I'm becoming increasingly aware that people actually read & follow what I write & what I do. Wow, I don't know how I feel about that. haha. It gives me pressure to keep it entertaining. Eh, I'll do what I've always done. I'll write to entertain myself. If others are entertained, so be it!
As you know, I went to Philly on Saturday. Earlier in the week, I decided I needed a day trip on Saturday, or as I called it, a "daycation". I thought I was clever and original with the name. Um, no, I wasn't. I still like it though. After scouring the area to see what was within driving distance, I settled on Wilmington & Philadelphia. After researching Wilmington further, I decided I'd only lunch in Wilmington and spend the afternoon in Philly. Come Friday, I still didn't know exactly what I'd do in Philly. I did find a lunch place though. A retro type diner in Wilmington. I even kinda knew what I'd order. Then, luck and Google would shine on me. WALKING TOUR. I love walking tours. You get to see so much more. This one took you to the historical areas in Philly. Then, more luck. There was a deal to get a few bucks off when you buy a walking tour ticket AND a ghost tour ticket (called Spirits of 76. Clever!). Boom, my day was planned.
After my exercise class Saturday morning (yup, still going to the tai chi/yoga/pilates hybrid class. The people in it are very nice too. Some of the moves are just odd though), I got ready to head out. Still no scale at the gym after some MO-ron smashed the old one to smithereens. A picture of it was even posted. Bizarre! I didn't get lost at all on the way. I would have gotten there sooner but there were a couple of wrecks. By the time I reached them, the wreck & police presence was over. I'm guessing folks were slowing down to look. DON'T DO THAT!! Drive past and move on. I think people who slow traffic by rubber necking should have their car keyed. I also had to pay a couple of tolls. I've never been through many tolls booths. I've only been a passenger through them. I didn't realize it until I went through them. Is it odd I've never tolled? Anyway, some of these toll booths reminded me of pit stops in NASCAR. You get off the exit at the same time them you split off and find the booth with the shortest line before anyone else gets there. I was expecting to get my tires changed or radio my crew chief. Since I left from Maryland and came back to PA, I had different routes. The route going back had 1 toll. There were 2 coming from MD. Just saying.
Anyway, made it to lunch. Friendly retro place. Most of the servers were guys. That was odd to me. Had the Monte Cristo, which was ham, turkey, & swiss on French toast. Pretty good. Plus a side of home fries. It was way too much for me to eat all of. Then on to Philly. Found my parking garage, then tried to find my tour which was many blocks away. Yeah, I should have taken a cab (or is it a taxi, or a taxicab?). Twice I was asked if I was from Philly so they could ask directions. I think it's because I made eye contact with them. Here's a hint, if someone makes eye contact, they probably aren't local lol. Saw giant board game pieces in front of a museum, a guy riding a motor scooter shirtless, and a guy skateboarding in traffic, stopping at a red light & everything. So yeah, weird.
Finally found where I needed to be. This exercise must be paying off because my walking was fine :-) GO ME!! At first, I was the only one on the tour, then others joined at the last minute, including 3 Brits. I find that hilarious, but they were awesome. Tour guide was great. Very informative, plus he's an actor so he sold it really well and did a few accents. Got to see a lot of historic places that shaped the country today. After the tour was over, I still had a few hours to kill before the ghost tour. So I decided to go ahead and eat. I found a place that served cheesesteaks. Probably not a well known place for them, but I didn't care. Had one, had some baklava and a diet ginger ale. All in all, pretty nice. Then I still had a ton of time to kill so I found the place, then walked around a while longer and saw some more cool buildings. Finally, the ghost tour started. I don't believe in ghosts and spirits and stuff like that. I know that sounds strange since this is my 3rd ghost tour (in addition to Chattanooga and Fell's Point) but it's fun hearing the scary stories and walking around the town. There were 2 children on this tour. Why you'd take a child on a scary GHOST tour is beyond me. One kid was about 9 or so and she was smart and she was fine. The other poor girl was about 4 years old (Yeah, 4 on a ghost tour. Lazy parents) and kept talking and asking questions and asking if the ghosts were mean & stuff like that. Plus, some of the stories were pretty gruesome. I saw no orbs, no spirits, no specters, no cold chills, nothing. After that, I got in a cab, back to my garage, and off I went alone into the dark Pennsylvania night.
All in all, it was a good day. I saw a lot, got to do some fun things, eat, say I've been to Philly. I did have to cross over one sort of scary bridge, but it could have been worse. Plus, the temperature wasn't too warm. I was fine in jeans. The world didn't need to see me in shorts. Oh, and 1 person got that the A on my shirt stood for the University of Alabama. He asked if Bama was gonna win the SEC. I told him yep. I would have stayed and chatted with him, but we were about to start the tour and he was on a break from the visitors center so he was probably about to head back to work. Less than 3 weeks till kickoff. RTR!
Got in at midnight Saturday/early Sunday. I was exhausted and sweaty. But I still made it up for church today. Then I went to see Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. AWESOME movie. Too much fun. Action, comedy, non stop fun. Then back to church for a church wide meeting. It's fun seeing folks other than Sunday morning. You get to talk with them more when they aren't in a rush.
I haven't lost as much weight this week, but after a few days of futility, the scale at least is headed back down. WooHoo!! Other than all that, work, Dale Carnegie, and trying to help a friend get over a romantic crisis, life's been pretty simple. Got to decide when my next daycation is and where to go. I have friends in DC so I could go there. A lady in my exercise class and the awesome Janet Cash both suggested places in northern Virginia. But my next accomplishment will be my San Diego vacation next month. Maybe a trip to LA too while I'm there? I wonder if either of them have ghost tours. Hmm...but pre-schoolers aren't allowed this time.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Like a drifter I was born to walk alone
BEWARE IT'S A LONG BLOG:
Well, well. Another week and another month have come and gone. July was pretty good. I had two 4th of July parties, went to the carnival and the parade, turned 35, went home, saw my sweet girl Caroline, started exercising and Weight Watchers (and even lost weight!!), finished reading one book and even started another. Church & work were good. I saw Inception which was amazing. August, you are on alert, you better bring it!
So where should I start? OK, with the weight. I've been on WW a couple of weeks now and I've almost hit my first goal. I am even exercising 4 days a week. I went back to my BodyFlow exercise class. This time, I didn't have to chug down a SlimFast before class so I didn't feel sick 15 minutes in. Let me tell you, all that balancing and stretching ain't easy! Especially when you have to support your own body weight to do it. And the part where we work on abs, ok, listen skinny teacher, don't ask a person with a stomach to lay on their stomach. It just gets in the way. Same thing when I bend. But I was tired and sore after so that had to be good (plus I'm losing the weight). I was even able to, thanks to the freaky yankee summer, walk on the trail 2 nights this week. It's usually pretty low key with people walking or biking. But one guy had the NERVE to be fit and shirtless and running. Really, you are gonna show off? That ain't brave. Dragging my arthritic overweight out of shape self on the trail in sweatpants and chugging along at a good pace for 40 minutes, THAT'S BRAVE!
