"I Am Neptune --- god of weather & pissing all over athena's plans."

Seriously, what is going on here? I guess it is my bad for living in this great state of Ohio, but enough already! Oh well, at least it is not snow. I know that part of me should just say screw it and chance whatever the weather curve ball's at me but sometimes I just can't turn off that caution gene. Flooding, lightening and threat of tornadoes still make me a little weak in the knees. Oh well, here is hoping for better weather to come this weekend!

"What I Like About You.... Is That you Know How To Dance..."

Okay, well my subject line is so not true of me, but the following does involve a brief sampling of some of my personal favs. Here they are in no particular order....

Favorite Artist or Musucal Group: Electric Light Orhestra (ELO). I think Jeff Lynne is a freakin genius. "Fire on High" gets my blood pumping anytime, anywhere and few songs can rock my world like that. The lyrics, of course not in that particular song, also hit home with their metaphorical honesty.

Favorite Current Pop Song That I am Sort of Ashamed To Admit That I Heart: Christina Aguilera's "Dirty". It is so raunchy and raw that I just have to turn it up. Ask Alicia, it almost caused a minor rucus at the recent bachelorette party when I requested a replay.

Favorite Icecream: While I do have admiration for Superman, I also go head over heals for space icecream. It is so unique and interesting that I cannot resist.

Favorite Marathon Course: Columbus, Oh. Yes I did enjoy Boston in 06 (probably would've been more enjoyable minus the groin injury) but I Columbus ranks number 1 in my book because it is a small marathon with big time crowd support. Also does not hurt that I P.Red there. Thanks Lynn. : )

Favorite Class In Class Assignment From Classes I Have Taught: When I was moonlighting and doing the night teaching gig, it seems that I would always have class on Halloween night. That first damn day that I passed out the syllabus students would complain up a perfect storm about having class on Halloween. In a effort to please both me and the brats I implemented the showing of "Halloween" during class. If they attended class and then proceeded to write a fluff assignment concerning why the movie was so popular despite its low operating budget, they would receive 10 extra credit points. This class has been recieved well by my students over recent years. Of course, there were also the instances when the students that really needed the extra points chose to go haunting housing instead but usually there was a fairly adequate turn out. other postives of this class included students coming in costume or coordinating buying pizza with the rest of their classmates. I think this assignment worked better for the original night classes than the day classes but I still used it in both time slots. Free dinner and the viewing of one of my fav. movies --- not a bad night of teaching for me.

Well, off to Sushi Rock tonight with Andrea, Gina & Colleen for some spirits and eats. Hope you all have a good night!

The Weather Is Spoiling Us Like A Flithy Rich Coperate American Father Would Spoil His Only Little Girl After A Messy Divorce

The weather this weekend was quite spectacular! Usually there is at least one day during the weekend that is plagued by rain so I was happy that we escaped that mishap this weekend in the Cleveland area. Speaking of Cleveland area, how many of you goobers caught 30 Rock this past Thursday? As if I even needed a reason to like that show more. "St. John Boscos, Big Creek Parkway, The Jake." Fucking priceless...

In sticking with TV commentary. Scarlett Jo did a stellar job hosting SNL this weekend. However, even with her as host, the show still followed the standard protocol that the last 20 mins does not contain any laugh worthy skits. I was also super psyched to see that they added onto the "Mike's Chandelier" spoof. This time it was "Mike's Columns". Her playing the distracted daughter showcasing her dad's pride "Look at this one, look at that one." almost paid me pee with glee. It is starting to rank up there with Christopher Walken's "The Continental". Well, lets not break out the champagna quite yet.

Ready To Take On The Weekend Like Jennifer Beals Did In Her Kick Ass Dance Routine At The End Of Flash Dance.

No worries, both of this images will make sense in a few tiny bits...

