Spill Forth Chameleon
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Monday, May 08, 2006
Remodel (super close to, and almost totally) complete...really, really
It's close, so close, to being fully complete (at long last!). Anyway, here are some pics from the finished upstairs master bedroom & bathroom. We moved up a little while ago and are loving the amenities, like a walk in closet with laundry facilities, a delicious spa-like bathroom and space, glorious space to move around. Mmmm!!!
All we have left is to modify our construction loan (so we can actually own and become slaves to our debt) and then to finish the garage roof/deck as soon as we get a stretch of good, rain free weather. Fortunately for y'all, you should only see a few more posts, if any, on this topic. :)
Although, from my lack of posts these last few months, it's apparent that if I didn't post about house, I really have nothing to say. C'est la vie.
I'll take some exterior shots of the new stucco and garage later to post. Thanks for going through this journey with me! :)
¶ 5/08/2006 11:39:00 AM 13 comments
All we have left is to modify our construction loan (so we can actually own and become slaves to our debt) and then to finish the garage roof/deck as soon as we get a stretch of good, rain free weather. Fortunately for y'all, you should only see a few more posts, if any, on this topic. :)
Although, from my lack of posts these last few months, it's apparent that if I didn't post about house, I really have nothing to say. C'est la vie.
I'll take some exterior shots of the new stucco and garage later to post. Thanks for going through this journey with me! :)
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Sunday, May 07, 2006
A Million Little Pliers // 1:18 //
s, "I have seen my future, and it is not written on a grain of rice." - Alan Smithee
Why are miniatures so fascinating?
* Matchbox cars * Model engines & airplanes * Chihuahuas * Baby clothes * Mini-Me * Sea monkeys * Photo lockets * Razr phones * The Littles * etc., etc., ad nauseum *
There were several years in the 70's when my sister and I collected miniatures -- tiny couches, chairs, dinnerware, tools, etc. Auspiciously, this was all to furnish our twin dollhouses, but I think it really was to feed that seemingly universal delight in less than life-size items.
I remember I'd save up my allowance money and buy up all those wonderful little accessories that make a house a home... tiny china, tiny china-hutch, tiny picture frames with itty-bitty photos in them, little table clothes and curtains and placemats. But my favorites were the super small tools with moveable parts - scissors for a petite wicker sewing basket, micro balls of yarn and pin-sized knitting needles, and the joy of any mini-man's household - a pint-sized tool set complete with tiny hammer, level, screwdriver, wrench and pliers with moving pivot joints.
The fancy, shmancy furniture was just gorgeous - and freakin' expensive. So often, I'd opt for the 'make your own' furniture kits. This essentially entailed some elmers glue, wood the density and durability of 'ultra-balsa' and some painty-stainy-kind of goo. Put it all together and you get Ikea fit for a pygmy.
The trippy thing was that, I had a whole dollhouse full of furniture and even little collectible porcelain animals / figurines... but never any dolls.
Aside from the whole preconceived notion that all dolls will awaken in the middle of the night and come at you with whatever sharp implements might be handy - including their own red painted fingernails if nothing else is nearby - I just never found the right doll family to inhabit this wonderful villa.
Occasionally, I'd get really desperate and try to make Barbie hang out in the house. She was full-on miserable, always having to hunch over. She'd knock her head on the glass chandelier, had to go up and down stairs like a kid on a water-slide - arms stuck straight to her sides, and could only use 'the facilities' if her head stuck out the bathroom window and her legs out through the imaginary 'fourth wall.'
Let's just say, there wasn't a miniature plunger large enough to counteract the damage Barbie would do with even one visit. It was kind of like watching Gandalf in a hobbit hole. Eventually, Barbie got fed up, kicked out the front door and beat feet back to her Malibu beach pad, pool and RV set.
It's okay. I don't judge her. She was just more comfortable being around her gal pals like Skipper and PJ and Ken.
Way later on, I had a great entrepreneurial idea. I could find some thin wire and make Barbie some hangers for all her totally cool outfits. If I made them well, I was sure I could sell them by the hundreds for a profit of at least $0.20 on the gross. All I needed was wire, pliers, and a few dozen free hours.
While it amused me for sheer minutes imagining doll-sized Joan Crawfords throughout the world going on and on about 'no minikin wire hangers, Christina, ever', the work was a tad tedious. And I realized a valuable lesson about economics. Since China was already spitting out perfectly molded plastic doll clothes hangers by the millions, with much better quality control and much less carpal tunnel going on, it was doubtful my cottage industry was ever going to take off. I resigned myself to that fact and hung up my pliers.
So goes the way of most of my 'great ideas.' It's no shock that I've never had the savvy to open a business on my own -- even a small one. ¶ 5/07/2006 08:06:00 PM 0 comments
Why are miniatures so fascinating?
* Matchbox cars * Model engines & airplanes * Chihuahuas * Baby clothes * Mini-Me * Sea monkeys * Photo lockets * Razr phones * The Littles * etc., etc., ad nauseum *
There were several years in the 70's when my sister and I collected miniatures -- tiny couches, chairs, dinnerware, tools, etc. Auspiciously, this was all to furnish our twin dollhouses, but I think it really was to feed that seemingly universal delight in less than life-size items.
I remember I'd save up my allowance money and buy up all those wonderful little accessories that make a house a home... tiny china, tiny china-hutch, tiny picture frames with itty-bitty photos in them, little table clothes and curtains and placemats. But my favorites were the super small tools with moveable parts - scissors for a petite wicker sewing basket, micro balls of yarn and pin-sized knitting needles, and the joy of any mini-man's household - a pint-sized tool set complete with tiny hammer, level, screwdriver, wrench and pliers with moving pivot joints.
The fancy, shmancy furniture was just gorgeous - and freakin' expensive. So often, I'd opt for the 'make your own' furniture kits. This essentially entailed some elmers glue, wood the density and durability of 'ultra-balsa' and some painty-stainy-kind of goo. Put it all together and you get Ikea fit for a pygmy.
The trippy thing was that, I had a whole dollhouse full of furniture and even little collectible porcelain animals / figurines... but never any dolls.
Aside from the whole preconceived notion that all dolls will awaken in the middle of the night and come at you with whatever sharp implements might be handy - including their own red painted fingernails if nothing else is nearby - I just never found the right doll family to inhabit this wonderful villa.
Occasionally, I'd get really desperate and try to make Barbie hang out in the house. She was full-on miserable, always having to hunch over. She'd knock her head on the glass chandelier, had to go up and down stairs like a kid on a water-slide - arms stuck straight to her sides, and could only use 'the facilities' if her head stuck out the bathroom window and her legs out through the imaginary 'fourth wall.'
Let's just say, there wasn't a miniature plunger large enough to counteract the damage Barbie would do with even one visit. It was kind of like watching Gandalf in a hobbit hole. Eventually, Barbie got fed up, kicked out the front door and beat feet back to her Malibu beach pad, pool and RV set.
It's okay. I don't judge her. She was just more comfortable being around her gal pals like Skipper and PJ and Ken.
Way later on, I had a great entrepreneurial idea. I could find some thin wire and make Barbie some hangers for all her totally cool outfits. If I made them well, I was sure I could sell them by the hundreds for a profit of at least $0.20 on the gross. All I needed was wire, pliers, and a few dozen free hours.
While it amused me for sheer minutes imagining doll-sized Joan Crawfords throughout the world going on and on about 'no minikin wire hangers, Christina, ever', the work was a tad tedious. And I realized a valuable lesson about economics. Since China was already spitting out perfectly molded plastic doll clothes hangers by the millions, with much better quality control and much less carpal tunnel going on, it was doubtful my cottage industry was ever going to take off. I resigned myself to that fact and hung up my pliers.
So goes the way of most of my 'great ideas.' It's no shock that I've never had the savvy to open a business on my own -- even a small one. ¶ 5/07/2006 08:06:00 PM 0 comments
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Spill Forth Mr. Chameleon
Poor, poor Mr. Chameleon! He was hit by a car while riding his bike today. Never fear... he is fine. Sore and scraped. Bruised and battered. Shaken... but not stirred.
And he has a nifty impact bruise the shape and breadth of a bicycle helmet brim on his left temple. His front tire, sunglasses, bike gloves and bike helmet, a new and rather unwanted addition to his biking gear just this past birthday, are TOTALED. Seeing the impact to the helmet and its interior rigging, I am SO glad he caved and started wearing it.
Mr. Chameleon hates the idea that I might write something/anything about him on my blog. (Not stage fright exactly. More like stage loathing.) So, if you read about this here, don't mention that you heard it here. I don't think he has ever read my blog, so if he finds out from anybody, it will be from one of y'all!
Peace and good scabbing! ¶ 5/06/2006 08:46:00 PM 4 comments
And he has a nifty impact bruise the shape and breadth of a bicycle helmet brim on his left temple. His front tire, sunglasses, bike gloves and bike helmet, a new and rather unwanted addition to his biking gear just this past birthday, are TOTALED. Seeing the impact to the helmet and its interior rigging, I am SO glad he caved and started wearing it.
Mr. Chameleon hates the idea that I might write something/anything about him on my blog. (Not stage fright exactly. More like stage loathing.) So, if you read about this here, don't mention that you heard it here. I don't think he has ever read my blog, so if he finds out from anybody, it will be from one of y'all!
Peace and good scabbing! ¶ 5/06/2006 08:46:00 PM 4 comments
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Parse Snips
snip·pet ( P ) (snpt) n.
1. A bit, scrap, or morsel: “sparkling black bass... strewn with snippets of coriander and basil” (Gael Greene).
2. Informal. A small or mischievous person.
** ** ** **
Just a few observations from a tired chameleon:
a) Work is a full-time job.
b) 1/4 of 2006 is already over.
c) There are questions that the IRS cannot answer.
d) It is well worth it to buy off the shelf curtains, because making 6 at five plus hours per panel really does not make economic sense.
e) Are there mall-walker cults in your local mall?
f) I'm not afraid of the bird-flu.
g) I am afraid of spiders that might drop on my face in the middle of the night.
h) I have missed you all. ¶ 4/11/2006 04:57:00 AM 18 comments
1. A bit, scrap, or morsel: “sparkling black bass... strewn with snippets of coriander and basil” (Gael Greene).
2. Informal. A small or mischievous person.
** ** ** **
Just a few observations from a tired chameleon:
a) Work is a full-time job.
b) 1/4 of 2006 is already over.
c) There are questions that the IRS cannot answer.
d) It is well worth it to buy off the shelf curtains, because making 6 at five plus hours per panel really does not make economic sense.
e) Are there mall-walker cults in your local mall?
f) I'm not afraid of the bird-flu.
g) I am afraid of spiders that might drop on my face in the middle of the night.
h) I have missed you all. ¶ 4/11/2006 04:57:00 AM 18 comments
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Spring minus 22
I am just dying to see the first real signs of spring. Where are the daffodils? Where are the crocuses? (croci?) When will the cherry blossoms pop?
Jeeves told me that the first day of Spring, the vernal equinox, takes place in the northern hemisphere on March 20 at 2:55 p.m., EST, marking the first day of spring. So now I'm on official countdown until then. ¶ 2/26/2006 08:11:00 AM 13 comments
Jeeves told me that the first day of Spring, the vernal equinox, takes place in the northern hemisphere on March 20 at 2:55 p.m., EST, marking the first day of spring. So now I'm on official countdown until then. ¶ 2/26/2006 08:11:00 AM 13 comments
Friday, February 24, 2006
Fave Foto Friday
"I love scotch, scotchy-scotchy-scotch!"
¶ 2/24/2006 05:21:00 PM 13 comments
Old game.
New twist.
(Drawing courtesy of one of my all-time favorite artists.)
(Drawing courtesy of one of my all-time favorite artists.)
"I love scotch, scotchy-scotchy-scotch!"
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Endless Road Trip
Have you ever planned a vacation you knew would be amazing once you arrived -- beautiful tropical paradise, white sand beaches, mai tais on the veranda at dusk, sunset embraces in the warm trade wind breezes -- but you also knew the only way to get there would take nearly forever -- an endless journey in itself, first by plane, then by train, then by boat, then by pack mule and lastly some idiotic vertical ascent up what looked achievable but now just looks like the Cliffs of Insanity!?!
I've hit the wall now. It has been a full year of complete remodel chaos.
In January, 2005 it started with the (at that time only) bathroom remodel and basement beam work. It was dusty, it was dirty, it left us without running water and electricity for days at a time, and without a toilet for 5 weeks. But it was also exciting. It was takeoff. That pit of your stomach excitement you get when the plane is picking up speed, moving faster and faster past runway signs and blinking lights until whoosh, you have lift off. Then it's a rapid rise to cruising altitude and smooth flying to our destination.
Really, the most excruciating choices were: 'which color tile do we like best?' or, 'will the new towels go with the paint color?' All of this is tantamount to
'would you like your complimentary beverage with or without ice, ma'am? Oh, I'm sorry, we seem to have run out of ice at the moment.' Poor, poor me...
It's true, we had over a month where basically we couldn't live in our own house -- indoor latrine plumbing being an absolute necessity when it came right down to it, but again -- we spent a wonderful month at Eric's parents' house. They were generous, hospitable, and lovely. They only live a couple miles away, there was no hostility or tension. It was a getaway in itself.
The train trip came next, slogging through months of paperwork both to get financing from the mortgage company and to get permits to actually begin the monstrously huge remodel ahead of us. Still it was all worth it, once we found our coach seats, tossed our bulging luggage into the overhead racks and settled down. The chug, chug of the train and that gentle swaying motion lulled us through the dull moments.
The boat trip was a little more challenging. After all, I had assumed it would be more of a cruise ship or at least a steamer. Turned out, it was an open sail boat. No roof overhead, but fairly smooth sailing and good weather on the horizon. Really, the two months when we had no roof on our house couldn't have ultimately gone smoother. We did hit one or two squalls and got a bit wet -- but who could complain?
I mean, after all, the same weekend a rare thunderstorm passed by, causing minor leaks in several parts of our ceiling, a behemoth invader named Katrina crashed into the lives of millions down south. Suddenly, a few cups of water seemed a very minor price to pay, when the aftermath would bring a brand new roof on top of a brand new master bedroom, sitting room and gigantic bathroom. It kept thinking when Chandler from Friends stated: "Oh no, two women love me, and they're both beautiful! My wallet's too small for my fifties AND MY DIAMOND SHOES ARE TOO TIGHT!"
The pack mule portion was a little rustic for my taste, and the weather started getting rough. I kept my eyes closed on most of the journey, stilling my stomach from the inevitable queasiness and vertigo that had to happen on the unnavigated path we trekked on. It will all be over soon. Keep focused on the end result. It will be lovely, it will be paradise. (Urp! *swallow* Bleahhh!!)
So, like I said at the top of this post, I've hit the wall now. And those cliffs do look insane. It's been raining (really hard for up here) for weeks!!! The stucco guys have been working on scaffolding under plastic tarps that whip and whine and snap and break and tear and mutilate and bang when the wind kicks up. And the wind kicks up almost everytime there's a break in the rain. There's no sign of a break in the weather -- we've just hit one of those wet, miserable winters that would be generally fine if we didn't have to be out working in it every single day!!! I'm convinced 'inclement weather' looks really great from a warm, well-lit living room but not so great from under the dripping eaves outside.
We're getting there. I think we're getting there. I don't know. I've had my eyes closed and have just been practicing breathing, holding on and going one step at a time for the last month and a half.
So, if I don't post much, it's probably because of two things. I've been busy (and keeping myself busy) at work -- after all, it's dry there and I can semi-control my environment, workload and accomplishments -- and I've been too overwhelmed with the heinous end of this remodel to even think of anything interesting to share.
Even now, I feel like a total, whiner. Poor, sad me...I'm so inconvenienced while installing a lovely new addition. Pooh!!! I have only seen real and true suffering from behind a television screen - and I'm not delusional enough to think I'm anywhere near real and true suffering. So I try not to write about these petty travails too often and just try keep my mouth shut and let my stomach settle until it's all over. ¶ 1/14/2006 05:39:00 AM 15 comments
I've hit the wall now. It has been a full year of complete remodel chaos.
In January, 2005 it started with the (at that time only) bathroom remodel and basement beam work. It was dusty, it was dirty, it left us without running water and electricity for days at a time, and without a toilet for 5 weeks. But it was also exciting. It was takeoff. That pit of your stomach excitement you get when the plane is picking up speed, moving faster and faster past runway signs and blinking lights until whoosh, you have lift off. Then it's a rapid rise to cruising altitude and smooth flying to our destination.
Really, the most excruciating choices were: 'which color tile do we like best?' or, 'will the new towels go with the paint color?' All of this is tantamount to
'would you like your complimentary beverage with or without ice, ma'am? Oh, I'm sorry, we seem to have run out of ice at the moment.' Poor, poor me...
It's true, we had over a month where basically we couldn't live in our own house -- indoor latrine plumbing being an absolute necessity when it came right down to it, but again -- we spent a wonderful month at Eric's parents' house. They were generous, hospitable, and lovely. They only live a couple miles away, there was no hostility or tension. It was a getaway in itself.
The train trip came next, slogging through months of paperwork both to get financing from the mortgage company and to get permits to actually begin the monstrously huge remodel ahead of us. Still it was all worth it, once we found our coach seats, tossed our bulging luggage into the overhead racks and settled down. The chug, chug of the train and that gentle swaying motion lulled us through the dull moments.
The boat trip was a little more challenging. After all, I had assumed it would be more of a cruise ship or at least a steamer. Turned out, it was an open sail boat. No roof overhead, but fairly smooth sailing and good weather on the horizon. Really, the two months when we had no roof on our house couldn't have ultimately gone smoother. We did hit one or two squalls and got a bit wet -- but who could complain?
I mean, after all, the same weekend a rare thunderstorm passed by, causing minor leaks in several parts of our ceiling, a behemoth invader named Katrina crashed into the lives of millions down south. Suddenly, a few cups of water seemed a very minor price to pay, when the aftermath would bring a brand new roof on top of a brand new master bedroom, sitting room and gigantic bathroom. It kept thinking when Chandler from Friends stated: "Oh no, two women love me, and they're both beautiful! My wallet's too small for my fifties AND MY DIAMOND SHOES ARE TOO TIGHT!"
The pack mule portion was a little rustic for my taste, and the weather started getting rough. I kept my eyes closed on most of the journey, stilling my stomach from the inevitable queasiness and vertigo that had to happen on the unnavigated path we trekked on. It will all be over soon. Keep focused on the end result. It will be lovely, it will be paradise. (Urp! *swallow* Bleahhh!!)
So, like I said at the top of this post, I've hit the wall now. And those cliffs do look insane. It's been raining (really hard for up here) for weeks!!! The stucco guys have been working on scaffolding under plastic tarps that whip and whine and snap and break and tear and mutilate and bang when the wind kicks up. And the wind kicks up almost everytime there's a break in the rain. There's no sign of a break in the weather -- we've just hit one of those wet, miserable winters that would be generally fine if we didn't have to be out working in it every single day!!! I'm convinced 'inclement weather' looks really great from a warm, well-lit living room but not so great from under the dripping eaves outside.
We're getting there. I think we're getting there. I don't know. I've had my eyes closed and have just been practicing breathing, holding on and going one step at a time for the last month and a half.
So, if I don't post much, it's probably because of two things. I've been busy (and keeping myself busy) at work -- after all, it's dry there and I can semi-control my environment, workload and accomplishments -- and I've been too overwhelmed with the heinous end of this remodel to even think of anything interesting to share.
Even now, I feel like a total, whiner. Poor, sad me...I'm so inconvenienced while installing a lovely new addition. Pooh!!! I have only seen real and true suffering from behind a television screen - and I'm not delusional enough to think I'm anywhere near real and true suffering. So I try not to write about these petty travails too often and just try keep my mouth shut and let my stomach settle until it's all over. ¶ 1/14/2006 05:39:00 AM 15 comments
Friday, January 06, 2006
Three Things Friday
1. I'm a procrastinator. (Duh!)
2. I am always so happy that I remember lots of my dreams, because they provide me with endless amusement as I try to piece together all the bizarre and random stuff that goes on. The brain is one trippy playground.
3. I used to be afraid of cats and small dogs. Big dogs were fine, but it seemed the small the pet, the more tetchy and less predictable they were. And birds flapping around me (or landing on me) totally hair me out. Gah!!! ¶ 1/06/2006 06:12:00 AM 6 comments
2. I am always so happy that I remember lots of my dreams, because they provide me with endless amusement as I try to piece together all the bizarre and random stuff that goes on. The brain is one trippy playground.
3. I used to be afraid of cats and small dogs. Big dogs were fine, but it seemed the small the pet, the more tetchy and less predictable they were. And birds flapping around me (or landing on me) totally hair me out. Gah!!! ¶ 1/06/2006 06:12:00 AM 6 comments
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Tradition, tradition!!!
Happy 2006!
I've never really questioned why our traditional New Year takes place near the beginning of winter. But if you think about it, especially as you get more northerly in the in the northern hemisphere, it's kind of odd. Yep, all the leaves are way past brown now, and the sky has been gray for months...Hurray! Let's celebrate new beginnings.
It seems like it would be more natural to celebrate when the earth around us is actually beginning to regenerate? I guess it helps to set your mind on what's to come and intentionally let go of what has been in the past. That transition probably takes me a full 2 to 3 months to do anyway, just gearing up for the things to come: spring flowers, warm weather, 4th of July party celebrations, and summer plans!!!
This year taught me so much about the importance of traditions in helping you set your mind on something. Due to the chaos of our remodel didn't do any decorating for Christmas. And we did much less gift shopping and basically no festive celebrating. It never felt like Christmas during the season leading up to it, and I originally thought "No big deal. That's just the trappings of the commercial holiday. We don't NEED that to focus on the reason we celebrate Christmas in the first place -- to wonder at God's great gift to us, through the birth of Jesus.
And while it's true, we don't absolutely need all those doo-dads and baubles to make Christmas meaningful, I never realized how much it helps me to establish that focus. When I set up our little ceramic nativity in the niche above the fireplace, I think through the laundry list of remembrances:
***My parents had a nativity set, and I'd always play with the animals on our living room carpet. I tried to get a set in adulthood that most closely resembled that old one.
***I never had a clue why / how the nativity was related to Christmas. Christmas in the Murphy household was all about Santa.
***There were some little tidbits when I was young that told about the real meaning of Christmas. The "Little Drummer Boy" Christmas special, and "Nestor the Long Eared Donkey" but both always made me cry - when the Drummer Boy's lamb gets run over and when Nestor's mom dies protecting him from the cold. (I would still cry if I saw them today.)
***Then I wander through my memories to that first Christmas after becoming a believer in Jesus, and how different and new it all was. Suddenly, those mysteries from childhood came into clarity. I spent several years learning about Christmas all over again.
I missed that process this year. There were no hours spent thinking upon the true meaning, and my journey in understanding it. There was no preparation, no fixing my sights on the day, no readying my heart.
Both Eric and I agreed that it only started to feel like Christmas several days afterwards. Once we had been to church, sung the songs, sat and talked among family, watched the little ones tear into presents, feel that Christmas cheer all around us.
Next year, I'm decorating, no matter what! Merry belated Christmas to you all!
Friday, December 23, 2005
More Filler n' Stuff...
KSPC has been experiencing scheduling difficulties, and regrets the interrupted service to our viewing audience. Highly trained technicians are hard at work on the problem, and we hope to resume our normal programming after the holidays. Until then, please enjoy our special presentation of a Veggie Tales classic...and thank you for your patience.
Merry, Merry Christmas!
Archibald (Mayor): I'm busy, busy, dreadfully busy
You've no idea what I have to do.
Busy, busy, shockingly busy
Much, much too busy for you.
Larry: Oh, I see.
Archibald and Doctor: We're busy, busy, dreadfully busy
You've no idea what we have to do.
Busy, busy, shockingly busy
Much, much too busy for you.
'Cause we're busy, busy, frightfully busy
More than a bumblebee, more than an ant.
Busy, busy, horribly busy
We'd love to help, but we can't!
Archibald: Ta ta! ¶ 12/23/2005 06:22:00 AM 6 comments
Merry, Merry Christmas!
Archibald (Mayor): I'm busy, busy, dreadfully busyYou've no idea what I have to do.
Busy, busy, shockingly busy
Much, much too busy for you.
Larry: Oh, I see.
Archibald and Doctor: We're busy, busy, dreadfully busy
You've no idea what we have to do.
Busy, busy, shockingly busy
Much, much too busy for you.
'Cause we're busy, busy, frightfully busy
More than a bumblebee, more than an ant.
Busy, busy, horribly busy
We'd love to help, but we can't!
Archibald: Ta ta! ¶ 12/23/2005 06:22:00 AM 6 comments
Thursday, December 15, 2005
TTTh
1) My parents still live in the same house I grew up in - a 1930's Spanish style ranch. The hasn't changed much...gotten a bit older, and it somehow seems much smaller when I visit now.
2) We used to have a bunch of different trees at my parents house: lemon, lime and orange tree (mmm, fresh squeezed limonade!); apricot (my lab Sebastian would get sick from eating so many fallen apricots); almond, date and walnut (the walnut tree was huge - 50-60 feet tall and I would climb up to the top branches and sit and watch the neighborhood around me); camelias and gingkos and flowering eucalyptus (horrible, messy red flowers and sap drip over any car parked beneath -- it's better than crazy glue) and a huge squatty palm tree. The almond, date, walnut, apricot and palm trees are gone now.
3) They took down the walnut tree to build a carport, along with a big rec room, office and storage room out back. They laid a huge (25 x 60?) cement slab for the outbuilding, so I had a skate party for my 5th grade birthday party. All my friends brought their roller skates and we had the one and only roller rink extravaganza on the cement slab before the walls went up. ¶ 12/15/2005 05:06:00 AM 5 comments
2) We used to have a bunch of different trees at my parents house: lemon, lime and orange tree (mmm, fresh squeezed limonade!); apricot (my lab Sebastian would get sick from eating so many fallen apricots); almond, date and walnut (the walnut tree was huge - 50-60 feet tall and I would climb up to the top branches and sit and watch the neighborhood around me); camelias and gingkos and flowering eucalyptus (horrible, messy red flowers and sap drip over any car parked beneath -- it's better than crazy glue) and a huge squatty palm tree. The almond, date, walnut, apricot and palm trees are gone now.
3) They took down the walnut tree to build a carport, along with a big rec room, office and storage room out back. They laid a huge (25 x 60?) cement slab for the outbuilding, so I had a skate party for my 5th grade birthday party. All my friends brought their roller skates and we had the one and only roller rink extravaganza on the cement slab before the walls went up. ¶ 12/15/2005 05:06:00 AM 5 comments
Monday, December 12, 2005
Maniacal Monday
1) Run to grocery store; get treats for coworkers birthday.
2) Drop treats (& Secret Santa gift) off at work and check voicemail (Yes, I know Monday is my day off).
3) Hurry to mom-in-laws to co-sit for nephews Noah & Jonah. Attempt to finish last bit of cross-stitch stocking.
4) Afternoon, run the following errands:
***Return several housey items to several stores
***Drive to Portland to get shower-glass store and pick out hinges/handles
***Check work voicemails again (I'm coordinating many meetings from afar)
***Get gift certificates from Barnes & Noble, Eddie Bauer, REI
***Run to Dollar Tree for poster board for several signs
***Call re: questions on construction loan & current interest rates, to relock since we have WAY gone past our original 6-month loan lock...gah!!!
***Remember to get to the bank sometime during the day
5) If I get a chance and there's anything interesting to capture, take a few pics to upload to photoblog, which I have been woefully neglecting
6) Try to find something more than excuses to post on Spill Forth ¶ 12/12/2005 06:27:00 AM 5 comments
2) Drop treats (& Secret Santa gift) off at work and check voicemail (Yes, I know Monday is my day off).
3) Hurry to mom-in-laws to co-sit for nephews Noah & Jonah. Attempt to finish last bit of cross-stitch stocking.
4) Afternoon, run the following errands:
***Return several housey items to several stores
***Drive to Portland to get shower-glass store and pick out hinges/handles
***Check work voicemails again (I'm coordinating many meetings from afar)
***Get gift certificates from Barnes & Noble, Eddie Bauer, REI
***Run to Dollar Tree for poster board for several signs
***Call re: questions on construction loan & current interest rates, to relock since we have WAY gone past our original 6-month loan lock...gah!!!
***Remember to get to the bank sometime during the day
5) If I get a chance and there's anything interesting to capture, take a few pics to upload to photoblog, which I have been woefully neglecting
6) Try to find something more than excuses to post on Spill Forth ¶ 12/12/2005 06:27:00 AM 5 comments
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Three Things Thursday - Hasty Posting
I am:
1) alive
2) totally well
3) working stupid, crazy hours at the mo'
I will:
1) be back post haste
2) post again, post haste
3) yikes, run!!! Must shower, shave and shine post EXTREME haste and begin the cycle all over again. (two more days 'til weekend...)
* * * * *
P(ost) S(cript): I actually figured out where I've been all week. I've been in Singapore and didn't even know it! Check out this proof that I was on holiday on the other side of the world. Thanks, Z!!! :) ¶ 12/08/2005 05:50:00 AM 6 comments
1) alive
2) totally well
3) working stupid, crazy hours at the mo'
I will:
1) be back post haste
2) post again, post haste
3) yikes, run!!! Must shower, shave and shine post EXTREME haste and begin the cycle all over again. (two more days 'til weekend...)
* * * * *
P(ost) S(cript): I actually figured out where I've been all week. I've been in Singapore and didn't even know it! Check out this proof that I was on holiday on the other side of the world. Thanks, Z!!! :) ¶ 12/08/2005 05:50:00 AM 6 comments
Thursday, December 01, 2005
An Anti-Rant
**I LOVE it when salespeople are diligent and ask to see I.D. or verify my signature when I use my debit or credit card. My picture I.D. is horrific, but if it helps you confirm I am that name on the card, I'll give you an 8x10 glossy! Thank you, thank you, thank you for taking your job seriously, for protecting your own company and, by those actions, protecting me from theft and fraud.
**I LOVE it when I get a recorded message from my credit card's "Fraud Early Warning" department just because there was a whole bunch of random activity on the card within a few days. Really, after that minor kick of adrenaline, I really appreciate it. I mean, if we have to spend $$$ on a huge grocery expedition, $$$$ for poor Eric's root canal, and $$$$$ for never ending stuff and things for our remodel, then I'm glad you're keeping an eye on us. So thank you.
**I LOVE online bill pay. For never having to make sure I have enough stamps to mail hardcopy checks and hope they get there on time, thank you. OBP, you have made the fiscal chore of reconciling our accounts neat-o, even super fun!
**I LOVE that almost everywhere has moved on into the 21st century and is taking debit cards (except stupid Taco Bell, which charges $0.79 per debit transaction). For all your plasticized, magnetific, hologramminess, I salute you and the fact that I barely ever get grimy fingers from touching dirty, smudgy bills or coins. Thanks a bunch! ¶ 12/01/2005 05:47:00 PM 9 comments
**I LOVE it when I get a recorded message from my credit card's "Fraud Early Warning" department just because there was a whole bunch of random activity on the card within a few days. Really, after that minor kick of adrenaline, I really appreciate it. I mean, if we have to spend $$$ on a huge grocery expedition, $$$$ for poor Eric's root canal, and $$$$$ for never ending stuff and things for our remodel, then I'm glad you're keeping an eye on us. So thank you.
**I LOVE online bill pay. For never having to make sure I have enough stamps to mail hardcopy checks and hope they get there on time, thank you. OBP, you have made the fiscal chore of reconciling our accounts neat-o, even super fun!
**I LOVE that almost everywhere has moved on into the 21st century and is taking debit cards (except stupid Taco Bell, which charges $0.79 per debit transaction). For all your plasticized, magnetific, hologramminess, I salute you and the fact that I barely ever get grimy fingers from touching dirty, smudgy bills or coins. Thanks a bunch! ¶ 12/01/2005 05:47:00 PM 9 comments
Three Things
1) Three things I did in Egypt ... a) rode horseback across the desert to view the great pyramids at Giza; b) attended an Egyptian wedding, which began at 11PM and carried on until 5AM; c) learned the arabic alphabet so I could read basic street signs to find my way around Cairo.
2) Three things I didn't do... a) tour Luxor or Alexandria; b) cook...the flat we stayed in had a HORRIBLY frightening kitchen; c) take enough pictures - totally regretting how few good pics I came away with.
3) Three things I take Eric to do when I go back (and I will visit again someday!)... a) go see the arafa; b) find that wonderful hole-in-the-wall restaurant that served the best koushary ever; c) spend several days exploring Luxor. ¶ 12/01/2005 04:53:00 AM 3 comments
2) Three things I didn't do... a) tour Luxor or Alexandria; b) cook...the flat we stayed in had a HORRIBLY frightening kitchen; c) take enough pictures - totally regretting how few good pics I came away with.
3) Three things I take Eric to do when I go back (and I will visit again someday!)... a) go see the arafa; b) find that wonderful hole-in-the-wall restaurant that served the best koushary ever; c) spend several days exploring Luxor. ¶ 12/01/2005 04:53:00 AM 3 comments
Monday, November 28, 2005
Portrait ot the Morning with Two Young Moms
Did you feel it? Around 9:30am PST this morning? Don't tell me you didn't notice even the tiniest shifting of the earth's rotational pattern? No meteor showers where you were? What about sudden melting of the polar ice caps...or at least the ice in your beverage? No??? Unbelievable.
Well, for those of you who missed the subtle though very present signs of a rather rare convergence, four of our blogger family connected IRL. No post-and-wait. No commenty banter. No ISP delays or headaches. It was real, honest-to-goodness-conversation over coffee, breakfast bagels and mushy rice cereal (for at least one of the party).
Portrait of the Artist made a sudden, and HIGHLY welcome, cameo appearance in this N.O.T.W. I had the distinct joy of meeting not only with her, but also with Amberj of Confessions of a Mom and Sir Calvin as well. (BTW, li'l sir is quite a prolific blogger for a boy of his tender year, though I suspect he employs a ghostwriter.)
Excellent conversation, confessions* and laughter ensued, along with at least one diaper change**.
Ahhh, if I had access to all of your collective wisdom, wit, inspiration and general company IRL, I think I'd never have to blog again. Alas, until such a day occurs -- and what a blogapalooza THAT would be -- I'll have to settle for an LCD screen and keyboard, an occasionally phone call or the even rarer face-to-face confab.
Peace to you all. Happy Monday!
* * * * *
*Per the rules of the confessional, any tidbit worth 'confessing' must remain sacrosanct and secret.
**Refer to the rule above re: recipient of the fresh diaper. ¶ 11/28/2005 04:17:00 PM 7 comments
Well, for those of you who missed the subtle though very present signs of a rather rare convergence, four of our blogger family connected IRL. No post-and-wait. No commenty banter. No ISP delays or headaches. It was real, honest-to-goodness-conversation over coffee, breakfast bagels and mushy rice cereal (for at least one of the party).
Portrait of the Artist made a sudden, and HIGHLY welcome, cameo appearance in this N.O.T.W. I had the distinct joy of meeting not only with her, but also with Amberj of Confessions of a Mom and Sir Calvin as well. (BTW, li'l sir is quite a prolific blogger for a boy of his tender year, though I suspect he employs a ghostwriter.)
Excellent conversation, confessions* and laughter ensued, along with at least one diaper change**.
Ahhh, if I had access to all of your collective wisdom, wit, inspiration and general company IRL, I think I'd never have to blog again. Alas, until such a day occurs -- and what a blogapalooza THAT would be -- I'll have to settle for an LCD screen and keyboard, an occasionally phone call or the even rarer face-to-face confab.
Peace to you all. Happy Monday!
* * * * *
*Per the rules of the confessional, any tidbit worth 'confessing' must remain sacrosanct and secret.
**Refer to the rule above re: recipient of the fresh diaper. ¶ 11/28/2005 04:17:00 PM 7 comments
Sudoku - The Home Game
Sheila,
I was in Linens'n'Things yesterday and spied a Sudoku board game by Michael Mepham and immediately thought of you. Have you seen this? It looks totally fun and right up your alley!
That's all. :) ¶ 11/28/2005 07:14:00 AM 2 comments
I was in Linens'n'Things yesterday and spied a Sudoku board game by Michael Mepham and immediately thought of you. Have you seen this? It looks totally fun and right up your alley!
That's all. :) ¶ 11/28/2005 07:14:00 AM 2 comments
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Three Thanks Thursday
1. I'm thankful, after a couple of years of loss and troubled times, 2005 has ended up being a year of new lives (nephew #3), new beginnings (weddings, graduations, promotions, careers), as well as new prayers, hopes and dreams for my family and friends.
2. I'm thankful that there's always enough upheaval to remind me that I cannot 'do it all' on my own. I'm learning how to rely and trust more on others, and not always hold it all on my own shoulders, and especially to see more and more about God's promise that I can rest in Him, trust Him and follow Him anywhere. I'm learning to hold onto my worries and my things a little more loosely.
3. I'm thankful that our Thanksgiving is really centered more on being with friends and loved ones. Connecting, talking, laughing, playing... There's no tenseness, terseness, or posturing. Dinner is hearty, and not pretentious. The hostess (my sister-in-law) was among us and not separated by being all Martha and having to have everything just so. It was a good day! :) ¶ 11/24/2005 11:59:00 PM 2 comments
2. I'm thankful that there's always enough upheaval to remind me that I cannot 'do it all' on my own. I'm learning how to rely and trust more on others, and not always hold it all on my own shoulders, and especially to see more and more about God's promise that I can rest in Him, trust Him and follow Him anywhere. I'm learning to hold onto my worries and my things a little more loosely.
3. I'm thankful that our Thanksgiving is really centered more on being with friends and loved ones. Connecting, talking, laughing, playing... There's no tenseness, terseness, or posturing. Dinner is hearty, and not pretentious. The hostess (my sister-in-law) was among us and not separated by being all Martha and having to have everything just so. It was a good day! :) ¶ 11/24/2005 11:59:00 PM 2 comments
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Happy T-Day Y'All!
Just a little handcrafted card to wish you all a safe and wonderful weekend! And if that includes Thanksgiving with family and friends (or possible friends or perhaps someday family), then remember to wear loose fitting trousers.
"...Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:12-17
¶ 11/22/2005 08:12:00 PM 4 comments
Just a little handcrafted card to wish you all a safe and wonderful weekend! And if that includes Thanksgiving with family and friends (or possible friends or perhaps someday family), then remember to wear loose fitting trousers."...Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:12-17
¶ 11/22/2005 08:12:00 PM 4 comments
The Tile
The bathroom tile is FINALLY going in. I have to say, I love it already. I don't care if there's no grout, it just looks so warm and cozy and Italian... I just want a fluffy cotton bathrobe and some slippers to walk around in there and get ready for the day. After 11.5 years of marriage and only one bathroom in any place we've lived, I am really-OMG-looking forward to having a second bathroom!!!
¶ 11/22/2005 07:31:00 PM 3 comments
The bathroom tile is FINALLY going in. I have to say, I love it already. I don't care if there's no grout, it just looks so warm and cozy and Italian... I just want a fluffy cotton bathrobe and some slippers to walk around in there and get ready for the day. After 11.5 years of marriage and only one bathroom in any place we've lived, I am really-OMG-looking forward to having a second bathroom!!!
¶ 11/22/2005 07:31:00 PM 3 comments
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Color me Achey
Remodels are like roller coasters. They take forever to get through the lines, buckle in and get going. But boy when they reach that first crest and gravity takes over, it's a wild ride.
Here's the latest inside. We've got sheetrock and we've got 'texture' (had no idea how many options there were in wall texture, but we went with practical and flexible 'orange peel,' which should be easy to work with and maintain. And by the way that the sheetrockers came in and completely fixed all the gaping war wounds around the house (cracked plaster, holes where they had to dig for cables, feet through the lathe and plaster ceiling, etc.), I think I have a mad crush on them all - or at least their expertise with tape, trowels and other instruments of plaster.
As you can see, we have started to paint. We primered yesterday and are started phase one of the 'color wash' technique this morning. (See the really pumpkiny color wall above.) No, we aren't going wholly retro. We're adding a tinted glaze to soften that bright color in to a warmer, toned down hue. This is the color palette we've picked for the bedroom. Left = off white for the ceiling. Middle = the main tone for most of the other walls and the glaze tint over the really bright wall. Right = the base color for the 'wash' undercoat.
So there it is, "Cracker Bitz" and "Bronze Eucalyptus." I feel like I'm channeling Benetton's ad execs.
And my muscles are sore, sore, sore - but in that good burn kind of a way. I slept great last night, and hope to do the same tonight. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!
* * * * *
UPDATE!
