chat rooms. Now all programming involving chatrooms are features on episodes of Law & Order: SVU. They should make more movies about nice online experiences such as this one. Though how hard is it to believe that conveniently the man who put Meg Ryan out of business is now her perfect match. AND she dumped Greg Kinear. That's just wrong.


I wish I knew how to quit you.

Brokeback Mountain - I'm prepared for disagreements on this but I ask please be kind. I find this movie to be one of the greatest love stories ever told. Very unconventional and very brave. If you take away the gender and look at the story as a whole there is no denying that the main characters have an outstanding connection and love for one another. It's beautiful and tragic all in the same time, and a very heart-wrenching story.


Two households, both alike in dignity...

William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet - An insane twist on a classic. Most dialogue in tact, the story of Romeo & Juliet set in a modern day Verona Beach. Oh how I needed to have Claire Danes's hair and wings when I first saw this movie. And how I needed to talk in Shakespeare talk and confuse my mother. She told me repeatedly not to say things like doth and thou.


Reg. Bev. Wil.

Pretty Woman - my friend Brittany and I would wear this movie out any time we had a sleepover. I am not sure how appropriate it was for nine year olds to watch a movie about a recovering prostitute but my mother didn't seem to mind. She also didn't mind when we'd go outside, push our night shirts off of one shoulder and pretend we were on Hollywood Blvd. Actually, she did mind this, and it only happened once.


I carried a watermelon.

Dirty Dancing - Yet another movie that I probably watched too young. I wanted to dance like Baby. Not appropriate for a nine year old, though most of the more recent Step Up movies I think are a LOT more risque than Dirty Dancing ever was. That needs to be addressed. The dirtiest thing that Baby and Johnny did was gyrate their hips. Now days, that is considered tame.


Molly, you in danger girl.

Ghost - To me this movie goes hand in hand with Dirty Dancing. And Whoopie Goldberg makes the movie. Patrick Swayze isn't the best ghost, and Demi Moore isn't the best girlfriend and Patrick Swayze's best friend (who is the heir of the Metro-Goldwyn Mayar fortune) wasn't the best best friend, but Whoopie? She is the best psychic ever, even if she does have trouble giving money that isn't hers to nuns.


I'm down, I've got the 411, and you are not going out and getting jiggy with some boy, I don't care how dope his ride is. My momma didn't raise no foo'!

10 Things I Hate About You - This movie was the epitome of my teen years and it is what made me decide to take off my Clueless-inspired platforms and commit to buying Doc Martins. And hey, Heath Ledger can sing! And Allison Janney is terribly overlooked in this movie, her book about Reginald and his quivering member should be in the half-off bin somewhere at a Barnes and Noble near you, I can feel it.


A bird may love a fish, but where would they live?

Ever After - Growing up, I never wanted to be the pretty Cinderella. I wanted my mom to cut triangles in her old lingerie nightgown and let me clean her floors with a scrub brush. I'm serious. So when this movie surfaced I was happy that they focused more on the "regular" Cinderella instead of the princess. Danielle was much cooler than the cartoon Cinderella anyway and she could kick your ass if you disagree.

things that ruined my life - my top 6

This weeks "things that ruined my life" came to me while reading an old (yes I go back and read people's blogs from THE BEGINNING...when it was embarrassing) blog post from one of my new fave gals Nat The Fat Rat. She was explaining her horrible love for Twilight which I have never read nor seen. She described it as something awful that she loves.

That spoke to me, guys.

Seriously, one thing I oddly pride myself on is the fact that I LOVE TERRIBLE THINGS. Terrible movies, television shows, sleepwear and carbonated beverage. If it's terrible, more than likely I own it/love it/need it. So now I will share with you the top 6 things that ruined my life, terrible things edition.


via

Grease 2 - If you've read my blog for a while you've heard me go on and on about this movie. WHY IS IT SO GOOD? It isn't bad, but it is terrible. Okay, and it's bad. I have grown up with it. I didn't even know there was an original Grease until I was about twelve. I walked in on my mom watching it on TBS and swooning to Olivia Newton-John's rendition of Hopelessly Devoted To You (is there another rendition?). I was appalled, it was so not good. No Michelle Pfieffer, no Reproduction. You will never have my heart like Grease 2 does.


Look at dad updating his blog!

