The Fist Bump Heard Round the World

Zach: (excitedly) The Anthropology Journal is publishing our piece on the Coronals suture.

Brennan: Worthy interruption.

(Zach offers his fist to her, she looks confused)

Zach: You're supposed to bump my fist with yours.

Brennan: Why?

Zach: I'm told it's a widely acknowledged gesture of mutual success (Puts his fist down)

---Bones.


So ever since my fist bumping revelation down in San Diego, I have this slight obsession with the whole idea of the fist bump. I, of course, being the 21st century girl that I am did a little google...added on by a little wikipedia and was quite enlightend.

First of all, TIME did a whole article about the fist bump concept right after the Obama's display after winning the nomination.

Author M.J Stephy wrote: "Some claim the act of knuckle-bumping began in the 1970s with NBA players like Baltimore Bullets guard Fred Carter. Others claim the fist bump's national debut occurred off the court, citing the Wonder Twins, minor characters in the 1970s Hanna-Barbera superhero cartoon The Superfriends, who famously touched knuckles and cried "Wonder Twin powers, activate!' before morphing into animals or ice sculptures. One might also credit germaphobics for the fist bump's popularity. Deal or No Deal host Howie Mandel reportedly adopted the gesture as a friendly way to avoid his contestants' germs.

Even the terminology used to describe the manual move is under dispute. On reporting Obama's speech, The New York Times described it stuffily as a "closed-fisted high-five" while Human Events reader racily suggested it was closer to "Hezbollah-style fist-jabbing," (the comment was later removed from the article). One Internet poster even referred to it as "the fist bump of hope." Other terms for the move include "power five," "fist pound," "knuckle bump," "Quarter Pounder" and "dap."

The fist bump's precursor, the low- and high-fives, originated in the 1950s"

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1812102,00.html

I was also surprised to read that after the Obama fist bump, E.D Hill anchor at Fox News called it "A terrorist fist jab"

Everyone's doing it...celebs, politicians, the normal midwesterners and athletes...the fist bump as different as it it...Is clearly not a random act of terrorism.

Live from LAX....(pre-recorded)

All is well I must say with the new job.

I just finished up my first week on the road, and I have to say it went pretty well (minus a lost banner and a slight rental car vs. hotel parking lot concrete pole incident) I spent four days in San Diego and another two in LA. San Diego is quite the place. Not only does it have practically perfect weather, it’s also absolutely gorgeous. The Mexican food is delicious and the beaches are really nice.

To say the least, I enjoyed my time down there. I left SF as a little white girl…now I almost look half Filipino (if you squint a bit and turn your head to an angle.) I love the tan lines…they’re so becoming. I love talking with students and the advisors in the Study Abroad office. It’s so fun getting to know new people and sharing the experience of going abroad.

My last night there, I had the chance to meet up with one of my hometown friends who I’ve known since we were just wee. It’s always good to catch up. We ate some tasty Mexican food and topped it off with some delicious Coronas.

After I finished my school visits (which FYI, came out quite successful…if I do say so myself) I headed up to LA..making great time considering the stereotypical LA traffic. I stopped in Huntington Beach to visit another friend, my roommate in Japan actually. We hadn’t seen each other since I left in May 2007. It was so fun seeing her again and reliving all those crazy Japanese moments.

After two very busy days in LA, I’m now headed back home to my big bed and my washer and dryer. I have two days off before I hit the road again. Ahhh….the travel life.

I do have to say, I had a random meeting with the Ex-Goevenor of California. I was in LAX, waiting for my flight…catching up on expense reports, PerezHilton and watching a little youtube in between. An older man sits next to me, watches what I’m doing and proceeds to ask me the ins and outs of youtube. What I watch, how I watch it and how it gets on there in the first place. I look around…cause to be honest, its bit odd. A few people are kind of glaring…smiling…laughing you may call it. I think they’re just chuckling at the situation.

Then the man goes, “Type in Jerry Brown…lets see what we can come up with” So, of course I do, proclaiming at the same time that it’s probably going to get a lot of videos…the name’s common. We scroll down a bit, and he’s like…”hey, that’s me.” I think he’s joking…until we start watching it and turns out Jerry Brown is the Ex-Governor and the current Mayor of Oakland. Who knew?!? Apparently everyone but me…because after Jerry boarded the plane, a lady sitting next to us leaned over and gave me the lowdown.

Anyways, he was totally bummed because first of all Obama has his own youtube channel and secondly none of his videos were getting very many hits. I believe he used the term “pathetic”

For what it’s worth, I also tried to explain to him what SNL is and why some lady named Tina Fey (pretending to be Sarah Palin) was getting so many hits.

I don’t think he ever caught on.

