Party Like It's 1984

This past weekend was a weekend that I needed and was definitely a long time in the making. I was invited to a 40th Birthday Party on Saturday. All attendees were required to dress in their best rags from the 70's or 80's. I decided on 70's Hippie. My date (and everyone else for that matter) did 80's Crush Groove. The evening was full eating, dancing (Lord, that is another blog), and reminiscing about the the past.

Do you remember...

1. Now and Laters
2. Pop Rocks
3. Boston Baked Beans
4. Lemon Heads
5. Sugar Daddy's
6. Charleston Chews
7. Candy Cigarettes
8. Mary Janes

What about....

1. Crush Groove
2. Fat Boys
3. Run DMC
4. Purple Rain (God, I love that movie)
5. Asymmetric Hair Cut
6. Bamboo Earrings
7. Human Beat Box
8. Adidas Outfits
9. Madonna
10. Flashdance

Kung Fu Panda

While it wasn't Beauty and the Beast or my absolute favorite The Little Mermaid, Kung Fu Panda was a cute one. This story about Po (voiced by Jack Black) who dreams of being trained by the greatest Kung Fu master in all of the Valley of Peace. The only problem is that he is a clumsy and very overweight panda. Yeah, yeah as the plot would have it, Po is the "Dragon Warrior" (of course he doesn't know it) and is destined to fight the Evil One (Tai Lung) and save all of the valley. Po just has to overcome his many obstacles: he doesn't know any Kung Fu, he doesn't have any confidence in himself and he has to gain the support and trust of everyone.

Typical storyline, but I won't ruin it for you. I mentioned Kung Fu Panda because it was a film that your entire family can see. It didn't have any adult innuendos or sex themes. The film was funny in all the right (typical) places and parents can rest assured that they won't have to explain anything to the little ones when the film is over.

Wisdoms of Our Fathers

Yesterday, the world lost a great, great man. Tim Russert the Washington, DC Bureau Chief and Moderator of Meet the Press died of a sudden and massive heart attack. He died doing what he loved to do. He died preparing for his show Meet the Press.

As a child of the Washington, DC news circuit, Tim Russert's face was one of those faces you expected to see. You expected to see him because he was a local guy. He was a good guy. You expected to see him on your television, asking some politician to explain the various inconsistencies in their words. Whether he was talking to our local mayor or the President, we could always depend on Tim to be stern but kind. We knew he would be direct and at the same time comforting.

What is so overwhelmingly poignant is that he has passed and right before Father's Day. It is so poignant because people who knew Tim knew that he loved his family. He made us all love his dad (Big Russ) and his own son (Luke). He lived for those two men.

With his sudden loss, I can say that Tim Russert has taught me a lesson in the way he lived his life. He has taught me to live my life being accountable to something and to someone. He has taught me to hold others accountable as well. He has also reminded me that life is so very short and that it sometimes takes us down unexpected roads. Mr. Russert has reminded me that we should continue to embrace life...live.

Tim Russert, it has certainly been a pleasure, you were a wise man indeed. A father figure to us all. You will be missed.

My New Crown

For the summer I have decided to try something different with my hair. I've decided to get it braided. I grappled (for weeks) with what kind of style I would get and who I would get to do it. Once I decided what I wanted and who was going to do it, I had to then find out what was required to get the style. K (the lady that braided my hair and also does my cousin's hair) told me that I was going to need 2 packs of Yaki 100% Human Hair. I almost fell back when the man in the beauty supply shop told me the hair would cost me $49.99 a pack! But since I was dealing with my hair, I absorbed the shock and plunked down the $106. I got a darker version of the bundle pictured below.

I interviewed every person (their mother, my cousin, and the neighbor) who I have ever seen with their hair braided. I wanted to know everything, even though I already did my own research online. How long does it take to have your hair braided? How long does it last? What kind of shampoo will I need to wash my hair? Does the process hurt? What should I be aware of? After arming myself with all the info I thought I needed...I took the plunge.

Yesterday was the day. K started braiding my hair at 8:15 am and she finished at 2:45 pm. I didn't use all of the hair she made me buy, but I don't have enough left over to return what I didn't use. When she was done I thought I might have needed a Tylenol, but I resisted. I don't know if I like it yet. Is that bad? I have it styled like the model in the picture.

