A Musical Tag! *** UPDATED 11:00PM CST ***

I wanted to participate in the Fun Monday assignment, but with my trip to D.C. starting tomorrow, I just don't have time to flesh out what my "perfect world" would entail. Love and understanding - yeah, but how interesting would a world be without conflict? I DO know that each and every day MUST include music, and appropriately, I've been tagged by Claudia - definitely sealing my spot as the slowest runner in the blogosphere. But this is harder than most, b/c I'm supposed to "come up with 7 songs I am currently enjoying." Like Claudia, I'm thinking ONLY SEVEN?!?!? Tough for a musical junkie!

(As you can tell, there are NINE songs on here as of late - so I failed another assignment.)

But what better way to leave you before I go on my blogging vacation? If you take time to check out all seven offerings, one per day - you won't even realize Tiggerlane is gone.

The first offering is typical "pop," introduced to me by The Offspring. It has a horribly catchy melody, and I was cursing her for an entire day at work b/c I was singing it to myself incessantly. It's a little naughty, and the first people that came to mind when I heard this song were Matt and Matt. The song is performed by Say Anything, and the title is "Wow, I Can Get Sexual, Too."

Lily Allen is one of my new favorites, and another discovery by The Offspring. This is the title track from her album "LDN," and this song makes me just want to bounce around the living room like a perky sprite.

If you read this post, then you already are familiar with this song. It's by Hellogoodbye, the band I'm currently obsessing over, as you can see from my new musical section in the right hand column. (Major thanks go out to Dan for being patient with The Neophyte and making that section possible!) The title is "Here in Your Arms." It reminds me of the more innocent days, when making out as a teenager was like the most AWESOME thing EVER!

Lenny Kravitz is one of my favorite musicians, and this track from the movie "Blue Crush" is entitled "If I Could Fall in Love Again." Lenny is sexy as hell, by the way.

Bloodhound Gang's members are actual friends of the boys from Jackass, and this is one of their tamer videos, "Uhn Tiss Uhn Tiss Uhn Tiss." I think I've been in this club.

You may not have heard of Shiny Toy Guns, but I spin this track at least four times a week. Driving rock mixed with techno, with a beat you can dance to, here is "Le Disko."

Lucky number seven is another group discovered by The Offspring, called Mindless Self Indulgence. She says I'm totally uncool for saying their name, b/c they are known to her as merely "MSI." The video for "Straight to Video" is a little odd, especially since I've never before seen a male blow-up doll. However, it's a good song.

Many of you will be surprised that I didn't include anything by Prince - my favorite artist of all time. He hasn't released anything in the last month, or it would be my current obsession. If you haven't picked up anything since his purple days, you have missed out on some great tunage.

Now, as a musician and an artist, I am compelled to keep an extremely open mind. That means putting aside judgment and taking the music and lyrics for what they are - and not being hypercritical of the message. This next song is a bonus, but it is VERY controversial. However, Nine Inch Nails has never been anything BUT controversial - and this is one of their best songs ever. I understand exactly what Trent Reznor is saying here in "Closer," but the more sensitive among you SHOULD NOT WATCH this video if you are easily offended. Or even if you are NOT easily offended. This is raw, sexual song, and some of the images are quite graphic. This is the undedited version, not seen on MTV, containing brief nudity and the f-bomb, in its literal use. However, Reznor's conflict is evident in the line, "My whole existence is flawed/You bring me closer to God." You've been warned.

That whole video reminded me of the movie "The Cell."

UPDATED SECTION:
If you feel you got robbed, having to miss out on that last video b/c of content, let's see how open-minded you REALLY are. The Offspring was singing this to herself, and I about fell over. After watching it, I freakin' CRACKED UP! So, yeah, I'm a sicko, after all. This is from The Whitest Kids You Know, and it's called "Hitler Rap." Enjoy.

I won't return until April 2nd and will NOT have access to a computer or email - so wish me luck in D.C.!

