Welcome to the world, Jarrett Tucker! JT weighed in at 8 pounds, 5 oz. Congrats to Kristin and Bart!

The critics agree -- amydabbs.com is a roaring success!!

The Holliwood Reporter's Senior editor says:
"By the way, your website postings crack me up. We think a lot alike, which
is pretty scary! (Just kidding) But really, you hit the nail on the head
about a lot of things, and take the words right out of my mouth sometimes.
So keep it up! (These are my words of encouragement for the week) Although,
I am going to have "I've got my mind set on you" stuck in my head for the
rest of the day...thanks a lot."

So tell your friends and family about amydabbs.com -- Join in on the fun... embrace the madness... read the rants...post your wild and crazy comments!

After all, one critic's opinion has to be correct!

(Holli, dude, thanks a ton!)

Ames

I'm in a Shakespeare kind of mood today. Probably because I was watching the game show bloopers thing last night over at a friend's house and in the British version of Family Feud, the dude says, "Name a famous Arthur" and the contestant says, "Shakespeare". Hilarious. Anyway, as Hamlet would say, "Words. Words. Words." I'm in the mood to go rent "Shakespeare in love" and Baz Luhrmann's (sp?) "Romeo + Juliet". But, verily, forsooth, alas, some of us have to work for a living and cannot leave work at 9 to go home and watch movies!!

Oh, I'm expecting some good news today. As soon as I get it, I'll post it!

Amy

I'm hyper today.

I shouldn't be. I didn't get much sleep, got up at 5 and drove to work from H'ville, so I should be tired. I'm looking for the drop out around 3.

I guess it's the McAllister's tea and Coke I had. Anyway, at least I had the weekend. Here I sit in the middle of another Monday. I almost feel like George Harrison, "So this is Monday, and what have you done?" Ok, that's the most I'll probably ever get Harrison (oohh.. I did love "I got my mind set on you") (for those of you that have no idea, the song really goes, "So this is Christmas...")

And the task list grows..... the beat goes on, and the beat goes on... drums keep poundin' in my brain, lah de doddy de, lah de doddy di...

I'm shedding today. That's right. The skin is literally peeling right off my face. Geez, look what happens when you miss one day washing your face with Clinque. Have you had enough yet?? no, not yet. What else can we talk about.

Hmmm..... I am a stream of consciousness writer. I think of all these cool topics to rant about on my site when I'm trying to go to sleep. And then in the harsh light of the day, alas, I forget them. I tend to write whatever comes out of the keyboard. So, there you have it. A total insight into my psyche. Well, not really, I just wanted to use the word psyche. The real insight into my psyche is this -- "psyche" is one of those $5 dollar words that I love to use. Not so mind boggling that the average Joe wouldn't get it, but it just sounds good.

This, my friends, is what they don't teach you in college, in so many words, at least. Granted, I was an Ad major, so this stuff comes naturally (don't ask how) by me. This is the skill that is essential in surviving the business world and the world of college papers. Note the difference in these sentences:

The dog ran and got the ball.

The brown dog, toungue wagging, ran swiftly across the green field and fetched the bright red ball.

There you have it. That my friends is advertising. That is the difference between, "Buy some Chips Ahoy" and "The only cookie with -- WOW!" In the biz world, that is the difference in sounding good and sounding like a sailor. Has it ever burned your butt to sit in a meeting and have someone say:

"that's total Bull sh--! what the blank ever! He's just full of crap!" When what they should have said was, "I totally disagree. Completely disagree, in fact. I thnk his opinion is wrong. And here's why --- "

The former makes them disrespect you and laugh behind your back and the latter inspires respect from those around you. Think about it. It's totally one thing to sit around and talk that way with your equals in the workplace and your buddies on Friday night, but doesn't it irritate you to hear someone above you say that sort of stuff? you know it does.

Amazin', college did teach me something. I extracted that life lesson all on my own from a simple advertising class plus real life experience! The real world is either college for you, or simply college part 2! Soak it up, peeps!

Watch your manners, kids! Santa watches year 'round! =)

(you know I'm proud of you!!)

Ames

The greatest ode to working life ever told!!

