The Birthday Girl's Little Hellion

Today is my cousin's birthday and I just got off the phone with her. After hearing this story about my sorta nephew/cousin Christian, I knew I had to blog about it.

Christian is starting to talk a lot more, especially in toddler sentences. Apparently Tabby and Laura tried to get him to say something that came out as, "I am Dutch." Instead of putting a stop to it, they egged him on until he was running up and down the hallway, bouncing off walls, shrieking "I am Dutch."

See. I am not weird. I come by it naturally.

Concert Day Count down.

Eight hours and counting until the Vanessa Carlton concert tonight.

And to prepare for it? I'm listening to Dierks Bentley's listening party on CMT. It is SO awesome you really need to check it out.

One Good Morning

After staying up all last night reading Daisy's Back In Town by Rachel Gibson, I woke up to the alarm this morning. No. Let me rephrase that. I woke up to Keith Urban singing Jeans On. I was only half awake, but I was singing the chh chh parts.

When I actually sat up, my dream came back to me. I was chasing down the Supreme Court. I wasn't like going to their houses and gunning them down or anything. The Dept. of Justice building was on a skateboard and I was chasing it down the street.

I guess this means no more cheese and cracker snackers before I go to bed.

The Horse Bringer

Last night me and Tosh went to BL to check on her sister who recently got braces and as it turned out, go grocery shopping. I went in and said, "Hi!" to my little girl, but Ainjil wouldn't talk to me, and well, the girl runs hot and cold so it wasn't entirely unexpected. That's when Penny explained that Ainjil had said I was going to bring her a horse, and I didn't and so she wouldn't talk to me.

If you're bewildered yet, do worry. None of us had a clue either, especially me.

Apparently, Ainjil went with to the store and was told she could pick out a toy. She chose a horse that was over the price limit and was encouraged to get something else, and then got mad when she couldn't find her horsies when she got home. She was told she might get it for her birthday, and I guess horses and birthdays are some how connected to me.

Last night I left after being told that I was supposed to bring back a Mommy horse, a Baby horse, and a Daddy horse next week. I guess I have some shopping to do.

Lot of Listening to Do!

Everybody haul ass over to CMT and give a listen to Dierks's brand new album Modern Day Drifter at CMT's Listening party! His album comes out May 10th. And you know Tosh and I will be in line to pick it up.

I Know How He Knows.

The new song that I'm totally obsessed with is Bobby Pinson's Don't Ask Me How I Know.
You can check out the video on CMT.com, or just click on the link.

Pretty Checks

I have always wanted to get those cute personalized checks instead of the stupid regular ones.

Registration Day

It's days like this that make living with Toshia perfect. Today I was supposed to register at 8:30 am. At this time, I was laying in bed clutching my chest because Tosh just scared the crap out of me (which was probably a good thing because I was dreaming about possessed cars and octopus people). While I was sitting there gasping with shame, she remarks, "when do you register?" Yes, I think that almost tied my speed record of the burnt-toast-fire-alarm sprint at Girl Scout camp.

So now I am all registered and all dressed and taking 14 credits next semester. I got opted out of 2 classes because they didn't schedule well with others. So now it looks like I've got:

Hurl 497 & 498 which are about accepting diversity and keeping the -isms out of the classroom,
Health for Educators, a Native American history class with Galler (I've got him now for History concepts. He's mr. write me a paper everyday), Toshia's astronomy class, and Information media that is supposed to teach me how to integrate technology into the classroom.

We'll just have to see how this goes I guess.

Keith on Today

Keith was on the Today show this morning, and although my roomies didn't let me wake up to watch it, I did tape it and then make Becky and Toshia suffer through most of it so I could catch all the little teaser comments throughout the show.

You can skip all that and just see him perform Days Go By here.

Here the instructions on how to watch the video:

1. Do you see where it says "More concert video" with a picture of lead singer from Maroon 5. Click on the picture or the launch button.

2. A pop up window is gonna open up

3. Do you see where it "Video Search" on the left side of the pop window page.

4. Type in Keith Urban

5. Then you will see 1 video of Keith Urban from today's performance from the show. Click on on the picture to see the video.

Listen for when he says "Hi Mom!" He's such a sweetheart!

I am a Witness.

Toshia was out drinking with us last night. And it's true. She's a Whisky Coke girl. At least now I have somebody else besides me and Becky that suck those babies down.

As for the rest of Anna's Birthday, we started at JP's where she got her first drink on the house along with her first shot, which almost knocked her off her chair. From there we went to The Press for a free pizza (cheese) and a fishbowl (one very tart blue kamikaze). We also had the entertainment of Toshia offending two guys, including one very large man named Paco.

From there we walked to McRudy's but they didn't have very good music playing, so we went down to Dusty's. The crowd there was pretty sparse (it was Wednesday after all) but Anna had a Cali Coke and called everyone who wasn't able to make it out with us. And now I owe Becky dinner because I forgot my ATM card.

Article to find

If you ever get the chance, read If Men Could Menstruate by Gloria Steinem. It is one of the most hilarious things I've ever read. And it sparks heated debate in class, or rather, it sparks one guy to suck it up and go to bat for the species only to be shot down by over half of the class.

Quote time again

"When I was in elementary school, girls couldn't run the mile because they were afraid our uteruses (uteri?) would fall out or something." -Dr. Tracy Ore on social construction of gender and inequality.

Post Bashing

Well, Anna's Birthday extravaganza is officially over. Or at least for me it will be once I wash the make-up off my face. Toshia and Anna won't let me wake up early tomorrow to catch Keith on the Today show, so I have to set the VCR. Oh well, at least I get to sleep in. I'll do some more birthday details tomorrow. Right now I'm going to go scrub the junk off of my face and get some shut-eye. Night.

