Poetic Champions Compose

Four Emus

2005-12-13T23:51:00.000-05:00

So here's the thing:

I know I haven't posted in a while. Like, a long while.

And, in some respects, I am sorry for that. It pains me that I haven't written anything here in so long. But, I refuse to write drivel here. (Even though most of what I usually write could be considered drivel...)

Ok, so here's what I have been thinking about lately (besides some REALLY neat-o blue eyes...).

What is it that defines a friend?

I mean, I have people in my life that I have known since 6th grade. I have people for whom I would have given up everything in the world. I have people (with gorgeous blue eyes) who have recently come back into my life after many years...

But, I was still not sure that I knew what it is that makes someone a true friend.

Because after all this time, I have someone who I have confided in, and who I ask for advice on a nearly DAILY basis, and who could possibly be the most genuinely GOOD and KIND person I have ever had the honor of knowing...and yet, I have never met this person. NEVER. Not even once.

So, what makes a friend?

I guess what I am getting at is the fact that proxemity is what most of us base our friendships on. Proxemity is what initially will bring us together. The people we are NEAR to, physically, are those we become closest to emotionally. It makes sense. But now...now, in this world of high-speed, interconnected, wireless, bluetooth, megapixeled, webcam, discussion forum technology, we don't have to be physically near people. We can be virtually near. So what if I'll probably never get the chance to visit Kuala Lumpur. With a few clicks, I'm there. And I am able to do things and talk with people I would never otherwise have the chance to meet and talk with.

So, in a round-about way, I suppose that what I am saying here is that in this, the holiday season, one thing that I am incredibly grateful for is one strange--yet fateful--night, long, long, ago, that was spent in a "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" chat room making fun of a whole lot of people who have very limited basic skills in grammar.

Out of that, I was able to learn what friendship truly is.

Muchas gracias. Con mucho carino.

Promises were MADE to be broken.

2005-10-04T20:34:00.000-04:00

I did not intentionally break my posting promise.

Honestly.

Ask Zam. She and I were chatting and I mentioned that, "I posted the other day." She became quite excited and said, "Really? I must have missed that...let me go read it."

She quickly informed me that "the other day" was like 2 weeks ago.

*sigh*

I honestly don't know where all the time is going. This is craziness. I fully intended on posting once a week. But, now I can't even keep track of when the week begins and ends! I am going insane. Or senile. I'm not sure which.

Anyway, I had to post this tonight in honor of several things.

"The Amazing Race: Family Edition" episode 2 airs tonight. Looking forward to that.
My guy (and girl) are still in the game for this edition of "Survivor: Guatemala," even after 3 weeks. This is a very good thing since despite being involved in 2 separate pools, I ended up with seemingly 2 of the weakest links.
I have acquired the first cold of the season.
LOST is driving me insane! Just tell me WHAT THE HELL is going on with this Desmond guy!
It's October, which means that Halloween is just around the corner, and that also means that it's almost the one time in the year when I get to show an episode of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer".
I picked up the new Melissa Etheridge cd today...It is a greatest hits collection, but it also has about 4 or 5 brand new songs on it. It's great. And, she looks terrific on the cover and in the liner notes, with her short hairdo. Rock on, Melissa.

Ok, so that is about it for now. Gotta go...it's almost time for the Race.

Oh. My. God. An ACTUAL POST.

2005-09-22T19:59:00.000-04:00

Sorry.

I have been gone for a long time. I know it.

I don't know what has come over me.

Well, actually, I do, but nothing I say will sound like anything less than a lame excuse. And, so, I shan't make any lame excuses.

There's nothing worse than a pathetic story about being heartbroken (which I am). And there's no good excuse about how I have incredible amounts of work piling up (which I have). And it's not like I am the only one in the world who has a hard time mustering up the energy to post on her blog on a regular basis (because I'm not--look at Zam).

I admit, I have reached new depths of low. Zam evacuated her home under threat of Rita, and was still able to post. I, on the other hand, sat here on my patoot many many miles to the north, under the clear blue skies, feeling sorry for myself, while at my favorite coffee shop, grading a mountain of papers--and not posting.

So, hereby let it be declared that I resolve to try to post AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK on this blog, AND on the Smart Asses blog, even if for nothing else than to say I did it.

Damn straight!

That's Gonna Leave a Mark...

2005-08-16T23:52:00.000-04:00

I was at the doctor yesterday. It must be time to go back to school.

Seems like I make a pilgrimage to the doctor's office prior to the start of school more often than I would like. Remember the Carribbean Death Bug™?

I had to make a trip to the doctor because I have somehow managed to contract a BLOCKBUSTER case of some sort of poison--be it ivy, oak, sumac, or judging by the looks of it, some unheard of mutant poison that kills its victims slowly, from the inside out while they help kill themselves by clawing their way in through their own skin--all over my arms.

Well, mostly on my left forearm.

And, well, I think it's poison. My doctor didn't look at it all that closely. He would have rather chit- chatted with me about work and why I am not coaching at all, and yada yada yada, and wow, your arm looks bad, and you really should get back into coaching, yada yada yada, and here's a shot and some pills, and it should clear right up.

So, how bad is it, you ask?

Oh, it's BAD.

However, I am on the road to recovery. Prednisone has cleared up the swelling, the redness and itching are beginning to go away, and the large blistery areas have (eew gross) formed scab-like crusts.

I have been asked several times if I burned my arm. One administrator at school asked if it was flesh-eating bacteria. Zam is on stand-by with sterilized hacksaw at the ready should I need an amputation. It's kind of fun to watch everyone recoil in horror when they see it. I do readily admit, it is not for the weak-stomached or the faint of heart.

This shizzle is fo' grizzle.

It's a grizly sight, indeed.

Photographic evidence will be forthcoming.

This One's For Gretchen...

2005-08-15T23:56:00.000-04:00

There's a post a-comin' tomorrow! I swear!

I just don't have time to post it all tonight. I have to finish reading The Rule of Four--I'm only a hundred pages from finished, and I can't let Zam have the satisfaction of finishing first!

:)

Anyone can make it if they learn how to shake it.

2005-07-30T22:10:00.000-04:00

Gotta tell ya, if the movie Mad Hot Ballroom is playing in any theater near YOU, you really MUST go see it.

What a wonderfully uplifting documentary.

In case you haven't heard about this little film, the filmmakers chronicle a 10-week period in the lives of 5th graders in NYC who are participating in a program to learn ballroom dancing. The hope of these kids is to be selected to their school's team in order to represent their school in the city-wide ballroom dancing competition at the end of the 10-weeks. Each school sends a team of 6 couples to compete--5 couples who will each dance a different dance, and 1 couple that is the alternate, in case someone is unable to compete. The dances that the kids learn are the Merengue, the Rumba, the Foxtrot, the Tango, and the Swing.

I absolutely loved the film.

Those kids are amazing. Not because they are wonderful dancers--some are, some aren't. But because they have amazing spirit. I love little Wilson (who happens to be the beautiful little boy on the poster above), who steals your heart; he barely speaks any English, but can rumba like NO ONE'S business. And wee Cyrus, who is so adorable that I want to put him in my pocket and take him home, who says, "I felt like even though I did my best, I still could have done better." And all of the little Latinas who, even at 11 years old, ooze that Latin sensuality on the dance floor, and know how to use those hips.

Just so wonderful.

Maybe it was because these little 11-year-olds remind me so much of the kids I teach. Maybe it was because I absolutely knew how those teachers felt about those kids because I feel that way about my kids, too.

I think it was because I didn't stop smiling at the screen from the moment the movie began until the credits rolled at the end.

Literally. I had a silly grin on my face from beginning to end. I felt ridiculous. But I couldn't help it.

And, really, when's the last time you saw a movie that made you grin like an idiot the whole way through?

Can't remember, can you? That's what I thought.

If you have the opportunity, I strongly suggest...

Go. See. This. Film.

Addendum:

2005-07-13T00:15:00.000-04:00

Here is the "updated" reading list for the summer. Basically, all the books that are currently on my shelves that I have not yet read (or that I haven't read in YEARS). The ones that are crossed off are either from last summer, or the beginning of this summer. You can see I have a LONG way to go to reaching completion of this list. I guess winning $1000 worth of free books has a way of making this list MUCH longer...

THE SUMMER OF 2005 OVERLY OPTIMISTIC AND COMPLETELY UNREALISTIC READING LIST

~~Eats, Shoots & Leaves>~~ by Lynne Truss
~~The Secret Life of Bees~~ by Sue Monk Kidd
~~The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time~~ by Mark Haddon
~~Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim~~ by David Sedaris
~~White Noise~~ by Don DeLillo
~~A Prayer For Owen Meany~~ by John Irving
~~Angels and Demons~~ by Dan Brown
A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
The Snow Garden by Christopher Rice
Eragon by Christopher Paolini
When I Was Puerto Rican by Esmeralda Santiago
Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
Light In August by William Faulkner
As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner
The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner
Of Human Bondage by Somerset Maugham
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut
~~Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers~~ by Mary Roach
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America by Erik Larson
~~Running With Scissors: A Memoir~~ by Augusten Burroughs
My Life by Bill Clinton
Living History by Hillary Rodham Clinton
Red Dragon by Thomas Harris
The Stand by Stephen King
Cry, The Beloved Country by Alan Paton
~~Ten Big Ones~~ by Janet Evanovich
~~Eleven On Top~~ by Janet Evanovich
~~Wicked~~ by Gregory Maguire
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
~~Mystic River~~ by Dennis Lehane
Icy Sparks by Gwen Hyman Rubio
~~Crow Lake~~ by Mary Lawson
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers
Love by Toni Morrison
The Light of Falling Stars by J. Robert Lennon
I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb
Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson
A Widow for One Year by John Irving
Ethan Fromme by Edith Wharton
The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkein
The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkein
The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkein
Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolfe
The Hours by Michael Cunningham
A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolfe
The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz
Moo by Jane Smiley
Bastard Out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison
The Summons by John Grisham
The Testament by John Grisham
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
Take the Cannoli: Stories From the New World by Sarah Vowell
Hornet’s Nest by Patricia Cornwell
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
The Heart of a Woman by Maya Angelou
Stones From the River by Ursula Hegi
In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash by Jean Shepherd
The Piano Lesson by August Wilson
Benjamin Franklin: An American Life by Walter Isaacson
~~The Rule of Four~~ by Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason
The Intimate World of Abraham Lincoln by C.A. Tripp
~~Naked Prey~~ by John Sandford
The Corrections: A Novel by Jonathan Franzen
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells
~~Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince~~ by J.K. Rowling
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
The Restaurant at the End of the Universe by Douglas Adams
Life, the Universe, and Everything by Douglas Adams
So Long and Thanks For All the Fun by Douglas Adams
Young Zaphoid Plays It Safe by Douglas Adams
Mostly Harmless by Douglas Adams
Mirror Mirror by Gregory Maguire
~~Lost~~ by Gregory Maguire
Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire
The Casebook of Forensic Detection: How Science Solved 100 of the World's Most Baffling Crimes by Colin Evans
Cracking Cases: The Science of Solving Crimes by Dr. Henry C. Lee
Cracking More Cases: The Forensic Science of Solving Crimes by Dr. Henry C. Lee
The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough
Into Thin Air by John Krakauer
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
The Cases That Haunt Us by John Douglas
~~Anyone You Want Me to Be: A True Story of Sex and Death on the Internet~~ by John Douglas
~~The Color Purple~~ by Alice Walker
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller
The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams

Back in the saddle...

2005-07-12T00:06:00.000-04:00

Ok.

It's been a while.

I realize this.

A great deal has transpired in my life since school ended. Some good, some ok, some bad, and some devastatingly painful.

Things I learned on my summer vacation so far, in no particular order:

The demise of an 8-year relationship is not easy.
You don't need much fingerprint dusting powder in order to lift a good print; in fact, the less powder you use, the better.
Shakespeare was probably gay.
I need to invest in a raincoat for next year's car parking job at the Festival--just in case.
Apparently, there is an enclave of American expatriates living in Costa Rica and teaching in the schools--and it just grew in number by one.
A Prayer For Owen Meany is quite possibly THE BEST BOOK I HAVE READ IN YEARS.

And, that pretty much brings us up to date. :)

I shall be attempting to "get back into the swing of things" around here now that I am officially on vacation. This week is the first week that I have had COMPLETE FREEDOM--no obligations whatsoever. Therefore, I shall post an updated version of my summer reading list from last year, with a few additions, as well as some more cross offs from the list.

As far as books that I have already read so far this summer, here's the list for you...

The Stranger by Albert Camus--I wanted to read it because...well, just because. Robert Smith wrote a song about it, and the kids going to 12th grade AP English have to read it, so, I thought I should, too.
Go Tell It On the Mountain by James Baldwin--what an amazingly great book
A Complicated Kindness by Miriam Toews--a story of a young, rebellious Canadian Mennonite girl and the ways she deals with life after her mother and sister leave her and her father; funny, yet poigniant--an excellent book
Crow Lake by Mary Lawson--this was recommended to me by our department head last year, and I finally got around to reading it; the story of a family as recollected by the young daughter (now an adult) who was raised by her older brothers after their parents were killed in an auto accident--not a bad little novel
Eleven On Top by Janet Evanovich--the latest in the Stephanie Plum series; cute and entertaining as usual
A Prayer For Owen Meany by John Irving--I don't know what else to say about this book other than I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT

I am also currently reading...

Anyone You Want Me to Be: A True Story of Sex and Death on the Internet by John Douglas and Stephen Singular--I just love reading about the science of Behavioral Psychology, more commonly known as "profiling"; so far, so good with this book, but then again, I love all of Douglas's books.

And, of course, in just a few short days...

...this is what half the globe will be reading (myself included).

sigh

2005-06-23T22:27:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the lack of postage. I know it's the summer.

But let's just say my summer has started off pretty crappy.

Where do you go, with your broken heart in tow?
What do you do with the left over you?
How do you know, when to let go?
Where does the good go? Where does the good go?

Look me in the eye and tell me you don't find me attractive
Look me in the heart and tell me you won't go
Look me in the eye and promise no love's like our love
Look me in the heart and unbreak broken
It won't happen

It's love that leaves and breaks
The seal of always thinking you would be
Real happy, and healthy, strong and calm
Where does the good go? Where does the good go?

