Pop a la Mode

I just got goose bumps watching this new trailer for the Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. It looks fantastic.

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End
Ocean’s Thirteen
The Bourne Ultimatum
Rush Hour 3
Shrek the Third
Nancy Drew
License to Wed
Spiderman 3
Becoming Jane

Well that’s over. Amazing how much planning and worrying and running you do for one event and all of a sudden, poof! It’s gone.

The wedding was gorgeous and Amy and Adam were positively giddy by the end of it all. Amy even bounced during her vows. She was so excited she couldn’t stand still.

Here are the top 7 wedding moments from the weekend:

1. Me, yes me, falling on my rear end in the middle of the dance floor. And I’m pretty sure it’s on video somewhere. I just hope it doesn’t end up on YouTube.

2. Watching Amy walk down the aisle. She was a gorgeous bride.

3. Forcibly pushing a family friend in his chair to the middle of the floor so he has a chance to catch the garter. I’m pretty sure I’m going to pay for that sometime in the future.

4. Doing the electric slide with my brother.

5. Seeing my parents cha-cha their way across the dance floor.

6. Dancing with my nephew.

7. Being able to wash my hair after the wedding. I think she used a whole can of hairspray on my updo. As well as about 20 bobby pins.

I’m heading back to the big Ham today. It’s been a blast but I think I need a vacation.

In case you’re confused, the title of this post is taken directly from the movie “The Princess Bride.” If you have never seen it, I’m amazed. But mostly, sad. Because it’s an awesome movie. I highly recommend it.

But love is the reason I’m headed up to Virginia this weekend. My youngest cousin on my dad’s side is getting married and it will be the event of the year in our little town. Mom is directing the wedding, Dad is playing the trumpet and I’m a bridesmaid. D. and Corrie just get to sit there and look pretty.

Weddings are so much fun but totally hectic. The more I go to, the more I think if I ever get married it will be small. But considering my family, small won’t work. Oh well, that’s putting the cart about 10 miles in front of the horse.

I’ll keep you updated about the wedding weekend, Isaiah’s first visit to Virginia and anything else that pops up along the way.

Merricks out!

I had to post this video from a recent Boston Red Sox game. It’s funny because the announcers find it so funny. They’re giggling like schoolgirls.

Beware flying beer and pizza.

I cannot believe what happened up at Virginia Tech this morning. In Blacksburg of all places. It is absolutely horrifying. It makes you wonder where you will ever feel safe again.

I’m at home sick today (stupid cold) so I’ve been inundated with the news conferences all day. Since I work in PR, I feel really badly for the heads of Virginia Tech. The news media is being relentless in their questioning of the handling of the situation and you can tell that no one is comfortable in front of the camera.

Especially that police chief. Poor soul. He’s just trying to do his job and he has the media yelling at him as to why his staff didn’t shut down a campus of 26,000 students and 10,000 staff members after a homicide at one dorm.

Were there mistakes made? Well sure, if anyone handles a crisis perfectly I want to hire them. Can we learn from this? Of course.

As much admiration as I have for the news media, these are the times I wonder why I ever thought I could work in it. Let the people do their jobs; mourn those that were lost; and resolve to keep others safer by learning from shortcomings.

But don’t question the people in charge when they’re only doing the best they can. I’d like to see anyone else do a better job under these extreme circumstances.

EDITED TO ADD:

The producers and directors for Anderson Cooper at CNN are posting some very moving moments on his blog. It’s worth a read.

This is hilarious. Follow the directions below and prepare to be amused.

1. Click here - it’s Google Maps.

2. Under the empty search box at the top, click “Get Directions.”

3. Type “New York” in the first box.

4. Type “London UK” in the second box.

5. Click on “Get Directions” tab.

6. Scroll down and read step #23.