I stayed up to watch the end of Flashdance last night. The acting and storyline in that movie pretty much blow but the combination of "What A Feeling" and Beals bustin it in leg warmers always makes me cheer for the end. I guess it is my guilty "Rudyish" obsession. Watchin Jennifer Beals in the days before she was gettin busy as Bette scorin with every fem. dyke in the great Los Angles area. Oh have the times have changes. In addition, this time I noticed that the song "I'm on A Man Hunt" was played toward the end of the credits and that even further raised my appreciation for irony and cultural blending. No Jennifer, your acting roles are soooo not pursuing the great man hunt now.

Hi, my name is Athena. My likes include---indy movies, ranch dressing, cuddling with fleece blankets, drunken wedding receptions, random smiles from strangers, and those candy wax bottles with the tiny bit of liquid in them. Turn offs include--- attempting to parallel park, egoistical people, most seafood products, the mean cleaning lady that never says anything back to me in the morning after I say "Hello" or "Good Morning", poorly written research papers for my classes and world hunger.

Going with A & possibly J.D. to see Lemmo get a tat tonight. Considered getting another one myself but nothing really jumped out at me. Plus, it has been less than a year and I still remember how bad that mother f*cker hurt the first time. You know, my bad ass nickle size form of bringing in the hard core thunder, astrological symbol style. Lemmo wants to get a unicorn. I hope it does not look like My Little Pony. I am sure it won't. Don't know why I thought it would? Maybe I am just missing childhood. Perhaps I will get some Superman icecream tonight. Yeah, that should remedy those nostalgic feelings.

Have a good weekend, my buds!

Because I Feel It Is My Duty To Be Yet Another One Of Those Pushy A$$holes That Barks "You Got To Check This Sh*T Out!"

Saw it yesterday on Ellen and laughed my rear off. Have to pass it around to those that did not catch the episode or have not seen it fiercely circulating around cyber world as of yet

http://sjl.funnyordie.com/v1/view_video.php?viewkey=3efbc24c7d2583be6925



WHATCH IT NOW!!!!

Just Kickin It to Some D.G. As I Figure Out Grades & Such...

I love David Gray & these are his lyrics to one of his, what I consider to be, best songs. Just thought I would share because I think everyone needs some David Gray in their lives on this thing we dub as "hump day".


"Ain't No Love"

Maybe that it would do me good
If I believed there were a god
Cut in the starry firmament
But as it is that's just a lie
And I'm here eating up the boredom
On an island of cement
Give me your ecstasy I'll feel it
Open window and I'll steal it
Baby like it's heaven sent

This ain't no love that's guiding me

Some days i'm bursting at the seams
With all my half remembered dreams
And then it shoots me down again
I feel the dampness as it creeps
I hear you coughing in your sleep
Beneath a broken window pane
Tomorrow girl i'll buy you chips
A lollipop to stain your lips
And it'll all be right as rain

This ain't no love that's guiding me
This ain't no love that's guiding me

No it ain't no love guiding me
No it ain't no love guiding me
No it ain't no love guiding me

This ain't no love that's guiding me
This ain't no love that's guiding me

On winter trees the fruit of rain
Is hanging trembling in the branches
Like a thousand diamond buds
And waiting there in every pause
That old familiar fear that claws you
Tells you nothing ain't no good
Then pulling back you see it all
Down here so laughable and small
Hardly a quiver in the dirt

This ain't no love that's guiding me

Continued...

Did any of you watch the Dateline special last night about Virginia Tech? I cried from the beginning of it and was uncontrollably sobbing at the end. Giving faces and names to the victims really makes it become a reality. Also having a victim's father talk at the end of the special was indescribable. They played that Jeff Buckley Hallelujah at the end (one of my ex's fav. songs). Good song. Now I can see why she liked it so much. It was also a pretty powerful fit as they concluded one of the saddest news reports that I have ever seen.

A Note On The Virginia Tech Tragedy

I know that many of my college educator peeps have been commenting on the V.T. massacre today. And after attending an impromptu faculty meeting this morning and watching a majority of the conference held on campus while grading this afternoon, I feel nothing but heart felt sympathy for the students, faculty/administration and especially family members of the victims.

