a hard-knock life

Many of you know this about me, but I am a huge fan of Broadway musicals, especially from the 50s-80s. The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, Kiss Me Kate, Camelot, Fiddler on the Roof, The Music Man, West Side Story, all of them. I love them madly, and know every word to every song. But the one I know the best is Annie. I could recite the entire script by memory. I have the soundtracks for both the original Broadway cast and the 1982 movie. I think I even had that locket when I was a little girl.

Today I watched a documentary on Showtime called "Life After Tomorrow," about the girls who were in the original stage productions of Annie, and what happened (or didn't happen to them) after they grew up. Or rather, after they grew breasts and got kicked out of the productions. It was touching and poignant, and really made me think of my all my dashed hopes and dreams. I can't believe I was never in Broadway musical. I need a do-over.

There were a few famous faces- notably Sarah Jessica Parker (Annie), Molly Ringwald (orphan), and Alyssa Milano (orphan), and a few semi-famous faces- the girl who played Leo's daughter in The West Wing, and the girl who played Lila on Charles in Charge, but mainly they've become regular women- CPAs, pyschiatrists, teachers, mothers. They got their 15 minutes when they were 9 and 10 years old, and then returned to elementary school before they realized how much of their childhood they lost in the process. It was really kind of sad.

I did end up being in Annie in high school, although I never sang well enough to play Annie. I played one of the six orphans who had a leading role. I also choreographed the production.


The play was much more politically charged than the movie, including numbers entitled "We'd Like to Thank You, Herbert Hoover," and FDR's "A New Deal for Christmas." They toned it down for the film, leaving not-so-subtle digs like Warbuck's "everything's urgent to a Democrat!" and Roosevelt's "aren't Republicans ostentatious?" The brilliance of Carol Burnett, Tim Curry, Bernadette Peters, and Albert Finney only added to my captivated reverence of the movie. I'll bet I've seen it 50 times. I'm actually watching it now.

I still have a fever and my sore throat is getting worse by the hour. I hope everyone's New Year's Eve is festive and remember, you're never fully dressed without a smile!!

Happy Scottie-San's Birthday!!!!!

First things first, happy 32nd to my dear friend Scottie-san, who is smart, funny, and filled to the rim with ZAH. As I'm sitting in an airport away from my trust lil' hard drive, Sparky, I don't have a picture to post. Perhaps I'll do that tomorrow. I'm hoping madly to get back to Dallas in time to attend Scottie-san's birthday party. I've been at every one since 2002. I might be the only person who can say that. Besides Scott, that is. Anyway, happy birthday, Scotticus. You are one kool dood.

Next, I have been S-I-C-K for the past 3 days. Fever, snot, sore throat, all of the above. Just plain gross. I'm exhausted and hopped up on non-drowsy Advil Cold & Sinus, which should keep me running for a while. My mom and I watched THE ENTIRE SIXTH SEASON of Gilmore Girls. Six episodes on Tuesday and 16 on Wednesday. Yes. Sixteen. In one day. Are you feeling awe or pity? It's a toss-up. Anyway, as always, the Gilmores were fully of wacky, zany phrases and tons of pop culture zings. In addition to the now-famous "Hurry up, Lorelai, I'm meeting Bill Chandler at the club!" and Lorelai's "frakkin' Celine Dion!!," season 6 also brought us Rory calling her grandmother a Cylon!!! Brilliant.

The 'rents and I watched this awesome special on the History Channel about planet-wide death threats (ie: threats that will end humanity completely). They are, apparently, in ascending order by chance of occurence: gamma rays (nearby dying star), black hole, super volcano, artificial intelligence taking us over, meteor hitting the earth, nuclear war, biological pandemic, and global warming). It was really interesting and super creepy. And it's showing three more times before the end of the month, so check it out.

Anyway, the creepiest one I thought was the meteor hitting the earth one. Apparently there is a meteor out there that is going to come so close to us on Friday, April 13, 2029, that it will go between us and our satellite communication tools, and will most certainly hit us 7 years later, on April 13, 2036, unless we build some sort of ship to "force" it out of its orbit. The ship hasn't been built yet. It doesn't even have blueprints yet. It's just sort of a vague idea. Like, hey, we THINK we can keep it from hitting the earth. Um, hello? That's like, 20 years away. And if it hits the ocean (what, 70% chance?), it will cause MILES-HIGH tsunamis. I was totally freaked out.

I've got to board my plane. See you on the flip side~

Merry Christmas Eve, you wonderful old Building & Loan!!

Christmas, Part 2 is now over & done. We just finished It's a Wonderful Life. I truly love that movie. I also love walks on the beach, and cliches. No, really. I love it. We went to church this morning, and then out to eat, and then Tom and I had a Sudoku contest (I soundly kicked his arse; now I feel better for losing to my dad so badly), and then my parents went to run the sound at the evening service while I stayed home and made cornbread and biscuits (I'm making stuffing tomorrow).

What I gave/received, Part 2

to my parents: M*A*S*H, the Martinis & Medicine Collection- all 11 seasons, plus the feature film and 2 disks of extras- from my sister and me
to my mom: some fancy gardening gloves and an antique glass creamer pitcher (she collects them)
to my stepdad: that new Tony Bennett duets cd and work gloves
to my sister and brother-in-law: House, Season 2
to my sister: a Rachel Ray cookbook
to my brother-in-law: a Dallas Cowboys Christmas ornament
to my niece: a beaded necklace that I made myself, plus 2 ornaments (a reindeer and a snowman bell with her name on it)
to Tom's parents: a donation to UNICEF in their name

from my parents: Gilmore Girls, season 6, Gray's Anatomy (the actual reference book, not the tv show from which it derived its name), a coffee table photo book of movies filmed in NYC, 2 Christmas ornaments (a coffee cup and a teeny set of scrubs), and an armoire that my stepdad built around some antique glass doors I bought last summer. It's straight-up awesome, but I'm pretty sure I can't take that back on the plane with me, so it will be a late addition.
from my sister and brother-in-law: The West Wing, Season 7 and a stethoscope
from my niece: a Narnia ornament
from my stepdad: a cold

I just left Santa a Coke, took some Nyquil, and am ready to fall asleep. I have a lot of baking to do tomorrow before I head to an overwhelming Christmas dinner which includes 5 children, 23 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and takes time to remember the baby Jesus, and Mary and Joseph, and the rest of those who traveled to see Him, and to contemplate for a moment on the wonder they must have felt, knowing that one day that baby would grow up and bust the world wide open, and nothing would ever be the same again.

What I Gave/Received, Pt 1

I looooove buying presents. I hate the physical act of shopping, but I love picking out things for the people I love, and Christmas is the time of year I most yearn for extra money, because I tend to go overboard. But it really makes me happy to give. (Also, receiving is pretty cool.)

So, this weekend I went to Nacogdoches and Houston, and had 2 rounds of "Christmas" with my various family members. Here is what I gave:

• to my dad: a fish-cleaning knife set, a Dallas Cowboys christmas ornament, Firefly- the complete series on DVD, a 6-pack of various beers from World Market, some new work gloves, and a Sudoku book.
• to my step-mom: a windchime, a picture frame, and a nice bottle of Portugese wine.
• to my sister Carrie: The Time-Traveler's Wife.
• to my brother-in-law Jerry: The Short History of Nearly Everything.
• to my Uncle Al: two Apple books, iWoz- Steve Wozniak's autibiography, and The Perfect Thing: How the iPod Shuffles Commerce, Culture, and Coolness.
• to Jule: this shirt and the BBC mini-series Pride & Prejudice with Colin Firth, which she already had so will be exchanging it for something else

I have also sent two shirts to Tom (the one I gave Jule and this one). People I have gifts for who have not yet received them, because I am lazy: Kiddo, Krysten (and Bryce), Bill, and Erin.

OK, and here's what I got:

• from my dad & stepmom: a new digital camera, and some money to buy Doctor Who season 2 when it comes out on January 16th
• from my sister and brother-in-law: a book called Fierce Food, which is crazy and awesome, and a candle that smells like "fresh linen." Love it.
• from Jule: Singin' in the Rain, which I already have (do we know each other well or what?), to be exchanged after Christmas for something else awesome
• from Uncle Al and Auntie: a smaller version of my food processor, which I predict will be used practically daily, the first season of Doctor Who, and the 4th Harry Potter movie.

And I came home from my travels to two presents on my doorstep!! Kiddo sent me an awesome orange Batgirl shirt, which I am wearing tomorrow, and Krysten sent me a flask, which I totally needed, natch, and a Krysten Original Scarf. It's frakkin' amazing. On one side it looks like this*:



Which is awesome in and of itself, right? But then, on the other side, it looks like this*:



WHOOOOOP! How cool is that?? I am so blown away by her craftiness. And also, I love skulls!

*pictures taken with new camera. Rad.

So, there you have it. First round of What I Gave/Received, 2006. More to come when I get back from Ohio. I will miss the internet, and you, dear readers. New Year's Resolutions coming soon.

back in civilization

Greetings from Houston!

