Ah, I miss the Wallflowers...gotta love shuffe on iTunes...the random stuff that you haven't listened to in who knows how long...although even as I type this I have to wonder how some of it got into my library...gremlins I am sure...

Anyhow, I wrote the paper that I put off all weekend. The only thing I know for sure is that if you are contemplating expanding your business into a foreign country then quite possibly the Czech Republic is the place for you. Culturally and economically they are surprisingly similiar...I know...I don't really care either, but I thought I would share.

Well, I finished Break No Bones today. While the story itself is just ok, I actually thought it was pretty funny how Reichs took shots at procedurals for showing crimes getting solved in an hour and the protagonists getting to do all kinds of cool, heroic stuff while looking and smelling good considering she is a producer of Bones. Although, I do appreciate people who don't take themselves too seriously.

Random sidenote: I would just like to say I hate springing forward. I am a night owl as it is, which means that I go to sleep even later and have to get up earlier (especially given how much I procrastinated yesterday). It was nice only having a 5 hour time difference instead of 6 with the East Coast...Not sure if 2am conversations are that much better than those at 3am, but it sure seemed like it...

Today I had at least five things to do. One of which was to watch the Gators play Oregon. Of the things on my list to do that is the only one I accomplished. They found a way to win again. If they can manage to do it two more times, I will be a happy camper. Rematch against UCLA will definitely be interesting. However, my procrastination tendencies mean I am going to have to get up early tomorrow morning and possibly pull an all-nighter to catch up. I am trying to care, but have found I don't. Although, can I say I love Al Horford? The man is a beast even when he doesn't have the best game.

As a sidenote, I finally managed to watch Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes, the most recent FNL episode. Can I just say that it is hands down the best thing to hit the airwaves this season? It had everything. This show reminds me why I watch television. Riggins with Beau, Street coaching Matt, the Taylors...Everything. If you are not watching this show, please explain to me why not.

Go Gators!!!

"I feel like a hostage to the decisions I have made" is on one of the postcards on postsecret.com. A friend of mine sent me one of the books recently and I have been mildly obsessed ever since. The idea is intriguing and this one definitely struck a cord. I am in the middle of writing/procrastinating a paper. It is the last paper of my second class of my online MBA program. I already know the program isn't for me, but it is just one of those things I am supposed to do...expected to do. I bailed on law school after college to travel and now it is time to grow up. So instead of writing my paper or going into work to tackle the ever growing pile on my desk, I am writing this and waiting around for the Florida/Oregon game. The best use of time? Absolutely not. And, surprisingly, I am ok with that. What does that say about me?

So normally, I live for weekends...Seriously...I used to like my job, but the last few months...not so much, actually not even a little...Which means that I treasure any time not spent at work...of course, because things are so bad (short staffed, a ton of suspenses, and inspections looming), it has meant that my weekends are not actually my own anymore...Tomorrow I will spend at least half the day trying to get my actual job done, since I am too busy covering during the week to do it...so I am having a hard time enjoying today. A little pathetic, right? The other reason is because the soccer team I help coach was supposed to have a game today, but it got snowed out...After a morning practice, I found myself at loose ends, something that does not happen during soccer season...and I couldn't even motivate to do something...I was ready for spring...even though I know that it can snow in May here...but it has been so mild...Anyhow...

Random sidenote: Ohio State is through to the Final Four. We are 25% to a first...all four number 1 seeds...I would love to see it...

Was really nervous...The Gators didn't play very well, but they stepped up when they needed to...Gotta love Al...the man is a beast.

Too bad about Vandy...although you gotta give Georgetown's Green props...that was an outstanding game winning drive...

Gotta love March Madness...

Go Gators...

If you are a sports fan, last night's games did not disappoint. I was really hoping the Salukis would upset Kansas, as I seem them as Florida's biggest problem to the final (providing they can handle Butler and at least in my bracket Oregon). And how did UT not beat Ohio State? They were up by 20 and Oden played like 18 minutes the ENTIRE game...I really thought the Vols would come through...How about Memphis and the Aggies? Free throws...geez...Pitt/UCLA was the least interesting game, no matter how the media tried to spin it...I know some are annoyed that their regularly scheduled programs are being disrupted, but I love college basketball. Anything can happen...Cannot wait until tonight...Go Gators!!!

Sidenote: I stumbled across "Love is a Mix Tape" by Rob Sheffield...Haven't finished yet, but it is outstanding...Touching story about music is the backdrop for his life, and if you are one of those people that has music on all the time (I am) and are in your late 20s or mid 30s, the songs will take you back...

Currently listening to: Phantom Limb-The Shins

So I had an appointment to get my snow tires taken off...It seemed that winter had completely bypassed Germany...we had two days of snow (over 10 inches), but it was gone within three days and that was it...I was wearing shorts and flipflops...and yet, as I look out my window today...it is snowing...I am not in the right mindset to revisit winter...I really, really wanted some snow before, the skiing has been nonexistant, but now is the time for soccer...and while soccer in the snow is fun the first time, it does not bode well for practice tonight...

