This is what 1980's Michael Jackson does to people

I believe Paul is singing along to "Billie Jean" in this picture.

The existence of this photo almost made me forget the pain of spending over three-and-a-half hours at the mall and the Sears Auto Center waiting room with an nearly-three-year-old waiting for a new battery to be put in my car.

Almost.

Peace is Divisive

Woman faces fine for wreath peace sign.

How much do you want to bet this woman gets tons of donations now to cover the cost of her fines? It's funny how things work out when people make such a fuss.

Question of the Day

Why is it that the bed is a thousand times more comfy right after the alarm goes off?

This One's For Shiow

She, who once uttered the grammatically awesome phrase, "WHERE'S HER?" will appreciate this one.

*This was a sign we saw in NYC for a tutoring program. Yes, people who named their business "Me Smart" will help your chldren with some book learnin'.

Outta Here/Happy Eating!

No news around here- unless you count both Juli and me pinching our fingers in car doors on separate occasions. Ouch. I'll be busy this weekend eating pie and then logging hours on the bike in my attic while watching various incarnations of Law and Order and C.S.I. (Did you know that at any given time of day you can find one of these things on? And they're the perfect length for a bike session.)

Mmmm. Pie.

Good Day to be a Girl

Payday was a few days ago which equals big grocery shopping day. Grocery shopping day also calls for comfort so I reached for my comfiest, baggy jeans and my sneakers. On my way to the store I looked down and realized I was not wearing what I thought were my "big" jeans, but rather what I used to consider my "skinny" jeans. (You know that pair that you can't quite get over your hips but you hold onto anyway just in case? Yeah.) The pair I couldn't even squeeze my badonkadonk into a few months ago I had now mistaken for my big old grocery shopping jeans.

Not to brag or anything (ok, maybe a little) but that has put a little spring in my step these past few days. Of course now Gluttony Day is nearly upon us. *Sigh*

La de da de da de-dadedade-da...

Saturday night Jason and I went to go see one of my current favorite bands- The Decemberists- at the Riviera in Chicago. I love the Decemberists because they marry together two of my favorite types of music- indie rock and Old Timey (for lack of a better word.) If you come to my house you will either hear the college radio station or the 1940's station so this band is almost like my new best friend (along with the guy who is going to build Jason's office in the attic allowing me to convert the old office into my very own- and Old Timey- library/study.)

I don't go to shows very often anymore and though the music sounded great it's getting harder for me to fully enjoy the music while packed in like a can of sardines, making friends with the back of some dude's hooded sweatshirt for two hours. I guess you could say it makes me feel a bit long in the tooth. (Of course maybe that's the result of me listening to The Andrews Sisters every evening?) And then there's the fact that most every show I go to I end up surrounded by seven-foot hipster boys that limit my view of the band to a couple of floating heads. Even in my tall shoes.

That being said the show was fantastic. They played almost every song I wanted to hear and they sounded awesome. Plus, how can you not love a band who actually encourages sing-a-longs and pits different sections of the audience against each other? I'm just wondering exactly how much it will cost for me to get those nifty private balcony seats next time.

<a href="http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/news_theswamp/2006/11/bush_it_was_a_t.html">Thumpin'</a>

Yes, I am pleased. Has is really only been two years?

Now put your money where your mouth is and go to work.

Bring On The Lawsuits!

Just got back from voting. Ava is happily wearing "I voted!" stickers on her little hands. (I can see it now- "They're letting TWO-YEAR-OLDS vote in Wisconsin! VOTER FRAUD!")

Now I will distract myself until this evening as I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of Tim Russert and his ubiquitous dry erase board.

Filed Away for Future Reference

If you end up buying one of those cute little holiday shirts from Target that say "Naughty" across the chest and then wear it while answering the door to those religious people with the doomsday leaflets about false religion and harlots, let's just say that they probably won't see the whimsy in it as much as you do.

"Do You Trust Me?" "If You Trust Me First."

One of my favorite actresses from one of the best movies ever made (in my humble opinion) was found dead last week of "apparent" suicide. Apparent? After reading the article the whole thing sounds a bit strange, and yes, very sad.

If you aren't familiar with Adrienne Shelly's work, get thee to the nearest Blockbuster (or Netflix account) and find yourself a copy of Trust.

If I Can Make It There I'll Make It Anywhere

Jason in his five dollar hat purchased from a street vendor. We like a good bargain. Maybe it makes up for the INSANE amount of money we spent on food and drinks? Uhhh...ok maybe not.


Me next to the horse that pulled us through Central Park. The driver had me feed him a carrot (the horse not the driver, silly) but Jason wasn't quick enough with the camera. And I'm really freaky when it comes to things like putting my hand near a big stinky horse mouth.








These were taken in our teeny hotel room before going out to the best meal I have ever eaten in my life. Hands down. You know, the kind of meal where every bite you take has you closing your eyes as they start to loll back into your head until you start giggling uncontrollably at the person across the table from you? Or is that just me? Oh New York, you rank this close to Vegas on my list of favorite places on Earth. (A fairly short list, I have to admit, seeing that I've really only ever been to probably five different places in my life on vacation. I need more vacations. Sigh.)

More to come. Sleep now.

The Streets are Paved with Diamonds and There's Just So Much to See

Oh, did I forget to mention that I'm meeting Jason in New York City this weekend? Silly me. Well I am! And I'm soooo excited- even though a non-weekday trip means no attending a taping of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart or the Colbert Report respectively. (I've linked to The Daily Show so many times it's not even funny yet somehow I never get tired of it.)

I DO get to eat at this restaurant on Saturday night though. (Insert Homer Simpson drooling noise here.) What can I say? I gots me a good man.

And in the spirit of New York I give you the Statue of Liberty:


I'm kind of loving life right about now.