Where do you go when you're in love, and the world knows?
How do you live so happily while I am sad and broken down?
When do you say it's up for grabs and that you're on your way down?
Where does the good go? Where does the good go?

Artist: Tegan And Sara
Song: Where Does the Good Go?
Album: So Jealous

I liked this song so much more when I was completely unable to relate to it whatsoever.

Gig'em THIS.

2005-06-09T23:37:00.000-04:00

For my friend Zam:

Phillies Sweep 3-Game Series Vs. Rangers

Exhibit B

2005-06-02T22:10:00.000-04:00

Note the upper-right corner. (I took the liberty of circling and pointing an arrow at the area in question.) Clearly, fingerprints and residual adhesive indicate that there was inital difficulty in peeling the sticker off.

Bastards.

Exhibit A

2005-06-02T22:08:00.000-04:00

Where the sticker used to be.

WWSSD?

2005-06-02T09:39:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, my car was burgled.

No, there was not a break-in involved. Rather, it was that someone removed something from THE OUTSIDE of my car. Yes, from the exterior.

But wait.

Let's go back in time. Back to the beginning. Create a timeline... It's what Sara Sidle would do.

This past November, after the horror of the presidential election, I purchased a "I DID NOT VOTE 4 BUSH" bumper sticker as my futile, yet only means of retaliation. Said sticker has resided firmly upon the bumper of my vehicle since the post-election days.

I live in a blue state.

I thought that my sticker would be safe within the confines of a blue state.

I found out yesterday that this is not so.

Silly me. I forgot that the only things that really made this state a blue one were Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Everything in between is decidedly of the red variety--necks and all. I guess in hindsight, I am surprised that it took this long to happen.

Yesterday morning, when I left the house to head to work, the sticker was still attached to my car. I know this because I always throw my laptop bag in the trunk, and the sticker was affixed to the area just above the lock--I had violated the rules of bumper stickers by placing it in a non-bumper area, but I had decided that the space between the spoiler and the lock was the area of highest visibility. Hence, the sticker was stuck there, and hence, I saw the sticker every day when I placed the key in the lock to open the trunk.

Flash forward to yesterday afternoon:

When I left the building and headed out to my car, as lifted my key to put it in the lock and open the trunk, I was stopped in my tracks. My blood ran cold for a moment, and I nearly screamed out loud. But, no sound escaped my lips. I was too dumbfounded to speak. I stood there in the parking lot staring at the spot where my bumper sticker used to be.

That's right.

Someone stole my bumper sticker.

And, if there were any doubt before now that I have been watching WAY too much C.S.I.: Crime Scene Investigation lately, this should clear that doubt right up.

My first thought: Don't touch the trunk. Maybe we can lift a print. Or at least a partial.

*sigh*

So, after I gave myself a righteous *slap* for even thinking that thought, I did the only thing I could--the next logical thing. I looked around and made sure that my car was well within camera range, and, seeing that it was, I marched myself back inside the building and made the security guy scan through the video from the parking lot for the entire day. Yes, the entire day.

For a bumper sticker.

(Shut up. It's the principle of the thing.)

We sifted through an hour and a half of video, and didn't find anyone who even came close to going near my car. Unfortunately, the cameras in the parking lot do sweeps of the area, and for the camera to make a full circuit, it takes about a minute and a half. That's long enough to pick and peel the sticker off.

Bastards.

So, there I was, out one cool sticker, and a whole lot of luck.

So, what else was there left to do?

Consult with my partner in crime, of course.

I picked up the phone and called it in. Zamsterson suggested that I go back to the scene and "canvas the area for witnesses. It's what Sara Sidle would do."

I did not canvas anything. I instead went to my local Barnes & Noble.

I still haven't touched the trunk at that spot yet. The small rectangular area of where the sticker used to be is clearly visible on the dark blue of my car, thanks to the incredible amount of yellow pollen that has been floating around in the air lately. Likewise, there is a clearly visible fingerprint area in the upper-right hand corner of what used to be the sticker, as well as adhesive residue where the perpetrator obviously had to use his or her fingernail to "pick and peel" up the edge of the sticker for removal.

I wonder if we can lift some epithelial cells for DNA analysis there...

I will present photographic evidence of this tonight after I get home and snap a few shots with the digital camera. I don't think a cameraphone would do this justice.

Stay tuned, people...

More info and images to come.

Wicked Awkward

2005-05-29T22:35:00.000-04:00

I think tonight I actually have something to write about, although it is something that happened to me a while ago that I have sort of been sitting on for a variety of reasons. Primarily, it is because I just have not had time to post as much as I (and some people) might like. But, seeing as how I have some free time on my hands, I will use it to tap out a little something on this keyboard for your reading pleasure.

Ok, so, a few months ago, I was at my local Barnes & Noble, purchasing a refreshing beverage of the caffeinated variety. As I stood at the end of the counter awaiting the arrival of my coffee, the older gentleman (and by "older," I mean early 60's) who had been behind me in line came and stood next to me after ordering as he waited for his drink, as well. Out of the corner of my eye, I kind of thought it looked like the man was staring at me. Naturally, when someone stares, it is hard NOT to wonder what the hell they are staring at. Unfortunately for me, there is a plethora of possibilities to answer that question.

At this point, I am beginning to get angry--but I still have not made eye contact. I can see that he is starting to get fidgety. Looking away, looking back; away, back, away, back. Finally, I look over at him, and he looks at me and says, "Do you mind if I ask you a question?"

In the split second that I have to answer that question, about a jillion possibilities for what this dude could possibly have to ask me go flying through my brain. "Sure," I replied, thinking that I had heard every imaginable question before at some point in my life--this couldn't be anything I had not already dealt with before.

But, it turned out, it could be.

The man pointed to my head, and in a decidedly grumpy and antagonistic tone, he said, "What made you buy that hat? Why are you wearing it?" I had to stop to think. Hmmm... First I had to remember, Which hat am I wearing today? For me, baseball hats are vital accessories. I have an excess of baseball caps, and on any given day, I could be wearing any one of the 25+ hats in my collection.

Then it hit me. I had on my Boston Red Sox hat. And this guy was (likely) a lifelong Red Sox fan, disgruntled by the suddenly cramped feeling on his bandwagon, what with all the people jumping on since the Sox won the World Series and broke the curse of the Bambino. That's understandable. I get that. I do. But the look of utter disgust on his face, as he stood there awaiting my answer, certain that I was one of those new fairweather fans was unfair. And, it made me angry.

So, I answered his question with another question, "Do you honestly want to know why I bought and wear this hat?" And he replied, "Yes."

I answered his question with this explanation: "Ok. I haven't ever really told anyone this before, but, my grandfather died when I was 12, and one of the things that I remember about him--and it really only recently just kind of popped into my memory again--the thing that I remember about him is that whenever he would go anywhere, unless it was winter, he would wear his Red Sox hat. I remember him always having a Red Sox hat. And, so, I went out and bought this one. Because he had one."

And in the 15 seconds that it took for me to tell this man, a complete stranger, something that to me, was so personal, I watched his face and the expression of disgust that was on it change to one of complete embarrassment, mortification, and I think, perhaps sympathy. I kept my eyes fixed on his, but he had to look away as he said, "Oh....ok....so, there's a reason why you...ok....that's good..." and his voice trailed off. He didn't look at me again.

And, honestly, I get where he was coming from. But, man, don't assume. He obviously knew he made a faux pas, which I'm sure is why he averted his eyes from mine.

But, I held my gaze on him. And then I heard the barista say my drink was ready. But I continued to stare. To watch him squirm. To make him uncomfortable.

Just for a little bit longer.

Grave Danger -- Vols. 1 & 2

2005-05-22T23:15:00.000-04:00

All I have to say about the 2-hour Tarantino-riffic season finale of C.S.I is ...

WOW.

That was an AMAZING episode! I absolutely loved it. Fan-freakin-tastic.

Makes me wish I had taped it.

If you didn't see it, find someone who recorded it, because it was sooooo worth watching.

Jorja on my mind...

2005-05-13T22:15:00.000-04:00

Oh yes...

A Slightly Drunken Post?!?

2005-04-17T00:50:00.000-04:00

Dude, Monday is my birfday.

I went out tonight for dinner and drinks wit my peeps.

A good time was had by all. Much hilarity ensued. Especially when Greenie asked the bartender if this one guy who had left the bar would be back (because she was obviously checking the guy out), and the bartender replied, "Who? The guy that was in THAT seat? That was my boyfriend."

She said she has never been so humiliated in her life. Consequently, she left the chick a HUGE tip to make up for the faux pas.

Word.

And for all my Spanish-speaking readers out there, that's "Palabra," to you.

Paz out, y'all.

I had to get this one in before March is over...

2005-03-26T22:40:00.000-05:00

...just so Zam can't say it has been over a month since I posted.

So, the goings-on around here? Not many. I changed up my "tagline" a la Zam, and chose a song lyric that I dig. And, since she stole my first choice from The Killers, I went with something from the delicious Scissor Sisters. I love them.

What else has been going on? Well, finally we have somewhat warmer weather. I guess if you consider the 40's and 50's to be "warm." Anyway, it's certainly better than teens and 20's.

Musically, I am totally diggin' this Sarah Bettens album that a good friend sent me. You wanna talk about a SEXY voice? This chick has it. For those of you unfamiliar with Sarah Bettens, she was/is the lead singer for this Belgian band called K's Choice. She has the most amazing voice. I love it.

*Aahhhhhh*

Happy Easter, all. Lay off the ham.

9+: And if Angel's dad says so, it must be true.

2005-02-28T18:07:00.000-05:00

That's the forecast for our region. 9+ inches of snow by (probably) midnight. I think it's safe to say we will probably have a day off from work tomorrow. I am not happy about that. That means we lose a day at Easter. Hmmph. I am still keeping fingers crossed for the ever-popular 2-hour delay. That's the BEST. Go to work 2 hours late--and NOT get in trouble for it. And, it still counts as a full day. Excellent.

So, this evening, I am working under the assumption that I won't have to work (at least not very hard) tomorrow. Hence, I am writing here, in this blog. And, truthfully, what could be better than sitting in front of a laptop, drinking a beer as a thick blanket of snow covers the ground outside?

Lots of things. I know. You're right.

Anyway, I suppose that many of you (and by "many," I mean the 3 of you who still read here) have noticed that the so-called "flurry" of activity on this weblog has subsided somewhat. It was short-lived. But, what else would you expect from me? Seriously.

So, since my last post, there are a few things that have popped up that I need to talk about.

1) I am such a schmuck for being FIVE years behind the times. But, dude, I don't have HBO. And I don't have Showtime. Anyway, with my recent joining of the Blockbuster Online video rental jawn, I have basically filled my virtual queue with enough discs to last me until I am ready to retire. And, about 98% of the discs in my queue are DVD sets of television shows.

The first show I put in my queue (can you tell I just like using the word "queue"? It's so damn British....): Six Feet Under: The Complete First Season. My question to you, internet, is this: WHY HAD NO ONE TOLD ME OF THE WONDER THAT IS THIS SHOW BEFORE??? Oh. My. GAWD. I freakin' LURVE this show.

And, now, as I am for the first time experiencing what everyone else on the planet did 5 years ago, I find out that HBO has announced that this current season of 6FU will be its last.

WHY??!??!? WHY, HBO, WHY??!??

*sigh*

Oh, David, I hardly knew ye...

2) I also rented The L Word: Season One. Um....

Holy crap.

That's one sexxxxxxy show.

But, at the same time, deep, and hilarious, and really great. I will continue watching, fo' sho'.

3) My latest musical acquisition: Tori Amos's The Beekeeper.

What a great album! I guess that Tori could sing basically anything, and I would probably like it. Except for when she sang "The Wheels on the Bus" at the last live show I attended. That I didn't like.

But seriously, I really like this album. And, it has a whopping 19 songs on it! It's HUGE. However, after watching the DVD of interviews with Tori that came along with the "deluxe" version of the cd, I am quite certain of her complete nuttiness. She's a unique one, but that is why we love her.

And, in related news, we got tickets for Tori's show at the Kimmel Center in April. It's her Original Sinsuality Tour. Oh yeah. I can't wait!

4) (Yes, I am still rambling.) Tonight is the finale of The Bachelorette. I am almost too disgusted to watch. Last time, Meredith let THE nicest guy, Matthew Hiccup (or whatever his last name was), walk away. Now, this time around, Jen has done the same thing--only one round earlier. She gave Ryan, the teacher to whom she SWORE money was no issue, his walking papers last week. I just have this feeling that she will pick creepy John Paul and his freakish upper lip because he has the cash...

5) Don't forget: tomorrow night is the premire of the next The Amazing Race!

*whew*

That's enough now... I wonder if 9+ really refers to the amount of snow, or the length of this post...

I cannot tell a lie...

2005-02-21T11:43:00.000-05:00

I like not having to go to work today. I am writing this post in my pajamas.

Yay! President's Day!

At the same time, though, it snowed last night. Probably a good 3 inches.

That would have been good for at least a 2 hour delay this morning. Gosh darn Mother Nature. Couldn't she plan that storm a tad better? It's not supposed to snow on days that we ALREADY have off from school.

Oh well.

Happy birthday, General George.

And Happy President's Day to all of you who are at work right now.

;)

She's a Maniac, MAAAA-niac on the Floor...

2005-02-18T13:14:00.000-05:00

I now have a newfound love for Jennifer Beals.

From CNN.com:

"I'm always shocked that gay marriage is such a big deal," says Beals over coffee in a Lower East Side patisserie she loves visiting when she's in town. "You have to realize how precious human life is, when there are tsunamis and mudslides, when there are armies and terrorists -- at any moment, you could be gone, and potentially in the most brutal fashion.
"And then you have to realize that love is truly one of the most extraordinary things you can experience in your life. To begrudge someone else their love of another person because of gender seems to me absolutely absurd.

"It's based in fear, fear of the other, fear of what is not like you," she says. "But when you are able to see lives on a day-to-day basis, rather than reducing it to politics, then it humanizes a whole community of people that were otherwise invisible. I think pop culture is really helpful in letting people see another side of life."

Read the full article here.

Harbinger of Doom?

2005-02-16T09:18:00.000-05:00

You know, my mp3 player is somewhat psychic. It usually forecasts my day with its musical selections, so if today's tunes were any kind of indication, it could be a strange day...

