about me

Loren sent me this forward last week asking me to answer a few questions about her. It was fun so I sent it to a few friends and family members. These were the responses, some of which I find quite amusing. I've decided to add my thoughts on some of the answers.

MOM
Where did we meet: At the Natchitoches Parish Hospital
Take a stab at my middle name: Anne
Do I smoke: NO, you'd better not! duh
Color of my eyes: I'll say hazel, but you'd say green Definitely green, Mom
Do I have any siblings: 2 sisters and 4 brothers
What's one of my favorite things to do: sleep, be with little kids, especially your nieces and nephews all correct!
What's my favorite type of music: Frank Sinatra and 50's, 60's guys like that I actually prefer the modern knock-offs like Michael Buble and Harry Connick, Jr., but yes, I like that type of music
Am I shy or outgoing: It depends who you are with SO TRUE!
Am I a rebel or do I follow the rules: You like to think of yourself as a rebel, but thankfully you are pretty well-grounded when it comes to following the most important rules like the commandments. Once again, very true
Any special talents : I love to hear you play the piano. I also like the way you try to be sensitive to other people and their feelings. Aw, thanks!
How many children do I have: None of course, but how many do you want? I'm guessing 5 5 is about right
If you and I were stranded on a desert island, what is one thing that I would bring: Your pillows Amen! Good answer.

BECKY
Where did we meet: when you were born!
Take a stab at my middle name: Anne
Do I smoke: No, of course not!
Color of my eyes: green
Do I have any siblings: yep, six!
What's one of my favorite things to do: watch movies and talk to my sisters on the phone True, true
What's my favorite type of music: country or whatever is playing on the radio Wrong! I never listen to the radio anymore
Am I shy or outgoing: hmm...shy if you don't know people Correct!
Am I a rebel or do I follow the rules: both! A rebel sometimes, but you follow the rules that need to be followed! Correct!
Any special talents : great piano player, good with children and funny Thanks!
How many children do I have: none yet
If you and I were stranded on a desert island, what is one thing that I would bring: your laptop! Can't live without it! So true but there had better be wireless on that island.

LOREN
Where did we meet: Weaver ELEM mmhmm.
Take a stab at my middle name: Anne
Do I smoke: Nope
Color of my eyes: Green
Do I have any siblings: Yep, 4 bros and 2 sisters
What's one of my favorite things to do: Shoot guns Haha, yes, a new favorite
What's my favorite type of music: jazz right now? But most likely country all the time. I do love jazz right now, but country is not a favorite!
Am I shy or outgoing: OUTGOING depends on who I'm with
Am I a rebel or do I follow the rules: rule follower Yeah, for the most part
Any special talents : Speaking in British accents and impersonating Oprah. (Laughs out loud) Loren and I have lots of inside jokes.
How many children do I have: Zip Zero Nada None
If you and I were stranded on a desert island, what is one thing that I would bring: Robert Downey Jr. Oooh baby SO true!

MARY
Where did we meet: when Mom brought you home from the hospital
Take a stab at my middle name: Anne
Do I smoke: I'd kick your butt Haha I just got that!
Color of my eyes: smoky green I'm not sure about the smoky part
Do I have any siblings: uh...yeah
What's one of my favorite things to do: watch movies Now it sounds like I don't have a life
What's my favorite type of music: country WRONG!!!
Am I shy or outgoing: outgoing, very good at involving everyone, including those that are shy Once again, depends on who I'm with
Am I a rebel or do I follow the rules: totally a rebel, but in a good and funny way Hehe
Any special talents: writing in a very frank and entertaining style, including people in social situations, being a loyal and devoted friend. Thank ye!
How many children do I have: several are a twinkle in your eye right now...or do you just say that for men? Oh no mams I am for reals!
If you and I were stranded on a desert island, what is one thing that I would bring: a portable DVD player What about the DVDs? :p

ANNA
Where did we meet: how am i supposed to remember. u met me first, i probably spit on u, haha Oh Anna, you slay me
Take a stab at my middle name: anne with an e, lol Right you are, missy!
Do I smoke: i hope things haven't changed that much...No No, they haven't changed that much
Color of my eyes: uh oh, blue! WRONG!! tisk tisk.
Do I have any siblings: just 6 of em
What's one of my favorite things to do: listen to music/soccer I do love listening to music but soccer is not so much a favorite any more
What's my favorite type of music: now this one i'm not sure...country! WRONG!!!!
Am I shy or outgoing: too outgoing some might say! haha. love ya, but you can be shy... Oh come now.
Am I a rebel or do I follow the rules: you're a wanna be rebel, so yes rebel. I'll give you some points for this one.
Any special talents : kick butt goalie! great friend. ooh la la, pianist! I don't know about my goalie talents these days, but thanks anyways!
How many children do I have: pshhh, none
If you and I were stranded on a desert island, what is one thing that I would bring: emily your reversible doll...haha, naw kidding, but an ipod or mp3 playa! Kudos for the Emily suggestion

