I am giving up alcohol this year for Lent. (insert sounds of shock and awe here). Yes, I said alcohol. I am nervous about giving this up because it's going to be hard! Which is no excuse of course, being that the point of Lent is to sacrifice for Christ and remember his journey in the desert. I have been telling people about giving up alcohol because I think it will help keep me honest. I know I am up for the challenge (and it is a challenge) so I will keep you posted as to how I do.
What are you giving up for Lent?
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Take my 2006 Predictions Survey!
What are your predictions for 2006? Who will win the ACC Championship in football? Will Britney and Kevin still be together? I put together 20 questions for you to answer regarding what will happen in 2006. At the end of the year I'll go back and send your answers back to you so you can see if you were right! Please put your name in the last question of the survey so I'll know who to send the results to in December. Click here to take the survey or visit
http://www.zoomerang.com/recipient/survey-intro.zgi?p=WEB2252WP5VZNQ
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Blargon by William Safire
I always like reading William Safire's On Language in the NY Times. This week's was about jargon used in the media and in relation to blogs. Check it out here
James "Fake" Frey
When I first heard about the allegations against James Frey I dismissed them as minor embellishments. But then I read the report on the Smoking Gun (read it here) and now I doubt everything James Frey says. And I am not going to read My Friend Leonard. At first I thought, "Well it's such a good book, who cares of some of the details were altered, as long as the heart of the story is true". But now I doubt anything in the book is true, except for the fact that he was actually in rehab. I think James Frey has always been someone who wanted to be bigger and badder than he really was and his image of himself in the book reflects that. But now, when the heat is on, he won't step up and say "I lied, most of the book is false". I think if he did that I would respect him. I still might not like him, but I would at least respect him. And I would be able to believe things he said in the future. As it stands now I wouldn't believe anything he said.
Top 10 Delights
To balance my top 10 pet peeves I decided to write a top 10 pleasures list (Webster’s Dictionary lists “pleasure” as an antonym to “pet peeve”). These are not in any particular order:
1. Dinner and drinks with friends. Especially at a good restaurant like Tacqueria, Tijuana Garage, or Pappasitos (notice a theme here?).
2. Friday. Everything about Friday is good. I can’t remember having a bad Friday. It is easier to get up in the mornings, the sun seems to shine a little brighter, the only negative is that time seems to slow on a Friday. 5 pm can’t get here soon enough!
3. Hanging out at Atlanta Brewing Company on a warm, sunny, Friday afternoon. So really this encompasses #1 and #2, but it’s still worth mentioning. $5 for an all-you-can-drink brewery tour, with your friends, is unbeatable.
4. Road trips! (aka Vacations) Going anywhere, as long as it’s out of Atlanta. I love the A-town but everyone needs to escape once in a while and remember there are places that exist sans traffic jams!
5. Football season. Every year I look forward to the start of football season. There’s the hope of a national championship, tailgating with your friends, and parties to watch the away games. This year I’d like to combine #1, #4, and #5 by planning a road trip to watch a GT football game (in an RV would be even better!).
6. Laughing. I laugh easily and sometimes as silly things. These things have recently made me laugh: Wait, Wait, Don’t tell me! (NPR’s weekly quiz show), Waiting (the movie, it was hilarious! but crude), How I Met Your Mother, The Office, and trying to imagine how you tape a groin injury (seriously, think about it! If anyone knows how this is accomplished, tell me!).
7. Email. I would not classify myself as an email addict (I don’t check email on the weekends) but I am an addict-in-training. I wonder if I would be able to stay in touch with high school and college friends as much without email.
8. Abbey. Coming home and seeing my puppy Abbey almost always puts a smile on my face (except for that one time she ate the mail and destroyed a Tears for Fears CD). Her tail wags so violently that she goes into a full-body shake.
9. Accomplishments. They can be big or small but I love the feeling of achieving something. A good grade on an exam, or just cleaning up the house. It’s such a satisfying feeling. Makes me understand why people like to keep “to-do” lists.
10. Reading. I can get lost in a book, so much so that I am able to completely block out the outside world. I am currently reading (well, really listening to) The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. I just finished Scarlett (which I loved!) and next I want to read The French Lieutenant’s Woman.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Top 10 Pet Peeves
I stole this idea from Aisha's blog. And I only have 9 pet peeves, but you get the idea. Not in any particular order:
1. People who say "Taking a half day?" when I leave at 5 pm. This joke is old. And not funny. And I've heard it about 100 times already. I believe a lot of people put in the hours just for the appearance, not because they are actually that busy.
2. Baby strollers - I am not totally anti-baby stroller, just when they are used in a store. Most aisles in the store aren't big enough to move through without hitting something anyways. I don't need to navigate around your stroller too. I especially hate it when people leave their stroller in the aisle and wander off. I'm sure I'll sing a different tune when it's me lugging around a 30lb sack of kid, but for now it annoys me.
