Just what do you mean by difficult and frustrating?

What Concert Band Instrument Are You? Xylophone You require a true master to get to know you. You are difficult and frustrating to deal with; but, when dealing with the right person, you are an incredible asset to any group.

Click Here to Take This Quiz Brought to you by YouThink.com quizzes and personality tests.

Holiday Plans

... and by "Holiday" I mean Christmas and thereafter...

Tomorrow we visit Danny's parents for Christmas (a day early). Steve's fiancee will be there (we've met her once, Danny's parents have met her twice). What do you buy for someone that really says "I don't know anything about you"? Apparantly the answer is a set of empty photo albums! Can't get more impersonal than that!

In response to Paige's post regarding absence of a Christmas tree, Danny and I are in the same type of position (less the forthcoming child). But, on top of that, Danny and I stopped exchanging gifts about 2 years ago (pre-wedding some time). Not just for Christmas either... we forget all about gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, etc. I'm not saying we don't get things... they just aren't surprises and they aren't wrapped in anything but the bag from the store. For example, the other night Danny took me to my favorite store for career wear (Casual Corner) which is coincidentally closing ALL of its stores in the US. I was allowed to buy anything and everything I wanted (which turned out to be 4 pairs of dress pants, a suit with both pants and skirt, a fleece pullover, 3 sweaters, and 3 sleeveless shirts... and 21 hangers for slacks/skirts). Afterwards, we went to JC Penney where Danny purchased for himself two sportcoats. Okay... so Danny paid for everything... but it is our Christmas, so to speak. It works for us!

Sunday we leave for the first part of our trip to DC. We first will spend the night at my Grandmother's house in Shady Valley (not too far from Rachel's domicile, I'm sure). Then early Monday we will travel the rest of the way to our rental property. We found out a couple days ago that the parking situation has changed again. Originally we were supposed to have 2 off-street parking spots at the site. Then it changed to just one (remodeling would not allot space for two vehicles). Now informed that even that one spot won't be availble (construction not complete). So we will have to rapidly unload and then drive to a garage about 5 blocks away... but only for daytime parking (no overnight). We can park outside on the street in front of the property after 7:30 pm, but we must either move by 8:30 am, or pay the meter all day, or leave it and get a $30 ticket (max of one per day). Not sure exactly what we are going to do, but it will be interesting anyway. Wish us luck!

Holy Crap!

Merry Christmas to Spain!

Let us Join Together in Saying...

"She's the mayor of Crazy Town.".

Kong is King!

Great movie... one of the best overall movies I have seen in a long, long time. I can easily see how reviewers have said it will surpass Titanic in sales/Oscars/etc. Do yourself a favor and see it. (This comes from a skeptic of new movies with major hype.)

UTNAA Online Community

Okay, all you UT alums... there is now an online community for us brought to you free by the UT National Alumni Assoc. You can update your info, post news from your life, get an email forwarding service for contacts, etc. But you can only look up others if they have listed their info on the site.

So do it...

Empty Pockets

Classes are officially over, tests and all. Still need to complete my final paperwork for SCO to turn my tentative acceptance into official acceptance. This requires me to get a TB skin test, have my immunizations up-to-date (easy thanks to Uncle Sam), and verify that my vision is acceptable. So I have to schedule some appointments with various doctors to take care of these minor details. They have already receieved my $500 advance payment, so the paperwork is all that remains. With that $500 plus the $772 I had to pay to UT for my 2 Spring classes, my bank account is dwindling... Time for a PT job.

Updates Schmupdates

I see that we all have been less than adamant in our postings of late (except for Paige who keeps me entertained). Although I might not find any of the recent events of my life very interesting (or at least interesting enough for any of you), I have decided to share some things anyway.

Classes have ended and I have but one final left (Wed 5 pm). This is my Anatomy lecture "final" which is really just a fourth exam (since he went on for 2 1/2 weeks on the first lecture topic and was so far behind there was no other way to catch up). I really don't have to take it (1 test grade will be dropped)... but the stipulation for dropping the lowest grade is that we must take all four exams. However, I have been informed that "taking" consists of showing up, filling out personal info on the scantron and nothing more. *Can we say WASTE OF TIME* I already have a score of 102 in this class anyway. Could they really make it any easier for the future physicians of this world... the average is in the 80s. You know the saying... what do you call a medical student graduate with the lowest GPA... A: DOCTOR!

Had a gig this weekend (two Sunday performances). More $$$ to add to the SCO fund. Danny played, too. Much needed income! Don't get to play much anymore now that I am (again) out of the UT music loop. Fellenbaum is trying to recruit me for UT Orch again this semester. I'd like to play, but it is a huge time commitment and I'm just about broke. Going to have to find a job of some sort, but must be on MWF (classes scheduled for TR). Thus, it will most likely interfere with UTSO. They will be playing The Pines of Rome, supposed to be performed for TMEA this spring. Ah... would be fun, but I doubt they could produce the $$$ I would need to get me to play. :( Still owed some dough for my horn that I have been selling for about 3 years now. I hate to talk money with people, but it's really getting to be time to collect on the final payment. All of this is after I was talked down $300 in price, too.

In a few weeks my family and I will depart on the first ever family vacation. The place in DC has been paid in full, and keys should be on the way. We will either have a fabulous time or we will kill each other. (TBD) In any event, I'm sure I'll have plenty of stories to share... Oh, and there will be a mandatory visit to Cate's Bistro in Old Alexandria!!! *drool*

Sent in my $500 deposit (advance payment) to SCO for tuition. Still have to get lots of stuff done to be "officially" accepted (have tentative acceptance until all paperwork is in). This means optometrist/physicians must sign off on all health forms and I must complete all other paperwork(s). I'm going to try to get this all done this week. Next awaited information from SCO... scholarships. Any amount is requested!

Time to hop in the shower and head to UT... Book buyback time!!! Also going to meet up with my brother and purchase tickets to A Christmas Carol at the Clarence Brown. He has a friend who has a part in it. We will see on Friday, if tickets are available.

Long enough update for you?

Once you slack, can you ever go back?

Don't you just love when your final grade only depends on two remaining exams (finals)... and that even if you don't take either of them you will still have an A in the class!!!

This is my situation in my Anatomy class. This will not happen, of course, because I will take both tests anyway. But it could happen... One of the four tests in the lecture portion of the class will be dropped (and my average right now without the fourth is 102). For the lab portion, I have 196.5/300 (100 points are possible to earn tomorrow on the lab final). With the percentages given for each portion of the course, I fare pretty well. See, everyone... you can slack and still do well --- if you slack at the END of the semester instead of the beginning!

The finer things in life...

