Jen.CHICKTASTIC!

2009-12-29T22:33:00.004-05:00

I stole this from Sara's Blog

Before I forget to do it, a few personal best of's for 2009...

Best 3 albums I listened to all the way through this year:
1. The Beatles - Let It Be

2. The Beatles - Magical Mystery Tour

3. The Beatles - Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

Best 3 movies I saw this year:
1. New Moon

2. The Blind Side
2. The Hangover

Best 3 days of my year:
1. Inauguration of Barack Obama
2. The day I told Joel I wanted to keep Georgia (my dog) forever (Septemberish)
3. Beth's wedding day!

Best 3 nights of my year:
1. Christmas night watching Polar Express with my mom and Clay
2. Our first night out in NOLA in March with Sara
3. Kevin and Beth's wedding weekend (reh dinner and wedding night)

Best 3 trips I took this year:
1. New Orleans (March or July--both were great)
2. DC in January with Sara for the Inauguration of our 44th President Barack Obama
3. Washington, DC in October with my mom and Clay

Best new hobbies I picked up this year:
1. Budgeting
2. couponing
3. choosing me

I will never forget.

2009-09-11T10:25:00.003-04:00

Reposted from 9/11/08 - don't think I can say it better.

I'm greatly inspired by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. A visit to his memorial in Washington this summer really resonated with me. On this day of rememberance some his famous words more adequately express how I feel.

If civilization is to survive, we must cultivate the science of human relationships - the ability of all peoples, of all kinds, to live together, in the same world at peace.

Our national determination to keep free of foreign wars and foreign entanglements cannot prevent us from feeling deep concern when ideals and principles that we have cherished are challenged.

Physical strength can never permanently withstand the impact of spiritual force.

The point in history at which we stand is full of promise and danger. The world will either move forward toward unity and widely shared prosperity - or it will move apart.

The test of our progress is not whether we add to the abundance of those who have much. It is whether we provide enough to those who have little.

-Franklin Delano Roosevelt

This never gets old!

2009-09-04T21:53:00.001-04:00

We aren't going to Athens this weekend - but I'm in Stillwater with my Dawgs in spirit!

Seven Notes on a Trumpet
by ibdawg

It is Saturday.

All week long you've waited. What started out on Monday as a tight feeling in the pit of your stomach, is now a 10,000-pound gorilla tap dancing on your spleen.

You've done your best to concentrate and do your job this week. You made an honest effort to put "all this" on the back burner and focus on "the important things", but to no avail. The images just kept coming: bright fall sunshine and crisp autumn air painting the classic city in Hellenic splendor. The aroma of a thousand tailgate feasts wafting through the air, and everywhere, everything - - Red and Black.

You've gone from sports page to magazine, to news show, to internet site, and in every conversation in every office, diner, hallway and cubicle you entered this week, you have tried to reassure yourself of the outcome of this week's contest. But in your heart of hearts you know there's only one way to settle it: 'Dawgs gotta tee it up and play.

And now it's Saturday.

As you contemplate the day ahead an image of The Hedges flashes in your mind; green grass, crisp white lines, sunshine ricocheting off the instruments of the Redcoats, and 90,000 - plus fans volleying "GEORGIA - BULLDAWGS" back and forth across the stadium, rattling you all the way to the soles of you feet. You swing out of bed, heart pounding. Grab a cuppa Joe and a quick shower as you prepare for the pilgrimage to A-town. You slam in a tape of the Redcoat Band and crank up the stereo. "Hail" bounces off the walls while you don your lucky shirt (socks, hat, pants, whatever) as you perform the pre-game ritual.

The phone rings - - Yes, you're up. Yes, you have the tickets. "No, my cooler's full, we'll have to take yours, too. I'll stop and get some ice on the way." Gather up the tailgate supplies and load the car. Why does it take so damn long for everyone else to get ready? You check and recheck the supplies - - table, chairs, food. No need to check the drinks, no way those'll get left behind! Cigars? Check. Binoculars? Check. Camera? Blanket? Check. 'Dawg flags secured to the car and ready to fly - - all packed up and ready.

Finally! Time to go. You reassure yourself for the millionth time that the tickets are in your pocket and you "saddle up." Headed to The Classic City. Dawg-patch, USA. Larry and Scott and Loran on the pre-game show, telling you how good these guys are gonna be (yeah, like you need something else to worry about!). Loran threads in a history lesson, and hey - - an interview with one of the Dawgs from way back when. Always wondered what happened to him. Corporate exec in N'awlins. Who'd of ever guessed? You smile as you remember a moment of glory for him in a past game. On the radio, James Brown is hammering out, "Dooley's Junkyard Dawgs" and as your friends get in the car, you all sing along.

En route, cars pass by you by: they're singing too, and barking as they pass. It's a rolling party and the gangs all there! You sense the excitement as it grows, mile by mile. Traffic slows to a crawl somewhere near the Clarke County line. It is a long, happy, red and black serpent winding its way toward Sanford Stadium. Dawg flags and bumper stickers. "Boiled P-nuts just ahead". White shoe polish on windshields proclaiming the magnificence of the Dawg nation, and snatches of Larry pleading from the speakers of passing cars and trucks: "He's at the 40, the 35, the 30, run Lindsey, run!"And your heart races, your gut tightens - - you just can't wait to be there.

Now on final approach - - you turn down Lumpkin (Milledge, Baxter . . . ) homing in on THE tailgate spot. Other friends are already there and as you get out of the car, it hits you!

Carnival atmosphere.

Red. Black. "How 'bout them Dawgs!" "They Hell ain't they?"

The fragrance of charcoal heating up and barbecue on the grill. Opposing fans drifting by, good natured ribbing , and "hey, y'all eat some of this, we got plenty". Introductions all around, and then serious discussion and comparison of the teams. Who's hurt? How fast is that wide receiver? That O-line looked awesome last week. Y'all gonna keep that coach around next year?"

Drinks with old friends and new ones. Stories about games gone by. "Man, they've added a lot to the campus since the last time I was here!" and "I don't think they grew 'em like that when I was in school!" Have another drink. Have some more barbecue. And another drink. Or two. And finally, pack it all up, it's time to go! Man, you really didn't need that extra barbecue, that 10,000 pound gorilla is kicking to get out right now!

You merge into the red and black sea that is moving inexorably towardSanford - the Temple of the Dawg. The sun is as bright as you imagined it would be. Not too hot, not too cold. 'A crisp, fall day' as Larry might describe it. Red and Black everywhere. Sequined coats and polyester pants. Hats. Shorts. Boots. Faces painted with renderings of Uga and "Dawgs". "Buy a program?" "You bet." And, "Oh man, I gotta have that tee-shirt." Barking Dawgs everywhere as you're more or less towed towards the stadium by the throng of the Dawg nation.

But underneath the bridge, near the student center, the crowd stops. And there stands the band in all its splendor, Redcoats blazing like fire. Sequins from the Flag Corps' costumes glittering like diamonds. Notes and rifts fill the air as they mill around, warming up, waiting impatiently for the spectacle to begin. They pose for photos with family and friends. Kisses and hugs all around. "There's Uga!" and everyone tries to get a look and a photo. "Hey Mr. Seiler." "Hey Coach!" Kids run around at your knees; stadium urchins already beginning their collection of souvenirs from a day in Dawgpatch.

The moment freezes in your mind as you notice that somewhere close to the middle of the band, beneath the crowd assembled on the bridge, one lone trumpet swings skyward. . .
The atmosphere is instantly charged with about a gazillion volts, and the crowd waits expectantly.

You KNOW what's coming and still, you can't control your reaction. Goosebumps rise on your arms. The hair on your neck stands straight up and a lump forms in your throat. Your eyes well up. All those memories of all those years and all those Dawgs suddenly converge in your mind and your chest feels like it's gonna explode. And then come the seven notes. . .
Seven plaintive notes, rendered slowly, proudly, reverently into the heavens."Mine eyes have seen the glory. . ."

And Dawgs all around you, and above you begin to answer back. Just one or two at first, but it continues to grow like a pack of hungry wolves, becoming louder and wilder, until the bridge itself threatens to collapse from the clamor! And then the rest of the band joins in, and suddenly the whole damn world is ablaze with the fire that burns in the breast of the Dawg Nation.
GLORY. Not "The Battle Hymn of the Republic". Not the fight song of some backwoods pretender in Alabama. GLORY, the battle hymn of the Dawg Nation!.

Glory, Glory to Ol' Georgia.

The uproar grows and the crowd melds and begins to move in unison, the fans, the band, all one. . . Suddenly it's not a crowd anymore. It has become something else entirely. You can't describe it, but you know its composition. It is Theron Sapp and Mike Castronis; Buck Belue and Lewis Grizzard; Craig Hertwig and Cowboy Parish and Preston Riddlehuber. Larry, and "Loran, whatta ya got?" Ray the quarterback and Ray the coach. Squab the equipment manager and Jake Scott. Hell, it's Hershel Walker the Endzone Stalker, and Vince Dooley and Joel Eaves, with a little bit of Wally Butts and Erk Russell thrown in. It's "He's got a man open - - he's gonna throw a long bomb! and "Look at the sugar falling from the sky!" It's Robert Edwards tight-ropin' down in the corner, and he got in there! And Verron Haynes stepping down in Knoxville with the winning catch.

It's every friend you ever sat with through a game on a Saturday in Athens, Georgia.

And suddenly, what moments ago was merely a crowd has transformed into an indomitable entity ; a juggernaut of energy and pride that streams into the stadium like smoke from a battery of double-barreled canon.

It's game time, and so we press - -

into the Temple of the Dawg, we enter;

a huge machine in Red and Black.

6 years go by, I feel like I've blinked

2009-07-02T12:47:00.004-04:00

Today is always a difficult day for me, for my family.

Six years ago today my father gave his life in place of someone he didn't know. He rushed to the aid of two young girls he'd never clapped eyes on before. He was Superman.

Superman fell.

It seems impossible to write those words. Six years later and I still stare in disbelief every time I see the words that say my dad - my hero - died on July 2, 2003. It's impossible. Yes, I can tell the story now without crying, usually, but I still sit in disbelief that the man who represented strength, honor, compassion, love and life to me is no longer here. I've written many times here of my pain. How this event has changed my family. How we try to cope and it's a daily process.

I want to also convey that my dad was such a special person, and the things that make him special aren't all wrapped up in the story of how he died.

He was such a funny man. Hilarious. He would laugh out loud at TV and that happened a lot because like me and Clay, he was a huge fan of reality TV. The man even watched my mom's favorite soap opera for years with her (she taped it every day), to the point where we would tease him for knowing more about Tad and Dixie and Adam and Erica than mom or I did. I can remember rushing home from church on Sunday nights when I was young so we could watch some game show that came on during church - we would tape it and watch it as a family when we got back. It had some giant light up keyboard and you used it to solve puzzles.

Dad loved people fully. He was always quick with a hug - with me he would always scratch my back while he hugged me. It was our little thing. I don't get hugged like that, or even really at all any more. If he cared about you - you knew it. There was no hidden admiration, no macho bravado that impaired the expression of the love, respect or friendship he felt for you. He would move heaven and earth to get to someone who needed his help - whether he knew you or not. He taught me how to be a friend.

Speaking of friends - dad never met a stranger. My mom used to say he never went anywhere without meeting someone to talk to. I can remember many trips to places like Home Depot where we all stood around waiting for dad to wrap a conversation he was having with someone he just met. You'd never have known that he didn't know them for years. He was such a gregarious guy, people were just drawn in.

He also held a special affection for the people Clay and I were close to, Allison, Elaine and Beth were just as likely as I was to be pulled over to dance with Dad randomly, because a song came on that he liked. He taught us to ballroom dance, showed us line dances and kept us laughing through out. Those girls were and are my best friends and he loved them as if they were his own. I hate that my dad didn't get to see Allison and Joel get married and that he never saw their girls, my precious Stella and beautiful baby Brooke. He didn't see Patty and Bill get married and never met sweet baby Anna. He won't be there when Beth marries Kevin, hasn't been able to help Nora, and by extension Beth and I, cope with her illness. He couldn't give advice to Elaine when she went through a difficult and sad time or even just be there to hug her and say it would all be okay. I believe though that he knows all these thing, that he is part of them because he is still such a part of my life. I believe that some of the wisdom he showed in life has passed on to me and that I share it with them as we go through life together. They share my pain at the loss of this man who showed us how to be silly, taught us about lasting friendship and why the family you choose is just as important as the family you get by the grace of God. I'm so thankful he taught me to appreciate my friends, because without these women - I would not have survived the last six years.

Finally - the greatest gift my dad, my parents, gave me was the gift of my brother, my best friend. He's been through hell learning to be a man without the best role model. He's tirelessly taken care of our mother's every need from moving, to helping with her new house, to making sure she and I don't kill each other when we get into our famous brawls, we're too much alike, and he's just like my dad. He's our peacemaker. He's been there for me, he's cried with me, been the strong shoulders that have picked up the load of problems I used to leave with my dad.