I'm still in awe of the number of people who read this thing. Weird that people are entertained by it. I'm surprised I am. But it makes me feel connected to friends. Well, this and Facebook. I swear, I keep up with people more now than I used to. Well, this Facebook and text messaging. But you get the drift.
Anyone have the iPhone 4 yet? Would it be worth selling my iPhone 3GS on eBay (what's with all the weird capitalization on stuff? WooHoo! I'm glad I don't do that) and investing in the iPhone 4? Or just forget it and live with what I got?
What's next? Um, let me get things which tick me off out of the way first. As you read on Facebook, Domino's is now my enemy. That's what I get for splurging. I order ahead to have it delivered at 730pm and it gets there cold an hour later. I call and I get excuse after excuse. Not "I'm so sorry. My sincerest apologies. You are correct sir". I didn't "Go Holt" on Antoine the phone answerer or George the driver. I did kinda "Go Holt" on Domino's in one of my famous complaint emails though.
#2 complaint is political ads. People buy too many of them. You think you hate watching them? Trying placing them! Politicians in Tennessee should be glad I don't live there. I'd say more but I still want the FCC to love me. Speaking of politics, here is #3 complaint. When did we as a nation turn politics into a playground shouting match? People can't discuss politics without this current of hatred and vitriol aimed at the other side. Commentators, who should be there (in my opinion) to help clear things up for us, instead stir the pot to where we don't know what's up and what's down. Politicians, you are worse. As lawmakers, you are entrusted with doing the best for the country. Instead, you do just enough to strike fear in your power base of voters so you can get re-elected. That's not helpful, that's not progressive. For YEARS now, you can't even admit if the other side does something good. That's why I'm looking into the Coffee Party Movement.
OK, enough of that. But going on those themes, like I've repeated to y'all ad nauseum, I just read "The Unlikely Disciple" by Kevin Roose, about a guy who spent an entire semester at Liberty University. He's not an evangelical conservative Christian. He's a liberal Quaker from the Ivy League. But I was happy when I read it that he was able to have most of his stereotypes busted, and busted theirs. A few of mine were reinforced, mainly Christian guys use of nicknames and facial hair. Add in fist bumps, seriously where did that start and can we end it soon--at least the ones where it looks like your hand explodes after you bump because that annoys me, and you have the triumvirate. But if someone can come into that environment and focus on similarities instead of differences, why can't all of us? Why do we look for differences which separate us instead of similarities to unite us? Why are we still living with an us vs. them mentality. This man was able to conduct an interview with Jerry Falwell and bring out his humanity even though his family and friends were fearful for him. If you can't like people because they are people, you really need to re-read the New Testament. These themes are also echoed in my current reading adventure, Kathryn Stockett's "The Help" about maids and race relations in 1960s Mississippi.
Finally, on a funny note, with just a little lyrical tinkering, I think I can turn Whitesnake's 80s power balled "Here I Go Again" into a Christian song. I am singing at church next Sunday, but I don't think I'll break it out just yet haha. Look at the lyrics and see if you can see it too. Maybe soon, I'll have it rewritten for ya. But for now, "Mad Men" wooHoo!!
I don't know where I'm goin
but I sure know where I've been
hanging on the promises in songs of yesterday.
An' I've made up my mind, I ain't wasting no more time
but here I go again, here I go again.
Tho' I keep searching for an answer
I never seem to find what I'm looking for.
Oh Lord, I pray you give me strength to carry on
'cos I know what it means to walk along the lonely street of dreams.
Here I go again on my own
goin' down the only road I've ever known.
Like a drifter I was born to walk alone.
An' I've made up my mind, I ain't wasting no more time.
Just another heart in need of rescue
waiting on love's sweet charity
an' I'm gonna hold on for the rest of my days
'cos I know what it means to walk along the lonely street of dreams.
Here I go again on my own
goin' down the only road I've ever known.
Like a drifter I was born to walk alone.
An' I've made up my mind, I ain't wasting no more time
but here I go again, here I go again,
here I go again, here I go.
Well, well. Another week and another month have come and gone. July was pretty good. I had two 4th of July parties, went to the carnival and the parade, turned 35, went home, saw my sweet girl Caroline, started exercising and Weight Watchers (and even lost weight!!), finished reading one book and even started another. Church & work were good. I saw Inception which was amazing. August, you are on alert, you better bring it!
So where should I start? OK, with the weight. I've been on WW a couple of weeks now and I've almost hit my first goal. I am even exercising 4 days a week. I went back to my BodyFlow exercise class. This time, I didn't have to chug down a SlimFast before class so I didn't feel sick 15 minutes in. Let me tell you, all that balancing and stretching ain't easy! Especially when you have to support your own body weight to do it. And the part where we work on abs, ok, listen skinny teacher, don't ask a person with a stomach to lay on their stomach. It just gets in the way. Same thing when I bend. But I was tired and sore after so that had to be good (plus I'm losing the weight). I was even able to, thanks to the freaky yankee summer, walk on the trail 2 nights this week. It's usually pretty low key with people walking or biking. But one guy had the NERVE to be fit and shirtless and running. Really, you are gonna show off? That ain't brave. Dragging my arthritic overweight out of shape self on the trail in sweatpants and chugging along at a good pace for 40 minutes, THAT'S BRAVE!
I'm still in awe of the number of people who read this thing. Weird that people are entertained by it. I'm surprised I am. But it makes me feel connected to friends. Well, this and Facebook. I swear, I keep up with people more now than I used to. Well, this Facebook and text messaging. But you get the drift.
Anyone have the iPhone 4 yet? Would it be worth selling my iPhone 3GS on eBay (what's with all the weird capitalization on stuff? WooHoo! I'm glad I don't do that) and investing in the iPhone 4? Or just forget it and live with what I got?
What's next? Um, let me get things which tick me off out of the way first. As you read on Facebook, Domino's is now my enemy. That's what I get for splurging. I order ahead to have it delivered at 730pm and it gets there cold an hour later. I call and I get excuse after excuse. Not "I'm so sorry. My sincerest apologies. You are correct sir". I didn't "Go Holt" on Antoine the phone answerer or George the driver. I did kinda "Go Holt" on Domino's in one of my famous complaint emails though.
