I have always been horribly offended by politicians exploiting dead soldiers and the Bush machine has it down to a science. Whenever Iraq comes into question, there seems to be a soldier's letter to publicize. It especially makes me sick now that my cousin is serving there. I can't imagine how those soldier's families feel.

What Do I Win?

I made it through the whole thing. Well, except for the very beginning when I flipped to the Chappelle Show. C'mon and cut me some slack. It was the one with John Mayer and ?uestlove.

Let Me Get This Straight

The only way to prevent further attacks on our country and protect this great nation of ours is to perform illegal wiretaps? Awesome.

Shocker - he pushed for more tax cuts and only the repubs stood and clapped. Let's be honest - one of the main reason I watch SOTU is to watch the reaction shots of Congress and how many times only the right stands up. Sigh. A house divided falls. Didn't these people take history?

I don't think I've ever laughed during SOTU until now when I just watched the left stand and applaud when Dub complained about Congress not passing his SS reform.

I Should Know Better

But I am going to try to watch the State of the Union. I can't promise I will make it through the entire thing. Already irritated by the mention of his spend the capital comment and that this is his 6th year. Oooooh!!! Only about 1,000 days left. Thank the good Lord above.

I Need An Assistant

I've had to change dates on my Vegas trip three times now because I keep forgetting about previous commitments in my overexcitement about the trip. It is all set, don't fear, I will have stories for you by the end of February. Although I can't promise if I will be able to tell them... Anyways, my month is now pretty booked solid, but not solid enough for me to squeeze more stuff into every day. Paul used to get so mad at me for asking every week what the plans were.  See above for why I would ask.

Where Am I?

It is January 30th in Washington D.C. and I am walking outside sans coat and have no fear of hypothermia.

Monday, Monday

Can't trust that day. Bah dah, bah dah bah dah. So typical Monday after a rock star weekend - I'm tired. But I'm in a great mood because I had a really fun, fun weekend (more later). I'm looking pretty, my hair is behaving, I've lost 10 pounds and have been running without gasping for awhile now - all in all a great morning. I walked into our building's lobby, smiled and said "good morning" to the desk lady as I do every morning and headed to the open elevator. Just as I was 5 feet away, a woman rounded the corner, cheerily said "good morning", got in the elevator and closed the door on me. That dirty whore. So rude. I wish I was vindictive or a grudge holder because she works in the building and I know I'm going to have the opportunity to shut the elevator on her while smiling a "good morning" to her. I just know I won't be able to do it though. Stupid good upbringing.

I was still hopeful about the day, but then Paul and I got into a tiff. Yes, we're still talking even though he keeps saying he needs space and a break from me. To me, taking space or a break from someone means not communicating with that individual. So I was all set to not talk with him for awhile. But he contacts me, so I've been doing the same. Most times I let him do the initiating, but there are times (like Friday night when I'd had some drinks) that I text or email him. We actually spent time together late Saturday night/early Sunday morning and it seemed to go well. He did try to bring some stuff up, but I managed to distract him from the subjects and the tryst ended with me hopeful that we have gotten over whatever issues we were having and were heading into a friendship. Well, that changed today when we realized we have tickets to the same concert Friday night. Long story short, I'm ditching my tickets because evidently my presence in such a small venue would just absolutely ruin his evening. I swear I wish I knew of a song titled "Make Up Your Mind About What You Want" by "I'll Give You a Call When I Graduate Jr. High"

Before you say, "oh Plan B, how awful that these people ruined your fantastic Monday morning mood" (ah ah ah alliteration - who sang that?) I will let you know my day just got better for two reasons.

1. My boss is out of the office today which means I'll actually be able to get work done.
2. My friend has cajoled me into going to Vegas in February. I love the Vegas and haven't been forever. Plus, she and I always have a great time - it is highly rumored our antics created the slogan "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas".

Song of the Night

Hide Another Mistake - The 88

Great song to get ready to.

