those friendly skies

I've had a lot of time off this summer, and now as I head into our fall season, I was reminded this morning about how much I love airports. (Technically, I love train stations more but that's another post for another time and anyway, I live in Dallas now, so don't get as much train station face time as when I lived in NY.) There was a wreck on the highway this morning where Woodall Rogers feeds onto 35, and I was so late I had to park at the gate and I got my bag checked with about 3 minutes to spare. That gave me exactly 10 minutes to get through security and still have time to stare at the arrivals/departures board, which is my favorite thing to do. (Again, not quite as awesome as the flip-down letters at Grand Central or Penn Station, but, hey, it's the Texan's next best thing.)

Just looking at those hundreds of choices, thinking about how in just a few hours I could be in anywhere, watching people prepare for vacations or homecomings, all the buzz and the hurrying... I think airports are one of the most exciting places to be.

The trip to the airport was hardly the greatest of my travel woes on this trip, but I am finally here and can finally unclench. I don't have to work until tomorrow morning, so I'm planning on spending the afternoon studying, and drinking about 3 liters of water. I love the desert, but geez Louise.

my new tv boyfriend

This week I'm completely obsessed with Bones. I didn't watch it last year (being a gypsy left my television watching to the bare minimum) but there was a great article about Season 2 in the EW fall tv preview issue, and it had always sounded like something I would like, so I downloaded the first season (and am TiFauxing the 2nd until I catch up). It's sort of X-Files and sort of CSI and sort of ... Moonlighting. I guess. Anyway, it's about a forensic anthropologist whose team analyzes human remains to help the FBI solve crimes. The main criticism I've heard about it is that it's formulaic, and it is, but I like the formula, so it works for me. Not every show has to continually reinvent itself to make me happy. The Monster-of-the-Week episodes were always my favorite X-Files. Since I'm in A&P now, I actually know what she means when she says "distal philanges." Ha! However, on the show they lay the bones out with palms posterior (hands straight down if the skeleton was standing) and I assumed that they should lay it in official anatomical position (palms facing up) because then "distal philanges" means something different. But I digress.

The leads are Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz. I think Deschanel is adorable and her highly intellectual yet socially naive Dr. Temperance Brennan is simultaneously admirable and loveable. I never watched Buffy or Angel so I didn't have any predetermined notions about Boreanaz but I think he plays the part of Special Agent Seely Booth very well: soldier-come-agent with a strong sense of civic duty and a playful nature. The best friend/co-worker is played by Michaela Conlin, who I remember from the shortlived MDs, and a few other things, and I like her a lot. The assistant Zack is brilliant, awkward, and cute as a button. And my new tv boyfriend is TJ Tynes, who plays Dr. Jack Hodgins, the prickly, curly haired, scientist/conspiracy theorist. He's smart and dry and sarcastic and has this awesome beard... wow, on paper he sounds incredibly relative to my past tv boyfriend Toby Ziegler... but that's a whole 'nother therapy session. He's a well-known "hey, it's that guy," been on a hundred things, and I read once that he went to high school in Plano, so I always recognize him, but now that I've seen him sink into a character I have entered full-time crush. I mentioned it to Tom who's all "oh yeah, I know him; we grew up together; he's on myspace." WHA? I bribed him with homemade ziti to get him to promise to come up with some scenario to introduce me to him, so I can charm him into falling in love with me. Seems easy enough, since I live in Texas and Tom lives in NYC and Tynes, I'm assuming, lives in LA... 'cause you know, that's why we'll never be together: geography.

In other news, Ree-Ann turned 30, I went to church this morning for the first time in months, my first A&P test is next week, and I leave for Vegas tomorrow. Happy Monday!

Farewell Pluto...

Yeah, I know I'm a little late to the game with my Pluto post. But earlier I was looking for the Newsweek back-page narrative from last week, or maybe the week before, because I read it at the hair salon, and it was hysterical - the guy was saying how Pluto never should have been named a planet in the first place, and then launched into other accepted theories like "Europe? You're SO not a continent. Just look at a map. And while I'm at it, 'Y'? Don't get enough play as a consonant? Have to take over that coveted sometimes-a-vowel spot, too?" Bah!! Anyway, I couldn't find the article, but I did find an apparently widespread concern over the astrological effects of downgrading Pluto's status as a planet. Apparently Scorpio's sign is closely associated with Pluto, and Scorpios are being warned by some astrologists that they might have a hard time trying to control their plutonion tempers. No, I'm not kidding.

So, I'm not sure if I know any Scorpios, since I have no idea what birthdays that sign covers, but I'll be sure and treat them with a little extra patience for a while. But you know, I'm a Leo, so you pretty much always have to watch out for my temper.

