Tuesday, November 27, 2007
DUEL IN THE DESERT
Bear Down Arizona!
I know those are fightin' words around here, but I have to at least stay true to my University of Arizona Wildcats. Are you going to the game Saturday? I hope to, but still need tickets. My husband went a few years back when the game was in Tempe & said he almost got assaulted for wearing red & blue!
Most my co-workers who grew up in Arizona went to ASU, and I swear, those little devil horns are sharp! Can't blame anyone for showing a little loyalty, but I know I can't be the only one who finds the lines drawn deep in the sand at the office when it comes to a little UofA/ ASU trash -talking. Maybe that's because the Territorial Cup is the oldest intercollegiate rivalry trophy in the nation, running it's 81st year this weekend.
Here are some friendly facts you can keep in your arsenal if you'd like:
-UofA's coming off 3 straight wins, including one over the 2nd ranked Oregon Ducks
-ASU's lost 2 of their last 3 games
-ASU may have won the last 2 Territorial Cups, but Arizona leads the all-time series 44-35-1
Okay, this is all in good fun, because I still have to survive the rest of the week with my CBS 5 Morning News Sun Devils; Chris Coraggio & Marya Piani, not to mention my hardcore executive producer, Shawn Martin, who I dedicate this blog to. And that's where I'll stop, because I think over-the-top fans, the fanatics, if you will, are the ones who mess up the team mojo, almost always backfiring with a loss. May the best team win!
Here's a link to more objective information on the history of the game:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Territorial_Cup
Email Nicole at ncrites@kpho.com
Posted at 6:55 PM by Nicole
Friday, November 16, 2007
WHO'S YOUR COMPATIBLE CANDIDATE??
Are you already sick of Campaign 2008? Maybe you're stoked that the race for the White House is getting this heated, this early. A lot of people I've talked with have a pretty good idea, but still aren't 100% sold on who they're ready to back at this point as their candidate. Here's my suggestion... and no, I'm not offering up my affiliation... but try this: http://glassbooth.org/
Glassbooth.org is a virtual match.com for your political candidate compatibility. I've done a couple of these online tests and have been surprised by some of the results. In a matter of minutes, you weigh the topics, from health care to immigration to the war in Iraq. Then you complete a quiz on your personal opinion. I like that each subject has a link to connect you with more information and when you finish you can read up on how the candidates stack up with your beliefs on a given topic. If anything, it's a refreshingly quick way to compare notes and learn a little without the frequent filter you'll find on political websites and seemingly partisan campaign coverage.
Let me know what you found- were you most compatible with the candidate you're already considering, or did you learn something new? Ncrites@kpho.com
Glassbooth.org is a virtual match.com for your political candidate compatibility. I've done a couple of these online tests and have been surprised by some of the results. In a matter of minutes, you weigh the topics, from health care to immigration to the war in Iraq. Then you complete a quiz on your personal opinion. I like that each subject has a link to connect you with more information and when you finish you can read up on how the candidates stack up with your beliefs on a given topic. If anything, it's a refreshingly quick way to compare notes and learn a little without the frequent filter you'll find on political websites and seemingly partisan campaign coverage.
Let me know what you found- were you most compatible with the candidate you're already considering, or did you learn something new? Ncrites@kpho.com
Posted at 9:35 AM by Nicole
Monday, November 5, 2007
I used to be a closet quilter, now I am a full- fledged, proud craftster! My husband has golf when he's not working, and I have quilting. It's my latest obsession & I just love it. He teases me that I'm an old lady quilter, but I don't mind one bit. Being crafty (quilting, scrapbooking, making jewelry and yes- even knitting) has become very popular for young women. No more waiting 'till we're grandmothers anymore. I think it may have something to do with wanting more meaningful pastimes.
My mom taught me how to quilt when I was in 5th grade. I made a quilt for my pregnant teacher who I babysat for. It took me all year. After that, I put up the needle and never thought of it again. Until September 11th. I spent a summer interning in Manhattan in college and took a whole roll of film atop the World Trade Center Towers. It really hit me. I was moved to document a moment in history I knew I would look back on for years to come, and my future children would someday ask questions about. I journaled alot, clipped newspaper articles and saved magazines, but still felt I must do more to have something tangible to show how 9-11 changed me. The station I worked for at the time sent me to New York to report for 3 days. While there, I bought a flag bandanna from a shop and decided to use some of that fabric to make a patriotic quilt. Again, it took me about a year to complete my mostly hand- stitched, red, white & blue quilt. I figured it would always be in our family and that personal labor of love, became a real productive and addictive hobby.
I have since designed & made more than a dozen (mostly baby) quilts I always try to personalize. I've attached pictures of two I made last year- an alphabet quilt for my sister Mary's little boy , Aiden & a pirate quilt for my nephew Mason. Thanks to the technology of some really cool quilting machines & classes- it's no longer quite the intense time commitment.
However you chose to spend your time away from work- or the kids, I hope you do have something that's just for you, reading, writing, maybe making something for yourself or others. It's important to take time to yourself for a little project or fun to kick back and relax-- on the golf course or at the sewing machine!
Email Nicole at ncrites@kpho.com
My mom taught me how to quilt when I was in 5th grade. I made a quilt for my pregnant teacher who I babysat for. It took me all year. After that, I put up the needle and never thought of it again. Until September 11th. I spent a summer interning in Manhattan in college and took a whole roll of film atop the World Trade Center Towers. It really hit me. I was moved to document a moment in history I knew I would look back on for years to come, and my future children would someday ask questions about. I journaled alot, clipped newspaper articles and saved magazines, but still felt I must do more to have something tangible to show how 9-11 changed me. The station I worked for at the time sent me to New York to report for 3 days. While there, I bought a flag bandanna from a shop and decided to use some of that fabric to make a patriotic quilt. Again, it took me about a year to complete my mostly hand- stitched, red, white & blue quilt. I figured it would always be in our family and that personal labor of love, became a real productive and addictive hobby.
I have since designed & made more than a dozen (mostly baby) quilts I always try to personalize. I've attached pictures of two I made last year- an alphabet quilt for my sister Mary's little boy , Aiden & a pirate quilt for my nephew Mason. Thanks to the technology of some really cool quilting machines & classes- it's no longer quite the intense time commitment.
However you chose to spend your time away from work- or the kids, I hope you do have something that's just for you, reading, writing, maybe making something for yourself or others. It's important to take time to yourself for a little project or fun to kick back and relax-- on the golf course or at the sewing machine!
Email Nicole at ncrites@kpho.com
Posted at 7:26 PM by Nicole