Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber.--Plato

So, I'm not a big political person, but this is my kind of Politics:

Halloween Masks Predict Presidential Winner

From the Lexington Herald-Leader today:

Those Halloween Express stores popping up all over Lexington belong to an Owenton-based company and one of the biggest Halloween retailers in the country. The Toledo Blade asked their local Halloween stores how the masks of the presidential candidates are selling. According to the Blade, "Since 1980, the popularity of a presidential candidate's Halloween mask has accurately predicted the outcome of the presidential race in all seven campaigns." In Ohio, the Obama masks are far out-selling McCain. "I sold 29 Obama masks in three days," said Bradley Newman, store manager at the Halloween USA in Rossford. "I've sold just a couple [of] McCains." Halloween Express has Obama masks outselling McCain masks, 320 to 288. The most popular mask of all, though, is Jason, from the Friday The 13th movies. The Herald-Leader wrote about the company in 2006.

Car Wash Asks Customers to Choose Presidential Candidate

KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- So, how will Tuesday night's presidential debate affect the election? It seems many Knoxville voters already have their minds made up and they're showing it in a very unique way.

At the 3 Minute Magic Carwash on Lovell Road, owner Jim Rooney is certainly getting into the patriotic spirit.

He's asking all his customers to choose their candidate before they clean their car. Then they drive in the designated Barack Obama space or the John McCain space.

"I'm that Joe car wash guy, that Joe six-pack man. I'm middle-class America," Rooney says.

As a small business owner and family man, Rooney says the issues this election year are more important to him than ever before.

"What better venue for me to have a little fun with it and see what people are thinking? According to the polls, McCain is a little bit behind, but according to West Knoxville, McCain's a little bit ahead," Rooney says.

In fact, some people choose to ignore the empty Obama lane, just to wait in the McCain line.

"I want people to know how I'm voting," says customer Linda Ackerman.

Whichever candidate they chose, most customers were just happy to have their voices heard.

"Every body's concerned about this election. It's a serious business. I think it's a good thing for businesses to show that they're concerned what direction this country is going to go in as well," says customer John Doggett.

The tally is updated daily and after more than 3,500 customers, Obama has 47 percent and McCain is ahead with 53 percent.

Rooney says he'll keep his poll going until election day on November 4, when he'll urge all of his customers to go cast their official ballot.

If only everything was that simple.

A Letter to Me

Dear 16 Year-Old Me,

I know this seems a bit strange, but having gained 10 years of life experience, I would like to share a few of the things I've learned with you.

First, high school is not going to be the highlight of your life. You've almost gotten through it, and I can promise you that things get better. College is a whole new ball game and most of those people that seem so important to you now, you won't see or talk to once you graduate. So don't sweat things now. Just try and hold out for another year or so. The world is much bigger than Glasgow.

Speaking of college, make sure you take advantage of all the opportunities available to you. Have some fun. School work is important, but it's not everything. Sometimes you have to just kick back and have a good time. Also, don't rush things. The real world isn't as much fun as you think it will be, so take your time in school. Take some classes that don't count toward your major but look interesting. College is a time to try new things and meet new people, don't waste it.

You will make new friends in college. Some of them will be your friends for awhile. Some of them won't. But they all have something to teach you. Pay attention. And be yourself. Anyone who is worth knowing will accept you for who you are. If they don't, you don't need to waste your time on them.

Make friends with people who are different than you. Those are the people that can teach you the most. It's easy to stay within your comfort zone, but stretch yourself. You'll be glad you did.

You are going to date a few guys. Don't worry if things don't work out. It's for the best, trust me. It's not wasted time, it's life experience. Even the bad decisions. Just enjoy what you have while it lasts. Oh yes, dating doesn't get any easier. It still sucks, even at now, but being able to order a drink does take some of the edge off. Just be willing to take risks.

I know it sounds cliche, but if you get the chance, sit down and talk to your grandparents. They have a wealth of information to share with you if you take the time to listen. And once they are gone, those stories are lost forever. Hug them when you can, too. I know at 16 you feel like you are going to live forever, but remember life is fleeting. Everything can change in an instant.

Make sure you spend time with Mom. She really is pretty great, but you won't realize that for a few years. Try to notice all the small things she does for you. And save all those notes she will send you when you go off to college. She is going to piss you off at time, but just remember that she loves you, and everything she does is out of love. The little things. The big things. All of it. She loves you and nothing else matters.

