If 24 were filmed in 1994...

I don't watch 24, but I thought that this was pretty entertaining!

http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1788161

So, is the whole world going on strike?!

...ok, perhaps it's just MY world! Ha! Now Broadway stagehands are on strike:

Theatres turn away thousands as Broadway stagehands strike

The entertainment world has surely gone amuck! What's next?! The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon holders?!?! When will it end?! Where is the justice, people?!?! ...ok, I really don't know what I'm talking about. I'm just glad I didn't have Broadway tix! Those suckers are expensive! I wish someone would form a picket line in support for cheaper tickets! Now, that's a picket line I could get behind!

The Mysteries of TVland

A random collection of observations and curiosities...

• In TVland, people always drive with their windows down. I only ever roll my window down to engage in some drive-thru transaction, but people in TVland always ride with their windows down all of the time...and their hair never gets messed up...and they're usually not listening to the radio, either.
• No one ever goes to the bathroom (unless it progresses the storyline, that is.)
• It would be really cool (and convenient) to have background music--it lets you know when you should be concerned, it enhances the romance and drama of significant moments, it sets the mood...background music would be SO neat in real life!
• If my car ever becomes a crime scene, I could only hope that it would be as clean as the crime scene cars in TVland! Seriously, they would never find significant fibers or scene-stealing clues in MY car...but they would find lots of random junk and a dashboard in serious need of some detail work!
• The plethora of beautiful people always amazes me. I realize that TVland does not represent reality, in part, because the whole idea of TV is to escape reality, but seriously, there are no ugly people...and if they are ugly, it's bizarro ugliness that is intended to set the character off as an odd-ball or quirky. (i.e., I have NEVER been on a plane with as many beautiful people as those that populate the cast of LOST!)
• And, while fat leading men can be found--usually with stick-insects for wives--you rarely, if ever, see fat women in leading roles unless they are the mother-figure of the show.
• No one ever runs out of anything--like bread or toothpaste or clean underwear--unless it progresses the storyline and you never see anyone going grocery shopping or doing laundry.
• No one pays bills.
• Broke people still manage to have amazing apartments and great furniture.
• Children are only rolled out when it advances the storyline...and then the rest of the time they seem to only be in the living areas of the house when it's time for meals or bed.
• No one in TVland seems to have a living room lay-out designed around the location of the TV--ironically, most TVland homes don't seem to have TV's in their living rooms at all!

Alright, I could go on-and-on, but I'm sure you get the gist. And I know that having these things would take away that which makes TVland special and fun...but it's just stuff I've noticed in my wide range of TV viewing! Anyone have their own observations...other than the fact that I watch and/or think about TV too much?!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my sweet momma's birthday! I'm quite sure that she will never see this unless I show her myself, but I just thought I'd write the post anyway. Happy 55th birthday, Mom! I love you!!

Someday...

I've wanted a Mini for a while now (go ahead and laugh Phillip!) ...it may just happen one of these days. But i don't think it will be blue...not sure what color I want, but I do want a convertible. This much I know!

A thought to ponder...

Topic: Plastic...what would life be like without it?! Talk amongst yourselves.

Wise words from Currier Bell

As I am an English teacher on occasion, I do enjoy a good literary classic every now and again. I spent my summer reading, for the most part, pure junk. Since school started and I wasn't doing any thing other than babysitting semi-functioning middle schoolers, I thought I'd delve into something challenging; something that I've always wanted to read but was never assigned. I had a fine at the public library, so I decided to search my own shelves for this heretofore undiscovered (by me) literary classic. I eventually decided on Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. With my copy coming in at just over 500 pages, it's always seemed a daunting task, but as I wasn't being daunted by anything else at the moment, I thought I'd give it a try. I won't give a synopsis of the novel, but if you're interested in the storyline, you can check out the Sparknotes for the story here.

I don't typically read novels with a highlighter unless I'm preparing to teach them, but the wisdom of this particular passage really struck me, so I thought I'd post it here:

Laws and principles are not for the times when there is no temptation: they are for such moments as this, when body and soul rise in mutiny against their rigour; stringent are they; inviolate they shall be. If at my individual convenience I might break them, what would be their worth?

Isn't that a good quote?! I'm a fan of good quotes and I'm always excited when I discover one on my own. The book was (surprisingly) really good and not hard to read at all. I highly recommend it!



...and in case you're wondering, Currier Bell was Charlotte Bronte's pen name.



