1. Left Lane Drivers. What is going on with folks who insist on driving in the left lane even when there's no one in the right lane. Am I wrong about this being passing only? I am not.
2. The Miniseries/Made for TV Movie section of the Emmy's. No offense to Tom Hanks and Jack Kevorkian, but Ricky Gervais was the only highlight of this viewing speed bump. 3. Pink Eye. My vision is only now recovering from this pesky infection. And you know how I got it? Scott Baio. Name that obscure reference.
4. Door to Door Sales. Does that work anymore? Do they not watch 48 Hours Mystery or get scary email forwards that warn against answering such knocks?
5. iPhone 4.0. My phone has a proximity sensor issue which actually causes my face to dial other numbers while talking on the phone. Or open the iPod and start playing Jay-Z. But who needs a working mobile phone when you have Angry Birds and Netflix?
Anything you need to process through in the Comments section?
I'm constantly trying to manipulate the feelings of my coworkers.
With baked goods.
This week's persuasion was inspired by Fake Ginger's recipe for Cookies & Cream Cupcakes. Since I only had the baking powder box in the fridge soaking up deli meat aromas, I had to modify.
I used a white cake mix and simply stirred in the crushed Oreos.
And I used a baby Oreo because it's figgin' adorable.
The reviews were glowing. Especially because of that Oreo on bottom carrying the weight of my exploitation.
A recent article in the New York Times ruffled a few feathers. Specifically, some 20-somethings who were the target of criticism. I wish I could just point my mature and responsible finger at these entitled, Upward-basketball playing young adults who like trophies and N*Sync.
But I am not without condemnation.
A quote from the NYT piece: We’re in the thick of what one sociologist calls “the changing timetable for adulthood.” Sociologists traditionally define the “transition to adulthood” as marked by five milestones: completing school, leaving home, becoming financially independent, marrying and having a child.
Let's explore my progress in each of these areas:
1. Completing school. It wasn't always pretty, but I did this. Sometimes I want to go back to school but I think that has more to do with organizing a Trapper Keeper than getting another degree.
2. Leaving home. I did this at 18. And at 25. And at 28. It seems to have stuck that last time. But I wouldn't want to close any doors. Hi, Mom.
3. Becoming financially independent. Let's define "independent." If it doesn't include paying for a new home air conditioner or buying a house in your name only, then I'm in it to win it.
4. Marrying. Well... I'm trying. As is my mother.
5. Having a child. I'm thinking "adulthood" might be overrated.
So what about you? Are you an adult yet? How old were you when you crossed over?
The winner of the $30 Amazon Gift Card is... #414 is Karine Traverse who said "My name is Karine, supposed to be pronounced like Karin in German after my oma. Instead my mother pronounced it like a combo of her name Maureen and Karin pronounced Kah-Reen."
I like it.
My mom's name is Janice. I shall be henceforth known as Jamice.
Summer always wraps its fingers around my neck and waits.
The biggest events I plan for my day job are in June and August. And each time I pack up the last box in the car, I think...
Event planners go to the grave early to get some uninterrupted sleep.
Last week was a social worker conference. Here are some life lessons I'll be needlepointing on some pillows:
1. Hilton beds are like a full frontal hug from your 6th grade crush.
2. Microphones and sarcasm don't always play well together. 3. Bacon is the ideal condiment. 4. A chair massage can hurt so good like eating too much macaroni and cheese.
5. Loving your coworkers is like a bonus Jonas. {image: just.Luc}
Each weekend, I post a readable, a watchable, and a listenable of which I'm fond. You can choose what happens next. Earlier volumes can be found here.
Read & Watch I recently recommended To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, so I thought I'd recommend another Monroeville, AL resident - Truman Capote. I remember reading In True Blood in college on a whim. I also saw the movie Scream shortly after. I no longer invite fear into my life in such heavy doses. But if I could recommend the founding father of true crime novels - it's this.
On the same note - I watched Capote for the first time this week. Crazy good. Who knew the same Phillip Seymour Hoffman from Charlie Wilson's War and Almost Famous could transform so thoroughly? Now I know why he won the Oscar.Disclaimer: I watched it on TV so the R rating for bloody violence was slightly diluted.
Listen My Minister of Worship - Shawn - asked us to suggest songs to him on a comment card in the AM service. I forgot to do that. So this is my suggestion - Restless by Audrey Assad. And to you, might I suggest the whole album, The House You're Building, with a side of a front porch swing and a glass of lemonade?
Recommending Disclaimer: I don't suggest anything because I get it free or because I have some sort of illicit relationship with an author or producer or musician. I save all of those questionable dealings for owners of Chick-Fil-A.
I was reading a book this weekend and came across this:
Yep. I have a man's name.
Which is why:
I was mailed Boy's Life magazine as a kid.
I'm often referred to as Mr. in emails and letters.
Personalized "Jamie" items are always blue and weapons.
So in honor of my name being ambiguous, there's a giveaway.
$30 Amazon Gift Card.
