I'm not an easy person to surprise. While I do have a tendency to be gullible, my sense that "something" is going on makes it difficult to surprise me with anything. I'm not saying I have a sixth sense, but I figure things out. It's my personality to always want to know what's going on (we can analyze that later) and that, coupled with being incredibly observant and slightly intuitive, the wool is not easily pulled over my eyes. (wool is so scratchy, who would want that over their eyes anyway?)
But today, I stand corrected, because yesterday I got what is perhaps the surprise of my life, and an amazing and timely surprise it was!
It was like any other Sunday since Nicole and I moved down here... we got up, had breakfast and Nicole went to the school to study for a few hours (she had a study group from 10 to noon...or so I thought!) while I went outside to play in the dirt and dig up rocks (a rather involved project that will undoubtedly show up in this blog, oy) and I had a date to skype with Angie at 11:30. Dusting off my dirty shorts, I head inside around 11:25 to set up the computer and I hear the door downstairs. Thinking "Nicole's home early, that's strange," I walk to the upstairs landing to greet her as she's coming up the stairs when I notice that she's not alone. My first instinct is to back away - I'm not dressed for company! Dirty and sweaty wearing boardshorts. a t-shirt, and a bucket hat, I'm slightly annoyed that she brought someone home unannounced!
Then it was as if my eyes were looking through a camera, zooming in and out, trying to adjust to see if what I was seeing was actually the case - holy guacamole, that's Angie walking up my stairs!!!! Nicole and Angie both walk up the stairs with sh*t eating grins on their face, like they just got away with something huge and in my surprise, I just laugh as the tears well up in my eyes. It was just two days prior that I asked Nicole what she thought about me flying Angie down here for a visit because it would do us both a world of good. At the time Nicole calmly said she had something planned for us the weekend I wanted to fly Angie out, but she could see if she could move it around and that she'd let me know on Sunday. Determined to get out of her what she was planning for the random October weekend, I fired questions at her from every angle, but she wouldn't budge. "Sunday," she said. "I'll let you know on Sunday."
Never in a million years did I think that was why I would find out on Sunday!
It was exactly what I needed and the best surprise I could have ever imagined. And I gotta say, I'm impressed, ladies. Well done. :-) I love you both!
September 21, 2009
September 19, 2009
ARRRRRRR
September 19th is national talk like a pirate day. Huh?
Apparently two guys from Oregon were bored back in the 90s and thought it would be grand to have a day where everyone spoke pirate so they shared their holiday with humor columnist Dave Barry, he promoted it, and here we are, more than a decade later, calling each other "matey" and telling everyone to walk the plank.
What? You didn't know it was talk like a pirate day? Get with the times, man. Urban Dictionary's word of the day is "pirate bath." (Where, in lieu of a shower, you take the washcloth and some soap and stand at the sink to wash the, uh, necessary parts.) Even Facebook is in on it, offering users the option to switch to the language "English (pirate)" on their profiles for the day. You can even visit www.talklikeapirate.com to brush up on your pirate vocab and hear a raucous rendition of the official talk like a pirate day song that boasts:
So hoist up the mainsails and shut down your brain cells,
They only would get in the way,
Avast there, me hearty, we're havin' a party,
It's "Talk Like A Pirate" Day!
But why September 19th? They selected September 19, simply because one the guys had recently divorced and it was his ex-wife's birthday. He said "the date was stuck in my head, and I wasn't going to do anything with it anymore."
And that children, is how a holiday is made.
Apparently two guys from Oregon were bored back in the 90s and thought it would be grand to have a day where everyone spoke pirate so they shared their holiday with humor columnist Dave Barry, he promoted it, and here we are, more than a decade later, calling each other "matey" and telling everyone to walk the plank.
What? You didn't know it was talk like a pirate day? Get with the times, man. Urban Dictionary's word of the day is "pirate bath." (Where, in lieu of a shower, you take the washcloth and some soap and stand at the sink to wash the, uh, necessary parts.) Even Facebook is in on it, offering users the option to switch to the language "English (pirate)" on their profiles for the day. You can even visit www.talklikeapirate.com to brush up on your pirate vocab and hear a raucous rendition of the official talk like a pirate day song that boasts:
So hoist up the mainsails and shut down your brain cells,
They only would get in the way,
Avast there, me hearty, we're havin' a party,
It's "Talk Like A Pirate" Day!
But why September 19th? They selected September 19, simply because one the guys had recently divorced and it was his ex-wife's birthday. He said "the date was stuck in my head, and I wasn't going to do anything with it anymore."
And that children, is how a holiday is made.
September 17, 2009
Change Order
The I Ching says "When the way comes to an end, then change. Having changed, you pass through."
I'm not afraid of change. I mean, look at my life - clearly I'm no stranger to it. I think change is exciting. Change makes us grow. Change leads to opportunities and challenges and living. Yet, there are times, like now, during which I want nothing more to than to go back to the familiar.
I think my "way" is coming to an end and I'm facing changes that I thought I was prepared and ready for, but am finding out rapidly that I am not. I have everything I've ever wanted - a great job, a house with a huge yard, a loving partner, a few close friends I would walk to the ends of the earth for, two cats, a bike and the ability to ride it, and family that I adore. Yet, I have days where I feel as if I'm so profoundly alone and have no bearing on this world and those are the days during which I know that I am in the midst of a change...waiting to pass through...
But if you know me at all, you know that I'm not a patient person. Sure, I may seem patient at times, but I'm mostly just being polite. I like efficiency and I like instant gratification. This is where I get into trouble when it comes to the subject of change. Yes, change! I'm all for it! As long as it's NOW. I'm at the drive through window for change. Have a seat and order change? No, that won't do.
And so it is that I'm having a hard time being patient about the changes currently taking place (or not yet taking place, ugh!) in my life. I'm not sure what I thought it would be like. I guess I thought I would hit the ground running. New instant life, coming right up! WITH a side of social life and a tall glass of possibility. Instead I'm stuck waiting for a booth while the servers are on a smoke break. Sure, I try getting their attention. I even sit down at a couple of tables hoping to get served, but it is no use. I'm not yet meant to dine...
