Letting Crazy Take a Spin

It is done

2008-10-01T19:03:00.000-07:00

This is it. Last post here.

Unless I change my mind and need to be all secretive again.

Of course, my cover here is blown so I would have to start over completely with a new super-secret blog.

Anyway... I have moved some links over to my other blog, South Bay Soliloquy. So follow me there, if you will.

Everything else will live on here until Blogger decides to can it or this Internet fad burns out, whichever comes first.

The party's over

2008-09-13T13:15:00.000-07:00

Yep. I think I am done here.
Including this blog, I have three.
It's too much.

So I am going to fold this one into the main one.

First, some housecleaning here over the course of the week.

But I expect to be done here shortly.

Why?

Other than just not having time to maintain this the way I want to, the intent of this has changed.

It was meant to be a place to vent, to question myself and others and my relationships.

That has not been the case lately.

So, yeah, time to stop.

I want to go through the posts and see what I want to save. After that, buh-bye.

Oh yeah, and I will see you on the other blog. Where crazy may still take a spin, but where I am good with that and no longer feel the need to keep it a secret from the people who know me.

Because really, they already know how crazy I can be.

Mmmm... deep-fried fat

2008-08-30T23:39:00.001-07:00

Remember when McDonald's used to deep fry the apple pies?

Yeah...

I miss that.

They were all crispy with little crunchy air bubbles all over the crust.

But sometimes you would take a bite and instead of being filled with air that little bubble would be filled with grease.

Ahhh... Good times...

Round Robin Photo Challenge: Night shot

2008-08-10T08:38:00.000-07:00

I admit. I totally flaked on this.

Once again I had plans to go scout stuff out that would be far more interesting.

Once again life got the better of me.

I figured a week, coming back from vacation, was plenty of time. Turns out I spaced.

So I give you a shot I took on vacation.

This was the view I enjoyed every night for a week while in beautiful St. Thomas.

Find the other Robins HERE.

Back home, back at work

2008-08-08T19:10:00.000-07:00

I have been back from vacation for almost a week.
I just have not been really inspired to do much of anything, including post here.

I did post more of my vacation photos over on the South Bay site. CLICK HERE to get at them.

So, a week.
Funny, I went back to work Tuesday and about halfway through my shift it felt like I had never left.
So sad.

My disappearing act

2008-07-31T04:53:00.001-07:00

For those of you who read here and do not regularly (or maybe ever) read the other blog...
I am on vacation.
You know, just in case you were missing me.

I do have a computer here, but the Wi-Fi is spotty at best.

Anyway, I am in St. Thomas in the lovely U.S. Virgin Islands.
I have been enjoying rum drinks (and then some more rum drinks), diving and just relaxing.

If you want to read a bit more about the trip so far, head over to South Bay Soliloquy.

Just one post so far, no pictures. It just takes too much time to try to upload photos. I will update fully and with visual aids when I return home much too soon.

But what if she doesn't have the hips for it?

2008-07-24T09:41:00.001-07:00

I really question parents who would do this to their child.

From the Associated Press

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - A family court judge in New Zealand has had
enough with parents giving their children bizarre names here, and did something
about it.

Just ask Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii. He had her
renamed.

Judge Rob Murfitt made the 9-year-old girl a ward of the court so that
her name could be changed, he said in a ruling made public Thursday. The girl
was involved in a custody battle, he said.

The new name was not made public to protect the girl's privacy.
"The
court is profoundly concerned about the very poor judgment which this child's
parents have shown in choosing this name," he wrote. "It makes a fool of the
child and sets her up with a social disability and handicap,
unnecessarily."

The girl had been so embarrassed at the name that she had never told
her closest friends what it was. She told people to call her "K" instead, the
girl's lawyer, Colleen MacLeod, told the court.

In his ruling, Murfitt cited a list of the unfortunate
names.
Registration officials blocked some names, including Fish and Chips,
Yeah Detroit, Keenan Got Lucy and Sex Fruit, he said. But others were allowed,
including Number 16 Bus Shelter "and tragically, Violence," he
said.

New Zealand law does not allow names that would cause offense to a
reasonable person, among other conditions, said Brian Clarke, the registrar
general of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
Clarke said officials usually talked
to parents who proposed unusual names to convince them about the potential for
embarrassment.

Why? Why, why, why?

Don't these parents remember being a child? Don't they know how mean other kids can be?

Round Robin Photo Challenges: I made that

2008-06-13T18:59:00.000-07:00

Time for another Round Robin!

Click over to their site to find the list of participants.

I know I am a day early.
But I am leaving the house early for my
scuba diving checkout and most likely won't get back
before late afternoon or will just be too tired to think.

So I posted a wee bit early.

I must confess, most of these pictures
were culled from my other blogs:

South Bay Soliloquy

All That and She Cooks, Too

The penne pictures were taken for this
assignment, but posted first on my food blog.

You can find more cards (among other topics) at the
South Bay site and more tempting food treat at All That.

Anyway, I give you all an assortment of
cards I have made and dishes I have prepared.
Best wishes and bon apetit, I guess!

_______

Find out more about this card here.

_________

And now I give you food...

Click here for the recipe for penne with
pancetta and peas in lemon cream sauce.

The penne dish had a hint of mint...

A taste of toasted pine nuts...

Some zesty flavors of lemon and orange peel...

To come up with a wonderful dish
with the citrus zing, a little red pepper heat,
pleasing peas and lovely, lovely Italian bacon.

Sorry. No leftovers!
__________

Click here to get the recipe for
sweet and tangy grilled pork tenderloin.

Ingredients for a sweet and tangy marinade.

Whisk!

The carmelized onion relish was a great way
to dress up an already great grilled pork dish.
______________

What is a great meal without dessert?

Click here to get the recipe
for chocolate-rum cake.

OK.

I hope I didn't make anyone drool
too much with that last one!

Round Robin: Tiny Things

2008-05-31T08:34:00.000-07:00

It's time for another Round Robin Photo Challenge.
The challenge this time:

The idea here is to photograph very small inanimate objects
- not details and closeups of larger things, but self-contained
little items we see and take for granted.
It should be interesting to take the expertise some Robins
have with tiny critters, and apply it to objects that can't fly away.
And the rest of us have the photographic challenge of
learning to focus on the miniature world.

Click on the Round Robin link above to get
to the linking list of participants.

Here we go. Let's get tiny...

Tiny beads.

I have a little box, broken down into segments,
that contains all sorts of tiny beads.

I have used them for jewelry and for the cards I make.

Tiny pins.

This goes to the part of the tiny things we take for granted.

Such a simple, perfect design, the safety pin.

Small change.

I was going to call this tiny change,
but it just did not sound right.

Anyway, at the end of the day I take any change
that is floating around in my pocket
and put it in a little bowl on the dresser.

When I need to restock the parking meter change
I keep in the car, I just grab a handful from here.

Tiny elephants.

I have several elephants of varying materials and sizes.
These are the tiniest.
The one in front is only about an inch and a half tall.

And I love the detail on this one, which was a gift from
my friends who visited Spain and were thoughtful
enough to bring this back for me.

Tiny bubbles.

Really, need I say more?

Round Robin Photo Challenge: Wood

2008-05-17T13:50:00.000-07:00

I skipped the RRPC on spring cleaning.

I just could not get inspired by my mop.

So when I saw the one on wood, I thought it could be fun.

Then I waited until the last minute to do this.

So I was out in my back yard this morning.

Let's see if I got anything.

This is some wood left over from when the manfriend built the deck.

The pieces are about a foot and a half long.

I don't want to toss them. But I don't know what to make.

Maybe a planter.

For some reason there are wires coming out of my lemon tree.

Something to ponder.

I like the contrast of textures here.
This is a trunk of a small palm or marginata type
tree next to a dead palm frond.

Here is a detail shot of one of the palms.

One of the planters has some wood posts along one side.
The rosemary and vines from the wall are growing all over it.
Another nice contrast of color and texture.

Sounds familiar

2008-05-15T10:27:00.003-07:00

Oh that Natalie Dee. She is always spot on.

More proof of not being old

2008-05-13T15:06:00.000-07:00

I got carded last night.
And not at Trader Joe's.
And not by a kid.
Usually it is someone at TJ's who looks about 17.
My standard response is "Really? I am old enough to be your mom. I mean, if I started young. But still..."

Nope.
Last night I was carded at a restaurant when I ordered a beer.
The waitress looked to be in her late 20s.

She carded me.
She did not card the manfriend.

Not young, not old

2008-05-07T14:15:00.000-07:00

I had a birthday.
Am I old?
Am I young?
I am closer to 40 than to 30.
But I still get carded at least once every couple months.
Maybe they are just being kind.
Would I be considered middle-aged?
I don't think of myself that way.
I could do stuff to make myself look and feel younger and better.

In some ways I think I am ahead of the game at this point in life.
In some ways I think I have some catching up to do.

House - check
Kid - um, no
Job - check
Job security - um, no
Husband - well, there was that one guy. Then there was that other guy. So... um, not anymore.

I try not to set deadlines for having things like kids and husbands and houses.
When the good stuff comes along, I try to just enjoy it.
When the bad stuff happens, I try to get through it.

I like to think it is more good than bad these days.

But I do still want the kid. Which I guess means I do still want the husband.

As for the job... I think I would rather just win the lotto.

Since that is unlikely, I guess I will have to make do and keep my fingers crossed.

Round Robin Photo Challenge: Variety Show

2008-04-18T23:40:00.000-07:00

It's Round Robin time again!

The assignment is:
Varieties.

Photograph something as viewed as an assortment...
something that comes in different varieties.

For example, it could be a bunch of flowers
or nuts or crayons or birds.

So here we go...

Cookbooks.

I know I have a lot of cookbooks.

This is just a small sample of the
variety of cookbooks I have.

Buttons.

A while back I bought a box of mixed buttons.

Then I added to it the buttons that came with new sweaters.

I added in buttons that I took off of shirts I turned into rags.

Some buttons I bought just because they might
be cute on cards I make got tossed into the mix.

Oh, and there is the snowman button.

I am not exactly sure where he came from.

But I dig him.

Markers.

I used them for the cards I make.

Just markers.

I jerked the camera accidentally
just as the shutter clicked.

I like the effect.

Watercolor pencils.

I also use these for my cards.

When I feel like experimenting.

They are a little more work than I like for the cards.

Shells.

About 15 years ago I went on a trip to Tahiti and Hawaii.

These are random bits I picked up on the
shores of places including Bora Bora, Moorea, Oahu and Kauai.

My favorite is the one with the tiniest little rocks stuck in it.

You cannot tell from these images,

But most of the shells are the size of a fingertip.

Beers.

This is a picture I took on my recent trip to Denver.

The walls of Falling Rock Tap House
were lined in beer bottles.

Yeah, that was a pretty good night.

Linking list:

Nancy - POSTED!

Nancy Luvs Pics

http://journals.aol.com/nhd106/Nancyluvspixs

Karen

Outpost Mâvarin

http://outmavarin.blogspot.com/

Carly - POSTED!

Ellipsis

http://ellipsissuddenlycarly.blogspot.com/

Sandy

Myanderings

http://myanderings-myanderings.blogspot.com/

Sarah

Charish

http://charish-me.blogspot.com/

Chrissie

Chrisseas-corner

http://chrisseas-corner.tripod.com/

Kiva

Eclectic Granny

http://eclecticgranny.blogspot.com/

Kat

In My Dreams I Can Fly.....

http://journals.aol.com/sunflowerkat321/in-my-dreams-i-can-fly.../

Tj's Photo Expressions

http://tjphotoexpressions.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Robin

Robin's Woodshttp://robinswoods.blogspot.com/

Wammy

The Ellis Family Cincinnati

http://theellisfamilycincinnati.blogspot.com/

Lisa Marie

Lisa's Chaos

http://lisaschaos.blog-city.com/

Monica

Family Affair Photography

http://www.familyaffairphotography.blogspot.com/

Marie

Photographs & Memories

http://journals.aol.com/mariebm56/PhotographsAndMemories

Annie

Pictures of Craziness

http://krspkrmmom.blogspot.com/

Suzanne R

Living . . . Suzanne R's Life

http://newsuzannerslife.blogspot.com/

Robinella

Robinella's

http://notastepfordwife.blogspot.com/

Angela

Chocolate Syrup for the Soul

http://angelas-craziness.blogspot.com/

Janet

fondofphotography

http://www.fondofsnape.com/

Jan

The Prytz Family

http://www.theprytzfamily.com/

Martha

Perception

http://journals.aol.com/lifes2odd/perception/

Jama Hameed

Sweet Memories

http://mummyjam.blogspot.com/

Momma - POSTED!