Especially since my heiney is dragging from being at the Royals game last night.

1) Tori Amos -- "Martha's Foolish Ginger" (from her new album The Beekeeper)

2) Tori Amos -- "Black Dove"

3) Melissa Etheridge -- "I Will Never Be the Same"

4) Radiohead -- "Creep"

5) Tracy Bonham -- "Every Breath"

6) Tori Amos -- "In the Springtime of His Voodoo"

I mean, come on. It's gonna be a weird day.

THREE Tori Amos songs. Cause she's so normal...

You're team number one!

2005-02-15T14:55:00.000-05:00

Exactly 2 weeks, people.

Two weeks from today, the premiere of The Amazing Race 7 will air. This is good. I am still feeling betrayed and bewildered (Oh, Albert! Take a Pirin tablet!) from the results of TAR6.

So, I give you my solemn oath that I will try to post my commentary on a regular basis for this upcoming season. It's the least I can do.

And, hey, there are THREE gay people on the show this time! An all-time high, I think!

Anyway, go check out the profiles for the teams. They are up.

I am kind of already anti-Amber and Rob, just because doing ONE reality series in a lifetime should be enough; they have exceeded that by TWO now. TAR7 will be their 3rd show (they were each on a separate season of Survivor AND came in 1st and 2nd on Survivor: All-Stars). Do they really NEED another million dollars?

Let's not be greedy, people.

Fas-WHAT?

2005-02-08T19:40:00.000-05:00

Today is one of my favorite days of the year.

It's Fastnacht Day.

Basically, that means that it is the PA Dutch equivalent of Fat Tuesday. Every year, on Fastnacht Day, my grandmother (who is now 90 years old, by the way) makes a HUGE batch of Fastnachts for the family. Ooohhh, man. Deeeeelicious.

What the hell is a fastnacht, you ask? Well, it's a traditional PA Dutch donut--plain, and only slightly sweet. Usually, the way one eats a fastnacht depends on the way one was raised. In our house, the fastnachts were always sliced in half (the flat way--like a bagel) and then, opened up and table syrup (only the Mrs. Schlorer's Turkey Syrup is acceptable in my book) is poured on each half. It's so unbelievably good, it's not funny.

They are even good when eaten plain. When I was in college and still playing hoops, my grandmother would always send several big bags of fastnachts up to Connecticut for me to share with my teammates. I can vividly remember one bus trip when our schedule brought us down to Drexel, and my parents and grandmother came to the game in Philadelphia with fastnachts in tow. We dove into those donuts before the bus was even out of the city, and by the time we reached Hartford, that night, they were almost completely gone. People were on the verge of fighting over them.

Hence, I shall always love Fastnacht Day. I guess it is one of those quirky PA Dutch things that makes it (kind of) neat to live here and have this be a part of my heritage.

Happy Donut Day, everyone.

What the F?!?

2005-02-04T21:05:00.000-05:00

So.... people like this who live in Florida--because they are a married man and woman--are allowed to adopt 7 kids and torture 5 of them.

But because gay people are SO hideous, morally bankrupt, and horrible, a gay couple who want to adopt can't legally do so in that same state.

There is something so wrong with this country, it reeks.

The Big "O"

2005-02-01T17:24:00.000-05:00

Ok, so the suggestion was made by my Home Chica that perhaps I should start posting more here...

So, my friends, I give you: a post.

I tend to like to offer up the new tunage to others--I like trying to find fresh, new musicians who ACTUALLY PLAY AND SING REAL MUSIC (tough to do nowadays). When I do find music that I like, I tend to want to share it with people. I like the music, and so, I think everyone should. Because I want the artists to become successful and make lots more records for my listening enjoyment. (See? Selfish motives, deep down.)

Anyway, the point of this is THIS:

Allow me to introduce you all to Damien Rice. My new musical love.

Damien Rice is a young Irishman with an absolutely GORGEOUS voice. He is soulful and melancholy, and I love it. The album is primarily strings--of all sorts. Acoustic guitar, violins, cellos. There's also some clarinet and even (I think) a wine glass. Anyway, I am totally diggin' this guy, and I think YOU should, too. If you are looking for something to put a little boogie in your step, well, don't pick this. But, this is some great music for an evening with some candles, and a nice bottle of wine--perhaps alone, perhaps with a kindred spirit.

What's that? You're thinking, "But how will I know if I really like this guy, 'Dawg? I mean, I trust you and all, but...I don't want to buy the whole album and then find out I hate it..."

Fear not, gentle reader. The 'Dawg shall provide.

I am giving you what I have decided are my three favorite tracks from the album O. I totally thought that "Volcano" was going to be my favorite, but after a couple of listens, I think that "Cannonball" has claimed that title. It has a similar effect on me as that of Rufus's "The Art Teacher." Maybe it is just the English teacher in me, but I love the lyrics. I think ultimately, the chorus--in all of its paradoxical irony--is what hooked me.

stones taught me to fly
love taught me to lie
life, it taught me to die
so it's not hard to fall
when you float like a cannonball

I just cannot stop listening to it, and its sparse acoustic guitar melody has a haunting kind of poigniancy...

Anyway, here they are, so have at it for a few days.

[Sorry. Links go 'bye-bye'.]

Damien Rice - Volcano
Damien Rice - Cannonball
Damien Rice - The Blower's Daughter

P.S. "The Blower's Daughter" is apparently about a crush he had on his clarinet (or trumpet--I have seen both) teacher's daughter. Get your mind out of the gutter.

UPDATE: I was just poking around on Amazon, and I noticed that the new Tori Amos disc "The Beekeeper" will feature a song that Tori did with...DAMIEN RICE! I can't think of a better collaboration! I am a HUGE Tori freak, and I can't believe the irony of this. I honestly had no clue they worked on this song together. Anyway, it's called "The Power of Orange Knickers." So very Tori! I love it already!

It's Prom night. Let's go to the mall...

2005-01-06T22:20:00.000-05:00

The weather outside IS frightful...

2004-12-20T10:53:00.000-05:00

Update: Current temperature here in my section of PA is 4 degrees. This is a 2 degree increase from earlier this morning when I was walking from my car to the school.

At 7:30am, it was 2 degrees here.

ONE.

TWO.

That many degrees.

That is just wrong, people.

From Beneath You, It Devours

2004-11-23T19:31:00.000-05:00

It has been a long time in coming, but I finally have my complete set of Buffy the Vampire Slayer DVDs. Last week, the Buffy Season 7 box set was released, just in time for Thanksgiving break. I spent this past weekend watching some of my favorite episodes of season 7, and then viewing almost all of the episodes that feature commentary.

I started off with "Storyteller," the episode in which once-evil Andrew attempts to document the battle with The First--and in turn, videotapes and melodramaticizes everyone and everything in the Summers' home. It is one of my favorite episodes of the entire seven years of the show, simply because of the hilarity that is Andrew. The fantasy sequences are great ("In my plan, we are beltless"; "We are as Gods!"), and Tom Lenk is fantastic.

The second episode I watched was "Selfless," which is the Anya backstory. Seeing the many incarnations of Aud/Anyanka/Anya was terrific--and the long-standing jokes about Anya being referenced once again are great. (Fear of bunnies?) It's worth it just for the scenes of Emma Caulfield and Abraham Benrube--making a return appearance as "Olaf" (the Troll from season 5's "Triangle") speaking "Swedish."

Some other excellent and notable episodes from this season that I watched--which, by the way, also have commentary:

"Lies My Parents Told Me"
"Conversations With Dead People"
"The Killer In Me"

Then of course, there is the series finale, "Chosen," written and directed by series creator Joss Whedon. I haven't yet sat down to watch the commentary for this one, but I am sure I will during my 5 days off. I also have neglected the Special Features for these discs so far, but, again, I know I will get to those soon enough.

For me, there are a few characteristics that stand out in my mind when I think of season 7.

Kennedy must die. I hated this character--perhaps because I was such a diehard Willow/Tara fan--but, nonetheless, I hated Kennedy.
The return to the beginning. Many, many characters from seasons past make re-appearances--if only briefly--and the original idea of female empowerment comes to fruition.
Aly Hannigan sure can emote. Some of THE most powerful and heartbreaking moments in this season (and the whole series, for that matter) come from Alyson Hannigan and her remarkable ability to cry, and in turn, make us as the audience feel Willow's pain.
Shirtless Spike. Did James Marsters have a shirt this season?
Too many damn Potentials.

Safe to say I am excited for a break from work, where I can curl up with my 7 years-worth of Buffy DVDs, pick out some of my favorite episodes, and watch the good times.

It's a very special Sunnydale Thanksgiving.

Have a wonderful Turkey Day, everyone.

Want Two?...Yes, Please.

2004-11-18T21:14:00.000-05:00

Man, I know I have gushed on this blog before about Rufus Wainwright, but, I am going to have to do it AGAIN.

Rufus released his new CD + DVD Want Two on Tuesday. As a sign of my devotion to Rufus, I traveled all over creation after school Tuesday evening until I found the coveted disc set. I checked Best Buy--nothing. Target? Nada. (But I did pick up the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 7 DVD's while there to FINALLY complete my set! But, that's a whole 'nother post...) Finally, I resorted to what I will NEVER EVER do. I went to Barnes & Noble. There, on the shelf, sat one lonely copy of Want Two. $23.00 later, I was in my car, ripping open the discs to listen to on the drive home. I was almost pissed enough to yell at someone at Best Buy when I didn't find it there, but ironically, tonight, while browsing around the store with the Suz, I stumbled across all the copies of Want Two in the "R" section of the cds. Apparently Best Buy is now run by morons. (November is alphabetize by FIRST name month!)

I must say, that upon first listen, I didn't know what to make of this Want Two. However, after several listens, I can confidently say that I like it. (But, what Rufus don't I like?) Also, the bonus live DVD is WELL worth the cash I shelled out for the disc. Rufus is amazing live, and I have already watched the DVD about 4 times.

So, my offering for you, my faithful reader, is from the Want Two disc. The one song that I knew I was going to love, from the first moment is this one. It is called "The Art Teacher," and Rufus sings from the perspective of a woman, looking back on her younger years in Catholic school, and her infatuation with her art teacher. There is an amazing poigniancy to the song, and for reasons that are inexplicable to me, I am captivated by it. I listen to the lyrics over and over, and Rufus's voice... and I am moved. So, give it a listen. See what you think.

Rufus Wainwright -- The Art Teacher

All gone.

Without a Trace

2004-09-25T20:51:00.000-04:00

*sigh*

I had no idea there was a new Patricia Cornwell novel released. What's worse, I didn't know it was another Scarpetta novel.

I stumbled across it last night at my local Barnes & Noble, and of course, had to purchase it. I began reading it today at around 1pm. I finished it this evening at around 7:30pm.

I must say that this newest installment of the Scarpetta series went over much better with me than the last one did. I just was not happy with Blow Fly for some reason--well, mostly because the ending just seemed...rushed in that last one. I actually really, really liked Trace. I felt while I was reading it that this was what a Scarpetta novel should be. This was like the Scarpetta of old. Back to the days of Postmortem and The Body Farm. With the last few books, Cornwell seemed to be getting a tad off track from what we Scarpetta-faithful had come to love and expect of our heroine. Things were becoming a bit too far-fetched. I mean, come on--a wolfman?

Trace feels like everything is back where it belongs. Scarpetta and Marino, back on cases--and back in Virginia. Benton, still getting inside people's brains. Lucy, still making bad relationship decisions--despite her incredible intellect.

I finished reading, and Cornwell has left me craving more.

Aah yes. Just like old times.

Good times.

SET YOUR VCRS!!!

2004-09-18T22:31:00.000-04:00

I just read an article on USAToday.com (that was thankfully pointed out by Rebel Prince over at his blog) about the Mad TVseason premiere. It will feature a sketch called "The Amazing Presidential Race," and it will showcase everyone's favorite duo from The Amazing Race 5, Charla and Mirna! Apparently, there will even be a spoof of the Race in which Charla carries a 50 lb. side of beef! Yay!!!

Gosh, I miss those two on that race...

So Jealous: SOOOO AWESOME

2004-09-16T22:42:00.000-04:00

I likes me some good tunes. That much is true.

If you, too, like you some good tunes, go get the new Tegan & Sara album, So Jealous.

What? What's that you say? You don't know who Tegan & Sara are?

Well, don't feel bad. Lots of people don't. But some do now. And some are even fellow Canadians.

I must say, I am one of those people who suffers great ambivalence when it comes time for a release of a new album from one of my favorite artists. I become giddy with anticipation for that fateful first listen of a cd. But at the same time, I dread it--especially if the last album the artist released was exceptional. I have this same problem when attending concerts. I am always afraid that the cd or show prior will have been better; that somehow the new material or show won't hold up and won't be as good.

So far, I have not been even close to disappointed. Let's review:

The Cure--The Cure: An AWESOME album, in typical Robert Smith fashion. "I can't find myself..."
Melissa Etheridge--Lucky: Some of her best work in a LONG time
Garrison Starr--Airstreams & Satellites: If I say anything else about G*Starr on this site, Zam will kill me and we will have to change the title to "Garrison Starr Composes" (but, she is AMAZING--as is this album)
Tori Amos--Scarlet's Walk: "Taxi Ride" could be one of my favorite Tori songs ever.
Indigo Girls--All That We Let In: A wonderful album--I still cannot stop listening to "Tether"
Alanis Morrisette--So-Called Chaos: What a great freakin' album. "Knees of My Bees?" Love. It. LOVEIT.
Rufus Wainwright--Want One: Talk about a song--"Oh What a World" is absolute genius. Ravel. Rufus. Together. It's a "10." (Ok, that's a minus 15 points for the bad "Bolero" joke.)

You get the idea here?

Which brings me to Tegan & Sara. The Calgary Wonder Twins. These 2 chicks are insanely talented. And their music kicks ass. I thought their last album, If It Was You, was brilliant. The new album, So Jealous, is totally living up to the tough act it has to follow. After only one full day of listening, there are already three songs emerging as the heavily favored:

1. Where Does the Good Go
2. I Know I Know I Know
3. I Won't Be Left

It's the classic Tegan & Sara style--harmonious blending vocals and often rugged overlapping acoustic guitar. It's so beautifully terrific.

And, so, in honor of this amazing album, I give you my favorite track:

Tegan & Sara -- Where Does the Good Go
[The good has now gone. Sorry.]

