The Economy = Wolf?

I don't pretend to know enough about the economy to discuss it intelligently. It is a complicated house of cards that is precarious right now. I do know that unregulated greed is at the root of our current problems. So when George W. Bush gets on television and tells us that we are in peril and that unless we do something or we'll be in ruin, I'm skeptical. Without saying the word, he's implying that we could have another Great Depression. This might be true. I don't know. What I do know is that Bush has been wrong about almost everything he's told us. He was wrong about the weapons of mass destruction. He was wrong to invade Iraq instead of staying in Afghanistan. He was wrong not to catch Osama Bin Laden. He was wrong about what to do about Katrina. He was wrong to appoint many of the members of his cabinet and administration.

So is it a surprise that many of us don't believe him now? He's cried wolf so many times before that we don't know if this is a real wolf or not. Or if he is the wolf at the door.

I see I'm not alone in thinking this.

Happy Birthday to Brian!

Thirty-nine years ago this morning my son Brian was born. Three days later on October 3, I got to go home from the hospital with him, which was the best birthday present I've ever had! Brian has been a blessing and pleasure ever since he came into my life. I can't imagine how I could be prouder of him as a son, husband to Melissa, and father to Brendan. He is definitely well-loved by many - especially me! Happy Birthday, Noo!

DWTS - Week Two Results

Warren and Kym did their paso doble for the encore dance the judges choose. Dramatic and powerful and this time they didn't get tangled in their costumes. So here's the countdown to the bottom two and then the couple who will not be on next week. I think it will probably be Cloris or Kim.

1. Toni and Alec (Good! I'm glad.)
2. Rocco and Karina (Yea!!! What a relief, and they were so surprised!)
3. Cody and Julianne (Awww, sweet!)
4. Brooke and Derek (Yes, should have been!)
5. Susan and Tony (That's good!)
6. Warren and Kym (Great!!)
7. Maurice and Cheryl (Yes!)
8. Lance and Lacey (OK)
9. Misty and Maks (Thank goodness! Gotta keep seeing Maks.)

Well, I was right about the bottom two.

10. Cloris and Corky (Squeaked by.)
11. Kim and Mark are gone.

You can see why they played "I Like Big Butts" last week when she danced. She's got some junk in that trunk for sure! Men like that, I understand, but wouldn't know personally since my trunk is like the back of a VW Beetle. So sad.

Not a Winner

I thought that post where we substituted the word "cake" for a word in a line from a movie would have generated more response. Maybe it's because I posted it on a Friday or something.

I still like, "The cake! You can't handle the cake!" and "I'll make you a cake you can't refuse."

Mother is going to bake me a cake I won't refuse soon for my birthday. It's Friday. My brother usually makes me peanut butter fudge twice a year for sure - for my birthday and during Christmas. He also makes Kathy some then. We've bragged and bragged on his candy, which he totally deserves. It's the best I've ever had. He's the one of us who cooks.

DWTS - Week Two

It's the second week and wonder who will go home tomorrow night? The dancetestants have already had to learn two dances during the first week, which hasn't been required before. Tonight they had to learn a new dance in three days, which was really difficult for all the stars. The pros had to choreograph something challenging but doable. The stars are already losing some weight.

THE RUMBA

Fast Facts:
- A dance that tells the story of love and eroticism between a man and a woman
- The Rumba relies on the age-old premise of the lady trying to conquer the gentleman by means of her womanly charms. Incorporating all the elements of teasing and withdrawal, it is considered the most sensual of the Latin dances.

Distinctive moves:
- The Rumba should portray romance and therefore have good interplay between the dancers.
- In this dance the emphasis is on the body. Hip actions are produced by controlled transfer of weight from foot to foot.
- Look out for figure-eight hip rolls - this is a hip roll where the hips alternate in a forward movement.
- There are lots of slow stylish body shapes in the Rumba.
- When it comes to the footwork, look for a straightening of legs, and swiveling action in the feet.
- The walks should be strong and direct.
- The body never stops changing its shape.
- No heel leads - the dancers must not walk on the heels of their feet; they are on the balls of feet only.
- Look out for the Cucaracha step - rock to the right or the left, then replace and close.
- Look out for the Fan position - the woman goes on the man's left side at arms length and at 90 degrees to the man.

THE PASO DOBLE

Fast Facts:
- The Paso Doble on the competition floor should create a Spanish Bull Fighting atmosphere. The - Paso Doble is the dance for the Man, which allows him to fill the "Space" with strong three-dimensional shapes and movements danced with "Pride and Dignity."
- The woman's role varies depending on the intepretation of the dance. The woman can take the role of the matador's cape, the bull or even the matador at different times within the dance.
- Characteristics of the Paso Doble are the "Marching" flavor given to the steps and the cape movements creating the required tension between both dancers.
- It is one of the only dances that is danced only in the ballroom world.
- It is one of the most dramatic of the dances.

Distinctive moves:
- Look out for chassez cape - the man using the woman as the cape to bring her around.
- Apel - this is when the man stamps his foot - this should be very strong. The man would stamp his foot as if he was trying to attract the bull's attention (the bull often gets distracted by the crowd in a bull fight).
- There are strong Flamenco influences in the dance where the use of castanets is simulated.
- The arpel is a commencement of a movement with the stamping of the feet where the man and woman walk in separate directions.

Now here are descriptions of how the evening went.


• Toni Braxton and Alec Mazo

Dance: Rumba
Score: 23

Len likee (8)! Bruno said she captured the sensuality and vulnerability of a recalcitrant mistress who gives but not too much (8). OK. Carrie Ann said she moves like she sings and liked it except for the two lifts (7). The Lift Police is back! They looked good dancing together.


• Brooke Burke and Derek Hough

Dance: Paso Doble
Score: 24

Technically good, but not even close to as hot as the one Mel and Maks did. That one sizzled! The judges liked it and praised them. Bruno said Brooke was born to dance. All 8's! She'll be in the finals as long as the fan votes come through.


• Rocco DiSpirito and Karina Smirnoff

Dance: Rumba
Score: 16

Rocco is still sort of stiff but nothing like Harry Hamlin who was zombie-ish. Bruno said the throbbing, pulsating Latin lover wasn't there. Carrie Ann said the musicality wasn't there. More tears than cheers for Len. Poor Rocco, so very likeable, but not long for DWTS. :-( What a great sport he is and so postive.


• Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer

Dance: Paso Doble
Score: 20

Well, how odd that they played "I Kissed a Girl" while they danced after what I wrote about that last week. Oh gag, and then they really laid one on at the end of the dance. Why? Oh! Unless Lacey thinks SHE is kissing the girl, AND he applied cherry chapstick after the kiss. That's the ticket!