I'm not afraid of change. I mean, look at my life - clearly I'm no stranger to it. I think change is exciting. Change makes us grow. Change leads to opportunities and challenges and living. Yet, there are times, like now, during which I want nothing more to than to go back to the familiar.
I think my "way" is coming to an end and I'm facing changes that I thought I was prepared and ready for, but am finding out rapidly that I am not. I have everything I've ever wanted - a great job, a house with a huge yard, a loving partner, a few close friends I would walk to the ends of the earth for, two cats, a bike and the ability to ride it, and family that I adore. Yet, I have days where I feel as if I'm so profoundly alone and have no bearing on this world and those are the days during which I know that I am in the midst of a change...waiting to pass through...
But if you know me at all, you know that I'm not a patient person. Sure, I may seem patient at times, but I'm mostly just being polite. I like efficiency and I like instant gratification. This is where I get into trouble when it comes to the subject of change. Yes, change! I'm all for it! As long as it's NOW. I'm at the drive through window for change. Have a seat and order change? No, that won't do.
And so it is that I'm having a hard time being patient about the changes currently taking place (or not yet taking place, ugh!) in my life. I'm not sure what I thought it would be like. I guess I thought I would hit the ground running. New instant life, coming right up! WITH a side of social life and a tall glass of possibility. Instead I'm stuck waiting for a booth while the servers are on a smoke break. Sure, I try getting their attention. I even sit down at a couple of tables hoping to get served, but it is no use. I'm not yet meant to dine...
September 16, 2009
Mel's Movie Premiere
I've been meaning to blog about my experience as an extra on the set of Drew Barrymore's movie Whip It last year while she was filming in Detroit, but obviously I haven't. I'll get right on that! But in the meantime, the film premiered this month at the Toronto Film Festival and is set to be released to theaters on October 2nd!
One trailer for the movie, when watched in slow motion, actually shows little old me in the corner of the shot touching my nose, putting my hands in my pockets and walking off. Not exactly the big break I was hoping for, especially since my face is hidden behind a bar so that only my hat and my torso are visible, it's still pretty cool and I'm eternally optimistic that I will be in at least one other shot in the film. (Look for the scene where Eve spits beer into the crowd).
Here's the trailer starring ME! Oh, and Drew Barrymore and Ellen Page... (Watch closely at minute 2:15 on the far right at the edge of the track. That's me!)
And in case you can't find me, I now that this still photo depicting my one shining moment. Thanks Ang!
One trailer for the movie, when watched in slow motion, actually shows little old me in the corner of the shot touching my nose, putting my hands in my pockets and walking off. Not exactly the big break I was hoping for, especially since my face is hidden behind a bar so that only my hat and my torso are visible, it's still pretty cool and I'm eternally optimistic that I will be in at least one other shot in the film. (Look for the scene where Eve spits beer into the crowd).
Here's the trailer starring ME! Oh, and Drew Barrymore and Ellen Page... (Watch closely at minute 2:15 on the far right at the edge of the track. That's me!)
And in case you can't find me, I now that this still photo depicting my one shining moment. Thanks Ang!
September 15, 2009
Why I Studied Advertising
I love this stuff. Some very creative billboards, signs and general gimmicks from all over the world. Here are just a few I came across. Yay for creativity!
September 13, 2009
Shopping the Friendly Skies
Flying home to Michigan yesterday I brought a book to read on the plane, but I wasn't feeling in a place where I could devote enough attention to read it. Never fear, SkyMall is here!
Who doesn't love those battered up SkyMall magazines found conveniently in the pocket of the seat in front of you? If you've never flipped through its pages, you are missing out. I can spend a large chunk of a two-hour flight scanning through it, wondering what amazing contraption someone's come up with to supposedly make my life and the lives of those around me substantially easier.
Outrageous items - like the X5. No, it's not a video game, it's "the next generation in laser hair therapy." For a mere $299, you get a gadget that looks like a small round alarm clock that you rub on your head and supposedly generates "15 distinct points of coherent laser light directly to your scalp." Whew. Thank goodness it's not the inebriated laser light...you could wake up with a shaved head and no eyebrows.
Or there's the mosquito deterrent that's shaped like a cappuccino machine for only $349. It emits a "plant-based" repellent (though they won't tell you what it is) to save you from being one of 3,630 cases of West Nile and 117 deaths reported in 44 states. Or you could just could just pack up the kiddies and head for one of the six unaffected states. Your choice.
And there's the indoor dog restroom consisting of a rubber mat with a layer of green turf for Fido to do his business on when you're too damn lazy to talk him for a walk. Only $149.95. Holds up to two gallons of liquid. That's just gross.
How about a life-sized suit of 16-century Italian armor for only $975? It's hand crafted... the helmet opens... no?... ok...
There are so many ridiculously expensive and unnecessary products, I won't list them all here, but I must admit there were a few gems that caught my eye. Like the cordless Margaritaville Concoction Maker. Oh yes... camping just got a whole lot more interesting...
Or the "Keep Your Distance" Bug Vacuum for $49.95 that lets you stay two feet away from creepy crawlies on the walls and suck those little buggers up with a 22,400 rpm motor. Yeah!! Take that, spider!
And the digital camera and snorkeling mask combo for $99.95. Never again will you be caught underwater without your camera! The best part - just plug your mask into your computer to download the pics!
Do you ever have those moments standing in line at Starbucks listening to the foreign couple behind you talking, certain that they are making fun of your new haircut? How about the 20 Language Translator. Fits in your pocket and contains over 20,000 words and 2,000 "useful phrases" for only $79.95. Bringing us all just one step closer together in this big world... awwwww....
SkyMall is a treat in the skies, especially since airlines are too cheap to serve peanuts or crackers anymore. I'm looking forward to our flight in October when the Fall 2009 edition of SkyMall will be out. I've been itching for a new Peanut Butter Maker. "From whole nuts to spread in seconds!" Ha - that's what she said...
