Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend

Sweet Lou

2010-08-23T19:56:00.000-05:00

Cubs manager Lou Piniella retired yesterday. He had already announced that this would be his last season, but yesterday he hung them up unexpectedly early. Haters (i.e., Cardinals and White Sox fans) will say that it's just because he couldn't take any more losing, but in reality, it's because his 90-year old mom is very ill. You've gotta admire Sweet Lou for choosing family over the game he loves and has been involved in for almost 50 years. Even though Lou didn't get to go out the way he wanted, I thought it was classy that he shared the spotlight with Bobby Cox on his last visit to Wrigley. Fans gave him a standing ovation on several occasions and chanted his name, so shame on those sportswriters who accused Lou of phoning it in the past two seasons. Pitcher Sean Marshall said it best, "You hate to see a grown man kind of tear up. It just shows his heart and his drive for baseball and his love for his family." No one should ever doubt Piniella's effort or determination even if the results didn't always turn out the way the fans wanted.

On a personal note, Sweet Lou is my favorite Cubs manager of all-time and I will miss him dearly. He tells it like it is in an entertaining way. He was firm but fair to his players. And no one can argue with an umpire quite like Lou. :) Read it and weep: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100822&content_id=13777148&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

Good luck to interim manager Mike Quade; he will need it. Lou Piniella is a tough act to follow.

I'm bringing blogging back!

2010-08-21T17:18:00.000-05:00

Why hello there, sports fans! As you can see, it has been over 3 years since I have blogged on this site. I did briefly relocate to MySpace but since it is a ghost town, I'm back! My friend Carol has inspired me to resurrect my blog, so here I am. My first order of business is to go on a total Cubs rant. What in the world has happened to my beloved team? Two years ago, we had 8 All-Stars. Right now, I don't think we could beat most single A teams with our collections of has-beens and never will-bes. I had hope that the new owners, the Ricketts, would bring a championship to Chicago soon but it sure looks like that will now be years in the making. The only good news on that front is that I won't be rushing to get that Cubs tatoo I promised my sister I would get when we finally won the World Series. ;) I truly hope that some of these prospects we have received after trading fan favorites Teddy, The Riot, Fontenot, and D.Lee will pan out, but I have become cautiously optimistic over the years. I like to refer to this painful process as "Cubbie Clearance-everything must go!" There are only a handful of players that I would welcome back to this team next year, and they include Byrd, Soriano, Dempster, Marshall, Soto, and rookies Castro & Colvin. That leaves 18 spots on the roster so Jim Hendry has his work cut out for him. Considering this guy signed Milton Bradley last year, that does not inspire much confidence. Wait 'til next year...or the year after that...or the year after that.

Disco is dead

2007-05-08T20:17:00.000-05:00

It has been a long time since my last American Idol recap. Thankfully, in that time, we finally got rid of Sanjaya as well as some other less than stellar contestants. However, one thing that remains is the lame theme week. What makes the producers think that anyone wants to hear disco songs in 2007? The final four-Melinda, Blake, LaKisha, and Jordin-sang from the songbook of Barry Gibb this evening. Now while I must admit that I am a fan of the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack as well as a few other selected Bee Gees tunes, tonight's song choices (and performances for the most part) were peculiar to say the least. I thought that Blake was horrible, and his once cool beatboxing has become annoying. My personal fave, LaKisha, was lambasted by the judges, even though I have to give her credit for at least singing a song we have all heard before ("Staying Alive"). Jordin did a great job on her first song, but I agree with Simon that her second performance was like something out of the Miss Teen U.S.A. pageant. Even Melinda was off her game tonight. What a disappointment. Hopefully next week will be better and LaKisha will somehow survive.

Call Me Irresponsible

2007-05-04T08:41:00.000-05:00

That is not only what I have been lately regarding this blog, but also the title of Michael Buble's new album that came out this week (in the words of Emeril, run-don't walk-to the store to get yourself a few hundred copies). Anyway, I have so much to catch you up on. I have actually tried to log in a few times to update you on my la vida loca but was locked out of this account until today. Anyway, I was a traveling fool during the month of April. I was lucky enough to go with the U of M baseball team on TWO road trips (one to New Orleans and another to exotic Cape Girardeau, MO) in which my overall record is 4-1. It was a lot of fun and I actually did get to provide a little academic assistance to some of the guys.

This past weekend, I went to Savannah, GA for my cousin Chrissy's wedding. I had an absolute blast! Savannah is a beautiful city-if you have the means, I highly recommend visiting "the Lady of the South". It was great to hang out with my sister, her BFF, and the parentals. I also got to spend some quality time with my aunt, uncle, and even a little bit with the bride. Her wedding was awesome-great food, gorgeous scenery, and oh yeah, an open bar! I also got some quality flirting in with-you might want to sit down for this-a Cardinals fan. Yes, a good time was had by all. :)

This coming weekend is the Beale Street Music Fest, a 3-game baseball series vs. UCF, and graduation weekend all rolled into one. It could get crazy here in Memphis. Take care and have fun!

STOP THE INSANITY!!!

2007-03-25T18:10:00.000-05:00

America, please hear my cry for help. For the love of God, stop voting for Sanjaya!!! I don't know how much longer I can watch if this keeps up. American Idol is supposed to be a singing competition, and right now it's a laughing stock. Last week, Stephanie got voted off, so now Sanjaya is actually going to be on tour and get paid to sing. We will have to listen to him muddle through the group numbers on the remaining shows. I never thought I'd long for the days of Scott Savol and Jasmine Trias... Thank goodness baseball season is only a week away. I need a distraction (and some Advil)!

America, you've gotta be kidding me

2007-03-14T20:46:00.000-05:00

OK America-I'm starting to get fed up. First, you put Sanjaya in the Top 12 finalists of this season's American Idol. Now you've allowed him to survive another week! Do you realize that if you don't vote him off next week, people will be paying to see him on tour? This is a travesty. Please stop encouraging the morons who run votefortheworst.com and try voting for the contestants who actually have talent.

As for the remaining 10 contestants, I am a big fan of LaKisha and Melinda. Stephanie and Jordin are also very good. Blake the beatboxer is entertaining at times, but his voice is not as strong as the divas'. Chris Sligh has his moments (love the sarcasm, buddy), and sometimes Phil can wail. The rest of the group does not impress me. Haley should not have even made it this far, and Gina basically just screams. As for Chris Richardson, I have already grown tired of his Justin Timberlake-wannabe antics. It's going to take a lot to top last season (miss ya already, Taylor).

Dreams really do come true

2007-01-15T19:21:00.000-06:00

I am psyched to report that Jennifer Hudson won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress tonight. She really deserves this award for her moving portryal of Effie White in "Dreamgirls". I couldn't be happier for her. I have been a fan since she belted her way through Season 3 of American Idol (and was wrongfully voted off much too soon). Jennifer had star quality even back then, but now no one can deny that she has arrived. If you haven't seen "Dreamgirls" yet, please do yourself a favor and buy a ticket as soon as possible. It is one of the best movies I have seen in quite awhile and the soundtrack is amazing. Jennifer will blow you away.

By the way, American Idol's Season 6 premieres tomorrow night at 7 pm Central on Fox. Don't miss it. Personally, I'm not a fan of the trainwrecks, but I will tune in to catch a glimpse of the people who actually have some talent.

One week until my release

2006-12-13T18:44:00.000-06:00

I only have to survive one more week of work and then I get to go home for the holidays. HOORAH! I'm not a big fan of finals week. First, there's the stress of bad grades coming back. Second, there's not a whole hell of a lot to do around the office. If my students haven't figured out how to pass their classes by now, there's not much I can do to help them at this late date. Third, every department decides to have a Christmas party, so there's a lot of forced bonding. I'm certainly not complaining that cookies are readily available; however, I don't think that I should have to socialize with total strangers in order to get my sugar fix. Anyway, I am definitely looking forward to spending some quality time with the fam. Christmas is my favorite time of year. Happy Holidays to all of my loyal readers out there! Hope you enjoy your break. Take care and best wishes in 2007. :)

Expressing my inner band geek

2006-12-06T14:35:00.000-06:00

I just got back from the annual free holiday concert performed by different ensembles from the School of Music at the University of Memphis. It always puts me in a festive mood, but this year I have one complaint. How can you put on an entire concert without a single clarinet? Normally the orchestra performs, but this year they got the shaft. I had to sit through several brass ensembles, but with the exception of a few saxophones, the woodwinds were banned from the proceedings altogether. That is a serious oversight. However, I did enjoy the concert as a whole and the performance of "Do You Hear What I Hear?" by the soloist was Whitney Houston-esque. Hope you are enjoying the holiday season so far. Happy ho-ho-ho to you!

My Boys

2006-11-28T22:03:00.000-06:00

Sorry for the long break-I had to get my pout on due to the unfortunate results of the World Series. However, I'm back and ready to talk baseball again. It looks like the execs at TBS have been tapping my phone because there is a new show on called "My Boys" which parallels my life (Tues. 9 pm Central). It's about this young lady named PJ who works at the Chicago Sun-Times as a sportswriter covering the Cubs. All of her best buds are guys and she loves to drink beer, play poker, and talk sports with them. The quote of the night was when she told this guy she was into, "You wanna see my baseball card collection? It's in my bedroom." How funny is that? And I just took the Guy's Girl or Girly Girl quiz on TBS.com and here's my result: Boy's Best Friend. You've got the full game package on satellite (check) and a fridge full of cold beers (check). Cleats are kind of like heels, right? They make you taller.

Holy cow-if someone isn't bugging my apartment, then there must be other ladies out there who are just like me. Personally, I don't see anything wrong with being true to yourself, even if that means you come across as a sports obsessed tomboy to the opposite sex. The problem is that often sassy singles such as myself get stuck in the friend zone, which can be compared to the Bermuda Triangle. If any of you ladies out there know how to escape this abyss, please clue me in. In the meantime, I will continue to enjoy an ice cold Coors Light and a ballgame with my guy friends. One of these days, some man is finally going to "get" me and he will be in for a real treat. :)

You cut me to the core, Cardinals

2006-10-29T17:57:00.000-06:00

I cannot believe that the St. Louis Cardinals are the 2006 World Champions. YUCK! How can a team that was 2 games over .500 (and got swept TWICE by the Cubs, I might add) win the ring? Hopefully it's not a sign of the apocalypse. The only explanation I can come up with is that the baseball gods are trying to motivate the Cubbies to win it all in 2007. Their two most hated rivals won the championship in back-to-back years, so maybe this was the only way that management would finally get the kick in the ass they need to put a winner on the field. This is how I rationalize the victory of evil over good so that I can sleep at night. If you don't hear from me for awhile, it is because I had to relocate to Canada due to the constant ribbing I'm sure to receive starting tomorrow. I like hockey, so maybe it will work out. They do have a great national anthem over there. "O Canada. Our home and native land. True patriot love in all thy sons command..."

Don't forget the Motor City...

2006-10-23T20:14:00.000-05:00

I am so glad that my picks were totally off for the playoffs. I got every series wrong except the Mets beating the Dodgers, so I wouldn't ask for my advice the next time you're picking lottery numbers. This is it-the Fall Classic. The Detroit Tigers vs. the St. Louis Cardinals. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out which team I want to win the ring. I don't want to live in a world where the Cards are the world champs, so I hope that the Tigers won't break my heart. Pudge and company-please get it done. I've never met a Tigers fan that I didn't like, but I sure as hell know plenty of Cardinals fans who could use a good bitchslap. And considering I'm living in enemy territory and haven't been quiet about my hatred for their ballclub, I would never hear the end of it should the unthinkable happen. Oh baseball gods, haven't us Cubs fans been through enough?!? Please give the loyal Detroit Tigers fans the title and I will promise to be an even better baseball fan in 2007.

(Can't) Wait 'til next year

2006-10-02T20:32:00.000-05:00

As expected, Dusty Baker was relieved of his managerial duties today. This move was necessary as the Cubs have gotten progressively worse over the past 3 seasons. A 66-96 record should not get your contract renewed. In Dusty's defense, he did not have any control over the plethora of injuries that have befallen the North Siders over the last 2 years. However, the key is that he did not motivate his players to overcome adversity. More importantly, Dusty had no clue how to properly use the bullpen (in the immortal words of Kenny Rogers, you've got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em). His management of the pitching staff was pitiful on a good day. In addition, the Cubs have not played fundamental baseball during his regime, especially with regards to properly running the bases and executing basic plays they should have learned in Little League...