This wasn't really a paso doble. Even I could tell that. It was a dance, but the judges said it wasn't the correct style and jumped all over them about it. I'm still grossed out from the kiss. Lance said they had to do something different because of that song. Then Lance said, "I definitely kissed a girl. I liked it." Sheesh! OK, gay nephews, what's going on here?


• Kim Kardashian and Mark Ballas

Dance: Rumba
Score: 17

Kim had lessons from Robin of the Pussycat Dolls to be sexy. We'll see if it worked. No, not really. She poses more than dances. Bruno said she was colder and more distant than Siberia. Brrr! The other judges agreed but used different words.


• Misty May-Treanor and Maksim Chmerkovskiy

Dance: Paso Doble
Score: 21

Misty had trouble with this dance. Bruno called her Mighty Xena the Warrior Princess! They said Maks choreographed a difficult routine. She is almost too focused at times and dances like a jock but not those agile football players and skaters. Tom joked that Maks apologized three times in one show and said we want to keep this one. Maks can apologize to me anytime he wants to.


• Maurice Green and Cheryl Burke

Dance: Rumba
Score: 19

Cheryl took him to see bellydancers to learn how to work his hips. They got him up there to teach him, and he did better but didn't do it enough during their dance. And they danced to a Marvin Gaye song! The judges said he wasn't smooth and loose enough.


• Cloris Leachman and Corky Ballas

Dance: Paso Doble
Score: 15

The judges liked it better when she added humor to her dances intentionally. This was dramatic and intense. Their costumes were great. Cloris is still a bit awkward, and I thought she'd never get up from the floor! It's impressive that she does this well at her age.


• Susan Lucci and Tony Dovolani

Dance: Rumba
Score: 21

Speaking of age, Susan has so much energy, grace, and stamina. She had to go back and forth from west to east coast and back and from Erica Kane to her dancing self. She is TINY and reminds me of Jane Seymour's body. She looks as if she had some injections in her cheeks and lips the way it should be done. She looked younger and rested and not like a lion or Priscilla Presley. The judges were complimentary of her dancing and acting.


• Warren Sapp and Kym Johnson

Dance: Paso Doble
Score: 24

He got his sequins Warren's been wanting. Kym said his biggest challenge was not smiling. She had him get in the paso mood by recalling how he was on the football field. Their dance was intense, dangerous, and passionate just as it is supposed to be. The judges praised them. They got sort of tangled up at the end of the dance in those pleather capes. He should go far in this.


• Cody Linley and Julianne Hough

Dance: Rumba
Score: 21

As he said, at his age he doesn't have the life experience to be romantic and sexy. He shouldn't have had to do much acting since he dances with Julianne. I thought he did a teen-age boy version of a good rumba and hope they score him accordingly. His moves were pretty good but could have been looser and smoother. They are cute together. Aha! I'm better than I thought! Carrie Ann said it was an age-appropriate rumba, very innocent and attractive. She said he needs to loosen up, too. Bruno said he was a kid in the candy store and didn't know which bit to go for first. They all said he needs to focus and has the talent. He'll probably stick around a while because he has the ability and those Hannah Montana fans with cell phones.

There are some I like better than others, but I don't have a clear favorite yet. Do you?

SNL

Tina Fey wants us to make sure she doesn't have to play this role after November. Doesn't she do it to perfection, though? If only it were really just a comedy sketch.

House Blend September Meal

Holly Spencer did it again! She and Jeremy presented their last supper of the season with another wonderfully delicious meal. I hope they will do this again before next spring, but if not, I'll definitely be there for the next ones. In the meantime, I'm available if they ever want to invite me to their house to eat - or perhaps send me their leftovers. (I found out they read my blog and am shameless.) Everything I had tonight was wonderful.

This is the menu for tonight with an asterisk by what I ordered. What about you?

STARTERS

* Apple Gruyere Soup
Flatbreads with savory eggplant and goat cheese

SALADS

* Shaved Melon Salad on spinach and arugula with feta and toasted pine nuts in a house-made vinaigrette
Late Summer Panzanella made with red and yellow tomatoes, basil, red onions, and over-sized parmesan croutons

ENTREES

*Bistro Pot Pie
A new twist on an old Southern favorite: Sweet and spicy curry mix with chicken, sweet potatoes, and edamame under a whole-wheat crust. Accompanied by roasted corn on the cob. (Carl, Matt, and I had this.)

Tomato and Balsamic Barbequed Pork Chops
Slow roasted pork in a tangy fresh tomato sauce. Served atop roasted garlic smashed potatoes. (Tina has this and really liked it.)

Butternut Squash Ravioli
Home-made ravioli in a sage brown-butter sauce with cranberries and walnuts. Served with a side of roasted asparagus. (Paige had this and said it was delicious.)

DESSERT

Pumpkin Crisp with pecans and whipped cream
* Profiteroles in a rich chocolate hazelnut sauce, topped with toasted almonds and whipped cream. (These are little creme puffs. I didn't know that.)

Oh No!

Paul Newman died. He was 83.

Cake

My son posted a meme with these directions: Replace any single word in a line of movie dialogue with the word, "cake."

Click here to read his blog. Here is his line from Serenity - Mr. Universe: "You guys always bring me the best cake."

This is my contribution from A Few Good Men: "The cake! You can't handle the cake!"

Apocalypse Now: "I like the smell of cake in the morning."

The Godfather: "I'll make you a cake you can't refuse."

Any of you want to play along and make up some? If so, entertain us! Should we mention the movie or not?

Squeamish

When I was perusing photos of Niagara Falls to post on my blog, some of them gave me that scary feeling in my stomach and feet I get when driving over some bridges. I think I'd like to see it in person but am not sure I could get on one of those boats that go near it. I'm pretty sure I'd white-knuckle being on that bridge and tower thing. I sort of hyperventilated just looking at the pictures. See what I mean? Have any of you been there? How did it make you feel?

Yawn

I don't care about Clay Aiken. Never have really.

Craig in Nashville!

Craig Ferguson is coming to TPAC in Nashville January 24! I'll probably go if I can find someone who will go with me. It's more fun with company. I watch his show every night and think he's hilarious. I'd love to see him in person.

It's Canada Again

I don't know if any of you saw the Whistle Stop Tour on Good Morning America when they were at Niagara Falls, but part of the stop contrasted stark differences between Canada and the US. Here is a description of that part of the show from this article:

• The main package of the show’s first hour was taped Monday evening and detailed the economic differences between the American and Canadian sides of Niagara Falls. It opened with Roberts and news anchor Christopher Cuomo walking down desolate north Main Street and commenting on boarded up and closed businesses.