Rawr!

the zone

So, this morning I was talking to Tom, and there was NO ONE logged into my IM list, and NO ONE logged into my online classroom, so I had to double-check with him that it was, indeed, 9:30am on a Thursday. Because that's weird, right? I told him I felt like I was in the Twilight Zone and he answered: "One girl think she's heading into an online classroom... a place of learning... of higher education... She will soon receive a different kind of education... in a classroom... called The Twilight Zone." Bah!! Oh Tom, you should work in television! *wink*

So, night before last, I had this dream that I was in this hotel ballroom with my co-workers Keri & Claudine and there was a piano and Keri sat down to play it, and the only song she knew was the theme to Hill Street Blues, and she played it over and over and then I got kidnapped and my kidnapper ripped my nose ring out, I thought, but then I realized that he had actually pushed it all the way through my nose. Wha? Anyway, when I woke up, I couldn't get the HSB theme out of my head, and I had the WORST crick in my neck. I thought it would loosen up throughout the day as I got out and about, but it didn't, and I spent the entire day not turning left. I ended up having to go buy a heating pad last night.

So now I still can't turn my neck left. Oh, and I also can't find my phone.

Tuesday, bloody Tuesday....

You may think I haven't posted in a while because I've been so busy, and I have been... but not really doing anything really all that newsworthy. (But Jamie, you may argue, nothing about your life is newsworthy, and yet you have this whole blog that indicates you believe otherwise! To which I would respond: Word.)

The holiday weekend was nice and relaxing - Saturday I bailed on a date (long story) and instead had a fun night out with my usual double-date gang (Bill, Nathan, Erin~ you decide who's paired up with whom *wink*). Sunday I caught up on some TV, went to the bookstore, and met Amy, Madison, and Dave in Addison for Kaboomtown. It was a pretty normal event but it was fun to get out with them. Yesterday I went to Madge & Dave's for slow-cooked chili and a Robert Downey Jr. two-fer: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (A+ from Jamie) and Restoration (B+). We didn't exactly plan that, but KKBB was one of my favorite movies in a long time. Oh, that reminds me: I've added recently watched films to my link bar at left.

Other than that, I've been organizing/cleaning around the house, going to yoga, cooking, catching up on some TV series (4 seasons of Felicity and the 1st season of Doctor Who - LOVE it), and studying studying studying. It's been quiet, but I confess I'm rather fond of my little life these days. I'm leaving for Vegas, baby, Vegas next Monday, and then home for about a week before I leave for Seattle. In Seattle I have a day and a half of fun before I start work - I'm looking into hiking Mt. Ranier. I'm also going to catch up with a friend from college, Loretta, and I finally get to lay eyes on Shelly, so I'm really looking forward to the trip, despite the unfortunate fact that I have to work a 600-booth show with someone I'm wary, nay, petrified of.

I'm making filet mignon and sauteed onions - House premiere and Eureka tonight!

feet, trains, & automobiles - a tour of Dallas

I didn't have any plans last night until about 3:30. At the last minute I asked Bill, Nathan, & Erin to come over for dinner and a movie. Erin had a work function so it was just me and the boys. I made dinner for them and we sat around and chatted for a while, but Nathan wasn't digging the sitting, so we talked about walking around the video store (which I didn't dig) and going out to get a drink (which Bill didn't dig). We decided just to do all three.

We went down Lower Greenville to a new bar they had seen but hadn't been to yet. It was called Libertine and we loved it. Turns out they are owned by the same people as own The Meridian Room, so it makes complete sense. We decided to go back for dinner one night this week. Then it was too late to go to the video store, so we went to Mockingbird Station and had gelato. Then we got on the train and took it down to West End.

It was a really fun evening and we hit 3 major neighborhoods in The Big D. I guess 4 if you count the fact that we started in Highland Park at the Chalet J. And best of all, it was a completely unplanned evening, which always is a little more delightful than if you had expected it all along.

In other news, I bought the 3rd season of Arrested Development and I made an A on my first A&P exam.

Uncle Al, the Kiddies' Pal

Heeeey, uncle. [/Buster] Sorry this post is late, but I worked 15 hours today, and the photo was on the computer that I left in my hotel room, and Hurricane Ernesto confused me, and also I think people are tired of my birthday slide shows. So this is just a short note to say Happy 50-Whatever Birthday, and it's downright pleasant to have a family member that I would probably want to hang around even if I wasn't obligated by blood to do so. You're my very favorite uncle. (I would say "don't tell the other one," but he would probably respond with "Jamie who?") This photo looks to be circa 1977. Nice 'fro.

Another frackin' birthday--

Seriously, it seems like all people do in December is have sexual relations!

Today is the 30th birthday of my awesome, quirky friend Brad, who some of you know as Yogi. I, in fact, might be the only person left in the world that calls him by his given name. Brad and I have been friends forever - and even though our relationship has never had even an inkling of romance, we made a pact when we were about 14 that if were both still single at 30 (because 30 was soooo old!), we would get married. Earlier this summer we panicked and decided to push it to 40.

Brad and I talk every Sunday afternoon, and it usually goes something like this: "Hey, what are you doing, making soup?" "Yeah, chicken was on sale. It's got lots of bell peppers in it. What are you doing?" "Gross. Watching Can't Hardly Wait." "Channel, please?"

