Hangin' It Up

Well folks, I can't believe it but good ol' Cindy is hangin' it up. The protester mommy has finally exhausted her desire to protest President George W. Bush and the war and is laughably calling it "resigning". (I'm not really sure how my blog got so political. I guess people have just pissed me off so I've decided to write about it?)

Cindy's says, "I've been wondering why I'm killing myself and wondering why Democrats caved in to George Bush...I'm going home for a while to try and be normal."

Good luck with that, Cindy-lou! You haven't been normal for the past two years. What makes you think giving up the protest is going to help that. I don't see why you've been wondering why you are killing yourself because it's very clear. You are coo-coo! I don't understand why you people don't get it! Our country's well-being was attacked...in more ways that 9-11. And as far as I'm concerned, your are just as much hurting our country as anyone else is by no backing the person who this country elected TWICE to lead us in this fight for our freedom.

Your son did not die by the hands of George Bush. Your son died defending your right to speak freely and protest in front of the White House. Your son died trying to make the world we live in a better place. Your son died defending people groups who can't defend themselves. Your son died defending the country in which you have a house in California and a house in Texas and who knows how many other houses. And you know what? No one held a gun to his head and made him join the military. (That's what happens in places like Sierra Leone and Uganda. Would you like to go live there?) He volunteered. He signed himself up. He signed his own name. He obviously felt a conviction and sincere love in his heart to defend his country, his family, and the rights that he was born into. And what do you do to thank him for defending your rights? You stay so busy leading an unproductive and nonsensical protest that you don't even have time to put a headstone on his grave. Is that how you want to thank your son? Is that what being a mother does to you? It makes you forget what you've been given? God help me if I ever become a mother and act like that! God gave that boy the gift of life through you. And you turn around an throw it back. So, so sad!

Cindy wrote in her "letter of resignation" on her online diary, "Good-bye America...you are not the country that I love and I finally realized no matter how much I sacrifice, I can't make you be that country unless you want it. It's up to you now."

Cindy, my dear, you've completely missed it. I think America has sacrificed WAY more than you have and your selfishness and inward outlook on the way this country is run has caused you to lose sight of why you are here in the first place and why God chose you to be born in the United States instead of in West Africa or East Asia, where there is no First Amendment. Oh, and by the way, just in case you missed it before, George Bush is the president. Not you. He was elected TWICE. I don't remember seeing Cindy Sheehan on my ballot when I voted in November 2004.

Thank your lucky stars that you live in the country that you live in and haven't been forced into prison and beaten. I think you should thank your son everyday that you are able to speak freely instead of whining about how mean, stupid G.W.B. cost your son his life. Get over yourself!


OK. I'm stepping down from my soapbox. I've ranted enough.

Only you can prevent forest fires! Not when lightning strikes!

Okay, so for the past several weeks the Florida-Georgia border has been in flames due to what has been called lightning strikes. And because the wind has been blowing, not only is the fire spreading but the smoke is making its presence known as far as Birmingham, Ala. This is causing some problems for me. I have this thing (I have quite figured out what it is yet) where I get headaches (big, ginormous, migraine-type headaches) every two weeks. I told my sister it could be a "toomah" (in my best Schwarzenegger voice). She didn't think it was funny, hit me, and told me never to say it again. Anyway, so they headaches have become more frequent because obviously my body isn't used to all the smoke. Or at least it's not used to all the burning wood smell. The smell has even made it's way into my office! It kinda sucks! I mean besides the headaches thing, the air and the sky are so hazey. It makes it kind of hard to see.

Anyway, all this talk about forest fires has conjured up memories of our good friend Smokey Bear. I remember when he used to come to my elementary school. We'd have an assembly and everything. You know, if you were luck enough to attend a fine institution that was a part of the Jackson Public School District, you'd know that we have assemblies at the drop of a hat. Smokey Bear was one of my favs. He's so lovable!


This blog has no point. I'm just writing because I'm bored at work and I'm tired of racking my brain on how to write a season review for a team that went 6-24 this year. "It'll come," I keep telling myself. It better come by tomorrow because tomorrow's my last day until August 1 and I'm not planning on doing much SID work over the summer. Especially not in June. They don't have internet connection in Honduras...do they?

Bored? Got 5 hours to spare?

If you're ever bored or have a day or two to spare, try this "quiz" I got from LT. It's the most frustrating thing ever but I love it! I've gotten to 60-something and it only took my an hour and a half! Ha! Have fun!

The Impossible Quiz

Bye, Bye Rosie!

Rosie is gone! She told ABC's officials that she would like "an early leave" and I'm pretty sure it has to do with the developments of the past week. I'm sure she's fed up with having her words spun and has tucked tail and run the other way. All I have to say is...good riddance! Elisabeth (I just realized that I spelled her name wrong in my blog the other day) completely put Rosie in her place earlier this week and I think it embarassed to her...enough to make her leave. Donald Trump used the word "self-destructive" to describe Rosie and as much it pains me to agree with Mr. Trump, I have to say that that term is dead-on. Her big mouth gets her in trouble and her actions are "self-destructive". I'm sitting here watching this woman on Nancy Grace (I didn't catch was her name was) saying that Rosie outted Elisabeth for what she was doing -- that being not supporting Rosie on camera like she did off camera and for playing the "conservative, Christian big-breasted preganant card". OH...and Nancy Grace called her out on that and totally cut her off and went to commercial. Mad props, Nance! I LOVE IT!

