CELL PHONES & DATING...

OK- so I think it's fair to say that I am officially slightly afraid of using my cell phone after reading this article about a man being electrocuted and this article about a man's cell phone battery exploding and killing him...

I ONLY have a cell phone and completely random things happen to me, so I'm a little concerned.

Also, I have a date. I hate dates. HATE. DATES. Seriously. I don't even know why I said yes, and I am fairly sure he doesn't know about this blog, although if he did it might get me off the hook. So, yeah. I am not excited about this event, which I believe is taking place on Friday or Saturday night. I am sure something completely random will happen, so at least I'll have something to blog about.

The last date I went on was horrible... and by horrible I mean outright awful. This is why I don't date. I cannot stand that whole first date dinner where you're all nervous and have nothing to say, followed by the movie where you just sit there thankful you don't have to talk anymore. And y'all know how much I LOVE to talk, so it has to be bad when that's the last thing I want to do. When you are actually dating someone the dinner and a movie date is great, but it's just SO uncomfortable until then. I much prefer the "going to the sports bar" date where you can drink and loosen up a bit, and if you have nothing to talk about there's always a game on one of the 4, 000 TV's and beer. There's always beer.

While I am on the topic, I feel the need to tell you about the worst date I have ever had. Everyone has a story about that date, and I might as well share mine.

We're taking a trip back to 1994 on this one. My sophomore year at UT. My Big Sister in my Sorority was dating a boy from a Fraternity and his Little Brother apparently asked her about me and you know how the rest goes. So, I accept his offer and we decide to go see "The Client". This is important only because I HATE this movie as a result, and it's why I remember Brad Renfro, may he rest in peace. It's not his fault this date was terrible.

So, anyway, he asks if I can come pick him up because he had been drinking a little bit prior to this date. He said it was because he was nervous, which I actually understood since I was all over the dating scene in college and usually just stopped taking calls from boys if they blew it on the first date... which they usually did. I was a little bitchy. I admit it.

So, I go pick him up and we go to the movies. Within the first 10 minutes of this 3 hour movie he grabbed my hand and held it. Okay- this is a big no-no in my book considering it was the first date we had ever had. I LOVE hand holding, but not on the first date when I barely know you. And it's not like I could just drop his hand. I wasn't that bitchy. So I sat in uncomfortable hand-holding silence for the remainder of the 3 hour movie.

Afterwards, I needed a drink, and we decided to go to my apartment and have a few beers before attending a party at his Fraternity House. We were barely there a half an hour when he excused himself to go to the bathroom. Once in the bathroom, he blew his nose and it sounded like a damn freight train, as he had left the door open. When he came back in he had the largest booger I have ever seen on the top of his nose. The very top. I almost threw up. But he beat me to it. About 15 minutes after his nose blowing he excused himself again and I heard him throw up in the bathroom.

Now at this point I am on the phone whispering to my friends (you know who you are!!) BEGGING them to come to my rescue and just show up at my apartment. I wouldn't just say begging. It was more like PLEADING. No one would take the bait (again you know who you are!!!) because I think they just wanted to see how this would turn out. I was known for funny stories, so I can't blame them really. Upon emerging from my bathroom, now filled with yucky boy snot and throw up, he said he needed to lay down on the couch. This was FINE with me since I figured there was a 50/50 shot of him falling asleep. Mind you, he was NOT at all intoxicated. This was apparently just his first date etiquette. Sadly, he never slept and after a few miserable hours that I gladly filled with bud light it was time for the Frat Party. There was no way out of it since I had driven.

Once there, I was a happy, happy camper. Other people, alcohol, music... all was well. I was chatting with a guy friend for a few minutes when my "date" suddenly and VERY loudly announced that my guy FRIEND was trying to steal his girlfriend. Girlfriend? GIRLFRIEND. I was mortified and walked out to go home. Instead of going alone as I had anticipated I was followed by a crowd, led by my date.

Once outside I got in my car, and this guy actually layed down in the middle of the road in Fraternity Row screaming that he would not get up until I talked to him. This drew attention from other people NOT just in this Fraternity. And he screamed my name over and over again so there was nowhere for me to hide. I'm not sure how or why he got up because I wasn't budging from my car. I just remember being thrilled that it was over. I saw him numerous times over the years and this was never discussed again. Although I can still see that booger to this day.

A few months after this oh-so-fun event, I went to All-Sing with a guy from another Fraternity. It really wasn't going anywhere or anything, but on the way back to the house he stopped by his apartment to get a Ziploc bag full of mushrooms. I was very naive at the time, and actually thought they were just mushrooms that you can get at the grocery store. I will not elaborate. This Fraternity had just won All-Sing so there was a major party going on there. I was having fun hanging out with my friends and hadn't seen my date for awhile when someone came up to me and said "Your date just got arrested for doing doughnuts in his car on the Inter-Mural field". That was fun too. Almost beats the first story, except the booger incident alone makes that one come in at Numero Uno.

I am not quite sure why I continued to date Fraternity Boys, but I did. No offense to the one I dated for 6 years. That was actually a bright spot (see HH... I write nice things in my blog about you!!). :-)

Anywho, I've decided that my dating life can be summed up by either this song...



Or this one...



Good times. Good times.

All of you reading this who are done with your dating lives, be thankful, and know that after each date I have I will provide you with humor to remind you of this...

Much Love To You All!!!

xoxo,
dreading this date baxter

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

HERE IS THE NEW CAROLINE KENNEDY FOR BARACK OBAMA AD...



BEAUTIFUL IS ALL I CAN SAY.

ALSO, I AM NOT QUITE SURE HOW WHEN ALL THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES PLEDGED TO NOT DO ANY CAMPAIGNING IN FLORIDA, THAT HILLARY IS GOING THERE TONIGHT ANYWAY TO THANK HER SUPPORTERS FOR VOTING FOR HER??