Things I Learned Last Night

1. Not everyone thinks of the tv show upon hearing the words "Arrested Development". One of the guys last night said "I used to live next door to one of them". Turns out he was talking about the musical group.

2. Some gay men get turned on by women's breasts. Who knew? It does make me think even more that one of my exes is at least bi-sexual. It was always in the back of my mind that he was gay and not admitting it to himself, but he really loves big boobs. Now it makes a bit more sense.  Either way, I would just like to see him happy with himself.

3. Drinking on an empty stomach makes you do incredibly stupid things. No duh. And yes, I realize I am old enough to know better.

No Dumpy Butts in the U.S.

Say what you will about Tucker Carlson but the guy cracks me up. Click above to read his interview with Michael Feldenkrais, an attorney representing a former Playboy playmate who was deported recently.

Among the funny:
CARLSON: You‘re saying that because this girl has a cute butt, she should be a U.S. citizen?

CARLSON: Do you think—is there a porn shortage in this country, do you think? I mean, is there a lack of homegrown porn actresses? Is this a crisis?
FELDENKRAIS: I do not believe it‘s a crisis. There‘s definitely a lot of talent out there. And but that doesn‘t stop us from...
CARLSON: Why should we flood the market with cheap foreign imports, thereby forcing our own porn actresses out of work and oppressing their wages?

Ah Tucker, fighting for the good old US of A.

What?!?!?

I'm going to say something and I know I shouldn't but here goes. Drew Lachey is sexy. I know I know. I have recently sworn off men shorter than me (it isn't a completely superficial thing - I haven't ever cared but I was reminded how nice it is to kiss someone taller than me and I am determined to enjoy more kissing in my next relationship) but I find myself strangely attracted to him watching him dance.

Because You're Mine, I Walk the Line

Jim and I went to the movies Saturday night and saw Walk The Line. We've both gone back and forth between wanting to see it and not since it was released. So we bit the bullet and went - got there pretty early but were ultimately thankful because the theater was packed. Must have been the Golden Globe wins the weekend before. I would have really liked to see more explanation about the song "Ring of Fire". It was written by June at a pivotal point in her relationship with Johnny and I really think it should have been emphasized more than just a quick scence. The movie was good - I never forgot I was watching Reese Witherspoon though. I have a thing about actors portraying actual people and winning awards. To me it doesn't seem like acting so much as imitating something that has already been done. I equate it to winning a Grammy for a remake of a song. The actor doesn't have to create, rather they recreate something that has already existed.


Regardless, I'm glad we saw it. I'm one of those people that feel the need to see all the nominated films each year. I'll admit it is mostly because I like to feel justified at the outrage I feel when things happen like Gwyneth Paltrow winning over Cate Blanchett (still irritated over that one). I really just have Munich and Capote still to see so I'm in pretty good shape.

Sleep is Good, Katie is Great

The sleep thing went okay I guess. I didn't sleep well (shocker) but that may have been due to the 17 electrodes attached to me or the plastic tube in my nose or the wire taped to my chin or..... Regardless of why, I woke up about 6 or 7 times during the night.

Katie, seeing how high strung I was last night when she dropped me off, decided to pick me up in the morning. She is a superstar. It really helped me to know that someone would be there for me in the morning.

She is not a morning person at all so it was even more stellar of her to come get me that early. When she dropped me off this morning I had every intention of getting ready and going to work. I just couldn't. I was so exhausted I decided to use one of my 20 sick days. So I slept literally all day and it was awesome.

I'll get the results next week when I meet with my doctor. Hopefully they will show something that explains what has been going on.

Dun Dun Dun

So I'm here having been dropped off by Katie who managed to calm me down. I'm still a bit creeped out by the whole thing but feeling less apprehensive which is good.

