December 02, 2005
Bellringer Blues
The past two days, I have tried twice to deposit some change in the Salvation Army Bellringer's bucket. Twice. And the attempt has been futile both times.
Both times I walked up to the store, said hello to the bellringer, and said that I'd be right out with some money for them. Both times I did my shopping and left clutching a few dollars in my little fist. Both times I came out of the exit, only to find the bellringers having finished their shift. The only evidence they were there was a sign that said Support the Salvation Army. And I was only in the store for five minutes each time!!
So I'm two for two. Do you think it's a sign that maybe I'm not supposed to be giving to charity??
In other randomness, my local Kroger (not to be confused with the experiences from my former Kroger) is remodeling. While I appreciate the future upgrades, the employees do need some guidance in proper store arrangement. Tonight the PastaRoni was right next to the Summer's Eve feminine deodorant spray (link intentionally omitted--you can find it yourself!). Now really...who wants to shop for side dishes and personal cleansing products in such close proximity??
Posted by Anna at 05:26 PM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
November 13, 2005
Life and Links
I've been a bad blogger. I've just had nothing to write--plus, it's the busy part of the semester and one of my classes is a doozy.
I will certainly post if anything interesting happens (like if my next visit to the laundromat is exciting), but I am a little preoccupied with other things right now. So, if you're a visitor, welcome and I hope you come back despite my lackluster posting lately. If you're a regular Inkblots reader, please have patience with me.
During my blogging hiatus (at least, until something interesting happens in my life), enjoy browsing through the archives. To get you started, I can recommend a few of my more popular posts:
--Learn about the profound discovery I made regarding the relationship between the Swiffer and maxi pads.
--Maybe you'd be interested in reading how Waffle Houses can be used as navigational tools.
--Or, have fun with one of my fascinations: names. Check out my encounters with Takeela, Mullet, or Elmira.
One of my favorite songs is below. Its lyrics describe how I feel this time of the semester...
The Chasing Song, performed by Andrew Peterson
Now and then these feet just take to wandering
Now and then I prop them up at home
Sometimes I think about the consequences
Sometimes I don't
Well, I realize that falling down ain't graceful
But I thank the Lord that falling's full of grace
Sometimes I take my eyes off Jesus
And you know that's all it takes
Well, I wish that I could say that at the close of every day
I was happy with the way that I'm behaving
'Cause Job, he chased an answer
The wise men chased the Child
Jacob chased her fourteen years
And he captured Rachel's smile
And Moses chased the Promised Land
Joseph chased a dream
David, he chased God's own heart
All I ever seem to chase is me
Well, they say a race can only have one winner
And you know you've got to pull out front to win
God knows the only time I'm winning
Is when I'm chasing Him
So, I wish that I could say that at the close of every day
I was happy with the way that I'm behaving
'Cause Samson chased a woman
And he chased the Phillistines
I'm not quite sure what Jonah chased
But I know he caught the sea
And Cain, he chased the harvest
While Abel chased the beasts
David, he chased God's own heart
All I ever seem to chase is me
And Jesus chased the money men
And He chased His Father's will
He chased my sin to Calvary
And He caught it on that hill
And Saul, he chased the Christians
'Til his blindness made him see
David, he chased God's own heart
All I ever seem to chase is me
Posted by Anna at 10:37 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
October 23, 2005
Birthday Wish-List
I'm giving you just enough time to purchase a gift for my birthday the first week in November.
I'm asking for anything from here. I'm particularly fond of the Freudian slippers, though I think I would be equally delighted with just about everything. Except maybe the backwards clock. I think that would stretch my brain to a painful level.
I will be eagerly anticipating my presents.
Posted by Anna at 08:24 PM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
October 11, 2005
Revenge of the Charmin Bears
I’ve shared my hatred of the Charmin bears before. I don’t like the image of bears copping a squat against a tree and singing when I know full well what they’re doing against that tree.
Tonight, though, as soon as I plopped down on the couch and flipped on the TV, I saw a new one. This one literally made me gag. (I must admit, I do have an extraordinary gag reflex, but this was still pretty gross)
Has anyone seen this new one? It’s where a duck sails down the little Charmin river (as in a body of water, not a dribble from no toilet paper) and sings a little song to the bear about how using dry tissue might not be enough. He advertised the new little wet wipe things, this time for grown-ups so they don’t feel so awkward buying baby wipes. But come to think of it, is buying adult wipes with a cartoon bear on the top really any less awkward than buying baby wipes with a cartoon bear?
What was really icky, though, was when a human hand appeared with a strip of toothpaste on the back of it. The other hand wiped the toothpaste off with toilet paper (toothpaste representing, of course, well, you know). Of course, since the dry tissue merely smeared the whole mess around, it was necessary to use the wet wipey doodad. (Heh, doo. No pun intended!)
Yuck. These commercials just get more and more disgusting every day.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I taught preschool special ed. Cleaning poop was a crappy part of my job (ha! Did it again!). I don’t want the commercials about poop to be so sugar-coated and sweet, though. Just tell it like it is: Hey, folks, if you don’t get clean after a few swipes, try this wet thing!
Honestly, would all the little Southern Belles pass out if they heard something like that on TV? I would rather hear something honest like that than see little dancing bears holding hands and pooping against trees.
What’s so sad is that, now that I’ve been introduced to this whole toothpaste/poop analogy, I’m not sure I’ll be able to brush my teeth again for awhile!
Fun Fact: Did you know that the Charmin bears have names? Somehow, knowing that papa bear's name is Leonard makes everything worse!
Posted by Anna at 08:32 PM | Comments (8) | TrackBack
October 04, 2005
Trying Not to Pee from Laughing
OK, so I can't stop watching short video clip. I laugh every single time. Well, I laugh every time after the initial flinch because I know what's coming.
Seriously. It's like a bad car accident. You know you shouldn't look, but you do.
Go watch it. Now. That's a command.
After about the fifth time you watch it, check out the guy in the orange jacket's reaction. That's great in itself.
Posted by Anna at 11:39 AM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
October 03, 2005
Because I Have Nothing Else to Post...
1. WHAT COLOR PANTS ARE YOU WEARING RIGHT NOW? Red flannel with penguins wearing sweaters. Pajamas are comfy.
2. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? The air conditioner rattling. My landlords upstairs control the air so I don’t have any input in when it goes on or off, hence the flannel jammies.
3. SOUPS OR SALAD? Probably soup, but a salad if it has good dressing, some sort of meat, and lots of radishes.
4. WHAT’S THE LAST THING YOU ATE? A bowl of soup and a PBJ sandwich. Didn’t feel like cooking tonight. It’s one of the advantages of living by myself—nobody to cook for!
5. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Well, according to this:
You are |
 |
6. WEATHER RIGHT NOW? Unusually warm for October—it’s supposed to be 88 degrees tomorrow.
7. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My mom.
8. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT YOU THIS? Well, I stole—er, borrowed, it from WIT?! and Avoiding Evil, and I do like both of those guys.
9. HOW ARE YOU TODAY? Um, fine, thanks. How are you?
10. FAVORITE DRINK? Orange-Strawberry-Banana Crystal Light.
11. FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM? Uh…I don’t know. I don’t really follow any teams, though I do know that Vandy lost their perfect record last weekend.
12. EYE COLOR? Dark brown. My mom calls them chocolate brown.
13. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Yep, thankfully. I broke my glasses last year, so I don’t have much choice in the matter unless I want to walk around with no ear piece on the left side.
14. SIBLINGS AND THEIR AGES? David, 16.
15. FAVORITE FOOD? Something with lots of garlic, preferably with melty cheese and tomato sauce.
16. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? My collection of Wonder Years DVDs.
17. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR? Last day of the semester after all my assignments are turned in.
18. ARE YOU TOO SHY TO ASK SOMEONE OUT? I used to be too shy—but I haven’t really had time lately to even consider my options and discover if I’m still too shy.
19. SUMMER OR WINTER? Spring, mid-April to be exact.
20. RELATIONSHIPS OR ONE NIGHT STANDS? I’m actually not too interested in either right now.
21. CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA? Chocolate unless it’s ice cream in an ala mode situation, in which case it needs to be vanilla because chocolate ice cream doesn’t mix with apple pie.
22. DO YOU WANT YOUR FRIENDS TO WRITE BACK? As in comment? Sure.
23. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? I don’t know—I’m not sure I know who will read this anyway.
