In Brief
Manda and I are in Savannah, GA. Stops at Repalcements, Starbucks, O'Charleys, and... reststops and gas stations... set us back a bit. No big deal. No complaints. We're cool like that.

The wedding was... interesting. To say the least. I survived a whole day with Jack's family -- by myself. I'm an honorary sister now, and I learned to crochet washcloths. I'm a crocheting fool now.

We will get up and drive some more tomorrow. I refuse to miss stopping in St. Augustine. I don't know why. It just matters to me.

She's Coming to Get Me
Jack's mom is picking me up in five or six hours. We will go to North Carolina. Manda will be there. We will have an awesome roadtrip that will rival the Roadtrip of Joy and Amazingness from four years ago. I will stay in Florida for.. what.. 10 days? During that time...
...I will see Manda only at night.
...I will watch Rachel all day.
...I will try not to go crazy.
...I will beg Leslie to entertain me on the weekend.
...I will play xbox with Jack.
...I will commandeer a computer and try to update.

Cruisin' for a Bruisin'
Thanks to Tommy for backing me up on the whole Tom/Oprah debacle. Realizing we probably weren't the only two people commenting on the issue, I decided to look into what other people were saying about his uncomfortable display. (Please do check out the screencaps, or better yet, the animated gifs if you missed it.)

UPDATE: You can now see the highlight reel at TVgasm.com.

Here are some quotable gems I found:
• "You can date whomever you want- and you don’t have to do a Dateline special every time the two of you hold hands. Just bring it down about 6 notches." -- An Open Letter to Tom Cruise

• "Thanks Tom. You have shown us all that you are not gay, just really weird." -- Tom Cruise "I'm Not Gay" Tour '05

• "He's overly emotive about everything, from his scientological (is that even a word?) fervor to how great he's feeling. Every sentence he utters gets a really intense exclamation point at the end of it." -- arclig industries

• "Oprah, come on now - Vicodin for the Green Room, how many times do I have to tell you?" -- A Makeup Artist on the Run

• "I was prepared for bad. I was prepared for awful. But I wasn't prepared for mind altering, rip your intestines out and soak them in acid, re-f*cking-volting." -- Woofactor

• "It was so creepy and unreal and disgusting that I found myself watching with a look of disgust I usually reserve for anything Mary Kay/Villi related." -- Glesbo

• "Have we all been enjoying the All New & Completely Insane & Desperately In Need Of A Ritalin Prescription Tom Cruise? Nothing makes me feel more warm and fuzzy than watching a celebrity become a parody of their former self." -- AusCulture

• "At our office, we've been joking that Tom Cruise is 'going Mariah on us.'" -- Daily Blabber (too funny)

• "To Tom Cruise: I saw you on Oprah yesterday, and you looked fabulous....for a 42 year old man high on E. Seriously what's your problem." -- okay seriously

• " Whose shoes do I NOT want to be in right now? Katie Holmes. Poor girly." -- Desi Nashaa in Toronto

• "Tom was hopping around the Oprah show like a freaking caged babboon with his ass on fire. Is he grossing anyone else out?" -- Celebrity Smack

• "I made it through about ten minutes of this ridiculous interview and after feeling nauseaous, I just stopped the recording and deleted it. What the hell is wrong with him? I actually hate him now." -- Almost Candid

• " Dear Katie, I'm going to keep this short. You're nuts." -- Ruby Slippers

I feel better now. That is all.

No Cruising
I watch Oprah. I hate Tom Cruise. Yesterday Tom was on Oprah. Oh the dilemma. People think he's charming, and I can't argue with that... but in my head that part of him makes him a pompous ass. Watching his self-absorption swell in front of that audience of women while gushing about how in love he is made me ill. Sit your rear on the couch and conduct the interview already. Quit jumping up every five seconds and striking your "touchdown" pose. He reminds me very much of all the things I didn't like about someone else I once knew.

I'm so irritated now that I can't remember what else I was going to say.

But I will say that I enjoyed reading Barry's Revenge of the Sith observations. [spoilers]

And go ahead... play 20 Questions with Darth Vader.

Oh! And Allison, I am so envious of your trip to Anthropologie! (I just love how the store locator on their site is set up like the periodic table.) Maybe I can get Manda or Leslie to take me to the one in Orlando next week. Woohoo! Just to look. Just to look.

