Really? Really.

So on the morning radio show I listen to, like many others, there is a "Mystery Oldie" part of the program. I usually know the answer, or at least title OR artist, and most of the time, it is at least over 10 years old. Today, however, was a different story.

Being Joey Fatone's 31st birthday, (Happy Bday, Joe!) they played "It's Gonna Be Me" for the mystery oldie. Ok, so it was released in 2000, that's 8 years old... But does that really make it an oldie? I guess it's up to each person's descretion, since a google search produced no good answers. But honestly, couldn't they have chosen "Tearin' Up My Heart" or "I Want You Back"? At least they're 10 years old.

Jeebus. 10 years.... I guess, since it is the Fat One's Birthday and since my love of "the stinky boys" (As Ma calls them) has hit a milestone anniversary (10th is traditionally tin/aluminium --wha?) I'll post my very favorite *NSYNC blog-post ever made:

Originally posted by "Rainbeaux" at http://beaux.livejournal.com/100822.html on 7/24/2003

Think of how much you loved JC the first time you heard Blowin' Me Up. And then the first time you heard Build My World. And when he called you a bitch in Some Girls.

Think of how much you love him for "people" and "because yes" and "I'm 'bout to get groped" and every other piece of silly drabble that ever left those pretty lips.

Think of how much you love him in pink, and glitter, and low-rise jeans, and cropped pants, and flip flops, and more jewelry than any three boys you know combined own.

Think of how much you loved Chris for Icky Vicky. And how you loved him even more for My Shiny Teeth and Me. And how the "Word!" you and your friends always spouted from the Simpsons is now followed immediately by "Don't say that."

Think of how much you loved him when he broke up with Dani and had to have it dragged out of him on live television by an interviewer we all knew didn't know half a shit about him, her or them. Think of how much you loved him the day after his "off night" in Chicago when we found out Busta had died.

Think of how much you loved his dreads and his braids and his mohawk and his little purple streaks and how no ridiculous thing he did to his head ever seemed quite ridiculous enough to keep up with him.

Think of how much you wanted evil, creepy Justin stalking through Not Britney's house. And how the delicious chills turned abruptly to a sympathetic heartache with one twinge of his face in the last scenes.

Think of how it felt to watch him grow -- from baby Justin who owned it and didn't know it, to No Strings Justin who owned it and did know it, to Celebrity Justin who owned it, knew it, and worked it like it was going out of style.

Think of how much you loved him for the quiet "thank God" and the big hug he gave Joey when he got back to the Pop video shoot -- and, right before he backpedaled to allow for the obligatory two feet of "we're not gay" space, just how tight they held each other.

Think of how much you loved baby Lance, the towheaded half-redneck that bumbled helplessly through his first couple of years of showbiz -- shot down, spit on, downplayed, almost thrown out of the group -- and still managed to grin like he loved every minute. And of how much you loved watching the others dote over him, protect him, because goober he may have been, he was their goober.

Think of how much you love the old pictures -- drawls and y'alls and jazz hands and sequins -- and looking at what they grew up to become. And how much you love the brief moments where The Pop Star slips from his pedestal and the resignedly famous Southern boy peeks briefly around the facade.

Think of how much you loved how excited he was when he went to Russia (even if you didn't really want him to do it). Think of how easy it was to ignore the fifteen pounds he lost if you concentrated on his smile (even if you didn't really want him to do it). Think of how your heart broke when he managed to keep smiling when they sent him home (even if you didn't really want him to do it). And think of how fun it was to hear all the late-night comics talking about him, tasteless jabs or no.

Think of how much you loved Joey for taping Europe -- all of it -- and then letting us see. Think of how he pretended not to be in torturous pain during the Pop shoot, and cracked jokes about his fat legs saving him.

Think of him with a wife and baby daughter. Seriously. Just think about it for a second.

Think of how you went to see the goofy little indie film that could, before it could, just to hear him say "I have three testicles" in Greek. Think of sitting through the entire first two episodes of the God-awful sitcom they made of it, just to hear him gripe about selling fish. Think of the fact that he read the script for On The Line, and then, as an experienced actor, agreed to star in it anyway -- because, dammit, his little brother needed somebody to play his best friend in a movie. Think of watching NBC's half-assed American Idol ripoff just to see him in a tux.

Think of all the performances. The specials. Every song. Every note.

Think of *N the Mix. MSG. The Reel NSYNC. Making the Video. Driven.

Think of all the friends you've made with whom you have nothing in common but this.

Now take all of that, and put it all together. Look back at this list and think of all the beautiful things you have in your life because of them.

Think of how much you love them.

