5. How The Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)

I loved seeing how the Grinch transformed into a big lovable teddy bear in this Dr. Seuss classic. I think as a kid you can strongly relate to “good vs. bad,” when things are simple, and when taking presents from little kids is just wrong. Especially when they’re the cute and adorable Whos of Whoville. The Grinch learns that Christmas isn’t just about gifts, and that even when the gifts are taken away, the spirit of Christmas remains. So he gives the gifts back and is embraced by the citizens of Whoville. Awww…

4. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)

Who didn’t love claymation as a kid? I remember wondering how they did it, trying to imagine the person who moved the clay bodies behind the scenes. Then I thought, How did they make his nose glow red?! This one both captivated and confounded me at the same time! The story of Rudolph resonates so strongly with children, which is probably why this animation is broadcast at various times during the holidays.

3. Yogi’s First Christmas (1980)

Do you recall this one? I used to watch it every year with my brother when we were little. I couldn’t remember the story (although my brother with the elephant memory probably remembers every line) so I read the synopses / reviews on IMDB. I remembered the creepy Snively but totally forgot about Herman the Hermit. Thanks, edmundmuskie!

2. Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983)

The world’s introduction to Scrooge McDuck… As in the Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol, we travel with Scrooge and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Yet to Come and find that his life of greed has caused pain for many people. In the end, he redeems himself by saving the Cratchet family from a life of despair, as the ghosts have given him a second chance at redemption. For kids, the story is more easily related to since it features Mickey Mouse…!

1. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

Eveyone loves the underdog. And Charlie Brown is the epitome of underdogness. Being tasked with finding a Christmas tree for their school play, Charlie Brown brings back the most pitiful looking tree. But after Linus explains the true meaning of Christmas, the kids team up to help Charlie Brown decorate the tree into a spectacular display. Ahh…I love when the underdog comes out on top!

What were your favorite Christmas animations as a kid?? I’m sure there are lots more I could have added to this list…but then it wouldn’t be a Top 5 anymore…

It’s been awhile since I posted a meme, and as soon as I remembered I should do one, I was tagged by Forest Parks in his Four Foods on Friday post. Well, I’ll answer his four questions, even though it’s not Friday, and raise you all a list meme. First, to answer the four food questions:

1. How do you like your eggs cooked? Any special ingredients? (Technically, this is two questions.)

Scrambled. And to answer part B, I make “Japanese” scrambled eggs. This means adding soy sauce and sugar to them before throwing them in the pan. Try it!

2. What is your favorite cold sandwich, made on two pieces of bread?

From Togo’s: #26 (Turkey, ham, and cheese, if you have to look!) with avocado on honey wheat. Provolone cheese, extra lettuce, add pepperoncinis, salt & pepper, hold the mayo/mustard/pickles. And a side of Lay’s Limon chips…

3. What is your favorite pie?

Easy. Dutch apple!

4. Name one food you refuse to eat and why?

Iced tea (Is that a “food”?). Why? Because it makes me feel like I’m going to vomit. Really.

The List of Lasts

Now that you know I’m a picky eater, I’m going to expose even more of myself to you all. Feel free to participate in either the above meme, or the one I’m going to make up right now. It’s called The List of Lasts. I had a conversation with Gary the other day, and he was posed the question, “If you knew tomorrow was your last day on Earth (i.e. you’re gonna die), how would you spend it?” This got his wheels turning, as it took him a full 24 hours to come to a conclusion. This in turn got my wheels turning, and I’m going to pose myself a list of questions, and answer them to, well, myself I guess. Feel free to post this meme and tag your friends. See how long it takes all of you to answer these tough questions!

Name the Last Place you’d visit on your last day on Earth.

Considering I only have one day here, I’d visit the cliffs at Corona del Mar (virtual image). I know it sounds cliche but there is a serenity that I only feel when I’m sitting on the cliffs, looking out into the ocean and beyond. The sand, the waves, the wind, the birds, the clouds… It would be the most peaceful way I can think of to leave this place and be sent off to heaven…or the other place.

Name the Last Food you’d eat on your last day on Earth.

I was asked a similar question recently by a friend of mine, and I’m sticking with my original answer. I’d opt for a full Moroccan feast, with anything I want to order — from the dinner menu catered by Aziza of course. The basteeya is to die for, by the way (no pun intended). And I would obviously need to accompany the meal with a delectable beverage, preferably their cilantro kaffir-lime martini.

Name the Last Person (or group of people) you’d see on your last day on Earth.

I couldn’t be so selfish as to spend my last day on Earth with only one person, so I’d opt to spend it with my whole family. My parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandmother, and newly added nephew. Oh, and Binky would be there too since he’s family.

Name the Last Song you’d listen to on your last day on Earth.

