It's so damn hard to focus on family law reading and law review research when it's a beautiful and sunny day, I'm in a huge reading room with tons of windows looking at the skyline of Indianapolis, Colts fans walking to the game, and Irishfest going on across the street. Music, dancing, and beer or reading up on common law wives--Ah, the choices we must make.

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Whether you agreed with his politics or not, Frank O'Bannon was a kind-hearted, passionate, classy and absolutely loyal public servant and Hoosier. He will be greatly missed.

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Well, the parents are in town. I met them for lunch today after my family law class. They're a riot. Mom's spewing info, room numbers, time to meet them next, Dad just sits back and drinks his Killian's. Classic. I just nod and nod and nod.

I'm meeting back up with them in about an hour to go to a party. Some of my law school friends are coming too. The theme is Island/Caribbean/Jimmy Buffet, so I'm decked out in a Hawaiian shirt and black capris. While I love parties for the mingling, I have to share that I'm completely PUMPED about the menu. I know I sound like a complete heifer, but seriously, this food sounds TO DIE FOR. See below:

Shrimp and Oyster Raw Bar, Pig Roast with a Whole Suckling Pig, Tostones with Curry Chicken Salad, Baby Shrimp Salad on Artichoke Leaves

Tortilla Cups with a Smoked Bay Scallop Ceviche, Chicken sates with Grilled Pineapple, Peanut Sauce, Jerk Marinated Red Snapper baked in Banana Leaves, New Zealand Mussels with a Tomato Salsa, Gazpacho Soup in Cucumber Tower, Hearts of Palm and Orange Salad, Imported and, Domestic Cheese, Tamarind Spiced Chicken Salad, Bahamian Style Conch Fritters, Orange Glazed Plantains, Cracked Conch Salad, Purple Potato Salad, Black Bean Rice, Sweet Potatoes, Tropical Fruit

Desserts: Flan, Rice Pudding, Chocolate Banana Tarte, Guava Cheese Cake, Assorted Cookies, Key Lime Pie

I don't even know what half of it is, but I'm gonna stuff it in my face! 2 bands will be playing too! All for $25/person plus cash bar. Not too shabby, eh?

I'll let you know how it is--if I can waddle my soon-to-be fatter ass to the keyboard!

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WHY does Hollywood do this? Michael Keaton IS and should've been the ONLY movie Batman. Val sucked. Clooney (while he IS hot), fell FAR short of Keaton's performance. And now the American Psycho is going to protect Gotham? PLEASE! Check out the story, here.

It's like when they got a new Becky on Roseanne--like we wouldn't freakin' notice--and then the old one came back. We NEED consistency here, folks!

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While I can't say that I was a huge fan of John Ritter's TV work (I was too young for the Three's Company craze), he seemed like a helluva nice guy. What also impressed me about him was his Sonny Bono-esque humor. He was always the butt of the joke, and people were always laughing at him, yet he always delivered with perfection.

He's done much work on Broadway and in Neil Simon productions--to much acclaim. My all-time favorite role of his was in the movie Noises Off (which incidentally was a Broadway play first, although I'm not sure if he was in it). It's a great story, has a great cast, is funny, and I think it's John Ritter in one of his finest performances. Rent it if you get the chance.

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A true legend doesn't even begin to describe Johnny Cash. I truly believe that after June died, his will to hold on left him.

Thank you for the music and the memories, Johnny.

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Please feel free to share your story with me as I did in the post below.

Also, VodkaPundit, Jay Solo, Dizzy Girl, and Right We Are all have wonderful 9/11 thoughts, tributes, and links.

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Tomorrow is not just another day. We all know that. Rather than go through and outline how 9/11 unfolded for me, how I felt, how I cried, how I was angry, I'd rather talk to you about my trip to New York City.

October 10, 2001--just a few short weeks after the attacks, my mom, dad, and I flew to NYC. We had had this trip planned for months. See, it was my fall break from law school and my birthday was the 12th, so we decided to celebrate. I booked us tickets for 2 Broadway shows--what was to be my first Broadway theater experience. Mom booked us lunch reservations at Windows on the World, in the World Trade Center, for the day of my birthday. Needless to say, those plans didn't happen.

After the attacks, I never in a million years thought we would go. My mom and I hated flying, and to be quite frank, I was scared to death to go there. We talked about it and decided to go through with it. My dad's quote: "If we can help, even just monetarily as tourists, it's our job as soldiers of a different kind." So, off we went.

