Yikes

Okay, yeah, so I watched "Today" this morning. And cried a little while they were showing the Katie Couric sendoff montage.

But what really struck me?

I am now the same age as Princess Diana, when she died.

That just blew me away. Monster Boy is probably the age of her oldest boy was, too. I can't imagine not being able to see him again. Much less him growing up without me.

Adrian at work laughed when I admitted I'm more fearful of things now than when I was young. There are certain things I won't do, not because I don't want to... but because I refuse to run the risk of injury. Like bungee-jumping, parachuting/gliding. And rollercoasters, if I can at all help it (sorry, honey!).

It is not a fear for my self, necessarily... but more the fear of being incapacitated and unable to advocate for my son. And my family in general. Aye, call me a scaredycat.

I'll just wait here on the ground, and cheer y'all on while you get your adrenaline rush on. And don't wake me up in the night when you have bad dreams. Ha!

Good Times, Man... Good Times

If YOU WERE A LITTLE GIRL IN THE 70'S ...

You had that Fisher Price Doctor 's Kit with a stethoscope that actually worked.

You owned a bicycle with a banana seat and a plastic basket with flowers on it.

You learned to skate with actual skates (not roller blades) that had metal wheels.

You thought Gopher from Love Boat was cute (admit it!)

You had nightmares after watching Fantasy Island.

You had rubber boots for rainy days and Moon boots for snowy days.

You owned a "Slip-n-Slide",on which you injured yourself on a sprinkler head more than once.

You owned "Klick-Klacks" and smacked yourself in the face more than once.

You had either a "bowl cut" or "pixie," not to mention the "Dorothy Hamill". People sometimes thought you were a boy.

Your Holly Hobbie sleeping bag was your most prized possession.

You wore a poncho, gauchos, and knickers.

You begged Santa for the electronic game, Simon.

You had the Donnie and Marie dolls with those pink and purple satiny shredded outfits.

You spent hours in your backyard on your metal swing set with the trapeze.

The swing set tipped over at least once.

You had homemade ribbon barrettes in every imaginable color.

You had a pair of Doctor Scholl's sandals (the ones with hard sole & the buckle).

You also had a pair of salt-water sandals. (is this an east coast thing??)

You wanted to be Laura Ingalls Wilder really bad; you wore that Little House on the Prairie-inspired plaid, ruffle shirt with the high neck in at least one school picture; and you despised Nellie Olson!

You wanted your first kiss to be at a roller rink.

Your hairstyle was described as having "wings" or "feathers" and you kept it "pretty" with the comb you kept in your back pocket. When you walked, the "wings" flapped up and down, looked like you were gonna "take off"

You know who Strawberry Shortcake is, as well as her friends, Blueberry Muffin and Huckleberry Pie.

You carried a Muppets lunch box to school and it was metal, not plastic. With the thermos inside!

You and your girlfriends would fight over which of the Dukes of Hazzard was your boyfriend.

YOU had Star Wars action figures, too!

It was a big event in your household each year when the "Wizard of Oz" would come on TV. Your mom would break out the popcorn and sleeping bags!

You often asked your Magic-8 ball the question: "Who will I marry. Shaun Cassidy, Leif Garrett, or David Cassidy..?"

You completely wore out your Grease, Saturday Night Fever, and Fame soundtrack record album.

You tried to do lots of arts and crafts, like yarn and popsicle-stick God's eyes, decoupage, or those weird potholders made on a plastic loom.

You made Shrinky-Dinks and put iron-on kittens on your t-shirts!

You used to tape record songs off the radio by holding your portable tape player up to the speaker.

You had subscriptions to Dynamite and Tiger Beat.

You learned everything you needed to know about girl issues from Judy Blume books (Are you there God, It's me, Margaret.)

You thought Olivia Newton John's song "Physical" was about aerobics.

You wore friendship pins on your tennis shoes, or shoelaces with heart or rainbow designs.

You wanted to be a Solid Gold dancer.

You drowned yourself in Love's Baby Soft - which was the first "real" perfume you ever owned.