The Bronze Eucalyptus wall didn't make it through a single day before we decided - faux finish or not - we hated the color. So, everything is Cracker Bitz now. Will post 'after' pictures soon. :) ¶ 11/20/2005 11:40:00 AM 4 comments
Here's the latest inside. We've got sheetrock and we've got 'texture' (had no idea how many options there were in wall texture, but we went with practical and flexible 'orange peel,' which should be easy to work with and maintain. And by the way that the sheetrockers came in and completely fixed all the gaping war wounds around the house (cracked plaster, holes where they had to dig for cables, feet through the lathe and plaster ceiling, etc.), I think I have a mad crush on them all - or at least their expertise with tape, trowels and other instruments of plaster.
 |  |
 |  |
As you can see, we have started to paint. We primered yesterday and are started phase one of the 'color wash' technique this morning. (See the really pumpkiny color wall above.) No, we aren't going wholly retro. We're adding a tinted glaze to soften that bright color in to a warmer, toned down hue. This is the color palette we've picked for the bedroom. Left = off white for the ceiling. Middle = the main tone for most of the other walls and the glaze tint over the really bright wall. Right = the base color for the 'wash' undercoat.
So there it is, "Cracker Bitz" and "Bronze Eucalyptus." I feel like I'm channeling Benetton's ad execs.
And my muscles are sore, sore, sore - but in that good burn kind of a way. I slept great last night, and hope to do the same tonight. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!
* * * * *
UPDATE!
The Bronze Eucalyptus wall didn't make it through a single day before we decided - faux finish or not - we hated the color. So, everything is Cracker Bitz now. Will post 'after' pictures soon. :) ¶ 11/20/2005 11:40:00 AM 4 comments
Saturday, November 19, 2005
I'm Sorry Michael
...I got a little worked up the other day. It was mean. And the corn monkey comment went too far. Please forgive me.
¶ 11/19/2005 07:51:00 AM 3 comments
Harry Potter & the Vigilante Stalker (Pulp Non-Fiction)
Just got back from an 11:30 PM showing of HP & TGOF. Liked it much better than the 3rd movie, and still love the books beyond any of the films. (All those actors all growing up so quickly! Ah, where does the time fly?)
***
As we were leaving the house tonight at 10:30PM (Eric worked until 10P), our neighbor who lives directly behind us was also pulling out of his driveway. Didn't think much of it, until I noticed that he was following the exact same path through town as us. Strange, considering we were taking total backstreets to the theatre. It's possible he was going to the movies too. Odd and coincidental, but possible.
Somewhere near the theatre, my hackles started raising, because really, it's just weird to follow someone for that many blocks and if you weren't actually trying to FOLLOW them. Sure enough, his car tailed us into the parking lot and up to the second level. We pulled into a parking spot and the car stops directly behind ours, blocking all other traffic in the parking lot. The dude, an older gentleman, stalks up to our car window. We hadn't even gotten out yet. Eric rolls the window down a few inches, and 'buddy' starts interrogating us:
"Just who are you? What are all the strange things going on around the neighborhood? What were you doing in front of my house? I keep seeing your car there all the time."
After a mildly confrontational exchange, (the whole stalking thing got me a little wound -- my adrenaline was fully pumping and I wasn't perhaps as tactful as I would have been under less 'fight or flight' circumstances. Eric, on the other hand, was totally calm, though a little irritated), dude finally backs down, saying "Uh, I better move my car out of the way or the guy behind me is going to flip out." [Oh, pot meet kettle...]
That's not exactly how I envisioned meeting the new neighbors. Dude never even apologized or acted abashed for his actions. Welcome to my bizarro world!
Now, don't get me wrong, lots of weird stuff does happen in my neighborhood -- and it has always pretty much surrounded the lady who owns the houses to the side of us (read about: former drug house) and in front (see post on: SWAT invasion). That lady finally sold the drug house, and the new owners are cleaning it up inside and out. We haven't met them yet, but they have to be better than the previous folks. And at this point, I think we need to make a pre-emptive strike to bring out the welcome wagon so we don't end up with more kooky neighbors Magnum P.I.'ing around the mean streets of Vancouver.
I seriously have been praying that both of her houses would sell and sell quickly, so she and her whole trippy family would move out of the neighborhood. The rest of the houses on our little dead end road are fairly quiet, but evidently Philip Marlowe moved onto the scene...
Gah! Too much drama in the neighborhood. Makes for interesting pulp reading though. ¶ 11/19/2005 02:23:00 AM 5 comments
***
As we were leaving the house tonight at 10:30PM (Eric worked until 10P), our neighbor who lives directly behind us was also pulling out of his driveway. Didn't think much of it, until I noticed that he was following the exact same path through town as us. Strange, considering we were taking total backstreets to the theatre. It's possible he was going to the movies too. Odd and coincidental, but possible.
Somewhere near the theatre, my hackles started raising, because really, it's just weird to follow someone for that many blocks and if you weren't actually trying to FOLLOW them. Sure enough, his car tailed us into the parking lot and up to the second level. We pulled into a parking spot and the car stops directly behind ours, blocking all other traffic in the parking lot. The dude, an older gentleman, stalks up to our car window. We hadn't even gotten out yet. Eric rolls the window down a few inches, and 'buddy' starts interrogating us:
"Just who are you? What are all the strange things going on around the neighborhood? What were you doing in front of my house? I keep seeing your car there all the time."
After a mildly confrontational exchange, (the whole stalking thing got me a little wound -- my adrenaline was fully pumping and I wasn't perhaps as tactful as I would have been under less 'fight or flight' circumstances. Eric, on the other hand, was totally calm, though a little irritated), dude finally backs down, saying "Uh, I better move my car out of the way or the guy behind me is going to flip out." [Oh, pot meet kettle...]
That's not exactly how I envisioned meeting the new neighbors. Dude never even apologized or acted abashed for his actions. Welcome to my bizarro world!
Now, don't get me wrong, lots of weird stuff does happen in my neighborhood -- and it has always pretty much surrounded the lady who owns the houses to the side of us (read about: former drug house) and in front (see post on: SWAT invasion). That lady finally sold the drug house, and the new owners are cleaning it up inside and out. We haven't met them yet, but they have to be better than the previous folks. And at this point, I think we need to make a pre-emptive strike to bring out the welcome wagon so we don't end up with more kooky neighbors Magnum P.I.'ing around the mean streets of Vancouver.
I seriously have been praying that both of her houses would sell and sell quickly, so she and her whole trippy family would move out of the neighborhood. The rest of the houses on our little dead end road are fairly quiet, but evidently Philip Marlowe moved onto the scene...
Gah! Too much drama in the neighborhood. Makes for interesting pulp reading though. ¶ 11/19/2005 02:23:00 AM 5 comments
Friday, November 18, 2005
Bible on MP3
I did it. I sent away for the Bible on MP3, so I could load it onto my iPod. Now I just have to load it up and take it for a test drive. 77 hours of listening straight through. But since it's on Mp3, it came on only 4 CDs as opposed to 77 1-hour regular CDs.
Since I wake up in the middle of the night so often, and my brain revs, I have gotten into the habit of turning my iPod on to some book on tape to go back to sleep. So, now, instead of falling asleep to tales of Middle Earth or Hogwarts, I'll at least have something edifying being piped into my ears.
I'll let you know if it gives me any wild dreams, like the other books did from time to time. ¶ 11/18/2005 04:59:00 AM 3 comments
Since I wake up in the middle of the night so often, and my brain revs, I have gotten into the habit of turning my iPod on to some book on tape to go back to sleep. So, now, instead of falling asleep to tales of Middle Earth or Hogwarts, I'll at least have something edifying being piped into my ears.
I'll let you know if it gives me any wild dreams, like the other books did from time to time. ¶ 11/18/2005 04:59:00 AM 3 comments
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Prime-odium
Michael Bolton really sucks.
Michael Bolton really sucks, but that's NOT what this post is about.
Although, really, if I'm honest...it is true. Michael Bolton blows chowder.
I read somewhere that Michael Bolton considers Ray Charles his "single greatest musical influence." Now, that's just mean. You know, it's like, that's a totally heavy load to lay at Ray's piano stool.
Who wants to be the guy who inspired Michael-flippin'-Bolton... perhaps the single schmaltziest thing to happen to pop until the onset Ashlee Simpson.
Bird flu is better than Michael Bolton.
So is Fabio.
Even this guy is better.
(Okay, that's might be going too far.)
Anywho...
I guess that WAS what this post was about.
(Michael Bolton is a total corn monkey.) ¶ 11/17/2005 08:24:00 PM 4 comments
Michael Bolton really sucks, but that's NOT what this post is about.
Although, really, if I'm honest...it is true. Michael Bolton blows chowder.
I read somewhere that Michael Bolton considers Ray Charles his "single greatest musical influence." Now, that's just mean. You know, it's like, that's a totally heavy load to lay at Ray's piano stool.
Who wants to be the guy who inspired Michael-flippin'-Bolton... perhaps the single schmaltziest thing to happen to pop until the onset Ashlee Simpson.
Bird flu is better than Michael Bolton.
So is Fabio.
Even this guy is better.
(Okay, that's might be going too far.)
Anywho...
I guess that WAS what this post was about.
(Michael Bolton is a total corn monkey.) ¶ 11/17/2005 08:24:00 PM 4 comments
If we work upon marble it will perish.
If we work upon brass time will efface it.
If we rear temples they will crumble to dust.
But if we work upon men's immortal minds,
if we imbue them with high principles,
with the just fear of God and love of their fellow men,
we engrave on those tablets something
which no time can efface, and which
will brighten and brighten to all eternity.
Daniel Webster,
Speech in Faneuil Hall
¶ 11/17/2005 08:08:00 PM 0 comments
Speech in Faneuil Hall
Three Things Thursday - Thanksgiving Theme
(Hello, I think I'm Thindy Brady...)
1) In 1994 when Eric and I were first dating, he invited me over to his house for Thanksgiving - along with his whole extended family. They had planned to totally "grill me" with questions when I arrived - even had a special chair set aside for me. It was great. They threw out tons of questions for like 1/2 an hour, and we just bantered and joked back and forth. Talk about an ice-breaker. They all sealed their spots in my heart that day.
2) In 1995, I hosted a small Thanksgiving. Eric was working that day and the next, so we couldn't travel up to Seattle with the rest of the family. I didn't find out until 6am on Thanksgiving morning that I was supposed to defrost the turkey ahead of time. My cool mom stayed with me on the phone for about an hour, talking me through an emergency thawing process and detailed instructions on how to make mashed potatoes.
3) I absolutely love leftover turkey sandwiches. Some delicious hearty bread, a little mayo, tomato, and cold turkey with just a bit of salt. Mmmm! I look forward to it ever Thanksgiving. ¶ 11/17/2005 06:50:00 PM 5 comments
1) In 1994 when Eric and I were first dating, he invited me over to his house for Thanksgiving - along with his whole extended family. They had planned to totally "grill me" with questions when I arrived - even had a special chair set aside for me. It was great. They threw out tons of questions for like 1/2 an hour, and we just bantered and joked back and forth. Talk about an ice-breaker. They all sealed their spots in my heart that day.
2) In 1995, I hosted a small Thanksgiving. Eric was working that day and the next, so we couldn't travel up to Seattle with the rest of the family. I didn't find out until 6am on Thanksgiving morning that I was supposed to defrost the turkey ahead of time. My cool mom stayed with me on the phone for about an hour, talking me through an emergency thawing process and detailed instructions on how to make mashed potatoes.
3) I absolutely love leftover turkey sandwiches. Some delicious hearty bread, a little mayo, tomato, and cold turkey with just a bit of salt. Mmmm! I look forward to it ever Thanksgiving. ¶ 11/17/2005 06:50:00 PM 5 comments
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Rant & a Challenge
Rant -- Okay, I'm so NOT liking the comment moderation thingy that you folks are playing with. Where's my instant gratification? Where's the sure knowledge that when I press the send key, my words don't get bloggled up? What about ME!!! (Yes, it IS all about me, thanqverymuch!)
Challenge -- I have exactly 2 hour and 31 minutes to figure out how to use the DVR on my new cable box. If I am successful, I will be able to record Lost. If I am not successful, at least I will be able to watch Lost but poor Eric will be totally lost. ¶ 11/16/2005 06:27:00 PM 13 comments
Challenge -- I have exactly 2 hour and 31 minutes to figure out how to use the DVR on my new cable box. If I am successful, I will be able to record Lost. If I am not successful, at least I will be able to watch Lost but poor Eric will be totally lost. ¶ 11/16/2005 06:27:00 PM 13 comments
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Headline Noos
a) Chimney = gone, (like Elvis and his mom)
b) Me Re: (A) = surprisingly calm; que sera, sera, etc.
c) House = insulated, sheetrocked, mostly windowed, coming along like clockwork. whoo-hoo!
d) Work free Mondays = BEST STINKIN' INVENTION EVER!!!
e) Coffee = can't get enough
f) Kitty = bad as she wants to be
g) Prozac = still super fond of it
h) 2005 = Hello, where did it go?
i) 2006 = What do we call this decade? I'm totally lost. Do we call it the 'oughts'? the pre-teens? ¶ 11/15/2005 07:38:00 PM 4 comments
b) Me Re: (A) = surprisingly calm; que sera, sera, etc.
c) House = insulated, sheetrocked, mostly windowed, coming along like clockwork. whoo-hoo!
d) Work free Mondays = BEST STINKIN' INVENTION EVER!!!
e) Coffee = can't get enough
f) Kitty = bad as she wants to be
g) Prozac = still super fond of it
h) 2005 = Hello, where did it go?
i) 2006 = What do we call this decade? I'm totally lost. Do we call it the 'oughts'? the pre-teens? ¶ 11/15/2005 07:38:00 PM 4 comments
Rolling Blogouts
Y'all - "Again with the Internet problems?"
Me - "Yup."
Y'all - "Well, there are these little known places called Starbucks that have Wi-Fi connection. You're looking a little peaked and look like you could benefit from a Venti Sugar-Free Vanilla Latte."
Me - "True. If only both our cars were running so I could GET to Starbucks."
Y'all - "Work? You have computers there."
Me - "Oh yes, but in addition to very tight restrictions, I had Fri-Mon off...and as much as I love you, I wasn't prepared to go in to work just to update y'all."
Y'all - "Timeframe?"
Me - "Cable guy is coming out tomorrow. Until then, please enjoy the zen of silence. Peace y'all!" ;) ¶ 11/15/2005 05:10:00 AM 2 comments
Me - "Yup."
Y'all - "Well, there are these little known places called Starbucks that have Wi-Fi connection. You're looking a little peaked and look like you could benefit from a Venti Sugar-Free Vanilla Latte."
Me - "True. If only both our cars were running so I could GET to Starbucks."
Y'all - "Work? You have computers there."
Me - "Oh yes, but in addition to very tight restrictions, I had Fri-Mon off...and as much as I love you, I wasn't prepared to go in to work just to update y'all."
Y'all - "Timeframe?"
Me - "Cable guy is coming out tomorrow. Until then, please enjoy the zen of silence. Peace y'all!" ;) ¶ 11/15/2005 05:10:00 AM 2 comments
Friday, November 11, 2005
Santa's SOL This Year
P.S. For those of you who check Ephemera, you can see this is Hidden brick like I posted back in September. ¶ 11/11/2005 01:33:00 PM 9 comments
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P.S. For those of you who check Ephemera, you can see this is Hidden brick like I posted back in September. ¶ 11/11/2005 01:33:00 PM 9 comments
This Just In...
Half our chimney just caved away with a freight-train rumble and groan. More to come.
¶ 11/11/2005 05:53:00 AM 1 comments
Seattle Sights
It always surprises me when I look back on my blog posts and realize how little I've actually written. Sometimes Eric will argue with me and say "I never told him" about whatever dumb thing we were expiring about. I'm sure he's right most of the time. I probably did say it... maybe just not out loud.
The words are always there, in my head, streaming by like Lucy and Ethel's ever increasing chocolate conveyor belt. Perhaps I just didn't pick them off the belt in time. I stuff bunches in my pockets and my mouth. Yeah, most probably get swallowed in order to avoid having them pile up on the floor at the end of the conveyor.
["Oh my gosh, I LOVE that new t-shirt. Where did you get it?" "Express, on sale, $15 bucks." "So cool, where did you get yours?" a. "Broadway, $12." b. "Express, $18." c. "Nordstrom, half-yearly sale, $20" d. "Nordstrom too, $45....What? You guys, what? That's good. C'mon, really, that's good for me!!!"] If I did share all the time, little vignettes like this would pop out, Tourettes-like, making total sense and segue to me and zero sense to anyone else. Even for the someone(s) who might have been there for this and many similar conversations, it probably doesn't even register in memory because it was only a falling star, a quickly passing moment.
Add to that two other of my competing tendencies: (a) a propensity to search for the lowest common denominator. My natural reasoning tends towards deduction rather than induction - or maybe that's just laziness; and (b) forced practice to avoid rambling. My coworkers kid me that I'm the only person who can "edit" a letter from 1/2 a page to 2&1/2 pages with no effort at all.
So as I read other posts, there's a constant simultaneous commentary going on in my mind. When I reach the bottom and want to toss in my twopenneth, I struggle between wanting to concisely respond and wanting to go all stream of consciousness. Typically, I write and write and write and write and then edit, edit, edit, edit. Often I write, edit, erase and start all over again two or three times. "If I'm having that much trouble putting my sentiments into words, maybe I'll just post about it on my own blog," I think. That usually suffices, and I jot a few words like. "Wow" or "done good" or "Gah!" and call it a day.
On that happy note, I love Seattle.
I have loved it from the first time (as an adult) I saw the skyline emerge above the asphalt horizon of I-5 driving north past Boeing Field. Seattle seems to be about off-angles. Driving north, the city slopes from right to left. From not quite enormous hillscapes peppered with new and old houses heeled into the green hillsides, down to the knotted interstate and streets, down to the cool grey glint of the Puget Sound. It's a lovely sight.
My favorite Seattle memory.
First trip there in 2004 [sic] {duh!!! Camille is right...I meant 1994}, with Eric and another friend. We were walking from downtown to the Seattle Center to see the Space Needle up close. (We took the monorail back). There was some huge can't-even-guess-how-many-stories glass building that shot straight up from the sidewalk. No buffer zone, no landscaping. Just one huge 90 degree angle transitioning from concrete to stone and glass.
I walked up to it, toes to the wall and stared straight up to the grey sky. It was dizzying.
As some point, I realize there's someone next to me. Hmmm, must be Eric, I thought. Nah.
Just some guy wearing stereotypical 90's grunge clothing, shoulder to shoulder with me, toeing the wall and staring up, just like me. "Whoa," he said, continuing to stare. We admired the trippy sight for a few silent moments longer, then parted each with a smile and a quick head nod.
I love Seattle. That city just embraces a person. ¶ 11/11/2005 04:39:00 AM 10 comments
The words are always there, in my head, streaming by like Lucy and Ethel's ever increasing chocolate conveyor belt. Perhaps I just didn't pick them off the belt in time. I stuff bunches in my pockets and my mouth. Yeah, most probably get swallowed in order to avoid having them pile up on the floor at the end of the conveyor.
["Oh my gosh, I LOVE that new t-shirt. Where did you get it?" "Express, on sale, $15 bucks." "So cool, where did you get yours?" a. "Broadway, $12." b. "Express, $18." c. "Nordstrom, half-yearly sale, $20" d. "Nordstrom too, $45....What? You guys, what? That's good. C'mon, really, that's good for me!!!"] If I did share all the time, little vignettes like this would pop out, Tourettes-like, making total sense and segue to me and zero sense to anyone else. Even for the someone(s) who might have been there for this and many similar conversations, it probably doesn't even register in memory because it was only a falling star, a quickly passing moment.
Add to that two other of my competing tendencies: (a) a propensity to search for the lowest common denominator. My natural reasoning tends towards deduction rather than induction - or maybe that's just laziness; and (b) forced practice to avoid rambling. My coworkers kid me that I'm the only person who can "edit" a letter from 1/2 a page to 2&1/2 pages with no effort at all.
So as I read other posts, there's a constant simultaneous commentary going on in my mind. When I reach the bottom and want to toss in my twopenneth, I struggle between wanting to concisely respond and wanting to go all stream of consciousness. Typically, I write and write and write and write and then edit, edit, edit, edit. Often I write, edit, erase and start all over again two or three times. "If I'm having that much trouble putting my sentiments into words, maybe I'll just post about it on my own blog," I think. That usually suffices, and I jot a few words like. "Wow" or "done good" or "Gah!" and call it a day.
On that happy note, I love Seattle.
I have loved it from the first time (as an adult) I saw the skyline emerge above the asphalt horizon of I-5 driving north past Boeing Field. Seattle seems to be about off-angles. Driving north, the city slopes from right to left. From not quite enormous hillscapes peppered with new and old houses heeled into the green hillsides, down to the knotted interstate and streets, down to the cool grey glint of the Puget Sound. It's a lovely sight.
My favorite Seattle memory.
First trip there in 2004 [sic] {duh!!! Camille is right...I meant 1994}, with Eric and another friend. We were walking from downtown to the Seattle Center to see the Space Needle up close. (We took the monorail back). There was some huge can't-even-guess-how-many-stories glass building that shot straight up from the sidewalk. No buffer zone, no landscaping. Just one huge 90 degree angle transitioning from concrete to stone and glass.
I walked up to it, toes to the wall and stared straight up to the grey sky. It was dizzying.
As some point, I realize there's someone next to me. Hmmm, must be Eric, I thought. Nah.
Just some guy wearing stereotypical 90's grunge clothing, shoulder to shoulder with me, toeing the wall and staring up, just like me. "Whoa," he said, continuing to stare. We admired the trippy sight for a few silent moments longer, then parted each with a smile and a quick head nod.
I love Seattle. That city just embraces a person. ¶ 11/11/2005 04:39:00 AM 10 comments
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Okay, to be honest, this made a lot more sense to me at 4:38AM. It really is a little song commemorating my first really, real date with Eric. It was on Veterans Day 1993 and we went to the zoo. Haha! Perfectly clear now, isn't it?
Once More with Feeling (and a little Cheese)
Raindrops on rhinos,
And lynxes with kittens.
Fruit eating lemurs,
A day to wear mittens.
Bright parrot plumage
Just waiting for spring.
These are the memories
Veterans Day brings.
Friendships with promise
And shyness and flirting.
Puppy love, romance
Evolves without hurting.
The first day I realize
It's more than a fling.
These are the memories
Veterans Day brings.
When the fights prowl,
When my feelings roil,
When I'm boiling mad...
I simply remember that
First fateful day,
And soon I am back to glad. ¶ 11/10/2005 05:18:00 AM 3 comments
Once More with Feeling (and a little Cheese)
Raindrops on rhinos,
And lynxes with kittens.
Fruit eating lemurs,
A day to wear mittens.
Bright parrot plumage
Just waiting for spring.
These are the memories
Veterans Day brings.
Friendships with promise
And shyness and flirting.
Puppy love, romance
Evolves without hurting.
The first day I realize
It's more than a fling.
These are the memories
Veterans Day brings.
When the fights prowl,
When my feelings roil,
When I'm boiling mad...
I simply remember that
First fateful day,
And soon I am back to glad. ¶ 11/10/2005 05:18:00 AM 3 comments
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Three Things (Nearly) Thursday
1) I love Grease 2. I love it because it's cheesy and has horrible dialogue and super obvious lyrics. I love that I know all the words by heart (I want a cool rider, a cool rider. If he's cool enough to burn me through and through).
2) The first time I ever sung in public was for an impromptu audition for Fiddler on the Roof.
3) When I was in 8th grade, the boy I had a crush on bought me a Coke at the homecoming football game. Ahh, I was in heaven! I kept that waxy paper cup for years. In fact, I stumbled on it about a year ago in a box full of old keepsakes from high school. Thanks again, Ricky! ¶ 11/09/2005 10:10:00 PM 8 comments
2) The first time I ever sung in public was for an impromptu audition for Fiddler on the Roof.
3) When I was in 8th grade, the boy I had a crush on bought me a Coke at the homecoming football game. Ahh, I was in heaven! I kept that waxy paper cup for years. In fact, I stumbled on it about a year ago in a box full of old keepsakes from high school. Thanks again, Ricky! ¶ 11/09/2005 10:10:00 PM 8 comments
Monday, November 07, 2005
My Name is Earl
At the AM/PM today, I was filling up with 'cheap' gasoline (hey, cool! only $2.35 / gallon... bargain!!!) and I found a credit card laying near the oil soaked curb. Some poor woman named Heidi must have dropped it after filling up earlier that day.
Thinking to myself, boy, she's lucky that someone honest like me found her card, I smugly walked up to the register and turned it over to the store owner. Then I went back to my car, topped off the tank, took off, and realized...I had dropped my own wallet back at the gas station!
Gah!!! Half a block, several swear words, and one super heady headrush of adrenaline later, I u-turned my way back to the station and raced back in to see if some other good Samaritan was trolling for cheap gas that day.
I pushed open the door, and heard someone call my name like a question, 'Karen?' Yes, it's me. 'I was just going to call your house. Sorry, I had to look inside for ID.' After many thanks, good wishes to my own good Sam, and a healthy dose of humiliation later, I was back on the road to finally get home.
There are honest people in the world. Probably way more than I give credit to. I'm glad several were around this afternoon. ¶ 11/07/2005 05:59:00 PM 9 comments
Thinking to myself, boy, she's lucky that someone honest like me found her card, I smugly walked up to the register and turned it over to the store owner. Then I went back to my car, topped off the tank, took off, and realized...I had dropped my own wallet back at the gas station!
Gah!!! Half a block, several swear words, and one super heady headrush of adrenaline later, I u-turned my way back to the station and raced back in to see if some other good Samaritan was trolling for cheap gas that day.
I pushed open the door, and heard someone call my name like a question, 'Karen?' Yes, it's me. 'I was just going to call your house. Sorry, I had to look inside for ID.' After many thanks, good wishes to my own good Sam, and a healthy dose of humiliation later, I was back on the road to finally get home.
There are honest people in the world. Probably way more than I give credit to. I'm glad several were around this afternoon. ¶ 11/07/2005 05:59:00 PM 9 comments
Addendum, SPF
Bingo & Betty posted photo of 'fairy tale' mushrooms this week. I'd never seen one in reality, but I knew they must exist somewhere based on illustrations such as this, in a children's book by a Swedish author that I had since I was little.
The photo and illustrations totally reminds me that I am once again looking at only a few spare weeks before Christmas if I hope to actually and finally finish the Christmas stocking I began cross-stitching 8 or 9 years ago.
Really, it is almost done. I'm so stinkin' close! But now, all I have left to do is lots and lots and lots of plain white stitching, because, having never done a cross-stitch prior to this and not using any sort of a
ready-made pattern I didn't realize most cross-stitches don't fill in every inch of space with stitches! D'oh! Row after row of plain white just isn't so fun. However, if I can finish the cross-stitching, then I will be able to actually turn it into a stocking (blue velvet backing and white faux-fur cuff) and then get started on a stocking for myself.
For my stocking, I plan on going off some of the winter scene illustrations from the children's book above. (Eric's stocking has characters from a different Swedish children's book that features tomten, their little Christmas santa/gnome-dude). My stocking will have even more white areas, so I anticipate it will be many, many more Christmases before that sees the firelight glow of a holiday season.
In any case, if this blog is still going in the year 2014, I'll be sure to post pics of both completed stockings. :) ¶ 11/07/2005 09:29:00 AM 4 comments
Bingo & Betty posted photo of 'fairy tale' mushrooms this week. I'd never seen one in reality, but I knew they must exist somewhere based on illustrations such as this, in a children's book by a Swedish author that I had since I was little. The photo and illustrations totally reminds me that I am once again looking at only a few spare weeks before Christmas if I hope to actually and finally finish the Christmas stocking I began cross-stitching 8 or 9 years ago.
Really, it is almost done. I'm so stinkin' close! But now, all I have left to do is lots and lots and lots of plain white stitching, because, having never done a cross-stitch prior to this and not using any sort of a
ready-made pattern I didn't realize most cross-stitches don't fill in every inch of space with stitches! D'oh! Row after row of plain white just isn't so fun. However, if I can finish the cross-stitching, then I will be able to actually turn it into a stocking (blue velvet backing and white faux-fur cuff) and then get started on a stocking for myself. For my stocking, I plan on going off some of the winter scene illustrations from the children's book above. (Eric's stocking has characters from a different Swedish children's book that features tomten, their little Christmas santa/gnome-dude). My stocking will have even more white areas, so I anticipate it will be many, many more Christmases before that sees the firelight glow of a holiday season.
In any case, if this blog is still going in the year 2014, I'll be sure to post pics of both completed stockings. :) ¶ 11/07/2005 09:29:00 AM 4 comments
Sunday, November 06, 2005
Alarm!!! Fear, Fire, Foes...
WHERE IS MRS.FISH'S BLOG? *breaking out in cold sweat* flashing back to several months ago* COME BACK SOON!!!!
¶ 11/06/2005 10:09:00 AM 3 comments
Saturday, November 05, 2005
 I painted this at a ceramics store called "Earth, Glaze and Fire."I always imagine one day I'll actually use it. I'd fill it with juice and bring it out to the patio along with a tray of fruit and muffins to enjoy an outside breakfast and chat. Or fill it with Gerbera daisies for a centerpiece to set on a bright cheery table. Mostly, it sits on a shelf. |
Friday, November 04, 2005
As Per Ususal...
I am such a procrastinator, I don't think to get my TTTh or SPF ready until the last moment...and then my home internet goes on the blink. So, until then, I will be TTTh and SPF-less. See you soon! - k
¶ 11/04/2005 05:41:00 AM 2 comments
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Tasty Choices... [Open Letter to Odd]
* 5:25PM * Arrive home. Immediately note that caramels and Dairy Milk chocolate bar have mysteriously vanished from candy pile this morning. I think Eric's responsible for the disappearance - it's totally his m.o. and kitty likes liver more than chocolate! Must interrogate DH at next opportunity. Need his tasters choice review for blog... Soup for dinner, followed by Smarties (mmmm, delicious!) and a Mr. Chew. Add those two to the 'keepers list.'
*****
Odd, thanks again! I can't believe there's another box on the way. That's so incredibly generous... Wow! I'm going to have to change my blog name to S W E L L Forth Chameleon. lol!
Oh my, I can't even believe how expensive it is to ship things overseas. Yikes!!! And those Tunnock Wafers look good - I think that will make a nice dessert for tomorrow evening. :)
Smarties are the only of these sweets that I've definitely seen in U.S. shops...And I'm interested do you find any of these sweets in your shops? Although, I'm pretty sure that we get a variety of Matlows hard candies at various stores (butterscotch, etc.).
If you ever get to the U.S. you have to visit Hershey, Pennsylvania. You can visit the Hershey World of Chocolate, museum, zoo or amusement park. And the streets outside the Hershey factory smell like chocolate. (Much better than the smell of the James River paper mill, like we get this way.)
P.S. I think our cultural exchange was a hit!!! (Although I can think of a ton of other candies I'd like to send...wow, the list is endless.) ¶ 11/02/2005 06:49:00 PM 3 comments
*****
Odd, thanks again! I can't believe there's another box on the way. That's so incredibly generous... Wow! I'm going to have to change my blog name to S W E L L Forth Chameleon. lol!
Oh my, I can't even believe how expensive it is to ship things overseas. Yikes!!! And those Tunnock Wafers look good - I think that will make a nice dessert for tomorrow evening. :)
Smarties are the only of these sweets that I've definitely seen in U.S. shops...And I'm interested do you find any of these sweets in your shops? Although, I'm pretty sure that we get a variety of Matlows hard candies at various stores (butterscotch, etc.).
If you ever get to the U.S. you have to visit Hershey, Pennsylvania. You can visit the Hershey World of Chocolate, museum, zoo or amusement park. And the streets outside the Hershey factory smell like chocolate. (Much better than the smell of the James River paper mill, like we get this way.)
P.S. I think our cultural exchange was a hit!!! (Although I can think of a ton of other candies I'd like to send...wow, the list is endless.) ¶ 11/02/2005 06:49:00 PM 3 comments
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
It's a Sweet, Sweet, Sweet World!!!
Thanks to Odd, I didn't have to dress up in costume or go to a single neighbor's house to get candy this season.
The goodies came straight to my mailbox -- and I have to say, the British postal service is much kinder to packages than the old USPS. The box was in pristine condition. Of course, that could be because you are more skilled at wrapping packages than I am. ;)
In Part 2 of our cultural exchange on 'sweets around the world,' (scroll down to the posts on the 18th) Odd very kindly sent this wonderful assortment of tasty treats. I have tried several so far, but am having to temper myself or I'll go right onto the ceiling from sugar shock. To this point, I've enjoyed most of what I've tried.
The Matlows chewy candies - 'Refreshers', 'Climpies' and 'Drumstick' (a chewy sweet lolly) were cool - totally reminded me of Laffy Taffy. There are a couple of those types left - 'Mr. Chews' & a cola flavored 'Refreshers' which I am sure I'll like as well.
I could smell that strong, wonderful licorice as soon as I opened the package. The licorice Catherine Wheels looks so fun! I'm going to save those for my afternoon coffee break at work one day this week. And I'll have to hide any chocolate or else Eric will pounce on it, and I won't get to taste it at all. lol!
The one thing I'm not so crazy about are the Parma Violets. Guess floral tasting sweets just aren't my thing. They are a really pretty color, though, and deserved a smiling, violet tinted photo of their own. Odd, do you like the Parma Violets yourself? Or are they just a traditional type of candy?
I'll continue posting the results of my taste tests over the next couple of days. So far, it's a big thumbs up! Badness thought so too, and jumped up in the middle of my photo shoot to sniff at the deliciousness. Thanks again, Odd! This has been so much fun. :))))
¶ 11/01/2005 07:14:00 PM 9 comments
 | | | | |
Thanks to Odd, I didn't have to dress up in costume or go to a single neighbor's house to get candy this season.
The goodies came straight to my mailbox -- and I have to say, the British postal service is much kinder to packages than the old USPS. The box was in pristine condition. Of course, that could be because you are more skilled at wrapping packages than I am. ;)
In Part 2 of our cultural exchange on 'sweets around the world,' (scroll down to the posts on the 18th) Odd very kindly sent this wonderful assortment of tasty treats. I have tried several so far, but am having to temper myself or I'll go right onto the ceiling from sugar shock. To this point, I've enjoyed most of what I've tried.
The Matlows chewy candies - 'Refreshers', 'Climpies' and 'Drumstick' (a chewy sweet lolly) were cool - totally reminded me of Laffy Taffy. There are a couple of those types left - 'Mr. Chews' & a cola flavored 'Refreshers' which I am sure I'll like as well.
I could smell that strong, wonderful licorice as soon as I opened the package. The licorice Catherine Wheels looks so fun! I'm going to save those for my afternoon coffee break at work one day this week. And I'll have to hide any chocolate or else Eric will pounce on it, and I won't get to taste it at all. lol!
The one thing I'm not so crazy about are the Parma Violets. Guess floral tasting sweets just aren't my thing. They are a really pretty color, though, and deserved a smiling, violet tinted photo of their own. Odd, do you like the Parma Violets yourself? Or are they just a traditional type of candy?
I'll continue posting the results of my taste tests over the next couple of days. So far, it's a big thumbs up! Badness thought so too, and jumped up in the middle of my photo shoot to sniff at the deliciousness. Thanks again, Odd! This has been so much fun. :)))) | | | | |
Monday, October 31, 2005
Three Faces of the Eve
**Here's the answer to the question...whatever will I do with that 900 lbs pumpkin I have just laying around the house? (Three faces on one stinking gi-normous pumpkin...talk about ephemeral art!)
**More ghost sightings. Have you ever seen a ghost fire? Look out toward the hills on a misty, gloomy day, and you might see the grey-tongues of flame licking upwards from the hillside. Are they echoes of past wildfires? Maybe, maybe not.
**My halloween (and first real Monday off - since I didn't have to pop into work AT ALL today) was totally relaxing. I woke up at like 5am, noticed that the living room ceiling was leaking from the persistent rains, woke Eric up and alarmed him, sopped up the pooling water above the living room in the not-quite-watertight-yet-remodeling area, then fell back to sleep until 11am. Yes, 11:00 AM -- and I'm still reveling in that fact. *yawn, stretch* Then I ventured out into the gray for a coffee and some reading at Brewed Awakenings, in front of their fireplace. (We haven't had heat or air conditioning in our house since oh, April-ish, and it's mighty freaking cold right now.) I don't expect a single trick-or-treater down our dead end road, so the evening should be just as quiet.
Hope you all have enjoyed your days too. Post lots of pics when you get the chance. ¶ 10/31/2005 05:50:00 PM 5 comments
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 |  |
**Here's the answer to the question...whatever will I do with that 900 lbs pumpkin I have just laying around the house? (Three faces on one stinking gi-normous pumpkin...talk about ephemeral art!)
**More ghost sightings. Have you ever seen a ghost fire? Look out toward the hills on a misty, gloomy day, and you might see the grey-tongues of flame licking upwards from the hillside. Are they echoes of past wildfires? Maybe, maybe not.
**My halloween (and first real Monday off - since I didn't have to pop into work AT ALL today) was totally relaxing. I woke up at like 5am, noticed that the living room ceiling was leaking from the persistent rains, woke Eric up and alarmed him, sopped up the pooling water above the living room in the not-quite-watertight-yet-remodeling area, then fell back to sleep until 11am. Yes, 11:00 AM -- and I'm still reveling in that fact. *yawn, stretch* Then I ventured out into the gray for a coffee and some reading at Brewed Awakenings, in front of their fireplace. (We haven't had heat or air conditioning in our house since oh, April-ish, and it's mighty freaking cold right now.) I don't expect a single trick-or-treater down our dead end road, so the evening should be just as quiet.
Hope you all have enjoyed your days too. Post lots of pics when you get the chance. ¶ 10/31/2005 05:50:00 PM 5 comments
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Many Hauntings
I never thought I'd become a believer in ghosts. The idea that the essence of something long dead could linger in a place just seemed so far fetched. That is, until it happened to me.
One summer evening, several years ago, Eric rolled up to our house in our old blue truck with a surprise inside - the lifeless bodies of 30 some-odd shrimp. What he planned to do with their corpses, I can only imagine...probably cook and eat them. But that never happened.
Instead those snuffed-out souls were forgotten on the passenger seat of that truck that night, the next day and another night. Meanwhile, the world around them enjoyed a couple of terrifically lovely summer days, with temps reaching well into the 90's.
When did Eric realize his mistake? I couldn't say. However, I do know this. He got rid of the evidence and never said a word to me. What he did with those mortified cadavers, I have no idea. Still, his guilty actions were not enough to silence the shrimp. Their pain and suffering was so immense, their spirits would not go quietly into the night.
Now, on certain summer days, when the weather is particularly stifling, you'd best hope you don't have the distinct displeasure of driving the haunted shrimp truck. On those days, their spirits are most active. Yes, my friends, it's true. You can scents their presence all around you.
That is why I now believe in hauntings. ¶ 10/30/2005 07:39:00 AM 5 comments
One summer evening, several years ago, Eric rolled up to our house in our old blue truck with a surprise inside - the lifeless bodies of 30 some-odd shrimp. What he planned to do with their corpses, I can only imagine...probably cook and eat them. But that never happened.
Instead those snuffed-out souls were forgotten on the passenger seat of that truck that night, the next day and another night. Meanwhile, the world around them enjoyed a couple of terrifically lovely summer days, with temps reaching well into the 90's.
When did Eric realize his mistake? I couldn't say. However, I do know this. He got rid of the evidence and never said a word to me. What he did with those mortified cadavers, I have no idea. Still, his guilty actions were not enough to silence the shrimp. Their pain and suffering was so immense, their spirits would not go quietly into the night.
Now, on certain summer days, when the weather is particularly stifling, you'd best hope you don't have the distinct displeasure of driving the haunted shrimp truck. On those days, their spirits are most active. Yes, my friends, it's true. You can scents their presence all around you.
That is why I now believe in hauntings. ¶ 10/30/2005 07:39:00 AM 5 comments
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Don't Resist the Darkside
My friend Camille sent me this link, and it was just so funny that I had to post it.
Tommy, Tommy! We know you've gone a bit cuckoo over the last several months, but you must learn to harness the force. Control it, you must. For good, learn to use it. For good, not evil, say I.
By the way, I'm totally amazed that I can post a little movie image on my blog. Who'da thunk?
(P.S. I didn't make this, don't know who did. I'd would love to give credit to whoever did.) ¶ 10/29/2005 07:55:00 AM 5 comments
My friend Camille sent me this link, and it was just so funny that I had to post it.Tommy, Tommy! We know you've gone a bit cuckoo over the last several months, but you must learn to harness the force. Control it, you must. For good, learn to use it. For good, not evil, say I.
By the way, I'm totally amazed that I can post a little movie image on my blog. Who'da thunk?
(P.S. I didn't make this, don't know who did. I'd would love to give credit to whoever did.) ¶ 10/29/2005 07:55:00 AM 5 comments
Friday, October 28, 2005
SPF - Wildcard (PhotoShop)
¶ 10/28/2005 01:01:00 AM 3 comments
 | "I do not know how to distinguish between our waking life and a dream. Are we not always living the life that we imagine we are?" "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." -- Henry David Thoreau |
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Thursday, October 27, 2005
Three Things Thursday
Say Hello!!! to Camille for playing TTTh for the 2nd week, and to Wendi for playing for the first week!!! Stop by and say 'howdy'!!!
@>--@>--@>--@>--@>--@>--
1) I so wanted someone to 'toilet paper' my house when I was younger, (you know, like some cute boys that I had crushes on) but it never happened. One night, I snuck out of the house in middle of the night and toilet papered my own house (with the help of a friend). Sooooo pathetic, if I do say so myself.
