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Play it safe
 Just a quick reminder for those of you using Movable Type...

I know of two blogs that had their databases corrupted this week. It can, and just might happen to you. Be on the safe side. If you're sitting at home bored this weekend, take the time to make backups of each of your blog templates if you haven't already. (Thanks for the link, Donna!) I have a copy of every main index and archive template for my own blog saved in individual text files. Next, go to your "import/export" tab in the left menu and do an export of your blog. The directions are at the very bottom of the page. This will help you save a file of your blog entries, and all of its comments, through the time of export. Instead of losing a lot, you'll only lose a little. Regular exports are VERY important. If you have to install a new copy of MT from scratch after a database crash, you can run the export file you've just made through the import feature, and regain all of your past contents and comments immediately.

Hopefully you'll never have to deal with any of this but it's much easier to prevent than cure!
posted at 06:39 PM | link--it | mail it | (15) shout it



Women's (Mad) Lib
 [More than a woman to me]
posted at 04:50 PM | link--it | mail it | (4) shout it



Craven, Dick
 Y'know all those funny names in the phone book? Well here they are together on one site. I seriously can't believe there's a Hugh G. Rection somewhere out there. What were his parents thinking?
posted at 08:05 AM | link--it | mail it | (9) shout it



We're too busy singin' to put anybody down
 My husband thinks I have officially lost it. I'm getting "the look". You see, Michele bought me Sea Monkeys for my birthday. And more babies just hatched. So I bought my new monkeys toys and treats overnight and just told him about it.

What? Quit looking at me like that, too. I spoil all my pets! Happy Friday everyone!
posted at 07:36 AM | link--it | mail it | (7) shout it



Juicin' the =w=eez
 [from The Onion]
posted at 12:06 AM | link--it | mail it | (12) shout it






Q T Pie
 These were linked in my comments, and I thought they were cute enough, they warranted being passed along on the main page -- girl eats boy Valentine's Day cards.
posted at 10:00 PM | link--it | mail it | (2) shout it



This town needs an enema
 I've run into quite a few people -- and blogs -- that could use one of these today. Their shit is so backed up, their eyeballs are floating. So feel free to take one down, pass it around. Call it the gift that keeps on giving, and giving, and giving...


[take one down pass it around]

posted at 08:07 PM | link--it | mail it | (12) shout it



The perils of being a geek
 Kristine linked to the ThinkGeek Valentine's collection -- and this cute shirt. I really want this tank top, too, but I'm very wary of ordering from them again. I've placed four orders with them in the past six months. This is how they've went.

  1. Birthday gift order never arrived at its final destination. (That happens.) Two months later, they finally made right and reshipped the item.
  2. Ordered a t-shirt for myself, and a gift for someone else. Had it all shipped to my house first this time. Navy t-shirt arrived with bleach-spots on it. Didn't bother trying to replace it so quickly after the last order being such a pain. Gift items in the shipment were ok.
  3. Sent a gift order to Arizona for Christmas, but no communication was included with the items to say who they were from. They had to play a guessing game in their blog. Nothing major, but a pain nonetheless.
  4. Ordered another gift item for Todd at Christmas. Placed the order a full three weeks before Christmas, mind you. Less than a week before Christmas, after e-mailing them at least every other day -- with no response -- wondering why my order was still stuck in the "processing" stage, I was sent a customer service reply that the order had been cancelled due to being stuck in the processing stage for so long. No explanation other than that. The note apologized for the inconvenience and noted I was welcome to place the order once again. When I wrote to complain, and noted it was now less than a week before Christmas, I was out a gift, and there was no possible way they could ship it on time without offering me free-overnight for my trouble -- I never received another reply.
Am I the only one who's had trouble with ThinkGeek? I love their merchandise. But three out of four orders had what I consider to be major problems -- and the fourth had a minor problem. And trying to contact their customer service by e-mail or phone has proven more difficult than contacting Amazon's. That's saying a lot. It appears ThinkGeek isn't the only company giving geeks trouble lately, though...


UPDATE: Yet another screwed up order in April 2003...
posted at 06:49 PM | link--it | mail it | (10) shout it



We certainly wanna thank you for coming by - you know the way out, right?
 In times of deep trouble, I always find myself turning to the words and wisdom of the great orator Eric Theodore Cartman:


[Eric T Cartman]

"I believe I said, 'get the fudge out!' Which means, kiss mah fudgin' ass, go fudge yourself, fudge ya, get the fudge out..."
posted at 06:13 PM | link--it | mail it | (7) shout it



You're about as easy as a nuclear war
 I know you're watching me every minute of the day, yeah
I've seen the signs and the looks and the pictures
That give your game away, yeah
There's a dream that strings the road
A broken glass for us to hold
And I cut so far before I had to say

Please please tell me now
Is there something I should know?
Is there something I should say
That'll make you come my way?
Do you feel the same, 'cause you don't let it show....


I've received a small handful of e-mails in the past few weeks to the tune of a Peter Parker lecture, "With great power comes great responsibility." This is my gift, my curse. I don't remember receiving a memo when I started blogging stating that it was my duty to protect those reading along with me. The one and only person I feel I have to protect at all costs when I write is the man I live with and love every day of my life-- my husband. I don't have a standard of 'responsible journalism' to measure up to. I am not your reliable media outlet.

Is there really a certain point when your counter peaks, that suddenly you have to blog in order to keep all of your readers "safe", rather than keeping yourself sane? Why was I allowed to blog entries as my true self in order to put me here -- even if I didn't ask to be there -- yet now that I am "here" (for what it's worth), suddenly I have to change my core-self for other's protection?

Doesn't that smack of "you've gotta protect the children" and assume my readers don't have a mind of their own in order to agree -- or disagree as it were -- with me? Who appointed you as my keeper and mentor anyway?

And why is it not ok for me to call someone out after they've devoted an entire blog entry about being disappointed in my current writing -- but it is ok for you to send me an 1,165-word e-mail (yes, I counted them in Word) doing the very same thing to me? Is that little note ok because you didn't have the balls to put it up in a public place, and sent it on in private instead? "It's just petty and small to invite response, and then go ballistic and shrewish when that response isn't exactly what you want to hear." That works both ways you know. Did you ever think of applying it to this individual when they made their blog entry about me to begin with? Didn't think so. No, it was easier to attack me instead. Everyone else has been. Why should you be left out on all the fun?

Just as I don't hold celebrities to any "role model" standard simply because they are a celebrity, I don't think it's fair for anyone to hold me to a higher blogging standard simply because I have a few links floating around out there. At the core of it all, we are all human. And humans can -- and will -- make mistakes. And if I'm stupid enough to make my mistakes in front of 1,500 people each day, more power to me. I haven't tried to hide from them yet.

I registered this domain for a reason. I have been a ranter, antagonist and tantrum-thrower all my life. I was the screaming kid with their arms and legs wrapped around the gumball machine in the bank because my Popeye didn't have a dime on him. I was the cheerleader in junior high that egged on the opposing team for wearing baby blue and missing every tackle they tried. I was the editorialist in high school daring you to think about my opinion. And I was the political science and history student in college questioning the present and future, while over-analyzing the past.

I'm me. I'm where I am right now because of it. To think I should somehow "change" or suddenly be "more responsible" after all this time is ludicrous to me. People know I'm devoted to those I love and my friends above everything else -- but they also know that life isn't all sunshine and roses, not everyone out there likes me, and I don't try to paint it that way. So let's take a poll...

Do you feel bloggers have a responsibility to protect those reading along from themselves?


For the record, I will not change the way I've written for almost 18 months now simply because you don't like where my stats counter happens to be at the moment. So I suggest you go find a new read if you have a problem with it. Ya' got that? Good.
posted at 05:03 PM | link--it | mail it | (16) shout it



Worldwide Pants
 Since my husband refuses to blog right now, I have to do it for him...


25 Lines From Star Wars that can be improved if you substitute the word "Pants":

  1. A tremor in the pants. The last time I felt this was in the presence of my old master.
  2. You are unwise to lower your pants.
  3. We've got to be able to get some reading on those pants, up or down.
  4. She must have hidden the plans in her pants. Send a detachment down to retrieve them. See to it personally Commander.
  5. These pants may not look like much, kid, but they've got it where it counts.
  6. I find your lack of pants disturbing.
  7. These pants contain the ultimate power in the Universe. I suggest we use it.
  8. Han will have those pants down. We've got to give him more time!
  9. General Veers, prepare your pants for a surface attack.
  10. I used to bulls-eye womp-rats in my pants back home.
  11. TK-421. . . Why aren't you in your pants?
  12. Lock the door. And hope they don't have pants.
  13. Governor Tarkin. I recognized your foul pants when I was brought on board.
  14. You look strong enough to pull the pants off of a Gundark.
  15. Luke. . . Help me take...these pants off.
  16. Great, Chewie, great. Always thinking with your pants.
  17. That blast came from those pants. That thing's operational!
  18. Don't worry. Chewie and I have gotten into a lot of pants more heavily guarded than this.
  19. Maybe you'd like it back in your pants, your highness.
  20. Your pants betray you. Your feelings for them are strong. Especially for your sister!
  21. Jabba doesn't have time for smugglers who drop their pants at the first sign of an Imperial Cruiser.
  22. Yeah, well short pants is better than no pants at all, Chewie.
  23. Attention. This is Lando Calrissean. The Empire has taken control of my pants, I advise everyone to leave before more troops arrive.
  24. I cannot teach him. The boy has no pants.
  25. You came in those pants? You're braver than I thought.
Khakis swing!
posted at 03:09 PM | link--it | mail it | (17) shout it



Eager to kill any who says that my hook isn't cute...
 Proof that not everything out of Tampa is all good...just for the record.

Just keep an open mind, and then suddenly you'll find Never-neverland.
posted at 04:31 AM | link--it | mail it | (20) shout it



Check out, check check...out my melody
 You got a problem with all the Bucs talk lately? Well I invite you to hit that back button and keep on surfin' bud. Because if you think this is bad, baby you ain't seen nothing yet when OU brings home another one of these!

Seriously though, I seem to have lost sight of the fact as to when my online journal's content had to be first-approved by YOU. Can you please enlighten me when this little change in ownership took place? Because I was under the impression that if I wanted to spend every single entry for the next six weeks blogging about my left pinky toe, well guess what? You don't have to keep on reading me. Shocking concept, I know. Those who want to...will. Those who don't...will find about 500,000 other blogs out there to keep them entertained. I know that I don't float everyone's boat, and I'm not ashamed to admit you never really have mine either. I happen to despise French. I think using it mixed with English merely for the sake of typing it is snotty and pretentious. But that's quite another "issue" of mine altogether...and you never saw me making blog entries calling you out for it when you'd ping me in the past.

I've always said that the day I stop blogging for me is the day I hang up my mouse -- and I don't intend to change that any time soon. Football is a very real part of my life. Just as politics are a very real part of Michele's. No one is holding a gun to your head forcing you to read all of our content. Skim if you just can't stomach it. Really, it's not that hard.

You do not dictate my mood. You do not dictate my thoughts. You do not even dictate my content, or what I have for dinner tomorrow night. And I double-dog dare you to come into my home, grab my paper journal, and start editing it because you don't like my topic choices and perspective on things. Because in case you might have missed it 'til now, this is my online journal. I write for me. I don't write to entertain the masses. And I certainly don't change my content because you've grown sick of hearing about Tampa Bay. If anything, it makes me even more determined to mention my fine community at every available turn. Ever notice that URL up there in the address bar by chance? Which reminds me...Gasparilla is right around the corner. Funny how that works. I'm'a do things my way. It's my way...or the highway... *plonk*

UPDATE: I kid you not, as I hit the publish button, Prodigy's "Smack My Bitch Up" came on my station. The irony was not lost on me.
posted at 03:42 AM | link--it | mail it | (35) shout it



This is a request, Mr. Radio Man
 Just a quick heads-up for those who have tried, or are thinking about trying, to set up their own Launchcast station. They are now offering "Launchcast Plus" for $3.99/mo with no commercial interruptions. You can also create station playlists based on your mood, and access special pay-only stations with Launchcast Plus. I fully believe in paying for, donating to and supporting programs that make your life a bit easier -- and this is definitely one I was quick to sign up for! I have my station going just about every second I'm here in this chair. (If you'd like to listen to my station, you can do so here.)
posted at 01:53 AM | link--it | mail it | (4) shout it



You oughtta know
 I used the Alanis Morissette Lyric Generator to compose a little song for Statia and Trish.


I think...

I think Trekkies are really a huge problem
I think sammiches are too much on my mind
I think ass-kissers have got a lot to do with why the world sucks
But what can you do?

Like a green rain, beating down on me
Like a Quinton Tarantino line, which won't let go of my brain
Like Dick's ass, it is in my head

Blame it on Wil Wheaton
Blame it on Wil Wheaton
Blame it on Wil Wheaton

I think The Bloggies are gonna drive us all crazy
And monkeys make me feel like a child
I think typewriters will eventually be the downfall of civilization
But what can you do?
I said what can you do?

Like a green rain, beating down on me
Like a Quinton Tarantino line, which won't let go of my brain
Like Dick's ass, it is in my head

Blame it on Wil Wheaton
Blame it on Wil Wheaton
Blame it on Wil Wheaton

Like a green rain, beating down on me
Like Dick's smile, cruel and cold
Like Dick's ass, it is in my head

Blame it on Wil Wheaton
Blame it on Wil Wheaton
Blame it on Wil Wheaton

-credit: brunching.com
posted at 01:30 AM | link--it | mail it | (4) shout it






Up, up in the atmosphere
 Here's one that's shocked us... If you've seen my photos from Monday night, you might remember this blurry image of the Tampa SWAT team repelling from a police helicopter into Raymond James stadium. Now the FAA is investigating it as an "unsafe operation". The helicopter pilot for the local NBC affiliate went on record earlier this evening saying he thought the stunt was dangerous and uncalled for (I guess that's why the crowd went wild), and media outlets are now being asked to turn over their footage of the event to federal investigators. Ironic that one of the biggest controversies over our city's Super Bowl celebrations is being blamed on the police, and not on local residents!
posted at 11:22 PM | link--it | mail it | (5) shout it



We can't rewind, we've gone too far
 For two people who have always been adamantly against reality shows, we've caught ourselves flipping back and forth between tonight's "American Idol" and "Bachelorette" 90-minute specials. Anyone have a good medication they can recommend?

And are we the only ones who thought the twins on "American Idol" were more like the Fabulous Sweeney Sisters?
posted at 08:52 PM | link--it | mail it | (15) shout it



I.....love a parade!
 Jen and I tag-teamed of sorts for the Bucs Super Bowl celebrations this week -- here are her most-excellent pics of yesterday's Super Bowl Parade in Tampa.
posted at 03:08 PM | link--it | mail it | (10) shout it



If you're ever in a jam, here I am
 You know how they say blood is thicker than water? Well we're just getting in, and tonight we learned that friendship is thicker than wet cement -- and bonds even stronger. We love you.
posted at 03:26 AM | link--it | mail it | (16) shout it






I might be a winner
 FRAGILÉ -- it must be Italian! It seems I've had a few 'major awards' bestowed upon me while my back was turned...


[I got the finger]
"Best use of boobs for a cause"
"Stalks no-name bloggers with 5 hits a day or less"




[I am nifty!]
"Robyn, for sifting all that is decent and good from FARK, your multiple designs, and the 2002 Boobie-Thon, I'd like to present you with the Thudfactor 'I'm Nifty' Award!"




[I feel loved]
"Blog That Isn't In My Blogroll"




Thanks everyone! I feel all warm and fuzzy inside now -- kinda like when climbing the rope in gym class.
posted at 05:56 PM | link--it | mail it | (8) shout it



My belongs to Solonor!
 Sorry guys, but Solonor buys me jewelry, so he's my BLOGWHORE(2). Yes, I can be bought.
posted at 03:41 PM | link--it | mail it | (7) shout it



ON-J Anonymous
 This one is for Statia...but was there really any doubt? Todd will just have to suffer!