As much as I harp on the booming metropolis of Nacogdoches, there is something so charming, so fantastically American about small-town America. East Texas is absolutely beautiful, and did you guys know I come from the oldest town in Texas? Original brick streets downtown and everything. I had a glorious time (although don't get me wrong, there's a 2-day maximum on the glory).

Friday I drove into town to see a billboard of an insurance salesman who graduated high school with me. Um, OUCH. I also got caught in a "traffic jam" that involved livestock. I got to my dad's and both dogs done R-U-F-F-O-F-T, so we spent a little time in the woods looking for them. I got dirty. Then we went to eat lunch at Mike's Barbecue. Mike's is where my little sister had her rehearsal dinner before her wedding. No, seriously. Mike of Mike's goes to my parents' church and I still actually know people that work there. Mrs. Mike was even around and came by to chat. Classic. Then Daddy and I went out to the range to shoot. Again, seriously. I shot about a hundred rounds from my 9mm on targets at 10, 25, and 50ft. We went back to the house (ibym "house"... "trailer"), where we met my sister, brother-in-law, and 2 nephews for "Christmas." It was great fun - my nephews are 3 and 9 months and adorable. My sister's family gave me this disgustingly awesome book called Fierce Food. Seriously, it is so gross. I love it.

Saturday my stepmom Gale and I went antique shopping, and then met my dad for lunch at The Cotton Patch. We went back to the house where Daddy and I cleaned our pistols together, natch, and then I went to Java Jack's and met two of my high school friends for coffee. It was CRAZY fun - I haven't seen either one of them in several years. Jeffrey is one of the oddest, most eccentric people I have ever known, and I'm happy to report he hasn't changed one bit. Pretty much every time he said something, I had to look at Adam for verification. It was so much fun to catch up with them. Saturday night Daddy and Gale and I watched Elf.

Sunday we went out to my other sister's house, where she lives with her husband and their 3 kids. My brother and his wife and their three kids were there as well, and we had lunch and let the kids open presents, and all had coffee and sat on the porch while the kids played on the hay bales. Again, seriously. It was so great. My dad and I had a sudoku contest (my stepmom gave us the same book so we raced) and he beat me three times in a row. Grrr!

THEN, Uncle Al, Auntie, and Jule were driving back to Houston from Bossier City, where Auntie's parents live, and they stopped in Nac and we caravan'ed to Houston. We met their friend Kip at the house for the 3-hour season finale of Survivor, which took us about 4 hours to watch, even without the commercials, because of all the pausing and yelling. We all cast our votes- even me, who had never seen it before (I voted alphabetically). I'm embarrassed to say that I enjoyed it.

Today Auntie and Jule and I went to the mall (*shudder*) and to Best Buy to get some last minute gifts, and then to dinner, where we watched Elf again. *snort* I'm glad I bought it, since apparently no one in my family has ever seen it. Jule and I are watching Christmas in Connecticut now. Unfortunately I have to head home to Dallas tomorrow since I am leaving Thursday morning for Christmas in Ohio.

I hope everyone's weekend was as wonderful as mine. I'll be home tomorrow~

O-M-G

I found a wi-fi signal if I press my computer + self up against the front window. Seriously. Every time I move I lose the signal - I'm literally crouching on the ground with the laptop balanced precariously on a rocking chair. Harder than one might think. Helloooo, internet! I've missed you so!! BIG WET SMOOCHES!!

Next on No Day but Today, City Mouse Goes to the Country.

Today was a pretty awesome day. I slept until about 9, and then moved straight to the couch with my coffee and my mushroom-swiss omelette for Take Me Out to the Ballgame with Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra. And Esther Williams. It was pretty good. Then I had to go up to the Highland Park Town Hall to take care of my tickets, and got to watch a judge hear a defendent, a city lawyer, and a witness, all for a traffic violation (speeding in a construction zone with workers present). Surprisingly, the speeder won (Judge saying it was the first time he'd ever ruled that way) because the dude lived IN the construction zone and there was no sign saying where the zone ended, or something. And the workers were behind him when he was stopped. His honor sadly did not say "My name is Judge." They dismissed the insurance one but I had to pay $118 for my inspection being more than 60 days expired. Oof.

It was a lovely day, so I walked to and from the courthouse in lieu of going to the gym. It was nice; warm, even. Then I got gas, finished my Christmas shopping, and went to Borders, where, with a 30% off coupon, a 20% off personal shopping day, $23.80 in Holiday Rewards cash, and a gift card from my boss, I got 3 Christmas dvds for completely free. ROCK. I got White Christmas, Christmas in Connecticut, and Elf. In the immortal words of Ryan Busboom, free is better than not free. Free makes me smile. "Smiling's my favorite!"

OH!! And I made an "A" in Anatomy & Physiology!

I'm leaving tomorrow for a weekend in East Texas. A weekend in a single-wide trailer with no internet access and quite possibly no cell phone access. A weekend in which my entertainment shall be shooting cans off a wooden-slat fence with my pistol. Seriously. It's pretty rad. And so is my stepmom's homemade bread pudding.

So, y'all be sweet while I'm gone. Kisses!!

school's out!!

I am d-o-n-e with finals, folks!!! Whew!!! I won't get my grades for a few days, but for now I can focus on the important things my time off has to offer, like sloth and gluttony rest and nourishment.

I was listening to NPR on the way home from school... have you guys heard of this Complaints Choir? It started in Birmingham (England, not Alabama) and is now also in Helsinki, Hamburg, and St. Petersburg. The premise is an open invitiation to complain about whatever you want, with your fellows whiners and gripers, in song. Wha? In the wha??? Because complaining is a universal commonality or something. Apparently they have written music about everything from slow computers to the price of beer. People seem to flock to these productions, although fittingly, they are complaining about the quality of the music. You can watch Birmingham's and Helsinki's on YouTube. Amazing.

The World According to Sesame Street

I DVR'd a PBS Independent Lens a few months ago about different versions of Sesame Street around the world. Sesame Street is currently in 120 different countries, but this particular episode focused on Kosovo, South Africa, and Bangladesh, and I found it to be one of the most moving and informative programs I've seen in a long, long time. I cried many, many times- and I know it's easy to be outraged at the state of our world from the comfort of my well-heated apartment with a stomach full of food, and anyway, outrage feels so helpless. I'm sending some money to PBS right now. Even that feels like I'm not doing enough.

The first part of the program dealt with Kosovo, and the Albanian/Serb segregation. These children go to separate schools, and are being taught to hate one another from birth. The crew asked a 6-year old Serb if he was interested in knowing any Albanian children, and he said no; when asked why, he answered "because they kill us and throw us in holes. They burn down our houses." It was so matter-of-fact. These children have no childhood. They've seen more terror in their few years on earth than most of us will see in a lifetime of $8 movies at the multiplex. Most of them quit elementary school to help support their families. They work- actual, physical labor, all day, every day, instead of learning to read, just so they will have dinner that night. The entire country has one television station and it's run by the government, so incorporating racial tolerance had to be done incredibly delicately.

The South Africa segment dealt with their inclusion of an HIV+ character, Kami. In a country where it is assumed you have HIV until proved otherwise, it was a logical step to introduce Kami and her specific needs and issues to the South African youth who identify with her. She is a furry, yellow Muppet who contracted HIV through a blood transfusion as an infant, after her mother had died of the disease. Since most South African children know someone who has AIDS, the character has become a national hero, beloved by the country's people. Kami has appeared at the United Nations and the World Bank and was interviewed by Katie Couric. She has also been named a UNICEF ambassador for children and has appeared in Takalani segments alongside Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela.

The Bangladesh portion dealt mostly with the lack of governmental support the program has had and how the crews were shut down more than once due to rioting and bombing in the filming area. Due to 09/11 they were unable to get to New York to meet with Sesame Headquarters, so they got their training from the South African team. Sisimpur is Bangladesh's very first educational television program, and due to lack of national support, USAID has committed $7 million in funding over the first three years. They also added a special little girl character focused on showing young Bangladesh girls that they have the same value as boys. Her name is Tuktuki.

It was honestly a stunning documentary; I highly recommend it. I also highly recommend using some of your Christmas time and/or funds for a child somewhere - across the world, or right here at home, a child could have a better Christmas, a better education, and a better life if we all pitch in.

so christmas-y

Props to Sandy, who bought me Brian Wilson's Christmas album last year (and for being one of maybe two people in the world that would not only actually deign to purchase said album, but knew that I was secretly dying for it).

I'm Christmas-ing today. I went out and spent about a week's salary on presents this morning, but I think I got almost everyone. My sister is splitting my parents' with me, and I also got my Dad's birthday present (day after tomorrow), so I think I fared pretty well. Who I bought for: my Nacogdoches family (Daddy, Gale, sister & brother-in-law), my Ohio family (Mom, Tom, sister and brother-in-law), and my Houston family (Uncle Al, Auntie Sandy, Justin, & Julia). Who I didn't buy for: my neices and nephews. I got freaked out by the overwhelming choices. How am I supposed to know what they have/don't have/parents don't want them to have? Kids are difficult. Now I am baking and wrapping and addressing and stamping. I think I might have carpal tunnel in my right hand. Or maybe arthritis.