I know that many have expressed their shock about how something like this could have happened and more confusing is how the death toll ended up being so disgustingly high. However, the foremost thing that really puzzles me is the campus where it took place - Virginia Tech - a military school. V.T. was one of the five schools that I applied to during my senior year of high school and it was also the place that seemed the safest, a relative collegiate version of Fort Knox. I guess if it can happen their the thought of this happening on less secure campuses is really starting to hit home.

Don't You You Wish Your Old College Roomie Was A Stud Like Mine???

I know you wish you had one like mine. Nice job Becky combating the fierce winds and just plain crap ass weather. Today you are my hero. Way to bitch slap Boston today.

9612 White, Rebecca L. 27 F Chagrin Falls OH USA
Checkpoints
5k 0:23:55
10k 0:47:42
15k 1:11:07
20k 1:34:59
Half 1:40:08
25k 1:58:59
30k 2:24:09
35k 2:50:37
40k 3:17:13

Pace
0:07:59

Official Time
3:29:06
Overall
4925

Some Long overdue Picts. From Mary Ann & Paul's Wedding..

"Pack It Up, Pack It In, Let Me Begin..."

Sitting here typing and still more than a little zoned out from the Tom Foolery this weekend. Friday night was Mary Ann's b-day festivities and Saturday was Nikki's bachelorette extravaganza in Akron. I screwed around alot more this weekend than I probably should've with grades due this coming week but it was well worth it. When Alicia sends me the picts from last night I will be sure to post some. Ones I know worth showing will be the hotel bathroom/bar suite, the bachelorette/bridesmaids to be riding the wild bull and the mother of the bride getting more play on the dance floor than any of the other girls. It was a stellar night!

Side note: Becky, kick some ass in Boston tomm! I will be pulling for you and I hope that the winds and massive amounts of rain do not cause you to get swept away! I was just watching The Weather Channel. Yikes! You are a beast! Bitch Slap Bean Town!!

Retro Friday

Steve's blog inspired me to take the opportunity to look back on how my perspectives have shifted over the years on various topics. I am not going to take the crafty approach of syncing it up with band albums because Jefferson Airplane and David Gray are probably the only two musical talents that I would feel comfortable doing. Since I have never indulged in LSD and my White Ladder cd is skippin like a school girl, I will not incorporate these two selections in this entry. I decided that the moderator for this will be my mom. For those of you that do not know her she is quite memorable. Don't get me wrong, I love her to pieces however she has the tendency to be a bit overbearing, loud and a tad abrasive on occasion. None the less, I still appreciate the lady. Here you go. The Athena of 1987, 1997, 2007 with my mom being the featured MC.

Question #1: MC: "Athena!!! What do you want to be when you grow up? Personally, I thought that you should've just always stayed at home and just went to community college. I know how bad you are with directions and there are alot of weirdos out there; so I think at home is where you need to be. As I told you before, it is not you that I worry about so much, it is them."

1987: My first grade teacher is kind of cute so maybe I will be a teacher of some sort. Ummm.. It's normal that I think my teacher is cute, right?

1997: I like earth science so maybe geology would be a good pick. I also just had some recently success with one of my things getting published. Super psyched about that! Makes me want to turn up my new Spice Girls cd and drive around with the windows down in my Beretta. Hmm... Maybe I can just major in journalism or something and study the rocks as a hobby. I see that Mount Union has this new "Writing Major" that might be a good fit. I would have to be some type of loser not to have anymore writing success.

2007: A note to 1997 kid, enjoy it while it lasts and grow out those damn thick bangs of yours. I sort of enjoy being able to swear during my job and having my students feel forced to laugh at my jokes even when they think that they are really not that funny (which most times I have to admit they are not). Even though it will be a bit unstable until I get in a few years with a place, I think I will hang with this community collegiate thing.

Question #2: "Athena!! What is up with you and the cell phone! You are going to kill yourself or someone while talking and driving on the phone!"

1987: I think those big phones in cars are neat. Is that a cell phone?