Ah... how we all love the California noon-time high-speed pursuit of an armed robbery suspect (30+ robberies, that is). Apparantly a robbery occured at 10:30 Pacific and they have been chasing them since. Just saw the driver attempt to carjack another... got back in his own car surrounded by police, somehow escaped... and the pursuit continues. Apparently before I tuned in he had already stopped and another person surrended, he continued driving (over spike strips), and exited the freeway. I can't wait to see how it turns out! Oh... the car has stopped... and close up shows more than one person in the car moving about. The police are behind the stopped car in a V-formation 5 cars wide. AH... the car is on the move AGAIN! This is going on so long that I can't keep writing now... If you are curious (and if I can wait it out) I'll update you later...

Yoda I am!

Yoda You scored 37% airiness, 47% squishiness, and 78% edginess!

According to our patented JawamaticTM technology, you are most like Yoda in personality. A traditionalist at heart, Yoda has honed his intuition through hundreds of years of meditation and study. But don't let that fool you -- he believes the old ways are the best ways. To him, the known is preferable to the unknown. Yoda is, in a word, reliable. (The polar opposite of Yoda is Luke Skywalker.)

My test tracked 3 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 27% on airiness You scored higher than 52% on squishiness You scored higher than 93% on edginess

Link: The Star Wars Personality Test written by MiguelSanchez on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

Happy Thanksgiving!

Southern College of Optometry

...has invited me to be a member of its 2006 entering class. I have been awarded one of five regional tuition seats (savings of $5000/year). Scholarships will be awarded sometime in December. Happy Thanksgiving!

Danny's Aunt's Dog = National News

UPDATE: Today show on Saturday featured Danny's Aunt Carol (whose last name was pronounced wrong twice and went uncorrected!), the pup, and the Doc. Wish Carol hadn't been so hoarse --- a bit under the weather. But the pup was VERY energetic and was getting around well on new "leg".
___________________________

Danny's Aunt Carol raises puppies for the Leader Dogs for the Blind Program. If you came to our wedding, you saw one of the pups from another litter. Danny's mom help birth the pups from her litter and was the first to discover her problem. Not sure if it was Aunt Carol or Adele who named the dog Peg (after her leg). We've heard the Today Show is trying to get them to visit NYC for a segment. Cool!
Read about Peggy here...

More Fun From Fark!

Same name as celebrity (I've never heard of) gets man date with celebrity I have heard of (unfortunately).

Wire-cutters, part of the male anatomy, sports fan... what do these things have in common?

Be On the Lookout for Man who Squeezed Wife's Cheese.

See Yoda action figure giving you "the finger" on eBay.

Ever seen the movie Stargate?

Rejected/Banned Advertising

Post-Interview Info (for those who care)

My interview on Friday went well. I was informed that there are only 5 regional positions for TN, but encouraged to kick my optometrist's bottom into gear and get in my recommendation letter (by fax and then by mail) so that they could have something to review at their next meeting (remember that they have rolling admissions).

Robin Graves, Director of Records and Admissions, told me they would try to meet before Thanksgiving. Perhaps I will hear something by then. I'll keep you posted.

The other interviewees were mostly 2 timers, too. This time they weren't very friendly (the other prospective students). My first time, I enjoyed being around everyone. These people were snobs.

The staff and such at SCO are ALWAYS super-friendly... like an extended family. I had a different interviewer this time... and I think things went much better. The questions asked in the interview were basically the same as my first interview, but presented in a different way --- much more approachable to the interviewee (me).

Anyway, I'll keep you updated as I hear (good or bad).

Joy needs...

Idea from Brooke. Google "[Your Name Here] needs". Post some of the results.
Here are mine:

1. Joy needs to be near the heartbeat of our happiness in a delivery room.

2. Joy needs funding to purchase a cargo van for food.

3. Joy needs to spend some serious time in Baghdad.

4. Joy needs to be near the heartbeat of your happiness. (Variant of #1)

5. Joy needs to delete files on error due to stuff.

6. Joy needs your support. (Am I running for office?)

7. Joy needs to know: What are you doing tonight or this weekend for your birfday? (yes, it says birfday)

8. Joy needs to know: How are you going to survive next weekend without me?

9. Joy needs a better understanding of the nature of evil.

10. Joy needs to be there when we're crying, too. (huh?)

11. Joy needs celebration to know itself.

12. Joy needs some disonic in her life asap

13. Joy needs to be given a set of antibiotics that need to be administered through an IV (Is there somethign I need to know?)

14. Joy needs to be dissolved in the cattle’s drinking water at the rate of 9.54 g/litre ( Stoc-Joy ®, that is)

15. Joy needs to sing.

16. Joy needs to dance.

17. Joy needs spreading.

18. Joy needs to be freed, but not because it is smiling.

19. Joy needs congenial circumstances and attentive friends.

20. Joy needs to look into the quality-assurance of this product...it really should last longer than 10 useages. ...

21. Joy needs to be experienced and felt. Life is complicated. Joy is simple.

22. Joy needs help on Wed afternoon to help make the games and volunteers have signed up already to work on the booth.

23. Joy needs to be like an artesian well springing up from within. It can’t be
artificially produced or induced. All of us need more joy in our lives.

24. Joy needs to throw up or get air because of the treatment she's getting for her sickness (and even to smoke some pot*).

25. Joy needs a confident and very gentle rider. (Ewww...)

26. Joy needs a record company that respects her talent and understands how to operate internationally.

27. Joy needs to know: paper or plastic?

28. Joy needs to be overhauled and revised.

29. Joy needs to simply combine a regular strength training program with sound nutritional habits.

30. JOY needs to change the coffee to decaf...

31. Joy needs silence and thus seldom settles into the lap of a noisy man

32. Joy - Needs to lose 80 lbs. (this was on a prayer list)

33. Joy needs some new turntables though.

34. Joy needs no sound effects to make itself felt, it needs no outer support from
anyone to stand erect against all outer winds that blow.

35. Joy needs to draft the future funding MOU between the WA State Agencies and BLM. (Damn, they expect a lot from me...)

36. Joy needs computing.

37. Joy needs to find a fourth man to complement the three sophomores in Beal, Zarlenga and Kosma.

38. Joy needs to talk about facing death.

39. Joy needs to be done away with.

40. Joy needs to stop by the supermarket on the way to work, but gets a phone call
as she's hurrying to get dressed.

41. Joy needs psychiatric help.

42. Joy needs to be let in you know, just a little opening...a little smile
when or where you least expect it.

43. Joy needs a tremendous amount of promotion

44. Joy needs to raise at least £1250 and all of her colleagues in the training
section are supporting her effort by a variety of fundraising events

45. JOY NEEDS TO TALK THIS LOUD CAUSE I ALWAYS WANNA HEAR WHAT EVERYONE ELSE
SAYS

46. Joy needs feedback for the pilot program since this will be tied to future budget needs.

47. Joy needs to get around, to be spread.

48. Joy needs pictures for the yearbook; submit photos to the office by January 15
and put in Joy's box.

49. Joy needs to take in at least 30 children to break-even.

50. Joy needs to find a new home because her owners have moved into a retirement
community and couldn't take her with them.

