• Barnes & Noble has conspired against me. How? By having a lot of 'depressing' books either on sale for 30% off OR on clearance. I cannot avoid a good book sale.
• My mom has given me a lot of books that are kinda drama-filled this year.
• My book choices honestly don't reflect that much about me, other than the fact that I like to read.
• I overthink stuff.

• Lamb by Christopher Moore - finished 4/27/07
• Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik - should be finished by tonight (fingers crossed)

• To read all of the book club selections mentioned within the book.
• To start a book club.

 So, we shall see how long my non-aftermath reading spree lasts. (I have a hunch that it won't be much longer. Just from the books lying in the TBR pile at home.)

Today's Goals: To finish Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons. (Way less smutty than it sounds .) To walk after work. (Yup...need to get back into that routine again.)

---

• A Route 44 Cherry Limeade from Sonic.
• Cane's Chicken Fingers. (I swear...they put something addictive in the sauce or something.)
• Another day off from work.
• A real vacation from work and reality.
• Boulevard. (I only had it once when I was back home earlier this month. What was I thinking?)
• Backrub/massage. (I hurt.)
• A first-round draft pick.
• Chocolate.
• A nap.

1. NASCAR mania - I understand wanting to go fast, but I will never understand why people spend lots and lots of money on following this 'sport' and/or putting a race car sticker on their 1992 vehicle.
2. Boy band appeal - I kinda fell into the NKOTB thing back in the day, but never to the extent that a lot of my friends and classmates did. Why are teenage (or older) girls and gay men attracted to boys that sing like girls about topics such as "Bye, bye, bye" and the depths of their hearts?
3. Jamie Kennedy projects - he was really funny in the Scream movies, but for goodness sake, do we really need more movies and television shows brought to us by Malibu's Most Wanted?
4. Why I am suckered into watching every movie ever made for Lifetime, ABC Family or The Hallmark Channel. Honestly, I don't even read romance novels (that much) anymore. And I hope that I've moved past the Afterschool Special phase of my development. Maybe I'm just drawn to crappy plotlines and acting. But then I'd adore Jamie Kennedy. Things that make you go hmmmm.
5. The surprised look people get on their faces when I say I'm from South Dakota. Yup. It's a state. Has been for over 100 years. It even has its own quarter now, folks. (Of which I have almost $5 worth.)
6. How a person can eat a Tootsie Pop without biting into the chocolately center until all of the hard sucker coating has been eaten away. Really? Have they not seen the classic commercial with Mr. Owl? Again, the world may never know.
7. Mullets - Dude. I so saw a guy with a spiked mullet yesterday. On a college campus. And I don't think he was sporting it in an ironic way.
8. Celine Dion.
9. Mentos commercials - Are they honestly the freshmaker?
10. America's infatuation with reality television. It's due to this fascination that good television shows are cancelled (Arrested Development, Veronica Mars) in lieu of crappy television shows (Skating with Celebrities, The Search for the Next Pussycat Doll). Think about what that says about our country's intelligence level?
11. Brandishing Hollywood couples with a combined name nickname. I blame Bennifer I for bringing us TomKat, Brangelina... At times I forget that they are individuals and not a British house band.
12. The return of boxy looking vehicles (Elements) to society. I used to be mocked, openly, for driving boxy cars. Now they're being pimped by MTV.
13. FOX NEWS.

1. I have to teach class tonight, so I'll be on campus later than normal.
2. The roof of my mouth was burnt by my soup at lunch.
3. Peer pressure, otherwise known as Jules.
4. It's a Wednesday. One should reward oneself for making it to the middle of the work week.
5. Veronica Mars may be cancelled. (I'm milking that excuse for all its worth.)

• Outcast student who has had enough, aka the shooter
• Popular student who witnesses her boyfriend's death, aka wannabe outcast
• Parents of the shooter trying to determine their role in their son's life and actions
• Mother of the popular student, also a judge, trying to understand her daughter's pain
• Police detective who gets too involved with the case and the witnesses
• Defense attorney trying to understand his client's actions

In typcial Picoult fashion, the reader is transported into the pysches of each of the characters as they relive the moments in their lives that lead to the 19 minutes it took for the actions of one person to change the lives of an entire community. Each chapter represents a different time period within the time-line of disaster: the day of the event, 17 years earlier, 5 months after, etc. Picoult's style allows the reader to be a part of the story to try to figure out why this event occurred. What was the tipping point that pushed a student to bring weapons to school? Was it an act of self-defense as the defense attorney argues? Was it a premeditated act, as the prosecutor claims?

