Ryan Bingham

It's the voice.  It does something for me.  Loving the new music from his new album this September.

RootMusic BandPage by Ryan Bingham

Dinner - Just re-enforces, what a catch I am.

I heart Cougartown

It's freakin' amazing.  If you aren't watching it is cause you are stupid and dumb.

Congress's Priorities

Everyday I fight the good fight for the industry I represent in DC.  Most day's I love the work I do and even the days I get frustrated are not really that bad.  But am amazed at what Congress deems important enough to meddle in.  I believe Congress should focus an issues like balancing the budget, reducing national debt, immigration, etc.

The dumbest thing I have read today and I believe all week is that Congress is going to look at the risk-benefit relationships in  killer whale and dolphin shows.  The responsible respond to this article is WTF.  Seriously?!?!

Crap.  It's almost enough to make me consider running for office.

I simply can't wait

We are just over a month away from the season premiere of True Blood.  Can't wait!

Classy Lady

Just read that Dixie Carter died.  She was a great, feisty actress most remembered for her role of Julia Sugarbaker from Designing Women.  Designing Women was/is one of my most favorite shows.  It was smart, well-written with a whole lot of sass.  Sorta like me :)

Here are some of my favorite clips of Ms. Carter on Designing Women:

The night the lights went out in Georgia


Proud of your crazy people


Friends helping friends


Pissed off Julia


Modeling around

A Bucket List Item

I hate that term "Bucket List".  I know what it means and the movie was sappy and feel good and poignant.  But it is the term that best describes what I'm thinking about doing.  I have been struggling for awhile to do something that is meaningful to me.  For years - 15 years to be exact - the meaningful goal I strove for was getting my Ph.D.  I have spent considerable time, money, and energy on that goal.  That item is now crossed off my list and the bonus of finishing that project is having the job I love in a city that I am now calling home.  So now what?

That is the question I have been struggling with.  There are things I would like to do in my lifetime: learn another language; travel to Italy, Africa, New Zealand, and Australia; run a marathon; kiss my love on the top of the Empire State building; buy a house...you get the picture.  Well - I think I have made a decision and I'm a little scared to take that final step of committment.

I have been looking into training for a marathon.  Yep, that is right, a marathon.  This is amazing line of thinking for me for numerous reasons:

1. I hate to run.  Hate it!  Probably has something to do with the fact I qualify for the U.S. government's definition of morbidly obese. And running is no fun to me.  I get no endorphins from running, just displeasure.
2. Running a marathon would kill my knees.  Not my 33 year old knees, but the 55 year old knees that I would likely I have if I took up running.  Arthritis runs in my family and running is a sure factor of increasing the likelihood of a knee replacement.  I want to keep all my original body parts for my life...I mean I'm down one thyroid gland, but that doesn't really count.
3. My shape (aka my boobs) would like knock me out if I ran.  I don't want to be taken out by my own breasts.
4. I believe I have mentioned I hate, HATE running.

That being said, I'm going to start training for a marathon.  Not running in a marathon, but walking one. 

A few weeks ago, I was surfing the web doing research on walking shoes.  My current Nike's are worn out and the last straw was the bleeding blisters I got from walking home.  So during my research, I stumbled across the following website: The Walking Site - Marathon Walking.  I got extremely intrigued and over the last couple of weeks I keep coming back to it.  I have read the whole site and started looking at the training plans, especially the beginner training plan.  I have come to the conclusion that I could do this.  I could spend 6 months and train for a marathon.

Training could take place on the Mt. Vernon trail which starts in 1 mile from my apartment in Rosslyn and on all the other trails and sidewalks in the DC metro area.  I live within 3 miles of all the national monuments which isn't bad scenery to train around.  More importantly, the idea of working towards a goal is appealing to me.

This goal is not career orientated, but one of personal development (though I will argue that getting a Ph.D. is personal development, but I digress).  I don't care about my time, my rate, who would be ahead of me, but the sense of accomplishment...the accomplishment of completing one of the items off my "Bucket List"...an item that always seemed unacheiveable/pie-in-the sky until now.

So that is my decision.  I am going to train to walk a marathon - 26.2 miles.

