another late bar night

Well, Venetian Night was beautiful! The weather was 75 and clear. There were probably around 700,000 people that attended and the boats were decorated beautifully and the fireworks display was fabulous. I've never seen blue fireworks before! There were also ones that were smiley faces. Gotta love technology. My favorite fireworks are the gold ones that shimmer and then fade to look like a weeping willow tree. They take over the entire sky.

Then we fought traffic and went to this bar called Zella. It used to be a favorite of mine back in my fake id days, but now its to snobby. Its a bunch of young 20-somethings sporting their designer purses and jewelry and every guy had on jeans, black shoes and a button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to mid-forearm. It was like freaking Rodeo Drive, complete with fake blondes with fake noses and fake boobies. I used to love all that stuff and can rival any girl there with my Tiffany jewelry and purses. But tonight I went casual. Jeans, Old Navy flip flops, a brown tank top from TJ MAXX, chunky bead jewelry from H & M, and a purse a friend's little sister didn't want anymore. Did I care I wasn't the creme de la creme of the place, hell no. I wanted out of there.........I'd take a Wrigleyville Bar and Golden Tee and a Bud Light any day.

Afterwards we went to the Funky Buddha Lounge in the city. $20 cover for guys, $10 for girls. It was like the United Nations in there.......most diverse club I've ever been to. There were Indian women with the red dots on their foreheads, beautiful black women, chatty chinese girls waiting in line for the bathroom, and of course, some of us whities.....all dancing together in harmony to hip hop (I knew about 3 songs, best one being "Hip Hop Hooray". Note to self: you cannot move your hips and ass like those black girls can! I hurt my back trying to dance! (some people might think that's a racist comment, well its not so shutup!) Dancing in flip flops is not ergonomically-friendly either. I'll stick to line dancing at the local saloon. These weird guys kept trying to dance with us and it got to the point my friend and basically pretended to be lesbians to get them off of us! One beef I had, there was nowhere to sit down. You had to PAY to get a couch, and there were security guys and a velvet rope separating us commoners from the VIP's who were sipping on Champagne and taking in all the action from afar.

All and all, a pretty decent night! But I am officially broke. $18 to park at Venetian night (split with friend), $30 in drinks, $10 cover, $20 cab fares, yeeeeesh! From now on, I will drink before I go out, IF I go out anymore. Last night I spent twice that.

Holy schnikes, its almost 4am. Damn I'm a rock star!

(p.s- for those of you out there that think I lead an exciting life, come read this blog in 2 weeks and I'll probably be on suicide watch when I'm working around the clock. The only dancing I will be doing will be a happy dance like the Six Flags old guy before I collapse into bed for the night)

things happen

things happen
Originally uploaded by Toribear5.

"THINGS HAPPEN FOR A REASON, JUST BELIEVE."

I bought this for a friend and decided I needed it as well.

I figured if I live by both of these sayings, I might have a chance of cracking an occasional smile during my 80 hour work weeks that are just around the corner.

livelovelaugh

livelovelaugh
Originally uploaded by Toribear5.

I bought a set of two cute signs to hang on the wall by my staircase. This way on the way to work and coming home from work, I can be reminded what life is truly all about.

burn

burn
Originally uploaded by Toribear5.

I burnt my neck with a curling iron before going out last night. OUCH! It looks worse in person and resembles a hickey.

haaaa haaaa, Stewie

Haaa haaa, Stewie is watching the cheerleaders change and he said:

"Oh heavens, it appears that my wee wee has been stricken with rigamortis."

bars are fun

Usually when I go downtown to Chicago to drink, I'm annoyed. It was a blast tonight! I saw "female impersonators" that had better bodies than me. This one "girl" (and I use that term loosely), had a flowy dress that she lifted up and showed her underwear! There was NOTHING there, not tucked under, nothing. Definitely had work done. She had great boobs too and had a small scar where her adam's apple should be. Great voice, great dancer.

Then we went to Casey Morans, which is right next door to Wrigley Field.............note to self: never go to bars the evening after an afternoon Cubs game. These guys have been drinking since the game started at 3:15pm, maybe even before! Its blatently obvious who went to the game, ala jerseys, hats and beads, oh and the talking jibberish. And talk about a small world, this one weird guy came over to me to introduce me to a friend of his..........who I had actually met before at a medical conference! He's a fellow Athletic Trainer, small world.

The the girls and I went to another bar where I played some Golden Tee. For those of you who do not know what this game is........IT IS ONLY THE COOLEST, FUNNEST BAR GAME EVER.

