For the record...

Junior Prom - 1998
Originally uploaded by SarahorNicholas

As many of you may have noticed, I am scanning all of my old photos and putting them on flickr. I thought I would share this photo with all of you because I think it is the best picture taken of me EVER.

Given I was only 16 and cellulite free, not to mention with my high school boyfriend who was not my decision making at its best, but dang I look good! Also I think I deserve some serious credit, because that was 1998 and I would wear that dress tomorrow. The same cannot be said for some of my friends I'm afraid.

Sarah's Selections

New Yorker article that provides an excellent historical review of the Conservatism and encompasses (although not concisely) while I am not a Republican - turns out asking people who hate government to govern, not such a good idea.

An editorial about the real issue with state's rights.

I'm usually a big proponent of college for everyone but this piece makes an interesting counter-argument.

Weekend at Mount Vernon

Weekend at Mount Vernon
Originally uploaded by SarahorNicholas

Nicholas and I spent a lovely Saturday at Mount Vernon. We took a cruise up the Potomac early in the morning and arrived at George Washington's home around 10. We saw the grounds and the new welcome center and museum. We had a nice little lunch and did the tour of the mansion right before we caught our boat back to DC.

The weather was perfect and we had really wonderful time.

Sarah's Selection

Absolute #1 pick. For all of you who didn't catch us in The Wall Street Journal , perhaps you'll enjoy the article this month in the NEW YORK TIMES, where we are listed as a Travel Essential for 2008! And I quote: "Paducah isn’t Podunk these days."

Great editorial looking back on lessons learned the hard way.

The truth about the $4 a gallon gas you all want to talk to me about.

Interview with Hugh Hefner's son. Favorite part: “The ones I find attractive are brunet, blue eyes, and that’s about it. An intelligent woman that I can have a conversation with.… That centerfold in the magazine probably wouldn’t be my girlfriend, because I wouldn’t find her attractive. I don’t care about fake boobs if the girl has a good personality, but most girls with fake boobs I don’t find attractive—because of why they got the fake boobs in the first place.”

My obsession with Michael Pollan is well-documented. For those of you have read his book or haven't found time yet, watch this:

Whoa

We just bought tickets to Tunisia...sort of on a lark. Well not really - but kind of.

So, yeah, if you need us August 15-24, we'll be in Tunisia. :)

UPDATE: For those of you wondering about Tunisia (or having to consult a map!), here is a write up from a recent Fodor's article entitled "Where We're Going in 'O8: 7 Places Americans Have Yet to Discover."

"Tunisia: Tell people you're going to Tunisia and you'll most likely get blank stares from Americans. Europeans, on the other hand, nod knowingly. Thanks to old colonial ties, this prosperous and peaceful country, wedged between Algeria and Libya, is a favorite destination among the French. Brits and Germans flock here, too, lured by low prices, a reliably sunny climate, and a jaw-dropping assortment of sites. Aside from the expected medinas and mosques, Tunisia has some of the best Roman ruins anywhere: the coliseum at El Jem and the temples of Sbeitla being only two examples. The real draw, however, is Tunisia's diversity. Within a matter of hours you can drive from the Mediterranean beaches of Djerba (a resort island popular enough to support three Club Meds) through villages that were used as filming locations for the Star Wars movies, and into the Sahara. Visiting the last of these is a mostly "in-tents" excursion. Board a camel for a bare-bones camping experience (contact@libre-espace-voyages.com; about $30 per person) or go upscale at the ultra-chic Pansea Ksar Ghilane (doubles from €129) tent resort. Air France has regular flights to Tunisia from New York and Paris."

Sarah's Selections

So, I read. I read a lot. I read books, magazines, websites, blogs. I read about politics, pop culture, health, the environment, or whatever strikes my fancy at any given moment, and I've realized recently I really love sharing and talking about the things I read. Hence, a new weekly feature here at The Best Blog EVER!!!, where I will share some of the things I've read over the last week. Feel free to comment or leave links to things you've read recently.

#1 pick - completely fascinating article about how shoes screw up our feet, which evolved to function best barefoot.