I'm so blessed to have been given the family I have. We're forever changed by what happened to my dad, but forever blessed to have been loved by the greatest man I've ever known.

I miss you, William E. Jones, dad. I love you and I am who I am because of you.

sara recaps our NOLA trip ...

2009-03-31T22:27:00.003-04:00

I'm a bad blogger. I've been so busy I haven't updated here hardly at all. I suck. Sorry.

Anyway...you can check out info on our trip to NOLA this weekend ... over at Sara's Blog

Friday I head out with Nora, Beth, Janna, Terri and Allison for the bachelorette weekend part 1 up at Deep Creek, MD and it is going to be cold.

NOLA here I come

2009-02-24T11:45:00.001-05:00

I just won a free trip to NOLA from work! OMG.

I immediately thought of Sara and asked her if she'd like to come along as I know how much she loves the city.

We're headed out the last week of March - who'da thunk it?

The woes of an aspiring fiction novelist!

2009-02-12T14:06:00.002-05:00

inspiration struck. Just now... I'm writing again! YAY

SAG Awards - Live Blogging

2009-01-25T21:43:00.004-05:00

Yes. I know I still haven't written up my Inauguration posts, but I'm sick. Deal.

Intros:
Jane Krakowski. Seriously stop jumping like a fool

Ralph Fiennes. So hot. OMG.

Slumdog chick looks gorgeous in purple.

Oh and my Beautiful Kate is gorgeous too!

Forest Whitaker creeps me out with his wanky eye, but I love his acting.

Brad Pitt looks smarmy with his porn stache.

Laura Linney is radiant.

Amy Adams shouldn't wear that color.

I also hate Teri Hatcher's dress.

OH SPY DADDY! I love Victor Garber!

I <3 the SAG Awards:

Female in a comedy series:
Winner: Tina Fey
Should have won: Tina Fey
Annoyed by: Tracy Ullman (as always)

Okay - Tina's dress is much better than the one from the globes where I feared her "globes" would come out.

Seriously - the Slumdog chick is GORGEOUS and I love her gown!

I'm kind of over 30 rock winning every TV Comedy award. Its kind of Seinfeld/Frasier-ish now that that's happening.

Oh look! Evan Rachel Wood still isn't Goth! Who Knew?

Do we really need the Trailblazers video reel? And did it really just have Haley Joel Osment in it? And John Travolta in drag for Hairspray? Come on.

Love Claire Danes dress .... from the front.

Comedy Ensemble Cast:
Winner: 30 Rock
Should have won: The Office
Annoyed by: Desperate Housewives being nominated and Jane Krakowski for being born.

Okay - I'm going to be seriously bitter if no one will go see Frost/Nixon with me soon. BITTER. This is assuming I ever get well before the Oscars.

Is Greg Kinnear still relevant?

Female Actor in a Supporting Role:
winner: Kate Winslet
should have won: Kate Winslet
annoyed by: Penelope Cruz who always makes me think of a rat.

I love how casual the SAG awards are!

Male Actor in a Dramatic Series:
winner: Hugh Laurie
should have won: Hugh Laurie (yay!)
annoyed by: William Shatner. All I hear is the priceline commercial.

I want Christina Applegate's necklace. Don't love the style of the dress, but love the color.

Okay Michelle Phiffer just looked really good.

Ah John Krasinski... LOVE!

Female Actor in a Drama Series:
winner: Sally Field
should have won: Sally Field
annoyed by: how bad they make Holly Hunter look on Saving Grace - she's beautiful. Also, why in the name of God is Kyra Sedgwick's southern accent so horrible. She's awesome, but the accent SUCKS.

Emile Hirsch makes me think of a cartoon boy. He bothers me. I also can't stop thinking James Franco is always stoned and needs to shave.

I hate Emily Blunt's dress. Hate. Too shiny. Her hair is also way too severe.

Cast in a Drama Series:
winner: Mad Men
should have won: Mad Men (so much buzz had to win something)
annoyed by: Boston Legal still being on the air. Who watches that?

Yay for James Earl Jones! He's awesome. (still freaked out by the wanky eye of Forest while he talks).

Ernest Borgnine freaks me out. He looks like a gross grandpa.

Female Actor in a Miniseries:
winner: Laura Linney (I love her - and she's always gorgeous!)
should have won: Laura Dern
annoyed by: Shirley McLaine. just because.

wow I hate the bow thing on Amy Adams dress. I also really wish it wasn't so demi cup and that it was red or brown, not burgundy. She's beautiful though.

Dude. Marisa Tomei has a giant bow/flower thingy too... WTF! Also...she does not look good in 'Butter' bad call stylist.

Ralph Fiennes is sex on a plate. Love him.

Male Actor in a Supporting Role:
winner: Heath Ledger
should have won: Heath Ledger
annoyed by: The senseless loss of Heath... way too soon.

I love Gary Oldman. So sweet, so moved by emotion.

Dear Brad Pitt: you already have a gross mouth. Don't emphasize it by growing that douchey porn stache around it.

Oh there he is again... Mr. Sex on a Plate - Ralph Fiennes.

Female Actor in a Leading Role:
winner: Meryl Streep. (ugh)
should have won: Kate Winslet
annoyed by: Meryl as usual. Anne Hathaway's teeth.

Angelina looks lovely... even though she is a homewrecker.

I really hate Meryl Streep.

Okay - I'll say it. Katie Holmes looking freaking gorgeous.

Male Actor in a Leading Role:
winner: Sean Penn
should have won: Mickey Rourke
annoyed by: Brad Pitt's wet mouth.

I have no idea what the hell Sean Penn is talking about.

Cast in a Motion Picture:
winner: Slumdog Milionaire
Should have won: Can't totally say since I haven't seen them all
annoyed by: Nothing since this is the end of the show!

Tomorrow I take flight

2009-01-15T22:36:00.002-05:00

I leave for Washington DC tomorrow at 9:30 am to attend the inauguration of our 44th President Barack Obama.

I voted for Obama. I supported him in his campaign to become President shortly after the New Hampshire primary, when it became apparent that the first candidate I chose, John Edwards, was not a viable contender for Presidency.

I have never in my life felt more hopeful that change can be something that is real and achievable. That hope and progress aren't just words uttered in speeches, but that they are truths that will become reality through the healing of our nation, through the leadership of the man who dared to dream and to insist that they were possible.

I'm so thrilled to be a part of this historic inauguration, to share in the moment when a son of black man and a white woman, who was raised in hawaii, with a funny name and wide smile takes the oath of office.

I was lucky enough to get tickets to the swearing in ceremony from a wonderful friend who was thoughtful enough to offer them up when some additional tickets came her way. I owe her a huge debt of gratitude for allowing me this opportunity to really witness and part of this event in a way that wouldn't have been possible without her generosity. So..if you read this you wonderful, amazing woman - THANK YOU.

I'm so happy to be on vacation - this week has been particularly difficult at work, so its not only a much needed break - but also a revitalization and renewal for a positive attitude brought on by the realization of something we all believed was possible, and saw through to achievement on November 4.

Did I mention Sara, Elaine, and I are totally going to turn this mother out one night. Because I need it.

peace in the middle east!

Funny things you hear at work. Naked-underwear edition.

2009-01-13T14:32:00.003-05:00

yes, naked-underwear edition. you read that right.

You were totally in my dream last night.
Was I naked?

I was so obsessed with him for like 5 years.
He looks like the kind of guy who would go behind your back and wear your underwear.

Here's the real poo of it.

I'm all like Bee-Tee-Dub and Dubya-Tee-F, and he's all why are you talking in code?

Did you get your hair cut?
Yes, its way too short.
I noticed it was more conehead shaped than normal.
Its actually grown out some since I had it done.
Wait, that's what it looks like "grown out?"

It takes forever and they have to blow me out
Blow you what?

Its a Fro-mullet.
Oh god. It is.
Did you use a brush on that or a pic?
A pic. I used a pic.
Dang, who told you that was a good idea.
The barber did.
A chick going to a barber explains so much about that cut.

Golden Globes impressions - 10:30 - fin

2009-01-11T22:48:00.002-05:00

I finally caught up to live TV.

Now that she stood up, I actually really like the dress Cameron Diaz is wearing.

OH YAY!! Kate WON!! YAY!!!

Angelina: I already hate that you are a homewrecker. Don't make it worse because you are looking so smarmy at Kate.

Aww Leo with tears. So Sweet!

love love love Kate Winslet.

Blake Lively's dress is cute.

"We're TV actors." Rainn Wilson. Hilarious.

Susan Sarandon is so freaking beautiful.

Mickey Rourke. Really. That is what you wore. Really. Also, can we discuss your hair?

oh look Evan Rachel Wood isn't emo after all.

He just said balls on national tv. I love it. Balls. Makes you laugh.

Oh my. Son of a bitch and the finger in the same speech as the balls. OMG. Best acceptance speech ever.

balls again, and he's thanking his dogs. That's like sad and sweet.

God help Mickey Rourke. He's special.

Well...that bumps Slumdog up on the must see list.

Golden Globes impressions - 10 - 10:30

2009-01-11T22:30:00.002-05:00

I really want to see the Reader and Slumdog Millionaire...and Benjamin Button oh, and Frost/Nixon. How the hell am I supposed to get to all these before the damn Oscars?

Okay now I kinda want to see Revolutionary Road too. But not as urgently.

Hate the bottom of Sandra Bullock's dress, but the lines they wrote for her are actually pretty funny.

Colin Farrell just won a golden globe. Really? That acceptance made me like him just a tiny bit in the tip of my right foot pinkie toe. A terribly small, morsel of like.

Oh look. Someone else I can't stand that everyone else loves. Salma Hayek. I must admit part of why I hate her is because she was horrible to my dear, sweet Ed Norton, and also because I hate her accent. Hate.

Wow. Harsh much, Sasha? Damn.

What in hell is going on on the back the dress Penelope (the rat) Cruz is wearing?

Golden Globes impressions - 9:30 - 10

2009-01-11T21:49:00.002-05:00

Really. Really. Terrance Howard didn't know how to say Giamatti. You had 5 names to learn...and really?

Just fast forwarded through my own special brand of hell - the Mamma Mia clip. I can't imagine worse punishment than 2 hours of Abba and Meryl. (yes, I hate both. No, I don't care that you love Dancing Queen or Freaking Meryl. Hate. Not too strong a word.)

Wow. Jane Krakowski is still relevant? Who knew?

Christina Applegate looks gorgeous! Just gorgeous.

Debra Messing. Bleh.

Mary Louise Parker - so hot!

Okay I was seriously worried Tina Fey's boobs were going to excape her dress. I was sweatin' it ya'll.

Is it hot in there? Everyone is SHINY.

Not to beat a dead horse, but... was Drew Barrymore going for cokehead Barbie with that hair?

Sorry to say...but Marty and Spielberg get the the FFWD on my DVR. I did watch the clip reel though.

Shout out to my faves from the Spielberg reel - Ralph, Eric, and Christian)

(just realized I'm sitting here re-writing my top 5 "hump island" as I watch)

Golden Globes impressions - 9 - 9:30

2009-01-11T21:19:00.003-05:00

seriously. Drew and Jessica Lange may both be high, but I do love Drew's dress...just not her hair.

Tom Hanks needed some ritalin. In a major way.

Crazy as he is Tom Cruise kinda still does it for me.

I am SO THRILLED we still have the brilliant Robert Downey Jr to enjoy.

I'm SO DEVASTATED we don't still have the brilliant Heath Ledger. I cried when he won.

I desperately want to see Frost/Nixon

Okay Colin Farrell, now THAT... was funny.

I've really tried to like Catherine Keener, but I remain convinced she's likely a bitch.

Laura Linney is so pretty. Do not love her dress, cut and color - both bad.

Gerard Butler - please be my husband, or my lover... either will do.

Still want to see In Bruges, even though I kind of hate Colin Farrell.

Is everyone else over Seth Rogen? Nope... just me huh? Maybe its me, but I just don't take him seriously enough to be a presenter at the golden globes.

Ohh look...there's my other lovah... Simon Baker, again!

Where were all the peeps who were supposed to be sitting with Tony Shaloub...they all abandoned him right when he was on camera.

I probably should have watched 30 Rock when it started.

OMG. Renee Zellweger. Hot mess. WTF is with that hair and that dress. There aren't enough insulting words to describe my reaction to her.

Golden Globes impressions - hour 1

2009-01-11T20:44:00.004-05:00

First, Kate Winslet may seriously be the most beautiful chick I've ever seen.

WTF is up with Brangelina being so self important they couldn't speak to Ryan Seacrest on the red carpet. You do not deny Seacrest!!

Jennifer Lopez - looked beautiful until they showed her dress straight on from the front. It was so shiny it made her look funny.

