DPP 13: UNI's Finale.

UNI lost today. But before I give the world's shortest play by play on a sport I SO do not understand, I will start by saying two things about the other team. 1) They were the most polite football team I have ever come across. I walked a camera all the way down the field, and the whole way down, the coaches, trainers, and players were nodding hello, saying good morning, and asking how my day was. Most of the time I don't even get grunts. 2) They were the spiders. The dumbest mascot ever. And the actual costume was even dumber than the thought of being the spiders. It looked like an ant with a devil haircut.

It was a sad game. UNI lost two of their best players to drug possession last month, and the team still pulled all the way through to the last game before the final championship in Tennessee. We all thought they were going to win. We were expecting a win. All three quarters we were winning. The last quarter too, until the final two minutes of the game. And they ran the ball down the field, and due to poor coaching, they won on the goal kick. It was crushing to watch. One of my cameras had a close up on a player. The last play was the worst of the whole game, and before it was even over, I watched the player lift his hands above his head and crumple to the ground. He didn't even kneel to the ground, it was as if he could not hold up his body anymore. The field emptied in almost silence. The crowd on the field after the game silently packed up their gear, barely looking at anyone. I don't even care about UNI, and it was painful to witness.

This is Nicole. She didn't like that we lost either, but she was happy enough to aim this XLR cable at my head. She really wanted to be my picture of the day, so here she is! I will now pretend to be an elementary student and tell you all about her! Nicole is from Chicago. She likes Oreo cookies. She follows Chicago sports like a true Chicago-ian. Nicole works at Channel 15. She lives near Alex. He wears loafers. They walk together. Nicole really likes to run the instant replay at the games, and likes the smocks that she has to wear even more. She might steal it. Naughty! The End. PS. She better comment on this post so I know she read it. Cause she is one cool kiddo!

DPP 12: Naughty Me!

I am being naughty today. Instead of running for the rest of the afternoon, I am going to sit in bed, watch a zombie comedy western, and work on Christmas cards. I have done so good this week with eating well, running every day, and going to the rec. Today, I fail. But that means everyone will get Christmas cards that much sooner! Plus we are going to an early movie and who wants a sweaty girl sitting next to them while Keanu tries to blow up the world? Not me!

On a completely separate note, this weekend is my last football game of the year. For the past few games, I have fiercely wanted them to lose, mainly because everytime they win post regular season, it just means that one more game has been added to my work schedule. And almost all are televised (aka 4.5 hours long vs 3.5 hours). But this is the last chance to play at home, if they win this, its off to Chatanooga. So for that reason, GO PANTHERS!

DPP 11: Two weeks til Christmas!

I was kind of at a loss as to what to post today. Last night was rather uneventful, all I did was start addressing Christmas cards, and today at work wasn't anything special with dad sicker than a dog (poor guy is death warmed over).

And then it hit me as I was about halfway through my daily routine. Every day since January 1st of last year, I have done one sudoku. I got one of those daily calendars last year, and I am obcessed with doing it. I would work ahead if I didnt think I would be greatly disappointed once I ran out. I rip sudokus out of newspapers and magazines, I could do them all day every day.

BUT, they must be the classic 9x9. These new fangled colored ones, ones with letters or shapes, no. Just no. Move out, keep it simple folks. Also, they have to be done in pen. None of this pencil and erasing crap. If you aren't sure that the number goes there, then don't write it in yet! If you mess up, then you are done for the puzzle. No second chances here!

Wow, that got a little intense for a daily picture involving a paper mind puzzle...

DDP 10: Nessa's Flowers.

It's technically the 10th, and I am just really excited about today's picture, so here it is!

I know I said I would steer clear of my furry felines, but clearly, this picture must be shown to the world. Nessa loved laying in front of the lights, soaking up the warmth in our otherwise frigid condo. This picture is actually part of a larger project, but its a secret! More to come on that later.

For now, for those of you who are trapped in blizzard weather, or just extreme cold, like we are, bundle up and think about the flowers of spring. Nessa is.

DPP Day Nine: Yumminess.

Last night, we finally cooked our chicken that had been marinating in Pumpkin Curry for a few days. It was meant to be eaten earlier, but well, other stuff comes up! Anyways, it was DELICIOUS. I highly recommend it to anyone that likes Indian food, but can't readily get it (like us, where the nearest Indian food is easily several hours away). You really can't taste the pumpkin and the curry is yum yum awesome. Next time I think we will cook the chicken plain, and then pour the heated up sauce on top to keep some of the flavor from cooking out. But trust me, there will be a next time! And it's only 10 calories a tablespoon! Doubley awesome. You can get it at Williams and Sonoma. I tried to find it to order online, and couldn't seem to find it, so you'll have to find it in the store. But it's worth the trip! My tummy promises.

Between the decades...

Food for thought:

When I think of the decades, I can clearly picture images, icons, and general feelings that represent that specific decade.

The 50s had Leave it to Beaver families, clean cut, sock hops. The 60s and 70s had hippies, free spirits, political turmoil, and bell bottoms. 80s had Flock of Seagulls, neon colors and really bad hair. 90s brought Kurt Cobain, grunge, and great tv sitcoms.

Nothing surprising or odd about that list. But I started to think about the transitioning of the decades. How culture went from one to the next, especially now as we start to repeat ourselves. And they all make sense, with one exception.

I have no idea how the world went from the 70s to the 80s. One day its bell bottoms, world peace, and acid....and the next its St Elmos Fire, shoulder pads, and stirrup pants. I think my confusion has a lot to do with the massive technology upgrade in that few years. But still, its such a weird jump to make.

Anyways. That's just my take on it. Thoughts?

Last Day 8 of 2008.

These pictures are of objects all too familiar to me this time of year. From September to March of last year and this year, I have worked the jumbotron at the University of Northern Iowa. I get to sit in a little cement room in between the Dome and the McLeod Center, and push buttons that decide what you see on the giant screen for basketball, volleyball, and football. Occasionally wrestling, but that sport is just beyond my mental grasp of "fun."

My crew is awesome. A good bunch of kids interning or working for class credit. Some of them truly take the cake with their hilarious stories and antics. A few others need to break out of their shells! I don't bite...I promise! Although I am sure they are just trying to focus on the court or field....right? Riiigghhhttt. It might take up all my weekends for a good six months, but it is something I really enjoy doing, despite it involving sports, not something I usually am into. Not that I really have to watch the games though, in fact, there are games where I will get in the car afterwards and I will have no idea who won or by how much. I just have other stuff to be thinking about during the game. Oops!

Day 7.5: Kinda late....but still a photo!

Ok, so I have been the most lazy person on the planet today. I didn't even get out of bed really until 2pm! Hence the extreme lateness of today's photo. That, and I couldn't decide which way to go with today's picture.

I decided. Last night, after a LONG day of working at UNI, we headed over to the Nordyke household for some pizza. And while my brother and dad decided to watch SNL and pretend to wrestle (my brother could easily break my father in half, no joke). Us clasy folks, my mom, Matt, Tim and I, decided to play some scrabble.

It ended up being the WORST scrabble game in the history of man. No one got anything worth even putting on the board really. It hit an all time low when my mother got out three dictionaries to prove that "Biz" was a word. (Its not). Alas, family scrabble at midnight, good times.