I hope you all come by to visit. And no, gifts aren't necessary.

 

My new address: http://threeparrotsisle.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

************************************************************************************************

    

 

 

 

 

...I'm just living in it.

 

My RED SOX took Game 6 last night in an exciting thrashing of the Indians...12-2. What does that mean? Game 7 baby. This won is for all the marbles, tonight 8PM. My superstitions are in full play and I'm SO EXCITED!!!!!!!

 

My PATS are minutes away from beginning their 7th game this season...against the 0-6 Dolphins. Is there much of a game here? Um, no. So we'll watch to see just how big our dance can get.

 

My most favorite-test of favorite horror movie franchises returns on Friday with the 4th installment of the gory Saw...! I LOVE me some Saw, so that's our Friday night plan...

 

...and I hope my friend likes horror! My girl J from DC is making the move to Boston with her boyfriend N. They have a SWEET apartment waiting for them on Comm Ave just by Copley Sq., but that won't be ready until Nov, so J - who started her job last week - will be bunking in with the Man and I for the next two weeks. She arrives Monday, and while having guests isn't always fabulous she will be low-maintenance and it will be nice to share some wine and girl talk together. (and I believe she will not be in attendance for Saw....).

 

My co-worker (of the most ridiculous bachlorette party bitchfest) is getting married on Saturday, she's stressed and excited. We're having a surprise brunch at work for her on Thursday (calling it a Halloween lunch...whether she believes it or not), so that will be fun. Saturday night the Man and I will doll up and I'll dance the night away with some cool co-workers and one beautiful bride.

 

Speaking of Halloween...I make my Costco trip next Monday to stock up on treats for the kiddies. As we're in a condo complex we get a lot of 'I'll just park over here you kids go door to door' treaters. It makes for an interesting night watching the range of tiny babes with proud parents through cocky almost-teens wearing facepaint for costumes. I can remember how fun it was to knock on doors and yell TRICK OR TREAT so I make sure our light is on, the spooky skeleton is hanging on the front door and my dish is full with the 'cool' candy.

 

...and the one sour note? I'm having Spaces issues. I can't post 'new' entries for some reason. This one (and the last one) were drafted entries that I wrote over and published. But I only have a few drafts left. I emailed in and have a super-long email with a gajillion things to do to my computer to fix this issue. I also lost my What's New button which means I can't see email messages. So a big BOO to Spaces today.

 

 

 

NJaney...OUT!

 

 

 

Enough with the fucking dog.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

NJaney

 

 

 

 

Win number six for my undefeated Pats!! The game is winding down, currently we're at 41 points, we have a chance to add to that. Dallas is on the board with 27; they did make the game interesting in the 3rd...but we turned it up and ran away with it.

 

Next week: Miami. Miami's record? Um, 0-6. So yeah, real nail-bitah coming up.

 

Yo yo! We just scored again...SWEET!!!

 

There are two QB's in the NFL that I have soft spots for...Eli Manning, and our opponent tonight - Tony Romo. Romo had such a heartbreaking end in the playoffs last year...and some people got down on him - but he's been such a firecracker this year and I find myself rooting for him. And Mr. Eli...playing in the shadow of his big bro. I root for Eli because I really REALLY want him to kick ass and take names.

 

The rest of the league? They can kiss my shorts ;)

 

Now if you'll excuse me I need to adjust my sports antenna back to the Sox for tomorrow night's Game 3 vs. Cleveland...

 

GO SOX!!!

 

GO PATS!!!

 

 

I can't pinpoint when our relationship took a turn. It used to be so simple. I used you, I put you in your little dishwasher caddy, I ran you through the cycle, I removed you and put you away in your snug little drawer.

 

A perfect relationship.

 

Then came the crust.

 

This latched-on-for-life, not letting go, winding-in-and-out-of-your-tines crust. I think I can remember the Day of the Gunk. I had a steaming serving of tomato soup with a cushy pillow of shredded cheddar cheese on top. As it melted I grabbed you to give the soup a quick stir, and the quickly wilting cheese cheerfully embraced you.

 

Apparently for life.

 

The dishwasher churned to the close of another cycle last night, and as I was emptying the contents I saw you waiting in your caddy. Your handle was glistening from the wash and I wondered if this would be the moment we were both waiting for. The moment that I could finally rest you in with your other fork friends; and the moment that you could finally be free of the unrelenting waves of water.

