2/23/2007
He said - she said
I would just like to elaborate a little bit on a few of these things. That's my job as the designated "talker" in this duo.
I asked her if she wanted to try it out and that I would teach her. She had quite a bit of trepidation but decided to try it. Yeah - more like terrified. I can't even roller blade after trying to learn on three separate occasions. I'd never put on ice skates before and I certainly had never tried to learn in public. But, I figured, what the heck - I can laugh at myself (sometimes).
I told her that I would hold her hand while she rode the rail until she got the hang of it. Mike was incredibly sweet about this. I know it couldn't have been much fun for him to inch around the rink with me trying to figure out what the hell business I had doing on ice skates. Every time we'd do a lap, I'd plead fatigue and tell him to go play on his own for awhile. I'd go sit on a bench and watch him fly around the ice with the other show-off boys.
The first time we went around, slowly but surely, and neither of us fell. Not for lack of trying on my part. Well, not trying on purpose, but I reeeeeally came close a couple of times. I'd make Mike let go of my hand and hug the rail until I felt like I was sturdy and no longer moving. I was pretty sure I was going to hate ice skating while I was on my first time around. I could barely move at all without being sure I was going to fall. Mike was there with suggestions like "If you're going to fall, you want to fall backwards rather than forward." I'm like, "I don't want to fall either way!" Mike kept saying, "Don't worry, I've got you!" But I'm like - yeah. He's on skates too. He's not going to be able to catch me - I'm just going to take him down with me. :D
The second time and third time around, she was clearly getting better and relying a lot less on the rail. I'm telling you, Mike is a wonderful person. He'd be there giving me instructions on how to push off and everything. Then when somebody else would give me an instruction...you know..."Push off with your feet. You need to lean back a little more." Mike would say something to them like, "She's doing really great for her first time!" to make sure I wasn't getting discouraged. Everybody was really nice there.
The third time around I was having a blast. I barely needed the rail at all. The first and some of the second time around, people who'd been leaning on the rail would move out of the way so I could go by but by the third time, I was going around them because I didn't need the rail as much. Oh, I still wanted to be close enough I could grab it if I needed to - but I wasn't relying on it. Toward the end of my third loop, this Black guy who was, in my opinion, the best skater there was like, "Oh yeah. You got it now!" to me. I was inordinately pleased with myself because he'd noticed my improvement. Then on the home stretch, they played Ozzy's "Crazy Train" which is what they play when the Blackhawks take the ice and I was like, "I rule you! Look at me go!" Awesome. Mike swears that by the end, I was pulling him along. I think he's being kind....but it was so much fun!
We had a really fun time and should be going again soon before the season is over. I would freakin' be there every day if not for class and other commitments - and the fact that it's $7 to rent skates. Can I really afford $49 a week for iceskating. Probably not. Damn. Do you think Oprah would sponsor me? Note to self: Write Oprah. Hee hee.
I asked her if she wanted to try it out and that I would teach her. She had quite a bit of trepidation but decided to try it. Yeah - more like terrified. I can't even roller blade after trying to learn on three separate occasions. I'd never put on ice skates before and I certainly had never tried to learn in public. But, I figured, what the heck - I can laugh at myself (sometimes).
I told her that I would hold her hand while she rode the rail until she got the hang of it. Mike was incredibly sweet about this. I know it couldn't have been much fun for him to inch around the rink with me trying to figure out what the hell business I had doing on ice skates. Every time we'd do a lap, I'd plead fatigue and tell him to go play on his own for awhile. I'd go sit on a bench and watch him fly around the ice with the other show-off boys.
The first time we went around, slowly but surely, and neither of us fell. Not for lack of trying on my part. Well, not trying on purpose, but I reeeeeally came close a couple of times. I'd make Mike let go of my hand and hug the rail until I felt like I was sturdy and no longer moving. I was pretty sure I was going to hate ice skating while I was on my first time around. I could barely move at all without being sure I was going to fall. Mike was there with suggestions like "If you're going to fall, you want to fall backwards rather than forward." I'm like, "I don't want to fall either way!" Mike kept saying, "Don't worry, I've got you!" But I'm like - yeah. He's on skates too. He's not going to be able to catch me - I'm just going to take him down with me. :D
The second time and third time around, she was clearly getting better and relying a lot less on the rail. I'm telling you, Mike is a wonderful person. He'd be there giving me instructions on how to push off and everything. Then when somebody else would give me an instruction...you know..."Push off with your feet. You need to lean back a little more." Mike would say something to them like, "She's doing really great for her first time!" to make sure I wasn't getting discouraged. Everybody was really nice there.
The third time around I was having a blast. I barely needed the rail at all. The first and some of the second time around, people who'd been leaning on the rail would move out of the way so I could go by but by the third time, I was going around them because I didn't need the rail as much. Oh, I still wanted to be close enough I could grab it if I needed to - but I wasn't relying on it. Toward the end of my third loop, this Black guy who was, in my opinion, the best skater there was like, "Oh yeah. You got it now!" to me. I was inordinately pleased with myself because he'd noticed my improvement. Then on the home stretch, they played Ozzy's "Crazy Train" which is what they play when the Blackhawks take the ice and I was like, "I rule you! Look at me go!" Awesome. Mike swears that by the end, I was pulling him along. I think he's being kind....but it was so much fun!
We had a really fun time and should be going again soon before the season is over. I would freakin' be there every day if not for class and other commitments - and the fact that it's $7 to rent skates. Can I really afford $49 a week for iceskating. Probably not. Damn. Do you think Oprah would sponsor me? Note to self: Write Oprah. Hee hee.
2/22/2007
Skate or Die
Tonight after dropping Cindi off at school, I decided to stick around downtown and do some window shopping and walk down to Millenium Park. I started off at the Harley Davidson store and proceeded to Swatch to see if our friend Stephanie was working tonight and she was. I drooled over the Rolex and Panerai watches in the display window in the jewelry store and stopped into Kenneth Cole and quickly realized that I have no business looking at blue jeans for $125 a pop. I got some Fannie May candies for Lucinda and I, then walked a couple blocks to the park.
I heard some music playing and saw the lighted skating rink and knew that I had to try ice skating again. I paid $7 for some beat up rental hockey skates that have probably paid for themselves 100 times over. I've seen sharper edges on children's play toys, but realized they would have to do. Just as I was lacing up my skates, Cindi called to say that she got out of class early today. I convinced her to come down to the rink and watch me skate for a little bit. When she got there, i asked her if she wanted to try it out and that I would teach her. She had quite a bit of trepidation but decided to try it. I told her that I would hold her hand while she rode the rail until she got the hang of it. The first time we went around, slowly but surely, and neither of us fell. The second time and third time around, she was clearly getting better and relying a lot less on the rail. We had a really fun time and should be going again soon before the season is over.