I love Sting (mainly because I so love the Police) but dude needed to shave or trim that wild mess of a beard, and what in the hell is up with people suddenly having to proclaim themselves as a social activist. If you have to tell people that's what you do, isn't that kind of defeating the purpose?

Simon Baker may have to bum his way onto my top 5 . Seriously. Can Evan Longoria stop grabbing him?

Eva's dress is gorgeous.

Rumer Willis. Creepy. Bad hair.

NPH = <3. He was ROBBED! Even though everyone I know who saw John Adams loved it. But seriously... Neil Patrick is LEGEN - - wait for it - - DARY!

WTF happened to Renee Zellwegers hair? Ditto Drew Barrymore (Drew, I loved your dress though)

Melissa George - still hate you. Alias started to suck when you arrived and Grey's became really dead to me when you showed up there too.

Why are there wings of pink hanging out from under Laura Dern's otherwise attractive dress?

I must yet again profess my undying love for Don Cheadle.

I want Eva Mendes necklace.

Hayden Panetierre looked so CUTE. I loved her dress!

OOOOHHHH Zachery Quinto! LOVE!

Kevin Bacon - why so Sweaty?

Anna Paquin. Love. Your. Dress.

Ricky Gervais - kills me. I absolutely love him.

Jonas Brothers. Trying. Too. Hard. Hate.

Johnny Depp. YUM. Love the look. Love the affected, uncomfortable shuffle. Love the shy, not shy delivery. Love.

I love it when people are truly shocked and surprised they won. Sally Hawkins was so cute.

2009 Resolutions.

2008-12-31T12:14:00.003-05:00

Aka: Promises I will feel guilty making to myself...when I break them to myself. (I make them hoping I won't do that)

1. Get over the fear of the dentist and get my teeth back in good shape, invisalign and zoom whitening here I come, after the root canal and extraction I need are done first. (pray for me)

2. Finances. Save, save, save

3. Finish my book

4. Branch out more socially - with Beth getting married (even though she and Kevin still totally go out and have fun), and Nora having a new "friend", I need more folks who like to go and hang out socially.

5. Eat healthier, exercise more (again)

6. Keep my apartment and my car "cleaner" - they are both kind of messy.

7. Be positive and happy.

8. Be the kind of boss I've always wanted to have, compassionate, smart, fair, and helpful.

9. Travel more

I need this brownie pan

2008-12-31T01:05:00.000-05:00

Its all edges! OMG... love!

Recapping my 2007 resolutions...

2008-12-30T20:31:00.001-05:00

1. Improve my footing for a true career at my current employer -
Done- got a promotion to management in August and have elevated my profile as one of the high ranking persons in my group

2. Do better about being on time to work and to other "fun" places.
By way of being in charge of peeps at work I'm more on time. I am not so on time with my friends...but I try harder and so that is a kinda.

3. Get a grip on my finances.
Well...the raise I got didn't hurt...but I'm still over spending. Needs work.

4. Integrate exercise into my life and do a better job of eating healthy.
Um. No. Eating hibachi or at the bar nearly every friday ....yeah not so much.

5. Continue to be more positive and happy
Done, and continuing.

6. Spend more time volunteering for a political campaign or helping raise voter awareness.
I tried to volunteer to be a poll worker but I missed the deadline. I did join the committee at work to help register our employees and I gave everyone who worked for me two extra hours off to go and vote... so I think that counts.

7. Spend more time with my family (not just mom and clay - but my cousins and aunts and uncles) -
Started out strong with this one...but kinda fell off mid summer when work got nuts. Will do more this year... I hope.

I'm gonna post my 2009 resolutions later (shock! one of them involves better dental health. I know that surprises you all!)

happy to report

2008-12-23T17:22:00.000-05:00

that repeated watching of the clip below - has improved my holiday mood dramatically. LOVE IT!

And... I'm awesome! (in case you forgot)

How I Met Your Mother (best show ever) - Falling on the floor laughing.

2008-12-22T17:22:00.001-05:00

TOO FUNNY FOR CHRISTMAS

I swear I'm not Schizo.

2008-12-22T01:38:00.002-05:00

I'm just having the mood swings that go along with someone having a manic episode or suffering from bipolar disorder.

I blame the holidays, stress, missing my dad, and an unresolved situation that is driving me nuts that I can't talk about, that's nice and informative huh?

On friday I went to meet some co-workers for a quick drink, and while walking down the alley to my office I managed to step on some gravel and fall completely down. I am a fool who falls down frequently, so this is no surprise. I sucked it up and walked the 2-3 blocks to Taco Mac where we sat in the bar for about an hour and I felt my foot swelling up inside my shoe. I hobbled the block back to my car when some people called it an early night to go to a work party.

When I got home and took my shoe off my foot it did what I expected and swelled to the size of a small balloon. I propped it up and put ice on it. I took two advil and watched TV for a while. The swelling went down and in the midst of a really awful emotional breakdown kind of night I honestly thought my foot was fine. Its the same foot I broke before, so I just thought it was a simple foot tweak.

On Saturday I wasn't really feeling any better emotionally, so I made my way to the couch and propped my foot up again. I spent the day knowing that I was in no shape emotionally or physically to shop so I decided to stay home until time to go to my family party. I ended up taking a long nap and when I woke up my foot felt fine. So I decided to wear cute red pumps to the party.

Mistake. I think I was so worried about being "fine" in front of my family that I didn't pay attention to the dull ache in my foot until I got to Allison and Joels at 9:30 to watch the end of the Ravens game with the family (and new baby Brooke!). As soon as I took my shoe off it started swelling again. I tried to ignore it but as soon as the game ended I dashed out to get home. I propped my foot up again and started with the ice again. I took Aleve since it would last 12 hours. When I woke up today it was still really sore and very swollen. Not bruised yet. Odd.

After another day of laying down all day I was both stir crazy and hungry - so I went to run some errands and buy some of the gift cards I needed for Christmas. Mistake again. My foot is swollen up hugely now. Very sore. Still not bruised.

So I'm sitting here now with my foot propped up and wrapped in this icy bandage thing, and I'm thinking about what Clay and I are going to cook for Christmas Eve dinner. Since mom cooks the entire Christmas Day Lunch, Clay and I cook dinner the night before.

I can't decide what I want to cook. The things that sound appealing to me - I either know Clay won't eat, or I'm unsure if he would consider eating it. I'm going to just start randomly listing things here and hope that the list leaves me with something that strikes my fancy.

Drunken Pork Tenderloin

Smashed Red Potatoes with Garlic and Parmesan

Pineapple Casserole

Broccolini

Roasted Brussel Sprouts

Crab Dip

Grilled Shrimp

Roasted Root Vegetables

ugh. I don't know.

I am in so much pain

2008-12-20T00:13:00.000-05:00

I miss my dad so much.

I stole this from Sara

2008-12-18T23:15:00.004-05:00

courtesy of Sara

What did you do in 2008 that you have never done before?
I followed a dream, literally and figuratively, and started writing a book.

Did you keep all of last years resolutions?

Right. Next!

Have you any resolutions for next year?
Shape up. Mentally. Physically. Emotionally.

Be a kinder, gentler me.

Love. Openly. Honestly. Completely.

Embrace my friends and family.

Live by the rules of Randy Pausch's Last Lecture.

Be the me my dad always saw and believed in.

What countries did you visit?
I stayed in the lower 48 this year.

What would you like to have in 2009 that you didn’t have in 2008?
Someone who loves me romantically. I have lots of peeps who love me...but I want to feel like THAT about someone who feels like THAT about me.

What date in 2008 will remain etched in your memory?
November 4, 2008 - Hope Lives. November 3 - Anna Kate arrived. December 18 - the precious new baby Powell arrived and my beautiful Stella Bella became a big sister.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I got a promotion that has challenged me and truly shown me the value of the hard work I've done all these years.

What was your biggest failure?
Not being healthier like I promised myself I would.

Did you suffer any illness or injury?
I fell down in the street like a fool and killed my knee and my foot. Nicole laughed at me, but it hurt.

What was the best thing you bought?
My new laptop and my plane tickets to DC for the inauguration in 2009

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Honestly... W, Rove, McCain, Palin, at times Hillary. Probably the most disappointing thing though was finding out John Edwards had an affair. It broke my heart.

Where did most of your money go?
UGA Football tickets, Friday Night Drinking Club and playing Sister Claus for Clay (all totally worth it)

What did you get really really really excited about?
Anna Kate, The New Baby Powell, my Stella Bella. Elaine being so totally awesome and happy in her new "life" in DC, the fact that the distance didn't make us not as close. Kevin finally proposed to Beth and moved his dumb ass back to ATL.

What do you wish you’d done less of?
Stress out over work - work too much. I suppose I could gossip less, but that isn't fun. ;)

How will you be spending Christmas?
With my mom and Clay - doing our traditional Christmas Eve swanky dinner. With mom and Clay and the rest of the family on Christmas Day eating lots of yummy dressing and playing Sister Claus for Clay. Hopefully I'll also get to see Stella Bella since she's especially cute this year about Christmas.

Did you fall in love in 2008?
Yes (with a fictional vampire named Edward and the actor who plays him, that's actually mostly the truth too!)

How many one night stands?
0. Not my jam bro. That's a one time mistake I'm not looking to revisit.

What was your favorite TV show?

Still Lost. Also love How I Met Your Mother, NCIS, Heroes, The Office.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I can't remember exactly when I started to hate, so I'm going to say yes. But I find I hate less people this year than last... so that's a good personal improvement. I also have some kick ass "new" friends! YAY!

What was/were the best books you read?
Twilight Saga ya'll. Read it. Love it. (stay away from my boyfriend Edward though you bitches!)

What was your greatest musical discovery?
Hm. Just one?? I LOVE Debussy. LOVE. Really fell back in love with Classical music

What did you want and get?
My new job. Still deciding if it was a blessing or a curse.

What did you want and not get?
Out of debt. Tickets to the inauguration.

What was your favorite film this year?
It would be cliche to say Twilight here - just because I'm so obsessed with the book and with Rob Pattinson. So...the real answer...in order (and I only listed the ones I actually saw):

The Dark Knight

There Will Be Blood

Iron Man

Gone Baby Gone

Twilight

Juno

Wanted

What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?
I turned 33 this year. We went out to have Hibachi (YUM!) and then went to the bar and celebrated my birth. It was awesome! I'm awesome!

What one thing would have made your year more satisfying?
UGA to have lived up to the hype. Mark Richt to have fired shitastic Willie Martinez at the end of the season.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
The bigger the purse the more I love. Sunglasses make your outfit.

What/Who kept you sane?
People who believe in me. Clay being the rock star little brother he is. Learning to let go. Old and new friends who rock my world. copious amounts of alcohol.

Which celebrity did you fancy the most?
Duh. Rob Pattinson. Do you read this blog?

Which political issue stirred you the most?
Poverty. Our social responsibility to our fellow man.

"A belief that we are connected as one people. If there's a child on the south side of Chicago who can't read, that matters to me, even if it's not my child. If there's a senior citizen somewhere who can't pay for her prescription and has to choose between medicine and the rent, that makes my life poorer, even if it's not my grandmother. If there's an Arab American family being rounded up without benefit of an attorney or due process, that threatens my civil liberties. It's that fundamental belief - I am my brother's keeper, I am my sister's keeper - that makes this country work. It's what allows us to pursue our individual dreams, yet still come together as a single American family. "E pluribus unum." Out of many, one."
- Barack Obama

Who did you miss?
Elaine. She moved far away. My dad - I'll always miss him.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned this year?
Hope may not be a plan, but there is power in the ability to dream that more is possible, that change is attainable and forward progress achievable if we want it badly enough.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

Have no fear for givin' in
Have no fear for givin' over.
You better know that in the end
It's better to say too much
Than never to say what you need to say again.

Even if your hands are shakin'
And your faith is broken.
Even as the eyes are closin'
Do it with a heart wide open.
Wide.
-John Mayer, Say

Jen & Beth's World Tour of Awesome 2008

2008-12-14T12:04:00.003-05:00

Last night Beth and I decided to go out for drinks and dinner. I decided it would be our World Tour of Awesome because almost every time Beth and I go out together we end up having a boat load of drinks and "accidentally" getting more drunk than we meant to.

Last night was not really an exception.

We started our night at Atkin's Park - where we hate all the douche-y frat boy types, but love the food! I mean hello I had awesome SWORD FISH (yes it was two words on their menu), and we commenced with the drinking of several glasses of wine (me) and several raspberry martinis (beth).

We made our way to Vintage (crossing the street was already a bit of a challenge - we nearly got hit by a speeding car - slow down in residential/high foot traffic areas peeps!), and we bellied up to the bar.

