Concert got out at 10:45. Back in Nashville by 2:00. Immediate thoughts as follows:

▪ We ended up with great seats in the front row of the balcony immediately stageright, so we could simply look down on the whole works. My only complaint is the retarded highschoolers who for some reason felt compelled to go in and out and up and down and wouldn't just sit and watch the dang show. There was one girl, where I swear, if she had walked past me one more time, I was going to shove her pretty little blonde self over the railing... and I'm a generally passive person, so that should give an indication of how many times she walked past talking on her cellphone.

▪ Maroon 5 thankfully didn't suck. That would have ruined my opinion. Good showmanship from the frontman, though I still wonder if he is aware that he is channeling Jay Kay. (Exhibit A, Exhibit B) And they ended with "Highway to Hell".

▪ John was, I have to admit, pretty amazing. That kid can play. His band was excellent. I wish I had come up with the idea for the drum & keyboard risers. (Once a tech geek, always a tech geek.) T, I wish you could have been there. As much as I enjoyed myself, I know you would have enjoyed it a thousand times more. I thought of you repeatedly and felt guilty every time! :)

Concert Tip #872
The 3-Watt flashbulb on your camera from 50 feet away is not going to illuminate John Mayer any better than the 2500-Watt Super Trouper follow-spot already is. Unless you were going for stunning photos of the backs of people's heads, try not using the flash.

Concert Quotables
John [on women's fashion]:
"Men hate those Ugg boots. It's like reverting back to Clan of the Cavebear."

(And there was much shuffling of feet as hundreds of teeny-bopper girls tried to hide their Uggly boots.)

John [on being a rockstar today]:
"The two worst things about being a rockstar these days... STDs and messageboards."

Song for the Day:
Neon - John Mayer
Phebe was giving me a JM tutorial in the car on the way there. This was one that I gravitated to the most, and I think it was the only one he didn't play. Ahh well.

Fun with Referrals
I saw last night that The Mommy Blog linked to me. (Hi! Thanks!) And I saw that she linked to another super-awesome store with cool stuff. Urban Peel. I love the vase makers, this milk & sugar set, this bathroom set and this TOILET!

Okay, I'm going to Memphis.

TGIF
The best way to end a meeting that runs 20 minutes past closing-time...

Me: So to recap, I'm doing... nothing?
Bossman: Well... right.
Me: Okay. Have a good weekend.

*sigh*

When It Rains, It Pours
Cyclone Ivy is headed for my Tashmina. (At least it looks like it's going pretty darn close to me.) Stay dry, dearie.

I went to the movies by myself last night.
Veni. Vidi. Lacrimavi.

I think if I had the ability to simply sit and watch a movie, it would have been a more spiritual experience. However, the technical theatre person in me does not allow that. A few immediate thoughts below... highlight to read:

▪ The lighting in the Gethsemane scene? Absolutely stunning.
▪ The music was incredible. As was the use of silence.
▪ I'm not a big fan of those heart-attack-inducing Final-Destination-like startle tactics in any movie. Though effective. I jumped twice.
▪ Loved the overhead visual leading to the single tear/raindrop after the death.

Hello. New highly anticipated movie. Two Brothers. I don't think people understand how much I love baby tigers. I love them!


You are Schroeder!

Which Peanuts Character are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

(Because someday I want to grow up to be as cool as Tommy and Bill.)

"I'm Molting" and Other Exciting Adventures

▪ Let's see... where have I been... oh yeah -- working. Someday I'll have a job that I can't take home with me. Someday I'll have a job that doesn't require me to be "on call". There's just a lot going. A lot of good stuff, so I can't really complain. Wait, yes I can.

▪ Darren rocked the art show with his ASR-10 the other night. Woo. French fries at Cafe Coco and the newly invented Drawing Evolution game. Much fun was had by all.

▪ The latest excitement in the Healing Hand Ordeal is that all the skin on the palm of that hand is starting to fleck off. It's kind of gross, but the new skin underneath is so soft. :)

▪ The thought of molting led me to wonder about leprosy. You just don't hear much about it anymore. And that is because they like to call it Hanson's Disease now. I didn't realize that there is a famous leper colony on Hawaii called Kalaupapa where over 8,000 sick people have been sent into isolation. I thought the patients' accounts were interesting... but that's me.

▪ A little tid-bit about me. One of my big pet-peeves is songs that have the word "chicken" in them. (i.e. "One Week" by BareNakedLadies and that one by Train where he rhymes something-something-fried-chicken with something-friends-something-stickin'-[up-for-you].) Think about it. You'll hate it too.

Survivor Magnolia
1. Mogo Mogo gets reward.
2. Mogo Mogo loses immunity.
3. Jenna gets the boot. (this is such a toss-up, because I have a feeling it has to be a member of the dissolved tribe, but it all depends on who goes where. ugh.)
4. Saboga gets dissolved.