Tagged, Because I'm the Slowest Runner

Many months ago, the lovely Desert Songbird tagged me in this post, and I got horribly busy and didn't respond in the time dictated by good blogger etiquette. Luckily, she is forgiving, so I'm just now completing my assignment. Better late than never!

It's been really hard to top my previous admissions of weirdness. However, the post is only supposed to be "five things about me that I haven't revealed in previous posts." If you know me, you know I'm the Queen of T.M.I. - making this assignment even more difficult. But, here goes:

1. I recently discovered that I tend to hold my breath while taking a shower. Most likely due to the fact that I had severe hydrophobia as a child, and still can't swim very well. I've been doing deep breathing in the shower now - so I'm not in danger of passing out and leaving a messy scene for Roger to explain to the authorities.

2. I took dance lessons all the way through college, and I still keep up with the latest moves. Wanna go clubbing?

3. I can tie a cherry stem in a knot with my tongue easily.

4. I can't stand the supercilious attitude of George W. Bush and his cronies. Seeing as I'll be in D.C. next week, it's probably not a good time to admit this - the FBI and CIA could nab me while I'm in town for making such an unpatriotic statement.

5. We have a collection of "If" books, which are books of questions - mostly fun in large party groups. The most challenging is Volume 3 - Questions in the Game of Love. These are VERY provocative queries, and I am selecting a tame answer and response, because some of my readers are a little sensitive. I was asked one time if I HAD to sleep with a celebrity of the same sex, who would I choose? There you see her, the lucky Miss Natalie Portman.

Not to change the subject, but WTF is going on with American Idol? Can anyone give me a rational explanation as to WHY this talentless child is still on the show? I enjoyed Idol last year, and had never watched before then - but if this year's idiocy continues, you can count this musician OUT.

A Day in the Life

This week's assignment was particularly difficult, as we were challenged by enidd "to write a post describing a typical day in your life and give us a feel for your life as a whole." I'm warning you now that there is nothing "typical" about a day in the life of Tiggerlane. Every day is wildly different from the previous one, which is wonderful.

EVERY day MUST include music. I am a musician, and so are my husband and daughter. Thank goodness music fills my home, or I would have to take long drives, just to get my fix. You can visit my MySpace page for a sampling. Current listens include favorite bands and songs from my past, such as Ninch Inch Nails, or songs introduced to me by The Offspring, like this new one from Gym Class Heroes:

I'm also a news junkie, so each morning I have to check out Robin & Company on CNN Headline News. She is so bright and funny and perky - it gets my morning off to a great start.

Most days, I go to the orifice, but usually don't spend any time in my actual office.
I also totally enjoy spending time with friends. Not a week goes by that we don't have visitors at the house, which fills it with lots of fun.

I looooooove sports. And during football season, you might as well bank on the fact that I will be watching a game, somewhere, somehow.

My beautiful mutt-dog, Lucky Loo Poo Woo, gets attention from me each day...be it a long walk, or a chase, or just crashing on the couch so I can rub his belly.

I get about 150 - 200 emails a day, and NO...most of them are NOT spam. Sometimes, I find myself laughing my tail off at something like this (if you're a PETA member, please don't watch. And don't comment me with nastiness):

I also contribute a lot of time and energy to my Rotary District, and to my local Rotary club. I am extremely passionate about this part of my life, because I have been blessed with so much that I feel an incredible obligation to give to others.

The best part of every day? The time I get to spend with Roger and Amber. Our relationship is so important to me - I often wonder if I would make it without them.
Each day usually ends with me being totally exhausted, which is fine by me. It means I have accomplished something, which gives me great satisfaction.

BIG WHOOOOOOOOOOOP!

SWEET 16, BABY!

Gettin' Popped

I'm no longer a chiropractic virgin! I got popped for the first time yesterday, and although I was scared, nervous and panicky - it went pretty well! I made the appointment based on advice from my massage therapist, who was amazed at the tension in my back and neck (I'm sure frequent computer use and 4-inch heels contribute to that). She made sure I had two deep tissue massages before visiting the chiropractor. During the first visit, he asked lots of questions, took many x-rays, performed several motion/reflex tests, administered a TENS unit treatment, and stretched me gently. He also gave me a solid neck-popping, after I FINALLY relaxed. I have visits scheduled during the next two weeks to fully work out all of my "kinks." I am already experiencing increased range of motion in my neck, back and arms, so SOMETHING is working. If you've had any experience with bone-crackers, fill me in.

