Hallelujah. Holy shit. Where's the Tylenol?

I am currently recovering from the most painful work-related injury ever.

No, not an effing paper cut.

I was eating a miniature Twix bar while talking to some colleagues on my way to the elevator to go to lunch (Yes, I eat candy BEFORE lunch. Don't judge me.). And the Twix "went down the wrong pipe" and I began choking. Well, kind of like Coke when it goes up and out your nose - the Twix traveled up in the same direction. Yep. I had freakin' Twix in my sinus cavity.

Damn you - you yummy cookie treat. Seriously the most painful thing ever.

I will never walk, talk, and eat mini Twix bars at the same time ever again.

Now the full size pack? Well, that is another story.

"The 'Ho' Bag"**

Spent the holiday weekend at my parents' house in Central Illinois (or Illitucky as my friend J calls it!)...all in all, it was an excellent time. Of course, 2 minutes into the family Christmas party (aka The Country Christmas Jamboree), my brother was being set up with my aunt's friend's daughter and I was being grilled on the life of a lawyer. But that is typical of my family, God love 'em. We ate a ton of food, sang Christmas carols, and did our gift exchange. This could be the first year where both Mr. P and I got kick ass Christmas gifts in the exchange. Mr. P got a basket full of beer and The 40 Year Old Virgin on DVD (if you haven't seen it - go out NOW and rent it - hilarious!) and I received a beautful beaded purse.

I, of course, drank too much wine slush and ended up with a serious headache the next morning, but that is okay. There's no headache that a breakfast casserole can't fix. The fam opened their gifts and let me just say that my mom ROCKS! She gave me the yummy Philosophy Gingerbread Man set from Sephora, and a cashmere sweater, and a black pashmina, and Sideways on DVD and some books and all sorts of other stuff. Yep, she's the coolest.

Another bright spot in my weekend was getting to see my best friend from HS, Sarah. She was the maid of honor in my wedding. The great thing about S and I is that, we can go for months and months w/o talking and yet, when we get together - it is like no time passed, and we are still performing in the Decatur Young Park Singers and flirting with Millikin guys and eating chicken fingers at Perkins at midnight. It is a truly great feeling. And what is even better is that she is back in town after living on the east coast doing a nannying gig...and that her new job is going to bring her to my town every couple of months! YAY!!!!

Overall - excellent weekend...wish I could have spent a little more time with my mom, but, now that she is retired, I am sure we will be able to find more time to be together!

I hope everyone else had a great holiday weekend :)

**At our gift exchange, one of the gifts was wrapped in an extremely large bag that said "Ho Ho Ho" all over it...my very classy husband (along with my very classy uncles) began calling it the "Ho Bag" - as in "Hey, Holly- pick the Ho bag...." Nice.

The Bela-monster

Thanks to all who left their thoughts and prayers - both here on the blog and over email. They were much appreciated.

As for Bela, I think she is going to be okay. She wanders around the house every once in awhile hoping to find Lucy so she can lick Lucy's face and make her crazy. When she gets let out, Bela always looks back to see if her old friend is coming outside after her. But she is eating well and sleeping well and has not destroyed any furniture. These were our main concerns. I have, of course, spoiled her completely rotten (even more rotten than before, if that is possible). She received a new toy and new bones to chew. It is certainly Christmas for Bela.

Of course, I feel terribly guilty b/c she is going to the kennel for the next three days while we are out of town, but that cannot be avoided.

Boy, does the doggy mom guilt ever end???!!!

We'll miss you, my dear friend.

As some of you readers may know, I am a dog lover. Mr. P & I are the proud owners of two wonderful and sweet pooches: a black Lab named Bela, age 4, and our "old woman," Lucy, a 14 year old Brittany spaniel that we inherited from some friends the year after we married. Well, sadly, after much discussion and many tears, yesterday, Mr. P. took Lucy to the vet where we had her put to sleep. I know this is such a sad thing to discuss, but this is my blog and I need to write about it, if only just to get it out. Lucy was really struggling mentally. Both the vet and we believe that Lucy had "doggy dementia" - she did not wish to be petted anymore, nor did she want to be around anyone, including Bela. She would pace the house for hours on end - at lease 60 to 70 times at a time. She would cry constantly, as if in pain. Finally, toward the end, she was becoming incontinent. We believed that, although extremely painful for all involved, that she didn't deserve to live in such a condition. So, luckily, Mr. P, being the wonderful husband that he is, took her to the vet. He said it was the hardest thing that he has ever had to do in his life. I can believe that.

The worst part about it was that, when I got home last night, Lucy's stocking, with her name in gold glitter, was still hanging on the mantle next to Bela's. It completely broke my heart. It is all I can right now not to break down and cry.

I love you, Lucy. You were the kindest, sweetest, smartest girl. We will all miss you.

But, I think Bela will, most of all.

This week...

ResearchDiscoveryMemo-AMAZON.COM-ResearchInitialDisclosuresPreliminaryPre-TrialConference - SEPHORA.COM-DiscoveryResponsesResearch-BESTBUY.COM-12(b)(6)MotionResearchDiscovery - AMAZON.COM...

(repeat)

It is the week before Christmas. Can you tell I am having a hard time concentrating?

On a great note, I got the greatest gift from my assistant - the most beautiful coffee mug from Starbucks (she makes fun of my bulky green travel mug), freshly ground "Christmas Blend" Starbucks coffee, chocolates, and the Starbucks cocoa trio. Yep - she loves me.

Goodbye, Leo McGarry.**

I am so very sad. John Spencer was truly one of the great character actors of our time.

This is a great loss, both to "The West Wing" and to television itself.

**Source: Kel & Robin

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

Okay, so last night I got this movie on On-Demand, thinking it would be a fun light movie to watch while I was by myself. (Mr. P. had to supervise a basketball game). Yeah, well, a freaking box of Kleenex later, I realized I was wrong. I wholeheartedly admit that I really liked the movie....I love Bradley Whitford and Amber Tamblyn and Alexis Bledel (even though her acting sometimes leave something to be desired) and I love that chick from "Real Women Have Curves," but damn. I boo-hooed through the whole thing. There is some self-esteem drama, some daddy issues, a dead kid...and those freakin' pants....I want a pair of those pants.

So - if you need a good cry - go with "The Sisterhood..."

Shout out to my mom!

Yesterday, my mom retired from her job at Illinois Power Company. She had worked there for over 30 years. Although she is a bit sad, I think she is really looking forward to this next part of her life....more time for reading, crafting, and making of lists of things for my poor dad to do when he gets home from work!

CONGRATS, MOMMY!

"House-isms" (or "Why I freaking love this show!")

In honor of Hugh Laurie's Golden Globe nom, I give you some of my favorite quotes from the last couple episodes of House:

Foreman: “She a regular at Off Track Betting. Somehow I don't see her holding down a nine-to-five and going to PTA meetings.”
House: “I was there and I have a nine-to...-three job.”
- Deception

House: “What else turns you on? Drugs? Casual sex? Rough sex? Casual rough sex? I'm a doctor, I need to know.”
- Deception

Stacy: “Where’s Chase?”
House: “He’s too busy to service you until after work. I’ve got a few minutes, though. Feel free to say something like, ‘What’ll we do with the time left over?’”
- The Mistake

House: “You know me. Hostility makes me shrink up like a… I can’t think of a non-sexual metaphor.”
- Spin

House: “You ever notice all of the self-sacrificing women in history, Joan of Arc, Mother Theresa…....I can’t think of any others, they all die alone. Men, on the other hand, get so much 'tang it’s crazy.”
- TB Or Not TB

House: “Union rules. I can’t check out this guy’s seeping gonorrhea this close to lunch.”
- Autopsy

You decide you like each other enough to move on to dinner, you go dancing, you do the white man's overbite...

Saturday night was our firm's "holiday gathering" held at one of the local country clubs. It almost was not to be because the bank was prepared to foreclose on the place, but some members (some very wealthy members) stepped in and paid off the note. So luckily, when Mr. P and I arrived, the doors were not locked. This was a definite plus!

We sat with a great group of attorneys and their spouses at dinner, including my "mentor" who is, in a word, HI-larious. There was an open bar, and much of the group was getting pretty schnockered. I got my scherve on on the dance floor...and I had only consumed a few glasses of wine. The DJ played everything from "Jailhouse Rock" to "Baby Got Back"...and I jitterbugged with one of the senior partners, who Mr. P. dubbed "Daddy Warbucks" because of his sharp tux and bald head! The best part was watching the head of the litigation section - and the person I would consider my boss - dancing to "Celebration" by Kool and the Gang. Fabulous. Completely priceless.

No one put a lampshade on their head or photocopied their ass, but, needless to say, everyone had a really good time!

He's making a list and checkin' it twice...

From: http://friday.criminalgrace.com/


Checking it Twice
1. Did you make a wish list for Santa when you were a kid? Do you still make a list?

Of course I made a list...what kid didn't? I also circled things in the Sears catalog. I still am required by my mother to make a Christmas list...both for me and for my husband who refuses to tell her what he would want b/c, in his words, "I don't need anything!" But that does not matter to my mom who loves buying gifts and wants to make sure everyone gets exactly what they want! My brother and I have taken to making "Wish Lists" on amazon.com. That makes all involved quite happy -my mom doesn't have to go out and fight traffic and snow to shop, and Kyle and I end up with the books and DVDs that we want!

2. What would you most like to find under the tree this year?

Gosh, I don't really know. Books, probably - there are a bunch of great new books out by some of my favorite authors - David Baldacci, David Rakoff, and, yes, James Patterson. I just love that Alex Cross...and it helps that, in my mind, that character IS Morgan Freeman :) Plus, I really want Seasons 1 & 2 of Quincy M.E. on DVD. I love old people solving murders!