Of course security was crazy. We boarded the plane (after my mom had stalked the pilot to make sure he was "ok") and we were 3 of 5 people on it. I was starting to wonder, "were we completely INSANE for doing this?" Too late now. Off we went.

We landed in a ghostown known has La Guardia. No one was there. Our luggage was the ONLY luggage on the carousel. An airport worker we were talking to asked us to stay around and talk for awhile--we were the first people she'd seen in days. We did. About 30 minutes later, we went to go get our cab. Rows of cabs waiting--no people. We had our pick of the lot.

We arrived at Times Square near our hotel. More USA memorabilia than you can imagine. A hush was over the city, and everyone was so thankful that we were there. We ventured out and took a ferry ride around Manhattan. To my right--lady Liberty. To my left--mass destruction. Words can't describe.

On our walk back to the hotel, we passed many firestations. We stopped at them all, looked at all the pictures and notes, and cried. The Broadway shows were not played before a full house--maybe half at best. But they were still amazing to me.

Another time we were talking through Times Square, a firetruck drove down the street coming back from a run. Everyone, and I mean everyone stopped what they were doing, dropped their bags, purses, etc., and clapped, whistled, and cheered. More tears.

I wanted to see the NBC studios. We got tickets and took the tour. It was great. That was the day of my birthday. Instead of Windows on the World, we had lunch at Tavern on the Green in Central Park. We also took a carriage ride. It was wonderful. My mom went back to the hotel to nap, so dad and I went to a great Irish pub we found. We were watching the news and saw tons of police at Rockefeller Plaza. To our amazement, the anchor said NBC (where we had JUST a few hours before) was shut down for a possible anthrax attack. Was this trip a TOTAL mistake? I had a sick feeling in my stomach from that moment on.

Our last night there, we had dinner at an amazing restaurant at the base of the Brooklyn Bridge. It was a beautiful site--the NYC skyline at night. But there was a massive missing part that no one needed to discuss. The New Yorkers there were awesome, and we sang w/ the piano player well into the night. "New York, New York" and "New York State of Mind." I felt wonderful being with them.

I had never felt so relieved get back to Indiana. But I knew this would be the most necessary trip I ever went on--ever.

This was a short version of my accounts. I didn't want to bore you. I have many emotions with regard to tomorrow. What if the attacks had been a month later? Would I have been in the World Trade Center? And I think I have more anger than some...because while I want things to end peacefully, I'm left thinking and singing a line from Toby Keith's song: "We'll put a boot in your ass, it's the American way."

Yes it is. And I'm proud of that.

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My karaoke days could be numbered. I know, it's tragic. Lawyers can take the fun out of everything! Find out why, here.

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So I just watched my two favorite shows--Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and Sex in the City (re-airing of Sunday night's episode). I MUST share with you my two favorite quotes from the two shows. I was laughing so hard I almost chuckled myself right off the futon.

From Queer--"Spa treatments are expensive. You know what else is expensive? Divorce." --said by fashion god Carson to "The Unibrow."

From Sex--"You're fucking a hot, black doctor and Steve has a tampon up his nose." --said by Samantha to Miranda (Circumstances too hard to explain).

They don't write 'em like that on the major networks.

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Speaking of clues, you would have thought they would have gotten a clue the first damn time. 'Fraid not. Read here.

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They actually looked in the mirror and thought, "Gee, this looks good. I actually should exit the house and subject everyone in the free world to my outfit."

She Mack-trucked over a flamingo on her way in.

Only Cher should attempt an outfit like this.

"Being a virgin was great, but now that I'm married, I want to be a whore."

Nice try Kelly, but NO ONE is THAT desperate.

Screw law school--these people need stylists ASAP and I'm willing to relocate!

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What the HELL is wrong with this guy??? In another similar article, Miss/Mr. Manson said in no way did he think his groinal gestures were humiliating. Ummmmm, ok. What is humiliating then, Mar?

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Is anyone the least bit perturbed about this law? Early release for prisoners is bad enough! But rushing through high school to help with an overcrowding problem? My simple solution: Build more schools.

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UPDATE: This is a MUCH more serious situation than previous reports indicated. The Indianpolis Star is reporting a possible brain hemorrhage. Reports are also stating that lawmakers are researching state law and how a transfer of power would unfold.

