Friday Five

1. Spent the Fourth of July weekend with Rachel, Joe and Zeke. Did the same thing in 2009, so it must be a new tradition. I love that even though we both live in the Metroplex, I pack an overnight bag and stay over all weekend. It's like going out of town.
   
   
2. I'm rereading the Harry Potter books, and man, is Goblet of Fire dark and devastating. And knowing what comes next in Order of the Phoenix, Rowling planted the seeds for that oppressive atmosphere perfectly with inaccurate Potter stories in the paper and Ministry staff troubles.
   
   
3. I'm watching the Community marathon on NBC. I love this ridiculously goofy show! The episode "Modern Warfare" was one of the best episodes of TV all season, and "Physical Education" (THE pool game) is still funny. And the college mascot is the Human Being.
   
   
4. Who is enjoying the break in the heat? Saw fireworks last Saturday night and could have used a light jacket. Love it!
   
   
5. Not much else going on. To be honest, I love being lazy on my work-free weeknights. I'm flying through books and catching up on TV shows. And cooking dinner.
   

Friday Five

I keep forgetting to blog!

1. So last Thursday I went with some friends to see Idina Menzel at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. That woman knows how to command a stage. She sang "Poker Face" from GLEE, which is not a song you would ever associate with the symphony. She closed with "Defying Gravity" of course. But my favorite song was an a cappella version of "For Good," also from WICKED. She even dropped her mic, so it was just her natural voice filling the Meyerson. I almost cried. And just thinking about it gives me chills. We bought the cheap seats behind the orchestra, but it was worth it, even though Idina's back was to us most of the time. So that is what I was doing last Thursday night instead of blogging. I think you can forgive me. And this Thursday I was working and didn't get home until almost 10 p.m.
   
   
2. By the way, loved doing something social on a Thursday instead of working. I did give up my WICKED ticket last night because of a work conflict, but I have already seen the show. And I've heard this touring cast underwhelms.
   
   
3. I just finished reading the book "Devil in the White City" about the Chicago World's Fair and a charming local serial killer . What I learned: the Ferris Wheel is so named after the engineer who designed it for the World's Fair; Shredded Wheat cereal made it's debut at the Fair; the Pledge of Allegiance originated because one man thought it would be a good idea if all the school children recited something in unison to observe Columbus Day and acknowledge Dedication Day of the Fair.
   
   
4. Loving me some "30 for 30" documentaries on ESPN. I've only seen three, but they've all been excellent.
   
   
5. I finally bought a bookcase for my living room. The absence of boxes make the place feel more like home.
   
   

Friday Five

1. I grew accustomed to not blogging over the last two months, and I forgot to blog last week. Oops. I don't have much life news to share.
   
   
2. Our office was closed Friday and Monday for Memorial Day weekend. Awesome. I didn't have many plans, and that is how I wanted it. After eight straight working weekends and three Relay weekends in a row, it was great to do nothing. The weekend also announced that summer is officially here. Janie and I played tennis and barely lasted 30 minutes. Too hot. So we've moved our weekly game from Sunday afternoon to Friday evening.
   
   
3. Love this photo! Love that the Maldives government held an underwater cabinet meeting to draw attention to the dangers of global warming. Talk about creativity.
   
   
4. The French Open started two weeks ago, and my fave player - Rafael Nadal - is expected to advance to the final and win his fifth Roland Garros title. Yay! Catch some tennis this weekend on NBC. Neither female finalist has ever played in a Grand Slam final, so expect some shaky, nervous tennis.
   
   
5. I need some reading suggestions. If you've read a good book lately, put it in the comments. I devoured the final Lisbeth Salander (Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) book over the weekend. Ready for something new.
   

Friday Five: It's Back

1. Wow. I haven't blogged since March. Life definitely got busy around that time. Relay consumed me. I've worked every weekend since April and the past three weekends have been Relay events. Relay is from 7 p.m. - 7 a.m. on Friday, so it took a lot out of me. But I think I've caught up on my sleep. Caffeine is keeping me up at night (that hasn't happened since March) and this morning I work up fully rested an hour before my alarm was set. And next week I start exercising again. I really think my strategy of not waking up before 8 a.m. sped up my recovery.
   
   
2. Here are a few pictures from my last Relay. We had to move indoors because of inclement weather, but everyone still showed up. It was great! It would cross into the awesome category if I had achieved my income goal. (If anyone has a spare $50,000 they would like to donate to the American Cancer Society, you can be my BFF.)
   
   
3. I did see Patty Griffin in concert in April (?). She was awesome! She closed with "Up to the Mountain," my favorite song. Ready to see Indina Menzel at the Symphony next month.
   