24. LEAST LIKELY? See #22
25. LIVING ARRANGEMENT: Apartment in basement of old house. Landlords are two senior adults with interesting personalities.
26. WHAT BOOK(S) ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING? Savage Inequalities, Cultural Diversity and Education, CHAMPs: Proactive and Positive Approach to Classroom Management, Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches, and Surviving Your Dissertation.
27. Name as it appears on birth certificate: Anna Marie Emily. I like it because my first name is a palindrome. Also, my name has a nice cadence to it and, if my first and last name are spelled in capital block letters, my name has all straight letters and no curvies.
28. Number of candles on your last birthday cake: 25, but my birthday’s next month (so start planning your present now!).
29. Pets: There is a mouse (though I believe it’s actually a shrew) in my kitchen that I’ve named Algernon III (the critters in my college apartment were named Algernon and Algernon Junior). Otherwise, the landlords upstairs have a dog named LeeLee and a cat named Tootie.
30. Piercing: Nope. I’ve never put a hole where God didn’t put one except for a few injuries here and there.
31. Tattoos: No permanent tattoos, but I did buy a pack of tattoo gum the other day just because it’s cool.
32. Hometown: Sullivan, Missouri or Bolivar, Missouri, depending on my mood and who I’m talking with.
33. Town you live in: Nashville, Tennessee
34. Have you ever been to Africa? No, but I’ve been to other continents
35. Croutons or bacon bits? Both.
36. Favorite day of the week: Thursday—because it means that my Wednesday night class is over for another week. I worry a lot about my Wednesday class, so Thursdays are a big relief for me.
37. Favorite restaurant: Any kind that’s cheap but has good food.
38. Favorite sport to watch: Does people-watching count?
39. Favorite ice cream flavor: Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food
40. Favorite fast food restaurant: Arby’s
41. What color is your bedroom carpet? Neither—it’s wood. Actually, stained plywood. But poor students shoudn’t expect luxury!
42. How many times did you fail your driver’s test? 0—I passed it even though I couldn’t parallel park and still can’t. Oh, yeah—and I couldn’t figure out how to turn on my bright lights because I’d never driven at night before the test.
43. Before this one, who did you get your last e-mail from? A professor thanking me for being helpful to her today.
44. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Book Gallery for Kids.
45. Favorite place to vacation: Wherever; I’m flexible. I would like another visit to Washington, DC, though.
46. Last person you went out to dinner with: A bunch of my relatives were in town over the weekend, so I went out with lots of people to Cock of the Walk (bad name, good food).
47. What is your favorite snack food? Microwave popcorn.
48. Favorite outdoor activity? Walking Amber, my boss’s dog that I sometimes sit for. She’s just sweet.
49. Favorite indoor activity? Watching TV.
50. Time you finished this? 8:10 p.m.
Posted by Anna at 08:25 PM | TrackBack
September 27, 2005
A Passed (Away) Gas
With my sincere apologies to the late John and Maria:
I'm sorry. I just couldn't resist. Maybe Elmira Frindlefunk didn't have it so bad after all.
Picture found here.
Posted by Anna at 12:52 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
September 02, 2005
Flopped
My idea on the real-time description of my class flopped. It's too bad--I was going to make it interesting, more interesting than a real-time dialogue would've been. There are some interesting people in my class. Unfortunately, the professor kept staring me down until finally I felt so guilty I closed up my laptop and straightened up in my chair.
Why, when I'm old enough that teachers shouldn't scare me anymore, do I still crumble under the "teacher eye"?? She gave me the look and the guilt overwhelmed me. Sheesh.
Posted by Anna at 02:00 PM | TrackBack
September 01, 2005
Real-Time Class
I'm getting into class right now. I'm thinking about doing a real-time description of exactly what goes on in class. I wonder if I can get away with blogging in a class of 10...
Maybe more as class progresses. It's a class on behavior management, so I certainly can't get in trouble in here! The professor knows too many techiniques!!
Posted by Anna at 03:55 PM | TrackBack
August 28, 2005
Katrina's Comin'!
My prayers are going out now to the people who can't escape from the imminent Katrina. The Weather Channel has been interviewing people who cannot or will not get out of the gulf coast area, particularly in the New Orleans area. My heart breaks for the people without cars or those who cannot afford to evacuate. To the people being stubborn and refusing to leave despite having the resources needed to escape, you are being selfish. This is a storm like you've never experienced before in that area. Get out or give others the chance to get out. This is no time to think you will be stronger than a storm--but if you're going to be pigheaded, at least be compassionate to the people who want to get out but can't. Help them.
As the storm bears down, I can't help but wonder if those people interviewed will be alive this time tomorrow.
The storm appears to be heading straight towards Nashville, but I certainly have no right to complain. Several inches of rain is no big deal compared to this Category 5 storm and the loss of life that will no doubt happen in the next 48 hours on the gulf coast.
I am now preparing to go out, fill my car with gas before it goes up to over $3 a gallon, and stock up on things like milk so I won't have to get out during the storm except to go to class.
Please stay safe.
Posted by Anna at 11:28 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
August 24, 2005
Joining Forces
I had my first class of the year tonight. It is the class that worries me the most because it is a class on research/statistics and because it is a class for PhD students (which I'm certainly not!).
Luckily, I ended up sitting next to a girl who is also a masters student and was worried about the same things. We decided that as the two lowly masters students surrounded by people finishing up their doctorates, we would join forces so we aren't quite so intimidated of the others.
I hope that I intimidate others when I'm a doc student. There are always the bigger kids in elementary school, the seniors at high school, and the seniors at college. In grad school, it's the doc students that always scare the little guys.
I hereby make a vow: When I am a PhD student, I will do everything possible to make sure that the masters students are intimidated by me!
Guess I'd better learn some big words that I can throw around in class discussions, huh?
Posted by Anna at 07:19 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
August 13, 2005
Single Note on a Double Sawback
Wow. It’s been a long time since I posted. First I didn’t have anything to write about, then there was the family vacation where I didn’t have blogging access, then the blogs in the Cranium Leakage network were down. Whew. I will try to be better about updating. School starts soon, and that’s always good for posting ideas.
Anyway, I’m housesitting again for my boss. Since this will be a longer stay than usual, Steve left me some emergency cash in case I needed to take a pet to the vet or something. This was on one of the $20 bills on the counter:
If you can’t read it, it says “I enjoy being with you and even though we didn’t do anything, I had fun. Thanks for dinner. :)”
I doubt my boss even noticed the message on his bill when he left it for me. It does, however, provide some fun possible connotations if he did:
1. Steve left it for his wife.
2. His wife left it for him.
3. Steve left it for me (I should hope we didn’t "do anything"—
that would be awkward!).
4. One of the pets “wrote” it for me (I do give them dinner, after all!)
None of these scenarios really fit, which leads me to wonder who did really write the note.
I’m on sort of a quest to find the writer of the note. If they want, they can PayPal me and I can send the bill back to them so they can have it. I certainly don’t want to deprive someone of a sentimental love note…
So if it's yours, speak up! Come claim it! (Yes, I probably will giggle behind your back because I think it's kinda funny, but I will be nice about it)
Posted by Anna at 03:06 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
July 23, 2005
Red-Faced Confession
I have an embarrassing confession to make publicly:
I have started watching Big Brother 6. I came across it last Saturday night while flipping through the channels, and I deliberately watched it tonight.
Who knew Ivette had a girlfriend? I sure hope she was ready for the world to know she was gay, because it's all out now...
I about peed my pants when Kaysar spun the food wheel and it landed on peanut butter & jelly sandwiches. I knew that was going to happen.
Sheesh. I need a life. It'll be good when classes start again. At least I won't feel guilty for reading textbooks on experimental educational design.
I give you permission to ridicule me in the comments. I never thought I would watch Big Brother...
Posted by Anna at 07:39 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
July 17, 2005
Genetics as Explained by a Kindergartner
I just got back from a mini-trip to Wal-Mart for some much-needed Claritin. While I was there, I swung by the dairy department for some yogurt.
In the dairy aisle with me was a mom and her son, about 6. She was selecting a tub of sour cream when another mother and her teenage daugher entered the aisle. The daughter, around 15 or 16, looked incredibly bored (as I would expect a teenager forced to follow mom to look). She also had hair that was fire engine red on the left side of her head and vibrant purple on the other side.
