Tina Turner is my Idol

I know it's been a long time since I've posted...and I couldn't pass up the chance to rave about how FREAKING AWESOME the Tina Turner concert was last night. She turns 69 tomorrow, but she's still got it. Wardrobe by Bob Mackey, stilettos by Manolo Blahnik and an attitude all her own. She still has the moves, the voice and the class that makes her "simply the best".

Over 2 hours of Tina dancing, singing, running around. In addition to rocking out to her own songs, she included covers such as "Let's Stay Together", "Help!", "The Acid Queen" and "Jumping Jack Flash". I'm sorry, but anyone (let alone any woman) who can successfully cover Al Green, The Who, The Stones and The Beatles is my hero. Especially when done in a red sequined mini-dress with matching heels. I'd kill for her legs. And did I mention she can dance?

Not only is she supremely talented, but Tina is one classy lady. Towards the end of the show she introduced her band (which is typical), then went on to introduce, by name, her back up dancers, her production crew, lighting & sound, hair & makeup and the stage manager (which is not typical). She took the time to give everyone their chance to take a bow. She could be difficult and act like a diva (she's certainly earned it), but she chooses to give credit to those who help her look good. And boy, did she look good! At the end of the show, as the lights came up, full credits ran on the screen onstage. Everyone, down to the bus drivers were mentioned. That's class.

I've been to many, many concerts in my lifetime and I have to say that this one is in my Top 2. Prince and Tina Turner are two shows NOT TO MISS. She won't be touring for long and this may be the last time, so if Tina is coming to a city near you, RUN don't walk to catch this incredible show. You'll thank me later.

Set List
Steamy Windows
Typical Male
River Deep, Mountain High
What You Get is What You See
Better Be Good to Me
The Acid Queen
What’s Love Got to Do With It?
Private Dancer
We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)
Help
Undercover Agent for the Blues
Let’s Stay Together
I Can’t Stand the Rain
Rolling Stones Medley
Jumping Jack Flash
It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll
Goldeneye
Addicted to Love
The Best
Proud Mary
Encore
Nutbush City Limits
Be Tender With Me Baby

Losing my mind...

It's t-minus 12 days until I leave for Thailand. Guess who's still not ready. Yep, that would be me. Most of the International PR team is in "final exam" mode. For instance, right now, I'm wearing slippers because my feet hurt from running back and forth to the editing suite (which is 5 floors down and on the exact opposite side of the building). We've all been working late hours, trying to get it all done and somehow more work keeps being added on top of everything. My desk looks like a hurricane hit it and it's amazing that I can actually find anything.

Today is a particularly scatterbrained day. I think my brain is just sick of it all and threatening to shut down for good. It doesn't help that my diet today consisted of Diet Coke, half of a scone from Starbucks (I had a meeting in DC this morning), ice cream from the group b-day party in our department, Diet Dr. Pepper and candy corn. I might eat some pretzels soon because I'm getting a little bit shaky. Should I really wonder why I can't think straight?

Lesson learned: Stress + sugar = can't really function.

It's October

It's October, which makes me have a panic attack a little each time I think of it (which is why I haven't switched over my calendar yet). This means that I only have 3 weeks until I leave for Thailand. Am I ready for this meeting? No. Hence, panic attacks.

Things that have happened in the past 2 weeks.

• My baby sister turned 22. Yikes.
• I turned 34 + 1. Double Yikes. But I got a Kate Spade gift certificate from my roommates. Nice.
• I survived our crazy 4-birthdays-in-a-row weekend. And ate a ton of great food in the process.
• I took a day off of work and spend the afternoon at the spa. This decision caused me to have to work super late the rest of the week, but it was totally worth it.
• I scored tickets to see Tina Turner. I'm ridiculously excited about that.
• I taught my first Relief Society lesson in about 3 years. It was scary, but I think it went okay. I'm slowing getting into the swing of things, thanks in large part to our awesome RS Secretary. She's incredible.
• I saw the final Broadway performance of Rent on the big screen. Incredible. That musical never ceases to amaze me. Or make me cry. I really hope they release it on DVD. The stage version is so much better than the movie version.
• I went to the Kennedy Center to see the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Then hung around afterwards and met the band when they did a CD signing. That rocked. I've loved PHJB since I was little (thanks Dad!) and it was a thrill to meet some of them.
• I get to go see New Kids on the Block at the Verizon Center tomorrow night. Don't make fun of me. I loved them as a 14-year-old and even though they're super cheesy, I still love them. You all have secret guilty pleasures too, so back off.