Sandcastle Momma

http://sandcastlemomma.blogspot.com/

Swampy - POSTED!

Anecdotes, Antidotes, & Anodes

http://anecdotes.typepad.com/

Sahvvy

The Instantaneous Existence of Me

http://instantaneousexsistence.blogspot.com/

Gattina

Keyhole Pictures

http://gattina-keyholepictures.blogspot.com/

Kim

Nekked Lizard Lady

http://nekkedlizardadventures.typepad.com/

Vicki

Visions by Vicki

http://journals.aol.com/cmishvicki/visionsbyvicki/

Teena - POSTED!

It's all about me!

http://purple4mee.blogspot.com/

Not that "Wilde" about this book

2008-04-10T14:10:00.000-07:00

So before I left for Denver I wanted to get a book to read at the airport, on the plane, before bed... etc.

I found one at work in the freebie area. Usually if I take something from there I will read it and then return it in case someone else wants it.

So I found something called "The Wilde Women" by Paula Wall.

It was billed as a tale of sisterly revenge in Tennessee set against the Great Depression.

Cool. Mindless reading. I am down with that.

Overall it was OK. It did not make me want to seek out her previous book that was mentioned on the front and back cover.

It was a bit scattered, with so many peripheral characters. I wanted more about the sisters.

Anyway, it did open with this great passage:

The Lord giveth and most women piss it away. Perhaps this is why they lack the equipment to aim. Some women piddle their life away in a slow incontinent dribble while squatting in the shadow of a man. Others are so busy trying to overshadow men they miss the mark. Most manage to cover up their little messes like a cat scratching in a litter box, but a few always get caught with their pants down. For this reason, Lorna Wilde bestowed upon her daughters the wisdom her mother bestowed upon her, "Never wear holey underwear." Being enterprising young women, the Wilde sisters never wore underwear at all.

Yep. That was the whole opening paragraph.

It should have been my first clue to the rest of the book.

It was not bad. Just a bit overblown.

And she used the same phrases a lot. It was actually quite distracting.

But it was a fast read. I was half way through it by the time the plane landed in Denver and I finished it off before bed last night.

Husbands are just too much work

2008-04-05T18:47:00.000-07:00

I saw this yesterday on MSNBC:

Having a husband creates an extra seven hours of housework each week for women, according to a new study. For men, tying the knot saves an hour of weekly chores.

“It’s a well-known pattern,” said lead researcher Frank Stafford, an economist at University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research. “Men tend to work more outside the home, while women take on more of the household labor.”

He points out individual differences among households exist. But in general, marriage means more housework for women and less for men. “And the situation gets worse for women when they have children,” Stafford said.

Overall, times are a’ changing in the American home. In 1976, women busied themselves with 26 weekly hours of sweeping-and-dusting work, compared with 17 hours in 2005. Men are pitching in more, more than doubling their housework hours from six in 1976 to 13 in 2005.

Stafford analyzed time-diaries and questionnaires from a nationally representative sample of men and women over a 10-year period between 1996 and 2005. The federally-funded study showed that, compared with the single life, marriage meant more housework for both men and women.

“Marriage is no longer a man’s path to less housework,” Stafford said.
Single women in their 20s and 30s did the least housework, about 12 weekly hours, while married women in their 60s and 70s did the most — about 21 hours a week.

Round Robin Photo Challenges: Captioned

2008-04-04T19:50:00.000-07:00

The Round Robin this time around was to do
your one perfect scene with a caption.

I know I am early.

I am here Friday night and the posts go up Saturday.

But I am going to be too busy to do this tomorrow.

For days I have been driving by this empty lot.
It is crazy wild with flowers.

But there is a chain link fence around it,
so I figured it would not work.

Then I remembered a lovely saying I saw on a card.

Bloom where you are planted.

Which just goes to show you can find beauty
anywhere if you look at things the right way.

Then the problem became choosing just one flower.

I could not do it.

So my perfect scene is a collage.

Have a beautiful day.

Linking list:

1.Carly - POSTED! Ellipsis
http://ellipsissuddenlycarly.blogspot.com/

2. Lisa - POSTED!Lisa's Chaos
http://lisaschaos.blog-city.com/

3. Karen - POSTED!Outpost Mâvarin
http://outmavarin.blogspot.com/

4. Wammy - POSTED!The Ellis Family Cincinnati
http://theellisfamilycincinnati.blogspot.com/

5. MarthaPerception
http://journals.aol.com/lifes2odd/perception/

6. Jan - POSTED!The Prytz Family

http://theprytzfamily.blogspot.com/

7. TJTJ's Photo Expressions
http://tjexpressionsblog.blogspot.com/

8. NancyNancy Luvs Pics
http://journals.aol.com/nhd106/Nancyluvspix/

9. Swampy - POSTED!Anecdotes, Antidotes, & Anodes
http://anecdotes.typepad.com/

10. Janet - POSTED!fondofphotography
http://www.fondofsnape.com/

11. Monica - POSTED!Family Affair Photography
http://familyaffairphotography.blogspot.com/

12. MariePhotographs & Memories
http://journals.aol.com/mariebm56/PhotographsAndMemories

13. VickiMaraca
http://mymaracas.blogspot.com/

14. Jennifer Robin - POSTED!Robin's Woods
http://robinswoods.blogspot.com/

15. Jill - POSTED!Letting Crazy Take a Spin
http://lettingcrazytakeaspin.blogspot.com/

16. KivaEclectic Granny
http://eclecticgranny.blogspot.com/

17. Suzanne RLiving . . . Suzanne R's Life
http://newsuzannerslife.blogspot.com/

18. MollyReturn of the White Robin
http://returnofthewhiterobin.blogspot.com/

19. Kim - POSTED!Nekked Lizard Adventures
http://nekkedlizardadventures.typepad.com/

20. Steven(sometimes)photoblog
http://sometimesphotoblog.com/

Life, as I know it

2008-04-02T18:54:00.000-07:00

I've been pretty tired lately.

I need to get off my big ass and move more.

I know that if I get up and go for a walk in the morning it will eventually lead to more energy.

Not to mention a smaller ass.

But I am tired.

Someone said I have no life because I blog too much.

I always feel guilty when I think I am not blogging enough.

Why is that?

It's not as if I owe anyone blog entries. It's not as iff I am getting paid to do this.

I just kind of like blogging. It's an outlet.

Why is seen as not having a life?

If I was sitting in front of the computer writing poetry would that be better?

Fuck 'em.

It's my life, I will blog as much as I want to.

Photo hunt: Metal

2008-03-22T18:41:00.000-07:00

---------------------

----------------------

I have not done this photo hunt before,
but I liked the topic.

I like photographing metal things.

Here are some from the Evergreen Aviation
Musuem outside Portland, Ore.

They are all parts of airplanes.

Round Robin: First Signs of Spring

2008-03-22T09:49:00.000-07:00

The challenge this time around over at
Round Robin was First Signs of Spring.

I don't want to say we don't get spring in Los Angeles.
But it's really not that dramatic a change
going from season to season here.

But there is one thing that does change here in spring.
The daffodils come poking through.

And they just look so happy,
stretching toward the sun.

This was a bit of a lazy effort for me.
I will try to do better next time.

Here we have a daffodil in my yard.

Daffodil Lament - The Cranberries

Holding on, that's what I do since I met you.
And it won't be long. Would you notice if I left you?
And it's fine for some 'cause you're not the one,
You're not the one there... There...
there... there... there... there...
All night long, laid on my pillow,
These things are wrong. I can't sleep here!
So lovely, so lovely, so lovely.

I have decided to leave you forever.
I have decided to start things from here.
Thunder and lightning won't change,
What I'm feeling
and the daffodils look lovely today,
And the daffodils look lovely today,
Look lovely today.

Ooh, in your eyes I can see the disguise.
Ooh, in your eyes I can see the disguise.
Has anyone seen lightning?
Has anyone looked lovely?

And the daffodils look lovely today,
And the daffodils look lovely today,
Look lovely today...

Here is the linking list:

Nan
Life is Like A Lunchbox
http://shawnanigans.net/

Steven - POSTED!
(sometimes)photoblog
http://sometimesphotoblog.com/

Carly - POSTED!
Ellipsis
http://ellipsissuddenlycarly.blogspot.com/

Karen - POSTED!
Outpost Mâvarin
http://outmavarin.blogspot.com/

Lisa - POSTED!
Lisa's Chaos
http://lisaschaos.blog-city.com/

Gattina
Keyhole Pictures
http://gattina-keyholepictures.blogspot.com/

Suzanne R - POSTED!
Living . . . Suzanne R's Life
http://newsuzannerslife.blogspot.com/

Janet - POSTED!
fondofphotography
http://www.fondofsnape.com/

Kiva
Eclectic Granny
http://eclecticgranny.blogspot.com/

Sandra
Strong Chemistry
http://strongchemistry.blogspot.com/

Martha - POSTED!
Perception
http://journals.aol.com/lifes2odd/perception/

Jan - POSTED!
The Prytz Family
http://theprytzfamily.blogspot.com/

Monica - POSTED!
Family Affair Photography
http://www.familyaffairphotography.blogspot.com/

Momma
Sandcastle Momma
http://sandcastlemomma.blogspot.com/

Kim - POSTED!
Nekked Lizards
http://nekkedlizardadventures.typepad.com/

Chrissie
Chrisseas-corner
http://chrisseas-corner.tripod.com/

Celeste - POSTED!
Ragracers
http://ragracers.blogspot.com/

Vicki - POSTED!
Maraca
http://mymaracas.blogspot.com/

Whammy - POSTED!
The Ellis Family Cincinnati
http://theellisfamilycincinnati.blogspot.com/

A face for radio

2008-03-18T15:41:00.001-07:00

Do I have an accent?

As a native Californian, I think I do not.

And no, I do not sound like a Valley girl.

Apparently, according to yet another useless but fun Internet quiz, I sound like I am from the Midland.

Wherever the fuck that is.

Good thing to know I have a voice suited to TV. Too bad I have a face suited to radio.

Ha. Just kidding. Just a little joke at my own expense. My face is OK for TV, it is my big fat ass they would find problematic.

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Midland "You have a Midland accent" is just another way of saying "you don't have an accent." You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri) but then for all we know you could be from Florida or Charleston or one of those big southern cities like Atlanta or Dallas. You have a good voice for TV and radio.
The West
North Central
The South
Boston
The Inland North
Philadelphia
The Northeast
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

Round Robin: A Nice Place to Sit

2008-03-08T12:54:00.000-08:00

The challenge this time around at
Round Robin is "A Nice Place to Sit."
I am lucky enough to live in a place where we have many
nice places to sit outdoors pretty much all year long.
So I headed toward the water.

All the pictures were taken Thursday, March 6, 2008.

The following two pictures were taken along an area in
Redondo Beach, Calif., known as The Strand.

The next two photos were taken
at The Neighborhood Church
in Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.

I don't go to this church for services.

But they have such a nice garden and this
beautiful seawall built into the bluffs.

Sometimes I just like to go here to wander around,
have a sit and think for a bit.

It is quite peaceful during the week
when no one is around.