Raucous Pre-Birthday Party

Anna turns the big 2-1 in, oh, about 17 minutes, but we're not doing the power hour tonight, we're going out tomarrow since Anthony won't be on duty and Becky can go out (plus we're getting a fishbowl and pizza @ The Press). But last night (the big gambling night), we awarded Anna with her birthday present, and it's just so cute that I had to put the pictures up.

My lovely wrapping job.


(that big neon spot in the pic is Tosh's jacket)

Contents Under Pressure

I once again have proved that my middle name is Procrastinator. (Good Lord that sounds like a either a super hero, a Batman villain, or a Professional Wrestler) I waited until tonight to put together my Indian Law Pamphlet for Ethnic Studies, and it looks smashing if I do say so myself.

I now so choose to ignore the rest of my homework until tomorrow morning. Then, before class, I'll write up a two page paper for Galler's class, a one page instruction sheet for my pamphlet, and copy some images for my lesson plans. Being The Procrastinator is more exhausting than the Drunken Streaker. LOL. Who'd a Thunk?

The Reason I Want Some Mud on My Tires

It's not Little Jimmy Dicken's "Holy Moly" line. It's not the commercial in the middle. It's all about the Moose.

I LOVE Brad Paisley's Moose shirt that he wears in that video.

That's it. That's the reason I dig the Mud On The Tires video.

Squabbles All Around

Ha. It just kills me. Today's squabbling rant is about the CMT Video Awards. I checked out some of the message boards to see if others enjoyed the show as much as I did.

Yeah right. So far, I have never seen so many Negative Nellies in my life! There were comments about how the award show used foul language, did not honor Chris Ledux, wasn't country, but all sorts of other generes, how artists should show up for award shows, and how Keith shouldn't have won Video of the Year.

Somebody please knock me in the head. These things are fan voted awards on a music channel website. They are not something voted on by the Nashville establishment or even music people. And what happened to "if you can't say something nice?"

I will take some guff because I make TK cracks, but his video really annoyed the piss out of me. It wrecked the song for me and it took forever before I could listen to it on the radio. I was just happy that no one artist took all the categories.

Voting on the ex-flames

The CMT Video Music formerly known as Flameworthy Awards are over. Keith won Video of The Year. That was one wicked looking belt buckle he walked off the stage with. And he was totally jipped when it came to Hottest video. I wouldn't have been too upset if Kenny Chesney had taken the thing home, but TOBY KEITH? Come on. That was so not a sexy video.

Oh, and I lost the bet and Tosh thinks she's getting fifty cents from me. We'll see about that. Afterall, I've still got laundry I have to get done. *grins diabolically at Keith poster*

Fowl Season

Fowl season has commenced. It is that time of year when all of our feathered friends return and give us cute little anecdotal stories to tell.

Just think if it, there are gay ducks, copulating ducks, ducks swallowing quarters, ducks to the right, and domesticated ducks that like to crap on you're shoes.

There are also geese. Lovely geese. Geese that crap all over, geese that eat unsuspecting little girl's peanut butter sandwiches, and geese that fly into trailer windows.

Among other feathered flyers are ones that crap, fly into, and try to eat an alarming list of various body parts, cars, plants, other animals, garbage, and humble abodes.

Today there was a duck curled up and sleeping in the parking lot behind a car. I almost stepped on it, and in a vain effort not to, I managed to trip over it. Needless to say, the both of us were making squawking noises.

And what have we for breakfast? Part 2

I'm not sure if it was the dose of Snickers, apples, and whipped topping I ate before class, or if it was Dr. Ness's stimulating lecture on the structure of the People's Republic of China's Party/state/army institutions, but something made my system crash, so I was yawning like hell during class.

Squabbles

I am a member of many different message boards and groups, and it always fascinates me when the group dynamic takes a shift. Lately, the members of one of my Gilmore Girls groups are in a tizzy because we've been discussing the movie Sin City because Alexis Bledel (Rory) has a role in it and the show is on hiatus/reruns until sweeps. Things get to the point where people are hurling bad names and not nice swear words at each other until people start to threaten to quit. This is not a particular occurrence on that board, but all of them. Newbies annoy Regulars. Two Cent-ers annoy lurkers or occasional posters. And it all escalates in cycles.

By Soc prof insists there really isn't a thing called "human nature" because nobody can seem to define it, and humans produce both psychotic killers, Mother Theresa types, and nose pickers. So my question is, does the internet make people resort back to Middle school level bickering or something? Is it some sort of radio wave coming from the screen? Answer me back guys. I wanna know.

And what have we for breakfast?

I do believe that is the rest of my bowl of snicker salad. Nothing like a shot of chocolate and sugar to jump start the morning.

Rain scented Candles

I love the smell of ozone before/after/while it's raining (which it's doing right now, and even thought it's cold out I've got the window cracked so I can smell the wet.). However, no matter how much perfumers try, they can not recreate that smell. It's like things touted to smell like the ocean, breeze dried laundry, or cut grass. No one can reproduce anything that is close to the original. However, they can reproduce sickening smells like "new car" EW. What other smells do they make, but fall woefully short?

Today's ploy to ignore homework. . .

Involves watching Matthew McConaughey promote his new movie on E! Strangely enough, Sahara looks mildly entertaining. Sorta a mix between National Treasure and the Tomb Raider movies.

Grocery Shopping

This week, we managed to do it before ten o'clock and were actually dressed. . . sorta.

Review: Ned Kelly

I finally was able to rent (read borrow) Ned Kelly, staring Heath Ledger, Orlando Bloom, Naomi Watts (21 grams), and Geoffrey Rush, from the library.

