So long, 2006

Another year over. Aside from some unforeseen expenses courtesy of my crappy dental insurance and the removal of my one and only wisdom tooth, the year was fairly good and practically uneventful. Some observances:

I saw more friends get married and got to spend some time in the stupendous Pacific Northwest because of it. Two cousins also got hitched. It was my ten-year high school reunion. I saw friends I hadn't seen in a while. I spent some time in northern Michigan, which is quickly becoming one of my favorite places on the planet.

I saw my grandmother surprised on her 80th birthday, and welcome her 4th great-grandchild into the world. I watched my younger brother and his wife buy their first house. I saw my dad become jobless for a few months for the best possible reason - standing up for himself and personal pride. He's my hero. I heard of home improvement stories from my parents in Ohio, and enjoyed them during my 11-day stay over the holidays.

I read 31 books. I watched numerous movies from Netflix. I got hooked on "Veronica Mars." Gray's Anatomy wooed me all over. I drank lots of wine and visited vineyards on Long Island (NY), the Leelenau Peninsula (MI), and Columbia Valley (WA). I found new exercise loves in spinning and pilates. I gained a little weight - and will remedy that in 2007. I chopped my hair off.

I spent time with those who matter - boyfriend, friends, and family. Nothing earth-shattering or really life-changing. But it was a good year. I look forward to ringing in 2007 (that one will be earth-shattering/life-changing) at a good friend's apartment tonight. I'll toast with some bubbly at midnight. And smooch my boy.

And tomorrow, I root for U of M in the Rose Bowl.

Happy New Year!

Home Sweet Home

Well, I have little to blog about as I'm home for the holidays. No crazies on the subway, no bitching about inanities special to the city, barely reading the news or surfing crazy shit on the internet.

However, I will say "Schadenfreude!" to that whoremonger Judith Regan.

Oh, and I'm drinking lots of wine. And I got a delicious Mocha Porter from Rogue Brewery as well.

I also saw "The Holiday" this morning - a matinee for only $6.75, woo! And it was just delightful. For those of you who have seen it, I thought the Iris-Arthur friendship was just the most endearing thing. Kudos to Nancy Meyer for that.

My boring life. I love it at the moment. Days of doing nothing, a cure for the blahs indeed!

Best Christmas Story re-enactment ever

Enjoy - profusely.

I love those bunnies!

Happy Birthday Bob!

Don't forget to get your pets spayed and neutered....

It's my favorite game show host's birthday today!

Bob Barker was born on this day in 1925.

Spin the wheel!

Conan Rules

I am behind on this (the Times beat me to it, perish!) but I don't watch late-night TV. However, I do think Conan's show is brilliant and witty, and he epitomizes that with this, his new kitsch, Horny Manatee.

Check the site above. Do not attept this at your place of business.

This day in history

Jim Morrison was born. (1943)

John Lennon was killed. (1980)

The Grateful Dead broke up. (1995)

The U.S. entered WWII after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. (Dec. 7, 1941)

Quite an eventful date, especially for the music world.

nacHOS...in Diff'rent Area Codes...

It's time again. To travel to New Jersey for nachos. To go from 212 to 201. From 10014 to 07032.

Lisa and I will make the pilgimmage. And come back deliriously happy, courtesy of the LBC (aka The Black Bear).

Moron of the Week Award

Granted, I probably run into someone deserving of this distinction several times a day, but this woman really wins.

You just don't mess around with matches on a plane these days, even to curb your poopypants stench. Just apologize to the person rolling in after you. Don't disrupt the flight.

Weeds

For those of you have not had the pleasure of tuning into Showtime's new-ish series "Weeds," do it this minute. The second season is available on-demand for those of you lucky enough to have it (I catch up on Season 2 while babysitting, since I don't have cable - for the best really), and the first season you can rent on DVD.

It's hilarious, edgy, dark, wacky - and follows a pot-dealing suburban widow on her quest to keep her family thriving with her business.

Mary Louise Parker carries the show brilliantly, but the ensemble cast is key. If Elizabeth Perkins does not get an Emmy nod for this show, there is something wrong. Kevin Nealon is great as a major jack-ass pothead.

I really can't say enough - if you're a fan of Entourage, The Office, Little Britain, Arrested Development, hit it. It's more twisted, but great satire and really smart writing.

Rose Bowl-bound

I just have a small comment t0 finish my U of M rant for this season.