All and all, a great night. This one bar called Tin Lizzies we were at played kick ass 90's music:

-Kriss Kross- Jump!!
-Ice, Ice Baby
-You gotta fight for your right to parrrrtay
-Jump Around
-Hip Hop Hooray

And yes, I did all the appropriate dances to those songs. "jump up, jump up and get down!" and threw my arms around in "hip hop hooray."

Now, I'm going to finish watching "Family Guy" that Tivo so generously taped for me. Its the one where Peter finds out he's part black. What a riot!

miss yuppie goes to the fair

I went to a county fair tonight. I went earlier in the day to help out a candidate running for U.S Congress but had a friend of mine meet me after she got out of work.

We saw motorcross bike racing and a Demolition Derby! When the cars got to close to the side, we got sprayed with mud....note to self: never sit in the front row at a derby. One of the cars even exploded and there was fire and black smoke everywhere!

I had a typical fair meal: pizza, elephant ear, and an ice cream cone. Oh and get this, NO ALCOHOL!!! WTF? What, were they trying to make it "family friendly?" What do they think, that we are bunch of savages that would act like idiots? Well, probably.

The only bad part was that the fair is pretty close to the high school I teach at so I saw every damn student I've ever had. I tried to go incognito by wearing the candidate's t-shirt, my cowboy hat and sunglasses but these damn kids have eagle vision. You know what else bothered me.....the petting zoo. It had some animals I didn't feel belonged in your typical run-of-the-mill petting zoo. There were zebras, baby kangaroos, and even a baby tiger. I felt bad for them. Why is it that some animals upset me like the above mentioned but seeing the goats didn't phase me at all?

I decided that I am a pretty damn cool girl. Tonight I was being showered with mud at a Demolition Derby and walking around a swine barn, tomorrow I will be having dinner and drinks at a bar with drag queens (Kit Kat Lounge) in "boys town" and Saturday night I will be at Venetian Night, then drinks at a night club called "The Funky Buddha." Talk about being multifaceted! Now I couldn't be farther from conceited, but you gotta admit, its funny.

I've learned how to step outside my comfort zone and it turns out, there's a lot of fun stuff out there in this world! Flipping frogs onto a lily pad to win a big, stuffed ape is fun, watching female impersonators who are prettier than me sing "Man I feel like a woman" is fun, and going to Venetian night with a great girlfriend amongst the couples is fun.

My request for all of you reading this.......go out this weekend and do something that is out of your comfort zone. I'm not telling you to go have an orgy or anything, but you just never know what's around the next corner in this crazy world.

Stupid Canadian

I clicked on the "next blog" link on the top right of my page and it went straight to this blog. Its unbelieveable. Under the "Truth on Iraq", it actually has a link to Al-Jazzera. Are you freaking kidding me? I'm sure a few people who post on here might find it interesting.

Check out this commie: Not the Country Club

p.s- he's a Canadian so who the hell cares what he thinks about American politics. Go hug a tree, and smoke some weed.

p.p.s- I used to LOVE Canada, but ever since fans at a Montreal Canadiens hockey game turned their backs and booed when The Star Spangled Banner was played, that was it!

Natalee Holloway Theories

The coverage is still going very strong in the Natalee Holloway case. I would really like to know what happened to her and these poor parents need some closure, one way or the other.

I am considering chaperoning a high school trip next year to Bali, Indonesia but after seeing what's happened with Natalee, its made me realize what a big responsibility it is. I believe that Indonesia has the highest concentration of Muslims in the world. Do I have that right?

Anywho, I have a theory on what happened to Natalee.

She was drunk and thought Joran Van Der Sloot was hot. They went to the beach to make out, he wanted more, she didn't and he possibly raped her and killed her by accident (covering her mouth to keep quiet, smothered her? choked her?). I think he called his father Paul for help and the two of them disposed of Natalee....not sure where.

Someone else mentioned that she might have been sold as a sex slave.

I just hope they find out what happened to her. Joran Van Der Sloot is a slimeball and has said horrible things to Natalee's mother Beth Holloway Twitty. The Arubans have a different way of doing things and its got to be so frustrating.

What do you think happened to her?

Loyalty Quizzes

On About.com you can take quizzes to see how loyal you are to the Republican Party, Democratic Party, and to President Bush. There are 10 questions and this is how I faired.

Bush Loyalty Quiz:

Your score is 10 on a scale of 1 to 10. You are a True Believer in President Bush. Your loyalty and devotion to him is matched only by your desire to see his liberal detractors locked away and declared enemy combatants. If all Americans thought as you did, and were it constitutionally viable, George W. Bush would be president for life.