Swamped.

One Word
One Word. Sixty Seconds to write about it.

One Picture
1p/d: 1 picture per day

One Thought
Subliminal Thought
Angel:: Sarah McLachlin
Birth:: Rachel
Logic:: problems
Stars:: and stripes
Nursery:: Pooh
View:: to a Kill
Hart:: Corey
Creation:: festival
End:: times
Fortune:: 500

One Family
The Brown Sisters: 25 years of evolution.

One Pose
Daily Photo Project: daily shots for years at a time

One World One Song
The Largest Pencil Drawing on Earth... I saw this at the Cool Springs Mall when the dude was still drawing it.

One - U2

Things Just Keep Gettin' Better
Qveer Eye for thye Medieval Man... "Thy hovel moste certainly is a pigstye!"

FYI
The Tournament of Stuff probably starts soon. I finished my bracket. I predict it will be Ogres, Iditarod, eBay, and Legos in the Final 4, with Legos taking it all.

Pre-Concert Jitters
So we all know I'm going to the John Mayer/Maroon 5 concert this weekend. I'm trying to muster up some excitement, because I know Phebe is excited... but somehow I have a bad feeling about it. I have this sneaking suspicion that the average audience member is going to be 16 years old and female. I also hope that Maroon 5 is decent in concert, because I'd hate to have another Toadies-like letdown.

(If you're going to drive 250 miles through an icestorm to Green-fricking-Bay, one might hope that the band they go to see could pull off a reasonable level of talent displayed on the recording. I don't think that our night was just an off night either, because I believe Jay had a similar experience long before I met him.)

But on that note, the Toadies site has a video for the live version of "Tyler", which is one of my top seven favourite songs of all time.

Big Bang Baby
Tonight Darren's playing for what I understand is an art show of another client of ours. I think I'm going to have to check that out. We went for coffee last night and then went to watch the video from their show a couple weeks ago. He also introduced me to the world of Enon and let me listen to some songs they worked on last week.

Two nights ago I dreamt that I was visiting Tash, and she had a really cool chandelier that she made out of old Coke and Mr. Pibb bottles (not unlike this one of milkbottles). Just sayin...

I'm So Insensitive
So Steve sent me a link to a news article titled "Comedian Thinks Roadside Memorials are Funny: Victims Mother Doesn't Get the Joke."

The guy's website is a little crass, but to go so far as Steve saying that it is "inappropriate and stretches the free speech issue a little too far" is a little overboard, in my opinion. Don't tell me you haven't laughed at the Darwin Award winners.

I'm sorry. I've known someone who died after a car crash, and driving past a cheesy cross and yucky plastic flowers several times a week just wasn't cool. I would have loved to go pull it down myself. I think roadside memorials are tacky and insensitive, so I don't see anything wrong with people making fun of them. If, heaven forbid, I should die in a public place... please, this is my plea, do not let anyone put up any signs or crosses or anything. I'd rather that the people who knew me remember me as a vibrant young lady than as a bleeding body on the side of some road.

Once a Fan... Always a Fan
A guy I work with was in a band that I was a huge fan of back in my teens. Huge fan. Like I-had-pictures-of-him-on-my-bedroom-walls type fan. Anyway, I have a picture of the two of us taken at a music festival in 1993. It's hilarious. He was total rockstar, and I was total starstruck. So anyway, we took another picture together last year to mark the 10-year anniversary, and we have both pictures hanging on the refrigerator at the office here. Our clients have gotten a big kick out of them.

So today Bossman is meeting with a new group, and we were all introducing ourselves... and of course, to my dismay, everyone had to look at the pictures and laugh. Ahh yes. Good times at the office.

I'm Laughing... I'm Laughing.
If one were to hypothetically do a Comet Web Search for free webcams of nice body redheads, one might find this site second on the list. Ahh gotta love website referrals.

Caught the last bit of Apollo 13 last night. Gary Sinise and Ed Harris. Does it get any better than that?

Friday Five
When was the last time you...

1. ...went to the doctor?
Two and a half weeks ago to get my stitches out.

2. ...went to the dentist?
Gosh... was that last year already?

3. ...filled your gas tank?
Last week.

4. ...got enough sleep?
Twenty-five years ago.

5. ...backed up your computer?
Three weeks ago.

You can officially add "Book Cover Designer" to my job description this week. Bossman has been working on a series of childrens' books which have been in development for the past year and a half or so. We finally have deadlines coming up, and I'm in charge of doing the layout and colorization (heavily influences by the Seussian color palatte) of the cover right now. I'm no graphic artist, but I have to say that it looks pretty darn spiffy right now. :)

Song for the Day:
The Mummers' Dance - Loreena McKennitt

It's a moving-subway kind of day.