And realize that, for all this, for all we love them without ever really knowing them...

After eight years, nobody -- none of us -- can ever love them like they love each other.

And that's all I have to say about that.

All Star Shiz - part Un.

I'm almost falling asleep, so this will be short... but will be continued at a later date and time.

• East (Pretty Ricky) vs. West (Big Joe)... what to do, what to do?!
• Canadian Anthem by Kathleen Edwards... now, I haven't heard anyof her normal repitoire, but she was out of breath, flat in spots and sounded nervous as hell. Not saying I woulnd't be... maybe she had to run to the ice? who knows...
• Star Spangled Banner... Atlanta Boy Choir... Great tempo! The tune was snagged from an old drinking song, not a funeral durge. I heart choirs.... you can take the girl out of the choir, but never the choir out of the girl :)
• Oh Em Gee... Pretty Ricky miked up... and scored upon... teehee, "I take that back, my hip's killing me." "Don't worry about it" oh jeebus.... you're one jabbery man, Ricky. as Knob Hockey once wisely said, "Maybe someone should've spent less time running their mouth and more time shutting their five hole"

game notes 1-27

So, through the almost 8 inches of snow, McMan and I ventured to the ams game.
The other members of the MLM, for safety reasons, went home early after staying the night at a billet house. All got home safely.
Ma also stayed home. Not feeling too hot. I sat in her seat.

• First of all, the game was BORING. I couldn't pay attention.
• Secondly, Shawn Vey is going to drive me to drink. heavily. Birch could've had the third goal had Shawn not been skating in his sleep.
• Tyler Schmidt needs to calm the eff down. Every time we're about to get a PP, Tyler has to be the tough guy and gets penalized, taking that PP away. There was once tonight where I'm sure Kirk (don't EVEN get me started on this guy......) warned him about it.
• Birchy needs to play more if he's going to reach his potential as a goalie. Right now, he's ascribing to the Hasek School of Goal Keeping - aka, flopping like a fish. There were many times where (forget Chetters) there were some twinkies in MY pants at the close calls in net.
• That said, the D was... well, missing. Toll had some good plays, Mestery was giving his all every shift he was out and Werbs .. umm... well, he was trying. TJ took a bunch of BS penalties (the one for elbowing was phantom, but still... ) and I didn't notice him at all on the ice besides his parade to the box.
• Radek's goal was killer. Great for him against his former team and second in 2 nights.
• Seattle's 2nd goal was PRETTY, not gonna lie. Knocked Birch's water bottle 1.5 feet in the air before returning to the same spot he'd placed it.
• Well, that's about all i have to say about tonight's game. They cancelled the skate - probably would've been 10 of us and the ams out there. Not a bad thing, but I'm glad I started home when I did.

It's been a LONG time since I've said this, but I'm glad this weekend is over.... Hopefully this week will be happy times.

Miss Washington Places 2nd Runner-up at Miss America

image credit to AP

Miss Elyse Umemoto, miss Washignton 2007 placed 2nd Runner-up to Miss America in Las Vegas tonight. She won a $20,000 scholarship on top of the $10,000 scholarship and shopping spree she won in being chosen as one of the three finalists in the Miss America; Reality Check series on TLC.

She placed higher than any other Miss Washington in Miss America's 87 year History.

The flying monkeys and I are SUPER excited for her and SO proud that we can say that she's OUR Miss Washington!

Starbucks redeems themselves? itself? whatever, they're redeemed.

So I decided to try something new this morning. The Venti Soy Sugar-free Cinnamon Dolcé Latté just wasn't sounding as tasty as it usually does. I ordered a Venti Green Tea Soy Latté. I get to work, an after tasting the deliciousness, I went to trusty starbucks.com to see the nutritional information. Calories, not too bad for non-sugar-free; fat calories, not bad at all... Read the description:

An intriguing blend of premium green tea, soothing steamed milk and delicately sweet melon.

MELON?! JEEBUS! No wonder it's so tasty... I'm freakin allergic to it. WHY don't they list that anywhere else!? It's not a "Green Tea Melon Latté"! (See: Starbucks Rant #1) Am I drinking it anyway? Yes. Yes I am. That's $4.44, I'm not pouring it out... and no one else works at my office, so I couldn't give it to anyone.

