Delinquent

I was sick. That's the only excuse for leaving you without fresh content for the last week. That and I am lazy. It's weird, because it seems like the days go by so quickly and while I'm busy, I should have a better excuse than the aformentioned as to why I have not updated my blog. The Kentucky Wildcats have moved up to a number 14 spot - and perhaps it's my amazement at that feat alone that has left me bewildered and utterly unable to say much more. Who really would have thought. Perhaps it's the congestion in my head or the fantastic weather that has befallen the Northern Virginia area. Whatever the reason, I'm a slacker.

I spent an hour or so, talking with my sister tonight. We were looking online at names for my 12-week old embryotic niece or nephew. It's still so unbelievable that we can have this conversation, or that there might really be a kid that will come stay with it's REAL aunt in the years to come. As optimistic as I am, maybe my hope was always too jaded to believe I'd really have this splendid blessing. Maybe I never thought I'd really get to be a REAL LIVE AUNT. But it seems, as we near the 12-week milestone, that this kid is hanging on...I'm sure my cousin could say that it's doing just that. (Everyday, I think you are amazing, Shannon).

It doesn't seem possible that it's the end of September. Somehow there has been a whole year that has gone by in the blink of an eye. I remember these weeks last year as if they were only yesterday, can see the sunshine of those long ago months, and remember what the ushering in of October meant to me. How long ago, how it feels like it was just here. How I was just there. Perhaps it's this time of year that I will always hold so tight to. How the days become poetic as the nights get all the longer.

I had a date on Friday. It was horrible, to say the least. You know, people should teach their children how to have manners. Especially men who are lawyers. More on that later.

You really should watch the show Tell Me You Love Me on HBO. This is the show I've been waiting for...

Anyway, I've got to jet. It seems The Bachelor is on and somebody just lost a faux boob and I really can't take it anymore. I am so really old. Especially when the antics of the boobless wonder isn't very funny anymore.

Cheers.

Bittersweet

I lived in the L.V. for thirteen years. During those thirteen years I became a fan of the University of Kentucky Wildcats. It's just something that you can't help but avoid. You bleed blue during basketball season, you watch every game at home or at a local sports bar. You cheer for the players, you curse the coach for not living up to the expectation of the fans...you wear your blue & white to show your support, and you take each win and loss personally. But in the thirteen years of my residence, I never believed that the fledgeling football team could pull out a true and monumental win, like the win NB-C would pray for every year against Tennessee. I never thought they'd beat those thugs from UofL...And until Saturday, they hadn't...in a very, very long time.

Oh sure, being a Lexingtonian means you do fun things like tailgaiting the UK football games. There was nothing I used to like better than spending a Saturday during football season with my closest pals, drinking beer, cooking hot dogs, and setting up shop out of the back of a RAV-4, pick-up truck, or Suburban in the middle of the Blue Lot on game day. It was fun. Sometimes we even went into the game, you know to watch instead of relying on 98.1 The Bull to tell us the play by plays, or hearing that famed "FIRST DOWN KENTUCKY!" over the stadium PA system. We relished the fireworks that would come with the occasional touchdown, and most of the time we savored the success of the day as being ours - even if a "W" didn't come at the end.

I loved this ritual. I cherished those days. That was the good stuff.

We went to Nashville in January for The Music City bowl and that was like the creme de la creme of all supreme UK tailgaiting/fanfare. It was Blue & White heaven. A warm and perfect January day. One of the best and most memorable days of my life, one that was not only savored for the kinship and enjoyment of the day, but one where we got our "W" - and we cheered for our Victory!

And now, the other Wildcats are becoming THE WILDCATS. They are ranked 21 (THEY ARE RANKED!!!!!) for the first time since 1985! NINETEEN EIGHTY FIVE. That was the year my sister was born. That's 22 years. That's before cell phones and quite possibly microwaves. That's when shoulder pads were big and so were flourescent colors. I was eight. Madonna was just making her mark and Michael Jackson wasn't a freak. Needless to say, it was a long time ago...

There hasn't been a time in the last four months that I have wanted to be in LEX more. I miss this. I miss being a part of this and the excitement and buzz that is sure to be prevelant throughout my favorite little city. I miss football and the pomp and circumstance. I miss hearing the cheers from the stadium from the parking lot below, or the Hobbit House not far from it. This is one of those things that makes LEX great. What makes you miss it. What made (makes) it special. Maybe Rich Brooks isn't such an asshat afterall. Maybe he just might know what he's doing. Maybe we will finally get a win against Tennessee this year. Or even have a comeback victory against LSU. Suddenly, it seems anything is possible this season. I only wish I were there to experience it.

Good for you, UK. Good for you.

Oh Yeah

Did I tell you? I saw Stunning in Las Vegas a few weeks back. We ran into each other (planned) after she landed and I was waiting to get on a flight back here. She is still amazing and fantastic and beautiful all these years later. We onky got to see each other for about an hour but it was as if no time had passed at all. Like NINE years hadn't passed at all, to be precise. Here is our self portrait.