3. What is the best present you've ever received? Why?

My husband got me a great Coach purse a couple years ago that I absolutely love. I don't think that is the BEST present, but it was awfully nice. Let's see....if we aren't talking about Christmas, the best present I have ever received was for law school graduation. My mom gave me her ring - this lovely silver and diamond ring. It was the first piece of jewelry she ever bought for herself. She saved up for it with the money she earned in her first job out of high school. I loved the ring and when I was a kid, I used to try it on all the time, thinking I was the most glamorous person in the world. She gave it to me and wrote me the most moving letter to go with it. It truly was the best present I have ever received.

4. What is the worst present you've ever received? Why?

Worst present...worst present. It would probably have to be something that I ended up with during last year's family gift game. We don't have a name for it - but I saw on The Office this week that some people call it "Yankee Swap" or "White Elephant." I somehow ended up with the most awful pillow I have ever seen. It was just some random throw pillow that looked like someone grabbed it off their couch and threw it in a gift bag on their way out the door. It was bad. Second only to the pillow was a gift I got from my husband for Valentine's Day one year - early in our relationship. It is a long story, but it ends up with me opening a Marsh bag to find hair clips and rice cakes. Needless to say, we still reminisce on that gif-giving debacle.

5. Describe your own holiday gift-giving strategy. Do you use a wish list?

I make lists. I love lists - I am like my mother in that way. I spend a lot of time thinkging about what people have mentioned to me over the year - what they are interested in, what things they like...and then I go from there. I love picking out gifts. It is my favorite thing in the world. For some that is not a problem...for others, who already have everything in the world - it is quite difficult. For my BFF Amanda, gift giving is easy (the girl loves anything pink and sparkly and lipsticky and Oprah)...for my dad, not so much. This year I employed my brother's Amazon wish list and used my mom as a spy to figure out what to get for my dad.

Of course, I haven't figured out what to get Mr. P. Maybe a hair clip and some rice cakes.

MST3K Brilliance...

"I came here to chew bubble gum and kick ass...and I'm all out of ass..."

--Crow

Amen.

Weekend Potpourri for $200, Alex.

Just a couple thoughts on the weekend:

- Went with glasses. But very hip, lightweight, almost nonexistent rimless glasses. I dig 'em...and I don't have to worry about cleaning and ripping and being stuck with the wrectched SJR red rims of my youth.

- Did some Christmas shopping on Saturday with the lone female partner here at the firm...and the only female attorney here whose company I enjoy...was a good time. Cracker Barrel breakfast, followed by outlet mall shopping, followed by regular mall shopping...which then required a beer or two at the Friday's located in the mall!!!! I then went on by myself to the mall on my side of town, to find a freakin' dress for our firm Christmas party. I went to Von Maur and dropped waaaaay too much money on a dress. I now have dress guilt. I may return it. I just think it is wrong that the little sweater thing i bought to go over the dress costs almost the same amount as the dress itself. I may end up wearing the dress I wore to the Law School Prom last year. I don't know. Grrrr. I hate being so indecisive.

- Went to the Dome on Sunday to watch the Colts completely kick the crap out of Steve McNair and the Tennessee Titans. Had a great time...even though one beer cost almost seven bucks. Something is seriously wrong with that!

- Finally got all our Christmas decorations up, as well as our tree. We went with the 9 foot, prelit, "slim" artificial tree. Love it, absolutely love it. My house looks quite festive. OH - and we added a bunch more pretty lights outside...still won't win the big prize of $25.00, but pretty all the same.

All in all, a nice weekend...

The little lights aren't twinkling, Clark...

So Mr. P and I decided we would put up Christmas lights up outside this year. He adamantly refused to put any up on the house as he is completely afraid of heights; however, he agreed to lights on bushes and on the porch columns.

It was our first such experience.........................and our last. The whole experience sucked. It rained (yeah, that's safe) and some of the lights didn't work. So we now have one lit bush and two lit porch columns....and that's it.

This would be okay, if I didn't live in a neighborhood full of Clark Griswold-wannabes. Our neighborhood association even has a decorating competition! And we have got some folks that REALLY want to win the 25 bucks. Lights of every color and blow up snowmen and santas. One house even has this whole tropical thing going with a palm tree, dolphin and Santa being pulled by a gaggle of pink flamingoes whose skinny pink legs light up. (gaggle? flock? flamingoes? flamingi?)

Whatever. I don't care.

But maybe I will get a nice big pre-lit wreath to hang above the garage....

Check It Out - A New Quote!

From my new favorite comedian, Patton Oswald. Brilliantly funny, with a similar delivery as Dave Attell - but a little brainier and with fewer dick jokes (not that there is anything wrong with a good dick joke, of course).

The quote vaguely reminds me of something my dear carnivore, Chuck, once said...

(paraphrase) "If we aren't supposed to eat animals, then why then are they made of meat?"

How true.

Damn You, Felicity!

What the hell is up with The WB not giving me fair warning that "Gilmore Girls" was not going to be on last night because, instead, they aired some crap American Girl movie entitled "Felicity." Seriously, that is not fair. It almost ruined my night. That is, until Hugh Laurie saved the day! Another excellent "House" ep.

On another note, I have an eye exam tonight. I am considering getting contact lenses. I haven't had them since junior high - and that was a tremendously bad experience. One soft lens, one gas permeable...and I never got them clean enough...and I ripped one...and then I lost one...and I was stuck wearing the Sally Jessy Raphael red frames that I thought were cool when I was ten.

Yeah, I was a pretty ugly junior high-er. But that is another post for another time.

Anyway, I am assuming the the contact lens technology has advanced since that time, and that I would have an easier time of the whole experience. However, I am tremendously lazy and don't want to have put any effort into being able to see (hence, the wearing of glasses), which is similar to my not wanting to put any effort into my hair (which is why it is a blessing that I have naturally curly hair). So...should I go with contacts and move into the 21st century of eyewear...or do I stick with a good ol' pair of glasses????

Tough call.

Sweetie...Dah-ling...SweetieDah-ling...you don't mind if I call you that, do you, Saffy?

On Saturday, BBC America had an AbFab (uhhh, that is "Absolutely Fabulous" for those who don't know) marathon. Needless to say, I didn't leave my couch for about 6 hours. It was heavenly.

Jennifer Saunders rocks!

On My To Do List...

To my chagrin, I did not get a chance to see Rent over the weekend. Sorry, LK, we will talk once I see it. I read your review and have this odd feeling that I will agree whole-heartedly.

However, I did see Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire, and all I have to say about it is - ROCK ON, MIKE NEWELL. It was EXCELLENT. This would have been an extremely difficult book to whittle down to a 2 1/2 hour movie, but they did it - and boy was it amazing. I was completely impressed. I thought it could not have been done better than Alfonso Cuaron in Prisoner of Azkaban, but Mike Newell did a phenomenal job. The Tri-Wizard tournament, the Winter Ball, and even the short scene at the Quidditch World Cup - truly entertaining.

YAY! I was concerned that it was going to be another Chris Columbus mess (he directed the first two), but I was pleasantly surprised. Newell really captured the darkness of the book as well as the loneliness Harry experiences during his fourth year at Hogwarts.

OH - I did drink some great wine and eat a ton of mashed potatoes...but I don't think it is necessary to dwell on such gluttony ;)

It's Turkey-Lurkey Time!!!*

Well, my first T'giving in my new house is tomorrow! YAY! My brother is coming down from Chicago (if he doesn't get stuck in the heinous blizzard we are supposed to get) and we are having a nice little family holiday together. Of course, I am purchasing much of the big dinner from Fresh Market, but hey, I am a busy, working woman - in the cleanest sense of the phrase - and do not have time for a Martha Stewart dinner...I barely have time for the Rachael Ray Thanksgiving dinner in 60 minutes dinner. So it is all about me and Fresh Market.

Don't be a hater.

Things to do over the long weekend:
1. See the new "Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire" AND "Rent"
2. Watch a bunch of DVDs that my mentor here at work insists I see (including "Annie Hall"...which I don't know about b/c I am not a huge Woody Allen fan)
3. Drink some great pinot noir and eat about a pound of mashed potatoes.
4. Figure out what is going on with my brother and his French pseudo-girlfriend.
5. Meet up with my favorite ex-Juvenile Law prof/DTS sponsor/lover of "Mamma Mia," as he is going to be in the area.

And maybe I will catch up on some work...........maybe not.

I think it sounds like a plan!

*For Chuck

Dangerous Liaisons Lite

So last night I watched Valmont on Encore. Why would I watch such a movie? Well, because my other husband, Colin Firth, plays the title role. But here's the problem...it is a completely crap movie. I mean it is BAD. And the sad part about how bad it is (ooh, that was very Dr. Seuss of me), is that there are some decent actors in it...okay, Annette Bening is in it. She is wonderful. But the creepy pedophile principal from Ferris Bueller, Meg Tilly (sister of Jennifer, former wife of my dear Mr. Firth), and Mr. Firth are just plain wretched. Actually, Colin isn't too bad. He is quite believable as the filthy cad, Valmont, but his long wig is so distracting that I couldn't even focus on his acting! I mean, it looked like a dead animal was super glued to his lovely head.

Sadly, this movie came out at exactly the same time as another movie based on the same story - Dangerous Liaisons. And it just couldn't hold its own against the brilliant work of John Malkovich and Michelle Pfeiffer. Now that was a great movie!

And I won't even try to compare the poorly-made Valmont with the truly entertaining updated version that came out a couple years later, Cruel Intentions, with Ryan Philippe, Reese Witherspoon, and Sarah Michelle Gellar.