Things won't always be like they are now, so make the most of it. Things are going to get rough, but you will make it through. You are tougher than you know. And you will come out stronger on the other side. Always remember that things will get better, no matter how bad things seem. It's okay to ask for help. Rely on your friends if you have to. In fact, the tough times will show you who your true friends are. Don't worry about the ones that run off, they weren't worth the time anyway.

But most of all, remember to love yourself. I know you don't particularly care for who you are now, but learn to accept who you are. Wishing you are someone else won't get you anywhere. I know it doesn't feel like it now, but you are someone who people want to know. They are lucky to know you. Why? Because, you are wonderful. You are beautiful. You are unique. You are special. Trust me. You are going to love the person you will become. I do.

See you in 10,

Me

P.S. You really can make a career out of science. Just be willing to work for it.

Oh, what's in a Name...

So, my goal was to try and blog every Friday, but that isn't working out so well. I've been so busy at work that by Friday afternoon, I'm zonked and it's all I can do to just make it home, much less convince my computer that it needs to log onto the Internet. Plus, this past Friday I went back to G-town to spend some time with my Dad and celebrate my birthday with him, so that further complicated things. Which basically means that what should have been Friday's blog you get today! Yea for being late! let's just all pretend that it is Friday already (oh wait, it is Thursday now, so tomorrow is Friday which means we get two Fridays in a row. It's like Christmas!)

Whatever.

Part of what kept me so busy last week was the fact that the Governor of this great state of Kentucky, Steve Beshaer was coming to visit UK and was going to take a tour through SCoBIRC (the Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center) where I work. This meant that the lab had to get cleaned up, not an easy task since I hadn't had time to eat lunch all week, much less go around a clean. But we managed to get it all done, and I was even working (gasp!) when he came through so he could see that we actually do work in our lab. I didn't figure on getting to speak to him. After all, it was a quick 15min tour and I'm just a lowly peon in the science world; nobody worth noting.

However, I didn't count on my boss being the one giving the tour and he, of course, wanted to show off his lab, so I got introduced as they walked by. My boss also felt inclined to mention that I was from Glasgow, KY since I am the only native Kentuckian in the lab. When he asked me to confirm this, I figured that there was a much better chance that the Governor had heard of Fancy Farm (which is where my family is from), so I mentioned that as well. Needless to say, since it was a bunch of politicians, I got the expected response.

Now, if any of you don't know, Fancy Farm, KY is the home of the World's Largest One-Day Bar-b-que known as the Fancy Farm Picnic which takes place every August. It is really a fund raiser for the local catholic church, but what it is best known for is being probably the premier political gathering in the stated of Kentucky. It has, in fact been said that if you want to hold any political office in Kentucky, you had better campaign at Fancy Farm. So, it is not surprising that a group of men who hold political offices in Kentucky, knew exactly where Fancy Farm is what goes on there. (I wrote about Fancy Farm here.)

So, when I mentioned Fancy Farm, the Governor seemed all to eager to talk to me about it. Maybe it's because his eyes were staring to glaze over from all the science talk (I know mine do sometimes) and he was glad to finally understand something that was being said to him. Not to imply that Beshear isn't an intelligent man (I'm sure he is), but my boss has a tendency to forget sometimes that not everyone is as well versed in the sciences as he is and so he has trouble explaining things to your average non-science person. Anyway, Beshear made some joke about good bar-b-que to which I had to reply that my family has the bar-b-que things down quite well since they are the ones that cook it for the picnic every year. This prompted his reply that "Oh yes, I knew I had heard the name Carrico before. I've met lots of Carricos down in Fancy Farm."

So, the Governor of Kentucky knows my name. Well, my family name anyway. Which I have to think is pretty darn cool. And he has very very blue eyes. Very blue. And he is very short. But then so in my boss and so was Dr. Todd (UK's President) who was with them as well. So, who knows. Perhaps at some point in the future, I will get to meet the Governor again and he will remember me as that Carrico scientist with the family that bar-b-ques at Fancy Farm.

And just a quick update on the list, I got to check off #12 this weekend when Dad and I went over to Mammoth Cave and went for several hikes. It was a beautiful weekend and I really enjoyed getting to spend some time just me and Dad. That rarely happens any more.

List Update

So here's how this will work. I'll post the entire list below. Completed tasks will be in blue (because I like blue). Tasks in progress will be in red.

