Friday, December 31, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol SQUEE Post
Note: I posted this on my LiveJournal on Christmas Day right after I watched the Doctor Who Christmas Special. Today, however, I realized that I didn't post it here, which is a travesty on my part (may I be forgiven). So, a few days late, but never a dollar short (well, I try not to be) - here is the first of what I hope to become a tradition - and not just at Christmas.
**begin post**
My nerves are frazzled - and that all came before 7:00. All day - ALL DAY - our electricity was blinking on and off. Our phone and our internet were down at random times. We had to open presents this morning in the dark (though the sun came up toward the end of the process) and breakfast was cold cereal. The power eventually came back on - then it blinked off and on at random intervals during the day.
Happy Christmas...
Not that I'm complaining - but when you have the DVR set to record "Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol" on BBC America at 7:00 pm, you sort of want it to, you know, WORK!
Well, it did. Mostly. The power blinked off for about five minutes in the middle, but it came right back on (luckily, some of what I missed was commercials) and I was able to enjoy the happiness and glee that is experiencing an episode of "Doctor Who" (somewhat) simultaneously with the rest of the world. Below the are some of my initial "OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG!" responses. None of these are very coherent - in fact, I'll be surprised if you see any semblance of proper English grammar (but there are spoilers - now, those you might actually figure out).
**HELLO SWEETIE**YES, THERE ARE SPOILERS HERE**PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK**
Arthur Darvill's been upgraded to top billing in the opening credits - HECK YES!!!!
Fish flying through the clouds that like opera music - clouds that can only be controlled by the hands of a grumpy old miser - a crash-landing honeymoon flight - Welcome to Christmas, Steven Moffat!
(or should it be Welcome to Steven Moffat, Christmas!)
On a personal note for my viewing experience: the power blipped off right as the Doctor and the young Kazran were about to be eaten by a shark. Yeah - Santa Moff + Fritzing Power Grid = SPAZ!
The Doctor and Kazran visiting Abigail throughout the years - fez, scarf, bowties = aksghuiae aksdgh sakjdgh askjdgh asdsfdssdYES!!!!!!!!!!!
I was trying to catch something that might possibly hint at what the upcoming season would be about (example - "The Christmas Invasion" briefly introduced Torchwood, "The Runaway Bride" made mention of Mr. Saxon, I don't remember if "Voyage of the Damned" had anything to do with Series 4… though Grandpa Wilf was there - but if I remember correctly, Bernard Cribbins' inclusion in that season was a last-minute change due to unforeseen circumstances in casting) - but the only thing that I could peg as a useful hint to the new season was Rory taking a call from a certain "Marilyn."
Except… there was this line - "Things have to end, otherwise, how would things get started?" (something like that. I'm quoting from memory here). O_O O_O O_O O_O
(Have I mentioned I don't like it when DW makes mention of endings????) DX DX DX DX DX
Preview SQUEEage - "Stetsons are cool!" ^_^ Pirates!! (at least, I think they were pirates) - the Doctor taking over the Oval Office - tally marks on River AND Amy - Amy has to save the Doctor - and a lot of other stuff that I can't properly remember because there was so much and I'm going absolutely bonkers over it!!
(I just realized... I need some Matt Smith gifs... barring that - anything with Karen Gillan or Arthur Darvill or even Alex Kingston would work too...)
Now, I need to post this before something goes berserk again!
ETA: I finally got to rewatch this in it's entirety - meaning I caught the approx. 5 minutes I missed - and I must amend my earlier statement that the power blip didn't cause me to miss too much - I missed an entire plot point! The part I missed was the part where the Doctor "marries" Marilyn Monroe (or so we are led to believe) and Abigail and Kazran kiss and Kazran begins his descent into jaded-grumpy-"Life's-not-fair"-old-man. Damn you, Mt. Wheeler Power!!! *shakes fist*
**begin post**
My nerves are frazzled - and that all came before 7:00. All day - ALL DAY - our electricity was blinking on and off. Our phone and our internet were down at random times. We had to open presents this morning in the dark (though the sun came up toward the end of the process) and breakfast was cold cereal. The power eventually came back on - then it blinked off and on at random intervals during the day.
Happy Christmas...
Not that I'm complaining - but when you have the DVR set to record "Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol" on BBC America at 7:00 pm, you sort of want it to, you know, WORK!
Well, it did. Mostly. The power blinked off for about five minutes in the middle, but it came right back on (luckily, some of what I missed was commercials) and I was able to enjoy the happiness and glee that is experiencing an episode of "Doctor Who" (somewhat) simultaneously with the rest of the world. Below the are some of my initial "OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG!" responses. None of these are very coherent - in fact, I'll be surprised if you see any semblance of proper English grammar (but there are spoilers - now, those you might actually figure out).
**HELLO SWEETIE**YES, THERE ARE SPOILERS HERE**PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK**
Fish flying through the clouds that like opera music - clouds that can only be controlled by the hands of a grumpy old miser - a crash-landing honeymoon flight - Welcome to Christmas, Steven Moffat!
(or should it be Welcome to Steven Moffat, Christmas!)
On a personal note for my viewing experience: the power blipped off right as the Doctor and the young Kazran were about to be eaten by a shark. Yeah - Santa Moff + Fritzing Power Grid = SPAZ!
The Doctor and Kazran visiting Abigail throughout the years - fez, scarf, bowties = aksghuiae aksdgh sakjdgh askjdgh asdsfdssdYES!!!!!!!!!!!
I was trying to catch something that might possibly hint at what the upcoming season would be about (example - "The Christmas Invasion" briefly introduced Torchwood, "The Runaway Bride" made mention of Mr. Saxon, I don't remember if "Voyage of the Damned" had anything to do with Series 4… though Grandpa Wilf was there - but if I remember correctly, Bernard Cribbins' inclusion in that season was a last-minute change due to unforeseen circumstances in casting) - but the only thing that I could peg as a useful hint to the new season was Rory taking a call from a certain "Marilyn."
Except… there was this line - "Things have to end, otherwise, how would things get started?" (something like that. I'm quoting from memory here). O_O O_O O_O O_O
(Have I mentioned I don't like it when DW makes mention of endings????) DX DX DX DX DX
Preview SQUEEage - "Stetsons are cool!" ^_^ Pirates!! (at least, I think they were pirates) - the Doctor taking over the Oval Office - tally marks on River AND Amy - Amy has to save the Doctor - and a lot of other stuff that I can't properly remember because there was so much and I'm going absolutely bonkers over it!!
(I just realized... I need some Matt Smith gifs... barring that - anything with Karen Gillan or Arthur Darvill or even Alex Kingston would work too...)
Now, I need to post this before something goes berserk again!
ETA: I finally got to rewatch this in it's entirety - meaning I caught the approx. 5 minutes I missed - and I must amend my earlier statement that the power blip didn't cause me to miss too much - I missed an entire plot point! The part I missed was the part where the Doctor "marries" Marilyn Monroe (or so we are led to believe) and Abigail and Kazran kiss and Kazran begins his descent into jaded-grumpy-"Life's-not-fair"-old-man. Damn you, Mt. Wheeler Power!!! *shakes fist*
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Post-Christmas Analysis
Happy Boxing Day everyone! (hey, if my dad can call his sweatshirt a "jumper," then I can refer to Boxing Day).
It was an odd Christmas - but a good one. The power was out yesterday morning, so we opened presents in the semi-darkness. It came back on eventually, but it continued to blip on and off, much to our great annoyance. Well, I guess since Mt. Wheeler Power are a bunch of jackwads during the rest of the year, it would follow that they would play the Grinch on Christmas too.
We got to talk to Mark, though it took twenty minutes and a trek in the snow to my cousins' to use the phone (Beehive Telephone Company got in the Grinch act as well this year). Honestly, I can't wait until that kid is home. Maybe it's just mission fatigue or the fact I haven't seen my brother in three-plus years. It'll just be good to have our whole family together again.
Anyway - I did make a pretty good haul this year. For Christmas, I got:
- A Felicity doll plus her Christmas outfit (I'm annoyed that the packaging called it her "Holiday" outfit. Good grief - she celebrates Christmas in the book, you morons).
- The new Brad Paisley CD
- "Mockingjay" and "America by Heart"
- "Doctor Who" Seasons 3 and 4 on DVD (and "A Christmas Carol" aired on BBC America on Christmas Day - I count that as part of my gift haul, but it was a close call with the power blipping on and off).
- "The Nightmare Before Christmas" on DVD
- Some shirts from Old Navy and DownEast (plus a Colts shirt from Fanzz ^_^)
- Fuzzy socks
- Tall boots with flat heels (yay!!)
- Mark sent us all Argentina National Team soccer jerseys and authentic Gaucho slippers ($4 off the streets of Buenos Aires ^_^)
- An M&Ms dispenser made to look like a fortune teller - it has a little button you push and you get an answer to any question you ask. Well, "yes or no" questions, anyway (think Magic 8 Ball)
- A quilter's kit complete with scissors, a rotary cutter and a new quilt pattern from Kathryn (it's pretty sweet)
- $50 Barnes and Noble gift card
- $40 from my grandparents
- Lotion and fancy hand sanitizer from Bath and Body Works
- Plus plenty of candy!
I love getting money for Christmas... but now I am somewhat presented with a dilemma. See, I've been in the market for either a Kindle or a Nook. I've been looking up reviews on both and trying to decide which one I want to get. As far as I can tell, there's very little difference between the two other than a few small things that pretty much balance out the comparison. The only thing I'd want it for would be to read books (I don't really need or want the audiobook capabilities). I don't really need 3G service either, so I'd be looking at the Wi-Fi-only option.
I have downloaded some of the free Kindle books to my laptop, but the one book that I actually purchased never would download (I just found a free torrent for it and that worked, so I count that I paid for it). If I got a Nook, I could use my gift card, plus the money from my grandparents and that would knock off about $90 from the final price. But... I like the fact that Amazon keeps your books in your Kindle archive in case you lose them... but the Nook lets you back up your books on micro SD cards. I'm a little wary of leaving things solely online because that means you're counting on the internet never, ever, ever crashing or going away. And with the recent Delicious scare, I'd almost rather have a physical backup of my own (yes, I know that Yahoo didn't really shut down Delicious, but the chaos that ensued on the internet was deafening - so to speak). But also, the Kindle can read PDFs and I use those a lot and it'd be cool to use that feature.
Anyway - those are my thoughts. Does anyone out there have any insight into my conundrum? Do you own either one of these eReaders? What do you like or dislike about them? Please chime in because I'd like some input from actual Nook and/or Kindle users before I make my final decision.
It was an odd Christmas - but a good one. The power was out yesterday morning, so we opened presents in the semi-darkness. It came back on eventually, but it continued to blip on and off, much to our great annoyance. Well, I guess since Mt. Wheeler Power are a bunch of jackwads during the rest of the year, it would follow that they would play the Grinch on Christmas too.
We got to talk to Mark, though it took twenty minutes and a trek in the snow to my cousins' to use the phone (Beehive Telephone Company got in the Grinch act as well this year). Honestly, I can't wait until that kid is home. Maybe it's just mission fatigue or the fact I haven't seen my brother in three-plus years. It'll just be good to have our whole family together again.
Anyway - I did make a pretty good haul this year. For Christmas, I got:
- A Felicity doll plus her Christmas outfit (I'm annoyed that the packaging called it her "Holiday" outfit. Good grief - she celebrates Christmas in the book, you morons).
- The new Brad Paisley CD
- "Mockingjay" and "America by Heart"
- "Doctor Who" Seasons 3 and 4 on DVD (and "A Christmas Carol" aired on BBC America on Christmas Day - I count that as part of my gift haul, but it was a close call with the power blipping on and off).
- "The Nightmare Before Christmas" on DVD
- Some shirts from Old Navy and DownEast (plus a Colts shirt from Fanzz ^_^)
- Fuzzy socks
- Tall boots with flat heels (yay!!)
- Mark sent us all Argentina National Team soccer jerseys and authentic Gaucho slippers ($4 off the streets of Buenos Aires ^_^)
- An M&Ms dispenser made to look like a fortune teller - it has a little button you push and you get an answer to any question you ask. Well, "yes or no" questions, anyway (think Magic 8 Ball)
- A quilter's kit complete with scissors, a rotary cutter and a new quilt pattern from Kathryn (it's pretty sweet)
- $50 Barnes and Noble gift card
- $40 from my grandparents
- Lotion and fancy hand sanitizer from Bath and Body Works
- Plus plenty of candy!
I love getting money for Christmas... but now I am somewhat presented with a dilemma. See, I've been in the market for either a Kindle or a Nook. I've been looking up reviews on both and trying to decide which one I want to get. As far as I can tell, there's very little difference between the two other than a few small things that pretty much balance out the comparison. The only thing I'd want it for would be to read books (I don't really need or want the audiobook capabilities). I don't really need 3G service either, so I'd be looking at the Wi-Fi-only option.
I have downloaded some of the free Kindle books to my laptop, but the one book that I actually purchased never would download (I just found a free torrent for it and that worked, so I count that I paid for it). If I got a Nook, I could use my gift card, plus the money from my grandparents and that would knock off about $90 from the final price. But... I like the fact that Amazon keeps your books in your Kindle archive in case you lose them... but the Nook lets you back up your books on micro SD cards. I'm a little wary of leaving things solely online because that means you're counting on the internet never, ever, ever crashing or going away. And with the recent Delicious scare, I'd almost rather have a physical backup of my own (yes, I know that Yahoo didn't really shut down Delicious, but the chaos that ensued on the internet was deafening - so to speak). But also, the Kindle can read PDFs and I use those a lot and it'd be cool to use that feature.
Anyway - those are my thoughts. Does anyone out there have any insight into my conundrum? Do you own either one of these eReaders? What do you like or dislike about them? Please chime in because I'd like some input from actual Nook and/or Kindle users before I make my final decision.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Tomorrow is Christmas - It's Practically Here
Our internet was out all day, which means I am woefully behind on all my internet stuff. But, it's Christmas Eve and that meant that I actually got presents wrapped among other sundry things.
The cousins and I are caught up and ready for the Doctor Who Christmas Special tomorrow (squee!) And there's presents and food and family and all that wonderful stuff that comes with the holidays, so this is pretty exciting!
There's not much else I want to say - except for you all to have a Merry Christmas! And also - to post this video that I have already posted, but I want it up for today and tomorrow -
The cousins and I are caught up and ready for the Doctor Who Christmas Special tomorrow (squee!) And there's presents and food and family and all that wonderful stuff that comes with the holidays, so this is pretty exciting!
There's not much else I want to say - except for you all to have a Merry Christmas! And also - to post this video that I have already posted, but I want it up for today and tomorrow -
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Best "Christmas Carol" EVER!!
I don't have a whole lot of time to post over Christmas, but I've located some fun Christmas videos, including some with songs from my favorite Christmas movie of all time - "A Muppet Christmas Carol" And the music is great too) Enjoy and have a Merry Christmas!
Dear World: Michael Caine as Scrooge = AWESOME! Thank you for your time.
And if I didn't include this song, it wouldn't be Christmas:
Oh, and this is one I made as my gift to the internet:
Friday, December 17, 2010
Sorta Dropped the Ball...
Just to "dress up" my blog for Christmas (and because I like putting off-topic videos on my posts), here are Matt, Karen and Arthur with a fun little Christmas performance just for you all ^_^
Ever since Thursday Night Football started, my pick schedule's been all messed up. So, I'm just going to skip that game and make picks for the rest of the week (but some quick commentary - I thought that the Niners would at least make an effort against the Chargers. Good grief...)
New Orleans @ Baltimore - Saints
Arizona @ Carolina - Arizona (not because I like them, but because anyone who picks Carolina to win anything this year is an idiot)
Cleveland @ Cincinnati - Cleveland
Washington @ Dallas - I really don't know about this... I mean, McNabb's not exactly the greatest thing since sliced bread, but Rex Grossman is... well, Rex Grossman. Well... I guess I'll go with Washington anyway (stranger things have happened)
Jacksonville @ Indianapolis - Okay, I'm crossing my little fangirl fingers here... a win can only help Indy, so please, please, please, PLEASE football gods let the Colts win!
Buffalo @ Miami - Miami
Philadelphia @ NY Giants - Giants (please???)
Kansas City @ St. Louis - Kansas City
Detroit @ Tampa Bay - Tampa Bay
Houston @ Tennessee - murgh... oh fine - Houston
Atlanta @ Seattle - Atlanta
Denver @ Oakland - I want to say Oakland, but I think Denver is going to be all about paying back for that 59-14 loss back in October... but then I see that Oakland actually has a better record than Denver... but then I remember that it's not about records at all... but then I remember I have a nickel in my pocket and I can flip for my pick! *flips coin* Tails - Oakland
NY Jets @ Pittsburgh - If anything, this past year has proven that the Jets are the new Cincinnati Divalicious weirdo team and it's coming back to bite them in the butt *cackles evilly* Pittsburgh
Green Bay @ New England - Dear heaven above - PACKERS!
Chicago @ Minnesota - Chicago
Ever since Thursday Night Football started, my pick schedule's been all messed up. So, I'm just going to skip that game and make picks for the rest of the week (but some quick commentary - I thought that the Niners would at least make an effort against the Chargers. Good grief...)