At first, I was going to just walk the marathon length up and down the Mt. Vernon trail, but then I found about the SunTrust Richmond Marathon.  It takes place on November 13, 2010 in Richmond, VA.  It is a walker-friendly marathon that has a closed course for 7 hours.  That means I would need to walk a 16:01 minute mile in order to finish in that time frame.  Longer than that, I would have to walk on the sidewalks.

Now my dilemma is do I sign up?  This is the chickshit side of me.  No final commitment gives me a way out and right now I don't like it.  I don't like that feeling enough to sign up and commit.  So that makes me chickshit. But I have until June 30th to make the decision before the entry fee goes up again.

More to come.  Not sure how I am going to mark my progress in my training.  I'm leaning towards creating another blog or a section on this blog. 

That's my decision.  One I feel good about, nervous about, scared I will quit about, but nonetheless good about. 

What a way to start the summer!

Summer time in the city

This is a semi-complaint.  I am fully aware that 2 months ago, DC had 30 inches of snow on the ground, but I woke up today and it was 62F.  I'm not living in Texas anymore.  I was looking forward to a spring season.  We went from winter to summer weather with a minimal spring season.  The high today is suppose to be 85F.  I over heated yesterday (though the fast walking to have Leslie catch her train might have had something to do with it) and today on my commute in to work.  This overheating ruins my hair and makeup.  Sucky!  Now I'm a big hot mess and not in the good way!

The giggle of the day

How can you not love this show?!?! Baazinga!

 

Beautiful in DC

Springtime has officially hit DC.  The Four Seasons in Georgetown is planting their spring flowers today.  The skies are clear and blue.  So I took advantage of it and walked to work.  Nice 55 minute, 2.8 mile walk to work.  Of course I didn't walk fast.  Can't get all sweaty and gross before work.  Nasty!

Michigan's Governor, Jennifer Granholm, is a twit

I have tried to keep quiet about this, but honestly it is hard as a governor Jennifer Granholm is out of touch with who she represents.  Agriculture is the #2 industry and brings $76 billion to the state.  Yet, she continues to try to cut agriculture programs.  Don't believe me, ask all the 4-Hers and the extension people in the state.  They have been on the budget chopping block for the last 5 years.  And today, she kept her stellar agriculture record pure by declaring March 20, 2010 Michigan "Meat Out" day.  Sounds dirty doesn't it?  But here is what she says:
Michigan Meatout Day
Whereas, A wholesome diet of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains promotes good health and reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and other chronic diseases, which take the lives of approximately 1.3 million Americans each year; and,

Whereas, The number of those who choose to live the lifestyle of a vegan or vegetarian has increased and so has the availability and selection of meat and dairy alternatives in mainstream grocery stores, restaurants, and catering operations; and,

Whereas, Reducing the consumption of meat or not eating meat at all can significantly decrease the exposure to infectious pathogens such as salmonella, E. coli, and campylobacter, which take the lives of several thousand Americans and sicken millions more each year; and,

Whereas, The benefits of a plant-based diet can consist of increased energy levels, lower food budget costs, and simplified food preparation and cleanup; and,

Whereas, It is encouraged that the residents of this state get into the habit of healthy living by consuming a diet that is rich with vegetables, fruit, and whole grains, and by staying active;

Now, Therefore, be it Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, governor of the state of Michigan, do hereby proclaim March 20, 2010, Michigan Meatout Day in Michigan. In observance of this day, I encourage the residents of this state to choose not to eat meat.  Eating a healthy diet can be fun. Explore the different recipes that can be created by using fresh ingredients and by having a sense of adventure.

http://michigan.gov/gov/0,1607,7-168-25488-232493--,00.html

Talk about a crock of shit.  

Let's run the numbers.  Michigan's unemployment rate in January was 14.3% that means at least 693,200 michigandors are looking for jobs.  The Michigan meat industry provides over 130,000 jobs...she can't afford to lose much more. The industry brings in $777.1 million dollars in state taxes...so does the State of Michigan not need the tax revune anymore?  And the $15.65 billion in economic activity the meat industry generated is no longer needed either? 


Don't even get me started on the thinnly veiled implication that meat consumption causes cancer, the inaccurate statements of plant-based diets, and the implication that fruits and vegetables don't cause foodborne illness. Granholm and her staff must only consume canned fruits and vegetables as it is a sterile product.   And lasts forever.


It's obvious the Granholm is ignorant.  It is obvious, so is her staff and advisors.  All are easily swayed by advocacy groups and not smart enough to get the rest of the story.  None of these are good traits for those that set public policy.