Happy Birthday, Manda!!
Belated celebrations next week. Woohoo! I love you, dearie! Have fun at the Crazy Buffet without me.

Since I always think of Manda when I think of Bruce Almighty since we saw it together in Florida once upon a time... I thought she might appreciate this article about a reporter who was fired for slipping the F-bomb. Back to you, [effers]!

Darren has got me hooked on Text Twist; I got 26,650.

The Fear of Loss is a Path to the Dark Side
I went to see Revenge of the Sith today. I don't want to spoil anything for those who have yet to go, but I went in with an attitude that was all "You'd BETTER be setting up Episode IV, or I'm going to be UNHAPPY!" And I must say, I left pleasantly surprised. Go!

The script is at Internet Movie Script Database. If you've already seen the movie, you should check out some of the cheese-mo lines that weren't in the final version.

And there are the 1000 Words - Star Wars Photoshop entries. Some are just brilliant.

Culture[shock] Corner: Money
It may seem silly, but I'm trying to do a little homework in advance of The Big Move. Today, I've been playing this little kids game about making change with Australian currency. No quarters. One dollar coins. Two dollar coins. Fifty cent pieces. It's just different. I remember paying for lunch in Albany, or rather trying to pay for lunch, and finally I just held out a handful of coins and the cashier lady sympathetically picked out the ones that she needed. I figure it doesn't hurt to be a little more familiar with it before I go.

The Reflex is in Charge of Finding Treasure in the Dark
<gripe>My roommate insists upon watching those C.S.I.-type shows where they show dead things decomposed and mutilated all in the name of science. We always seem to be eating at the time, so I've taken to not looking whenever I suspect we're about to be shown some innards.

Problem is, in her efforts to aid me, she yells "DON'T LOOK!" just as they show a shot of pure nastiness not unlike the pasta and sauce I'm trying to eat. And what do I do? I LOOK! Why is my reflex to LOOK to see what I'm NOT supposed to be LOOKING at?

Alternatively, I would like to suggest that she yell "THE STOVE!" or "MY FOOT!" or something, anything that would make me instictively look in a direction opposite of the vicinity of the fleshy gore.</gripe>

Rain, Rain...
I was all revved up for a storm tonight. Looks like it's going to pass to the north, but at least this afternoon was exciting. Yeah, I wasn't all that far from the happenings in the historic district.

Crafty
My grandma made pillow cases. I remember going through her dresser drawers and looking at the perfectly starched pillow cases that hadn't been brought out into circulation yet. I found a site called needlecrafter that has all kinds of downloadable patterns for classic needlework like that. I think my pillowcase had a kitty of some sort and a blue tatted edge. Someday I will make pillowcases.

Model Behaviour
For some reason I am going to watch the America's Next Top Model finale tonight. I only caught a couple of the episodes this season, so I don't have much invested... but I'm still curious to see who gets it.

On that note, Elyse from season one has a blog. Such cute style.

Email Quote of the Day
"You’re getting married?? To an Australian??? Please oh please tell me he’s either a) AlNewsboy, or b) An essential member of thelNewsboys’ entourage." (Hi Chris! I almost spit my coffee when I read that.)

Decisions, Decisions
My biggest problem right now is trying to figure out when I'm going to see Revenge of the Sith. I think I'm going to go out for a matinee by myself. I don't need anybody whispering to me in the middle of some important scene... though I'm going with low expectations.

Along that line: Star Wars Last Supper

24
Michelle ♥'s Tony! If they kill him next week, I'm never watching again. (How many times have I threatened that? Are they even doing another season?)

What Are The Keys To Your Heart?
• You are attracted to those who are unbridled, untrammeled, and free.
• In love, you feel the most alive when things are straight-forward, and you're told that you're loved.
• You'd like to your lover to think you are stylish and alluring.
• You would be forced to break up with someone who was emotional, moody, and difficult to please.
• Your ideal relationship is lasting. You want a relationship that looks to the future... one you can grow with.
• Your risk of cheating is zero. You care about society and morality. You would never break a commitment.
• You think of marriage as something precious. You'll treasure marriage and treat it as sacred.
• In this moment, you think of love as something you thirst for. You'll do anything for love, but you won't fall for it easily.

