wishes
First off, yeah yeah, it’s been a while. Bite me. I’ve been busy. Now on to the story.
This has to be one of the most memorable Christmases that I’ve had in a long time… mainly because my parents are freaking hysterical. I haven’t laughed so much with them in a long time, and I why I love my family so much. I wish I could put them in a box and keep them with me all them time when I’m in D.C., except of course when I’m screaming at some moron who is crossing the street and causing traffic to back up. I’m sure they wouldn’t approve then.
Anyway, my parents are always throwing out one-liners. My dad is the king of them. He’s been creating them since I was a child. I’d say that I’d have a headache and his response would always be, “Well if I had a head like that, mine would hurt too.” Ha, like we haven’t all heard that one – typical dad, right? Anywho, my dad is constantly providing quips that keep us giggling, or we revert back to when I was 10 and he used to have the “horse eat corn” (he grabs my knee with no avail, and I swear it tickles so much and I just can’t get loose no matter how hard I try). Well, I make an epic fail to do the same to him, and then he usually chases me around the house until we’re yelling for my mom for an intervention. Then she usually chimes in with her one-liners. Our house is chaotic when everyone is home, can you tell??? Add to it one brother, a sister-in-law, and an 11 month old girl who is insanely mischevious (like her daddy), and it makes for one hilarious party.
Today I went shopping with my mom just because we had nothing else to do. We had our family Christmas gathering yesterday because of my brother’s family schedule, so we set out to do the unmentionable at Christmas: shop for ourselves… oh the horror! and the deals! 
She is even helping me pick out a New Year’s Eve dress, which has actually been pretty painless… My mom, who often says things without thinking them through completely (no, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree), blurts out as we’re walking to the car, “I need a drink.” Now, in normal world, that means, “Hi, I’m (fill in your name here), and I’m an alcoholic.” But, to my mom, she was thirsty. But, it was the way she said it that opened it up for the greatest rapid fire of liners. Oy, it was hysterical. My mom, the trooper just played along, even braving the line that yes, she did indeed have a problem. Later in the car, her profanity then kicked in (apparently after she got her drink on), as she complained that there was “no more ass” in her drink… Unfortunately to her dismay, she totally mean ice, but the damage was done, and our family can never let it go.
My favorite Christmas memory so far now this year, though, has to be the refrigerator magnets that have become a new tradition here in the exended family of the Muse. We have the letters of Christmas spelled out in individual calligraphic letters with beautiful decoration. They’ve been around for about 10 years or so. Well, this year, the T went missing. And, instead of just not putting them up, my mom thought it would be funny to make it someone risque and vulgar, spelling “Chrimass” instead. So, this year’s joke has been wishing everyone in and out of the doors a “Merry Chrimass” instead of an actual greeting. People look at us funny, but we can usually tell them that we’re from Alabama and no one should expect anything less.
Before I know it, my parents will be pulling out Jack Daniels to celebrate and my world will be turned upside down.
It’s been the most amazing Chrimass this year. I couldn’t ask for anything more. I’m spending time with family and finally getting some downtime, just before I’ve got to scoot back to the district.
So, now with all the care and love in my heart, to all my Christian friends – Merry Christmas, to all my Jewish friends – Happy Chanukah, to the rest of us – Happy Festivus, and to those who have no soul and wish to believe in nothing, hope that you have fun working. Happy Holidays everyone!
you’re not joking?
So, lately the buzz (and snickering) around Birmingham has been about Mayor Larry Langford's proposal to the City Council to present the City of Birmingham as a site for the 2020 Olympic Games. No, seriously… he really did. And this is exactly why we're all still laughing.
Apparently, he believes that since he's pushing for the dome stadium (that we are still unsure will be built… and why, too), and for an olympic-size pool (for what reason, might I ask?), Langford believes that we would be a perfect place. Besides, we held the soccer events for the 1996 Atlanta Games, so that makes us ready, right? I mean, since our air traffic is about to be possibly severely reduced, it makes complete sense… 
What I love is that, according to Musings on Birmingham, Langford prefaced the proposal with: “This is not a game or a joke." Again, seriously??? If you have to say that, shouldn't you reconsider it altogether? If you know they're gonna laugh and giggle, you should know it's a bad idea. I mean, this is SO out in left field, it's not even funny.
Yes, Birmingham needs some good positive PR and something good for the economy, but having to put millions (probably billions) of dollars into building for the Olympic games when the city is already in debt in so many areas is SUCH a bad idea. And, if people are already upset with Beijing's pollution problem, I can't imagine what they will think about Birmingham's smog and ill-consideration for a greener city.
However, maybe I'm skeptical, because there are some like Musings and Andre over at the Terminal who think that a push like this could be good for Birmingham. I suppose it could be a good thing for Birmingham… I've just seen things continually flop that we thought were good ideas. See: Birmingham Fire, Birmingham Stallions, Birmingham Bulls, Alabama Slammers… and that's just the professional sports realm. The only things that work here in the state are college sports and racing. I could go on, but I don't have the time or the desire to be negative. I want to see Birmingham get out of its rut. I'm just not sure that the Olympics are the way to go.
this is alabama football
I had to share the following, which was passed along by Mrs. Merlin to me today. It makes me wish for the summer to pass, and football season to arrive. I'm not gonna lie… Every bit of this bit below sent chills down my spine, and I loved reading it because every word of it is true.