I'M SORRY, BUT IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN, SHE FLED THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND GAVE HER "NOT EVEN CLOSE TO CONCESSION SPEECH" IN NASHVILLE, RIGHT?? WHAT DOES THAT SAY TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO SUPPORTED HER IN SOUTH CAROLINA... GUESS THEY DIDN'T MATTER THAT MUCH. IF I WAS ONE OF THOSE VOLUNTEERS IN SOUTH CAROLINA THAT CANVASSED THE STATE DAY AFTER DAY FOR HER, I WOULD FEEL LIKE THAT WAS A SLAP IN THE FACE.

BUT THAT'S JUST ME...

GOSSIP GIRL...

Hello Friends!! Hope this post finds everyone well!! I have news to report...

Oh YES. I was fortunate enough to attend last nights SAG awards. You may not have seen me though, as I was hiding underneath...



Angelina Jolie's Dress. Seriously.

So, I can't say that I normally watch the SAG Awards, but since it is the ONLY awards show this season thus far, I completely tuned in. And on a serious note, I do hope that you saw the "In Memoriam" Tribute...



As well as Daniel Day-Lewis's Acceptance Speech...



Both were amazing and I bawled (of course, I was also really uncomfortable underneath Angelina's dress).

So, my Best Dressed List goes as follows:

Kate Beckinsale



Marcia Cross



Christina Applegate



Ellen Pompeo



Ashley Tisdale/Ashlee Simpson (I can't tell the difference)



Amanda Bynes



My WORST Dressed List is:

Ms. Jolie (Even though she may be preggo x 2, and she let me come with!)



Sandra Oh-My-GOD what do you have on??



Cate Blanchett (I know she's preggo, but did she have to wear her comforter??)



So, I'm done with that for now... And I was kind, as I only named three. If the Oscars are a go you just wait because punishment for fashion mis-steps will be doled out without hesitation! Rest Assured.

In WTF news, Clay Aiken just announced that he is no Justin Timberlake...




You dont say??

Speaking of Justin Timberlake, I would like to formally announce that he has replaced Brody Jenner on my "Top 8" list. After this article followed by this one, homeboy Jenner got the oust. Sorry Brody. The truth hurts.



And speaking of American Idols, I know we all thought he was precious and secretly hoped he would make the top 2, but who is this person???



And what has he done with Elliott Yamin???

SHOES!! I have been shopping for shoes in the most obsessive way lately. Now I'm not sure where you are from, but I judge shoes by their Tennessee Football capabilities. For example, we have:

The GAMEDAY Shoe



The TAILGATE Shoe



The AWAY GAME PARTY Shoe



The HOMECOMING Shoe



My fellow VOLUNTEERS hear me. For those of you don't, I only wish you knew...

I did watch the State of the Union tonight, and I was also trying to eat. One should never mix George W. Bush and food. Just an FYI.

I also watched the Kennedy Family Endorsement this afternoon and it was amazing in the most ridiculously fabulous of ways. I am SUPER STOKED about this momentum wave going on right now, and when Obama is named the Democratic Nominee you can say "I told you so!!"

They are speculating on when Al Gore will endorse Obama right now on MSNBC, and I will say that I signed a petition for this to happen already. I only hope it does before February 5th.

Also, I am stumping for Obama here in Northeast Tennessee (shocking, I know!) so don't be surprised if you get a call from me or a letter!! Just kidding maybe, because I am not sure who is on my phone list just yet :-)

There is a Rally taking place at Kiwanis Park at 2:00 p.m. this Saturday, February 2nd for Obama supporters. It is organized by Tri-Cities for Obama and not a sanctioned Obama Headquarters Event. I don't want anybody showing up thinking the man, the myth, the future legend will be there!!

In OH MY GOD I COULD JUST DIE news, I am sure you have all heard about this reunion...



YES!!! IT IS REALLY HAPPENING!!! I HAVE DREAMED OF THIS DAY!!!! I DON'T CARE IF SOME OF THEM ARE 45 YEARS OLD, I AM ALL OVER THIS!!!

Seriousy, click here and see if you don't get that lovin' feeling back!!

Who's with me? No joke. I'm going to concerts and rocking out in my Joey Joe T-Shirt from 1989. Oh Yeah Baby!! I KNOW you're down too. Don't lie :-)

xoxo,
bax

KLEENEX...

I STUMBLED UPON THIS PERFORMANCE TODAY WHEN SWITCHING CHANNELS AND KNEW THAT I HAD TO POST IT ON HERE. YOU REALLY NEED TO STOP WHATEVER YOU ARE DOING AND WATCH THIS. AND YOU ARE GOING TO NEED KLEENEX I PROMISE...



MAY GOD BLESS ALL OF OUR TROOPS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE.

ALWAYS...

CLASSY...

COMPARING BARACK OBAMA TO THAT OTHER BLACK GUY WHO WON SOUTH CAROLINA???



NOT CLASSY...

COMPARING BARACK OBAMA TO THAT OTHER PRESIDENT WHO INSPIRED A GENERATION???

January 27, 2008
Op-Ed Contributor

A President Like My Father
By CAROLINE KENNEDY

OVER the years, I’ve been deeply moved by the people who’ve told me they wished they could feel inspired and hopeful about America the way people did when my father was president. This sense is even more profound today. That is why I am supporting a presidential candidate in the Democratic primaries, Barack Obama.

My reasons are patriotic, political and personal, and the three are intertwined. All my life, people have told me that my father changed their lives, that they got involved in public service or politics because he asked them to. And the generation he inspired has passed that spirit on to its children. I meet young people who were born long after John F. Kennedy was president, yet who ask me how to live out his ideals.

Sometimes it takes a while to recognize that someone has a special ability to get us to believe in ourselves, to tie that belief to our highest ideals and imagine that together we can do great things. In those rare moments, when such a person comes along, we need to put aside our plans and reach for what we know is possible.

We have that kind of opportunity with Senator Obama. It isn’t that the other candidates are not experienced or knowledgeable. But this year, that may not be enough. We need a change in the leadership of this country — just as we did in 1960.

Most of us would prefer to base our voting decision on policy differences. However, the candidates’ goals are similar. They have all laid out detailed plans on everything from strengthening our middle class to investing in early childhood education. So qualities of leadership, character and judgment play a larger role than usual.