The state of Michigan and it's citizens deserve better.

I am quietly anticipating the arrival of this show. Love HBO

Preview Trailer #2

I LOVE the Big Bang Theory

I'm a geek. I'm a scientist, if you call what I do science, but damn it I have a Ph.D. and my sister is engineer and the other one is a social scientist. So get off my back!

Irregardless or regardless, I love the show and this clip hints at throughly entertaining episode.



Sheldon goes to jail...watch the clip here: http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/02/24/big-bang-theory-sheldon-in-jail/

18 days later

It has been at least 18 days since the County of Arlington picked up the recycling at my apartment complex. But today, it finally happened. Thank God!!!

This means Snowaplooza 2010 v2, and v3 is finally over! Wahoo!

AND to make it even better, it is raining. Watch out snow - you are history!

The rain is washing away the snirt. What is snirt, well today, I learned a new word and it was snirt, i.e. snowy dirt.

Snirt.

More Muppet's fun

This bring me great joy

This makes me so very happy!

Feb 21 2010 01:17 PM ET

Exclusive: 'SNL' close to landing Betty White!

by Michael Ausiello

Categories: News, Saturday Night Live

When a grassroots campaign involves both Facebook and a beloved Golden Girl, the scope of its influence cannot be underestimated. To wit: Sources confirm to me exclusively that Saturday Night Live is thisclose to signing TV legend Betty White to host the show for the very first time.

But there’s a catch — and a pretty cool one at that.

White would not be hosting alone. Rather, I hear SNL is putting together a “Women of Comedy” episode that would team the former Rose Nylund with several of her younger contemporaries. Ex-SNL MVP Molly Shannon is on board, I hear, and feelers have also been put out to Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. (An NBC spokesperson insists no one has been confirmed at this time.)

This tag-team approach will allow Lorne Michaels to appease White-on-SNL zealots (half a million and counting!) without making the 88-year-old shoulder the burden of all 90 minutes on her own. And hey, anything that gives Fey an opportunity to dust off her Sarah Palin impersonation — as she’s rumored to be considering — is okay with me.

Thoughts? Are you down with SNL’s multi-host approach? Do you think SNL should borrow any of Ken Tucker’s genius skit ideas for White? Is all of this way too good to be true? Sound off below!

Photo Credit: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic.com

How do I know the ecomony is improving?

I think this is a clear indicator.  The food is too damn expensive at Whole Foods, especially compared to Safeway, Meijers and HEB and the Teet (Harris Teeter)

from MeatingPlace.com

Industry News - PM

Whole Foods' 1Q profit jumps 79 percent

By Dani Friedland on 2/17/2010

Whole Foods Market said earnings during the company's first fiscal quarter increased 78.7 percent, compared with the same period a year ago. The Austin, Texas-based company said sales rose 7 percent during the 16-week quarter ended Jan. 17, to $2.6 billion. Increased purchases of organic meat were among the drivers, the company said, according to a report by the Associated Press. "Our first quarter results exceeded our own expectations on both the top and bottom line," CEO John Mackey said in a news release. "While many of our competitors have gone back and forth on their pricing strategies, we remain focused on continuing to strike the right balance between driving sales over the long term by improving our value offerings while maintaining margin." Whole Foods Market operates 289 stores throughout the country, and expects to open three more next quarter.

It's official. I live in a disaster are. I wonder if I can get a break on my rent?

Virginia declared disaster area after snowstorms

President Obama on Tuesday declared Virginia a disaster area and ordered federal aid to help the state in its recovery efforts from the Dec. 18-20 snowstorms.
The declaration allows both the commonwealth and eligible local governments, including Arlington, Fairfax and Manassas, among others to seek assistance.

Wahoo!!

We have to go to work tomorrow! And we have a 2 hour delay, which means I won't have to take any sick time for my doctor's appointment.  Happy days are here to come!

Stuck on my street right now.

A few brave souls ?

The intersection of 18th & Connecticut.  Looks sorta hostile, doesn't it?

Looks like a movie shot

"M" street with tumbleweeds blowing down it.  Actually, the tumbleweeds are big blocks of snow and ice blowing off all the buildings when winds gusts.  Quite dangerous.

No one on the streets.

