What do gay friends, sweaters, dinner parties, asian fusion restaurants, expensive sandwiches, and Paris have in common?

Well it's stuff that white people like, of course!

Now before you think I've completely lost my marbles, let me explain. Evidentially, me and my lack of recent blog entries are to blame for the boredom that my friend's experience at work each day. This was news to me, but now that I have been enlightened I will take very seriously the task at hand and I think today's entry will help each and every one of you whittle away those tedious hours of the work day. You have my cousin Amy to thank for suggesting today's subject and therefore helping to solve the problem du jour.

The source of joy and time suckage I speak of is yet another blog. Some of you may already know about this blog and today's entry on Leigh Leigh Land may serve merely as a reminder to check in on an old fave, but for others this will be an eye opening lesson.

Don't say I didn't warn you....reading this blog will be just the remedy you people have asked for. But I will also add the disclaimer that Leigh Leigh Land is not responsible for any lack of productivity caused therein.

So if you dare, enjoy a nice visit to one of my favorite blogs.....Stuff White People Like.

Designated Driver

Have you heard of Zingo? There are Zingo's throughout the country and I'm so excited that there is now a Zingo in Austin. Basically it's a designated driver for hire. Here's the drill....you call them, they drive to you on their little motorcycles, they then fold up their motorcycle and put it in your car and drive you home. Brilliant. It's not all that expensive either....$20 bucks and then another $2/mile....and that's just one way. If you take a cab, it's usally to and fro. They even sell gift certificates and you can set up an account. Love this.

I content that people drink and drive because it's easy....no one wants to leave their car downtown, or not have a car the next morning. So, Zingo is the perfect solution. I can't wait to try it. Let's just hope HBO doesn't start a series called "Confessions of a Zingo Driver"...yikes....I'm sure these guys will have plenty of stories to tell.

Thank you to Austin Tidbits for always keeping me informed. I plan on giving this a whirl in the near future....already have Zingo programmed into the Crackberry....I'll file a follow up on my Zingo experience.

Do you suffer from Friggatriskaidekaphobia?

What the heck is Friggatriskaidekaphobia you might ask? Well if you suffer from it then you have a morbid, irrational fear of Friday the 13th....which I just realized that today is in fact Friday the 13th. Evidentially on average, there are 1.72 Friday the 13ths per calendar year and today just happens to be one of those days.

I saw this write up on online today on Friday the 13th and other superstitions. I found it fascinating and thought I'd share. I've always wondered why people say "bless you" after you sneeze and now I know. I know Ash will love that Friday the 13th may be connected to the Knights Templar (what isn't). I'm sure my dad will say this is too long and he can't be bothered with reading that many words, but I found it very interesting. Just file this stuff away in the portion of your brain that contain useless info...unless of course you are playing trivial pursuit.

The Curse of Friday the 13th
By Tatyana Mishel

It's Friday the 13th—should you have even gotten out of bed? Yes, most of us will rally today. But even the most pragmatic may put off doing anything like flying, getting married or signing important documents until tomorrow. Admit it: To see Friday, June 13, on the calendar is very different than seeing, say, Friday, June 16.
And has there ever been a movie called "Thursday the 27th"?

Today's ill-fated date may be the most widely held superstition among Americans. Just look at the fact that many U.S. buildings are without a 13th floor. Other common superstitions include walking under a ladder (don't violate the Holy
Trinity), throwing salt (do, especially after spilling some) and a black cat crossing your path (considered bad luck in much of the West; good luck in Japan).

Of course, many superstitions are centuries old, so their exact origins are often
hard to pin down, even debatable. But most superstitions have a popular
reference, which is what we looked for in our Web searches.

So: What sort of superstitions do people search for online? The top categories include: animal superstitions (bird superstitions in particular, especially around owls); wedding superstitions (something borrowed, something blue); theater superstitions (don't say "Macbeth" in a theater; call it “the Scottish play” instead); and sports superstitions (the "Madden curse").

One in five U.S. adults say they're somewhat superstitious, according to an
Associated Press/Ispos poll. Urbanites are twice as likely to be superstitious
as country dwellers. And single men are more superstitious than unmarried
women—however, women are more suspicious about, say, the groom seeing the bride the morning of the wedding.

Some superstitions are so enmeshed in our daily habits, we might be oblivious about their untraditional origins.

For example, saying "God bless you" after someone sneezes isn't something Miss Manners created. It's been linked to an old superstition that says a bit of your spirit leaves your body after a sneeze. And how often do you end a good luck story with "knock on wood"? Have you ever told someone to "break a leg"
before a performance or event? And how many girls have been given a charm bracelet? All are rooted in superstitions.

But what exactly is a superstition?

According to several online dictionaries found via search, superstitions are a set of irrational beliefs in the supernatural that are based in the fear of the unknown, born from ignorance or exist due to contrary proof. (Harsh words, but there's no sentimentality in a dictionary.) Despite the association with paganism and witchcraft, many superstitions originate from Christianity, as well as folklore and mythology. Some believe "knock on wood" comes from knocking on a wooden cross.