[Gonna be a strange twist of fate]

posted at 02:49 PM | link--it | mail it | (13) shout it



No time for losers...
 [Yo ho ho - a pirates life for me!] Todd was able to leave work early on Monday afternoon, so we headed towards Raymond James Stadium about 4 p.m. They didn't open the gates 'til almost 7 p.m., but that didn't matter. It was a Super Bowl sized party outside (over 10,000 strong before 5 p.m.)! Once inside, we ended up with excellent seats on the west side of the stadium. We were between the 30 and 40-yardlines, only about 9 rows up. It was first-come, first-seated. There were so many people that they even had to open the upper decks, and the one across from us completely filled-- at least 65,000 people in attendance.

We were entertained with great Super Bowl moments on the jumbotrons, and also the ten best Super Bowl commercials. They fired the canons for each touchdown scored on the replay. We also got live updates on the team plane's location, which did a fly-by right over the stadium before it landed. The Tampa PD SWAT team had officers repel from a helicopter right onto the field. And the cheerleaders arrived first to entertain the crowd. Once the team landed at TIA, Warren Sapp called the stadium from his cell phone and said they could hear us at the airport from the team buses! Things were very, very loud. And finally...the Super Bowl champs showed up. The players, coaches and owners all took a few seconds at the podium -- and then a few of the players and the Glazers dashed around the field with the Lombardi trophy a few times. Those on the front row got to touch it! Then just like that, it was over. A week I know I'll never forget as long as I live.

I have four pages of photos from Monday afternoon and evening up in my Super Bowl Gallery. Some are a bit blury and I do apologize. It's a bit hard to shoot when 65,000 people are rockin' the joint. I'll try to get captions up tomorrow, but for now just the photos will have to do. I'm freakin' exhausted and sick as a dog, I can't feel my fingers, and I still have to work tonight. Don't get me wrong though... I am NOT complaining.

We're not going to the parade tomorrow (I'm not up to it and Todd has to work), so if anyone goes and takes pics -- pass them on and I'll link them here. One last time...CONGRATS BUCS! We love you!
posted at 02:24 AM | link--it | mail it | (10) shout it






Dancin' in the streets
 It's amazing how different towns handle sporting milestones. I guess everyone expects the Oakland fans to riot -- win or lose. By contrast, other than a trash can fire and auto-pedestrian accident last weekend, for the most part things were very tame here in Tampa Bay when we clinched the NFC title. Even at a last-minute gathering of 25,000+ fans. The "riot police" at that event consisted of four men on horseback. From all local media accounts, Tampa Bay was very orderly in their celebrations tonight as well. Dale Mabry was bumper-to-bumper and Ybor was packed, but arrests were at a minimum. When OU won their national title in 2000-01, you didn't see our fans burning cars in the streets of Norman either.

I guess I've really never understood that mindset. I've never been a fan of a team where rioting was considered the "norm" (even if done by a fringe-group and looked down upon by other fans), or even something that was expected and to be braced for. Thank goodness. Your team loses? Well life goes on, and there's always next season. And if it wins -- well let's just say we all tossed back more than a few tonight in this town. But the real celebration will be done in the right way, at the right place, tomorrow night. CONGRATS BUCS!


UPDATE: Well here you go -- this is how we celebrate in Tampa. TBO.com mentions this:

"Meanwhile, in Ybor City revelers began pouring into the popular nightclub district.....At least one woman was arrested for baring her breasts, but most were described as happy fans."

And somewhat related, Tampa Bay Online also has a Super Bowl Weblog.
posted at 02:50 AM | link--it | mail it | (20) shout it



I have a little salt handy - where's an open wound?
 Official 2002-03 ATPTB Bucs Football Quote of the Season: "Lets be realistic - come talk to me when the Lucks actually play and beat a team with a winning record." - iggles

My team just won Super Bowl XXXVII -- how about you, and every other smack-talker I've endured this past season, come back and talk to me now, hmmmm? Nah, I didn't forget my promise. Real blondes never do. Sometimes girls just know more about football than you.
posted at 12:51 AM | link--it | mail it | (17) shout it






San...Diego...Super Bowl'ers!
 [We freaking did it!!!]

Thanks so much to everyone for all the well wishes! It makes up ten-fold for all the smack we've had to take over the years in our blogs, the press, and the world in general for being Bucs fans. What a year! Our Sooners finish in the top 5 after an amazing Rose Bowl performance, and now our Bucs are World Champions. Both of our teams, college and pro, have two of the best coaches in the game. I just can't believe it's over...7 months of golf...ugh.

This isn't the first time "my team" has won the Super Bowl. I was a Cowboys fan all of my life, until Barry Switzer's firing in the late 90s. I was raised in silver and blue and had a Cowboy Cheerleader's uniform before I could barely walk. But I can definitely say this is the sweetest. We live in, and are a part of, this community. We've been here through the early lean (orange) years as Sapp and Brooks were starting out, and the mean years where we got close but no cigar. So this is more sweet than anything I could have possibly dreamed of... Second only to our being at the Orange Bowl when the Sooners won the National Championship in 2000.

Again, thanks to everyone for the congrats and well wishes! What a day! The official celebration begins at Raymond James Stadium tomorrow evening. For those in Tampa Bay, the stadium parking opens at 6:00 p.m. with the team expected to arrive about 9 p.m. Hope to see ya'll there!
posted at 11:00 PM | link--it | mail it | (20) shout it



Defense. Wins. Championships!
 Who's our favorite player? Mr. Derrick Brooks! More to come soon. Now if you'll excuse us, we have some bubbly to pop open... WE'RE SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS, BABY!
posted at 10:14 PM | link--it | mail it | (23) shout it



Go and part the sea, yeah, in Malibu
 [this game is killing me]
Wonder how much more it would take 'til I can't feel my legs? I'm seriously about to hyperventilate here.

P.S. So far Todd has cracked our vertical blinds and is now bleeding from the hand.
posted at 07:42 PM | link--it | mail it | (31) shout it



A crummy commercial?
 Let the Super Bowl ad watch begin! What are your favorites? Which ones do you want to implode Madison Avenue for?

First one on my list -- the Yahoo! "Rainbow Connection" one. Bad, bad, baaaaaaaad. And I love that song.
posted at 06:01 PM | link--it | mail it | (60) shout it



Another tension breaker - had to be done

[Click to view the song lyrics]

Right-click the image (or this link) to save...

Yeah, it's been overplayed during the playoffs. But it's a damn good song! GO BUCS!
posted at 05:06 PM | link--it | mail it | (10) shout it



It's not easy facing up when your whole world is black
 A few design-wraps this past week...with more to come in the next few days...

  1. Books and Other Stuff and jeffrutherford.com
  2. Historic Federal Hill Main Street (logo by Karen Coughlin)
  3. The Literature Program at Richard Stockton College
Whew! At this rate, I'm gonna be blind by Christmas...but I'm not complaining!
posted at 04:20 PM | link--it | mail it | (2) shout it



Are you ready for some football?
 It's Super Bowl Sunday -- and my love of the Bucs even made it on this week's Call For Help! Let's get it on... Good luck, Chey! And special thanks go out to callforhelpcentral.com for the video clip! (Just for the record, Tampa Bay won that CFH video game 27-10.)
posted at 01:36 AM | link--it | mail it | (20) shout it



It'll be...just like starting over
 One of the new Chili Peppers songs came on the radio tonight when we were driving to Clearwater. Although I would rate it about 3x better than most of the new crap out these days, I'm sorry, but it's a far cry from being the Chili Peppers I came of age with. We started making a mental list of bands that should've hung it up a long, long time ago. Of course The Stones were the first to top that list. But they're from the obvious Geritol era. We quickly moved on to bands we grew up on -- our favorites that shouldn't have been allowed to stay together post-1996 (a year after we'd left college), some even earlier. Here's a few to get the ball rolling:

1. Chili Peppers, obviously
2. The Cure
3. R.E.M.
4. Depeche Mode
5. Duran Duran, although Electric Barbarella wasn't half-bad

When aging rock stars go sad... Sometimes unfortunately, an early death is better than the alternative. Who would you add to the list?
posted at 12:26 AM | link--it | mail it | (37) shout it






You can go back again
 I don't care what anyone else says. They were good. Damn good!
posted at 11:18 PM | link--it | mail it | (17) shout it



Hey! Wait. I've got a new complaint.
 I debated and debated all afternoon about whether or not to even blog this. The whole deal has just snowballed into an ugly, sometimes factless free-for-all lead by someone who originally set the burner on high, then yanked the skillet off the burner when the heat got too much to take (removing their original post), only to come back a few days later when everything was beginning to die-down on its own and toss grease on the stovetop once again. Whoa. Lookee there. You've got flames. Some people live for the firestorms I guess.

Because of the personal attacks on my friend, I will not give this blogger further credibility by linking to her site again. I'll only link to Michele's bite-back.

Do you let it go? Do you move on? Well I for one can tell you that I'm one of the people who have complained about good, deserving sites getting overlooked amidst all this Bloggies mess. Sites that would -- and should -- have been there regardless. But after an e-mail from Nikolai last night, and the additional things I've learned today -- added to the things I've learned all week -- I'm here to say that even though several of my friends deserve to be there where they are, this years awards are a farce and a sham. And I, for one, don't want my friends mired down there in that mess. They, and their blogs, deserve more than that.

If it were as simple as yanking back the prizes I have already donated, I would at this point. Wouldn't make much of a statement, but I don't want to be tied to this year's awards ceremony in any shape or form as they currently stand. And I've told Nikolai as such. How do you now play god and say "this site deserved to be there on its merits but this one did not"? You can't. If one loses in that final nominees list, everyone loses. It's the nature of the pot being spoiled.

Beyond the previously-mentioned-everywhere Texas voting blocks* (which by the way made up 17% of the total panel because even though the contest website states that there would be 50 judges this year, not everyone replied to Nikolai's invite and rather than extending additional invites until he reached 50 total, Nikolai decided to go merely with the 23 judges that did write him back) -- we now have real evidence cited in several blogs of impropriety of one judge going far beyond "let's make sure our friends get there" -- the thing that initially had us all so shocked. I should mention that this judge is also nominated in "best kept secret" and "best new weblog" himself. Hard to believe, isn't it? A firsthand account at the site that shall not be linked here again states:

"he first told me it was only him and the dallas judges. he then said he had a friend in california that was 'helping' him to understand some categories. he then mentioned calling canada and he's mentioned calling houston too. you figure it out."
If you look at the nominees, it doesn't take a PhD to figure it out folks. This person not only decided which blogs they thought were "too popular" (and therefore would be in direct competition with their personal favorites, and as such said popular sites were eliminated out of the starting gate) -- they admitted two categories ("best kept secret" and "best new weblog") were almost entirely hand-picked (with their name in the final list, of course). This individual was even able to lobby Nikolai himself to get several of his selections included in the final nominees list outside of those two categories that individual is now a part of -- one key one being the GLBT category. How on earth Nikolai can continue on as if nothing has occurred now is completely beyond me.

*In case you haven't seen mention of the Texas voting-block scandal, a handful (at least five) judges from the DFW Blogging group made it into the 23 total judges. Several of these individuals found their names in the finalists list as well -- and had a public list (entire blog/list since removed from the web) of voting guidelines to go by. The owner of the now-deleted site was a finalist in two categories this year herself.

Yes, these are silly awards. Yes, they are run by a "teenage kid". (Although I find that a somewhat flimsy label, because at 19, I was very much on my way to being the "adult" I am today.) But these awards were also enough of a boost to my own site when I was nominated last year, that I was discovered by an entirely new audience. I want that -- with a feeling of legitimacy -- attached to my friends (who were deservedly nominated) this year. I don't want their nominations tainted -- and I'm sorry, but they are. Even though Wil was a fiasco of epic proportions last year, I felt like I was beaten by a celebrity. Not a system. And I didn't feel like my friends were left off the finalists list last year because they could -- and would -- have been in direct competition with so-and-so's friends down in Texas, and their Blogroll faves.

Last night Nikolai asked me point-blank if I had any suggestions on how to change things next year. (Please note, next year. I fully believe he intends to hold this sham of a ceremony at SxSW with no one officially questioning just exactly what has come to light in the last week.) I pointed out some of the suggestions here to him. In addition, I also suggest the following:

  1. The panel of judges be set up in advance of the nominations. Not after the fact. They would be publicly named and linked.
  2. Judges would be appointed by category. It would not be a "one judge voting on it all" kind of deal. The judges have already stated they don't have enough time to read the massive nominees lists anyway. And this way you would have tech-minded judges analyzing tech-oriented blogs, etc. If one category went down in flames over a judging scandal, you wouldn't have every single nomination and finalist in the competition questioned beyond that one particular category, because the judges would be entirely different people for each one.
  3. No judge could be appointed to more than three categories. Period.
  4. Judges and voters would both have to register beforehand. It wouldn't prevent multiple-identities from beating the system, but at least it's one more hoop they'd have to jump through first.
  5. I think judges should automatically be excluded from the category they judge in. I would never allow a Dress Contest judge in the contestant pool.
Those are just a few off the top of my head. I'm sure several of you out there have even more, and better, suggestions. If so, list 'em here and I'll make sure Nikolai sees them. Although I don't blame him for the actions of others, I certainly think an official response is warranted -- and the fact all of these improprieties have occurred needs to be publicly acknowledged by the Bloggies themselves. They have yet to be, and as mentioned, I seriously doubt they will be now.

I, for one, think there is a place for an awards ceremony of this nature. If you don't...if you think they're all BS popularity contests...well that's certainly your right. I happen to think a little peer-to-peer recognition for months worth of hard work isn't such a bad thing in the scheme of things. I know that rush of being a finalist, and I want everyone who works hard at what they do to have that chance at least once.

I just think on their current course, people have picked the wrong awards to latch onto this year. For me, Anti-Bloggies it is! At least those are purposely designed not to be fair...

UPDATE: Although I quoted someone who has obviously been making false statements about my friend throughout this whole mess, the quote by them that I included in this entry is based upon material found at several other sites -- and I feel their statements I included here are very much with merit. East West is a good source for more on all this hoopla.
posted at 07:14 PM | link--it | mail it | (26) shout it



Maaaaatlock!
 [My car gets forty rods to the hogs head and thats the way I likes it!]
You've often heard my husband complaining about sharing the road with a species of bluehaired snowbirds here in Florida, and the havoc it wreaks on his daily commute. Well now it seems we are redesigning our roadways to accomodate senile senior citizen drivers. Riddle me this... If teens have to test before being granted a license, why aren't older drivers tested in order to keep theirs? My family had to stage an intervention to get my Grandfather to quit driving after he darn-near killed a car-full of us in Tulsa by coming to a complete stop on a freeway. You'd think in the name of public safety, including their own, older citizens would want to ensure the roadways are as safe as possible for everyone on them. Not. It seems nothing shall come between a 5'2" 80+ year-old woman, the five phonebooks it takes for her to see over the steering wheel, and the God-given right to drive her shiny American Cadillac death machine. I feel so blessed to live in a state full of them, too.
posted at 05:35 PM | link--it | mail it | (17) shout it



The downward spiral
 Well that sucked.
posted at 03:11 PM | link--it | mail it | (10) shout it






Black magic woman
 Earlier this month, I joked that even though I'm known by some as Princess of the Blogiverse™, I'd yet to see an actual tiara for it. Well guess what showed up in the mail today? Solonor sent me one of my very own! But this is no ordinary tiara -- oh no. You'll notice in the photos that the crown and jewels are all black. Just call me Princess of the (Dark Side of the) Blogiverse™ now. Don't believe me? Just check out that last photo with flash.

When I'm sleeping, it will have a place of honor right above my work station, but I whipped my hair in an up-'do and snapped a few "you like me, you really really like me" beauty queen-esque photos tonight for posterity. Enjoy...





And THANK YOU Solonor -- you're the best minion leader ever.
posted at 10:35 PM | link--it | mail it | (29) shout it



Strong enough for a man, but made for a woman
 limejuicefast.jpg
This is a bottle of Philosophy's 7-Day Juice Fast in Lime. I received it as a present for my birthday.

