Why we're not so popular in our neighborhood

My neighbor sent me this picture of Corky, taking a nap in her sink.

Best of 2005

Time once again to reflect and compile the official

Big Sandy Bottom Best of....list!

Here are some of mine. The usual caveat applies: these are just some things I ENJOYED in 2005, they may not necessarily be things that were RELEASED in 2005. Please post your comments and own lists! We want to hear about your own bests (and worsts) also!

BEST READS:

The Dogs of Babel
The haunting story of a distraught husband seeking clues from the family dog, who happens to be the only witness to his wife's mysterious death. Weird but truly unforgettable.

Skeletons on the Zahara

This is a great book to read if you are feeling sorry for yourself. Next time you think you have a tough life, consider how much worse it could be. Like you could be one the men in this (true) story whose boat shipwrecks off the coast of Africa. Sold into slavery, beaten and forced to trek across the desert for several months, naked with only the occasional sip of camel milk for sustenance, most of the unfortunate wretches die and frankly they may have been the lucky ones.

The Great Influenza
I won't go into a great deal of comment on this one, since it's covered in a previous entry. (see below, "George Bush and I are reading the same book.")
Word of caution: do not read this book if you are a hypochondriac.

BEST CURE FOR INSOMNIA:
Guns, Germs and Steel

As part of my non-fiction reading kick this year, I picked up this gargantuan history of, well, everything. All I can say is, if you're having trouble sleeping, pick up this baby and I guarantee you'll be fast asleep within 5 pages.

MEAL OF THE YEAR:
Gosh, it's so hard to choose... I mean, nothing comes immediately to mind, except-oh! wait a minute!

Ivy's birthday meal at Ciao Bella in Ben Lomond.
Let's just say that I made a mistake, okay? How was I to know that our meal would be eaten next to a stripper pole-included stage whilst a nearly naked man dangled his private parts in our faces? Do you honestly think I would've chosen that on purpose? Give me a break! It was a mistake people!

MOST FRUSTRATINGLY AWESOME TV SHOW:
Lost.
Crap, this show has me in its grip and it pisses me off! Every frickin' week I tune in to get some clues to the mystery surrounding this island and its castaways and every frickin' week they just throw more mysteries in there. And yet I never miss a show and I spend every Thursday through Wednesday afternoon obsessively trolling the "spoiler" boards for info. Sigh.

GUILTY PLEASURE TV SHOW:
Laguna Beach.
I know, sad isn't it? Why the hell should I care about stupid Talen and Kristin and the rest of those spoiled rich kids? And yet Olivia and I tuned it in every Monday night, and we can't wait for next season with LC's little sister!

CAT OF THE YEAR:
Stubby.
Despite heavy lobbying by Dempsey, I've decided to give this year's award to Stubby, mostly because I missed him so much when he ran away.

HUSBAND OF THE YEAR:
Eric.

For lots of reasons, but the one that stands out is his yeoman trip to see Jason Mraz in concert with Olivia and her friends Kelly and Hannah. Mr. Mraz is NOT a favorite of Eric's. Neither are crowds or trips with three giggly teenage girls wearing pink shirts with the word "GEEK" emblazoned on them. Oh, and he probably doesn't really enjoy being in SF at a nightclub until 12:30 a.m. on a work night OR driving some of the aforementioned teenage girls to Walnut Creek after the show. And yet, when I had to bow out, due to election committments, Eric stepped up. And I hardly had to beg him! What a guy....

ANTI-POPE OF THE YEAR:
Poppy.

Major Award Alert!

Actually, two to report:

Prive Hair Products, ARV $165

and

AHAVA Dead Sea Products, ARV $205

We will be looking pretty around here!

Olivia and Mike at Winter Formal

Here's a great photo of Oli and Mike, at the Winter Formal! Please admire the dress, as it cost an arm and a leg...