“It’s just totally fallen into disuse,” Cuomo commented.

In a voiceover, Sawyer pointed out the average household income in Niagara Falls was $27,000. The scene then shifted to the bright, bustling area of Clifton Hill in Niagara Falls, Ont.

“Can you imagine, turning the corner, looking across the water and seeing this,” Sawyer said. “Is it Las Vegas? Is it Oz? Nope, welcome to Canada. Same river, same falls, same mist, but the average household income in Canada is almost doubled.”

Returning to this side of the border, she made a pit stop at Niagara University’s Dwyer Arena and interviewed parents and teenagers about the lack of job opportunities.

Caribou Barbie

If you didn't see Katie Couric's interview with Talibimbo. Here she is so out of her element. Whew! Please don't let McSame get elected and die!


Watch CBS Videos Online

It was painful watching Palin trying to answer Katie's questions. After the interview, Katie said that Kissinger did in fact advocate meeting with those foreign leaders without preconditions. It's scary.

Palin: I think, with Ahmadinejad, personally, he is not one to negotiate with. You can't just sit down with him with no preconditions being met. Barack Obama is so off-base in his proclamation that he would meet with some of these leaders around our world who would seek to destroy America and that, and without preconditions being met. That's beyond naïve. And it's beyond bad judgment.

Couric: Are you saying Henry Kissinger …

Palin: It's dangerous.

Couric: … is naïve for supporting that?

Palin: I've never heard Henry Kissinger say, "Yeah, I'll meet with these leaders without preconditions being met." Diplomacy is about doing a lot of background work first and shoring up allies and positions and figuring out what sanctions perhaps could be implemented if things weren't gonna go right. That's part of diplomacy.

DWTS

Thank goodness! Rocco is still on! But how sad that Ted McGinley and Inna Brayer are going. I like him and didn't get to know her very well.

New Fall Shows

Worst Week = Worst Show Ever!!!

I couldn't stand to watch more than the first few minutes of it but forced myself to watch about half of it. Horrible! Silly and juvenile! Ack!

So far, House is better than last season in some ways. The character might be set up to make a few changes which would be a good idea. It's time for that to happen.

The Debster

Debster is excellent.

DWTS - Second Night

Tom Bergeron is calling on them one at a time to let the dancetestants know who gets to stay and dance this week while they stand there and wait. So here they are in order, but not necessarily in the order of votes except for last place.

• Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer

Dance: Quickstep
Score: 21

Peppy, energetic, and fun! AND he kissed a girl!! He also overdid the hugging. It's OK, Lance - we know. Len didn't like his posture and hold (score 6). The also gay Bruno likee (8). Carrie Ann not so much (7). Notice that I haven't started calling her names yet? I'm waiting for her to piss me off before I do that. We'll see how long that takes. So far she's been OK.

• Misty May-Treanor and Maksim Chmerkovskiy

Dance: Mambo
Score: 21

Maks had a hard time getting her to move in that sexy mambo way. I believe she just about did it. Misty is taller than I realized because her volleyball partner Kerri Walsh is over 6' tall, which made her look shorter. She's almost as tall as Maksim, who said she has Stacy Keibler legs, and they were about 5' long - almost as tall a I am. So there. I'm pulling for her and would like for her to win or at least be in the finals. We all know I like to see Maks on there as long as possible. Something about those bad boys! The judges were complimentary but gave some constructive criticism about her shoulders. All 7's.

• Maurice Green and Cheryl Burke

Dance: Mambo
Score: 21

They were all spangled out in gold. Len won't like those street dancing moves in the middle of a mambo. Bruno does, though, even though he said it strayed from the mambo. Carrie Ann liked it. I was right. Len asked why he did the "nonsense in the middle" and said not to do that any more. I like Cheryl and always enjoy seeing what she choreographs. I think she's gained a little weight - marriage, I guess. Don't get me wrong because she looks hot and fit. Just saying. All 7's from the judges.

• Brooke Burke and Derek Hough

Dance: Quickstep
Score: 26

They might be in this until the semi-finals or longer. She did very well and looks amazing. She's had four children, and the youngest is just 6 months old! Len said best dance so far just as he did last night (8). Bruno raved in hyperbole as he does sometimes (9). Carrie Ann said fantastic (9)! So there you have it. My goodness!

• Cloris Leachman and Corky Ballas

Dance: Mambo
Score: 16

Cloris said she found out she was older than the mambo and is a strike to the heart. Corky said she was fiesty but reminded him of his mother, so he knew how to handle her. Wonder if Brian feels that way about me? I'll never know.

This is pretty bad. Remember how Jerry Springer sort of walked through some dances and Adam Corolla rode through one and George Hamilton acted some? Well, she's walking and twirling but not really dancing. I don't think I could do that much, so good for her at 82! However, she doesn't need to stay on much longer. It's sort of painful to watch even though the audience applauded. The judges scores reflected some generosity. She had to be bleeped again.

• Toni Braxton and Alec Mazo

Dance: Quickstep
Score: 23

Alec worked with Toni on her breathing since she kept getting so winded. She looked elegant and is of course beautiful. So his he. She made it through the dance and was worried that she might not since she hadn't in rehearsal. Toni is in the "having a challenge" category with her heart condition along with Marlee Matlin (deaf), Heather Mills (leg and personality), and Tucker Carlson (rhythm and Republican). Carrie Ann said they had good chemistry together (8). Len said she was graceful and glided across the floor (7). Bruno compared her to a fine champagne (8). He had a reason but who can keep up?

• Warren Sapp and Kym Johnson

Dance: Quickstep
Score: 22

This man is amazingly quick and light on his feet and is a contender for sure! I predict that he'll make it to the finals. Of all the athletes, football players are the most agile. Well, except for Apolo Ono and Kristi Yamaguchi who are skaters. Len was critical of his technique but praised the entertainment value (7). Bruno said he is tons of fun (8). Carrie Ann agreed with Bruno about the fun and with Len about the technique (7). The scores might not be as high as I'd have given him, but I'm not a dancer - just judgemental. I like his personality, and since I'm not a football fan, I don't know anything about him.

• Ted McGinley and Inna Brayer

Dance: Mambo
Score: 19

I like Ted and am glad he'll be around a while longer. He sporadically moves well or stands there. Carrie Ann pointed out that he is awkward (6), but she was signing autographs before the camera was on her as he was walking to the judges and stumbled over his name! She couldn't have waited until a commercial? How rude! Len said that with hard work anything is possible and that he did a commendable mambo (6). Bruno told him to learn to listen to the music and not lose the musicality (7). Inna has an odd belly button. Inna has an large innie. It's distracting.

