My eyes! My eyes!
God, I've got to post more because their picture of Aryan beauty is hurting my eyes.
12.29.2005
12.28.2005
12.20.2005
Merry "Xmas"!
"People are so worried about offending the minority, they go ahead and offend the majority, who are Christians."
Well bah-humbug, Unca Scrooge.
Just for those of the majority, I say.....
Happy Holidays! I'll be thinking of you when I wear my "Christian" colors of red and green, decorating my Charlie Brown tree, and singing the Dreidel song.
"People are so worried about offending the minority, they go ahead and offend the majority, who are Christians."
Well bah-humbug, Unca Scrooge.
Just for those of the majority, I say.....
Happy Holidays! I'll be thinking of you when I wear my "Christian" colors of red and green, decorating my Charlie Brown tree, and singing the Dreidel song.
12.01.2005
11.30.2005
You should be women, and yet your beards forbid me to interpret that you are so.
Try it. Thou wouldst entertain thyself.
The Shakespeare insulter.
Try it. Thou wouldst entertain thyself.
The Shakespeare insulter.
11.23.2005
Baking kills germs, right?
Well, I hope so because I'm going to have Thanksgiving at my house. With only me, boyfriend, and the 'rents. Should prove to be a joyous occasion. Especially when the cook is trying not to cough up a lung.
Yummy.
Anywho, happy Thanksgiving. I intend to. With my bourbon chocolate pecan pie. Emphasis on the bourbon.
Well, I hope so because I'm going to have Thanksgiving at my house. With only me, boyfriend, and the 'rents. Should prove to be a joyous occasion. Especially when the cook is trying not to cough up a lung.
Yummy.
Anywho, happy Thanksgiving. I intend to. With my bourbon chocolate pecan pie. Emphasis on the bourbon.
11.15.2005
I guess that blogging is for the unsatisfied, or the type who need to share their happiness and being the grump that I normally am, I don't share well.
Anywho, the update for the last month:
--the hound is doing well. He's added a good two pounds to his tough little body and is still a little bit of a brat. I expect as much from my dog.
--the cats not so much. But they are especially loving when the doggie is locked up in his kennel and can't chase them or eat their food.
--the boyfriend is wonderful. Especially when he found jicama in the area and could now stop harrassing me about how uncivilized our area is. As if he had any doubt, we are in Virginia.
--the friends are all doing well, so that's why they're not blogging. **thhpppt**
--I still hate my parents. They are painful and selfish and moral hypocrites, as always. Well, you've got to have something consistent in your life. I want my little sister to start having babies so that they will move to wherever she is. As in, away from me.
--school is going. I really like the subject this year (National Security Decision Making) and hope to use this knowledge to infiltrate the system, rid it of Ws and take over the world (maniacal laughter).
--work is going as well. Like being in power and soon will be able to throw off good attitude. But they keep paying me, so that keeps the attitude good nonetheless.
Anywho, the update for the last month:
--the hound is doing well. He's added a good two pounds to his tough little body and is still a little bit of a brat. I expect as much from my dog.
--the cats not so much. But they are especially loving when the doggie is locked up in his kennel and can't chase them or eat their food.
--the boyfriend is wonderful. Especially when he found jicama in the area and could now stop harrassing me about how uncivilized our area is. As if he had any doubt, we are in Virginia.
--the friends are all doing well, so that's why they're not blogging. **thhpppt**
--I still hate my parents. They are painful and selfish and moral hypocrites, as always. Well, you've got to have something consistent in your life. I want my little sister to start having babies so that they will move to wherever she is. As in, away from me.
--school is going. I really like the subject this year (National Security Decision Making) and hope to use this knowledge to infiltrate the system, rid it of Ws and take over the world (maniacal laughter).
--work is going as well. Like being in power and soon will be able to throw off good attitude. But they keep paying me, so that keeps the attitude good nonetheless.
9.22.2005
9.14.2005
You can't take penguins away from us!
I hate opportunists. Especially Republican opportunists that try to ingratiate themselves to the public by tagging pop culture onto their conservative ideals. First it was rock songs, now it's penguins:
Obviously, they were not paying attention to the movie. Or not listening, which is very much their MO.
Sure, penguins are monogamous...for that year. After that, all bets are off. And as for child rearing--after the baby penguins get a second visit from their moms (the dads have already left for the ocean), the moms leave the baby penguins behind to fend for themselves all alone. The penguins haven't even shed their downy fuzz yet when their "dedicated" family abandons them. If the penguins don't know where to go (because mom doesn't wait for them), they DIE. That's family values for you.