2) The first real time I ever really went out toilet papering someone's house was at Kathy Brown's birthday party. Her older brother piled all of us in a limo her family had and we went out and papered the neighborhood. Sorry, Danny G.!
3) I used to make pipes out of empty toilet paper rolls (and empty coke cans and ball point pens). What a hood I was B.C.! :( ¶ 10/27/2005 06:37:00 PM 2 comments
@>--@>--@>--@>--@>--@>--
1) I so wanted someone to 'toilet paper' my house when I was younger, (you know, like some cute boys that I had crushes on) but it never happened. One night, I snuck out of the house in middle of the night and toilet papered my own house (with the help of a friend). Sooooo pathetic, if I do say so myself.
2) The first real time I ever really went out toilet papering someone's house was at Kathy Brown's birthday party. Her older brother piled all of us in a limo her family had and we went out and papered the neighborhood. Sorry, Danny G.!
3) I used to make pipes out of empty toilet paper rolls (and empty coke cans and ball point pens). What a hood I was B.C.! :( ¶ 10/27/2005 06:37:00 PM 2 comments
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Thank you, Rosa.
"The only thing that bothered me was that we waited so long to make this protest." - Rosa Parks
"Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men and women to win them." - Ralph Waldo Emerson. ¶ 10/25/2005 09:39:00 PM 4 comments
"The only thing that bothered me was that we waited so long to make this protest." - Rosa Parks"Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men and women to win them." - Ralph Waldo Emerson. ¶ 10/25/2005 09:39:00 PM 4 comments
Monday, October 24, 2005
Blogger's Elbow
Or "blogger's shoulder," actually. It's real and I got it.
My left shoulder has been sore for the last several weeks, and gets worse when I sleep on my left side - which is, like, all the time. This kind of stuff comes and goes, and it always gets better on its own.
However, I woke up one morning a week or so ago and my arm felt like a clammy, long-dead catfish attached to my arm only by those sinewy whiskers. Feeling slowly resurrected through my limb, but it still felt funky all day and weaker.
Being the ever sensible neurotic I am, I then:
A) cinched my arm into a makeshift sling and drove myself to urgent care
B) woke my husband out of a dead sleep so he could drive me to urgent care
C) thought about urgent care, but opted for an immediate call to the advice nurse after checking my main symptoms out on WebMD
D) dismissed urgent care, checked WebMD, convinced myself I was not having a heart attack, stroke or attack of peripheral neuropathy and decided to call the advice nurse after I got to work and checked my email, voice mail, finished some urgent correspondence and phone calls and then organized my workload such that anyone could take over and find everything if I was going to be out of the office for any length of time in the off-chance it WAS something serious.
If you guessed anything other than "D", c'mon people, it's me. Anyway, I did connect with the advice nurse later that day, confirmed that it was probably something 'musculo-skeletal' and set a follow-up appt for this morning.
Turns out, I have sustained a rotator cuff injury. How? I have no idea. I haven't been playing tackle football lately or any other rough contact sport. It seemed a mystery. Then my doctor asked "Do you use the computer a lot?"
Hmmm, let me think. Only about 65-75% of my time at work, and only about 50-75% of my time at home. Blogger's elbow. Or blog-sitis, as I prefer to call it. I will be doing exercises to strengthen my biceps and triceps and deltoids(?) or whatever.
But, man, don't ask me to give up the blog. If loving to blog is wrong, baby, I don't want to be right!!! (lol!) ¶ 10/24/2005 05:17:00 PM 6 comments
My left shoulder has been sore for the last several weeks, and gets worse when I sleep on my left side - which is, like, all the time. This kind of stuff comes and goes, and it always gets better on its own.
However, I woke up one morning a week or so ago and my arm felt like a clammy, long-dead catfish attached to my arm only by those sinewy whiskers. Feeling slowly resurrected through my limb, but it still felt funky all day and weaker.
Being the ever sensible neurotic I am, I then:
A) cinched my arm into a makeshift sling and drove myself to urgent care
B) woke my husband out of a dead sleep so he could drive me to urgent care
C) thought about urgent care, but opted for an immediate call to the advice nurse after checking my main symptoms out on WebMD
D) dismissed urgent care, checked WebMD, convinced myself I was not having a heart attack, stroke or attack of peripheral neuropathy and decided to call the advice nurse after I got to work and checked my email, voice mail, finished some urgent correspondence and phone calls and then organized my workload such that anyone could take over and find everything if I was going to be out of the office for any length of time in the off-chance it WAS something serious.
If you guessed anything other than "D", c'mon people, it's me. Anyway, I did connect with the advice nurse later that day, confirmed that it was probably something 'musculo-skeletal' and set a follow-up appt for this morning.
Turns out, I have sustained a rotator cuff injury. How? I have no idea. I haven't been playing tackle football lately or any other rough contact sport. It seemed a mystery. Then my doctor asked "Do you use the computer a lot?"
Hmmm, let me think. Only about 65-75% of my time at work, and only about 50-75% of my time at home. Blogger's elbow. Or blog-sitis, as I prefer to call it. I will be doing exercises to strengthen my biceps and triceps and deltoids(?) or whatever.
But, man, don't ask me to give up the blog. If loving to blog is wrong, baby, I don't want to be right!!! (lol!) ¶ 10/24/2005 05:17:00 PM 6 comments
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Stalking the Sunrise
I don't actually know what time I woke up this morning. I thought it was 6:30-ish and it was still really dark outside. But after I found some socks for my cold feet, went to bathroom and checked everyone's blogs for at least an hour, I checked the time and it was only 6:42.
And it seemed darker than it did an hour ago. It gave me a Willy Wonka kind of moment, where all reality seemed to be spinning in retrograde. Well, I had wanted to get out and take a few pictures of the sunrise.
As Eric was still way sleeping, I didn't turn on a light. Dressed in the dark (blue sweatshirt, brown pants, shorty socks and black slip on shoes -- I was a vision, I assure you); grabbed my camera and iPod; hauled myself out and into the cold, dewy car.
iPod on...all engines go. I figured I could get the most interesting views of the sun rising over Mt. Hood. At least it would provide a recognizable object in the dark distance. So, I headed east on sr-14 and watched the horizon turning from murky mocha to eggplant to cranberry and finally to a vibrant terra cotta.
If I were smart, I would have pulled over at the first exit, where I know there's room on the overpass to set up for a silhouette pic of the mountain, and the color was at it's richest. But no, I figured I could frame a better shot down the highway a bit. [This driving shot reminds me of the trailer for David Lynch's Lost Highway.]
It quickly became evident that it was a mistake. In the span of 1/2 a mile, the hues were lightening. I couldn't even salvage the mistake by taking the next exit, because the view from that overpass stunk. By the time I realized my error was irrevocable, I just began thinking how I could describe the colors to y'all. (It's really not possible, and my brain is full so I don't think I'll attempt it.)
When I finally got to the exit I originally wanted, the view was lousy and way more obscured with power wires than I recalled. And the sky had diluted to a muddy color that wasn't popping against the mountain's outline anymore. Still I was there, so I parked (illegally) and crawled out to the overpass wall. As soon as I opened the lens cap and turned the power on, the red "battery dying" sign started flashing at me. My camera was acting like a lethargic shock victim, and wouldn't focus for love or money (neither of which I was offering to it at that moment).
Here's the best of the worst and most unfocusable shots. After three pics, I gave up. Back in the car, back on the highway, back home. The sunrise proved to be unstalkable this morning. Now I know what time it's going to get here -- at least until Daylight Savings Time ends next weekend.
¶ 10/23/2005 05:26:00 PM 5 comments
And it seemed darker than it did an hour ago. It gave me a Willy Wonka kind of moment, where all reality seemed to be spinning in retrograde. Well, I had wanted to get out and take a few pictures of the sunrise.
As Eric was still way sleeping, I didn't turn on a light. Dressed in the dark (blue sweatshirt, brown pants, shorty socks and black slip on shoes -- I was a vision, I assure you); grabbed my camera and iPod; hauled myself out and into the cold, dewy car.
iPod on...all engines go. I figured I could get the most interesting views of the sun rising over Mt. Hood. At least it would provide a recognizable object in the dark distance. So, I headed east on sr-14 and watched the horizon turning from murky mocha to eggplant to cranberry and finally to a vibrant terra cotta.
If I were smart, I would have pulled over at the first exit, where I know there's room on the overpass to set up for a silhouette pic of the mountain, and the color was at it's richest. But no, I figured I could frame a better shot down the highway a bit. [This driving shot reminds me of the trailer for David Lynch's Lost Highway.]It quickly became evident that it was a mistake. In the span of 1/2 a mile, the hues were lightening. I couldn't even salvage the mistake by taking the next exit, because the view from that overpass stunk. By the time I realized my error was irrevocable, I just began thinking how I could describe the colors to y'all. (It's really not possible, and my brain is full so I don't think I'll attempt it.)
When I finally got to the exit I originally wanted, the view was lousy and way more obscured with power wires than I recalled. And the sky had diluted to a muddy color that wasn't popping against the mountain's outline anymore. Still I was there, so I parked (illegally) and crawled out to the overpass wall. As soon as I opened the lens cap and turned the power on, the red "battery dying" sign started flashing at me. My camera was acting like a lethargic shock victim, and wouldn't focus for love or money (neither of which I was offering to it at that moment).
Here's the best of the worst and most unfocusable shots. After three pics, I gave up. Back in the car, back on the highway, back home. The sunrise proved to be unstalkable this morning. Now I know what time it's going to get here -- at least until Daylight Savings Time ends next weekend.
¶ 10/23/2005 05:26:00 PM 5 comments
Friday, October 21, 2005
SPF - Ugly Shoes...
¶ 10/21/2005 05:13:00 AM 3 comments
Mrs. Robinson: "Mitch described you somewhat differently." Vicky: "He certainly did." Maggie: "Of course you know what husbands think about ex-wives, like an old, comfortable, worn-out shoe cast in the closet. Well, off with the old...and on with the new, eh?" The Parent Trap |  |
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Three Things Thursday
1) If I had been born a boy, my first and middle names would have been Shawn Patrick.
2) As it was, my first name - Karen - was the name of my father's first girfriend (but also a fine Swedish name, in its own right - thanks Mom!)
3) My given middle name [not the one I have now] was after the nurse who delivered me (let's just say I'm grateful I wasn't delivered by Nurse Grizelda). ¶ 10/20/2005 05:20:00 PM 3 comments
2) As it was, my first name - Karen - was the name of my father's first girfriend (but also a fine Swedish name, in its own right - thanks Mom!)
3) My given middle name [not the one I have now] was after the nurse who delivered me (let's just say I'm grateful I wasn't delivered by Nurse Grizelda). ¶ 10/20/2005 05:20:00 PM 3 comments
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Spill Forth Triumphant
Well, "triumphant" might be a bit of an overstatement. But I did get out of the house on Sunday. I headed down I-5 towards NW 23rd St, and veered off when I saw the Montgomery Park building. Parked and wandered towards that 50's-feeling relic.
The streets in NW were quiet. At least the main ones were. Even the dog-walkers and joggers hadn't found their way out into the gray morning yet.
Down smaller avenues, lots of folks spilled out on the sidewalks outside hopping cafes and breakfast haunts. Most were waiting to get seated. Others were non-chalantly chatting and sipping dark coffee from steaming ceramic mugs in vibrant earth tones. The sitters held their decreasing personal space as bulging groups of three, four or six crowded to the door. I walked past, face forward, but catching covert glances of 'life in the happening' which I would love to photograph if only I were bold enough. I'm not, so a twelve-or-so-word synopsis will have to do.
I followed a trail of sandwich boards which, rather artlessly, pointed me via black spraypaint scrawl to a huge warehouse promising "art." And art there was, hung in thick dark frames everywhere inside the gloomy bay doors. I didn't go in, again not bold enough, but I did sneak peeks at the playful pitbull puppies bounding around the edge of the loading bay. Instead, I followed a trail of leaf-strewn puddles in the gravelly, potholed road gazing at the reflections of the water tower, parking garage, warehouse and Montgomery Park building.
Got home right before Eric did from his bike ride. Although he would have gotten there first, if his tire hadn't blown out along Lower River Rd near the recycling plant. Ah well, it's all exercise whether riding or walking your bike. :) ¶ 10/19/2005 04:08:00 AM 3 comments
The streets in NW were quiet. At least the main ones were. Even the dog-walkers and joggers hadn't found their way out into the gray morning yet.
Down smaller avenues, lots of folks spilled out on the sidewalks outside hopping cafes and breakfast haunts. Most were waiting to get seated. Others were non-chalantly chatting and sipping dark coffee from steaming ceramic mugs in vibrant earth tones. The sitters held their decreasing personal space as bulging groups of three, four or six crowded to the door. I walked past, face forward, but catching covert glances of 'life in the happening' which I would love to photograph if only I were bold enough. I'm not, so a twelve-or-so-word synopsis will have to do.
I followed a trail of sandwich boards which, rather artlessly, pointed me via black spraypaint scrawl to a huge warehouse promising "art." And art there was, hung in thick dark frames everywhere inside the gloomy bay doors. I didn't go in, again not bold enough, but I did sneak peeks at the playful pitbull puppies bounding around the edge of the loading bay. Instead, I followed a trail of leaf-strewn puddles in the gravelly, potholed road gazing at the reflections of the water tower, parking garage, warehouse and Montgomery Park building.
Got home right before Eric did from his bike ride. Although he would have gotten there first, if his tire hadn't blown out along Lower River Rd near the recycling plant. Ah well, it's all exercise whether riding or walking your bike. :) ¶ 10/19/2005 04:08:00 AM 3 comments
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Small
Small fears
*** DH is going for a bikeride this morning, and I want to go take pictures while he's out. There's a constant small fear inside me that mimics agoraphobia at it's lightest level. If I do go - I want to go into downtown Portland - and capture some things I only ever see behind the tempered glass of my car. Will I get there?
*** There are mornings when I feel a nagging tingling and then numbness in my fingertips, and wonder how long it will be before those feelings aren't fleeting, but become the standard sensation. Will I inevitably lose touch?
*** Sometimes I feel my life is like looking at one of those weird 3-D posters. You stare and squint and try to see an image, any image, through all the dots, but just can't make it make sense. Meanwhile others around you see it and gasp and ooh in understanding. Will it ever auto-focus for me too? ¶ 10/16/2005 09:01:00 AM 4 comments
*** DH is going for a bikeride this morning, and I want to go take pictures while he's out. There's a constant small fear inside me that mimics agoraphobia at it's lightest level. If I do go - I want to go into downtown Portland - and capture some things I only ever see behind the tempered glass of my car. Will I get there?
*** There are mornings when I feel a nagging tingling and then numbness in my fingertips, and wonder how long it will be before those feelings aren't fleeting, but become the standard sensation. Will I inevitably lose touch?
*** Sometimes I feel my life is like looking at one of those weird 3-D posters. You stare and squint and try to see an image, any image, through all the dots, but just can't make it make sense. Meanwhile others around you see it and gasp and ooh in understanding. Will it ever auto-focus for me too? ¶ 10/16/2005 09:01:00 AM 4 comments
Saturday, October 15, 2005
iPod on Random
Here are a few of the voices filling my ears at this time of night as I catch up on everyone's blogs... (My current "top rated" playlist in the random iPod is feeding it to me:
- Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin
- How Soon is Now? - The Smiths
- Money - Pink Floyd
- Breathe - Michael W. Smith
- Dazed and Confused - Led Zeppelin
- The Music of the Night - Phantom of the Opera
- True - Spandau Ballet
- Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin
- I'd Give My Life for You - Miss Saigon
- Everybody Hurts - R.E.M.
- Hey Nineteen - Steely Dan
- Black Dog - Led Zeppelin (clearly, I've been in a Zeppelin mood!)
- Baba O'Riley - The Who
- You Raise Me Up - Josh Groban
- Keep Me in Mind - Dighayzoose
- Pale Shelter - Tears for Fears
- Dear Friend - Charlie Peacock
- I Still Believe - Miss Saigon
- Magic Carpet Ride - Steppenwolf
- Your Love Oh Lord - Third Day
- You Can Leave Your Had On - Tom Jones
- Ramble On - Led Zeppelin
- Running to Stand Still - U2
- Join Together - The Who
- Beautiful Day - U2
- You Sexy Thing - Hot Chocolate
- Under Pressure - Queen & David Bowie
- To Where You Are - Josh Groban
- Stay Up Late - Talking Heads
- Come As You Are - Nirvana
- A Little Less Conversation - Elvis Presley
- Naked - Yum Yum Children
- I'm Not the Girl - Rachel Farris
- Show Me Your Glory - Third Day
- Sing Praises - Third Day
- Dream a Little Dream of Me - The Mamas & The Papas
- Out of Reach - Gabrielle
- Kiss that Girl - Sheryl Crow
- Devil's Haircut - Beck
- I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow - Soggy Bottom Boys
- I Should Be Allowed to Think - They Might Be Giants
- Don't Know Why - Norah Jones
- I Want You Back - The Jackson 5
- Down to the River to Pray - Alison Krauss
- 9 to 5 - Dolly Parton
- Bang Bang - Nancy Sinatra
- Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
- Battle Without Honor or Humanity - (band title in Chinese)
- I Won't Say (I'm In Love) - Susan Egan
- Put Your Hand Inside the Puppet Head - They Might Be Giants
- Happy Jack - The Who
- Blister in the Sun - Violent Femmes
- Woo Hoo - The 5,6,7,8's
- Didn't Leave Nobody But the Baby - Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss...
- Motorbike - Yum Yum Children
- Meet James Ensor - They Might Be Giants
- In the Middle, In the Middle - They Might Be Giants
- Starting Here, Starting Now - Jasper Kump
- Don't Let's Start - They Might Be Giants
- Cash Cow - Steve Taylor
- Beautiful Scandalous Night - Sixpence None the Richer...
- Moon - Riki Michele
- Digging Deep - Poor Old Lu
- Eyes of Heaven - Mad at the World
- Tattoo - L.S.U.
- Never Going Back Again - Fleetwood Mac
- In My Life - Beatles
- Slip - The Throes
- Mess With Me - The Throes
- Gone - Switchfoot
- Breathe Deep - Lost Dogs
SPF - Shampoo
¶ 10/15/2005 03:08:00 AM 4 comments
 | This was a strange SPF week for me, because I have about zero connection to my shampoo. Most of the time, I don't even bother to match the shampoo and conditioners. I switch shampoos often because my hair is very fine and takes build up if I use the same thing over and over again. So, here it is. Better late than never, but I'm not thinking this shows a whole lot about me - other than maybe I'm completely not high maintenance about my hair. ;) |
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Three Things Thursday
1. Sometimes I'll feed my kitty her catfood piece by piece, when it seems like she's really tired. I'm pretty sure she appreciates it.
2. I made my senior prom dress. It was hideous. No joke. I also used to make a whole bunch of my own clothes, but not from real patterns. Just from kind of eyeballing other designs for pants and skirts. Again, hideous! Now, I only sew buttons back onto things when they tear off.
On the other hand, my sister designed and made her own clothes and was great at it. After high school, she spent 15+ years in the fashion industry. (Now she is going into nursing. Yay, Kath!)
3. I crashed my friend's moped into the back of a parked truck while driving by the house of a boy I had a crush on in high school. Luckily he wasn't home, and luckily my friend Camille was, so we hobbled up to her house with the wreckage of the moped. (Thanks again for your support that night, Camille! I wouldn't have gotten through high school without you.) ;) ¶ 10/13/2005 08:27:00 PM 6 comments
2. I made my senior prom dress. It was hideous. No joke. I also used to make a whole bunch of my own clothes, but not from real patterns. Just from kind of eyeballing other designs for pants and skirts. Again, hideous! Now, I only sew buttons back onto things when they tear off.
On the other hand, my sister designed and made her own clothes and was great at it. After high school, she spent 15+ years in the fashion industry. (Now she is going into nursing. Yay, Kath!)
3. I crashed my friend's moped into the back of a parked truck while driving by the house of a boy I had a crush on in high school. Luckily he wasn't home, and luckily my friend Camille was, so we hobbled up to her house with the wreckage of the moped. (Thanks again for your support that night, Camille! I wouldn't have gotten through high school without you.) ;) ¶ 10/13/2005 08:27:00 PM 6 comments
Saturday, October 08, 2005
A Nun and a Flasher Walk into a Bar...
Here is the holy roller shot from 12th grade. Egads! 19 years ago. Unfortunately, you can't see the roller skates, but they're there. I forgot I was wearing shades and playing with Jenny K's 'short flags.'
Also, in 8th grade, I dressed up as a 'flasher' for Halloween. I did have shorts and a t-shirt on underneath the trench coat.
I couldn't find a pic of the black widow costume anywhere. Mrs. Funkiller may have one in her archives, because she was a wood nymph that year, and our other roommate Lauren was Marvin Martian (complete with plaster-of-paris helmet/mask).
And on the current homefront...CHECK IT OUT!!!
We have R.O.O.F.
We have W.I.N.D.O.W.S.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Could this week get any better?
¶ 10/08/2005 10:37:00 AM 8 comments
Also, in 8th grade, I dressed up as a 'flasher' for Halloween. I did have shorts and a t-shirt on underneath the trench coat.
I couldn't find a pic of the black widow costume anywhere. Mrs. Funkiller may have one in her archives, because she was a wood nymph that year, and our other roommate Lauren was Marvin Martian (complete with plaster-of-paris helmet/mask).
 |  |
And on the current homefront...CHECK IT OUT!!!
We have R.O.O.F.
We have W.I.N.D.O.W.S.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Could this week get any better?
 |  |
Friday, October 07, 2005
SPF: Your Phone, Cell or...
...otherwise. This is KMJ wire-lined.
¶ 10/07/2005 09:15:00 AM 3 comments
 |
Thursday, October 06, 2005
What the Heck-o is a NECCO?
What exactly 'is' a NECCO Wafer? That is a metaphysical question, really. And one, I fear, that "depends on what the meaning of the word 'is' is. If the--if he--if 'is' means is and never has been, that is not--that is one thing. If it means there is none, that was a completely true statement." Uh, wait, no... That's getting off on a completely different tangent. Okay, back to NECCO. What is it? Hmmm. Yeah, I don't really know.
I mean, I could give the simple explanation that NECCO Wafers are, per the New England Confectionery COmpany's frequently asked questions, "simply sugar, corn syrup, gelatin, gum, colorings and flavoring." But I don't think that gets to the heart of the question. I mean, we are all more than just the sum of our parts, aren't we?
I could emphasize the NECCO Wafer's significance in history and inform you that in 1913, explorer Donald MacMillan took NECCO Wafers on his Arctic expedition, using them "for nutrition" and "as rewards to Eskimo children." [Note to NECCO HR Manager: I think the correct term these days is 'Alaskan Native,' not 'Eskimo' but whatever, it's your story].
Or I could 'wow' you [and, yes, I use the term loosely] with some [arguably not so] fun facts about NECCOs:
1. NECCO Wafer rolls contain 8 [facsimiles of] flavors and colors: lemon (yellow); orange (orange); lime (green); clove (purple); cinnamon (white); wintergreen (pink); licorice (black); and chocolate (brown). [Ahh, how the youth of today hunger for clove flavored candy]
2. In very low humidity NECCO Wintergreen Wafers spark in the dark when broken. [Yeah, been there, done that with Wintogreen Life Savers]
3. NECCO Wafer Rolls have always been a naturally fat-free, sodium-free and gluten-free product [And gusto-free, too! Don't forget that. And savor-free, spiciless, sweetless, tang-free, tartless, tasteless, vim-free, vigorless, un-wallop-packing, zestless, and zing-free too! Absolutely zero of all those in these babies.]
4. In excess of 4 billion NECCO Wafers are sold each year. This is enough to completely encircle the world twice if placed edge to edge. [It's true. They do sell lots. And then put them in the little desiccant packets to suck the moisture out of vacuum-packed products like beef-jerky, Hormel bacon bits and Payless shoes(!?!)]
5. Over 120 NECCO Wafers are consumed every second of every day throughout the entire year. [Some are used for prisoner rehabilitation in Camp X-Ray, Guantanamo Bay. Others are used by ascetic hermits as a form of corporal mortification.]
6. In the 1930's Admiral Byrd took 2 1/2 tons of NECCO Wafers to the South Pole, practically a pound a week for each of his men during their 2 year stay in the Antarctic. [And, boy, I bet they showed him for their "gratitude" for that act of kindness every day of that loooooooonnnnnnnnggggggg sea voyage.]
But, alas, we're back to the same question. What is a NECCO Wafer. I think we're going to have to tackle this from an experiential level. Let me 'splain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up:
NECCO Wafers have as much taste as...
1) ...Paste without all the salty goodness
2) ...Poi in antacid tablet form
3) ...Madonna has acting ability
Hey, these are just a few I thought up. All of you out there who have tasted NECCO Wafers, go ahead, chime in. I'll add yours to the list! ¶ 10/06/2005 05:50:00 PM 11 comments
What exactly 'is' a NECCO Wafer? That is a metaphysical question, really. And one, I fear, that "depends on what the meaning of the word 'is' is. If the--if he--if 'is' means is and never has been, that is not--that is one thing. If it means there is none, that was a completely true statement." Uh, wait, no... That's getting off on a completely different tangent. Okay, back to NECCO. What is it? Hmmm. Yeah, I don't really know.I mean, I could give the simple explanation that NECCO Wafers are, per the New England Confectionery COmpany's frequently asked questions, "simply sugar, corn syrup, gelatin, gum, colorings and flavoring." But I don't think that gets to the heart of the question. I mean, we are all more than just the sum of our parts, aren't we?
I could emphasize the NECCO Wafer's significance in history and inform you that in 1913, explorer Donald MacMillan took NECCO Wafers on his Arctic expedition, using them "for nutrition" and "as rewards to Eskimo children." [Note to NECCO HR Manager: I think the correct term these days is 'Alaskan Native,' not 'Eskimo' but whatever, it's your story].
Or I could 'wow' you [and, yes, I use the term loosely] with some [arguably not so] fun facts about NECCOs:
1. NECCO Wafer rolls contain 8 [facsimiles of] flavors and colors: lemon (yellow); orange (orange); lime (green); clove (purple); cinnamon (white); wintergreen (pink); licorice (black); and chocolate (brown). [Ahh, how the youth of today hunger for clove flavored candy]
2. In very low humidity NECCO Wintergreen Wafers spark in the dark when broken. [Yeah, been there, done that with Wintogreen Life Savers]
3. NECCO Wafer Rolls have always been a naturally fat-free, sodium-free and gluten-free product [And gusto-free, too! Don't forget that. And savor-free, spiciless, sweetless, tang-free, tartless, tasteless, vim-free, vigorless, un-wallop-packing, zestless, and zing-free too! Absolutely zero of all those in these babies.]
4. In excess of 4 billion NECCO Wafers are sold each year. This is enough to completely encircle the world twice if placed edge to edge. [It's true. They do sell lots. And then put them in the little desiccant packets to suck the moisture out of vacuum-packed products like beef-jerky, Hormel bacon bits and Payless shoes(!?!)]
5. Over 120 NECCO Wafers are consumed every second of every day throughout the entire year. [Some are used for prisoner rehabilitation in Camp X-Ray, Guantanamo Bay. Others are used by ascetic hermits as a form of corporal mortification.]
6. In the 1930's Admiral Byrd took 2 1/2 tons of NECCO Wafers to the South Pole, practically a pound a week for each of his men during their 2 year stay in the Antarctic. [And, boy, I bet they showed him for their "gratitude" for that act of kindness every day of that loooooooonnnnnnnnggggggg sea voyage.]
But, alas, we're back to the same question. What is a NECCO Wafer. I think we're going to have to tackle this from an experiential level. Let me 'splain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up:
NECCO Wafers have as much taste as...
1) ...Paste without all the salty goodness
2) ...Poi in antacid tablet form
3) ...Madonna has acting ability
Hey, these are just a few I thought up. All of you out there who have tasted NECCO Wafers, go ahead, chime in. I'll add yours to the list! ¶ 10/06/2005 05:50:00 PM 11 comments
Three Things
1. I'd rather walk down a dark alleyway in a big city than through a wooded wilderness area alone at night.
2. My favorite halloween costume was being a nun on roller skates - a holy roller. (I have a picture in my senior yearbook. I'll dig it out, scan and post it maybe tonight)
3. I didn't even think about where I wanted to go to college - much less apply to get in or take my SAT - until April of my senior year. ¶ 10/06/2005 07:12:00 AM 8 comments
2. My favorite halloween costume was being a nun on roller skates - a holy roller. (I have a picture in my senior yearbook. I'll dig it out, scan and post it maybe tonight)
3. I didn't even think about where I wanted to go to college - much less apply to get in or take my SAT - until April of my senior year. ¶ 10/06/2005 07:12:00 AM 8 comments
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
What Else Ya Got?
Okay, I admit... Some of my posts have been kind of like NeccoWafers. They don't look all that interesting from the packaging and taste like cardboard going down. Why are they even allowed on the store shelves? Well, folks - sorry, there's no quality control here. ;) I offer NeccoWafers of all varieties here - it is my life. lol!
* * * * *
I only have time for headlines at the moment, so here goes.
* * * * *
Childfree Couple Asked Whether They Will Take On Sixteen Year Old Pseudo-Hooligan
In-Depth Look at Life Without a Roof (Two Months and Counting)
Prozac: Life Saver or Bland-Maker. You Decide!
Caffeine Intolerance - A Cruel Twist of Fate. Says one desperate addict, "If I don't have caffeine, I wouldn't have any personality at all."
Entertainment News! Serenity, 2 Thumbs Up. (Good as a Movie; Better as a TV Show)
That's all for now, folks! ¶ 10/05/2005 07:25:00 AM 4 comments
* * * * *
I only have time for headlines at the moment, so here goes.
* * * * *
Childfree Couple Asked Whether They Will Take On Sixteen Year Old Pseudo-Hooligan
In-Depth Look at Life Without a Roof (Two Months and Counting)
Prozac: Life Saver or Bland-Maker. You Decide!
Caffeine Intolerance - A Cruel Twist of Fate. Says one desperate addict, "If I don't have caffeine, I wouldn't have any personality at all."
Entertainment News! Serenity, 2 Thumbs Up. (Good as a Movie; Better as a TV Show)
That's all for now, folks! ¶ 10/05/2005 07:25:00 AM 4 comments
Monday, October 03, 2005
If You Need Me, I'll Be at www.HappyPlace.com
Occasionally, in staff meetings, someone will direct the discussion in my direction and they'll catch me staring off in the distance at something shiny. I usually have to fess up that I've gone to www.happyplace.com.
My whole day has been one of those days, where I wish there really was a Happy Place to go to. Today started off a pretty good Monday. A little caffeine, a few emails, nothing big. But it has just absolutely degenerated from there. (Oh nothing tragic - don't worry! Just the irritating little thorns and splinters of miscommunication, niggling mistakes and problems.)
So I came home for lunch - or actually a little lunchtime shredding of piles of old financial stuff I've been meaning to get rid of for months. And, hey, I bought a cool new cross-cut shredder with a birthday gift certificate, so... Wow, fun! (I know, this sounds a little Monica-like from Friends with her 'label maker.')
P.S. Went to a great new store yesterday called "Storables" and drove past another called "The Container Store." Mmmm, so fun and organizey! ¶ 10/03/2005 12:40:00 PM 4 comments
My whole day has been one of those days, where I wish there really was a Happy Place to go to. Today started off a pretty good Monday. A little caffeine, a few emails, nothing big. But it has just absolutely degenerated from there. (Oh nothing tragic - don't worry! Just the irritating little thorns and splinters of miscommunication, niggling mistakes and problems.)
So I came home for lunch - or actually a little lunchtime shredding of piles of old financial stuff I've been meaning to get rid of for months. And, hey, I bought a cool new cross-cut shredder with a birthday gift certificate, so... Wow, fun! (I know, this sounds a little Monica-like from Friends with her 'label maker.')
P.S. Went to a great new store yesterday called "Storables" and drove past another called "The Container Store." Mmmm, so fun and organizey! ¶ 10/03/2005 12:40:00 PM 4 comments
Saturday, October 01, 2005
"We wandered up the steps and I hummed I'm Just a Bill, naturally."
The Rules:
1. Go into your archives.
2. Find your 23rd post.
3. Find the fifth sentence (or closest to).
4. Post the text of the sentence in your blog along with these instructions. ¶ 10/01/2005 10:41:00 PM 2 comments
1. Go into your archives.
2. Find your 23rd post.
3. Find the fifth sentence (or closest to).
4. Post the text of the sentence in your blog along with these instructions. ¶ 10/01/2005 10:41:00 PM 2 comments
Stream of Commentness
*I was 14 when I first heard who Jesus Christ was and what He has done for me/us. He introduced Himself to me then, and I've been getting to know Him (and yikes, myself) in ways I never thought possible since then.
*I used to confuse Forest Home (camp) with Forest Lawn (cemetery). I guess both serve as memorials to significant moments in life.
*I don't know if I want to be cremated when I die, but I really have no interest in being buried.
*I've seen at least three TV shows / movies in the last two or three years where a main character was buried alive and somehow survived. I've seen several more (mostly CSI and that ilk) where someone was buried alive and didn't end up so lucky. I'm not a fan of this concept. Pretty terrifying, really.
*I'm not acrophobic, but I do get vertigo when I'm up high with no railings.
*I have to agree that my fear of heights really centers on - not a fear of falling - but a wild impulsive fear of jumping.
*In most dreams, I am traveling somewhere, anywhere. Sometimes I'm fleeing an attacker. Sometimes I'm just late in getting where I'm supposed to be. But inevitably, my walking slows to a laborsome plod and then to a crawl on my hands and knees where I am literally dragging myself forward by clawing at the pavement.
*I owe a lot to my childhood neighbors down the street. Sarah and her husband and girls were probably the first image I had of a fairly functional family. I think she prayed for my soul a great deal when I was little. I've never thanked her.
*PowerPoint is fancy and all, but I miss flannel boards and Color-forms.
*I used to love drawing, coloring and cutting out new clothes for my paper dolls. Actually, I think they were really my older sister's paper dolls. She had a set of "That Girl" paper dolls. Do they still have those these days? (Paper dolls, not "That Girl") I got really good at making tabs on my handmade clothes that would actually stay on.
*We three girls had about 20 Barbies, but only one Ken doll. In order to have a 'boy' for our Barbie play time, I'd take the head off of one old, battered Barbie, turn her torso around so she'd be flat chested (but have really protruding shoulder blades), dress her in Ken clothes, then tape the cut-out photo face of some 1970's 'hottie' like Ponch or Mork. (Yeah, yeah, I know I was a weird kid.)
*I was either an angel in class and total teacher's pet, or a bloody terror and completely sarcastic and undermining - depending on if I liked my teacher or not. In H.S. one teacher (who I thought was a total perv) politely requested that I consider transferring out of his class. I did so, happily.
*I googled an old high school friend and found her, and sound bites of her voice, on a website for Voice Over actors. (Camille, it was Kiva Jump, since you are the only one of my friends reading this who would even know her.)
*In fifth grade, at my friend Camille's birthday slumber party, we took a picture of all the girls literally climbing the walls in her hallway (feet on one side of the hall, butts/backs against the other). We also played "sleeping bag sledding" down her tiled and curving stairway. None of us got concussed or even chipped a tooth that I remember.
*I ice-skated for the first time in 3rd grade, at another friend Jeannelle's birthday party.
*I don't ski because I don't like going downhill fast.
*Left and right have very little concrete application for me.
*It's 3:53 AM going into Saturday morning, and I have to be at work at 9:00 AM. I'm not looking forward to another Saturday of work.
*The rainy season has officially begun. I have a plywood roof, three layers of tar-paper and 'big blue' (the giant tarp) standing between us and the rain and even more drips from our ceiling. Real roof to go on Monday, weather permitting.
*Finally ready to go back to bed now. Talk to you later.
KMJ ¶ 10/01/2005 03:26:00 AM 5 comments
*I used to confuse Forest Home (camp) with Forest Lawn (cemetery). I guess both serve as memorials to significant moments in life.
*I don't know if I want to be cremated when I die, but I really have no interest in being buried.
*I've seen at least three TV shows / movies in the last two or three years where a main character was buried alive and somehow survived. I've seen several more (mostly CSI and that ilk) where someone was buried alive and didn't end up so lucky. I'm not a fan of this concept. Pretty terrifying, really.
*I'm not acrophobic, but I do get vertigo when I'm up high with no railings.
*I have to agree that my fear of heights really centers on - not a fear of falling - but a wild impulsive fear of jumping.
*In most dreams, I am traveling somewhere, anywhere. Sometimes I'm fleeing an attacker. Sometimes I'm just late in getting where I'm supposed to be. But inevitably, my walking slows to a laborsome plod and then to a crawl on my hands and knees where I am literally dragging myself forward by clawing at the pavement.
*I owe a lot to my childhood neighbors down the street. Sarah and her husband and girls were probably the first image I had of a fairly functional family. I think she prayed for my soul a great deal when I was little. I've never thanked her.
*PowerPoint is fancy and all, but I miss flannel boards and Color-forms.
*I used to love drawing, coloring and cutting out new clothes for my paper dolls. Actually, I think they were really my older sister's paper dolls. She had a set of "That Girl" paper dolls. Do they still have those these days? (Paper dolls, not "That Girl") I got really good at making tabs on my handmade clothes that would actually stay on.
*We three girls had about 20 Barbies, but only one Ken doll. In order to have a 'boy' for our Barbie play time, I'd take the head off of one old, battered Barbie, turn her torso around so she'd be flat chested (but have really protruding shoulder blades), dress her in Ken clothes, then tape the cut-out photo face of some 1970's 'hottie' like Ponch or Mork. (Yeah, yeah, I know I was a weird kid.)
*I was either an angel in class and total teacher's pet, or a bloody terror and completely sarcastic and undermining - depending on if I liked my teacher or not. In H.S. one teacher (who I thought was a total perv) politely requested that I consider transferring out of his class. I did so, happily.
*I googled an old high school friend and found her, and sound bites of her voice, on a website for Voice Over actors. (Camille, it was Kiva Jump, since you are the only one of my friends reading this who would even know her.)
*In fifth grade, at my friend Camille's birthday slumber party, we took a picture of all the girls literally climbing the walls in her hallway (feet on one side of the hall, butts/backs against the other). We also played "sleeping bag sledding" down her tiled and curving stairway. None of us got concussed or even chipped a tooth that I remember.
*I ice-skated for the first time in 3rd grade, at another friend Jeannelle's birthday party.
*I don't ski because I don't like going downhill fast.
*Left and right have very little concrete application for me.
*It's 3:53 AM going into Saturday morning, and I have to be at work at 9:00 AM. I'm not looking forward to another Saturday of work.
*The rainy season has officially begun. I have a plywood roof, three layers of tar-paper and 'big blue' (the giant tarp) standing between us and the rain and even more drips from our ceiling. Real roof to go on Monday, weather permitting.
*Finally ready to go back to bed now. Talk to you later.
KMJ ¶ 10/01/2005 03:26:00 AM 5 comments
Friday, September 30, 2005
"A word is not a crystal, transparent and unchanged, it is the skin of a living thought and may vary greatly in color and content according to the circumstances and the time in which it is used." -- Oliver Wendell Holmes
¶ 9/30/2005 08:42:00 PM 1 comments
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Three Things Thursday
1. I cried for day and a half after finishing Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
2. I learned to drive 5 years before I got my license.
3. I can sleep through any amount of noise and/or light in the room. As long as no one says my name, I will keep sawing logs. In fact, I'm going to do that now (as the contractors hammer, saw, pound and holler, putting on the roofing felt.) ¶ 9/29/2005 12:54:00 PM 2 comments
2. I learned to drive 5 years before I got my license.
3. I can sleep through any amount of noise and/or light in the room. As long as no one says my name, I will keep sawing logs. In fact, I'm going to do that now (as the contractors hammer, saw, pound and holler, putting on the roofing felt.) ¶ 9/29/2005 12:54:00 PM 2 comments
Home
In times of trouble or doubt or just general quailing, the book of 1 Peter calls me home. I'm back here again tonight. My heart is not troubled or doubting so much. I feel confirmed. Like I've reached a destination long sought. I am home.
1 Peter 2:21,23 - For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps... but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; ¶ 9/29/2005 03:25:00 AM 1 comments
1 Peter 2:21,23 - For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps... but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; ¶ 9/29/2005 03:25:00 AM 1 comments
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Four Tens
For the first time in my working life, I will be going to a 4-10 hour day schedule. 3 day weekends every week. Oh my!
I'm not sure I can be trusted with 3 days off in a row every week. I can barely make good use of the 2 days I'm given. Seriously, work is structure for me (and socialization) and I'm a bit concerned that I won't be able to establish a positive structure for myself with another day off.
The worst uses of my extra day off...
**Sleeping in / napping mid-day
**Never leaving the house
**Blogging all the live-long day
**Shopping for stuff I don't need
**Spending the day alone
The best uses of my time...
