So long

I'm on vacation. See you next year.

Merry Christmas!

The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The LORD God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

...

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the LORD appeared to them, and the glory of the LORD shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Friday Funnies

Things that made me laugh this week:

"If I didn't care about you, I would pin you to this bed and we wouldn't leave it for a week...but I want this to be right."

"I have windchimes the same size as your earrings."

"If there are two things I love in this world, they are Vanessa's purse and your chili."

"I went to the bathroom. 3rd floor for number 2. Okay, too much info."

Righteous

All I want for Christmas...

...is Zach Braff. Okay, technically I don't want Zach Braff for Christmas, but someone kind of like him might be nice. Shanna told me that my Christmas gift to her should be a blog entry on why I dig Zach Braff so much. So here it is -- Merry Christmas, Shanna!

Zach (we're on a first-name basis) is just the kind of guy I fall for. Physically, he's cute but not hot. There's nothing that really makes him stand out from the rest of the crowd. And that's fine with me. I am intimidated by really good-looking men. I don't want to be with a man who would beat me in a beauty pageant. Nobody wants to be the girl who goes out with a guy and people look at her and say "why is he with her??" Not good. But he's got that intense look in his eyes. And I tend to be attracted to guys with his coloring -- dark hair, light skin, dark eyes.

But let's face it. Like most girls, looks are not the main selling point for me. Personality and character qualities are what make me melt. Now I don't know a whole lot about Zach's character qualities. That's the kind of thing you need to spend time with someone to find out about them. But his personality is definitely the kind I gravitate toward.

Let's start with sense of humor. This is probably one of the first things that attracts me to a man. Zach is funny, witty and sarcastic. But he's not arrogant, silly or foolish. I like smart humor. I'm much more likely to laugh at dry wit than a prat fall. Zach can be goofy, but is usually more quietly self-deprecating. I like that. I tend to bask in the spotlight and be the center of attention, so I need a man who is a little more low-key.

Now on to his serious side. He's smart, but in a normal way. He's not brilliant and he's not a know-it-all, but there's more to this guy than football and sex (in that order). I feel like we could have interesting conversations about everything from the Astros' latest acquisition to Kandinsky's influence on abstract art. Okay, that last part might be giving him too much credit, but you get the idea.

Did I mention the geek factor? Zach is definitely geeky. There's not really anything "cool" about him and he knows that and is okay with it. That shows confidence. He knows who he is and doesn't try to be somebody else. Plus I find that "geeks" usually have a quirky element that can be quite endearing.

Furthermore, Zach seems like he's strong and "all guy" but clearly has a sensitive and emotional side. One of the most attractive things to me is when a guy lets his guard down and shows me his vulnerability. I see the most strength in a man when I can see his weaknesses. And that is hot.

So there you have it. Shanna, I hope that helped explain my fascination with Zach Braff. I think it shows a lot of insight into the type of man I am attracted to.

I'm an anomoly

I'm officially weird, according to a new study.

That's right, 95 percent of Americans have had premarital sex.

The good news for me is that 99 percent of Americans have sex by the age of 44. So I guess some time in the next 17 years I can expect to get lucky.

12 Days of Calvinism

On the first day of Calvin my reformed friend explained to me the fallen nature of man.

On the second day of Calvin my reformed friend explained to me, "called and chosen" and the fallen nature of man.

On the third day of Calvin my reformed friend explained to me, John chapter six, "called and chosen" and the fallen nature of man.

On the fourth day of Calvin my reformed friend explained to me, Synod of Dordt, John chapter six, "called and chosen" and the fallen nature of man.

On the fifth day of Calvin my reformed friend explained to me, 5 GOLDEN POINTS!, Synod of Dordt, John chapter six, "called and chosen" and the fallen nature of man.

On the sixth day of Calvin my reformed friend explained to me, "world" isn't "world", 5 GOLDEN POINTS!, Synod of Dordt, John chapter six, "called and chosen" and the fallen nature of man.

On the seventh day of Calvin my reformed friend explained to me, predestination, "world" isn't "world", 5 GOLDEN POINTS!, Synod of Dordt, John chapter six, "called and chosen" and the fallen nature of man.

