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Live From Orlando
2008-05-27 22:56:00
Hello from Florida. I wish I could share an exciting story about my flight from Dulles to Orlando but it was uneventful and a shuffleboard tournament starts at 4:30. NOOOOOOOOOOOOO. I?m too late for the shuffleboard tournament. Oh well.In response to lacochran?s comment about mah jongg, here is some of Wednesday?s activities:Aquafusion (fitness in the pool) ? 10:00 AMUnderwater Treasure Dive ? noonPoolside Puppet Palooza Show ? 2 PMCreative Coloring T-shirts ? 2:30 PMDive-in Movie: Alvin & The Chipmunks ? 8 PMIt?s too bad I have to work.
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Detroit Red Wings Job Opening
2008-05-26 16:35:00
Although we are in the midst of the Stanley Cup finals, the Detroit Red Wings are advertising for a job opening. No, this is not a joke about the age of defensemen Chris Chelios, who was a healthy scratch in game one, and the fact that it may be time for him to retire.Instead, the Red Wings are seeking a Director of Group Sales. This makes some sense as the team has struggled with attendance this season (as noted by Sports Illustrated and in my experience attending a game in December) despite being the best team during the regular season and now advancing to the NHL finals. The Director of Group Sales position requires a Bachelor's degree with preferred concentration in communications, journalism, marketing, business, and/or management and five years related industry experience and/or training. Some of the responsibilities include:? Coordinate programs that will maximize event ticket sales to groups, including but not limited to school organizations, senior citizen organization...
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Edyta vs. George Novak
2008-05-22 16:24:00
During Tuesday night?s Dancing with the Stars finale, Jason Taylor said that his dance partner Edyta Sliwinska , was the best coach he had ever had. (Yes, I?m admitting that I watched the season finale. Before you make fun of me, how many of you can say that someone who played sports at your high school was a finalist on Dancing with the Stars? I thought so!) Therefore, I thought we should go back and compare Edyta to Taylor?s Woodland Hills High School football coach, George Novak .- Woodland Hills High School football coach for over 20 years- WPIAL (Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League) Championships in 1996, 1999, 2001 and 2002. - NFL players from Woodland Hills coached by Novak include Taylor, Ryan Mundy, Shawntae Spencer, Lousaka Polite and Steve Breaston.- Has never won the PIAA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association) championship.- Dancer for over 15 years. - Emerald Ball Latin Amateur Champion; 1st place - 2001 International Grand Ball (San Fra...
More About: Nick Saban , Evander Holyfield

Secret Handshake?
2008-05-21 19:47:00
Perhaps you have seen this picture of Sidney Crosby shaking hands with Mario Lemieux after the Pittsburgh Penguins? victory against Philadelphia on Sunday. Although only two people who read Sean's Ramblings may understand this, doesn?t Sidney?s handshake look familiar? Are Crosby and Lemieux honorary members of a certain youth organization? I?m scared to reveal anymore, although I guess I could provide a link in case you really want to know what I?m writing about.Ancient Chinese secret, huh?
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My Trip to the Preakness
2008-05-20 15:12:00
I attended my first ever Preakness at Pimlico in Baltimore over the weekend, and had an amazing time. However, there were some, um, interesting moments:A game of beer-can volleyball broke out when someone flung a brew from on top of an outhouse. That, the surrounding masses realized, looked like jolly good fun. And soon the sky filled with silver-and-foam, the silver signifying surprisingly heavy vessels of lite beer, the foam showing that this lite beer anxiously wished to come out and join the party. Six, seven, eight cans were volleyed back and forth simultaneously, some being consumed after their fleshy landings, others taking flight again. Some infielders shielded their heads with Styrofoam coolers. Others joined forces, hoisting a giant blue tarp to ward off the incoming fermentable attack. One man proudly showed off what he claimed was a beer-can related broken finger. Another yanked a can out of mid-air, consumed its contents and chomped the defeated can between his jaws. A...
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Stanley Cup Finals Schedule
2008-05-20 04:44:00
The 2008 Stanley Cup finals schedule between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings is set. All games start at 8:00pm Eastern with the first two games airing on Versus and the remaining games on NBC.Game 1: Saturday, May 24 at DetroitGame 2: Monday, May 26 at Detroit Game 3: Wednesday, May 28 at PittsburghGame 4: Saturday, May 31 at PittsburghGame 5: Monday, June 2 at Detroit*Game 6: Wednesday, June 4 at Pittsburgh*Game 7: Saturday, June 7 at Detroit** if necessary
More About: Schedule , Finals , Stanley Cup Finals

