From the first episode of the 8th season, Danny Gokey has been my favorite and the one to watch. This boy can sing without being too pretty or polished. Check out his Top 36 performance of Mariah Carey’s “Hero”. There’s a simple rule to American Idol… you don’t sing Mariah Carey or Whitney Houston songs unless you can sing. And as evidenced by this video… the boy can sing.

My cell phone died last night and wouldn’t allow me to make or take any calls.  No big deal, right?  Wrong.  I panicked.  What if work called? What if someone I loved needed to get a hold of me?  What if Verizon wouldn’t give me a new phone? What if I had to wait for them to ship me a new phone and didn’t have one when I went to Willcox for 5 days? WHAT WOULD I DO? With the use of Lauren’s phone I called Verizon, and after explaining my issue, they told me to go to my local store the next day (today) and they’d switch it out for me. Ok, one crisis averted, but I hadn’t talked to my mom and dad in a few days due to my self-quarantine and was worried about them not being able to call me. Dumb, I know especially when I remembered that their cell phone was a local Flag number and I had a home phone. Whoopsies. (I blame the cough medicine for my over-reaction and not my obsessive need to always be connected.) So with fingers and toes crossed I went into the store this am at opening time and walked out 12 minutes later with a brand new, working phone. Wow. Why again did I freak out?

Even though I was feeling a bit better, I decided I needed more rest and probably shouldn’t expose the masses to whatever it was I have and missed work again today. Amazingly enough, my boss agreed, and I’ve spent most of the day drifting in and out of consciousness.  In between the countless naps, my favorite ‘educational’ device (the tv) taught mre quite a few lessons of life that I’d like to share.

*Falling asleep watching the Food Network but waking up to the SciFi channel might lead to a few moments of confusion.

*Kathy Lee Gifford is still obnoxious.

*Ina Garten (the Barefoot Contessa) is not just cooking and entertaining.  Nope, she actually is hosting orgies in the Hampton’s for the elderly, carpenters, and random tourists.

*For just $30 dollars you can buy a modified sandwich maker that allows you to make your own hot pockets.

*P Diddy had acne, too.

*I want Niecy Nash to come clean my house and soul.

*Metamucil and Mucinex are not the same thing.

*VH1 Classic is classically painful

*Toothpaste and Halls Mentho-lyptus do not mix.

It’s been five days so far with this crappy cold, and I still have a fever of over 102.5. Guess who didn’t make it into work today? Yeah, me. I really hate missing work, especially when I’m already leaving early on Friday and missing next Monday and Tuesday to head down to Willcox for Zac’s birthday and the Ryan Adams show in El Paso. I have a sneakin’ suspicion that no one is going to want to ride for 6 hours in a car with a girl who’s trying to hack up a lung. But, that’s just me. So far today I haven’t been able to stay awake for a full half-an-hour of television programming which is a bummer because I really want to know about Sandra Lee’s tablescape that supposedly goes perfectly with her lemon-themed meal. Grrrrrr. Did I mention I’m whining when I’m sick? No? Oh,what is that you say… you’ve just been able to tell from my blogging. Bet you’re glad you’re not the one having to take care of Typhoid Mary.

Well… I was supposed to sing in church today, but instead I’m curled up with a 102.9 fever and a cough that makes you wonder if I’ve been spending my free time in a Tuberculosis ward. Needless to say, I am not pleased in the least. My house is covered in kleenex and various forms of medicine, and I’m slowly losing my voice. Lucky for me, I have a benevolent caretaker who has stocked my house with soup, juice, and anything else that might bring me an ounce of comfort. The scary thing is I’ve had two student workers in the hospital in the past two days, and as bad as I feel for them, I’m hoping and praying that I can avoid their fate. Is it bad when you’ve watched enough Wife Swap and Intervention while sick that you’re dreaming in the format of these shows??? I sure hope not.

Ever laughed so hard when you’re sick that you think you might die from the pain of your broken ribs??? Yeah, me neither until that is this cold from hell. So while I’m sick and miserable, I’d like to gift you with some laughter. Hope it doesn’t kill ya like it did me.

I might just survive this awesome cold I’ve suddenly come down with. I really have no clue where I got it. No one I know is sick. I haven’t been dancing in the rain as of late. It makes no sense, but nonetheless, I’m feeling like poo. Hot tea has become my best friend, and thanks to Heather I have been introduced to the best tea bags I’ve ever used.

Lipton’s Green Tea with Mandarin Orange.

Lauren and I swear these two are the opposite-gender twins of each other, and this is musical proof. *sigh*

The simple fact about working with college kids is this they are a breeding ground for every virus and illness known to mankind. In the past week, we’ve had an outbreak of pink-eye, the stomach flu, and some nasty cold that has sent at least three kids to the on-campus health facility. So it’s really no wonder I woke up this morning with a pounding headache and swallowing razor blade sore throat. Even Airborne wasn’t able to save me. I’m hoping though that this strain of joy that I’ve been gifted with is mild… I mean, I’ve got Zacapalooza next week.

Why webcams should be outlawed…

I love Kanye.  I love the Fray.  I love Kanye singing ‘Heartless’. I love the Fray singing Kanye’s ‘Heartless’.  I don’t know which one I love more… do you?

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VS.

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Shaq is known for his antics especially during All-Star weekend, and with this year’s event being held in Phoenix, you knew he’d pull out all the stops… even if those stops included the Jabbawockees.

Thia might be the most perfect holiday ever.  An excuse to dress from head to toe in pink and eat chocolate!  Instead of gradiose plans, my Valentine’s Day plans are simple… sleep-in, shower, lunch with my valentine, baby-sitting the munchkins, introducing them to the joys of Pop-Rocks, hanging with mama and daddy munchkin and watching All-Star Saturday night, more time with valentine, and a good night’s rest. Hope your day is just as special.

It’s been almost 6 months since we officially moved into my new office and our new work space, and while my area is decorated and colorful, the lack of color on the remaining walls has been driving me up the proverbial wall. So after getting approval from my boss and wrangling my student workers into assisting this afternoon, we created a 9 ft by 16 ft representation of our weekly schedule on the way. The color alone makes me feel a bit more at home. Plus, it has the added bonus of attendance accountability. Look at me… so organized.