I don't think I'm supposed to notice that almost ½ of the bottle is now missing, even though I've used that scent twice.

But we'll just let it be our little secret, mmmk?
Man, he feels like a woman!

posted at 06:44 PM | link--it | mail it | (3) shout it



Bring. It. On.
 [Blogger Burp Contest] Ok, there isn't a better stage or setting for this folks -- it's finally Super Bowl Weekend. So you have 'til kick-off Sunday night to put your burp where your mouth is. I've seen a lot of smack-talkin', but I've yet to see any evidence...so get those sound files to me ASAP! I'll organize them in one place, and put up a poll.

It doesn't matter who you know, what your stats counter says, how old you are or where you live. Everyone's eligible. Although I can't offer an awards ceremony at SxSW, I can offer a day that will live in infamy. (I'm still not sure if that's a good thing, but we'll find out.) Thank heavens we don't have smell on the 'net yet... Who takes it? Who reigns supreme?
posted at 05:35 PM | link--it | mail it | (14) shout it



I'm never gonna score
 Ok, so who saw today's Call For Help? Bueller? Bueller? I saw the tail-end when Tampa Bay won the video game challenge -- and got very, very excited. Only to learn I missed another shout-out to me at the beginning. And now I have to wait 'til Monday. Can anyone help a sister out?
posted at 05:24 PM | link--it | mail it | (4) shout it



The Super Bowl shuffle
 I guess I could actually discuss important news events like other bloggers, but I don't have time. And it's too depressing anyway... So more weird -- and useless -- headlines it is!

  1. Old Faithful is quite regular, thankyouverymuch.
  2. Drudge finds out what it's like to be on the other end of the monitor.
  3. I've seen some really bad WTC plans in the last few months, but I think this one takes the cake. There's a reason it was previously scrapped. Hello, Jetsons!
  4. Something tells me this kid is so grounded!
  5. Are you pumped? I said, ARE YOU PUMPED? A little Bucs history -- and why we're so freakin' happy just to be here now, regardless of the outcome Sunday.
And now...your moment of zen. Happy (almost) weekend, everyone!
posted at 05:25 AM | link--it | mail it | (8) shout it



Help, I need somebody - help, not just anybody
 I haven't given out any Gnomey lovin' for awhile. That's mostly because the man is keeping me down. They move the show's time slot over at Tech TV more than I update my blog it seems, and right now the live show and reruns are falling smack-dab in the middle of my beauty sleep. (Which I think we all know I could use a little more of.) I really have to get TiVo. But until I do, callforhelpcentral.com keeps the withdrawl symptoms down to a few random shakes and involuntary twitchings. Make sure you check out Chris' Award Promise -- and then go do the right thing for him if you haven't already!
posted at 03:28 AM | link--it | mail it | (2) shout it



Oh the weather outside is frightful
 freezincold.jpg

You Notherners have laughed at Floridians for being cold for two weeks now, but when they're extending freeze warnings in the Florida Keys, can we all finally admit we've got a problem here? I haven't seen lawns this dead since an Oklahoma winter.
posted at 03:01 AM | link--it | mail it | (8) shout it






Smothered and covered
 Angel just made me squeal like a little girl. She pointed out the following from Sonic's site:

To celebrate our 50th year, we're bringing back some all-time favorites, like our one-of-a-kind Pickle-O's™! You'll love these sliced dill pickles made crispy and perfect for dipping. Available for a limited time only at participating locations.
Laugh at us all you want -- those who have eaten Pickle-O's KNOW what I'm talkin' 'bout. And to date, the only place to still get them has been Classic 50s Drive-In in Norman, Oklahoma. I haven't had them in over two years. Screw Todd's ticker... If our Sonic is in on this promotion, we're eating there every night for a week. It's a moral imperative.

P.S. If you think the concept of fried pickles is bad, I should also add that we eat them covered with cheese. Oh yeah, baby!
posted at 10:35 PM | link--it | mail it | (20) shout it



It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that cling
 [confetti] Sure it probably seemed like a good idea at the time to pack the shipping box, the cards, the envelope, and every single piece of tissue paper to be found with mylar confetti. I'm sure you had quite the good laugh wondering how we were ever going to get to our presents without spilling it everywhere. Hardy har har har.

But as I sit here finding that magnetic cling crap in places I didn't know I had, under my nails, on my legs, all over my countertops, sprinkled about the floor -- and it takes me at least 30 seconds to pluck each individual piece I find off my fingers after picking it up, before finally convincing said piece that it really wants to be in the trash can instead -- well the joke is now lost on me. I do believe this means war.

I will be in your home this spring. I will be armed. I am unrolling your Charmin and every time you go to wipe you're going to be oh so very shiny. I am going to fill the socks in your undie drawer with it so you will never get this crap from between your toes. I am sprinkling it in your sheets so that every day when you wake up, you have to add an extra 20 minutes to your beauty routine for confetti removal. I am opening up your purse and dumping a whole bag in, so that every time you go to write a check, you leave a happy l'il trail of you all the way out the store. I'm zipping open your vacuum bag and I'm setting it to reverse, so that every time you think you're cleaning it up, you're only blowing out more all over your house.

I "got" the joke. Now prepare to pay dearly for it.

Love,
-Robyn (and Todd)
posted at 08:00 PM | link--it | mail it | (9) shout it



You spin me right 'round, baby
 Kristine has found a much easier image rollover code and it looks like a winner to me!

It only requires placing a class into the image and a script in the head, but no onMouseover’s or onload statements to deal with. And plus, you don’t actually have to list out the images in the rollover.js file...
I'm all over that -- thanks Kristine! Read more about it here...
posted at 06:40 PM | link--it | mail it | (1) shout it



Tonight at "The Pit", Everyone Gets Laid!
 [Pizza Dreams] Ok, screw the awards. What are you really gonna do with a rubber chicken anyway? Instead, I'm offering something much more worthwhile to all of us -- a good old fashioned pizza party. No one gets excluded. Whether you blog once a day or once a month, you still get a slice of pizza. On Blogspot? Step right up. You get two. Heaven knows you've earned it.

It's Super Bowl week. Let's get back to the important things. Like football. Porno. And books about war. Beer's in the fridge. Blogaritas are in the blender.

The only contest we need to hold is who can belch the loudest. I have a sneakin' suspicion she's gonna win that, but bring. it. on.
posted at 06:04 PM | link--it | mail it | (24) shout it



Fumbling towards ecstacy
 So that's why you Harry Potter fans are so devoted...they're drugging you into submission!
posted at 04:40 PM | link--it | mail it | (5) shout it



I'd like to buy the world a Coke, and keep it company
 Is it right or wrong
Try to find a place
We can all belong
Be as one

Try to get on by
If we unify
We should really try
All this time

Spinning round and round
Made the same mistakes
That we've always found
Surely now

We could move along
Make a better world
No it can't be wrong

Let's come together
Right now
Oh yeah
In sweet harmony (x4)

Time is running out
Let there be no doubt
We should sort things out
If we care

Like we say we do
Not just empty words
For a week or two

Make the world
Your priority
Try to live your life
Ecologically

Play a part
In a greater scheme
Try to live the dream
On a wider scene

Let's come together
Right now
Oh yeah
In sweet harmony ('til fade)
posted at 01:38 AM | link--it | mail it | (3) shout it






The official candy of Tampa Tantrum
 altoids.gif
I am so freaking addicted to these things now, it's not even funny. I thought this might be a good evening to share with the class... Who wants some?
posted at 09:59 PM | link--it | mail it | (19) shout it



Little hellions, kids feeling rebellious
 Controversy
Controversy
I can't understand human curiosity

Controversy
Was it good for you?
Was I what you wanted me to be?
Controversy...

Listen, people call me rude
I wish we were all nude
I wish there was no black and white
I wish there were no rules
-Prince


Oh what a tangled (world wide) web we weave. Did they? Didn't they? Well here's a little more from the trenches. You can make your own calls:

"the main problem? it's rigged. the numbers are grossly skewed. i like nikolai as a person and i know that his intentions are good, but there is just no objective, scientific way for ballots to be cast. this is not even nikolai's fault. he's a nice enough person to trust other people to be nice too. unfortunately, they just aren't...

...i also know that the email padding and nomination committee conspiracy is absolutely true.

for those of you with great weblogs and awesome designs that thought you might be nominated, you didn't have a chance. you really didn't, so don't take it personally...

...i think we need to clarify that nikolai asked people to help him and only a handful responded. of that handful, 75% are of a group that agreed together in advance on how they would vote, actual ballots be damned. they were proud of it, bragged about it and had a good laugh at the fact that they figured out how to beat the system. a system designed by a teenager who was just trying to have some fun. it is misleading to say you only voted once when that vote carried so much weight."
It's a shame so many good, deserving sites are being caught in the crossfire right now. Because quite honestly, even though I donated prizes this year, I don't even know if I want my name attached to any of it now -- this year or last year as a nominee -- without a lot of official explanation. But I don't need to add any more on the matter myself (too many others out there are saying it better anyway, look around) -- other than if it looks like a duck and walks like a duck, well it's probably also quacking "AFLAC" under the covers.


UPDATE: Didn't think any of this was real or legit? Well Michele felt everything flying around today had enough merit and weight that she's withdrawing her nominations. Something to think about... I admire your courage, convictions and strength in speaking out, Michele!
posted at 09:16 PM | link--it | mail it | (12) shout it



Book 'im, Danno!
 This true story over at Tracy's made me flashback to a funny moment in high school...

A friend of mine had a dad who was a policeman in another town, and he got me a pair of real handcuffs for my 16th birthday. I kept them hanging on the cigarette lighter of my car (for decoration, get your minds out of the gutter). The key was in the console. Well one night my friends were playing around with them during a wicked game of Twister, and somehow the key got lost. But I put the handcuffs right back on their place of honor in my car when I left.

Fast-forward to my Grandpa doing an oil change and car repairs for me a few months later. (I lived with my grandparents for two years in high school.) While he was cleaning out the inside, he called me out to the driveway. My Gma followed. He had noticed the handcuffs for the first time, and asked me if I realized just how dangerous they were. Now mind you, I lived in a small town of less than 25,000 people at the time. But to illustrate his point he said, "Just imagine if you were carjacked. Someone could slap these on your wrists like this (*clink*, *clink*) and you'd be completely defenseless. My jaw hit the pavement. Him, thinking he'd driven his point home. Me, knowing...there was no key.

I didn't know how to tell him, so I mouthed it to my Gma first. Then he asked me for the key. He's standing there wearing ratty "car work" jeans and no shirt. In cuffs. I didn't know how to break it to him and not get killed in the process. But I did. And he was too shocked to be mad at me. Then my Gma started laughing and we all cracked up in unison.

He walked over to their nearest neighbor (they lived 15 miles outside of the city limits), who also happened to be a policeman, hoping he'd be home. He was. But his cuff key didn't fit my cuffs. He had to drive my Grandpa to the local station, cuffed with no shirt on, in his squad car to find a key to fit them. How I avoided being grounded over all this, I'll never know. In our small town, my Grandpa showing up at the police station like that was quite the scandal...not to mention him having to explain to everyone that they were his teenage granddaughter's cuffs (and make them believe it) when he got there...

Needless to say the cuffs didn't go back in my car after that! But the story lives on in infamy.
posted at 06:05 PM | link--it | mail it | (7) shout it



Indecision...it's what's for dinner
 Note to my husband...the following conversation only works when you call me on the cell phone...not your work line!


Me: Any ideas of what you want for dinner tonight?
Him: I'm leaving that up to you.
Me: Oh no, not after you shooting down everything I suggested last night. It's your turn to pick tonight! You're the one with the bum ticker.
Him: What? What was that? I think...(fake-static sounds)...we're breaking up. I (more fake static sounds) can't hear you. Going... To... Have... To... Call... You... Back... Later... You pick! Bye!

We go together like rama-lama-lama ka-dinky da-dingy dong.
posted at 05:35 PM | link--it | mail it | (7) shout it



Oh, Bill.............
 [The Kelly Bundy Bounce]
And in other news...the JFK tapes were released today. You do the math.
posted at 04:50 PM | link--it | mail it | (5) shout it



Like JiFK
 Interesting.
posted at 03:50 PM | link--it | mail it | (9) shout it



Tell me who are the people in your neighborhood
 I've discovered a lot of new reads through comments, blog reads and the like in the last week. Thought I'd pass them along... Just call these "The Robbys":

  1. maleszyk.com -- he is not Tom Cruise (but he could be)
  2. Dirty Questions.com -- found via Chey, current question: "Have you ever had a consistent booty call?"
  3. butterfly wings, the blog -- I think of the Beloved song I love every time I visit
  4. traces -- yet another lovely design
  5. compulsively obsessive -- I love titles with a twist
And one to grow on...Mindless Chatter...it's her birthday tomorrow! For even more reads for your humpday, start here.
posted at 03:29 PM | link--it | mail it | (6) shout it



I'm just a girl - guess I'm some kind of freak
 Feeling like a whiter shade of pale right now? I know I am... Well sunless.com has a list of the ten best drugstore self-tanners. They also have a list of the ones to avoid -- surprisingly enough names like Estee Lauder and Lancome made that list. You can find more reviews, and how to choose, here.

And why stop with self-tanner when you're in the health and beauty section? Make-Up Diva can help you answer questions like "how to get rid of dark circles" and "how to get rid of under-eye bags". And unfortunately something I'm going to have to start dealing with since hitting the big 3-0 -- "are cheap eye creams as good as department store ones". Don't forget to sign up for the handy-dandy weekly newsletter, too.

Last but not least, one of my favorite sites out there is Cosmetic Connection. They have excellent product reviews by brand (a few of my favorites are Stila, Aveda, Origins, BeneFit, and MAC) -- including drugstore lines. I found the mascara report (part 1, part 2) really helpful. I have friends that would like the "Rosacea 101 Guide". And they also have a great weekly newsletter as well.

What? I had to counter-act all of the football talk somehow...
posted at 04:39 AM | link--it | mail it | (7) shout it



I've kissed mermaids, rode the El Niño
 Got me a movie
I want you to know
Slicing up eyeballs
I want you to know
Girlie so groovy
I want you to know
Don't know about you
But I am un chien andalusia

Wanna grow
Up to be
Be a
Debaser
Debaser...

Got me a movie
Ha ha ha ho
Slicing up eyeballs
Ha ha ha ho
Girlie so groovie
Ha ha ha ho
Don't know about you
But I am un chien andalusia...

Debaser
posted at 02:25 AM | link--it | mail it | (2) shout it



I'm Super...thanks for asking
 FOXsports.com has an interesting list of Super Bowl facts. Some include:

  • Nine of the ten most-watched television programs of all time are Super Bowls.
  • People eat more food on Super Bowl Sunday than any other day of the year other than Thanksgiving.
  • Super Bowl weekend is the slowest weekend of the year for weddings.
  • Last year, a 61-year-old lawyer from Chicago turned down an 18-day, all-expenses paid around-the-world trip for two, estimated at $18,000, in favor of two tickets to Super Bowl XXXVI.
  • Sales of antacid increase 20 percent the day after Super Bowl Sunday.

    • The top activities men will be doing during this year's Super Bowl are...

    Eating/snacking, 82 percent
    Watching the ads, 60 percent
    Yelling at the TV screen, 52 percent
    Hanging out with the guys, 46 percent
    Drinking beer, 44 percent
    Swearing or cursing, 39 percent
    Betting on the game, 26 percent


    Just men though? They obviously haven't been to a game shown in our house! Oh yeah, they have facts about avocados, too. Can't forget those... "Forty million pounds of avocados will be eaten during this year's Super Bowl festivities at home and in restaurants, mostly in the form of guacamole. That's enough dip to cover Qualcomm Stadium's football field, end zone to end zone, over five feet deep."