I knew the boy, who had been chattering the whole time, would have something entertaining to say, so I stood and pretended to ponder my yogurt choices while I waited. Sure enough, he didn't disappoint.
Boy: Whoa! Mommy, look at that girl's crazy hair!
Mom: Ssshhh! *glaring at the boy with a warning look*
Boy: It's red on one side and purple on the other!
Mom: Sshhh! *glaring again*
Boy: That must be her mom with her. She has brown hair.
Mom: SSHHHH!! *whispering* Stop staring!
Boy: So if her mom has brown hair, that must mean the girl got her hair from her daddy. Do you think he has purple hair or red hair? Or do you think he looks like Cruella Deville just like that girl?
Mom quickly grabs a tub of sour cream and pushes the questioning boy out of the aisle. She must've been muttering something at him, because as they leave I hear, "What did I say? Did I do something wrong?"
I must say, genetics through the eyes of a kindergartner is pretty enlightening!
Posted by Anna at 03:20 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
July 14, 2005
Dear Johnny Depp
Dear Johnny Depp,
You kind of frighten me in your new movie. I've only seen the previews of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but I'm not sure I want to see it despite my liking for the book. Even though I think of Willy Wonka as a kind soul, you look creepy and not at all the way I think Willy Wonka should look. Matter of fact, you kind of remind me of Michael Jackson--not a person I would want to encounter in an enchanted confectionary factory. I suspect he might want to do dirty things in the chocolate river with Charlie, Augustus Gloop, or Mike Teevee.
I do want you to know, however, that I love your purple Chocolicious Wonka Cakes. I purchased them on a whim tonight, and I was very pleased. Some colors do not work well with food; for example, blue ketchup was not acceptable and I'm not a fan of green eggs and ham either. But Hostess cupcakes frosted with purple and yellow and filled with purple cream...well, that's a winner.
Sincerely,
Anna
Posted by Anna at 10:45 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
July 13, 2005
Leaky Roof, Tampons, and Bologna
Dang. The roof in my office is leaking. I guess the construction combined with Dennis's rain was too much for the roof. Wonder if I can plug the hole with a tampon like the girl in the commercial...
Thinking of that Tampax commercial, I think it's a little vulgar. (I tried to find a clip but I couldn't--for those of you blessed enough not to have seen it, it's a sickeningly romantic commercial of a couple on a boat ride. The boat springs a leak and the woman, naturally, whips out a tampon and plugs the hole).
The commercial in itself is probably innocent enough and maybe even a little clever, but personally, I find the implied comparison of a woman to a leaky dinghy a little overboard.
Heh. Overboard. No nautical pun intended there.
It irritates me almost as much as the pooping bears on the Charmin commercials, which I posted about in January.
Commercials are just getting weird. What ever happened to the simple commercials like "My bologna has a first name..."
Whoa--I started this post about a leaky roof and I ended up ranting about commercials. Well, it's a brief stream of consciousness display for you, I guess.
Posted by Anna at 01:29 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
June 15, 2005
You May Call Me Doctor...
I've been slacking off in the blogging realm again. I've started a particular post several times but just have never finished it.
Anyway, this isn't the post I meant to write, but it is something:
I watched 60 Minutes tonight. They featured so-called "Diploma Mills," online schools that generate a degree for you within a few weeks of sending them money. That got me curious, so I surfed around the Internet for a while. I did locate several schools that offered me a PhD, as soon as I send them my check and complete their 2000 word "thesis." See, with all my "experience" and "education," I'm qualified for a PhD.
I was already having a good time when I stumbled across this site. Forget sending money to those online "schools" when I can just print one here!** It's more cost-effective than even those online schools! And just so you know, I have already prepared my degree from Flatulence University in Pungent, Pennsylvania. I am officially a Doctor of Philosophy in the field of Oceanography. Oh, and I also earned a minor in gynecology.
Excuse me while I locate my parchment paper.
**This site is a humor site. Bear that in mind, OK?
Posted by Anna at 07:34 PM | TrackBack
June 04, 2005
To Clear Up Confusion...
Just to clear up any possible misunderstanding about the steps involved in switching lanes on the interstate, please follow these techniques in the order given:
1. Turn on blinker.
THEN
2. Switch lanes.
I understand that you may be tempted to try these steps in reverse order. Please be advised from a fellow driver, though, that changing lanes and then blinkering is not nearly as effective.
In the span of 10 minutes, I saw 6 people switch lanes and then blinker. Makes no sense to me...
Posted by Anna at 10:03 AM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
June 02, 2005
Computer Geeks: Help Me!
Calling all computer nerds: I need your help!
I have a Dell laptop. It works fine except for one problem: lately, after I wake it up from being on standby, the screen goes black for a few seconds and then comes on again...with everything upside down!
Any thoughts? I'd be glad to email you for more specific thoughts if you leave a comment...
Posted by Anna at 04:07 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
June 01, 2005
Rent Rant
Ive been apartment hunting. Its not that I really want to move, but Im always open to moving if I can find someplace cheaper.
In my hunting, Ive learned a few things about advertisement jargon:
Spacious=tiny. I think they justify using that word by claiming the space would actually be spacious in the eyes of a pet or baby. Unfortunately, spacious is a relative term and translates as miniscule square footage.
Affordable=expensive. To me, the only apartments I find that are affordable have living rooms too spacious for a beanbag chair and are located in between a strip club and a liquor store. Enviable location for some, I suppose, but not for me.
New carpeting and tile=this may very well be true. It does make me question, however, why the landlords felt it necessary to completely update the inside. I suspect it is because the previous occupant trashed the apartment beyond repair, like perhaps using the corner as a toilet because they are too lazy to walk the 10 feet to the bathroom. (That comes from a fellow student who claimed that happened in her apartment before she moved in.)
Family friendly=kids everywhere. Not a quiet spot in the entire complex. The pool is always packed, there is a general noisyness between 7-9 p.m. as parents force the little ones to bed, and there is the frequent squeal of an unhappy child in the hallway.
Pet friendly=you have to watch your step. Dog poop everywhere because owners dont clean up after their furry companions.
Elegant living=You cant afford it anyway, so theres no point in looking.
Posted by Anna at 11:28 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
May 31, 2005
Back from Break
Hi all,
I took a bit of an unannounced hiatus from blogging. I just really had nothing to blog and didn't have the motivation to blog about it. I try not to be one of those "I'm bored so I'll blog about it" types.
Anywho, I'm back now, so I'll start blogging again soon.
Posted by Anna at 04:57 PM | TrackBack
May 10, 2005
Dear Rob and Amber
Dear Rob and Amber,
HA! I've been waiting all season to say that to you. You had me biting my nails there toward the end, but I'm thrilled you didn't win the Amazing Race. Your 15 minutes of fame are over as soon as your stupid wedding show airs--which I won't be watching. You didn't need to win anything else. Uchenna and Joyce deserved the money a lot more than you did anyway.
And that is all.
Vicariously Vindicated,
Anna
Posted by Anna at 09:58 PM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
May 03, 2005
Oooo, Poop!
OK, I'll admit it--I'm not a fan of Oprah Winfrey. Yes, she got her start in Nashville, yes, she's an attractive woman, and yes, she does run a mega-successful corporation. I've just never really watched her.
But today, Oprah went to a level I never thought she would: poop.
I flipped through the channels and I had to stop. Oprah's topic today was on healthy poop.
I've not laughed so hard (nor learned so much about colon health) than I have today.
I kept trying to visualize the topic on any other talk show and, well, I couldn't.
Dr. Phil wouldn't talk about poop.
Ellen DeGeneres wouldn't talk about poop.
Tony Danza wouldn't talk about poop.
Sally Jesse Raphael wouldn't talk about poop.
Rosie O'Donnell might talk about poop, but I don't think she ever did.
Leave it to Oprah to touch the untouchable (which, by the way, she handled a real colon on TV today!).
I have all sorts of poop jokes going through my head (elementary teachers usually do!), and I even own several books about poop (always a popular topic in a preschool classroom!). But good ol' Oprah made a show about it.
I'm restraining myself from all the poop-isms I could've worked into this entry. I never know who's reading this...