Fun Fact: The Sydney Morning Herald suggested that Heath Ledger was made for the role because when he tried on Ned Kelly's original iron armour, it fit perfectly. Heath Ledger was quoted saying, "It was quite eerie actually ... We're the same height and the same body weight. He was skinny 'cause he was starving, I'm skinny 'cause I don't go to the gym."

The story is pretty straight up. It's an interpretation of the "life and times" of Ned Kelly, the legendary Australian outlaw. For those of you who don't know Ned, you should really read up about him. He was an Irish selector's son and their family was often harassed by the police. He was an amazing young man who had a short life. He was hanged at age 25.

Um, Well how was that as a brief overview of a movie? Hahaha. Yeah.

The mood was amazing. A couple of times I got chills watching the stark scenery accompanied by Heath's narration. Or it just could have been his voice. It wasn't a movie to garner any awards, but it was very fulfilling to watch. And sad. It made me think of my Sociology class. Now I'm getting maudlin. Gotta snap out of that. How the heck can you get that way when reviewing a movie? 3 of 4, Heath puts it over the top.

Moody Girl Returns

I was in such a strange mood last night I couldn't even blog about it. First I was pouty because Tosh got to get together with Erin and Phil, and I had to keep my butt home because of the Campus Pow wow I had to go to for class.

Once I was at the Pow wow however, I couldn't be mad anymore. There's something soul cleansing about watching an outpouring of love and pride of a strong but oppressed culture. It also could have been watching the 3 year old dancers if full regalia. They were so adorable. Especially this little boy wearing green and yellow (Packers!!!! Ek.) He would dance and dance, and then get tired and just walk along to the beat, and then the drums would move him and he'd dance again.

Then I got restless, so I went for a walk down by the river, but got sorta paranoid when the police and public safety kept crusing by, so I came back. I wonder how many people nose dive off the dam? That would be a sucky way to go.

The Imaginaries

Last night, Me and Tosh and Becky were waiting on Katie to show up (which she eventually did much later and then ditched us anyway) so we started making up excuses as to why she was late. Mine when something like this:

I was on the road and then this happened and then I had to do this, and it was like, and then this other thing happened, and now I'm here.

(If you are confused, quit. It only gets worse.)

So Toshia jokes, "What were you doing and who were you with?"

To which I replied, "I know who I wish I were doing."

Dirty laughter all around. Especially in light of Derek, but that's Toshia's story to tell.

Job Search Terminated

Ah, connections. I never really thought I had any. However, after emailing Shauna about how beautiful the stained glass windows at church looked (she was on the committee to get them), I ended up with a summer job offer.

*pumps fists in the air then guiltily looks around*

Now I don't have to stress about that anymore and I can concentrate on finishing school. Although, it did occur to me that I will be once again job shopping come fall and school resumes. I should become a starving artist. Does anyone want a stick person mural?

And the Bass Keeps Running. . .

I'm now wide awake at 1:12 pm after ending the night early at the Station because of Tosh's aching back, non existent hearing, and relative disgust of the dance stylings of the other patrons.

The music was good. High Noon is THE ONLY central Minnesota band who can play WWWBM with any sort of skill. And Steve really works that Kenny Chesney vibe. I really hope they're playing Spud Fest again this year.

The beer was relatively cold, and I was tired as hell, so cutting the night early was a boon, since I favor Dusty's over the Station any day. Although, Maggie James is playing there in a couple of weeks and the drummer is my highschool English teacher's husband. That might be worth seeing.

Yes!

Blogger is working. Praise the Lord! Now if I could only remember what I wanted to blog about...

Weird Blogger Thing

Does anyone else have a screwed up Blogger thing? Because mine does, and it's pissing me off!

A Little More Cleavage

Today, Tosh and I enjoyed a bit of outdoors time playing volleyball. And I did it wearing one of my low cut tank tops. I had to keep hiking it up. I think I accidentally flashed the group of guys playing catch. I'm not sure. And there was some guy doing yoga. I couldn't tell much about him, except that yoga might be too much work to be my sort of exercise. I've always wondered about that. Not Tosh is trying to entice me to laying outside sans sunblock, since I'm not sure where mine it. My only reservation is I haven't bought sunglasses yet, and my old ones, lets just say I think they bit the dust. Again.

Wisconsin Boys

I have my new drivers license, and it seems that every time I get a complement, or more accurately, a comment about it, it comes from a Wisconsin boy. First the Barnes and Noble clerk, then the Door checker guy at the bar (I think he's closer to man than boy), and this afternoon, the Information Desk guy.

I wonder if it's something in my pheromones?

Stuck In The Middle With Uh...

You know the song, Stuck In The Middle With You? There's this one part that goes

Clowns to the left of me / Jokers to the right / Here I am / Stuck in the middle with you

Well, I'm walking back from class last night with a squirrel to the left and a Duck to my right, and All I could thing about was that.

squirrels to the left of me / Ducks to the Right / Here I am / Stuck in the Middle with My textbooks.

*Does a little Toshia dance*

Ah, such is life.

The Latest on DB and TLB.

I got an e-mail today from Echotunes to pre-order Dierks' new album Modern Day Drifter due out May 10th. His leading single off the album is Lot of Leaving Left To Do, so remember to request it at the local radio station and video channels.

They also posted the cover for the new album.

I love the hair! I think that's one of the things I'm attracted to, a guy's hair. Why am I such a weirdo? Don't answer that. I give up.

While Dierks looks gorgeous, he sings even better. Remember to pick up a copy.

Tosh Isn't the Only Crank Living in this Joint.

I'm in such a whinny mood. Tosh is over scanning pics from our Oregon trip two years ago into her computer. So make sure you check out her blog (check out my links) to see some embarrassing pictures of me there.

I had Sociology this morning. I finished reading There Are No Children Here for class, but we never discussed it. That's being saved for Thursday. That book is so sad. It almost gives me this sense of hopelessness because it takes place in the late eighties, and I'm pretty sure the situation hasn't improved much in the last fifteen years.