From my office at 9:30 am.  There is no one out there.  It is very, very creepy.

Let the digging out begin!

My view to the world this morning.  The weather gods made it snow until 10pm last night.  I have no idea what the official totals are, but it is still windy.  Major props to the plowers out there.  Many of the roads and sidewalks are plowed (at least more than I thought would be).  Now the digging out.  I have begun to see dumptrucks full of snow heading who knows where.  It's sunny, icy, windy and cold, but the SUNNY is the key part of that statement.  I like blue skies.

Another day, another day off - Part 4

Yep, work is closed again.  AMAZING!  This storm is never going to end..EVER!

Screw it, I'm going in tomorrow.  Take that mother nature, you cruel, cruel bitch.

I didn't knock on wood

I prematurely stated the snow had stopped.  And now its snowing again and hard...like 1-3 inches hard. ^%$%^%#%$#& snow ^%$%^%#%$#& never ending!!!

Check this out

A whole new level of nuttiness here in DC

Honor system is reported at unmanned Tenleytown Safeway

Yep, Its done

Now the question become, will I have to go into work tomorrow?

I think this sums up how I feel about winter right now.

I think its done

5:20 pm

This is getting old

What I wouldn't pay for a different view?!?!

Good morning!

Welcome to my world.  This just sucks!  It looks like it is 5pm in the evening when it actually is 8am.  Make it stop.

And it begins

So here it begins.  4:30pm and the flurries have started.  I'm not sure what this next storm will bring but I'm not looking forward to it.  I trekked into the office via a doctor's appointment.  The plows and the shoveling had finally made progress.  While the sidewalks were passable, the street intersections, not so much.  In the 3 hours I was at work, the street fairies (not sure if that is the appropriate term) had gone through streets and created intersection mazes or walkways onto the street.

Now if this storm truly dumps 7-14 inches then we are back to where we were on Sunday, in a extreme weather situation of historic proportions, which means we are SCREWED.  Seriously, it could be Friday or even Tuesday before we have to go back to work. 

Fortunately, I walked to the little store the half a block up the street from my apartment and stocked up on the few things I have had cravings for.  And you know when you know you can't have something you just start jonesing for it, i.e. the itch that has to be scratched. 

So here is my pathetic list of items I bought:
2- small containers of Ben & Jerry's ice cream
1-container of Pringles; pizza flavor
1-dozen eggs; want to make banana bread and only have Egg Beaters
1-2 liter of Diet Coke
1-6 pack of bottled Bud Light

This list is reminiscent of past hurricane preparations I saw in College Station, except most of those usually had 20 times more beer, toilet paper and condoms.  Gotta love frat boys.

Another day, another day off

And this is what I and all of DC has to look forward to.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?  I'M DONE WITH THIS.
 
Winter Storm Warning for Arlington/falls Church/alexandria, VA

from 12 pm EST, Tue., Feb. 9, 2010 until 7 pm EST, Wed., Feb. 10, 2010.

Issued by The National Weather Service

Baltimore/Washington, MD 3:04 pm EST, Mon., Feb. 8, 2010

... WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TUESDAY TO 7 PM EST WEDNESDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR... WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TUESDAY TO 7 PM EST WEDNESDAY. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. 

* PRECIPITATION TYPE... SNOW. 

* ACCUMULATIONS... 10 TO 20 INCHES. 

* TIMING... MID-AFTERNOON TUESDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY. 

* TEMPERATURES... TEMPERATURES NEAR FREEZING AT THE ONSET TUESDAY AFTERNOON. TEMPERATURES WILL DROP INTO THE UPPER 20S TUESDAY NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY. 

* WINDS... LIGHT SOUTHEASTERLY WINDS TUESDAY BECOMING NORTHWESTERLY 15 TO 25 MPH WEDNESDAY. 

Snow day

Yep, we got another one.  No work tomorrow....well at least at the office.  I brought stuff home for me to do so the plan is to do some work.  Who knows?

Bummer is that I didn't go to any of my Super Bowl parties.  Reason #1: The street I live on is still not plowed (not a surprise) and it is on a killer hill.  With the sun down, I don't feel confident I would have been able to climb the hill with all the ice that likely has formed now that temperature has dropped and the sun has gone down.  Reason #2: I'm not sure if I even made it to the party would I have been able to find a parking spot.  No plowed roads = No available parking spots.  Reason #3:  I didn't want to lose my shoveled out spot in my parking lot.  That was 2 hours of my morning and it would take at lease that long to shovel out a spot at midnight.

