Watermelon Water

It sounded like an interesting idea at the time..... I wouldn't recommend it, though. Trader Joe's had these bottled waters with different flavors. My aunt and uncle are always willing to try new things (they loved Trader Joe's!) and so they decided to buy a bottle of this to see what it would be like. It was not tasty. You don't really expect it to be, I guess, but its always sad to have that confirmed. So, Watermelon Water: Just say no.

Other than that, it was a good weekend. The behemoth tv is gone, and my dad is enjoying it immensely. He has it all unloaded and hooked up, and he may never come up from the basement again. On Thursday, we all went to one of my favorite restaurants, Charleston's Grill. The first three times I was here, it was fantastic. The fourth time, it was TERRIBLE. I was so disappointed. This time, it was back to its usual greatness, and everyone enjoyed it. I was very glad because if I took my family to a bad restaurant, I'd hear about it for a long, long time. I highly recommemend this place, and be sure to have order the honey butter croissants. You can't go wrong there.

On Friday, we went downtown, despite the rain. We met some friends from work for lunch at Judge's Tip of the Rib barbecue. I don't like barbecue sauce so that kind of rains on my bbq parade, but I LOVE Judge (and his peach cobbler.) Everyone had a good time, and people in the City Market kept coming over to see who we were because we were having such a good time. Our trip to the Slippery Noodle was derailed, however, due to the icky, rainy weather.

Saturday, we were up early and at the Broad Ripple Farmer's Market. I don't know where these peaches come from, but they are fabulous. There are also peaches at the City Market Farmer's Market that are great.

Everyone left today and I already wish they were back.

Its too depressing

To post any Raiders training camp news.    Charles Woodson is likely to be a camp holdout over contract talks, sigh.   Rod Woodson fails his physical and is released.     Yeah, not too hopeful at this juncture.  

The White Sox are now 3.5 games in back of the Twinkies.   I'm telling you, this isn't such a hot sports week for me.   Liverpool plays again on Saturday.  I hope they fare better!

Yesterday, I left work early so I could get this straightened out for the fam visit that starts today.  Dad, Aunt, Uncle and Nephew.   Should be fun, I'll get that behemoth tv moved out of my living room, but I had work to do.  I listened to the D convention on C-Span radio, instead of watching it, so that I would continue to do work.   I'm bummed that I missed out on Harold Ford, Jr.'s speech.   He has no idea that I'm his future wife.   Wait, I suppose I shouldn't say things like that.  Its kinda creepy.  (but its still true!)   I also missed Chuck "Senior Senator from NY" Schumer.   Of the rest that I heard...

1. Patrick Leahy tried to be funny about his run in with Cheney.    Not funny.   It always hurt to see a joke bomb.
2. RFK Jr. sounded like he needed a lozenge.  I wonder if he's just been screaming his little head off at the convention.
3. Dianne Feinstein?   Blah
4. Michael Coleman (mayor of Columbus, OH) was fantastic!  
5. Eimy Santiago (graduate of some YWCA program) sounded nervous at first, but ended well.  
6. Ashley Bell (president of college democrats)  yawn.
7. Wyclef Jean.....I didn't like how he changed the words of his song.
8. Jesse Jackson......yawn. 
9. Brian McKnight did a HORRIBLE rendition of The Star Spangled Banner.  I love Brian, hated his national anthem. 
10. Lt. Colonel Steve Brozak's speech was too long.   He lost me.
11. Rev. Al was incredible.  
12. I don't know where I was for Mellencamp, I missed him.   My Hoosier cred just dropped five points.
13. Jennifer Granholm was ok, but I was underwhelmed after all the hype.
14. Cate Edwards was good.
15. Elizabeth Edwards was better.
16. John Edwards was better still. 

I thought it was a good night.  

Stuff

1. Barack Obama mentioned my hometown (East Moline, Illinois) in his speech tonight!   We're famous!  Oh yeah, I live in Indianapolis now.   Nevermind.
2. It must be getting close to football season.   I got my official NFL catalog in the mail tonight!   Yay!
3. I've been reading this book.   Its fantastic, but.....when I was walking to my door tonight, I keep imagining a sniper seeing me through his (or her) scope.   I can't imagine what it would be like to live constantly like that.    The book is still amazing.  
4. I have a dentist appointment bright and early tomorrow, but I'm eating a lemon bar tonight.   Shame on me.

 

Stateside Reds

Well, Liverpool won their first stateside friendly against Celtic.  5-1.    It seems they are playing a more aggressive type of football and this suits me just fine.   What doesn't suit me just fine is that I will see absolutely 0 of their games here in the States.     Why is it that they're not coming to Chicago?      Anyway, of course I'll be following all the action online.   Later, pics will be posted.   I'm sure you're all waiting anxiously for those!  

What has me a little bit nervous, though, is this tidbit from Milan Baros.    Bringing in Cisse appears to have been a stroke of genius, but that does leave Milan as odd man out.  I don't want him to go.   He's brilliant, and I think he just reinforced his brilliance at the Euro tournament a few weeks ago.   And, yes, the article does say that he is interested in staying, but that doesn't do a lot to ease my mind.    All in all, the boys played well against Celtic, and I'm glad to hear they are excited about the season.    I'm excited about the season too!  