I can only hope and pray that the new manager will lay down the law and bring a winning attitude to the franchise. Former Cub Joe Girardi is the right man at the right time. It would be in the best interests of the Tribune Company to hire the probable NL Manager of the Year and turn the Cubbies around. Will we need some new players? Hell yeah! Should we count on the services of Kerry Wood and Mark Prior in the rotation again without acquiring some top of the line starters? Hell no! Let's learn from the mistakes of the past 98 years and stop being "the doormat of the National League." Wouldn't it be nice to be a winner instead of a laughingstock? Can I get an amen?!? I'm already looking forward to next season because it can't get much worse than this one. We're closing in on a century of futility-let's reverse the curse! None of us are getting any younger, and I want to celebrate a World Series victory while I can still party like a rock star. GO CUBS IN '07!!!

My playoff predictions

2006-10-01T22:14:00.000-05:00

Even though I have gypsy blood, I'm not usually the best at predicting the future. However, I'm going to look into my crystal ball anyway and reveal my picks for each postseason series:

American League Division Series

New York Yankees vs. Detroit Tigers-I'd love to go with the sentimental favorite and say that the Tigers will win this series. But, with apologies to my friend Jessie from the Detroit area, I begrudgingly choose the Yankees. This pains me deeply as I absolutely despise the Bronx Bombers. However, considering the Tigers blew their division lead today and have been in a freefall for over a month, I think the Yankees will emerge victorious and advance to the World Series. YUCK!

Minnesota Twins vs. Oakland A's- To me, this series is pretty much a toss-up. The Twins are hot right now, but the A's have better starting pitching. I'm going to choose the Twins on a virtual coin flip. It would be a nice tribute to Kirby Puckett for Minnesota to win this series.

National League Division Series

New York Mets vs. Los Angeles Dodgers-On paper, this looks like the most exciting match-up. I have a feeling this series will last 5 games. Although I'm pulling for the Dodgers with former Cubbies Maddux and Garciaparra on their roster, I think the Mets are the better team. However, the fact that Pedro can't pitch will make this battle all the more intriguing. I'm going with the Mets, hoping that my dad and Ron Santo won't hate me for being disloyal to the '69 Cubs.

San Diego Padres vs. St. Louis Cardinals-Talk about a Cubs fan's worst postseason nightmare. BLECH! The Padres should sweep, considering the Cards almost blew it down the stretch. I can't stand either of these clubs and will probably not tune into this series out of pure bitterness.

My World Series prediction: Yankees over Mets in 6 (although I'd much rather see a Tigers-Dodgers match-up)

I'll be back tomorrow with much more baseball banter as the Cubs will announce the future of Dusty Baker/resignation of team president Andy MacPhail. This off-season is going to be interesting to say the least...

A nice little Saturday

2006-09-30T21:21:00.000-05:00

Today has been a great day. I decided to spend some quality time with myself instead of suffering through the maddening traffic surrounding the Memphis-UT football game/Mid South Fair. What an excellent choice. First, I got my hair done, which is almost always a pleasant experience. Then, I ventured to the mall where I decided to update my fall wardrobe. I found a great pair of brown loafers on sale as well as a gift set of Miracle So Magic!, which included bath gel, lotion, and lip gloss for just a bit more than the perfume itself usually costs. Next, I scoured Macy's for pants and shirts that I can wear when the temperature actually dips below 90 degrees again. I found all kinds of bargains and saved an additional 20% because I used a one-day shopping pass. Sometimes it's good to be me. :) And I got home just in time to see my beloved alma mater Illinois actually win a Big Ten football game. GO ILLINI! Hope you are enjoying your weekend as much as I am. If you need another reason to smile, check out this adorable video of Michael Buble' and Tony Bennett singing "Just in Time" on the Today show this week: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3041478/. Isn't it precious?

Push for the pennant

2006-09-26T19:11:00.000-05:00

As you are probably already aware, the Cubbies have pretty much been out of the race since May. However, I am still interested in the 2006 playoff contenders since I'm a huge fan of baseball in general. The happiest news I received today was that the White Sox are now officially eliminated from postseason play. Can I get an amen? :) I've had enough of the obnoxious South Siders' bragging. This year, there will be a new World Champion. We can only hope it won't be from one of the evil New York teams.

In case you haven't been keeping up with the standings, there are still some teams who haven't clinched their division or the Wild Card yet. The most exciting race in my humble opinion is that of the NL Wild Card. I'm rooting hard core for the Phillies since my friend Carol is a huge fan and because chicks dig the long ball (thanks, Ryan Howard). As for the NL Central, the Cards have been slipping as of late and actually have a chance to blow their division lead. For the rest of this week, it's root, root, root for the Astros. The AL and NL West are also not decided, but I don't know too many people who care. My hope is that the Dodgers somehow manage to win the division and the Padres collapse so that they won't make the playoffs at all. You may think that I am still bitter about the 1984 playoffs, and you would be right. I cannot and will not ever forgive the San Diego organization for causing me unbelievable heartache at such a tender age... Stay tuned next week for my playoff predictions after all of the spots have been decided.

Rock on!

2006-09-19T20:43:00.000-05:00

Two weeks ago, I finally broke down and bought an iPod. At the time, it was the biggest one on the market. Then last week, Apple suddenly decided to release an 80 GB version for $50 cheaper. Not cool. However, I have embraced my beautiful, black 60 GB model named Willie Mays Hayes. I just didn't realize how much personal attention an iPod needs. It takes a lot of time to load all of my CD's onto this thing (I currently have 1800 songs in my library and it can hold a whopping 15,000). You also have to make sure your iPod is dressed and protected from the elements. Luckily, my mom and sister have had one for about a year, so they were able to guide me to the iFrogz website to design a custom case: http://ifrogz.com/ . Mine is blue and red with a baseball wheel cover (shocking, I know).

If it takes this much work to maintain a portable electronic device, then I certainly don't think having children is in the cards for me... However, I have enjoyed shopping for Pod gifts like TV shows and games (Pac-Man!). Apple has created a monster because they recently added movies to their iTunes store as well. It looks like I won't be bored the next time I get stuck in an airport. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking up one of these wonderful toys for yourself.

Never forget the lessons learned on 9/11

2006-09-11T21:47:00.000-05:00

Here is a great article from Fox Sports regarding the changing role of sports in our lives after 9/11/01: http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5953886

I used to be guilty of thinking that how the Cubs were playing was the most important thing in the world. Since that fateful day, I no longer allow a baseball game to carry so much significance in my life (with the exception of the 2003 playoffs, of course). Now, I always try to remember to tell people how much I care about them, just in case tomorrow never comes.

This past weekend, I had the privilege of attending the dedication of the new baseball field at St. Bonaventure University. This was one of the coolest events I have ever experienced. Words cannot describe the impact it had on me. It's not every day that you can see hundreds of people who shared a common experience reunite and reconnect with former teammates, coaches, and staff members. I truly cherish all of the friends that I made at Bona's, and hope that I will be able to attend Baseball Alumni Weekend for many years to come. The events of 9/11 had a tremendous impact on me personally, and I will never forget the lessons learned nor the bond I share with these special people in Western New York.

For Pete's sake, Red Sox-please win tomorrow!

2006-08-19T20:45:00.000-05:00

Today was a great day for this baseball fan. First, the Cubbies came back to beat the Cardinals in the 10th inning 5-4. Second, the Reds won, so now they are only 2.5 games back. Awesome! Finally, I just read that Peter Gammons went to the Yankees-Red Sox game:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2554773

However, it cannot be good for his health to see his favorite team lose to the Evil Empire 13-5. Therefore, please pull off a victory tomorrow night, Boston. Baseball fans everywhere want our beloved Peter to get back to his old self again. Falling further out of the Wild Card race is not going to help his road to recovery. Thank you for your support, Big Papi and company. Good luck and God speed.

What kind of soul are you?

2006-08-14T19:10:00.000-05:00

You Are a Newborn Soul

You are tolerant, accepting, and willing to give anyone a chance.
On the flip side, you're easy to read and easily influenced by others.
You have a fresh perspective on life, and you can be very creative.
Noconformist and nontraditional, you've never met anyone who's like you.

Inventive and artistic, you like to be a trendsetter.
You have an upbeat spirit and you like almost everything.
You make friends easily and often have long standing friendships.
Implusive and trusting, you fall in love a little too easily.

Souls you are most compatible with: Bright Star Soul and Dreaming Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

If I Can Dream

2006-08-12T17:23:00.000-05:00

There seems to be a misconception out there that the only two topics I care to discuss are baseball and pop culture. If you look at my blog description, I can understand why you might get that impression. However, I am in fact much deeper than that (please don't confuse my lighthearted nature with being shallow). One thing that deeply troubles me is the constant threat of terrorism against the citizens of the United States. Thank God the latest attempt was thwarted, but unlike many other Americans, I have not forgotten about the horrors of 9-11. As an eternal optimist, I would like to believe that someday conditions will improve and that eventually we will achieve world peace. The following song by Elvis Presley gives me hope and comfort during these trying times:

If I Can Dream-

Elvis Presley

There must be lights burning brighter somewhere

Got to be birds flying higher in a sky more blue

If I can dream of a better land

Where all my brothers walk hand in hand

Tell me why, oh why, oh why can't my dream come true

There must be peace and understanding sometime

Strong winds of promise that will blow away

All the doubt and fear

If I can dream of a warmer sun

Where hope keeps shining on everyone

Tell me why, oh why, oh why won't that sun appear

We're lost in a cloud

With too much rain

We're trapped in a world

That's troubled with pain

But as long as a man

Has the strength to dream

He can redeem his soul and fly

Deep in my heart there's a trembling question

Still I am sure that the answer gonna come somehow

Out there in the dark, there's a beckoning candle

And while I can think, while I can talk

While I can stand, while I can walk

While I can dream, please let my dream

Come true, right now

Let it come true right now

Oh yeah

My Five Factor Personality Profile

2006-08-11T19:55:00.000-05:00

***Your Five Factor Personality Profile***

Extroversion:

You have high extroversion.
You are outgoing and engaging, with both strangers and friends.
You truly enjoy being with people and bring energy into any situation.
Enthusiastic and fun, you're the first to say "let's go!"

Conscientiousness:

You have medium conscientiousness.
You're generally good at balancing work and play.
When you need to buckle down, you can usually get tasks done.
But you've been known to goof off when you know you can get away with it. (that's for sure)

Agreeableness:

You have high agreeableness.
You are easy to get along with, and you value harmony highly.
Helpful and generous, you are willing to compromise with almost anyone.
You give people the benefit of the doubt and don't mind giving someone a second chance.

Neuroticism:

You have low neuroticism.
You are very emotionally stable and mentally together.
Only the greatest setbacks upset you, and you bounce back quickly.
Overall, you are typically calm and relaxed - making others feel secure.

Openness to experience:

Your openness to new experiences is high.
In life, you tend to be an early adopter of all new things and ideas.
You'll try almost anything interesting, and you're constantly pushing your own limits.
A great connoisseur of art and beauty, you can find the positive side of almost anything.

The Five Factor Personality Test:

http://www.blogthings.com/thefivefactorpersonalitytest/

Just for the taste of it, Diet Coke!

2006-08-10T20:48:00.000-05:00

I bet this is what the new Pepsi vendors at work do just as soon as they get back to their trucks. Coke is the real thing! Perhaps I will eventually get over this change in beverage vendors, but today is not their lucky day...

Blogthings, you make my heart sing...

2006-08-03T21:01:00.000-05:00

Like my buddy Maria, I too am addicted to Blogthings. Here are some of my favorite quiz results:

***Your 2006 Summer Anthem Is***

Hips Don't Lie by Shakira

"I'm on tonight
You know my hips don't lie
And I'm starting to feel it's right
All the attraction, the tension
Don't you see baby, this is perfection"

What's Your 2006 Summer Anthem?
http://www.blogthings.com/whatsyour2006summeranthemquiz/

***Your Personality Is Like Acid***

A bit wacky, you're very difficult to predict.
One moment you're in your own little happy universe...
And the next, you're on a bad trip to your own personal hell!

What Drug Is Your Personality Like?
http://www.blogthings.com/whatdrugisyourpersonalitylikequiz/

***Your Quirk Factor: 45%***

You're a pretty quirky person, but you're just normal enough to hide it.
Congratulations - you've fooled other people into thinking you're just like them!

How Quirky Are You?
http://www.blogthings.com/howquirkyareyouquiz/

***The Movie Of Your Life Is A Cult Classic***

Quirky, offbeat, and even a little campy - your life appeals to a select few.
But if someone's obsessed with you, look out! Your fans are downright freaky.