...and in case you're keeping track, I am trying to use the word heretofore in as many posts as I can, just for fun!

strike = STROKE

Having had a natural mistrust of the recording capabilities of VCR's in their heyday, I have--at times--been somewhat metaphorically chained to my TV set because of my love of prime time television programming. With the creation of such wonderful new inventions as the DVR, I've experienced a freedom heretofore unheard of...I could be a die-hard fan AND be away from home between the hours of 7-10pm! This independence has been sweet...but now we face another foe. Soon there will be no new shows for my lovely little DVR player to record! Yikes!!

Perhaps you have discovered by this point that the Writer's Guild has gone on strike over contract disputes with regard to DVD and Internet sales of the TV shows that they write for...I don't quite understand the fine details of this matter, but, based on what I'm hearing, I am beginning to understand how this will effect ME and I'm not so happy!!! Dear reader, you must understand: I am a single woman of limited financial means and no children or small animals to keep me occupied. I must have SOMETHING to fill up my evenings and keep my mind off of my impending spinsterhood!

If you're looking for a little info on this most unfortunate turn of events, check out this short interview and article. I will cut-and-paste a portion of the article that causes the most pain:

Are shows like 24 and Lost in Jeopardy? USA Today runs down the many other ways the one-day-old strike has already impacted the TV season, including the cancellation of NBC’s planned Heroes spin-off, a possible postponement of the new season of 24 and a potentially shortened (to eight episodes!) season of Lost.

Oh my!! What will we do?! This is just too much! The cost is too high!! Give these writers what they want oh present-day money barons of the network conglomerates!! Can't you see what you're doing to us common folk! I might be forced out of my home--bored with re-runs and suffocated by obnoxious reality TV--and forced to interact with actual human beings for evenings on end! This is something I cannot comprehend! Please, for the love of all that is good and pure in this sad little world of ours, don't let this drag on for months as some are predicting! Give us our first-runs back!!! Thank you for your prompt attention in this matter.

PS...I'm with the writers on this one. I realize that this could cause me much pain if it continues, but I do think it's only right that they are fairly compensated for their work in all areas of revenue. That's my two cents, anyway!

Christmas (music) comes early...

Now, I am not one to start the Christmas festivities too early--I'm a fan of my birthday AND Thanksgiving, both of which come before--but I must say that, when I learned that Josh Groban had FINALLY recorded a Christmas CD, I rushed out to buy it! I've been waiting for this for years now!! So, sad as it is, if you happen to see me on the road, suffice it to say that you will probably catch me listening to some Christmas tunes a month too early. . .I mean, it's Josh Groban, people!!

Day 3: pics from Josh and Ashley's wedding

My cousin Josh married this beautiful girl named Ashley--who's WAY out of his league, if you ask me! ;)--this summer and I realized that I never posted any of the pics from our trip. So, here are some pics from the trip!

Grayson and Erica before the service...and right before a very active Grayson went to meet his new cousin Mikey in the back!

Josh (the groom) with his nephew Jackson and Uncle Donald in the background.

I wasn't a shutterbug during the ceremony, so I'm afraid those are all of the pics from the ceremony. The rest are really just us entertaining ourselves at the reception. I've tried to limit those to spare the innocent (which would be you, my dear readers!)

Grayson being his jolly self at the reception.

My Uncle Warren showing his better side...and if you think this pic is weird, I'll spare you from the REALLY interesting ones that he took! My family has a warped sense of humor! ha!

Erica in rare (?) form...with Damon looking on in the background and probably wondering what he's gotten himself into! ha!

Warren teaching Grayson how to play with fire.

More playing with fire while Aunt Frieda looks on.

My Uncle Donald...I really look up to him!

The happy couple! Aren't they cute?!

It was a really fun trip, and I'd like to thank Josh and Ashley for getting married so that we could visit again so soon--that's twice in less than a year, I'd like to point out!

We enjoyed visiting with other people who aren't pictured here like Phillip, Jenny, Mikey, and Aunt Debbie...but I really didn't take very many pictures (and I'm not sure what's ok to post on their end), so I didn't get a very good representation of the fam. Sorry guys! Maybe next visit!

Day 2 and already out of ideas!

Hmmmmm...this posting everyday thing used to be a breeze! What happened?! I guess I'm just out of practice. I did find something the other day that might be of interest to any LOST fans out there!

http://dispatchesfromtheisland.blogspot.com/

It's Jorge Garcia (Hurley)'s blog. He doesn't give away any plot spoilers (by way of contractual obligations, I assume) but it's fun to see what the other side blogs about! Enjoy!

abandon...sweet and otherwise

Ok, so I was chastised today for my lack of blogging. I don't even think anyone (other than Lynette, the said chastiser) even reads this anymore, but I am repenting of my lack of blogging by committing to a full month of blogging fun! That's right, I commit to posting every day in the glorious month of November...so let's see how long THAT will last!