So there's a little catch-up for all you blog readers. Sorry no photos this time.

Confessions...

Hello, my name is Sara and I'm a blog-stalker. Yes, I admit it. Though it's not entirely my fault. I have funny friends who have cute kids. And these friends have funny friends, sisters, SILs, almost SILs, etc., who also have cute kids. Plus, they develop trendy ways to write blogs. It's too much to resist. I only wish I could be that funny...and maybe I'll make up some cute kids. :) I'm also too tired to be trendy, so I'm sticking with good old fashioned bullet points.

• It's been a LONG week. I've been at the office until 8:00 every night with no end in sight. Plus I have to teach (my first Relief Society lesson in two years) on Sunday. I'm not ready. At all. And yes, I am freaking out about it. It kind of makes me miss teaching in Primary where I could fill up the left-over time with coloring. Somehow I don't think that'll work in RS.
• When I'm stressed out I crave chocolate. My current cravings include Junior Mints and Ben & Jerry's cake batter ice cream (with a fudge frosting swirl...WOW).
• I'll be 35 on Monday. There, I finally said it out loud (well, not out loud, but you get the idea). That number makes me panic a little bit. It's my "scary age" and I never really thought I'd get here because it always seemed so far away. My life is nothing like I imagined it would be when I hit 35. In some ways it's better, in some ways, not better. But it's here so I have to face it. I know I still have some time to get married and have kids, it'll just be a little harder now.
• I wish someone would explain the traffic patterns on the beltway. One minute I'm cruising along with traffic at 70 miles an hour. Then, all of a sudden we all stop. Then we start and again, we're at 70 MPH. There are no accidents, no cops, no lights, no bad weather. Traffic just slows down randomly. It's painfully frustrating. I wish I could view it from the sky so I could see why this happens. And if there's rain (or as my dad calls it, "liquid stupid"), forget it.
• The only guy I've been remotely interested in over the last couple of years is 7 years younger than me.
• I think I'm addicted to Diet Coke.

Catching up...

It's been a while since I've blogged. My life isn't all that interesting right now, just really busy. We're gearing up for our annual PR meeting, this year it's in Phuket, Thailand. I'm ridiculously excited to go to Phuket. Plus I get to stop in Seoul on my way home to see my brother. Also very cool.

As you may have read in previous blogs, our stake was reorganized and I'm now in a new ward. With a new calling as the 1st counselor in Relief Society. This is both exciting and terrifying. I've actually done this calling before, both on a ward and stake level. But in a small singles ward, not in a huge family ward. It's quite intimidating. I have to teach next week and I'm a little rusty. I just hope I don't lapse into Primary-teacher mode and start talking to the sisters like they're 8-year-olds.

My latest little mini-vacation was to New York for a weekend with one of my roommates and a friend. We went to a Yankee game (last year for the old Yankee Stadium) and to see The Little Mermaid on Broadway. I got a sweet associate rate at the Marriott Marquis. Gotta love that. If anyone wants to go to New York, let me know. I'm in.

I'm NOT excited about my upcoming birthday. This is the "scary age" year and I seriously wish I could just skip it this year. 34 has been pretty nice. Can't I do it again? I know it's silly, but I'm still freaked out about it. I don't feel that old...where did the time go?

I have some fun concerts/shows coming up in the next few months. I love always having something to look forward to. At the end of this month I'm going to see The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, then New Kids on the Block (don't laugh, I'm reliving my teenage years and proud of it), then Tina Turner (can't even put into words how excited I am about that), then the revival of West Side Story that's previewing here in D.C. before it hits Broadway. Plus I plan on going to NYC before the end of the year, so hopefully I'll see something then. I have kind of a great life sometimes.

Enjoy the photos!

Mourning the loss of a great talent...

I've been very fortunate to have seen LeRoi perform many times wtih DMB. He was a brilliant talent and will be sorely missed. His spirit will most definitely live on in his music.

As best said by a fan, "Jerry just got one hell of a horn player to jam with up there".

RIP LeRoi Moore

From the DMB website...
08/19/2008
We are deeply saddened that LeRoi Moore, saxophonist and founding member of Dave Matthews Band, died unexpectedly Tuesday afternoon, August 19, 2008, at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in Los Angeles from sudden complications stemming from his June ATV accident on his farm near Charlottesville, Virginia. LeRoi had recently returned to his Los Angeles home to begin an intensive physical rehabilitation program.