"Sticky" Situation?

One test down... another to come. Then the biggest test of all... the interview!

This morning I visited the optometrist that I have been observing recently to give him and his office staff pans of homemade cinnamon rolls (mmm... Danny's mom's recipe from sourdough starter). I knew it wasn't good when he saw me. It has been about 5 weeks since I asked him (and he agreed) to submit a recommendation form to SCO. His first words to me were, "You are making me feel guilty." This was in reference to 5 weeks of NOT having the recommendation form filled out or mailed in to SCO. I found out that he hadn't done it yesterday, when I got an update letter from SCO. He hugged me when I told him about the cinnamon rolls (wierd!) but later refused them and offered them to his staff because I made them ooey-gooey and not burned-to-a-crisp (again, wierd). Anyway, perhaps the guilt trip and the presence of the cinnamon rolls in his office will prompt him to get the form in the mail today.

Wish me luck for tomorrow!

Ouch!

Rear-ended tonight on Chapman Highway. 3 car accident - I was hit by a car that was rear-ended by a truck. My car and the woman behind me were both stopped for a traffic light. I have no idea how I kept from rear-ending the car in front of me. No visible damage to my car, but the sunglasses that were once on my head ended up in the back seat from the whiplash. Hope not to be too sore from it all.

Think my chances to get in to SCO will be improved if I wear a cervical collar during the interview?

One of the more interesting new stories of late...

Cheerleaders Arrested

$100 mil donation makes for free Yale Music degrees

It's true!

Exc-EYE-ting News!

Today I received a phone call from Robin Graves, Director of Admissions and Enrollment Services at Southern College of Optometry in Memphis. She called to let me know that they had received my updated OAT scores and were impressed with the amount of improvement from the previous scores (it really helps having the course work that you are tested over). Her primary reason for calling was to give me the chance to secure an early interview -- this Friday. I jumped at it and will be interviewing Friday.

This is a good thing on many fronts.

1. She called me... and will later be sending the formal invitation for interview by mail (as usually happens).

2. I was called by her... not her secretary (as usually happens).

3. Acceptance and scholarships are awarded beginning with the first set of interviews, held each Friday beginning in October and running until the end of April.

4. The first day of interviews was two weeks ago (I interview on the 3rd day of interviews).


Now I have to figure out what to wear. Danny booked the hotel. We leave Thursday evening. Remember me about 12:30 Central (1:30 Eastern). Wish me luck!

A Few from Fark

Basketball score

Obey Gravity. It's the Law.

Happy for Paige!

I Swear... I DO wear deodorant!

Your Seduction Style: Au Natural

You rank up there with your seduction skills, though you might not know it. That's because you're a natural at seduction. You don't realize your power! The root of your natural seduction power: your innocence and optimism. You're the type of person who happily plays around and creates a unique little world. Little do you know that your personal paradise is so appealing that it sucks people in. You find joy in everything - so is it any surprise that people find joy in you? You bring back the inner child in everyone you meet with your sincere and spontaneous ways. Your childlike (but not childish) behavior also inspires others to care for you. As a result, those who you befriend and date tend to be incredibly loyal to you.

What Kind of Seducer Are You?

The Truth

You Should Get a MD (Doctor of Medicine)

You're both compassionate and brilliant - a rare combination. You were born to be a doctor.

What Advanced Degree Should You Get?

Your Birthdate: July 9

Your birth on the 9th day of the month adds a tone of idealism and humanitarianism to your nature. You become one who can work easily with people because you are broadminded, tolerant and generous. You are ever sensitive to others' needs and feelings, and you are very sympathetic and compassionate. Your feeling run deep and you often find yourself in dramatically charged situations. This 9 energy always tends to give more that it gets.

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Hopelessly Devoted?

The Devoted Lover
54% partner focus, 33% aggressiveness, 50% adventurousness

Based on the results of this test, it is highly likely that:

You prefer your romance and love to be traditional rather than daring or out-of-the-ordinary, you would rather be pursued than do the pursuing and, when it comes to physical love, your satisfaction comes more from providing a wonderful time to your partner than simply seeking your own.

This places you in the Lover Style of: The Devoted Lover.

The Devoted Lover is a wonderful Lover Style, and is perhaps the best Lover Style when it comes to developing a long-term, caring and rewarding relationship. The Devoted Lover is a treasure to find, though it is sometimes difficult to time establishing a relationship with one just right; usually, this is the last romantic relationship you'll need to find, so sow any wild oats first.

In terms of physical love, the Devoted Lover can be shy at first but gradually warms and eventually can be a thrilling partner who knows every need of his/her partner. Given a strong and loving relationship, and the right lover, the Devoted Lover can be a delight in bed.

Best Compatibility can probably be found with: The Suave Lover (most of all) or the Classic Lover, or the Carnal Lover.

Take the LOVER STYLE PROFILE TEST

OAT --- Success!

I'm pleased with my results... have shown improvement in scores in all categories! Hopefully this will bring in the interview, acceptance, and scholarship monies!!!

I'm a Nerd --- A BIG ONE!!!

Pure Nerd
73 % Nerd, 4% Geek, 13% Dork


For The Record:
A Nerd is someone who is passionate about learning/being smart/academia.
A Geek is someone who is passionate about some particular area or subject, often an obscure or difficult one.
A Dork is someone who has difficulty with common social expectations/interactions.
You scored better than half in Nerd, earning you the title of: Pure Nerd.

The times, they are a-changing. It used to be that being exceptionally smart led to being unpopular, which would ultimately lead to picking up all of the traits and tendences associated with the "dork." No-longer. Being smart isn't as socially crippling as it once was, and even more so as you get older: eventually being a Pure Nerd will likely be replaced with the following label: Purely Successful.


How I compared to other people of my age and gender:
I scored higher than 82% on nerdiness
I scored higher than 1% on geekosity
I scored higher than 9% on dork points

Preparation vs. Procrastination

Why is it no matter how much time is put into preparing for an entrance exam I always feel unprepared... Well, I haven't taken the exam yet, but I already feel unprepared. I've been taking practice tests, reviewing notes, studying from a HUGE review book, and taking online practice sets. Perhaps I will do better than I think... Last time I took it I had less knowledge (hadn't taken Physics 221/222, Organic Chem, etc. which are major sections of the exam). But still afraid it was in one ear and out the other... I'm just looking forward to improvement over the guessing method employed previously on those sections. Also now fearful of the "Quantitave Reasoning" section of the exam. It has been 12 years (yes, 12 years) since I had Algebra. I find myself begin able to work the problems, but it takes much longer when I cannot remember the formula to simplify it. Also, a calculator would be handy... but, alas, calculators are not permitted. Leaves a lot of room for my calculation errors. ARRRRGGHGHGHGH!!!