I hate opportunists. Especially Republican opportunists that try to ingratiate themselves to the public by tagging pop culture onto their conservative ideals. First it was rock songs, now it's penguins:
Among a number of other conservative and Christian critics who praised its family values, Michael Medved said [March of the Penguins] is "the motion picture this summer that most passionately affirms traditional norms like monogamy, sacrifice and child rearing." Rich Lowry, editor of National Review, speaking at a gathering of young Republicans, said: "You have to check out 'March of the Penguins.' It is an amazing movie. And I have to say, penguins are the really ideal example of monogamy. These things -- the dedication of these birds is just amazing."
Obviously, they were not paying attention to the movie. Or not listening, which is very much their MO.
Sure, penguins are monogamous...for that year. After that, all bets are off. And as for child rearing--after the baby penguins get a second visit from their moms (the dads have already left for the ocean), the moms leave the baby penguins behind to fend for themselves all alone. The penguins haven't even shed their downy fuzz yet when their "dedicated" family abandons them. If the penguins don't know where to go (because mom doesn't wait for them), they DIE. That's family values for you.
9.08.2005
Pointing fingers
Here's my soapbox moment over this media chaos over who's to blame for the mess that is Louisiana. Look people--whoever dropped the ball, dropped it. Let's try and get all that we can in there and fix the problem at hand and stop with the finger pointing.
Let me clarify something too that the media is totally botching. From the military and legal perspective, the National Guard is activated under Title 32 of the US Code by state governors in cases of disaster relief, unless the National guard hasn't already been activated as reserve units overseas (as in this case of the those already sent to Iraq). It's the state governor's role to call them in and it's the state's money that pays for them. Otherwise, multiple states' guards can be called in by the President under Title 10, which makes them active military at that point and no longer under the state governors' orders, so they legally can't do any police work, hence the big mess with the LA riots a while back.
My pain with Pres Bush and republicans in general is that by having a "small government" and reducing dollars going to improving the domestic situation when concentrating on foreign problems, we are looking at a weak, unfunded, and undeveloped state/federal structure for dealing with domestic disasters. If they want a protected happy homeland, how about pumping some funds into the homeland, huh?
My solution for the future--forget this state/federal crap. This isn't the civil war, and states do not need separate militias to defend their territories. The federal government should create a comprehensive system where the national guards are funded by the federal government, but housed in each state, and may be used by the federal government in a common defense of the homeland. In case of natural disaster, state governments should have the authority to call them immediately to do policing duties en masse. The guard should not be used as a reserve for active duty. That is what the Reserves are for.
I won't even get into my rampage about getting rid of Title 10 and having one military with air, land, and sea capabilities. Talk about wasting money.
Here's my soapbox moment over this media chaos over who's to blame for the mess that is Louisiana. Look people--whoever dropped the ball, dropped it. Let's try and get all that we can in there and fix the problem at hand and stop with the finger pointing.
Let me clarify something too that the media is totally botching. From the military and legal perspective, the National Guard is activated under Title 32 of the US Code by state governors in cases of disaster relief, unless the National guard hasn't already been activated as reserve units overseas (as in this case of the those already sent to Iraq). It's the state governor's role to call them in and it's the state's money that pays for them. Otherwise, multiple states' guards can be called in by the President under Title 10, which makes them active military at that point and no longer under the state governors' orders, so they legally can't do any police work, hence the big mess with the LA riots a while back.
My pain with Pres Bush and republicans in general is that by having a "small government" and reducing dollars going to improving the domestic situation when concentrating on foreign problems, we are looking at a weak, unfunded, and undeveloped state/federal structure for dealing with domestic disasters. If they want a protected happy homeland, how about pumping some funds into the homeland, huh?
My solution for the future--forget this state/federal crap. This isn't the civil war, and states do not need separate militias to defend their territories. The federal government should create a comprehensive system where the national guards are funded by the federal government, but housed in each state, and may be used by the federal government in a common defense of the homeland. In case of natural disaster, state governments should have the authority to call them immediately to do policing duties en masse. The guard should not be used as a reserve for active duty. That is what the Reserves are for.
I won't even get into my rampage about getting rid of Title 10 and having one military with air, land, and sea capabilities. Talk about wasting money.
9.05.2005
Vacant, with a hint of sadness. Like a drunk who's lost a bet.
