Life's a Beach!

Well, friends, as most of you know by now, I have returned safely from my vacation. That's right... safely. Who didn't get eaten by a shark? That would be me.

Anywho, I've come back from a week a fun and relaxation to a week of crazy stress and busy-ness. I cannot promise regular updates during this time. I know, you're heartbroken. You've waited so patiently for me to begin writing again, but seriously, I don't have the time. You are all in my hearts, and trust me, I will be blogging quite a bit after this week - I have a lot to talk about.

In the meantime, while you anxiously burn for the latest helping of my wit, do something good for yourself or our planet. Like... um, plant a tree! Or... learn how to crochet. Or... yeah, something like that.

It's a girl!

On Thursday, September 13th at 6:25pm, Jennifer gave birth to Lydia Maggie Hughes! She was 6.15 lbs, and was 18 inches long. Mother and child (as well as Caleb and the boys) are fine. We all went this afternoon to visit, and we each got to hold her! Yay!

Congratulations, Jennifer! Welcome to the world, Lydia! Yay!!!!!!!!!!

And on that note, I bid you all a fond farewell for a few days. I am off to North Carolina and a long-awaited vacation in the sun with people I like and beverages that make me happy. Also, several books I intend to read - ahhhhh.... I can't wait!

Take care, I'll be back soon.

We work hard for the money.

I'm alive.

Sorry I haven't been keeping up the pace - I've got a lot going on. Work, Rehearsals, Moving, Vacation... it's times like these, when I am happily participating in the world and taking advantage of all it has to offer, that remind me why I love not doing anything. Not that I'm not having fun, but damn, there is such a thing as too busy.

Usually when people are busy and complain about a lack of sleep, some smart-ass usually comes along and says "You can sleep when you're dead!", but that really isn't true. Pretty much one of three things is going to happen when you die:

1. Heaven, where you don't get any sleep because you are praising The Creator for eternity.

2. Hell, where you don't get any sleep because you are in Constant Torment for eternity.

or

3. Nothing, where you don't get any sleep because YOU CEASE TO EXIST.

So, with those being the options, I intend to get as much sleep as possible while I'm alive, thank you very much. I like sleep.

Galeophobia.

Galeophobia: An abnormally large and persistent fear of sharks. Sufferers from this phobia experience anxiety even though they may be safe on a boat or in an aquarium or on a beach. Hollywood films depicting sharks as calculating, vengeful diabolical monsters have no doubt enkindled the fear of sharks in many persons. So have validated reports of sharks venturing into rivers and lakes.
"Galeophobia" is derived from the Greek words "galeos" (shark with markings resembling those on a weasel) and "phobos" (fear). "Galeophobia" is also sometimes used as alternate term for ailurophobia, fear of cats, because the Greek word "galeos" is derived from "galee," a Greek meaning "polecat" and "weasel."

Welcome to my fear. It may seem irrational, what with my living in Ohio and all, but this is what I am learning to live with. Just thought I'd share with y'all as I prepare to vacation at the beach. I'm not too worried though. I'm just going to drink. A lot.

American Idol memories.

As far as show's go, American Idol is not my favorite. The handful of good singers each year get picked of early in favor of tragic monkey-poop, with a some rare exceptions making the top few, and - even rarer - taking the prize. But back in season one, we were given two fantastic performers: Tamyra Gray and Kelly Clarkson. Kelly's career is fantastic now; her new record didn't sell as well as hoped, but it was amazing. Tamyra did stuff for a while, but never achieved the fame she deserved.

Below I've put their performances from Season One's Big Band Night. Tamyra started things off well, and then nothing else special happened that night until Kelly stepped up and blew everyone away. What I remember most about that night was, up until then, Kelly was very good, but she had never stood out. Her performance that night forshadowed her future as a star.

Enjoy these clips, and remember, even though Idol has given us many many tragedies like William Hung, Taylor Hicks, and Jasmine Trias, it has also given us a few individuals who actually have talent.

I just made some soup.

Victory! I successfully produced a pot of delicious chicken noodle soup. Making soup has always vexed me - I've never done it well. I can do a decent vegetarian chili in a crockpot, but that was about it.

Until now.

Mmmmm... I grilled the chicken. I sautee'd the onions, celery, and garlic. I mixed together the carrots and egg noodles and broth. A dash a basil. A pinch of oregano. A bowlful of heaven.

Damn skippy.