Well.

Yeah. Well, I said maybe not this year. I guess we can call that the understatement of the century. So stay tuned, I intend to honor my bet.

One Day More

I was just going to let tomorrow come without mentioning it here... But I guess I can't stop myself.

Tomorrow, at a ridiculously early hour (8am isn't THAT early, I know, but it is a Saturday), I will find myself, clad in blue, arriving at Liberty Bowl Stadium. The stadium holds 62,338 people. I predict at least half will not be similarly clad in blue, but rather in Orange. It's that time again.

It has been ten years since a game between the Tigers and the Vols ended on a happy note for Tiger fans. Ten years have passed, but still that night stands as The Best Sports Experience of my life. One of the reasons it was such monumental win was the very fact that we expected a blowout loss. I don't even think I paid much attention for most of the game, because who wants to watch a butt kicking? I went to the game that night with my camera, not expecting to have anything in particular to shoot, but because it was the next to last home game of the season, and I wanted to get some pictures of the marching band (yes, I know, I'm a huge band geek). I did not take either of these photos, by the way. The only one of mine that came out was of the scoreboard, although that's certainly a nice shot.

The crowd was loud and raucous (they even cheered like crazy for the band's halftime show), and though we didn't expect an upset, there was something different and electric in the air. When the game was over, we were as shocked as the Vol fans were. I remember the way they sat there, in stunned silence, while the field flooded with Tiger students and fans. The goal posts came down quickly under the weight of players and fans. Stadium security tried to prevent one group of fraternity boys from taking an entire upright out (six or seven of them carried it on their shoulders), so they marched up to the top of the stadium, intending to DROP IT OVER THE SIDE so they could have their souvenir. Fortunately, security decided to ease up rather than to risk lives, and pieces of goal posts were (safely) taken home by many of the revelers. Of course, since I was in the band, I wasn't able to storm the field. We remained in the stands, and just kept playing until our chops were worn out.

The more time that passes, the sillier it might seem to reminisce about that game. It was, after all, ten years ago. That is a long time, especially in college football (today's players were still in elementary school in 1996). And it didn't mark the beginning of a new era; it wasn't the first in a string of wins over Tennessee-- we have yet to beat the Vols again-- and the Tigers didn't become a powerhouse. Some Tennessee fans scoff and say, "even a blind squirrel finds a nut every once in a while." Maybe that's true, but some things have changed. The more recent games have not been the cakewalk for Tennessee they used to be, and Vol fans (some Vol fans) have become less friendly, more defensive, even sometimes hostile. While they may refuse to acknowledge the existence of an actual rivalry (we're not good enough for that), no longer do they pat us on the head, chuckling over their little brother trying to tag along. The games since that night-- the competition tougher, the scores closer-- have taunted them, but teased us. For us, they have planted seeds of hope, encouraging our faith, egging on our dreams of another victory.

And another victory will come.

Maybe not tomorrow.

But it will come. And I hope I'm there to see it.

Thursday Thirteen, No. 5

Thirteen of Sadie's Favorite Sports Movies

1. The Replacements

2. Rudy

3. 8 Seconds

4. Seabiscuit

5. Jerry Maguire

6. Mystery, Alaska

7. Hoosiers

8. Rookie of the Year

9. For Love of the Game

10. Field of Dreams

11. Bull Durham

12. Major League

13. A League of Their Own

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Wednesday Wanderings

You know, sometimes I wish I hadn't told so many people I know in real life about this blog. How am I supposed to blog about them if they're reading this? No, I'm not talking about you! Hee. ;)

I'm tired. I'm always tired! I know, Mom, I need to exercise... But I'm too tired to exercise! ;) Now that the weather's getting nice I'm really going to try. I'm going to take Max out for walks when I get home from work. That'll be good for both of us. Poor thing, he's got energy coming out his ears and nothing to do with it. Wish he could share some with me.

I've now watched "Brothers & Sisters" and "Jericho." Liked them both, surprisingly. I expected Calista Flockhart to get on my nerves more, and I didn't expect much out of Jericho at all... I also thought "The Class" had potential, but I reserve final judgment there.

