She's so rock steady

I'm going to be taking my high school equivilency exam next month. I don't think it will be terribly difficult, as I've kept up with my studies, but it will be a relief to have it over.

Then, perhaps, I'll take some correspondence courses through a university. Can you do correspondences courses if you only have a PO Box address? Well, I suspect that they'd allow it. If you're paying, you're paying, after all. I'm not sure what sort of courses I'd take yet.

I cannot believe that Cosmo is touting ankle zip jeans as fashionable.

I don't care what anyone says. Those were never fashionable and never will be. Skinny jeans to not require a zipper on the ankles.

On another note, Aquis is having a sample night for new cocktails on Wednesday; anyone interested in going?

We're going to have a pot luck on Friday. I've decided. You must all comply.

Which means everyone needs to bring something. Either a meal, or a dessert.

Tell me what you're bringing so we don't end up with ten people bringing meatballs and nothing else.

And no, Micah and Isaak, you cannot bring those horrid bacon concoctions.

Now that the weather is improving, I've decided that it's time to learn to drive.

It's quite obvious that Rezner and Leona are the two hot shot drivers here - and for that reason, I want someone else to teach me. No offense intended, but I'd prefer to learn from someone who's not quite so obsessed about cars. I'd hate to think of what would happen if I used the wrong turn signal or something.

Anyone willing to give some lessons? I'm generally a quick learner.

Has anyone watched that show Pretty Wicked? I caught it last night after a rerun of the ANTM episode I missed this week.

It's like one of the modelling shows except without any modelling, and ten times more idiocy and bitchiness. Really it's quite ridiculous and yet there's something compelling about it - like watching a train wreck.

ANTM was actually fairly entertaining tonight, as there was some drama spun from the end of the last episode. Which led to losts of shouting and name calling and other ridiculous behaviour. What Celia did really lacked class.

I quite like Allison, I wish she did better. She has that cute doll-baby look that Lily Cole, Heather Marks and other of that group have. I also liked the poet shirt she was wearing at judging. She needs to work on her range of expressions though.

The shoot this week was alright. I do enjoy when it's a head shot with bold colour of some kind. I think I liked the paint one from last cycle better though.

Junior Team, I'm impressed with our performance. I think we'll meet tomorrow at lunch time just to further discuss how things went, and to go over any improvements that can be made in the future.

Plus by that point there should be some airport footage we can watch. I think our disguises were very good though, so that's not much of a worry.

I'm glad we had the shortest distance to drive, because it's nice to be back at base. Although I somehow suspect that giving the Junior Team the nearest location was purposeful planning.

I think I noticed the Red Team arriving. Which, with Leona and Rezner as possible drivers is not really a surprise. I guess the Blue-Black Team won't arrive back until tomorrow since they're coming from Denver.

Tonight is going to be a bubble bath and some wine.

I'm glad that spring is on its way because it is definitely time to retire winter clothing. There are some very cute spring coats out this year in bright colours. I picked up a turquoise leather motorcycle jacket that is very cute. It will go well with all the brightly coloured scarves that are fashionable right now.

I'm looking forward to the mission this weekend. Junior Team, we will meet tomorrow morning at 10am in order for me to brief you on the details. You'll need a small travel bag, whatever you require for two days away from base.

I haven't decided if I'm going to watch ANTM this cycle or not, but I am watching tonight. Just to get an idea of how the cycle will be.

Even if the girls are boring, I do like to see the photoshoots though. They do some really interesting shoots.

I do not understand most of these girls though. They want to be models and yet they have no personal style.

Also, I'm sure that the producers tell the girls to play up their issues, but I'm already sick of hearing about epilepsy and burn scars. Unfortunate? Yes. But not the point of the show.

Junior Team - we will be having an extra training session tomorrow at 10 am, in order to start introducing Mateo to our team. I'm not sure if you've all met him yet, so we'll introduce first, if necessary, and then get into some sparring routines in rotation.

Mateo, you can choose to observe or join in, whichever you think will be the most beneficial to you the first time around.

I enjoyed watching the Academy Awards last night. Hugh Jackman made for a good host. Witty, and he can sing and dance, which is a plus. And he's rather handsome.