April May Showers
Had a lovely time back up in Indiana this weekend. Got to spend the night at Allison's mom's house (thanks again!) prior to Allison's bridal shower on Sunday. Met Erin's man. Had good food. Good fun. Good times.

Meant to head right back to Nashville after the shower since I was pretty tired, but had to stop at my friends' in Indy. John had left on tour the day before, so it was just Becky and the girls. They were ready to have dinner and invited me to stay. Then there was much playing to do and artwork from school to show off, and the next thing I know, it's 7:30 and time to put them to bed. Then coffee was brewed, and Becky and I sat on the couch talking until we noticed it was 11:30. Having nothing pressing to get back for, I spent the night and hung out for a while in the morning with the two youngest while Becky ran for groceries. Good times. Great fun.

Kona, Kona, Bo Bona
How ironic that "bona" means "good" in Latin. Leslie rocks my coffee filters. Thanks for the hook-up of real 100% Kona coffee, instead of that crap 10% Kona blend that you can find in stores here.

What's Going On, You Ask?
Yeah, umm... the summary is that in July, my stuff is moving back to my parents' (to their dismay), I'm hanging out there for a little while, and then I'm moving to Australia and at some point will be marrying the man I love. I'm freaking out a little bit, but poor Hans has been wonderfully supportive. I'm probably going to end up putting half my life on eBay in the near future. Manda can attest to the fact that I don't pack well when it comes to my things. Her things on the other hand, I can condense and pack with ease. Why?

So I've considered renaming this place. Perhaps "Missives of Oz" or "So I Married an Australian" if I can get Hans to pose for a recreation of this picture.

I don't know. So much to do before then. Yet all I've managed to accomplish today was folding my towels. I may or may not have been playing Mario Starcatcher until I got frustrated on level 12. Maybe.

Ch-Ch-Changes
Well, it's official, I guess. I'm outta here. I put in my two months' notice with my landlords. It's a bittersweet time here, but I'm trying to focus more on the excited anticipation than on the lamenting.

Funny. When my parents helped me move down to Nashville four years ago, I recall my dad saying that he wouldn't help me move ever again unless it was into my husband's house. Hmm.

I have two months to get to the Country Music Hall of Fame and to find a cheap pair of cowgirl boots. I've always said that I couldn't leave Nashville without having accomplished those two things.

Do not fear. I have no intention of abandoning this place.

All in a Day's Work
I was packing up my office today. Four framed posters. My gold record. (hehe) Four boxes of books and cds. My sewing machine. (don't ask) I inherited the shelf from the corner that used to hold the server. And I took the Hook Award. (The 'Suit boys won it for Best New Artist in 2002, and it has been on or near my desk ever since. They said I deserved it.) That's all my dinky car could hold. I still have to go back for another box of cds, the dishes from the kitchen, and my microwave.

Round... Three?
This has been bothering me all day. I heard Britney's "Do Something" for the first time last night, and there was something so familiar about it. And this morning I realized what it was. SHE RIPPED OFF REDLETTERPROJECT! Hello?! What's the first line of the chorus? "You stare at me like I'm some kind of freak"... and what's the first line of RLP's "Round Two" chorus? "You stare at me like I'm some kind of freak"! Jay just sings it with his clothes on.... well, he did, like five years ago.

I Just Want You to Know Who I Am
Sweet. I want to get my irises (irii, if you will) scanned at the Orlando airport too. I wonder who gets to do it.

Confessions: Part 1
I was at the grocery store the other day, and for some reason a package of Oscar Meyer cheese dogs jumped into my cart. There is quite possibly no other food that makes one want to think less about the process it takes to make than hot dogs with cheese actually infused into it. I guess when you are seven, you don't think about those things. And by the time you are 28, you are supposed to have moved on to more refined foods for the adult palate.

But let me tell you, this morning I wrapped a couple of those babies in a couple of crescent rolls... and BAM -- pure tastebud bliss. (Yes, I watch Emeril almost every night at 11 pm... right after Iron Chef.)

Blink. Blink, Blink.
Blink-o-Rama... celebrities caught blinking. So strange.

[Grocery] Store Wars: featuring Cuke Sykwalker, Princess Lettuce, Ham Solo, Chewbroccoli, Darth Tater and Obi-Wan Canoli.

I LOVE MY MOM!