For my November 1st post, I have pictures of Grayson in his Halloween costume! Enjoy!

A cheery pirate, he is!

Arrrrgggghhhhh!

Damon got in on the act!

Damon and Grayson playing around.

An impromptu Shakespearean performance, mayhaps?

Hey, Pirates like to look good!

in my humble opinion...

SOMEONE needs to tell the Jolie-Pitt conglomerate that they need to slow their roll! Now, perhaps you have a different opinion, and you are perfectly entitled to that opinion--so go write about it on your own blog--but I'm kinda tired of hearing these two talk about having children like they're collecting webkinz or something! As reported in an article on people.com, "When asked by Italian state TV if he and partner Angelina Jolie were ready for a fifth child, Pitt replied: 'Yeah, we're ready.'" What?! Can someone please remind Brad that they already have four kids! And has anyone stopped to add up the months in between each of these new additions: Jolie adopted Maddox in March, 2002; three years later, she adopts Zahara in July 2005; 10 months later, Shiloh is born in May, 2006; 10 months later they adopt Pax in March 2007...other than the gap between the first and second, that's only a 10-month stretch! Most mothers I know would have had a stroke by this point! It MUST be nice to have nannies!

Ok, I have no problem with the idea that the Jolie-Pitts are genuine, open-hearted people who want to create a loving environment for international orphans and the like, but they aren't running an orphanage, they're adopting these kids--taking on the responsibility of raising them to become mature, reasonably normal adults. I guess my burning question is how do they give each of these children the nurturing and attention that they need from both their mother and their father? Yes, children often grow up in much less desirable environments, but ole' Brad and Angie are choosing to live and raise these children as a couple--a Hollywood couple, at that. Yes, rich people have been letting other people raise their children for hundreds of years, but those are generally the children that they choose to bring into the world. The J-P's are choosing to create this environment and then hiring other people to make it all happen. I am having trouble seeing their benevolence as anything other than the newest collecting trend among the rich and eccentric.

The report goes on to say, "Brad Pitt says that with four children, 'sleep is non-existent' and some days fatherhood is a roller coaster ride." How in the world do they expect anyone to believe that, if one of the children cries out in the night, Brad is the one who jumps up to calm the tears?! When do you ever see ole' Angie trying to wrestle all four kids into the family mini-van so that she can get Maddox to school on time?! OH, and where in the world is Maddox in school? They're in a different state every other week...and Angie's off in Iraq!

"It's the most fun I have ever had and also the biggest pain in the ass I have ever experienced," [Brad] told reporters at the Venice Film Festival on Sunday. "(But) I love it and I can't recommend it any more highly." Well sure, Brad...I'm sure everyone would love to be a father when they want to...and then hand them off to the nannies when it's time to go play cards with Clooney and the boys! bleh...

[Please note: this is only MY humble, uneducated opinion based on info I'm getting from People.com and Entertainment Tonight! I have not thoroughly researched the effects of stacking up kids like cordwood and hiring a hoard of people to care for them so that you can jet-set off to Venice and Hollywood for glamorous film-festival after glamorous film festival. I'm sure the kids are fine...and living in much better digs than I ever will!]

Summer 2007 in a post

My summer? Somewhat uneventful. These pics (and my next post) pretty much sum it up. We begin with Jen's wedding. The next pics are the highlight of my summer--our trip to Kyle and Katie's house. The pics were mainly taken with a film camera and scanned on my dinky free-with-computer scanner, so sorry about the quality! I'll be posting a few pics from Josh and Ashley's wedding soon...

Jen's wedding party

who doesn't love a wedding cake?!

ABC friends 4 life!

Lynette and Janie...and don't we all wonder what THEY were talking about?!

Patty and Aggie--the twinkies!

Oh, yeah!!

We're goin' to see David and we're SOOOOO excited!!!

Bathtime fun

We're clean and we're LOVIN' it!

David is hilarious!!

David and the giraffes

David and Katie are chillin' in the penguin house.

Erica, Grayson, and Mom

David, Erica, Grayson, and Mom

Erica and David

Grayson and Kyle jammin' out

polka-dot buddies

uhm, I don't even know how to label this one!! :)

...coming soon, pics from Josh and Ashley's wedding!

