Back-stitching again.

• Terrell Owens
• Anna Nicole Smith

Current Mood: TGIF!

Currently Listening to: Long Shot by Aimee Mann

Current Step Count: 2487

Thursday's Step Count: 10,214

• Possibly partake in Homecoming activities tomorrow depending on the weather and how I feel (still not 100%).
• Frolic with the Jumpin' Husker Ferrets.
• Clean the bathroom and kitchen.
• Read.
• Rest.
• Chat with friends and family on the phone.
• Relax.

Current Mood: Tired...so very, very tired.

Currently Listening to: Defying Gravity from "Wicked"

• I totally freak out when I have to present to a group of people. Even if it's a group of 6 students. I hate public speaking. Have always hated public speaking. Yet, I force myself to do it, because it's part of my job and it's part of my personal/professional development.
• I have three distinct nervous habits: (1) giggling; (2) leg shaking and (3) picking at my fingernails.
• I feel more confidant about my speaking ability when I am the only member of the panel left in the room. Yup, I went last on purpose. Basically, so that my other colleagues on campus cannot see what a poor speaker I am. (At least in my own head.)

What I observed about others during my hour or so of sitting in my colleague's class yesterday:

• Amtrak does a great presentation even when he's completely stressed out about Homecoming and his cell phone running out of juice.
• Students tune out after a mere 5 minutes of conversation, no matter how interesting the subject is.
• Everyone seems to be considering a career move shortly.
• Students won't share their food with the presenters due to the fact that they need the food for their own presentations. (I saw some cream based chip dip that most likely wasn't well refrigerated, that's just dangerous business.)
• I miss teaching a class. I know that I stated that I hate presenting. I do. But, I also  interacting with students on a weekly basis. And watching them learn. And discovering new methods of sharing information. It's a fun game for me.

In other news about me, I was quite disappointed to realize that there was not a new episode of Project Runway last night. I seriously thought that I had gone into some strange time warp where Kayne and Vincent never existed and we were still loving Daniel and Chloe. I was tired last night. Sorry.

So, instead of reading or cleaning, as I should have last night, I ended up watching the PBS documentary on Andy Warhol, part one. It was great. I had forgotten how much I adore PBS. I still miss the Best of Breed series, but Andy Warhol will do. The second part of the documentary airs tonight. It starts with his voyage into film and The Warehouse...it should be enlightening, to say the least.

While watching PBS last night, I realized that I need to do something more artistic with my life. Maybe a ceramics class. My mom was very good at ceramics. Or go to an artsy movie at the artsy theater on Siegen. I just feel that I need to do something. If you have any ideas on how I should get my art groove on, let me know. (That's just how unartistic I am at the moment.)

Current Mood: Hungry for change

Currently Listening to: Better Man by Pearl Jam (on MSN Classic Rock...I am old)

1. Television shows that are aimed at young adults, yet have an appeal to older 'young' adults, too. Examples: Felicity and Dawson's Creek.
2. Television shows that were once on one of the major networks, but are picked up by The WB in order for the creator to maintain creative control over the show. Examples: Sabrina, the Teenage Witch and Grounded for Life.
3. Television shows that are spin-offs of other animated television shows. Example: Pinky & the Brain.
4. Animated television shows that are brilliant, yet never stand a chance of maintaining an audience because they are aired across from Must See TV on NBC. Example: The Oblongs, it originally aired at the same time as Friends, so sad.
5. Intelligent television shows that win a lot of critical aclaim, but never have a steady audience. Example: Jack & Bobby.
6. Television shows that showcase pretty people, just for the sake that they are pretty. They don't really have to have talent. Example: Nikki and The Jamie Foxx Show.
7. Television shows that become cult classics before they air their first episode. Example: Angel.
8. Television shows that eventually have to leave the WB due to creative differences between the network and the show creator. Example: Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
9. Television shows that showcase real high school problems, like getting married before the big basketball game. Example: One Tree Hill.
10. Television shows starring people from Nickelodeon and/or 90210. Example: What I Like About You and Sabrina, the Teenage Witch.
11. Television shows that, like the Energizer Bunny, keep going and going and going...even if they should've ended years ago. Example: 7th Heaven.