My Stomach Hurts...

and that is because I have been laughing non stop for about an hour. It is no secret that I love to laugh. Laughter is indeed good. I just finished reading every single entry of my latest muse Stuff Christians Like. The author of this blog is a Christian, but he isn't an ordinary one. He is actually... funny. My biggest complaint about people in the Christian faith is that they are way too serious when it comes to the presentation of their message. Prodigal Jon (yep, that's his name. See I told you he was funny.) has a lot to say. The entries about Evander Holyfield and Butt Wear are hysterical. A lot of what he has to say is serious, but he doesn't take himself to seriously. I like that. His message comes across much better for it. Check out Prodigal Jon when you get a chance, click on the link under my favorites.

Headlines in Sports

I am not really a sport fanatic, but I try to keep up so that I can participate in the conversations at the water cooler. These are the conversations that I will participate in this upcoming week.

Farewell to Jim McKay, the man who made me having to watch sports on television as a kid tolerable. He is the man who made the phrase "the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat," enter pop culture. As an adult, it has amazed me that I have held all other sportscasters to the standard that he has set. GOLD.

The Record that Wasnt to Be. Big Brown came in dead last at the Belmont Stakes. His odds of winning Belmont was 1-4. Maybe we will have a Triple Crown winner next year.

Barry Bonds and his lawyers entered not guilty pleas on all 15 of the various charges stemming from the 2003 Steriod Investigation. He ended the season last year a free agent. The 2008 Season is underway and every team decided to pass.

The Home Stretch

I can see it. I can see the end of the 2007-2008 school year coming to a close.

I could talk about all the wonderful students I had. How the time flew by. All the laughs and wonderful teaching moments that occurred. Maybe next week, after I get to sleep for 12 hours straight, I'll be able to do that.

Right now I am just plain exhausted and need to concentrate, so that I can cross the finish line.

That is all I have to say about that.

Memorial Day 2008

No matter what your personal feelings are on the war in Afghanistan and Iraq, you have to respect the men and women who have signed up to fight in America's name. I am home right now (after just having left a gathering with friends) and my mind turns to those who will no longer be able gather with friends. They shouldn't be forgotten.

LCPL Patrick R. Adle Bel Air
LCPL Norman W. Anderson III Parkton
PV2 Michael V. Bailey Waldorf
SPC Thomas J. Barbieri II Gaithersburg
CPL Samuel M. Boswell Elkridge
SFC Collin J. Bowen Millersville
LCPL David M. Branning Cockeysville
SPC Ari D. Brown-Weeks Glen Burnie
CPL Dale A. Burger Bel Air
SPC Armer N. Burkart Rockville
SGT Jonathan D. Cadavero Takoma Park
CPL Eric T. Caldwell Salisbury
SSG Damion G. Campbell Baltimore
FN Jakia S. Cannon Baltimore
SGT Alessandro Carbonaro Bethesda
CPL Bernard L. Ceo Baltimore
SSGT Walter F. Cohee III Mardela Springs
SGT Brian R. Conner Baltimore
CPL Brandon M. Craig Earleville
SSG Heathe N. Craig Severn
PV1 Brandon L. Davis Cumberland
SGT David J. Davis Mount Airy
PFC Justin R. Davis Gaithersburg
CPT John R. Dennison Ijamsville
SPC Thomas K. Doerflinger Silver Spring
SSG Jeremy W. Doyle Chestertown
PFC Amy A. Duerksen Aberdeen
SPC Raymond J. Faulstich Jr. Leonardtown
SSG Marion Flint Jr. Baltimore
SPC Jason C. Ford Bowie
SGT Maurice K. Fortune Forestville
SGT Kendell K. Frederick Randallstown
CW3 Thomas J. Gibbons Edgewater
SGM Cornell W. Gilmore I Baltimore
SPC Toccara R. Green Rosedale
PFC Robert A. Guy Willards
CSM Roger W. Haller Davidsonville
PFC Jonathan V. Hamm Baltimore
SSG Marlon B. Harper Baltimore
SPC Erik W. Hayes Cascade
SGT Edelman L. Hernandez Hyattsville
SSG Robert Hernandez Silver Spring
LCPL Eric W. Herzberg Severna Park
LCPL James W. Higgins Jr. Thurmont
PFC Eric M. Kavanagh Glen Burnie
PO2 Edward A. Koth Lutherville
SGT Thomas L. Latham Delmar
SSG Jay E. Martin Baltimore
SPC Micheal B. Matlock Jr. Glen Burnie
SSG Michael J. McMullen Salisbury
CPL Jason D. Mileo Pasadena
SPC George A. Mitchell Jr. Rawlings
CPT Adam G. Mooney Cambridge
SSG Christopher O. Moudry Baltimore
SGT Casey W. Nash Essex
1LT Gwilym J. Newman Waldorf
CPL Jennifer M. Parcell Bel Air
SSG James L. Pettaway Jr. Baltimore
SPC Michael J. Potocki Baltimore
CW3 Bruce E. Price Chevy Chase
SFC Neil A. Prince Baltimore
PO2 David S. Roddy Aberdeen
PO3 Manuel A. Ruiz Federalsburg
SGT Princess C. Samuels Mitchellville
CPL Joshua D. Snyder Hampstead
LCPL Matthew A. Snyder Finksburg
PFC Bryan N. Spry Chestertown
LCPL Michael L. Starr Jr. Baltimore
SFC James J. Stoddard Jr. Constantinople
SSG Christopher W. Swanson Rose Haven
SSG Jeffery C. Walker Havre de Grace
CPL Matthew P. Wallace Lexington Park
SSGT Kendall D. Waters-Bey Baltimore
CPL Justin J. Watts Crownsville
SSGT Dwayne E. Williams Baltimore
Maj. Douglas A. Zembiec Annapolis
CPL Nicholas L. Ziolkowski Towson