Anyway, to make things better ABC News confirmed that a Rosie staffer was escorted from the building that "The View" is filmed in for "defacing" photos of Elisabeth Hasselbeck. The culprit was found drawing mustaches and other things on the oversized photos and was immediately escorted from the building. How childish can you get?!?! I'm would hope that this person was just a random Rosie fan and not someone that Rosie would associate with. If so, Rosie needs mental help.

Anyway, if you want more info on the sitch, here are links to the story on Rosie's leaving and the "Defacing Debacle".

Rosie's Leaving:
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Story?id=3212816&page=1

Defacing Debacle:
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20040297,00.html

Lance Bass? Really?

I'm pretty pumped that I'm semi resemble Amanda Bynes because I absolutely love her. Ella Fitzgerald too. But Lance Bass? Really? And I'm totally not seeing Christina Applegate either!

Rosie Needs To Go-zee!

Rosie O'Donnell has completely lost it and to let it be known, I would not shed a tear if she absolutely fell off the face of the Earth a this very moment. I know God doesn't like me to say that about other people but after the stunts that she has pulled in the past few months, I think the world would be a better place without her. I truly pray for conviction in her heart, not conviction for the sins that she outwardly displays in her lifestyle, but for the way that she treats people on a day to day basis.

First "The Donald"...now Elizabeth, and Ms. O'Donnell wants to play the media victim in every situation. She announced yesterday on the view that's she's not going to argue with Elizabeth anymore because the media always spins it as "Big, fat, lesbian loud Rosie attacks poor, innocent, Christian Elizabeth". Sorry to speak the truth Rosie but no one is spinning anything in the news. They are exposing you for who you are.

Take a look:



I am an adamant believer in free speech but Rosie, you speak to people like they are in kindergarten and, whether you mean to or not, the tone in which you speak to people is attacking. You have brought all of this "bad publicity" and attention on yourself, beginning with your duel with Donald Trump. And I'm convinced that that is exactly the way you want it. You could have chosen the high road and "been a grown-up" and not retaliated to his comments, but making fun of him and speaking down on him stirred up a feud, and you brought it on yourself, whether you want to admit it or not.

Just because Elizabeth is the only level-headed Christian at that table everyday who appears to be innocent and easy to walk all over, doesn't mean you have to take advantage of that. Personally, I think she has shown in the past few months that she's not going to be a doormat for Rosie and Joy to wipe their feet on before they step up on their political soapboxes to talk out of their rear-ends. Many props to Elizabeth for keeping her cool and being professional while being a victim in all of this. If anyone is spinning things, it's Rosie. She takes every word that comes out of Elizabeth's mouth and turns it around. For instance, when Elizabeth said, "Our enemies in Iraq..." A sane person would have known that she was talking about the terrorist group Al Queda but Rosie had to turn it around as her saying that the country of Iraq is our enemy because the WHOLE country of Iraq attacked us. That is clearly not what she said.

I'm convinced that Rosie O'Donnell is completely and utterly paranoid. She feels that because she is in the "minority" as a lesbian, non-Christian, feminist that she always has to defend herself, even when a situation doesn't even concern her. This belief also obviously gives her the right to say whatever she wants to say with no consequences. Well, Rosie, your time for consequences will come. Two words: Judgment Day.

It's sad that in a day like this, in the world that we live in, a person can't express their Christian beliefs freely -- beliefs that this nation was founded upon and beliefs that give people like Rosie O'Donnell the right to speak freely -- without getting verbally, emotionally and politically attacked.

I may not agree with some of the things that Elizabeth says but I do stand by her in saying this: George Bush is our president. The nation elected him to that position. If you don't like it, you should have rallied around your favorite candidate in 2004 better when you had the chance. Why call for a president's impeachment eight months before the end of his term? It would take eight months for the monkeys in Washington, D.C., to make a decision anyway. It's going to do more harm to the country than there is now. No one is perfect. Not one. Not one person on "The View" panel, not one person in Washington, D.C., and not one person in this world. If you are looking for the perfect person to run this country, or if you are looking for a person to fun the country that is not going screw up once in a while, then you're not going to find one. You want a perfect leader? You want someone to come run this country that's not going mess up once in a while, Rosie? Grab a Bible, get to know Jesus Christ, and ask him to come reign over this country with his perfectness because he's the only perfect leader you're going to get. You want a perfect president? Wait until Jesus Christ comes back to claim his kingdom. You'll be wishing you voted for Him.

I agree that we've got to get out of Iraq soon before we have more dead bodies coming back to America than living soldiers. BUT...our nation was attacked. The lifeblood of our nation, our economy, was attacked and continues to be attacked and we CANNOT just sit back and look at the remains. Like "W" said this morning, we have to be on the offense. ALWAYS. We are the STRONGEST, most POWERFUL nation on this planet and if we curl up in a corner in the fetal position and surrender to the terrorists who are no more than Satan's pawns, we show the countries who depend on us for their well-being, countries in Africa whose food and medical supply come straight from the U.S. and Great Britain, that we are no better than they are and there is no point in depending on a nation that can't defend itself.