Republican Loyalty Quiz (10/10).....AND Democratic Loyalty Quiz (0/10)....I got the same thing!

Your score is 0 on a scale of 1 to 10. You are a pure, unabashed, die-hard Republican loyalist. You remain fiercely dedicated to fighting the twin evils of terrorism and liberalism, and you'd walk across a field of land mines if it meant casting a deciding vote for a Republican president. In your view, there is no higher form of patriotism than defending America against the Democratic Party and every elitist, French-loving, religion-mocking, America-hating, terrorist-appeasing ideal for which it stands.

Bombing Mecca

Tom Tancredo, a US Rep from Colorado, threw out something quite interesting in a radio address in Orlando on Friday. He was asked what our response should be if Islamic terrorists bombed America soil....and Tancredo threw out the hypothetical idea that we could go after what they hold near and dear......that we should "take out" Islamic holy sites. In other words, bomb Mecca.

In my outrage and anger on 9/11 I thought of that immediately. What if we made an announcement "If there are any more terrorist attacks on American soil in the name of Allah, we will destroy Mecca." What do you think would happen? I understand that the Muslim religion has the most followers in the world. I understand that 99% of Muslims are good, religious, decent people. I also get that it undermines what we are trying to do in Iraq because a good bit of them are Muslim.

I just want to throw Rep. Tancredo's words out there and see what you all think. When you are dealing with people who have no morals, no regrets, no allegiance to any nation, and would blow themselves up in the name of their holy one..........would they make the ultimate sacrifice to Allah and stop their terrorism in order to preserve their holy land??????

chicken cheese asparagus recipe

I am extremely new to cooking. I make very basic things but have started to branch out a bit. I have gotten some requests for my recipe for the dish pictured a couple posts down. I suggest for all you new cookers out there who don't have a lot of time, go to The Food Network's website or click on this link for my favorite cooking show "Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee"

She makes great meals that are 70% already made, and 30% preparation. I promise you, its worth it. I might start posting my favorites up on my blog.

Chicken Cheese Asparagus:

1. marinate as many thawed out chicken breasts as you want in a plastic bag with some Italian Dressing. I did it for 2 hours and it was fine, but you can do it longer if you want more flavor.

2. then lay them out on a plate, and cut up some of your favorite cheese. Sharp white cheddar works GREAT. Put some on the middle of the breast.

3. then lay a few asparagus down in the middle and fold up the sides of the chicken. Secure with toothpicks.

4. for added zing, you can bread the chicken. Since I didn't have any breadcrumbs, I crushed up some Cheez-its and covered my chicken roll-up in it.

5. bake in oven at 425 for 20-25 minutes. Or you can grill it, turning every 2-3 min.

(sauce)

1. cut up more of the same cheese you used for the chicken stuffing and throw it in a pot. Put a dash of milk and heat up. If it is too thick, add more milk, too thin, add more cheese. Then just drizzle on top of the finished chicken.

Its completely easy, looks pretty, and makes for great leftovers. Its also great for parties, b/c you can make it earlier in the day, and leave it in the fridge until you are ready to bake it up. I'd probably make it if I cook dinner for a guy ever again.

Good luck!

me time

Warning: This is not a political post, it is me, late at night, tired, and just typing, thats all.

Today I spoke to no one and did not leave my house. I can't tell if I enjoyed it or was a bit lonely. Well, if you count blogging and posting, then I have "talked" to people.

I slept in, made a sandwich, read my mail, watched my soap opera, cleaned a bit, and tended to my lawn, flowers and bushes. I made a positively wonderful dinner for myself, although it was enough for two. Its more fun cooking for someone else. I made chicken that was marinated in Italian dressing, then laid it out, put sharp white cheddar on the top, laid asparagus in the cheese and rolled it up and breaded it with crushed Cheez-its, then baked it. It was delightful and at least eating alone allows for leftovers.

As I watch my summer dwindle down, it saddens me. I've had a great summer, full of drinking, making my new house a home, and learning the fine art of cooking. But this summer was the first time in a long while where I have been single. I miss picnics, dates to the movies, and other things of the sort. I had such grand plans in my head when I moved into my new house. We were supposed to sleep late, make pancakes, go for long walks, and watch movies on my big couch.

