Here we go again...

I am not one to get all caught up in the stupidity of the media and how they try to sensationalize and misrepresent situations and people. I mean really, don't we all know it is to sell ads and make money. I would say sell papers, but does anyone actually receive those anymore? Okay, so what has my panties in a wad today. I have seen splashed all over the media about this situation with Donald Trump and Miss USA. There are so many things wrong with this, I don't even know where to start. First, yeah Rosie for telling it like it is. Donald may have some things one can admire, like the ability to get his name out there, but he falls for me in the category of Walmart. I boycott them both and don't give either my attention or money and whenever brought up make a point to say, "I don't support them."

So, now it is, for media attention, Donald is giving Miss USA from KY a second chance for her indiscretions. Well, then there is Miss Nevada that had some pictures taken of her a few years ago and she is asking for the same consideration. He won't return her calls. Here he says on one hand, with lips pursed and working his wave hair, "Everyone deserves a second chance." Puullleeazzzeee! God knows he has gotten several himself with divorces, infidelity, bankruptcy, etc. Oh my! So, why is he not being consistent? Because he is not sincere. I seriously believe he did this with Miss USA because who really watches these pageants anymore? Miss USA is a distant second to Miss America, which is more about brains and scholarships for education, no bathing suit. But you have to love them both as they are the real force behind promoting world peace. Yeah, right. Okay, so, my sarcasm runneth over.

So, the moral of this story, boycott Walmart and Trump. Is there really any other choice? How can anyone support him and have a conscience? The Walmart piece is for all those who know me and if you really have to ask why someone would boycott them, please do some reading. I am tired of going through it. I think I am going to just have to start a site saying all the things, people, companies, etc. that maybe we should boycott. God knows this country needs a reality check on our consumption of not just the media, but products, etc. I am sure there is a site out there somewhere...anyone? anyone?

French Tea Press

I would be remiss to not post about receiving this really cool gift from Christine for Christmas. A couple weekends ago, after the fiasco with the Sevier Heights Baptist Church, we went to Bistro by the Tracks for dessert and I had my first cup of tea with a French Tea Press. I was so excited and impressed with this little contraption that Christine apparently noticed. Thus, the thoughtful and attentive friend that she is, she got me one for Christmas. In addition to that, she got me several loose teas that are REALLY tasty. I am foregoing the lattes from Panera and now sticking with the teas. It should save me at least $50 per month. Thank you Christine, they are so yummy.

Okay, one question I am now going to have to figure out is if there is a difference in a French vs. any other country's. Why a French and not an American tea press?

A Piece of Ass

Okay, I have been ordering a certain drink for a few years now, but didn't know the name of it. So, I then went on this website I knew about to figure out all kinds of drinks. It is a really cool site as you can just list all the things you have in your house and they give you all kinds of different ideas of SOOO many drink combinations. I discovered this website about four years ago when a friend of a friend was having a party and wanted to make it fun by putting a menu of drinks that were available. Well, he only had a limited supply of alcohol and not a full bar, so we got creative. This is when I found the site. I think I will have to do this for my next party.

Anyway, the drink I like includes Amaretto, Southern Comfort, and sweet and sour mix on ice. Like I said, been drinking it for years and didn't know what it was called. So, I looked it up on Webtender (click for link). It is called "A Piece of Ass." I am now going to have so much fun with this new discovery. Forget the wine folks, I am going out for a piece of ass tomorrow night. Really though, I have a date for dinner, drinks and then a concert. I think my date will get a kick out of me telling him I want "A Piece of Ass" when he asks me what I would like to drink. The bartender and waitress should get a kick out of that as well.

So, if you have never had "A Piece of Ass," I encourage you to try it. It is great...my favorite...er...drink.

Lil' Bush Cartoon

There is this really funny cartoon satire about W. called Lil' Bush. It will be on Comedy Central in the future. Thanks to Duncan for sharing.

The Christmas Gift of Mass Ministries

Last night my friend Christine and I thought we would engage in a little Christmas cheer by attending a Christmas concert of sorts. We were under the impression that a "live Christmas tree" concert included the merriment of classical holiday songs that usually accompany this time of year. So, after a good dinner, we set out to UT campus' Thompson-Boling arena to the Sevier Heights Baptist Church's annual concert.

Due to parking confusions by poor policing and direction, we spent about 20 minutes trying to find our way through the garage closest to the arena. We ended up being about 15 minutes late to the concert and had difficulty finding seats. It seemed to be a full house. Where did all these people come from? I mean, a free concert seems cool, however, they were playing three different days. How many people live in Knoxville anyway? Did everyone in town end up going?

Well, finally we found a seat by squeezing ourselves past a couple to get seats directly below the nose bleed section. We settled in and the first song I remember was about the bustle of shopping, followed by a short monologue about the materialism of it all and how the only perfect gift is that of our Lord and Saviour. What better a song than that to put one in the spirit of the season? So, guess what everyone, rather than getting you presents this year, tough luck, I have decided to share the gospel with you. Not really. Okay, so this little skit was poop, but I let it pass.