And because it can't be said enough, "My Favorite Things" is not a Christmas song.

what a charade!

Quite possibly the cutest meet-cute in all the meet-cutes that ever were met:

Peter Joshua: Do we know each other?
Regina Lampert: Why, do you think we're going to?
Peter: I don't know; how would I know?
Regina: Because I already know an awful lot of people and until one of them dies I couldn't possibly meet anyone else.
Peter: Well, if anyone goes on the critical list, let me know. --walks off--
Regina: Quitter!

TCM is have a Stanley Donen-athon. I just finished Funny Face and now am thoroughly enjoying Charade. Anchors Aweigh is next- possibly my all-time #2 favorite Gene Kelly vehicle (although not directed or choreographed by Donen so I'm not sure why it's in the line-up, but I'm not complaining). If you can't name #1, then you're voted off the island.

calling all sleuths...

First, the next chapter in my car saga- after the axles, the battery, and the brake pads, I finally went to get it inspected, and everything works, and then Erin and I are just sitting in my car, and out of nowhere, the driver side back window just falls down. Or like, slips down, like it's rolled down, except it's not. I could slide it up with my hands, but I guess it's off the track or something, because it won't stay up. Bill taped it up for me. It's super classy.

Now, onto my Christmas mystery: Last year, Christmas 2005, I was "living" at my parents'. All of my things were in storage. Literally locked up in a storage unit, a good 10 miles from my parents' house. I am the only one who had a key. I went in there a couple of times during the 9 months my stuff was housed there- once to get my winter coat and once to get some dvds, stuff like that. But I never got out my Christmas stuff, because since I was at my mom's, there was really no point. My mom gave me two ornaments last year (a cute Christmas tree made out of kitchen utensils, and an awesome Hallmark Pat the Bunny Keepsake), and I also bought one in Wisconsin this summer, and I had those 3 tucked away in my hall closet for when I got out all my stuff this year. Meaning, this year, when I got out my tree and decorations, I hadn't seen my Christmas stuff in 2 years.

Well, I have all my ornaments in their original boxes, and all those boxes stacked in a big tupperware tub with a lid. I'm was going through it, and putting the ornaments on the tree, and thinking about where I got them all and how much they all mean to me... and about 2/3 down in the tub, I come across an ornament I've never seen before. It's the Statue of Liberty in a glass dome with the military branch flags around it. (It's literally this one.) It doesn't seem like something that I would buy, but here's the really weird part: it's a 2005 Hallmark Keepsake. My stuff was in storage in 2005. I haven't opened this box since Christmas 2004. I've never seen it before. My mom doesn't know anything about it either. Where did this ornament come from and how did it get into the bottom of a box that was packed in a storage unit in Columbus, Ohio??

Trixie Belden would totally get to the bottom of this. I, on the other hand, am just putting it out there in blogland in hopes that the answer will come back to me.

lights schmights

This morning I woke up early to do some schoolwork, and then Charlie came over to help me with my brakes (ibym "help me with"... "do while I watched"), and then I decided to tackle my Christmas tree. No, not like that.

Dude, what a beating. A) it's a little bit pathetic to do it alone- I mean, Christmas is all about friends and family and love and Jesus, B) it's just a BEATING. I mean, don't get me wrong. I love love LOVE Christmas. But oh, for a pre-lit tree! Maybe I'll get one on sale after the holidays and keep it for next year.

I had to go out twice for more lights. Partly because mine were almost 10 years old and there were so many bulbs burnt out that it was ridiculous for me not to just spend $2 a strand for some new ones, but mostly because I'm a moron and estimated incorrectly. My hands are all scratched up and raw from the tree needles, and as I was carrying my broken lights and trash to the garbage, the bag broke through the bottom. GRRR! It took forever. Seriously, like, 3 hours. I'm too beat down to even think about ornaments tonight. I'll finish up tomorrow.

So, when we were at the auto parts store this afternoon, their credit card machine was broken or something, and while we stood there waiting (and waiting... and waiting) for it to go through, the walking cliche behind the counter was chit chatting with us about ... well, I have no idea, actually. Finally I left to get some cash since his machine wasn't doing anything. When I came back, I handed him $51 (the total was $50.41). He asked me if I had a penny. Negative. He fumbled around trying to figure out how much he owed me, and I said "59 cents." He looked at Charlie and said "man, you gotta look out for these women today. They're so good with money now!" He wasn't being ugly; in fact, he seemed to be a kind and gentle old man, but good grief, he might as well have said "Huh?! Girls can count??"

I am all caught up on television. There's a new show on TBS called "My Boys" that I really liked - it's like Sex & the City but younger, and with baseball. I watched the most recent 3 episodes of Dr. Who last night. I was extremely wary of Christopher Eccleston leaving because I liked him as The Doctor oh-so-much, but David Tennant was won me over. He is totally my new boyfriend. Don't tell TJ Thyne. PLUS, Eccleston is going to be a HERO come January. Whoooop!

Nov 30, the first day of winter

... and it did not stop at fall, yo. Yesterday it was in the high 70s. It is currently 32 and still dropping. There's currently even a "wintry mix" a-falling. (That's the technical term for ice/rain/sleet/snow.) Wha? in the wha??? I guess I'll have to get out my coats and turn on the thermostat now. 'Twould be oh-so-helpful if my door didn't still have a rag stuffed in the peep hole hole. *glowers* The best part? That little ray of outside- which was the reason I asked Esther to have the weather stripping replaced, which is what spawned this whole new door business? Well, it's still there. Like, he replaced the entire door, inconvenienced me for two days, and still didn't fix the actual problem.

So, I have one of those stemware racks that hangs your wine glasses upside down underneath the cabinet, you know? Well, last night, I was making a cup of tea, just standing there, minding my own business, stirring my tea, a good 2-3 feet away from the glass rack, and one of my favorite wine glasses just fell off. More like lept off. My wine glass committed suicide and I cut my hand while I was cleaning it up. Seriously. I need to go out and start practicing random acts of kindness in mad hope that I can turn my karma around.

the day my day got shot to hell-

Dude, I was home like 6 days in November. Why, today, the one day that I want to spend doing nothing but watching TiFaux, washing clothes, and reading for A&P, does this guy decide to infiltrate my apartment and cover it with sawdust?? WHYEEEE? We've actually backtracked since this picture was taken; the door is now off again.

Also, when I was getting my Christmas tree out of the hall closet, I came across the biggest roach I have ever seen in my life. And I'm from East Texas. Seriously. It was like as big as my hand. I think I had a mild stroke. I screamed like a little girl, and then killed him with poison, but I'm sure his big, burly roachfriends are lurking around waiting to come in MY OPEN DOOR.

Oh, and it just started raining. Gaaah. GAH.

a day in the life...

Uncle Al, you're going to love this one.

So, I asked my landlady to replace the weather-stripping under my door. She forgot, about 3 times, so I finally left her a note and she called to tell me that my door was rotting, gross, and they were replacing the entire thing.

So I come home from school today and there's no door on my apartment. Like, no door at all. The carpenter is happily working on my new door next to the old door on the porch, while sawdust and leaves blow into my apartment at will. A little bit later, he realizes that he has the wrong hardware (why he didn't figure that out BEFORE HE TOOK MY DOOR OFF I'll never know), so, I'm glad I was home to baby sit the hole in my wall.

He gets back and it's almost dark, so hey, would I mind if he just finished tomorrow?? I don't have any locks on my door, except the little one in the knob. He stuffed a t-shirt into my open peep hole hole, and gave me a drop cloth for the 3" gap between the door and my apartment floor. He also left his shop vac in my living room.

And since I'm all sicky and just want to lie around tomorrow eating soup, I'm very excited about the fact that I get to spend tomorrow in front of an open door.

Awesome.

home-

I miss Casa Krysten already!!!!!

Bryce wouldn't say goodbye to me - I think he thought if he didn't "hug Miss Jamie goodbye" then I wouldn't actually leave. But I did, while he was asleep, so sneaky!!

I have a gi-normous fever blister on my lip, and the fever that accompanies it - the plane ride home was all hot and cold and hot and cold and I felt all clammy and gross.... and my lymph nodes are the size of golf balls. Grrrr~

I have a test tomorrow, then onto the important business of getting my car fixed and inspected so I don't get another ticket, yikes, then finding myself gainful employment for the month of December so I can afford to buy you all Christmas presents.

nothing but the rain

A lovely Thanksgiving, all in all. Our menu turned out beautifully, and then Friday was spent in our pajamas, eating leftovers (and pizza) and watching 13 episodes of Battlestar Galactica. With cocktails. Let's see... food? Good. Pajama pants? Goood. Cocktails? Gooood. BSG? Goooood.

This morning I actually got my a$$ in gear and did some school work. But when Brad gets home from work I'm sure we'll get back to BSG. He's gung-ho to finish Season 2 before I leave.

