more randomness

Update: Okay, I just finished publishing and republishing this about 5 times... I took out a lot of the original html junk to make it work better with blogger, and added more content. As of 10:15 this is complete... so if you read it sooner, you might want to check it out again.

And feel free to check out the comments... I will be responding as much as I can today.


A few things first...

1. Yesterday was so busy. I completely forgot to stop by. But I will give you a real update later in the week.
2. Last night was great. We had a really nice time at Brian and Stacey's! Their new house looks great, the dinner was good, and Stacey's belly looks adorable.
3. I'm trying out some html stuff in the bottom half of this post... I know it works on a pure html driven site (is that even how to say it?)... but not sure how that will translate into blogger's format. Be patient with any non-prettiness.
4. Mainline Mom... over at WaterWaterEverywhere... well she got me all riled up this morning!! Lol. Not in a bad way... but definitely stop by her site (linked in side column) to see what got me going. I'm going to go out on a limb today and talk about two controversial issues that are both important to me. Breastfeeding in public and gay marriage. The first one... well, Mainline Mom really said it well, so my talk on that will be a lot shorter. But I will spend more time on the second.

Okay, so breastfeeding...
It is so horrifying to me that people would be so down on breastfeeding in public! It's one thing if a woman would get half naked to do it... but that isn't the case. Most women are very discrete about it, as they don't want their breast hanging out anymore then anyone else does!!

I think one problem is the fact that breasts are seen as such sexual objects. Sure, they can be a sexual area of the body... but their main purpose is to feed offspring.

I find it amusing that its hard to find maternity tops (unless you go the blouse or turtleneck route) that don't show off "the girls". No one seems to have a problem with that, but just the idea of someone exposing part of their breast in public (even if they don't actually show anything) to feed their baby is apparently too much to deal with.

This gets me so riled up. I'm hoping to breastfeed my future children, and I can't imagine being harassed for it because I'm out running errands with my baby and don't feel like hiding in a dirty bathroom to feed them. Hopefully new, protective legislation will be passed in PA... very soon (I can't believe it isn't already in place)!


Issue Two... Gay Marriage:
This is not something I normally talk about outright. I have mentioned it in passing, but I thought I would take one day to elaborate a little. You may not agree with me, but I hope you won't run away because of that. Just one short post and it is back to my regularly scheduled blogging.

It is my firm belief that regardless of race, creed, color, or sex; one should be able to marry. I think it is as right, as necessary, and as Obvious, as not having seperate bathrooms or water fountains based on color. If two people love each other and want to spend the rest of their loves together, how does it hurt you to recognize them legally?

Some say that it is a religious thing. Well then don't marry them or recognize them in the church. But last time I checked this was still a nation where laws were created to represent all people regardless of what religion they were practicing. Some say that they want to preserve what marriage is about. Well, I say until we do away with Britney Spears style 55-hour Vegas marriages... heteros really have nothing to say about the santity of marriage. And if they want to extend that argument to children. Well, gay parent's make just as good a parent as hetero couples do. They can adopt (their are PLENTY of children needing adoption) or go through the same fertility treatments as straight wanna-be parents do. These are not arguments, they are excuses.

And I'm not the only one... here are some quote, some figures, a narrative a friend of mine compiled...

Marriage is at once a deeply personal commitment to another human being and a highly public celebration of the ideals of mutuality, companionship, intimacy, fidelity, and family. Because it fulfils yearnings for security, safe haven, and connection that express our common humanity, civil marriage is an esteemed institution, and the decision whether and whom to marry is among life’s momentous acts of self-definition.

- Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall, writing for the majority, Goodridge v. Dept. Public Health, Mass. Supreme Judicial Court (November 18, 2003)

http://www.freedomtomarry.org/

Del Martin, 83, and Phyllis Lyon, 79, who have been a couple for more than 50 years, were the first same-sex couple to be legally married in the U.S. on February 12, 2004. By March 11, when the California State Supreme Court ordered a halt to the weddings, over 4,000 gay and lesbian couples had tied the knot. These couples had traveled to San Francisco by bus and plane. They had called in sick to work, packed their kids and camping gear into the backs of their cars, and headed to City Hall. They had stood in line through high wind and torrential rain, all for a chance to have their relationships legally recognized.