On my way to work Thursday I decided on take the
scenic route through Long Beach, Calif.
I was driving past the art museum there
and decided to stop in for a look.
I was in no hurry to get to work anyway.
I found that they have a lovely little cafe with patio dining.
It was a beautiful day.
If I didn't have to get to work,
I would have stayed a while longer.

I do like my new dining room set.
And the chairs are pretty comfy.
Apparently George, my behemoth cat, thinks so also.
He likes to hide on them, tucked under the table.
He also loves to sit in the window and watch the world go by.

Finally, I leave you with the last place I sat
Thursday night before heading home for the night.

I met some friends and former colleagues
at a dive bar in Torrance, Calif.
At the end of a long day, it was most
definitely a nice place to sit.
With a pint.

Linking list

Tammie JeanLong Drives To Nowhere
http://tammiejean.blogspot.com/

Karen - POSTED!Outpost Mâvarin
http://outmavarin.blogspot.com/

Carly - POSTED!Ellipsis
http://ellipsissuddenlycarly.blogspot.com/

KivaEclectic Granny
http://eclecticgranny.blogspot.com/**

Gattina
http://gattina-keyholepictures.blogspot.com/

JillLetting Crazy Take a Spin
http://lettingcrazytakeaspin.blogspot.com/

SandraStrong Chemistry
http://strongchemistry.blogspot.com/

Jan AKA WammyThe Ellis Family Cincinnati
http://theellisfamilycincinnati.blogspot.com/

Lisa Marie - POSTED!Lisa's Chaos
http://lisaschaos.blog-city.com/

NancyNancy LuvsPix
http://journals.aol.com/nhd106/Nancyluvspix/

VickiMaraca
http://mymaracas.blogspot.com/

SarahCharish-me
http://charish-me.blogspot.com/

MarthaPerception
http://journals.aol.com/lifes2odd/perception/

Suzanne R - POSTED!Living . . . Suzanne R's Life
http://newsuzannerslife.blogspot.com/

SandyMyanderings
http://myanderings-myanderings.blogspot.com/

Momma - POSTED!Sandcastle Momma
http://sandcastlemomma.blogspot.com/

Jan - POSTED!The Prytz Family
http://theprytzfamily.blogspot.com/

ChrissieChrisseas-Corner
http://chrisseas-corner.tripod.com/

Wise Old Dog
http://wiseoledog.blogspot.com/

Celeste Ragracers
http://ragracers.blogspot.com/

Becky Where Life Takes You...
http://ryanagi.blogspot.com/

Potty mouth

2008-02-27T21:46:00.000-08:00

I have never understood those people who feel the need to take a phone call in the bathroom.
On my way out of the office tonight I stopped by the loo and there was some chick in there on the phone.
We have so many little conference rooms where someone could go to have a quiet phone call.
Why take your phone into the john?
The other thing is that we have those auto-flush toilets.
So even if someone wanted to try and be discreet on behalf of the toilet talker, they cannot.
FLUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUSH!!!!!!!!!!!!
Me, even if I am in a restroom that does not have those auto-flush toilets, I flush away without guilt.
If you take a call in the crapper, you have to expect a little flushing.
I once was in there and some 20-something girl was a couple of stalls away, crying to a friend over some breakup drama.
Really?
You want to do that while hovered over a commode?
Go to a conference room.
Go to your car.
Go find some other place.
It's not only rude to the other people trying to pee in peace, but it is quite rude to the person on the other end of the cell signal.

Round Robin Photo Challenges: Shoes

2008-02-23T14:09:00.000-08:00

The latest Round Robin is on shoes.
Now normally I would have been
very excited about this.
I love shoes.
I have some great shoes.
But I was sick the past few weeks.
Like really, really sick.
So my creativity and energy
were nonexistent.
I had grand plans to go to some nearby
stables and take pictures of horseshoes.
I was going to go see my nephew and take
pictures of his cute little baby shoes.
I was determined to find some
interesting shoes, darn it.
I wanted ballet slippers and clown shoes!!!
But in the end I just took some photos of my own
shoes in my own house at the last minute.
So here you go.
Pictures of my current favorites:
brown patent pumps (4-inch heels!!) with
a cute buckle detail from Linea Paolo.
Yes, I am 6-feet tall. Yes, I do wear 4-inch heels.

Bonus shot: These are olive green suede pumps
with an ankle strap. Also 4-inch heels.

They were a cool deal at $30.
I don't wear them often, but at that price,
I had to have them.
I love the contrasting texture
on the heels and straps.

So, next time around I will try to do better.
I will try to be more creative.

LINKING LIST

Vicki - POSTED!Maraca
http://mymaracas.blogspot.com/

Carly - POSTED!Ellipsis
http://ellipsissuddenlycarly.blogspot.com/

Lisa - POSTED!Lisa's Chaos
http://lisaschaos.blog-city.com/

Karen - POSTED!Outpost Mâvarin
http://outmavarin.blogspot.com/

Martha - POSTED!Perception
http://journals.aol.com/lifes2odd/perception/

Annie =)Pictures of Craziness
http://krspkrmmom.blogspot.com/

Momma - POSTED!Sandcastle Momma
http://sandcastlemomma.blogspot.com/

Sahvvy- POSTED!Instantaneous Existence of Me
http://instantaneousexsistence.blogspot.com/S

andra - POSTED!Strong Chemistry
http://strongchemistry.blogspot.com/

Janet - POSTED!fondofsnape
http://www.fondofsnape.com/

NancyNancy Luvs Pix
http://journals.aol.com/nhd106/Nancyluvspix/

Suzanne R - POSTED!Living . . . Suzanne R's Life
http://newsuzannerslife.blogspot.com/

Nan - POSTED!Life is Like a Lunchbox
http://www.shawnanigans.net/

Robinella - POSTED!Robin's Nest
http://robinellablog.wordpress.com/

TJ - POSTED!TJ's Photo Expressions
http://tjphotoexpressions.blogspot.com/*

The Prytz Familyhttp://theprytzfamily.blogspot.com/

Old Dog - POSTED!wise Old Dog
http://wiseoledog.blogspot.com/

Kim - POSTED!Nekked Lizard Adventures
http://nekkedlizardadventures.typepad.com/

Celeste - POSTED!Ragracers
http://ragracers.blogspot.com/

Sarah - POSTED!Charish
http://charish-me.blogspot.com/

Teena - POSTED!It's all about me!
http://purple4mee.blogspot.com/

**Shorty- See Comments For Link - POSTED!
http://icouldnthelpmyself.blogspot.com/

**Sandy - POSTED!**
http://myanderings-myanderings.blogspot.com/

Carlo - POSTED!
http://capturedbycarlo.blogspot.com

Looking forward to my drug-induced haze.

2008-02-13T19:50:00.001-08:00

It's been a hellish week of illness. I thought it was over this weekend, but it kicked back in and flattened me.

I did drag my sorry ass to the doctor, finally. I was told I have a sinus infection and bronchitis.

I got me some drugs. Yay.

Yay, drugs.

She said it would take a day or two before I really started to feel much better.

I did not like that part a lot. But at least there is hope on the horizon.

And some good, sleep-inducing cough syrup to take before bed tonight.

Round Robin Photo Challenges: Veggies

2008-02-09T13:24:00.001-08:00

Time for another round of Round Robin Photo Challenges. This one is all about veggies.
OK. I threw some fruit in, too.

Artichokes

Chili peppers

Papaya

Avocado

Here is the linking list to see other participants:

Carly - POSTED!Ellipsis
http://ellipsissuddenlycarly.blogspot.com/

Carlo - POSTED!Captured by Carlo
http://capturedbycarlo.blogspot.com/

Sandy - POSTED!myanderings
http://myanderings-myanderings.blogspot.com/

Shorty - POSTED!I Couldn't Help Myself
http://icouldnthelpmyself.blogspot.com/

Momma - POSTED!Sandcastle Momma
http://sandcastlemomma.blogspot.com/

Martha - POSTED!Perception
http://journals.aol.com/lifes2odd/perception/

Karen - POSTED!Outpost Mâvarin
http://outmavarin.blogspot.com/

Swampy - POSTED!Anecdotes, Antidotes, & Anodes
http://anecdotes.typepad.com/

LisaLisa's Chaos
http://lisaschaos.blog-city.com/

Gattina Keyhole Pictures
http://gattina-keyholepictures.blogspot.com/

Sarah - POSTED! Charish-Me
http://charish-me.blogspot.com/

Jan - POSTED!The Prytz Family
http://theprytzfamily.blogspot.com/

Suzanne R - POSTED!Living . . . Suzanne R's Life
http://newsuzannerslife.blogspot.com/

Sandra - POSTED!StrongChemistry
http://strongchemistry.blogspot.com/

Janet - POSTED!fondofsnape (formerly fondofphotography)
http://www.fondofsnape.com/

AnniePictures of Craziness
http://krspkrmmom.blogspot.com/

Kim - POSTED!Nekked Lizard Adventures
http://nekkedlizardadventures.typepad.com/

Vicki - POSTED!Maraca
http://mymaracas.blogspot.com/

Marie - POSTED!Photographs & Memories
http://journals.aol.com/mariebm56/PhotographsAndMemories

Robinella - POSTED!Robin's Nest
http://robinellablog.wordpress.com/

Nancy - POSTED!Nancy Luvs Pics
http://journals.aol.com/nhd106/Nancyluvspix/

Like a hamster on the wheel

2008-02-04T23:41:00.000-08:00

Some days I feel like I am on a ferris wheel, going around and around while the rest of the world is driving by at 70 mph.

It's been that way for a few weeks now.

I need to get off this ride.

I don't want to be on the wheel anymore.

I want to be on the midway, playing whack-a-mole.

Too many blogs, so little time (and energy)

2008-02-02T18:18:00.000-08:00

Man oh man. It has been crazy busy and intense at work this week.
Luckily I am about at my weekend.
I've been pretty scattered and just too tired to get much done at home.
That is why the lack of blogging of late.
I will try to be better.
If I cannot be better, maybe it is time to consolidate this blog with South Bay Soliloquy and just let people see me on all my days.
Cunty days included.

Round Robin Photo Challenges: Landmarks

2008-01-26T15:48:00.000-08:00

The Round Robin challenge this time around

was to photograph a landmark.
I chose to do a few from around the South Bay.
First up is the Hermosa Beach Pier.
This is the most simple of the South Bay piers.

Manhattan Beach has the round house.
Redondo Beach has all the shops, restaurants and various walkways.
Of course, there are all the bars and restaurants

and shops on the adjacent walk street.
But the pier itself is just a pier.

Of course, I had to include my favorite bridge.
This is the Vincent Thomas Bridge over L.A. Harbor.
I have a simple daytime shot, as well as a more

abstract nighttime shot of the bridge lights.

This was taken at King Harbor in Redondo Beach.

This is the fountain at Malaga Cove Plaza in Palos Verdes Estates.
He stands guard over The Hill.

All of these pictures were taken on the same
day (Jan17), except the bridge lights.
That is an old favorite from a few months ago.

If I can get access to a negative scanner today,
I will post a bonus shot I took several years ago when
I was into 35mm black and white and was
developing and printing my own stuff.
Here is the link list to see the other participants in RRPC:

Carly - POSTED!Ellipsis
http://ellipsissuddenlycarly.blogspot.com/

Karen - POSTED!Outpost Mâvarin
http://outmavarin.blogspot.comSandra - POSTED!