New Orleans @ Baltimore - Saints
Arizona @ Carolina - Arizona (not because I like them, but because anyone who picks Carolina to win anything this year is an idiot)
Cleveland @ Cincinnati - Cleveland
Washington @ Dallas - I really don't know about this... I mean, McNabb's not exactly the greatest thing since sliced bread, but Rex Grossman is... well, Rex Grossman. Well... I guess I'll go with Washington anyway (stranger things have happened)
Jacksonville @ Indianapolis - Okay, I'm crossing my little fangirl fingers here... a win can only help Indy, so please, please, please, PLEASE football gods let the Colts win!
Buffalo @ Miami - Miami
Philadelphia @ NY Giants - Giants (please???)
Kansas City @ St. Louis - Kansas City
Detroit @ Tampa Bay - Tampa Bay
Houston @ Tennessee - murgh... oh fine - Houston
Atlanta @ Seattle - Atlanta
Denver @ Oakland - I want to say Oakland, but I think Denver is going to be all about paying back for that 59-14 loss back in October... but then I see that Oakland actually has a better record than Denver... but then I remember that it's not about records at all... but then I remember I have a nickel in my pocket and I can flip for my pick! *flips coin* Tails - Oakland
NY Jets @ Pittsburgh - If anything, this past year has proven that the Jets are the new Cincinnati Divalicious weirdo team and it's coming back to bite them in the butt *cackles evilly* Pittsburgh
Green Bay @ New England - Dear heaven above - PACKERS!
Chicago @ Minnesota - Chicago
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Now I Know We're Related
Anyone who knows my sister and I knows how vastly different we are. I think it's a form of subconscious rebellion we've undertaken against our parents who insisted on dressing us alike when we were little. There is a picture of us both in these frilly red dresses going to church (a sad, sad relic that serves to remind us of the fashion horrors committed in the '80s). Even more distressing is the memory I have of at least three people coming up to us during church as asking us if we were twins (even though these people knew our family and knew full well that my sister and I are two years apart in age thankyouverymuch).
However, now that we are older, we have developed our own interests that rarely (if ever) cross paths. Even with one interest we have in common - cheering for University of Utah football - we don't participate in together. This past Thanksgiving, for example, I went in one room to watch the Utah-byu game. My sister was sitting in the room as well and asked me (rather pointedly) where I was going to be watching the game. I shrugged, sat down said "In here." She promptly got up and walked in the other TV room, citing that she cannot watch football games with me - I make her too nervous. After she and my other sister left, my dad (who had been witness to this entire exchange and knows perfectly well how we sisters are) started laughing. All I can say is thank heaven for multiple DirecTV receivers in the house.
I'm not upset about this at all. Far from it - I've actually gotten some pretty funny stories out of encounters with my sister. Siblings have every right and reason to be their own individual people. Why would you want to be attached at the hip with your brothers and sisters for the rest of your life? But we are so different that I have had people express surprise when they find out that she is my sister.
This brings me to my point in writing this. In the course of announcing that she and my brother-in-law are expecting, my sister posted to her blog one of the funniest versions of someone announcing their pregnancy I've encountered online. Her post also serves the dual purpose of confirming to me that my sister and I indeed share common DNA because I agree with her wholeheartedly.
However, now that we are older, we have developed our own interests that rarely (if ever) cross paths. Even with one interest we have in common - cheering for University of Utah football - we don't participate in together. This past Thanksgiving, for example, I went in one room to watch the Utah-byu game. My sister was sitting in the room as well and asked me (rather pointedly) where I was going to be watching the game. I shrugged, sat down said "In here." She promptly got up and walked in the other TV room, citing that she cannot watch football games with me - I make her too nervous. After she and my other sister left, my dad (who had been witness to this entire exchange and knows perfectly well how we sisters are) started laughing. All I can say is thank heaven for multiple DirecTV receivers in the house.
I'm not upset about this at all. Far from it - I've actually gotten some pretty funny stories out of encounters with my sister. Siblings have every right and reason to be their own individual people. Why would you want to be attached at the hip with your brothers and sisters for the rest of your life? But we are so different that I have had people express surprise when they find out that she is my sister.
This brings me to my point in writing this. In the course of announcing that she and my brother-in-law are expecting, my sister posted to her blog one of the funniest versions of someone announcing their pregnancy I've encountered online. Her post also serves the dual purpose of confirming to me that my sister and I indeed share common DNA because I agree with her wholeheartedly.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Holy. Crap.
I really have nothing to say about this - I just think it's unreal and deserves to be shared far and wide.
It's like The Greater Cosmos(tm) saying: "Just when you thought the NFL season couldn't get any weirder - here's a stadium roof collapsing! And make sure you catch it on camera!"
(Just for the record - it was nice and sunny out here in Utah. I didn't even need my coat today. Neener, neener).
The weirdest thing is last night I had a dream I was on the Titanic while it was sinking (it's a dream - just go with me, here) and it was making that same noise (I also remember floating underwater and thinking that James Cameron's CGI work was a bunch of crap. Oh, how I love my subconscious).
It's like The Greater Cosmos(tm) saying: "Just when you thought the NFL season couldn't get any weirder - here's a stadium roof collapsing! And make sure you catch it on camera!"
(Just for the record - it was nice and sunny out here in Utah. I didn't even need my coat today. Neener, neener).
The weirdest thing is last night I had a dream I was on the Titanic while it was sinking (it's a dream - just go with me, here) and it was making that same noise (I also remember floating underwater and thinking that James Cameron's CGI work was a bunch of crap. Oh, how I love my subconscious).
Thursday, December 9, 2010
The Strangest Post I've Ever Posted
I'm leading off with my football picks and then I'll go on with some other important stuff
Colts @ Titans - Listen up, Colts - I have picked you since the beginning of the season and here my loyalty is rewarded with a pitiful 6-6 record and we're playing for a freaking WILD CARD SPOT??? DOUBLE-YOU-TEE-EFF??? whyyyyyyyyyy? ...sigh... I guess I shouldn't abandon my boys now - but I'm afraid that I'm just bad luck. Oh, what the heck - Colts.
Browns @ Bills - Poody. Just... poody. Browns
Falcons @ Panthers - Are you kidding me? This matchup isn't even fair - Falcons.
Packers @ Lions - Packers
Raiders @ Jaguars - Jaguars
Giants @ Vikings - Giants, Giants, GIANTS!!! (ftw)
Bengals @ Steelers - Steelers
Buccaneers @ Redskins - As much as I want the 'Skins to win... I think the Bucs are better (renaissance year in Washington notwithstanding).
Rams @ Saints - Saints
Seahawks @ 49ers - Neither are that good, but I like the Niners
Broncos @ Cardinals - What is this, making me pick between Bad or Worse? (and I'm not sure which is which). Broncos
Patriots @ Bears - the Bears are good... but the Patriots are better (darn it). Excuse me whilst I vomit - and select the Patriots (now watch, this'll be the the week they choke)
Dolphins @ Jets - Jets
Chiefs @ Chargers - KC
Eagles @ Dallas - Dallas is even further on my poop-list from last week's Colts-beating shenanigans and I choose the Eagles
Ravens @ Texans - Ravens
Tomorrow is our play and I'm really excited for it. I'm nervous, to be sure, but I'm also excited. The kids are ready to rock and roll and I'm ready for... something big to go down. I've just had a lot of fun doing this. I almost want to do another play in the spring (almost).
And - for something completely different - I've been reading the "Mark Reads" blog, where this guy named Mark reads books chapter-by-chapter and he reviews them. Currently, he's reading "The Hunger Games," (which I loved and am on my second read-through) and he's read all of "Harry Potter" and "Twilight." I'm reading through his thoughts on HP - I tried to read the "Twilight" ones, but there was too much WTF-ery for me to process (and some of his anti-LDS sentiments sent me seething. It was better to avoid it altogether). I do love reading his thoughts as he read HP because it reminded me of the absolute joy and giddiness that I experienced when I read all the HP books for the first time. I am a big enough person I can set aside larger differences (religion, politics, etc.) for the pure love of fandom (what can I say - I hold out hope that there is somewhere in this world that people can get over these ticky-tack differences and find something - however small and/or seemingly insignificant - that they can agree on).
However, some comments in the blog (and some lines from Mark himself) brought up some questions of morality and sexuality (don't ask me how these things happen - the internet practically invented random tangents) and that got me pondering about my own thoughts on the topic. Sort of an odd thing for me to be musing over (if you know me, you probably know that this is something I've never been comfortable with discussing - that's just how I roll), but I've run into some articles about how sexuality is viewed in society - whether it's from a religious or secular standpoint - and I've become fascinated by what others have said. I'm not about to change my opinion on the subject (unless something earth-shattering happens, but how earth-shattering is another topic), but I do like learning about what other people think and why they think that. It's something I'd like to expound upon for myself, but not in a way you might expect. I've got to think it over, though, so give me a while.
(Wow - that was the weirdest post I've ever written - everything from football to sex... And... I'm going to leave it at that...)
Colts @ Titans - Listen up, Colts - I have picked you since the beginning of the season and here my loyalty is rewarded with a pitiful 6-6 record and we're playing for a freaking WILD CARD SPOT??? DOUBLE-YOU-TEE-EFF??? whyyyyyyyyyy? ...sigh... I guess I shouldn't abandon my boys now - but I'm afraid that I'm just bad luck. Oh, what the heck - Colts.
Browns @ Bills - Poody. Just... poody. Browns
Falcons @ Panthers - Are you kidding me? This matchup isn't even fair - Falcons.
Packers @ Lions - Packers
Raiders @ Jaguars - Jaguars
Giants @ Vikings - Giants, Giants, GIANTS!!! (ftw)
Bengals @ Steelers - Steelers
Buccaneers @ Redskins - As much as I want the 'Skins to win... I think the Bucs are better (renaissance year in Washington notwithstanding).
Rams @ Saints - Saints
Seahawks @ 49ers - Neither are that good, but I like the Niners
Broncos @ Cardinals - What is this, making me pick between Bad or Worse? (and I'm not sure which is which). Broncos
Patriots @ Bears - the Bears are good... but the Patriots are better (darn it). Excuse me whilst I vomit - and select the Patriots (now watch, this'll be the the week they choke)
Dolphins @ Jets - Jets
Chiefs @ Chargers - KC
Eagles @ Dallas - Dallas is even further on my poop-list from last week's Colts-beating shenanigans and I choose the Eagles
Ravens @ Texans - Ravens
Tomorrow is our play and I'm really excited for it. I'm nervous, to be sure, but I'm also excited. The kids are ready to rock and roll and I'm ready for... something big to go down. I've just had a lot of fun doing this. I almost want to do another play in the spring (almost).
And - for something completely different - I've been reading the "Mark Reads" blog, where this guy named Mark reads books chapter-by-chapter and he reviews them. Currently, he's reading "The Hunger Games," (which I loved and am on my second read-through) and he's read all of "Harry Potter" and "Twilight." I'm reading through his thoughts on HP - I tried to read the "Twilight" ones, but there was too much WTF-ery for me to process (and some of his anti-LDS sentiments sent me seething. It was better to avoid it altogether). I do love reading his thoughts as he read HP because it reminded me of the absolute joy and giddiness that I experienced when I read all the HP books for the first time. I am a big enough person I can set aside larger differences (religion, politics, etc.) for the pure love of fandom (what can I say - I hold out hope that there is somewhere in this world that people can get over these ticky-tack differences and find something - however small and/or seemingly insignificant - that they can agree on).
However, some comments in the blog (and some lines from Mark himself) brought up some questions of morality and sexuality (don't ask me how these things happen - the internet practically invented random tangents) and that got me pondering about my own thoughts on the topic. Sort of an odd thing for me to be musing over (if you know me, you probably know that this is something I've never been comfortable with discussing - that's just how I roll), but I've run into some articles about how sexuality is viewed in society - whether it's from a religious or secular standpoint - and I've become fascinated by what others have said. I'm not about to change my opinion on the subject (unless something earth-shattering happens, but how earth-shattering is another topic), but I do like learning about what other people think and why they think that. It's something I'd like to expound upon for myself, but not in a way you might expect. I've got to think it over, though, so give me a while.
(Wow - that was the weirdest post I've ever written - everything from football to sex... And... I'm going to leave it at that...)
Thursday, December 2, 2010
NFL Picks - Lucky 13
And we welcome you to Week 13! Roll on with the picks -
Houston @ Philly - I flipped a coin and it said Houston... but my first instinct was to go with the Eagles, and I typically like my first instinct, so that's what I'm going with.
Buffalo @ Minnesota - Minnesota
Cleveland @ Miami - Miami
Jacksonville @ Tennessee - If Tennessee wins, that helps the Colts. But I don't think it'll happen (darn it). Sigh... Jaguars (but come on Titans!)
New Orleans @ Cincinnati - New Orleans
Denver @ Kansas City - KC
Washington @ New York Giants - Giants
Chicago @ Detroit - Chicago
San Francisco @ Green Bay - Green Bay (it was so sad watching Monday Night Football last week and the commentators make all kinds of jokes at the NFC West's expense... wish they would pick it up...)
Oakland @ San Diego - My pick is San Diego, but due to the outcome of a certain game last week that I can think of, I will be cheering for Oakland (I really don't like the Chargers. They aren't yet to the level I hate Dallas or New England, but they're making a case for it).
Atlanta @ Tampa Bay - Ooooh... this should be an unusually good one. The Falcons are hot, so I'm going with them.
Dallas @ Indianapolis - I have long since resigned myself to the fact that this is just not Indy's year. However, that does not mean I'm going to abandon them now, and especially NOT against Dallas. Colts by 7.
St. Louis @ Arizona - It will be a cold day in hell when I throw my chips in for a team that has max hall on it - even if he's just a backup (watch... he'll get traded to someone I like in the off-season - just watch). St. Louis.
Carolina @ Seattle - Seattle
Pittsburgh @ Baltimore - Another one that promises to be a barn-burner. But I like the Steelers, so I will go with them.
New York Jets @ New England - The lesser of two evils: Jets.
Current Standings - Last week's results garnered 12-4 (though, I happily relinquish any points because of a Rams win). Record-to-Date: 78-41
Now, off to finish my final LI843 project. I need to come up with something interesting and fun about fonts and typography in web design. Seeing as I'm a bit of a newspaper/yearbook layout junkie, you'd think this would be right up my alley. HA! And again, I say - HA HA! It's converting that information into a decent-ish website that's the problem. Well... I guess I'd better get started...
Houston @ Philly - I flipped a coin and it said Houston... but my first instinct was to go with the Eagles, and I typically like my first instinct, so that's what I'm going with.
Buffalo @ Minnesota - Minnesota
Cleveland @ Miami - Miami
Jacksonville @ Tennessee - If Tennessee wins, that helps the Colts. But I don't think it'll happen (darn it). Sigh... Jaguars (but come on Titans!)
New Orleans @ Cincinnati - New Orleans
Denver @ Kansas City - KC
Washington @ New York Giants - Giants
Chicago @ Detroit - Chicago
San Francisco @ Green Bay - Green Bay (it was so sad watching Monday Night Football last week and the commentators make all kinds of jokes at the NFC West's expense... wish they would pick it up...)
Oakland @ San Diego - My pick is San Diego, but due to the outcome of a certain game last week that I can think of, I will be cheering for Oakland (I really don't like the Chargers. They aren't yet to the level I hate Dallas or New England, but they're making a case for it).
Atlanta @ Tampa Bay - Ooooh... this should be an unusually good one. The Falcons are hot, so I'm going with them.
Dallas @ Indianapolis - I have long since resigned myself to the fact that this is just not Indy's year. However, that does not mean I'm going to abandon them now, and especially NOT against Dallas. Colts by 7.
St. Louis @ Arizona - It will be a cold day in hell when I throw my chips in for a team that has max hall on it - even if he's just a backup (watch... he'll get traded to someone I like in the off-season - just watch). St. Louis.
Carolina @ Seattle - Seattle
Pittsburgh @ Baltimore - Another one that promises to be a barn-burner. But I like the Steelers, so I will go with them.
New York Jets @ New England - The lesser of two evils: Jets.
Current Standings - Last week's results garnered 12-4 (though, I happily relinquish any points because of a Rams win). Record-to-Date: 78-41
Now, off to finish my final LI843 project. I need to come up with something interesting and fun about fonts and typography in web design. Seeing as I'm a bit of a newspaper/yearbook layout junkie, you'd think this would be right up my alley. HA! And again, I say - HA HA! It's converting that information into a decent-ish website that's the problem. Well... I guess I'd better get started...
Monday, November 29, 2010
It Must Be Christmas...
...because, apparently, every girl on the freaking planet wants diamond jewelry (according to Monday Night Football advertising, anyway). Personally, I don't know what the heck is the big deal with diamonds - beyond that they're stinking expensive and sparkle like Edward Cullen. I can see the big hoopla if a guy is asking a girl to marry him, but last I checked, a guy traditionally gives a girl a diamond engagement ring. Not a necklace or earrings (but what do I know?)
Speaking totally for myself, if I had a significant other (pffft... riiiiiiight...) and he was going to spend money on me, I'd rather he take the money and buy me something of real value. Like a Wii.
