Round it up

Lots of things going on, so I think a round up is in order.

1. It's looking like the government is going to give us tax rebates to avoid a recession - $300 to $1200. I have an idea, Uncle Sam: don't take it from me in the first place.

2. MacBook Air.

As soon as I saw it, I had the same reaction as Robin Roberts on Good Morning America (for the record, as much as I don't like Diane Sawyer, I really like Robin Roberts): "I don't know what it is, but I want it." She said "want" like "won't" to be funny - and it was. See why I like her better than Diane Sawyer? But I digress. I actually did know what it was - another supercool Mac product! A super-thin laptop! I love Macs! I love laptops! And I love thin! But I've read a review, and they said it doesn't have a built in CD/DVD drive, it's got too few ports and the battery is sealed, so you can't replace it on your own. I need the ports and the CD/DVD drive, and I like to be able to buy a new battery on eBay and change it out myself if necessary, so the Air will not be for me...until they get that stuff changed and it's another PERFECT Mac product!!!

3. Paige Davis is returning to Trading Spaces.

This is report-worthy for two reasons. 1) I used to watch Trading Spaces when she was on it, and after she left, I thought it lost a lot of its zip and I haven't watched since. 2) When my hair was short, alot of people said I looked like Paige Davis (uh, hello - SHE looks ME!), and I think she's really cute, so I was all over that. Her husband kind of looks like that guy Liza Minnelli was married to, though - the last one who looks like he's made of plastic. Since I can do better (and currently am) that means Paige could. But whatevuh. Welcome back, Paige!

4. Had the best freakin' steak ever the other night at Eddie V's Edgewater Grille. It ain't cheap. It's definitely a special occasion or expense account kinda place, but damn, Gina - if you're ready to splurge and celebrate something (like the birth of someone special back in the days of disco), I highly recommend it. And just go ahead and tack on some bernaise sauce and dessert. What the hell. The ship on frugality sailed as soon as you walked through the doors.

5. Tom Brady may be hurt!!! No, he's not. He's fine. And he's going to win the Super Bowl. Because the Patriots are freakin' superhuman. They're a machine. They're awesome. And they're unstoppable. Just enjoy watching the greatness Sunday after next.

That's it. I gotta go eat some lunch.

The Major is back!!!

Yes, sports fans, Major Applewhite is returning to the Texas sideline! He's been hired as the new running backs coach. I'm so happy I could...smile really big!!

I always new our boy would come home, but I must admit, I didn't think it would be this quick. I figured he'd have to roam around a bit more in the NCAA, working some more jobs at other schools, paying dues. But he made short work of those dues, and I couldn't be happier that he'll be back in Burnt Orange!

I've been checking the paper this morning to find out when the parade will be. The Statesman doesn't seem to have any information on that...

First roundup of 2008

Feeling a little better today - maybe the antihistamine is kicking in. Thangod. Oh, and my face doesn't hurt as bad. I've got a red mark, but it isn't a bruise (yet), so you don't really notice it if you don't know it's there. I think.

So Obama and Huckabee have won in Iowa. Only 11 more months to go! I'm sure nothing will change between now and the election, so thank heaven we've had non-stop coverage of the Iowa caucus! Election years...oy.

Britney was taken away for a psych evaluation. That girl really is in a bad way. I wonder if she's going to be the next Michael Jackson - permanently screwed up and permanently on display with her screwed-up-ness.

The stock market is tanking. Stupid oil prices. We've really got to get off our dependence on oil - stop putting ourselves at the mercy of unmerciful countries. Alternative fuels, people!!

Anyone make any New Year's resolutions? I didn't make any, per se, but I do want to recommit myself to a few things - finishing a project, getting back on track with my diet and exercise, maybe changing up a thing or two this year. Anyone make any *interesting* resolutions - something besides losing 10 pounds and cleaning their garage?

Big 12 is making a nice showing in their bowl games. 8 of 12 teams in bowls, which is mighty fine average. In the winner's column: Texas, Oklahoma State, Missouri, Texas Tech, Kansas. In the loser's column: A&M (LOL!), Oklahoma (ditto), and Colorado. Two more bowl games left and then no more college football until September. (sniff!)

That's it for now. Everyone have a great weekend!

A-holes should have to wear a sign.

I've been teased a couple of times this season by the prospect of going to the Rose Bowl. I don't mean UT getting there - I mean ME getting there to see UT play. It seemed one of those fantasy activities that only my friends with lots of money get to do. I don't begrudge them the experience. In fact, I live vicariously through them when they go to such things. But little me, working my little job, livin' in my little house - what right would I have to dream of such things?

Then my parents dropped the bomb that they were considering going - me invited! We have a family friend who leaves near Pasadena, and we could stay with him, and he'd get us to the stadium and give us pointers on flights, so on and so forth. Why, all we had to do was get tickets!

No small feat, that - especially since there would be 3 of us, and we'd like to sit together. But I found some. They were pricey, but not completely out of line. We could do it! But we'd have to move fast! Fast, I say! Like the wind!! Just say to hit the "Buy" key, and they're ours! Just say it! SAY IT!!!!