“The odd thing about the opposition to gay marriage is that if opponents were not so blinded by bigotry and fear, they would see that gay men and lesbians provide the last, best argument for marriage: love and commitment. Gay marriage will not and cannot weaken the institution of marriage. A heterosexual is not somehow less married because a homosexual has tied the knot. On the contrary, the institution will be strengthened, bolstered by the very people who for conservatives represent everything loathsome about modernity. Gays are not attacking marriage. They want to practice it.”

— Richard Cohen, “This May Be Good for Marriage,” in the Washington Post, November 20, 2003

quicky

So busy today... but c'est la vie. Wanted to pop in here quick and show you some cute pictures of my best girl and I... around christmas time.





And one that I don't think is the best of me, but where Babs looks supercute. :-) Just thought they were so cute, and had to share... since she just sent them to me last night.

Okay, back to work for me (yes, I came in... though i did sleep in some too)! Ciao!

ahhhhhhh....

I slept for twelve hours last night. I was in bed by 9pm, asleep by 9:30. It was incredible... my whole body was so tired. Today is such a relief, the stupid conference is over and went well. Plus I get to go into work late (or not at all if I really want) tomorrow, which means more sleep if I need it. If overwhelmed was the word of the day on Thursday, then todays word of the day is "Ahhhhh". :-)

Everything ended around 4:30, then there was cleaning up and running some things over the office, then checking out of my room. By the time I got to the train station it was 5:30, and the train had just left at 5:22... so I had about an hour wait until the next train. By the time I got home it was just before 7. By the time I checked my email, changed my clothes, made some dinner and ate... it was almost 9. I was exhausted, so I just got ready and into bed.

Now I just need to wait for my husband to get home. He left yesterday afternoon to head to Psi U for an event. He'll be home this evening. It was weird not seeing him since Thursday night. I miss my hubby!!

Oh another note, I just got done watching a really bad movie. Well, not the worst I've seen, but definitely not good. Anaconda 2: The Search for the Blood Orchid. It was made slighty worthwhile though, by the one character... played by Karl Yune. I have a huge celebrity crush on the Yune brothers. Karl is also in Memoirs of a Geisha, Rick was in the Bond movie, Die Another Day (the guy with the diamonds in his cheek). Good stuff.

Okay, the hubby is home... time to run!!

and the word of the day is... overwhelmed

Sometimes I get overwhelmed. I feel like I'm forgetting things and like there are things pulling me in every direction. I think mostly it happens because of work... so much going on at one point and not feeling in complete control of it, and it spills over everywhere else. I don't like feeling out of control.

Right now I am completely overwhelmed.

I'm not depressed, or unhappy... but just, well, overwhelmed. I get more emotional because of it, and physically, I get worn out. Last night my body felt like it weighed 500 lbs... and it was a chore just to be.

And then I read stories and I take on the negative emotions of the characters because, being so emotional, I feel what they feel. The character I'm reading about right now feels numb... I'm not numb yet, but I'm getting there.

And this, especially the last part, almost made me cry... because I want that.

Luckily once this weekend is over, it should be better. A big conference (all day tomorrow and Saturday), which is a big part of my work overload at the moment. Two more next month (one in Chicago), but getting through this weekend will be better.


Sometimes, I wish I had some religion in my life. Something I could turn to at moments like this to find myself again... and divorce that self from the overwhelmed work part of my life. I define myself as a spiritual, but not religious, person. I believe in G*d, but do not agree with most organized religions. But I miss church... the routine, the sanctuary, and the quiet, away from it all, only you and G*d feel of it.