 

Why would these moments be so special Fork? It would be an end wouldn't it, an end to this phase we seem to be stuck in. This isn't your first, or even second time around the wash cycle is it Fork? No, not even close. I believe we are closing in on nine rounds; perhaps even ten.

 

I'm sure when I took you out of your caddy last night I felt you tense up in my fingers as you prepared for inspection. I peered at your tines, and grimmaced as I realized that no, you were not crust-free. I sighed as I put you back in the caddy for yet another round and I'm sure you felt the same defeat.

 

Am I being too soft with you? I've contemplated a harsh scrubbing to rid you of your barnacle skin. I've put a fingernail to you and flicked as the other forks watched with interest. But in the end, Fork, it's in vain as inevitably I put you right back in to wait for yet another round of The Water.

 

While frustrating for both of us I have not lost hope, Fork. I am confident that you will pierce food again.

 

Someday.

 

 

Happy Columbus Day Everyblogger!

 

Yeah, I'm at work, in the beginning hours of what is sure to be a wicked slow day. Which makes it easier to be here (sorta).

 

So, let's see...how about some baseball??? My Sox SWEPT the inept Angels right out the front door with a commanding 9-1 win yesterday - WOOHOO!! They will play the first game of the next round on Friday, against the Indians or Yankees. Do I care which one? Hard to say...on one hand we could probably handle the Indians, but it definitely lacks the spice of a Sox/Yankees playoff series. On the other hand, while it's good for the networks a Sox/Yanks series gets my stomach all twisty and the tension/suspense is hard to bear. The Indians should be able to shut the door on the Yankees tonight (like they should have last night...) so by tomorrow we'll probably start getting ready for Cleveland (unless I have just directed the jinx-train directly to the sports god station).

 

Moving on...my Pats are 5 and 0 baby!!! I missed the game yesterday, kept checking the score and had a moment of WTF?! in the fourth quarter when we were only up 20-10. Um, hello? Aren't we supposed to be blowing people away? Don't you love that arrogance? They did right in the end, winning 34-17 - and all was right in the world of football once more. Tonight Dallas plays Buffalo...Dallas is one of the remaining undefeated teams in the league - and if they win tonight (which they should...easily (sorry Bills fans)) then the game of the week next Sunday would be Pats/Dallas - two unbeaten teams trying to avoid a mark in the loss column. It's the second game this season that I'm getting super pumped for (the Chargers were the first)...!

 

We won't talk about the third game on our schedule that has me equal parts excited/nervous...but let's just say that team's name starts with a 'C' and ends with '-olts...'.

 

Lastly - I missed the Pats game (and the Sox game for that matter) because I was whipping the life out of little green balls at tennis camp all weekend. It's up in Saugerties NY, my mom has gone the past 5-6 years - I went with her last year, again this year and it's turning out to be an annual trip. We have a group that varies between five and ten women, all different ages and we had a really good time. Not to bore the stuffing out of you - but the weekend consists of ten hours of tennis over two days - you break into teams of four and each team is assigned a pro player. They have great meals all weekend, they have dancing at a bar on Saturday night, there's a pool and hot tub and during the down time our group pulls a bunch of rocking chairs together on the deck and enjoys lady-chat over cocktails and snacks. The weather this weekend was inSANEly nice...Saturday reached a high of 80 - and while we were sweatballs on the court you can't beat that kind of weather in the beginning of October. Yesterday started off overcast and chilly, but turned into one of those perfect fall days, where you might put on a light jacket but when you stand in the sun it just warms you all over. Just beautiful. Mom and I drove back and got home around 8:30 last night. We enjoyed a bloody mary with some nachos while watching the Yankees/Indians - then went to bed with sore muscles. She drove home this morning and I staggered into work.

 

Some random notes from tennis camp:

 

- on Friday night the TV in the lounge (there's no TV's in the rooms) was turned to the Yankees/Indians game. If you watched that game you know it went 11 innings, with the Indians winning in dramatic fashion. As we were in NY we were surrounded by Crankee fans and a few of us Sox fans (by few I literally mean three) were standing in the back with our fingers crossed praying for an Indians win. About 30 minutes later mom and I went down to catch some of the Sox game. When we walked into the lounge it was completely empty and the TV was off. It cracked us up for some reason, and I smugly wore my Sox hat at breakfast the next day.

