This might be the most disgusting display of wealth I've seen in a long time... meet Ed & Nina Otto of Boca Raton, FL, who spent $150,000 to clone their dead yellow lab, Lancelot.
Can you think of anything more ridiculous?! According to the ASPCA's website, half of all dogs in shelters are eventually destroyed because there is no one to adopt them. So rather than provide a home for one of these animals, this crazy couple decided to create a new one.
And you know what, that's not even the part that really gets me. I'd much rather more people adopted strays and mutts from shelters. But let's say this couple had rather paid several thousand dollars for a purebred puppy. Okay. That's their perogative, and a choice made lots of mostly responsible purebred dog enthusiasts and breeders. Even if they'd done that, at least they'd have had $148,000 dollars to spare and could've donated that to the ASPCA or their local humane society or any other charity or even put it in a trust fund for their grandkids for goodness sake!
I am a lover of animals and I understand the intense emotional connection you have with a pet. For crying out loud, I held our family dog Bear's head in my lap as the vet put him to sleep, after he was too old and exhausted to even get up off the floor - I grasp the heartbreak of a pet's passing. But here's where Mr. & Mrs. McCrazy and I differ. Because my next thought after my dog died was not, "Let's go ahead and freeze up some of this DNA because I need an exact replica of this dog in the future. Literally no other dog on the planet will do. Good thing I'm rich!"
How pathetic and, to be frank, bat-sH*# INSANE is this couple that they believed this was the best course of action?! CLONING. THEIR. DOG. I feel like Amy Poehler & Seth Meyers, doing a "Seriously?" sketch on SNL. Seriously, Mr. & Mrs. Otto, it never crossed your mind to just GET A DIFFERENT DOG? And seriously, you couldn't think of anything better to do with $150K? SERIOUSLY?!
Sorry for a rant first thing in the morning, dearest reader, but this story just got me all riled up. Now I can't wait to get home and give Scruffy a big fat hug and thank God that He gives us the special honor of caring for the creatures of His creation, and maybe pray we screw it up a little less often.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Money Money Money Money
I've been thinking about money lately... and who hasn't, in this economy? I think about money mostly as it relates to how much we need to save or make so that eventually I can stop working (at least full time) and have children. That's in the long term, at least. I also like to daydream in the short term about all the places I want to travel and how I can do that cheaply!
The best thing that has probably ever happened to me financially was that in college I interned at Dave Ramsey's company. If you don't know who he is, I'll tell you. Dave is a financial guru and founder of The Lampo Group, based here in Nashville. His radio show broadcasts to thousands nation-wide, and thousands more have read his books.
When I was applying for the internship, I didn't know much about Dave at all. I read his bestseller, "Total Money Makeover," and did some other research to learn more about his and his company. It totally changed my perspective on money, saving, and spending wisely!
Dave and his ideas can be somewhat controversial - he's very black-and-white about most financial decisions and can be oversimplifying when it comes to real life situations. Unfortunately, I think the average American has a seriously dysfunctional relationship with money and needs a financial slap in the face to set them straight.
I'm mostly grateful that Ben & I read this book and adopted some of its principles before we were even married. We decided that we wanted to try to go for the first year of our marriage without a credit card... four years later and we've still never had one! In fact, with the exception of our house and Ben's car (both of which we are paying off fast and furious), we don't owe anyone anything. Not a penny! It is thoroughly freeing!
Seth Godin (a marketing blogger I follow) had a great post last summer about finances, in which he said,
It's simplistic, but true. Dave often puts it even more bluntly... if you can't afford it, don't buy it! Or save up cash until you can. It's an antiquated idea in current times, but one that our grandparents and great-grandparents understood well. The very modern notion of instant gratification is alive and thriving in the way most of us spend money.
I don't mean this to sound condemning to anyone who does have credit cards or loans - I'm sure there are good reasons out there to have one and many responsible people who can use them wisely. I'm just sharing how we've been able to do without and what that looks like for us.
So what's the best financial advice you ever received? Who is the most financially sound person you know and how have you benefited from observing them? What about financial habits you need to nip in the bud? (I'll confess ours... we eat out WAY too much!) Now it is your turn... let me hear from you in the comments!
The best thing that has probably ever happened to me financially was that in college I interned at Dave Ramsey's company. If you don't know who he is, I'll tell you. Dave is a financial guru and founder of The Lampo Group, based here in Nashville. His radio show broadcasts to thousands nation-wide, and thousands more have read his books.
When I was applying for the internship, I didn't know much about Dave at all. I read his bestseller, "Total Money Makeover," and did some other research to learn more about his and his company. It totally changed my perspective on money, saving, and spending wisely!