1997: My rich friend at the preppy high school that I attend has a cell phone. Her dad is an engineer and her mom is a doctor. Must be nice to have all that money. My mom flips breakfast sandwiches at McDonald's. I did hear that rich girl is a big whore though. That makes me laugh.

2007: I love my phone. I know, it is wrong to have love for a material possession but it keeps me entertained. By the way mom, stop calling when I am in the middle of having sex. Although I would never pick up, it is still a big ass distraction and I am sure has deservingly earned some eye rolls and laughs from both parties. When I call back and say "I did not hear the phone", "I was sleeping" or "I was doing school work." I was lying and doing things that even if you tried to image, you really could not so don't even try to go there. For the sake or your sanity, just image me diligently grading essays in the school library with my phone on silent mode in my bag.

Question #3 MC: "Athena!! Are you trying to kill me?? Who are you having sex with? It is that nice friend of yours that came to one of our family parties? He does seem pleasant and smart. I hope it is him. You know I want grand kids some day and I do not think that your bother is following through on that right now. What is wrong with you two anyway? What are your views on sex? We have never sat down and had any type of a formal discussion talk about it. Well, we did have that awkward "when you get your period" talk but all that I remember from that is that I think we were both sweating alot and avoiding eye contact.

2007: Ummm. No mom, not even close. Forgeta about it, eh? "What mamma don't know won't kill her."

1987: Religion class today told me that sex is between a mommy and a daddy that love one another and want to create a baby. Not sure how it works exactly. Perhaps it is similar to a hand shake?

1997: Umm no, but you do have to be in love with someone before you do it. Waiting till marriage is the best choice. That is what the Catholic Church endorses and this Young Republican Club that I am in also supports that position. The rest of those people are probably going to go to hell anyway. I know that this is the path for me. Also, it seems like many things in life are just put in front of us as forms of temptation or "phases" that will occur in everyones' lives. I have to go, I think I have a Eucharistic Ministry meeting in like 10 mins.

2007: So what is the highest SPF of Coppertone that I can bring with me to the afterlife? Well, I always did look better with a tan.

1987: So, it is more than just a handshake?

2007: Yes, but sometimes hands can be incorporated. Hit me up when you get out of grade school and we can discuss further.

Question #4 MC: "Athena!! You always did have the tendency to freak out about stuff that really did not matter and then not sweat the really big stuff. What do you think about that? Is your approach wise or do you intend to remedy your outlooks?"

1987: Everything is a big thing! Who's house I am going over this weekend? Is the episode of Full House new tonight? Will I do well on my spelling test? How can I separate the small stuff from the big stuff when everything is of such importance! Hey, have you seen the Sports Illustrated with the Cleveland Indians on the cover? I borrowed it from dad and now I do not know what I did with it. He is sooo going to be mad at me. Now that is a BIG deal.

1997: I wonder who I should hang out with and If I should go to the movies this weekend? I see that there is a new movie called Boogie Nights coming out. Maybe some friends and I will check that out. However, I heard that it has alot of sex stuff in it and I am not so comfortable with that. Damn perverts. They are probably all going to hell anyway. Hmm.. Guess I should probably make a decision on college soon.

2007: I think me finally realizing two important facts in life has helped me to put things into perspective. Mom, I realize that you are a hyper spaz and as much as I despise your easy freak out tendencies, I also know that I have inherited them. I accept that and now I work on realizing that when I start to freak out I should stop and relax. This has helped alot. I also realize that dad's trait to laugh things off and be too mellow when he should have a greater sense of urgency is indeed included in my genetic makeup as well. I am starting to realize when to take action for particular situations. For perhaps the first time in my life I am learning sustain some type of balance. I think this is at last helping me to discover who I am and what I would like to achieve in life.

1987: But is Full House and the TGIF lineup still important to you?

2007: You have alot to learn 1987 kid, but don't worry about it. You'll put it all together some way and some day. Just enjoy the ride.