• Cody Linley and Julianne Hough

Dance: Quickstep
Score: 23

Bruno called the youngsters the king and queen of the prom (8). Carrie Ann said he had improved from last night and went from a boy to a man (8). Cougar Ann strikes again! Len said he danced with maturity (7). They have one of the top scores along with those other 23's.

Well, we're down to the last four. Who will it be? Getting closer! The tension mounts! I predict that Jeffrey will not dance tonight and will go home. I hate that for Edyta. I like her and her husband Alec Mazo, who will be sticking around a while if Toni can hold up. I hope Rocco and Susan Lucci stay. Kim Kardashian probably will, but she can go soon. Sorry, Mark. That's how it goes sometimes.

• Rocco DiSpirito and Karina Smirnoff

Dance: Mambo
Score: 21

Yea, Rocco! He's here but having a problem moving his mambo hips. I really like him, but he won't get to stay very long. Hey, he did much better than I thought from the rehearsals. Len said he was much better than last night (7). Bruno agreed that he was stunned with his improvement (7). Carrie Ann said he was so sexy (7). Karina was thrilled and said he had hips of fury tonight. Rocco said everyone should dance. He's probably right.

• Susan Lucci and Tony Dovolani

Dance: Quickstep
Score: 22

Last night Carrie Ann said that Susan should gain some weight since dancing is so athletic. She definitely can't afford to lose any weight, and all of them do that during DWTS. She did better with the quickstep and looked great. Gosh, she's just a few years younger than I am, and there's no way I could do any of that. She's graceful, elegant, and energetic. Carrie Ann said it was the strength, power, and charisma she expected from her (7). Len said he felt smug because he said ballroom would be her forte and was right (7). Bruno said she had class, glamour, and elegance and this is her element (8).

• Kim Kardashian and Mark Ballas

Dance: Mambo
Score: 18

The judges said they didn't connect last night. Kim is so California celebutante. Mark did get her to shake her hips some but not enough. She definitely has one. Oh funny! The song they performed for their dance was "I Like Big Butts"! LOL Bruce Jenner was in the audience since he's her stepfather. He also has Olympic gold medals. Bruno said she is gorgeous but drives him crazy because she doesn't use what she has (6). Len said she needs to perform and sizzle but she doesn't (6). Carrie Ann took up for her because she had to stand there all that time to wait to find out if she's going to dance or not (6). Kim told Samantha that she's really shy and reserved and this is hard for her. OK.

Just as I thought, Jeffrey Ross goes home, and Edyta Sliwinska has to leave early after being second last season. He was gracious about it and said he was more about ha-ha-ha instead of cha-cha-cha.

Let the voting begin!

My Pirate Name

What's yours?

My pirate name is:

Red Mary Flint

Passion is a big part of
your life, which makes
sense for a pirate.

Like the rock flint,
you're hard and sharp.

But, also like flint,
you're easily chipped,
and sparky. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network

DWTS

This is the first night of Dancing with the Dwarf Stars. For those of you not familiar with that expression, I started using it after Pluto was demoted to a dwarf planet. The stars on DWTS are not on the A-List, so therefore I renamed them. It's all fun for me.

I'll have to wait for photos to go with these descriptions because I can't find any good ones now. This first week I haven't gotten to know them very well, so I'm nice about them all until later.

For the first time, they have to do two dances the first week. Here they are with the dances each couple performed.

• Cody Linley, 18, actor, and two-time DWTS champ Julianne Hough

Dance: Cha-Cha
Score: 18

They're the youngest couple in the competition. He's really funny trying to focus on the dance instead of Julianne's hotness, as he said. He did well in places and moved well and was a little stiff part of the time. The judges told him he might need to control his energy. Read what you want into all this.

• Rocco DiSpirito, chef, 41, and Karina Smirnoff

Dance: Foxtrot
Score: 14

Well, he had a good time and enjoyed the dancing, and Karina has her work cut out for her. I realy like him and would enjoy having him stick around a while. Karina strained her ankle and had to change the routine a little.

• Toni Braxton, singer, 40, and season one DWTS champ Alec Mazo

Dance: Cha-Cha
Score: 22

Toni Braxton has that heart condition and is doing this to get over her fear. She was really out of breath, so we have one to worry about this time except that she's much nicer than Heather Mills. Alec is easy on the eyes, and they make a great-looking couple.

• Maurice Green, Olympic gold medalist track and field star, 34, and two-time DWTS champ Cheryl Burke

Dance: Foxtrot
Score: 18

He was enthusiastic and has potential, so we'll see what Cheryl can do for him.

• Brooke Burke, 36, TV personality, and Derek Hough

Dance: Cha-Cha
Score: 23

I didn't get this. They raved and said she did it all really well. I thought she was good and looks great but must have missed something.

• Ted McGinley, actor, 50, and Inna Brayer

Dance: Foxtrot
Score: 18

He admits that he isn't a dancer and seemed to have fun with it. The judges said he had style, elegance, good footwork, and potential. I enjoyed watching him. He's a lot of fun.

• Lance Bass, singer, 29, and Lacey Schwimmer

Dance: Cha-Cha
Score: 22

Len wanted more traditional, and Bruno and Carrie Ann thought it was edgy, modern, and NOW.
• Cloris Leachman, actress, 82, and Corky Ballas

Dance: Foxtrot
Score: 16

She was a hoot! Len said she acted a good dance and then asked her to move back because her cleavage was putting him off. Then he said he always wanted to be a toyboy and this might be his chance. (They say that instead of boytoy across the pond.) Cloris was beeped when he scores were announced but we could tell she called Len a bastard and Carrie Ann a slut. Tom said that's why he likes live television.

• Jeffrey Ross, 42, comedian, and Edyta Sliwinska

Dance: Cha-Cha
Score: 12

Jeffrey is the obligatory comedian on the show, and although he tried, he's not a dancer. Edyta won't be on very long, and he might have to come out on a unicycle if he can ride one. I don't think he'll be on long enough for that, though. The judges thought so, too.

• Kim Kardashian, TV personality, 27, and reigning DWTS champ Mark Ballas

Dance: Foxtrot
Score: 19

It's a far cry from Kristi Yamaguchi for Mark, but that's how it goes. Karina with Billy Ray Cyrus; Ashley DeGrasso with Master P. The judges said there was no chemistry and that she didn't move her head. She was sort of just there.