Iceman
2008-05-19 03:52:00
In honor of the Penguins reaching the Stanley Cup finals, here is a funny clip of Pascal Dupuis as the Iceman . A clearer version of this video is available at the 2:24 mark of this Post-Gazette link.

Ithaca vs. Cortland
2008-05-18 16:09:00
Several times over the past few years I have written about the annual Cortaca Jug football game between Ithaca College and SUNY-Cortland once dubbed "The Biggest Little Game in the Nation" by Sports Illustrated. Although football season is still several months away, Ithaca and Cortland will face each other twice on Sunday in some of the biggest athletic match-ups between the two schools in their histories. The sports: men?s lacrosse and women?s softball. In lacrosse, #7 IC (17-2) and #2 Cortland (17-1) meet in the Division III semi-final today at 1:00. Cortland?s only loss this season: a 9-8 loss to Ithaca on March 22. The Ithaca Journal has a full preview and WSYR in Syracuse and WBNG in Binghamton show how each team made it this far. One hour earlier, the #4 seed Cortland faces the #6 seed Ithaca in the NCAA Division III Softball Championship. There are only six teams remaining in the double-elimination tournament, and the loser of this match will return to upstate New York....

Three Member Band Quiz
2008-05-15 16:24:00
Welcome to another quiz, this one created by the folks at Stump Trivia from Monday night?s trivia. Your challenge is to name the three member band. As always, please do not use the internet for the answers. Either you know it or you don?t. 1. Gordon Sumner, Andy Summers, Stewart Copeland2. Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Drint, Tre Cool3. Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill, Frank Beard4. Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart5. Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker6. Bradley Nowell, Bud Gaugh and Eric Wilson7. Mark Hoppus, Travis Barker, Tom DeLonge8. Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl9. Tionne Watkins, Lisa Lopes, Rozonda Thomas10. Pete Loeffler, Sam Loeffler and Dean BernardiniA virtual gold star to anyone who correctly answers #10. Just for fun, I?ve also added two bonus questions that were not part of the trivia night.Bonus #1. Joseph Simmons, Darryl McDaniels, Jason MizellBonus #2. Robert Sledge, Darren Jessee, Benjamin Scott FoldsIn case you were wondering, we got eight out o...
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Jokeblog
2008-05-14 14:51:00
The title of this post is a word commonly used on the greatest hockey blog in the world, The Pensblog, in reference to the guy holding the sign in the picture below. Actually, I guess the "You?re Not That Good" sign is meant for the Flyers? center Daniel Briere or perhaps the entire Flyers team.Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
More About: Pittsburgh Penguins

Birthday Wishes
2008-05-14 04:36:00
Dear Sean:We were honored to grant you one of your holiday wishes. Sincerely,Sidney, Pascal, Marc-Andre, Hal, Sergei, Adam, Marian, Tyler, Georges, Kris, Evgeni, Ryan, Brooks, Jarkko, Rob, Jordan, Petr, Maxime, Ryan, Ty, Gary, Jeff, Kris, Dany, Darryl, Michel & Mario.Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
More About: Pittsburgh Penguins , Birthday , Wishes