Hate shopping weekends and mostly avoid them. Idiot masses have come out of the woodworks and wander about town like zombies who have already fed. And then they unleash their children. Their screaming, running, sugared-up children. Yesterday I felt like I was in some videogame where I had to wander through a maze full of alien queens unleashing swarms of their brood.
Only I didn't have various weapons in my arsenal and unlimited ammo. Damn.
I am not antisocial and agoraphobic on my own. People make me this way.
Hate shopping weekends and mostly avoid them. Idiot masses have come out of the woodworks and wander about town like zombies who have already fed. And then they unleash their children. Their screaming, running, sugared-up children. Yesterday I felt like I was in some videogame where I had to wander through a maze full of alien queens unleashing swarms of their brood.
Only I didn't have various weapons in my arsenal and unlimited ammo. Damn.
I am not antisocial and agoraphobic on my own. People make me this way.
9.02.2005
Oh hell no.
An "interesting" article from today's Washington Post. Really really dislike the implications. I'm not ignoring racism or "reverse" racism, but I am ignoring the claims that people are marked for disaster because of their skin color and that aid has been slow because the victims are black.
Don't make this a racial issue. Disasters are not determined by color. True that most that suffer are the poor, but the poor are not all of one color. (*cough* indian ocean tsunami--over 300,000 killed, entire country in ruins)
*amendment*
Maybe the above article was just badly written--regardless it didn't portray the issues very well. This one is much better. And it wouldn't hurt to see Pres. Bush down there helping out--as if he would. Wouldn't that be a story--"President Bush arrives via helicopter in ground zero New Orleans and has been shot by looters--was it because he was an ineffectual President, a selfish rich idiot, or just plain white?"
An "interesting" article from today's Washington Post. Really really dislike the implications. I'm not ignoring racism or "reverse" racism, but I am ignoring the claims that people are marked for disaster because of their skin color and that aid has been slow because the victims are black.
Don't make this a racial issue. Disasters are not determined by color. True that most that suffer are the poor, but the poor are not all of one color. (*cough* indian ocean tsunami--over 300,000 killed, entire country in ruins)
*amendment*
Maybe the above article was just badly written--regardless it didn't portray the issues very well. This one is much better. And it wouldn't hurt to see Pres. Bush down there helping out--as if he would. Wouldn't that be a story--"President Bush arrives via helicopter in ground zero New Orleans and has been shot by looters--was it because he was an ineffectual President, a selfish rich idiot, or just plain white?"
8.31.2005
I'm a liberal, I swear!!
I love quizzes, but this one I had to fill out for my National Security Decision Making class, so it's not just fun, it's helps you understand why we just can't get along:
Are you a realist, liberalist, or idealist?
(It's good even though it's from the Christian Science Monitor and titled "Are you a neo-con?" Leading much?)
I'm a realist.
Not surprising considering I'm very cynical when it comes to politics and international relations. States can can espouse freedom, democracy, and human rights then get into wars based on national economic interests because that's how people work. Unless states can convince others that any action is to their benefit, this is how it will always be.
I love quizzes, but this one I had to fill out for my National Security Decision Making class, so it's not just fun, it's helps you understand why we just can't get along:
Are you a realist, liberalist, or idealist?
(It's good even though it's from the Christian Science Monitor and titled "Are you a neo-con?" Leading much?)
I'm a realist.
Realists…
Are guided more by practical considerations than ideological vision
Believe US power is crucial to successful diplomacy - and vice versa
Don't want US policy options unduly limited by world opinion or ethical considerations
Believe strong alliances are important to US interests
Weigh the political costs of foreign action
Believe foreign intervention must be dictated by compelling national interest
Historical realist: President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Modern realist: Secretary of State Colin Powell
Not surprising considering I'm very cynical when it comes to politics and international relations. States can can espouse freedom, democracy, and human rights then get into wars based on national economic interests because that's how people work. Unless states can convince others that any action is to their benefit, this is how it will always be.
Don't just watch, do something!
Trying not to worry constantly about the welfare of hurricane Katrina victims. It's amazing what weather can do in just a couple of days. So, I'll do my liberal, Sally Struthers plea:
Please donate to the Red Cross (overall disaster relief or hurricane fund) or other reputable local charity. There are over 290 million people living in the US and if we each give just a few dollars, that's significant. Share the wealth and alleviate victims' suffering because it could be you next time and you'd appreciate the help.