*Update! Update! Update!* Per Christopher's request for further information, I will leave you with this: 'S'-shaped or banana shape=good; pebbles=bad. And just for the Complimenting Commentor: The show was just a load of crap! Seriously, it stank. Bad. My main thought was "Oh, &*@#. Oprah's on!" :)
Posted by Anna at 04:15 PM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
April 30, 2005
It's All About Meme!
Ogre has created a new meme that has been going around my corner of the blogging world. Christopher tagged me to go next. Here are my answers. Please feel free to link up to your responses.
How this works: Immediately following there is a list of a bunch of different occupations. You must select at least 5 of them (feel free to select more). You may add more if you like to your list before you pass it on (after you select 5 of the items as it was passed to you). Each one begins with If I could be Of the 5 you selected, you are to finish each phrase with what you would do as a member of that profession.
Once youre done you get to tag three people you think will actually respond - and would have a good answer. Oh, and by all means, dont forget to trackback to this post and to Ogres original post so he can keep tracking the progress of his little creation.
If I could be a scientist
If I could be a farmer
If I could be a musician
If I could be a doctor
If I could be a painter
If I could be a gardener
If I could be a missionary
If I could be a chef
If I could be an architect
If I could be a linguist
If I could be a psychologist
If I could be a librarian
If I could be an athlete
If I could be a lawyer
If I could be an innkeeper
If I could be a professor
If I could be a writer
If I could be a llama-rider
If I could be a bonnie pirate
If I could be a servicemember
If I could be a photographer
If I could be a philanthropist
If I could be a rap artist
If I could be a child actor
If I could be a computer programmer
If I could be a chicken-sexer...
If I could be a pilot...
If I could be a sports mascot (or the giant hotdog)...
If I could be a Zamboni machine operator at a hockey stadium...
If I could be a professional tightrope walker...
Here are mine:
If I could be a gardener, those poor flowers wouldnt have a chance. Ive inadvertently killed a cactus and an aloe plant. I would, however, hire a gardener assistant who would do the watering and the weeding. I would just go and sing to the flowers. Oh, waitmaybe thats how they died to begin with.
If I could be a rap artist, I would purchase those shimmery gold lame pants that were on clearance at the half-price clothes store. When something is on extra clearance in a clearance store, you know its atrocious. Somehow, though, I think the pants would work if I was a beginning rap artist. Either that, or Id look like a cheap hooker. Im not sure which.
If I could be a computer programmer, I would have to have a good prescription insurance plan. That job would require tremendous amounts of Ritalin. I just dont have the attention to detail that it needs. When I was younger, I used to get a magazine (I cant even tell you now what it was) that had a page in the back that listed all the input codes to create a simple game for the good ol Apple IIe. I never ever got one of those to work, even though Id spend hours tediously entering all the quotation marks and colons and random letters that the magazine listed. I would always have to give up after a few hours because I would get so frustrated.
If I could be a painter, I would make millions. Ive never understood how splattering paint on a canvas like Jackson Pollock did is respected as great artone of the preschoolers at school on Thursday covered me in splattered paint as I tried to contain his efforts onto the oatmeal container that would serve as a drum later. It couldve passed for a Pollock work. If 4 year old Scottanius can paint like Pollock, I can too. See, I would paint something quickly, then spend my time inventing some sort of deeper sociocultural statement out of it. If I created a really profound meaning, my painting would become pricelessand I would become wealthy.
If I could be an architect, I wouldnt design buildings like the Taj Mahal or even nifty things like Frank Lloyd Wright designed. Instead, I would design grocery stores. I would design simple methods to make grocery stores more efficient: aisles that are wide enough for two carts to go by each other even if the carts arent shoved up against the shelves, lines of traffic flow that mandate common courtesy rules like directional orientation (most people seem to follow the rules of the road where they keep their cart on the right side of the aisle, but there are some people who insist on defying this unspoken expectation and cause head-on collisions), and merger lanes when coming out of a blind aisle. Just like on the road. You have a few seconds to merge into traffic before the lane ends. It cuts down on accidents when you cant see around the edge of the aisle, particularly on Wednesday mornings (Senior Citizen Day) at Kroger. Merger lanes or mirrors. I dont know how many times people have pulled out of the aisle and broadsided my cart. Grr.
I added a few professions to the end of the list. As for the people that will answer this, I don't know. I'm so tardy in my blogging that most of my personal friends have already posted on their blogs and I don't have a whole lot of blogging friends yet. Maybe I can sweet-talk Carrie into helping me out??
Of course, any readers are more than welcome to comment and trackback. We can blogroll each other if you want...
How's that for a desperate plea for new e-buddies??
Posted by Anna at 02:38 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Reposting #3, from April 20
The third post that got messed up:
You Really CAN Buy Everything There!
OK, so spending most of my life in small-town Missouri, I grew up
firmly believing that Wal-Mart truly is the mecca for shopping. If
it can't be found in Wal-Mart, it's not worth purchasing or
consuming.
But now it seems you can even buy something else in Wal-Mart: love.
Yes, friends, Wal-Mart now has a singles club. Sort of like
speed-dating but really not similar at all. Sheesh.
You can read about it here.
I wonder if, just for kicks, I could randomly tie red bows around
my cart at, say, Kroger, and get the same effect? Will a red bow
soon begin to symbolize singleness and scream, "Hello, I'm a loser!
Please talk to me because I'm desperate enough to adorn my cart
with a bright red bow just so you'll know I'm single!" As if single
people didn't have to suffer enough humiliation with the endless
questions about when they'll be getting married, now they have to
endure a bow on their cart! It's almost like the Scarlet Letter!
Scarlet A for adultery, Scarlet Bow for
no-chance-for-adultery-because-they're-not-attached!!
Posted by Anna at 02:33 PM | TrackBack
Reposting #1, from April 16
All my entries posted after April 14th have disappeared. Luckily, Christopher was able to find them for me. I can't get the comments that were saved for each post, but he recovered the posts. So here's my post from the 16th:
Three Is a Magic Number
When I got back to my apartment after dogsitting this past week, I
discovered not one, not two, but THREE packages waiting for me!
The first was a coupon book and organizer for Dollar General that
my mom got for me (thanks, Mom, and keep those coupons comin'!).
Dollar General started here in Nashville and there's one on just
about every block. That and Waffle Houses. Past readers know how
much I love the Waffle House. (The link will explain).
The second was a picture book I wanted from Overstock. Of course,
when I order from Overstock, I always end up with more in my cart
than I planned. So there were a few other books as well. Normally
that would be the highlight of my day, but today the third package
thrilled me to no end:
I got the School House Rock 30th Anniversary DVD! I'm having a
blast watching all the music video shorts from the 70s and 80s. I
surprisingly remember most of them (I mean, who can forget
"Conjunction Junction"??), but there are some I don't remember at
all.
Do you know what makes this even better? I got the DVD for free! I
ordered it from a catalog that a professor got for me, and she got
the catalog at a convention and it had a gift certificate attached!
So I used the gift certificate and now I own a wonderful 2-disc DVD
set with all the songs. I'm excited about the 2nd DVD, but I won't
let myself look at it until later. It has some nifty looking extras.
Excuse me while I go back to my video. "I'm Just a Bill" is next in
the lineup...
Posted by Anna at 02:26 PM | TrackBack
April 11, 2005
CMA Awards
Tonight is the Country Music Association award ceremony. Even though I don't listen to country and wouldn't pay for a ticket, I saw some very interesting people on their way down to the Gaylord Entertainment Center. I drive right Broadway (the main tourist street in Nashville) to get from campus to my apartment, and I enjoyed watching all the people head that way while I was sitting at the stoplight. Almost everyone had cameras, but it was the wardrobes that were interesting. I don't know if they have the "red carpet" for the CMA awards like they do with other music awards, and I know the spectators don't get to walk the carpet. But they should.
I saw two women decked out in evening formal wear. I would've suspected they were singers, except they were parked in one of the public $5 lots. Many people were wearing jeans, cowboy boots, and cowboy hats...one guy was wearing all three plus what looked like an American flag poncho.
I also saw quite a few limosines. I couldn't see in and probably wouldn't be able to identify the singer anyway, but there was definitely an atmosphere of excitement downtown.
What I can't figure out, though, is why the CMA awards aren't on the main TV networks. I wouldn't watch them any other time, but I might like to watch them for the one year I live in the city where they are given and where all the people live...
Yeehaw.
Posted by Anna at 07:51 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
But I Really Am!