Your best movie matches: Office Space, Showgirls, The Big Lebowski

If Your Life Was a Movie, What Genre Would It Be?
http://www.blogthings.com/ifyourlifewasamoviewhatgenrewoulditbequiz/

Kelly, the inadvertent cleat-chaser

2006-07-31T21:45:00.000-05:00

Last Thursday-Sunday, I ventured to Paris, Illinois for a quick trip home to visit the fam. I had a lot of fun doing lunch and reminiscing with my good friend, Nicole, and her new baby, Aynsley, in the Indianapolis area. My dad then picked me up in Terre Haute, where we did a little shopping and then headed home to eat dinner and watch the Cubbies. It was a great weekend not only because I got to spend some quality time with the V's, but also because we were all able to watch the Cubs sweep the Cardinals in a 4-game series at Wrigley (that hasn't happened since 1972, before I was born). The highlight of the trip, however, definitely occurred on Saturday night, when we went to the Danville Dans game...

I wanted to go to Danville to see 3 of my ballplayers from Memphis compete in the Central Illinois Collegiate League (http://www.ciclbaseball.com/ ). Now it's not real difficult convincing anyone in my family to go to a baseball game, and since we had a good time there last year, we all hopped in the car for a 45 minute road trip. The game was close and the beer was cold. Although the Dans lost 5-4, but we weren't too disappointed because they put in a solid effort. Since the players had an autograph session after the game, I yelled through the fence to my guys to let them know I was in the house. They asked me to hang around for awhile since there were a million kids waiting in line. My sister, Kelly, decided to wait with me while I sent my brother, Brian, and Dad to Royal Donut to pick up donuts for Sunday's breakfast.

Kelly and I stood in the autograph line for what seemed like an eternity until we finally reached one of my former athletes, who is an assistant coach for the Dans. He introduced me to a hottie assistant coach, for which I owe him a debt of gratitude. We then saw my other two guys, who were more than a little surprised to see me. Two of the three wanted to make changes to their Fall schedules, but I regretted to inform them that I do not carry Schedule Adjustment Forms in my back pocket. While I was chatting away with the boys, Kelly decided to have the whole team sign the poster they passed out at the gate so she could give it to me. When we reached the end of the line, we heard one of the ballplayers warning his teammate not to do "what he thought he was thinking of doing." I just figured they were lusting over my baby sister because she had the girls on display. However, when we got home, we noticed that one of the Dans had written his phone number across his picture instead of his signature (I won't tell you who gave his digits in order to protect the not-so-innocent)! It was pretty darn funny as Kelly is not exactly in the market for a 20-year old horndog after finishing law school. But I don't think she minded the attention one little bit. :)

Baseball Tonight is in shambles!

2006-07-25T21:24:00.000-05:00

First, our beloved Peter Gammons has a brain aneurysm at the end of June. Good Lord willing he's going to be OK and will be able to come back and cover our national pastime again soon. Baseball Tonight has not been the same without him. Then this afternoon, Harold Reynolds is fired from ESPN totally out of the blue. None of the sports websites are saying why, but my friend Julie sent me the following website with allegations of sexual harrassment against HR: http://www.deadspin.com/sports/top/was-this-why-Harold-got-the-axe-189733.php

I am in shock. Can this show survive without its top 2 personalities? Don't get me wrong-I love Krukie and Ravie. However, Peter and Harold were the glue that kept Baseball Tonight together. I don't know who they're going to add to spice things up. Personally, I cannot stand former Mets GM/Mr. Know-it-all , Steve Phillips. Here's hoping they have Tim Kurkjian and Brian Kenny or Chris Berman on the program more frequently (and less random weekend fill-ins like Tino Martinez). Stay tuned. There's more drama on ESPN than the soaps right now...

HOLY COW!!!

2006-07-16T22:15:00.000-05:00

In 2006, the Cubbies have found creative ways to lose. Tonight, after getting out to a nice 5-0 lead, they gave up TWO grand slams in the 6th en route to an 11-run inning. This season, I finally started following the good advice of my parents who have encouraged me for years to change the channel when it starts getting ugly. Well, I switched to Emeril Live after the 1st grand slam and the subsequent pitching change (anytime Novoa comes into the game, it's not a good sign), so luckily I did not have to witness this offensive explosion by the Mets. It has truly become embarrasing to be a Cubs fan. However, I will still wear my Believe bracelet with pride and will try not to throw my cell phone, remote controls, etc. in disgust...

Thank goodness for VH1, which has provided a welcome diversion from this maddening baseball season with some fun summer programming. All you pop culture nuts out there, don't miss The World Series of Pop Culture on Thursday nights at 9 pm CST . It is a blast playing along at home and seeing if you can answer more entertainment trivia questions correctly than the contestants. I think this is the one "sport" where I could become an all-star. I've also thoroughly enjoyed I Love The 70's Volume 2 because it was one crazy decade. Check them out if you need an escape from reality like I do.

What are the keys to your heart?

2006-07-06T20:14:00.001-05:00

The Keys to Your Heart

You are attracted to good manners and elegance.
In love, you feel the most alive when things are straight-forward, and you're told that you're loved.
You'd like to your lover to think you are loyal and faithful... that you'll never change.

You would be forced to break up with someone who was emotional, moody, and difficult to please.

Your ideal relationship is open. Both of you can talk about everything... no secrets.

Your risk of cheating is zero. You care about society and morality. You would never break a commitment.

You think of marriage pessimistically. You don't think happy marriages exist anymore. (I don't necessarily agree with this result)

In this moment, you think of love as something you thirst for. You'll do anything for love, but you won't fall for it easily.

What are the keys to YOUR heart? Take the quiz to find out: http://www.blogthings.com/keystoyourheartquiz/

81 down, 81 to go

2006-07-02T16:44:00.000-05:00

Cubs fans, we have made it to the halfway point of the season. After Dumpster's blown save in the 9th yesterday, I didn't know if I could take it anymore. But the Cubbies came back today and beat the White Sox 15-11 to avoid a sweep. 30-51 is hardly a record to write home about, but at least we're not in the basement (thanks Pirates). I honestly don't think any of the Cubs are worthy of an All-Star selection this year. However, since MLB insists that each team must have at least one representative, then I guess we will have to put our hands together for Carlos Zambrano. If interleague play is any indication, the National League should get spanked pretty good by the American League in the Midsummer Classic once again . Take heart, Cubs fans/players/personnel-October will be here before we know it. Then we can all get some much-needed rest.

Song of the day: "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor

My kind of town Chicago is...

2006-07-01T14:43:00.000-05:00

This weekend marks the second Cubs-White Sox series of the year. The first matchup featured fisticuffs and a bench-clearing brawl. Although Barrett cold-cocking Pierzynski was certainly the highlight of the season so far, the Cubs still lost 2 out of 3 games. I'd love to see the Cubbies even the score this time, especially since they're playing at Wrigley. If we're going to have a terrible team, the least we can do is beat up on the White Sox and Cardinals whenever we have the opportunity. GO CUBS!

On a totally unrelated note, I wanted to let all of my loyal readers know that I returned to my new hair salon today without incident (see my "I'm feeling like a criminal" post if you're confused). There were no sightings of policemen or rent-a-cops in the vicinity. Maybe I've been taken off the neighborhood watch list. ;)

Mama said knock you out

2006-06-20T20:53:00.000-05:00

Michael Barrett's 10-game suspension for punching A.J. "The Instigator" Pierzynski was upheld by MLB today. While I will miss seeing our catcher's tight ass for the next week and a half, it's not like his absence will be a big loss to the team. This is because the Cubbies are absolutely pitiful this season. They are so far out of the race that it simply doesn't matter that their Silver Slugging, All-Star backstop is not in the lineup. Personally, I think a 10-game suspension is a small price to pay for knocking out a cocky White Sox player on Fox Saturday Baseball's Game of the Week. If you can't join 'em, beat 'em. ;)

It's time to hop on board the CWS bandwagon

2006-06-17T11:28:00.000-05:00

If you want some good old-fashioned wholesome entertainment this week, then look no further than the College World Series: http://www.cwsomaha.com/html/home/index.asp

I don't understand why this NCAA tournament does not excite the majority of Americans. Last night, I was out on the town and was really curious about the Cal St. Fullerton-North Carolina baseball game, which was tied when I left my apartment. You would think that it would be easy to find the score on my cell phone since I have the following sports websites on Media Net: ESPN, CBS SportsLine, Yahoo Sports, & Sports Illustrated. But noooooooo-none of these sites even mentioned college baseball. Oh sure, I could have read a whole article about J.J. Redick's DWI or Ben Roethlisberger's careless motorcycle accident, but I couldn't get these vital stats. The top 8 college baseball teams in the nation are in Omaha fighting for a national championship, and no one seems to care. It's a shame, really. If you would like to watch a baseball game that is untainted by steroid use or skyrocketing salaries, then please tune in to the CWS on ESPN and ESPN 2. Get hip to aluminum bats. PING!!!

Soundtrack To Your Life

2006-06-13T22:34:00.000-05:00

*WARNING-this entry is not my usual lighthearted fare. Sap alert!!!*

Do you ever hear a song on the radio that makes you think back to a certain time period or important event in your life? If so, you might enjoy these lyrics from "Soundtrack To Your Life" by Ashley Parker Angel:

Your life is a flashback
A question, a photograph
A statement, a story, a struggle
A chance to laugh
Cuz if you don't laugh you cry
A last crescendo when you die
So hit the rewind and listen
It's the playback
The soundtrack to your life

Wouldn't it be cool to make a mix of these songs and share them with your friends just to let them know you're thinking about them? Yesterday I heard "You've Got a Friend" by James Taylor while I was eating breakfast at a bakery in Charlotte. This song always makes me a little misty, especially when I look back on all of the great friends I have made over the years. To all of my buddies out there, whether I have known you for a long time or we have only recently met, this song is dedicated to you:

When you’re down and troubled
And you need a helping hand
And nothing, whoa nothing is going right.
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest nights.

You just call out my name,
And you know whereever I am
I’ll come running, oh yeah baby
To see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall,
All you have to do is call
And I’ll be there, yeah, yeah, yeah.
You’ve got a friend.

Game shows, one of my guilty pleasures

2006-06-08T22:18:00.000-05:00

I cannot tell a lie-I love game shows. When I was little, I dreamed of flying to California to be a contestant on Press Your Luck (big bucks, no whammies). To this day, I still think that I would make a great game show host. Come on, who could resist this charisma? ;) Well, needless to say when I was flipping through channels last night and saw a program on CBS called Game$how Marathon, my curiosity was piqued. If you want a little mindless entertainment, you've gotta check it out (Thursdays 7 pm CT). Celebrities play classic game shows like The Price is Right, Beat the Clock, and Let’s Make a Deal to win prizes for lucky television viewers and money for their favorite charity. The theme for tonight’s show is Press Your Luck, so you know I’m psyched. As an added bonus, they also show clips from the original series. What’s not to love?

Summer means FUN!!!

2006-06-07T19:32:00.000-05:00

I have really enjoyed the summer so far. Some of you out there in cyberspace may be questioning my sanity since summer has not officially arrived according to the calendar. However, in my world, summer begins as soon as the spring semester is over. Thus, I have already experienced about a month of this glorious season and I am loving it! We recently hired a bunch of mid-twentysomethings at work and they have been kind enough to invite me out with them lately. Maybe it's because I don't act my age or perhaps it's because of my WOO (Winning Others Over, my #1 strength according to StrengthsQuest), but we have had a great time hanging out. The past 2 weekends, we have gone to Beale Street and I am happy to admit that I can still party like a rock star. Young Guns-thanks for the laughs. It's true; age is just a number and you're as young as you feel (I'm thinking a spry 27 sounds just about right).

This weekend, the fun will continue as I'm traveling to Charlotte for my college buddy Amy's wedding. I can't wait to see her because it's been far too long. We sure had some good times back in the day, didn't we, Schmoopie? :) I will also be getting together with some of my old baseball buddies from Bona's, so laughs are sure to ensue. Be young and have fun, everyone!

No Idol, no Cubbies...what's a girl to do?

2006-05-30T19:36:00.000-05:00

This is a weird Tuesday. Idol is over, so there's nothing to vote for and critique this evening. The Cubs are blacked out in my area, so I can't watch the game. Granted, this isn't such a bad thing considering they have only won 6 games all month. However, I think it is ludicrous that Cincinnati, Atlanta, and St. Louis are considered Memphis' "local" teams. Since when is a city that is 6 hours away local? I can understand blacking out games if you live an hour away from a city and could technically hop in your car at a moment's notice to attend (i.e. blacking out Milwaukee games if you live in Chicago). In my opinion, this is just another dumb move by Major League Baseball that further alienates fans in a sport that probably ranks third in popularity right now behind the NFL and NBA (and maybe even NASCAR, as much as it pains me to say it). If true blue fans like me are willing to shell out the big bucks for the MLB Extra Innings package, we should get to watch our team whenever possible. OK, I will get off my soapbox now. Please keep the Chicago Cubs in your thoughts and prayers as they need all the help they can get.

