First Birthday

My two baby nieces, Elena and Krianna, celebrated their first birthdays today. Krianna’s was actually Jan. 28, and Elena’s is Feb. 13.

Elena has just started to crawl, while Krianna is walking all over. I can’t believe what perfect little people they are. And SO darling. Each time they see each other, they are more aware. Now, they are actually starting to play together. This is normally delightful, until, of course, Krianna bounces a ball off Elena’s head and she begins to wail.

When it came time for cake, we put their highchairs side by side. Mom had ordered a set of “1″ cakes. Two small ones and one big one. When they were laid out side by side… I couldn’t help but notice that it was Eleventy One! (I’m a dork.) Krianna had had a cake on her birthday and knew just what to do. She demolished it within 5 minutes. Elena was much more dainty. Or so we thought. Just when she really started to get her hands into it, someone asked how big she was. She obediently raised her hands high above her and then brought them down solidly on her head where she proceeded to smear and rub the cake into every follicle of her hair. When she was satisfied that her hair would never come clean, she decided to rub her tired eyes. Oy! I laughed so hard it hurt. She repeated the same motions at least 3 times. Meanwhile, Krianna had taken her “how old is Krianna?” finger and stuck it deep into her right ear. I am certain the frosting will permanently impair her hearing.

Of course, these are only exerpts of the constant joy these two babies bring us. And my sister Wende has a boy on the way!

Banned Commercials

Along the same lines as our primary dicussion, check out this commercial that was rejected to air during the superbowl. If you like that one, check out the runner-up, best animated and best youth commercials here. Give them a minute to load.

Upcoming Primaries

I was hoping you all could help me with my research on candidates for the upcoming primaries (Tuesday in Missouri). If there is something you really like or dislike about someone, please share. If you have come across a really informative website, please include it in your comments.

And since this is my own forum, I will take the opportunity to say that after all our country has been through and everything that it is supposed to represent, it disgusts me that we can’t manage to have even ONE major contender who is non-caucasion or female. Urgh.

Insert Title Here

(I am not good at coming up with catchy titles yet.)

Friday night I went to a minor league hockey game. The Quad City Mallards easily won the game against the Missouri River Otters. However, in the gladiatorial aspect of the event, the Mallards were lacking. In the first two fights, the Mallard was able to end on top. But the brawl at the buzzer was so brutally crushing to the Mallard player that the Otters certainly took home the “Idiots Fighting” award.

Saturday night was of a much different nature. I saw a one-man comedic play called “Fully Committed” at the ArtLoft downtown. The acting amazed me, but my friends and I agreed the script was a bit hollow. After drinks and sushi at Rue 13, we headed to a friend’s apartment where I listened to and learned much about the mbira. Who knew?

Recent movies: Jesus’ Son (which has nothing to do with the savior) has made me fall more in love with Billy Crudup, despite his degenerate character. I recommend this movie, but admit that I need to see it again. It was pretty deep. Run, Lola Run was more superficially entertaining. Warning: subtitles- the film is in German. Sidenote: JJ Abrams swiped a few things from this movie, especially Lola’s red hair, for his Alias series premier.

Back to Work

Two snow days = lots of shit to do at work.

Snow Day

Most St. Louisan’s didn’t go to work today. At least, that’s how it seemed on the roads at 5 p.m. Not to mention, every single school in the area had been cancelled, including the District where I work. I did nothing, and it was pretty wonderful. Disappointingly, my soap opera (which I only watch when I am sick or have snow days) was preempted by a special viewing of the Mass showing the seating of the new St. Louis Archbishop Burke. I watched an hour or so of it mostly because I was entertained by seeing seminarians and priests that I know, and even my friend Christine in the congregation. I have mixed feelings about the new bishop. He is supposed to be a good man who is very in line with the Pope. He is extremely pro-life. However, his extended schooling is in canon law and he may come down on some things I appreciate, like the type of music done at Life Teen masses. Time will tell.

On a complete sidenote, I would like to say “YAY” to the best film and best director Golden Globe awards going to Return of the King and Peter Jackson. It’s about time.