In other Reds news, El Hadji Diouf received a rude awakening from his club.   I'm thinking that not being assigned a squad number is a definite bad omen.  

Will Michael Owen finally sign a contract?  

I understand that "everyone starts from scratch" mentality of a new manager, but it seems a little ludicrous to me that John Arne Riise feels he has to fight for a starting place.     Riise is one of my favorite Reds and I'm not worried for him.   Just annoyed. 

And Elsewhere around the Premiership:   The main bit of "will he/won't he" gossip concerns Patrick Viera, and now Sol Campbell?   Or is that just a bit of wishful thinking on my part.   The rumor is that both of these Arsenal headliners  may be packing their bags and moving to Spain to play for Real Madrid.    Now, personally, this would be EXCELLENT news for every premiership team if this were true.   In fact, I think I would get up and do a dance of job.   I might do one now anyway.   But, I don't think its really gonna happen.   If I understand this right, (and its completely possible that I have no idea what I'm talking about) Arsenal has the right to simply refuse any bids for Viera.   They would be crazy to let him go.....unless they were offered mega bucks.   Mega.   Sooooooo, the drama continues.  Don't worry.  I'll keep ya'll posted.  

And for all of you who think this football/soccer talk is boring, I have it on good authority that football is sexy!    (So there!)

JibJab

I'm sure you've all seen this already, its not really new.  It IS funny, though.  So, if you haven't seen it yet, Enjoy.  

Thanks GC and SW for sending this to me.  

A Great Column from the Guardian Online

By UK author and Guardian columnist, Gary Younge.    I found his book in our library and it was fabulous.   But, I kind of lost track of him after that.    Then, as I was browsing the Guardian online, I found him again with this great column.  

The 80s are Over

Bummer, huh?   I am listening to a bit of the 90s (we're in February 1991) but its just not the same.    And, while I missed the classic "Ice Ice Baby," I did just get treated to Vanilla's Ice rendition of "Satisfaction."   I know you're all jealous!

Ladies (and interested gentlemen),  The Fox Sports World website has put together a  s(l)ideshow of "Soccer Studs from Euro 2004"   My opinion?    Given its limited scope, just Euro 2004, I can excuse the absence of some other studly soccer stars.   There were still quite a few to work with.   Becks is here, of course, as well as  Milan Baros. 

Here is a pretty good picture of France's Thierry Henry; someone I would not have included on this list prior to seeing this picture.  



Then, there was the George Clooney look-alike from Greece:

Antonis Nikopolidis

England's David James



Denmark's Keeper, Thomas Sorensen


And Italy's Alessandro Del Piero, who FSW says is said resemble Bruce Springsteen. I don't know. What do ya'll think? Boss-esque?


Nope, no quibbling with the list.   Of course, there are 20 studs in all, so check out the link and list some of your favorites.  

Damn, there is another Vanilla Ice song!   Play that Funky Music, Vanilla Ice!   
I have GOT to get out of the 90s.

This doesn't seem quite right.....

You're Watership Down!

by Richard Adams

Though many think of you as a bit young, even childish, you're
actually incredibly deep and complex. You show people the need to rethink their
assumptions, and confront them on everything from how they think to where they
build their houses. You might be one of the greatest people of all time. You'd
be recognized as such if you weren't always talking about talking rabbits.


Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

Stacking the Deck

Ok, this is a movie list than I can work with!  :o)  This is the top 100 grossing movies of the 80s.   I should do much better with this list.   Same formatting rules as last time. 

1. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
2. Return of the Jedi
3. The Empire Strikes Back
4. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
5. Batman
6. Rain Man
7. Raiders of the Lost Ark
8. Who Framed Roger Rabbit
9. Back to the Future
10. Top Gun
11. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
12. Back to the Future Part II
13. Crocodile Dundee
14. Fatal Attraction
15. Beverly Hills Cop
16. Rocky IV
17. Rambo: First Blood Part II
18. Beverly Hills Cop II
19. Look Who's Talking
20. Ghostbusters
21. Coming to America
22. Crocodile Dundee II
23. Out of Africa
24. Dead Poets Society
25. Lethal Weapon 2
26. Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
27. The Little Mermaid
28. Twins
29. Ghostbusters II
30. For Your Eyes Only
31. The Living Daylights
32. A Fish Called Wanda
33. Rambo III
34. The Untouchables
35. Octopussy
36. Aliens
37. Tootsie
38. Dirty Dancing
39. Three Men and a Baby
40. Terms of Endearment
41. Born on the Fourth of July
42. Licence to Kill
43. Platoon
44. A View to a Kill
45. The Golden Child
46. Gremlins
47. Driving Miss Daisy
48. The Color Purple
49. Die Hard
50. Black Rain
51. Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
52. An Officer and a Gentleman
53. Staying Alive
54. Good Morning, Vietnam
55. Rocky III
56. Poltergeist
57. On Golden Pond
58. The Karate Kid, Part II
59. Big
60. Romancing the Stone
61. Sea of Love
62. The Abyss
63. Superman II
64. Porky's
65. Nine to Five
66. Stir Crazy
67. Parenthood
68. Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan
69. Harlem Nights
70. Arthur
71. Flashdance
72. When Harry Met Sally...
73. Back to School
74. The Karate Kid
75. Trading Places
76. Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
77. Stripes
78. Da Boot
79. Steel Magnolias
80. War of the Roses, The
81. Airplane (aka Flying High)
82. Police Academy
83. Moonstruck
84. The Terminator
85. Footloose
86. Coal Miner's Daughter
87. WarGames
88. Cocktail
89. The Naked Gun
90. The Name of the Rose
91. Always
92. Cocoon
93. 48 HRS
94. Oliver & Company
95. Beetlejuice
96. Ruthless People
97. Christmas Vacation
98. Turner & Hooch
99. Ferris Bueller's Day Off
100. Private Benjamin