I've pulled my old laptop out from under the bed recently. Managed to get it defragged after many moons. I've had an interesting time going through and exploring what I have left on there. Some good music. Some great pictures. Some heart-tugging IM logs. My first attempt at NaNoWriMo. I think I could write a great play based on some of the stuff I've found. Yeah, I'll just go and put that at the bottom of my "To Do" list.

Last night I logged on to IRC from that computer to see if any of my old buddies were around. They weren't, but I was sort of surprised by my quit message. Senito aliquos togatos contra me conspirare. What the...? Then I found the meaning at a site for useful latin phrases. Mine roughly translates as "I think some people in togas are plotting against me."

Which reminds me of the one phrase my German-major college roommate taught me... Hilfe! Hilfe! Mein schadel ist gestanzt!... which I believe translates as "Help! Help! My skull is being crushed!", though I'm not entirely sure.

Maybe someone would find this useful: Internet UPC Database. They didn't have what I was looking for, so I graciously added it.

Survivor Magnolia
1. Chapera wins reward.
2. Mogo Mogo loses immunity.
3. Kathy is voted out.
4. Callers are: Susan, Jerri, Shii Ann

Song for the Day:
This song's groove just makes me happy. Another one I had stashed on my old computer.
One Way - The Levellers
~And all the problems of the Earth
Wont be solved by this guitar,
And they wont stop coming either
By the life I've had so far~

Toot
I don't know what else to say... just watch. (Found via Bloggenspiel... great name too, eh?)

Work from Home... at the Office
No pajama day for me. One of our clients is playing two blocks from my parents' house on Friday. I wanted to fly home on Friday and catch the bus back in time for work on Monday... but alas. Oh well, I'm glad my family gets to see him. With 15 comp tickets, I think they've invited everyone they know.

Song for the Day:
Hold Me (Hold Me) - Fleetwood Mac
~I'm just around the corner
If you got a minute to spare
I'll be waitin' for ya'
If you ever want to be there~

Hmm... just got home. Watching the tape of my two programs that I miss on Tuesdays. I believe I had a saintly prophetik sighting. :) Cool!

Carrot Tops are Green, Einstein
Princeton Redheads Society will quite possibly be a new University club. While it takes some of us a while to realize we are in some sort of elite club... they are taking steps to bring the redheads together. Also interestingly, "[t]hey noted that the members of the club share quick wits, stunning good looks, a love of procrastination and a desire to 'explore their redheadedness.'" Mm-hmm.

Indecision
Usually when it comes to music I'm pretty sure from the beginning whether I'll like it or not. Sometimes I try to talk myself into liking something (i.e. Something Corporate -- sorry, Steve), but it rarely works. Yesterday I believe was the first time I was introduced to the world of Martyn Bennett... and I walk away perplexed. Part of me is like "Yes... this is amazing" -- while another part of me is asking "Are you sure you want to be listening to this?"

Described as Afro-Celt with a Scottish Electronic twist, it leaves me confused. Here's a song called Blackbird from the album GRIT in QuickTime. I heard it, and my first reaction was "eh". But then I downloaded Come with Me and watched the Flash video for Move, and now I'm thinking I could potentially dig it. I'm torn.

And then to read the guy's story. Man. Diagnosed with cancer at 29. Uncertain if he'll ever play again. He wrote a rather poignant message about his situation, and here is another article where he tells how in a moment of frustration he destroyed all of his instruments. He has even decided to discontinue treatments for his cancer.

I don't know. I'll have to think on this one some more. If nothing else, he gets cool points for some great promo photography.

Motion
By now, I'm sure everyone has seen the "Cog" ad. But I had never seen "The Way Things Go".

Music for the Day:
Oh go listen to some Martyn.

Happy Monday to You Too
If anyone is thinking about moving to Cool Springs, please email me first. I will advise you which subdivision not to move into. These people are the Parking Nazis. (This isn't my first run-in with them either.) I received a typo-filled letter ("the streets are to [sic] narrow", among others) taped to my door, without envelope, threatening legal action because my car is parked in my own driveway. (Granted, it presently has a flat tire and isn't going anywhere at the moment... but sheesh.) I'm planning on getting off on the technicality that they used a form letter saying that I was in a visitor parking space or a fire lane... neither of which is true. They'll be getting a certified letter on my office letterhead later this week. :)

Death Becomes Her
A while back Bill noted that a Frenchwoman married her dead boyfriend. That just came to mind after I came across this Afterlife Telegrams site. (Pretty funny concept.)

Oh, Canada... Oh, Canada
Also thanks to Bill for linking to the video that has the Canadians all up in arms. Didn't anyone else see this coming a hundred miles away?

In other News of the Highly Offended, CBS has apologized for Outkast's portrayal of Native Americans at the Grammys. Apologies to the US Equestrian Federation for this wardrobe stunt and a general apology to leprechauns everywhere will be forthcoming.