That is such a downer, combined with the fact that I'm hungry, tired, and I don't have class tomorrow, but know I should really get to work on things like my papers, class readings, and next semester's schedule. Oh, and I'm still job searching.

Unfairness of it All

Why do really excellent morning shows that attract big name artists (Like say Keith Urban) not take place here? I know, I know. Quit talking about the Guitar God. Well, he's going to be on the Today show on the 14th, so I'm making myself a reminder.

In other news, Vanessa Carlton is coming to campus and Tosh, Anna, and Me are thinking about scoring some tickets.

Paper Weight

There's nothing like the last month of school for you to notice how much you have left to do. Right now, my problem is end of term papers. Here's my list:

A Family History paper for Immigrant America
Chinese Revolution as portrayed through the life of Qiu Jin for China after 1800
Eight Lesson plans on America from 1800-1861 for History Concepts with Renee
Newsletter/pamplet on an Fed Government Law that effects Native Americans for my Ethnic Studies class (which I haven't even chosen yet.)

Right now however, I've got fifteen chapters of There Are No Children Here by Alex Kotlowitz to read for Sociology. There's some uplifting stuff.

Pleasant Suprise

I was flipping throughout the TV channels when I happened upon Roar! playing on Sci Fi. This is one of Heath Ledger's early television shows and it's quite cute. He's a Celtic prince trying to unite the tribes against the Romans and this really ugly druggie looking guy that can't die. Contrary to how weird that sounds, it's really funny, sweet, and action packed.

Sci Fi tends to show the series in fits and spurts, but there are plenty of petition sites out there to get Roar! on DVD, which is something I am looking for.

Thank the Lord for TNT

Twister is on. You all know the movie, with Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt. I love this movie. Every time it comes on it once again makes me want to be come a meterologist so I can chase storms. My science grades however, will forever keep that an after Twister only wish.

Gilmore Moment Without the Witty Quips

Me and Toshia had cravings. We got dressed (sorta) and headed to Cub at ten at night to wander the store because we had no idea what we wanted. Half an hour later, we have returned bearing mint ice cream sandwiches and M&M fresh bake cookies, mangling the words to Joe Nichol's What's a Guy Gotta Do song. The only thing we are missing is a scowling Luke in the background scolding us then making us chili cheese fries.

And I Quote. . .

"Ah well. I flirt and you learn history: it's clear who will get into heaven, isn't it?"
-Esme Rawlings, Duchess in Love (pg. 144) by Eloisa James

If Only I were Skittle Colored

SHeDAISY has a new song out called Don't Worry Bout A Thing. There's one line that says: Everybody's got some junk in the trunk. But as we all know, I certainly don't have any Junk in the Trunk of anything but my car. So Toshia graciously told me that I'm like a VW Bug, my trunk is up front, and put that way, I have plenty of junk.

Ready For The Weekend.

I just got back from the Library and the Grocery store, so I'm all set for the weekend. I have fun reading materials, research material, new tunes, and sustenance. Bring on the nice weather.

Job Searching: #1 on the Most Sucky Things To Do Ever List

I hate looking for a job. I've been doing it on and off for the most part of a year now. Ick. Summer jobs are the worst because everything that sounds fun, interesting, or slightly less disturbing that working fast food all summer has been taken months ago, even if the ads just got put out.

Becky wants to go out tonight, but I'd rather sit at home and verbally abuse myself for not being more outstanding to potential employers.

Favorite time of the Month

Yes. It's that time again. When I get to flip the calendar over and look at a New picture of Keith for another thirty days.

(It's also the day I normally virus scan my comp, but that's not as fun.)

See What Happens When People Get Sick?

Toshia has a head cold and allergies and is mopping around like the undead. So, being the nice friend I am, I stayed home instead of going out to the bar for Thirsy Thursday with Becky. While here, I played with my Blogger template and once again discovered the wonders of html, which I lost two semesters ago and still despise.

Alright. Now I'm thirsty, tired, and I think I might have to pee. But my blog sure looks pretty!

Finally Number One!

After weeks and weeks of trying to get Keith's You're My Better Half video to number one on GAC and CMT, it's finally happening.

Keith's number 1 on CMT's Top Twenty Countdown.

So Go ahead and check out the video at CMT.com

News From Home

I talked to my Daddy today. Here's the low down:

-Eliza failed her permit test by two questions. Since she's only fourteen, I see no problem with making her take it over and over and over again.

-Mel once again demonstrated how little common sense she has. In light of the fact she will soon be in college, I will spare her the embarrassment of having her idiocy posted here. I hope she grows some sense over the summer.

-The water pipes in the barn broke so the dogs were running around in four inches of water on Monday. Dad said the water pressure was so bad in the house that he could have pissed faster than the water coming out of the faucet.

-Last, but not least, My dog was naughty and got into a fight with Duke. The bite got infected and Duke's neck swelled up twice as big as his head. Needless to say, Shiner isn't the most popular doggie back at home.

The Salacious Life of Andrew Jackson

For my History Concepts and Theories class I have to make a 10 day unit plan, and my period so happens to cover "Old Hickory." Anyway, Me and Renee were watching this biography on Andrew Jackson. It was the most slanted bio I have ever witnessed on anyone.

They painted Jackson as a true American patriot, a common man's man, and an attractor of people who are involved in the strangest scandals I've ever heard. Everything from duels and hookers to the Bank of America, adultery, and bigamy.

What every happened to reliable historical research? This thing was like a wild, sensation seeking reporter.

Wicked, Wicked Queen

The HeathBaby site has some storyboards from Heath Ledger's upcoming The Brother's Grimm movie. The pictures are very fairytale, fantasy, Renfaire type stuff.