This is probably the toughest one, since I love music so much. But I think it would be The Ballad of Jayne. It’s so very sentimental to me, and reminds me of the most carefree, impressionable, and challenging times of my entire life. During adolescence, every event or emotion is the most important at that moment, and everything matters, no matter how small or detailed. It’s a tough time, but it’s what shapes us and makes us stronger. This is what this song makes me remember, that everything we experience matters.

And that you can’t take anything with you.

Feel free to participate in either of these memes for others to get to know you better, and add “Last” questions if you want, too. To start things off, I’m tagging Nick, Derek, Ed, and Enkay!

One of the main reasons I’ve been feeling unmotivated about this blog lately is because I’ve moved to part-time hours at my job and have been focusing on other site projects I have in the works. One of those projects is my pinkdeals site that I’m working to revamp with Gary.

Others have also been feeling unmotivated lately too, as I’ve seen from Michael Kwan and Bob Buskirk, among others. So, let’s get our engines running, and get motivated!

Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Create a list for us of what you plan to get done today.

Step 2: Put it in the comments section below or post it on your blog site.

Step 3: Let us know what will motivate you to get these things done. (A reward, consequences, or whatever you need to think that will ensure you do what you say you are going to do.)

My Goals for Today:

• Outline next-steps for pinkdeals and make appropriate contacts
• Negotiate 1 – 3 link building tactics for another project site
• If I make it to the golf range, try to fix one bad habit

There isn’t much I can do relating to my personal sites since I’m working in LA today, so I will do what I can. It’s all in my head anyway. According to Bob, I’m supposed to be eating well, exercising, and getting good sleep. I have the first of the three dialed in, now I just have to sleep and exercise… It seems so simple. If I get my short list done today, I will let myself sleep in tomorrow until 9am.

OK guys, what do you all plan to do today?

Wendy publishes a series called Monday Motivation, wherein she lists her to-do’s and updates readers as to which goals she managed to accomplished. I first saw this post about getting things done on Derek Semmler’s blog, and thought it was a great idea (although I’m not one to stick to lists, so at the time I didn’t participate). It takes a severe lack of motivation for me to jot down my immediate plan of action. I know, not good, but I’m usually a pretty motivated person.

This article helps me two-fold in beating this ugly feeling: 1. I get to publish something useful and thoughtful to share and 2. I will have a written checklist of to-do’s to tackle. I feel it’s much more constructive than just ranting about being unmotivated, right? Also, I hope if any of you are feeling the same way, it might also help you get through the slump a little quicker by writing down your to-do list.

It’s not Monday, but I’m feeling unmotivated, so this is my version: Wednesday Motivation. Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Create a list for us of what you plan to get done today.

Step 2: Put it in the comments section below or post it on your blog site.

Step 3: Let us know what will motivate you to get these things done. (A reward, consequences, or whatever you need to think that will ensure you do what you say you are going to do.)

My Goals for Today:

• Outline at least three articles for the coming week.
• Get my car washed, it’s filthy.
• Renew my business license, it was due yesterday.

In addition to some daily routine duties, I’m going to attempt to get these three things done. If I’m successful, I’m going to relax in the jacuzzi and sip on something with alcohol in it. I really hope I get them done!

So what are you going to do today?

I’m a Taurus and very proud of it. Taureans have very strong characteristics that I feel contribute to making great bloggers. Feel free to chime in on my list of Top 5 Reasons Why Taurus Makes a Great Blogger. Check Astrology.com if you want to read your full sun sign description and start your own list, or if you just want to read it for kicks. Don’t forget to click on the “Click here for more about…” link since most of the descriptions are three pages. So far, they haven’t been wrong.

Top 5 Reasons Why Taurus Makes a Great Blogger

5. Taureans are very determined people. When Taurus has his or her eye on a goal, they persist until they reach the end, no matter how long it takes, or how much work is involved. I prefer the term “determined” over “stubborn,” as some people like to say. I am determined to create a successful blog, and to share my successes with those around me.

4. Taureans are passionate in what they do. Most of the time, I’ll choose to participate in something I have a passion for, even if it means sacrificing for something more lucrative that is short term. It’s why I work so hard on my articles, why I try to get others to participate, and help encourage those who are just starting out like me. I put my passion into my blog and hope that in the long run, I will produce a better site.

3. Taureans are artistic in nature. Having a creative outlet is important to Taurus. I created this blog myself, chose the colors and layout, and even created the banner (not that that’s saying a whole lot!). I’m very proud to have this as one of my main creative outlets, knowing I made it from nothing. Taureans also love beautiful things, and I think bringing people together belongs in that category.

2. Taureans are down to earth. Taurus’ element is Earth. The down to earth and practical qualities of Taureans make it easy to converse back and forth on many topics. One of the most important things for me is to create a dialogue with all of you, but also create a space where you all can converse with one another and discover there are commonalities among us all that have brought our minds together.