You glopped your lips in Strawberry Roll-on lip gloss till it almost dripped off.

Aww crap... I like pegged every one! Well, except for the Donny and Marie dolls. I didn't have those. And I don't remember the doctor's kit. But Holly Hobbie, knickers, feathered hair (with comb!) and Love's Baby Soft? Oh, hell yeah!

That is too funny. I had completely forgotten about the Dynamite magazine. And I had all those Star Wars trading cards, buddy. My brothers were the ones that lost all the action figures. But my trading cards were in a clever box to hold them all... with my future exhusband Han Solo featured on the top of the box.

Okay, so he (the card) was actually taped down with masking tape. He is a rogue! You can't let those kind of boys wander off on you!

Born On the Wrong Day

You might not know this about me... but a lot of people think I'm odd. I don't know *why* they would think that!

I just write if off to being Aquarian. We are an odd lot. Idealistic, ethical (umm... as far as YOU know), intuitive, yet aloof mysterious. Probably just the best balance of perfection you can find. Guess it's a good thing I'm not cute. Just wouldn't feel right, breaking all those hearts, you know.

NOT!

Anyway... my self-esteem is pretty secure. I try to forget the fact I have to share a birthday with Larry the Cable Guy. Lord, I apologize.... but that boy needs to be shot.

Whatever that movie he put out was SUPPOSED to be about, it wasn't. Though.. I can overlook Larry, since they say he only acts like him in public.

Today, however... wish me strength.

I found out I have to share a birthday with Janice Dickinson, as well.

All hope may be lost. She is one trainwreck tranny.

I will console myself with the fact she's old enough to be my mother. Larry is only old enough to be the creepy uncle that no one likes go close enough to hug.



Late addition...

OH (BLEEP!)

I just looked at Wikipedia..... freaking PARIS HILTON has to ruin my birthday, too!

I'm never going to be cool again.

Everyday Science

Finally! Science I can use in my life:

Chocolate may boost brain power By Megan Rauscher Wed May 24, 3:02 PM ET

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Chocolate lovers rejoice. A new study hints that eating milk chocolate may boost brain function.

"Chocolate contains many substances that act as stimulants, such as theobromine, phenethylamine, and caffeine," Dr. Bryan Raudenbush from Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia noted in comments to Reuters Health.

"These substances by themselves have previously been found to increase alertness and attention and what we have found is that by consuming chocolate you can get the stimulating effects, which then lead to increased mental performance."

To study the effects of various chocolate types on brain power, Raudenbush and colleagues had a group of volunteers consume, on four separate occasions, 85 grams of milk chocolate; 85 grams of dark chocolate; 85 grams of carob; and nothing (the control condition).

After a 15-minute digestive period, participants completed a variety of computer-based neuropsychological tests designed to assess cognitive performance including memory, attention span, reaction time, and problem solving.

"Composite scores for verbal and visual memory were significantly higher for milk chocolate than the other conditions," Raudenbush told Reuters Health. And consumption of milk and dark chocolate was associated with improved impulse control and reaction time.

Previous research has shown that some nutrients in food aid in glucose release and increased blood flow, which may augment cognitive performance. The current findings, said Raudenbush, "provide support for nutrient release via chocolate consumption to enhance cognitive performance."

Good thing, too. Since this shit is heroin:

My Next New Cool

So you will still respect me, even after buying (and liking) the new Nick Lachey album.. I've decided I need to get the Gnarls Barkley album. They have to rock, if they covered a Violent Femmes song.

Pamie.com even said so-

May 13, 2006

Gnarls Barkley: St Elsewhere

Songs: "Crazy"
"St Elsewhere"
"Gone Daddy Gone"


I went into the Virgin Megastore last night to pick up the new Chili Peppers CD. I haven't even listened to that yet. I picked up the Gnarls Barkley because I'd read it was good, but mostly on the recommendation of my friend Dave, who always knows the next thing I'm going to love.

I popped it in on my drove home. The first song grooves like the best of Basement Jaxx, and made me wish for a better car, just long enough to enjoy driving down Sunset at night with music that makes me move.