I heard some music playing and saw the lighted skating rink and knew that I had to try ice skating again. I paid $7 for some beat up rental hockey skates that have probably paid for themselves 100 times over. I've seen sharper edges on children's play toys, but realized they would have to do. Just as I was lacing up my skates, Cindi called to say that she got out of class early today. I convinced her to come down to the rink and watch me skate for a little bit. When she got there, i asked her if she wanted to try it out and that I would teach her. She had quite a bit of trepidation but decided to try it. I told her that I would hold her hand while she rode the rail until she got the hang of it. The first time we went around, slowly but surely, and neither of us fell. The second time and third time around, she was clearly getting better and relying a lot less on the rail. We had a really fun time and should be going again soon before the season is over.
2/21/2007
Happy Meatless Wednesday! (Or Resolutions revisited)
Well, it's Ash Wednesday and Lent has started. Because I have resolved to give up something for the season, I have decided to revisit my New Year's Resolutions and see how we're doing. I'll also be readjusting the list to see what my "rest of the year" resolutions are.
*Go to the gym at least three times a week - well, I haven't been doing this one so much. I'm going to the gym but it's really hard to make three times a week with my school schedule. I'll call this a "somewhat" successful resolution. I'll have to work on upping my workout-age.
*Drink more water and less pop - Hrm. I'm drinking water but I also take a soda to school with me most days. It's hard to stay awake otherwise. I'd say I'm drinking more water than I used to and less pop than I used to...but I could still improve on this one. It stays. I did go a little crazy on pop this weekend in Tennessee but paid the price. By the end of the weekend, my stomach was saying, "For the love of God, STOP!"
*Stop taking Mike for granted - I'm not even sure what I meant by this one. A lot of days he's lucky that I'm not a husband beater, I'm telling you. Whew. :D I have decided to change this one to "Stop getting mad at Mike for insignificant things." Otherwise I don't know how to gage whether I'm successful or not.
*Go to church every week - Oh we are so on this one. We are going to St. Benedict's every week. Mike likes Father Steve, I prefer Father Clem.
*Answer emails in a more timely fashion - I've definitely been better about this one.
*Do one load of laundry every week day AND fold it AND put it away, as opposed to doing it and leaving it sit in a basket so that it gets wrinkled - oh, this one is SO off the list. I haven't done this at all.
*Dedicate at least two hours each day to studying - I haven't been timing it but I've been really good about finishing assignments and readings early, so I'd say I'm good on this.
*Go out to eat no more than one time per week - Off the list.
*Eat fast food no more than once per month - Yeah, right. Pooped the bed on this one.
*Go to the library more and the book store less - I rule you! Ha ha! I've been really good.
*Knit everyone in my family something for next Christmas - Many ideas floating around. I have decided what I'm going to knit most people but I haven't really gotten started yet. I have about 40 things that I want to knit Kelly which I'll have to trim down. The coolest of which being a hat that looks like Bailey's sock monkey. Awesome.
*Learn to crochet - This is off the list. I just don't have TIME to do it.
*Write in my journal three times a week -Nope. Not doing it.
*Be more positive in my blog entries - Definitely more positive.
*Blog at least three times a week - Weeeeell, not lately. But I'm doing alright. You can stay on the list.
*Try not to nag as much - Again - what was I thinking? I don't nag. I haven't noticed myself doing it at all! Although maybe I should consult Mike before I say that.
Wish me luck.
*Go to the gym at least three times a week - well, I haven't been doing this one so much. I'm going to the gym but it's really hard to make three times a week with my school schedule. I'll call this a "somewhat" successful resolution. I'll have to work on upping my workout-age.
*Drink more water and less pop - Hrm. I'm drinking water but I also take a soda to school with me most days. It's hard to stay awake otherwise. I'd say I'm drinking more water than I used to and less pop than I used to...but I could still improve on this one. It stays. I did go a little crazy on pop this weekend in Tennessee but paid the price. By the end of the weekend, my stomach was saying, "For the love of God, STOP!"
*Stop taking Mike for granted - I'm not even sure what I meant by this one. A lot of days he's lucky that I'm not a husband beater, I'm telling you. Whew. :D I have decided to change this one to "Stop getting mad at Mike for insignificant things." Otherwise I don't know how to gage whether I'm successful or not.
*Go to church every week - Oh we are so on this one. We are going to St. Benedict's every week. Mike likes Father Steve, I prefer Father Clem.
*Answer emails in a more timely fashion - I've definitely been better about this one.
*Do one load of laundry every week day AND fold it AND put it away, as opposed to doing it and leaving it sit in a basket so that it gets wrinkled - oh, this one is SO off the list. I haven't done this at all.
*Dedicate at least two hours each day to studying - I haven't been timing it but I've been really good about finishing assignments and readings early, so I'd say I'm good on this.
*Go out to eat no more than one time per week - Off the list.
*Eat fast food no more than once per month - Yeah, right. Pooped the bed on this one.
*Go to the library more and the book store less - I rule you! Ha ha! I've been really good.
*Knit everyone in my family something for next Christmas - Many ideas floating around. I have decided what I'm going to knit most people but I haven't really gotten started yet. I have about 40 things that I want to knit Kelly which I'll have to trim down. The coolest of which being a hat that looks like Bailey's sock monkey. Awesome.
*Learn to crochet - This is off the list. I just don't have TIME to do it.
*Write in my journal three times a week -Nope. Not doing it.
*Be more positive in my blog entries - Definitely more positive.
*Blog at least three times a week - Weeeeell, not lately. But I'm doing alright. You can stay on the list.
*Try not to nag as much - Again - what was I thinking? I don't nag. I haven't noticed myself doing it at all! Although maybe I should consult Mike before I say that.
*Read Dante's Inferno - I have purchased a used copy of this book and I am resolved to complete this one! I just haven't started yet.
So what are you giving up for Lent, you ask. Well, I had a hard time deciding about it. Mike's given up soda. I, however, couldn't think of anything to give up. Mike suggested potato chips and I thought it was a good idea except that I have SunChips at home. When he said they didn't count because they're lower fat, I was like, "So you want me to give up fatty salted snacks?" Now, this (to me) sounds more like something he just wants me to do, period. But I agreed. At least for the next six weeks, I can't have any regular chips. I can have baked chips, lower fat organics and SunChips (which are less fat). I have a feeling I'll be fiending for Doritos.Wish me luck.
2/20/2007
Stick 'em up!
Apparently, I have the look of a Chicago Police detective. I went to get a quick bite to eat this afternoon and I was wearing my city ID card around my neck. After sitting down and taking a look at my receipt, I noticed that I received a police discount on my meal. If they had served doughnuts, I could have only hoped that maybe they would have thrown one or two in for free.
In other news, Cindi and I had a fun trip down to Tennessee this weekend. We had a nice dinner at Pearl's on Sunday which was also Rachael's birthday and had a slice off the top of our wedding cake. It was still scrumptious after 10 months in the freezer. It was very different than the experience that Elaine Benes had from eating the 80 year old slice of royal wedding cake purchased by Mr. Peterman, and then pulling the "old Entenmann's shim-sham."