Oh, and Erin, Check out the "Wicked Queen" looking one. It's great. I'd post it here, but I think that the site got special permission to post them in the first place.

Lookie what I did!

This is my puppy. Isn't he adorible! Well, he's not really a puppy. He's like, uh, five. About my age. LoL.

Listening to Toshia's song

Cold Hearted Woman off of Cross Canadian Ragweed's Soul Gravy album.

Chorus:
Cold hearted woman, you're bringing me down in flames / Runnin' 'round all over town, runnin down my name / Gonna get me a loaded pistol, hey, was that out loud / Cold hearted woman, I'm gonna put you in the ground.

Pictures, Cords, and Batteries. Oh My.

Toshia is currently hooking my cheap digital camera up to her computer. It's about the size of a credit card and my aunt got it from her book club of all places. But if it does work, I'll get some use out of my Photobucket account I haven't figured out yet. And you'll be subjected to my pictures. You poor, poor people.

Walmart run

In celebration of the nice spring weather, me and Tosh took a run to Walmart. Vibrant colors are my spring statement. I got two really cute pairs of neon underware (one that proclaims be the flirting team captain) and bright orange flip-flops. They were a buck. Besides, a girl can never have enough shoes.

Toshia also got me my birthday present and my Christmas present, so I finaly own Cross Canadian Ragweed's Soul Gravy album. I also got Keith Urban's Video Hits (minus his first It's a Love Thing, and his signature You'll Think of Me. ) and Kenny Chesney's Road Case The Movie: Senoritas and Margaritas 2003. So tomarrow when Anna spends the night and Becky comes over to show off her Somewhere in the Sun Tour KC pics we can watch it.

Oh, and Anna has a bed. Sorta.

Stupid Blogger

It wouldn't work all day, so now when I have to type up my papers it's back up and running. I bet blogger is a woman.

Stupid Blogger

Blogger keeps losing all my posts. Erg. I hate when it acts up.

Please tell me he's not teaching MY kids.

On my way out of class today I overheard a slightly disturbing conversation.

Guy 1: Hey dude, just get out of class?
Guy 2: Yeah, Sociology.
G1: Ya like it?
G2: Naw, it's gay.
G1: Then why ya taking it?
G2: It's required.
G1: What's you're major again?
G2: Education. I can't wait until I'm done with school.

Scary. I'm going to leave it at that.

Some Voices

I know I've joked about men who are simply sex on legs (mmm Brad Pitt), but sexy voices are an entirely seperate category. Expecially when it comes to my Country Music singers. There are men who just make me melt (Keith of course heads up that list), but there are others who have the sexiest voices and you just can't believe that they come out of that body. Joe Nichols, Josh Turner, and now, Blaine Larsen.

Ohmigod, that boy has a voice. And yes, I mean boy. The guy's 18 years old, and his single out right now is How Do You Get That Lonely, which unfortunately, has even more meaning since the Red Lake shootings. On his Off To Join The World debut album, there are many more songs, including Yessireebob, which makes complete sense for a young guy to be singing ***wink, wink*** and others that are such sweet love songs that I am once again jelous of people who have their own "better half." (I know, bad Keith dig.) Give him a listen (and Keith too, of course)

Beautiful News!

Snitched from Leigh Greenwood's site.

I next contracted to write three books about western brides. The first two were The Independent Bride and The Reluctant Bride. However, before I could begin the third, reader response was so great that my publisher decided to let me finish The Cowboys. The Mavericks (Hawk and Zeke) will be out in January of 2006 followed by The Cowboys: Bret in July of the same year.

Leigh Greenwood writes wonderful westerns. I've read one contemporary and one sorta Regency thing of his, but they don't work. He is the king of Western Romance.

No, that is not just me being stupid. Leigh is a Guy, and yes, he writes romance, and they are wonderful. Beautiful, vivid, adventuresome. Pick one up today because The Cowboy's are going to be finished!

The Search for my Easter Basket

Tosh whined already about her battle with the Easter Bunny's insistence on hiding her Easter Basket. I do not have that problem. I have an Easter bag, not a basket, but hidden it still was.

Penny send my God-daughter to the task of telling me to look for my Easter basket (bag, whatever) and it when something like this.

Ainjil: Lisa, You've gotta get you're Easter basket. It's right there! (Points to top shelf of half wall between living room and kitchen).

Me: I have to get it?

Ainjil: (hands on hips and stomping dress shoes I just helped her put on) Yes! Now!

Me: You better help me get it down.

Ainjil: Pick me up!

Me: (picks her up to get it off the shelf)

Ainjil: Lisa, get it! You're dropping me!

I wasn't, but she was dropping my bag. Such a sweet, gentle, undemanding child isn't she.

I do not live in North Dakota.

I don't know how many times I have to remind people about this fact. I don't have anything against Nodak. My parents live there; lovely place. I just do not call that great state home.

I went to church today for Easter, and of course all these people who used to know my parents want to know how I like North Dakota. Uh, how long did you live with you're parents after highschool and during college? Yes, well, I swear, if I regularly attend church this happens to, so it's not exactly a new thing, but still. Seriously, pay attention people.

Riddle Me This...

How can you be excited in a true country and western demented kind of way? I'm not sure, but Dierks is so adorible, you've gotta forgive him.

Nipple Warmers and other sorts of Undergarments.

I was checking KatieMac's Live journal today and her post just cracked me up. I mean, really. Willy Warmers? Roosters? I'm really missing out on this trend. I guess it's a good thing I've learned how to crochet. I'll be taking orders and I'll just have to figure out how to go about making them later. Any takers?

Now that I think about this? Is copying this idea the same as bootlegging CD's or something?

