Blocked

I'm not participating in NaBloPoMo, but I did decide I would try to blog with more regularity. I think I've said that before. But then I get here, and I want to write something... but I don't know what. So I'll just do a little quick update thing. Sorry I'm not all that entertaining... I'm workin on it.

I could update you on the guy... the one over whom I chose Mark Harmon and couch time. He emails me. A lot. Even though I don't respond. I think it's a good idea I didn't see him, it could only have been worse. He's tapering off his contact though, I think he'll get the picture soon. One would hope.

I have a new roommate. We'll call him... Todd. Todd is Pebbles' boyfriend. It's the first time I've lived with a man to whom I wasn't married. It's weird b/c I'm accustomed to wandering around naked-ish. And I haven't bothered to close my bedroom door when I change clothes in a while. So it's new. Other than that, it's going swimmingly. He's been cooking, taking out the trash, and doing more than his fair share of dog duty. Of course, now he's started his winter job, so I'm sure I won't be able to slack off in that area for that much longer. Plus, he likes a lot of the same TV shows that I do (including NCIS, score!) and buys beer on occasion. He'll be working on a different mountain than I, so he's going to keep his eyes open for guys for to not date. :) What more could I ask for?

Tiger basketball has begun. And last night we only lost by 2 to the number 1 ranked Kansas. We are unranked. And unexpected. And I'm excited about the prospects for a new team with a new coach.

That sums things up for today... I appreciate your patience while I get back into the swing of regular blogging!

Links for Today

I'm having trouble coming up with blog material. My mind just ain't workin' that way anymore. So instead, I thought I'd share the things that I'm reading online today to fill my time.

Babies Don't Lie: A great election post-- one of my favorites of the whole election cycle. It's partisan, but not offensive if you don't agree with the blogger's position. Just cute and funny.

Margaret & Helen: another political blog. Entirely partisan. :)

Guarding Her Nap: The sweetest Daily Coyote post EVER. Seriously. And if you're not enjoying the daily cuteness of this site, you should be.

Black Heels to Tractor Wheels: the series of blog posts in which The Pioneer Woman shares the story of how she met a cowboy and it changed her life.

Full Court Press: "During this 10-episode series, Rivals.com goes behind the scenes of the Memphis Tigers basketball team as they prepare for the 2008-09 season. With unfettered access to the Tigers and their coaches, new episodes of “Full Court Press” debut each week through Dec. 17."

Stuff for Friday

Harriet (our SUV) is sick again. We're going to be best friends with the nice lady at Budget Rental Car before long.

How is it that the alarm clock radio was perfectly timed to go off just at the exact moment in the song "Love Shack" so that the thing that woke us up this morning was that B-52s woman SCREAMING "Tin Roof! Rusted." Seriously, it scared me to death.

I may never have to exfoliate again. Dobby is quite the little face licker and his sandpaper tongue is pretty rough. It actually hurts if he ventures over more sensitive parts of my face.

My mom, after reading the Silly Meme, informed me via email that I was born at 12:12 pm after "hours of excruciating labor." I replied, "well, wasn't it was worth it?" and she responded with a lawyer joke. I'm not sure how to take that. ;)

The Tigers won last night, they beat Houston 79-69. I'm glad they're winning, I hope they're able to keep it up. They're ranked #19 right now. It's funny, there have been (many) seasons I would have been thrilled with that ranking. Interesting how one #1 seed and a near trip to the Final Four can change your perspective.

Explain to me how this happened. I used to eagerly anticipate the Cincinnati game each year. Once (in 2001) I couldn't sleep for a few days I was so psyched. That night, after we lost by one point on a last second shot, I nearly cried. There was much Goldschlager consumed that night. I loved (loved!) the rivalry. I hated (hated!) the Bearcats. Their fans were evil. Their band obnoxious. Their coach... well, it was Bob Huggins.

Today? I don't care much. Is it because Huggins is gone? Is it because Cincy is not in C-USA anymore? Is it because the Tigers are favored by 16 points? Probably all of the above, but tonight the Syracuse-Pitt game will probably be more exciting.

Did you see that? I just jinxed us probably. Oops.

The game is at 8pm CT, and airs on ESPN.

Update: Wow. That was interesting. I'd like to say I saw the whole game, but it got so boring that ESPN switched to a different game. Final Score: Memphis 88, Cincinnati 55. Geoff Calkins tells me the crowd was rowdy, Joey Dorsey made it through the game without one single foul, and Jeremy Hunt went 6 for 7 from 3-point range. So maybe it'll carry over to the rest of the season. Maybe I can allow myself to get excited again. But it's a little bit odd, I still don't feel as fired up as I thought I would.

The next game is next Thursday at Houston.

Hoops catch-up

So, the Tigers have won a couple games, against MTSU and Lamar. The next game is Thursday, against Cincinnati. It's hard for me to get excited about that game the way I used to about playing the Bearcats. With Huggins gone, it's just not the same. It would be a good win, though.