In light of the recent tragedy at Virginia Tech, I was unsure if I would be able to handle the content of this book. While it did take me a lot longer than usual for me to finish a Picoult book, almost a week versus a day, I did find the book therapeutic. It allowed me to walk through the emotions of a tragedy without having to watch CNN and FOX NEWS dissect the ways that they would have handled the situation differently. As I finished the book last night, I realized that my undergraduate advisor for journalism was correct when he said that there are always at least two sides to every story, and that as a human being your role is to determine how many sides you can handle. And what information needs to be shared with the public. 

In the case of Nineteen Minutes, Picoult shares enough information to make an interesting story. In the case of Virginia Tech, I think that the media has shared enough information to make headlines.

Now, I think that the country needs to allow those directly affected by the tragedy at Virginia Tech to determine how much more of the story should be told.

Current Mood: Opinionated

Currently Listening to: Karma Police by Radiohead

Current # of Visits: 7811

Current # of Books Read in April: 7

Current # of Books Read in 2007: 40

Today's Goals: To diminish my laundry pile at home. To bathe the Jumpin' Husker Ferrets.

• First planning meeting for the 2007-08 academic year.
• GA's final vocal recital.
• Filing.
• Copies for student organization's final meetings and class.

• Shopping trip for supplies for student organization recognination event and office supplies.
• E-mail round 1 for students to remind them of a variety of stuff.
• Student organization recruitment materials for 2007-08 academic year due.

• Teach class. Final class to teach for the year, so that's sweet!
• Recruitment materials dispersed to potential student organization members.
• Prepare information for up-coming database (swear word under breath) meeting.

• Virginia Tech recognition event.
• Finalize all materials for student organization end of the year stuff.
• Report due for final class taught for the year.

• Breathe.

• Possibly hang out with T.
• Laundry.

• Attend two end of the year events on campus.

I'm hoping that by sharing this information, it will allow me to be less grouchy in the days to come. I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you.

1. Counting - started Non-Wintery Cross Stitch Project #1 yesterday.
2. Scrubbing - the floors in my apartment and in the Jumpin' Husker Ferret cage are almost clean enough to eat off. I just cannot imagine a scenario where a person would have to eat off of a floor. Eww.
3. Napping - I guess that I was still a bit tired after my journey to the land of April snow showers.
4. Walking - see above. I rule!
5. Texting - it is so easy to confuse MoSus. It's almost sad.

• I am uber frustrated with Hobby Lobby for constantly re-arranging their store in an ultimate plot to confuse me. As we all know, I'm rather easy to confuse, so when you throw the fact that I can't find floss bobbins into the mix...I'm almost blonde.
• Why was last night's episode of The Office a repeat?
• There ought to be a law stating that the media cannot place blame on anyone (person or institution) for at least a week after a disaster occurs.
• I need to update my wardrobe to include more orange and maroon.
• I will be watching Notes on a Scandal this weekend. I hope that it's as good as the book.
• After receiving the official invitation to my cousin's wedding yesterday, I will be back in SD for the last weekend in July.
• Girls Weekend 2007 - Chicago or Las Vegas, are you game?
• BR is full of lots of Sunday drivers today. And it's only Friday. It may be a longer weekend than I had anticipated.
• Why can't I be on mandated bed rest?
• If you are a state in need of an employee, please let me know so that I can help MoSus find a new job.
• My favorite word of the day is "refill."

1. Steak - nothing's better than a medium rare steak from the Monarch. Perfect marbling. Only seasoned with salt and pepper. Just a fun meal for all to enjoy.
2. "State" vs the "U" debates - not really sure if they were true 'debates' as we all know that State's better at everything. (State = SDSU, U = the other school).
3. KELO-Land - or the godfather of all local television and radio stations. This monopoly runs the state - it has the best weather coverage, which is very important to every SD resident. It used to have Captain 11, the best local children's show. Plus, it carries more news shows in a 24-hour period than CNN.
4. Nutty's - my first experience with a wall of daiquiris. Who knew that one day I'd live in the land of frozen alcoholic drinks?
5. KRRO - who doesn't want to listen to an hour of Metallica every night at 9? Right?
6. Red Green Show - other than Arthur the only reason I've ever considered pledging money to the annual PBS fundraising campaigns.
7. Ditch Road - yup, that's the road's actual name, not to be confused with Speed Road. Which is actually an Avenue, but let's not get caught up in technicalities.
8. East River-West River rivalries - aka farmers vs ranchers, Sioux Falls vs Rapid City, or just plain too much time to think during the April snowstorm.
9. Janklow jokes - yet, he'd still win a re-election. For some reason, people love him.
10. Sons of Norway dinners - I personally preferred the torsk suppers over the lutefisk ones. Plus, the little old men looked so cute in their Norwegian sweaters and outfits.
11. Indian Tacos - horribly bad for you, but horribly addicting at the same time. Fond memories of Mad Jacks. Represent.
12. Watertowers - they're everywhere in the state. They represent towns and rural water areas. They are gathering places for high school keggers. Or for climbing. My favorite one is in the country-side, with the delightful tag of "Evil Smurfs Must Die" spray painted on its side.
13. Uff-da - it can be positive, negative. It can be a phrase or an individual word. It can mean joy or pain. It's even more fun to pair up with y'all. As in "Uff-da, y'all!"