Get it while you can. And if you like it, go buy their albums.

Nuttin' better than a pair of lyrically and musically gifted lesbian identical twins from Canada, I always say.

The Freak Cheek®

2004-09-16T11:37:00.000-04:00

Well, just to update everyone out there who was concerned about the increasing size of my bitten cheek, the good news is that the swelling and redness have subsided for the most part.

Said cheek is now almost back to normal size, with only a small remaining spot (which is actually a tiny scab from all the initial itching I did before the sucker ballooned up).

All is well.

Now I just have to deal with my usual Freak Face®. But, I have had that all my life.

I'm hideously deformed.

2004-09-13T21:26:00.000-04:00

Did I mention that yesterday I participated in our local walk for Autism Awareness?

Well, I did walk yesterday.

And, as payment for my good deed (I raised $150), guess what I got.

I got a bug bite the size of Des Moine.

Wanna know what's even better about this?

I got it on my cheekbone.

Yes, you heard right. I said cheekbone.

Only me.

This thing has managed to (at the very least) triple in size throughout today. When I woke up this morning, my cheekbone was be-specked by one trivial red spot. It was itchy, but nothing I couldn't live with.

As the day continued, however, I noticed the itching more and more. When I got home from school tonight--a full 12 hours after I had arrived (don't ask...I will be missing school tomorrow due to some sort of training I have been snookered into, and hence, I was preparing for a sub--a daunting task for someone as OCD and anally neat and organized as I am, especially so early in the year, when, I fear, I have not had sufficient time to "train" the cherubs as to the ways of my classroom...)--I took note of the epic proportions to which the bite had managed to swell.

I have Franken-face.

But, I have a left cheekbone that would now make James Marsters jealous.

Well, either him, or the kid from Mask.

Here's what I am wondering...

2004-09-13T21:07:00.000-04:00

...how can my life POSSIBLY be so boring that I cannot (when I now finally have a moment to sit down and blog) think of anything to blog about?

I'd like to slap myself.

I have now OFFICIALLY heard it all.

2004-09-04T13:14:00.000-04:00

Overheard today while shopping at my favorite local Mennonite country store:

Blonde lady: (to Mennonite girls working in the "deli" section) Hey, do any of you guys know how many ounces are in a pound?

Mennonite girls: *mumbled response I couldn't hear*

Blonde lady: 16? Really? Hmm... So, 16 ounces equals one pound....

The jaws of The Suz and I instanty fell slack for a good 30 seconds before The Suz was able to look at me and say, "Maybe I am not quite as dumb as I have always thought I was..."

And, as I was walking out the door with my goods in tow, I heard the lady STILL marvelling over the concept that a pound possesses 16 ounces.

I thought the process of natural selection was supposed to kill off the weaker of the species, no?

Quite possibly the funniest thing I have seen in a long time

2004-08-29T17:21:00.000-04:00

A while back, the Bush/Cheney '04 website offered up a poster generator where people could create and print a B/C'04 poster with a catchy tagline of their own authoring. Well, of course, when those nasty liberals caught wind of this, there began production of some satirical--and quite hilarious--Bush/Cheney '04 posters. It didn't take long for Bush/Cheney to notice what was happening, and unfortunately, the Slogantor has been revamped. But not before a myriad of anti-Bush/Cheney posters were created and saved, all at the expense of the Bush/Cheney campaign. :)

For a good chuckle, check out the Sloganator Tribute.

Would someone PLEASE kick Colin in the 'nads?!?

2004-08-25T23:54:00.000-04:00

Oh. My.

I absolutely HATE Colin! What a freakin' jackass! I knew things would be bad on The Race once Charla and Mirna were gone, but holy crap, that Colin is a psycho. You know, eveyone made fun of Mirna for being a tad overreactive, but she certainly hit the nail on the head when she characterized Colin as having a Napoleon Complex, and needing to dominate and domineer his girlfriend and everyone around him.

And, please, Christie, grow a set of balls. I almost slapped my TV when she apologized to him for his yelling at her and acting like a douchebag.

As of now, I am totally on the Chip and Kim/Bowling Moms bandwagon.

And, could someone please give those twins some Ritalin or something? Sheesh...slow down a sec and read the clue and THINK for Chrissakes! They are a pair of human spasms.

*sigh*

Can't wait for next week when Colin has an aneurysm while completing a task...

A Sad-assed Day

2004-08-18T00:01:00.000-04:00

*sniff*

I shed a tear tonight for Charla and Mirna. And, for a few seconds there, I totally thought Phil was going to, as well. It was quite obvious that Phil was partial to Charla, and sad to see those two go. I give that Little Big Woman credit. She sure showed everyone what she was made of. Bravo, Charla.

I don't care who wins TAR5 now, as long as it is not Colin and Christie. Officially, I am rooting for the Bowling Moms. Second choice, Chip and Kim, even though they both kept talking about arriving in Nairobi as "finally in Africa." Of course, I am sure they both realize that they have been in Africa since their arrival in Egypt...

Also, since WHEN did eating eggs become such a horrendous experience? Geez! What a bunch of wimps! Scrambled eggs, people! Sure, it was one massive ostrich egg, but it's still an egg!

*sigh*

Note: Even though they exited the show this evening, Charla made sure to up the ass-count by one, again. Good times.

Like Joe and I were ripped apart.

2004-08-17T23:20:00.000-04:00

I'm not sure if I ever mentioned this, but back at the end of April, my car was keyed while parked. The idiot that did it actually wrote (what I can only assume was) his name.

"JOE"

Tonight, I dropped my car off at the auto body shop, where it shall remain for 2 days. When next I see my car again, "JOE" will be gone.

In honor of my removal of the silent passenger I have had traveling with me for the last 3 months, I offer this quote:

"Hello, Joe. How are you? I love you ... You invade my soul. "

More ASS, all the time!

2004-08-10T23:22:00.000-04:00

Woo HOO!!!!

What a great night for TAR5! The Bowling Moms bounced back well, and the Fat Douche Bags are GONE!

Also, on an extra exceptional note, Charla used the word "ASS" THREE times tonight!

Damn, I love that Little Big Woman.

And, it's now official: Mirna is too annoying for me to stand anymore.

Wherever I go, she goes

2004-08-10T14:26:00.000-04:00

I was reading the paper yesterday and saw an article about the show Nip/Tuck.

It appears that a couple of local gals are going to be guest stars on the show this season. The 42-year-old conjoined twins, Lori and Reba (formerly, Lori and Dori--Dori changed her name to "Reba" in honor of--yes, you guessed it--Reba McEntire, who is her idol and inspiration to become a country music performer) Schappell of Reading will appear as (what else?) conjoined twins having separation surgery. Lori and Reba are currently the oldest living conjoined females.

Man, these two are everywhere! I can remember walking around the mall as a kid and seeing them browsing stores, Lori, wheeling Dori's little chair around--since Dori...er, Reba...is much smaller than Lori, and would not be able to walk. It was no big deal. They weren't all "famous" back then. They were just "those twins." Then, they started popping up on "The Howard Stern Show" and crap like that. Now, they are going to be on Nip/Tuck.

Well, I'll be damned.

The kind you don't take home to mother

2004-08-06T16:03:00.000-04:00

I just read the news:

Rick James has died.

Let's hope there are plenty of Jheri-curl products in the great beyond...

R.I.P., Superfreak.

The New Laurel and Hardy?

2004-08-04T15:35:00.000-04:00

Ok...

It has been at least a year in the making, but thanks to an extended period of convalescence due to removal of one pelicula, Zam and I have FINALLY thrown together a team blog. Yes, you can now get twice the humor, twice the sarcasm, all for one low, low price.

We have no idea what this blog is about, or whether we will use our powers for good or evil. We just know that we finally have joined forces. So...

Go check us out, yo.

A Good Man Is Hard to Find

2004-08-03T11:07:00.000-04:00

From one of my all-time favorite Southern Gothic writers, Flannery O'Connor...

Today's Quotation:



"I don't deserve any credit for turning the other cheek as my 

tongue is always in it."

~Flannery O'Connor, who died on this day in 1964

That's the story of my life, mang.

Maybe we didn't understand, It's just the end of the world...

2004-08-02T23:01:00.000-04:00

So, last night, I was at the Curiosa Festival, which made a stop in Philadelphia (ok, it was the Tweeter Center in Camden, but, it's practically Philly). The festival featured 8 bands--most of which we had never heard of before. Thursday and Interpol were the only two besides The Cure that we knew of. We arrived sometime around 6pm, hoping to maybe catch a band or two that we would like--great new music is always a good thing. We figured that since the bands were hand-picked by The Cure, they couldn't be all bad. We were wrong. When we got there and found our seats, Mogwai was just finishing up their last song. Well, maybe "song" is being generous. I should say that they were finishing up the end of their loud, discordant cacophony. *Whew* Thank goodness we only had to hear the end of that one. Another band on the B-Stage gave our poor ears a break for about 30 minutes. The next band on the main stage was Rapture. Personally, I thought that they started off strong, but then began to stink more and more as they got further and further into their set. Brian, on the other hand, said, "They sucked from the start." Interpol was the only Main Stage act (besides The Cure) that we actually enjoyed.

Going into the event, we knew that Thursday is a band that we enjoy; imagine our disappointment upon our arrival to find that they were relegated to the B-Stage. After sitting through the end of Mogwai, and all of Rapture--both of whom played on the Main Stage--we were even more baffled as to why Thursday played on the B-Stage.

Of course, the only reason that we even went was for one more chance to see The Cure live, so, sitting through the other bands was relatively worth it.

The Cure was just amazing. Robert Smith is still as strong as ever with his vocals, and they just happened to play virtually all of my favorite Cure tunes. I am not one who is good at remembering setlists, but the following are the songs that I can definitely remember were played:

Fascination Street
Lullabye
Love Song
Pictures of You
Untitled
The End of the World
alt.end
Maybe Someday
Just Like Heaven
In-Between Days
Charlotte Sometimes (what a great surprise this one was!)
(I Don't Know What's Going) On
Faith
Boys Don't Cry (second encore)

I can tell you, one of the highlights of the show was when Robert Smith, after playing several songs from Disintegration, introduced yet another Disintegration tune with, "Here's another song from our new album--called Disintegration." But, come on...who doesn't LOVE that album?

Anyway, it was a great show overall. And, of course, here is the obligatory camera phone pic:

(You can't tell from this picture, but we had some pretty great seats. They were probably the best seats I have ever had for a Tweeter Center show. There were 3 rows of VIP seating in front of us, and we were the first row in the 200's section--dead center, right next to the sound guys. I had all the leg room in the world. It was like luxury seating. Aahhh....)

Seven Years.

2004-08-01T22:27:00.000-04:00

Here's to seventy more...♥

And here's my request and dedication.

Duncan Sheik - "Home"
[Sorry. Too slow.]

It's Alive!

2004-07-30T12:47:00.000-04:00

Hmmm...

Do you ever wonder whether or not your mp3 player has a mind of its own? I swear, mine must know that I am going to the Curiosa Festival Sunday to see The Cure, because Robert Smith's voice has been coming out of this thing non-stop...

The Amazing Ass Race

2004-07-28T13:28:00.000-04:00

Here we go. My thoughts on last night's episode of The Amazing Race 5:

We all know my favorite team is Charla and Mirna. They kick some major patoot. But, man, I was a little nervous at the beginning of last night's show when they dropped the ball getting their plane tickets. True to form, though, they have "step in poop" good luck; they ended up getting on a flight where there was a cancellation, AND on their connecting flight, they eventually met up with all the other teams who left before them! Also, I am tired of everyone else referring to them as "Mirna and Schmirna." What the hell is that? Two complaints, though, about my favorite team. One is that I would like to see Mirna stop telling Charla to "hurry" when they are running places--can't she see her little legs going as fast as they can? Secondly, could Mirna PLEASE stop making Charla do all the tough roadblocks?!? Sheesh...

Also, the Little Big Woman, Charla, did not disappoint, once again, providing several good quotes. My two faves:

Charla: (while preparing for the “block 5 shots” task) I am soooo glad we aren’t drinking vodka, Mirna! (Ouch! Was that sarcasm, Charla?)

Charla: (while putting on the hockey gear for the “block 5 shots” task) Mirna! My ass is too big for the pants!

I am now going to keep a running tally in my right-hand sidebar of the number of times Charla says “ass” on this show. Last week was the cow’s ass, this week, her own ass. This is great!

And speaking of ass...I laughed my ass off at the caviar eating task. I have never seen so many people have such a violent reaction to eating caviar. Yes, it was 2 pounds of caviar, but man, they should have all followed Chip's lead and just shoveled it in, and washed it down with the water and juice and crackers and all that other crap they had there. Didn't any of them watch last season's Amazing Race 4? Did they learn nothing from Reichen and Chip's "live octopus shooters?" *sigh* Amateurs.

Also, I was sad to see Bob and Joyce (the internet dating couple) depart--especially when the Fat Pizza Douche Bags remain. The ending brought a tear to my eye last night. Bob and Joyce are so cute, and seem like such genuinely sweet folks.

As far as next week's preview scenes go, I am VERY nervous that the Bowling Moms will suffer a major setback with an injury and be eliminated. I can only hope that the Fat Pizza Douche Bag blows a knee or two...

Extreme Makeover: Blog Edition

2004-07-28T00:48:00.000-04:00

Inspired by the total overhaul that Zam performed on her blog, I, too, felt that it was time for a change. It's new, and exciting.

What do you think?

Phat Lid, Yo.

2004-07-26T23:11:00.000-04:00

I am a huge fan of the baseball hat. It is a wonderful accessory. I am probably wearing baseball hats for as much as 80% of my summer every year, simply because:

hat on head = no need to do hair

Ponytails whenever possible has always been my mantra.

That being said, I am also quite finicky about my headgear. Not all baseball hats are created equal. I have my favorite hats, for sure, mostly because hat buying can be so hit or miss. I refuse to try a hat on in the store because, well, I don't know why. I think it is partly because if I don't like it, I will feel bad putting it back on the rack after it has been on my head--it's just skeevy (like when you see someone trying on shoes in a store without wearing socks!). Then, I think to myself, "If I just tried on that hat and put it back, who knows on what heads that hat has been?" I don't want cooties.