Trying not to worry constantly about the welfare of hurricane Katrina victims. It's amazing what weather can do in just a couple of days. So, I'll do my liberal, Sally Struthers plea:
Please donate to the Red Cross (overall disaster relief or hurricane fund) or other reputable local charity. There are over 290 million people living in the US and if we each give just a few dollars, that's significant. Share the wealth and alleviate victims' suffering because it could be you next time and you'd appreciate the help.
8.19.2005
Just needed to share the love.
For those who don't know them, these are my babies: The alien monkey and her friend the round orange floor cushion, aka Gipsy and Giles. Worship them!
For those who do, they have tons of fur saved up to rub on you for your next visit. Worship them!
I will miss them next week when I will be swilling das Bier and observing die Truppen. Very sad.
For those who don't know them, these are my babies: The alien monkey and her friend the round orange floor cushion, aka Gipsy and Giles. Worship them!
For those who do, they have tons of fur saved up to rub on you for your next visit. Worship them!
I will miss them next week when I will be swilling das Bier and observing die Truppen. Very sad.
8.18.2005
You know that overworked feeling? The feeling of being not so fresh?
I think I just found the solution to that very problem!
Use my annual leave! For vacation! For anything besides work! (Ta-da!)
This truly is a revelation because I've taken days off now and then, but I've been feeling very tired lately. Then I did some calculations after I discovered that I have over 17 days of leave saved up (and it's not even the end of the year). That's almost a month! Not including the 40+ days of sick leave and 2 days of award leave. Hell, I'll just take half the next year off, thank you.
Why the revelation? That means that I've haven't used a single damn day of leave this year. Instead, I've banked extra hours and have been taking those few days off because I've already worked them. Isn't this why I didn't become a lawyer? (And that whole bloodsucking thing.)
The sad thing is that it took me until August to realize this. Damn work ethic. I'm taking the rest of the day off.
I think I just found the solution to that very problem!
Use my annual leave! For vacation! For anything besides work! (Ta-da!)
This truly is a revelation because I've taken days off now and then, but I've been feeling very tired lately. Then I did some calculations after I discovered that I have over 17 days of leave saved up (and it's not even the end of the year). That's almost a month! Not including the 40+ days of sick leave and 2 days of award leave. Hell, I'll just take half the next year off, thank you.
Why the revelation? That means that I've haven't used a single damn day of leave this year. Instead, I've banked extra hours and have been taking those few days off because I've already worked them. Isn't this why I didn't become a lawyer? (And that whole bloodsucking thing.)
The sad thing is that it took me until August to realize this. Damn work ethic. I'm taking the rest of the day off.
8.12.2005
8.11.2005
8.07.2005
Sweet Revenge
Found out about betrayal of trust, and have been feeling a little out of sorts. Angry in fact. So, how do I get over this feeling without resorting to immature bout of violent bludgeoning? Will follow the lead of M: use Sims to live out my dreams.
The life and imminent death of one Miserable Bastard. After being surgically removed from his mother's teat at age four, has vowed to scorn all things female and emulate the pursuits of his dastardly father. Twenty-five years later, is married and lederhosened after getting wifey (former Miss Trailerpark California) knocked up with demon spawn Babs (who terrorizes the villagers with her cacophonous howls). Now lives in ramshackle hut (with outhouse) in style of industrial safari. In attempt to fix breakfast, catches house on fire and Death comes visiting while Wifey is taking a leisurely dip. Thus is the story of Miserable Bastard.
The End.
OK, feel tons better. Will move on.
Found out about betrayal of trust, and have been feeling a little out of sorts. Angry in fact. So, how do I get over this feeling without resorting to immature bout of violent bludgeoning? Will follow the lead of M: use Sims to live out my dreams.
The life and imminent death of one Miserable Bastard. After being surgically removed from his mother's teat at age four, has vowed to scorn all things female and emulate the pursuits of his dastardly father. Twenty-five years later, is married and lederhosened after getting wifey (former Miss Trailerpark California) knocked up with demon spawn Babs (who terrorizes the villagers with her cacophonous howls). Now lives in ramshackle hut (with outhouse) in style of industrial safari. In attempt to fix breakfast, catches house on fire and Death comes visiting while Wifey is taking a leisurely dip. Thus is the story of Miserable Bastard.
The End.
OK, feel tons better. Will move on.
