january 26

@ 9p | 2 cents...

They are in the process of reversing the call on a Raider touchdown, but I have to point out that we are still up 34-9. Oh yeah, the best defense will beat the best offense. Did I mention I played linebacker in my high school powderpuff games?

january 24

@ 9a | 2 cents...

Friday Five: by the numbers

1. What is one thing you don't like about your body? My mid-section, I gain all my weight in the middle and sometimes it makes me self-conscious.
2. What are two things you love about your body? I love the fact that I'm muscular and curvy and I really like my smile. :)
3. What are three things you want to change about your home? Apartment in my case... I would get thicker/better windows since our heater has had to work overtime lately to keep the warm air inside from leeching outside. I would paint the walls brighter colors and create more storage space since we currently use one of the showers as an extra closet.
4. What are four books you want to read this year? Hiking Trails of North Georgia, The Hobbitt, The Business Side of Creativity, and It's Always Something
5. What are five promises you have kept to yourself? Lose weight and tone up for my wedding, keep in shape (ongoing), make it possible to show my artwork in places around town (ongoing), never get involved in a possessive relationship of any sort again and don't let problems at work bother me at home.

january 23

@ 4p | 2 cents...

Actress and singer Nell Carter dies.

I loved the show Gimmie a Break and it's a damn shame that someone as talented as this lady had to leave the world after only 54 years.

january 22

@ 1p | 2 cents...

You know, I could've sworn I live in Georgia now, not Chicago... so I'm not sure what to make of tomorrow's forecast:

@ 11a | 2 cents...

Since there was nothing on TV last night (American Idol doesn't count), we trekked over to Vision Video for a rental. I've been on an Alfred Hitchcock kick lately, but Eric wanted something loud and action-oriented, so we rented Vertigo for me and The Bourne Identity for him. We watched Bourne last night and I thought it was a satisfying action movie. I'm not a huge fan of Matt Damon, and I thought who he was could of been explained a little more during the movie, but it was a fine way to spend two hours.

I hate that I can't watch the Australian Open live on TV, it's 16 hours later in Melbourne, which means if I want to see Andy Roddick play, I have to be watching ESPN 2 at 3am... not realistic.

This morning we got up early to take a visiting professor out to breakfast. Good thing too, because I got a vague email at 3:30pm yesterday saying that "some" of our parking lot was going to be blocked off for state officials to park in while they're here for a groundbreaking ceremony. My co-worker called parking services, who admitted after asking her how she "found out about this," that roughly a third of our parking lot (100 spaces) would be blocked off. Yes, folks, this is the only parking lot that I can legally park in for which I pay $30 a month. I arrive to work this morning with one entrance (of two) closed and barricades all over the lot. Another follow-up email sent this morning told us that one entrance would be closed and mentioned where we could park instead. Nice of them to give us some notice. Obviously, you've already had to park somewhere to get into work to read that oh-so-helpful email this morning. Losers. Thankfully, I was here at 7:50, found a parking spot, and got a ride to breakfast with someone else. Did I mention that I pay for this privilege?

january 21

@ 3p | 2 cents...

This or That Tuesday: i'd like potpourri for $100, Alex

1. Super Bowl or World Series? Super Bowl by far! Especially since my second favorite team is going!
2. Winter or summer? Summer.
3. Look up numbers in the phone book, or call directory assistance? Phone book, I don't like being charged for something I can do myself.
4. Mashed potatoes or French fries? French Fries.
5. Hand-code your website, or use an editor (such as Front Page)? I use Dreamweaver and Photoshop for my websites, but I hand code everything in this journal section, including the archives.
6. Freeway or winding country road? Freeway.
7. Star Wars or Star Trek? Always been more of a Star Wars fan, but I did watch The Next Generation.
8. Disney or Warner Brothers cartoons? I enjoy all cartoons equally.
9. When it feels chilly in the house: crank up the heat or put on a sweater? Put on a sweater. If it's winter, you don't need to be in a tank top inside.
10. CBS or PBS? CBS, CSI has me hooked. I usually watch the Travel Channel, Discovery or Food Network for my educational shows.

Happily, we made it both hiking and to the movies yesterday afternoon. We both loved The Two Towers and once again, I can't wait to see the new one this December. I keep telling myself I should read the damn books, but at this point, I think I'd be happier just seeing the third movie without knowing exactly what is going to happen. Plus, I have plenty of other things to do.

I've mentioned my possible participation in a triathlon in April, but I have run into a little snag. Despite the fact I haven't worked out in over a month because of travel during the holidays and then being sick, I don't have a bike. Yeah, yeah, I know... so I was going to update my old bike from high school, but after seeing it and discovering I had some money in a savings account back home that I forgot about, I decided to get a brand new one. Eric said that he wouldn't mind getting a hybrid bike (good for both street and light trails) as well, so we could go trail riding together. Great! So, we got over the intial shock of how much new bikes actually cost only to run into a different problem. We have nowhere in our aprtment to store them and I am beginning to think my car (Saturn coupe) has no approved racks to transport them. Stay tuned.

january 20

@ 1p | 2 cents...

