IT SNOWED!!!!

I woke up this morning, glanced out the window just in case there was some snow and THERE WAS A LOT!! At least 2-3 inches. Unfortunately, Tech is probably the only campus in town (or in Georgia) that isn't closed or delayed in opening. So, I just hope I don't wipe out on the slush-covered sidewalks.
Happy snow day!!

(stock picture from snow in AU two years ago)

Good legislation

Bad legislation

Net change in my opinion of Georgia: zero.

I love this: Duck Brand duct tape has a scholarship contest called "Stuck@Prom" where couples go to prom dressed in duct tape attire. I love it. I just might have a new craft project (though sadly I am past my prom years.... maybe my sister will let me dress her for prom next year??)

(the link goes to previous winners, they're.... intricate).

I completely forgot that it was Fat Tuesday. That means tomorrow, we all have to give fun stuff up (I do it just to prove I can). I'm giving up cheese (because my doctor is making me do so anyway), and...(thinking about what I can live without).... white bread. I've been trying to cut down on processed foods, so the super-soft stuff has got to go. I retain my right to eat french bread (it's chewy, so it doesn't count).

(I'm sure you really care, but studies have shown that public declarations result in better resolution-keeping)

Web-goddess linked to a great metafilter thread of jokes. My favorites (that weren't too long):

A woman walks into a bar and asks for a double entendre, so the barman gives her one.

Knock Knock.
Who's there?
Woo.
Woo who?
Calm down, it's just a joke.

Okay, two sausages are sitting in a frying pan. The first sausage says, "Is it getting hot in here to you?" The second sausage then replies, "Holy crap, a talking sausage!"

best one Halloween night. A kid comes to the door dressed as a pirate. The man who answers the door says "What are you supposed to be?" The kid says "A pirate". The man says "Yeah? Where are your buccaneers?" The kid says "Under my buccan' hat".

Anyone who knows me (or has ever seen my webpages) knows I have been a Jump, Little Children fan since August of 1999, yes mere weeks after coming to college. After years of growing ever closer, Jump (as they have now poser-ly started to go by) has become distant. New name, new music, but worst of all, no old music. This saddens me. We've grown apart. The magic has somehow died.
This has happened before, but this time I just don't have the energy to go all the way to Athens to be reinvigorated as a J,LC fan. So, I hate to say this, but Jump and I aren't seeing each other right now.
Maybe some day things will change, but after not making my pilgrimage to Charleston this year (after two great years) and missing the acoustic tour, I've decided we can live without each other. I'm sorry Jump.

BTW, if you're not a fan of Jump, Little Children, you still should be. They make great music and I love my albums still, but the concert-going frenzy is over for me.

Have I mentioned I'm a FARK addict now? Not only do I get heads up on news (a la the drudge report), but the posters make sure the headlines are darn funny:

U.S. National Debt goes over $7,000,000,000,000. Americans, you owe your government $23,976.15 (article)

Isolated for 20 years, family talks in grunts. Jodie Foster still tay inna weeun (article)
---this one's probably just funny because we used to mock that exact phrase circa 1996

Police on the lookout for woman who ran off without paying bill after receiving "biggest silicone implants available." If caught, authorities say it could be biggest bust ever (can't find article)

Intimate text message sent to wrong phone, nearly causes divorce

That'll put a damper on your Valentine's romance...

If I can't say anything interesting, I can at least say something useful:

Three things: Cool words from my current book Victoria's Daughters (Packard)

par·ve·nu
Function: noun
: one that has recently or suddenly risen to an unaccustomed position of wealth or power and has not yet gained the prestige, dignity, or manner associated with it
(my new favorite insult)

per·spi·ca·cious
Function: adjective
Of acute mental vision or discernment : KEEN
synonym see SHREWD

en·fi·lade
Function: noun
An interconnected group of rooms arranged usually in a row with each room opening into the next

The Feynman Problem Solving Algorithm:
1) Write down the problem.
2) Think very hard.
3) Write down the solution.

("So long, and thanks for the Ph.D.!" )

Wow, just when I complain, I start having things to talk about:

Amtrak president says Bush funding proposal would shut down railroad- doesn't Amtrak threaten to shut down every year in order to get more money? It's not a practical system anyway, I don't exactly see what we're saving... (seriously, try to book a trip from ATL to DC or New Orleans... it will take days and cost a ton).

Atkins-Blasting 'Physicians' Committee is a Front Group for PETA - okay, okay... so PETA might be crossing the line with their "physicians" group that recommends crazy, unsubstantiated medical advice... but it's no worse than Bush & Co. and it amuses me much, much more. Those crazy PETA folks and their over-the-top tactics!!!

I don't care if it's not cool to have fun with valentine's day-- I'm going to have a v-day picture and a cool link from LYD:
Funny, weird valentines - trust me, they're a riot. My favorite is probably the last one- the dog with a cone around his head. So random, I love it.

I haven't found much I want to talk about lately... I've been checking the Drudge Report and Fark religiously, but I need a page with more diversions... like MetaFilter... but cooler. Any suggestions?

The Friday Five on Sunday:

1. What's the most daring thing you've ever done?
Participated in Government Club and went to the 3-day conference WITHOUT MY FRIENDS. At the time, that was a big step for me. I think that helped give me the confidence to go to Tech, which turned out great.

2. What one thing would you like to try that your mother/friend/significant other would never approve of?
I've often thought it would be fun to join the Peace Corps. My mom would be terrified for me (and I am definitely too worried for myself to actually do it).

3. On a scale of 1-10, what's your risk factor? (1=never take risks, 10=it's a lifestyle)
2.5 - I'm a little ashamed, but also not willing to up the ante.

4. What's the best thing that's ever happened to you as a result of being bold/risky?
Had a fabulous summer studying in France.

5. ... and what's the worst?
Hmmm, I guess if I took more chances, I'd have a good failure story... and probably a lot more success stories.

This game warms my little feminist heart: Throw Rocks at Boys

(link courtesy of metafilter)

CNN ranks the most lucrative college degrees to have... my degree is bottom rung, 3XK is number 5. Good thing I'm going to grad school!

I'm going back to Twist tonight (previous post). This time it's not for the yummy food, but to celebrate the 21st birthday of my fellow Francophile, Steph. I always looked over at the crowded bar area in horror... I'm not exactly thrilled, but I'm sure it will be fun.

Favorite Super Bowl ad: NFL:

"As of tomorrow, we'll all be undefeated again."

This whole 'replacing evolution with the phrase 'biological changes over time'' is too ridiculous to even comment on. However, I found this interesting:

"Nationwide ridicule of Georgia's public education system will be inevitable if this proposal is adopted," said Carter, a former Georgia governor. (from this AJC article)

This could bring about a wonderful change-- using Georgia as the touchstone "redneck, uneducated" state instead of Alabama. GA kids are already #50 on some measures of school success, now it's finally gaining some attention... I'm so mean, but dangit, we don't deserve the bad rep.

LAURA!!!!! and everyone else who likes funny rap - read this plain English translation of 50 Cents' and Lil Kim's "Magic Stick"

Excerpt:
Shorty don't believe me, then come with me tonight
And I'll show you maaagic
(What? What?) Maaagic
I got the magic stick
EQUALS
What? you don’t believe me? If you join me tonight in a social situation you will see for yourself that I am a phenomenal person.
What did you say? Did I studder?
My phallus is incredible.

(link courtesy of LYD)