From the DMB Road Crew notes...
As we sat this afternoon contemplating the loss of our brother, we wondered how we could possibly do a show today. Dave put it into perspective stating, "There's no place I'd rather be than here with you guys right now." We cherish special memories of our lost friend. Tonight, Dave told a story about LeRoi at a bar in Virginia where the cash register was near the stage and LeRoi leaned on the register because "standing had become a chore". Roi proceeded to play the most beautiful version of Somewhere Over The Rainbow. Dave said, "that was the day I fell in love with him. And I'm still in love with him." It's safe to say we all were in love with him. "It's always easier to leave, than to be left." -DM
The DMB Crew
Wednesday, August 20

Withdrawl...

I'm going through Michael Phelps withdrawl...this helps.

I LOVE MICHAEL PHELPS

I know everyone thinks they love Michael Phelps because he's an exciting, fabulous, extraordinary athlete. But I really, really, really love him. I've watched the replay of the 4x100 relay at least 15 times today. It still gives me the chills. Especially this photo, which is one of the reasons I love Michael Phelps.

Yes, I know I have a problem. But how can you not love this?

Today is a good day because...

I found out last night that I have to leave my McLean 1st Ward family behind to attend a new ward (in a new building) due to boundary changes. I'm pretty sad about it (and I admit it, kinda mad too). I'm hoping I can learn to embrace this change, but right now I'm pretty much dreading going to church on Sunday. Being in McLean 1st has been a huge blessing for me and I've met a lot of people who have touched my life. I guess my biggest fear is that they'll just forget about me and move on (esp. since their ward isn't changing much other than a few people leaving), like it really didn't matter that I was in that ward. I guess I want to believe that I had as much of an effect on some of them as they did on me.

Anyway, I've done this before, but I needed to remember some good things about today...

* It's a bit cooler and less humid out today
* It's quiet in the office and I'm getting a lot done
* Two of my roommates are out of town, so the house will be quiet this week
* I finally booked my flight to Phuket and get to stop in Seoul to visit my brother
* I'm trying out a new deli near my house for dinner tonight
* I'm not sick
* My brother and sister-in-law celebrate their 1st anniversary today
* Pre-season football starts this weekend!

See, there's a lot to be happy about (this is what I'll be repeating over and over in my head all day as I try to convince myself).

Happy Being Single

I'm single. And I'm happy. Why do people have such a hard time believing this? Well, not all people, but married people. I had a member of my ward tell me today that she had the "perfect" guy for me. She thinks we'd be great together. And do you know why we'd be great together? We're both single. Yep, that's right. It doesn't matter if we have the same interests, goals, ideas about marriage and children or if we're attracted to each other. Apparently, the only criteria for finding the perfect guy once you're over 30 is that you're both single. And here I've been wasting all this time looking for someone I could be happy with and love for all eternity. Silly me, I just need to pick the next random single guy I see and get that marriage license.

I've really been focusing lately on myself and it's been fantastic. I'm finding out more about myself, what I want out of life and what I want in a spouse. Of course I'd love to get married. But I'm not letting that desire take over my life. I refuse to let life pass me by while I sit and wait for Mr. Right to come along. I realize how much freedom I have right now and I plan on taking full advantage of that freedom. There's a lot to do and see in this amazing world and I intend on seeing all I can. So, dear readers who happen to be married, please know that it truly is possible to be single and happy. If you have a guy who is actually great for me for other reasons than just also being single, feel free to introduce us...if not, that's okay. I'm not crying myself to sleep every night.

I've also been thinking a lot lately about having kids. I'm not getting any younger and I know that I don't have much time left to have babies of my own. I'm okay with that...I was never one who wanted a huge family. I'd love to be able to be pregnant, but I'm also very interested in adoption. I have a few friends who have struggled with infertility and my heart aches for them. My heart also aches for me...I sometimes wonder if I'll ever get the chance to find out if I can have kids. But then, as I read some of my friends' blogs, part of me is kind of okay with not having kids. Doesn't that sound horrible (please don't judge me)? I wonder if this happens to other people that are single and "older". Am I too selfish to have kids? I love children and I know my friends love their children and wouldn't change anything, but I also see how much they sacrifice for their kids. No sleep, no time alone, no sleep, no freedom to do things they want, no sleep. And did I mention no sleep? I have many friends with kids and I can get my "kid fix" anytime I want. Then I can go home and take a nap. Or go see a movie. Or go to New York for the weekend. Is that enough for me? Some days I'm sure it is. Other days I'm not. I teach the 8-year-old class at church. There's one boy, Blake, who is my favorite. I know I shouldn't have favorites, but this kid is seriously hysterical. Last week we talked about how important it is to say thank you to people who do nice things for you. Like your parents, teachers, siblings, friends, etc. I gave them all a blank thank you card to write on and send to someone they wanted to thank. Blake gave his to me. My name was spelled incorrectly and he drew me a picture of a flying dragon. It was one of the best cards I've gotten in a long time. It was a tiny little taste of the rewards you get as a parent and I was hooked. I imagine that the pros outweigh the cons when it comes to having kids...it's just hard for me to imagine making such a drastic change in how I live my life. I guess that's why it's better to marry young...before you know what it's like to be single over 30 and get to be this selfish. :)