That's much better!   But, still, I see a lot of films on here that I can't believe I haven't seen.  I definitely need to go back and watch the rest of Harlem Nights.   And Rambo: pt. 2.  And Stripes....

Because I mute the tv whenever W is on

I will never hear his speech to the National Urban League.   But, I read a transcript here.   And here are some of my favorite quotes:

Ours is a solid record of accomplishment. And that's why I've come to talk about compassionate conservatism and what I envision for the future. I'm here for another reason. I'm here to ask for your vote.
No, I know, I know, I know. The Republican party has got a lot of work to do. I understand that.  You didn't need to nod your head that hard, Jesse. 
 
So we're back to "compassionate conservatism, are we?"  And this one was good too:

You see, I believe in my heart that the Republican party, the party of Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, is not complete without the perspective and support and contribution of African Americans. 
 
Its also the party of Ann "weasel bitch" Coulter, Rush Limbaugh and Sean "fucking idiot" Hannity.  Who does he think he's fooling?   Oh, that's right.  Me.    This man makes me physically ill.   He's lucky I can only vote once.  

See?  Now I'm mad.   And I was having such a GOOD day....

February 1988

The 80s rock on at my house.   This very moment, its the winter of 1988 and I can see the end of the 80s tunnel.  Its very sad.   This morning (in October of 87) I heard Laura Branigan singing Power of Love as made famous later by one Celine Dion.    I SWEAR I hadn't heard that song before Celine sang it.   I do not remember Laura Branigan singing this in the 80s.   Anyone else remember this?  


Did I happen to mention, in the last post, that Matt Damon is f**^!&@ hot?   Did I?   Apparently Halle Berry thinks so too.   We can start a fan club. 

All Aboard the Matt Damon Bandwagon

Other than freezing my butt off in the theater, I enjoyed everything about seeing The Bourne Supremacy today.    I'm not sure I liked it better than the first one, though.   But, considering how MUCH I liked the first one, this is still a glowing recommendation.   If you've read the books, keep in mind that the only thing the books and these movies have in common is the names of the characters.   The books are fantastic.  The movies are fantastic.   They are not the same thing.   

Anyway, another word of warning: you might not want to see this movie drunk.   There are a lot of shaky camera shots.   If you get motion sick, this also might not be the movie for you.    The story was good.   Matt Damon was fantastic.   Metacritic gave it a 70 and that's high praise from a bunch of blowhard critics.  :o)   Go see this movie.   Go on.   Right now.

In other film news:   I think Tom Cruise does his best work as a villain.   I am very much looking forward to Collateral.   I think I have seen a preview for this movie every time I've been to the movies this summer, except for the Harry Potter showing.   Seriously.   Anyway, I'm not a huge TC fan, but I do end up liking most of his movies.  I haven't liked any of them as much as I've liked Interview with the Vampire, though.    He was fantastic in that.   My second favorite would have to be The Last Samurai, but I think that has a lot more to do with the Oscar nominated performance of Ken Watanabe.    Very much looking forward to Tom as a bad guy again.   (August 6)

I also saw a preview of the Ray Charles biopic, Ray,  for the first time.   Oh My God.  (I think I said that out loud in the theater too!)  Jaime Foxx was so much like Ray Charles that I was a little creepy.  You'll just have to see a preview (or the movie) to see what I mean.  I can't even describe it.   I think this is going to be a very well received movie.    And Larenz Tate as Quincy Jones, Ralph Tresvant (of New Edition) as Sam Cooke, and Usher as Jackie Wilson?!  I cannot WAIT for this movie!   (October 29)

Not Quite A Quiz

All right.   These are the top 100 movies from IMDB.    Let's see how I did:

Bold the ones you've seen, italicize the ones you've seen parts of.