Whatever happened to the loveable Rosie who had her own show where she gave away endless amount of free gifts? The Rosie who was always happy, never had a bad word to say, and endlessly crushing on sweet "Tommy" Cruise? "Tommy, can ya hear me?" The Rosie who had "Tony Week" every year to pay homage to the Broadway community?

I can't wait for the day that Grossy Rosie leaves "The View" and I hope that Barbara Walters has learned her lesson. Ratings don't alway equal credibility. I used to want to be just like Barbara Walters. To me, she was one of the most powerful women in the world and the most amazing journalist this world has seen or will ever see again. But the moment she chose to replace Meredith with Rosie, was the moment she lost credibility in my eyes. No matter what the ratings say, since the appearance of Rosie O'Donnell on "The View", that show has crumbled to a point of disgrace and horror to where it would take a miracle to get it back to where it used to be.

Summer Woes

Ok...so it's become apparent to me that this summer is going to be filled with me trying to find things to do. After no one wanted to hire me for a full-time position, I'm convinced the only reason Samford asked me to stay one more year as an intern is because they felt utter pity for me and knew how much I wanted to stay in Birmingham. Nevermind the slight possibility of a full-time position in May 2008. But seriously, since my internship is only 10 months and it ends on May 31st and picks back up on August 1st, I have to find some way to make money during my "off-season" of June and July. I, of course, could lifeguard and teach swim lessons -- which is something I could do all day long, considering it requires me to be in or around a pool for most of the day. But first I have to get recertified. But wait...that costs money too! Geez!

I've been taking suggestions of what I could do to make money. My mom says I should babysit for my neighbors, since 8 out of 10 houses on my street house children who are the age of 3 or under. After all, it might be good birth control.

She also said I could take my cousin's daughter how to swim, but I have this problem with taking money from my family for things that I can do out of the goodness of my heart.

My roommate says work at Starbucks, after all, employees to get a share of their stock. But considering that I'm not a coffee drinker, nor do I really like the smell of coffee, I'm thinking that this one is a "no-go".

Gap is always an option. Discounts on clothes that actually fit me at a store that I don't HATE to shop in. I think I could do it.

Chris told me I should wait tables somewhere. Something deep down inside me says, "Absolutely not," seeing as my patience on a regular day is all-time low and my sarcasm increases by the minute. I'm not really sure I'd last one day.

Okay, so enough talk about jobs. What am I going to watch? My beloved "24", "Grey's Anatomy" and "The Office" are gone for the summer. "AI" is done after tomorrow night and I'll can only catch reruns of "Heroes" on the Sci-Fi channel - a channel that I don't have here in Birmingham. "Lost" is coming to a close and I've just started to get what it actually going on. What am I going to watch?!?!

There is "So You Think You Can Dance?" premiering Thursday, that's a possibility. And "America's Got Talent" is about to come back on. But with Jerry Springer as host and Sharon Osborne as a judge...I'm sure the quality of this season of the show isn't going to be "top notch". Jerry seems to always attrack people who should be clinically institutionalized and Sharon...well she's just annoying. Not to mention, nothing is a good without Regis.

Oh, well. Maybe they will start another cycle of Project Runway. They showed reruns of last season they other day and I forgot how much I really love that show. Make it work!

American Idol Recap

Okay, first can I say...Blake is really getting on my nerves. I have nothing against him and his family. His dad is actually pretty cute and the whole thing about him never being able to show his parents what he could do because they died when he was young was really touching. And he won mad props from me with the whole Sir Mix-a-lot thing also. But seriously, the beat-boxing bit is getting a little old. Justin Timberlake can do it and it's pretty awesome, but he doesn't put it in EVERY SINGLE SONG HE SINGS! Blake, give it break! People are a little annoyed by your dire need to become the next JT. You're good. You kicked the Maroon 5 songs butt last night! But one favor...can you sing a song without pop-locking? Because you do the same move everytime and it's driving me crazy! Could you just sing a song without moving or maybe even just walk across the stage like a normal human being? The pop-lock and beat-boxing was cute at first, but you'vev kinda gone a little overboard with it. It's a little "played out." Congrats on making the finals, but Melinda really deserves to be in your spot. I think Sir Mix-a-lot was your ticket to the finals. (Here's Blake doing the beat-box low key.)

Speaking of Melinda...sweet Melinda. I hated to see her go. American Idol has never seen a talent like that since Jennifer Hudson. I still keep to my word that Lakeshia will be the next Jennifer Hudson, but if you didn't like Melinda then you don't know what being a sing is. I know America started getting tired of her innocent "Who me?" facial expressions and everything, but speaking as wanna-be backup singer and the child who has been in the shadow of her amazing sister's musical ability all of her life, it still shocks you when the spotlight is actually on you and people are actually giving YOU compliments and telling YOU how amazing you are. Good job Melinda! Plus, I think she is adorable. She reminds me of a little brown Glo-Worm. Do you remember those?

Too bad you were just another victim of the Cowell Curse. Whichever contest Simon likes, America stings along and votes off at the last minute. People...when Simon actually gives a positive remark, that's when you listen to him. I'm sad to see you go but you won't need American Idol to get a recording contract. The day that AI releases you from their bonds, there will be labels waiting in line to sign your amazing talent. P.S. You have the perfect voice for a gospel album. Just a suggestion.

