Pizza Party
Does anyone else remember that game, Pizza Party?
It had that horrible song in its commercials... "Party, Pizza Party". I STILL get that song stuck in my head. That is, perhaps, the MOST effective commercial I have ever seen. I STILL think of that game everytime I have the stupid song in my head, and it came out in the '80's!
Monday night, on the bus ride home from my class downtown, I got stuck sitting in front of this guy with the bass cranked up so loud that I could FEEL it coming out of his headphones. I could have tuned this out, but he was also rapping along with whatever he was listening to, and he was REALLY bad at it. And to make it worse, he smelled like feet. I'm not sure which was more distracting - his rapping or his foot odor. Somehow I seem to have a knack for picking the best seats on the bus.
I am now playing "Beat the Streak" on
MLB.com. This involves choosing a player each day who I believe is going to get a hit. The end goal - to string together a 57 game hitting streak (to beat the all time hitting streak record). In 4 years, it has not been done. The prize - $100,000. Will I win? No. However, there are smaller prizes for reaching milestones of 30, 35, and 45, as well as a prize to the person with the longest hitting streak for the season (tickets to the 2006 All-Star game, which is perfect for me as it is at PNC Park and I wouldn't have to travel!). Will I win? No. BUT, I started 4 days ago, and I have a hitting streak of 3 right now. We'll see if Ramirez can get a hit tonight against Clemens (he has a .600 batting average against Clemens, so I figure it's a good bet he'll get at least one hit tonight).
Sunday night is an all new Family Guy - I can't wait!!!
Next week we leave for Chicago for 5 days. A week from today, I will be at Wrigley field, hopefully watch the Cubs put the smack down on on the Phillies. The last two games I've been to at Wrigley, the Cubs have won: 11-1 (or 2 - I don't remember) and 13-2. Hopefully, this will continue. Needless to say, there may be a larger than usual break in posting starting Wednesday of next week.
Fingers crossed that the rain holds out tonight, as we are SUPPOSED to be going to the game. I'm doubtful, but haven't given up hope yet.
And so, I leave you with something to make you laugh:
Almost Friday...
Just a couple of quick links to articles today, as I have to depart in 10 minutes to see a subject:
This is an article which discusses
mirror neurons in the brain. The finding of these mirror neurons gives insight into phenomena such as empathy (and possibly "mind-reading"), construction of a concept of "the mind", and disorders such as autism. Very interesting...
Do you live in one of the more depressed cities in the country. Check
here to find out.
Pittsburgh is the 14th most depressed city in the country. However, any survey that tells me I would be happiest living in TEXAS makes me leary. Yes, yes, I know not ALL of Texas is bad -- I've heard Austin is pretty nice. However, 3 of the top 4 "happiest" cities are in Texas, and Austin isn't one of them. Anyway, it's very nearly Friday, which makes me very, VERY happy!
WHAT?!?!?!
"Despite her popularity, first lady Laura Bush says she's not interested in running for higher office."Despite WHAT popularity?? People LIKE her? What the hell has she done?
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sidebar - I am attempting to stitch to blogger's comments. I have little faith that this will work. guess we'll just have to wait and see...
Here I am....Rock you like a Hurricaine!!
Thanks to Coco for this link:
Debriefing Scalia.
And that's all you're getting from me today! Busy day at work + rehearsal this evening. More tomorrow. :)
Wedding outfit
For those who care...
The following is the dress I ordered and the shoes I got for my Mom's wedding:
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Regarding comments: I must just have to suck it up and do my comments through blogger, as it appears to be attacking my current comment host. I'll give it until the end of the day....
"C" is for Comments, that's good enough for me
It appears as if Blogger has eaten my comments today. Hopefully they will be regurgitated in short order, and all will be right with the world again.
