Because I don't have the brain power for a real post...

50th Daytona 500...start of the new season...lacking in any good drama but fairly good race despite. Good job, Ryan even though you beat my guy. :-)

Meme stolen from Zoot:

The Meme of Us

How long have you been together? We were official on Nov. 17th, 2007

How long did you date? We dated about 3 months prior to that, I was hesitant and unsure and he was persistent. :-)

How old is he? 21, I'm only 4 months older.

Who eats more? We both do a lot of food damage, sometimes I feel I eat more!

Who said ‘i love you’ first? No one has yet...but we like each other a whole lot! :-)

Who is taller? I am by a fraction of an inch

Who is smarter? It depends...he's good at logical concepts like math, science and business (which is his major) and I'm much better at abstract concepts like English, Psychology, and Communications. I have more emotional experience, he has more logical experience. We balance each other out pretty well.

Who does the laundry? We do our own since we don't live together, but sometimes he lets me use his washer and dryer.

Who does the dishes? If we're at my house, I do the dishes...if we're at his house, I do the dishes. ;-)

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I always sleep closest to the wall so at my house he sleeps on the right, but at this house, I sleep on the right.

Who pays the bills? Both of us live on our own.

Who cooks dinner? Usually me unless we go out.

Who is more stubborn? We're both stubborn about what we feel is important in life, but I think he's more so.

Who kissed who first? I kissed him first even though I shamefully barely remember. It was the night before the Homecoming game in October and the marching band had gone out to play for all the fraternities in the middle of the night. We came back to my apartment and continued drinking. The rest was filled in by him...I apparently grabbed his hand and took him to my bed (meep) and he kissed me on the forehead goodnight so I grabbed his face and kissed him. He's still a little hurt that I don't really remember, but it's college, what am I supposed to do? ;-)

Who asked who out? I knew he was interested and he was waiting for me to figure out what I wanted to do, so it was up to me to make it "official". We went to see a movie, and beforehand had a few drinks at the bar. Early that day, I had made up my mind to ask him with a note saying "Will you go out with me? Check 'yes' or 'no'". I had it in my pocket and kept touching it but thought I was going to chicken out. We decided to get some fresh air before the movie started so we walked outside and looked at the Cincinnati Skyline all lit up...I took a deep breath and gave him the note. And here we are!

Who is more sensitive? Me. I'm constantly in some extreme emotional state and take things said the wrong way all the time.

Who has more friends? We both have a large group of friends but I think I have the most close friends.

Ok, I swear I'm here.

Life gets a little crazy so I sort of forget to post as often as I want. There are days things will happen, and I'll think to myself 'remember to blog about that'...but then the day gets away from me. So as of late:

*Jimmie won the championship. Thrilled...or not. NASCAR needs to start shaking things up or they're going to lose my undying love and loyalty. Time to re-coop and wait for Daytona again. Now, I'll just sit and twiddle my thumbs.

*Speaking of sports, we lost our last home game to WVU. Only by 5 points so it could have been worse but on your senior night of marching band...you hope for the big win. And it was senior night, so I played my final notes in Nippert Stadium and they even said my name right. I didn't cry though. I got a little teary-eyed during dismissal:

But I got over it rather quickly. I've always embraced change more than I've mourned it. I didn't cry my senior night of high school band and I certainly didn't cry at graduation. I more than likely rub my hands together and say, "Bring on the next big thing." We have our concert on Tuesday night and some type of bowl game to contend with over Christmas Break and our Spring football game come April...so it's never really over for me. But the usual Saturday game day shenanigans are done. I am very ok with this. My heart knows it's time to gear up for the next stage in my life: adulthood. I have a year of education classes and student teaching left. I will be moving out of the UC neighborhood next year. I'll probably get something that resembles a real job. So, this is just one more step.

*My Mom and Mike were down this weekend for Senior Night. On a top 10 list of my favorite people, they easily are at the top. Everyone always comments on how my Mooze and I are exactly alike and I couldn't take a higher compliment. My mom is beautiful, so funny, strong...if anyone sees her traits in me, I can only be flattered. They spent the weekend hanging out with my friends, making me laugh, and spending money on me. What more could I ask for? Even the dog came down and had a good time.