1.Godfather, The (1972)
2.Shawshank Redemption, The (1994)
3Godfather: Part II, The (1974)
4Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The (2003)
5Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The (2002)
6Schindler's List (1993)
7Shichinin no samurai (1954)
8Casablanca (1942)
9Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)
10Star Wars (1977)
11Citizen Kane (1941)
12One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
13Dr. Strangelove (1964)
14Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
15Rear Window (1954)
16Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
17Pulp Fiction (1994)
18Usual Suspects, The (1995)
19Memento (2000)
20North by Northwest (1959)
21 12 Angry Men (1957)
22 Buono, il brutto, il cattivo, Il (1966)
23 Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
24 Psycho (1960)
25 Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain, Le (2001)
26 Silence of the Lambs, The (1991)
27 It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
28 Goodfellas (1990)
29 American Beauty (1999)
30 Sunset Blvd. (1950)
31 Vertigo (1958)
32 Matrix, The (1999)
33 Cidade de Deus (2002)
34 To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
35 C'era una volta il West (1968)
36 Apocalypse Now (1979)
37 Pianist, The (2002)
38 Third Man, The (1949)
39 Paths of Glory (1957)
40 Taxi Driver (1976)
41 Fight Club (1999)
42 Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi (2001)
43 Some Like It Hot (1959)
44 Double Indemnity (1944)
45 Boot, Das (1981)
46 Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
47 Singin' in the Rain (1952)
48 Chinatown (1974)
49 L.A. Confidential (1997)
50 Maltese Falcon, The (1941)
51 Requiem for a Dream (2000)
52 All About Eve (1950)
53 M (1931)
54 Bridge on the River Kwai, The (1957)
55 Se7en (1995)
56 Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
57 Saving Private Ryan (1998)
58 Rashômon (1950)
59 Raging Bull (1980)
60 Wizard of Oz, The (1939)
61 Alien (1979)
62 American History X (1998)
63 Sting, The (1973)
64 Léon (1994)
65 Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
66 Manchurian Candidate, The (1962)
67 Vita è bella, La (1997)
68 Touch of Evil (1958)
69 Treasure of the Sierra Madre, The (1948)
70 Finding Nemo (2003)
71 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
72 Reservoir Dogs (1992)
73 Great Escape, The (1963)
74 Modern Times (1936)
75 Clockwork Orange, A (1971)
76 Amadeus (1984)
77 On the Waterfront (1954)
78 Ran (1985)
79 Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
80 Annie Hall (1977)
81 Wo hu cang long (2000)
82 Jaws (1975)
83 Apartment, The (1960)
84 Braveheart (1995)
85 High Noon (1952)
86 Aliens (1986)
87 Fargo (1996)
88 Strangers on a Train (1951)
89 Shining, The (1980)
90 Metropolis (1927)
91 Blade Runner (1982)
92 Sixth Sense, The (1999)
93 City Lights (1931)
94 Donnie Darko (2001)
95 Duck Soup (1933)
96 Great Dictator, The (1940)
97 General, The (1927)
98 Sjunde inseglet, Det (1957)
99 Princess Bride, The (1987)
100 Dogville (2003)

Wow.  I didn't even get 50%!   That's it.  I need to watch more movies.... Although, now that I look at IMDB, I see that the list actually goes to 250.  I'm sure I'd do better with the second half of the list....

I like Barbra Streisand

This is so embarrassing.    As you all know (because I've talked about it only a hundred times) I'm listening to the Pop Music Encyclopedia on XM radio.   Two songs that I really love have come on (No more tears (enough is enough) and Woman in Love) and they are both by Barbra Streisand.  I don't know if I had blocked this out over the years or if I just never knew it.   Before this, I would have sworn up and down that I didn't like Babs.   And, to add insult to injury, one of my favorite songs is the duet she did with Bryan Adams in 1996, I finally found Someone.   So, I think I have to bite the bullet and just admit that I like her.   Damn.

In other news....

This story makes me wonder if some of our library regulars would ever be as generous if they got their hands on nearly $200,000.

And THIS story just goes to show that its hard to overcome a powerful thirst.

God bless the Internet!

Luck of the Draw

I need to preface this by saying I never win anything.  That isn't an exaggeration.  Never.   But, when I was wandering around IBE on Saturday, my cousins and I signed up for a drawing at Penske Chevrolet.   They were giving away a bunch of things, but no cars.  :o)   Anyway, I won a 36 inch tv!   Amazing!   Everyone go and buy a new car at Penske Chevrolet!!!!   It was incredible.  And, because I couldn't get that big tv into my little Hyundai, they brought it to my house for me.   Incredible.   I plugged it in, hooked up the satellite, and it looks pretty.   But, I probably will end up giving it away.   I know you're all thinking I'm crazy, but my dad needs a new tv in his finished basement, and this would be perfect.   And, the tv I have is fantastic already.   (its not as big, but I still think it might be a better tv.)   And, when I told him about it yesterday I could practically see his grin through the phone line.   Maybe giving IS better than receiving.     Maybe.
 
Of course, if I keep watching it I might just become attached..... Its REALLY pretty. 
 
Anyway, thanks to Penske Chevrolet.   This is the best thing that has happened to be all year.  (Besides being accepted to law school, of course.....)

Fun Quiz

And oh so true!   I found (stole) this straight from Lawren's blog.   But I shouldn't have to tell ya'll that.   You should all be reading it anyway.  
 
 

My life is rated NC-17.
What is your life rated?

