Bye George!

This was Yahoo! and compiled by a guy in the United Kingdom:

While large corners of the world are busy celebrating Obama's presidential victory there will be some people feeling slightly deflated to see George Bush step down as US president.

Over the past eight years Bush has provided us with endless amusement as a result of his faux pas or ‘Bushisms' as they've been dubbed. Here are twenty of our favourites.

20. "Those who enter the country illegally violate the law." - Nov. 28, 2005

19. "We don't believe in planners and deciders making the decisions on behalf of Americans." - Sept. 6, 2000

18. "If this were a dictatorship, it'd be a heck of a lot easier, just so long as I'm the dictator." - Dec. 19, 2000

17. "Well, I think if you say you're going to do something and don't do it, that's trustworthiness." - Aug. 30, 2000

16. "I think we agree, the past is over." - May 10, 2000

15. "I understand small business growth. I was one." - Feb. 19, 2000

14. "This foreign policy stuff is a little frustrating." - April 23, 2002

13. "I want everybody to hear loud and clear that I'm going to be the president of everybody." - Jan. 18, 2001

12. "One of the great things about books is sometimes there are some fantastic pictures." - Jan. 3, 2000

11. "I was proud the other day when both Republicans and Democrats stood with me in the Rose Garden to announce their support for a clear statement of purpose: you disarm, or we will." - Oct. 5, 2002

10. "I just want you to know that when we talk about war, we're really talking about peace." - June 18, 2002

9. "I'm honored to shake the hand of a brave Iraqi citizen who had his hand cut off by Saddam Hussein." - May 25, 2004

8. "I firmly believe the death tax is good for people from all walks of life all throughout our society." - Aug. 13, 2002

7. "There's an old saying in Tennessee - I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee - that says, fool me once, shame on - shame on you. Fool me - you can't get fooled again." - Sept. 17, 2002

6. "The truth of that matter is, if you listen carefully, Saddam would still be in power if he were the president of the United States, and the world would be a lot better off." - Oct. 8, 2004

5. "I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully." - Sept. 29, 2000

4. "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." - Aug. 5, 2004

3. "Rarely is the questioned asked: Is our children learning?" - Jan. 11, 2000

2. "I know how hard it is for you to put food on your family." - Jan. 27, 2000

1. "They misunderestimated me." - Nov. 6, 2000

Mercy

It was last year around this time that I heard a song and I remember thinking, "Who is that soul sister?" Did some research and turns out it was Amy Winehouse from the U.K.

A few weeks ago, I saw a preview for American Gladiators and they used a soul sister singing, Mercy. I was vaguely familiar with the artist known as Duffy.

Somewhere along the way I scanned a review of her cd after it dropped and the name Dusty Springfield was used. That was all I remembered until today.

I listened to Rockferry today and I am hooked! I'm amazed that this 24 year old Welch girl has a voice like that! I wasn't sure if I would like the cd but I listened to it while I was running this morning and thoroughly enjoyed it.



And speaking of mercy. Mercy me. What Happened. That is the title of Scott McClellan's new book about his time as White House Press Secretary for George W. Oh my. He does sound a bit disgruntled but I think I am going to have to read this book. You see...

A couple of years ago I was at a meeting in Washington D.C. There were maybe 200 of us there so it was a nice, small intimate conference of some movers and shakers within the banking/student loan industry.

Scott was the guest speaker at the luncheon. I remember telling someone at my table that I had a feeling he was holding back in what he wanted to say. Couldn't quite put my finger on it but I just had a gut feeling.

He did a Q&A and there were plenty of questions. Time ran out before I could ask him, "If Bush and his inner-circle could do it all over again, how would you change the response to Hurricane Katrina and can you tell us what type of discussions were being held?"

I have a feeling part of the answer is in the book.

Ramblings Of A Caffeinated Mind 11.0

Party Pix
You will recall that in a previous post I mentioned Legacy's gala at Neiman-Marcus. If you would like to view photos from the gala, click here. I am only in one pic and it isn't very good because I'm laughing and I look like I have chipmunk cheeks. Everyone else looks good.

Weather
OK, so what's the deal? This morning when I went to walk The Calvinator it was 58 degrees! And the heater had turned on! Just the other day I was running the air conditioner. I'm thinking Al Gore might be a bit wrong about this global warming thing. It's already supposed to be hot in H-town.

Actually, hell froze over and no one sent me an e-mail or text message. Seriously. You see...

Something happened the other night and when I found out about it via email, I replied back, "Did hell freeze over?" So it must have and that is why the temp was 58 this morning.