So that's my view of preparation thus far. Frustrating! Procrastination is much more fun... and then you have an excuse for lower-than-expected scores!!! :)

The subject of a new opera?

Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan.

That is correct. I heard about this on Headline News. Apparantly the aria features the Kerrigan cry of "WHY? WHY? WHY?" following the infamous incident.

93 things to do when you are bored...

See previous post and then Rachel's post.

It is funny that it has gone that long and Rachel was the first to notice the omitted numbers. I thought that it didn't seem like it was long enough... Anyway, I stole it from another site (which I'll never be able to find again).

Perhaps I should make up questions to those myself...

28. Name one thing you MUST do before you die.

32. What is your favorite (musical) key?

33. Okay, I give up... making up questions sucks... I'm glad I didn't make up the 100 (or 93) many of you have already answered. Don't bother with these... :)
44.

53.

70.

81.

100 things to do when you are bored...

RECENTLY UPDATED (11 Oct) - #90
Thanks to Brooke and Rob for sharing their 100 answers on their respective blogs. I'd like to see everyone's replies (but figure that won't happen).
____________________________________________

...read these questions and answers:

1. First grade teacher's name: Katherine McIntire

2. Last person you kissed: on the cheek? Danny!

3. Last word you said: Hmm... (when trying to decide how to spell my first grade teacher's last name --- still not sure it is right)

4. Last song you sang: I sing all the time, so i can't remember... probably something I made up to be silly!

5. Last person you hugged: Danny!

6. Last thing you laughed at: Okay... so I laugh at a lot of stuff, too!

7. What's in your CD player: I have no idea --- becoming talk radio junkie!

8. Who is your favorite star/s: I don't know... The Cast of the Family Guy!!!???!!!

9. What socks are you wearing: no socks yet --- but cold feet!

10. What's under your bed: gift wrap/bags/tissue/ribbons/bows

11. Current status: does this mean married? If so, yes.

12. Current taste: old diet coke

13.Current Hairstyle: messy ponytail

14. Current clothes: jeans and long-sleeved knit shirt

15. Current Hate: exercise!!!

16. Current longing: friends

17. Current desktop picture: on danny's computer --- sand dune

18. Current worry: amazingly, none today (so far)

19. Current Love: a good nap (always)

20. Story behind your username: gioia=joy, rioia=adaptation for maiden name

21. Current favorite article of clothing: pajamas!!! (always)

22.a. Favorite physical feature(s) on yourself: Feet --- if the shoe fits...!!! // 22.b. on opposite sex: Arms - can't beat a loving embrace!

23. Last CD that you bought: Uh... I have no idea. Josh Groban or Michael Buble(like 2 years ago???)

24. Favorite place to be: in my own little dream world (sleeping)

25. Least favorite place: in or near a bathroom recently filled with others' noxious odors

26. Time you wake up in the morning: varies depending on the day --- today I slept in until 9:30

27. If you could play a new instrument, what would it be? Anything which cannot be incorporated into the guard band's rock/country bands...

29. Current favorite word/saying: In my cutest, most helpless voice "Can you get me a diet coke... with a straw???"

30. Favorite book: Currently, Politically Correct Bedtime Stories: Modern Tales for Our Life and Times

31. Favorite Movies: Yes - too numerous to list

34. One person from your past you wish you could go back and talk to: my maternal grandfather

35. Favorite day: ends in Y

36. Where do you want to go: too numerous to list

37. What is your career going to be: Optometry

38. Who is your best friend/s: Danny, my Mom

39. What kind of car do you have: 2000 Mazda Protege

40. A random lyric: "Dancing with the chick in (chicken) slacks..."

41. Eye Color: Blue

42. Hair Color: Brown

43. Righty or Lefty: Righty

45. Zodiac Sign: Cancer

46.Innie or Outtie: Innie



DESCRIBE...

47. Your heritage: mutt, like everyone else

48. The shoes you wore today: wore sandals to go get some breakfast

49. Your hair: long, straight

50. Your weakness: a good joke

51. Your fears: fear, itself...

52. Your most recent secret?: hehe... not my secret, but still can't tell

54. Your thoughts first waking up: "what time is it? I have to pee..."

55. The first feature you notice in the opposite sex: don't really pay attention... so I don't know really... hair, face, something...

56. Your bedtime: ANYTIME (ZZZzzz...)

57. Your most missed companion: Kitties

58. Your perfect pizza: Veggies, all the way... hold the meat

59. Sweet and Chewy or Salty and Crunchy: depends on my craving

60. Single or group dates: a date would be great!

61. Dogs or Cats: yes

62. Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea: Lipton Ice"D" tea (or Tetley)

63. Chocolate or vanilla: BOTH!

64. Cappuccino or coffee?: I'll pass... do you have diet coke?

65. Smoke: *cough, cough* No!

66. Curse: sometimes

67. Sing: all the time

68. Take a shower everyday: not always, but mostly... always when I leave the house

69. Have a crush: no

71. Think you've been in love: yes

72. Want to go to college: apparantly I still do...

73. Want more than what you got: What I have is good... so anything more would be great!

74. Want to get married: already have

75.Type with your fingers in the right place: oh yeah!!!

76. Think you're attractive: does it matter what I think???

77. Think you're a health freak: not a freak, but concerned

78. Get along with your parents: 99.9% of the time

79. Play an instrument: one weekend a month

80. drink: 0.01% of the time

82. Done a drug: never

83. Made Out: uh... yeah

84. Go on a date: yes, but very few

85. Eaten an entire box of Oreos: no thanks... America's favorite cookie is not my own

86. Eaten sushi: no --- kind of afraid to after my issues with salmon steaks (cooked but resulting in severe, as in hospitilization, reactions)

87. Been dumped: once

88. Made homemade cookies: yes

89. Caused a fire: nothing major, mostly matches/candles :)

90. Gone skinny dipping: no, but think it would be fun (no invitations, please) --UPDATED: No skinny dipping but have showered with about 40 other girls --- basic training, not a true orgy.

91. Dyed your hair: no --- don't want "roots"

92. Stolen anything: only others hearts!!! (*hahaha*)



HAVE YOU EVER..

93. Had too much to drink: a couple of times, hence little drinking since

94. Been caught cheating: no

95. Been called a tease: yes - by the Methodist minister's son who told me I had no soul because I wouldn't go out with him

96. Gotten beaten up: no, people tend to be afraid of me... don't know why (pounding fist in hand)

97. Changed who you were to fit in: I don't think I have changed who I am, but allow different parts of me to be exposed to different people (I don't know if anyone has seen the "whole" me)

98. Cried at something beautiful: yes

99. Spent too much money on something you didnt need?: of course

100. Cried when someone died?: yes

Secrets

I love finding out other people's secrets... and always by accident. Just bumping into people you have never met before, finding out they know someone you know, and that they know just a little bit more than you do about that person... then they realize they shouldn't have revealed so much! Hehehehehehe... Dirty little secrets are fun (if they are not your own).