I'm confused...am I actually supposed to WANT to eat Sour Skittles after watching this?

Yuck!!

growing up!

I realized that it's been a while since I've posted any pics of the 'fam'. I bought a Nikon N80 a few months ago and, since then, I haven't done much with my digital camera (nor have I done a good job of developing the film, but that's a whole 'nother story!) I shot these pictures of Grayson out at Mammy's house (that's what he calls Mom--it's supposed to be Grammy, but he's changed it to Mammy! Now, had any of US suggested that she be called "Mammy," she would have hurt us, but since it's Grayson--he who does no wrong--she's ok with it! I still think it's funny, but I digress...) a few weeks ago and just picked up the film tonight, so I've scanned some of them on my dinky little scanner and posted them here for the delight of my one reader!! We just got back from a trip to Missouri to visit Kyle, Katie, and David, and those pics are off to be developed as I write...so maybe I'll post them soon! Until then, Grayson (age 18 months) at Mammy's:

"CHEEEEEESSSSSEEEEE!!!"

The solemn profile shot

The kid likes to clean...he takes after his aunt! What can I say?! ha!

Get ready GQ!! ;)

NO WAY!!

(I think this is my favorite of the bunch!)

Forget avatars...now you can be an M&M!

It's me! Neat, neat fun!! Try it out!

external motivators

Everybody loves the lofty ideals that are at the base of intrinsic motivators--to know that you're doing something because you love it on some deep, soul-satisfying level, or because at it's essence, this activity or behavior is leading to a higher quality of life. Heck, it's the stuff of blockbuster movies and best-selling novels! But we all know that intrinsic motivators aren't always enough, otherwise we'd stop at red lights and obey speed limits because it feels so good to do so, and we'd pay all of our bills on time because it fulfills some deep emotional level in our souls.

Yeah, I'm afraid to say that external motivators are here to stay because it becomes exhausting to live with our fingers on the pulse of our deep psychological needs. Rules are easier. Negative consequences, while ugly and hard to accept, are often larger motivators than simply doing things for the right reasons...and no, I'm not making some big argument for legalism vs. grace.

What I'm talking about here is dieting! I'm awful at it and I need to get a whole lot better. There have been times when it's not been as hard. I've psyched myself up and developed a plan and a system--and I achieved modest results. But it's so much easier to fall into not doing anything, and so often I have. Part of my problem is, while I realize the intrinsic benefits that come with exercising and losing weight, I don't have any extrinsic motivators that are strong enough to kick-start my psyche into action...until now! I've made a 25-week dieting and exercise pact with a dear friend and I created my own external motivator: a haircut! If I don't lose a rather significant amount of weight (the amount of which is known only to her and a few others) by December 21, 2007, I will have to submit to a boy-short haircut! Yikes!


I realize that this may not sound so awful to boys and women who have embraced the short haircut, but for one who's instructions to her hairdresser always include the stipulation, "it needs to be long enough to pull into a pony-tail," this consequence invokes pure terror! And so now I have my external motivator--and a friend who will hold me to it--and I'm raring to go!! So look for me at Christmas...a good bit thinner with flowing locks, OR chunky and boy-short! It scares me just to think of it...I'll leave you with a parting shot for visual reference (although I have a feeling that the look won't be quite as cute on me as it is on Natalie Portman!)

I'm no Jay Leno, but...

When did orange juice become a dairy product?!

Bar-be-que: ordained by God?!

Verses I found after a recent search on BibleGateway.com:

Exodus 29:18Then burn the entire ram on the altar. It is a burnt offering to the LORD, a pleasing aroma, an offering made to the LORD by fire.

Exodus 29:25Then take them from their hands and burn them on the altar along with the burnt offering for a pleasing aroma to the LORD, an offering made to the LORD by fire.

Exodus 29:41Sacrifice the other lamb at twilight with the same grain offering and its drink offering as in the morning—a pleasing aroma, an offering made to the LORD by fire.

Leviticus 1:13He is to wash the inner parts and the legs with water, and the priest is to bring all of it and burn it on the altar. It is a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, an aroma pleasing to the LORD.

Leviticus 1:17He shall tear it open by the wings, not severing it completely, and then the priest shall burn it on the wood that is on the fire on the altar. It is a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, an aroma pleasing to the LORD.

Now, is it just me, or does it seem like the LORD likes the smell of a good bar-be-que?! And apparently, he prefers his well-done. ;) [Please know that I mean no disrespect...it's just what I always think of when I read those passages about burnt offering...and ya know, since we were made in His image...]