Jagermeister started the night - it was (say it with me now!) AWESOME. We hung out, we drank, we speculated on why Nora wasn't calling. Then... things really got crazy. Kevin showed up after being at the Hawks game and we started really drinking. More Jager for all! WOOT! Then Todd showed up (finally - after both Beth and I called him) and I got my camera out...AWESOME.

We did Zoolander impersonations. We did hilarious photos of scary/angry faces. Check out facebook to see them.

Did I mention we might have texted some awful thing to Nora? Todd, Kevin, me and Beth texting in the chain of special.

A sampling from my phone...

"World Tour of Sex. Are you Hugging a boy?"

"sorry. had to get a towel."

Yeah ....it got worse. The things that seem funny to you when you are drunk.

Hee. But still... We're awesome (except for when I first woke up I didn't feel so awesome...but I'm good now).

musings from my head

2008-12-12T23:53:00.003-05:00

Most anyone who reads this regularly knows that I have been having a massive struggle with writer's block lately. It royally sucks. In an effort to get some of the things in my head unstuck I'm going to just post some rambling stream of consciousness stuff to try to clean out some of the junk in my head.

sorry to subject ya'll to this mess... but I guess if its that bad you can always stop reading.

1. How can the jury be hung on the Brian Nichols thing. I mean I get folk are opposed to the death penalty, and in all honesty I guess if I were called on to make that decision maybe I would struggle with it more than I think. In this case though, you have a guy who was on video with timestamps and proven to be the person who perpetrated this string of murders and crimes... and we seriously are conflicted over the punishment. The man MURDERED 3 people. Just murdered them.

2. I think the biggest reason I take issue with the Brian Nichols thing is because I think about Troy Davis, who was convicted of a crime 20 years ago by a jury, who has been sentenced to die based statements given that are now being recanted as untrue, and no court/jury/judge is giving him the opportunity to just make his case. Yet... Brian Nichols - may not get the death penalty and Troy Davis, a potentially innocent man will be executed by the state of Georgia unless something changes?? It doesn't make sense to me. It really doesn't.

3. I'm still obsessed with Twilight. I just started reading the book series over again. This is a bad thing because my work is so nuts that I don't devote the time to reading that I used to, and I really wanted to re-read the Harry Potter series again before the 6th movie comes out this spring or summer (whenever the hell the studio gets their act together and releases it)> I still can't get over my obsession with Edward...and I'm still saying...where is MY Edward??? I don't really need a man to make me complete as a person, but it would be freaking nice.

4. Work is NUTS. I still like what I do, but on occasion I questions whether or not I'm good at it, or if I'm actually helping people accomplish things or just being another voice mucking up the process. Suzanne and Robin and Jo used to always tell me they though I had such a sharp mind and that I was smart, but lately I'm feeling less confident about that being a truth rather than something I bought in to because they liked me. I know I'm capable of doing my job well, but I'm just feeling unsure about the contribution I'm making toward the goals of the company. I think when you re-org like we did a lot times the people who remain are just kind of mess and flounder around for a while before the ship rights itself. Unfortunately newspapers don't really have time for that floundering to happen. I know we can turn things around because I believe in our products and our people, but I guess I'm just throwing myself a mini you're-an-idiot-who-isn't-helping-things party.

5. I'm feeling a little left behind. I can't really say more than that except to say that normally these things wouldn't bother me, but I guess I just am a little emotionally raw and its getting to me.

6. I'm having a hard time with the Christmas spirit this year. I really miss my dad and his crazy obsession with Christmas carols, and because Rob isn't in town we didn't do our normal caroling party for the lady off Habersham Road in Buckhead. I always looked forward to singing at her big swanky party, but that wasn't in the cards this year.

7. My book. So frustrating. I write a bunch wait a day and read it and then decide I hate nearly all of it. I'm hoping that after the first of the year when I go away to DC I'll find some time to really sit alone and just be with it. I think that would help to get out of my comfort zone here and just write.

8. DC... I'm hoping that I'll be able to spend some time at some of my favorite places. Elaine will have to work a lot and Sara doesn't know when she's coming up yet. I'm actually kind of looking forward to being able to go the Museum of Natural History and just hang alone, checking out things I want to look at. I also really want to go back to the National Archives and spend some time there. When we went a few years ago with my mom and some of her friends they were mostly uninterested and the history buff in me left feeling a little unfulfilled by our brief visit. I'm really hoping to spend an afternoon, in the freezing cold over at the FDR memorial. We visited that on a tour Patty, Elaine and I took this summer. I had never been before, and it ended up being the most inspiring place we went. That is really saying something because I am just in awe of the Jefferson Memorial and the FDR has totally passed it by as my favorite place in DC.

I'm also so thrilled to be going to the inauguration. I would be thrilled to go to any inauguration, but this one, so historic and for the candidate I supported from early in the primary season. For someone who's always loved history, it will be so amazing to be a part of it, even if I'm standing outside on the mall somewhere between the capitol building and Lincoln Memorial freezing my ass off in the snow ...it will be worth it.

And as a bonus I get spend time with my Lainey girl...whom I miss every day.

ah... now that was cathartic. More to come I hope.

also...my air/heat whatever just kicked on and it is LOUD. WTF?

harump.

2008-12-12T12:05:00.003-05:00

I want to write something...but the words won't come.

I'm so screwed if writers block is affecting my blog now.

Yay. Ugh. Holiday Mostly Midway Edition...

2008-12-08T20:19:00.002-05:00

Yay! My tree is up and beauteously decorated

Ugh! It was 'spensive

Yay! I'm about to get to take a bunch of days off of work this month

Ugh! That means I didn't use my vacation super wisely through the year

Yay! We are having our second annual Meppy Thanksmas dinner this week (Thursday)

Ugh! I have to cook a lot of stuff and its commission hell week at work

Yay! I have some awesome new friends

Ugh! My liver has some awesome new friends (not totally an ugh...but, you know)

Yay! Its Christmas

Ugh! Its Christmas

Yay! I'm really happy

Ugh! Its kind of a secret why

The Christmas Tree Project 2008

2008-12-07T18:19:00.010-05:00

Here are some photos of my now completed Christmas tree (the first real tree I've ever had on my own!)

Christmas Tree extravaganza!

2008-12-07T15:55:00.002-05:00

I just shelled out $80 for a ginormous tree. A real tree.

I drove it home like Clark Griswold rocks in Christmas Vacation...strapped to the top of my truck like a fool. Its possible I was driving a little faster than I should have because the tree stand may or may not have made a dent in the roof of my car when i was going over the speed bumps at my apartment.

Kevin and Beth helped me get it in the door, and helped put the first three strands of lights on... which is all cool...until the final strand of super cool deco lights decided not to work. They had to leave, but Nora is coming to my rescue, and she is bringing more lights.

So I'm sitting here with the lights on the tree, the star on top (because Kevin had to put it on...I'm not tall enough), waiting for Nora.

I'm taking photos and will post them after we get it all done.

I'm dreading tomorrow.

2008-12-03T14:46:00.003-05:00

I'm on vacation tomorrow because it would have been my dad's 60th birthday.

That is hitting me like a ton of bricks. Maybe because we'd always talked about the trip we were going to take to celebrate his 60th, maybe because of the note I found stuck in my bible the other day, it was from him when I was a teenager - I don't remember getting it, perhaps because I'm sad every day that he isn't here to share the wonderful things in my life (Stella, Baby Anna, the soon-to-be-new baby Powell). Maybe because when I feel happy, its nearly immediately followed by guilt - because I miss him, and I broke my brother's heart when I told him what happened, and I'm doing a poor job of leading my family - even though its my responsibility to do it well.

I know I can't get so down on myself, and that I have to let go of a lot of this...but that's easier said than done. It's a lot of pressure, and a lot to live up to, and I feel like I'm failing miserably - even if the rational side of my mind knows I'm not.

I'm really down on myself right now. I'm trying not to be...but I'm nothing if not honest, and right here, right now, it's too hard to act happy and cover it up. I'm too raw emotionally to say anything other than how I feel as I sit here in my office typing this and it sucks.

Because I'm relatively sure I'll be head-under-covers in depressed mode tomorrow I'm going to go ahead and peace out today. Those of you interested in the story of my dad, who don't know it, some heartbreaking, bitchfesting, wallowing in it looking back posts.

The Depressing Post, with the whole sad story, and me lashing out in anger from June 2007

Last Lecture - April 8, 2008

Sorry for the depression session...but based on my current state of mind...if we're friends you're in good company.

I am a weepy mess...but ...

2008-11-26T19:23:00.005-05:00

I'm still thankful for many things this year.

Even though I am still a complete mess from the awful that rained down on me at around 4:40 this afternoon, even though 3 hours later I am still teary-eyed and totally a hot mess, even though I have pie making to commence with... I pause... to give thanks.

1. My family is my heart. Dysfunctional sometimes, smaller than it should be after the untimely passing of my dad a few years ago, they are still mine and I love them.

2. Clay - I can't come up with words to adequately convey what my brother truly means to me. He is for sure the cornerstone of my world. My confidant, my sounding board, my reality-check. I know that no matter what happens in my life he will be there. I know that no matter how bad it gets he will stand by me and stand up for me. I know that no matter what, he is the one man in my life I can count on to always love me, and he can count on all those same things from me. There is nothing I wouldn't do for him, no lengths I would stop at, no sacrifice too great, no measure for the unconditional love.

3. If my family is my heart my girlfriends are my sisters and my soul. People who stand by you on the worst day of your life (and I've definitely had one), people who drop everything at a moments notice because they know you need them, people who can make you laugh when all you can do is cry...these are the people I am so lucky to call my friends. I will never forget, never be able to repay all they have done for me. They are the family you choose. I've been fortunate to have chosen very well. Elaine, Patty, Allison, Beth, Nora, Terri, Nicole and Sara... I love you more than I can say. Thank you for every thing. Thank you for knowing me so well. Thank you for being the sisters I never had. I know we will always be in each other's lives.

4. I'm also blessed with an amazing group of friends including and in addition to the girls I already mentioned. New friends or old friends, each person I call friend is someone I feel truly blessed to have in my life. You listen when I need to talk, you console me when I cry, you make me laugh until my face hurts, and you all drink too much and are a bad influence on the angelic person I am (Kidding!). It's sad not all of you have made the right choice in terms of your football team (I'm looking at you TECH people!), but I can forgive.

5. Its been a year of changes at work, especially in the last few months. I have a new position, new responsibilities. I can't say this has been the best thing in my life. I do love my job, I am passionate about the AJC... but I'm not sure I'm really doing a good job at doing my job. Feeling like this probably has a lot to do with today - which sucked. My team who reports to me is composed of some AWESOME people and my boss is far and away one of the coolest people I've ever been privileged to work with . The people who keep me sane at work (who are also the people mentioned in the #4 above) are irreplaceable to me, and I owe you all thanks for your friendship and your sheer awesomeness (Chris, LaKeisha, Nicole, Robert, D'Arcy, Diane).

6. We elected Barack Obama. A black man, from a modest background, a true symbol for melting pot America. He's restored optimism, hope and realistic thinking to the political landscape...and I will be there to see him sworn in. Thank You America!

7. My book/novel is shaping up. I can't really say more about it, for fear I'll jinx my new writing frenzy... but to whomever or whatever put the original dream in my head... THANKS!

8. Stella and Anna - the two baby girls in my life. You are both the light of my world. You bring me more joy and happiness than any other part of my life. I'm so happy to have the chance to watch you grow up, learn things and become the beautiful women I know you will be one day.

9. I'm thankful to be the daughter Bill Jones. Even though he is no longer with us, he is a part of my life on a daily basis. He taught me everything worth knowing. He made me into a good, decent person who tries to live with compassion for others and a passion for life. He gave his life to save others, strangers we didn't even know. He made a difference. He was the best man I've ever had the privilege to know. I've said before.. he's in my life every day... in the deep breath before a big decision, in the tears I'm crying right now, in the laughter I share with my friends, in the peace of mind I have by knowing I'm a good person, a person he'd be proud to call his daughter. I miss you dad. I'm so thankful for the 27 years I had with you here... and I am always trying to do the best I can for Clay and for mom - I love you.

All in all 2008 has treated me pretty well. I'm a person that believes happiness is something we create and I'm working hard to create an even happier 2009.

Thank you to all of you for being in my life!

I must bake.

2008-11-26T10:02:00.002-05:00

I have two Thanksgiving meals to attend. The first is in Macon at my mom's aunt's house. We have gone there every year since I was in like middle school.

I don't have to cook anything to go to Macon - they do all of it there. I usually come home with an extra turkey breast cooked just for me by Dwight. LOVE!

I am making the desserts for the "family" Thanksgiving at Allison and Joel's. This will be me, Beth, Kevin, Allison, Joel and probably some assortment of other people. I'm torn about what to make.

Kevin asked for a pecan pie. I've never baked pecan pie, but I'm going to attempt. Be scared. I want to make buttermilk pie, because it is my favorite, the problem is neither of those two things will get eaten by most of the people who will be at Thanksgiving, so I need to come up with something else.