Speaking totally for myself, if I had a significant other (pffft... riiiiiiight...) and he was going to spend money on me, I'd rather he take the money and buy me something of real value. Like a Wii.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Win or Lose...
... I take consolation in the fact that I will never have to suffer through another Utes game called by the Orem Community College Remedial Sports Broadcasting class.
(For those lacking a sense of humor, I know there's no Orem Community College. It was a joke. Sort of like the Utes' passing game of late. C'mon boys - pick it up in the second half!)
(For those lacking a sense of humor, I know there's no Orem Community College. It was a joke. Sort of like the Utes' passing game of late. C'mon boys - pick it up in the second half!)
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Happy Turkey Day! (and NFL Picks)
First of all - do you know how hard it is to find celebratory videos that are purely for Thanksgiving? Not that I'm complaining - because I love this old classic:
(originally from here, but I like embedding videos, so YouTube it is! Except when they block stuff I make).
ANYWAY... another grand Thanksgiving tradition at our house is football and this year is no exception. There's the traditionalLions getting their butts kicked games on Thanksgiving, plus the end-of-season Utah-byu rivalry game on Saturday. Say what you will about it - that's how our family rolls ^_^
So - onto the picks!
New England @ Detroit - Tradition dictates that the Lions play someone we absolutely hate on Thanksgiving. This year will make forbloody interesting conversation because little cousin Johnny loves the Patriots, but nobody else in my family does. And Johnny is a cocky little twerp when he wins (though I do have to give him credit for not being a punk last Sunday over the Pats-Colts game). So, my prediction is that New England will win and Johnny won't make it to the pumpkin pie.
New Orleans @ Dallas - Tradition usually dictates that Dallas (who we also hate) plays some little cream puff team, orchestrates a blowout and further ruins any joy we otherwise would have. However, Dallas has become the cream puff this year and New Orleans is the defending Super Bowl Champs. It is with much joy and happiness that I call it a win for the Saints.
Cincinnati @ New York Jets - A fairly new tradition - a third Thanksgiving Day game in prime time. Sadly, it's two teams that I'm not particularly fond of, so I really don't care (I'll probably be in a turkey coma by then anyway). Even so, I pick the Jets.
Green Bay @ Atlanta - Back to the regular Sunday format... Green Bay
Pittsburgh @ Buffalo - Steelers
Carolina @ Cleveland - Browns
Titans @ Texans - mmm.... Texans
Jacksonville @ New York Giants - The Giants need some good juju, so I send some post-Thanksgiving Day good feelings in their direction.
Minnesota @ Washington - Now that the Vikings' coach has been replaced, will they pull out a win? Mm... probably not. Redskins.
Miami @ Oakland - Oakland has been doing better... but I'm going with Miami.
Kansas City @ Seattle - I've been silently cheering on the Chiefs in this renaissance year and I think that will continue.
Tampa Bay @ Baltimore - Ravens
Philadelphia @ Chicago - Eagles
St. Louis @ Denver - Feh... Broncos
San Diego @ Indianapolis - I predict Philip Rivers will channel his inner fanboy and crap out again as the Colts look to vent some frustration over that stupid loss to New England (Please note: fanboys don't like it when the status quo in their fandoms is upset). Colts.
San Francisco @ Arizona - Man, how did Monday Night Football get such crap-fests this year? Sigh... I can never in good faith cheer for a team with classless max hall and certainly not after Rivalry Week. Niners.
Current Standings - Last week's result was a rather impressive 13-3, which bring my current totals to 66-37.
(originally from here, but I like embedding videos, so YouTube it is! Except when they block stuff I make).
ANYWAY... another grand Thanksgiving tradition at our house is football and this year is no exception. There's the traditional
So - onto the picks!
New England @ Detroit - Tradition dictates that the Lions play someone we absolutely hate on Thanksgiving. This year will make for
New Orleans @ Dallas - Tradition usually dictates that Dallas (who we also hate) plays some little cream puff team, orchestrates a blowout and further ruins any joy we otherwise would have. However, Dallas has become the cream puff this year and New Orleans is the defending Super Bowl Champs. It is with much joy and happiness that I call it a win for the Saints.
Cincinnati @ New York Jets - A fairly new tradition - a third Thanksgiving Day game in prime time. Sadly, it's two teams that I'm not particularly fond of, so I really don't care (I'll probably be in a turkey coma by then anyway). Even so, I pick the Jets.
Green Bay @ Atlanta - Back to the regular Sunday format... Green Bay
Pittsburgh @ Buffalo - Steelers
Carolina @ Cleveland - Browns
Titans @ Texans - mmm.... Texans
Jacksonville @ New York Giants - The Giants need some good juju, so I send some post-Thanksgiving Day good feelings in their direction.
Minnesota @ Washington - Now that the Vikings' coach has been replaced, will they pull out a win? Mm... probably not. Redskins.
Miami @ Oakland - Oakland has been doing better... but I'm going with Miami.
Kansas City @ Seattle - I've been silently cheering on the Chiefs in this renaissance year and I think that will continue.
Tampa Bay @ Baltimore - Ravens
Philadelphia @ Chicago - Eagles
St. Louis @ Denver - Feh... Broncos
San Diego @ Indianapolis - I predict Philip Rivers will channel his inner fanboy and crap out again as the Colts look to vent some frustration over that stupid loss to New England (Please note: fanboys don't like it when the status quo in their fandoms is upset). Colts.
San Francisco @ Arizona - Man, how did Monday Night Football get such crap-fests this year? Sigh... I can never in good faith cheer for a team with classless max hall and certainly not after Rivalry Week. Niners.
Current Standings - Last week's result was a rather impressive 13-3, which bring my current totals to 66-37.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Ooh, Risotto, Risotto, Risotto!
The Schwan man is coming out today, so I was compiling my "shopping" list for when he gets here (plus, my mom wanted me to get a few things for this weekend). Anyone who knows me knows that I hate cooking and I avoid it if at all possible. It's not like I can't cook or that I won't cook, there are just other things I'd like to do with my time (and all that work for something that's going to be gone in 30 minutes anyway? No thank you). I usually just buy things that I can heat up in the microwave in two minutes and life is great.
However, I've decided that I'm sick of just eating microwave corn dogs and I'd like some variety in my diet. I was checking out the pasta section of the Schwan catalog to see if there was something relatively affordable that I could cook, eat and save leftovers from (leftovers = WIN). I happened upon a risotto and peas. I almost bought it, but it's too expensive (like a lot of things Schwan sells). So, I started searching for risotto recipes because it looked like some relatively easy I could make (and I am insanely curious about risotto - for reasons yet unknown.. Yes, reasons completely unknown. I dare you to click that link. Go on - do it!)
Ha ha ha. And again I say, ha. Twenty-plus minutes of standing over a pot of boiling rice is not my idea of a fun time. I was about to abandon my search for a decent risotto recipe that didn't force me to slave over a hot stove when I found this little gem. Anything that has "microwave" in the title must be promising.
But then I look at the ingredients list - like the Oatmeal says, every recipe I've tried to make at home requires that I go out and buy a boatload of crap that I'm only ever going to use for this one recipe (I think I still have spices from my freshman year of college in a box somewhere. Yes, I probably ought to throw those out - but it seems such a waste. And yet... I'm still not using them. Betty Crocker I am not).
However, this recipe has things that I actually do buy - at least, one of the substitutions says that I can replace the white wine with white grape juice or apple juice and I have been known to buy both. And who doesn't have butter or margarine in their fridge? The only thing I wonder about would be that you have to use a certain kind of rice... and I just buy whatever rice is at the store.
... or I'll just buy another box of frozen corn dogs. sigh... what I wouldn't give for a decent Chinese place somewhere close...
However, I've decided that I'm sick of just eating microwave corn dogs and I'd like some variety in my diet. I was checking out the pasta section of the Schwan catalog to see if there was something relatively affordable that I could cook, eat and save leftovers from (leftovers = WIN). I happened upon a risotto and peas. I almost bought it, but it's too expensive (like a lot of things Schwan sells). So, I started searching for risotto recipes because it looked like some relatively easy I could make (and I am insanely curious about risotto - for reasons yet unknown.. Yes, reasons completely unknown. I dare you to click that link. Go on - do it!)
Ha ha ha. And again I say, ha. Twenty-plus minutes of standing over a pot of boiling rice is not my idea of a fun time. I was about to abandon my search for a decent risotto recipe that didn't force me to slave over a hot stove when I found this little gem. Anything that has "microwave" in the title must be promising.
But then I look at the ingredients list - like the Oatmeal says, every recipe I've tried to make at home requires that I go out and buy a boatload of crap that I'm only ever going to use for this one recipe (I think I still have spices from my freshman year of college in a box somewhere. Yes, I probably ought to throw those out - but it seems such a waste. And yet... I'm still not using them. Betty Crocker I am not).
However, this recipe has things that I actually do buy - at least, one of the substitutions says that I can replace the white wine with white grape juice or apple juice and I have been known to buy both. And who doesn't have butter or margarine in their fridge? The only thing I wonder about would be that you have to use a certain kind of rice... and I just buy whatever rice is at the store.
... or I'll just buy another box of frozen corn dogs. sigh... what I wouldn't give for a decent Chinese place somewhere close...
Monday, November 22, 2010
Happy Birthday Doctor Who!
(Yeah, the date says November 22 - but I'm posting this right before I go to bed, and it's the 23rd in most of the world by now, anyway).
It's an exciting day today - and not just because it's a short week. Today marks the 47th anniversary of the broadcast of the very first episode of "Doctor Who." "An Unearthly Child" was broadcast on November 23, 1963 and the rest is history. You can watch the first part of "An Unearthly Child" here (the rest of it is there too - just look down the playlist).
And I here celebrate with one of my favorite fanvids that includes all incarnations of the Doctor to this point:
Happy Birthday to our favorite Time Lord - and here's to many, many more!
It's an exciting day today - and not just because it's a short week. Today marks the 47th anniversary of the broadcast of the very first episode of "Doctor Who." "An Unearthly Child" was broadcast on November 23, 1963 and the rest is history. You can watch the first part of "An Unearthly Child" here (the rest of it is there too - just look down the playlist).
And I here celebrate with one of my favorite fanvids that includes all incarnations of the Doctor to this point:
Happy Birthday to our favorite Time Lord - and here's to many, many more!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Geek Mama Grizzlies - UNITE!
I know I've posted a boatload of stuff today, but I have to post about this because - well, just because.
First, read this blog post. Or, if you're too lazy - Katie is a first grader who took a Star Wars water bottle to school - because it matched her Star Wars lunchbox and Star Wars backpack. A group of obnoxious littlemaggots boys teased the poor girl because (ahem) Star Wars is only for boys.
Take a minute to let that sink in. Then go beat the stuffing out of your nearest convenient pillow. I'll wait.
This story is similar to something that happened to me in kindergarten. When I was a kid, I LOVED the Ninja Turtles! I watched the cartoon every time it was on and my mom would rent the videos for me to watch. I had some of the comic books and Leonardo was my favorite - I thought the swords were cool (yes, I know they were katana - but four-year-olds don't quibble about details like that). Now, living on a farm outside of town, I didn't get much interaction with kids my own age. Oh, I knew kids in my Primary class and from preschool, but we didn't get too much into things like favorite cartoons and stuff like that.
When I got into kindergarten, however, there were more kids that I didn't know, but I didn't think much of it. I proudly proclaimed that I was a Ninja Turtle fangirl (in not so many words, but yeah). I distinctly remember a group of girls sneering at me for it. Like "Ew - Ninja Turtles are for boys!" And the boys weren't much better - they'd rather eat dirt than let a girl play with them (which, they probably ate dirt anyway, but that's not the point).
It made me feel terrible - like there was something very, very wrong with me because I liked the Ninja Turtles. I kind of starting backpedaling, like "Ha ha, just kidding - I don't really like the Turtles," but that didn't work. If anything, it caused me more heartache because the girls I played with weren't the kind of girls I should have been friends with (boys may like to beat each other up, but girls are just cruel and catty and that's 100 times worse than getting punched in the nose, in my opinion). I eventually learned my lesson, returning to my roots and telling those mean girls to bug off. That was the beginning of my "weird" reputation - a badge of honor I proudly wear to this day. Over the years, the same girls (and boys) that teased me for my odd choice in TV softened in their outward attitudes, but they found other means of tormenting me - the girls especially.
There comes a point where you realize that you don't need to deal with that sort of crap. So what if I'm a cute little five-year-old whose favorite cartoon hero is a giant turtle? So what if Katie is a stinking adorable little girl with a Star Wars lunchbox? This new generation of geek girls is lucky in that the internet has made it possible to know that we are not alone. Dude, there's an entire blog of dedicated geek girls who are into this stuff! Even so, it's tough when no one in your immediate circle of acquaintances shares the same interests as you. It's even worse when they belittle you for it (especially when it's snot-nosed twerps doing it. I've said it before - kids are among the cruelest beasts in the universe).
There is a good side to this story. If you didn't notice, Katie's mom asked for other females who like somewhat-geeky things to share their stories. I added my two cents, but I was amazed by the sheer volume of comments she was getting! And this blog requires you to have an account to leave a comment! (Here's a different blog that doesn't require an account to comment - and the similarity between her title and my title is purely coincidental, I swear!)
And the other good thing - the kind of treatment I received from these kids actually spurred me on to enjoy other geeky things (sort of a "Take That!" to the established idea of what little white Mormon girls in Utah should like). I learned that the more people tell me I should/should not do something and it's something I actually want to do (that last one is the key here), the more I'm motivated to participate in it. So, in a way, those little snotwipes I had to deal with in elementary school did me a favor. Nowadays, I chalk it up to a character-building exercise. Maybe I should thank them.
First, read this blog post. Or, if you're too lazy - Katie is a first grader who took a Star Wars water bottle to school - because it matched her Star Wars lunchbox and Star Wars backpack. A group of obnoxious little
Take a minute to let that sink in. Then go beat the stuffing out of your nearest convenient pillow. I'll wait.
This story is similar to something that happened to me in kindergarten. When I was a kid, I LOVED the Ninja Turtles! I watched the cartoon every time it was on and my mom would rent the videos for me to watch. I had some of the comic books and Leonardo was my favorite - I thought the swords were cool (yes, I know they were katana - but four-year-olds don't quibble about details like that). Now, living on a farm outside of town, I didn't get much interaction with kids my own age. Oh, I knew kids in my Primary class and from preschool, but we didn't get too much into things like favorite cartoons and stuff like that.
When I got into kindergarten, however, there were more kids that I didn't know, but I didn't think much of it. I proudly proclaimed that I was a Ninja Turtle fangirl (in not so many words, but yeah). I distinctly remember a group of girls sneering at me for it. Like "Ew - Ninja Turtles are for boys!" And the boys weren't much better - they'd rather eat dirt than let a girl play with them (which, they probably ate dirt anyway, but that's not the point).
It made me feel terrible - like there was something very, very wrong with me because I liked the Ninja Turtles. I kind of starting backpedaling, like "Ha ha, just kidding - I don't really like the Turtles," but that didn't work. If anything, it caused me more heartache because the girls I played with weren't the kind of girls I should have been friends with (boys may like to beat each other up, but girls are just cruel and catty and that's 100 times worse than getting punched in the nose, in my opinion). I eventually learned my lesson, returning to my roots and telling those mean girls to bug off. That was the beginning of my "weird" reputation - a badge of honor I proudly wear to this day. Over the years, the same girls (and boys) that teased me for my odd choice in TV softened in their outward attitudes, but they found other means of tormenting me - the girls especially.
There comes a point where you realize that you don't need to deal with that sort of crap. So what if I'm a cute little five-year-old whose favorite cartoon hero is a giant turtle? So what if Katie is a stinking adorable little girl with a Star Wars lunchbox? This new generation of geek girls is lucky in that the internet has made it possible to know that we are not alone. Dude, there's an entire blog of dedicated geek girls who are into this stuff! Even so, it's tough when no one in your immediate circle of acquaintances shares the same interests as you. It's even worse when they belittle you for it (especially when it's snot-nosed twerps doing it. I've said it before - kids are among the cruelest beasts in the universe).
There is a good side to this story. If you didn't notice, Katie's mom asked for other females who like somewhat-geeky things to share their stories. I added my two cents, but I was amazed by the sheer volume of comments she was getting! And this blog requires you to have an account to leave a comment! (Here's a different blog that doesn't require an account to comment - and the similarity between her title and my title is purely coincidental, I swear!)
And the other good thing - the kind of treatment I received from these kids actually spurred me on to enjoy other geeky things (sort of a "Take That!" to the established idea of what little white Mormon girls in Utah should like). I learned that the more people tell me I should/should not do something and it's something I actually want to do (that last one is the key here), the more I'm motivated to participate in it. So, in a way, those little snotwipes I had to deal with in elementary school did me a favor. Nowadays, I chalk it up to a character-building exercise. Maybe I should thank them.
NFL Week 11 - Back in Action
One more day until the weekend! And I am excited as stink. It's been a long week.
Since Thursday Night Football started last week (and since I missed making my picks last week as well) - here's an early start to the weekend -
Thursday -
Bears @ Dolphins - Erm... ... ... ... the Bears? Sure, we'll go with that.