But that's not what did it for me, that has me looping lyrics in my brain. Three notes into "Crazy, I was beyond hooked. I've probably listened to it six times since last night. I even took it inside Dan's apartment with me late last night, because I needed him to hear this perfect song.

"Two people keep me still in the realm of cool," he said. "You and my semi-British boyfriend."

As I was gushing that "Crazy" sounded like a song written just for me, he informed me that it has been a number-one single in Britain for weeks, and that he'd heard a piece on NPR about how good the song is. So who's teaching whom what's cool? I know Dan would probably interject here that knowing a song is being lauded on NPR doesn't necessary make you "cool" as much as "nerdy," but for me there's very little difference.

Track three, "St. Elsewhere," is so good it almost beats "Crazy." Almost.

And then there's Track Four -- a cover of the Violent Femmes "Gone Daddy Gone" that's so perfect I'm already sad it will be ruined in teen movies and jeans commercials for years to come.

I must confess I'm not too familiar with the second half of the album yet because I keep starting the thing over again halfway through so I can hear the first five songs again.

I'll get around to that Chili Peppers CD eventually.

Smoke and Mirrors

While that can also be a Gaiman reference, I refer to it as a theory. For I will employ the tactic so you won't ridicule me for buying the new Nick Lachey album. And the fact that I like it. : P

Read Jeph Loeb's The Long Halloween last week. Not only was the story very good (and how about that ending?), the art was a pleasant surprise. I don't read a lot of DC universe stuff. But I can see that I should!


The library called that Coraline is in for me. I'm looking forward to that. And the upcoming movie!

Until I have time for a real post...

Yes, yes, I still need to get teenager monster boy photos up, and details on the weddings this weekend. Every photo coming out of the camera is bigger than 2MB, and I haven't asked D to show me how to reduce them.

So in a pitiful attempt to hold you over.... more Blogthings quizzes. I was mildly humoured at my result. The clincer was probably when I selected "power" over "cute" when choosing a car.

You Are 70% Boyish and 30% Girlish

You are pretty evenly split down the middle - a total eunuch. Okay, kidding about the eunuch part. But you do get along with both sexes. You reject traditional gender roles. However, you don't actively fight them. You're just you. You don't try to be what people expect you to be.

How Boyish or Girlish Are You?

Deja vu!

How did they know I want to go back there? PS: Heidelberg is also a great place to visit. Hopefully we can do the all-Germany tour next time. A coworker is going back to Koln for six weeks in July. Some type of music tour with Washburn's jazz troupe.

You Belong in Amsterdam

A little old fashioned, a little modern - you're the best of both worlds. And so is Amsterdam.Whether you want to be a squatter graffiti artist or a great novelist, Amsterdam has all that you want in Europe (in one small city).

What European City Do You Belong In?

Love Monkey... That Funky Monkey

Yeah, I realize that's not how the song goes. But how many title options can you make fit "monkey"? That reminds me... I need to get the Beastie Boys catalogue.

So the last episode of Love Monkey aired on VH1 last night. Apparently I am easily entertained, because I thought ALL of those episodes were well done. And the cast? You could (or I did) totally believe they had known each other forever. They were awful cute to watch interact. Yes, that could also be the result of clever editing.

Presumably, Wayne stayed with Ed's label? They might have actually answered it, but I didn't catch it. I saw the end, when Eric Bogosian left to take a call from the office. But did Ed ever confirm? Does Eric Bogosian only get cast do play a jerk?

Oh, and that Bran girl could have been a little less annoying. Though it does make you realize why Ed didn't want to hook up with her longterm. He would have had to strangle her eventually.

Now I have another scheduling dilemma. Thursday night... the CSI Las Vegas season ender is on, and so is the series end of Will and Grace! Although I haven't been following Will and Grace for a long time, I still want to know what happens to them!

Ali, any insider scoop?

Hey you librarians... this one's for you

Matt over at The Blatantly Obvious has a question...