One of my claims to fame is the ability to recite the alphabet backwards. Guess when I learned how to do it, and why? As you'll see here, it can come in handy - but you still might get popped.

Fun Monday Recipe, Tiggerlane Style

It's Fun Monday time! Another assignment that Yours Truly is doomed to fail. Beccy is this week's hostess, and our assignment was to "post a recipe that would inspire me to get into the kitchen to chop, cut, grate, boil, steam, roast, chill, freeze and eat, eat, eat." Well, I've got the best inspiration of all: an alcoholic drink recipe.

Not just ANY drink, but one I weaseled out of a male waiter at Chili's. It's called the "Presidente Margarita," and here is a copy of the recipe he gave me, on the sly, after I batted my lashes and cajoled him a bit:

The Chili's shaker is a must-have for beginning this drink, which only costs $2 after you buy the drink itself. I must state as a disclaimer that anyone under the age of 21 should LOOK AWAY. NOW!

Ingredients include some pricey liquor, from left to right: Sauza Tequila, El Presidente Brandy, Cointreau, lime juice, sweet and sour mix, and ice.

Step one, fill the shaker with ice:

Step two, add 1 1/4 shots of Sauza:
Step two and a half, (if you want to deviate from the recipe a bit, Tiggerlane-style) add a dash of the new Jose Cuervo Black:
Step three, add one shot of Presidente brandy:

Step four, add 3/4 shot of Cointreau. Look at that price tag. OUCH!

Step five, add one shot of lime juice:

Step six, fill the rest of the tumbler with sweet and sour mix. And then say that four times real fast, because shortly, you will no longer be able to. Put the cute little caps back on the tumbler, and shake vigorously. Preferably over your sink, in case after your second or third drink, you lose the ability to gauge how tightly you are NOT holding said caps on tumbler:

Froth is desired, yes, indeed. Pour into glass,

and ENJOY! (FYI, in Tiggerlane's world, salt is only good for shooting tequila and making INSTANT margaritas - a recipe that requires a recliner and a lot of stupidity.)

Don't know about you, but I'm hungry!

Tiggergate

I'm getting VERY excited! My trip to Washington D.C. is finally coming together...and sneaking up very soon. I've never been, so I'm open to any and all suggestions as to what "not to miss." Pictured to the left is the fabulous Watergate Hotel, where we will be staying. Seriously, what says "D.C." better than this place? Corruption, scandal, intrigue. I can't wait.

Swampy has already provided some great ideas, and I already know that I want to attend a show or the ballet at the Kennedy Center, visit Arlington National Cemetery, and take a tour of the Monuments by Moonlight! I don't want to cram too much into the week, and definitely want to leave a good day to check out shopping, but what would you suggest?

If you've been to D.C., or merely WANT to go in your lifetime, what would be the MUST-DO/SEE event for you?

Fun Monday, Wherein I Prove to be an Idiot

I've thought and thought, and contrary to popular myth, I am having trouble sucking.

The High School Valedictorian and perfectionist Virgo in me are conspiring to make this Fun Monday a lesson in abject failure. Mindy's assignment is to "Write the worst opening sentence that you can come up with and accompany this atrocity with a photo of your setting, a character or a bit of action that relates to the opening line or (for those who do not have a camera) a written description of same." Uh...harder than it looks. I love writing. I love being concise and poignant and descriptive. So, I'm "tweaking" Mindy's assigment by taking some license with it. "Worst" opening sentence could also mean "most disgusting," right? Sure.

So, if you're squeamish, stop reading now. I'm serious. Look away. The sentence is coming:

"Stella's arthritic hands fumbled with the colostomy bag, as she had never changed it herself outside a hospital environment; luckily, her faithful dog, Oink, was there to lick up the spillage as her bathroom floor puddled with feces."