#2 complaint is political ads. People buy too many of them. You think you hate watching them? Trying placing them! Politicians in Tennessee should be glad I don't live there. I'd say more but I still want the FCC to love me. Speaking of politics, here is #3 complaint. When did we as a nation turn politics into a playground shouting match? People can't discuss politics without this current of hatred and vitriol aimed at the other side. Commentators, who should be there (in my opinion) to help clear things up for us, instead stir the pot to where we don't know what's up and what's down. Politicians, you are worse. As lawmakers, you are entrusted with doing the best for the country. Instead, you do just enough to strike fear in your power base of voters so you can get re-elected. That's not helpful, that's not progressive. For YEARS now, you can't even admit if the other side does something good. That's why I'm looking into the Coffee Party Movement.
OK, enough of that. But going on those themes, like I've repeated to y'all ad nauseum, I just read "The Unlikely Disciple" by Kevin Roose, about a guy who spent an entire semester at Liberty University. He's not an evangelical conservative Christian. He's a liberal Quaker from the Ivy League. But I was happy when I read it that he was able to have most of his stereotypes busted, and busted theirs. A few of mine were reinforced, mainly Christian guys use of nicknames and facial hair. Add in fist bumps, seriously where did that start and can we end it soon--at least the ones where it looks like your hand explodes after you bump because that annoys me, and you have the triumvirate. But if someone can come into that environment and focus on similarities instead of differences, why can't all of us? Why do we look for differences which separate us instead of similarities to unite us? Why are we still living with an us vs. them mentality. This man was able to conduct an interview with Jerry Falwell and bring out his humanity even though his family and friends were fearful for him. If you can't like people because they are people, you really need to re-read the New Testament. These themes are also echoed in my current reading adventure, Kathryn Stockett's "The Help" about maids and race relations in 1960s Mississippi.
Finally, on a funny note, with just a little lyrical tinkering, I think I can turn Whitesnake's 80s power balled "Here I Go Again" into a Christian song. I am singing at church next Sunday, but I don't think I'll break it out just yet haha. Look at the lyrics and see if you can see it too. Maybe soon, I'll have it rewritten for ya. But for now, "Mad Men" wooHoo!!
I don't know where I'm goin
but I sure know where I've been
hanging on the promises in songs of yesterday.
An' I've made up my mind, I ain't wasting no more time
but here I go again, here I go again.
Tho' I keep searching for an answer
I never seem to find what I'm looking for.
Oh Lord, I pray you give me strength to carry on
'cos I know what it means to walk along the lonely street of dreams.
Here I go again on my own
goin' down the only road I've ever known.
Like a drifter I was born to walk alone.
An' I've made up my mind, I ain't wasting no more time.
Just another heart in need of rescue
waiting on love's sweet charity
an' I'm gonna hold on for the rest of my days
'cos I know what it means to walk along the lonely street of dreams.
Here I go again on my own
goin' down the only road I've ever known.
Like a drifter I was born to walk alone.
An' I've made up my mind, I ain't wasting no more time
but here I go again, here I go again,
here I go again, here I go.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Waging wars to shake the poet and the beat
Well, another week in the books and accounted for. Since I last blogged, I: flew home, saw family, saw friends, got 2 books, 3 shirts (one I couldn't wear, I'm super picky), got a cake, sang at church, and got to hold a precious sweet baby girl who wasn't even 24 hours old. All that happened in one joyous fun filled weekend in sunny...TUSCALOOSA ALABAMA!! Trying to make it sound like a game show prize, did I do a great job? I thought so, thanks for the compliment.
Then I decided to lose weight again. This time, I'm not only going back to the gym, I'm going on weight watchers. So far, I'm able to eat pretty much what I want. I can handle that sort of diet. I even went to one of the exercise classes at the gym. This one is called BodyFlow. It's a mix of tai chi, yoga, and pilates moves. It'll help with flexibility, cardio, and all that crap. It was more intense than I thought it'd be, but that's because I'm fat arthritic and out of shape. Amazing how that affects your fitness level. But apparently I've lost 5 pounds this week so I must not be screwing up too much. I'm eating less, switched to diet drinks (blech), and found a most amazing discovery today: BLUE DIAMOND VANILLA ALMOND MILK. Awesome stuff and lower in fat and calories.
I'm also reading a fascinating book, "The Unlikely Disciple" by Kevin Roose. This is the true story of Kevin, who was a student at liberal Brown University and decides to spend a semester at VERY conservative and Christian Liberty University, the one founded by Jerry Falwell. It's amazing to see how "outsiders" perceive Christians. I was worried that they'd be portrayed as kooks or weirdos, but they aren't. They are shown the way I see Christians, and that's a good thing. I'm about halfway through and not offended. Some of my more conservative friends SHOULDN'T be offended by it, they may, but shouldn't. It is a good read so far.
I'm still doing the Dale Carnegie course and it's not sucking. I saw the movie "Inception" and it was AWESOME! It's a total head trip so you have to pay attention and plan out your potty breaks. I also want to see Angelina Jolie in "Salt". It looks pretty good. I saw the preview for Jennifer Aniston's new movie "The Switch". Wow, that movie looks hideous, disturbing, and dumb. Saturday, after exercise class, I decided since I was already in town I'd take in a sight or two so I went to the zoo. Yeah, on a day where the high temperature was over 100, I go to an outside open air zoo with little shade. Even the animals were miserable. They have a penguin exhibit. #1, it's outdoors. It's not the flippin Arctic circle, so why are they outside in summer? #2, they had a lawn sprinkler out there to cool them off. They looked like little redneck children playing in the yard haha. The zoo also has camel rides. Yeah, that's odd. They have a lion, and he was in the back under the shade and not putting on a show like all good zoo animals should. Chimpanzees look weird from behind. All the animals were just so sad. I was a miserable animal too. I was sweating like a fat kid at the zoo on a hot July day. It wasn't pretty. I didn't make it to the Maryland exhibit or the polar bear exhibit. The African exhibit had all the cool animals anyway. I mean, they had giraffes! Then I went back to the apartment all sweaty, tired, and disgusting. All in all, a productive day!
Other than that, not much is going on. My life is still as boring as ever. But at least I'm good at commenting on other people's lives and giving advice too. I'm waiting to get my own show on radio or TV and make money off of this deal. I figure I won't start writing my books until after I become famous. I even have them titled already. Well, that's it for now. I watched the Mad Men premiere tonight and it was AWESOME!! No show would be able to stand up after that so I decided to just watch the Kardashians in Miami and Holly's World on E! instead. You don't expect them to stand up to Mad Men so it's like a cleanser. Have a good night everyone!