As you can tell, I am very random today. It has a lot to do with the fact that I have a lot of things piled on my desk to do and little to no motivation to complete them at this particular moment. Thanks MTV!

In other news, I was out of the office last Thursday and Friday due to feeling yucky. I am currently feeling better. Thanks for asking.

During my self-induced 4-day weekend, I accomplished the following noteworthy items:

• Read 3 books (Dry, Practical Magic, The Kite Runner). All are excellent books.
• Almost finished cross-stitch project #3. I ran out of DMC #928 and have not gotten to Hobby Lobby yet to pick up some more. So, this project may take a little longer than normal to complete.
• Watched the Huskers revert to their running ways against USC. Not really sure why we didn't utilize the West Coast offense while on the West Coast, but I'm not paid the big bucks like Callahan, do I now? (Still upset we lost, but we didn't lose as badly as we could've...which is a good thing.)
• Finished watching Season 3 of Arrested Development.
• Discovered Men in Trees. The new Anne Heche television series on ABC. I like it. Which means it won't last long, I'm sure.
• Talked with my friend Shane on the phone. He's doing super well in Idaho, and says "Hey!" to everyone.

Well, I should be getting back to work. I guess.

Current Mood: Antsy

Currently Listening to: It's Tricky by Run-DMC

Took a couple days off of work due to illness. I'm feeling better.

I will share more random thoughts later.

Goals for Today:

• Actually work on my To Do list, instead of working on someone else's.
• Leave work at an appropriate time. No 5:30 and beyond tonight.
• Vacuum.
• Bathe the Jumpin' Husker Ferrets. Not as high of a priority as vacuuming. And they'll hate me for it at first. Then I'll give them treats and all will be fine.
• Watch Project Runway.
• Call Shane in Idaho. I keep meaning to. Then I fall asleep. I am a sad, sad girl.

Current Mood: Soon-to-be-caffeinated, I hope

Currently Listening to: Slither by Velvet Revolver

One word to describe yesterday: Wet.

We had a lot of rain in a short amount of time. We needed the rain, but not sure if it was needed all at once. It was fun to watch it pour outside while dining with KD for lunch. It was even nicer that the rain subsided everytime I needed to go outside. So, overall it didn't negatively effect me much. But, I have to complain about the weather from time to time. It's part of my Midwestern charm.

Beyond the rain, I worked late and still managed to get very little done. It's a talent that I have. Not sure how it happens, it just does. I hope to be home at the regular time tonight. We shall see.

On a happier note, Happy Birthday, Hope!

Current Mood: Confused

Currently Listening to: Turn! Turn! Turn! by The Byrds

Source

Purchases at Target from the weekend:

• Veronica Mars: Season 2 DVD (finally)
• Arrested Development: Season 3 DVD
• Fraggle Rock: Season 2 DVD
• Brita water filter

Current Mood: Waterlogged - it's sprinkling outside

Currently Listening to: Rock & Roll Band by Boston

41.  Skittles - capture the ! Who wouldn't want to do that?

42.  Spencer's Gifts - I rarely buy anything in there, but I do enjoy wandering around the store and going "Can they sell that in the mall?" Especially now that they have real adult toys in stock. Watch out Hearts?

43.  No Shower/Pajama Saturdays - rules for no shower/pajama Saturdays include (1) not showering and (2) not changing out of one's pajamas. The day of the week is not important, but it probably should be one that does not involve work or contact with other people. Typical activities conducted on no shower/pajama Saturdays include watching cartoons, cross-stitching, reading, cleaning, being a bum.

44.  Meatloaf - not the food. I am not a meatloaf eating type of person, even though I am of Nordic and Midwestern decent. I am talking about the opera-rock singing fool. I love almost all of his music, excluding his recent American Idol appearance. That was just embarassing.