Senator Obama has demonstrated these qualities throughout his more than two decades of public service, not just in the United States Senate but in Illinois, where he helped turn around struggling communities, taught constitutional law and was an elected state official for eight years. And Senator Obama is showing the same qualities today. He has built a movement that is changing the face of politics in this country, and he has demonstrated a special gift for inspiring young people — known for a willingness to volunteer, but an aversion to politics — to become engaged in the political process.

I have spent the past five years working in the New York City public schools and have three teenage children of my own. There is a generation coming of age that is hopeful, hard-working, innovative and imaginative. But too many of them are also hopeless, defeated and disengaged. As parents, we have a responsibility to help our children to believe in themselves and in their power to shape their future. Senator Obama is inspiring my children, my parents’ grandchildren, with that sense of possibility.

Senator Obama is running a dignified and honest campaign. He has spoken eloquently about the role of faith in his life, and opened a window into his character in two compelling books. And when it comes to judgment, Barack Obama made the right call on the most important issue of our time by opposing the war in Iraq from the beginning.

I want a president who understands that his responsibility is to articulate a vision and encourage others to achieve it; who holds himself, and those around him, to the highest ethical standards; who appeals to the hopes of those who still believe in the American Dream, and those around the world who still believe in the American ideal; and who can lift our spirits, and make us believe again that our country needs every one of us to get involved.

I have never had a president who inspired me the way people tell me that my father inspired them. But for the first time, I believe I have found the man who could be that president — not just for me, but for a new generation of Americans.

Caroline Kennedy is the author of “A Patriot’s Handbook: Songs, Poems, Stories and Speeches Celebrating the Land We Love.”

Copyright 2008 The New York Times Company

QUITE CLASSY.

FREAKING OUT!!!

I DON'T KNOW HOW ELSE TO PUT THIS EXCEPT TO JUST BLUNTLY SAY THAT I AM COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY FREAKING OUT!!!!!!!! I'VE BEEN CRYING TO THE POINT OF NEAR HYSTERICS SINCE 7PM!!!! BILLARY LEARNED A LESSON TONIGHT AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN HAPPIER IN MY ENTIRE LIFE... I SWEAR!!! PEOPLE VOTE VOTE VOTE ON FEBRUARY 5TH!!!! OR DON'T IF YOU'RE VOTING FOR HER (KIDDING!!!!)! I AM SERIOUSLY FREAKING OUT... THIS POST IS FOR KREMSER BY THE WAY BECAUSE I KNOW SHE'LL BE LOOKING!!! VICTORY SPEECH AT 9PM MY TIME... WATCH IT AND YOU TOO WILL BE INSPIRED!! MORE ON THIS TOMORROW OR MAYBE LATER TONIGHT- BASICALLY WHENEVER I CAN STOP FREAKING OUT!!! IN CASE YOU ARE WONDERING I DO HAVE ON MY TIARA, CAPARROS & NEW PJ'S BUT HAVE DECIDED TO WATCH THE RE-RUN OF MISS AMERICA AT 11PM INSTEAD OF LIVE ON TLC (GASP I KNOW!!!). WOO-HOO Y'ALL!!!! WOO-FREAKING-HOO!!!!!

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO,
BAXTER & BARACK :-)

NO KIDDING!

I waited to weigh myself today until I got home because I was afraid I had gained instead of lost. So, when I uncovered my eyes I could have died when I saw that I was down 6.4 pounds, bringing my total loss to 19.2. That's less than a pound to go!! I can't believe it!! Of course, I'm just going to keep going after that, but YAY in the meantime!

I would like for you to now click here to see Paris Hilton singing karaoke. I'm thinking she's not having such a "YAY" moment knowing this was captured on film. Especially considering she has a record deal.

Also, tomorrow is a BIG day for me!! I almost can't stand it!! First, of course, it's do or die in the South Carolina Primary... which makes me more nervous than excited really. But then Miss America is on tomorrow night!! I have told y'all previously how I feel about this and am VERY excited!! I will be wearing my new tiara and my shiny Capparos with my new pajamas. That's another perk of being single. Of course I think I'd wear that regardless of who is around. Nothing new.

I leave you with this...



And "continued good sex in the Big East" to you too, my friend!! Ha Ha!!

And I just found this too... who knew??

For the record, I don't mind ole' Mitt, could care less what religion he is, and think this ad is pretty mean... I just think his real first name is hilarious :-)

SINGLE :-)

Some people ask me "Alyson, why are you single? Why don't you want to date anybody?"

Here, my friends, is a perfect example of why...

Last night I wanted cereal. I also didn't want to do dishes. At All. But I really wanted cereal. So, I looked in the cabinets and found some of those red plastic cups that are a fixture at any Fraternity House in America, and I poured my Frosted Flakes and my Fat-Free Milk into my red plastic cup. Then I searched and I found a plastic spoon to eat my cereal with. My meal was so fabulous and when I was done... POOF!! Everything was thrown away. No dishes. No nothing. It was awesome. And while I ate my Keg-Cup-Cereal it occurred to me that this is definitely one of the perks of being single. No doubt.

Please enjoy Letterman's Top Ten List last night featuring Barack Obama...



Happy Friday Loves!!
xoxo,
baxter

HA HA HA...

WHILE LOOKING UP THE YOUTUBE FOR MY POST BELOW WHERE I MENTIONED ALEXIS, I FOUND THIS CLIP AND ALMOST PEED MY PANTS!

PLEASE ENJOY...

TYPICAL...

I thought I would enlighten y'all with two random, yet quite typical events of yesterday...

1. I walked around ALL DAY yesterday wearing a new blue sweater from the Mothership and feeling fine about my wardrobe choices for the day. It was around 6pm and I was putting gas in my car when I caught a glance of myself in the car window. What did I see?? I saw the HUGE tag on the OUTSIDE of my sweater. Obviously it had been there all day long just hanging out wanting all who came in contact with it to know where it was purchased. I guess I must have subconsciously wanted to wear my sweater inside out for the day just to mix things up a little. Yeah. So I was pleased.