So, all in all, y'all did a pretty good job - except for the whole favorite music part! I guess everyone thinks country is my favorite because I like countrified stuff, but no, it's definitely not my favorite type of music. I love all kinds of music so it's hard to put a finger on a favorite, but I do love 50s swing-type music and jazz (especially Duke, Dizzy, Miles, Brubeck, Ella, and of course Satchmo). Also Nickel Creek bluegrass type stuff and anything with killer piano and/or fiddle parts. And John Legend (r&b singer - bet ya didn't expect that one!) and definitely Johnny Cash (which isn't really country). And tons more I can't think of now.... To quote someone whose name I can't remember, "Music should make you want to sing, dance, or pray". Amen, brotha.

the name's bond, james bond

Last night I went with a few friends to see the new James Bond movie, 'Quantum of Solace', at midnight. Although it was late and I have so much schoolwork to do, I just had to go. First of all, I haven't been to the movies in two months (which is a really long time especially since I went to the movies once a week this past summer), second of all, I needed a break from the real world, and thirdly, Daniel Craig is kind of the bomb diggity. And every second of lost sleep and the 50% I got on my animal science quiz this morning was totally worth it.

Let me explain myself. I really like watching good movies, I guess it's like a lame hobby that I have or something, and going to the theater is definitely the best way to enjoy a good movie. Midnight viewings are my favorite, because even though it's late you know it's worth it because only people who really want to see and enjoy the movie would be crazy enough to go that late and therefore you don't have the usual rude whispering, texting people getting up every twenty minutes to get more popcorn and go to the bathroom or annoying middle and high schoolers who only come to canoodle with their forbidden boyfriends or girlfriends unbeknownst to their parents. And then there's the whole superior mindset that you get to see the movie before most everyone else, so you can talk about it the next day amidst your droopy eyes and yawns.

More explaining - I don't go to the midnight showing for every movie I want to see, just the ones that I know won't disappoint. Now with the James Bond movies that's a special case. Before Casino Royale came out in 2006, the handful of Bond movies I had seen were utterly wretched. Sean Connery is classic, but I never cared for all the sexual innuendo and cheesy dialogue. And Pierce Brosnan - gag me with a stick (I haven't seen any of the Roger Moore ones or whoever the other two were that no one remembers so I can't hate on them, but I'm pretty sure they're not much better). But this new Bond, Daniel Craig, is awesome, and his movies have become more action-packed and visually stunning and less perverted and corny. Many of the fans of the original movies dislike the new Bond because he's more of an action hero and less of a fornicator, in my personal opinion. Deal with it. Blonde is the new Bond, baby. He is ripped, rugged, his eyes are piercing, and Mary's personal favorite - he purses his lips (haha).

Enough about him. The movie itself is pretty doggone amazing, and it has just about everything you could ask for in an action movie - a car chase, boat chase, motorcycle chase, airplane chase, and a few plain ole running on foot chases - and that's just the chases. There were plenty of great fight scenes, some that were very Bourne Ultimatum-esque, and of course there was the usual villain trying to take over the world. So yeah, definitely worth the $7 (hooray for student discounts!) and previously stated consequences. And don't you worry, I'll probably be over this little obsession within a week or two. Now the real question is why am I still up at 12:30 the night after? I'm so sleepy.............

you can vote however you like

Check out this video I saw the other day. These kids are quite impressive.