Michigan was robbed of a rematch for the BCS National Title game against OSU.

I thought I would never say this in my whole life, but I hope OSU slays the Gators. Like, wins by 40 points. Florida's only loss was to a #11 ranked team - Michigan's only loss was the to the #1 team in the nation (OSU), and by a measly field goal. Michigan deserved the Buckeye rematch in Glendale.

However, it's now a rematch in Pasadena against USC, a team I hate almost as much as OSU (and forevermore now, Florida). USC beat the crap out of us in 2004, so now, let's show them who really deserved to be in the BCS game.

Hail to the Victors.

Clinton '08

How much more love can I have for Bill Clinton? He's just cut a deal to make HIV drugs more affordable for children around the world, especially in third world countries. That's noble.

He's almost even better not as a president. I'm sure people will say that about GW, but for completely different reasons.

I think it should be a family ticket in '08 - Hill for prez, Bill for V-P.

And by the way....

Paris Hilton is a skanky homewrecker.

But that's not really news...neither is the fact that Brit herself has had her ups and downs. But come on....nothing good comes of being friends with that lazy-eyed ho.

When I wake up in the mornin', the alarm gives out a warnin', I don't think I'll ever make it on time...

Come on, you all know those lyrics! It's from "Saved By the Bell!" We all watched it on Saturday mornings. Best. Show. EVER.

Well, I just might have to check out the new musical this weekend.

Rid yourself of junk mail!

Greendimes has an utterly brilliant idea. Considering I am in a constant state of poor, I am considering throwing them $36 a year to deal with my junk mail and plant a tree instead. Especially because yesterday I got some random sports equipment catalog, courtesy of my name being sold to this company from some random list. At least spam doesn't waste paper.

I'm also sick of shredding all that crap, especially credit card applications. I get like 4 a day.

Give the gift of green!

It's gonna rain on my parade

Well, the parade is out. The Thanksgiving trifecta, me, Jason, and Lisa, were going to venture to 76th and Central Park West to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, per tradition for us New York Oprhans (as I affectionately call us). Last week, all was looking good, weather-wise. 52 and sunny. NICE. Yeah, not so much anymore. It's gonna rain all damn day.

I'm a little broken up, but not overly so. I have seen this parade LIVE 5 times now. And I just won't be able to deal in the freezing rain, with umbrellas. I don't want to lose an eye - I have cooking to do.

So instead, Jason and I will sleep in after our Thanksgiving Eve drinking night out, and perhaps watch some of the parade on the couch in our PJs with some caffeine, to gear up for the day of drinking, movie-watching, and all around gluttony that awaits us at our gracious host Lisa's apartment.

I am so very excited. Especially for the holiday movies. And did I mention the drinking?

Happy Turkey to all!

The shit finally sticks

Finally, the disgusting fembot Judith Regan jumps the shark, after NewsCorp. cancels the farce she called a book, O.J.'s pseudo-hypothetical "confession."

Now that's justice!

Blame It On the Rain

On yesterday's date in history (November 19):

1990 - The pop duo Milli Vanilli was stripped of its Grammy Award because other singers sung the songs on their "Girl You Know It's True" album.

I still have the tape. We had a little Friday afternoon sing-a-along resurgence in college with a few of the tunes also. Good times.

Heartbroken

But they'll be back next year. And OSU will be at a loss.

Bo Knows...it's time to kick some Nuts

My friend Dan sums it up best here.

A fond and sad farewell to one of the greats. We love ya, Bo!

Rivalry Rages On

A good piece on NPR this morning about the clash of the Titans this weekend.

Also, my mom informs me she had the joy of listening to OSU fight songs all morning on our local radio station (my parents are, unfortunately, transplanted Michiganders living in Ohio - unfortunately for sports and political reasons). I mean, come on! Their fight songs aren't even that good. And they totally stole "Louie, Louie" as their "theme song."

And pathetically enough, dotting the "i" is the most orgasmic moment an OSU tuba player can have in his life. I mean, after that, your life is done. Lame!

POSTSCRIPT: I realized my mistake last week in claiming "Louie Louie" was the theme song. I stand corrected, as my sis-in-law Sarah pointed out, it's "Hang on Sloopy." Then they do that "O-HI-O" thing after the refrain. Similar to "Cherry Cherry" and the LetsGetDrunkblahblah chant.