:: Mindrella's Life ::

:: Friday, February 06, 2004 ::

Friday Five and the Electric Company

My roommate called me this afternoon to inform me that our electricity has been turned off. WHAT?! was pretty much my general reply since I distinctly remember paying the bill and we've never received the little notice that they stick on your door demanding payment within 48 hours or they will shut you off. Not only that but the disconnect notice also states that the electricity will not be turned back on until 2 business days AFTER you pay your bill. Basically, since this is Friday, this means Tuesday. SHIT!

So off I go (in a panic) to the SDG&E office which luckily is only like 4 blocks from where I work to beg and plead for my electricity. The lady at SDG&E explained everything to me, said that the amount I paid in December was not for the full bill. She also stated that they sent a bill out on January 8 and the pay or be disconnected notice was delivered on January 20. Neither of which I received. But she was
nice and said that I could have my utilities back sometime tonight. THANK GOD! But now that means I need to go home and wait until someone shows up. SIGH.

So on that note, here's my Friday Five:

1. What's the most daring thing you've ever done?
Bidding on Apolo's eBay auction. Holymotherofshortrack that was a lot of money!

2. What one thing would you like to try that your mother/friend/significant other would never approve of?
That one's harder since my mom doesn't care, my friends don't care as long as I'm happy and I have no significant other. I'll have to get back to you on that one.

3. On a scale of 1-10, what's your risk factor? (1=never take risks, 10=it's a lifestyle)
9

4. What's the best thing that's ever happened to you as a result of being bold/risky?
My auction win. If that had never happened I don't think I would have become as involved in short track as I have been.

5. ... and what's the worst?
Being rejected. Being rejected is no fun at all.

:: Melinda 5:12 PM [+]

What Superheroine Am I?

I found this on Christine's links page so I decided to take it. So my superheroine is . . . .


Take the test here

Since I don't read comics (the last comics I read were Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld or Archie and the Gang), I guess I'd better buy a comic or two to see what she's like. Any suggestions Christine?

:: Melinda 7:53 PM [+]

McDonalds is Bad for You?

I would've never have guessed! But filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, a man with a definite sense of humor, decided to see just how unhealthy. In 2002, after watching a report of two girls in New York suing McDonalds because its food made them sick and overweight (do ya think?) and after a representative for the company said that the food was healthy and nutritious; Spurlock had a brainstorm.

He made a documentary, with himself as the main subject, on just how unhealthy our society really is, by eating McDonald's three times a day for 30 days. At the end of the 30 days he felt horrible, depressed, his blood pressure shot up and he gained 25 pounds. This is why I don't eat fast food except for the occasional Chipotle or Baja Fresh.

The final result was Supersize Me and earned Spurlock top honors at the Sundance Film Festival this year.

You can read the full article and his interview here.

:: Melinda 10:15 PM [+]

Tuesday Ten

Ten Things You Wish You Knew How to Do

1. Learn a language
2. Be more computer literate (so when I have a problem I don't have to ask someone, I can fix it myself)
3. Speed skate (now I know what you all are thinking right now so stop -- it's not pretty and I'm not sure if it's going to get any better)
4. The fine art of conversation/flirting (pretty much I suck at both)
5. Stop procrastinating
6. Save money
7. Organize/not be a pack rat
8. How to clean my apartment more efficiently/faster
9. Play a musical instrument/read music
10. Dance

On another note, Christine posted on my comments:

"yano @ 8:38AM | 2004-02-02| permalink

I will start training, too!!!

Everytime you post, I will do 25 jumping jacks. :-D"

So you're ON girlfriend!

Lets see if I can get her to do 25 a day. I think of it as my way of helping her achieve her "Hawaii" goals.

:: Melinda 12:38 PM [+]

Late Breaking News . . .

"Richard Tuite, who is accused of murdering Stephanie Crowe six years ago, has escaped from a downtown San Diego courthouse." (read full article)

Now this is really scary. Evidently he escaped while at the Downtown Courthouse. He just walked away from the courtroom during a lunch break.

Stephanie Crowe was found murdered in 1998 and originally, they accused and tried her brother and a friend for her murder.

What is this world is coming too?

:: Melinda 2:21 PM [+]

Please Don't Faint . . .

Yes you're reading right, this is the third post in one week! Woo hoo! Although I doubt I'll ever be as blog proficient as Christine, in honor of her I've done the Getting to Know You quiz:

1. What is your full name: Melinda Jean Alford (trivia: Jean is after my father and my mother was going to call me Rebecca Jean but changed her mind when they were filling out my birth certificate)

2. What color pants are you wearing now: Grey

3. What are you listening to right now: "Hey Arnold" on t.v. (I'm a cartoon junkie)

4. What are the last 2 digits of your phone number: 45 (home) 04 (cell) 20 (work)

5. What was the last thing you ate: a turkey and pesto sandwich at Starbucks

6. If you were a crayon what color would you be: red or periwinkle

7. How is the weather right now: a little chilly

8. Last person you talked to on the phone: my roommate Kevin

9. Your favorite TV show(s): Carnivale on HBO

10. Do you like the person who sent this to you: Well no one really sent this to me but I got it from Christine's blog and yeah, I like her.

11. How are you today: Tired. I just got back from a really good skating practice and a 2 hour drive from L.A.

12. Favorite drink: red bull or water

13. Favorite alcoholic drink: Di Saranno, vodka martini, jack & coke

14. Favorite sports to watch: short track, hockey

15. Hair color: dark blonde (natural), although right now it's red

16. Eye color: grey

17. Do you wear contacts: no

18. Siblings: none

19. Favorite month: May or December

20. Favorite food: grilled cheese sandwiches or sushi

21. Last movie you watched: 28 Days Later

22. Favorite day of the year: Thanksgiving

23. What time did you go to bed last night? 1 a.m.

24. Summer or winter: Summer

25. Hugs or kisses: Hugs

26. Chocolate or vanilla ice cream: strawberry

27. Do you want your friends to write back: that would be nice but I know most won't.

28. Who is most likely to respond: Not sure.

29. Who is least likely: Doug or Woody (but then again, they don't read my blog either)

30. What's under your bed: Nothing

31. What books are you reading: Portrait of a Killer by Patricia Cornwall, The Courtesans (The Demi-Monde in 19th Century France) by Joanna Richardson, Weird History 101 by John Stephens and I just finished Encore Provence by Peter Mayle

32. What's on your mouse pad: Lexis Nexis

33. Favorite board game: Trivial Pursuit (esp the Disney version)

34. What did you do last night: Put my closet back in order and chatted with a friend

35. Favorite thing to do to pass time: read, chat, do stuff online

36. Can you touch your nose with your tongue: No.

37. What inspires you: people who overcome impossible odds in order to achieve their dreams/goals.

38. Red, plain or salted popcorn: Salted with butter.

39. Favorite flower: tulips and lavender roses

40. What I have to do to prepare for my day: Go to the gym.

:: Melinda 6:06 PM [+]