I am thinking of doing a chocolate caramel cake, which is a recipe I got from Amber at work, but I also really want to do a plain caramel cake.

UGH. I have to make this decision today. I was a procrastinator and didn't get all my shit together so I could go to my mom's tonight so now I have to go in the morning, and I have to bake all night. I suck the most.

funny things you hear at the bar .. Beth's birthday Part 2

2008-11-23T01:08:00.002-05:00

Do not get loud with me sir! Do not get loud with me!

RUDE!

I will slap that waitron bitch! She sucks.

I love you! I love you! I love you!

Oh.... This is my jam, I bet they play vanilla ice next.

Its DJ Suspense -
nope...thats Mysterious...
are you sure? I think its suspense.

I am so hammered my toes are numb.

You can play and party where you work... its all good.

I came over here to drink so I could stalk you on both sides of the bar....
I like that you stalk me ...
its awesome!

I'm awesome!

I just point at my wiener. It has a light.
Like a mini light saber.
Don't put that on your blog. Seriously.
I won't quote you directly.

Come get me in the morning to get my car, just not before 10.
So ... 8 is too early then?
For sure.

Right foot now stomp, Left foot now stomp... turn it out.
Thats how you can tell I'm drunk...when I run to the dance floor to jam.

funny things you hear at beth's b-day dinner

2008-11-22T21:20:00.001-05:00

Do the donkey! Donkey!

Ma'am are you happy?

There's nothing hotter than a girl sucking on a cough drop

He looks like joey fatone!

Is that Bo like B.O.

I like to move it move it

Wait...You, two dudes, a kid and hot tub?
No. And another chick

I heard this song like 3 hours ago on a loop.
Its wrong that you've been here three hours.

omg TWILIGHT!!

2008-11-21T21:16:00.000-05:00

Nora and I actually have good seats in the crazy sold out theatre. We got here like just at the perfect time because folk are now going crazy trying to find seats together.

This chick just said "I think we can find 5 together."

I'm all bitch have you lost your mind. There are 15,000 people in here.

I am so excited I can barely stand myself. I am fairly certain that I will absolutely lose it when my edward obsession comes to life on screen.

Now if I could just find my real edward I'd be all set!!

Ha! Fun!

2008-11-20T21:46:00.003-05:00

This was in my blog archive...I came across it when I was searching for an old post. I want to repost it now... because its funny to me to see the difference in my answers. Old answers in regular font - new ones in bold. The original post was nearly two years ago.

I am:: mostly sleepy but oddly energized today
sweaty, and in need of a shower.

I need:: a sabbatical from work to do good around the world
an advil and a clone of myself. Still would love to do the sabbatical thing.

I want:: someone to love
to be extraordinarily happy

I feel:: more positive about my life than I have in a while
tired and a little overworked, but fulfilled professionally.

I hate:: people who are mean and hurt others
when people with differing view points are critical and make unfair assumptions.

I love:: my little brother, who is quite possibly the most wonderful person in the world
my friends, they are the most interesting, intelligent, big hearted folks I know.

I can't handle:: a lifetime of meaningless jobs/work - I require something with more depth
people who have a false sense of superiority

I miss:: my Daddy, every day
my Daddy, every day

I think:: I should get off my ass and get the rest of Stella's present
that for the first time in 8 years there is true progress toward the America I always believed we could be

There is no need to:: dwell on the past, we can't change what happened, we can only learn from it and move on
believe that anything is impossible

Life is:: a struggle, but never more than I can handle
looking up

Love is:: difficult, confusing, wonderful and amazing and something I want very much
potentially available if you work hard enough for it

Last weekend:: I drank entirely too much. But I'll probably do it again
I drank more than I should have, had mad fun, cemented some awesome new relationships! Yay Me!

Tonight:: I will go back to Nora's to dog/cat sit and watch The Office/Grey's/Lost: the answers
kickboxed again and procrastinated taking my shower and straightening my hair

I am allergic to:: work! Kidding - pollen mostly
pollen and degree deodorant :D

Let's go:: on vacation - Europe anyone?
to the mall...today (I should stop watching How I Met Your Mother re-runs)

When I fall for someone:: I'm completely committed and in love. I'm faithful and honest
I turn into a crazy gooey mess

My hands:: are small and I have no fingernails - because I bite them off. Which is gross but what are you going to do?
are small but serve great purpose through hard work

When I am alone:: I watch TV or read, sometimes I sing. Especially in the shower
I write my book and sing

I am listening to::The Police, Maroon 5, Rosie Thomas, Carrie Underwood, 3EB (my iPod favorites list is playing)
the Twilight Soundtrack (specifically Rob Pattinson!)

The last person I called was:: Beth, last night.
Nora about three hours ago

The last text I received said:: "I'm here now, but I know you are watching shows. I'll call after my surgery tomorrow. "
I miss you

Hugs are:: awesome because they are comforting
best when given by someone you like

My house:: is an apartment that I love. Its big and pretty!
is a mess and needs to be cleaned

There is a thin line between:: whether I like or hate you, but its an almost immediate decision
hard work and wasting time

My best physical feature is:: my blue/grey eyes, thoughI've been told on more than one occasion that its my smile
my eyes get the most compliments

The last person I kissed:: um. yeah. it was good, and bad, and not the right thing to do, but whats done is done.
was on a dare, when I was drunk and was most unpleasant. I need a good kiss soon to make up for it

Take it... to the limit...

2008-11-20T18:06:00.002-05:00

Just kinda taking a time out to gut check myself.

Things have gotten a little crazy lately at work and I've let myself turn into a spasticated mess. I'm going to reign it in though because its much too much work to be crazy and high strung than to be happy and chill. Plus the happy and chill me is so much more fun.

I'm taking some steps to be the better me...

Kickboxing again - man! I forgot how much I loved this when I started, like before we got into the whole Tae Kwon Do/competing thing. Last night just getting out those wraps, filling up the bag I have with water, dragging out all my gloves and sparring equipment, makes me wonder how I ever let my orthopedist followed by my gastrointerologist stop me from doing it for so long. Now that I'm cleared its game on. I wish it wasn't getting dark so early because I'd love to get some cardio in at the Silver Comet Trail, but there's the issue of it being dark, and my not wanting to get mugged.

Writing - I've gotten away from scheduling time to write on a regular basis. Instead I find all sorts of excuses to not do it, or I sit there and get all frustrated and ill when I feel like I have nothing to say. When I started the process of writing my book I did a lot of free association and just planning and charting for my characters and it really helped me have prolonged periods of very productive writing, so I'm going to go back to basics and start doing that again, and hopefully that means I can actually finish this manuscript sometime next year and start editing it to send to publishing houses.

Singing - Ever since Rob moved away to nashville I've stopped writing songs because he isn't here to compose the music. Even though I can read and write music its not easy to compose a tune without a piano, and we all know how well my guitar lessons went (um. not well). When Rob was back this weekend it made me realize how much I missed singing with him, with anyone really, and how much my music meant to me when I was really writing and singing a lot. I'm singing at a wedding this weekend. The soloist who was supposed to do it got strep throat so I'm going to run over and sing a couple of things for their ceremony. No more than a 1/2 an hour, but still good to be back in the swing of things.

Fun - I've gotten so wrapped up in my new job that I've forgotten how important it is to make time for me to have fun! Now that football season is winding down I'm hoping the girls and I can reinstitute Friday Night Drinking Club some of the weekends in the new year. We're going out for dinner early saturday followed by some drinks at the bar in Smyrna for Beth's birthday. Last weekend one of my co-workers and his roomie took pity on me and we went to have drinks. It was so much fun, and I so needed that break/release. The hangover the next day was a little brutal, but I'm hopeful my overindulgence didn't dampen the desire to hang again because it was mad fun and both of them are now on the coolest people I know list. Oh the conversations!

Family - I spend a lot of time with my family in the fall because we go to games together, its fun and lots of quality time, but truly we don't just get to hang and do nothing... so I'm hoping that unlike the previous few years just after football to try to spend some quality time with my mom and Clay. I feel so lucky to have Clay as my brother, he's my best friend, the all time best person I know, and the #1 priority in my life. Ever since we lost our dad, nearly 6 years ago (Wow! can't believe its a number that big) he's been the rock I've leaned on. I probably haven't always been the best sister, but you'd never hear that from Clay. He recently sent me a birthday card and inside it he wrote the following words which was more touching than any gift I recieved for my birthday:

Dave Matthews Band - Sister

-------------------

Pass the time with you in mind
It's a rather quiet night
Feel the ground against my back
Counting stars against the black
Thinking bout another day
Wishing I was far away
Whether they were dreams or worries
You were there with me

Sister, I hear you laugh
My heart fills full up
Keep me please
Sister, when you cry
I feel your tears running down my face
Sister, Sister keep me

I hope you always know its true
I would never make it through
We could make the sun go down
Just by walking away
Playing like we used to play
Our kingdom will never go away
Feel you beating in my chest
I'll be dead without

Sister, I hear you laugh
My heart fills full up
Keep me please
Sister, when you cry
I feel your tears running down my face
Sister, Sister will you keep me?

I would never make it through
Hope you always know its true
You could make the heaven's fall
Just by walking away

Sister, I hear you laugh
My heart fills full up
Keep me please
Sister, when you cry
I feel your tears running down my face
Sister, Sister keep me

Kickboxing

2008-11-20T11:59:00.003-05:00

I started kickboxing again last night.

I drug the bag in from my porch storage closet, got out my gloves and my wraps and kickboxed for like an hour last night.

It was fun, but my knee started killing me again. I need new tennis shoes now because my foot pads for sparring don't fit around the shoes I had on last night. Not that i was wearing my sparring stuff last night, but if I get motivated and actually decide to join back up with a kick gym then I'll need to have them.

I've been popping advil like candy.

Falling asleep at my desk..

2008-11-17T13:14:00.002-05:00

which I'm pretty sure is because of two things:

1. Writer's block broke last night after I spent the better part of the weekend being completely frustrated about it, so i wrote for 3 - 4 hours last night.. um yeah and that was post 9pm. SUCK.

2. I haven't eaten anything today, and I'm on coffee #2 and Diet Coke #1. Caffeine overload is FUN!

I'm crazy busy today - which explains the lack of eating. I wish I had time for lunch, but with lunch Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday I'm suddenly feeling pretty overwhelmed with the hours I won't be able to work, with so much to do.

Hopefully I won't get all shaky from the caffeine, god help me if I ever have to give up that addiction... though at this point I don't know what is worse, my caffeine habit or my crackberry addiction. Yes, you read it right, I'm less than a month on the crackberry and already I get panicky if I put it down for too long.

I need a life.

Soul searching...

2008-11-15T20:01:00.006-05:00

my writer's block is back. It's so frustrating - I'm so frustrated.

Today I felt like inspiration struck, and I went to the computer and opened up the book document and then... I stared at the page for an hour with the blinking evil cursor mocking me from the blank white page.

I wish I knew what the hold up was. Every time I think I've gotten past the writer's block, it rears its ugly head again, and at this point I wonder if I will ever write another meaningful sentence again. This story, or book or whatever it is ... its now so personal to me that I can't even let people read it, or even get inside my head to help unstick whatever it is that has me so stopped. Thinking that I could let someone read it and that they'd hate it and tell me, or actually hate it and not tell me is paralyzing.

Ever since I started dreaming about Fiona, Lucas, George, Megan and Brendan I haven't been able to get them out of my head. When "the dream" first occurred back in June I was writing every day. I was almost possessed and had to get all these thoughts and events I dreamed out of my head and in print. I almost felt overloaded and distracted when it came to doing anything else except for getting this movie in my head out.

Then in August I got promoted at work. My new job is something I love. I live for being regarded as a person who can solve problems, make things happen, and help everyone work toward the common goal we all share to make the AJC successful. I'm so invested in the place I work, the people I work with, and the integral part we can and do play in Atlanta. All that being said though, I feel like I'm so consumed with work I can hardly breathe.

That failure to breathe in deeply seems to be squelching the artistic outpouring I was experiencing during July and August.

Now when I dream about my characters they're staring at me. They stand there and they stare, or they stand there with tape on their mouths silenced by my writers block. I hate it. I feel really stupid because of it.

I know there's a story in there trying to get out, I know that these characters have a story and I'm their voice, I just hope I can get over myself enough lend it to them.

Happy Veterans Day Ya'll

2008-11-11T18:08:00.000-05:00

Be proud of those who served our country well!

This is only the beginning.

2008-11-05T15:58:00.003-05:00

In reading my blogs from the election cycle...this is the one that stood out the most to me in the wake of the historic moments we experienced last night. This simple song, crafted from the words of the man with the vision and the charisma to inspire a nation of people so divided, so hopelessly far apart that the middle seemed too far to reach, this simple song ignited a groundswell. It forced into the mainstream what many of us had been saying since the last DNC was held... this Barack Obama has something special about him.

