Learning Sanskrit:

although that's a little bit misleading.

Very misleading, to tell you the truth.

Learning sanskrit would probably be calmer and more focused than any post I could come up with right now.

Cohesive.

That's the word I was searching for...learning sanskrit would be more cohesive than any blog post right now.

Typically I like to have themes or one singular driving point:

I started an entry about Alice in Wonderland (which I saw and loved last weekend). My post included a feminist ramble and snatches from the Jabberwocky.

I started an entry rating rejection letters from various MFA programs. I have two "snail mail" letters and only one "e-mail" to refer to...and the "e-mail" wins hands down. It's the best. I've printed it out to be inspired (and I'm not being sarcastic).

Both entries were stagnant and short.

I considered writing about my obsession with Criminal Minds. Not the minds of criminals, per say, but the television show that seems to run in circles whenever I'm flipping through channels. And by "circles," I mean neverending, because I've never seen one episode twice.

The show is addictive, but maybe not the best to fall asleep to--I've found myself hopping up and finding HGTV so I can dream about vacation homes on Fiji or the Great Barrier Island of New Zealand instead of profilers working for the FBI.

I was going to tell you about my new (to me) car.

I was going to tell you about Yellow Tail Chardonnay and the night I had the pleasure to hear student fiction read to me until my laughter turned to tears.

But in a way, I guess I just did all that.

~~J

Dear Karen Pulfer Focht:

I do not know you; but the photos you took of Sarabi and her baby girl at the Memphis Zoo last week move me to tears.

They are beautiful and warm.

Simply Put: they melt my heart.

Thank you for capturing such tender moments on film.

~~J

photo credit: Karen Pulfer Focht

Write Out Loud!

Dear,

...

I love you. No, really I do. Here is my story:

So I read somewhere recently that the "art of writing" is dead. I mean the ACTUAL art of HANDwriting. I feel the irony, yes, being that I am BLOGGING about the death of HANDwriting...but stay with me on this one.

I like love to WRITE. I've practice my handwriting skills along with my signature (which naturally leads to practicing my autograph so I can hand-sign books effectively one day). I've looked at the samples of "famous" and "infamous" writers. I've tried to analysis my own hand even.

Part of the problem of writing though, is not that I'm left-handed (therefore, right-brained)...although it can be a challenge especially when there is ONE possible desk in a classroom to sit at...EVEN in college--I have issues.

(maybe it is a problem, but you can't help me there)

Part of the problem of writing though (and this is where You come into play, Sharpie), is the actual writing instrument. Working in the medical field, I am usually surrounded by “free” pens until they grow legs and walk out of the building, at least. Some of these pens are wonderful, some are not so great.

Then there is the SHARPIE. I simply adore the classic fine point permanent marker. I've tried to even use it to take notes or write in my journal. However, you know as well as I do that it bleeds through paper…WAIT! There is now a Sharpie pen and it is:

*designed not bleed through paper (depending on the paper)

*smear resistant when dry

*permanent on paper

*quick drying

*water resistant

Watch as I throw confetti into the air and do a little dance!

I was so excited that this afternoon I purchased way too many Sharpie pens (but it is a tax-free weekend)! I also bought a few packages of the classic fine point permanent marker in enough colors to paint the world fantastic. An addiction, I know.

The moral of this little tale-turned-Sharpie commercial? (which may not be not half as exciting as the time Shane Battier asked me about my Sharpie metallic silver fine point pen as he was autographing my Grizzlies basketball)

I can NOT wait to take notes using your pens! I love you, Sharpie!

xoxo,

~~J

Dear Starbucks:

I love you. No, really I do.

(and I don't think it's the caffeine talking)

Every time I go into one of your stores (and I've visited quite a few in the Memphis area) I am greeted by friendly and knowledgeable baristi (plural, I've looked it up).

I have a couple friends (actually I can only name ONE) who doesn't feel the same way I do. She was given a raisin scone instead of a chocolate chip scone several years ago and has sworn you a mortal enemy ever since.

(no, she didn't go back and explain the switch-a-roo)

Everyone else? LOVES you too! I was quite shocked last summer to find out that my Mother even visits one location so frequently everyone knows her by name. We delightfully exchange your gift cards and revel in your coffee products like it's no body's business!