How To Enter: Leave a comment answering the question: What's your name?
Feel free to elaborate on why you like it. Or not so much. Or how you ended up with it. **2 Extra Credit Entries** Each of the following will give you one extra entry in the giveaway. Please make sure to leave a separate comment for each thing you do!
1. "Like" Jamie's Rabbits on Facebook. 2. Be a follower of Jamie's Rabbits on Twitter. **You can accomplish both of these tasks by clicking on the links.**
Important Details: Open to anyone in the US. Must enter before 11:59pm CST on Monday, August 23 to qualify. Winner will be chosen randomly using Research Randomizer and announced on Tuesday. Obviously, anonymous folks can't win unless they leave a name in the comment. P.S. Amazon tracks my every move, but doesn't know me from Adam.
Each weekend, I post a readable, a watchable, and a listenable of which I'm fond. You can choose what happens next. Earlier volumes can be found here.
Read I've referenced this blog to friends no less than 5 times this week. And we're friends...right? Young House Love is a great Richmond couple with a new born nugget who write full-time about home decor, gift-giving, and all things DIY on a budget. But without looking cheap. You know who I'm talking about. Jump ahead 3 space straight to their delightful "How To"section.
Watch
I looked to my TiVo for inspiration this week. I record every single episode of Throwdown with Bobby Flay on the Food Network. In addition to my TV crush on Mr. Flay, I love his assistants Stephanie and Miriam. From what I've learned on this show, I've made some of my fave dishes ever - the brownies featured above, red velvet cupcakes, macaroni-n-cheese, and puffy tacos. Listen I've previously recommended The Civil Wars but I'm for real this time. They're on the brain since I'm headed to see them in a few hours. This song is one of my favorite covers of all the ones in the galaxy. You can download a free LP at their MySpace. They also have another delightful EP called Poison & Wine with the title track featured on Grey's Anatomy.
And I only want good things for them. Things like health and wealth and wisdom.
And clean diapers.
But I do think babies need some boundaries. Places that should be off limits.
1. Airplanes. Their inability to chew gum or hold their nose while blowing should be enough to get them stuck at security. However, I know "no infants allowed" is not realistic. So how about a section just for families? In the back. Behind a curtain.
2. Funerals. I'm already sad. 3. Restaurants. Dining establishments with playgrounds and paper tablecloths with crayons included are designed for little tots. That's why I don't go to there.
4. Movie Theaters. Umm...no.
5. Weddings. Let's not ruin an already awkward unity candle or PowerPoint photo collage with a screaming nugget.
Please feel free to judge me or high five me in the comments.
Each weekend, I post a readable, a watchable, and a listenable of which I'm fond. You can choose what happens next. Earlier volumes can be found here.
Read A few moons back I asked for your recommendations on reading andHunger Gamespopped up last week in the rotation. Hearted it. I knew I would because it's for young adults. You see, there's a special part of my brain reserved for Twilight, VC Andrews and Sweet Valley High. Yeah, really. Hunger Games is a scifi novel about a post-apocalyptic world where an annual event pits district representatives of the teen nature against each other in a contest for survival. Addictive. Watch I've already shared my passion for educational games played exclusively on beige bulky boxes. This unfortunately "fake" movie trailer provides many nods to a game I now play on my iPhone. LOL moment? cemetery plots.
Listen So You Think You Can Dance wraps this week. Sadness. But it continues to introduce me to music that gets my muffin moving all through the house. This week wasJanelle Monáewho sings the fabulous Tightrope. Her album, The ArchAndroid, is filled with delightful cuts including the must-download Cold War.
My Dad had surgery for skin cancer yesterday. And he is fine.
Other than he missed his afternoon retiree nap.
My lunchtime trip to the VA Hospital for his outpatient procedure was full of teachable moments.
1. Parking Deck Rage. I encountered 4 people who could not park well. Or drive at a reasonable speed. Or understand the directional arrows. However, if you have risked your life for this country, then thou shall not be judged for being a sucky driver.
2. Waiting Room Terror. Discovery Health's Mystery Diagnosis was playing on a loop on the TV. Umm...how about we not choose a show that leads into every commercial break with "Will he/she survive?" People sitting in a waiting room are sometimes asking themselves the same question.
3. Mystery Diagnosis. The conclusions to the episodes we saw were not really mysterious. If these doctors would just watch House, they could do their job a lot more efficiently.
4. Veteran Herding. One nurse asked "Are there any GI's not checked in?" I looked around to see if I was an extra in an Elvis movie.
5. Clean Bathrooms. I've never seen a women's restroom so tidy or unused. This is one time when past discrimination against female soldiers pays off.
6. Waiting Room Games. While waiting for my Dad to be called back, my mother suggested we play "Guess What War They Were In." We scanned the room, quietly guessing "Gulf War,""World War II" etc.Then this conversation commenced:
Dad:What war was I in? Me: (without hesitation)French Indian? Mom: JAMIE! He was not in the French Indian War! (pause) It was the Hundred Years War.(second pause) The whole thing.
