Tuesday, January 31, 2006

"CSI: Meridian"

We have had excitement in the Queen City this morning!!! It involved a shoot-out (yes, shots were actually fired) that were directed at a prisoner/murder suspect who escaped (for the 2nd time, mind you) while being trasported & led police through downtown Meridian, ending near the Post Office, right in front of Joe's Pool Hall... nice, huh? I heard they were putting up the yellow crime scene tape and everything -- I was so tempted to trek my happy ass down there and get a picture of the "action"!!!
* Updated Story Here: WTOK & The Meridian Star

Everyone get your cocktails & toddies ready for the State of the Union address tonight -- for here is your entertainment via the "State of the Union Drinking Game"... Enjoy!

Monday, January 30, 2006

Lone Star, Long Trip.

We went to a miniature horse show this past wknd. in Texas (my grandmother owns them: Glenn Oaks Farm). 4 female members of my family -- count 'em, F-O-U-R -- in one car, to Ft. Worth & back. That's a lot of closely-related estrogen in one small, confined space!!! But we survived w/ only a few minor claw marks & ego-scratches -- mostly my mom & aunt, who are like oil & water. Hell, they even managed to get into a fight over Christmas about how to set the damn table! Ahhhh, family... But otherwise it went really well b/c our horse, "Oh-So-Remarkable", won 3 Grand Champion ribbons (there were 3 judges) and 1 Supreme, which is the equivalent of "Best in Show"... You can see his picture to the left after the show, looking quite ready to go home. He was glaring @ me like, "Get this damn halter off of me, now I've done all you asked!!!" (note: he wasn't wearing that ratty halter for his catwalk prance in the arena)

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

"Some People, I Swear..." (which must be said with the indignant scolding tone of an old Southern lady)

... for example -- Kanye West (who already has a pretty permanent place on my shit list, but is inching further & further down it) posing as Jesus Christ on the cover of Rolling Stone? But even better is the headline on FoxNews.com: "Kanye West Poses as Jesus, Says He's Addicted to Porn"... Sometimes the headlines alone are enough to keep me entertained. Yesterday, it was "Man Bites Passenger, Jumps Off Plane"... I guess you have to do that to summarize things, but the tooth-gnashing plane-jumper's story wasn't nearly as interesting as it sounded from the headline.

ION... I got a new computer @ home (thank you, Dell)! It's kind of sad how excited I am about it, but I love it! The only speedbump I have run into is getting my iTunes library from the old computer to the new one -- basically, I have said fuck it after attempting many different tactics & am doing it manually using my CD's, a zip drive, & some other fun little tools. But it's kind of nice b/c it's allowing me to weed out some of the crap I've let accumulate into my iTunes, & subsequently, my beloved iPod. Takes forever, but it's kind of cathartic, a digital cleansing of sorts. That, & maybe I'm just a tad strange.

FROG update (I know you were all on pins & needles -- b/t him & the pansies, I'm gonna bore any readers I do actually have to tears!). He was sighted again last night b/f I put my plant up to protect it & him from the cold. But I waited on him to go back into the plant or his little frog hole or whatever once the chill started filling the air. My pet frog, he's such a smart little guy. [wink, wink]

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Blogthings Quiz #2 -- "What Mixed Drink Are You?"

You Are a Bloody Mary

You're a fairly serious drinker, who's experimented a lot with different drinks.
You're a drunk, but a stable drunk. You don't ever let your drinking get out of control.

Blogthings Quiz #1 -- "How Scary Are You?"

You Are Creepy

Serial killers would run away from you in a flash.

Monday, January 23, 2006

Tidbits.

The Happiest Pussy in the World. Yep, there she is, just in case you were wondering. No surprise that the loving is coming from Jon, her new boyfriend (even though I thought he was mine, my pets apparently think otherwise). Not only is he cheating on me with my mom's bird Talullah, but also with my dog & cat. Maybe he's the whore.