Dave and his ideas can be somewhat controversial - he's very black-and-white about most financial decisions and can be oversimplifying when it comes to real life situations. Unfortunately, I think the average American has a seriously dysfunctional relationship with money and needs a financial slap in the face to set them straight.
I'm mostly grateful that Ben & I read this book and adopted some of its principles before we were even married. We decided that we wanted to try to go for the first year of our marriage without a credit card... four years later and we've still never had one! In fact, with the exception of our house and Ben's car (both of which we are paying off fast and furious), we don't owe anyone anything. Not a penny! It is thoroughly freeing!
Seth Godin (a marketing blogger I follow) had a great post last summer about finances, in which he said,
Only borrow money to pay for things that increase in value. It's a short list:your business, your house and your education, mostly... If you have credit card debt, you're in big trouble. Your bank account has a huge leak in it, and it's getting worse. Hence the urgency. If you have credit card debt, that means that every time you spend money (even cash), you're borrowing money to do so. And so, if you're going out to dinner or buying a new pair of shoes... you're spending borrowed money on stuff that is decreasing in value.
It's simplistic, but true. Dave often puts it even more bluntly... if you can't afford it, don't buy it! Or save up cash until you can. It's an antiquated idea in current times, but one that our grandparents and great-grandparents understood well. The very modern notion of instant gratification is alive and thriving in the way most of us spend money.
I don't mean this to sound condemning to anyone who does have credit cards or loans - I'm sure there are good reasons out there to have one and many responsible people who can use them wisely. I'm just sharing how we've been able to do without and what that looks like for us.
So what's the best financial advice you ever received? Who is the most financially sound person you know and how have you benefited from observing them? What about financial habits you need to nip in the bud? (I'll confess ours... we eat out WAY too much!) Now it is your turn... let me hear from you in the comments!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Learn Your Rules
As if you needed additional evidence that Dwight was the most hilariously deranged character on television today, I present this clip from last week's episode of "The Office:"
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Happy Birthday to You
Today has been a momentous day for our country, with the inauguration of Barack Obama as our 44th President. But I'm not here to talk politics - no surprise there, to those of you that know I'd rather have my fingernails pulled off than discuss controversial topics. Nope, I'm here to celebrate another special occasion instead.
That girl is my beloved little sister, Ashley. This picture was taken on our wonderful trip to Italy this past summer. We got pretty darn good at the self-portrait - not a double chin in sight! Today is Ashley's 22nd birthday. I can hardly believe that...
Twenty-two years ago I was a three and a half year old, tottering into the hospital room on the maternity ward to see Mom with this new creature that was entering our family and sharing our lives. Dad showed me how if I put my finger in her palm, she'd curl her little hand up to hold on to me. In fact, the first thing I said to her was something along the lines of, "You've got a good grip!"
Nineteen through eleven years ago, to sleep we shared the bottom bunk of bunk beds, even though we each had our own room. I don't know why, except to be together was better than to be apart. We fought like rabid dogs and made up with little notes passed under doors.
Four years ago she stood by me while I wore a white dress and said my vows and forged a new family, and she's always loved Ben like he was her own brother.
Eight months ago we met each other halfway 'round the world and together we missed buses and saw the remnants of prior civilizations all across Italy.
Baby girl, I've loved you every second of these 22 years, even when I didn't like you very much. I won't pretend I understand you all the time, or assume that it hasn't been hard for you being the second one in line. But I do hope you understand that your gifts and talents aren't secondary to anyone, me included. They are uniquely and expressly yours, born out of your fierce personality and the passions God has sown in your heart: your sense of justice and service to those the world has left behind, like children and the elderly and the disabled, your loyalty and wit, your independence and your beauty. My birthday wish for you is that you wouldn't be afraid to love well and be loved well. I am excited for everything ahead for you this year, and I anticipate the great things you'll accomplish and the people you'll affect in your life. I love you, little elephant.
That girl is my beloved little sister, Ashley. This picture was taken on our wonderful trip to Italy this past summer. We got pretty darn good at the self-portrait - not a double chin in sight! Today is Ashley's 22nd birthday. I can hardly believe that...
Twenty-two years ago I was a three and a half year old, tottering into the hospital room on the maternity ward to see Mom with this new creature that was entering our family and sharing our lives. Dad showed me how if I put my finger in her palm, she'd curl her little hand up to hold on to me. In fact, the first thing I said to her was something along the lines of, "You've got a good grip!"
Nineteen through eleven years ago, to sleep we shared the bottom bunk of bunk beds, even though we each had our own room. I don't know why, except to be together was better than to be apart. We fought like rabid dogs and made up with little notes passed under doors.