Let's just say...the movie is bad. And no amount of Colin Firth could save it.

Pity.

I need a weekend from my weekend!

Phew!!!! Busy, busy weekend...

Friday night - Mr. P and I did most of our Thanksgiving shopping. My brother is coming from Chicago and is POSSIBLY bringing his g-friend, Josie. So we had to make sure we had all necessary groceries, beyond the actual T'giving dinner - which we are getting from Fresh Market (the greatest dinner ever for $59.99).

Saturday - Mr. P & I went to the Notre Dame game! It was my first Irish experience and we had a great time. Most of the coaching staff at Unnamed Catholic HS where Mr. P is assistant principal went down early (like 8 am early - which where we live means they left at 6 am early) and scouted out the parking spot and started making breakfast on the grill. By the time we arrived - at around 10 am - we were served eggs and bacon and sausage! Then they started on lunch foods...brats and hamburgers...these people know how to tailgate. Of course, all of this food was washed down with beer and screwdrivers. Mr. P & I bolted after lunch and headed to campus where we met up with an ND student who had gotten our tix. Checked out Touchdown Jesus and watched the band and then headed to our seats. And by seats, I mean the tiny strip of wood in which I had to squeeze my big ass. Holy crap. I was sitting so close to the person next to me, that in some countries, I think we are now married...I am not sure. Beyond the claustrophobia-inducing seating, it was a great time! ND beat the hell out of Syracuse - and the weather behaved the whole time! :)

Sunday - You woud think that I would have spent all day Sunday recovering from Saturday...but noooooooo! I had to go to Sears and pick out a snow blower. Do you know how much I don't give a crap which model we buy? As if that wasn't enough excitement for one day, Sunday night, we had to attend a fundraiser for Unnamed Catholic HS at a local bar here in town. For 20 bucks, you got snacks, all the draft beer you could drink, and a live band. So, although I didn't do much drinking, I danced my ass off...as usual. The place was packed with people - both drunk and sober, getting their schwerve on. It was a great night! Too bad it was SUNDAY!!!

So, here I am...Monday morning...throat sore from screaming at Saturday's game, muscles sore from dancing at Sunday's fundraiser...oh yeah, and arm sore - because I had to get a FREAKING FLU SHOT THIS MORNING at 7 am. Needless to say, I am going to be pretty much worthless for the rest of the day!!!!

DVR is My Friend

After moving here to the Fort, Mr. P and I decided we would splurge a little ($9.95 a month!) and get the DVR option for our cable service. Holy cow - that is the best 10 bucks a month I have ever spent. Why? Well, because every show that is worth a crap is on Tuesday nights...what happened to "Must See TV" on Thursdays??? Why can't the TV Powers that Be spread the love? On Tuesdays alone - from 8 pm to 10 pm - the following shows air: "Gilmore Girls," "Supernatural," "Bones," "House," "My Name is Earl," and "The Office." That, my friends, is completely unfair. So I have had to make some TV sacrifices.

I have, of course, continued my obsession with "Gilmore Girls" (thank you, Heidi)...even with the crappy deal with Rory going off the deep end, living with the G'parents and joining the DAR...so it stays. I tape "Bones" during that time b/c...well, David Boreanaz (sp?) is a fine piece of manflesh...and a great actor....oh, and it is a good show. I then watch "House" - b/c I continue my obsession with Hugh Laurie as well. But I also have to tape it b/c Mr. P is not home and will want to see it. (Note - Mr. P. does not have a Hugh Laurie fetish...he just likes the show). Such dilemmas. This means NO hot Supernatural boys...and no superbly funny "My Name is Earl" and "The Office"...what is a girl to do?????

Don't even get me started on moving "The West Wing" to Sunday nights opposite "Cold Case."

I have also found my new Wednesday favorite TV show - and NO, it is not "Lost"...I missed the boat on it. And I just don't think it is a TV show you can jump into. So, instead, I am hooked into "Criminal Minds." Anything with Mandy Patinkin in it and I am there....now, if only he would sing, it would be even better. But how do you work a Broadway tune into a story line involving the FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit? I guess about as well as you work one into a storyline about a Chicago doctor ("Chicago Hope"). Come on, Mandy...just one song!!!

Overall, I have been quite impressed with some of the new shows this season. But I still have nothing to watch on Monday nights (once football is over, natch) and Thursdays...what are you guys watching????

525,600 minutes...how do you measure a year?

Well, at the request of Robin and Amanda and due to the assistance of Blogger, I have found my blog and I am BACK! But much has changed. I am now in a new house in a new neighborhood in a new city - all of which I love - along with my new job!

I plan to say much more about all of these changes as time goes on. Let's just say, for the moment, that I am extremely content. Life is good, readers...really, really good. But with the recent news some of us have received regarding a dear friend, it is difficult to rejoice in my contentness. So we will leave it at that for now...and pray that all turns out well for him and his family.

Nevertheless - I am back - check in for what's going on with me and my new life: the new house, new shows, and new tunes...same ol' me.

At the Jazz Kitchen...

Jeff Coffin

Yup, the same guy who stayed at my house and hung out with me at the coffee shop and played with my doggies...

Jeff Coffin and his Mu'tet (a play on the word "mutation") will be playing at The Jazz Kitchen in Broad Ripple on Saturday night - I believe they will have two shows - 8:30 and 10:30. If you are a jazzer, a musician, a music-lover, whatever, you must check them out. Jeff is amazing, and the musicians he has backing him up are phenomenal!!!!! Keith's b-day is Saturday, so this is a perfect birthday gift...we are really looking forward to it. Gotta have something to brighten up this week from hell. Cheery, huh?

For further info:
www.thejazzkitchen.com

Yep, I am alive...but just barely.

Hey, guys!

Sorry it has taken me so long to post anything new here at ol' JB&C. I am afraid that, with packing up my house, helping Keith find a new job, finding a temporary home in Indy, finding a new home in the Fort and studying for the bar, I just haven't been able to post as I have in the past! Things are really really crazy right now. UGH.

Bear with me - hopefully, I will be able to find time to regale you with stories of 45 high schoolers traveling on a stinky bus to see the Mouse, house hunting, and my trip through bar hell.....just not right now - my house is almost completely in boxes, my husband and dogs are all on the verge of nervous breakdowns and I have a heinous sinus infection....

LOVE YOU!!!!! :)

A Grammy-winning Saxophone Player Slept Here

(Post inadvertently suggested by Kel)

Okay, here's the deal. I am not going to do an AI recap this week because overall I wasn't THAT impressed. There. I said it. Loved Bo's version of "Stand By Me" and Carrie's rendition of "Trouble." Oh, and thought that "On Broadway" was pretty darn good as well - by Scott. Beyond that...eh. Nothin'. Oh, yeah - A.Feddy was baaaaad this week. It is a flat note mess. Ooh, but House M.D. was really good. Is it weird that I think that Dr. House (Hugh Laurie) is hot? Because I really do. And what's even better is that, in real life, he has a kick ass British accent....and you know me and British accents...ahem...Colin Firth.

But what I do want you to know is why I probably won't be posting for the next three days. A Grammy-winning artist is coming to stay at my house...and I really need to clean! My husband's spring jazz show is Thursday night here in Muntucky and the guest artist for this show...none other than Jeff Coffin. Who the hell is Jeff Coffin, you say? Only the saxophone player for Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, one of my most favoritest jazz/bluegrass/funk groups ever. Keith & I love Bela Fleck so much that we named our black Lab Bela :) So, this is a pretty big deal. The thing is, he is staying at my house the next two nights! So, that means...not only do I have to prepare for my last final - closed book Evidence (absolutely gross, I know)...and make sure everything is ready for the weekend when the fam comes up for graduation...I have to get my house ready for some serious company...and go to the store...as I am pretty sure he might want something more than a can of Diet A&W Cream soda, ranch dressing, a carton of yogurt, and leftover Kraft mac & cheese.

Oh - and if for some reason you KNOW who Bela Fleck is and are interested in seeing his amazing jazz sax player live in concert with the best group of jazz kiddos ever - and are in the Muntucky area - let me know and I can get you tickets!!!!

If you've got the poison, I've got the remedy.

Actually, if you have poison, I don't have a remedy. But if you have a construction defect, a constitutional violation, a personal injury OR a breach of contract, I MAY just have your remedy. Yes, ladies and gents, the dreaded Remedies final is finished. I have to admit that I am a bit weepy. Not about being done with that damn final, mind you...because it was effing HARD...but sad that I will not see one of my favorite profs on a daily basis anymore. He met me outside of class and one of things he said, in his very serious, professor-y way, was "Don't be a stranger." *sigh*

Why am I so bothered by all of this ending? Is it because I truly never thought I would? Is it because I thought I would be in the comforts of law school forever and ever? I have no idea. All I know is that I have so enjoyed the experience. I have a wonderful, kind, and extremely funny group of friends that helped me to see my way to the end of this journey. And I have been fortunate to have amazing professors who:

• could make civ pro interesting (Tradition...tradition!)
• could make admiralty law funny (the little oar...come on - that was funny stuff)
• was so damn interesting, I stayed awake for two hours of labor law on Tuesday nights
• wore kick ass Pink Floyd ties
• facilitated interesting and insightful free speech discussions, using the Socratic method as it should be used
• said things like "What else is there to do in Sandusky? Smoke crack & ride rides!"

and one who said "Don't be a stranger." *sniff, sniff* Thanks, Prof. W....you too.

Yeah, I am going to be a complete mess by Sunday. I better find a way to hide tissues in my robe.