This weekend is one of my favorite events in Chicago. Its called Venetian Night and I've been going to it since I was a little kid. Its in downtown Chicago, and all the beautiful boats decorate with props, costumes and lights and parade down the shoreline to music. Afterwards, the 500,000 people attending watch a spectacular fireworks display set to music. I remember being young and seeing all these couples cuddling on their plaid blankets and its cheesy, but I wanted to do that. These last two years I finally was in Chicago and had a loving boyfriend, but each year, something happened with him and he backed out each time. Maybe it was God trying to tell me something.....that the man I finally get to share my favorite night in Chicago with will be the person I am meant to be with. As for this year's Venetian Night, it is this Saturday. Will I go? Possibly. But I know it won't be with the man I love.

I feel a bit like Carrie Bradshaw from "Sex and the City". I am sitting here, late at night on my new laptop, trying to figure out my life, and using a public blog to do so. Even after seeing the series finale countless times, I still cried watching Mr. Big sweep Carrie into his arms in Paris and kissing her. After that I needed air so I sat outside on my front porch, going back and forth in my white rocking chair, watching the lightning before the storm (that never came.)

Now I'm still up watching "Meet Joe Black" with Brad Pitt. My sister and I watched this movie when it came out back in 1998 and had a laughing fit at one part (sis, you know the part.) But the main reason I watch this movie, besides him getting slaughtered by the truck at the beginning, and oogling Brad Pitt in a suit, is the ending. She dances with her father to the very song that I want to dance with my father at at my wedding. "What a Wonderful World", yes its been done countless times, but there's a reason for that. I watch that part and it just warms my heart and makes me smile. I was never one of those girls who planned out her wedding from the age of 5 on. But this is the one thing I do know and I suffer through the first 3 hours, just to see the last 5 minutes.

I've come to realize that its probably a good thing that my free time is coming to a drastic end. When I do have time, I think too much and end up whining on here at all hours of the night. But my favorite part of the movie is finally here so thats my cue.....

chicken cheese asparagus

chicken cheese asparagus
Originally uploaded by Toribear5.

Yummy dinner I cooked all by myself!

Shoe Bomber Trial

I got this forward from a fellow Young Republican executive board member. It is long, but WELL worth taking the time to read, I promise!!:


Remember the guy who got on a plane with a bomb built into his shoe and tried to light it? Did you know his trial is over? Did you know he was sentenced? Did you see/hear any of the judge's comments on TV/Radio? Didn't think so.

Everyone should hear what the judge had to say. Ruling by Judge William Young, US District Court:

Prior to sentencing, the Judge asked the defendant if he had anything to say. His response: After admitting his guilt to the court for the record, Reid also admitted his "allegiance to Osama bin Laden, to Islam, and to the religion of Allah," defiantly stated "I think I will not apologize for my actions," and told the court "I am at war with your country."

Judge Young then delivered the statement quoted below:

January 30, 2003, United States vs. Reid. Judge Young:"Mr. Richard C. Reid, hearken now to the sentence the Court imposes upon you.On counts 1, 5 and 6 the Court sentences you to life in prison in the custody of the United States Attorney General. On counts 2, 3, 4 and 7, the Court sentences you to 20 years in prison on each count, the sentence on each count to run consecutive with the other. That's 80 years.

On count 8 the Court sentences you to the mandatory 30 years consecutive to the 80 years just imposed. The Court imposes upon you each of the eight counts a fine of $250,000 for the aggregate fine of $2 million. The Court accepts the government's recommendation with respect to restitution and orders restitution in the amount of $298.17 to Andre Bousquet and $5,784 to American Airlines.The Court imposes upon you the $800 special assessment. The Court imposes upon you five years supervised release simply because the law requires it. But the life sentences are real life sentences so I need go no further.

This is the sentence that is provided for by our statutes. It is a fair and just sentence. It is a righteous sentence. Let me explain this to you. We are not afraid of you or any of your terrorist co-conspirators, Mr. Reid. We are Americans. We have been through the fire before. There is all too much war talk here and I say that to everyone with the utmost respect. Here in this court, we deal with individuals as individuals and care for individuals as individuals. As human beings, we reach out for justice.You are not an enemy combatant. You are a terrorist. You are not a soldier in any war. You are a terrorist. To give you that reference, to call you a soldier, gives you far too much stature. Whether it is the officers of government who do it or your attorney who does it, or if you think you are a soldier. You are not----- you are a terrorist. And we do not negotiate with terrorists. We do not meet with terrorists. We do not sign documents with terrorists. We hunt them down one by one and bring them to justice. So war talk is way out of line in this court. You are a big fellow. But you are not that big. You're no warrior. I've know warriors. You are a terrorist. A species of criminal that is guilty of multiple attempted murders.

