The other day as Ollie and I were driving back to Arlington along the PA turnpike, it warmed my little black heart when I saw car after car with Penn State bumper stickers. I remember hearing the statistic that one in 90 Pennsylvanians is a Penn Stater and one in every 900 Americans is a Penn Stater. Now, I’m no math genius, but wouldn’t that make Penn State’s enrollment like over eight million students? I don’t understand the logic behind those stats, but the bottom line is that lots of people love the school. I personally love Penn State AND their alumni. People that have gone to PSU are loud, proud and bleed blue and white. It’s like a cult – and I mean that as a compliment.
I got curious about our alum after the drive (I mean, I had six hours to think about it) and so today I actually Googled notable PSU alumni and wasn’t disappointed. Did you know Hillary Clinton’s dad is a Penn Stater? And Herman Fisher? Founder of Fisher-Price toys? Gene Kelly, the guy that dreamed up “Rambo,” George Bush’s cardiologist, inventor of the anti-wrinkle compound Retin-A, and the brains behind the Slinky — yep, they all graduated from Happy Valley.
However, my personal favorite, and probably the man to whom I am most indebted, is John Aniston. Yes, he’s Jennifer Aniston’s dad, but more importantly, he’s Victor Kiriakis on the soap opera Days of Our Lives. I cannot tell you how many hours of my childhood and teen years I spent whiling away my time with both eyeballs glued to “Days.” My favorite Days era was when Stefano made Marlena possessed by the devil (depicted as a crazed person in a red rubber suit). Yes, it has nothing to do with Victor’s character, but the fact that a Penn State Alum is involved in a theatrical masterpiece like this show makes me proud nonetheless!
What kid doesn't remember chucking a slinky down the stairs hoping it walks? All thanks to a PSU graduate...
What is it with chicks and candles? We have zillions! I even have a few $100 candles that I refuse to burn. They just sit there looking pretty, the super models of candles. But I also have 50 others that I’m happy to light up. During Christmas, I have candles that smell like Christmas trees and peppermint. It’s a real genius move because everyone who walks into my house can’t believe how wonderfully fragrant my giant Christmas tree is. I had the same ones in college and I have really fond memories of stuffing my face with the cookies my roommate’s mom sent with the odor of evergreens wafting through our room.
Since I fell on my face on the pavement running, I look a bit like a professional boxer who went to town on their elbows and hands with a cheese grater. And thanks to a lot of running, it also looks like I’m fond of sledge hammering my toes. Needless to say, when Craig and I decided to take a nice relaxing shower tonight, I suggested the wonders of candle light. Have a bad spray tan and a food baby due to a weekend binge? Light up those votives! Weird back hair got you down gentlemen? How about a tea light or two?
Of course, most men don’t own candles. Or if they do, they are boring manly candles. Not surprising though since the National Candle Association of America’s website just informed me that U.S. retail sales of candles are estimated at approximately $2 billion annually and 90 percent of candles are purchased by women. 90 percent!! Jesus. That’s probably the same gender breakdown for people who purchase thongs.
I never knew that the candle was akin to the waterbra on the “things chicks dig-o-meter” but thanks to the Candle Association, I do! And I also know that candlelight is the most flattering thing in the world and helps provide us all with nice smelling rooms and great sex. Yeah for candles!
See how candles ignite love! This scene in Sixteen Candles would have been so lame without those birthday candles blazing. So flattering for Jake Ryan!
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