I'm trying to get my work done...honest!
And that clarification is the only thing of consequence happening in my life right now.
Posted by Anna at 02:02 PM | TrackBack
April 08, 2005
Protection
God was watching over my family today. Thank you, God, for always keeing Your children close.
Genesis 28:15
I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.
Posted by Anna at 09:11 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
April 05, 2005
Keep On Chuggin'
I didn't sleep last night because I was finishing a paper.
I'm not going to sleep tonight because I'm finishing a project.
Is grad school really worth it?
"I think I can, I think I can, I think I can..."
Posted by Anna at 07:43 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
April 04, 2005
Good Reason for the Time Change
Its so amazing to me how sometimes there is absolutely nothing to write about and sometimes Im bursting with things to blog.
Unfortunately, Im in a bit of a slump. Im overwhelmed with projects and papers and simply dont have time to look for the humorous or odd things in my life.
And I missed Anti-Circumcision Day, so theres a holiday I didnt blog about. Durn.
But here is something I've thought about lately:
I hate time changes, particularly the one in the spring where it feels like you lose an hour. I did find a highlight, though: it's light longer so you see a lot more.
But in the last 5 hours since I left for class and have since returned, I saw several interesting things that I can share that otherwise would've been shadowed by the darkness. Nothing of consequence or with any real substance, but just some things:
1. I saw a police foot pursuit. A guy was running down the sidewalk near the housing projects and being chased by police. The guy was tossing all sorts of baggies (drugs, presumably) from his pockets as he ran. I was tempted to pull over and show the cops chasing him where the baggies landed so a little kid in the projects wouldnt find them, but it looked as though the police were doing a fine job on their own.
2. I saw a little African-American boy walking around campus with his parents. So cute. His hair was braided into dreadlocks, and my first thought was Buckwheat from Little Rascals. I couldnt help but smile.
3. I saw a homeless man thrust his hand into a cars window outside the stoplight by the rescue mission. Teaches the driver to keep their windows up around that area, I guess.
4. I saw 2 lesbians deep-kissing in their car next to me at another stoplight. Even though the kissing was clearly 2 women, Im not sure it wouldve repulsed me any less if it was a hetero couple. Kissing like that in public is just gross, no matter your sexual preference.
5. I saw a male professor adjust his crotch when he didnt think anyone was watching (OK, that one would've happened whether or not we had a time change). The building where I have class has an indoor atrium thing on the ground level filled with tables and chairs. From the ground floor, you can look up and see all the hallways leading to faculty offices for 3 floors above you. I was at a table, completing the crossword puzzle in the campus newspaper and glanced up when I heard some keys jingling. There was a professor engaged in, um, making himself more comfortable.
6. I saw a car parked at the side of the road, still smoldering from an engine fire. The whole front end was burned. I hope it didnt belong to a family that depended on that car for their survival.
7. I saw an obscenity on a carwash sign. Apparently a worker was having a little fun with his assignment to update the sign. It was supposed to say Wash it here? Yes! The sign, though, read Wa? Sh** here? Yes!
And thats it. I gotta get back to work. Big paper due tomorrow, big project due Wednesday. Not anywhere finished with either
Posted by Anna at 07:00 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
March 26, 2005
Countdown to Easter, #1
My very favorite contemporary Easter song is "Why," performed by Nicole Nordeman. Maybe it's because it's written from the perspective of a little girl, but its message applies to all. Enjoy and have a blessed Easter.
We rode into town the other day
Just me and my Daddy
He said I'd finally reached that age
And I could ride next to him on a horse
That of course was not quite as wide
We heard a crowd of people shouting
And so we stopped to find out why
And there was that man
That my dad said he loved
But today there was fear in his eyes
So I said "Daddy, why are they screaming?
Why are the faces of some of them beaming?
Why is He dressed in that bright purple robe?
I'll bet that crown hurts Him more than He shows
Daddy, please can't you do something?
He looks as though He's gonna cry
you said he was stronger than all of those guys
Daddy, please tell me why
Why does everyone want him to die?"
Later that day the sky grew cloudy
And Daddy said I should go inside
Somehow he knew things would get stormy
Boy was he right
But I could not keep from wondering
If there was something he had to hide
So after he left I had to find out
I was not afraid of getting lost
So I followed the crowds
To a hill where I knew men had been killed
And I heard a voice come from the crowd
And it said, "Father, why are they screaming?
Why are the faces of some of them beaming?
Why are they casting their lots for My robe?
This crown of thorns hurts Me more than it shows
Father, please can't You do something?
I know that You must hear My cry
I thought I could handle a cross of this size
Father, remind Me why
Why does everyone want Me to die?
Oh, when will I understand why?"
"My precious Son, I hear them screaming
I'm watching the face of the enemy beaming
But soon I will clothe You in robes of My own
My Jesus, this hurts Me much more than You know
But this dark hour I must do nothing
Though I've heard Your unbearable cry
The power in Your blood destroys all of the lies
Soon You'll see past their unmerciful eyes
Look there below, see the child
Trembling by her father's side
Now I can tell You why
She is why You must die"
Posted by Anna at 06:13 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
March 24, 2005
Countdown to Easter, #3
I have already promised that I won't get "religious" or even particularly thought-provoking on this blog. That isn't my intention in any way because I want to keep this a loose, fun kind of blog. However, with Easter quickly approaching, some of my posts may take on a more serious tone. I unashamedly do this. If my posts about Easter offend you, so be it. I won't apologize.
Since Easter is this weekend, the most important holiday for Christians, I'm "borrowing" Christopher's idea about sacred Christmas songs and changing it a little into contemporary Easter songs. On my countdown to favorite Easter-themed songs, here is one by Avalon:
I wonder how it must have felt
When David stood to face Goliath on a hill
I imagine that he shook with all his might
Until You took his hand, and held on tight
'Cause You were there, You were there
In the midst of danger's snare
You were there, You were there always
You were there when the hardest fight
Seemed so out of reach
Oh, You were there, You were always there
You were always there
So there he stood upon that hill
Abraham with knife in hand was poised to kill
But God in all his sovereignty had bigger plans
And just in time, You brought a lamb
'Cause You were there,
You were there
In the midst of the unclear
You were there, you were there always
You were there when obedience
Seemed to not make sense
You were there, You were always there
You were always there
So haven't I learned that my ways
Aren't as high as Yours are?
And You alone keep the universe
From crumbling into dust
You are God and though we would
Not have understood You
There You were
Hanging blameless on a cross
You would rather die than leave us in the dark
Every moment, every planned coincidence
Just all makes sense
With Your last breath
You were there, You were there
During history's darkest hour
You were there, You were there always
You were the Victor and the King
You were the power in David's sling
You were the calm in Abraham
You are the God who understands
You are the strength when we have none
You are the living, Holy one
You were, You are and You will always be
the Risen Lamb of God
Posted by Anna at 05:11 PM | TrackBack
March 22, 2005
4 Digits
I turned the old blogometer today. I have received more than 1000 hits through Blog Explosion. Of course, I realize that most of those hits have been here before, but it's still exciting.
Unfortunately, it's not like a car where I can physically see the numbers change from 999 to 1000. Oh, well.
Maybe I should get a hit counter on my site. Oh, Christopher??
Posted by Anna at 10:36 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
March 15, 2005
Published!!
Hey, apparently my "buttery Bimbo" phrase caught Kevin's eye, because he put me on his quoteboard! Hooray! I'm published!
I gave him the full quote; I had shortened my quote for the blog. If you want to see the full thing, just hop on over there and tell him I sent you...
Thanks, Kevin! :)
Posted by Anna at 10:08 PM | TrackBack
One of Those Things That Makes You Go Hmmm...
I went grocery shopping tonight. Because I live in a very culturally diverse area of Nashville, I'm accustomed to seeing unfamiliar foods and odd brand names as I stroll down the aisle.
I found one tonight that merited a second glance. And yes, it did say the same thing the second time I saw it.
Bimbo. When I think of bread, you know my first thought is "bimbo." The thought of the word bimbo and bread together in the same phrase bothers me. Actually, the thought of the word bimbo in any phrase kind of bothers me.
I'm realizing that Blog Explosion is sending people my way that aren't familiar with some American slang words. A bimbo is an, um, well, promiscuous woman in American slang.
Apparently it's not an offensive term to the Spanish-speaking population. I saw several families with loaves of Bimbo in their carts.
