As it turns out, my blog host got a new server and consequently, my blog was disconnected from all things internet for a few days. Did you miss me?
When I was in high school, one of my writing teachers had us do “free-writing,” an exercise in which we just wrote without pausing to even think much. That, I’m afraid, is what this blog post will be. So, prepare for the ramble.
My teenage twins spent the night at their friend’s house last night. This was their first-ever sleep-over and they took full advantage of the freedom by staying up until either 4:00 a.m. or 6:00 a.m., depending on which twin you ask. This evening, at 5:00 p.m., I returned home from a little shopping excursion (fifty-percent off!) and found both boys engaged in tidying up the house, under the direct orders and supervision of my husband. As it turned out, he found them both sound asleep at 4:30 p.m. and woke them up and got them moving again, telling them they couldn’t sleep until 8 p.m. As we watched them drag around, we cracked secret jokes about their fatigue and snickered as all good parents would do in similar circumstances.
A few weeks ago, on a Friday night, I went to Target. To my surprise, I found a line of camping chairs outside the entrance. As I passed by, I said to a bundled-up woman, “What are you waiting for?” and she informed me that a new shipment of Nintendo Wii consoles was going to arrive Sunday morning. This was Friday night. FRIDAY NIGHT. She intended to sleep on the sidewalk for the privilege of purchasing the console Sunday morning. She said, by way of explanation, “I have a twelve year old.” I said, “I just told my boys they’d get it after Christmas.”
And so, Tuesday afternoon, my entire family went to Target to spend Christmas cash. While standing in the video game aisle, my 8-year old looked down and spied the Nintendo Wii. Ta-da! I got a Wii and I didn’t even have to stand in line or sleep on a sidewalk to do so!
In the hours between midnight on Christmas Eve and 7:20 a.m. Christmas Day, my daughter woke me up three or four times. Nothing says Christmas cheer like delirium. However, Christmas Day was a quiet oasis of peace and calm in our house. After a childhood and adolescence shuttling from one divorced parent’s house to the next, I relish staying in my own home with my own family on holidays.
Two nights ago, my daughter woke me up every two hours to request a tissue. Seems she had come down with a little cold. Finally, I overcame my sluggishness and put the whole box of tissues next to her pillow. Duh.
My husband played Monopoly tonight with the four-year old and the 8-year old and apparently felt not one whit of guilt over beating the pants off the 8-year old. If I’d been playing (fat chance as I hate board games), I would have let the 8-year old win as I can’t bear to see him cry. And he did cry because he hates to lose. When I was growing up, I used to play Monopoly with my brother, but I’d get so bored and I’d say, “I’m done. Want my money?” and he’d be furious.
I saw “Dreamgirls” this week. Jennifer Hudson should be billed as the star of the movie–she was remarkable. Her performance caused the audience at the theater to break into spontaneous applause. I’ve never seen anything like it. The woman who stole my right armrest offered a running narrative throughout the movie, from “OH NO HE DID NOT!” to harmonies sung in key to an arm raised as if in a Pentecostal church service. I quite enjoyed the audience participation. Jennifer Hudson had better win an award for this movie. She outshone Beyonce’, Eddie Murphy and Jamie Foxx.
I really hate television during this season. I am eagerly awaiting the premiere of my favorite show, “24”, as well as “The Apprentice,” “Survivor” and “American Idol.” What shows are you looking forward to watching in 2007?
By the way, I have to say that Rosie O’Donnell seems to have committed the ultimate sin, according to Donald Trump, which is to be fat and average-looking. I hate men who consider women worthwhile only if they are thin and beautiful. I find it insulting and I find men like Donald Trump disgusting, although I like to watch “The Apprentice,” anyway. Go figure. I also like to watch Rosie O’Donnell on “The View” (when I remember and when I have time), even though I can’t understand why she wants to pick a fight with a slime-ball like The Donald.
Well, there you go. The most incoherent post ever.
You’re welcome.
Actual Unretouched Photo 
What a coincidence. A couple hours ago I was sitting in Barnes&Noble reading Pen on Fire, focusing on the chapter explaining free-writing. Thanks for the illustration 🙂 I did miss you and am happy you all had a happy Christmas.
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I think you may have been a bit misinformed about the Trump/O’Donnell thing. She libeled him in a completely inappropriate way on tv about Trump giving the Miss America winner a second chance when she really screwed up, about how he is not a great moral compass and that he was a bankrupt, old, divorced man who should not have a say in a pageant he owns. Trump responded that she feels that she can say anything about anyone and not be held responsible for her opinions and that O’Donnell feels that she is not supposed to be under the same scrutiny because she is “special” (gay). She responded (on tv again) with all sorts of ugly opinions about him and it was after this second attack that Trump said that O’Donnell was so ugly on the inside that it couldn’t help but show on the outside. All of his retorts were in response to the rude, derogatory, insulting remarks/opinions that she chose to make in a public venue. He was only defending himself and then resorting to personal remarks after she started the entire bloody mess. Personally, I hope he sues her just to show that she has no right to lamblast people just because she is on a daytime gossip show. (I look at it in this way: O’Donnell said Trump’s crap stinks, but she ignores her own feces, thinking it gives off a rosy smell. I think the parable about the log and the speck in the eyes may fit quite nicely here.) I’m not saying any of it was right, but I don’t have a problem with Trump defending himself. And Trump never made a general statement about women overall, but he did make a statement that was specifially about O’Donnell’s ugliness as a person- inside and out.
