cuz there's not a whole going on this afternoon at work

Last night during a rather chilly training S and I got off on a tangent about Muppets. While we should have been listening to our captains describe a drill, of course. S mentioned something about Animal and somehow I wound up on even more of a bunny trail thinking about Muppets playing rugby. Animal is definitely a hooker.

1. Cookie Monster
2. Animal (because it takes a special kind of crazy to love the front row)
3. Sweetums
4. Big Bird
5. Sam the Eagle (why are the tallest muppets birds of all things???)
6. Gonzo (classic crazy flanker)
7. Telly Monster
8. Rowlf the Dog
9. Kermit the Frog (manager of the chaos; The Muppet Show or a rugby match)
10. Grover (every team needs a super hero)
11. Ernie
12. Dr. Teeth (he looks like he could tackle)
13. Fozzie Bear
14. Bert (Ernie had to pester him into it, but then he fell in love with rugby at first ruck)
15. Rugby Tiger (our fullback has been known to imagine herself as panther when she plays)

Muppets make me happy.

GoBama

This year, in a shocking flurry of political awareness, I am actually paying attention to the primaries. Being aware like I haven't been since Mr. Muldoon was indoctrinating the young and impressionable minds of the fall 1999 "American History: 1950's and Beyond" class at Governor Thomas Johnson High School. A class in which watching Matt Lauer and Katie Couric and discussion of the current political situation, led by a teacherr who worshiped FDR, was a daily ritual. (And my mother wonders why her daughter went to the left side...) Not only have I watched two debates, and wondered why they're still called debates, I have read the websites of the forerunners of both parties and scanned a number of the others'. None of it compares going to the Obama rally at the Capitol on Friday night.

It hit me standing in the crowd waiting for the rally to start that this is history. This primary, this year, these people around me, we are making history. It is entirely possible that the future will look back on these moments the way we as Americans now look back on certain moments of the 20th century. I am wondering if my redneck, staunchly union, strictly Democratic grandfather has burst a vein in his head yet at the thought that his two choices are a woman and a black man. This year's democrat race is completely different from anything that has ever happened before.

At the rally the excitement was tangible. So much optimism, so much hope in the air. Barack Obama is an excellent speaker, articulate and charming. And he offers a change from the status quo. Here is someone who actually has a voice willing to stand up and say "The system is broken. The way we do things now is not effective. But that does not mean a dead end. It can be changed. It must be changed." Hope may not pay the rent, but it does give people incentive to be part of their own solution. ((Stepping off my soapbox))

It was a very cool thing to be a part of. I'm glad I went, along with Kelly (our own precinct captain), Mr. and Mrs. Juicebox, and the handful of others in our group. The crowd was enormous, stretching well beyond the area strictly blocked off for the rally. The line to go through security stretched around the block, though it moved fairly quickly at 6:30ish, when I got through. I was worried about finding my group, but Mrs. Juicebox had made a sign that, while she was asked to put it away by one of the volunteers (apparently no home made signs allowed) made it much easier to find them. I did take my camera and will eventually put up some photos. The huge flood lights behind the press people were directly opposite where we were standing, which made taking pictures kind of difficult, though. All in all it was a great way to spend a Friday night and yet another reason I love living in Austin!

Statesman Article

lunar eclipse

Now why is that it's tonight that Austin has a crystal clear, beautiful night sky? Tonight, the 21st, the night after the total lunar eclipse??? Not last night while I was outside in the stinking humidity wishing the clouds would clear so we could stare up for a while instead of running sprints.

rugby weekend

Finally after all this training, we have our first match on Sunday. Matches, actually, and while we're just scrimmaging against the Texas U-23s and A&M I am very much looking forward to the chance to play. Weather permitting, on the gorgeous UT IM Fields, which actually have lush, well cared for grass. Tomorrow is a chance to kick back and watch the UT Women play Texas State in San Marcos. The UT girls have worked so hard, and I'm so proud of them. I can't wait to see the forwards scrum.