And last but not least...did anyone see how GREAT Elliot Yamin looked tonight? He's a completely different person. Thank God for AI because without it, he wouldn't have the most perfect veneers ever. I have to admit that last season I didn't really like him because of his appearance. I would actually close my eyes when he would sing because he has an amazing voice but he wasn't actually a sight for sore eyes. He looks INCREDIBLE now! He's quite the cutie! He's got perfect (however, fake) pearly whites and a curly shag do that would drive any girl wild. And if you know me, you know my obsession with curly hair...especially on boys. I'm so proud of him...I think I'll go add him on Myspace.

Anyway, that's my shpill for tonight. I'm rooting for Jordin, who also has an amazing voice for a 17-year-old. Plus, her dad played pro football. Go Jordin!

Thought Provoking Questions (maybe I'll try to answer a few)

1. Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, "I think I'll squeeze these dangly things here, and drink whatever comes out"? (My guess is Adam?)

2. Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horribly crisp which no decent human being would eat?

3. Why is there a light in the fridge a nd not in the freezer?

4. If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a song about it?

5. Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane?

6. If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of coconut, why can't he fix a hole in the boat?

7. Why do people point to their wrist when asking for the time, but don't point to their crotch when they ask where the bathroom is?

8. Why does your OB-GYN leave the room when you get undressed if they are going to look up there anyway? (Because watching up undress is not in their job description?)

9. Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours? They're both dogs!

10. What do you call male ballerinas? (ballerinos?)

11. Can blind people see their dreams? Do they dream? (This is a stupid question and a little discriminatory!)

12. Why ARE Trix only for kids?

13. If Wile E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that Acme crap, why didn't he just but dinner?

14. Why is a person that handles your money called a "Broker'?

15. If quizzes are quizzical, what are tests? (testicle?)

16. If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, then what is baby oil made from? (babies?)

17. If a man is talking in the forest, and no woman is there to hear him, is he still wrong? (Probably!)

18. Why is it that when someone tells you that there are over a billion stars in the universe, you believe them, but if they tell you there is wet paint somewhere, you have to touch it to make sure?

19. If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?

20. Is Disney World the only people-trap operated by a mouse?

21. Why do the Alphabet Song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?

22. Do illiterate people get the full effect of Alphabet Soup? (Again, a little discriminatory!)

23. Why do they call it an asteroid when it's outside the hemisphere, but call it a hemorrhoid whne it's in your behind?

24. Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him on a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?

100 Things You Never Really Want To Know About Me...Or Maybe You Do

Heather and Boo have inspired me to do this with their lists of 100. I thought, "I have nothing really to do at work. I'll make my own list of '100 Things You Never Really Want To Know About Me...Or Maybe You Do'. Boy, was I wrong. I never thought making a list of 100 fun things about myself would be so hard but it seriously took me a week to do. Anyway, here goes...