This humble man, who came from a true melting pot, American upbringing. This man who knows what it is to be the middle class, to work and live in the communities so impacted by our economic struggles, our busted housing market, our failure to take care of our brothers and our sisters who have less and who struggle. This man who had enough hope, and enough heart, and enough sheer force of will to see it through, to not be denied by the naysayers, by the doubters, by those who try to oppress the very emergence of optimism and hope. He was the way, he was the beacon, he was the torch that lit the way for new generation of engaged and inspired believers who will join him at the start of this long journey, and he will be the guide that will help us deliver ourselves a more properous, brighter future... if we are willing to do the work it takes to get there.

I'm ready. Are you?

below...my "repost" from Feb 5. At the time I "hoped" it could happen. Today the words have new meaning because it has STARTED.

Yes we can to justice and equality.
Yes we can to opportunity and prosperity.

Yes we can heal this nation.
Yes we can repair this world.

Yes we can.

We know the battle ahead will be long,
but always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way,
nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change.

We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics...
they will only grow louder and more dissonant ...........

We've been asked to pause for a reality check.
We've been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope.

But in the unlikely story that is America,
there has never been anything false about hope.

Now the hopes of the little girl who goes to a crumbling school in Dillon are the same as the dreams of the boy who learns on the streets of LA;

we will remember that there is something happening in America;
that we are not as divided as our politics suggests;

that we are one people;
we are one nation;

and together, we will begin the next great chapter in the American story with three words that will ring from coast to coast;
from sea to shining sea --

Yes. We. Can.

YES WE DID!

2008-11-04T23:03:00.000-05:00

There are no words.

Hope prevails.

"But I also know this - that nothing worthwhile in this country has ever happened except somebody, somewhere, was willing to hope..."
-Barack Obama

voted!!

2008-11-04T07:56:00.000-05:00

Go Barack!!!

we just got a placeholder ticket

2008-11-04T07:12:00.000-05:00

From the polling place lady. Todd and I are measuring the wait time for the first 100 people in line

some evil bitch in line

2008-11-04T06:49:00.000-05:00

Just yelled at me when Todd got in line with me about 3 seconds after I took my spot. Now she staring at me and acting all haughty.

Bitch is acting like I'm voting for mccain or something

in line at my polling place

2008-11-04T06:34:00.000-05:00

Todd and I are in line to vote. We are about 115th in line.

My new computer arrives tomorrow!

2008-10-21T11:09:00.002-04:00

Its on order from best buy... which I actually hate Best Buy...but they had the best deal and I didn't have to go to the store to get it, they are shipping it to me!

So EXCITED!

I've been neglecting you...

2008-10-17T21:41:00.002-04:00

my dear old blog.

Facebook and work have become all consuming and I can't seem to find the time to write anything more than just quick snippets about what I'm doing or my ridiculous Robert Pattinson obsession. (Damn you Stephenie Meyer for writing Twilight, making me love Edward and then having a movie made with a ridiculously hot, way too young for me actor. I get none of my own writing done because I can't put yours down!)

So I thought I was over my massive case of writer's block about a week ago, but when I get the urge to write, or a great idea for the story path comes to me and I get all sat down and ready to go ... here it comes again. Massive writer's block.

I think its mainly because there is one character so essential to my story - she must be there - she has a very specific role to play, but I hate her. Actually, hate is way too strong a word. I guess I just don't like her. She reminds me of someone I knew in school that I didn't like much, a hanger-on, sort of cool crowd groupie if you will. I just can't deal with writing her because in the portion of the story where she has to emerge from being a background character, but isn't yet an integral member of the action all she does it BORE ME TO TEARS!

WTF? Right.

I already have a male character that gives me a migraine every time I write for him because he is so awful. Now I have a chick I find boring, not because she is boring, but because she's exactly the type of girl I would have hated in school.

I think I'm cursed.

I have to get up so early tomorrow but I'm thinking I'm going to do myself a favor and sit with my computer open and attempt to actually make some progress on the book because I'm tired of feeling guilty. Yes, guilty. I had the dream again where my characters stand with their arms folded across their chests and glare at me because I'm not writing for them. Its a sickness...but its mine so I guess I should embrace it.

Patty and Bill are blogging

2008-10-15T11:58:00.000-04:00

for Baby Anna - who will arrive any day now. YAY!

The Byrd Blog

just figuring out blogging from my blackberry

2008-10-14T21:17:00.000-04:00

Kind of funny to type on this tiny keyboard but I am clearly already an addict

Twilight Official Trailer

2008-10-10T12:09:00.001-04:00

OMG! I DIE! I can't wait for this!!!

I *Heart* Rob Pattinson!

33 years ago .... today....

2008-10-02T18:26:00.000-04:00

I was born.

:D

Tomorrow is my birthday...

2008-10-01T17:48:00.002-04:00

and in celebration - I give myself the following.

Rob Pattinson....

Spunk Ransom...

and some Edward Cullen for good measure...

Ahhh... isn't he lovely.

This just makes me happy

2008-09-30T12:42:00.000-04:00

This man is so freaking sexy.

Well Hell.

2008-09-29T10:53:00.002-04:00

I don't really want to talk about the game... but I feel compelled to do so.

I'll say this. Credit to bama. They have a much better team than anyone gave them credit for prior to Saturday.

john parker wilson may be a less than average QB, but he excuted decently and his offensive line refused to allow any penetration by Georgia's Defense.

Georgia lost the ability to run the ball early on and then by going down 31 in the first half we had to rely on the pass - and its never a good thing when the game becomes that one dimensional (see UGA vs ASU for another example).

Some things that were bad:

-Willie Martinez Defensive plan. I hate Willie - I always have, and I'm so sick of our defense looking flat in big games.

-Mike Bobo calling for, or allowing Stafford to audible to the reverse. WTF?

-Dannell Ellerbee - hurt early in the game

-Stafford's first half. He finished with decent stats, but overall...a really bad day for Stafford.

-Excessive penalties. Seriously. I for one believe the QB is out there in pads and a helmet just like the rest of the players so I think the roughing the passer call is bullshit. If any player on our team was worth protecting with rules limiting contact it wouldn't be our QB, it would be our TB, Moreno, who is wearing the same pads as Stafford and getting pounded on every play. I hate that stupid rule that basically eliminates your ability to hit a QB just because he releases the ball 3 seconds before your 200+lbs ass, running at a dead sprint, gets to him to sack him. Its crap.

-The bama team and their classless coach running on to the field at the start of the game right as the UGA team came running out. Come on Nick Satan. Show some more class than that. Oh, wait... you don't have any.

Some things were good:

-Post halftime, UGA played like a new team and gave us a shot at getting back in the game.

-The fans stayed in it. 10 years ago...the stands would have been empty at half time. I've been there when that happened. I was so proud of the Bulldog Nation for hanging around and cheering their hearts out.

-Prince Miller's kick return for a TD. Awesome.

Going forward - UGA fans have to hope that bama wins out and goes undefeated. We also have to hope that we beat the ass of everyone else we play and then get a shot at bama in the SEC Championship, where we then beat their ass. That happens and our chance may not be lost. If we had to lose, this was the game to lose. They were a superior team, ranked in the Top 10. Its early in the season, and there is still a lot of football to be played. We can come back from this.

The best thing the Bulldog Nation can do is show up for the Tennessee game and make the walls of Sanford fall down as we cheer on our Dawgs. We're in this together, and we're about to find out if we have a really good team, or a great team.

Other than this... I have to admit ... I really don't want to talk about the game. Its a heartbreaking loss.

What Houndstooth should look like...

2008-09-25T13:47:00.002-04:00

according to my brother - GO DAWGS! GATA!

Good Sense Prevails

2008-09-23T18:30:00.001-04:00

Thank God Troy Anthony Davis got a stay - at least someone will now hear arguments on the evidence.

This is WRONG

2008-09-22T17:20:00.002-04:00

I'm praying to a higher power that someone with the ability to fix this comes to their senses and agrees to review this case before we make an irreversible mistake.

Sarah Palin name generator

2008-09-19T10:56:00.006-04:00

Do you long for a name like Track, Bristol, or Trig...

Try the handy dandy Sarah Palin baby name generator

When I put in my first and middle name, I become :

Steak Leather Palin

My first and last name garner the lovely:
Rock Crane Palin

You too can own a lovely Sarah Palin approved name, and if its good enough she might let you live her house, from which you'll have a lovely view of Russia.

I am Troy Davis.

2008-09-19T10:56:00.003-04:00

The state of Georgia is going to execute an innocent man if Troy Davis continues to be refused a review the case against him. Several key witnesses have recanted their testimony against Davis and have all implicated another man who was known to be in posession of the same type of weapon used to tragically kill Officer MacPhail.

More information on Troy Davis'Story and his case can be found here.

This is a 19 year injustice that continues to steamroll towards the execution of an innocent man. The tragic death of Officer MacPhail will see no justice from the execution of an innocent man. We can not look the other way, and allow another life to be taken.

Innocence Matters.

I feel...

2008-09-15T12:50:00.001-04:00

a little down in the dumps.

Not totally sure why. Things are good at work. Good at home. I'm busy and having lots of fun with my friends, but part of me just feels not so happy.

Maybe I'm just suffering from the birthday doldrums since mine is fast approaching.

I will always remember.

2008-09-11T10:50:00.005-04:00

If civilization is to survive, we must cultivate the science of human relationships - the ability of all peoples, of all kinds, to live together, in the same world at peace.

Our national determination to keep free of foreign wars and foreign entanglements cannot prevent us from feeling deep concern when ideals and principles that we have cherished are challenged.

Physical strength can never permanently withstand the impact of spiritual force.

The point in history at which we stand is full of promise and danger. The world will either move forward toward unity and widely shared prosperity - or it will move apart.

The test of our progress is not whether we add to the abundance of those who have much. It is whether we provide enough to those who have little.

-Franklin Delano Roosevelt

My current obsession

2008-09-09T17:08:00.001-04:00

This is Robert Pattinson, a british actor, who will play Edward Cullen in the upcoming Twilight movie singing. I am so very obsessed with him, and hearing him singing makes it even worse.

Here's all I'm saying.

2008-09-09T11:29:00.002-04:00

If you don't agree with my political views I'm okay with that. I mean we all can't agree on everything 99% of the time.

BUT

When we become "friends" again by way of a thing called Facebook I really don't need you to post something derogatory about the candidate I support when you write on my wall. I mean, you wanna support McCain and Palin - I'm not posting nasty crap on your wall about voting for an old guy and a former beauty queen turned moose hunting psycho barracuda - I'm letting you say that's who you support and liking you inspite of it.

All I ask is the same respect in return. I don't really think that is too much to ask. I really don't.

You don't have to like Barack. You don't have to like Joe Biden. I'm not trying to tell anyone how to vote, who to support or what do with a decision so personal - and I'm asking you not to do the same to me. And if you do judge me - which is ridiculous - then keep it to yourself.

But don't post some ridiculous right-wing conservation looney tune name for Barack on my Facebook page.

I don't abide idiots.

WOOT!

2008-09-08T11:03:00.001-04:00

My team kicks ass.

Knowshon Moreno is a bad ass.

So Tired

2008-08-29T21:32:00.002-04:00

We are moving offices around at work after the big re-org.

I was lucky enough to get to move into the cube (a giant one even) of someone I greatly admired when she was one of the managers in our group. She's gone on to bigger and better things, and I'm hopeful some of her good management karma got left behind to help me out.

Anyway ...things are in chaos there as they always are with a major reorg and move. Hopefully things will settle down soon because I don't know how many more weeks like this one I can take.

In other news I'm posting live from my brother's computer because tomorrow is football! WOOT. I can't wait to be back home in Athens GA - heaven on earth in my book. I'm hoping my #1 rated DAWGS will kick ass all season long and give me an excuse to go to MIAMI for new years.

Also...the ass who leaked the first 12 chapters of Stephenie Meyer's rough draft of Midnight Sun - you suck and I hate you for potentially ruining our chance to get Edward's story. I love a fictional 90+ year old vampire in a 17 year old body - and YOU SUCK for keeping me from getting insight to his head. Douchebag.

So its been a hundred years...

2008-08-26T18:06:00.003-04:00

since I last posted anything meaningful...and honestly unless this goes somewhere I don't intend its going to be another quick snapshot type post.

I'm buried at work as we transition to the "new world" everything is kind of screwy and its difficult to judge if I'm doing all I can to be a good supervisor because I'm technically not a supervisor yet, and I'm still "coordinating" ads for my 3 account execs through Friday.

I have a zillion people asking me questions that I can't answer - which I hate, because I like to be a useful resource, not an "I don't know" parrot, and I feel like I'm doing that a lot lately.

