Random Wednesday Thoughts

Rochester welcomes back Rob and Leslie.... and little Phoebe born in November. Rob and Leslie are two good friends from Iowa State Music Hall that have been in New York living, working, going to school for the past 4 years. I am happy to have them both here again.

Iowa State Men's Basketball is back on their winning track with a victory over Nebraska. Unlike our pathetic football team, our basketball team knows how to close out a victory in Lincoln when you've been winning all game. Sorry to the Corn Husker side of my family (which is pretty much all of them) but most aren't as interested in college basketball as they are in college football. I still don't acknowledge the loss to Texas last week.... I think we sent our C squad out that day. Cyclones should be able to keep this pace and get a nomination for the big dance in March.

I won my camera auction finally. So I have my "replacement" camera from losing the one in China. Stupid cabs at 2:30 in the morning. It says "fast shipping" so we'll see if they can get it to me by Thursday when I head back to Cedar Rapids. Now that WOULD be fast!

I read today that Oprah's new book club addition was actually one I had read. Not that I actually read anything that she suggests... she hasn't told us which one is next (hopefully this is funny to the true Family Guy Fans out there). Seriously though, I rarely care what Oprah reads (or is read to) but I wanted to add that Elie Wiesel is one of the more emotional reads that you will have. His book that is added to her list is Night which is an account of his time as a child at Auschwitz during WWII. He miraculously escaped death but as you will find out, nobody that he knew or loved or saw survived. He has become an incredible speaker as well. Drew and I went to hear him speak probably 4 years ago in Rochester. It was right after Bush invaded Iraq so there was already tension in the air. Wiesel spoke of things he saw that he doesn't think should ever happen again. His book Trial of God is another favorite book of mine where three Jewish Rabbis begin a trial of God over him letting all the bad things happen to the Jewish people (who are historically known as "God's People") and in the end the message is the same that God gave to Job... Who am I to decide what is right and what is wrong in this world. Who am I to question what God does in this world as I know He can do anything and knows so much more than I ever will. It's a powerful message that can be learned and appreciated by Christians around the world.

It is sad to report that Brittany Murphy is engaged. Not saying that I care so much now that I have Hazel in my life..... but it's still sad to report;) And yes Christa, I still find Brittany Murphy "cute in that slutty, doped-up sort of way".

My sleep schedule is slowly returning to normal. I was given the suggestion of "more caffeine by day, more NyQuil by night". Somehow that just doesn't sound healthy.

Song of the Day - I really dig that new Kelly Clarkson song Because of You but I had to do a double take on the lyrics when I read them. Not at all what I thought the song would be about but still a quality song. I think she has more talent than the other current Girls of Rock or Pop. Plus she has more talent than any of the other winners of American Idol of Past. They should only show the reject episodes, then be done with it!

Video of the Day - I finished Gladiator which still kicks butt. I wish they'd redo it now that I think Joaquin/Jackie/Mannequin Phoenix can actually act. I thought he did much better in The Village and Walk the Line than he attempted to act in Gladiator (2000 in case you were wondering). He did fine in the dying part but the rest of the movie he is just creepy. Just my opinion for today.

Webpage of the Day - Can Art that's kind of cool.... Snoopy one is my favorite! I somehow remember trying to do something similar at the apartment in college using Busch Light cans but none of our designs were used for this effort unfortunately. I'll have to try harder next time.