Cindi and I both bought matching North Face coats at Hammer's for a ridiculously low price. It did snow there Saturday, but the snow and wind were no match for the jacket as I tested it out for a walk around the woods in Sewanee.
Aaron and I went to see Casino Royale on Saturday. I'm not a huge Bond fan, but it was entertaining, and it was about high stakes poker so that was cool.
I had to laugh when on the way to Rachael and Aaron's house we saw a highway billboard sign advertising for Toot's Restaurant just outside of Nashville. I hear that the chili there is quite popular and potent if ya catch my drift (pun intended).
In other news, Cindi and I had a fun trip down to Tennessee this weekend. We had a nice dinner at Pearl's on Sunday which was also Rachael's birthday and had a slice off the top of our wedding cake. It was still scrumptious after 10 months in the freezer. It was very different than the experience that Elaine Benes had from eating the 80 year old slice of royal wedding cake purchased by Mr. Peterman, and then pulling the "old Entenmann's shim-sham."
Cindi and I both bought matching North Face coats at Hammer's for a ridiculously low price. It did snow there Saturday, but the snow and wind were no match for the jacket as I tested it out for a walk around the woods in Sewanee.
Aaron and I went to see Casino Royale on Saturday. I'm not a huge Bond fan, but it was entertaining, and it was about high stakes poker so that was cool.
I had to laugh when on the way to Rachael and Aaron's house we saw a highway billboard sign advertising for Toot's Restaurant just outside of Nashville. I hear that the chili there is quite popular and potent if ya catch my drift (pun intended).
2/18/2007
Greetins, y'all
So...it's been a really fun weekend in Tennessee thusfar. Mike and I hopped a plane on Friday night. I actually spent all day Friday madly running around to make sure all our trip clothes were washed, bags packed, cats fed and bases covered. We were delayed slightly but got to Nashville without much incident.
On Saturday we spent the day playing Pong on our friends' Atari flashback2. Awesome. Mike was heard to note..."And we spent how much money on our PS2?" That's exactly right - we played game after game of Pong. PONG! And it was the most fun I've had in a long time. Oh, we didn't just play Pong - we played Centipede, Pitfall, River Raid...all of the games I loved in my youth.
Today Mike and I celebrated our anniversary two months early and ate the top of our wedding cake at the restaurant where we had our wedding reception. It was really nice.
We also celebrate Rachael's birthday! YaY! Happy birthday, Rachael.
Rachael's lost so much weight that she's had to buy new clothes. Several times now, actually. But we went through a bunch of her old clothes and I've got nearly a whole new wardrobe! We had to buy a couple of extra duffel bags to pack all of it home again. I was delighted to discover, quite by accident, that I can fit into things one-two sizes smaller than I thought I could. Now, not all of the two size smaller stuff fits...but a bunch of it does! I haven't fit into ANYTHING in that size since I was in college. It's enough to get me back into workout mode and excited about it again. I have only lost a few pounds going by the scale - and I'd noticed that my pants were loose...but actually fitting into smaller sizes somehow makes it "real."
Anyway, we're on our way back to Chicago in the morning. Because Rachael and Aaron have an important class tomorrow morning, we'll be at the Nashville airport at about 6:30 or so. Our flight leaves at 10:30. Luckily we brought plenty of stuff to do. I can work on homework and Mike has my PSP and John Gardner books to read. (He read Bill Bryson on the way down).
I should go to bed now, I suppose. It's going to be a long day tomorrow. Up early, a wait at the airport, flight home, traveling back to the apartment and then I have to go to class. Nice. I'll should sleep good tomorrow night.
See you on the flip side.
On Saturday we spent the day playing Pong on our friends' Atari flashback2. Awesome. Mike was heard to note..."And we spent how much money on our PS2?" That's exactly right - we played game after game of Pong. PONG! And it was the most fun I've had in a long time. Oh, we didn't just play Pong - we played Centipede, Pitfall, River Raid...all of the games I loved in my youth.
Today Mike and I celebrated our anniversary two months early and ate the top of our wedding cake at the restaurant where we had our wedding reception. It was really nice.
We also celebrate Rachael's birthday! YaY! Happy birthday, Rachael.
Rachael's lost so much weight that she's had to buy new clothes. Several times now, actually. But we went through a bunch of her old clothes and I've got nearly a whole new wardrobe! We had to buy a couple of extra duffel bags to pack all of it home again. I was delighted to discover, quite by accident, that I can fit into things one-two sizes smaller than I thought I could. Now, not all of the two size smaller stuff fits...but a bunch of it does! I haven't fit into ANYTHING in that size since I was in college. It's enough to get me back into workout mode and excited about it again. I have only lost a few pounds going by the scale - and I'd noticed that my pants were loose...but actually fitting into smaller sizes somehow makes it "real."
Anyway, we're on our way back to Chicago in the morning. Because Rachael and Aaron have an important class tomorrow morning, we'll be at the Nashville airport at about 6:30 or so. Our flight leaves at 10:30. Luckily we brought plenty of stuff to do. I can work on homework and Mike has my PSP and John Gardner books to read. (He read Bill Bryson on the way down).
I should go to bed now, I suppose. It's going to be a long day tomorrow. Up early, a wait at the airport, flight home, traveling back to the apartment and then I have to go to class. Nice. I'll should sleep good tomorrow night.
See you on the flip side.
2/17/2007
I'm high...so very high...
| Your Five Factor Personality Profile |
 Extroversion: You have high extroversion. You are outgoing and engaging, with both strangers and friends. You truly enjoy being with people and bring energy into any situation. Enthusiastic and fun, you're the first to say "let's go!" Conscientiousness: You have high conscientiousness. Intelligent and reliable, you tend to succeed in life. Most things in your life are organized and planned well. But you borderline on being a total perfectionist. Agreeableness: You have high agreeableness. You are easy to get along with, and you value harmony highly. Helpful and generous, you are willing to compromise with almost anyone. You give people the benefit of the doubt and don't mind giving someone a second chance. Neuroticism: You have medium neuroticism. You're generally cool and collected, but sometimes you do panic. Little worries or problems can consume you, draining your energy. Your life is pretty smooth, but there's a few emotional bumps you'd like to get rid of. Openness to experience: Your openness to new experiences is high. In life, you tend to be an early adopter of all new things and ideas. You'll try almost anything interesting, and you're constantly pushing your own limits. A great connoisseir of art and beauty, you can find the positive side of almost anything. |
More Jeff-ness
As per my dad's request, I will relate a couple more Jeff stories - because he was the funniest kid this side of Caleb - who is exactly like him.
