Not that anyone cares but I am going to post my summer reading list. I could write it on a slip of paper but I would lose that in about 2 days.
I think this should take me through July:
1) The World According to Garp by John Irving
2) The House of the Spirits by Isabelle Allende (re-reading)
3) Lamb by Christopher Moore (for some good laughs)
4) 1776 by David McCullough (my non fiction selection)
5) The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck (never read it plus the current economy put me in the mood)
Monday, May 26, 2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Say my Name, Say My Name...
After years and years of stupid, lazy people mispronouncing my name, I've decided to make a command decision. If you mispronounce my name, when it is written, clear as day in front of you, I will not respond, for several reasons:
First of all, my name is pronounced EXACTLY the way it is spelled: A-N-E-E-S-A. Its not that hard at all. So, if you can't pronounce it properly, then it means you're either a moron who needs to go back to school or just too lazy to try.
I was at Einstein Brothers Bagels this morning, on my way to work. I drove completely out of my way to the only decent bagel shop within a 10 mile radius so that I could get my morning coffee and bagel. I get there, place my order and give the gentleman my name. He clarifies the pronunciation, I spell it out for him and he enters it into the computer. After I scoot down the line to the register and pay for my purchase, the next step is to wait as someone else prepares my order, with the rest of the hungry Sunday morning patrons. I heard someone calling for "Anyka's" order and I figured it wasn't me. The bagel man, called the name several times and was clearly frustrated. I was starring off into space, thinking about my time line for the rest of the day. Finally, he called out, "who had an asiago bagel with sun-dried tomato cream cheese?" I realized the idiot had been calling for me the whole time but had been completely mispronouncing my name. I stepped forward to claim my food and he looked at me and said "Anyka??" and I said "no, its AnEESa." He handed over my food, as he rolled his eyes at me.
He is not the only culprit - I've endured years and years of substitute teachers, job interviewers, and TAs constantly mispronouncing my name. And I was stupid enough to help them out by taking pity on their poor, moronic souls by stepping forward, properly identifying myself and then helping them with the pronunciation. Well, I'm not doing it anymore.
I have two theories as to why people have a hard time pronouncing my name. I've found that in situations where people first glance at an unknown name, they're too lazy to try and sound it out and instead mispronounce it by adding letters that were never there and omitting ones that are. Either that, or they're just stupid and can't read, in which case I SHOULD feel sorry for them but my days of excusing stupidity came crashing to an end when I stopped chasing after ex-frat boys.
Our society is now more multi-cultural than ever. Not every second person you meet will be named John or Laura or Mike. So, all I am asking is people actually TRY.
Its very easy...A-N-E-E-S-A. There is only one way to pronounce it.
First of all, my name is pronounced EXACTLY the way it is spelled: A-N-E-E-S-A. Its not that hard at all. So, if you can't pronounce it properly, then it means you're either a moron who needs to go back to school or just too lazy to try.
I was at Einstein Brothers Bagels this morning, on my way to work. I drove completely out of my way to the only decent bagel shop within a 10 mile radius so that I could get my morning coffee and bagel. I get there, place my order and give the gentleman my name. He clarifies the pronunciation, I spell it out for him and he enters it into the computer. After I scoot down the line to the register and pay for my purchase, the next step is to wait as someone else prepares my order, with the rest of the hungry Sunday morning patrons. I heard someone calling for "Anyka's" order and I figured it wasn't me. The bagel man, called the name several times and was clearly frustrated. I was starring off into space, thinking about my time line for the rest of the day. Finally, he called out, "who had an asiago bagel with sun-dried tomato cream cheese?" I realized the idiot had been calling for me the whole time but had been completely mispronouncing my name. I stepped forward to claim my food and he looked at me and said "Anyka??" and I said "no, its AnEESa." He handed over my food, as he rolled his eyes at me.
He is not the only culprit - I've endured years and years of substitute teachers, job interviewers, and TAs constantly mispronouncing my name. And I was stupid enough to help them out by taking pity on their poor, moronic souls by stepping forward, properly identifying myself and then helping them with the pronunciation. Well, I'm not doing it anymore.
