What's that Tune?

Earlier this morning I found myself humming a tune, so I stopped to figure out what it was. I soon realized that I was humming my boss's cell phone ringer.

Chicken

When I look outside my window right now, I see a teenager waving a sign and jumping up and down. He shouts, "Chiiiickeeeeen! Chiiickeeennn!" Ah, the joys of fundraising.

March Madness

Easter weekend I did something I wasn't planning on doing. I sat down on the couch with my dad and brother and watched some basketball. I know. Big shocker.

During the commercials, I noticed that my brother would turn his head away from the television and stare at a nearby object. Now this wasn't during crude or extremely annoying commercials, but for almost all of the commercials. I found this odd. What about you? What do you do during commercials? (See my newest poll.)

Charles Marx: Man of Honor

Before my brother came home last night for spring break, my dad recounted to me details of the life of Charles Marx, an ancestor of mine. Apparently he was an old school hick from the mid 1800s. He married one of the Miami Tribe in order to get his hands on some of the government money that would come their way. His favorite use for the money seemed to be liquor.

There's at least one occurrence in which Charles went to the local bar and called a fellow bar visitor some choice names. Once called a "hick" (or the 1800s equivalent), Charles started a fight. The fight went on for a while, but neither of the men could completely subdue the other, so they ended it with mutual respect for the other person.

Nothing like a good history lesson!

La primavera è qui!

Bleeding Love

I listen to the radio on the way to and from South Bend Tuesday nights. Last night I heard a song that, at first, confused me. Then I was just plain disgusted and horrified. I think the lyrics are meant to be sweet, but I find them disturbing. Here's an excerpt:

Bleeding Love (Leona Lewis)

But I don't care what they say
I'm in love with you
They try to pull me away
But they don't know the truth
My heart's crippled by the vein
That I keep on closing
You cut me open and I

Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love
I keep bleeding
I keep, keep bleeding love
Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love
You cut me open

If the style of the song was hard rock, I don't think I'd care. These lyrics could be considered tame. But Leona's voice is similar to Celine Dion's and the style is reminiscent of a 1980's Whitney Houston dance track. I could just be overreacting. What do you think?

South Bend Sunday

Yesterday afternoon my mom and I went to South Bend on a quest to find new shoes that would satisfy my pickiness. Result: success! Two new pairs of shoes have found their way into my closet. And I must say, they're quite cute and put my older shoes to shame.

To celebrate the find, we went to Olive Garden. Mom had some kind of alfredo with shrimp, which I tasted. I skipped supper and went straight for dessert: tiramisu and cappuccino, which Mom tasted. My routine involved taking a bite of one and then sipping the other, back and forth until I had my fill.

It was good to spend time with just Mom. It seems I don't do it very often. The drive to and from, walking through the mall, and eating out gave us a chance to talk. I tend to forget that my mom is an actual person, not just a mom or a wife.

Making a Difference

What is "making a difference"? Who should/shouldn't do it? Why or why not? And how does one go about it?

Ronald Reagan Poll

Those who voted seemed to think that Ronald Reagan's time in office is common knowledge for someone in their twenties. The reason I wanted to know what you think, is when my dad found out I knew, he was surprised.

He had been recounting to me what he remembered of the 1976 election, explaining that Reagan had run but not won. When he made a point of saying he didn't win in '76 I sarcastically asked, "He didn't?" Except my dad didn't realize I was being sarcastic and kept explaining to me what happened. Then I had to let him know that I thought it was common knowledge, he was amazed that I would know this...

Considering the fact that politics is one of the most talked about subjects in my house (especially during this season of election), you'd think my dad would know better. Or maybe I just need to be obvious when I'm sarcastic, putting on a ridiculous grin and emphasizing what I'm saying.

Daylight Saving Time

As I was looking at my desk calendar at work recently, it hit me. Daylight Saving Time will begin this coming Sunday. However, I don't think I've ever heard anyone say it that way. I always hear "Daylight Savings Time." Do people always add an "s" to "saving" or do I just always hear it that way in my head?