Have you heard about this?

Did you see this guy on American Idol? He was on during the Louisville auditions last week, and after he was rejected, he told the judges, "Take care, and be careful." Well, Simon and Paula both freaked out, saying "be careful" was a threat, and the producers definitely played it up. Sure, the guy has crazy eyes, but at the time I thought, "No way! People say that all the time in the South."

It looks like there was some backlash, because they producers released an official apology. Seriously, they make it sound like they were visiting China, not Kentucky!

Clarification From Louisville Auditions
We apologize to any viewers who were offended by the misinterpretation of the contestant's comment to "be careful" upon completion of his audition in Louisville, KY. Our visits to audition cities are relatively brief and sometimes regional greetings and salutations are lost in translation. We had not heard that phrase from any other contestants during the day, so it took everyone by surprise. We now know better and look forward to visiting Louisville again someday.

Things are looking up!

I love blog giveaways, and I enter each one with the full intention of winning. (Side note: I assume I'm going to win Stephanie's blog giveaway, but you should enter to win one of the other two prizes.) I felt the same confidence when I entered the giveaway on Anna Maria Horner's site. If you're not familiar, she's a fabric designer, and her stuff is amazing--and I don't use that word lightly. But when I checked her site later and saw that there were 1,466 entries, I was a little discouraged. Imagine my delight when I visited her blog today and discovered that I won! What are the odds? (Somewhere around 1 in 1,466, I suppose.) What am I going to do with the gorgeous fabric? I don't know. Something awesome.

Does this mean Karma has stopped kicking my ass? I'm taking it as a sign.

I love Phyllis. And Darryl.

This is is a deleted scene from last week. I can't wait for the Super Bowl episode! Am I going to be able to stay up that late?

Finally...a success!

The Baked Ziti was a hit. I liked the bechamel-type sauce that you pour over the noodles. Tasty. It took a little more time than I usually spend cooking a weeknight dinner (even though I cooked the meat and shredded the cheese the night before), but it was worth it.

Book giveaway on Mummy Deals!

Head over to Mummy Deals to sign up to win a copy of Don't Panic....Dinner's in the Freezer. Click here for more info.

I had scrambled eggs for dinner last night

Something went horribly wrong with the Scalloped Potatoes With Ham. I'm not sure what the problem was, but it went straight in the garbage and left me in a bad mood for the rest of the night (perhaps that was an overreaction). On the menu tonight: baked ziti. I hoping it is foolproof.

Meal planning

I've not been doing a very good job of meal planning lately. We've eaten more grilled cheeses recently than I care to admit, so it's time to make a change. Here's what's on the menu this week. I'm trying three new recipes, which is quite ambitious if I do say so myself.

• chicken-and-black bean quesadillas
• Sausage-and-Chicken Cassoulet (Sounds fancy, right? It isn't.)
• Burgers on the grill
• Scalloped Potatoes With Ham (Made in the slow-cooker. Intriguing.)
• Baked Ziti

Wish me luck! If you see me in the McDonald's drive-through later in the week, don't judge.

Sunday selection

Sunday is usually one of my favorite TV nights, but right now I have NO shows to watch. NOTHING. I suspect it's because we canceled HBO and Showtime, otherwise I'd be watching Big Love (which is awesome, by the way) or trying out The United States of Tara. Help! What do you guys watch on Sunday?

This commercial is driving me nuts

It's for Gatorade, right? So why all the mystery? And how much money did Gatorade have to shell out to get all of these athletes in one commercial?

Best deal in town

Did you know that all drinks at Sonic are 50% off between 2 and 4 p.m. every day? That means soft drinks, slushies, shakes, everything. I would go there every day if I didn't have a job. I just got three large drinks for $2.88. Come on!

My favorite food

Boar's Head Cracked Pepper Mill Turkey

Seriously, I could eat it for every meal. Sure it costs $9 a pound, but it is worth it!

Aw, crap.