When Jeff was small, we went to the Lowell Baptist Church near our house. Well, the family did - I don't think I was born yet. Anyway, Jeff had a line in the Christmas pageant one year. Dad will have to tell you how old he was because I'm not at all sure other than "pretty small." I would say somewhere between 4-6 because Mom and Dad got married when he was almost 4 and I was born when he was 6 and a half. But I'm digressing - He had a line in the Christmas play. The line he was to speak was "Peace on Earth and goodwill to man." When he was small like that, he had a tendancy to mix up his words and letters a bit when he spoke. Squirrel became "skrill" and girl became "gril." (Sidenote: When I was born, Mom told the nurse to come and tell Dad "It's a gril!") When he would say his line, it became "Peace on Earth and willgood to man." The family coached and coached him on this - mostly my Uncle Tony and the day of the pageant arrived. Jeff said his line perfectly but it went something like this: "Peace on Earth and (loud and emphatically) GOOD.WILL. (normal) to man."
The second story also takes place when he's very small. My mom always said he was the most literal kid she'd ever seen. Well, when we were growing up, my Uncle Tony was always around visiting my Granny and he taught each of us to read before we were old enough to go to kindergarten. He was teaching Jeff to read and he said, "Ok. Now say this right behind me." So Jeff got up and stood behind his chair.
When Jeff was small, we went to the Lowell Baptist Church near our house. Well, the family did - I don't think I was born yet. Anyway, Jeff had a line in the Christmas pageant one year. Dad will have to tell you how old he was because I'm not at all sure other than "pretty small." I would say somewhere between 4-6 because Mom and Dad got married when he was almost 4 and I was born when he was 6 and a half. But I'm digressing - He had a line in the Christmas play. The line he was to speak was "Peace on Earth and goodwill to man." When he was small like that, he had a tendancy to mix up his words and letters a bit when he spoke. Squirrel became "skrill" and girl became "gril." (Sidenote: When I was born, Mom told the nurse to come and tell Dad "It's a gril!") When he would say his line, it became "Peace on Earth and willgood to man." The family coached and coached him on this - mostly my Uncle Tony and the day of the pageant arrived. Jeff said his line perfectly but it went something like this: "Peace on Earth and (loud and emphatically) GOOD.WILL. (normal) to man."
The second story also takes place when he's very small. My mom always said he was the most literal kid she'd ever seen. Well, when we were growing up, my Uncle Tony was always around visiting my Granny and he taught each of us to read before we were old enough to go to kindergarten. He was teaching Jeff to read and he said, "Ok. Now say this right behind me." So Jeff got up and stood behind his chair.
2/14/2007
A Valentine for Jeff
To wish my older brother, Jeff, a Happy Valentine's Day, I have decided to share with the world my (probably) favorite story that my mother used to tell about him. If it's not my favorite, it's definitely in the top five. There are so many good stories about Jeff that it is sometimes hard to narrow it down to just one.
When Jeff was in the first grade, his teacher asked the class to stand up and share something that their mother had taught them. I imagine it was in connection with Mother's Day or something similar. When his turn came around, Jeff stood up and said, "Never eat yellow snow."
Happy Valentine's Day, Jeff.
When Jeff was in the first grade, his teacher asked the class to stand up and share something that their mother had taught them. I imagine it was in connection with Mother's Day or something similar. When his turn came around, Jeff stood up and said, "Never eat yellow snow."
Happy Valentine's Day, Jeff.
2/13/2007
Randomness is Grand
I've decided I need to post but I don't have any real stories, so I thought I'd put out a couple random tidbits of what has been happening in our lives.
The other day, as I got ready to go out for our date night, Mike called to me from the living room where he was sitting on the couch. He said, "Hey, pea. If it ever comes up, my bondage safeword is bananas." For a split second, I was like, What. The. Hell? Then I realized he was quoting one of his new tv shows, "The Naked Trucker and T-Bones Show" on Comedy Central.
On Sunday night, we didn't go to bed until 6:30AM on Monday MORNING. My insomnia has been plaguing me lately but I've usually been getting to bed between 2 and 3AM. But Sunday night, after much pleading and convincing, Mike went to the casino. While I read a book in bed, Mike played blackjack and texas hold'em. At 1:30, he called and told me he'd be home shortly and that he'd won a little bit of money - about a hundred dollars or so, I think. At 4:30, he called and said, "I'm sorry I didn't come home when I said but is it ok if I bring home some money?" And bring home money, he did. $685. Now it was not all profit because he took $140. So we went out to Clara's for breakfast when he got home (they open at 5). Happy Valentine's Day to ME! :D He's taking me out to one of my favorite restaurants (already reserved) and I have a feeling I'll be getting something that sparkles. Oh, nothing too expensive. He was not to spend a lot of money but he went out to "broker a few deals" on Monday while I studied for my test - so I'm sure I'm getting something. And we all know how I love to get presents. d
Flowers would be nice...but the last time he gave me flowers, I only got them because I told him to buy them. I tried hinting - to no avail and finally I was like, "I want you to send me flowers, you jerk!" Then it wasn't as fun because I had to beg for them. Oh it was still fun...just not AS fun.
Also - Mike keeps saying to me, "The jerk store called - they want you to work the day shift tomorrow." Finally I was like, "What does that even mean?! Just because I supposedly work there doesn't make me a jerk! You can work at a women's clothing store without being a skirt. Or even a woman!" All he said to that was, "You work a lot of overtime." I just snorted and said, "Whatever." I still don't get the logic there. Next time he says it though, I'm going to say, "Yeah? Well you're on clearance."
The other day, as I got ready to go out for our date night, Mike called to me from the living room where he was sitting on the couch. He said, "Hey, pea. If it ever comes up, my bondage safeword is bananas." For a split second, I was like, What. The. Hell? Then I realized he was quoting one of his new tv shows, "The Naked Trucker and T-Bones Show" on Comedy Central.
On Sunday night, we didn't go to bed until 6:30AM on Monday MORNING. My insomnia has been plaguing me lately but I've usually been getting to bed between 2 and 3AM. But Sunday night, after much pleading and convincing, Mike went to the casino. While I read a book in bed, Mike played blackjack and texas hold'em. At 1:30, he called and told me he'd be home shortly and that he'd won a little bit of money - about a hundred dollars or so, I think. At 4:30, he called and said, "I'm sorry I didn't come home when I said but is it ok if I bring home some money?" And bring home money, he did. $685. Now it was not all profit because he took $140. So we went out to Clara's for breakfast when he got home (they open at 5). Happy Valentine's Day to ME! :D He's taking me out to one of my favorite restaurants (already reserved) and I have a feeling I'll be getting something that sparkles. Oh, nothing too expensive. He was not to spend a lot of money but he went out to "broker a few deals" on Monday while I studied for my test - so I'm sure I'm getting something. And we all know how I love to get presents. d
Flowers would be nice...but the last time he gave me flowers, I only got them because I told him to buy them. I tried hinting - to no avail and finally I was like, "I want you to send me flowers, you jerk!" Then it wasn't as fun because I had to beg for them. Oh it was still fun...just not AS fun.