1. Trying to get a job is extremely emotionally draining.
2. When I’m upset, all I want is my mom and dad, especially my dad.
3. My right index finger is shorter than my left and it doesn’t straighten. It’s a small after effect of a wart from when I was little – I’m convinced of it!
4. Singing absolutely almost always makes me feel better.
5. Pretty much all my life, but especially since high school, all my friends have been boys, except for one best girl friend. Every girl needs a best girl friend.
6. I want to learn how to sew.
7. Once when I was little I thought it would be fun to play the piano with my baton. Not a good idea. Mom wasn’t very happy but she couldn’t keep from laughing either. We still have the piano…with the chipped keys. What can I say? I love mixing my hobbies.
8. My best friend Lauren and I always said growing up we were going to be either cheerleaders or majorettes at Mississippi State. Neither happened.
9. My dad once handcuffed my sister and me together when we were little because we wouldn’t stop fighting. He thought it would make us appreciate each other. He even made us go to church handcuffed, or maybe he just threatened. Either way, it eventually worked.
10. Throughout my childhood, I loved to collect things – stray buttons found in department store dressing rooms, wallpaper samples from our weekly after-church trips to Sears, cool rocks from the playground (I would often come home with a pocket full of rocks) and Dennis the Menace cartoon clippings out of the paper (Thanks to Grandma for feeding that addiction).
11. I once got the bright idea to play skating rink in my house. I strapped on the ol’ skates and took some loops around the house. Then I got the bright idea to go skate upstairs. Going up was much easier than coming down. I flipped down the stairs and got a busted lip. My parents decided to forego the spanking considering the busted lip and bruised ego would be punishment enough.
12. In elementary school (probably like 2nd and 3rd grade), my parents would bribe me with Little Caesars pizza on Friday if I didn’t get my name on the board for the whole week. I think it probably equaled out to about once a month. Thus, my obsession with Little Caesars Crazy Bread…and the innertube around my waist.
13. My Papaw was probably the coolest Papaw around. He always had a story and won a 2-million mile award for driving Trailways Buses. He was a soldier in World War II (not really sure that he actually fought) and he once had a bird fly so hard into the windshield of his bus that it went straight through the bus and went out the other side (at least that’s how he told it). Every time he picked my sister and me up from school, we’d go to the gas station and get all kinds of junk food. He also took us to the zoo all the time and we loved it when he took us to the Swinging Bridge in Byram. Too bad it’s forbidden now. My children will never get to experience that.
14. I take pride in being voted Most Loyal Rebel in high school and think that in no way my being head cheerleader had anything to do with it.
15. I love that I have a best friend that I’ve known since birth and that we can go months or even years without talking and pick up right where we left of the last time we saw each other. I love you, LB!
16. My first speeding ticket was for going 100 in a 65 on Highway 25. My car has never gone that fast since.
17. I’ve been to probably more than 100 weddings in my life…8 in my immediate family...one sister, seven cousins. I’ve been a flower girl four times, a maid of honor once, an honorary once, a program hander-outer nine times, and a rice/tea girl twice.
18. I was in the Top 10 of the Beauty and Beau Pageant my senior year in high school. And I didn’t get there because my mom worked for the school or because my sister was the MC.
19. I’ve been to 10 Broadway plays – 2 in New York, 1 in London, these I’ve seen in Jackson. This doesn’t include the six music revues I’ve seen, two in which my sister starred in.
20. I’ve walked down the aisle where Princess Diana became the Princess of Wales and I stood where her casket was in Westminster Abby. Both were probably two of the weirdest moments of my life. P.S. I’m obsessed with the Royal Family.
21. I always look forward to family vacations. They are some of the best memories of my life.
22. Until I got my wisdom teeth taken out when I was 21, I hadn’t thrown up in nine years.
23. I played the piano by ear for a year before my parents decided to have me take lessons.
24. I’ve had a guitar for six years and only know two chords. It’s still THE BEST Christmas present I’ve ever gotten.
25. I once got bit by my friend’s grandparents’ poodle and I will forever hate the poodle breed.
26. I won’t eat Rally’s burgers because my cousin once got mad at me and put nail polish remover on mine. I didn’t eat the burger.
27. I’ve had five dogs in my life. One was a stray that I found in the gutter crossing the street from my elementary school to the junior high that my mom worked at. She let me take it home. We had to take it to the pound after we discovered that he dug a hole under the fence every night to sleep by the garbage cans. So sad!
28. I will never master the art of back rollovers!
29. My parents were going to name me Bubba if I was a boy…short for William Robert Walden, III.
30. Whenever I go to concerts, I often study how the musicians play instead of sitting back and enjoying the music.
31. I have a secret desire to be a background singer.
32. When I was little, I wanted to be a playground architect and design playground equipment. I had a notebook of designs…I think I still have it.
33. I have to eat my skittles, jelly beans, and often times my mms by color. I pour the whole bag out and split them up into color groups. Then I make each group an even number, eat the odd ones first and start with the group with the least amount in it first and go up from there. I eat each group by twos. I guess you could say I’m a little OCD.
34. More often than not, I have a list of things that I have to figure out or name off in my head before I can go to sleep at night. Sometimes it’s the states…sometimes it’s what class and teacher I had for each period, each year of high school. Another weird quirk.
35. When I was little I would say that ham gave me a headache. It really actually did. The smell was horrid. Sometimes I still say it so that I won’t have to eat it at Thanksgiving. Turkey, please!
36. I hated Oreos all my life until about April 2007.
37. I have a fear of drowning yet I am a lifeguard and saved people from drowning.
38. I don’t care what Sheryl Crow says, I will never, ever be able to use just one piece of toilet piece to wipe my hiney!
39. Jeremiah 29:11 is my motto for life. I take it seriously. It’s not a cliché. That and the line from 10 Things I Hate About You, “Never let anyone make you feel like you don’t deserve what you want.”
40. Tulips are my favorite flower. Shrimp and Crawfish are my favorite foods.
41. I used to think that I couldn’t play outside past 7 on Saturday and Sunday evenings because there was a monster that would come and get me if I did.
42. I want to wear my mom’s wedding dress (updated) if I ever get married. And I want my sister to sing The Lord’s Prayer (even it is has to be previously recorded.)
43. My dad is my hero. I used to think that he competed in those Strongest Man competitions that they show on ESPN.
44. I get a migraine every two weeks. It lasts for about two days. I’ve had this problem for a little over a year now. It’s getting kind of annoying.
45. I can’t wait to be an aunt in November!
46. I miss doing plays and Colonel’s Classics when I was in high school.
47. I have a list of “Things I Want To Do In My Life” – the list includes going to the Kentucky Derby, visiting Australia and surfing, and learning how to fly.
