Full Circle

Willie Nelson was my first concert, back when I was 8. I got the tickets in my Christmas stocking, and my dad took my best friend Amy and I. Somehow we had floor seats at Reunion Arena, and it was greatness.

Going to see Willie again on Sunday - this time at the Outlaw Music Festival, also featuring the Avett Brothers and Sheryl Crow. Here's hoping it's equally great (and Willie remembers the words.)

Kevin and Winnie forever

Decided to diverge from my normal bedtime routine of watching Friends on Netflix - now I'm hooked on The Wonder Years. I'm sorry - such greatness.

Particularly the "Stout-Hearted Men" episode:
http://www.yourememberthat.com/media/12049/Wonder_Years_Eighth-Grade_Boys_Choir/#.WVULZjZK3Gg

And yes, I peer particularly closely at Paul Pfeiffer to see if those Marilyn Manson rumors were true.

Bachelorette recap: Something stinks in Denmark

I liked this headline. Pretty much sums it up.

We land back in no-man's land Norway with Kenny and Lee, and Kenny cannot believe what blatant lies Lee has told Rachel about him. Lee then lies to Kenny's face, denying he said that, and Kenny calls him a snake (again), so when Rachel tells Lee she doesn't trust him and it's time to go, he whines (again) that Kenny is the aggressor. Dude. Let it go. Boy bye.

But Rachel isn't 100% sold on Kenny, either, and they have a chat later in the evening about where they are. She decides he is telling her the truth and gives him the rose.

At the rose ceremony, Rachel shocks Josiah no one when she sends Josiah and Anthony home. Have to say I was surprised Adam and Matt were sticking around, seeing as how they have barely said two words. Oh, and Adam Jr is still lurking around.

Off to Denmark, with a one-on-one date with Eric. He is so smiley and cute, he's a new man! They chat with a couple who has been married for 35 years and even dare try out the public hot tub (complete with naked man - in adjoining tub). Eric admits he didn't feel love from his mother, but wants to with Rachel - and she melts a little and gives him the rose.

On the group date, the guys row a Viking boat and compete in reindeer Viking games - complete with costumes. Adam and Kenny are the last two Vikes standing, and both end up with cuts above their eyes. Not very Viking-like, if you ask me. Later, Rachel and Kenny keep it 100, and she tells him he should go home to his daughter. They part very amicably and Kenny cries for like the 7th time. Peter gets the rose.

Will has the final date, and they sail over to Sweden to complete the Scandinavian trifecta. But there are lots of awkward silences on this date - perhaps because Will only dates white girls?? Bye, Will.

Rachel is a crying mess at the rose ceremony, even quoting Shakespeare - as she bids adieu to our favorite Russkie, Alex. Sad to see him and his suits of many colors go. But I predict an appearance on Bachelor in Paradise...

Bachelorette recap: Oslo he didn't

It remains the Kenny and Lee show in Hilton Head, but Bryan takes the group date rose following the spelling bee date because he kisses the best, obvi. Kenny confronts Lee about telling Rachel he is "aggressive," but Lee refuses to back down. Kenny whispers that Lee is a bitch, but is convinced he's not being aggressive because he's using his inside voice. All Lee does is stir the pot, and we get the sense that his racist tendencies are coming out. (Why is he even on this show - I guess to promote his singer/songwriter career??) Will even tries to explain that the word "aggressive" has racist connotations, and Lee decides Kenny is playing the "race card." Okay.

Jack Stone, the Dallas attorney who is perfect for Rachel on paper, has his one-on-one date and they shuck (oysters) and shag (dance). But Rachel isn't feeling it - although of course poor Jack is. She finally has to break it down over dinner that the x-factor just isn't there, and he looks like someone killed his cat.

At the rose ceremony, she eliminates the tickle monster (who goes in for a final tickle, to the amusement of the guys) and poor sweaty Iggy. Kenny and Lee remain miffed that the other still remains to taunt them. #thanksproducers

Up next: Oslo! Why not!

Bryan gets the first one-on-one date, and they rappel down a giant ski jump. (I personally would have liked to see them ski off the jump, but whatever.) They kiss, Spiderman-style, while hanging mid-air, and Rachel is a smitten kitten. But she worries - how is this guy 37 and single? What is she missing? He calms her fears by telling her over dinner that he used to be a skinny dork in high school and that he's falling in love with her. BOOM. And rose.

The rest of the guys get a group date to play handball in tight wrestling onesies. The rest of the guys EXCEPT Kenny and Lee, that is. Which means...two-on-one date! #thanksproducers
Kenny video chats with his daughter, which is super adorable, while Lee pumps iron in his cowboy boots. The scene is SET.

On the group date, Will steps up his handball game and Peter just gets handsy with Rachel. She is impressed by all the guys - Will, who tells her how he got dumped around the same time that she did and is just now ready to open up again, Alex, who reads a letter he wrote to her, Josiah with his Trump joke about hand size...but it is handball wizard Will who gets the group date rose.

Finally it's game time. Kenny versus Lee. Two men, one rose - one stays, one (or both?) goes. Lee tells Rachel Kenny put his hands on him. Which is clearly a lie - he would have been kicked off the show - we are left with Rachel asking Kenny about this and a big fat TO BE CONTINUED.

Drop a beat

After sitting in my DVR cue for nearly a year (thanks to a free HBO weekend), I finally watched Straight Outta Compton yesterday.  And found it to be brilliant. I wasn't an NWA fan, but I sort of want to listen to old-school Ice Cube and Dr Dre now...also loved seeing Tupac, Snoop, Suge, etc. I kept having to Wikipedia everyone - could I BE more white??

One interesting tidbit: Dr Dre's net worth is like $800 million. Well played, sir.

Clearly I'm no Agassi

I keep trying to do things at the club to make my membership worth while. I went to a beginner tennis class a few months ago - was the only one who showed up, and after hitting three balls the coach told me I was not a beginner. (Duh, but I never play so want to start from scratch.)

Went back last Saturday and apparently they cancelled that class due to low participation (see above), so the only other beginner class I can (sort of) make is at 5:30 on Wednesdays. (There are a few in the morning for the lucky ladies who don't work, but obvi that's not me.) So I left work a little early and still got there a few minutes late - but it was fun. Only 5 ladies, just drills for an hour.

And I am so sore. Didn't even really PLAY. So sad. Such a disgrace to my family name.

Blessed be the fruit

Was a bit behind, but finally finished the last episode of Handmaid's Tale the other night. And OH. MY. GOD. I am so obsessed. We read this in high school and I was obsessed back then - remember using it in several college essays - but watching the show made me want to re-read it. And wait (im)patiently for season 2.

Also, already looking for a Handmaid's costume for Halloween. Comfy with a message. Doesn't get better than that.