So, I can see the moon from my house...does that qualify me to be an astronaut?

I got burned, baby, burned. Literally burned. To a crisp. I'm not one of those OC babies...no I'm from Seattle, we aren't used to the big glowing ball in the sky....and it bit me in the bud today.

But San Diego is gorgeous. I can see why so many people like it.

My trip so far has been good. I got to the car rental place and had a choice between a mini van...and a Jeep something or other...Regardless of the model, it's large, and ridiculously hard to park...or maneuver in general. My 5'3 self looks like a midget it the thing. But it is a nice ride.

Whilst I was visiting one of my San Diego schools, I found myself caught in the midst of a Fraternity feud. In reality, it seemed to be more of a simple misunderstanding of sorts. I have no idea what the tiff was about, however it did involve fists, flying skateboards and lots of yelling. I was sitting at my table, taking a quick glance at my crackberry and all of a sudden, red shirts are being throw in the air, sorority girls are ducking for cover and I of course, am glued to the action. When all was said and done, the men (and I use that term quite lightly) fist bumped, shook hands and parted ways. It was quite possibly the oddest fight I've ever witnessed. Only on a college campus would this happen. Man, I miss college.

It does make me wonder though...maybe Obama had it right with the fist bump. I mean it caused such a ruckas, but what if the fist bump really is the wave of the future?

What if all those countries around the world put down their weapons, threw away their bombs, retired their armies and gave up their preconceived notions and instead gave their foes a little fist bump.

I think it could work. I mean the fist bump is quite the picker upper. I'm serious, having a bad day? Fist bump. Sad about the future. Fist bump. Upset over the current state of the Economy...John McCain give up a little fist bump. I don't know about you, but the whole notion brings a smile to my face and definitely makes my day a little brighter.

You know what else makes my day a little bit brighter? It's Bones night...and there's nothing better then a little Brennen and a lotta Booth to help soothe my sunburn blues. I can't wait to find my Knight in shining FBI standard issue armor.

Travel Day One

I’d first like to say that this blog is coming to you live from the flap of an air sickness bag I’m writing as I eagerly await our arrival into Sunny (well, now moonly) San Diego. I’m also trying to distract myself from the lady sitting next to me who is as my mother would say, “Chewing her gum like a cow.”

I never realized until this very moment that loud gum chewers are a pet peeve of mine. I have this urge to shove my hand into her mouth and steal the gum from her very snapping teeth. Some may call it an anger management issue, I blame it on the migraine I’m suffering from.

However, as a disclaimer, I do have to admit, that on occasion, I have myself chewed, snapped, made loud obscene noises with my gum. I’m not proud of it, but we can’t all be perfect. (I apologize to anyone out there that too defines this as an annoying habit)

So, my business trip is off to a fabulous start, scratch that: a great start, no: a pretty okay start…well, off to a start. My taxi arrived 45 minutes early…and I was worried it would pull a no show. It’s amazing that I was even packed by then. I was just sitting down to rewatch the Tina Fey/Amy Pohler SNL skit and I hear a honk outside my window. Low and behold, down below is a Saudi Arabian man and his bright yellow taxi.

As I scramble to gather my four carryons (yes four…and I made it all the way onto the plane, thank you very much) I realize, I have no idea what I’ve brought, or forgotten. I never got to perform my last minute supply check. I guess I’ll find out tomorrow.

I do at least know I have all 200 of my interest cards for the schools. They set off the X-Rays during my security check. There’s nothing like having someone flip through those puppies looking for some sort of electronic activation button.

Nope, just little green cards and a slim rubber band. I wanted to ask them if they (or anyone they knew would) be interested in studying abroad and willing to fill one out. I have a goal to get them all completed this week…why not use every moment to promote?

Anyways, the Taxi man greets me and lets me know that he has picked up someone from this very house many, many times. I smile, in my head thinking “45 minutes early…don’t expect to be coming back to this house for a very, very long time.”

Oakland Airport is literally a 15 (maybe 10) minute drive from my house, so I’m there early. I’m through security in 8 minutes top…and of course the waiting begins.

I wonder, if you add all the waiting periods in our lives…at the bank, in the grocery store line, ordering a sandwich from Subway…how much time we really would have wasted? I’d assume a good two-thirds of our lives are spent waiting for something.

Oh man, we are quickly approaching San Diego airport. The lady is still chewing. My brain is still pounding…good lord, bring on tomorrow…and Point Loma!

I'm not meant to be "other people"

"Brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want something badly enough. They are there to keep out the other people."

Randy Pausch

Oddly enough, I didn't find this quote in the Professor's book, nor did I find it online or on someone's facebook or even after a good google. I first heard this quote on, get this, General Hospital. Now, I haven't watched a soap since my high school run of Passions and Days (ok...and Sunset Beach) but I'm working from home today and welcomed the much needed background noise.