Also - Mike keeps saying to me, "The jerk store called - they want you to work the day shift tomorrow." Finally I was like, "What does that even mean?! Just because I supposedly work there doesn't make me a jerk! You can work at a women's clothing store without being a skirt. Or even a woman!" All he said to that was, "You work a lot of overtime." I just snorted and said, "Whatever." I still don't get the logic there. Next time he says it though, I'm going to say, "Yeah? Well you're on clearance."
2/08/2007
I know, I know
I'm slacking terribly. But I've had exams to study for, papers due and now I'm sick. If my head does not explode (as it seems to be threatening to do), I will be back when I feel a little better.
*MWAH*
*MWAH*
2/02/2007
The post by any other name or how I survived the bus ride home
Well, as I am being gently prodded from all sides - I suppose I must suck it up and update the blog. I take comfort in the fact that Scott hasn't Scuttlebutted either. At least he isn't posting more often than I am. :D I have nothing terribly interesting to say. I've been searching my brain for entertaining stories to tell but nothin' - zip - nada. Not that I'm necessarily all that amusing otherwise - I do strive for some semblance of entertainment.
Well, there is this. Today I was on a city bus with a driver who talked to himself. Living in Chicago, you get used to passing people on the street and sitting next to people on the bus who talk to themselves. Usually you just try to stay as far away as possible and not make eye-contact. But this is the first time I have ever been on a bus with a driver who did it. It took me a little while to figure out anything was amiss. I was waiting for the bus and it was stopped behind several cars at a red light. The driver opened the door and I walked down the length of the cars to get on. So far, so good. As I got on the driver said, "Tank you fuh walkin' down - Ah dunno know why day put so much space der." I said, "Uh..no problem." I didn't linger too much on the fact that he was "chatty" - I figured he was just being polite. Honestly, though, it did kinda freak me out just a tad because as a general rule - they're not all that polite. They have the upper hand and we both know it. They've got the bus - I want on the bus...I'll pretty much do whatever I have to do to get out of the frozen tundra. I climb on the bus and grab the first available seat right in the front. I glanced down the length of the bus and notice that it's really pretty empty. There are about four other people besides myself and they're aaaaaaaaall watching me with odd expressions on their faces. Looking back, I realize that they were waiting to see my reaction. We start moving and the driver starts talking. I don't have a clear view of him from my seat but it's clear he's talking to another person. I got mad - to myself I was like, "There's a law against driving while you're talking on your cell phone!" Then I lean over and look - and he has no phone. He's having a conversation....with...nobody. I look back at the other four people and one girl catches my eyes and nods like, "Oh yeah - there's nobody there." It's a little odd but y'know...whatever. Then he starts getting agitated. "Whoo..whatchu tink ya doin', boiy? Whoo! Ya bedda run, boiy! Ah'll take ya out!" I'm like, "Oh, thank God, this is my stop coming up." I got off the bus and started down walking down towards my house. I glanced behind me and notice that two other people had gotten off the bus with me and were waiting at the bus stop. And it's COLD outside. As I walked the rest of the way home, I tried to decide whether I'd have gotten off and waited in the cold for the next bus or stuck it out and tried to get home. In the end, I decided that I probably would have gotten off too. When somebody on the bus is acting crazy, you can tell the driver...but what do you do when the crazy person IS the driver? Nah - not worth the risk. Anyway, I was glad I didn't have to make the choice. It was my stop...but Mike can never understand why I hate riding the bus. He never gets the crazies on his bus...I get the crazy bus DRIVER. What's up with that?
In other news - my Old Navy jeans are too big now. I pulled them out of the drawer today and I can barely keep them up. I'm torn between being happy and bummed because my clothes don't fit anymore. I guess I'll be asking for gift certificates for my birthday this year. It'd probably be a bigger difference but I still tend to eat like I'm going into hibernation. One step at a time, I suppose.
Well, there is this. Today I was on a city bus with a driver who talked to himself. Living in Chicago, you get used to passing people on the street and sitting next to people on the bus who talk to themselves. Usually you just try to stay as far away as possible and not make eye-contact. But this is the first time I have ever been on a bus with a driver who did it. It took me a little while to figure out anything was amiss. I was waiting for the bus and it was stopped behind several cars at a red light. The driver opened the door and I walked down the length of the cars to get on. So far, so good. As I got on the driver said, "Tank you fuh walkin' down - Ah dunno know why day put so much space der." I said, "Uh..no problem." I didn't linger too much on the fact that he was "chatty" - I figured he was just being polite. Honestly, though, it did kinda freak me out just a tad because as a general rule - they're not all that polite. They have the upper hand and we both know it. They've got the bus - I want on the bus...I'll pretty much do whatever I have to do to get out of the frozen tundra. I climb on the bus and grab the first available seat right in the front. I glanced down the length of the bus and notice that it's really pretty empty. There are about four other people besides myself and they're aaaaaaaaall watching me with odd expressions on their faces. Looking back, I realize that they were waiting to see my reaction. We start moving and the driver starts talking. I don't have a clear view of him from my seat but it's clear he's talking to another person. I got mad - to myself I was like, "There's a law against driving while you're talking on your cell phone!" Then I lean over and look - and he has no phone. He's having a conversation....with...nobody. I look back at the other four people and one girl catches my eyes and nods like, "Oh yeah - there's nobody there." It's a little odd but y'know...whatever. Then he starts getting agitated. "Whoo..whatchu tink ya doin', boiy? Whoo! Ya bedda run, boiy! Ah'll take ya out!" I'm like, "Oh, thank God, this is my stop coming up." I got off the bus and started down walking down towards my house. I glanced behind me and notice that two other people had gotten off the bus with me and were waiting at the bus stop. And it's COLD outside. As I walked the rest of the way home, I tried to decide whether I'd have gotten off and waited in the cold for the next bus or stuck it out and tried to get home. In the end, I decided that I probably would have gotten off too. When somebody on the bus is acting crazy, you can tell the driver...but what do you do when the crazy person IS the driver? Nah - not worth the risk. Anyway, I was glad I didn't have to make the choice. It was my stop...but Mike can never understand why I hate riding the bus. He never gets the crazies on his bus...I get the crazy bus DRIVER. What's up with that?
In other news - my Old Navy jeans are too big now. I pulled them out of the drawer today and I can barely keep them up. I'm torn between being happy and bummed because my clothes don't fit anymore. I guess I'll be asking for gift certificates for my birthday this year. It'd probably be a bigger difference but I still tend to eat like I'm going into hibernation. One step at a time, I suppose.
1/27/2007
You've Gotta Be Kidding...
Because I was in class and unable to watch it, I must read a transcript of GW Bush's State of the Union address, take notes and be prepared to discuss it on Monday.
Can someone just shoot me in the face instead? It would be less painful.
Can someone just shoot me in the face instead? It would be less painful.