• Susan Lucci, Emmy-award winning soap opera actress, 61, and Tony Dovolani

Dance: Cha-Cha
Score: 15

Ordinarily she would be in the older category, but not with Cloris Leachman on here now. That said, she's still 61 and pretty stiff. She looks great and her face moves, but she didn't dance that well. She said she was really nervous.

• Misty May-Treanor, Olympic gold medalist beach volleyball player, 31, and Maksim Chmerkovskiy

Dance: Foxtrot
Score: 21

This was fun to watch. I cheered her on during the Olympics and thought she looked elegant and danced well. I hope they stay in until the finals. Len thought she did really well and gave her an 8; Bruno a 7; and Carrie Ann a 6.

• Warren Sapp, former NFL star, 35, and Kym Johnson

Dance: Cha-Cha
Score: 21

He's graceful and light on his feet and surprised everyone. The judges praised him and said he had fun and was entertaining.

Predictions: First to go will probably be Jeffrey Ross followed by Cloris Leachman. It's too soon to tell who will be in the finals. What do you think?

Clinton View

President Bill Clinton was on The View this morning. It was so refreshing to hear an articulate, intelligent discussion of issues. I miss him.

McCain says "Warshington," and Sarah Palin says, "nucular" which is just one more way she is Bush with lipstick.

TV

The Emmys would have been better if a couple of the hosts hadn't gone on and on at the beginning of the show wasting time. That caused presenters to have their material cut and winners to rush through their speeches. Sometimes that can be a good thing but not when compared with listening to Howie Mandell's meandering. Ricky Gervais was hilarious as usual.

I tried to watch Damages, but Emmy winner Glen Close's character is totally evil without any redeeming qualities. I couldn't keep watching. I thought maybe Holly Hunter would win. It was a strong category. 30 Rock won many awards. Tina Fey is talented and funny, so I'm glad she did. I kept forgetting about Madmen and plan to catch up on it. Hugh Laurie is brilliant on House, and the writing was better on this first new episode, which I hope continues. He had to rise above the material last season.

Jimmy Kimmel had a special on before the Emmys and interviewed Michael Phelps, Tracy Morgan, Salma Hayek, and the hosts. It sucked. I can do without him.

Tomorrow night brings on a new season of Dancing with the Stars, which I will recap again. I'm ready!! Here are the dwarf stars who will be on this season with descriptions from the website.

LANCE BASS - Lance Bass has sold over 50 million records as a member of the phenomenally successful pop group NSYNC. He also executive produced and starred in a number of film and television projects. In 2002 he successfully trained to be a cosmonaut at Russia's Star City and was certified by both the Russian Space Program and NASA for a mission aboard a Soyuz capsule. Lance has also released his memoir, Out of Sync, for Simon Spotlight Entertainment. The 2006 U.S. Youth Latin Champ and 2007 World Swing Dance Champ Lacey Schwimmer teams up with Lance to make her series debut.

TONI BRAXTON - The winner of six Grammy Awards, Toni Braxton is a Billboard chart-topping singer and actress, selling over forty million records worldwide. Her U.S. number-one hit Un-Break My Heart is the second biggest single by a female artist in history. She has also appeared in two Disney Broadway shows: Beauty and the Beast and Aida. Dancing with the Stars marks her return to the spotlight after a six-month health hiatus. She teams up with season one champion, Alec Mazo, who returns for his fourth season.

BROOKE BURKE - A host, actress, entrepreneur and celebrity mom, Brooke Burke has truly done it all. She has graced numerous magazine covers, has her own top-selling swimsuit calendars, and is regularly ranked in men's magazines as one of the sexiest women in the world. Recognized worldwide as host of the hit travel series Wild On!, Brooke has since hosted several high profile network series, including Rock Star: INXS and Rock Star: Supernova. On the acting front, she has guest-starred on such television series as Las Vegas, Less Than Perfect, Eve, It's All Relative, The Bernie Mac Show, Monk, Rock Me Baby and That's Life. Brooke is a mother of four and recently launched her own babystore BabooshBaby.com, a site where she shares her secrets (and some products she used) to get back in shape after giving birth. Brooke teams with Derek Hough who returns for his third season.

ROCCO DISPIRITO - The James Beard Award-winning celebrity chef and author Rocco DiSpirito combines his world-class cooking with a passion for empowering home cooks. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Rocco opened the 3-star Union Pacific in New York City in 1997. In 2003 he launched Rocco's for the reality series, The Restaurant. Rocco will next appear on the A&E series, Rocco Gets Real, beginning in October, along with its companion cookbook, Rocco Gets Real: Cook at Home Every Day. He teams with Karina Smirnoff who returns for her fifth season. Karina teamed with R&B singer, Mario, last season.

MAURICE GREENE - The winner of two gold medals, in the 100m sprint and the 4x100m relay at the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics, track star Maurice Greene was dubbed the "World's Fastest Man" during his career. In addition to being the former world record holder in the 100m sprint, and winning multiple world championships, he also won silver and bronze medals at the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics. He is the current Indoor World Record holder in the 60m at 6.39 seconds. He teams up with two-time champion, Cheryl Burke. Cheryl returns for her sixth season.

KIM KARDASHIAN - Actress, model and reality television star, Kim Kardashian shot to stardom after the first airing of her hit E! reality series, Keeping up with the Kardashians. The series follows the exploits of Kim, her siblings, her mother Kris, and her stepfather, Olympic Gold Medalist Bruce Jenner. Kardashian recently completed her first feature film, Disaster Movie and will also be seen on The N's series Beyond the Break. She teams up with defending champ, Mark Ballas, who returns for his third season.

CLORIS LEACHMAN - Actress Cloris Leachman's storied career has been recognized with nine Emmys®, a Golden Globe, and an Academy Award®. She has the distinction of being the only woman to win eight Primetime Emmy® Awards and one Daytime Emmy®. Leachman has starred in a wide range of theater, television and motion picture projects, creating such indelible characters as Phyllis in the TV series Phyllis and The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Frau Blucher in Young Frankenstein, Nurse Diesel in High Anxiety, and Ruth Popper in The Last Picture Show (for which she won an Oscar® and a BAFTA). In 2008 she has already completed three new films; The Women, American Cowslip and New York I Love You. She is in the process of writing her memoir and is currently touring the U.S. with her one-woman show CLORIS! Cloris teams with World Latin Champion and Mark's father, Corky Ballas, who makes his series debut.