Subliminal Thoughts
I Say... You Think...
1. Dragon:: slayer
2. Molecule:: mole birthday
3. Tire:: s Plus
4. Mighty:: Wind
5. Octane:: high-octane performance fuel
6. Troll:: for compliments
7. Atmosphere:: Mmm... the new demo that came in last week
8. Guide:: Guided by Voices
9. Leash:: cellphone
10. Dustmite:: vacuum

Rant
I understand that some people aren't technically-minded. I also understand that I have been fortunate enough to have been given the ability to quickly learn and understand most things computer/technology related. (I was always the designated VCR Programmer in the family and the assembler of many Christmas gifts.)

I also understand that I probably shouldn't write this here in the event that some day Bossman finds this site. But tonight I got an email from him asking me to print something out on this specially-sized paper that I had cut last week. Then he wants me to fax it to someone. I'm not sure exactly where his logic is falling short here, but clearly, if I had to suffer through a trip to Kinkos in order to get this odd-shaped paper... then more than likely this person is not going to have that size paper loaded in their fax machine, so it's going to come out all wonky regardless.

I feel like common sense would tell you that... but maybe I'm wrong.
/Rant

Oh, and if you've ever wondered what I look like at the end of the day when I've tied my hair in a knot to keep it out of my face and I'm getting frustrated with my old crappy computer for being old and crappy... then look no further. (taken for bil.)

I've spent the last three hours defragging that old crappy computer, and it has just now hit 33%. Joy.

Last night we went to Wolfgang Pucks (the pumpkin ravioli isn't as good as I wanted it to be) and to see Along Came Polly... though we would have gone to see 50 First Dates had it had another showing, as we didn't leave the house until 8:00.

Happy Valentine's Day!
May hugs and kisses be given in abundance.

The guys' show last week:



(How Adam is that??)

Accomplishment!
I carried Bossman's tall cappucino all the way back to the office in my left hand. Wooo. Two days ago I could barely open up my thumb wide enough to even hold a cup. I've been carrying things around in my palm for three weeks.

Please go look at KurtHalsey.com. So sweetly beautiful.

Talked to Manda last night, and she sounded tired but very happy.

Today I found out that not only am I now a godmother, I'm also a grandmother. See, when the whole lot of us lived in a little house together in Indy, we had a girl come live with us who was essentially homeless. We referred to her as our daughter, because sometimes it really felt like we had to be parental in certain situations. I guess Nate heard from her who told Cory who told me that we've got a granddaughter now too.

Blogging Forward, Thanking Backward
There is apparently a new trend in the weblog world called "Blog It Forward". Connie at CrimsonDove had some very kind things to say about me. I blush. It's nice to know that my mindless drivel is enjoyed by someone. :) I'm kind of at a loss who I should link to, since I throw most links out there as soon as I find them, but there is one that is in my bookmarks that I don't know if I have. It is 13 Days from Monday, and it's pretty cute and clever.

Friday Five
I feel a Stevie Wonder song coming on...

1. Are you superstitious?
Not particularly, no. There are a lot of theatre superstitions, but I observed them not specifically out of fear or whatever.

2. What extremes have you heard of someone going to in the name of superstition?
I guess I don't know many people who are crazy about stuff like that.

3. Believer or not, what's your favorite superstition?
Holding your breath as you pass a cemetary. (Because it's not polite to breathe in front of those who can't.)

4. Do you believe in luck? If yes, do you have a lucky number/article of clothing/ritual?
Luck is so relative. I do have a favourite number though.

5. Do you believe in astrology? Why or why not?
Never put much stock in all that, though I did look up some points from one of my recent dreams in a dream dictionary to see what they thought my inner psyche was trying to tell me...

▪ Marriage to an ex: "suggests that you have accepted aspects of that relationship and learned from those past mistakes"
▪ Falling rain: "symbolizes forgiveness and grace"
▪ Rainbow: "signifies much hope, success and good fortune in the form of money, prestige, or fame"
▪ Leaves: "signifies new found happiness and an improvement in various aspects of your life"

Way to go, Dan & Vickie -- making me weepy all over again!

It's a Girl!!

Her name is Rachel Mairead... which is almost as pretty as Verbena Danielle, but I'll get over it. :)
Yay!

Baby Update 5: 2 Hours Later
Okay, so now it's a c-section. Leslie's not happy. Manda's doing good. Jack's doing good. Kind of disappointing, but just as long as the baby's healthy...

Baby Update 4: Day#2
Leslie just called to say that Manda just got the epidural. Holy cow. We're having a baby!

This is what Cory emailed me this morning about that topic:

Let me know when you find out what pops out of Amanda. I mean, we're really not sure it will be a baby yet, are we? It will probably be about 25 inches long and weigh 5 pounds. 5% body fat.

Gorgeous Pod: unique clothing and other things. I'm particularly fond of the Princess Leia "You're My Only Hope (Yeah, Right)" tee and (Manda will hate this) I love this skirt for some reason. I also think we should get this print for Jay.