Free Birthday Food
2008-05-13 15:53:00
Inspired by my birthday (which just happens to be today), I have compiled a list of restaurants that offer free food for your birthday. Please note that when I write "with certificate" below, it means that I received an e-mail from the restaurant for signing up on their mailing list. The "certificate" is required for the free food.Red Robin ? Free Gourmet Burger with certificate ? (received e-mail 5/6; expires 5/20)Austin Grill ? Complimentary Entrée with certificate ? (received e-mail 5/6; expires 5/20)Silver Diner ? Complimentary Entrée and a Piece of Birthday Cake with certificate and Blueplate Club card. Valid with the purchase of an additional entrée. (received e-mail 5/1; expires 6/1)California Tortilla ? Free burrito (good only on the day of your birthday)McCormick & Schmick?s ? Free Signature Desert with certificate and purchase of an entrée (received 5/6; expires 5/27)Baskin Robbins ? Free 2.5 oz. scoop if ice cream with certificate (received e-mail 5/8; expired 5/18).M...
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Stupid Rain
2008-05-12 03:03:00
I have been a strong proponent of the new turf fields for soccer over the past few years. They handle wear and tear significantly better than the normal grass fields and you are able to play games the day after a heavy rain where the grass fields may still be unplayable. As of today, I have changed my mind. I worked three games as a soccer referee on Sunday on a turf field. Although the weather for first game was fine, the rain started during the second match. It was a cold and steady rain, but the conditions were certainly playable. By the third game, the steady rain became a downpour. Any game on a grass field would have been called due to unsafe muddy conditions. However, the turf field was unfazed by the multiple inches of rain. During halftime of this game, I actually asked my assistant referees whether we could call the game. Unfortunately, we determined that the only way we could cancel the game was for lightning. When I left the field, every part of my clothes and ...
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Friday Referrals
2008-05-09 15:12:00
Here are a few links to get you through your Friday :- The 25 Best of ?Best of? Albums. What a surprise that The Beatles and The Rolling Stones finished #1 and #2.- This is both an inspiring and sad story about an 18-year-old dying from cancer titled "Teen is running out of innings, but the game still isn't over."- Chico Harlan is going to from writing G?Day from Tomorrow for the Post-Gazette (I think he also wrote some in the sports section) to the Washington Post (go about half-way down this chat) to be the Nationals beat reporter. Another Pittsburgher moving to the DC metro area.- At some point, I may or may not write about my experiences at the new Nationals stadium during last week?s Pirates game. The short story is that I bought four $18 tickets on StubHub for less than $7 each. While waiting for friends at the stadium, someone handed my brother two free tickets. Ten minutes later, another guy gave us three free tickets. This is a brand new stadium and people are giving a...
More About: Washington Nationals

I Want To Be a Sell Out
2008-05-08 15:06:00
Unless you count the Google ads on the side of this page, Sean?s Ramblings does not have any sponsors. In fact, in the 3+ years of this site, I have earned exactly $0, although I did receive a free book and DVD. Instead of hoping that companies contact me to place an ad, I thought I would do the opposite and post information about businesses I like and would be happy to have as a sponsor.Wegmans ? The greatest grocery store of all time. Guppie Boutique ? Primarily sells infant and toddler clothes and accessories. Run by ex-Pittsburghers.Let?s Eat (specifically the Johns Creek/Alpharetta, Georgia location) ? Provides customers with family dinners, sides, appetizers and desserts for in-store assembly or pick-up. There are several of these types of places around, but I?m singling out this location since it is also run by an ex-Pittsburgher.California Tortilla ? Long-time readers know my affinity for this restaurant. Besides serving great food, I love their promotions such as Pop T...
More About: Sell