Yesterday, while walking downtown, I saw a little old lady. Being the charming and polite thing that I am, I smiled and said, "Hello." She smiled back and said, "Hello, dahlin'." Then I put on my sunglasses, ready to go on my merry way, when she said, "Uh oh, secret agent!" I guess the combination of the sunglasses and the black suit was too much for her to take. As I walked down the street, she was still hollering, "Secret Agent! Secret Agent!"

And, finally, what has become a Wednesday Wanderings tradition: the cute kitty. Here is Kitty Smalls. Adorable.

Monday Musings

So... Do I look older?

I had a good birthday. We stayed home, Mr. Incredible grilled steaks for dinner, and gave the dogs baths so they could come inside, and we all had birthday cake (homemade by Mr. Incredible). I got roses, Season 2 of Grey's Anatomy on DVD, and will be getting a Carolina Panthers DeAngelo Williams jersey when they come in stock (looks like this one).

And? The Panthers got their first win of the season, on the strength of John Kasay's leg and apparently at the expense of Tampa Bay quarterback Chris Simms' spleen. Finally! I was really beginning to worry about my new favorite team.

Laurence Maroney of the New England Patriots should totally nickname himself Baloney Maroney. Cause that's what I'm calling him now. Made it up myself during last night's game against the Broncos. It has a nice ring to it.

My Fall TV schedule is already being changed. "Justice" was put on "hiatus," though not officially canceled. Can't say I'm heartbroken. I love Victor Garber, but the show just wasn't holding up against the other shows on my overcrowded DVR. "Vanished" dropped off my radar as well, mostly because I'm already falling behind on my TV watching and it's not even two weeks into the season. Mr. Incredible has added "Jericho" to the schedule, though we haven't had time to watch it. I also haven't gotten around to watching "Men in Trees," so I think that I'm just going to forget about it, even though I've heard good things. So far I'm sticking with "Six Degrees," "Shark," and "Studio 60," and of course "Grey's Anatomy," "Earl," and "The Office." Definitely looking forward to next week and the premiere of "LOST" and "The Nine."
Here's the updated spreadsheet.

100 Things About Me

In honor of today, my 32nd birthday, I present: Everything you wanted to know about Sadie, and a bunch of stuff you probably didn't...  NOTE:  This was edited and revised in 2008 due to life changing and me wanting this list to be somewhat still accurate.