CODY LINLEY - Cody Linley will be the youngest contestant ever to compete on Dancing with the Stars. He is best known for his role as Jake Ryan on the wildly popular Disney Channel series Hannah Montana, a role in which he was nominated for a Young Artist Award. He also helped the show garner an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Children's Programming. Cody's film credits include My Dog Skip, HOOT, Miss Congeniality, and Cheaper By the Dozen. He teams with two-time Dancing with the Stars champ, Julianne Hough who returns for her fourth season.

SUSAN LUCCI - As the most famous face in daytime television history, Lucci has held audiences spellbound for years as the sexy, sassy, beautiful woman you love to hate, Erica Kane on All My Children. In May 1999, all of America stood and cheered when Susan Lucci won the Emmy® Award for Best Actress. While competing on the show, she will continue her work on All My Children, and celebrate her 10,000th episode this November. In addition to her performances on Broadway and in cabarets across the country, Susan is an entrepreneur, having launched successful cosmetic, fashion, and jewelry lines on HSN. She teams with Tony Dovolani who returns for his sixth season.

MISTY MAY-TREANOR - Beach Volleyball champion Misty May-Treanor and partner Kerri Walsh captured their second Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics and became the first team ever to repeat as back-to-back champs. The victory also marked their 108th straight match win. Misty and Kerri were distinguished as AVP Team of the Year for four consecutive years (2003 through 2006). Misty was also named Most Valuable Player in 2005 and 2006, Best Offensive Player in 2004, 2005 and 2006, and Best Defensive Player in 2006. She now joins a new teammate, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, who returns for his fifth season.

TED MCGINLEY - Actor Ted McGinley's extensive television credits include Married&with Children, Hope & Faith, Happy Days, recurring roles on the critically-acclaimed series The West Wing, Sports Night, Charlie Lawrence, Dynasty, and The Love Boat. He has also starred in such films as Pearl Harbor, Daybreak, Dick, Major League: Back to the Minors, Wayne's World 2, and the cult hit Revenge of the Nerds. Newcomer Inna Brayer will be paired with Ted. Inna is the current US Amateur 10 Dance Champion.

JEFFREY ROSS - Comedian Jeffrey Ross a.k.a. the "Roastmaster General," has delivered numerous show stopping performances at celebrity roasts honoring the likes of William Shatner, Hugh Hefner, Donald Trump, Pamela Anderson, Bob Saget and Emmitt Smith, inspiring New York Magazine to crown him The Meanest Man in Comedy. As a comic, Jeff has appeared on several late night and morning shows Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and The View. Jeff's other TV credits include Weeds and C.S.I. He has also appeared in such films as the Farrelley Brothers' Stuck on You, and the critical sensation, The Aristocrats. Jeff continues to tour regularly. He teams with Edyta Sliwinska, who is the only pro to compete in all seven seasons of Dancing with the Stars.

WARREN SAPP - Recently retired defensive tackle and Superbowl Champion Warren Sapp played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Oakland Raiders during his 13 year career. His 96.5 career sacks are the second-highest career total sacks for a defensive tackle in the NFL. Warren was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1999, played in seven consecutive Pro Bowls and won Super Bowl XXXVII with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2003. This Fall, Warren will co-host Showtime's Inside the NFL and will be a studio analyst and game commentator for the NFL Network. He is teamed with Kym Johnson who returns for her fifth season.

Special Gifts

Pseudonymph and Debster started comment bantering on Scaryduck's blog about typos. You might have noticed that Debster pointed out a couple of them on my previous post. One of the typos involved someone who advertized as a poofreader, which reminds me of gaydar. I have pretty good gaydar most of the time, which means I'm quite the poofreader!

How Soon Do I Need to Start Worrying?

On the world-famous Scaryduck's blog I've missed two jokes so far that the clever and brilliant Debster made. At least that's all I know about. The excellent Pseudonymph and others have been funny, and I did an LOL, so all is not lost entirely. There seem to be more Bernice moments, too. Do I need to worry about this? Have any of you noticed any other signs of the destruction of my mind, or have I always been this way? At least I generally catch on to jokes. Life is hardly worth living with humor! (Thanks for catching that, Debster.) Yes, I do mean life is harldly worth living without humor.

Does this photo scare you, Brian? See, I remember that!

My Beamish Boy

Check out my clever son's post for Talk Like a Pirate Day here! I've also quoted it since I'm so proud of him. Hope this bragging isn't off-putting, but he makes me laugh.

Happy Talk Like a Pirate Day!

Hey, let's make copies of things without buying them and then sell them to other people! Then we can break copyright and fair use laws! Or maybe we could infringe a patent or two!


What?

Yarrr, Matey!

Got Dem DVR Blues

I have a DVR. Fortunately and unfortunately, I know how to use it. Do you know the pressure I'm under to watch everything I've recorded, so I can watch more shows? It's stressful sometimes! It takes time to manage all this, too. The fall season will start soon, so it's going to be even more difficult now, isn't it? Oh yes, it will! Let's not forget all the blogs I simply must read and mine that I just have to update. And there are many books left to read! So why you don't get any housework done, Joy? Hmmm, I wonder.

It must not come to this ...

This is Heartbreaking

This video about Sarah Palin's wolf-killing policy is heartbreaking. It's from Defenders of Wildlife explaining why they endorse Obama & Biden. Here's what they wrote on their website about it:

"Sarah Palin not only condones the aerial hunting of wolves and bears, she actively promotes it," continued Schlickeisen. "She has even gone so far as to propose a bounty of $150 for every severed left foreleg of a wolf the hunters can produce. Her promotion of this ghastly and unscientific program - which she pursues while simultaneously suing the federal government to eliminate protections for the imperiled polar bear - offers voters a glimpse of her values and character that is quite different from the picture carefully crafted by the McCain-Palin campaign's professional speechwriters. It should also provide voters with a good idea of what a McCain-Palin administration's approach to stewardship of our nation's natural resources would be like. Americans deserve to know about this real side of Sarah Palin before they make up their minds about her.

"Put simply, if voters care at all about the environment, about protecting our air, land, water and wildlife for future generations, then they should look past the misleading rhetoric of the McCain-Palin campaign and support Obama-Biden," concluded Schlickeisen.

Follow-Up

Charlie and I were awake and emailing around the same time that Friday night the police invaded. That made me feel better, too. He suggested that I get in touch with the police station and let them know what happened. I did call Saturday, but no one was in the office. Then I didn't manage to find a convenient time to call, but I'll try to do that tomorrow. This is part of what Charlie emailed me: "Even if he didn't have time for manners, he could have come back later. He didn't know if you had heart trouble or sickness that might have been affected by his terror tactics."