On the ol' iPod...

Just thought I would post a short ditty before I immerse myself back into the land of compensatory damages, injunctions, contempt & all other concepts that are lovingly referred to as remedies...

Per my schizophrenic music tastes, here are then five songs on my iPod:

"Knock Yourself Out" by Tower of Power...which if you have never heard ToP - you need to go out right now and buy an album...HOT! Uhh...the music...not the guys...they are really old. But the music is smokin'.

"Song Tease Megamix" by Barenaked Ladies. BNL is known for their ability to mix up a bunch a crazy songs at their live shows....this one includes "Gettin' Jiggy With It," "Hit Me Baby One More Time," "Near/Far" (the Sesame Street song!) which goes into the Titanic song "My Heart Will Go On." It is an impressive mix of music.

"Moment's Notice" by Harry Connick, Jr. (from the album '25').

"Autumn Leaves," a classic song performed live by Bobby McFerrin & Chick Corea.

"What It Takes" by Aerosmith

OH - and the theme song from "Facts of Life" is next :)

Just thought I would share!!!!

ONLY TWO MORE FINALS TO GO!!!!!

ISSMA State Qualifiers, Excedrin & Really Great Husbands

For those of you that are (or were) not high school music nerds, ISSMA stands for Indiana State School Music Association...I think. All I know is that they decide who is good and who is not good in high school band and choir in Indiana. Now that we have that out of the way...

My husband's high school wind ensemble competed at Pike High School at ISSMA state concert band qualifiers on Friday night. Ummm...yeah, he is a HS band director...NOT still IN high school - just wanted to clarify that for the readers! He teaches at a relatively small high school and has since 1998. When he started there, he had one concert band with about 20 students. It was bad...worse than bad. He NOW has one concert band, one wind ensemble, a beginning jazz band, and, his pride and joy, the advanced jazz band, appropriately called "10 o'Clock Jazz Band" - his band program numbers about 120 students. Yeah, he rocks.

Anyway, back to state qualifiers. The whole night, I hung out in their homeroom and made Remedies flash cards and read my outline - except for during their performance, of course. And guess what??? His wind ensemble got a GOLD! YAY! This is the epitome of good music education and good conducting and great kids and phenomenal instruction. I can't express how excited and proud I am of my husband and his students - considering his small band played along side bands from Lawrence Central, Lawrence North, and other big ass high schools.

To show my extreme excitement over this accomplishment, I proceeded to be smacked upside the head with the worst migraine I have had in about 2 years. I spent the entire ride home from Indy huddled in a ball on the passenger's side with my head in my hands and my jacket over my eyes to block out the light, bawling like Paula Abdul after Constantine left American Idol. Periodically, I would move my hands from my head to my ears to block out the sound of the windshield wipers. Yeah, it was rough. Really rough. I somehow drove myself home from the high school and swore that I had somehow contracted viral meningitis. I mean, it was bad. Luckily, I made it to my bed, gulped down two Tylenol PM's, put a cold washcloth over my eyes and fell asleep. This morning, I was gently awakened by my Gold-winning hubby who gave me 2 blessed Excedrin Migraine caplets, a big glass of water and a freshly-cold washcloth...and then...I fell back asleep. He periodically checked on me and changed my washcloth.

I love him.

So...I have spent the whole day laying on the couch watching the Gilmore Girls marathon on the ABC Family Channel with said amazingly wonderful, thoughtful, talented, brilliant husband, trying to rest my apparently pissed off brain. And I have done no studying today. And am feeling incredibly guilty about it. But come on...at some point, when the brain says "No more information," it means NO MORE INFORMATION! I will resume the stuffing of information into my tired brain tomorrow. But now, it is time for me to watch Law & Order: SVU until the Tylenol PM kick in.

Y'all have a good night. I know I will.

A couple more random thoughts...

from my finals-stressed, information overloaded and utterly disorganized and uncreative brain:

1. Good news first - we think we sold our house!!! YAY! Pending the inspection and everything, we are good to go! And considering we had an inspection done RIGHT before we put the house on the market, I don't think there will be any problems. SO - hooray for house-selling!

2. The current law school mess. There is a really good analysis of what is going on - if you want to read it - where I have commented, go here. If you want more of a tirade about it, you can go here. Why is it more of a "tirade," you might ask? Well, he uses the word "asshat" which made me laugh :) All I have to say is: Holy balls, people! WTF?! The comments have now gone past polite commentary about one young professor and his students desire for him to have tenure...

• to bashing other well-respected professors, which I think is completely inappropriate (yes, I know about the First Amendment...I took Freedom of Speech, Press, and Religion - from our favorite retiring prof, but I still think it is disrespectful and shows that some of these students have overinflated senses of entitlement)
• to commenting on the brilliance of other professors (which for the most part, I agree - I had a kickass first year lineup of profs - including young tenure wanting prof- and tho' I did not have W as a first year, everyone knows I adore him) -
• NOW to talking about how good said young tenure-wanting professor looks in a SWEATER VEST and comparing said professor to VIN DIESEL. Come on, folks....really? Don't y'all have some finals or some shit. We have resorted to discussing the hotness or lack of hotness of our faculty. Yikes. This can only end badly.

That's it....back to remedies...that is taught by my fave "Kenny Rogers" looking prof. ;)

Paula Abdul = Tammy Faye Bakker

Holy crap! Did anyone else see the end of the American Idol when Constantine was singing his farewell song???? She was bawling like someone kicked her dog!!!! I have never seen anything like it.

As for Constantine's departure, I am surprised. I mean, yeah, it was a really really bad performance. I mean really bad - in fact, his performance of "How You Remind Me" last night was actually waaaay better than the same song on Tuesday. I think if he would have sang more and screamed less, he might have been able to stick around. Because it was really bad on Tuesday. Did I say it was bad? Horrendous.

But what I was even more shocked about was the list of people in the bottom three:

Constantine, A. Feddy, and Vonzell (!!!!).

What? Yeah, she didn't do THAT great Tuesday night, but damn - that girl is good. And so is A. Feddy for that matter! Where was Scott? Holy cow - what is this world coming to? America - you were doing so well when you got rid of Anwar...and now what have you done?

Oh, well.......at least I won't feel the need to shower after every episode due to the extreme filthiness I feel everytime Constantine pouts at me from the TV screen. That's a plus, right?

Now it's time for the breakdown*

Well, of course, I am supposed to be studying, but I just had to write up this week's AI redux...I finally got around to watching last week's as well. Yeah, I am behind, what of it? Don't judge. But I will not bore you with my opinions of last week's ep. Needless to say, I am thrilled that Anwar has finally left the building! YAY! Way to go, America.

As for this week's show, all I can say is that the performances, overall, were subpar. I found myself agreeing with Simon more this week than I have the rest of the season. It was kind of frightening for me. Anyway, here it is, what you have been waiting for (Chuck!), Kelly P's thoughts on AI:

Carrie started the show with "When God Fearin' Women Get the Blues." She looked cute in her little cowboy shirt, but didn't seem to want to move around a lot for fear of getting her stick-straight hair caught in her lipstick. I thought the performance was really pretty good. I liked the song and she seemed really comfortable with it. It was twangy and country and cute. I think I liked it way more than the judges did. And I laughed my ass off when Simon said he didn't understand "this kind of music" - and then chalked it up to the fact that he's English. HA!

I believe next was my FAVORITE PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK: Bo Bice with "I Don't Wanna Be." I agreed with Simon that the Lenny Kravitz sunglasses had to go. But, damn, if that boy can't work a mic stand! He is a very sexy rocker-guy. The song was perfect for him. He had great pitch and great stage presence. HE is the only rocker in this competition. Plus, I LOVE the fact that (being that I am a band director's wife) Bo ALWAYS acknowledges his back-up musicians. That is the sign of a true performer: respect for your accompanists. YAY for Bo - he is back!!!!

My LEAST FAVORITE PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK: HANDS DOWN - Constantine Margoulis with "How You Remind Me." Robin has a similarly scathing review of his performance over at her blog - check it out. It was wretched....just wretched. As Simon said (hee hee), he did a much better job with his more "croon-y" songs - songs that are more legit and less rock 'n' roll and made the point that, when he left his band to be on AI, he went over to the "light side." Right on, Simon! The song sucked. I can't even put into words how truly bad it was. Terrible vocals and not much better performance.

The last three performances were really just kind of okay:

My usual favorite, Vonzell Solomon, performed "I Turn to You," a Christina Aguilera song. Okay, anytime anyone attempts X-tina, I get a little worried. And in Baby V's case, I was right. I thought the whole thing was on shaky grounds, pitch-wise. She looked lovely, as usual, and has amazing stage presence, but I really think she needs to stick with more uptempo songs. Both Randy and Paula thought the performance was just wonderful, but Simon's comment was not near as glowing. He said something to the effect of: It is really loud in here and hard for the judges to hear in the auditorium and that he thinks that the performance was not near as good, vocally, as they thought - i.e. it had pitch issues and seemed to be on the verge of flatness the whole song. And he was right. (Robin agrees with me here as well!) But I still love her, and can't wait to see what she will sing next week.

Anthony Federov sang "I Surrender" which I found out was a Celine Dion song. No idea. It was really pretty. The guy has a lovely voice and is very cute. BUT, Simon nailed it last week when he called him "insipid." Perfect. He is insipid and kind of sickly-sweet. But he really does have a great voice...especially at the top of his range. Very very talented....but I just don't think he is going to be the next American Idol. I don't know.