1. I was born September 23, 1974. I was more than 2 weeks overdue.
2. I hate bad southern accents in movies and on TV.
3. I especially hate the improper use of "y'all." "Y'all" is plural, y'all. Never use it to address one person. That's the point of "y'all." Sheesh.
4. I don't like sweet tea.
5. Before I was obsessed with my blog, I was obsessed with my iPod.
6. Every morning in the shower, I shave one of my legs (I alternate).
7. If Slackovinia was a country, I'd be its Queen.
8. Both our vehicles have names (Bruiser & Harriet)
9. My body parts do not.
10. I talk to my pets.
11. Yes, I think they understand me. Mostly.
12. I like to smell my cat (what? he smells good).
13. I watch a LOT of television.
14. My favorite TV shows are "Grey's Anatomy" and "LOST."
15. When I'm not watching it I read about it.
16. I don't like to be barefoot, indoors or out. Ever.
17. And I can't wear just socks, either, I have to have something more substantial between my feet and the floor.
18. I think that started because my feet were always cold, so I always wore slippers, and now they just don't like to be naked.
19. I hate that I don't think of funny things to say or good comebacks until it's way too late for them to be effective.
20. I am extremely non-confrontational anyway.
21. I can write an excellent mean letter afterwards, though, given the time for consideration and editing.
22. I love Hot Tamales. They are cinnamony goodness!
23. I also really like Twinkies.
24. I was born in Memphis (so was my mother and her mother before her).
25. I have lived here for all but around six or seven of my thirty-two years.
26. Yes, I really do like it here.
27. I have seven (7) nieces but no nephews.
28. Little boys scare me.
29. I am therefore convinced that when I have a baby it will be a boy.
30. The first car that was ever titled in my name was a Honda Accord.
31. The car I drive now is a Honda Accord.
32. In between I had three other cars, one of which was a Honda Accord.
33. The smell of A1 sauce makes my mouth water.
34. I once (in college) did a shot of A1 sauce.
35. It wasn't bad.
36. I love the beach.
37. But I don't like to swim in the ocean.
38. I like that I look like my mother.
39. I think my sister is funniest person I know.
40. I think Dane Cook is the funniest person I don't know.
41. I think Heidi Klum is ridiculously beautiful.
42. I have zero artistic talent for drawing, painting, or sculpting.
43. I would like to learn about photography.
44. I was a theatre major for one semester.
45. I switched and got my bachelor's in Psychology.
46. I like roller coasters.
47. I hate mouth noises. Hate.
48. When my office manager pops her gum (which she does ceaselessly) I can hear it all the way in my office.
49. It makes me want to kill her.
50. I also hate the creaky noise our building makes when it's windy. It creeps me out.
51. I also hate it when a person ends a sentence with "at;" e.g., "Where's it at?"
52. Ending sentences with other prepositions causes lesser, varying degrees of annoyance.
53. I can sit on the couch all day watching TV or reading magazines and not get bored.
54. I subscribe to the following magazines: Redbook, Glamour, Real Simple, US Weekly, Allure, Marie Claire, Cottage Living.
55. I really like magazines. ;)
56. I hate, hate, hate to get up in the morning, and I have to watch at least twenty minutes of Matt Lauer before I can motivate myself to do it.
57. I'm a little obsessed with my nails and cuticles.
58. If I have a hangnail I have to trim it immediately or I will tear or bite it until it comes off, bleeds, or both.
59. I clench my jaw in my sleep AND when I'm awake.
60. I REALLY want to win the lottery. Really. A lot. And I know exactly what I'll do with the money. But I never buy a ticket.
61. I would love to buy a villa and move to Tuscany à la Frances Mayes.
62. I pop my knuckles a lot. I can pop them just by bending my fingers.
63. College basketball is my favorite sport. (Go Tigers!)
64. I extended my undergraduate education in hopes of being in the pep band at the Final Four. We didn't come close.
65. I've already asked for vacation for next year's March Madness.
66. I'm trying to grow out my hair. It grows really slowly.
67. I chuckle every time I see the picture of the cat with the lime peel helmet in my profile.
68. I've lived in a lot of different places in my life (at least 25), and I never felt any emotional attachment to any house until the one I have now.
69. I like the word "wee."
70. I have hypermobile joints. My Beighton score is 6 (on a scale of 0-9). Most people score less than 2.
71. I don't like a lot of furniture or clutter in a room, it makes me feel crowded.
72. I wish I was a better interior decorator. I know if I like something, but I don' t know how to create it at home.
73. I get headaches if I don't have caffeine in the morning.
74. But I don't really like coffee.
75. I'm a total homebody. Love, love, love to hang out at home.
76. And watch television. Way too much television.
77. Fall is my favorite season.
78. My favorite Saturday in the whole year is the first one in the fall when I wake up and it's so chilly in the house that I need to put on a sweatshirt, jeans, wool socks, and curl up under a blanket to watch football.
79. I find no enjoyment in cooking whatsoever.
80. Eating, on the other hand...
81. I do make good meatloaf, though (it's the A1 sauce).
82. I am not much of an adventurous eater, and I'm not in a hurry to "grow out of it."
83. My favorite dinner is any sort of pasta with Bolognese sauce. Maybe some mozzarella cheese on top.
84. I think any food is improved with cheese on top. Except...
85. I love cheese, I love burgers, but I don't like cheeseburgers.
86. I eat burgers in a circle around the edges before I will eat the middle (after arranging the pickles in a single, centered layer, so to maximize picklebitage).
87. Back Yard Burger is my favorite fast food place. Ooh, or maybe Chick Fil A.
88. Fresca is my favorite soda, but I don't drink it much anymore since my doctor told me I looked "puffy" and I should cut back on sodium.
89. I gave up Fresca cold turkey that day, and a week later all my rings were loose. Sodium makes a difference.
90. I usually drink Crystal Light Pink Lemonade. It has no sodium.
91. I like orange juice with lots of pulp.
92. I like DiGiorno better than delivery most of the time.
93. I don't like any sort of nut or anything made with nuts.
94. That includes peanut butter.
95. When I was a kid I liked bologna and ketchup sandwiches.
96. Then I stopped liking them, but I afraid it would hurt Mom's feelings if I told her, so I would wash the ketchup off the bologna in the school cafeteria water fountain and eat the meat plain.
97. I have to watch TV in bed for a while before I can sleep.
98. I watch with the sound off and closed captioning on so sudden noises or commercials don't wake me up if I've drifted off.
99. I also sleep with a sound machine on. Currently set to "hard rain."
100. Even though I might seem like a crankypants, I am, in general, quite happy.