Strong Chemistry
http://strongchemistry.blogspot.com/

BettyBiker Betty
http://bikerbetty.blogspot.com/

Martha POSTED!Perception
http://journals.aol.com/lifes2odd/perception/

Lisa - POSTED!Lisa's Chaos
http://lisaschaos.blog-city.com/

Sandy - POSTED!Myanderings
http://www.myanderings-myanderings.blogspot.com/

Shorty ***Welcome New Member*** POSTED!I Couldn't Help Myself
http://icouldnthelpmyself.blogspot.com

GattinaKeyhole Pictures
http://gattina-keyholepictures.blogspot.com/

Nan - POSTED!Life is Like a Lunchbox
http://www.shawnanigans.net/

Rachel ***Welcome New Member***Rachel Schell, Spokane Photographer http://blog.rachelschell.com/

Janet - POSTED!fondofsnape
http://www.fondofsnape.com/

VickiMaraca
http://mymaracas.blogspot.com/

Kim ***Welcome New Member***Rainy Day Diamonds
http://rainydaydiamonds.blogspot.com/

Marie - POSTED!Photographs & Memories
http://journals.aol.com/mariebm56/PhotographsAndMemories

ChrisseaChris-seas Corner
http://chrisseas-corner.tripod.com/

TeenaIt's all about me!
http://purple4mee.blogspot.com/

Robinella ***Welcome New Member***Robin's Nest
http://robinellablog.wordpress.com/

Janet ***Welcome New Member***From The Planet Of Janet
http://fromtheplanetofjanet.blogspot.com

Suzanne R POSTED!Living . . . Suzanne R's Life
http://newsuzannerslife.blogspot.com/

Nancy - POSTED!Nancy Luvs Pix
http://journals.aol.com/nhd106/Nancyluvspix

Pamela ***Welcome New Member***The Dust Will Wait -POSTED!
http://thedustwillwait.blogspot.com

Kim - POSTED!Nekked Lizard Adventures
http://nekkedlizardadventures.typepad.com/

DuaneLife, the Universe and Everything
http://fdtate.blogspot.com/

Gina - POSTED!Gina's Space
http://journals.aol.com/rbrown6172/Ginasspace

Momma***Welcome New Member***Sandcastle Momma - POSTED!
http://sandcastlemomma.blogspot.com

Molly***Welcome New Member***Return of the White Robin - POSTED!
http://returnofthewhiterobin.blogspot.com

Sarah - POSTED!Charish Me
http://charish-me.blogspot.com/

Maybe it is something in the water

2008-01-25T19:15:00.000-08:00

Or maybe it is just work getting crazier and crazier. Everyone seems to be grouchy today.

Me? I am actually in a decent mood.

I got my evaluation at work yesterday.

I don't suck.

In fact, I am fucking awesome.

Too bad there are no raises this year.

nataliedee.com

Round Robin Photo Challenges: Railroads

2008-01-12T13:34:00.000-08:00

This is my first time participating in the
Round Robin Photo Challenges.

This could be a fun diversion from time to time.

So, here is my train-related photo. It suits me.

Bonus image of the Enchanted Railroad
at Descanso Gardens. Too cute.

Linking List
Gina - POSTED!
Gina's Space
http://journals.aol.com/rbrown6172/Ginasspace/

Carly - POSTED!Ellipsishttp://ellipsissuddenlycarly.blogspot.com/

Kim - POSTED!Nekked Lizardshttp://nekkedlizardadventures.typepad.com/

Vicki - POSTED!Maracahttp://mymaracas.blogspot.com/

Karen - POSTED!Outpost Mâvarinhttp://outmavarin.blogspot.com/

Lisa - POSTED!Lisa's Chaoshttp://lisaschaos.blog-city.com/

Janet - POSTED!fond of snapehttp://fondofsnape.com/

CherylLife Thru My Lenshttp://chersphotos.blogspot.com/

Nan ***Welcome New Member*** POSTED!Life is Like a Lunchboxhttp://www.shawnanigans.net/

Sandy ***Welcome New Member*** - POSTED!Myanderingshttp://myanderings-myanderings.blogspot.com/

Betty ***Welcome New Member***Biker Bettyhttp://bikerbetty.blogspot.com/

Duane ***Welcome Back Duane***Life, the Universe and Everythinghttp://fdtate.blogspot.com/

Suzanne R - POSTED!Living . . . Suzanne R's Lifehttp://newsuzannerslife.blogspot.com/

Julie
Julie's Web Journal - POSTED!
http://www.barrettmanor.com/journal

Mary***Welcome Back Mary*** - POSTED!Just A Happy Gypsyhttp://contrarywoman.blogspot.com/

I think I would have a hard time with this

2008-01-08T20:29:00.000-08:00

I saw this story today. I think it is an interesting concept.
I think I would have a hard time actually doing it.

Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune
MINNEAPOLIS – Karen Heimdahl used to be part of the throngs that crowd Twin Cities-area malls at Christmastime. But this time, bound by the Compact -- a growing social movement in which members vow to buy nothing new for a year -- she hit used-book stores and consignment shops. For Christmas 2006, her husband received gadgets from Best Buy. This Christmas, he unwrapped a hand-powered coffee grinder that Karen scoured eight antique stores to find.
“Buying new is so much easier,” she lamented.
The American economy depends on consumers willing to buy the latest in fashions, furnishings and flat-screen TVs. Indeed, in the weeks after Sept. 11, 2001, shopping was cast as a patriotic duty, a way to help prevent the economy from tipping into a recession.
But the Compact, started by a group of San Francisco friends as a rebellion against what they see as gluttonous consumerism and its thoughtless destruction of the environment, turns that notion on its head.

more...

The Compact, named after the creed made by the revolutionaries who sailed here on the Mayflower, started in 2004 with a San Francisco dinner party. The conversation had turned to the downsides of recycling, and the group agreed to a revolutionary idea of its own: to buy nothing new, aside from a small list of exceptions that includes medicine, underwear and cleaning products. They could buy food without restrictions, including eating out.
Officially the Compact has grown from 10 friends around the dinner table to more than 8,700 members of online users groups today. Founding member John Perry figures thousands more are living the Compact life offline, though it's hard to track exact numbers of members and success rates.

more...

It was fall of 2006 and Heimdahl was counseling a growing number of Minnesotans having trouble paying their mortgage and credit-card debt when she read about the Compact in the news.
“For a while I had been feeling fed up about the consumer nature of our society,” said the 31-year-old financial counselor for Lutheran Social Service. “I think part of it is what I do for my job, too, seeing a lot of people have debt ... and not having anything to account for it.”
Still, she didn't sign up right away. “My first thought was 'Well, I don't need to do that, I don't buy much stuff anyway.' But then I realized that was an excuse.”
On April 8, 2007, she and her husband were sitting at their desks in their Waconia, Minn., home. Without a triggering event or much thought of how this would change her life, she signed up for the Compact group online. Although her husband, Andy, was just feet away, she didn't mention her new commitment until later that day. She worried about his reaction, knowing he viewed the Compact as extreme. But he surprised her. “He was actually very supportive.”
“I wasn't sure she was going to be able to follow through,” said Andy, 33. “In this consumer-driven society it seemed like a nearly impossible task.”
It hasn't been easy. The week after she signed up, she picked up a box of candles for her father's birthday party. Driving to the party with her sister, she confessed her sin, which her sister brushed off. It was months before Heimdahl set foot in a big-box store again.
“Every three months is when I tend to have a cheat,” she says. After the candles was the gift certificate she bought for a new motorcycle windshield for her husband. She didn't actually buy the item for him, but with the gift certificate, “the intent was there.”

Do you think YOU could do this? Take the poll and let me know.

Any chimp can play human for a day

2008-01-05T17:01:00.000-08:00

I have been rediscovering my Rilo Kiley CD, More Adventurous.

This is the first song on the disc. I just love the lyrics here. Especially the first part. Especially as we head into an election year.

Come on. How many times do you hear someone singing that "you'll panic and throw your own shit at the enemy?"

"It's A Hit"

Any chimp can play human for a day

And use his opposable thumbs to iron his uniform;

And run for office on election day;

And fancy himself a real decision maker,

Then deploy more troops than salt in a shaker.

But it's a jungle when war is made,

And you'll panic and throw your own shit at the enemy.

The camera pulls back to reveal your true identity.

Look, it's a sheep in wolf's clothing,

A smoking gun holding ape.

Click on the song title if you want all the lyrics. This was just the part that got me.

There are several great songs on that disc. I was concentrating more on their new one recently, Under the Blacklight. But then figured I would go for a refresher on something a little older.

I am really glad I did.

I am glad Santa knows the true meaning of Christmas

2008-01-01T15:06:00.001-08:00

There is a neighborhood in my city that goes all out for Christmas. Most of the residents really get into things with elaborate lighting and props.

Me, I love that neighborhood.

But man would I hate to live there from Thanksgiving until New Year's.

It is a constant stream of traffic in and out of there once the sun goes down and the lights come on.

The manfriend and I went down there a few days after Christmas to get a look at the lights.

As usual, it was quite pretty.

As usual, there was a ton of traffic.

What really got me were the idiots driving with no lights on.

I get that they want the full effect. But there also are a lot of people walking around and running across the streets.

Anyway, I digress.

I took pictures of a couple of my favorite houses.

I also really loved the giant sign that reads "Jesus is the reason for the season."

It shows Baby Jesus in the manger with Santa looking over him.

That just does not seem right to me.

Naughty or nice?

2007-12-25T08:06:00.001-08:00

Hey, whatever works for you.

Merry Christmas.

"Thank God, it's Gregory" just doesn't have the same ring to it

2007-12-18T10:10:00.000-08:00

So I found this online this morning. This Italian couple wanted to name their son Friday, but a court ordered it changed.

Really? Friday is that heinous?

Read on. This is actually pretty funny to me. But then I live in a country full of Dakotas and Rumers and Widgets. Yes. I said Widget. I really know someone who gave their daughter the name Widget. Granted, it is her middle name, but that is what people have been calling her.

ROME (Reuters) - An Italian court has ruled that a couple could not name their son "Friday" and ordered that he instead be called Gregory after the saint whose feast day he was born on.
"I think it is ridiculous they even opened a case about it," the family's lawyer, Paola Rossi, told Reuters by telephone from the northern city of Genoa on Tuesday.
Friday/Gregory Germano was born in Genoa 15 months ago. The parents registered him as Friday in the city hall and a priest even baptised him as Friday -- unusual in Italy since many priests insist that first names be of Christian origin.
"We named him Friday because we like the sound of the name. Even if it would have been a girl, we would have named her Friday," the boy's mother, Mara Germano, told Reuters.
When the boy was about five months old, a city hall clerk brought the odd name to the attention of a tribunal, which informed the couple of an administrative norm which bars parents from giving "ridiculous or shameful" first names to children.
Maybe we should pass some sort of baby-name law here. No more Scouts. No more Apples. Only good historic or Christian names allowed. I am lobbying for more Benitos and Adolfs and Judases.

The tribunal said it was protecting the child from being the butt of jokes and added that it believed the name would hinder him from developing "serene interpersonal relationships".

Um... what the fuck does that mean? Just because someone is named Gregory doesn't mean they will have friends. I think that having to grow up with half the people in your life calling you Gregory and the other half calling you Friday would be more disruptive.

The Germano family appealed but lost their case this month and the story was carried on the front page of a national newspaper on Tuesday.
When ordered to change the name, the parents refused and the court ruled the boy would be legally registered as Gregory because he was born on that saint's feast day.
"I really doubt this would have happened to the child of parents who are rich and famous," the boy's mother told Reuters, recalling that some famous Italians had given their children unorthodox names such as "Ocean" or "Chanel".
The appeals court ruled against Friday because it recalled the servile savage in Daniel Defoe's novel Robinson Crusoe and because superstitious Italians consider Friday an unlucky day.
"I am livid about this," the boy's mother said. "A court should not waste its time with things like this when there is so much more to worry about."
"My son was born Friday, baptised Friday, will call himself Friday, we will call him Friday but when he gets older he will have to sign his name Gregory," she said.

So that ranks right up there when it comes to government wasting its time on shit it has no business wasting its time on.
I guess I should just be happy it wasn't my own government for a change.

Overheard at work

2007-12-13T12:35:00.001-08:00

"Waterboarding... It sounds kind of fun in a way. Snowboarding. Skateboarding. Waterboarding. Like something you do on vacation..."

