Time for a new, funky fresh, all fats and fillers but no caffeine entry

I realized on Friday that I hadn't written anything original in about a month, so I thought I would fix if today, gentle readers.

First of all, we're two weeks away from the National Anthem Project Launch for MENC, and for those of you who are intrigued, the date for the launch is March 10, 2005 (a Thursday). It is in the morning, and Tony Perkins (not "Psycho", but the other one on Good Morning America) will be there along with The Oak Ridge Boys and other dignitaries. I will be the short, fat redhead lurking around making sure everyone has coffee. Either way, they are dedicating the 8:00 (eastern time, so the rest of you do the math) AM hour to our festivities, so set your TiVo's and VCR's (or DVR's, or whatever) to see MENC launch this multi-year tour. It is a bipartisan project at heart, and we need all the grassroots support we can get. For more information on how you can be a part of it (if you so choose), or if you want to voice your opinions, go to www.thenationalanthemproject.org and take a look around. I'm a middle of the road Democrat and this is a fascinating project to me (not just because MENC is my employer) because I never truly thought how much my music teachers taught me about culture and history. Not just America, but other countries. Music teachers in this country are under-appreciated, and many times they are up earlier and later teaching our children, plus participating in music programs with their peers and even working other jobs (church organists, choir directors for community choirs or churches), trying to pursue higher education, and paying for many supplies out of their own pocket. They do a lot more than people see, and their programs are usually the first ones cut. Teachers in general get the short end of the stick in this country...the subject of music is the closest to my heart, but in many states, teachers are asked to take charge of children for 6-8 hours a day and not paid well, nor appreciated by their own employers or the parents of the children they teach. I challenge everyone who reads this who has children in school or knows teachers personally to talk to a teacher or teachers sometime, and ask them what citizens like you and me can do to help them teach our children and mold the future of our world. You might find that the answers are right under your nose.

OK, off the soapbox...other topics...

1. The OSCARS! I am not watching them tonight because I prefer to be surprised. I am happy that Jamie Foxx was nominated (drool, drool) but am ticked because Paul Giamatti was not. Therefore, I am going to watch Cartoon Network and pout, then get my news in the morning like everyone else.

2. I watched "Catwoman" last night with Halle Berry, and I think I am the only person in America who liked this movie. It helped that Benjamin Bratt was in it. Then again, Kevin Costner's cinematic epic (?)"The Postman" could have benefited from Benjamin Bratt's presence, as could Mariah Carey's stupid movie that my ex-husband drug me to on a Sunday afternoon when I could have been doing something productive like napping. I just like Halle Berry. Call me nuts...between her and Angelina Jolie, they make me want to try and attempt to diet and possibly have a figure like theirs. However, until Ben and Jerry's makes a low-carb, low-fat, low-cal version of Chubby Hubby, you're just going to have to be content with how I am, fellow readers. Sorry!

3. Other movies that have rental and memorizing the dialogue potential these days: "Shaun of the Dead" and "Napoleon Dynamite". My opinion on the latter film is that this is the kind of film Wes Anderson or the Coen Brothers would make if they were optioned on a film for Disney Channel or Nick. You just listen to the dialogue coming out of the lead and supporting characters' mouths and it just makes me laugh my ass off (and that's a considerable chore, thank you). I dated a guy that looked kind of like Napoleon Dynamite...tall, skinny, with big teeth that his mouth doesn't quite close over...real "mouth breather" type, but I think I'd rather have Pedro if I had a choice, even with the wig. (If you're curious as to what I'm talking about, just rent the damned movie and don't bug me!)

4. My sister mentioned the other day that she wants to write a novel, and I'm all for it. When she decides to do it, I'll keep you apprised of the projects and maybe even feature links to it on this beautiful blog. That's the least I can do (well, not really...the absolute least I could do is just stop writing this entry right now, go into my room and SLEEP the day away). At any rate, watch for Ruthi's novelistic debut!

And now, folks, I am off in search of Chubby Hubby (can't get enough of it...) so have a great week!

Enjoy yourselves, even if you have to get arrested to do it (just don't call me for bail money, I'm fresh out...)

Sudiegirl