What is the line between engaging and repelling for art in children/young adults books? Mr. Cody and KPolly have the ability and want-to (thanks Roy Williams, for making me forever associate this phrase with desire) to create children's literature.

Being an artistic bunch, there are several comments and suggestions. I even gained a tip! Have to keep an eye out for a new graphic novel, "1985". To be done with photographs. Should be interesting! I love my Vision tarot deck, of the same concept.

This opportunity comes once in a lifetime

Jodie Foster gets all up in the Yale ghetto cool

And for my parents, who won't know the song lyric she quoted:
You better lose yourself in the music, the moment
You own it, you better never let it go
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime


However, my real question for the article is this:

Yakov Smirnoff... the whitebread-est Russian to haunt a Branson stage (and that is saying something for the milk toast circuit that is Ozarks Missouri)... getting a degree... in...

Positive psychology? What is that? Wikipedia, to save the day!

So positive psychology is the practice of searching for and focusing on your (presumably healthier) positive character attributes. As opposed to your negative character flaws, presumably?

Hell, all it sounds like you would do is put resumes together. Hype your strengths, and downplay why you quit or got fired from previous jobs. Congratulations, Yakov... you're qualified to be a high school guidance counselor!

The guy paid tuition to learn how to be even more chipper and gregariously annoying? And Yale took his money and said thank you, very much. America... What a country!

Dude.... Sweet! *or* A Sweet Dude

... and not just because he's written books about sweets (Candyfreak).

Thanks to Dan, I have a renewed hope of humanity. At least for the afternoon.

A Boston College creative writing professor has resigned due to the college's choice for commencement speaker. Normally, booking a Secretary of State for a college speech would equate to a social home run. Unfortunately, we're talking about the current Secretary of State.

By Steve Almond May 12, 2006
An open letter to William P. Leahy, SJ, president of Boston College.
Boston.com

Dear Father Leahy,

I am writing to resign my post as an adjunct professor of English at Boston College.

I am doing so -- after five years at BC, and with tremendous regret -- as a direct result of your decision to invite Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to be the commencement speaker at this year's graduation.

Many members of the faculty and student body already have voiced their objection to the invitation, arguing that Rice's actions as secretary of state are inconsistent with the broader humanistic values of the university and the Catholic and Jesuit traditions from which those values derive.

But I am not writing this letter simply because of an objection to the war against Iraq. My concern is more fundamental. Simply put, Rice is a liar.

She has lied to the American people knowingly, repeatedly, often extravagantly over the past five years, in an effort to justify a pathologically misguided foreign policy.

The public record of her deceits is extensive. During the ramp-up to the Iraq war, she made 29 false or misleading public statements concerning Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and links to Al Qaeda, according to a congressional investigation by the House Committee on Government Reform.

To cite one example:

In an effort to build the case for war, then-National Security Adviser Rice repeatedly asserted that Iraq was pursuing a nuclear weapon, and specifically seeking uranium in Africa.

In July of 2003, after these claims were disproved, Rice said: ''Now if there were doubts about the underlying intelligence . . . those doubts were not communicated to the president, the vice president, or to me."

Rice's own deputy, Stephen Hadley, later admitted that the CIA had sent her a memo eight months earlier warning against the use of this claim.

In the three years since the war began, Rice has continued to misrepresent or simply ignore the truth about our deadly adventure in Iraq.

Like the president whom she serves so faithfully, she refuses to recognize her errors or the tragic consequences of those errors to the young soldiers and civilians dying in Iraq. She is a diplomat whose central allegiance is not to the democratic cause of this nation, but absolute power.

This is the woman to whom you will be bestowing an honorary degree, along with the privilege of addressing the graduating class of 2006.

It is this last notion I find most reprehensible: that Boston College would entrust to Rice the role of moral exemplar.

To be clear: I am not questioning her intellectual gifts or academic accomplishments. Nor her potentially inspiring role as a powerful woman of color.

But these are not the factors by which a commencement speaker should be judged. It is the content of one's character that matters here -- the reverence for truth and knowledge that Boston College purports to champion.