Luke broke my Karma necklace. I'm not sure how to intepret that, but it can't be good.

In case you're wondering why I'm so in harmony with the universe today...

That's right, my Karma necklace arrived!Man, that's one freckly neck.

And it seems to be working! Today I did NOT spill my lunch all over my work bag. I went to the grocery store after work, and I did not leave my purse there. Nor did my milk leak all over the inside of my truck.

As if that's not enough proof, I just learned that TWO new episodes of Bones air tonight, along with a new episode of The Office (two of my favorite shows, in case you're not keeping track).

Coincidence? There's no such thing.

The New Girl

I haven't made up my mind about new Idol judge Kara DioGuardi (although I predict her futile attempts to stand up to Simon will get tiresome). But I will say that I was surprised to find out that she's 40 years old. Maybe sitting next to Paula is doing her some favors, but I think she looks much younger!

This is funny. And kinda creepy.

CHICAGO – The company that made Beanie Babies a top toy craze is hoping for another winner with dolls named "Sweet Sasha" and "Marvelous Malia."

Now where have we heard those names before?

Ty Inc. has released the 12-inch plush dolls as part of the company's "TyGirlz Collection," introduced in 2007. The Sasha doll has pigtails and wears a white and pink dress with hearts. The Malia doll has a side ponytail and a long-sleeve shirt with capri pants.

The Oak Brook-based company chose the dolls' names because "they are beautiful names," not because of any resemblance to President Obama's daughters, said spokeswoman Tania Lundeen.

"There's nothing on the dolls that refers to the Obama girls," Lundeen said. "It would not be fair to say they are exact replications of these girls. They are not."

Public figures have a legal right to control their how their images are used, but Lundeen would not comment on legal issues or if the company's lawyers have become involved with the dolls.
"I'm not an attorney. I can't answer that," she said.

I love that quote. I'm going to start using it. A lot.

The wait is over!

I am so excited for the 2-hour season premiere of Lost tonight! I have a love/hate relationship with the show, but last season was mostly love. It is by far the most frustrating show I watch, but when it's good it's really good. Do not bother me between the hours of 8 and 10 p.m.

15-minute mural

I've been intrigued by the vinyl wall decals that you see everywhere these days. I found this decal in the bin of free stuff at work (don't get excited, it's mostly junk), and figured I'd give it a try. It was free, and Luke likes monkeys, so good for me, right?

This wall above his crib has been shamefully empty since Luke has been around.

Not anymore! (I also removed his mobile, which says it's appropriate for babies under 5 months old.) It was very, very easy (much easier than the directions lead me to believe). It came in four sheets, and I had to cut each little item apart and then put them together on the wall. It really is easily removable. These are great for a kid's room, because he might love monkeys now, but in 6 months he will have moved on to firetrucks or something else. There are also lots of words and sentences available.

This one is from a company called Hip in a Hurry (cost $19.99). You can find tons (often customizable) by searching "vinyl wall decal" on Etsy.

Monday, Monday

I'm pumped for my new Monday night lineup: House and 24. Should be awesome.

Where else can you hear gems like this: "Tell me where the device is! Or so help me God, I will kill you and you will stay dead this time!''

Poladroid: Now for PC!

Remember how I told you about Poladroid? You know, it's the download that allows you to make your new digital photos look like Polaroids. Anyway, it's now available for the PC. Download it here. It's fun!

before

after

Shame!

Have you seen the commercials on TLC for the reality show Toddlers & Tiaras? I'd post it here, but it actually makes me sick to my stomach. It's about moms and their Jon Benet-style kids. The commercial shows them giving their little girls spray tans, putting fake eyelashes on them, and other horrific things. I'm sure TLC thinks that they're exposing these mothers for the nutjobs they are, but I think that they are in fact validating them. I find it interesting that there is no information about this show on the TLC Web site. Maybe they're disgusted with themselves.

(Okay, stepping down off of my soapbox now.)