*I have 7 papers due in the next 3 weeks. Then, exams. Kill me now. Please. Curse my english major existence. I'm having a really difficult time concentrating this quarter (this has been an on-going problem for awhile and the doctor thought it had to do with my lack of sleep but nothing has been really done about this. Another thought it was ADHD. I don't think so, I can FORCE myself to concentrate but it's very difficult to do. I'm just not as motivated as I used to be.

*There's this guy...makes me smile. I don't know how much to put on here, I haven't been comfortable talking about my personal personal life as of late...so I'll just leave you with this.

NASCAR Unite

Doing my normal blog stalking in the morning led me to a quote that I believe sort of sums up my feelings on the subject of being an inner-city NASCAR lover:

"I am just tired people. Why is it that I as a NASCAR fan have to justify
myself for choosing a sport I love to watch? I don’t see people those who
are football or baseball fans having to defend themselves. When
people find out I am a NASCAR fan they immediately assume I am some hick
the sticks."

I think she pretty much got it right. Why do we have to justify our sport? There are plenty of people who think boxing, football, baseball, horse racing, etc are ridiculously boring yet no one questions those that love them. I live in the ghetto of Cincinnati, OH where we chant Who Dey and put chili on our hot dogs. I personally know ONE other NASCAR fan in the city which means that out of my 200 other friends and acquaintances, I am forced to justify what I love. Maybe before you criticize my cars making left hand turns all day, you should analyze your players hitting a ball with a stick and running in a circle. At least my sport moves fast.

Gotta Do It.

I had a very long day and as you can see, not in bed by 11:00 as I had hoped. But, I'm taking a break from the madness because I HAVE to. I have to write even if no one reads, I have to create, even if no one cares, I have to do the things that make me happy, even for a brief minute in time because it will keep me as sane as I can be. This makes me happy, blogging makes me happy. Even if my audience is small. I do appreciate the few people who read this thing. I hope that as the years go on, I get better at this and continue to write for myself.

I went to my first Buffalo Wild Wings meeting today where we got our training schedule. I'll be bartender ready in a week apparently. Am looking forward to this because it is not BAND.

I stood on that field tonight and wondered how I was going to survive the rest of this. Because, its maddening. I'm getting too old for this, my wrist and thumb are in a frickin brace because of the sax and I'd rather read Beowulf than march.

Lil E and the Amp/Guard 88...pleased with the 88, my jury is still out on the cars BUT to see the picture of him being so happy...works for me! :-) Oh, and hi to RC...thanks for stopping by. I am a big fan of your site and just recently got up the nerve to post on it. I know a lot more than most people about NASCAR but still feel ridiculous when I throw in my two cents like I'm going to say something that makes all the other fans go, "Duuhhhh."

Home Again

Dude. I'm back.

Two weeks of balls hot band camp in Indiana and I'm just exhausted. There were some good times, but at one point, I was so frusterated playing marching band kid and staff member at the same time that I broke down like a baby. It's difficult being so many things to so many people, especially when all you want to do is enjoy your last year having a good time. I didn't go to work Friday or Monday because I'm just so overwhelmed with life right now. I forget how much time I don't have for myself to do laundry or eat a decent meal or spend time with my friends. Last night I went over to where my friends now live across the street. We had walkie talkies and just ran around the neighborhood acting like complete idiots. It was such a throw-back to my childhood. All important houses now have Code Names (mine, Purple Thunder; their's, Big Red, etc) and all our code names correlate to movie titles. (I'm Talladega Nights...go figure.) Regardless, it was silly but I need to have times like those to keep me going during the rest of my sort-of grown up life. I can escape the busy schedules, the debt, the stressful job, the city pollution and heat, the burdens of adult-hood.

I watched the Chevy Rock and Roll race Saturday night...heartbroken for Jr. He raced so hard til the very end and had a fighting chance UNTIL HIS EFFING ENGINE BLEW. He just looked so defeated in his post race interview. No Chase for Jr...poor guy.

A little peeved at Gordon and Stewart, I realize they had their own butts to cover but come on. Jr is your future teammate/FRIEND. You could have given him a little reprive. Racing bastards...:-/

I have my second interview for a bartending job at the new BDubs on campus this afternoon. Crossing my fingers.

