Reni

I can't answer your question - but just watching multiple Olga Korbut routines, it seems she had more grace and skill than anything I have seen this year. I actually have been pretty underwhelmed by the women's gymnastics this year - and I don't like the scoring system.

oh, well, that makes it okay then!

Wow. Hard to believe I have lived this long and had never seen this. What a creepy yet aesthetically beautiful film........chiiiildren!

that was about my assessment of it.

I disliked this movie so much, it pains me to analyze it. So, I won't.

well heeeeey!!!

Thank you for the birthday wishes, everyone! I have been in St. Louis for the last week and was able to spend my birthday with my mom. Graham drove down last night and we head back to Chicago tomorrow. So, this was really nice. We had lunch with two of my best friends I haven't seen in over three years (since they moved to Denver) and this evening we had a beautiful summer evening and a Cardinals game. You can't get much better than that! It's been likely the most difficult year of my life - as some of you know - so, this was just such a treat. On the up and up..... and now....cheesecake

no way - a chase scene on Lower Wacker is always awesome.

I am hoping you are right.

No, he's not a GREAT actor - he is indeed very easy on the eyes.....he has made a lot of doozies and I will still watch a good chunk of them. However, he isn't a bad actor and has a few notable roles. I am bummed about this news with his mother and sister, though.

I'll admit it - I think Christian Bale is one of the finest looking men to walk the earth......I watched a movie about dragons for crying out loud just to watch him. Yeah, I said it. Pfft.

Jay - I have a boatload of terrace culture books if you're ever interested. Some are hard to find in the states - I could always lend them over your way.

this is a joke, right?

pffft. I actually prefer watching women's basketball to men's. However, I don't really like to watch much basketball, period.

I am one of those people who always frequents Starbucks while on the interstate....it's like an oasis of coffee chocolatey goodness. I also hit up the local drive thru pretty frequently. Then again, I am addicted.

1. Paul McCartney - McCartney 2. Smiths - Hatful of Hollow 3. Echo and the Bunnymen - s/t 4. Stone Roses - s/t 5. Sam Cooke - Portrait of a Legend 6. X - Los Angeles 7. Operation Ivy - Energy 8. U2 - Joshua Tree 9. Radiohead - OK Computer 10. Pulp - Different Class 11. Jawbox - Grippe 12. Fugazi - 13 Songs 13. Paul McCartney - Ram 14. Ibrahim Ferrer - s/t 15. Buena Vista Social Club 16. Zero Boys - Vicious Circle 17. Wilco - A Ghost is Born 18. REM - Automatic for the People 19. Squirrel Nut Zippers - Perennial Favorites 20. Sinead O'Connor - Universal Mother

hey-o! Happy Birthday!!! Make sure you share some cake with Amelia, Winston and Zelda! I hope your classes are going well and I hope we'll get a chance to see you soon!

thanks for posting that. it makes me happy.

just adorable!!!

we're so sneaky.

thanks! and yes, it's a barrette I have been using patterns in books - but I am thinking of taking it a step further and putting more of my own creativity into the process by going out and sketching flowers and then designing patterns.......wishful thinking.....I am not sure if my design and knitting skills are good enough - but here's to trying!

recently.... just put up on etsy: and

$4.35 around here today.....though there is ONE station in Glen Ellyn selling at $4.19....and usually quite a line to get to a pump. However, the only kind they have is regular - works for me.

There is certainly a difference between speaking truth and just being mean. A lot of truth surrounding Helms comes across as sounding mean when spoken about because he had views that are so far from moderate, rational discourse in this day. Just because someone is dead doesn't mean we shouldn't revisit and consider all that made them human - both good and bad. I have experienced this myself recently with the sudden death of my ex-husband. It is so incredibly complex to mourn someone who spent a chunk of their lives cloaked in darkness and addiction, could be intensely abusive and cruel but

Varitek? Seriously? Also, AL pitching staff seems to have too many relievers. -Jorge Crede hasn't been good lately and, without looking it up, I'd guess there's someone more deserving.