1. Taureans love to swaddle in excess reward. This might sound bad at first, but let me explain. After a hard day’s work, or a hard week’s worth of posting, there’s nothing more rewarding than forgetting about work for a couple days and completely enjoying the weekend. Since we’re so determined on achieving our goals, and creating a quality product, we deserve to celebrate those achievements. It’s important to work hard, but also to play hard. It’s why I love going to the Hollywood Bowl, or Daft Punk. Simply put, I deserve it. It makes achieving that next set of goals that much more appealing, knowing there is reward waiting at the end.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on how your sun sign characteristics apply to your blog, or to any important venture in your life. What are the qualities you agree with, or disagree with, according to your sign’s description? And does this framework help motivate you to fulfill certain goals?

Sure, you can argue astrology is fake, but in the end it really doesn’t matter. Regardless of whether or not I truly believe astrology is real, I associate myself with the five points above proudly and try to motivate myself to always be the best I can be — to grow as a person and achieve my goals, to build a strong character, and to help those around me recognize their own greatness. Isn’t that what really matters anyway?

[Image created here]

This is how it works:

• Each player must post these rules to begin the meme.
• Each players starts with eight random facts or habits about themselves.
• People who get tagged must blog about their eight things and post these rules.
• At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
• Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

8 Facts to Know About Ms. Danielle That You Don’t Really Need to Know but Some People Tagged Me So Here We Are…

8. I’m fourth-generation Japanese American and I speak no Japanese. The fact that I’m Japanese seems to be interesting to a lot of people for some reason. I come from a line of samurai, but apparently, not the charming kind.

7. I studied sociology in college with the goal of becoming a social worker. Obviously, that hasn’t panned out, but I plan to reach this goal sometime in my life.

6. My three favorite cuisines are Japanese, Thai and Mexican, but this could change someday. French is rapidly climbing the ranks, and Spanish tapas are somewhere near the top as well.

5. I’ve been to the following countries: Mexico, Indonesia, UK, France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, Brussels, and Italy. I’ve been to the following states: Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Hawaii, Arizona, Massachusetts, and Washington D.C. (not really a state). I’ve never once been to Japan, mainly because of the costs, and my number one travel destination is Chicago. Really.

4. I have one brother, two step-brothers, a step-sister, and a half-sister. Given the number of boys and girls, we were nothing like the Brady Bunch.

3. I live with my best friend Angelica (pictured left), who’s been my best friend since first grade, in the city we grew up in. How’s that for long time friends? Coincidentally, today is her birthday. Happy birthday, mama!!

2. I’ve been told that when I’m heavily intoxicated, I speak primarily in Spanish. I’m not sure if I still do this.

1. My number one love in life is music. Without it, I think my life would pretty much be a vast emptiness of nothing piled on top of more nothing. I listen to deep house, electro funk, drum-n-bass, jungle, underground hip hop, down tempo, trip hop, acid jazz, “mash up” (although I despise that term), breaks, some indie rock, old school R&B and hip hop, eighties new wave, classic rock, heavy metal, hair metal, early nineties alternative, and classical…just to name a few. I certainly don’t listen to “everything but country,” as some people say, even though I like a lot of music because I think a lot of music right now is junk. I know what I like, but I also love swapping music with my friends, which is one of my favorite pastimes. I couldn’t imagine life without music. I think everyone should have a deep love of one thing, and never allow it to be tainted.

Bloggers that I’m tagging: Prija, Ashley, Bob, Roberta, Michelle, Enkay, Taylor, and Jon.

Old School Slow Jam Surprise
Click on the video and see if it brings back any memories. I think I was in 9th grade… And don’t be afraid to sing along, like me.

Commercials Really Are Memorable
Do you remember the Micro Machines Man?

What Year Do You Belong In? A Quiz.
Apparently, I belong in 1986. I can live with that. The rest of the description is pretty spot on too!

I Belong in 1986

Wild, over the top, and just a little bit cheesy. I’m colorful at night – and successful during the day.

Thanks Taylor Blue for the quiz!

The Smurfs
I love the Smurfs. I mean, who doesn’t, right? My favorite character, of course, was Smurfette… Most likely I related to her because she was the only girl, and I was the only girl growing up in my household, well, besides my mom. I was a really happy kid when we got The Smurfs for NES.

The Flintstones
Another classic that I grew up on. Dino, Mr. Slate, the Great Gazoo, the Grand Pubbah, you know what I’m talking about. I wish I had a bird that I could open cans with.

The Jetsons
The other well known Hanna-Barbera cartoon. I had a soft spot for Rosie, since she had to clean up after everyone and was never appreciated. And I always wanted a conveyor belt in my house that would toss me out of bed and throw my clothes on me before I woke up…I’m not a morning person.