Rice does not personify these values; she repudiates them. Whatever inspiring rhetoric she might present to the graduating class, her actions as a citizen and politician tell a different story.

Honestly, Father Leahy, what lessons do you expect her to impart to impressionable seniors?

That hard work in the corporate sector might gain them a spot on the board of Chevron? That they, too, might someday have an oil tanker named after them? That it is acceptable to lie to the American people for political gain?

Given the widespread objection to inviting Rice, I would like to think you will rescind the offer. But that is clearly not going to happen.

Like the administration in Washington, you appear too proud to admit to your mistake. Instead, you will mouth a bunch of platitudes, all of which boil down to: You don't want to lose face.

In this sense, you leave me no choice.

I cannot, in good conscience, exhort my students to pursue truth and knowledge, then collect a paycheck from an institution that displays such flagrant disregard for both.

I would like to apologize to my students and prospective students. I would also urge them to investigate the words and actions of Rice, and to exercise their own First Amendment rights at her speech.

Steve Almond is the author of the story collections ''The Evil B. B. Chow" and ''My Life in Heavy Metal."

Thank goodness for small favors

Guess I'm not as upset I didn't get to go to this show...

Depeche Mode Cuts Concert Short
Thu May 11, 8:58 PM ET
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -

Depeche Mode canceled its scheduled Thursday concert in Chicago because lead singer Dave Gahan is suffering from laryngitis, the band's publicist said.

A doctor who examined Gahan on Thursday morning told him to rest his voice, Mitch Schneider said.

Gahan's troubles began at a Wednesday-night concert in Kansas City that was cut short after "technical difficulties," muddled lyrics and the lead songwriter taking over the singing for Gahan.

Some who drove hours to see a band that rarely tours told The Kansas City Star that Gahan appeared anxious and upset while the band struggled through its first six songs. After the band had to restart the song "Stripped," Gahan messed up the lyrics.

After a brief huddle onstage, lead songwriter Martin Gore performed two songs, while the crowd of about 5,500 was told the band was experiencing "technical difficulties."

Depeche Mode's road manager eventually announced Gahan could no longer perform, telling fans, "We are unable to continue because we have lost our man in the middle."

Gore told the crowd Gahan had suffered a "medical emergency," and after Gore sang three more songs, the concert abruptly ended 50 minutes after it started.

In a news release Thursday, Schneider said that, after three shows in Mexico, Gahan's voice was "challenged" at the Kansas City concert because of cold temperatures at the outdoor venue.

Mike Winkler, one of the fans in the audience, said Gore's performance was small comfort. "There was some consolation having Martin come out," Winkler said. "But I wish he could have done more."

Schneider said the band's management is looking into scheduling another concert in Chicago.

I suppose it is bad for me to long for Dave Gahan's herion days? Better music and less inconsistency. More likely, rather, I just didn't realize the inconsistency.

Glee!

I'm just so excited!!!

Well, even beyond my usual excitement about my monster boy's birthday weekend. I'm being a bad mother and cropping tonight, instead of letting him help pick out party decorations and food. There will time enough for that in the morning, son! Momma's got customers tonight to fleece. Bwahahaha....

No, sports fans, the extra-geeky spike of my mania comes from the knowledge my bridal girl is going to get hooked-UP on her wedding night!

I called the lodging agent (I have to be vague in case she reads this page within the next week), to see if I could order a special sumpin-sumpin be put in their room prior to arrival. Not only will they get that... but they'll get even more! I couldn't believe the facility didn't want more money than they did for it, either!

Thankfully, it is also a deal I don't have to worry about lacking in quality. Because they know I have high expectations for them, and they have always delivered in the past. Guess all that spin they say about networking may actually be true!

Now back to your regular programming.... I'm going to go and try to get some actual work done. And hope my day stays this nice!

"It takes a big man to swing a pink bat.."