This is true. I'll keep you posted on what happens when I call. I hope a former student still works in the office there. I also taught her ex-husband, present husband, and daughter. They are neat people, and I just love her, her husband, and daughter. Small towns, right?

UPDATE!

I called my friend at the police station and told her what happened. She said she'd pass the information along to the Chief of Police. He called me later to ask more about it and said he'd find out why they went to the wrong house. He said they should have apologized. Now we come to the bad part. After he asked me what the officer looked like, I described as closely as I could remember how tall I thought the policeman was and what he looked like. According to him, the three who had been dispatched to investigate a fight didn't fit my description. Of course! I told him what I've said for years that my greatest fear is that I'll be the only witness to a crime and not be able to help much. I told him I was so scared that I was like the deer in the headlights and didn't think to ask his name again or get his badge number or the number on the police car. He laughed sympathethically and said he understood. He knows me because he was chairman of the school board and I taught with his brother. That might not have helped. I said so many things were going through my mind that I felt sort of paralyzed. He also asked if they said, "Police! Police!" when they knocked on the door. I told him I didn't hear anyone say that.

Added because of David's confusion: Yes, they were the actual police. According to the Myers-Briggs Personality Indicator, those of us who are off the charts on Intuitive and not that great at Sensory will notice that someone was worried about something and can pick up on subtle emotional cues but not be able to let you know what they had on, what day it was, where we saw them, or other details like that. So I knew the policeman was poised for action and urgently left to follow up on the call.

So anyway, Charlie, I've called. I told him I wasn't issuing a complaint but just wanted him to know. He said he would definitely look into it because they shouldn't have gone to the wrong street and should have identified themselves. I think I feel better now. Not sure.

My Encounter with the Police (not Sting)

A week ago Friday night I was sitting here on the computer taking a Harris Poll and watching TV. I was dressed for bed and relaxing until someone banged on the door loudly and insistently. It scared me to death! They banged so forcefully that the door shook. I went around through the kitchen and looked out front where no one at the door could see me. A police car was parked at the bottom of my driveway. The door banging began again even more insistently. I went in my room to put on more clothes, so I could go to the door when it sounded as if they were about to break down the door. All kinds of thoughts went through my mind. What if this isn't really the police? What if it is the police and they break into my house? I cautiously opened the door and didn't see anyone at first. The policeman leaned against the side of my house by the door where I couldn't shoot him if I were an armed criminal. That was even more frightening! Hey, I've seen this on Law & Order! I've also seen on the real news that the police sometimes go to the wrong house (duh!), break down the door, and rough up the people inside or worse! Then do they pay for the door? And what about the rest of it!



I tentatively inched my head out the door and peeped out at him. Then he stepped over a bit and said his name and asked how I was doing, ma'am. I told him in a shaky voice, "You scared me to death banging on my door like that!" Unapologetically, he asked if this were an address that has the same house number as mine but a different street. I said no and told him my address. He said oh that other street must turn into this one and rushed off without an apology or explanation to whatever call he was investigating but said something I don't remember.

This whole experience was scary! For one thing, my address is on both sides of my mailbox where he was parked. All he had to do was look at it. My house number is on the front of my mailbox, on my carport, and on a metal thing in the ground. The street sign is clearly evident where he turned on my street. OK, he made a mistake, but it had me rattled for quite a while. I knew my son was still up because he'd answered an email, so I emailed him to tell him what happened and told him that it helped when he was younger just knowing he was in the house. He emailed me back, and that calmed me down a little and made me feel better. I don't call there that late because I don't want to wake Brendan or them. Speaking of Brendan, thank goodness he wasn't here spending the night when all that happened!

Musical Memories

Interesting how music brings back so many memories, isn't it? I'm watching Carole King on public television and enjoying every minute of it. Tapestry is the best album I've ever heard. Every song on it is wonderful, and you know how unusual that is. She has a long songwriting career and has written some great songs. We're close to the same age. She's almost two years older than I am and looks many times better. Oh well.

Speaking of age, it's so nice of you young folks to include us fogies in your blog world. I'm the age of some of your parents (give or take), but I have spent all my professional life working with teenagers and younger kids. Actually, it's great to be able to write for an older audience. Still with me? I almost lost myself during that babble.

1971

2008

Gina Strips Down

Have you seen the Gina Gershon impersonation? It's on Huffington Post, too.

See more Gina Gershon videos at Funny or Die

If Obama & Biden win this election, I'm going to cry from relief. It has to happen. Please!

SNL

Did you see Tina Fey as Sarah Palin on SNL? We knew she had to do it because they already look so much alike. Amy Poehler plays Hillary Clinton again in this hilarious sketch. What did you think about it?



I used Jimbo's link to SNL, so here it is!

Friday Nights

Last night was the second Friday night in a row something unusual happened. Last night a little before 7:30 the electricity went off. I was watching the ALMA awards and ready to enjoy that when all of a sudden - darkness and silence. Anybody see Cheech and Chong? I wanted to see them.

I called the electric department and noticed their truck out there not long after my call. The electricity was back on in two hours but not my cable TV, cable modem, and digital phone - all Comcast subscriptions. When the representative from the electric company called to make sure my power was back on, I asked what happened. He said a tree fell on the lines and broke them.

My neighbor said that his cable wasn't working, either, but that he'd seen a Comcast truck on the street working on lines. I'd called Comcast and didn't stay on the line to talk with a real person after I heard the recorded message that they had technicians working to restore service in Dickson. So I went in the living room and read for several hours and then went to bed.

This morning the cable services still weren't working, so I called Comcast and talked to a person. She said they'd send a truck out today and have it on by afternoon. That happened around 2:45. I told the guy where the lines were down, and he was gone a little while and then came back and checked out the cable on the pole across from my house. Then he came in and told me that he wasn't equipped to work on the heavy cable and that he'd called another truck to come out and do it. About half an hour later, this really hot cable guy drove up. He was also very nice and helpful, like the other one was. He fixed the cable, so I finally had all my stuff back around 4:00. I asked him about how the signal seems to come and go at times, so he checked some things. While we were discussing why this might happen, he said squirrels chew the cable. I knew suicidal squirrels did that with phone lines, so I guess I should have figured out that they'd do it to the cable lines, too. We decided that if he invented something that squirrels wouldn't chew, he'd be rich. Squirrels have to chew or their teeth grow too long. It's a rodent thing. Tina told me that, so it's probably true.

Actually, this hasn't been too bad. I read almost an entire book and took a break from politics for a while even though I got back into it again tonight.

