My Criminal Career
OK, finally there is something really interesting to post! I just had this weird, almost surrealistic experience, which kicked off (and hopefully ended) my life of crime. I went to Heather's bachelorette party tonight, and a little after midnight I decided to go home to my hubby. So I hopped in my car and was driving along, minding my own business when I saw flashing red and blue lights in my rearview mirror. I pulled over followed by not one, but two police cars! I kept trying to figure out what I'd done wrong. Maybe I was going two or three miles over the speed limit, and I was pretty sure I had a license plate bulb burnt out, but other than that . . . Anyway, I was dumbstruck when the officer told me that a car matching the description and plate of my car had been seen on the south side of town and had left the roadway. Now I am positive I haven't been on the south side of town for almost a month, and even then I wasn't driving. Then he asked "Have you had anything to drink?" Well, I did have two or three drinks at the party, but I spaced them out over several hours, and hadn't had one in about an hour. I was terrified. I knew I was fine to drive, but I wasn't sure what the breath-o-lizer would say. It didn't let me down. The officer said it looked like I hadn't had anything to drink for a while, that there must have been a mix up and that I could go. Phew! That was a close one! Thinking back, I remembered that I saw three cars speed through a blinking red light a couple streets back--ironically coming from the south side of town. Apparently "blue Cavalier" and "gray Cutlass" are synonymous or something. So while the real criminals got away, lil' innocent old me was sitting there being made to feel like a criminal. So much for my taxpayer's dollars.

A visitor!
Well, I have finally gotten some inspiration to update my site. Apparently, at least one person has read it (Hi Martha!). Classes are now officially over. I've been spending the past couple of days "recovering." Recovering from what, you ask? I'm not entirely sure, but it makes a good excuse. It's no big deal, but I also cleaned and decluttered the bathroom countertop. I think the coffee table is next, because it is being replaced. I got this awesome old card catalog from the library, which is coffee-table-sized and has lots of drawers for clutter storage. Maybe I'll post pictures later if the mood strikes me.

I should be writing something else.
Why is it that the only time I end up writing entries is when I'm supposed to be writing papers? I guess I'll never understand that. Anyway, summer term is over today! Yipee! I should be finishing typing up this take-home final but I've hit a snag and, alas, I'll never get it done! The last test question is poorly written, and I've found at least two typos in my textbook. Poor excuses, I know. I suppose I can allow myself the reward of attacking the text with a red pen later. The Grammar Gremlin strikes again! I guess I'm going to try to answer this impossible question, so I'll get back to you later.

Another year, another entry
Well, it's a new year, so I probably should write something. Somehow, I made it through another semester. There should be about 3 more to go, providing I can take a couple classes by corresepondence over the summer. This coming semester (which is now less than a week away) sounds like fun because I get to do some serious practicum work. I hope I don't just get up in front of a classroom and flop. In a way I hate short field experiences like this because there's no time to form a relationship with the kids. I've found that makes a world of difference with the library kids.

There isn't much going on in other areas of my life. I've been married over a year now and people are still asking "How's the married life?" It's not much different than it was a year ago--not that it's bad or anything, just not much different. At least after this long, people who see me more often have started asking different questions: I have a feeling that the #1 question of 2005 will be "When are you going to have a baby?" Danged if I know. I'd like to get out of school first, and there is only a pinprick of light at the end of that tunnel.

Well I suppose that's my entry for the year. If you're lucky, you might hear from me again before 2006. Maybe. If I feel like it. For now, good day!

I Met Brad Paisley!
Wow! I haven't written anything since July it looks like. That tail bone injury is still bugging me a bit, and I'm almost certain now that I broke it, because it moves around sometimes when I shift in my chair. I don't think human tails are supposed to wag. At any rate, it's about time that I write about something positive in my journal, so here goes!