So, this picture was taking in the fall of 1993. Egads!

Ironically, Bradley and I were a Duke & Duchess in the Nacogdoches High School Homecoming Court. If either one of us had been the GDI Ambassadors we are today way back then, I'm sure upon being asked to serve in Homecoming Court we might have either looked at each other and then laughed until we cried, given the asker a "what the hell are you thinking?" look before slowing backing away with garlic crosses, or maybe even thrown up in our (respective) mouths a little bit. Which is why I look back on my time of high school inclusion with fondness tinged with disbelief.

This was the same year that we were in, nay, STARRED in - The Best Christmas Pageant Ever - as Leroy and Imogene Herdman. I'll never forget that play, because the teacher from hell, Lady McWorsham, told me after Imogene's Mary scene - "you cut up way too much in class for me to ever give you a good grade, but you really are a damn fine actor." HAHAHAHAHAHA! Classic.

This photo was taken last spring in San Francisco. We were, obviously, giving the patented "blue steel" look.



So anyway, here's to you, Bradley - one of my all-time favorite people. I wish you all the best that life has to offer in your 30s (I've been 30 myself for a couple of weeks and it ain't half-bad) - and please, get out there and find yourself a girl so I don't have to marry you.

Cheers, Hawkins.

rednecks & alligators

I really, really hate Florida.

I was here in Orlando last summer when I decided to cut my hair off - and yeah, here I am again, thinking about just frackin' shaving it off. I kinda feel like I look like this. It's 20 degrees cooler than in Dallas, but it's 90% humidity. 90%!!! Blech.

Anyway, I went to my orientation for A&P today and I'm properly freaked. I have four textbooks and just the "Introduction to the Human Body" and that bone & muscle list made me cower under my lab table. Where, by the way, I looked at my own saliva cells at 400x magnification. Weird.

I adored my professor. He was everything you expect a 60-something science professor to be - bespectacled, somewhat befuddled, with an odd sense of humor, and get this- he was actually drinking iced tea out of a beaker. I'm so not kidding. It was ace-high.

Please, someone tell me I'm not going to fail this class.

next issue

Now, most of you know that I don't much like discussing politics, and I know a wide range of political views read this blog-- so, I'm not trying to start a left-wing/right-wing war. Please be open-minded to others' views... and be kind. But I want to take a moment to discuss Plan B. (G, you are our resident pharmacology expert - and flaming liberal *wink*, so I'd love your input.)

The news today states that Plan B will be available over-the-counter for any woman over the age of 18. (Children 17 and under will still need a prescription.) Now, I'll be the first to admit that I probably don't know enough about it to make an educated opinion - but how can Plan B be available over the counter when birth control isn't? It's basically just a more concentrated dosage of the hormone in The Pill, right? So, you have to get a prescription to make a mature, responsible decision about your sex life, but if you don't make that decision ahead of time, you can just run to the store? It doesn't make any sense to me.

I'm not trying to say that it shouldn't be available. I absolutely think that it should. But I also think it should be a last option. We are not teaching safer sex with girls (or boys) if this is something you can just go pick up with gum and a Snapple. And let's be frank, kids are having sex whether they are taught abstinence or safer sex or nothing- so shouldn't we be teaching them both, in fervent hopes that something gets through? In case anyone wonders where on the fence I sit with this particular issue, I DON'T think that high schoolers should be having sex but I DO think that we should teach them about birth control and disease control anyway, and Plan B SHOULD be available at Planned Parenthood and your doctor's office, but not Walgreen's.

There are many, many issues surrounding teenage pregnancy and sex, not the least of which is global overpopulation. In 1830, our planet hit 1 billion people. In 1930, 2 billion. By 1960, it was 3 billion. 1974, 4 billion. 1987, 5 billion. Today? Roughly 6.5 billion people. About 300 million of those people live in our country. About 74 million of those Americans are children. 22 million of those children are under the age of 6. (On a complete tangent - thanks Tom - I think these stats prove that this is far from merely a WOMEN'S issue; it is an American issue; it is a people issue.)

One in five Americans have a sexually transmitted disease. One in five!! About 2/3 of those people are under the age of 25. So... let me break out the calculator... that's about 40 million people under the age of 25 (basically, kids) that have an STD. And people still don't think we should teach them about condoms? It's estimated that over a million Americans are HIV-positive and over 400,000 are living with (and dying from) AIDS. And we, my fellow Americans, are not even close to having the most dire statistics.

These statistics, although heartbreaking, don't remotely address the psychological, emotional, and social consequences of teenage sex. So yes, I so think we should be teaching our children about abstinence AND birth control and disease prevention. And yes, I do think that Plan B is a medicine that should be available.

But, if I need a prescription for an 800-mg ibuprofen tablet, when I could just as easily take 4 Advils, shouldn't one also need a prescription to take a higher dose of a medicine that is regulated by a doctor to begin with?