Friday Fun

1. When you are having a slow morning, is there a particular song that gets you going?
There are Thirteen!

2. What is your favorite kind of music?
I like all different kinds. Especially country, and lately I've been listening to a lot of Amos Lee, Josh Kelley, Norah Jones, and stuff from "Grey's Anatomy." Whatever "kind" that is.

3. What is the last song you heard?
"Tragedy" by Brandi Carlisle.

4. Do you and your significant other have A Song? What is it and why?
It is "Come Away with Me" by Norah Jones. Cause that's what I did.

5. Do certain songs bring back memories for you? Give us an example!!
Oh yeah. "Sweet Child of Mine" by Guns N Roses reminds me of a dance I went to in 9th Grade. "Mr. Bartender" by Sugar Ray reminds me of a trip to Destin in 2003. And "Home" by Marc Broussard reminds me of moving back to Memphis last year.

Thursday Thirteen, No 4

Thirteen of Sadie's Favorite Songs
to Wake Up and Get Moving

1. "Home" by Marc Broussard
   
   
2. "Switch" by Will Smith
   
3. "Outrageous" by Britney Spears (don't laugh)
   
4. "Faded" by Soul Decision
   
5. "Pour Some Sugar on Me" by Def Leppard
   
6. "Ohio (Come Back to Texas)" by Bowling for Soup
   
7. "Rock Your Body" by Justin Timberlake
   
8. "You Shook Me All Night Long" by AC/DC
   
9. "Harder to Breathe" by Maroon 5
   
10. "Save a Horse" by Big & Rich
    
11. "Disease" by Matchbox Twenty"Leave the Pieces" by The Wreckers
    
12. "Good Day" by Luce
    
13. "As Good as I Once Was" by Toby Keith
    

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

• Laura
• Vicky
• Janet
• Knitting Maniac
• Southern Girl
• KrajciMama
• Carmen
• Surrender Dorothy
• Cheysuli
• Ali
  
• JO
• The Schooligan
• Dane Bramage
• Jenny Ryan
• Brony
• Zeus
• Jennifer
• DK Raymer
• Tina
• Denise
• homeperm

ANYBODY KNOW AN EASY WAY TO MAKE COLUMNS FOR THESE LINKS?
(leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code!

See More Thursday Thirteens!

Wednesday Wanderings

I don't know if Wednesday Wanderings is going to become a regular thing or what, but today I don't have anything specific to talk about, so I thought I'd clean out my brain again.

Why would someone think it was a good idea to tell me that my newly-blonde hair makes me look washed out? That I need to go get a tan now? Why? What made her think that was appropriate? I guess she was just being "helpful." Gum-popping Beyotch.

This morning I saw a commercial for Boniva, the osteoporosis drug. Sally Field talks about her poor friend that has to take time out once a week to take her drug, and how Boniva is better because it's only once a month. This makes me curious. Does this friend not take any other medications? Not even a multi-vitamin? Is it that big of a deal to take one extra pill once a week? I take a handful of pills every day, it wouldn't be an inconvenience to toss an extra in there. If those medicines require some extra procedure that truly makes it a hassle, somebody let me know. [Edited to add: Thanks to the Meezer Mom for leaving a comment and clearing up the facts for me. Makes a lot more sense now!]