Sunday -
Ravens @ Panthers - Ravens
Falcons @ Rams - Falcons
Raiders @ Steelers - The Raiders have actually picked up the pace lately... then again, it's the Steelers... and the Steelers spent Sunday night getting stomped by the Patriots and they're ticked off... oh hell - I'm going with the Steelers (the Raiders are still a work-in-progress at this point - a fairly good work-in-progress, but a work-in-progress nonetheless).
Texans @ Jets - ugh. Two teams that I'm not particularly fond of... but I do have my record to consider... so, I'll go with the Jets.
Browns @ Jaguars - Jaguars
Buccaneers @ 49ers - Bucs
Colts @ Patriots - I'll be in church while this is going on - and my anxiety levels rejoice. Going with my head and my heart - Colts
Giants @ Eagles - I think the Giants will pull things out here. They're pretty good at this stuff at this point in the season (usually... I hope so, anyway).
Detroit @ Dallas - Ugh... do I have to make this pick? I guess... Dallas. If only to save my record.
Packers @ Vikings - I like the Packers. I just do :)
Seahawks @ Saints - Saints
Redskins @ Titans - Redskins
Cardinals @ Chiefs - Oh, the Chiefs. Definitely.
Bills @ Bengals - ...sigh... Bengals.
Monday -
Broncos @ Chargers - Broncos (meh...)
Since Thursday Night Football started last week (and since I missed making my picks last week as well) - here's an early start to the weekend -
Thursday -
Bears @ Dolphins - Erm... ... ... ... the Bears? Sure, we'll go with that.
Sunday -
Ravens @ Panthers - Ravens
Falcons @ Rams - Falcons
Raiders @ Steelers - The Raiders have actually picked up the pace lately... then again, it's the Steelers... and the Steelers spent Sunday night getting stomped by the Patriots and they're ticked off... oh hell - I'm going with the Steelers (the Raiders are still a work-in-progress at this point - a fairly good work-in-progress, but a work-in-progress nonetheless).
Texans @ Jets - ugh. Two teams that I'm not particularly fond of... but I do have my record to consider... so, I'll go with the Jets.
Browns @ Jaguars - Jaguars
Buccaneers @ 49ers - Bucs
Colts @ Patriots - I'll be in church while this is going on - and my anxiety levels rejoice. Going with my head and my heart - Colts
Giants @ Eagles - I think the Giants will pull things out here. They're pretty good at this stuff at this point in the season (usually... I hope so, anyway).
Detroit @ Dallas - Ugh... do I have to make this pick? I guess... Dallas. If only to save my record.
Packers @ Vikings - I like the Packers. I just do :)
Seahawks @ Saints - Saints
Redskins @ Titans - Redskins
Cardinals @ Chiefs - Oh, the Chiefs. Definitely.
Bills @ Bengals - ...sigh... Bengals.
Monday -
Broncos @ Chargers - Broncos (meh...)
Small Children = Evil Creatures
I totally speak for myself on this. I don't give a crap what anyone else does. Some people can handle have a bunch of little monsters children of their own. Some people can be Primary teachers who coo about how precious and angelic and close-to-heaven these little turds are. Happy day for you if you are one of these people. I am not.
I constantly am reminded why I like working at the high school and why I want to be a YA librarian. For all their hormones and moodiness and cocky attitudes, I can successfully relate to teenagers on a pseudo-adult level. I basically treat them as adults unless they demonstrate that they don't deserve that kind of treatment. And usually, that's enough to clue them into the fact that they need to knock off whatever stupidity they are currently engaged it (note that I said usually - often, teenagers are just little goobers no matter what you do. That's when you send them to the principal's office).
Small children, on the other hand (and by "small," I mean anything younger than 13 - the generally accepted elementary school age group) are the nastiest little punks known in the world. Especially in large numbers (say, more than four or five). They aren't capable of listening and comprehending that the adult in the room actually wants them to stop throwing pudding at the walls (sometimes, it's worse than pudding). Two-year-olds are the worst because they still have that "I'm so cute" aura about them, but they are about as cuddly as the Rancor in "Return of the Jedi" (you know - that monster that Jabba the Hutt had in his basement. The one that almost ate Luke. The one that one Fat Man cried over when Luke killed it). Honestly, "two-year-old" is merely a euphemism for "Emissary of Hell." I make it a policy to never deal with these people (that is usually reserved for people who are physically older but still act like this - not because of any medical thing, just because they're immature twerps. That's another post).
That being said, I have to admit that I don't mind children in small doses (sometimes). To be fair, I do derive great enjoyment out of my little cousins and the children of various friends and family members. But the thing that works in these instances is that these kids belong to other people. When I'm dealing with other people's kids, I am well within my rights to pawn off the little yard ape onto their parents when the kids become a threat to my temper and my sanity. And I don't mind baby-sitting (especially if I'm being paid for my efforts). I just don't want any little terrors of my own.
I'm not disparaging people who have small kids. If there were no small kids, there would never be any big kids which means there would never be any adult kids. I am very happy that my parents, at least, decided to have kids. I'm looking forward to my siblings someday having kids (if they so choose) and my becoming an aunt. I actually want to the "Fun Aunt." But I'd go completely nuts if I had a child and I couldn't get away from it.
UPDATE: Item #6 on this list pretty much sums it up.
I constantly am reminded why I like working at the high school and why I want to be a YA librarian. For all their hormones and moodiness and cocky attitudes, I can successfully relate to teenagers on a pseudo-adult level. I basically treat them as adults unless they demonstrate that they don't deserve that kind of treatment. And usually, that's enough to clue them into the fact that they need to knock off whatever stupidity they are currently engaged it (note that I said usually - often, teenagers are just little goobers no matter what you do. That's when you send them to the principal's office).
Small children, on the other hand (and by "small," I mean anything younger than 13 - the generally accepted elementary school age group) are the nastiest little punks known in the world. Especially in large numbers (say, more than four or five). They aren't capable of listening and comprehending that the adult in the room actually wants them to stop throwing pudding at the walls (sometimes, it's worse than pudding). Two-year-olds are the worst because they still have that "I'm so cute" aura about them, but they are about as cuddly as the Rancor in "Return of the Jedi" (you know - that monster that Jabba the Hutt had in his basement. The one that almost ate Luke. The one that one Fat Man cried over when Luke killed it). Honestly, "two-year-old" is merely a euphemism for "Emissary of Hell." I make it a policy to never deal with these people (that is usually reserved for people who are physically older but still act like this - not because of any medical thing, just because they're immature twerps. That's another post).
That being said, I have to admit that I don't mind children in small doses (sometimes). To be fair, I do derive great enjoyment out of my little cousins and the children of various friends and family members. But the thing that works in these instances is that these kids belong to other people. When I'm dealing with other people's kids, I am well within my rights to pawn off the little yard ape onto their parents when the kids become a threat to my temper and my sanity. And I don't mind baby-sitting (especially if I'm being paid for my efforts). I just don't want any little terrors of my own.
I'm not disparaging people who have small kids. If there were no small kids, there would never be any big kids which means there would never be any adult kids. I am very happy that my parents, at least, decided to have kids. I'm looking forward to my siblings someday having kids (if they so choose) and my becoming an aunt. I actually want to the "Fun Aunt." But I'd go completely nuts if I had a child and I couldn't get away from it.
UPDATE: Item #6 on this list pretty much sums it up.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
TROLL IN THE DUNGEONS!
It was exactly nine years ago today that "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" was released in theaters! I know - it freaked me out when I realized it. I was still in high school, for crap's sake! Mom let me skip school that day (she called the school and told them I had an appointment... which is partially true, if you think about it) and I camped out at the movie theater for tickets. The newspaper even came down and took pictures of people waiting. I had been reading "Prisoner of Azkaban" and the newspaper folks got a shot of me reading my book, which ended up on the front page of the paper. To this day, it remains one of the best photos ever taken of me (and I'm looking down ^_^ I probably have a copy of it in shoebox somewhere). Seems fitting, seeing as how this Friday, part one of "Deathly Hallows" is coming out.
But nine years ago today - the SQUEE was unleashed. Enjoy some nostalgia:
(Everybody's thinking it, I'm just going to say it: HOLY CRAP THEY'RE SO LITTLE!!!)
But nine years ago today - the SQUEE was unleashed. Enjoy some nostalgia:
(Everybody's thinking it, I'm just going to say it: HOLY CRAP THEY'RE SO LITTLE!!!)
Sunday, November 14, 2010
In Which I Make Humble Apologies
To my loyal readership who has come to expect I make NFL picks from week to week. Yeah, well, I dropped the ball this week (very much like the Utes have done for the last two weeks. Feh). In my defense, I had my class weekend which included a huge presentation and much driving between home and Salt Lake. Still not a good enough excuse, but I offer it to my followers (all four of you).
This might not make up for it, but this is my blog and I post what I like. The following clip made me SQUEE nine ways to Sunday. Even though I don't watch "Leverage," it makes my heart happy to see American shows do this sort of thing:
(Personally, I would have rather been Mrs. Peter Davison, but only because I skipped ahead and started watching episodes from the Fifth Doctor's tenure - to the joy of my fangirly senses. Maybe once I go back and watch episodes with the Fourth Doctor, I will gladly jump on that Tom Baker bandwagon - but I do love Sarah Jane ^_^)
Oh, and this one made me giggle too. I have been known to catch NCIS from time to time:
This might not make up for it, but this is my blog and I post what I like. The following clip made me SQUEE nine ways to Sunday. Even though I don't watch "Leverage," it makes my heart happy to see American shows do this sort of thing:
(Personally, I would have rather been Mrs. Peter Davison, but only because I skipped ahead and started watching episodes from the Fifth Doctor's tenure - to the joy of my fangirly senses. Maybe once I go back and watch episodes with the Fourth Doctor, I will gladly jump on that Tom Baker bandwagon - but I do love Sarah Jane ^_^)
Oh, and this one made me giggle too. I have been known to catch NCIS from time to time:
Thursday, November 11, 2010
In a Particularly Good Mood
The kids are off getting their Veterans Day program and luncheon ready, which means there must be drama. Happily, I know nothing about it, so I can stay out of the line of fire. They have some assignments due today in the classes I'm over, so I must soon enter the fray to remind them of this. Pray for me.
On a happier "Doctor Who" related note, I decided that I had been getting bogged down in the First Doctor's episodes (after Vicki leaves, it just isn't worth plodding through the rest), so I took some advice from fellow Whovians and started skipping around to find something I like. I watched "The Mind Robber" from the Second Doctor's tenure, which was very good. Then I started in on "The Invasion," which started out okay but then I got bored of it (but I have to say - I love Jamie and Zoe both and I will go back and find other stories with them in it).
In the meantime, I've been introducing my younger cousins to the new series and we just finished Series 3. I included "Time Crash," which is the Children in Need short from the end of that Series (and one of my absolute favorite "episodes" - never mind the fact that it's less than 10 minutes long. Hey, I count it). The kids wanted to know (and I wanted to show them) who that "old Doctor" was - the guy in the beige coat with the celery on his lapel. I've explained about regeneration and the classic series before... but then I got the idea to show them "The Five Doctors," which I have seen before - more or less on accident - but I loved it. After I watched "Time Crash" and "The Five Doctors" with the kids, I was inspired to find episodes featuring Peter Davison as the Doctor because I think he was simply delightful in the DW stories I have seen.
So, last night, I started at the beginning with "Castovalva" and I stinking loved it! My self-diagnosed ADD kicked in only when the Doctor was off working through his regeneration and I had to push through the stuff with Nyssa and Tegan. But I really, really love the Fifth Doctor! The segment where he's unraveling that ridiculously long scarf and trying to find the Zero Room was so funny - and that he couldn't remember his companions names. I just love the goofy characterization of the Doctor (probably why I got bored of the First Doctor - he took himself way too seriously). I can't wait to see more of Five's stories. I think I'll work my way through the Fifth Doctor and then go back for the Fourth Doctor since that's the one everyone seems to love, but I really don't have much motivation for his episodes quite yet (and I hear mutinous mutters of "Blasphemy!" across the Whoniverse).
And I have class this weekend, which I'm excited for but also a little nervous. We have group presentations due this weekend, which I'm happy about becausethe lectures in this class are boring as hell I like hearing what my classmates have been working on and what their take is on the subject material. And I made up our PowerPoint (and some of you know how I am with PowerPoint), which is stinking fun. I made a video to go with the project and it's purely original material (with the exception of the background music because - let's face it - I am totally not a musician. I just know what I like).
Must dash!
On a happier "Doctor Who" related note, I decided that I had been getting bogged down in the First Doctor's episodes (after Vicki leaves, it just isn't worth plodding through the rest), so I took some advice from fellow Whovians and started skipping around to find something I like. I watched "The Mind Robber" from the Second Doctor's tenure, which was very good. Then I started in on "The Invasion," which started out okay but then I got bored of it (but I have to say - I love Jamie and Zoe both and I will go back and find other stories with them in it).
In the meantime, I've been introducing my younger cousins to the new series and we just finished Series 3. I included "Time Crash," which is the Children in Need short from the end of that Series (and one of my absolute favorite "episodes" - never mind the fact that it's less than 10 minutes long. Hey, I count it). The kids wanted to know (and I wanted to show them) who that "old Doctor" was - the guy in the beige coat with the celery on his lapel. I've explained about regeneration and the classic series before... but then I got the idea to show them "The Five Doctors," which I have seen before - more or less on accident - but I loved it. After I watched "Time Crash" and "The Five Doctors" with the kids, I was inspired to find episodes featuring Peter Davison as the Doctor because I think he was simply delightful in the DW stories I have seen.
So, last night, I started at the beginning with "Castovalva" and I stinking loved it! My self-diagnosed ADD kicked in only when the Doctor was off working through his regeneration and I had to push through the stuff with Nyssa and Tegan. But I really, really love the Fifth Doctor! The segment where he's unraveling that ridiculously long scarf and trying to find the Zero Room was so funny - and that he couldn't remember his companions names. I just love the goofy characterization of the Doctor (probably why I got bored of the First Doctor - he took himself way too seriously). I can't wait to see more of Five's stories. I think I'll work my way through the Fifth Doctor and then go back for the Fourth Doctor since that's the one everyone seems to love, but I really don't have much motivation for his episodes quite yet (and I hear mutinous mutters of "Blasphemy!" across the Whoniverse).
And I have class this weekend, which I'm excited for but also a little nervous. We have group presentations due this weekend, which I'm happy about because
Must dash!
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Saving All My Luck - NFL Week 9
I'm maintaining that the Utes lost today because I'm saving my luck for tomorrow's NFL matchups (though I don't think I have any control over when my luck gets used. I'd rather have used it today - that was just pathetic...)
Tampa Bay @ Atlanta - The Bucs are picking up steam and doing better, but Atlanta's kind of been a middle-of-the-road-they-don't-exactly-suck-but-they-aren't-fantastic-either team. Oh... I guess I'll pick Tampa Bay.
Miami @ Baltimore - Ravens
Chicago @ Buffalo - Bears
New Orleans @ Carolina - After last week's drubbing of the Steelers, have the Saints returned to being awesome? Even if they haven't, there's no way in you-know-where they're going to get beat by the Panthers (now watch - it'll happen). Pick the Saints.
New England @ Cleveland - New England
New York Jets @ Detroit - Jets
San Diego @ Houston - Um... the Chargers kind of stink this year and the Texans are good (she admitted grudgingly), so Houston.
Arizona @ Minnesota - Perennial Suckage (minus that one really weird year they went to the Super Bowl) versus "Days of Our Lives" in Syndication - well, I hate max hall on principle and I only mildly dislike Brett Favre right now, so I will go with the Vikings.
New York Giants @ Seattle - Giants
Kansas City @ Oakland - This is interesting. Prior to this year, both teams were bottom-of-the-barrel dwellers whose glory days seemed behind them. But now, they've both picked it up and are fun to watch. I'm not saying Chiefs and Raiders fans should book their hotel rooms in Arlington, but still. Hm... Well, my family's cheered for the Raiders for a long time, so I'm going to throw my hat in for the Raiders.
Indianapolis @ Philadelphia - After all these weeks, would there be any question of my pick? Colts.
Dallas @ Green Bay - I think NBC is wishing flex scheduling had already started because these Sunday Night Football games are turning into stinkers. Green Bay.
Pittsburgh @ Cincinnati - Steelers.
Next week, I'll have to start making picks on Wednesday because Thursday Night Football is starting up. Just so ya know.
And as a matter of interest, my record last week was a pitiful 7-6 (at least I'm over the .500 mark). My overall record is 53-34. It's a good thing I didn't have money on this venture.
Tampa Bay @ Atlanta - The Bucs are picking up steam and doing better, but Atlanta's kind of been a middle-of-the-road-they-don't-exactly-suck-but-they-aren't-fantastic-either team. Oh... I guess I'll pick Tampa Bay.
Miami @ Baltimore - Ravens
Chicago @ Buffalo - Bears
New Orleans @ Carolina - After last week's drubbing of the Steelers, have the Saints returned to being awesome? Even if they haven't, there's no way in you-know-where they're going to get beat by the Panthers (now watch - it'll happen). Pick the Saints.