"The West Wing" got cancelled, huh? Awwwww (that's literallly dripping with sarcasm, by the way). I used to really like that show, but I quit watching for two reasons: 1.) it got waaaaaaaaaay too involved in & critical of true-to-life political situations/figures & Aaron Sorkin & his 'shrooms are not my President [please note that no policital comments are necessary as I have now been not watching for years & I know there are no arguments that will change how I feel, or how you feel if you disagree -- no sense in rattling cages], and 2.) the real nail in the coffin was when Martin Sheen stands in a cathedral after his secretary is killed (Episode #44 "Two Cathedrals"), looks up, and exclaims: "Am I really to believe that these are that acts of a loving God? A just God? A wise God?" Bartlet exclaims. "To hell with your punishments. I was your servant here on Earth. And I spread your word and I did your work. To hell with your punishments. To hell with you."

Just one more blurb about critters in my plants (this one combines my pansy infatuation with a reptile this time)... I now have an anole (lizard, for you laymen out there) hanging out in one of my pots... My house is apparently just a critter haven. Well, that, or I go looking for them more than the average joe:

Friday, January 20, 2006

First Full Work Week of 2006...

...although I feel as though I have worked for months already (no, we don't get MLK Day off). Oh well -- it's starting to lighten up just a tad (knock on wood, or whatever the hell this desk is made of).

At left is my idea of a little bit of heaven on earth -- candles & wine. Appropriately, this set-up is in the middle of my kitchen atop my butcher block table. How so very me, huh? I swear, you walk into my house & between the plethora of candles I always have burning (one of which I left going all night last night -- well done!) & the wine I'm usually sipping, you'd think you were in a house of ill repute. You know, without the "ill repute" part.

And since my last post contained something negative regarding New Orleans (a city which, by the way, I love-love-love), I thought I'd post a shot of a watercolor I bought in the artisan section around Jackson Square/St. Louis Cathedral... It depicts the Court of Two Sisters (damn, they could make a mean Bloody Mary), and I cherish it even more now, and it's just too lovely not to share:

Monday, January 16, 2006

"New Orleans Mayor Says God Mad at U.S."

Just a few selected bits. Click on the title above for the FULL -- and quite entertaining -- story:
  • "Surely God is mad at America. He sent us hurricane after hurricane after hurricane, and it's destroyed and put stress on this country," Nagin, who is black, said as he and other city leaders marked Martin Luther King Day.
  • Nagin also promised that New Orleans will be a "chocolate" city again.
  • "It's time for us to come together. It's time for us to rebuild New Orleans — the one that should be a chocolate New Orleans," the mayor said. "This city will be a majority African American city. It's the way God wants it to be. You can't have New Orleans no other way. It wouldn't be New Orleans."
  • Nagin described an imaginary conversation with King, the late civil rights leader. [I'll let you read those conversations for yourselves]

Sunday, January 15, 2006

Frogs, Fags & Pansies.

From the title of this, you're probably thinking, "This could possibly be one of the most racially and culturally insensitive posts I have ever seen -- I must read on!!!" And while I hate to disappoint, it was all just a dirty ploy to get you here. That, or it's just a damn title.

Not sure if I ever wrote about the little green FROG I had living in the aloe plant/Christmas cactus on my back porch this past fall (You thought I was going to bad-mouth the French, didn't you? Well, not in this post at least -- this is about something much more important than the French -- my little amphibian pal)... Well, anyway, whether I mentioned him or not -- and I think I did -- there is a little picture of him to the left. Obviously, when the cold weather rolled around, I put the plants (alive, half-dead and dead) in my garage so they would not freeze, including the above-referenced frog house plant. The other night it was a bit warmer than normal [Mississippi weather, I should have learned by now, is anything but normal or predictable] and I was in my garage piddling around for one reason or another when I looked down and, lo and behold, but who do I see? My little frog sitting on one of the Christmas cactus leaves, just hanging out. I was so excited to see that he's still around -- so much so that I called Jon away from his Xbox to see the little guy! Is that sad or admirable? I'm not sure... Of course, it also means that there are enough bugs in my garage to sustain a frog through winter, but we won't get into that....

