The Holidays are Almost Over

Hope everyone had a great Christmas! There are so many traditions that I love at this time of year. Mostly, getting lots of days off work. :)

My best friend and I started cooking Christmas dinner for our families the year after we graduated college, and each year we have a different theme. This year was Italian, so we made lasagna, fettucine alfredo, salad, cheese/garlic bread, and green beans and cheesecake....YUM YUM for the TUM TUM as my friend Vanessa likes to say!

We also go see the classic film "It's a Wonderful Life" on the big screen as the local art-house theater shows it every year. I have to say, every year I enjoy it more and more, and apparently it is catching on as when we used to go, there would be like ten people in the theater, and this year it was packed! Good for the Belcourt, but the annoying people texting in front of us were killing me! Anyway, I LOVE this movie, I love the moment where Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed's characters see each other at the party for the first time as "grown-ups" and Donna Reed looks so resplendent and who wouldn't fall in love with her? And the scene where they are talking on the phone together and the tension between them is CRAZY-I just love it. If you have not seen this movie, go now to Netflix and put it in your queue. Or I will let you borrow it. But you have to see it.

Did I mention lots of days off work? So today I am back for a three-day work week but I had three days off last week and two this week and I have watched all kinds of TV marathons-Some in the form of my own DVDs, some scheduled on tv.....I love watching TV shows in marathon format!

And even though the Titans lost yesterday-like, ugly lost-it didn't matter in the grand scheme and we might end up playing the Colts again if they beat the Broncos next week, and we will exact our revenge. It always comes around.....look at what happened to the Jets!

Also trying to get caught up on the photography website and blog....will be working on that this week. Since I only have one job now, I will be looking to kick up the photo biz a notch so if you have any photography needs, or have friends looking for a photographer, spread the word. If not, check out my website anyway.....

Merry Christmas Titans fans! (and everyone else too)

It was an early Christmas present yesterday for Titans fans, as our team beat the Steelers, securing home-field advantage for the playoffs. We also got a nice stocking stuffer since Brett Favre and the Jets, who handed us our first loss of the season, lost to Seattle and might not even make the playoffs. AWWWW. So sad. Don't mess with the Titans!

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20081222/SPORTS01/812220323

Also if you are looking for something to get you in the Christmas spirit, perhaps while sitting at your desk avoiding doing your actual work as I like to do, NPR has a diverse playlist of Christmas music-they are calling it "Jingle Jams" and you can stream it on a continuous loop. It should help you feel festive!

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97778347

OUCH!

It is a gloomy, rainy day here in Nashville, one of those days where we've already seen the hi temp and its all downhill from here. And there is an Ice Advisory, so by the time we're all ready to drive home from work its going to be sleeting and turning to ice....fabulous. Can I just tell you I am over the rain, cold, and gloom that hung around most of last week and looks to be more of the same this week? It HURTS me. Please sunshine, come back!

Anyway, Titans lost for the 2nd time to the freakin' TEXANS, but they deserved it because they all played like poop. Hopefully its a good kick in the you-know-where and they'll get it together in time to play the Steelers. Bad news is we may have lost Albert Haynesworth and we're already down Kyle Vanden Bosch, so we really have to be in the game next week. Everyone is blaming Fisher for going for it instead of kicking the field goal near the end of the game, but come on. We would not have had to rely on that kind of risk-taking call anyway had we played a better game for, oh, the first 3 quarters.

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20081215/SPORTS01/812150341

In political news, most are focusing on that crazy Governor from Illinois, and whether or not he'll step down today (in a word: NO). I never trust anyone named Rod. Just a helpful suggestion, Illinois. But I'm actually more amused by two other stories in the political news arena.