America, you make me proud

2006-05-26T18:35:00.000-05:00

I am so happy that the citizens of our wonderful nation chose wisely and voted in favor of Taylor Hicks as our new American Idol! There is nothing more American that dancing to the beat of your own drummer and beating overwhelming odds in order to accomplish your dream. Best of luck to the Silver Fox in his recording career. You can definitely count me in as a member of the Soul Patrol! :) Today's music industry lacks distinctive voices and styles, so in my opinion, we need an artist with the infectious personality of Taylor Hicks to make listening to the radio fun again. Can you imagine what his first video is going to look like? I'm smiling just thinking about it.

Now can I get an encore, do you want more?

2006-05-23T21:14:00.000-05:00

This is it, Idol fans-the finale. Sorry I didn't write last week, but I think we all knew that Elliott would be the one to go (to quote Whitney, "it's not right, but it's okay"). Tonight, Katharine and Taylor recycled 2 songs and added a new one to the mix. Personally, I thought Kat performed her songs worse than she did previously on recent broadcasts ("Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" in particular). The judges' rave reviews of her "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" seemed rehearsed and I am STILL NOT impressed. Her last song, "My Destiny", was absolute drivel. My sister said it sounded like something you would hear at a county fair beauty pageant and I can't think of a better description. Taylor, on the other hand, rocked the house once again. I think he chose wisely by picking songs he had not sung in awhile. His "Living For The City" was awesome and I thought "Levon" was also very good. I think Randy was just trying to create some suspense by acting like Taylor didn't perform the second song that well (whatever-America isn't fooled). Finally, Taylor did a great job with the lame song he was given, "Do I Make You Proud". I don't know who writes this stuff for the finale but they should not quit their day job. Anyway, Simon said that Taylor's performance should make him the next American Idol. I sure hope he's right because I can't stomach a McPheever victory. So far, I have voted 20 times and there's still plenty of time left. Pick up those phones and call now: 1-866-436-5702 or 1-866-436-5704 or 1-866-436-5706. Thank you for your support. :) SOUL PATROL! SOUL PATROL! SOUL PATROL!

We can't go on together with suspicious minds...

2006-05-10T21:22:00.000-05:00

America, you got it wrong. Chris should NOT have been the one voted off tonight. That dubious honor should have gone to Katharine. I am shocked and disappointed. However, I am glad that Taylor and Elliott were in the top 2 because they really deserved it. Chris will thrive and survive, but no thanks to those of you who didn't vote (or wasted your vote on that off-key, lyric-forgetting fashion violation).

On an unrelated note, please think positive thoughts for the Cubbies. They have lost 8 in a row and are in danger of being the team that gives up the home run that makes Bonds tie and/or go ahead of the Babe. I'm afraid to watch... Anyway, keep your fingers crossed that the Cubs can at least pull out a W when I am at Wrigley Field this Sunday. GO CUBS GO! LET'S GET SOME RUNS!

Elvis rocks!

2006-05-09T20:44:00.000-05:00

Tonight's Idol was awesome! Taylor and Elliott performed the heck out of their numbers on Elvis theme night. Taylor sang "Jailhouse Rock" and it was entertaining and very fitting. However, Mr. Hicks really brought down the house with his soulful version of "In the Ghetto." Chris did a nice job with "Suspicious Minds", but I found his adaptation of "A Little Less Conversation" to be a little boring. But Chris gets props for saying he was trying to be "true to Elvis." Elliott probably had his best night ever by doing his own take on "If I Can Dream" as well as a stellar rendition of "Trouble." Finally, Katharine really had an off night which could signal the end of the road for her (sob, sob, sniff, sniff). How you can forget the words to a medley of "Hound Dog" and "All Shook Up" is beyond me. Facing away from the camera did not fool the audience nor the judges, sweetie. If she would have been singing "Total Eclipse of the Heart" (turn around bright eyes, turn around...) maybe that move would have worked. Anyway, Katharine ended with "Can't Help Falling In Love" which she butchered. That is one of my favorite songs and it was a screechy mess. Fox, I have the McPheever and the only prescription is more Advil. Ouch! Hopefully America gets it right and votes her off this week. Let's hear it for the boys-you did Elvis proud!

Beale Street Music Fest 2006

2006-05-08T20:48:00.000-05:00

I was going to write a lengthy entry about how cool Music Fest was this past weekend, but my friend Carol already wrote a stellar recap. Check out her blog: http://cvarano.blogspot.com

All I can add is that Huey Lewis and the News totally ROCK! I have wanted to see them live since about 1985 and it was worth the wait. If you have an opportunity, definitely check them out. And don't forget to tune in to American Idol tomorrow night as the Fab Four will be singing Elvis songs. "Don't be cruel to a heart that's true..."

Soul Patrol!

2006-05-02T21:35:00.000-05:00

I absolutely adore Taylor Hicks. No matter what Simon says, I think he is a great entertainer. Can you imagine what would happen if Taylor and I got together and had a child? That poor thing would be the most hyperactive kid on the planet! Anyway, if you did not watch Idol tonight, you missed one heck of a show. Each contestant had to perform 1 song from the year they were born and 1 song that is currently on the Billboard Charts. Taylor sang "Play That Funky Music" (go white boy, go!) and "Something" by the Beatles (because one of their albums is somehow currently #6). The first performance was spazzy but highly enjoyable. The second was breathtaking and I must admit gave me kind of a crush on the man-child.

The rest of the contestants were pretty good, but their performances were a little uneven. I felt like one of their songs was great but the other was just OK. Elliott sang "On Broadway" (nice but not earth-shattering) and "Home", which earns bonus points with me since it's a Michael Buble' song. Paris sang "Kiss" (it's hard to beat Prince's version) and "Be Without You" by Mary J. (which I thought was right up her alley). Katharine and Chris (or as I like to call them the judges' pets) each kind of bombed one of their songs, so it will be interesting to see who ends up in the bottom three tomorrow night. Stay tuned...

"Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains."

2006-04-29T19:11:00.000-05:00

Those wise words are from the movie "Bull Durham", one of my all-time faves. My three favorite baseball teams each experienced one of those outcomes today. The St. Bonaventure Bonnies beat Xavier 9-2 at beautiful McGraw-Jennings Field and I was able to listen to the game on the internet. For only $6.95 a month, I can listen to my old ballclub beat up on their Atlantic 10 rivals. My favorite part of the game (besides Grini's grand slam) was the postgame show with Coach Sudbrook. Coach is one of my favorite people in the world due to his excellent sense of humor, extensive baseball knowledge, and big heart. He is the reason that I will always go back to Bona's for Baseball Alumni Weekend because he is one of the most entertaining personalities on the planet and a dear friend. I wish Coach and the Bonnies all the luck in the world.

The Chicago Cubs didn't just lose-they were demolished by the Brewers 16-2. When I turn off the game, you know there is no hope for a comeback... Jim and Dusty better put their heads together and come up with a better starter than Glendon Rusch because he is BRUTAL. Better luck tomorrow, boys.

The Memphis Tigers got rained out this evening. I was really looking forward to the game because I haven't seen them play in 10 days. That is way too long for me to go without seeing a live game-I'm getting the shakes. Anyway, the Tigers will play a doubleheader against Miss. Valley State at noon tomorrow which will hopefully get them back to their winning ways. GO TIGERS GO!

A tough week for my ballclubs

2006-04-23T19:21:00.000-05:00

First and foremost, I want to give a shout out to the Memphis Tiger Baseball team. They have played their hearts out for the last 8 games and unfortunately have not won any of them. However, in the past 10 days they have faced #2 Rice, #15 Mississippi State, and top 25 Houston. Only two of the games vs. Rice (who is the best college baseball team I have ever seen live) were blowouts while the other 6 were all close. Today my poor boys lost 8-7 in 16 innings in a 4 hour and 45 minute game, which tied a Conference USA record. Now they have to endure a 10 hour bus ride back to Memphis and get up bright and early for class tomorrow (at least the advisor in me hopes they will attend). Hopefully this is the end of a tough stretch for the Tigers and this weekend they will bounce back and start a new winning streak. I give them all the credit in the world for their fighting spirit because after winning only 13 games last season, no one gave them much of a chance. GO TIGERS GO!

The Cubbies started their 9 game road trip by winning a series against the Pirates and then taking 2 of 3 from the Dodgers. However, on Wednesday night, Derrek Lee was plowed over by Rafael Furcal trying to hold the bag on an ill-advised throw by reliever, Scott Eyre. Cubs fans' worst fears were realized on Thursday morning when we found out that D-Lee's wrist was broken in two places. He will be out for a minimum of 2 months and possibly as many as 3 months. Baseball fans know that a wrist injury is very serious and can affect a player's hitting for a long time. We can only hope and pray that D-Lee is a quick healer and will be able to return to form by the second half of the season. I don't want to give up on this year just yet, but even an eternal optimist like me knows it doesn't look too good for the Cubbies right now. At least we were able to take one from the evil Cardinals today. Greg Maddux is a baseball god!

I'm feeling like a criminal

2006-04-22T17:33:00.000-05:00

Today I experienced one of my infamous Memphis adventures that just has to be shared with all of my loyal blog readers. This morning I had a much needed appointment at my recently relocated hair salon. Because I was not exactly sure where it was, I got up early, printed out my trusty MapQuest directions, and called a cab an hour before I had to be there. Surprisingly, it only took me about 20 minutes to get picked up, so I arrived in the area a half hour early. My new salon is located in a ritzier neighborhood as part of a series of small shops. Most of them were not open until 10 am, so after popping in a luggage store which sold Vera Bradley bags, I headed to my appointment. Although my stylist was running a bit behind, I got a sassy haircut and then decided to have lunch at the Fox and Hound, an English pub. Since it's Saturday, I am dressed in my usual casual weekend attire-a Cubs jersey, jean shorts, and sneakers. I blended in just fine at the sports bar and had a nice chat with my server about the Cubbies and the Yankees. After finishing my cheeseburger and fries, I decided to stop in a couple more shops since they were now all open. After browsing in a few places and finding nothing, I went to a pet store called Wags & Whiskers and picked up a cute baseball dog toy for King's birthday. It was getting close to noon, so I decided to buy an ice cream cone and sit on a bench outside one of the shops to wait for my cab.

Since I have lived in Memphis for almost 4 years, I am well versed in the unpredictability of public transportation. Sometimes I can get a cab in 5 minutes; sometimes it takes over an hour. So after chilling for about 30 minutes, I call the cab company back and ask how much longer it will be until someone can pick me up. About 10 minutes after this call, a police car pulls up right next to the curb where I am sitting. I look around to see if any criminals are on the loose. Then I remember this guy in a purple shirt staring at me twice and running inside. It occurs to me that perhaps they think I am loitering since I have been in the area for about 3 hours at this point. As soon as I get in the cab, the police officer drives away. Apparently I looked dangerous and they felt the need to have someone keep an eye on the suspicious character in the Cubs jersey. The last time I checked, there was no crime against sitting outside on a nice day. All I can figure is that I did not fit the yuppie mold of the neighborhood and they determined by my attire that I was a damn Yankee. Anyway, I guess the next time I decide to get a hair cut, I better be dressed to the nines so no one calls the authorities...

Bye bye, Bucky

2006-04-13T19:58:00.000-05:00

Last night, Bucky was finally (mercifully?) voted off of American Idol. In my opinion, this was several weeks overdue. However, the scary thing is that Bucky actually did not give the worst performance on Tuesday night. That dishonor goes to Ace, who sang the wussiest version of "We Will Rock You" in history. How does one manage to forget the words to this song? Drunken frat boys on a week long bender could have done a better job. Looks can only get you so far, Ace. Remember America-this is a SINGING competition. Let's get hip and quit putting Elliott in the bottom three. The boy can wail. Make sure you tune in next week as the Idols tackle the American songbook. I'd like to see Chris make a rock song out of one of the standards...

The land of Wrigley is in my soul...