Who doesn't love those battered up SkyMall magazines found conveniently in the pocket of the seat in front of you? If you've never flipped through its pages, you are missing out. I can spend a large chunk of a two-hour flight scanning through it, wondering what amazing contraption someone's come up with to supposedly make my life and the lives of those around me substantially easier.
Outrageous items - like the X5. No, it's not a video game, it's "the next generation in laser hair therapy." For a mere $299, you get a gadget that looks like a small round alarm clock that you rub on your head and supposedly generates "15 distinct points of coherent laser light directly to your scalp." Whew. Thank goodness it's not the inebriated laser light...you could wake up with a shaved head and no eyebrows.
Or there's the mosquito deterrent that's shaped like a cappuccino machine for only $349. It emits a "plant-based" repellent (though they won't tell you what it is) to save you from being one of 3,630 cases of West Nile and 117 deaths reported in 44 states. Or you could just could just pack up the kiddies and head for one of the six unaffected states. Your choice.
And there's the indoor dog restroom consisting of a rubber mat with a layer of green turf for Fido to do his business on when you're too damn lazy to talk him for a walk. Only $149.95. Holds up to two gallons of liquid. That's just gross.
How about a life-sized suit of 16-century Italian armor for only $975? It's hand crafted... the helmet opens... no?... ok...
There are so many ridiculously expensive and unnecessary products, I won't list them all here, but I must admit there were a few gems that caught my eye. Like the cordless Margaritaville Concoction Maker. Oh yes... camping just got a whole lot more interesting...
Or the "Keep Your Distance" Bug Vacuum for $49.95 that lets you stay two feet away from creepy crawlies on the walls and suck those little buggers up with a 22,400 rpm motor. Yeah!! Take that, spider!
And the digital camera and snorkeling mask combo for $99.95. Never again will you be caught underwater without your camera! The best part - just plug your mask into your computer to download the pics!
Do you ever have those moments standing in line at Starbucks listening to the foreign couple behind you talking, certain that they are making fun of your new haircut? How about the 20 Language Translator. Fits in your pocket and contains over 20,000 words and 2,000 "useful phrases" for only $79.95. Bringing us all just one step closer together in this big world... awwwww....
SkyMall is a treat in the skies, especially since airlines are too cheap to serve peanuts or crackers anymore. I'm looking forward to our flight in October when the Fall 2009 edition of SkyMall will be out. I've been itching for a new Peanut Butter Maker. "From whole nuts to spread in seconds!" Ha - that's what she said...
September 12, 2009
September 11, 2009
Eight Years Later, Wounds Still Fresh
It's been eight years since the horrible attacks in New York, D.C. and Pennsylvania but it doesn't seem like it's been that long. I still get a horrible feeling in my gut whenever I think about it. Today we all are thinking about those who lost their lives and the families who forever lost their loves ones.
In memory, I'm including the video Angie cut shortly after it happened. Thanks Ang for a beautiful tribute.
In memory, I'm including the video Angie cut shortly after it happened. Thanks Ang for a beautiful tribute.
September 10, 2009
Literal Music Video Genius
It just dawned on my why Mtv no longer shows videos - because for every good video, there are hundreds of bad. Some are way over the top with sets and costumes, some are so far out there no one has any idea what's going on and some should just be locked in a vault never to be seen again. And if a music video is supposed to support, oh, I dunno, the MUSIC, why do so many videos have nothing to do with the song itself?
That's why someone (I wish it was me!) came up with the idea to take a music video and re-do the lyrics to match what's happening in the video. It's a brilliant idea and the example below is the best I've found. It's genius. It's well-executed. And it had me rolling on the floor laughing!
Enjoy :-)
That's why someone (I wish it was me!) came up with the idea to take a music video and re-do the lyrics to match what's happening in the video. It's a brilliant idea and the example below is the best I've found. It's genius. It's well-executed. And it had me rolling on the floor laughing!
Enjoy :-)
September 9, 2009
12/21/2012
I didn't know the significance of the year 2012 until chatting with a friend recently about the fate of the world and it's slow demise, during which she asked what I thought of "2012." She went on to explain that an entire section of Barnes & Noble is now devoted to books about 2012. When I explained I had no idea what 2012 was, she said that the Mayan calendar ends on December 21, 2012 and there are numerous theories as to what it means, many of them centering around world destruction.
We as a society are obsessed with the end of the world! Is the world slowly dying? Yes. You can continue to live your life in your little bubble and refuse to see what is happening around you and to the world as a whole but the fact is that resources are dwindling, temperatures are rising, lands and waters are contaminated - we've been destroying the earth for centuries. It's scientifically proven. If you say you don't care, then you don't deserve to live here. Period.
But I don't understand our obsession with armageddon, and I'm not talking about it in a religious sense. Numerous movies have come out about asteroids, aliens, natural disasters, computer glitches and other ways that life as we know it will end. The whole idea is grossly romanticized by Hollywood. Bloodshed from wars, weapons of mass destruction and lives lost from natural disasters in the past decade have increased and elevated our awareness that maybe something has been put into motion. But the end of the world in one day? I don't know...
Back to the Mayans... The Mayan civilization has long been studied for their knowledge of mathematics and astronomy long before these concepts were understood in the Eastern world. Their calendar is highly intricate and some believe the Mayan Calendar is a prophetic calendar that may help us understand the past and foresee the future. Therefore, the fact that the calendar ends on December, 21, 2012 could be significant. Either the end of the world or a period of profound change, the Mayans must have known something we don't.
Or maybe they just didn't feel like going that far into the future! Think about it - the Mayan civilization began around the 1800 B.C. and their calendar begins around August 11, 3114 B.C. It should also be noted that their calendar does not follow the 365 days-a-year that our calendar follows. So maybe they ran out of time before the calendar got to 2012. What if the guy in charge decided he was fed up with his calendar duties and gave up just before their civilization collapsed? Maybe they couldn't foresee that far into the future. Who does?? I don't know about you, but I'm not sitting around wondering what's going to happen in April of 7003.
So, while I do believe the earth is heading in the wrong direction and the quality of life on this planet is significantly dwindling, I think 12/21/12 is going to come and go and we'll be no better or worse off than we are right now.