I was told this past December to make sure and REGISTER all gift cards. So I went online and registered one. Then I promptly LOST said registered card. Whoops. I didn't think too much about it because I had other gift cards to use.

Then I received an email from you last month which said that you had loaded an additional $5 onto the aforementioned LOST card. You didn't know I had lost the card. You were just treating me & it was much appreciated.

I've since torn my room apart & basically gave up hope on finding the card. BUT WAIT! All hope is NOT lost because I REGISTERED the card--which means my balance is secure!

I called this morning and had the balance on the LOST card switched to another card. And keeping with every OTHER dealing I've ever had with you--the person I spoke to was extremely nice and helpful.

So the moral of the story? I love you. I really do. AND everyone else--BE SURE TO REGISTER YOUR CARDS!

~~J

Dear Lindsay Davenport:

Congratulations on winning another tournament in Memphis (of course I have to mention it’s been way too long since we last saw you here). It was a pretty good atmosphere, don’t cha think? Could you hear us talking about you all week? (US being everyone in the place!)

“Who’s up next? Lindsay?”
“I’m staying for Lindsay!”
“Did you see Lindsay last night?”

It’s as if you were our very best friend and we could NOT get enough! Was there any doubt you could not handle the fresh-faced teenagers? (I know there was, I’m not crazy) Nevertheless, you showed them & it was truly amazing to watch.

Age trumps Beauty (although you are quite beautiful and graceful too).
Experience trumps Youth (although you had a youthful step out there too).

So when did 31 become “old”? I guess we could ask Jonas Bjorkman about being almost 36-years-old and beating the up and coming American player—Donald Young on Friday. Donald's age? 18. 18+18=36, right?

Bjorkman was fantastic on Friday afternoon and then YOU followed, Lindsay. Of course Jonas fell in the Semis, but that’s okay. He was wonderful this week anyway.

I decided to wait until you won your 55th career Singles title before writing about you (a letter). Or mentioning the whole "new mom" thing either.

You especially held all the Moms in the audience captive too. I spoke to one on Friday (age 38) with two young children of her own (2-years-old, 5-months). She was actually hoping to catch all of your semi-final match before having to rush and pick up her children. Mission Accomplished.

We also talked about "rooting" for the older players (Jonas, we were cheering for you) and about turning 30 (that's me). She told me that while 30 is a big deal, it's definitely better than 20 as far as being a woman is concerned. I've heard that somewhere before...

So THANK YOU Lindsey for swooping in, letting us see your handsome little man, and playing (& winning) wonderful tennis all week long.

~~J

Dear Santa:

just in case he is reading, ya never know

A letter to our festive friend--and it's not even from me, but my BFF instead. I want to take this opportunity to remind everyone that WOMEN are sports fans too. I don't think she'll mind me sharing.

~~J

p.s. don't worry Santa, if you can get in touch with me--I can get in touch with her.

dear santa,

all i want for christmas is 2 tickets to the bcs national championship game.

i've been a very good girl this year.

thanks,

jana

Open Letter to Andy Roddick:

Dear Andy,

That match Wednesday night was something else. As "luck" would have it, I got out of my class about 20 minutes early and was able to rush home just in time to watch the first tie-break. Wow! What an electric atmosphere, it was as if the entire stadium was ready to explode.

I watched & watched and couldn't believe the level of talent coming through my set. I have caught more than a few matches of yours (some in person, thank you very much) and I must say this could very well be the best I have ever seen you play!

And then you lose. How is that even possible? Oh, yeah--maybe it was the Swiss machine (seriously, does he even sweat?) on the opposite side of the net. Goodness gracious!

I read the transcripts of the press conference afterward and was surprised to read such inane questions, my favorite being: Do you still think you can beat him? Which, in my opinion, is the equivalent of: Why get out of bed every morning if you know one day you're going to die anyway?

When I "grow up" and finally get to ask questions to important people/regular people/people I am interviewing/etc. I will make sure to leave the stupid questions behind. Or at least I will try to apologize for them. Seriously.

If you were playing anybody else, you would have smashed them (like you smashed that racket at the RMK Championships this past February). Congratulations on all the Net shots you won and the ones you were brave enough to try. It was impressive.

I can't wait to watch you finally beat Federer. No disrespect to him, of course. But it will happen. If I have my way, I hope to be there to see it!


~~J