On the eighth day of Calvin my reformed friend explained to me, belief is a work, predestination, "world" isn't "world", 5 GOLDEN POINTS!, Synod of Dordt, John chapter six, "called and chosen" and the fallen nature of man.

On the ninth day of Calvin my reformed friend explained to me, errors of middle knowledge, belief is a work, predestination, "world" isn't "world", 5 GOLDEN POINTS!, Synod of Dordt, John chapter six, "called and chosen" and the fallen nature of man.

On the tenth day of Calvin my reformed friend explained to me, Arminian heresy, errors of middle knowledge, belief is a work, predestination, "world" isn't "world", 5 GOLDEN POINTS!, Synod of Dordt, John chapter six, "called and chosen" and the fallen nature of man.

On the eleventh day of Calvin my reformed friend explained to me, Romans 8 & 9, Arminian heresy, errors of middle knowledge, belief is a work, predestination, "world" isn't "world", 5 GOLDEN POINTS!, Synod of Dordt, John chapter six, "called and chosen" and the fallen nature of man.

On the twelfth day of Calvin my reformed friend explained to me that I'm really a Calvinist, Romans 8 & 9, Arminian heresy, errors of middle knowledge, belief is a work, predestination, "world" isn't "world", 5 GOLDEN POINTS!, Synod of Dordt, John chapter six, "called and chosen" and the fallen nature of man.

You Decide

What do you think is going on in this picture?

Challenge Accepted

People hated the new format. I kind of liked it. It felt soothing. I was determined to stick it out. Change is hard, but I knew you would all come around eventually. That was until yesterday. I was told that the new format sucked. That it was really icky. That I should change it immediately. I informed my critic that if he would update his blog I would change the format of mine. He accepted the challenge, so I uphold my end of the bargain.

What do you think of the new look? Oh, and if you expect your critique to carry any weight you'll need to include your name or some identifying mark with your comment.

What a Weekend!

Men in tights.

Men in earrings.

Men giving garters as gifts.

Men following me in Target.

Men flirting.

Men daring me to flirt.

Men singing.

Friday Funnies

Things that made me laugh this week:

Me: "I have a cold. I was hoping for something more glamorous."
Friend: "Like what...mono?"

"Last night I had fun...even if you didn't put out."

"Don't be ashamed of what you got. It's all about how you work it."

"I'm like a woodland creature. Any sudden moves and I'll scamper off."

On the subject of Payless' Buy One Get One ad campaign:
"Why is it BOGO? Shouldn't it be BOGOHO?"

"I found a neighborhood that is perfect for you. It's a community built to fit your lifestyle: Shady Acres."

"We had the DTR and decided to go physical."

"I think I bit Laurie on Thanksgiving weekend."

"I probably caught your germs when I bit you."

"I check the blog every week to read the Friday Funnies, but sometimes I feel dirty afterward."

I kept seeing dots...

It was time for a change. Expect more changes, especially on days when I am bored at work. :}

I love my job

On Tuesday, I did a story about birds.

On Wednesday I went to the Museum of Natural Science and did a story about a space elevator.

Today I'm going to the Medical Center to watch doctors and nurses sing Christmas carols to pediatric patients.

Tomorrow...well...tomorrow involves law enforcement officers and firearms. If I told you anything else I'd have to kill you.

Deal or No Deal?

Yesterday I bought three pairs of dress pants, a fancy black skirt and a pair of nice, dark-rinse jeans for a total of $165. What do you think, did I get a deal?

I also bought a dress for New Year's Eve...but that was a separate purchase not included in the above total.

Where are the belly dancers???

That is one HOT group of people! The rest of the gang make me and Erin look like midgets. And who's the dude in the back behind Mark? Random.

Randomosity

I went to the drugstore this morning to get drugs. The girl behind the counter told me she liked my shoes. She said she noticed them right away when I walked in. That's when you know you made a good purchase.

A friend of mine keeps making biting comments to me this week. Usually biting comments would be upsetting, but these are quite funny.

I missed a blogvent yesterday. So sorry.

Watching The Fellowship of the Ring on a laptop doesn't do it justice.

Nothing says "Christmas" like gyrating belly dancers with swords in their hair. I'm serious.

Happy Tuesday.

Guilty!