In a very real sense, State Trooper Santiago had it right when you first were taken off that plane and into custody and you wondered where the press and where the TV crews were, and he said: "You're no big deal." You are no big deal. What your able counsel and what the equally able United States attorneys have grappled with and what I have as honestly as I know how tried to grapple with, is why you did something so horrific. What was it that led you here to this courtroom today?I have listened respectfully to what you have to say.

And I ask you to search your heart and ask yourself what sort of unfathomable hate led you to do what you are guilty and admit you are guilty of doing. And I have an answer for you. It may not satisfy you, but as I search this entire record, it comes as close to understanding as I know. It seems to me you hate the one thing that to us is most precious. You hate our freedom. Our individual freedom. Our individual freedom to live as we choose, to come and go as we choose, to believe or not believe as we individually choose.

Here, in this society, the very wind carries freedom. It carries it everywhere from sea to shining sea. It is because we prize individual freedom so much that you are here in this beautiful courtroom. So that everyone can see,truly see, that justice is administered fairly, individually, and discretely. It is for freedom's sake that your lawyers are striving so vigorously on your behalf and have filed appeals, will go on in the irrepresentation of you before other judges. We Americans are all about freedom. Because we all know that the way we treat you, Mr. Reid, is the measure of our own liberties. Make no mistake though. It is yet true that we will bare any burden; pay any price, to preserve our freedoms. Look around this courtroom. Mark it well.

The world is not going to long remember what you or I say here. Day after tomorrow, it will be forgotten, but this, however, will long endure. Here in this courtroom and courtrooms allacross America, the American people will gather to see that justice, individual justice, justice, not war, individual justice is in fact being done. The very President of the United States through his officers will have to come into courtrooms and lay out evidence on which specific matters can bejudged and juries of citizens will gather to sit and judge that evidence democratically, to mold and shape and refine our sense of justice.

See that flag, Mr. Reid? That's the flag of the United States of America. That flag will fly there long after this is all forgotten. That flag stands for freedom. And it always will. Mr. Custody Officer. Stand him down."

So, how much of this Judge's comments did we hear on our TV sets? We need more judges like Judge Young, but that's another subject. Pass this around. Everyone should and needs to hear what this fine judge had to say. Powerful words that strike home.

God bless America.

elephant/donkey lovin'

I have been doing some thinking lately about relationships. I posted something similar to this a couple months back but I feel the need to talk about it again. I know this one girl who does "match.com". On there she states her political preference as "conservative". She gets plenty of "winks" and emails but as soon as she looks at the profile, and it says "liberal", she says "bye bye" or "sorry" and will read no further.

Those of us who enjoy dabbling in politics from time to time, can we be with somebody who's views are so different from out own? I see how many of us argue on here, but do any of you have relationships that transend the political/philosophical barriers of donkeys and elephants?

I recently broke up with my boyfriend of two years who votes democrat and is a Bush-hater. For the first year or so, we decided to ignore the issue.....which wasn't always easy b/c I am involved in the Republican Party and he was a poly-sci major. He wrote an editorial for his college newspaper and which "Bush-bashed" about every other edition. Then the election came around and it just got tougher. I had to go to political events/outings/dinners alone and that was tough.

My question is to all of you.........do you think that someone who's core political beliefs are radically different from your own would be someone you could spend your life with? Would your families get along? I know our families couldn't be more different. When he told his parents I was a republican, they said "oh my god, you're a republican?" Or should things like this not get in the way of loving someone?

I have also noticed lately that I have been getting annoyed with my friends. Its more the "Bush-haters" or the "we shouldn't be in Iraq" people that really don't know what they are talking about. I think sway whichever way the wind is blowing. Its the middle of the roaders that irk me.....b/c you know that if you stand in the middle of the road....you get run over.

I have a good friend who I'm 99% sure was a Republican annoy the hell out of me the other day. He is in Chiropractor school, (lots of hippies), and just got back from a month-long jaunt in Europe. I asked him "Were there a lot of America-haters and Anti-Bush people over there?" He said, "yeah, everyone hates the US, hates Bush and is against the War." I said, "thats too bad" and he said "well, what is your approval rating of Bush right now?" I said "I love him, admire him and think he's doing a fine job with everything he has on his plate right now." To which he replied "are you fucking kidding me? He's a stupid idiot. I don't know how I'm friends with you."

Immediately, my respect for him shot way down. Is that awful for me to admit? Its like he's been influenced by all his friends and from being in Europe and sounds just like every other commie that I can't stand. I have to learn to realize that my friends can think however they please and being a teacher, I won't have any friends if I keep this up. Have any of you ever had issues with friends after you find out their view and thoughts on things?