The show closed with Scott Savol....yep, never the best way to end a show. He sang "Dance with My Father." I think that was the name of the song - a supremely depressing, weepy song about someone's dad who died. Okay, as someone whose dad died, I can appreciate the sentiments of the song....but damn, what a freakin' downer of a song. I think that for next week, to make up for the absolute buzz kill of a song, he should be forced to sing "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go"...just a thought. Oh, and the performance was okay. Kind of boring...kind of sad. But okay.

Bottom three tonight: Scott, Constantine (god I hope so), and Anthony. With Scott hitting the road...b/c I know that the women of America will not vote Constantine off as they think he is hot...or they have a thing with "My Big Fat Greek Wedding"...one of the two.

That's all - KP OUT!


*"Never gonna get it, never gonna get it, never gonna get it, never gonna get it, never gonna get it, never gonna get it, never gonna get it...never get it..." En Vogue

National Poetry Month & Finals Hell

To celebrate National Poetry Month (thank you, E. Spat & THL), as well as the beginning of finals, I give you Shel Silverstein:

(Hey, I never said I was an intellectual.)


"I cannot go to school today"
Said little Peggy Ann McKay.
"I have the measles and the mumps,
A gash, a rash and purple bumps.

My mouth is wet, my throat is dry.
I'm going blind in my right eye.
My tonsils are as big as rocks,
I've counted sixteen chicken pox.

And there's one more - that's seventeen,
And don't you think my face looks green?
My leg is cut, my eyes are blue,
It might be the instamatic flu.

I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke,
I'm sure that my left leg is broke.
My hip hurts when I move my chin,
My belly button's caving in.

My back is wrenched, my ankle's sprained,
My 'pendix pains each time it rains.
My toes are cold, my toes are numb,
I have a sliver in my thumb.

My neck is stiff, my voice is weak,
I hardly whisper when I speak.
My tongue is filling up my mouth,
I think my hair is falling out.

My elbow's bent, my spine ain't straight,
My temperature is one-o-eight.
My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear,
There's a hole inside my ear.

I have a hangnail, and my heart is
...What? What's that? What's that you say?
You say today is .............. Saturday?
G'bye, I'm going out to play!"

GOOD LUCK WITH FINALS, EVERYONE!!!!

fyi

NEW DAVE ATTELL QUOTE ALERT!!!!

Does anyone else...

really love that Cingular Wireless commercial with the "Sweet Melissa" song? With the guy trying to get to his wife before she has the baby???

Does anyone else get all teary-eyed during the scene when he shows up at the hospital???

Just me?

Cool.

THEY DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats & lots of love to Kee Kee & Chuck on passing the bar! Way to go!

To see the rest of the list, go here.

Echoing sentiments...

from Kelly's post yesterday.

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

To my friends who find out bar results this morning, I am thinking of you...and praying...yep, me...praying. And sweating...and my stomach is a bit sick....but I am praying for you!

Lots of love to you, C & K!

Stolen from Amanda

A really good "The Way I See It" from Starbucks.

As I was preparing for Evidence today, I found this on the back of my venti vanilla latte...

The Way I See It #30:

"The secret of attraction is to love yourself. Attractive people judge neither themselves or others. They are open to gestures of love. They think about love. They think about love, and express their love in every action. They know that love is not a mere sentiment, but the ultimate truth at the heart of the universe."
-- Deepak Chopra, author of The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire and other spiritual guides.

Interesting, no?

A sentence I never thought would come out of my husband's mouth...

but it did last night:

"I would MUCH rather watch 'Gilmore Girls' than 'American Idol!"

Huh?

Beauty still thrives in a place filled with sadness. 

The fence.

Before... 

and after...

"I'll take salpingo-oophorectomies for a thousand, Alex."

And I will make a guess that Kelly is the only one that will know what that heinous word in the title means...

I spent most of Saturday studying medical terminology for my food & drug law final that is a week from Tuesday. I now know what the true medical term is for these very important medical conditions:

the removal of a pair of testes (orchidectomy),
an enema (proctoclysia), and
what this test is to me:
a headache (cephalgia) AND a pain in my ass (rectalgia).

Yep...Kelly P.'s the one they call Dr. Feelgood,
she's the one that makes you feel alright.
she's the one they call Dr. Feelgood...
She's gonna be your Frankenstein!!

Ring the bell, school's back in...

So, I heard "U Can't Touch This" on my way home from class last night.

I knew every word....even the "oh's." Is this wrong?


Yeah. I thought so too.

Just checking.

You're right. It's wrong to destroy literature. It's such fun to read....and Mo-lay really pumps my nads.*

Thanks to E.Spat for the blog chain letter. Now I actually have to think...damn.

1. You're stuck inside Fahrenheit 451, which book do you want to be saved?
First off, I love Fahrenheit 451. I read it in Mrs. Poffenbarger's 8th grade literature class. Yes, that was her name. And, needless to say, she was only there one year. I think the book was a bit controversial for a small town central Illinois junior high school! As someone who has loved to read her WHOLE life (no kidding, I started reading at two), this book scared the shit out of me. Okay, to answer the question. This is easy. No question about it. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. This is probably my all-time favorite novel. I read it every year, and when I was teaching, would suggest it to all of my students!

2. Have you ever had a crush on a fictional character?
Yep...two of them. First, from Anne of Green Gables: Gilbert Blythe. It could have been b/c, in the movie version, the actor who played him, Jonathan Crombie, was adorable. He was smart and funny and sweet and I loved him. Second, from Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen, Mr. Darcy. Okay, okay - again, it could be b/c of the movie - I mean, who didn't love Colin Firth's portrayal of this wonderful character.

3. The last book you purchased?
The last book I purchased, besides an Evidence hornbook which should not count, because goodness knows I am NOT reading it for pleasure, was The Daily Show's America the Book: A Citizen's Guide to Democracy. The last audio book I purchased was James Patterson's Honeymoon. (Gimme a break, people, I spend three hours in the car everyday - I need something to keep me awake!)

4. What are you currently reading?
I am currently reading law textbooks, just finished Prep, and am getting ready to start Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason. It is kind of a Da Vinci Code type of book, only better. Here's a blurb about it from Amazon. Of course, this might have to wait until after finals. Damn those pesky tests! EDIT: Kel reminded me that I am also currently reading The Purpose-Driven Life. Duh. Sorry!

5. Five books you would take to a deserted island?
Okay, this is a toughie. Five books...five books....
(1) Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
Duh.
(2) Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris
(3) Take the Cannoli by Sarah Vowell
Both of these are books that never get boring. I could read them again and again and still find them freaking high-larious.
(4) The Testament by John Grisham
I know, a Grisham book - seems rather cliche. But, first off, this is my favorite Grisham book and I have read it and listened to it a zillion times. And second, there are some useful tips for what to do if you get stranded somewhere!!!
(5) Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding
Okay, I probably should have picked the Bible, or An Idiot's Guide to be Stranded on a Deserted Island, or something practical, but I could NOT be stuck on a deserted island w/o the original chick lit novel!

From what I understand, I have to pass this on to three people or else I will be doomed forever (thank you, E.Spat), so I choose: Amanda, Robin, and Kelly. Have fun, ladies!!!! :)

*Judd Nelson as "John Bender," The Breakfast Club

Songs from the Year You Were Born... (AI Recap for Chuck!)

was the theme of last night's American Idol. And all it did was make me feel really, really freakin' old. But overall, I was pretty impressed with the performances and agreed with the judges. Here's the recap: (again, in no particular order b/c I am doing it from memory)

Favorite performance of the night (once again): Vonzell Solomon.
Vonzell sang "Let's Hear It For the Boy" by Deniece Williams from 1984. NINETEEN EIGHTY FREAKIN FOUR. This song was perfect for her. She had the look, the sound, the energy. She was ON! I definitely think she may have what it takes to go all the way, even after being in the bottom four last week.

Least Favorite performance of the night: Nadia Turner. Once again, I am ill impressed with Nadia. First off, I couldn't even tell you what the song title was. I remembered that it had something to do with dreaming - b/c that is why she said she picked it - and Crystal Gayle sang it. Yep, I would definitely pick a song that that crazy-ass long haired lady sang. It was unmemorable, and I have to agree with Simon - it was "musical wallpaper."

The others:
A. Feddy sang "Everytime you Go Away" by Paul Brown. And for some reason, I am thinking this song came out in 1985. That is crazy stuff right there!!!! But, he did an excellent job. And although I don't particularly care for how he looks, or his Ellis Island-esque story, the song was perfect for him. I think this performance will keep him out of the bottom three tonight.

I know Robin loves Anwar - but I just can't get into him. He did a song by the lady that did the Psychic Network commercials (I am drawing a blank) called "I'll Never Love this Way Again." Good song, he sounded lovely, and techincally, he is extremely skilled. But once again, all I've got is...ehh. Boring.

Bo picked "Free Bird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd. I expected sheer brilliance from this performance. I mean the song was perfect for him. He looked great...he had the whole "rocker" microphone thing goin'. But vocally, it wasn't as good as I think it could have been. He doesn't sound as strong as he did at the beginning of the competition. But I still thought it was a good performance. I do love Bo.

After introducing the audience to Daryl Hall & John Oates, who just happened to be in the audience last night, Ryan introduced poor Scott Savol who chose a Hall & Oates song as his choice for the evening's performence, "She's Gone." A great song. But Scott had a couple major issues, vocally, with this chart. The verses sounded sharp to me, as if he just couldn't get down enough to hit the low notes...but what he lacked in the verses, he waaay made up for it in the choruses. He truly did an excellent job during those sections of the song. And, both Hall & Oates were extremely pleased with his performance. But the judges were not as impressed. Randy mentioned the pitch problems, but what was so great was, that Scott agreed with Randy - he knew he had a hard time with the verses and admitted it! So, although I think he is going to be in the bottom three again tonight, he made a great effort. Oh, but his blue-jean-baby-queen demin mess has GOT to GO!

