Thank You, Come Again

I went to the grocery store and I got some Indian foods. I got the idea from the FoodTV website. Tomorrow we are having hummus, couscous, and curry chicken tenders. We got pita chips. It is going to be an adventure in foods. David even tried something new today. He ate a sandwich that did not contain peanut butter and jelly. It was a meatball sub. He even liked it. Tomorrow he will even try the Indian foods. He needs to be less picky because Catherine wants to do what he does and I don’t want Catherine to be afraid to try new things. Kids are weird.

The only adventure this weekend will be the adventure in food. We are not going anywhere. We are doing some serious cleaning. That is it. I am sure that will be exciting to write about.

Do not forget about the car pictures.

Sick and Shocked

I was sick today. I came home about 20 minutes early from work and just went to sleep. I got up and got some McDonald's for the kids and just in time for American Idol. Who else is just shocked that Alaina was sent home? The other blond girl should have gone home and it looked like they were both expecting it too. I was shocked. Oh well, the rest of the castaways didn't surprise me at all.

Idol Picks

Yesterday Carolynn and I both voted for David Archuleta. Today we both voted for Brooke White. Tomorrow we lose four more and we are down to 16.

Projects

I will tell you about mine first. I need pictures; three pictures per entrant. I need the three pictures to be like this:

Picture #1- A picture of a car.
Picture #2- A picture of the person who owns the car.
Picture #3- A picture of the two together.

The fist two pictures should have very little in the background, nothing to take away from the subjects. The last picture can look like anything as long as it has both the person and the car inside it.

Why, you may ask, would I need such an odd combo of pictures? It is for a class I am taking. I am doing a visual presentation about perception. Once the pictures are gathered, I will present the pictures of the cars and ask people to match them to the people. Another girl is doing her project by matching husbands to wives. I think there was a person matching shoes to men. Eventually we are using the info we gather to make commercials. I need these pictures by Sunday.

Next, Carolynn’s project.

Carolynn will be turning 12 in April. She wanted to have a big girly slumber party for her birthday. Unfortunately, we just do not have the room for a big sleepover in our apartment. We can, however, have a nice big party if everyone goes home after and is not trying to sleep in here. So this is her party plan;

All the girls, 10 of them, arrive in their fabulous dresses. Then they have time to get ready. We are going to have make-up, jewelry, high-heeled shoes, hats, shawls and wraps, gloves and all that. The girls can be all made up and fancied for the tea. Then we will have tea, snacks, and cake on the lace tablecloth. After tea, we will play parlor games and I got a make your bracelet kit. It will be totally girly and fabulous.

Here is the part we need help with…. The accessories. I got some clearance jewelry at Wal-Mart. I am going to look at yard sales and at thrift stores. After the party, I want to just donate it all back, or let the girls take it home. So if you have anything you would like to donate, let us know. Make-up samples would be cool. High-heeled shoes in sizes 6-8, the higher the better, would also be cool.

On a final note, here is a picture I got today. Someone at the NASCAR took this for us and they e-mailed it to me today. I do not know what car that is but someone could tell us I am sure.

If You Think Taco Bell Is The Mexican Phone Company, You're Probably A NASCAR Fan.

If you sit in the rain and wait patiently in hopes a car goes around the track, you are a true NASCAR fan.

I am not.

Yesterday we went to the California Speedway. We had a heck of an adventure. We got there and saw some cousins... first Janice and then Sherri. Then we got to take a little cruise around on a little cart and check out the back workings of the NASCAR experience. Then we went to check out the races.

First were the truck races. We were rooting for the pink one because it had a chick driver. I think she came in dead last.


Here we are watching the races.


This is what we looked like when the trucks came by us.


That's why I bought these.


Grandpa found the races so exciting he nodded off.


After the truck races we looked around a bit, but it started to rain. We never got to see any cars race. We did see them practice as little. We went to Fudruckers for lunch. It was good.

Today we could have gone back. Too rainy. So I am staying home and reading, watching TV and cleaning. It was an experience. But NASCAR is just not my kind of thing. I wonder if they even raced today because of the rain. Too bad if they didn't. A lot of people paid good money to see the race.

turtle

Guess What!

I'm doing a project a history project on the Great wall of China its coming along I’m barley finished with my notes so then I could do the paper on it and the model.