45.  Frappaccinos - for the most part I've kicked my caffeine habit. (Used to drink around a 6-pack of Mt Dew a day.) I do indulge in iced tea quite often, but I try to keep it sugar free for the most part. But there's something about a trip to Starbucks where I can order a tall mocha frap with whipped cream that makes me swoon. It also makes me almost diabetic, but that's another story.

46.  Arthur - not the cheesy movies starring Dudley Moore. Yes, I am talking about the children's program on PBS. My sister and I have been Arthur fans for a long time. Which is semi-weird as it has only been on PBS for about 10 years. And I have been out of high school for 10 years. Again, I am a bit slow at times.

47.  Denise Austin Workouts - I have the best intentions to work out at 6:00 AM while watching Denise Austin's shows on Lifetime. Honestly, I do. But I find myself watching the show more than working out. Main reason for this: I never see what movement is going to happen next and I'm too slow to realize to change movements until she's onto the 3rd movement after the one I'm stuck on. This is why I like my dependable Yoga for Dummies DVD so much - rewind or pause.

48.  Quotes of the Day - I like sappy, motivational quotes. I guess this means that I may be sensitive. Or a chick. Today's quote: "You have to have emptiness before it can be filled. You have to exhale before you can inhale." - Tom Yeomans. Told you that I'm a sap.

49.  The Simpsons - anything related to the yellow family from FOX. Whether it's the show, the corny 1990s t-shirts, random quotes...I'm a freak about Springfield.

50.  Troll Dolls - I have a collection of over 100 of this ugly cute dolls at my parents' house. They're not even from the first wave of cooldom in the 1970s, they're from the retro is cool movement of the 1990s. I am lame.

Random thoughts from last night:

• Why does everybody call/text so late at night? (It was 9:30 PM. I had fallen asleep at 8:00 PM, since I wasn't feeling well.)
• Is that really Jimmy Smits on PeeWee's Playhouse?
• Why have I not purchased a new Brita pitcher?

Current Mood: Kinda awake

Currently Listening to: In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel

23.  Brat Pack Movies - I  Molly Ringwold! Pretty in Pink and Sixteen Candles are among my most favorite movies EVER. Main reason: a strong red-headed female lead. That doesn't happen often.

34.  Muppets  - I  Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie the Bear, Animal, Bert & Ernie...the list goes on and on. I'm not too fond of Elmo, but I'm getting over that slowly but surely. They are fun and educational, but mostly fun.

• Ate a piece of birthday cake that my lovely assistant bought for me.
• Talked to my sister and friends on the phone.
• Watched Project Runway. Can you believe someone threw an egg at Michael? I am so happy that Vincent is gone. I hope Kayne is next.
• Made a thin crust pizza around 9:30 PM. The cake was not enough apparently.
• Cross-stitched like a banshee. Had to make up for the stitches I had to tear out on Tuesday due to my own stupidity.