And you know me...the next time I buy bread, I'm buying Bimbo! Nothin' like a bite of buttery Bimbo.
Posted by Anna at 06:53 PM | Comments (7) | TrackBack
March 12, 2005
Going Postal
I went to my neighborhood post office today to pick up a package from my mom (thanks, mom!). The line was already very long...and then shuffled in a group of adults with mental handicaps on a field trip from their group home.
Now, before I go any further, let me explain this for those of you who don't know me personally: I taught preschool special education for 3 years. I do not harbor any ill-feelings toward those with disabilities. Matter of fact, I think I probably relate to them better than most people because of my experience with handicapped preschoolers and their (usually) mildly handicapped parents.
Of course, the majority of the people in line gawked at the group. Me, I diagnosed. That's one of the drawbacks of teaching special ed, I think: I always feel like I can diagnose their particular exceptionality by watching them. A few of the people toward the back (shame on them!) slowly got out of line and decided to buy their stamps from the dispenser machine and check their mailboxes before mailing their packages. Fine with me. The group of handicapped adults moved up behind me in line. Now, as I said before, this didn't really bother me. I applaud their group home for teaching them practical life skills. So I smiled at the group in general, then turned around to wait my turn.
Pretty soon, I feel a hand. It's patting my hair. Or maybe "petting" would be a better term; he was stroking my head as if I was a cat. I decided to ingore it for a few seconds; my preschoolers always lost interest in something if it didn't get a response. However, the petting continued. Slowly, I turned around to look at my new friend. I smiled and said, "Good morning. How are you?"
My friend (hereby named #1) opened his eyes very wide, stopped his hands in mid-air, and looked directly at the floor. Apparently he had been taught not to speak with strangers, and I definitely qualified although he had already introduced himself to me through his hands. The man behind him, a stout man with Down Syndrome (named #2), gregarious as many people with Downs are, replied, "Hey, I'm great, man! How are you?"
#2 and I chatted for a few seconds. #1 must've recovered from his shock of being acknowledged, because suddenly he looked straight at me, reached up, grabbed my face, and pinched my cheeks. Hard. Then he laughed.
I never figured out if #1 was laughing because he enjoyed my presence or if he was laughing because he inflicted pain on me. Either way, I think it's safe to conclude this: you never know what's going to happen behind the fast-paced doors of a U.S. Post Office.
Posted by Anna at 12:07 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
March 11, 2005
Something Seems Fishy...
I filled up my car with gas today. While in the convenience store, I noticed prepackaged sushi. And while I've never actually eaten sushi, I'm pretty sure the color of the fish wasn't quite right.
Hmm. Prepackaged sushi from a convenience store. That troubles me.
In other news, the skies literally opened up and poured on me as I was walking from the last-resort parking lot to work. It was a short shower, but just enough to soak me on my walk and make me look like I just got a swirlie in a junior high bathroom. *scowl*
And my computer at work has ceased to beep when I receive a new email. Henceforth, I am busy at Blog Explosion and oblivious to when "real work" arrives.
At least it's Friday.
Posted by Anna at 01:55 PM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
March 09, 2005
I Never Win Anything...
Except mystery points on Blog Explosion. I just won 50. Hmm. Maybe I'm lucky after all...
Posted by Anna at 09:04 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
March 07, 2005
Don't Know What I'm Doin'...
I've shuffled onto the bandwagon. I'm now a member of Blog Explosion.
I don't have a clue what I'm doing. I just figured out that I need to click on the number they tell me and I get points. And then they told me to click on the number 666 and I worried I was somehow in some sort of Satan web-ring.
Don't know what to do with the points (but I earned 11.25), don't know how to do much of anything. But I do know that I spent 2 hours on it tonight. There's something alluring about mystery points (which, I guess since I don't know how to use them, all the points are mystery points). It's the way I think a compulsive slot-machine person thinks: maybe if I just do it one more time I'll hit the jackpot.
I've read the Blog Explosion FAQ's, but I still don't really know what I'm doing. Can anyone help me?? Puh-lease??
Posted by Anna at 09:36 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
March 06, 2005
I Caught the Bug
I caught that bug that many people get this kind of year. It's pretty much consumed my day.
No, it's not the sinus bug or the stomach bug or the flu bug. Actually, it's the spring cleaning bug. I woke up this morning with the desire to clean, clean, clean. So I did.
It's such a beautiful day outside, and that just motivated me to clean even more. I'm airing out my apartment, dusting, mopping, vacuuming, you name it.
The only bad part was when I spilled Draino on my foot. Not a pleasant experience at all! Luckily, I was using it in my bathtub so I just stuck my foot in the tub fast and turned on the water and rinsed my foot before it ate my skin off.
And now I'm back to cleaning. Actually, I'm off to Office Depot to buy a bookshelf so I can fit the rest of my books on it. I'm running out of space and I've got a bunch of books just sitting on my bedroom floor. With my cleaning hankering, that isn't acceptable.
I'm sure I'll look real nice in the store, what with my grungy t-shirt, dusty jeans, and bits of fluff in my hair. Hopefully, they'll recognize that I'm in the cleaning spirit. Or else they'll just give me a look.
Posted by Anna at 02:32 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
March 05, 2005
Deep Sigh of Contentment
Aaaahhhh. Spring Break. I slept in this morning, and I'm contemplating going back to sleep in just a few minutes.
This break came at just the right time. I realize that by having my break now I won't get anything off for Easter (the school can't advocate one religion over another, of course), but at this point, I'm not complaining. I know I was hitting the breaking point and I could tell my classmates and professors were as well.
I'll still be working and doing observations for class, so it's not as if I'll be breaking too much--actually, my schedule may be a bit fuller. But either way, I have now assumed the title of Spring Breaker and I'm lovin' it.
Posted by Anna at 09:20 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
March 01, 2005
Really Nothin' to Post...
Except to wish my pal Christopher a very happy birthday.
I feel like such a bad blogger. I haven't posted much of anything later. Sorry. Spring Break is coming up next week and surely I'll have some time and interesting stories then...
Anyway, head over to WIT?! and wish Christopher a happy birthday. I shall keep quiet as to his age. Oh yeah, and also what the "S" stands for in his name. :)
Posted by Anna at 06:05 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
February 27, 2005
Presentation Recap
Well, since Christopher asked for it, here's the recap of my big presentation. He said there had to be a story in there somewhere, but I haven't found one...
Our professor told us (we presented as part of our class grade) to prepare materials for about 20 people per presentation. My partner was very worried about the presentation and decided we would prepare for 30, just to be safe.
Well...Jim (my presentation partner) and I are the first scheduled group. After we set up our room, we went over to the auditorium to hear our professor's keynote speech. We were amazed to find a roomful of people. Certainly more than 20, certainly more than 40. We both did a head count and came up with between 80 & 90 people. So, when the large group split up for the 2 conferences at that time, Jim and I knew we were going to have a huge group. And we did--we had 47 people at our presentation.
Jim and I (though mostly me because I'm the early childhood person) had decided we would do a make-and-take kind of thing where the attendees got to make the things we presented about. We had purchased supplies for 30. We scrimped though (and explained our predicament to the group) and made it through with enough supplies. People were very kind; I guess they decided they wouldn't be so greedy with the free stuff when they discovered we truly didn't have enough.
We had no glitches anywhere in the presentation. PowerPoint was fine, projector worked fine, the room was set up fine, and even the room temperature was adequate. I thought it went great. People had lots of compliments for us (I made sure to direct them to my professor who was deciding our grade for the presentation) and I was even asked by someone from the State Board of Education if I would be interested in presenting this summer. (Who knew the state officials would be there?!?!)
So, like I said, really no story there. I had more middle-aged people than I'd anticipated (I had figured it would be mainly people my age considering the nature of the seminars), and a few that made me think, "They don't look like a preschool teacher at all."
My semi-jokes got the laughter I'd hoped, everyone was considerate after we got started (though I did have to do my "1,2,3, eyes on me" thing to get them quiet), and they all acted like they'd learned something they could take with them.
And that's about it.
I'll post some pictures of my house-sitting experiences later.
Posted by Anna at 05:32 PM | TrackBack
February 26, 2005
Saturday Summary
I'm back in my apartment after dog-sitting since Wednesday.
And my presentation went fabulously.
And now I'm ready for bed.