I think it will be better when I start walking more again... which I can finally do, because it's not freezing out anymore. It's so much warmer right now then it has been. Highs above freezing! And next week, highs in the 50s! Yowzer. I think I'll start bringing my sneakers to work with me... maybe start walking to the farther train station (about a mile away), because walking makes me feel good... and I can get almost the same relief, same close to G*d feeling, that I used to get sitting in a church sanctuary.

I walked yesterday and it was such a relief. I went to the gym at first... but had a semi-headache, and just wasn't feeling it. For the first time since I started working out there, I felt out of place. I didn't want to lift, I didn't want to run on the threadmill... I wanted to be outside, with the fresh air and what remained of the sunlight. So I left after only about twenty minutes, changed, and set off for the far train station. It felt so good to walk, to feel the cool air on my face and not be under the artifical lighting. Maybe the winters lack of sun hasn't been helping.

It's good that I have Trav and our home. When I am home I feel better, I can put that overwhelmed feeling aside... but, the side effects remain because its tiring to feel that way all day.

I feel a little better today, but still... so overwhelmed. And that feeling of forgetting something. I hate that.

This is all so random, but it feels good to type it out... to force myself to put it into words, and in that way, help myself to understand it.


Okay, back to work. Ciao.

loose ends

Wrapping up some loose ends... things I meant to write about, but forgot to include in my weekend post. First off, Happy Chinese New Year. As of Sunday (past one), it is the year of the piggy!

The Pig type is usually an honest, straightforward and patient person. They are a modest, shy character who prefers to work quietly behind the scenes. When others despair, they are often there to offer support. This type of person is reserved with those they do not know too well, but as time passes and they gain confidence, those around them may discover a lively and warm-hearted person behind that mask of aloofness. Despite those born in the year of pig having a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, they have few close friends who understand them and share their inner thoughts and feelings. It is easy to put trust in pig type; they won't let you down and will never even attempt to do so. Such people simply want to do everything right according to social norms.

It is important to remember that these people are not vengeful creatures. If someone tries to take advantage of them, the pig type tend to withdraw to reflect on the problem and protect themselves. All they need in such situations is a little time to find a constructive way to respond. The people of the pig type are conservative creatures of habit. They dislike being made to travel too far from familiar surroundings, unless it is a trip to the countryside. They love nature and are never happier than when they are out somewhere, far from the city.

There is a tolerant and peaceful side to their character. Such people are never afraid to allow others their freedom of expression; they do not want to cause arguments and if there is any way to avoid arguing, they will probably take this option. They are not weak, however, and if the situation forces them to fight these people will rise to the occasion, whether it is to defend themselves or those close to them.

You are a "pig" if you were born in the years 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995. Some famous pigs are:

• Alfred Hitchcock, British film maker
• Andrew Jackson, 7th US President
• Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of California
• Billie Joe Armstrong, musician
• Carlos Santana, musician
• David Letterman, talk show host
• Elton John, singer
• Ernest Hemingway, writer
• Ewan McGregor, actor
• Hillary Rodham Clinton, US Senator
• Humphrey Bogart, actor

As well as dozens of other actors and three other US presidents.

So Happy New Year!

Plus "In Chineses culture, the pig is associated with fertility and virility. To bear children in the year of the pig is considered very fortunate, for they will be happy and honest."
So that is lucky for Brian and Stacey, who are due in April! Plus a few other friends we know who are having babies this year.

Which brings me to my next topic of conversation:
There is so much "life changing" around me at the moment!! Babies, people breaking up, people getting married. It's fun, but a little unnerving sometimes. The babies/pregnancies (three IRL [in real life], twins at Greek Tragedy, one at WaterWaterEverywhere, one just born at Musings, and one at Expiration Date, are so exciting... but I will admit I get a little... not jealous, but wistful maybe? Looking forward to that? Plus, it's so hard to see couples (some in real life and some online) that we love as couples, call it quits or take a break.