We as a society are obsessed with the end of the world! Is the world slowly dying? Yes. You can continue to live your life in your little bubble and refuse to see what is happening around you and to the world as a whole but the fact is that resources are dwindling, temperatures are rising, lands and waters are contaminated - we've been destroying the earth for centuries. It's scientifically proven. If you say you don't care, then you don't deserve to live here. Period.
But I don't understand our obsession with armageddon, and I'm not talking about it in a religious sense. Numerous movies have come out about asteroids, aliens, natural disasters, computer glitches and other ways that life as we know it will end. The whole idea is grossly romanticized by Hollywood. Bloodshed from wars, weapons of mass destruction and lives lost from natural disasters in the past decade have increased and elevated our awareness that maybe something has been put into motion. But the end of the world in one day? I don't know...
Back to the Mayans... The Mayan civilization has long been studied for their knowledge of mathematics and astronomy long before these concepts were understood in the Eastern world. Their calendar is highly intricate and some believe the Mayan Calendar is a prophetic calendar that may help us understand the past and foresee the future. Therefore, the fact that the calendar ends on December, 21, 2012 could be significant. Either the end of the world or a period of profound change, the Mayans must have known something we don't.
Or maybe they just didn't feel like going that far into the future! Think about it - the Mayan civilization began around the 1800 B.C. and their calendar begins around August 11, 3114 B.C. It should also be noted that their calendar does not follow the 365 days-a-year that our calendar follows. So maybe they ran out of time before the calendar got to 2012. What if the guy in charge decided he was fed up with his calendar duties and gave up just before their civilization collapsed? Maybe they couldn't foresee that far into the future. Who does?? I don't know about you, but I'm not sitting around wondering what's going to happen in April of 7003.
So, while I do believe the earth is heading in the wrong direction and the quality of life on this planet is significantly dwindling, I think 12/21/12 is going to come and go and we'll be no better or worse off than we are right now.
September 8, 2009
Jeopardy Then and Now
Jeopardy, one of the most successful shows in game show history, started it's 25-year trek with Trebek on September 10, 1984. Currently on break between the 25th and 26th seasons, NBC aired this first 1984 episode last night and I'm happy to say I have taped! Wow, have things changed... Trebeck walks out looking so young and dapper in his charcoal gray suit, crisp light peach shirt and handkerchief in his pocket. A full head of dark hair and a nicely trimmed handlebar mustache, the young Trebeck was a lot less tanned and cocky than he is now.
The contestants are introduced - Greg, Lois, and Frank - two copywriters and an "energy demonstrator". The clue board looks homemade like someone took some cardboard, red garland and a magic marker and whipped it together in their garage the night before. Dollar amounts are minuscule, ranging from just $100 to $500, whereas now they start at $200 up to $1000 for the first round.
The very first clue in the category "Animals" was so elementary, a fourth grader could have responded correctly. The pace of the game is painfully slow despite the fact that during the first season contestants were allowed to buzz in before Alex was finished reading the clue. (They later changed that to allow contestants more time to ponder their responses and to make it more enjoyable for those of us playing at home.) Contributing to the slow pace is the applause after every question and the dramatic gasps of horror after an incorrect response - most of which were aimed at poor Lois who didn't ring in for the first 9 clues then answered her first three tries incorrectly until she hit her stride with the stereotypically female category of "Foreign Cuisine".
She was rewarded with a mere $200 at the end of the first round and a hearty "good girl!" from Alex.
The final round is an exciting one. The clue in the category "Holidays" was"The 3rd Monday in January starting in 1986." All three contestants responded correctly (as did those of us playing at home) and the winner took home a little over $8,000 - the average for the first season. The average take home winnings this past season? $23,000.
Other interesting Jeopardy factoids:
Before 2003, champions were limited to five wins on the show with a winnings cap of $200,000. After that was abandoned, the most famous Jeopardy champion, Ken Jennings, competed in 74 consecutive games with winnings exceeding 2.5 million dollars.
The first Jeopardy episode ever was in 1964. Created by Merv Griffin and hosted by Art Fleming, it ran during the day time but was never syndicated.
The smallest amount of winnings ever was $1.00 and has only happened once.
Only once have all three contestants tied for the championship and all appeared against each other again in the next game.
After the first season, if a contestant attempts to ring in before Alex has finished reading the clue, they are locked out of ringing in for two tenths of a second.
Second place contestants currently receive $2,000 and third place $1,000 for being on the show.
From 1997 to 2002, in addition to their cash winnings, champions also received a car.
In 1999, Jeopardy's first blind contestant, Eddie Timanus, appeared on the show. The only special assistance given to him during his games was a card on which the category names were printed in Braille (which he only received at the very start of the round), and a computer keyboard to type out his response for Final Jeopardy. There were also no video-based clues during his appearances. Timanus won five consecutive games and, according to the rules in effect at that time, then retired undefeated. His winnings totalled $69,700 plus two new cars. He also went on to win $50,000 on Who Wants to be a Millionaire in 2004.
Jeopardy will begin it's 26th season next week with a brand new set! Can't wait!
The contestants are introduced - Greg, Lois, and Frank - two copywriters and an "energy demonstrator". The clue board looks homemade like someone took some cardboard, red garland and a magic marker and whipped it together in their garage the night before. Dollar amounts are minuscule, ranging from just $100 to $500, whereas now they start at $200 up to $1000 for the first round.
The very first clue in the category "Animals" was so elementary, a fourth grader could have responded correctly. The pace of the game is painfully slow despite the fact that during the first season contestants were allowed to buzz in before Alex was finished reading the clue. (They later changed that to allow contestants more time to ponder their responses and to make it more enjoyable for those of us playing at home.) Contributing to the slow pace is the applause after every question and the dramatic gasps of horror after an incorrect response - most of which were aimed at poor Lois who didn't ring in for the first 9 clues then answered her first three tries incorrectly until she hit her stride with the stereotypically female category of "Foreign Cuisine".
She was rewarded with a mere $200 at the end of the first round and a hearty "good girl!" from Alex.