New England @ Cleveland - New England
New York Jets @ Detroit - Jets
San Diego @ Houston - Um... the Chargers kind of stink this year and the Texans are good (she admitted grudgingly), so Houston.
Arizona @ Minnesota - Perennial Suckage (minus that one really weird year they went to the Super Bowl) versus "Days of Our Lives" in Syndication - well, I hate max hall on principle and I only mildly dislike Brett Favre right now, so I will go with the Vikings.
New York Giants @ Seattle - Giants
Kansas City @ Oakland - This is interesting. Prior to this year, both teams were bottom-of-the-barrel dwellers whose glory days seemed behind them. But now, they've both picked it up and are fun to watch. I'm not saying Chiefs and Raiders fans should book their hotel rooms in Arlington, but still. Hm... Well, my family's cheered for the Raiders for a long time, so I'm going to throw my hat in for the Raiders.
Indianapolis @ Philadelphia - After all these weeks, would there be any question of my pick? Colts.
Dallas @ Green Bay - I think NBC is wishing flex scheduling had already started because these Sunday Night Football games are turning into stinkers. Green Bay.
Pittsburgh @ Cincinnati - Steelers.
Next week, I'll have to start making picks on Wednesday because Thursday Night Football is starting up. Just so ya know.
And as a matter of interest, my record last week was a pitiful 7-6 (at least I'm over the .500 mark). My overall record is 53-34. It's a good thing I didn't have money on this venture.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Utah-byu - Analysis of a Rivalry
Just got my weekly issue of Sports Illustrated, which brings mucho happiness to a Friday so marked with miscues and pessimism (beginning with a power blip that rendered my alarm clock impotent and put me twenty minutes late for work). The cover was all about San Francisco winning the World Series, which I don't care too much about that, but I flip through each issue anyway and this week, I was glad I did.
In the middle of World Series coverage and football analysts scratching their heads over the weirdness that is the 2010 NFL season, there was a very nice and very comprehensive (for being a filler) article about Kyle Whittingham and the #5 ranked Utes, who are set to take on the #3 ranked TCU this Saturday. Now, for all the hoopla and attention Boise State and TCU have gathered, you'd think they were the only non-AQ teams with the BCS in their sights. But Utah's right up there with 'em and it's fantastic. I can even forgive the lack of attention the media has given Utah lately (Imma lookin' at you, ESPN BCS Countdown - every week I've watched them make predictions of who will be ranked, they give Boise and TCU spots, but never Utah).
(And Heaven Be Praised that this was not the cover story. I've endured waaaay too many SI cover jinxes for my liking).
Here is a link to the article. Read that first, then come back for my analysis.
First, it talks about how Coach Whittingham was offered head coaching jobs at both BYU and Utah and he chose Utah despite having played for BYU and having family in the Provo area. Then, the article goes on to talk about Utah being ranked and the TCU matchup this weekend and Utah's been in bowl games before and we scraped by Air Force (but they've always been a pain to play)... and here's where it get interesting - quoting from the article now:
"The BYU-Utah rivalry... is often described as a clash between church and state: the devoutly Mormon Cougars versus the secular Utes. (Certainly there are plenty of BYU fans who choose to see it that way.) The fact is, roughly half the players on Utah's roster are LDS." (emphasis added)
Wow. Speaking from a standpoint of an LDS Ute fan, this is huge. Speaking as an LDS Ute fan who went on a mission to the land of college football blue bloods (Florida), it's about stinking time that a proverbial outsider figured this out. Just because you're LDS doesn't automatically mean you must attend and cheer for byu (my blog's style guide dictates that byu be put in lowercase unless it's being quoted because capital letters are reserved for classy people. Like Jesus).
I get that, for LDS people outside of Utah, attending byu is a chance to go to college somewhere that you don't have to answer to every Baptist Bob and Pastor Pete that thinks you're on a one-way street to hell and your best buds with Beelzebub himself because you supposedly don't believe the "same Bible" and the "same Jesus" that they do (To be fair to my non-LDS Christian brothers and sisters - this doesn't happen that often, but it does happen - it is not my intent to stir whatever "Mormon vs. Non-Mormon" pot you may have here). I can respect people going to byu for those reasons (after 18 months in the Bible Belt, heaven knows I respect that). When you finally have the choice of which school to attend, you should be able to make that choice as you see fit.
However - that being said - I also like what Murphy says here (again, quoting from the article, which also quotes current Utah players):
"[T]his is the attitude that drives Utes (LDS Utes in particular) around the bend - is the belief that the Cougars and their fans are literally holier than thou...
"But wait a minute. If Utah's coach is Mormon, if half his players are Mormon, doesn't that give them common cause with their rivals? Wouldn't that turn down the heat on the rivalry? 'It cranks it up, actually,' says [Utah senior center Zane] Taylor, who isn't Mormon. Speaking for his LDS teammates, he explains that 'it offends them that someone would think they're a better Mormon just because they go to a religious school.' "
When all is said and done, though, this is the best line out of all of it - by Shaky Smithson, who I've come to love after that initial scare during the Pitt game: "That's how you want a rivalry - you want it nasty."
And then there's my dad's take on it - "If the your rival is named after the same guy that founded your school and you were founded first - that's a rivalry!"
So, there you go - for all you people that complain how mean, nasty and un-Christlike we football fans are - the Utah-byu rivalry in a nutshell.
And it's not even Rivalry Week - that's what gets me here. The Utes have to take care of TCU tomorrow. And then Notre Dame, then San Diego and then we can get to the business of eating byu's lunch.
Anyway - here's to a Utah victory tomorrow!!
(pretty, pretty please with sugar on top? I've been a good girl!!)
In the middle of World Series coverage and football analysts scratching their heads over the weirdness that is the 2010 NFL season, there was a very nice and very comprehensive (for being a filler) article about Kyle Whittingham and the #5 ranked Utes, who are set to take on the #3 ranked TCU this Saturday. Now, for all the hoopla and attention Boise State and TCU have gathered, you'd think they were the only non-AQ teams with the BCS in their sights. But Utah's right up there with 'em and it's fantastic. I can even forgive the lack of attention the media has given Utah lately (Imma lookin' at you, ESPN BCS Countdown - every week I've watched them make predictions of who will be ranked, they give Boise and TCU spots, but never Utah).
(And Heaven Be Praised that this was not the cover story. I've endured waaaay too many SI cover jinxes for my liking).
Here is a link to the article. Read that first, then come back for my analysis.
First, it talks about how Coach Whittingham was offered head coaching jobs at both BYU and Utah and he chose Utah despite having played for BYU and having family in the Provo area. Then, the article goes on to talk about Utah being ranked and the TCU matchup this weekend and Utah's been in bowl games before and we scraped by Air Force (but they've always been a pain to play)... and here's where it get interesting - quoting from the article now:
"The BYU-Utah rivalry... is often described as a clash between church and state: the devoutly Mormon Cougars versus the secular Utes. (Certainly there are plenty of BYU fans who choose to see it that way.) The fact is, roughly half the players on Utah's roster are LDS." (emphasis added)
Wow. Speaking from a standpoint of an LDS Ute fan, this is huge. Speaking as an LDS Ute fan who went on a mission to the land of college football blue bloods (Florida), it's about stinking time that a proverbial outsider figured this out. Just because you're LDS doesn't automatically mean you must attend and cheer for byu (my blog's style guide dictates that byu be put in lowercase unless it's being quoted because capital letters are reserved for classy people. Like Jesus).
I get that, for LDS people outside of Utah, attending byu is a chance to go to college somewhere that you don't have to answer to every Baptist Bob and Pastor Pete that thinks you're on a one-way street to hell and your best buds with Beelzebub himself because you supposedly don't believe the "same Bible" and the "same Jesus" that they do (To be fair to my non-LDS Christian brothers and sisters - this doesn't happen that often, but it does happen - it is not my intent to stir whatever "Mormon vs. Non-Mormon" pot you may have here). I can respect people going to byu for those reasons (after 18 months in the Bible Belt, heaven knows I respect that). When you finally have the choice of which school to attend, you should be able to make that choice as you see fit.
However - that being said - I also like what Murphy says here (again, quoting from the article, which also quotes current Utah players):
"[T]his is the attitude that drives Utes (LDS Utes in particular) around the bend - is the belief that the Cougars and their fans are literally holier than thou...
"But wait a minute. If Utah's coach is Mormon, if half his players are Mormon, doesn't that give them common cause with their rivals? Wouldn't that turn down the heat on the rivalry? 'It cranks it up, actually,' says [Utah senior center Zane] Taylor, who isn't Mormon. Speaking for his LDS teammates, he explains that 'it offends them that someone would think they're a better Mormon just because they go to a religious school.' "
When all is said and done, though, this is the best line out of all of it - by Shaky Smithson, who I've come to love after that initial scare during the Pitt game: "That's how you want a rivalry - you want it nasty."
And then there's my dad's take on it - "If the your rival is named after the same guy that founded your school and you were founded first - that's a rivalry!"
So, there you go - for all you people that complain how mean, nasty and un-Christlike we football fans are - the Utah-byu rivalry in a nutshell.
And it's not even Rivalry Week - that's what gets me here. The Utes have to take care of TCU tomorrow. And then Notre Dame, then San Diego and then we can get to the business of eating byu's lunch.
Anyway - here's to a Utah victory tomorrow!!
(pretty, pretty please with sugar on top? I've been a good girl!!)
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Second Term Kickoff
Have I mentioned I hate spam? Both the mystery meat and the crap that floods my inbox. Unfortunately, that seems to be the only kind of comments I get on this blog. So, if you do read this blog, would it kill you to leave an insightful comment? It would do wonders for my ego self-esteem.
Second term has begun and I love that my students are realizing that we only have a month in which to practice our play (a month, moreover, that loses half a week because of Thanksgiving break). So, we've decided to take a half hour every day out of our third period class and quickly practice a scene or work out something with sets.
Also, in regards to Monday Night Football last night - I love how everyone's ready to bail off the Colts bandwagon at the first sign of "trouble" (like, losing to the Texans in week 1) and say how they're washed up and they have all these injuries and Peyton Manning isn't that great... and then the Colts still win in prime time. Thus proving that all the analysts and pundits really have no idea what they're talking about. The most entertaining thing to do: DVR any of the Sunday NFL pregame shows and watch their predictions and picks after the games have been played, just to see how totally off-base they were (and to further prove that nothing in professional football is ever settled - even when you know the Raiders and the Lions are going to lose... sometimes, they still win). This could be an example of the pot calling the kettle black, of course, seeing as how I make my own picks every week on this very blog - but I can't resist a little ribbing of the guys in the studios (probably why I enjoy watching Frank Caliendo's picks on Fox every week).
Oh, and it's Election Day today. Rather than launch into my own brand of punditry (which would take all day and just raise my blood pressure and I actually have a project due tonight that I need to work on), I'm going to just say this: payback's a bitch.
Now sit back and watch the drama unfold (pass the popcorn, please).
Second term has begun and I love that my students are realizing that we only have a month in which to practice our play (a month, moreover, that loses half a week because of Thanksgiving break). So, we've decided to take a half hour every day out of our third period class and quickly practice a scene or work out something with sets.
Also, in regards to Monday Night Football last night - I love how everyone's ready to bail off the Colts bandwagon at the first sign of "trouble" (like, losing to the Texans in week 1) and say how they're washed up and they have all these injuries and Peyton Manning isn't that great... and then the Colts still win in prime time. Thus proving that all the analysts and pundits really have no idea what they're talking about. The most entertaining thing to do: DVR any of the Sunday NFL pregame shows and watch their predictions and picks after the games have been played, just to see how totally off-base they were (and to further prove that nothing in professional football is ever settled - even when you know the Raiders and the Lions are going to lose... sometimes, they still win). This could be an example of the pot calling the kettle black, of course, seeing as how I make my own picks every week on this very blog - but I can't resist a little ribbing of the guys in the studios (probably why I enjoy watching Frank Caliendo's picks on Fox every week).
Oh, and it's Election Day today. Rather than launch into my own brand of punditry (which would take all day and just raise my blood pressure and I actually have a project due tonight that I need to work on), I'm going to just say this: payback's a bitch.
Now sit back and watch the drama unfold (pass the popcorn, please).
Sunday, October 31, 2010
NFL Picks - Halloween Edition
Happy Halloween! And... on to the picks!
Denver @ San Francisco - Aren't they in London this week? *checks quickly* Yes, they are. And I'm going to pick the Broncos merely because they're made about last week's thrashing they took from the Raiders and they're not going to let it happen against the Niners. Not in front of an international audience.
Jacksonville @ Dallas - Eesh... Dallas, you really stink. This is the most exciting thing ever! Though, I don't know that your stinkage will be able to be contained against the stinkage of the Jaguars. I say, this may be the week Dallas starts to figure out that they don't wan to stink anymore. *holds nose* Dallas
Miami @ Cincinnati - sigh... Miami
Buffalo @ Kansas City - KC
Washington @ Detroit - Redskins
Carolina @ St. Louis - Didn't we see this movie already? Well... I think I'll go with the Rams.
Green Bay @ New York Jets - Green Bay
Tennessee @ San Diego - I would reeeeeally like the Chargers to pull it out, since any Titans' loss only help the Colts, but I don't think they can do it. sigh... Titans
Minnesota @ New England - sigh... New England. The Vikings just aren't playing good enough this year.
Tampa Bay @ Arizona - *flips coin* Tampa Bay
Seattle @ Oakland - Seattle
Pittsburgh @ New Orleans - Wait moment - here's a game that might actually be a good one? In prime time? On Sunday Night? I must be living right! Pittsburgh.
Houston @ Indianapolis - *paging the Texans, paging the Texans* This is for you - Payback's a bitch. Indy by five.
Denver @ San Francisco - Aren't they in London this week? *checks quickly* Yes, they are. And I'm going to pick the Broncos merely because they're made about last week's thrashing they took from the Raiders and they're not going to let it happen against the Niners. Not in front of an international audience.
Jacksonville @ Dallas - Eesh... Dallas, you really stink. This is the most exciting thing ever! Though, I don't know that your stinkage will be able to be contained against the stinkage of the Jaguars. I say, this may be the week Dallas starts to figure out that they don't wan to stink anymore. *holds nose* Dallas
Miami @ Cincinnati - sigh... Miami
Buffalo @ Kansas City - KC
Washington @ Detroit - Redskins
Carolina @ St. Louis - Didn't we see this movie already? Well... I think I'll go with the Rams.
Green Bay @ New York Jets - Green Bay
Tennessee @ San Diego - I would reeeeeally like the Chargers to pull it out, since any Titans' loss only help the Colts, but I don't think they can do it. sigh... Titans
Minnesota @ New England - sigh... New England. The Vikings just aren't playing good enough this year.
Tampa Bay @ Arizona - *flips coin* Tampa Bay
Seattle @ Oakland - Seattle
Pittsburgh @ New Orleans - Wait moment - here's a game that might actually be a good one? In prime time? On Sunday Night? I must be living right! Pittsburgh.
Houston @ Indianapolis - *paging the Texans, paging the Texans* This is for you - Payback's a bitch. Indy by five.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
NFL Week 7 - In Front Of My Sunday Ticket Poster
When our NFL Preview issue of Sports Illustrated came, there was a huge DirecTV poster promoting their NFL Sunday Ticket package. The poster is designed as (A) a schedule of every regular season NFL game and (B) a collection of "tickets" to every game you can get on your TV if you have Sunday Ticket. I had grand visions of me using this to keep track of every teams wins and losses this year... but the grand and ambitious visions I have often turn into just passing fancies. But the poster looks great on my wall.
But the best thing is that I don't have to go searching for an NFL schedule to cut/paste into this post and then get rid of all the peripheral crap like the time, the stadium, the field conditions and whether or not Jerry Jones has money on the game. I can just type up "Team A vs. Team B" and make my predictions. I like being independent, personally.
On to the picks!
Saints vs. Browns - Saints
Titans vs. Eagles - Titans
Dolphins vs. Steelers - Steelers
Buccaneers vs. Rams - The Rams look to continue their *ahem* winning ways.
Bears vs. Redskins - As do the 'Skins (even though they lost last week - but it was to a good cause)
Panthers vs.49ers - Oh geez... more sack-of-crap games. Though Carolina is new to this trend of sucking and I don't think they like it very much (shoot, I wouldn't). Oh what the heck - Niners.
Chiefs vs. Jaguars - I would like the Chiefs to be better than they have been of late and I have no great love for the Jaguars (despite having served a mission in Jacksonville - there's a long story behind that). This is a purely pick-with-my-heart vote - KC.
Ravens vs. Bills - *cough, cough* Ravens
Falcons vs. Bengals - Falcons
Seahawks vs. Cardinals - the *headdesk* game of the week - either I must cheer for the "Legends in Our Own Minds" Seachickens or I have to go with the "Classless Wonder Douche Bag, What do you MEAN he's Rookie of the Week" snotwipe max hall (Remember - Capital letters are reserve for classy people. Like Jesus - no, I'm never going to let him live that one down)... You know what? I really don't want to cheer for the Cardinals. Hello, Seattle!