Don't say I didn't warn you. Just be thankful I couldn't come up with a more descriptive photo.

A Day Late, Many Dollars Short...

I'm late with the Fun Monday post assignment, hosted by Willowtree. Not sure how it affects my grade or how many points I will lose in Blogging 101 class, but I DID do my best to calm the restless natives by posting photos from my party weekend, featuring ample cleavage. So that MUST count for something.I blog from work most of the time, since The Offspring hogs our home computer. This is where I am blogging from now - our front desk - as I sit for Lanna's lunch hour. (She is the girl featured in the last two photos of yesterday's post.) This machine works well, and for some reason, I write better under pressure. Working the desk, answering the phone, and greeting clients as they enter the door makes for a chaotic environment, prompting me to be concise in my writing.Sometimes, I'm forced to upload photos from our office camera (which I did today), and this is the only computer that recognizes my old Kodak DC4800. It is located in our common computer room. Most of photo uploads are done here.
This is where I get brazen. My private, upstairs office. I'm always scurrying around the building, so I'm rarely in here - but if there is something weighing heavily on my mind, and I want VERY private time to blog and measure my words carefully, I'll blog from here.

Here is another view of my office. I figured I should take photos today, since the cleaning lady has recently visited, dusted my corners and vacuumed the floor. Like my skylight? I don't think I've turned on the lights in this room 10 times since I moved into this space 5 years ago.
No, I'm not THAT narcissistic. The mirror to the left used to be a window. When we remodeled the building to add more offices, I had to decide between a two-way mirror that would allow me to spy on my agents in the next office, or a regular mirror. Figuring I'd get nothing more than a disgusting display of bodily habits and a feeling of voyeurism with the two-way, I opted for the regular mirror. At least I can check my posture on occasion.
Last view of my office - and NO, the couch is rarely used. (I know what you're thinking, Matt!) There's a funky '70s mirror above the couch that I just can't toss.

Well, there you have it! I have been totally absent from the blogosphere since last Thursday. Our DSL, cell phones and long distance all went down due to a fiber optic cable accident that afternoon, and I had no time during my weekend to blog. I promise to visit you all and respond to comments by tomorrow, as well as visit your blogging environments!

Better Late Than Never

I promise to post my Fun Monday assignment later today. I had a big weekend out of town, and then ended up having to answer phones and work the front desk at my orifice today - so I'm WAY behind schedule and trapped! Look for my post by 2PM CST!

IMPORTANT UPDATE!! Looks like there's NO WAY I'm gonna get this done today. Not gonna happen. To appease you, here is a glimpse of the kind of weekend Tiggerlane enjoyed, until I can get my assignment together!

The Controversy Continues...

Just another quick post. I really have some cool things to tell you all, and I still have to finish my "tag" assignment.

But have to update you regarding this post. Evidently, Merck has received negative responses to its new Garadsil vaccine, and made this decision today.

Congrats, Willowtree!

Just a quick post - because Willowtree was feeling left out of blog honors (not a click for those afraid of the f-bomb), and he was persistent enough to take another stab at Monday's quote question - I'm giving him public props. Most of you assumed that any quote with "my precious" in it would have been spoken by Smeagol, or Gollum, from the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. It was a bit of a trick question, seeing as the exact quote was an "under his breath" utterance from someone else!

Willowtree guessed this first:
"Tiff, Gollum (or smeagal) spoke that line, and although it's not a movie yet, I think the first time he said it was actually in the Hobbit when Bilbo first found it."

The only participant to mention the book. Way to go! In fact, I thought for a moment he might have me - since I didn't have a copy of the actual text to peruse.

And then, he brilliantly came back with this:
"Ok then, if it was not Smeagol, then it was Bilbo Baggins (the other long time holder), and I would say that he said it to Gandalf, when Gandalf wanted him to hand it over before he left after his birthday party at the beginning of Fellowship of the Ring."
WOOHOOO!! Way to go! Explicit, mentioned locale, a great answer! Even mentioned the exact movie title of the trilogy. Unfortunately, I don't have a prize, except adulation. Which sounds kinda naughty. Which might actually be enough.