:{

My mom went to the NASCAR race today and she left us here :{ but I went to boomers with Kina and her other friend it was fun. We played golf and ate pizza. This little boy about four was talking to us and falling to the floor plus saying he was an astronaut. It was weird then I heard mom was rained out.

If You Think A Hot Tub Is A Stolen Bathroom Fixture, You're Probably A NASCAR Fan.

If you've ever shopped at Trader Joe's, however, you are probably not a NASCAR fan. I went in there to get some groceries tonight. It was an interesting experience. It's a very nice store and the people are friendly. It contained no junk food and no cleaning supplies. Just food. A lot of it organic. We got some stuff we needed and some more stuff at Albertsons.

Tomorrow is our NASCAR advenure. It will be a hoot. I am meeting my mom, Dad, and Grandpa at the Krispy Kreame at Ontario Mills tomorrow.




Happy Birthday Sidney!

If There is Patio Furniture Anywhere Inside Your Home, You're Probably A NASCAR Fan.

None of our favorites got kicked from American Idol tonight, so all is well. How did everyone like the new Paula Abdul video? I thought the dancing was excellent and the song was pretty good too.

I gave up on Survivor. I just don't have enough interest in it this season. I watched the first several seasons, then I stopped for a few seasons, then I watched the China one because I was interested in the first American show ever filmed in China. I enjoyed it and I figured Fans vs. Favorites might be cool, but it just doesn't hold my interest. There are so many better shows to watch and so many better things to do.

I just noticed Trish didn't do her Thursday Meme because she was busy ranting about poor customer service and tipping in restaurants. This week's question is easy so I am covering it.
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This is brought to you by Booking Through Thursday...

All other things (like price and storage space) being equal, given a choice in a perfect world, would you rather have paperbacks in your library? Or hardcovers? And why?

Well, I think hard covers look so much nicer on shelves and line up so much easier, however paperbacks are easier to read because they are lightweight and I can throw it in a purse or whatever. I guess if I had to make a choice I would have to go with paperbacks.

If You Think Possum Is “The Other White Meat”, You’re Probably A NASCAR Fan

Tonight American Idol chicks took the stage. Carolynn and I have cast our votes. It was hard because there were several good choices. But in the end, both Carolynn and I voted for Ramiele Malubay.


In case you’ve noticed a lot of new comments from Kina, Kina has a new website of her own called Kina’s Hawaiian Sunset. She like comments, if anyone is interested in reading about Carolynn’s friend Kina.

The Votes Are In

Tonight on American Idol, the top 12 guys took the stage. Carolynn and I have cast our votes.

Carolynn voted for Jason Castro. He was pretty good.


It took me a few to decide my vote. First, I wanted to vote for David Archuleta. He was good.


Then I was going to vote for Danny Noriega because even though he was not the best singer, his performance was good. Indecently, this is who Vote For The Worst is backing. And let’s face it, Danny is fabulous. I bet he is a Liza fan. Oh and Cher… I bet he does Cher impersonations.


Then I was going to vote for Michael Johns because… well, LOOK AT HIM! Enough said.


However, in the end I came to my senses and voted for David Archuleta because he was the best singer and this is a singing contest. Eventually I voted for him… when the line was not so busy.

If Your Tail Light Covers Are Made Of Red Tape... You Are Probably A NASCAR Fan

Catherine is studying chess in her GATE class now. Last semester they were studying fish from the Birch Aquarium. I ordered her a chess set online and her and David had their first match today.

David won. But Catherine gave it a good try.

I don't know if I will continue to watch Survivor this season. I watched the first episode and I taped the second, but I haven't watched it yet and am not sure I want to. We shall see. American Idol voting begins tonight. Check back for my voting choice.

One Week Until NASCAR

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Happy Birthday Ken! Finally... Someone I know that is older than me!!

Tirade Against Assholes

Tomorrow my Grandpa is moving. After 32 years in the same mobile home, he is moving. It is going to be quite the adventure. I, for one, am happy for him. It is what he wants. Some others, however, are just jerks. I was going to write a tirade about what a bunch of assholes they really were too. Then, I thought about it, and decided that it would only make me feel better for a minute, these people would not stop being jerks, and it would just make it worse. Therefore, I have decided to be a better person and simply pretend they do not exist. I am after all the better person and everyone knows it.