Four years ago she stood by me while I wore a white dress and said my vows and forged a new family, and she's always loved Ben like he was her own brother.
Eight months ago we met each other halfway 'round the world and together we missed buses and saw the remnants of prior civilizations all across Italy.
Baby girl, I've loved you every second of these 22 years, even when I didn't like you very much. I won't pretend I understand you all the time, or assume that it hasn't been hard for you being the second one in line. But I do hope you understand that your gifts and talents aren't secondary to anyone, me included. They are uniquely and expressly yours, born out of your fierce personality and the passions God has sown in your heart: your sense of justice and service to those the world has left behind, like children and the elderly and the disabled, your loyalty and wit, your independence and your beauty. My birthday wish for you is that you wouldn't be afraid to love well and be loved well. I am excited for everything ahead for you this year, and I anticipate the great things you'll accomplish and the people you'll affect in your life. I love you, little elephant.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Two Scoops of Yum
Deep in America's heartland, there lies a magical place, from which comes forth the most wonderful concoction known to mankind. Keep your Pinkberry and your Coldstone; give me Braum's.
Braum's is a icecream and dairy company based out of Oklahoma, and is the only remaining major icecream company in the United States that owns the entire operation, from the dairy cows and the farms they live on to the manufacturing plants, to the retail stores where the icecream is sold. And I might be biased, seeing as how for the first half of my life Braum's produced all the milk I drank and the icecream I ate, but I will swear up and down that it is the best in the world. I'm quite the icecream connoisseur, so I should know.
To maintain their quality, Braum's only ships its products a certain distance away from the main headquarters in Oklahoma. This distance, sadly, does not encompass St. Louis, and certainly not Nashville. So when I come back within range - as I am now, at my grandparents' house in Wellington, Kansas - I have to take advantage of it!
Today we drove over to the local Braum's where I perused the different flavors behind the clear counter. I have some funny memories of the combinations my sister and I used to try. I mostly stuck to things in the vanilla/chocolate family, but Ashley... well, her bravery for pairing flavors is legendary. One scoop of orange sherbet and one scoop of peppermint? Yeah, she ate that.
The flavor perusing, for me, is really just a formality. When I only get the chance to eat this icecream maybe once a year, I go for the gold. The champion. My number one icecream of all time. Braum's Cookies & Cream. I can't even talk about it, because words fail to do it justice.
So the next time you're in Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, or the western parts of Missouri and Arkansas, check to see if there's a Braum's nearby. You won't be disappointed.
Any other midwestern kids out there reading this who know and love Braums? Please share your favorite flavors in the comments!
Braum's is a icecream and dairy company based out of Oklahoma, and is the only remaining major icecream company in the United States that owns the entire operation, from the dairy cows and the farms they live on to the manufacturing plants, to the retail stores where the icecream is sold. And I might be biased, seeing as how for the first half of my life Braum's produced all the milk I drank and the icecream I ate, but I will swear up and down that it is the best in the world. I'm quite the icecream connoisseur, so I should know.
To maintain their quality, Braum's only ships its products a certain distance away from the main headquarters in Oklahoma. This distance, sadly, does not encompass St. Louis, and certainly not Nashville. So when I come back within range - as I am now, at my grandparents' house in Wellington, Kansas - I have to take advantage of it!
Today we drove over to the local Braum's where I perused the different flavors behind the clear counter. I have some funny memories of the combinations my sister and I used to try. I mostly stuck to things in the vanilla/chocolate family, but Ashley... well, her bravery for pairing flavors is legendary. One scoop of orange sherbet and one scoop of peppermint? Yeah, she ate that.
The flavor perusing, for me, is really just a formality. When I only get the chance to eat this icecream maybe once a year, I go for the gold. The champion. My number one icecream of all time. Braum's Cookies & Cream. I can't even talk about it, because words fail to do it justice.
So the next time you're in Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, or the western parts of Missouri and Arkansas, check to see if there's a Braum's nearby. You won't be disappointed.
Any other midwestern kids out there reading this who know and love Braums? Please share your favorite flavors in the comments!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Blogger Roll Call: Just Because I Like It
The remaining three blogs in my Blogger Roll Call series don't have any unifying theme other than I just plain like 'em. So without further ado:
The Pioneer Woman is, in a word, awesome. Her site is one part recipes, one part photos and tips for amateur photographers, one part romance novel, and one part mom blog. It's all deliriously random, real, and wonderful. Ree (the PW herself) blogs about her life living on a farm with her brood of children and animals, and her stories are funny, moving snapshots of American life. Be sure to read all the chapters of "Black Heels to Tractor Wheels," the real-life romance of how she met and married her cowboy husband. When I'm feeling cooped up with city life I imagine that I too could be the witty, chic, and warm Pioneer Woman.
