HOUSE RULES

Kristen came over tonight to see the new apartment and visit with me, Terry & JoEllen. We ate chocolate chip cookies and played UNO and Probe.
Playing UNO for the first time with people can be a drag because you have the standard argument over whose rules to follow. Do you have to keep drawing cards until you can play? Can you stack draw two cards?
The deck we used was an ancient boxed set circa '80, so it had a printed copy of the rules (along with a cool offer for an UNO t-shirt Tutti would have loved). Of course, Terry insisted that we strictly follow the printed rules (translate to "have no fun"). I think since it was my deck, we should have played by the rules I grew up playing. What do you think?

PASSION OF THE MOMENT: JAVA SHAKES

Often I get swept away in a passion of the moment. This week's is culinary: the new Nestle Ice Java Chocolate Mocha. Mixed in the blender with vanilla ice cream and a dash of milk, it makes a milkshake that makes me say, "Yum!" It's better than the coffee milkshakes I get at Cinemark. There's some free advertising for Nestle, but it was so good I wanted to share it with you! Enjoy!

BATMAN BEGINS BADLY

Batman Begins: YAWN

I dare you to tell me the name of a worse movie.

WHEEL OF (mis)FORTUNE

I went to an audition for Wheel of Fortune today. The repulsively charismatic host belittled the randomly-chosen fans who mustered enough personal courage to join him onstage. The fake-Vanna never drew my name from the hat. I didn't spin the wheel, but I was content to watch the spectacle. And I learned two things about fans of the show: (1.) They have white hair. (2.) Their primary activities are playing scrabble and internet-based games, and watching TV shows.

When was the last time you watched a game show? Which one was it?

BEGINNING

Not exactly sure what I'm starting here, but here goes nuttin.'

Any suggestions?

WELL, HAVE YOU EVER?

What a swell party this is...

(If you get that movie reference, then 5 bonus points for you.)


HAVE YOU EVER...

Smoked a cigarette: NO

Wrecked a car: NO

Stolen a car: NO

Gotten a speeding/parking ticket: NO

Been dumped: YES

Shoplifted: YES

Been fired/laid off: NO

Been in a fist fight: NO

Snuck out of your parents' house: NO

Been arrested: NO

Gone on a blind date: NO

Lied to a friend: YES

Skipped school: YES

Seen someone die: NO

Been to Mexico: NO

Been to Europe: YES

Eaten sushi: YES

Met someone in person you met on the internet: NO

Taken pain killers: YES

Had a tea party: YES

Cheated while playing a game: YES

Fallen asleep at work: YES

Used a fake ID: NO

Had surgery: YES

Felt an earthquake: NO

Experienced a tornado/hurricane: YES

Thrown-up in a public place: YES

Touched a snake: YES

Been robbed: YES

Broken a bone: NO

Slow danced with someone you love: YES

Petted a deer/goat: YES

Won a contest: YES

Hit a home run: YES

Been suspended from school: NO

Been in a car accident: YES

Made a speech: YES

Partied till dawn: YES

Had braces: NO

Gotten stitches: YES

Been spanked: YES

Sat/Stood in a corner: YES

Eaten a pint or more of ice cream in one night: YES

Witnessed a crime: YES

Swam in the ocean: YES

Climbed a moutain: YES

Been struck by lightning: NO

Flown: YES

Sailed: YES

Sung karaoke: YES

Snuck into a movie: NO

Paid for a meal with only coins: YES

Laughed until a beverage came out of your nose: YES

Been kissed under mistletoe: YES

Crashed a party: NO

Slept in church: YES

Worn pearls: NO

Had braces: NO

Slept in a cabin/tent: YES

Jumped off a bridge: NO

Eaten pet food: NO

Kissed a mirror: NO

Bowled a strike: YES

Glued your hand to something: YES

Done a one-handed cartwheel: NO

Cheated on a test: YES

Talked on the phone for more than 6 hours: YES

Not taken a shower for a week: YES

Gone skinny dipping: NO

Picked and eaten fruit right off the tree: YES

Been told by a complete stranger that you're cute: YES