Take or Leave "Couples Retreat"

The reward at the end of another day of unpacking was the film "Couples Retreat."

The ensemble cast includes big names Vince Vaughan and Jason Bateman. (Though, imho Faizon Love was the standout.)

Anyway, I found it formulaic.

Too formulaic.

Even for an exhausted mind.

Sometimes, that's okay, though.

So, if you do find this in your inbox, just realize you'll figure out all of the "plot" resolutions within the first 10 minutes . . .

Oh, and, yes. The washer did get hooked-up today!

Moving ain't easy

Neither is road tripping after a day at work, ye socks!

This evening finds yours truly in the pathetic excuse our great state has for a capitol, a place perhaps better known for an even more pathetic state university.

But, I digress . . .

Those of you who know me well, know I wouldn't be in this particular locale without a reason.

This time, I'm here to help my cousins move into their new home.

I got a little excited when I found out they were moving, only to find out that didn't mean they were leaving Tallahassee for a more suitable clime. Instead, they only moved a couple of miles down the road from their old house.

Sigh.

Anyway, after shuffling a lot of boxes, unpacking, etc., this place is really starting to look like a home.

But, I'm exhausted.

Hooking up the clothes washer is gonna have to wait til tomorrow . . .

On the road again . . .

Today's journey carried me to the crapitol of our fair state, perhaps more aptly described as "the belly of the beast" since it has for too long played host to that unmentionable institution of lower learning.

Fortunately, I have found a little corner of heaven even in these parts.

Chez Joanna is a quaint little B&B that offers a private room with full bath en suite.

There was also a crackling fire in the hearth, sweet brownies, even sweeter wine, and good conversation to be had before retiring for the evening.

Vacations never seem to come as frequently as they ought . . .

The 3's of Me

OK, apologies in advance, but I got tagged in another one of those survey things. So, here goes:

You have been tagged. You are supposed to write a note with the 3's of YOU.

Three names I go by:
1. William
2. Little Billy (yeah, I know. that one even cracks ME up!)
3. #*()&^#*(

Three jobs I've had in my life:
1. pizza delivery
2. camera shop slave
3. salesman

Three places I've lived:
1. Orlando
2. Springfield, Virginia
3. Lubbock, Texas

Three favorite drinks:
1. Diet Coke
2. coffee
3. Malbec

Three TV shows I watch:
1. Survivor
2. Big Brother
3. NCIS

Three Places I've been:
1. Atlantic City
2. New Orleans
3. Mexico

Three people who text me regularly:
I don't normally get texts (because my plan doesn't allow me to respond anymore) but my last three were from
1. Joanna
2. Howard
3. Aunt Diane

Three of my favorite foods:
1. Mexican
2. Italian
3. Chinese

Three things I'm looking forward to:
1. tap dancing on plywood (those who know, know what they know)
2. January 20, 2013 (hope and change!)
3. The end of this recession!!

Visiting with the Franclan

Spent the day with my cousin Joanna and her three . . . yes, THREE . . . boys.

It was great weather for visiting, too, as we finally got our first cool snap down here in Florida. Way too long in coming.

Anyway, we took advantage of the brisk, envigorating weather to do a little Christmas shopping and nearly got thrown out of an Applebee's (a la Talladega Nights!)

It seems wierd to be Christmas shopping this early, but the temperatures were right and you have to take advantage of that down here . . . they're likely to go back up into the 80s at a moment's notice, which just kills the holiday spirit.

Well, at least we're getting it done early and avoiding the crowds!

Happy Mother's Day!

I'm probably the only person you know who marked at least part of the day in contemplating mitochondria.

Abbreviated "mtDNA," it's the part of your unique genetic code that was inherited exclusively from your mother. And, she inherited it exclusively from her mother, and so on, and so on, ad infinitum.

Anyway, from a genealogical standpoint, it is much harder to trace these maternal lines--at least in western cultures--because surnames change with each generation.

I've only been able to trace my own mtDNA back to an Irish emigrant named Elizabeth Gallagher, who lived in Brooklyn, New York, in the 1850s.

My dad could trace his line to a Sarah Brown, who was born in the old Fairfield District of South Carolina in 1768.

And, my cousin Joanna can trace hers all the way back to 1600s Connecticut.

Well, before I get off on too much of a tangent, I hope those of you reading this in the blogosphere take time today to think about the unique things your mom passed on to you!

Oh, yeah, and two words for my mom: Ham and Cheese!