Chris is a designer we've worked with at GMA for a couple years now. He's incredibly talented and if you're into design or art or interesting things to look at, his blog is a fun read. He posts fascinating finds sure to inspire your inner artist. Go check it out!
I know I've blogged about them before, but it bears repeating: this daily web comic is the weirdest and funniest thing I follow. I'll be forever grateful to my friend Rachel who introduced me to the site a few years ago by posting this gem on her own blog:
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Liveblogging the BCS Title Game
I'm wearing my red shirt and my OU hat. I've got dinner and snacks. And I'm liveblogging the BCS title game with my beloved Oklahoma Sooners against the formidable Florida Gators. Let's get to it.
7:03 pm - Apparently 75% of the crowd at the Orange Bowl in Miami is Florida fans. Neutral site my tushie.
7:08 pm - Good gravy, Tim Tebow's thigh is the size of a toddler. It could eat a toddler. He's pretty cute though.
7:09 pm - I think the pre-game commentators want to marry the Gators and have their babies. You'd think OU was a bunch of kids who's moms dropped them off for a pick-up game the way they're getting dissed. Show some respect people!
7:10 pm - Boomer Sooner! The boys in crimson are taking the field!
7:14 pm - Coach Stoops always seems to be rockin' the visor. And I LIKE IT.
7:16 pm - Wow, that orange blazer is magnificent. On the Orange Bowl guy.
7:19 pm - Did I read that stat correctly? This is the first game ever between FL & OU? Like ever ever? Wow.
7:25 pm - First OU drive: Me likey the first downs. Me no likey the sacks.
7:39 pm - WE INTERCEPTED IT! WOOP WOOP!
7:41 pm - How the bloody heck is that Unborn movie rated PG13? The trailer alone should be rated R.
7:42 pm - I think I would like the show Bones... I don't have a crime drama on my watch list.... hmm.....
7:48 pm - No more penalties from you please, big dude. You cost us that beautiful catch!
7:57 pm - Okay look. I like Big Tim as much as the next person. Really. But these announcers think he is the next best thing since sliced bread and it is getting on my nerves.
8:01 pm - "And we're scoreless in Miami." There's gotta be a joke in there somewhere.
8:02 pm - Why does the teacher in this Allstate commercial take her monochromatically dressed students to some sort of Great Depression museum? I don't get it.
8:17 pm - You know what goes well with my peach yogurt? OU TOUCHDOWNS! Dee-lish!
8:24 pm - You know what else goes well with my peach yogurt? OU picking off another Tebow pass!
8:28 pm - Ah snot I sure would've liked to score on that one.
8:29 pm - Oh man I like this commercial for Tostitos Scoops. His face is so funny. "Edible food luggage."
8:39 pm - I am really surprised that with 2 1/2 minutes left in the half this game is tied at seven. I think everyone expected some higher scoring.
8:49 pm - Poop! Foiled again! That was like, "How many guys can juggle this ball before it finally gets intercepted."
8:51 pm - And the first half is over. 7-7. Verrrrry interesting...
9:11 pm - We're back! Time for the kick-off chant. Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh-U!
9:14 pm - Nice D, boys! We'll take that ball back now.
9:19 pm - I will be interested to see what adjustments the teams make for the second half. I hope ours include scoring from the red zone. Ahem.
9:20 pm - Iglesias! Get your hands on that BBP (Beautiful Bradford Pass) next time.
9:27 pm - I... don't really know what happened with that punt/penalty/punt but it appears to have ended with us getting the ball back so... okay?
9:28 pm - And we're punting again. That was brief.
9:29 pm - Hey, good one FedEx! Dick Butkiss as motivational speaker = funny times.
9:30 pm - CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN WHAT THIS "G" COMMERCIAL IS ABOUT?
9:35 pm - This FL drive is the Tim Tebow Show. Kid is a tank!
9:38 pm - ENOUGH WITH THE UNBORN TRAILERS. DO YOU WANT ME TO HAVE NIGHTMARES? Oh, you do? That's your whole point? Well mission accomplished then.
9:39 pm - We now resume the Tim Tebow Drive. C'mon, OU Defense! No, no, not with a facemask...
9:46 pm - I'm not rooting for Florida but I love Tim's "I guarantee" speech from earlier this season. Great guy.
9:49 pm - We NEED 3rd down conversions.
9:50 pm - BOO Blocked kick! Booooo.