As for the "fags" part of my post... well, that just means I'm smoking intermittently again (& apparently using British terminology to make it seem more sophisticated). Marlboro Ultra Lights, to be exact. Because, well, they kill you slower, right? Ha, ha. It's really more of a pasttime than an addiction, which makes it even more pathetic (not to mention the fact that I still turn up my "lucky cigarette" every time I open a new pack -- soooo 1990's). And don't blame Jon just b/c he failed to quit smoking. I started back of my own accord (mind you, we're talking 1-2 on a normal day -- I'm no John Wayne). While I'm on my soapbox, from which I rarely step down, I think it's a crock of shit Crazy Germans...that Philip Morris cannot even really advertise their own products on their website (or anywhere, for that matter) but rather have to focus on health issues. As a casual smoker, I choose to do it. They didn't hold a freaking gun to my head, & I would like to think that no one was ever stupid enough to think that inhaling smoke [of any kind] could be healthy in any way -- and if they did, well, then they aren't the sharpest knives in the drawer & it is a case of Darwinism at its finest. Don't give them money for being dumbasses & fine the tobacco companies for being smart!!! I mean, come on, they called them "coffin nails" in 1940's movies -- what the hell did people think that meant? In my ever-esteemed opinion, Mike Moore, the Mississippi Attorney General who first went after "big tobacco", & Dickie Scruggs (brother-in-law of Trent Lott, btw) did nothing but open a can of worms for more people to jump onto the vicitim train & take advantage of our lawsuit-happy system, which is especially rampant in Mississippi. That, and make themselves a shitpile of money. (Anyone ever seen "The Insider"? There's a lot more truth to it than most people realize... And don't worry, the "Fahrenheit 9/11" Michael Moore is not to be denied asshole status either, it's just not applicable in this case, no pun intended... apparently the name just lends itself to being a "shit-stirrer") Let's just say that if you read any John Grisham books, there are definitely some characters with personalities & cases that parallel those of the political system here, and they aren't all positive portrayals.

On to something more flowery and colorful and happy -- more of my ever-recurring pansy theme/personal art exhibition. I just had to post more pictures of my pretty little pansies that Jon planted for me. I think there really is something to this chicken shit that he put in with the potting soil... Well, that, and he's just good... ;)

And see? By the title of this post, you all probably thought I was going to say something totally offensive. Me? Never... Can't you see my halo? It's propped up on my horns...

Friday, January 13, 2006

Friday the 13th -- Boo-ha-ha-ha-ha!!!

... AND a 99% full moon. The crazies will be out in full force, people, so watch out. And I'm sure the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan in Thailand will be in full swing on the 14th (which I have been to, by the way, and let me tell you, it's a sight to behold -- some really weird shit)...

Thursday, January 12, 2006

Too Many Long Hours...

... and I won't bore you with the details (well, maybe just a little), but I really have nothing else to write about. Why? Because I have been working at least 11-12 hours a day, if not more. It's awful & it's all I've been doing. Nothing seems to be going smoothly & I don't think I've ever needed a glass of wine -- make that a bottle -- so badly in my life... My eyes burn, my body aches, and I've been sick for 3 weeks straight, but it's finally starting to go away (though I should buy stock in Robitussin b/c I alone have spent a small fortune on the stuff). So far, I hate 2006. I know it will get better, but I'm pooped. Already. Not emotionally this year, thank God, but mentally & physically pooped.

A bunch of my friends from Millsaps College are getting together in NashVegas this weekend & I was so excited a/b seeing all of them, & now all of those plans are up in the air for me b/c of my freaking workload. I mean, FUCK. I don't want to miss one of the few chances I have to see them, dammit! I really hate this time of year... Grrrrrrr...

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Hey, buddy, I totally know the feeling.

Monday, January 09, 2006

Memphis Steve, this one's for you....

On the very day I promised Memphis Steve that I would be on the lookout for abandoned toilets like the beauty that was my Christmas card this year, what do you know, one comes along. Who knew this was such an epidemic? [no Mississippi jokes are necessary]

Friday, January 06, 2006

Breaking My Heart.