Today I ran errands. I went to Queen Eileen’s and got some Webkinz for Sidney’s birthday. I got her a penguin and a white terrier. I got her some Webkinz trading cards and a Webkinz bookmark too. I hope she likes them. She will be nine. Then we went to lunch at Chipotle Mexican Grill. That was our first time eating there and it was delicious. The burritos are huge. Then we went to the bookstore. The girls got new books. I did not. That was difficult, but I managed to get out of Barnes and Noble without buying a new book for myself. Carolynn got Artemis Fowl and a Judy Blume book. Catherine got Beezus and Ramona. Kina was with us and she got a couple of books too. Then we went to Albertson’s for the groceries. We had hot dogs for dinner. Now I am doing laundry.

Tomorrow we are embarking on our moving adventure. I will document it and post it for all to enjoy. I just need some suggestions for moving music.

Happy FREAKING Valentine's Day!!

I was going to write a post tonight about Valentine’s traditions, romantic sayings, and myths. However, as I was cooking my dinner, I got some news that well, pissed me off. I am too mad to write about it now and I will write about it tomorrow after I have cooled down so I do not write something I regret.

Happy Valentine’s Day

Happy Valentine's Day

Can you feel the love in here? Nope. I am at work. Happy Valentine’s Day to me. The girls wore their cute little Valentine outfits, despite the fact that Catherine’s was a skirt and it is raining and cold today. Quite a contrast from the beautiful weather we had this weekend. Catherine had a bag full of Valentine’s cards for her class with pencils. They are not allowed candy. Carolynn said she was too old for that kind of stuff. I got this Valentine greeting today.



I bought some cookies to bring in to work today, but I overslept and then forgot them in my hurry to get out. Oh well. Tomorrow I am taking the day off to get some errands done and the house cleaned. Saturday we are helping Grandpa move. Next weekend is NASCAR. I live quite the exciting life. Tonight we are having beef stroganoff for dinner.

Last night Carolynn and I finally watched Survivor. You know, I was not thrilled. They had James from last season on the favorite’s side and Jonny Fairplay who is a jerk, but is at least funny. Now Jonny is gone and according to the previews it looks like some love connections and I am so not into watching that kind of drama. We will see.

In addition, last night they picked the Top 24 on American Idol. There were some good ones. There were a couple that were just kind of meh and maybe some others could have been chosen instead. Then there was poor pitiful Josiah; The dumb kid who dropped out of high school and who lived in his car. I kind of hoped he would make it. It would be a good chance for the kid to change his life around. He was a good singer, but he blew it and he deserved to be kicked off. Still, I felt bad for him. He needed a honey bun box really bad. Next week the voting starts.

In Case You Were Wondering

This is a Mogwai.

TV Time

The writers strike has ended. Hallelujah! At night, after work, I like to veg out in front of the TV and lately, there has been very little to watch. American Idol has started, but the voting has not started and watching the auditions are a little boring. Survivor has started, but I have not seen it. I recorded the first one, but Carolynn and I have not watched it yet. Nevertheless, Carolynn and I are glad to find out that all of our favorite shows will soon be returning. Catherine does not watch much TV. Just a little Disney Channel and Nickelodeon. David watches a few shows too. Here is the run down of what we are watching…


Cold Case- Sunday Nights at nine with new episodes returning March 30
Medium- Monday Nights with new episodes returning February 18
American Idol- Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Law and Order; SVU- Tuesdays at 10 with new episodes starting in the spring
Survivor- Thursdays at eight
CSI- Thursday nights at 10 with new episodes returning April 3
Womens Murder Club- Friday Nights returning soon we hope

David also watches Nip/Tuck on Tuesday nights.

Grandpa-isms

As I mentioned in yesterdays post, on Sunday I spent the day hanging out with my Grandpa and my parents at Pala. Pala, to my Grandpa, is the “real” happiest place on earth. Hanging out with Grandpa is fun. I really enjoy it. I never really got to hang out with him much before so it is really great to be able to now.