9:55 pm - Big sack on Big Tim to end the drive. Fourth quarter here we come. 14-7 Florida. Still can't believe this low score.
10:00 pm - Can we just talk about how silly it is that it takes 3 hours to play 45 minutes of football?
10:03 pm - Lil Chris Brown is getting it done tonight. Now let's finish and score, please!
10:06 pm - Too early for the rally cap? I'm putting mine on just in case.
10:06 pm Part II - The power of the rally cap! TD! Tied ball game, babies!
10:08 pm - Trailer for Gran Torino = Clint Eastwood making "I'm gonna shoot you" finger-gun gestures at biracial kids. Looks like a heartwarmer.
10:14 pm - Aw, that sucks. Whistle fake out is not fair.
10:17 pm - Umm, bacon cheddar gordita crunch? Nasty, T-Bell. Nasty. Also, who would be eating one of those in the middle of their b-ball pick-up game?
10:22 pm - Suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck. Interception.
10:31 pm - Please don't give up boys! Stick it, D, stick it!
10:40 pm - Sniff sniff. 24-14 Florida.
10:44 pm - Over/under fifteen solid minutes of this broadcast the announcers spent gabbing about Tebow? I'm going for over. And, in case it needs repeating, I like Tebow.
10:47 pm - Sigh. Well, we had another good run this year, didn't we Sooner fans? Not many people have had the privilege of watching their team go out for the National Championship four times in the past nine years. And I'm calling it right now: the 2009-10 season, we beat Texas, win the Big XII again, and get back to the big game. Rah Oklahoma! Boomer Sooner!
7:03 pm - Apparently 75% of the crowd at the Orange Bowl in Miami is Florida fans. Neutral site my tushie.
7:08 pm - Good gravy, Tim Tebow's thigh is the size of a toddler. It could eat a toddler. He's pretty cute though.
7:09 pm - I think the pre-game commentators want to marry the Gators and have their babies. You'd think OU was a bunch of kids who's moms dropped them off for a pick-up game the way they're getting dissed. Show some respect people!
7:10 pm - Boomer Sooner! The boys in crimson are taking the field!
7:14 pm - Coach Stoops always seems to be rockin' the visor. And I LIKE IT.
7:16 pm - Wow, that orange blazer is magnificent. On the Orange Bowl guy.
7:19 pm - Did I read that stat correctly? This is the first game ever between FL & OU? Like ever ever? Wow.
7:25 pm - First OU drive: Me likey the first downs. Me no likey the sacks.
7:39 pm - WE INTERCEPTED IT! WOOP WOOP!
7:41 pm - How the bloody heck is that Unborn movie rated PG13? The trailer alone should be rated R.
7:42 pm - I think I would like the show Bones... I don't have a crime drama on my watch list.... hmm.....
7:48 pm - No more penalties from you please, big dude. You cost us that beautiful catch!
7:57 pm - Okay look. I like Big Tim as much as the next person. Really. But these announcers think he is the next best thing since sliced bread and it is getting on my nerves.
8:01 pm - "And we're scoreless in Miami." There's gotta be a joke in there somewhere.
8:02 pm - Why does the teacher in this Allstate commercial take her monochromatically dressed students to some sort of Great Depression museum? I don't get it.
8:17 pm - You know what goes well with my peach yogurt? OU TOUCHDOWNS! Dee-lish!
8:24 pm - You know what else goes well with my peach yogurt? OU picking off another Tebow pass!
8:28 pm - Ah snot I sure would've liked to score on that one.
8:29 pm - Oh man I like this commercial for Tostitos Scoops. His face is so funny. "Edible food luggage."
8:39 pm - I am really surprised that with 2 1/2 minutes left in the half this game is tied at seven. I think everyone expected some higher scoring.
8:49 pm - Poop! Foiled again! That was like, "How many guys can juggle this ball before it finally gets intercepted."
8:51 pm - And the first half is over. 7-7. Verrrrry interesting...
9:11 pm - We're back! Time for the kick-off chant. Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh-U!
9:14 pm - Nice D, boys! We'll take that ball back now.
9:19 pm - I will be interested to see what adjustments the teams make for the second half. I hope ours include scoring from the red zone. Ahem.
9:20 pm - Iglesias! Get your hands on that BBP (Beautiful Bradford Pass) next time.
9:27 pm - I... don't really know what happened with that punt/penalty/punt but it appears to have ended with us getting the ball back so... okay?
9:28 pm - And we're punting again. That was brief.
9:29 pm - Hey, good one FedEx! Dick Butkiss as motivational speaker = funny times.
9:30 pm - CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN WHAT THIS "G" COMMERCIAL IS ABOUT?
