Lots going on

We finally have started to get with the modern times at our house. Thanks to a lovely and useful Christmas gift, we have finally signed up for a membership to Netflix. It is very exciting for me as it is a major breakthrough in Big Daddy's ban on indiscriminate spending. We have already selected several movies that I should be able to review for you in the coming weeks. Thanks Mary for making this move with the times possible!!
This has been a big week for Ole Miss sports. After holding #1 Vanderbilt to just one hit on Saturday, Lance Lynn was named National Pitcher of the Week. The Rebs took one of three from the Commodores. We were so close to winning the others but all that counts is the final score. At least we have the hardest series of the season out of the way. The Diamond Rebs won their mid-week match-up against South Alabama 8-6 in Mobile on Wednesday. SEC play continues this weekend with Ole Miss hosting the baseball team from the Capstone. The men's basketball team concluded their season in the second round of the NIT with at loss to #1 seed Clemson. The Rebel roundballers concluded the season with a 21-13 record and a trip to post-season play for the first time in what seems like forever. The Lady Rebel basketball team is making some noise in the NCAA Women's Tournament easily handling first round opponent TCU and eliminating last year's National Champions the Maryland Terrapins. Good luck to the Lady Rebs as they take on Oklahoma in the SWEET SIXTEEN!!!!!

Family trip to the zoo

Friday the kid's daycare was closed for a mini Spring break so we took advantage of the situation and went to the zoo. Big Daddy and I had not been to the zoo since our little man was about 3 so we were long overdue. Since our last trip, the Northwest Passage exhibit has been added. This exhibit features

In addition to the polar bears, there are sea lions, black bears, and American bald eagles. I have to say that the gift shop at the Northwest Passage has lots of neat stuff. You know I love a good gift shop. We are now the proud owners of a stuffed baby sea lion!!

Of course, my favorites are the pandas. I love those guys. One of them was outside having a snack. We also had the pleasure of seeing the panda poop. Panda poop is yellow oddly enough. I thought maybe it would be more green what with all the bamboo.
I will have to finish up our recount of the zoo tomorrow as it is time for me to go home!!!!!

To the second round we go

The Rebs were victorious last night in their first round game of the NIT. Next up are the Clemson Tigers. Since Clemson is the #1 seed in our region, we will have to travel there for the game on Monday. This season, team won 16 games at Tad Smith which is now the record for home wins in a single season. It also extends our home win streak to 9 games. I have been nothing but proud of this team and their accomplishments. I am looking forward to watching what they can do next year.

NIT here we come

Tonight marks the first time that Ole Miss has reached post-season play in basketball since 2002. While I was really disappointed that we came close to getting a bid to the Big Dance and couldn't close the deal, overall I am happy. This is a team that hadn't had a winning season in several years. Our new head coach Andy Kennedy has been nothing short of phenomenal to take this group of perennial losers and given the program it's first winning season since that NCAA appearance. This years team boasts a 20-12 record with their 8-8 showing in season play winning them Co-West Champion honors. Tonight's match-up, however, is a huge problem for me. I do not agree with the #4 seed that we were "awarded" in the bracket. We will play one game and home and then be on the road for the rest of the tourney. I think that with our final record and our RPI, we deserve to be a #2 seed at minimum. Here is to hoping that East Tennessee State is able to beat Clemson tonight and the Rebels can stay in the friendly confines of Tad Smith.
On another Rebel related note, our baseball team stands at 14-5 going into SEC play this weekend at #1 Vanderbilt.

Why do they change books to make them movies??

Big Daddy and I recently sat down to watch some new releases. We don't watch movies very much and hardly ever rent them so this was a big occasion. We each got to choose one movie. We have watched my choice so I will proceed to talk about it now. SPOILER ALERT: IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE MOVIE THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA THEN YOU NEED TO STOP RIGHT HERE!!!!
A few months ago, this book was on my nightstand. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and thought that it was sure to make a great movie. Well, I was completely wrong. I suppose that if you are not anal like me, you might like the movie just fine. I don't mind a few changes here and now as I understand that the movie can only be so long, but COME ON PEOPLE. I see no need to basically rewrite the whole story just to make the movie fit your time frame and budget. I thought that the movie made Miranda entirely too personal. The Miranda in the book would have never EVER told Andi something as personal as that she was asked for a divorce. They were much more chummy than they were in the book. Also, the movie took the focus off of Andi's other relationships so that you couldn't see that she was neglecting all aspects of her life and not just her boyfriend. All in all, it is a good movie but I guess I can't separate the book and the movie very well. Are there any other movies that you like but think the book is better??
Tonight we are watching Big Daddy's choice the Oscar winning film The Departed. I will be sure to let you know what I think.

WOW

That is really all I can say to describe our experience at Texas de Brazil. The food there is excellent and the dining style is unique. The salad bar is like no other. You could get a full meal off of the 50+ selections alone. There was the usual salad and ceaser salad fixings, soup and various other items you might expect to find on the salad bar. There was also sushi, salmon, and imported cheeses. Once you flip your circle to green, however, the real fun begins. I believe that we had 5 different cuts of beef, some chicken and some pork. In addition, there were ribs, sausage, and leg of lamb. We also had garlic mashed potatoes, fried polenta and fried sweet bananas. It was one of the most incredible meals I have ever eaten. I would highly recommend that you join their Rewards Club. The coupons make the meal affordable for almost any budget. Plus, you are right in the thick of downtown Memphis. Next time we hope to make a stop by the Flying Saucer for a pre-dinner drink. It is also on our list of places to go. There is a chance that we will go back to Memphis on May 2 to see the Rebels play the Memphis Tigers at Auto Zone Park. I really think that I am putting my fear of Memphis behind me, don't you? More about my birthday to follow tomorrow.

Happy Birthday to ME!!!!

Tomorrow is my birthday but today is my birthday observed. I received a lovely gift from Mary Heather that you can read about here and here. I also enjoyed a fine birthday lunch at Taylor Grocery. Catfish is always good and today it was exceptional. My office-mates also suprised me with an ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins. Tonight, Big Daddy and I are going to travel to Texas de Brazil for a romantic dinner. It will be our first time to eat there so I will provide a full commentary next week. Boy, this getting younger every year is exhausting.
Tonight, Ole Miss will face LSU in the second round of the SEC basketball tournament. I do not like this match-up at all and will not be a bit suprised if we lose. I hope that I am proven wrong!!

The way of the world

Goodness, it has been a long time since I have written here. So many things have gone on in the world- Anna Nicole, Britney, lots of things that I doubt I can even remember. Politics are heating up with the annoucements for presidential bids. Hilary, Barack (sp), Pretty Boy John- ugh. Not at all appealing to me. Of course, the GOP hopefuls do not wow me either. Regardless, it promises to provide lots to talk about. Anne Coulter and Bill Mahar (gag gag gag) are also providing some fodder for everyone. They make their money being shocking and I wonder just how far they will go to push the limits. I for one, am anxious to see how the media excueses Mr. Pretty Boy and his new multi-million dollar mansion as he continues to bemoan the gap between the "two Americas". How about he live with the poor America for a while so he can see just how we all have it. I mean how crazy is it that poor people will listen to a guy that lives in a huge gated mansion tell them that he can solve their problems. How dumb can the American people really be?? I guess we will know next November won't we?