I’m just a few minutes from boarding my plane to London. I had a nice little 3-hour layover at Chicago O’Hare.

I’d be lying if I said that it hadn’t crossed my mind to hop the ‘El Train’ into town to grab a slice of deepdish pizza at Gino’s East or Girdano’s. But I wasn’t in the mood to take a chance.

Some highlights from O’Hare…

- At one point I was surrouned by approximately 75 Asian kids, all in matching athletic outfits, who were on their way home to Seoul, Korea. I didn’t understand one word they said.

- The guy in front of me on the escalator farted.

- I used what is quite possibly the smallest toilet ever invented by man. I felt like I was sitting on a coffee can.

- A cutie with a Blackberry caught eyes with me as I was playing with my Treo at lunch today. I could tell she was upset about 2 things: 1) She doesn’t have a Treo.
2) Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, and she doesn’t have me.

We’re boarding… I’m out… expect to hear something by 3:00 PM tomorrow.

Maybe.

Happy Valentine’s Day everybody!

Don’t we all love to people watch? Sitting in the airport I have observed…

- Some cute flight attendants whose beauty is marred by the hiddeous pleated Dockers they are forced to serve beverages in.

- Some gay Italians.

- A mother who caught her 3-year-old son shoplifting a ‘Dora the Explorer’ flipbook. She made it very clear that if he didn’t return it to the Hudson Bookstore that, “The policemen will come and they won’t let you go to Disney World.”

…and I haven’t even left Birmingham yet.

Don’t fear… I’ll have my Treo with me, so I’m sure I’ll sneak-in a blog post on the tarmac or during my lunch-time layover in Chicago.

By the way… you can keep up with all-things-Eurosix by clicking on the Eurosix button on the righthand side of the page.

Holla.

John Byars and Kristy Beall remembered that I could blog via cellphone… hence the post from the Rave Movie Theater in Hoover, in what is my last funfilled Saturday night before I depart.

We are getting ready to watch Final Destination 3. Time will tell if this is a good movie, but it will be scary nonetheless.

We ate dinner at the Cajun Steamer at Patton Creek in Hoover… which is now one of my favorite places in the B’ham metro-area. Authentic cajun cuisine… and our waiter looked like Donny Osmond (sp?).

Alright… previews are starting. Sadly, they are always my favorite part of any movie.

Many of you may be scratching your heads.

“11 Year Anniversary? What does that mean?”

This weekend marks the 11 Year Anniversary of the famed Walker High School Encore Showchoir trip to Disney World.

A trip which produced…

- The arrest of a showchoir member who decided to shoplift.

- The famed “SuperBus”… which I never rode.

- A girlfriend for yours-truly.

…and

- The “Anorak Revolution” in which every member of our 50+ group purchased (in high school, peer pressure style) Mickey Mouse anoraks, similar to the one seen here.

This remains one of the best trips of my life. Every minute of it was filled with some type of excitement and/or drama. I can’t quite explain it… you just had to be there.

…I wish I could go to Disney World every day of my life.

I was browsing the blog of Internet mogul Ted Leonsis, when I stumbled accross his 101 Life list (VERY interesting… take a look at it).

Taking a page from Ted, I decided to compile a short-list of things I have done, and would like to do over the next 20 years. It’s actally quite fun… and puts some things into perspective as to what little time you have to do your life list.

Have Done

Education
Go to college where I knew (almost) nobody
Get a Bachelors Degree
Get elected to the Student Government Executive Body
Get a Masters Degree (technically complete)
Make Dean’s List

Professional
Receive mention by a national magazine
Receive mention by a national newspaper
Have my photography published
Be threatened with a lawsuit because of works published
Produce a online service

Charities/Religious Work
Be involved with 10 or more charities
Work in the inner-city of a major metro-area
Lead a Sunday School Class
Serve in a worship choir, praise team, and musical group
Produce a CD

Personal
Get on broadcast television (4 times)
Get on cable television
Visit the Southern-Most Point in the United States
Attend a Presidential Innaguration
Spit-off the Empire State Building
Go to Mardi Gras (twice)
Backpack alone through Western Europe
Stand on the grass at Yankee Stadium
Snow ski a double-black diamond in Colorado

Would Like To Do, Near Future

Family
Fall in love and get married
Have a healthy son/daughter
Build a house

Professional
Write a book
Start a company and sell it
Have my own newspaper column