   
   
   
4. Despite all my night meetings, I have managed to keep up with all the TV shows I watch. Random thoughts. Cannot believe LOST is ending on Sunday. It's the end of an era! So not in to the Office this year. Haven't watched the last three episodes, including the finale. I don't think I like the new Doctor (Who). Something about this character is unlikeable, which I never felt about David Tennant's Doctor. Loving Party Down this season. And loving that you can stream it free on Netflix. Still bothered by the recorded musical numbers in GLEE because background noises - clapping, stomping, cast reactions - aren't included and take away from the authenticity of the performances. That said, the Madonna episode was awesome, as was NPH and the entire "Dream On" episode. Joss Whedon is a TV god.
   
   
5. Haven't been reading. Anyone have any recommendations for me?
   

Friday Five

1. Saturday is Passport Day! I have a firm belief that everyone should possess a valid passport. You never know when the opportunity to travel will present itself, and you always want to be able to GO! On Saturday, passport agencieswill be open from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., no appointment necessary. (Not all agencies are open on Saturday and usually require appointments.) Take advantage of this opportunity! If not for the opportunity to travel, then for the cost. The State Department has proposed new passport fees, and if they go into effect, new passports will cost $135 (instead of $100) and renewals will cost $110 (instead of $75.)
   
   
2. I had a birthday dinner with my family last Saturday. Because I was skiing on my actual birthday, I thought I had missed out on my annual cookie cake. I may be 31 years old, but I still require a cookie cake for my birthday. For my 30th, I had two! Thanks to my Mom for remembering.
   
   
3. I encourage you all the buy the new She & Him album, Volume Two. In full disclosure, I
   have not listened to it yet. (I thought I downloaded it twice, but iTunes had a glitch. Imagine my disappointment two mornings in a row when I planned on listening to the new album on the way to work.) But I love, love, love Volume One. Listening to their music is like being transported to Paris in springtime. Who doesn't want that? The She of She & Him is actress Zooey Deschanel. One more reason to love her. Just go ahead and buy both albums. You won't regret it.
   
   
   
4. In just over a week, Lent will be over and so will my fast of caffeine and carbonated drinks. Last week I was bored of drinking water. This week I'm used to it. But I am looking forward to having my first Diet Dr. Pepper from Sonic after 40+ days.
   
   
5. I don't know if I have mentioned on this blog how much I love the Vulture blog from New York Magazine. For all you LOST watchers, they have an episode recap AND compile a list of their favorite LOST theories. Check it out. WARNING: They did not like this week's episode.
   

Friday Five

1. College Humor does a nice job making fun of several of the Oscar-nominated movies in this collection of posters. Check it out.
   
   Honest Movie Titles: Oscars 2010 on CollegeHumor
   
   
2. Had a great time skiing last weekend. Trip was cut short by a winter storm expected to bring 18 inches of snow overnight. We decided to not stick around for that. I love skiing. Want to do more of it.
   
   
3. Finally, in the eleventh week of 2010, I read my first two weeks of the year. Can't believe it took me so long. One I started the final week of 2009. So I turned that into a streak and made a trip to the library. Here's hoping the reading continues.
   
   
4. In honor of Kathryn Bigelow's success at the Oscars, I'm watching all her previous films. Through this process I have voluntarily subjected myself to a Keanu Reeves film. I had no idea he starred in a movie with Patrick Swayze. Kathryn creates suspense well and frames scenes well.
   
   
5. Micheal and Darryl simultaneously saying, "That's what she said" = AWESOME!
   

Friday Five

1. Recently discovered a fun Canadian TV show called "Being Erica." It's about a 30ish woman with career, romantic and family drama. A "therapist" finds her after an accident and helps her take charge of her life my sending her back in time to fix her mistakes. Time travel dramedy. Sounds kind of cheesy, but it's not. Erica - and the actress that plays her - is awesome! She's not perfect, but she's strong and likable. Give it a try on Hulu.
   
   
2. The Oscars came and wen,t and the Hurt Locker prevailed. I've written about this excellent film before, so now that it's won the Oscar for best picture and director, will you see it? I knew Sandra Bullock was going to win, and even though I don't feel it's deserved, she gave the best acceptance speech I've heard in years. Funny, heartfelt and authentic. Makes the win more bearable. I was 18/24 with my Oscar predictions. Not bad. How about you?
   
   
3. Going skiing this weekend! Yippee. Just New Mexico this time, so the trip is shorter. Foot still bothering me, but I think it will hold up.
   
   
4. The second week of the month is my busiest because I work regular hours and also Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights. And this week also included a Wednesday evening meeting. Until Wednesday afternoon, when my Wednesday meeting was canceled. It's amazing how much joy I felt in that cancellation. When I'm in Relay mode, I almost don't think twice about scheduling meetings at night or on the weekends (I have Saturday morning and Friday evening appointments in the next month.) I always look forward to the slow summer. Which is the complete opposite of my job in Lubbock.
   
   
5. Maybe I'll pick up a book on my ski trip, which I haven't done since the last time i went skiing. In December. Crazy. I know. It's March!