I, too, thought it strange that the soap would be quoting this author during a fight about love or adultery or some sort of misguided sexual encounter, but who am I to judge. It is a good quote.

I've been meaning to read the book, "The Last Lecture" and if it wasn't so expensive at Borders or so popular at the Library, I would have done so by now. From what I've glimpsed at so far, it seems to be quite the little inspiration. I like this brick wall quote because it's true...and it lacks the stereotypical "new door opening" image. It makes sense of the road blocks, the very definite and seemingly overwhelming lack of success that can come early in one's career. I've said it before, I hated those struggles. Who wants to go through all that, especially when you see those around you achieving success so easily (at least at face value).

I had a huge "woe is me" attitude right out of college. I didn't know what I was doing, where I was going, or what I would grow to become...but in the midst of all that doubt, I knew I was where I was supposed to be.

How easy is it to say that now...three years later.

My career is far from over...heck I have a good 40 years before I can even think of retirement. I guess I should look at that as a good thing. I have 40 years to make something of myself. After three, I must say, I haven't done so bad thus far.

"Better to fail spectacularly than do something mediocre."

"So I invite the media to grow a pair. And if you can't, I will lend you mine."

An NBC transcript of "SNL's" opening sketch:

FEY AS PALIN: "Good evening, my fellow Americans. I was so excited when I was told Senator Clinton and I would be addressing you tonight."

POEHLER AS CLINTON: "And I was told I would be addressing you alone."

FEY AS PALIN: "Now I know it must be a little bit strange for all of you to see the two of us together. What with me being John McCain's running mate."

POEHLER AS CLINTON: "And me being a fervent supporter of Senator Barack Obama -- as evidenced by this button."

FEY AS PALIN: "But tonight we are crossing party lines to address the now very ugly role that sexism is playing in the campaign."

POEHLER AS CLINTON: "An issue which I am frankly surprised to hear people suddenly care about."

FEY AS PALIN: "You know, Hillary and I don't agree on everything..."

POEHLER AS CLINTON: (OVERLAPPING) "Anything. I believe that diplomacy should be the cornerstone of any foreign policy."

FEY AS PALIN: "And I can see Russia from my house."

POEHLER AS CLINTON: "I believe global warming is caused by man."

FEY AS PALIN: "And I believe it's just God hugging us closer."

POEHLER AS CLINTON: "I don't agree with the Bush Doctrine."

FEY AS PALIN: "I don't know what that is."

POEHLER AS CLINTON: "But Sarah, one thing we can agree on is that sexism can never be allowed to permeate an American election."

FEY AS PALIN: "So please, stop photoshopping my head on sexy bikini pictures."

POEHLER AS CLINTON: "And stop saying I have cankles."

FEY AS PALIN: "Don't refer to me as a 'MILF.'"

POEHLER AS CLINTON: "And don't refer to me as a [flurge]. I Googled what it stands for and I do not like it."

FEY AS PALIN: "So we ask reporters and commentators, stop using words that diminish us, like 'pretty,' 'attractive,' 'beautiful.'"

POEHLER AS CLINTON: "'Harpy,' 'shrew' and 'boner shrinker.'"

FEY AS PALIN: "While our politics may differ, my friend and I are both very tough ladies. You know it reminds me of a joke we tell in Alaska..."What's the difference...

POEHLER AS CLINTON: "Lipstick."

FEY AS PALIN: "...between a hockey mom..."

POEHLER AS CLINTON: "Lipstick."

FEY AS PALIN: "...and a pitbull?"

POEHLER AS CLINTON: "Lipstick."

FEY AS PALIN(AFTER A BEAT): "Lipstick. Just look at how far we've come. Hillary Clinton, who came so close to the White House. And me, Sarah Palin, who is even closer. Can you believe it, Hillary?"

POEHLER AS CLINTON: (AFTER A PAUSE)"I can not."

FEY AS PALIN: "It's truly amazing and I think women everywhere can agree, that no matter your politics, it's time for a woman to make it to the White House."

POEHLER AS CLINTON: "No. Mine! It's supposed to be mine! I need to say something. I didn't want a woman to be President. I wanted to be President and I just happen to be a woman. And I don't want to hear you compare your road to the White House to my road to the White House. I scratched and clawed through mud and barbed wire and you just glided in on a dog sled wearing your pageant sash and your Tina Fey glasses."

FEY AS PALIN:
"What an amazing time we live in. To think that just two years ago, I was a small town mayor of Alaska's crystal meth capitol. And now I am just one heartbeat away from being President of the United States. It just goes to show that anyone can be President."

POEHLER AS CLINTON: "Anyone."

