Eureka!

Scientists have discovered a gene that makes people night owls.

A note to my husband: See? I can't help it. I'm genetically predisposed.

So That's What They're Calling It These Days...

"Comfort Shopping."

One could call it "lack of self-discipline," "greed," or a host of other unpleasant names. But "comfort shopping" sounds so much nicer...so much easier to rationalize.

A Hint to the Lawyers

If the Table of Authorities in your brief contains less than three case citations, your brief is likely a waste of time. Please, don't file it.

Leave the Walkie Talkies to the Kids

I am starting a movement. My cause? It's not animal rights or ridding the world of carbon emissions. No, it's much more important.

Quite simply, Nextel and other walkie-talkie phones must be outlawed. They are a nuisance to society.

I have a new hero.

Just When You Thought This State Couldn't Get Any Crazier...

"Albatross, a 9,000 pound African elephant, will make her debut September 1, 2007 in Tuscaloosa. "

That's right. Supposedly, a live elephant will be leading the Crimson Tide out of the tunnel this season. I wonder how it will react to Auburn's eagle circling above it. Or to the 90,000 screaming fans.

In any case, someone had better tell the State's other college team, Hoover High, that they're way behind in the live mascot war. I'm sure Probst will be on it tomorrow.

Criticism without Constructive Suggestions

Sometimes you have to wonder whether some Democratic leaders want us to lose in Iraq. From Senator Reid:

"I believe myself that the secretary of state, secretary of defense and - you have to make your own decisions as to what the president knows - (know) this war is lost and the surge is not accomplishing anything as indicated by the extreme violence in Iraq yesterday."

Excellent sermon by Piper on Biblical submission...

Book Deal for Rutgers Coach

I have wondered for the last few weeks why in the world the Rutgers team -- and coach, particularly -- wouldn't just drop the whole Imus situation and move on. Now it's clear.

Baby Gear Extravaganza

Jason and I have spent our Sunday assembling various pieces of baby gear and washing baby clothes. I thought that the family members who gave them to us might like to see them in working order. We're getting close to Baby Girl's arrival!

Pregnant Female Seeks Convenient Parking Place

As I rounded the Walmart parking lot on my endless search for a spot yesterday, it dawned on me. For the next month, I can take advantage of all of those "expectant mothers" parking spaces! I am obviously pregnant, completely awkward (my husband, in a lapse of judgment, actually referred to my walking as "waddling" the other day), and tired at the thought of walking across a big parking lot. So, I looked for the spaces that seemed so abundant when I was my normal size.

The problem? There were none. And I realized that they don't have them at my grocery store, my Walmart, or anywhere else I've been in Montgomery. Not even at exclusively baby-item stores (although most of those don't have such daunting lots as Walmart). So, I am on a hunt to find a store with expectant mothers parking. And when I do, they will have one loyal customer.

The Birthday Boy

Archie is one year old today. He got a new pillow bed for his birthday, and he loves it!

Backpeddling Scholars

Not surprisingly, the recent James Cameron documentary, claiming that people had found the family tomb of Jesus Christ (complete with the remains of an unrisen Jesus), may have had some flaws.

Gurgling with Germs

Thank goodness we escaped the latest contaminated product on the market. But only because the gallon-sized bottle of Listerine at our house is not in either of the recalled flavors.

I think Jason is cursed. From spinach to peanut butter to Listerine, it seems that all of the recalled products lately have been lurking in our cabinets. Maybe we should just grow our own vegetables and live off the land. Commercial products don't seem to be in our best interest.

It's Raining Ice

This is a picture of a piece of hail that fell at our house yesterday afternoon. According to my husband, it was one of many golfball-sized pieces.

"Thank God You're Here"

Jason and I have found a new favorite show. Based on an improv comedy show in Australia, the show pits funny celebrities against one another in a competition of wit. I have to say that I disagreed with the judge's decision last night--Wayne Knight should have won, hands down.

As with all improv shows, some episodes will likely be better than others. But the concept is great, and there were some very funny moments last night.

Hoover High: "Model High School"

Well, this ought to make my brother ill...

I say Model High School = Higher Home Values, so bring it on.

Cuteness in a Cramped Space

After a super-fun baby shower this weekend, I spent last evening organizing Hallie's loot into little baskets and putting them on shelves in our room (thank you, Aunt Sara and Kristin, for the baskets!). Since she'll be without a nursery until we move to Birmingham, it's tight quarters with all of this stuff. But what could possibly be cuter than baby clothes, shoes, socks, books... Anyway, here's a shot of her little corner in our room. (I took it with my phone, so excuse the quality).

Over- or Under-rated?