48. I have to admit, I kind of, a little bit, miss Derby Days. I think I miss dancing the most.
I love when people play with my hair.
49. I love when Kyle comes to visit me because we always go to Cheesecake Factory.
50. I’ve never been more comfortable with my life and my surroundings that I am right now.
51. I love my job. I’m a sports information director. My job is watching sports. What could be better?!?
52. I loved going to a school my mother worked at. I could always go to her room and act like I needed something if I was late to a class and she would give me a pass. Also the coaches were always looking out for me. It was like having nine dads around for eight hours of the day.
53. My dad used to be a soccer coach when he taught science at Peeple’s Junior High. His team was the first and only state championship soccer team the school (or any JPS school) has ever had.
54. In eighth grade, my friends who were Mississippi State fans decided to roll our other friend’s mom car (who was an Ole Miss fan and just happened to be our English teacher). We did it during third period, which was art class. We had the teacher wrapped around our finger and could talk him into letting us do pretty much anything. We once talked him out of detention. We rolled the car, and then “got called” to the principal’s office. (FYI: The principal was like our dad. He was cool.) They had drawn up suspension papers for all five of us. Fake suspension papers. They told us that we were suspended for three days and I laughed. The principal called my dad – he went along with it. Long story short – no suspension…just a good ole laugh.
55. I had a horrible case of chicken pox when I was four. I was in the hospital for a week. The doctors said it was the worst case they had ever seen. They were inside my body – down my throat, in my ears, everywhere. When I got out of the hospital my dad overheard the doctors say, “Well, Miss Katie, we almost lost ya there.” He wasn’t happy.
56. I can relate any situation in life to an episode of Friends, The Cosby Show, Saved By The Bell, or Full House.
57. I was the kid in kindergarten who wouldn’t wake up from naptime. They would take my blanket from me, then my pillow, then pull my mat out from under me. One day, we had a substitute. She tried to wake me up by pulling my up by my arm. The result was the my arm was pulled out of socket and I had to go to the doctor and get it popped back in. I got ice cream on the way home, as was our usual post-doctor visit ritual. We went back to the daycare to get my stuff and I walked up to the teacher and said, “I got ice cream. Na na-na-na na!” (Immediately followed by the sticking out of my tongue.)
58. When I was in kindergarten, I would kiss all of my guy-friends goodbye when my mom came to get me. One time she came and I forgot to do it. She started to pull away and I said, “Wait! I forgot something!” My mom stopped the car, I jumped out and my boys were lined up at the fence, waiting for their smooches! I kissed each one of them through the fence, jumped back in the car, and said “Okay, we can go now.” My mom found it funny. I was the harlot of Raymond Road Baptist Daycare and my mom thought it was funny!
59. My roommate is amazed by the fact that I can snooze for two hours. I just don’t like waking up!
60. I hate pantyhose!
61. I'm incredibly good at Wheel of Fortune and will be on the show someday.
62. I’m contemplating looking into doing fantasy teams for next year. Anybody want to explain the process to me?
63. I really want to go to Africa.
64. I think Blood Diamond is THE best movie I’ve seen in a while.
65. I almost got arrest in Paris for putting my feet on the subway seat in front of me.
66. I can't wait to go to Honduras in June!
67. One day I will attend the Summer Olympics. The Winter Olympics are just too cold.
68. I also think it would be cool to go to the XGames…maybe even the Winter XGames. At least those are more exciting than figure skating.
69. I’ve lived in only two states – Mississippi and Alabama.
70. I’ve visited only 12 states…if you count the airports I’ve had layovers in – AL, TX, MO, AR (drove through it on the way to MO and pretty sure I ate at a Sonic), LA, FL, GA, SC, NY, IL (or O’Hare International Airpot in Chicago), MA (or the airport in Boston on the way back from Paris), and TN.
71. I love the little square “Fresh Ink” cards that they have at Hallmark. I buy at least five whenever I go in there, and it racks up points on my Hallmart Gold Crown Card!
72. I love to paint. My mom says that I should sell my paintings. I don’t think I’m that good.
73. I’m very good at remembering people’s birthdays.
74. I have never smoked a cigarette or taken any kind of drugs.
75. My dad gave me my first taste of alcohol at a distance cousin’s wedding when I was in 11th grade. He had me taste wine and champagne. I didn’t like either one. He liked that fact very much.
76. I love Christmas music. I could listen to it all year.
77. Cookie cakes are my FAVORITE!
78. I was never really grounded when I was a kid. I was told I couldn’t watch TV for a day one time.
79. I wonder where the term “grounded” came from.
80. I lived on campus for all four years of college – Rice Hall (freshman), McKey Hall (sophomore), and the KD House (junior and senior).
81. I was lame enough to think that my mom would be mad at me if I didn’t pledge Chi O. I pledge KD. My mom and I are still on speaking terms.
82. I absolutely LOVE fountain cokes from Sonic and coke ICEEs.
83. I’m way too sarcastic. Most people can’t take me seriously at all.
84. Ironically, I couldn’t stand Ben the first time I meet him because he was so sarcastic. My sarcasm has increased since we started working together.
85. I am the grammar natzi I swore I would never become.
86. I hated wearing dresses when I was little. I semi love it now.
87. Whoever created pantyhose should be shot and killed. Okay, that was a little harsh. Maybe just hurt a little.
88. I have never broken a bone, but I’ve had three semi-injuries. Numero uno: The afore mentioned arm-out-of-the-socket disaster (see #58). Number two: I twisted my ankle once in first grade and made my parents take me to the emergency room. However, I think I was more excited about going to the emergency room than worried about my ankle. We ended up leaving because I was jumping around in the emergency room. Obviously I was okay. Numéro trois: I “jammed” my knee in cheeleading practice my sophomore year. This was probably my worst incident. I fell from a liberty onto my knee. I’m pretty sure it was a sprain. I couldn’t walk for two days.
89. My dad, my mom and my sister all work in education. I’m the let down. I ruined the tradition. I decided to work in the boring field of sports.
90. I have an obsession with Australian things…especially koalas. I used to want one for a pet. I still kinda do.
91. I share this with Heather T. Skaggs: I love to vacuum. I’m not really sure why. I also love using the Swiffer.
92. I miss the Carebears more than you could ever know.
93. I love monogrammed things and polka dots.
94. I’m a people-watcher. I could sit in a restaurant, mall, airport, whatever and watch people walk by.
95. I have this thing where I have to sit facing the door in most places like restaurants and stuff. I attribute it to my people-watching obsession.
96. I often look at people and wonder what their story is. I rarely ask though.
97. I love flying. Have I said this before? 9/11 had no affect on my love of flying.
98. Has anyone seen Carlos Mencia’s “No Strings Attached”? It’s actually quite good and he makes some very good points. He kinda spread the Gospel a little bit. It would be great if he didn’t curse so much though.
99. I love to pop my knuckles.
100. I can't believe it took a week for me to get to 100.