On the personal front - kevin finally moved his rear back to GA (or rather he's doing that this weekend) and he and Beth are engaged and getting married some time next year. Nora found a new job, Sara hates hers, and Clay is kinda sorta trying to get on at ML with Beth's help.

I am so thrilled with my new job, but I'll be even happier once I can start doing that job full time. I love my staff and I love my new boss, so I can't wait to get started.

I will greatly miss all the people who are leaving/retiring...it won't be the same without all of them here. I'll also miss working so closely with some of my friends - and even though I know I'll still be seeing them in the building we won't all be sitting together and that is sad.

Its gonna be a rough couple of weeks here - and I haven't even talked at all about football and my beloved #1 ranked UGA Bulldogs.

I"m going to the home opener this weekend (DUH!) with Clay and Mom and maybe Jeremy. Patty and Bill are coming up at some point also (did I mention I'm also hosting a shower for Patty at Allison's house the weekend we play in AZ).

More to come.

Man I need a vacation!

Metro Station - Shake it

2008-08-19T13:43:00.001-04:00

Trying again since the last stupid file died. Hopefully this time it won't take a week to show up on the blog!

LOVE THIS SONG!

Glad that is over

2008-08-15T17:50:00.001-04:00

Reorg is mostly in the can ... just a few pieces of low hanging fruit now.

Whew! Glad I made it through.

Life is a paradox

2008-08-07T12:31:00.003-04:00

Sometimes you are really really happy and really really sad all at once.

Things at work are still up in the air, the news changes daily - and everyone is still very on edge.

I feel like I've hardly seen Nora and Beth lately - we certainly haven't been out and about acting our age, okay, younger than our age but still!

Hopefully this weekend we can turn it up!

I'm still writing my ...whatever it is. The characters in my head won't go away, which is a good and bad thing. They are so personal to me now, with every pain I put them through it rips a good chunk out of my own heart, with every twist I find I'm surprised at where they are going. The story is pouring out of me in a very organic way. I know the end game, but in terms of how they get there - I'm along for the ride. This weekend I hope to spend some quality time and get over the 200 page hump. I hit a minor stall while I worked out some of the finer details - oddly now though - I'm protective of my baby.

Still can't decide if posting the Prologue here is a good idea... maybe some feedback would spur on the creative juices.

Breaking Dawn - update.

2008-08-04T10:31:00.002-04:00

I loved every word on every last page.

I read the entire 754 pages in 6.5 hours.

Why can't Edward Cullen be real?

Breaking Dawn

2008-08-01T10:15:00.003-04:00

Squeeee! I am so excited for this book. As I said before - my love for the fictional 108 yr old vampire trapped in a 17yr old's body knows no limits. I'll be at Borders in Cobb tonight buying Breaking Dawn for me and a copy for Allison - who can't go get her's because she's on bed rest.

Friday Randomness.

2008-07-25T11:35:00.003-04:00

Randy Pausch who did the famous Last Lecture at Carnegie Mellon last year has died. This wonderful man and his message of having fun and living every day gave me much inspiration. Anyone who hasn't already should view his Last Lecture here.

I personally never knew him, but I am certainly praying for his family now as they enter a different stage of coping and coming to terms with their situation.

------------------
I am still writing my book/something. I haven't blogged much about it here, because I don't want to jinx myself, but I had a dream that was quite involved about a month and half ago and since then there has been a compulsion to get the story out of my head and get it on paper. I'm planning to spend the weekend at my mom's house writing.

-----------------
I am re-reading the Twilight series of books in anticipation of the release of Breaking Dawn which comes out next weekend and is the final book in the series.

----------------
Work is still sucky. There are new developments every day. Its very stressful and I'm not doing the best job making decisions for myself.

I am also doing the job of another person who quit (which leaves me with the two busiest account execs on my desk. Which sucks).

Yes, it sucks.

2008-07-16T13:15:00.006-04:00

No, I don't know if I have a job after layoffs are done.

Yes I'm contemplating finding a job and moving to DC with Elaine.

No, I don't know when we'll know if we have to reinterview.

Yes, I'm stressed.

No, I really don't want to talk about unless I bring it up.

Please say a prayer

2008-07-09T15:08:00.001-04:00

My co-worker Ben's wife Jean is fighting cancer, and even with all the love and strength of her family the cancer isn't giving up.

She needs all the positive thoughts and prayers you can send their way.

I have writers block.

2008-07-09T14:36:00.002-04:00

On the blog and on the psuedo book I may or may not be writing.

Remember

2008-07-02T10:52:00.005-04:00

Matthew 5:4

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

I miss you, Dad. I always will.

I am so tired.

2008-06-23T11:45:00.001-04:00

I'll have to recap Joe & Deana's wedding later - and the days leading up to it of course. Right now I'm struggling to stay awake through the work day, especially since after sweating for 4 straight days I'm not convinced I won't break out in a sweat even sitting here in the AC.

Vacay - part deux

2008-06-18T17:54:00.000-04:00

Vacation - sort of ... for a wedding.

See ya'll monday

Photo collage from DC

2008-06-18T11:40:00.016-04:00

I swear

2008-06-16T16:53:00.002-04:00

Really I do swear to get around to unpacking my bag from DC and finding the cable for my camera so I can upload some pics.

I swear.

7 songs eh...

2008-06-16T11:47:00.003-04:00

thanks to Sara, I'm tagged for 7 songs I'm really into right now ... hrm.

Lesse...

1. El Scorcho - Weezer (thanks to Clay and his RockBand obession with singing this song)
2. Last Name - Carrie Underwood (can't stop belting this out in my car)
3. Viva La Vida - Coldplay (LOVE!)
4. Say - John Mayer (my anthem of the moment)
5. Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley (I'm largely convinced there is no better song ever sung so well)
6. Roll With The Changes - REO Speedwagon (song for Elaine)
7. I Want You - Third Eye Blind (best.song.ever. - my favorite)

Tim Russert passes - Father's Day

2008-06-13T17:50:00.002-04:00

Wow. Kind of reeling from the news about Tim Russert passing suddenly today at work.

By all accounts the man was a wonderful son and father as well as being an exemplary journalist. Regardless of your politics this was a man who knew his stuff and was pretty equally tough on everyone. A great loss to the political media machine - and a void impossible to fill. Andrea Mitchell, Tom Brokaw, and even David Gregory made me cry as they remembered him.

Also on my mind - this weekend is Father's Day - as most people who read this little blog know this is the 4th fathers day I've spent without my dad. It will be five year since we lost him on July 2 of this year. Father's Day is the last time my whole family was together before the accident that claimed my dad - and its such a clear, wonderful memory its frozen in time on my mind.

So I'd like to take this chance to remind all the sons and daughters out there to take some extra time over the next few days and do what I wish I could - call up your dad - or go to see him and make sure you tell him you love him. The greatest gift I ever gave myself and likely my dad is that the last words we ever spoke were "I Love You"

Funny things you hear in DC.

2008-06-13T11:01:00.000-04:00

You're not gonna wanna friends with me anymore, because I'm mean.

I tried that. It didn't work.

BITCH!

Did you use my new lipstick? NO BITCH ITS MINE!

I think its the cheese. Yep. Its the cheese.

Are your balls more sticky or spicy?

no, I'm carrying cupcakes.

I'M CARRYING A CHILD.

Its gonna be raccoon eyes. Or reverse raccoons.

Jenzilla.

You remember my name?

Yeah, Alvin - like the chipmunks.

Get off of my Edward. Don't hump Edward.

NO MAN ON BEAST!

yeah, that's book two!

you know if someone's balls are hot... he must be a perfect 10. Cause I'm just saying balls are not hot. ever.

Let me finish with Deez Nuts first.

"you're in love with a vampire!", you know like the stripper song.

Balls - its the word of the week.

Damn it Tomeka! Bitch.

These two fools booked me on a tour with mules.

FDR. WORD.

creepy. HOT! creepy. HOT! creepy... oh (whispers) Bite me right here!

I'm scared of the evil bitch vampire. I can't go to sleep.

Aw dude. I'm down wind.

It has to be all kissing songs. Like Kiss Kiss, This Kiss, Kiss from a Rose, you know.

Tuesday and Wednesday - DC Style

2008-06-13T10:42:00.003-04:00

Tuesday we got up and got dressed since these dudes were coming to install Elaine's new shutters and blinds (thank god! Since most of her neighborhood had already seen me pee and get dressed through the uncovered windows I'm sure!). Patty and I were going to ride over to the holocaust museum to get passes to go in - but we just never did. We were both reading and Elaine was dealing with blinds stuff. Finally after the dudes left we decided to skip the museums and just go eat mexican for dinner - we dined at La Loma - and apart from an extremely over attentive staff (to the point of me never pouring my own margaritas and being totally annoyed because I felt I was being sort of force-fed my drinks) the place was great. After dinner we went back to Elaines for more girl talk and reading and I proceeded to get myself totally freaked out by the 2nd Edward book (aka: New Moon - and why aren't more of you reading Twilight and New Moon and Eclipse by now - get moving people!).

Patty couldn't sleep that night and ended up downstairs in the scary basement apartment - which is actually nicely finished just REALLY DARK and when she turned off the lights it was so dark even she was slightly freaked out and had to turn on a light. Max had gone down stairs with her and they both got scared by the AC coming on - Max hid under the covers.

Wednesday morning I actually slept in until like 9:30 which was nice - I thank the blinds for making that possible by cutting the sun mostly. We messed around doing laundry - or rather I did and we ended up not getting to go to the National Museum of Natural History like we planned and ended up going to have lunch at the same place Patty and I ate at on our first day ... Cosi - SO GOOD. I had Turkey and Brie on a flatbread (whole wheat) with honey mustard. YUM!

After the lunching we went to a souvenir shop so I could find a cheesy DC magnet for my fridge. I ended up with a patriotic silly looking donkey standing on the words Washington, DC - its cute.

Elaine then dropped us off at the airport after an unsuccessful attempt to drive by the White House for pics.

Our flight was hell. We boarded the plane for our 3:50 flight at around 3:15 pm. Then we got Deplaned (3:25). We sat for an hour and 40 minutes. Then the pilot jumped up ran over to the gate agent and was like "We've got to go NOW! Get these people boarded before they ground stop us again!" (5:00). Apparently Atlanta was experiencing horrible weather that had both delayed traffic (leaving us no room) and mucked up the visibility so bad they stopped taking flights. We got back on the plane and sat forever (now like 5:20) and then were told the tractor was coming to push us back - they did (5:30) and we turned around to head to the taxi way - and then "Ladies and Gentlemen - I'm so sorry to tell you this... but Atlanta just ground stopped us again for at least an hour. We can't go back to the gate so we are going to have to sit here." You could tell the pilot really felt bad. So we sat (6:00) and we sat (6:15) and we sat (6:30). Finally we got cleared to go and I think we finally took off like 6:50. so what - 3 hours late.

We arrived in Atlanta at like 8:30 pm. Patty was hungry. I was hungry. Bill Byrd met us at the airport and got our baggage for us. Then we stopped Chick Fil A - so hungry. We told Bill Byrd about our trip and then went back to Patty's to get my car/keys/3rd Edward book and left for home. I got there around 10. SO TIRED.

I did however stay up and read half of Edward the Third (really its called Eclipse- and as I type this on friday morning I've already finished the book completely).

DC was fun - photos and a hiliarious post to follow.

Monday - PJs, AC and Tour Guide Bitchslaps

2008-06-12T11:27:00.002-04:00

Monday we hung out at Elaine's most of the day. She was making some calls for business and Patty and I were reading.

Monday I fell in love with Edward Cullen from the Twilight books. Yes, he is a fictional, seventeen year old vampire - I do not care. LOVE HIM.

Monday night we had reservations to go on the DC the Lights tour, which left from the Old Post Office at 7.

We were warned to be there early because they left right at 7; we ate a light dinner and then went over to park. While Elaine parked the car Patty and I strolled into Barnes & Noble and I bought my own copies of the 1st two Edward books, I wanted to have him for my very own.

Elaine finally found some parking and we took off for the Old Post Office. After a little confusion on where exactly our bus was picking up we decided to go do the Tower Tour at the OPO. We took this giant elevator up and got out on the observation deck. With a great 360 view of DC we decided to break the rules and stick our camera's through the wires on the viewing windows and take some great shots of the capitol building and the washington monument. After we trucked back downstairs to go meet our bus we were relieved to find it just outside and with AC blasting we gave kudos for choosing the AC bus over the non AC trolley.

The tour started off fine - though our guide did call us stragglers a lot because Patty and I were taking photos. We saw the Capitol Building, the World War II Memorial, Iwo Jima Memorial, The Korean War Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam War Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, the FDR Memorial and had a drive by at the White House.