First, I am sure you've all seen the video of GWB ducking (pretty good reflexes, George!) as an Iraqi reporter throws shoes at him and calls him a dog (apparently that is the Iraqi version of giving him the finger). That's pretty amusing in and of itself. But the BEST part of this is when George tells the media that he's not insulted, and he thinks the guy just wanted to be on TV. Once again, GWB has no idea why loads of people, here and abroad, are disgusted with him, and proves his lack of self awareness, which, you know, is part of the disgust.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/BushLegacy/story?id=6460837&page=1

Second, John McCain was on This Week yesterday and totally threw Sarah Palin under the bus, saying while it was a pleasure to know her (KISS OFF!) there are a lot of good governors out there (QUALIFIED!) that will be shaping the future of the Republican party and he would not necessarily support her for President in the future (OVER HIS DEAD BODY!). He also defended Obama in relation to Governor-gate by refusing to join the criticisms of the RNC and said we should be talking about the economy instead.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/12/14/mccain.senate/index.html

Things I Hate...OK Just One Thing.

I have never been able to stomach that Extreme Makeover: Home Edition show. I can't really get through an episode without being in tears, and I guess my social work background comes out because I always wonder what happens AFTER the family gets this great house-can they afford the mortgage? What about the electricity for all those fancy flat screen TVs and stuff? IS that really going to cure their cancer or help the blind dad see again? If someone really wanted to help the family, why not offer to pay their medical bills or something-why give them a fancy house and stuff they don't really need? It may make them feel good for awhile, but what happens when the camera crew leaves and the bills keep coming? We all know that more "Stuff" doesn't really solve your problems, it usually seems to create more....so lo and behold a headline on People Magazine's website about a family now unable to pay the mortgage on their dream house and has lots of medical bills too. I just get frustrated that the line of thinking on how to make someone's life easier or better is to give them nice things and a new house....and then leave them to deal with the aftermath, not to mention the new standard of living they will be accustomed to which they clearly would not have been able to enjoy otherwise. Now, I know in some cases they make wide hallways for wheelchair bound folks, and that is legitimate. But tearing down a whole house to do it? Probably not necessary. I'd rather see a show use mege-bucks to pay off someone's medical bills, assist folks who can't pay their bills due to catastrophic events, send kids with cancer to Disneyland or something.

I can't help it, the whole premise of this show has always bugged me, and now I feel justified knowing that I was right-the good times may not last for these families, and who's going to help them when they don't?

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20245129,00.html

Things I am Thankful for....a Top Ten List

What's Thanksgiving without pondering what you are thankful for? Since I have not been a good blogger lately (sometimes, I do have actual work to do) I thought I would take this opportunity to catch up on some recent events and point out what I am most grateful for at this very moment.

10. Beyonce. Did you see the AMA's? Killed.It. http://pinkisthenewblog.com/home/2008/11/the-2008-american-music-awards/#more-14195

9. Titans take first loss, now 10-1. Oh yeah, I am thankful that they lost. Don't want to be like the Patriots now, and win them all only to lose THE.BIG.ONE. We needed to lose. Just one.

8. Candace Gingrich, for calling out the haters, even when they include her own brother. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/candace-gingrich/a-letter-to-my-brother-ne_b_145739.html

7. Coffee-How else could I get moving in the morning?

6. & 5. New music releases-Taylor Swift's sophomore release, Fearless, and David Cook's self-titled debut. Taylor's 2nd CD suprised me. It is quite a bit more mature, generally and musically than the first. But-she's still a teenager, so its still a bunch of songs written by a teenager. But this is definitely a slightly older, wiser, and more experienced teenager, and its very good. I fully expect her to sell 3 million copies of this one too. Wish they would stop releasing the "princess" themed songs as the singles, but seems to be working for her so what do I know.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27647943/

For an album that was written and recorded in probably 3-4 months, considering he only won American Idol in late May and then went on a 3 month tour, David Cook's CD is also good, but a tad generic. Its very 90's rock sounding to me, which may not appeal to everyone, but since that reminds me of my childhood and all, I'm happy with it. It is exactly the type of album I expected him to release-or at least be allowed to release, as the winner of American Idol. Again, I have to disagree with the single choices-I have yet to hear the first one, Light On, on the radio here-although I did see the video is #1 on VH1. And, if Saturday Night Live is to be any indication, it looks like Declaration will be the 2nd single, and while that one is OK, I think that Heroes or Life on the Moon are better-and Lie is the most surefire hit on there in my opinion, but I know they will not release a "ballad" type song until he's had a rock hit first (must establish the street cred). Anyway, I have two good new CDs to listen to at work, so I'm happy.
http://music.aol.com/video/lie-aol-sessions/david-cook/2329694