Ain't Gonna Happen...

First of all, you missed a great concert last night at Autumn on the Square. (Blues Traveler --- 3 encores!!!)

Secondly --- this psychology research project "ain't gonna happen", as is clearly written in the title of this blog. Interested to know why?


Unprofessional, Disorganized Graduate Students


After driving in for two separate testing session where they were more than 30 minutes late or simply ignored my presence for 30 minutes while they tended to their own "wants" (most definitely not "needs") I have called it quits --- really before I have even begun. I have spent more than 2 hours of my own time that has come to nothing but standing around waiting on something to happen. Considering this study requires 30 hours of time (noninclusive of the 2 hours already spent) I believe it is something that will not be a valuable use of my time.

I just sent a nice long email complete with all my complaints and a record of all email communication between myself and the 3 "researchers" to my Psychology professor, as well as the three grad students involved in the study. I wonder if I will hear back from any of them??? :)


UPDATE:
Email replies were received. The one from the grad student in question should help explain yet another reason I feel he is disorganized and unprofessional --- all this time and he doesn't know my name --- or bother to notice it from the email I just sent him!!! Here it is:

Lorrie,
I sincerely apologize for the broken appointments. I appreciate your efforts
to participate. So in consideration, I will talk with Dr Lubar about giving
you the credit anyhow.
Thanks much,
Rex


So clearly he didn't even read the email --- I have no interest in the extra credit because the class is SOOOOO easy!

Invitation

What: Free concert - part of Autumn on the Square

Who: BLUES TRAVELER

When: Thursday ~ 7 pm

Where: Market Square, Downtown Knoxville


More Info:

http://www.concertwire.com/autumnonthesquare/

http://bluestraveler.com/calendar/

Blonde Ambition

At the beginning of each Fall Semester, hundreds of University of Tennessee women choose to go through sorority recruitment—a week of intense female bonding with social-life-altering consequences. Leslie Wylie goes undercover to discern what the fuss is all about.

Read all about it in the MetroPulse.

This Brain's For You

So I'm going to be a part of a psychological study --- no, it's not from the trauma of teaching in Oneida under the micro-management of L. Mayfield Brown. I volunteered for this. It's part of a research study at UT.

It has pros:
* 10% of my final score in my Biological Psychology class will be added to my grade (really, this class is so easy... not much of a pro).
* I have the potential to add 15 or more points to my intelligent quotient (IQ).
* I am able to do it on the three days that I will be on campus.

It has cons:
* I have to spend 3 hours each week with probes all over my head establishing base line patterns of brainwaves and trying to improve a very tiny area of the brain associated with cognition.
* I have to do this for 10 weeks.
* I have to do all of this for a guy named REX.

Now I really do not know much about this yet. Tomorrow I will take an IQ test of some sort to establish my starting point. I will take the test again at the end of the study. I will keep you updated on what goes on... Sounds fun, eh? Hopefully it won't be like the psychological study on Ghostbusters!!!

Two Links Which Caught My Eye

GIANT SQUID photographed in Japan
How long until it is on the menu at Red Lobster???

and

GPS - Global Panda Sex????
Just what the porn industry has been looking for...

Where...

...did this Tennessee team come from all of a sudden? Danny and I gave up early in the 2nd quarter and quit watching... turned it back on (by accident really) when it was 24-14 and TN on the 1 yard line. Now it is tied, 24 all, with 23 seconds left in the game. Looks like O.T. to me... oops... Interception-LSU... Now that's the Tennessee team we all know and love(?)... what... Sack of LSU QB? 7 seconds left... Hail Mary into endzone by LSU --> interception in endzone by TN. Now on to O.T.

Looks like I'm into football by reading the above. But now to the commercials:
Metamucil capsules plus calcium - stay regular, stay strong.
Geena Davis is President of the United States. Commander in Chief, Tuesdays on ABC.

Return to the Game:
Coin Toss --- Tennessee won toss, elected for defense.
Rules of OT:
Each team 1 possession from opponents 25 YL
No game clock --- play clock only
Must go for 2 pt converstion
(I missed one somewhere in there)

Note: this is solely for my own amusement at this point as I'm growing very tired and surely no one will read this (please post if you do, just to see who read this far) up to this point.

I quit. If you want to know how it turns (turned) out... click here

oh, and FYI:
Game attendance: 91,986 -- 8th largest crowd in Tiger Stadium history.

Ciao!

After all, gioia = joy.

You Belong in Rome You're a big city girl with a small town heart Which is why you're attracted to the romance of Rome Strolling down picture perfect streets, cappuccino in hand And gorgeous Italian men - could life get any better? What City Do You Belong in? Take This Quiz

*******************************************************************
DON'T FORGET TO PLAY THE GAME (previous post)!!!!!!!!!!!
*******************************************************************

New Game

Saw this on another blog. Thought it might be interesting to isolate an individual thought from each person's individual blog.


THE RULES
1. Go through your old posts.
2. Find the 23rd post.
3. Find the 5th sentence.
4. Post it.
5. Share this idea with others.


My 23rd post only had three sentences, so here is my fifth (3rd) sentence:

"You just have to see it to understand."

I kind of like that sentence. It makes my blog appear as if it might have SOMETHING interesting within it.

Why Can't I Win the Lottery?

Tonight I watched a show on tv called "Jackpot! Overnight Millionaires" (I think it was on TLC) about lottery winners --- who they are, what they did with the winnings, etc. I am amazed at the lunacy! Now, I guess it is easy to say "I would never buy crap like that if I won the lottery!" if you haven't won the lottery. But, really... what the crap!!! So what would I do if I won? Here is a start, in no particular order:

1. Pay off ALL of my student loans (caaaaa--ching)
2. GIVE MY MOM SOME MONEY!!! --- Pay off her debts, move her out of Camel town (Oneida --- yes, it has a real living camel), and get her anything she wants (She deserves it)
3. Pay off Danny's truck
4. Up my life insurance policy (I guess that would be a smart move)
5. TBD

I know... it's a short list. I really would like to think that I wouldn't go "hog wild" with that amount of money, but who can tell until it happens... and I don't think it will happen anytime soon.

New ETSBOA Requirements

What exactly determines pass/fail on scales? And are the students given immediate feedback on whether they have passed or failed (since they must "pass the scale portion of the audition to proceed to the Prepared and Sight-Reading parts of the audition.") I have also been told that the required range for oboe includes a note that many/most high school oboes do not have the key to play. It really seems like it should have had some amendments added to clear up questions such as these.

http://www.gcschools.net/etsboa/SeniorClinicMusic/SrClinicRequiredScales/RequiredScaleCoverLetter.htm

Armed Student Arrested

Danny's school had an interesting Tuesday afternoon. The most interesting part to me is that the school was put on lockdown while the band was having rehearsal outdoors (with no idea of what was going on). Prior to the two students turning the kid in, Danny's flag instructor (also a teacher) had written him up for some offense that occured in her class. When she visited the office later he jumped from his chair and began yelling at her...and this was before the gun was discovered.

http://wbir.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=28616

How to Know It's Time to Quit!