3. Annoying people in my law school class. There are really only 2 main people who bug me. One guy likes to hear himself talk and the girl, well, she likes to hear herself talk. They ramble on pointlessly or just reiterate what someone else has said. Shut up already.
4. I have one professor at law school who insists that we are all in class on time (or we're humiliated and marked absent). I am fine with this policy except that he regularly goes over our scheduled class time. Class is supposed to end at 8:45 and for the 1st 3 classes we did not get out on time. My time is just as valuable as yours so if you want me to respect your schedule then you should respect mine.
5. People who don't write notes on their christmas cards. Really, just drop me 2 sentences about how you're doing. Even my parents are guilty of this. This year I just got a card that said "Love Mom & Dad". I know we probably email all the time but there's something special about a handwritten note.
6. Rappers who thank God at awards cermonies. Especially those rappers whose songs have especially violent, drug-related, or chauvinistic lyrics. I think it was Oprah who said "Don't thank God for music you can't sing in church".
7. Cyclists who do not say "On your left". I frequently go running/rollerblading/biking on a paved trail near by house and I hate to be taken by surprise by a bike rider whizzing past me. It makes me want to stick out my arm or leg and make them fall. But then that would hurt, so I don't do it. If I am with someone else I usually make an obnoxious comment like "Brooke, watch out for the rider COMING UP ON YOUR LEFT" or "On your left a-hole". But I stopped saying that last one because one time I caught up with the guy at a stop light and it was a little uncomfortable.
8. Bars where the music is too loud. I am probably showing my age but I hate having to scream at my friends at a bar. After a while I get tired of the effort and just stop talking, which makes me want to leave. I don't mind some background music, but I just want to be able to hear and speak to my friends without shouting.
9. Bars that still allow smoking. I am ready for GA to outlaw smoking indoors altogether. I have stopped going to certain bars that allow smoking indoors because I hate the smell that gets into my clothes and hair. I'm fine with other people's right to smoke, but I have a right not to smoke with you!
1. People who say "Taking a half day?" when I leave at 5 pm. This joke is old. And not funny. And I've heard it about 100 times already. I believe a lot of people put in the hours just for the appearance, not because they are actually that busy.
2. Baby strollers - I am not totally anti-baby stroller, just when they are used in a store. Most aisles in the store aren't big enough to move through without hitting something anyways. I don't need to navigate around your stroller too. I especially hate it when people leave their stroller in the aisle and wander off. I'm sure I'll sing a different tune when it's me lugging around a 30lb sack of kid, but for now it annoys me.
3. Annoying people in my law school class. There are really only 2 main people who bug me. One guy likes to hear himself talk and the girl, well, she likes to hear herself talk. They ramble on pointlessly or just reiterate what someone else has said. Shut up already.
4. I have one professor at law school who insists that we are all in class on time (or we're humiliated and marked absent). I am fine with this policy except that he regularly goes over our scheduled class time. Class is supposed to end at 8:45 and for the 1st 3 classes we did not get out on time. My time is just as valuable as yours so if you want me to respect your schedule then you should respect mine.
5. People who don't write notes on their christmas cards. Really, just drop me 2 sentences about how you're doing. Even my parents are guilty of this. This year I just got a card that said "Love Mom & Dad". I know we probably email all the time but there's something special about a handwritten note.
6. Rappers who thank God at awards cermonies. Especially those rappers whose songs have especially violent, drug-related, or chauvinistic lyrics. I think it was Oprah who said "Don't thank God for music you can't sing in church".
7. Cyclists who do not say "On your left". I frequently go running/rollerblading/biking on a paved trail near by house and I hate to be taken by surprise by a bike rider whizzing past me. It makes me want to stick out my arm or leg and make them fall. But then that would hurt, so I don't do it. If I am with someone else I usually make an obnoxious comment like "Brooke, watch out for the rider COMING UP ON YOUR LEFT" or "On your left a-hole". But I stopped saying that last one because one time I caught up with the guy at a stop light and it was a little uncomfortable.
8. Bars where the music is too loud. I am probably showing my age but I hate having to scream at my friends at a bar. After a while I get tired of the effort and just stop talking, which makes me want to leave. I don't mind some background music, but I just want to be able to hear and speak to my friends without shouting.
9. Bars that still allow smoking. I am ready for GA to outlaw smoking indoors altogether. I have stopped going to certain bars that allow smoking indoors because I hate the smell that gets into my clothes and hair. I'm fine with other people's right to smoke, but I have a right not to smoke with you!
Westminster Dog Show
Online Poll: Do you think the Bull Terrier deserved to win Best in Show at Westminster? See the picture. I was really disappointed to see this dog win. I am a dog lover but I don't find anything attractive about this dog. The quote about this dog was that his head was perfectly egg-shaped. I don't want that to be the highlight of any dog I own. Of course I am partial and think the Springer should have won (one note, I can't tell the difference between the male & female springers that won best in breed. They look exactly alike!).