You know, I was blonde before. I've been blonde for more of my adult life than I've been brunette. Nobody ever thought it made me look washed out. In fact, I think it was the darker hair that made my skin look sallow. I even said so, but nope, she disagrees, I look worse now. Whatever.

I've loved the name Sutton since Sutton Foster won the Tony for Thoroughly Modern Millie. It's been on my list of possible future baby names for a while. Does this mean I have redneck taste? I guess I will drop that one from consideration.

Like I'm gonna go get a tan. At the end of September? When I haven't been in a tanning bed in years? I'm gonna go now? What?

The difference in my two bosses: Boss #1 walks past my office saying "Good Morning," does a double take, comes back, and examines my hair. He asks if it's my natural color, or closer to my natural color than the brunette was. He tells me its a good color for me, not that the brunette was a bad color. He then proceeds to his own office after brewing himself a cup of coffee. Boss #2 walks directly to my office door, listing off tasks (he must have been thinking about it in the car) like they're The Most Crucial Things In the World, using his this-is-very-important tone of voice. He then marches down the hall to his own office, where he buzzes the receptionist and asks her to bring him a cup of tea. He has seen me three times today and still no "Good Morning" or other pleasantry (and no mention of the hair).

That's all I got now. But I will share one of my favorite Daily Kittens, Peshky. He looks so comfy and sweet, I want to squish him. I bet he wouldn't tell me to go get a tan.

Monday Morning Quarterback

I? Have a horrible instinct for choosing which football game to watch. Last Sunday, I decided the Cowboys were going to beat up on Tampa, so I quit watching after one quarter (Jags 24, Cowboys 17). Saturday night, we abandoned watching the Tennessee/Florida game because we figured the Vols were cruising to victory (Florida wins, 21-20). Yesterday, I tired of watching Eli Manning getting flattened and gave up on the Giants/Eagles (Giants score 17 points in the fourth quarter to force overtime, then win 30-24). Come to think of it, a few years back I passed up on free Titans tickets because I didn't want to drive all the way to Nashville. And? I missed the Music City Miracle. So from now on, I will watch all games available, to their completion. Or at least save them on my DVR. I'm considering getting DirectTV just so I won't miss anything.

Now. Speaking of football. Much of my early football fervor has waned, and remarkably quickly. I am not by any means a fair weather fan. If I were, I'd have abandoned the Tigers years ago. But I've said it before, the more wins you get, the more you want. And it is hard to maintain a high level of excitement when there are phenomenal losses like the debacle this weekend at ECU. We're idle this Saturday (which I can only assume is in observation of my birthday) and I had been hoping we'd win so we could ride a wave of momentum into the next game... and the invasion of the Orange.

It's not that I don't think we can beat the Vols. It can be done. It has been done. But come on, Tigers, at least give my optimism a leg to stand on here. And for me, the Tennessee game is about more than just the game itself. It's about the Liberty Bowl being filled with as much (or more) Orange than Blue. It's about being surrounded by Vol fans as we tailgate (perhaps it is fortuitous that the game as been scheduled for 11 am, thereby limiting pre-game tailgating, at least for my group, to mimosas and a box of doughnuts). It's about orange shakers in my face, coolers that play "Rocky Top" when you open them, and comments like, "THAT is what a kicker looks like." These are all things I endured this Saturday, and we weren't even playing each other.

So. I face the week ahead with hope that Vols get it all out of their system and take out their revenge for last week's loss on poor Marshall, that the Tigers find their mojo, and that my own enthusiasm will return. It's not too much to ask. Right?

Bittersweet

DeAngelo Williams, former Tiger and my favorite NFL player, scored his first NFL touchdown today. He had a really good game, gaining 74 yards on 13 carries, catching five passes for 24 yards and averaging 21.5 yards on four kickoff returns.

Unfortunately, the Vikings scored a touchdown on a fake field goal, tying the game in the fourth quarter, and the Panthers lost in overtime. They fell to 0-2 in what is turning out to be a disappointing early season.