Inspector Gadget
Go Gadget, Go! What a nutty cartoon! I love Inspector Gadget. You never knew where Chief Quimby would pop up to give Gadget his next assignment. And the fact that the self-destructing messages always blew up in his face never got tired. Poor Brain, though, having to dress up like women and astronauts to hide his identity from Gadget. Taking one for the team…good dog…

Tom & Jerry
I think the old Tom & Jerry is the best “silent cartoon” out there. I don’t know if that’s a real term, but Tom & Jerry is simply brilliant because of its enormous humor mixed with a lack of dialog. I remember when years later the characters started talking, and I thought, “Animation has officially gone to crap.”

Runners up: The Simpsons, Transformers, Popeye, Mighty Mouse, Scooby Doo, Garfield, Looney Tunes, Road Runner, Voltron, Disney classics, and the Wuzzles. What are yours? And you’re not allowed to say “I never watched cartoons,” because well, it’s every kid’s responsibility to watch them!

Top Make-Money-Online Blog: DoshDosh.com
DoshDosh is definitely my favorite online marketing and monetization blog. Maki’s extremely focused and highly informative articles pretty much form a great make-money-online ebook. So don’t think it’s a quick and thoughtless read. I mean, did you read his t-shirt affiliate post!?

Top SEO Blog: SEO-Theory.com
I haven’t found another blog out there that breaks down what SEO is better than SEO-Theory. I challenge you to find one better that makes you think, “Damn, I should’ve known that!” SEO-Theory is where I go for my morning SEO slap in the face. It’s great!

Top Fun Blog: the.[ED]ition.com
Ed is awesome. And funny. That’s pretty much why I love his blog.

Top News Blog: NPR.org
I try to listen to the radio to get my source of news. Normally I listen to NPR when it’s on here in Los Angeles via KCRW (which plays the best music in LA in my opinion). NPR reports the news like how I’d imagine news is supposed to be reported, but admittedly it takes time to adjust your ears to radio news if you’re used to the sensationalist junk they show on TV. That’s why I think it’s great that NPR has a blog! I mean, they even posted this article about a scientific study on the Five Second Rule! You know what I’m talking about!

Top Friend Blog: MrGaryLee.com
If you’re a blogger, it’s best to have a friend blogger that is sort of like your blog buddy. I don’t mean someone you meet through blogging. I mean someone who’s your friend that can help motivate you, critique your work, and help promote you because they’re your friend and they care about your success in your new venture. My buddy is Gary. We’ve helped each other along the way and given each other advice. I started my blog about one month after he did, and we both try to kick each other into high gear, bounce ideas off each other, and leave each other constructive comments. It’s a great way to stay motivated on those tough days that you don’t want to write, which will come more often than you predict.

Tag, you’re it!
I’m tagging Derek, Derrich, Derrik…and Kelly on this meme.

I used to work at an animal hospital and people would abandon pets all the time. They’d abandon them in the parking lot, like how I got Binky, or they’d leave a box of kittens on a shelf somewhere, or even throw kittens out of a moving car (true story!). We’d have to call whatever nearby animal shelter or rescue agency we could find to come pick them up – that is, if they had available staff, transportation and room at their facilities. It was rare that more than one, if that, would have all three at once.

With that said, here’s my Top 5 Reasons to Adopt A Needy Pet:

5. Save a life
When you adopt from a shelter or animal rescue, most of the time you’ll be saving an animal from a horrible fate – euthanasia. Normally they’ll get a shot of this crazy fluorescent “pink stuff” and they go sleepy-bye forever.

4. Create a better life for them
Many of these shelters and rescues don’t have adequate means to provide a great life for the animal (if they’re a no-kill shelter), so they’re under-nourished and don’t receive the attention they need to sustain a happy and healthy life.

3. It’s cheaper than buying a new pet!
I once saw a chihuahua up for sale for $1,200! WTF?! It’s a chihuahua! Most shelters and rescues will sell the animal for a minimal adoption fee (less than $100) and they’re usually already spayed or neutered.

2. Reduce the number of pet store pets sold
Many pet stores buy puppies, kittens and rabbits from “backyard breeders.” These are people that breed animals purely for profit (not like the kinds you see on shows like Best in Show). Your puppy could’ve come from a “puppy mill” – someone’s house who has dozens of dogs and literally hundreds of puppies crammed into one small living space. These poor mama dogs! (Don’t believe it? I saw a house down the street from mine that got busted and they confiscated 350 “pure breeds.” They were later sold through local rescues.)

1. Last but not least, everyone should have a pet!
In my personal opinion, I think everyone should have some kind of pet – a dog, cat, fish, bird, snake, whatever! When properly taken care of, most animals will love you unconditionally for life and provide endless warmth in your home. Yes, even fish!

Image courtesy of the ASPCA. Post your “Top 5″ list and be a part of ProBlogger’s Group Writing Project. You’ll find all sorts of great blogs by participating!