You can check out the script of the movie here, but since this is an extremely "linky" post, here is the context:

Gandalf: I think you should leave the ring behind, Bilbo. Is that so hard?
Bilbo: Well, no.
[frowning]
Bilbo: ...and yes. Now it comes to it, I don't feel like parting with it. It's mine, I found it. It came to me!
Gandalf: There's no need to get angry.
Bilbo: Well, if I'm angry, it's your fault.
[to himself]
Bilbo: ...it's mine... my own... my precious...
Gandalf: Precious? It's been called that before, but not by you.

See that link about IMDB in my list? Go check out all sorts of trivia! It's a pop culture whore's dream!

"It's mine... My own... My precious..."

Another Fun Monday assignment, co-hosted by Karmyn R and an anonymous yet entertaining associate of Marnie's.

It was difficult to come up with just ONE precious thing - and as Pamela commented in the post below, the most precious is my daughter. But that's too easy.

Much like a gypsy (maybe therein lies my heritage, eh, Matt?) - I always wear several gold rings. A total of FOUR on my wedding finger (see the sapphires, Willowtree?), my Texas Aggie ring, my MBA ring, and then, my most prized - I've worn it on my left hand ring finger for almost 21 years.

I received this ring from my grandmother - my mother's mom. Before you get all in a twitter, I'm talking about the only family I've ever known - my adoptive family. My grandmother attended Marlborough School, a prestigious all-girls' high school in Los Angeles, CA. The inscription inside the ring is "BCM 1934," for Barbara Corinne Morrow - graduated in 1934. My grandmother sent it to me shortly before my own high school graduation in 1986. The crest and lettering were once clearly defined; they have worn down now, and the ring has taken on the shape of my finger. (By the way, I had to have a lot of help taking this photograph. It's nearly impossible to take a photo of your own right hand, and I don't have a fancy camera with a macro-lens like Ree's. The ring I'm talking about is the top one in this photo.)

My grandmother was articulate and wrote long letters to me over the years, discussing everything from current events to stories of her past. As the eldest of her granddaughters, even sharing her middle name, I felt very close to her - even though we lived many miles apart. I only saw her a few times after my family moved to Texas in 1976. The last time was during Christmas of 1992, when I flew to California to visit my parents, who were then serving as my grandparents' caretakers. Unfortunately, she was no longer completely lucid, and our conversations were limited by the onset of her Alzheimer's.

I started this post late last night - too late to phone my mom and ask more about my grandmother's past. I knew she had attended college, but couldn't remember where. I found a "missing alumni" entry for Barbara Morrow Weir at the Alpha Phi site, in the UCLA Beta Delta chapter, with a graduation year of 1938. I assume she married my grandfather during her college years. I remember hearing that she had also attended Cornell University, though I wasn't able to access their alumni site for verification.

I am extremely proud of my grandmother, as it was quite an achievement for a young lady to attend college during the Depression Era of the mid-1930's. The ring reminds me of the challenges she might have faced, as well as her determination to receive a quality education. I am honored to wear it each day, and it has given me courage to face adversity as I seek my own place in this world.

Oh! And I'm giving bonus points for those of you who can correctly name the movie character whose quote I used to title this post!

Bad, Bad, Tiggerlane...

"Baddest broad in the whole....."

Oh, sorry...got to singin' there.

I know, I've been a bad girl. I was tagged by the beautiful Desert Songbird, and haven't completed my assignment. I haven't been blog visiting much. Also, I can't even tell you without looking it up what our next Fun Monday assignment is. BAD Blogger behavior.

The GOOD news is threefold:
1. We had a VERY successful week at the orifice.
2. We have been blessed by visits from various friends like Emily (who managed to treat me to lunch the other day - knowing I would never stop to eat during work unless forced, and I NEED the nutrition! Thanks, Em!).
3. I have basically finished the revision of our house plan, with the exception of inking the final copy to show the builder next week!

