Things that annoy me Friday

I thought we could list a bunch of these that annoy us. You know, get them off our chest.

As my online name suggests, grammar is my thing. So when Larry King said "myriad of..." last night I wanted to call to tell him if he'd like to use big words, he should AT LEAST use them correctly. Myriad is plural, no need for "of."

O'Mama's annoyed that CNN is dumbing down their headlines. Read about that here.

Mr. Snob gets annoyed when someone calls an LED an LED light. The L in LED stands for light.....so saying LED light is redundant.

I'm a little annoyed by the people who are choosing to spout off all the "bad" stuff about Michael Jackson. First of all, he was acquited of those charges. Second of all can we just celebrate the good in someone -- especially in their death? Maybe I'm naive, but I think it's a sign of the times when we are first to point out the bad and often overlook the good.

I'm annoyed that my house isn't cleaning itself...the nerve.

Feel free to post your annoyances.

Ten Things Tuesday

The what’s on my mind right this minute edition.

1. I have been spending a fair amount of time thinking about my friend, Chili. She is going through a really tough time right now. I am doing what I can from here to help her. I do this by pausing to be still for a moment and focus some energy toward her. If you can today, please send her some energy, I know she’d appreciate it.

2. I’m a little nervous about my workload and course load in the Fall. I’ll be all kinds of busy with 11 credit hours (which doesn’t include 8 hours of clinical work…so 19 hours really) and 32 hours of work. I always function better when busy, but this might be challenging that system a wee bit.

3. My niece is having a gigantic party to celebrate her 18th birthday (and HS graduation.) It’s a traditional Filipino “debut”. Not unlike an old school debutant ball – a rather fancy affair with a royal court and such. It will be lovely and the court has been practicing a waltz and tango with some modern dancing thrown in for good measure. I’ve enjoyed watching the practices and love that the court appreciates my presence.

4. Last year, I started wearing a charm bracelet by Pandora. It now holds 17 charms, each one holding special meaning. I love this bracelet and the things represented in it. Perhaps a ten things for next week talking about the charms.

5. Jeff Buckley’s version of “Hallelujah” is one of my most favorite songs. I’ve heard many versions of the song, but his speaks to my soul.

6. I am very VERY excited to see the upcoming movie version of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. So much so that I’m considering driving 45 minutes north to see it in IMAX. I’m guessing I’ll see it several times in the theater and am just giddy with excitement. It looks to be the best one yet!

7. I’m looking for a new book to read….any suggestions? With that, I have read great things about the Kindle2 electronic book thingy. I’m not sure I’m ready to give up paper pages, though.

8. I am hella behind on housecleaning. Seems like I’m never home. Probably because I’m never home. Do you think hiring a cleaning service for a one time cleaning would cost more than a hundred bucks?

9. My black sandals that I wear every single day to work in the summer have perished. I’m on the hunt for new ones and am having a heck of a time. The deceased sandals were 3 years old and were casual and dressy all at the same time. I wore them with my work clothes, my weekend clothes, they were the perfect pair. I’m sad they’re gone.

10. I’m in love with my Blackberry. Much more than I should be….but it’s love!

The Toast

(D and V if you're reading -- STOP RIGHT NOW)

I am the maid(matron, really, but GAH) of honor at my friend's wedding this weekend. I've never been MOH before and amd thrilled and terrified. I am the only attendant for the bride and the groom only has a Best Man. My friends D and V were married to other people, then the Universe decided they should be married to each other....so they are making that happen this weekend. The toast has been rolling around in my head in various forms for weeks. Months, really. Here's the latest rough draft, I needed to get it out there before I stand in front of friends and strangers and say it all outloud. I tried and failed to bring The Funny. I present The Schmoopy:

The road we travel is quite often not the road we thought we would be travelling. As children, we dream of becoming astronauts, doctors, rock stars. I can pretty much guarantee we didn’t dream of becoming insurance reps! The road dips and curves, we head in one direction then suddenly we’re thrust head first into another direction and we have no choice but to keep on going. How we deal with these changes in direction is part of what defines us as human beings.

The two separate roads that you’ve traveled have been filled with more than just dips and curves. A few potholes and more than a few detours were necessary for your two roads to end here today. It has been a long journey and I am so proud to have been a part of it. I have watched the two of you hit your potholes and wonder if you’d ever find your way back onto the path. You did, of course, because destiny calls you to be here today. The roads you traveled were perhaps not the smoothest, or the shortest, but had they been even a tiny bit different, they would not have brought you here.

Today, you will exit your individual road and join each other on a new road – together, as husband and wife. This road, too, will come with dips and curves, but you will now have someone to lean on along the way. May you never forget the paths you’re leaving behind for they have offered great life lessons, but may you look toward the new path with great faith, hope, and love.

The poet Robert Frost said that “two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the road less traveled by – and that has made all the difference.” May the road you start on today make all the difference. Congratulations! I love you both so much.