7.28.2005
Beat that dead horse
I can't help it, I'm surrounded by this stuff daily. But tell me this isn't just a bit wrong...
"The memo says soldiers need precision-guided pistols, in addition to heavy-fire machine guns, to ensure that innocent people are not killed." --Washington Times article
It makes sense...supposedly, when guarding convoys from attacks, the soldiers are left with M-2s and grenade launchers (for which accuracy means blowing a hole in a building...or a crowd). And instead of having to lots of little holes in lots of people, they would rather blow one big hole in just a few.
OK, it doesn't make sense.
I can't help it, I'm surrounded by this stuff daily. But tell me this isn't just a bit wrong...
"The memo says soldiers need precision-guided pistols, in addition to heavy-fire machine guns, to ensure that innocent people are not killed." --Washington Times article
It makes sense...supposedly, when guarding convoys from attacks, the soldiers are left with M-2s and grenade launchers (for which accuracy means blowing a hole in a building...or a crowd). And instead of having to lots of little holes in lots of people, they would rather blow one big hole in just a few.
OK, it doesn't make sense.
7.27.2005
7.25.2005
Blah, blah, blah
Trying to blog surreptitiously at work is so fun. Even when I have nothing to blog about.
Nothing I'd like to blog about that is...Just read the NY Time article about the lady who fired her nanny after reading the nanny's blog. Had many mixed emotions about it too. First, oye, I want to be married and have kids, but damn, I don't want to be that righteous and awful. Second, what kind of an idiot is this girlie-girl giving her boss the address to her blog and writing about her sexual escapades and complaints about her boss's family? Third, blogs may be over, at least in the voyeuristic diary-type blogs that people read only for the outrageous crap that people do in their lives. You might as well be watching yet another season of the Real World, only the bloggers don't band together in other reality shows that show them drowning themselves and eating sheep intestines. No, that would be fun. Unfortunately, these penthouse forum bloggers are considered a step above tabloid trash because it's their life that they willingly put out there. Think the Washingtonienne. Blech. The humanity.
Fourth, I need to blog.
Fifth, must stop reading Harry Potter and have wild sexual escapades with next cute stranger.
Sixth, no. There are no cute strangers in this town. Have cute wonderful boyfriend. Must not think of Gary Oldman. Icky old nutty man.
Seventh, I'm getting old. Especially when I'd rather have Gary Oldman over any of those stupid ass little children with the smirky faces in 90210-lite sticky beach dramas such as OC and One Tree Hill.
Eighth and final. Am old. And writing this at work. Must stop now.
Trying to blog surreptitiously at work is so fun. Even when I have nothing to blog about.
Nothing I'd like to blog about that is...Just read the NY Time article about the lady who fired her nanny after reading the nanny's blog. Had many mixed emotions about it too. First, oye, I want to be married and have kids, but damn, I don't want to be that righteous and awful. Second, what kind of an idiot is this girlie-girl giving her boss the address to her blog and writing about her sexual escapades and complaints about her boss's family? Third, blogs may be over, at least in the voyeuristic diary-type blogs that people read only for the outrageous crap that people do in their lives. You might as well be watching yet another season of the Real World, only the bloggers don't band together in other reality shows that show them drowning themselves and eating sheep intestines. No, that would be fun. Unfortunately, these penthouse forum bloggers are considered a step above tabloid trash because it's their life that they willingly put out there. Think the Washingtonienne. Blech. The humanity.
Fourth, I need to blog.
Fifth, must stop reading Harry Potter and have wild sexual escapades with next cute stranger.
Sixth, no. There are no cute strangers in this town. Have cute wonderful boyfriend. Must not think of Gary Oldman. Icky old nutty man.
Seventh, I'm getting old. Especially when I'd rather have Gary Oldman over any of those stupid ass little children with the smirky faces in 90210-lite sticky beach dramas such as OC and One Tree Hill.
Eighth and final. Am old. And writing this at work. Must stop now.
7.14.2005
Well I never was in fashion.
It seems that the blogging fad is coming to an end. Be it too many opinions, too much happiness, too much depression, too much writing, too little experiences, ADD, or just sheer boredom. So, I say goodbye to Prodigal Blog and RHPT (otherwise known as "only-real-men-like-Hello-Kitty"). Ciao pazzi e tenere tue galline a tuo! May you forever comment on everyone else's blogs.