I'm Not Getting Sleepy

I have my sleep study thing tonight and I gotta admit I'm getting a bit freaked out about it. Okay, freaked out may be an overstatement, apprehensive is a much better word. I have to get there at 9 tonight (Katie rocks for volunteering to drive me) and I am there until 6:30 tomorrow morning. I wish I hadn't read about what they're going to do - namely the small metal cup electrodes they will affix to my scalp. That doesn't sound anywhere near fun or comfortable. Another thing concerning me is this: what am I going to do from 9 until 11:30 when I usually go to sleep?

Walking home I had all these thoughts going through my mind and I really missed Paul for a minute. This is the kind of time when I would talk to him and just hearing his voice would make me calmer. But that is not an option and thinking that led me to realizing Paul probably wouldn't have been understanding. He would have teased or mocked me for being a bit fearful of this, which probably would have made me laugh, but isn't what I need right now. So I only missed him for a couple minutes, but that was enough to kinda bum me out.  Does he miss me ever? Does he wonder how I'm doing? Blah blah blah...

I can't wait for this to be done. Bright side -  maybe I will finish my book club book finally.

Crash

I finally watched this movie over the weekend. I've been hearing what a "life-changing" movie it is with only one dissenting opinion - Jim's. So I was really curious about this film. I hated it. I forced myself to sit through the entire thing even after the first 20 minutes made me want to run. Here is the problem I had with this movie. There may be more.

In general, films about social issues are either really good or really bad. Great directors and writers will lead you to a conclusion about the issue at hand without explicitly telling you what you should think. When you are told what to think, then the director and writer have thrown objectivity out the window and started lecturing about their own moralistic agenda. A good director/writer will make a film about racism impartially and the viewer will draw his own conclusion. Hopefully that it is bad and the result of ignorance and hatred, but that is me lecturing. Regardless, the audience seeing this type of film is usually predisposed to that point of view.

In the case of Crash, Paul Haggis doesn't trust either the viewer's intelligence or his own abilities, so he compiles a series of bigoted, nasty people of different races all hating on everyone not like them to make sure he has convinced you of just how bad things have become in America since 9/11. The characters are so over the top and overblown in their hatred of stereotypes (all the while voicing their own stereotypes)that the movie becomes a satire of itself. Unfortunately, this satire is completely unintended and it makes a really bad film.

Cure v. Smiths

Friday night I went to the Black Cat for a Cure v. Smiths dance off. Quite possibly the most fun 5 hours of dancing in my life. Angie sent out the call for someone to go with and I couldn't resist. I like The Cure, love The Smiths and a night of dancing and good music with a guaranteed good time (Angie - no not like that, she's married and a girl she is just one of those peeps that has fun in any situation and it is contagious) sounded like just what I needed after a long week.

It was so much fun! After a number of beers we began talking to everyone (the place was packed) finding out two things. 1. Which is your fav - Cure or Smiths? And 2. Do you feel as old as we do?

The Rest of Last Weekend

Sunday I cleaned house and did a bunch of laundry until I got antsy at the thought of being cooped up inside so I decided to go see a movie. I got to the theater and the only one beginning around the right time was Rumour Has It. I've heard nothing but scathing reviews but there is nothing like a light romantic comedy on a Sunday afternoon so in I went.

It was nowhere near as bad as I was expecting. Granted it was nowhere near good, but what do you expect from this type of movie?

That night I met up with Ryan again (after Agie dropped me off I met him and some friends out for a drink Sat) and we hung out for a bit. He's a fun guy and it's nice to hang with him again. We watched 24 - so so happy it is back.

Monday was a 7 1/2 hour brunch at Katie's, then more 24 and the Golden Globes. Good times.

Songs of the Day

Nobody Puts Baby in the Corner - Fall Out Boy
Sound of Settling - Death Cab For Cutie
Forever Lost - The Magic Numbers

Cutest Thing Ever

Tai Shan is up and moving around. Unfortunately, he was sleeping when we went to see him this morning. He was super cute though - curled up in a little black tub, kicking his legs every now and then. We can't figure out why he is the cutest thing we've ever seen, but we don't care. He is our source for stress relief.