Fantasy Football

I must report on Fantasy Football because we just closed Week 9 and I am NUMBER 1!!!!!!! You read that correctly, top of the heap. I know at the beginning of this season I admitted that my knowledge consisted of things like 1) Don't run a dog fighting ring, 2) route for Green Bay, and 3) stop commenting that the guy with the ball should run away from the other guys not into the dense pack. However, I have carefully studied my roster, moved my players around, read reports, etc. and never dropped below 4th. I maintain no grand delusion that I will remain at #1, but I for this week - here I am.

TP

This is FH's desk...

and Fred's. Next time give us candy :)

Happy Halloween

Today I am dressed, as I am sure millions of Halloween participants are, as Vasco da Gama. Sure, it's a common costume, but there are also millions of witches. Last year I was the Count of Monte Cristo. The year before I was Imhotep, the Pharaoh's architect. I have been Zorro, Tycho Brahe, and Galileo. Sometimes I make coordinating business cards. When I was little my mother made my costumes and they were works of art. She planned them for months and researched them extensively in the library. Our town held a Halloween parade and costume contest every year and almost every year I won. I went trick or treating only in my own neighborhood using a plastic jack-o'lantern or bag created to coordinate with my costume. Never a pillowcase. The worst candy to receive was butterscotch. We trick or treat in our branch. In fact, as I write this part (it is 1:44 p.m.) and we are in the midst of trick or treating from cubicle to cubicle. Several of us believed that the YS office did not have candy available so 5 of us TPed their office. We were almost finished when we spotted the top hat filled with candy. OOPS! The Viking said, "keep going and take the candy." I tried to reason to reason with them. Finally, I put my foot down and we decided to strip the TP and do Fred's cubicle like last year. What a hoot. Then we heard FH in TelRef didn't dress up, provide candy, and wasn't trick or treating, we TPed him, too. We're still chuckling. Ah to be a kid! Have a happy and safe Halloween!

Calling My Bookie

So the Nobel Prize in Economics was announced and 1/3 went to someone at the University of Chicago. Duh! He is the 80th person from there to be awarded the prize. I can't imagine being in that department, what must feel like the few, who haven't made the trip to Sweden. Do the others tease them or mock them? Use word play like, "thanks for reviewing that manuscript for me that was very noble." Maybe they have Swedish-themed luncheons or leave little Swedish flags here and there. In any event, if I were an economist, I would try hard to get a position at the University of Chicago. Eventually, all roads seem to lead to Stockholm.

Nobel Season

A few posts back I mentioned that I am always aware when the Supreme Court reconvenes. This is also the time of year when I eagerly launch my Internet browser in the morning so that YAHOO! pops up with the news and I can see what Nobel prizes have been announced. I love Nobel season. It doesn't matter that I don't follow the trends in medicine, chemistry, and physics. If I had to place wagers I'd bet on someone at the University of Chicago winning in economics. Of course literature is always interesting. Doris Lessing was just announced. The most exciting news has to be the announcement that Al Gore is sharing the 2007 Peace Prize. The Nobel Foundation's Web site now includes an RSS feed to provide up to the minute updates. Also of note is the new Nobel Prize YouTube channel that has the official announcements, interviews, committee discussions, and more. Everything a Nobel groupie could want. When I was in college the father of one of the Assistant Professors in the Psychology Department (we were a fairly small department) won the Nobel Prize in Physics. It was a very exciting time when it was announced and as she prepared to accompany her father to Stockholm. That may have been when my delight in Nobel season began. In any event. Here it is. Congratulations, Al.

Books in Hand

On Thursday afternoon I hosted my One Book One Community book discussion or my "Train Wreck" as my supportive colleagues were calling it. I had the cutest Florida plates, chocolate-dipped coconut patties (key lime and plain), key lime cooler cookies, old fashioned cookies from Publix, and unsweetened and sweet tea in Florida-themed pitchers. Very festive! Smashler attended to provided moral support (i.e. watch the wreck live). How many of our One Community did this One Book deliver to my door? Two. One Book One Community One to One ratio of staff to participants in my book discussion. It was a hoot. I know both women from my monthly adult book discussion. My favorite comment was, "it wasn't your fault." Grace watched The Sopranos so the violence wasn't really the problem. We talked about Kay's trip to Italy and what else we are reading and we laughed - alot. I had a lovely little tea party, despite the book.

This morning I finished The Poet of Tolstoy Park. I loved this book. There was literature within the novel. The main character undertakes a personal quest. He has a strong religious background but does not go for organized religion. I would like to have have known him and am looking forward to this discussion.

Finally, I have started a "me" book for the interim. At lunch today I began The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible. This book is going to be very interesting. As some know, I struggle with issues of faith and use my non-fiction time for this pursuit and other studies of religion. I am looking forward to seeing how the author's quest for the literal interpretation of the Bible may have lead him to faith.

If I'm reading for pleasure, Library Journal will soon come calling. Bring it on, Wilda. My November book is Three Day Road by Joseph Boyden.

Green Bag

Several months ago I bought Green Bags from Publix and have been using them exclusively. I can't remember the last time I walked out of Publix with a plastic bag. I bought 4 (for each car) at $1.49 each and so far 4 has been a sufficient quantity to see me through my biggest shopping trips, even preparing for a baby shower. I try to remember to tote them into other stores, as well. Even though I recycled my bags in the bins at Publix, I'd still rather not get the bags in the first place and these bags hold much more than the plastic bags. Plus...I feel very European when I shop with them.