9:35 pm - This FL drive is the Tim Tebow Show. Kid is a tank!
9:38 pm - ENOUGH WITH THE UNBORN TRAILERS. DO YOU WANT ME TO HAVE NIGHTMARES? Oh, you do? That's your whole point? Well mission accomplished then.
9:39 pm - We now resume the Tim Tebow Drive. C'mon, OU Defense! No, no, not with a facemask...
9:46 pm - I'm not rooting for Florida but I love Tim's "I guarantee" speech from earlier this season. Great guy.
9:49 pm - We NEED 3rd down conversions.
9:50 pm - BOO Blocked kick! Booooo.
9:55 pm - Big sack on Big Tim to end the drive. Fourth quarter here we come. 14-7 Florida. Still can't believe this low score.
10:00 pm - Can we just talk about how silly it is that it takes 3 hours to play 45 minutes of football?
10:03 pm - Lil Chris Brown is getting it done tonight. Now let's finish and score, please!
10:06 pm - Too early for the rally cap? I'm putting mine on just in case.
10:06 pm Part II - The power of the rally cap! TD! Tied ball game, babies!
10:08 pm - Trailer for Gran Torino = Clint Eastwood making "I'm gonna shoot you" finger-gun gestures at biracial kids. Looks like a heartwarmer.
10:14 pm - Aw, that sucks. Whistle fake out is not fair.
10:17 pm - Umm, bacon cheddar gordita crunch? Nasty, T-Bell. Nasty. Also, who would be eating one of those in the middle of their b-ball pick-up game?
10:22 pm - Suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck. Interception.
10:31 pm - Please don't give up boys! Stick it, D, stick it!
10:40 pm - Sniff sniff. 24-14 Florida.
10:44 pm - Over/under fifteen solid minutes of this broadcast the announcers spent gabbing about Tebow? I'm going for over. And, in case it needs repeating, I like Tebow.
10:47 pm - Sigh. Well, we had another good run this year, didn't we Sooner fans? Not many people have had the privilege of watching their team go out for the National Championship four times in the past nine years. And I'm calling it right now: the 2009-10 season, we beat Texas, win the Big XII again, and get back to the big game. Rah Oklahoma! Boomer Sooner!
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Monday Nights Just Got Crazy
I know I blogged before about how we had to choose between Chuck & Gossip Girl, both airing at 7pm on Monday nights. And because apparently there is literally no other time slot available on any day of the week, FOX has now moved my Tuesday night show, House, to - you guessed it - Monday nights. At 7pm.First of all, I don't know how they're going to get away with airing that show so early in prime-time. Seven o'clock is like, families-gathering-'round-the-dinner-table TV, not House-almost-overdoses-on-vicodin-and-is-discovered-by-a-hooker-before-solving-a-case-in-which-he-nearly-kills-a-patient-who-vomits-blood-everywhere TV. It's a pretty intense show!
Second of all, why do all these shows have to be on at the same time? I mean, true, I would guess the average adult is not likely to be interested in both a serious medical drama, a geek-spy comedy, and a rich-teen-angst soap, but using myself as an example there are at least a few of us! I think no one is brave enough to post anything on Tuesdays against the American Idol juggernaut.
So now, it would appear the new plan is watch House live, TiVo Chuck, and Gossip Girl will have to be watched online the next day. Sheesh.
The good news is all the other nights are looking good. Thursday has a lot going on, but since I dropped Grey's Anatomy last year and LOST moved back to Wednesdays, nothing overlaps. ER is still getting TiVo'd but... well, I haven't watched one of those episodes since about October. Hopefully when Amy Poehler's as-yet-untitled new NBC show debuts later this spring it'll fit nicely in there somewhere.
Of course we're most excited about the return of our one true love, LOST. Back on Wednesdays and back in our lives after eight long months. Only two more weeks left to wait!
Which leaves us with the following TV viewing line-up in the James household for Spring 2009... green will get the immediate watch, while red indicates the shows that will be relegated to TiVo-land and get watched when we have time.
Monday
7pm - Chuck, Gossip Girl, House
Tuesday
8pm - Fringe
Wednesday
8pm - LOST
Thursday
7pm - Ugly Betty
8pm - The Office
8:30pm - 30 Rock
Friday
9pm - Psych
Aaaand it's official. We watch too much TV.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Blogger Roll Call: User-Found Funnies
This little group of blogs falls in the same line as great sites like Found and PostSecret (which isn't in my favorites because while I find it incredibly fascinating it is very often horribly sad) where the content is made up entirely of user-submitted items. Each one is very specific but wonderfully hilarious in its own way. WARNING! The first two sites usually have some R-rated language so just be advised.