I guess it just makes me feel like everything is so fluid and changing right now. Not a bad thing... and not really anything different when you think about it (life is always fluid and changing). It just feels more so right now. ::rambling::

It does make me extra happy about our trip to Ireland though. The feeling of 'different' that surrounds our impending trip, well it helps me balance the not as positive feeling surrounding all those life changes I was talking about. It lets me harness this feeling of a need to do something different... to embrace the fluidity and do something good with it! Does that make sense? I guess I'm really rambling now! Moving on.

Hmm, what else did I want to write?!

Oh, Happy Ash Wednesday too. Is that something you can wish someone a "happy" one of?


Honestly, I guess that's it. I've been slowly righting this all day and it's hard to keep my train of thought moving. I'm looking forward to getting back to the gym after a week away (bah)... not looking forward to exercising wearing a pair of underwear I now know to give me the worst wedgie ever.
Too much info?

Well, to leave you with something amusing. Check out these cards by A Little Bit Pregnant... dark, amusing, and very cynical.


And for something uplifting, from halcyon... a new life motto.
I think it is a good thing for me to embrace right now:

Love more, fear less.
Float more, steer less.

Okay, that's really all now. Back to work for me.


ps. Did you see the post below? With our bathroom? And our painting?!
Look people, look and comment!

pps. All people sited in this entry should be linked in my sidebar! Just fyi.

my weekend with pictures... again.

So, I'm going to try and be better about writing this week. Last week was just crazy... with the snow day, and the crazy day at work that followed, and Valentine's Day... etc.


As for my weekend... well it was great! Busy, but a lot of fun.

Saturday started off early... for a hair appointment. Just the normal stuff, color and a trim... although I'm thinking of going for something more dramatic next time. Like a real cut. Up to just above the shoulders. Thoughts? No really, thoughts?

After that, it was over to my parents for some lunch and hanging out with my bro.


We went out to Best Buy because he got some gift cards there for his birthday. So we went over and walked around for a while and he found some great stuff. It was a lot of fun, especially since I hardly ever spend one on one time with him. It's almost always the whole fam together, so it was a nice treat.

Then I headed to Laura's and stayed for dinner with her and the kids. She had painted the kids' bedrooms to prepare them for the move. She's still not happy about moving and having trouble getting the drive to find all the info she needs on the schools up there. Anyone know anything about Boston area schools? Again, really... if you have any imput, let me know! It's extra hard to look from so hard away, when a lot of the districts won't talk to you until you have an address there, and with the added "difficulty" of needing to tailor her search to include services for children that have special needs. I can see why she is frustrated.

When I headed home, I found that Trav had been a busy boy indeed while I was gone:

No more ugly wallpaper!!
Trav had spent all day armed with a wallpaper steamer and a razor, getting all the paper and glue off. Then washed the walls down twice. (I did the taping... :-) Just had to get that in there.)

Then all day Sunday we painted. Two coats of primer and two coats of paint later... we have this!



A lovely blue-gray color (plus a window that's actually white)! I love it. Less then two weeks and the bathroom guys will be coming to do our shower. I can't wait to see how it all looks together!

Today (Monday), I had off for President's Day. So I took care of some small stuff... dishes, a few touch ups in the bathroom (along the tape lines), some groceries, and cleaning the shower curtains. Also, plenty of that lazy stuff too. :-)

I also snapped some pictures of Travis' Valentine's Day present hanging in it's new spot on our bedroom wall.

And a close up:
Look familiar? This... found here. It's something different, something fun... and most importantly, Trav loves it. It's by a great artist I found named Angi Grow. Her stuff is so edgy and just plain great. Honestly, as soon as I saw her stuff, I knew I wanted her to do a painting for me. As soon as her site is up I will link it here.


Well, it's about time for me to get to bed. I have to drag my butt into work tomorrow. But I promise to be back sooner rather then later (probably Wednesday... I think this is coming late enough to count as a Tuesday post!! Lol).

snowy days...