FEY AS PALIN: "All you have to do is want it."

POEHLER AS CLINTON: (LAUGHS) "Yeah, you know, Sarah, looking back, if I could change one thing, I should have wanted it more." (RIPS OFF PIECE OF PODIUM)

FEY AS PALIN: "So in the next six weeks, I invite the media to be vigilant for sexist behavior."

POEHLER AS CLINTON: "Although it is never sexist to question female politicians credentials. Please ask this one about dinosaurs. So I invite the media to grow a pair. And if you can't, I will lend you mine."

FEY AS PALIN: And as we say in Alaska...

POEHLER AS CLINTON: "We say it everywhere..."

FEY/POEHLER: "Live from New York, It's Saturday Night!!!

Let the Games Begin.

"It appears that the website has become alive. This happens to computers and robots sometimes. Am I scared of a stupid computer? Please. The computer should be scared of me. I have been salesman of the month for 13 of the last 12 months. You heard me right. I did so well last February that Corporate gave me two plaques in lieu of a pay raise."

----Dwight Schrute

Tomorrow I head to Sunny San Diego for the first of many work trips. And whilst I feel as if I have a good grasp on what I'm doing, I can't help but have an underlying feeling (or fear) that in actuality...I do not.

What I do have going for me, (and no...not just that award winning smile...) but confidence...albeit a completely naive form of confidence, but one that does exist. I believe in myself, and I believe in my organization...so regardless, I figure as long as I bring that to the table, I should be able to make it though 94% of any situation I ever find myself in. Right?

If not, well, then...any job openings in the bay area?

This weekend has been a bit of a bust. It was of course, a gorgeous San Francisco weekend...one that I spent a majority of on the beach here in Alameda. I've been studying up on all the programs we offer...and like always it inspires me to travel again...more often...all the time if I could. Today it was Argentina, yesterday South Africa and tomorrow quite possibly be Ghana...or Croatia...or Greece(again). But this weekend was all about adventures in Alameda.

Yesterday I was lounging on my yoga mat (which to be quite honest, has only been used for yoga once...) minding my own business, memorizing my catalog and watching the people stroll by on their way to the ferry landing.

A young couple walks past me and heads to one of the many picnic tables. I say hello, they do as well. It's clear that this couple is not married, quite possibly in the early stages of their relationship. I go back to reading about Argentina.

As I begin the section on Argentinian Tango Dancing, I hear the unmistakable sound of someone throwing up. I look and it is the male half of this young couple. In between lurches, all you hear is a male "Sorry" and an even quieter female, "that's okay...puke over there" This literally goes on for about 10 minutes before I decide its time to peace out.

I don't know about anyone else out there...but I'm not quite sure what I'd do on a date that ended with projectile vomiting.


I should have stayed longer to observe, however all I could think of that he probably has some sort of contagious bird flu and I have a business trip on Monday and I clearly cannot become sick.

I do hope she gives him a second chance though. I really do.

Launch Party 2008

"Okay. Today is the big day that I am heading to New York to attend a party, with sushi and important people. On an unrelated note, if anyone has an anecdote, that is not boring and easy to memorize please drop by my office before I leave. Thank you." ----Michael Scott

It's official. The San Francisco Office is open! We had our big reception a few nights ago and it went incredibly well. The big whigs flew in from CT and after a day of meetings, the platters of food were set out, the flowers were arranged, the smiles were on and wine was flowing.

What more could you ask for?

Here's to a long and healthy life San Francisco.

Fighting the other bad C-Word

Cancer survivors Lance Armstrong and Elizabeth Edwards kicked off the program with statistics: Cancer kills 550,000 Americans and six million people worldwide each year.

"That's the equivalent of 9/11 every two days," Armstrong said.

"If children have the ability to ignore all odds and percentages, then maybe we can all learn from them. When you think about it, what other choice is there but to hope? We have two options, medically and emotionally: give up, or fight like hell." ~Lance Armstrong


I love it when the networks come together, dismiss the competition, and not worry about ratings or advertising. And they do it for a comment cause. Cancer is an illness that has been a part of just about everyones lives. It seems that everyone has either suffered from cancer, known someone who has suffered from cancer or has lost a friend or family member to the disease.

It's a terrible disease, one that needs to be cured. I have a hard time understanding cancer. I don't know why, but cancer makes me angry. It's so stupid. There's no reason for it. There's no purpose for making someone so sick, for placing a fear in them so great, for terrorizing them and their families.

It makes you wonder why God allows disease like this in the world. I know, I know...without struggle we'd have no joy. You can't have one without the other...Or something like that...

Still, I believe we, as the US could place so much more effort and money into Cancer research.



Cancer is a word, not a sentence. ~John Diamond