I have been with Grandpa at Pala a few times now and I am starting to know his schedule. He is old and he sticks to that schedule too. He gets up early. AND I MEAN EARLY!!! I bet he is up, dressed, and heading downstairs to hit the slots and get his coffee by 4:30am at the latest. He brings a flashlight with him so he can get up without disturbing anyone else in the room. Then he hangs out, plays slots, and has coffee until my mom comes down at a decent hour (by which I mean like 8ish) and brings him the paper. The hotel leaves the paper at the room in the morning at Pala. They have excellent service there. Then they have breakfast at the coffee shop. When I go to the coffee shop with him, he likes to remember the time, we were there and Catherine ate this huge waffle. It was almost as big as she is.

I know all his favorite slots and where he hangs out. Pala is not big though. I really like hanging out there and since we play penny slots, it takes me a long time to lose my money. Sometimes we even win.

Sunday when I was there, we were hanging out in the hotel room eating sandwiches. Grandpa likes tuna sandwiches. Me too. I ate a turkey one though. Anyway, he was telling me that he was going to Pala next month on the 13th with my Aunt Chris and my Uncle Dan and said I should come over and join them. It should be fun hanging out with Grandpa and Aunt Chris and Uncle Dan at Pala. We can check out the good slots and have a bite to eat. Then my Aunt Chris and Uncle Dan are seeing a concert that night. I think my mom said it was The Moody Blues. That should be good. I hope they put on as good of a show as The Wallflowers. That same week will also be when my friend Trish will be visiting. I am sure she will not mind a little hanging out with the old folks.

The Dollhouse Murders

I finished another book my third book this year. Called The Dollhouse Murders by Betty Ren Wright. Its a scary book its about a girl named Amy who's sister is brained damaged. And she gets sick of her sister so she goes and stays at her Aunt Clares house. And she finds a dollhouse in the attic it was a replica on her aunts house. Then she finds out that her great grand parents died in that house. Then the dolls start moving and she freaks out. Then on her birthday her sister comes to the party. At she saw the doll crying and pulling books out of the doll book shelf. then days later the dolls were acting out the murder and the doll was still puling books off the shelf. Then she realized that the bookshelf was the message. and she finds out that there great grandparents butler killed them.

Sea World Time Last Weekend

This weekend I went to sea world it was fun. First we went to burger king and had burgers and chicken fries. Then we went to sea world. The first thing we did was saw the sea turtles there so cute!

Then we watched the dolphin show it was weird. Then we saw the penguins. They were cute.
Then we went to a water tank behind the starfish tank and saw turtles. and I rocked climbed. and got a big turtle doll

One Headlight

Yesterday I went to Pala with my parents and Grandpa. We had lunch at the Pala buffet, which was pretty good. They were having a Chinese New Year theme going on there. Then we decided to drive over to Casino Pauma, which is down the road. It was much smaller, but they had a lot of penny slots so it was good. Then we went back to Pala because we were seeing The Wallflowers that night.

In the evening, we were sitting around in the hotel room, eating sandwiches, and my dad decided to go get some more slot playing in before the concert. So he goes down the hall and gets on the elevator and just as it is about to close he sees a couple hurrying so he stops it for them. They get on the elevator and my dad starts chatting up the folks in the elevator (He’s that kind of guy.) and he realized the guy in the elevator with him was Jakob Dylan, the lead singer of The Wallflowers. My dad told him he had all of his CD’s and shook his hand. He was so stoked.

Then we saw the concert and it was excellent. I do not have any pictures today because I forgot my camera. I took some with my mom’s camera but she is still enjoying her trip.

Today I am taking the day off. My plan was to sleep in, then get some stuff done around the house. However, I was pulled from my slumber early by the downstairs neighbor’s Philippine karaoke version of Let It Be followed by a terrible rendition of a Tom Jones song and the butchering of a Frank Sinatra tune.

Now on with the cleaning.

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Happy Birthday #5 Kayleigh!!!

Afternoon Of Ocean Adventure

Rock On... Or Not

Finally, Carolynn got a phone she can live with for the next two years. It is called the Juke. It is cute and red and plays music. After months of “I want a chocolate” and practically drooling over my cousin Alyssa’s new Chocolate that she got for Christmas and eyeballing my Chocolate since I bought it… She goes in and rather than a Chocolate, she gets a Juke. As music phones go, I think the Juke is probably a better phone and it was slightly cheaper. She loves it. It is important to have a cool phone so the kids at school can see how cool you are. Seriously… I do not think teenager is going to be fun.