So with that I made some dinner and will crack a bottle of wine and watch the Super Bowl. 

Any port in a storm

The DC metro area is digging out from underneath 25-32 inches of heavy snow and we need extra arms.  So here is the solution.


Posted at 12:51 PM ET, 02/ 7/2010

Montgomery, Loudoun schools closed until Wednesday; hotels fill up as outages force out residents

12:51 p.m.: Another tool in region's snow-removal kit: inmates
Think you just spotted some D.C. Department of Corrections inmates shoveling the sidewalk outside that Metro station? Some prisoners from Alexandria clearing snow away from that fire hydrant?
Your eyes didn't deceive you. The District Department of Transportation has a memorandum of understanding with their counterparts at the Department of Corrections that allows them to tap inmates to clear snow and ice on a periodic basis. The inmates get $7.50 an hour, and DDOT picks up the tab of the guards assigned to watch them, according to that memorandum.
Alexandria has a similar program. Right now, a crew of 11 inmates is out clearing snow, said Tony Castrilli, a city spokesman. "They would normally be picking up trash or cleaning up rec centers," he said. "Just another way to help clear the streets for this historic snowstorm."
Castrilli said the inmates have to meet specific criteria to be eligible for the work program; they cannot be violent felons, he said. -- Matt Zapatosky

After from the front

at 10:30 am.  I am getting much better at shoveling around my car.  I now need a shower and food.

After

And now I'm hungry.

Before

At 8:45 am

Done and done

A picture of my apartment parking lot at 5:00 pm. It has stopped snowing.  I will wait and dig my car out tomorrow.

It's official

Snowaplooza 2010 v3 is now officially over.  The National Weather Service has canceled all snow storm warnings and blizzard warnings. Arlington, VA has reported 25 inches of snow.  It is still snowing, but really more like flurries.  I still have power and heat, so am blessed.  I haven't ventured outside today; my walk last night wore me out. 

It's still questionable if I will be able to go to my Super Bowl parties tomorrow night, let alone work on Monday.

I think I will start drinking and make me some dinner.

My view to the world via my living room

My apartment parking lot at 7:30 am.  Checkout yesterday's post to compare the before and after!

So close to home and yet...

I'm a half a mile from home.  Susan, friend and co-worker, had the brillant (3-7 beers) idea that we should walk home.  You know, we needed the exercise as we will be snowed in for days.  So we walked home...all 3 miles.  It wasn't bad near the office.  Got worse in Georgetown...accumulation and slippery.  Then the snow blew from the ground up on the Key Bridge.  Once we got over the bridge, the snow was only blowing horizontally.  Susan treated to me to Chipotle.  Thanks Susan...it was delicious!  Then we parted and I walked home.  The longest half mile EVER.  Thank goodness, I'm home.  I ready to be tucked in and wake tomorrow with 12-20 additional inches of snow outside. 

Happy blizzard to all and to all a good night.

Isn't it beautiful?!?!

A wall of Bud Light...This must be heaven!

M and 18th at 1:30pm

 Not alot of snow at 1:30 pm in DC despite the constant flurries.  Nothing was sticking, but that was to come!  I swear.

Tehehe - This is the local news station description of the storm. Yes, I live in the crippling region!

10:54 am (EST) and it just started snowing.

Will keep you posted on this situtation.

My office has been dismissed at noon and NO ONE wants to go have lunch and a beer.  Wusses!  Even the people that are within walking distance from the bar to their homes.  I believe I might just go by myself.  So there.

Insert appropriate pout.

NBC Just can't get a break!

NBC's Black History Month Lunch: Fried Chicken, Collard Greens

• Feb 4, 2010 07:16 PM ET
• by Natalie Abrams

NBC, Black History Month cafeteria menu 

NBC apologized for and removed a sign in a network cafeteria listing a special Black History Month menu that included fried chicken, collard greens and jalapeno cornbread.

The sign, posted at network headquarters in New York, was photographed and tweeted by Questlove — the drummer for Jimmy Fallon's house band, the Roots, on Late Night — with an accompanying tweet saying, "Hmm HR?"