This season has its frustrations, as they all do, for me. The Valkyries moved training from Tuesdays/Thursdays to Monday/Wednesdays. My entire life is arranged around having rugby on that T/R schedule and readjusting has been a challenge. Due to a prior commitment I can't make Monday night practices. As a result I've been training with the UT girls, but nothing can really make up for missing that practice. On the flip side, though, is the fact that I'm getting a chance to develop relationships with the college girls, some of whom will hopefully stay in Austin and play with the Valks after graduation. I'm also getting to work on basic skills, do plenty of running, and build confidence in my own abilities. Three seasons of playing with the Valkyries and the college girls think I'm awesome. It's good for the ego, but I know I have a long way to go to become thinking rugby player I want to be.

However, being on the pitch with the girls, out from under the pressure of playing up to a level beyond my mental and physical and even emotional capabilities, feels good. It's easier to remember why I love this sport and finally I'm getting back to the place where I'm playing for myself. Playing rugby because life just makes more sense when I play, because I love the game, as opposed to playing because my teammates are relying on me. Even intense Valkyries practices are fulfilling. This season I'm focusing on developing my fitness, committing to workouts outside of practice. After years of just trying to survive-graduate school and then minimal employment-I'm finally mentally and financially in a place where I have left over energy to give to developing as a player, to being the kind of teammate my teammates deserve.

swoooooon

This morning one of my blog-heroes, Ree, aka Pioneer Woman, asked in this morning's post if her readers were morning people. So I commented. Because I dearly love the peace before the sun comes up and the feeling of having the world to ones self. A love much dampened by my congested sinuses these days. I said as much. AND SHE COMMENTED BACK! (Why yes, I do happen to be a sixteen year old disguised as an independent career woman.)

currently listening

Last summer I saw Kina Grannis play an acoustic show with my friend Josh and a few others. Last week she won the Doritos "Crash the Super Bowl" competition I can't stop listening to her. She's talented, she's adorable. She's so much more that just "the Doritos girl." And she just posted a new video in a myspace bulletin.



Hopefully Austin will see more of her soon.

attempting to look like an adult

Much like Mrs. Juicebox, I am also in need of a haircut. Not because anyone thinks I'm 20, or because in my job anyone at all cares what I look like, but because I haven't done anything with it since last spring. Except for that brave moment I cut my own bangs back in December. But, seriously, it has been that long. And I'm tired of looking...whatever... Not that the Julia Stiles 2004/2005 bob wasn't a good look, butI missed my long hair. So, no matter what my mother has to say about it, my hair is staying long. Ish...

Definitely something feminine. I am proud of my rugby bruises, but balancing that image with the fact that, I'M A GIRL, DAMMIT is important. In order to be anything but stick-straight, my thick, fine hair has to not be weighting itself down. And I like the face framing look, and the side swept bangs are a great trend. I'm thinking the layers on the left with the bangs on the right. Perhaps slightly longer.
















Or I might chicken out and go for the same old look I have had since May 2004.

nesting

Current wish list:

Staple gun
Electronic stud finder
Cordless Drill


New apartment, and apparently I'm nesting. Feeling crafty on top of that, which are dangerous things. The moving in has gone well, and I have most everything in just the right place. Exactly nothing hung on the walls, however. And a shiny new bookshelf that needs to be assembled. The drill would be nice to have for this little project.

Work is painfully slow and I'm amusing myself by looking through design blogs, aided by the Bloggie postings. This is dangerous. Exceptionally so. If I wasn't stuck in lab I would have already traipsed off to the craft store in search of perfect wrapping paper and textiles.

Kukuburi

A few months ago I stumbled across an incredible web comic. Kukuburi. Absolutely fantastic. The story line, the artwork, the flying whales. It even has a cute girl on a scooter. Seriously, I fall in love all over again with every update. Go! See! Appreciate!

yummy

It's a good thing it's rugby season, because I keep getting lost browsing through the yummy, butter-laden recipes posted by The Pioneer Woman. With pictures no less. Lots and lots of photographs of scrumptious, fattening, stick to your ribs food. I cannot wait to have my own kitchen again. Somewhere to make a mess without worrying about how many dirty cat paws have been on the counters, or using someone else's knives or looking like an idiot making a mistake. (I make a lot of mistakes the first time through a recipe.) Because, oh my does that pot roast look amazing. Not to mention the shrimp penne. Or oh! oh! mashed potatoes...

Can you tell I'm a little hungry here? Like I said, it's a good thing my physical activity spikes during rugby season, because I feel like I gained a couple of pounds just thinking about making any of these, much less eating them.