I'm In Love with Chris Matthews

Everyone who knows me, knows that I am a news junkie. I'm a junkie not because I am interested in the "fine, fair and balanced reporting" that I am probably not getting. I am a junkie because I love the drama, the tag lines, the attention getters and one liners that these reporters use to get the ratings. I love the showmanship. "Hillary lashes out against Obama, Hanna Montana speaks out about the drama of the photos. Star vs. Barbara. " Oh and let's not forget that the coverage is....LIVE (from one place or another).

Chris Matthews is different. He tells it like it is. He says what other folks won't say and he says it to the very people I have absolutely no trust or love for: Politricktians.

Today on the Chris Matthews Show, Chris basically broke it down for the audience (and his panel). He let us know what any politician running for President has to do in order to get elected. Here it is in a nutshell:

1. Tell Teachers that you will pay them more and cut out performance testing.
2. Tell Factory/Blue Collar workers that you will give them jobs and not send them over seas.
3. Tell Jews that you support Israel.
4. Tell women that you support Choice

5. Tell Blacks that you understand Slavery and that you support Civil Rights and equality.

Chris went on to say, "Every person running for political office knows this, how come this seems to be escaping Obama?"

God, I love Chris Matthews.

The Odd Thing about Today

I was in the grocery store this morning trying to decide which Mrs. Butterworth Pancake Syrup I was going to get, when a man said, "Excuse me Baby, can I get by you? Happy Mother's Day to you." OK, so this gentleman may have assumed (innocently) that I was a mom, so I said thank you and continued weighing my syrup options.

I ended up picking up a bottle of Karo Syrup instead and headed to the cashier. It was my turn to pay. The cashier greeted me, "Happy Mother's Day. You shouldn't be in here buying this today." He smiled and gave me my total. I payed. At the end of the transaction, the cashier handed me back my change and then said, "Now you go home and put your feet up. Enjoy the rest of your Mother's Day."

On my way to the car, I began to wonder, what does a "mother" look like? I don't "look" like one. Surely it isn't a coincidence that two men in a row assumed that I was a mom. Or maybe they were just playing it safe and wishing every female they saw a happy day?

The answer I settled on is that these men sensed the aura of all the mothers in my family surrounding me. I carry them with me. These mothers are beautiful, strong, graceful, headstrong, ambitious, and damned funny (no seriously, they keep me in stiches).

So to Novia, Vee, Paulette, Odelia, Oletha, Lisa (Pebbles), and Debbyanne ... I hope that you've enjoyed your day.