A Few Educational Experiences of Note

I have set up some observations with a couple of local optometrists in my quest to get another "non-relative optometrist" recommendation letter. Once that is in, and after I send in my $50 application fee, my application to SCO will be complete. I will be re-taking the OAT (now thinking I'll take it over Fall break instead of rushing) even though I already have a set of scores for the admissions panel to review. Perhaps new and improved scores will improve my odds for admission.

Looked up some posts/comments left by a few of Danny's students on drummajors.com that have caused some interesting things to occur (which I won't mention, but believe me they are ridiculous). From those posts, I was able to find several blogs written by his band students. How funny these are to read - not just because of the immature content, but also because of the differences of the "teacher's pet" type kid in how he/she acts in person versus written communication(if you can call it that) posted online. If you haven't already, I reccommend searching for the juvenille-of-choice's personal thoughts/comments. It is a great deal of fun!

New Student

Danny got a new student in band yesterday - one from Louisiana. Anybody else have evacuees? Brooke, has your family moved in?

Study and Amazement at TV Schedule

Tonight I skipped the game for some study --- and I finished my study of the general chemistry portion of my GIGANTIC MCAT review book. Now I have only 300 pages or so left, but the worst of all parts: Physics and Organic Chemistry

By the way, Shelter from the Storm: A Concert for the Gulf Coast airs tonight at 8 p.m. on the following channels:

PBS
WB
CBS
NBC
FOX
ABC
Court TV
Lifetime
FX
MSNBC
TV Guide Channel
CNBC
USA
TBS
Oxygen
SOAP
Bravo
Speed
style
GSN (that's the Game Show Network)
WGN - Chicago


...
And those are only the channels we get on our tv.
Digital Cable/Satellite offers more.

Survivor

My quest this semester is to outwit, outplay, and outlast.

Today in my anatomy lab, we individually studied the bones of the axial skeleton (head, vertebral column, etc). Two sorority girls sitting across from me decided to study together. Instead of learning the basic terminology and identifying the individual bones/features based on their respective names, these geniuses decided to write down animal names which they felt resembled the shapes of the bones (ie: this one looks like a giraffe --- how do you spell giraffe? --- oh no... this one looks like a giraffe, too --- *all of this in reference to individual verterbrae*) One of these girls actually introduced herself as "trying to be a nursing major" and told of how bones really freak her out.

In the lecture portion of the class, most people sleep or check their eBay accounts/email/etc. on their laptops. I understand that this is pretty typical of many college students --- but these are our future doctors/nurses/specialty healthcare providers (or so they think). I also enjoy listening to conversations about how Anatomy is their "blow-off" class (with Intermediate Spanish taking priority in their schedules).

My other class is a psychology course (Biological Basis of Human Behavior) but really is more of a biology course. I have had less contact with the students in this class, so no report just yet. I'll keep you updated on your future healthcare providers... but until then, I don't think I should worry about outplaying, outwitting, or outlasting the others. Good thing this isn't like the show Survivor, or I would undoubtedly be voted off first as the strongest competitor!

*sniff*

Allergies... they suck. Pollen.com attributes the cause of my suffering to Ragweed, Chenopods, and Plantain. Looks like I will have no relief in sight from their forecast, too. Boo!

A Three Hour Tour...

Gilligan is no more. Just out of curiosity, I did a bit of research on the other cast members from the Isle. Here's what I found:



With Gilligan...
Bob Denver, a.k.a. Willie Gilligan, died Friday (2 Sep 05) at age 70.


The Skipper, too...
Alan Hale, Jr., a.k.a. Jonas Grumby (the Skipper), died 2 Jan 90, at age 71.


The Millionaire...Jim Backus, a.k.a. Thurston Howell III, died 3 Jul 89, at age 76.


...and His Wife...
Natalie Schafer, a.k.a. Mrs. Lovey Howell, died 10 Apr 91, at age 90.


The Moooovie Staaaa...
Tina Louise, a.k.a. Ginger Grant, still alive at age 71.


...and the Rest (or is it the Professor and Mary Ann?)
Russell Johnson, a.k.a. Professor Roy Hinkley, still alive at age 80.
Dawn Wells, a.k.a. Mary Ann Summers, still alive at age 66.





I'll pretend someone had a need or interest in the above information. But until then, I know it gave me something to do.

Katrina

90,000 square miles of disaster area. Thousands dead... more to come. Remember this the next time you fill up your gas tank. A minor financial inconvenience to you... life and death to another...

New Cake Recipe for Rachel

This is absolutely disgusting... it must go along with the Animal Grossology exhibit at the Knoxville Zoo (since they sponsored the recipe).

Click Here to Be Grossed-Out!!!

Would have made an interesting first birthday cake for my niece last week, eh?

Happy Anniversary of the Day of Your Birth...

...to my niece, Elana! The party is tomorrow, but I sent her an e-card today anyway!

Here she is eating sand during her first trip to the beach (Sampsel family beach vacation, July 2005).

Does your job meet any of these criteria?

Click here to find out...

... and please let me know!

Coming to a Gas Station Near You...

Father of the Synthesizer Dies at Age 71

Yes, that's right. I'm talking about Robert Moog. It was not too long ago I was teaching a General Music class about Moog and his creation.


Excerpts from the CNN.com article:

The arrival of the synthesizer came as just as the Beatles and other musicians started seeking ways to fuse psychedelic-drug experiences with their art. The Beatles used a Moog synthesizer on their 1969 album, "Abbey Road"; a Moog was used to create an eerie sound on the soundtrack to the 1971 film "A Clockwork Orange".

Keyboardist Walter (later Wendy) Carlos demonstrated the range of Moog's synthesizer by recording the hit album "Switched-On Bach" in 1968 using only the new instrument instead of an orchestra.

The popularity of the synthesizer and the success of the company named for Moog took off in rock as extended keyboard solos in songs by Manfred Mann, Yes and Pink Floyd became part of the progressive sound of the 1970s.
He went on to attach his name to a long list of synthesizers developed over the years -- among them Micromoog, Minitmoog, Multimoog and Memorymoog.

He spent the early 1990s as a research professor of music at the University of North Carolina at Asheville before turning full-time to running his new instrument business, which was renamed Moog Music in 2002. The roster of customers includes Nine Inch Nails, Pearl Jam, Beck, Phish, Sonic Youth and Widespread Panic.

This is for Paige!

I am still alive, but I have nothing to offer. Hence the lack of posts lately. No inspiration, I guess.

