Sunday we went to the new Target and I bought stuff that I don't really need. This is good to do every once in a while. I bought the new Liz Phair album (I've already memorized "Rock Me"), two chick-lit books, makeup, and a Milka bar. I love that the Target is so close!

I signed the paperwork for my new apartment. I'm so glad to be moving - this weekend I discovered there is/was a mouse in my kitchen. It broke into my loaf of bread and graham crackers. Maintenance came in yesterday and I think scared him off. But now I have a sticky mouse trap on my kitchen floor. *sigh* Only a few more weeks. . .

I will probably have to work late again this evening. And I think M is going to meet me for dinner. . . actually his idea. Well, going out to dinner was. I'm kinda surprised, because I am usually the one to ask to get together. Maybe he is leaving for France soon; I have my mind on August and have been preoccupied.

Why I'm preoccupied with August:
1. this weekend - I pack and help J move some stuff to Houston. We will shop for a dress for me to wear for V's wedding. Then J officially moves to Houston on Monday. =(

2. Next Wednesday I drive up to Plano to pick K up from the airport. We bum around in the Dallas area til V's wedding on the 9th. K flies back Sunday the 10th.

3. The 16th - I move into my new apartment. Well, I start moving in. I haven't done any change of address forms yet. I should probably get on that ASAP.

Understandably, I have a lot on my mind. But I'm not frazzled. Yet!

I could talk about the current events, but I just can't even think about them right now. It frustrates me more.

Although - I recommend you read what Josh says about Rick Perry's plans to round up the state senators hiding out in New Mexico: Now, that's classic. It is so tempting to move to New Mexico. It's a gorgeous state with great food, a great Democrat governor, and my best friend. Hmmm. It's so tempting.

And here's a link to a great article (front-page) on Dean by the NY Times. Yay!

Okay, that's enough for now.

CD of the week: Liz Phair, Liz Phair. A few of the songs lean towards the poppy side, but I enjoy most of them. I don't know what to think about "H. W. C." Not a song I really want stuck in my head, that's for sure!

I have been lax in posting here of late, I know. It has been crazy busy here at work, so I just haven't had time, much less news to post.

New addiction: Queer Eye for a Straight Guy. One episode and I was hooked. Sadly I don't have Bravo, so I will have to depend on my parents VCR. NBC will show it tomorrow night after Will and Grace for all of you who haven't seen it yet. All of you who read my blog. . . I know there are so many. =)

I'm still reading The Portrait of a Lady, and am getting into it. I don't know who I sympathize with in the story. All the characters are so strange. I guess Ralph Touchett's the easiest to sympathize with, and I like Henrietta Stackpole too. I would like Isabel Archer (the heroine) but I don't understand her at all yet. I watched the film, so I have a basic idea of the plot, but the book is a whole lot better.

lunch time!

Will we ever know the answers to these questions?

Dean: 16 Questions for the President.

back to work I go.

I realize that I haven't posted an entry today. There is a reason . . . it's crazy in the office today and I haven't had time. There isn't really anything for me to chat about now anyway.

CD of the day: Buddy Holly, Best of.

Go see this before the Administration gets rid of it: "Sitting at his desk in the Oval Office, President Bush reviews the State of the Union address line-by-line and word-by-word.".

So is he responsible for what he said? Hmm. It seems to me he could have corrected it when he had the chance. . .

I found this awesome letter to an Iowan on Dean's Blog for America. I love the comparison of Dean's following to a Capra movie. I tend to find the ending of Capra movies so corny, but if we could just get a semblance of that in real life - in this current period of time - my outlook on US Politics might become more positive.

Letter from a Georgian

Two commentaries in the New York Times today:

- Tom DeLay's Down-Home Muscle

- Timely Help for AmeriCorps

Both opinions I agree with.

Yesterday, a new map (AGAIN) was announced in the Senate (see this). When will this end? Are only the Democrats upset by this huge waste of our money?

This local commentary brings up the point that a new map will lose the seniority our state currently has.

As for me, my jaw started hurting this morning and I don't know why. I think I will go crazy before September. Or something.

CD of the day: Putumayo's Cuba.

Today is going more like a Monday than a Wednesday. Crazy!

My sister pointed out this article to me:Politics of Service. Another great story about how Americorps needs to be saved.

More later.