Okay, here we go. Constantine sand "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen. Now, based on my prior posts about said favorite rock band, I was none too pleased to see that he was going to attempt to perform this classic song. I mean, that takes serious balls. But........it was damn good. I agree with Randy - showmanship - 10; vocals - 7. HE IS A SHOWMAN! He was perfect! However, he has some serious pitch issues at the end. Which could have just been the sheer difficulty of the song. But he just did an amazing job. He may have pulled ahead of Bo with this performance. And for some reason, I actually thought he looked hot last night. I don't know - I think it was just the song! (I hope. Ick.)

Alright, if you are waiting for my recap of Carrie Underwood's performance of "Love is a Battlefield," I am afraid you won't get it. My husband picked that moment to come into the living room to talk to me. UGH. So, if anyone wants to pick up this recap, I would appreciate it! I saw the clip at the end and thought she looked and sounded great, but that doesn't really get us anywhere, now does it?!!!

So - my predictions for the bottom three: Scott, Nadia, & Anwar.

KELLY P., OUT!!!!!

List of Random Thoughts

1. I have a cold. I think I will blame it on Heidi and her petri-dish niece.

2. I am supposed to be researching fireworks injuries in states that are required (by state law) to report them annually: Massachusetts, Texas, Colorado, New Hampshire, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. Funny thing is, only Massachusetts, Texas, and Hawaii annually report the injuries. In fact, when I spoke to the fire marshal's office in Colorado, the yokel said, "Well, I believe that Bob used to do 'em...but he retired, so we don't do 'em anymore." Oh, good. Blame it on Bob and his retirement. Nice. Very frustrating. But such is the life of a law clerk at a fireworks law firm. (Only 2 more work days left!)

3. Both Crawford v. Washington (and its reconciliation with Ohio v. Roberts) and Daubert make my head hurt. (For those of you that haven't taken evidence, just wait...you WILL get a migraine...I promise.)

4. I have been to Mass two Sundays in a row. I am considering converting. But I have a problem with the whole abortion thing...and the whole birth control thing...and the whole gay marriage thing...........yeah, maybe not.

5. I want some hot pink Chuck Taylors, the new Sarah Vowell book, and a new summer handbag. I hate being a poor law student.

6. I am fascinated with this website. (Thanks to E.Spat at WWFFD for the heads-up). You will be too.

Thanks to Rory...

for sporting this shirt on an episode of "Gilmore Girls"...

I am currently sporting it today!

Is it not adorable? And so appropriate for we bookworm law students that believe that brainy really is beautiful...

Oh...in case you are wondering, besides Evidence Under the Rules, Child, Family & the State, Food & Drug Law, and Remedies, I am also currently reading:

The Purpose-Driven Life by Rick Warren (thank you, H!),
Prep by Curtis Satterfield (v.v. good so far)
& a re-read of Angels & Demons by Dan Brown (the whole Pope/Conclave thing inspired me).

Isn't that sexy????????

Love for sale...appetizing, yummy love for sale...

Okay, maybe not LOVE for sale...but Keith & I are getting ready to put our house on the market, as we are moving to the Fort this summer (for my new job - YAY!) and will be purchasing a home there. The realtor is coming over tomorrow to meet with us about preparations for this scary feat! I have gotten the monthy utility averages and the mortgage information and we have been doing minor repairs and painting, as well as some light landscaping....and we still have a ton more work to do. However, I have never sold a home before. Are there some tried & true house-selling tricks about which I do not know? I have heard that you are supposed to bake something...but that would just make my house smell like burnt food....that is not a good smell at all. I think I might just light a candle and go with it.

Any other thoughts? Or things that you saw on "Sell This House"?!!!

I need the info.

But in happier news...

On The West Wing...

My boy Santos pulled through last night...and named the best running mate that there was to name.....Leo McGarry!

YAY!!! The Santos/McGarry ticket. Excellent...

I am just glad to see that John Spencer will be sticking around. His character is a high point of the show, and he is truly a fantastic actor.

Oh, but I missed last week's episode...what is up with "the leak" in the White House? Based on what I saw last night and what I understand is going on, I am thinking that the show is setting C.J. up for a fall. Anyone else think so?

Wake Up, America!!!

What in the hell were you thinking???

NIKKO??? NIKKO.

And the other bottom two: Vonzell & Scott????????? Are you kidding me????

Three of the best voices on that show in the bottom three.

How disappointing.

"The Lullaby of Broadway" or why American Idol put me to sleep last night.

*Long post warning - sorry*
Per Chuck's very persistent (and very annoying) requests, I give you Kelly P.'s rundown of last night's American Idol. Last night's theme was "Showtunes," a topic near and dear to my heart (and the aforementioned Chuck's). As someone who has sang 6 out of the 9 songs in either high school or college voice recitals, I can safely say that most of the choices were not safety songs. These songs are tough to sing, even for trained vocalists, and more so for those that have no formal training. So, I give them major credit for taking risks. Also, many of them have never sang B'way before and were out of their element (ahem, Bo)...so I also have to applaud their effort! Okay, now that I have done away with the niceties....

(This may not be in the right order as they have not posted anything about last night on the Idol website, so I am doing it from memory!)

First up, Scott Savol, singing "The Impossible Dream" from Man of La Mancha. Well, he looks nice... No more awful baggy, poorly fitting outfits. This is probably the best he has looked the entire competition. Plus, he is not taking any of it off, as he did two weeks ago - this is always a plus. A tough song - with a very tough range. He pulled it off pretty well, I think, considering he had never done any charts like this before. The last note was phenomenal. But he is definitely near the bottom of my favorites list....the very bottom is yet to come.

Next, Constantine Maroulis singing "My Funny Valentine" from Babes In Arms. Okay, this scared me at first. I love this song. I mean LOVE, and have sang it on numerous occasions...and I was fully prepared for him to just mangle the song. I was pleasantly surprised. Even with all his weird pouts and strange sex-you-up poses, he did an excellent job. Kind of a sexy, breathy rendition - but with tons of power behind the belting notes. Randy made the comment afterwards that he didn't "believe the whole rocker thing" - and neither do I. That is what has bothered me about him for so long - his rocker persona is fake. He is a pop vocalist...or even a B'way vocalist...not a rock star. I can't believe I am saying this but this was one of my favorite performances of the evening.

Carrie Underwood was next - and I was excited to hear her...and then was pretty damn disappointed. She picked a boring song, "Hello, Young Lovers" from The King and I...and then proceeded belt through it. And I KNOW you are supposed to make the song "your own" (thank you, Paula, for that brilliant piece of advice...you idiot.)...but damn. Has Carrie ever HEARD The King and I EVER? There is no BELTING in The King and I....period. So...not good. And boring. Did I say boring?

Anwar Robinson was up next with "If Ever I Would Leave You" from Camelot. Umm...yeah, I got nothin'. Unimpressed...not much to say. It was pretty....pretty boring. But he has a lovely smile and but he also has kind of creepy buggy eyes.

And then there was Nikko. Let's just say for the record that I love Nikko. But I really dislike R&B music....maybe it is b/c I am from the St. Louis area that I have to like Nikko. I don't know what it is...I just love him. Anyway, he sang "One Hand, One Heart" from West Side Story...another of my favorite songs to sing. This is the number one request when I sing at weddings. It is a lovely, simple song. But Nikko "made it his own." (Again, thank you Paula...you drunken idiot.). But not really, because it is the same interpretation that Tevin Campbell did on the CD The Songs of West Side Story that came out in 1996. Just sayin'. But it was excellent all the same. Again, I love him.

Next, Anthony Federov with "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" from Sound of Music

....zzzzzzz.... (I'm sorry, but all I can do when he sings is stare at the hole in his throat. I know, a terrible thing to say, but true.) ....zzzzz.....

Bo!!!! Okay, now, I also love Bo...but I kind of felt sorry for him last night. If ever there was someone that was at a complete disadvantage b/c of the theme of the evening, it was Bo. Let's be honest, people. If Bo is chosen to be the next "American Idol" - there is no way in hell anyone will ask him to bust out his rendition of "Sunrise, Sunset" or "Let Me Entertain You" - come on. He IS a rock star. But, I have to say, though, that he DID pick the best musical and the best song for his voice and personality. The guy looks like he should be playing in Pippin, the 1970's "rock" musical about Pippin, the son of Charlemagne. And, "Corner of the Sky" is an excellent song......but not for Bo. He just didn't do very well. Poor Bo.

BEST PERFORMANCE OF THE EVENING: Vonzell Solomon
Vonzell sang "People," from Funny Girl - made popular by Barbra. Yep, the Barbra. And I think Vonzell held her own. THAT is a hard song. The range alone makes it extremely difficult for some to sing - and she sang it effortlessly...like a pro. Furthermore, she is just so beautiful....I can't say enough. Amazing performance.

And for my least performance of the evening....and my least favorite person on the show....your favorite faux-hawk and mine...Nadia Turner. Nadia sang "As Long As He Needs Me" from Oliver! Umm...the exclamation point is part of the title...not there to show my excitement about her effing up the very first song I ever learned for a voice recital......yeah, I'm not bitter. I dislike her intensely and she has no place on that stage. And she had pitch issues through the whole song. So there.

There you go, people - my opinions on last night's AI.

Kelly P. OUT.

Melancholy Song for a Lovely Day

Nothing goes together better than a beautifully sung, deeply mournful ballad and the Federal Rules of Evidence, right?!