But the kicker is, if I like a hat, I buy it--even though it may have been tried on by unknown alien noggins. (Although, I will root around to find one that seems to be untouched by human hands...the virgin lid.) Sometimes, though, what looks like a great hat turns out to be a cranial disaster.

Herein lies the point of this whole babbling post.

Have you ever worn a baseball hat that made your head fall asleep? Lest you think it impossible, allow me to say that I do, in fact, have one. Whenever I wear it, my head falls asleep. And let me tell you, there is nothing quite like the sensation of a (literally) numb skull.

Every few months, I get it out and wear it, as if by some miracle my head has shrunk or re-shaped itself, or the hat has grown in size so that it doesn't make my head fall asleep anymore. And every time, within 10 minutes of putting it on, I think to myself, "Why the hell did I put this hat on again?"

Obviously, the last thing I need is something that cuts off the circulation to my head. Sheesh.

CIRCUS OLAY: Love the skin(-tight leotard) you're in.

2004-07-19T22:50:00.000-04:00

Jubilation.

Elation.

Alegría.

This past weekend, I attended my first ever performance of the Cirque du Soleil. What a completely amazing experience it was. What a completely amazing group of people have been assembled for this show. I was blown away. It totally exceeded all my expectations. Unbelievable athletes and performers who can seemingly defy the laws of nature (especially gravity), or who can do things that seem physically impossible had the entire audience in the palms of their hands (myself included) for 2 hours. I have never seen people in such incredible physical condition in person before in my life. The young man who performed the handbalancing act in particular was an outstanding physical specimen--ZERO fat on him. The music for this show was breathtaking--played by a 6-piece band that begins by making its way through the crowd, and accompanied by an EXTREMELY talented young female vocalist--and, it absolutely enhanced the entire experience.

My only slightly negative remark about the show was the abundance of "clowning" that took place--but only because I am very Cosmo Kramer-esque in my lack of affinity for clowns. After each performance act, the in-between time before the next act was ready to begin was filled by the clowns. Granted, while not the typical P.T. Barnum-ish clowns, they had MORE than enough clowny goodness for me. "Less clowning, more acrobatics" has now become my new motto.

The show Alegría is currently in Philadelphia until August 8th. I do know that many of the shows are already sold out, but if you are in the area while the show is still here and you can score some tickets, GO. It is more than worth it.

(By the way, from what I can tell, Varekai will be making its way to Houston in the somewhat near future...maybe in time for two peliculas to have healed...)

I used to think you were crazy, but now I can see you're nuts.

2004-07-15T23:43:00.000-04:00

You know, I try to be a good granddaughter. Ever since my grandmother broke her leg a few years ago, I mow her lawn in the summer, since I am on vacation during the summer months. She will be 90 years old this September, but she certainly doesn't think so judging by all the stuff she does.

So, today, I mowed the lawn, and as is tradition, I drink a soda with my grandmother after I am finished because I am usually sweaty and thirsty (her lawn is gigantor-sized). Today, on the way into the house, she casually asked me, "So, do you like nuts?" And, I said, "Yeah, I guess..." with a quizzical kind of look on my face.

We walked inside, and I had my soda and chatted, and on the table was a can of...cashews. I thought she just meant to offer me some as a snack, but as I was making ready to leave, she said, "Now, don't forget to take your nuts along! Those are for you. I got a can for me, too." And she pointed aside, and sure enough, a second can of cashews sat there. So, I took my cashews, said thanks, and was on my way.

I told my mom about it, and she said, "Geez...she gave Dad five bucks when he mowed."

Me, I get cashews.

Can't wait for next week...

Some Files Are Bigger Than Others

2004-07-14T14:08:00.000-04:00

Who am I to deny someone of the musical goodness of G*Starr? Hmm? Just because a file can't be emailed? Heck, that won't stop me...

~~Here it is--get it while you can.~~Sorry, all gone.
Right-click and "save as," yo.

Garrison Starr -- Airstreams & Satellites + Hidden track, Inside Out

(And, yes, I realize what a pathetic attempt at a Morrissey reference this post title is.)

Guilty by Association

2004-07-11T22:50:00.000-04:00

Ok, so just last week or so, I was over at Mac's place, and I stumbled across a post of hers about two people who were removed from a Bush rally because they were wearing anti-Bush t-shirts. Not doing anything, not disrupting, not causing a disturbance, just wearing t-shirts. While I was outraged, I was not surprised, which is pretty damn sad, to tell the truth. But, this IS the Bush camp that we are talking about.

Anyway, I knew that our infamous President was going to be making a visit in my little town that same week, and so, I made a conscious effort to keep my eyes peeled the day after his visit when reading the local paper. There had been a large number of protesters out on the streets that day, and I was wondering if any incidents happened to occur.

Well, boy did they.
(Click on the article to the left to giagantor-ize it and read the full text.)

Joshua Neyhart was more than a little excited when he was put in reserved seating near where Preisdent Bush would be standing Friday in Kutztown Univeristy's Keystone Hall. And Neyhart was more than a little disappointed when he was escorted out by Secret Service agents shortly before the campaign even began. Neyhart, 16, of Kutztown, who was one of three people ejected, said he was removed apparently because many of the 100 anti-Bush protesters who rallied a block away from the event had gathered on his mother's lawn...

The emphasis there is mine, but, dude...he's 16. He's a kid who just wanted to have his (probably) one and only chance to see the President of the United States of America in his town. Oh, and by the way, his 16-year-old cousin who was with him was also given the boot. Nice.

Also, it is apparently NOT ok to have anti-Bush signs ANYWHERE on the streets when he comes to town. There are designated areas for people who oppose the President. (Seriously. This is what we heard Kerry supporters being told time and time again that day.) However, if you had, let's say a sign that read (and I quote) "WE [heart] YOU PRESIDENT BUSH JESUS OUR TROOPS[sic]", well, then, it is apparently A-OK to parade that one around wherever you damn well please.

You know, that whole day made me want to vomit. And, yes, I will be checking the paper on a daily basis to find out the status of the arrests made that day.

Land of the free, my ass.

Hail to the...huh?

2004-07-09T13:06:00.000-04:00

I can now say that I have seen a president in person.

Whoopdee do.

Man, I wrestled with whether or not I would go and stand outside today and watch the motorcade roll in. I can't stand this president. But, then again, how often does the president come to town?

So, I did it. I walked over to Main Street, where I stood for a few hours with other people, and I watched. And, after the hours of standing, it was over in 5 seconds. The motorcade came rolling up Main Street, and the buses zipped by too fast for me to even snap a shot of our doofus President standing in the front of his bus, waving to the people on the streets.

But, hey, I saw him.

Check out the awesome picture I took, however, of the hex sign that was painted by the son of Jonnhy Claypoole--these guys are local artists famed for their hex sign work. (Hex signs are a HUGE part of the PA German culture.) I want to own it. :)

[Edited: P.S.--The woman in the photo is most assuredly NOT me, lest anyone out there is confused...ahem...*coughcough*Jen*coughcough*... ;)]

I'LL HELP YOU WITH THE BEEF!

2004-07-08T00:47:00.000-04:00

Well, peeps, the new season of "The Amazing Race" has begun, and already, I can tell you, I have some favorites.

My number one favorite team, right off the bat, for no other reason than the HUGE comedy factor is the team of Charla and Mirna. Oh my goodness, the things that come out of the mouths of these two had me in stitches! First of all, Charla is a "little person," and your first inclination is to pity her because of her physical disadvantage. However, Charla knows how to work it. In the first episode, she said in her interview that her size would help their team because, "people look at me and they want to help me because of my size." Her cousin Mirna wins the whiner's award. Watching these two carry a 50+ lb. side of beef for a half mile could be the most entertaining thing I have seen on TV all year. And the kicker? They carried it 4 blocks too far! Also, who would have thought that these two were MAJOR gamblers? Upon reading the "Zips or Chips" Detour:

Mirna: Charla, we go to the casinos like every other week! This is a sign! We have to play the roulette!

And, after playing and WINNING, mind you, in the middle of the race, Mirna wants to stay to play a hand of Black Jack! How great is that?

My second favorite team has to be the Bowling Moms. What spunk! Those two hung in there, and actually, gave the youngin's a run for their money! They finished 3rd!

My final favorite team is most definietly the African American couple, Chip and Kim. He summed it up best when he said, "We did everything that we possibly could have done wrong, and we STILL finished in 8th place!" Look out when (and IF) they ever get their act together!

Mang, I love this show. :)

[Edited: P.S. I was just over at Mac's place reading her take on TAR5, and in the comments of her post, Vickie left this:

"Mirna needs a good whine slap. What a wimp....shut up and pick the damn meat up."

(which nearly made me pee in my pants when I read it, and I can't stop giggling every time I re-read it!)]

Aww...shucks...

2004-07-07T15:13:00.000-04:00

Typically, I think I am a very modest person. (Or at least I try to be...) However, there are some things which I will admit, I am pretty damn good at, and/or, I know a lot about, and/or I have a pretty good sense for. They are as follows:

literature and books

grammar

basketball

music

And that is about where I will draw the line. But, those are things at which I am quite confident I know what I am talking about.

So, how wonderful was it to be reading through my daily blogs on Bloglines, and see that Jen has dedicated an entire post to thanking me for recommending Tegan & Sara as new listening material! Woo hoo! I am humbled.

I do love recommending music to other people, though. I like to think that my tastes in music are varied enough that I can say to someone, "Oh, you like so-and-so? Then you will definitely like..." I especially love getting people to listen to little-known or independent artists.

And, so, in the spirit of things, I will once again pimp Garrison Starr, one of the greatest voices on the music scene, but one who very rarely gets the props she deserves. Here are a couple of tunes off of her latest album, "Airstreams and Satellites." Give 'em a listen, won't you? And if you like the songs, go out and buy the album. Help a sister out.

They are gone, yo. You snooze, you lose. Sorry.
Garrison Starr - Gasoline
Garrison Starr - Like a Drug
Garrison Starr - Wonderful Thing

Cross another one off...

2004-07-06T22:46:00.000-04:00

So, finally after 9 days of parking cars out in the sun, I am back to some serious lounge time. In the time since the Festival ended on the 4th, I have read Mystic River by Dennis Lehane. I had to read this one ASAP simply because I am one of those people who absolutely refuses to see the movie before I have read the book. My reading of the book was holding everyone else up from seeing the movie, so, I devoted most of the day yesterday and this evening to reading.

What a great book this was. Totally kept me off-kilter, in a good way. Just when I thought I knew...I realized I didn't. My copy of the book is 401 pages long. I didn't figure it out until page 371. That's when the lightbulb went on. This is totally the way Lehane wants the reader to feel--exactly as he crafted it.

I can't wait to see the film. I am sure Sean Penn, Tim Robbins and Kevin Bacon must have been amazing as Jimmy Marcus, Dave Boyle and Sean Devine. All in all, a highly recommended read.

Next up: Wicked by Gregory Maguire

REMINDER:

2004-07-06T14:56:00.000-04:00

Everyone set your VCRs...

"The Amazing Race" begins tonight at 9:30pm EST!!!

Giddyup!

And, I'm all ferhoodled.

2004-07-03T16:13:00.000-04:00

Postage here has been slim once again due to my annual employment in the parking lots of the PA German Festival. For 9 days every summer, I help out at the festival and park more cars than I have ever seen. Each year, this thing gets bigger. And, seemingly hotter. Standing in the hot summer sun for 8 hours straight with absolutely NO shade in sight is NOT fun. So anyway...

Tomorrow is the last day of this freakin' festival, and it is a damn good thing. I am about to kill myself or someone else. As the week continues, more and more people seem to have forgotten how to drive. Today was insane as far as the number of cars that came rolling in. We started parking when the gates opened at 9 and didn't stop until 3pm. I have never seen so many cars all in one place; the director of the festival says he thinks it is the highest one-day attendance ever.

There was also a new record set for the quilt sale; a prize-winning quilt was auctioned off for (are you ready for this?)....$8,250. OVER EIGHT THOUSAND DOLLARS. That's crazy money.

On a more positive slant, after 9 days of standing in direct sunlight for 8 hours straight, I am certainly quite bronzed. Yes, I am dark and lovely, just like the hair care kit.I can't wait to try to show off my tan (which, by the way, stops at my sleeves and shorts and socks).

Other news on the horizon: word is just in that George W. Bush will be making a stop in my tiny little town to visit our university on Friday. Maybe I can get close enough to spit on him. I hope the movie theater here holds a special screening of "Fahrenheit 9/11" that day.

It's quite incredible, but this is the second time (in as many presidents) that a sitting president will visit this town. Several years ago, then-President Clinton came for a visit here, as well.

Apparently, Dubya's worried that he has pissed off even the staunchest members of his conservative Republican base here in Berks County--the PA Dutchmen. If there is one thing about a Dutchman that can be said, they are damn stubborn, and they hold grudges. I have talked to a lot of people about this upcoming election, and I can confidently say that there are a lot of registered old conservative Republicans (most of whom are of PA Dutch descent) who are most definitely NOT voting for Bush in November, and there is no changing their minds.

Giddyup.

And now, I am off to have my schnitz und gnepp. Ah, the one good part of the festival--the food.

Let me take your hand, I'm shaking like milk

2004-06-27T23:15:00.000-04:00

It's official.

We have acquired tickets to the Curiosa Festival at the Tweeter Center in Camden on Aug. 1st.

I am going to see The Cure.

Again.

Excellentado.

Addendum

2004-06-24T10:13:00.000-04:00

Here it is again:

BEYOND OPTIMISTIC, & ENTIRELY UNREALISTIC SUMMER READING LIST

~~Eats, Shoots & Leaves>~~ by Lynne Truss

~~The Secret Life of Bees~~ by Sue Monk Kidd

~~The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time~~ by Mark Haddon

~~Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim~~ by David Sedaris

~~White Noise~~ by Don DeLillo

A Prayer For Owen Meany by John Irving

~~Angels and Demons~~ by Dan Brown

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

~~Ten Big Ones~~ by Janet Evanovich

Wicked by Gregory Maguire

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

~~Mystic River~~ by Dennis Lehane

Icy Sparks by Gwen Hyman Rubio

Crow Lake by Mary Lawson

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez

The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers

Love by Toni Morrison

The Light of Falling Stars by J. Robert Lennon

I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb

Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson

A Widow for One Year by John Irving

Ethan Fromme by Edith Wharton

The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkein

The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkein

The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkein

Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolfe

The Hours by Michael Cunningham

A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolfe

The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz

Moo by Jane Smiley

Bastard Out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison

The Summons by John Grisham

The Testament by John Grisham

Hornet’s Nest by Patricia Cornwell

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

The Heart of a Woman by Maya Angelou

Stones From the River by Ursula Hegi

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells

The Cases That Haunt Us by John Douglas

Anyone You Want Me to Be: A True Story of Sex and Death on the Internet by John Douglas

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller

The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams

Ok, so I have crossed off two more titles on the list: White Noise and Angels & Demons. I said a little bit about White Noise in an earlier post, so I won't say more about it here, but I just finished Angels & Demons last night, and let me say this--HOLY CRAP.