It looks like NBC wasn't pleased with the attention brought on by Questlove's Twitpic. The drummer later followed with, "I think I need a twitter break. I done started something. and now I must put out fire."
NBC officially declined to comment, but Kevin Goldman, NBC's vice president of communications, tweeted: "The sign in the NBCU cafeteria has been removed. We apologize for anyone who was offended by it."

Before the big storm

My apartment parking lot at 7:30 am

Pretty

Breaking news from the Washington Post

Just the first step to closing the office. 

--------------------
News Alert: Federal government to operate under 

unscheduled leave Friday
01:47 PM EST Thursday, February 4, 2010
--------------------
 
The Office of Personnel Management announced 

Thursday afternoon that federal employees may 

take unscheduled leave Friday, given the 

forecast of heavy snow around the Washington 

region. This allows those workers not designated 

as "emergency employees" to take annual leave 

or leave without pay without the prior approval 

of their supervisors.

It's coming

Yep, the storm is heading this way.  It should start snowing tomorrow morning and continue all the way through Sunday morning.  Lots of speculation on how much and when will the office close.  Will we have an early dismissal tomorrow or no work at all.  How about Monday?

It is sorta sucky too because I have my office's 7th Annual Chili cookoff tomorrow and my office parties are great.  Then, I'm thinking of a happy hour at the local watering hole that will likely be closed during Snowaplooza 2010v3.  Let's not even get started on my Sunday plans.  I have plans, which is remarkable.

But no worries on the food front (though I could stand to lose 4-200 lbs.) as I went to the store last night.  I also have parked my car in a stragetic spot and have 3 rolls of toilet paper and 3 boxes of kleenex. 

Amazing how 6 inches of snow makes everything look better

Pretty snowy trees this morning!

Snowy night at 10 pm.

Is it really necessary?

Today on the CNN ticker, I saw that someone invented a talking sex robot for the price of $7000.  Really? Is this really necessary? 
1. I'm pretending I'm a guy: Dude, why does it need to talk?  I usually just want to her to keep her mouth shut...or something like that.
2. According to COPS/Craigslist/HBO, you can get sex for like $10 -100 dollars depending on the depravity you desire.
3.  AND based on the spam emails I receive there is no need to spend $7000 for a robot.

That is all for now.

It's Snowing Again!

Yep, I'm not joshing.  It's snowing again in DC.  Snowaplooza 2010.2  It will be interesting to see what will be open tomorrow or what won't be.  Regardless, I will be going to work as I can walk in.

Things I ponder on a Sunday night

This is in no particular order:

• I need to use the word bailiwick more often.
• I need a vocal word-of-the-day calendar. Anyone who knows me knows I have difficulties pronouncing words unless I am in between 3-7 beers.  I need a calendar that speaks the word so I can learn.
• Why isn't there a "Just for Women" hair dye? And the latest commercial is particularly disturbing as these 5-10 year old girls tell their daddy it's time to go out.  The implication is that if he dyes his hair he will get a new woman.  More disturbing is the commercial ends with him taking a pic with his cell of his date and sends it to his daughters.  Personally, I like a little gray in a gentleman's hair.  Hello, George Clooney.
• What am I going to make for dinner this week? I realize some might think this is obsessive or premature thinking, but let me explain.  I usually do most of my weekly cooking over the weekend.  It gives me leftovers for lunch and dinner the rest of the week.  Last week I nailed it - beef stew and hamburger gravy.  This weekend...nada.  I made a bruschetta whole wheat pasta, which I just finished the last of.  Not too bad and will definitely make it again with some modifications. But it doesn't solve my problem of dinner for the week.
• Oh, I have to develop a chili recipe for my office's chili cook-off on Friday.  Should be easy right?  Ha!  Pass along any suggestions.
• I heart Craig Ferguson.  He makes me giggle and I just don't giggle enough.
• I went to work today to make up for the next 3 days because I will be up in Bethesda attending an antibiotic resistance conference.  Now doesn't that sound like fun?

And with that I have to go.  I just ordered The Hurt Locker and I need to pay attention.

Snowaplooza 2010

So the 4 other readers of this blog are likely wondering why does Betsy keep posting pictures of her parking lot at her apartment complex?  Well, snow in the DC area is perceived as the devil's work (most people still blame W, but I don't see the big O doing much as he is from Chicago) and the whole area comes to screaming halt.  Complete armageddon.  Sort of a bummer.  I needed to go to Target today but instead I have been housebound.  