    UPDATE: Sounds like some people took "we're going to the Super Bowl" here to mean we're (as in me and Todd) going to the Super Bowl -- and not we're (as in Tampa Bay). Oops. Unless I have some rich uncle about to buy the farm that I don't know about...our feet will be here pacing the ground of Tampa Bay on Super Bowl Sunday. I rather like my right kidney. It seems to come in handy every now and again...
    posted at 12:50 AM | link--it | mail it | (6) shout it






    Drumroll please...
     Well Stacy just pointed out that The 2003 Bloggies nominations are up -- which means there are several BIG rounds of congrats to pass along!

    1. Blogs & Pets (Christine M., best weblog webring)
    2. Blogrolling (best update monitor and application for weblogs)
    3. Movable Type (best application for weblogs)
    4. Acerbia (best European)
    5. a small victory (best American, best political, and weblog of the year)
    6. A Life Uncommon (best American)
    7. Big Pink Cookie (best American)
    8. Electric Bugaloo (best tagline)
    9. Picture Yourself (best non weblog content)
    10. Scripty Goddess (best programming, best web development, and best community)
    11. C:\PIRILLO.EXE (best technology)
    12. Time for Your Meds (most humorous)
    13. Neurotic Fishbowl (best design and best new)
    14. SnazzyKat (best design)
    15. Blog Anon (best kept secret)
    16. On My Mind (best kept secret)
    17. My So-Called Life (best new)
    It's great to see so many new, fresh (non-Wil) blogs up there this year! I couldn't agree more with the choices. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and vote, and support your favorites now!
    posted at 09:58 PM | link--it | mail it | (16) shout it



    We're happy together
     I must be doing something right... I got jewelry this weekend and roses this evening:




    So much for that whole "seven year itch" thing!
    posted at 07:47 PM | link--it | mail it | (5) shout it



    It's frickin' freezing in here, Mr. Bigglesworth
     [Brrrrrrr!]

    Last week I whined that Tampa Bay was dipping into freezing digits. Well this weekend it's going to dip into the 20s here! The 20s! Yeah, yeah. I know. You're at -16° windchill right now and don't have much sympathy for us. But ask yourself this. Do you have a coat? Do you own gloves? Do you wear thermal underwear? Well you're already doing better than we are. We have one coat to split between us. Everything else is lightweight jackets. I only own about five pairs of socks, none of them thick.

    And with our humidity down here, it sinks into your bones. Our blood has thinned out. We'll readily admit we're weather-wussies after six years in the Bay area, but after '95-'96 in Philly (lowest temps and highest snow totals in the city's history), I know cold. And this...is cold. But go ahead. Laugh at us all you want. When you have to take out a second-mortgage just to make a fruit salad and have a glass of juice in about 3 months, I'll kindly redirect you right back here...
    posted at 05:59 PM | link--it | mail it | (19) shout it



    For every generation
     It's time to vote in the Gap's national casting call. None of the applicants are Will Kemp "loose" quality, IMHO -- but you'll get registered for a $500 gift card by voting, and receive a coupon for 15% off "$50 or more" purchases after your ballot submits. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go watch Will again...
    posted at 04:34 PM | link--it | mail it | (1) shout it



    Size does matter
     File this under "well, duh": Just spotted over in -e-'s comments (courtesy of kat)... Rather than going into "Properties:Settings" in Windows to change your monitor resolution when checking out a design's browser-size compatibility, just type this - and only this - into the IE address bar on any given site. For example, to check this site in 800x600, paste the following over my entire URL (you can change 800,600 for whatever resolution you wish to check):

    javascript:%20resizeTo(800,600)

    You will see there is a slight scroll for the default Mae skin if you tried it there. That's because if you want the 800x600 version you've gotta go here. Regardless, that will shave just a few minutes off each day when checking on other designs. Thanks, kat!
    posted at 03:38 PM | link--it | mail it | (11) shout it



    Nothing fit to print
     This is the best I could do. So sue me, but FARK is dead at the moment and my eyes hurt.

    1. Looks like I'll be wearing jeans and a t-shirt, along with straight hair and no make-up, next fashion season...
    2. Please tell me I'm not the only one with a bullshit meter at red alert right now!
    3. Remember when you just stopped, dropped and rolled? You have to give the snowman an identity these days -- sheesh! "How many engineers does it take to build a snowman?"
    4. Oh heavens above, let it be true.
    5. Get injected with deadly botulism or risk stinkin' pits...let's see...I'll take the stinky pits and a case of Secret, please. Sidenote: How bored and/or desperate do you have to be to volunteer for a study rating pit odor on shirts?
    6. The Bucs don't need to fear the Raiders. Oh no. They need to fear the killer trees!
    And now...your moment of zen...
    posted at 03:47 AM | link--it | mail it | (12) shout it






    I'd have to say it was a good day
     My Bucs are going to the Super Bowl, and tonight the Sooners defeated Bobby Knight and the Red Raiders 69-64 in OT, after an amazing last-second shot by Price to tie it up. Time to get back to work, but man that was a great ending!
    posted at 11:15 PM | link--it | mail it | (4) shout it



    (NFC) Paper Champions
     This is all I have time for right now...but the second batch of photos from last night is online starting here. I had to shoot a lot of them over my head and pray I got something -- so forgive the poor lighting and focus. And Todd was able to score several papers and an official NFC champions t-shirt today! The news said the line at Buccaneer Heaven was 700-strong this morning for the shirts, so we're feeling very lucky to have it.
    posted at 07:16 PM | link--it | mail it | (1) shout it



    Fashion and gossip, oh my!
     If you missed most of the Golden Globes because of football, like me -- here's a quick recap:


    1. MSNBC.com gossip commentary on the Globes...and the pink tutu... (image courtesy of antgrad.com -- and more commentary on it here, here, and here)
    2. "Fashions sprout like spring at Golden Globes" (I loved Beyonce Knowles' gown)
    3. E! Online's best and worst moments
    4. The LA Times coverage, complete with photo galleries and fashion review
    5. InStyle has a list of some of the goodies the nominees and presenters got this year, and more coverage (with photos) here -- a few misses in my opinion were Debra Messing (when good ruffles go bad), Maggie Gyllenhaal (you look like a doily), and Elisha Cuthbert (you're not Deborah Harry and this is not 1982)
    6. The Yahoo! News Golden Globe slideshow

    posted at 04:37 PM | link--it | mail it | (5) shout it



    And we were there...
     [click here to see more] There are times in your life where you've just got to smile and say, "Fuck the flu. Some things are more important." Tonight was one of those nights. When we saw on a 10 p.m. news update that 8,000 strong were already at Raymond James Stadium, it didn't take long to load up the car and head on out. We joined over 25,000 of our closest neighbors for a Super Bowl sized party just off Dale Mabry! Before they landed, the team plane did a low fly-by right over the stadium. It was one of the coolest things I've ever seen! And I was behind a police barricade literally 5-feet away from my own personal hero Mr. John Lynch as he went by.

    Amazingly, after standing out in 30°ish temps for several hours, I feel better than I have in weeks and I can't wipe this damn smile off my face. I shot over 40 pics -- some good, some not so good. I waded through to find the best ones (14 total), and put them up at a temporary home here. I'll get to the rest tomorrow and reorganize when I can feel my fingers again... Have I mentioned lately that WE'RE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL*?!? Happy Monday, everyone! (* we're as in Tampa Bay, not Robyn and Todd, people!)
    posted at 04:11 AM | link--it | mail it | (21) shout it






    She looks like a pink nightmare
     Well there's one thing more scary than facing the Raiders in California -- I think it's facing her in Hollywood. Here's a back view -- ick. And here, well words fail me. That rarely happens.
    posted at 09:53 PM | link--it | mail it | (27) shout it



    Can I get an unh-huh?
     I could talk smack and curse like a sailor all night long like all you Eagles fans would have done. I could hop on your blogs and boards and rub it in. But I'd rather just tell you to KISS MY ASS at my own house because we're going to the Super Bowl. Sorry I don't have any more time to devote to your worthless team than that, but if you'll excuse me, we have San Diego to concentrate on -- and a bottle of champagne to pop open!


    kissmytampatantrum.jpg


    UPDATE: Jen snapped her own special photo -- make sure to check it out!
    posted at 06:25 PM | link--it | mail it | (38) shout it



    Have you seen the size of my Johnsons?
     I'm drinking heavily now.
    posted at 04:28 PM | link--it | mail it | (5) shout it



    I...love...football on TV
     If you have any questions about the big games, make sure to ask the Magic 8 Ball. Good luck today, Erica Lynn -- may the best team on "any given Sunday" win!
    posted at 01:38 PM | link--it | mail it | (11) shout it



    Potpourri for $400, Alex
     Just a couple of site updates to report before we head off to bed...I added in that code (I blogged about last week) over in the sidebar that will show you entries that have just scrolled off the main page. It's under the recent comments section. I also updated the 2003 archives page to keep it separate from the 2002 ones. It's bland as hell, but if nothing else, it's worth a mention courtesy of another good pic of Shirley.

    Not running MT but still want to make clickable thumbnail image groupings? Mandarin Design has a good newbie-style tutorial up.

    Last but not least, here's another great tip from Scripty Goddess -- a hack of the LGF referer script to show the last 50 search keywords to your site. More details here.
    posted at 04:49 AM | link--it | mail it | (0) shout it



    Today's the day they'll say "I do"!
    [Congrats and Best Wishes to the new Mr. and Mrs.]

    UPDATE: They have a wedding-attire photo up now! She looks amazing!
    posted at 02:56 AM | link--it | mail it | (2) shout it



    It just. Got. Interesting.
     There may soon be a legal precedent for suing website trolls. I know a few lawyers who owe me favors. This might be fun to watch go down... Anyone want in on some class-action, errr, action? (Link courtesy of FARK.com, Slashdot, and Cleveland.com.)
    posted at 01:10 AM | link--it | mail it | (7) shout it






    Nacho!
    doritos.gif

    Is there anything more satisfying to you...and more repulsing to them...than Dorito-breath? Who wants to kiss me now? *bwah ha ha*
    posted at 06:18 PM | link--it | mail it | (13) shout it



    If only we had one more year
     Oh I'm gonna miss him... Todd has the Senior Bowl on right now, and Chris Simms is QBing the South team, currently losing 17-0. So far we've watched Chrissy fumble, drive two three-and-outs and throw a pick. At the one yard line. That was run back for a 99-yard TD. Pan to the sideline after commercial with Chris explaining the interception to his coach -- "I thought I had 'im." Yep, that pretty much defines your whole collegiate career, Simms. We'll miss ya'!

    UPDATE: FOX News reports on-air that Chrissy set a Senior Bowl interception record. Heh.
    posted at 04:26 PM | link--it | mail it | (6) shout it



    A kiss on the hand may be quite continental
     My husband bought me jewelry tonight!


    newring.jpg

    Isn't it lovely? The gift that keeps on giving, I do believe...
    posted at 12:56 AM | link--it | mail it | (21) shout it






    Say, say, say what you want
     Well that didn't take long! Bill has the 1000th comment in 2003 (click here for screen cap). Talk all you want...I'll make more! Well after we get back from dinner out, of course.
    posted at 07:31 PM | link--it | mail it | (13) shout it



    Who you tryin' to get crazy with ese? Don't you know I'm loco?
     I've noticed a lot of smack goin' around accusing Tampa Bay fans of being bandwagoners. Well, I thought I'd scan my football card collection for proof. These cards are mine (not my husband's) and all but one of them were purchased pre-1997 season. You will notice that I have not one, but two different 1993 John Lynch rookie cards in all their orange and white glory -- and a rookie baseball card of his as well. I also have 1995 Brooks and Sapp cards from the Creamsicle days. And my pewter power John Lynch card is the season opener 1999 Topps -- several months before the NFC Championship loss to St. Louis.

    I'm not denying there are bandwagoner fans out there. And guess what -- the Eagles have them, too. But don't question the longevity of my loyalty to my team. I've been here in good times, and bad. Just as I was with the Sooners in the 90s. And I will continue to support them no matter the outcome on Sunday. I think recent events have shown us there's a little more to life than just football though. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Jurevicius family.
    posted at 07:08 PM | link--it | mail it | (6) shout it



    Sometimes you feel like a nut
     I know the following e-mail I received about WM! was s'posed to be serious, but I had a hard time stifling the giggles. It seems Christine and Mike* have entered the porn biz and didn't even know it...


    Robyn,
    Hello, I am writing to bring to your attention something that truly concerns me. I am in the process of planning my wedding, and have been searching the internet for reliable information, recommendations, and general assistance. To that end, I arrived at your website about 20 minutes ago, and was intrigued by the resources your site seems to offer. An article of yours caught my attention, it was archived at:

    http://www.whollymatrimony..com/...sept00.html

    I clicked on the link, and read the article, noticing that there appeared to be a link from the photo next to the caption

    "Christine and Mike were
    married July 22, 2000, in
    York Beach, Maine    "

    I moused over that picture, thinking it provided a link to the full article, as I was interested in learning more about the Justice of the Peace services offered in York, Maine. The file directory that comes up when you mouse over the picture is innocent enough but when I clicked on it, approximately 20 X-Rated pornographic websites immediately appeared on my computer screen. It took me approximately 3 minutes of continually closing each pop-up screen until it stopped. While this is most disconcerting to me, the area that really bothers me is that I had forwarded the article to my future-mother-in-law, who just called to inform me that she had also experienced the problem with the pornographic link. If your site is a pornographic website in nature, then it was hidden well by the facade of wedding information. Personally, I find it reprehensible to cover pornographic websites with the illusion of providing wedding information. Perhaps, your site is not pornographically based, and if that is the case, please forgive my anger, however, I would suggest you check the links from your site, and just please be aware that there is currently a pornographic link, from your site...

    "I find it reprehensible to cover pornographic websites with the illusion of providing wedding information..." Yep, that's me! Spreadin' the weddin' love thru porn.


    * They haven't actually entered the porn biz. An old domain that had lapsed was snapped up by a porn site, and I forgot to update the link on an over 2-year old article.
    posted at 05:11 PM | link--it | mail it | (25) shout it



    Madge, I'm soaking in it!
     I just discovered the "I Can't Believe It's Not The Advertising Slogan Generator!" thanks to Gnome-Girl. Here are the results for Tampa Tantrum:


    1. Avez-Vous Un Tampa Tantrum?
    2. If You Want To Get Ahead, Get A Tampa Tantrum.
    3. Crunch All You Want. We'll Make Tampa Tantrum.
    4. Gee, Your Tampa Tantrum Smells Terrific.
    5. Nothing Comes Between Me And My Tampa Tantrum.
    6. Easy, Breezy, Beautiful Tampa Tantrum.
    7. Is Tampa Tantrum In You?
    8. The Coolest Tampa Tantrum on Ice.
    9. That's Handy, Harry! Stick It In The Tampa Tantrum.
    10. Let The Tampa Tantrum Take The Strain.
    11. My Anti-Drug is Tampa Tantrum.
    12. You Press the Tampa Tantrum, We Do the Rest.
    13. The Tampa Tantrum With The Hole.
    14. Thank Tampa Tantrum It's Friday.

      And the number one Tampa Tantrum advertising slogain is...

    15. Ribbed For Her Tampa Tantrum.

    posted at 02:34 AM | link--it | mail it | (15) shout it



    Fire the canons!
     brrrrr.jpg

    You damn Yanks can say all you want about the Bucs and our so-called "cold weather curse", but this weekend it wouldn't matter if Sunday's kick-off took place in Ray-J or The Vet. It's cold. Damn cold. In the state of Florida. Yep, we're hitting the freezing mark this weekend, and the windchill coming in off the Gulf is almost unbearable. I don't want to hear anyone whining about their current temp of -12° either. You know and I know that 32° in Florida isn't s'posed to happen. So laugh now, but you won't be laughing when it comes time to pay $12 for a gallon of OJ in a couple of months.