Then I decided to lose weight again. This time, I'm not only going back to the gym, I'm going on weight watchers. So far, I'm able to eat pretty much what I want. I can handle that sort of diet. I even went to one of the exercise classes at the gym. This one is called BodyFlow. It's a mix of tai chi, yoga, and pilates moves. It'll help with flexibility, cardio, and all that crap. It was more intense than I thought it'd be, but that's because I'm fat arthritic and out of shape. Amazing how that affects your fitness level. But apparently I've lost 5 pounds this week so I must not be screwing up too much. I'm eating less, switched to diet drinks (blech), and found a most amazing discovery today: BLUE DIAMOND VANILLA ALMOND MILK. Awesome stuff and lower in fat and calories.
I'm also reading a fascinating book, "The Unlikely Disciple" by Kevin Roose. This is the true story of Kevin, who was a student at liberal Brown University and decides to spend a semester at VERY conservative and Christian Liberty University, the one founded by Jerry Falwell. It's amazing to see how "outsiders" perceive Christians. I was worried that they'd be portrayed as kooks or weirdos, but they aren't. They are shown the way I see Christians, and that's a good thing. I'm about halfway through and not offended. Some of my more conservative friends SHOULDN'T be offended by it, they may, but shouldn't. It is a good read so far.
I'm still doing the Dale Carnegie course and it's not sucking. I saw the movie "Inception" and it was AWESOME! It's a total head trip so you have to pay attention and plan out your potty breaks. I also want to see Angelina Jolie in "Salt". It looks pretty good. I saw the preview for Jennifer Aniston's new movie "The Switch". Wow, that movie looks hideous, disturbing, and dumb. Saturday, after exercise class, I decided since I was already in town I'd take in a sight or two so I went to the zoo. Yeah, on a day where the high temperature was over 100, I go to an outside open air zoo with little shade. Even the animals were miserable. They have a penguin exhibit. #1, it's outdoors. It's not the flippin Arctic circle, so why are they outside in summer? #2, they had a lawn sprinkler out there to cool them off. They looked like little redneck children playing in the yard haha. The zoo also has camel rides. Yeah, that's odd. They have a lion, and he was in the back under the shade and not putting on a show like all good zoo animals should. Chimpanzees look weird from behind. All the animals were just so sad. I was a miserable animal too. I was sweating like a fat kid at the zoo on a hot July day. It wasn't pretty. I didn't make it to the Maryland exhibit or the polar bear exhibit. The African exhibit had all the cool animals anyway. I mean, they had giraffes! Then I went back to the apartment all sweaty, tired, and disgusting. All in all, a productive day!
Other than that, not much is going on. My life is still as boring as ever. But at least I'm good at commenting on other people's lives and giving advice too. I'm waiting to get my own show on radio or TV and make money off of this deal. I figure I won't start writing my books until after I become famous. I even have them titled already. Well, that's it for now. I watched the Mad Men premiere tonight and it was AWESOME!! No show would be able to stand up after that so I decided to just watch the Kardashians in Miami and Holly's World on E! instead. You don't expect them to stand up to Mad Men so it's like a cleanser. Have a good night everyone!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Listen To What the Man Said
Picture it, Tuscaloosa, AL, July 14, 1975. It's a hot mid July day in the south. The #1 song on the charts is "Listen to What the Man Said" by Paul McCartney & Wings. One young woman has been waiting since June 22nd to meet her son. Apparently, he's in no hurry or else doctors haven't heard of the word "induce" yet. Finally, at 3:30 in the afternoon at Druid City Hospital, a wonderful bouncing baby boy arrived. He weighed 10 lbs., 9 oz. Yup, that's me.
No big frills or fanfares greeted my arrival. No camera crews or paparazzi. My life hasn't been extraordinarily ordinary. I had pneumonia when I was 18 months old, but I recovered. I went to school, started reading early, went to the gifted program, went to church, left that church, found a new church, went to high school, marched in the band, sang in the choir, was on the math team and scholar's bowl team, I played the part of a nerd quite nicely I believe and am proud of it, I went to college, majored in too many things, worked for a stocks/investments broker, went to the BCM and met a ton of great friends,summer missions 3 times (hey Kansas! You too Savannah) switched to TV and worked a 2 TV stations and met a ton of great friends, diagnosed with a skin condition and arthritis but am doing much better now, switched to radio (more friends RIP RQ!), back to TV, another church (directing music!) up to corporate and far away from home, finally found another church, had my job responsibilities change to a brand new challenge, moved to a Mayberry type town, and here I am, on my bed flipping between Chopped and House Hunters International.
That's me in one incredibly boring run on paragraph. It's amazing how the high points of our life don't really fill up a whole lot of space. That's because life is made of so many small moments. Those small moments provide us with so many memories and experiences and life lessons. I've seen and learned so much in my life. In my 35 years, this is what I have seen & learned.
I've been alive bad times in Bama football and for 4 Crimson Tide National Championships! I have seen the Braves suck like a new Dyson vacuum and I've seen them win the World Series! I've made many friends and gained many new members of my family. I've also seen too many people pass away (now matter how long it's been, you'll always miss your grandmothers). I had 4 official majors, visited a lot of states, had 5 paying jobs, been through 7 presidents, owned 6 cars, went to NYC, and been through 8 Bama head football coaches (I don't count Pensacola Price).
What other things have I learned? Well...
I put up my senior picture as my profile picture because it's a good picture, I actually cleaned up pretty well back in 1992 when that picture was made (and see, I did have hair, smile and eyes still look the same though. My eyes aren't brown, they are Tootsie Roll colored!) I think the Hummer is the most ridiculous and impractical vehicle. I STILL don't get the appeal of Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Aniston, or Nickelback. Politics has become such an ugly game that people on all sides should be ashamed of themselves and what they have allowed this country to become. Even though I was made to go to church all of my life, I do not regret it, I now go because I want to. I still want to host The Soup once Joel McHale when he gets too famous to be on E! I should be ashamed that E! shows are my guilty pleasure, but I'm really not. I need to start going back to the gym again before my doctor calls me fat again. What's Love Got to Do With It was a great movie to watch at the movies, especially when the sisters were cheering when Tina finally fought back against Ike. An "acquired taste" is a stupid thing, if I don't like something the first time I eat it, why would I try it again? I believe ice cream can heal a bad day and a sore throat. Selling seafood by the side of the road more than a couple of hours inland just doesn't inspire confidence (especially not at a place called She's Got Crabs). I hate that As the World Turns is going off the air because the show still reminds me of when my Granny used to watch it. I still remember the long Spring Break road trips to Arkansas. I miss hanging out with Krista, Ann(e) Marie, and the rest of the Gilgal youth group. I should probably be packing instead of blogging. Duff on Ace of Cakes looks like he'd smell like a mix of butter, sweat, and cigarettes. The look of joy on a 4 year old's face while he's watching his first parade AND getting candy thrown his way make you say HOORAY!! It's much easier and much more effective to smile and be in a good mood than a bad one, people tend to appreciate it. We as Christians should ALL learn to be more Christ like and help our fellow man instead of acting like we are all morally superior.