What I was listening to while reading for Evidence class and sitting outside in the warm sunshine:

"Maybe" by Alison Krauss & Union Station

Yesterday the odds were stacked in favor of my expectations
Lying above the rest, never falling from the nest
Tuesday came and went and now I'm in a little situation
Maybe it's for the best, I can live alone I guess

Maybe I can stand alone
Maybe I'm strong as stone
Even though the bird has flown
Maybe he'll fly on home

Forgive if I'm keeping you apart from better conversation
I'm numb from all my doubt, trying to sort the whole thing out
Tell me that I'm smart enough to deal with all the information
Spinning inside my head, every word he ever said

Maybe I can stand alone
Maybe I'm strong as stone
Even though the bird has flown
Maybe he'll fly on home

I'm Walkin' On Sunshine

whoa, whoa, oh...

Gotta love springtime in the Midwest. It's going to be above 70 degrees today in the Circle City.

To celebrate this lovely weather:

I am wearing sandals and capris.
I listened to a Jimmy Buffett CD on my way to school. "As the son of a son of a sailor..."
I had my sunroof open.
I am wearing pink.


I am a happy girl.**

**Now, if only I was sitting on a restaurant patio somewhere drinking a beer, I would be a supremely happy girl.

It's a Kind of Magic

While I am on the topic of music...

I have to thank The Unnamed Source for this latest topic, as he recently posted about one of my favorite bands, Queen. (I would link him here, but I am a goddess...not a super-goddess, let's not push it! However if you want to see his post, he is linked over there with everyone else!)

Anyway, as some of you may have guessed from the title, I am a Queen fan...a huge Queen fan. So, inspired by TUS, I busted out my Classic Queen CD for my commute to school. And, wow. First off, how fantastic were they?! I mean, just great stuff. And second, I was just flooded with memories of high school and my first "serious" boyfriend, Mike.

I was a freshman, he was a...everyone now...senior. My parents hated him and I LOVED him. I thought he was the coolest person in the whole world. How did we meet, you ask? Well, study hall, of course. He sat at my study hall table in the library. And, me, being the weirdo music freak in high school had written the names of rock bands and singers all over my notebook: Metallica, Led Zeppelin, CCR, Jimi Hendrix, the Doors...you get the picture. Finally, after weeks of him staring at me and my notebook, he leaned over and said, "Hey, Led! Led!" I was like, "What the balls is wrong with this guy? calling me Led...who the heck is Led?"

So, of course, I proceeded to continue working on whatever awful algebra assignment I had that day. Finally, he reaches over and pulls my hair Anne-of-Green-Gables* style. I turned and looked at him and told him my name's Kelly. "Not to me," he said, "it's Led...you know, Led Zeppelin." He then asked if I really liked the bands on my notebook, or was I just a poseur. I told him that I did. He said, "Prove it. Name a song by each of the artists." And of course, I could. I think he was impressed, because he then asked me if he could give me a ride home from school, and I accepted. From that day on, Mike called me "Led." And introduced me to Queen. We listened to "Queen," and "Queen II," "A Night at the Opera" and "A Day at the Races" and all sorts of other great music. He made me watch "Highlander," whose soundtrack is almost completely made up of Queen songs. He played piano and would play me their songs, and I just thought Mike was the greatest guy.

Now, why did my parents hate him so? Well, he wasn't really what you would call a parent's dream boyfriend for their daughter. He had one of those skater haircuts. He was a slacker in school. In fact, I am still wondering if he graduated. He drove a red sports car...okay, not really a sports car, but I loved it. It was a Nissan Pulsar...hey, it had a sunroof and I thought it was badass. Mike smoked and drank...but interestingly enough, he never did around me. My parents would forbid me to see him and wouldn't allow me to ride in his car. But I snuck around and did it any way. He was my one rebellious act in high school. And it was so completely worth it, just to be introduced to a band as great as Queen.

*Anne of Green Gables - a children's lit novel by L.M. Montgomery. During Anne's first day of class, Gilbert Blythe leans over and pulls her red braid and whispers, "Carrots, hey Carrots!" and Anne proceeds to break her slate over his head.**
**Why, yes...I am a complete nerd, why do you ask?

Shuffle, baby!

Just a quick post to say that I heard the following songs on my new favorite radio station on my way to work - in this order:

"Word Up" by Cameo
"Carry On My Wayward Son" by Kansas
"Don't You (Forget About Me)" by Simple Minds


THAT EFFING ROCKS!!!!

Why does it rock? Because it completely fits my schizophrenic taste in music. I am like the Sybil of taste in music...I am the Three Faces of Eve of taste in music...I am the...okay, you get it. (I hope so, because I have run out of really good multiple personality references).

It still rocks.

Linky Link Links

Dear Favorite Bloggers (you know who you are: Kel, Robin, Prof. Cooper, E.Spat, Kevin, etc.):

I am a baby blogger. I have no idea how to do links. I currently have two on my blog only because Heidi was kind enough to do them for me. She then showed me how to do them...but I BELIEVE (I am not sure) that she was speaking Farsi. There was something about a tag or a target or something. No idea. So, once I buy Blogging for Effing Idiots or whatever self-help book is out there for really, really inept people, I will add your link to my blog.....whether you want it there or not :)

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Kelly P.

P.S. I just added Kel's "Just Playin" to my list. YAY!

EDIT: Okay, so now I am link obsessed! I am the link goddess. Ooh, but if I have forgotten someone, which is unlikely because I am the link goddess, please let me know!!!

Gotta agree with Kel on this!

I listened to the new radio station she discussed yesterday on her blog: 104.5 Jack-FM. I have to say that I loved it. I understand the complaint about no actual deejay, but for me, deejays get in the way of music. When I want to hear talk, I listen to NPR. But if I am in the mood for some tunes, deejays just piss me off and take time away from the music. So Jack is right up my alley. Plus, they play the coolest mix of music. And it is like a little game for me, a sort of "Name that Tune" on acid!

This morning, on my commute, I heard the following artists: Def Leppard, Chaka Khan, Pink Floyd (three artists which go together like bologna, peanut butter, and Chicken McNuggets), Sarah McLachlan, Bruce Springsteen, Huey Lewis & the News, and something that I thought was "Philadelphia Freedom" when it started, but then it sounded like the Bee Gees on helium....no idea. But come on, people!!!! Chaka Khan and Pink Floyd - that kicks ass! Yeah, you could get that on your iPod...if (1) you had one, or (2) you had the foresight to download both Pink Floyd and Chaka Khan on your iPod!!!!

I love Jack. He makes me happy. And that is all that matters in my world!

IT IS DONE.

The dreaded bar application has been turned in.

I have copied, and graphed, and charted my previous residences and places of employment. I have to admit that I "guesstimated" a bit on the dates of said employment. I mean, come on, I have no idea how long I worked at Arby's in 1995, nor do I know the address of the Decatur Park District where I worked the summer after my freshman year as a singer/dancer.

I got my picture taken and laminated it on to a little card with my name on it. WTF??? I don't get it.

I copied my ONE ticket and an Order Book Entry for my traffic violation...for which I pled to an ordinance violation to get out of paying! Yes, my dear readers...I have been convicted of the ordinance violation of littering. How do you think that will go during my character and fitness interview?

"Ms. P., it says here that you littered. Wait, wha? You littered?"
"Well, that is what I PLED to, but in all actuality, I ran a stop sign. But it was 6:00 in the morning and there was no one around and the cop was an asshole...I mean, he told me to stop playing with my hair and pay more attention to the road...come on, I think that is sexual harassment...okay, so I DID run the stop sign, but couldn't afford the ticket...so instead I pled to littering....I mean, littering is better than 'failure to yield,' right?"
"I am sorry, Ms. P., but such behavior is completely unlawyerlike. No bar exam for you."

Damn. What do you people want from me? I am only human! You have my fingerprints, my picture (which if I were Amish, would be a major issue...what do they do about the
Amish?), my entire life history. Luckily, I don't have any major psychological/drug/alcohol issues (that anyone knows about ;)), but if I did, that would have to go on there as well. What else do you want, you evil bar examiners???? My first born child. Well, fine...take him/her...

*sigh*

Oh, well. It is done...all there is left to do now is pray....and, again, if I were Amish, this would not be a problem...but I am Methodist....so I will go to a potluck...or play softball...or have a progressive dinner...something like that.

**And on a side note: what is up with my obsession with the Amish?

The Road to Final Four...

is paved in blue and orange.

GO ILLINI!!!!!

We're loyal to you Illinois,
We're "Orange and Blue," Illinois,
We'll back you so stand
'Gainst the best in the land,
For we know you have sand, Illinois,
Rah! Rah!

So crack out that ball Illinois,
We're backing you all Illinois;
Our team is our fame protector,
On! boys, for we expect a vict'ry
from you Illinois!

Okay, so I am calling it "Easter Spies"

I stole this from a bunch of people...thought the questions were fun and waaay easier than having to come up with something on my own :)

1. What blog, other than your own, do you read the most?

Will Work for Favorable Dicta; Just Playin'; Waiting for the Punchline; The Great Spirit & Obiter Dictum ...ooh, and Go Fug Yourself (I would link them but I am technologically retarded).

2. Are you a gadget person? Do you have the latest thingamajigs and whoozits and geegaws?

Gadgets....hmmm....my husband has an iPod which I love and use when I can. We also have a really nice digital camera and one of those docking stations. Beyond that, not so much.

3. If I gave you $1000 on the condition that you couldn't spend it on something responsible (e.g., bills), or save it, what would you do with the money?