    I don't know what's going to go down Sunday. Especially with Philly blanketed in snow right now... If you think that you do though, you haven't been watching the NFL all that long. Any. Given. Sunday. And god knows I've taken enough shit over it already -- so seriously, there's no need for more here. Take it over there. You aren't going to tell me anything I, and every other Bucs fan on the planet, haven't heard 100 times already this week. I swear, you're not that original. No really. If you honestly think I'm going to suddenly turn tail and dislike my team just because in your infinite wisdom you've been able to compile a few stats and analyze them, well then you don't know the meaning of a true fan. It may be that way in your town, but it's not in mine. I've been here since the Creamsicle days in the Big Sombrero. And I'm not going anywhere anytime soon. Bandwagoner my ass. Hell, I didn't even like the Eagles when I lived in Philly. Why would that change now?

    It's like I said over at Jen's earlier today -- Chucky doesn't have us believing in one season. He has us believing in our team. And if that means we've gotta believe in seven more months instead, well I can think of a much worse fate. Like, oh say, the next 225 days of golf and NASCAR. Bring. It. On.
    posted at 01:35 AM | link--it | mail it | (16) shout it



    Strike a pose, there's nothing to it
     Am I the only one that really does strike a pose when Madonna's "Vogue" comes on?

    C'mon, admit it. You do it too, don'tcha?




    Look around -- everywhere you turn is heartache
    It's everywhere that you go [look around]
    You try everything you can to escape
    The pain of life that you know [life that you know]

    When all else fails and you long to be
    Something better than you are today
    I know a place where you can get away
    It's called a dance floor, and here's what it's for, so...

    Come on, vogue
    Let your body move to the music [move to the music]
    Hey, hey, hey
    Come on, vogue
    Let your body go with the flow [go with the flow]
    You know you can do it

    All you need is your own imagination
    So use it that's what it's for [that's what it's for]
    Go inside, for your finest inspiration
    Your dreams will open the door [open up the door]

    It makes no difference if you're black or white
    If you're a boy or a girl
    If the music's pumping it will give you new life
    You're a superstar, yes, that's what you are, you know it

    Come on, vogue
    Let your body groove to the music [groove to the music]
    Hey, hey, hey
    Come on, vogue
    Let your body go with the flow [go with the flow]
    You know you can do it

    Beauty's where you find it
    Not just where you bump and grind it
    Soul is in the musical
    That's where I feel so beautiful
    Magical
    Life's a ball
    So get up on the dance floor

    Come on, vogue
    Let your body move to the music [move to the music]
    Hey, hey, hey
    Come on, vogue
    Let your body go with the flow [go with the flow]
    You know you can do it

    Vogue, [Vogue]
    Beauty's where you find it [move to the music]
    Vogue, [Vogue]
    Beauty's where you find it [go with the flow]

    Greta Garbo, and Monroe
    Deitrich and DiMaggio
    Marlon Brando, Jimmy Dean
    On the cover of a magazine

    Grace Kelly; Harlow, Jean
    Picture of a beauty queen
    Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire
    Ginger Rogers, dance on air

    They had style, they had grace
    Rita Hayworth gave good face
    Lauren, Katherine, Lana too
    Bette Davis, we love you

    Ladies with an attitude
    Fellows that were in the mood
    Don't just stand there, let's get to it
    Strike a pose, there's nothing to it

    Vogue, vogue

    Oooh, you've got to
    Let your body move to the music
    Oooh, you've got to just
    Let your body go with the flow
    Oooh, you've got to
    Vogue...vogue...vogue...vogue...
    posted at 12:02 AM | link--it | mail it | (8) shout it






    You're all I need in the =w=orld
     [Rivers gives me shivers]

    I loves me some Rivers Cuomo, but three grand for his student ID? I think not.
    posted at 11:20 PM | link--it | mail it | (8) shout it



    I still haven't found what I'm looking for
     Haven't listed search engine words coming into my site lately...so here goes...recent top 10:


    1. wearing adult diapers for convenience only
    2. mike piazza because he gets to cash checks like these
    3. how do you say thank you to everyone after someone has died please tell what to write in the thank letters
    4. milk in my boobies .com
    5. taping back foreskin
    6. rivers cuomo with gun photo
    7. skanky ho
    8. wooden spoon spankings
    9. chris simms lingerie
    10. sweaty man ass yankee candle

    posted at 04:44 PM | link--it | mail it | (15) shout it



    May I have your attention please?
    [PSA]

    We're gonna have a problem here...
    posted at 03:59 PM | link--it | mail it | (12) shout it



    Underwear.
     I don't know whether to laugh or cry at this...

    [Dumb and Dumber] Don't "misunderestimate" Dubya. Those verbal Bushisms are beginning to "resignate" with the American people. Maybe they'll even "embetter" the English language.

    They may have started out as verbal slip-ups but several of President George W. Bush's mangled phrases found their way on Tuesday to a list of the top words of 2002.

    "There are already 11,000 instances of 'misunderestimate' on the Web. The more people use words, whether jocularly or seriously, the more likely they are to enter the language and last for generations," said Paul J.J. Payack, chairman of yourDictionary.com...
    Read the full article at CNN.com. Fart. And in case you've missed it in the past, check out the "Complete Bushisms". Sadly, it's updated frequently (because it has to be). Strategery.
    posted at 06:07 AM | link--it | mail it | (13) shout it



    You might be a winner...
     Heads-up -- cooking.com is doing a $1000 shopping spree give-away. They carry brands like KitchenAid, Le Creuset, Cuisinart, and Calphalon. I am so there! (Or maybe not...)
    posted at 01:44 AM | link--it | mail it | (7) shout it






    That dweam wiffin a dweam
     New January 2003 "Fifteen Minutes of Fame" featured wedding is up!
    posted at 11:57 PM | link--it | mail it | (1) shout it



    Squirrel!
    [squirrel!] Claire had the misfortune of living in an apartment for the first five years of her life. But she likes to make up for lost time by chasing squirrels all over the back yard.

    She tree'ed another one today and I was able to snap a few photos of the after party. They taunt her as much as she taunts them. In fact, I could swear I heard it whispering, "Pssst...third fence post to the left. Tomorrow. 4 o'clock. Bring your stuff, bitch.", as we walked off.


    Five new photos of Claire's most recent victory are up at Shutterblog now.
    posted at 06:01 PM | link--it | mail it | (10) shout it



    Bring out yer dead!
     *raises hand* Why did they even let Texas Tech have vials of the bubonic and pneumonic plague virus? Everyone knows even their mascot committed suicide for being in Lubbock.
    posted at 03:33 PM | link--it | mail it | (10) shout it



    Little darling, the smile returning to their faces
     Ok -- no witty, entertaining or regular-fare posts out of me as I head off to bed and the rest of the world awakes. I've worked on three designs today and my bloody eyeballs are about to pop out of my skull. Oh did I mention that I still have that freakin' cold/flu, and was so sick Tuesday morning that Todd didn't leave me until noon? Must've slipped my mind... So instead of hearing me ramble while all phlegmy, there's plenty of new reading material here instead.

    And if anyone wonders why I did something so dorky as a big ol' blogwide "baby, you're the greatest" day -- well this entry right here is exactly why. I don't even know Trinity or Monica, but look how happy one post and a few site updates made someone. That is today's "moment of zen" for all of us. Night everyone -- happy hump day!
    posted at 04:55 AM | link--it | mail it | (7) shout it



    Just say no (fries with that)!
    [Just say no!]

    This one is for Ashley. She'll know why. (That's me in my cap 'n' gown before OU's commencement ceremonies in May 1995. Oklahoman James Garner was our speaker.)
    posted at 02:47 AM | link--it | mail it | (6) shout it



    Trans-Atlantic flight
     I just wrapped another design for Sekimori (with more to follow later this week/weekend if my current schedule holds)... Welcome AtlanticBlog out of the shackles of Blogspot!
    posted at 02:23 AM | link--it | mail it | (2) shout it



    Holy birthday, Batman!
     Happy birthday to you!
    Happy birthday to you!
    Happy birthday dear Aaaaaaangel!
    Happy birthday to you!

    [Happy Birthday Angel!]
    posted at 12:27 AM | link--it | mail it | (2) shout it






    Hugs and kisses from the Mrs.
    [Jason]
    I ♥ the only guy that ever got me kicked out of anything!
    posted at 10:46 PM | link--it | mail it | (2) shout it



    Can you feel the love tonight?
     100+.
    posted at 10:15 PM | link--it | mail it | (5) shout it



    All I've got is a photograph
     In case you've missed it elsewhere, the Bloggies aren't the only show in town -- now there's also the 2003 Photobloggies. Nominations run through Sunday January 26th, 2003. If you're stuck on who to nominate, here's a great place to start the hunt!

    And somewhat related...we had one of those postcard-perfect Florida sunshine days today, so I went out and snapped a few photos of flowers out in the yard. If you're bogged down in the snow and cold, take some time to smell the flowers! (All are available in 1024x768 if you click far enough. This one is my new wallpaper.)
    posted at 08:52 PM | link--it | mail it | (4) shout it



    We've gotta love thang
     Wow -- it took me almost two hours to link all the pings and comments I found when I opened up my inbox this afternoon. Now that is a whole lotta love goin' on! My heartfelt thanks to everyone who's taken the time to participate in the Bloggin' Lovefest! Make sure you check out the full list of participants here -- you're guaranteed to find somebody new to read (and love)!
    posted at 05:49 PM | link--it | mail it | (11) shout it



    Love to love you, baby!
     Erica Lynn

    It didn't take long for me to decide who I wanted to write about for my "Bloggin' Lovefest" entry. I'm going to choose Erica Lynn. She has a blog that can make you think, laugh and cry all in one sitting. It always feels like "home" there -- and not just because I used to live in Philly. Here are just a few of the many reasons why I adore her so:



    1. She knows the words to "Boomer Sooner".
    2. She brings out the dumb blonde in me, and gave a group of us the best belly-laugh we'd had all year over it. And, she got me not once -- but twice!
    3. She loves her team as much as I love mine. Even though I hate that team with the fiery depths of hell, I've gotta respect a fan like that. And when she says "Suckaneers" one too many times, and I say "step off bitch" in return, she listens. *wink* Because deep down I admire a girl who talks football -- not shopping -- when the game is on. Even when they look and act all girl the rest of the time (she's in the middle).
    4. I know Mikey has a big crush on her, and it doesn't make me jealous.
    5. When she quit blogging for awhile last fall, I missed her dearly. It was like Christmas morning when I found out she was updating her site again.
    6. She e-mails me from her phone.
    7. She asks how I'm feeling when she writes me.
    8. She's a damn-fine writer away from her blog as well.
    9. She loves anything vanilla, but not the ice cream, just like me.
    10. I worship her to pieces, even if she is a "crummy Eagles fan" -- just like all the former Long Island girls I know! And I know that should the Bucs lose this Sunday, sure she'll rub it in. But she'll also make me laugh afterwards and make up for it. Because she knows, and I know, we still owe Todd and Statia!

    I love you, Erica Lynn. And I don't mean that in an Eddie Haskell kind of way.

    So there you have it...that's my pick for today! And it's not even close to 1500 words, so don't let that number scare ya'. Write what you can...when you can... Who's yours?
    posted at 02:08 AM | link--it | mail it | (5) shout it



    Shiny, happy people holding hands
     [lovefest] Ok, I'm going to make a list of everyone that's told me they are particpating in the Bloggin' Lovefest, and put it right here on the main page for easy access. Since the other entry already has so many comments/pings about the concept itself -- this is the best entry to ping (or comment at) to let me know your "essay" is online. Here are the people that have participated so far:

    1. Simplicity and Chaos
    2. CC Chapman.com
    3. c.h.a.o.s.
    4. in nancy's book
    5. Ain't too proud to blog
    6. Altered Blog
    7. geekychick dot net
    8. Pixel Sphinx
    9. FarAway Thoughts
    10. A N A R C H T I C A
    11. Dayzed and Confuzed
    12. Hugin and Munin
    13. My So Called Life
    14. Recycled Thoughts
    15. go fish
    16. wilddesire.net
    17. jewdez
    18. Z o r bl o g
    19. Very Black
    20. Dandelion Wine
    21. Sometimes I...
    22. Somewhere in the Digital Forest
    23. Daisy's Petals
    24. In Angie's Book
    25. Polynomia
    26. Pizza Dreams
    27. Simply Sara
    28. BeaLog
    29. Night tide Nocturne
    30. manumission
    31. digital flotsam
    32. glittering.org
    33. Abracadabra...It's a Ruthie
    34. VegasRocks
    35. Painted-Turtle
    36. Life With Buccho
    37. Left of West
    38. Close Encounters of the Zanderkind
    39. Mindless Chatter
    40. delicatelittleflower.com
    41. Welcome to the pond
    42. Alive & Bloggin'
    43. Gnome-Girl
    44. Blogging in a New York Minute
    45. Daily Ramblings
    46. Digital Daydreaming
    47. Tom's Ramblings
    48. Mea and Back Again
    49. Human--> Doing!!
    50. deblog
    51. Rambling with Isha
    52. Aged and Confused
    53. chewbecca.com
    54. Just Rilana
    55. bedsidemanner
    56. the passionate ailurophile
    57. Bring on Reality
    58. The Den of Iniquity
    59. [ mumbles unintelligibly ]
    60. UnCutCrystal
    61. Da Goddess
    62. Michelle's Musings
    63. coffeemom.com
    64. Painfully Cool
    65. Billegible
    66. heidip's Xanga site
    67. electric bugaloo
    68. Pam's Place
    69. joy unspeakable
    70. Ginger Girl
    71. obsessive compulsive
    72. Zuly's Zu
    73. Thought Puddles
    74. trianide.com
    75. undisturbed.org
    76. Sassypants.net
    77. A Small Victory
    78. ariadnesthoughts.blogspot.com
    79. The Broken Lyre
    80. rivervision
    81. Toni
    82. bozzy's world
    83. Gratuitous Sax and Senseless Violins
    84. Red Grand AM!
    85. Mercurial
    86. Neurotic Fishbowl
    87. Digital Man's Outtakes
    88. Hey!
    89. pessimista.net
    90. Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch'intrate......
    91. A1E1
    92. kadyellebee
    93. RollerZoe
    94. Unix Gal
    95. Solonor's Ink Well
    96. Cranky's Corner
    97. Tripping on Teality
    98. Anywhere you hang yourself is home....
    99. Days Come and Days Go
    100. Journey to Confusion
    101. Ramblings of a Code Monkey
    102. Random Beatings
    103. ericalynn.com
    104. annessa.net
    105. TummyMonsters
    106. traces
    107. All About Me
    108. Deliberations of a Digital DBA
    109. Amethyst Angel
    110. eyesicle
    111. Cuppa Tea
    112. A Keanuholic
    113. and she said
    114. Paradigm Shifts
    115. ...scribblings...
    116. Crazy Bitch with Webcam
    117. digital-ed.net
    118. Big Pink Cookie
    119. coolwalkingsmoothtalking
    120. on my mind
    121. Random Ravings
    122. Rigdonia Blog
    123. 730
    Thanks again to everyone who spread the word! If you participated on January 14th, then pinged me or left a comment, and don't see your name above -- just drop me a line and I'll get you added to the above list. I won't be updating the list as of January 15th and beyond (as I have to get back to work), so please just let us know you've participated late by leaving a ping or a comment. Thank you!
    posted at 12:26 AM | link--it | mail it | (62) shout it






    Make blog, not war
     [wings!] Last night I half-joked to Todd that it seems like the whole world wide web is on the rag right now. But I'm not so sure it's a "joke". Has anyone else noticed this? I'm don't know if it's a combo of post-holiday let-down, stress and money-woes -- impending war looming over our heads whether we really let ourselves start to think about it or not -- or what. But it seems like everywhere I read these days someone's hurting, angry, upset or a combo of all the above.

    I'd only been blogging a few months this time last year, so my reads-list wasn't as long. I can't guess if this is a "time of year" thing that I'm just catching onto, or if there's something in the air right now. Am I alone in feeling this way?

    Besides all of the overwhelming personal crap a lot of people have been slammed with -- and attacks right and left in people's comments -- one thing I've seen over and over is a lot of hostility towards The Bloggies, and those who have asked to be nominated for them. Last year was a real healthy dose of where my place is in this blogisphere next to Wheaton. I didn't even know what the Bloggies were when I found out I'd been nominated. That part meant something. But I haven't been able to take it seriously since. If I get nominated, great. Pizza party for everyone. If I don't, the mop-up crew is much more fun to watch in action anyway. Stop and ask yourself -- whether your feelings are pro or con regarding the annual event and the voting -- in the end, does it really MATTER? Will it change your life? Should it change theirs? Absolutely not.