Pink bats to help benefit breast cancer

Associated Press Posted: 1 day ago
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -

Hulking Jim Thome. Rugged Manny Ramirez. Brawny Adam Dunn. "The thought of these big macho men, swinging pink bats to help women with breast cancer ... what a novel idea," Louisville Slugger president John Hillerich said Tuesday.

Major League Baseball granted special permission for players to use the colorful bats - baby pink, at that - for Mother's Day. They're part of a weeklong program to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.


Baseball granted special permission for players to use the colorful bats for Mother's Day as part of a weeklong program to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. (Brian Bohannon / Associated Press)

Derek Jeter, David Eckstein and Marcus Giles are among dozens of players who intend to try them Sunday. This is the first time pink has been approved for bats - dyed at the Louisville Slugger factory, they're usually black, brown, reddish or white.

Kevin Mench was among several Texas players who wanted their mother's names burned on the bats. The Rangers slugger, who homered in seven straight games earlier this season, also planned to have a bat for his grandmother, who died from breast cancer.

"My mom is the glue of our family, and I just want to do something to thank her for all that she has done," Mench said before Tuesday night's game against Minnesota. "At the same time, we are raising money for a great cause."

Howard Smith, senior vice president for licensing for MLB, said the idea for the pink bats struck a chord with commissioner Bud Selig and other executives. The question was how many players would use the sticks.

"It takes a big man to swing a pink bat in a major league game," Smith said.

More than 400 bats were being made for 50-plus players. David Ortiz, Jim Edmonds, Mark Teixeira, Michael Young and Hank Blalock were also on the list.

The Louisville Slugger factory started making the bats last week. Players were still placing orders as of Tuesday, and bats will probably be made and shipped overnight until Thursday or Friday.

"The response has been phenomenal," Hillerich said.

The bats posed something of a logistical problem for Louisville Slugger. Each player uses a different model and size, so coloring, branding and shipping them for Sunday's game has been a challenge, company spokesman Dan Burgess said.

Along with the pink bats, players and all on-field personnel will wear pink wristbands and a pink ribbon for breast cancer awareness on their uniforms. The pink ribbon logo will appear on the bases and on commemorative home plates, and the lineups will be written on pink cards.

The bats, along with the home plates and lineup cards, will be autographed by the teams and will be auctioned off later with the proceeds going to the Breast Cancer Foundation.

Now with more back story! And hopefully less blood

If Bill Nighy and Shane Brolly get (and stay) on board, I will be very excited to see this movie. Different reasons for either guy.

And I imagine boys will be excited if Kate Beckinsale stays on board. Though, I can't imagine why? : P

Underworld 3
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Underworld 3 (2008 film))

This article or section contains information about one or more scheduled or expected future films.It may contain information of a speculative nature and the content may change dramatically as the film's release approaches and more information becomes available.

Underworld 3
Directed by Len Wiseman (presumed)
Starring Kate Beckinsale (presumed),Scott Speedman (presumed)
Distributed by Screen Gems (presumed)
Released 2007/2008 (USA)
Language English
Preceded by UnderworldUnderworld: Evolution

Underworld 3 is the third movie in the Underworld film series.

Before the release of the 2003 original, director Len Wiseman announced that a sequel was in the works. After the first film was a success, Wiseman also announced plans for a third film, possibly a prequel. Although Screen Gems has yet to confirm this third instalment, recent interviews with Wiseman, screenwriter Danny McBride, and Kate Beckinsale, added with the success of the second film, it can be safe to assume that Underworld 3 will happen.

Wiseman has stated that the film will most likely be released in 2008.

New word for the day: himbo

Yeah... so I might not be too hip on the lingo. I saw this online today and giggled:

http://music.msn.com/artist/?artist=16390965

But I'll still probably listen to the album.

Oh.. and this book rocks:

Adrian at work was a doll and let me borrow Gaiman and Prachett's 'Good Omens'



It drives me batty when they release multiple covers with identical content!

I'm also gearing up for a busy weekend. Meriden crop Friday night, Boaz and Wyatt birthday party for monster on Saturday, then Mother's Day and family dinner with birthday desserts Sunday night at the Holts.