Names
So, here is the official list of names:
For Schna:
BeelzeSchnab
Attila the Schna
Genghis Schnan
Schnarlemagne
Shannonespierre
Shannonexander the Great
Shanivan the Terrible
Emporer Schnapoleon
Shinidine Shannane (football/soccer great and a wonderful name)
Schnarles the 5th and Schnizabella
julius schnaesar
caesar schnaugustus
bloody schnary
schnamulus and remus
comrade schnalin
Chairman Schnao
BOWSER
For Coco:
Coco Chanel
Cocoan of Arc
Coco Butter
Coco Cola
Coco Dile
Coco Quette
Coco Caine
Coco Nan The Barbarian
emperor cocoleon
william the cocoror
BRUISER
I will let Coco decide for herself which, if any, of these names she prefers. As for me, I have narrowed it down to the following:
Schnarlemagne
Caesar Schnaugustus
Chairman Schnao
BeelzeSchnab
Attila the Schnan
Genghis Schnan
Perhaps I will just rotate between them.
Feedback is welcome.
And, I wanted to show you the fruits of your labor. Thanks! :)
Which Character Are You?
Per the request of the GEM, here is the Stars Wars character test:
Star Wars Personality QuizI am Lando Calrissian:
And since this seems to be the theme of the week, here is another one:
Which Napolean Dynamite Character are You?I am Deb:
Dammit, I wanted to be the Tator Tots!!!!!!!
Pass the icecream!!
CDC Links Extra Pounds, Lower Death RiskThe new analysis found that obesity — being extremely overweight — is indisputably lethal. But like several recent smaller studies, it found that people who are modestly overweight have a lower risk of death than those of normal weight.
Yeah, a new justification for eating dessert!!! :)
Quick weekend update
Friday -
*** Right after work, Coco and I went on a hiking excursion in Frick Park. Blissful moment: feeling like I was in the middle of the woods, far away from cars and buses and people, while still being in the middle of the city.
*** RIGHT after our hike, GEM and LHPJ and I went running - a nice 3 miles. Blissful moment: stopping.
*** Immediately following our run, LHPJ showered while I took Pancho out for a short walk (there are good reasons Pancho loves me). This was followed by hurried minutes of cleaning up, heating up soup (homemade soup, that is - there is a GIGANTO KETTLE of it in our fridge right now, which required the removal of one fridge shelf), and digesting before we were off to CMU. Blissful moment: FOOOOOOD!!!!
*** 2 miles of walking to the quad of CMU to see The Shins in concert. The weather was beautiful, the band was awesome, the crowd was irritating, but tolerable. The only person who really was asking for a boot to the head was the loud girl behind me who would not shut up. Honestly, if you are going to have a conversation throughout the WHOLE SHOW, what the hell are you doing at a concert in the first place??? Of course, I couldn't turn around and whoop some ass, as we were trying not to draw her attention as she had previously hooked up with a friend who was with us at said concert. The things one will NOT DO in the name of friendship. Blissful moment: the band was great, and it was free!!
*** Following the show, we had a nice 2 mile walk back home. Honestly, by the time we reached our street (and still had two REALLY LONG blocks left to walk), I was going to fall over. Can't. keep. going. Blissful moment: the instant of butt hitting couch. I don't remember anything after that.
Saturday:
*** went to the strip. Blissful moment: FISH SANDWICH (i've been over this before).
*** went to a rehearsal/concert. While I was playing a piece which I can list in my top 20 favorite pieces (Carmina Burana), it was overshadowed by the fact that the lights on stage were SCORCHING. It took over an hour for the redness to leave my cheeks after the concert. I was downing water on stage like mad, and I'm sure you can all guess where that story is going... Blissful moment: Pitchers of Margaritas and good mexican food (which Dr. P, is hard to find in da burgh) post-concert.
Sunday:
*** got up early and went running. Ran 4.5 miles. Blissful moment: reaching the end and realizing I had just run 4.5 miles.
*** went to the baseball game. Got to see the Cubs win. Weather was awesome (I even got a little color from being out in the sun). Hotdog was awesome (they never taste the same as when you eat them at the ballpark). Blissful moment: when the loud (drunk??) girl several rows behind us decided to move to a different section.