The tour itself was fine. We had fun - and the monuments were beautiful. I really wanted to go the Jefferson Memorial - and we did and it was spectacular - I also found myself in love with the FDR Memorial - everything in it and everything a part of it was amazing and totally spoke to my heart. However - this is where things went horribly awry.

Do you feel the bitchslap portion of this post coming on? How perceptive.

While were at the FDR Memorial - which I totally recommend anyone going to DC visit - more on it by clicking here, but more on that later. The FDR Memorial is comprised of 4 outdoor rooms and it is beautiful. When we arrived there it was already 9:40 (on a tour that was supposed to end at 10) and by the time we finished listening to the talk about the first 2 rooms (because our guide rambled and rambled) it was 5 til 10. Patty politely pulled the guide aside as we walked to room 3 to inquire about the lateness of the hour, and the additional stop at the White House plus the travel time to Old Post Office (because our car was in car jail if we didn't get it out of the deck by 11pm). The guide was most unhappy even though she was perfectly nice about it and even told him we'd be willing to catch a cab if necessary so as no to disrupt the tour.
This apparently angered him to the point where he decided to be unprofessional AND bitchy. As we finished up and walked back to the tour bus we noticed a cab. But since it was only 10:15 and we did really want to see the white house at night - we just decided to risk it. We thought that would be end of it. Art, whom I will refer to as shArt from here on, the shitastic tour guide got back on the bus and came down the aisle making a big deal to us about the taxi we could get in and after we mentioned 4 times that we were good he finally went back to the front of the bus. Then he got on the microphone and proceeded to call out our predicament to the entire tour and then made them vote on whether they wanted to forego the White House, do a driveby or stop.

Patty was FURIOUS! We'd offered to just go in a cab so as not to disrupt the tour, and was so unprofessional and embarrassed us. People on the bus were bitching, some either fed up with the tour running so late, or out of sympathy voted to drive by only. When we arrived back at the old post office at 10:30 - a half an hour late, even with the stop that was skipped, people were asked to tip the driver and shArt for their tour. A chick in the back of the bus whom I've labled Bitchy McWontShutUp was still going on about the White House. We totally felt ambushed and upset that shArt would change the plan on people who paid for the tour - the White House is last for a reason - and he acted like a baby and he sucks. Patty was livid and said "I'm pregnant, hormonal, and hot! I'm saying something." I bit my lip and was glad that for once I wasn't the one raising a ruckus - though a ruckus certainly needed to be raised.

So as we exited the bus - after a lengthy soliloquy about how we can tip them - Patty unleashed her anger basically telling shArt that she didn't appreciate his blantant attempt to embarrass us or that he changed the tour. She was very concise but clearly angry and displeased. I was behind her on the bus and he waited until she was out the door before saying - "what ma'am - what did she say - I didn't hear her" and I glared at him (with all the glar-y evilness I could muster - and that is a level of evil you don't want to unleash) and said - "Whatever, you didn't hear her because you didn't want to hear it".

I'm going to call today and complain about the behavior - I figured it was better to do that in the office where I had to maintain a level of decorum.

Photos to come (I left the power cord for my camera at home today) as well as Tuesday and Wednesday updates.

DC - We want some mo', we want some mo'!

2008-06-10T09:04:00.003-04:00

So... on Sunday we went to Georgetown for the day.

We had a surprise for Patty - it involved Mules, Period Costumes and a boat. When we were considering other vacation locales before Elaine set her move date both Memphis and NOLA were in the running - both have riverboats - which none of us had ever been on and Patty really wanted to do that.

Since they don't have a traditional riverboat in DC we found something better - its a tour conducted by the National Park System through the canal that runs parallel to the Potomac River. It was very cool and interesting; they showed how the canal lochs worked and how they people way back in the day ran their family shipping businesses through Georgetown. We were lucky to make the tour - it has been so hot here that they didn't want to do the second and third tours of the day and we rolled up right when a group did and got some of the last tickets.

After the boat tour we walked up and went in some shops. I bought some obnoxiously large sunglasses at H&M and a new bag because I happened to be carrying a wristlet that was making me mucho hot. I think we all bought something there. After a few more shops we ate at Paradiso which is an awesome pizza place with some awesome sparkling lemonade.

After lunch we proceeded to MAC for fun makeup, and then to makeup girls mecca - SEPHORA. None of us bought anything in Sephora - but you can never look enough. We had one final stop. The last part of the surprise for Patty - Baked & Wired. The best cupcake shop in DC. NO KIDDING. We each had a different flavor - I had strawberry, Patty had birthday cake, and Elaine had Red Velvet - they were all good - but we all agreed that the strawberry was the best - and we had some awesome tea beverages that were refreshing. Patty got 3 more strawberries for us to take home to eat later. We rode up the street to Restoration Hardware to purchase curtain rods for Elaine's bedroom. Then we proceeded home and discussed about going to the grocery store - or out to eat forever. We finally ended up at the grocery and bought stuff to do burgers and we back to use our local produce to make guac and eat burgers. Twas good.

This was also the day I met the hot EDWARD (vampire from the Twilight book series). SO Hot. So GOOD.

DC... so far.

2008-06-09T12:18:00.004-04:00

So we have been chillin' here in Elaine's hood since Saturday morning - Patty and I arrived at 11am on Friday and proceeded to nap, lunch and then tour Elaine's actual hood (which is not as scary as she previously might have indicated). We met her neighbors - Alvin (and his crew of yet unnamed bunch of dudes we call the chipmunks), who lives with his Grandmama two doors down.

We were going to eat at this mexican place I found - but when you go somewhere at 9:30 on a friday night there is bound to be a wait regardless of the city you are in... and thus we could not wait an hour or more for a table, seeing as how patty and I had eaten sandwiches at like 1pm and other than that I'd eaten just donuts from the airport vending machine. So we ended up finding a dominoes pizza near our hotel (at 14 and K NE) and just taking it back to the room and chatting.

Saturday we got up mostly early and checked out of the hotel and came home to chill with Max for a moment and the we headed out to the Eastern Market - which was way cool. No pictures of that because it was too hot to get out the camera. We all did buy fake designer glasses - Elaine got some Lior's and Patty got some Foach, and I got a Frada and Doncha and Gabnotna's. They are most hot. We also bought some yummy local produce for some kick ass guac, lots of fresh fruit and a yummy pasta salad with fresh veggies, feta and olives. We also searched in vain for long red beads for me. And we were swelteringly hot.

Saturday night we we went to eat at this place on H Street near Elaine's, called Sticky Rice DC - its new and AWESOME! Anyone who wants kick ass sushi should go there. They have tater tots - yes tater tots in a bucket that come with this awesome aioli/ponzu -ish spicy sauce for dipping. They are most pleasing to eat. Elaine partook of some sticky balls (WOOT!) and I ate the Billy Goat Gruff which is far and away the most tasty morsel of sushi ever to cross the lips of this girl. Sadly I've not seen it on any menu in ATL - I guess I can request it at MF in Atl because they are the only place likely to do goat cheese wrapped in yellow tail that is lightly broiled and then topped with scallions and seasame. Patty tried to kill us with her freaking wasabi pea rolls. They were so spicy I nearly died after consumption. We had an early night as we were getting up early to roll out to Georgetown for Patty's belated birthday surprise and some shopping. Plus its hotter than a perfect 10's balls up here and we were all sun zapped by like 10 pm.

More to follow - so turn the page bitches.

ahhhhhh vacation!

2008-06-05T15:36:00.003-04:00

I'm off to DC for a week of glorious fun with Elaine and Patty - and my headcold seems to have backed off a little (YAY for small miracles!)

I'll be back on Wednesday night - hopefully with fun photos!

until then I leave you with the Elaine Inspired Popular Various (all her favorites as I can remember) Top 10!

1. Bizarre Love Triangle - New Order
2. Love in this club - Usher
3. Personal Jesus - Depeche Mode
4. Rehab - Amy Winehouse
5. Undeniable - Mat Kearney
6. Right Stuff - NKOTB
7. Come On Eileen - Dexy's Midnight Runners
8. Sabatoge - Beastie Boys
9. Creep - Radiohead
10. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper

Peace out Be-atches!

Young Hillary Clinton - HA!

2008-06-04T15:43:00.001-04:00

Jimmy Carter on the "dream" ticket - WORD! Stay away Barack - too many other worthy candidates out there - send Hils packing!

as has been my trend...

2008-06-04T14:35:00.001-04:00

I am coming down with a cold just before my trip to DC with Patty to see Elaine and help her get settled.

Nearly every time I am going on a trip...this happens.

And it SUCKS.

Ba-RACK the Vote.

2008-06-03T17:44:00.001-04:00

YES, WE CAN!

Elaine's packing up

2008-06-02T13:13:00.003-04:00

So sad.

Elaine is moving to DC. The movers are packing away her things now, and tomorrow she and Max will load up and head out.

Patty and I will arrive on Friday for a week of fun to help her get settled. But I can't help thinking today of how sad I am that she is going to be more than a quick car ride away.

This is absolutely a great move for her - and she will be fine, but selfishly I would prefer to keep my very dearest friend close to me if I could. I will miss her each day.

Two sturdy oaks I mean, which side by side,
Withstand winter's storm,
And spite of wind and tide,
Grow up the meadow's pride,
For both are strong

Above they barely touch, but undermined
Down to their deepest source,
Admiring you shall find
Their roots are intertwined
Insep'rably

Henry David Thoreau

I fell down

2008-05-22T12:11:00.002-04:00

I usually laugh at myself and others when someone near me falls down.

Its funny. Its funny when people suddenly just fall out.

It surely looked funny when I fell yesterday on Marietta Street - but it hurt so bad I couldn't even be embarrassed or laugh.

I'm not convinced the same foot I broke 5 years ago isn't broken again -which is not good considering I'm headed for DC in approximately 2 weeks to help elaine get settled.

I also have a giant road rash/cut/burn strawberry on my knee... and truly probably a pretty serious bone bruise.

It sucks. There goes my weekend o'fun at Stella's birthday - looks like I'll be sitting with my foot up.

Happy Birthday !

2008-05-15T13:08:00.002-04:00

Sara - I hope all your wishes come true this year!

Love,
Jen

WOOT!

2008-05-14T18:41:00.001-04:00

EDWARDS ENDORSES OBAMA!!

SQUEE!!!

I'm at work late just so I can watch it live...because otherwise I'd be in my car.

Now if Edwards will just get a kick ass position in Obama's cabinet I'll be THRILLED!

Fucking Blogger

2008-05-13T11:20:00.001-04:00

just ate a really long update post.

I hate blogger.

Bo - cute.
Stella - hilarious and cute
elaine leaving soon - sad

Wow...its been a while

2008-05-13T10:56:00.005-04:00

edit - Sara is so SMART!! she knew how to save my post. Here it is a day late.

I've either been really busy or really lame for a week since I haven't bothered to update.

Let's see ... a recap, or as clay and I like to call it when reality shows pause for a week to do a clip show... the reCRAP.

Finished up with dog sitting of Bo, who is so cute and did many funny things. I'd be sitting on the couch playing RockBand (world's greatest game "I WANNA ROCK!" -insert guitar noise here!), and he'd just look at me like "oh god, here we go again."

As evidenced by this photo he is, in fact, one of the cutest animals to grace this planet. I came around the corner from the shower one morning to find him snuggled onto my spot in the bed, which I'd recently vacated. Notice how he's snuggled slightly under the cover, and until I reached over to pick up my phone - he was resting his head on my pillow.

It nearly killed me to leave Terri and Ryan's because he was laying on my arm and rubbing his giant ears on my arm/shoulder/whatever when I was saying good bye. Such a sweet, good boy.

Anywho. On Friday night I went to impromptu japanese with Beth and Kevin and Nora. Shockingly, the chef remembered nora and me because he remembered Sara, who frequents that place for lunch. I was unsuccessful in catching rice in my mouth. I did succeed in catching it in the eye and on the boob. We went up to the bar for a few to see Joel and Shane...but none of us were really feeling it and we left to go home pretty early.

On Saturday Beth and Kevin went with Stella and Allison to "nastics" as Stella says. Nora and I went to Starbucks to meet up with them on our way down to her dad's restaurant. Stella was pumped to see us, yelling "Come Back Jiffah" when I went in to get my coffee and "NORA, Lizards!" when she needed a buddy to hunt lizards with on the patio.

Nora and I went to feed Sara's demon cat later that afternoon, and in the 10 minutes we are at her house he managed to hiss at both of us independantly- and scratch both of us. Nora worse than me, though she was asking for it by trying to pet him, and I was merely sitting down food. Cat has issues.

I also watched the entire season of How I Met Your Mother Season 1 this weekend. I love that show.

Today I'm working with Patty and Laine to plan our trip to DC since Elaine moves there on June 4. So sad.

I am practically in tears.... from laughing

2008-05-05T14:17:00.001-04:00

Classic Citibank Commercials.

Love the old ladies at the start and the man drinking beer discussing his leather Boustier