Taking on Hump Day G-Beck Style

I know it might sound weird but I like Glenn Beck's show and I watch it regularly (well, either that or porn) just before I fall asleep. Yes, he is a conservative Moron but sometimes I feel that his fist punches so far through the right that it circles around to the left. He is witty, sharp dressing & entertaining. And maybe part of me watches it to remedy the Catholic guilt that has steadily increased over the past two years for chucking out the window so many years of built up Catholic dogma. Well, I guess more than anything else it probably his fine taste in ties that lures me in.

Regardless, last night's episode was a classic example of how Beck got the tables quickly reversed (in a disagreement with Rev. Al Sharpton regarding the Imus fiasco) and used his smile & break away technique. Sharpton clearly was showing stronger points. After realizing that he had no way to reverse the half nelson, Beck opted to over noise his opponent with laughter, a smile and then a commercial break. If only life was that easy when transitioning - laugh, charm it off and then glide to another dispute which you are sure you can come out on top of with no recollection of previous defeats. Perhaps I just lack premature silver haired fox look to replicate this attitude.

Initiation Intercourse Monday & Random Thoughts

Two students in two different classes of mine have disclosed to the class that they became pregnant after the first time had sex. Damn.

Edgewise's blog gave me a good idea for comparing the different years of Athena's opinions. I am toying with this idea. However mine will most likely be a lame attempt at trying to create a DR. Pibb or Dr. Ahhh version of the original.

Some lady next to me in the computer lab at school is going postal at someone on her cell phone and this other girl is scooping out single chicks on Yahoo Personals. I love being a fly on the wall in computer labs. This type of entertainment is better than basic cable.

Back In The New York Groove Of Monday & Such

A 1:52.14 (8.34 pace) on Saturday. Not too bad for a pushin 30 year lady that just decided last week to get in shape for a half marathon. It was cold, it hurt, and my hamstrings & quads are still screamin today but I am glad that I did it. I am also glad that Lynn jumped in to help pace me for the last half of the race. That girl is unbelievable. I told her that if she ever needed an organ that I possessed two of, I would gladly oblige.

The rest of my weekend was pretty good. With my new friend in New York visiting her family for the holiday, I gave my fingers a chance to heal from the climbing wall and I hung with Michelle & her hubby on Saturday. Our plans to hit up the bars were foiled due to the snow so I hung at their homestead (indulged in some leftover wedding alcohol) and watched Ultimate Fighting. Holy crap that stuff is intense! I feel a possible new obsession for me coming on. That is some shit that I think I can really get into.

Taking It And Attempting To Make It Your Own. You Know, Sort Of Like Gwyneth Paltrow Did With Kim Karnes "Bette Davis Eyes" In The Movie Duets

Not really sure how this race is going to go tomorrow morning. First of all, the brisk wind and ice looks like it is going to be a little freak nasty bitch. Funny, I used to try to hold myself back in order to keep a sub 8 pace. Tomm. I think it will be a miracle if I can hold steady on a 9/9:20 min pace. I also still wish that I would've landed the number 269 yesterday. Instead I had to settle for 268. If only one more person would've walked in ahead of me at registration. If only......

If I don't talk to some of you, have a happy... Possibly white.... Easter!

Thumbs Up To Nikki For Hooking me Up With The Best Wedding Shower Game Gift Ever!

Alicia & Vickie are showing off the goods.

Not Much For Common Sense But At Least I Got Some Nice Blue Eyes...

Signin up for a half-marathon this Saturday. Have not run more than 9 miles since the marathon at the end of October. Oh yeah, and by the way, that 9 mile run was just this afternoon. I think this one is gonna hurt a bit. Keep me in your thoughts on Saturday morning as I am probably going to be saying over and over in my head "Why the f*ck did I sign up for this??!!" Oh well, at least I can look forward to knocking back a few $9.00 beers at the Tribe game later that night.

Happy Monday

I do believe that the quickest way to get over something is to be in front of a toliet, crying, and throwing up. It hurts but it also makes you want to eventually look up, wonder "Why?", slowly lift yourself up and move on.

Happy Monday!