Monday:
*** got up at 6am and ran again (not nearly as far this time). Blissful moment: seeing the sun rise.
*** came to work. did some work. wrote a long boring post about what I did this week. Made all you people read it. HAHAHA!!! :) :)
Which Johnny Depp Character Are You?
Take the Johnny Depp quiz
My results:
You Are Ed Wood From "Ed Wood."
You definitely have your name in history, although probably not for the reason you believe. Yet you are very accepting, non-judgemental, and optimistic almost to a fault. You also have a thing for angora sweaters. How could anyone not like you?
Actually, angora sweaters make my skin itch. Ah well.
PiGs!! Truly outrageous
Truly, truly, truly outrageous!!
Crowds Drawn to Pig Olympics in ChinaThe pigs, a midget species from Thailand, begin training soon after birth and can start performing after they are 12 months old.
Midget pigs!!! WOO HOO!!!!
Still taking suggestions for new names, especially for Coco. Voting on names will begin on Monday!!
So, I have spent some time this morning looking online at shoes, at my most favorite shoe-shopping place ever,
Zappos.com. I am trying to decide which pair of shoes from my list of favorites I should get this April. True, I just ordered a pair the other day, which will hopefully be the right color for my Mom's wedding,
but that doesn't count. SO...once again, I need your help. Which pair, of the following, do you like the best?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
In terms of cost, the first 6 are between $40 and $50, and the last two are $35 and $31.
The final pair, pictured here:
are my personal favorites, but also the only pair that is more expensive than I am currently willing (and able) to spend ($95). *sigh*
Anyway, input would be helpful, as I'm terrible at making decisions when there are so many to choose from!!!!
New Names
Okay, I NEED YOUR HELP!
Coco and I are in search of new, cooler names.
The rules of the naming are as follows:
It must somehow include:
Coco (for Coco) and
Schna (for me)
AND
it must incorporate a name (or make reference to) an infamous person or it can be an entity of myth.
Examples:
The Grand Evil Monk
(which, correct me if I'm wrong, is an allusion to Rasputin. I cannot, now, remember the FULL title. However, I have taken to shortening it even MORE by just referring to him as GEM (because he is truly outrageous (yes, I know that Jem of Jem and the Holograms WAS with a J. Work with me people!!)))
Lord High Protector Jonwell
So far, the only suggestion I've gotten is from the GEM himself:
Schnananismarck
Nothing yet for Coco.
I will be taking ideas until next Monday (the 18th of April), so get cracking peeps!!
Other possibilities:
BeelzeSchnab
Attila the Schna
Genghis Schnan
Still nothing for Coco. Coco is tough, but never fear! We'll find something fantabulous, like "The Coco Avenger!". okay, i lied, that was fabulous at all (or even fantabulous). But, I trust others to be more creative than me.
Jams
I totally forgot about my exciting Target purchase from yesterday -- I found some boxer-type things (I'm assuming they are designed as sleeping attire for men) called Jam. They are like knee-length boxers. Of course, on me, they are below the knee-length (okay, FINE, they are halfway to my ankles...SHUT UP!!!). Anyway, the super swank thing about them is that they are patterned a la the cover of "Dark Side of the Moon". They. Kick. Ass.
Of course, there are multiple triangles with rainbows.
Yes, I'm a dork. But just wait...the next time someone decides to throw a party where they sync of "Dark Side" with "The Wizard of Oz", I will be the coolest person at the party, you'll see.
Meet you all the way...
After only having a one-day weekend the last week, this weekend felt nice and long. It was full of baseball and beautiful weather too. I love when it's after midnight and still nice enough to hang out on the porch, smoking a stoagie. Well, I wasn't actually smoking, but there were stoagies nonetheless.