But not this man.  H made it town and did a quick drop in at the White House.  Interesting, very interesting.

Regardless, you know that O is looking out the window and thinking this town if full of pussies as they can't handle the snow.  A real city, like Chicago, doesn't let 5-10 inches of snow stop them.  Nope, the stores stay open, people go to the bars and they don't empty the stores for the fear of no bread for 24 hours.  It also doesn't become a media event, but on the bright-side for O at least no one is talking about his unpassed healthcare bill.

Snowaplooza 2010

My apartment parking lot at 5:20 pm.

Snowaplooza 2010

My apartment parking lot at 11 am.

Caps big winners

So the Caps won and I was amazed how many people were actually at the game.  It was a sold-out game and the other fans were enthusaic, but I would say they were no Red Wing fans.  Enough said.

Enjoyed the whole evening.  My co-worker Scott and I left from the office and we headed to Chinatown for dinner.  I introduced Scott to Matchbox, which treated us very well...not too much of surprise.  Les, I didn't get them to make us any calamri, but I did think about it. 

Glad I had all my weekend fun last night because now I'm snowed in!

Go Caps!

Terri's "man-friend" Mark gave me 2 tickets to the Caps vs. Panthers hockey game last night.  Our seats ROCKED!  Thanks Mark!

The big 5-5 -0-0-0

Yep, my car rolled over to 55,000 miles on the odometer as I rolled into the parking lot under my office this morning.  The little silver bullet is a 2004, bought in November 2003. 

Doing the math, I have averaged 9166.66 miles a year.  That number is deceiving because in 2008, I put on close to 25,000 miles on it.  That is alot of trips back and forth from College Station to Navasota.

So taking out that 25K that means I have averaged 5,000 miles a year.  Now I live in DC and I am lucky if I put on more than 20 miles a week - that average is considerable thrown off if I head to Charlottesville for the weekend, but that is my cross to bear.

I love public transportation or the 45 minute to 3 hour walk (depending on the shopping, eating, and drinking I do in Georgetown) that I have from my office to my apartment. 

My car is going to be like a little old ladies car that is only driven to church.  Will keep everyone posted on when it turns the big 60K, I predict 2 years from now.

Talented friends I have

My friend Jen is an amazing gal - on so many levels.  She took some pictures of the sun rising from the back of her house or shome.

I love these pictures and are worthy of sharing to the 4 people that read this blog.  The top one is my favorite.

Tehehe - I think this Washington Post article really sums up my take on the name.

With a name like iPad, can Apple's new device possibly have wings?

Apple's Steve Jobs unveils the iPad

Steve Jobs announced the iPad, the long-awaited tablet device from Apple.

By Monica Hesse

Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, January 28, 2010 

 

After months of speculation over what Apple would call its latest sacred touch-screen device (iSlate? iTablet?), the company revealed Tuesday that it had opted to go with iPad.


Boyfriends everywhere promptly refuse to purchase it unless they could simultaneously buy some really manly products, like shaving cream and batteries.

Are You There God? It's Me, Steve Jobs.
 
Business Insider declared the name "terrible," with one columnist writing that he'd heard rumors of the name "but dismissed it immediately," thinking that Apple would have the foresight to predict a landslide of menstruation mockery. (Did they not see "MADtv's" iPad parody in 2007?)

Meanwhile, the blogosphere found the name debate totally absorbing -- "How will it stand up to other tablets if I pour a test tube full of blue water on it?" one Lemondrop blogger wondered -- and a heavy flow of iPad-related Twitter traffic led "iTampon" to become a top trending topic.

"Are there NO women in the Marketing or Biz Dev department of Mac?" wrote one user, speculating that "iPad" would pass muster only with a man. No women were present on Apple's panel at the San Francisco announcement.

Apple, for its part, heralded the iPad as "a magical and revolutionary device" on its Web site, and did not return a phone call for comment.

This is not the first time that a widely anticipated product launch was met with ridicule. Nintendo's Wii was referred to as "Wee" by disparaging gamers who could not get stoked about a console that sounded like a potty-training term. The Wii went on to break retail records, selling 600,000 units in its first eight days.

However, Apple has yet to address what women everywhere anticipate will obviously be the iPad's biggest problem: You can't use one while swimming.