Boom boom boom.

squtternut-bosh

So, Bryce knocked Krysten's laptop off its stand and broke it. Broke it to the tune of $might-as-well-get-a-new-laptop. She's not very pleased, to say the least. Then I couldn't get online with the Lewelling's new router, so Brad started messing around with it, and pretty much succeeded in making sure that no one can get online. Ha!! There's an unsecured wi-fi connection that I can get a very low signal from, but only in the spare room, where I am hanging out right now, pretending that Brad didn't make me 400 vodka-amaretto sours last night.

I wanted Brad and Krysten to get into Battlestar Galactica but I lent my miniseries out and haven't got it back yet, so I just brought the rest with me and thought we could just rent the first disk. We ended up calling 5 Blockbusters to find it, but success! We unfortunately didn't start it until after 8, so we didn't make it all the way through. Hopefully they like it though (I know Brad does; not 100% sure about Krys)- and we can finish up tonight and start on the series.

I tried to make my Peep's pecan pralines last night. They did not turn out well. Candy-making is way too precise a science for me. I'm sure I'll never hear the end of it either - "oh, remember that year Jamie made the drippy pralines? Ahhahahahaha!" That's nothing!! Remember when Ross said "squtternut-bosh?"

Why I miss the MTA

So, I think I told you guys last week, the day after I spent $600 on new axles, my car battery died. Good times, right? Especially since the so-called "6-year" battery was purchased in March. Yeah, 8 months ago. Tom left the receipt in the glove compartment. He bought it in Frisco, but I didn't particularly want to drive up there, especially since I had less than a quarter tank of gas, and couldn't stop for more without jumping the car again, yadda yadda yadda. So I called all the Goodyears around here and none of them carried that battery, and I finally got ahold of one on Montfort. Tom very graciously drove down here to jump the car, and follow me up to Montfort to get it switched out. We stood around for a while, fretting about the fact that I didn't have a lot of gas, and finally I asked the mechanic if I should leave and come back- he said yes, give him an hour, so T & I went to eat lunch. When we get back, I tell Tom he can go, thanks for helping me, and then the mechanic informs me that he doesn't have any of the particular battery in my car. Um, thanks for calling, Mechanic. So I flip out~ (very rightly) stating that Goodyear sold me a shoddy battery and Goodyear needed to fix it, even if that meant giving me a different battery. He just says there's nothing he can do, switching batteries like that is the equlivalent of buying something at JC Penney and returning it to Sears. (It's totally not the same, but whatever.) I call Tom back, freaking out about how they won't help me, and I'm so frustrated that we're spending all day fixing a problem that isn't even our fault to begin with, and Tom the Awesome Definitive Decision Maker says "tell him to call Frisco and tell them that I am coming to pick up that battery. I will bring it back and he will install it." Go, T, go!!

I spent an hour watching Tyra and Montel (and I think I lost several IQ points in the process; seriously, I feel dumber) and then T came back with the battery. They gave him the wrong fracking battery! WHA? I almost busted a blood vessel from my neck, but the mechanics said they could make it work. Then they broke one of the little thingies that holds it on to the tray thing it sits on in the car. They didn't have one so they had to make another one, and the mechanic actually had the audacity to say to Tom, "this is a lot of bullsh*t for one little battery." I just stood there and glowered.

Soooo, about 4 hours of my day, and 4 hours of Tom's day- wasted on a problem that neither of us should have had in the first place. I leave (promising to babysit for Tom for free for the rest of Avery's childhood) and since I know I only have 5% of my front brake pads left, drive v-e-r-y carefully home, brakes squealing all the way. Guess who gets PULLED OVER??????

That's right. I got 2 tickets, 2 blocks from my house. TWO. One for expired inspection, and one for not having my "proof of financial responsibility" (insurance). "Where was your insurance, Jamie?" you might ask. The answer is "sitting next to the door in my apartment, 2 blocks from here." See, I got new cards in the mail yesterday, and set them next to my keys so I wouldn't forget them. But in my craziness to get up to Montfort before I ran out of gas, once Tom got my car on, I grabbed my purse and ran out. I mean, C'MON! [~Gob]

*smacks forehead* I have a court date of December 12th. Also? I've now had four tickets since I got that car in April. The hell? That's pretty steep considering that I'm only home to drive it maybe 20% of the time.

So, I'm leaving for Phoenix Monday and I'll be there a whole week, but stay tuned: next on No Day but Today, see if Jamie can get to Hurst for her Nov. 28th exams without using up the remaing 5% of her brake pads. *weg*

Oh, and oh holy frak, Erin and I got all caught up on BSG last night. Frak ME. What do you hear? Nothing but the rain. So grab your gun and bring in the cat.

Boom boom boom.

tempus fugit

...whether you're having fun or not. On that note, did you know that "tempus fugit" doesn't literally mean "time flies," but its more accurate translation is "time flees"? I like that - and it's more fitting for the feeling.

I had a crazy week in Ft. Lauderdale, really busy, but the show went well and I like the girl I was working with, both professionally and socially, so all in all, I had a nice time. Better yet, that was my last show for the year!! WHOOP! Before we all get too excited, though, I think I'm going to have to get a part-time job in December, to help pay for my car/Christmas/school/life. Ugh.

Tom is coming over later to help me get the car up to Goodyear. Everyone cross their fingers that it's just the battery (for now) and I will be driving again by lunchtime. It's been sitting out there, dead, for 2 weeks now. If it's more than the battery then I am going to borrow Bill's car to run my necessary errands this afternoon (bank, food, etc) and then be stranded here all weekend. I have a lot to do so it's no big deal; I just hate not being independent, you know?

Schoolwork, laundry, TV, and packing - to Krysten's house I go on Monday! We have a stellar Thanksgiving menu planned. Yay!! You know there will be pictures of our food and fun!!

what is Jamie's favorite game show?

I don't think it should be a surprise to anyone who knows me (or reads my blog) that my all-time favorite game show is Jeopardy! (On a side note, Trebek, lay of the Botox. You look like an alien.) It also shouldn't surprise you that my favorite part of the year is Celebrity Jeopardy. (Or that Celebrity Jeopardy is still my all-time favorite skit on SNL. "Your answer? Threeeve. And you wagered? TEXAS.") I'm not going to lie - I partially like it because the questions are easier and it makes me feel intellectually superior to the actors. But still, it's like Entertainment Weekly meets The Mensa Bulletin - and trust me, if they melded into one big magazine, well, it would be the coolest magazine... ever. Remember when David Duchovny and Stephen King duked it out to the end? Awesome.

Well, Celebrity Jeopardy starts today, my friends, with not a stellar, but a pretty good line-up. Some will be there just for humor (Carson Kressley, Drew Lachey, Mario Cantone), but some I think are going to kick some ass and all I have to say is The US Secretary of Education?? She's probably got a leg up on the competition. And REGIS, former host of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Well, that just seems like cheating. Others faves of mine include Jane Kaczmarek, Michael McKean, and Bebe Neuwirth. I'm so excited I could pee my pants.

Now onto my day, which includes homework, 5 loads of laundry, dusting, vaccumming, mopping, scrubbing the shower door, and of course, watching Celebrity Jeopardy.

Monday, study Monday.

What a Monday! I woke up at 5:45 (did you know there was one of those in the morning?) to register for school. As did everyone else, so it took me over an hour just to get logged in. I got a spot in A&P II, thank goodness. I was worried there for a while that I was going to have to revise my 3-year plan. Then I had to take my car to the shop because I need new axles or some such. Turns out I also need new brake pads AND brake fluid, so, goodbye $1000 that I don't have! Hope none of you were expecting Christmas presents, mmmm?

Now I am perched on the couch with my 300+ flashcards and a 2nd pot of coffee. On top of driving to N. Dallas to vote tomorrow, I have 2 HUGE tests, and work peeps in town that I would love to see, but I must admit it's a damn inconvenience. I also have 4 loads of laundry to do and some serious house-cleaning, as I'm leaving town again on Thursday.

OK, so, last week, Kiddo posted this video of Stephen Colbert singing & dancing, and I giggled so hard my tummy hurt. Seriously. Go watch it. Anyway, it made me think of other folks who record themselves singing and dancing.... and I thought I'd give you another reason to believe that I am, indeed, batsh*t crazy. My favorite part is how loud our flip-flops are on the hard-wood floor. And my fat a$$. Go, self-embarrassment! Choose self-embarrassment! Oh, heee. I miss you, Schmevan!!

No alcohol was involved with the making of this video.



Heroes tonight!

addenda

Holy frak!!!!!! I just finished Tuesday's House. Whoa.

Also, how do I find out where I'm registered to vote? I could have sworn I did it when I got my TX driver's license back in March but I don't have a card. When I looked myself up online I found my OLD old address (like, 1999, and I know I've been registered since then, but in New Jersey)... can I just look up where I'm supposed to go according to my address and show up with my DL? *scratches head*

Kinky Friedman needs my vote.

Speedy Hawkins

Soooo, I landed at noon. Got my car out of remote parking, drove home, unpacked, sorted through my mail, went to the grocery store, cleaned my ceiling fan, worked out*, showered, and am in my pj's with a glass of wine. It's 4pm.