    I've noticed a lot of tear them down because they "have" traffic -- or tear them down because they "want" traffic -- rants as well. But in the scheme of things, who cares? I guess 'til the day this blog pays my bills (shaw-right), I'll consider all of this about as serious as my Princess™ status. Which by the way, for the record, I have yet to see an actual tiara for (dammit)...

    yourule.gif So I propose this. Instead of a day of blame, pointing fingers, labeling, being labeled, silly acronyms, inclusion, exclusion, insults (open or veiled), bitching, general whining because you aren't "popular" (for lack of a better word), whining because they ARE popular or whining because you want to BE popular, ramalamadingdong -- how about we make tomorrow (Tuesday, January 14th) a Bloggin' Lovefest. Devote one post to a blogger you love (and you can't pick me) -- and tell everyone why in 1500 words or less. Let your readers know how that blog has changed either your day -- or blogging -- for the better. Even if that's just because it's damn silly and makes you smile. Then go tell that blogger you've written about them. After that, ping me or post it in the comments so everyone can see what you've had to say. Sort of like a blogwide Aortal day, if you will. You can even swipe the candy heart.

    We may not hold hands and sing a rousing chorus of "Kum Ba Ya" at the end, but it will sure feel better than an endless string of the "top ten reasons how this blogger sucks and why". At least I think so. Just in case not, the fridge is stocked with chocolate chip cookie dough if anyone wants/needs to join me...

    And now, I close with this. A cheesy song my youth group actually performed at the White House when I was in the eighth grade:


    With words you can build mountains
    in just a moment's time
    that take years to tear down,
    and even longer to climb.

    Words that separate --
    they condemn and criticize.
    Even the best of things
    are sometimes jeopardized...

    Quiet, please.
    Too much has already been said.

    Just let it be --
    and learn to listen instead.

    For sometimes through the silence
    big problems become small.

    If you can't find something good to say --
    say nothing at all.


    And that's good advice I'll heed...well, at least until the next tantrum anyway. Carry on.

    UPDATE: Zuly's Zu has a most-excellent addendum to the above. Also wanted to add that it's 1500 words or less -- meaning in this case, "or less" is quite fine. Don't worry -- you won't be graded!

    UPDATE 2: The full list of everyone who participated on January 14th, 2003, is here.
    posted at 06:07 PM | link--it | mail it | (50) shout it



    Witchy woman
     Finally an E! Rank list I can agree with -- the "seven women that scare us". I shudder every time I see that photo of Pamela Anderson! And don't even get me started on Christina Aguilera... (Click here for the other part of the list that I don't necessarily agree with -- the "twenty-five sexiest women".)
    posted at 04:42 PM | link--it | mail it | (13) shout it



    It's awesome, baby!
     Boomer Sooner Well soooooooooome people seem to only think it's a football-only week this week. I think they forget that even though I love the Bucs and Mr. John Lynch with a pewter passion, my heart belongs to the Sooners and only the Sooners. And tonight...it's Bedlam, baby! Tipoff's at 9 p.m. EST. ESPN. Be there or be !
    posted at 03:22 PM | link--it | mail it | (7) shout it



    Objects in mirror are larger than they appear
     Yet another case of Hollywood Photoshopping gone horribly awry... This makes me so angry on so many levels. As if we could ever measure up to the likes of Kate Winslet anyway -- but would it be so wrong for the readers of British GQ to be allowed to admire her as-is? It's one thing to touch up forehead shine and misaligned chins. It's quite another to lop 30 lbs. off a woman. And note to whoever edited the photos: If you're going to alter/stretch the main image, make sure you get the one in the mirror behind her as well.

    Kate Winslet got digitally altered to look skinny — and there’s a lot of finger pointing going on over who’s responsible.

    The “Titanic” star is one of the few celebs who has said she’s happy with her extra curves.

    “What is sexy?” Winslet says in an interview with current British GQ. “All I know from the men I’ve ever spoken to is that they like girls to have an arse on them, so why is it that women think in order to be adored they have to be thin?”

    So Winslet’s fans were shocked and dismayed by the pics accompanying the article [click each image for enlargements], which showed her with an impossibly slim waist and no arse to speak of.

    Winslet herself blasted the magazine for tinkering with her extra pounds. “It’s an outrage,” the star complained to one paper. “The re-touching is excessive. I don’t look like that and I don’t desire to look like that . . . I haven’t suddenly lost thirty pounds.”

    But Winslet’s outrage may be a tad disingenuous. According to PeopleNews.com, the star actually approved the slimmed-down pics.
    Article from MSNBC.com's Scoop. Photos from discoverkate.com.
    posted at 05:19 AM | link--it | mail it | (9) shout it



    Now I only have 2 things - my friends, and uh, my thermos
     Oh, I'm picking out a thermos for you.
    Not an ordinary thermos for you.
    But the extra-best thermos you can buy --
    With vinyl, and stripes, and a cup built right in!

    I'm picking out a thermos for you.
    And maybe a barometer too.
    And what else can I buy so on me you'll rely?
    A rear-end thermometer too!


    Taking a quick breather from work for a few belated thank-you's... Kristine sent me a cookbook I've been dying to have forever -- the Betty Crocker Picture Cookbook (a replica of the 1950 edition). And Yvonne sent me one of the coolest care packages ever! Tucked inside was my very own metal Eminem lunch pail (with matching thermos). And what Eminem set could be complete without two matching shot glasses? Thanks guys -- bestest presents (and friends) evah!
    posted at 02:05 AM | link--it | mail it | (6) shout it






    Axis spins so round and round we go
     A good friend of ours has chosen to blog anonymously. No I won't say who, but I did help whip up a quick design to get her there. So go visit Amethyst Angel, and welcome back a new, old read...

    Ashley acquired a new domain name for the new year as well -- so if you're not reading her yet, time to start! She has my official "wear Depends first" seal o' approval.

    Yet another old pal from my wedding group days has set up shop at lazyblonde.com. Love that domain!


    And a few others to check out for your new work week...

    1. sammiches 4 free
    2. Disarranging Mine
    3. Mildly Suicidal
    4. Steamed Words
    5. What Do I Know

    What? Still not enough... Sheesh! Well then, go here. Have a great week!
    posted at 10:21 PM | link--it | mail it | (3) shout it



    Phil-a-delphia freedom
    independence.jpg
    posted at 04:31 PM | link--it | mail it | (14) shout it



    My 'I don't have to run day'
     These should help kill the dead-air moments during halftime...

    1. Oh yeah. The world needed "R. Kelly, the children's book".
    2. Madonna says that Manolo Blahniks are better than sex. Can I pleasae borrow Guy Ritchie for awhile then? Purely for research purposes, of course.
    3. And in other kiddie-porn news... "I swear I only went there for the articles." UPDATE: Looks like he's been arrested. Oops.
    4. "But it goes to show why this kid has failed the driver's test four times..." I'm thinkin' so. Ewwww!
    5. Of course she just had to be from Oklahoma... Spew warnings on the sound files!
    And to all of the Bucs' critics out there, I echo this heartfelt "Plpppppppp!" (Some links courtesy FARK.com.)
    posted at 02:40 PM | link--it | mail it | (6) shout it



    "Just gimme the damn ball"
     How 'bout I give you that bitchslap you so richly deserve instead...? I'm awake now. Thanks Keyshawn. And thank YOU, D!
    posted at 01:12 PM | link--it | mail it | (23) shout it



    There it goes again...got a little habit
     Just living on a Sunday morning. Got my toast and tea and I'm warm and...I just thought I'd think about. All the things to get and keep getting. Never enough not enough and never ending. I just thought I'd think about. And it might be...

    The comfort of a knowledge of a rise above the sky above could never parallel the challenge of an acquisition in the here and now. Here and now.

    Parody of yourself in color, giving it to everybody but your mother. You've got much to think about. Soaring higher with every treason. Never justify. Never reason. You've got much to think about.

    And it might be. The comfort of a knowledge of a rise above the sky above could never parallel the challenge of an acquisition in the here and now. Here and now. The comfort of a knowledge of a rise above the sky above could never parallel the challenge of an acquisition in the here and now. Here and now. And it might be...
    posted at 04:41 AM | link--it | mail it | (10) shout it






    Pretty as a picture
     Finally...the new look for the 2003 Dress of the Month Contest...and the dress for January is up now as well!
    posted at 11:50 PM | link--it | mail it | (3) shout it



    Countin' Flowers on the wall - that don't bother me at all
    Lee Flowers - Official Tampa Tantrum Paper Champion
    posted at 08:30 PM | link--it | mail it | (4) shout it



    Oh, say can you sing
     I am getting really sick of "artistic interpretations" with the national anthem. I don't care if it's trendy to do so -- just sing the damn song. We don't need choirs stringing it out gospel-style. We don't need you hitting notes high enough to call all area dogs. We don't need five minute a cappella do-wap interludes. Just the "Star Spangled Banner" as it was written (and intended to be sung), please. I swear some of these anthem-performances are getting to be longer than the games they precede.
    posted at 04:34 PM | link--it | mail it | (20) shout it



    I believe I can touch the...sky?
     Oh yeah. Looks like it's going to be another one of those days. (Actual link via Yahoo News.)
    posted at 02:59 PM | link--it | mail it | (2) shout it



    got boobies?
     Move over Save Karyn and Boobie-Thon...now we have GiveBoobs.com. So far this college girl has managed to raise over $1K for her breast augmentation, hoping to go from a size 34A to the great beyond. But I'd be done seen about everything...
    posted at 04:24 AM | link--it | mail it | (11) shout it



    The girlie really does matter
     Here's another great MT tip from the girlie matters. Having links to a blog's ten most recent entries in a sidebar has never made much sense to me. If you're scrolling through the sidebar, you're scrolling through the site...where the entries already are. Well with this tip you can display recent entries that have just scrolled off the main page. For example, I think I'm running the 40 most recent entries on my main page right now. If I wanted to link my most recent entries #41-50 (the ten that have just left the main page) in my sidebar, I'd just follow the directions here. Brilliant!

    UPDATE: Here's another really good tip and trick site from Crazy Tracy -- Mandarin Design. "...Nifty tips and tricks for blogs that none of us should be without, like form cheats, instructions for borders and boxes, quick image cheats, CSS and html cheats and more..."
    posted at 03:25 AM | link--it | mail it | (4) shout it



    Gee, I really love you
     Well we decided to screw the critics (no, not literally) and went to see "Just Married" for a date night. Although it wasn't the funniest romantic comedy I've ever seen -- it was cute -- and had several bust outloud laughing moments. Any movie that makes fun of the French gets two snaps in a circle from us. I really wish Brittany Murphy would eat more though. It seems she loses five more lbs. for every new role these days. In the next couple of years all that's gonna be left is a blonde mop and some hip-huggers... I took away the following three things from our evening out, in no particular order:

    1. Some parents just don't seem to get the fact that couples choose the 10:30 p.m. showing for a reason. These couples don't have kids. We don't want kids there. You either get a sitter, or you stay home and wait for the DVD. You do not show up with your infant and/or three year old and expect them to be on their best behavior by the time midnight rolls around. And you don't expect me not to give you the evil eye for putting the kid in that position in the first place. If they tend to throw hissies at home when it's time for bedtime, what makes the parents think in a crowded theater it's going to be any different?

    2. For every new release, be prepared for that group of five or six that roll in about twenty seconds 'til the previews start -- and stop on the main platform of the stadium theater expecting the seas of seats ahead to part just because they finally showed up. Then watch in amusement as they put their hands upon their hips incredulously, realizing their theory is blown and no one's moving just because we've all been graced with their presence at the last-minute.

    3. A really good quote (and yes, it made me sniffly and nostalgic): "You never see the hard times in a photo album. But they're the ones that carry you from one happy snapshot to the next." Expect that to be used in some form on Shutterblog soon.
    Have a mah-velous weekend dah-lings! Two glorious days of football ahead...

    UPDATE: Susan and Jason went to see "Just Married" tonight as well. Here's their review!

    UPDATE 2: I was looking over the IMDB cast list for the movie because the blonde younger brother, who turned out to be Thad Luckinbill, looked familiar. I glanced down the page and saw "Young and the Restless". Oh yeah...he was J.T. But then I looked at the top of the page and saw birthdate (April 24, 1975) -- and then Enid, Oklahoma (where I lived from the 3rd thru 9th grade). And then I saw the name...Thad Luckinbill. It finally hit me. I went to church with him at Emmanual Baptist Church. I was friends with his older sister Susan. His other older sister Deanna was Miss Oklahoma. His parents lived literally 3 doors down from my grandparents -- I went to their house several times. And he graduated from the University of Oklahoma. <cue Twilight Zone music here>
    posted at 01:21 AM | link--it | mail it | (9) shout it






    The more you eat, the better you feel
     Well I at least have to give them bonus points for being one of the most amusing porn-spams I've ever received. (Image safe for work viewing. Text that's on the image...not so much...) Someone really should tell those girls they're holding a cucumber though...
    posted at 03:35 PM | link--it | mail it | (12) shout it



    Rorschach, bay-beeeee!
     Because I'm bored and avoiding responsibility for a few more minutes...let's all go take the "ink blot test", why don't we?
    posted at 03:09 PM | link--it | mail it | (9) shout it



    There's something about you girl that makes me sweat
     Hallucinate, desegregate, mediate, alleviate, try not to hate, love your mate, don't suffocate on your own hate, designate your love as fate, a one world state, as human freight, the number eight, a white black state, a gentle trait, the broken crate, a heavy weight, or just too late, like pretty Kate has sex ornate, now devastate, appreciate, depreciate, fabricate, emulate, the truth dilate, special date, the animal we ate, guilt debate, the edge serrate, a better rate, the youth irate, deliberate, fascinate, deviate, reinstate, liberate, to moderate, recreate, or detonate, annihilate, atomic fate, mediate, clear the state, activate, now radiate, a perfect state, food on plate, gravitate, the Earth's own weight, designate your love as fate, at ninety-eight we all rotate...

    Hallucinate, desegregate, mediate, alleviate, try not to hate, love your mate, don't suffocate on your own hate, designate your love as fate, a one world state, as human freight, the number eight, a white black state, a gentle trait, the broken crate, a heavy weight, or just too late, like pretty Kate has sex ornate, now devastate, appreciate, depreciate, fabricate, emulate, the truth dilate, special date, the animals we ate, guilt debate, the edge serrate, a better rate, the youth irate, deliberate, fascinate, deviate, reinstate, liberate, liberate, liberate, liberate.....


    Thank god it's finally Friday! Have a great weekend everyone!
    posted at 04:50 AM | link--it | mail it | (12) shout it



    All grown up and savin' China
     Poor Todd...one of his crushes, little Clarissa/Sabrina, is going off the market. Melissa Joan Hart got engaged to her 'rocker boyfriend' this Christmas.

    And speaking of weddings, I was really looking forward to this movie. But after that review...youch! Oh well, at least American Pie is coming out with an "American Wedding" sequel soon . Can you imagine the on-screen bachelor party planned by Stifler? Stifler's palace of love...STRAIGHT love.
    posted at 04:36 AM | link--it | mail it | (6) shout it



    'Cause I'm back, I'm on the rag and ovulating
     Just in case voting nominating in the Bloggies hasn't been enough fun -- now you can check the winners of the most and least annoying individuals of 2002 at AmIAnnoying.com. Interesting that Nostradamus is in the top 10... (Read full article at CNN.com.)

    UPDATE: Yep, I realize this is just the nomination round...
    posted at 01:46 AM | link--it | mail it | (4) shout it






    I wasn't screamin' - I was whistling!
     So we grabbed dinner at Boston Market tonight while we were out, and noticed they were doing a promotion on February 6th. "Come in and get half a chicken sandwich free!" Now I'm all for the concept of free food -- be it a free pack of Burger King fries, or a Taco Bell taco if a homerun or a meteor hits a star on a floating raft. But half a sandwich? And we're not talking subs here. We're talking half of a small, round hamburger-bun-style chicken sandwich. What kind of lame-ass promotion is that?