 

- thanks to John, our pro instructor, I now have the tools to perfect a wicked forehand and a soon-to-be-wicked spin serve. He is a great teacher, and when I play my weekly game with my buddy tomorrow night I'm going to wipe her off the court. *evil laugh*. Well, not right away, I'll teach her the spin serve...and THEN I'll destroy her. Ha! :)

 

- in the parking lot of tennis camp there was a red convertible Benz with a license plate that said BIG WORM. Other than the first thing that enters your mind what the hell else is he trying to tell the world? Maybe he's in the fishing industry? We have no clue. But we had a good time trying to guess which guy (we assume the owner was male) owned the car. We never figured it out.

 

That's it kids. I need to pop some Motrin and try to will this day to go faster.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Um...

 

...yeah.

 

I'm pretty sure that's not going to be on the board. Maybe the stage lights got to her.

 

Thankfully the next woman correctly guessed "They're mythical creatures" helping countless people who may have been wondering what year it was that Dragons roamed the earth.....  

 

 

$184 Million Dollars.

 

That's the amount a Jets fans is suing the Patriots for on behalf of Jets season-ticket holders. As a Jets season-ticket holder himself (my condolences...) Mr. Carl Mayer is unhappy because the Patriots were caught illegally videotaping the Jets’ defensive signals in New England’s 38-14 season-opening pasting of the Jets. His lawyer chimes in 'They violated the integrity of the game,' said Mayer’s attorney, Bruce Afran. 'This is a way of punishing Belichick and the Patriots'.

 

The pair decided that because other teams spoke up about past incidents with the Patriots that they would base their lawsuit from the time Belichick became the Pats coach back in 2000. Therefore they came to the amount of $184 million by calculating that because customers paid $61.6 million to watch eight "fraudulent” games, they’re entitled to triple that amount - or $184.8 million - in compensation under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act and the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act.

 

The article got the Man and I to thinking about some other people who should be sued:

 

- The first name on this list has GOT to be one Mr. Barry Bonds*. I should sue him for the reason that I couldn't open a newspaper or turn on the TV without hearing about his bogus homerun record - a record that came on behalf of a needle. Talk about a loss of integrity.

 

- Speaking of homeruns, Mark McGwire has been suspiciously out of sight in the past year or so. I feel bad for the sap that purchased his record breaking (and juice-filled) ball for $3 million - I might sue Mark on his behalf.

 

- Floyd Landis just lost his doping case last week, and the 2006 Tour de France title is no longer his. When I was a child I enjoyed riding my bike, and as I have that in common with Landis I should sue him for 'Loss of Common Practice Enjoyment'. Is that a legal term? HELL no, but I'll find a lawyer who will make it work.

 

Other people on my To Be Sued list:

 

- the East German athletes from all those years ago for ruining the innocent Olympic fun I was enjoying as a young 'un

 

- the gambling NBA ref Tim Donaghy...but I wouldn't sue for myself (not an NBA fan) I would sue on behalf of his kids for having to grow up in his tainted shadow

 

- moving from sports to music - yeah- I'm totally suing Milli Vanilli. Nowadays lip-syncing is an old story, but back then? Oh the horror!

 

- from music to TV...the Springer show - because I really felt sad everytime a midget-stripper's husband cheated on her with his regular size tranny cousin. I mean, you're telling me that was scripted? That's BULLshit. And I'm suing.

 

I think ya'll get the picture here.

 

Who would you sue?

 

Yes folks, the new season of Dancing with the Stars* is upon us!

 

 

The Man had a sleep test last night, so after bidding him farewell I powered up the TV and clicked for our DVR recordings, then scrolled all the way back to Monday's premiere of Dancing With the Stars. The Man is not a fan of that show, and I was happy to have all three episodes to myself.

 

There are some pretty good celebs on this round, and by pretty good I mean no one that I hate as much as I hated Heather Mills from the last season. HATE HER! But that's a rant for another day. This season we have Jennie Garth, Jane Seymour, some chick from the Cheetah Girls (who the fuck are they?), Scary Spice, Marie Osmond, some Sports Illustrated chick, a guy model, a guy soap star, boxer Floyd Mayweather, Wayne Newton, Mark Cuban, some Indy racer, and maybe one more dude. When I heard the line up I figured I would root against Floyd - he's a cocky son of a bitch, and also Scary Spice - due to all the press with her and Eddie Murphy, and the baby, and her quickie wedding to some dude...etc. However when I watched the shows I was suprised to like everyone. Floyd did toss some whiny attitude to his pro dancer, but she walked out on him, he quickly self-corrected, she came back and he seemed genuinely excited during his first dance. Scary Spice definitely has some 'tude going on, but she was cracking me up so I have nothing against her.