New music Thursday

I'm looking for some new music to freshen up my playlist. A quick shuffle through my Zune (that's right, I have a Zune. Deal) turns up Once Bitten, Twice Shy (White Snake); Holidae In (Chingy--what ever happened to him?); Ticks (Brad Paisley); and Beverly Hills (Weezer). Pretty much anything that doesn't suck. Please note: Anything sappy sucks. Anything that sounds like Nickelback sucks.
Anyone have suggestions of songs I should download?
I'll leave you with my new favorite song, "Gives You Hell" by the All-American Rejects.

The Duel

I thought that there wasn't going to be a new episode of The Office until the super-size, star-studded post-Super Bowl episode (can't wait for that, by the way). Much to my delight, there's a new one tomorrow!

Curses!

My life lately has been a series of relatively minor but nonetheless unfortunate events. You may remember such mishaps as the sprained ankle and subsequent emergency room visit on Christmas morning, someone trying to frame me for drug possession, and the letter telling me that I'm deceased. Additionally I've been a total klutz (smashing my glass measuring cup to bits and slamming my head on the car door come to mind, among other household injuries), leading Justin to repeatedly ask, "What is WRONG with you?" Today Marilyn suggested that perhaps I'm cursed. That was before my latest, shall we say, incident.

After work today I picked up Luke and went to get a few things from the grocery store. We got home, I got dinner in the oven, and the phone rang. It was the grocery store, notifying me that they had my purse. I'd left it in the cart. (Sound familiar, Mom?) I didn't even realize I didn't have it. (What is WRONG with me?) So I ran over there to pick it up. Nothing is missing. (Leah, tell Heinz that if anyone wanted to steal my identity, they missed their chance today--I hope.)


Think of each of these events individually, and they seem insignificant. But cumulatively? I can only reach one conclusion. Remember my broken owl from the ornament swap? And how I told Karma to suck it? Perhaps that was ill-advised. Now, I don't believe in that sort of thing, but I must be under a Karma curse. The only other explanation is that I'm an absent-minded klutz. I prefer the curse.


So what do I do? How do I break the cycle? Do I have to make a list and atone for all of my past misdeeds, like Earl?


Don't be ridiculous.


I'm buying a Karma necklace.

Gold or silver? I can't decide.

See, I decided last week that I needed a signature necklace. One I will wear every day. Steph and Nat helped me pick out this one, and I loved it but thought, "I'm not telling anyone it's a Karma necklace. L-ame." Well, scratch that. It is a KARMA NECKLACE. You might think this is a selfish purchase. You're wrong. It's for Karma.

I better pay for expedited shipping.

We have a name!

Thanks to my crack reporting team (Leah by text and Steph by e-mail), I learned that the Affleck baby has a name.
Seraphina Rose Elizabeth Affleck

Well, that certainly is unfortunate news. UPDATE!

Imagine my surprise when I got the following notice in the mail from my gas company.

Dear customer:
We appreciate the opportunity to serve you. We have received information that Katherine Bowlby is deceased, and we are unable to continue gas service in this name. Please contact us to place this account in the name of the current resident or the person responsible for the billing. If application for the service is not received by 1/28/09 it will be necessary for the gas service at this address to be discontinued.

Huh. I wonder what other bills I can get out of paying now that I'm dead!

UPDATE: Good news! I have been resurrected by the gas company. I called this morning and notified them of my aliveness. The customer service representative said that someone called in and notified them of my passing, but she couldn't give me any more info than that. I think it must've been a mixup and they put the info in the wrong account or something. Hopefully there's not a sabateur out there tampering with my utility bills.

She a bad b

Watched Wanted last night. Say what you want about Angie, but I'm not going to. Cause I'm pretty sure she could snap my neck in twain if desired.

Beep, beep. Beep, beep. Beep, beep.

The following was written between 6:08 and 6:11 a.m.