4. Twilight-the MOVIE. Yes, it is pure cheese. Yes, the special effects were bad. But to be able to enjoy the story without several hundred pages of Bella's annoying inner monologue? Fabulous. And, you know, that guy playing Edward was HOT. I am not above sitting in a movie for 2 hours for some eye candy. LONG LIVE TEENAGE DRAMA. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27874581/

3. Gas Prices. Honestly, I never thought I would see them below $2 again in my lifetime....and while I'm a little miffed since I think this is all GWB trying to make it look like gas is the same price now as it was when he took office, and hoping we will forget about all that mess in between, it took me less than $20 to fill up the other day, so I kind of don't care.

2. President-Elect Obama. Already pushing Bush to the side and Takin' Care of Business.

1. The health and safety of my family and friends.

Happy Thansgiving! What are YOU thankful for this year?

CMA Chatter and Fashion Review

Did anyone watch the CMAs last night? It was heavy on the CM and lite on the A. Seriously-they could not have handed out 10 awards. I'm not unhappy to have seen all the performances, as I can't afford to see every concert that comes through town, but when I watch an awards show I usually expect some awards to be given out. I think they gave out three an hour. Crazy!

The best awards show I saw recently-was it the Grammys? Where they had all these neat performances of people that don't go together. Like Fergie and John Legend. Beyonce and Sugarland. That was cool. The CMAs should do that-more group/dual performances than all of the individuals-I mean, why not get Martina McBride to duet with Keith Urban? Alan Jackson and Taylor Swift? That would be worth tuning in for....some unexpected pairings. Because if they don't do something to change it up soon, no one is going to tune in next year to see Kenny-the-Second-Coming-of-Jimmy-Buffett-Chesney win Entertainer Trophy #5, Rascal Flatts win Group Trophy #215, and Carrie Underwood win Female Vocalist #4. Seriously-half of the winners won their category last year......where are the suprises? I mean, if the awards are so boring, we have to up the performances, and while some of them were good last night, some were atrocious, and the sound was bad across the board. So, I think this CMA ceremony gets a D from me. Major overhaul time, cowboys and cowgirls!

High points? Well, for me, Miranda, Hootie, Lady A, and Keith getting to perform twice. And the multiple shout outs to our 9-0 TENNESSEE TITANS! Can I get a Woo-WOO! (Sorry-I think I am starting to enjoy winning a little too much!)

Low? Kellie Pickler, Brooks and Dunn/Reba, and the general boringness. Even the much hyped "surprise" guest Shania Twain (which was no suprise as it was all over the internet beforehand) was a letdown-she looked great but the surprise would have been if she had performed!!!!!

So since the ceremony was a wash, all we have left is fashion. Let's discuss with visuals, shall we?

First up, our hostess Carrie changed about 5,012 times. This was the only one I really liked-and that I thought actually flattered her.

Julianne Hough of Dancing with the Stars/fledgling country music "artist"- I think you forgot to leave your costume on the dance floor! What IS this? One of three wardrobe choices for Jennifer of Sugarland, unfortunately this was the only one that was even remotely cute. I'd show you the others but it would hurt your eyes.

Eh, you don't actually need those eyes, do you? Oh Kellie, you just try WAY.TOO.HARD. This is too short, too low, too tight, too leather, and too slutty. I know the song you sang was all about what your boyfriend is now missing, but it looks to me like all he has to do to replace you is head on over to the strip club.

My Miranda was so close on this one. Can't show you the full length cause it pains me too much-the dress was not flattering or fitting on her lower half, and it was WRINLKLED. But the top half was good-great color for her, great corset bodice-she's a petite, curvy REAL looking girl, and she was so close to getting it right-if the fabric had been different, the bottom flowy-er, she would have gotten an A+. Next time!

