A‧BYS‧MAL

a‧bys‧mal [uh-biz-muhl] - dictionary.com defines it as "extremely or hopelessly bad or severe" although after this week's Packer game, you may see a new definition. I saw the first 10-0 before having to fly to Ft. Lauderdale on business. It was enough. Thereafter, it was just painful to hit the refresh on the BlackBerry to get the last play.

In Remembrance

As I have mentioned previously, the company I work for is headquartered directly across the street from where the World Trade Center towers stood. Although, I did not work for my current employer five years ago, I take this moment to remember the eleven employees that lost their lives that day.

As you reflect on the day, I hope you'll also join me in remembering those eleven people too.

Ocean View

Along with the NASCAR experience, I was treated to a Labor Day weekend ocean view getaway. We spent the weekend in North Myrtle Beach. The weather has been picture perfect. We had a gorgeous room, ocean view and a huge balcony. My favorite is the sound of the ocean; it's such a soothing sound.

Day Jobs

So, instead of Kahne, Johnson and Stewart, it was Sterling Marlin and Dale Jr. We strapped into the #40 and #8. Needless to say, we broke no time records and probably scared our instructors out of the car. As you can see, we were modeling the latest in fire-proof jumpsuits. Of course, helmets are important and should be worn at all times, especially when driving with us!

Seriously, it was a fun, exhilirating experience. Driving a few "hot" laps with the instructor when you're really going 150+ mph was quite a rush. It's not as easy as it looks. There's a lot more than just "turning left." You have to watch your line, hit your marks, know when to accelerate, decelerate, actually steer towards the wall, watch the flag-person, keep an eye on your gauges, passing, being passed, accomplish all of that going more than 150 mph and not hit anyone on pit road.

Anyway, we had a great time, but we've been asked to keep our day jobs!

Buck Baker Racing School

Move over Kasey Kahne, Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart, NASCAR racing will never be the same as I take to the track on Saturday morning. We brave the winds and rain of Ernesto to travel to Darlington Raceway for a NASCAR ride/drive of a lifetime. My birthday present last fall was the 1/2 day ride and drive experience at the Buck Baker Racing School.

Founded solely by two-time NASCAR Nextel Cup Champion Buck Baker in 1980, we are the oldest and best-known NASCAR-type racing school in America. Our programs are designed to instill the thrill of racing in everyone - from beginners to more advanced racers. We don't use pace cars. We allow passing. And we use racing radios to provide on-track instruction for our advanced students. Plus, we're the first NASCAR-type racing school to use CD-ROM camera/data acquisition technology in every racecar. We operate at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Darlington Raceway, North Carolina Speedway, and the Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Check back for an update later this weekend! I'm afraid there will be pictures involved.

SLOPPY!

During pre-season when your team loses, it's "just pre-season" and when they win it "says something about the upcoming season." In actuality, both are correct. Regardless of a win or loss, it is pre-season. Regardless of a win or loss, it does foreshadow the regular season. Winning teams win...even in pre-season.

What did I see during the Packers pre-season game against Cincinnati so far? In one word: SLOPPY. Offensive line, again, somewhat offensive. Defense, mostly offensive too. Tipped balls, interception and fumble are not going to make this a winning team. As my husband asked earlier this evening, yes, there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

My family has started to give me a hard time. When I watch, the Pack loses. Last week, when the Packers beat Atlanta, I was unable to watch. So, they began to ask me if I would sacrifice watching the games for a Packers' win. I think that's highly unfair!

UPDATE: Suspended.
Game suspended due to threatening weather with 9 minutes left in the 4th. Or perhaps, out of compassion. Thanks for putting us out of our misery!

Five States

This has been a busy week: five states; eight nights; six different beds and/or couch; a 2.5 hour delay for crew and mechanical issues (same plane, two different mechanical issues, two airports); and 1.25 hour traffic jam on the ride home.

Let the Games Begin

Pre-season begins tonight for the Green Bay Packers. The season embarks with a lot of expectation and mostly uncertainty. Mike McCarthy takes his team to San Diego. Since it isn't televised live in my area, I will have to rely on a delayed-tape replay. Check back for some game thoughts.

UPDATE: Uninspiring.
That sums up tonight's game. Offensive line allowed Favre to be sacked or hit multiple times. Speaking of offense, quite offensive. They really need to step up their game. Defense was also less than impressive. There's a lot of work to be done before opening day. Although, if tonight is any indication, we could be in for one LONG unhappy season.

Kudos to United

Well, I flew back from Phoenix on August 10. The date perhaps has a familiar ring to it as it was the day of the thwarted airline plot in the United Kingdom. Not especially fun to wake to that news. Having planned ample time for a normal flight, I knew that it was going to be dicey making it under the new circumstances. The airport was chaotic, no doubt. Security lines were excruciating, and I again quietly thanked my United Executive Premier flying status, which expedited me to a premier line. Purged toiletries and a connection through Denver, I was less than an hour delayed. Considerably impressive for a more than unnormal day at the airport. Hats off to United.