What is Alabama Football?
By Derek Camp
It is Wallace Wade. It is Bear Bryant. It is not Bill Curry.
It is the Rose Bowl.
It is hearing Keith Jackson call an Alabama game.
It is watching George Teague running down Lamar Thomas in the 1993 Sugar Bowl then rewinding it and watching it again.
It is hearing the first notes of Sweet Home Alabama.
It is the desire to beat Auburn at any competitive event that exists.
It is a houndstooth hat.
It is having enough pride to fight for your school but having enough class not to.
It is cheering the same amount for a first down on second and 6 as on fourth and 1.
It is watching Cornelius Bennett give Notre Dame quarterback Steve Beuerlein a concussion on that October day in Birmingham in 1986.
It is determining who you are going to date & marry by which team they swear allegiance to.
It is watching The Bear on the jumbotron before a game in Bryant-Denny Stadium and almost seeing him leaning against the goalpost in the end zone.
It is spending a day at The Bryant Museum and still not seeing everything.
It is cool crisp autumn Saturdays where you can smell football in the air and feel it whenever there is a slight breeze.
It is watching The Bear get number 315 against Auburn.
It is watching The Bear get number 323 against Illinois.
It is hearing Paul Kennedy do the play-by-play when Van Tiffin kicked the 52-yard field goal against Auburn in 1985.
It is knowing how many days until the start of a season year around.
It is driving down Colonial Drive to see Bryant-Denny Stadium not the sorority girls.
It is getting chills up and down your entire body whenever you hear anything about the 1993 Sugar Bowl and the pride you feel because that night tradition ruled.
It is hearing The Bear's voice and having all the hair on the back of your neck stand straight up because you know no matter what he said, it was something special.
It is hearing The Million Dollar Band play "Yea Alabama" and knowing it
just does not get any better.
It is imagining hearing Penn State Quarterback Chuck Fusina ask Alabama linebacker Barry Krauss "How close is it?" and hearing Krauss say "About an inch, you'd better pass" right before fourth down during The Goal Line Stand in the 1979 Sugar Bowl.
It is almost coming to tears whenever Alabama loses to Auburn or Tennessee.
It is The Kick. It is The Goal Line Stand. It is The Desperation Block.
It is purposely not wearing any clothes with the colors orange and blue.
It is the Third Saturday in October.
It is not needing an alarm clock on game days, you sit bolt upright in the bed long before the alarm goes off because you know that it is a gameday, you can sleep after the bowl game.
It is walking into a stadium and knowing Alabama will win the game no matter who they are playing because is just the way it is supposed to be.
It is the saying "Offense wins games, Defense wins national titles."
It is the Bear Bryant 'A'.
It is getting to the stadium hours before the game just to be there.
It is walking into another team's stadium and having those fans hate you
because you are from Alabama.
It is the pride that a father has when he brings his children to a game
so they may cherish the tradition.
It is beating LSU in Baton Rouge.
It is hearing the crunch as a linebacker dressed in crimson and white hits a running back dressed in orange and blue.
It is the pride you take in being every team's rival.
It is pulling for any team that is playing Auburn.
It is pulling for any team that is playing Tennessee.
It is hoping for the stadium to blow up when Auburn plays Tennessee.
It is knowing that the SEC Championship is a birthright.
It is being respected and feared at the same time.
It is holding up four fingers at the end of the third quarter.
It is knowing what "Mama Called" means.
It is having 21 Southeastern Conference Titles.
It is having 12 National Titles.
It is more than I can ever mentioned in this article.
It is class.
It is tradition.
It is Alabama Football.
Oh, good gracious. It's so true. Tide, get ready to roll. This. Is. Alabama Football.
in the summertime
I've been waiting 3 long years for these plants to bloom! They were dug from my grandmother's garden after hurricane season 2005, which brought through wretched tornadic weather and destroyed the garden, and then frost which almost decimated everything. My dear sweet grandmother dug up 4-5 bulbs of the amaryllis and put them in a planter for me, and for 3 years, they have been nothing but green and leafy. But a week ago, a stalk shot up and a day or so ago, three beautiful deep red blooms perked up and have brightened up the porch, as well as giving me a reason to smile on my way out the door..