Finally, I've learned that just because you aren't in the same city, state, or time zone, you can still be good friends. I spend way too much time on Facebook, I know. But it's how I reconnected with a lot of friends. I love laughing with friends, listening to them, giving advice, getting advice, etc. Keeping friends around, even if you never see them or even call them on the phone, is critical. That's the most important thing I've learned in the last 35 years.
No big frills or fanfares greeted my arrival. No camera crews or paparazzi. My life hasn't been extraordinarily ordinary. I had pneumonia when I was 18 months old, but I recovered. I went to school, started reading early, went to the gifted program, went to church, left that church, found a new church, went to high school, marched in the band, sang in the choir, was on the math team and scholar's bowl team, I played the part of a nerd quite nicely I believe and am proud of it, I went to college, majored in too many things, worked for a stocks/investments broker, went to the BCM and met a ton of great friends,summer missions 3 times (hey Kansas! You too Savannah) switched to TV and worked a 2 TV stations and met a ton of great friends, diagnosed with a skin condition and arthritis but am doing much better now, switched to radio (more friends RIP RQ!), back to TV, another church (directing music!) up to corporate and far away from home, finally found another church, had my job responsibilities change to a brand new challenge, moved to a Mayberry type town, and here I am, on my bed flipping between Chopped and House Hunters International.
That's me in one incredibly boring run on paragraph. It's amazing how the high points of our life don't really fill up a whole lot of space. That's because life is made of so many small moments. Those small moments provide us with so many memories and experiences and life lessons. I've seen and learned so much in my life. In my 35 years, this is what I have seen & learned.
I've been alive bad times in Bama football and for 4 Crimson Tide National Championships! I have seen the Braves suck like a new Dyson vacuum and I've seen them win the World Series! I've made many friends and gained many new members of my family. I've also seen too many people pass away (now matter how long it's been, you'll always miss your grandmothers). I had 4 official majors, visited a lot of states, had 5 paying jobs, been through 7 presidents, owned 6 cars, went to NYC, and been through 8 Bama head football coaches (I don't count Pensacola Price).
What other things have I learned? Well...
I put up my senior picture as my profile picture because it's a good picture, I actually cleaned up pretty well back in 1992 when that picture was made (and see, I did have hair, smile and eyes still look the same though. My eyes aren't brown, they are Tootsie Roll colored!) I think the Hummer is the most ridiculous and impractical vehicle. I STILL don't get the appeal of Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Aniston, or Nickelback. Politics has become such an ugly game that people on all sides should be ashamed of themselves and what they have allowed this country to become. Even though I was made to go to church all of my life, I do not regret it, I now go because I want to. I still want to host The Soup once Joel McHale when he gets too famous to be on E! I should be ashamed that E! shows are my guilty pleasure, but I'm really not. I need to start going back to the gym again before my doctor calls me fat again. What's Love Got to Do With It was a great movie to watch at the movies, especially when the sisters were cheering when Tina finally fought back against Ike. An "acquired taste" is a stupid thing, if I don't like something the first time I eat it, why would I try it again? I believe ice cream can heal a bad day and a sore throat. Selling seafood by the side of the road more than a couple of hours inland just doesn't inspire confidence (especially not at a place called She's Got Crabs). I hate that As the World Turns is going off the air because the show still reminds me of when my Granny used to watch it. I still remember the long Spring Break road trips to Arkansas. I miss hanging out with Krista, Ann(e) Marie, and the rest of the Gilgal youth group. I should probably be packing instead of blogging. Duff on Ace of Cakes looks like he'd smell like a mix of butter, sweat, and cigarettes. The look of joy on a 4 year old's face while he's watching his first parade AND getting candy thrown his way make you say HOORAY!! It's much easier and much more effective to smile and be in a good mood than a bad one, people tend to appreciate it. We as Christians should ALL learn to be more Christ like and help our fellow man instead of acting like we are all morally superior.
Finally, I've learned that just because you aren't in the same city, state, or time zone, you can still be good friends. I spend way too much time on Facebook, I know. But it's how I reconnected with a lot of friends. I love laughing with friends, listening to them, giving advice, getting advice, etc. Keeping friends around, even if you never see them or even call them on the phone, is critical. That's the most important thing I've learned in the last 35 years.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Ain't that America, Home of the Free
Happy 4th of July everyone. I hope y'all had a great day. I've had a good weekend. Saturday, I went to cookout number 1. I made my famous sausage rolls (aka "chicken nuggets" haha), met new people, got too see some adorable kids play. I walked there and back, ensuring my exercise for the day (ok, for the weekend). Sunday, I went to church. Then I was gonna come home, bum around for a few, then head to the church picnic. However on my way home, I got stuck behind a wreck so no time to bum (I hope everyone was ok). But I made it to the picnic in plenty of time, my red velvet cake was a huge hit (wooHoo famous!! Thanks Aunt Sara for the recipe in the Gilgal cookbook!) even if the layers did come out a bit cattywampus (yes, in the south that's a word). I thought it was a tad dry, but everyone loved it. Yes, I'm awesome. I'm humble too, and I don't mind telling people just how humble I am!
But I also got to hang around and chat with my fellow church members. I was glad to get to say more than a few hellos that I normally get to say between the end Amen and the time everyone gets to their cars. I got to make them laugh, just talk, tell them what I do for a living, etc. Those that don't follow me on Facebook got to see my sense of humor (although Wendy, and logically following that, Jeff as well, said she already knows my sense of humor and appreciates it from being my FB friend SHOUT OUT TO VALLEY!). It's good getting to know people. Special thanks to Ed & Joy Herbold for opening their home to everyone. PS - Get well soon Janet!
In a Sunday & church related rant (not my current church though), church business meetings are just plain ridiculous sometimes. I know there are rules which need to be followed. But the rules are there to move things along in an orderly fashion. They are not to be used to try to lord power over people (for lack of a better term) or push your own agenda, or to try to keep your fingers in everyone's pie. When I was told of actions today, I asked the person who told me the info if someone stood up and said to the offender "Why are you being such a butt? Just because you can be?" Seriously people, you aren't enacting laws or running a country here. Just let things run with logic & common sense. If you can't do that, sit down and be quiet.
