New Year's Resolution #1

I've decided to actually undertake one of my continually renewed annual resolutions: Watch less TV.

It's fair to say I'm a bit of an addict. Plus, our new sofa set is sooooooooooo cozy and perfectly acclimated to hours of televised vegging out. And it doesn't help that I'm married to a man who will stare aimlessly into the HD void for, well, hours. But I'm really displeased with the amount of time I'm losing to DirecTV as of late.

So, I'm going to try to cut the amount of time I spend watching the telly down to 2hrs a day during the week. (Not counting TV I watch while I'm on the treadmill, of course, or weekend sporting events.) I figure this will if nothing else force me to actually pursue my other hobbies. You know, brush the dust off my crochet needles and such.

I'll let you if/how this works out. Wish me luck.

Clarification for Andi

Ok, as I've managed to completely baffle a good friend of mine, I'll explain the Psych Prize Pack.

Psych is one of my favorite programs currently on cable. Without going into too much detail, it involves a lot of 80's pop references and a decidedly odd fixation on pineapples. It preceded The Mentalist and has a much, much more inspired sense of humor.

Anywho, the Psych fan page held a photo contest wherein you submitted a photo of yourself watching the show's season premiere.

And, geek that I am, I did. Tony took the photo; I uploaded it; and low and behold a few days later I receive notice that my/our photo was picked for the grand prize: a Psych Prize Pack. The prizes include a Season 2 DVD (which I've politely asked to switch out for Season 1, as I already own Season 2), a beach chair, a t-shirt, a key chain, and a pineapple stress toy. Which delights my inner-fan girl to no end.

The prize arrives in roughly 2 weeks. Which, on top of the upcoming inauguration and our trip to the San Diego 7s, makes 2009 one of the best years on record thus far.

Recipe SOS

I know, I know - I still have yet to post holiday tales and photos. I'll get there. Eventually.

In the meantime, I need to post an SOS. Tony and I have decided to swallow our common sense and host an AFL Championship Game party at our place. In Baltimore. This is despite (or in spite of) the very evident amount of anti-Steeler sentiment in what is decidedly Raven territory.

To that end: We need recipes, people! Pittsburgh-themed ones, specifically. Casa Wiley-Giarnelli is a hater-free zone during the game (in fact, we're debuting a special shot - "Hater-ade" - for those who choose to be ignorant), but we still want to showcase our Steel City love.

So, send me any drink or food ideas you might have and we'll try to make them for the big game. If we do use your recipe, I'll even post it along with a photo of the end product on this blog on Monday. And who doesn't enjoy that kind of free press?

Thanks in advance and Go Steelers!

Both admirable and just a little bit nerdy

I'll post on the holiday festivities later in the week, but for now, a little something from NPR. Tony was thisclose to being an Eagle Scout (for those of you who knew him in college, it's surprising, I know...) so the story has some sentimental value. Enjoy!

Scout Earns All Merit Badges Possible

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Scout Shawn Goldsmith shows off his merit badges. Courtesy Shawn Goldsmith

All Things Considered, January 3, 2009 · Shawn Goldsmith has accomplished a rare feat for a Boy Scout — he earned all 121 merit badges available. You only need 21 to get the title "Eagle" Scout. "If I run into a stranger, there's definitely something to talk about. I have 121 topics to talk about," he says when asked why he did it.