Thanks in advance for the comments, I really would like to know what elephants and donkeys alike think in response to relationship and friendships.

hmmmmm

hmmmmm
Originally uploaded by Toribear5.

whoever wrote this needs to get laid!

"IF YOU VOTED LIBERAL...I WILL HUNT YOU DOWN AND KILL YOU. I DONT KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE BUT I AM VERY GOOD AT RESEARCH."

Happy Happy, Joy Joy

I'm done teaching summer school! AND, I got a new laptop from the school! I've never heard of it before....... mpc. Its light, and shiny, just my style.

Anyone know anything about this computer?

Well, I'm off to Door County on the boat again......but I'll bring this new bad boy up north and see how good the wireless access is at the dock.

Home invasions

**I am not a lawyer, a poly-sci major, or a philosopher so my words may not be as eloquent or catchy as other policitcal blogs that we've all been posting on, so bear with me**

A discussion has started on one of my earlier posts on the subject of self-defense in one's own home. This stemmed from my dislike of Barack Obama, specifically his stance on guns and the Second Amendment. Here's a recap:

My beloved Senator (Barack Obama, Democrat, Illinois), voted against gun owner's rights.

In February 2004, in a nice suburb of Chicago, the owner of the home, Halee Demar, was charged with violating the "handgun ban" after shooting a burglar in his home. The state legislature passed a bill that would help people him from being prosecuted if they were acting in self-defense. Obama voted "no" on the bill.

So my question to everyone: Do you think it is okay to shoot an intruder in self-defense in your own home?

A fellow blogger said "What would Jesus do?" Thats a good question but I don't think God would begrudge me or send me straight to the firey depths of hell if I shot a man dead who comes into MY house with the intent to hurt my family and children.

I am a female who lives alone. I have a very good alarm system but if someone makes it in in the middle of the night, I'm shooting. People may ask "What if he wasn't armed?" Well, how the hell do I know that? I'm not going to wait and find out.

So what I'd like to know from everyone is, am I the only one out there who feels this way? And to my friends who are in law school, what is the law in regards to situations like this?

Wedding Crashers

Hilarious!!!

I haven't laughed that hard in a movie in a long time. So many priceless lines that caused the entire audience to bust a gut. I wouldn't suggest it for kids, as there's nudity and lots of sexual references! I loved all the actors in the movie and I can't wait to see it again. GO SEE IT!!!

Wedding Crashers and Batman Begins.......best movies I've seen this summer!

Few random things

#1- Texans have the right idea. I didn't feel so hot today but my friends were going to a bar only 3 miles away so I had to go. I wore jeans, my t-shirt "Friends don't let friends Vote Democrat" with donkey with an "X" through it, WITH MY COWBOY HAT. I didn't feel up to looking cute, nor did I care, so a hat solves everything. I think I shall wear my cowboy hat more frequently. Thanks sis for letting me come and visit you all the time!

#2- Going to see "Wedding Crashers" tomorrow, will have a review up later.

#3- For those of you who care, I have almost finished my guest bedroom/guest bath in the "Caribbean theme", its fabulous! I hate blue, but it was necessary for the room and it worked well. You will find blue nowhere else in my house. My mom had this thing for blue, blue carpeting, blue walls, blue floral print bedspread, blue countertops, you get the pic. But she's wisened up and it irradicating all blue from the house as well. Mine is more turquoise/aqua, oceany blue.

#4- I LOVE TEACHING DRIVER ED. Thats right, you heard it here. I taught Driver Ed "Behind the Wheel" for the first time a few days ago and I didn't die! I only had to grab the wheel once, use my brake once, and make kid go faster twice. Summary:

-when on an "on ramp" to a major interstate, one cannot go 20mph......there are semi's coming at 65mph, SPEED UP, we are going to get smooshed!!!!!!!

-when making a "right turn on red", one cannot commit to going and then turn while riding the brake, there were cars coming at 45mph, step on it!

-**not the kids fault**.....when there is construction with a drop off into dirt and construction horses, DO NOT RIDE YOUR BIKE! My kid had nowhere to go and it was a tight squeeze.

-always pay attention in a parking lot! Cars come in and out quickly and you can't assume all cars are stationary, we almost got rammed and I had to slam on the brakes.

OVERALL, the kids did a great job and it was fun! I have NEVER been more alert in my entire life, and I would most certainly do this again.