And take Friday the 13th. How did that day and date combination become foreboding? Many historians tie it to the Last Supper (13 men, a betrayal and a final Good Friday crucifixion). Another theory rests on the downfall of the Knights Templar (hundreds of religious knights executed in France on Friday, Oct. 13, 1307).

And "13," all by itself, has its own particular bad juju. It's not just those with triskaidekaphobia who accept the fact that it's best to be without a floor numbered "13." Incidentally, some Asian cultures fear the number four, while Italians don't
like 17.

But on this Friday the 13th: For those suffering from paraskevidekatriaphobia, if you can haul yourself out of bed, search for good luck charms. Or make up your own, like wearing a favorite-colored shirt. Eat a good-luck breakfast of marshmallows on toast. Or brush your teeth with exactly 99 brush strokes. Wait—let's not confuse a good old-fashioned superstition with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Tatyana Mishel is an editor at MSN.

Welcome to Manoverse

Today's special entry is an homage to my pal Patrick, who may just be the only person who could find such a blog. Clearly I cannot take credit for finding this, but could not resist sharing.

While I was initially enticed by this particular story, I have to say I was sucked in by the blog in which it comes from . The story above comes to us from Manoverse.com. At first I couldn't believe there is such a blog, but as I browsed through the archives I actually found it quite funny.

Yesterday's entry in particular grabbed my attention seeing as I'll be in bear country later this summer.

I also heart this picture of the creepy child molester man, the crazy granny manning the bar and the best party....the "I've had a bit too much" Granny who's yacking in the trash can.


And last, but not least I'll leave you with what is sure to kick you up to the next level of manliness. Not to be confused with a merkin, this lovely accoutrement is for your chest and is sure to give you "that macho look."


So once again my hat goes off to my friend Patrick, who never ceases to amaze me with his randomness.

UGH!

Trout Slayer Extraordinaire

Many of you know that I am a trout slayer extroindonaire. Ok, I admit that is a bit of a stretch (as proven in the picture above), but I do love to fly fish, especially on the beautiful waters in Montana. A girl fly fishing you ask! And to that I say, yes. It seems we are growing in numbers. And, I'd like to think that me and my comrades have a little to do with the movement.

A friend of mine (and fly fishing guide), Banning, recently turned me on to another female who has taken a sip of the fly fishing koolaid. The Fly Fish Chick. She has a great blog.....devoted mostly to all things fly fishing. I highly enjoy her entries. Even if you are not the angler that I am (yes, I can see your eyes rolling) I think you'll enjoy it too.

In one of her recent posts, she brings up a great debate on whether or not one should listen to an iPod while fishing. I had ever intent of commenting on this post, but never got around to it, so I thought I'd bring this insighful debate to Leigh Leigh Land.

I know that fishing is supposed to be quiet. That you are supposed to be one with nature. To that I say BOOOOO! Music makes me happy. It can be an instant pick me up and improves my mood. Why wouldn't I want to listen to something that put me in the best of moods while I did one of my favorite things. As most of you know, I hardly go anywhere without my trusty iPod and travel speakers (see My Favorite Things blog entry), so why in the world would I consider fishing without it?!?!?

We even actually create a special playlist for the day, complete with the perfect "lead off song." Votes are being tallied as we speak for this year's lead off song....last year's was Yeah by Usher and the year before was London Bridge by Fergie which will probably go down as the best lead off song ever...for "you had to be there" reasons. But, I digress....

I must admit that my Montana guides were a bit thrown off the first time I pulled out it out and "podded up", but they have taken to it nicely over the years. And, it absolutely doesn't affect the fishing....as proven by both my guide Rod and Ashley's guide McCreedy. I guess I'll have to blame my lack of actual catches on user error. What can you say, I'm a work in progress.

Here's McCreedy in action last year on the Flathead River in Montana jamming to a little Ja Rule and Rod in action jamming to a little 2Pac.

And after a great day of fishing we even take the pod and speakers into our fave post fishing watering hole....Woody's (which is located in a gas station...classic).

So clearly I am a fan of the iPod on a great day of fishing. What about you?

Camp Ashley

This weekend was Camp Ashley out at her family's ranch in the Texas Hill Country.

We had a great time with the kiddos....Luke, Jack, Mackenzie, and Campbell. And because their dads are kids at heart, we let Craig and PJ tag along too while the mammas were away on a cruise.

The first ever Camp Ashley was a success...filled with jeep rides (my fave), a treasure hunt, lots of gifts and prizes, a couple of pirates, a little fishing fishing, too many cupcakes to count, one obligatory dead animal..this time a hog, and lots of swimming.

Sadly though, Ash brought home more than she barganed with...a mean case of strep throat. Wonder who the germ carrier was?!?!

Thanks to Ash for being the best camp counselor ever and for letting us stay at the ranch once again!

Click here for more pics of our weekend of fun.