Gotta go gotta go gotta go

For a long time now I have not had a “I-gotta-go-see-this-movie-RIGHT-NOW” kind of reaction to a trailer. I had the food network on while I’m cleaning out the refrigerator and there came a trailer for a movie called {proof}. It stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Gwyneth Paltrow and is about a woman who’s father was an amazing mathematician (I love mathematician movies — last good one was A Beautiful Mind) but goes a little crazy towards the end of his life. I’m not sure what Jake Gyllenhaal’s role is yet but I’m suspecting that it’s love interest. What else would it be, right? But Jake Gyllenhaal is always in the most amazing or at least thought-provoking movies including October Sky and Donnie Darko. The crazy/brilliant dad is played by Anthony Hopkins. The pre-release buzz is that this might make Gwyneth an Oscar contender. It’s set to be released on September 16th which is a Friday. We’re going to be pretty busy that weekend but I’m hoping we can squeeze it in. It looks amazing.

Gotta go gotta go gotta go

For a long time now I have not had a “I-gotta-go-see-this-movie-RIGHT-NOW” kind of reaction to a trailer. I had the food network on while I’m cleaning out the refrigerator and there came a trailer for a movie called {proof}. It stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Gwyneth Paltrow and is about a woman who’s father was an amazing mathematician (I love mathematician movies — last good one was A Beautiful Mind) but goes a little crazy towards the end of his life. I’m not sure what Jake Gyllenhaal’s role is yet but I’m suspecting that it’s love interest. What else would it be, right? But Jake Gyllenhaal is always in the most amazing or at least thought-provoking movies including October Sky and Donnie Darko. The crazy/brilliant dad is played by Anthony Hopkins. The pre-release buzz is that this might make Gwyneth an Oscar contender. It’s set to be released on September 16th which is a Friday. We’re going to be pretty busy that weekend but I’m hoping we can squeeze it in. It looks amazing.

Hair today, gone tomorrow

In a tribute to the end of summer, JJ shaved off his goatee this morning. Those of you who have seen him both with and without know that it’s something of a shocking difference. However, unlike last time, I did not recoil in horror and refuse to allow him to come near me for the next half hour. No, this time I rather enjoy it.

We’re buying our new washer and dryer tonight, hopefully to be delivered Friday. Our new double hamper we got as a wedding gift is groaning under the masses of dirty clothes. It’ll just have to make do till Friday at least, probably Saturday.

Can’t wait to move this weekend. Up until this point I feel like I moved into “JJ’s apartment” since he had been living there for 2 years before we started dating. Now we’ll have “our apartment” and while I pride myself on not being overly girly, there is some excitement involved in knowing that the place will be decorated to our taste.

I was thinking last night that I have never lived alone. Ever. Obviously growing up I lived with my family in Wichita. I was lucky and had my own bedroom and all, but just the same I was living in a house with 4 people. Then in college I had a freshman roommate, my sophomore year I shared a suite with 5 other girls, my junior year I shared an apartment and my senior year I shared a suite again, though this time with 3 other girls. Following my senior year I shared an apartment and then when I moved down here I acquired 2 roommates and then I met JJ, we got married, and are (obviously) living in the same apartment. Never lived alone in my life. And at this point should probably give up the thought that I ever will. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like I would trade being married to JJ for living alone. Definitely not. But there is part of me that wonders what it would be like to come home to my empty apartment, watch my TV, lay in my bed and talk on my phone. What it would be like to have people over whenever I wanted, without having to check. But would I trade that for a man who lights up when he gets home and sees me every night? Would I trade it for someone who loves my cooking? Would I trade it for the love of my life who will wake me in the morning with a kiss or comes to bed at night just to hold me? Not on your life.

Give us a month, then you can come over and see our place.

Hair today, gone tomorrow

In a tribute to the end of summer, JJ shaved off his goatee this morning. Those of you who have seen him both with and without know that it’s something of a shocking difference. However, unlike last time, I did not recoil in horror and refuse to allow him to come near me for the next half hour. No, this time I rather enjoy it.

We’re buying our new washer and dryer tonight, hopefully to be delivered Friday. Our new double hamper we got as a wedding gift is groaning under the masses of dirty clothes. It’ll just have to make do till Friday at least, probably Saturday.