I had a great weekend...we went to Eastern Market on Saturday for a fantastic breakfast and some shopping. I found a killer bracelet. Saw a movie and went to a dinner party. Then today at church we found out that our stake is being reorganized with a new ward being added. Next week we all find out where we'll land. I'm pretty sad about this news. I love my ward, even though it's enormous and after almost three years here I'm finally feeling like a true part of this ward. Like I'm finally getting to know people well. I'm not excited about starting all over with new people in a new ward. I hate change, even though it's usually good for me. So I'm trying to have a good attitude. I kind of wish I could make a list of people I love and have that be my ward.

I have a busy week coming up...I hope everyone reading this blog is doing well. I miss you all! Come visit!

Fun Tag

I stole this from Anna's blog...sounds like an interesting game, even though not many people read my blog! :)

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

The Cactus Cuties sing The National Anthem Old Video

Some of you may have already seen this, but if not you MUST check it out. These girls range in age from 6-8. WOW.

Check out my Slide Show!

Catching Up

Yes, it's been a while since I've blogged. Not much has been going on, therefore not much to blog about. Work is busy, that's about it. Sorry there's nothing more interesting, but if you'd like interesting, feel free to read my brother John's blog about his adventures in Korea.

I went to PA last weekend to spend a few days with the fam. It was Scott's 30th birthday and the Hinckley family was in town. It was a nice, relaxing weekend and it was great to see my favorite kids. I sure do love them and it was hard to leave. I don't like the fact that they live so far away...I'm still of the belief that all of the people I love should live next door.

We had fun at the zoo and finally got to meet the newest Hinckley, Nate! He's just as adorable as the rest of them!

Dana Carvey Show with Steve Carell

I totally stole this from Anna's blog...it's hysterical. Enjoy!

Not much going on lately to blog about. Work is busy and it's super hot outside. At least there are funny sketches to blog about! I'll take photos of something soon!

He took a polaroid every day: 1979-1997

This is incredible...

http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/15131

The Penguins WIN!

For the first time since 1992, the Pittsburgh Penguins will play in the Stanley Cup finals! The soundly beat the Flyers today, 6-0. Exciting game!

Here's the scoring summary...no one can say our team has no depth! P.S. I love Ryan Malone.
Ryan Malone - 2 goals, 1 assist
Marian Hossa - 1 goal, 3 assists
Evgeni Malkin - 1 goal
Jordan Staal - 1 goal
Pascal Dupuis - 1 goal
Sidney Crosby - 2 assists
Maxime Talbot - 2 assists
Adam Hall - 1 assist
Sergei Gonchar - 1 assist
Brooks Orpik - 1 assist
Marc Andrei Fleury - 21 saves

Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building!

Fox Sports Top 10: Worst franchises in pro sports

And guess who made #1? It's a good thing the Penguins are doing so well!!!

1. Pittsburgh Pirates

Never mind championships, pennants or division titles, the Pittsburgh Pirates haven't even had a winning season in 15 years. One more losing season and the Pirates will tie the record for most consecutive losing seasons among the four major sports. They continually field one of the youngest and most inexperienced rosters in the league and are always rebuilding. The black and yellow team colors fit their plan of constantly being under construction.

Puzzling personnel plays: Signing Derek Bell, Jeromy Burnitz and Tony Armas, Jr.; and trading Aramis Ramirez.

Remember ... 1997: The closest the Pirates have come to 82 wins (otherwise known as a winning season) in the last 15 years was in 1997. They were expected to push 90 to 100 losses, but ended up as one of the league's irrelevant surprises when they finished with 79 wins. The entire team salary was $9 million, which was less than what Albert Belle made that season.