Does This Look Infected? She uses the word "chautauqua" in her description for pete's sake. Gotta give some credit for that. She also linked to this fun little game called Throw Rocks at Boys. :)

Special welcome to all the new members of the Rocky Top Brigade.

Idol Eyes
Remember that guy who sang "She Bangs" to audition for American Idol? The "I have no professional training." guy? There are now three fansites for him: WilliamHung.net and WilliamHung.org and WilliamHung.biz.

Survivor Glen
I'm having a hard time with my predictions this week. I have such a hard time separating who is likely to win/lose/get-booted and who I would like to win/lose/get-booted. But here's my vote:
1. Mogo Mogo wins reward.
2. Chapera loses immunity.
3. Tom gets voted out. Jenna leaves for family reasons.
4. Both Richard and the shark get food.

Feel free to post your predictions over there. We're only on week #2, so there's plenty of time to make up points!

Song for the Day:
Ordinary World - Duran Duran
~What is happening to me?
Crazy, some'd say
Where is my friend when I need you most?
Gone away~

UPDATE 3: Another 6 hours later
Move along. Nothing to see here. Labor has stopped. Unless this baby gets movin', they're off to the hospital at 4 (freaking) AM to be induced.

UPDATE 2: 3 hours later
Still nothing, but Manda is considerably less excited about this whole baby thing than she was 8.5 months ago. I don't think I was helping. All of a sudden it dawned on me how scary it is going to be for this child to have Jack as a father. (Not that I think he'll be a bad father, mind you. Just perhaps a little embarrassing.)

Oh, and I didn't hit a deer last night. I just merely saw one. No, I only hit owls.

UPDATE 1:
Jack has picked Manda up from work due to irregular contractions. They're going home and not to the hospital, which may blow my prediction that they get sent home from the hospital three times before she actually has it.

Danielle, Master of the Obvious
So last night as I was driving home, I noticed a doe hanging out on the side of the road. All of a sudden it hit me. Deer must be nocturnal. Quit laughing. I had never thought about it before, okay? Anyway... moving on...

Petra had an appendectomy the night before last. I was kind of disappointed that they didn't let her keep it. The dentist gives you your teeth back, why wouldn't a doctor give you your appendix? I managed to smuggle a frappucino in to her last night.

Awesome. Virtual Lite-Brite. (Okay, so you can't do a whole lot with it, but the nostalgia factor is awesome. If only there was a virtual Merlin.)

Manda put up her hugeness picture. Here's some natural labor inducers. I also heard that taking a warm bath helps. Just try these things at a reasonable hour, please. As excited as I am that you want me to be included in your labor experience, I also don't want to be involved at 4 AM.

I got the emergency room bill. 2 cm scars don't come cheap these days. Oh the wonderful things I could have done with $446. *sigh* Oh well. Swelling is going down. I'm gaining a little more range of motion. (Though I still can't make an "L"... it's more like a sick "V".) Miss RoseAnne said last night that she is going to try to find a cheap hand specialist for me to see just to make sure everything is as it should be. That lady has connections, so we'll see.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Apparently the BBC came up with a list of 50 Things to Do Before You Die for a television program of the same name.

I'm not much of a list maker. Maybe I ought to be. I have a hard enough time remembering what groceries I need, much less the things I need to do before I die. (And don't forget the people who have 7.5 pages-worth of qualities they'd like in their future spouse. What is that anyway?) Since I've never thought of a 50 Things Pre-Death list, I thought I'd mark (in bold) the ones that I would consider putting on such a list if I were to make one.