The Wii...or should I say Weeee...the world solution to obesity cause by video games

Ok...can I please tell you how much fun Wii is to play? I just had the best two hours I've had in a long time playing Wii with a bunch of my student workers. It's the cooooooolest thing ever!

Wii (if no one knows by now), according to Wikipedia (the worldest wealth of knowledge), is described as this: "the fifth home video game console released by Nintendo. The console is the direct successor to the Nintendo GameCube (which is also cool...love MarioGolf, thanks to Jason and Drew). Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic that that of Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3, but it competes with both as part of the seventh generation of gaming systems. A distiguishing feature of the console is its wireless controller, the Wii Remote, which can be used as a handheld pointing device (like a mouse I guess) and can detect motion and rotation in three dimensions. Another is the WiiConnect24, which enables it to receive messages and updates over the Internet while in standby mode."

In real people language, this contraption, unlike it's predecessors,
allows the user to actually move with the game. This isn't moving like I used to move with the controller when I would try to make Mario jump from one small brick to the other. The Wii detects you movement through the controller as you play the game. So as you play tennis or golf or bowling, like you would in real life, it detects your movement and transfers it onto the screen. How awesome is that?!?!?! It's much like the virtual reality thing of the 90's.

This, I am convinced, is the world's solution to child obesity due to sitting in front of the TV playing video games. I would never allow my children, future children that is, to play video games as I did when I was a child. Although I didn't become obese as a result (because I would rather play all night then take a break and eat dinner), it did severely affect my temper and caused me to through controllers, as well as Gameboys (Diggie, from Run's House, I feel your pain. Although my parents didn't let me do chores to earn money to buy another one...they just said I couldn't have another one.)

Anyway, I've gone off on a tangent. I would definitely allow my
children to play this. It encourages an active lifestyle. And it's fun for the whole family. This is so great because it allows you to get a work out while playing the video game. Much like DDR (Dance Dance Revolution), you can work up a sweat playing the boxing and tennis games that come with it, along with bowling and golf as well as a plethera of other fun things to do. (I was told there was even an aerobics things you can do with it. Although I'm sure it hardly rivals Hip Hop Abs.) The owner of the Wii said her brother has a Madden game that you can actually run and throw the football in. Too cool for school!

P.S. After playing the Wii for a good while, the user may even become tired as a result of all the physical activity. Seriously. The child wouldn't be able to handle more than two or three hours of it. It's pretty much equal to a good play in the yard (although, I would never choose Wii over a good play in the yard). But it's good for a rainy day.

Parents of the future generation...I officially endorse the Wii. Encourage an active lifestyle in your children and join in the fun. I leave you with a quote from the people of Nintendo, explaining how the Wii is for everyone, users of all ages.

"Wii sounds like 'we', which emphasizes that the console is for everyone. Wii can easily be remembered by the people around the world, no matter what language they speak. No confusion. No need to abbreviate. Just Wii."

Where in the world is Carmen San Diego? Maybe she's on the Oregon Trail!

Does anyone remember the computer games Carmen Sandiego and Oregon Trail? I've just finish a 20 minute long conversation with Ben and Gavin about these two games and how awesome they were when we were in elementary school. Of course, this convo stemmed from another convo about American Gladiators and the best Nickelodeon games shows ever made such as GUTS, Legends of the Hidden Temple, and What Would You Do?.

I can remember playing Oregon Trail in fourth and fifth grade gifted class when Mrs. Hansford would give us free days. We even did a unit on the whole Oregon Trail deal with the settlers and going across the country as a tribute to our love for the game. We even had a party "on location" at the pond behind our school. The whole setting really did fit because there were cabins back there that the school district often used for retreats. We played games and fished and everything. It was awesome!


I remember putting my friends' names into the program
(much like we would do with Sleuth) when I would get mad at them so that they would end up getting dysentery or falling of the wagon or much worse...dying of starvation. No harm done. I didn't really want them to die.


And oh, Carmen Sandiego! How I loved this game? And it was even more fun when it was a TV show because my sister and I would compete against each other at home. Of course, she always won. Anna wins everything. I've dealt with that. Sort of. But I can remember getting home after school in just enough time to catch the beginning of the show. And how could we forget the greatest host in the world...the lady from "Lean On Me". (See Lynn Thigpen to the right.)