Ooh, vacation...I really really really want to go to London....and a new Coach purse...and another vacation ;)

4. What are your five favorite sitcoms of all time, other than "Seinfeld" and "The Simpsons"?"

I adore "Seinfeld" and "The Simpsons."
The two sitcoms I watch now:
"Scrubs" - Hi, I *heart* Zach Braff.
"Arrested Development" when I can catch it.

And my three favorite from when I was younger:

"Facts of Life" - Come on, nothing is better than the girls & Mrs. G.
"Family Ties" - I have a serious thing for Alex P. Keaton.
"Bosom Buddies" - The theme song alone is fabulous!

5. Organize a film festival based on a theme. Choose a theme and a handful of movies with that theme, and tell us what you've chosen.

Gotta go with an 80's theme like Amanda did:
- "The Breakfast Club"; "Pretty in Pink"; "Goonies"; "Beverly Hills Cop"; "Sixteen Candles"
"uhhh....does Barry Manilow know that you raided his wardrobe"

OR a Chevy Chase theme:
- "Fletch"; "Fletch Lives"; "Caddyshack"; "Spies Like Us"
"What kind of name is Poon? - Comanche Indian"

OR a Jane Austen theme:
- "Pride & Prejudice" with Colin Firth; "Emma" with Gwyneth Paltrow; both "Bridget Jones" movies as they are based on Jane...and "Clueless," which was based on "Emma"
"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife."

You got it, Lawren!

YAY for Lawren who guessed from where my graduation quote derived...and who I figured would get it! Either her, Chuck, or Prof. Cooper! It is from "Jekyll & Hyde" the musical - and from a song called "This is the Moment." I have sang both that song and other songs from the show. I just wanted to have something that was me - and what better than a B'way song :)

Here are the full lyrics - I apologize for the lack of spaces between verses - for some reason Blogger won't let me break it up!

"This is the Moment" from Jekyll & Hyde.
Music by Frank Wildhorn/ Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse

Jekyll:

This is the moment, this is the day

When I send all my doubts & demons on their way

Every endeavor, I have made ever

Is coming into play, is here and now today.

This is the moment, this is the time

When the momentum and the moment are in rhyme.

Give me this moment, this momentous moment;

I'll gather up my past, and make some sense at last.

This is the moment, when all I've done

All of the dreaming, scheming, and screaming become one.

This is the day, just see it shine

When all I've lived for becomes mine.

This is the moment, this is the hour

When I can open up tomorrow like a flower.

And put my hand to, everything I planned to

Fulfill my grand design; see all my stars align.

This is the moment, my final test;

Destiny beckoned, I never reckoned second best.

I won't look down, I must not fall;

This is the moment, the sweetest moment of the them all.

This is the moment, damn all the odds

This day or never, I'll sit forever with the gods.

When I look back, I will recall, moment for moment

This was the moment,

The greatest moment

Of them all!

Graduation Quote Decision Made!!

I finally decided on my quote for my graduation annoucements, with help from Kelly. I wanted something that was me...and for those persons that know me, this quote and its origin is VERY me.

Here it is:

When I look back, I will always recall,
Moment for moment, this was the moment,
The greatest moment
Of them all!

Can anyone name from where I got this quote? Anyone? Bueller??

American Idol Redux

Okay, as a vocalist, I have to say that I am rather impressed with most of the contestants on this season's AI. Having said that, I must recant a comment I made in an earlier AI post.....

Mikalah NEEDS TO GO. Wow. She is scary bad. Randy made a really good comment about her. He missed the energetic, teenage Mikalah. She got up and was all sexy, sultry Taylor Dayne, and she looked like she had been playing in her mom's makeup. Not good. Plus her vowel placement is so very bizarre. She is gone.

LOVED Carrie Underwood's rendition of "Alone" by Heart. She was absolutely amazing. She has absolutely no break from her head to chest voice and THAT alone is completely impressive...plus she picked an extremely difficult song. It was so much better than all the country stuff. She looked great and I now love her.

THANK GOD NIKKO IS BACK. Ooh, I just love him and thought he really pulled it off last night!

Thought Bo did a nice job. Very subdued performance and a lovely song.

Vonzell - Great, great, great...she looked fabulous and sang her ass off.

Beyond that, I was less than moved. Constantine's facial expressions half scare me and half make me want to go take a shower. The faux-hawk that Nadia was sporting was over the top (gotta agree with Simon there) and her song was awful. Anwar was okay, although I do really like him, but picking a song by Chaka...damn, boy - that took guts. And I am sorry, Jessica Sierra...NOT GOOD. I love that song and all, but to me - that is kareoke, that is not AI. Her look is ehh. Her voice is ehh.

I am sure I am forgetting performers, but those are my thoughts!

Ooh, and "House M.D." was on afterwards....such a good show! Everyone must watch "House"...if just to see Hugh Laurie & Robert Sean Leonard!

Thanks for the suggestions...

However, when I arrived home, my husband put a paint roller in my hand and we set to work painting our bathroom. As you may (or may not) know, we in the process of putting our house on the market, as my new job (YAY!) moves us to the Fort. This means spackling and painting and all sorts of other heinous Trading Spaces-esque activities. So I was unable to watch nor read anything stuffy & elitist as I wanted. However, we did listen to Bela Fleck & the Flecktones as well as NPR. Does that count for anything??? Probably not. Keep the suggestions flowing, though, as I might have time to redeem myself this evening!

And to add to my closet redneck-ness, I have changed my quote that is found under my blog title. Rather than someone intelligent and political like Richard Schiff's character, Toby Ziegler, now the quote is from Dave Attell. You may know Dave Attell from his Comedy Central show "Insomniac." He also has a comedy album called "Skanks for the Memories" - from where I got that particular quote. He is fabulously funny and filthy and, at the suggestion of BFF Amanda, I will be changing the quote every couple weeks - so check it out!

Git 'R' Done

It's official - I am a full-fledged resident of Mun-tucky!

I spent yesterday napping, watching NASCAR, and both Blue Collar Comedy Specials. I tell you what, that Larry the Cable Guy is one funny guy....

What has happened to me???????????????

When I get home, I am going to watch something to redeem myself for my Sunday sins.

I need something uppity and elitist.

Any suggestions?

When Irish Eyes Are Smilin'...

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY EVERYONE!!!!!

In honor of this special day:

• Look for four-leaf clovers
• Watch "Leprechaun"
• If you aren't into "horror" films, watch "Darby O'Gill & the Little People," "Finian's Rainbow," or "The Commitments"
• Eat corned beef & cabbage
• Drink Guinness....or any beer dyed green.
• Listen to The Cranberries, The Corrs, Clannad, or The Pogues
• Learn Irish Step Dance
• Or my favorite: sing "Danny Boy"

Everyone, sing it with me:

"Oh, Danny Boy...the pipes, the pipes are ca-a-lling...from glen to glen, and down the mountainside...."

HOWDY, KIDS!!!

I am back from the dead!!!! But because things have been so very boring and sickness-filled, I don't have much to say, so.....

I am going to copy off of Heidi and answer the five questions she stole from E.McPan and Frolics and Detours:

1. Tell me what's in your desk drawers right now.
Depends on which desk. Well, actually it doesn't - b/c my desk at work doesn't have drawers and my desk at home isn't a desk but a dining room table turned into a desk, and dining room tables don't have drawers either. However, to entertain my three readers, I will give you a brief list of what is sitting ON my desk here at work, besides the normal work related things like case files, your basic office implements, and that fun air-in-a-can.
2 pictures of my husband & I - one from our wedding and one at first year Barrister's Ball
A picture of Lucy, my Brittany spaniel
A picture of Bela, my black Lab
A Harry Potter mug full of "your basic office implements"
A card from BFF Amanda with a picture of an alarm clock on the front...well, what used to be an alarm clock.
My bar application - ewwww!
A t-shirt from Western Pyrotechnic Association Winterfest given to me by my boss (okay, for those of you that don't know - I work at a firm that specializes in the fireworks industry...strange, but true)
Used tissues - ewwww times two.
And my coffee mug emblazoned with my law school's logo

2. How many states have you visited or lived in, and which of the others do you most want to visit?
Lived in: Illinois, Indiana
Visited: California, Utah, Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Florida, Washington DC, West Virginia, Virginia, Alabama
Plus: Hong Kong & Guangzhou, China; Labadee, Haiti; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Cozumel & Cancun, Mexico; Georgetown, Grand Cayman, Port Lucaya & Nassau, Bahamas.
Want to visit: I most want to visit New York City, Savannah, Georgia, New Orleans, Louisiana & Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

3. What was the last cd you purchased, and what was the last movie you rented/bought a ticket to?
Last CD purchases: Ray Charles - genius loves company
Last movie rented: "Friday Night Lights" & "p.s."
- LovedFNL...thought it was excellent!
- Did not like p.s. Maybe I didn't get it - which is always possible. However, I love Laura Linney, Topher Grace, Paul Rudd, Gabriel Byrne, and Marcia Gay Harden...HELLO! That is a great cast...and yet, I was unmoved.
I also BORROWED the first season of "Gilmore Girls" from Heidi and am officially in love with this show.........and Luke Danes...but that is a topic for another post.

4. Have you ever sung karaoke? If not, what song would you be willing to sing in front of people?

Yes. But I don't enjoy doing it, because I take it too seriously.

5. What was the best concert you've ever attended, either because of the performance or because it was otherwise memorable?

Hmmm....aside from Buffett WHICH ROCKED....I would have to say either the Eagles Reunion Tour - "Hell Freezes Over," the first Elton John/ Billy Joel tour from 1995, OR my first Barenaked Ladies concert (I believe it was for "Maroon") - they put on THE best live show!!!

That's all I've got, folks....