**Cleaning the house, if I have to stay in it
**Exercising / exploring the area
**Meeting with friends for coffee, lunch, whatever
**Joining a mid-week bible study / volunteering at church
**Taking a class through parks & rec or the community college
Those of you who know me well, know I'm not just blowing smoke. I am susceptible to wasting huge amounts of time because I get distracted with something shiny and new (and usually sedentary). No type-A personality here. Those of you who know me mainly through this blog, ask the ones that do - and they'll confirm.
Any other suggestions on how I can fill my day? I'll try anything once... ;) ¶ 9/28/2005 06:27:00 AM 9 comments
I'm not sure I can be trusted with 3 days off in a row every week. I can barely make good use of the 2 days I'm given. Seriously, work is structure for me (and socialization) and I'm a bit concerned that I won't be able to establish a positive structure for myself with another day off.
The worst uses of my extra day off...
**Sleeping in / napping mid-day
**Never leaving the house
**Blogging all the live-long day
**Shopping for stuff I don't need
**Spending the day alone
The best uses of my time...
**Cleaning the house, if I have to stay in it
**Exercising / exploring the area
**Meeting with friends for coffee, lunch, whatever
**Joining a mid-week bible study / volunteering at church
**Taking a class through parks & rec or the community college
Those of you who know me well, know I'm not just blowing smoke. I am susceptible to wasting huge amounts of time because I get distracted with something shiny and new (and usually sedentary). No type-A personality here. Those of you who know me mainly through this blog, ask the ones that do - and they'll confirm.
Any other suggestions on how I can fill my day? I'll try anything once... ;) ¶ 9/28/2005 06:27:00 AM 9 comments
Friday, September 23, 2005
SPF - Favorite Pajamas
Here are my favorite PJs. Cotton, drawstring, simple. :) ¶ 9/23/2005 01:30:00 AM 3 comments
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Here are my favorite PJs. Cotton, drawstring, simple. :) ¶ 9/23/2005 01:30:00 AM 3 comments
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Three Things Thursday (plus Three Bonus Tracks)
This is a fusion of Three Things Thursday + Sherry's 5 Things meme. I don't have the energy to think up lots of sets of five.
* * * * *
1 Thing I Plan to Do Before I Die - Travel to Nepal and trek the Himalayas (actually, more like the wilderness around the base of the Himalayas, so I can look up at the mountains I will never climb).
1 Thing I Can Do - Spell 'antidisestablishmentarianism' out loud really, really fast.
1 Thing I Cannot Do - Explain why I thought of sharing the above tidbit as an accomplishment or why y'all would be remotely interested.
1 Thing that Attracts Me to Other People - Storytelling. If you spin a good yarn, I'll tend to hang on your every word.
1 Thing I Say Most Often - 'like'
1 Celebrity Crush - Okay, two.
**One I'm not ashamed of... Colin Firth. (mmmm, Mr. Darcy). **And one that makes me cringe just thinking of my jr. high insanity. 'What was I thinking?'... David Hasselhoff (only from his Knight Rider days - not like that's much of an excuse!)
¶ 9/22/2005 06:29:00 PM 7 comments
* * * * *
1 Thing I Plan to Do Before I Die - Travel to Nepal and trek the Himalayas (actually, more like the wilderness around the base of the Himalayas, so I can look up at the mountains I will never climb).
1 Thing I Can Do - Spell 'antidisestablishmentarianism' out loud really, really fast.
1 Thing I Cannot Do - Explain why I thought of sharing the above tidbit as an accomplishment or why y'all would be remotely interested.
1 Thing that Attracts Me to Other People - Storytelling. If you spin a good yarn, I'll tend to hang on your every word.
1 Thing I Say Most Often - 'like'
1 Celebrity Crush - Okay, two.
**One I'm not ashamed of... Colin Firth. (mmmm, Mr. Darcy). **And one that makes me cringe just thinking of my jr. high insanity. 'What was I thinking?'... David Hasselhoff (only from his Knight Rider days - not like that's much of an excuse!)
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Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Raising the Roof
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 |  |
Wow, we can really start to see how this whole remodel is going to come together. I think most of the upstairs framing is done. They should finish the trusses and roofing by the end of next week. And, hey, the weather looks beautiful for the next 10 days. So stinkin' exciting!
* * * * *
Top left: Looking up at the master bedroom / sitting room; Top right: Trusses going up over the master bedroom / sitting room; Bot left: View from the soon-to-be balcony; Bot right: Looking from the front of the house.
¶ 9/21/2005 05:19:00 PM 4 comments
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Three Things Thursday (B.L.T.N.)
1) At 5'6" I am the shortest person in my family.
2) I've never had strep throat, but am prone to bronchitis (which has turned into walking pneumonia). Both my sisters would chronically get strep throat and eventually had their tonsils removed. I think I'm a strep carrier. I'll keep my tonsils for a while longer yet.
3) Geology was my favorite science class. I loved the 'geology lab' which consisted of many field trips to identify seismic faults along the San Andreas, etc. (Go hematite!) ¶ 9/18/2005 04:51:00 PM 5 comments
2) I've never had strep throat, but am prone to bronchitis (which has turned into walking pneumonia). Both my sisters would chronically get strep throat and eventually had their tonsils removed. I think I'm a strep carrier. I'll keep my tonsils for a while longer yet.
3) Geology was my favorite science class. I loved the 'geology lab' which consisted of many field trips to identify seismic faults along the San Andreas, etc. (Go hematite!) ¶ 9/18/2005 04:51:00 PM 5 comments
Saturday, September 17, 2005
SPF - Trunk o' my Car (B.L.T.N.)
Here it is folks. Books, cd's and tapes going for trade-in and the new exterior lights for my balcony. Scintillating, isn't it?
¶ 9/17/2005 04:56:00 PM 2 comments
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Friday, September 16, 2005
The Lights Aren't On, But Somebody's Home
The contractors knocked the whole power box off the side of our house.
Oops!
So, no power at Chameleon's house for 3 days. It just came back on today. Yay. ¶ 9/16/2005 02:22:00 PM 0 comments
Oops!
So, no power at Chameleon's house for 3 days. It just came back on today. Yay. ¶ 9/16/2005 02:22:00 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Subject: RE: [#273959] Desperate Measures [BLOG STOLEN!!!]
Trip out!
Blogger found my original S.F.C. posts. Alas, I was notified per the same email...
"Thanks for writing in. 1) Based on our records, the blog you created [So the Echo] had been deleted. Another user, however, created a blog using the same subdomain. Unfortunately, I'm unable to restore your blog since it belongs to another Blogger user. I apologize for the inconvenience."
I must now lay "So the Echo" to rest. A moment of silence, if you please.
But, hey, got Spill Forth back. That's better than a kick in the pants! ¶ 9/13/2005 11:11:00 PM 6 comments
Blogger found my original S.F.C. posts. Alas, I was notified per the same email...
"Thanks for writing in. 1) Based on our records, the blog you created [So the Echo] had been deleted. Another user, however, created a blog using the same subdomain. Unfortunately, I'm unable to restore your blog since it belongs to another Blogger user. I apologize for the inconvenience."
I must now lay "So the Echo" to rest. A moment of silence, if you please.
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But, hey, got Spill Forth back. That's better than a kick in the pants! ¶ 9/13/2005 11:11:00 PM 6 comments
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Temporary Housing
"Oh where, oh where has my little blog gone?
Oh where, oh where can she be?
With her ears so short, and her tail so long...
Oh where, oh where can she be."
For those of you who have wondered where Spill Forth Chameleon and So the Echo have gotten themselves off to... I have absolutely no idea. And evidently by their silence, Blogger doesn't really know either. Really, the only proof I've been here at all for the last 14 months is that my login still works and I still have a profile pic and # of profile reviews. (Really, would someone with no blogs have 1500+ profile views, I ask you?) Also, you can still google Spill Forth Chameleon and get my old post references, but no posts to link too. *sigh*
So, in the meantime, I've landed here. It's temporary housing, I hope, until they can dredge up the remnants of my two longer standing blogs. But if they can't, oh well, I won't look back. I will rebuild. And maybe I'll post some of my favorite pics from So the Echo, just for good measure.
Come visit me. I've been lonely and a little lost over the last two days.
Fake-ives post: For archived comments, click here! ¶ 9/03/2005 02:52:00 AM
Oh where, oh where can she be?
With her ears so short, and her tail so long...
Oh where, oh where can she be."
For those of you who have wondered where Spill Forth Chameleon and So the Echo have gotten themselves off to... I have absolutely no idea. And evidently by their silence, Blogger doesn't really know either. Really, the only proof I've been here at all for the last 14 months is that my login still works and I still have a profile pic and # of profile reviews. (Really, would someone with no blogs have 1500+ profile views, I ask you?) Also, you can still google Spill Forth Chameleon and get my old post references, but no posts to link too. *sigh*
So, in the meantime, I've landed here. It's temporary housing, I hope, until they can dredge up the remnants of my two longer standing blogs. But if they can't, oh well, I won't look back. I will rebuild. And maybe I'll post some of my favorite pics from So the Echo, just for good measure.
Come visit me. I've been lonely and a little lost over the last two days.
Fake-ives post: For archived comments, click here! ¶ 9/03/2005 02:52:00 AM
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Overly Whelmed
Some days I just have nothing of consequence to say out loud. This primarily occurs for three reasons:
A) I'm busy 'escaping'; thus, specifically trying to avoid self-reflection.
B) I'm busy listening and sponging up all that's being said around me, because I am generally not an original thinker. (I springboard and ping-pong a lot from other inspirations.)
C) I'm actually happy to ramble on about the minutiae of my world, but events around me put my minor triumphs and trials into sharp perspective, and I just can't bring myself to demand any listening time or attention.
"A" and "B" are posts for some other time. I am currently operating under "C."
* * * * *
Aside: This post in itself seems in contrast with point C already. But there are other principles at work...
#1 - the direct question. I've been entreated comment-wise to spill, even if just a little, and post-haste. I dare not disobey.
#2 - urge of preface and justify. My lifelong compulsion to explain why I am going to say whatever it is I want to say, and then give reason about why I spent time saying it all, once I'm done. (Aside, aside: "Preface" and "Justify" would be really cute names for two hamsters or goldfish or even kittens, don't you think?)
* * * * *
Back to "C"... I could update you on the following:
House remodel. I could tell you about how nerve-wracking but chaotically exciting it is to live without a roof on your house. About how a weekend thunderstorm brought some ultimately minor water drips through the tarp onto the plaster ceilings below. About how I hope the next rains stay away long enough for the contractor to finish the new framing and 'button up' the roofing.
...but that just pales when...
I think about the hundreds of thousands in the South who are truly living without roofs over their heads. Without roofs and without walls to put a roof on even if they had one. And without hope of their own new roofs for many days, months, possibly years.
Thinking about that I just can't ask you to care or even listen about my remodel at the moment. Not today, at least.
Work. I could blah, blah on about - whew! - busy week at work and - yikes! - won't be slowing down any time soon.
...but really I'm cowed into shutting my mouth because...
Well, I still HAVE a job. Those same thousands have seen their jobs, their job sites, their lives and livelihoods engulfed in a matter of hours. Overwhelming.
Where does a whole region go to find work? Where do many entire communities go to work and live when the region itself is destroyed? It's boggling.
For years, I've felt fortunate to have a good job, because I certainly don't deserve it on my own inherent worth. My 40+ hours per week of 'endeavoring' are just not inherently more valuable than that next person who also works honestly and well and hard at a job that pays little to nothing.
And don't bother me with arguments how hard someone works to 'earn' what they've gotten. People do work hard to try and 'earn' stuff and then work even harder to earn the right to keep it. But most of what we've earned is probably more blessing than earning to begin with.
Lastly, I would actually be pleased to tell you how joyful my heart is for several sets of friends with their latest family blessings. You may have read about a couple of them. But each family is doing a fine job of updating folks and this is about them, not me...so I'll suffice it to say "Yay" again and outloud.
Really, there are many good, great things going on in my world and the world. There are many terrible, sad things going on too (in the world, I mean - I'm totally Fonzie, really). Here's praying for the personal package-deal of grace, compassion, generosity and service to others.
Peace to you all. ¶ 9/01/2005 05:57:00 AM 1 comments
A) I'm busy 'escaping'; thus, specifically trying to avoid self-reflection.
B) I'm busy listening and sponging up all that's being said around me, because I am generally not an original thinker. (I springboard and ping-pong a lot from other inspirations.)
C) I'm actually happy to ramble on about the minutiae of my world, but events around me put my minor triumphs and trials into sharp perspective, and I just can't bring myself to demand any listening time or attention.
"A" and "B" are posts for some other time. I am currently operating under "C."
* * * * *
Aside: This post in itself seems in contrast with point C already. But there are other principles at work...
#1 - the direct question. I've been entreated comment-wise to spill, even if just a little, and post-haste. I dare not disobey.
#2 - urge of preface and justify. My lifelong compulsion to explain why I am going to say whatever it is I want to say, and then give reason about why I spent time saying it all, once I'm done. (Aside, aside: "Preface" and "Justify" would be really cute names for two hamsters or goldfish or even kittens, don't you think?)
* * * * *
Back to "C"... I could update you on the following:
House remodel. I could tell you about how nerve-wracking but chaotically exciting it is to live without a roof on your house. About how a weekend thunderstorm brought some ultimately minor water drips through the tarp onto the plaster ceilings below. About how I hope the next rains stay away long enough for the contractor to finish the new framing and 'button up' the roofing.
...but that just pales when...
I think about the hundreds of thousands in the South who are truly living without roofs over their heads. Without roofs and without walls to put a roof on even if they had one. And without hope of their own new roofs for many days, months, possibly years.
Thinking about that I just can't ask you to care or even listen about my remodel at the moment. Not today, at least.
Work. I could blah, blah on about - whew! - busy week at work and - yikes! - won't be slowing down any time soon.
...but really I'm cowed into shutting my mouth because...
Well, I still HAVE a job. Those same thousands have seen their jobs, their job sites, their lives and livelihoods engulfed in a matter of hours. Overwhelming.
Where does a whole region go to find work? Where do many entire communities go to work and live when the region itself is destroyed? It's boggling.
For years, I've felt fortunate to have a good job, because I certainly don't deserve it on my own inherent worth. My 40+ hours per week of 'endeavoring' are just not inherently more valuable than that next person who also works honestly and well and hard at a job that pays little to nothing.
And don't bother me with arguments how hard someone works to 'earn' what they've gotten. People do work hard to try and 'earn' stuff and then work even harder to earn the right to keep it. But most of what we've earned is probably more blessing than earning to begin with.
Lastly, I would actually be pleased to tell you how joyful my heart is for several sets of friends with their latest family blessings. You may have read about a couple of them. But each family is doing a fine job of updating folks and this is about them, not me...so I'll suffice it to say "Yay" again and outloud.
Really, there are many good, great things going on in my world and the world. There are many terrible, sad things going on too (in the world, I mean - I'm totally Fonzie, really). Here's praying for the personal package-deal of grace, compassion, generosity and service to others.
Peace to you all. ¶ 9/01/2005 05:57:00 AM 1 comments
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Many Buffys
After an email from my dear friend Camille, I realized what an enduring name "Buffy" is. No, really. And not just enduring - darn diverse. Diverse, you say? Yes, indeed...Diverse.
So, you see, Buffys will not be typecast. These three give great hope to the many unsung Buffys among us.
Every little freckled-faced girl, every teenager born as the chosen one to save her generation from the undead, and every man-pretending-to-be-a-woman-for-the-sake-of-rent-controlled-housing can be a Buffy too. (I'm a Buffy, you're a Buffy, wouldn't you like to be a Buffy too?) ¶ 8/31/2005 08:54:00 PM 2 comments
| Consider darling, impish Buffy from the 1960's Family Affair. C'mon, sing it with me "Buffy, Buffy come back to me. Why'd you have to go and O.D.? What'll happen to Mrs. Beasley?" |  |
 | Then a scant fourteen years later, another Buffy blossoms. Granted, 80's Buffy wears a men's Size 13W pump and shaves both face and legs while aerobicising in towel and bra. But still, Tom Hanks' Buffy-aka-Kip sashays her-his way into the cult-classic history of my youth. "Thanks, Ruth. Mint donut?" "Dawn Steckovich? Dawn pride-of-the-fleet Steckovich?" |
| Of course, latest, but not least, with 4 absolutely fabulous seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer; 2 only so-so following seasons and 1 downright pukey, swan-songy final season, that stake-wielding, sass-giving Buffy has at long last taken the L7 out of the name. |  |
So, you see, Buffys will not be typecast. These three give great hope to the many unsung Buffys among us.
Every little freckled-faced girl, every teenager born as the chosen one to save her generation from the undead, and every man-pretending-to-be-a-woman-for-the-sake-of-rent-controlled-housing can be a Buffy too. (I'm a Buffy, you're a Buffy, wouldn't you like to be a Buffy too?) ¶ 8/31/2005 08:54:00 PM 2 comments
qhurbhup ssqqt tvkyhwm bhytoit
These are Sherry's word verifications for the day. A bit of poetry really. Letter art... (And certainly a small "ytneqqthnlm" to pay to leave dear Artist a comment.) :)
¶ 8/31/2005 08:50:00 PM 0 comments
Friday, August 26, 2005
SPF - Book Look & Book Nook
I didn't get a chance to get out TO my favorite bookstore, Powells, this week, but here are a few great things about it.
1) The main store is HUGE! Gigantic really, a full city block and multiple floors and they give you a map when you enter (which is necessary the first couple of times).
2) The store is there to sell books - new, used, mass-market, hard to find, a little tattered, mint or rare. You don't see many corporate fingerprints in a sterile marketplace.
3) Used books have that great aged smell. Print and paper across time...
4) You give them money for books, and when you're done with them -- hey, see if they'll buy them back and give you a little money in return. Just feels like a bit of a good value.
5) Parking after hours in the Doc Marten lot.
Here are a couple of shots I took from several months back (sorry, you have to scroll WAY to the bottom of the month to find them).
Also, this is one of my bookshelves (the only one in light that I could still shoot this evening). I find I don't buy books to keep very much anymore. I'm all about the paperback, unless it's a story I know I'd like to read over and over again - in which case I'll generally try to find it in hardcover. I'll add photos from my other bookcase when the light of day comes. (The contractor clipped an electric wire in our family room/bedroom, so we have no light in there at night, except by the TV.)
(SPF: inspired by Random & Odd) ¶ 8/26/2005 10:01:00 PM 5 comments
1) The main store is HUGE! Gigantic really, a full city block and multiple floors and they give you a map when you enter (which is necessary the first couple of times).
2) The store is there to sell books - new, used, mass-market, hard to find, a little tattered, mint or rare. You don't see many corporate fingerprints in a sterile marketplace.
3) Used books have that great aged smell. Print and paper across time...
4) You give them money for books, and when you're done with them -- hey, see if they'll buy them back and give you a little money in return. Just feels like a bit of a good value.
5) Parking after hours in the Doc Marten lot.
Here are a couple of shots I took from several months back (sorry, you have to scroll WAY to the bottom of the month to find them).
 |  |  |  |
 |  |
 |  |
Also, this is one of my bookshelves (the only one in light that I could still shoot this evening). I find I don't buy books to keep very much anymore. I'm all about the paperback, unless it's a story I know I'd like to read over and over again - in which case I'll generally try to find it in hardcover. I'll add photos from my other bookcase when the light of day comes. (The contractor clipped an electric wire in our family room/bedroom, so we have no light in there at night, except by the TV.)
(SPF: inspired by Random & Odd) ¶ 8/26/2005 10:01:00 PM 5 comments
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Bit by bit.
The deconstruction continues. After some reengineering and several days of not much work, the crew continues to put in floor joists on the second floor, and take down the remaining walls of what was the bedroom and will be the bathroom. The framing of the bit of roof to the right will stay - they'll just tear off all three roofing layers and reshingle it (as always, hopefully before the rains!). That still covered area will be where our master closet is - with washer and dryer right in there! Yippee, no more traipsing up and down to the basement with loads of laundry.
Eric is cutting out a bit on the old vintage cabinet that will become our bathroom sink/vanity. We are putting in a slab countertop and undermounted sink (and really cool wall mounted faucet...). We've had this cabinet sitting in our living room for over a year. It was the first item we found, way before we even began to get a feel for how it would be decorated, so it's kind of the anchor piece. I hated the idea of changing it, but I loved the fact that something so old would be such a useful and intrinsic part of the new rooms. ¶ 8/25/2005 05:39:00 AM 2 comments
 |  |  |
Eric is cutting out a bit on the old vintage cabinet that will become our bathroom sink/vanity. We are putting in a slab countertop and undermounted sink (and really cool wall mounted faucet...). We've had this cabinet sitting in our living room for over a year. It was the first item we found, way before we even began to get a feel for how it would be decorated, so it's kind of the anchor piece. I hated the idea of changing it, but I loved the fact that something so old would be such a useful and intrinsic part of the new rooms. ¶ 8/25/2005 05:39:00 AM 2 comments
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Locked Out
I'd post more pictures of the ongoing remodel, but I'm temporarily locked out. At least, the door into the bedroom-soon-to-be-bathroom is blocked because the floor has been raised. The contractor and crew are having to crawl in through the windows, at least until they break out the wall which will become the new doorway.
No matter, this will be a long and dusty journey which we will all get heartily tired of before it ends.
I am thoroughly convinced, in the meantime, that I can happily exist in a much smaller living space than I will eventually end up with. Americans do seem to like to live large. Not sure that's really to be desired. ¶ 8/24/2005 03:39:00 AM 0 comments
No matter, this will be a long and dusty journey which we will all get heartily tired of before it ends.
I am thoroughly convinced, in the meantime, that I can happily exist in a much smaller living space than I will eventually end up with. Americans do seem to like to live large. Not sure that's really to be desired. ¶ 8/24/2005 03:39:00 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
What Do You Do With a Drunken Sailor?
I doubt the marketing gurus at Toyota intended their latest commercial to evoke rousing choruses of "What do you do with a drunken sailor?" from this veiwer every time the ad plays. "Drunken" + "buy our automobile" seems like a questionable advertising strategy...but what do I know?
Anyway, I gotta believe their catchy ad-tune-cum-sea-shantey has a lyrical doppelganger in the archives of music with fewer substance abuse overtones. If any of you know alternative lyrics for this ditty, let me know. I'm totally almost curious.
* * * * *
(Play it once, Sam. For old time's sake...)
What do you do with a drunken sailor,
What do you do with a drunken sailor,
What do you do with a drunken sailor,
Earl-eye in the morning!
[Chorus:]
Way hay and up she rises
Way hay and up she rises
Way hay and up she rises
Earl-eye in the morning
Shave his belly with a rusty razor,
Shave his belly with a rusty razor,
Shave his belly with a rusty razor,
Earl-eye in the morning!
[Chorus]
Put him in the hold with the Captain's daughter,
Put him in the hold with the Captain's daughter,
Put him in the hold with the Captain's daughter,
Earl-eye in the morning!
[Chorus]
What do you do with a drunken sailor,
What do you do with a drunken sailor,
What do you do with a drunken sailor,
Earl-eye in the morning!
[Chorus]
Put him the back of the paddy wagon,
Put him the back of the paddy wagon,
Put him the back of the paddy wagon,
Earl-eye in the morning!
[Chorus]
Throw him in the lock-up 'til he's sober,
Throw him in the lock-up 'til he's sober,
Throw him in the lock-up 'til he's sober,
Earl-eye in the morning!
[Chorus]
What do you do with a drunken sailor,
What do you do with a drunken sailor,
What do you do with a drunken sailor,
Earl-eye in the morning! ¶ 8/23/2005 09:36:00 PM 4 comments
Anyway, I gotta believe their catchy ad-tune-cum-sea-shantey has a lyrical doppelganger in the archives of music with fewer substance abuse overtones. If any of you know alternative lyrics for this ditty, let me know. I'm totally almost curious.
* * * * *
(Play it once, Sam. For old time's sake...)
What do you do with a drunken sailor,
What do you do with a drunken sailor,
What do you do with a drunken sailor,
Earl-eye in the morning!
[Chorus:]
Way hay and up she rises
Way hay and up she rises
Way hay and up she rises
Earl-eye in the morning
Shave his belly with a rusty razor,
Shave his belly with a rusty razor,
Shave his belly with a rusty razor,
Earl-eye in the morning!
[Chorus]
Put him in the hold with the Captain's daughter,
Put him in the hold with the Captain's daughter,
Put him in the hold with the Captain's daughter,
Earl-eye in the morning!
[Chorus]
What do you do with a drunken sailor,
What do you do with a drunken sailor,
What do you do with a drunken sailor,
Earl-eye in the morning!
[Chorus]
Put him the back of the paddy wagon,
Put him the back of the paddy wagon,
Put him the back of the paddy wagon,
Earl-eye in the morning!
[Chorus]
Throw him in the lock-up 'til he's sober,
Throw him in the lock-up 'til he's sober,
Throw him in the lock-up 'til he's sober,
Earl-eye in the morning!
[Chorus]
What do you do with a drunken sailor,
What do you do with a drunken sailor,
What do you do with a drunken sailor,
Earl-eye in the morning! ¶ 8/23/2005 09:36:00 PM 4 comments
Friday, August 19, 2005
The Challenge... "Something in your Home, Office or Car that Makes You Realize You are a Grown Up."
¶ 8/19/2005 06:15:00 PM 4 comments
 |
|
There are two notes taped inside, which I will never think of removing. The top one is very faded and in Swedish. My mom wrote the other note. I just love my grandmother's and my mom's practical handwriting. |  |
 | These other two pics are not as nostalgic. Work shoes! I used to have fun shoes. Shoes with no purpose other than to look good. Who cared if they were comfy. Now, my work shoes outnumber my fun shoes. And laundry and unmade beds are a simple reminder that if we (Eric's much better than me) don't do it ourselves, it won't get done. |  |
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Freshness Not Guaranteed
¶ 8/18/2005 07:34:00 PM 6 comments
 | In effort to stave off the many idiotic spamwich comments clogging up my blog, anonymous commenters are no longer welcome here. Sorry. |
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Unbloggable (Go Peddle Crazy)
Some things that happen in life are just...unbloggable. These are the things that you let spill among a small group of close friends after a good meal. As you're letting your fettuccine romano settle at the darkly lit table with the red checked table cloth, you ponder two things.
First, will the cannoli actually aid or aggravate the digestive process?
Second, is present company a safe enough haven to share the latest, insanity of certain persons closest to you (genetically, if not geographically)?
You weigh it out most carefully.
On the one hand, you just GOTTA tell somebody. This is not something to be borne in isolation. If you leave it untouched, unscrutinized, underhandled, you might run the risk of ignoring it and/or making excuses for it.
On the other hand, if you divulge, you will surely draw the same speechless, astounded reaction you yourself had to it. That's a good sign. You're not the one reacting out of hand, then. However, speechlessness will eventually turn into a barrage of the same rhetorical questions you peppered your own secret-sharer with...
...What the *&$! are they thinking?
...How can they think THAT is a good idea?
...Oh my gosh, are they totally and completely INSANE?
After these questions come more speechlessness and denial. No one, who has given every appearance of generally conformity to at least the basic strictures of law, culture and society, could rationalize this kind of decision. It goes against all logic.
It is, in short, crazy.
* * *
Well, as you might have realized, we are not currently in a cozy Italian restaurant after a good meal. So, I shall not spill forth the details.
However, as a less satisfying but still reactive measure, I leave you with several apropos quotations on the topic of crazy / insanity. If you know of any other good ones, please share. I could really use them.
1) Go peddle crazy somewhere else. We're all full up here. (Jack Nicholson in As Good as it Gets)
2) I may be crazy but it keeps me from going insane. (Waylon Jennings)
3) You must rave with the insane, unless you would be left alone. (???)
4) I became insane, with long intervals of horrible sanity. (Edgar Allan Poe)
5) To a crazy ship all winds are contrary. (George Herbert) ¶ 8/17/2005 06:39:00 PM 9 comments
First, will the cannoli actually aid or aggravate the digestive process?
Second, is present company a safe enough haven to share the latest, insanity of certain persons closest to you (genetically, if not geographically)?
You weigh it out most carefully.
On the one hand, you just GOTTA tell somebody. This is not something to be borne in isolation. If you leave it untouched, unscrutinized, underhandled, you might run the risk of ignoring it and/or making excuses for it.
On the other hand, if you divulge, you will surely draw the same speechless, astounded reaction you yourself had to it. That's a good sign. You're not the one reacting out of hand, then. However, speechlessness will eventually turn into a barrage of the same rhetorical questions you peppered your own secret-sharer with...
...What the *&$! are they thinking?
...How can they think THAT is a good idea?
...Oh my gosh, are they totally and completely INSANE?
After these questions come more speechlessness and denial. No one, who has given every appearance of generally conformity to at least the basic strictures of law, culture and society, could rationalize this kind of decision. It goes against all logic.
It is, in short, crazy.
* * *
Well, as you might have realized, we are not currently in a cozy Italian restaurant after a good meal. So, I shall not spill forth the details.
However, as a less satisfying but still reactive measure, I leave you with several apropos quotations on the topic of crazy / insanity. If you know of any other good ones, please share. I could really use them.
1) Go peddle crazy somewhere else. We're all full up here. (Jack Nicholson in As Good as it Gets)
2) I may be crazy but it keeps me from going insane. (Waylon Jennings)
3) You must rave with the insane, unless you would be left alone. (???)
4) I became insane, with long intervals of horrible sanity. (Edgar Allan Poe)
5) To a crazy ship all winds are contrary. (George Herbert) ¶ 8/17/2005 06:39:00 PM 9 comments
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Let the Annals of Suckworthy-Historical-Biopics Now Proudly Embrace...
......Alexander.
What a stinker! ¶ 8/14/2005 08:00:00 PM 2 comments
What a stinker! ¶ 8/14/2005 08:00:00 PM 2 comments
Saturday, August 13, 2005
Finally...Meme
I've been meaning to get around to this. (I've been meaning to get around to a lot of things that don't seem to be quick in coming.) Ah well. Here goes:
¶ 8/13/2005 08:00:00 AM 2 comments
| 5 Snacks I Enjoy: (1) Sunflower seeds (2) Cucumbers (3) Mother's pink & white frosted animal cookies (4) Ice (5) Salty, buttery popcorn | 5 Bands/Singers That I Know the Lyrics of MOST of Their Songs: If soundtracks count... (1) Phantom of the Opera (2) Les Miserables (3) Miss Saigon (4) Hair (don't ask...) (5) Grease |
| 5 things I would do with $100,000,000: (1) Set up an irrevocable charitable trust with 70% of what's left after taxes & tythe (2) Pay off my mortgage. What the heck, I'll pay off your mortgages too! (3) Take sabbaticals every 7 years for the rest of my working life (yes, I'd still work - I'm not good at productively filling leisure time) (4) Travel and live abroad during those sabbatical years (5) Finally become fluent in languages other than English | 5 Movies I Like: ......And watch over and over... (1) A&E's Pride and Prejudice (2) Silence of the Lambs (3) Office Space; (4) Jaws (5) The Magnificent Seven ......And can't watch ever again... (1) Schindler's List (2) Where the Red Fern Grows (3) Awakening; (4) Alive (5) Texas Chainsaw Massacre |
| 5 Bad Habits I Have: (1) Biting my fingernails (2) Talking too much (3) Eating out too often (4) Getting lost in my own little world (5) Singing ridiculous nonsense songs to my cat | 5 Things I Like Doing: (1) Spontaneous road trips (2) Traveling to... anywhere (3) Listening to your stories (often and again) (4) Horseback riding (5) Dreaming |
| 5 Things I Would Never Wear: (1) Spandex (as an exterior item) (2) Botox (I've earned these wrinkles!) (3) Patchouli (4) A mullet (5) Fur | 5 TV Shows I Like: (1) Lost (current) (2) Buffy the Vampire Slayer (all-time) (3) X-Files (all-time) (4) Lonely Planet (when I had cable) (5) Iron Chef (when I had cable) |
| 5 Locations I'd Like to Run Away To: (1) England (2) Chile (3) New Zealand (4) Camp Fox (5) Nepal | 5 Famous People I'd Like to Meet: (1-3) Scott & Kat's new daughters (4) J.K. Rowling (5) Thomas Kinkade -- I just gotta ask what ego-centric, self-important reason he has for proclaiming himself to be "The Painter of Light"?!?!?!? |
| 5 Biggest Joys at the Moment: (1) Scott & Kat's "Five is Prime" Family (2) Mrs. Funkiller's graduation (3) Time spent with my sis & bro-in-law (4) Life in general, and the living of it (5) Summer weather | 5 Favorite Toys: (1) my IPod (2) Yo-yos (3) Planarity & Sudoku (thanks Jaymarie & Sheila) (4) Chicken Shake (5) Thomas the Train (thanks, nephew Noah) |
Pray for Rain
Somewhere else, please. For about the next three weeks. Thank you. 
¶ 8/13/2005 07:33:00 AM 0 comments
¶ 8/13/2005 07:33:00 AM 0 comments
Stew
Homemade stew. There is nothing like it. Simmering in its ever thickening broth, the potatoes and carrots slowly cooking through. Finally, it's done, but too hot to eat right away. Scoop some out and let it stand for awhile, steam siphoning away. Much better the second day. Thanks, mom-in-law, for the best stew recipe. :)
¶ 8/13/2005 07:26:00 AM 3 comments
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Thursday, August 04, 2005
___ Years Ago This Week
Do you remember what were you doing this time last year, or the year before, or the year before that, etc., etc, etc., etc.? Evidently, we were bankrolling Hollywood one mediocre summer flick at a time.
* * * * *
2004 - Collateral
2003 - Freaky Friday
2002 - Signs
2001 - no movies this week
2000 - What Lies Beneath
1999 - Runaway Bride, The Blair Witch Project, The Adventures of Pinocchio*, The Sixth Sense
1998 - Baseketball, Halloween H2O
*Cheesy movie, but great company. I have absolutely authentic autographed ticket stubs signed by Mr. and Mrs. Portrait of the Artist as a Young Mom, who evidently joined us for a fantabulous evening out on the town... ¶ 8/04/2005 08:36:00 PM 3 comments
* * * * *
2004 - Collateral
2003 - Freaky Friday
2002 - Signs
2001 - no movies this week
2000 - What Lies Beneath
1999 - Runaway Bride, The Blair Witch Project, The Adventures of Pinocchio*, The Sixth Sense
1998 - Baseketball, Halloween H2O
*Cheesy movie, but great company. I have absolutely authentic autographed ticket stubs signed by Mr. and Mrs. Portrait of the Artist as a Young Mom, who evidently joined us for a fantabulous evening out on the town... ¶ 8/04/2005 08:36:00 PM 3 comments
Travelblogue - A Year in the Making
Way back in July 2004, I posted about my sister and brother-in-law's adventure across the U.S. Now, 13.5 months later, their trip is nearly at an end. (Click here to see the photoblog of the Spencer Adventure.) In their latest email, they summarized the places they have visited and enjoyed the most - a personal "Best of" list. So, if you're ever bored and want to know what to do or where to go, just pull something from their travelblogue.
=========
"We have driven 21,000 miles in the RV, 20,000 miles in our little Saturn tow car, made 110 different stops in RV parks in the 37 states that we have been to during the trip and have seen 20 National Parks!! Here is the rundown of the things and places we really liked!!!" -- the Spencers
FAVORITE NATIONAL PARKS:
1) Glacier National Park in Montana
2) Yosemite National Park in California
3) Zion National Park in Utah
4) The Badlands in South Dakota
5) Carlsbad Caverns and the flight of the Bats in New Mexico
FAVORITE NATIONAL MONUMENTS:
1) Craters of the Moon in Idaho
2) Mount Rushmore in South Dakota
3) Statue of Liberty in New York
FAVORITE BIG CITIES:
1) Washington D.C
2) Boston, Massachusetts
3) Nashville, Tennessee
FAVORITE SMALL CITIES:
1) St. Augustine, Florida
2) Charleston, South Carolina
3) Sedona, Arizona
FAVORITE HISTORIC SITES:
1) Fort Laramie in Wyoming
2) Gettysburg Battlefield in Pennsylvania
3) Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia
FAVORITE HOUSE TOURS:
1) Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee
2) Flagler Mansion in West Palm Beach, Florida
3) The Breakers in Newport, Rhode Island
FAVORITE MUSEUMS:
1) The Awakening in Santa Fe, New Mexico
2) Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts
3) Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio
FAVORITE SCENIC DRIVES:
1) Needles Drive in South Dakota
2) Going to the Sun Road in Montana
3) Canyonlands in Utah
FAVORITE PLACES OF INTEREST:
1) Billy Bob's Honky Tonk Bar in Fort Worth, Texas
2) The Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas
3) Niagara Falls in New York
FAVORITE RV PARKS:
1) Spring Creek Campground in Big Timber, Montana
2) Four Mile Creek State Campground, Youngstown, New York
3) The Koa in Key West, Florida
FAVORITE FUN STUFF THAT WE DID:
1) Renting a Jeep in Ouray, Colorado to go off-roading
2) The Jack Daniels Distillery Tour in Lynchburg, Tennessee
3) Disneyworld, Florida!!
4) La Nouba - Cirque de Soleil - Downtown Disney in Florida
5) Hiking The Narrows in Zion, Utah
6) Going to Daytona 500 in Florida ¶ 8/04/2005 06:37:00 AM 0 comments
=========
"We have driven 21,000 miles in the RV, 20,000 miles in our little Saturn tow car, made 110 different stops in RV parks in the 37 states that we have been to during the trip and have seen 20 National Parks!! Here is the rundown of the things and places we really liked!!!" -- the Spencers
FAVORITE NATIONAL PARKS:
1) Glacier National Park in Montana
2) Yosemite National Park in California
3) Zion National Park in Utah
4) The Badlands in South Dakota
5) Carlsbad Caverns and the flight of the Bats in New Mexico
FAVORITE NATIONAL MONUMENTS:
1) Craters of the Moon in Idaho
2) Mount Rushmore in South Dakota
3) Statue of Liberty in New York
FAVORITE BIG CITIES:
1) Washington D.C
2) Boston, Massachusetts
3) Nashville, Tennessee
FAVORITE SMALL CITIES:
1) St. Augustine, Florida
2) Charleston, South Carolina
3) Sedona, Arizona
FAVORITE HISTORIC SITES:
1) Fort Laramie in Wyoming
2) Gettysburg Battlefield in Pennsylvania
3) Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia
FAVORITE HOUSE TOURS:
1) Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee
2) Flagler Mansion in West Palm Beach, Florida
3) The Breakers in Newport, Rhode Island
FAVORITE MUSEUMS:
1) The Awakening in Santa Fe, New Mexico
2) Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts
3) Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio
FAVORITE SCENIC DRIVES:
1) Needles Drive in South Dakota
2) Going to the Sun Road in Montana
3) Canyonlands in Utah
FAVORITE PLACES OF INTEREST:
1) Billy Bob's Honky Tonk Bar in Fort Worth, Texas
2) The Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas
3) Niagara Falls in New York
FAVORITE RV PARKS:
1) Spring Creek Campground in Big Timber, Montana
2) Four Mile Creek State Campground, Youngstown, New York
3) The Koa in Key West, Florida
FAVORITE FUN STUFF THAT WE DID:
1) Renting a Jeep in Ouray, Colorado to go off-roading
2) The Jack Daniels Distillery Tour in Lynchburg, Tennessee
3) Disneyworld, Florida!!
4) La Nouba - Cirque de Soleil - Downtown Disney in Florida
5) Hiking The Narrows in Zion, Utah
6) Going to Daytona 500 in Florida ¶ 8/04/2005 06:37:00 AM 0 comments
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Nutshell
1 yogurt
2 20 oz coffees over 2 hours
3 typical meetings
35 emails
0 pages
3546 steps by lunch
10+ phone calls
89 degrees
3 rejection calls
4 interoffice memos
5 appointments
countless keystrokes
12 deep breaths
2 & 1/2 miles to home
6 windows to open
1 thwarting by sudoku puzzle
several blog comments
countless kind thoughts about blog-pals
3 unkind thoughts about hair
1 frozen potpie
32 oz of ice water
2 treats for kitty
1 mindless tv hour
70 minutes til Eric gets home
80 minutes til sleep
7 hours to sleep and start it all over again ¶ 8/03/2005 09:12:00 PM 0 comments
2 20 oz coffees over 2 hours
3 typical meetings
35 emails
0 pages
3546 steps by lunch
10+ phone calls
89 degrees
3 rejection calls
4 interoffice memos
5 appointments
countless keystrokes
12 deep breaths
2 & 1/2 miles to home
6 windows to open
1 thwarting by sudoku puzzle
several blog comments
countless kind thoughts about blog-pals
3 unkind thoughts about hair
1 frozen potpie
32 oz of ice water
2 treats for kitty
1 mindless tv hour
70 minutes til Eric gets home
80 minutes til sleep
7 hours to sleep and start it all over again ¶ 8/03/2005 09:12:00 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Plodding Along in Contentment
I am content. Have been for several months. No plaguing thoughts about the deeper meaning of things and how I inevitably can't achieve any of them. No manic late night blog-fests where each minute spent writing is panic avoided. Even my insomnia has decreased (along, I'm grateful to say - and so is my husband - with some very irritating snoring).