It seems that the blogging fad is coming to an end. Be it too many opinions, too much happiness, too much depression, too much writing, too little experiences, ADD, or just sheer boredom. So, I say goodbye to Prodigal Blog and RHPT (otherwise known as "only-real-men-like-Hello-Kitty"). Ciao pazzi e tenere tue galline a tuo! May you forever comment on everyone else's blogs.
7.08.2005
I can't think of anything original to say about how horrific the recent bombings were in London. Just remember that it is just one of many from Al Qaeda:
--Feb 1993 - 1st World trade center bombing (6 dead)
--June 1996 - Khobar Towers housing bombing (19 dead)
--Aug 1998 - US Embassy bombing in Kenya (247 dead)
--Aug 1998 - US Embassy bombing in Tanzania (10 dead)
--Oct 2000 - Bombing of the USS Cole (17 dead)
--Sept 2001 - World Trade Center/ Pentagon attacks (2973 dead)
--Dec 2001 - Attempted plane bombing from Paris to Miami flight (0 dead)
--Apr 2002 - Bombing in a Tunisia synagogue (19 dead)
--June 2002 - US Consulate bombing in Pakistan (19 dead)
--Oct 2002 - French supertanker bombed in Yemen (1 dead)
--Oct 2002 - Nightclub bombing in Bali, Indonesia (202 dead)
--Nov 2002 - Israeli owned hotel bombing in Kenya (16 dead)
--May 2003 - Car bombing in Saudi Arabian compounds (25 dead)
--May 2003 - Suicide bombers in various locations in Casablanca, Morocco (42 dead)
--Aug 2003 - Hotel bombing in Jakarta, Indonesia (10 dead)
--Mar 2004 - Bombings in Spanish trains (191 dead)
Let it be the straw that breaks the camel's back and create concensus worldwide that extremism and terrorism should not coerce us into isolation or fear of retaliation when a fellow nation gets attacked. I don't want to live in Israel-like conditions with my trusty AK on my side. Not that I advocate nuking the world to a parking lot, but we've got to stop bickering and thinking solely of our individual welfare and work together to end this. ARgh.
--Feb 1993 - 1st World trade center bombing (6 dead)
--June 1996 - Khobar Towers housing bombing (19 dead)
--Aug 1998 - US Embassy bombing in Kenya (247 dead)
--Aug 1998 - US Embassy bombing in Tanzania (10 dead)
--Oct 2000 - Bombing of the USS Cole (17 dead)
--Sept 2001 - World Trade Center/ Pentagon attacks (2973 dead)
--Dec 2001 - Attempted plane bombing from Paris to Miami flight (0 dead)
--Apr 2002 - Bombing in a Tunisia synagogue (19 dead)
--June 2002 - US Consulate bombing in Pakistan (19 dead)
--Oct 2002 - French supertanker bombed in Yemen (1 dead)
--Oct 2002 - Nightclub bombing in Bali, Indonesia (202 dead)
--Nov 2002 - Israeli owned hotel bombing in Kenya (16 dead)
--May 2003 - Car bombing in Saudi Arabian compounds (25 dead)
--May 2003 - Suicide bombers in various locations in Casablanca, Morocco (42 dead)
--Aug 2003 - Hotel bombing in Jakarta, Indonesia (10 dead)
--Mar 2004 - Bombings in Spanish trains (191 dead)
Let it be the straw that breaks the camel's back and create concensus worldwide that extremism and terrorism should not coerce us into isolation or fear of retaliation when a fellow nation gets attacked. I don't want to live in Israel-like conditions with my trusty AK on my side. Not that I advocate nuking the world to a parking lot, but we've got to stop bickering and thinking solely of our individual welfare and work together to end this. ARgh.
7.03.2005
Supervillainess Supreme
Supervillainess supreme
Bow down peons.
Try it out...feel the power.
Thanks Mellie for the link, because this was way too fun.
Bow down peons.
Try it out...feel the power.
Thanks Mellie for the link, because this was way too fun.
6.29.2005
I don't normally gush but....
I don't care what people say (loudly and continuously in the theater)...I liked Batman Begins and Christian Bale is wonderful. I want him to talk to me often, preferably in bed and naked, with that terrible Batman voice of his. Yum. And Gary Oldman is, of course, perfection. The two were battling it out for my dreams last night. OK, who cares about the movie, the plot, the dialogue, and that awful Kate Cruise-to-be (blech!) when there is Christian and Gary to be seen. And that Cillian Murphy was pretty creepy hot. Almost humping furniture hot, but not in public, N.