 

Some random notes on the new season:

 

~ Cheryl (pro dancer) should really keep her hair short and spunky, she's not a long-hair girl.

 

~ I've never been able to stand the girl host (who's out after having a baby), but after watching Drew Lachey co-host I'm forced to realize that I would hate anyone who stands with a mic in the back room and forces us to vote. It's annoying. That said I still don't miss the girl host.

 

~ Back to Cheryl, do you think she's secretly pissed to have the 'old guy' this round? Of course that 'old guy' is Mr. Las Vegas himself, Wayne Newton, and I mean NO disrespect at ALL - but she has to scale back the dances so much, and as loved as he is I don't think he'll get her to her third win on this show...eventually the other celeb guys will pass him.

 

~ Speaking of the celeb guys...um...model-guy and soap actor-guy? *DROOLING* Please America, keep these tasties on the show! *SLURP*

 

~ Mark Cuban looked PISSED to be in the bottom two, don't you think?

 

~ Once again, I can only tolerate this show on DVR, if I had to choose between suffering through it live or strolling a mall naked I'd go nude in a second...this show has so much filler material it's ridiculous!

 

Any fans of the show out there? *coughAMANDAcough* Let me know what you think of the new season!

 

 

We saw a video on the news the other night of an incident between you and a woman named Heidi Gill.

 

You know what I'm talking about, the incident where you tasered her SEVEN FUCKING TIMES.

 

A quick summary for those who are unaware:

 

I know a story is only as good as both sides, so I'll try to be neutral. Drunk woman, disturbance in a bar. Cops are called to take care of the situation. Fine. Officer Richy shows up, finds this drunk woman who, like most drunks, is probably mouthing off and yelling - you know, the type of behavior that would fall under the word 'disturbance'. So what does Officer Richy do? According to various reports he orders her to behave, shut up, get in the car, etc.

 

Good job Richy, because drunks, of all people, are bound to snap their mouth shut and follow orders. In fact the person who coined the phrase 'Drunk and Disorderly' had it all wrong. That's right. 

 

What are some options Officer Richy could have used to control the situation? Oh, I don't know, suck in his fat gut and maybe force her arms behind her for the cuffs? Subdue her on the ground and cuff her? Enlist the help of a partner? Those are good options. Unfortunately you chose differently.

 

You pulled out your taser and laid it on her SEVEN FUCKING TIMES. You tasered her as she was standing, causing her to shriek and flail at the pain of the shock. You continued to tase her, and she stumbled, still shrieking, and smacked her head against a car fender as she fell. And yet you continued to tase her as she was on the ground. The next shot we see (and please, feel free to hunt down on YouTube what your dash-cam recorded) she is in the back of your cruiser, cuffed, in pain, STILL DRUNK and starts banging her feet on your window, eventually breaking it.

 

Was that wrong of her? Yeah. Was she drunk? Yeah. Was she in pain and probably scared for her life? Um, YEAH.

 

How do you respond to the window breaking? You open the door and TASER HER AGAIN. While she's FUCKING HANDCUFFED! You then order her to exit your cruiser and walk to another one. Do you reach for her arm to help her as she staggers in pain and her blitzed state? No.

 

Instead, for reasons unexplained, you TASER her for the last time. Why the last time? Because this time she falls, smacks her head on the pavement and is rendered unconcious.

 

That, apparently, is when you decide to put the taser away.

 

I was so disgusted when I saw this on the news, and even more pissed when it looked like the story would go away. So imagine my glee to see Heidi and her lawyer on the Early Show this morning. I watched her explain how she now has blurry vision. I listened to her describe that night, and how Richy quickly turned from an officer trying to subdue her to a man attacking her as she fought to escape the torture. Has she been instructed to seem soft-spoken by her lawyers? Sure, no doubt there. Unfortunately for you, Richy, many more people will side with her than yourself.

 

I think what bothers me the most when I watch the video is your demeanor during the incident. As you tase her in the beginning you're just standing there, with one arm holding the taser and the other relaxed at your side. You could be watching your dog take a crap you're so calm. Instead you're watching another human being react to the pain you're causing.

