Presumed to be awesome.

Cowboy Mouth: llandaffaz and I went to see Cowboy Mouth Saturday night at The Compound. Holy hell! They KILLED it!!! It was flat out FUN! So much screaming and dancing and jumping -- by the time their nearly 2 hour set was over I had lost my voice, was drenched in sweat, and was happier than I'd been in a long time. Seriously, these guys know how to bring the good times; if you get the chance to see them live, don't pass it up.

Cowboy Mouth also made me totally miss New Orleans. This blasted job situation needs to resolve itself soon, because there really does need to be a trip to New Orleans some time this year.

Football: I really hold no love for the Jets, and I think Mike Tomlin is all that is hot and amazing, and I love Hines Ward and his ridiculous smile, and I think Troy Polamalu and his ridiculous hair are wonderful; Ben Roethlisberger, however, is on my shitlist and it's gonna take a hell of a lot more than a good season for him to redeem my now very low opinion of him. Plus, Jason Taylor! I really wanted Jason Taylor to finally get to play in a Super Bowl. *sadface* So while I'm happy enough for the Steelers (mostly the aforementioned Coach of all Hotness, Hines and his adorable smile, and Troy's hair *g*) it wasn't really the outcome I was hoping for. *ducks from azewewish and idiosyncratic* In any event, this is going to make for a good Super Bowl match up, so there's that.

T.V.: Hawaii Five-O continues to bring the eye candy and snarky partner banter. This continues to make me happy. I'm easy like that. *g*

Spartacus: Gods of the Arena premiered this weekend and, while Andy Whitfield is definitely missed, it looks promising. There was plenty of crazy fight scenes and spurting blood and gore, and of course there was no shortage of sex and half naked gladiators. All of which make for A+ television as far as I'm concerned. (We've established that I'm easy like that, right? *g*) I was also intrigued by some of the new characters introduced and I'm interested to see what happens to them (presumably something bloody and fatal, since they didn't make it to the first season). So, yeah, while this is obviously a stop-gap, it seems as if it will at least be an entertaining one.

In T.V. to look forward to news: The new season of RuPaul's Drag Race, featuring Raja aka Sutan Amrull aka Adam Lambert's wickedly talented friend and make-up artist!!! I can't wait to see Raja be all fierce and fabulous on my television screen!

Other Good Things Happening This Week: Nia class tonight! Volunteering with 1n10 again tomorrow night! Spring Awakening on Thursday!

Also, since I'm in the "I'm missing New Orleans mood" thanks to Cowboy Mouth, I think I'll make some delicious jambalaya for dinner tonight. Nom nom nom!

So, yeah, that's my good stuff happy list for Monday. What's good in your world this week?

What's crazier than "manic"? Fucking insane? Yeah, that's a hell of a lot more accurate. Jeezus, this day was nuts. But on the plus side, the new attorney that I'm training in the criminal defense side of things is really impressing me -- he hustles, retains a lot of information, and asks really good questions. All of which sparks a glimmer of hope deep in my soul that one day soon I won't be as buried on that half of my practice.

So, enough of my whininess, let's talk about happier things. Like how the Saints have made it to the Super Bowl!!!!!!! Dear gods that game was insane! What a nail-biter! I was so glad to see the Saints pull out the win though. And I'm thrilled that Jeremy Shockey will have the opportunity to actually play in the big game and earn that ring the way I'm sure he wishes he could have two years ago. He looked SO happy! And it was just awesome to see the franchise and the city get that moment! Geaux Saints!

Also definitely in the happy column: White Collar!!!!!!!!! Eeee!!! I was about four episodes behind, but I finally got caught up this weekend and OH MY HEART!!! Can Neal and Peter BE any more adorable together??? *heart eyes* And how kick awesome is Elizabeth??? Very. She is VERY kick awesome! Seriously, THIS SHOW FILLS ME WITH SUCH GLEE!!!

Future happiness: I won three help_haiti auctions. Which means that there will soon be delicious fic (possibly, maybe of the Adam/Tommy variety *twirls*) from linaerys, janescott and ruby_fruit!!! And I get to blame it all on philanthropy! Win/Win!!!

(Hmmm...I don't seem to have a White Collar icon. I really need to correct this. In the meantime I'll use an Adam/Tommy icon in anticipation of all those awesome fics. *g*)

I think I have an emotional hangover from yesterday's Super Bowl. That damn game was definitely an emotional roller coaster and there's just no way I drank enough to feel this lousy. Seriously, there is not enough coffee in the world to make this day tolerable.

Speaking of the Super Bowl, though, was I the only one highly disappointed in the ads? They sucked so hard! I think the only one that I found amusing was the Hulu ad with Alec Baldwin. That was funny. The rest aren't even memorable for their badness. FAIL.

What is kind of amusing, though, is that apparently in Tucson the Super Bowl broadcast was interrupted by surprise!PORN. Jezebel has video of the miscreant penis here (obviously NSFW). I'm sure that I wouldn't be nearly as amused if that had interrupted my Super Bowl watching experience, but since the wagging penis didn't make it into my living room, I am most amused. *laughs*

Finally, in honor of Brigid, here's my contribution to the Fourth Annual Poetry Slam: ( Poetry by Pablo Neruda )

Where the hell did Saturday go??? *looks around suspiciously* Seriously, I have no idea what happened to this day.

I do know that my hair looks fantastic. I got a long over due hair cut and color yesterday and it's looking shiny and bouncy and wonderful right now! *flips hair*

I also know that I just spent about a billion dollars for the privilege of practicing law for the next year. *grumbles* I've come to hate the first day of February because that's when my bar dues come due; and another brutal reality of solo practice is that there is no one to pay those for me anymore. I think I miss having my employer pay those dues almost as much as I miss having an IT department on 24 hour call. *grumbles more*

In less grumbly news, I met with a new trainer today and I think I'm going to like working with him. Today was just an introductory type meeting, but it went well, and he seems to get what I need from a trainer; we've got a workout scheduled for Monday, so I'll see how that goes. I'm hopeful though!

Also, SUPER BOWL!!!!!!! In about 16 hours!!! I've got a huge crock of chili simmering, tons of game food, and plenty of margarita makings! We're ready for some football!!!

Today I was reminded that I do not, in fact, know what it's like to be a black man accused of a crime and tangled up in our seemingly endless and too often unjust criminal justice system. The reminder left me feeling more helpless than I've felt in a long time. And yet, while it's true that there's no way for me to understand, I'm trying to remind myself that what I can do is my best to be an effective advocate. Sometimes, though, work manages to suck the hope right out of my day.

In significantly less bleak news, my schoolgirl crush on President Obama continues unabated. Seriously, whenever I think I can't love him any more, someone goes and posts ( a picture like this: )

I prefer to think of my unabashed fangirling of our President as patriotic enthusiasm, though. *g*

And, a quick note to local flisters: Super Bowl Party!!! Whether wearing Cardinals red or waving your Terrible Towels, y'all are invited. Ping me if you need an address.