So, does my radio silence always portend happiness and contentment? No, probably not. But for now it does. More often, I think it reflects my base personality -- I jump from thing to thing to thing. A rover by nature. Always have been. And at nearly 36 years young, I'm suspecting I always will be.
I will try, as a matter of building and reinforcing routine, try to be more diligent in my blogging. (Argh, but I struggle against routine of any nature!) You are all dear to me and I don't want to blithely go about my way and lose contact or connection, no matter how briefly. TTFN. ¶ 8/02/2005 06:51:00 AM 3 comments
So, does my radio silence always portend happiness and contentment? No, probably not. But for now it does. More often, I think it reflects my base personality -- I jump from thing to thing to thing. A rover by nature. Always have been. And at nearly 36 years young, I'm suspecting I always will be.
I will try, as a matter of building and reinforcing routine, try to be more diligent in my blogging. (Argh, but I struggle against routine of any nature!) You are all dear to me and I don't want to blithely go about my way and lose contact or connection, no matter how briefly. TTFN. ¶ 8/02/2005 06:51:00 AM 3 comments
Monday, August 01, 2005
Dear ___[Fill-in-blank]___ [Hey-wow! It's a "Write-Your-Own-Post" Post]
My dearest (a) friends; (b) comrades; (c) earthlings; (d) poopsie-schmoopsies:
I realize I haven't spilled forth in a while. This is entirely due to: (a) my meticulous work ethic and newly-discovered passion for competitive bureaucratic paper-pushing; (b) the sudden loss of both thumbs during a rather ill-conceived double-hitchhiking stunt; (c) fun with origami; (d) general ennui.
Rest assured, though, I have been busily (a) transcribing many of the works of William Shakespeare here for your online reading enjoyment; (b) testing out the mathematical "theory" that you cannot divide a whole number by zero -- I'm up to 954,145; (c) working on a diabolical sudoku puzzle (go ahead, blame Sheila); (d) molting.
My birthday is this coming Friday, and I will be (a) old; (b) older; (c) the square root of 1296; (d) partying like it's 1999.
I have been contemplating cutting my hair, and would love your input. Which of the following hairstyles do you think would suit me best: (a) Carol Brady; (b) Jan Brady; (c) Jan Michael Vincent; (d) Vincent Price. A new "do" would be utterly too-too!
Well, it's late and I'm (a) tired; (b) irritable; (c) beautiful; (d) missing tonight's rerun of CSI Miami. ("I'm gonna need your pants!")
Therefore, I must say (a) so long, farewell, good night, auf wiedersehen (I'd like to stay and taste my first champagne); (b) good night and have a pleasant tomorrow; (c) toodle-loo, Scooby Doo; (d) smell you later.
(a) Sincerely; (b) Regards; (c) xoxo; (d) Enough already!!!
KMJ ¶ 8/01/2005 10:24:00 PM 3 comments
I realize I haven't spilled forth in a while. This is entirely due to: (a) my meticulous work ethic and newly-discovered passion for competitive bureaucratic paper-pushing; (b) the sudden loss of both thumbs during a rather ill-conceived double-hitchhiking stunt; (c) fun with origami; (d) general ennui.
Rest assured, though, I have been busily (a) transcribing many of the works of William Shakespeare here for your online reading enjoyment; (b) testing out the mathematical "theory" that you cannot divide a whole number by zero -- I'm up to 954,145; (c) working on a diabolical sudoku puzzle (go ahead, blame Sheila); (d) molting.
My birthday is this coming Friday, and I will be (a) old; (b) older; (c) the square root of 1296; (d) partying like it's 1999.
I have been contemplating cutting my hair, and would love your input. Which of the following hairstyles do you think would suit me best: (a) Carol Brady; (b) Jan Brady; (c) Jan Michael Vincent; (d) Vincent Price. A new "do" would be utterly too-too!
Well, it's late and I'm (a) tired; (b) irritable; (c) beautiful; (d) missing tonight's rerun of CSI Miami. ("I'm gonna need your pants!")
Therefore, I must say (a) so long, farewell, good night, auf wiedersehen (I'd like to stay and taste my first champagne); (b) good night and have a pleasant tomorrow; (c) toodle-loo, Scooby Doo; (d) smell you later.
(a) Sincerely; (b) Regards; (c) xoxo; (d) Enough already!!!
KMJ ¶ 8/01/2005 10:24:00 PM 3 comments
Friday, July 22, 2005
S.W.A.T.
I mentioned a couple weeks back about the fact that the Drug Task Force conducted a raid on the scary neighbor's house next door. Well, on Monday, the S.W.A.T. team was out at my other neighbor's house (same lady owns both properties).
Eric said he was sitting on the living room couch listening to Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince when he saw a guy in commando black with a semi-automatic weapon in hand booking across our deck. Eric had to leave shortly after S.W.A.T. arrived on scene, but they were there for a good 6 hours. They launched tear gas and everything into the neighbor's house, but the suspect who was supposedly holed up in the basement escaped... Probably down the steep hill in front of our houses.
Anyway, at 11:30 that night, S.W.A.T. came back again. I could hear at least one police dog barking and straining at the leash to go "get 'em." At long last, they did get their guy. Domestic assault with a weapon, I think.
Really, aside from the two scary neighbor houses, it's a quiet neighborhood. I'm just waiting for the owner to sell and move!!!
(Draaaaaaaah-maaaaaaaaahhhhh!) ¶ 7/22/2005 11:31:00 PM 6 comments
Eric said he was sitting on the living room couch listening to Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince when he saw a guy in commando black with a semi-automatic weapon in hand booking across our deck. Eric had to leave shortly after S.W.A.T. arrived on scene, but they were there for a good 6 hours. They launched tear gas and everything into the neighbor's house, but the suspect who was supposedly holed up in the basement escaped... Probably down the steep hill in front of our houses.
Anyway, at 11:30 that night, S.W.A.T. came back again. I could hear at least one police dog barking and straining at the leash to go "get 'em." At long last, they did get their guy. Domestic assault with a weapon, I think.
Really, aside from the two scary neighbor houses, it's a quiet neighborhood. I'm just waiting for the owner to sell and move!!!
(Draaaaaaaah-maaaaaaaaahhhhh!) ¶ 7/22/2005 11:31:00 PM 6 comments
Sudoku, Making Me Crazy
Sheila is right... these puzzles are very fun. Although I haven't figured out a single one yet, I will keep at it. They are kinda therapeutic in their own right, regardless of whether you finish them all at once or not. Plus, maybe it will help stimulate that sad little unused part of my brain.
¶ 7/22/2005 11:29:00 PM 4 comments
This Post Ain't About Me...(It's News from Scott & Kat)
Hey everyone,
Scott called me and wanted to spread the news... He and Kat are on the road right now as I type. They got a cell call and TALKED TO THEIR GIRLS. He said it was the most amazing thing. The girls are quick and smart and happy and wonderful and a pure delight to talk to. WOW!!! This is the first time Scott and Kat have heard their little voices...
Scott promised to try and blog about it tonight. For now, they are somewhere between Pocatello, Idaho and their final destination. Sounds like a most excellent adventure thus far.
:)
Oh yeah, I'll post again sometime soon. It's been crazy busy around the old K Murphy J household. ¶ 7/22/2005 12:07:00 PM 0 comments
Scott called me and wanted to spread the news... He and Kat are on the road right now as I type. They got a cell call and TALKED TO THEIR GIRLS. He said it was the most amazing thing. The girls are quick and smart and happy and wonderful and a pure delight to talk to. WOW!!! This is the first time Scott and Kat have heard their little voices...
Scott promised to try and blog about it tonight. For now, they are somewhere between Pocatello, Idaho and their final destination. Sounds like a most excellent adventure thus far.
:)
Oh yeah, I'll post again sometime soon. It's been crazy busy around the old K Murphy J household. ¶ 7/22/2005 12:07:00 PM 0 comments
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Unlimited Horizons
Have I ever mentioned how much I love having a husband who works for the airlines? Flight benefits are a beautiful thing! I flew to Burbank last Saturday morning to have lunch with my parents. It was GREAT...just hopped on the plane at 8am and was back in time to go to church at 5pm. Here's a view over Portland.
My parents picked me up at the airport, we had brunch and they dropped me back off. Two hours of reading and listening to my iPod on the way down and two on the way back, it was a darn good day, all in all.
The best thing about such a spontaneous trip is the unadult-erated chunk of time during which my only responsibility is what complimentary beverage I'd like and whether I want more pretzels. So nice to be someplace where no one can bug you for that overdue report or your advice on how to handle "crisis x" or whatever the dilemma de jour might be. ¶ 7/14/2005 06:46:00 AM 13 comments
My parents picked me up at the airport, we had brunch and they dropped me back off. Two hours of reading and listening to my iPod on the way down and two on the way back, it was a darn good day, all in all.
The best thing about such a spontaneous trip is the unadult-erated chunk of time during which my only responsibility is what complimentary beverage I'd like and whether I want more pretzels. So nice to be someplace where no one can bug you for that overdue report or your advice on how to handle "crisis x" or whatever the dilemma de jour might be. ¶ 7/14/2005 06:46:00 AM 13 comments
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Prayers for London
My heart just goes out to every Londoner and U.K. citizen... Prayers for healing, safety and comfort through grief and fear.
I had intended to put out a short post yesterday congratulating London for winning the 2012 Olympics bid. And I was stunned this morning when I woke up and heard this horrible news.
Be strong, London! Know you are loved and supported not only on your own shores, but around the world - and quite particularly in my little heart, which aches for you today.
* * *
"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." John 14:27 ¶ 7/07/2005 07:02:00 AM 1 comments
I had intended to put out a short post yesterday congratulating London for winning the 2012 Olympics bid. And I was stunned this morning when I woke up and heard this horrible news.
Be strong, London! Know you are loved and supported not only on your own shores, but around the world - and quite particularly in my little heart, which aches for you today.
* * *
"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." John 14:27 ¶ 7/07/2005 07:02:00 AM 1 comments
Monday, July 04, 2005
Interplanet Janet
Okay, I'm a little behind the game that Jaymarie posted back on June 19th, but I thought it was totally fun. :) If you haven't already tried it, play the game and let me know what your planet is.
¶ 7/04/2005 11:51:00 AM 2 comments
You Are From Jupiter |
 You are exuberantly curious - and you love to explore newness. Enthusiastic and optimistic, you get a kick out of stimulating intellectual discussions. Foreign cultures and languages fascinate you. You love the outdoors, animals, and freedom. Chances are you tend to exaggerate, so try to keep a lid on that. If you do, you'll continue to be known for your confidence, generosity, and sense of justice. |
¶ 7/04/2005 11:51:00 AM 2 comments
Bad Boys, Bad Boys, Whatcha Gonna Do?
The police "Drug Task Force" executed a raid on my neighbors house about 2 1/2 weeks ago. They were evidently trafficking cocaine and heroine out of the basement. Lovely! I, of course, did my civic duty by writing down license plates and the make / model of all cars that frequented the house. Also, I used the digital zoom on my camera to surveil and snap shots of the "perps." LOL! I'm thinking of going undercover soon to clean up more drug houses in neighborhoods near you.
Slippery Slope
But for the sake of 4 square feet, our Phase 2 remodel might have already begun. As it is, we had to apply for an "exemption" because part of our property includes a steep slope and is considered a geologic hazard area. Additions of 500 sf or less are almost automatically approved. The plans for our garage addition? 504 sf. So it's back to the architectural drawing board to reduce the plans. Don't know when exactly it will all start, but I'm hoping for July. Grrrr.
Testy
I was testy most of the last week before my exam. Poor Eric. He pretty couldn't do anything without me snapping at him for breathing loudly. I did figure out though that noise cancels out noise. Since I was studying in the family room, if he was watching TV and I didn't want to move, I could pump up the volume on my iPod to something non-distracting (Josh Groban and Norah Jones seemed to work really well) and play it at competing volumes so I could focus. Weird, I know. But on a normal level, I can sleep through almost any level of noise and light.
The exam went smoothly. Now, in 2006, I'll go for my SPHR ("senior" prof in hr). That will be easier. It's the same subject matter, just different numbers of questions in certain areas.
Spencer Adventure
My sister and brother-in-law will be in town on the 10th. This is the last leg of their one-year, cross country journey. It's really difficult to believe that a whole year has passed by. Now they are facing sunset on the trip and the prospect of figuring out what they want to do after. Go back to LA? Or move and start over somewhere else (like near me???). And 'where goes' my sister, my parents are sure to follow...
Swing Time
These last 6 months have been a first. It was the first time that Eric and I ever worked the same schedule. Monday thru Friday, days. Alas, those days are over for awhile. He's going to swing shift through the end of the year. But next year, he should have a full-year assignment on days. Yay!
Independence Day
Happy, safe Fourth of July to you and your family!!! We are not having our traditional party and barbecue this year, due to the chaos of the remodel stuff. But we'll be back in form next year, and you are all invited. If you happen to be in this locale, swing by and have a burger, a Henry's root beer or creme soda, and a front row view to the fireworks! :) ¶ 7/04/2005 09:30:00 AM 1 comments
The police "Drug Task Force" executed a raid on my neighbors house about 2 1/2 weeks ago. They were evidently trafficking cocaine and heroine out of the basement. Lovely! I, of course, did my civic duty by writing down license plates and the make / model of all cars that frequented the house. Also, I used the digital zoom on my camera to surveil and snap shots of the "perps." LOL! I'm thinking of going undercover soon to clean up more drug houses in neighborhoods near you.
Slippery Slope
But for the sake of 4 square feet, our Phase 2 remodel might have already begun. As it is, we had to apply for an "exemption" because part of our property includes a steep slope and is considered a geologic hazard area. Additions of 500 sf or less are almost automatically approved. The plans for our garage addition? 504 sf. So it's back to the architectural drawing board to reduce the plans. Don't know when exactly it will all start, but I'm hoping for July. Grrrr.
Testy
I was testy most of the last week before my exam. Poor Eric. He pretty couldn't do anything without me snapping at him for breathing loudly. I did figure out though that noise cancels out noise. Since I was studying in the family room, if he was watching TV and I didn't want to move, I could pump up the volume on my iPod to something non-distracting (Josh Groban and Norah Jones seemed to work really well) and play it at competing volumes so I could focus. Weird, I know. But on a normal level, I can sleep through almost any level of noise and light.
The exam went smoothly. Now, in 2006, I'll go for my SPHR ("senior" prof in hr). That will be easier. It's the same subject matter, just different numbers of questions in certain areas.
Spencer Adventure
My sister and brother-in-law will be in town on the 10th. This is the last leg of their one-year, cross country journey. It's really difficult to believe that a whole year has passed by. Now they are facing sunset on the trip and the prospect of figuring out what they want to do after. Go back to LA? Or move and start over somewhere else (like near me???). And 'where goes' my sister, my parents are sure to follow...
Swing Time
These last 6 months have been a first. It was the first time that Eric and I ever worked the same schedule. Monday thru Friday, days. Alas, those days are over for awhile. He's going to swing shift through the end of the year. But next year, he should have a full-year assignment on days. Yay!
Independence Day
Happy, safe Fourth of July to you and your family!!! We are not having our traditional party and barbecue this year, due to the chaos of the remodel stuff. But we'll be back in form next year, and you are all invited. If you happen to be in this locale, swing by and have a burger, a Henry's root beer or creme soda, and a front row view to the fireworks! :) ¶ 7/04/2005 09:30:00 AM 1 comments
Saturday, July 02, 2005
Unsound Sky
A severe thunderstorm was predicted for evening on June 19th. The earlier day had been clear and still. Thunder and lightning are somewhat rare here. The storm rolled in - beautiful, stirring and just a little dangerous.
I had been inside studying. The blinds were drawn. An eerie glow filtered through the cracks of the shade, soaking the room in this desperate copper glow.
I couldn't not grab my camera and go outside. This is exactly as the night looked. So many other people were out on their decks, simply staring into the storm as it chased the sunset.
I've been known to tamper with the colors of some photos. I did nothing to these. You see it just as the camera read the night. ¶ 7/02/2005 12:50:00 PM 3 comments
I had been inside studying. The blinds were drawn. An eerie glow filtered through the cracks of the shade, soaking the room in this desperate copper glow.
 |  |  |
I've been known to tamper with the colors of some photos. I did nothing to these. You see it just as the camera read the night. ¶ 7/02/2005 12:50:00 PM 3 comments
Friday, July 01, 2005
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Blogcrastination
Okay, here's the deal. I have a certification exam coming up on the 30th of June. While I have been studying and preparing here and there, I really need to make some concerted effort to concentrate on passing.
However, I am an addict. A blog junkie. Even when I'm not posting, I am still out there... scavanging and feeding insatiably on the interesting tidbits and very poignant stories about your lives and opinions.
In other words, I am not to be trusted to make a good balance of what I need to do with what I want to do. So, it's cold turkey. I'm cutting myself off from my blog privileges until after my exam.
I know, I know... arguably I have had longer periods when I haven't posted anything, or anything of interest/substance, but haven't felt the need to foretell my actions. What can I say? I'm all about the prefacing.
See you all on July 1st. Cheers. ¶ 6/16/2005 11:46:00 PM 9 comments
However, I am an addict. A blog junkie. Even when I'm not posting, I am still out there... scavanging and feeding insatiably on the interesting tidbits and very poignant stories about your lives and opinions.
In other words, I am not to be trusted to make a good balance of what I need to do with what I want to do. So, it's cold turkey. I'm cutting myself off from my blog privileges until after my exam.
I know, I know... arguably I have had longer periods when I haven't posted anything, or anything of interest/substance, but haven't felt the need to foretell my actions. What can I say? I'm all about the prefacing.
See you all on July 1st. Cheers. ¶ 6/16/2005 11:46:00 PM 9 comments
Sunday, June 12, 2005
The Lightening
Just over the last 20 minutes, the sky outside has gone from inky to indigo to bluish-gray. It's not a sunrise as much as it is a gradual undarkening.
¶ 6/12/2005 04:55:00 AM 12 comments
4:35 AM
**Channel 2... Infomercial - Auctions for Income, How to Sell on eBay
**Channel 6... The Outdoorsman
**Channel 8... Infomercial - South Beach tan
**Channel 10... Public broadcasting, pledge drive
**Channel 12... B-Movie - Hangfire ("Residents of a New Mexico town are held hostage by escaped convicts." Starring Brad Davis, Kim Delany and Jan-Michael Vincent)
**Channel 32... Wall Street Journal
**Channel 49... Infomericial - John Beck's Free and Clear Real Estate system
This stuff is too boring even to put me back to sleep!
Saturday, June 11, 2005
June 10, 2005
Is Person Dressed As 'Spider-Man' A Threat?
VANCOUVER, Wash. - A person dressed as the comic book hero Spider-Man has been approaching children, and adults in the Maplecrest neighborhood in Vancouver are concerned.
So far, no children have been harmed or touched, but parents and police want to know who the person is and why they continue to visit playgrounds and other places children gather.
The costumed person leaves the area in a hurry whenever an adult approaches.
Police say the person has not broken any laws by wearing the superhero outfit, but they are worried the costume could be a tool used by a pedophile to lower the defenses of children.
Children who've seen the person in the Spider-Man costume say he's at least as big as a teenager. Since the costume includes a mask that covers the head, no other description of the person is available.
Descriptions of the Spider-Man costume indicate it may be home-made.
Anyone seeing a person dressed as Spider-Man is asked to call the police immediately and give the location of the sighting. ¶ 6/11/2005 07:54:00 AM 2 comments
Is Person Dressed As 'Spider-Man' A Threat?
VANCOUVER, Wash. - A person dressed as the comic book hero Spider-Man has been approaching children, and adults in the Maplecrest neighborhood in Vancouver are concerned.
So far, no children have been harmed or touched, but parents and police want to know who the person is and why they continue to visit playgrounds and other places children gather.
The costumed person leaves the area in a hurry whenever an adult approaches.
Police say the person has not broken any laws by wearing the superhero outfit, but they are worried the costume could be a tool used by a pedophile to lower the defenses of children.
Children who've seen the person in the Spider-Man costume say he's at least as big as a teenager. Since the costume includes a mask that covers the head, no other description of the person is available.
Descriptions of the Spider-Man costume indicate it may be home-made.
Anyone seeing a person dressed as Spider-Man is asked to call the police immediately and give the location of the sighting. ¶ 6/11/2005 07:54:00 AM 2 comments
Friday, June 10, 2005
S.P.F. - The (Barren) Fridge
It's week two of "Stuff Portrait Friday." This week's quest? What's in your refrigerator. We haven't shopped in a while. However, it is not so very unusual to have it this empty. Such is this life. :)
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 |  |
Contents list...
Freezer: half a package of frozen peas, two freezer-burnt (fb) Tyson chicken breasts, three fb hamburger patties, a 13 lbs turkey, a less than appetizing Lean Cuisine frozen dinner, and the remnants of a 24 pack of sugar-free popsicles.
Fridge: two unopened packages of Tillamook cheese and a CostCo barrel of parmesan cheese; two bags of coffee; one barely used raspberry jam; nine half-used bottles of salad dressing; two bottles of ketchup; four bottles of mustard (which I don't even eat or like!); one jar of mayo; two opened bottles of soy sauce and one of teriyaki; a third of a gallon of nonfat milk; a half-gone sugar free syrup bottle; bottle of asian hot sauce; half of a big jar of Pace picante sauce; six pack of unsweetened applesauce; two unopened bottles of sparkling cider that were never drunk over New Years; and what you can't see -- half a package of cheese sticks; half a bag of baby carrots; one green pepper; and three flour tortilla shells. Mmmm, bountiful!
¶ 6/10/2005 03:40:00 PM 6 comments
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Have a Great Summer - K.I.T.
This last week I've been flipping through old yearbooks from elementary, junior high and high school. (My 20 year reunion is approaching quicker than I'd like!)
Scanning the yearbook wishes from my best friends, classmates, and distant acquaintances, I realized a couple of things:
a) I had some really great friendships throughout school. Whether I ever see these folks again, they were oh-so-important to me during the drama of adolescence. The fabric of my life would be so diminished without their interweaving threads of color, encouragement, strength and love.
b) Pretty much everyone had better penmanship than I did. Oddly, I can still identify at least a third of the writers by their handwriting alone. Weird.
c) My pals and I were terribly fixated on getting tan during our junior high summers. "Hope you get really tan" was the third most touted sentiment - just behind "Have a great summer" and "Keep in touch" (or "K.I.T." for those in the know...)
"Get totally tan."
For a southern California teenager, this was imperative!
The problem is... It was NEVER going to happen. Not with my pasty pigment. I have two skin tones - fair and burnt. There is no tan.
Still, I lived as if this were a possibility. Whenever we ventured to the beach, I basted myself in same "cooking" oils that my olive skinned best friends used. We slow broiled on a bed of sand from 9am to 5pm. They came away with that gorgeous "Hawaiian glows." I reaped 3rd degree burns and blistered, peeling skin.
Over and over.
I hide from the sun now, like golem from Lord of the Rings.
Anyway, let this post serve as my 2004-2005 yearbook greeting to you all. I hope you all "have a great summer." I will "keep in touch" haphazardly, like I always have done, and hope you will too. Tan away if you so desire. For myself, I'll spf myself, keep under cover, and relish my burn-free summer holidays. ¶ 6/09/2005 07:08:00 AM 3 comments
Scanning the yearbook wishes from my best friends, classmates, and distant acquaintances, I realized a couple of things:
a) I had some really great friendships throughout school. Whether I ever see these folks again, they were oh-so-important to me during the drama of adolescence. The fabric of my life would be so diminished without their interweaving threads of color, encouragement, strength and love.
b) Pretty much everyone had better penmanship than I did. Oddly, I can still identify at least a third of the writers by their handwriting alone. Weird.
c) My pals and I were terribly fixated on getting tan during our junior high summers. "Hope you get really tan" was the third most touted sentiment - just behind "Have a great summer" and "Keep in touch" (or "K.I.T." for those in the know...)
"Get totally tan."
For a southern California teenager, this was imperative!
The problem is... It was NEVER going to happen. Not with my pasty pigment. I have two skin tones - fair and burnt. There is no tan.
Still, I lived as if this were a possibility. Whenever we ventured to the beach, I basted myself in same "cooking" oils that my olive skinned best friends used. We slow broiled on a bed of sand from 9am to 5pm. They came away with that gorgeous "Hawaiian glows." I reaped 3rd degree burns and blistered, peeling skin.
Over and over.
I hide from the sun now, like golem from Lord of the Rings.
Anyway, let this post serve as my 2004-2005 yearbook greeting to you all. I hope you all "have a great summer." I will "keep in touch" haphazardly, like I always have done, and hope you will too. Tan away if you so desire. For myself, I'll spf myself, keep under cover, and relish my burn-free summer holidays. ¶ 6/09/2005 07:08:00 AM 3 comments
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
What the ???
Old Yeller dog food? Why would I give this to my dog? "Eat this, Sparky. It'll shorten your life and give you yummy rabies!" Comes with handy starter kit?
And when exactly did DISNEY open it's dog food operations? Shall I expect "Finding Nemo chunk white tuna," "101 Dalmation spot remover," or "Bambi jerky" to show up on store shelves near me? Somebody, please explain this to me!!!
¶ 6/07/2005 09:26:00 PM 1 comments
And when exactly did DISNEY open it's dog food operations? Shall I expect "Finding Nemo chunk white tuna," "101 Dalmation spot remover," or "Bambi jerky" to show up on store shelves near me? Somebody, please explain this to me!!!
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Rainy Days and Mondays
If I'm honest, rainy days and Mondays don't get me down at all. I just needed a post title and the song was meandering through my head.
* * *
On Work -- Busy days do mean I have less time and energy to post. And this is a busy week. I will be working 12 hr days for then next few, then all day Saturday and Sunday. Don't pity me. I was stupid enough to create my own schedule, so I have no one but myself to blame. Anyway, it only happens 2x a year due to a large recruitment push, so it will be over shortly.
* * *
On Home Remodeling -- We are in Permitting purgatory. Hope to get out soon.
* * *
On Michael Jackson -- Dear Mr. Jackson, No matter the outcome from the dual freakshows known as your (a) your trial and (b) your life-to-date, we've noted some things that are as plain as the nose-like nugget currently stitched on your face. We recommend you tuck these little pearls o' wisdom away for safekeeping and frequent use.
(1) Stop inviting young children to sleep in your bed. In fact, take a good long sabbatical from the whole peter pan gig. No one is buying it.
(2) Get a bit of counseling. You can't possibly be happy as is.
(3) Get a bit more counseling -- in fact, let's make it a regular bi-weekly thing. Your poor children already have little to no recourse from a lifetime of stigma and suffering under your legacy of oddness, arrogance and refusal to obey even the most basic rules of nature and society. C'mon Jacko, do it for the children...
Thank you -- The Public
* * *
On Life in My Little Aerie -- Pros include nice view and lots of little bird friends (I can hear at least 5 different songs and calls as I write). Cons are scary, scary neighbors and potential for "severe erosion" of the hillside. Still, it's been standing since 1930 and it's home. ¶ 6/07/2005 06:21:00 AM 5 comments
* * *
On Work -- Busy days do mean I have less time and energy to post. And this is a busy week. I will be working 12 hr days for then next few, then all day Saturday and Sunday. Don't pity me. I was stupid enough to create my own schedule, so I have no one but myself to blame. Anyway, it only happens 2x a year due to a large recruitment push, so it will be over shortly.
* * *
On Home Remodeling -- We are in Permitting purgatory. Hope to get out soon.
* * *
On Michael Jackson -- Dear Mr. Jackson, No matter the outcome from the dual freakshows known as your (a) your trial and (b) your life-to-date, we've noted some things that are as plain as the nose-like nugget currently stitched on your face. We recommend you tuck these little pearls o' wisdom away for safekeeping and frequent use.
(1) Stop inviting young children to sleep in your bed. In fact, take a good long sabbatical from the whole peter pan gig. No one is buying it.
(2) Get a bit of counseling. You can't possibly be happy as is.
(3) Get a bit more counseling -- in fact, let's make it a regular bi-weekly thing. Your poor children already have little to no recourse from a lifetime of stigma and suffering under your legacy of oddness, arrogance and refusal to obey even the most basic rules of nature and society. C'mon Jacko, do it for the children...
Thank you -- The Public
* * *
On Life in My Little Aerie -- Pros include nice view and lots of little bird friends (I can hear at least 5 different songs and calls as I write). Cons are scary, scary neighbors and potential for "severe erosion" of the hillside. Still, it's been standing since 1930 and it's home. ¶ 6/07/2005 06:21:00 AM 5 comments
Sunday, June 05, 2005
Bar Hopping
A toast to the imaginative architect who designed and built this bar in Poland. I wonder... if you're so drunk that you can't see straight, will the lines of this building look normal?
¶ 6/05/2005 09:54:00 AM 5 comments
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Saturday, June 04, 2005
Butterflight
Scuttering, fluttering to get out of my kitchen window this morning. ¶ 6/04/2005 08:54:00 AM 0 comments
Scuttering, fluttering to get out of my kitchen window this morning. ¶ 6/04/2005 08:54:00 AM 0 comments
Friday, June 03, 2005
Stuff Portrait Friday
Theme: Kids' space or pet's place. In my case, Badness owns the whole house. She just lets us live here and pay all the bills.
top: kitty nail salon; drinking fountain
mid: kitty kitchen; tanning bed
bot: kitty chaise; underground
Amanda, I promise I'll be more on top of this next week! :) ¶ 6/03/2005 10:13:00 PM 7 comments
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 |  |
top: kitty nail salon; drinking fountain
mid: kitty kitchen; tanning bed
bot: kitty chaise; underground
Amanda, I promise I'll be more on top of this next week! :) ¶ 6/03/2005 10:13:00 PM 7 comments
Thursday, June 02, 2005
Buying Some Time
Must...post... Must...write...(huff-puff)...something...interesting...
I'm under orders to post again - I dare not disobey!!! But there is struggle within my soul.
Nothing interesting has occurred. Haven't had an original thought in days. Do I wait for inspiration? Do I hold-out until my b-list muse shows up around my brain-door? Or do I post just anything that comes to mind, even something trite and insipid? [Employ tactical defense - launch "self-derision"]
Not one to stay stoically quiet, I'll post mocking portrait of self sporting blonde she-mullet. [Launch "comic relief" --- oh, oh, oh, it hit wide of the target. Drat!] Fearful now. Glance over shoulder. Hope not to get broadsided by more terrifying imperatives from the self-appointed Blog Patroller.
[Strategic change - go to "people pleasing mode"] Will try to force something more exciting to happen in my life today. Will post about it later! [Pleads for mercy, begs for more time.]
Will this work? Don't know. Can't see through the fluff. [Eerie silence ensues] ¶ 6/02/2005 07:18:00 AM 3 comments
Must...post... Must...write...(huff-puff)...something...interesting...
I'm under orders to post again - I dare not disobey!!! But there is struggle within my soul.
Nothing interesting has occurred. Haven't had an original thought in days. Do I wait for inspiration? Do I hold-out until my b-list muse shows up around my brain-door? Or do I post just anything that comes to mind, even something trite and insipid? [Employ tactical defense - launch "self-derision"]
Not one to stay stoically quiet, I'll post mocking portrait of self sporting blonde she-mullet. [Launch "comic relief" --- oh, oh, oh, it hit wide of the target. Drat!] Fearful now. Glance over shoulder. Hope not to get broadsided by more terrifying imperatives from the self-appointed Blog Patroller.
[Strategic change - go to "people pleasing mode"] Will try to force something more exciting to happen in my life today. Will post about it later! [Pleads for mercy, begs for more time.]
Will this work? Don't know. Can't see through the fluff. [Eerie silence ensues] ¶ 6/02/2005 07:18:00 AM 3 comments
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Feats of Memory
I'm not a mom, so I don't really know much about early childhood development. That said, I have to believe my nephew Noah has quite an unusual memory.
He just turned 2 in May, but has been talking in 3+ word sentences for months now. His vocabulary is up in the 100s of words -- difficult words like "rhododendron" and "hippopotamus" and "diaper rash creme." He already knows his abc's and can count up to 20.
A couple of weeks ago, his mom picked up some flashcards at a garage sale, just to see if he would stretch himself to memorize other than just the many Thomas the Train characters. Noah can now name the first twenty U.S. Presidents (plus the current prez) by sight.
When he sees the pictures, he shouts out the last names of "Washington" and "Jepperson" (sic) and "Quincy Adams," but whispers "Van Buren" and "Buchanan," like he's telling you a secret. Interestingly, the most difficult one for him to remember is Lincoln.
You know, you can hold up as many different pictures of Martin Van Buren as you'd like and I would have great difficulty differentiating between him and Harrison or Fillmore or Polk or Tyler.
Anyway, Noah's a cool kid - and his memory is quite remarkable to behold. ¶ 5/29/2005 05:04:00 PM 4 comments
I'm not a mom, so I don't really know much about early childhood development. That said, I have to believe my nephew Noah has quite an unusual memory.
He just turned 2 in May, but has been talking in 3+ word sentences for months now. His vocabulary is up in the 100s of words -- difficult words like "rhododendron" and "hippopotamus" and "diaper rash creme." He already knows his abc's and can count up to 20.
A couple of weeks ago, his mom picked up some flashcards at a garage sale, just to see if he would stretch himself to memorize other than just the many Thomas the Train characters. Noah can now name the first twenty U.S. Presidents (plus the current prez) by sight.
When he sees the pictures, he shouts out the last names of "Washington" and "Jepperson" (sic) and "Quincy Adams," but whispers "Van Buren" and "Buchanan," like he's telling you a secret. Interestingly, the most difficult one for him to remember is Lincoln.
You know, you can hold up as many different pictures of Martin Van Buren as you'd like and I would have great difficulty differentiating between him and Harrison or Fillmore or Polk or Tyler.
Anyway, Noah's a cool kid - and his memory is quite remarkable to behold. ¶ 5/29/2005 05:04:00 PM 4 comments
3:30 am
It's now 3:3o in the morning. I woke up at 2:30 with that irrevocable alertness that is a by-product of my medication and/or poorly trained circadian rhythms. No matter.
I finished listening to the last chapter of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - or I continued listening to it, since I fell asleep with my iPod on. Now that it's done, I am at a bit bored.
There's nothing on TV, though when muted it provides a nice night light, much like my computer screen. If it were an hour later, I'd call my sister. She is in Maine at the moment and thus three hours ahead of me. I don't want to turn on a light to read. Too much glare and too much like giving up and starting the day.
I fully intend to fall asleep again if I can manage it. G'night! ¶ 5/29/2005 03:39:00 AM 5 comments
I finished listening to the last chapter of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - or I continued listening to it, since I fell asleep with my iPod on. Now that it's done, I am at a bit bored.
There's nothing on TV, though when muted it provides a nice night light, much like my computer screen. If it were an hour later, I'd call my sister. She is in Maine at the moment and thus three hours ahead of me. I don't want to turn on a light to read. Too much glare and too much like giving up and starting the day.
I fully intend to fall asleep again if I can manage it. G'night! ¶ 5/29/2005 03:39:00 AM 5 comments
Friday, May 27, 2005
Happy Un-Birthday To You
I have it on good authority that today is not your birthday, although I know its rather close for one of you... and you know who you are. ;) Therefore, I would just like to take this opportunity to wish you a very happy un-birthday, and many happy returns of the day.
* * *
"There are 364 days when you might
* * *
"There are 364 days when you might
get unbirthday presents... and only one
for birthday presents, you know." -- Lewis Carroll
¶ 5/27/2005 07:07:00 PM 3 comments
Vertigo Dreams
I've had dreams where I fly and dreams where I fall. Lately, I have vertigo dreams.
I plod along somewhere in my dreamscape, usually doing nothing of consequence - chatting with phantasms of my sisters or husband or friends or movie stars or an incongruent mix of them all.
In an instant, the ground underneath only my feet hurtles me skyward to dizzying heights. With that icky stomach-dropping sensation, I end up miles above the earth. I can't move or I will surely fall off whatever small bit of ground I'm balancing on.
I feel the height in my belly and hands, both of which bloat with pressure and dread. My fingers tauten and pulse in rhythm with the veins in my temple. My new reality is "hyper-focus."
I am small, trivial. The world around me is just too enormous, too fast. Sometimes I wretch. Sometimes I jump. Sometimes, the pillar that shot me up drops from beneath me and I fall.
Most times, it gently descends back to ground level. Finally, I can step off as I would the bottom stair of an escalator, back into flow and rhythm of the world around me.
No one on the ground notices my absence, or any change in me. It never happened. My dream and all its figments self-correct to make that breach a logical subplot in an illogical dream quilt. But I know the difference. ¶ 5/27/2005 06:35:00 AM 1 comments
I plod along somewhere in my dreamscape, usually doing nothing of consequence - chatting with phantasms of my sisters or husband or friends or movie stars or an incongruent mix of them all.
In an instant, the ground underneath only my feet hurtles me skyward to dizzying heights. With that icky stomach-dropping sensation, I end up miles above the earth. I can't move or I will surely fall off whatever small bit of ground I'm balancing on.
I feel the height in my belly and hands, both of which bloat with pressure and dread. My fingers tauten and pulse in rhythm with the veins in my temple. My new reality is "hyper-focus."
I am small, trivial. The world around me is just too enormous, too fast. Sometimes I wretch. Sometimes I jump. Sometimes, the pillar that shot me up drops from beneath me and I fall.
Most times, it gently descends back to ground level. Finally, I can step off as I would the bottom stair of an escalator, back into flow and rhythm of the world around me.
No one on the ground notices my absence, or any change in me. It never happened. My dream and all its figments self-correct to make that breach a logical subplot in an illogical dream quilt. But I know the difference. ¶ 5/27/2005 06:35:00 AM 1 comments
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Solace in All Troubles
"The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As long as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles." -- Anne Frank
¶ 5/26/2005 11:15:00 PM 0 comments
Beautiful Call
A hawk lives on our hillside. I've only seen her once, but I hear her daily. Every morning and again in the evenings when I get home from work, I catch her distinctive call amidst the rumbles of traffic, trains and the nearby airports.
She is gorgeous and haunting, and I hope she stays forever.
If I had a cell phone, I would set that as my ringtone. ¶ 5/26/2005 06:35:00 AM 3 comments
She is gorgeous and haunting, and I hope she stays forever.
If I had a cell phone, I would set that as my ringtone. ¶ 5/26/2005 06:35:00 AM 3 comments
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Tagged by Romy (Book Meme)
This is in response to Ms. Romy's recent book meme post and tag... and I'd love to hear what y'all would say in answer to the same questions.
1. Total Number of Books I’ve Owned
I have no idea... A lot, I guess - though nowhere near as many as Romy or Scooter (and his 1 million things). I've sold/donated most of my books over the years (a) due to space issues and (b) when I'm sure I won't read it again. On the other hand, I've been known to buy the same book 2-3 times, if I'm looking for a "comfort read" and don't currently own it.
At the moment, Eric owns more books than I do, which surprises me a little. Excluding the books we would both claim, I only have about 170 right now.
2. Last Book I Bought
The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana, by Umberto Eco. I haven't started it yet, but it looks interesting.
3. Last Book I Read
When Broken Glass Floats: Growing Up Under the Khmer Rouge, by Chanrithy Him. This book was so moving. It hung heavily on my spirit for days. The Khmer Rouge's inhuman regime shattered both country and culture. The Cambodian people are still rebuilding and recovering from it. It is just so hard to grasp and impossible to reconcile, and had all the more impact on me, since I had the great opportunity to visit Cambodia and see many of these places.
4. Five Books That Mean A lot to Me
The Bible - There will never be a book that can touch my heart or tend my hurts and hope more than this. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." John 1:1-5
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich - I first read this during the summer of 10th grade. It was a thrilling journey into Russian literature, and one that I've enjoyed continuing over the years. I can't explain exactly why, but this story draws me back to it once every 5 years or so.
Pride and Prejudice - Clearly, I am one of the myriad women who has lost her heart to the romance of this story. I'm okay with that.
Grimm's Fairy Tales - I thrive on storytellers. Sherry and Scott particularly know this about me, since I have co-opted many of their own stories, relishing and prompting every detail whenever they retell them. As far as I can recall, the Brothers Grimm were my earliest guides into fantasy and fairy tales. I've traveled my imagination's path through many, many, many others worlds and characters, but it all began with these bedtime stories, which gave me entrance to worlds of good and evil, right and wrong, moral lessons, and endings - sometimes happy, sometimes not.
Alive, and books of its ilk - Stories that depict life, at its wildest and most unpredictable and most insurmountable. Again, sometimes these stories have triumphant endings. More often there is no clear delineation between good and bad -- just the rawness of humanity and man's (not gender specific, natch) struggles to find purpose and meaning and existence in this world.
5. What are you currently reading?
I'm finishing V for Vendetta, a graphic novel by Alan Moore and David Lloyd. I bought this when Eric and I first got together, and haven't read it since that time. It was time for a little traipse down memory lane.
And I still haven't made much more progress on Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers. Maybe this weekend, if the weather's nice. I could take it to the park or the waterfront and enjoy a little time just soaking in some sun and reading.