2006-04-07T16:18:00.000-05:00

Come on Cubbies let the good times roll! Today was the home opener for the Cubs. It was glorious as the boys in blue beat the evil Cardinals 5-1. Maybe this is just my early season optimism talking, but they actually looked good. And I was lucky enough to watch the game since we got to leave work early due to the threat of severe weather. I've gotta say that Memphians must have the thinnest skin ever because this is our 3rd weather related work stoppage of the semester. Granted, tornadoes aren't anything to mess around with, but when I left the office at 12:30, the sun was shining. However, I am certainly not going to complain, especially on a Friday. GO CUBS GO! Keep up the quality pitching, fielding, and hitting and we might even make it to the playoffs this year.

Speaking of awesome baseball, the Memphis Tigers have just won their 4th game in a row. I am so proud of their turnaround. All of you C-USA foes better take notice. GO TIGERS!

Mandisa had a bad day

2006-04-05T20:58:00.000-05:00

I don't understand what's wrong with you, America. How could you not vote for Mandisa? Granted, it was not her best performance this week but she is definitely more talented than at least half of the remaining eight. Idol won't be as much fun without her around. I feel like Mandisa is this year's Jennifer Hudson-a fantastic singer who is going home much too soon. Hope you slackers enjoy watching Bucky and Kellie try to sing the songs of Queen next week (they'll probably be looking around for royalty). For those of you who didn't vote, I sentence you to one week of Hee-Haw reruns. That'll teach ya...

Name That Tune

2006-03-28T20:45:00.000-06:00

Tonight's episode of American Idol was a huge disappointment. Songs of the 21st Century is not a bad theme, but half of the contestants chose songs that no one has ever even heard of. Only Taylor, Mandisa, and Paris earned my vote tonight. Here are my thoughts on this debacle:

Lisa & Ace-Singing a popular song worse than the original artist does not make voters happy. I predict a spot in the bottom three for each of you. Ace could have received a sympathy vote from me if he had taken off his shirt and given us all a closer look at that scar.

Kellie & Bucky-They have another competition for country singers called Nashville Star. Why don't you give them a call? If I wanted to go to Opryland, I'd buy a ticket.

Chris-Why would anyone want to hear a Creed song? You're testing my patience...

Elliott-That was the worst arrangement ever. You turned an awesome song into a mess. I really want to like you, too.

Katharine-Drew Barrymore called. She wants her wardrobe from "Ever After" back. You have a great voice but your fashion violations distract me.

Taylor-I really enjoyed your song even if I didn't know what it was. It was nice that you refrained from the spazzy gestures for once. Good job.

Mandisa-Simon was wrong. How can a song about God be self-indulgent?!? As always, I enjoyed your performance. You could sing the alphabet and I'd vote for you.

Paris-There is only one word for your performance tonight: SASSY! I knew Randy would say that you "worked it out." What a massive tool...

The sky is falling! The sky is falling!

2006-03-26T11:32:00.000-06:00

Chicken Little (a.k.a. Kevin Covais) was finally voted off of American Idol this week. Although I'm sure he's a sweet kid, he had worn out his welcome. This season, almost all of the Idol finalists can really sing so there's no need to let the less talented linger around too long out of sympathy. Hopefully Mandisa will keep up her stellar vocals because she is a true soul diva and my personal fave. I also really enjoy Taylor's performances and his refusal to dye his gray hair to please Hollywood. Just because you don't "look like a star" doesn't mean you aren't one. Usually I enjoy Chris Daughtery's alt rock vibe, but the fact that he didn't give credit where credit was due last week for his arrangement of "Walk the Line" didn't win him any bonus points with me.

In other earth shattering news, Memphis lost to UCLA last night so they are out of the NCAA Tournament. I'm sure everyone at work will be bummed tomorrow, but I choose to look at it in a positive way. Making it to the Elite Eight is something to be proud of, especially for such a young team. This is something to build on, not something to hang your head about. Way to go, Tigers! Congrats on an awesome season. :)

In case you haven't noticed-and judging by the attendance you haven't-Memphis Baseball is off to a great start. After winning only 13 games last year, they have already won 12 and it's only March 26. They even beat #14 Tulane on Friday night in a convincing 11-4 win. Could we win the rubber game this afternoon and take the series? Anything can happen in sports, which is why they're so great. Regardless of what happens today, I am really proud of my boys and hope they continue to play well.

Viva Torino!

2006-02-20T18:00:00.000-06:00

Hope y'all have been enjoying the 2006 Winter Olympics from the city formerly known as Turin, Italy. I have been glued to the television as usual rooting for the U.S.A. However, this year I have a vested interest in the Americans winning medals thanks to my caffeine addiction. You may have heard of the contest Drink.Watch.Cheer.Win sponsored by Coca-Cola. All you have to do is buy 12 packs of Coke products, register on the Olympics.Coke.com website, and enter the code inside the box. If the Americans earn a medal in the event you're registered for, you win 5 2 liters of your favorite Coke product. Considering I can't make it through a day without drinking several Diet Cokes or watching sports, this is a win-win situation for me. Tonight the U.S.A. will win a silver medal in Ice Dancing and thus I will be soon be reaping the benefits. My next event is the Men's Speedskating 1500 m final and considering we have 4 former gold medalists competing, I'm feeling pretty lucky. GO U.S.A.!!!

My only complaints about this year's Olympics are the ADD-like coverage and the Bode Miller/Michelle Kwan overkill. Now I realize that sometimes I lack concentration or focus, but I think even I can handle watching a sporting event in its entirety (I know this because I can stay tuned to a baseball game that lasts 17 innings). Therefore, I find it quite annoying that NBC feels it necessary to jump from event to event every 15 minutes. Just when you get all wrapped up in ski jumping, it's time to switch over to speedskating. How about we finish what we've started? It's all pre-recorded and edited anyway for the most part. As for Bode Miller and Michelle Kwan, enough already. Their stories have been told. Let's learn about some of the other athletes. I'm sure some other people have compelling anecdotes or personal traumas to share. Despite these minor annoyances, I will continue to tune in to the 2006 Winter Olympics and hope that we bring home the gold!

Happy 2006!

2006-01-23T19:01:00.000-06:00

I figured it was about time I got something up here in the new year. Not much is going on with me. This is my least favorite time of the year-after the holidays and before baseball begins. The one bright spot is that American Idol started last week. I'm looking forward to another exciting season. Hopefully they will start showing more people with talent soon because I'm not a fan of the total disasters. The William Hungs of the world can stay home and practice in front of their mirrors instead of wasting America's time. Anyway, best wishes for a happy, healthy 2006!

The Lead-Off Man

2005-12-08T09:42:00.000-06:00

Now it's not just the name of the Cubs' pre-game show on WGN, it's also someone who's actually part of their lineup! The Cubbies signed Juan Pierre yesterday and only had to part with Sergio Mitre and a couple of minor league pitchers. This should be a very good deal for the ballclub (as long as none of these guys ends up turning into the next Dontrelle Willis). Although Rafael Furcal was the more popular choice, he was a lot more expensive and a bigger risk. In my opinion, putting a guy with a drinking problem in a situation where he's playing mostly day games in a home ballpark surrounded by bars is an invitation to disaster. Besides, the Cubs already have a surplus of infielders and no proven outfielders since Corey Patterson came down with a case of baseball amnesia. Hopefully this deal is just the beginning of an extreme makeover for this team. We've got a lot of work to do to bring the pride back to the North side of Chicago. GO CUBS in '06!!!

Don't mess with Texas

2005-10-20T16:05:00.000-05:00

Whew! By the grace of Oswalt, the Astros have made it to the World Series! I was beginning to think that my own personal hell-a White Sox/Cardinals Fall Classic-was about to become a reality after Albert "freakin'" Pujols' homerun on Monday night. However, I can now enjoy the World Series and pray for Houston to defeat the evil White Sox. I don't care what Ryno says; I don't have to root for them just because they're a Chicago team. As a former Cubbie, he should know better...

"You've got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em..."

2005-10-11T20:29:00.000-05:00

Well, I guess I won't be getting a job working for Miss Cleo since I only got 1 out of 4 playoff picks correct. That's what happens when you use your heart instead of your head (this is another reason why I'm not a gambler). I'm not going to predict the outcome of the NLCS or ALCS because I don't want to jinx the series. However, I think we all know that I will be an Astros and Angels fan this week. I would hate to have to boycott the World Series or be forced to root for either the Cardinals or White Sox. That would be like choosing between getting smacked upside the head or punched in the stomach. Neither is good and you don't want either one to happen... Please, baseball gods- help a Cubs fan out and let at least Houston or Los Angeles win their series so I can enjoy another week of baseball.

The Elite Eight: My 2005 MLB Playoff Picks

2005-10-03T17:10:00.000-05:00

The regular season is over and all of the postseason slots have been filled. Here are my picks for each series:

New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim- As much as it pains me to say it, I think that the Yankees will win this series. They got hot in September and would like nothing more than a chance to redeem themselves after last year's monumental collapse vs. Boston in the ALCS. Sorry, Rally Monkey- you just can't beat Mystique and Aura.

Boston Red Sox vs. Chicago White Sox- Even though you will probably think I am just biased against the South Siders, I believe that Boston will be victorious in this battle of the socks. Nothing on the planet can stop Big Papi from his late game heroics and there's still plenty of magic left on this team. Plus there's the added bonus of possibly getting an opportunity to eliminate the Yankees from the playoffs two years in a row. And I'm all for anything that makes Ozzie Guillen shut the hell up, so GO RED SOX!

San Diego Padres vs. St. Louis Cardinals- There's not a team in all of professional sports that I despise more than the Cardinals. However, I have to admit that St. Louis is much better than the Padres and should easily take this series. Actually, this is my least favorite matchup in this year's playoffs because I hate both franchises with a passion. I will never get over the Cubbies' heartbreaking loss to the Padres in the 1984 NLCS. Thanks for shattering all of my childhood dreams, Steve Garvey...

Houston Astros vs. Atlanta Braves- How many times have we seen this matchup the last few years? ZZZZZZ... Actually, the one selling point of this series for me is that there are some good looking pitchers on each team (Roger Clemens on the Astros and former Cub Kyle Farnsworth on the Braves are YUMMY). Even though Houston has an awesome starting rotation and a solid bullpen, I just have a feeling that Atlanta is going to win this series. The Astros even had a hard time beating the Cubbies this weekend, so I think they're going to struggle.

I'd like to send my condolences to the Cleveland Indians and Philadelphia Phillies who had a good run but fell short. Poor Tribe- I haven't seen a collapse like that since...well, the 2004 Cubs. I have a feeling that these two teams will be in the running next postseason. Better luck next year, boys. Let the games begin!

Pennant Fever!

2005-09-27T19:11:00.000-05:00

Alas, my favorite ballclub has been mathematically eliminated so I will not be able to root, root, root for the Cubbies anymore this season after Sunday's game. However, there are still plenty of teams alive in the playoff race during this final week of the regular season. My American League team, the Indians ("Cleveland? I didn't know they still had a team"), has a chance to win the AL Central if the White Sox continue their slide or at least win the AL Wild Card. The Yankees and Red Sox are also in a battle for the AL East title and/or AL Wild Card and it could go down to the wire. This finish is reminiscent of 1998 when my beloved Cubs had to play Game 163 against the Giants to determine who would win the NL Wild Card (those were the good old days). Nothing is decided in the NL Wild Card race this year either as the Astros or Phillies could earn a spot in the playoffs. This year's postseason should be very exciting. My worst fear would be a Cardinals-White Sox World Series, but I don't think that's going to happen. Once all of the races have been decided, I'll be back to discuss my picks for each playoff series. May the best team win!

Quote of the century for Cubs fans: "Wait 'til next year!"

The times they are a-changin'

2005-09-10T17:57:00.000-05:00

I had a great time hanging out with my old friends from U of I last weekend in Chicagoland. However, I must admit that it's a little disconcerting to be one of the last of the singletons. Sometimes it's hard to relate when all of your friends are chatting about their marriages and kids, and all you have to talk about is work. I'm by no means complaining because I am very lucky in most respects. Yet, I guess I'm just getting a bit anxious wondering where the heck my knight in shining armor is (maybe he's caught in traffic). I've never been one of those people who lives to work-- I work to live. At least I've got another trip to look forward to next weekend. I'm probably one of the few people who isn't a St. Bonaventure alum that gets excited about going back to Olean, NY. There's nothing like being a lady in a room full of ex-ballplayers. :) Here's to a weekend full of fun and frivolity!

Come Fly With Me

2005-09-08T21:07:00.000-05:00

Hello there, blog fans! Sorry it has been so long since my last post. I guess you could say that I've been a little busy... However, now I'm back and better than ever with plenty of stories to tell. Since the last time you heard from me, I have seen Michael Buble' in concert yet again. Believe it or not, his last stop on the American leg of his tour was in Memphis (I swear I'm not a stalker)! Michael put on a great show at the Botanical Gardens and I am counting the moments until he's back in the USA.