I have two theories as to why people have a hard time pronouncing my name. I've found that in situations where people first glance at an unknown name, they're too lazy to try and sound it out and instead mispronounce it by adding letters that were never there and omitting ones that are. Either that, or they're just stupid and can't read, in which case I SHOULD feel sorry for them but my days of excusing stupidity came crashing to an end when I stopped chasing after ex-frat boys.
Our society is now more multi-cultural than ever. Not every second person you meet will be named John or Laura or Mike. So, all I am asking is people actually TRY.
Its very easy...A-N-E-E-S-A. There is only one way to pronounce it.
Friday, November 16, 2007
The Song
You might notice various lists on the right side of my blog - lists of the books I'm currently reading, the DVDs I'm currently watching and the cds I'm currently listening to. I've added a new category called "The Song." Many of you who know me, know that I'm the kind of person who gets a new toy, plays with it incessantly and then get bored with it and then moves on to the next thing. I do this quite often with songs. For the last 15 years or so (probably longer than that) there is always one song that I'm really obsessed with and I'll play it on repeat. Not only that but I'll learn all the words and then belt it out in the car. My sister and my parents had to deal with this for years. They had to listen to "Beat It" or "That's the Way Love Goes" or "This is How We Do It" or "Can't Touch This" over and over and over until I got sick of it and didn't want to hear it again.
I don't know how some people put up with it. I remember a year ago, I became obsessed with "La Tortura" by Shakira and one night, poor Crystal had to hear it on repeat while we got ready, and then while we drove (in her car, I might add) to the bar and then on the way back (with 4 boys in the car). I don't know why she didn't throw the CD out the window. Probably because she knew I would jump out and run after it.
Anyways, since the advent of iPods and me driving around alone in my car, I usually obsess on my own, with no audience so I thought I would keep you guys updated on my latest song obsessions. In trying to recall some previous obsessions, I came up with:
"Layla" (original) by Eric Clapton (I think Matt had to deal with this one)
"La Tortura" by Shakira (as referenced above)
"U + Ur Hand" by Pink
"Juicy" by Notorious BIG
"Queen of the Night" by Whitney Houston
"PYT" by Michael Jackson - this one never really goes away but every so often, I will play it over and over
"A Whole New World" by Aladdin and Jasmine (not to be confused with the one sung by real people)
"Southern Man" by Neil Young
"Piece of My Heart" (the Faith Hill version, NOT Janis Joplin)
"Money Aint a Thing" by Jay Z
"Any Man of Mine" by Shania Twain
"Walk Through the Fire" from the Buffy Musical
"Livin on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi
"Dreamlover" by Mariah Carey
Last week it was "Because the Night" by Patti Smith and now its "Who Knew" by Pink. I think that by the start of next week I'll have a new one.
I don't know how some people put up with it. I remember a year ago, I became obsessed with "La Tortura" by Shakira and one night, poor Crystal had to hear it on repeat while we got ready, and then while we drove (in her car, I might add) to the bar and then on the way back (with 4 boys in the car). I don't know why she didn't throw the CD out the window. Probably because she knew I would jump out and run after it.
Anyways, since the advent of iPods and me driving around alone in my car, I usually obsess on my own, with no audience so I thought I would keep you guys updated on my latest song obsessions. In trying to recall some previous obsessions, I came up with:
"Layla" (original) by Eric Clapton (I think Matt had to deal with this one)
"La Tortura" by Shakira (as referenced above)
"U + Ur Hand" by Pink
"Juicy" by Notorious BIG
"Queen of the Night" by Whitney Houston
"PYT" by Michael Jackson - this one never really goes away but every so often, I will play it over and over
"A Whole New World" by Aladdin and Jasmine (not to be confused with the one sung by real people)
"Southern Man" by Neil Young
"Piece of My Heart" (the Faith Hill version, NOT Janis Joplin)
"Money Aint a Thing" by Jay Z
"Any Man of Mine" by Shania Twain
"Walk Through the Fire" from the Buffy Musical
"Livin on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi
"Dreamlover" by Mariah Carey
Last week it was "Because the Night" by Patti Smith and now its "Who Knew" by Pink. I think that by the start of next week I'll have a new one.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Dude, Where's My Car?