2. I came home right after the above experience and began doing the normal, which included looking for the remote control to my TV which, by the way, is completely necessary in the event I want to adjust the volume or heaven forbid, change the channel!! I actually can do neither of these things without the remote as my TV does not have anything but a power button and DVD player on the exterior of its pretty flat frame. I began to get angry about my inability to find said remote towards the end of the hour, and even accused the dogs of somehow hiding it as punishment for being gone all day. As American Idol approached, and with 5 minutes or less to spare, my absolutely irate self reached the boiling point. I was really mad. Obviously significantly worse things were going in the world, but I JUST wanted the damn remote I had spent two hours looking for. Two hours. Two. About this time my cell phone rang and I reached in my purse to get it. What did I find instead?? Yep. You guessed it. The FREAKING remote.

My theory? The remote saw the tag on the outside of my sweater and not to be outdone, jumped into my purse to spend the day with me as well. Why not?

If you were a tag inside of a sweater would you not rise up and revolt on behalf of all your tag-friends tired of always being hidden when all you want to do is show your face?

And if you were a remote control wouldn't you want out of the house every now and then?

Yeah. I think so too.

Please enjoy the Jerry O'Connell spoof of TC (He shouldn't be the only one who gets to use all the acronyms) below.



PS- If TMZ just screwed up my favorite Idol contestant of the week's chances with this story I'm pulling an Alexis. Seriously.

HEARTBREAKING...

THE NEWS TODAY OF THE SUDDEN, TRAGIC AND DEVASTATING LOSS OF HEATH LEDGER IS SIMPLY HEARTBREAKING...

I FEEL TERRIBLY FOR THE CHILD HE LEAVES BEHIND AND THE WORK HE HAD LEFT TO DO. HE WAS AN HIV/AIDS ADVOCATE, HE SPOKE OUT AGAINST HUMAN RIGHTS AROUND THE WORLD, AND HE WAS A TREMENDOUS ACTOR WHO BROUGHT DECENCY TO ROLES IN FILMS SUCH AS "BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN" WHERE HE DID NOT SHY AWAY FROM HUMANIZING THE PLIGHT OF HOMOSEXUALS.

I JUST WANTED TO SAY IN THE CELEBRITY WORLD OF BRITNEY'S AND PARIS'S AND LINDSAY'S THAT THIS PERSON STOOD OUT AS A DECENT AND HARDWORKING SOUL.

HERE IS THE BEN HARPER VIDEO FOR "MORNING YEARNING" WHICH NOT ONLY PLAYS A FORESHADOWING ROLE IN IT'S WORDS AND BEAUTY, BUT WAS ALSO DIRECTED BY HEATH LEDGER HIMSELF...

HEATH LEDGER

1979-2008

LOVE IT!!!

Before you read my rants and ramblings of the day, please check out this outfit that I am obsessing over and must purchase NOW!!

I watched THE BEST show last night!! There were good forces, and of course, there was evil. My favorite line was "I can't tell who I'm running against sometimes"... It was HIGHLY entertaining and unexpectedly fascinating. I do hope that you all got a chance to see it for yourselves, as opposed to having others tell you how it went. I thought it was even a nice little preview as to how people behave when they are under pressure, and I thought only one lost their cool. Regardless, I LOVED IT!!! I thought the underdogs really stood up for themselves, and won in the end, and it was truly a nice change of pace from the mean kids...

I do however find this disturbing as I hope Edwards is not siding with who he thinks the nominee will be with each debate. I thought he did very well last night, however, when it looked like Obama would be the nominee post-Iowa he opted to tag-team Hillary with Obama, and now when it looks like Hillary will be the nominee, he tag-teamed Obama with Hillary. I really like Edwards, and my gut tells me this is not the case, but this post-debate "meeting" between Hillary and John last night troubles me very much...

I didn't blog about this yesterday, but I also LOVED the Amazing Race finale!! I thought the winners were precious, and that the two runners-up won as well, actually. It was awesome!!

In random news I actually got the chance to see the entire 9 minute Tom Cruise video- which is hard to find because they keep switching it to different websites to avoid being sued. Prior I had only been able to see bits and pieces. You really should catch it while you can. This stuff is GOOD, and his cackle might be worse than hers... you decide!!

While you're at it, check out this creepy website about Scientology related deaths. I'm not saying it's true... just really really creepy!!

I caught two politically hilarious videos this morning. One was quite insightful, as if you're basically going to run for President again through your spouse you should probably skip events honoring Martin Luther King if you're this tired...

Also, across the aisle, one of those cute Romney boys punked his Dad on the phone, and it was fabulous... seriously!!

BRITNEY SHOWED UP!! I can't believe she showed for her deposition, although I'm not sure it was actually her or the "British girl". Hope she switched personalities back before speaking on the record, though I would be quite entertained if she actually gave the entire thing with her new accent.

In really random but completely not shocking celebrity news, this article and video allegedly show Amy Winehouse smoking crack cocaine... wonder if she has Britney's number? They should really get in touch.

Okay, nobody make fun, but I am SO EXCITED about this show on MTV!! I actually can't wait, which I realize reduces my maturity for my age by leaps and bounds.

I also just caught this press conference, which I find laughable, as one should not throw stones when living in glass mansions... especially when those stones are full of fluff. I find it ironic that when Obama finally stands up for himself against false accusations by two Candidates, both of them named Clinton, who take every opportunity they can to distort his record, Obama is actually accused of being "very frustrated". See for yourselves. I guess I differ in my opinion of what type of behavior is displayed when one is "very frustrated", such as this example and this one (which is HILARIOUS by the way!).

And if there is a flip-flopper out there in this race, please take a minute to see who that person actually is...
exhibit A
exhibit B

By the way, I am not even going to discuss the Oscar nominees today, since the best movie, best actor, best director, and best original song were all completely SNUBBED. Here is the video for that amazing song below. And I really do mean it's AMAZING!



