Monday, April 28, 2008

Help Stop Malaria

Sometimes it's easy to overlook the fact that most of us are so fortunate that we can save another person's life with small gestures. We can't do everything, but when tiny, easy ways of making a difference are thrown in our laps, we should take them.

I just got the email below from my friend Doug, and because of it, the UN Foundation's Nothing But Nets program has just gotten some money from me. I know how many lurkers there are out there, so please consider donating $10 or more.

Thank you!!

Email from Doug:

As you may know, I had malaria when I was living in Cape Town five years ago. Needless to say, it wasn't the most fun I've ever had. Fortunately, because of my robust health and the immediate and high-quality medical treatment I received, I was never in any real danger of dying. The same isn't true for over a million persons a year, mostly children under five, who die of malaria.

One of the most cost-effective ways of preventing malaria is sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets. And, thanks to the UN Foundation's Nothing But Nets program, it is pretty damn easy to donate nets. For $10, you can buy a net for a child online.

There are lots of important causes in the world, but this is certainly one of them. Please help if you can.

Thanks for your time,

Doug

Friday, April 25, 2008

More wedding pics

Here's a link to a slideshow by Resa and Nick's amazing photographer. These photos are out of this world awesome.

My fave is the one of Rob laughing riotously during Libby's toast. It's about 2/3 of the way through. The photos are even better with the music playing, so turn your sound on!

There's also a couple during the ceremony where you can see my should-be-trademarked frowny-smile that I do when I'm emotional. :) And there's a super fun picture of me dancing with my Uncle Joe closer to the end.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Go Cubs Go!

My heart will always belong to the Indians, but I do admit to a certain fondness for the Cubs these days. There's something really awesome about having a MLB baseball stadium within walking distance of your house!

We managed to score four tickets to Monday night's game and persuaded Bishop and Karen to come with us at the last minute. Turned out to be a great game... close until the end and then the Cubs ran away with it.


Yea for baseball and last minute plans and friends who love both. :)

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Resa and Nick's Wedding

My baby sister is married! The wedding was amazing and perfect and awesome. I didn't take many pictures because I was so caught up in the evening. But here are a couple shots.

Resa poses on a piano before the ceremony.



Resa and Nick with Nick's whole family.


Resa and my dad share their dance -- a waltz.


Resa and Nick have their first dance.


My mom bonds with her two "former sons-in-law" -- Resa's former fiance Jason and my former boyfriend Mark. Jason even walked my mom down the aisle. Awww. And how great does my mom look!

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Bachelorette Fun

I'm home from my sister's bachelorette party and back at the computer doing more work. Fun.

So here are a few pics.

The bachelorette crew.


Sisters out at the bar. Notice our rockin' giant pink rings.

And showin' some sister love.

Friday, April 11, 2008

Fantasy Top Chef Team updates

Yeah, I'm not so good at this. In part because I refuse to put people I can't stand on my team, which is a severely limiting factor. On that principle, I'm about to bump Antonia.



This is where I was for the most recent episode. Not sure what moves I should make, but I'm not even in 800th place out of less than 1200. And I'm sure a lot of the folks below me aren't even playing the game any more.

Selfless blog promotion

More commentary of mine relating to the post below was e-published here.

Sweet.

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Things that make you go hmmm...

... and want to tune out entirely.


From Salon.com's Editor-in-Chief's blog today.


A Salon.com front page column today. The front page headline on Salon actually reads "Why Hillary surrounds herself with girly men." On Salon. Seriously.







Tuesday, April 01, 2008

Fluff

I've decided to avoid all things political in public for the next month at least. It's getting crazy out there from every angle. So I'm turning to something else very dear to my heart these days -- superstar girl group Danity Kane.

I watch way too much reality television for my own good. A few years ago I stumbled onto MTV's Making the Band 3. Puff Daddy/P. Diddy/Sean Combs/whoever was holding auditions to put together a group of girls who could sing and dance. Then in the season finale, Diddy chose... no one! What?!?!

Tricky Diddy. He allowed three girls to stick around and come back for Making the Band 3, Season 2, when more girls would audition. The lucky three -- Aubrey, Aundrea and Malika. Aubrey was the shoo-in. Aundrea was my favorite (and coincidentally the shortest). Malika, well, you knew she wasn't going to last.

Season 2 closed with Malika long gone and 11 girls vying for the 5 spots in the band. The girls picked: Aubrey, Wanita (now D. Woods), Shannon, Dawn, and... Aundrea!

They chose the name Danity Kane because it's the name of a cartoon super hero that Dawn draws. Weird name, but good instinct. Their first CD launched at number 1. Their second CD dropped last week... at number 1. Surprisingly enough, they really do have talent. They work hard. They care about each other. They love their work.

Yes, they don't wear enough clothing on their album cover. Yes, the lyrics could not be cheesier. Yes, the techno-synthesized crap drowns out their awesome voices a bit too much. Yes, one reviewer rightly asked if Diddy was using their latest album to prove to America that the girls were the 5 horniest ladies in America. But maaaan, the album is FUN.

I have long believed in the power of cheesy music. It makes the heart happy. Many moons ago, while on a date, I had a rather fierce debate about music.

My argument: Even though 'N Sync is totally cheesy, they are also really fun and therefore worthy of my unabashed enthusiasm.

My date's argument: Anyone who likes 'N Sync has no appreciation or understanding of real music whatsoever.

My response: Well, that's rather harsh. [Except I was probably a lot more indignant.]

I should have known then that it wouldn't last... because I was totally right. Sometimes you need music with lyrics so bad they make you laugh but so catchy you smile while you sing them all day. Sometimes you need music that makes you unable to keep yourself from rocking out like a cheeseball.

There's a reason Rob and I have had just one CD in our car stereo for a week straight. There's a reason Rob and I have been cracking each other up by singing lyrics to each other ever since we got that CD. The reason is Danity Kane, people. So much fun. So much fluffy, cheesy goodness. (Although totally inappropriate with kids in the car. :)