So as i sit here with slight discomfort in my throat (no worries, there's no anaphylaxis going on... yet...) watching the clip from yesterday's Ellen show with Jurstind Timberlake, I noticed "The Way I See It # 264" printed on the side of my cup:

Every 20 minutes - less time than it will take you to drink your coffee - another child is diagnosed with autism. It's much more common than people think, with one out of every 150 children diagnosed. Learn the early warning signs of autism, and if you're concerned about your child's development, talk to your doctor. Early intervention could make a big difference in your child's future.
-- Bob Wright
Former chairman and CEO of NBC/Universal, co-founder of Autism Speaks

My first experience with Autism was with an old boyfriend. His youngest brother (I believe he was 5 at the time) was autistic. I didn't know all that much about it except that he wasn't social at all and that he wouldn't eat dinner at the table. One night, on the phone with said ex-b/f, he stopped in the middle of his sentence and said, "EW!"
"What?" I asked, concerned.
"Oh, I just stepped on a hot dog. My room must've been where Wayne ate his dinner."

Funny story, he stepped on a hot dog... But I started to do some research on autism at that point. There wasn't as much information out there as there is now, but I got the general gist of it.
Not too much longer after that, our community started to hear a lot more about autism because of Olaf Kolzig's oldest son Carson and the foundation Olie and his wife, Christin started (Carson Kolzig Foundation) to support families challenged by autism.

I encourage everyone, especially parents, potential parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles to help in any way they can, whether it be donations, volunteering or just becoming more educated on the subject, watching for signs and symptoms in children in their lives.

Photo By Kelly Pickard

See? Chetter is helping out! The #1 ranked North American goaltender in the upcoming NHL draft has the "autism awareness ribbon on the back of his mask.

Some Links:
Cure Autism Now
Autism Speaks
Athletes Against Autism

Love Child...

McMan and I were watching the Sharks After-game report on FSN BayArea and he made a comment about "Mr Clean" Drew Remenda. I looked at him and saw it... the love child...

Drew Remenda is the lovechild of Mr. Clean and Tyler Schmidt.

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Can't believe I forgot this....

So, last Wednesday night, I was at McMan's helping him do laundry and pack for his Weekend in the Great White North. The Sportcenter top 10 came on and one of the plays was Niittymaki making a great save. I was 1/2 asleep, but I woke up really quick to ask if I had just heard something right, "Niittymaki... Sounds like some kind of sushi!" I had. I laughed. I immediately had to go potty.

*********************************

While he was in the laundry room, I was watching Sportscenter and folding the clean clothes. All of a sudden he heard me yelling, "HOCKEY ON ESPN!" and immediately after, "OMG! Just when you think Barry Melrose can't get any greasier!!! UGH!"
He popped his head out and asked, "Ew. Does he have old, grey, ball hairs on his chin?"
My reply? "Yes." *shudder*

*********************************

Later in the broadcast (later... lol.. the whole thing was about 3 minutes long) Barry was posed the question, if the coach of a big game and you had the choice of Marty "Big Lovin" Brodeur or Pretty Ricky DiPietro, who would he put in net? He chose Marty, I chose Pretty Ricky and

McMan and I proceeded to argue about my decision all the way up the stairs:
McMan: Are you KIDDING?! But it's Marty Brodeur!
McP: No I'm not kidding, I'd choose DiPi in a heartbeat!
McMan: That's just because you think he's cute.
McP: Marty's cute, too... In that I-slept-with-my-sister-in-law kind of way. I would just rather have new blood in net. Plus he's American.
McMan: I'm still stuck on the slept-with-my-sister-in-law part.

I'm not a bad blog-mommy, really....

The flying monkies have finally dug me out from the mounds of paperwork on my desk and pumped me full of Starbucks Venti Soy Sugar-Free Cinnamon-Dolcé Latté and pointed me in the direction of my blog. Remind me to give them extra treats tonight.

In Football News:
(FOOSBALL, BOBBY BOUCHÉ?! FOOSBALL IS THE DEBIL!) Ok, ok, I'm a hockey girl, but it's the friggen Super Bowl, who doesn't follow Football right now?! Plus, it's not really related to the game, just dudes that play it. What do you expect from a girl who was always shaking her pom poms and making sure the rest of the squad wasn't getting hurt while our team was going 1-11 our Senior Year?

• Miss Tom Brady and his SuperSperm were hobbling out of that model's apt in NYC donning a moonboot (aka walking cast). Now, Sure, I think he's pretty, and if he wasn't a good QB, he wouldn't be where he is today, but I was a bigger fan of his when he was with his BabyMama. All that aside, I have to say that I don't really wish moonboots on anyone............ When I was hit by an errant puck during the 2004 WHL playoffs, I had to wear a moonboot for a few weeks - I spiced it up by putting NASA stickers on it. I even had to audition/interview for my first Miss America Local Competition with it on. Gave me a great conversation-piece that led into talking hockey for a good portion of the interview, but you can't exactly walk gracefully in them. Not that any of that matters to Tom Brady or the Pats, but how much would it suck to not only be wearing the moonboot, but have it be the week before the Big Game and have it splashed all over the media?
• I heart that Eli Manning and the Giants are in the Superbowl. See, I heart Peyton and his fantabulous acting abilities and his willingness to totally sell out for kickass commercials. My new favorite? The Oreo Licking League.... CLASSIC. And the morning-radio spots where they've dubbed someone saying "Eli" over "Peyton" in some Manning-ish voice made me laugh so hard this morning I almost got hair product in my eye.

