Laugh it up, Fuzzball

It isn't very often that I laugh out loud at something I read (okay, maybe you HAVE heard me laugh out loud at something I read), but after this past year at school, I'm always grateful to find something funny.  This week's NEWSWEEK magazine did just that.  In last week's issue they had panned Bill O'Reilly's new book, "A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity", and of course Bill-O went on air and trashed the editor, and trashed the magazine with 'its far-left posture'.  

Not to let a perfect opportunity go by, NEWSWEEK staffers felt duty-bound to offer up more-constructive criticism, and offered the following alternate titles for his book:

1.  "A Big Steaming Lump of Male Vanity"

2.  "A Deep Barking Voice of Inanity" and my personal favorite...

3.  "A Large Bag of Gas Who's No Hannity"

Tee Hee.

They also had an interesting article by Kathleen Deveny about little girls being labeled bossy.   Those are many times the same girls who are called the B-word when they grow up to be assertive women.  She noted, correctly so, that little boys NEVER get called bossy, and that it's a very sexist label.  Anyway, having been a somewhat bossy little girl, I thought it made for very interesting reading.  

So...here I am, reading away my summer!  Love,  Claudia

Just a little article

My friend from grad school just sent me this link.  Another reason to vote for Obama in November.

I know you people hate the links, but this was a great op-ed from a well respected economist.  

Something to get the comments moving

While Richard and I were in Indiana a few weeks ago, Emily and Karl came to Decatur to enjoy the Saturday with us (well, with me while the 'Chard studied for the bar, he is very diligent!).  We started talking about chain restaurants and the quality of some well-known chains.  

Now, correct me if I am wrong, but Emily argued that TGIFridays was better than Chili's and Applebees was above both of them!  Karl agreed with Emily.  I was shocked.  I had always thought of it as Chili's, then TGIFridays, and finally Applebees.  Places like Macaroni Grill and Cheesecake Factory clearly rank above Fridays, Chili's and Applebees (at least that is what I think, does anyone disagree?)  

So, what do you think?  What are some of your favorite Chain restaurants?  Do you think that Applebees is better than Chilis?  Where does something like Denny's fit in the mix?  How about Chevys, Chi Chi's or Banditos (Dad has strong feelings about Banditos).

Now people, don't get all snobby on me and say "Chain restaurants, they are all so lame!"  You can't tell me that you don't love the chicken tenders and Chilis, the delicious Pasta Milano at Macaroni Grill, and I KNOW for a fact that Claudia LOVES the Jack Daniels ribs at TGIFridays.

Discuss

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RUSTY

So I know... I know... It's "Edward" now and not "Rusty", but old habits die hard and even though it is your birthday and I should accommodate to your every wish... I am a mean, mean older sister. ;-) Only teasing, Edward. I love you and hope that you are having a fabulous b-day with Meridth.

xo!

-M

Thank you Apple!

Apple just announced they are coming out with a faster and better iPhone... at half the price... I'm a little irritated... feel kind of dumb... cheated... dooped... swindled...

but in better news, they changed my title at work from Administrator to Technical Specialist... that sounds like an engineer.... yeah... engineer... purchasing engineer... I like that. I'm gonna go engineer myself a PB&J.

Emily and I went to the Leonard Springs nature park. I'm always amazed at the little hidden treasures in Bloomington. It's really a great place! This spring leads to a marshy area that used to be dammed off and supply all the water to Bloomington. Indiana University actually thought about leaving Bloomington because the spring was having trouble supplying water to the growing campus. Thankfully they didn't leave.
Emily said I was standing too close and would not come stand with me. The water felt really good on my feet though. I was getting something out of my backpack so that's why it is on backwards... leave me alone.

I thought I looked ugly in the last picture, so I took a close up. PHEW!!! Back to my beautiful self.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!

I just wanted to be the first to wish Mom a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Brandon and I are thinking about you and hope you have a fabulous day with Betsey and Baby Nora.

Love Always,

-M

The End of an Era

GM announces the closure of Dad's old plant.

I guess the plant's been open since 1919. With gas at the prices it is, I guess things'll have to change.

(That reminds me, I need to buy a bike. I'll post about that next week.)

Anyway, any thoughts Dad? Regrets? Shout outs to Janesville?

-Rusty