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Uncle Jesse and Dharma heading to Broadway? It appears so. John Stamos and Jenna Elfman will be the new headliners in the muscial Nine. The show won several Tony awards, due mostly (from what I hear) to a rivoting performance by Antonio Banderes. Full story, here.

Speaking of Antonio, his ditzy wife is also making a Broadway appearance. She'll be appearing in Chicago. Full story, here. I suppose she'll have to cover up that ugly-ass tattoo of hers.

On this note, what do all of you think of movie/TV actors making the Broadway cross-over? I usually have an overwhelming sense of "BAD IDEA." Rosie can't sing and just because she's famous doesn't mean she should be in a Broadway musical. But, there have been some GREAT cross-overs--Brian Dennehy in Death of a Salesman comes to mind. I personally think it shows SO much more talent to do live theater than film or TV--and it shows that the actors have the balls to put themselves out there.

Your thoughts?

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I hope he's OK.

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Greetings, all!

I made it home safely from the Peach state. Coming home from trips is such a drag--it's hot because I turned off the AC, I have to unpack, and I have to do laundry. Yuck. But, it makes you glad you got to go in the first place. I had a great time (as usual). The ballgame was, well, a football game. But I was nice and buzzed so it was bearable. The 5 extra large Papa John's pizzas for our post-game fun were QUITE needed, I must say.

Today was nice because I actually got to spend some alone time with my sweetie. We were with large groups of people most of the weekend. We walked around downtown Athens (there are some cute clothing stores there that I like) and shopped. Much to our HORROR our favorite little chocolate shop which Dave (my boyfriend) says has been in Athens since he was a boy and where we always buy our little treat--dark chocolate covered espresso beans--WAS CLOSED! Not just not open yet--shut down forever. We just stood there looking at the brown paper-covered walls with our mouths open. Travesty, I tell you. He got me to the airport in plenty of time, and as usual, I shed a couple of tears when I said goodbye. I'm a schmo.

My flight home wasn't too bad--45 minutes late (which consequently made me miss Sex in the City ), but no complaints here because it didn't fall out of the sky. I sat next to a psychiatry resident. He kept telling me I needed to learn to meditate before I fly next. Thanks, buddy. You went to med school and through residency to tell me that? Impressive.

On an unrelated note, I found out I passed the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (Ethics portion of the Bar Exam) I took in the beginning of August. Whew. (And yes, it's a little more advanced than the "Don't get it on with your client" rule. )

Well, I must answer some email and hit the hay.

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Ok, I've pooled, I've showered, I've put on a cute little outfit, and I've watched 2 episodes of "I Love the 70's" on VH1. If he doesn't hurry up, I'm gonna break into the whiskey. More bourbon and whiskey than you can imagine. Gotta love the south. No milk, break, or snacks, of course. Gotta love men.

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Hi everyone! I hope you all are having a great Friday. As you can tell, I made it through the flight!

I'm hanging out alone at my boyfriend's apartment. He had a legal aid meeting/assignment this afternoon that he couldn't reschedule. So, I think I'm going to head to the pool for a while.

It's been a pretty relaxing time thus far. Yesterday he picked me up from the airport and we drove back to Athens. We then went to some intramural fields on UGA's campus for his flag football game. Surprisingly enough, the law school team won--I think those frat boys on the other team were expecting huge nerds with no coordination. SURPRISE!! Then we went and got some Mexican food (which took for-freaking-ever and I was starving by that point), and came back to his apartment and had a few drinks with his friends. The rest of the group headed to the bar, but we decided to stay in and rest up for tonight and tomorrow. We're going out to dinner tonight and then the bars--I was told to be prepared "to do some damage."

Then tomorrow morning we have to get up and start tailgating at NINE for the UGA football game. Can someone PLEASE explain to me why the girls down here where dresses to football games?? It's crazy to me. But, regardless of whether I agree w/ the policy, I have my strapless red sundress in my suitcase for the game. It's stupid, but I'll do it.

Oh, and one more thing. My boyfriend's roommate was giving me shit today because I don't know how to fix breakfast--I eat cereal and my philosophy is if you want something else, march your ass in the kitchen and use those hands God gave you. Quote from him: "A girl's in the apartment, and I'm not getting any ass OR breakfast. What the hell?"

Is it bad that I'm not more skilled? (Don't be hard on him--he was joking). But still, am I retarded?

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