Until recently, I was experiencing some 24 fatigue. After all the news of Tony's return (...again), crazy-ass Kim reappearing, and the second half of the season being scrapped and reshot, my expectations were low. But the recent promos and something I read on EntertainmentWeekly.com have rekindled my interest. We'll see how I feel after 4 hours of Jack in the next two nights!

My favorite movie of 2009, based exclusively on the poster

Well, this is just weird

From People.com
Dexter fans will find this interesting. (Non-Dexter fans? Watch Dexter!)
From People.com

"Don't worry folks, it's legal. They may play brother and sister on Dexter, but in real life Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter were lawfully wed on New Year's Eve, according to Hall's rep, Craig Bankey. The outdoor ceremony was held in Big Sur. Hall, 37, and Carpenter, 29, plan to appear together at this year's Golden Globes Awards on Sunday."

Headline of the day (brace yourself)

"Texas death row inmate pulls out eye, eats it"

Consider yourself disturbed.

If you'd like to know more about this story (and how could you not?), click here. Spoiler alert: This wasn't the first time he did this.

Confession

It really bothers me that I don't yet know the name of Ben & Jen's baby. What is wrong with me?

Bromantic Comedy*

*Did I just coin that phrase? I think so.

This is a good rental. The first half is funny. The second half kind of drags.



Side note: I might be falling in love with James Franco.

Scrubs season premiere

I'm a fan of Scrubs, but I'm not sure how I feel about the move to ABC. I think the series may have run its course, and it probably should have ended after last season. But I'll tune in for the season premiere tonight (9/8c on ABC), and hopefully the change will breathe some new life into the show.

If my mom had a blog, she'd tell you to read this book.

My mom called this morning to chat about this book. She saw the author on the Today show yesterday. (Side note: Did anyone see their segment on "OMG! My Mom's on Facebook!" Funny.) She was pretty convincing, so I picked up a copy at the grocery store today. I have the original Eat This, Not That book, which mainly deals with choices at restaurants. This new Eat This, Not That: Supermarket Survival Guide has some really interesting details about the choices you make at the grocery store. The information is helpful and sometimes surprising. Don't worry; the author doesn't expect you to make major lifestyle changes or to buy pricey organic food. Oftentimes your favorite brands offer choices that are much healthier. For example, Green Giant's Extra Sweet Corn Niblets actually have fewer calories, grams of fat, and miligrams of sodium than the regular Green Giant Corn Niblets. Land O Lakes Whipped Butter has fewer calories, grams of fat, and milligrams of sodium than I Can't Believe It's Not Butter. Kraft Deluxe Mac & Cheese has a quarter of the fat of the regular Kraft Mac & Cheese. Check it out. It's pretty compelling.

Mystery of the day

Anyone care to venture a guess as to how this:
ended up in the back of my pickup truck? Looks like drug paraphernalia. Smells like drug paraphernalia. I swear, officer, it's not mine...

Very good movie: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

We saw this move today. I thought Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett were both great. I'm not sure how a 32-page short story became a 3-hour movie, but I liked, and I was never bored.

Try this: ArmorAll Glass Wipes

I have a hard time cleaning my car windows, and after a trip with the dog, the windows are covered with slobber and nose prints. Windex and paper towels always leaves streaks for me. This time I tried these ArmorAll Glass Wipes, and they lived up to their promise of a "Crystal Clear, Streak-Free Shine." Try them! They were available in my grocery store for about $5.

Resolutions 2009

My three resolutions. Two are achievable, one is near impossible. But I'll give it a go!

1. Have better penmanship. Mine has been really sloppy lately. I think my coworkers will appreciate this one too.
2. Pronounce "probably" correctly. My annunciation in general could use improvement, but I'm starting with "probably." Lately I've noticed that I say "probly" or--groan--"prolly." It must be stopped!
3. Cut back to one Diet Coke a day. I know it isn't good for me, and I am ADDICTED. But I just love it so much! Sigh. I'm really going to have to try hard to achieve this one.

Happy 2009, everyone!