Lord, I know I've previously asked for patience. But I will have a teenager come Monday. So I might need a little more help. I'd like him to come through this period without thinking his mother is a screeching neurotic harpy. Plenty of time for him to see that later on in life!

w00t!

Although I don't deserve it... my loving boyfriend and son gave me a mother's day present, early:


Now I just have to figure out how to work the thing. Thank you, honey!

PS: Also went to the library this morning. Picked up Miller's Hell and Back, and Gaiman's Marvel 1602. Already read the Miller. Getting ready to start the Marvel book, and I'm so geeked already. Doc Strange, Nick Fury, X-Men, and my absolute favorite hero boy.... Daredevil!

I didn't even know of the book until I found it on the shelf. It was all I could do not to squeal and hop about upon discovery. I could take it home, fawn over it, cherish it, make it be loyal to only me (at least until the due date).

Rest assured, I kept myself composed. The young adult section was probably already scared enough as it was, with an old woman in their territory. She starts acting batty, and they'll be psychologically scarred for life. No sense in adding that to the list I'm going to burn for, anyway.

"All would love me... and DESPAIR!"

ELF

You are an elf. An elf is like a human but much fairer and pure.

Elves are usually tall, with pointed ears, and resemble humans very closely, but elves are usually much more beautiful. Elves are a distant race. They prefer to keep to themselves, because often, many of them feel that their race is superior to humans.

Elves symbolize wisdom, prudence, love, and hope. They are very merry and happy. They are forever young and delight in music. They are natural artists as well.


What mythical creature resides in YOUR soul? Take this quiz!

That's hot?

I don't know if this will help Matt Leinart regain hotness points, after falling to the #10 draft pick:

NBCSports.com news services
Updated: 9:46 p.m. ET May 3, 2006

Arizona Cardinals quarterback draftee Matt Leinart is rumored to be dating socialite and wealthy heiress Paris Hilton, who has reportedly split with Greek shipping heir boyfriend Stavros Niarchos.

Hilton representative Elliot Mintz told PEOPLE magazine about the rumor that, "She knows Matt, she likes Matt. They are friends.

"I don't want to go any further than that. They have known each other a while."

The Las Vegas Review-Journal said that Hilton flew to Las Vegas to attend Leinart's post-NFL draft party at Pure Nightclub at Caesars Palace.

The New York Daily News said that Hilton has been seen going out, dressed in a brown wig, with Leinart, who was drafted No. 10 in the NFL draft last weekend after leading Southern California to two national championships during his college football career.

© 2006 NBC Sports.com


Really, Matt... Paris Hilton was the best you could decide on? Yeah, she has a lot of money. She's also got a little extra "something special" that boys don't necessarily want from girls.

But I don't know if she has the cred you're going to want to prove yourself as an NFL rookie. And it would be a shame if I end up disliking you if Denny Green gets fired for your non-performance.

The NFL provides financial training to new recruits. I wonder if they also provide training to avoid 'hos. Oh wait, probably not. At least not in Minnesota. Ha!

Sorry, Igor. *snicker*

She didn't realize he meant his music

Kevin Federline Says Britney Spears Supports His Career
LAUNCH Radio Networks Mon May 1, 9:00 AM ET

Britney Spears' husband, Kevin Federline, recently told Extra that she completely supports him and his budding music career. He said, "My wife loves what I do. She is so for everything that I'm doing right now. That's the biggest thing for me, too, because if she wasn't supportive of it, I'd probably give it up." He also said that Spears keeps him calm, adding, "When I get wild up over stuff, she's like, 'Sit back, think about it, make sure it's the right decision that you're going to make.'"

Federline will release his debut album, Playing With Fire, in August. As for Spears, she may be parting ways with her record label. PerezHilton.com reported that she's been taking meetings in an effort to secure a new deal.

Federline cast some doubts on whether or not Spears is pregnant. According to TMZ.com, he completely avoided the topic in a recent interview, but when pressed further, K-Fed said that he "wouldn't bet" on it. He did say that Spears is currently working on a new album.