Maybe it is just the bleeding heart liberal in me, but I totally loved this book. Perhaps it is because there was absolutley NO suspense whatsoever in the DeLillo book, but I read the nearly 600 pages of Angels & Demons in no time, mostly because the pages compelled me to turn them. Suspenseful, exciting, and I'll be damned if it didn't make me think again...perhaps I just enjoy reading stuff that points out that there may be more than one side to the story than the very one-sided Catholic Church ~~crams down people's throats~~ presents...

I loved Brown's other book featuring the same protagonist that has been making noise (a little something called The DaVinci Code), so it makes sense that I would be blown away by this one, too. Highly recommend it. And, if you haven't read The DaVinci Code, read that one, too.

Anyway, I am now on to Janet Evanovich's Ten Big Ones. YAY! I know I will have it finished today. The Stephanie Plum books are such great easy summertime reads, and, they are hilarious. I started it last night, but fell asleep before even finishing chapter 1--not because it's a boring book, but because I chose to start reading at 1:30 am. Duh, yes. I know. It looks quite promising, though. Lots of Lula and Grandma Mazur action, and...I know you will love this....SALLY SWEET is back! WOO HOO!!!

I have just to finish up doing a curriculum map for a class I am taking, and then, it's all about Ten Big Ones for the rest of the day! Whee!

"I do the filing. I file the ass out of that office."
~Lula in Ten Big Ones

[Edited: I have now also finished Ten Big Ones. If you are a Stephanie Plum fan, you shan't be disappointed. As I stated earlier, one of the most popular characters from the series, Sally Sweet, makes a return in this story, and there is some SERIOUS Lula hilarity. Highly recommended for the great "fluffy fun" factor.]

"Ask around, look it up. 'Slayer, comma the?' " ~Buffy

2004-06-23T14:48:00.000-04:00

Ok, so everyone knows I am a freak about Buffy the Vampire Slayer. We've been down this road before on this blog, so I am not going to rehash it.

If, however, you are as big a freak about the show as I am, you may want to check out this link.

Many of the academic papers presented at the Slayage Conference in Tennessee last month are now available for your reading pleasure in Adobe Acrobat format. Granted, not all of the ones that I would love to read are there, but there are certainly plenty to keep me quite occupied for quite some time.

Buffy geeks of the world, enjoy. I know I will.

Yo, G.

2004-06-23T14:29:00.000-04:00

Hey, I've got a few Gmail invites to give out if anyone is interested...

Leave me a note in the comments, or email me at the address atop this page.

That is all.

One down...

2004-06-21T16:31:00.000-04:00

...forty more to go.

I finished reading Don DeLillo's White Noise over the weekend. While I enjoyed it, it wasn't exactly a novel that compelled me to read on. It had its enjoyable parts--DeLillo's extremely dry wit and sarcasm are entertaining--but I continued to read it because it was picked by the other half of my "Book Duo" for the summer.

[Side Note: a fellow teacher at school approached me about starting a book club back in May, and when asked who would be in the club, she replied, "You and me." Hence, we became a book duo.]

The first book the Duo read was The Secret Life of Bees, to which one half of the Duo (her) had a violently negative reaction because of the stock characters, predictable plot, and total lack of subtlety. The other half of the Duo (me) found it to be a light, read-it-on-the-beach type of book, which suited me just fine because I was not looking for any kind of intellectual stimulation (it is summer, for gosh sakes!). It was entertaining. Period. As a result of the diametric opposition to the estrogen poisoning encountered while reading Bees, Duo #1 decided to pick something a little more edgy and testosterone-y for the second book. This is where we agreed that we both enjoy reading DeLillo, and so we settled on White Noise.

It certainly is NOT The Secret Life of Bees. I didn't enjoy it as much as I might have hoped--and it must have been apparent, as the Suz even commented, "I have never seen you take this long to finish a book."

Next on the list: Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich, the (obviously) 10th installment in the Stephanie Plum series, which is released tomorrow. Woo hoo!

The Somewhat-Less-Than-Full Monty

2004-06-17T16:04:00.000-04:00

Ok, here is my gripe for the day:

Where the hell is Dave hiding Monty?

Every Wednesday night, I stay up to watch "The Late Show with David Letterman." While, yes, Dave is hilarious, and without a doubt, one of the funniest guys on TV, the real reason I stay up to watch on Wednesdays is not Dave. No, the real impetus for me to keep my weary eyes open until the wee hours is actually Dave's assistant, Stephanie Birkett.

THIS CHICK IS DROP DEAD FUNNY. No lie. And the best part: she really doesn't try to be. She actually is one of Dave's assistants, and she actually does get annoyed with Dave. The first time I ever saw Stephanie on "The Late Show," Dave was making her imitate her ex-boyfriend's horrible "white guy dance" while she was in the Hello Deli with Rupert Jee. She was dancing to the intro of Rod Stewart's "If Ya Think I'm Sexy." I nearly peed myself.

Since then, Dave has employed Stephanie in a variety of roles on the show. By my favorite of all the things she has done on the show is by far her most recent task of presenting the letters in the Mailbag each Wednesday night. Dave has her dress up in a myriad of costumes, each honoring a significant event for the evening. For example, she has dressed in a traditional Mexican senorita outfit on Cinco de Mayo, she dressed as Lance Armstrong during the Tour de France, she dressed as a gold miner (complete with actual donkey) to commemorate the anniversary of the gold rush, and she even dressed as Ameila Earhart to honor her achievements in flight. Each time, Dave has her say or do something ridiculous (such as repeat the name "Dr. Vinnie Boom-BOTZ!"). Her levels of annoyance are hysterical.

The best part of the whole thing is that Dave enjoys giving Stephanie various "nicknames," and asking her how she likes them, or whether or not many people are calling her by them. Her reply is always, "YOU are the only one who calls me that." Her nicknames have included ones like "Peggy," and "Dutch," but the more popular ones that seem to have stuck are "Smitty," "Monty," and most recently, "Gunther."

The point of this is that for the last 2 Wednesdays, we have seen neither hide nor hair of Gunther. Let me tell you, the Mailbag just doesn't have the same ZIP without her.

O, Dave! Why hast thou forsaken us? Bring back Smitty!

"THE OLDEST BOOKS ARE STILL ONLY JUST OUT TO THOSE WHO HAVE NOT READ THEM."~Samuel Butler

2004-06-16T17:24:00.000-04:00

Summertime is the time when I supposedly have free time for doing things I enjoy, such as reading. However, I have not yet begun to make a dent in my summer reading list simply because I have been doing a lot of curriculum work at school since we finished. Yeah, we have been out of school for a week and a half so far, and I have gone in every day since we ended, for an almost full day of work.

This, however, should be coming to an end very soon. The rest of this week, and then maybe a day or two next week. Then, I shall read! So, in honor of the upcoming free time, I present you with my...

BEYOND OPTIMISTIC, & ENTIRELY UNREALISTIC SUMMER READING LIST

~~Eats, Shoots & Leaves>~~ by Lynne Truss
~~The Secret Life of Bees~~ by Sue Monk Kidd
~~The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time~~ by Mark Haddon
~~Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim~~ by David Sedaris
~~White Noise~~ by Don DeLillo
A Prayer For Owen Meany by John Irving
~~Angels and Demons~~ by Dan Brown
A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
~~Ten Big Ones~~ by Janet Evanovich
~~Wicked~~ by Gregory Maguire
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
~~Mystic River~~ by Dennis Lehane
Icy Sparks by Gwen Hyman Rubio
Crow Lake by Mary Lawson
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers
Love by Toni Morrison
The Light of Falling Stars by J. Robert Lennon
I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb
Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson
A Widow for One Year by John Irving
Ethan Fromme by Edith Wharton
The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkein
The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkein
The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkein
Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolfe
The Hours by Michael Cunningham
A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolfe
The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz
Moo by Jane Smiley
Bastard Out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison
The Summons by John Grisham
The Testament by John Grisham
Hornet’s Nest by Patricia Cornwell
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
The Heart of a Woman by Maya Angelou
Stones From the River by Ursula Hegi
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells
The Cases That Haunt Us by John Douglas
Anyone You Want Me to Be: A True Story of Sex and Death on the Internet by John Douglas
~~The Color Purple~~ by Alice Walker
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller
The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams

No, I am not insane. Basically, what I did is I made a list of A) all the new books I recently bought B) all the old books still sitting on my shelves, unread, from summers past and C) all the books I need to re-read before I can teach them this coming school year. That, my friends, is what you see before you, in no real particular order.

Obviously, I am kind of doubtful that I will get to all of them this summer, but the ones that I have already read are crossed off. Feel free to ask me for a review of any of them as they get crossed off in the future.

"The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them."
~Mark Twain

Two-five-oh-oh

2004-06-15T00:40:00.000-04:00

Dude. Check out the sitemeter.

2,500.

Cool beans. Thanks for visiting, ya'll. I swear, I'll get to blogging more often soon. Once I can end this school madness...

but on the other hand, resistance was obviously useless against a family that could invent italics.

2004-06-09T21:39:00.000-04:00

I don't know what I was thinking, but, I have not yet commented here on what may be the best book I have read in a long time.

Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation is the book I have waited 30 years for. Yes, yes, I can hear the skepticism already. "She's a grammar nerd," you say. "Pshaw! Punctuation! How droll..." you groan. But, my friends, this is not an ordinary grammar book. Oh no no. Not in the least.

This book is funny. That's right. You heard me. Funny. It's witty, it is sarcastic, and most of all, it is reassuring to those of us who consider ourselves freaks because the very sight of a misplaced apostrophe makes our skin crawl. We are not alone.

In a world where it has become commonplace to mangle and abuse the standard English, Lynne Truss has made punctuation accessible to even the most clueless members of society. And, she makes it fun, too.

"I'm a panda," he says at the door. "Look it up."

I can't believe I am posting this.

2004-06-09T00:13:00.000-04:00

Stole this from over at Jen's. Leave your answers in the comments.

(Can you tell I am sooooo on vacation now? It's here: the "make-up blogging.")

1. Who are you?
2. Have we ever met?
3. Give me a nickname and explain why you picked it.
4. Describe me in one word.
5. What reminds you of me?
6. If you could give me anything, what would it be?
7. Ever wanted to tell me something but couldn’t?
8. Are you going to put this on your weblog and see what I say about you?
9. What do you love like a fat kid loves cake?
10. What makes you come back here?

You can't kill the Rooster

2004-06-09T00:03:00.000-04:00

Just wanted to let everyone know that I went out and picked up David Sedaris's new book today, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim.

I love Sedaris and his writing. His essays and memoirs are all real. (Oh, the material in THAT family...) He is one of the only writers in the world who actually makes me GUFFAW out loud while I am reading. Not just chuckle, not just laugh. GUFFAW. Belly laugh. Out loud.

If you have never read anything by David Sedaris, start off with Naked. It's my favorite.

Send in the clowns (and the BFG's)!

2004-06-02T23:36:00.000-04:00

Woo hoo! Good news!

I just saw an ad tonight that the new Amazing Race begins on July 6th on CBS!

Giddyup!!!

"No slaying this evening. Perhaps you can concentrate on your homework instead."~Giles

2004-05-28T16:58:00.000-04:00

But WAIT...what if slaying IS your homework?

Check out THIS article.

This proves it. Buffy is academia.

"Willow doesn't live here anymore."

2004-05-27T08:44:00.000-04:00

My levels of Buffy-focus tend to fluctuate.

One day I will be totally focused on all things Buffy. I walk around school humming "Rest In Peace" or "I've Got a Theory," and I quote my favorite lines. I discuss the scholarly aspects of the show with colleagues who also have an appreciation for the story development, the character arcs, and the essential metaphors of the show.

The next day, I have Buffy-ed myself out.

The pattern tends to follow that the high end of the fluctuations tends to come when there is something going on in the Buffyverse. Currently, I am riding high on the latest wave of Buffy-goodness.

On Tuesday, the Buffy Season 6 DVD set was released, containing two of my favorite episodes of the show. First, "Once More, With Feeling" (better known as Buffy the Musical) is included in the set, in its entirety. OMWF is one of the only episodes of the show that I can honestly watch over and over again and never get tired of.

The second episode of season 6 that is absolutely amazing is "Tabula Rasa," which just so happens to be the episode that aired the week after the musical epsiode, and for this reason, is often overlooked. "Tabula Rasa" manages to be one of the funniest, yet, most heart-breaking episodes of Buffy ever created. Written by Rebecca Rand Kirshner, this show is a work of art, painfully depicting the disintegration of several key relationships on the show, while at the same time, becoming one of the most hilarious episodes ever as Willow's "Forget" spell goes awry and Buffy and the Scoobies lose their memories. I will never again hear Michelle Branch's "Goodbye to You" without thinking of this episode, and the images of Alyson Hannigan sitting on the floor in tears, and Tony Head sitting on an airplane back to England.

Randy Giles?!? Why didn't you just call me 'Horny Giles,' or 'Desperate for a Shag Giles?!?'
~Memory-loss Spike

Also, let's not forget that one of the greatest things about season 6 was, of course, Evil Veiny Willow. She was awesome. Very good at being bad.

Ok, so that ends my plug of the new Buffy discs.

However, I would also like to point out to the casual observer that this week's issue of TV Guide contains their list of the 25 Best Cult Shows ever. Buffy checks in at #3 on the list, behind only Star Trek and The X-Files. Not such bad company to be in...

F.Y.I.