Way back in the day, I started The Bonesetter's Daughter, by Amy Tan, but haven't finished it. However, this seems to be the way with every single Amy Tan book I've read. I start it, can't get past the first 50 pages, then set it down. After I've let it simmer for a while, I go back and read it cover to cover straight through in 1-2 days. ¶ 5/25/2005 06:05:00 PM 1 comments
1. Total Number of Books I’ve Owned
I have no idea... A lot, I guess - though nowhere near as many as Romy or Scooter (and his 1 million things). I've sold/donated most of my books over the years (a) due to space issues and (b) when I'm sure I won't read it again. On the other hand, I've been known to buy the same book 2-3 times, if I'm looking for a "comfort read" and don't currently own it.
At the moment, Eric owns more books than I do, which surprises me a little. Excluding the books we would both claim, I only have about 170 right now.
2. Last Book I Bought
The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana, by Umberto Eco. I haven't started it yet, but it looks interesting.
3. Last Book I Read
When Broken Glass Floats: Growing Up Under the Khmer Rouge, by Chanrithy Him. This book was so moving. It hung heavily on my spirit for days. The Khmer Rouge's inhuman regime shattered both country and culture. The Cambodian people are still rebuilding and recovering from it. It is just so hard to grasp and impossible to reconcile, and had all the more impact on me, since I had the great opportunity to visit Cambodia and see many of these places.
4. Five Books That Mean A lot to Me
The Bible - There will never be a book that can touch my heart or tend my hurts and hope more than this. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." John 1:1-5
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich - I first read this during the summer of 10th grade. It was a thrilling journey into Russian literature, and one that I've enjoyed continuing over the years. I can't explain exactly why, but this story draws me back to it once every 5 years or so.
Pride and Prejudice - Clearly, I am one of the myriad women who has lost her heart to the romance of this story. I'm okay with that.
Grimm's Fairy Tales - I thrive on storytellers. Sherry and Scott particularly know this about me, since I have co-opted many of their own stories, relishing and prompting every detail whenever they retell them. As far as I can recall, the Brothers Grimm were my earliest guides into fantasy and fairy tales. I've traveled my imagination's path through many, many, many others worlds and characters, but it all began with these bedtime stories, which gave me entrance to worlds of good and evil, right and wrong, moral lessons, and endings - sometimes happy, sometimes not.
Alive, and books of its ilk - Stories that depict life, at its wildest and most unpredictable and most insurmountable. Again, sometimes these stories have triumphant endings. More often there is no clear delineation between good and bad -- just the rawness of humanity and man's (not gender specific, natch) struggles to find purpose and meaning and existence in this world.
5. What are you currently reading?
I'm finishing V for Vendetta, a graphic novel by Alan Moore and David Lloyd. I bought this when Eric and I first got together, and haven't read it since that time. It was time for a little traipse down memory lane.
And I still haven't made much more progress on Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers. Maybe this weekend, if the weather's nice. I could take it to the park or the waterfront and enjoy a little time just soaking in some sun and reading.
Way back in the day, I started The Bonesetter's Daughter, by Amy Tan, but haven't finished it. However, this seems to be the way with every single Amy Tan book I've read. I start it, can't get past the first 50 pages, then set it down. After I've let it simmer for a while, I go back and read it cover to cover straight through in 1-2 days. ¶ 5/25/2005 06:05:00 PM 1 comments
On Prozac
I'm all for it.
Ahhhh, sweet balance - 20 small mgs at a swallow. :) ¶ 5/25/2005 07:09:00 AM 4 comments
Ahhhh, sweet balance - 20 small mgs at a swallow. :) ¶ 5/25/2005 07:09:00 AM 4 comments
Sunday, May 22, 2005
On Houseplants
Since our cat adopted us, the number of bugs and spiders and plants in our home has dwindled drastically. We found out the hard way that most of the houseplants we had "b.b.k." (before bad kitty) were toxic to her. We only have two plants left.
Our hoya survived the purge, because I found out it on a list of kitty-approved plants through some random website. It is a great plant -- hardy and withstands lots of abuse and little watering. When it blooms, it goes on and on for weeks, giving of a super-fragrant aroma at night. The flowers are trippy looking, especially before they break open - almost wax-like.
Anyway, it's blooming now, so I thought I'd share. ¶ 5/22/2005 05:35:00 PM 5 comments
Our hoya survived the purge, because I found out it on a list of kitty-approved plants through some random website. It is a great plant -- hardy and withstands lots of abuse and little watering. When it blooms, it goes on and on for weeks, giving of a super-fragrant aroma at night. The flowers are trippy looking, especially before they break open - almost wax-like.
Anyway, it's blooming now, so I thought I'd share. ¶ 5/22/2005 05:35:00 PM 5 comments
Thursday, May 19, 2005
My Beautiful Launderette
Saturday is the day our new washer / dryer arrives. Tonight was the night I had to haul my titanic pile o' laundry to the Suds Yer Duds, because it JUST COULDN'T WAIT ANY LONGER!
Three laundry loads, two dryers full, one torrential downpour and four middle-aged-men-hanging-about-while-they-fluffed-then-folded-their-inefficiently-small-wash-batches later, I was back on the road.
Kenmore, come quickly! ¶ 5/19/2005 08:50:00 PM 1 comments
Three laundry loads, two dryers full, one torrential downpour and four middle-aged-men-hanging-about-while-they-fluffed-then-folded-their-inefficiently-small-wash-batches later, I was back on the road.
Kenmore, come quickly! ¶ 5/19/2005 08:50:00 PM 1 comments
Friday May 20, 12:26 AM
No billboards in space
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. government does not want billboards in space.
The Federal Aviation Administration proposed on Thursday to amend its regulations to ensure that it can enforce a law that prohibits "obtrusive" advertising in zero gravity.
"Objects placed in orbit, if large enough, could be seen by people around the world for long periods of time," the FAA said in a regulatory filing.
Currently, the FAA lacks the authority to enforce the existing law.
For instance, outsized billboards deployed by a space company into low Earth orbit could appear as large as the moon and be seen without a telescope, the FAA said. Big and bright advertisements might hinder astronomers.
"Large advertisements could destroy the darkness of the night sky," regulators said.
¶ 5/19/2005 08:27:00 PM 0 comments
No billboards in space
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. government does not want billboards in space.
The Federal Aviation Administration proposed on Thursday to amend its regulations to ensure that it can enforce a law that prohibits "obtrusive" advertising in zero gravity.
"Objects placed in orbit, if large enough, could be seen by people around the world for long periods of time," the FAA said in a regulatory filing.
Currently, the FAA lacks the authority to enforce the existing law.
For instance, outsized billboards deployed by a space company into low Earth orbit could appear as large as the moon and be seen without a telescope, the FAA said. Big and bright advertisements might hinder astronomers.
"Large advertisements could destroy the darkness of the night sky," regulators said.
¶ 5/19/2005 08:27:00 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Too Far
A&W
Arby’s
Chili’s
Domino's
Hardee’s
Kenny Rogers Roasters
KFC
Little Caesars
McDonalds
Pizza Hut
Popeyes
Rainforest Café
Red Onion
TGI Fridays
Ahh, yes! You see these restaurant names and just know you're in modern suburbia. Or modern Cairo. No kidding.
You can fly right down to Northern Africa and get yourself some ribs (I want my baby back, baby back, baby back...) or a stuffed crust pizza when you get a bit peckish after riding out to see one of the remaining Wonders of the Ancient World.
I know Ian will remember seeing several KFCs and Pizza Huts. But c'mon now... Kenny Rogers Roasters!?!?! I don't even think they have these on the west coast anymore. Is this really the best that the US has to offer to the world? ¶ 5/17/2005 11:34:00 PM 2 comments
Arby’s
Chili’s
Domino's
Hardee’s
Kenny Rogers Roasters
KFC
Little Caesars
McDonalds
Pizza Hut
Popeyes
Rainforest Café
Red Onion
TGI Fridays
Ahh, yes! You see these restaurant names and just know you're in modern suburbia. Or modern Cairo. No kidding.
You can fly right down to Northern Africa and get yourself some ribs (I want my baby back, baby back, baby back...) or a stuffed crust pizza when you get a bit peckish after riding out to see one of the remaining Wonders of the Ancient World.
I know Ian will remember seeing several KFCs and Pizza Huts. But c'mon now... Kenny Rogers Roasters!?!?! I don't even think they have these on the west coast anymore. Is this really the best that the US has to offer to the world? ¶ 5/17/2005 11:34:00 PM 2 comments
In Flight
There is nothing quite like clouds as seen from above. I took this shot and a few others a couple of months back flying back from Las Vegas after time w/ Nat and Jake (Jenny K). ¶ 5/17/2005 11:30:00 PM 1 comments
There is nothing quite like clouds as seen from above. I took this shot and a few others a couple of months back flying back from Las Vegas after time w/ Nat and Jake (Jenny K). ¶ 5/17/2005 11:30:00 PM 1 comments
Monday, May 16, 2005
Enough with the Toast...
Although I am crazy busy at work and am stressed out regarding our impending remodel (as only a guilt-ridden control freak procrastinator can stress), that stupid piece of toast has enjoyed way more real estate at the top of my blog than it ever should have had. No more.
The problem is, I have nothing particular to blog about. Therefore, I'm trotting out that good old "ice breaker" -- 2 Truths & a Lie.
Feel free to post your answers to comments. Otherwise, have fun pondering which facts are the freakish truths and which are the bald-faced lies. Or just skip it altogether. Your choice. I'll post answers later.
___________________
_Q1_
A) Mrs. Funkiller was my first college roommate
B) I graduated college with Sherry
C) I moved to Washington to get my Masters and be a missionary
___________________
_Q2_
A) I had a high school pen-pal on death row.
B) My junior high school choir performed one time at a minimum security prison.
C) I wrote the Night Stalker a letter telling him to "repent and believe in Jesus."
___________________
_Q3_
A) My maiden name is Murphy
B) My middle name is Lee
C) My first name was supposed to be Shawn
___________________
_Q4_
A) I celebrated my 4th birthday in Sweden
B) I celebrated my 17th birthday in Sweden
C) I celebrated my 22nd birthday in Egypt ¶ 5/16/2005 07:36:00 PM 2 comments
The problem is, I have nothing particular to blog about. Therefore, I'm trotting out that good old "ice breaker" -- 2 Truths & a Lie.
Feel free to post your answers to comments. Otherwise, have fun pondering which facts are the freakish truths and which are the bald-faced lies. Or just skip it altogether. Your choice. I'll post answers later.
___________________
_Q1_
A) Mrs. Funkiller was my first college roommate
B) I graduated college with Sherry
C) I moved to Washington to get my Masters and be a missionary
___________________
_Q2_
A) I had a high school pen-pal on death row.
B) My junior high school choir performed one time at a minimum security prison.
C) I wrote the Night Stalker a letter telling him to "repent and believe in Jesus."
___________________
_Q3_
A) My maiden name is Murphy
B) My middle name is Lee
C) My first name was supposed to be Shawn
___________________
_Q4_
A) I celebrated my 4th birthday in Sweden
B) I celebrated my 17th birthday in Sweden
C) I celebrated my 22nd birthday in Egypt ¶ 5/16/2005 07:36:00 PM 2 comments
Sunday, May 08, 2005
Toast to the Bride
I heard on last night's news that a local charity group is closing it's doors after 39 years of service to the Portland community, due to low donations. Then I stumble across this little news gem.
Some guy scratched the "likeness" of bride-on-the-run Jennifer Wilbanks into his toast and is now auctioning it off via eBay. Bids were upwards of $15,000.
The auction snippet reads, in part: "This is the one and only Toast Depicting The Scam Artist of the year Jennifer Wilbanks. Look at the eyes its her. Dont be fooled by others."
So... An organization devoted to feeding and clothing the needy can't afford to keep its doors open, but someone out there is willing to spend $15 large on a piece of white bread? Oh, the humanity. ¶ 5/08/2005 07:42:00 AM 2 comments
Some guy scratched the "likeness" of bride-on-the-run Jennifer Wilbanks into his toast and is now auctioning it off via eBay. Bids were upwards of $15,000.
The auction snippet reads, in part: "This is the one and only Toast Depicting The Scam Artist of the year Jennifer Wilbanks. Look at the eyes its her. Dont be fooled by others."
So... An organization devoted to feeding and clothing the needy can't afford to keep its doors open, but someone out there is willing to spend $15 large on a piece of white bread? Oh, the humanity. ¶ 5/08/2005 07:42:00 AM 2 comments
Saturday, May 07, 2005
goodnotgreat
Finally got around to seeing Hitchhiker's today. Better than "just good," but not great. Favorite aspects = (a) the musical intro, (b) Sam Rockwell's portrayal of President of the Galaxy Zaphod Beeblebrox, sounding an awful lot like a parody of our President's accent.
Gotta read the books again, now. :) ¶ 5/07/2005 09:27:00 PM 0 comments
Gotta read the books again, now. :) ¶ 5/07/2005 09:27:00 PM 0 comments
This Just In -- Cost of Laundry is Going Up
In 1995, we paid $125 for a "gently used" washer / dryer set that was only 2-3 years old and owned by a couple deep in their 70's. If I do the math right, we've spent just over 25 cents per week of the last 9 1/2 years doing our laundry. (excluding cost of soap, electricity, etc.)
Those days are officially over.
Minutes after we crammed a load of whites in the washer, tossed in the detergent and hit the "hot/warm" + "go" buttons, the old bucket of bolts just died. No warning signs. No agonal breathing. Just stopped.
For 5 minutes, we stood around, unplugging and replugging the cords, switching the circuit breaker on/off, and demanding that it miraculously recover from it's soggy flat-line. At one point, Eric gave it the "shake" you give the vending machine when your bag of M&Ms gets caught in that metal coil thingy.
I fished every sock and towel out of the hot, soapy water (which is still in the machine as I type, though probably not so hot anymore), wrung out each item, and brought the sopping load over to my dear in-laws to finish the task.
After church this evening, we traipsed over to Sears to look for a new set. And tonight, I can tell you all, we are the proud owners of just a little more consumer debt. (Hopefully, it will make my whites whiter and my brights brighter!) ¶ 5/07/2005 08:47:00 PM 4 comments
Those days are officially over.
Minutes after we crammed a load of whites in the washer, tossed in the detergent and hit the "hot/warm" + "go" buttons, the old bucket of bolts just died. No warning signs. No agonal breathing. Just stopped.
For 5 minutes, we stood around, unplugging and replugging the cords, switching the circuit breaker on/off, and demanding that it miraculously recover from it's soggy flat-line. At one point, Eric gave it the "shake" you give the vending machine when your bag of M&Ms gets caught in that metal coil thingy.
I fished every sock and towel out of the hot, soapy water (which is still in the machine as I type, though probably not so hot anymore), wrung out each item, and brought the sopping load over to my dear in-laws to finish the task.
After church this evening, we traipsed over to Sears to look for a new set. And tonight, I can tell you all, we are the proud owners of just a little more consumer debt. (Hopefully, it will make my whites whiter and my brights brighter!) ¶ 5/07/2005 08:47:00 PM 4 comments
Where is West Slope?
This happened once before with Funkiller's blog, but I can't get to Troy's page at all. I click and it is blank. No broken links. No waiting and waiting to find server. Just click, blank. Am I the only one having this problem? Please let me know.
(Where are those Hymns from the Woods?) ¶ 5/07/2005 06:50:00 AM 5 comments
(Where are those Hymns from the Woods?) ¶ 5/07/2005 06:50:00 AM 5 comments
Thursday, May 05, 2005
No Queen of Controversy
Most conflict and controversy make me really uncomfortable. If I am even indirectly involved, my stomach starts tingling. If I started it, I not only feel uncomfortable - I feel pathological guilt. (Can we all get along?)
A weird by-product is...I can't even count how often I've had to turn off sitcoms like Seinfeld. The interpersonal conflicts the characters get themselves into just make me cringe.
This tendency makes my HR job quite challenging. My latest nickname at work is PollyAnna.
At least they don't call me Catbert...often.
¶ 5/05/2005 08:37:00 PM 1 comments
A weird by-product is...I can't even count how often I've had to turn off sitcoms like Seinfeld. The interpersonal conflicts the characters get themselves into just make me cringe.
This tendency makes my HR job quite challenging. My latest nickname at work is PollyAnna.
At least they don't call me Catbert...often.
¶ 5/05/2005 08:37:00 PM 1 comments
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Confessions of a Dangerous Meme
Jaymarie is just a fount of fun/reflective questionnaires. I can't not play... But I warn you now, I made a particular effort not to lie on this meme. You all will get a chance to see the true drivel that I fill my leisure time with... (Be gentle!)
You’re stuck inside Fahrenheit 451. Which book do you want to be?
This question confused me - and I know I'm not the only one, cuz I followed the tag-backs. I have to be the book? Huh? Well, I guess I wouldn't mind being a book that, perchance, survived the conflagration. Any one would do.
But, for the sake of the game, I'll infer that it means, "Which book should be / deserves to be burned?"
There are a couple of pictures of me in my Senior Yearbook that would sear quite nicely in the dancing flame of a taper candle. Also, any "novelization from the movie" is also just begging for a good bonfire. (Case-in-point... AVP: Alien vs. Predator: The Movie Novelization)
[Update] Jaymarie gave the clarification: Q - "What book would be worth memorizing if all the books were being systematically destroyed." A - That's easy, the Bible
Have you ever had a crush on a fictional character?
Yes.
The last book you bought was...?
A Knight in Shining Armor, by Jude Devereaux. -- Don't look at me like that. I told you I'd be honest. I'm not proud about it. (Don't hate me.)
The last book you read was...?
All the way through? The Fellowship of the Ring, by J.R.R. Tolkien
The five books you would take to a desert island...?
[I'm stealing Jaymarie's first answer verbatim.] "1. The Bible. There is no other book that I have read, that is able to teach me a new thing every time I pick it up."
2. Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, latest edition. I like the dictionary. It's full of words and... stuff.
3. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Annotated). That way, I could put on most excellent stageplays (a) to while away the time with and for my other strandees (assuming I wasn't stranded alone) or, if I were alone, (b) to work on my mad skills -- Elizabethan skills, soliloquy skills, shrew skills...
4. One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. Love this book, and would probably be really identifying with it after much time on the island.
5. Feng Shui for Dummies, by David Daniel Kennedy, Lin Yun. I'd probably need to move lots of shells and coconuts around.
What are you currently reading?
**Module 5: Employee and Labor Relations, from the SHRM Learning System.
**Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers
**The Shade of the Tree, by Piers Anthony
**The Bonesetter's Daughter, by Amy Tan
**When Broken Glass Floats: Growing Up Under the Khmer Rouge, by Chanrithy Him
**Heroes of the Faith: An Inspirational and Illustrated Account of 2,000 Years of Christianity, by Gene Fedele
**I Corinthians
Who will you be tagging with this meme?
I think I'll tag anyone who just finished a Jude Devereaux book AND happens to be reading my blog. (In other words, I fully expect this tag to die right here.) ¶ 5/03/2005 08:02:00 PM 1 comments
You’re stuck inside Fahrenheit 451. Which book do you want to be?
This question confused me - and I know I'm not the only one, cuz I followed the tag-backs. I have to be the book? Huh? Well, I guess I wouldn't mind being a book that, perchance, survived the conflagration. Any one would do.
But, for the sake of the game, I'll infer that it means, "Which book should be / deserves to be burned?"
There are a couple of pictures of me in my Senior Yearbook that would sear quite nicely in the dancing flame of a taper candle. Also, any "novelization from the movie" is also just begging for a good bonfire. (Case-in-point... AVP: Alien vs. Predator: The Movie Novelization)
[Update] Jaymarie gave the clarification: Q - "What book would be worth memorizing if all the books were being systematically destroyed." A - That's easy, the Bible
Have you ever had a crush on a fictional character?
Yes.
The last book you bought was...?
A Knight in Shining Armor, by Jude Devereaux. -- Don't look at me like that. I told you I'd be honest. I'm not proud about it. (Don't hate me.)
The last book you read was...?
All the way through? The Fellowship of the Ring, by J.R.R. Tolkien
The five books you would take to a desert island...?
[I'm stealing Jaymarie's first answer verbatim.] "1. The Bible. There is no other book that I have read, that is able to teach me a new thing every time I pick it up."
2. Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, latest edition. I like the dictionary. It's full of words and... stuff.
3. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Annotated). That way, I could put on most excellent stageplays (a) to while away the time with and for my other strandees (assuming I wasn't stranded alone) or, if I were alone, (b) to work on my mad skills -- Elizabethan skills, soliloquy skills, shrew skills...
4. One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. Love this book, and would probably be really identifying with it after much time on the island.
5. Feng Shui for Dummies, by David Daniel Kennedy, Lin Yun. I'd probably need to move lots of shells and coconuts around.
What are you currently reading?
**Module 5: Employee and Labor Relations, from the SHRM Learning System.
**Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers
**The Shade of the Tree, by Piers Anthony
**The Bonesetter's Daughter, by Amy Tan
**When Broken Glass Floats: Growing Up Under the Khmer Rouge, by Chanrithy Him
**Heroes of the Faith: An Inspirational and Illustrated Account of 2,000 Years of Christianity, by Gene Fedele
**I Corinthians
Who will you be tagging with this meme?
I think I'll tag anyone who just finished a Jude Devereaux book AND happens to be reading my blog. (In other words, I fully expect this tag to die right here.) ¶ 5/03/2005 08:02:00 PM 1 comments
You live and learn. At any rate, you live.
I have yet to see Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - but I'm planning to, hopefully, this week sometime. I've avoided asking anyone if they've seen it or what they thought of it, because I just want to taste it with no other opinions flavoring my anticipation.
Douglas Adams and "Hitchhikers" were prominent players in my first high-school crush. The crush burned out, but at least I had the chance to read the Hitchhikers series. It always brings back great memories of these quirky days and esoteric conversations.
Anyway, here are a few quotations from D.A. that just make me feel a little cooler for having heard them. As if I can watch the world pass by with a wry sense of knowing and detachment. 42. ;>
===============
"He hoped and prayed that there wasn't an afterlife. Then he realized there was a contradiction involved here and merely hoped that there wasn't an afterlife."
"I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by."
"The ships hung in the sky in much the same way that bricks don't."
"There is a theory which states that if ever anybody discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened."
"You live and learn. At any rate, you live."
"Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so."
"He felt that his whole life was some kind of dream and he sometimes wondered whose it was and whether they were enjoying it."
"Nothing travels faster than the speed of light with the possible exception of bad news, which obeys its own special laws."
"Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job."
"A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof was to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools."
Douglas Adams ¶ 5/03/2005 05:49:00 AM 2 comments
Douglas Adams and "Hitchhikers" were prominent players in my first high-school crush. The crush burned out, but at least I had the chance to read the Hitchhikers series. It always brings back great memories of these quirky days and esoteric conversations.
Anyway, here are a few quotations from D.A. that just make me feel a little cooler for having heard them. As if I can watch the world pass by with a wry sense of knowing and detachment. 42. ;>
===============
"He hoped and prayed that there wasn't an afterlife. Then he realized there was a contradiction involved here and merely hoped that there wasn't an afterlife."
"I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by."
"The ships hung in the sky in much the same way that bricks don't."
"There is a theory which states that if ever anybody discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened."
"You live and learn. At any rate, you live."
"Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so."
"He felt that his whole life was some kind of dream and he sometimes wondered whose it was and whether they were enjoying it."
"Nothing travels faster than the speed of light with the possible exception of bad news, which obeys its own special laws."
"Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job."
"A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof was to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools."
Douglas Adams ¶ 5/03/2005 05:49:00 AM 2 comments
Sunday, May 01, 2005
Shrink-to-Fit Levi's 501s
I was reading a horribly lame book written in the 80's this weekend...
[Aside: You might ask -- If it was horribly lame, why were you reading it? Folks, I don't know... Who were the people watching Walker, Texas Ranger for so many seasons? Who's been buying enough Chia pets per year to keep that brain-trust company solvent? Why are those tasteless Necco wafers still on store shelves? These are way more important questions to be asked than anything about my weekend reading habits. Now, if you don't mind, I'll get back to my story.]
In the book, one of the female characters mentioned how she put a pair of jeans in a tub of scalding hot water in order to shrink them, so they'd be skin tight the next time she wore them. Even if I didn't know this was an 1980's book - that little tidbit would have given it right away.
Shrink-to-fit Levi's 501.
Wave One of the "designer jean craze" included:
**Chemin de Fer (though these exact sailor pants were more my older sister's era, like circa 1978)
**and Sergio Valente
**and, who could forget, Calvin Kleins (because nothing comes between me and my Calvins)
While Wave Two in the mid-80's was completely dominated (in my recollection) by the new-but-ultra-expensive, and thus ultra-desirable Guess Jeans.
Sometime in between those waves, the height of cool (at least in my death-to-preppies, hesher crowd) came in the fashion of men's shrink to fit Levi's.
Sure, Levi's had come out with the Women's 550s by that time. And, fine, most clothing stores (aside from Miller's Outpost and the then tragically unhip The Gap) didn't even bother carrying 'shrink to fit' because they were so hard to, uh, fit.
But those first years of the Reagan 80's were all about shrinkage. (Hmmm, well, that may not have come out quite right...but you get my gist.)
Who can't remember the first time they laid out their new jeans in the bathtub and poured boiling water over them, anticipating that they would -- poof -- start reducing to your exact size and curves in front of your very eyes.
Those of us who [thought we] were totally "die-hard" (read now: really, REALLY stupid) first got INTO the jeans and then into the bathtub. Our rationale? If we're in them, they'll shrink to fit us...not merely shrink. The result? A nice fit and blue stained legs for about a week and a half.
And, yes, I also recall (and I'm not making this up, people -- though I can positively attest that we were completely without adult supervision) pouring barely diluted bleach in with our skin-blanching hot water while we were freakin' wearing the jeans. You know the drill... Fade 'em and shrink 'em at the same time -- two birds, whatever!
So, all of that to say. Wow! I haven't thought of Levi's 501s in EONS. I don't think I've owned a pair since 1985. (I think I have a picture of my junior-high self in a pair. I'll post it if I can find it in the abyss.)
I do hope our daughters (or, erm, your daughters, rather -- and your daughters' daughters) never have to go back to the old ways of fitting jeans. 'Baggin' your jeans is still popular enough that this generation's girls may escape having to lay flat on the floor and suck their stomachs in to the point of corset-tightening suffocation while trying to fat-finger button those knobbly aluminum button-fly buttons as their poor fingers get red and sore from the pressure.
Ah, fashion. ¶ 5/01/2005 08:10:00 PM 6 comments
[Aside: You might ask -- If it was horribly lame, why were you reading it? Folks, I don't know... Who were the people watching Walker, Texas Ranger for so many seasons? Who's been buying enough Chia pets per year to keep that brain-trust company solvent? Why are those tasteless Necco wafers still on store shelves? These are way more important questions to be asked than anything about my weekend reading habits. Now, if you don't mind, I'll get back to my story.]
In the book, one of the female characters mentioned how she put a pair of jeans in a tub of scalding hot water in order to shrink them, so they'd be skin tight the next time she wore them. Even if I didn't know this was an 1980's book - that little tidbit would have given it right away.
Shrink-to-fit Levi's 501.
Wave One of the "designer jean craze" included:
**Chemin de Fer (though these exact sailor pants were more my older sister's era, like circa 1978)
**and Sergio Valente
**and, who could forget, Calvin Kleins (because nothing comes between me and my Calvins)
While Wave Two in the mid-80's was completely dominated (in my recollection) by the new-but-ultra-expensive, and thus ultra-desirable Guess Jeans.
Sometime in between those waves, the height of cool (at least in my death-to-preppies, hesher crowd) came in the fashion of men's shrink to fit Levi's.
Sure, Levi's had come out with the Women's 550s by that time. And, fine, most clothing stores (aside from Miller's Outpost and the then tragically unhip The Gap) didn't even bother carrying 'shrink to fit' because they were so hard to, uh, fit.
But those first years of the Reagan 80's were all about shrinkage. (Hmmm, well, that may not have come out quite right...but you get my gist.)
Who can't remember the first time they laid out their new jeans in the bathtub and poured boiling water over them, anticipating that they would -- poof -- start reducing to your exact size and curves in front of your very eyes.
Those of us who [thought we] were totally "die-hard" (read now: really, REALLY stupid) first got INTO the jeans and then into the bathtub. Our rationale? If we're in them, they'll shrink to fit us...not merely shrink. The result? A nice fit and blue stained legs for about a week and a half.
And, yes, I also recall (and I'm not making this up, people -- though I can positively attest that we were completely without adult supervision) pouring barely diluted bleach in with our skin-blanching hot water while we were freakin' wearing the jeans. You know the drill... Fade 'em and shrink 'em at the same time -- two birds, whatever!
So, all of that to say. Wow! I haven't thought of Levi's 501s in EONS. I don't think I've owned a pair since 1985. (I think I have a picture of my junior-high self in a pair. I'll post it if I can find it in the abyss.)
I do hope our daughters (or, erm, your daughters, rather -- and your daughters' daughters) never have to go back to the old ways of fitting jeans. 'Baggin' your jeans is still popular enough that this generation's girls may escape having to lay flat on the floor and suck their stomachs in to the point of corset-tightening suffocation while trying to fat-finger button those knobbly aluminum button-fly buttons as their poor fingers get red and sore from the pressure.
Ah, fashion. ¶ 5/01/2005 08:10:00 PM 6 comments
In Bloom Now
The wisteria outside my gate. So fragrant and lovely. :P ¶ 5/01/2005 12:33:00 PM 0 comments
The wisteria outside my gate. So fragrant and lovely. :P ¶ 5/01/2005 12:33:00 PM 0 comments
Pre-Trib, Mid-Trib, Post-Trib
trib·u·la·tion (n.) An experience that tests one's endurance, patience, or faith*. See Synonyms at "burden."
You've seen the before-pics.
You've seen the mid-pics.
Now, at long stinkin' last, you can see the after-pics...
(photo taken from inside the shower, thus the glass lines and gigantic knob covering the faucet. it's hard to take descriptive pictures in such a small space.)
Oh my, I can't even explain how nice it is to take a shower in my own house. First time since February 10th!!! Ahhhhhhhhh...
Now we are starting "phase 2" to add another bathroom and convert the one upstairs bedroom to a master bedroom suite. That project will take 4-6 months and will leave us without half a roof for 2 weeks this summer. Eeek!
More photos and stress-posting to come!
*faith... okay, while this was a pain and a test of my patience, it was not a faith-shaker. ¶ 5/01/2005 09:15:00 AM 6 comments
You've seen the before-pics.
You've seen the mid-pics.
Now, at long stinkin' last, you can see the after-pics...
(photo taken from inside the shower, thus the glass lines and gigantic knob covering the faucet. it's hard to take descriptive pictures in such a small space.)
Oh my, I can't even explain how nice it is to take a shower in my own house. First time since February 10th!!! Ahhhhhhhhh...
Now we are starting "phase 2" to add another bathroom and convert the one upstairs bedroom to a master bedroom suite. That project will take 4-6 months and will leave us without half a roof for 2 weeks this summer. Eeek!
More photos and stress-posting to come!
*faith... okay, while this was a pain and a test of my patience, it was not a faith-shaker. ¶ 5/01/2005 09:15:00 AM 6 comments
Thursday, April 28, 2005
You know, these two really just go together... Kinda like Similac and Geritol. ¶ 4/28/2005 07:43:00 PM 5 comments
Nephy
Photo from my trip to St. George to visit my nephew at school. It's hard to believe this 6'2" mid-teen was the same one who called me "Bala Karen" (auntie?) as a toddler. My first nephew... and the only one in our family who will carry on the "Murphy" name. (There's a startling shortage of Murphy's in the world, really...)
The guitar-thing is fairly new in the last year and a half, but he's really working on his "skills" and can play some really difficult songs. Everything from Green Day to Metallica to Creedence. I am duly impressed and proud. :)
More than anything, he's grown so much in maturity and initiative. I'm already looking forward to the next time I'll be able to visit him. ¶ 4/28/2005 07:20:00 PM 3 comments
Photo from my trip to St. George to visit my nephew at school. It's hard to believe this 6'2" mid-teen was the same one who called me "Bala Karen" (auntie?) as a toddler. My first nephew... and the only one in our family who will carry on the "Murphy" name. (There's a startling shortage of Murphy's in the world, really...)
The guitar-thing is fairly new in the last year and a half, but he's really working on his "skills" and can play some really difficult songs. Everything from Green Day to Metallica to Creedence. I am duly impressed and proud. :)
More than anything, he's grown so much in maturity and initiative. I'm already looking forward to the next time I'll be able to visit him. ¶ 4/28/2005 07:20:00 PM 3 comments
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Beauty of the Burn
What is it about fire that is so captivating? The tall taper candle on top of the table. A crackling pine fire in a warm stone hearth. Wild burns caused by careless cigarettes licking up dry grass on hillsides. And dark sooty smoke pouring like water upside-down from picture windows in a house donated for training purposes to the local fire department. It's all entrancing. ¶ 4/26/2005 07:02:00 AM 4 comments
What is it about fire that is so captivating? The tall taper candle on top of the table. A crackling pine fire in a warm stone hearth. Wild burns caused by careless cigarettes licking up dry grass on hillsides. And dark sooty smoke pouring like water upside-down from picture windows in a house donated for training purposes to the local fire department. It's all entrancing. ¶ 4/26/2005 07:02:00 AM 4 comments
Monday, April 25, 2005
Comments in Auto-Repro or I'm Only Redundant When I Repeat Myself
When I was a very little kid, I had an odd speech habit. I would say something outloud, then mouth it over and over again soundlessly. Kind of like an auto-echo. I grew out of it, or so I thought, at the age of 7. Now, it's happening all over again. *Gasp!*
gasp
gasp
gasp
I write one comment on Artist's and push "publish." The comment pops up like clockwork...right along with three little echoes. Then I do it two more times. So in the span of a minute and a half, I think I sent her 12 (plus?) messages. She's going to have one moment of thrill when she sees all the emails...then be disappointed to realize it's only me *being a dorkus.*
being a dorkus
being a dorkus
being a dorkus ¶ 4/25/2005 05:30:00 PM 2 comments
gasp
gasp
gasp
I write one comment on Artist's and push "publish." The comment pops up like clockwork...right along with three little echoes. Then I do it two more times. So in the span of a minute and a half, I think I sent her 12 (plus?) messages. She's going to have one moment of thrill when she sees all the emails...then be disappointed to realize it's only me *being a dorkus.*
being a dorkus
being a dorkus
being a dorkus ¶ 4/25/2005 05:30:00 PM 2 comments
Sunday, April 24, 2005
If I Were a Hammer (aka If I Could Be...)
Hmmm, I didn’t think that Sheila’s challenge (by way of Jaymarie’s challenge to her) would have been as difficult as it was. After all, how hard could it be to think through the possibilities of different professions and ponder what I'd do if I "owned" one of those jobs. But, choices, choices...it's tough for me. And after all, I barely managed to cram my 4 year degree into 8 years - so perhaps decisiveness isn't a strong suit.
Anyway, here are my answers. And, now, free of this monkey -- I tag Scooter, Funkiller and Bingo & Betty if y'all should choose to play the game. (Participation is optional, though you must be present to win!) Ta! :)
1. If I were a Scientist, I would specialize in seismic geology. Then I would wander the planet taking soil samples and rock chips and conversing intelligently with colleagues about alluvial fans, slickensides, subduction zones, “liquid hot magma,” the asthenosphere, fault scarps, horsts and graben, and magnetic polarity reversal.
2. If I were a Painter, I’d figure out how to use that blue tape stuff so I could mask off the switchplates and outlets and baseboards real good and not get paint splotches on the trim, floor or ceiling.
3. If I were a Chef, I would hie myself on over to Japan where I hope they are still filming Iron Chef. I would then full-on get me some of that sweet Kitchen Stadium action.
For as a chef, I would spend my waking moments dwelling on creative ways to make dishes like “beef brisket with a tangy tangerine-oyster-&-wasabe gravy” both palatable and aesthetically pleasing. And I would serve it along with scrumptious side dishes like “pumpkin seed risotto garnished with fresh herbs and licorice”, then top the meal off with “sweet and sour lobster spleen gelatto” for dessert.
I would, of course, dethrone the reigning Iron Chef and be presented with my own tall chef’s hat, which I would monogram with the initials “I.C.” (Alas, though, if you know me at all, you'd agree I am quite prone to "culinary disasterpieces," so this truly would be a dream. Ho-hum.)
4. If I were an Innkeeper, I would learn all those fancy ways to fold towels into swans and napkins into flowers for my guests. And my wake-up call service would include the guest’s choice of aroma-wakening method by piping in the scents of either (a) fresh brewed coffee; (b) bacon frying; or (c) hot muffins baking.
Also, depending on whether or not a specific guest was pleasant or snotty, I'd hum either "Be Our Guest" or "Master of the House" under my breath anytime that guest passed by. Passive aggressive? You betcha!
5. If I were a Missionary, I would want to go and serve in Nepal or Egypt or wherever else in the world I could go. (But it ain’t really about where I’d like to go, now is it? And, I suppose for the time being, I have much to learn about being here and serving others right where I am. "Stand in the place where you live" and all...)
*****
So here's how it works. Immediately following there is a list of different occupations. You must select at least 5 of them (feel free to select more). You may add more if you like to your list before you pass it on (after you select 5 of the items as it was passed to you). Each one begins with "If I could be..." Of the 5 you selected, you are to finish each phrase with what you would do as a member of that profession.
Here's the list to choose from...
Scientist - Farmer - Musician - Doctor - Painter - Gardener - Missionary - Chef - Architect - Linguist - Psychologist - Librarian - Athlete - Lawyer - Innkeeper -Professor - Writer - Llama rider - Failed actor gone political - Moonbat - Personal Assistant
=========
Tagline for "If I Could Be a..." (this branch of the tree, at least):
1. Ogre
2. Oddybobo
3. Tom
4. Pastorius
5. Jaymarie
6. Sheila
7. Me
8. Scooter, Funkiller and/or Bingo & Betty ¶ 4/24/2005 06:09:00 PM 5 comments
Anyway, here are my answers. And, now, free of this monkey -- I tag Scooter, Funkiller and Bingo & Betty if y'all should choose to play the game. (Participation is optional, though you must be present to win!) Ta! :)
1. If I were a Scientist, I would specialize in seismic geology. Then I would wander the planet taking soil samples and rock chips and conversing intelligently with colleagues about alluvial fans, slickensides, subduction zones, “liquid hot magma,” the asthenosphere, fault scarps, horsts and graben, and magnetic polarity reversal.
2. If I were a Painter, I’d figure out how to use that blue tape stuff so I could mask off the switchplates and outlets and baseboards real good and not get paint splotches on the trim, floor or ceiling.
3. If I were a Chef, I would hie myself on over to Japan where I hope they are still filming Iron Chef. I would then full-on get me some of that sweet Kitchen Stadium action.
For as a chef, I would spend my waking moments dwelling on creative ways to make dishes like “beef brisket with a tangy tangerine-oyster-&-wasabe gravy” both palatable and aesthetically pleasing. And I would serve it along with scrumptious side dishes like “pumpkin seed risotto garnished with fresh herbs and licorice”, then top the meal off with “sweet and sour lobster spleen gelatto” for dessert.
I would, of course, dethrone the reigning Iron Chef and be presented with my own tall chef’s hat, which I would monogram with the initials “I.C.” (Alas, though, if you know me at all, you'd agree I am quite prone to "culinary disasterpieces," so this truly would be a dream. Ho-hum.)
4. If I were an Innkeeper, I would learn all those fancy ways to fold towels into swans and napkins into flowers for my guests. And my wake-up call service would include the guest’s choice of aroma-wakening method by piping in the scents of either (a) fresh brewed coffee; (b) bacon frying; or (c) hot muffins baking.
Also, depending on whether or not a specific guest was pleasant or snotty, I'd hum either "Be Our Guest" or "Master of the House" under my breath anytime that guest passed by. Passive aggressive? You betcha!
 |  |
5. If I were a Missionary, I would want to go and serve in Nepal or Egypt or wherever else in the world I could go. (But it ain’t really about where I’d like to go, now is it? And, I suppose for the time being, I have much to learn about being here and serving others right where I am. "Stand in the place where you live" and all...)
*****
So here's how it works. Immediately following there is a list of different occupations. You must select at least 5 of them (feel free to select more). You may add more if you like to your list before you pass it on (after you select 5 of the items as it was passed to you). Each one begins with "If I could be..." Of the 5 you selected, you are to finish each phrase with what you would do as a member of that profession.
Here's the list to choose from...
Scientist - Farmer - Musician - Doctor - Painter - Gardener - Missionary - Chef - Architect - Linguist - Psychologist - Librarian - Athlete - Lawyer - Innkeeper -Professor - Writer - Llama rider - Failed actor gone political - Moonbat - Personal Assistant
=========
Tagline for "If I Could Be a..." (this branch of the tree, at least):
1. Ogre
2. Oddybobo
3. Tom
4. Pastorius
5. Jaymarie
6. Sheila
7. Me
8. Scooter, Funkiller and/or Bingo & Betty ¶ 4/24/2005 06:09:00 PM 5 comments
Saturday, April 23, 2005
On Fast Vacations and Torture Devices...
Since last Saturday, we've traveled to St. George, Utah, then Zion National Park, and lastly Las Vegas before flying home on Wednesday night. (For photo-documentation, click here.)