I learned that I need to stay on the line and talk to a person. The second technician said that they have ways of knowing when there is no service and that there were about 40 homes without it. He thought they'd taken care of all of them and that the few left without were for some other reason, so I should call. He said Comcast is really making an effort to provide good service and to keep everything working because AT&T is coming in with cable, and they know some people will switch over. I know people who will switch. I'm planning to get rid of the digital phone service from Comcast because I'm not satisfied with it. I'll be talking to someone, and all of a sudden they can't hear me. I've told people if that happens to tell me they are hanging up because I can hear them, and that I'll call them back. It's annoying.

I don't know if I'll switch to AT&T or not when they provide cable and internet. I've been with Comcast over 22 years (can't remember exactly how long but it was definitely that long - we had that little brown box) and have had a good experience with them. I'll see what AT&T has to offer. It would be good to get in on some deals since Comcast only offers good ones to new customers.

So I'm back online and watching TV! Life is back to abnormal again.

Btw, the Friday night the week before involved the police banging on my door at 10:30 at night.

Squirrel

This cracks me up. I am not sure why. Perhaps W is working on that invention to keep the squirrels from chewing utility and cable wires.

x

September 11, 2001

David asked what we were doing on 9/11. Go here if you'd like to read his thoughts and what others were doing that day. This is what I wrote (with a couple of sentences added):

I was teaching my class when the principal made the announcement over the intercom that he had bad news. I can't recall his exact words, but there had been school shootings by that time. We all thought the principal was going to tell us someone had shot students when he began and listened in fear and panic.

Then he said that the WTC had been attacked by terrorists. He told about the planes and said other things I can't remember. We all looked at each other in shock and disbelief.

After his announcement, the kids looked at me waiting for me to say something. I have no idea what I said to them, but my concern was helping them deal with their emotions and to let them talk about it. We couldn't make sense of what had happened. Our country had been attacked. What happens next? What do we do?

I didn't have a TV, radio, or computer in my classroom then, so we couldn't keep up with the news. All day, kids would come in my room from other classes where they had watched the news, and we'd discuss the updates. No English was taught that day, but we had productive discussions.

I had them write about it the next day because that's what English teachers do.

This was a time when most of the world reached out to us and was sympathetic. Our citizens were united like they hadn't been in a long time. We wanted to do something to help, to appreciate each other, and to feel like a family. It put our lives in perspective and let us know what is important. What an opportunity that was mishandled! We Americans are generally generous and want to help each other but were told to shop instead. If we'd accepted what the world offered instead of having a cowboy president running roughshod over the wrong country and still being there, we might not be hated. Our country would have been different today in much better ways.

Dan agrees.

Women Against Sarah Palin

Spread the word! This is the blog begun by two women. This is the original message:

Friends and compatriots,

We are writing to you because of the fury and dread we have felt since the announcement of Sarah Palin as the Vice-Presidential candidate for the Republican Party. We believe that this terrible decision has surpassed mere partisanship, and that it is a dangerous farce—on the part of a pandering and rudderless Presidential candidate—that has a real possibility of becoming fact.

Perhaps like us, as American women, you share the fear of what Ms. Palin and her professed beliefs and proven record could lead to for ourselves and for our present and future daughters. To date, she is against a woman's right to choose, environmental protection, alternative energy development, freedom of speech (as mayor she repeatedly brought up the question of banning books), gun control, the separation of church and state, and polar bears.

We want to clarify that we are not against Sarah Palin as a woman, a mother, or, for that matter, a parent of a pregnant teenager, but solely as a rash, incompetent, and all together devastating choice for Vice President. Ms. Palin's political views are in every way a slap in the face to the accomplishments that our mothers and grandmothers so fiercely fought for, and that we've so demonstrably benefited from.
First and foremost, Ms. Palin does not represent us. She does not demonstrate or uphold our interests as American women. It is presumed that the inclusion of a woman on the Republican ticket could win over women voters. We want to disagree, publicly.

Therefore, we invite you to reply here with a short, succinct message about why you, as a woman living in this country, do not support this candidate as second-in-command for our nation.

Please include your name (last initial is fine), age, and place of residence.

We will post your responses on a blog called "Women Against Sarah Palin," which we intend to publicize as widely as possible. Please send us your reply at your earliest convenience-the greater the volume of responses we receive, the stronger our message will be.

Thank you for your time and action.

VIVA!

Sincerely,

Quinn L. and Lyra K.
New York, NY
womensaynopalin@gmail.com

**PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY! If you send this to 20 women in the next hour, you could be blessed with a country that takes your concerns seriously. Stranger things have happened.

Thank you!

Thank you so much for signing onto the Follow the Blog gadget I added to my blog. It's down there under my Blog List if you'd like to join in. When you click on the person, you can see their profile, and I can look at your cute pictures every time I scroll down there. Kinda neat!!

Caribou Barbie

The Big Sell

Dems

Remember Jane Curtin's character on SNL who talked about her husband "the late Mr. Loopner who, God rest his soul, was born without a spine"? The Democrats have been Mr. Loopners far too long. I'm glad to see Obama stand up to accusations and fight back. Let's hope we now have a spine and know how to use it!

Be a Follower

I have a new gadget on my blog. Check out the Followers section under the Blog List and be the first to get on board! Then keep adding to it.

New cartoon at the bottom of the page.

We Have a Winner Here :-(

“So Sambo beat the bitch!”

This is how Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin described Barack Obama’s win over Hillary Clinton to political colleagues in a restaurant a few days after Obama locked up the Democratic Party presidential nomination.

From this article.

Bunny Suicide

Have you seen this site about The Book of Bunny Suicide? Check these out. Sick and twisted and funny! These are NOT Dust Bunnies - just regular everyday suicidal bunnies.


















(For Charlie)

As someone who has spent some time depressed, I guess it's part of the job description to think about suicide some. I definitely have. The thing is that when you're depressed, anything that doesn't involve just covering up in the middle of the bed waiting for it takes too much energy. Depressed people can't just think, "I'm going to get the mail." No, they have to go through every step of the process and think, "The mail. (heavy sigh) First I have to get out of this chair. Then I have to walk into the bedroom and put on some shoes. First the right shoe. Oh me. Then the left shoe. Wow. Now after that I'd have to walk even farther to the door. Out one room. Into the hall. Into the living room. There's the door. No, this is too much trouble. I'll just stay here in this chair or move over to the couch and take a nap. That's better."

See what I mean? So watching a cute bunny attempt suicide by clever methods is funny to a morbid person like me. Because when we aren't in the midst of a really deep depression, we want to live. Mild depressions don't bring that on.