The title of this post not only refers to the wonderful song Mr. Buble' sings, but also to my travels last weekend. I flew to Chicago to attend my college friend Mary's wedding. After finishing a hectic work week (actually the entire month of August was absolute insanity), all I wanted to do was hop on the plane, close my eyes, and listen to some tunes on my CD player. Yet, my plans changed dramatically when a major hottie sat down in the seat next to me. His name was Tony and he was totally my type- tall, dark, and Latin! I had actually spotted him earlier in the terminal and thought he was dreamy. Anyway, Tony is a medic in the Army and he had the weekend off so he flew to Chicago to surprise his mom (isn't that adorable?). He talked to me the entire flight about his job, what kind of movies/books he likes, and his past relationships with women. Tony actually asked me what I do for a living and seemed genuinely interested, which is sure a refreshing change of pace from most of the young men I know. It's a shame that he lives in Louisiana because we really hit it off (you've gotta love a guy who thinks that Paris Hilton looks anorexic). I was this close to giving him my number so we could chat some more, but I figured if it is meant to be then we will fly the friendly skies together again someday. I have much more to share about my Labor Day weekend, but it will have to wait until next time. Hasta la vista, baby!

At least we beat the Cardinals 2 days in a row...

2005-08-12T19:51:00.000-05:00

This sports writer nicely sums up the pain us Cubs fans feel right now in this excerpt from yesterday's USA Today:

Cubs are champions of futility, again
But most of all, we should mourn with the most pitiful victims of all. The huddled masses who are in the 22nd month of their Doomsday Scenario.

We speak, obviously, of Cubs fans.

First was the blown pennant in 2003. An infamous October calamity that began when the box seat ghost in headphones, Steve Bartman, reached out for a foul ball.

Then came 2004. A summer-long tease. A fade at the end. And then the indignity of watching the Red Sox, the only other franchise that could match the Cubs in woe, dancing at the World Series. Leaving the Cubs alone in their historical futility. As if fate had only room in its heart to heal one curse.

And now, 2005. The Cubs have collapsed, doomed by injuries and atrocious play. As of Friday, they have lost 12 of 16 and dropped 18 games behind first place. Starting play Thursday, they stood a wobbly seventh in the National League wild-card standings.

Meanwhile, just down the train rails a few stops, the White Sox are rolling and roaring. They have no ivy and they are not loved by so many. But at the moment, they hardly ever lose.

So to sum up, the two best records in baseball belong to the Cubs' hated brethren on the south side of Chicago, and their most bitter rivals in St. Louis.

The reigning champions are the Red Sox, their former brothers-in-misery.

Meanwhile, the Cubs still pack them in at 39,000 a game, and lose in mysterious ways. Their rookie starting pitcher coughed up three-bases loaded walks against Cincinnati Wednesday, including to the Reds pitcher, who is hitting .186.

So the losses mount, the despair deepens, and they can't even count on Red Sox and White Sox fans to feel lousy alongside them anymore.

All things considered, it must be a Cubs' fan worst nightmare.

And it's not over yet.

Mike Lopresti writes for Gannett News Service

White flag time at Wrigley

2005-08-11T15:42:00.000-05:00

After losing 8 games in a row for the second time this season, it is high time for the Cubbies to fly the white flag at Wrigley Field again. In case you didn't know, whenever the Cubs win, a white flag with a big blue W flies high atop the ballpark. This lets all the L riders and rooftop denizens know that the home team was victorious. My mom actually sewed a replica flag for me which hangs proudly in my apartment above a bookshelf filled with baseball memorabilia. At 19 games back and 6 games under .500, it's now or never for the Cubbies to get back in the Wild Card race. It's probably not going to happen, but to paraphrase Yogi Berra, it ain't over 'til you're mathematically eliminated.

I also want to publically apologize to all the Cincinnati Reds fans I may have offended in a previous post.

Big Red wrote:
Hey! Take it easy on my Reds! Did you ever think they were being nice
by letting the Cubbies come up from the cellar for some fresh air?
After almost 100 years down there it's probably getting pretty ripe. =)

Your boys swept us in our own ballpark this week and I have to give them props. Sorry I disrespected the Big Red Machine.

RYNO RULES!!!

2005-08-01T20:35:00.000-05:00

If you've known me for longer than 5 minutes, you are well aware that my favorite baseball player of all-time is former Chicago Cubs second baseman, Ryne Sandberg. Yesterday he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the highest honor any ballplayer can receive. When I was growing up, I thought Ryno was AWESOME! I had his posters on my wall, collected his baseball cards, watched him play a million games on WGN, and stayed up late listening to Harry Caray talk about his sparking play on the radio when the Cubs played on the West Coast. Ryno is one of the main reasons why I fell in love with baseball and why I will always root for the Cubbies, win or lose. Sandberg was old school and played the game with a quiet determination. Always classy but never flashy, Ryno didn't have a lot to say to the media because he let his actions on the field speak for him. Well, imagine my surprise yesterday when Mr. Sandberg gave a 23-minute speech that wowed the Cooperstown crowd (oratory fireworks, my friends). If you didn't get the chance to hear it or want to know more about the man, the myth, the legend, Ryne Sandberg, please check out this link:

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=rs-speech080105&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

I promise you won't be disappointed. All I can say is amen, Ryno and GO CUBS!

"It's like summer is a natural aphrodisiac."

2005-07-27T20:00:00.000-05:00

Oh Will Smith, if you only knew how right you were... This Monday I had to take the day off from work because my apartment flooded on July 15, the night before I left for a week's vacation. Needless to say, when I got back, the humble abode stunk to high heaven. So, on this fateful morning, I decided to stock up on cleaning supplies and air fresheners at the local Rite Aid. As I'm loading up my cart with goodies, this random guy comes up to me and starts telling me that we should go out because we both wear glasses (now the last time I checked, sharing a need for corrective lenses was not a basis for starting a romantic relationship). This particular gentleman was not my type, and since I don't like to be cruel, I decided to tell a little white lie that I already have a boyfriend. It just seems to me like letting 'em down easy is nicer than flat out saying you're not interested (plus you never know who might be packin' heat in Memphis). You would think that this would give the guy a big hint to run along, but instead he decides to write his home number and pager number on the back of my package of AirWick scented oil refills! I have to give him points for creativity because I have never gotten digits on the back of an air freshener before. Anyway, the dude keeps asking me questions about my imaginary lover and then proceeds to tell me that he would marry me right now. At this point, I felt the need to blurt out, "You don't even know me!" I was starting to get annoyed until I convinced him that my faux beau and I were quite serious but he's just a bit younger and not quite ready to settle down yet. Romeo finally got with the program and told me to give him a call if my "boyfriend" and I ever breakup. You've gotta love the male ego.

"Hey Hey, Holy Mackerel, no doubt about it. The Cubs are on their way!"

2005-07-14T09:49:00.000-05:00

Break time is over, Cubbies, so now it's time to kick it into high gear in the 2nd half of the season. 43-44 is not too impressive, but things could be a lot worse with all the injuries the North Siders have suffered this year. Sweeping the Marlins after getting their butts handed to them by the Braves was a nice start to getting back on track. The Cubs need to take advantage of their home field and win at least 3 out of 4 vs. the Pirates at Wrigley starting this afternoon. After this series, the Cubbies visit cellar-dweller Cincinnati where they need to dominate. Supposedly, Nomar is going to be back by August 2 so maybe the boys in blue still have a realistic chance at the Wild Card. Even though we have a lot of games left vs. the Cardinals, I just don't think the Cubs can catch them at 12 1/2 games back unless St. Louis has a total collapse (which is highly unlikely). Let's play ball and see what happens.

CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN!

2005-07-08T22:26:00.000-05:00

The Cubs have finally ended their 8 game losing streak and beat the Marlins tonight 9-6! Can I get an amen? The bullpen tried to blow it again as the Cubbies had an 8-3 lead in the 8th, but luckily the baseball gods decided to bring some blessed rain. This fortunate downpour lead to a 57 minute rain delay, and chased the pathetic Michael Wuertz (or as I like to call him, The Worst) off the mound. Thank God for small favors. Anyway, hopefully this game will turn the season around. The good news is that the All-Star break is just around the corner, so there are 3 days next week when the Cubs can't possibly lose because they don't play.

Hey now, you're an All-Star...

2005-07-05T13:28:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez on being selected to their first All-Star team! It will be nice to see some Cubbies in the infield again (how about a shout out to future Hall of Fame Cub, Ryno). Hopefully the National League will get out of their funk and finally win the All-Star Game again because as you know "this time it counts!" Home field advantage is crucial during the World Series (although it's beginning to look like the Cubs will be watching the playoffs on TV).

Speaking of the Cubs, they are in another tailspin. They have yet to earn a W in July and have lost 5 in a row. The Astros and Brewers are closing in and the Cardinals are so far ahead that it's not even funny. Sure, it's possible for the Cubbies to go on a big winning streak and get back in the Wild Card race, but they better quit lollygagging...

Sweet Home Chicago

2005-06-26T19:50:00.000-05:00

A lot of people seem to think that Chicago is the only city in Illinois, so this is a tongue-in-cheek blog title. One of my best friends still believes that I am from the City of Big Shoulders, so now I just nod my head in agreement because if he hasn't gotten it by now, he's never going to figure it out... Anyway, this weekend was the final showdown of the year between the Cubs and the White Sox. Believe it or not, the Cubbies managed to win 2 out of 3 at The Cell (what an appropriate nickname for that concrete dump they call a ballpark). Mark Prior made his first start since he almost had his pitching arm knocked off at the game I attended on May 27. He was brilliant and only allowed 1 hit through 6 innings. Now these are the kinds of performances we need from our ballclub if we intend to fight for the Wild Card. However, I'm going to try to keep a level head this time and not be fooled by this rare display of sparkling play. It would be in character for me to get overly optimistic and think that the Cubbies are back in contention. But this time, I'm going to try to maintain an even keel and maybe I will be pleasantly surprised instead of devastated later. Only time will tell which Cubs are the real deal in 2005- the ones who won 7 in a row at the beginning of June or the guys who got swept by the Yankees last weekend.

By the way, I wanted to give a shoutout to my friend Maria's Florida Gators who made it to the College World Series Championship Series. There's nothing to hang your head about- your boys are considered the 2nd best team in the entire nation. They played their hearts out and hopefully today's loss is just the motivation they need to make it back to Omaha next year. GO GATORS in '06!

R-E-S-P-E-C-T find out what it means to me

2005-06-20T16:00:00.000-05:00

As you all know, I'm a very easygoing gal for the most part but even I have a few pet peeves. One of those things that really annoys me is when people do not return my phone calls. Now I realize that we're all busy and I don't expect you to be at my beck and call. However, I do expect everyone to follow the rules of common courtesy. And by the way, dialing me up but not leaving a message on my voice mail counts as a non-call... Sorry to vent but I guess I just expect a little more out of those whom I consider to be a friend. Don't get on my bad side because you know what the astrologers say about Libras-- we have an iron fist under that satin glove. ;)

Maybe I'm just fired up today because the Cubbies got swept by the Yankees this weekend. Guess it was time for their annual June swoon... I'm expecting to hear some gloating from one of my NY pals. Let's hope they can get back on track tonight vs. the Brewers because the Cardinals can't seem to lose.

Batter up!

2005-06-17T09:25:00.000-05:00

Today is a big day for baseball fans. This afternoon, the College World Series begins (or as I like to call it, the only reason anyone would ever want to go to Omaha). It should be very exciting because there are a lot of new faces this year. I'm rooting for Florida since my friend Maria used to work there and knows some of the guys on the team. GO GATORS!

As if that wasn't already enough excitement, we can watch the Cubs play the Yankees tonight in Yankee Stadium for the first time since 1938. I'm really looking forward to this series because I think the Cubbies are actually better than the Bronx Bombers right now. After living in New York for 3 years, I have grown to hate the Yankees and their cocky, obnoxious fans. GO CUBS GO!

Carolina on my mind

2005-06-08T12:38:00.000-05:00

I'm off to Raleigh, North Carolina on Friday for my annual athletic academic advising conference. It's going to be a welcome break from the office and a chance to reconnect with old friends. The N4A Conference always energizes me because I get to meet new people and learn new things. Hopefully I will have a chance to check out the sights (and by sights I mean hot men because I hear there are lots of them in the area- BONUS!). Much love to my readers- hope you're having a great day! Mine will improve tremendously if the Cubbies can manage to beat the Blue Jays this afternoon. GO CUBS!