    How much are your ribs?
    2-fitty.
    2-fitty?! How much for half a rib?
    'Bout 1.25.
    1.25? that's too much for half a rib! I'll have one rib.
    One order of ribs!
    Not one ORDER! One RIB!
    That's not the way we do it here.
    Well then how much for a soda?
    One dollar.
    Okay, how about you give me a sip for fifteen cents?
    My cups cost more than fifteen cents!
    Okay, fuck the cup, how about you just pour it in my hands for a dime?
    posted at 09:39 PM | link--it | mail it | (10) shout it



    This sort of thing ain't my bag, baby
     You know it's a slow news day when MSNBC is left to talk about penis enlargers on their main page. (Full article here. With such sage advice as, "So if you have 2 inches, you have enough to do the job." Are they still telling men that same line of crap to make themselves feel better? *ducks* Of course, the article was written by a man... Heh.)


    One credit card receipt for Swedish-made penis enlarger signed by Austin Powers... One warranty card for Swedish-made penis enlarger pump, filled out by Austin Powers... One book, "Swedish-made Penis Enlargers And Me: This Sort of Thing Is My Bag Baby," by Austin Powers.


    So let's take a quick poll... Is it the motion?


    Or is it the size of the ocean? (Or alternatively "size of the boat" just for Jay.)

    posted at 06:14 PM | link--it | mail it | (15) shout it



    It's Stifler time, baby!


    Just felt like a little Stifmeister this afternoon. Yes, the force is strong in that one. Carry on...
    posted at 04:30 PM | link--it | mail it | (7) shout it



    Warm evenings, pale mornings, bottle of blues
     Here's a mellow one from the Lemonheads to fit my current mood:



    [Click to view the song lyrics]

    Right-click the image (or this link) to save...
    posted at 02:57 AM | link--it | mail it | (2) shout it



    What would Statia do?


    I've already got a jump-start on my Christmas shopping for 2003 with this little gem. I think G.I. Jesus will go quite nicely with Statia's collection -- and since things seem to be heating up with Iraq once again, all the better. That reminds me...I haven't been by the Betty Bowers site in a long time. Looks like there's a lot of new stuff up. Must...work ... not...play. Sigh.
    posted at 02:19 AM | link--it | mail it | (7) shout it






    Thank your Gnome, kids


    Right-click to save :: OTF for XP or OS-X :: the slightly revised TTF
    posted at 10:07 PM | link--it | mail it | (1) shout it



    One big, happy family
     You might remember that back in November I blogged about Dori and J.E.'s upcoming trip to China to adopt their new daughter Jaden. Heads-up that they're back home in the States with their new baby girl to start the new year. Congratulations to mom, dad and big brother!
    posted at 08:25 PM | link--it | mail it | (3) shout it



    Play fo' the doh - stay for the show
     So I'm burning one of these right now -- a Coconut Cake tart warmer from Yankee Candle. Thing is, it doesn't smell a thing like coconut cake. Oddly enough, it smells like fresh Play-doh to me. Not that there's anything wrong with that...but it just seems very "odd". I'll have to get the Dick's opinion.
    posted at 07:04 PM | link--it | mail it | (11) shout it



    This is the best I could find...deal with it
     Wanted: more stupid people. The fringe-news is getting boring these days.

    1. If their money smelled like marijuana, then they weren't so good at money laundering after all, now were they?
    2. J-Lo needed the assistance of eleven songwriters to pen "“Yo, yo. It take hard work to cash checks. So don’t be fooled by the rocks that I got the assets." And all those who believe she's "doing everything to prevent the media hype" surrounding her engagement [to Ben Affleck] raise your hands and form a line to the right...
    3. Big-busted women take cover! The boob-onic plague is on the loose.
    4. No, I didn't post this to FARK -- but I could have. Neener neener.
    5. Last, and certainly least...mugshots of the not-so rich and famous. Poor Bambi.
    And now...your moment of zen.
    posted at 05:41 PM | link--it | mail it | (6) shout it



    I'm just a regular Joe, with a regular job
     Y'know all the "Joe Millionaire" talk going on? Well the opening show gave FOX its highest ratings since "Melrose Place" in January 1995. For those playing along with the home game, I was still single -- and in college -- in January of 1995. I suspect "reality TV" will soon be moving in the direction of "sick and twisted reality TV". Now where'd I put my popcorn?
    posted at 04:13 PM | link--it | mail it | (8) shout it



    Stand by me and dream a little dream
     The 400,000th FARK link: Corey Feldman hopes starring in a reality show with MC Hammer and Vince Neil will help repair his image. Amazingly enough, Wil Wheaton was not invited to participate. You just can't make this stuff up. (Read more at CNN.com and FARK.com.)
    posted at 05:53 AM | link--it | mail it | (7) shout it



    No more words


    Font credit and my undying thanks go to: His Gnomeyness

    UPDATE: Here's an OTF for XP or OS-X!
    posted at 02:42 AM | link--it | mail it | (21) shout it






    I play some bas-ket-ball
     So did anyone catch our #9 Sooners as they defeated #3 UConn 73-63 on ESPN2 tonight? Connecticut was one of the last 3 unbeaten teams. Not anymore. This marks OU's 30th straight win at home.

    A game of note -- the 2003 Bedlam series between OU and OSU kicks off next Monday night in Stillwater. It will be broadcast on ESPN at 9 p.m. EST on January 13th.
    posted at 10:08 PM | link--it | mail it | (9) shout it



    º-º Are you threatening me? º-º
     It seems Michele has noticed she's blown by Chris for the number 2 spot in the Blogrolling Top 100. She claims she's not gunning for my number 1 spot, and that's a good thing. I happen to like it on top. However, goodness knows I'm always game for a good Jell-O fight. I believe we could all put our kids through college if we sold tickets for that quadruple billing. And if we had these two as the whipped cream grand finale wearing these, I'm thinking an encore camfest live from Jamaica would be quite possible!
    posted at 07:14 PM | link--it | mail it | (18) shout it



    I just stand by and watch you fight your secret war
     I'm a bad, bad wife. I went with Todd to the doctor's office today to find out all of his annual physical bloodwork results. (Ironically, I needed to be in a doctor's office much more than he did this afternoon -- but I still wanted to be there with him.) It's a good thing, too. It sounds like I'm going to have to take charge of the diet plan around here. When I'm too sick to cook we end up eating out and it's catching up with my husband.

    Granted, they did his bloodwork in the midst of holiday eating season (how unfair is that) -- but his triglycerides were at around 450 (when they should have been at 150ish). His good cholesterol was at 33 when it should have been 60 or higher. His "bad" cholesterol was also high. There was also a "heart attack risk" indicator test, and he should have been around 2-4 for his age. He's at a 7.

    So I got a lecture from the babushka about his diet and he got one about his lack of exercise. A cruel slap back to reality that the last few months have turned us into 30-somethings, instead of "eat all you want, we'll make more" 20-somethings. Needless to say, our original Checkers dinner plans were scrapped for Honeybaked Ham on the way home.
    posted at 06:06 PM | link--it | mail it | (14) shout it



    I don't wanna work
     The new "100 best places to work" list is out. Sekimori isn't anywhere on there. Hmmmph! Well, maybe instead of a "place", they consider it a "state of mind" instead?
    posted at 02:14 PM | link--it | mail it | (7) shout it



    Forever and ever amen
     “Marriage shouldn’t be taken lightly. I don’t want to be married for six months and then say, ‘Oh well, never mind. Let’s go on to number two’.” -Gwyneth Paltrow, B Magazine

    Go Gwynnie! Man, I love the not-so-subtle digs she takes in the press from time to time at Baldie and Jenny from the Block's expense. A bitch of my own heart.
    posted at 04:21 AM | link--it | mail it | (15) shout it



    How do I love thee?
     I just made a new wedding banner for a WM! client -- Poems To Go. If you know anyone getting married, or about to give a wedding toast, this would be a good site to pass along!
    posted at 02:46 AM | link--it | mail it | (1) shout it






    Just your average Joe
     averagejoe.jpg As a rule, we avoid "reality TV" like the plague around here. After Survivor I, it was pretty much all downhill. But we found ourselves both strangely curious about the new FOX show "Joe Millionaire". It just had that bad accident quality you couldn't quite look away from no matter how hard you tried. Rubbernecking at primetime's not-so-finest, if you will.

    I don't even know what to say about tonight's episode. Or what was more pathetic. All of the stacked bimbos cooing about their "fairy tale" and Prince Charming dreams -- or the fact the bachelor kept trying to figure out which one of the women would actually like him for him. Let's see. You make $19K a year Joe. You don't have a college degree. These women think you're worth $50 mil. They got a free trip to France, and room and board in a nice chateau. I'm sure if this had been titled "Who wants to marry a poverty-level construction worker from Dana Point, CA" the very same doctors and bankers would have been lined up around the block to fight for your wallet hand in marriage.

    I was brought up to be one of those women. All my life my mother wanted me to believe in fairy tales, and to hunt for my Prince above all else -- just like she always did. In my family your life is not complete without a band of gold on your third left-hand finger. Thankfully you don't always become what you're raised to be. Because I'd rather be single for the rest of my days than to coo over men riding up on horses and making the Filene's Basement Sale look like a cakewalk so I could attend the ball in style.

    Of course, that said -- yep, we'll be tuning in again next week. Todd claims it's to marvel at the beautiful chateau and French countryside. I just want to see if any of my distant cousins are among the contestants. Yeah, that's it...

    P.S. Did any of you ladies out there find him even remotely attractive? I sure didn't.
    posted at 10:17 PM | link--it | mail it | (50) shout it



    Call me...on the line...
     Just got to watch the replay of Friday's "Call For Help" with the meester. I made a sound file of my bit part just in case you wanna hear. Too cool -- thanks again Chris!

    Friday's episode also had a great segment on downloading free fonts (and making them). GimmeFonts.com is a new one (to me) that looks great -- and they also recommended another favorite FontFace.com.
    posted at 08:29 PM | link--it | mail it | (3) shout it



    I'm a man - I'm a goddess
     "Sunny weather, being with family and losing weight were more of an influence on women's happiness — while romance, sex, hobbies and victories by their favorite sports teams were more important to men." (credit: "The Formula for Happiness?" at Yahoo News!)

    That does it. It's official. I'm really a guy. *glances down* Well, maybe not...but it appears I think and react like one!
    posted at 06:32 PM | link--it | mail it | (8) shout it



    Dear Diaries
     Still feeling like @#$%!, but one of my latest sites launched overnight -- The Gweilo Diaries. Yes, I know there are too many big images (each one used was provided by and requested by the client). And yes I know it loads slow (it's his stats tracker) and the fonts are rather large. I'm innocent, I tell ya'! But I really like the color scheme, so there.
    posted at 04:57 PM | link--it | mail it | (15) shout it






    Be our guest
     Spotted at flat.level.ground -- another great MT trick from the girlie matters. It's a FAQ on how to put together a guestbook for your site with Movable Type. Somedays I wonder if there's anything this software can't do...and anything the girlie matters can't figure out how to do with it?
    posted at 09:57 PM | link--it | mail it | (9) shout it



    The tide is high but I'm moving on
     After I've been sick for a long stretch of time, I go and get my hair done. Even if I'm still feeling lousy -- that way I don't look the part, too. So today I finally went back to the girl that gave me this cut / highlights. I haven't actually had my hair cut or trimmed since she didn't show up for our appt. a few days before Todd's birthday in August (and I got stuck with "the disaster" instead). But today I decided it was time to give the stylist I liked another chance -- and I'm so glad I did. She gave me one of the very few hairstyles that I've ever had where people would stop me and ask me where I got it cut when we went out.

    Now killing two birds with one stone -- here are photos I took for "Picture Yourself", showing off my new cut and style (photo 1, photo 2, photo 3, photo 4, photo 5). Here's one Todd took of the back as well.

    And in other news...it appears others have noticed I quietly pruned my blog-reads list this weekend. Please don't take it personally. There's no need to write and see if you did something wrong or if I'm angry with you. It's just impossible for any human to read over 200 blogs a week. Especially one coming off the flu with a handful of very antsy clients. So I cut my blogrolls back a bit as a result. If you don't comment often, or update often (for me to catch it via Blogrolling and weblogs.com), then chances are I won't have the mental prompt to stop by. That doesn't mean I'll never read you again. It just means my free time is becoming more and more scarce by the day... Hope that helps clear things up. Group hug!

    And I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! Can you believe we're already diving headfirst into 2003? Yipes!
    posted at 07:32 PM | link--it | mail it | (45) shout it



    Jane, you ignorant slut
    Ever have a blog, newsgroup, or message board thread that just won't die? Feel like busting on someone for the idiot they are? Well thanks to this URL from Dick, now you can say "fuck you and die" in style. Four glorious pages of witty comebacks and one-upper images. (WARNING: These images are considered politically incorrect. I accept no liability for any emotional damage or physical discomfort you might incur while viewing them.)

    And a few new photos to mention, courtesy of a beautiful bouquet from Stacy and Dan. One is now my wallpaper (over in the sidebar).


    posted at 02:43 PM | link--it | mail it | (9) shout it



    Here we are now, going to the east side
     So tonight's the big "off da' hook" west coast bash. Even though I've asked him and her, I've yet to see a webcam feed. Weak. Totally weak. We were posting photos live as they happened and everything (click here for full list of past-shindigs and pics) -- in addition to two webcams going at once for the last gig. So now we take a poll. Everyone is allowed to vote up to three times, just in case they come up with enough "evidence" to tip your hat latah.



    East coast vs. West coast
    Who parties better?

    East siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiide, baby!
    West coooooast, homies!


    Current Results


    East siiiiiiiiiiiide is in the hizzouse! Fly your colors. Pledge your allegiance. Word to your mother. And to your father... I think word to the whole family.

    posted at 03:34 AM | link--it | mail it | (14) shout it






    Done-gy
     Well regardless of what happens to the Bucs in the post-season now, I sure am glad we have a new head coach. To quote the ESPN Sunday night crew, "Holy cow! Are you kidding me?"
    posted at 07:38 PM | link--it | mail it | (6) shout it



    got photoshop?
     There.....all better now. Don't you agree? Friends don't let friends go to UT.



    posted at 05:47 PM | link--it | mail it | (2) shout it



    Baby, remember my name
     I got this in the mail today for Jana -- could there be a more appropriate shirt? For those of you who don't know / know of Jana, she's known me from back in the day. When I <audible gasp> wore acid wash jeans and everything. We lived across the hall from one another our freshman years at OU.


    Speaking of going down memory lane, I found an old song last night that had been long-forgotten. I remember singing this sucker at the top of my lungs often in the fourth grade with Robyn Harlow. So now you can join me.


    And in case you missed it in the comments yesterday (because I missed it, too, dammit) -- I was mentioned on yesterday's "Call For Help". That episode re-airs Monday at 9 a.m. EST if you want to check it out. You know you do. Yes, you dooooooo. (Thanks again, Chris!)

    UPDATE: I have the audio from the CFH segment saved here.
    posted at 04:38 PM | link--it | mail it | (6) shout it



    You're dirty sweet and you're my girl


    Tonight Todd got a lesson in better hygiene from Madeline.
    posted at 01:33 AM | link--it | mail it | (11) shout it



    Na na na na - na na na na - hey hey hey, goodbye!


    YES! Ohio State wins, and Miami goes down. 34-game winning streak is snapped, and Bud Wilkinson's Sooner squad's 47-game win streak is just a little bit safer. No sixth ring for the 'Canes just yet. A lot of local victory parties are going to have to be cancelled this weekend, just like when FSU thought they could walk all over us in 2000.

    That said, after those controversial "pass interference" calls in the OTs, maybe when we bitch about Big XII officiating in the future, we'll get a little more sympathy?