1. Swim with Dolphins
      (This definitely would not be #1 on my list, but I would probably go if the opportunity presented itself.)
2. Scuba dive on Great Barrier Reef
      (I'm just not into all these water things.)
3. Fly Concorde to New York
      (Too late.)
4. Go whale-watching
5. Dive with sharks
      (I'll settle with Shark Week on Discovery Channel or go virtually.)
6. Skydiving
      (I don't think this would play well with my paralyzing fear of falling.)
7. Fly in a hot air balloon
      (However, I'd get over it for this.)
8. Fly in a fighter jet
9. Go on safari
10. See Northern Lights
11. Walk the Inca trail to Machu Picchu
      (Or take the virtual hike.)
12. Climb Sydney Harbour Bridge
      (I'm having a heart attack just looking at those pictures. No thanks.)
13. Escape to a paradise Island
      (I'll live vicariously through the fearless Minnow crew, thanks.)
14. Drive Formula 1 car
15. Go white-water rafting
16. Walk Great Wall of China
      (YES PLEASE!)
17. Bungee-jumping
18. Ride Rocky Mountaineer train
      (I could probably stand to do this.)
19. Drive along Route 66
      (Aww, yeah.)
20. Grand Canyon helicopter ride
      (I don't know that I would have thought of it, but yeah, that would be cool... except if this happened.)
21. Ride the Orient Express
22. See elephants in the wild
23. Explore Antarctica
      (Uhh, negative. Unless there is some serious global warming in the next few years.)
24. Ride a motorbike
      (Dad's okay if I ride with him... but I remember the time a boy brought me home on one, and ooo.... that was a bad night.)
25. Try ranching
      (Does one just simply try ranching? Seems a little more commitment-oriented to me.)
26. Climb Mount Everest
      (Again, that whole cold factor disagrees with me.)
27. Wonder at a waterfall
      (Incidentally, check out these photos of Victoria Falls from 1891.)
28. Go into space
      (Crackheads put together this list, right?)
29. Explore the Galapagos Islands
      (Sure. I can dig turtles.)
30. Trek through a rainforest
      (Yeah, I saw Romancing the Stone.)
31. Gallop a horse along a beach
      (Very romance novel-esque, but sure, why not.)
32. Ride a camel to the Pyramids
33. Take the Trans-Siberian Railway, Moscow to Vladivostok
34. Catch sunset over Uluru
      (Oh heck yeah.)
35. Go wing-walking
      (Crackheads, I tell you.)
36. Climb Mount Kilimanjaro
37. Fly over a volcano
      (Would that be an erupting volcano? Then yeah.)
38. Drive a husky sled
      (Iditarod, here I come.)
39. Hike up a glacier
40. Ride a rollercoaster
      (Got this one covered.)
41. Fish for blue marlin
42. Go paragliding
43. Play golf at Augusta, Georgia
44. Watch mountain gorillas
45. See tigers in the wild
      (I'm not too crazy about seeing animals in their natural habitat, because I don't think we're really supposed to be there. But I love tigers, so I'd make this an exception.)
46. Do the Cresta Run, Switzerland
      (I think I'd rather do the luge in Rotorua.) :)
47. Visit Walt Disney World, Florida
      (Done in 1995.)
48. Gamble in Las Vegas
49. See orang-utans in Borneo
50. Go polar bear watching

I don't know. Those seem a little out there for me. My list of things to do before I die would include:
1. Label the backs of all my photographs.
2. Beat Cory (fairly) at a game of 8-ball.
3. Finish Anna Karenina.
4. Work at a Renaissance Festival.

Sometimes it's about the little things, kids.

Subliminal Thoughts
I Say... You Think...

1. Identity:: John Cusack
2. Reveal:: show
3. Live:: in New York, it's Saturday night.
4. Attitude:: adjustment
5. Night:: light
6. Nevada:: Utah
7. Weekend:: warrior
8. Write:: light-bright (I dunno -- first thing that came to mind)
9. Friend:: pal
10. Seventeen:: "You are sixteen going on seventeen"

My Love for You is Like a Truck
I confess, it has been a bad television weekend. Somehow I found myself watching a Mary-Kate and Ashley movie on Saturday. I also watched my very first (crappy) episode of Dawson's Creek. So today, I thought I would make up for it by watching the History Channel while I work. I get a smile about every fifteen minutes, because they are advertising a program about a viking sect called the Berserkers. And if you've ever seen Clerks, I don't know how you can hear that word without thinking of Olaf.

Name that Tune
If you were to ask me about the cool song in the new Smirnoff commercial, I would be able to tell you that clearly, that song is "Future Proof" by Massive Attack (listen). However, I admit that there are some songs in commercials that I cannot recognize in 15 seconds or less, so that's where What's That Called? comes in. They'll help you figure out the ones that even I don't know.

Spontaneous Concert Ticket Buying
Yesterday at lunch I was telling Phebe that I want to go to Memphis, because though I have been there before, I hadn't seen any of the sights. Then last night she found out that Maroon 5 (her new favourite) is playing there with John Mayer in a couple weeks. So we're going. I've never been a real John Mayer fan, try though I might... and I'm kind of over Maroon 5 (didn't that album come out like 2 years ago?)... but hey, a road trip is a road trip.

Site for Future Perusal:
Where the Hell Was I

It's an Honor to be Nominated
The landlord didn't win a grammy last night. Oh well, we all kind of predicted the most recognizable name was going to get it -- and he did. I'm anxious to hear about the experience out there nonetheless.

Song for the Day:
Mahna Mahna - The Muppets
This has always been one of my favourite Muppet Show memories. Read the history of the Mahna Mahna Song here.

Since last year's were such a hit... may I present:

Danielle's Grammy Awards Awards:

Thanks for Not Singing "Angel" Award
▪ Sarah McLaughlin

I Like the Way You Move Award
▪ The Outkast dancers

We Get the Point Award
▪ Beyonce warbling "I love you" over and over

Get Down with Your Legwarmers Award
▪ Fergie

My Argument in Steve's Girls-Want-Big-Burley-Guys Debate
▪ Taboo

Sucks to be a Soundman Moment
▪ Celine's Luther Tribute

Phenomenon that Still Escapes Me Award
▪ Alicia Keys

I Want to Love You But I Can't Performance
▪ Sting, Dave, Sting, Pharrell (Good in theory, less so in practice.)