Anyway, I just wanted to share the memories. Now I must get back to work.

Superman vs. Batman: Who's the real superhero?

Who's the real superhero here? I mean, if you talking super powers, it's Superman hands down. But what about Batman? He doesn't have super powers and he seems to save the day everytime. So do you give it to the superhero with super-human strength and super powers, or do you give it to the guy that doesn't have super powers and is just smart enough to use all these gadgets just laying around the house to save the day?

Who would win in a fight? Most people would say Superman, and I would have to agree to some extent. But we all know that Batman can't be counted out. After all, he's pretty good with those flying bat disc thingies.

Next question...why do they have jobs? Superman = journalist. Batman = entrepreneur. But why? They're freaking saving the world all day long -- except Batman does most of his saving the world at night. How does he get any sleep, working all day, saving the world at night? Hmmmm...Batman is starting to look like a winner.

Superman does have time to sleep at night. He's not really saving the world in the p.m. However, with Superman being Superman, does he really need to sleep? All he has to do is leave the office and jump in a telephone booth, and he's off. And that's another thing...all Superman needs is a telephone booth. Why?

Batman has a whole freaking Bat Cave...with cars and planes and cars that turn into planes and gadgets and a butler. A BUTLER? Superman doesn't even have a butler. He's just has Lois Lane over there trying to figure out who that guy was the other day who saved her life and why she is suddenly attracted to Clark Kent. HELLO? Sorry to break it to you Ms. Lane, but the glasses don't make that much of a difference. I mean, at least Batman has a mask.

Let's talk about sidekicks a little. Batman has Robin and then later on we are introduced to Batgirl. But really...who does Superman have? He doesn't need anyone. He's got it covered by himself.

Superman's been tabbed at the American Hero. Batman...much like Spiderman for a while was considered a villian to some. Has Superman ever been considered a villian? This may be a question for my dad. Superman's motto is "Truth, justice, and the American Way." He's looking out for the good ol' U.S. of A. Batman seems to have to issues with his past. A lot of time it seems like he's saving people because he feels he obligated to. But why?

Who knows? Think it over. Give me some feedback.

vs.

Happy Birthday Batman & Robin!

Happy Birthday to Benji (Ben) and Grant, also known as Batman and Robin. We call them Batman and Robin because they are such a dynamic duo when it comes to work and play. The cruise around of the marketing golf cart all the time like it's the Bat Mobile...so our associate AD for external ops lovingly pinned them with the title's Batman and Robin. (They are also known as Chrif and assistant chief...but that's a whole different story).

Tuesday was Ben's birthday and Grant's was today so we've had an awesome celebratory week of sweets in the office and office lunch outings all week long. (This is a picture of Grant, me and Ben...in that order...I took it for my internshiop final project. Notice Ben trying to be hardcore. No one cares that you graduate from the Citadel, Benji. Get over yourself!)

I stayed up until 12:30 in the a.m. Monday morning baking the best looking cupcakes ever to take the "Dynamic Duo" on Tuesday. Of course, the delay came because I was helping Kelly cook her graduation cupcakes for her intern Jermaine (who played football at Samford). The picture to the right is what Kelly's cupcakes looked like. I have no physical evidence of my cupcakes. However, I got raving reviews from the folks in the office about them.

Tuesday, for Ben's birthday lunch, we ventured to Full Moon Barbeque. Ben wanted to go to Olive Garden but we feared that the wait would be too long since it's in Hoover right next to the Galleria. Plus, Ben decided that he wanted a burger instead. Plus, we knew we'd get a deal since we (Samford) have a partnership with them.

Wednesday we decided to go the Mexican route. I think we all regretted that decided post-lunch.

But today, oh today, sweet Benji got his wish. Grant decided to go to Olive Garden today for lunch so we could all partake in the $5.95 Soup, Salad, and Breadsticks deal, which is very much worth the six bucks plus tip...in a good way.

Vaughan, Grant's wife, who also works in the office with us, picked up a cake from Savage's (THE best bakery in town) on the way to the OG. It was very fitting as you can tell in the picture below.

So here's to Grant and Ben...the best pair of guys that I could imagine sharing an office/corridor with. Who knows were I would be with out Ben's constant marriage proposals or the "Citadel" manners he's taught me, like calling him "Sir" and standing up when he walks in the room. Also I am a better person because of the wealth of not only Redskins knowledge (and the lovefest that he has with Joe Gibbs), but also general NFL knowledge. I know I can always turn to him for an answer.

Grant's been my source of useless Tennessee knowledge, like where a certain city or school is and what "real" city it's close too. He used to be a cop too, so I go to him for any law enforcement questions I have, especially which cop is better to get pulled over by and how I can get out of this ticket. Grant's the kind of guy you want in the car with you when you get pulled over by Homewood police or the kind of guy you want to drive 45 minutes out of the way to pick up a couch, only to find out when you get there that it hasn't come in like the told you it had when you called three times the day before. He's the only guy I know that would say, "Hey, it's cool...let's go get Sno Biz!" and then talk about how to market Sno Biz in Homewood during a 5K.

Yay for fun Samford friends!

"Holy Marketing Batman! What are we going to do for a promotion this week?!?!"
"Better call the unicycle kids!"