Thanks to Alternet for linking to this disturbing article: The Texas Clemency Memos. Let's hope the Dems get their act together and block any attempt Bush makes to put Alberto Gonzales on the Supreme court. Thankfully O'Connor is staying on for another year. . . the optimistic part of me thinks that Bush won't be in office long enough to get someone on. The pessimistic part of me, though. . .

Why is this man in office anyway?
Ack!

Blah blah blah.

Last night I did go see Legally Blonde 2 which was not as bad as I was led to believe. I mean, if it's got Sally Field and Bob Newhart in it, it can't completely suck. It was cute and funny in some parts, but the writing and the music were SOOOOO cheesy. I mean, this orchestral music is playing while Elle is crying in the bathroom!!! The pop music was cute, but I'm afraid that the cheesy soundtrack doesn't work in the film's favor. It is definitely worth renting, especially if you like cute dogs. And lotsa pink.

I worry that I may have to come in and work on Saturday (again). Mom is off this week and the woman that is doing her kind of work is EXTREMELY slow. It is just ridiculous. It drives me nuts. I am not working on Saturday, even though I could really use the overtime. I need my weekend.

If you are interested, you should check out Lessig's blog. I had never heard of this guy before today, but apparently he is big on internet law. He is off for the week and Gov. Dean is writing a daily blog entry. I think this is awesome; never in a million years would George "darn good information" Bush do something even comparable. Making your thoughts and issues public takes guts, and I applaud Dean for trying to get down with the people.

Also - Josh Marshall, the man who doesn't even know I exist (*sigh*), has written a neat entry about the Texas Republican senator who is going up against DeLay's redistricting plans. Reading his entry made me want to write Bill Ratliff a thank you letter.

And I still might do just that.

CD of the day: Elton John, Greatest Hits 1970-2002, disk 2.

Why I have never supported Dubya

I've decided it is time to share my experience with the world.

When I was in fifth grade, my class went to the campaign headquarters of Dukakis and Bush. We went to the Dukakis headquarters first, then were told we would have a surprise at the Bush headquarters. I wasn't too excited, because I was already a Democrat at that point. I took the Bush-Quayle sticker they gave me and tore it, making it "Quush-Bayle". It looked pretty cool (I must admit I stole the idea from another student in my class).

We're lined up for the surprise when the teachers announce what our surprise is: Bush's son (guess who!) was going to meet us! Most of the kids were quite excited (I went to a Southern Baptist school), but I wasn't too eager. He came in the door and was shaking hands with the girls while complimenting them and patting the boys on the back. He gets to me and slaps me on the back, saying, "Hey, bud!" I solemnly replied, "I'm a girl, sir!" Much flustered, he apologized and walked to the next student in line.

Gendering happens often in society, but given that I was in fifth grade and growing accordingly, it was pretty obvious I was a girl. I should also note there are MANY other reasons why I would never vote for Bush, but this event is always in the back of my mind.

That's all! and isn't it enough?!

Happy Bastille Day! I like Bastille Day because the public radio station here plays the French National Anthem, which is one of the longest I know of. But rather pretty. I don't understand a word of it, not being French, but I do enjoy hearing it.

I saw my newest favorite episode of The Simpsons last night. The writing is so well-done on that show. In this episode, Bart is in a "non-Christian youth group" called the Pre-Teen Braves, and Milhouse is in the Cavalry Kids. There is a rivalry between the groups and there is an all-out brawl at the end of the episode. Seeing Marge crying, the Captain suggests that they join in song, and instead of singing an anthem to war, like America's song, that they sing a nice peaceful hymn, so he breaks out with "Oh, Canada!" They all join hands, singing and making the form of a maple leaf. It kills me every time. I think this was the best episode of this past season.

I worked two hours and fifteen minutes on Saturday and I'm not staying late today. J and I are probably going to see Legally Blonde 2 and since she is moving to Houston soon, I'd like to be able to do more with her before she leaves. =(

I finished I Capture the Castle last night, and am wary of seeing the upcoming film version of it now. Overall it was a funny book, but the ending was a bit of a downer. I'm wondering if they will change the ending for the movie.

CD of the day: AfroCelt Sound System, Further in Time. I love the Peter Gabriel collaboration on "When You're Falling". Little bit of trivia: that song was on the list that Clear Channel sent its stations of recommended songs NOT to play after September 11. Isn't that ridiculous? I believe "Leaving on a Jet Plane" was on that list also. Thank heaven for media consolidation, because otherwise we'd actually hear some decent music.