Moving on...or rather back to the list...Number 6...The West Wing...another Sorkin classic in the tradition of Sports Night, but in some people's mind better...not mine, but it still makes the list...I promise that Studio 60 will not. I have heard The West Wing dismissively denouced as The Left Wing, and while there is more than a grain of truth in that statement, it doesn't make the acting or writing any less amazing. This is one of those shows that I refused to watch, because there was too much backstory to just start in the middle...at least that was my excuse...Now I am not sure...My best friend finally decided enough is enough and got me the first five seasons for my birthday, knowing that I would know what an investment it was and feel compelled to actually give them a chance...It didn't even take getting past the first season for me to admit how wrong I had been. Sorkin is at his best when he is passionate about his topic and a show about politics afforded him the opportunity to climb up on his soapbox...alot...I am not complaining in the least...Even when I didn't agree, it still made for good television. I have to say that it wasn't all smooth sailing, but boy did it end on a highnote. I know some had issues with the alternating between Bartlett's adminstration and the Santos storyline, but I really enjoyed the different perspectives. I can't put my finger on why I love Sorkin shows so much. I think it is because he populates his shows with a variety of flawed people just trying to do the right thing. Watching their struggles just makes for good tv.

Taking a break from the list...I would not consider myself a game player...literally or figuratively, but of late, I have become relatively obsessed with the Settlers of Catan. Since I am living in Germany, it was basically inevitable that I be exposed to this game. It seems Europeans take their gameplaying quite seriously, which I find somewhat odd, since it doesn't quite jive with my notions about Europeans...anyhow...Have you played this game and any of the variations? It is fantastic. I hate monopoly and risk, yet this game is closest to a combination of the two, but so much better. I am much more of a Trivial Pursuit/Turbo Cranium kinda gal, but this game is addictive. It has become my new favorite gift to give.

Anyhow, name your games.

As a random sidenote, do you have any TV based games of your own design? Dawson's Creek and CSI have both inspired many a game based on Joey's mannerisms (crooked smile, shrugging of shoulders, and pushing her hair behind her ear...the trifecta) and what I lovingly refer to as Grissomisms, although you can play with any of the spinoffs...

Alright, throw whatever you want my way, but I am sticking to my guns here...I miss Friends. For all of the missteps, badly cast sweeps guest stars, and lack of diversity, it is still one of my favorite shows...ever. Yes, I am one of those people that owns all 10 seasons. Chandler Bing was my favorite Friend, and I miss him. I saw glimpses of him on Studio 60, because, at least for me, very few actors can completely separate themselves from the roles that established them...(i.e. David Duchovny will always be Mulder...) As far as Friends go, yes, I will admit the Ross/Rachel thing was annoying...10 years of will they, won't they, but in the finale, I really wanted to know if she got off the plane...Of course, I KNEW she got off the plane, but still...This show reminds me of college, because we talked about it and it definitely influenced us in very silly ways...When we get together and travel, we "get in the map" ala Joey...And a few of us are still hoping to find our "lobster"...Seriously, it was a great ensemble...the perfect mix of the absurd and, yet they were characters you rooted for. Matt LeBlanc did not get enough credit...well, he got Joey the show, but we all knew what a mistake that was from the get go. How I Met Your Mother aspires to be Friends in a bar and it does an alright job, but the original has had its fair share of wannabes for a reason. I think it is surprising that everyone I know watched the show, but few will admit it now. Admitting you are a fan of Friends is not like admitting you watched Dawson's Creek...(and before you Creek fans get all up in arms...I watched it too...and I am embarassed...but there is a great Joey drinking game that at least made it kind of interesting...) So Friends makes my list of favorite shows ever...joining Sports Night, Bones, and The Wonder Years...random...I know...

Hmm...Number 8 on the list...there are so many choices, but I am going to have to go with The Wonder Years. This was the show my family watched together when I was a kid...Probably the only television we all collectively agreed was worth it. I hope they get the music issues squared away, because this is definitely a show that I want to add to my collection. Despite the era of the show, the family values it presents have stood the test of time. If I have kids, this will be a show that we watch together. There are so few shows now that I can point to and say that about. This show was at times heartbreaking (Winnie's brother in the pilot) and hilarious (too many examples). The show was the perfect coming of age show. Kevin and Paul in all their geeky glory. Karen in hippy splendor. Wayne...well, just being Wayne. The character interactions and dialogue were how people talked. Also, I loved Daniel Stern as the narrator. He did an excellent job reflecting. Part of it was the brilliant writing, but his delivery added something special. This is one of the shows that when I come across it in reruns I end up watching whether I have seen the episode once or a hundred times. It just strikes the right note.

As a sidenote...the Gators barely survived against Purdue. They are looking beatable, but I love how they didn't look flustered. They have the talent and they have that intangible team aspect going for them. It should be a fun Sweet 16...