Snuggies - I was on board with snuggies from day one. I saw the commercial and was like YES. FINALLY SOMEONE INVENTED THE BEST THING EVER. I don't get the bad reputation this thing has. Seriously. At my day job people go crazy for them. We are cold and we have to type and it just makes sense that the blankets have sleeves. I wear mine on a daily basis. It's really convenient, just like the commercial says.


via

High School Musical - I am a sucker for these movies. I got in a little after the hype of the first one, only watching it to see what the hype was about. I was too engrossed watching all the singing and dancing and the high schoolness. I bought the soundtrack, second movie, third movie, soundtracks. Its embarrassing, but it's a part of me.


via

Tab - TAB IS THE BEST SODA EVER. I don't know why I am the only one who realizes this. It's good, zero calories, full of nutrasweet I'm sure, though I've never checked. Sure, the flavor is minimal but that doesn't make it terrible. I'd be their spokesperson for free if they'd just ask me, or respond to my numerous letters and facebook friend requests.


via

Sweats from Walmart - So what if I would rather wear sweat pants at home than actual clothes? They're comfortable. What else really needs to be said? I remember Zack's cringy face when I showed him the awesome sweats I found at Walmart for ten dollars. I needed a good pair of sweats. I realize that's a really weird sentence but everyone needs a rad pair of comfies they can lounge in and I had totally found mine.


via

Blackberrys - I really don't have to say anything about these, you can read this post about my love/hate relationships with them. Popular consensus is that Blackberrys are terrible, thus it's place in my list.


I am only half embarrassed to like most of these terrible things. I'm sure there will be other top 6's with this title applying, the terribly things I like are endless. You won't even be able to handle it.

things that ruined my life - my top 6

In the past I've usually done top 9's. Sometimes, 9 is just too much, so weekly now I will be wowing you with some form of another of a top 6 countdown. I figure what better way to start than with top 6 things that ruined my life - television edition. In no particular order...


via

1. The Golden Girls - I will never be Dorothy Zbornak. Seriously, it's upsetting to me. Since I was nine she has been a woman of great knowledge, someone I have looked up to repeatedly. "So far today I have turned down every job in the county that didn't involve selling cocaine." She is brilliant. She has humor and wit, charisma, and she can snap a friends neck like a twig. She is self-sufficient, but not enough to be annoying. That's a quality most of us strive to achieve and I have strived and strived, but I will always be a little needy. I'm sorry, Dorothy, I hope you'll forgive me.


via

2. Sex and The City - I will never afford Carrie's shoes/wardrobe or have her career. I also know that I cannot live on a weekly column writers salary and still afford all the fancy meals and fancy shoes she takes in on a daily basis. That is not realistic, writers are lucky if they make any money at all! "I've spent forty thousand dollars on shoes and I have no place to live? I will literally be the old woman who lived in her shoes." That would be me, I'd be "a bag lady, a fendi bag lady, but a bag lady." Good lord, SHE IS WHY I CAN'T HAVE NICE THINGS.


via

3. Roswell - Aliens aren't real...or are they? Ever since I was fourteen I've been wondering that. Now days, anything involving the paranormal intrigues me be it aliens, ghosts, you name it. So now that we know where that stemmed from, I am constantly questioning everything in the universe because HOW COOL WOULD IT BE IF ALIENS WERE REAL? "We're not from around here..." Seriously when Max Evans uttered those words I was floored. As Liz casually asked "Where are you from?" I was yelling it at the screen, "YES WHERE ARE YOU FROM." I didn't trust them. I know better now that aliens are our friends (well, most of them, excluding Romulans but we'll get to that) and they can help us discover things. Discovering things is good, right? Speaking of...


via

4. Star Trek: TNG - so what if i want to attend starfleet academy? Why can't I be a telepath? So many unanswered questions in the universe. I want to be a Starfleet captain, I think I can learn from Captain Jean-Luc Picard, he is way smarter than Captain Kirk, ask Sheldon Cooper. "Make it so, number one." AND HE LIKES TEA. "Tea, earl grey, hot." You cannot go wrong with that.


via 5. Gilmore Girls - You can't be best friends with everyone in your city, you just can't, plus I cannot come up with witty comments that quickly. I want to invent my own catchphrase "Oy, with the poodles already." I want a weird town Kirk (not to be confused with the Captain) to make shirts that says what people in my town are doing "Babette ate oatmeal." What amazing comradery that is.


via

6. Dexter - for all I know, my brother is a serial killer. Or my neighbor. If I didn't learn to "trust no one" from the X-Files (which contradicts Roswell, but whatever), then I would learn that from Dexter Morgan. He comes off as the sweetest, most upstanding dude, yet little does anyone know of his "dark passenger". Now that's just it, I believe he is a sweet, upstanding dude, he just has a Boondock Saints vibe about him wanting to get rid of the horrible scum that walks the earth. I am so torn with him, yet can't help but wait for what happens next. He also makes me really want to buy a Dodge.