Won't he be surprised if she IS pregnant? He is way too young to be killing off so many brain cells. He's going to need them some day.

Not so good times, but good music

I don't know if you realize this, but I like music. Yet I cannot stand to listen to the radio. Much less the fact that we don't have a decent local rock station. So I have an extensive CD collection. Between the rockstar and I, we probably have 500 CDs. They are everywhere. The Jeep, my desk at work, in the sunroom, and strung out all over the studio and my scrapbook room. That doesn't even take into account Evan's developing collection!

Unfortunately, there has not been a lot of new music released that interests me. Already bought the new Lacuna Coil album. The new Live album won't be out until June. Adrian at work has hooked me up with some good stuff, which is much appreciated. But it wasn't really anything *new*.

Anyway, it came about that I listened to Everclear's World of Noise last Friday night. I was driving back in the rain from my nephew's Lumiere performance in Highland. He did a great job, and was of course adorable! When I figure out how to get the pictures out of my phone and on the internets, I'll post some.

It was odd, listening to the album again. Although 10 years have passed, it invoked a lot of memories. The band (which was technically their 'second' lineup: Art, bassist Craig, and drummer Greg. Greg replaced original drummer Scott Cuthbert. This new 'third' lineup is nothing more than Art and a couple of hired guys) was one we essentially grew up with: in that they were getting lots of love in Lawrence around the time the ex and I were going to a lot of music shows. Seems like I saw them eight times a year. They were touring fools.

The early shows were always fun. The guys were charismatic and having fun. Art wrote songs you could relate to, even if (noticable in later albums) he had a limited range of song phrases. Every new album release was eagerly anticipated.

When I was getting divorced, I remember having an online profile that was comprised wholly of Everclear phrases. Location=Nehalem ("Nehalem", from Sparkle and Fade), name=Elektra (Elektra Made Me Blind, SAF), occupation= the angel of the loser and disenchanted soul (Trust Fund, WON). A lame coping mechanism? Probably. But I did a lot of things in those days that were none too smart. It almost was a bit surreal when So Much for the Afterglow came out. There were a couple of songs on there that hit too close to home. I also remember stopping in Lawrence on the way back from KC to buy it at Hasting's. It was such big deal, Hasting's started selling it at 12:01 a.m. on the release date.

Now I'll finally tie the journal tag to the entry. Listening to WON again, after a good span of time, made me reappreciate the songwriting. Not that every track is very good. "Laughing World" gets a bit trite, and "Pennsylvania Is" just rails at the state's abortion laws. I remember the guys at the Lazer making a joke one time about the average Everclear song couldn't last for more than 2.5 minutes. Sad, but true! My absolute favorites from WON are tracks 2 "Nervous and Weird" and (I think) 12 "Invisible". Craig Montoya's bass lines on both remind me why I love that boy... growl!

Not to say, though, that I love all of Art's songs. I still won't forgive him for "Everything to Everyone" from Afterglow and "Volvo-Driving Soccer Mom" from Slow Motion Daydream. It also confounds me that the songs I find are the lamest, are the ones he pushes the hardest to be released as first singles. SMD's release was delayed for MONTHS because Art was arguing with Capitol to release the soccer mom song first. Every other song on the record is much better.

But I digress. For me, Everclear is one of those bands that has had a profound impact on my life and personality. Who is it for you?

Uh ?!?

I'm confused. Maybe this thing has been there for awhile. But I just noticed it today.

What is the deal with the handicapped icon? It is next to the word verification box (when adding a user comment).

If you sit your cursor over it, it says "listen and type the numbers you hear". Hmm.

But you have to navigate your computer/keyboard/web browser to get to the blog site... Then read the blog entry... Then open the comments page... use your keyboard to input your comments... to THEN get to the word verification box. ??

I'm just so confused. Not that it usually takes much effort. But that option just seems so unnecessary.

As a parent, though, I guess I should be relieved. When I tell my son "stop doing that, or you'll go blind!"... I can tell him I mean using the computer. And not all the other freaky stuff he can find on the internet.