In the wake of the US News & World Report rankings (where Alabama is up to #36), this website has published a list of most underrated law schools.

It's an interesting idea, because while so many people put stock in the US News ratings, others take issue with their measurements. For instance, Alabama was a "Top 40" law school when I applied in 2003. Over the next three years, they fell out of the Top 40, and now they're back up to 36. And do I really think there was a large difference in the quality of education received between 2003 and this year? No. So, just what are we measuring?

The rankings are, of course, a catch-22. They interrupt the proper focus for a university or law school because the education of the student becomes secondary to all manner of other factors used in the ranking system. But they have become a necessary evil for administrators, because prospective students, alumni, and employers care about the rankings. If a school falls in the numbers, people want to know why. And if the school rises in the rankings, people get excited. And who has to take the blame or the credit? The school administration.

Incentives are a good thing, IF they are truly motivating schools to better educate their students.

Population Boom

In other news around Alabama, Huntsville is leading the pack on population growth. It has increased 9.6% since 2000. According to this article:

"Huntsville was the fastest-growing metro area in Alabama from 2000 to 2006, outpacing gains in the Birmingham, Montgomery and Mobile areas by more than 2 to 1, according to U.S. Census figures released Thursday. "

Things Are Not So Peachy Down in Chilton County

It appears there are no peach pies on the horizon in this part of the State. Chilton County is in danger of losing its entire peach crop if the temperatures drop as expected this weekend. This would cost the area $3-$5 million, and completely deprive southcentral Alabama of its most-revered produce (not to mention the fact that I would have very little reason to stop at the Peach Park or Durbin Farms in Clanton en route to Birmingham ... except the homemade ice cream, that is).

UPDATE: "Weekend damage rates in Chilton County ranged from 30 percent to 80 percent, depending on elevation, said Bobby Boozer, area horticulturist with the Chilton Research and Extension Center."

Invasion of Coyotes

I thought it was strange when my dad and brother recounted their roadkill adventure the other night. It seems that a coyote, wandering the streets of suburbia, was no match for my mom's Honda Odyssey.

However, this coyote caused quite a stir in downtown Chicago yesterday. Apparently coyotes are adapting just fine to residential and commercial areas and have decided to coexist among us.

It's a Proud, Proud Day

You've got to love it when someone from your home state makes it onto the Drudge Report. And you've especially got to love it when she does so because she got a DUI while riding through town on horseback at midnight.

Picking a Side

I posted a couple of weeks ago about the steep pay hike Alabama legislators gave themselves over Governor Riley's veto. Since the passage of the pay increase, six legislators have turned down the raise. Hats off to them.

I would note that not one of them is from the "Over the Mountain" area in Birmingham. I would encourage any legislator who was crying "foul" just days ago to put his money where his mouth is. If you opposed the pay increase, believing it was excessive, shouldn't you then refuse the money?

Bama Bangs

While some of us have been marvelling at the haircut for years, it took Two-a-Days for the rest of the country to wonder about it. The most amazing thing about this "hairstyle" is that it has prevailed for so long in the South. The current high school boys at my alma mater, including my little brother, look exactly like the boys who roamed the halls when I went to school there. It's a phenomenon with amazing longevity.

Peace in the Check out Line

In order to prevent riots, and for the sake of consumers everywhere, I am issuing guidelines for the use of the Self Check-out Lines. These guidelines apply in Walmart and in grocery stores. They are as follows:

Please reconsider use of the self check-out lines if:

1. Your fake fingernails are so long that you cannot make the screen recognize any button that you push. You must be able to push the buttons with actual skin in order for them to respond to what you are typing.
2. You have more than 20 items in your shopping cart.
3. The last time you used a computer was more than 5 years ago.
4. You have lots of coupons.
5. You have lots of produce and do not understand the "produce lookup" system.
6. Family members and friends have lovingly joked that you are not the "sharpest knife in the drawer," "brightest bulb in the box," etc.
7. You like to chat with the checkout girl or guy. The checkout person will be responsible for all lines at the self check-out section and simply cannot focus on you. If you require such personal attention, please go to another line.
8. You did not drive yourself to the store because your family members have determined that you are too old to be driving. Or you drove to the store at a rate less than 45 miles per hour.
9. You don't really care if you get home before your ice cream melts and milk spoils.
10. You must care for more than one child while scanning your groceries.

Please understand that if you fit into one of these categories it is not a reflection on you as a person. It is, however, a reflection on your ability to use the self check-out system with optimum results. These lanes were meant for customers with fewer groceries, electronic aptitude, and a need to exit the store in a timely manner. If this is not you, please defer to the longstanding "full service" check-out lines. Thank you.