Chargers vs. Patriots - sigh... Before this year, this would have been a good matchup to watch, but I think since San Diego has taken over the "We-would-be-The-Sucky-McSuckerton-in-the-AFC-West-except-we-share-a-division-with-the-Raiders" position (previously held by Kansas City), I have to hold my nose and vote for the "Batriots."
Broncos vs. Raiders - Again with the holding-of-the-nose (well, I do have a little dog sitting in my room that is in dire need of a bath), I punch the ballot for the Broncos.
Packers vs. Vikings - One of these days, I'll be able to sit down to these games without hearing Brett Favre drama. I'm sure Aaron Rodgers would appreciate it. Good grief - can't the kid have a decent career in Green Bay with Teh Favre hanging over his head? And it's a shame because I grew up thinking Favre was a pretty good guy, but I'm tired of the constant soap opera - just play the damn game already. Just because I know the media analysis will be all BrettFavreBrettFavreBrettFavre - I'm picking Aaron Rodgers. Green Bay for the win.
Cowboys vs. Giants - If I didn't absolutely despise the Cowboys, I would pity them. Their owner (who has the mouth the size that rivals that monstrosity of a stadium), told everyone and their mom's goldfish that His Team would be in the Super Bowl and said Team has the gloriousness of the Son of God Himself (which must make Jerry Jones think He is God or some twisted thing like that - okay, I made that last part up - please don't hurt me) - and Teh 'Boys have nearly the same record as the Rams, the Lions, the 49ers and the Browns (the only reason the records are not the same is because Dallas has had their bye week). If it was any other team, they would have fallen by the wayside and not even be mentioned during SportsCenter. But it's the sainted Dallas Cowboys who can do no wrong - except when they suck and it suddenly becomes a national crisis. I'm half expecting to hear of Wade Phillips being hauled in to testify before Congress over why Dallas is so stinking terrible this year and what the government can do to remedy this problem. Barring that, maybe a "We Are the World" telethon with every brainless, vapid celebrity imaginable imploring the rest of the league to donate a few wins to the woebegone Cowboys.
*sniffle* Leave Tony Romo alone!! *sob, weep, wail* (Seriously, I could go on).
Anyway, the Cowboys suck, which my life is tolerable. The NFC East is actually interesting to watch and I'm going with the Giants.
**My current standings - after last week's 8-4 performance - is 46-28.**
But the best thing is that I don't have to go searching for an NFL schedule to cut/paste into this post and then get rid of all the peripheral crap like the time, the stadium, the field conditions and whether or not Jerry Jones has money on the game. I can just type up "Team A vs. Team B" and make my predictions. I like being independent, personally.
On to the picks!
Saints vs. Browns - Saints
Titans vs. Eagles - Titans
Dolphins vs. Steelers - Steelers
Buccaneers vs. Rams - The Rams look to continue their *ahem* winning ways.
Bears vs. Redskins - As do the 'Skins (even though they lost last week - but it was to a good cause)
Panthers vs.49ers - Oh geez... more sack-of-crap games. Though Carolina is new to this trend of sucking and I don't think they like it very much (shoot, I wouldn't). Oh what the heck - Niners.
Chiefs vs. Jaguars - I would like the Chiefs to be better than they have been of late and I have no great love for the Jaguars (despite having served a mission in Jacksonville - there's a long story behind that). This is a purely pick-with-my-heart vote - KC.
Ravens vs. Bills - *cough, cough* Ravens
Falcons vs. Bengals - Falcons
Seahawks vs. Cardinals - the *headdesk* game of the week - either I must cheer for the "Legends in Our Own Minds" Seachickens or I have to go with the "Classless Wonder Douche Bag, What do you MEAN he's Rookie of the Week" snotwipe max hall (Remember - Capital letters are reserve for classy people. Like Jesus - no, I'm never going to let him live that one down)... You know what? I really don't want to cheer for the Cardinals. Hello, Seattle!
Chargers vs. Patriots - sigh... Before this year, this would have been a good matchup to watch, but I think since San Diego has taken over the "We-would-be-The-Sucky-McSuckerton-in-the-AFC-West-except-we-share-a-division-with-the-Raiders" position (previously held by Kansas City), I have to hold my nose and vote for the "Batriots."
Broncos vs. Raiders - Again with the holding-of-the-nose (well, I do have a little dog sitting in my room that is in dire need of a bath), I punch the ballot for the Broncos.
Packers vs. Vikings - One of these days, I'll be able to sit down to these games without hearing Brett Favre drama. I'm sure Aaron Rodgers would appreciate it. Good grief - can't the kid have a decent career in Green Bay with Teh Favre hanging over his head? And it's a shame because I grew up thinking Favre was a pretty good guy, but I'm tired of the constant soap opera - just play the damn game already. Just because I know the media analysis will be all BrettFavreBrettFavreBrettFavre - I'm picking Aaron Rodgers. Green Bay for the win.
Cowboys vs. Giants - If I didn't absolutely despise the Cowboys, I would pity them. Their owner (who has the mouth the size that rivals that monstrosity of a stadium), told everyone and their mom's goldfish that His Team would be in the Super Bowl and said Team has the gloriousness of the Son of God Himself (which must make Jerry Jones think He is God or some twisted thing like that - okay, I made that last part up - please don't hurt me) - and Teh 'Boys have nearly the same record as the Rams, the Lions, the 49ers and the Browns (the only reason the records are not the same is because Dallas has had their bye week). If it was any other team, they would have fallen by the wayside and not even be mentioned during SportsCenter. But it's the sainted Dallas Cowboys who can do no wrong - except when they suck and it suddenly becomes a national crisis. I'm half expecting to hear of Wade Phillips being hauled in to testify before Congress over why Dallas is so stinking terrible this year and what the government can do to remedy this problem. Barring that, maybe a "We Are the World" telethon with every brainless, vapid celebrity imaginable imploring the rest of the league to donate a few wins to the woebegone Cowboys.
*sniffle* Leave Tony Romo alone!! *sob, weep, wail* (Seriously, I could go on).
Anyway, the Cowboys suck, which my life is tolerable. The NFC East is actually interesting to watch and I'm going with the Giants.
**My current standings - after last week's 8-4 performance - is 46-28.**
Friday, October 22, 2010
Yes, Virginia. There is Life West of Redwood Road.
Saw this on Facebook and I had to laugh. But I wonder - isn't Callao a great candidate for the name of a town that no one knows how to pronounce?
When I looked this up on YouTube, there were some Wasatch Front dwellers commenting on how they'd never heard of some of these towns, despite having lived in Utah all their lives.
And they say we small-town folk are sheltered *shakes head* Poor, deprived souls....
When I looked this up on YouTube, there were some Wasatch Front dwellers commenting on how they'd never heard of some of these towns, despite having lived in Utah all their lives.
And they say we small-town folk are sheltered *shakes head* Poor, deprived souls....
Sunday, October 17, 2010
At Least Someone Named Francisco Does Something Good
Well, I guess the Niners won today. So, Francisco is actually a very lucky name today. Let's hear it for the one-handed catch!
I love my Colts. To pieces. But I am not loving this down-to-the-wire winning stuff. Then again, I kind of grumble when the games are boring. Upon further reflection, I don't know if I can handle this kind of nerve-wracking excitement.
When I first got home, the pre-SNF highlights showed all the games that my picks got wrong, so I thought that I had done terribly. But I actually made a pretty decent 7-4 today (with the Titans-Jaguars game still to come).
I'm so glad that Johnny is NOT ribbing me about anything tonight. Whenever the Colts play in primetime, Johnny sits over here and makes his stupid little comments and snide little remarks (he doesn't like the Colts - he'd rather watch Backstreet Boy rejects masquerade as NFL quarterbacks). When the Colts lose, he is unbearable and I want to pop the little twerp. But when the Colts win, Johnny quietly takes his leave so I don't come down on him - I rarely do in these cases. It's like he thinks because he rags on me when the team I'm cheering for loses, that I will do the same to him. Granted, I sometimes do, but only if he's been overly obnoxious about it.
Bottom Line - Colts win! I can face the week *sigh in relief*
ETA: My cousin had this little tidbit on her blog and I was on the floor. I'm making it official - Tom Brady's new nickname is "Justin Bieber in a Helmet." I seriously want someone from ESPN to pick this up - Boomer, Keyshawn, Frank Caliendo (even though he's with Fox Sports) - I don't care - just someone please make fun of this! (give it a spot on "C'mon Man!" - please!)
I love my Colts. To pieces. But I am not loving this down-to-the-wire winning stuff. Then again, I kind of grumble when the games are boring. Upon further reflection, I don't know if I can handle this kind of nerve-wracking excitement.
When I first got home, the pre-SNF highlights showed all the games that my picks got wrong, so I thought that I had done terribly. But I actually made a pretty decent 7-4 today (with the Titans-Jaguars game still to come).
I'm so glad that Johnny is NOT ribbing me about anything tonight. Whenever the Colts play in primetime, Johnny sits over here and makes his stupid little comments and snide little remarks (he doesn't like the Colts - he'd rather watch Backstreet Boy rejects masquerade as NFL quarterbacks). When the Colts lose, he is unbearable and I want to pop the little twerp. But when the Colts win, Johnny quietly takes his leave so I don't come down on him - I rarely do in these cases. It's like he thinks because he rags on me when the team I'm cheering for loses, that I will do the same to him. Granted, I sometimes do, but only if he's been overly obnoxious about it.
Bottom Line - Colts win! I can face the week *sigh in relief*
ETA: My cousin had this little tidbit on her blog and I was on the floor. I'm making it official - Tom Brady's new nickname is "Justin Bieber in a Helmet." I seriously want someone from ESPN to pick this up - Boomer, Keyshawn, Frank Caliendo (even though he's with Fox Sports) - I don't care - just someone please make fun of this! (give it a spot on "C'mon Man!" - please!)
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Mom: "Why are you always in such liberal programs?" (and NFL Picks)
(NFL picks below the pointless blather).
I'm in my library classes this weekend and I am reminded of a comment my mother made to me some time ago. I honestly have no idea why I am drawn to liberal professions while I remain ever-so-conservative in opinion. Maybe it says something about my convictions that I can study literature, writing and library science in academia (which, I enjoy all three immensely) and still be a card-carrying member of the "Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy" (she says tongue-in-cheek... more or less... ^_^) I dunno... some people question my senses, but I manage to sleep at night.
Anyway - on to something COMPLETELY different - it's Saturday, which means that I have football picks to make! Shoot, making predictions off the wrong schedule (as happened momentarily last week) do not impede me from making my picks - why should a little thing like a class weekend do the same?
As things stand, my season record is.. well, look for yourself: I was 8-6 last week, which brings my season-to-date record to 38-24. And for the record - Max Hall did NOT lead the Cardinals to the win. Drew Brees just sucked last week. Arizona's defense ate the Saints' lunch. I would even venture to say that Arizona won IN SPITE of Max Hall's "stumblin', bumblin', fumblin'" (Imma lookin' at you, Deseret News! Zoobie-lovin'-Cocktail-Party-wussies... I can't stand the Tribune either - bunch of pinko commies - so I just don't read either one unless something big happens that I really want to know about. But then, that's what Google is for :3)
This week -
Seattle at Chicago - Ugh... Seattle (the Bears' season so far is just one big "C'Mon Man!" Them and the Cowboys. I find it quite hilarious ^_^)
Miami at Green Bay - I like Green Bay. Not in a bandwagon-jumper kind of way (even though the Packers have been on my list of "Yes, I'll Cheer for You" teams since forever), but I like Green Bay to win.
San Diego at St. Louis - San Diego
Baltimore at New England - My upset pick for the week is Baltimore to defeat the Patriots (heck, it's not like there are never any upsets ever, right?)
New Orleans at Tampa Bay - The Saints are playing pissed (after getting beat by the Tempe Toilet Bowl? Hoooo-yeah...). New Orleans will wipe the floor with the Bucs.
Detroit at NY Giants - Giants (all my Detroit jokes are getting old, even if they did win last week).
Atlanta at Philadelphia - The "Days of Our Lives" game of the week - Michael Vick's new team against Michael Vick's old team (and who knows if Vick is even going to be playing). Coin toss - tails - Philly
Cleveland at Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh
Kansas City at Houston - Oh gosh... this should be a barn-burner (now that I've said that... it'll be a blowout). In all honesty, I have high hopes for Kansas City so I will pick them.
Oakland at San Francisco - The Black Hole Crazies head across the bay to Wine-and-Dine Yuppie Town (among other things that SF is associated with - but I'm not getting into that one 'cause I actually like the Niners, even though they stink)... I guess I'll go with Oakland since they're probably high off their win against San Diego (which doesn't make sense, since San Diego is probably playing pissed and they'll eat St. Louis' lunch - so why would Oakland win if they won last week... but the Raiders are playing San Francisco - now I'm just talking in circles... but my pick is Oakland - that's all you need to know)
NY Jets at Denver - I guess I'll go with the home team - Denver
Dallas at Minnesota - Battle of the teams-that-should-have-been-good-but-actually-suck (at least, this season). If I have a choice, I don't pick Dallas as a rule. Minnesota.
Indianapolis at Washington - Redskins... you're playing the Colts... By the grace of God go you. I'm going with Indy.
Tennessee at Jacksonville - Ever since going to ESPN, Monday Night Football had gotten some pretty crap games (though the Eagles-Niners game on NBC last Sunday wasn't exactly Must-See-TV). Sooo... gosh... I think I'll go with the Titans.
Good - I got that done. I've got a Halloween party tonight, which I am totally stoked for. Pictures will be posted soon afterward ^_^
I'm in my library classes this weekend and I am reminded of a comment my mother made to me some time ago. I honestly have no idea why I am drawn to liberal professions while I remain ever-so-conservative in opinion. Maybe it says something about my convictions that I can study literature, writing and library science in academia (which, I enjoy all three immensely) and still be a card-carrying member of the "Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy" (she says tongue-in-cheek... more or less... ^_^) I dunno... some people question my senses, but I manage to sleep at night.
Anyway - on to something COMPLETELY different - it's Saturday, which means that I have football picks to make! Shoot, making predictions off the wrong schedule (as happened momentarily last week) do not impede me from making my picks - why should a little thing like a class weekend do the same?
As things stand, my season record is.. well, look for yourself: I was 8-6 last week, which brings my season-to-date record to 38-24. And for the record - Max Hall did NOT lead the Cardinals to the win. Drew Brees just sucked last week. Arizona's defense ate the Saints' lunch. I would even venture to say that Arizona won IN SPITE of Max Hall's "stumblin', bumblin', fumblin'" (Imma lookin' at you, Deseret News! Zoobie-lovin'-Cocktail-Party-wussies... I can't stand the Tribune either - bunch of pinko commies - so I just don't read either one unless something big happens that I really want to know about. But then, that's what Google is for :3)
This week -
Seattle at Chicago - Ugh... Seattle (the Bears' season so far is just one big "C'Mon Man!" Them and the Cowboys. I find it quite hilarious ^_^)
Miami at Green Bay - I like Green Bay. Not in a bandwagon-jumper kind of way (even though the Packers have been on my list of "Yes, I'll Cheer for You" teams since forever), but I like Green Bay to win.
San Diego at St. Louis - San Diego
Baltimore at New England - My upset pick for the week is Baltimore to defeat the Patriots (heck, it's not like there are never any upsets ever, right?)
New Orleans at Tampa Bay - The Saints are playing pissed (after getting beat by the Tempe Toilet Bowl? Hoooo-yeah...). New Orleans will wipe the floor with the Bucs.
Detroit at NY Giants - Giants (all my Detroit jokes are getting old, even if they did win last week).
Atlanta at Philadelphia - The "Days of Our Lives" game of the week - Michael Vick's new team against Michael Vick's old team (and who knows if Vick is even going to be playing). Coin toss - tails - Philly
Cleveland at Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh
Kansas City at Houston - Oh gosh... this should be a barn-burner (now that I've said that... it'll be a blowout). In all honesty, I have high hopes for Kansas City so I will pick them.
Oakland at San Francisco - The Black Hole Crazies head across the bay to Wine-and-Dine Yuppie Town (among other things that SF is associated with - but I'm not getting into that one 'cause I actually like the Niners, even though they stink)... I guess I'll go with Oakland since they're probably high off their win against San Diego (which doesn't make sense, since San Diego is probably playing pissed and they'll eat St. Louis' lunch - so why would Oakland win if they won last week... but the Raiders are playing San Francisco - now I'm just talking in circles... but my pick is Oakland - that's all you need to know)
NY Jets at Denver - I guess I'll go with the home team - Denver
Dallas at Minnesota - Battle of the teams-that-should-have-been-good-but-actually-suck (at least, this season). If I have a choice, I don't pick Dallas as a rule. Minnesota.
Indianapolis at Washington - Redskins... you're playing the Colts... By the grace of God go you. I'm going with Indy.
Tennessee at Jacksonville - Ever since going to ESPN, Monday Night Football had gotten some pretty crap games (though the Eagles-Niners game on NBC last Sunday wasn't exactly Must-See-TV). Sooo... gosh... I think I'll go with the Titans.
Good - I got that done. I've got a Halloween party tonight, which I am totally stoked for. Pictures will be posted soon afterward ^_^
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Taking an Early Weekend
As I left school today, I told the kids that I would see them on Monday because I'm not going to be there tomorrow. One of the kids quipped that I was taking a three-day vacation, to which I replied that I was taking off early because I've got school this weekend.
