It's the best holiday of the year!

Wilco will love you, baby.

(and we're going to see them December 13 in Baltimore!!!!)

Happy Halloween!

What are you doing next Friday night?

I'll have my mom & dad and things 1&2 in tow...

a friendly face or two (or fifteen) not related to me would be very welcome!

Get on myspace and become a friend of the hot noodles...

they want lots of friends. And I can attest: they make very good friends.

You won't be sorry.

I am breaking up with you.

Dear Starbucks,

We've been together for a long, long (long, long) time. I've loved you through thick (Chantico) and thin (you got rid of Chantico...and valencia orange syrup!) I've defended your honor against serious, well-reasoned attacks. But I can't do it any more. You've changed, Starbucks. You. Have. Changed.

What were you thinking with the new soy milk? What is that?!

And, despite inquiries at three -- three -- different stores this morning, your partners insist that the new signature hot chocolate cannot be made with soy milk even though I've read that partners have been trained to make it with soy milk. I tried a tall signature hot chocolate with regular milk and tossed most of it. It's not a creation you should be proud of. Really. All style, no substance. I expected better from you.

You used to be so right. Now you're just, well, wrong. And so our love is at an end. I will no longer pay $5 for a dry soy venti cappucino. I will no longer giddily celebrate the return of summer with a venti iced americano with an extra shot. I just can't. I thought we were happy together, but I can't take this anymore. You take and take and take and never give back. You've made me so sad, Starbucks.

I'll miss you, but I'll get by. Somehow.

Sincerely,

Me.

REGISTER & VOTE!

Are you registered to vote? Did you know that the last day to register to vote in the state of Maryland is Friday, October 14? That's just over a week away!

Learn more about voter registration from the Maryland State Board of Elections and make sure that you're registered.

And, if you visit my favorite band on their website and pledge to vote this November, they'll give you a special gift...

Also visit HeadCount.org for PSAs and more from some very cool bands.

Turning over a new leaf...you heard it here first.

I have decided to try something new...taking care of myself. No, I don't mean massages and reflexology and manicures and haircuts and stuff like that. I mean actually going to the doctor, getting my eyeglass prescription updated, going to the dentist twice a year...you know. Taking care of myself.

This is a big deal. I have **conveniently** put the needs and schedules of other people (yea, kids!) ahead of my need to go to the dentist, the doctor, the optometrist... I know I'm not the only one who does this. It's just that I am -- right now -- stopping this practice. I went to the dentist this morning, and by golly, I'm doing it again in a few weeks. So there. And the optometrist, too. And, pretty soon, the doctor. I am all over this.

Now to get down of my high horse. It's a big one, so this may take awhile...

(By the way, I do realize that this picture depicts a kid in a costume, not an actual doctor. I'm fairly certain that my doctor is a little older. and she has a real jacket and office and stuff like that.)