Whoo hoo! Yay!

From the Statesman, Troopers' job doesn't include lawmaker roundup, judge says.

Okay, my dream last night. I don't know what could have caused me to dream such a dream, but I dreamt that I was taken hostage by college-age girls. I can't remember where we were when they descended upon us, but there were about 10 of us and they killed 3 of the people. They said they thought I was a cop, so they didn't kill me (which makes sense?). They marched us around towns and I tried telling people we were in a hostage situation and no one believed me.

Finally we get to this classroom/grocery store where the girls show us to their professor and he explains that they are studying different cultures and are into cannibalism right now. So we were homework for these girls! Anyway, I talked to the professor and encouraged him to study more normal eating habits, like vegetarianism or regular meat-eating. So they didn't eat us. And it was like nothing ever happened. . . there were no cops to catch these girls. Then I woke up.

I don't get it.

The Philadelphia Story was awesome, and quite crowded. I think a lot of the people had never seen the movie before. I say this because in the scene between Tracy and her father, people were groaning at his remarks (which are a bit sexist, I will admit). But what a neat experience to see the film in a theatre with other people! I saw that guy there, but he left before I got to him. Ah well. I'm thinking about going to see The Lost Weekend when it shows, so perhaps he'll be there, submerged in his French/English dictionary (which I noted he was reading again last night).

I'm going to use a separate post for my dream last night. . . it was soooo strange.

So, my friend K and I might be taking a "mini-break" (as the Brits call it) a few days before V's wedding. I'm trying to see if we can stay with my grandfather and Es, but they aren't back from South Carolina yet. This strange voice answered their phone and threw me off - it turns out my step-uncle (Es's son, not too much older than me) is housesitting for them. What is sad is that I can't remember his name. I have way too many relatives and step-relatives to remember all their names. I guess that happens when your grandfather marries three times. Anyway - I'll have to call them this weekend, I guess.

L and I are trying to win Lyle Lovett tickets from KGSR. I don't think we are going to be successful, but we're gonna try. We both agree the only way we will go back to the Backyard is through free tickets. It just isn't worth $40 to pay and sit in an outside ampitheater in my humid town, surrounded by smokers, unable to see the stage because someone with a cowboy hat is sitting in front of you. The last concert I saw there was Lyle a few years ago and we left early because the concert and venue were so awful. Sorry, Lyle. I'm about to give up on this.

I remember when I worked at the "unnamed" local radio station that plays music aimed towards 20-50 year-old males, I hated answering the calls into the station. The DJ I worked with (who is now programming director) would just leave me in charge of the playlist, the telephones, the equipment, everything, while he "worked" in his office. I remember having to take bathroom breaks whenever we played "Riders on the Storm" or "Stairway to Heaven". Ah, the life of a high-school intern. He would always try to get me to stay after my three hours until his shift was over, but I rarely did.

My attempts to win these tickets remind me of that. I would push the buttons related to the phone lines and say, "number one", "number two", etc. I think these people really wanted to be on the radio themselves, but they never were when I was on the board. Sorry, guys.

I'm still planning to see The Philadelphia Story tonight. I'm hoping there won't be too many people there, but am assuming there will be, since Kate died last week. =( It will be great to see it on the big screen!

I heard on NPR this morning that Congress has struck down the investigation into the use of the Department of Homeland Security facilities to search for those Killer Ds. I am mighty disappointed about this. I can't find any story about this online. Perhaps the DJ made it up. I can hope, can't I?

CD of the day: Chicago, soundtrack to the motion picture. Love it!

Seeing A Night at the Opera on the big screen was terrific. Even though my dad did some loud talking in the film (no surprise), the guy sitting behind me was scream-laughing in my ear, and my sister kept shushing me when I laughed, it was neat. I sat a seat away from this lone guy who had brought a French-English dictionary and word puzzles with him to the movie. He was quiet before the film and mostly during the film, but had the funniest laugh. He was kinda cute, but I couldn't figure out his age. I'm wondering if he'll be at The Philadelphia Story tomorrow night.

I can't believe I used to stay up so late in college. Last night it wasn't 10pm before I was ready to leave. We stayed through the first 35 minutes of A Day at the Races and then left. I didn't even want to stay that long, but I do love the phone call scene between Dr. Hackenbush and Mr. Whitmore. Oh my god, it's funny. Hee hee.