Can’t wait to move this weekend. Up until this point I feel like I moved into “JJ’s apartment” since he had been living there for 2 years before we started dating. Now we’ll have “our apartment” and while I pride myself on not being overly girly, there is some excitement involved in knowing that the place will be decorated to our taste.

I was thinking last night that I have never lived alone. Ever. Obviously growing up I lived with my family in Wichita. I was lucky and had my own bedroom and all, but just the same I was living in a house with 4 people. Then in college I had a freshman roommate, my sophomore year I shared a suite with 5 other girls, my junior year I shared an apartment and my senior year I shared a suite again, though this time with 3 other girls. Following my senior year I shared an apartment and then when I moved down here I acquired 2 roommates and then I met JJ, we got married, and are (obviously) living in the same apartment. Never lived alone in my life. And at this point should probably give up the thought that I ever will. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like I would trade being married to JJ for living alone. Definitely not. But there is part of me that wonders what it would be like to come home to my empty apartment, watch my TV, lay in my bed and talk on my phone. What it would be like to have people over whenever I wanted, without having to check. But would I trade that for a man who lights up when he gets home and sees me every night? Would I trade it for someone who loves my cooking? Would I trade it for the love of my life who will wake me in the morning with a kiss or comes to bed at night just to hold me? Not on your life.

Give us a month, then you can come over and see our place.

On the road again

Today marks the first official day of class around here. To me what that means is getting up early (or at least earlier than usual for me), crowded parking lots, even more crowded buses, crowded campus and crowded buildings. It means cold, sometimes soggy, sandwiches for lunch and caffeine in the morning. It means the Pit will be crowded and there will be undergraduates roaming the halls. On the other hand it means that fall is coming, that new academic progress will be made and more ambitions fulfilled. It goes both ways I guess.

I sometimes try and remember what it was like to go back to school as a kid. I never remember being all that rebellious about it. When high school rolled around I was downright excited to go back to school (other than the heat in our non-air-conditioned, 75 year old building) but I mean as a little kid, someone Jaylyn’s age or Genna’s age. Is it excitement? Bewilderment? Wonder? Genna, our niece, started kindergarten this year. The last we talked to her they were working on the letter “L”. My guess is that the next day the letter “M” was coming. I wrote my sister-in-law a few weeks ago asking how school was going and she replied that Genna says there is so much work in kindergarten that it makes her want to throw up. Now, I don’t know about you, but that’s some work! Walker started pre-K this year, which I believe is only a few days a week. He’s not much of a phone talker so I haven’t gotten to talk to him since he started school. JJ got to for a little while a couple of weeks ago. But Walker’s favorite part of the year is coming, even if he might not know it. He’s a huge football fan, like father and uncle, like son I guess. Wonder if I’ll get to see him in his little Roethlisberger jersey at some point. The Steelers are playing on Christmas Eve and since Perry is our destination for Christmas … and since Sean doesn’t have to work weekends anymore … maybe we’ll get to watch a game together. Doesn’t that sound like fun? Okay, well it sounds like fun to me.

On the road again

Today marks the first official day of class around here. To me what that means is getting up early (or at least earlier than usual for me), crowded parking lots, even more crowded buses, crowded campus and crowded buildings. It means cold, sometimes soggy, sandwiches for lunch and caffeine in the morning. It means the Pit will be crowded and there will be undergraduates roaming the halls. On the other hand it means that fall is coming, that new academic progress will be made and more ambitions fulfilled. It goes both ways I guess.