Posted by Anna at 08:44 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
February 22, 2005
Swimmin' Pools and Movie Stars
OK, so maybe "music stars" is more appropriate for Nashville...but either way, I'm livin' large this coming week.
Sometimes I feel like my life in Nashville is an episode of the "Beverly Hillbillies"--I'm a country bumpkin transplanted in the big city. I have to learn how to deal with rush-hour traffic and people who frequent museums and people's general disregard for things like blinkers and offensive gestures. But I'm really going to experience life on the other side of the social fence tomorrow!
I'm taking care of Amber (my boss's pooch) again until Saturday. This time, though, I'm watching Amber and her kitty brother Sterling at my boss's house. Wait, mansion.
This house is frickin' huge!! I counted 6 bathrooms today on the tour. Whew. And get this: my boss pays a housekeeper to clean up!!
And although my boss has a big-screen plasma TV, he doesn't have an internet connection yet. Therefore, my upkeep on the blog may be a little haphazard until Saturday. I'll still have my computer at work and I guess I could probably hook up my laptop to AOL or something while I'm there, but don't plan on it. I'll post your comments as soon as I get to them, but please don't be offended if it takes awhile. After all, I'll be eating in the granite-countertopped, gourmet kitchen and enjoying the 2-story cathedral ceiling and real hardwood floors--who has time for a blog??
So take care while I'm gone. And if you happen to see a rerun of the Clampetts, you can smile and think that, for a few brief days, I'm experiencing life as a millionaire.
Posted by Anna at 08:34 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
February 16, 2005
Kid Rock Saga Continued
OK, so the Kid Rock saga (see previous entry) continues. I heard more of the story just a bit ago on the 9:00 news. It seems that after Kid Rock assaulted the cabaret DJ, he went to a bar across town. When he discovered that the police were looking for him, he sneaked out of the bar and went to an friends apartment a few streets away from my campus. Wellin an attempt to dodge the police (somehow they knew where he was hiding), he revved his car at a stoplight on the campus (the campus stretches over a major street). A Vanderbilt police officer pulled him over, spoke with him, asked him for an autograph, and let him go even though he shouldve given Kid Rock a sobriety test and a citation. The cop lost his job today for giving preferential treatment. Theres a moral in this story somewhere, but Im not sure where. Maybe its not to abandon your job duties even if youre starstruck, or maybe its not to act like a fool in front of a cop, or maybe its not to try to outrun the police, or maybe its to keep your hands to yourself and refrain from beating up a DJ, or maybe its to stay out of cabarets in the first place. I dont knowmaybe its all four. Good ol Kid Rock. The news showed a clip of Kid Rock singing at the funeral (it was yesterday before all this happened), and I just found it very disturbing that he was singing, I Saw the Light at a funeral and yet has many songs with explicit lyrics and a few with obscenities in the titles themselves. Does anyone else think thats a pretty obvious double standard?
By the way, I've gotten 99 comments on the blog in a little over a month. It's time to break into the triple digits. Who's gonna be the one to turn the commentometer to 100 comments??
Posted by Anna at 10:15 PM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast
I'm not sure it made national news (though I think it did because it was in the national news section of Nashville's paper), but our favorite retro rapper, Kid Rock, was arrested early this morning just down the street from me. You can read a "Genuine Article" here.
Just a couple of things I need to know:
1. Why was Kid Rock at the cabaret anyway?
2. What is Kid Rock doing in Nashville at all? I realize Nashy is the home of country music and Christian music, but somehow rap doesn't fit into the picture. **update--I actually read the article I linked to more closely and got my question answered, but it just raised another question: Kid Rock's actually in town to sing at Merle Kilgore's funeral. Kilgore is a country singer...And knowing that bit of info makes me wonder why anyone would request for Kid Rock to sing at their funeral!)** And I don't wanna "Cramp Ya Style," Kid Rock, but "New York's Not Ya Home" and neither is Nashville.
3. Why is the cabaret in this story just a few steps down from a rescue mission? Just what those homeless men trying to better themselves need--an opportunity to visit a strip joint while they are receiving help from a Christian organization.
I go by this particular cabaret (and three other "gentlemen's clubs") every day on my way to school--it's between the public housing projects and the First Baptist Church. I would never even consider going inside one, but I also didn't realize famous people went there either. If I would've known Kid Rock was gonna be there and assault someone, I might have hovered across the street to see it in person...
And I'm very sorry if you actually caught the Kid Rock references in the post title and body. I couldn't help myself. I remember Kid Rock in his early days, when rap first came out. Don't get me wrong--they're not fond memories. But they're memories. *sigh* Makes me feel old.
Posted by Anna at 12:11 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
February 14, 2005
Overheard Around Campus
If you haven't played the nifty Name Game over at WIT?!, be sure and check it out. It's very interesting! I'm linking to Christopher's blog and then you can link it to Jen's if you want.
I heard some interesting things around campus today regarding the Valentine's Day festivities. Here are just a few of my favorites:
1. I don't think that safe sex thing applies on Valentine's Day. At least not in my bed. (overheard outside library)
2. Your boyfriend got you flowers, but all I got was this lousy insulated cup holder! What the &*%@ am I supposed to do with this? (overheard over lunch break)
3. It's just gonna be me and Antiques Roadshow tonight. (fellow classmate)
4. No, sweetie, we can't go out tonight because I've got homework. Now if you'd asked me sooner like a real gentleman...(in the hallway where I work. She was on the cell phone, by the way)
5. Hey, is that chocolate creme-filled or raspberry-filled? (tonight at the occasional grad student pizza and beer fellowship. Yes, it's sponsored by the school.)
6. You know, I really don't like pork that much because it's from a pig, but what the *%$^$. Hand me a slice of pepperoni! (same fellowship)
7. Yeah, usually I nibble off the bottom of the chocolate to see what flavor it is and then I put it back if I don't like it (professors leaving a faculty meeting.)
Sheesh. We're all so involved in academia here... *rolling eyes*
Posted by Anna at 08:02 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
February 09, 2005
Hearing the Voice of Truth
The semester always starts getting hectic after the first month, when all those assignments start piling up. I'm always amazed at how songs can speak to me. This song, for instance, is one I have on CD and enjoy...but today it really reminded me of an important lesson. God's got it all under control, even the giants. Here are some words of encouragement from Casting Crowns:
Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I'm in
On to the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out His hand
But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again, "Boy, You'll never win!"
"You'll never win!"
But the Voice of Truth tells me a different story
The Voice of Truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
And the Voice of Truth says, "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth
Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
With just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand
But the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again, "Boy, You'll never win!"
"You'll never win!"
But the Voice of Truth tells me a different story
The Voice of Truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
And the Voice of Truth says, "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth
But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves aren't looking so high
From on top of them lookin' down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me
And the Voice of Truth tells me a different story
The Voice of Truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
The Voice of Truth says, "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me,
I must choose to listen and believe the
Voice of Truth.
Posted by Anna at 05:06 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
January 30, 2005
Journal of a Fire
If you haven't read the previous entry, please read it before you look at this entry. You need a little preface to everything. Also, since this blogging stuff is new to me and I don't know much about uploading images, I apologize if this entry takes forever to upload. I'm not sure how to reduce the file size, so I just did the best I could. Please forgive me if you have time to roast a turkey while loading this entry.
The date/time function is all screwed up in my camera, so I'm realizing while I'm uploading these files that the date stamp isn't correct for most of the pictures. Sorry 'bout that. Most of the pictures were actually taken early this morning, despite the stamp that claims they were taken on Saturday.
11:32 p.m.--Another firetruck arrives. This is the first photograph I took that was post-able, and it's a shot from my balcony of the flames. Oh, and since my digital camera doesn't capture night action very well, lots of the pictures have reflections from the flashing lights. You can't really see what's going on, but I think the pictures are cool.
11:58 p.m.--Another view from my balcony. The fire doesn't seem to be any smaller.
12:30 a.m.--A firefighter comes through my building and advises everyone that we are still on evacuation alert and not to go to bed until further notice. This is the second time we've been advised; the first firefighter came by around 11:00 p.m. By this point, all I can see is lots of billowing smoke. Maybe the fire is under control?
1:17 a.m.--A huge explosion that rattled my windows and knocked a picture off the wall. I guess some of the windows and balcony doors blew out. Lots of flames shooting up in the air again.