I dunno... it was funny when it happened. We've got our family Halloween party on Saturday, which I'm excited for. My Tenth Doctor costume is nearly finished and I'm happy about that. And I've been writing my little fingers off this week, which accounts for the lack of blog posts (some of the stuff I've come up with really surprised me... I'm wondering if I should share it... it's a little... strange, really. Not my usual style of story-telling either and it kind of weirds me out. But at the same time... I really like it. Maybe I will finish it *shrugs*).
But, life is grand ^_^
ETA: Oh, Stick Man Theatre (which I thought had gone defunct) posted a new "Twilight" parody, which pretty much cracked me up. I have to admit, I have not read the Bree Tanner book because it's like... why?? (seriously - she was in "Eclipse" all of - what - two sentences? If that?) But I did catch the Cleolinda recap, which was brilliant and probably more than enough to enjoy Stick Man Theatre. Since I like to pimp out internet things that make me laugh, this is worth a spot in my "I'm-not-dead-I-just-don't-have-anything-significant-to-post-about" update.
I dunno... it was funny when it happened. We've got our family Halloween party on Saturday, which I'm excited for. My Tenth Doctor costume is nearly finished and I'm happy about that. And I've been writing my little fingers off this week, which accounts for the lack of blog posts (some of the stuff I've come up with really surprised me... I'm wondering if I should share it... it's a little... strange, really. Not my usual style of story-telling either and it kind of weirds me out. But at the same time... I really like it. Maybe I will finish it *shrugs*).
But, life is grand ^_^
ETA: Oh, Stick Man Theatre (which I thought had gone defunct) posted a new "Twilight" parody, which pretty much cracked me up. I have to admit, I have not read the Bree Tanner book because it's like... why?? (seriously - she was in "Eclipse" all of - what - two sentences? If that?) But I did catch the Cleolinda recap, which was brilliant and probably more than enough to enjoy Stick Man Theatre. Since I like to pimp out internet things that make me laugh, this is worth a spot in my "I'm-not-dead-I-just-don't-have-anything-significant-to-post-about" update.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
HOLY CRAP YOU GUYS!!!
PARTS OF THE NEXT SEASON OF "DOCTOR WHO" WILL BE FILMED IN UTAH!!! THAT'S, LIKE, MY HOME STATE - LIKE, WHERE I LIVE - LIKE, LIKE - OMG - OMG - OMG - *DIES*
And d'you wanna know the BEST part? The article says the filming will take place in the "desert" and you don't get any more desert-y than where I live. Granted, I highly doubt that Matt Smith's trailer will be parked in my driveway (my little town is waaaay too remote), but I do live in an area south of the Bonneville Salt Flats where parts of "Independence Day" and "Pirate of the Caribbean: At World's End" were filmed. And it's not that big of a deal for me to go scope out the area, if that is truly where it's going to be filmed.
This is so AMAZING! When I saw the news that DW filming was coming to the states, I thought somewhere like New York or California or even New Orleans - somewhere big and important and famous - but little ol' desert-dust-ball Utah? Practically in my own backyard??? (To be fair, it's more likely to be in southern Utah where all the rock climbers and hikers and red rocks and warm weather are - but still... I'm up for a road trip!)
I just have to find out when and where exactly. After I get done running around the house like a crazyperson. *flails*
And d'you wanna know the BEST part? The article says the filming will take place in the "desert" and you don't get any more desert-y than where I live. Granted, I highly doubt that Matt Smith's trailer will be parked in my driveway (my little town is waaaay too remote), but I do live in an area south of the Bonneville Salt Flats where parts of "Independence Day" and "Pirate of the Caribbean: At World's End" were filmed. And it's not that big of a deal for me to go scope out the area, if that is truly where it's going to be filmed.
This is so AMAZING! When I saw the news that DW filming was coming to the states, I thought somewhere like New York or California or even New Orleans - somewhere big and important and famous - but little ol' desert-dust-ball Utah? Practically in my own backyard??? (To be fair, it's more likely to be in southern Utah where all the rock climbers and hikers and red rocks and warm weather are - but still... I'm up for a road trip!)
I just have to find out when and where exactly. After I get done running around the house like a crazyperson. *flails*
Saturday, October 9, 2010
NFL Week 5 Picks
This has nothing to do with anything. I just thought it was funny ^_^
It's Pick Time again! Woot!
(First, I have to send my condolences to Iowa State over the thrashing they experienced at the hands of Utah this weekend. Yup. That's all I have to say for that).
(EDIT - So, somehow I got he wrong schedule initially and made my picks from that and it was pretty funny. But this morning, I realized I'd messed up, so before I've seen any results or even any in-progress games, these are my new picks)
New York Giants @ Houston Texans - Giants
Atlanta Falcons @ Cleveland Browns - Falcons
Chicago Bears @ Carolina Panthers - Bears
Denver Broncos @ Baltimore Ravens - Ravens
Green Bay Packers @ Washington Redskins - Ummm... *coin flip* Tails - Redskins
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Buffalo Bills - Jaguars
Kansas City Chiefs @ Indianapolis Colts - Usually I wouldn't be so nervous... but I am. And I'm still going with my boys in blue.
St. Louis Rams @ Detroit Lions - Rams
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Cincinnati Bengals - Ick - Bengals
New Orleans Saints @ Arizona Cardinals - Saints
Tennessee Titans @ Dallas Cowboys - Again with the ick... Cowboys
San Diego Chargers @ Oakland Raiders - Chargers
Philadelphia Eagles @ San Francisco 49ers - Eagles
Minnesota Vikings @ New York Jets - More ick - Jets
It's Pick Time again! Woot!
(First, I have to send my condolences to Iowa State over the thrashing they experienced at the hands of Utah this weekend. Yup. That's all I have to say for that).
(EDIT - So, somehow I got he wrong schedule initially and made my picks from that and it was pretty funny. But this morning, I realized I'd messed up, so before I've seen any results or even any in-progress games, these are my new picks)
New York Giants @ Houston Texans - Giants
Atlanta Falcons @ Cleveland Browns - Falcons
Chicago Bears @ Carolina Panthers - Bears
Denver Broncos @ Baltimore Ravens - Ravens
Green Bay Packers @ Washington Redskins - Ummm... *coin flip* Tails - Redskins
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Buffalo Bills - Jaguars
Kansas City Chiefs @ Indianapolis Colts - Usually I wouldn't be so nervous... but I am. And I'm still going with my boys in blue.
St. Louis Rams @ Detroit Lions - Rams
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Cincinnati Bengals - Ick - Bengals
New Orleans Saints @ Arizona Cardinals - Saints
Tennessee Titans @ Dallas Cowboys - Again with the ick... Cowboys
San Diego Chargers @ Oakland Raiders - Chargers
Philadelphia Eagles @ San Francisco 49ers - Eagles
Minnesota Vikings @ New York Jets - More ick - Jets
Friday, October 8, 2010
It's Time for Another "Good Day, Bad Day"
Hey-oh - it's FRIDAY! *parties*
It's been a long time since I've written much. But I have an valid excuse - I have been working on my four-page ('cept mine is five, but my fifth page doesn't have much on it) website that is due on Tuesday. I finally got it done, but I also have a group-project-research-literature-review thing due on Sunday and that's kicking our collective butt (I'm so stinking glad this research class is all group work because I don't have the first idea of what I'm doing). But it's becoming hard to squeeze blogging in between school and work and the other projects I get up to. So, my blogging life must suffer (but not entirely - 'cause here I am! Yay!)
School was very good today - the kids practiced their play and I have to say that this was the BEST play practice we've had so far. We spent last Friday working on our set arrangements, so we finally feel like we can practice changing scenes and working with lighting and it starts to feel like this is really going to happen! Even the elementary school kids were on-par with their lines and what-not. We even got to run through a quick curtain-call and I spent my prep hour deciding on what music cues to use and where. It was brilliant.
Except... there's one boy that really doesn't have his heart in this and he'd much rather be doing something else. But with our small numbers, we need everyone we can get. And this kid doesn't really have very many lines (that was by design), but when it came time for his small scene, there was a big ol' fight and he quit the play - which, on some level is okay because I really don't want to deal with people that don't want to be there and have them ruin for everyone else. I ended up reading his lines, which I will probably do until we decide who should play his part. We're already doubled-up on roles as it is - but we might be able to get away with the kid playing Ghost of Christmas Future filling this role (this kid has been so supportive of this whole endeavor, which truly, truly surprised me - if you knew how big of a goofball he was during regular class, you'd be surprised too). But this whole situation is kind of a black mark on an otherwise fantastic play practice. Hopefully we can take the weekend and cool off and be fine on Monday. I think when you spend an entire week in school with the exact same people day in and day out, you tend to get sick of each other by the weekend. Shoot, I'm only there half a day every day and I need a break. Things will be okay, I think.
But for now, I've got plenty to keep me busy.
PS - If you really want a post-a-day, my cousin has this "Blogtober" thing going that I thought was pretty cool, until I realized how much stuff I had to contend with this month. Be warned - many of her political views are opposite of mine, but she still has some pretty funny non-political things she says. Somehow, we still manage to get along (in this grand Facebook-blogging-internet life we lead ^_^)
It's been a long time since I've written much. But I have an valid excuse - I have been working on my four-page ('cept mine is five, but my fifth page doesn't have much on it) website that is due on Tuesday. I finally got it done, but I also have a group-project-research-literature-review thing due on Sunday and that's kicking our collective butt (I'm so stinking glad this research class is all group work because I don't have the first idea of what I'm doing). But it's becoming hard to squeeze blogging in between school and work and the other projects I get up to. So, my blogging life must suffer (but not entirely - 'cause here I am! Yay!)
School was very good today - the kids practiced their play and I have to say that this was the BEST play practice we've had so far. We spent last Friday working on our set arrangements, so we finally feel like we can practice changing scenes and working with lighting and it starts to feel like this is really going to happen! Even the elementary school kids were on-par with their lines and what-not. We even got to run through a quick curtain-call and I spent my prep hour deciding on what music cues to use and where. It was brilliant.
Except... there's one boy that really doesn't have his heart in this and he'd much rather be doing something else. But with our small numbers, we need everyone we can get. And this kid doesn't really have very many lines (that was by design), but when it came time for his small scene, there was a big ol' fight and he quit the play - which, on some level is okay because I really don't want to deal with people that don't want to be there and have them ruin for everyone else. I ended up reading his lines, which I will probably do until we decide who should play his part. We're already doubled-up on roles as it is - but we might be able to get away with the kid playing Ghost of Christmas Future filling this role (this kid has been so supportive of this whole endeavor, which truly, truly surprised me - if you knew how big of a goofball he was during regular class, you'd be surprised too). But this whole situation is kind of a black mark on an otherwise fantastic play practice. Hopefully we can take the weekend and cool off and be fine on Monday. I think when you spend an entire week in school with the exact same people day in and day out, you tend to get sick of each other by the weekend. Shoot, I'm only there half a day every day and I need a break. Things will be okay, I think.
But for now, I've got plenty to keep me busy.
PS - If you really want a post-a-day, my cousin has this "Blogtober" thing going that I thought was pretty cool, until I realized how much stuff I had to contend with this month. Be warned - many of her political views are opposite of mine, but she still has some pretty funny non-political things she says. Somehow, we still manage to get along (in this grand Facebook-blogging-internet life we lead ^_^)
Monday, October 4, 2010
How Do You Interpret that Garglemesh?
I've been working on my 4-page website and this sucker is kicking my butt! I have to do something whackadoodle with CSS (which I understand in theory - getting it to work is the tricky part) plus some other stuff that I don't even know what the heck I'm doing. I understand basic HTML, but the basic stuff just looks like poop. And I wanted this website to be my portfolio/resume so I could just send the link to potential employers, so I kind of want it to look semi-professional (and it's nice to not have to have all the layouts and presentations I've done stuffed into a binder somewhere). Brain... hurt... muchly.... This is what I get for being an overachiever, I suppose *sigh* I think I'm going to call it a night on that front - I got the online discussion post in that's due tomorrow, so I can breathe a little easier.
School was fun today. We got new library books in, so I spent my free period cataloging and getting the books ready for circulation (taping the jacket covers down was murder, though - that tape is sticky). The kids asked for "The Hunger Games" trilogy, which I think looks interesting. That's next on my list of things to read (right after I finish the Percy Jackson series - I'm in the middle of the fourth book). If there's anything I've learned from being the librarian at the high school, it's that there are some pretty good young adult books out there. Of course, there's plenty of crap to be had, but these kids have good taste in books.
In football news - the Giants won, which made up for that soul-crushing loss Indy suffered at the hands of Jacksonville (what the crap is up with my Colts? Honestly...) Right now, I'm watching the Patriots-Dolphins game with my little cousin. He like the Pats, but I'm more or less "meh..." because I don't really like either of them. And since it's October and it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the NFL has pink accented on all the players' uniforms and sideline gear. For most teams, the pink accenture works (they've got pink cleats, gloves, towels, etc.), but the Dolphins - whose regular colors are turquoise and orange - look even girlier than they usually do (I call them the 1970s Lisa Frank rejects). I think the turquoise makes the pink pop out more, so it's more noticeable. Maybe Miami should go with their orange uniforms during October... I dunno...
It is cool that the NFL supports breast cancer research, though. We had a family friend who passed away from breast cancer in 2005 and she was an absolutely amazing woman. She and my mom helped us in our 4-H clubs and we'd hang out with her girls all the time (my younger sister moreso than me because her oldest girl was my sister's age). So, whenever I see anything to do with breast cancer awareness, I think of her.
School was fun today. We got new library books in, so I spent my free period cataloging and getting the books ready for circulation (taping the jacket covers down was murder, though - that tape is sticky). The kids asked for "The Hunger Games" trilogy, which I think looks interesting. That's next on my list of things to read (right after I finish the Percy Jackson series - I'm in the middle of the fourth book). If there's anything I've learned from being the librarian at the high school, it's that there are some pretty good young adult books out there. Of course, there's plenty of crap to be had, but these kids have good taste in books.
In football news - the Giants won, which made up for that soul-crushing loss Indy suffered at the hands of Jacksonville (what the crap is up with my Colts? Honestly...) Right now, I'm watching the Patriots-Dolphins game with my little cousin. He like the Pats, but I'm more or less "meh..." because I don't really like either of them. And since it's October and it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the NFL has pink accented on all the players' uniforms and sideline gear. For most teams, the pink accenture works (they've got pink cleats, gloves, towels, etc.), but the Dolphins - whose regular colors are turquoise and orange - look even girlier than they usually do (I call them the 1970s Lisa Frank rejects). I think the turquoise makes the pink pop out more, so it's more noticeable. Maybe Miami should go with their orange uniforms during October... I dunno...
It is cool that the NFL supports breast cancer research, though. We had a family friend who passed away from breast cancer in 2005 and she was an absolutely amazing woman. She and my mom helped us in our 4-H clubs and we'd hang out with her girls all the time (my younger sister moreso than me because her oldest girl was my sister's age). So, whenever I see anything to do with breast cancer awareness, I think of her.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
NFL Week 4 Picks
And this is as late as I hope I'll ever be with this.
San Francisco at Atlanta - Oh, I wish, I wish, I wish the Niners would win... but I have to go with Atlanta.
Cincinnati at Cleveland - C'mon Browns... but I have to go with the divalicious Bengals - my pick record suffered greatly last week and I need a boost.
NY Jets at Buffalo - J!E!T!S! Jets, Jets, Jets!
Seattle at St. Louis - I'm going to go with the upset, just because - the Rams.
Denver at Tennessee - Titans
Detroit at Green Bay - Packers
Baltimore at Pittsburgh - Steelers
Carolina at New Orleans - Saints
Indianapolis at Jacksonville - Colts
Houston at Oakland - Texans
Washington at Philadelphia - Oooh... the "Days of Our Lives" game of the week! I think McNabb and the 'Skins can pull it off ('specially since they're playing pissed that they lost last week).
Arizona at San Diego - Cardinals
Chicago at NY Giants - Let's go G-Men!!
Monday - New England at Miami - Oh yay... my two absolutely favorite teams... /sarcasm. (I think I just don't like the AFC East as a whole). Feh... New England.
Last week's results were a dismal 7-9, which means I'm up to 30-18 on the year *weep*
San Francisco at Atlanta - Oh, I wish, I wish, I wish the Niners would win... but I have to go with Atlanta.
Cincinnati at Cleveland - C'mon Browns... but I have to go with the divalicious Bengals - my pick record suffered greatly last week and I need a boost.
NY Jets at Buffalo - J!E!T!S! Jets, Jets, Jets!
Seattle at St. Louis - I'm going to go with the upset, just because - the Rams.
Denver at Tennessee - Titans
Detroit at Green Bay - Packers
Baltimore at Pittsburgh - Steelers
Carolina at New Orleans - Saints
Indianapolis at Jacksonville - Colts
Houston at Oakland - Texans
Washington at Philadelphia - Oooh... the "Days of Our Lives" game of the week! I think McNabb and the 'Skins can pull it off ('specially since they're playing pissed that they lost last week).