I'm off to Dallas today. Not sure how I feel about flying on said 6 year anniversary of the events that changed our lives. Flying through IAD especially. But on with our lives and on with our spirit and I'm sure security is hightened anyway.

It's been a CRAZY week. I feel like I haven't come up for air in days, even though that is not true because Sunday I didn't do anything but laundry and watch Zodiac. Saturday I was too hungover to move until 4:00 and a trip to the outlets with SEDW. So, I guess the weekend I relaxed. But Friday was like a tour stop with Guns N' Roses as I met up with a friend from GC for dinner and unexpected late night debauchery. Let's just say Garth was right when he said "ain't goin' down till the sun comes up." We had so much fun, and I'm not sure what to say about the rest of the night except that 25 year old boys are cute. Especially when they all think you are their mamasita.

Mwhahahahhaaaa.

Don't worry kids, don't worry. There is plenty of love to go around.


Back in a few days! Until then, you should read DOOCE because it's my new favorite. Make sure to check out the pictures of her dog. Fantastic.

This Commercial Disturbs Me

I'm all for subliminal advertising, subtle even, but this defies all that. It's so blantent, that I can't help but shake my head every time it's on. Seriously, I love the fact that someone came up with a commercial that will get you to think so much about it that you might just buy the product. Except, I'm not sure of what might happen to me if I were to test it out. It kind of looks painful. And well, I don't know...just looks like I might want to leave something to the imagination. In that department, at least. What do you think?

Every Man Should Own This Album

Cause this my male friends, is what the ladies want to hear.

Okay, this is what I want to hear...but that's a different story. Run, quick like bunnies. Go buy the album Trouble by Ray LaMontagne. An old friend turned me on to him probably about a year ago, but only now have I begun listening to more of his music. He's soulful, the lyrics are charming--and all in all, this is a perfect blend of yummy singer/songwriter perfection. I'm totally hooked. This is like The N.A.T's perfect music. Whiny, sappy, and mellow. Doesn't get any better.



In case you need the words, here ya go. The song's called Hold You In My Arms.

When you came to me with your bad dreams and your fears

It was easy to see that you'd been crying

Seems like everywhere you turn catastrophe it reigns

But who really profits from the dying

I could hold you in my arms

I could hold you forever

I could hold you in my arms

I could hold you in my arms forever

When you kissed my lips with my mouth so full of questions

It's my worried mind that you quiet

Place your hands on my face

Close my eyes and say

Love is a poor man's food

Don't prophesize

I could hold you in my arms

I could hold you forever

And I could hold you in my arms

I could hold you forever

So now we see how it is

This fist begets the spear

Weapons of war

Symptoms of madness

Don't let your eyes refuse to see

Don't let your ears refuse to hear

Or you ain't never going to shake this sense of sadness

I could hold you in my arms

I could hold on forever

And I could hold you in my arms

I could hold forever

A Little Slice Of Americana

Guess who I went to visit yesterday?

My favorite of favorite of America's past. The only man I regularly courted and loved in college. Perhaps the single greatest contributor to the foundation of our country. My buddy, my long time friend, Thomas Jefferson.

To all who know me, you aren't surprised I made another pilgrimage to Monticello. The only question you may have is "why did it take you so long!?" So long indeed. I think the last time I stood atop that little mountain was probably 1999 with the husband formerly known as mine. Almost eight years ago! It was as magnificent as I remembered it. It stood in grandeur just like the countless visits before. The echos of the past still spoke to me the same, his familiarity took it usual hold.

God, I love this place.

I choraled my buddy Jeff, a native Frenchman who knows only slightly more people in NOVA as I, to accompany me to Charlottesville yesterday. We had a great (no, wonderful) day on our short road trip that meandered the back roads that Garmin suggested. Deep into the brilliant countryside of Virginia, past green fields and rolling hills that seem unspoiled from any progress to move forward in time. Up to the hill of my Mr. Jefferson. We wandered around the gardens, explored this architectural masterpiece, payed respects at his grave, and witnessed the attempt of an unknowing American diss the French, right in front of an unsuspecting Frenchman. Puzzled look on said Frenchman's face. Priceless. On our way back, we drove through the University of Virginia's campus, and found a great rooftop spot by the Amtrak (that one was for you, Vee) station in Charlottesville for a couple of beers and great conversation. It was a spectacular day, one in which a friendship was forged, and conversation a plenty about all sorts of things like philosophies on life, my weird requirements for potential suitors, religion, politics, and Jeff's sly attempts at being a matchmaker for yours truly.

A day that was hands down one of the best and where a new friendship was forged.

Oh, Mr. Jefferson and your Monticello. How you still hold my heart and mind captive!