Hair Frizz to Rival My Own Award
▪ Xtina

Still Hot After All These Years Award
▪ Prince

Happy Birthday, Little Brother!! I love you bunches! Come visit me. (And I left your gift on the piano.)

I'm doing something fun. Hehe.

Yeah, that's write right. I made my own font over at Fontifier. For a mere $9, I figured I could afford to give it a whirl. (Didn't some company used to charge $300 for that service?)

I'm using the High Logic Font Creator Program trial to attempt to fix some things... like the fact that my u's float like balloons and none of the other letters seem to be on the same plane either.

If it works out, I might share it with the world -- because I'm not afraid of forgeries.

Somebody Stop Me
Okay. I was going to try to figure out a way to get to PF Changs and go see a movie tonight ... but I'm going to be disciplined and go home. I'm going to do laundry like I've never done laundry before. (And by the look of my laundry basket, you'd probably think that I haven't.) Whilst the laundry launders, I am going to be crafty and creative and do some things I've put off far too long. (And I think I can do that while watching a movie at home.) I also picked up little valentiney goodies for my neice and nephew today, so I've got some gift boxes to prepare.

I think I also might finish that handkerchief skirt I started a zillion months ago too, if my gimpy hand will cooperate.


Be still, sad heart! and cease repining;
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life some rain must fall,
Some days must be dark and dreary.
-- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, "The Rainy Day"

Inside-Out
Okay... back to the hand/thumb issue again. So I got the stitches out on Monday and mentioned to the doctor that there was this little sorta ooey spot by the top stitch that was particularly bothersome. She said that it might be a piece of the nerve, but that it would most likely dry up and fall off. I, in my infinite medical knowledge, decided that I wasn't going to believe her.... until today. I've had these little sterile strips over the cut to keep me from pulling it open again because of where it is on the hand. But I noticed if I run my fingernail over that little nerve bump, I get those electric-pulse-like pains shooting up my thumb and down my wrist. Do nerves regenerate? And if one end leads outside the body, will it somehow connect back inside again eventually? I could really use a regular reader who could offer medical advice.

On that note, I can totally relate to this guy: "As Martha Stewart would tell you, nothing makes an impression on arriving guests quite like a spurting artery."

Site to Take Another Look at Later:
Artwrk: the guy is apparently opening for a certain Mr. Barnes who Nate will not stop harrassing me about until I go see him play somewhere.

Friday Five
1. What's the most daring thing you've ever done?
Somehow the only thing I can think of at the moment would have to be just going from my car to my house at night when I lived in the ghetto neighborhood across the street from the lady who wanted to kill all the white people.

2. What one thing would you like to try that your mother/friend/significant other would never approve of?
Move to another country.

3. On a scale of 1-10, what's your risk factor? (1=never take risks, 10=it's a lifestyle)
Eh... I don't know. We'll go with a 7, just for kicks.

4. What's the best thing that's ever happened to you as a result of being bold/risky?
I got a pretty fun little job in Nashville.

5. ... and what's the worst?
Heartbreak?

And I Miss You
One of our clients is up at Advance up in Indy this week. He called me today, and I asked if he was having fun in my old stomping grounds...
Him: Yeah. You know, I keep seeing your name everywhere. "Danielle rocks" is written on walls and sidewalks. There are hearts with your name in them.
Me: Yeah, I had a lot of fans there.

I forgot to give him directions to my italian restaurant of joy.

Infomercial Weirdness
So the other night I had stayed up late enough for the infomercials to start. I was working, so I wasn't really paying attention until I heard somebody mention a town I used to live in. I look up to see my old landlords standing in front of my old apartment. I have apparently contributed to their success with the Carlton Sheets: No Money Down scheme. So if you happen to catch that infomercial, take note of the couple in Allegan, Mi -- at one point they are standing in front of a giant blue house with a couple of oval windows. Krystal and I lived in the ballroom upstairs.

So sad about Rudy last night... but he did secure two points for me and Vickie.

Song of the Day:
Alone in Kyoto - AIR

Wet
I don't mind rain so much... but cold rain takes the fun out of it. River flood warning. Yeah, no kidding. I took the other scenic route to work this morning assuming that my normal route would be underwater. And the other way may have a bridge underwater by the time I need to go home.

I don't recall the flood of May 2003 that they mention in that weather alert... but I do remember the one last February:



I don't know if I mentioned this here, but I mentioned it somewhere... but I knew that baby wasn't Chloe's on 24. I missed the show Tuesday night, but I know enough after reading the recap and talking to my mom.

Don't miss the RTB Volunteer Tailgate Party over at agroves.

