In the harshest place on earth, love finds a way.

Mom gave herself the DVD of March of the Penguins for Christmas, so we watched it yesterday. It's definitely worthy of all the attention and praise it has received as it is a heartwarming story of Emperor penguins in Antarctica and their struggle to breed.

The most amazing characteristic of these animals is that they truly share the duties of bringing the baby penguins into the world. Before winter, they migrate to a breeding ground (where the ice is so thick that it won't thaw enough to be a danger to their young), find a mate to whom they'll stay loyal for a year (yay, monogamy in animals - it *does* exist!), and breed. The female lays the egg and pushes it to her mate who will sit on the egg to let it incubate for 2 months. Meanwhile, the female waddles the 70+ miles back to the sea to eat. The male remains at the breeding ground without food until the egg hatches 2 months later.














Soon thereafter, the mother returns to feed and protect her baby (from the elements) while the male returns to the sea. They continue this trade-off for months until the baby is large enough to fend for itself, at which point they all return to the sea and the baby is fully weaned.

I'm sure they are smelly and loud and yes, they are wild animals, but how cool would it be to have a penguin in your house?!? They could be so cuddly and cute.



















I highly recommend this movie - it's really wonderful to learn about these unique bird-fish animals. And how cute is their waddle?!?

That's my plug.

...scout's lady

Airport mayhem...and we haven't even left yet!

PREFACE
My s.o. is a bad planner. He's knows this; I know this; anyone who knows him knows this.
Yours truly is a good planner. Call it genes, call it estrogen; whatever it is, I thrive on calendars and planning ahead.

A few things that make me happy:
1. Checking in online 24 hours before my flight. You can change your seat to exit rows or get bumped up to first class! What's more exciting than that?!
2. Better prices when you plan ahead.
3. More time to look forward to planned event!

But, the s.o. doesn't care about such mortal things.

STORY
We're both flying home today. He to Baltimore, me to Raleigh. We're on the same flight from Madison to Detroit (note: my good planning pays off!). I've arranged it so that we're sitting next to each other (yay!). (Small side note: I'm really excited to fly with him this evening. Here's why: every other time I fly, I wish I were somewhere else. With him. And the instant that we land, my phone is on, and I'm texting him. But today, there's nowhere else I'd rather be than beside him. Perfect contentedness.)

So, last night, he and I are discussing today. When I'll come home from work, when he'll come home, when we'll leave for the airport. The flight's at 6:09. It takes a healthy 30 minutes to get to the airport. When would you like to leave, I say. 5, he says. My heartrate quickens. Umm, I don't think so, I say. How about 4:15? 4:15?!? That's ridiculous. I don't want to sit in the airport all afternoon, he says. Yes, well, I want to actually MAKE the flight today, I retort.

My conflict skills rising to the occasion, I say, well, since you don't get stressed out if we're late, and I DO get stressed out if we're late, and you hate it when I get stressed out, why don't we just go with my plan?

Grumble grumble grumble.

He caved. We're leaving at 4:15.
THE END

Some would say I'm a handful. And to them, I say, bollocks to you! I'm just opinionated. And passionate. And a little neurotic. Nothing that a little medication can't tame. :)

Merry Chrismukkah, everyone!

...scout's lady

Oh, Nora, you clever girl!

I never thought I would write a post about the talented Ms. Ephron, but alas, with credits such as Sleepless in Seattle, You've Got Mail, and the peerless When Harry Met Sally, she remains one of my favorite screenwriters. (We'll temporarily pardon her for going to Wellesley...blech). Bless TBS for continuously showcasing her work.

Here's a hearty smattering of wonderfully memorable quotes (thanks, IMDB):

"You've Got Mail" (Meg Ryan [Kathleen], Tom Hanks [Joe], Greg Kinnear [Frank]):

• [Frank and Kathleen discussing her older friend's former fling.]

Frank: She fell in love with Generalissimo Franco? Kathleen: Don't say that. We don't know that for sure. Frank: Who else could it have been? It was probably around 1960... I mean, it's not like he was something normal, like a socialist or an anarchist or something... Kathleen: It happened in Spain. People do really stupid things in foreign countries. Frank: Absolutely. They buy leather jackets for much more than they're worth, but they don't fall in love with fascist dictators.

• [Joe standing on line at Starbucks, ranting to the cashier.]

Joe: The whole purpose of places like Starbucks is for people with no decision-making ability whatsoever to make six decisions just to buy one cup of coffee. Short, tall, light, dark, caf, decaf, low-fat, non-fat, etc. So people who don't know what the hell they're doing or who on earth they are can, for only $2.95, get not just a cup of coffee but an absolutely defining sense of self: Tall. Decaf. Cappuccino.

"When Harry Met Sally" (Meg Ryan [Sally], Billy Crystal [Harry], Bruno Kirby [Jess]):

• [Sally and Harry discussing relationships.]

Harry: You take someone to the airport, its clearly the beginning of the relationship. That's why I have never taken anyone to the airport at the beginning of a relationship. Sally: Why? Harry: Because eventually things move on and you don't take someone to the airport and I never wanted anyone to say to me, How come you never take me to the airport anymore? Sally: It's amazing. You look like a normal person, but actually you are the angel of death.