***on a side note, my Driver Ed teacher, back in the day, had a massive heart attack and died the same night as my first "behind the wheel" lesson. I was the last person he drove with. I bet he's looking down from heaven right now laughing his ass off. ***

#5- Go to Anti-Liberali's website (in my links), there are some amazing discussions going on right now.

fun republican week :)

This week has flown by! It was chalked full of Republican functions, summer school and house decorating. My threesome (one guy cancelled) for golf on Tuesday got 3rd place in the "mixed" category, woo hoo! I find that hilarious b/c we drank Coors Light the whole time, it was windy and rainy, one guy golfed barefoot and "Happy Gilmore" style with the running approach, I fell asleep on the cart on hole 18, and hilarious antics like club throwing, foot wedging, and tee kickinng were quite prevalent. The guys used my ball for the scramble-type game because it only went a short distance, but it was on the fairway. They'd hit it hundreds of yards but it would slice every which way and end up on another hole's fairway. Then we had to act like civilized people for the dinner afterwards. I sat with 6 judges, talk about fascinating people! I just sat there and listened to their courtroom stories.

Then the next day we had a "Wine and Cheese" fundraiser at an Italian Restaurant which was a blast! We met the State Chairman of the Republican Party, and drank this fabulous white wine called "Monkey Boy." I called it Monkey Butt by accident and that was its name for the rest of the evening. I met a few people running for Governor and the State and US House of Representatives. Politicians in the area are starting to realize what a great vibe we bring to events so we are being invited more and more....usually free of charge b/c they know we are poor. We got asked to come to this crazy island bar in the middle of a lake so that should be fun.

I did come in and work in the office a bit, making phone calls and such, so it wasn't all play.

Then Sunday we have a suite/private box at a popular race track as a social event for our club. Come on Lucky 7!!! Time to break out a cute sundress and possibly a hat.

I must say, Republicans have made my summer pretty great. At first it wasn't looking too good, what with the big breakup and all, but I've kept myself really busy and immersed myself in the political scene. I've gotten to meet some fabulous people, improved on my golf game with all the outings, and finally have places to wear all my sundresses that have been collecting dust for some years now.

Man, we are such a fun, successful and good-looking group of people! (we can sure drink too...)

another Republican golf outing today.........

last time I didn't fair so well, good thing its a scramble. I'm the only girl in the foursome so hopefully they are all better than me! I know one guy is..........I just want them to play my ball, just once!

Lets just hope it stops raining......oh and that its open bar again this time too!

Note to self:

NEVER go to a public beach on a hot, sunny, Sunday afternoon ever again. Talk about a clusterf*ck of people!

Angel -Grand Cayman

Angel -Grand Cayman
Originally uploaded by mseanbrowne.

I closed my eyes while in Lake Michigan's chilly 70 degree water and pretended I was scuba diving in my beloved Cayman Islands.

Genius words from Rush

I thought this was very interesting and I just wanted to share this with you from "The Rush Limbaugh Program" (7/7/05) :

This (London) is an attack on Western Civilization, and it is an attack based on the belief of those who commit them that they can get away with it, and that they can continue to get away with it. You got two things you can do with terrorism: You can surrender to it, or you can defeat it. There are no other options. You can't appease them; you can't get along with them; you can't make treaties with them; you can't negotiate with them. You either surrender to it or you defeat it.

President Bush knows this, and you hold out hope that the Bush-haters might get it but I don't have much hope in that regard because I think there's so much seething rage and hatred for Bush out there that the majority of the Bush-haters are already gleefully blaming Bush for this, and blaming the war in Iraq for this, and blaming Afghanistan for this, and feeling sorry for Tony Blair that Bush roped in into joining us in Iraq. That's the kind of thing. You can expect it to exist in a free country, but it's going to continue to be an impediment, as those people represent forces who attempt to weaken our ability not only take the offensive but to defend ourselves as well.

But here's the interesting thing for those of you on the left to consider. The terrorists today not only attacked civilization. They attacked you. They attacked you liberals, you leftists who may think that you're the ones who have the ability to forge a common understanding. I wonder if the Brits will do what we did after 9/11. I wonder if the Brits will convene, at their version of the state department, a seminar exploring the question: Why do they hate us? You can do those seminars all day long, and you can even get the answer right, and it isn't going to help you a bit. The evidence, the terrorist attack, not only civilization today, but the left, the Hollywood crowd, the music crowd, the kumbaya crowd.

Today was supposed to launch the G8 meeting. Leaders of the most prosperous nations are being coaxed to show up and for the umpteenth time save Africa, end hunger, end global warming, end poverty. Whether you buy the solutions that were on the table or not, the goals are certainly high-minded. You could even say the goals are civilized: end poverty, end hunger, end global warming. But there's a war against civilized thoughts out there, and the world gets another wake-up call today because here at this big leftist conclave known as the G8 summit, it's occurring not far from where the blast took place -- and make no mistake: the terrorists have as one of their purposes besides the death and mayhem to become the subject matter of the G8 summit. They want the attention focused on them. Tony Blair says he's not going to let that happen. We'll see. Hope he doesn't let that happen. But nobody is safe, is the point.