Finished working bandcamp with Danny. Have been working feverishly on another project (I'll tell you later) that has a deadline I just can't miss. Putting off OAT study for this, in fact. School will start for me on Wed (Aug 24). I will have two classes plus a lab, and I will only have those from 11-ish to 3:30-ish on Tuesdays-Thursdays.

Plans have been set to have my first family vacation (to DC the week following Christmas). Have rented a nice row house (lower level) on E Street.

Did anyone else catch the wonderful story about David (Patrick) Winter on the news (Channel 10 - NBC) a few weeks ago? Anyway, he is officially on the sex offenders registry in the state of TN. Interview was with the girl that brought about his end as a teacher (she was 14 when it began --- he was teaching her "privately"). Sad, but I could have (and did) picked out the creeps who were most likely to behave in such a manner. I think I'm out of picks (for those I knew).

Friday Night TV --- And you say there is nothing good to watch!

TV has come a long way since the days of "T.G.I.F."

Tonight on NBC --- Do people drink a particular brand of vodka for the taste, or the status? Taste test of 5 premium vodkas and one budget vodka revealed their favorites weren't neccessarily so (and differences undetectable in a Cosmo).

Tonight on ABC --- Does Gaydar actually work? The answer... Yes, usually with about 70% accuracy. We are cautioned against this practice of using our gaydar because of the 30% failure rate. (By the way, Danny and I were 100% --- our reception must be great!)

Oh, What A Feeling...

When we registered for our wedding gifts, we picked out the most wonderful towels. Okay, so we didn't get a single one. What we did get was a great variety of ivory/ecru/beige/off-white towels (that is, they were all pretty much the same color, but many different makers). Since we have had them over a year and hadn't bothered to take any back to the store from whence they came, I decided to wash them and put them to use. The matching pair that is first put to use gave me a feeling which can only be described as this:

"It feels like I dried off with my favorite stuffed animal!"

Now, this is a good thing (in my mind anyway) and it is exactly the way I described it to Danny. After he used his, he concurred.

Study and Vacation

Late this morning I began my pursuit to seriously study through my MCAT review book (1000+ pages). So far I have spent about 3 hours taking notes over only about 20 pages of material. You must understand, this is a condensed version of EVERYTHING there is to know (everything that matters to me right now, anyway). It is actually kind of fun to review these things that I should have committed to memory long ago (long-term memory, that is). At least there is familiarity at this point and not the "What is this crap, really?" kind of "studying" going on.

Have been looking for some rental places in DC for a family vacation immediately after Christmas. Found one that seems very promising both in price and ameneties. I have emailed the owner of the row house on E Street regarding questions unanswered by the web listing. If all is answered to our liking, we will be there for the last days of 2005. Believe-it-or-not, Ripley, this is our first actual family vacation EVER. Perhaps we won't kill each other.

Now I've Done It, Too!

I'm from Ravenclaw!

Hogwart's Sorting Hat Quiz

Could it get any worse?

Okay... so I don't have a lot of money to go around right now. I have to put together khaki pants and a white shirt for this community band gig. Sounds simple, right? Wrong! Okay... so my best looking outfit comes from a collection of assorted items I've pulled together over the years from various thrift stores, hand-me-downs, etc. Covering the top part of my body is a white, short-sleeved silk shirt. The bottom --- a pair of pants I have never worn (as far as I can remember) that belong to a khaki linen suit (tag still in the jacket).

Okay, here is where the fun begins. Somehow the shirt is missing 3, maybe 4, buttons. Luckily for me I have about 5 other shirts just like this one (only in different colors) from which I can steal "spares". So I find the one that is a size smaller and give into the fact that it will never fit the way it used to and decide to sacrifice this one "for the cause." That problem is solved. Oh... and there are stains on the shirt, too. Nothing a little spray and wash can't fix. Except it didn't. So I look at the tag which says "Do Not Bleach". I figure I'm no better off at this point... so what the hell?!?!! It just so happens that "Hell!" is what came out of my mouth when I saw the shirt after the wash. Not only were the stains still there... but now the shirt is lovely shade of khaki. That's right... bleach turns white silk shirts into khaki silk shirts. That should be what it says on the label: Do Not Bleach (unless you desire a khaki silk shirt instead of this beautiful white one)

I put it in the dryer anyway (no heat!) to see if it will behave like fresh paint (you know, "It will dry lighter") If not, I guess I'll continue the desperate search for a simple white shirt!!!

Blah blah blah --- no one will read this for many days because no one is around

So... In a time-span of just 2 or 3 days I have been asked to be part of a professional brass band and be an add-in for the Cookeville Community Band. Apparantly I am experiencing a resurgence in my horn-playing that I didn't know about. I probably will not try to do UT Symphony this year --- really need to devote that 6 hours/week to trying to leave UT!!! :) Though I will miss the regular playing opportunity.

I've been checking out others' blogs as usual, but it is very boring considering bandcamps are going on, Paige is away in Sitka on her honeymoon (jealousy), and such. I don't know what Featherston is up to, but we will be in Cookeville all day on Monday with nothing to do.

Danny found out his schedule and who his new assistant director will be today. He is pleased.

I must soon begin on my perilous journey of studying MCAT and OAT prep books to get ready to take the OAT again. MCAT-prep should provide an excellent source of study material, since it is almost the same test (sans the written essay portion) taken in a shorter time period. I have also discovered that the test will no longer be available in the paper formant (computerized only) after the next test is offered in October. I can take my test anytime before January 5, 2006. Should take within then next month or so to try and get results back to SCO sooner. Also need to start making a list of optometrists I would like to observe. Thinking about trying to get a few days with a lot of different practices in many different settings. And perhaps a lot of different recommendations (preferably good recommendations) from the optometrists with whom I enjoy working.

Interesting day in the world of Scotland Yard, eh?

Baby Got Back(pack)?

Have you seen the new Target commercial for back-to-school products... The tune is Sir Mix-a-Lot's Baby Got Back. You just have to see it to understand.

Things I sometimes forget that I love...

(in no particular order)

1. Clean Sheets on my own bed with my own pillow
2. A Freshly Laundered Towel
3. A New Compact Head, Medium Stiffness Toothbrush
4. New Contacts/Glasses Prescriptions
5. NASA TV --- watched the launch today on DirectTV (literally saw every angle)
6. "rabbit turd" ice (you know what I mean)
7. Spending time/talking with family (both sides)
8. Maniucure/Pedicure (You don't know how rare this is for me)
9. Having someone else wash my hair (You don't know how rare this is for me)
10. Laughing my @$$ off with friends (You don't know how rare this is for me)

Caution: Music Joke Ahead

So, three notes walk into a bar -- a G, an Eb, and a C.
The bartender looks up and says "We don't serve minors."
So the Eb leaves and the other two have a fifth between them.
After a few drinks, the G was out flat, and the experience was diminished.

Eventually, the C sobers up, sees one of his friends missing, the other one passed out, and realizes to his horror that he's under a rest.