On other, less phone related news, my boss said something to me yesterday that I am not sure I am going to be able to live with. He has never been a super agreeable or very pleasant person, but he is usually pretty okay for a boss. However, some things just should not be let go. I gave him a letter letting him know that I will not take that kind of stuff and we should discuss that. He got it, but he is trying to pretend it did not happen. Seriously, you can cut the tension with a knife in here. We will see how I make it through the day.

In other, much better, non-phone related and non-boss related news, my friend Trish is coming to visit me. She will be here from March 12 through March 19. I am so excited. I have not seen Trisha since November 2001. It is going to be fabulous.

That is about it folks. For now anyway…

Julie of The Wolves

By Jean Craighead George

Today I finished Julie of the Wolves. I liked it. It was about a girl named Miyax. She was named that because she is an Eskimo. Nevertheless, in SanFrancisco she has a pen pal that cannot pronounce her name so she calls her Julie. In the book she’s lost in the tundra but she got there is aw hole other story.

She lived in a house (a wooden square house) with her father Kapugen, but then her aunt Martha comes and she says she has to be schooled, so her aunt takes Miyax with her far away. Then a year later, her aunt comes in the room and said that her father died because he was seal camping and his partners said he did not come back for a month then they found parts of his boat washed up on shore. Then a person came and said she had to marry when she was thirteen to a boy named Daniel. However, she does not like it so she runs away she plans to go to San Francisco were her pen pal was.

Then she lost in the tundra were she wants food. So she tries to get some of the wolfs food so she tries to join the family of wolfs. Then she finds out who is the leader of the pack and she calls him Amaroq and she names the other dogs to Nails, Jello, and Kapu. Therefore, she asked Amaroq to be in his family and he said yes. After a while, the dogs started to betray Jello and the dogs killed him. Then Miyax head down the river to find a town that can bring her to San Fransico Amaroq was teaching kaput how to lead but then a helicopter came by, shot Amaroq, killed him, and now Kapu was the leader of the pack. Then Miyax starts getting closer to a hunting alone and she leaves the dogs behind. She builds an igloo house and lives there for days carving, and sewing. Then a family comes and Miyax wants them to come in for sleep so they do and she found out her father was alive he lived in a house just a day from her. After the family leaves she set off to find her father and she finds him he was remarried. However, she was not staying for long she was going to San Francisco on a plane tomorrow.

Political

Carolynn just announced she does not want Hilary Clinton to win as president. Why? Is Carolynn a republican? Is Carolynn checking our candidate’s websites? Nope. Carolynn does not want Hilary to win because Carolynn wants to be the first woman president.

Both Carolynn and Catherine upgraded their phones on Monday, so if Catherine calls you and has nothing to say, she is just looking for a reason to call someone. Also, watch out for random pix messages with pictures of Catherine’s stuffed cows.

Carolynn has almost finished her second book already. Look for the review in a day or so.

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Four Songs I CAN Play On Guitar Hero for Wii.

Mississippi Queen by Mountain
Story Of My Life by Social Distortion
Sunshine Of Your Love by Cream
Black Magic Woman by Santana

Vote

Did you all vote yesterday? I did. I really don’t think it is fair that if you are registered as a certain party, you have to vote within that party. This happened to me yeesterday. I believe, had I the option, I would have cast my vote for someone in a different party. David also voted yesterday. I am sure it was his first time voting. He also had some voting issues. He is not registered as any party so he could not choose at all. His ballot only had the propositions on it, no presidential candidates. I think that if you are not affiliated with any party you should be able to chose anyone. Furthermore, I think that no matter what party you are affiliated with, you should be able to chose any candidate you wish. I know these are just the primaries, but still.

On a side note, to whom ever has been leaving anonymous comments here and on Carolynn’s page regarding the Giants. We don’t publish comments that are “anonymous”. Okay, so my mom posts as “anonymous” but we all know it is her. I don’t know if those comments are from someone we know or if some random person is just going around to any blog that had superbowl posts and adding comments. If you want your comment to appear on this page, you better at least leave a name. You can do this by doing one of the following things;

1. Posting as Anonymous and just adding your name to the bottom of the post.
2. Posting and typing your name where it says nickname at the bottom of the comment page.
3.Posting and signing with a blogger/gmail/aol ID at the bottom of the comment page.