Current Mood: Yawny

Currently Listening to: Munich by Editors

1. E! Television - since it influenced this blog, I must admit that it is a bad, bad habit of mine. I actually admitted to a group of my friends this past weekend that I consider the 6:00 PM E! News to be my 'real news.' I have to know who Paris is dating, so that I can mock her. I need to know if Suri Holmes-Cruise has been sighted yet. I am way more interested in Hugh Hefner's sex life than my own. It's a sick habit. But it makes me smile. So it's well worth it.
2. nip/tuck - basically it's Skinimax for those of us who don't want to pay for more than basic cable. It's kinda like watching a car wreck. You know you shouldn't be watching/enjoying it, but you cannot seem to turn away. (Last night's episode was great! The mother-daughter thing a little disturbing, but not as disturbing as JR wanting bigger balls.)
3. Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia Ice Cream - I have a pint of it in my freezer as we speak. It's been a favorite of mine for years. Luckily, it hasn't been retired.
4. Food Network - the reason that I know that Cherry Garcia hasn't been retired is due to an episode of Unwrapped, where they visited the Ben & Jerry's plant and showed the flavors that had been put to rest. They literally had a 'graveyard' for the fallen flavors. I love the Food Network. I watch it for hours. I do not cook. Go figure.
5. Disney Channel/Nickelodeon Cartoons - I am officially 29 years of age now, and I still watch Fairly Oddparents, Brandy & Mr. Whiskers, Kim Possible and Danny Phantom on a regular basis. I should probably work on popping out a couple of kids in the next few years to make this less weird.
6. Text messaging - I will text someone before calling them anymore. It seems less intrusive to me. Although I think it is probably more intrusive. But I am getting so good at knowing which number corresponds with each letter. It's an artform.
7. Blogging - whether it is writing entries for this blog or reading another blog, I spend a lot of time reading or sharing information. It's a great stress reliever.
8. Pink is the New Blog - Amtrak introduced me to this blog about a year ago. I love how Trent, the blogmaster, shares Hollywood gossip with the masses. Basically with sarcasm. I like sarcasm a lot.
9. Infomercials - I would never buy anything that is peddled by a former television actress at dumb:30 in the morning, but I sure will watch and wonder if I could lose inches from my waist by thinking positively about my inner child. I really do wonder.
10. Facebook/MySpace - easiest way to cyberstalk someone ever.
11. Iced tea of the Day from Starbucks - yesterday's flavor: Ginger Peach. (Thanks for the coffee break, Jules.)
12. Adam Sandler Movies - I mock them because I love them. I will watch Big Daddy every time it pops up on ABC Family. I will rewind the VHS/DVD everytime Bob Barker, a fellow SD native, fights with Happy. It's a sick obsession. But it makes me laugh so hard that my sides hurt. Except for Little Nicky. That movie just sucked.
13. Bath & Body Works - if I have a coupon for free lotion with a purchase, I will force myself to find something in the store to buy in order to get the free lotion. Even if I don't need free lotion. I need this free lotion. In this new scent. That will be renamed something within the year. Hmmm...wonder if I have a coupon at home?
14. Butterfinger Crisps - my kryptonite.
15. Crunchy rolls from sushi restaurants - T and I can eat an entire crunchy roll within minutes. It's been known to happen more than once.
16. Eavesdropping - whether it's listening to loud conversations at a restaurant or reading over someone's shoulder when they're typing on a computer, I have a bad habit of knowing what other people's lives consist of. I then blog about the overheard conversations. It makes for good reading. Latest overheard conversation on the bus: Girl found her boyfriend in bed with his roommate...who also happens to be her brother. She was discussing this loudly with someone on her cell phone. Not sure if it's true or not, but it made me listen more closely.
17. Boulevard Beer - overdiscussed within this venue. I'm sorry.
18. Instant Messaging - almost the same as text messaging, yet a little different...since I do use this as a work-related communication tool for the most part.
19. Holiday Weekend A-Thons - how I describe the trend for every basic cable station to have back-to-back episodes of the same television show on during long weekends. I get drawn in every time that the USA Network has a Law & Order: SVU-a-thon. Every time. Other a-thons that grab my attention: Dark Angel-a-thon on SciFi. RENO 911-a-thon on Comedy Central. The list goes on and on.
20. ABC Family Original Movies - I get suckered into watching every single one of these movies again and again due to the fact that they're on all of the time AND they generally star at least one former Buffy star.

How I spent my birthday:

• Went for coffee with Jules, a lovely co-worker.
• Lunch with co-workers. Ate too much, but enjoyed every minute of the time away from the office.
• Received a lot of e-cards (including one involving squirrels), e-mails and messages from friends. All were and are greatly appreciated.
• Cross-stitched while watching television.
• Watched the nip/tuck.
• Fell asleep early.

Very low-key day. I loved every minute of it.

Current Mood: Hungry...good thing I brought my Kashi granola bars

Currently Listening to: White Punks on Dope by The Tubes