*it was a very short workout.

I am soooo glad to be home! I love Philadelphia but Texas is home. My Saturday night will consist of television, Entertainment Weekly, tomato soup, and sleep. Tomorrow and Monday are study days; Tuesday is test day, and Wednesday is laundry and packing day. I leave for Ft. Lauderdale on Thursday. Hopefully I will squeeze some socializing in there as well.

Today's "how do you know that?" factoid is this: Texas is the only state that has 3 cities with populations that exceed 1 million (Houston, Dallas, San Antonio). All three of them are in America's top 10, and Dallas is the nation's largest inland metropolitan area-- its ties to the oil and cotton industries, as well as its position along numerous railroad lines, made it a thriving business center despite no direct link to the sea.

This post was brought to you by the letter "T" and Shinerbock beers.

starstruck

Ohmigah! I just met the White House Deputy to the Associate Director for Science!! And she was soooo cool! She was a doctor, and then she was a teacher (and used to teach out of my A&P book, which is on my desk, which is how we started talking), and now she works at the White House! And we talked about science!! *flails*

televisionmania

Something is wrong with me (yes, yes, insert your own joke here, Uncle Al). Healthwise, I mean. Aside from the occasional migraine, I'm a remarkably healthy individual. The last time I was sick was last Christmas. Before that is had been the previous St. Patrick's Day. So I am not used to just not feeling well. Anyway, I am crazy tired, and my neck is killing me... all the muscles hurt, like I slept on it wrong or something, but also it's tender and sensitive to the touch, like when your lymph nodes are swollen, but it's my entire neck. Also, I've had some sort of a non-migraine headache (maybe dehydration? or sinuses?) for days - which I very rarely get so I can't really diagnose it. I just feel really really OFF and I can't seem to shake it. Bleh.

OK, I've had many, many inquiries on exactly how many TV shows I watch. I've never counted them up because, frankly, it kind of makes me sound like a loser, but last night I realized that since I DVR everything, I had no idea what came on Monday nights, or at what time, or on which channel, which makes hotel tv-watching more difficult. (Plus, I had left my laptop at work so I couldn't look anything up and I abhor flipping channels.) So, I decided to put my schedule in my Palm so I would always have it with me. My own personal Nielsen statistics, as it were. The answer, my friends, is 13. (Like Nielsen, that's only network shows that are currently on, so the answer is really more, but don't quibble.) I actually don't think 13 is all that bad - it's technically less than 2 hours a day, which is far less than the average American household.

So, without further ado, I present to you Jamie's TV Schedule:

Sunday- Brothers & Sisters (ABC)
Monday- Heroes, Studio 60 (NBC), What About Brian (ABC)
Tuesday- Gilmore Girls (CW), House, Standoff (Fox)
Wednesday- Bones (Fox), Lost, The Nine (ABC)
Thursday- Grey's Anatomy, Six Degrees (ABC)
Friday- Men in Trees (ABC)

Sooo, that's (loosely) 54% ABC, 15% NBC, 23% Fox, and 8% CW. (And because it can't be said enough: shut up, Aerie Girls.)

OK, so, let's factor in the fact that 24 starts in January. That's 14. Let's factor in my current cable shows. That's Dexter, Dr. Who, and Battlestar Galactica. We're up to 17. Still less than the average American household (and ps> in 1950, the "average American" was a male in his 40's who owned his own home and shared it with a wife and 2 kids; in 2000, the "average American" was a female in her late 20's who rented her home with a roomate she was not in a relationship with... so, I'm fairly average). Cable shows that aren't currently being broadcast: The 4400, The Sopranos, Big Love, Weeds, & Eureka. That's 5 more but I'm not counting them because they're not on right now, and plus, some of them overlap through the summer, when nothing is on network TV, so, neener neener. I'm also not counting things I watch when I can, but don't record when I'm gone; namely, Pee Wee's Playhouse, The Daily Show, and the Colbert Report (when I'm still awake, 11pm-1am on Comedy Central), The Twilight Zone, and The Food Network.

Two hours down, 9 to go. My frustration level is rising in exponential increments with the wi-fi in this building. I'm being dropped, no lie, every 3-5 minutes, and now every time I enter my conference code it just takes me back to the previous screen. Grrrrr. I can't even save this! What do you do without the internet, you might ask? I'm about to do the USA Today crossword and Sudoku, and then make flashcards for my tests next week. I only got 200 and it turns out I have 312 previous test questions to memorize! *sobs*

Meme me, meme me!

This week I am freelancing for AVMG - and my favorite guys, the physicists! Not just physicists, either, the worst kind- plasma physicists and the DOD, baby! I'm either SLAMMED or twiddling my thumbs, but the great news is that I have free wi-fi in this room, DVDs, and all my books to study for my big midterms next week.

Sooo, I got this meme from Kiddo, and what better way to pass the 7am-6pm hours:

1. WHAT CURSE WORD DO YOU USE THE MOST? errr, hell, I would think.

2. DO YOU OWN AN IPOD? and I treat it like my own offspring.

3. WHAT PERSON ON YOUR FLIST DO YOU TALK TO THE MOST? umm, I don't have a "FLIST" - I'm assuming that's livejournal lingo? but the person on my IM list that I talk to the most is Mr. Tom Casiello, Esquire.

4. WHAT TIME IS Y0UR ALARM CLOCK SET TO? This week it's 5:30am, the last 2 days it's been 4:30am, ACK, and when I'm home I usually don't set it, but get up around 8ish.

5. DO YOU STILL REMEMBER THE FIRST PERSON YOU KISSED? Justin Pollard, Pineywoods Baptist Encampment, 1988. A couple of years later I kissed his twin brother Zack. Zack was a far superior kisser.

6. DO YOU REMEMBER WHERE YOU WERE ON 9/11/01? I was getting breakfast at the office cafeteria place when I saw it on the news. Bacon, egg, & cheese on whole wheat.

7. WOULD YOU RATHER TAKE THE PICTURE OR BE IN THE PICTURE? In it... partly because I'm vain and partly because I'm a horrible photographer.

8. WHAT WAS THE LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Last Saturday Sandy and I watched "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" and my favorite part was at the beginning, right when we figure out that their names are "Jane" and "John," I turned to Sandy and sarcastically snarked, "What's their last name, Doe?" and she was like "um, it's Smith." And I was like "oh." Sheepish, table for one?

9. DO ANY OF YOUR FRIENDS HAVE CHILDREN? Yes.

10. HAS ANYONE EVER CALLED YOU LAZY? If they haven't then we only have to point to Exhibit A, the fact that I'm doing this instead of studying the biological composition of muscle fibers.

11. DO YOU EVER TAKE MEDICATION TO HELP YOU FALL ASLEEP? Hell yeah I do! I have the good stuff (Ambien), the it'll-do stuff (Simply Sleep), and then there's always the good old-fashioned cocktail.

12. WHAT CD IS CURRENTLY IN YOUR CD PLAYER? Did you not read question #2? I'm all digital baby. What's a cd?

13. DO YOU PREFER REGULAR OR CHOCOLATE MILK? Ick. Soy, unsweetened.

14. HAS ANYONE TOLD YOU A SECRET THIS WEEK? Hmmmm. Not yet!! Someone call me!!

15. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU HAD STARBUCKS? Unfortunately, this morning. I think Mr. Marriot and Mr. Starbuck are certainly in bed together.

16. CAN YOU WHISTLE? I HATE whistling!!

17. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT THE OPPOSITE SEX? attitude.

18. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO? Thanksgiving!

19. DID YOU WATCH CARTOONS AS A CHILD? What do you mean, as a child?

23. DO YOU OWN ANY BAND T-SHIRTS? I have a Rolling Stones t-shirt and a Doors t-shirt... both poseurs from Target.

24. WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING IN ONE HOUR? Still sitting here in the SRR, bored out of my skull. And the hour after that, and the hour after that, ad nauseum.

25. IS ANYONE IN LOVE WITH YOU? No.

26. WHAT WAS THE LAST SONG YOU HEARD? There was some muzak on in here earlier. I nipped that in the bud.

27. LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Ummm, last week during Studio 60, I'm embarrassed to say. I'm not going to lie, I'm a sucker for old people.

28. ARE YOU ON A DESKTOP COMPUTER OR A LAP TOP? Laptop. Dell Inspiron E1405.

29. ARE YOU CURRENTLY WANTING ANY PIERCINGS OR TATTOOS? Yes.

30. WHAT'S THE WEATHER LIKE? I can't remember... the halls of the Marriott have completely obliterated my senses.

31. WOULD YOU EVER DATE A GIRL/GUY COVERED IN TATTOOS? Covered? Probably not. Strategically placed and rife with personal meaning? Hott.

32. WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE THIS? See question #24: sitting here in the SRR, bored out of my skull, since 6:45am.

33. WHEN IS THE LAST TIME YOU SLEPT ON THE FLOOR? Gosh, I can't remember! Which might mean I have Alzheimer's. Or, just that I haven't slept on the floor in a long time.