IBE pt. 2

Well, I'm back.   It was different working in the booth, and I have a new appreciation for those that do it often.   I did meet some nice law students, though, and I think this is going to be ok.    I enjoyed talking to everyone who stopped by our booth, too.   I remember that I was in their spot at this time last year.   Some Alumni stopped by as well, and offered some advice and encouragement.
 
And boy was it a great spot for people watching.   Sometimes, I wonder what goes through a person's mind while they're getting dressed.   I mean really.   Like one of my colleagues said, it was like people thought they were going to the club.   And for all the walking that you do, who in their right mind would wear spike heels?!   Maybe I just didn't have the right attitude.  
 
At any rate, it was nice and I'm glad I did it.   The IU Med students across the aisle looked a bit lonely, though.   One of them was having an intense conversation on his cell.   Doctors.  :o) 

Hour 404--That damn pina colada song

I hate that song.  Truly.  I think its just a case of overexposure.   Two more hours of 1979 and then we're on to the 80s.  Do I sound a little bit excited?   Really, its sad.   I should have something better to do.  But, its summer.  What else is there really? 
 
Yesteday, was my IBE experience Pt. 1.   If I had to sum it up in one word, I would say: crowded.   I met my cousin there, she works for John Deere and they have a booth at Expo this year.   She isn't having a very good time this year.   Deere was a corporate sponsor, which cost them a cool 25K.   And, for that price, they got to have some of their equipment stolen.   A $600 lawn mower.  Now, I know you're thinking, how could someone steal something as big as a lawn mower from the convention center.   Yes, I was thinking the same thing.   They have the man on tape stealing said lawn mower.   So, besides all the usual setting up the booth craziness, my cousin has been dealing with police reports, and all that kinda great stuff.    And IBE execs saying "Well, I hope this won't negatively influence your decision to come next year."   Uh.....ok. 
 

Other expo thoughts:  

1.  Damn, there were a lot of FINE looking men there.   Not that I was looking or anything.....
2. There were too many people there.  
3. I got my rings cleaned by someone selling jewelry cleaner and they look awfully shiny now!
4. The food wasn't all that great this year.
5. I was glad to see that the Indiana Republican Party was there.  I'm not a republican (obviously) but I was glad to see them making an effort.   There was a fine man in that booth too.  (NOT THAT I WAS LOOKING!)
6. I walked around the place pretty good but I must have missed a big section because I didn't see the library's booth. 
7. It was LOUD!  

I had a headache as I was walking back to my car.   There were people burning incense, and I think it gave me a sinus headache.   The loudness just added to it.   Once I got home, took Aleve and a nap, I felt better.   I was just exhausted, though.  

And, I'm going to do it all again today!  Well, I'm going to sit in the law school booth.   Its on the quiet (?) end of the hall, so I don't think I'll be getting a headache.    And, I didn't buy anything.  I saw a couple of framed art type things that would look nice.  I saw a couple of purses that would look equally nice on my arm....I'm not buying anything today either.   In to the booth and then out to the car.  That's it.   I swear....

 

Bah

So, I had this nice post ready to go, beautiful even.  And then Blogger killed it!  I don't know what the hell happened, but my nice post was gone.   Soooooo...now ya'll get a boring post.   Maybe later I can try and re-create my earlier brilliance!
 
Anyway, one thing I remember from my last post, ironically, was how I was saying that I liked the improvements Blogger had done.   Its a lot more user friendly, easier to post pictures, and fun things like colored text and things like that.  Of course, if you can't make your post, then the colored text is kind of unimportant.
 
So, I think I've mentioned XM radio is doing this thing called IT: The History of Pop Music.   "IT" started on July 1st, and right now we're on 1976.   This is the best thing that has ever happened to me.    No.  Seriously.  I've been grooving on this for awhile.   I think I may just not go to work once the 1980s starts on Sunday!   
 
While I'm listening to 1976, I hear If You Leave Me Now by Chicago.   This is the first song that I remember.  I'm sure its not the first song I ever heard, I was 2 when it came out, but this is the first song that I remember hearing, which is kind of a cool feeling.  Its like deja vu almost.  Anyway, I'm curious what is the first song you all remember?  Is it a radio song or a lullaby or what?   Sesame Street songs?  Theme song to Mr. Roger's Neighborhood?
 
   

Eric Jerome Dickey

is fantastic! The Library's African American History Committee, in partnership with Indiana Black Expo, hosted EJD last night at the Madame Walker Theater.

He was excellent.

Witty, Charming, Funny, he kept the audience laughing. He read a little from his new book, Drive Me Crazy I would say it was one of the most successful author talk/signings we've had in the short time that I've been here. I base that partially on the line which extended outside and around the building. Plus, he was one of the nicest people, celebrity or not, that I have ever met. If you have a chance to go see him while he's doing the tour for Drive Me Crazy, I encourage you to go see him. Fantastic. Be prepared to laugh, though. Just so you know.

Appreciate Me

Tuesday I went out to lunch with a salesman. I have three particular salesmen who take very good care of me (professionally speaking) and this one took me out to lunch. We went to a fairly nice place
and I think it was productive. He did seem a little irritated that I wouldn't be ordering as many audiobooks as last year, or the year before. Of course, my audio budget has been cut in half, so that might have something to do with it. I wonder if I'll still get lunch next year.