To appease you (and demonstrate why I can't blog much from home), I'm sharing some photos The Lovely Offspring has been toying with using Photoshop. She is fiddling with tons of photos, all the time. (As a sidenote, I'm finally seeing a little bit of me in her.)

Lovin' Arkansas

Just a quick post, for those of you who are envious of my current location. If you haven't already, check out Songbird's post about where we live. She offers a different perspective, with more photos.

And I apologize for not blogging more frequently - my business is in full swing, and I have to take advantage of it when I can!

OH...ALMOST FORGOT: HAPPY VD!

Why I Love Where I Live

Another FUN MONDAY assignment -hosted by everyone's favorite Canadian, Marnie. Mena is my home at present - a 5,600 population town located in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas. This is our state park, and the Queen Wilhelmina Lodge.

As a real estate agent, I could go on and on about our incredibly low property taxes. When I disclose the annual tax bill for a property, most people are shocked. For example, I live in a 1400 square foot house in the city limits, with annual property taxes of $279. Since we receive a homestead credit of $300 each year, I don't pay a dime! Even my 3,400 square foot office building, located on an acre of prime highway frontage, has yearly taxes of only $1,800. So if you're cheap - this is the place for you!

LOW crime. Around these parts (how hick does that sound?), most people own police scanners. If there is a violent crime, it usually stems from an ongoing domestic situation. The schools are very safe, and the fact that everyone knows everyone else can provide a measure of safety, too.

Over 70% of the county is National Forest property - so it can only become so populated. Even better, the scarcity of land almost guarantees that the demand for real estate will increase annually. But prices are still very low compared to those in the rest of the nation. Ever watch thos home improvement shows? Or "Flip This House?" I think people could do REALLY well here. For example, check out this house, and compare it to those you see on tv.

We also enjoy four distinct seasons. The most beautiful of all is Fall.

I don't plan to live here forever, but Mena will always be special to me for two reasons.
1) I met my husband here.
2) My daugher was born here.

Now I'm trotting off to visit your town - should make for another exhausting, but FUN Monday!

To Gardasil, or Not to Gardasil?

I'm in a quandary, folks, and I need your input. Especially yours, swampy. I got into a lively discussion with my dear friend/twin sister (who happens to work for an OB/GYN) about the imperative need to inject my daughter with Gardasil, the new vaccine that, according to their official website, MAY help guard against diseases caused by HPV and some cervical cancers. (Guys, you have my permission to bail on this post now.) Texas will begin REQUIRING girls to receive this vaccine by the fall of 2008.

I am not "anti-medicine," but I am extremely leery of all the drugs that are pushed on today's society. Eating a bunch of crap that makes your tummy hurt? Take a pill so you can continue your gluttony! Only want your period four times a year? There's a pill for that, too! Look at the pretty green moth/sleep fairy! One night, I counted FOURTEEN different drug advertisements during two hours of television. What is going on? You can't open a magazine or watch television or surf the Internet without seeing at least ONE drug ad.

And what of the side effects? They rattle through the list like it's insignificant, but listen carefully and you'll hear horrible terms like "bleeding" and "stroke" and "liver disorders." Or maybe you'll have to wade through four pages of fine print to discover the hidden side effects.

Remember Vioxx? How about Norplant? Oh, and let's not leave out the Ortha Evra patch, which is now under scrutiny b/c of the serious health risks it has been found to cause.

Drug companies want to make money. And they don't always have our best interests in mind. I implore you to read this article before making your judgment.

Personally, I don't trust the pharmaceutical industry. I know that there are fabulous, life-saving treatments and medicines that work, and since my husband is a nurse, I am privy to personal stories of success. But can man really play God, and mess with our biological chemistry to this extent, in such a way that we are much better off?

At this point, I don't want my daughter to receive this new vaccine. It has only recently been introduced to the market, and no one knows what the long-term side effects could be. It MAY help prevent cancer - but what if the side effects create something worse? Please give me your input...