• Wordless - I honestly cannot think of much to share with the masses. And I define the word masses as the following "3-10 people that have a knack for procrastinating by reading a rather unentertaining blog written by Me." I'm not hating. I'm just stating a fact.
• Winded - Not from actual exercise, as I have been rather lazy for about a week, but more mentally and emotionally winded after a week that included the following: travel, steak dinners, births, weddings, Grindhouse and more travel.
• Wacky - Because when isn't my life wacky? Honestly, I have no idea which direction is up at the moment. And I'm quasi-okay with that fact.
• Wandering - I find myself coasting from meeting to meeting, from place to place, without ever really knowing what I've done or what I should be doing. The fun of being an administrator? Or the fun of being a late blooming Gen-Xer? I'll let you make the choice.
• Wondering - Should I stay or should I go? This is definitely a question that needs to be answered soon. If only I was as wise (another w word) as The Clash.

• Departed BR on a jet plane destined to Houston, TX, at 1:00 PM.
• Arrived in Omaha, NE, by 6:00 PM.
• Supped with Chris at Famous Dave's. *Yummy*
• Enjoyed an evening at The Holiday Inn Express.

• Mom & Dad picked me up from The Holiday Inn Express.
• Traveled North towards the family farm.
• Enjoyed a round or two of whist and hearts with my parents and sister.
• Dined at The Monarch Steakhouse with my family and Judy.
• Dominos = the devil. That's all I'm saying.
• My family grew by another member. My cousin had her fourth child, Vivian Hazel, in Colorado. The entire family is doing swimmingly.

Friday, April 13

• Sat in a dark theater for 3+ hours watching Grindhouse. I truly enjoyed the movie. As did my sister's boyfriend. My sister, not so much.
• Ate at Perkins for breakfast and supper. YAY! Breadbowl salads!
• Hung out with the youngins - sister's friends. Felt old.

• Attended my friend's wedding in Brookings. Was a very nice event.

• Blades of Glory is hilarious. 'Nuff said.

• Drove to Lincoln with my sister. Saw Tonda.
• Flew from Omaha to Memphis to Baton Rouge.
• Fell asleep early. Really early.

Overall, the trip home was successful. I stayed healthy. I hung out with family members. I stayed healthy. I saw snow. I saw snow melt. I stayed healthy. As usual, the trip was way too short - but that's to be expected.

Well, I should try to get caught up on work. More later.

 Happy Birthday to BigMac & LSUConngal!

 Happy Early Birthday to MoSus!

 ...and I will be back in the world of lefse, Husker football and cold weather.

1. Lunched with T on Friday. I  Blue Moon! (Soon, I will  Boulevard even more.)
2. Purchased groceries to keep Me:On a Diet going until I leave for Omaha on Wednesday.
3. Uber-cleaned the Jumpin' Husker Ferret cage.
4. Became more cultured by watching Volver. Excellent movie. Didn't even mind that I had to read sub-titles to understand the dialogue.
5. Walked at least 40 minutes each day.

Happy Belated (by one day) Birthday, Anne!

1. Heathers
2. Chasing Amy
3. Dogma
4. Serenity
5. The Muppet Movie
6. The Breakfast Club
7. Almost Famous
8. Wedding Crashers
9. The Wizard of Oz
10. A Christmas Story

1. My sister
2. MoSus
3. T
4. Rosemary
5. My posse in the ABH (which should count as 3, actually)
6. My boss
7. RLC Trio
8. Angi
9. The Rents

1. Milk & cookie socks
2. Brown dress shoes
3. Glasses
4. Yellow t-shirt
5. Tan dress pants
6. Underclothing
7. Deodorant
8. Bath & Body Works Body Splash - Cucumber Melon

1. Weather
2. Travel
3. Motivation
4. Sleep
5. Walking
6. Supper
7. Lemony Snicket

1. Snooze alarm
2. Jumpin' Husker Ferrets
3. Doorknob to my apartment
4. Remote control
5. Light switch to my reading lamp
6. Refrigerator door

1. Shower
2. Read
3. Harass MoSus
4. Walk for at least 30 minutes
5. Contemplate a major life change

1. Nirvana
2. Aimee Mann
3. The Doors
4. HOLE

1. The Sweet Escape by Gwen Stefani
2. Ain't Nothing Wrong with That by Robert Randolph and the Family Band
3. You Know I'm No Good by Amy Winehouse

1. Grandpa Bob
2. Jim Henson

1. Countergirl at Izzo's

Yes. I'm officially bored at work today. The fun of working on campus when the students are on Spring Break.

I guess.