Hope everyone had a great day off yesterday!! Have a Happy Tuesday!!!

xoxo,
baxter

PS- GO ELI & GO GIANTS!!!

CELEBRATE THE DREAM...

SORRY...

I just wanted to say that I am Sorry if my political beliefs on my blog offend anyone of my friends here. It's not very often that you feel so passionate about something that it causes you to risk offending the people you call your closest friends. This is just how I feel. I have never felt so passionately about anything in my life than I do about this election and My Presidential Candidate Barack Obama. As I stated before, I am hoping to go to South Carolina this week to assist with his campaign.


At any rate, these Obama videos and my political rants and such should only be up until November, so hopefully that helps if I have offended anyone. If they have to come down earlier, because she who shall remain nameless, beats Obama, than I will have them replaced with a McCain video or two (Heather, you hear that??!! haha).


I do hope my political ramblings have not upset y'all, as most of you reading this have been my closest friends for well over a decade, but the time for me to be silent about my view of politics ended when I turned 16 and was a Republican. And as most of you know the time for me to be silent about ANYTHING ended when I learned to talk!! For the record Ronald Reagan is my favorite President, at least until November when Obama brings it home. The state our country is in defies logic to me, and I cannot help but to post, write, and discuss why I think there needs to be a significant change in the White House. I believe that change is Barack Obama, but that does not mean that I don't respect everyone's right to their own opinions.


So, I AM sorry if I have offended ANY of you by being so blatant about my politics, but I feel like the time to be silent is OVER. I am NOT sorry that I feel such passion about this election and the political process, and I hope we can all agree on that.


YOU KNOW I LOVE Y'ALL'S CRAZY ASSES!! AND YOU KNOW I'M AWARE MY ASS IS EVEN CRAZIER!!!


xoxo,
Alyson

SO I LIED...

I just can't get past this Nevada thing, so I'm just going to say a few things before I move on from this topic. I think it is terrible that Bill Clinton is doing the hard core fighting for his wife against Barack Obama. And as far as the Ronald Reagan statement goes, that just makes me happier because I believe Obama is right on that part. I realize that he has to win South Carolina, but this Good Cop/Bad Cop act of the Clinton's is getting old, getting lame, and is completely Exhibit A. of what Obama is trying to change in Washington. Regardless, I got this email from the Obama camp tonight and towards the end of the news coverage on CNN they were discussing this very topic of voter suppression in Nevada, as it is being investigated now. Here is the e-mail:

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Barack Obama Wins Delegate Battle in Nevada

Statement from Barack Obama...

We're proud of the campaign we ran in Nevada. We came from over twenty-five points behind to win more national convention delegates than Hillary Clinton because we performed well all across the state, including rural areas where Democrats have traditionally struggled. The reason is because tens of thousands of Nevadans came out to say that they're tired of business-as-usual in Washington and ready for a President who can bring this country together, take on the lobbyists and special interests, and end the politics of saying and doing whatever it takes to win an election. It is the kind of politics that feeds our cynicism and distracts us from taking on the real challenges facing America – an economy that's left working families struggling, a broken health care system, and a war in Iraq that must end.

We ran an honest, uplifting campaign in Nevada that focused on the real problems Americans are facing, a campaign that appealed to people's hopes instead of their fears. That's the campaign we'll take to South Carolina and across America in the weeks to come, and that's how we will truly bring about the change this country is hungry for.

Statement from Obama campaign manager David Plouffe...

We currently have reports of over 200 separate incidents of trouble at caucus sites, including doors being closed up to thirty minutes early, registration forms running out so people were turned away, and ID being requested and checked in a non-uniform fashion. This is in addition to the Clinton campaign's efforts to confuse voters and call into question the at-large caucus sites which clearly had an affect on turnout at these locations. These kinds of Clinton campaign tactics were part of an entire week's worth of false, divisive, attacks designed to mislead caucus-goers and discredit the caucus itself.

We will investigate all of these thoroughly and would encourage anyone who had concern about actions at the caucus sites to call (866) 675-2008.

This one little voice from a born and bred Tennessee girl is NOT giving up! In fact, I am considering going to South Carolina this week to assist the Obama campaign win this state because we HAVE to win this state. Now, I really am moving on from this topic, but I leave you with this message from one of Obama's Illinois constituents... as I too BELIEVE.

UGHHH...

Just checking in to say that I will not be discussing this anymore today or ever again if I can help it. Thank GOODNESS instead of watching politics today I have been watching anything BUT, including "Bridget Jones Diary" which I had not seen in years. It has never really occurred to me how much that movie mirrors my life... minus the British accents of course. It really does though... especially the men in Bridget's life. Very odd. Anyway, I'm going to take an early evening nap and pretend that today never actually happened.

Cheerio!!
xoxo,
baxter

TOTALLY RANDOM

So the weirdest thing happened tonight. I was watching Friday Night Lights, as usual, and suddenly on the screen there was a guy I went to High School with guest starring as the Christian Counselor Radio Host. He's been in other things, and had a regular role on Gilmore Girls for the last few seasons before it ended. He played Logan for those of you that watched the show. I personally couldn't bring myself to watch it. Anyway, this guy's name is Matt Czuchry, and he graduated from Science Hill High School in 1995. I graduated in 1993, but of course Matt dated a good friend of mine at the time when we were Juniors and he was a Freshman. Now they have the campuses separated into 2 parts, grades 8-10 and then the main campus has 11-12. When I was there, of course it was a super-crowded 9-12 campus.


Anywho... he was a really nice guy then, and I saw him at Starbucks over Christmas but was in my car at the drive-thru when he was walking inside. Wonder if he'd remember me now that he's famous?? Apparently he still stays in touch with a lot of high school friends as I have seen numerous pictures of him as a Groomsman in their weddings. Also, his parents still live here, and he comes home for all the holidays, and even went to his 1o year High School reunion. My best friend Angie's little brother was at the reunion with him, and of course everyone there had been drinking and her brother thought it would be funny if he had Matt call their little sister, who was 15 at the time. Needless to say, she was mortified at this gesture, as suddenly a boy on a TV show she watched who she thought was cute was on the phone with her.