After a day and a half at home, we took off again. This time for Central Oregon (Redmond). It is so beautiful here, and amazing to be able to see so many mountain peaks (Three Sisters, Mt. Hood, and others I don't yet know the name of) from one vantage point. It's raining like crazy though, so we're a little house bound.
And, on torture devices, the condo sofa bed that we're sleeping on is equivalent to the medeival torture device "the rack." I have never slept on anything more uncomfortable that actually purports to be a bed. My back can't wait to get home to our comfy mattress.
Anyway, we're having an excellent time and will be back in town tomorrow. In the meantime, enjoy a few of my favorite photos. Peace!
¶ 4/23/2005 08:01:00 AM 2 comments
After a day and a half at home, we took off again. This time for Central Oregon (Redmond). It is so beautiful here, and amazing to be able to see so many mountain peaks (Three Sisters, Mt. Hood, and others I don't yet know the name of) from one vantage point. It's raining like crazy though, so we're a little house bound.
And, on torture devices, the condo sofa bed that we're sleeping on is equivalent to the medeival torture device "the rack." I have never slept on anything more uncomfortable that actually purports to be a bed. My back can't wait to get home to our comfy mattress.
Anyway, we're having an excellent time and will be back in town tomorrow. In the meantime, enjoy a few of my favorite photos. Peace!
¶ 4/23/2005 08:01:00 AM 2 comments
Friday, April 15, 2005
A Post Before Parting...
...to go on a short trip. We're out of here tomorrow AM, so there'll be nothing new to see here for a few days. Ciao all! (And have a wonderful week.)
¶ 4/15/2005 06:56:00 AM 2 comments
Thursday, April 07, 2005
Boys on Bikes in the Dark
I drove home late last Thursday night. Around 10pm, I turned left to go up the hill and passed the rambling, seedy apartment complex on the right.
Between two squatty four-plexes, I saw the silhouettes of three boys on bikes in the dark.
My first thought: “Punk kids… If they're out this late, they've got to be causing trouble.”
My second thought: I reached over to make sure my doors were locked.
My third thought: “Oh my gosh, I totally know those boys.”
Okay, I didn’t really know those boys. But I did remember when boys on bikes in the dark weren’t "punks." They were known. They were friends. They were Tom and Steve and Noc and David and Raul and Clinton.
Yes, they were out late all the time. And, absolutely, by the letter of the law, they "got into trouble" all the time - smoking and drinking and otherwise partying - whether or not they ever got caught.
But that wasn’t scary then. It was just life. It was my life for awhile. From the time I was 11 years old to 15, the boys on bikes were kind of a lifeline and a general protection in my life.
They hung around outside, because they could do it and be away from parents and stretch a bit in adolescent independence.
Some had parents who overprotected. Getting outside and away from that surveillance for even a few hours at a time was one small way to take control of their own destinies.
Some had parents who underprotected. It seemed like their moms and dads (or steps, live-ins, etc.) couldn’t handle the day-to-day persistence of parenting. Regardless, they didn’t see any danger in letting groups of teens wander free with zero boundaries on their time or activities.
I remember some had parents who were generally attentive, but so busy with younger children in the house, the older ones were pushed prematurely from the nest to make more room.
Other parents fought so much with each other and their kids (and the police), that escape was the only livable option.
Anyway, the boys on bikes I knew made skate ramps in their backyards and back alleys. Several broke their arms or ankles along the way. (And I'm recalling lots of chipped teeth.)
They cruised in groups to the arcade to play pinball and Galaga and Tempest and other video games I can’t even remember now.
They sometimes sported bruises from fights with other boys on bikes, or each other, or their parents or older brothers.
They partied hard and often. But they made sure we ‘girls on foot’ got home safely at 3am after partying. (Not that we weren’t completely still drunk or stoned, but we at least hadn’t been hit by a car…or worse.).
I don’t know how many of the boys graduated from high school - I pretty much moved on after dropping the party-life at age 15. I have little idea about what they are doing now. Sometimes I hear about them from my sister, who keeps in touch with one or two.
I’m always so happy when I hear they are doing well. And my heart aches for them if I hear that one of them is faltering - dealing with divorce or problems with their own kids or even lifetime issues with drugs or alcohol.
For the sake of what they meant to me during those difficult years, I wish them all the best in their lives now. Now that they are 20+ years beyond that twilight period between childhood and adulthood.
I hope that I’ll remember these things the next time I see those boys in my neighborhood.
I’ll probably still check my car locks, because – yeah, preparanoid!!! But I’ll also try to think about how hard it was to just live through the teenage years, much less to navigate them sensibly and without major mistakes.
And I’ll try to pray for those boys on bikes in the dark – that they will grow up to be men who live with purpose and contentment in the light. Peace. ¶ 4/07/2005 10:32:00 PM 5 comments
Between two squatty four-plexes, I saw the silhouettes of three boys on bikes in the dark.
My first thought: “Punk kids… If they're out this late, they've got to be causing trouble.”
My second thought: I reached over to make sure my doors were locked.
My third thought: “Oh my gosh, I totally know those boys.”
Okay, I didn’t really know those boys. But I did remember when boys on bikes in the dark weren’t "punks." They were known. They were friends. They were Tom and Steve and Noc and David and Raul and Clinton.
Yes, they were out late all the time. And, absolutely, by the letter of the law, they "got into trouble" all the time - smoking and drinking and otherwise partying - whether or not they ever got caught.
But that wasn’t scary then. It was just life. It was my life for awhile. From the time I was 11 years old to 15, the boys on bikes were kind of a lifeline and a general protection in my life.
They hung around outside, because they could do it and be away from parents and stretch a bit in adolescent independence.
Some had parents who overprotected. Getting outside and away from that surveillance for even a few hours at a time was one small way to take control of their own destinies.
Some had parents who underprotected. It seemed like their moms and dads (or steps, live-ins, etc.) couldn’t handle the day-to-day persistence of parenting. Regardless, they didn’t see any danger in letting groups of teens wander free with zero boundaries on their time or activities.
I remember some had parents who were generally attentive, but so busy with younger children in the house, the older ones were pushed prematurely from the nest to make more room.
Other parents fought so much with each other and their kids (and the police), that escape was the only livable option.
Anyway, the boys on bikes I knew made skate ramps in their backyards and back alleys. Several broke their arms or ankles along the way. (And I'm recalling lots of chipped teeth.)
They cruised in groups to the arcade to play pinball and Galaga and Tempest and other video games I can’t even remember now.
They sometimes sported bruises from fights with other boys on bikes, or each other, or their parents or older brothers.
They partied hard and often. But they made sure we ‘girls on foot’ got home safely at 3am after partying. (Not that we weren’t completely still drunk or stoned, but we at least hadn’t been hit by a car…or worse.).
I don’t know how many of the boys graduated from high school - I pretty much moved on after dropping the party-life at age 15. I have little idea about what they are doing now. Sometimes I hear about them from my sister, who keeps in touch with one or two.
I’m always so happy when I hear they are doing well. And my heart aches for them if I hear that one of them is faltering - dealing with divorce or problems with their own kids or even lifetime issues with drugs or alcohol.
For the sake of what they meant to me during those difficult years, I wish them all the best in their lives now. Now that they are 20+ years beyond that twilight period between childhood and adulthood.
I hope that I’ll remember these things the next time I see those boys in my neighborhood.
I’ll probably still check my car locks, because – yeah, preparanoid!!! But I’ll also try to think about how hard it was to just live through the teenage years, much less to navigate them sensibly and without major mistakes.
And I’ll try to pray for those boys on bikes in the dark – that they will grow up to be men who live with purpose and contentment in the light. Peace. ¶ 4/07/2005 10:32:00 PM 5 comments
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
"Small Cars Only"
This is my favorite photo from my recent day-trip to Seattle. ¶ 4/06/2005 11:29:00 PM 2 comments
This is my favorite photo from my recent day-trip to Seattle. ¶ 4/06/2005 11:29:00 PM 2 comments
Comparative Values
Stomach Flu vs. Food Poisoning,
When it all comes down to dealing with either of these over the span of 5+ days, is there really an appreciable difference? ¶ 4/06/2005 06:58:00 AM 2 comments
When it all comes down to dealing with either of these over the span of 5+ days, is there really an appreciable difference? ¶ 4/06/2005 06:58:00 AM 2 comments
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
This is Not Really A Surprise (One Chameleon is just like Another)
Which Incredibles Character Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
Thank you, Sheila, for leading me to this quiz. Very fun!!! ¶ 3/30/2005 11:27:00 PM 2 comments
Which Incredibles Character Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
Thank you, Sheila, for leading me to this quiz. Very fun!!! ¶ 3/30/2005 11:27:00 PM 2 comments
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Blog Envy
I get this. Often.
It usually creeps in when I'm reading any poignant post about personal experience and life lessons learned from (a) children, (b) students, (c) nature, etc.
My day to day life is just not that interesting. For example... Went to work early today, ran around crazy trying to get candidates in/out of their interviews on schedule, ate a lousy salad for lunch, left work late, came home, ate a less-lousy salad for dinner, blogged.
And that's a pretty exciting day.
Where are my teachable moments? Where are the tiny daily epiphanies that will help build up my foundational beliefs and character? Where are the people that I can come alongside, listen to, and then support/encourage/pray for?
(Don't answer that last question -- I know where they are. Guess I'm just feeling kinda snarky today... Feeling like a spectator in my own life.)
**Instead, I think about, and thus blog about, how the clouds split the evening sky tonight like a vertical and foamy yin/yang.
**And I dwell on whether I should join Weight Watchers.
**And how my doctor's appointment on Friday (hmmm, April Fool's Day) will go.
**And whether we'll get financing for the next phase of our remodel.
**And if I'll get enough time off for Eric and I to go visit Michael in his, erm, "boarding" school in Utah mid-April.
**And who's going to win American Idol. Or the Amazing Race.
**And that it has been a full 10 years since the first time I heard of Johnnie Cochran during the OJ murder trial, and now he's dead.
**And how will life in this little/big county change if the Cowlitz tribe gets approval to build a casino larger than Caesar's Palace?
**And why I feel such distaste about Michael Schiavo's decision to autopsy his still-living wife once she finally passes away in order to "prove" his point about what a deteriorated condition she has been in these last 14 years. Am I cynical about this announcement because there seems to be no purpose to this?
(Now that I'm here, I just have to ask...) Who is Michael Schiavo trying to convince with these future autopsy results? After the massive schism that's formed between himself and Terri's family, is he really thinking that any action short of reversing his decision will provide any satisfactory 'proof' or comfort for her mom and dad? I can't believe he is doing this for them. So, then for whom? For himself? For the media circus? For the millions around the country and possibly the world who find themselves on one side or the other of the "right to die" / "right to help die" debate? Who?
Okay, my "blog envy" has spent itself into a quieter "blog lackadaisy." So, I guess I'll be done now. As per usual, I have many questions and few answers to my questions. I am not even sure I have firm or semi-firm opinions on most of these. Just lots of conundrums.
Peace to you all. ¶ 3/29/2005 08:31:00 PM 7 comments
It usually creeps in when I'm reading any poignant post about personal experience and life lessons learned from (a) children, (b) students, (c) nature, etc.
My day to day life is just not that interesting. For example... Went to work early today, ran around crazy trying to get candidates in/out of their interviews on schedule, ate a lousy salad for lunch, left work late, came home, ate a less-lousy salad for dinner, blogged.
And that's a pretty exciting day.
Where are my teachable moments? Where are the tiny daily epiphanies that will help build up my foundational beliefs and character? Where are the people that I can come alongside, listen to, and then support/encourage/pray for?
(Don't answer that last question -- I know where they are. Guess I'm just feeling kinda snarky today... Feeling like a spectator in my own life.)
**Instead, I think about, and thus blog about, how the clouds split the evening sky tonight like a vertical and foamy yin/yang.
**And I dwell on whether I should join Weight Watchers.
**And how my doctor's appointment on Friday (hmmm, April Fool's Day) will go.
**And whether we'll get financing for the next phase of our remodel.
**And if I'll get enough time off for Eric and I to go visit Michael in his, erm, "boarding" school in Utah mid-April.
**And who's going to win American Idol. Or the Amazing Race.
**And that it has been a full 10 years since the first time I heard of Johnnie Cochran during the OJ murder trial, and now he's dead.
**And how will life in this little/big county change if the Cowlitz tribe gets approval to build a casino larger than Caesar's Palace?
**And why I feel such distaste about Michael Schiavo's decision to autopsy his still-living wife once she finally passes away in order to "prove" his point about what a deteriorated condition she has been in these last 14 years. Am I cynical about this announcement because there seems to be no purpose to this?
(Now that I'm here, I just have to ask...) Who is Michael Schiavo trying to convince with these future autopsy results? After the massive schism that's formed between himself and Terri's family, is he really thinking that any action short of reversing his decision will provide any satisfactory 'proof' or comfort for her mom and dad? I can't believe he is doing this for them. So, then for whom? For himself? For the media circus? For the millions around the country and possibly the world who find themselves on one side or the other of the "right to die" / "right to help die" debate? Who?
Okay, my "blog envy" has spent itself into a quieter "blog lackadaisy." So, I guess I'll be done now. As per usual, I have many questions and few answers to my questions. I am not even sure I have firm or semi-firm opinions on most of these. Just lots of conundrums.
Peace to you all. ¶ 3/29/2005 08:31:00 PM 7 comments
Sunday, March 27, 2005
Goodbye Bric-a-Brac Road
This is the Swedish glass snowman I bought with my hard(ly) earned allowance in 1978. His frosty posture appears to have held up well over the years, considering he spent the majority of his time in a cramped box on a dusty shelf in my parent's non-climate controlled storage room in So. Cal.
I took him back into my custody a year ago after my parents gave the ultimatum "take it or toss it." Since that time, he's been walking the long halls of whatnot row, while I figure out what to do with him and the others like him.
See, the problem is - I have no place for tchotchkes and knick-knacks. I won't display them. And it makes less sense for me to put them in a box just to keep them in order to never do anything with them.
Therefore, today is his day of reckoning. It's his judgment day.
***Will he stay?
***Will he go?
Oh, he's not the only one. He and his home-baubles have been sitting around collecting dust for ages now. Some try to brush up on skills so they can pass muster as "conversation pieces" or "collectibles." But it's all a sham, a ploy. The shiny whimsy that caught my eye long ago has faded. Now all I see are lots of little trappings for dust motes and sun fade. Therefore, most - if not all - have to 'vaya con dios!' and get their little glass and/or ceramic hineys right out the door.
Meet the gewgaw parade...
In the end, the snowman stays. His picture made me smile enough to give him a stay of banishment. But the rest are gone. Toodle-oo, Scooby-Doo! ¶ 3/27/2005 10:40:00 AM 9 comments
This is the Swedish glass snowman I bought with my hard(ly) earned allowance in 1978. His frosty posture appears to have held up well over the years, considering he spent the majority of his time in a cramped box on a dusty shelf in my parent's non-climate controlled storage room in So. Cal.
I took him back into my custody a year ago after my parents gave the ultimatum "take it or toss it." Since that time, he's been walking the long halls of whatnot row, while I figure out what to do with him and the others like him.
See, the problem is - I have no place for tchotchkes and knick-knacks. I won't display them. And it makes less sense for me to put them in a box just to keep them in order to never do anything with them.
Therefore, today is his day of reckoning. It's his judgment day.
***Will he stay?
***Will he go?
Oh, he's not the only one. He and his home-baubles have been sitting around collecting dust for ages now. Some try to brush up on skills so they can pass muster as "conversation pieces" or "collectibles." But it's all a sham, a ploy. The shiny whimsy that caught my eye long ago has faded. Now all I see are lots of little trappings for dust motes and sun fade. Therefore, most - if not all - have to 'vaya con dios!' and get their little glass and/or ceramic hineys right out the door.
Meet the gewgaw parade...
 |  |  |
| 1st Grade art. "A" for effort; "U" for ugly. | The lone wolf... He's a rebel, Dotty. A loner! | Wind it up, watch it waste $7.45. |
 ........................... |
| In my defense, I never bought this......... Star Wars soda. Empty since 1984. |
In the end, the snowman stays. His picture made me smile enough to give him a stay of banishment. But the rest are gone. Toodle-oo, Scooby-Doo! ¶ 3/27/2005 10:40:00 AM 9 comments
Saturday, March 26, 2005
Significant Supper Exodus
This is a 15-second open-shutter photo from Friday evening's Significant Supper. I love the feel of it, because it captures the 'ghosted images' of the hundreds of folks that attended the Significant Supper as they were leaving. ¶ 3/26/2005 09:02:00 PM 5 comments
This is a 15-second open-shutter photo from Friday evening's Significant Supper. I love the feel of it, because it captures the 'ghosted images' of the hundreds of folks that attended the Significant Supper as they were leaving. ¶ 3/26/2005 09:02:00 PM 5 comments
Friday, March 25, 2005
All "Hummus"ed Out
All week, I've been helping out at the "Significant Supper" for my church. Every night, at 5:30 & 7:30pm, our pastor leads folks through the cultural and historical significance of the last supper.
Our Significant Supper meal starts with traditional middle eastern salads and appetizers (thus the hummus). Pita is the only utensil folks have to eat the cabbage salad, salsa, hummus, etc.
Following that, all leavened bread is cleared from the table -- every crumb -- and the Passover meal begins. Participants, who have been arranged into "families" with a designated papa, mama and child, follow along through the Haggodoth rituals of Passover.
Lastly, folks "see" Jesus' last supper with his disciples, given this cultural and religious underlayment.
This is the third time I've had the opportunity to serve at this event. It is so powerful every time, and really helps set my heart for this Easter week. Very cool. Very necessary.
Plus, all the hummus you can eat...
Peace to you and your families, this (and every other) week. ¶ 3/25/2005 06:15:00 AM 4 comments
Our Significant Supper meal starts with traditional middle eastern salads and appetizers (thus the hummus). Pita is the only utensil folks have to eat the cabbage salad, salsa, hummus, etc.
Following that, all leavened bread is cleared from the table -- every crumb -- and the Passover meal begins. Participants, who have been arranged into "families" with a designated papa, mama and child, follow along through the Haggodoth rituals of Passover.
Lastly, folks "see" Jesus' last supper with his disciples, given this cultural and religious underlayment.
This is the third time I've had the opportunity to serve at this event. It is so powerful every time, and really helps set my heart for this Easter week. Very cool. Very necessary.
Plus, all the hummus you can eat...
Peace to you and your families, this (and every other) week. ¶ 3/25/2005 06:15:00 AM 4 comments
Thursday, March 24, 2005
Create Your Own Easter Egg Without all the Vinegar and Food Coloring
Fun times abound. Paint your own Easter Egg here... I tried to copy mine and post it, but alas... it wouldn't copy/paste. (Boo!) Still, fun for kids and inner-kids alike.
¶ 3/24/2005 09:44:00 PM 1 comments
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Come and See the Violence Inherent in the System!
Funkiller recently wrote a thought provoking post about what he would do if he ran the world. I can't imaging tackling such weighty responsibility -- or anything more intensive than my current day-to-day existence ...and my taxes. (Yikes! April 15th is coming soon.)
So, since I won't be running the world anytime soon, I felt the least I could do was to post one of my favorite scene's from Monty Python's Holy Grail. Enjoy!
------------
ARTHUR: Old woman!
DENNIS: Man!
ARTHUR: Man. Sorry. What knight lives in that castle over there?
DENNIS: I'm thirty-seven.
ARTHUR: I-- what?
DENNIS: I'm thirty-seven. I'm not old.
ARTHUR: Well, I can't just call you 'Man'.
DENNIS: Well, you could say 'Dennis'.
ARTHUR: Well, I didn't know you were called 'Dennis'.
DENNIS: Well, you didn't bother to find out, did you?
ARTHUR: I did say 'sorry' about the 'old woman', but from the behind you looked--
DENNIS: What I object to is that you automatically treat me like an inferior!
ARTHUR: Well, I am King!
DENNIS: Oh, King, eh, very nice. And how d'you get that, eh? By exploiting the workers! By 'anging on to outdated imperialist dogma which perpetuates the economic and social differences in our society. If there's ever going to be any progress with the--
WOMAN: Dennis, there's some lovely filth down here. Oh! How d'you do?
ARTHUR: How do you do, good lady? I am Arthur, King of the Britons. Who's castle is that?
WOMAN: King of the who?
ARTHUR: The Britons.
WOMAN: Who are the Britons?
ARTHUR: Well, we all are. We are all Britons, and I am your king.
WOMAN: I didn't know we had a king. I thought we were an autonomous collective.
DENNIS: You're fooling yourself. We're living in a dictatorship: a self-perpetuating autocracy in which the working classes--
WOMAN: Oh, there you go bringing class into it again.
DENNIS: That's what it's all about. If only people would hear of--
ARTHUR: Please! Please, good people. I am in haste. Who lives in that castle?
WOMAN: No one lives there.
ARTHUR: Then who is your lord?
WOMAN: We don't have a lord.
ARTHUR: What?
DENNIS: I told you. We're an anarcho-syndicalist commune. We take it in turns to act as a sort of executive officer for the week,...
ARTHUR: Yes.
DENNIS: ...but all the decisions of that officer have to be ratified at a special bi-weekly meeting...
ARTHUR: Yes, I see.
DENNIS: ...by a simple majority in the case of purely internal affairs,...
ARTHUR: Be quiet!
DENNIS: ...but by a two-thirds majority in the case of more major--
ARTHUR: Be quiet! I order you to be quiet!
WOMAN: Order, eh? Who does he think he is? Heh.
ARTHUR: I am your king!
WOMAN: Well, I didn't vote for you.
ARTHUR: You don't vote for kings.
WOMAN: Well, how did you become King, then?
ARTHUR: The Lady of the Lake, her arm clad in the purest shimmering samite, held aloft Excalibur from the bosom of the water signifying by Divine Providence that I, Arthur, was to carry Excalibur. That is why I am your king!
DENNIS: Listen. Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.
ARTHUR: Be quiet!
DENNIS: Well, but you can't expect to wield supreme executive power just 'cause some watery tart threw a sword at you!
ARTHUR: Shut up!
DENNIS: I mean, if I went 'round saying I was an emperor just because some moistened bint had lobbed a scimitar at me, they'd put me away!
ARTHUR: Shut up, will you? Shut up!
DENNIS: Ah, now we see the violence inherent in the system.
ARTHUR: Shut up!
DENNIS: Oh! Come and see the violence inherent in the system! Help! Help! I'm being repressed!
ARTHUR: Bloody peasant!
DENNIS: Oh, what a give-away. Did you hear that? Did you hear that, eh? That's what I'm on about. Did you see him repressing me? You saw it, didn't you? ¶ 3/23/2005 07:45:00 PM 4 comments
So, since I won't be running the world anytime soon, I felt the least I could do was to post one of my favorite scene's from Monty Python's Holy Grail. Enjoy!
------------
ARTHUR: Old woman!
DENNIS: Man!
ARTHUR: Man. Sorry. What knight lives in that castle over there?
DENNIS: I'm thirty-seven.
ARTHUR: I-- what?
DENNIS: I'm thirty-seven. I'm not old.
ARTHUR: Well, I can't just call you 'Man'.
DENNIS: Well, you could say 'Dennis'.
ARTHUR: Well, I didn't know you were called 'Dennis'.
DENNIS: Well, you didn't bother to find out, did you?
ARTHUR: I did say 'sorry' about the 'old woman', but from the behind you looked--
DENNIS: What I object to is that you automatically treat me like an inferior!
ARTHUR: Well, I am King!
DENNIS: Oh, King, eh, very nice. And how d'you get that, eh? By exploiting the workers! By 'anging on to outdated imperialist dogma which perpetuates the economic and social differences in our society. If there's ever going to be any progress with the--
WOMAN: Dennis, there's some lovely filth down here. Oh! How d'you do?
ARTHUR: How do you do, good lady? I am Arthur, King of the Britons. Who's castle is that?
WOMAN: King of the who?
ARTHUR: The Britons.
WOMAN: Who are the Britons?
ARTHUR: Well, we all are. We are all Britons, and I am your king.
WOMAN: I didn't know we had a king. I thought we were an autonomous collective.
DENNIS: You're fooling yourself. We're living in a dictatorship: a self-perpetuating autocracy in which the working classes--
WOMAN: Oh, there you go bringing class into it again.
DENNIS: That's what it's all about. If only people would hear of--
ARTHUR: Please! Please, good people. I am in haste. Who lives in that castle?
WOMAN: No one lives there.
ARTHUR: Then who is your lord?
WOMAN: We don't have a lord.
ARTHUR: What?
DENNIS: I told you. We're an anarcho-syndicalist commune. We take it in turns to act as a sort of executive officer for the week,...
ARTHUR: Yes.
DENNIS: ...but all the decisions of that officer have to be ratified at a special bi-weekly meeting...
ARTHUR: Yes, I see.
DENNIS: ...by a simple majority in the case of purely internal affairs,...
ARTHUR: Be quiet!
DENNIS: ...but by a two-thirds majority in the case of more major--
ARTHUR: Be quiet! I order you to be quiet!
WOMAN: Order, eh? Who does he think he is? Heh.
ARTHUR: I am your king!
WOMAN: Well, I didn't vote for you.
ARTHUR: You don't vote for kings.
WOMAN: Well, how did you become King, then?
ARTHUR: The Lady of the Lake, her arm clad in the purest shimmering samite, held aloft Excalibur from the bosom of the water signifying by Divine Providence that I, Arthur, was to carry Excalibur. That is why I am your king!
DENNIS: Listen. Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.
ARTHUR: Be quiet!
DENNIS: Well, but you can't expect to wield supreme executive power just 'cause some watery tart threw a sword at you!
ARTHUR: Shut up!
DENNIS: I mean, if I went 'round saying I was an emperor just because some moistened bint had lobbed a scimitar at me, they'd put me away!
ARTHUR: Shut up, will you? Shut up!
DENNIS: Ah, now we see the violence inherent in the system.
ARTHUR: Shut up!
DENNIS: Oh! Come and see the violence inherent in the system! Help! Help! I'm being repressed!
ARTHUR: Bloody peasant!
DENNIS: Oh, what a give-away. Did you hear that? Did you hear that, eh? That's what I'm on about. Did you see him repressing me? You saw it, didn't you? ¶ 3/23/2005 07:45:00 PM 4 comments
Sunday, March 20, 2005
Experience Music Project
I went up to Seattle today with a friend. She went to a continuing education class at the University of Washington, and I roamed the campus taking pictures of everything and anything. I'll be posting those photos on So the Echo over the next few days. But this is my favorite shot from the day.
As we were leaving UoW, we had to stop by the Seattle Center for a couple of pictures. The day was so gray and drizzly that any sky shots turned out really dull. But the E.M.P. building is so vibrant, that it looks amazing no matter what the weather is like. And the fact that these two were up against the purple wall taking their own shots made for my perfect photo opportunity.
If you ever get the chance and you really like music, I highly recommend a visit to the E.M.P. Eric and I met some friends up there several years ago and played around for the day. At that time, they rented out these really heavy digital player packs, along with headphones and a little hand scanner. You walked through the exhibits in your own little musical world. Whenever you found a section that was very interesting, you scanned the exhibit and it not only narrated the history and other interesting tidbits, but would play snippets of the music, etc. This was particularly cool in the 'guitar' room, which was filled wall to wall, with tons of different guitars. And you could listen to the sound and tone of most of them.
This technology seemed so cool back then. Now it is as common and lightweight as an iPod. Still, they have probably improved the technology along with more and more exhibits. I'm not a full on audiophile, so I doubt my little description could do it full justice. Anyway, it's a great place. Ta! ¶ 3/20/2005 10:06:00 PM 0 comments
As we were leaving UoW, we had to stop by the Seattle Center for a couple of pictures. The day was so gray and drizzly that any sky shots turned out really dull. But the E.M.P. building is so vibrant, that it looks amazing no matter what the weather is like. And the fact that these two were up against the purple wall taking their own shots made for my perfect photo opportunity.
If you ever get the chance and you really like music, I highly recommend a visit to the E.M.P. Eric and I met some friends up there several years ago and played around for the day. At that time, they rented out these really heavy digital player packs, along with headphones and a little hand scanner. You walked through the exhibits in your own little musical world. Whenever you found a section that was very interesting, you scanned the exhibit and it not only narrated the history and other interesting tidbits, but would play snippets of the music, etc. This was particularly cool in the 'guitar' room, which was filled wall to wall, with tons of different guitars. And you could listen to the sound and tone of most of them.
This technology seemed so cool back then. Now it is as common and lightweight as an iPod. Still, they have probably improved the technology along with more and more exhibits. I'm not a full on audiophile, so I doubt my little description could do it full justice. Anyway, it's a great place. Ta! ¶ 3/20/2005 10:06:00 PM 0 comments
Saturday, March 19, 2005
Naniga, Nanishite, Nantoyara... (redux)
In the summer of 2004, I wrote my first blog entry. Friends who I hadn't seen or talked to in years suddenly popped back up into my daily life via this strange world of "blogging." This looked like fun and I wanted to play too.
My first blog talked about "warm-up" exercises for a theatre class I took. This seemed like something I would need to plan for and practice before I could leap right in. So, I did all my warm ups...
(1) Came up with a fitting title for my blog.
(2) Labored over every single stinkin' word in my first post.
(3) Struggled, failed, then eventually got better at posting, formatting, and uploading posts and links and pictures.
I went right along with my friends in the learning. Many of their posts still pop into my mind regularly -- Beautiful or funny or terrible stories that made my heart cry, laugh and thrill. Stark disclosures of their own lives and thoughts. (Some of which I had to respond to with some small comment on how their story impacted me, but many more I only responded inwardly -- letting their words dig deep and filter across my heart, my consciousness, my limited perceptions of the world and feeling grateful that someone was willing to disclose what the world-at-large is - and I in particular am - reluctant to share openly about.)
Now, nearly a year later, I've been wondering about the lifespan of this little drama. Should my blog be finished "in three acts?" Really, how long IS my story? Why am I writing? Is it for me? If so, I've lost a bit of edge lately (if indeed I have EVER been called edgy).
I guess it really is a bit like being on stage. In a brief flicker of these "stage lights," I have caught a glance at how big this auditorium is. Now I have stage fright. My early days in "rehearsal" seemed so much more fun. Several of my favorite players have left the cast. Our troupe seems a bit smaller now - and yet much bigger as this auditorium starts to fill up.
I have been onstage now for awhile under the blogLight. I am much more familiar with my theatre. After 277 shows (split pretty well between evening showings, matinees and a whole bunch of 'midnight' madness performances), I feel that, while Spill Forth Chameleon is home for me, it's a bit like living in a transit station. How much at home can I be when I have no control over who is coming and going into my 'living' space. Ya, ya...I know that's pretty much the point (and the simultaneous beauty and curse) of blogging.
I also feel stretched a bit thin right now. Not even considering my real world and the many time-consuming commitments there, it seems like I'm trying to spread too little butter over too many pieces of toast. Blogging is not just about what I am writing and posting. It is also (for me, definitely) about keeping us and responding with many other blogs. It's that whole "as iron sharpens iron" thing for me. And I love it (really there are times when I'd just rather read about your lives than ponder my own) but it is time consuming. I rarely can start and finish a new post in less than 30-45 minutes. Then I spend at least an hour (often more like 2+) every day reading and commenting on everyone else's blogs. I guess the good news is, I really AM watching much less TV these days.
Anyway, this is what I've been pondering. The Spill Forth theatre has been dark lately, or hosting "on-stage filler" to cover for the conspicuous absence of the show's lead. I've been considering shutting it all down. Then, out of the dimly lit house, which I figured was mostly empty this week - I hear a small voice and gesture of encouragement. "Really, really missing you." That little note was soothing to my heart. (Now don't get me wrong -- not shilling for more comments. It was just the right comment at the right moment.)
And just that little call of encouragement has helped me make up my mind for the time being. I guess, for now, I still want to be in the play. So I'll do my warm-ups again. I'll re-find my voice. And I'll step back out on stage...
Thank you for your patronage. ¶ 3/19/2005 05:42:00 AM 7 comments
My first blog talked about "warm-up" exercises for a theatre class I took. This seemed like something I would need to plan for and practice before I could leap right in. So, I did all my warm ups...
(1) Came up with a fitting title for my blog.
(2) Labored over every single stinkin' word in my first post.
(3) Struggled, failed, then eventually got better at posting, formatting, and uploading posts and links and pictures.
I went right along with my friends in the learning. Many of their posts still pop into my mind regularly -- Beautiful or funny or terrible stories that made my heart cry, laugh and thrill. Stark disclosures of their own lives and thoughts. (Some of which I had to respond to with some small comment on how their story impacted me, but many more I only responded inwardly -- letting their words dig deep and filter across my heart, my consciousness, my limited perceptions of the world and feeling grateful that someone was willing to disclose what the world-at-large is - and I in particular am - reluctant to share openly about.)
Now, nearly a year later, I've been wondering about the lifespan of this little drama. Should my blog be finished "in three acts?" Really, how long IS my story? Why am I writing? Is it for me? If so, I've lost a bit of edge lately (if indeed I have EVER been called edgy).
I guess it really is a bit like being on stage. In a brief flicker of these "stage lights," I have caught a glance at how big this auditorium is. Now I have stage fright. My early days in "rehearsal" seemed so much more fun. Several of my favorite players have left the cast. Our troupe seems a bit smaller now - and yet much bigger as this auditorium starts to fill up.
I have been onstage now for awhile under the blogLight. I am much more familiar with my theatre. After 277 shows (split pretty well between evening showings, matinees and a whole bunch of 'midnight' madness performances), I feel that, while Spill Forth Chameleon is home for me, it's a bit like living in a transit station. How much at home can I be when I have no control over who is coming and going into my 'living' space. Ya, ya...I know that's pretty much the point (and the simultaneous beauty and curse) of blogging.
I also feel stretched a bit thin right now. Not even considering my real world and the many time-consuming commitments there, it seems like I'm trying to spread too little butter over too many pieces of toast. Blogging is not just about what I am writing and posting. It is also (for me, definitely) about keeping us and responding with many other blogs. It's that whole "as iron sharpens iron" thing for me. And I love it (really there are times when I'd just rather read about your lives than ponder my own) but it is time consuming. I rarely can start and finish a new post in less than 30-45 minutes. Then I spend at least an hour (often more like 2+) every day reading and commenting on everyone else's blogs. I guess the good news is, I really AM watching much less TV these days.
Anyway, this is what I've been pondering. The Spill Forth theatre has been dark lately, or hosting "on-stage filler" to cover for the conspicuous absence of the show's lead. I've been considering shutting it all down. Then, out of the dimly lit house, which I figured was mostly empty this week - I hear a small voice and gesture of encouragement. "Really, really missing you." That little note was soothing to my heart. (Now don't get me wrong -- not shilling for more comments. It was just the right comment at the right moment.)
And just that little call of encouragement has helped me make up my mind for the time being. I guess, for now, I still want to be in the play. So I'll do my warm-ups again. I'll re-find my voice. And I'll step back out on stage...
Thank you for your patronage. ¶ 3/19/2005 05:42:00 AM 7 comments
Monday, March 07, 2005
"The best of a book is not the thought which it contains, but the thought which it suggests; just as the charm of music dwells not in the tones but in the echoes of our hearts." Oliver Wendell Holmes
¶ 3/07/2005 05:04:00 AM 1 comments
Friday, February 25, 2005
Fixed Me My First Flat Tire
Last night, after work. Very proud of me. :)
¶ 2/25/2005 07:02:00 AM 6 comments
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
In the Elder Days of Margo Kidder
Whatever happened to Margo Kidder? I mean, what happened to her following her unfortunate break with reality in the mid-90's? I don't think I've given this question any brain-width in the intervening years. However, Margo popped up on my radar two times in the last month.
The first time, on one of the new Family Guy episodes, an animated (literally) Margo Kidder reprised her 1996 freakout in Peter Griffin's Rhode Island home. What brought Miss Kidder to the animator's mind that she should be spoofworthy in 2005? Who knows.
Then, this past weekend, MK cropped up again. This time, she made her appearance at the Wonder-Con comic and popular art convention in San Francisco. The some-time Lois Lane was there shilling autographs...a mere $10 per. Hmmmm. Unsurprisingly, there wasn't much of a line waiting to spend an Alexander Hamilton on Margo Kidder's John Hancock.
To help put this in perspective, there were long lines of people trying to "win" autographs from other sub-headlining "celebrities" like Paris Hilton (who no-showed, thank goodness) and the guy who will be playing Dr. Doom in the upcoming Fantastic Four movie and whose name escapes me. And, in fact, these three dudes walking around in 'spot-on' Stormtrooper costumes seemed to get more love from the fans than Margo did.
super troopers
There was no line at all when Eric walked past Margo's table. He didn't know it was her table, or even that she was supposed to be at the show, when she called out to talk to him.
"Why is your 'S' backwards?"
"What?" Eric said startled, looking around at her.
"The Superman 'S' on your t-shirt. Why is it backwards?"
"Oh," he replied, "It's not Superman. It's Bizarro."
"What's Bizarro?"
"He's kind of an alternate version of Superman."
"Wow. I never heard of him."
"Yep." He starts to walk away.
"Wanna buy my autograph?"
***
Okay, Margo didn't ask that last question, but it wouldn't have seemed any more bizarre than the rest of the conversation.
So, in case you were wondering, that is what Margo Kidder is doing these days. C-listing herself at comic conventions. Poor Lois. ¶ 2/22/2005 08:11:00 PM 6 comments
The first time, on one of the new Family Guy episodes, an animated (literally) Margo Kidder reprised her 1996 freakout in Peter Griffin's Rhode Island home. What brought Miss Kidder to the animator's mind that she should be spoofworthy in 2005? Who knows.
Then, this past weekend, MK cropped up again. This time, she made her appearance at the Wonder-Con comic and popular art convention in San Francisco. The some-time Lois Lane was there shilling autographs...a mere $10 per. Hmmmm. Unsurprisingly, there wasn't much of a line waiting to spend an Alexander Hamilton on Margo Kidder's John Hancock.
To help put this in perspective, there were long lines of people trying to "win" autographs from other sub-headlining "celebrities" like Paris Hilton (who no-showed, thank goodness) and the guy who will be playing Dr. Doom in the upcoming Fantastic Four movie and whose name escapes me. And, in fact, these three dudes walking around in 'spot-on' Stormtrooper costumes seemed to get more love from the fans than Margo did.
super troopers
There was no line at all when Eric walked past Margo's table. He didn't know it was her table, or even that she was supposed to be at the show, when she called out to talk to him.
"Why is your 'S' backwards?"
"What?" Eric said startled, looking around at her.
"The Superman 'S' on your t-shirt. Why is it backwards?"
"Oh," he replied, "It's not Superman. It's Bizarro."
"What's Bizarro?"
"He's kind of an alternate version of Superman."
"Wow. I never heard of him."
"Yep." He starts to walk away.
"Wanna buy my autograph?"
***
Okay, Margo didn't ask that last question, but it wouldn't have seemed any more bizarre than the rest of the conversation.
So, in case you were wondering, that is what Margo Kidder is doing these days. C-listing herself at comic conventions. Poor Lois. ¶ 2/22/2005 08:11:00 PM 6 comments
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Wherever I Go, There I Am
We've had nearly a week now of utter transience.
**Last Thursday, we lost our one and only commode. (I hope they smote it into heap of not-so-pristine porcelain dust with their huge sledgehammers, but they probably just dismantled it and took it to the dump.) We roughed it that night and used the "Honey Bucket" they had brought (an odd name for that contraption, I've always thought).
By the next morning, we knew we wouldn't go through that another night. It wasn't the fact that the port-o-potty was on the slant in our driveway. It wasn't that it was too cold to go out there in the middle of the night. It was the fact that I went out at like 11:00 PM, and realized -- huh, I think someone other than us has USED this thing -- because I'm almost positive we left the seat DOWN. Gave me the heebie-jeebies.
**Then last Friday, the plumber came, did his thang, and left us without water for the weekend. This didn't really matter because we high tailed it to Eric's parents house. (They have 3 bathrooms -- yippee!). So we came and went from here to there, checking out the progress, picking up clothes, grabbing odds and ends.
**On Saturday, we packed up the cat and the scratching post and the litter box and her food and water bowls and brought her over to m&f-i-l's, where she gets treated like a little queen. Hmmm. Probably won't want to come home with us when it's all over.
**On Monday, the electrician came. We must have had the nightmare wiring, because he has spent the last three days tearing out almost every existing wire and redoing all of them. So, we had no power to most of the house most of this week. He did fortunately leave the power to the kitchen on, so the refrigerator is working. But we still have no water. I think they have forgotten to turn it back on.
**Anyway, we probably won't spend the nights back at our place until they put the new toilet in. My internet access here is pretty slow. I can post okay, but it takes about 5 minutes to log on and leave one comment, so I know I'm behind on a lot of my reading and commenting. Actually, I'm pretty current on the reading, just lagging on the responding.
So...if you don't hear from me often in the next couple of weeks, it's probably because we'll be living out of our car next. (Big sigh, and flourish back of hand to careworn forehead.)