34. HOW MANY HOURS OF SLEEP DO YOU NEED TO FUNCTION? Six-seven a night is OK as long as I can get one night a week of 9-10.

35. DO YOU EAT BREAKFAST DAILY? Every single day.

36. ARE YOUR DAYS FAST-PACED? Depends.

37. WHAT DID YOU DO LAST NIGHT? I worked until 8pm, ate soup at the sports bar, and was in bed by 9pm. Watched Friends, Will & Grace, and Brothers & Sisters, and went to sleep.

38. DO YOU USE SARCASM? As a weapon. A weapon of LOVE. Also, as an escape mechanism.

39. HOW OLD WILL YOU BE TURNING ON YOUR NEXT BIRTHDAY? 30. Again. And for every birthday for the rest of my life.

40. ARE YOU PICKY ABOUT SPELLING AND GRAMMAR? I'm a Nazi.

41. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO SIX FLAGS? Yes.

43. DO YOU GET ALONG BETTER WITH THE SAME SEX OR THE OPPOSITE SEX? I will have to say that generally speaking, I get along better with the opposite sex, but when I say that, the same sex looks at me like I'm a lady of the night or something, which is probably why I don't like them as much to begin with.

44. DO YOU LIKE MUSTARD? I like yellow mustard.

45. DO YOU SLEEP ON YOUR SIDE? I sleep on my stomach, mostly.

46. DO YOU WATCH THE NEWS? Do you consider Jon Stewart the news?

47. HOW DID YOU GET ONE OF YOUR SCARS? Skin cancer.

48. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON TO MAKE YOU MAD? Earlier this morning a guy that's working for us came back with enough Chick-Fil-A for everyone except me and now I hate him.

49. DO YOU LIKE ANYBODY? I like a lot of people.

50. WHAT IS THE LAST THING YOU PURCHASED? Dinner last night, I guess. Other than food... shampoo.

Friday

A cold front blew in last night. I know because my thermostat was off and my windows were open all night, and when I went to bed it was almost 80 (in my apartment!) and when I woke up it was 67. Colder in the bathroom and the kitchen where the windows were still open- the wind woke me up at 3am and I closed my bedroom window then.

I had to get up at 7 to spot-clean my apartment - yay for unexpected parental visits!! My stepdad is coming here tonight and spending the night with me. I'm happy to have him, I have about a bajillion things to do tonight, like school work, laundry, packing, and cleaning off the TiFaux, but now I have to work "hosting" into the mix. Luckily he is pretty low-maintenance so I'm pretty sure I can just park him in the corner with a glass of wine and he won't bother me. Although I will have to censor my TV watching... namely, I doubt he would enjoy Dexter. Or the sci-fi. That leaves me with Heroes (still haven't seen this week's!), LOST & Men in Trees. Oh, and the PBS Independent Lens on the international versions of Sesame Street in Bangladesh, Kosovo, and South Africa.

So, I'm working all day tomorrow at the Gaylord, maybe until midnight, and my flight Sunday is at 7am. One of my co-workers offered to let me stay in her room that night since it is so close to the airport, but the trick with that is that I have to be ready to leave my house for a week a day earlier than originally planned. Not sure that is going to happen but I'm shooting for the stars.

Doh... I just made the mistake of checking my work e-mail and spent 20 minutes working on something - now I have to jump in the shower so I can go get birthday cupcakes and still be at the Gaylor by 10:30.

Happy Friday!

a word on magic

So, Bill and I went to see The Prestige yesterday. I was uber-excited about the movie, because the trailer has been intriguing me for months. I hadn't read a review (and still haven't- except for Jules's "it kept [her] guessing until the end"), so although I thought it was interesting and (mostly) well-made, I was a little disappointed. First of all, I found myself really having a hard time suspending my disbelief. It was odd, because usually I'm happy, nay, ecstatic to completely immerse myself in the land of fantasy- but I was distracted by a couple of scenes where I thought both actors had on too much make-up, I was distracted by Bale's accent- it was done very well, flawlessly, actually, but for some reason he just never owned it for me, and I was distracted by SERIOUSLY, I really like Scarlett Johansson, but I am so tired of seeing her play opposite men twice her age. It's ridiculous.

But beyond that, the movie did NOT keep me guessing until the end. In fact, I didn't really guess at all - or rather, I guessed correctly. But that's not what bothered me. My problem with the movie lies in this: both characters (and their careers) fully and unwaveringly operated on the principle that a magician should never reveal the prestige. Once you know how the trick is done, it ceases to be magical; in fact, it becomes foolish. The audience doesn't care about the man who falls down the trap door; they only care about the one they see come out the other side.

So, why, then did the movie feel necessary to explain to the viewer, step by step, exactly how the trick was done? It didn't leave ANYTHING to the imagination - it spelled out not only how the magic worked, but how the characters pulled off the illusion. It showed us, complete with flashbacks, and you know what? They were right. It ceased to be magical.


Ya wanna know where the magic is? HEROES. Ooh-boy, this show is mesmerizing. Despite the fact that Milo Vilamaglianawhatever was tragically miscast, the rest of these heroes are gripping and magical and I want to continue to watch them every week and I hope I never find out all their secrets. I love the comic book feel, right down to the opening titles, I love that they showed us "the end" in the first episode and now we're working up to that, I love Hiro and his infectious giddiness and I love The Cigarette-Smoking Man The Retro Glasses Man. I love its entire eclipse-y tone.

I got myself stuck in some Monday Night Football traffic coming home from Grapevine tonight, and I'm a little wound up. I don't know how you people make that kind of commute every day; I almost had a heart attack. I miss the train.

I hate working "at home" - I'm almost always in work mode in a hotel room and at home I do whatever I want - this trying to get out of my bed at 5am with shirt ironed, coffee brewed, and lunch packed just really doesn't work for me. My next month is extremely busy and I have a feeling the few days I will be home (Nov 4-9 and 16-20) I will be somewhat anti-social. But no worries, December is mine, all mine. You guys won't be able to get rid of me. And now it's the time to pour a glass of wine and watch tonight's Heroes... so I can go to bed and get up at 5am. *slump*

My very own Carl Jung

So, if you have yet read the previous post - do that now. OK, caught up? I wanted to share some of my friend Brad's thoughts about the dream - he has a couple of degrees in Psych and interpreted it for me- unsolicited, but I think it's genius and wanted to share:

(I edited a little for grammer and spelling; I'm sorry, I can't help it, but I kept it as intact as possible as to keep his original tone.)

With impending travel (on top of the vagabond lifestyle that you lead), it is comforting for you to be in Manhattan as it represents a place that is quite far but one in which you feel at home; you can also draw the feeling of home you get from being around good friends. The focus here also represents more than just the wedding couple, for knowing you'll be able to see them soon also conjures up feelings of excitement, guilt, & longing that we harbor for our other friends.

The difficulty with the shoes directly relates to this. Theft = the loss of control, the expense of the shoes = things are harder without your tight knit group around, life can just be harder than it should be or used to be, your bartering and getting a fair price for the shoes = you know that you have all of the tools necessary to make things happen, this being represented by the "something" extra in your purse . . . there's something inside you that allows you to be independent and stand on your own.

Couches and innertubes are basic archetypes of independence. Everyone to their own but at the same time everyone is on a similar pedestal (different couches in the same room, different innertubes in the same body of water). Your friends are always there but seemingly not quite as close as you want them to be; however, when everyone is together the situation is always comforting (couches, innertubes, going to the Caribbean together). That no matter how far apart everyone is or how long it's been since you've communicated, you will always be together. Water is an archetype of flow and fluid behavior = the continual flow of life.

Oh yeah, the bathroom: Even though there was one in the apartment you went looking for another one = although something else might be more convenient you're perfectly happy carving out your own path and finding your own way . . . but you don't need to ask questions because you already know which way to go. Use your intuition, enjoy your independence, but don't let it be too long b/w talking with your friends.

How cool is that? It's brilliant; I love it. Hey Krysten, you're the other psycho, er, I mean psychologist; care to weigh in?

another dream

Seriously, I think I need therapy, just for the dreams.

Last night's dream: OK, I was on my way to see Tonya and Brent for their wedding. (They are not engaged yet.) They were living on the west side of Manhattan, in 20's or 30's, near the Korean district. (Brent would rather shoot his mother than live in New York City.) I got my shoes stolen. Like, off my feet. The hell? And for some reason I was walking around the streets of NYC with no shoes on, AS IF, and my thought process was that I needed to get some more before I got on the subway. Because that would be gross. So, I stopped at one of those little Korean stores to buy some flipflops, and the cheapest ones I could find were $18.99- odd, since you can pretty much buy a pair of flops anywhere in the city, and especially in Koreantown, for like $2, so I don't know where that came from, but I bought them and the lady actually "bought" something out of my purse - I think I had an extra shirt in there or something, so I only owed her a few dollars. WEIRD.