Just a note -
My brother and I continue to light candles for my mother which keeps the candle group going. You will find a new link to light a candle for my mom on the links section of our blog. I am very grateful to anyone who decides to light a candle for her but I promise not to think less of you if you don't. :D
1/26/2007
Signs of a good marriage? or just insanity?
Usually Mike and I go to bed at different times but every once in awhile I am tired and go to bed early (thank you, Ambien). Anyways, last night I actually went to bed a short time before Mike. I was sitting in bed thinking about what I needed to do the next day when the Ambien kicked in and I was sleepy enough to fall most of the way asleep sitting up with my chin tucked against my chest. Mike came down the stairs and we had the following conversation:
Mike: What are you doing?
Me: [opening my eyes but not really moving] Sleepin'.
[Mike climbs into bed next to me]
Mike: Why don't you lay down?
Me: I'm going to - I just got really tired all of a sudden. I think it's the Ambien.
Mike: Ah. You're all drugged up.
[Mike then proceeds to make a "Woooooooo" noise while he moves his open hand toward and away from my face in, I suppose, an attempt to simulate drug induced hallucinations. This does little for me but he is apparently cracking himself up.]
Then Mike gets up and turns out the light on his side of the bedroom and we settle in to sleep. I have this thing about walking across the bedroom in the dark. I can't do it. Well - I can walk across but I have to, like, pole vault into bed. Ever since I saw Pet Semetary when I was a kid, I've had this irrational fear that something's going to reach out from under my bed and cut my Achille's tendon. Yeah, you laugh but watch that movie - that part with the demon kid and the old guy scarred me for life. I'd actually gotten over it - you know, 10 years later...and then we got Furio. When he was a kitten he loved to jump out and scare you. Pounch. And his FAVORITE thing to do was wait until you were getting into bed in the dark and grab your legs with his claws. He didn't just do it. He'd wait until you'd thrown one leg in and were about to lift the other one and he'd grab it. The first time he did it, I screamed so loud that Mike shot straight up out of bed. And now that silly fear is back. So Mike turns out the lights at night.
Anyway, we settled in to sleep and were discussing the previous day and the matters we'd need to attend to the next. This is the best time of the day for me - on the occasional day our schedules align. Talking to Mike in the dark while I stare up at our starry ceiling. The previous tenants put glow in the dark stickers on the ceiling and when you turn the lights off, it looks like a starry sky. It's great. Anyway, I don't know how it got started - but it went from talking about what we had to do the next day to trying to make each other laugh. I know it started because Mike said "boobs" for no reason. We've been watching "The Office" and Ricky Gervais' new HBO show "Extras." Within the last couple of weeks there have been episodes on both shows where they just thrown out "boobs" for no reason. Two weeks ago, Michael from The Office turned on the voice software on his computer and made his monitor into his "friend" named Harvey who just out of nowhere said, "Boobs," which made Michael (and oddly enough my Mike, too) crack up. Then this week on Extras, Andy's (Ricky G) brainless, clueless (hilarious) manager used a calculator to 'write' the word "boobs" and showed it to some of Andy's fans saying, "Well, if you liked Andy's show, you'll like this." I know it loses something in the translation - but the common denominator for both is the fact that both incidents cracked Mike up.
Anyway, it all started with Mike throwing out the word "boobs" to make me laugh. Pretty soon it had evolved into us exchanging random bits of dialogue from Saturday Night Live's Celebrity Jeopardy skits.
"I'll take 'the rapists' for $100."
"Meso. Yes - a kind of soup. How much did you wager? Horny."
"It's a friggin hammer!"
We layed there getting more and more outrageous, trying to make each other laugh for probably another 30-45 minutes before we finally settled down to sleep. Mike with Meme on his feet, me with Furio snuggled against the back of my legs.
Did I have a point to this story? Not really. Sometimes you gotta sit back and just be grateful for what you've got because life has a way of knocking you off balance and then kicking you while you're down. It's important to remember that there are some things (or people) that you can count on to make you happy. Always.
Mike: What are you doing?
Me: [opening my eyes but not really moving] Sleepin'.
[Mike climbs into bed next to me]
Mike: Why don't you lay down?
Me: I'm going to - I just got really tired all of a sudden. I think it's the Ambien.
Mike: Ah. You're all drugged up.
[Mike then proceeds to make a "Woooooooo" noise while he moves his open hand toward and away from my face in, I suppose, an attempt to simulate drug induced hallucinations. This does little for me but he is apparently cracking himself up.]
Then Mike gets up and turns out the light on his side of the bedroom and we settle in to sleep. I have this thing about walking across the bedroom in the dark. I can't do it. Well - I can walk across but I have to, like, pole vault into bed. Ever since I saw Pet Semetary when I was a kid, I've had this irrational fear that something's going to reach out from under my bed and cut my Achille's tendon. Yeah, you laugh but watch that movie - that part with the demon kid and the old guy scarred me for life. I'd actually gotten over it - you know, 10 years later...and then we got Furio. When he was a kitten he loved to jump out and scare you. Pounch. And his FAVORITE thing to do was wait until you were getting into bed in the dark and grab your legs with his claws. He didn't just do it. He'd wait until you'd thrown one leg in and were about to lift the other one and he'd grab it. The first time he did it, I screamed so loud that Mike shot straight up out of bed. And now that silly fear is back. So Mike turns out the lights at night.
Anyway, we settled in to sleep and were discussing the previous day and the matters we'd need to attend to the next. This is the best time of the day for me - on the occasional day our schedules align. Talking to Mike in the dark while I stare up at our starry ceiling. The previous tenants put glow in the dark stickers on the ceiling and when you turn the lights off, it looks like a starry sky. It's great. Anyway, I don't know how it got started - but it went from talking about what we had to do the next day to trying to make each other laugh. I know it started because Mike said "boobs" for no reason. We've been watching "The Office" and Ricky Gervais' new HBO show "Extras." Within the last couple of weeks there have been episodes on both shows where they just thrown out "boobs" for no reason. Two weeks ago, Michael from The Office turned on the voice software on his computer and made his monitor into his "friend" named Harvey who just out of nowhere said, "Boobs," which made Michael (and oddly enough my Mike, too) crack up. Then this week on Extras, Andy's (Ricky G) brainless, clueless (hilarious) manager used a calculator to 'write' the word "boobs" and showed it to some of Andy's fans saying, "Well, if you liked Andy's show, you'll like this." I know it loses something in the translation - but the common denominator for both is the fact that both incidents cracked Mike up.
Anyway, it all started with Mike throwing out the word "boobs" to make me laugh. Pretty soon it had evolved into us exchanging random bits of dialogue from Saturday Night Live's Celebrity Jeopardy skits.
"I'll take 'the rapists' for $100."
"Meso. Yes - a kind of soup. How much did you wager? Horny."
"It's a friggin hammer!"
We layed there getting more and more outrageous, trying to make each other laugh for probably another 30-45 minutes before we finally settled down to sleep. Mike with Meme on his feet, me with Furio snuggled against the back of my legs.