On a different note altogether - I discovered an interesting site through truthout.org. The Washington Post has a site up called Eyes on the War that has slide shows from different photographers of the war in Iraq. The only one I've looked at so far is Patrick Baz, who has pictures from the Hotel Palestine. The stinky thing about this site is that the advertisement section covers part of the flash screen. Perhaps it is just my Internet Explorer. Check it out here.

CD of the day: Guster, Keep it Together.

Just remembered - I'm going with L and my dad to see A Night at the Opera tonight. So I guess I'll work out tomorrow night! I love the Marx Brothers. I've seen this film so many times I could probably recite it, but I'll refrain from doing it here.

The House approved the GOP map and it now moves to the Senate. I guess it isn't as evil as it was, but it is still quite divisive as far as minority communities are concerned.

Last night I talked to K and watched Eight Men Out. Quite a good film. I feel so bad for poor Buck Weaver. Which I'm sure was the point. I didn't care much for D.B. Sweeney as Shoeless Joe. Perhaps it's because I've seen Field of Dreams so many times. . . I can't wait to see Sayles new film when it comes out. I love his stuff. He is definitely one of my favorite directors.

I told K she needs to update her blog, but I realize she has other priorities right now, like finding a job.

Tonight I work out and clean my apartment. Exciting stuff, that.

CD of the day: Sheryl Crow, C'mon, C'mon.

Yes! There is hope in the world! All is not so bleak!

I just got this e-mail from Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting:

FAIR-L
Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting
Media analysis, critiques and activism

ACTIVISM UPDATE:
Savage Fired by MSNBC

July 7, 2003

Michael Savage's MSNBC show, The Savage Nation, was cancelled today
because of homophobic remarks made by the host on the July 5 edition of
the show, according to an Associated Press (AP) report. Those
comments--labeling a caller "a sodomite" and telling him to "get AIDS and
die"-- were the subject of a FAIR action alert earlier today.

MSNBC spokesperson Jeremy Gaines told AP, "His comments were extremely
inappropriate and the decision was an easy one."

Over the past five months, FAIR activists have written more than 2,000
individual letters to MSNBC expressing their concerns about Savage's
record of bigotry and hate, and criticizing the network for hiring a host
who routinely traffics in slurs while firing host Phil Donahue over his
anti-war views.

Savage can still be heard on some 300 radio stations across the country.


Thank you, Jesus!

From Tom Paine's blog, I read this nifty entry making my fears about the economy more vivid:

"If the employment news seems unusually bad these days, that’s because it is. A report from the minority staff of the House Appropriations Committee reveals that no president since (ready for this?) Hoover has had a worse job-creation record. More specifically, no U.S. leader since the Depression has actually lost jobs during his four-year tenure… until now."

Thanks, Bush! I'm just gonna say this every time I hear about the stinking economy. My friend JJ is selling her house for a fraction of what she originally paid. The only consolation is that she knows who is buying it and they raise foster kids. Knowing this makes up for the loss she is taking. I'm amazed at the outlook she can take in this. All I can think is, "Thanks, Bush!" I refrain from calling him the "P" word whenever I can. Anyway. . .

Americorps is dying. Please contact your legislators and ask them to add more money to the Americorps budget. I'm so afraid that Bush will slowly kill Americorps and by the time the citizens realize it, it will be too late.

Such a fatalistic entry.

Oh - I forgot to comment on what I read in "Parade" yesterday. Someone wrote into the "Personality Parade" section asking if Dean was a serious candidate. I believe the answer to that question was that he was too "liberal" to be a serious candidate.

If you were seriously wondering about a candidate, why would you write to someone who writes about celebrities? and who is doing better, Ivana Trump or Marla Maples? Sheesh, people.

Along with this, the idea that Dean is a liberal candidate is ridiculous. I mean, he is, otherwise I wouldn't be pulling for him, but he is a lot more conservative than Kucinich (who I view as a somewhat viable candidate). Why else would the NRA like him? and his views on the death penalty are not quite liberal, either.

Thanks for letting me vent.

New quiz:

What Finding Nemo Character are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

After a three-day weekend, I am back. This weekend was a bit strange because we didn't really do anything specifically Independence Day-related. Just watched movies, read books, and went shopping! It was definitely a nice break.