Happy Veteran's Day! Remember the reason for the season.

voting stinks

I got my absentee ballot in the mail today. Maybe most of you were excited to vote in your first presidential election, but I sure am not. There are NINE parties to choose from, but every single person with his or her name on this ballot is a BOZO. I got quite a chuckle from seeing the candidates of the the Louisiana Taxpayers Party - Ron Paul and Barry Goldwater, Jr. No, not because Ron Paul found a way to get onto the ballot but because I have fond memories of digging through Mom's stuff and seeing a 'Goldwater '64' pin when I was younger. So maybe I should vote for them - NOT. Maybe I should vote for the Prohibition party, best known for its historic opposition to the sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages. Or the Constitution party, which aims to reflect the principles of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights. That sounds good to me, since apparently everyone else wants to change what our founding fathers put in place. What about the Green Party? Well, since I'm not a hippie or a lesbian and I'm an advocate of women shaving their underarms I'm gonna have to say no (both of the candidates for this party are women - also another turnoff). Definitely not going to vote for the Socialism and Liberation or Socialist Workers parties, because they're socialists, of course. So I guess that rules out the the Democratic party as well. That leaves me with the Independent party and the Republican party. Good ole' Ralph Nader, running in his umpteenth election, gets an 'A' for effort but not my vote. So by process of elimination I'm going to vote for John McCain. I think he is a jerk and old as dirt, but at least he's experienced and shares more of my views than any other candidate.

So yeah, this whole thing is retarded. For me, this election isn't about voting for who I want, it's about voting against who I don't want. And the person I don't want is Barack Obama. There, I said it. I don't want Barack Obama to be my president! I know I'm not as politically savvy as some of y'all, and I don't claim to be, but from what I do know about Obama, I don't particularly care for him - to put it nicely. I saw this little slogan the other day and it made me laugh:

NObama '08 - you can keep the Change

So that's my political post for the year (hopefully). I'm grimacing as I'm bubble in the circle next to John McCain/Sarah Palin. I just have to remember that I'm proud to be a CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN and I like guns, unborn babies, and marriage between a man and a woman. We'll see what happens in a week to determine whether I move to Canada or not.

history dilemma

So in the midst of midterms it's time to start thinking about next semester since I will be scheduling soon. I LOVE picking new classes and planning out my schedule. I plan on taking two or three history classes but there are so many to choose from! I've narrowed down my choices quite a bit but I still can't decide. Help me choose by letting me know what y'all think would be the most interesting.

Hist 4004: Rome of the Caesars (T Th 12:00 - 1:30)From the death throes of the Republic and the assassination of Julius Caesar to the Golden Age of Augustus, the Principate of the early dynasties, the military monarchy and the rise of Christianity, leading to the New Rome of Constantine. Political and military developments provide the framework, but due attention is given to Roman society and culture; Roman relations with other peoples (allies and subject peoples, but also Rome's external enemies); Latin literature; the absorption of the Greek world, and the changing shape of the Imperial City itself. Two midterms and a final exam; two five-page research papers (or one paper and a class project); moderate reading load (mainly selections from ancient historiographers and imperial biographies). One or two film presentations. Prof. Steven Ross (I had this guy for Western Civ to 1500 and he is a pretty good teacher).

Hist 4022: France Since 1770 (T Th 9:00-10:30)This course covers the principal political, social, economic, and intellectual developments in France during the last two and a half centuries. Special emphasis is on two topics: how the government evolved from absolute monarchy to republic, with interruptions for constitutional monarchy and empire, and how the French people experienced the social and economic changes resulting from this political upheaval. Required reading: four books; required testing: midterm examination and final examination. Prof. Benjamin Martin.

Hist 4052: American Revolution, 1763-1789 (T Th 10:30 - 12:00)At the conclusion of the Seven Years’ War, the British Empire in North America stood at its zenith. Yet within twenty years after the end of that war, most of Great Britain’s colonial possessions in continental North America had been violently and conclusively separated from the empire. History 4051 examines the origins of this conflict, the directions that it took, and the contentious new nation that it produced. Among the topics considered are political theory and ideology; political and social conflict; the lives of common people; war; and the Constitution. We will hone our skills in analyzing these people, places, themes, and events through readings from documents and scholarly texts, short writing assignments, group debates, a midterm essay, a research paper, and a final exam. Prof. Mark Thompson.

Hist 4055: The Civil War (T Th 10:30-12:00)A lecture course on the history of the American Civil War (1861-1865). The course includes both political and military subjects from the origins of Southern secession to the beginning of postwar Reconstruction. Readings include a basic narrative text and shorter, specialized paperbacks. There are two essay examinations—a midterm and a final. The final exam covers the entire course. This course is also listed as Military Science 4055. Military strategy and engagements comprise approximately 40% of the class time. There are two 80-minute class meetings per week. Prof. Charles Royster.