 

I asked the Man if he could remain in a relationship if his significant other did something like that. He shook his head, and said 'I would be so ashamed, but I don't know'. I don't know if you're married or not, Rich Kovach. I'm not sure if there's a mortified woman somewhere trying to justify your actions to herself and her family.

 

I've searched but I've yet to find any statement on your behalf. I know you boys in blue stick together. I also know that for every cop abusing his power there's many more out there who aren't.

 

As of today you're on paid leave. Which is good for the people of Warren, OH.

 

You twisted prick.

 

 

 

 

Happy Sunday!

 

I put up some pictures of Provincetown (tip of Cape Cod) from the day after our reception. It was a dreary-ish chilly day, but we were there with friends and had a great time. My mouth is watering just thinking of the steaming clam chowder in a bread bowl that we had...yummmm!

 

My Patriots dominated again today...they look so strong and unbeatable, but I will adapt the team's attitude and look forward to one game at a time. But still...they're ridiculous right now!

 

As for the Red Sox - they clinched a playoff spot yesterday- woohoo! Baseball in October, my favorite. Of course the division title is still up for grabs with the Yankees on our heels, I guess we'll see how it plays out, but I really want the division as well. Greedy, I know.

 

But enough about sports. I've been all sorts of sleepy and lacking energy. I do have a couple loads of laundry spinning around, so that's some sort of progress.

 

I worked out yesterday, I've been keeping up with it, and my weight this morning was 125. Woo! I hover around 127, but if I reallly concentrate I can hover around 124. It takes discipline though...and I'm craving some junk food BAD.

 

I was going to work out today, but I'm just not 'feeling it', so I've been window shopping online...surfing the sales at Banana and Gap.com. Also Old Navy. They all have some cute summer stuff on clearance. I love filling up my shopping cart, but I haven't clicked any purchase button yet. Just not 'feeling it'.

 

We ordered salads in for dinner, but I'm also not feeling that. Problem is I have no appetite for anything particular...hate that. Once I dig in I'll want it I suppose.

 

All of this 'not feeling it' really means one thing. Oh yeah. It's my week to ride the cotton pony.

 

Blah.

 

GO PATS!

 

 

So, yesterday I come home from work and go upstairs to greet the birds. Usually Red comes right to the door to say hi, but she was busy scrounging around in her corner, fussing with her egg (yes, she's still working it). So I lean down and tap her food dish to get her attention, and as she raises her head to look at me I notice it.

 

A second egg.

 

Crap.

 

I call the Man upstairs and we decide to take both eggs out of the cage. He distracts her with a roll of paper towels as I scoop out the eggs. Predictably she's pissed, but that's the way it goes. Nursing one egg is one thing, but creating an egg family is another.

 

I tossed the eggs and hung with Red for awhile before putting her back in her cage. She nosed around the papers a little bit but seemed fine. This morning she came out to say hi when I brought breakfast, and tonight after work I dragged out some new and old favorite toys for her. She has a blender that plays music when she taps the buttons. She LOVES it, so I put it back in and left the room to the sounds of her happily attacking it to get the sound out.

 

We're figuring she'll lay another egg, but I hope to distract her enough that she doesn't.

 

As for the other two...I was putting laundry away the other night and talking back and forth with our Grey who was in their room. After he worked himself up he started doing the 'ooo ooo' chant that you hear in clubs. So I went in and 'ooo ooo-ed' with him while clapping my hands and little Yellow bird, feeling the groove, started rocking back and forth. Red just stared from her corner. She's been known to rock out...but it's rare.

 

And for Ronna - yes, they will chew and tear paper all day long. I scrunch it up and twist it through the bars of their cages then watch them battle it. Little yellow LOVES the cardboard roll from the middle of the paper towels...that keeps him busy all night.

 

 

So, let's see...where do I find myself this fine Tuesday morning.

 

A) Work project, to be completed today, hopefully by noon...although as will happen with new things there are tweaks and glitches...but that's life.

 

B) Bachlorette nonsense. There was an email yesterday from one of the PICOI - stating that there is now no bus, we are meeting here, and doing these things, and please say yay or nay. The bride is in work today, she does not seem to stressed or aggravated, and I think Sat. will be a good time.