Yesterday I had a snow day for the first time in years (good thing too considering how crappy it still is in the city today). It was fun. I woke up at my normal time, but got a phone call soon after letting me know that I shouldn't come in. Woot!! I couldn't fall back asleep, because that's just how I am... but I lounged in bed for a bit, then headed downstairs for some breakfast. It was great... relaxing, doing some emails, looking at some stuff for Ireland, watchign some TV, eating some more, some dishes, vacumming a little (mostly due to a flour explosion in the kitchen... ugh... but it still counts!). Good day. I meant to pop in here and post all about the pleasure of being lazy, but I was too lazy... and the forgot. Lol.

Trav's present finally came around dinnertime, but that was just fine... it got here! No picture yet, but I can tell you what it is! I got him a painting... custom done just for him. Pretty fun.

I cooked us dinner too, since I was home. We had gone out on Tuesday night... to miss the crowd and avoid the ice-sleet mix we knew was coming. So last night was a relaxing night at home. We ate, exchanged gifts, watched a movie and were in bed by 9:45. Not what you would typically call exciting... but we had a great night. Perfect for us.


We also emailed our photographer with what should be the final revisions for our wedding album... so hopefully we'll have a final draft all ready to be printed very soon. When we do, I'll post the pages here.


Today it is back to work... and busy busy times. Plenty to get done, much that I thought I was going to do yesterday. Wish me luck.

weekend review... with pictures!

First, the pictures:

Bride and Groom... making it official with a kiss.
Trav and I... all dressed up (ignore the funny spot... what is that?!).
A close up.
And Travis being a goof.
What do you think... would one of those make a good Christmas card picture?


Travis with the bride's mom (Sheila) and the bride (AB).
The pretty cake.

This weekend really was great. I won't bore you with a detailed recap... but I'll give you the highlights. We had an easy drive out on thursday night... and headed down to the bar for a bit to meet up with Trav's brother and sister-in-law. Saturday we at breakfast/brunch at the lodge, stopped by the K's condo to wish the bride luck, then headed back to our condo to get ready. The wedding was beautiful, although it sucked that the officiant forgot to tell us to sit down, so we all just stood for 20 minutes for the ceremony. Reception was fun... dancing, pretty good food, open bar. Afterwards headed back to the house because i was exhausted and my feet were killing me. Saturday we headed to the K's condo for a big brunch with bride & groom and family. Great food... ate way way way too much. Relaxed for the rest of the day because it was too cold to ski (-6 with windchill, fun). Hit up the lodge for dinner. Sunday we relaxed in the morning, packed, headed to the K's to say goodbye, then headed out around lunch. With a stop for food, we were home around dinner.

I've been a bit tired... but it was worth it. A great weekend overall.

And tomorrow is Valentine's day. Trav just emailed me asking if I wanted to go out tonight instead of tomorrow... which is just fine with me! It will be just as fun and romantic, but with many less people.

Oh! And I got some great news... some friends got engaged over the weekend!!

Congratulations to Barb and George.

They are such a cute couple, and I'm so happy for them. I know they will have a long happy life together.

In not so nice news... I heard that another couple friend of ours, who were engaged, split up. :-(


Okay, well time for me to get back to work. Happy four months to Trav and I! Lol.

long day

It's going to be a long day. I've been here since the time that, on a normal morning, I would be getting dressed. And I'm not leaving early. Plus there's that whole 5+ hour ride out to Seven Springs after that. It will all be worth it in the end though, a long enjoyable weekend. And I will be taking a long lunch today to get my nails done (yippee!).

Last night was interesting. Got to the gym and halfway done changing when I realize I had forgotten my shoes. If I had been wearing my normal work shoes it wouldn't have been too much of a problem, I just would have skipped the treadmill and done weight machines the whole time... but I was wearing my boots! Big. Furry. Fuzzy. Boots. Not so great for the working out. So I changed back, headed to the train and waited for 20 minutes to head home. So successful!

Lots of packing (I hope we remembered everything!)... and then some relaxing. As a favor to Trav's dad, we taped Lost. It was actually the first time I had ever seen the show. Not bad... luckily there was a Lost special on beforehand that "explained" the show up until that point, so I was able to follow along for the most part. I don't think we'll start watching it all the time (it's on at 10 for Pete's sake, that is my bedtime!), but I'll enjoy it if I see it!