Saturday I once again confirmed another reason I tend to avoid doing drugs -- I have no self control. As we have for the past several months now, we went to the Strip on Saturday to do our grocery shopping for the week and feed our fish-sandwich addictions. Seriously, by Friday (sometimes even Thursday on bad weeks), I am JONESING (how is that spelled, does anyone know??) for a Wholey's fish sandwich. This week, we couldn't even shop first. It was straight to the 4-ounces (8-ounce, if you're brave) of cod on a Mancini bun. *drool* Seriously, I cannot convey JUST HOW GOOD this sandwich is. Word on the street is that they used to kill the fish and fry it right there in front of you. I still think they bring them in live, so they are as fresh as you can possibly get fish inland. It should be a testament to how good this sandwich is that I have continued to talk about it for a whole paragraph (because I'm usually so quick and to the point).
...Rosaaaannnnnaaa, yeah!...
Yesterday, I got a little crazy at Target and came home with tons of potting soil and a bunch of vegetable seeds to plant in my backyard. Of course, I know nothing of gardening, and the main reason I needed the potting soil was for an attempted resuscitation of the house plants I have coaxed into near-death (I could make a really tasteless joke right now, but I will exercise what little self-control I have and desist). I tried to plant some green beans and cucumbers in the back, as we have some room for a mini-garden. If they even sprout I will be proud. I'm really not expecting any real produce though. I DO NOT PROMOTE A CULTURE OF LIFE.
...meet you all the way....
This morning I once again rose at 6 am (this is very early for me), as I have been doing for two weeks now, and went running with Jon and the Grand Evil Monk. Once again, I got to see the sunrise over the resevoir (Do NOT throw things in it; it is our drinking water!). This puts me in a great mood until about 1 pm or so when the fatigue catches up to me (and the endorphins from the morning exercise finally fade), and then I'm cursing the world again.
...Rosaaana, Rosaaana!!...
Can we all tell what song is in my head? This song has been in my head since Easter, with brief reprieves of MC Hammer and one day of "St. Elmo's Fire". This is what happens when one has to ride in the car with the Grand Evil Monk. Of course, I should mention, the song in my head is actually a version of Toto's "Rosanna" from the Christian radio station entitled "Hosanna". Seriously, with all respect to whatever people believe, I can't see how ANYONE could take this song seriously. Honestly, the original song isn't even capable of being taken seriously, but when you change the lyrics to:
"And the angels sing,
HOSANNA, HOSANNA"
Who wouldn't laugh?
Even back in the day prior to my decent into heathenism, I would have laughed.
So Dr. Boss is out of town this week, which means that when I'm not busy, I DON'T HAVE TO
LOOK BUSY. It's far more relaxing and gives me time to post more. *evil laugh* You know you can't stop reading! You're hooked on me like I'm a Wholey's fish sandwich, smothered in homemade tartar sauce!!
Okay, that's disturbing (and kind of hot too). :)
Happy Monday.
HOSANNA, HOSANNA!!!!
Rosanna
All I wanna do when I wake up in the morning is see you eyes
Rosanna , Rosanna
I never thought that a girl like you could ever care for me, Rosanna
All I wanna do in the middle of the evening is hold you tight
Rosanna , Rosanna
I didn't know you were looking for more than I could ever be
Chorus :
Not quite a year since she went away , Rosanna yeah
Now she's gone and I have to say
Meet you all the way, meet you all the way, Rosanna yeah
Meet you all the way, meet you all the way, Rosanna yeah
I can see your face still shining through the window on the other side
Rosanna , Rosanna
I didn't know that a girl like you could make me feel so sad, Rosanna
All I wanna take is a night you'll never ever have to compromise
Rosanna , Rosanna
I never thought that losing you could ever hurt so bad
Chorus
(Instrumental break )
Chorus
Meet you all the way, meet you all the way, Rosanna yeah
Meet you all the way, meet you all the way, Rosanna yeah
Tribute to a comic genius
Today's NY Times Magazine featured
an article about the Museum of Modern Art's retrospective of Christopher Guest, who is, in my opinion, one of the funniest actors and directors whose work I have ever encountered.
