Birthdays, Football and U2

September has been a busy month for me, hence the lack of updates. September is also one of my favorite months. Why you ask?

Let's see. I turned 31, though people at the restaurant swore up and down I didn't look a day over 21. I'll take it. Hell, I was carded a month ago, too. This past month I wished about 20 different people Happy Birthday and I'm not even done yet. The most important person is my nephew; he will be 8 years old. He's the only person that can make me feel old.

Next:

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBAAAAAAAAAAAAAALL!!??!?!?!?
It's football season people. I do not have a favorite team nor do I participate in any fantasy leagues (they are a waste of time in my opinion), but I love watching the games (minus my husband's extra commentary). The Jets look great this season and their new QB, Sanchez, just may make Rookie of the Year if he keeps up the work he's doing (minus those silly rookie mistakes he made today). The Giants... look the same. We'll see where they go. The Cowboys... ummm... yeah... Texas always has to do everything bigger, but not necessarily better. Who was the genius who thought it was a good idea having the huge jumbotron so low to the field? And those cage dancers? Really? Cage dancers? As Cris Collingsworth said, "It's the Triple AAA for the cheerleaders."

Brett Favre is back; he's the new Michael Jordan of football. Kurt Warner seems to be ageless and still good. Adrian Petersen looks amazing as always and the Bengals... well, at least they have OchoCinco...

My picks for the Super Bowl?

V.

Why not? Just don't quote me on that, I never said I was a football expert. :o)

Finally... U2. This year I had the privilege of seeing U2 in concert. I considered this my other birthday present to myself. The 360 Tour is the second concert I've seen live. (I saw their PopMart tour back in '97). The smartest thing ever done was having a 360 degree stage. I felt more a part of the concert than ever before and I was all the way in the top tier. Not to mention that there was NO bad seat in the house. You can't go wrong. Their opening act was Muse and I have to say, I'm convert now. Here's a little peek at what I was excited to see...

Here's a peek at U2:

I also sent in an application for a post baccalaureate program. I'm going to try and become the doctor I should have been already. Let's hope everything works out well, shall we?

There are two days (or three, depending on when you're reading this) left to September. I wonder what else I can squeeze in before October rolls around.

Beer Babies

I saw something rather disturbing today... Babies, toddlers and other small children (aka under the age of 21) relaxing at the Beer Garden.

Now some of you may think that the Beer Garden is an actual garden and I will forgive you for not knowing, but the Beer Garden is, for all intents and purposes, a huge outdoor bar. I didn't take any pictures because I did not want to have to deal with privacy issues and such, but believe me when I say that the bathroom even has a baby-changing station.

Ridiculous? YES!

What are these parents thinking? "Hello, I'm raising my child to be a future alcoholic of America. I also plan on helping him/her when s/he goes to AA meetings."

WTF????

Why would you want to subject your young'uns to a bunch of obnoxious drunk beer drinkers that act like children? Oh wait... the kids are in their element then, nevermind... proceed with the corruption of our future.

Death Becomes Us

I haven't written in a while and there is no excuse for my idleness. I do know you'll forgive me though.

Today's topic of choice: Death

The last two months the public has seen a myriad of deaths from the most newsworthy to the little "who was that again?"

So here's a list of those that died just as a reminder...

1) Michael Jackson - I don't think I need to cover his death anymore. The media had a field day with his passing as it was. I will say, though, that it pains me when I read or hear people say things like "he deserved it, he was a pedophile" or "he was a weirdo anyway, good riddance." The man made some strange choices no doubt, but to wish someone's death like that or to say cruel things is uncalled for in my book. Whether he did anything or not, doesn't matter. He was still the man!

2) Farrah Fawcett - I was too young to appreciate her and really the wrong color as well. It's hard for me to look up to her, but she was every teen boy's wet dream... including my husband's, so that must count for something. I do think she was very strong though, it's not easy dying a slow death from cancer and having the will to live after learning that you don't have much longer to live. I just hope she lived those last days to the fullest.

3) Ed McMahon - Here's Johnny! There goes Ed... don't have much to say except I wish they never canceled the original American Idol... Star Search. I loved that show!

4) Walter Cronkite - people were upset about his death. I wasn't. He was old, he lived a long life, I'm sure he was fine with it.

5) Arturo Gatti - Known for the greatest boxing trilogy against Mickey Ward. His career was already on the decline if it hadn't already hit rock bottom with his recent losses. It's still a shame to see someone tragically killed. The investigation into his death is still open. I think his wife killed him, but who knows for sure.

6) Vernon Forrest - another great fighter. I just learned of his death yesterday. He was my husband's age. It's tough to see another good one go. We watched his last fight against Sergio "Latin Snake" Mora last night. It was his last fight and he lost, but just barely. He still lives in in the books though.

7) Steve McNair - Titans quarterback. Two words: Crazy lover. Men, if you plan on cheating on your wives make sure the woman is mentally stable. He had a good career and it was literally blown away.

8) Other notable deaths: Robert McNamara (former Secretary of Defense), Frank McCourt (author), E. Lynn Harris (author), Merce Cunningham (dancer/choreographer).

I could sit here and ask what in the world is going on because of all of the people are dying. OH MY GOD!!!!!

Right, I could, but I won't. People die everyday. It's a part of life. The moment we are born we begin to die. This isn't a bad thing. This just tells us that we need to live our life to the fullest because we never know when it's going to end. My father died two and half years ago. I was witness to it and I can say that he died with a smile on his face. His last vision was of me, my sister and his wife. He died knowing we were going to be okay. Did he die too young? For me, he did, but I liked spending time with him. Was it his time to go? Apparently so.

So here's a moment of silence to everyone that has died and everyone who is still alive not truly living. If you're not living, get off your asses and get to it!

I've made my peace, have you made yours?