Did I have a point to this story? Not really. Sometimes you gotta sit back and just be grateful for what you've got because life has a way of knocking you off balance and then kicking you while you're down. It's important to remember that there are some things (or people) that you can count on to make you happy. Always.
For Sandy - all information also courtesy of Wikipedia
(I just think Carlos the Jackal is fun to say.)
Carlos the Jackal
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ilich Ramírez Sánchez, also known as Carlos the Jackal.Ilich Ramírez Sánchez (born October 12, 1949) is a Venezuelan-born self-proclaimed leftist revolutionary and mercenary. He was given a nom de guerre Carlos when he became a member of the leftist PFLP (Popular Front for Liberation of Palestine). After several bungled bombings, Sánchez obtained notoriety for a 1975 raid on the OPEC headquarters, resulting in the deaths of three people. For many years he was among the most wanted international fugitives. He is now serving life imprisonment in France.
Sánchez was born in Caracas. His father, a Marxist lawyer, gave him the forename Ilich, after Lenin's patronym. He was educated at a local school in Caracas and joined the youth movement of the national communist party in 1959. Apart from his native Spanish, he reportedly speaks Arabic and Russian, as well as English and French. After attending the Third Tricontinental in January, 1966, with his father, he spent the following summer at Camp Matanzas, a guerrilla warfare school run by the Cuban DGI located near Havana. Later that year, after the divorce of his parents, his mother took him and his brother to London to continue their studies in Stafford House Tutorial College in Kensington. In 1968 his father tried to take him and his brother Lenin to Sorbonne University but eventually opted for Patrice Lumumba University in Moscow. He was expelled from the university in 1970.
Apparently he traveled from there to a guerrilla training camp run by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) in Amman, Jordan. It was there that he gained the pseudonym Carlos. He claimed to have fought alongside the PFLP members as they resisted the Jordanian government's efforts to expel them in 1970. When he did leave Jordan it was for London where he attended courses at the London School of Economics and apparently worked for the PFLP.
Carlos was given the "Jackal" moniker by the press when the Frederick Forsyth novel The Day of the Jackal was reportedly found among his belongings. Although the book actually belonged to someone else, the nickname stuck.
The Jackal in fiction
• Frederick Forsyth wrote a novel, The Day of the Jackal, first published in 1971, in which an international assassin known only as "The Jackal" (French "le chacal") is hired to assassinate Charles De Gaulle. A copy of this novel, mistakenly thought to have belonged to Ramírez Sánchez, may be the origin of the "Jackal" nickname. Many erroneously believe that the character portrayed in that novel was based on him, which is impossible as the novel was published before Carlos came to public attention.
• In 1973, Fred Zinnemann directed a movie also named The Day of the Jackal and based on Frederick Forsyth's novel. Actor Edward Fox played the role of the assassin on a film that can be considered as a faithful adaptation of the novel.
• The 1997 film The Jackal, starring Bruce Willis, Richard Gere, and Sidney Poitier, was a remake of Zinnemann's 1973 film.
• The 1997 film The Assignment, starring Aidan Quinn, Donald Sutherland and Ben Kingsley is a fictional account of the U.S. government's efforts to hunt down Carlos very loosely based on his true story.
• In the movie True Lies, the character of Arnold Schwarzenegger, a secret agent, intimidates Bill Paxton's character by (deliberately falsely) accusing him of being a dangerous international terrorist named "Carlos the Jackal".
• In Tom Clancy's book Rainbow Six, terrorists attempt to have Carlos freed from prison by staging a terrorist attack on a Spanish amusement park. In this book Carlos is referred to by his real name (Ilyich Ramirez Sanchez) and his nickname (Carlos the Jackal) and is spoken of as a highly successful terrorist/assassin who was imprisoned after an incident similar to his actual capture. The contrast is that in the book Carlos was put under anesthetic in preparation for an operation to alter his appearance, not to perform surgery on his testicles.
• The character Lacrobat in the British sitcom Whoops Apocalypse"is a parody of him (his nick-name is The Devil.)
• Sidney Sheldon's Catoplus Terror is a novel about a former spy attempting to apprehend Carlos.
• A new biopic has been rumored to be in the works, with Spanish actor Javier Bardem as the elusive terrorist. The film is said to be helmed by maverick Brazilian director Fernando Meirelles, who directed the crime saga City of God.
• The character Carla the Jackal in the James Bond video game Agent Under Fire is a tribute to Carlos. Her character is hired to assassinate James Bond but ends up falling into a fan.
• The thrash metal band Coroner have a song called "Masked Jackal" about Carlos.
• Carlos the Jackal figures prominently in Robert Ludlum's Bourne Trilogy. In the Trilogy Carlos is depicted as the world's most dangerous assassin, a man with international contacts that allow him to strike efficiently and anonymously at locations anywhere on the globe. His actual name (Ilyich Ramirez Sanchez) is used and details - a mixture of fact and fiction - are given about his upbringing and training, including the fictional account that he trained with Russian intelligence at Novrogod. In the Trilogy he keeps residence in France disguised as a priest, protected by a close network of contacts. In the Bourne Identity a relatively small amount is revealed about him but he factors prominently in the plot of the book because the title character, Jason Bourne, was an American black-ops officer whose mission was to usurp Carlos as the world's preeminent assassin in order to draw him out of hiding so that he could be killed or captured (the Matt Damon film adaptation of the book completely eliminates the Carlos character). In the second book, The Bourne Supremacy, Carlos is not a significant character and is understood to be in hiding (in the Bourne Supremacy the Matt Damon film adaptation strays so far from the plot of the book that the two share little more than a common name). However, in The Bourne Ultimatum, the final book of the trilogy, Carlos and Bourne are pitted against each other again.
• In Munich, the 2005 film by Steven Spielberg, a character named Hans mentions Carlos the Jackal.
Carlos the Jackal
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ilich Ramírez Sánchez, also known as Carlos the Jackal.Ilich Ramírez Sánchez (born October 12, 1949) is a Venezuelan-born self-proclaimed leftist revolutionary and mercenary. He was given a nom de guerre Carlos when he became a member of the leftist PFLP (Popular Front for Liberation of Palestine). After several bungled bombings, Sánchez obtained notoriety for a 1975 raid on the OPEC headquarters, resulting in the deaths of three people. For many years he was among the most wanted international fugitives. He is now serving life imprisonment in France.
Sánchez was born in Caracas. His father, a Marxist lawyer, gave him the forename Ilich, after Lenin's patronym. He was educated at a local school in Caracas and joined the youth movement of the national communist party in 1959. Apart from his native Spanish, he reportedly speaks Arabic and Russian, as well as English and French. After attending the Third Tricontinental in January, 1966, with his father, he spent the following summer at Camp Matanzas, a guerrilla warfare school run by the Cuban DGI located near Havana. Later that year, after the divorce of his parents, his mother took him and his brother to London to continue their studies in Stafford House Tutorial College in Kensington. In 1968 his father tried to take him and his brother Lenin to Sorbonne University but eventually opted for Patrice Lumumba University in Moscow. He was expelled from the university in 1970.