I haven't seen my car since Monday afternoon. I found a street about 4 blocks away where you don't need a DC permit to park. So, I parked there on Monday and haven't been back since. Not sure if that's smart but am I seriously supposed to walk 4 blocks after the long days I've been having (got home at 8:30 last night and 9:15 tonight) just to check on my car? I am a little unnerved that I haven't seen it but I'm sure its ok - its not like I parked in SE, its parked in front of a multi-million dollar home.
In other news, there was an article in today's post about construction at the Smithsonian. "Raising the Roof: Smithsonian Celebrates Construction of Gigantic Glass Ceiling" Please tell me I'm not the only one who thinks that's hilarious?!
In other news, there was an article in today's post about construction at the Smithsonian. "Raising the Roof: Smithsonian Celebrates Construction of Gigantic Glass Ceiling" Please tell me I'm not the only one who thinks that's hilarious?!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
NFL Hottie and Hot Dogs...
Actually just one winner - Brett Favre. I didn't realize how hard it would be to tally the results and I'm just too exhausted from my first day at the new job to figure out who should be ranked where. But based on the handful of responses I received, Mr. Favre gets the #1 spot. He was ranked the most often and ranked higher than most of the others. Honorable mentions go to Tom Brady, Jason Taylor and Reggie Bush.
In other news - there is a hot dog stand right by my new office building. Actually, there's about 3. I discovered them when I had to go into the city last week to get my picture taken for my ID badge. Getting the photo taken only took about 4 minutes and I didn't want to just go home so I stopped at the stand and bought a hot dog. The nice lady who runs the stand kept calling me "baby" and asked what I wanted on my hot dog. I told, her, paid my buck-fifty and ate it as I walked through the city. I've always wanted to be one of those city girls who has a cool job and has a hot dog stand where I can just ask for the "usual" and they'll know how to fix it up for me. My new goal is to visit the same stand so often that eventually she'll know my face and know how I like my hot dogs. It'll be a cold, winter day and I'll show up in my boots and cute winter coat, blackberry attached to my waist and I'll go up to the stand and the woman will say "hey baby! You want the usual?" And I'll just smile and nod and she'll hand me a hot dog with mustard and ketchup and relish. She'll ask me how my day is going and I'll respond with some clever old adage like "oh you know how it is - another day, another dollar..." and she'll agree and say "don't I know it!"
I'm giving myself till Christmas.
In other news - there is a hot dog stand right by my new office building. Actually, there's about 3. I discovered them when I had to go into the city last week to get my picture taken for my ID badge. Getting the photo taken only took about 4 minutes and I didn't want to just go home so I stopped at the stand and bought a hot dog. The nice lady who runs the stand kept calling me "baby" and asked what I wanted on my hot dog. I told, her, paid my buck-fifty and ate it as I walked through the city. I've always wanted to be one of those city girls who has a cool job and has a hot dog stand where I can just ask for the "usual" and they'll know how to fix it up for me. My new goal is to visit the same stand so often that eventually she'll know my face and know how I like my hot dogs. It'll be a cold, winter day and I'll show up in my boots and cute winter coat, blackberry attached to my waist and I'll go up to the stand and the woman will say "hey baby! You want the usual?" And I'll just smile and nod and she'll hand me a hot dog with mustard and ketchup and relish. She'll ask me how my day is going and I'll respond with some clever old adage like "oh you know how it is - another day, another dollar..." and she'll agree and say "don't I know it!"
