5 Things

I was perusing Ruth's blog and I loved this idea: “List 5 things that certain people (who are not deserving of being your friend anyway) may consider to be “totally lame,” but you are, despite the possible stigma, totally proud of. Own it.”

So, here are my 5 things (in no particular order):

1. My love for my cat. Yes, he's fat. And he howls, not meows, howls. And he gets litter and fur everywhere. He's adorably needy and cuddly and he follows me around everywhere and I love that! He's basically my bff. Sorry Jill.

2. Social networking sites. I spend waaaay too much time on these, but now that there's Scramble and Scrabulous and Word Twist I can challenge my brain and forgo the need to ever leave my desk. And I stalk people. Whatevs, like you don't.

3. My fam. I guess this isn't so lame, but I always just assumed everyone really loved and was very close to their families, but that's not the case. I talk to at least one family member a day. And I look forward to it! I spend my vacation time visiting my family. They are hilarious (well, most of them) and supportive and like to spend money on me (well, most of them).

4. Bad reality TV. The lower the budget, the better. I secretly watch Keeping up with the Kardashians, The Hills, Hogan Knows Best, The Real Desperate Housewives of Orange County, and now I'm ashamedly getting into The Real Desperate Housewives of NY. I wish to goodness Kathy Griffin's D List would come back on TV. That's good shit.

5. Writing letters. Who doesn't love to get some snail mail? I started writing letters when I went away to college and it tapped into my (shrunken) creative side. I decorate them with stickers and colored pens. Wow, I'm getting embarrassed just typing this! Believe you me, if you've been so lucky as to get one of my letters they do make you smile.



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Health Scare

I am currently an 8th semester grad student.  Goddamn!  Seeing as how I would be a second semester senior if I were still in undergrad I have decided that my current lack of motivation is due to senioritis.  

In addition to senioritis I also have a travel bug.

  I went on vacay to the coast last weekend and it just made it worse!  In an attempt to cure this affliction I booked a trip to Mexico yesterday.  Of course, after I told people of this excursion I started to hear everyone's fabulous travel plans: Vietnam, South Africa, Thailand...come on!?  Okay, I get it, there are cooler places than Mexico, but I am thrilled about this trip so don't rain on my freakin' parade. 

I apologize for the whiny-ness.  I have a paper to write and my dissertation to continue and all I really want to do is hang out with my friends and drink daiquiris.  Oh, and nap.  And yes, watch the Office:)

Workaholic

I'll admit, when the show "The Office" came out I was feeling like the entertainment industry had no creative imagination since they obviously just stole the idea from the move "Office Space." Granted, they share the same white collar corporate setting and the main characters are white 30somethings, but I've come to love "The Office." So much so that I've been renting the DVDs, gluing myself to my couch, and only getting up for intermittent bathroom breaks.

A few thoughts: From season 1 to season 2 Kelly's character really sprang to life. I know that she's one of the writers for the show so I'm guessing that she focused on developing others' characters before finding her own groove.

If the bloopers reel is to be believed, despite his on-screen persona, Dwight has a hilarious sense of humor. His character is by far the most out there so it's understandable that he would crack himself up portraying Dwight.

Michael to Oscar: "Not because you're gay. Your gayness does not define you. Your Mexicaness is what defines you, to me. And I think we should celebrate Oscar's Mexicanity."

Michael: "I would like you to accept this cheque, for three hundred and forty dollars, made out to 'Science'. Make sure that gets into the right hands."

Michael (talking about the Dundies): "An employee will go home and he'll tell his neighbor, 'Hey, did you get an award?' And the neighbor will say, 'No man, I mean I slave all day and nobody notices me.' Next thing you know, Employee smells something terrible coming from the neighbor''s house. Neighbor''s hanged himself... due to lack of recognition."

Jan Levinson-Gould: "You already had a party on May fifth for no reason--"
Michael Scott: "No reason? It was the 05/05/05 party, it happens once every billion years."
Jan Levinson-Gould: "--and a tsunami relief fundraiser which somehow lost a lot of money."
Michael Scott: "No that was a fun raiser, I think I made that very clear in the flyers."

Michael Scott: "The Busiest Beaver Award goes to Phyllis Lappen! Yeah! Way to go, Phyllis! Nice work! Her usual!"
Phyllis: "It says 'Bushiest Beaver'."
Michael Scott: "I told them busiest... idiots!"