Donald the Flasher Duck

I just finished watching Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas. If you've never seen it, I recommend renting it. I know it's not Christmas time now, but it is still a well written, well though out, funny project. It only has one song for those of you against the Disney musical format, and it has to do with the regular characters: Mickey, Minnie, Daisy, Donald, Uncle Scrooge, Goofy, Max, Pluto, and my personal favorites, Huey, Dewy and Louie.

My favorite vignette of course involves those troublesome nephews, but the reindeer and their new pet Murry are very adorable too.

Most especially, watch out for the heart warming moment when Donald opens his coat and his heart pops out. It's Toshia's favorite because he looks like one of those trench coat flashers. Good Mooning to all.

Wicked History Fact of the Day:

In 1894, a housing commission investigation found that 1,321 families in the Lower East Side of New York City shared a single bathtub.

I nailed it!

*punches fists in the air*

I just finished with my group presentation on Ellis Island, Eastern Europeans, and Second Wave Immigration. Let me tell you we rocked the class. We started out easy, just some general information on the new faster form of transportation. Then, we moved on to a video clip from The Godfather 2 when he is processed on Ellis Island. At this point, Billy introduced some of the procedure and why some people were sent back. I then entered the fray with some primary documents of the Eastern European immigrant experience since we hadn't been introduced to many in class. After that, it was all about what they did after they reached America, housing and jobs and such. We finished off strong with a trivia type game.

*smile stupidly* Yeah, so twenty percent of my grade is an A!

Human thesaurus

Today in class, while crafting a group paragraph, I was called a human thesaurus. This prompted one of the guys to comment that when writing papers, he often made use of the shift F7 keys. To which a girl replied, "I only use one F and it's on my hand."

A last word on Red Lake

I finally had my Ethnic Studies class today, and I was right. We did discuss the tragic events in Red Lake.

Our class consists of about forty future social studies teachers, and are taking this particular class to better understand how to teach about Indian cultures and to teach Native students. In this capacity, our class crafted a letter to the Red Lake Nation and the school community offering our prayers, thoughts, grief, and condolences.

I have had lots of "ohmigod" moments since I learned about what happened, but not once have I changed my mind about becoming a teacher. It still is a difficult though for me to consider that one day, I might possibly be placed in a similar situation. God willing, that will never happen and the Red Lake community will be able to find comfort and support in each other and other communities who are reaching out with prayers and support.

Fun word to say

Dwindled

Go a head and say it.

Fit it into a sentence.

Oh, yeah!

Fun word to TRY to spell

Martyr (Mar-Ter)

Qiu Jin, also known as the ass kicking knife wielding girl I'm writing my China paper on, died a martyr. She was beheaded after being caught in an aborted bomb plot to kill a Manchu prince.

That Disney man was a genious

Ever wonder if the world of Classical or Highbrow music is for you? Attend a musical concert and then utilized Walt's ideas that were implemented in Fantasia. You won't believe how many cool storylines play out just from the movements in the music.

Well, I can check that off my list of stupid mistakes corrected.

I hung out with Tyler a bit tonight.

Yes. That Tyler. The infamous "whatever-the-hell-he-was." I know I always thought he was sorta weird in high school, but now...

1. The boy is such a metrosexual. I cannot have any sort of meaningful relations with a man that spends more time on his hair, clothes, and general grooming than I do.

2. That was such an ugly shirt. I can tell that his clothing choices still haven't changed. At least is wasn't a primary color outfit.

3. Tyler also coerced me into attending a choir concert. That was REAL boring. Except for Renee and her orchestra performance. Then after he made fun of me because I was on my way to see Nashville Star.

Yes. Glad I kicked that one to the curb. WAY too weird for me...and I'm the strange one of the group.

Chinese History

The names sound pretty, but they're hard to say and difficult as hell to remember.

Hair Color

It's official. I now have brown hair.

I sware to you, it used to be dirty blonde, and once summer rolls around, it will be again all on its own. But now it's brown. My dilema comes as to wether it's dark brown or light brown. Then I could you know, highlight and stuff with that John Fredia shampoo. But I don't know what color my hair is anymore!

Somebody loves Me!

Toshia's Mommy loves me. She remembered that I hadn't see Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas earlier when I wanted to, so she sent it back to school with Tosh.

What to do when wasting time

I was planning on doing things like homework, and preparing for class. Insead, I'm watching E!'s True Hollywood Story of Beverly Hills, 90210. I of course, was kinda young when it first came out, but I was still a fan of the show. My cousin introduced me to it, and we had lots of fun playing around with the show.

Minnesota, the new Colorado

That of course is the new buzzword going on today. I haven't spent much time paying attention to it simply because I'm taking a class about teaching American Indian students, and I'm sure we are going to discuss it in class on Wednesday. Once I have taken some time to reflect and discuss it, I might actually comment on this.

Until then, here's an article about it.

Alternate Reality Tv

I don't know who the heck came up with reality tv, but they should be sued like the Tobacco people. Reality tv is bad for you. Not only is it mostly fake, and give "15 minutes of fame" people WAY too much time in the spot light, they suck you in with the cheeze factor.

Yes. That's cheeze with a Z. A double Z. As big and gooey nacho cheezy as you can get.

Where is this going you ask?

Toshia once again suckered me into watching Mr. Romance. I know complete cheeze factor, off the scales even. It gets so bad sometimes that I can't even stand to watch. Tosh was hooked on Adam this week instead of the cute Oregon native Andrew. Me, I kinda went for Bruce. He's got that dirrty guy thing I like. And Charles...Man, the boy has the face of a poet and the brains of a dead sea gull stuffed with sawdust.

My Middle Name Sucks.

Procrastination (along with some more adjectives) is my middle name. I have this great tendency to put things off. Like, for instance, studying for my China mid-term I have on Wednesday. So now I must accomplish three days worth of homework today, so I can carve out a few hours tomorrow to study intently. I should also get around to working on my Bibliography and research on that term paper for that class.