:) ¶ 2/16/2005 06:38:00 PM 3 comments
**Last Thursday, we lost our one and only commode. (I hope they smote it into heap of not-so-pristine porcelain dust with their huge sledgehammers, but they probably just dismantled it and took it to the dump.) We roughed it that night and used the "Honey Bucket" they had brought (an odd name for that contraption, I've always thought).
By the next morning, we knew we wouldn't go through that another night. It wasn't the fact that the port-o-potty was on the slant in our driveway. It wasn't that it was too cold to go out there in the middle of the night. It was the fact that I went out at like 11:00 PM, and realized -- huh, I think someone other than us has USED this thing -- because I'm almost positive we left the seat DOWN. Gave me the heebie-jeebies.
**Then last Friday, the plumber came, did his thang, and left us without water for the weekend. This didn't really matter because we high tailed it to Eric's parents house. (They have 3 bathrooms -- yippee!). So we came and went from here to there, checking out the progress, picking up clothes, grabbing odds and ends.
**On Saturday, we packed up the cat and the scratching post and the litter box and her food and water bowls and brought her over to m&f-i-l's, where she gets treated like a little queen. Hmmm. Probably won't want to come home with us when it's all over.
**On Monday, the electrician came. We must have had the nightmare wiring, because he has spent the last three days tearing out almost every existing wire and redoing all of them. So, we had no power to most of the house most of this week. He did fortunately leave the power to the kitchen on, so the refrigerator is working. But we still have no water. I think they have forgotten to turn it back on.
**Anyway, we probably won't spend the nights back at our place until they put the new toilet in. My internet access here is pretty slow. I can post okay, but it takes about 5 minutes to log on and leave one comment, so I know I'm behind on a lot of my reading and commenting. Actually, I'm pretty current on the reading, just lagging on the responding.
So...if you don't hear from me often in the next couple of weeks, it's probably because we'll be living out of our car next. (Big sigh, and flourish back of hand to careworn forehead.)
:) ¶ 2/16/2005 06:38:00 PM 3 comments
Sunday, February 13, 2005
I Love Lamp
Here is a list of words that I particularly thought about today. Each came to mind for a specific reason, but I won't bore you with the stream of consciousness details. Enjoy!
absolutely…………………………………………………
….achtung………………………………………………..
…….aggregate……………………………………………
………….august……………………beau………………
……..castaic……………………ch’kai…………………
…churlish…………………………………………………
…….claim………………………………………………...
……….claire………………………………………………
………….crush……………………………………………
..……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………….…formulaic
………………………………………………founder…….
…………………………………………gentle……………
………………………………………gift…………………
………………………………….grace……………………
……….………………….habibi………………………...
………..Hi, Hi Puffy Ami Yumi Show…………….
……………………………impugn……………………….
………………………………..jowl……………………….
………………………………….lamp……………….……
…………………………………….light…………….…….
……………………………………….manifold….………
……………………………………mirror………………….
naniga……...…….nanishite………….nantoyara
…….passage………………………………….pencil…..
……….penultimate……………………...popular….
……………….possess………………pure………………
…………………….rapt….revisionist…………………
…………………………staunch………………………….
………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………….
…………………………………understand……………..
…………….wergild………………………………………..
…………………………..wit........................less.... ¶ 2/13/2005 10:23:00 PM 2 comments
absolutely…………………………………………………
….achtung………………………………………………..
…….aggregate……………………………………………
………….august……………………beau………………
……..castaic……………………ch’kai…………………
…churlish…………………………………………………
…….claim………………………………………………...
……….claire………………………………………………
………….crush……………………………………………
..……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………….…formulaic
………………………………………………founder…….
…………………………………………gentle……………
………………………………………gift…………………
………………………………….grace……………………
……….………………….habibi………………………...
………..Hi, Hi Puffy Ami Yumi Show…………….
……………………………impugn……………………….
………………………………..jowl……………………….
………………………………….lamp……………….……
…………………………………….light…………….…….
……………………………………….manifold….………
……………………………………mirror………………….
naniga……...…….nanishite………….nantoyara
…….passage………………………………….pencil…..
……….penultimate……………………...popular….
……………….possess………………pure………………
…………………….rapt….revisionist…………………
…………………………staunch………………………….
………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………….
…………………………………understand……………..
…………….wergild………………………………………..
…………………………..wit........................less.... ¶ 2/13/2005 10:23:00 PM 2 comments
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Screen Cleaner (Now relinked to the "Real" Site)
Here's a nifty little trick to use when your computer screen gets a bit smudgy. Let it load for 15 seconds and you'll see it sparkle in the flick of a whisker.
¶ 2/09/2005 08:04:00 PM 3 comments
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Demolition Derby
When we last left our viewers, the contractors had cut the footing holes in the basement. That went super smoothly. Hmm, mostly.
We didn't figure on the sewer pipe going directly under one of the planned posts. This caused a change-order, albeit a pretty simple one, and a bit of refiguring to make sure the structural stuff would still work out. So the concrete was inspected, signed-off on and poured.
Then it was time to begin the demolitioning. Naturally, we had to take some "before" and "after" pictures.
before...
...and after.
Well, this was after they tore everything out.
At least they left us the toilet. Gonna need slippers and a flashlight for late night visits. Grrr-arghhh. But still better than the alternative...a port-a-potty in the side yard. Can you feel the love I'm generating?
You totally can't see the really neat details in this pic. But the long-ago previous owners really liked to layer stuff.
I mentioned the two roofs, right? One flat and one peaked? I don't think I shared that the top roof has three layers of composite roofing. Anyway, the bathroom tile was laid right over - yep - other tile. The under-tile looks like it was the original stuff from the 1930's. It's tiny, white and octagonal.
It's safe to assume these folks were probably not renowned for their DIY skills. Anyway, this is really fun and exciting. The kitty has already disappeared down the open furnace vent. More play space. Yay! ¶ 2/03/2005 06:36:00 PM 5 comments
We didn't figure on the sewer pipe going directly under one of the planned posts. This caused a change-order, albeit a pretty simple one, and a bit of refiguring to make sure the structural stuff would still work out. So the concrete was inspected, signed-off on and poured.
Then it was time to begin the demolitioning. Naturally, we had to take some "before" and "after" pictures.
before...
...and after.
Well, this was after they tore everything out.
At least they left us the toilet. Gonna need slippers and a flashlight for late night visits. Grrr-arghhh. But still better than the alternative...a port-a-potty in the side yard. Can you feel the love I'm generating?
You totally can't see the really neat details in this pic. But the long-ago previous owners really liked to layer stuff.
I mentioned the two roofs, right? One flat and one peaked? I don't think I shared that the top roof has three layers of composite roofing. Anyway, the bathroom tile was laid right over - yep - other tile. The under-tile looks like it was the original stuff from the 1930's. It's tiny, white and octagonal.
It's safe to assume these folks were probably not renowned for their DIY skills. Anyway, this is really fun and exciting. The kitty has already disappeared down the open furnace vent. More play space. Yay! ¶ 2/03/2005 06:36:00 PM 5 comments
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
I've Heard it Said that Johnny Depp is the Rich Man's Skeet Ulrich [Alternate Title: Where Have All the Good Shows Gone?]
When it comes to TV - there just ain't much in the way of enthralling programming these days. I mean, where are all the really captivating, can't wait to watch it shows?
**There's some entertaining new stuff. Desperate Housewives, Lost...but will it hold up? I have my doubts.
**There's quippy stuff. Boston Legal...but David E. Kelly's latest stuff almost seems like a cariacature of his earlier, more substantive writing.
**There's dreadfully insipid stuff. NCIS, Judging Amy, 7th Heaven...How does this keep market shares?
**There's loads of bad spin-off stuff. CSI New York, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Joey, and - please, for goodness sake, just put the many iterations of Star Trek out of my misery. (Yeah, yeah -- I know there's an "off" button on the remote -- I use it often. Whatever!)
But when will the next neo-classic arrive? Where are the brilliant shows with delicious writing, inventive stories and complex characters? Will there ever be another show like Star Trek: Next Generation or X-Files? You know, a show to provide that weekly media-adrenaline-fix? A show to bring myriad friends together en masse to watch the latest episode and take turns shushing each other in the process? Or what about a show that you just want to savor, with or without company - like the first 4 1/2 seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer?
**Some shows tantalize us with promise, then burn out quickly from poor ratings: Cupid, Firefly, The Family Guy... Though I guess there's always the hope of secondary syndication or rescue-by-DVD release.
**Other shows start with a sizzle, then settle into yawn-y ho-hum-drum-middle-agey-ness: Alias, CSI, Gilmore Girls, Smallville, The OC...
No! I don't want to settle for Skeet Ulrich any more. I want, I need more Johnny Depp. People, we need more Johnny Depp.
Again, I ask, where have all the good shows gone?
¶ 2/02/2005 09:39:00 PM 5 comments
**There's some entertaining new stuff. Desperate Housewives, Lost...but will it hold up? I have my doubts.
**There's quippy stuff. Boston Legal...but David E. Kelly's latest stuff almost seems like a cariacature of his earlier, more substantive writing.
**There's dreadfully insipid stuff. NCIS, Judging Amy, 7th Heaven...How does this keep market shares?
**There's loads of bad spin-off stuff. CSI New York, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Joey, and - please, for goodness sake, just put the many iterations of Star Trek out of my misery. (Yeah, yeah -- I know there's an "off" button on the remote -- I use it often. Whatever!)
But when will the next neo-classic arrive? Where are the brilliant shows with delicious writing, inventive stories and complex characters? Will there ever be another show like Star Trek: Next Generation or X-Files? You know, a show to provide that weekly media-adrenaline-fix? A show to bring myriad friends together en masse to watch the latest episode and take turns shushing each other in the process? Or what about a show that you just want to savor, with or without company - like the first 4 1/2 seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer?
**Some shows tantalize us with promise, then burn out quickly from poor ratings: Cupid, Firefly, The Family Guy... Though I guess there's always the hope of secondary syndication or rescue-by-DVD release.
**Other shows start with a sizzle, then settle into yawn-y ho-hum-drum-middle-agey-ness: Alias, CSI, Gilmore Girls, Smallville, The OC...
No! I don't want to settle for Skeet Ulrich any more. I want, I need more Johnny Depp. People, we need more Johnny Depp.
Again, I ask, where have all the good shows gone?
¶ 2/02/2005 09:39:00 PM 5 comments
Sunday, January 30, 2005
Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except all those others that have been tried from time to time. -- Winston Churchill
¶ 1/30/2005 05:28:00 PM 4 comments
Saturday, January 29, 2005
Fellowship of the Ring
At long last, I finished this first book in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Just minutes ago.
I am listening to the audiobooks, rather than reading them. It's proving to be a unique task - way too much of a visual learner. I can absorb the words when I read them, recalling them much better than just listening.
It took me a while to figure out why I was struggling to get into the LOTR story. I listened to each of the Harry Potter books on CD multiple times with no problem. But I read each of those books first. Since I knew the stories, I didn't have a problem comprehending and retaining the details.
But I found the solution. I listen now, while doing some other mindless task. My recent favorite is playing Mahjongg Mystery. Keeps me just focused enough to listen straight.
This completely confirms what I've always known about myself. I need to doodle or take notes to listen. This habit has always been an irritant to others, both in school and work. Yet, it's true...I absolutely cannot concentrate for long otherwise. My focus wanders.
Anyway, I'm ready to start "The Two Towers" now, though I think I'll try to catch a few winks before beginning. Hopefully, you are all sleeping well. Peaceful rest.
¶ 1/29/2005 04:02:00 AM 4 comments
I am listening to the audiobooks, rather than reading them. It's proving to be a unique task - way too much of a visual learner. I can absorb the words when I read them, recalling them much better than just listening.
It took me a while to figure out why I was struggling to get into the LOTR story. I listened to each of the Harry Potter books on CD multiple times with no problem. But I read each of those books first. Since I knew the stories, I didn't have a problem comprehending and retaining the details.
But I found the solution. I listen now, while doing some other mindless task. My recent favorite is playing Mahjongg Mystery. Keeps me just focused enough to listen straight.
This completely confirms what I've always known about myself. I need to doodle or take notes to listen. This habit has always been an irritant to others, both in school and work. Yet, it's true...I absolutely cannot concentrate for long otherwise. My focus wanders.
Anyway, I'm ready to start "The Two Towers" now, though I think I'll try to catch a few winks before beginning. Hopefully, you are all sleeping well. Peaceful rest.
¶ 1/29/2005 04:02:00 AM 4 comments
Thursday, January 27, 2005
Uplift
The shifting has begun.
For those of you who have been to our house, you know it has a massive slope in the hall and bathroom area. This is because, when the house was originally built in 1930, it was a flat roofed house. There was one room upstairs, which had window "turrets," but the rest of the roof was broad and totally flat.
This is not a great architectural feature in the rainy pacific north west. One of its previous owners must have come to this conclusion back in the 1980's (?). So they tossed another roof on it. A peaked roof. Right on top of the old roof. And I'm pretty sure they didn't have building permits. They certainly didn't get assistance from a structural engineer.
The weight of the two roofs threw off the structural balance and has been bearing down directly in the center of the house. Thus the sag. And it's a pretty impressive sag. It is at least 2 - 3 inches off level in some places. If you have equilibrium issues, don't come over. You'll get nauseated walking down the hall.
Our contractor is correcting the sag now. Exciting. Kinda freaky. I came home tonight to find the bathroom sag had been corrected from 2 inches, to less than 1/2 an inch. We don't care if it gets perfectly level - we just want to make sure it doesn't get worse. Besides, "off-kilter" kind of describes us both pretty well.
So, tons of minor hairline cracks are showing up throughout the house - the inevitable impact of straightening the old girl out. The trippiest change... Our bathroom door used to close just fine. The family room door never shut. At the moment, the family room door shuts easily, but the bathroom door can't fit into the jamb.
We won't be throwing any dinner parties until we get this fixed, so never fear... When you come to visit, you will be able to enjoy your privacy.
They should finish the lifting today, so we'll know the extent of the resultant damage to the walls. Then, starting next week, our one and only bathroom will be torn up. They've told us they'll keep the toilet in tact for as long as they can, but we will have to go to Eric's parents house to shower. Hopefully that will only take a couple of weeks. Ho-hum.
I'll post pics when there is anything interesting to show. Ta-ta!
¶ 1/27/2005 06:33:00 AM 1 comments
For those of you who have been to our house, you know it has a massive slope in the hall and bathroom area. This is because, when the house was originally built in 1930, it was a flat roofed house. There was one room upstairs, which had window "turrets," but the rest of the roof was broad and totally flat.
This is not a great architectural feature in the rainy pacific north west. One of its previous owners must have come to this conclusion back in the 1980's (?). So they tossed another roof on it. A peaked roof. Right on top of the old roof. And I'm pretty sure they didn't have building permits. They certainly didn't get assistance from a structural engineer.
The weight of the two roofs threw off the structural balance and has been bearing down directly in the center of the house. Thus the sag. And it's a pretty impressive sag. It is at least 2 - 3 inches off level in some places. If you have equilibrium issues, don't come over. You'll get nauseated walking down the hall.
Our contractor is correcting the sag now. Exciting. Kinda freaky. I came home tonight to find the bathroom sag had been corrected from 2 inches, to less than 1/2 an inch. We don't care if it gets perfectly level - we just want to make sure it doesn't get worse. Besides, "off-kilter" kind of describes us both pretty well.
So, tons of minor hairline cracks are showing up throughout the house - the inevitable impact of straightening the old girl out. The trippiest change... Our bathroom door used to close just fine. The family room door never shut. At the moment, the family room door shuts easily, but the bathroom door can't fit into the jamb.
We won't be throwing any dinner parties until we get this fixed, so never fear... When you come to visit, you will be able to enjoy your privacy.
They should finish the lifting today, so we'll know the extent of the resultant damage to the walls. Then, starting next week, our one and only bathroom will be torn up. They've told us they'll keep the toilet in tact for as long as they can, but we will have to go to Eric's parents house to shower. Hopefully that will only take a couple of weeks. Ho-hum.
I'll post pics when there is anything interesting to show. Ta-ta!
¶ 1/27/2005 06:33:00 AM 1 comments
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
Nice
The sunset tore a jagged gash in the overcast above the West Hills tonight. It spilled bands of yellow light through the gap.
And in the east, a rainbow rose out of the hillside, almost vertically. It leaned just a little, like a shimmery walking stick planted in damp earth.
No photo. It wouldn't do it justice.
¶ 1/26/2005 05:55:00 PM 4 comments
And in the east, a rainbow rose out of the hillside, almost vertically. It leaned just a little, like a shimmery walking stick planted in damp earth.
No photo. It wouldn't do it justice.
¶ 1/26/2005 05:55:00 PM 4 comments
Sunday, January 23, 2005
What? He's a Fun Guy...
Sunday January 23, 10:44 AM
Man survives 35 days lost in mushroom cave
PARIS (Reuters) - A Frenchman lost in a labyrinth of disused mushroom caves said he had survived 35 days by eating rotten wood and clay, after being rescued only thanks to a teachers' strike.
Jean-Luc Josuat-Verges, 48, told French newspapers he had gone to the deserted caves at Madiran in the Pyrenees in December seeking isolation during a spell of depression which had left him considering suicide.
While wandering through the cave network the father-of-two's torch stopped working, and he was unable to find his way out.
His abandoned car was found 35 days later by three children who were not at school because their teachers were on strike. The children alerted police who rescued Josuat-Verges from the caves. French media said he had lost 18 kg (40 lb) and was "weak".
¶ 1/23/2005 11:28:00 AM 3 comments
Man survives 35 days lost in mushroom cave
PARIS (Reuters) - A Frenchman lost in a labyrinth of disused mushroom caves said he had survived 35 days by eating rotten wood and clay, after being rescued only thanks to a teachers' strike.
Jean-Luc Josuat-Verges, 48, told French newspapers he had gone to the deserted caves at Madiran in the Pyrenees in December seeking isolation during a spell of depression which had left him considering suicide.
While wandering through the cave network the father-of-two's torch stopped working, and he was unable to find his way out.
His abandoned car was found 35 days later by three children who were not at school because their teachers were on strike. The children alerted police who rescued Josuat-Verges from the caves. French media said he had lost 18 kg (40 lb) and was "weak".
¶ 1/23/2005 11:28:00 AM 3 comments
Saturday, January 22, 2005
Bowling for Barbie
Sorry Scott, I must be losing my touch (and my memory... pass the gingko biloba, please). I really don't remember what "Let's Active" poster you're talking about. Unless it was the single sheet of notebook paper with the band name scrawled on it in ball point pen. I do remember that...
Anyway, you mentioned Carina, which reminded me of one of our favorite "clearly we needed to get out more often" pastimes. For whatever reason, we three roomies (Mrs. Funkiller, Carina and I) were given a Barbie doll for Christmas? A white elephant gift? Who can remember.
Poor Barbie. She didn't remain long. On some boring evening when we should have been studying for midterms, we were vegging out. We discovered that Barbie could pop her own head off her spindly noodle-neck if you hooked her legs backwards and up over her shoulders. (I did mention we were bored, didn't I?) Yep, you could lock Barbie's miniscule feet right under her pert little chin. Then the pressure of her dainty tootsies would pop her beauty-queen noggin right off.
Of course, the more times we did this, the looser Barbie's neck muscles became. I'm pretty sure we had contests to see who could make Barbie fling her own head farthest across the room.
Poor girl.
¶ 1/22/2005 01:55:00 PM 0 comments
Anyway, you mentioned Carina, which reminded me of one of our favorite "clearly we needed to get out more often" pastimes. For whatever reason, we three roomies (Mrs. Funkiller, Carina and I) were given a Barbie doll for Christmas? A white elephant gift? Who can remember.
Poor Barbie. She didn't remain long. On some boring evening when we should have been studying for midterms, we were vegging out. We discovered that Barbie could pop her own head off her spindly noodle-neck if you hooked her legs backwards and up over her shoulders. (I did mention we were bored, didn't I?) Yep, you could lock Barbie's miniscule feet right under her pert little chin. Then the pressure of her dainty tootsies would pop her beauty-queen noggin right off.
Of course, the more times we did this, the looser Barbie's neck muscles became. I'm pretty sure we had contests to see who could make Barbie fling her own head farthest across the room.
Poor girl.
¶ 1/22/2005 01:55:00 PM 0 comments
Traveling at the Speed of Lies
"A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on." -- Winston Churchill
¶ 1/22/2005 07:45:00 AM 0 comments
¶ 1/22/2005 07:45:00 AM 0 comments
Thursday, January 20, 2005
"Grief brims itself and flows away in tears." - proverb
Today was a sad day. Not for me directly, but for my work friend, who had to be told during work that a young family member had suddenly and unexpectedly died. It is a sorrowful privilege to stand by someone during grief's first moments.
¶ 1/20/2005 09:39:00 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
Back to Life, Back to Reality...
Back to work today. Another three-day weekend is just a memory. Oh well, lots to do, so it's just as well.
On the other hand, work on our remodel started yesterday. The concrete cutters came to saw through the cement in our basement, so they can put in new footers to support the new beams. Fun, fun! Hopefully, the inspector will come today and the new concrete can be poured. (Our basement's looking mighty tidy too, don't you think?...)
¶ 1/18/2005 06:46:00 AM 1 comments
On the other hand, work on our remodel started yesterday. The concrete cutters came to saw through the cement in our basement, so they can put in new footers to support the new beams. Fun, fun! Hopefully, the inspector will come today and the new concrete can be poured. (Our basement's looking mighty tidy too, don't you think?...)
¶ 1/18/2005 06:46:00 AM 1 comments
Sunday, January 16, 2005
Ice Annoyance
If you've been reading Scott's blog, you'll remember that NOAA had a 'winter storm warning' for Saturday -- freezing rain was imminent. Yawn! This was no ice storm. It wasn't even an ice "incident." More like an ice irritation.
Here's the one pic I got of something coated and kind of interesting...
Icicles over my tail light.
Actually, you can't even see the interesting part. The ice sheet on my trunk had started to melt and was sliding off the car when it must have refrozen. There was about two inches of ice overhanging before the icicles themselves even started down. Kinda cool, but I had to rush to work this morning at -- eeeks, 6:30 AM on a Sunday!!!
Anyway, if you need a comparison to a true ice spectacle, here are photos from last year. Peace (and warmth) to you all!
Ice on wisteria ¶ 1/16/2005 06:45:00 PM 4 comments
Here's the one pic I got of something coated and kind of interesting...
Icicles over my tail light.
Actually, you can't even see the interesting part. The ice sheet on my trunk had started to melt and was sliding off the car when it must have refrozen. There was about two inches of ice overhanging before the icicles themselves even started down. Kinda cool, but I had to rush to work this morning at -- eeeks, 6:30 AM on a Sunday!!!
Anyway, if you need a comparison to a true ice spectacle, here are photos from last year. Peace (and warmth) to you all!
Ice on wisteria ¶ 1/16/2005 06:45:00 PM 4 comments
Saturday, January 15, 2005
Plague of "Blocusts"
You've heard of the computer virus. You've heard of computer worms. But have you heard of blog locusts?
Neither had I, until the swarm descended en massse on my pal's photoblog, plaguing his site with countless crunchy comments. But there may have been pre-existent clues to the origins of this species. Check out the locustsofbloggsville.blogspot.com. [P.S. Be wary of leaving your own comments on their blog or in their path...or the swarm will find you. They moved on to my photoblog, but I think I am insured against damage by rampaging insects.]
It appears the "blocusts" (a new word for the blexicon, I think) chew their path of commenty-destruction for as long they want.
Then what happens? Dunno. Maybe they'll take off for greener blastures (blog pastures?). Maybe they'll go dormant like cicadas. The entomology of a new species is quite fascinating. ¶ 1/15/2005 06:29:00 AM 5 comments
Neither had I, until the swarm descended en massse on my pal's photoblog, plaguing his site with countless crunchy comments. But there may have been pre-existent clues to the origins of this species. Check out the locustsofbloggsville.blogspot.com. [P.S. Be wary of leaving your own comments on their blog or in their path...or the swarm will find you. They moved on to my photoblog, but I think I am insured against damage by rampaging insects.]
It appears the "blocusts" (a new word for the blexicon, I think) chew their path of commenty-destruction for as long they want.
Then what happens? Dunno. Maybe they'll take off for greener blastures (blog pastures?). Maybe they'll go dormant like cicadas. The entomology of a new species is quite fascinating. ¶ 1/15/2005 06:29:00 AM 5 comments
Friday, January 14, 2005
The Value of a Grandfather
I was organizing all our photos on CD, and came across a few I just love...
This is a photo of the only grandpa I ever met. He was a dear, and in his mid-70's by the time I met him, but I'm grateful for the opportunity to know him at all.
Grandpa at work for the phone company.
Milton Einar Johnson [b. 1917(?) - d. 2002] was my husband's grandfather. He was a kind man, who led a simple life and spent 60(+) years married to the love of his youth, Dorothy. Here's a few glimpses into their long and happy lives.
Milt, as a tyke.
Dot, as a tiny lady.
Dot and her sister.
Young, in love.
Milt and Dot at the altar.
First son.
Dot & her musical trio
The tall and short of it.
Valentine's in the new millennium.
As I grew up, all of my grandmothers lived with us at one time or another. My great-grandmother Chitty (yeah, I've heard all the jokes) spent her last few years in our home. Her daughter, my grandma, then lived with us until her death when I was in fifth grade. She encouraged my love of words and reading. And my mom's mom, spent months at a time with us when visiting from Sweden. She died on my 4th birthday during my first visit to Sweden.
My mom's dad passed away of a stroke when she was 9. My dad lost his dad in a construction-site accident when my dad was only 5. Their moms never remarried. My parents have a few small memories of their dads, but neither had the benefit of growing up with the guidance and advice and love of their fathers.
So, all in all, I only had a grandfather for a relatively short time - eight years. But in that time, I feel I gained a bit of something that had always been missing.
Here's to good grandfathers, everywhere! ¶ 1/14/2005 05:53:00 AM 2 comments
This is a photo of the only grandpa I ever met. He was a dear, and in his mid-70's by the time I met him, but I'm grateful for the opportunity to know him at all.
Grandpa at work for the phone company.
Milton Einar Johnson [b. 1917(?) - d. 2002] was my husband's grandfather. He was a kind man, who led a simple life and spent 60(+) years married to the love of his youth, Dorothy. Here's a few glimpses into their long and happy lives.
Milt, as a tyke.
Dot, as a tiny lady.
Dot and her sister.
Young, in love.
Milt and Dot at the altar.
First son.
Dot & her musical trio
The tall and short of it.
Valentine's in the new millennium.
As I grew up, all of my grandmothers lived with us at one time or another. My great-grandmother Chitty (yeah, I've heard all the jokes) spent her last few years in our home. Her daughter, my grandma, then lived with us until her death when I was in fifth grade. She encouraged my love of words and reading. And my mom's mom, spent months at a time with us when visiting from Sweden. She died on my 4th birthday during my first visit to Sweden.
My mom's dad passed away of a stroke when she was 9. My dad lost his dad in a construction-site accident when my dad was only 5. Their moms never remarried. My parents have a few small memories of their dads, but neither had the benefit of growing up with the guidance and advice and love of their fathers.
So, all in all, I only had a grandfather for a relatively short time - eight years. But in that time, I feel I gained a bit of something that had always been missing.
Here's to good grandfathers, everywhere! ¶ 1/14/2005 05:53:00 AM 2 comments
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Time for a Little Nostalgia
We are starting our bathroom remodel next week. My living room is stacked with boxes - a medicine cabinet, an over-the-john cupboard, a toilet, a pedestal sink pedestal (the basin is on order), and -- just received -- our new lav faucets (bought off eBay for 1/2 the retail price - yippee!!).
Whenever I visit eBay, which is not very often, I methodically check for certain toys and items I had when I was little...just to see what they look like again, and curious to know what other folks are willing to pay for old stuff. These e-trips through the auction house always make me a bit nostalgic for some of my favorite toys. I can't even remember the real names for some of them...but here is the short list:
Four Whose Names I Remember...
**Honda Kick-n-Go** (metallic blue) This little two wheeled scooter with the kick-stick on the back to propel me forward by about a foot and a half per kick was my preferred mode of transportation once I outgrew my Big Wheel and realized I couldn't even skateboard well enough to fall off and hit my head on the curb.
**Holly Hobbie Oven** (a "colonial style" toy oven where you send tasteless cake batter in tiny pans past a super-hot light bulb) I grew to love my HH oven, although I always felt it was a 'poor man's' Betty Crocker oven, which my sister Kathy had. Ah yes, childhood inferiority complexes...a post for another day.
**Digger the Dog** (plastic bloodhound with Sherlock Holmes cap and a pull-n-go string leash) The jingle goes, "Digger the Dog, digging he goes with you, when you explore. Just pull his leash, he'll go for a walk with you. He's your dog, for sure." I somehow ended up with two regular size Diggers and a tiny, mini Digger. I have no idea where these got to, but I always really liked this toy.
**Maniac** (electronic game -- think 'poor man's' Simon) Now, I knew Simon, sir, and Maniac was no Simon. Still, I kinda thought it was a more challenging game. Smaller buttons, lower-tech, made more complex patterns of light to mimic? Plus a really 'maniacal' sounding string of blips when you screwed it up. Terrifying, really... Am I just reaching here? Work with me, people...
And Two Whose Names Have Escaped Me...
**A plastic "lemon" with rattley stuff inside, hooked at the end of a long green plastic rod, which had a foot-sized loop at the other end. You put your foot in the loop, then spun the lemon around on the ground and had to jump over it. Creative jump-roping, I always thought. Does anybody remember the name?
**Another yellow and green dealie... Two upside-down yellow cups, both looped with what looked like green surgical tubing. You stood on the cups, held the tubing and walked about like you were on short, squatty stilts. (Whoo-hoo, ma, look at me...I'm three inches off the ground. Really, I got more air on my super-cool plastic wedgie shoes in 7th grade, but...) This was the 'rich man's' version of upside-down coffee cans and twine.
¶ 1/11/2005 04:38:00 AM 5 comments
Whenever I visit eBay, which is not very often, I methodically check for certain toys and items I had when I was little...just to see what they look like again, and curious to know what other folks are willing to pay for old stuff. These e-trips through the auction house always make me a bit nostalgic for some of my favorite toys. I can't even remember the real names for some of them...but here is the short list:
Four Whose Names I Remember...
**Honda Kick-n-Go** (metallic blue) This little two wheeled scooter with the kick-stick on the back to propel me forward by about a foot and a half per kick was my preferred mode of transportation once I outgrew my Big Wheel and realized I couldn't even skateboard well enough to fall off and hit my head on the curb.
**Holly Hobbie Oven** (a "colonial style" toy oven where you send tasteless cake batter in tiny pans past a super-hot light bulb) I grew to love my HH oven, although I always felt it was a 'poor man's' Betty Crocker oven, which my sister Kathy had. Ah yes, childhood inferiority complexes...a post for another day.
**Digger the Dog** (plastic bloodhound with Sherlock Holmes cap and a pull-n-go string leash) The jingle goes, "Digger the Dog, digging he goes with you, when you explore. Just pull his leash, he'll go for a walk with you. He's your dog, for sure." I somehow ended up with two regular size Diggers and a tiny, mini Digger. I have no idea where these got to, but I always really liked this toy.
**Maniac** (electronic game -- think 'poor man's' Simon) Now, I knew Simon, sir, and Maniac was no Simon. Still, I kinda thought it was a more challenging game. Smaller buttons, lower-tech, made more complex patterns of light to mimic? Plus a really 'maniacal' sounding string of blips when you screwed it up. Terrifying, really... Am I just reaching here? Work with me, people...
And Two Whose Names Have Escaped Me...
**A plastic "lemon" with rattley stuff inside, hooked at the end of a long green plastic rod, which had a foot-sized loop at the other end. You put your foot in the loop, then spun the lemon around on the ground and had to jump over it. Creative jump-roping, I always thought. Does anybody remember the name?
**Another yellow and green dealie... Two upside-down yellow cups, both looped with what looked like green surgical tubing. You stood on the cups, held the tubing and walked about like you were on short, squatty stilts. (Whoo-hoo, ma, look at me...I'm three inches off the ground. Really, I got more air on my super-cool plastic wedgie shoes in 7th grade, but...) This was the 'rich man's' version of upside-down coffee cans and twine.
¶ 1/11/2005 04:38:00 AM 5 comments
Saturday, January 08, 2005
Could You Outwit, Outplay, Outlast?
I'm officially announcing...I won't be applying to be on Survivor this season, or next season, or any season in the future.
However, I did find the eligibility requirements and application process pretty fascinating. Most of the questions are your typical background and "armchair psychology" queries...favorite movie, favorite music, three adjectives you would use to describe yourself, and blah, blah Ginger, so on...
Interestingly, you evidently cannot currently hold public office or run for public office until after all the show appearances have aired. Tough choice for me, really... Run for Senator or be on Survivor, run for Senator or... Dunno, it's a toss-up.
So, just for argument's sake, do you think you could survive 7 weeks in a remote location, scavenging for food and shelter? And more, do you think you could "play the game" (which seems to inherently involve lying and backstabbing) to win a snotload of cash? Two of the questions on the application -- (1) What is the wildest thing you would $1 million dollars, (2) What would you NOT do for a $1 million. Hmmm??? ¶ 1/08/2005 08:12:00 PM 3 comments
I'm officially announcing...I won't be applying to be on Survivor this season, or next season, or any season in the future.
However, I did find the eligibility requirements and application process pretty fascinating. Most of the questions are your typical background and "armchair psychology" queries...favorite movie, favorite music, three adjectives you would use to describe yourself, and blah, blah Ginger, so on...
Interestingly, you evidently cannot currently hold public office or run for public office until after all the show appearances have aired. Tough choice for me, really... Run for Senator or be on Survivor, run for Senator or... Dunno, it's a toss-up.
So, just for argument's sake, do you think you could survive 7 weeks in a remote location, scavenging for food and shelter? And more, do you think you could "play the game" (which seems to inherently involve lying and backstabbing) to win a snotload of cash? Two of the questions on the application -- (1) What is the wildest thing you would $1 million dollars, (2) What would you NOT do for a $1 million. Hmmm??? ¶ 1/08/2005 08:12:00 PM 3 comments
Thursday, January 06, 2005
Living in the Age of Jetsons (testimonial update)
At my one day surgery follow-up appointment, all went well. I went from seeing way, way worse than 20/200 in both eyes to seeing 20/25 in my right eye and 20/30 in my left. ("Not bad for a blind girl," the doctor said.)
Then they gave me a video CD with my surgery procedure on it. Yechhh! I never thought I'd look at it...but I did tonight. I watched the whole thing on one eye. It was amazing -- and not nearly as gross as I thought it would be. I didn't watch the second eye, but I was pretty proud that I had the nerve to watch even one part of it.
Amazing technology that can complete the surgery in the first place, then also film it (from the view of the doctor's microscope) and give a copy for a memento (?). Wild. Anyway, all's well. I feel right back to normal, with the exception of some minor halos around lights at night.
Thanks for all your thoughts, good wishes and prayers! :)
==================
Today's the day. At 1:00 PM, I'll go in for my IntraLasik surgery. Whoo-hoo!
The whole process is done by lasers. A laser will cut the flap in my cornea with amazing precision. Lasers will reshape my cornea just as it needs to be so that my eye will focus at the right distance. (Right now, my focal point is in front of my retina.)
This may be the new standard for technology today, but I have to say -- it's really trippy that a beam of light (or whatever a laser actually is) can do that. It was not long ago that this idea was the stuff sci-fi dreams were made of. Now, we can take it so for granted that this is the way things are. It is an amazing turn.
We aren't all that far from full Jetson technology. Computers are tinier and more powerful than ever. Many have voice recognition capability and miniscule remote controls. Complex surgeries can be done with minor incisions and using microscopic cameras. We can have live conversations with people via webcams (Mr. Spacely's Space Sprockets!). We connect to the internet without wires by computer, phone, Blackberry.
Whole households are run by radio remote control. Plasma screen TVs are rapidly becoming the standard. Some refrigerators come with computers that track your food inventory, suggest recipes and make shopping lists for you, and are Internet capable. You can order your food online from your kitchen and have the grocery store deliver it. There's even "Roomba" - a little self propelled vacuum.
Man, all we need is the hovercraft car... Oh yeah, there's a company actively working on a skycar that will do just this. Check it out.
¶ 1/06/2005 06:24:00 AM 3 comments
Then they gave me a video CD with my surgery procedure on it. Yechhh! I never thought I'd look at it...but I did tonight. I watched the whole thing on one eye. It was amazing -- and not nearly as gross as I thought it would be. I didn't watch the second eye, but I was pretty proud that I had the nerve to watch even one part of it.
Amazing technology that can complete the surgery in the first place, then also film it (from the view of the doctor's microscope) and give a copy for a memento (?). Wild. Anyway, all's well. I feel right back to normal, with the exception of some minor halos around lights at night.
Thanks for all your thoughts, good wishes and prayers! :)
==================
Today's the day. At 1:00 PM, I'll go in for my IntraLasik surgery. Whoo-hoo!
The whole process is done by lasers. A laser will cut the flap in my cornea with amazing precision. Lasers will reshape my cornea just as it needs to be so that my eye will focus at the right distance. (Right now, my focal point is in front of my retina.)
This may be the new standard for technology today, but I have to say -- it's really trippy that a beam of light (or whatever a laser actually is) can do that. It was not long ago that this idea was the stuff sci-fi dreams were made of. Now, we can take it so for granted that this is the way things are. It is an amazing turn.
We aren't all that far from full Jetson technology. Computers are tinier and more powerful than ever. Many have voice recognition capability and miniscule remote controls. Complex surgeries can be done with minor incisions and using microscopic cameras. We can have live conversations with people via webcams (Mr. Spacely's Space Sprockets!). We connect to the internet without wires by computer, phone, Blackberry.
Whole households are run by radio remote control. Plasma screen TVs are rapidly becoming the standard. Some refrigerators come with computers that track your food inventory, suggest recipes and make shopping lists for you, and are Internet capable. You can order your food online from your kitchen and have the grocery store deliver it. There's even "Roomba" - a little self propelled vacuum.
Man, all we need is the hovercraft car... Oh yeah, there's a company actively working on a skycar that will do just this. Check it out.
¶ 1/06/2005 06:24:00 AM 3 comments
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
I Spy
I am going in for Lasik surgery on Thursday. The thought of someone slicing open my eye - even if it's with a precise laser rather than a knife - just creeps me out.
I am sure things will go well, although I have a very high correction level. My opthomologist has warned me that I'll probably have a longer than normal recovery time.
I've worn glasses since the 5th grade, so it will be amazing to see (better) without glasses or contacts. I'll let y'all know how it goes...assuming I can still see my keyboard and computer screen. :)
¶ 1/04/2005 04:33:00 AM 1 comments
I am sure things will go well, although I have a very high correction level. My opthomologist has warned me that I'll probably have a longer than normal recovery time.
I've worn glasses since the 5th grade, so it will be amazing to see (better) without glasses or contacts. I'll let y'all know how it goes...assuming I can still see my keyboard and computer screen. :)
¶ 1/04/2005 04:33:00 AM 1 comments
Sunday, January 02, 2005
New Years' Resolutions
1. Watch TV less. Read more.
2. Stay inside less. Explore more.
3. Keep photographing everything. (This helps me with resolution #2)
4. Stop making excuses.
5. Trust affirmatively, rather than concede in retrospect.
6. Take my medication every day.
7. Use my local library.
8. Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables.
9. Hike to the top of Beacon Rock again.
------
"The rung of a ladder was never meant to rest upon, but only hold man's foot long enough to enable him to put the other somewhat higher." -- Thomas Henry Huxley
"Roads are just a suggestion, like pants." -- Homer Simpson
¶ 1/02/2005 04:33:00 AM 1 comments
2. Stay inside less. Explore more.
3. Keep photographing everything. (This helps me with resolution #2)
4. Stop making excuses.
5. Trust affirmatively, rather than concede in retrospect.
6. Take my medication every day.
7. Use my local library.
8. Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables.
9. Hike to the top of Beacon Rock again.
------
"The rung of a ladder was never meant to rest upon, but only hold man's foot long enough to enable him to put the other somewhat higher." -- Thomas Henry Huxley
"Roads are just a suggestion, like pants." -- Homer Simpson
¶ 1/02/2005 04:33:00 AM 1 comments
Saturday, January 01, 2005
Monday, December 27, 2004
Waves of Grief (Update)
This is a link to Tsunamihelp.blogspot.com. This site has all sorts of updated news, information, statistics, contact numbers for relief and resources in the impacted countries, and contact info if you want to donate through any of the relief organizations.
"Concealed sorrow bursts the heart, and rages within us as an internal fire." -- Proverb
My heart and my prayers go out to the thousands and thousands of people and families impacted by Sunday's earthquake and tsunami in India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and the many smaller islands and areas.
¶ 12/27/2004 06:03:00 AM 4 comments
"Concealed sorrow bursts the heart, and rages within us as an internal fire." -- Proverb
My heart and my prayers go out to the thousands and thousands of people and families impacted by Sunday's earthquake and tsunami in India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and the many smaller islands and areas.
¶ 12/27/2004 06:03:00 AM 4 comments
Tuesday, December 21, 2004