• [Harry and his friend, Jess discussing Harry's recently broken marriage.]

Jess: Marriages don't break up on account of infidelity. It's just a symptom that something else is wrong. Harry: Oh really? Well, that "symptom" is fucking my wife.

And now, for some one-liners from my new favorite show, Family Guy:

Peter, riding a circus elephant: Look Lois, the two symbols of the Republican Party: an elephant, and a big fat white guy who is threatened by change.

Peter: Lois, everyone has their sanctuary. The Catholics have churches, fat people have Wisconsin, and I have the Pawtucket Brewery.

Peter: Brian, there's a message in my Alpha Bits. It says "OOOOOO". Brian: Peter, those are Cheerios.

Peter: Now, I know you're a feminist, and I think that's adorable, but this is grown-up time and I'm the man.

Peter: Yeah, I'm looking for some toilet training books. Salesman: Oh, yes, we can help you there. "Everyone poops" is still the standard, of course. We've also got less popular "Nobody Poops But You". Peter: Huh... well... you see... we're Catholic so... uh... Salesman: Oh, well then you want "You're a Naughty Child and that's Concentrated Evil Coming Out of the Back of You".

Stewie, after Lois tries to feed him his broccoli "airplane style": Damn you, damn the broccoli, and damn the Wright Brothers!

Stewie: [plucks a banjo] Oh! I feel so delightfully white trash! Mummy, I want a mullet!

This show is too funny; it's hard to represent accurately in writing. Catch it on TBS, Cartoon Network (Adult Swim), and Fox - check your local listings. I sound like Barbara Walters on The View.

Have a great day!

...Scout's lady

Splash Sara All Over! or Men Can't Help Acting on Sara.

Wow, that's kinky.

Go here to try out your name with the slogan generator, then post your slogans in the comments - it'll be fun!

Does You Does, or Does You Don't Take Kevin?

I DOES I DOES!

'Tis the season...

...for super-cool movies. Take Memoirs of a Geisha for instance. It's an unbelievable book, and I can't wait for the movie. Go see it Friday, Dec 9!
Also, on my list of movies-to-see:

1. Rent
2. Chronicles of Narnia
3. Walk the Line
4. Pride and Prejudice
5. The Family Stone

...for yummy holiday meals. We stayed in Madison for Thanksgiving and had a wonderful meal.

He's an excellent cook while my cooking leaves a lot to be desired. I helped with the mashed potatoes! And Anne's pumpkin pie was awesome...and gone in a day.
Thanks, Anne, for contributing to our great meal!

...for snowy days. It snowed here all yesterday, blanketing the city in about 3 inches of snow. The s.o. and I walked to the grosto (I'm trying out a new slang term - whaddya think?) while it was snowing - he grumbled the whole way ("Tell me again why we can't drive??"), but I love taking brief jaunts in the snow. Especially at night - it just feels magical to be in the freezing cold weather, plodding through the snow, with few cars on the road. Everything just quiets down. It's just wonderful.

...for insanely amazing football. It would've been great if UCLA had gotten its act together yesterday to put up SOME sort of fight against the Trojans, but I suppose it's in the cards that Reggie will win the Heisman. I'm okay with that (I mean, look at the guy).

As long as Vince wins next year. If only we could rewind time to give Reggie the 2004 Heisman (Matt Leinart = overrated), then Vince would be a shoe-in for the 2005 trophy. Oh well. Coulda, woulda, shoulda. But, in great news, the Horns laid a Texas-sized beatdown on the Buffs. 70-3. I felt a *little*bad for the Buffs, but not really.

Did you know that the Longhorns scored an average of FIFTY points per game this season? FIFTY. The only team that held them below 40 was Ohio State. How's that for a cool stat?! Bring on the Trojans.
Texas vs. Troy - two mythical lands collide in Pasadena, January 4. Be there or be square.


...for cars to break down/die. As I type, the s.o. is in the garage fixing Old Faithful who is old but not so faithful. She has died. Her thermostat died, her intake gasket died, and she was just tired. But, in the effort to save at least $1000, he's agreed to give it the ol' college try.

So, with the help of friends' tools, he's out there banging around and cursing. Cross your fingers that he can lure the ol' girl back for a few more months anyway.

...for celebs to have babies. Ben and Jen welcomed their little girl last week - congrats! She can join the legions of other celebrity children hounded by the press: Apple, Rocco, Ryder, Sean Preston, Sam and Lola, and Ava and Deacon.

...for warm cups of coffee with friends. Anne is going to work at Caribou Coffee which opens up in about a week in Madison. I'm so excited - free drinks will reign again! Maybe I'll start calling it "the 'bou." What do you think?

...for trips home for the holidays. The s.o. and I are going our separate ways for the holidays (sniff), but we're on the same flight to Detroit on Dec 22nd. I'm excited about it because I usually fly alone - it'll be nice to sit next to him for the hour-long hop to DTW. It's the little things, really.

We have our stockings hung by the "chimney" with care...and that's about all the decorating we could muster this season. We debated about getting a tree, but decided against it since we'll both be home for Christmas Day. I'll be in Raleigh, he'll be in Columbia, Scout will be in Madison, and there we'll all be.

It'll be great to see the fam in NC - it's been too long. Sopheathene and I will be reunited at last.