Man, too bad traffic was moving too fast to take a picture

2007-12-11T20:59:00.000-08:00

Today on the freeway: beat up Ford Escort.
Mrs. Claus at the wheel.
Santa riding shotgun.

For more holiday fun, read about my evening at the ugly ornament exchange.

A good time was had by all.

Time sucker

2007-12-06T09:26:00.000-08:00

Crap.
I just spent an hour online.
I need to go clean a bathroom or something.

Blah humbug

2007-12-06T08:56:00.000-08:00

Today is one of those days I want to crawl back into bed and burrow down under the covers and not come out again until mid-afternoon.
It is dark here. I think it might rain.
Which is fine. I like the rain just fine.
I just hate having to get on the freeway in the rain.
I want to bake. But I feel too lazy for that.
That would require deciding what to bake.
Then I would have to make a list of ingredients.
Of course, I would have to go to the store.
Finally there is the actual baking. Which is great.
Until it is time to clean.
Plus I really don't need to have a bunch of baked goods in the house.
I have been thinking the past couple days about Christmas cookies.
I usually bake three or four kinds of cookies.
I swap with family and friends.
I take them to work.
I give some to neighbors.
This year I have none of that inclination or motivation in me.
And that fake tree is going to sit in that box again this year. In that box where it has been for the past few years.
I have not even thought about a design yet for Christmas cards, much less actually gotten up the steam to make them.
Fuck, I can't even bring myself to go outside and hang a couple strands of twinkle lights on the house.
The adopt-a-family deal I am doing may be the only thing that gets me in the spirit this year even a little bit.
I need a good kick in the ass.
Please, someone shake me out of my blah-humbug mood.

Another reason I love living in Southern California

2007-12-02T11:58:00.000-08:00

I went to Home Depot this morning to buy new switch plates for the kitchen and there were tons of people out buying Christmas trees.

Many of them wearing shorts and flip flops.

Kids these days

2007-11-28T09:52:00.000-08:00

I like to think I have a pretty good work ethic. I saw how hard my parents worked when I was a kid and I like to think I learned by example.
Which is why I really do not understand people who don't work that same way.
Granted, maybe you don't love your job and maybe it is not what you hope for in a long-term career sort of way. But it is your job.
You made a commitment to be there and when you are not, you can really fuck up someone else's day.
This is especially true if you work at a place that turns out a product every day. Every day that you are not there, someone else has to pick up your work and finish it.
No, I am not just rambling. Yes, I do have a specific example.

There was this young woman at my office who was basically on the level of a clerk. She was employed part time doing various work for various departments. The work itself is not particularly difficult, nor is it particularly interesting.
But it is time-consuming. And it is the type of work that, if you word it right, can sound pretty good on a resume.

So last week, Thanksgiving week, she was supposed to come in Monday to get some work done in advance in order to have Thanksgiving off.
But she didn't show.
And she didn't return repeated phone calls.
She was off Tuesday, but still no call back.
Wednesday, when she was again scheduled to work, no show and no call.
By this point her work is at a point where it cannot wait.
So guess who gets to do it?
Yeah. I was thrilled.
But that is fine. I get paid the same whether I do the challenging stuff or the mindless stuff.

Anyway...
Thursday; No show, no call.
Friday: No show, no call.
Saturday: eh... you get the idea.

By now we all have gone through the "Man, I sure hope she is OK" bit. We have called her and called her and someone even tracked down her mom's number and called her.
"No, nothing is wrong. Sorry, I don't know where she is, but she is fine."

I even checked her MySpace page to see when she last logged on. It was within a day. So she must be fine. You can't very well log on to MySpace if you are face down in a ditch someplace, right?

So we figure she just ditched the job. She had another one, so maybe it was all too much trying to work two jobs.
Or maybe by about Wednesday she figured she was fired anyway, so why come in for the reaming.

Whatever the case, I just really do not understand that mentality.
Is that just how people fresh from college think? Do they think that is OK and professional?
I know this was not her dream job, but it was work in the field of her choice at a very respected company. Maybe it was not what she wanted to do forever, but a good reference from there might carry some weight going forward.
I guess I just don't get why you would toss that away like garbage.

Who does that and feels like that is right?

When did I get old?

2007-11-27T09:18:00.000-08:00

I know we all ask ourselves this question.
But I was really feeling it last night.
I spent half the day grouting in the kitchen and was just totally worn out by it.
Half. Not even the whole day.
Of course, it was that funky angled part above the hood which required standing on the countertop to get to the highest spots.
And let me tell you, at 6' tall, it is not comfortable standing on the countertop.
I am too short to reach the top from the step ladder, but too tall when I am up on the counter.
So it was either teeter on my tippy toes on the step ladder or do the Quasi Modo standing on the counter.
I tried a bit of each and ended up with sore calves and stiff shoulders.
Yay.
At about 6:30, the manfriend and I went and grabbed a quick dinner then headed over to the condo complex where his dad owns rental property.
We like to go over there to use the spa. It's only about 5 miles from my house, so it is not a bad deal.
That felt great.
But it meant that when I got home at about 8:30, I was ready to doze off.
I forced myself to stay awake for a while lest I fall asleep too early and wake up at 4 a.m. not being able to get back to sleep.
I think I made it until about 10. Then I passed out.
On the couch.
I woke up around midnight and had to force myself to get up and go to my bed. It was nice and warm where I was and I had cats sleeping all over me.
But I knew the bed would be more comfortable in the long run.
So there I was, the old, crazy cat lady stumbling to bed after passing out on the sofa, shedding cats as I went.
Yeah. That's just sad.

Mmmm... cranberry glop

2007-11-22T17:12:00.001-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving, bitches!

(Thanks Nataliee Dee for the funny.)

One step closer to a reality

2007-11-20T10:28:00.000-08:00

For those of you who read my other blog, you know I have been remodeling my kitchen for what seems like months.
It is getting so close to being done. Finally.
To save money, I decided to do all the tile myself. The floor was done weeks ago, but the walls still needed to be done.
Well, now they are. Mostly. There is some finish work left to do.
But please, take a look at it on the other blog. I am so proud of my handiwork.

Where you been anyway?

2007-11-20T09:49:00.000-08:00

Me? At home, doing chores.
I found this fun little site to map all the places I have been.
I have been to 15% of the countries in the world. Cool.
Of course, many of them are tiny little island countries in the Caribbean.
Which also is cool.

So, where YOU been?

These things just come flying out of my mouth

2007-11-15T21:28:00.000-08:00

So I get home a couple nights ago to find a notice from the DMV.
Fuck.
Before I even open it, I know what it is.
I forgot to pay my registration.
My registration that was due in September.
It wasn't that I don't have the money. I had simply misplaced the first notice in all the chaos of the remodel.
I had simply forgotten.
Stupid. I know.
So I think about going online then and there and paying it. But that will still mean waiting for it to be processed and for the tags to come in the mail.
Then I decide that I will just take advantage of one of the services I get for paying to be an Auto Club member.
I will go down there before work and get the tags there.
Sweet.

Cut to the next morning...

I get to Auto Club and I am right: There is no line.
I tell the woman at the counter that I need to renew my registration, which is late.
As I start to write the check, she says "Wait. Just wait. This is REALLY late. I need to check to make sure this amount is right."
Um. OK.
I tell her that since I just got that notice the day before, I am pretty sure it is correct. But OK, sure, check it out.
Of course, it was the right amount. Late fees and all.
Damn.
So I go back to writing the check.
"You know," Ms. Auto Club says snarkily, "You know, this is REALLY late. You are REALLY lucky you didn't get a ticket."

What the ...?

OK. I pay for Auto Club for various reasons. One of those reasons is so that I do not have to go to the DMV to get the attitude there.

So I look up from my check writing. You know, that look where you don't actually raise your head, just your eyes.

I look up from my check writing and I say "You know, I REALLY don't need a lecture from you. It's late. I get that. The late fees are a good reminder of that. Things get forgotten. It happens. Can I please just have my tags now?"

"Here you go," she says as she handed me the tags.

I find that as I am getting older I have less patience for people in general. And I find that I am more likely to just say whatever is on my mind without stopping to check myself.

But was I out of line? I mean, it's not like I called her a cunt or anything.

What a way with words

2007-11-15T17:14:00.000-08:00

I like to read a Web site called LAObserved.
Basically the guy picks up on stories and issues about media and politics in the L.A. area and puts them in one easy to use place.
And every once in a while the comments he makes on something just make me laugh.
Like this one:
Heidi Klum tries to appear charmed at the gift of pumpkin bread from Councilman Tom LaBonge, but most of the Victoria's Secret Angels seem — let's call it wary. Perhaps doubtful. I recognize the look. My wife wouldn't touch the stuff either the time LaBonge laid a loaf on us.

"... laid a loaf on us." Classic.

Wait for it...

2007-11-13T11:26:00.001-08:00

Sorry for my absence.
But I have been having too much fun the past few days (great dinners, seeing friends, hot-tubbing with the manfriend) to get all ranty about shit.

Today is my Monday though. So I am sure that will change.

Especially since the week hadn't even started for me when my boss was calling me at home on my Sunday about schedule changes.

My thought then was, "Eh. Whatev."
My thought now is "I could have been on my way to work by now, which means I would be leaving at about 8. Instead I will be there until 11.)

I'm sure it will be fine. As long as they don't close the freeway early tonight for construction. I guess I will just have to wait and see.

And it did mean more time online this morning.

Oh Mickey, you're so not fine...

2007-11-08T15:56:00.000-08:00

Not that I have ever been a big Mickey Rourke fan, but when did this guy...

become this guy?

Oh yeah, and he was arrested today, too. Shocking. I have to say, it is always nice to see a celebrity smile for the mugshot camera.

Actor Mickey Rourke was arrested Thursday in Miami Beach after police said he was driving a new Vespa scooter down the road while intoxicated.

According to a police report, authorities said they observed Rourke, 53, driving a green 2007 Vespa scooter erratically down Washington Avenue in Miami Beach around 4:20 a.m. Thursday.
Police said that an officer directed Rourke off to the side of the road, at which point Rourke allegedly asked the officer, "What the (expletive) did I do?," according to the report.

Investigators said Rourke was observed having bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and emitting a strong odor of alcohol on his breath. Police said Rourke failed an road-side coordination test and was taken into custody.

Rourke was taken to the Miami Beach Police Department for further processing. Rourke allegedly told police at the station, "I'm not drunk, I didn't even drink that much," according to the report.

Is that a kielbasa in your pants or...

2007-11-06T19:48:00.001-08:00

From an AP story I read today:

In his 22 years on the bench in this town 50 miles southwest of Jacksonville, Miller has seen some strange thefts. One of the most unusual was a man who left a store with a kielbasa in his pants and a bottle of Pepto Bismol in his pocket. The man explained that he stole the sausage because he was hungry and the stomach medication because kielbasa gave him heartburn.

OK. That is just freaking awesome.

And the world as we know it grinds to a halt

2007-11-06T18:53:00.001-08:00

The writers strike will enter its third day tomorrow.
Already taping has been stopped on stellar shows such as "Til Death" and "Rules of Engagement."
Oh no. What will we do?

Here's a thought: Turn off the TV and pick up a fucking book.

I hate to think this is true

2007-11-06T10:26:00.000-08:00

But I am sure some guys do have this experience.

I think it is funny that one of the heinous characters in here is named Jill. But, of course, I am nothing like that.

Unless you try to steal my parking space or run into me with your shopping cart.

Mostly I just find this amusing.

Over on the other blog...

2007-11-01T22:38:00.000-07:00

I'm taking an informal poll on the other blog (the one my mom reads, so there is no boob talk there) about what color skirt I should wear to a wedding this weekend.
Same style, different colors.
Feel free to weigh in.
I might even take it into consideration.

