Fortune Cookie

Several weeks ago, Panda Express opened a location not too far away from NoRO. When I traveled quite a bit for a job, I could always count on some fried rice and an egg roll at some airport concession stand. So, I was quite happy when I saw Panda Express close to the 'hood.

I visited Panda Express yesterday at the noon hour. I did take-away. When I got home, I ate my meal and then cracked open the Fortune Cookie. This is what was inside:

You will soon be confronted with unlimited opportunities.

Today, I was offered a job. It is a job that I really wanted. It is a new position so the opportunities are unlimited.

I think I'm going to start making a weekly pilgrimage to Panda Express.

The Verdict Is In

Mary Benton with Click 2 Houston: Your Education Station has reported that the jury has reached a verdict in the Vicki Osteen/Sharon Brown trial.

The jury gave a unanimous decision and said that Vicki did edit: not assault Continental flight attendant Sharon Brown.

So how DID Sharon get those hemorrhoids? Just askin'.

A shout out to Mary Benton for keeping me informed through her blog. Good job Mary. You've always been one of my favorites. (Just don't tell Ryan Korsgard or Erik Barrajas (at Channel 13.)

Oops!

Yesterday was the last day of testimony in the Vicki Osteen/Sharon Brown trial. The final witness for Sharon Brown (who filed the lawsuit) testified that she did not (repeat DID NOT) see Vicki assault Sharon.

Wait a second. This is a witness for the plaintiff? Not a good way to end the trial. To read the full story, click here.

Mary Benton from Click 2 Houston: Your Education Station reported a few minutes ago that it is now in the hands of the jury. Mary's blog has some details from the closing arguments.

I've said it before, I have no clue as to how this EVER got to trial. Just sayin'.

Strike A Pose (or I'll Tumble For You)

I'm a bit behind on my congratulations to the U.S. Men's Gymnastics Team who won a bronze medal the other day. This is a group of guys who were told the odds were against them. Afterall, they were a group of alternates.

Rudy Tomjanovich said, "Never underestimate the heart of a champion." Good job guys!

and thanx to Towleroad for the pic.

Blame It On The Sinus Medication

So the next time I call you a b!tch or a b#stard or some other endearing term, please know that I'm taking Sudafed. Yes. I know you're confused. Let me 'splain.

The other day, I gave my summation of a trial that is occurring here in H-town. Vicki Osteen, wife of Joel Osteen, is being sued for 10% of her net worth over an incident that occurred three years ago on a Continental flight.

Sharon Brown says that due to the incident, she lost her faith and she now has hemorrhoids. She also wanted Vicki Osteen to get in the pulpit and do a public apology.

Now, let me say something. I'm sure Vicki ain't no saint. I know I'm not and I don't expect others to be one. I too have my moments and I have had my moments in the First Class cabin. I'm sure something happened but I'm still perplexed as to how this has ended up in a civil trial.

OK. So yesterday, Sharon Brown is being questioned by defense attorney Rusty Hardin. Rusty points out to Sharon that in a deposition she called Lakewood Church "...a cult-based church, and described Victoria and Joel Osteen as the devil".

Sharon says that when she made the statement she was on sinus medication and regrets making the statement. To read the full story, click here.

This brings up several questions for me:
1. Was Sharon on medication the day of the incident and maybe doesn't remember things the way they happened?
2. OK. She made a mistake by saying that about Lakewood Church and the Osteens just like I'm sure Vicki regrets having a run in with her on the flight. Can the Osteens now sue her for slander?
3. The next time I do say something that someone doesn't like can I:
a) Blame It On The Boogie;
b) Blame It On The Rain;
c) Blame it on the vodka;
d) Blame it on the sinus medication;
e) Blame it on lack of sleep;
f) or Blame it on the air quality in Beijing?

Just askin'

Olympic Fever

I've always been fascinated by the Olympics...more so the Summer games than the Winter games. I guess it goes back to being a fat kid whose clothes came from The Husky Department at Montgomery Ward. There's no place in the Olympics for fat kids. Uniforms would have to come from Montrose Tent & Awning.

The first Olympic Games that I actually remember watching was Mexico City 1968. I remember helping my parents do the laundry while watching the closing ceremonies. I also remember this.

Then there was Munich 1972. It was interrupted when the Israeli team was attacked in the dorm. This is one of the images I remember from Munich.

And who can forget the Mary Decker/Zola Budd incident in Los Angeles 1984? If I really thought about it, there is probably one or two things from each of the Olympics that I remember.

Anywho. So, I've been making The Calvinator watch the games with me and I think most nights I have fallen asleep before him. It's not that I'm bored with the Olympics, it's just that ever since Friday night I've been really tired and part of that has to do with over exerting myself.

For instance, yesterday morning I met runnerOne at Memorial Park at 5:45 a.m. CDT. We did some speed work around the park. So being in the Olympic spirit, I went to spin class later in the day and let's just say I was passed out by 9:00 p.m. I'm just not as young as I used to be. I wonder if napping is an event in the Senior Olympics? I'd probably win.

So I'm sitting here waiting for Michael Phelps to win another gold medal while watching women's gymnastics and wondering how they twist and turn and vault and fly in the air. Better them than me!

A Big High Five!

I'm a bit late in sending out my congratulations to the U.S. Swim Team that won a gold medal last night.

Full disclosure: I REALLY was going to watch it but I fell asleep around 10:00p.m. CDT or so and missed it. So I had to stream it this morning.

Anywho. That was an excellent team effort in the Men's 4x100m Free Relay. However, there were two other factors that contributed to the excitement.

Michael Phelps won his second gold medal and is marching on to his goal of 8 gold medals. Go Michael Phelps!

Prior to the event, the French team was boasting and bragging that they were going to win. They were quite capable but when it was all said and done they didn't win. And they lost by a fraction of a second.

Uh...ya shoulda kept your mouth shut! Just sayin'