Then, I got to Brent & Tonya's, and they lived in this building that I had been in before, but hadn't. And they lived with this guy Dave that I used to go to Prestonwood with like 5-6 years ago and haven't talked to or thought about in ages, and then this other guy who was hot and I was never actually introduced to so I didn't know his name. There were like, 4 couches in this apartment and we were all lying on our own couch, watching Battlestar Galactica. (No way would a New York apartment hold 4 couches and no way would Tonya be watching BSG.) After a few episodes, I needed to the bathroom, and for some reason I didn't use the one in the apartment, but I went looking for the public one in the lobby. Instead of finding the lobby, though, I found what appeared to be an elementary school. I stopped a blond lady who looked like she worked there, and since we had been watching all that BSG, out of my mouth came not "do you have a bathroom?" but "do you have a Battlestar?" I started laughing at my mistake, but she grabbed my arm and pulled me into the corner with a dead-serious look and said "You really shouldn't be asking questions like that." Ummm, OK.

Then, it was time for Brent and Tonya's wedding, which in real life I know will take place in Iowa, but in my dream it was happening somewhere in the Caribbean (even though I traveled to New York for it). They got married in the water. As in, floating in the water, in innertubes. We all had our own innertube in which to watch the wedding. Which Tonya neglected to tell me, and I had bought a new dress!! But there we all were, in our innertubes (not sitting, but all the way through up to our armpits) in our wedding clothes.

Then, we all got out on the island to dry off, and the way we did that was to lie on reclining pool chairs with chicken wire over us so we couldn't move. I didn't want to do that, shocker, but Bill was already there from another function and told me it was fine. Except I'm pretty sure he wasn't Bill, but some sort of evil pod-person.

Save our Bluths

OK, you all know how much I love mail, right? Especially surprise mail, and even more especially when that surprise is a snarky t-shirt!!!!

Tom has outdone himself with this little gem, "Bluth's Orignal Frozen Banana." May the banana stand and the Bluths live on in our hearts and DVD players forever. Poor little show. It was just too smart for network television.

Oh, and the best part? The back: " 10 cents gets you nuts!!"

home!

I worked 72 hours in the past 5 days. No kidding! I got home this afternoon, finally, and there's a whole crapload of stuff to do in my inbox, and I have a chapter to read and quiz to take for school, but first - oh, first. Tonight is Jamie Night. I already showered, I'm wearing clean pajamas, and I'm making some tomato soup, and I have a bottle of my favorite wine, and last week's Entertainment Weekly, and 14 tv shows on my DVR. See you on the flip side!!!

another saturday night and I ain't got nobody...

... and I couldn't be happier about it. Remember the raucous party I was bemoaning last night? Well, at 11:30ish, I called the front desk. At 12:45, I called again. At 1:30, I called AGAIN. They inexplicably stopped making verbal noise and started stomping around and finally quieted at 2am (which gave me about 3 hours of sleep). This morning when I was getting my coffee I apologized to the front desk clerk for calling her so many times, and she was all "it's OK, the last time you called we evicted them." Doh. So the stomping around... was packing. Oops. Then I felt kinda bad, but not really, because it was still dark outside and I was going to work a 14-hour day on 3 hours of sleep.

Which is why, now, at 9pm on a Saturday night, I just took a bubble bath and am going to bed. I'm going to read a bit, but if I'm asleep by 10 then I can get 7 1/2 hours and tomorrow is another 12-hour day. Go, sleep! Choose sleep!!!

PS> I made a 97 and a 96 on my tests on Monday. Boo-ya!

Friday the 13th

OK, so, technically, it's now Saturday because it's past midnight, but I JUST FINISHED WORKING and am just now having time to post. UGH.

I was born on Friday the 13th. My mom had scheduled a c-section (my older brother had been c-sectioned because he was breached and waaaay back in the 70s it wasn't common practice for women to give vaginal birth after having a c-section) and her doctor was all "heeeey, I'm not working this weekend. Do you prefer Friday or Monday?" and she chose FRIDAY! I could have had an August 16 birthday all this time. Maybe she was trying to exert herself because she lost the name battle; she wanted to name me Allison. I'm quite happy Pops won that one for I think Allison would have fit me like a glove fits a foot.

And just because I thought it was interesting, I was updating a scanner at work today that had defaulted to year "00" and in that year, October 13th was also a Friday. Of course, I don't know if it meant 2000, or 1900, or possibly just the year 0, but I thought it was interesting. Because I am a geek.

It's past midnight and the people above me are having some sort of raucous party. I have to be up in like, 5 hours for another million-hour day, and I am none too happy about them. I know it's Friday, but C'MON! [/Gob] Who "parties" at the Residence Inn Nashville Airport? (And really, who uses "party" as a verb past the age of 22?) Hmph.

Oh, and dude. It's winter. It was in the low 30s when I woke up this morning!! And because I am from Texas, I had... a denim jacket. *snort*

Oh, and more cybergeekiness, look what Krysten taught me to do. B*tchin', right??? *weg*

Good night, and good weekend~

The best show you're not watching...

...is What About Brian. Seriously.

I'm about to rant about my medical insurance, so skip this paragraph if reading about the pill makes you uncomfortable. So, I've been taking the same pill for years. Each lady and her lady system are different, and everyone reacts differently to different pills. After I found the one that worked for me, I stuck with it, until a couple of years ago, when my pill went generic. Turns out, the generic formula slaps me with a big ole migraine, the day before my period, every single month. My doctor wrote me a "letter of medical necessity" and I went back to the brand name. No problems. When I was out of work last year and had no health insurance, I got my pill from Planned Parenthood. Turns out they actually distribute my preferred brand, so again, no problem. However, my new insurance does not cover the brand name. Not even with my handy little letter of medical necessity. I've talked to them every month since February (when my PP supply ran out) and been told about as many different stories as months I've been calling, and nothing ever changes, including the migraine. So I went to get my migraine medicine filled today, and even though it comes in a handy dandy prefilled 10-dose pack, my insurance would only pay for 9. The hell? Seems like they should give me at least one a month for free, since today's migraine is courtesy of THEM. I've spent most of today lying in a dark room with an ice pack on my face, silently cursing the system.

This post was brought to you by the letter "M" and the middle finger.

long time no update...

I haven't been blogging daily lately, and it could be said it's because there's not much going on, but truthfully, my days home have not been bursting, but full, flowing almost imperceptibly one into the next. I rather enjoy it. I got to have lunch with Sandy this week, which was a treat. It's almost fall. I made chili and had the nerd-patrol (Bill, Daren, Nathan, Erin, Dale) over for Battlestar Galactica on Friday, with a hearty reprise on Saturday with Charlie and Scottie-san. I had brunch with the girls on Saturday. I bought some art supplies (I love a blank canvas; it represents so much potential). I sold some clothes to Buffalo Exchange. I ate Jesus food. I cooked a spaghetti squash. I vaccuumed. I studied. I got an awesome Anatomy coloring book, which I have actually colored in, and has actually come in handy! I was studying earlier and got a question about what makes the rough endoplasmic reticulum "rough" - and I remembered coloring it purple with red ribosomes - the correct answer!! Heee! Chalk one up (no pun intended) for being a kinetic learner. Oh, and What about Brian starts again tomorrow and I'm soooo excited.

Off to study. I want to be asleep by 1am. I'm way too far off a normal sleep schedule and I go to Nashville on Thursday. 250 booths all to myself, which is more than I shared with 2 CTGs last week in Seattle. *slumps*

"Looks like you got yourself a fish biscuit!"

...might just be one of the funniest lines I've ever heard. Thank you, JJ.

You know how you feel when you get stuff done?? Now, no one enjoys a good day (or week) of sloth like I do, but holy productivity Batman! I've crossed off so many things on my to-do list today that I am elated and giddy! I woke up at 8 and cleaned the kitchen, the bathroom, put away 5 loads of clean clothes, dusted, vaccuumed, showered, met Sandy for lunch, went to the tailor, and am currently getting my oil changed WHILE studying at the coffee shop next door, hello, 2 birds. Go me, GO!

So, just a quick update, because I really need to get my schoolwork done - tomorrow there's a all-day Battlestar Galactica marathon on Sci-Fi, and I can't have anything holding me back from my 100% geekfest. Tom and I are actually going to watch it "together" on IM - oh yes, my friends, you have NO idea how deep the geek really goes.

I will also be making a big ole pot of my super-duper 3-bean chili for my co-geeks (Bill and Erin and Nathan and possibly Scottie-san - sorry you have to miss out, Charlie & Tom) to have during the 2-hour premiere. I'm so excited I could wet my pants.

OK, quick update on my life: So far I have an "A" in Anatomy. I cleaned out 4 bags worth of crap from my closet and drawers. I am now a brunette. My new favorite show is Heroes. I'm going to spend Thanksgiving at Krysten's. The new Showtime show Dexter is so disturbing I couldn't take my eyes off of it, even though I watched most of the episode with my hand over my mouth. My rest-of-the-year work schedule RULES.

OK, off the integumentary system. Hugs and puppies and Cylons! ~J.

Holy frak!