I sometimes try and remember what it was like to go back to school as a kid. I never remember being all that rebellious about it. When high school rolled around I was downright excited to go back to school (other than the heat in our non-air-conditioned, 75 year old building) but I mean as a little kid, someone Jaylyn’s age or Genna’s age. Is it excitement? Bewilderment? Wonder? Genna, our niece, started kindergarten this year. The last we talked to her they were working on the letter “L”. My guess is that the next day the letter “M” was coming. I wrote my sister-in-law a few weeks ago asking how school was going and she replied that Genna says there is so much work in kindergarten that it makes her want to throw up. Now, I don’t know about you, but that’s some work! Walker started pre-K this year, which I believe is only a few days a week. He’s not much of a phone talker so I haven’t gotten to talk to him since he started school. JJ got to for a little while a couple of weeks ago. But Walker’s favorite part of the year is coming, even if he might not know it. He’s a huge football fan, like father and uncle, like son I guess. Wonder if I’ll get to see him in his little Roethlisberger jersey at some point. The Steelers are playing on Christmas Eve and since Perry is our destination for Christmas … and since Sean doesn’t have to work weekends anymore … maybe we’ll get to watch a game together. Doesn’t that sound like fun? Okay, well it sounds like fun to me.

The wheels on the bus go …

Friday night The Bus blew a tire. He pulled his right calf early in the first quarter. He was scheduled for an MRI on Saturday and we haven’t heard about it since. This is not good for the Steelers’ running game. Duce Staley is still recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery for a torn meniscus. With The Bus out for awhile, what next? Well, Friday night against the Redskins Willie Parker was what’s next. Even though he’s technically 4th on the depth chart, Parker broke loose for 1 carry on Friday night. For 51 yards. And then Coach Bill Cowher pulled him from the game saying that we might not see him until season opener against the Titans. That leaves Verron “the mudder” Haynes. I would not want to be in Haynes’ shoes this weekend when the Steelers play the Panthers in the last preseason game. That just sounds like it’s not going to be fun for him. Oh and Ben Roethlisberger looked crappy on Friday night. He hooked up with Hines Ward a couple of times but other than that, nada. It disturbs me a little that the Steelers offense has yet to score any touchdowns. The defense and special teams, on the other hand, has scored off of an interception, kick return, punt return, and fumble.

Saturday we went to Michele’s for Kim and Howard’s baby shower. It was poolside and so we brought our bathing suits. Jessie and Jaylyn and Dylan did, too. We played and played … and played …. and played. And then Jessie got cold, we got out to open presents (or rather watch Kim open presents), had cake, and got in and played some more. Fun kids they are. Yesterday on our way home from the grocery store we happened to look out the window at the right time (we pass Michele’s on the way home from the store) and saw 2 little girls standing outside that, as JJ put it, “Were about Jessie and Jaylyn size” so we stopped off and sure enough there they were. We said hi. Jessie gave me part of her Pop Tart.

Today it’s back to the park and ride. I got there around 9:30 this morning and it was packed. There were literally like 4 open spaces. I took one. Tomorrow I will be here (in the office) no later than 8:30. There better be parking at 8:15 am, that’s all I’m saying.

The SuperDome, home to the New Orleans Saints, is leaking rain. Hurricane Katrina is blasting New Orleans and the shelter is leaking rain. This is not good.

We’re moving on Saturday. Time to get packing!

The wheels on the bus go …

Friday night The Bus blew a tire. He pulled his right calf early in the first quarter. He was scheduled for an MRI on Saturday and we haven’t heard about it since. This is not good for the Steelers’ running game. Duce Staley is still recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery for a torn meniscus. With The Bus out for awhile, what next? Well, Friday night against the Redskins Willie Parker was what’s next. Even though he’s technically 4th on the depth chart, Parker broke loose for 1 carry on Friday night. For 51 yards. And then Coach Bill Cowher pulled him from the game saying that we might not see him until season opener against the Titans. That leaves Verron “the mudder” Haynes. I would not want to be in Haynes’ shoes this weekend when the Steelers play the Panthers in the last preseason game. That just sounds like it’s not going to be fun for him. Oh and Ben Roethlisberger looked crappy on Friday night. He hooked up with Hines Ward a couple of times but other than that, nada. It disturbs me a little that the Steelers offense has yet to score any touchdowns. The defense and special teams, on the other hand, has scored off of an interception, kick return, punt return, and fumble.

Saturday we went to Michele’s for Kim and Howard’s baby shower. It was poolside and so we brought our bathing suits. Jessie and Jaylyn and Dylan did, too. We played and played … and played …. and played. And then Jessie got cold, we got out to open presents (or rather watch Kim open presents), had cake, and got in and played some more. Fun kids they are. Yesterday on our way home from the grocery store we happened to look out the window at the right time (we pass Michele’s on the way home from the store) and saw 2 little girls standing outside that, as JJ put it, “Were about Jessie and Jaylyn size” so we stopped off and sure enough there they were. We said hi. Jessie gave me part of her Pop Tart.