2004-05-19T09:19:00.000-04:00

I have just realized that it's a 6-song drive to work for me. This morning's randomization on my mp3 player was as follows:

Chrome-Plated Heart by Melissa Etheridge
Lose Control by James
Shout by Tears for Fears
Keeper of My Heart by Indigo Girls
Wanted by the Cranberries
Moment of Forgiveness by Indigo Girls

And, the partial 7th song as I parked my car...

Music by Madonna.

I knew you wanted to know.

FRESH AS A SUMMER'S EVE

2004-05-07T00:27:00.000-04:00

Check out this website.

I think I love this guy.

Now, if we could only get the entire country to think this way...

GUILTY PLEASURE #42

2004-05-06T18:18:00.000-04:00

So, after a discussion with a buddy today, I am going to admit something here, on my blog:

I LOVE the Sandra Bullock movie, Miss Congeniality.

Love. It. Loveit.

Ok, so here's my favorite line:

That would be harsher punishment for parole violators, Stan ..................... and, world peace!

So, what's your favorite line, if you have one, and you are willing to admit it....

A POET, AND DIDN'T KNOW IT

2004-04-30T13:41:00.000-04:00

As I was browsing around and reading my daily blog reads, I noticed this little tidbit over at Mac's place:

April is National Poetry Month. I knew that.
I did not know, however, that today, the last day of April, is also Poetry on Your Blog Day. And, so, I give you one of my favorite poems...

The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
"'Tis some visiter," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door —
Only this, and nothing more."

Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished the morrow; — vainly I had tried to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow — sorrow for the lost Lenore —
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore —
Nameless here for evermore.

And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
Thrilled me — filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating
"'Tis some visiter entreating entrance at my chamber door —
Some late visiter entreating entrance at my chamber door; —
This it is, and nothing more."

Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
"Sir," said I, "or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you " — here I opened wide the door; —
Darkness there and nothing more.

Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before;
But the silence was unbroken, and the darkness gave no token,
And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, "Lenore!"
This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, "Lenore!" —
Merely this, and nothing more.

Then into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,
Soon I heard again a tapping somewhat louder than before.
"Surely," said I, "surely that is something at my window lattice;
Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore —
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;—
'Tis the wind and nothing more!"

Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days of yore;
Not the least obeisance made he; not an instant stopped or stayed he;
But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door —
Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door —
Perched, and sat, and nothing more.

Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,
"Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou," I said, "art sure no craven,
Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the Nightly shore —
Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!"
Quoth the raven "Nevermore."

Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,
Though its answer little meaning — little relevancy bore;
For we cannot help agreeing that no sublunary being
Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door —
Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber door,
With such name as "Nevermore."

But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only
That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.
Nothing further then he uttered — not a feather then he fluttered —
Till I scarcely more than muttered "Other friends have flown before —
On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before."
Quoth the raven "Nevermore."

Wondering at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,
"Doubtless," said I, "what it utters is its only stock and store
Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful Disaster
Followed fast and followed faster so when Hope he would adjure —
Stern Despair returned, instead of the sweet Hope he dared adjure —
That sad answer, "Never — nevermore."

But the raven still beguiling all my sad soul into smiling,
Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird, and bust and door;
Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking
Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore —
What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt and ominous bird of yore
Meant in croaking "Nevermore."

This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing
To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core;
This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining
On the cushion's velvet lining that the lamp-light gloated o'er,
But whose velvet violet lining with the lamp-light gloating o'er,
She shall press, ah, nevermore!

Then, methought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer
Swung by Angels whose faint foot-falls tinkled on the tufted floor.
"Wretch," I cried, "thy God hath lent thee — by these angels he hath sent thee
Respite — respite and nepenthe, from thy memories of Lenore;
Let me quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost Lenore!"
Quoth the raven "Nevermore."

"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil! — prophet still, if bird or devil! —
Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted —
On this home by Horror haunted — tell me truly, I implore —
Is there — is there balm in Gilead? — tell me — tell me, I implore!"
Quoth the raven "Nevermore."

"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil — prophet still, if bird or devil!
By that Heaven that bends above us — by that God we both adore —
Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,
It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore —
Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore."
Quoth the raven "Nevermore."

"Be that word our sign in parting, bird or fiend!" I shrieked, upstarting —
"Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore!
Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!
Leave my loneliness unbroken! — quit the bust above my door!
Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!"
Quoth the raven "Nevermore."

And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon that is dreaming,
And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted — nevermore!

-The End-

WELCOME TO KITCHEN STADIUM

2004-04-26T13:43:00.000-04:00

Ok, ok...so maybe it wasn't really Kitchen Stadium, but it was the house of the Iron Chef himself, Masaharu Morimoto.

This weekend, as a belated 30th birthday celebration, I made reservations for myself and 2 friends to have dinner at Morimoto in Philadelphia.

Well, the dinner was quite concievably the best dinner I have ever had in my entire life. Honestly, I have never tasted food like that before, nor have I ever recieved "the treatment" like that.

Let me start off by saying that when the cab driver pulled up to the restaurant, the Morimoto people opened the cab door and the door to the restaurant. Walking in, there were people to hold every door, and every single person that worked there was incredibly pleasant and helpful. They were awesome.

Our server was a super nice chick who was VERY helpful to us, especially since it was our "first dining experience" there. We ordered a bottle of water, and there were dudes who would come and fill up our glasses after we took like 3 sips. We also were overjoyed to find that the $200 gift certificate we had was totally usable (despite the fact that it was past the expiration date), and so, we decided "what the hell" and we ordered top of the line. We started with a bottle of wine from a price range that we would have never ordered otherwise.

The Suz and I ordered the OMAKASE (pronounced oh-ma-KA-say), or chef's choice sampler, which is an 8-course meal, prepared at the whim of the chef. It comes in 4 variations of pricing: $80, $100, $120, or, as our server put it, "the sky's the limit." We decided that we would go all out and we each ordered the $120 omakase. Brian ordered the $50 sushi combo, and got 16 of the biggest pieces of sushi I have ever seen, in an amazing presentation on a long wooden board. He actually could not finish it, and that was with the Suz and I each tasting one of his rolls. I tasted one of the spicy tuna rolls on his sampler, and I honestly have never experienced anything like that before. The spiciness was incredibly subtle, and rather than the heat being the first thing I tasted, it was actually the last sensation I noticed when I ate that roll. It was a very slow heat that built up in my throat, but not in a harsh or uncomfotable way. It was amazing.

Ok, now for my meal...

Course #1: Toro tartare--a little mold of ground up toro tuna with fresh ground wasabe and caviar in an amazing soy sauce (AMAZING!)
Course #2: 3 raw Kumamoto Japanese oysters, on a bed of ice, each with a different salsa
Course #3: 4 slices of yellowtail, seared in hot oils (AMAZING!)
Course #4: a scoop of wasabi ginger sorbet to cleanse the palate before the hot dishes (like nothing I have ever tasted before)
Course #5: Lobster 'epice', or 8-spice lobster--a whole half lobster--tasted like it was barbecued--cooked PERFECTLY
Course #6: Steak filet and fois gras layered on a half of a yam, cooked drizzled with hot oils (UNBELEIVABLE)
Course #7: Sushi--about 8 pieces of sushi, with 8 different fishes, including salmon, needlefish, eel, yellowtail, and toro tuna. Hands down, the best sushi I have ever had.
Course #8: Chocolate mousse cake with raspberry sorbet for desert. Unbelievably decadent, and a perfect ending to the meal.

Honestly, I have never ever in my life experienced anything like that before. It truly was an amazing dining experience. Everything that was brought out to us was explained by the server, including preparation and ingredients. Our bill was almost $500, but it was well worth it. It was unbelievable.

The only downside to the whole evening was that Chef Morimoto himself was not present.

Oh well...guess I will just have to go again sometime... *grin*

HAPPY BIRFDAY TO ME

2004-04-18T10:53:00.000-04:00

Yay! I'm 30!

If you read the previous post, I had not planned on doing anything scintillating for my big day. I just wanted to go out for a quiet dinner with my 2 best peeps.

They surprised me. We got to dinner, and there in the dining room were colleagues from school and friends from home.

What a great time.

Totally surprised.

I love my friends. *grin*

YOU'RE FIRED.

2004-04-17T12:52:00.000-04:00

Gosh, don't we all wish this could be true?

Check it out, and pass it along, yo.

AND, IT'S OFFICIAL.

2004-04-08T23:08:00.000-04:00

You are a GRAMMAR GOD!
If your mission in life is not already to
preserve the English tongue, it should be.
Congratulations and thank you!

How grammatically sound are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

But, hey, we knew that all along, didn't we?

HEY, GIRL...IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY

2004-04-04T23:16:00.000-04:00

Yes, it's true I have not posted in a while. But, as usual, I have an excuse. March Madness. It has been an amazing tourney on both the men's and women's sides, and I have been consumed by this.

I have since recovered, and I am now able to take the time to post about the excellent Garrison Starr show that I attended on Saturday, March 27th.

The show was at the NorthStar Bar, and disappointingly, not more than 30 people attended. On one hand, it's a rare treat to be able to (quite literally) sit directly in front of a musician whose music you have been listening to for the last 7 years and shout out requests, and have her play them. On the other hand, it's a terrible shame for her because she is such an amazing talent that is going unnoticed (at least here on the east coast).

The great thing was that there were some real Garrison fans at the show because the requests being yelled out included some old G*Starr--songs from her first album, "Eighteen Over Me" which is now out of print. And, of course, G*Starr didn't disappoint. She sang all the requests and a majority of the new songs from her latest album, including the hidden track.

One of the best things about going to see Garrison is the amount of conversation she brings to the stage. Going to a G*Starr show is like sitting through an episode of VH-1's "Storytellers." I love hearing about where a song came from, or what inspired a song, and Garrison is always good for a few stories--including the one about how she played an entire show with a wad of toilet paper stuck in her ass and didn't know it until afterward. In this case, three of my favorite songs from the new album were explained.

"Hey, Girl," which might be my favorite song from "Airstreams & Satellites" is a song about Garrison's realization that she has a problem with anxiety. She said it was written on an airplane to Chicago on a gorgeous clear day of perfect weather, and the pilot told the passengers to "sit back, relax, and enjoy the flight." At that moment, she knew she had anxiety issues because she was worried about what the pilot wasn't telling them. So, on that flight, she wrote a song to herself, and it became "Hey, Girl."

Another excellent song on the album is "Sing," which she described as her answer to the screwed up world we are all living in at the moment. She talked about how she can't make heads or tails of all that is going on currently, and because things are so out of whack, she started to ask herself what she could do to make a difference. The answer that she came up with is that she will do the only thing she can: sing. She will keep writing her songs and keep going out there and singing for people, and that's all she can do. I, for one, am glad.

Perhaps the greatest moment was her introduction of her hidden track, "Inside Out," which is a story of a gay woman coming out to her mother. Garrison said that "it's not a song about sexuality. It's a song about how God loves everyone...and so, even YOU, President Bush--even though you are a racist bigoted prejudiced jerk who thinks God only loves rich white old men like you--yes, God even loves you."

That is why I love her.

Well, that and the fact that she ALWAYS chats with her crowd after the show. I love talking to her. And, she signs cd's, too. I bought 2--even though I already had it--and gave them to my firends.

Please, people, go out and buy this woman's cd. It is soooo worth it. And spread the word about her. She is an amazing artist and deserves to make it HUGE.

I shall leave you with yet another set of crappy camera phone pictures (because I forgot my real camera).

Enjoy.

SOMEBODY BRING ME SOME WATER

2004-03-26T20:39:00.000-05:00

Seriously.

It has taken me this long to recover from the absolutely amazing show that I attended Tuesday night at the Electric Factory.

It reaffirmed my faith that the best concert one could ever go to is a Melissa Etheridge concert.

I don't care WHO you are, or WHAT you do in life. Gay, straight, white, black, male, female--it makes no difference. If you want to see someone who loves what she does, who truly appreciates all of the support that her fans give her, and who knows how to freakin' flat out rock a building filled with people, you MUST go see Melissa on her current tour.

Her latest album is "Lucky," and it really is quite good. Of course, her performance Tuesday was heavy on the "Lucky" tunes, but, the woman played for almost 3 1/2 hours--never once leaving the stage--and I think she performed every single "radio" song that she has, as well as a bunch of fan favorites.

The set list was as follows:

1) If You Want To
2) Your Little Secret/Secret Agent
3) If I Wanted to
4) Lucky
5) I Want To Come Over
6) Breathe
7) Angels Would Fall
8) Mercy
9) I Want To Be In Love
10) Breakdown/Heal Me
11) Come To My Window
12) Silent Legacy/Scarecrow/Tuesday Morning
13) You Can Sleep While I Drive
14) Meet Me In The Dark
15) This Moment
16) Kiss Me
17) Bring Me Some Water
18) I'm The Only One
19) Like The Way I Do

20) Giant

Also, the camera phone has struck again. See below for the quasi-discernable pictures from the balcony of the Electric Factory.

It was the best freakin' concert I have ever seen...even if YOU can't see the pictures.

SAY CHEESE

2004-03-11T18:45:00.000-05:00

I love my camera phone, but gosh...

Last night at the EXCELLENT Indigo Girls show I had 19th row seats--by no means terrible. As a matter of fact, they were quite good.

Yet....behold. The view from our seats, captured by my phone.

The view from our seats, captured by my phone. Yeah, that sentence says it all.

It's a phone, you idiot.

*slap*

TOUCH MY CAPE, I'LL TAKE YOU

2004-03-11T17:48:00.000-05:00

I am virtually giddy with anticipation.

I just saw today that one of my most favorite (if not my absolute favorite) performers is coming to Philadelphia once again. Giddyup, ya'll.

Garrison Starr will be performing at the NorthStar Bar on March 27th. I missed out on her last stop in Philly...
NOT SO THIS TIME! Ha HA!

I will already be in the City of Brotherly Love that weekend to participate in the first annual McCrossen's Fantasy Baseball Draft. Wee!!!

I honestly cannot wait. Having had the opportunity to talk to Garrison several times in the past, I can safely say in good conscience that she is one of THE most genuine people a person could ever meet. I hope that she gains all the success in the world with her music, because she is a true artist, and deserves to be a mega-star far more than most of the asanine "performers" that are out there currently. She has had some tough luck in the past with her record labels, but this new album is again, outstanding, and hopefully it will bring her back to the status she once had back in 1997 with her song "Superhero."

G*Starr, here I come!