Of course I mostly enjoyed watching it for the fashion. Here are my thoughts on some of the outfits of the evening. Behind a cut, because it's picture heavy.

( Best and Worst Dresses of Oscars 2009 )

Ladies, we are having an emergency girls night tonight! It is rather necessary I think. My room. I'll have some wine and some snacks. Bring other alcohol and snacks.

ANTM Cycle 12 starts in a couple weeks. I've seen the advertisements for it, and I'm not impressed. Is it just me or do the girls all look fairly generic? No one pops out as anyone particularly interesting or special. They'll really need the makeovers!

Also, in flipping through some magazines, I'm disturbed at the playsuit trend. They are not attractive at all. They remind me of something a child would wear.

The good thing about Superbowl Sunday is the fact that, after today, football is over until next season and it will no longer be clogging up the television airwaves.

I will be spending the evening in my room, watching some of the old BBC Pride and Prejudice miniseries. Colin Firth really did make a wonderful Mr. Darcy. If any of the other non-football fans care to join me, you are more than welcome. I have some nice red wine to be imbibed.

I feel I need to point out to the uninformed that the legal age of consent in New Hampshire is sixteen.

Which is fortunate because teenaged boys are rarely worth dating. A girl needs to date someone older. Even then she's probably still more mature than the male in question.

Attention boys: The Rec Room is off limits to you tonight, starting at 7pm.

Attention ladies: We're taking over the Rec Room this evening or movie night. All ladies are welcome. Bring a movie of your choice (we'll vote on which ones to watch from those brought) and some sort of snack to share with the group! Everyone bring their own drink of choice!

If you want to note what snack you're bringing so we don't end up with six bowls of popcorn, note in the comments!

There is a plate of food that has been in the fridge for weeks. I think it might have been spaghetti at one point. It appears to be growing new limbs and will probably leave the fridge at some point soon.

I've spent the evening reading the recent issues of some magazines and have come to a few conclusions about trends and clothes that should never be worn (not that most of these were in the magazines):

1. Crocs. Unless you are under the age of ten or working in a garden.

2. Bright white tights. Again, unless you are under the age of ten and wearing a party dress. Bright tights - yes. Black tights - yes. Gray tights - yes. Subtle cream colouted tights - yes. Bright white tights - no, never.

3. Skinny jeans that are two sizes too small. No one wants to see your muffin top.

4. Celebrity perfumes. Why would anyone want to smell like Britney Spears anyway?

5. Plastic 'cause' bracelets. It's great that you want to donate money to one cause or another. But do you need to wear a guady piece of plastic that shows you donated a dollar?

6. Fannypacks. Why are these trying to make a comeback? Only accepable if you're above the age of seventy.

7. Most animal prints. Very few people can actually pull animal prints off. And the ones who try tend to be middle aged women. Being a cougar is not cool, and neither is looking like one.

There are some slovenly people here. Or absent-minded. In any case, someone, or someones, need to keep a handle on their peanut butter better.

Yesterday I found a jar of peanut butter sitting abandoned in the Rec Room on top of the TV. Today I found a jar in the training room (I'm thinking that working out and gouging on peanut butter sort of cancel each other out). The first jar was Kraft and the second was Skippy, if that is of any help.

In other news, ladies, I think tomorrow evening would be a good time for our girls night. Does that work for everyone? If so I can call and book us a table, one of the plces is town has their martini menu on special on Thursdays; I think we should go there.

I realized that I haven't sat down and written about the holidays at all.

I went home for a few days, from the 23rd to the 28th. Home being, as most of you know, New York. I caught up with some old friends from prep school. Mother managed to find a magnificent tree, as always, and Marta, our cook, outdid herself with Christmas dinner this year. I braved the post-Christmas sales and found quite a number of things, including a few things for people here.

Then I returned only to turn around and head back to the city, but that was something entirely different. It was exhilerating to be in the crowd at Time Square, knowing what was going to happen. I honestly don't know why people are blaming us for the death of that woman and those injuries, it is hardly out fault that mobs cannot control themselves.

Ladies, I think we need another girls night out soon.