Passive-Aggressive Notes
This site collects and comments on passive-aggressive (or just plain aggressive) notes left from roommates, in offices, by strangers, via Facebook... you name it. You'll be surprised how politely enraged someone can sound on a post-it note!
Postcards from Yo Momma
The girls who run this blog collect emails and IMs submitted by the children of funny moms around the world. Moms confused by technology, moms sharing too much information, moms dropping unsubtle hints about behavior, clothes, jobs, kids... They are adorable, random, and HILARIOUS. One of my all-time favorites was from a mom asking her daughter how to unfriend someone on Facebook... specifically, her own husband. And I am confessing, right now, here it goes... Mom, I might have submitted our Kanye-related conversation to this blog. And it might have gotten selected and published. Anonymously, of course!
The "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks
This might be a blog only an English major could love, but hopefully you'll find it as funny as I do. The title pretty much sums it up - she collects photos of signs from around the world with incorrectly used quotation marks. You'd think most people would know what quotes are used for. But you'd be wrong. So, so wrong.
Passive-Aggressive Notes
This site collects and comments on passive-aggressive (or just plain aggressive) notes left from roommates, in offices, by strangers, via Facebook... you name it. You'll be surprised how politely enraged someone can sound on a post-it note!
Postcards from Yo Momma
The girls who run this blog collect emails and IMs submitted by the children of funny moms around the world. Moms confused by technology, moms sharing too much information, moms dropping unsubtle hints about behavior, clothes, jobs, kids... They are adorable, random, and HILARIOUS. One of my all-time favorites was from a mom asking her daughter how to unfriend someone on Facebook... specifically, her own husband. And I am confessing, right now, here it goes... Mom, I might have submitted our Kanye-related conversation to this blog. And it might have gotten selected and published. Anonymously, of course!
The "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks
This might be a blog only an English major could love, but hopefully you'll find it as funny as I do. The title pretty much sums it up - she collects photos of signs from around the world with incorrectly used quotation marks. You'd think most people would know what quotes are used for. But you'd be wrong. So, so wrong.
Sunday, January 04, 2009
The Christmas Letter (2008 Edition)
Okay, so I know it is past Christmas, but the annual Christmas letter is a good summary of everything that went down in our house this past year, so think of it more as a Year-End Report than a Christmas letter. Most of you who read this blog probably already got this in the mail, anyway, but humor me. It's late, I've done nothing the last few days except piddle with one scrapbook layout, take really long naps, and breeze through the first four Harry Potter books. I don't have any new material for you. So you'll take this recycled Christmas letter AND YOU'LL LIKE IT. Ahem. Where was I? Oh yes, the letter. Here we go!
***
Hello friends & family!
2008 has been a busy but blessed year in our little house here in Nashville. In an effort to inform you of all the fascinating stuff we’ve been up to, I created this original acrostic “poem” to describe all the best from our year. And they said my English major would never come in handy!
M is for Movies! We are still huge movie fans, as our ever-growing DVD collection can confirm. In 2008 we loved The Dark Knight, Iron Man, Be Kind Rewind, Once, Quantum of Solace, Wall-E, Get Smart, and many many more...
E is for Estes Park! This August was GMA’s final Music in the Rockies event in lovely EP, Colorado. I was there for about two weeks, and my parents and Ben came up for part of the time to celebrate my 25th birthday on 08-08-08.
R is for Running on Empty! We survived the Great Nashville Gas Shortage of Fall 2008. It was beyond weird... For days, no stations had gas, and people would wait in lines for hours to fill up their tanks. Crazy!
R is for Recreational Activities! Aside from everything else I’ve mentioned we’ve enjoyed watching our favorite shows, rooting for Orange Bowl-bound Oklahoma, scrapbooking (me), playing guitar and learning piano (Ben).
Y is for Yamaha! Ben is still working there and spent a good amount of the year travelling for them – LA, NYC, Phoenix, Vancouver, LA, LA, LA, Chicago, Atlanta, LA, LA, and San Diego. Also LA.
C is for Customs Authorities! This is who detained Ben for over an hour when he was re-entering the country from a trip to Vancouver. He had to be cleared by the feds before he was released... turns out they were looking for a different Ben James. Sca-ry!
H is for Horticulture! For the first time this spring I planted some flowers in our yard. Spoiler alert: they all died. To make room for said (now dead) flowers, I yanked up five ugly bushes, the act of which left me with chronic back pain for the past eight months. Yaaaaaaay. Thus ends my fleeting interest in gardening.
R is for Read My Blog! Shameless plug... I keep a blog which I update fairly often with my thoughts and funny things that happen in our lives. Come read along!