South Korea

Well, it's actually happening. My brother John is moving to Seoul for a year (we hope only 1 year) to teach English. Like a lot of 26 year old's with a degree in theater, he's been struggling to decide what he wants to do with his life. This opportunity came up and I'm proud of him for doing it. I can only imagine how much courage it takes to make a move like this. I moved only 4 hours away and it was terrifying. He's moving across the world and doesn't speak the language. However, he's excited about the adventure and I'm excited for him. Plus, I get to visit him in a few months on my way home from a work trip to Thailand. It'll be very cool to have him show me around Seoul. He'll be blogging while he's there, so I'll be sure to have his blog in my "friends" list...feel free to check it out!

Good luck Johnny...we'll miss you!

Guess who's back together...

OH YEAH...NKOTB!!! The 14-year old in me sure is happy today!!! :)

NOW

THEN

Japan

I've finally uploaded my photos from Japan...I took over 500, so I'll just post a few highlights here. We had a fantastic trip and I loved Japan! In fact, I'd like to post about some of the things I'll miss.

Top Ten Things I'll Miss About Japan

10 - Bowing. I loved watching people bow to each other...such a respectful gesture
9 - Hi-chew, my favorite Japanese candy (I stocked up though)
8 - The precision of the train schedule
7 - Women wearing kimonos
6 - Cool Buddhist temples
5 - The cool vending machines (on every block!)
4 - Everything being individually wrapped (And I do I mean everything)
3 - Torii gates and little neighborhood shrines
2 - The AMAZING level of service EVERYWHERE
1 - Heated toilet seats


Here are a few photos for you to enjoy!

Torii gate in Meiji Shrine

Cool vending machine Torii gate at Miyajima (one of my favorite places)
Pagoda (I'm in there too!) at Toshogu shrine in Nikko

Golden Pavilion in Nara
Heated toilet seat!
Buddah at Todai-ji temple (he was huge!)
Mt. Fuji from the train (we were lucky to see it...no fog!)

American Idol - David Cook - Hello

My new favorite Idol contestant. This guy has some serious talent!

P.S. Japan photos coming soon!

Today is a good day because...

I've been inspired by Anna (and her sisters/SILs) to be aware of good things that happened today. I needed this!!!

Today is a good day because...

--It's 8:00 and my primary lesson is finished, so I can relax tonight!
--I cleaned (I mean really cleaned) today and it feels good to look around and not see clutter!
--I washed my sheets/duvet cover and can't wait to go to bed tonight
--I got to sleep in today (and woke up to the sound of rain outside instead of my alarm)
--I got a pedicure and my feet feel great
--My roommate brought home pizza for dinner...YUM
--I'm not sick (thanks to a routine of Airborne, OJ, & Vitamin Water)
--I made a list of things I need to pack for Japan (I leave in 6 days!)
--There's Ben & Jerry's in the freezer with my name on it
--There's a good basketball game on tonight

It's a good day!

Mmmm...brussels sprouts

I was watching Giada on the Food Network the other day (yes, that's right...I actually watch the food network...stop laughing), I found my mouth watering. Over brussels sprouts. Wierd, I know, but let me tell you...this recipe is incredible. Even when I make it...

I found that I liked it better when I only added between 1/4 and 1/2 cup of broth at the end. 3/4 is too much and dilutes the flavors. But you do need a little bit to get everything off of the pan. I also cut the sprouts in half (and cook them a bit longer to they're nice and tender), they absorbed the pancetta/garlic better that way, plus they were easier to eat. I've used both the paper-thin pancetta as well as the 4oz package of cubed pancetta from Trader Joes. Both work fine. I've also used bacon, but it's not as good.

1 pound fresh Brussels sprouts, trimmed
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 ounces paper-thin slices pancetta, coarsely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup low-salt chicken broth

Partially cook the Brussels sprouts in a large pot of boiling salted water, about 4 minutes. Drain.

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta and saute until beginning to crisp, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and saute until pale golden, about 2 minutes.

Add the Brussels sprouts to the same skillet and saute until heated through and beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Season with pepper, to taste. Add the broth and simmer until the broth reduces just enough to coat the Brussels sprouts, about 3 minutes. Serve. YUM.

Best performance of the night...

I was worried when I heard he was going to sing "Hello". Boy was I wrong, he blew me away!

R.I.P Myron Cope

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Myron Cope, the screechy-voiced announcer whose colorful catch phrases and twirling Terrible Towel became symbols of the Pittsburgh Steelers during an unrivaled 35 seasons in the broadcast booth, has died. He was 79.