The past Saturday night, I got to meet my favorite singer of all time, Brad Paisley. The evening was a birthday gift to my mother, who likes him about as I do. I feel kind of guilty because I got about as much out of her gift as she did. The concert was awesome, except everyone insisted on standing through most of it. I felt bad because there was an older man two rows behind us who couldn't stand, and therefore couldn't see. Between the older man and us was a row of screaming girls who sang along with the more popular songs at the top of their lungs. I could tell they weren't true fans because they only knew the songs that are played on the radio. That irked me a bit. I think they were college age, which once again affirms that most people my age get on my nerves. Despite all that, the concert was wonderful, and a bit different than either of the other two concerts my mom and I had been to. There were a lot more audiovisual effects this time around. He showed a little cartoon to accompany one of his instrumentals (a "Spaghetti Western Swing"/"Munster Rag" medley), and he also played the respective music videos for "Celebrity" and "The Fishing Song" as he sang. I found it strange that every part of the Fishing Song video that starred his wife was replaced by a shot of a fish swimming underwater. A video version of Alison Kraus performed her part in "Whiskey Lullaby."

After the concert, the fan club (including my mom and I) lined up at the front exit. We were taken to a small room where we lined up to see Brad, one group at a time. When our turn rolled around, we walked out to meet him. He said "Hi girls, how are you doing?" My mom just thought that was great, being called a "girl." We had him sign our pictures, and he wanted to know where mine was taken. We told him. That was the extent of our conversation. He then put one arm around each of us, and we did the same to pose for a picture. Then we thanked him and left. It was probably a minute or less. I wish I could have thought of something to say . . . Anyway, if you'd like to see pictures from the concert, check out my "Paisley Pics" page at http://www.mandispencer.com/brad.html. I realize that the jpegs are huge, so those of you on dial-up might have some difficulty downloading them. I intend to shrink them when I have time. Well, I must get to class. Thanks for listening!

(: Mandi :)

A Pain in the Butt . . . Literally
Well, something interesting enough to write about finally happened. I was at my parents' house chasing down the dog and I slipped on their tile floor. Luckily, I landed where I have the most cushioning--my rump. Aparently, the cushioning didn't do me any good, because I'm pretty sure I bruised my tailbone. With summer classes, I have to sit for three hours! I have to sit on this dorky blue inflatable donut, but it's better than squriming around trying to get comfortable like the people on those Preparation H commercials.

No one ever visits this site.
I've come to the conclusion that nobody ever visits this site. There hasn't been a single comment on any of my news entries and no one has signed the guestbook. I don't blame people for not coming around. It's sort of boring, actually, unless one is concerned with where I've been and what I've been doing. Still, I am deluded into thinking that someone really is interested in my life. Aren't we all? Accordingly, I will continue to update my page.

Hello Seniorhood!
As of tomorrow, I will officially be a senior again! Somehow, I made it through the end of last semester, just like I do every semester. Grades aren't official yet, but all of my professors have turned them in. I had a pleasant surprise or two--aside from any +'s or -'s, all are A's!

Today I have been scrambling around trying to find my tax information so I can get financial aid for summer classes. For some strange reason, they still want my 2002 info, which means I've been digging through my hubby's messy office--I affectionately call it the "Black Hole"--all morning trying to find a missing W-2. I did find my senior book, so I flipped through it. I can't believe it has been three years since graduation already! Everyone has changed so much, myself included. People who haven't kept in touch with me don't even recognize me anymore--either that or they are ignoring me. :) It's nice to look back and reminisce, but I don't think I would want to repeat it. I'm very happy with the direction my life has taken.

Procrastination
Here's the deal: I'm supposed to be writing a 6-8 page paper for English Lit, which is due tomorrow. I have barely made it to page 2, and what I have written isn't what I'd call brilliant. I am actually interested in the topic, but since I've only read about a tenth of one of the books I'm writing about, I don't have much to go on. Naturally, I want to do anything but write this paper. I've already played three games of Tetris, so I thought I'd blow a little extra time writing a journal entry.

Since the last entry, I turned 21, which really was not a huge deal like everyone says. I think getting married made me feel more grown up than any birthday ever has. In other news, Gipper, the new puppy, has almost doubled in weight since we got in him in February. He is now fully potty trained and has turned out to be a very well-behaved little guy--except for his table manners. He knows the word "treat" very well, and does not hesitate to help himself from my plate if he can reach it. Since everyone is always so curious about educational matters, as of Thursday, I will have completed my junior year of college. In other words, I'll be starting out my first senior year during second summer term (yes, I plan on having a second).

I can't think of anything else of interest to say, so I'll just say "Good-bye!"

In Memory
I have created a simple memorial to honor my late and beloved Yoda. You may view it at this address: http://www.mandispencer.com/yoda.html