MerrinDonahue.com

On Saturday, I’ll be heading to Nashville for a business trip. Poor Kev will be all by himself, so take pity on him. If you really love me, you’ll check in with him every once in a while and make sure he’s eating something other than tacos…
All the B&N crew is really looking forward to this little outing, since we didn’t get to have it last year. Once again, the plans are to head to The Opryland Resort, so I’ll come home all countrified! I’ll keep everyone updated on guest speakers and musical guests…

Ummmmmm….I couldn’t comment on what happened on tonight’s episode because after the first scene with Ralphie and Janice, I was pretty much left without the power of thought. However, I can say “I told you so” about Carmella and Furio. Just watch it heat up….

Okay, I’ve seen a lot of websites. But this is the coolest one I’ve ever seen. Now, it could just be that I’m a huge Thomas Harris fan, and that his books made me want to be a behavioral scientist when I grew up, but I think it’s more than that. Check out the Official Red Dragon Movie Website, and if you don’t think this is an amazing site, then I just don’t know you. One more thing: before you see the movie, READ THE BOOK!

Really, it’s the coolest thing ever. I was watching the movie Indian Summer, and I had this overwhelming desire to hook up with old friends from Blue Mountain Ranch. Needless to say, I did a search on the web, and found not only the camp’s website, but was also able to find lots of email addresses from old friends. Check back for postings of pix from my camp days….

1. What are your favorite ways to relax and unwind?
Reading, certainly, but also anything that makes me stop thinking (i.e. GameCube).

2. What do you do the moment you get home from work/school/errands?
Let the dogs out, change my clothes, and plop down either in front of the computer or the television. I figure I ususally have about an hour to myself until my husband gets home from work.

3. What are your favorite aromatherapeutic smells?
Roasting turkey (reminds me of the Holdiays), or lavendar, which is just plain relaxing.

4. Do you feel more relaxed with a group of friends or hanging out by yourself?
Usually, I am most relaxed with one or two people, but not more than 5. People tend to get lost in larger groups.

5. What is something that you feel is relaxing but most people don’t?
Getting in my car and driving around with no particular destination. Also, I like to find roads I’ve never been down before.

So yes, it’s Friday, and that means it’s date night for Kev and me. He wants to go see Sweet Home Alabama at the movie theater with the beer. What better way to while away a Friday night? I mean, the very convenience of dinner and a movie all in one location is genius! Sure, there’s the Grenada in Dallas, but let’s face it, this is Ft. Worth. Now, there used to be the Ridglea Movie Grill, and that was okay, but the Ridgmar Movie Tavern is so much better. All right, their beer specials are better, but really, isn’t that the biggest consideration? Think about it.

It’s true. I’ve loved it ever since Kevin bought it for me as a birthday present. But today, I love it even more. You see, they goofed at the car company, and said it had slightly more horsepower than it really does. Not enough to make any kind of a difference whatsoever, but it was a mistake nonetheless. So they extended the warranties of each and every owner of the Santa Fe. And not by a little, either. By a LOT. So the next time you’re in the car market, check out Hyundai. Not what you’d expect.

Eternity’s a terrible thought. I mean, where’s it all going to end?
-Tom Stoppard, from Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead

I love my job. The most unexpected little gems just fall into my lap pretty regularly. Today, it was this book. You must read it. Now. If you ever had ONE awkward moment when you were a kid, then you will identify with it. Except that none of the gut-wrenching, shame-inducing experiences were as funny when they happened to you. Seriously. Read it. And remember, a lot of people got the “rope feeling”, you freak.

Did you catch the Carmella/Furio thing on last night’s episode of the Sopranos? Also, leave a comment and tell me what you think the deal is with Sil and Tony. My take: Sil’s just trying to get rid of Patsy, but you never know… One more: Could Ade have gotten any more distance with her digestive pyrotechnics?
I can’t wait for next week….

Vacation is officially over, and I really didn’t want to go back to work today. Luckily, it was not that bad, and now it’s over. Only 4 more days till a day off….:confused

Okay, here’s the last minute Sopranos prediction:
Carmela and Furio have a torrid affair. Think it’s impossible? Just watch the first episode again, and then tell me.

First, they want to be groovy (see entry from 9/17).
Now, they’re taking it one step further: PORN!. Apparantly, the new gift of choice for spouses is a nude portrait. This is such a huge development that it actually made CNN. Go figure!

Ok, it’s Sunday, so you know what that means. So what if the Emmy Awards are on tonight. They won’t have Tony and familia since they didn’t qualify this year. Head on over to Sopranoland for a sneak peek at tonight’s episode.
For those of you who just can’t stand not knowing what Joan Rivers is saying on the red carpet, there’s always Tivo.

I’m not ashamed to admit it. I’m a girl, and I love boxing. And not just a little, either. A LOT. I’m not sure what it is, but boxing just kicks ass. My husband, who is notoriously cheap, actually paid the $60 for the Tyson-Lewis fight this summer. However, since we were out of town, we missed the DeLaHoya-Vargas fight, and we had to catch the replay of it last night on HBO. That’s ok. The fight was GREAT. Just two guys beating the hell out of each other in the middle of the ring. Primal, animal rage pulsing through each of them (well, maybe not Oscar, since he’s such a nice boy). Anyway, to check out the Lederman review, click here.