The final round is an exciting one. The clue in the category "Holidays" was"The 3rd Monday in January starting in 1986." All three contestants responded correctly (as did those of us playing at home) and the winner took home a little over $8,000 - the average for the first season. The average take home winnings this past season? $23,000.
Other interesting Jeopardy factoids:
Before 2003, champions were limited to five wins on the show with a winnings cap of $200,000. After that was abandoned, the most famous Jeopardy champion, Ken Jennings, competed in 74 consecutive games with winnings exceeding 2.5 million dollars.
The first Jeopardy episode ever was in 1964. Created by Merv Griffin and hosted by Art Fleming, it ran during the day time but was never syndicated.
The smallest amount of winnings ever was $1.00 and has only happened once.
Only once have all three contestants tied for the championship and all appeared against each other again in the next game.
After the first season, if a contestant attempts to ring in before Alex has finished reading the clue, they are locked out of ringing in for two tenths of a second.
Second place contestants currently receive $2,000 and third place $1,000 for being on the show.
From 1997 to 2002, in addition to their cash winnings, champions also received a car.
In 1999, Jeopardy's first blind contestant, Eddie Timanus, appeared on the show. The only special assistance given to him during his games was a card on which the category names were printed in Braille (which he only received at the very start of the round), and a computer keyboard to type out his response for Final Jeopardy. There were also no video-based clues during his appearances. Timanus won five consecutive games and, according to the rules in effect at that time, then retired undefeated. His winnings totalled $69,700 plus two new cars. He also went on to win $50,000 on Who Wants to be a Millionaire in 2004.
Jeopardy will begin it's 26th season next week with a brand new set! Can't wait!
September 7, 2009
Hanging Rock State Park
Today we went hiking at Hanging Rock State Park, located about 100 miles from Durham, just north of Winston-Salem. The park is nestled among the Sauratown Mountains with peaks ranging from 1,700 feet to more than 2,500 feet. Named for the Saura Indians, the Sauratown Mountains were once much larger, but have eroded significantly over the years. Still, coming from the hills of the midwest, they were definitely mountains to us!
The park has over 18 miles of trails, so we left bright and early and arrived at the park just before 10am. We mapped out our 8-mile route to cover a couple of waterfalls, the signature Hanging Rock, and a long wooded trail leading to several other vistas. A cloudy morning, the sun hadn't yet burned off the haze as we headed out on Indian Creek Trail to see Hidden Falls and Window Falls. Only a half mile into the trail and accessible by families, they were nice little falls, but I suspect they are more impressive in the spring.
After the falls, we retraced our steps back to the parking and to the Hanging Rock trailhead. The trail starts out as a wide paved path and turns to gravel after about 1/4 mile. After about a half mile, the trails gets steep and we're climbing over roots, boards and boulders. We climb for a half mile straight up, panting and sweating to the top of Hanging Rock, but the view was well worth it.
We did our best to take photos that didn't reflect how massively busy the trail and the vista was. That's what we get for hiking on a holiday! Kids were running everywhere with their parents yelling after them. Peaceful it was not, so we'll definitely be going back.
After hanging rock, we scrambled down the trail and connected with the Wolf Rock Trail, a longer less accessible and therefore more peaceful trail. Another rocky hilly trail, our ankles and hips were beginning to get sore from walking on uneven ground. The only wildlife we encountered were tiny lizards and the biggest, grossest centipede thing we've ever seen. Once we reached Wolf Rock, we stopped for lunch.
Huge black ravens soared past us and we could just make out the skyline of Winston-Salem on the horizon, nearly 25 miles away. After lunch we continued down the trail another mile or so, still clambering over rocks and roots until we got to another nice vista, but by this time our feet were beginning to fail us so we turned around and headed back. All in all we hiked somewhere around 6.5 miles and left room for another visit this fall when the leaves are changing and the trails are less crowded.
The park has over 18 miles of trails, so we left bright and early and arrived at the park just before 10am. We mapped out our 8-mile route to cover a couple of waterfalls, the signature Hanging Rock, and a long wooded trail leading to several other vistas. A cloudy morning, the sun hadn't yet burned off the haze as we headed out on Indian Creek Trail to see Hidden Falls and Window Falls. Only a half mile into the trail and accessible by families, they were nice little falls, but I suspect they are more impressive in the spring.
After the falls, we retraced our steps back to the parking and to the Hanging Rock trailhead. The trail starts out as a wide paved path and turns to gravel after about 1/4 mile. After about a half mile, the trails gets steep and we're climbing over roots, boards and boulders. We climb for a half mile straight up, panting and sweating to the top of Hanging Rock, but the view was well worth it.
We did our best to take photos that didn't reflect how massively busy the trail and the vista was. That's what we get for hiking on a holiday! Kids were running everywhere with their parents yelling after them. Peaceful it was not, so we'll definitely be going back.
After hanging rock, we scrambled down the trail and connected with the Wolf Rock Trail, a longer less accessible and therefore more peaceful trail. Another rocky hilly trail, our ankles and hips were beginning to get sore from walking on uneven ground. The only wildlife we encountered were tiny lizards and the biggest, grossest centipede thing we've ever seen. Once we reached Wolf Rock, we stopped for lunch.
Huge black ravens soared past us and we could just make out the skyline of Winston-Salem on the horizon, nearly 25 miles away. After lunch we continued down the trail another mile or so, still clambering over rocks and roots until we got to another nice vista, but by this time our feet were beginning to fail us so we turned around and headed back. All in all we hiked somewhere around 6.5 miles and left room for another visit this fall when the leaves are changing and the trails are less crowded.
September 6, 2009
Labor Day
It's Labor Day weekend! But what does that mean? It signals the end of summer and the beginning of another school year. It means BBQs and three-day weekends and back-to-school shopping. But do we really know what we are celebrating? It dawned on me that I never really understood what Labor Day was and why it was a federal holiday. Are we honoring labor with a day off? Seems a bit hypocritical. What if we celebrated Independence Day by becoming more dependent? Or if we celebrated Thanksgiving by by fasting?