Two Guys a Girl and a Pizza Place Review
2008-05-07 15:25:00
Perhaps you have heard the news that Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds are engaged. Who would have thought ten years ago that the star of Two Guys , a Girl and a Pizza Place would be engaged to one of the hottest young actresses in Hollywood? The answer would be no one since Johansson was only 13 at the time. That would be like a 14 year-old Katie Holmes saying that one day she would marry Tom Cruise, 16 years her elder. Ridiculous! Anyway, 10 years after the debut of Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place, let?s take a look back.The plot of Two Guys (I?m going to shorten the title instead of typing it over and over again) was simple enough. There were three twenty-somethings, ironically one girl and two guys, who lived in the same apartment building and hung around a pizza place. The guys were Pete (Richard Ruccolo), a neurotic architecture student and Berg (Ryan Reynolds), the laid-back pre-med. Sharon (Traylor Howard) was a tough girl with a soft center. (I took this line as...
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Penguins-Flyers Storylines
2008-05-05 12:06:00
Now that the Pittsburgh Penguins have defeated the New York Rangers, we can all focus on the Eastern conference final between the Pens and the Philadelphia Flyers . For those of you seeking storylines for the series, let me be of assistance of what you will hear from sportscasters and writers over the next week.Pittsburgh and Philadelphia are both located in Pennsylvania, or some variation of this such as the battle of Pennsylvania or the Keystone State rivalry. Let?s face it: this is truly a battle between fans that choose pop versus fans who say soda.In the Eastern conference semi-finals, Jordan Staal of the Penguins defeated his older brother Marc Staal of the Rangers. Jordan Staal has no siblings on the Flyers. (Or does he? [dramatic pause] No he does not.)The Flyers? R.J. Umberger is the Pittsburgh area. Specifically, Umberger is from Plum, which was on of the high schools that my high school faced regularly in sporting events (the last part will not be mentioned during any ...
More About: Sidney Crosby , Gary Roberts

She?s Just Being Miley
2008-05-01 13:00:00
In addition to more upbeat stories about the economy and the fact that Rev. Jeremiah Wright won?t go away, one of the major news items this week was the Miley Cyrus pictures taken by Annie Leibovitz for Vanity Fair . While I think everyone involved is in the wrong, that?s not what I am writing about. Instead, Miley Cyrus being in the news seems like the perfect time for me to embarrass myself (again) by writing that I really like a Hannah Montana song.I listen to Yahoo! radio at work occasionally switching between the Big Hits of the 80s station and Today?s Top Hits so that I can stay current with what the kids listen to (which judging by American Idol this week, seems to be Neil Diamond ; this bodes well for the future of our country). Knowing popular music also helps during trivia night, but I digress. Several weeks ago, a song came on with the first line "I got my heart set on you." While this line is nothing special, it sounded very similar to the start of Corey Hart?s classi...

The Good Wife?s Guide
2008-04-29 01:11:00
I received this May 13, 1955 Housekeeping Monthly article from a colleague several years ago and found it last week while cleaning my office. ? Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready, on time for his return. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospect of a good meal (especially his favourite dish) is part of the warm welcome needed. ? Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you'll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people. ? Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it. ? Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives. ? Gather up schoolbooks, toys, paper, etc. and...
More About: Wife , Guide , Good , The Good

Pittsburgh Sports Update
2008-04-27 16:08:00
If I wrote only a Pittsburgh sports blog, I would be required to discuss the Steelers draft. Since I don?t write a Pittsburgh sports blog, I don?t have to mention that I was surprised to see the Steelers select Illinois running back Rashard Mendenhall. I would express a concern that maybe Willie Parker?s recovery from a broken right fibula is not going that well. I would write that Najeh Davenport?s career as a Pittsburgh Steeler could be over. However, I would also state that I saw Mendenhall play in several games last season and he is an explosive running back who is fun to watch. Even if Willie Parker is 100%, Mendenhall can certainly take some carries away from Parker to give him rest for the entire season and playoffs. The Parker-Mendenhall combination could be one of the best running back tandems in the NFL. Although I would have liked to have seen the Steelers draft an offensive or defensive lineman in the first or second round, the team drafted two players, Mendenhall...
More About: Sports , Pittsburgh Penguins , Pittsburgh Steelers , Update