"Best in Show", "Waiting for Guffman", "A Mighty Wind", "This is Spinal Tap" - all brilliantly hilarious. I even liked him in "The Princess Bride" as the 6-fingered man.
A few excerpts from the article:
In his boutique near Broadway, selling show business memorabilia - big-headed dolls of Brat Pack actors and action figures from "My Dinner With Andre" - the director and choreographer Corky St. Clair, flamboyantly dressed in a red military jacket, pulls out a rare treasure: a "Remains of the Day" lunchbox, with the tragic faces of Emma Thompson and Anthony Hopkins on the front. "You know, kids don't like eating lunch at school," he says. "But if they've got a 'Remains of the Day' lunchbox, they're a whole lot happier."
...
That the actors can reunite and sing in character - Spinal Tap has sold out concerts over the years - says everything about the vitality of Mr. Guest's method. Years before unscripted comedies like "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Fat Actress" and "Unscripted" became trendy, he was creating improvised films around fully realized characters and stories.
For each of the mock documentaries, Mr. Guest and Eugene Levy created the characters and scenes but no dialogue. The actors then improvised so extensively that Mr. Guest ended up with 60 to 80 hours of film, which he shaped into about an hour and a half over months of editing. There are evident influences on his work, including an enormous debt to the intelligent silliness of Monty Python. But Mr. Guest's films are more improvisational than Robert Altman's and more pointed than Mel Brooks's. He has turned parody - which is, after all, mimicry - into an act of true originality.
...
Behind the apparent effortlessness of these films is highly refined comic art. They're convincing, too. Watch any of the Guest parodies and before long the concept of action figures from "My Dinner With Andre" - all that talk, all that smart silliness - can actually make sense.
If you haven't seen any of his films, YOU MUST. I have spoken.
You got to pray...
PRAY!!
There is some commercial on TV now (I don't remember what it's for, to be honest) that stars MC Hammer. The other night, after seeing it, Jon and the Grand Evil Monk started singing MC Hammer songs, including "Can't Touch This", and "Too Legit to Quit". However, the one that has been stuck in my head since that fateful evening is the one from the title of this post. Can't say I remember (or ever knew) the name of the song, but I certainly remember how it went. All week it's been going through my head, Hammer's part and the choir's echo.
"You got to pray, just to make it today..."
BLARGH!!!
*train of thought leading to...HERE*
Apparently there is legislation currently being voted upon in PA calling for the addition of "In God We Trust" to all classrooms across the state. *blank stare of disbelief*
I haven't been able to find any supporting info about this (a coworker told me about it), other than several references to a similar debate that occurred in Pennsylvania in 2002 (immediately post 9/11), such as
this article. If anyone finds out anything about this, keep me posted.
Now, be honest, when you read "Too Legit to Quit" earlier (or just now), how many of you DIDN'T do the hand motion (or at least THINK it) that goes along with that song?
Too nice to be inside
This is the week of memories-i-wish-i-would-never-have-again-inducing post titles...
This one, after typing it, made me think of signing yearbooks in junior high, and the ever popular:
2 Good
+ 2 Be
----------
4 Gotten
I can say, with pride, that I NEVER reproduced any such crap in anyone's yearbook.
Today, I leave you with 2 articles. The first is another about the German plastination doctor and the collection of his works that
is actually touring in the U.S.. I think that Chicago might be the closest it's going to be to Pittsburgh, and I don't know how extensive the exhibit is compared to the one that tours in Europe, but it's probably still worth checking out.
The second is an
op/ed article regarding a recent study (though after looking into it more, it's hardly a very valid (and by this I mean the strictly research definition of valid) or reliable (ditto previous parenthetical statement, but with reliable) study) that found most professors are liberals (big surprise), and the author is postulating as to
why he believes this is so.n The most notable thing about this article (to me) is just the sorts of restrictions with which these members of academia are being threatened.
O happy day
Dammit!! After posting that title, I now have that stupid song from "Sister Act II" stuck in my head (and I just confessed to you all that, yes, I have seen that movie, and yes, I am as embarassed about this as I should be). Fortunately, as I know you all are discerning enough in your movie taste as to NOT have seen that movie, you won't get the song stuck in YOUR heads!