Speaking of my High School, surely everyone here is aware that Steve Spurrier graduated from here, two years before my Dad. They both played football and my Dad said he was an ass then as much as he is an ass now. Dad's pretty good at character judgements, by the way!


Also speaking of celebrity connections to Johnson City, a really good friend of mine from High School who I also went to Elementary School with got married last year and her first cousin Rachel Bilson did a reading at the ceremony. I wasn't there, as we had lost touch over the years, but I found that crazy. My friend Ali told me that nobody knew who she was, which I find even more ironic.


Side Note: When I was found the link to my Elementary School, I could have died because the woman on the main page reading to the kids was my Music Teacher Miss Fredericks... and I was actually sitting in her class when we got dismissed for snow the day the Challenger exploded! Shouldn't she be retired by now???


Al Capone has always been rumored to have had a hideaway in an apartment complex across the street from my Elementary School. I just learned that the story is actually included in the Wikipedia entry on Johnson City... Random.


Who knew I was from such a star-studded community! I can feel the envy coming right through the computer right now!! Ha Ha :-)


The Nevada Caucuses are tomorrow and I am going to try and sleep tonight with my fingers crossed!! Sad, I know!!


Talk Soon!
xoxo,
baxter

HOORAY!!

So I made up some excuse to come home for lunch early and weighed myself. Actually it wasn't really an excuse because I was dying of thirst and didn't want to drink anything before I did it. Soooooo... I'm down another 5 which is a total of 13. This means that I only have 7 more to go before I am at this-time-last-year weight. I'm sure I will stall at some point because these last two weeks I lost a lot very quickly, but I think after I reach that 20 mark I will just go for a little more. We shall see... but happy news for a Friday!!

much love to you all!!

xoxo,

baxter

Happy Friday!!!

Good morning darlings!! Hope your Friday is treating you well!! Something about Friday just makes me happy. It's the sheer knowledge that I won't be here tomorrow that puts a smile on my face and some pep in my step. So, Alexis doesn't need to provide me with my necessary mojo today...

So, last night I was sitting on my couch eating my 1 point soup when Nelson just lifted his little leg and peed... while staring right at me. I think I even caught a smirk on his face. Little Bastard! He is SOOOO lucky he's cute! So I did my best to punish him because I was furious about this. The problem is that when I punish 1 dog the other 2 go into a panic thinking they're in trouble too. Thatcher starts smiling, Reagan starts barking, and its all out pandemonium. I eventually made Nelson go on the back porch as punishment. I know this doesn't sound bad, but it was really cold and dark and the little man gets scared. I felt bad after about it after about 5 minutes but held out until the 10 minute mark. Then we had a discussion where I attempted to explain that "mommy isn't doing this because I don't love you... mommy is doing this because I do." I think he missed the point entirely and was just happy to be inside. But the nerve of this 11 pound little menace to just throw his leg up and pee while I was looking at him still makes me irate. If I had the money I would invest in some of these gadgets they have where they claim you can talk to your dog and then understand what your dog is saying. I already have a pretty good idea of what mine are saying, and I'm pretty sure it involves a detailed plan to drive mommy mad.

Anyway, so there is apparently some sort of conspiracy out there that Katie Holmes did not actually run the New York City Marathon in it's entirety. I am not sure how one gets to the bottom of this, so I am asking my friend Erin to click on this link and specifically look at some of the comments, since she is the only person I know who has actually run this marathon. This is quite the conspiracy I learned last night, and while I clicked on several links from this link, I just couldn't decipher the "technological chip" and "split time" lingo they were throwing around. Sounds like a fun little conspiracy theory, though. This of course is coming from an SP (Suppressive Person). Ha Ha!!

Also read where Brody Jenner denied making out with Paris Hilton and then said that he did have a girlfriend, and "NO her name is not Lauren Conrad" -does he have to be so rude about it?? I don't want to have to remove him from my "list" but if he starts being mean to Lauren I won't have a choice!

A new entry into the Dad's Hall of Shame occurred when a man physically forced his son to wear a Packers Jersey last weekend by tying him down and taping him to a chair. To the kids mom who turned the dad in, and to this little boy I say... GO GIANTS!!

It appears that a Nevada Judge dismissed the lawsuit that would have prevented participation in the Nevada Caucuses. THANK GOODNESS!! This means that even if Obama loses, he will have lost fairly. This news apparently upset ole Billy a little as he went off on a reporter about it. Also before you click on that link, please note that because the Caucuses that are held in this particular county which contains Las Vegas have significantly more people in it, they are given additional points for their Caucus winner. They are given 5 extra points for their candidate of choice. This is, of course, because they outnumber those participating in the more rural Nevada counties 5 to 1. Makes sense, and was no problem at all before. I'd like to again note that all parties were gung-ho for these Casino Caucuses before one candidate was endorsed by the Union containing the majority of the workers who would be participating, and then the lawsuit came about to prevent their participation. You gotta love them politics!!

So, has anybody else out there seen that show on A & E called "Paranormal State"? Well it is simply the most frightening show on television. I watched the first episode with Brad and then haven't been able to get the nerve up to watch anymore of them. I am literally petrified to watch anymore of them. The one I saw was about a little boy and it was like the 6th Sense for real. I've got goose bumps even thinking about it!!!

What a great idea to have Lindsay Lohan serve 2 days of community service at a morgue!! Wonder if she could bring Britney along for the life lesson??

OK... SO I SAVED THE ABSOLUTE BEST FOR LAST!! Now, nobody go and get your hopes up, but it appears that the writers may have reached a "tentative" agreement and may begin writing again soon!! This of course, means that I will live after all!!! HIP HIP HOORAY!!!!!

As a total BONUS, my movie comes out today!! Now even though this is truly my story on film, I was sadly unable to attend the premiere, but am definitely going to see this over the weekend and am SO excited!!!