On another note...


Something else from the news:
Washington initiative would require kids for marriage

A new Initiative in the works will ask whether or not children are the point of marriage?
Last summer, the court ruled that Washington's Defense of Marriage Act -- which prevents gays and lesbians from marrying -- was legal because the state has a legitimate interest in "preserving marriage for procreation." So a gay rights group has taken that one step further creating Initiative 957, stating that if you believe the legality of the D.o.M.A. for that reason, then in fact, having kids is a requirement for marriage. If the initiative makes it on the ballot and becomes law, it would limit marriage to couples who are able and planning to have children. If no children were produced within three years, the marriage would be annulled.

Obviously their main goal is not for the Initiative to pass, but to make the point that Washington's reasoning is completely flawed in this day and age (especially since homosexual couples often do have children)! I love it... either marriage is about children (in which case you shouldn't be allowed to marry if you can't or won't have any) or it isn't just about kids, but about something more then that, of which children are only one part (in which case gays and lesbians should be able to marry).

I think you can see where I stand! What about you?


Okay, well this is it for the week... we won't have a computer or internet until we return on Sunday. Have a great weekend folks!!

for moms.

I found this one and it made me teary... so because I am feeling sentimental today, you get to read it too.

(Real quick... Snow this morning! This whole week has been busy at work, but very excited for leaving tomorrow night for the family-friend wedding. It will be great to see Trav's family, and I hope to get a nice picture of us. Ooo, and skiing too. Also talking to Rebath about our shower stuff, hopefully they'll be coming by the end of the month/beginning of March. Oh, and hopefully Trav will be painting soon... I found the color I like, he just has to approve! Sorry, this is a slow blogging week for me! Okay, now the moms thing.)

We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of "starting a family." "We're taking a survey," she says half-joking. "Do you think I should have a baby?"

"It will change your life," I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral.

"I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations."
But that is not what I meant at all.

I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes.
I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable.
I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking, "What if that had been MY child?" That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your
child die.

I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent call of "Mom!" will cause her to drop a soufflé or her best crystal without a moments hesitation.

I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood.

She might arrange for childcare, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right.

I want my daughter to know that every day decisions will no longer be routine.

That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming
children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that restroom.

However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother.

Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself.

That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give herself up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years, not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs. I want her to know that a cesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor.

My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child. I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reason s she would now find very unromantic.

I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and drunk driving.

I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time.

I want her to taste the joy that is so real it actually hurts.

My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. "You'll never regret it," I finally say.

Then I reached across the table, squeezed my daughter's hand and offered a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of callings.

Please share this with a Mom that you know or all of your girlfriends who may someday be Moms. May you always have in your arms the one who is in your heart.

This goes double for Grandma's!!

monday monday

Thanks to all who replied to my last post... those who haven't yet, do!

I can't believe it is 3:30 already, this day is flying! And freezing! Today is flying and freezing. High of 19*, got to love that.

I had a great weekend. Didn't get around to doing pretty much anything that I had thought I might do... but it was still great, especially since Trav was very productive without me and cleaned the back bedroom! What a great guy.

We went to Ro & Pat's house Saturday night for a game night with them and our other friends Kerry & Jeremy. It was definitely amusing. Scattagories when you've been drinking is highly entertaining. We spent the night and hit up Ruby's Diner the next day... where I had thee best burger. Topped with two slices of cheddar cheese, bacon, and two onion rings. So good. I also called my brother in the morning to wish him a Happy Birthday... I can't believe that he is 17!!

Then of course Sunday afternoon meant the Superbowl. I was pleasantly surprise... though I was kind of routing for the Bears, I really didn't care that much who won... so I wasn't expecting to be really into the game. But it was definitely an entertaining game! A touchdown to start the game off... 5 fumbles, practically in a row... interceptions, including two in a row at the very end... it definitely kept me watching. Which did create one problem... when to pee. Honestly, the game was good, but you can't miss the commercials!