Tumble outta bed
And stumble to the kitchen
Pour myself a cup of ambition
And yawn and stretch and try to come to life
Jump in the shower
And the blood starts pumpin'
Out on the streets
The traffic starts jumpin'
And folks like me on the job from 9 to 5

Workin' 9 to 5
What a way to make a livin'
Barely gettin' by
It's all takin'
And no givin'
They just use your mind
And they never give you credit
It's enough to drive you
Crazy if you let it

9 to 5, for service and devotion
You would think that I
Would deserve a fair promotion
Want to move ahead
But the boss won't seem to let me in
I swear sometimes that man is out to get me

They let you dream
Just to watch 'em shatter
You're just a step
On the boss man's ladder
But you got dreams he'll never take away

In the same boat
With a lot of your friends
Waitin' for the day
Your ship'll come in
And the tide's gonna turn
And it's all gonna roll you away

Workin' 9 to 5
What a way to make a livin'
Barely gettin' by
It's all takin'
And no givin'
They just use your mind
And you never get the credit
It's enough to drive you
Crazy if you let it

9 to 5, yeah, they got you where they want you
There's a better life
And you think about it don't you
It's a rich man's game
No matter what they call it
And you spend your life
Puttin' money in his pocket

9 to 5, yeah, they got you where they want you
There's a better life
And you dream about it don't you
It's a rich man's game
No matter what they call it
And you spend your life
Puttin' money in his pocket


Commentary to follow ----- but the song speaks perfectly for itself!

What's up peoples??

Here's my post deally for today....

Isn't it weird how when you stop and look at yourself, you're nowhere near where you'd thought you'd be? Here I am, working in the healthcare field. What? What? Who said I was going to do that? Ain't I supposed to be up on Madison Ave. in a corner office blowing everyone away with my "creative genius" or something?

Ok, maybe not, I for sure never really thought I would do that, it's just a nice dream to have. Here's what I was supposed to be doing by age 24 ---

I was supposed to be working at a major ad agency here in the magic city. Yes, that's right. Those that know me know which *luckie* agency I wanted to work at. =) but, the cards didn't fall that way. I was supposed to have an office full of Addys (today"s count is 3 and no hardware to show for those) And you know what??

I think I'm glad. I'm most definitely glad, as a matter of fact. I'm glad to work where I do -- I truly consider it an honor. And I was thinking of all these things on a crappy, crappy Monday. And you know what? I'm happy. Yeah, a job is still a job, but at least I'm not techinically workin' for the man. Anyway, as Dolly says, "it's a rich man's game, no matter what they call it and you spend your life putting money in his pocket." Oh my gosh, y'all -- I could literally spend days dissecting that song. In fact, I think I will for my own amusement (isn't that what this site is about anyway? my own amusement???) in my next post. Suffice it to say it's nice to know my hard work ain't benefiting an already rich dude. Instead, my money benefits FICA, a la Rachel Green -- "who is FICA and why did he get all of my money??"

Anyway, I truly believe everything happens for a reason. I was placed here for a reason, a purpose. Have I figured out why yet? No. All I know is that I feel happy. Yeah, like I said, I had a crappy, crappy day today, but I wake up in the morning and I don't dread coming in to work. I'm proud of where I am and what I do and that's all that matters. It, as it turns out, isn't all about the bling bling. Although that certainly is nice. For me it's about getting to a good place and enjoying it. I want that for all of you guys, too. Hang in. (9 to 5 to come...)

Ames

Ruben's in the final 10!! Good job! Oh, and I stand corrected, the name of the song he sang is "Superstar" by the Carpenters. have a lovely day, y'all!

ames

I just have to give a shout out to Ruben Studdard from American Idol. Boy can sing! And representin' both the Magic City (he had on a 205 shirt) and Huntsvegas -- he graduated from A and M! To borrow a phrase from Martin, "you go boy!"

He was awesome! Dude sang "Don't you remember" by the Carpenters! did you hear me? He sang a Carpenters song! And rocked! Anyway, I really hope he makes it to the final 10! If you liked Ruben, throw a shout out up here.

Oh and what about that first kid? the one that sang "Open Arms" he threw down, too and Kimberly Locke was great -- didn't vibe on her attitude though. Be a grown up. Anyway, I'll be watching tonight when Ruben hopefully makes it to the final 10. Keep your fingers crossed!

Ames

It appears that Grace, Heather and I weren't the only ones that thought Chicago was all that jazz! 13 Academy Award Nominations! I may actually watch this year! Great movie -- I told ya! =)

February 1, 2003

Space Shuttle Columbia crew: Husband, McCool, Anderson, Brown, Chawla, Clark, Ramon.