Hockey News:

TC Americans (WHL)

• The ams are 1 point out of 1st in the Western Conference of the WHL. They've been playing pretty well as of late (let's not think about the game in Lethbridge on Saturday...) and now that we have Procsyshen back, I think Reddick will get his mojo back.
  
• With Yellow being out last game, it forced the PP to be shaken up a bit, which, obviously we needed. When you can't "get it to Yellow" you have to fun something different - McMan said at the game in Lethbridge, even after the second 5-on-3, the 'Canes PK unit wasn't even tired - they read our PP like an all-picutre edition of FHM.
• Midel seems to be fitting in well, Ma said he's shopping at A&F almost every day and that last night he came home with a John Deere hat. I ♥ Euros.
• TraderBob didn't move ANYONE at the deadline. I can't remember a season that's happened. Is this a sign of the apocalypse?
  
• Little Chetters is going to the Top Prospects Game this week. Schnacs is coaching the opposite team. Great honours for both of them. McMan and I think our goalie has been hitting the fake-n-bake and the whitestrips a little hard lately - his teeth are like a beacon unto the night. I still want to shrink him and carry him in my purse everywhere - that smile is like a flashlight.
  

Sharkies

• #1 is the obligatory, I ♥ Big Joe. 56 Points and still as cute as a big, furry button.
• Cheech... Where do I begin? His eyes are creepier this year... Maybe when he's back to 100% the creepy eyes will fade back and he'll be putting the points up again - or maybe the creepy eyes will stay and he'll score more. Hell, if I was in net and saw the crazy-man, intense eyeballs of Jon Cheechoo, I'd step aside and say, "Your net, sir?" in fear of being turned to stone if I didn't.
• Trades... Hammer and I were talking about this on Saturday night while the Redwings were stomping on my already horrible hockey-night. We spoke of Cap'n Patty and how he's not flourishing under RW and maybe could be back to his full potential somewhere else, but I brought up the point that NO ONE seems to be flourishing. Plus, I don't know if we'd get his full value in a trade right now. (That and I want my former TBird to stay a sharkie!)
• Goaltending. Haven't seen enough of the back-ups to say if they should be in net more, but I think anyone anyone who remembers how I went into mourning after the Toskala trade or who has seen or heard me watch the Sharks this season can tell you what I think of the tender who is normally in net. I'm a Goalie Girl... for me to roll my eyes every time he skates out is a BIG deal. le sigh.

Personal Life:

• Got my hair chopped off. It's already growing back rapidly, so it was only about 3 weeks of constantly wearing it straightened to avoid the Poodle/Box-'do.
• Had a hellacious week at work last week... the words "Illegal" and "L&I" came out of my mouth way more than I wish to admit. I now consider myself a UFA and am actually shopping myself around the business community. There are a couple things I've applied for that if I were to get hired, I'd officially be a high-roller in my own mind. Keep your fingers crossed for me
• MissRoomie is landing in Vegas right about now to spend the week at Miss America. (I decided I couldn't take the time off work to take up the generous offer to go for free... which turned out to be the best decision I've ever made considering the job-situation) I'm rooting for Miss WA, Elyse Umemoto, of course. There are a few others I've kept my eye on while watching "Miss America: Reality Check" on TLC... If you haven't seen it, you MUST! Even non-pageanty's love it. Not a lot of cat-fighting or anything, but some great snarky comments by the Advisory Panel.
  
• McMan and I are going out to dinner at my Ma & Pa's tonight. Have to help Ma with her new MP3 phone... this woman doesn't even know how to use call-waiting. This lesson could get really interesting. At least McMan will be there to help her when i throw my hands in the air and quit.
  

Attempt #2

So I went to the Dr this morning - Bronchitis. Ick. Feeling much better, though.

#1 - WHOO HOO!!!! Chetters playing in the Prospects Game!
#2 - WHOO HOO!!!! Donny to coach one of the teams! (Promotion back to the E, A or N!??!!? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?)

made Coconut Shrimps for McMan and I for dinner. YUM! Washed it down with some Buckley's. YUK!