After a difficult and stressful week, I'm off to band camp this morning...will be there until further notice. Unfortunately, blogging has taken a back seat to band since I can't seem to get up the strength to write a really good post.

Carl Edwards win at Bristol: good.
My two favorite drivers finishing Top 5: even better.
The dream I had about Tony Stewart last night: best. ;-)

Le Sigh

If you know me well, you know my feelings on the Busch brothers...for those who DON'T know me well, let's just say...I feel about the Busch brothers the way I feel about really dried out meatloaf perhaps or spoiled milk. You take one taste, make a really funny face, spit it out, and throw it in the garbage.

So you can imagine how I feel about Kurt Busch winning the race I've waited three days to see.

My step-cousin, John, is an engineer for Team Red Bull in NC however and I was thrilled to see Brian Vickers do so well. Not to mention I want to marry him. :-)

Boogity, boogity, boogity, Let's go racin'!!

After being antsy in my pantsy since Sunday for this damn race, it looks like we're good to go at MIS FINALLY. Watching it live on the compy at work...*sheepish* Gotta get my fix!

Tired...

Just got back from the mini-vacation with my friends at Cedar Point. I am quite exhausted but will post tomorrow about all the awesomeness of the trip!


In the meantime...T's giving Dale hell again...what a bitch. Ugh.

Rain delay for MIS...looks like I'm watching the race online at work tomorrow...teehee.

Random Thursday

Mmmm NASCAR primetime was GOOD last night. I look forward to many more episodes. I just can't help but have a healthy respect for Mark Martin. He's not my favorite driver by any means, but he's a good driver with a long list of achievements and just seems like a nice guy. The jury's still out on Montoya. Nice guy one minute, cocky SOB the next...still can't get over what he did to Juicy Fruit man. Sauter is just a rookie with lots o' troubles...as are most of the rooks. Regardless, good show, good times.

I'm feeling a little better since yesterday. I went to the mall last night which always perks me up and I found some nose rings I liked/needed. I can't wear jewelry for marching band so I had to buy a clear nose ring.

Tomorrow, my candidate sisters and pledge brothers leave for Cedar Point. We're pit-stopping in F-town and spending all day Saturday at the Point. Can't wait, it has been YEARS since I've been and I used to go every summer with a pass.

Other than gearing up for band camps, I know nothing. Just trying to get buy and make an easy transition into the school year.

Watkins Glen

As much as I am not the biggest fan of the road courses, the Glen definitely held some drama for me. I enjoyed Newman's gravel "short-cut" that reminded me he does have some mad driving skills. I kicked a few things and yelled a few choice curse words when Jr's engine just blew in the middle of the race. My fears are being confirmed that he will indeed NOT be Chase-eligible this year. However, my numero dos pulled out a lucky win since Jeff Gordon made a rookie mistake on a track he should know not to make by now...too much pressure coming from behind FROM TONY STEWART BITCHES. He is my consolation prize.

BUT

The best part of the entire day was the Montoya/Harvick battle on the track. I always get excited when drivers get out of their cars and start beating on each other. Smells like America.

Wishful Thinking...

I wish I could love someone tangible who wasn't a race car driver or a fictional literary character...

Are you out there man who has the rugged good looks of Dale Earnhardt Jr, the bad ass attitude of Tony Stewart, the loyalty of Samwise, the sense of humor and trouble as Fred and George and the nobility of Peter Pevensie?

Probably not.

Dammit.

Daytona 500

I will not attempt to go into how incredibly amazing and awful the Daytona 500 was yesterday...I've been watching this race for 9 years now and have seen countless reels of footage from the 60's, 70's and 80's of amazing races over the years...but wow. Four major accidents, two of which disabled my two drivers and all four included someone from my ESPN fantasy NASCAR league...so only one of my drivers finished the race. Lil E's front clip was smashed up beyond recognition and a car even caught on fire...luckily no one was hurt. I am still fuming about Harvick...so we won't go there. But, WHAT a way to kick off the season.
Today begins hell week where I have something EVERY. SINGLE. NIGHT. for the next 7 days. Wheeee....
Things are good. Can't really complain. So peace out yo's