Missing Matzo
2008-04-24 13:18:00
One of the joys of Passover is the opportunity to eat lots of matzo over the eight-day holiday. Therefore, when faced with the opportunity to buy matzo by the individual box or the 5-pack, I always buy the larger quantity. (Please note that there's a bit of sarcasm in these sentences.) Actually, the cost of buying the 5-pack is less than purchasing two individual boxes. However, when Passover ends, we always seem to have an extra box or two and don?t know what to do with them. Matzo is technically food, so I feel uncomfortable just throwing an unopened box away. In the past, I have had non-Jewish colleagues take a box or two (they enjoy the taste; my response is what taste), but I don?t think that?s going to be an option this year.However, Streit?s, one of the companies that make Kosher for Passover food, seems to have created a solution. We purchased Streit?s five-pack of matzo this year and discovered a few days ago, well after we opened the first two boxes, that one box wa...
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Here I Go Again on My Own
2008-04-23 03:00:00
Notice something odd in today?s Yahoo top searches? Today's Top Searches (sorry for the list format; I couldn't figure out how to cut and paste the actual portion of the website)1. Kristy Lee Cook2. Danica Patrick3. Nikki Reed 4. Earth Day 20085. Going Green Tips6. Boston Marathon7. Death Row8. Whitesnake 9. 2010 Mitsubishi MIEV10. TV Turn Off Week 2008You might think that it is Nikki Reed at #3, who after doing a search, I discovered is an actress who wrote and starred in the movie Thirteen. Of course, just because I have never heard of her does not mean anything. Continue on the list where you will see Whitesnake at #8. You may remember Whitesnake from their monster 80s hits "Is This Love" and "Here I Go Again." You may be more familiar with them because lead singer David Coverdale?s girlfriend (and later wife), Tawny Kitaen , danced on the hood of a car in their video. Regardless, why, in 2008, is Whitesnake #8 on the Yahoo top search list? If Whitesnake can make it maybe Sea...

Books I Want To Read
2008-04-22 13:21:00
This is the most self-explanatory title I may I have ever written. If I continue this trend, the title of my next post will be "Please Buy My California Tortilla Burrito Coupons. I?ll Give You a Great Deal." Anyway, there have been several times over the last few years when I have asked for suggestions on books to read. For the first time possibly forever, I?m not looking for suggestions. Instead, I figured I would share my list and see if anyone has read any of these books. In addition, feel free to share what books you are reading or books you recommend in the comments section. Maybe this will turn into a book club (well, maybe a book club where people suggest books)Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions by Ben Mezrich.This book may be better known now as the movie 21. I?m guessing that the book does not contain a line where Kevin Spacey?s character says "Don?t call me dude."Absurdistan by Gary ShteyngartRecommended by one of m...
More About: Books , Bill Clinton , Read , David Halberstam , Randy Pausch

Neil
2008-04-20 19:45:00
Like Madonna , Cher and Bono , he needs only one name and they?re coming to America today. Actually, he is Neil Diamond and his North American tour is coming to the Verizon Center in DC on Tuesday, August 5. While I wrote about wanting to see the Spice Girls several months ago, I was half-joking. If someone offered me free tickets to the Spice Girls, of course I would go; however, I was not willing to pay actual money to see them. I would pay to see Neil Diamond.In fact the first concert I ever attended was Neil Diamond at the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh. It was probably 1981 or 1982, and I went with my parents and younger brother, who managed to sleep for nearly the entire show (I think he was only 3 or 4). If I remember correctly, he woke up to hear exactly one song, America, which was the show?s final song and featured a fluorescent American flag hanging above the stage.Back to 2008, tickets for Neil?s DC show go on sale to the general public on Monday, April 28. But I am not ...
More About: David Beckham

Kosher for Passover Sunscreen
2008-04-18 13:03:00
It?s fun to see how people find Sean?s Ramblings through Google and Yahoo searches. While I receive dozens of hits from folks seeking information about plans for Jenna Bush ?s wedding or Spider Pig lyrics, here are a few "interesting" referrals:all sunscreens kosher for Passover Are there non-Kosher for Passover sunscreens? Seriously, how could sunscreen not be Kosher for Passover since you?re not eating it (I hope!)?John Cangelosi marry Beyonce Can you imagine the headlines on People or Page Six if this actually happened? I?m guessing that only four people who read this actually know who John Cangelosi is. Why was Ithaca College upset with Barry Manilow There are just too many reasons.bestman speech/bestman speeches/bestman speeches for freeThere must be a lot of speeches out there if a Bestman ever gets married. Are there specific speeches for someone with the last name of Besterman or Betterman (as in Pearl Jam?s song)?Do you love me Sean?Depends who?s asking. We invited Jason to...
More About: Sunscreen