Great article on Evangelical's interaction with pop culture:
"That's true when you create a sanitized version of bands like Nirvana or artists like Jay-Z, too: You shoehorn a message that's essentially about obeying authority into a genre that's rebellious and nihilistic, and the result can be ugly, fake, or just limp."

Fascinating and disturbing at the same time.

Interview with Sarah Jessica Parker with great analysis of Sex and the City:
"And suddenly I was hooked, enthralled! With each season, I loved the show more; the scariness I’d sensed, the anxiety and the anger, was still there, but so was a sweet fantasy of female friendship. The characters were archetypes and real people at once, a neat trick. As a single woman in my thirties, I was grateful for it all: Wouldn’t you rather have your family fear for your life as a glamour-grotesque than pity it as a Cathy cartoon?"

Good news for every woman in my family :)

Amazing Martha Beck (who I love) piece on religion. She really captures the good and bad of what religion has to offer.

On a final note, not a great article just a great quote -
"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society." - Krishnamurti

I have no words

I don't know how many of you have ever heard me talk about this woman but when I saw this headline I literally screamed.

Me and Barbara

Me and Barbara
Originally uploaded by SarahorNicholas

I met Barbara Walters today...JEALOUS!?!? She was signing copies of her new books on the Hill today. I told her I was honored to meet her and a big fan of The View. She was quieter then I thought she would be but very pleasant.

Cover Imitating Life

Who would like to guess Nicholas's reaction when this cover came in the mail? ;)

Flower Market and other fun

This weekend we went to the Flower Market on the grounds of the National Cathedral. It was a splendid day and we had a great time exploring all the vendors and their wares. We had a famous lobster roll and did the climbed the Tower. At the top, we captured some really magnificent views of the city and got a lesson on the bell ringers. I actually forgot my camera and while I'm a bit sad, I have to say I was better able to enjoy the moment since I wasn't obsessed with getting the perfect shot.

We had our neighbors Danny and Laura over for dinner on Saturday night and had a wonderful chatting till almost midnight. Nicholas made another delicious meal and I think both his meal and my dessert were a hit.

He went out fishing Sunday. He caught several blue gill and one heck of a sunburn. I laid around most of the day after walking my booty off Friday night (we walked home from the movie theater, which is over 2 miles) and most of Saturday.


Overall, we had nice, slow weekend and enjoyed the beautiful weather.

Weekend in Kentucky

So, the fact that it has taken me almost a week to blog about this week is a testament to how much fun was had by all.

Seriously, y'all. I am tired.

We did one heck a trip through Louisville and Lexington, visiting all our favorite people along the way. We did Friday night with Annie and Kyle at The Grape Leaf and Saturday morning at their table being fed all types of yummy locally-farmed goodies. Before we left for Lexington, Elizabeth picked us up and we finally got around to getting Erin a wedding present almost five months later (whatever Emily Post says you get a year! don't judge me!). You can see the photos of that gift below.

We got some quick Fazoli's and then segregated by sex for the ride to Lexington. We allowed an exception for baby Jack Jack, who was a complete doll all weekend. I can't speak for Nicholas and Seth but the girls' car was delightful! Once we got to Lexington, we went by campus and checked out the chapter room and gift shop. Then we went back to Catherine's to get ready for the reunion. I have to say we all looked mighty snazzy, although Elizabeth won best theme for the evening which was "I look hot in my minidress and I've had two kids!" Real winner don't you think?

The reunion was actually a tad uneventful, especially since we missed the major freaking events -- the picture (I don't want to talk about it) and the welcome speech! Luckily, we gathered a fun group for pie and coffee afterwards and had a great time catching up.

The next day we got some breakfast at Magee's Bakery and headed back to Louisville. Erin, Seth, Nicholas, and I met our good friends Tim and Emily for lunch. Time and Emily are also a hoot to be around - the imminent birth of their first child really took the hilarity to a whole new level. I can tell you that much.

Since I decided to cram in as much visitin' and eatin' in one weekend, we had dinner with my high school friend Reagan and her new man and my friend Smith and his girlfriend Linda a mere three hours after having lunch. However, it was worth it because we had a fabulous time.

I can only speak for myself but I was sort of sad to leave Kentucky and all our beloved friends at the end of the weekend.