 

C) Patriots. Oh my, they came in to play on Sunday night and BEAT THE TAR out of San Diego. It was thrilling to watch, the players were PUMPED to win this game...they rocked it! The owner of the Pats, Kraft, had a small sit down interview during halftime...and as I had suspected he knew nothing about the spying, and said that it will never happen again. If you know this guy you know that he is full of pride and loves a clean reputation- so this must have hit him hard. We'll never know what he really said to Belichick, but if the coach pulls something like this again it will be interesting to see what Kraft does.

 

...and lastly - the weather has made a turn and the mornings are cold! I welcome the brisk air and warmer clothing, but now officially starts the morning debate between me and my closet:

 

When to make the change between summer shoes and closed-in winter shoes?

 

 

It's about 10:20pm.

 

I'm halfway through my second beer.

 

The Sox/Yankees game is in full swing, 6th inning, Sox leading 6-2.

 

I've had an annoying week, for the following three reasons (in no particular order):

 

1) We have a new database at work, it was live a couple of weeks ago, and my co-worker and I (a team on this project) have been busting our tushies jamming contracts into it. The deadline was today, my normal day off, and I spent ten hours working on it (from home). I also worked on it from 8pm-2am last night (I was in a groove, and I'm a natural night-owl). I'm tired, and my right leg is all numb and achy from working on the couch with bad posture. It's annoying because I probably could have done more on this project at the beginning of this week, but we had meetings, and there was other stuff to be taken care of...blah...etc...the end.

 

2) I have a bachlorette party coming up. I'm a work friend, and not part of the inner friend circle. The people in charge of it (PICOI's) sent an email out last week 'Here is the plan, party bus/dinner/bars, are you in?', and people responded. The PICOI then sent a second email out 'We'd like to confirm who is on the bus, please let us know', and people responded - most the way I did - with a 'Sure, what is the price pp?' to receive an answer of 'Once we have the final number we'll let you know'. Okay. The limos I've been on are usually $50-70 pp so I had a rough budget idea for the night - maybe $2-275.

 

So this week all hell breaks loose, and I'll try to break it down without boring the life out of you. Basically a friend of the bride found out (from who? don't know) that the limo was upwards of $110-130 pp, and being a MORON she called the bride to say 'Do you know about the limo?' to which the bride, knowing only that there was a limo-plan said 'yes'. The friend continued with 'it's going to be x amount of money, I don't have it, so I have to back out' to which the bride got understandably upset/stressed/embarrassed. Long story short the price quickly leaked, and people realizing that expensive limo ride + dinner/drinks + more drinks = a $3-400 night, started to back out of the bus.

 

With that crap out in the open twelve women hit email and the saga started. The PICOI said 'we've cancelled the bus due to people backing out, with the people remaining the price was too high - we'll see you at the restaurant'. Then people emailed 'let's still get a bus, but there are cheaper options, see? Here are some options' to which the PICOI got testy (what with their planner-toes being stepped on and all *sigh*) and said 'we've already lost a non-refundable deposit on the cancelled bus, but maybe we can get that bus back'.

 

Does anyone see a circle of nonsense forming? Yeah, thought so.

 

It culminated in frustration today, with a few people getting WICKED snide (instead of embracing the options they were like 'you run it then'), and yours truly calling them out on it. I'm not a confrontational person by nature, but after a few days of watching people murder what should be a relatively easy planning process I was All Fucking Set. Especially when I listen to you CONTINUALLY whine about your lost deposit. You know what? You didn't cover your bases. Suck it up. The result of this? Many pissed people, one stressed bride and no solid plans.

 

3) Anyone catch a small football-cheating story this week? My Patriots were caught stealing defensive signals, they've been fined and had a number one draft pick removed. They're also feeling the wrath from around the league. I find myself swinging between the following:

 

Thoughts of an aggravated fan: We have SO MUCH talent on this team that the cheating is unnecessary, which disappoints me. I love my Patriots-fan swagger, and now I have to take that down a notch. The articles of 'that's how they won those playoff games' and 'let's get the asterix pen out' and 'how Barry Bonds of them' are REALLY getting me down this week. Lastly, my In Bill We Trust call in admiration of our genius and un-fussy coach has been silenced as he has morphed into some other sort of person altogether. And I'm still waiting for a comment from the owner, Kraft.