Arizona at San Diego - Cardinals
Chicago at NY Giants - Let's go G-Men!!
Monday - New England at Miami - Oh yay... my two absolutely favorite teams... /sarcasm. (I think I just don't like the AFC East as a whole). Feh... New England.
Last week's results were a dismal 7-9, which means I'm up to 30-18 on the year *weep*
Friday, October 1, 2010
Romney Stadium Security - Abandon All Hope
SWEET MOTHER OF MERLIN - UTAH STATE BEAT BYU 31-16!!!
They are storming the field in Logan! This calls for some major Scotsman action!
The Good News: Utah State beats BYU and gets bragging rights - after years of being the butt of football jokes in Utah.
The Even Better News: The Aggies beat the Zoo after the Zoo threw a diva fit about not being invited to join the PAC-10 and consequently went independent.
In other news - KSL breaks out the Loser Support Hotline a month early.
Sometimes, the jokes just write themselves.
They are storming the field in Logan! This calls for some major Scotsman action!
The Good News: Utah State beats BYU and gets bragging rights - after years of being the butt of football jokes in Utah.
The Even Better News: The Aggies beat the Zoo after the Zoo threw a diva fit about not being invited to join the PAC-10 and consequently went independent.
In other news - KSL breaks out the Loser Support Hotline a month early.
Sometimes, the jokes just write themselves.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Blogging from a Thursday Morning
How I go nearly a week without updating this, I'll never know. It's not for lack of things to talk about, that's for certain. Maybe it's because this is my more public blog and I have another place where I'm more anonymous to carp and rant about things.
- Thursday today - the kids at school are pretty lethargic when Thursday rolls around, I've noticed. Then again, they're pretty lethargic on Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday, they perk up for reasons-yet-unknown (to be fair, I have a tendency to to that as well). Friday - well, duh - that's obvious.
- This past Monday, everyone was grumpy (that includes yours truly). It always seems like everybody is angry or upset on the same days. Sometimes I wonder if there's some rotation of the stars or the moon that aligns just right to make everyone feel like being ornery.
- Then again, there are days when all it right with the world, as far as I'm concerned, and one or two people around me are channeling Linda Blair. That's when I retreat into whatever corner I have handy and occupy myself with some project or another.
- One of my students just came up to me with a question about a short story assigned in English. She's not sure how to end the story (which is currently at nine pages in length). I offered to read it for her and make suggestions, which she accepted that offer with the warning that her story is "super cheesy." To which I replied, "You're in high school. Everything is super cheesy." I seriously think some of the stuff in secondary education exists for the sole purpose of being cheesy. Again, I digress.
- The mail just came. I think I get some of this stuff handed to me because I will throw it away. I'm certainly not the math coordinator for the elementary school - but it's obvious that envelope is junk. But everyone else just lets stuff pile up (not just at school, either) and never throws anything away. I know some people are big on saving compost or whatever, but not on my work desk, please.
- I'm supposed to teach these kids how to use Excel, but it's a pain in the butt. Maybe it's just because I'm not a business-type-person (not that I'm against business - I'm just not interested in it), but Excel and I have never gotten along. And now I have to ensure that these students know how to use a program that I have zero-to-no faith in (yes, I know that's redundant). Why input all these formulaic crap just to get an answer that I could get with a calculator? That's much easier. I hate it when computers try to do all the thinking for me and then they get it wrong. As one of my students said - the formulas are all jacked.
- I do enjoy my job. But I am excited for tonight - new "Big Bang Theory!" Although, I am missing not having other shows to get into this year. Nothing else really caught my attention this season, sadly. So, I'm continuing my adventures in Classic Doctor Who. I'm in the middle of the Season 2 serial "The Chase" where the Doctor, Ian, Barbara and Vicki are being chased around time and space by the Daleks. And it is stinking hilarious. Maybe not so much that the one lady jumped overboard the Mary Celeste with a baby - but other parts are pretty good (though I have to point out a major "Did Not Do the Research" moment - people from Alabama would not say "clever." At least, not in the 1960s and not the Deliverance stereotype the BBC had hanging around the top of the Empire State Building as a tourist. Then again, probably the best American accent British actors back then could do was a hayseed-backwoods-Larry-the-Cable-Guy thing. My, how far we've come.)
- I mean no disrespect to British actors by that comment. I would actually love to be proven wrong about my assessment of British 1960s-style television acting, if anyone can do it. I just figure it's a testament to how much more skilled actors and crew-people have become over the years, that's all (I could do a whole post about my thoughts on TV - American and British - in the past 50 years).
- That was a long tangent. Must mean it's time to go home.
- Thursday today - the kids at school are pretty lethargic when Thursday rolls around, I've noticed. Then again, they're pretty lethargic on Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday, they perk up for reasons-yet-unknown (to be fair, I have a tendency to to that as well). Friday - well, duh - that's obvious.
- This past Monday, everyone was grumpy (that includes yours truly). It always seems like everybody is angry or upset on the same days. Sometimes I wonder if there's some rotation of the stars or the moon that aligns just right to make everyone feel like being ornery.
- Then again, there are days when all it right with the world, as far as I'm concerned, and one or two people around me are channeling Linda Blair. That's when I retreat into whatever corner I have handy and occupy myself with some project or another.
- One of my students just came up to me with a question about a short story assigned in English. She's not sure how to end the story (which is currently at nine pages in length). I offered to read it for her and make suggestions, which she accepted that offer with the warning that her story is "super cheesy." To which I replied, "You're in high school. Everything is super cheesy." I seriously think some of the stuff in secondary education exists for the sole purpose of being cheesy. Again, I digress.
- The mail just came. I think I get some of this stuff handed to me because I will throw it away. I'm certainly not the math coordinator for the elementary school - but it's obvious that envelope is junk. But everyone else just lets stuff pile up (not just at school, either) and never throws anything away. I know some people are big on saving compost or whatever, but not on my work desk, please.
- I'm supposed to teach these kids how to use Excel, but it's a pain in the butt. Maybe it's just because I'm not a business-type-person (not that I'm against business - I'm just not interested in it), but Excel and I have never gotten along. And now I have to ensure that these students know how to use a program that I have zero-to-no faith in (yes, I know that's redundant). Why input all these formulaic crap just to get an answer that I could get with a calculator? That's much easier. I hate it when computers try to do all the thinking for me and then they get it wrong. As one of my students said - the formulas are all jacked.
- I do enjoy my job. But I am excited for tonight - new "Big Bang Theory!" Although, I am missing not having other shows to get into this year. Nothing else really caught my attention this season, sadly. So, I'm continuing my adventures in Classic Doctor Who. I'm in the middle of the Season 2 serial "The Chase" where the Doctor, Ian, Barbara and Vicki are being chased around time and space by the Daleks. And it is stinking hilarious. Maybe not so much that the one lady jumped overboard the Mary Celeste with a baby - but other parts are pretty good (though I have to point out a major "Did Not Do the Research" moment - people from Alabama would not say "clever." At least, not in the 1960s and not the Deliverance stereotype the BBC had hanging around the top of the Empire State Building as a tourist. Then again, probably the best American accent British actors back then could do was a hayseed-backwoods-Larry-the-Cable-Guy thing. My, how far we've come.)
- I mean no disrespect to British actors by that comment. I would actually love to be proven wrong about my assessment of British 1960s-style television acting, if anyone can do it. I just figure it's a testament to how much more skilled actors and crew-people have become over the years, that's all (I could do a whole post about my thoughts on TV - American and British - in the past 50 years).
- That was a long tangent. Must mean it's time to go home.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
NFL Week 3 Picks
(Blogger's interface is doing something screwy as I type. It's really getting on my nerves).
Well, this is a momentous occasion. Not only am I finally getting arsed up to make my picks BEFORE the Sunday games, but it's also Week 3. By now, we've seen some pretty good football, some pretty bad football and some pretty "What the Crap?" football. At this point, I can start to see where this season is going (still nowhere near enough to make Super Bowl predictions, but more information than I've had the previous two weeks where all I had to go on was instinct, history and preference).
Every week, I look for a list online that I can just copy/paste on here and this one is pretty cool, having the win-loss record for each team. Not that that should influence decisions (Case in point - certain teams last year started out with 6-0 records, but went on to barely make the playoffs)
Enough pontificating - on to the picks!
Tennessee Titans (1-1) vs New York Giants (1-1) - The G-Men got their butts handed to them last week by the Colts and it is my theory that when a team (that isn't from Detroit) gets beaten so soundly, they come out on fire the next week with their hair on fire. Then again, the Titans lost to the Steelers... but I'm not a great fan of Tennessee and I'm sure Peyton's been giving Eli pointers on how to handle the Titans' defense (the Titans are in the Colts' division, so Indy sees them pretty regularly), so I continue in my Manning-fangirl tradition - Giants over the Titans
Cincinnati Bengals (1-1) vs. Carolina Panthers (0-2) - If I ever pick the Cincinnati Lady Gagas... I mean, Bengals... it's either because they're playing someone I hate even more or they're playing someone everyone knows will lose or I am in the gutter drunk as heck (I can pretty much guarantee it'll never be the third one). Panthers look for their first win.
Dallas Cowboys (0-2) vs Houston Texans (2-0) - Do you even need to ask? Texans (if Houston gives the Dallas Media Darlings an 0-3 start, I will think about forgiving that little beating-my-team stunt they pulled in Week 1).
San Francisco 49ers (0-2) Kansas City Chiefs (2-0) - Oh ye of the Gold Helmets - the fabled and storied land of Joe, Steve and Jerry - home of my dear friend Alex... it pains me to say it, but I do value my prediction record somewhat. Kansas City.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0) vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0) - Oooh... one of our double 2-0 matchups this week... and even though Tampa Bay hasn't played very hard teams... I still have to go with the tradition which dictates: When in doubt, cheer for yellow and black - Steelers.
Buffalo Bills (0-2) vs New England Patriots (1-1) - Oh vomit... again, I value my prediction record somewhat, so I will plug my nose and pull the lever for New England (Furbalo - what the crap?)
Cleveland Browns (0-2) vs Baltimore Ravens (1-1) - Not much to say here - Ravens.
Detroit Lions (0-2) vs Minnesota Vikings (0-2) - I would say "Do you even need to ask?" but the way things are shaping up for the Purple People Eaters, I almost wouldn't be surprised if Detroit pulled an upset. But they are playing at Minnesota... but I would feel like an idiot if the Lions did win and I didn't pick them... but I would feel like an even bigger idiot if I picked the Lions and they wound up losing... I pick the Vikings (but in my heart I will be cheering for Detroit. Love ya, Uncle Jack).
Atlanta Falcons (1-1) vs New Orleans Saints (2-0) - I'm going with the Saints for this one. But I have a grievance to air - I do love the Saints' story and the whole New Orleans renaissance thing, but if I tune in to a Saints football game one more time and hear the words "Hurricane Katrina," I will rip my shoe off and throw it at the TV. It's like that Walgreens commercial - it was last year (or five years ago) - can we please deal with the issues at hand? Like winning in the 2010 season? Good grief- how long has the Superdome been open? /grievance
Washington Redskins (1-1) vs St. Louis Rams (0-2) - Redskins. That's it. If I say anything else, I will hear about it later. And I don't want to hear about it later.
Philadelphia Eagles (1-1) vs Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1) - Hmm... the convicted felon or Sucky McSuckerton? Decisions, decisions... both have failed me at least once... so I pick... *flips coin* tails - Jaguars.
Indianapolis Colts (1-1) vs Denver Broncos (1-1) - Hey, it's the Pony Bowl! (Ha - beat you to it!) Colts.
Oakland Raiders (1-1) vs Arizona Cardinals (1-1) - I don't have the energy to take it out on Oakland this week. But I'm going with Arizona.
San Diego Chargers (1-1) vs Seattle Seahawks (1-1) - Beach bums over Starbucks junkies - Chargers over Seahawks
New York Jets (1-1) vs Miami Dolphins (2-0) - Oh, two more of my favorite teams *sarcasm sign* Ohhhh... go with the Fish (but please leave the white bell bottoms in the attic).
MONDAY, SEPT. 27, 2010:
Green Bay Packers (2-0) vs Chicago Bears (2-0) - A Monday Night Classic! I like the Packers (and no, I'm not bandwagon jumping on this one - I have to pick somebody - that's an inside joke with my sister, in case you were wondering).
For the record - I am 23-9 in my picks so far (Week 1 - 13-3; Week 2 - 10-6).
Well, this is a momentous occasion. Not only am I finally getting arsed up to make my picks BEFORE the Sunday games, but it's also Week 3. By now, we've seen some pretty good football, some pretty bad football and some pretty "What the Crap?" football. At this point, I can start to see where this season is going (still nowhere near enough to make Super Bowl predictions, but more information than I've had the previous two weeks where all I had to go on was instinct, history and preference).
Every week, I look for a list online that I can just copy/paste on here and this one is pretty cool, having the win-loss record for each team. Not that that should influence decisions (Case in point - certain teams last year started out with 6-0 records, but went on to barely make the playoffs)
Enough pontificating - on to the picks!
Tennessee Titans (1-1) vs New York Giants (1-1) - The G-Men got their butts handed to them last week by the Colts and it is my theory that when a team (that isn't from Detroit) gets beaten so soundly, they come out on fire the next week with their hair on fire. Then again, the Titans lost to the Steelers... but I'm not a great fan of Tennessee and I'm sure Peyton's been giving Eli pointers on how to handle the Titans' defense (the Titans are in the Colts' division, so Indy sees them pretty regularly), so I continue in my Manning-fangirl tradition - Giants over the Titans
Cincinnati Bengals (1-1) vs. Carolina Panthers (0-2) - If I ever pick the Cincinnati Lady Gagas... I mean, Bengals... it's either because they're playing someone I hate even more or they're playing someone everyone knows will lose or I am in the gutter drunk as heck (I can pretty much guarantee it'll never be the third one). Panthers look for their first win.
Dallas Cowboys (0-2) vs Houston Texans (2-0) - Do you even need to ask? Texans (if Houston gives the Dallas Media Darlings an 0-3 start, I will think about forgiving that little beating-my-team stunt they pulled in Week 1).
San Francisco 49ers (0-2) Kansas City Chiefs (2-0) - Oh ye of the Gold Helmets - the fabled and storied land of Joe, Steve and Jerry - home of my dear friend Alex... it pains me to say it, but I do value my prediction record somewhat. Kansas City.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0) vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0) - Oooh... one of our double 2-0 matchups this week... and even though Tampa Bay hasn't played very hard teams... I still have to go with the tradition which dictates: When in doubt, cheer for yellow and black - Steelers.
Buffalo Bills (0-2) vs New England Patriots (1-1) - Oh vomit... again, I value my prediction record somewhat, so I will plug my nose and pull the lever for New England (Furbalo - what the crap?)
Cleveland Browns (0-2) vs Baltimore Ravens (1-1) - Not much to say here - Ravens.
Detroit Lions (0-2) vs Minnesota Vikings (0-2) - I would say "Do you even need to ask?" but the way things are shaping up for the Purple People Eaters, I almost wouldn't be surprised if Detroit pulled an upset. But they are playing at Minnesota... but I would feel like an idiot if the Lions did win and I didn't pick them... but I would feel like an even bigger idiot if I picked the Lions and they wound up losing... I pick the Vikings (but in my heart I will be cheering for Detroit. Love ya, Uncle Jack).
Atlanta Falcons (1-1) vs New Orleans Saints (2-0) - I'm going with the Saints for this one. But I have a grievance to air - I do love the Saints' story and the whole New Orleans renaissance thing, but if I tune in to a Saints football game one more time and hear the words "Hurricane Katrina," I will rip my shoe off and throw it at the TV. It's like that Walgreens commercial - it was last year (or five years ago) - can we please deal with the issues at hand? Like winning in the 2010 season? Good grief- how long has the Superdome been open? /grievance
Washington Redskins (1-1) vs St. Louis Rams (0-2) - Redskins. That's it. If I say anything else, I will hear about it later. And I don't want to hear about it later.
Philadelphia Eagles (1-1) vs Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1) - Hmm... the convicted felon or Sucky McSuckerton? Decisions, decisions... both have failed me at least once... so I pick... *flips coin* tails - Jaguars.
Indianapolis Colts (1-1) vs Denver Broncos (1-1) - Hey, it's the Pony Bowl! (Ha - beat you to it!) Colts.
Oakland Raiders (1-1) vs Arizona Cardinals (1-1) - I don't have the energy to take it out on Oakland this week. But I'm going with Arizona.
San Diego Chargers (1-1) vs Seattle Seahawks (1-1) - Beach bums over Starbucks junkies - Chargers over Seahawks
New York Jets (1-1) vs Miami Dolphins (2-0) - Oh, two more of my favorite teams *sarcasm sign* Ohhhh... go with the Fish (but please leave the white bell bottoms in the attic).
MONDAY, SEPT. 27, 2010:
Green Bay Packers (2-0) vs Chicago Bears (2-0) - A Monday Night Classic! I like the Packers (and no, I'm not bandwagon jumping on this one - I have to pick somebody - that's an inside joke with my sister, in case you were wondering).
For the record - I am 23-9 in my picks so far (Week 1 - 13-3; Week 2 - 10-6).
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