Hot as an Oven (Part 2)

Okay, there is somewhere hotter. Phoenix. Landed in Phoenix at 7 p.m. and the outside temperature was 106 degrees. The rental company gave me a Sebring convertible, which won't get a lot of use when it's 106 degrees.

Seven Days

That's right. Seven days until pre-season starts for the Green Bay Packers. They will be in San Diego to face the Chargers on August 12.


REG-GIE, REG-GIE
Today, Regie White was inducted in to the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Sara White, Reggie's wife, made the acceptance speech saying, "It's not how we die, it's how we live, I encourage you to live like Reggie lived. His legacy will live on through you.''

Hot as an Oven

Hotter than an oven applies if it's 11 p.m. and the heat index is 94 degrees. I was in North Carolina today and the weather wasn't much cooler there either. The forecast for tomorrow is another triple digit day with humidity over 70 percent.

Ess-a Home Delivery

I finally made good on my bagel courier career (see February post). Four salt, four nine grain w/honey, four oat bran, four cinnamon raisin and three everything later, the bagels have been delivered. The next time you're in New York, check out one of the two Ess-a-Bagel locations.

"No"

While entertaining children with the average age of 3.2916666666666666666666666666667, one learns a number of ways to say a polite "no." Here are a few that might work for you.

• How about later? ("later" is defined as 20 seconds for someone with the average age of 3.29)
• I spy with my little eye... (a mere distraction method; quite effective for anyone with the average age of 3.29, for at least 20 seconds anyway)
• I don't think so. (this means, I beg you to ask me again in 20 seconds)
• Not now. (see "later" defined in the first bullet point)
• It's all gone. (by "gone," again, it means you should ask me again in 20 seconds)

My husband displays a more patient side by actually turning a "no" into a teachable moment. He is a better person than I.

Baked Wrapped Tilapia

My friend found THE yummiest (and easiest) baked wrapped tilapia recipe! It's just as good wrapped in tinfoil only without the banana leaves. Thanks Epicurious.com!

Planes, Trains & Automobiles

Well, it wasn't quite in that order...actually it was more like planes, automobiles, automobiles, trains and automobiles. That was my trip to New York. Needless to say, it was a long day.

Jury Duty

I'm all for doing my civic duty. However, being summoned for jury duty this week seemed like quite an inconvenience. So, here are the top five ways to get out of jury duty.

5. You look just like Judge Wapner
4. Define "reasonable" and "doubt"
3. What evidence? They're all guilty
2. Who cares if it's just a parking ticket...capital punishment for all
1. I object!

Happy Independence Day!

As you can see, we spent the evening with special friends.

We hope you had a special day too!

I'm going to be an Aunt!

How exciting! Let the spoiling begin.

Breasted, Big Indian

By the title, one would think that perhaps a new exotic bird species had been discovered somewhere in the remote regions of Mumbai.

Nope.

This utterance actually occurred in modern day, office building setting.

As I waited in our office lobby, the building security guard and I made idle chit-chat. By definition, 'idle chit-chat' should involve topics such as the weather, traffic, a "how ya doin'?," and a hundred other safe and innocuous subjects.

Well, on this particular day, chit-chat wandered to my nationality. Obviously, this in itself is a safe and innocuous topic.

[AN ASIDE] As most of readers of this blog know, I am Korean born.

Now, when most people ask, and I 'chit' that I'm Korean, a typical 'chat' goes something like this, "you look Korean." On a rare occasion, "you look Chinese" or "perhaps a mix." All of this is still safe, innocuous, and idle and provides for a lovely conversation.

So, I was ill-prepared for the response on this particular day.

"Big."

That is, the security guard, a professed-Korean responded, "you're too big to be Korean."

Hmmmm, how does one respond? Politely, I stood there somewhat unresponsive, not really sure what the correct response from a God-fearing woman should be.

Because of my sudden silence, the security guard believed further explanation might assist. Upon which he said, "see, your wrists...too big; shoulders...too big; you're too tall..."

"...big, Big, BIG, BIG, BIG..."

Okay, I got the "BIG". Please stop saying BIG!

Apparently, further explanation still needed, he paused for a moment and said, "You look Indian."

Hmmmm. Big. Indian. Interesting.

As I mentioned, I've been called a few variations of Asian before, but never Indian. So at this point, my self-image is that of a "Big Indian Woman," apparently with Korean eye features.

Well, now that I have a complex about being too big for my nationality, more explanation still needed, he proceeded to also explain that "Koreans are flat." As he said "flat," he made animated hand motions to indicate flat in his upper chest.

Thus, we now have the title to this blog post.

So, as you might imagine, I:
1). still prefer safe, innocuous, and idle chit-chat, and
2). now prefer avoiding our building's lobby from the 3pm-11pm shift, Wednesday through Sunday.