I'd rather be home gutting pumpkins

2007-10-31T13:58:00.000-07:00

Normally I like to take the night off on Halloween and stay home to pass out candy.

This year I am working. I didn't anticipate there would be so many other people wanting tonight off since most of my colleagues do not have kids and are not Halloween dorks like I am.

But a couple of people took vacations and the one guy with a kid took the night off to go begging with her.

So here I am at work while at home my porch light is off and the steps are jack-o-lantern free.

The picture above is from last year. I ended up with six jack-o-lanterns total. Yeah, that Jack on the bottom right step is puking his guts out.

I also put the paper bags out with some cat sand in the bottom and then lit tealight candles to light the walkway.

I did not dress up last year. But I have in the past, including stints as Marge Simpson and a giant Christmas present.

I never did get into the whole deal of putting on a costume to go to work. I mean, it's work.

So today for work I just went with a black dress and a little jeweled spider-shaped pin in my hair.

There is a scattering of Halloween-themed shirts, a lot more people in all black than normal and one guy dressed up in cardboard and foil as some sort of robot.

I guess it won't be all bad here today though. I just filled my candy bowl and before anyone can take a piece I will make them say "trick or treat."

It's been a woe-is-me few days here

2007-10-30T22:08:00.001-07:00

Yeah. I have felt a bit like this woeful statue the past few days.
Man trouble. Which is nothing at all like what I think of when I think of lady trouble.
Anyway... Things seem to have settled. At least for now.
That is the reason for the lack of posts here. I have just not felt like I had much of anything to say.
But I shall spare you all the gory details.

By the way, the picture was taken several years back at the Bonaventure Cemetery outside Savannah, Ga. Pardon the lousy scan, but I have a lousy scanner and the photo is pre-digital.
Savannah is one of the most beautiful, haunting, memorable places I have ever been and I really hope to get back there some day.

7 more things about me meme

2007-10-26T09:35:00.000-07:00

Yeah, it's all about meme.

1). I take my sushi apart to eat it. As in, I take the piece of fish off the rice ball. Then I eat the rice ball. Then I eat the fish. I really should just order sashimi with a side of rice.

2.) I collect refrigerator magnets, but (for the most part) I don't keep them on the fridge. There is a beam that runs between the dining area and living room area. I put metal panels up there and then put up my magnets. I would say 99percent of them are from places I have actually been. A few were gifts from other travelers. They make quite the conversation piece when people come over for the first time.

3.) I sleep in pajamas because I am afraid there will be a fire or earthquake or some other disaster in the middle of the night and I am afraid I would have to run out of the house without being able to get dressed. I don't want to stand in the middle of the street naked.

4.) Mayo not ketchup on fries. I don't know why. It's just good.

5.) My first husband hit me. One time. And I hit him back. Yep, that was the end of that one.

6.) My favorite type of flower is the tulip. So much beauty in such a simple design. (No, I didn't take that photo. Yes, I wish I had.)

7.) I spend too much time thinking and not enough time doing. I think about what I need to do. I think about what I should do. I think about what I want to do. But only a fraction of it is actually done. I need to do more.

If they are so inclined to share on their blogs, I would love to know seven more things about:

Angela at Blog It Like You Mean It
Lou at Little Earthquakes
Connie at I Digress

Hell, I wouldn't mind knowing seven more things about anyone who wants to share.

Ring of fire

2007-10-24T15:01:00.000-07:00

It's gross here. Getting grosser as the day progresses.

There is good news as far as the fires go. They are bringing some of them under control.

No one I know has lost a house or anything and I live far away from any of the burn areas.
The photo is a view from the parking garage at work looking toward the area of the Orange County fire.

It just gives you an idea of the air here.

I feel so bad for the people affected by this.

It's not all Malibu and movie stars.

These are real families losing their homes.

I heard a story on the radio about a family that got out fine, but had to leave pets behind. Apparently they have a real menagerie of about 50 pets. They just had no way to get them all out of there.

Those are the stories that make me the saddest.

I just hate to hear about animals being caught up in that stuff. In our human dramas and disasters.

There was a story about a guy who committed suicide by driving his car off a cliff on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. He had his dog in the car and the dog died, too.

Why? That was what I wanted to know. Why did he have to take the dog with him?

Is that skewed? Or am I normal for thinking this way?

Good for a cheap laugh

2007-10-23T19:29:00.001-07:00

I posted to YouTube for the first time today.

And since I got nothing else, here is a video of my cat climbing a ladder then chasing his tail.

Trying to light a fire under my own ass

2007-10-23T15:44:00.000-07:00

There is really only one word for how I have felt the past few days: listless.

It is perfect.

Listless is defined as "characterized by lack of interest, energy, or spirit."

Yep.

I lack all those things.

Pretty much the only thing I have had much interest in or energy for is puttering. I basically puttered away my weekend.

OK, I had a brunch/lunch sort of thing Sunday. But that pretty much zapped all my energy for the rest of the weekend.

Maybe this was brought on by my cold last week. But I started feeling much better by Friday as far as that goes.

Maybe it is the weather here. It was about 95 degrees when I was driving to work today at noon.

Maybe it is the foul air here. In case you haven't heard, Southern California is one big bonfire.

Or maybe it is a slight case of depression. I get that once in a while.

It's not nearly as bad as I got when I was going through my separation, divorce and re-entering the dating pool.

But I do recognize the basic feelings. Listless. That is always the underlying feeling.

When I get this way I really have to force myself to do stuff. Today I had to come to work. So that wasn't a choice.

But over the weekend (Sunday and Monday for me), I really had to tell myself to get up, do some chores, run some errands, eat something... And it felt good to get even the smallest of things accomplished.

Maybe next weekend I will get more done.

Maybe by then the heat will be gone, the fires will be out and the smoke will have cleared.

Maybe that is all I need.

And now for my next trick... updated

2007-10-16T09:51:00.000-07:00

Let me start by saying I was not looking for Britney news.

I was checking my Yahoo e-mail and this was one of the headlines:
Britney Spears turns herself into police

Nice trick.

Maybe I can turn myself into Oprah just long enough to transfer some of her money into my savings account.

This kind of stuff just bugs the hell out of me.

Obviously she went to the police to turn herself in. She didn't morph into a cop.

But the Internet will save journalism. Right. I keep hearing that.

I heard it just last week from our new publisher. And god I hope he is right.

But if we really want to be saved, as an industry we need to take more care and pride in what we do.

I do not lay this at the feet of print people. All the print people I know would mock that headline just as I have done.

I know the Internet is all about speed and instant updates. But that story happened LAST NIGHT. There was plenty of time to get that headline right.

Sorry. A rant, I know. But c'mon people!

**I just went back to Yahoo and saw that they fixed this. Hmmm... I wonder if someone complained. I am not vain enough to think they saw it here.**

OK, so maybe I really AM a bitch

2007-10-14T10:29:00.000-07:00

I love going to Costco. I really don't buy much.
I mean the stuff comes in huge quantities. But it is fun to go look at things.
Usually when I go I stock up on cleaning supplies, paper goods and beer.
I like to slowly wander the book and CD aisles.
I take a gander at the seasonal items and browse the wine section.
I also go there to buy gas since it is usually the cheapest in town, even with the membership factored in.

But there are a couple things I hate about going to Costco.

The first is the parking lot.
I don't understand these people who park it in the middle of an aisle and then just wait for someone. They must be waiting for someone to shop, pay, load the car and leave so they can get that spot 50 feet from the entrance.
No one wants to walk an extra 100 yards.
No wonder this country has an obesity problem.
We buy our frozen lasagnas six at a time and don't even want to walk too far to get them.

I tend to head toward the outer reaches of the parking lot and grab a space well away from the mini-van moms and the caddy-boat captains.

Because at the Costco by me, that is what you have.

I tend to go in the middle of the day in the middle of the week. Thursdays are usually the best time for me since I work at 4 p.m.

The place is full of track-suit clad moms with "JUICY" emblazoned across their ample asses and cell phones glued to the sides of their heads.
The other demographic is the, shall we say, more mature set.
Don't get me wrong, I think old people have every right to get out and shop. I applaud the ones who push their own carts filled with 100 rolls of toilet paper and a case of Metamucil. What I don't applaud is the sense of entitlement they seem to have when it comes to right of way in the parking lot. Yeah, this isn't England. Get on your own side, bub.

Just don't push your fucking cart into me.

That is when I have a problem.

So I am in Costco this most recent Thursday. I actually didn't go to wander. I went to buy candy to restock the supply I have at work. I keep a bowl on my desk and a couple giant bags in the drawer. People wander by and have a Kit Kat and say hello.

So I grabbed my three bags of mixed candy bars and am standing in line minding my own business when this woman just barrels through with her giant cart.
She was close enough to the tips of my peep-toe-pump-shielded toes that I had to look down to make sure she didn't take off my toe-nail polish.

As she cluelessly pushed her way through on her way to the next line (instead of wakling an extra 10 feet to go around the man behind me) I said "I think the phrase you are looking for is 'Excuse me.'"

OK. Yeah. Normally I say it, but not quite as loud as I did this time.

She looked around... "Were you talking to me?"

"Yes," I replied. "You almost took off my toes with your cart. All you had to do was say 'excuse me' and I would have moved out of your way. You know, like polite people do."

"Geez," she said, shaking her head and turning her back on me to unload her cart.

OK. Was that bitchy of me? I mean, I didn't call her a name. Not any kind of name referring to any kind of female body part. Besides, I keep the community candy bowl at work stocked on my own dime. And with the good stuff. Would a real bitch give away chocolate like that?

I am just constantly amazed at how people have lost the simplest forms of common courtesy.
Now I know I probably should have held my tongue and let the moment pass. But these things happen all the time and the frustration builds in me. Then I say something.

There is such a rush-rush, have-to-be-first mentality. No one wants to wait. No one wants to give an inch and let the other guy get ahead in traffic, in the store or in life.

Slow down. Relax. Let the other guy have that inch every once in a while. It might make you feel better.

And in the end, no matter how much of a rush you are in, it doesn't really take that much time to just say "Excuse me."

NC-17

2007-10-11T21:37:00.000-07:00

Angela,
You will be happy to know that the last post earned me the coveted NC-17.
Fucking a!

JustSayHi - Free Personals

Why the fuck do we curse anyway?

2007-10-11T21:27:00.000-07:00

The people at The New Republic looked into that.
It's a fucking good read. A little long and long-winded at times.
But all in all, it is a great piece.

Some of my favorite excerpts:

Fucking became the subject of congressional debate in 2003, after NBC broadcast the Golden Globe Awards. Bono, lead singer of the mega-band U2, was accepting a prize on behalf of the group and in his euphoria exclaimed, "This is really, really, fucking brilliant" on the air. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which is charged with monitoring the nation's airwaves for indecency, decided somewhat surprisingly not to sanction the network for failing to bleep out the word. Explaining its decision, the FCC noted that its guidelines define "indecency" as "material that describes or depicts sexual or excretory organs or activities" and Bono had used fucking as "an adjective or expletive to emphasize an exclamation."

and

Had it passed, the Clean Airwaves Act would have forbade from broadcast the words "shit", "piss", "fuck", "cunt", "asshole", and the phrases "cock sucker", "mother fucker", and "ass hole", compound use (including hyphenated compounds) of such words and phrases with each other or with other words or phrases, and other grammatical forms of such words and phrases (including verb, adjective, gerund, participle, and infinitive forms).

and

The first is the bone of contention in the Bono brouhaha: the syntactic classification of curse words. (California Representative Doug)Ose's grammatically illiterate bill not only misspelled cocksucker, motherfucker, and asshole, and misidentified them as "phrases," it didn't even close the loophole that it had targeted. The Clean Airwaves Act assumed that fucking is a participial adjective. But this is not correct. With a true adjective like lazy, you can alternate between Drown the lazy cat and Drown the cat which is lazy. But Drown the fucking cat is certainly not interchangeable with Drown the cat which is fucking.