Anyway, the point is that I deal with several different companies, but only three bother to make any effort to contact me, let alone take me out to lunch! And these, coincidentally, are the three that get 95% of my business.

Very Tired

Good morning, faithful readers.

Well, this is what happened over the weekend.

Fri: The wait is over! The great 80s station, 93.9, has unveiled its new format. Contemporary Christian! That's sweet. I would even say that was a good idea if there wasn't already a CC station! But there is, and now the 80s are gone. So, #1 on my car stereo has been changed to WICR, 88.7. Its good.

Sat: Clean, Clean, Clean, Clean, Clean. Breathe. Clean, Clean, Clean, Clean, Clean.

Sun: Bazbeaux Pizza, Wine, Ritter's Frozen Custard, Tarot, Friends, Golden Lab, Fun! It was a good time.

Hope everyone had a good weekend.

A cool meme

This came from here.I love stuff like this! Sorry its long...

TT: If you had to choose

1. Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly? Fred, baby!
2. The Great Gatsby or The Sun Also Rises? Sun, baby!
3. Count Basie or Duke Ellington? Duke
4. Cats or dogs? Dogs
5. Matisse or Picasso? Matisse
6. Yeats or Eliot? I hate Eliot, so its Yeats by default
7. Buster Keaton or Charlie Chaplin? Ugh. Neither
8. Flannery O’Connor or John Updike? Updike
9. To Have and Have Not or Casablanca? I've only seen Casablanca
10. Jackson Pollock or Willem de Kooning? Um....de Kooning
11. The Who or the Stones? STONES, BABY! (LOVE the Stones)
12. Philip Larkin or Sylvia Plath? Plath
13. Trollope or Dickens? Dickens
14. Billie Holiday or Ella Fitzgerald? Ella is one of my two favorite singers of all time. (Dinah Washington would be the other.)
15. Dostoyevsky or Tolstoy? Tolstoy
16. The Moviegoer or The End of the Affair? Never saw either one.
17. George Balanchine or Martha Graham? Balanchine
18. Hot dogs or hamburgers? Burgers
19. Letterman or Leno? I know Letterman is from Indiana.....Leno is funnier. Sorry.
20. Wilco or Cat Power? Wilco (lesser of two evils)
21. Verdi or Wagner? Wagner
22. Grace Kelly or Marilyn Monroe? Ugh.
23. Bill Monroe or Johnny Cash? Man in black
24. Kingsley or Martin Amis? Kingsley
25. Robert Mitchum or Marlon Brando? Brando
26. Mark Morris or Twyla Tharp? Tharp
27. Vermeer or Rembrandt? Rembrandt.
28. Tchaikovsky or Chopin? Tchaikovsky!
29. Red wine or white? ick! (but red, if pressed.)
30. Noël Coward or Oscar Wilde? Coward
31. Grosse Pointe Blank or High Fidelity? Grosse Pointe Blank
32. Shostakovich or Prokofiev? Shostakovich in a photo finish. I love them both.
33. Mikhail Baryshnikov or Rudolf Nureyev? Misha
34. Constable or Turner? Turner!
35. The Searchers or Rio Bravo? Rio Bravo
36. Comedy or tragedy? Tragedy
37. Fall or spring? Fall
38. Manet or Monet? Another Photo Finish. Monet
39. The Sopranos or The Simpsons? Sopranos
40. Rodgers and Hart or Gershwin and Gershwin? R&H
41. Joseph Conrad or Henry James? James. I DETEST Conrad.
42. Sunset or sunrise? Sunset (especially in the fall!)
43. Johnny Mercer or Cole Porter? Porter
44. Mac or PC? PC
45. New York or Los Angeles? NY
46. Partisan Review or Horizon? ?
47. Stax or Motown? Oh man. Its like picking between your children! Stax
48. Van Gogh or Gauguin? Van Gogh.
49. Steely Dan or Elvis Costello? Steely Dan
50. Reading a blog or reading a magazine? Magazine
51. John Gielgud or Laurence Olivier? Olivier
52. Only the Lonely or Songs for Swingin’ Lovers? ---
53. Chinatown or Bonnie and Clyde? Chinatown
54. Ghost World or Election? Election
55. Minimalism or conceptual art? ick or ick. Minimalism
56. Daffy Duck or Bugs Bunny? Bugs
57. Modernism or postmodernism? Modernism
58. Batman or Spider-Man? Batman
59. Emmylou Harris or Lucinda Williams? Emmylou
60. Johnson or Boswell? Johnson
61. Jane Austen or Virginia Woolf? Austen
62. The Honeymooners or The Dick Van Dyke Show? Dick Van Dyke
63. An Eames chair or a Noguchi table? Eames
64. Out of the Past or Double Indemnity? Double Indemnity
65. The Marriage of Figaro or Don Giovanni? Marriage of Figaro
66. Blue or green? Blue
67. A Midsummer Night’s Dream or As You Like It? As You Like It
68. Ballet or opera? Ballet
69. Film or live theater? Film
70. Acoustic or electric? Acoustic
71. North by Northwest or Vertigo? Vertigo
72. Sargent or Whistler? Sargent
73. V.S. Naipaul or Milan Kundera? Naipaul
74. The Music Man or Oklahoma? Music Man
75. Sushi, yes or no? Ick! (guess that would be no.)
76. The New Yorker under Ross or Shawn? Shawn
77. Tennessee Williams or Edward Albee? Albee
78. The Portrait of a Lady or The Wings of the Dove? Portrait
79. Paul Taylor or Merce Cunningham? Taylor
80. Frank Lloyd Wright or Mies van der Rohe? FLW
81. Diana Krall or Norah Jones? Krall
82. Watercolor or pastel? Watercolor
83. Bus or subway? Subway
84. Stravinsky or Schoenberg? I really like Schoenberg, but its Stravinsky by a nose.
85. Crunchy or smooth peanut butter? Smooth
86. Willa Cather or Theodore Dreiser? Dreiser! I can pick the Indiana child this time.
87. Schubert or Mozart? Mozart. (love Schubert too, though.)
88. The Fifties or the Twenties? Fifties
89. Huckleberry Finn or Moby-Dick? GAG ME! (but Twain if I have to choose.
90. Thomas Mann or James Joyce? Joyce
91. Lester Young or Coleman Hawkins? Hawkins
92. Emily Dickinson or Walt Whitman? Dickinson.
93. Abraham Lincoln or Winston Churchill? Lincoln
94. Liz Phair or Aimee Mann? Ugh. Mann.
95. Italian or French cooking? Italian.
96. Bach on piano or harpsichord? Sigh. Piano.
97. Anchovies, yes or no? No.
98. Short novels or long ones? Long
99. Swing or bebop? BeBop
100. "The Last Judgment" or "The Last Supper"? Last Supper.