Reese-ACK! What happened? I always count on you to look classy and chic-I think you got a LITTLE too excited about coming home to Nashville, and accidentally picked up Loretta Lynn's reject instead of that cute little number you were supposed to wear...right? Well, I can't hate you for too long, so please do me proud at the Oscar's, and we'll forget all about this one, OK?

Shania's Back! Shania's Back! And awfully tan and healthy looking to be coming from Canada-you go, girl! Kellie, take note-THIS is how to properly show a man what he's missing.

Taylor is looking nice here-very sparkly, which she is known for, and age-appropriate-she's eighteen now, so its sophisticated but still youthful looking. Eat her sequins, Joe Jonas!

And finally, this is not from the CMA's but from the Glamour Awards earlier in the week, but I like Nicole's dress much better here than the one she wore last night so I'm pretending that she wore this one and not that ugly spider-web one she actually had on.

Forks

When you get to a fork in the road, take it.--Yogi Berra

Thank God this election is over, and thank God that I finally picked a winner! All of the statistics and figures that came out of this election were truly amazing. States that had not gone Republican in 30 years switching to Blue (Love ya, NC!); highest percentage of African American voters ever; and a candidate getting over 50% of the popular vote (52% to be exact, not that I am rubbing it in or anything) which even Clinton did not manage! Oh yes, Change is coming. The American People spoke loud and clear enough for even old John McCain to hear. (OK, that was mean. Did I mention I have never voted for a winner? Give me a moment here.)

After 8 years of a government controlled by the allegedly "fiscally conservative" party, our country is in 2 wars, we have a huge national debt, huge deficit, higher numbers of people without health insurance and living in poverty than we had 8 years ago, gas is anywhere from 1-3 dollars more than it was 8 years ago, food prices are going up BY THE MONTH, and people who have to work 5 jobs just to meet basic living expenses are declared national heroes on Good Morning America when we should all be screaming about the insanity of it all. So yeah, I think we reached a fork in the road of our country's future, and instead of going straight we finally veered to the left.

I'm a little amused/disturbed at the response of some of my Facebook "friends" regarding the results of the election. Now, I have friends and colleagues that voted for McCain and while disappointed (and I know how that feels) they aren't talking doom or gloom. But on facebook, some folks I went to college with, or church with, are updating their status with things like "praying for the swift return of the Lord" and "get ready for higher taxes" (because so many of us out of college are already making $250K a year I guess?) and "I'm so disappointed in my fellow Americans". Huh? Disappointed, I get. I've been there. Praying for the rapture? No so much. Because even though I disagreed with him almost all the time, I HOPED that one day Bush would do something that would make me proud, that would surprise me, that would set us on a better path. But all I got, day after day, was another fat deposit to the national debt and more soldiers killed in the Middle East. No real plan to change health care, education, poverty; no hint of the "compassionate conservatism" that was promised. There was little compassion OR conservatism in GWB's 8 years in office.

And people are sad over the fact that we kicked those policies to the curb last week???? Please, tell me, how GWB ever lifted his little pinky to abolish abortion or gay marriage. Because I know you didn't vote Republican because they are so fiscally conservative anymore. No, it was "social issues" which never even made it on his agenda. Did you really think McCain was going to go there either? Really, I want to understand this loyalty to a party who has given you nothing they promised, but you think somehow still has been chosen by God as the Christian party. They may talk the talk, but they have failed to walk the walk.

So I am trying not to let all this kill my buzz. I know my opinions aren't the only ones out there. But I don't think Obama won solely because he was not George Bush-if that were the reason, Kerry should have won 4 years ago. Obama had a clear vision for America, a message of hope and change for a better future, and has inspired people to dream of something better for their children. I'm glad for all the people of color who got to wake up and tell their kids last week that it is not foolish for them to hope to be President. I'm glad for those who have long been disenfranchised, that they finally had a candidate that looked like them and spoke to them-spoke to all of us-with a message of change, unity, and moving beyond the things that have divided our country-race, politics, religion, gender. That in spite of all of our differences, we have common values, and we can work together to form a better America. Ultimately, that is the message that connected with over 60 million voters last week and brought President-Elect Barack Obama to victory.

Now, all he has to do is not disappoint us. :) Good luck, Barack! We are a tough crowd!