Today it’s back to the park and ride. I got there around 9:30 this morning and it was packed. There were literally like 4 open spaces. I took one. Tomorrow I will be here (in the office) no later than 8:30. There better be parking at 8:15 am, that’s all I’m saying.

The SuperDome, home to the New Orleans Saints, is leaking rain. Hurricane Katrina is blasting New Orleans and the shelter is leaking rain. This is not good.

We’re moving on Saturday. Time to get packing!

Random thoughts

Today’s post is more of a random thoughts sort of thing … bear with me

* When I got to campus today I found that it was packed with incoming students, freshmen I believe. My beloved parking meters next to Davie were all covered with red signs that read “Incoming students only. 45 minute unloading zone. Towing enforced.” This is the most traffic we’re going to see and it will be steadily so until about the 3rd week of class … when the slacker students decide it’s not worth it to go to class anymore.

* My newest favorite breakfast is a cinnamon raisin English muffin with a tiny bit of low calorie butter spread. Toasted. Yum.

* New favorite lunch: turkey, cucumber, tomato, ranch dressing on a pita. Pretzels. Sweet tea.

* My semester starts on August 30. It ends on December 9. We have gone from a 16 week semester to a 15 week. And the professors are expected to cover the same amount of material. This is me being excited … not really.

* On Friday night JJ and I are going to our first departmental function as husband and wife - dinner at the psyc 50 course coordinator’s house.

* My latest cooking ambition is to make cream puffs and eclairs from scratch. Pate a choux. And also biscuits. 2 separate ambitions I guess.

* Last weekend we went to a YA barbecue and pool party and we got to play with Jaylyn and Jessie Grace. They’re fun girls.

* We’re starting a new study at our small group. I’m excited. And I haven’t been excited about a study in awhile.

* On Monday I was cranky. JJ got me an iTunes gift certificate to cheer me up. How sweet.

* Last week I bought pajama pants and a t-shirt from the Gap’s supersoft collection. Very comfortable. VERY.

* Movies I want to see: March of the Penguins, The 40-year-old Virgin, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Cinderella Man and Redeye. Although after Redeye I probably wouldn’t be able to sleep.

Random thoughts

Today’s post is more of a random thoughts sort of thing … bear with me

* When I got to campus today I found that it was packed with incoming students, freshmen I believe. My beloved parking meters next to Davie were all covered with red signs that read “Incoming students only. 45 minute unloading zone. Towing enforced.” This is the most traffic we’re going to see and it will be steadily so until about the 3rd week of class … when the slacker students decide it’s not worth it to go to class anymore.

* My newest favorite breakfast is a cinnamon raisin English muffin with a tiny bit of low calorie butter spread. Toasted. Yum.

* New favorite lunch: turkey, cucumber, tomato, ranch dressing on a pita. Pretzels. Sweet tea.

* My semester starts on August 30. It ends on December 9. We have gone from a 16 week semester to a 15 week. And the professors are expected to cover the same amount of material. This is me being excited … not really.

* On Friday night JJ and I are going to our first departmental function as husband and wife - dinner at the psyc 50 course coordinator’s house.

* My latest cooking ambition is to make cream puffs and eclairs from scratch. Pate a choux. And also biscuits. 2 separate ambitions I guess.

* Last weekend we went to a YA barbecue and pool party and we got to play with Jaylyn and Jessie Grace. They’re fun girls.

* We’re starting a new study at our small group. I’m excited. And I haven’t been excited about a study in awhile.

* On Monday I was cranky. JJ got me an iTunes gift certificate to cheer me up. How sweet.

* Last week I bought pajama pants and a t-shirt from the Gap’s supersoft collection. Very comfortable. VERY.

* Movies I want to see: March of the Penguins, The 40-year-old Virgin, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Cinderella Man and Redeye. Although after Redeye I probably wouldn’t be able to sleep.