King Arthur

First and foremost, I have to say that I liked this movie. I did. I promise. Was I thrilled by it? No. Was I expecting to be thrilled? Yes. My main problem with it was that Ioan Gruffudd overacted his part. I don't know if he thought he was on stage, or if the lines were so bad that he just tried to make the best of it, or what. Overacted. That was VERY disappointing, because he's become one of my favorite actors.

And, they changed the story. There are many ways to tell the Arthurian tale, but there are certain things that are the same throughout the ENTIRE Arthurian canon. Generally, you shouldn't mess with those. A lot of people will comment that the magic was missing in this movie, but that was actually all right with me. I love magic, mind you, but it was fine that this was a more historical look at the myth. But you can't change the myth. I mean, its just....you can't. Metacritic gave the movie a 49, and I think I would rate it a little higher than that. It wasn't a bad movie....

Quiz-a-licious!

What a good way to start a Thursday morning, huh?

Your Icecream Flavour is...Neopolitan!

You aren't satisfied with just one flavor. They say variety is the spice of life and this shines through in your Ice cream of choice! Just don't eat all the chocolate and leave the strawberry and vanilla behind!

What is your Icecream Flavour?

Find out at Go Quiz

Good Morning, Indianapolis!

Why is it that whenever you have a Monday off, you always feel a day behind?

Why is it that Charlie Gibson interrupted his (videotaped) self on Good Morning America to bring us pictures of J/J in a photo op? I believe we'll have plenty of time to see the two of them together. I wanted my previously recorded, live EDT, GMA!

Why is it that people want to steal from the library? I don't understand. Its free to USE, people, not to steal. If you knew how much stuff was stolen from the library, you'd be amazed. Or, maybe not....

Why am I leaving early today to see King Arthur? Oh, I have an answer to this one! I do love all things Arthurian, but I'd see Ioan Gruffudd in just about anything.

A Real Student

I'm a real student now! I know, I've already taken my first 2 credit hour class, handed in papers and done an exam, but you're not a REAL student until you get your ID card. So, that's what I did this morning before work. It was quick and painless and now I'm a real student. YAY! I can't wait to go buy something from the law school cafeteria.

Oh yeah, John Kerry picked John Edwards to be his lawfully wedded running mate. Duh. I mean, really, who else was he going to pick? I predicted this ages ago, even though my Dad tried to convince me that there would be a Kerry/Gephardt ticket.

Dad also tried to make me believe that Coach K would leave Duke for the evil empire. Dad's batting a big fat 0 this week!

The Thrill of Victory

I think its safe to say that whoever bet on the Greeks at the start of Euro 2004 won a bundle. No one, not even the Greek fans (or team for that matter) expected this. I certainly didn't. Maybe it was just luck, or maybe they played dirty. But then won, and this is going to be a huge boost for the Greek National team. It is hard to get excited about this team, though. Well, congrats to them anyway.


picture from soccernet.com

A Failure to Communicate

Today I got braids. Now, I've had braids before, and I love them. I haven't had them in a long time, and I thought it was about time to see what I could do in that area. Most of you have no idea what it emtails, so I'll enlighten you. It entails sitting. For a long, LONG time. A long time. I sat from 8:00-1:30. And, actually, that wasn't nearly as long as I expected. But, the thing is, while they are tiny and I love them, they weren't exactly what I was expecting. The lovely African woman (I have no idea what country) and I had a communication problem. We were both saying the same thing, but we understood it completely differently. As a consequence, I have A LOT more hair on my head (in July!) than I intended. But I'm starting to get used to it. But, its going to up in a ponytail as long as we have this icky, hot, muggy weather. Next time, I think I'll just take a picture, and not worry about it.