Music City... My Butt
Air are playing everywhere except Nashville. If only April 5th were a Saturday, I would say that another trip to New Orleans is in order.

Don't forget to vote for your Reward Challenge Winner, Immunity Challenge Loser, and You're-Outta-Here Predictions at Survivor Magnolia. I think everyone agrees that while there are three teams, these guesses are pretty much shots in the dark... but it could get interesting after the merge.

I'm going to have to tape the show again though. I think I'm officially taking swing dance lessons. Not because I necessarily want to learn, but more to support my friend Petra who is teaching.

I don't know where or by whom this picture was taken, but I love it.

I have an email address from one of my clients' domains which collects a ridiculous amount of junk email. I've been finding lately though, instead of the subjects being about sexual enhancement pills or weightloss supplements, all of a sudden the subjects are just random words thrown together. These are some from today:

▪ badinage cobweb fernando compose entomology
▪ light pea groat jigsaw sign
▪ fluorocarbon alexander ajax rink
▪ hypotenuse (I feel cool for remembering what that is!)
▪ demijohn sheen drippy bellingham
▪ appendix chartres fresco bronze
▪ asparagus cheyenne cuddly
▪ diet kazaa download
▪ coors budweiser blinn hydrochemistry
▪ sandal leap pakistani brisk confiscatory
▪ trillion bisque knotty spheric paycheck

I think Bisque Knotty Sphere would be a cool band name or something. It sort of rolls off the tongue. Either that or Drippy Bellingham.

Here a Showcase, There a Showcase
The guys played last night and wowed the socks off an unsuspecting crowd. Darren told me before time that he was a little nervous... which in turn made me nervous for them. I don't know why. They never cease to amaze me. I literally got chills a couple times.

I kept seeing these poster things at the venue thinking that they looked familiar. This morning I realized it was this image which I saw on this site a while back exploring links from this site. Small world.

Oh, and by the way, if you've ever worried about robots taking over the world, this guy can assure you that they won't.

Billy Corgan reports on his website that he's back in the studio. Interesting.

Manda sent me the awesomest and most appropriate e-card.

Ooo... yummy! I just found an imitation recipe for PF Chang's lettuce wraps over at goofy girl blog (which looks like a fun read too, btw). However I don't know how soon I'll be able to bring myself to hack anything with a knife (see step 13). Yeah, I'm still getting flashbacks when I see those darn steak knives in the drawer.

Mamselle has some of the cutest desktop calendars for this month. I was torn between the bottom three, so I may have to do a rotation this time. First I had to go with the Cirque du Soleil one. (I don't think I mentioned this before, but when I was driving home for Christmas, I passed two Cirque trucks. They were purple with gold writing.)

Go check out Vickie's cool new Survivor Magnolia layout. She's also suggesting a game where we post our Boot Predictions before the show airs each week. (I'm going to need to commit to watching more commercials on that channel to catch some clues.) I'll try to muster up some psychic ability, but I'm convinced that Vickie has an inside source over at the Survivor camp -- she was too good last time!

Random Blog Quote of the Day:
"Puxatawny Phil saw his shadow today so that means six more weeks of Janet Jackson's breast." -- Oh No, the Blog

Subliminal Thoughts
I Say... You Think...
Ignore:: "Talka talka talka" skit
Death:: to Smoochy
Missy:: Elliot
Ballet:: Nutcracker
Guest:: Christopher
Campus:: crawl
Lonely:: "Owner of a Lonely Heart"
Company:: Three's
Helicopter:: landing pad
Sterile:: strips

Home: An Overview
Well, it was the most whirlwindy trip home I believe I've ever made. Here's the overview:

Saturday
5:00 AM Phebe graciously drives me to the airport.
10:37 AM Land in Omaha. Naten is there to drive me home. Yay!
1:15 PM Get to my house. Surprise my brother. :)
1:30 PM Chinese for lunch with Nate.
2:45 PM Go to my sister's house. Surprise her whole family. Almost got tears from Angela. :) Hung out with them all afternoon. Played Sheep Raider with Bradley.
6:00 PM Dinner at Pizza Ranch with them and my parents.
Evening Hang out at home with the fam.

Sunday
7:30 AM Wake up to find that it had snowed 12 inches overnight.
9:30 AM Church -- new nephew's baptism
12:00 PM Lunch at the in-law's house.
2:30 PM Pack up. Put 400 lbs of bagged rock salt in the back of the truck and drive back to the airport with the parents.
5:15 PM Back to Omaha airport.
9:45 PM Watch end of Super Bowl in the Cincinnati airport with about 75 other travelers.
11:05 PM Back in Nashville.

I got my stitches out today. Dang, that hurt. I took the ones out of my knee many years ago by myself, and I don't recall it hurting at all. But the doctor said that it might be a bit infected. She gave me $150-worth of antibiotic samples since I don't have insurance. Sweet.