2:00 a.m.--Someone is screaming in the parking lot. My guess is that it is a resident arriving home from a nightclub or something and discovers that her home is being destroyed. Such a haunting sound.
3:46 a.m.--One of the firefighters goes through our apartment again and tells us that we are still on alert because things are still blowing up. I had a lapse in memory before the firefighter rang my bell; I suppose I drifted off to sleep at about 3:00.
3:50 a.m.--Several more explosions in rapid succession and a large crash. Perhaps the roof falling in?
3:59 a.m.--An ambulance arrives and the paramedics unload about 50 tanks of oxygen. I guess they've been fighting the fire so long that they've used the truck supply.
4:21 a.m.--Several more firetrucks arrive. My unconfirmed count is eight; there are four that are parked outside my building and another four sets of lights that I can see flashing closer to the flames.
4:32 a.m.--Several helicopters are now overhead. I don't know if they are official fire helicopters or if they are news helicopters, but they are surrounded by smoke. This shot is of the smoke hiding the helicopter and all you can see is the light shining over the fire.
5:18 a.m.--A shot of some of the firetrucks. I can't see any more flames and the firefighters aren't running frantically any longer, so I guess everything is under control and pretty much over. We're still not out of evacuation notice, though.
6:47 a.m.--Most of the firetrucks are gone now. A firefighter rings my bell and tells me that we are out of evacuation notice. There is still so much commotion, though, that it will be impossible to sleep. There are news trucks everywhere and onlookers still standing around and lots of messages floating through the air on the firemen's radios.
8:39 a.m.--Now that all the firetrucks are gone, I wander down to the scene (along with about a hundred other onlookers) to take a look. I can't get any of the photos of the damage to upload right now, but I will post some later. The building is really messed up. The roof is completely gone, all the windows on the upper floor are blown out and most of the windows on the lower floor are gone as well. Looking through to where the windows were, it appears that the building has been pretty much gutted. Even though it looks like the fire started in the apartment on one end of the building, it looks pretty black and empty all the way through, even on the other end of the building.
Oh, and my hair smells like smoke, even though I took a shower right before I typed this. I guess watching from outside most of the night and having the smoke blow over my apartment didn't help anything.
Whew. It's been a long night. I'm off to bed for a couple of hours before I attack that homework again...
Posted by Anna at 10:38 AM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
January 29, 2005
Fire In the Hole...I mean, 'Hood
I was disappointed because I didn't have anything to post about today. Well, it seems I wasn't patient...because now there's something big on the horizon.
One of the buildings in my apartment complex is on fire. Not simply smoldering, but engulfed. I can see flames shooting in the air as I type. I first heard the firetrucks when I got out of the shower at around 10:30, and apparently they'd been there for awhile already.
We've been put on evacuation notice. So I'm in my flannel jammies with my cell phone, car keys, and wallet in my pocket and my backpack with my textbooks by the door.
I've got pictures to post later. I'm more interested in what's going on outside right now. Just let the record show that I DID post today.
Posted by Anna at 11:12 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
January 23, 2005
Learnin' the Rules of the Road
I'm learning all sorts of interesting things about life in a new place. One of those things is mastering the different laws. For instance, it's still legal to talk on a cell phone while driving. I did find a law, however, that I will have to work hard to remember:
You can't shoot any game other than whales from a moving automobile.
Yes, folks, it's in the books here in the lovely state of Tennessee.
I'm going to strive to restrain myself from shooting the next time the whale from Free Willy crosses the street on a Don't Walk signal...
And just because I'm a teacher:
Posted by Anna at 05:17 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
January 20, 2005
We know he's absorbent, but ...
We know he lives in a pineapple under the sea, that he's absorbent, yellow, and porous. But is that ALL we know about our pal SpongeBob?
It seems a conservative Christian man I admire a great deal has declared SpongeBob Squarepants promotes homosexuality.
Hmmm...
Now I need to see the movie.
Posted by Anna at 05:32 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Four More Years
Just an hour ago, our president was sworn in by Judge Renquist for a second term.
Though I certainly do not plan to turn my blog into a political forum, I do have a few thoughts on todays inauguration:
1. George W. looks more like his father than ever before. I didnt realize how much until I saw a photo of his father, George H.W., on his own inauguration day in 1989. Its amazing.
2. The ceremony, while moving and stirring, was not nearly as entertaining as 1993s inauguration when Chelsea Clinton experienced the yawn seen round the world. I remember this because I was watching the inauguration in my seventh grade English class and we discussed how embarrassing it would be if we had been caught yawning on world-wide television.
3. Some politicians wife looks a great deal like Carolyn from The Apprentice. Prior to the ceremony, the news cameras were showing the guests arriving. I got so distracted by debating if the woman was Carolyn that I neglected to see whose elbow was escorting her. I think this means I watch too much reality TV.
With our nations changing values, a sobering thought came to my mind: todays inauguration may potentially be the last inauguration where the Bible is used for the swearing-in ceremony. It may soon be an issue regarding separation of church and state, particularly if the president-elect is not a person of faith. On this day in 2009, the newest-elected president may not be able to quote the Bible, hear selected Christian hymns, or use the phrase, May God bless you and the United States of America.
Perhaps the total exclusion of Biblical reference in 2009 may be a bit extreme, but a great deal can happen in four years. Never before has our nation faced such a crisis concerning issues of God and religious expression. In the past four years, our country has battled with the legality of the Ten Commandments in a public building, lawsuits to remove the one nation under God from our Pledge of Allegiance, and movements in schools to eliminate any religious aspects from holiday celebrations or even in academic courses like biology, where controversial topics like evolution and the creation of the earth are now taught strictly as fact with no allowable reference to God or any other deity. There have been smaller battles as well, from a lawsuit in the Nashville school district to remove a textbook that discussed the Christian ideals our forefathers held (the school lost) to a school where I taught being sued for the display of the Ten Commandments and the superintendents Bible on the bookshelf in his office (again, the school lost and the superintendent was released from his position).
Whether or not you support President Bush, it is impossible to deny that our nation and world are in a fragile state like never before. My prayer is that our nation will join together so that the God who created all of us in his image will heal our land.
Posted by Anna at 12:10 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
January 16, 2005
Just Reading the Signs
I finally feel comfortable enough driving in Nashville to start paying attention to the places around me. I was on my way to church this morning, about a 10 minute drive, and I noticed a sign that I had seen many times before but had never really considered.
The sign was an advertisement for a liquor store. But for the first time, I really read the name of the store: Mom's Liquor and Spirits.
The image of "mom" usually conjures up feelings of security, warmth, and nostalgia. How sad that the owner of that store felt led to attach the name "Mom's" to a place like a liquor store. It is, of course, the owner's business, and if he/she chooses to earn a living selling alcohol, so be it. But I was just hearbroken that the owner had associated alcohol with "mother." Of all the potential feelings and images possible with the word "mother," how disappointing to feel the need to attach the image with liquor.
Posted by Anna at 12:36 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
January 13, 2005
Sharin' My Bed
It was bound to happen eventually. Ive now got a houseguest sharing my space that is not a member of my family.
My friend moved in yesterday. We spent a nice evening of snuggling on the couch. My friend kissed me all over my face and neck, and not just smooches, but the juicy warm kind. My friend ate out of my hand. We even shared my bed, and my friend made some deep contented sighs throughout the night.
Im looking forward to another pleasurable night.
This is Amber, my temporary pet. I'm pooch-sitting for my boss. Why are you so surprised? What kind of houseguest did you THINK I was having??
Posted by Anna at 06:09 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
January 12, 2005
The First Post
OK, so this is it. The first post on my blog. Whew. I'm already overwhelmed!
You probably linked up to this from the Cranium Leakage network. If you're a regular reader of those blogs, I'm probably pretty familiar to you. And yes, there will be snot stories. Probably some vomit stories as well. That's just what you get from a preschool teacher.
I will be adding more and more features, so check back frequently. I started a new job yesterday and my semester at Vanderbilt University started this evening. I've got a lot on my plate right now.
I promise, though, that within the next few days, I will be adding lots of posts, lots of things in the sidebar, and providing a full explanation of the theme and why I chose inkblots. And of course, I'll give you an introduction to me and who I am.
So stick around and welcome aboard! I only hope this will be as fun for you as it is me!
Posted by Anna at 07:47 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack