Okay, I haven’t blogged in a looooong time, but it’s that time of year again (Super Bowl), and I had to get my annual picks for the half-time show out. This Super Bowl is very special for me this year. Not only are my beloved Colts playing, but it’s on my birthday! Probably won’t do a big b’day bash, maybe have the kids over for a little while, but I do plan on opening a bottle of champagne when the Colts win. I’ve also already told the bosses I’ll be late on the 8th, because well, I’m older than the Super Bowl and basically want to sleep in after a long night.

Now, on to my picks. The Who is the half-time entertainment, and they have an extensive amount of material to choose from, but I’m giving it my best shot. (My favorite, Mama’s Got a Squeezebox, probably won’t make it.)

Baba O’Riley

Magic Bus

The Kids Are Alright

You Better You Bet

Who Are You

Go Colts!

Jessie

Well, I finally got to see a Colts’ game — almost.  The station cut away from it in the 3rd quarter, because the Colts were winning by such a large margin.  I turned the channel and finished watching the Tampa Bay game.  Doesn’t CBS know the Colts fans have been waiting for a game like that?

My disappointment wasn’t long-lived, though, because Sunday night we added a new member to the family.  A 7 month old Rottweiler named Rocky.  We got him through a private rescue agency.  He already comes up past my knees and is all paws.  He’s very sweet tempered and just wants to play and be the center of attention.

I’ll be heading out to the Women’s Expo in Kingsport, Tenn this weekend.  It’s a great line-up this year with Teresa Medeiros, Julia Quinn, Lora Leigh, Beth Williamson, Marie-Nicole Ryan, Trista Ann Michaels, Jennifer Estep, and several others I can’t remember off the top of my head now.  Plus, if you’re a JR Ward fan, there will be an auction for a complete set of the Black Dagger Brotherhood books signed by the author.  There’s a dinner with the authors on Friday night, and the authors will be signing books on Saturday & Sunday.  Please stop by and say hello if you’re in the area.  You can find more information at www.womensexpoauthors.com.

I usually miss the Tennessee/Alabama game while I’m at the Expo, but this year it’s the Vols v. Mississippi State, and it’s only available here on Pay-Per-View.  I hope the Vols win, but I’m not holding my breath.

Jessie

I managed to make it to the Food City Food Show here in Knoxville over the weekend and left with two bags of stuff - both of them bursting.  There were a lot of vendors, and I came home with a few more ideas on dishes for my once-a-month cooking.  So far, most of the dishes I’ve frozen have come out well.  One of the chicken dishes came out a little dry, the spaghetti sauce, the meatloaves, the roast, the chicken salad, and the BBQ chicken all turned out great.  But I’m still looking for healthy dishes that freeze well, so if you have any recipes you think might work, give me a shout.

Now, back to the Food Show:  I also got to meet Dwight Fryer, JT Ellison, CL Wilson, Elizabeth Boyle, and Anna Windsor.  It was also nice seeing JoAnn Ross and Teresa Medeiros again.  SMRW opened a hospitality suite and we were able to spend some time with the authors.  Dwight Fryer is simply an amazing story teller.  I picked up both of his books at the Food Show and can’t wait to start reading.  CL Wilson gave us a wonderful mini workshop on description which was awesome.

Now, I’m gearing up to speak at SMRW’s Super Saturday event.  I and fellow authors Kate McKeever and Cheryel Hutton are presenting a workshop on Worldbuilding, which will also encompass psychic characters and a “creature feature” for those who love weres, vamps, dragons, and things that bump in the night.  Michael Knight and Shannon Burke will also be giving a presentation on plotting, and several other SMRW members will present basics workshops.  For more details, check out their website at www.smrw.org/events.htm.

Not even talking about football.  The Vols are in a heap of trouble, the Colts didn’t play, TB won, but Dallas lost.  Although, Brett Favre’s six touchdown passes were impressive.

Jessie

I’m still cooking, but I only have a few more dishes to prepare.  Should finish up tomorrow.

Yeah, Tennessee!  The Vols had a better showing this weekend than last weekend.  I didn’t get to see much of the game due to the SMRW meeting, but from what I saw, it looked like they got some things ironed out.  It was worth it to miss the game, though, because we had a fantastic speaker at the meeting.  Dr. Bethany Dumas, an English professor at the Universtiy of Tennessee, spoke on linguistics at the meeting.  Absolutely fascinating.  I hope she will agree to come back and speak again.

From the strange but true file:  I’ve seen drivers doing a lot of things while operating a vehicle - reading the newspaper, shaving with an electric razor, putting on make-up, and even reading a book once.  She had it open over the steering wheel, holding the edges of the book and the steering wheel at the same time.  I was glad to be behind her, because it was a little scary watching her drive and read at the same time.  However, yesterday on my way home from work, I exited the interstate and pulled up behind a guy in an SUV who was brushing his teeth.  Now, I’m all for good oral health, and technically since we were waiting on the light to change he wasn’t driving, (at that moment), but one thing really bothered me about the situation.  He had to rinse and spit somewhere.  And, he did continue brushing after the light turned green.

Have a great weekend & Go, Colts!

Jessie

Not whining today! I had a great Labor Day Weekend, and spent time with the kids on Monday. Boomsday was awesome as always, the Vols lost (which was disappointing, but not shattering), and Phaze Fantasies, Vol. VI got a recommended read from Dark Angel Reviews!

https://www.darkangelreviews.com/Phaze_Fantasies_VI.html

Is this a champagne moment? Nah. I reserve the champagne for extreme moments. The last time I drank the bubbly was when the Colts won the Super Bowl. However, I might stop and get something light and fruity to go with dinner. Now, I just have to find out what wine pairs well with salmon.

Jessie

I found a great site for television theme songs. It has a name the theme game which is downright addictive. I didn’t do very well on it. When you don’t watch much more than the Sci-Fi or sports channels, it’s hard to recognize any themes.

Of course, I tuned right into the Monday Night Football theme (http://www.televisiontunes.com/ABC_Monday_Night_Football_-_1989.html) and The X-Files Theme (http://www.televisiontunes.com/X-Files.html). It also had themes for some of my other favorites, some shows I’ve never heard of, and the ending theme which plays while the credits roll.

Jessie

Well, the time is 11:52 p.m., and the game is in overtime.  UCLA just scored a field goal, and the Vols have the ball.  The first half of the game was…lackluster, to say the least.  With four interceptions, Tennessee should have had more points going into half-time.  However, I have to give props to Craft, the UCLA quarterback, because he played a heck of a game in the second half.

Agghhhh!  We lost in overtime!  Should have never happened.  Can’t wait to hear sports radio in the morning.  The callers will be demanding the coach’s head on a pike, and insisting our backup quarterback can do a better job.  Poor Lincoln (our kicker).  I can’t help it, I just feel sorry for the guys.  I felt sorry for Craft during the first half, too. 

Our first game, the defense played well, and the offense could use some work, but I’m an optimist.  I think we’ll bounce back.  After all, we had some losses last year and made it to the SEC Championship Game.

Game aside, I had a great Labor Day.  The family came over and we grilled.  Wish I could stay home again tomorrow, but it just isn’t possible.  Too much going on at the office for me to lay out.

Thoughts & prayers to all affected by Gustav.

Jessie

WTG. Eli Manning & the New York Giants!!! Great game. Great win.

Friday, my boss read my last post, and guess what his response was?

“You’re not getting the emergency bottle of bourbon.”

“Why are you blogging when you should be working?” (He had to know when I’d written the blog, because of when the heat came on.)

“You’re rooting for the Giants?”

Yep, number 3. Although I don’t know why this surprised him. I’ve pulled for them all season as my NFC pick. However, once it became apparent that Brett Favre might make it back to the SuperBowl, I also rooted for Greenbay. (Hah! to John who told me after last season that Brett Favre was too old to play when I was rooting for Brett to come back.)

On another note, I also tried to guess what songs Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers would perform during half-tme over at my blogspot blog (www.jessieverino.blogspot.com). My picks were:

Running Down a Dream
Free Fallin’
Breakdown
I Won’t Back Down

My maybes are:
Even the Losers
Refugee
Don’t Come Around Here No More

So, instead of Breakdown, he performed American Girl.

Oh, well. Can’t win ‘em all.

Jessie

I’ve often told my bosses we need an emergency bottle of bourbon in the office. (Blanton’s preferably, but I’d settle for Crown.) So, today is one of those days it would come in handy. Our hot water heater is out. Our heat is out. I have no chocolate. And, we have no bourbon.

I simply cannot be expected to function under these conditions. I mean, no chocolate? C’mon.

On another note, I’m really looking forward to the SuperBowl, even though my beloved Colts didn’t make it this year. I’m rooting for the Giants. Yep, the underdogs. Nobody is giving them a chance, (hey, the heat just kicked on…yay!), but I expect a good, tight game. 10 road game wins is nothing to sniff at, and neither is Brady & Co’s. quest for a perfect season. It’s two tough teams facing off Sunday night, and I’m hoping the Giants are the ones left standing.

Have a great weekend.

Jessie

Okay, I’m pulling for the Giants. Not much to say on the subject which hasn’t already been said.

But, the half-time show…

Tom Petty is the scheduled entertainment. Being a southern gal, I’ve always enjoyed his music. I doubt after Janet’s little fiasco a couple of years ago that he’ll sing You Don’t Know How it Feels, because hey *let’s roll another joint*, but what do you think he’ll pick for the SuperBowl audience?

My picks are:

Running Down a Dream
Free Fallin’
Breakdown
I Won’t Back Down

My maybes are:
Even the Losers
Refugee
Don’t Come Around Here No More

So, what do you think will be his picks?

Have a great weekend!
Jessie