Anyway, the Tigers are at #22 in the AP poll, #23 in the ESPN poll... same as last week, and with a very few opportunities left to make a move. But there's always hope, and I'm not giving up!

Assorted Items

The Tigers play tonight, you can read about it over on my Tigers blog.

My new friend Thin Girl at work has on these kick-ass boots that I lurve. And? She brought snacks today. See? Boots AND snacks? Resistance is futile. She must be my friend.

I'm listening to podcasts again... I had given up on them since I didn't use my iPod as much. But I thought I'd share some of my favorites...

• Drink 'til We're Funny: Three friends (two gay guys and a girl) podasting from Chicago. Hilarious, and usually dirty.
• Delta Park Project: Jason and Anna are a husband and wife team with a weekly podcast discussing pop culture. They have a separate podcast about LOST.
• Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me!: NPR's weekly hour-long quiz show. Very funny.

Well, fine.

Okay. So I have been accused of cheating, because my recently posted orange-wearing photo is remarkably similar to (okay, exactly the same as) the one I posted in football season. Apparently, to inflict the appropriate amount of humiliation, I had to actually don orange a second time, not just post it again...

I certainly don't want a bad wagering reputation, so how bout this? Camera-phone quality, I know, but it is NEW and it is ORANGE and that was the requirement. I know it was supposed to be a shirt, but this has a little more holiday spirit, dontcha think?

My bad luck never ends

This? Is not cool. Not cool at all. I swear, I am a total jinx. I am not going to cheer for ANYONE anymore. I'm certainly not going to be making wagers that involve me wearing orange anymore. Actually, I may just cheer for the Vols. Maybe then they'll lose.

Enjoy. I think I may vomit.

New Blog

Because I am both Tiger and blog obsessed, I've started a new blog. I copied several of my Tigers-related posts over there, so it wouldn't be sad and empty.

You can see it here: Go Tigers Go!

Wednesday Wanderings

I'm going to grad school! Yay, me! I went over to campus to take care of things for my graduate assistantship and it was so weird to be there... There were students everywhere, it must have been an end-of-the-semester test day because people were studying all over the place. They all looked so young and fresh-faced... and happy! Silly little things! But the weirdest was the way I felt just being on campus. Like this was exactly the thing I was supposed to be doing. I didn't feel nervous about changing careers, or anxious about making enough money... I just felt like everything was exactly right. You'd think being surrounded by people ten years younger than me (okay, fourteen years younger) would make me feel old, but I felt younger! And bouncier! And... just... it was good. I'm excited. I have to go buy some notebooks and pink erasers and a new backpack. :) I'm kidding. Sort of. But I might really need a new palm pilot, right?

I just watched the first episode of "3 Lbs." It's one of the things I started recording so I'd have something to watch while I'm home during the day. I liked it! I'm going to watch the next two (that have already aired) online and I'll probably start recording it. I like Stanley Tucci especially. I keep waiting for him to say, "looking for Mr. Sneller. Mr. Edwin F. Sneller." It's probably good that I found a new show, because "The Nine" has been cancelled. They're going to air the final episodes in the spring so we can find out what happened. That sucks. I liked that show.

I got a big fat catalog from Target in the mail today. That's just mean and hateful. It's my favorite place and they're taunting me...

Am I the only person who didn't realize that Adrian Pasdar ("Heroes") is married to Natalie Maines (the Dixie Chicks)? How did I not know that?

I just found, airing on INHD2, Earth, Wind & Fire live in concert with Chicago. Together. In concert. Live. And that? Tewtelly rocks. I love me some horns.

I read in US Weekly that Daniel Craig, Ewan McGregor, and Joseph Fiennes all went to school together. All I have to say to that is, Oh. My.

The Tigers fell in the polls after their loss to Georgia Tech last week. They're still #14 in the AP poll though. Tonight we play Arkansas State... and it's time for a little payback. I know it's a different sport, but I'll take my revenge wherever I can get it! If you're in the Memphis area you can watch it on channel 30 tonight at 7pm. If you're not in the Memphis area... then you have to wait until December 6 when they play Tennessee on ESPN2. Speaking of that game, I think a little revenge of a different sort might be on the line... Go Tigers!

And? Let's finish with some cuteness.... Doesn't it make you wanna snuggle?

Hoopla

Sweet Lord, I was excited.

It was the first half of the game against Georgia Tech last Tuesday night. The Tigers looked incredible. Even when they were sloppy (or even sloopy, right you-know-who-you-are?) they were ass-kickin'. I liked the new unis. I liked the gameplan. I liked the swagger. I loved that they look like they're having FUN. I did wish we'd make more of our free throws. Pierre Niles? He is huge. Enormous. Just... huge. Chris "Buckets" Douglas-Roberts? My new favorite. Jeremy Hunt? Earning redemption. At halftime, the Tigers were up by sixteen and still rolling.