I couldn't step on the scale this morning, so I will post my week 2 results either after my lunch break or after work!! Talk to you then sweet-peas!!

xoxo,

baxter

VICTORIOUS

MY FRIEND AMY JUST PROVIDED ME WITH SOME INSPIRATION FROM ALEXIS THAT WILL SURELY GIVE ME MY SO-NEEDED PICK ME UP TODAY AND HELP ME BE VICTORIOUS...



ALWAYS VICTORIOUS...

xoxo,
baxter

Winter Wonderland

Sorry I am late for my morning blog session but there is currently a winter storm that has caused all schools, even ETSU to close in Johnson City, and this certainly brings about chaos as it NEVER happens. I can count on one hand how many times snow got me out of school during K-12, even though I shouldn't be able to.

And the only time I remember ETSU closing was during the Blizzard of 1997- and people literally did not have power for weeks. My Dad had to come pick me & my friends up for rescue so we could take a shower, since they had power and we did not. Regardless, something woke me up this morning and I went downstairs to go get some water and looked outside randomly to discover that it was really blizzard-like snow coming down. Since this was the first, and probably the last time I can remember snow like this, I woke the dogs from their snoring slumber so they could play in it for a few minutes. There really hasn't been any snow since I got Nelson when I was living in Hickory, NC and I am not sure he had ever seen it snowing before. He was literally attacking each snowflake as if they were individually provoking him to play. It was hilarious. I would have gotten it on camera, but my cell phone was upstairs. I wondered what it would look like this morning and it wasn't quite the "stop everything snowstorm" I had hoped for. It did however, bring about 1 mph traffic, people braking every 0.02 seconds and really bad traffic only near the grocery stores, as people here react to snow as if this is "the big one" every time they even call for it... much less when it actually happens! Last night my mother made me promise I would go to the grocery store to "stock up" since surely I would be snowed in for days. I obliged but only because I was out of dog food and knew she wouldn't let up until she literally heard the grocery store in the background while speaking to me. She is one of the people I mentioned above... GOD love her.

I would like to add that while looking this storm up for a link, I found this. Only in the Tri-Cities can you have a car pile-up in a bar parking lot.

American Idol was officially the most "Too Much Information" show I have ever seen them do last night. For the first few minutes I wondered if somehow the dogs switched the channel to A & E Intervention. First up blondie provided WAY more than I needed to know about her Meth use, and to make matters worse her name was Jessica. Then there was "I'm Saving My First Kiss Until My Wedding Day" guy whose Dad wore the key locket that matched his "Heart Without a Key" locket, to be given to his wife on their wedding day? All I could think was that this poor kid just ensured the fact that he will now never be kissed, as that falls into creepshow Dad-World, where Joe Simpson lives. Things had settled down and I made a Lean Cuisine Spaghetti- even though I was over my points due to Orange Juice. I was approximately 3 bites in when "Peel Your Nails and Put Them In a Baggie to Save for Later" guy took the stage, and I almost threw up. It still makes me kind of nauseous thinking about it today. Needless to say, I threw out my food and didn't actually go over my points after all. At least that was good.

In Are you serious news, I finally watched the Tom Cruise Scientology Videos last night, and if this isn't a cult I don't know what is! The L. Ron Hubbard salute at the end put me over the edge on that one! Seriously, TMZ has them but I don't know how long since The Church of Scientology has sent a cease & desist order. I do so hope that if I have a fender bender anytime in the near future that a Scientologist comes along, since they are the only ones who can truly help me out in this situation.

No wonder Katie Holmes is looking like this these days...

In are you EVEN serious news, I was going to lay off Britney for awhile, but I now I can't. I even stopped myself yesterday when I wanted to say that her boyfriend looks like a 40 year old member of Menudo, and I didn't even comment on the fact that the man wore light blue denim and dark blue denim TOGETHER for one of their outings, or how her hair weave is making her look homeless! Then I saw this story last night and all bets were off. I no longer think that she is as crazy as I did before, I think she's playing this for all it's worth. Do I think Britney was shopping for pregnancy tests because she might be pregnant?? NO. I find it ironic that the only Photog who was even there works for her boyfriends Paparazzi Agency and had been tipped off that they were going to be there. Also ironic, was that Britney would look at these tests like she had never seen one before RIGHT in front of the window so that this moment could be captured on film. I don't buy one second of this little act, and find it pathetic. I think the wedding dress + this ridiculous outing are all truly pathetic attempts to somehow get back at K-Fed. I wonder how much of all the rest of this Britney's Gone Mad business is actually real now. Don't get me wrong, I still think she's absolutely Coo Coo, but I think she's also playing it up for the Paps and even profiting from some of their pictures.

When I read this story it made me physically ill, as if you actually have enough money to go into Betsey Johnson, you do not behave like THIS!!! GROSS :(

Also, I read last night that Eddie Murphy & his wife of 2 weeks, Tracey Edmonds are splitting up. I would follow this up with a remark if I cared at all.

In relatively normal news, I saw that Jenna Bush is getting married in May. I saw her on Ellen and some other shows when she was promoting her book and thought she was precious! How is it I can dislike her father so much but find her so likable??

I got nothing else for y'all this morning. If I suddenly become funny today or something funny happens I will be back so I can make up for this lame post. I would love to say that it's because there is some sort of snow plow outside in the parking lot that sounds like nails going down a chalkboard, or that perhaps the fact that I have a hole in my sock may be to blame, but I think I am just having an Un-Fabulous morning...

HAPPY WEDNESDAY LOVIES!!

xoxo, baxter

21 POINTS OF OJ

I JUST SAW THIS NEW AD ON MY LUNCH BREAK, AND I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO SHARE...



IN ADDITION I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT I HAVE NOW CONSUMED 21 POINTS IN ORANGE JUICE. THIS WAS ACCIDENTAL OF COURSE, AS I JUST KEPT DRINKING FROM THE SUNNY D CONTAINER I BROUGHT FROM HOME. I LOOKED IT UP OVER LUNCH AND TO MY DISMAY IT APPEARS THIS IS ALL I WILL BE CONSUMING FOR THE REST OF THE DAY. MAYBE NEXT TIME I WON'T JINX MYSELF BY WRITING THINGS LIKE I DID IN THE POST BELOW...

xoxo,

now i am hungry baxter

I'M STARTING A NEW CAREER...