Apparently he traveled from there to a guerrilla training camp run by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) in Amman, Jordan. It was there that he gained the pseudonym Carlos. He claimed to have fought alongside the PFLP members as they resisted the Jordanian government's efforts to expel them in 1970. When he did leave Jordan it was for London where he attended courses at the London School of Economics and apparently worked for the PFLP.
Carlos was given the "Jackal" moniker by the press when the Frederick Forsyth novel The Day of the Jackal was reportedly found among his belongings. Although the book actually belonged to someone else, the nickname stuck.
The Jackal in fiction
• Frederick Forsyth wrote a novel, The Day of the Jackal, first published in 1971, in which an international assassin known only as "The Jackal" (French "le chacal") is hired to assassinate Charles De Gaulle. A copy of this novel, mistakenly thought to have belonged to Ramírez Sánchez, may be the origin of the "Jackal" nickname. Many erroneously believe that the character portrayed in that novel was based on him, which is impossible as the novel was published before Carlos came to public attention.
• In 1973, Fred Zinnemann directed a movie also named The Day of the Jackal and based on Frederick Forsyth's novel. Actor Edward Fox played the role of the assassin on a film that can be considered as a faithful adaptation of the novel.
• The 1997 film The Jackal, starring Bruce Willis, Richard Gere, and Sidney Poitier, was a remake of Zinnemann's 1973 film.
• The 1997 film The Assignment, starring Aidan Quinn, Donald Sutherland and Ben Kingsley is a fictional account of the U.S. government's efforts to hunt down Carlos very loosely based on his true story.
• In the movie True Lies, the character of Arnold Schwarzenegger, a secret agent, intimidates Bill Paxton's character by (deliberately falsely) accusing him of being a dangerous international terrorist named "Carlos the Jackal".
• In Tom Clancy's book Rainbow Six, terrorists attempt to have Carlos freed from prison by staging a terrorist attack on a Spanish amusement park. In this book Carlos is referred to by his real name (Ilyich Ramirez Sanchez) and his nickname (Carlos the Jackal) and is spoken of as a highly successful terrorist/assassin who was imprisoned after an incident similar to his actual capture. The contrast is that in the book Carlos was put under anesthetic in preparation for an operation to alter his appearance, not to perform surgery on his testicles.
• The character Lacrobat in the British sitcom Whoops Apocalypse"is a parody of him (his nick-name is The Devil.)
• Sidney Sheldon's Catoplus Terror is a novel about a former spy attempting to apprehend Carlos.
• A new biopic has been rumored to be in the works, with Spanish actor Javier Bardem as the elusive terrorist. The film is said to be helmed by maverick Brazilian director Fernando Meirelles, who directed the crime saga City of God.
• The character Carla the Jackal in the James Bond video game Agent Under Fire is a tribute to Carlos. Her character is hired to assassinate James Bond but ends up falling into a fan.
• The thrash metal band Coroner have a song called "Masked Jackal" about Carlos.
• Carlos the Jackal figures prominently in Robert Ludlum's Bourne Trilogy. In the Trilogy Carlos is depicted as the world's most dangerous assassin, a man with international contacts that allow him to strike efficiently and anonymously at locations anywhere on the globe. His actual name (Ilyich Ramirez Sanchez) is used and details - a mixture of fact and fiction - are given about his upbringing and training, including the fictional account that he trained with Russian intelligence at Novrogod. In the Trilogy he keeps residence in France disguised as a priest, protected by a close network of contacts. In the Bourne Identity a relatively small amount is revealed about him but he factors prominently in the plot of the book because the title character, Jason Bourne, was an American black-ops officer whose mission was to usurp Carlos as the world's preeminent assassin in order to draw him out of hiding so that he could be killed or captured (the Matt Damon film adaptation of the book completely eliminates the Carlos character). In the second book, The Bourne Supremacy, Carlos is not a significant character and is understood to be in hiding (in the Bourne Supremacy the Matt Damon film adaptation strays so far from the plot of the book that the two share little more than a common name). However, in The Bourne Ultimatum, the final book of the trilogy, Carlos and Bourne are pitted against each other again.
• In Munich, the 2005 film by Steven Spielberg, a character named Hans mentions Carlos the Jackal.
For Bren - all info courtesy of Wikipedia
Jerry O'Neil Lawler (born November 29, 1949) is a professional wrestler and wrestling commentator, known throughout the wrestling world as "The King". He currently works for World Wrestling Entertainment as a color commentator for its RAW brand. He also wrestles and occasionally commentates for the Memphis Wrestling promotion.
"Feud" with Andy Kaufman
Lawler may be best known for a publicized feud with Andy Kaufman, that was later revealed to be completely contrived (kayfabe or a "total work" in wrestling parlance). The truth about it being a work was kept secret for more than 10 years after Kaufman's death, until the Emmy nominated documentary A Comedy Salute to Andy Kaufman aired on NBC in 1995.
On the television show Late Night with David Letterman in the early 1980s, Jerry was in an interview with comedian Andy Kaufman. The two engaged in a shouting match, and Jerry got up and slapped him. No lawsuit was filed. It was later stated by The King in his 2002 book "It's Good To Be The King....Sometimes" that the entire incident was staged, at the request of Andy, in order to further the wrestling angle between the two.
The feud, including the Letterman incident, was dramatized in the Andy Kaufman biopic Man On The Moon in which Lawler played himself.
"Feud" with Andy Kaufman
Lawler may be best known for a publicized feud with Andy Kaufman, that was later revealed to be completely contrived (kayfabe or a "total work" in wrestling parlance). The truth about it being a work was kept secret for more than 10 years after Kaufman's death, until the Emmy nominated documentary A Comedy Salute to Andy Kaufman aired on NBC in 1995.
On the television show Late Night with David Letterman in the early 1980s, Jerry was in an interview with comedian Andy Kaufman. The two engaged in a shouting match, and Jerry got up and slapped him. No lawsuit was filed. It was later stated by The King in his 2002 book "It's Good To Be The King....Sometimes" that the entire incident was staged, at the request of Andy, in order to further the wrestling angle between the two.
The feud, including the Letterman incident, was dramatized in the Andy Kaufman biopic Man On The Moon in which Lawler played himself.
1/25/2007
I quit - but now I'm back...maybe
Last week, I quit the blog. I told Mike it was now his responsibility to post and that I'd be directing everything his way. You see how successfully he's been keeping up with it. So I guess I'm back - maybe. I've got some blog burnout going on. We'll see how well I do - I've got so much homework to do for next week - case briefs, research paper, two tests and a ton of reading. Bleh. Now I remember why I was glad to graduate.
But for now? Bed. Sleepy time. Goodnight.
But for now? Bed. Sleepy time. Goodnight.
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