Labor Day does in fact have its roots buried in the labor movement. Apparently the first labor day parade was held in New York City in September of 1882. Thousands of workers and their families took a hiatus from work and marched through the streets in honor of American workers. A year later, the Central Labor Union held their own celebration and selected the first Monday of September as Labor Day in 1884. Several states recognized the day, but it wasn't until 1894 that it became a federal holiday - and this is where politics comes into play.
On May 11, 1894, workers at Pullman Palace Car Company in Chicago went on strike to protest cut wages and the firing of union representatives. Union leaders soon got involved and the protest reached across America. The American Railway Union called a boycott of all Pullman cars and the work of 50,000 rail workers screeched to a halt and things got ugly in Chicago. On July 4th (ironically) President Grover Cleveland dispatched troops to combat the rising upheaval. After several riots and a lot of bloodshed, the crowds were dispersed and the strike came to a close. The event brought workers' and union rights into the homes of every American and congress decided that something needed to be done to appease the masses and recognize the struggles of the working man. It was within days of the end of the Pullman strike that congress declared the first Monday of September, Labor Day, a federal holiday.
This is pretty significant stuff! It makes me wonder why I never learned this in school. Why didn't we have Labor Day pageants that depicted the 12 hour days and horrible conditions American workers used to face? Why aren't more speeches made about the labor movement and what it meant to America?
I don't have the answers to those questions but we all know how ironic a Labor Day celebration is in the face of the country's worst every unemployment rates so maybe it makes sense that instead of orating speeches on the sacrifices made during the labor movement we don our bathing suits, grab a beer and put a few burgers on the grill. And if you actually have a job right now, enjoying your day off.
Labor Day does in fact have its roots buried in the labor movement. Apparently the first labor day parade was held in New York City in September of 1882. Thousands of workers and their families took a hiatus from work and marched through the streets in honor of American workers. A year later, the Central Labor Union held their own celebration and selected the first Monday of September as Labor Day in 1884. Several states recognized the day, but it wasn't until 1894 that it became a federal holiday - and this is where politics comes into play.
On May 11, 1894, workers at Pullman Palace Car Company in Chicago went on strike to protest cut wages and the firing of union representatives. Union leaders soon got involved and the protest reached across America. The American Railway Union called a boycott of all Pullman cars and the work of 50,000 rail workers screeched to a halt and things got ugly in Chicago. On July 4th (ironically) President Grover Cleveland dispatched troops to combat the rising upheaval. After several riots and a lot of bloodshed, the crowds were dispersed and the strike came to a close. The event brought workers' and union rights into the homes of every American and congress decided that something needed to be done to appease the masses and recognize the struggles of the working man. It was within days of the end of the Pullman strike that congress declared the first Monday of September, Labor Day, a federal holiday.
This is pretty significant stuff! It makes me wonder why I never learned this in school. Why didn't we have Labor Day pageants that depicted the 12 hour days and horrible conditions American workers used to face? Why aren't more speeches made about the labor movement and what it meant to America?
I don't have the answers to those questions but we all know how ironic a Labor Day celebration is in the face of the country's worst every unemployment rates so maybe it makes sense that instead of orating speeches on the sacrifices made during the labor movement we don our bathing suits, grab a beer and put a few burgers on the grill. And if you actually have a job right now, enjoying your day off.
September 5, 2009
Bull City Not a Black Sheep
To many, Durham is the black sheep (or bull) of the triangle. Not as metropolitan or cosmopolitan as Raleigh and not as pretentious and yuppie as Chapel Hill, Durham is a little more blue collar and a little more rough around the edges. But there's a lot more to Durham that most people realize. Tobacco town is bursting with character with mouth-watering restaurants, a minor league baseball stadium, a farmer's market and community dedicated to local food, the American Tobacco trail for biking and running, an old reconditioned movie theater, revamped tobacco warehouses that now house lofts, restaurants, offices and shops, a new multi-million dollar performing arts center and of course, a little university you might have heard of. I love this town. It's just big enough to offer all of the cultural events I'm looking for, yet small enough to feel like a community.
And they take their Bull City name seriously! Here are just a few shots of the Bulls about town:
There's an energy and a friendliness here that I've never experienced. Durham is a growing town proud of its heritage and welcomes YA'LL to be a part of it. I'm sold.
And they take their Bull City name seriously! Here are just a few shots of the Bulls about town:
There's an energy and a friendliness here that I've never experienced. Durham is a growing town proud of its heritage and welcomes YA'LL to be a part of it. I'm sold.
September 4, 2009
Eat and Run
Durham's Doughman race gives whole new meaning to the term "eat and run."
I first heard of the race when Nicole received a text from a friend of hers explaining that Man vs. Food, a show on the Travel Channel, has a show dedicated to Durham. I had never seen the show before, but apparently it's a half hour of the host visiting the most outrageous and artery clogging restaurants/food places in a particular city. Carolina is known for their pork bbq, so of course a trip to the BBQ Shack in Durham was a necessity but the real star of the show was Man vs. Food team's participation in the race.
In May 2009, Durham held the second annual Doughman race to benefit a Durham inner city gardeners program called Seeds. The program gets the youth of Durham involved in planting, cultivating and harvesting crops in an environmentally and socially sustainable place. Through the program these kids develop a myriad of skills directly related to the gardening process and gain an understanding of environmental stewardship, nutrition, health, and economics all while improving their self-confidence and growing their leadership skills. Pretty cool stuff.
The race is termed a "quadathlon" incorporating the three typical events of running, biking and swimming and throwing in the fourth major event - eating. Run in relay style, teams of four alternate an eating leg and an athletic leg. For example, teammate #1 begins the race by eating crab macaroni and cheese, runs 2 miles, strips down to his/her bathing suit, swims the length of a pool and tags teammate #2 who then proceeds to bike to the next eating destination, down a "Bull City BLT" with homemade potato chips, bikes a few more miles and tags teammate #3 and so on. Teammate #4 has the task of eating the "Portable Defibrillator," a 1/4 pound local beef patty loaded with cheese, local meat chili, bacon, 1/4 hot dog and coleslaw on a fresh, locally baked bun. The sandwich is so mammoth, no sides are necessary.