OMG... I am SO excited!! I think I might FINALLY know what I am going to do for a living!! I hope everyone can be happy for me and supportive throughout this process. I am very determined to be victorious.


I AM GOING INTO ACTRESSING!! Yep... that's right! I am so hoping to knock people onto their feet. Alexis from American Idol has inspired me to be victorious in this pursuit, and I fully believe that I will be.


Victorious. Always Victorious.


Anyway, as far as American Idol was concerned, it felt a little like a bad vacation for the first 30 minutes but then when Alexis arrived all was right with the "Idol" world again. I was surprised at how nice the Judges were this time. Especially Simon! When they walked that girl named Tempestt outside after she didn't make it I thought he was a really nice guy. There were others who didn't make it through for obvious reasons, but I'm not going to dignify Chest-Hair Man, or Princess Leia at this point.


There were a few people I loved who got through to the next round too, but of course I cant remember their names right now. All I remember is Alexis, and that she is going into actressing to be victorious. I can't get past that. I've told 2 people already of my plans to follow Alexis' career path...


On the political front, KUDOS to John Edwards, who I thought won the debate last night. Wouldn't it turn this thing into a FASCINATING CIRCUS if John Edwards won South Carolina?? I thought that Obama & Billary were far too busy focusing on each other and working to be "politically correct" last night to notice that Edwards was beating them...


I would like to add that this is not a very good way to suppress votes in Nevada... especially when everyone knows about it. I find it ironic that the Clinton's were all for the exception to let the caucuses in Nevada occur inside the Casino's in Clark County, where Las Vegas is, since that was the only way to ensure minority voters could participate back in March when it was approved and passed. But then, lo and behold the Culinary Worker's Union, who make up almost the majority of those who would be participating in these Casino Caucuses endorsed Obama instead of Clinton, and now their ability to participate simply must be stopped!!


Early voting starts today in Tennessee, for anybody who might be interested in fighting off the crowds and the people standing outside with their supporters shirts on asking for your vote. It lasts through January 26th.


In really SAD news, actor Brad Renfro from Knoxville died yesterday at age 25. He starred in the "Client" ages ago, and if I am not mistaken was the "Grand Marshall" of one UT's Homecoming Parade's while I was a student... am I remembering this correctly?? Regardless, it's very sad.


I was distraught this morning when I found out this news, as I had so been planning a future with Matthew...


In creepy father news, Jessica Simpson's Dad is rumored to have sold out his daughter and her QB boyfriends plans to vacation in Mexico the week before Dallas lost to the Giants, thus cementing that the "Jessica Jinx" will follow her around until next season. I read that he tipped photogs off to when the private plane was leaving, and to where the couple was staying in Mexico, so he could get a share of the profit from the pictures. I would probably put this story on the not-credible side of things except for the fact that this creepshow has been selling out his daughters for years, and probably should have been cited by name in Nick & Jessica's divorce papers.


Nashville girls, you missed a glorious sight the other night when Ashley Judd's handsome hubby chased an intruder on foot and then by car in his boxer shorts in Nashville. We always hear about these awesome spectator events after they have happened...


On the diet front, why is it that I can eat well beyond any number of "points" when NOT dieting, but that since I've been on weight watchers I have only reached my daily points minimum twice... and never gone over!?!? I feel like I would literally have to be eating all day long to meet my points for the day. And I'm not a snacker, not big on eating more than one meal a day kinda-girl. Am I supposed to change all that to meet my points? Wouldn't that defeat the purpose if I am eating when I am NOT hungry? Right now, I am drinking Orange Juice, which I HATE because it has empty calories in it that I can use for points... is that ridiculous or can anybody else relate here??


ANYWHO, HAPPY WEDNESDAY FOLKS!! AND BE CAREFUL... WE'RE EXPECTING SNOW!!!

xoxo, baxter

PS- has anyone noticed how attractive Mitt Romney's sons are? That might be the only good thing about him staying in the race ;-)

This ISN'T Going to End Well...

So, Britney Came, Britney Saw, Britney Fled...



Also, over the weekend while on a shopping trip with her new "boyfriend" Britney spoke in a British accent...

Rumor has it that she reportedly wants to "convert to Islam and move to Pakistan" with her new Paparazzi man. Speaking of the Paps, it would be easy to feel sorry for Britney with them all over her all the time, but she really did bring it on herself. And does the girl NOT have bodyguards?? I've never seen a celebrity so exposed to the Paparazzi constantly. Most of them just go in places and go out of places without any of this frenzy!!

There's only so much laughing you can do at this stuff before you realize that this is WAY worse than Anna-Nicole and will certainly NOT end well.

On the political front, I REALLY hope that the Obama and Clinton campaigns quit fighting over this race issue because it just makes them both kind of look bad. Let the pundits do the arguing for them. Of course, I feel very strongly that one of the campaigns is at fault over the other, and this Bob Johnson guy didn't help that campaign out any...



Opinions aside, they really just both need to simmer down. And for that matter, why won't NBC let Dennis Kucinich partcipate in the debate tonight? I find him quirky and funny, and think it takes away from this whole "democratic process" to not allow a candidate, viable or not, to participate in a nationally televised debate!!

On the job front I am bored. REALLY BORED!!! I shouldn't be bored, right?? I should have a TON of stuff to do since I was out for so long, but it appears others have done these things for me... which is SUPER NICE of them, but I am seriously bored.

American Idol starts tonight and I am psyched!! Because I have temporarily lost my battle with the Tivo, I will have to miss the "Biggest Loser" tonight, as well as the Democratic Debate at 9pm (which will re-air after Idol on msnbc), but I'm not giving up Tivo!! I will not be beaten by a little box!! Not gonna happen...

Hope everyone has a Happy Tuesday!! Maybe mine will perk up!! I can at least be positive, right?!?!