The Cubbies are rockin'/ Vacation, all I ever wanted

2005-06-01T10:15:00.000-05:00

I guess all the Cubs needed to start a winning streak was for the V family to visit Wrigley Field. Since we attended Friday's game in Chicago, the Cubbies have won 5 in a row. We had a great time at the game since the Cubs pounded the Rockies 10-3. However, we definitely could have done without the line drive hitting Mark Prior's elbow. The boys in blue can't seem to escape the injury bug, yet they are still hanging in there. Good luck tonight vs. the Dodgers!

As for my vacation wrap-up, I had a wonderful time at home and I can't wait to go back in July. In addition to the Buble' concert and Cubs game, I also saw "Revenge of the Sith" and played some mini-golf. Dad and I enjoyed some competitive games of baseball on Brian's Playstation 2. Kelly and I did some quality shopping and karaoke. Mom was entertaining as always and kept us stuffed with delicious and nutritious meals. Our poor dog, Geoffrey, is depressed now that we have all left but I'm sure he will be back to his ornery self in no time.

I'm having the Best Week Ever!

2005-05-23T10:45:00.000-05:00

I started off my glorious vacation with a trip to Indianapolis for the Michael Buble concert on Saturday night. If he's coming to a town near you, I highly suggest catching his show because it is FABULOUS! It was without a doubt the best concert I have ever attended. Anyway, I actually caught a glimpse of the hottie before the show doing interviews with the local radio stations and he noticed me noticing him. ;) Then, my good luck continued when I won a free CD at the radio contest booth (American Idols Season 4 Showstoppers- GO BO!). The show started off with this hilarious comedian from Arkansas and just continued to improve. Michael Buble looked very sexy and was working the Elvis dance moves. I swear he sounds even better live than he does on his albums. My favorite part was when he jumped off the stage and started running into the crowd, kissing lucky ladies (I missed him by 1 row- damn!). He was also very funny, doing impersonations of Maroon 5 and Il Divo and throwing in a few Star Wars jokes. I just might have to catch his act again in Louisville.

So you might ask yourself, how can I top this? Well, I do get to go to Wrigley Field to see the Cubbies play on Friday. Please keep your fingers crossed that they will actually beat the Rockies so we can witness a live victory. I also get blonde highlights tomorrow, which signifies the official start of summer. Oh yes, I really am having the best week ever (someone get VH1 on the line)!

"Give me the beat boys and free my soul..."

2005-05-19T14:42:00.000-05:00

Here are my results from "The Do-Re-Mi's of Personality: What Your Music Tastes Say About You" quiz:
http://www.outofservice.com/music-personality-test/results/?complex=78.30&edgy=63.85&fun=49.65&energetic=75.34

You can take the quiz by clicking on the following link: http://www.outofservice.com/music-personality-test/

My American Idols are Bo Bice & Derrek Lee

2005-05-18T10:15:00.000-05:00

For those of you who missed American Idol last night, shame on you. You could have witnessed Bo knocking one out of the park with his gutsy a cappella performance. He really rocked the house last night. Personally, I thought Vonzell performed better than Carrie, but America seems to dig her cowgirl schtick. Guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens tonight... after the break.

The Cubbies managed to win one last night thanks to Derrek Lee and his 2 home runs. Our studly first baseman went 4 for 4 and drove in all 4 runs. And our new closer du jour, Ryan Dempster, even got the save. Now if the boys in blue could start a winning streak and get some of their injured players back, they might have a shot at getting back in the race. GO CUBS!

Thought of the day: Only 3 more days til Buble'! :)

My home away from home

2005-05-11T12:54:00.000-05:00

My trip to St. Bonaventure over the weekend was very relaxing. Believe it or not, I didn't even go wild and party. It was just really nice to see all of my former students and good friends. The Bonnies won 2 out of 3 games and are still alive in the race for the playoffs. They hit a lot of home runs, which I thoroughly enjoyed since chicks dig the long ball. The best part of the trip was when I went to Coach's house for dinner after Saturday's doubleheader. It was so great to hang out with him and his family (plus his wife made lasagna, which is one of my faves). I also bonded with lots of parents and old co-workers. It was rewarding to hear that I had made a difference in their lives through my hard work back in the day. Since I was keeping it low-key, I was also able to catch Part 1 of the Elvis miniseries, which I thought was very well done. Part 2 airs tonight on CBS, so if "you're lonesome tonight", check it out.

Dora, Dora, Dora the Explorer

2005-05-10T16:54:00.000-05:00

As several of you probably already know, one of my many nicknames is Dora. I'm not going to go into the reasons for this, but suffice it to say that I definitely had a lot in common with the cartoon character of the same name yesterday. I spent about 15 hours with my backpack on traveling all across the United States trying to get home. Now I realize that geography isn't one of my strong suits, but I don't think The Map would advise anyone to go from Buffalo to D.C. to Chicago to get to Memphis... Anyway, it all began with my original US Airways flight from Charlotte to Memphis getting canceled due to runway repair (that's a new one). Therefore, I had to rebook on United and was supposed to travel from Buffalo to Washington-Dulles to Memphis. This would have landed me at home 3 hours earlier than my originally scheduled arrival time (sweet!). However, after we boarded the flight to D.C., we soon learned that their airport was not allowing any more planes to land because they were backed up (isn't that what their entire purpose is?!?). So, we just sat on the plane for an hour and 45 minutes and I ended up missing my connecting flight by 5 minutes. And lucky me, there were no more flights to Memphis the rest of the day, so I had to hop on a shuttle bus to another concourse to see if they would let me on the Chicago flight. Luckily, I was able to get on board this huge plane where I was entertained by an interactive flight map and free music channels. When I get to Chicago, there's yet another delay because our plane to Memphis is late and then needs to be serviced. In the meantime, their staff waits 45 minutes for the late arriving passengers on the Fargo flight which is also departing from our gate (watch and learn, Washington-Dulles!). When we finally get to board 3o minutes later, we sit on the plane for 45 minutes because they felt that other flights needed to leave before us. When I finally arrive in Memphis, it takes me 45 more minutes to get my suitcase because it landed 4 hours earlier on my orignally scheduled flight from D.C. Needless to say, I'm not going to be flying United again anytime soon.

Say it ain't so, Paula!

2005-05-05T11:15:00.000-05:00

Last night's ABC Primetime Live special "Fallen Idol" dug up some dirt on an alleged affair between Season 2 contestant, Corey Clark, and American Idol judge Paula Abdul. Personally, I'd like to believe that Paula would have better taste in men and singers, but I suppose anything is possible. There did seem to be some evidence of impropriety (phone records and voice mails), but I'd like to see some hard core proof before I jump to any conclusions. Let's hear what Paula has to say before we send her back to obscurity (with the exception of any future I Love the 90's specials on VH1 of course). On a positive note, Scott was FINALLY kicked off of American Idol last night so we no longer have to put up with his snotty attitude and subpar performances. Hope he has fun picking out what song he's going to sing next week at the local 7-11...

As for the Cubbies, they are on a downward spiral with no end in sight. They have now fallen into 3rd place and 2 games below .500. We're behind the Brewers in the standings? You've got to be kidding me. Jim Hendry needs to find a closer by any means necessary because these raw rookies and Tommy John surgery rejects are not getting the job done. It would also be nice if someone besides Derrek Lee could get a hit too.

Tomorrow I'm off to Olean, NY for my annual trip to St. Bonaventure for Baseball's Senior Day. This is my last group of students so it's sure to be bittersweet. However, I always have lots of fun visiting all of my old friends, especially Coach. It will also be great to have a couple of days off from work to relax after another hectic semester. GO BONNIES!

Guess we can rule out My Big, Fat, Greek Idol...

2005-04-28T09:40:00.000-05:00

Well America, you've managed to screw up American Idol again and vote off the entertaining Constantine. Granted, his performance of "How You Remind Me" was a little rough on the vocals, but he could sing the alphabet and still have more stage presence than Anthony. What kind of a guy chooses Celene Dion when you have your pick of any song in the new millenium? And don't even get me started on Scott. I want the names and phone numbers of the aurally challenged viewers who keep voting for this loser so I can talk some sense into them. The show becomes a joke when you let contestants with no talent stay on this long. Luckily, Mr. Maroulis' band already landed a contract this week anyway. Rock on, Constantine!

Derrek Lee & Corey P. are my heroes!

2005-04-27T16:34:00.000-05:00

CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN! The Cubbies fight back from a 6-1 deficit in the 3rd to win 8-7. Derrek Lee hit 2 bombs (and went 4-4 with 6 RBI) while Corey Patterson hit a walk-off in the bottom of the 9th. Now I have bragging rights in the office since my Cubs beat the boss man's Reds. Holy cow! I feel like doing a little victory dance right now but that might not be good for my job security. Let's hope my joyous mood will continue past 8:30 pm when Scotty the Body is finally kicked off of American Idol (keep those fingers crossed America!).

Nomar and Anwar's worst Wednesday ever

2005-04-22T10:31:00.000-05:00

April 20, 2005 is a day that will live in infamy for Nomar Garciaparra and Anwar Robinson. Poor Nomar landed in a heap at home plate after tearing his groin in the evil lair known as Busch Stadium. He will be out at least 2-3 months and possibly the entire season. Who will pick up the offensive slack for the Cubs? That's a good question and Jim Hendry had better find the answer quickly. As for Anwar, he was voted off of Idol this week, inexplicably leaving Scott and Anthony in the competition. I'm seriously starting to wonder if America is tone deaf. Although Anwar was certainly not going to win, he sure sounded a heck of a lot better than anyone else in the bottom three. Here's to a speedy recovery for Nomar and a bright future for Anwar.

"I f-in' love winnin', man. You know, it's like better than losin'."

2005-04-17T16:59:00.000-05:00

No truer words have been spoken, Nuke LaLoosh. Today was a beautiful day for my ballclubs as the Tigers finally broke out of their 11-game losing streak and beat TCU 6-5 in 10 innings. Thanks for the walk-off homer, Cory! The Cubbies also defeated the Pirates 4-2 to take the series. Congrats to Derrek Lee on getting off to such a hot start. What a great way to celebrate my half-birthday! ;) Hope you are all having a fabulous weekend. You couldn't ask for nicer weather than we have here in Memphis right now- sunny and in the low 80's. Let's hope both the Tigers and Cubs continue their winning ways. Good luck this week, boys!

Am I missing something?

2005-04-14T15:40:00.000-05:00

How in the world did Scotty the Body survive another week on American Idol while funky Nadia got kicked off? Now I realize no one had ever heard of the song she sang this week, but at least she can sing in tune. And why oh why was Bo in the bottom two? That is ludacris, America. Let's get it right next week and vote for the BEST singers, not the ones we feel sorry for.

In Cubs news, Mark Prior pitched a heck of a game yesterday. I'm really impressed with the way that he shut down the Padres offense and made it through the whole game without losing any body parts. The Cubbies have a tough 7-game road trip starting tomorrow and everyone needs to step up. With any luck, they should be able to sweep the Pirates and at least split with the Reds and Cards.

"Here's to you, Men in Blue, you're the cream of the crop. You're a team built on dreams, you'll go right to the top. And as sure as there's ivy on the centerfield wall, the Men in Blue are gonna win it all!"

Two out of three ain't bad

2005-04-11T09:44:00.000-05:00

I'd like to congratulate the Cubbies on taking 2 out of 3 from the Brewers. They really bounced back after blowing Friday's game with 2 outs in the 9th. Carlos Zambrano continues to impress and cement his status as the true ace of the staff. The bullpen still needs a lot of work, but they've managed to stay afloat. Although Greg Maddux has gotten off to a slow start, I don't think we need to worry about the future Hall of Famer. Let's keep our fingers crossed that Mark Prior can actually pitch tomorrow and that Todd Walker's knee isn't blown out. Good luck today vs. the Padres! I'll never forgive those (insert any four-letter word here) for 1984, so let's annihilate them! GO CUBS!!!

Help Wanted at Wrigley Field

2005-04-09T09:43:00.000-05:00

Here's the ad that should run in the Chicago Tribune:

Help Wanted: A reliable closer for the Chicago National League Ballclub. Must be able to hold 1-run leads, talk to the media when necessary, and be cordial to umpires.

A second position for a manager who knows when to remove pitchers from a ballgame when they have nothing left in the tank may also soon be available.

Clean out your ears, America!

2005-04-07T09:50:00.000-05:00

How in the world was Vonzell in the bottom three on American Idol last night? All I can figure is that some of the voters are suffering from wax buildup because there's no way that Nikko should have been voted off before Scott or Anthony. I don't know how many more weeks I can take of those two warblers. Let's hope Q-Tip sales go up and they are soon put out of their (our?) misery.