Once the last team member finishes his or her leg, all four team members together scarf down four "Daisy Cakes," cupcakes of various flavors including strawberry shortcake and cinnamon cream cheese with candied bacon. Only once that is completed, all four together can run across the finish line.
The rules are very simple. Two team members are allowed to be vegan or vegetarian, all four team members must cross the finish line together, and the website specifically states that "vomiting is strictly discouraged". Yeah, right, tell that to my gut! I think it's safe to say that this is one race I will not be training for, but if you are so inclined, the site even gives prospective teams a training guide. Week one, get up, eat a donut and walk to the mailbox...
I first heard of the race when Nicole received a text from a friend of hers explaining that Man vs. Food, a show on the Travel Channel, has a show dedicated to Durham. I had never seen the show before, but apparently it's a half hour of the host visiting the most outrageous and artery clogging restaurants/food places in a particular city. Carolina is known for their pork bbq, so of course a trip to the BBQ Shack in Durham was a necessity but the real star of the show was Man vs. Food team's participation in the race.
In May 2009, Durham held the second annual Doughman race to benefit a Durham inner city gardeners program called Seeds. The program gets the youth of Durham involved in planting, cultivating and harvesting crops in an environmentally and socially sustainable place. Through the program these kids develop a myriad of skills directly related to the gardening process and gain an understanding of environmental stewardship, nutrition, health, and economics all while improving their self-confidence and growing their leadership skills. Pretty cool stuff.
The race is termed a "quadathlon" incorporating the three typical events of running, biking and swimming and throwing in the fourth major event - eating. Run in relay style, teams of four alternate an eating leg and an athletic leg. For example, teammate #1 begins the race by eating crab macaroni and cheese, runs 2 miles, strips down to his/her bathing suit, swims the length of a pool and tags teammate #2 who then proceeds to bike to the next eating destination, down a "Bull City BLT" with homemade potato chips, bikes a few more miles and tags teammate #3 and so on. Teammate #4 has the task of eating the "Portable Defibrillator," a 1/4 pound local beef patty loaded with cheese, local meat chili, bacon, 1/4 hot dog and coleslaw on a fresh, locally baked bun. The sandwich is so mammoth, no sides are necessary.
Once the last team member finishes his or her leg, all four team members together scarf down four "Daisy Cakes," cupcakes of various flavors including strawberry shortcake and cinnamon cream cheese with candied bacon. Only once that is completed, all four together can run across the finish line.
The rules are very simple. Two team members are allowed to be vegan or vegetarian, all four team members must cross the finish line together, and the website specifically states that "vomiting is strictly discouraged". Yeah, right, tell that to my gut! I think it's safe to say that this is one race I will not be training for, but if you are so inclined, the site even gives prospective teams a training guide. Week one, get up, eat a donut and walk to the mailbox...
September 3, 2009
Yet Another Reason to Love Ben & Jerry's!
Vermont, the forgotten state. The little slice of a state you have to go through to get to Maine. That state with the smallest state capital. (five bucks if you can name it without looking it up). New Hampshire's reverse twin, known for skiing, maple syrup, the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory and, it's largest employer, Ben & Jerry's ice cream. Well, folks, Vermont just got a whole lot sweeter in the LGBT community this week as they became the sixth state to allow and recognize same sex marriage.
((((APPLAUSE))))
In celebration of this step toward equality, Ben & Jerry's has re-named their Chubby Hubby ice cream to Hubby Hubby for the month of September. If you happen to find yourself in Vermont, you can visit any B&J store and order up a Hubby Hubby sundae. Don't look for the new labels in stores though, the change is symbolic only. It would cost far too much and take far too long to roll out an entirely new look just for the month of September, but kudos to a company like Ben & Jerry's for wanting to shed even more light on what's going right in this country.
Equality and ice cream for all!
((((APPLAUSE))))
In celebration of this step toward equality, Ben & Jerry's has re-named their Chubby Hubby ice cream to Hubby Hubby for the month of September. If you happen to find yourself in Vermont, you can visit any B&J store and order up a Hubby Hubby sundae. Don't look for the new labels in stores though, the change is symbolic only. It would cost far too much and take far too long to roll out an entirely new look just for the month of September, but kudos to a company like Ben & Jerry's for wanting to shed even more light on what's going right in this country.
Equality and ice cream for all!
September 2, 2009
Wanna Be My Friend?
Do you remember the first friend you ever made? I'm willing to bet that you don't because there was probably nothing memorable about it. You're four years old playing in your sandbox and over walks the neighbor kid who plops down alongside you and next thing you know you're best buds. Or maybe you are five and at your first day of school and the little girl with pigtails comes up to you and says she likes your lunchbox and you eat lunch together every day for the next 13 years.
Making friends used to be so easy! You could walk up to another kid and say "hey, wanna be friends?", she'd say "ok" and off you went skipping and holding hands. Why can't it be like that when we are adults? Somewhere between lunchboxes and 401K's making friends gets complicated. There are so many factors... do they share the same political and religious views? Are they single, married, divorced, gay, straight, bi, transgendered, yuppie, hippie, with kids, without kids, geeky, sporty, trendy, a smoker, a drinker. It's exhausting. Why can't I go up to some nice looking person at the coffee shop, plop down next to her and say "Hey, wanna be friends?" Well, I could... if I don't mind odd looks and rejection.
There was a period in my life a few years ago during which I needed to make some new friends so I hopped on the myspace bus and managed to find some pretty amazing people who I'm glad to say are still in my life (and some that I'm glad are not!). It wasn't easy putting myself out there, but hiding behind a keyboard before an actual face-to-face meeting suited me well. But I was also different then, or at least in a different situation that I am now. I was single and I was in my 20s, both very important factors. It's easier to make friends when you are single because you tend to go out a lot in large groups of people, talk to everyone you meet and everyone wants to date you.