And, in honor of the big evening, here are a couple of G*Starr songs for your listening pleasure. Get 'em while you can...

Garrison Starr - Airstreams & Satellites (and bonus track "Inside Out")
Garrison Starr - Gasoline
[You snoozers are losers, yo.]

A PERFECT WORLD

2004-03-10T14:09:00.000-05:00

Tonight, I shall go to yet another concert.

This evening marks the 10th time (I think) that I will be going to see the Indigo Girls in concert. I have been listening to Amy and Emily since I was in high school, and, their music has never lost its appeal for me--although at times, their politics have. Nonetheless, they are always a great show--I have never been disappointed--and I am just as excited for tonight as I was the first time I ever went to see them.

The fact that people-watching is at a premium at their shows doesn't hurt either.

Their new album is called All That We Let In, and it is one of their best in a long time. You should go buy it. Now. Hurry.

[Edited: Correction. After a quick re-count, it was proven that tonight was, in fact, my 8th Indigo Girls show, and not that milestone 10th...damn.]

Y KAN'T GEORGIE REED?

2004-02-05T20:21:00.000-05:00

This requires no help whatsoever.

Who will YOU be voting for in November?

A SHOUT OUT TO MY BROTHER TUCKER, WHO GAVE ME THE INSPIRATION TO SUMMON DEMONS

2004-01-28T22:20:00.000-05:00

Who would have ever thought that Andrew Wells would have become one of my favorite characters from the final seasons of "Buffy"? Certainly, not I. But, he was hilarious, and he managed to weasel his way into my good graces.

That is why tonight's episode of "Angel" was such a treat. Tom Lenk returned to the Buffyverse and arrived in L.A. to help Angel retrieve a rogue slayer. Andrew was back.

In just the few brief scenes that he appeared in, he was classic Andrew. He regaled the group (well, not ALL the group) with his explanation of how there could be yet another slayer in the world, since not all of them were privy to the goings-on in Sunnydale. His tale of the "slayer of the vam-PYRE" took us right back to "Buffy" season 7's Andrew-centric episode, "Storyteller."

The arrival of Andrew marks the first appearance of a "Buffy" character on "Angel" since the original series ended last year. It was a chance for the writers to satisfy some curiosity for the Buffy loyalists, as well. Andrew was able to tie up many loose ends by providing details about "Buffy" characters and their whereabouts. It's great to know that Buffy and Dawn are in Italy, while Willow (Yay!) and Kennedy (who we hate with a fiery passion) are spending their time in Brazil. All of the former Scoobies are rounding up brand new slayers all around the world.

And then, the Andrew-twist at the end of the story was the icing on the cake.

I stand by my opinion that seeing a piece of "Buffy" back on TV was great, if only for a brief moment.

Next week: Cordelia wakes up for "Angel's" 100th episode.

THEY LIVE IN A FREAKIN' HOLLOW TREE.

2004-01-27T23:19:00.000-05:00

Exhibit #2:

Behold, Liv Tyler--bizzarre freak-clone of her father, Steven Tyler.

She plays an ELF in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. How much more proof do you need?

IF YA WANT MY BODY AND YOU THINK I'M SEXY

2004-01-27T22:54:00.000-05:00

Dear Zam,

Just in case you were still tempted to think that Steven Tyler--while he is a legitmate rock star--is somehow sexy, please take a gander at this, my most recent evidence:

SEPARATED AT BIRTH

Hmm....

KILL ME QUICKLY

2004-01-19T23:18:00.000-05:00

This past weekend was spent taking a class. And, not just your average hour and a half class. Nope. This is a 3 credit course crammed into the span of 6 days. That means that my every waking moment (or so it seemed) was spent in this class.

This would not be a problem if I liked all the people involved. However, there are those involved who are VIGOROUSLY annoying me. Three "students" and the instructor. The odds are not good that I will maintain my composure throughout the duration of the course. The one dude (the worst offender) is patronizingly slimy. He actually whacked me on the ass with his notebook. HELLO!?!? I don't even know you from a hole in the ground, and you are whacking me on the ass with your notebook?!?? That did not sit well with me. Then, top that off with various derogatory comments that he made later on in regards to Amelia Earhart and her close friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt (you can see where this is going)...

I want to kick him in the 'nads.

STUNNED LIKE A SLEEPWALK SLAPPED AWAKE

2004-01-14T22:18:00.000-05:00

Ok, so, I just found out that next month, one of my most favorite musical artists is going to be releasing a new CD, "Airstreams and Satellites." Her name is Garrison Starr, and she is freakin' amazing. You may recall that back in the day, she had an album called "Eighteen Over Me" and a song called "Superhero" which was played on the radio ad nauseum. It was a shame for several reasons. First, when radio stations play a song 75 times an hour, it only serves to make listeners (who are the general buying population) so sick of the song, and artist that they never want to hear him or her again. Secondly, it characterized G*Starr as a "one-hit wonder," which, had the stations bothered to play any of her other songs, she certainly would not have been.

Just over a year ago, she released her second album, "Songs From Take-Off to Landing," after finally working out some troubles with record companies. It is amazingly great. Her song "Gardenia" gives me chills when I listen to it, and I am inexplicably compelled to turn my stereo up to levels unkonwn when my player hits song #10.

I have been fortunate enough to see her play a few times when she was in the area, and we actually got to talk to her a few times. She is one of the nicest and most genuine people you will meet. And as far as her live performances, she certainly doesn't disappoint. I cannot wait for this new CD in February, and I am here to make sure that you can't either. Check her out. Give the songs a listen. Then, go buy her stuff. Help a sister make a living. She's terrific.

Garrison Starr -- "Superhero"
Garrison Starr -- "Gardenia"
[Sorry...links are gone. You snooze, you lose.]

BLOG IT FORWARD, Y'ALL

2004-01-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

Ok, apparently, today is Blog It Forward Day again, so here goes:

Inspired Procrastination--The Procrastinatrix, as she calls herself, and her husband "The Rock Star" are expecting their first child, and it is just absolutely wonderful to feel how excited they truly are about the event. Not to mention, she is a way cool chick, and with all the procrastinating, a gal after my own heart.

Get Off My Lawn--Paul is absolutely hilarious, and a brilliant writer. I think he uses has a talent for using the English language to its full potential. He is infinitely entertaining.

I suppose that I will just list these 2 for now. I am a tad tired and need to sleeeeeeeeppp.....

A GODDAMN APPLE

2004-01-12T22:44:00.000-05:00

What an interesting weekend I had.

This past weekend was spent in the big city again (Mac will certainly start to think I am intentionally avoiding her since another Philly weekend has come and gone without a McCrossen's rendezvous), this time for Bri's birthday. Originally, plans were to go to the Flyers game on Saturday, but things didn't quite pan out. That was quite alright though, since we instead spent a relaxing afternoon lounging about after our initial Friday night of bar-hopping (ok--more like bar-hop since we only hit Rembrandt's and McCrossen's). Surprisingly enough, the brutally bitter cold (a whopping six degrees) was NOT a deterrent for people on Friday. Maybe people had bad weeks, or maybe it was the impending Eagles game, but for whatever reason, Remy's was packed, and so was McCrossen's. A good time was had by all at both hot spots, but as The Suz so aptly stated on Friday, while Rembrandt's is a nice place with a wonderful barman (no one knows how to pull a Guinness like Joe Danks), there is just something about McCrossen's that is so much more "comfortable." Every time we walk into that place, whether it has been one week, one month, or one year, people remember us and are always glad to see us. We have made a whole lot of great new friends through Brian, and McCrossen's has become our second home (only after McArdle's). I personally, was glad to spend yet another Friday evening late night at Mickey C's with the whole cast of characters.

Saturday was Bri's actual birthday, and again, we hit McCrossen's for some early dinner action...which somehow managed to evolve into another evening of drinks. I started off with a lovely Black Oak chardonnay to accompany my French Onion soup and Tuna and Scallop burger. Dee-LISH. The wine was flowing freely for a few hours when I decided I needed to try something new.

You faithful readers may recall my somewhat less than pleasurable experience with the dirty Grey Goose martini during my last visit to Philadelphia. I was now determined to find a martini I liked, and so, I thought I would give the martini name another shot. This time, I ordered an apple martini. Let me tell you, when I tasted this drink, it was as if the heavens opened up and a great white light and a chorus of angels had appeared. To quote George Costanza, it was like, "a taste explosion." This stuff is like legal crack in a glass. Oh. My. What a freakin' awesome drink. We passed the glass around, and after tasting, agreed that it was indeed, quite delectable. But, perhaps Brian summed it up best when he said, "That tastes exactly like a goddamn apple." So addictive.

I had 3 apple martinis (on top of my 5 glasses of wine) and I was basically, worthless after that. Not sloppy, but a tad schnoopered. We ordered some wings and calamari to go, and proceeded to head back to the apartment. It was nary midnight at this point. We got back to Brian's and we chowed down, put on pj's, watched 2 seconds of hockey, and passed out (in that order).

Sunday morning rolled around, and we dragged ourselves out of bed by 10:30 am to head to the diner for breakfast. A quick pit stop at the Whole Foods Market after we ate was punctuated by the most annoying man ever and his 3-year-old son doing their grocery shopping in every single spot in the store that we wanted to be in. We specifically went to the store for some garlic-stuffed olives, and this guy and his kid were (literally) inspecting and sniffing every single container of olives that was in the case. He actually allowed the 3-year-old to choose the olives. We were baffled at this, until, later on in an attempt to quiet the fussing child, he gave the kid olives--and the kid was eating them like they were candy. Unreal.

After the grocery shopping was finished, and we were finally able to ditch the annoying guy and his olive-eating freak child, we again went back to the apartment to lounge and lollygag on a lazy (such alliteration!) Sunday afternoon. We watched a few early afternoon hockey games (gotta love NHL Center Ice®), some NFL playoff action (but not the Eagles), and mostly, we watched the Philadelphia Park horse racing channel. It's always fun to watch the races and make friendly $1 wagers amongst friends--which we did. Again, I was reminded of why I should never take up gambling--I have the worst luck in the world. I did not get one pick correct all afternoon. All my dollar bills, down the drain. But, it was fun anyway.

We hung around into the evening hours, but decided it best to get the heck out of Dodge before the Eagles game ended in order to avoid the traffic death trap that is the Schuylkill Expressway. Needless to say, I got ZERO work done over the weekend, but, I had very little that needed to be completed to begin with.

The best part of the whole weekend--and perhaps the most ironic--was that I returned home to find that awaiting me in my mail was a hand-knitted hat from Mac over at Go Fish! Woo hoo! It is so freakin' awesome--I just love it! Thank you, Mac! The color is so unique, and the style is perfect for me (picture to follow soon). I hope you will all be über-jealous of me as I proudly sport my new "fishknit" hat. It's the bestest (and yes, I can make "bestest" a word if I want to).

YOU LIKE ME! YOU REALLY LIKE ME!

2004-01-08T23:44:00.000-05:00

Well, it's official.

I have a groupie--woo hoo!

I suppose that now this means that, just like in Tiger Beat, I will have to do one of those little bios where I list all my "Likes and Dislikes" in order to keep my fanbase satisfied.

*sigh* The burden of having 5 people who read this...

REALITY TV: ROUND 38

2004-01-07T22:21:00.000-05:00

Why oh why is it that all the new reality shows have to start up at the same time?

I cannot help but feel that it is a deliberate effort on the part of television executives to prevent me from getting any school work done at home. I bring things home from school, but then I turn on the TV and I get sucked into "Life After Extreme Makeovers" or "Celebrity Mole: Yucatan."

The absolute end all will be next week: new episodes of The Bachelorette, starring my favorite chick from this last series of The Bachelor--Meredith (the Paula Cole-alike).

Someone let me know when it is June.

IT'S NO GRAPES AND A POT OF WATER, BUT IT'S TRADITION.

2004-01-01T17:47:00.000-05:00

It's kind of funny that Zam and I alway joke about how we share a brain. All along, I had intended today to make my New Year's Day blog post about our strange, yet enduring PA Dutch New Year's traditions. Prior to writing this post, I stopped in at Zam's Blog, only to find that she has posted a wonderful little tidbit about her Cuban heritage and her family's New Year's traditions. (It's really a beautiful little entry--you should go read it.) Now, of course, I seem as if I am a copy-cat. However, I shall continue on with my original plan. So, here's the skinny on how we Dutchies in Pennsylvania celebrate the first day of our new year.

For those who may not know, the term Pennsylvania Dutch actually has nothing to do with Holland or the actual Dutch at all. The first settlers from Germany who came to PA back in the time of William Penn and the colonials were actually misunderstood because of their German accents, and when asked their original nationality, their reply of "Deutsch" (the German word for "German") became "Dutch." Hence, the whole PA Dutch--also called, more correctly, Pennsylvania German--culture, which is really German-based. (My town is famous for its annual Pennsylvania German Festival every year.) That being said, on to the explanation. *whew*

Any self-respecting Dutchman would rather be caught dead than not having eaten his pork and sauerkraut on New Year's Day. For as long as I can remember, my mother has made the traditional pork and sauerkraut for the New Year's Day dinner. Growing up, all my friends' moms made it, too. That's how you can tell which families are true PA Dutch. It's just the way it is. It's supposed to bring good luck for the upcoming year.

It's crazy here. Talk to anyone on New Year's Day, and one of the first questions they ask is, "Did you have your pork and kraut?" The folklore goes that the pork, rather than chicken or turkey, is good luck for the new year because a pig will thrust its nose forward in the dirt when it is looking for food, while a chicken or turkey will scratch backward. This idea, that if you eat chicken on New Year's Day, you'll be scratching for food all year long, originated with the first German settlers to come to Pennsylvania.

Usually, heaps of mashed potatoes accompany the pork and kraut, but in our family, the one other deelish tradition we PA Dutch have is that of the lettuce and bacon dressing. Oh my goodness. That is one thing that I love. So simple, but yet, soooooo good. Honestly, the name says it all. It's lettuce with a few hard boiled eggs sliced up on top, and then warm bacon dressing sprinkled over top of the lettuce. Yumm. I'm sure it clogs your arteries in less than 5 seconds, but heck, I only eat it once a year, so it's ok.

Anyway, that's how we do things here in Dutch country. I hope that everyone who reads this has a wonderfully happy, healthy, and prosperous 2004, and that only good things await you and yours in the year to come.

Peace out.