Random Thoughts on Monday

The Bucs are going to the Superbowl! I just knew they could beat the Eagles!

My parents are making their annual trek to Florida via our home in Georgia. They arrived yesterday afternoon at the start of the Bucs/Eagles game. Afterwards, we headed out for a nice meal and coffee before catching the end of the Raiders/Titans game.

I skipped work on Friday because I woke up feeling like I'd been hit by a truck. I spent most of the day in bed relaxing and simply trying to feel better. Eric and I spent Saturday cleaning up around the place for my parents visit and I was in a homemaking mood, so I baked a cherry pie and some fresh granola.

We watched Say Anything... on Saturday night. Eric had never seen it and I think this movie definitely rates as one of those you have to see for the first time in high school or early college, the "charm" just wasn't there. Personally, I just enjoy the "In Your Eyes" scene. :)

I'm feeling much better after a few days rest and this afternoon we may go out for a hike since it's supposed to get up to 57 degrees here. We are also going to (finally) see Lord of the Rings on the big screen.

january 14

@ 5p | 2 cents...

This or That Tuesday: around the house

1. Window shades or blinds? Blinds, but I would love some curtains.
2. Wall or desk calendar? Origami desk calendar.
3. Paint or wallpaper? Paint, wallpaper is evil.
4. Electric or gas stove? Electric.
5. Carpeting or bare floors? Carpeting!
6. One TV, or more than one? 3 TVs.
7. Leather or fabric sofa? Fabric, for the same reason we don't get leather seats in our cars.
8. Eat meals in kitchen or dining room? Busted! We usually eat dinner at the coffee table in the living room.
9. Fabric or vinyl shower curtain? Clear curtain on the inside, decorative vinyl on the outside.
10. Your kitchen: well-equipped or bare bones? Well-equipped, but sorely lacking in storage space, unfortunately.

@ 4p | 2 cents...

After reading about what happened to Season, and finally listening to my husband, I backed up our entire website onto a CD yesterday. I would be heartbroken if everything I have spent the last two years creating vanished just like that.

Now if I could only get rid of this stupid cold and maybe, just maybe, remember to make the damn pizza dough the day before I am supposed to make stromboli for dinner. Ooops.

january 11

@ 4p | 2 cents...

I woke up this morning feeling pretty lousy and my day only got worse when I noticed my favorite fish, Monster, laying on his side in the bottom of our tank convulsing. He was the the only fish remaining of the group I bought in early 2000 - surviving one move, numerous tank cleanings and having his tail bitten off (it mostly regrew). So, I had to say goodbye to Monster... he lived a good, long life, but that doesn't mean I can't be just a little sad.

Since I'm sick, I'm trying to come up with a few ways to keep myself busy that don't require a whole lot of moving around. So, I infused some white wine vinegar with sun-dried tomatoes and oregano using a recipe and technique from a book Eric gave me for Christmas. I also updated our wine of the month. Now I am looking forward to some football... please, please, please let the Falcons beat the Eagles (we are Bucs fans!)

january 10

@ 1p | 2 cents...

Ok, everyone, it's sing-a-long time!

On top of spaghetti all covered with cheese
I lost my poor meatball when somebody sneezed.
It rolled off the table and onto the floor
And then my poor meatball rolled right out the door.
It rolled into the garden and under a bush
And then my poor meatball was nothing but mush.

The best part is the fact that I know this melody by heart, but not the real lyrics to "On Top of Old Smokey"... ahh, to be a kid again.

Sure, it may be cold here, but look at last night's sunset...

january 9

@ 10a | 2 cents...

Eric's friend Todd got me a pretty neat gift this Christmas - an Easy Origami Fold-A-Day Calendar. Each day has a color on the back and you use the previous day's sheet to fold the current day's creation. So, I brought it to work with me and I'm planning to fill my office with multicolored paper animals and objects. So far, I've learned the elephant, goldfish, cicada (my favorite) and the twirly bird. :)

@ 9a | 2 cents...

As promised, photos of my old and new office are below. Both of these shots were taken from the hallway, to give you a sense of physical space. See why I'm a happy camper?

The New York Christmas trip photos are also online as well as a few shots from New Years. Enjoy!

january 8

@ 2p | 2 cents...

So, I've been sick for over a week now and quite frankly, I have no idea how my body can produce this much phlegm. Ick. But I have been working on the photos from our vacation and I hope to have them up this evening (travel to LI, Christmas, Grenport, wine tasting and New Years).

In other news, the baby snails in our fishtank have grown to adolescent size after having been left alone for two weeks. Another project when I get home...

My new office is starting to look lived in - I moved out of the closet across the hall to an office twice as big with a window the day before we left for Chicago. As soon as I bring in my USB cable to work, I'll post the before and after shots. :)

@ 12p | 2 cents...

Hearing the news about the plane crash in Charlotte, NC is bad enough, but it hits even closer to home considering how many times I have flown prop planes from Charlotte to Athens over the last three years. *shudder*