The List:
Because I want to get Healthy

1. Take a daily multivitamin for 1 month
2. Take a daily calcium supplement for 1 month
3. Get my weight down to 140lbs
4. Run 3 times a week for 1 month
5. Lift weights 3 times a week for 1 month
6. Go 1 month without fast food

Because I want to stay Active

7. Run a 5K in under 29.00min (Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 28.39 on 9/26/08)
8. Run a 10K
9. Be able to run 6 miles without stopping
10. Run the Run Like Hell 5K in Cincinnati
11. Finish a Half Marathon
12. Go hiking
13. Swim in the Bluegrass State Games

Because I want to Visit New Places

14. Visit Europe
15. Visit the Newport Aquarium
16. Visit a Haunted House
17. Visit Waverly Sanatorium
18. Visit a State I’ve never been to before

Because I want to try New Things

19. Take Ballroom Dance Lessons
20. Go to the Drive in Movies
21. Go to King’s Island for Fearfest
22. Go to Needles and Angles
23. Go ice skating
24. Go to a midnight Hockey game
25. Take a cooking class
26. Try 5 restaurants I’ve never been to before (1/5) (Bonefish Grill 9/16/08)
27. Learn to Quilt
28. Learn to make Grandmother Russell’s Special Occasion Rolls
29. Take a Personal/Family Finance Class

Because there are so many things I want to Read

30. Read The Greatest Generation
31. Read Jane Eyre
32. Buy the 7th Harry Potter Book
33. Reread the entire Harry Potter series start to finish (0/7)
34. Read 5 books from the Booker Prize Winners List (0/5)
35. Read 5 books from the 50 Essential Reads List (0/5)
36. Read 4 nonfiction books (0/4)
37. Read the entire New Testament
38. Read 1984

Because there are so many great Movies to Watch

39. Watch Casablanca
40. Watch Gone with the Wind
41. Watch 10 Best Picture Oscar Winners (0/10)
42. Watch the Godfather Trilogy
43. Watch Schindler’s List
44. Watch all 3 Lord of the Rings Movies (extended editions) in one weekend

Because I need to spend more time with my Family

45. Put together a family tree (as far back as I can go)
46. Take Dad to see the Eagles in Concert
47. Go deer hunting with Dad
48. Visit Granddad Russell in Oak Ridge 3 times (0/3)
49. Go sailing with Granddad Russell
50. Do something special with just my sister

Because sometimes I just need to spend time for Me

51. Go on 3 dates (0/3)
52. See Kenney Chesney in Concert (again)
53. See a play
54. See a musical
55. Knit a sweater for me
56. Get a pedicure 4 times (0/4)
57. Write in my journal at least once a week for 3 months
58. Blog at least once a week for the 1001 days
59. Sew something for myself
60. Go camping
61. Get into UK’s Ovarian Cancer Screening Program
62. Get a massage
63. Go to a UK swim meet
64. Write a short story

Because I need to start thinking about my future

65. Be 1st Author on a Manuscript
66. Take the GRE
67. Make a decision about going back to school
68. Learn to do Western Blot
69. Learn to do Slot s Blots
70. Create a budget
71. Stick to my budget for 6 months (0/6)
72. Put $250 a month in savings for 1 year

Because it’s always good to do nice things for Other People

73. Give blood as often as I can (every 56 days)
74. Clean out my old clothes and donate them to Goodwill
75. Volunteer for the Thursday night meal at church
76. Become an organ donor
77. Bake Cookies for someone just because
78. Knit something for charity
79. Renew my CPR certification
80. Get on the Bone Marrow Donor Registry
81. Knit a sweater for someone else
82. Cook a special dinner for some of my friends

Because I have a lot of Stuff

83. Organize and Sort my Photos
84. Organize/Update/Sort the Music Collection on my Computer
85. Clean out my craft supplies
86. Clean out the closet on my balcony
87. Sort and Catalog my book collection
88. Clean Dean’s tank at once a month for 6 months (0/6)

Because they are Important but defy Categorization

89. Buy a new couch (9/18/08)
90. Buy reusable grocery bags
91. Use reusable grocery bags
92. Kiss Under the Mistletoe
93. Get a new coffee table
94. Replace my recliner
95. Bake a cake from scratch
96. Finish my Dragon Cross Stitch
97. Eat out for lunch only once a week for 1 month
98. Sent a secret to Post Secret
99. Reconnect with 1 person I’ve lost touch with
100.Make 1 new friend
101. Update my blog with the list and progress

I'll get by with a little help from my friends....

