Da Beer Summit

If you could host a Beer Summit, what would you serve? And who would be invited?

I have no racially charged incident I am trying to quell (see: Harvard Prof's arrest reporting http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32210408/ns/politics-white_house/) ...but I think lots of problems can be fixed with some light conversation and heavy drinking. Or wait, maybe heavy conversation and light drinking. Or something.

So, perhaps our next party should be a Beer Summit. Game on.

By the way, the drinks of choice are Bud Light for President, Blue Moon for Crowley (the police officer) and Red Stripe for Gates (the Harvard scholar).

Today IS the Good-ole day

I don't know why, but the last few days I keep thinking about this phrase - that the days you are living today will be the "good old days" in your future.


Sometimes that makes me feel lucky about my life right now, that I will look back at it nostalgically about how great things were. Or, in the future, I will think the tough times really weren't that bad, even though as they are happening they seem terrible.


Other times this phrase gets me thinking that things do not get easier as you get older, which is a little sad. But even that train fo thought circles back to me feeling grateful about what IS happening today, so that I cherish it and know it will be the best day of my life.


So, thanks to everyone in my life today, how you touch it, and everything that you affect.

Party = Success!

Jeff and I hosted our first PAR-TAY in Atlanta this weekend. I invited the 20 people I knew, and they were all from work (yes, I know that might be lame but I can't help it, I don't have a big social circle yet. Plus I really, really like my coworkers! pictured below but minus Matt).




I think it went great! We had probably around 15 people show up by 5pm, and served burgers, cheese dogs, steak and chicken, plus fruit salad, macaroni salad, a veggie tray, chips, and brownies. And the world's best icebreaker? A half-finished puzzle sitting on the table (see previous post). Who would have thought that??



We debated what kind of beer to buy and decided to BYOB since we just had no clue. Turns out, this crowd is a red wine (or margarita) crowd. Good to know for next time! And, the zipline even got used...now THAT was a party. Thanks to Carol and Elaine for the beautiful flowers!



Hmmm...what should we do next? Margaritaville? Rock Band festival? Murder mystery dinner?

Foreign Policy / Rap

You all know how much of a super-fan I am of NPR. (PS - Atlanta, seriously? THUMBS DOWN. You don't have an all-news station with special features or stories. And, I miss Kerri Miller. And Cathy Wurzer. I think I am homesick for Minnesota Public Radio.)

I digress. Here is a facsinating article on Jay-Z's story as it compares to US Foreign policy. Makes Iranian / US relations darn near almost decipherable for just about anyone!

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106588112

Your Own Time

I think most of what you do on your own time - within the law - should be off limits as grounds for termination. Especially if "what you do" means you GET MARRIED. Seriously, most of corporate America is married, in a relationship, divorced, dating, or otherwise...but it is not part of your employment terms.

Unless you are Scott Janke, the Fort Meyers Beach city manager recently fired for getting married. To a porn star, but got married nonetheless.

That's just crazy. HE didn't do anything wrong except (hopefully) find happiness and fulfillment in his personal life, yet was fired for it because of who his wife is. Ugh. Crap like this drives me crazy.

http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20090722/BREAKINGNEWS/90722027/1086/rss07

Puzzle-ing

If you are a frequent reader of this blog, you will recognize this puzzle from a previous post. Except now it is out of the box, large, in charge, and defeating us.



You will notice that certain sections are together. Those were the easy ones. Also you will notice that there are not many pieces left. That is because the entire sky (approximately 1/3 of the puzzle) is back in the box because the kitties insist on laying on the table, helping. And we can't get any of them together.

But, although we feared it was dorky to admit we were doing a puzzle, it appears we are not alone. Click here for the puzzle rebirth story: http://www.newsweek.com/id/207384.

Missing

Thinking about those who've passed, especially today. 13 years seems like not so long ago.

A weekend of adventure

Saturday was a productive day of doing not much. However, in honor of the upcoming high school reunion, I spent a portion of Saturday blowing money at Target. Here is the booty: 2 new nail polishes plus remover, a puzzle (mom, I rescind my guilt-inducing comment from Christmas about hating puzzles because it turns out I kinda like them. You know me better than I know myself sometimes!), a new Tae Bo DVD, and bird seed (evidenced by the bird book). As always you can see our faithful Bella keeping us company during a project. I bet you can also see Jeff's new toy (also a throwback to high school), a new remote control for his airplane.

Sunday we decided Maddie was bored and needed some exercise because she really is too chubby. And we figured said chubbiness would prevent her from climbing our six-foot fence in the yard (it did). So we let her outside, supervised of course.

I love this one because it shows how she was SO STEALTHY outside. She walked along the rock so as not to make a sound, and hid in bushes and stuff until she decided to chase butterflies, birds, squirrels, and chipmunks (yes it is wild kingdom in the backyard).

And probably my favorite photo of the day, a totally relaxed Jeff, playing baby sitter to Maddie during her adventure and enjoying the Minnesota-like weather of the weekend (high 70s and low humidity!!!). It was glorious!

HarryPotterMania

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, today I am a WOO girl (see hilarious sidenote from How I Met Your Mother. Which BTW I hope wins an Emmy for it's awesomeness).

ANYWAY, let me tell you, this Harry Potter is FANtastic. (But, mom, do not go see it until you have seen the others first). I am extremely pleased how they incorporated most of the story into the movie, the scenes (CG or not) were amazing, and it was incredibly scary and sad, which this story truly was.

It is seriously a perfect leadup to the final book which is being split into 2 movies (thank goodness, there is wayyyy too much in the last book to cram into 2 hours).

All in all, it was super awesome! And that is the only detailed review I am going to give, since to go any further would be to deny those unfamiliar with the story the awesomeness of the movie.

And finally, it would not be a true movie experience review without letting you all know how disappointed I am in Carmike Cinemas. What a dump.

Ok, it was fairly clean, but the chairs were uncomfy, the arms did not go up, and the concessions were only popcorn, pop, and candy. No pizza or hot dogs or pretzels or anything like that, which I am really surprised at. BOO. And let me explain - I was forced to eat a lot of popcorn over the dinner hour, and promptly barfed when we went out to eat "real supper" after the movie. And no, it is not MY responsbility to make sure I am fed a good meal before having fun. Now that's what a true WOO girl would say.

Seriously

I have nothing to post today. Nothing interesting, nor witty, nor fun.

BUT TOMORROW - I am going to Harry Potter and I am sure will have a LOT to say then.