Charities/Religious Work
Found a children’s charity
Provide full financial support for a foreign missionary

Personal
Sing the National Anthem at a professional sporting event
Own a lake house
Own a ski boat
Visit New York City during Chirstmastime
See Coldplay in concert
Go to China, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand

Would Like To Do, Not-So-Distant Future

Charity/Religious Work
Found a non-profit children’s summer camp
Give one million dollars to a Christian cause
Serve on the board of a major charity
Found a “Howell Family” scholarship at Mississippi College
Give one million dollars to Mississippi College

Family
Take care of mother/father
Take care of in-laws
Take care of extended family
Have grandchildren (I have no control over this… obviously)
Build a beach house
Own a mountain home

Personal
Get an honorary degree
Serve as Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Mississippi College
Serve on board of directors of a major public college or university
Have a collegiate building/memorial named after the Howell family
Own a great piece of art
Restore a piece of antique furniture
Restore an antique auto
Own a restaurant and/or bed & breakfast
Support someone who makes a great breakthrough in science
Drive across the country
Visit all 50 States (37 so far)

Professional
Net worth of ten million dollars, after taxes
Become a partner in a venture capital fund
Conduct an IPO on a company I founded
Serve as Editor of a magazine/newspaper
Pubish an original magazine/newspaper
Continue to work and build business
Be on cover of a magazine
Retire at 55

My Eurailpass Flexi, good for train rides for 10 days over two months, just arrived via FedEx.

On a side-note… how awesome is it to see a UPS or FedEx truck pull-up in your driveway? Most times, you don’t even know what you’re getting, you just love receiving a package.

Back to matter at hand. The Flexi Pass will give me train access for any 10 days. I’ll be gone for 37 (not counting flying days) if that gives you any idea as to my aspirations for this trip.

Some trips will be long, some short. However, I plan on using this sucker to its fullest capacity.

More to come…

A pretty funny clip from the Man Show.

While killing time between working-out and LOST… I caught some American Idol last night.

I always love the speeches that people give when they get “the boot” from the judges. Here are some of my favorites that make me laugh:

“You haven’t seen the last of me.”

Actually, we have… unless you plan on winning Idol next year, considering that little contract that FOX made you sign strickly prohibits you from signing with any other music label for the next 3-5 years. So… better luck next year… and the year after that… etc.

“I don’t need you to make it in this industry!”

Really? Then why did you try out? Was it simply to get booted so that you could show-them-up by producing your own platinum album one day? I’d wish you good luck, but you don’t need that either.

“Well, I don’t agree with you, but everyone’s entitled to their own opinion.”

Just what exactly does this mean?

Yes… we all know that everyone has an opinion. However, Simon, Randy, and Paula head-up the most successful television show in the history of entertainment. Which tells us that their opinions carry a little more weight than say… a high school drop-out from Brooklyn who thinks she’s Alicia Keyes Part II.

The wonderful thing about using Yahoo! Mail is that they filter 99.99% of all spam mail perfectly.

However, sometimes that 0.01% turns out to be real mail.

That said, if you are not/have not recieved a response from me lately, try me again.

For years now, I’ve never owned two accessories that most people consider “staples” in life: 1) a watch 2) a pair of sunglasses.

In last years’ PacNo5, I decided that I needed, among other things, some trusty sunglasses.

After a little consideration, I snagged a pair of Native Eyewear at High Country in Hoover, Al.

Never heard of Native? Me neither.

I must admit, while I was happy with the quality of the sunglasses, I was very worried due to the lack of brand name recognition. That is until I made a visit to the REI Headquarters in Seattle. Think of this as a Bass Pro Shops for the Pacific Northwest camper/hiker/kayaker/biker crowd… times ten.

To make a long-story-short, after much browsing through the store to find some banana chips and a new Nalgene bottle, I stumbled accross the section containing sunglasses. Which brand was the freatured brand? Yep, Native. Front and center.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like I need the approval of Seattle to enjoy my sunglasses. But when the world’s largest distributor of outdoor goods feels that a brand is worthy of their central spot, I can rest at ease.

Who suggested them?

No one. We just thought that, considering the options, these “complemented” my face the best, plus, they had the best warranty

What makes them so special?

They have a lifetime, no questions asked warranty.

