Some Wrong Things...

Pack your knives, what???



Speechless.









Not this book, just the general idea of having to interpret interaction effects.

Have I told you lately?

Have I told you I'm going to Puerto Rico at the end of this month?

Star Struck

Ever since moving to Nashville, I've heard stories. Stories about celebrities. More accurate than that- celebrity sightings. Apparently, Nashville is the kind of place where celebrities do surprisingly normal things like have breakfast, shop, and drive around. It seems like everyone has a story about a celebrity sighting. So, in my first few weeks, I had the impression that I'd find celebrities shopping in my local Kroger and hanging out at the Mellow Mushroom on campus....not a chance.

I have had a couple of run-ins...my experience with Michelle Branch. And just a couple of weeks ago, Bobby Bare Jr. was having breakfast/lunch at the same diner. But after hearing my neighbors stories about Robert Plant gardening three streets over from where I currently live while he was recording the album with Krauss- I keep waiting for the "big" sighting. I'm just sure that Jack White washes his clothes at the same laundromat.

And then it happened. Last week, I decided to catch a matinee of MILK. Waiting in line, I noticed about 4 people in front of me was none other than Tim McGraw. At first I thought- there is no way this is him- he looks too much like him. But after a few moments, a woman behind me spoke in my ear..."You know who that is, don't you?" I shake my head to affirm that I've got a hunch. She replies, "It is. Isn't it so great to see that he likes to see movies by himself on rainy days?" Awww, Tim McGraw is just like me.

For me, McGraw is one of the biggest Nashville celebrity sightings (excluding Plant "planting") that I could experience. See, I'm not a fan of country music, particularly contemporary pop country music. There was a time though, that I was secretly purchasing country tapes from mail-order music clubs. I say secretly because the whole reason I was even purchasing from the music club is out of pure shame. There was absolutely no way I was walking into the record store and asking the person working there for the latest Martina McBride album.

Why was I listening to country music? I went native. I was surrounded by folks where I worked and lived by people who listened to nothing but country music. At work, the television was constantly on CMT. And I'll be honest, after a while, it doesn't sound that bad. Hell, I've said the same about The Dead after forced repeat listenings.

My first (and I do believe last) country crush was on Tim McGraw.

After all those tapes have long been thrown out or donated to some unsuspecting Goodwill, there is one that I keep. I couldn't throw it out despite the 5 moves I've made since then. As I scale down for each move, it survives. It is the Tim McGraw tape that I bought all those years ago. And yes, I was more than excited to see him standing in line to see a movie (for those of you that are curious, it was The Reader).

I resolve

Since the new year, I've been thinking on the idea of resolutions. I don't know why I feel compelled to think about them or to even attempt to compile a list, but every year I make an attempt. To be honest (a resolution?), I didn't start on New Years. Rather, I spent New Years Day rather horizontal- and no, not like that. I could barely move. I had a rather fun celebration the night before and pretty much ended up out of commission for about 36 hours. Alas, I thought on making a resolution that involved not drinking too much and playing with fireworks- but who am I kidding?

Then today, it dawned on me that I don't necessarily need resolutions regarding my year- but as Day One of my second semester at school rolls around, I thought I might need resolutions in regards to how I spend my next four months.

One, I resolve to actually cook and eat food during the semester. I will not simply pour my food from a can or box or bag. I will take the time to sit down and enjoy a good meal, regardless of how difficult or busy my semester gets.

Two, I resolve to do a better job of keeping in touch with friends and family, regardless of how the next four months happen. This includes Tim and the cats, as many days passed where I think I barely spoke to them or acknowledged their shared experience in my home.

Three, I resolve to spend more time in the city that is Nashville, instead of the holy temple that is Garland Hall. During the break, I made a visit to the art museum. I need to do this more. I need to venture out into the community.

Four, I resolve to take both an art and dance class. I planned this last semester and it didn't pan out. I refuse to allow myself to get too busy and forget that there are other enjoyable things in the world besides statistics.

Five, and lastly, I resolve to have fun. I know this seems like an odd resolution- and vague at that- but when the thick of the semester arrives, fun is a luxury. Going out with friends to talk about music or watching Old School and drinking beer seems like the last priority on a list of a thousand priorities.