So, this weekend was the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure here in Lexington and my friend Sarah got a team together to participate. We got together last weekend to make our T-shirts for the race (which was a blast) and then met up before the race early Saturday morning.


I wasn't expecting to run very fast. I had been too busy to do much running lately and there were several thousand people at the race so things were a bit congested. But I was running with Sarah (who runs a lot more than me and runs a lot faster than me) and apparently she pushed me quite a bit. So, despite my lack of preparation and the masses of people that had Sarah and I literally running on the sidewalk for awhile, I managed to run a personal best time of 28 min 39 seconds.


For those of you keeping score, this completes #7 on my list (Run a 5K in under 29 min). So I guess I can cross that one off my list.

In some other randomness....

My fall TV is back! And I'm loving it so far.

Supernatural is 2 episodes in and this season may end up rivaling Season 1 as my favorite if the first 2 episodes are anything to go by. I love the new twist about the Angel of the Lord who has a job for Dean to do. My favorite episode ever is Faith from Season 1 which dealt with Dean and his issues of faith, so the idea of getting an entire season of that is totally awesome.

Dancing with the Stars is one of my guilty pleasure shows (yes, I admit to watching it). I held out for a few seasons, but I finally gave in, and this show is now like Crack! I have to get my weekly fix or I'm not happy. Last season was okay, but this season Maks is back! And I love me some Maks. He is partnering with Misty May-Trainer (of Olympic Beach Volleyball fame) so I hope that he has a shot to go far this time. I tend to lose some interest once Maks is gone.

The Amazing Race premiered yesterday with another awesome season. I haven't had enough time to get to know the teams well enough to decide who I think will go far, but I can tell you this just from the first episode: I am in love the Mom/Son team of Dallas and his mom (it doesn't hurt that Dallas is by far the hottest guy on the show). The "southern belle" girls aren't going to last too long unless they start playing smarter. And the Terrence/Sarah (I think) team has some serious personal issues that they needed to work out before the race.

The only one of my shows that I'm a bit disappointed in so far is Ugly Betty. I waited all summer to see who Betty was going to choose and in the end it turns out that not only did she not choose either Henry or Gio, but they both left the show! I loved me some Gio. I wasn't too impressed with the season opener, but I'll give it a few more weeks before I totally give up on the show. It still has a few of the elements that I love so much: Hilda and Justin, Mark and Amanda, Christina.

The one new show that I've fallen for this year is Fringe on Fox. I loved me some Pacey back in the day (although I was a Dawson fan) and Joshua Jackson will always be Pacey to me, so to see him playing this totally new, kind of different, darker character is a bit odd, but really fun. It's not the best show, but it is entertaining and I don't have much else to watch on Tuesday night. Plus it has a bit of the sci-fi element that I love and a bit of science as well.

Now, once Numb3rs comes back on Friday, my world will be complete. Life is never complete until you have a little Colby in your life. :)

Every Journey Starts with a Single Step...

So I'm now almost a week into my 1001 days and I've already gotten started on a few things. Here is my update:

#26.) Try 5 Restaurants I've never been to before--For my birthday dinner, I actually picked a novel restaurant. We went to Bonefish grill. Now I know it's a chain, and I was actually thinking more of fun local places when I made the list, but still, I had never eaten there before. And I'll have to say, it was good. I actually enjoyed the dinner quite a bit, and for a "nicer restaurant" it was good. I still prefer Malone's I think for a nice dinner out, but it was very good.

#89.) Buy a new couch--I actually started this one before my birthday, but the couch didn't arrive until last Thursday. However, the guys who brought it managed to tear 2 holes in it on their way up the stairs, so they are going to have to either replace the fabric or the couch. We'll see what the company wants to do. But below you can see a picture of my old couch (which I inherited from my parents who purchased it before I was born) and my new couch (which I love, apart from the holes).

Old couch (very comfortable, but also well loved)

New couch (don't mind all the junk that has already accumulated on it)

101 Things in 1001 Days

So I promised that I had something I was going to be starting on my Birthday this year, and I always keep my promises. I did start on my Birthday, but I just didn't get around to posting anything until today.