Now aren’t you glad that I commented?
I do want to wish you and yours a full and blessed new year!
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Well, what a fun post nonetheless. Hubby and I were just talking about American Idol coming back soon- his office does an American Idol pool and we get to vote each week, win money, oh it’s so fun! Oh, and hilarious about Dreamgirls- I totally want to see it and hope I have as much fun in the audience as you…
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As a matter of fact, yes I did miss you while you were gone.
Fun ramble. Loved the part about watching the boys clean the house.
Frankly, I think BOTH Rosie and Donald are annoying.
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Adore Rosie… ( she’s fat & cute & loud & opinionated…) Wait, is she me? Anyway… Donald needs a serious HAIRCUT that EVERYTHING OVER (way more than just a ‘comb over’) IS DISGUSTING! He’s bogus, his views on women are bogus & the only reason anyone ever thinks he’s a human is cuz he’s got money… disgusting all around if you ask me. Yes we missed you & always enjoy your blog posts… does any of us really blog coherently? LOL (I know I never do) Just let my fingers spill out whatever happens to be bopping around inside my head at the time & people seem to eat it up like candy, it’s wild! Keep the randomness coming girl… !
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Rosie and Donald……….. I can’t stand either one. I can’t believe I used to like Rosie in her less obnoxious days. Now she is a foul-mouth fool who can’t shut her trap, I actually can’t stand looking at her face on the TV! And then there’s Donald…..well, I just can’t stand his vindictiveness and greed and lust for power. New York can keep ’em! Maybe if we all ignore them, they’ll go away! UG!
On a happier note, yes, we missed you! Glad you are back!
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Yes, I am glad you are back. Can’t wait to see Dreamgirls and I’m especially excited about American Idol returning. So are my girls. Speaking of my girls, remember the post about losing Christmas gifts because they were hidden so well? Well today I found their gift certificates to the bookstore-4 days after Christmas, but hey, they were still very happy, but not as happy as me! They were inside a book I had bought that day for myself but had not started reading yet.
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Hey welcome back!
I think that’s funny people spent the night to get a Wii! Glad you found one without camping out first!
Just for fun I’ve tagged you for a meme … if you get a chance, do it, if not, well, save it for a day you don’t have anything else to write about! http://skippingwithbrandie.blogspot.com/2006/12/six-weird-things-about-me.html
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Welcome back to the Internet world! I used to really love “24,” but got bored with it at the start of the third season. Right now, I’m waiting for new episodes of “Desperate Housewives,” “Men in Trees,” “NCIS,” and a few SCI-FI faves: “Stargate” (SGI & Atlantis), “Doctor Who,” “Battlestar Galactica,” and especially “Eureka.” Yikes, that’s a lot!
Hope you have a fabulous New Year’s Eve, however you plan to spend it! We will be at home, only hubby & me with our 2 girls and of course, a bottle of bubbly for us and sparkling juice for the girls. Happy New Year!
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Ditto for the clapping at Dreamgirls. I’ve never seen anything like it!! I was sitting next to a little 70 year old grandma who, before the film started, told me about her days in a wannabe Detroit girl group in the 50s. Precious.
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I hate the holiday tv break…the one time when I have more time to watch my shows. And here they are (in no particular order):
Desperate Housewives
Grey’s Anatomy
House
CSI
Thank goodness you can watch some back episodes on their websites!
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CAN NOT WAIT FOR HEROES!
Yes, I did just yell that at you…thats how excited I am for it to come back on. Pathetic, aren’t I?
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Missed you heaps! :-))) I hate the lack of TV shows when I actually have time to watch them! Our trampoline didn’t make it for Christmas either so we’re eagerly anticipating January 3!
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Oh, I am missing me some good tv, too. Lost, the Office, My Name is Earl–where have they all gone? I miss Dr. McDreamy and all my ER docs, too. And they just get us hooked on new shows (heros and Studio 60) and then YANK them away from us until who knows when.
And Donald Trumps comments about Rosie? Totally unprofessional and rude. You don’t have the right to call people ugly, Mr. Trump–have you seen what you look like? I don’t care if he disagrees with her and her values (I know I don’t agree with lifestyle, but I still find her to be a good person and fun), no one deserves to be attacked like that. Hrmph!
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We are looking forward to American Idol, especially since our daughter tried out here in Minneapolis 🙂
Happy New Year!
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I just wanted to wish you a Happy New Year Melodee! May 2007 be a great year for you and your family.
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