I is for Italy! I went to visit Ashley there after her semester abroad, and it was awesome. We went to Rome and the Amalfi Coast region.
S is for STL! We found time to get back home a few times this year, including an awesome 4th of July weekend. We scored tickets to the Cubs-Cards game downtown and had a hot but awesome time watching the Redbirds win!
T is for Twilight! The series of books and ensuing movies are my new obsession. Me and about 75% of other women I know. Hey, I had to have something to occupy me while Ben is out of town all the time!
M is for Music! We enjoyed lots of great concerts this year. Ben made his seventh annual trip to the Bonnaroo festival. We also enjoyed Sleeping at Last, Needtobreathe, Jason Mraz, Rufus Wainwright, She & Him, and more.
A is for Adventure! We took up kayaking this year, and it has been quite the challenge... our normal trips are just easy paddle trips, but for Ben’s birthday I took him (and my parents) white-water kayaking in Colorado. Definitely the craziest thing I’ve ever done!
S is for Scruffy! Our sweet pup is just as precious as ever. He totally owns us. And our couch.
We love you all so much! May the wonder of Christmas – Jesus, born to be our rescue, to satisfy God’s absolute justice, to display God’s infinite mercy – infuse your hearts with joy and every blessing of the season.
Love,
Ben & Amy James
***
Hello friends & family!
2008 has been a busy but blessed year in our little house here in Nashville. In an effort to inform you of all the fascinating stuff we’ve been up to, I created this original acrostic “poem” to describe all the best from our year. And they said my English major would never come in handy!
M is for Movies! We are still huge movie fans, as our ever-growing DVD collection can confirm. In 2008 we loved The Dark Knight, Iron Man, Be Kind Rewind, Once, Quantum of Solace, Wall-E, Get Smart, and many many more...
E is for Estes Park! This August was GMA’s final Music in the Rockies event in lovely EP, Colorado. I was there for about two weeks, and my parents and Ben came up for part of the time to celebrate my 25th birthday on 08-08-08.
R is for Running on Empty! We survived the Great Nashville Gas Shortage of Fall 2008. It was beyond weird... For days, no stations had gas, and people would wait in lines for hours to fill up their tanks. Crazy!
R is for Recreational Activities! Aside from everything else I’ve mentioned we’ve enjoyed watching our favorite shows, rooting for Orange Bowl-bound Oklahoma, scrapbooking (me), playing guitar and learning piano (Ben).
Y is for Yamaha! Ben is still working there and spent a good amount of the year travelling for them – LA, NYC, Phoenix, Vancouver, LA, LA, LA, Chicago, Atlanta, LA, LA, and San Diego. Also LA.
C is for Customs Authorities! This is who detained Ben for over an hour when he was re-entering the country from a trip to Vancouver. He had to be cleared by the feds before he was released... turns out they were looking for a different Ben James. Sca-ry!
H is for Horticulture! For the first time this spring I planted some flowers in our yard. Spoiler alert: they all died. To make room for said (now dead) flowers, I yanked up five ugly bushes, the act of which left me with chronic back pain for the past eight months. Yaaaaaaay. Thus ends my fleeting interest in gardening.
R is for Read My Blog! Shameless plug... I keep a blog which I update fairly often with my thoughts and funny things that happen in our lives. Come read along!
I is for Italy! I went to visit Ashley there after her semester abroad, and it was awesome. We went to Rome and the Amalfi Coast region.
S is for STL! We found time to get back home a few times this year, including an awesome 4th of July weekend. We scored tickets to the Cubs-Cards game downtown and had a hot but awesome time watching the Redbirds win!
T is for Twilight! The series of books and ensuing movies are my new obsession. Me and about 75% of other women I know. Hey, I had to have something to occupy me while Ben is out of town all the time!
M is for Music! We enjoyed lots of great concerts this year. Ben made his seventh annual trip to the Bonnaroo festival. We also enjoyed Sleeping at Last, Needtobreathe, Jason Mraz, Rufus Wainwright, She & Him, and more.
A is for Adventure! We took up kayaking this year, and it has been quite the challenge... our normal trips are just easy paddle trips, but for Ben’s birthday I took him (and my parents) white-water kayaking in Colorado. Definitely the craziest thing I’ve ever done!
S is for Scruffy! Our sweet pup is just as precious as ever. He totally owns us. And our couch.
We love you all so much! May the wonder of Christmas – Jesus, born to be our rescue, to satisfy God’s absolute justice, to display God’s infinite mercy – infuse your hearts with joy and every blessing of the season.
Love,
Ben & Amy James
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)