I could go on and list the other major projects due in the near future that I've put off, put Tosh would say I'm whining and I don't do that.

Hell. Who am I kidding. I'm a gigantic whiner.

...And now I'm going to go read some more of Victoria Alexander's The Husband List and put off homework until after lunch.

Keith's new video

Yes.

Keith's new video is out. You can check it out at AOL (now) or CMT (premieres on the 24th).

I don't understand how much talent can be crammed into such a beautiful looking package.

The Song: Making Memories of Us, was written by Rodney Crowell for his wife, but Keith sings it with so much power that you wouldn't know it isn't his own words pouring forth.

The Video: Finally! A simple intimate video. Just Keith and me. The simplicity and the black and white film make it a classic, sexy video. And those bare feet? Please somebody hold me up I'm going to swoon.

Before I forget...

Visit Toshia's blog and ask her about "Parsley in the butter."

I Sang A Duet With Billy Currington!

Yes. It is Sunday and I'm back after my wunderful concert last night. Paige Poyer and the MLC band opened. Not bad for a bunch of middle aged guys (Mid Life Crisis band) who are some times fronted by a talented young lady that currently hails from SCSU.

Then Billy came on. That man is SEX ON LEGS!!! He's so yummy. But he's also talented as hell. And damn can he fill out a pair of jeans...

Sorry bout that. Distracted. Anyhow, he was up there on that stage having an absolute blast. There was this one point where his guitarist (who hails from London, England) was working his solo, and Billy just stood towards the back of the stage out of the lights with this giant grin on his face. You know that look little kids get when you unexpectedly buy them candy or something? That giant stupid grin? Yeah? Well, it looks sexy as hell on him.

I really need to figure out that damn photobucket crap so I can put some pics of him up.

Mmmm Mmmm Good.

Tomorrow night me and the Gal Pals are going to see Billy Currington. For those of you uneducated, he is the one who does that duet with Shania Twain called Party for Two. Click here to see some "steamy" pics. (hahaha)

A Quest for Green Beer.

It all started when Becky started talking about going out for some Green Beer on St. Patty's day. Then came the revelation that Toshia might be allergic to beer. Then, I noticed that National Treasure was playing at the cheap seats.

I will admit, I was a bit skeptical about it when it first came out, but it got me curious. Renee doesn't want to see it because if the History was wrong, it would bug her, and I was afraid for the same type of reasons.

After this, I finally ended up at the movie theater with Toshia and Anna....And loved the movie. I don't know how wonderful it would be to show in a History classroom, but it does to some extent make history look fun, and involved, and they are sorta "doing history." And of course, this is annoying to all of you who have no idea what I'm blathering on about.

Anyhow, we decided to head to McDonald's afterwards for their Shamrock Shakes. Not exactly Green Beer, but still in the spirit. And THEY WERE OUT. Who the hell doesn't order TONS of mix for St. Patrick's day? (Apparently our McDonald's) So I'm stuck with a regular Vanilla shake and really dry chicken Mcnuggets.

So there I was, walking to my building in a sweatshirt, tank top, and flip flops, drinking a shake and holding on to the freezing cup in 23 degrees. Wouldn't my Irish ancestors be proud? Just like 'Ol Patty knocking the snakes out of Ireland. Not exactly my Green Beer now is it?

Hooray for Me!

I found ten dollars in my Purse!!!

Tosh was making fun of me when I found the first five, but I was ecstatic once I caught a hold of the second one.

Finding five is exciting, finding ten is a miracle.

March Cleaning

Toshia is in a cleaning mood. She made me get up and move my desk chair and by big chain which I had folded up and stored so she could sweep.

I was in a cleaning mood earlier. But I made waffles and that knocked it out of me.

Lisa the Lucky Girl

I have no class tomarrow. My Socioloyg class has been canceled, and because of that, I get an entire extra week on my paper. Yeah me!

Oh, and I might take Tosh out for Green Beer tomarrow if I can wrangle it. HaHaHa. It is after all, her half birthday.

I caved.

Yep. You got it here first. I caved and downloaded AIM. Why do you guys insist on punishing me. I'm going to have to find the PERFECT desktops of Keith now so they don't smoosh his face. Or Heath.

I really don't care if you don't think you're an activist. READ THIS!

Animal activists fight to save wild horses from slaughter
Posted: March 15, 2005
by: Ryan Slattery (snitched from Indian Country Today)

LAS VEGAS - Wild horse advocates worried that a new law could send horses to slaughterhouses are fighting to restore protections that would make it illegal for individuals or companies to buy the animals from the federal government with the intention of killing them for profit.

''America's wild horses belong to all Americans. They are our heritage and you are their voice,'' Robin Lohnes, executive director of the American Horse Protective Association told a crowd of more than 150 people attending a Feb. 22 meeting in Las Vegas.

The rally was held to combat new legislation that was buried in an omnibus spending bill signed into law late last year. The provision was slipped in by Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Montana, who chairs the appropriations subcommittee that funds Bureau of Land Management programs.

The ''slaughter bill,'' as it's been dubbed by wild-horse advocates, lifts some protections of the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burro Act overriding that law which prohibited the sale of wild horses for processing into commercial products. The Burns Amendment allows the BLM to now sell horses older than 10 years of age and those that have been unsuccessfully offered up for adoption on three occasions to the highest bidder without limitations.

Horse advocates fear the ''without limitations'' clause will attract ''killer buyers'' to sale yards where they could purchase a horse for an average of $125 and then re-sell it to slaughterhouses that pay $1 a pound, or roughly $800 per horse. Horsemeat is a delicacy mainly consumed in France, Belgium, Japan, Italy and Switzerland.