Unconscious Mutterings

Running :: out of time
Alternative :: solution
Cope :: with change
Lots :: of love
Sympathetic :: Ear
Barn :: Dance
Totally :: Outrageous
Baby :: Love
Undeniable :: Interest
Watermelon :: Rind

Help Adam the Kitten

Please check out this post and learn about sweet little Adam. He needs an operation and the Stray Cat Alliance in Los Angeles needs donations to help pay for it. He is very sick but the surgery will completely cure him! Merlin and I made a small donation, I'm hoping that by posting the information here it will help some as well.

Yay, Spain!

Nice work, Spain. The Spanish government is worried about the pressure on young girls to be thin and is banning rail-thin models from runway shows. All models used for Madrid's upcoming fashion week shows are required to have a normal Body Mass Index. Cathy Gould, of New York's Elite modeling agency, opposes the rule, apparently concerned "about discrimination against the model and what about the freedom of the designer," adding that the move could harm careers of naturally "gazelle-like" models.

Here's the situation. An average NYC model is 5'9" tall and weighs 110 pounds. According to this BMI calculator, in order to work at Madrid's fashion week, a 5'9" model has to weigh at least 125 pounds. Ghastly, isn't it? What will become of the fashion world if we allow a 125 pound PORKER on our runways? Seriously people. A 5'9" person still has a "normal" BMI at 168 pounds. So even though she's "normal," a 123 pound woman is still quite thin. It's not like those poor designers will be forced to use <*gasp*> plus size models! Oh, the horrors!

Besides, those skinny girls can still get plenty of work in the U.S. It's not like we're ever going to decide anyone's too thin.

Thursday Thirteen, No. 3

Thirteen Guys Sadie has Loved from Afar

(because they're famous, fictitious, or I was in third grade)

1. Ricky Shroeder (Silver Spoons)
   
2. Kirk Cameron (Growing Pains)
3. Michael Jackson (Thriller)
4. Michael J. Fox (Back to the Future)
5. Jake Ryan (Sixteen Candles)
6. Rob Lowe (Youngblood/St. Elmo's Fire)
7. Val Kilmer (Top Gun)
8. Andrew McCarthy (Pretty In Pink, NOT St. Elmo's Fire)
9. Jordan Knight (New Kids on the Block)
10. Matthew McConaughey (anytime, anywhere)
11. Dylan McDermott (The Practice)
12. Ben Affleck (pre-J.Lo)
13. Dr. McDreamy (Grey's Anatomy)

Late Addition:
I included Michael Jackson because my brain was tired. But then I remembered someone I meant to include when I was thinking about this list at 4am.

Lloyd Dobler (Say Anything)


Links to other Thursday Thirteens!


Get the code!
More Thursday Thirteens

Wednesday Wanderings

Blogger's block stinks. How can I have so many words and not be able to think of some to put in a post? So here are some of the random things that have been floating around in my head this morning.

I like the smell of cinnamon coffee better than the taste of it, I think.

So far, I like Meredith Viera on TODAY. I only saw the first half of the show this morning, but she didn't bug me. I did not like the new set, however. It was too modern and space-age for me. AND there were new time/temp graphics in the lower right hand corner that were too small and hard to read from bed through sleepy eyes.

Yesterday Mr. Incredible and I traded cars for the day, cause Bruiser gets better gas mileage. Back in Bruiser this morning, I realized that I left my parking card in Harriet. Hope someone will let me out of the parking garage today.

Britney Spears had another baby boy yesterday. This scares me.

Merlin likes to save things in his food dish for later use. His little mouse toy, pieces of plant that he's been playing with, anything he finds that he likes will end up stored there. Last night when I went to refill the dish I found a dead bug amongst the food pellets the remained from the day. It was some sort of flying thing (well, it had been). Looked like a wasp-ish critter. I threw it away, I couldn't bear to leave it there. I hope he's not too sad today when he goes to play with it and he can't find it.

I think I'll make meatloaf for dinner. That would be good.

This Memphis Tiger key-holder thing (which you can get here) is awesome. The weight of the keys keeps the hook on the edge of my purse and I never have to dig through my bag looking for my keys anymore! Love it. If you're not into the Tigers (you weirdo) that same site has a TN Vols version, and you can get a bunch of different non-university designs here.

Special K cereal bars are really good. Especially the vanilla crisp flavor.