Kelly: "I never really thought about death, until Princess Diana died. That was the saddest funeral ever. That and my sister’s."

Michael Scott: "Last week I would've given a kidney to anyone in this office. I would've reached right into my stomach and pulled it out for them. But now, no. I don't have the relationship with these people that I thought I did. I hope they ask, so they can hear me say, 'Uh, no, I only give my organs to my real friends. Go get yourself a monkey kidney.'"

Toby: (Casino Night) "Actually, I didn't think it was appropriate to invite children since it's, uh, you know. There's gambling and alcohol... And it's in our dangerous warehouse. And it's a school night. And, you know, Hooters is catering. You know. Is that- is that enough? Should I keep going?"
Michael Scott: "Why are you the way that you are? Honestly, every time I try to do something fun or exciting, you make it not that way. I hate so much about the things that you choose to be."

Angela (on Drug Testing): "I used to get a runner's high. That's why now I lift." (Deleted Scene)

If you have any fav Office quotes, please post them!

Fuck 'em Bucky

Wisconsin is, yet again, in the Big 10 basketball championship game. Boo-ya! Yes, I'll admit, when I was an undergrad someone told me that Wisco was in the Final Four and my astute reaction was, "Yessssssssssss! What's the Final Four?" But I've learned! Oh how I've learned.

Our beloved Bucky Badger will take on the Native-American-slighting Fighting Illini at 2:30pm today. Godspeed boys, Godspeed.

The New Cary Grant

I watched Michael Clayton last night and it was really good. So good, in fact, that I woke up and just stayed in bed thinking about it. Well, mainly I was just thinking about George Clooney. He's funny and handsome and fighting worldwide hunger and actually a damn good actor and director, so why is he dating some Vegas cocktail waitress half his age?

It just doesn't make sense. You would think after seeing his good friend, Brad Pitt, be with a single mom who is trying to save the world (Although she is definitely an odd duck. Vial of your hubby's blood around your neck? Making out with your bro at the Oscars?) and his friend, Matt Damon, marry a single mom (Yes, I know she was a bartender, but she's not that attractive and is at least of legal age.) he would grow up a bit.

How can someone be so sophisticated in their professional life, but SUCH a cliche in their personal one?

Male evolutionary drive aside, here is a hilarious and politically relevant video of George and Brad up to their shenanigans.

Tiny Tales

I spent a lovely day at the bookstore yesterday and came across an unexpected jewel in the "self-help" section. It's a little book...you know, those annoying miniature books that don't quite fit on your shelf with your grown up books and never have anything all that original or insightful to say.

Anyhoo, I had about 4 "real" books in my hand and was attracted to the cover of "Looking for Mr. Right" by Bradley Trevor Greive. He actually tells a funny, yet thoughtful tale about the dating process. It's accompanied by hilarious photos from the 1950s.

Here's a blurb from a few pages, but this just does not do it justice without the accompanying pictures:

"In your heart you know how life is supposed to turn out. We've all seen how Mother Nature brings two creatures together in the right place at the right time.

They then fall madly in love and live happily ever after.

And so you ask yourself: "If a penguin can have a worthwhile, stimulating relationship, why the hell can't I?"

Or maybe you ask yourself: "Would I be happier if I started dating a penguin?""


After reading as many of his little books as I could get my hands on I ended up buying this one and "The Meaning of Life" for friends. I also liked "The Blue Day Book" (as I'd been having a blue week) and "The Book for People Who do too Much" (I almost bought this one for a friend, but I thought she might be a little offended).

Who knows, maybe I'm a little book convert. Or maybe this guy's just exceptionally good at writing in simple, uncluttered prose. Or maybe I wanted something I could read and finish while sitting in the bookstore. Probably all of the above.

All I Want for Christmas...

Holy shit! Here I was enjoying my Sunday morning drinking a cup of coffee and perusing articles on the internet when I came across the most amazing invention since the flat iron. The CatGenie is the answer to a feline lover's prayers! (Metaphorically speaking, of course, as I'm not one to pray.) Never touch cat litter again? Yes! Never scoop my cat's poop? Sign me up! Never have to be disgusted by the noxious smell after kitty "uses the facilities?" Please! I'm adding this little gem to my wish list of graduation gifts. There will be a registry so no need to write it down.