 

Thoughts of a cocky fan: Cheating is an old story. Would we care so much if the Detroit Lions got caught? Uh, NO! We're at the top, people hate that and everyone is jumping on this bandwagon with huge smiles. The camera was found in the beginning of the Jets game - they never used it - which means we ROLLED them, and we will continue to ROLL all season. Are you wondering about past games? I'll quote something I saw in an article this week: 'You may have the answers to the test, but you still have to take the test'. We did. And passed. 

 

To say I am pumped for the game on Sunday night is a massive understatement. There were already enough stories surrounding it, this just fuels it up even more.

 

Now, if you'll excuse me there's an aggravating baseball team that needs my attention. To add to my annoyance in the time I've taken to write this the Sox are now losing by 1 in the 8th inning.

 

ANNOYING!

 

**UPDATE** The Sox blew a five run lead and lost the game. Awesome. We're 15 games away from the playoffs, we've been in first place the whole season, and you blow this game? Against the team that is four games behind you? Really??

 

 

 

Can you believe it's been six years since 9/11 became more than just numbers on a calendar?

 

Neither can I.  

 

We're dwindling down to the end of the 4th quarter in today's Pats v. Jets game...and to say the least my Pats have rocked my world big time. Moss scored his first Patriot TD with a dreamy catch from Brady, as did Wes Welker. Brady looks like he's waiting for a bus he has so much time in the pocket. We've also made history in this game with Hobbs scoring a TD on a 108 yard return. Fabulous stuff. 

 

Next week: the Chargers. Are they still smarting from that thrilling playoff game last year? I'm sure.

 

Moving from shoulder pads to bats I was lucky enough to score Sox tickets in a work raffle last week, so the Man and I are headed to Fenway tomorrow night to see the game. We're playing Tampa Bay, so we should win. Currently we're 5 1/2 games ahead of the Yankees - with both teams playing today. There's roughly 20 games left in the season, with the Cranks coming to Fenway next week. It's always a blast to go to Fenway, so I'm psyched for the game.

 

Congrats to the Pats for their dominating performance today!~!

 

Six months ago at this time, 9AM, the Man and I were headed out to breakfast with family. It was a gorgeous sunny day in St. Thomas - perfect for a wedding.

 

We were married about 3:45-ish. Give or take.

 

Last month was our five year anniversary of meeting face to face for the first time. We hooked up online in June of that year - but our first date occured in August 2002. I don't remember the exact day. We went away for a week about a month after that first dinner. We moved in together in April 2003, got engaged May 2006.

 

We have a million things in common, our online profiles (full of multiple choice questions about life) matched each other 95%, which is undeniably high. We like to toss that fact out there.

 

Our life is cozy and warm and I wouldn't change a thing.

 

I love us.

 

That's 'ketchup' as in the bad joke from Uma in Pulp Fiction. Not the tomato-based condiment.

 

You with me?

 

Here's what's new with NJaney (to 'catch' you up...):

 

- the Man is 41, he went to the dr. last week and was served a spoonful of 'time to start practicing a healthier lifestyle'. The Man scheduled an appt. three weeks from now and is using these three weeks to hit a goal on the scale. I'm a good ten-ish pounds heavier than I was the day we met, and a lot less toned, so I am joining him for these three weeks to see how low on the scale I can go. This morning I weighed 129, I'm looking for a toned 120. We worked out twice this weekend, mostly cardio with some lifting. We also had some very good and good-for-you meals. We're both excited to make this a permanent change.

 

- I did NOT win the lottery last Friday, but I am happy that four people hit instead of one. I've shelved the yacht plans for the moment.

 

- we saw two movies this weekend; Halloween which was pretty much what you would expect - young hot girls screaming, and BUCKETS of blood...and Superbad - which was hysterical. Very 'American Pie' but funny in it's own way.

 

- the countdown for our return to St. Thomas is three months.

 

- Last Friday I went to my friend's house to see her six day old baby girl, who is adorable. I held her and cooed over her, and indulged in the peace that is a newborn. I also played with her one year old son, who is a cutie, and was giving me hug after hug. It doesn't escape anyone around me that I'm 33, and married, and I'm used to hearing 'Any kids for you? Do you want them? Oh, you'll want one' but I can honestly say...no, I am not craving my own spawn. I know they say the clock starts ticking and all, but if that were the case I'm pretty sure I would have felt my uterus shift with some sort of 'let's grow one!' twitch when I picked up the little peanut, but that did not happen.