My favorites were:

• The Bud commercial with the couple driving who see a man holding some Bud and an ax... and the guy wants to stop. "It's a Bottle-opener!"
• The Coke commercial with the coke bottles throughout the years with corresponding advances in the civil rights movement.
• The Bud commercial with "Rock, Paper, Scissors"
• The Blockbuster commercial with the mouse.
  

Yours?

I also got a few great emails yesterday. Let's see... my Valentine's Day present for Trav is done and on its way to me. I'll probably post a picture of it here, but obviously not until after V-day! Also, a friend I thought didn't love me anymore says that we are still friends! Woo-hoo! Plus I got a responce from the lady at Thousand Dollar Dress.

And today I got one that letting me know that some friends of ours had found a house, and as long as the inspection goes well, will be closing at the end of March. I'm very excited not only because this is great news for them, but also because they are the ones keeping their stuff in our basement. Once they take their stuff back, we are going to get a new couch!! :-) Lol. I honestly don't care how long they keep it there, but now that I know a date, I can start to get excited about a couch.

As for today... well poor Trav is feeling sick after a rough night of tossing and turning. I'm hitting up the gym after work and I wonder if he will still be awake when I get home or not!! My poor boy.

Well, seeing as time is flying... I should get back to work!

i'm here! and it's february!

First... Love
Then... Laugh

Now listen to me!
I actually have a few things to talk about! Sorry for the delay. Between normal busy days (yes, you guessed it... the gym!), and blogger being crappy and fitfull, well it has been hard to even want to show up! But I'm here now! And it's February!

(So please play along and delurk to post some replies! Please!)


In the news:
Harry Potter fans, of which I am certainly one, have a lot to look forward to this July. First the movie comes out on the 13th... and now it has been announced that the final book will be out on the 21st too! Click here to read more. I am really damn excited for both of those arrivals, although the last book will be a little bittersweet, since I don't really want it to be the last one! I hope it is very long.
Also, JK Rowling has said that two main characters will be biting the big one in this book. Predictions? I'm saying Voldemort and Harry Potter himself. It seems like they might both have to die for either to die... and then she could be sure that it was the last book! But you never do know.


There was also (in more serious news) the dumb, dumb, dumb remarks about Obama, by Biden. I honestly don't know what the man was thinking... it was just a stupid thing to say. There has been lots of backlash, which I think is to be expected. Honestly, if you say one of the great things about the guy is that he is "clean"... you can't expect him to be like, "hey, thanks, that's a really great compliment... it will encourage me to continue to shower daily." I read one particular Op-Ed which I thought was very dead on.
All I can picture when I read what he said, was that his speechwriter was somewhere off to the side frantically signalling that this was not his work. What a way to start a campaign! Thoughts?


Also, anyone have any thoughts on who they would like to see in the Presidential race? I know we aren't even past the primaries yet, and people are just announcing their running now, but I'm curious what people think.



In non-new related items:
I am compiling a list of "classic" books/stories that I want to read. I read A LOT... so it is hard for me to keep track of what I have and have yet to read. So, I started compiling a list. I'm sure the list will grow over time, but I want to open this up now and ask you to offer me your suggestions! I'm not asking for just good books... I'm looking for classics! Book/stories that everyone should read, that have already persisted, and will continue to be must reads.
Examples: Romeo and Juliet, 1984, The Scarlet Letter, The Island of Dr. Moreau, etc!

Anything for me?

I'm also working on my things to do before I die list (because why not! I love to check things off!)... although I am not asking for suggestions on that one.


Hmm... I don't have much more to write about at the moment... it's almost lunch time so all I can think about is food! :-) But before I go, a quick birthday roundup!

Happy Birthday to: my Pops (the 28th of Jan.), Chuck (the 29th), Willy (the 30th), Mike (today), Tucchi (tomorrow), my bro & my grandmother (the 4th), and Phil (the 6th).

I hope the day is great for all of you!! xoxo