Now I'm in my 30s and I don't live that lifestyle. I'd much rather be home watching jeopardy and grilling than going to the bar. Leave for the bar at 11? Yeah right, I'm in bed by ten, sister! So I have the option to join clubs. They have clubs for everything now from reading books to meditation to various sports and hobbies. I've looked into them but just haven't found my niche. Where's the group for cool, laid-back chicks who like to do a ton of fun things and just need people to do them with?
So I got back on myspace, but I'm not having much luck there. I look through profiles of people in my area and send a few messages that basically say "hey, wanna be my friend?" but not in so many words. Next I tried an ad on craigslist and I've had a few bites in the first day I posted it, so we'll see where that leads. I joined a kickball league that starts next week. At least I feel like I'm doing something. I realize that people aren't going to come knock on my door. Oh if there were only door-to-door friendship salespeople! With warranties! If one friend doesn't work out, exchange her for another or get your money back!
I would love an encyclopedia of new friends of all shapes, sizes, and colors to hang with and learn from who will knock on my door on a random Tuesday night and ask Nicole if I can come out and play.
If I don't know you and you're reading this, wanna be my friend??
Making friends used to be so easy! You could walk up to another kid and say "hey, wanna be friends?", she'd say "ok" and off you went skipping and holding hands. Why can't it be like that when we are adults? Somewhere between lunchboxes and 401K's making friends gets complicated. There are so many factors... do they share the same political and religious views? Are they single, married, divorced, gay, straight, bi, transgendered, yuppie, hippie, with kids, without kids, geeky, sporty, trendy, a smoker, a drinker. It's exhausting. Why can't I go up to some nice looking person at the coffee shop, plop down next to her and say "Hey, wanna be friends?" Well, I could... if I don't mind odd looks and rejection.
There was a period in my life a few years ago during which I needed to make some new friends so I hopped on the myspace bus and managed to find some pretty amazing people who I'm glad to say are still in my life (and some that I'm glad are not!). It wasn't easy putting myself out there, but hiding behind a keyboard before an actual face-to-face meeting suited me well. But I was also different then, or at least in a different situation that I am now. I was single and I was in my 20s, both very important factors. It's easier to make friends when you are single because you tend to go out a lot in large groups of people, talk to everyone you meet and everyone wants to date you.
Now I'm in my 30s and I don't live that lifestyle. I'd much rather be home watching jeopardy and grilling than going to the bar. Leave for the bar at 11? Yeah right, I'm in bed by ten, sister! So I have the option to join clubs. They have clubs for everything now from reading books to meditation to various sports and hobbies. I've looked into them but just haven't found my niche. Where's the group for cool, laid-back chicks who like to do a ton of fun things and just need people to do them with?
So I got back on myspace, but I'm not having much luck there. I look through profiles of people in my area and send a few messages that basically say "hey, wanna be my friend?" but not in so many words. Next I tried an ad on craigslist and I've had a few bites in the first day I posted it, so we'll see where that leads. I joined a kickball league that starts next week. At least I feel like I'm doing something. I realize that people aren't going to come knock on my door. Oh if there were only door-to-door friendship salespeople! With warranties! If one friend doesn't work out, exchange her for another or get your money back!
I would love an encyclopedia of new friends of all shapes, sizes, and colors to hang with and learn from who will knock on my door on a random Tuesday night and ask Nicole if I can come out and play.
If I don't know you and you're reading this, wanna be my friend??
September 1, 2009
Bull Durham
Tonight we went to a Durham Bulls minor league baseball game. They made five errors and lost 10-2. Maybe we should have stayed home and watched the movie!
Some say it's the best baseball movie of all-time, and while not a fan of baseball or movies about baseball, I'd have to agree. It perfectly marries male bonding, sports, sex and romance, mixing them all together in a way that appeals to men and women alike. Just crude enough for the men, just romantic enough for the women.
Also, for a movie to stand the test of time, it's gotta be quotable. Bull Durham gives us such beauties as "Man that ball got outta here in a hurry. I mean anything travels that far oughta have a damn stewardess on it, don't you think?" And who could forget Costner's rousing soliloquy in which he says "I believe in the sweet spot, soft-core pornography, opening your presents Christmas morning rather than Christmas Eve and I believe in long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last three days".
Ask anyone here, Durham is proud of their movie legacy. The city hosted Costner and his band in 2008 to celebrate the movie's 20th anniversary. The movie was largely filmed in downtown Durham at the athletic park, the former home of the city's minor league baseball team for 68 years; an old stadium nothing like the fancy new digs the Bulls currently play in. But one aspect still remains - the famous Durham Bull sitting high atop left field that wags his tail up and down and blows smoke from his nostrils every time the Bulls score a home run. Unfortunately of the two games I've been to this season, the opposing team scored all the home runs so I've had to settle for watching scenes like this one:
Not certain is actually makes mooing noises... maybe we'll find out next season.
Some say it's the best baseball movie of all-time, and while not a fan of baseball or movies about baseball, I'd have to agree. It perfectly marries male bonding, sports, sex and romance, mixing them all together in a way that appeals to men and women alike. Just crude enough for the men, just romantic enough for the women.
Also, for a movie to stand the test of time, it's gotta be quotable. Bull Durham gives us such beauties as "Man that ball got outta here in a hurry. I mean anything travels that far oughta have a damn stewardess on it, don't you think?" And who could forget Costner's rousing soliloquy in which he says "I believe in the sweet spot, soft-core pornography, opening your presents Christmas morning rather than Christmas Eve and I believe in long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last three days".
Ask anyone here, Durham is proud of their movie legacy. The city hosted Costner and his band in 2008 to celebrate the movie's 20th anniversary. The movie was largely filmed in downtown Durham at the athletic park, the former home of the city's minor league baseball team for 68 years; an old stadium nothing like the fancy new digs the Bulls currently play in. But one aspect still remains - the famous Durham Bull sitting high atop left field that wags his tail up and down and blows smoke from his nostrils every time the Bulls score a home run. Unfortunately of the two games I've been to this season, the opposing team scored all the home runs so I've had to settle for watching scenes like this one:
Not certain is actually makes mooing noises... maybe we'll find out next season.
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