Then came the second half. And I have nothing to say about that.

So the Tigers managed to lose to Georgia Tech. But the next day they did beat Kentucky, and the season is now in full swing. I can't wait for March. I hope whatever job I get (*knock on wood*) will understand that I need to be off for the Madness. It's just the way it is.

To clarify the degree of my Tiger dedication, I give the following information: there was a ten season span between when I started at U of M as a freshman and when I finished law school (yes, ahem, that's longer than usually required). During those ten seasons, I missed maybe five home games. Maybe. I've been waiting a long long time, my friends. I've paid my dues. I am NOT a fair-weather fan. And every year, I think, "this could be the year." But really, this year? This COULD be the year. ;)

Also? The University of Memphis FOOTBALL Tigers won a game. Yes, I'll say it again. They WON A GAME. The last game of the season. It wasn't on TV. I didn't see it happen. But according to ESPN.com, the Tigers beat UTEP last night 38 to 19, and in the process acted the spoiler and prevented UTEP from being bowl eligible. So, I say Go Tigers. And? There's always another season right around the corner. See you in September.

Also also? I hate watching sports not in HD. I've gotten so spoiled that I keep thinking the focus is blurry on regular shows.

**Many thanks to Morgen, for being Morgen, which is AWESOME. You rock.

Save the World...

Weren't we supposed to find out what "Save the Cheerleader, Save the World" means? Yeah, not so much, huh? I should have known better.

The Tigers? Kicked butt yesterday. So much for that line (which was down to 5 points by the start of the game). We won by 12. And today we're moving on to Georgia Tech. This should be one heckuva game, I'm looking forward to it and afraid of it at the same time! We are currently favored by 1 1/2. It's on ESPN at 7pm Eastern Time. GO TIGERS!

Look at this face. My Max...

Save the Cheerleader....

Save the World! Heroes is such a good show. I love love LOVE it. Tonight's the big night, we get to find out what saving the Cheerleader is all about (shameless plug: I'm selling "Heroes" shirts in my store, if you're interested).

Also, Grey's Anatomy. Sadie loves Grey's Anatomy. Sadie thinks that Bailey is awesome and Sadie can't wait for Bailey to go postal on Cristina. Sadie wishes Izzie and Alex would get back together (shameless plug #2: Sadie's selling GA shirts, too).

And today the Tigers play Oklahoma on ESPN2 at 1:30pm Central Time, if anybody wants to check out my favorite team. We are currently ranked #11 in ESPN/USA Today poll and #12 in the AP, and these three days of games will be very telling for the season. They will definitely affect how we are viewed in the national scene for the time being. We are favored by 6 right now, so I hope that we will do well. GO TIGERS.

I got reviewed on Frog My Blog! And the reviewer, Ms. Hopsalot, is my new best friend...

Favorite Football Name of the Week: Manumaleuna

Monday Mélange

What a horrible horrible football weekend. All our favorite teams lost: the Tigers (big freakin' surprise there), the Steelers, the Broncos, the Bengals, and the Panthers! What the? I guess I can cheer for the Patriots tonight. They do have a great kicker, you know.

You know what? Let's just move on to basketball. Please.

The ESPN/USA Today preseason poll has the Tigers at #14. I don't know enough yet about other teams to be pissed we're not in the top 10. But hey, #14 ain't bad. I'm not complaining.

My favorite football names for the week: Chad Mustard, Nnamdi Asomugha

And for a Halloween cutie:

Various and Sundry Items

I love those Jimmy Dean commercials. The ones where the guy is the Sun? Hilarious. They make me laugh early in the morning, and that is not an easy task (the "why?" one is my favorite).

"Some people contend it's too early for basketball. Not in this town, it's not." Truer words were never said. And I'm ready. Less than a month remains before the first regular season game. I see we have Arkansas State on the schedule at the end of November. Bring it on, my blue wearing hoopsters. Bring. It. On.

Speaking of Arkansas State, I thought I was recovering from a crappy football experience, but I gotta give it up for Arizona Cardinals fans. Dude. That sucked. It was one thing losing a close game in the final seconds (or actually, after the final seconds) but to lose a 20 point lead? In 22 minutes? You win, Arizona Cardinals fan, you win.

Special K snack bars are really tasty. Like Rice Krispy treats, really.

TV schedule update: I'm giving up on "Without a Trace" and "Ugly Betty." "Criminal Minds" is gone too. I really meant to watch "Dancing with the Stars" but it just didn't happen, although I plan to tune in tonight and see what Sara Evans has to say, poor woman. I still haven't watched "The Amazing Race" but I'm saving all the episodes on my DVR for a marathon some weekend. I am finally catching up on some "Desperate Housewives" so it looks like it'll get to stay on the schedule for now. My spreadsheet looks so much more manageable than it did 2 months ago!

Look at this punkin. Isn't he cute?