Seattle & Victoria Vacation
2008-04-17 13:07:00
I?ve promised details about my vacation to the Seattle , Washington area and Victoria, British Columbia so this is it. I have also included a few pictures, but please bear with me as this was the first time I have ever used a digital camera. Yes, I know that it is 2008. I?ve also heard good things about this new VCR thing.Before the pictures, I wanted to share a few notes:- I?m a big fan of the Suquamish Clearwater Casino, especially the $3 blackjack tables. I finished up $11, which is a significant difference from Atlantic City last month. My favorite moment was when I hit on 15, got an 8 and then watched the dealer pay me after he busted on his final hand before a break. I noticed the mistake as did everyone else at the table and probably the new dealer who was about to start his shift, but no one said anything. I think it?s a rule that if the dealer makes a mistake in your favor, no one says anything. - I?m also a big fan of taking a ferry into Seattle. What a neat way to...
More About: Kelly Ripa , Anatomy , Vacation , Pittsburgh Penguins

2008 Steelers Schedule
2008-04-16 02:59:00
It's hard to think about the Steelers while the Penguins are off to a great start in the Stanley Cup playoffs, but the 2008 schedule was released on Tuesday. September7 -- Houston, 1 p.m. (CBS)14 -- at Cleveland, 8:15 p.m. (NBC)21 -- at Philadelphia, 4:15 p.m. (CBS)29 -- Baltimore, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)October5 -- at Jacksonville, 8:15 p.m. (NBC)12 -- Off19 -- at Cincinnati, 1 p.m. (CBS)26 -- New York Giants, 4:15 p.m. (FOX) November3 -- at Washington, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)9 -- Indianapolis, 4:15 p.m. (CBS)16 -- San Diego, 4:15 p.m. (CBS)20 -- Cincinnati, 8:15 p.m. (NFL Network)30 -- at New England, 4:15 p.m. (CBS)December7 -- Dallas, 4:15 p.m. (FOX)14 -- at Baltimore, 1 p.m. (CBS)21 -- at Tennessee, 1 p.m. (CBS)28 -- Cleveland, 1 p.m. (CBS)With the exception of the November 20th game against the Bengals, the times and TV network may change due to flexible scheduling during the last seven weeks.I think the first reaction for many folks is that there are very few 1:00 starts....
More About: Schedule , Pittsburgh Steelers

Tie or Tide
2008-04-15 15:24:00
I think that I have been using an expression incorrectly my entire life. If I had an afternoon snack, I would say that this will tie me over until dinner. I believe that the phrase is actually this will tide me over until dinner. The word tide here makes no sense to me. When I think of tide, I picture water, the ocean or laundry detergent. This expression really can?t be tide, can it?I promise to have information about my Seattle trip soon.
More About: Tide

Shawty Got Low x8
2008-04-13 22:04:00
I?m home from my Seattle and Victoria vacation and will write more about the trip over the next few days. I may even share pictures if I can figure out how to get the pictures from the digital camera to the computer. Although we weren?t in the car all that often during the vacation, the song we heard the most was ?Low? by Flo Rida (not to be confused with the state Florida). The main character of the song, Shawty, had apple bottom jeans and boots with the fur. She also had them baggy sweat pants and the Reeboks with the straps. This raises several questions. Is Shawty wearing all of this at the same time? Did she magically change clothes on the floor, I mean flo? Is Flo Rida discussing two different women referred to as Shawty? The song does not seem to clarify this so I thought I would share my questions with all of you.

Greetings from Seattle
2008-04-08 06:43:00
I am writing live from the Pacific Northwest. No sign of Frasier Crane or McDreamy yet, but if I see them in the next few days, I'll be sure to let everyone know.Off to Victoria in the morning. I'll try not to disturb the British Columbia Parliament too much. Is it in poor taste to ask everyone where Big Ben is located? I would hate to cause an international incident on vacation.
More About: Seattle