If the fucking in fucking brilliant is to be assigned a traditional part of speech, it would be adverb, because it modifies an adjective and only adverbs can do that, as in truly bad, very nice, and really big. Yet "adverb" is the one grammatical category that Ose forgot to include in his list! As it happens, most expletives aren't genuine adverbs, either. One study notes that, while you can say That's too fucking bad, you can't say That's too very bad. Also, as linguist Geoffrey Nunberg pointed out, while you can imagine the dialogue How brilliant was it? Very, you would never hear the dialogue How brilliant was it? Fucking.

finally

Many people feel that profanity is self-evidently corrupting, especially to the young. This claim is made despite the fact that everyone is familiar with the words, including most children, and that no one has ever spelled out how the mere hearing of a word could corrupt one's morals.

There is so much more in this article. Fucking brilliant.

Butting in

2007-10-10T15:36:00.000-07:00

Let me start this by saying that I am not a smoker. And let me say I also do not work for Tribune.

But when I read this, it kinda pissed me off.

Basically, Tribune is going to start charging employees who smoke or an additional $100 a month. If they don't smoke, but have dependent(s) on their insurance who smoke, that also will cost $100 a month.

The author raises good questions. Who is next? Where does it stop?

Will be be charged for excessive drinking? If so, who determines what is excessive?

What about weight? Should fat people have to pay more than thin people?

I am worried about how slippery this slope is gonna get.

As the blogger also points out: The other thing that gets me is that there’s no reward for not being a smoker. If the company imposed a surcharge on smokers and then gave a proportionate break to all the non-smokers I could maybe be a little more positive about the whole thing.

Yeah. Because if they are going to start charging me for my fat ass, I am going to need to get that break from not smoking.

Red wine... I love you... Red wine... I hate you

2007-10-08T10:44:00.000-07:00

Yep, I drank too much last night.
Red, red wine.
Evil elixir.

It has been a while since I have drank so much that I felt like puking.
I am not even sure how it happened.

We had some leftovers for dinner. Pot roast. Yum. Big glass of Cabernet. Yum.

More Cabernet.

Out of Cab. How about a glass of Zin.

That Zin was so good. But quite strong.

I did feel quite foggy-headed this morning when I rolled out of bed at 9:15.

But I am feeling better now after a big glass of water and some tea. I think I might make it after all.

But no wine for me today.

Bad association there for at least a few days.

My body is a taco stand

2007-10-06T13:02:00.000-07:00

So I need to explain the title.

I am not really a John Mayer fan. He is OK. I can take or leave his music most days.

But he had that song a few years back, "Your body is a Wonderland."

And I heard that at some sound checks he would change the lyrics to "my body is a taco stand."

I just thought that was funny and it has stuck with me.

nataliedee.com

The post about my boobs and some of the responses to it got me thinking about body image.
I especially liked Lauren's comment that people should say nice things about their bodies more often.

So here I go:
Sure, I could stand to lose some weight. But my body ROCKS.

We have already established my fascination with my own boobs.

I also love being 6' tall even though it means I have a 38" inseam and cannot just go to the mall to buy pants.

I don't so much love the size 12 feet, but they go with the height and if they were smaller, I would fall over all the time.

I love the fact that I have curves and I love the fact that there are some great men out there who love them, too. Sure, my type ain't for everyone, but I don't have a problem with that.

I also like food. I like to cook it and I like to eat it. Hell, I will be conceited enough to say that I am a damn good cook.

No way would I ever be described as a "delicate flower."

I am more likely to be called "the chick who would win in a fight."

Which is fine by me.

Don't get me wrong. I have my weak moments and my self-doubt.

I have days when I change my clothes 7 times before deciding on an outfit because "nothing looks good on me today."

But most of the time even if I don't feel sexy, I at least feel confident.

I walk with my head high and I usually do it in high heels.

Thanks for the mammaries

2007-09-29T16:13:00.001-07:00

I always hated that part of the online dating profile that asks you to specify your best feature.
I usually would say it is my eyes.
But really, I think it is my boobs.
I love my boobs. They are great.
But I refrained from putting that in my online profile because I thought it would make me sound slutty and draw too much attention to the girls.
Trust me, they get enough attention as it is.
But boobs are great. And so are some of the words people use instead of "boobs."

A few of my favorites in no particular order:

Rack
Knockers (said with a German accent - even better!)
Buoys
Thelma and Louise
The shelf

Are they my favorite body part (on my own body anyway)? Hmm... Maybe.
I mean, they have served me well in the past.
I get great service at auto parts and hardware stores.

But they can be cumbersome.
There is that whole button-down shirt issue. I can't wear them. They gap in all the wrong places.
It is hard to find cute bras.
I can't sleep on my stomach.

But really, in the end, the pros outweigh the cons.

Boobs are great. Manboobs on the other hand... not so much.

Like manna from heaven

2007-09-27T14:27:00.001-07:00

I generally try to avoid fast food. I try to live by the motto of "nothing with a drive-thru."
But today I was across town running errands before work and I was famished.
I found myself at the drive-thru window of a Burger King.
Two words: cheesy tots.
These are little nuggets of diced potato and processed cheese stuff that are breaded and fried.
They are quite disgusting.
I love them.
It's probably a good thing the closest BK is miles from my house.

Turns out I am a nice person with a bad case of PMS

2007-09-25T18:33:00.001-07:00

So I was driving the rental car, which is a boat by the way, in the parking lot of my local Home Depot yesterday.
It was warm, I was cranky and my weekend up to that point had not be very relaxing.
The place was nuts for a Monday afternoon and I knew parking would be a bitch.
But just as I was about to give up (I was only going to look at tile samples anyway), I saw a guy getting into his car.
I was in an east-west aisle and he was just two spaces into a north-south aisle.
I waited for him to put his bags in the trunk, get into his car, brush his hair and then back out of the space.
Right about when he started to back out I see this big SUV start to pull up the aisle behind him.
Luckily the way he backed out gave me the chance to slide into the spot before the chick in the SUV could pull into it.
So I did.
Then I got out of the car, locked the doors and started walking toward the store.
Of course, this woman who was probably about my age or a few years older decided she had to roll down the window and make a comment as I walked by. The exchange went something like this:

SUV: Well, that was rude!

ME: Sorry, but I guess you didn't see me waiting for the spot while the guy put his stuff away and then took the time to brush his hair.

SUV: Just rude!

ME: I am sorry, but you need to lay off.

SUV: I will not lay off. You are rude. You need to learn some manners.

ME: Fuck off! It's just a parking space.

SUV: Nice mouth!

ME: Fuck you. If you don't fucking like the way I talk to you, then leave me the fuck alone you fucking cunt.

SUV: Oh!

I then walked away only to notice that there were about 6 construction type guys taking in the whole thing, mouths agape.

Now "cunt" is not a word I like to use. In fact, I probably have used it only a couple times ever in my life, even in a joking way.

But yesterday it just flew out of my mouth like it was nothing.

Was I a little embarrassed? Maybe.

Did I feel bad about it later? Hell no.

Would I say the same thing again? Most likely.

Online dating for dummies

2007-09-22T18:44:00.000-07:00

So this was on Yahoo! today.

I was reading it and trying to compare his tips to how I went about my own online dating. I will give my response in italics after each of his tips.

By David Wygant

Special to Yahoo! Personals

Recently I was coaching a woman on how to write her profile for Yahoo! Personals. Before we wrote the profile, I asked her to send me her four best pictures.
I asked her to do this because men are as visual as Scooby Doo on steroids. The first thing they do when they see your profile online is NOT read about your trip to Italy last summer. They want to see how hot you are. Keep in mind that every man has different taste in women. What I find attractive, my friend may not find attractive at all.
So I explained this to my client, and I asked her to send me her four best photos -- pictures that represent who she is in her life. What she sent me is mistake #1 of the biggest mistakes women make online.
Here are the 14 biggest online dating mistakes women make:

1. Stop posting four different photos from four different stages in your life. This leaves a man wondering, "Who is this person?" I've looked through thousands of online profiles, and the majority of women will put up pictures from different stages of their life but not put up current pictures. All photos that you post on an online dating profile MUST BE CURRENT!!! He's going to find out what you look like when you meet, and there is no reason to lie about your looks.

I agree with this completely. I hated seeing pictures of guys that were so clearly taken in 1989. All photos I posted had been taken with three months of when I posted the ad. I had three photos. One was a head shot, the others were torso and up. Hey, gotta play up the boobs.

2. Don't list your dislikes about Internet dating in bold, capital letters at the beginning of your profile. We've all had negative experiences online. Emphasize your positive points, not your negative ones.

Seriously. Who wants to respond to someone who is a downer. I tried to keep my profile light and conversational. A friend told me it was written in a tone that was exactly the tone I use when I talk. I took that as a compliment.

3. List your exact body type. It seems like on the Internet EVERYBODY is "athletic and toned," "petite" or "fit and trim."
He will find out what you look like! You might as well tell the truth in your profile, so you'll have a qualified lead and not waste somebody's time.

If you have current photos, he will see your exact body type. I listed mine as curvy, needs to lose a few pounds. Which is how I see myself. Others may see me differently.

4. List your real age. In the world of Internet dating, it seems like there's an abundance of 29- and 39-year-old women. "29" usually means somewhere in your 30's. And a woman who is "39" is usually in her 40's. Why start a potential relationship on a lie? Men are guilty of the same thing, and I advise them the same way.

It never even occurred to me to lie about this. But with so many guys in their 40s seeking women in their 20s, I can see why some people might be tempted to lie. Me, I wasn't interested in meeting 45-year-old men who wanted to date a 23-year-old woman. I was that woman once. I was ready to date my own age.

5. I'm really glad you had a great time on your vacation, but you don't need to post 10 photos of your trip to Italy WITHOUT you in them. This is a dating site, not a trip advisor. Also, stop posting pictures of you skydiving, winter skiing, waterskiing, or doing anything else where we can't see what you look like in the picture.

I don't know. I didn't go overboard with photos. But if you say you like scuba diving, why not back that up with a photo? Just don't make it the main photo on your profile. Put those at the end and if the guy wants to know more, he will look at those.

6. Keep your profile short and to the point. Make your paragraphs very short. I've seen too many women's profiles that look like romance novels. Take a look at Yahoo! Sports and read an article in the sports section.
All paragraphs are short so men can digest that information in short bursts.

Right. Because guys have the attention span of a cat. Keep it quippy and witty and smart.

7. Don't be so self-absorbed. I've seen many women's profiles that say, "I want a man to be this," "I want a man to do that," "I want a man to cherish me," "I want a man to adore me"... You list all your "I wants" without listing what YOU will bring to the relationship. So you end up looking like you're a taker and not a giver. No man wants to be with a taker; he wants to be with someone who's equally willing to give and to receive.

Yes! Aside from making you seem needy and demanding, if you have a list of things you want and a guy read that, he might think "Oh. She seems great. But she only wants to date a guy who is at least 6' tall. Too bad I am 5'11. Next." And you could be missing out on a great guy.

8. Don't list your financial desires like you're posting a want ad. I've seen too many women write, "I'm looking for a man who will spoil me, buy me great things, and take me on great trips." You come across as a gold digger. Instead say, "I like the finer things in life to share with somebody," so you don't come across so harsh.

Why even bring this up at all? I mean, I did mention that I have a great job, but I never mentioned money or that I have a house. This bugs me like it bugs me when people ask what kind of car you drive before they even ask you if you have any siblings.

9. No baby talk! Even if the number one priority in your life is to be a mother, nothing scares a man off more than if you write in your profile about how badly you want kids. He may feel the same way, but he is going to think, "This woman will marry anybody to have kids." Write something a little more toned down like, "Families are important to me, and I can't wait to meet my special man so I can start a family." This shows you're selective and not just looking for someone with whom to make a kid.

I didn't put anything in my description about wanting kids even though I do. I just checked the box that indicated I wanted them. I guess I took it on faith that guys would actually look at all those things.