See what I mean with the green and leafiness? It's definitely full of plantness. This, and my African Violet are the only things that I haven't managed to kill off. Speaking of my African Violet, here it is:
Of course, this is from last year… I haven't gotten a recent picture of it. But, it's much more leafy this year, and it probably needs a bigger planter. I'm scared of developing a black thumb, so I don't want to move anything… I want it to stay as-is…
Maybe if I can get back to my homeland, I can hang more with Sassy and learn to be more of a green thumb.
peeps & veeps
So, the news reports that Hillary Clinton will be conceding on Saturday, and Barack Obama has established his committee to begin the process of selecting a Vice Presidential nominee for the Democratic ticket. No matter what, I'm hoping that Obama picks a strong Veep candidate to keep the Democratic Party strong, and to put up a good fight against the Republican Party. Of course, deep down, I'd love for him to ask the candidate that I initially supported: Bill Richardson. He has plenty of experience in the executive administration, both in the White House and as a Governor, plus he has worked with immigration reform in his home state. I mean, who doesn't love Bill Richardson?! He's just an incredible politician, and a brilliant lawmaker. I think he'd make a great second-in-command, and would provide great advice and could dispute the cries toward Obama's inexperience if Richardson is on the ticket. Listen to the name of the ticket: Obama/Richardson. It just sounds good. In all seriousness, I'm gonna be happy with his choice, as long as it is his own, and he makes it without being bullied… He's the official face of the Democratic Party for the 2008 Presidential race. He needs to be strong. And he is.
Speaking of VP lists, my friend Mike shared a hilarious link today, which continues in my favorite tradition of political humor during the election season. It's Obama's "Short VP List." I couldn't help but share it (thanks Mike!). Enjoy!
Addendum: For a slightly more serious, but (still) fun site on choosing a VP for Obama (in March Madness style), check out CQ Politics VP Madness!
droughts in the south
Today, a story on NPR bothered me quite a bit. NPR enlightened its audience on the droughts in Georgia, and the likely possibility that all outdoor pools will not be allowed to be filled this upcoming summer if the drought continues.
I'm upset with this story for a number of reasons. Most of the Deep South states suffered from drought conditions for the past two summers. Furthermore, most of these states took precautions to conserve water. Plants died. Lakes were incredibly low. Residents were only allowed certain days of the week to water their lawn or wash their car, ONLY before 8 a.m., or after 7 p.m. Fines were imposed on those households who went beyond their water allowances. In the state of Alabama, citizens did everything possible to conserve water.
In the story on NPR, it said that many Georgia residents, specifically north of Atlanta, disregarded the suggestions to conserve water. First of all, they DISREGARDED it. And, why wasn't it MANDATED to conserve water, as it was in other states?
Then, after the major water conservation areas in Georgia were almost dry, Georgia asked other states for water! These states, Alabama included, didn't have it to share.
Should Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, and others be punished for the flamboyant ignorance and disregard of Georgians? NO. I hate it for the state, but this entire drought issue's severity should be blamed on the administration of Georgia, and their Governor should have paid attention to the state's need. Furthermore, he should have been a better leader by implicating those who were in violation of conservation guidelines.
It may sound harsh and apathetic, but I spent an entire summer and beyond trying to conserve as much water as possible, as did many others in this and other states. Other states in the region should not have to suffer on behalf of such disregard. And, if Georgia didn't conserve in the first place, maybe a pool-less summer will teach them a lesson from their own poor behavior.
on biting…
I was always told to never bite the hand that fed me. And well, I don't really want to rehash any kind of talk about the Alabama/Auburn game because of its lackluster. However, there was a HILARIOUS part of the game that I totally forgot about, and I just had to share. This is what happens in the SEC when a player gets too close to a dog trained to attack and enforce crowd control (it happened earlier at Georgia this year, too):
Roll Tide anyway…
to never remembering…
I just realized that I hadn't posted since Alabama played Tennessee in October. That's sad to say… but at the same time, I have to admit that there hasn't really been anything to talk about in regards to Alabama football. And for me, I've been so busy that I haven't had time to comment on anything else.
Tonight was the famed Iron Bowl – the annual state rivalry game that gives bragging rights to its winner and their fans for the next year. Well, for the past 5 years, Auburn has won the Iron Bowl, and Alabama… well, we're on our third coach within those 5 years. Sadly to say, we're playing with some horrible recruits from our former coach Mike Shula (see: John Parker Wilson, much of the offensive line, and some of the special teams). And, our new coach, Nick Saban, has inherited the lack of passion with which these players have played. They lack discipline just like Shula did. And well… the games that we've won have been much of our own luck considering the roller coaster that is the 2007 Crimson Tide.
But you know what?! This year's game wasn't that big of a deal to lose. You know why? Alabama was considered a MAJOR underdog and it was foretold that we would be decimated. Well, the final score was 17-10, in favor of Auburn. This "amazing" Auburn team was supposed to overwhelm Alabama, but I saw none of that. This year's game, in the words of my sister-in-law, was a 'snoozer.' And she's right… I won't remember ANY of this game, except for the fact that Auburn won their 6th straight. So, whooptidoo… such an exciting game… oh wow. I wanted to sleep the entire game.
So, here's to a game that no one will remember in 10 years because it was absolutely boring.
i hate rocky top!
Well, it's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, quite possibly most of the state of Alabama as the University of Alabama just took out the University of Tennessee, one of 'Bama's biggest (in my opinion THE biggest) rivalries.
Image courtesy of al.com.
Hey, Lee Corso & Kirk Herbstreit, how do you like that?!?! ROLL TIDE ROLL!!
Hey Vols, hey Vols! We just beat the hell out of you! Rammer jammer, yellow hammer, give 'em hell Alabama!!!
rock star
‘…Sometimes, there just aren’t enough rocks.’
-Forrest Gump