Anyway, enough of that sidetrack and on to another...
The sun is out, it's warm enough for short sleeves, and I will be leaving work in less than an hour. And I say, it is good.
Last night, I got to see the Cubs opening game of the season, much to my delight. While I cannot disseminate the events of the game without the express written consent of the Chicago Cubs, I can (I think) say that it kicked ass and they won...by A LOT.
And while watching the basketball finals brought the mood down somewhat last night, still THE CUBS WON 16-6!!!! I'm happy. :)
Word on the street is that European football teams are coming to the states again this summer (last year I had the pleasure of seen Chelsea vs Roma at Heinz Field), and I wanted to know if anyone out there has anymore info on this - when they're coming, who is coming (I know Madrid is playing SOMEWHERE), WHERE they will be, etc etc?
Word on the street is also that they're making a comic book superhero of the Pope. Anyone find more info on this, let me know. Apparently he will be equipped with the standard holy water and the not-so-standard (at least to the best of my knowledge) chastity pants. While this is something I wouldn't be surprised to find at (my favorite store in Pittsburgh) "A Pleasant Present", I'm a bit shocked that people are seriously doing this - and intending for it to be REVERENT, not mocking. Strange...
A part of me is seriously considering being "sick" tomorrow just so I can go the baseball game (as it's supposed to be 75 degrees and sunny, and I don't want to be stuck inside at work all day), but the other part of me is seriously considering being "sick" tomorrow just so I can go to the baseball game. Sadly, it will not be so. I have to be at work. Everyone I know is otherwise committed, and I haven't yet attained the self-esteem necessary to go to a baseball game alone. And I have to work. DAMMIT! 1.5 weeks until the next home game (against the Cubs, no less). I can make it.
Yes, I'm obsessed. I have nothing better to do.
A moment to reflect
After a long week of work (which doesn't officially end until tomorrow around 1:00ish), I am taking today to get caught up on some of the light work I have to do, and also to just slow down and relax a bit. The massage last night was great, and the concert (or at least the pieces on which Alex Klein played) was mind-boggling (seriously, the man is. not. human.). The rain held off and gave way to another beautiful day (and a dry walk home last night). All together, these things have left me pensive. And so, I reflect...
Over the past several months (more or less since last summer), I've found that I have been losing touch with many friends I have scattered throughout the country. While it is not unusual for me to go several weeks, or even months, without talking to/emailing these friends, it still seems as if keeping in touch with them hasn't been much of a priority for me (which is not to say I don't want it to be). While I could blame this on being busy or being lazy, I think it also reflects the fact that I'm afraid to find out that we have grown too far apart.
I'm not talking about the good friends you have that, after moving away, eventually drift away, and while you're sad to see them go, you also realize that things change and you move on. I'm talking more about those few people who stick around, from year to year. Those people who you don't have to talk to often, but with whom you can pick up where you left off. Those people who really know you; the ones who don't need you to explain, but just know what you mean (even when you have difficulty articulating, as I often do). They are few and far between. They are worth the effort.
On the other hand, while that same understanding still remains, other things change. Common interests become fewer, common friends practially non-existant. I have found that, just one on one, things with these friends are still great. But in the context of my life, my friends or his/her life/friends, the differences become far too obvious, and even difficult.
I find myself wondering, too, as people I know in Pittsburgh are moving on to new places, who I will still know in the years to follow. I also find myself mentally planning trips to visit some of those friends I haven't seen in far too long - to New York, to Virginia, to Wisconsin, to Illinois, to Arizona, to Oregon, to Michigan, to Ohio, to Florida, to wherever else people now reside...TOO MANY PLACES, NOT ENOUGH MONEY!! And having no car doesn't help much either...
So my reflections are certainly nothing new and profound. I suppose I pose them more as a question as to how to best avoid (or embrace?) drifting apart, losing touch, changing.