OK, that was fun! Another thing that will be alternately fun and a headache is the New Freedom Carnival. It's a fair with rides & food & stuff and it's at the park. The park happens to be right across the street from my apartment. I'm glad it's so close, but I have a feeling this week will not be full of peace & quiet. haha. Um, anyone care to house me for a week? LOL. I'm glad I'm a night owl, but the fireworks Friday night will be at midnight. Plus, parking could be a hassle. Well, it's just a week, right? It's rare that Mayberry Hollow (this town is part Mayberry from Andy Griffith and part Star's Hollow from Gilmore Girls) has this much loudness & activity so I should be able to deal.
Finally, I'm actually thankful for Facebook. It's bizarre to me that so many folks tell me they read what I write. I write all this for my own amusement. If others are entertained, that's just a bonus. But because of FB, family back home can keep up with me, I talk more with folks I went to school with than I did when I was in school, I can stay in touch with former co-workers, I can play Family Feud, and I can reconnect with folks I haven't seen in a long time. Heck, some I now talk with a lot. Haven't seen them in years, but now we talk like time didn't pass. I am even able to give advice remotely. Hopefully it's good advice. If it's not, well, at least I'm not charging you anything for it. hahaha
OK, gonna finish watching Jaws (perfect July 4th movie huh?) and eat some KFC. Enjoy the rest of the weekend. Hopefully you are off on Monday as well. If you aren't, well, I am, and isn't that what really matters?
But I also got to hang around and chat with my fellow church members. I was glad to get to say more than a few hellos that I normally get to say between the end Amen and the time everyone gets to their cars. I got to make them laugh, just talk, tell them what I do for a living, etc. Those that don't follow me on Facebook got to see my sense of humor (although Wendy, and logically following that, Jeff as well, said she already knows my sense of humor and appreciates it from being my FB friend SHOUT OUT TO VALLEY!). It's good getting to know people. Special thanks to Ed & Joy Herbold for opening their home to everyone. PS - Get well soon Janet!
In a Sunday & church related rant (not my current church though), church business meetings are just plain ridiculous sometimes. I know there are rules which need to be followed. But the rules are there to move things along in an orderly fashion. They are not to be used to try to lord power over people (for lack of a better term) or push your own agenda, or to try to keep your fingers in everyone's pie. When I was told of actions today, I asked the person who told me the info if someone stood up and said to the offender "Why are you being such a butt? Just because you can be?" Seriously people, you aren't enacting laws or running a country here. Just let things run with logic & common sense. If you can't do that, sit down and be quiet.
OK, that was fun! Another thing that will be alternately fun and a headache is the New Freedom Carnival. It's a fair with rides & food & stuff and it's at the park. The park happens to be right across the street from my apartment. I'm glad it's so close, but I have a feeling this week will not be full of peace & quiet. haha. Um, anyone care to house me for a week? LOL. I'm glad I'm a night owl, but the fireworks Friday night will be at midnight. Plus, parking could be a hassle. Well, it's just a week, right? It's rare that Mayberry Hollow (this town is part Mayberry from Andy Griffith and part Star's Hollow from Gilmore Girls) has this much loudness & activity so I should be able to deal.
Finally, I'm actually thankful for Facebook. It's bizarre to me that so many folks tell me they read what I write. I write all this for my own amusement. If others are entertained, that's just a bonus. But because of FB, family back home can keep up with me, I talk more with folks I went to school with than I did when I was in school, I can stay in touch with former co-workers, I can play Family Feud, and I can reconnect with folks I haven't seen in a long time. Heck, some I now talk with a lot. Haven't seen them in years, but now we talk like time didn't pass. I am even able to give advice remotely. Hopefully it's good advice. If it's not, well, at least I'm not charging you anything for it. hahaha
OK, gonna finish watching Jaws (perfect July 4th movie huh?) and eat some KFC. Enjoy the rest of the weekend. Hopefully you are off on Monday as well. If you aren't, well, I am, and isn't that what really matters?
Sunday, June 13, 2010
I Hope You Had the Time of Your Life
Hello happy readers of my purposeless ramblings. I hope all of you are doing well. It's been quite a week, but I made it through. For one, I took a day off, a full day off!! I did it so DirecTV could come by and install. It was 4:15 or so when he got here and about 7:30 when he left, but at least I have HD and a DVR and more channels, so I guess that isn't bad (even though I thought I'd have to make up my spare bedroom and cook him supper!). I'm enjoying it so far. Still have to keep Comcast for internet, but I can deal with that.
Unfortunately, that happened on the same day that we lost a very dear person. A boss so nice I worked for him twice! My thoughts and prayers go out to the family & friends of Ronnie Quarles. Godspeed Q!!
On to lighter topics, I actually went out walking a few times last week (as evidenced by my boring nature shots on Facebook). That happened because the weather was actually quite nice. Normally, I wouldn't mind that, but it's June and I'm used to oppressive heat & humidity. Oh how I miss summers in the south. You get in your car and everything you touch leaves a 2nd degree burn because it's so hot. You crank your AC full blast, and when things finally cool off in the car, you arrive at your destination. Then you get out of your cool car and by the time you get inside, your shirt is already sticking to you. Good times! At least it is hotter here this weekend and I can utilize my AC, which finally got installed. Too bad my washing machine is a bit temperamental. I couldn't get it to rinse or spin last night. So I had clothes sitting in water for a while. I fished those out like they were a dead body on Law & Order and tried to get the spin cycle to work. It didn't. Thankfully, I had clothes to wear today. If not, I would have had to direct hymns in jeans, and I'm not sure Jesus or my Mama would have liked that.
Yup, I got to direct hymns this morning. It'd been a while since I got to direct. Did I miss it? Yeah, but I enjoy just being able to sing without the pressure of picking out songs. Plus, more people at church got to see me and put a face to my loud voice. Maybe even more people will know me and say hey and ask me to do stuff :-)
In the news, Joran van der Sloot is a creepy murderous villain and the parents who let their 16 sail around the world alone are stupid. That's all you need to know. In sports, the Big 12 is a big mess right now. Will anyone want to stay? It's like a group of kids at a school dance. Someone already asked Nebraska & Colorado to dance and everyone wants to dance with Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, OSU, and Texas Tech. That leaves Kansas, KState, Missouri, Baylor, and Iowa State feeling like the ugly nerds with no dates. Those poor schools. They are now wanting to keep the Big 12 together. Yes, dance with each other. Just get uglier nerdier people (schools less talented than yours) to come dance with you. Will the SEC ask anyone to dance? SEC is the stud everyone wants to dance with and get giggly and shy around. It's good to be the SEC. Oh, and USC and Lane Kiffin, bwahahahahahahahaha, y'all got what you deserved.