Cope's tenure from 1970-2004 as the color analyst on the Steelers' radio network is the longest in NFL history for a broadcaster with a single team and led to his induction into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2005.

His memorable voice and unique broadcasting style became synonymous with Steelers football," Steelers president Art Rooney II said Wednesday. "They say imitation is the greatest form of flattery and no Pittsburgh broadcaster was impersonated more than Myron."

Beyond Pittsburgh's three rivers, Cope is best known for the yellow cloth twirled by fans as a good luck charm at Steelers games since the mid-1970s. The towel is arguably the best-known fan symbol of any major pro sports team, has raised millions of dollars for charity and is displayed at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

"His creation of The Terrible Towel has developed into a worldwide symbol that is synonymous with Steelers football," Steelers chairman Dan Rooney said Wednesday. "You were really part of it," Dan Rooney told Cope in 2005. "You were part of the team. The Terrible Towel many times got us over the goal line."

"He doesn't play, he doesn't put on a pair of pads, but he's revered probably as much or more in Pittsburgh than Franco (Harris), all the guys," running back Jerone Bettis said. "Everybody probably remembers Myron more than the greatest players, and that's an incredible compliment."

Just as Pirates fans once did with longtime broadcaster Bob Prince, Steelers fans began tuning in to hear what wacky stunt or colorful phrase Cope would come up with next. With a voice beyond imitation -- a falsetto so shrill it could pierce even the din of a touchdown celebration -- Cope was a man of many words, some not in any dictionary.

To Cope, an exceptional play rated a "Yoi!" A coach's doublespeak was "garganzola." The despised rival to the north was always the Cleve Brownies, never the Cleveland Browns. He gave four-time Super Bowl champion coach Chuck Noll the only nickname that ever stuck, the Emperor Chaz. For years, he laughed off the downriver and often downtrodden Cincinnati Bengals as the Bungles, though never with a malice or nastiness that would create longstanding anger.

Cope began having health problems shortly before his retirement, and they continued after he left the booth. They included several bouts of pneumonia and bronchitis -- he smoked throughout his career -- a concussion and a leg problem that took months to properly diagnose. He also said he had a cancerous growth removed from his throat.

"Wherever I go, people sincerely ask me how my health is and almost always, they say `Myron, you've given me so much joy over the years,"' said Cope, who also found the time to write five sports books, none specifically about the Steelers. "People also tell me it's the end of an era, that there will never be an announcer who lasts this long again with a team."

David Archuleta- Imagine (American Idol)

What a doll! It's risky to take on John Lennon, but he did a fantastic job. I think he's the guy to beat this season!

It's the little things that get to you...

It's been a while since I've blogged, though really not much is going on. I've been thinking a lot lately about little things in life. How those little things can make you so happy or just flat out make life difficult to live. It's been a rough few weeks for me health wise, nothing too serious, just annoying really. You know when life just keeps piling those little problems on you, one on top of another? It'd almost be easier to deal with one big problem (not that I'm asking for that) than it is to deal with all of these little things. At least with one big problem, you can find people to rally behind you to help you deal. With the little things, no one really has time to be compassionate since they're dealing with their little things. Individually, I could deal with them all, but together it's just too much. I won't list everything because well, that won't do any good. I'm just having a really hard time dealing with life right now. And to top it all off, I got a paper cut today. :(

There are however, a few good "little" things in my life too...see photos!

Who needs a boy on Valentine's Day when you have GREAT roommates?

Grilled turkey salad from Aladdin's in Squirrel Hill...it doesn't get any better than this!

This is what a REAL fish sandwich looks like.

Ice storms that = "working from home"/snow days.

Lesser of 2 (or 4) Evils

Yesterday was the Virginia/Maryland/D.C. primary. In spite of the lovely ice storm, I made it to the voting location before the polls closed, still not sure how I was going to vote. I've never voted Democratic in my entire life, but this time I was tempted (open primary and all). Since Romney is now out of the race, who is there left to vote for? I'm not crazy about any of the candidates right now. Huckabee is plain crazy, McCain is a loose cannon (and bordering on too liberal), Obama is likeable, but inexperienced (and a Democrat) and Hillary is, well, terrifying. So, do I still vote Romney (which means nothing now, so why even bother) or do I vote Obama to help keep the Clintons far away from the White House?

Romney vs. McCain

Interesting article if you're still on the fence between Romney & McCain. And I agree with it!