I'm giving myself till Christmas.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
NFL's Hottest
I'm trying to figure out who the NFL's best looking players are. Week after week, I read ESPN articles that rank teams based on offenses and defenses; they rank players based on completion rates and total rushing yards, etc. While I realize how important all those stats and rankings are, I'm also curious about who the hottest players are. But, as Heather pointed out, I'm not the best judge since my taste in men is a bit suspect so I need your help. Rank the top 10 of the following candidates and email me at aneesadin@gmail.com (or just leave a comment on this blog) with your picks. I'm going to post the results some time next week. And fellas, I know this isn't really your cup of tea but your input would be greatly appreciated. Also, if you feel I've missed someone, then just write him in. Enjoy :)
Name: Tom Brady, #12
Position: Quarterback
Team: New England Patriots
Name: Peyton Manning, #18
Position: Quarterback
Team: Indianapolis Colts
Name: Jason Taylor, #99
Position: Defensive End
Team: Miami Dolphins
Name: Brett Favre, #4
Position: Quarterback
Team: Green Bay Packers
Name: Jevon Kearse, #93
Position: Defensive End
Team: Philadelphia Eagles
Name: Eli Manning, #10
Position: Quarterback
Team: New York Giants
Name: Terrell Owens, #81
Position: Wide Receiver
Team: Dallas Cowboys
Name: Brady Quinn, #10
Position: Quarterback
Team: Cleveland Browns
Name: Matt Leinart, #7
Position: Quarterback
Team: Arizona Cardinals
Name: Lito Sheppard, #26
Position: Cornerback
Team: Philadelphia Eagles
Name: Tony Romo, #9
Position: Quarterback
Team: Dallas Cowboys
Name: Tedy Bruschi, #54
Position: Linebacker
Team: New England Patriots
Name: Brian Urlacher, #54
Position: Linebacker
Team: Chicago Bears
Name: Reggie Bush, #25
Position: Running Back
Team: New Orleans Saints
Name: Tom Brady, #12
Position: Quarterback
Team: New England Patriots
Name: Peyton Manning, #18
Position: Quarterback
Team: Indianapolis Colts
Name: Jason Taylor, #99
Position: Defensive End
Team: Miami Dolphins
Name: Brett Favre, #4
Position: Quarterback
Team: Green Bay Packers
Name: Jevon Kearse, #93
Position: Defensive End
Team: Philadelphia Eagles
Name: Eli Manning, #10
Position: Quarterback
Team: New York Giants
Name: Terrell Owens, #81
Position: Wide Receiver
Team: Dallas Cowboys
Name: Brady Quinn, #10
Position: Quarterback
Team: Cleveland Browns
Name: Matt Leinart, #7
Position: Quarterback
Team: Arizona Cardinals
Name: Lito Sheppard, #26
Position: Cornerback
Team: Philadelphia Eagles
Name: Tony Romo, #9
Position: Quarterback
Team: Dallas Cowboys
Name: Tedy Bruschi, #54
Position: Linebacker
Team: New England Patriots
Name: Brian Urlacher, #54
Position: Linebacker
Team: Chicago Bears
Name: Reggie Bush, #25
Position: Running Back
Team: New Orleans Saints
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
An Event 15 Years in the Making...
So, as many people already know, I'm crazy about Troy Aikman. I've been crazy about him since I was about 9 years old. I grew up watching him on TV and I guess you could say he was my childhood hero. I had my entire bedroom covered in Dallas Cowboys gear - I had my mom make me a duvet, pillow cases, and curtains. I bought a blue Troy Aikman jersey that I proudly wore to school, even on Mondays after the Cowboys lost.
I was so inspired by Aikman's performance in the 1994 NFC Championship game (they lost) that I wrote him a fan letter. I vividly remember being so inspired by the fact that Aikman didn't give up and I think I saw him encouraging the rest of the team to play hard. I think it was in that instant, when I fell in love. Yes, a complete school girl crush. I convinced my dad (an avid Redskins fan) that I HAD to write to Troy and tell him how he had inspired me. Some how, Dad found me the address and I remember laying on my stomach in front of the TV, writing out my letter to Troy. And everything I wrote to him was true - as a little girl and then as a teenager, any time things got hard, I always thought of Troy Aikman and his ability to stay in the game and play as hard as he could, no matter how bad they were losing.
Trust me, I realize how dorky that sounded but its totally true. I guess my crush on Troy Aikman wasn't the same as a crush a teenage girl would have on a normal star - I feel like there's more to it than just that. Anyways, now that Mr. Aikman is up in the announcer's booth, I've decided that I should really try to meet him. Every now and then, he announces Redskins games here in DC. That means that at some point, we will be within a few miles of each other and I have a chance of running into him. I'm going to start practicing what I'll say to him when I get to shake his hand. Not that I haven't been rehearsing for 15 years ;)
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