10. Stop listing all your rules. Don't write things like "A perfect first date MUST be dinner" or "The man I date HAS to wear suits." Women tend to list rules in their profiles. Be open to a different kind of first date, or the kind of guy who wears jeans to work.

This goes back to the list of demands for me.

11. Stop sending winks. When is the last time you went to the supermarket, saw a cute guy and winked at him? Winks went out of style when "Happy Days" went off the air. You don't like it when men send you a wink. You think it makes him seem lazy and like he didn't read your profile. We think the same thing! So stop winking and start typing.

I never winked! And I really did hate getting those things. I pretty much ignored them. If someone can't even take the time to write a simple note, I pretty much figured they were not winking at me, they were winking at my boobs.

12. If you write to a man and he doesn't write you back, don't write a nasty follow-up email and ask him why he didn't write you back. If a man doesn't respond to you, it's the same thing as when you don't write a man back. It means that he is not interested. Don't get angry, just find another person.

I did always try to at least hit the auto-reply button that said thanks, but no thanks even if I didn't include a note. Is that wrong? I think it is better than not responding at all.

13. We know you're looking at us, because we see that you've viewed our profile every day. Say "hello!" We're not going to bite. Lob that email in.
Take a chance and send an email to the guy to whom you're most attracted. You never know what might happen!

I looked at a lot of profiles. Just because you look doesn't mean you want to write. Or maybe you are trying to think of the right thing to write. Or maybe you just think the guy is hot in his picture but sounds like a real dolt. So you want to look, but not actually have to converse.

14. If a guy who you're interested in writes to you, stop playing games and write him back right away. Don't make him wait four days. He may find someone else in the time you wait to write him back. Keep the momentum going!

I was pretty good about writing back the same day if I was interested. I was also pretty good about hitting the auto-no thanks button if I wasn't. I mean, the point of it was to meet people, not to have a pen pal, right?

I have found when online dating that if you're honest about who you are, and you get back to people immediately, you'll get the date faster and avoid all the back and forth games that go on. Now go change that profile!

OK. Overall these are good tips and I think I already was doing these when I was on the dating site.
Anyone disagree with David? Or with me for that matter?

I'm only happy when it rains

2007-09-21T22:30:00.001-07:00

OK. That is not true.
But it is raining here right now, and I am loving it.
We haven't had a good rain in ages.
I can hear it falling on the patio and drumming against the metal cover to the water heater.
I turned the music down and opened the window so I could listen to it.
It is a warm night and the rain is falling.
I skipped a date with the dude tonight to come home and do some chores.
Two nights in a row without a date. It's kind of nice.
Since he has been off work we have been together a lot. Which I do enjoy.
But when he asked me if I had plans tonight, my only thought was "I just want some time to myself tonight."
So I told him of the many chores I have at home, which was all true.
Then I came home and ate leftovers and puttered around the house.
I did accomplish one of my chores, but the rest of the evening has been blissfully wasted.
Or maybe not.
Is listening to the rain a waste of time?
You know, I don't think so.

A royal flush

2007-09-20T16:14:00.001-07:00

I just got done editing a wire story about the new popularity of bidets and bidet toilet seats.

There were two uses of "down there," one "private bits," a quote from a man names Jonas Wiener, one use of "pooh-poohed" as a verb and this:

---Unsurprisingly, traditional bidets only found their way into the homes of the rich and famous, anxious to showcase their worldliness and ability to potty like rock stars.---

Yeah. I love working in features.

A sequence of words that just does not compute for me

2007-09-19T15:57:00.000-07:00

I heard this on the radio earlier today:

"The Camelot legend lives on, with Lou Diamond Phillips as King Arthur."

All I can see is Ritchie Valens singing "I Wonder What the King is Doing Tonight."

That's right... I drink, I gamble and I (second-hand) smoke

2007-09-19T09:49:00.000-07:00

I have to admit to being a little bleary this morning.
Not hung over, just not completely clear.
Last night on the way home from work, I stopped by my favorite dive bar.
I was going to pick up the information for this week's NFL games and have a pint.
I ended up having two pints and playing some pool.
This bar is a dump.
It is great. Everyone knows everyone even if you've never met them.
The only thing bad about this bar is that they still let people smoke in there.
I try to sit away from the big groups of smokers, but it's a small bar. There is going to be some wafting.
Oh and they don't serve hard liquor, just beer and wine basically.
Which is a bad thing if you want a gin and tonic, but maybe it is a good thing since those drunkards would probably get into fights if they were fueled by whiskey instead of beer.
I am in this pool there where you pick the NFL games, against the spread, every week.
The person with the most games each week gets a little cash, as does the second place finisher.
At the end of the season, the person with the most accumulated points gets some cash, second and third get a bit as well.
I did this last year and the year before, too.
Now last year I did OK. I came in 4th out of about 20 people and I was the highest ranking chick. But I won nothing.
The year before, I won the whole darn thing without ever actually winning a week.
Pretty good, huh?
All the guys were convinced I had to have help from a guy or that because I work at a paper I have some special secret insider knowledge.
Yeah. It's called the Associated Press. Buy a damn paper.
Anyway, we are a couple weeks into the thing and I won the first week by picking 12 of the 16 games correctly. For the first week, that is amazing. Heck, that isn't bad for any week really.
The second week, not so great. I had 5 correct. But the highest score that week was 9 and most people got 5 or 6.
Now really, I am not much of a gambler. I will play blackjack if I go to Vegas. But I only go to Vegas about once every 3 years.
But this football thing gets me all riled up.
I was planning my Sunday around the NFL. Breakfast at a place with a TV so I could watch Indy not cover the spread against Tennessee. Sure they won, but a 2-point win doesn't help me when the spread is 7.
Then home to see more scores. After the morning round of games, it was just too depressing to watch anymore.
But now I am all excited again for this Sunday. It is another chance to build up my overall points.
I don't even think it is the money that motivates me in these things (though that is a bonus).
I think it is the competition. It is proving to these guys that a girl can know football at least as well as they do.
My nature has always been very competitive. I thrive on it.
So when a guy asks me if I pick teams based on the color of their jerseys, it really pisses me off.
My normal response is to push my cleavage together, twirl my hair and say, with a vacant look on my face, "No, I just tell myself 'Miami is playing Chicago... Hmmm... Who would win in that fight? A Dolphin or a Bear?' "
They look at me like I am crazy and drop the subject.
Man, drunk guys are so easy to confuse.

Nothing to be bitter about today

2007-09-18T13:34:00.001-07:00

It feels good to just be happy.
I had a great weekend, part of it spent with family, part of it spent with the dude and part of it being productive at home.
But I did think a little bit about the blog and about what I would post here.
I actually tried to think of things that annoyed me or pissed me off.
I really couldn't think of anything the past few days.
But now that I am back at work, I am sure my mood will change.
Not that I don't like my job, but it IS a job.
Anyway, here's to being happy. I hope everyone else is getting a little of that these days.

Spending a little time on the dark side

2007-09-13T12:16:00.000-07:00

Someone pointed out that this blog was a little dark for me.
I guess I would have to agree to some extent.
As much as I project the happy, competent, together image that I have carefully cultivated over the years, I know I have a bit of a dark side and I think most other people probably do, too.
My dark side is really quite innocent compared with how some people live.
Mostly it is about me not fully sharing everything with the people closest to me.
It is not a matter of not trusting those people.
I just like to keep some stuff to myself.
I also feel like most people have their own problems, I don't need to add mine to the mix. So I usually deal on my own.
I was seeing a shrink for a while to talk about all sorts of personal stuff that was happening then and that had happened years earlier.
I didn't even tell him everything.
So I guess secrecy and retreating into my own head is my real dark side.
Anyone else care to talk about where they go when they want to get dark?

Feeling ass-kicked today

2007-09-07T18:19:00.001-07:00

I am feeling just plain old beat and beat up today.
So I bought myself a couple of lotto tickets.
Heck, a girl can dream, right?
What would I do with $17 million?
1- quit my job. I know people say that as soon as you quit your job, you are changed. But there are many other people out there who could benefit more from my job if I was set financially.

2- find an organization that I love and volunteer. See. I just replaced my job right there. I think I still would want some purpose and direction in life, and there are a lot of things I could offer to the right group.

3- pay off my bills, my mom's bills, my sister's bills. It's just the right thing to do. Especially for my mom. And I would get her a new place. Her place now is OK, but I would want her to be totally comfortable. I think she would really enjoy a sweet little condo near the beach.

4- travel. Oh hell yeah. Where? Back to Italy, the Caribbean, Amsterdam and Prague. Back to England, Spain and Germany. I would hit my favorite U.S. places: New York, San Francisco, Boston, New Orleans... Pretty much anywhere I want to go.

5- new house, same area. Heck. Maybe I would just have a new house built just for me on the same lot where my house is now. I really like my neighborhood.

6- have a kid or adopt a kid. Yeah, I want a kid. Not having to worry about money would make that a hell of a lot easier.

7- get a good, trusted financial adviser. Because $17 million is a lot of money for a girl like me and I would want to be wise about it and make it last.

Anyone else dreaming big today?

In the beginning...

2007-09-01T17:34:00.000-07:00

There was a girl who questioned her choices, her motives, her abilities and herself all the time.
She was looking for an outlet.
She was looking for some insight.
She was looking for answers.
Instead she found a blog.
What it will become, she cannot yet say.
But she hopes that it provokes discussion and laughter and thought.

Letting Crazy Take a Spin

It is done

The party's over

Mmmm... deep-fried fat

Round Robin Photo Challenge: Night shot

Back home, back at work

My disappearing act

But what if she doesn't have the hips for it?

Round Robin Photo Challenges: I made that

Round Robin: Tiny Things

Round Robin Photo Challenge: Wood

Sounds familiar

More proof of not being old

Not young, not old

Round Robin Photo Challenge: Variety Show

Not that "Wilde" about this book

Husbands are just too much work

Round Robin Photo Challenges: Captioned

Life, as I know it

Photo hunt: Metal

Round Robin: First Signs of Spring

A face for radio

Round Robin: A Nice Place to Sit

Potty mouth

Round Robin Photo Challenges: Shoes

Looking forward to my drug-induced haze.

Round Robin Photo Challenges: Veggies

Like a hamster on the wheel

Too many blogs, so little time (and energy)

Round Robin Photo Challenges: Landmarks

Maybe it is something in the water

Round Robin Photo Challenges: Railroads

I think I would have a hard time with this

Any chimp can play human for a day

I am glad Santa knows the true meaning of Christmas

Naughty or nice?

"Thank God, it's Gregory" just doesn't have the same ring to it

Overheard at work

Man, too bad traffic was moving too fast to take a picture

Time sucker

Blah humbug

Another reason I love living in Southern California

Kids these days

When did I get old?

Mmmm... cranberry glop

One step closer to a reality

Where you been anyway?

These things just come flying out of my mouth

What a way with words

Wait for it...

Oh Mickey, you're so not fine...

Is that a kielbasa in your pants or...

And the world as we know it grinds to a halt

I hate to think this is true

Over on the other blog...

I'd rather be home gutting pumpkins

It's been a woe-is-me few days here

7 more things about me meme

Ring of fire

Good for a cheap laugh

Trying to light a fire under my own ass

And now for my next trick... **updated**

OK, so maybe I really AM a bitch

NC-17

Why the fuck do we curse anyway?

Butting in

Red wine... I love you... Red wine... I hate you

My body is a taco stand

Thanks for the mammaries

Like manna from heaven

Turns out I am a nice person with a bad case of PMS

Online dating for dummies

I'm only happy when it rains

A royal flush

A sequence of words that just does not compute for me

That's right... I drink, I gamble and I (second-hand) smoke

Nothing to be bitter about today

Spending a little time on the dark side

Feeling ass-kicked today

In the beginning...

And now for my next trick... updated