But they didn't say it. It was a lot of money, and they...I don't know...had to think about it? Or...I don't know. But they didn't say it. Then there was talk that the friend in California might be able to swing tickets. Is that it? Is the plan to wait on him? Because that's a long-shot, people. And by the time he tells us it's a bust, it'll be too late for us to get any anywhere else unless we plan on taking out second mortgages. I feel my tension level rising. My anxiety - it's starting to eat at me. So, I ask myself what the realistic chances are that this will all work out. They're not good, Charlie Brown. Let's come back down to earth, Chuck.

So, I let it go. I tell the folks that should they decide they want me to buy some tics online, tell me and I'll find some. Give me a limit on price, and I'll make it happen if I can. But until they tell me to pull the trigger, I'm out. I'm not going to obsess about it. And secretly, I decide we're not going and relieve myself of the anxiety.

Then it happens. My mom - she emails me today and asks about some tickets she sees on eBay. Oh God! They're ready to do it! We're not going to wait on California Man! We're going to buy some! Well, I've done eBay for years. Let me take care of this! I answer her questions, then hop on eBay, and low and behold, there is a deal there - a great deal. A really great deal. A REALLY great deal! I call my Mom to see if it's okay for me to pull the trigger. THEY'RE NOT HOME!!! For Pete's sake, you're retired!! WHERE ARE YOU????

Well, I decide the deal is too good to pass up, and I'm not waiting. There's a price listed in the explanation section that's essentially a buy-it-now price, though there's no "Buy It Now" button. I email the seller, ask how we can do the transaction without the "Buy It Now" button. She says if I agree to buy the tics now, the price is what's listed, and just send her my eBay info an she'll invoice me via eBay. I do, and she sends another message that she's now sending the invoice me and to contact her when I get it. She has no payment info from me, you understand - just contact info, and 90 feedbacks (all good), so I'm not worried she's scamming. So, I hit refresh every two seconds in anticipation of the glorious invoice! Only...the auction has now exceeded the price we agreed to...and she never sends the invoice. I eventually email her to ask if I should assume she's backed out. Nothing. I no longer exist. You should roast in the fiery pit of hell.

You know, I get that you want to get all that you can on eBay when you sell. I get that. I've been a seller. But don't put a buy-it-now price on the listing, then refuse to honor it when the auction ends up being more successful. That's the risk you take when you list a price that someone can take up-front. EBay is always a risk. Sometimes you make a bundle. Sometimes somebody gets something for a penny and you get fleeced. It's the risk of the open market. But you should always honor your agreements. That's all. Just do what you agree to do (words to live by).

Do you think Denise Austin eats pie?

Well, I'm back in the saddle and five pounds heavier! But it was worth it. I'll eat like a normal human being this week and see if I can make a dent in the pie, cobbler, mac and cheese, ambrosia, sweet rolls, etc., I gorged on. Possibly some Denise Austin could be in order.

We had Thanksgiving at my brother's house this year, and he has this great set of living room furniture - some wonderful designer managed to cram 5 recliners into 1 chair, 1 couch and 1 loveseat. It was almost impossible to not have a recliner, what with being able to make the kids move if they happened to be in prime seating real estate. I tell you that living room is recliner heaven! Now, you might be thinking recliners are for old men in jumpsuits (by the by, there's a sale on), but that's just not true. There ain't nuthin better than stuffing yourself silly with rich food, climbing into a cushy expanse of microfiber (or leather if you prefer), snapping up that foot rest, then easin' on back into a barely upright position. A large television with the murmur of a football game you're only half watching, and my friend, that's a nap right there.

Speaking of football, the UT game wasn't a thrashing and I didn't enjoy every minute of it, but I'm glad for the outcome. Vince Young did not have a Vince Young-like day, and you would know that the aggies had their best game of the year, so that combination made the game more of a competition than anyone expected. We still came out on top, but it was uglier than I would've liked. It was uglier than Vince Young would've liked, too, because I saw him a couple of interviews later in the day, and he still looked pretty pissed about his performance. I believe he can kiss that Heisman goodbye for this year. But I think that may be for the best. He's said he'll be back next year, so that means we can all stop talking about the Heisman and Vince's plans and get focused on the team and what they need to do. Colorado had better be prepared because I'm guessing you won't see another repeat of Friday in either of the two games left this season. I believe Texas had put itself on cruise control, and they got their wake-up call.

Well, folks, with that another Thanksgiving is under our belts, and that means it's now officially Christmas season! Onward ho!

I'm ready for pie.

Well, I'm off today to visit the fam in Houston for Thanksgiving, so I won't be posting for several days. I'll try to come back loaded with fascinating and entertaining tales of family fun.

Oh, and I hope gloating will be in order. It is my hope that Friday will thus forth be known as The Day of Thrashing, when the Longhorns suspended any notion of mercy while beating the aggies into the ground. Of course, the aggies are pretty much already beaten into the ground, so it's not quite as much fun as playing an opponent with an actual prayer of giving you a contest. But it's a&m, so that means that if we do, in fact, impart a thrashing, I hope it will be epic, and I'll enjoy every second of it. That is my way, people. You'll just have to reconcile that with your equally compelling notions of my integrity and love of animals.

Have a really great, safe Thanksgiving! God Bless America and each and every one of us!