Believe It or Not, I'm Walking on Air
HELP! My roommate and I saw the most hilarious commercial yesterday. I can't remember the product it was advertising, but I do remember these points:

• three guys in a living room
• guy with curly blonde hair is singing the Greatest American Hero themesong with alternate lyrics
• one dark-haired guy breaks out into interpretive dance
• I want to say there were references to "green" and perhaps "G3"?
• it may have had something to do with a game of some sort

It was on TBS during either Fried Green Tomatoes or Pay it Forward. We just want to know what it was for so that we can potentially find it online. We will not stop watching until we find it.

UPDATE: Found it! It's E3 on G4... watch the ad here; you won't regret it.

Awesome Pawsome
I fell in love with the Awesome Pawsome almost two years ago. Today we saw them on Animal Planet again, and my roommate was like "hey, we should find out what zoo they are at and go there." Turns out they live in AUSTRALIA at the themepark Dreamworld where my Aussie friend is taking me when I go back this fall!! I don't think you understand how excited this makes me.

What?!
Blessid Union of Souls is coming out with a new album on Tuesday?? Their Home album defines a whole year of my life, as my copy was played CONSTANTLY when we were on the road.

Bright and Early
Yesterday I went for breakfast with Jesse & his Mom, who I love. Just for reference. It is possible to go to Pancake Pantry when there isn't a line around the building -- you just have to get there at 6:15... in the morning.

Cinco de What?
It took me under mid-afternoon yesterday to realize that it was Cinco de Mayo... and the person who reminded me had emailed me from SOUTH AFRICA to tell me to get some cheese dip for him.

Connie and I were going to go to Cozymels, because that is what we do. We go eat chips and talk on almost a weekly basis. However last night I felt like I would be a poser if we went, so instead she picked up some take-out, I cracked a bottle of wine, and we celebrated here.

Numa Numa Dance: Part 3 Maybe people can find another song to lip-sync to now. It is getting less funny as the days go by. And yet, I link it anyway.

Why Oh Why
Do such pretty things have to be so expensive? And now they have children's clothes? Ugh. Makes me almost want to have one.

Can Apple Stay on Top (via The Copydesk)
#2 ("The same design that let Apple charge a premium over the years also cultivated a perception by many that Macintoshes are computers for people who don't know how to use a computer.") & #10 ("Nobody likes a snob.") are my favorites.

I came across this picture on someone else's website today, and it brought back a flood of memories. My grandparents had that picture hanging in their kitchen.

Icky
I just remembered tabouli and kinda gagged just a little bit. Hehe. Sorry Tash.

This One is for Vickie :)
Napoleon Dynamite Soundboard: now you can make your own ND prank calls. Yes, I've already left a voicemail for my brother.

Ad Venture
Two ads that I enjoy...
...Adrian Brody drinks Diet Coke
..."Family Meeting" for SprintPCS (under Current Commercials) -- that Wendy is so perfectly awkward. It's painful and funny at the same time.

Ummm...
"Baby Got Book" -- oh my goodness, Becky. Look at the size of her Bible. (Bet you can't help but watch the whole thing.)

Famous Feet... feet of many musicians for you (weird) feet people.

Starting to feel better, thanks. Windows are open to let the germies out. I hope to spend less than 22 hours on the couch today.

So I had pretty much all the symptoms of influenza... leading me to self-diagnose it as... the flu. While I felt like completely and total crap for a full 24 hours, it was sort of fun to watch my temperature go up and down based on my chills and sweating patterns. Chills... oop... temp going up. Sweats... hmm... down it goes again. Repeat.

I slept like a champion though. Awesome.

Eat PES: fun animations... via Hans.

PostSecret: confessions written on a simple postcard mailed to a random website.

Manda loves me. She sent me the awesome t-shirt I wanted for my unbirthday.

I brushed my teeth today. Felt nice. Tomorrow I think I'll even shower.

Just, FYI -- I'm sick.

I'm supposed to be at the women's retreat. Went last night for the evening session. And then we went back to the motel to find that 12 rooms were broken into, ours included. (Sandra's purse and make-up bag were taken. Thankfully I had taken my stuff with me.) So we came back down here to sleep in our own beds.

This morning I woke up with a fever, generally feel like crap, and have been sleeping on the couch for the last eight hours. (Well, I've been watching King of Queens Season III when my eyes have been open. Thanks O'maleys!)