Adventures In Moving

Grandpa is moving on February 16. You may have figured that out if you have been keeping up with the comments on the previous post. It will seem so strange to have my Grandpa living somewhere besides the mobile home. He has lived there my whole life. But it's going to be a great change for him. I never want him to say he's sitting around twiddling his thumbs ever again. As you can tell, my mom has some great plans. There is a nice senior center in Apple Valley. I know someone who already goes there and she enjoys it. They have a nice new movie theater. He can join a bowling league. I really agree with my mom that this is the best thing. He will be able to enjoy life.

But moving...

There are 32 years worth of stuff in that trailer. I know my Grandma wasn't much of a pack rat and we have been cleaning it out a little at a time. My Grandpa has been slowly clearing out some stuff by giving it to those who can use it. I got some kitchen stuff and a CD rack. My sister got some stuff to set up her new home with her new husband. My aunt got some chairs that had some meaning for her and some garden animals. But we still have to get the rest packed and moved and get everything cleaned out and cleaned up. Everyone will be pitching in. Even Catherine can help by watching the dogs or marking boxes or cleaning. David, the girls, and I are going to all pitch in.

This weekend I am going to Pala with my parents and Grandpa. I am taking Monday off too. The girls are hoping to go to Seaworld on Saturday. Our passes expire soon.

I hope every one is enjoying my new Valentine's Day theme. After this I have a cool NASCAR theme, then a St. Patrick's theme, and an Easter theme. Then, who knows what kind of theme's I can come up with.

Super Bowl Sunday

Today is the Super bowl! We are making guacamole to go with are chips. The Giants against the Patriots on Super bowl Sunday. I don't know who could win but I think its the Patriots.

What?

Guess what I found out today I really read Christina's Ghost. Its about a girl named Christina and in the summer she moved to her Grandma's house. Her Grandma's house was right next to a lake. Then she starts seeing a little ghost kid on her swing by the pond hung on a tree and she talks to him. This ghostly adventure finds even more intrigue as an evil presence makes itself known in the attic.

Code Adam

I lost Carolynn today. She was right behind me as we walked in the Albertson’s. I said we forgot to grab a cart and I heard her say she was going to get one. So Catherine and I stopped right there and I saw her go right out the door to grab a cart. She didn’t come back. So, I went out to see what was taking her so long. I thought she was trying to un-stick a cart. She wasn’t out there. I went back in. I didn’t see her. I looked out there again. No Carolynn. I looked up every aisle as I walked to the other side of the store and the other doors. No Carolynn. I looked outside that door. No Carolynn. I walked out to the car. No Carolynn. I tried calling her, but her cell phone was in the car. I was freaking out. I went back in the Albertsons, through the first door, and she was no where to be seen. So I started looking up the aisles again as I sort of ran to the other side. I didn’t see her. I flagged down an Albertson’s employee and told her Carolynn was lost. She calls over the speaker “Code Adam” and security men are now at the doors watching. Everyone is asking me what she looks like and I was trying to tell them but I was freaking out. One of the check out boys I knew. He was Jessica’s brother. I told him I lost Carolynn. He said he just saw her and ran and found her. She was down the farthest aisle where they keep vitamins. I almost strangled her.

David was at the movies seeing Rambo during all this. He said it was very bloody. Gross.

Catherine went back to the eyeglasses place today to get her glasses adjusted. They kept slipping down her nose.

We went to the Barnes and Noble today. I got my book club choice for February. It’s I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. As soon as I finish Love In The Time Of Cholera, I will read it. As soon as I get some free time, I can finish Love In The Time Of Cholera.

I added 20 more minutes to my fitness meter. Slowly but surely I am going toward my goal.

Carolynn made a Shelfari page today. Check it out.

Five Songs I Can't Play On Guitar Hero For The Wii.
Hit Me With Your Best Shot by Pat Benatar
Barracuda by Heart
Slowride by Foghat
Paint It Black by The Rolling Stones
School’s Out by Alice Cooper