Seems like the entire pop culture world is embracing the expletive "frak" these days... I was ecstatic to see BSG grace last week's Entertainment Weekly cover - their first - but the article opens up with a definition and various uses of the word "frak." Now, I frakkin' LOVE the word myself, but seriously? That's what they need to talk about on the dawn of a huge and exciting season 3 double-header??

I worked until 4am last night (this morning). Seriously. 7am-4am. If I did my math correctly, that's 21 hours straight. Frakkin' riDONKulous, is what it is. I slept a couple of hours at the hotel and about an hour on the airplane, but right now I'm forcing myself to stay up until at least 10, so I don't wake up in the wee small hours of the morning.

My week in Seattle was lovely. The weather was unbelievable, and I got to hang out with Shelly, who I'd never met in "real life" before, and Loretta, who I haven't seen in about 8 years, and I had such a wonderful time with them both. Two very enthusiastic thumbs up for the trip (barring that 21-hour work day, of course). Oh! Also, I found this bar called The Nite Lite - the actual bar is made from old pinball machines, and their jukebox is full of old school country like Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison. The bartender's name was Sandy and she's been working there for about 50 years. She was awesome. I should publish a book of the best dive bars in America.... or maybe just blog about them. *weg* I have food to emote over, too, so stay tuned.

A couple of hours into my X hours of recorded television... *yawn* Bones and House, so far. I can't decide if I want to stay on topic and watch Kidnapped or Jericho or something in that vein, or switch gears completely into something like Weeds or Gilmore Girls. I'm afraid I'm going to fall asleep either way. I have 10 days at home: a doctor check-up, a big Unit Exam in A&P, a hair appointment, and about a million errands to run. That's after I get a good night of sweet, sweet sleep.

Edited to add: I just finished last week's Studio 60, and I love having it to fill my West Wing void. Sorkin and Schlamme are like comforting old friends, with their requisite titles font and their camera angles and their smart, sassy female characters and their love of Gilbert & Sullivan.

Zzzzzzzzz....

tears for fears

I heard "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" this morning and it made me really happy.

But, I miss Pop-Up Video.

tom tom tom tom tom

I am the WORST FRIEND EVER. Ask anyone. I TO-tally planned to post for Tom's birthday tomorrow.... when it was in fact, yesterday. BOO, Jamie. Boo.

Anyway, a lot of people don't know the extent of mine and Tom's relationship. Not that it's a big secret or anything, it's just we don't have a lot of common people in our everyday lives, and we don't see each other very often, but I talk to Tom pretty much every single day, and I would be leaving out a big part of my life if I didn't tell you how important he was to me. Seriously, seriously important, and one of the few people that "got me" from the very beginning. Most people have to know me to love me. (If then.) But Tom.... from the moment we were introduced, we just CLICKED. He's a soulmate. A kindred spirit. A true friend and a valuable, pertinent puzzle piece of my psyche. I love you Tom!!!!!!!

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!!!

As you know, I took my first big unit exam last Monday. I was displeased with my grade because I felt I had breezed through it and was very comfortable in how I did. This morning we received an e-mail that the grading center had used the wrong answer grid and my grade is much better - and much closer to how I actually felt that I scored! WHEEE! *dances around* I frakkin' rule Anatomy & Physiology! Go, me, go!!

it's another beautiful day in sunny Seattle!!!

Seriously, I said that to Bill a lot when we were fully engrossed in The 4400, because I think it rained like twice in 3 seasons. But honestly, I've only been here twice, but it's been BEAUTIFUL both times. 70s, not a cloud in the sky. Seriously, check it out:


Weird, right? OK, so, I flew in on Friday. Friday was CRAZY. I woke up at 7:30 and pretty much ran around like the proverbial beheaded chicken all damn day. I was abnormally scatterbrained and had to reopen my locked suitcase to add something I forgot at least 5 times. (I still forgot stuff, in case you're wondering. Like mascara. The hell?) There was a wreck on 35 and I was really cutting it close at the airport. Did you know you have to check your bag 40 minutes early now instead of 30? I got in at 42 minutes. I know this for reasons I will describe shortly.

When I pulled into my parking spot at Express Parking Lot South, I opened my car door and as I usually do, propped it open with my foot so I could lean over and collect my purse out of the passenger seat. The wind grabbed the door and FLUNG it open with great force, right into the car next to me. I shrieked and jumped out to see if it left a mark. It totally did. (Hmmm, I hope that person doesn't read my blog.) I cursed, and right at that moment, the shuttle bus drives up behind my car, honking. People are waiting. I am late. I run back to open my trunk and get him my bag, then back around to the front to lock my doors and grab my purse. My phone starts ringing, and I hustle myself onto the shuttle bus, leaving my Chik-Fil-A trash in the front seat, thinking about how my car was going to stink when I got back in 8 days. And that my car might be mangled from the pissed off person whose car door I scratched with my car door.

So, I checked my bag with 2 minutes to spare, the agent tells me, breezed through security, and walked right onto my airplane, without even time to look at the departures board. Boo. It's THEN when I realize I left my iPod in my car. Probably in the front seat or the cup holder. Grrrr. No music for 8 days. Not to mention the fact that I probably left it ON. And that someone, possibly the angry guy with the scratched door, will probably steal it. Then I decided it would actually be pretty cool if someone stole it, because I really need a new one. But it would be best if that person stole it without actually damaging my car in any way. Hmm, maybe I left it unlocked, too.

Anyway, I finally got to the airport in Seattle. I flew in a day and a half early to hang out with my friend Breanna. We had Friday night and Saturday all planned out, and then it turned out Bree had to work on Saturday, so we were most excited about our dinner plans on Friday- we had picked out the restaurant and we were going just the two of us, because no one else from work would be in town yet that we would feel obligated to invite. Well.

My bag didn't go to Seattle with me. I couldn't figure out how they misplaced my bag on a direct flight from Dallas to Seattle, but lost it was. The "baggage irregularity" agent assured me it was more than likely on the next flight, since I cut it so close with my 42-minute window, which arrived in an hour and a half. They would shuttle it to my hotel, so I should have it in a couple of hours. No biggie. I'm staying that night with Breanna, anyway, so we just checked in, got a snack, and decided to wait for my bag and go to dinner around 8.

About 7, I call American for an update. Turns out, my bag got misplaced on the way to Seattle from Dallas. Ibym "got misplaced on the way"... "got sent to BOSTON." Yeah. Boston. Which, last I checked, was pretty much on the other side of the country. This was disconcerting, since Bree & I can't go to our fancy restaurant in my cutoffs and sneakers. Not to mention the fact that I have no toothbrush or hair potions or clean underpants. So, disgruntled, we decided to go get me some necessities, and ran smack into a work person. No avoidance possible. *sigh*

(Positive note to this dilemma: American Airlines bought Jamie socks, underwear, a t-shirt, a hoodie, and a whole mess of drugstore toiletries.)

Saturday, I had planned to spend with Shelly, since Bree had to work. Despite the fact that I was grouchy that my hair looked like crap and I didn't have my own makeup or perfume or clothes, it was the FUNNEST DAY! We went to the Science Center to see the dead sea scrolls. That was pretty awesome, to see what tiny puzzle pieces of literature they found. It's such an important part of history and religion, so it was pretty amazing. However, I would be lying if I told you that I didn't have more fun at the rest of the Center. It was the coolest place for a kid (or a science nerd, natch) to ever be. I wanted to move in. There's a planetarium and dinosaurs and some high-powered waterguns that you shoot at targets, and snakes and naked mole rats, and a place where you can test your own vision and hearing and weight and blood pressure and strength, and a whole interactive room full of things to do with holograms and perspective and 3-D vision and sounds. It was frakkin' awesome. We took a virtual space walk and Shelly did the weather and I sat at a big table. I loved it. Then we met Shelly's roomate Heidi for a lovely lunch on the bay, and then Shel and I went on a ferryboat!!! Man. The weather was gorgeous and Shelly and I got along really well without feeling like we had to talk the whole time... and it was just really really nice. Two very enthusiastic thumbs up on a wonderful Saturday.

I went back to the hotel and still no bag. Also? Their front desk computers were down so I couldn't check into my room. I trudged back to Bree's room and also? The internet was down. [Gob]COME ON!!![/Gob] I called American and sat on hold for 45 minutes for the lady to not tell me ANYTHING. Except that I had checked my bag 42 minutes before my flight. No sh*t. It was so very frustrating. I pretty much grumbled and whined until bedtime. Then I finally got my bag at 6am on Sunday, and to my glee, everything in the top half was WET. GAH.

Anyway, Breanna and I finally got to have our dinner last night, and I've been to 3 Tom Douglas restaurants in 2 days. Mmmmmm, food makes me HAPPY~

Anyway, I haven't told you anything about work yet because frankly, I couldn't care less, but it's going to kick up a notch tomorrow and Bree is leaving for another show so I might be getting some additional stress. Once she's gone I will have to focus my next few evenings on the books, and blogging about the fantastic food I've been eating.

I'm nodding off as I type... more tomorrow.