Finally, I get to plan trips!! Next month, I come home to Alabama for a few days (and for my birthday. Those of you in town, I can make a list of gifts I would like. Maybe I'll do it like a registry. You can buy the gift or gifts now, or you can start saving money) to see folks. I hope my sweet baby girl Caroline will be born while I'm here so I can see her. It will be a wonderful honor and privilege to see her!! PLUS!! I've decided on my vacation this year. I'm going to SAN DIEGO!! Home of the zoo and Sea World and hopefully an economically priced but still nice hotel. I have a free flight from Southwest that expires so why not spend it on someplace fun. Now to finish planning it. If you have any ideas, tips, discounts, donations, etc., just let me know. Plus, I'm gonna try to make a day trip to LA while I'm there. I CAN'T WAIT!!
Maybe when I'm in LA, I can ask the movie studios why they put out so much crap this summer. I have gift cards and passes burning holes in my billfold and there is precious little I want to see. I thought about seeing The A-Team, but thought better of it. Karate Kid? I don't think so. I'd rather watch the world cup.
OK, that's enough excitement for now. I thought I'd blog early just because. Plus, with the Kardashians and Holly's World coming on tonight, my dance card will be full. I like hard hitting, insightful, and informative TV! Have a great week everyone!
Unfortunately, that happened on the same day that we lost a very dear person. A boss so nice I worked for him twice! My thoughts and prayers go out to the family & friends of Ronnie Quarles. Godspeed Q!!
On to lighter topics, I actually went out walking a few times last week (as evidenced by my boring nature shots on Facebook). That happened because the weather was actually quite nice. Normally, I wouldn't mind that, but it's June and I'm used to oppressive heat & humidity. Oh how I miss summers in the south. You get in your car and everything you touch leaves a 2nd degree burn because it's so hot. You crank your AC full blast, and when things finally cool off in the car, you arrive at your destination. Then you get out of your cool car and by the time you get inside, your shirt is already sticking to you. Good times! At least it is hotter here this weekend and I can utilize my AC, which finally got installed. Too bad my washing machine is a bit temperamental. I couldn't get it to rinse or spin last night. So I had clothes sitting in water for a while. I fished those out like they were a dead body on Law & Order and tried to get the spin cycle to work. It didn't. Thankfully, I had clothes to wear today. If not, I would have had to direct hymns in jeans, and I'm not sure Jesus or my Mama would have liked that.
Yup, I got to direct hymns this morning. It'd been a while since I got to direct. Did I miss it? Yeah, but I enjoy just being able to sing without the pressure of picking out songs. Plus, more people at church got to see me and put a face to my loud voice. Maybe even more people will know me and say hey and ask me to do stuff :-)
In the news, Joran van der Sloot is a creepy murderous villain and the parents who let their 16 sail around the world alone are stupid. That's all you need to know. In sports, the Big 12 is a big mess right now. Will anyone want to stay? It's like a group of kids at a school dance. Someone already asked Nebraska & Colorado to dance and everyone wants to dance with Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, OSU, and Texas Tech. That leaves Kansas, KState, Missouri, Baylor, and Iowa State feeling like the ugly nerds with no dates. Those poor schools. They are now wanting to keep the Big 12 together. Yes, dance with each other. Just get uglier nerdier people (schools less talented than yours) to come dance with you. Will the SEC ask anyone to dance? SEC is the stud everyone wants to dance with and get giggly and shy around. It's good to be the SEC. Oh, and USC and Lane Kiffin, bwahahahahahahahaha, y'all got what you deserved.
Finally, I get to plan trips!! Next month, I come home to Alabama for a few days (and for my birthday. Those of you in town, I can make a list of gifts I would like. Maybe I'll do it like a registry. You can buy the gift or gifts now, or you can start saving money) to see folks. I hope my sweet baby girl Caroline will be born while I'm here so I can see her. It will be a wonderful honor and privilege to see her!! PLUS!! I've decided on my vacation this year. I'm going to SAN DIEGO!! Home of the zoo and Sea World and hopefully an economically priced but still nice hotel. I have a free flight from Southwest that expires so why not spend it on someplace fun. Now to finish planning it. If you have any ideas, tips, discounts, donations, etc., just let me know. Plus, I'm gonna try to make a day trip to LA while I'm there. I CAN'T WAIT!!
Maybe when I'm in LA, I can ask the movie studios why they put out so much crap this summer. I have gift cards and passes burning holes in my billfold and there is precious little I want to see. I thought about seeing The A-Team, but thought better of it. Karate Kid? I don't think so. I'd rather watch the world cup.
OK, that's enough excitement for now. I thought I'd blog early just because. Plus, with the Kardashians and Holly's World coming on tonight, my dance card will be full. I like hard hitting, insightful, and informative TV! Have a great week everyone!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
In the Midnight Hour
Where I am, it isn't the midnight hour anymore, but back home it is. Yes, I still call Alabama "home". I'm in my apartment, but I don't call it home. Anyway, that's not important. I can't sleep so I thought I'd blog. Why? WHY NOT!!!
Anyway, it was fun keeping up with the Alabama elections online. It has felt odd since I stopped being involved in election coverage. Actually, my first real election experience was back in 1994 when Gerald Allen first ran for State Representative. I actually got to help on the campaign. I even held a sign one day. I remember it vividly. I was at the intersection of University Blvd, 15th St, and Hwy 216 in Cottondale, next to Meaney's. It was raining, but I had a poncho. I was dedicated. I held that sign and waved at the people going by. If I remember correctly, Gerald's brother in law, Robert Shirley was out there for some of it (and now that I think of it, Mr. Shirley and my current pastor look a lot alike, COOL!!). Then, I saw a man run a red light (slowly, odd in Tuscaloosa) and have a wreck. It looked like he had a heart attack. Many gathered, including me, to make sure he was ok. I think he ended up being fine. Oh, then, on election night, I don't know how except maybe my handwriting and math skills put me ahead, but I got to write the vote totals by county as they came in on the big white marker board at the post-election party. Yeah, I was inner circle that night and proud of it!
Then, several years later, I got to see elections from the newsroom side of things. I was the one typing the numbers up so they could go out over the air. I got to see people run around like chickens with their heads cut off. I got to see live election coverage from behind the scenes. That was amazing. Sure, we weren't the biggest station around, but we worked hard to get the results, and we were 100% local by golly! I was there during the 2000 Presidential Election. Boy wasn't that exciting. haha. I wouldn't trade those moments for anything. Even though I was production, and not news, I learned a lot about the news business there on Jug Factory Road. Plus I'm still friends with folks from there and I've been gone 8 years! 8 years gone, can you believe it?