Monday, February 13, 2006
Seinfeld
Jerry Seinfeld is coming to my town soon! It looks like we have good tickets, fairly close to the stage. Close enough that if we shout I think Seinfeld will hear us. He usually does this bit at the end of his shows where he takes questions from the audience. SSSOOOOO if you have a question for Jerry Seinfeld let me know and I will ask him (or at least try). Only 1 rule, it can't be stupid (like "Will Jerry & Elaine ever get together?" they aren't real people). My bf suggested "When was the last time you saw Kenny Cramer (the real Kramer)?" and "What do you think of Curb Your Enthusiam?") Note: Shout out to Aisha for liking Curb. That show is hilarious.
For all the ladies in the house
I got this list in an email today, rather than do a mass forward I thought I'd post it for all my female readers (all 3 of you:)). It's a list of things to do to protect yourself and ways to be aware. I'm not sure if the crying baby thing is true, but I think the rest of the tips are valid & helpful.
After reading these 9 crucial tips, forward them to someone you care about. It never hurts to be careful in this crazy world we live in.
1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do: The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!
2. Learned this from a tourist guide in New Orleans. If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM. Toss it away from you....chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than you, and he will go for the wallet/purse. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!
3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won't see you, but everybody else will. This has saved lives.
4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc. DON'T DO THIS!) The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR, LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE. a. If someone is in the car with a gun to your head DO NOT DRIVE OFF, repeat: DO NOT DRIVE OFF! Instead gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car. Your Air Bag will save you. If the person is in the back seat they will get the worst of it. As soon as the car crashes bail out and run. It is better than having them find your body in a remote location. 5. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage: A.) Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the back seat. B.) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars. C.) Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)
6. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. (Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot. This is especially true at NIGHT!)
7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times; And even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN, Preferably ! in a zig -zag pattern!
8. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP. It may get you raped, or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked "for help" into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.
9. Another Safety Point: Someone just told me that her friend heard a crying baby on her porch the night before last, and she called the police because it was late and she thought it was weird. Th! e police told her "Whatever you do, DO NOT open the door." The lady then said that it sounded like the baby had crawled near a window, and she was worried that it would crawl to the street and get run over. The policeman said, "We already have a unit on the way, whatever you do, DO NOT open the door." He told her that they think a serial killer has a baby's cry recorded and uses it to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone dropped off a baby. He said they have not verified it, but have had several calls by women saying that they hear baby's cries outside their doors when they're home alone at night. !
After reading these 9 crucial tips, forward them to someone you care about. It never hurts to be careful in this crazy world we live in.
1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do: The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!
2. Learned this from a tourist guide in New Orleans. If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM. Toss it away from you....chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than you, and he will go for the wallet/purse. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!
3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won't see you, but everybody else will. This has saved lives.
4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc. DON'T DO THIS!) The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR, LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE. a. If someone is in the car with a gun to your head DO NOT DRIVE OFF, repeat: DO NOT DRIVE OFF! Instead gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car. Your Air Bag will save you. If the person is in the back seat they will get the worst of it. As soon as the car crashes bail out and run. It is better than having them find your body in a remote location. 5. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage: A.) Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the back seat. B.) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars. C.) Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)
6. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. (Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot. This is especially true at NIGHT!)
7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times; And even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN, Preferably ! in a zig -zag pattern!
8. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP. It may get you raped, or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked "for help" into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.
9. Another Safety Point: Someone just told me that her friend heard a crying baby on her porch the night before last, and she called the police because it was late and she thought it was weird. Th! e police told her "Whatever you do, DO NOT open the door." The lady then said that it sounded like the baby had crawled near a window, and she was worried that it would crawl to the street and get run over. The policeman said, "We already have a unit on the way, whatever you do, DO NOT open the door." He told her that they think a serial killer has a baby's cry recorded and uses it to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone dropped off a baby. He said they have not verified it, but have had several calls by women saying that they hear baby's cries outside their doors when they're home alone at night. !
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Guilty Pleasures
I have 3 new songs that I am really into. And really embarrassed to admit it
I'm in love with a stripper (shout out to Brooke for turning me on to this song). I doubt this is the actual spelling, it's probably something more like I n luv wit a striprrrrr
Grillz Call me George Foreman cause I'm selling everybody grills.
L-O-V-E I really hate ashlee simpson, so when I hear this song I just pretend like its someone else.
I'm in love with a stripper (shout out to Brooke for turning me on to this song). I doubt this is the actual spelling, it's probably something more like I n luv wit a striprrrrr
Grillz Call me George Foreman cause I'm selling everybody grills.
L-O-V-E I really hate ashlee simpson, so when I hear this song I just pretend like its someone else.
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