As for the Cubbies, they are off to a disappointing 1-2 start. Now I realize we don't have our rotation set up the way we would like yet, but shouldn't we be able to beat the Diamondbacks regardless? I don't think that Ryan Dempster is the answer for our 5th starter. Perhaps we shouldn't have sent Matt Clement packing without a suitable replacement. And so far, other than in the first game, I'm not too impressed with our hitting. Hopefully the boys in blue will get it together by the home opener tomorrow. Ryno is throwing out the first pitch and singing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" with Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, and Ron Santo, so it should be a good game.

"Wind's blowin' out, wind's blowin' in. Whichever way it's blowin', the Cubs are gonna win!"

So much for my happy ending...

2005-04-05T09:41:00.000-05:00

I hate to quote pseudo punk rocker Avril Lavigne, but the song does fit in this case. The Illini came up a bit short last night, losing to UNC 75-70. However, I am very proud of them for fighting back to tie the game after being down 15 points early in the second half. You certainly can't complain when your team goes 37-2, but it sure would have been nice to win a national championship. I guess the good news is that apparently the apocalypse is still a little while off. HA HA! And on a brighter note, the Cubs did clobber the D-Backs 16-6. Now I can focus all of my energy on root, root, rooting for the Cubbies.

"GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO! Hey Chicago, what do you say? The Cubs are gonna win today!"

We're loyal to you, Illinois

2005-04-02T19:15:00.000-06:00

We're Orange and Blue, Illinois. We'll back you to stand against the best in the land...

My Alma Mater is going to the finals for the first time, baby! I couldn't be any prouder to be an Illinois alum. What a team! Monday just might be the best day ever because not only are the Illini playing for a national championship, but it's also the Cubs' first game of the year. Could 2005 be the year for Illinois sports? Guess we better start looking out for locusts. HA HA!

Today has been a great day. I found lots of fantastic stuff at the mall, including 3 spring outfits and a pair of dress shoes. With all the team banquets coming up, I've got to look my best. I also picked up some new perfume, candles, and bubble bath. It looks like I'm all set for a spring fling- all I'm missing is the man. ;)

Hail to the Orange, Hail to the Blue...

2005-03-26T20:44:00.000-06:00

Hail Alma Mater, ever so true. We love no other so let our motto be... VICTORY ILLINOIS! Varsity. :)

Holy cow- what a game! I felt that same pit in my stomach I get when I'm trying to will LaTroy Hawkins into closing a Cubs game (I even had to get my lucky gum out). How in the world did the boys from Champaign come back from 15 down late in the 2nd half? Well, they aren't called the Fighting Illini for nothing. That was incredible!!! Dick Vitale must be going nuts. At least I know Illinois will have the Memphis fans rooting for them since they all despise Louisville. Oskee wow-wow Illinois!

Feel so bad like a ballgame on a rainy day

2005-03-22T11:00:00.000-06:00

Once again, it is raining in Memphis so tonight's baseball game vs. Ole Miss at AutoZone Park has been postponed (it's like I live in Seattle South). However, I really shouldn't complain since our neighbors to the North are still getting snow. Hopefully the weather will improve by tomorrow night since the Tigers should be in good shape for a W vs. Murray State.

It's March Madness time and even I have to admit that the action has been pretty exciting thus far. There have been so many upsets that it's a good thing that I'm not allowed to participate in the pools because I would have lost money for sure. I'd like to give a shout out to Mike Gansey (former Bonnie) who has been tearing up the court for West Virginia. And best of luck to the Fighting Illini vs. UW-Milwaukee. They are a scrappy bunch so the boys from Illinois better be ready to play. Congrats to the Memphis Tigers for kicking butt in the NIT so far. Good luck tomorrow vs. Vandy!

The best news of all is that Opening Day is less than 2 weeks away. May the baseball gods bring healing powers to Wood and Prior so that the Cubbies finally have a chance to win the World Series. GO CUBS GO!

Corned beef and steroids

2005-03-17T15:50:00.000-06:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I find it kind of odd that such a festive occasion is being combined with the Congressional hearings on steroid use in Major League Baseball, but I digress... So far, Sammy Sosa, Frank Thomas, and Rafael Palmeiro have denied using steroids. Mark McGwire, on the other hand, will not answer whether or not he or his teammates have ever used performance enhancing drugs. Very interesting, Big Mac. You could be using this opportunity to clear your name but instead you are pleading the 5th. Maybe there really is some truth to Jose Canseco's allegations then. As for Curt Schilling's presence, all I can figure is that there are some huge Red Sox fans in Congress and they just wanted to stick it to the Yankees since two of their players (Giambi and Sheffield in case you've been living under a rock) have already admitted taking 'roids. So kids, remember the wise words of Mr. Mackey on South Park: "Drugs are bad umm kay."

Just another Manic Monday

2005-03-14T09:55:00.000-06:00

Boy, it sure is hard to get back in the groove after even a short vacation. Since it was Spring Break here, I went home last Thursday- Sunday for a little R & R. It was nice to chill with the fam and eat lots of good food, but now it's back to reality. This week is going to be busy too since it's advising time. Basically, the next 3 weeks are going to be crazy but at least I won't be bored.

In entertainment news, Mario has left American Idol due to personal reasons. It's too bad because I thought he had a real chance of winning the whole thing. However, I admire him for giving up his dream and realizing that family comes first. He has a good shot of becoming a pop star anyway. On a brighter note, Michael Buble' is going to perform in Indianapolis on May 21 and I had already planned on going home that weekend anyway. Tickets go on sale tomorrow and I can't wait! To quote the Pointer Sisters, "I'm so excited and I just can't hide it. I'm about to lose control and I think I like it."

Sending out an S.O.S.

2005-03-08T13:23:00.000-06:00

In this case, S.O.S. stands for Save Our Show, "American Dreams". Please tune in to NBC tomorrow night at 7:00 pm Central so that this fine show can hopefully stay on the air. For those of you who don't know, this program focuses on the Pryor family's trials and tribulations during the turbulent 60's. Not only is the writing excellent, but the music is also fantastic. Check out this website for more info: http://www.nbc.com/American_Dreams/
If you're longing for a great drama that doesn't involve digging up dead people (no offense CSI: Every U.S. City), then please watch "American Dreams" on NBC Wednesdays 8 pm ET/7 PM CT. You won't be disappointed.

Rock the Vote!

2005-03-07T20:11:00.000-06:00

Tonight's episode of American Idol has inspired me to blog. If you haven't voted yet, pick up that phone and dial 1-866-IDOLS-08 right now. Anwar was amazing--his singing makes it a "wonderful world" indeed. I also enjoyed Mario as always with his rico suave rendition of "How Do You Mend A Broken Heart." Nikko was also very good. I never thought I'd vote for the spawn of a St. Louis Cardinal, but he did Ray proud with his version of "Georgia On My Mind." The final contestant worthy of my vote was Bo, who brought it down with "I'll Be." Who knew the rocker had a softer side?

Now, on to the rest of the gang. Anthony's little Latin number wasn't too bad, but he didn't quite have the personality to pull it off. Speaking of personality, Constantine has plenty, but it takes more than good hair to make the Top 12. As for Scott, I still find him kind of vanilla and his voice is just average. Travis needs to go. The last time I checked, this isn't Dance Fever. You should be able to sing in tune at this point in the competition. Bridget OUT!

Play-by-play, I heard it on the radio

2005-03-03T16:42:00.000-06:00

This afternoon, I had the privilege of listening to Pat Hughes and Ron Santo call the first Cubs Spring Training game on WGN Radio. Thanks to computer geeks like Bill Gates, fans from all over the world can now listen to their home team's broadcasts online. This is definitely a dream come true for baseball nuts such as myself who no longer live close to their favorite teams. The Cubbies even managed to squeak out a victory today, 2-1 over the Oakland A's. A big high-five goes out to Aramis Ramirez for his 2-run homer. GO CUBS!

Speaking of Ron Santo, I'd like to know if the Veteran's Committee is suffering from brain damage due to prolonged tobacco use. How in the hell do you not elect anyone to the Hall of Fame two years in a row? Ronnie is more than deserving as were several other candidates. This old boy's club needs a history lesson as well as a stepladder to get off their high horse.

Congratulations to Coach Sudbrook on his 400th win with St. Bonaventure Baseball! You are my hero, Coach. GO BONNIES!

Hey ABC, can I get a refund?

2005-03-01T08:43:00.000-06:00

Last night's finale of "The Bachelorette" brought whole new meaning to the word lame. I would estimate that we watched 10 hours of footage from this series, so we should be able to get at least a $1 an hour back for the electricity that was wasted. It's hard for me to believe that Jen gave her so-called relationship with Jerry much of a shot when taping just ended in October and they could only see each other in secret until last night. Something tells me that the rumors of a new lover for Ms. Schefft could very well be true. All I know is that I am now boycotting this pathetic excuse for a show. Jerry, feel free to give me a call. ;)

I'm just not feelin' it, dawg

2005-02-23T21:03:00.000-06:00

Tonight was the first results show on American Idol and four would-be superstars got the boot: Melinda, Sarah, Jared, and Judd. I think America did a pretty good job of voting this time. The lessons that should be learned from this week's performances are 1) don't sing a Celine Dion song unless you actually are Celine Dion (Melinda), 2) don't sing a group number that requires background vocals (Sarah), 3) don't sing off key (Jared) and 4) don't wear red velour pants if you're a guy (Judd). Personally, I thought Judd's performance was entertaining and I give him props for not singing a whiny ballad (a Michael Bolton song, Joseph? PUHLEASE!). It's going to be a great season and I'm looking forward to everything but Ryan Seacrest's lame jokes. Rock on, Idols!

Don't be fooled by the rocks that I got- I'm still Bridgie from the block

2005-02-18T14:26:00.000-06:00

Hello blog fans! Just thought I would share the news with y'all that I finally got a University of Illinois class ring. I've never been much of a jewelry person (mostly because I've never made enough money to afford the good stuff before and I'm kind of a klutz), but this ring is quite fabulous. It's 14 K white gold with the Alma Mater crest in the middle and BS 1996 on the sides. 2005 is the perfect year to show off the fact that you're an Illinois alum since the men's basketball team is 26-0. GO ILLINI! But even though I've got some bling now, I'm still the same humble girl from Paris, IL (hence the title of this post). However, I still think that there should be a song with the name Bridget in the title. Why should Mary Lou, Rosanna, and Sherry get all the glory?

PLAY BALL!!!

2005-02-16T13:33:00.000-06:00

Oh happy day! Cubs pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training today and I couldn't be more pleased. Let's get this baseball season up and running! I can't wait until they start playing games so maybe there will be more news stories besides Jose Canseco's steroid allegations. He's not exactly what you would call a reliable source or a role model ("Well, I wouldn't recommend steroids and human growth hormone for everyone, but they definitely helped me become an All-Star"). That's great, Jose. Hopefully kids aren't watching 60 Minutes for pointers on how to improve their baseball skills...

Another exciting event scheduled for tonight is that Simon, Randy, and Paula will pick the 24 finalists for American Idol. This means that next week we can finally start voting for our favorites. It really looks like this season could have the most talented contestants yet. Personally, I'm rooting for the Latin kid, Mario Vazquez. Shake your bon-bon, honey!

Song of the day: "Let's Get It Started"- The Black Eyed Peas

It's a beautiful day for a ballgame

2005-02-11T13:17:00.000-06:00

T.G.I.F.! Sometimes it really is great to work in college athletics. Today I get to leave the office early to watch a baseball scrimmage (and they're gonna play extra innings- BONUS!). Finally, a cure for the wintertime blues. You can't beat fun at the old ballpark, especially on a rare nice day in mid-February. GO TIGERS!

"It's Time" to thank God for Michael Buble'

2005-02-10T20:15:00.000-06:00

If you are searching for some romantic music for Valentine's Day, then look no further than the vocal stylings of Michael Buble'. I just received his new CD "It's Time" in the mail today, and I think it is fabulous. For those of you who may not have heard of this twentysomething crooner, Michael Buble's singing style can be compared to Harry Connick Jr. and Frank Sinatra. For you men out there, if you want to get lucky, just play one of his CD's and your woman will be putty in your hands. Not only does Mr. Buble' have a beautiful voice, but he's also quite a looker (check out his photo spread on http://www.michaelbuble.com/ ). I have to give my mom all the credit for turning me on to his music. Excellent work, Little Mama! Now if you could only arrange a chance meeting... ;)

Song of the day (from Michael Buble's new CD of course): "Save The Last Dance For Me"