Now, I keep up with the election from my computer. I see Artur Davis, who did a very solid job in Congress try to run for Governor without playing the political game with his votes & actions. He lost, BIG! Politics is a tough game. The race for the GOP gubernatorial nomination is VERY close. Good to see Dr. Robert Bentley, a well respected Tuscaloosa doctor and just well respected as a person too, in the hunt. Congrats to him. I hope he makes it to the runoff. Not a Tim James fan. Like father like son, I say. Alabama doesn't need to be Fobbed again. Plus, that commercial would make Bama a laughingstock. I'm just glad Roy Moore didn't make it. I have no use for him. He reminds me too much of the Pharisees in the Bible (and they're not fair you see. C'mon, you knew you were singing it). Troy King seems to have lost because he didn't back Riley's Raids. I see that in my home gerrymandered district (come on, it goes from west Jefferson county down through the black belt and into Montgomery and is shaped like the letter C, It's GERRYMANDERED!), our old rep's son couldn't make it through. Good, I'd be afraid he was like his Dad. Hey Earl, how is Quaddafi these days? But you still have Sheila Smoot there. Anyone who was in Bham/JEFFCO politics, you should vote against them on principle. Ah, Alabama politics.
At least it beats Baltimore politics. I'm sick of hearing on NPR about the $121 million budget deficit the city is facing. It's the radio version of "a select coalition of all-white fraternities and sororities designed to influence campus politics." Turn it into a drinking game if you so desire.
What else is up? Glee was on tonight. It was, um, odd. OK, that ending funk song had me alternately, laughing at them, laughing with them, loving it, hating it, embarrassed for them, etc. It looked like what Soul Train would have been if produced by the ACLU.
I'm jealous of my friend Brandon. He got to go home for a few days PLUS he lives in Atlanta, home of the FIRST PLACE BRAVES!! I work in Baltimore, home of the embarrassment known as the Orioles. It just isn't fair. haha
Finally, I watched Chopped on Food Network tonight. For those unfamiliar, up & coming chefs, usually pretentious, are given a basket of ingredients and must make a meal out of it. All are given the same ingredients and one person is eliminated or "chopped" (aha clever!) each round. The ingredients are usually odd, ones they wouldn't normally use, or use together, and ALL the ingredients must be used. I leave you with this. In the dessert round, hot dogs was one of their ingredients. I think I threw up in my mouth a little and probably shed a tear. So wrong.
Well, I may attempt sleep. Who knows.
Anyway, it was fun keeping up with the Alabama elections online. It has felt odd since I stopped being involved in election coverage. Actually, my first real election experience was back in 1994 when Gerald Allen first ran for State Representative. I actually got to help on the campaign. I even held a sign one day. I remember it vividly. I was at the intersection of University Blvd, 15th St, and Hwy 216 in Cottondale, next to Meaney's. It was raining, but I had a poncho. I was dedicated. I held that sign and waved at the people going by. If I remember correctly, Gerald's brother in law, Robert Shirley was out there for some of it (and now that I think of it, Mr. Shirley and my current pastor look a lot alike, COOL!!). Then, I saw a man run a red light (slowly, odd in Tuscaloosa) and have a wreck. It looked like he had a heart attack. Many gathered, including me, to make sure he was ok. I think he ended up being fine. Oh, then, on election night, I don't know how except maybe my handwriting and math skills put me ahead, but I got to write the vote totals by county as they came in on the big white marker board at the post-election party. Yeah, I was inner circle that night and proud of it!
Then, several years later, I got to see elections from the newsroom side of things. I was the one typing the numbers up so they could go out over the air. I got to see people run around like chickens with their heads cut off. I got to see live election coverage from behind the scenes. That was amazing. Sure, we weren't the biggest station around, but we worked hard to get the results, and we were 100% local by golly! I was there during the 2000 Presidential Election. Boy wasn't that exciting. haha. I wouldn't trade those moments for anything. Even though I was production, and not news, I learned a lot about the news business there on Jug Factory Road. Plus I'm still friends with folks from there and I've been gone 8 years! 8 years gone, can you believe it?
Now, I keep up with the election from my computer. I see Artur Davis, who did a very solid job in Congress try to run for Governor without playing the political game with his votes & actions. He lost, BIG! Politics is a tough game. The race for the GOP gubernatorial nomination is VERY close. Good to see Dr. Robert Bentley, a well respected Tuscaloosa doctor and just well respected as a person too, in the hunt. Congrats to him. I hope he makes it to the runoff. Not a Tim James fan. Like father like son, I say. Alabama doesn't need to be Fobbed again. Plus, that commercial would make Bama a laughingstock. I'm just glad Roy Moore didn't make it. I have no use for him. He reminds me too much of the Pharisees in the Bible (and they're not fair you see. C'mon, you knew you were singing it). Troy King seems to have lost because he didn't back Riley's Raids. I see that in my home gerrymandered district (come on, it goes from west Jefferson county down through the black belt and into Montgomery and is shaped like the letter C, It's GERRYMANDERED!), our old rep's son couldn't make it through. Good, I'd be afraid he was like his Dad. Hey Earl, how is Quaddafi these days? But you still have Sheila Smoot there. Anyone who was in Bham/JEFFCO politics, you should vote against them on principle. Ah, Alabama politics.
At least it beats Baltimore politics. I'm sick of hearing on NPR about the $121 million budget deficit the city is facing. It's the radio version of "a select coalition of all-white fraternities and sororities designed to influence campus politics." Turn it into a drinking game if you so desire.
What else is up? Glee was on tonight. It was, um, odd. OK, that ending funk song had me alternately, laughing at them, laughing with them, loving it, hating it, embarrassed for them, etc. It looked like what Soul Train would have been if produced by the ACLU.
I'm jealous of my friend Brandon. He got to go home for a few days PLUS he lives in Atlanta, home of the FIRST PLACE BRAVES!! I work in Baltimore, home of the embarrassment known as the Orioles. It just isn't fair. haha
Finally, I watched Chopped on Food Network tonight. For those unfamiliar, up & coming chefs, usually pretentious, are given a basket of ingredients and must make a meal out of it. All are given the same ingredients and one person is eliminated or "chopped" (aha clever!) each round. The ingredients are usually odd, ones they wouldn't normally use, or use together, and ALL the ingredients must be used. I leave you with this. In the dessert round, hot dogs was one of their ingredients. I think I threw up in my mouth a little and probably shed a tear. So wrong.
Well, I may attempt sleep. Who knows.
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