C was brought to trial, found guilty and convicted of contributing to the diminution of a minor and was sentenced to 10 years of D.S. without Coda at the Paul Williams/Neil Sedaka Correctional Facility.

Update from Memphis

Forecast for Paige's Wedding Day in Memphis

4pm Sunny
99°F Feels like 108°F


Eewww... I feel sticky already.



Danny and I have already sweat(ed?) a lot in Memphis. After we scouted out the church for tomorrow's wedding, we drove Downtown and parked($2 all day and Fun Parking) and then walked around down near the river (sort of) on Riverside Drive through a few little parks full of homeless people, walked up the hill looking for cool air and managed into the Peabody right at the time of the duck parade from the fountain back up to the penthouse. Ate at the Rendezvous afterwards (fast fast fast service), then walked around Beale St. (ZZZZzzzz...) and then back to the hotel. Tomorrow we will drive around a while before the wedding (Mississippi?) to look at potential future living areas.

On the Road Again...

...to Memphis. Staying next to my (future) school again, in Midtown. Paige's wedding is Sunday. :) Anyone else going can look for us as the Hampton Inn in Midtown - check in at 3pm Sat, check out Monday for home. See you at the wedding (?)


In other news, spent the last few days in Oneida. Danny played handyman and remodeled the lighting/walls in a bathroom and installed two new porch lights. Fun times! I was the contractor for the job, thus I had to oversee the details!
It's what I'm best at!

Here's your chance to fight about something... on my behalf

Here's the dilemma: To cut, or not to cut.

I am debating what to do with my hair. I expect well-organized thoughts and comments on this topic, not to exceed 500 words. Please list the pros/cons of your viewpoint, and please debate with the viewpoints of others. The grading of your work will be determined by the outcome at the salon. Good luck!

arrrrgggg....

No, it is not the punchline to a pirate joke. It is my great frustration in everything right now. It is definitely "one of those days". Yesterday was a "sick day" and today... well, it's just bad. Don't mind me if I curl up into a ball and hide away for a few days... or forever.

For the Star Wars fans out there...

CNN.com - Scientists find planet with 3 suns - Jul 14, 2005

A Song for You (about me)

Happy Birthday to me
Happy Birthday to me
One more day of Guard drill
and at last I'll be free


TAG: Until next Saturday...

Well, I thought it was my turn...

Spent about an hour re-living the past trying to do the cool thing and post my own "10 years ago, 5 years ago, ... , one day ago" blog. When attempting to post it, a message came up stating that my blog did not exist. Well... it was erased, AND I'M NOT DOING IT AGAIN!!!


But it was fun thinking back on all the memories...

From tonight's Simpsons episode, where Marge's sister Patty reveals she's a lesbian:

Homer: "What is it called when a guy is gay for a girl?"
Homer: "Look at me! I'm as straight as a one-dollar bill!"
Homer: "Queerly beloved, we are gathered here together..."


___________________________

Danny and I had a good time tonight at dinner with my brother, Rob. Tomorrow we start Active Duty, and we leave for our "tour" on Tuesday morning. We will return to the area on July 8, when we will play a 2 hour performance at the Sevierville Civic Center (our final summer performance for the past six years). If you are interested in attending (free, as all our performances are), you can call for "tickets" (space fills up, so they distribute free tickets for the space allowed). If you want more info about our performances, you can check out our "Absolutely Unofficial" website maintained by one of our own at http://www.572tangband.org (TANG Band = Tennessee Air National Guard Band, by the way --- not a shameless promotion for the beverage of choice by the space program).

No news

Nothing interesting to post. Will depart the area on Tuesday, not to surface again until July 8. Not free again until after the 10th. Perhaps no blogs. Bye.

Eeewww...

Your Mexican Name Is...

Doña Placenta

What's your Mexican Name?

I'm Back

Pictures are being developed of the Fellowship Hall that our mission team constructed last week.
Joy is tired.
Joy must rest.

Last blog for a while

Going on a mission trip with Danny's church from Kingston. Happy Anniversary to us. We will be back next Saturday night, but don't expect a post then. Looks like we will be drenched with rain from Arlene. :( Have a good week.

What we should have done...

Danny and I were recently (tonight) having fun watching last night's rerun of Conan O'Brien on CNBC. I can't believe I didn't think of this before, but I thought I would share it with others so that they might take advantage of this amazing opportunity. Write Conan and ask to get married on his show... LaBamba would have been Danny's best man, Max my maid of honor, Joel would have performed the marriage ceremony with his little Asian "friend" as the ring bearer, Preparation H Raymond would be the flower girl, and perhaps Conan could have given me away. At the reception would have been the Vomitting Kermit (punch will be served) and enterainment by the band, the masturbating bear, etc. Rob, feel free to use this idea when your big day approaches!

Wanna see something really ugly???

This is a link to a website that is currently in production of a newly designed Air Force uniform - Scroll down about halfway until you see "U.S Air Force Camouflage". The first picture you will see is the 1st design of the uniform (which did not go over well, at all). Below it is the proposed new pattern that is currently in the testing phase. If it passes the testing phase (which is not for wear of fabric, but for additional needs that Special Forces might have), they might start to issue (to select few) soon and phase in the new uniform design to all AF personnel by the end of the decade. Wonder if they will get to us sooner or later? And who pays for all the sewing on of rank/etc.? That in itself costs a pretty penny.

Oh, and check out the job they did on superimposing a computerized image of the woodland camo on the guy just below the girl with the obviously oversized hat and pants. Nice (with sarcasm).


Government Camouflage

Here is another image --- this one is of the Sec. of the AF wearing the test uniform.

Here to Stay?

I have received a few replies to my question of whether to stay here on blogger or to go away all together. I have really grown to love this site --- many more convenient and interesting features. I am able to post much more quickly, receive comments (Yay for Paige and Brooke), and share the links to others blogs. Home Sweet Home? Well, we'll see... :)

For the music fans...

If you haven't read this, please do... What a find!!!

CNN.com - Unknown Bach aria found in German library - Jun 8, 2005

Eric can now take his fish with him...

I have written before about my brother-in-law's love of aquariums and expensive tropical fish. Now I guess he could take them with him everywhere he goes (okay, maybe he couldn't get into work at Y-12). People can be very creative... and very stupid.


CNN.com - Stop! Are those live fish under your skirt? - Jun 8, 2005

Laughter: Will it send me to hell???

The Onion | Special Olympics Investigated For Use Of Performance-Enhancing Hugs

Am I going to hell because I laughed at this?

Should I move --- or should I die?

Started blogging not too long ago on Xanga.com. Recently have been thinking about switching over to blogspot. It appears to offer more features (like allowing non-xanga members to post comments, like Paige!) which interests me greatly. I honestly don't think my posts are very interesting, but if I get enough encouragement I will likely continue posting daily events, random thoughts, etc., for your reading pleasure. So get out there and vote --- to be, or not to be?