I have this dark secret. I hide the traces of my addiction to Starbucks. Here's how I do it. There are three Starbucks locations which are convenient to my morning commute. I do have a favorite location. But instead of going to that one each time, I distribute my visits between them. I do this so that the employees at each location will think I only buy Starbucks once every few days. I don't want any of them to realize my complete and utter dependence on them.

Yesterday, I went to the location directly across from my house. Today, I went to the location further up the road on my way to the office. As I placed my order an employee came around the corner, saw me and exclaimed "Hey! Didn't I see you at the other store yesterday?!" I was caught! That guy probably sees hundreds of people every day...and of course he remembered me. My secret is out and my plan has been foiled.

Rainy days and Mondays always get me down...

I'm lying in bed, wearing my pj's, eating a bowl of chicken and wild rice soup and watching The Fellowship of the Ring extended version. This would totally be the life...except for the fact that I am sick. (Insert whining here.)

Just another day at the radio station...

I'm more than an award-winning journalist. I'm also a wildlife photographer. Extreme locations and hazardous conditions don't stop me. I took these photos standing on the toilet in the ladies' restroom. I had to stand on the toilet to get a closer shot of this little guy, who was inside the grill covering the fluorescent light. That's right...it's a bat.

Exclamation Points*

It's Friday! I don't have any of my Christmas shopping done! My throat hurts!


*The title of this post is an inside joke! That was for you, Tilde!

~LJ

Friday Funnies

Things that made me laugh this week:

Friend: "You mean, when did I grow a pair? Oh! That should be a Friday Funny!"
Me: "I don't know if I have the guts to put that on my blog."
Friend: "I know you. You've got the ovaries to do it."

"Joel Osteen could play Santa - Your Best Christmas Now."

"Kirk is pimping me out to a couple of Dive girls."

"I was happy last night to find at least 12-15 people in my bedroom."

"He thinks he's all that but really it's his roommate who's got it."

"I like your shiny balls."

"I'm stealing. It's called 'selective obedience.'"

"When I make comments like that, I'm not trying to be a playboy."

Me: "Are you in love with your new baby iPOD?"
Friend: "I'm thinking of flying to Amsterdam so I can legally marry it."

Bah! Humbug!

Last night Troy and I were driving to Starbucks for a home teams planning session. I wasn't really paying attention to what was on the radio, but all of a sudden he desperately started punching buttons on the radio in an attempt to quickly change stations. That's right. They were playing "The Christmas Shoes." We came this close to having our evening ruined.

Hidy-Ho!

Kermit the Frog was a guest on Good Morning America today. He recently published his memoirs. He mentioned that Miss Piggy couldn't join him on the show. Officials wouldn't allow her into New York City because of the ban on trans fats. That one made me laugh out loud.

Night Terrors

I had a traumatic experience earlier this week. I panicked for a moment. It was all over quickly, but it stuck with me. In fact, it was so deeply embedded into my subconscious that I later had an anxiety dream about it. Both the experience and the dream were so troubling that I pledged to make a life change of drastic proportions: I will shave my legs every day, no matter what!

You Decide

What do you think is going on in this picture?

Oh, and Happy Blogvent.

Celebrate!

It's Day of the Ninja.

H-E Double Hockey Sticks

Our house is falling apart. The downstairs toilet doesn't work (but Troy verified there is black goo coating the valves in the water tank). The upstairs hall shower doesn't work. We assume the shower head is filled with rust. The other upstairs shower doesn't drain properly. We recently discovered we can't use the microwave and the coffee pot at the same time. Trying to do so results in blowing a breaker. And then there's the random scary grinding noise coming from an unidentified source. We thought it was the heater, but it's not. We can't figure out where it's coming from.

Good Times.

The Countdown Begins

We at the QQ bring you the 2006 edition of the blogvent calendar. Enjoy Day One!

Friday Funnies

Things that made me laugh this week (and last week):

"I have another silly joke for you but it has the word 'nuts' in it and I don't want to be known as the girl who said 'nuts' on your blog."

"That turkey must be especially for the 'breast' man."

"I hope I didn't pressure him with my eyes."

"Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world...or on KSBJ."

"Your enthusiasm is like fire and people will come from all over to watch you burn."

"I gave you a fortune that said 'romance is about to blossom' and not thirty minutes later you proposed marriage to someone. I think this means we ought to take my fortune cookie obsession a bit more seriously."