The Best Blog You're Not Reading

I used to dread Mondays, but the past few have been GREAT, thanks to the new "posting games" hosted by my blogging buddies. This week's hostess is swampy, and she's curious about blogger posts that inspire us.

If you read Angelina Williamson at Dustpan Alley, you know there's powerful stuff there. POWERFUL stuff. I chose to share this photo from her blog, because she once wrote, "This is how I wish to be remembered, both now, and when I'm gone. Spiritually speaking, this is what I will look like for all time. If I come back as a ghost, this is what frightened little girls will see come out of their closets."

Recent events in the blogosphere, and...well...OTHER recent events in the blogosphere make her writings even more poignant to me. She weighs in on the first debate in a ponderous post cleverly entitled The Puritanical Motherhood Witch Hunt. If tackling controversial, heartfelt issues makes you uneasy, then you're not ready for the bare-naked and fabulous blog that is Angelina's purest inner dialogue, spilling forth.

Angelina uses the blogging medium as a catharsis. Yes, she can rant like nobody's business. And yes, she's a mom. But most impressive is her perseverant journey to open both her own online store and a traditional brick and mortar site.

Our Monday challenge was: "What is the most significant, powerful post you have ever read?" I respectfully submit two from the Alley for your consideration.

Read St. Vincent de Paul, and you will likely never walk into a thrift store again with nonchalance.

Ten Things I Know For Sure contains straightforward advice, uncensored and unabashed - and most importantly, may prompt you to reconsider your perspective on life.

Thankfully, I wrote the bulk of this before Super Bowl coverage began. Now, I'm going to tie one on for the COLTS. And NO ONE can say that Prince didn't SHRED halftime! I'm going to bed a happy Tigger tonight!

Let's keep these Monday assignments going, gang. It's good for a Neophyte - like a college course in Blogging 101!

Super Sunday

I maniacally cleaned house last Sunday, in a futile attempt to hide my football withdrawal tremors. I despise the end of football season. If given a choice between giving up football or giving up, say, makeup...or french fries...or (gasp!) high heels...for the rest of my life? Well, let's just say I'd be paler, thinner, and definitely shorter.

Not that it's any surprise - I'm picking Peyton and the Colts. I've been rooting for them all season, mostly b/c it's Manning's time. He is due. I know the Bears have an incredible defense, but Manning is adaptable. For instance, he proved against the Pats that he didn't need wide receiver Marvin Harrison to make big plays. He used three other receivers, including a DEFENSIVE TACKLE!! Anyone watching that playoff game saw the calm, cool confidence exuded by Peyton as he entered the stadium for the second half of play. Most quarterbacks, down 21-6 against a team who's been to the Big Game three times in the last five years...well, most quarterbacks would have resigned themselves to defeat. Not Peyton and the Colts.

Uh...do I still have any female readers left at this point? It's okay, gals, you can bail if you need to. Maybe desert songbird is still with me!

The Colts are favored to win, even if the pyschological pressures and mammoth expectations faced by Manning work against him. I truly believe this is Peyton's year, and I've said this since the beginning of the season. Much as I like to see an underdog (Bears) triumph over an opponent who is all but a shoo-in for victory, I want the Colts to win for Manning's sake. He deserves a Super Bowl ring at this point in his career.The Bears have a great defense, but their quarterback, Rex Grossman, is not up to par. Something about Rex says, "Scared little boy." Even when the Bears are in the lead, he always looks wide-eyed, frightened, needing direction. One day, he will lead this team - but not just yet. If he had faced a large halftime deficit, Grossman would have crumbled under the pressure. Luckily, Grossman knows he's the underdog in Sunday's battle, which may light a fire in his teammates and get his adrenaline pumping enough to make this an interesting game.

Normally, I hate to see a blowout. I prefer close, high-scoring games. But this weekend? I want to see a legend get the ultimate career honor - a Super Bowl ring, and a win for this hard-working, very-deserving team. Even if it means a routing. GO COLTS!