That's about it, I think my brain is otherwise empty. Except for isn't this kitty super-cute? See more photos of her here.

Sadie's Fall TV Schedule

If you want, get the spreadsheet. (spreadsheet updated 9/26/06)

For reasons I can't begin to name, some people have expressed interest in what I'll be watching on TV this fall. Actually, I can name the reasons... I watch way too much TV, I put way too much thought and effort into TV, I can tell you what all the shows are about, I know what day, time, and network they come in, and I'm more charming than the TV Guide. So...

You should know that I will be employing the services of two DVRs that each record two shows at once, and without the miracle of modern technology, this would all be impossible.

Shows in in italics are on the bubble for various reasons: they're declining in quality, I'm getting bored with them, or I'm just overwhelmed with too many freaking TV shows. They may get skipped if I run out of time, or dropped from the schedule entirely. New shows (in purple) are viewed on a trial basis and may be dropped from my schedule without prior notice. Shows in aqua are the Cry-if-I-miss-it favorites.

Sunday: Football.... and: Amazing Race, Cold Case, Desperate Housewives, Brothers & Sisters, Without a Trace.

Monday: Prison Break, The Class, How I Met Your Mother, Heroes, Studio 60 (I have already seen the pilot of this one... looks good).

Tuesday: Dancing with the Stars, Friday Night Lights, The Unit, Veronica Mars, Smith, Law & Order: SVU.

Wednesday: Dancing with the Stars, Bones, 20 Good Years, 30 Rock, LOST, Justice, Criminal Minds, The Nine, Kidnapped.

Thursday: Ugly Betty, Survivor, My Name is Earl, The Office, Grey's Anatomy, CSI, Shark, Six Degrees.

Friday: Men in Trees, Law & Order.

p.s. Go here for Tummy Tuesday.

Cmdr. Dan Frederic Shanower

Commander Dan F. Shanower
Age: 40
Home: Vienna, Virginia

Navy Commander Dan F. Shanower had been posted around the world in his 15 years as a naval officer, but he was happy with his transfer to the staff of the Navy Command Center just more than a year before September 11, 2001, said his brother Jonathan Shanower, a lawyer in Naperville, Illinois.

"He loved being in Washington," Shanower said. "He had spent some time there as a student at American University in the 1980s, and he loved politics."

Dan Shanower, 40, was a lanky man with an easy smile who liked to spend his weekends hanging out at a Xando coffeehouse, his neighbors in Vienna said. On hot days, he was often seen behind his condominium complex washing his Lexus.

Jonathan Shanower said his brother was a very private person and revealed little about his personal life or much about his work, which had taken him to Japan, the Philippines and, for several tours, the aircraft carrier USS Midway.

"We didn't talk business," Shanower said. "Family was important."

Shanower grew up in Naperville, one of five siblings and the son of a schoolteacher, Patricia, and a retired college professor, Donald.

He went to Naperville Central High School, where he graduated in 1979, and then on to a private liberal arts institution, Carroll College in Wisconsin, where he graduated with a communications degree in 1983.

He applied and was accepted into naval officer training in Pensacola, Florida, shortly thereafter, his brother said. Shanower lived quietly in a town house community and was studying to receive his master's degree at Georgetown University, his brother said.

On Monday, October 1, 2001, Navy Commander Dan Shanower of Naperville, Illinois, was buried amid all the solemnity America can bestow upon a fallen son.

A Naval intelligence officer, Shanower's grave site overlooks the Pentagon, where the destruction caused by the September 11, 2001, terrorist assault was clearly visible to mourners.

The day began with a Christian service at the Fort Meyer Old Post Chapel. Friends and co-workers eulogized Shanower as a patriot, an officer, a writer, a traveler, a gentleman.

"He covered it all," one Naval commander said. "And he was a gift to us all."

Shanower was assigned to the Office of Naval Intelligence in June 1999. The Naperville Central High School graduate joined the Navy in 1985, later earning the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Navy Commendation medals and the Navy Service Medal.

He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Meritorious Service Medal.


For a moving first-hand account of the terror of that day, read Sarah Bunting's website and help her Find Don.