Pattie's Pop Culture Paradise

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Tuesday 10: The Good & Bad of Adopting a New Dog

The Good:

Three dog night*
Improved exercise program for the cats (fleeing-intensive)
Female influence = Slightly restored civility of the barbarian boy dogs
Enjoying seeing her reaction to new experiences and people
More unconditional love to go around

The Bad:

Nonstop water drinking and subsequent dripping
A barking soulmate for the already-too-barky puppy
Too-barky puppy is jealous
Sleeping in the guest room until she gets used to our bedtime routine
Two words: Poo explosion

*Rich made me promise to use that.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Veterans Day 2009

Written by my friend, Quinton, an Army veteran, this says it all about what Veterans Day -- and being a veteran -- means. Short, sweet, and to the point.

While you are making your choices today on what to watch on TV, what to eat for dinner, or what you want to say to someone, remember the veterans who have sacrificed their entire lives for that freedom. A special thank you goes out today to all the veterans. Please don't take for granted the freedom that you have. Many have fought and died for that freedom. Happy Veterans day, soldiers!

And a special shoutout from me to all the veterans I worked with in Hampton and Virginia Beach, VA, and the ones I work with now in Knoxville. Most importantly, a hearty thanks to my favorite veterans: my father-in-law, Doug; my brother, Ricky; and my brothers-in-law Ken, Kirk, and Michael. (And, of course, Q, an honorary bro-in-law). Thank you for teaching me the true meaning of what it is to be selfless and sacrificing.

"Where'd You Go?" by Fort Minor featuring Holly Brook

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Happy 40th Birthday, Sesame Street!

Forty years ago today, Sesame Street first aired. So to honor my old friends Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, Bert, Ernie, Grover, Cookie Monster, Snuffleupagus, The Count, Gordon, Maria, and the rest of the gang, here's a story the Today show aired to commemorate the milestone that is Sesame Street turning the big 4-0.

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I grew up watching Sesame Street. Oddly enough (or maybe not so oddly), of all the things I still vividly remember from it, the death of Mr. Hooper has stayed with me all these years. I think it was the first time I really understood what death meant, the finality of it. And all because poor Big Bird couldn't grasp that Mr. Hooper was never coming back, never going to make his bird seed milkshakes again. I cried all over again watching this -- it still has the power to affect me like that, to remind me what it was like to be that little girl crying for her friend Big Bird, who wanted nothing more than to see his friend Mr. Hooper again.

While I, no doubt like countless others who grew up watching it back in the day, still miss Mr. Hooper, I can only smile when I think of everything else I enjoyed about Sesame Street: the songs, the silliness, the friendships, and, most importantly, learning without feeling like I was being taught. Even now, I still watch it some mornings as I'm gearing up for the work day ahead. Because if there's one thing the show taught me, it's that you are never, ever too old to enjoy Sesame Street. Here's to 40 more years.