Then, as the set was being changed we got to watch a lengthier skit about a doctor, nurse and another who helped people in Poland right before the invasion during WWII by running a clinic. They demonstrated how noble and generous they were to those who were Jews and went on to discuss their faith in God and the "truth" of the bible (or at least their version of the truth--sorry rest of the world, guess you are all wrong and going to hell!). Anyway, after suffering through this rather lengthy skit, the stage was set for another song. I won't give many details, but there were live animals, as well as several women dressed as angels being precariously hoisted and swung through the air. Scared me. I wasn't sure if I was at the circus or a Christmas concert. So, after the angels got down safely, a continuation of the skit continued...(I am giving the abridged version mind you)

The people who had the clinic got hauled off with the Jews as they were being rounded up and shipped off. There was a child behind me in the seats during this time asking his father what was happening. Here this family thought they were going to see a Christmas concert and they get this heavy crap that they are now subjecting their children to and having to explain. I was waiting for the father's answer, yet one never came. Back to the skit...The doctor, being the good Christian that he was, declared to his companion not to be scared because this was an "OPPORTUNITY" to share the gospel and the truth with these other poor souls (the Jews). Okay, this is when Christine and I decided to leave. So, honestly we don't know how it ended. As we were doing so, I am sure there were people thinking "they are going to hell," but probably just as many if not more thinking, "take me with you, please!"

I was just dumbfounded. I could not fully register and comprehend what it was I witnessed. For any group of people to have the audacity to put such a production on under the guise of a holiday concert, then purport that their way of dealing with the holocaust was that it was an opportunity to share their beliefs and "save" these poor souls is so f*%$ing far beyond my comprehension. What really appauls me even more is that the people in the audience were not leaving. That people didn't just walk out. They must have more tolerance, endurance and patience than I. But hey, looks like you can subject people to just about anything if it's "free" entertainment. I guess I cannot ask for a refund now and the only person to complain to is God.

I am sure Christine will and can elaborate on this story. She had her own stuff in which to be offended.

BTW, my phone camera didn't quite capture the pictures of the camels and flying angels...too many bright lights. Oh well. So much for Christmas cheer and good tidings...bah humbug.

Workin' for the Weekend

Well, it has been such a great weekend. Not over yet as...but there will be more to come.

Friday night I went out with my friends Christine and Sherry. I provided the link to Christine's blog because she gave a really good review of the evening. :) She did allude to, but probably didn't want to embarrass me, but I got a little tipsy and that was fun. I had a glass of wine before they arrived for our reservations. Yes, the filet with Gorgonzola was out of this world, with the Pinot Noir, yummy! Highly recommended.

Another thing Christine didn't mention was about her and coffee. See, there is this thing that when people go out and spend $$$ on a meal, as opposed to $$ or $, on a range from $ to $$$$, that they should receive free coffee with their meal. Most decent restaurants will do that. Well, me and ol' Jim, the manager at Bravo! decided to have a little conversation tableside. I am still not sure how sincerely he took me when I complained to him, especially since I might have been slightly slurring my words. You will have to ask my gal pals on that one. Anyway, I complained about the lack of free coffee, even though I didn't get coffee, Sherry and Christine did. We started throwing names of other restaurants at him...sort of a snobby who's who in fine dining, just to let him know we are not just cheap. Well, Jim seemed to bite and Christine and Sherry got coupons for free desserts next time they go to Bravo!. I expect them to share, especially being that I am the one that made an ass out of myself. This whole scenario led right into Christine's grand plan of writing a letter or sending an e-mail to corporate. She loves to do that sort of thing, however, I am not sure of her record of success in terms of response. Ol' Jim suggested it too. BTW, Jim can't be much older than me and he is an attentive and animated fella. I just like to put "ol'" in front of stuff. You will have to read Christine's entry for this weekend to get any further 411.

Saturday during the day Thatcher and I spent time going shopping. He ran off several times and scared me to pieces. Reminder to self...do not take son shopping any more! If the trip inside the store takes any more than 10 minutues, then I swear within the next 10 minutes everyone in the store knows his name. He refuses to go in a cart and distractions don't seem to work. I have concluded that it is just something I should avoid. I still was able to spend some good earned cashola. Still not sure what I got.

Saturday night, I went on a date to dinner and the ballet. Dinner at Bistro by the Tracks and to the Moscow ballet of the Nutcracker. Both were phenomenal. The link to Bistro doesn't seem to do much good if you are hoping to find the same menu there as it changes constantly. The owners are a husband and wife team. She used to be the executive chef at the Blackberry Inn. Great food with some interesting combinations. Service and atmosphere are superb. Highly recommended. I don't think I have ever been to the Nutcracker ballet, but it was very good. The Tennessee Theater has been beautifully restored since the last time I was there several years ago. Only problem was almost every toilet stopped working in the women's restroom during intermission. You can only imagine. The bar was also poorly staffed during that time. One guy behind the downstairs bar doing it all. I just wanted WATER! On the good side, the seats we had were great and the dancing was superb. I still don't know if I understand the story though. I probably should have read up on it before I went so that I understood what was happening. You know those darn ballets that don't have dialogue. :)

So, tomorrow Thatcher and I are going to decorate the house with all our Christmas things. If I am lucky! I am also going to attempt to wrap some presents and clean house. Wish me luck. Thatcher seems very excited about Christmas this year and I am sure will find a way to be kept busy with all the stuff I have. I am a little afraid for my glass snowmen.

I passed!!

Well, after a long day, I am glad to share that I officially passed my dissertation proposal defense. I have to make revisions, which is typical. I have never hear of someone who didn't have to make revisions. Good news is that there is nothing major, but it will take some work. I am planning on doing it over the holidays...in my spare time. I am very excited and planning on drinking tomorrow evening with my friends to celebrate.