Ever since Hurricane Katrina (click for a video shot from the Beau Rivage during the storm) hit, the animal situation has brought me to tears -- it's awful. Critters of all kinds have always been so very special to me, so that's where I sent my money first -- to the animal rescue groups -- because the poor animals can't help themselves... And now there is a story about a "puppy boom" on the Coast due to the abandoned animals and neighborhoods. (See the links on my sidebar for different rescue organizations and please, Please, PLEASE help if you can... Give, help, donate, ADOPT! I hate to be a solicitor, but the need is there... and it is crucial.)
To quote a friend of mine from New Orleans: "i generally like animals more than people. but other people who also like animals more than people are definitely worth liking more than animals :)"

Amen, sister.

Monday, January 02, 2006

Wedding Bells & New Year's Yells...

My friend Molly's wedding was Friday, and let me just say, WOW. The flowers (our bouquets -- red/orange amaryllis w/ chartreuse ribbons (see below) adorned with old family heirloom brooches -- divine), the food, the drinks, it was all just gaw-geous... The day before, we all had mani-pedi's for the gals in the wedding done in the color of Miss Molly's choosing: OPI's "Skinny Dip'n in Lake Michig'n" as a present from her sweet, sweet great aunt... I must say, they even looked a wee bit better than my Christmas Light-themed rainbow nails. Hee, hee...
Bridesmaid's Bouquet

**And to do a little positive advertising for them because they deserve it, thank you bunches & bunches to Pampered Bodies!!!! The did fabulous...

I am also pleased to report that there were no casualties (we're not talking "near" casualties, just casualties). However, that being said, there were injuries. At the rehearsal dinner, [the groom's] Grandmother Eaton fell flat. Bizarrely, everyone ignored it as one of her apparently all-too-frequent ploys for attention. Well, would I even bother to mention it if that were all it was? Uh, let that be a resounding NO. The poor old lady not only re-broke a previously fractured wrist, but she also broke her hip!!! Bring on the ambulance to the rehearsal dinner & off she went to Anderson's Hopsital -- but the show must go on!!!! While we were drinking Bloody Mary's & mimosas at the wedding brunch the next day, poor mee-maw was having hip surgery.

Brooke & KellyBut the wedding was beautiful, the bride & groom were lovely (and let's not forget the gorgeous bridesmaids -- hee, hee), & now the lucky s.o.b.'s get to go on an 8-day Caribbean cruise. Can you tell I'm just a fuzz jealous? Hell, who wouldn't be!?

Of course I had multitudes of pictures to post of the pre-, during, and post-wedding festivites as I am a self-proclaimed camera-obsessed freak, but I picked just a few as I know I still have our drama-filled (yet lots of fun) New Year's festivities to cover. And boy are there some goodies there...

No thanks -- Kelly already snuck me way too many hot dogs that I'm not supposed to have so I'm too full to drink.So for New Year's, a bunch of us go over to our friend Steven's house -- arms full of liquor, beer, food, New Year's paraphanelia, cameras, but mostly liquor... A fun time, if not a bit dramatic (would we have it any other way?) was had by all. With the exception of a broken bed caused by some overzealous meanies (myself involved) trying to pick on someone who we thought went to bed too early, a hurling squeaky toy, a passing "fuck you" that was taken with much more offense than was ever intended (thank you, that one was my fault, too), lots of miscommunications, laughs, jokes, drinking, eating, yelling, hugging, kissing, fussing, and very little sleeping... I may have to elaborate on this more later as new and exciting events are rekindled in my mind from that night... (wink, wink)

And then last night, I had to say goodbye to my friend Matthew, who headed back to Prague (actually not leaving until to today, but he had to trek it to Atlanta first). I think he'd had a little hometown cabin fever after 2+ weeks, but it was great to have him here and really sucked to see him go... Now I just expect more and more good and amazing pictures from him (one of which has been included below)!!!! I have to live vicariously through him -- at least on the international travel front for the time being, and then I'll go visit... But until then -- sniff, sniff...

Hope everyone had a safe & Happy New Year!!! No DUI's, public drunkenness or disturbing the peace (at least not caught by the cops!), battle wounds, etc. XOXO...