''They can make a pretty penny doing it,'' Conni Canaday, a board member with the Las Vegas-based National Wild Horse Association, said with a sigh as she stroked the neck of her adopted horse Wacko. ''The slaughter bill is only a quick fix to lower the horse population.''

An estimated 37,000 wild horses, often called mustangs, roam free on rangelands in the western United States. In Nevada, home to more than half of the nation's wild herd, BLM officials are looking to reduce the state's horse population from 19,000 to around 14,500. Burns introduced the rider on behalf of ranchers who claim the mustangs are ruining the range. The Nevada Cattlemen's Association, one organization supporting the measure, says it's necessary to thin a horse population that competes with other livestock for food and water.

But horse advocates argue that the BLM is not doing enough to solve issues of overpopulation. In 2001, the federal government funded a study to determine how to manage the wild horse situation. It produced the massive 300-plus page Fleishman Hillard report, but ''it went to deaf ears,'' said Canaday.

Laurie Howard, vice president of the horse association, agreed, saying ideas laid out in the plan were largely ignored.

''It was a fabulous study,'' Howard said. ''If the BLM had done just half of what was recommended in that report we wouldn't be having this conversation.''

Frustrated by the BLM's wild horse policy, the Nevada Wildlife Commission recommended filing a lawsuit against the BLM for mismanaging the state's herd. But Republican Gov. Kenny Guinn opposed taking such a drastic measure and instead vowed to work with the federal government to get the herd under control.

Lohnes said the problem is that the Adopt-A-Horse program is underfunded and adoptions have not kept up with the numbers gathered during government roundups. While the roundups have reduced the mustang population on the range from 50,000 to 37,000, more horses are being rounded up than adopted and it's become costly to the BLM, which spends $465 annually per horse, or about $6.8 million a year caring for the animals.

The Burns Amendment currently applies to 8,400 unadoptable horses in BLM holding pens across the country. But to date not a single horse has been offered for sale under the new rules. BLM officials have said the agency is looking to find the horses safe homes and have contacted wild horse groups and several tribes asking if they could take some of the mustangs.

Meanwhile, Congressman Nick Rahall, D-W. Va., has introduced a bill that would restore prohibitions on the commercial sale and slaughter of wild horses.

Since 1980, more than four million American companion and wild horses have been slaughtered (mostly overseas) to meet demand for horsemeat, according to the Equine Protection Network.

In 2003, 35,000 horses were killed in two Texas slaughterhouses and thousands of others were exported to Canada, EPN said. The three horse slaughterhouses located in the United States are all foreign-owned. The third is located in Illinois.

Calling all My History/Adventure/Mystery friends - Heh, Who am I kidding?

National Treasure is playing at the Cheap seats....Anyone wanna go?

The Heath is Back!

I know. I know. I am a Heath-a-holic (and a Keith-a-holic for that matter) but Yahoo now has the trailer for his new movie Lords Of Dogtown.

I even read somewhere today that Heath is making a Jude Law like emergence this year because of all his movies that are coming out. Well, it's not Heath's fault the movie studios have pushed back the release dates on certain movies (Brothers Grimm perhaps?).

Anyhow, Dogtown is out in June, Brothers Grimm with Matt Damon in July, Brokeback Mountain is slated for Dec, along with Casanova which has been proposed around x-mas. Candy is also susposed to be out by the end of the year, but I can see that as being slated for early next year.

Yippy!

New Side of New Deal

I know a fair amount about the New Deal and FDR's run as out illustrious head of state. I, however, like most Americans, have only a vague idea about what all those Alphabet soup programs actually accomplished besides giving people jobs.

Here at SCSU, our old football field was surrounded by a New Deal project, and The Star Trib just ran an article on another, Post Office Murals.

This site isn't the actual article, but they do have some examples of New Deal Post Office Art. So now, (everybody saw this coming right?) I have this horrible hankering for a Road Trip to visit, you've guessed it, Post Offices.

I can't believe it's not butter, Fabio!

I know. I am addicted to Romance Novels, and I sometimes read the really cheezy ones.

But this, puts cheeze over the top. And it was wonderfully entertaining. I loved all the extra sound effects that were added in post production.

Tosh was pretty partial to Andrew, who I'll admit was very adorable. Charles has a classic Romance Hero look, and Adam isn't no slouch in the looks department either. My one disappointment? No Keith Urban look alike. Mmmm...Keith.

Envy

Erin gets all sorts of strange googled searches that end up with weird people finding her blog. Mine however, seem pretty normal. Except for the continued "dancing boob clip" search that points people in my direction. I now want to see this dancing boob clip because it has piqued my interest. I mean what exactly does a dancing boob look like? I know what mine look like while I'm dancing, but is that the same thing? Is there a person who studies this stuff? I wonder what kind of money they make?

Eh, Oh great.

I'm already almost plagerizing Toshia.

Blogger hates me today too.

Brad Pitt is Sex on Legs. Hahaha. That's from this weekend and I might actually write about it, if Erin or Tosh doesn't get to it first.

Yippie Skippy!

Toshia's got a blog!

Check it out here.

And I'm eating stolen Girl Scout Cookies. Yummy. They didn't come with a stolen Girl Scout, so ya'll don't have to worry about that.

Wow. Way off topic.

I'm going to finish reading my book called Sex and the Serial Killer. It's a romance. And it's funny.

The Little Things....

Yeah, like a damn printer that keeps getting clogged with paper and is demonic and hates me. I now get to hike to Atwood and hope the printing stations there aren't busy. Gah! I hate technology. I'm going to go live in the woods as a hermit like Burt Reynolds in With Out A Paddle.

MMM squirrel.

It's Like Christmas Morning All Over Again.

Today is the first of March. I get to flip my calendar and see the Keith picture for a whole month.

Ya know, it really is the little things that make the day special....