You cannot make friends with these people and maintain your culture or your identity and your way of life. The healing nature of time, some people forget what happens. Others you think that the passage of time will just enable everybody to wish this kind of evil away. But thank goodness for Bush because he understood it from day one. Today we get another reminder and another opportunity for even more people to understand it now who maybe have had it slip from their mind. Maybe it'd gotten caught up in the notion of "it's not going to happen again." Some people are probably saying, "Well, it happened over there. I'm not worried about that." You may as well considered this an attack on us, folks. It's not attack on our way of life; it's an attack on our civilization.

Its finally summer for me!

Even though I am teaching summer school, I'm done around noon and have the rest of my day and evening to enjoy. I have been traveling so much this summer (for work and pleasure) that I haven't had a chance to sit back, take a deep breath and enjoy my new house and the gorgeous weather we have had lately.

75 and sunny with a gentle breeze, who could ask for anything more? And while my students can be a pain in my keister, I still get to be outside and and getting exercise while I teach. I also have had time to take care of my house. I water my plants (grass is a lost cause), and garden. I have laid out and read cookbooks and magazines with my next door neighbor. I have taken friendly strolls and jogs around my neighborhood and even went to the Farmer's Market to get fresh fruits, veggies and fresh-cut flowers.

My grass may be dead from the lack of rain, but its worth it to have such beautiful weather!

ahhhhhhhhhhh

Sorry, had to let out a primal scream. I'm teaching "Team Sports" in Summer School to 38 kids ranging from incoming freshman to graduated seniors who needed one last PE credit.

They acted like total tools today. Some girls were lazy as hell, other guys were too intense and acting like this was the World Series or NBA final Game 7.

"Miss A, Joe keeps talking to me and chasing me around"............"Miss A, Sarah came up to me and said if I even look at her the wrong way she'll kick my ass"

"Miss A, I don't like my team, they are assholes. I'm trying to play and they are being mean to me. I like to slide into home plate and they made fun of me. '

"Miss A, can we pick our own teams? The popular girls all went on the same softball team, even though you gave them different numbers. They just stand there and let the ball fall right in front of them. Then they make fun of me because I'm trying and say I should take it easy b/c its just gym class!"

AHHHHHHHHH. So what did this brilliant teacher do? I got them into the classroom before the bell rang and acted more pissed than I really was. I slammed the door and told them to turn around and listen. I ranted and raved about the poor performance I'm seeing, the ridiculous name calling and put-downs, and the secret team-changing that went on. I pulled the "I'm really disappointed in you guys. I thought you were this great class who worked hard and played hard but I guess I was wrong. I understand PE isn't the be-all-and-end-all of your summer right now, but from 7:15am-12:15am, it is YOUR JOB AND PRIORITY. I told them every time I see them not participating, they will get a "0" for each sport.

Okay, I feel better now. At least I'm getting $36 an hour and I have zip grading or planning to do. Hmmmmm, maybe I'll teach Driver Ed. next summer. I am teaching "Behind the Wheel" all day on Friday so I'll get a good taste....and hopefully live to see tomorrow!

GeorgeWBush2

GeorgeWBush2
Originally uploaded by Toribear5.

We are behind you and our soldiers 100%

GeorgeWBush1

GeorgeWBush1
Originally uploaded by Toribear5.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRESIDENT BUSH!

You are a great and admirable man.

vA-cA in the Lonestar State

I'm vacationing in Ft. Worth, TX.....I'll be back Tuesday. Republicans everywhere, its delightful!

Until then:

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!!!

GOD BLESS AMERICA AND GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS

ahhh much better

BAD SANTA!!!! What a great movie!! No tears here, just tears of laughter.

Damn this movie

I have yet to make it through "The Notebook" without crying like a baby and I'm not sure exactly why. I get choked up in a couple scenes but towards the end I lose it. When I saw it in the theater i cried my eyes out and even 10 minutes later I was crying and laughing, and laughing about crying and it was pretty amusing.

For those of you who haven't seen it, I encourage you to. I made "C" watch it with me one night and he even liked it, sooooo guys, you have no excuse. Its not truly a chick flick.

Let me grab a Kleenex..........whew, okay, I'm done. Sadly enough, this is my second time watching it today! Time to get to bed, I'm leaving for the airport in less than 6 hours!!!