They are extremely lightweight.

They bend to fit your head, yet do so with very little pressure.

They are lined with light rubbed padding, perfect for those who are outdoor people.

The frames are detachable so that you change out the “arms” that include a backstrap for support.

They have a built-in “venting” system so that they never ever fog up. After skiing in the rain, snow, and fog… I testify that they never fog up. Incredible.

When did you get them?

May 2005

Where did you get them?

High Country in the Galleria – Hoover, AL, but you can get them anywhere.

Why do you like them so much?

They are lightweight… very lightweight.

They come with a lifetime warranty. If they break for any… any reason, I send them back for a new pair, no questions asked.

The lenses don’t scratch, the frames bend without breaking. I’ve dropped these suckers onto gravel at Mount St Helens and wipped-out skiing in the North Carolina Mountains.

[If you have to ask what this picture is from... I don't want to talk to you.]

Well, the Winter Olympics start tomorrow night. And… well, yep… I’m supposed to be there (thanks again passport agency).

Don’t misunderstand me though. I had tickets to no events. I had no plan to attend any events. I was simply going to train into and out-of Torino for one day. But I can’t… thanks to some intern in South Carolina.

I love the Olympics… love the Olympics. I dare say I am one of the more patriotic of all the people I know. I also know way too much about a topic I shouldn’t (as is with pageants).

Gymnastics. (Ask me later… we’ll talk 1992 Barcelona all-day-long)

However, that’s 2 years away.

When it comes to the Winter Olympics, my favorite sports are going to have to be:

Team Bobsleigh
Speed Skating (Long & Short Track)
Skiing (Super G)
…and of course, Mixed Pairs Skating

I’ll be spending much of my time catching-up on results online and cheering for the USA in hostel denrooms. The only thing I think we should expect this year is another Gold Medal from Alabama native Vonetta Flowers, as well as redemption for Apolo Ohno in speed skating.

PS – Check out our cute Women’s Hockey Goalie.

Enjoy the opening ceremonies. They should be weird.

Send any changes/updates to landon.howell@yahoo.com.

*I’ll be singing.

I realize how very sad this must appear, seeing that usually my cellphone blogging is coming from somewhere interesting… like the Mississippi Gulf Coast or the parking deck of the Galleria in Hoover. However, I’m sick… and I’m pretty sure that I’ve taken more than twice the recommended dosage that Robitussin (sp?) told me to take.

Although, I did want to mention that I hopped in bed tonight at what I believe is a record for the past the past 12 months: 10:10 PM

If you know me well, you know this is quite an accomplishment, seeing as I hate sleeping.

(My usual time falls somewhere between 1:45 & 2:50… give-or-take 30 minutes)

Hopefully, when I awake I will have full remembrance of this cellphone blogging. Until then, send me “Get Well Soon” text messages.

By the way… I’m coming to Jackson this weekend.

So… my aforementioned Eurosix trip is now set, I leave next Monday, and I’ll be giving you the run-down over the next few days.

Tentative Schedule:

[....errr, that's as far as I've gotten]

Only kidding. I’ve got a tentative schedule, but I thought it would be more fun to share it with you as I went along…

Leave – 12:20 PM – London, England – United Airlines
Arrive – 8:05 PM – Birmingham, AL

This picture, and others, surfaced last night showing Spears driving with her baby in her lap…

[Image pulled because other major websites and blogs have been threatened with a lawsuit... I don't wanna have to deal with that again.]

Details aren’t quite clear yet, but an email I recieved today stated:

…the owner had come in and given everyone a two hour notice that she was closing the business.

Well. That’ll ruin your day.

I only had the food a couple of times… and it was good. However, walking into Lager’s was like stepping into “Second-Hand-Smoke Hell.” I don’t know if the ventilation was poor. I don’t know if they thought they were creating an atmosphere.

All I know is that after 5 minutes in that joint, my eyes were swollen and my breathing interrupted. Telling me that everyone was meeting-up at Lager’s was like telling me to put on a dress. I knew I could still have fun… I’d just be really uncomfortable.

What will become of it? Maybe… Headliners, Part II.

Dear Lord… let’s hope not.

Ya’ll know I love President Bush, but Frank Caliendo does one of, if not the best Bush impression I’ve ever seen.

Enjoy.

Some articles of interest from the last few days…