Random notes from my weekend:

1. While watching I love 1987 on VH1, I was excited to see my oft-quoted anti-drug PSA shown as the Public Service Announcement of 1987. Let me set the stage for you - teenage boy on bed listening to headphones. Dad comes in with a cigarbox full of some drug, let's assume pot. He confronts boy, "Where did you get this? Who gave this to you?" and such questions. Boy stonewalls him until it becomes too much and finally yells out, "YOU, alright? I learned it by watching you!!" The ad concludes with some comment like parents who have drugs shouldn't expect any more from their own kids. I started quoting the "I learned it by watching you" phrase in high school, inspired by this ad, and screamed "Oh my God!" as soon I saw the first shot of the ad. After all these years. . .it's still a damn cheesy ad. =)

2. Had some strange dreams. Saturday night I dreamed that I had to spend the night at church on a pullout couch. I woke up in my dream and couldn't figure out where I was. Then I woke up in real life and was utterly confused. AIM also figured prominently in my dream. I remember at one time, D was sitting across a desk from me and as we chatted I stroked his hand. Then he went back to AIM world and my dream went on. The thing is, it wasn't really him, but it was him. And Friday night I dreamed that Jennifer Garner and I were friends and she was marrying this random Indian guy. Her wedding dress was white and consisted of white tiers with fruit and pudding cups on them. Huh? There's more that I have forgotten now. And last night I dream that I am back at AC, going to classes. Except I skip two of my morning classes and just go to choir. I get to choir and after sitting for a while, comment loudly that I don't understand why I'm there, since I graduated in 2000. Then I run out. As I'm doing this, I realize that I'm not wearing pants, but am okay with that. What? And why was Neil from my high school at my college? Huh?

3. Antwone Fisher is an awesome movie and I strongly recommend it. At one point in the film I felt a strong desire to join the navy. It's that good. =) Ha!

If I find any news to comment on, I will. . .

CD of the day: Dolly Parton, The Grass is Blue. I listened to "I Still Miss Someone" on repeat.

Where do you fall on the liberal - conservative political spectrum? (United States)
brought to you by Quizilla
Look! I do have a post today!

Okay, I know this doesn't count. I'll have more later.

This morning I woke up at 6:15 and couldn't get back to sleep. So I went ahead and took my shower. I listen to NPR in the shower and the local person said it was 8:20. I thought she had read the time wrong so I thought nothing of it. As soon as I finished my shower, however, I ran out to my microwave clock which read 8:35. So I don't know what happened, but my alarm clock got an hour and 45 minutes off. Did the power go off? In my sleep did I turn my clock back? I have no idea. I was so confused, I thought perhaps I had slept for days! Perhaps it was already Friday! But no, it is Wednesday and I was late for work.

At least I slept well.

I didn't go to the hearing last night because I knew I would be well-represented. The Statesman covers it today. There is a map with the article that shows the current and proposed redistricting. I had to print it out; it is not as far out as the last proposed maps were. But I still fear that minority votes will not be recognized. At least Travis County isn't divided as ridiculously as it had been, but still . . .

This is just a ridiculous waste of our money - this special session on redistricting. Our schools are dying and the taxpayers money is funding this stupid special session. Argh.

CD of the day: FOW, Welcome Interstate Managers on random play in my car. Since I was in a hurry this morning I didn't really get to appreciate much of it.

Written 6/24/03:

The clouds made me homesick
tonight. Something about the
formation, tone or color
made me reminiscent for a past
time and place and person.
Sadness collected in my head
as I drove
and sang along to "Halley's Waitress".

I looked out at those clouds
driving to my apartment
and remembered being
a better
another
person

looking at those dark blue clouds,
contemplating my solitude.

Last night L and I were watching The Music Man and I told her about that show that Al Franken was on a few years ago which was based in a newsroom, "Lateline". On one of the shows they were covering the demise of Buddy Hackett, except he hadn't really died. It was so funny - they showed him in a hospital bed calling the reporters schmucks and so on. Then I find out this morning he really did die yesterday! How ironic is that? How sad that Buddy Hackett is gone, though. He was so funny.

I didn't sleep well last night at all. I did finish Ann Patchett's The Magician's Apprentice. I think she is my new favorite author. Or shall I say, has joined the ranks of my favorite authors. I have more than a few.

I wanna go back to bed . . .

CD of the day: Aimee Mann, Bachelor No. 2