On another weird note, one of my favorite radio stations is changing formats. Most of you know I have XM Satellite radio and I love it. But, I only have it in the house, where my regular radio reception was pretty much...nil. In the car, there are about three stations I listen to. I'm all about The Tom Joyner Morning Show on the way to work. Any other time I'm in the car, though, I'm usually flipping between these three radio stations. The one that I listen to most, Retro 93.9 was an all 80s station. Last night, on the way home from the fabulous Lord St. party, I caught the tail end of their holiday weekend 80s A-Z. It was fab. This morning, on my way to get my braids, they're playing tv themes. Apparently, they are undergoing their changeover, which will be unveiled on Friday morning. Until then, its TV theme songs. Pretty cool for a little bit, but it grows old quickly. I'm bummed. No matter what kind of format they have, it can't possibly be as good as what it left behind. Another classic rock station? Yawn. Another "today's hits" station? Gag. The only way it could possibly be better is if it were a classical station (I'm eclectic!) and it won't be. So, I'm bummed. Curious, but still bummed. It looks like I'll be getting that car adapted sooner than I planned.

Festive 4th

Yes, I know its the fifth. But, you know, I have a lot of make-up posting to do, so I'd better split it up. First and foremost, I wanna thank GC, JL, JR and MT for a GREAT 4th of July party! Why is it that I never came to one of these before? MY BAD! There were so many great people there, so many good things to eat, and I got a great parking spot on top of it all! It was a good time and I'm looking forward to the next great Lord St. Party.

I met lots of law-type people there too. Two law librarians from New York. Assorted lawyers for the ICLU (Indiana Civil Liberties Union) and a couple who said they were "recovering attorneys." Love that. The only bad part of the party were two very scared pups who had to go home early because of all that loud pre-fireworks fireworks. One was shaking so hard you could hardly pet her. The other one was trying to dig himself a place to hide. Poor things. Other than that (and my unfortunate incident with the margaritas that I thought was lemonade...) it was a great party. And did I mention the food?

TGIF or TGTCIFO (Thank God That Class is Finally Over!)

Well, its done. Finished. Over. The final was yesterday, and I feel like I did pretty well. Some of the multiple choice questions were a little stress inducing, but I played the "narrow it down" game that they LSAT teaches you. Sometimes, I liked my choices at the end, and sometimes I didn't. I loved the essay part of the test and, honestly, I think I did a good job. Now, of course, my opinion on the matter doesn't really amount for much. But, I'm hoping that C&M agree with my assessment!

So, I'm done now until the end of August when REAL school starts. God help me.


In other news, Mr. C is in the news again for speaking the truth. There will be those who disagree. I agree with his reponse to that. "Let them talk."

Change is Good!

Happy July, everybody. To commemorate this occasion, which only comes around once a year, I've linked to some new blogs along the left side. They are, roughly, in the order that I check them. My favorite right now, by far, is Visible Hand. Laying aside the sad fact that he's an Arsenal fan, its a great blog to read.

In other news, today is the last class of my summer Pre-L session. We have a final. Its part MC (multiple choice) and part Essay. Now, the essay part won't be that bad. Its the multiple choice that has everyone worried. What, exactly, are they going to be asking us about? If this was a more defined class, more structured, then we would have an idea of what kinds of questions would be asked. As it stands now, the only thing I can be sure of (I think) is that we're going to be asked a lot about the judicial system. The who, what, when, where and why of federal and state courts. I'll let ya'll know if my predication is correct.

Fox Sports World, one of my favorite websites, has redesigned and it stinks! I am extremely disappointed because this was a must visit site. Now its been incorporated into the larger FoxSports umbrella, and you can imagine (in the U.S.) where soccer fits. Sigh. That's just one more weblink I'll have to change on my site. Its neverending!

Speaking of EURO 2004, Portugal won their semi-final over the Netherlands yesterday and hopefully I'll have some pictures up later tonight. Today is the Greece-Czech Republic matchup. And, while I'm normally all about the underdog (Greece) I am really liking this CR team as well. That has a lot to do with the two Liverpool players on that team, though. And, after the season Milan Baros had last year, I want to see him do well. This is a good way to make an impression on the new boss before getting back to England.

And, in other Liverpool news, Djibril Cisse, from Auxerre, has joined the team. Now, most of you know I am a HUGE Milan Baros fan, so I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing for him. Its definitely good news for Liverpool, unless there is irreparable friction between Cisse and Owen, or Cisse and Baros or whatever. I'm going with the positive thoughts, though, and I am really looking forward to seeing him on opening day.

That's it, folks. Time for work. More later.