 

- when I clean the bathtub I usually do it right before I take a shower, so I clean it in my birthday suit. Armed with the soft scrub and an old towel I got into the tub and started scrubbing away this past Saturday. In my crouched position I finished scrubbing the faucet and turned around to work on the sides of the tub. As I finished I went to stand up and immediately felt pain on my rear. I failed to notice that I was crouched with my butt right underneath the faucet, and as I stood my butt slammed against the faucet and holyshit did it hurt. I rinsed away all the bleach, took my shower and when I got out I inspected the damage. There was a big red cherry spot on my butt where I hit it, right above the split God gave me. After I dressed I had the Man apply a bandage because yes, I drew blood, and now I sit and wait. Considering I would bruise if you flicked a dime at my thigh the bruise that takes over this cherry spot is going to be a beaut.

 

- I was spitting fire last week when the Blow Sox dropped three in a row to the Yankees, only to come home and drop a fourth to Baltimore. However they redeemed themselves BIG time when our rookie pitcher, in his SECOND major league start, threw a no-hitter on Sat. night. A no-fucking-hitter!! As a rookie!! It was exhilarating to watch, and talk about tension - I don't know how he did it, but it was AMAZING. There are many veteran pitchers who can only dream of doing what this kid did. And yes, it has to be said, it's a team effort as there were a few awesome defensive plays made that game to keep the no-hitter alive. Wicked stuff.

 

- speaking of sports...ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL  I'm !PUMPED!, as is my Indy to St. Louis friend. It all starts Thursday night, 8:30...with New Orleans visiting the Colts. Big hugs to you Marcie, you know I love ya...but GO SAINTS!!!!!!

 

Enjoy the short week!

 

 

Can we talk about cash for a minute?

 

Can we talk about the ginormous lottery jackpots that people win?

 

Can we play fantasy and pretend it's all ours to spend?

 

Last week someone won $300 million in Powerball. Last night there was $250 million up for grabs in MA, and no one won, which means some lucky duck will clear about $300 if they win on Friday. I can't even fathom that amount of cash. It's disgusting. I wish the lottery would split big pots like that so instead of $300 mil you now have a chance to win one of three $100 million pots.

 

But anyways.

 

I play the lottery...I put out about five bucks a week here and there. I've worked out a pretty solid plan for when (yes, WHEN) I win (positive thinking y'all!). Let's say I win the jackpot on Friday. After the shock of a worry-free future passes maybe the Man and I go out for some ridiculous meal and toast our giddyness. We walk on clouds for the rest of the weekend. When next week approaches we contact a lawyer-dude for advice, we contact the lottery headquarters and ask how to claim it anonymously (seriously- why do people splash their identities everywhere under the heading WE JUST WON BIG MONEY?), we get the bucks, and we're OUT!

 

Automatically I would set some aside for charity, because if you have it I believe you should share it. Our phones would be shut down, we would temporarily move into a hotel with the birdies, and start our new life. My co-worker and I have a 15% share plan, meaning if (when) one of us wins the other gets that percentage. I have a handful of other co-workers that I would free from their cubicles so they could go find the work that would make them really happy. We would show the love to family and treasured friends, and after that it's selfish time.

 

A yacht is in order - a year hitting different ports and enjoying their shopping and restaurants would be a blast before settling down in some ridiculously beautiful manor. The Man would probably channel Trump and start investing in real estate. I would love to start breeding parrots, and with the money to afford the best of the best I would have the coolest aviary. I would also love to follow the Red Sox for a season, in some huge custom-built airstream-winnebago-type travel vehicle, just swing around the states and drink a beer in every ballpark, that would be a good time. Watching the Pats play from the best seats every Sunday? Always being at the Superbowl? All fun. There's cars to be purchased and pimped, there would be a personal chef in our kitchen, and a million other little luxuries to be played with. Best of all, knowing that you never need to worry about money again, what a freeing feeling. 

 

I'm sure there's a dark side to all of it. You have to stay anonymous for as long as possible, but if words leaks I'm sure there are people at your door all day long asking for 'just a little bit', and 'why don't you invest in this'. They say money is the root of all evil, and I've seen the articles of past lottery winners that just couldn't handle it and ended up with nothing. Zero. That's a depressing thought. Would it strain a relationship? Would it tear families apart? Sure, I guess, greed does wacky things to people.

 

What's that saying...be careful what you wish for?