History 4071: The Antebellum South (T Th 9:00-10:30) This course covers the history of the American South from the colonial period to 1861. Topics that receive particular attention include: slavery from its beginnings to the mature institution, with treatment of origins, the slave world, and the master-slave relationship; the nature of the southern economy; the white social order; the southern mind; political history from the Revolution to the breakup of the Union, emphasizing the connection between the South and the nation. Prof. William Cooper.

Hist 4073: Louisiana to 1815 (T Th 10:30 - 12:00)Political, economic, and social development of early Louisiana. Essay exams; possible project. Prof. Paul Hoffman.

Hist 4140: The Vietnam War (T Th 3:00-4:30) French colonial rule and Vietnamese nationalism; Ho Chi Minh and the war against the French (1946-1954); The National Liberation Front (Vietcong); process of American involvement and disengagement; counter-insurgency and the air war; anti-war movement in the United States; reasons for failure of American policy; Vietnam since 1975; lessons and legacies for the U.S. Prof. Stanley Hilton (I have this guy for WWII right now and he is a great teacher).

Hist 4197: Scandals in American History (T Th 12:00 - 1:30)Beginning with Benedict Arnold (the first "American" traitor) and ending with President William J. Clinton's sex scandal while in office, this class will ask how scandals reflect the changing political conditions of democracy. We will examine not only why scandals happen, but how these controversies act as a public forum for debating some of the most fundamental issues of democratic politics. Political scandals have never been merely personal tragedies. As public events capable of triggering moral and legal crises, they can be understood (in the words of the British scholar John Thompson) as "political struggles fought out in the symbolic realm." In most instances, scandals contribute to the ongoing debate over what is dangerous to American democracy, invoking (at times exaggerating, even distorting) palpable fears of deceit and secrecy, sexual disorder, racial impurity, social violence, tyranny and anarchy. As we will see, political scandals are more than an entertaining sideshow to the normal activities of democratic governance. By creating a public and national forum, they shape the shifting norms on state power and constitutional authority, the moral expectations for political leadership, and the very language of nationhood. There will be three take-home exams. Required readings: John Marszalek, The Petticoat Affair (2000); Michael Les Benedict, The Impeachment and Trial of Andrew Johnson (1973); Eric Rauchway, Murdering McKinley (2003); James Madison, A Lynching in the Heartland (2001); Keith W. Olsen, Watergate: The Presidential Scandal that Shook America (2003). Additional readings in course packet. Prof. Nancy Isenberg.

video links

So apparently some of y'all weren't able to view these videos I embedded, so I'll just post the links for your viewing pleasure. Here is the Lawrence Welk one:

http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/clips/the-lawrence-welk-show/727501/

Here's the 'Can We Get Playback on That?' one:

http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/clips/haunted-house/40717/

Here's another video Bishop Deford recommended - in honor of Momma:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D8uu5NSLTY&feature=related

Enjoy.

spaced out

Enough with the bathroom humor. I took an astronomy class my freshman year (which I loved!) and my teacher told us about this website called 'Astronomy Picture of the Day'. I found a gadget that let me put it on my blog so everyone can check it out. If you hadn't noticed, it's below my 'About Me' section. If you click on the picture it shows you a much larger version and tells you a little background info. I found this picture the other day that shows what Earth looks like at night:


I also found this supercool site that has all of the pictures that the Hubble Space Telescope has taken. All of the pictures are nothing short of amazing. I don't understand how anyone could not believe in a higher power after seeing these. Anywho, check them out at http://heritage.stsci.edu/gallery/gallery.html and let me know which one is your favorite.

can we get playback on that?

The other day I remembered this skit I saw on SNL a couple of years ago. I thought I'd share it to give y'all a laugh or two:

the lawrence welk show

I know Tina Fey as Sarah Palin is getting all of the publicity on Saturday Night Live recently, but this skit had Erica and me rolling on the floor laughing the other night. I don't know if y'all will find it as funny, but I've watched it like five times and I still can't stop laughing each time I see it. Enjoy!

blinky

Sunday night before Tim and I had to head back to Baton Rouge I wanted to get some pictures with my favorite little nephews east of the Mississippi. Matthew, of course, is a pro when it comes to this:

But it took quite a few tries for my little Nugger Bugger:

Nope! Wrong again! Getting a little better! At least he's smiling in this one.Almost perfect....

Finally!

I know these guys would do this for me any day, but it sure helped that I bribed them with AirHeads and my old Beanie Babies!

I love being an auntie (isn't Jonathan's shirt the coolest? I wish I had one like it)!