What I decided to do was join the list of people who are doing 101 Things in 1001 Days. Here's how it works:

The Mission: Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria: Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Start date: Tuesday September 16, 2008
End Date: Tuesday June 14, 2001

The List:
Because I want to get Healthy

1. Take a daily multivitamin for 1 month
2. Take a daily calcium supplement for 1 month
3. Get my weight down to 140lbs
4. Run 3 times a week for 1 month
5. Lift weights 3 times a week for 1 month
6. Go 1 month without fast food

Because I want to stay Active

7. Run a 5K in under 29.00min
8. Run a 10K
9. Be able to run 6 miles without stopping
10. Run the Run Like Hell 5K in Cincinnati
11. Finish a Half Marathon
12. Go hiking
13. Swim in the Bluegrass State Games

Because I want to Visit New Places

14. Visit Europe
15. Visit the Newport Aquarium
16. Visit a Haunted House
17. Visit Waverly Sanatorium
18. Visit a State I’ve never been to before

Because I want to try New Things

19. Take Ballroom Dance Lessons
20. Go to the Drive in Movies
21. Go to King’s Island for Fearfest
22. Go to Needles and Angles
23. Go ice skating
24. Go to a midnight Hockey game
25. Take a cooking class
26. Try 5 restaurants I’ve never been to before (1/5)
27. Learn to Quilt
28. Learn to make Grandmother Russell’s Special Occasion Rolls
29. Take a Personal/Family Finance Class

Because there are so many things I want to Read

30. Read The Greatest Generation
31. Read Jane Eyre
32. Buy the 7th Harry Potter Book
33. Reread the entire Harry Potter series start to finish (0/7)
34. Read 5 books from the Booker Prize Winners List (0/5)
35. Read 5 books from the 50 Essential Reads List (0/5)
36. Read 4 nonfiction books (0/4)
37. Read the entire New Testament
38. Read 1984

Because there are so many great Movies to Watch

39. Watch Casablanca
40. Watch Gone with the Wind
41. Watch 10 Best Picture Oscar Winners (0/10)
42. Watch the Godfather Trilogy
43. Watch Schindler’s List
44. Watch all 3 Lord of the Rings Movies (extended editions) in one weekend

Because I need to spend more time with my Family

45. Put together a family tree (as far back as I can go)
46. Take Dad to see the Eagles in Concert
47. Go deer hunting with Dad
48. Visit Granddad Russell in Oak Ridge 3 times (0/3)
49. Go sailing with Granddad Russell
50. Do something special with just my sister

Because sometimes I just need to spend time for Me

51. Go on 3 dates (0/3)
52. See Kenney Chesney in Concert (again)
53. See a play
54. See a musical
55. Knit a sweater for me
56. Get a pedicure 4 times (0/4)
57. Write in my journal at least once a week for 3 months
58. Blog at least once a week for the 1001 days
59. Sew something for myself
60. Go camping
61. Get into UK’s Ovarian Cancer Screening Program
62. Get a massage
63. Go to a UK swim meet
64. Write a short story

Because I need to start thinking about my future

65. Be 1st Author on a Manuscript
66. Take the GRE
67. Make a decision about going back to school
68. Learn to do Western Blot
69. Learn to do Slot s Blots
70. Create a budget
71. Stick to my budget for 6 months (0/6)
72. Put $250 a month in savings for 1 year

Because it’s always good to do nice things for Other People

73. Give blood as often as I can (every 56 days)
74. Clean out my old clothes and donate them to Goodwill
75. Volunteer for the Thursday night meal at church
76. Become an organ donor
77. Bake Cookies for someone just because
78. Knit something for charity
79. Renew my CPR certification
80. Get on the Bone Marrow Donor Registry
81. Knit a sweater for someone else
82. Cook a special dinner for some of my friends

Because I have a lot of Stuff

83. Organize and Sort my Photos
84. Organize/Update/Sort the Music Collection on my Computer
85. Clean out my craft supplies
86. Clean out the closet on my balcony
87. Sort and Catalog my book collection
88. Clean Dean’s tank at once a month for 6 months (0/6)

Because they are Important but defy Categorization

89. Buy a new couch
90. Buy reusable grocery bags
91. Use reusable grocery bags
92. Kiss Under the Mistletoe
93. Get a new coffee table
94. Replace my recliner
95. Bake a cake from scratch
96. Finish my Dragon Cross Stitch
97. Eat out for lunch only once a week for 1 month
98. Sent a secret to Post Secret
99. Reconnect with 1 person I’ve lost touch with
100.Make 1 new friend
101. Update my blog with the list and progress

I will keep this blog updated with my progress and I'll try to post an updated version of the complete list every month or so. Here we go.