Big Brother
I am so glad this season is over. I was over it a few weeks ago. Did you notice that I stopped blogging about it? Adam won. (In case you were wondering.)

Goober
Howard Dean is a goober. I think I would be better at heading up the Democratic National Committee. He should have taken care of this whole Michigan & Florida thing long ago.

This morning on the Today Show he was being interviewed by Meredith Viera. She asked him a question and when he answered, he called her Andrea. Uh, would that be Andrea Mitchell? LOL

Physic
Did you know that I'm a physic? You see...

Several years ago on Westcott here in NoRO, there was a lady who set up shop. She was a psychic (who ended up going to the pokey) but her big sign on Westcott said Physic.

So why am I a psychic/physic? Well...

Last night I was too tired to fall asleep so I was channel surfing and what do I run across? Evita starring Madonna and Antonio Banderas. Fortunately I fell asleep after some of my favorite songs had been sung.

One of the songs that I *heart* is Buenos Aires. So this morning, on the Today Show, Matt Lauer started his Where In The World Is Matt Lauer Tour and where in the world was Matt Lauer this morning? In Buenos Aires! Who knew? Well, I guess I did.



Oh no he didn't
You know there are some people who just are not meant to get into the groove, especially with a New Orleans jazz band. I know he doesn't drink alcohol but maybe he should have had a Hurricane from Pat O's or a Long Island Iced Tea from Lafitte's before he decided to bust a move. (BTW...I've been meaning to post for a few days now so this is probably old news to some of you.)

Ramblings Of A Caffeinated Mind 6.1

<---- <---- <---- <---- To the left To the left hmmm To the left To the left (singing like Beyonce)
You will notice that to the left is a small graphic and the website for World AIDS Day Houston. (EDIT: OK...as the posting has moved down, the graphic is no longer to the left to the left. You can locate it under the masthead on the left.)

This is something I've been helping with since this past summer. I hope that you will take a moment to peruse the website and find an event or two to put on your calendar.

The face of HIV/AIDS may have changed a bit but it is still with us. We want to remind people that it is still with us in Houston/Harris County.

My Left Leg
Met up with runnerOne this morning. We ran 3 miles at a fast clip...well, fast for me. I mentioned to him the voodoo doll, ice pickesque pain I've been having in my left leg. He said he thinks it is sciatica. So I looked up the definition and he and Everyday Italian could be correct.

Of course I'm not going to follow the remedy because I was a bit insulted when I read this:

It may happen as a result of the general wear and tear of aging...

Screw it. I'll just walk around and yelp.

Spinning
I didn't go to spin class this evening because of the general wear and tear of aging. Why make it worse? I did do some weights this evening but nothing for the lower torso.

George W.
So this morning I was trolling around NoRO and I noticed a bevy of cops. They were frickin' everywhere! They were on Memorial, Shepherd, Allen Pkwy, and even at the bottom of my little NoRO hill. And one point I could hear a helicopter circling.

So I called Everyday Italian and he told me he thought George W. was in town but it still didn't make any sense because Air Force One lands at Ellington Field which is south of the city.

Turns out George W. was doing something downtown and then was going to a fundraiser at someone's mansion in RO (River Oaks). It was for Senator Cornyn who is gonna have some 'splainin' to do when it comes to why he didn't vote for the insurance for children. So yep, he's gonna need a war chest.

From RO, George W. was going to San Antonio. Shouldn't he be in the White House dealing with Pakistan? What a frickin' mess that is!

You know...I didn't vote for him when he was running for Governor of Texas and I didn't vote for him when he was running for President so you can't blame me for putting him in office.

You'd Better Work
I had been wavering about going to see RuPaul this weekend. Yes. RuPaul.

Well it's not just about RuPaul. Ru will be at The Houston Black Tie Dinner. I just couldn't get excited about going this year but I decided on Wednesday to suck it up and buy a ticket and I took my tux to the cleaners.

(The last time I wore the tux was in New Orleans during Mardi Gras at the Orpheus Ball. I'm sure a few cocktails were spilled on it that night as I tried to catch beads with one hand and sipped my adult beverage from the cup in the other hand.)

I usually drink a bit too much at The Houston Black Tie Dinner and I'm a bit concerned because I think I'm supposed to be talking on the radio at 100A on Sunday morning.

I'm afraid this is going to rank up there with Don't Drink and Dress; Don't Drink and Dial; Don't Drink and Blog; Don't Drink and Talk On The Radio.

So that's it for now. More later.