Brooks Laich scored the first goal for Washington tonight. havng a career year with this, his 8th goal. That's his total for all of last season. Go Brooksie, Go!

Olie kicks ass. In so many ways. And is beautiful. And a goalie. Enough said.

Hannan... Whenever I look at him i want to pinch the underside of his arm... REALLY hard! I'm still bitter he's not in Teal.

Watching the Dallas feed of games makes me want to light my face on fire when they play that Muzak during commercial breaks. But will I change it to the Chicago feed? No way. Then I'd swear at Jonathan Towes, or anyone who said his name, very loudly.

Everett scored first and second. Um.. Boys? Just because we're first in the league in PK doesn't mean you can take those shifts off. K thx.

PS - Hammer, your pancake made me angry.

First intermission recap comes on and they re-play the goal... McMan, who is sitting in the big puffy chair cheeered and raised his hands. I looked at him totally deadpan and said, "It's the re-cap."

"Wow. You are on Fuckin fire tonight, buddy." - McMan on the foxsports intermission report on the radio. (Heavy sarcasm implied)

Brent Seabrook. Remember when the (Lethbridge) Hurricanes had Seabrook bobble head night? I do. I was pissed it wasn't Firstborn bobble head night. Then again, I'm a little biased. Whatever, who cares if brent is in the NHL and Firstborn is in the English Elite league ;)

Stars win... Marty Turco is a freakin stud! Teddy bear, mickey fickey!

Ams: Jason misses the open net twice, Yellow misses the open net... How many times are we going to give Merrick a heart attack tonight?

McMan: "Notice Schmidt wasn't ranked."
McP: "Imagine that."

The girls on Deal or No Deal are hot. Especially in beaded cocktail dresses and leis.

Beach goes for High Sticking... Mestery refains from retaliation. THAT is why I heart #7.

McMan: You have a man voice right now.
McP: Does that turn you on?
McMan: NO! Thank God!

Goal tending change for Everett... Irving pulled with 2:46 left in the 2nd... maybe he has to poop? "Maybe they just traded him." - McMan

NO!!!!!! MY SON!!!!!!!! I don't like hearing that he's flat on his face after Bauer left his feet to check him from behind, but i LOVE hearing that Chetters almost went after Bauer. JEEBUS. My son is already more susceptible to concussion b/c of his broken jaw last year. 5 and a Game for Bauer - hopefully a suspension.

For real? did the rest of the league get together and decide that we were too good and to make us a team of conkies? Joseph, Abraham and Moses.

Oh yeah, classy, Everett fans... Boo the call.

Irving only out 37 seconds... Not enough time to poop... maybe just pee?

MY SON IS BACK ON THE BENCH!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you Jesus!!!

Sidebar- met Midel this morning. Pretty cool kid. As long as he stays out of the box.

Everett takes another stupid penalty and Yellow scores from Reese and my son on the 5-on-3! THANK YOU! Tied the game at 2:05 with a minute to go on the penalty from hit on my son!

Oh great... Another hook behind the play while we're tied at 7:55 left in Regulation. Jason Reece, I'm looking at you.

Oh, Tyler Keifer.... Retaliation is bad, mmkay? Wait a minute, we got the PP, good boy.

HAMMER! NO MORE PANCAKES! NONE!

HONESTLY?! 5-on-3 at the end of a tied game?! For crying out loud there is 2:12 left in regulation and our top goal-scorer is in the flinking box.

OT... i hate OT with everett... i hate SO's even more..

Westie just jinxed Midel. Stop doing that, Westie!

Jeebus... on to the shootout.

AND we lose.

I feel the urge to not blog anymore tonight. grrr... Son of a Beach.

cough cough cough... oh nevermind

ok, so i'm sicker than the thought of OJ Simpson being the spokesman for Ginsu, so I thoguht I'd be a thought thief and live-blog a little (thanks, hammer)

I got my last textbook in the mail today. God bless Amazon.com. Graduation in June, bitches!

got a text message from McMan:
"New show on A&E st 7 called parking wars. Looks entertaining if you name's [McMan] and you don't have the hockey package..."

mom just called to tell me to go to sleep and i said i was trying, but pretty ricky was on my tv, so it was tough to not watch.

accidentally hit the "recall" button and ended up getting sucked into a show about the Duggar Family on Discovery Health Channel. 17 children. I checked out their website... Kinda cool, really hardcore.

I don't want to jinx it, but the coughing has slowed... and I think I might be able to last the whole day at work tomorrow if I get some extra sleep tonight.

wow... short liveblog.