    UPDATE: An interesting article at ESPN.com examines the Glenn Sharpe pass interference call in overtime.


    ..."I really thought that game was over," says UM secondary coach Mark Stoops [brother of University of Oklahoma coaches Bob Stoops and Mike Stoops]. "Just like everybody else. And there's not another official in the history of the game that would make that call."

    In the last two years, the Big 12 has issued at least two known letters of apology after games where Porter has made controversial calls.

    Sharpe said he didn't think he interfered. He was only being aggressive. Just like Stoops instructed him to do. "We were blitzing," Stoops explained. "I didn't want them to catch a little slant or a little hitch. I told 'em to get in the receiver's face because there's not an official that's gonna make that call...

    Do you think Miami should have been called on pass-interference?



    Not that I'm complaining of the outcome, because quite honestly it benefits my Sooners for seasons to come. But I've seen the replay a million times on television now and I just don't see it. The game of football is physical, and I quote Mark Stoops: "If you're gonna let us play, well, let us play."
    posted at 12:21 AM | link--it | mail it | (25) shout it






    And you hip hop, and you don't stop
     Can I just ask those of you with Blogsnob ads a quick favor? Put freakin'   s p a c e s   in the text. 45-character long ads, with no spaces and no real words (for the simple sake of making your ad longer horizontally than anyone else's) will throw off my sidebars and designs -- and it also pretty much guarantees that I will never, ever visit your sites. That is all.
    posted at 07:23 PM | link--it | mail it | (5) shout it



    Come 'n' get it!
    posted at 05:14 PM | link--it | mail it | (12) shout it



    The fastest blog in all of Meh-hi-co   *hic*
     Just a quick update (if you missed it) that I've donated two prizes to this year's Bloggies awards in the category I was Crushered by Wesley in last year -- "best new weblog". Since I can't hand them out in person at the SxSW awards ceremony, Christine has offered to hand the following items out for me -- new copies of "How to Win Friends and Influence People", and for the not so weak of heart, "How to Win Friends, Kick Ass, and Influence People".


    Now I just need to figure out if the fact I:
    1. live only a few hundred miles from Cuba
    2. adore Eduardo Najera
    3. really miss Speedy Gonzales
    4. frequent Ybor City
      -and-
    5. love nachos and margaritas
    is enough to qualify me for "best Latin American weblog" this year. Andalé, andalé!
    posted at 04:55 PM | link--it | mail it | (7) shout it






    Roll out the red carpet
     Spotted over at Bill's place...it's that time again! The 2003 Bloggies are taking nominations now. I'm thinking maybe I should shoot for "best Latin America blog" this time so I won't have to lose to Wil again? Heh. No seriously... Go. And nominate Movable Type for "best web application for weblogs" and Blogrolling for "best weblog directory or update monitor"!
    posted at 08:34 PM | link--it | mail it | (10) shout it



    If they ever cook your goose, turn me loose
     The best friends I've ever had in my life will tell me that I'm wrong. Often. Or being inconsiderate. Or being stupid. Or being outspoken. Or being an ass. Or wallowing in my own self-pity -- or banging my head against an uncrackable wall -- just a little too long. They've heard me laugh. Let me scream. And passed the tissues when I've cried. They note my faults and discuss them with me one-on-one, rather than putting them up on a message board or another blog for all to point and gawk at. They realize because I'm human, I can be just as hurt by labels and insults whether given face to face or behind the security of a monitor. I've never claimed that I'm perfect. But I do strive to be the same type of friend I want in return. And I can't tell you how thankful I am for my blog -- because all of the bullshit aside -- it's allowed me to meet these three women in person and call them a "a real friend".


    Thank you.

    For all that you have been,
    when I couldn't be myself.
    For the listening ears
    When I could not speak.
    For the time you donated,
    When I was running out of it.

    For the laughters you brought,
    When there were tears in me.
    For the courage you suggested,
    When all I had was fear.
    For the smile that you offered
    When sadness invaded me.

    For the goodness you showed,
    When I saw only the worst.
    For the comfort you gave,
    When I was losing confidence.
    For being a FRIEND,
    When I wanted support.

    For the prayers you've recited,
    When I only see myself mourning.
    When for being there,
    When I couldn't find myself.
    For everything,
    When I have got nothing.

    For simply being...my friend.
    -Author Unknown


    Starting a new year with great friends makes it worth getting up every day -- even when those days include the flu.
    posted at 08:02 PM | link--it | mail it | (14) shout it



    The grapes of wrath make bitter whines
     34-14 you pompous son of a bitch. For the record, most of the jokes you cracked come out of the likes of Stillwater grads and residents -- not the ones from Norman. But I guess easier to assume that all Washingtonians wear flannel, are strung out on heroin, listen to Pearl Jam and sip on Starbucks -- now isn't it? Once again I ask, with feeling -- "got seven"? Didn't. Think. So.


    Inviting Oklahoma is OK after all
    2003-01-01
    By John Blanchette
    Spokane (Wash.) Spokesman-Review

    All right, I've reconsidered.

    Sure, at first I hated what the BCS did to the Rose Bowl. I hated that the Big Ten/ Pac-10 marriage had been annulled, that the University of Oklahoma would be Washington State's opponent instead of Iowa or Ohio State. I hated that all the starchy tradition of the Rose Bowl had been sullied by inviting the Joad family to Pasadena.

    Upon further review, never mind.

    OK is OK by me.

    I didn't come around until the other day when I discovered that the great state of Oklahoma -- the bustling city of Wilson, OK, to be precise -- is the proud home of the Chuck Norris Museum.

    The Chuck . . . Norris . . . Museum.

    So it's not the Louvre or the Smithsonian. You try to capture the culture that is out there to be captured, and in Oklahoma, apparently, it's the culture of Chuck, one of our most beloved and accomplished Hollywood thespians. Once upon a time, his brother, director Aaron Norris, paid tribute to Chuck by saying, "You never have to worry about him overacting."

    Unlike, say, a privet hedge.

    Of course, Chuck Norris and his museum ("and over here is rare footage of Chuck parting his lips to speak") doesn't have anything to do with the Rose Bowl, except as a way to bash Oklahoma.

    And that's what was wrong with the old traditional Rose Bowl. Before, the local favorite -- be it WSU or Washington -- would get matched against a team of stolid sons of the Midwest. They were pretty much impervious to insult. Oh, you might be able to poke fun at Bo Schembechler's Rose Bowl record at Michigan, or make a crack about the game being the biggest event for Iowans next to the squash judging at the state fair.

    But it was hard to put your soul into it. You don't just rip on the heart of America.

    This year is different. This year, it's Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl, and for some reason, Oklahoma virtually begs you to make fun of it. Fans of rival schools in the Big 12 have been doing it for years.

    Q: What do they call duct tape in Oklahoma?

    A: Chrome!

    See? It's easy. You try it.

    Look, I'm not suggesting we're all that much superior up here in Washington. We have our foibles, our flaws, our unsightly flat spaces. But we just don't wear that "Kick Me" sign quite as comfortably as Oklahoma does.

    And some of it's a bad rap, I'm sure. Take the land. Those of us who had to read "The Grapes of Wrath" in Mr. Whalen's English class and then watch Henry Fonda in the movie will never get those dismal Dust Bowl images out of our heads, but Oklahoma has some spectacular scenery, or so I'm told. Like the Arbuckle Mountains.

    Well, they're called mountains in Oklahoma. You know them as curbs.

    Think I'm kidding? The highest point in Oklahoma isn't even a mountain. It's a mesa. It comes up to Rainier's kneecaps.

    Besides that, it's in New Mexico.

    Not that Oklahomans can do anything about the topography. You play the land you're dealt.

    But they can pick their leaders, and for the past eight years they've picked as their governor, Frank Keating, whose favorite food is foot. When ex- Seahawks pass catcher Steve Largent abandoned his Tulsa- district Congressional seat to run for the office Keating must give up next year, the governor's wife, Cathy, entered the runoff -- and lost magnificently.

    "My hometown, to do this, was very dumb," Keating complained after the election.

    This is the same man who once greeted Charlton McIlwain at a Chamber of Commerce forum by saying, "Are you here to serve us?"

    McIlwain was the only black man in the room.

    Possibly this would be a good time for Gary Locke to press his bets.

    Ah, but that's politics, and I got scolded the other day for soiling the sports page with politics.

    What about sports?

    Well, sure, the Sooners are plenty good at most every game they try, though they had to steal away WSU's coach, Kelvin Sampson, to get good at basketball again. A couple years ago, Bob Stoops steered them to a national championship in football -- the first since Barry Switzer was playing warden in Norman.

    And you can't talk Sooners without talking Barrah.

    Barrah won three national titles in his day, which is why he was once moved to proclaim, "Other people and teams across the country dream about winning. We invented it."

    Of course, the Sooners also invented probation, Brian Bosworth, steroid rage, college cocaine rings, and arming players with Uzis. Eventually, they invented appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated in an orange prison jumpsuit and handcuffs.

    If you're scoring at home.

    Barrah continued his stellar record of building good citizens with the Dallas Cowboys and OU eventually regained its sanity -- which reminds me: Why is it the University of Oklahoma, but also OU?

    Back in Barrah's day, they called it IOU.

    I've left out a lot of stuff here. The airport in Oklahoma City is, of course, named after Will Rogers, Oklahoma's No. 1 native son. That he died in a plane crash apparently didn't register on the local irony meter.

    Oklahoma gave us the parking meter and the McDonald's drive-thru window. There's an oil well on the grounds of the state capitol.

    Beaver, Okla., is the Cow Chip Throwing Capital of the World. It gave us Pretty Boy Floyd and Belle Starr. Yes, yes, it gave us plenty of dignitaries and heroes, too -- Walter Cronkite, Mickey Mantle, Geronimo, Woody Guthrie.

    But it also gave us Hanson. Hanson.

    And now it threatens to turn the Rose Bowl into the Dust Bowl.

    Well, fine by me. It's just too bad the game isn't in Norman instead of Pasadena.

    I can't believe I'm going to miss the Chuck Norris Museum.


    (Thanks to Robbie for passing this along, originally published in the Daily Oklahoman.)
    posted at 06:11 PM | link--it | mail it | (14) shout it



    That's the ticket
     Something very cool that I just discovered at "Dayzed And Confuzed" -- Ticketstubs.

    Ticket stubs are everywhere, one of the many receipts in our daily lives - but we all save some from time to time. The Ticketstub project is a place where you can upload scanned images of your saved stubs, and tell a story about that night, that concert, that movie, what happened on that date; basically, ask youself why you saved the stub as a reminder.
    I really need to submit a story for these (photos here) and these. Todd wrote up an excellent =w=eezer recap, but it's passworded now.
    posted at 05:19 PM | link--it | mail it | (2) shout it



    G'day and welcome to day 12
     On the twelvth day of Christmas my true love gave to me...the flu he had at the holidays, eleven Halls with vapor action, ten Puffs with Lotion, nine shots of NyQuil, eight Cold-Eeze lozenges, seven Vitamin C drops, a six pack of Smirnoffs, five...nasal spray...squirts, four Advil liquicaps, three cherry Ludens, two Flinstones vitamins, and a backload...of Sekimori...work...
    posted at 03:56 PM | link--it | mail it | (5) shout it



    I'll be alone - dancing - you know it, baby
     Dear Mr. Vernon,

    We accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was that we did wrong. What we did WAS wrong. But we think you're crazy to make us write this essay telling you who we think we are. What do you care? You see us as you want to see us - in the simplest terms - and the most convenient definitions.

    You see us as a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess and a criminal. Correct? That's the way we saw each other at seven o'clock this morning. We were brainwashed...

    ...but what we found out is that each one of us is a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, and a criminal.

    Does that answer your question?

    Sincerely yours,
    The Breakfast Club
    posted at 04:07 AM | link--it | mail it | (25) shout it



    This time will be the last time...
     While trying to catch up on all of my New Year's greetings, I've noticed an abundance of New Year's resolutions being listed in various blogs. I don't do well with the concept of annual resolutions. So I live by the rule if I don't make 'em, I don't break 'em. That's not to say that I don't set mini and large-scale goals for myself every year. But I do it on a much smaller time-scale, in a realistic sense I know I can achieve. I've always been that way.


    How about you... Are you making resolutions this year?


    If you answered yes, do you expect to keep all of them?


    Last but not least, will you still be writing 2002 on your checks in February like me?



    posted at 02:36 AM | link--it | mail it | (1) shout it



    The world has turned and left me here
     I have a couple of site changes to note. Last year my categories were a mess, so I never bothered making a listing of them. This year, however, I'm vowing to do better from the start. So you can find the 2003 entries by category in the sidebar. It's a bit empty right now, but give me time. I've also switched the OU stats section from football to basketball. left 'til kickoff 2003. Ouch.

    And a couple of sites have taken advantage of my "red tag sale" from last week -- Unix Gal and Neurotic Fishbowl. If anyone else decides to use the images, just give me a yell and I'll link you as well! (Christine just tipped me off that she's using a version of it, too! And now so is Susan.)

    UPDATE: I also won an award for the site tonight -- completely unexpected. It's thefiveaward from thehayden.org -- the criteria are functionality, design, content, originality, & professionalism. So thanks to Hayden A. James!
    posted at 12:29 AM | link--it | mail it | (7) shout it






    The grandaddy of 'em all wears crimson 'n' cream
    OU wins the 2003 Rose Bowl!

    How many times did the Sooners have to hear, "You don't deserve to be here." Or, "But you're not a Pac 10 or Big 10 team..." Everything from piss and vinegar out of the likes of Keith Jackson, to smug superiority from coaches, players and reporters. Like the Big XII just isn't good enough to take the field with the other conferences. Very reminiscent of the press coverage before the 2000 title game with FSU. Hell, the Washington State coaching staff even tried to block our Schooner mascot from making the trip to Pasadena.

    Well guess what? Not only did the Sooners prove they deserved to be in the Rose Bowl today, they did it with an exclamation point. Do you think OU's players and coaching staff took it personally? Hell yeah they did. Final score? OU - 34. Washington State - 14. OU's first-ever Rose Bowl trophy (from our first-ever Rose Bowl appearance) will be making its trip home to the Switzer Center in Norman, Oklahoma.

    Is our 2002-03 football season really over? Congrats to the 2002-03 Sooner squad, all of the exiting seniors, and Rose Bowl MVP Nate Hybl. It's time to fire up the basketball calendar. March Madness will be here before ya' know it!

    P.S. Hey Keith Jackson... Got seven?
    posted at 08:30 PM | link--it | mail it | (30) shout it



    Tiny bubbles
     "Well I learned something today... It's very hard to take clear photos after 3½ bottles of champagne..."

    A few photos are up of our New Year's celebration last night... Once again, happy New Year!
    posted at 05:38 PM | link--it | mail it | (12) shout it



    And maybe the time is right
    All is quiet on New Year's Day
    A world in white gets underway
    And I want to be with you
    Be with you night and day
    Nothing changes on New Year's Day

    I will be with you again
    I will be with you again

    Under a blood-red sky
    A crowd has gathered in black and white
    Arms entwined, the chosen few
    Newspapers say, it says it's true
    And we can break through
    though torn in two we can be one

    I will begin again
    I will begin again.....
    -U2

    Well our guests just took off after a fabulous evening of food, movies, games and fun. We're on our way to bed -- ready to wake up to a brand new year. Again, our best wishes go out to everyone. We hope you had a very happy (and safe) New Year's Eve celebration. Thanks to everyone who stopped by and left greetings! Now let's get ready for a day of football! See ya' on the flip-side.
    posted at 05:37 AM | link--it | mail it | (8) shout it



    We'll take a cup o' kindness yet



    Best wishes to everyone for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2003!
    Love,
    Robyn and Todd

    P.S. All 2002 entries are now in their own MT blog (but no paths to old individual entries have changed). It's a fresh start -- in new directories -- for 2003! If you want to read or comment on 2002 entries, there will be a link to their archives at the top of the main page, and you can always search for them from the sidebar or the advanced search page.
    posted at 12:06 AM | link--it | mail it | (15) shout it