Oh, and a random thanks to Skelter for the underwear. I will wear it and think of your fondly.
I don't care what people say (loudly and continuously in the theater)...I liked Batman Begins and Christian Bale is wonderful. I want him to talk to me often, preferably in bed and naked, with that terrible Batman voice of his. Yum. And Gary Oldman is, of course, perfection. The two were battling it out for my dreams last night. OK, who cares about the movie, the plot, the dialogue, and that awful Kate Cruise-to-be (blech!) when there is Christian and Gary to be seen. And that Cillian Murphy was pretty creepy hot. Almost humping furniture hot, but not in public, N.
Oh, and a random thanks to Skelter for the underwear. I will wear it and think of your fondly.
6.22.2005
How exciting...just heard that I'll be going to Germany for work! Great things about it: 1) international trip 2) completely free thanks to the government, and 3) I get to visit my newly married sister. Bad things about it: 1) "for work" means I will be working most of the time, 2) at Army bases nowhere near anyplace, so that 3) I have to stay on base in "the Tower Inn, located on Grafenwoehr Training Area, one of the most charming military installations in Germany."
Charming? in the same sentence with military installations? And the nearest big city? Nurnberg, known for its Trials.
Charming? in the same sentence with military installations? And the nearest big city? Nurnberg, known for its Trials.
6.10.2005
I have a green thumb. Literally. Bright chartreuse and slightly upsetting as all my other digits are normal-colored (not green, just to clarify).
Either I have gangrene or good luck with the bamboo I just planted. Good luck I hope since you'd think gangrene would be a more menacing forest green with hints of black. And painful. Or not painful because my thumb is dead and I can't feel it.
Nope, tingly. Maybe came in contact with toxic waste. Will not think about mildly tingling thumb. Ooo, it's throbbing now. It'd suck to lose a hand. I couldn't even blame it on a fight to the death involving light sabers. Did I just think that? God. What a dork.
Will stop thinking out right. That works.
Either I have gangrene or good luck with the bamboo I just planted. Good luck I hope since you'd think gangrene would be a more menacing forest green with hints of black. And painful. Or not painful because my thumb is dead and I can't feel it.
Nope, tingly. Maybe came in contact with toxic waste. Will not think about mildly tingling thumb. Ooo, it's throbbing now. It'd suck to lose a hand. I couldn't even blame it on a fight to the death involving light sabers. Did I just think that? God. What a dork.
Will stop thinking out right. That works.
6.03.2005
6.01.2005
Breathing is a good thing.
Am as happy as a clam.
Regardless of me not knowing why clams are happy, I'm quite comfortable hiding behind my piles of papers and binders, rewriting and rewriting and rewriting a report to the dissatifaction of my superiors. Haven't gotten frustrated or mad. Have reached nirvana in bureaucratic hell.
Am as happy as a clam.
Regardless of me not knowing why clams are happy, I'm quite comfortable hiding behind my piles of papers and binders, rewriting and rewriting and rewriting a report to the dissatifaction of my superiors. Haven't gotten frustrated or mad. Have reached nirvana in bureaucratic hell.
5.27.2005
Really need a break. One that doesn't involve traveling long distances to foreign country (New Jersey), catching grievous disease (New Jersey black plague), observing happy people while caged in clutches of grievous disease (attending a Italian/Irish Catholic wedding in New Jersey), and returning to looming deadlines while still grievously ill (thinking I would have been better off being run over by a New Jersey driver).
Just kidding. New Jersey rocks. They don't call it Garden State for nothing. It's like I got there, died, and went to indie film heaven. Dialogue is terse, accented, and bizarre, people really have hair like that, and yet, everything's so real. I'll be in Kevin Smith's next movie yet. Look what it's done for Ben Affleck.
I also had a whopping good time at the wedding--lots of food, open bar, and chocolate fondue fountain. Enough said. Oh and The Couple was really cute and happy. Actually, all the couples were really cute and happy. Wished I was cute and happy, instead of caged in clutches of grievous disease. Alone. But I digress.
Will enjoy the weekend, eat lots of grilled stuff, de-bug myself, and spend time with boyfriend who is, for once, not working. And possibly go to theme park, ride lots of rides, eat funnel cake, ride even more rides, and feel icky. A good icky.
Yay, can't wait.
Just kidding. New Jersey rocks. They don't call it Garden State for nothing. It's like I got there, died, and went to indie film heaven. Dialogue is terse, accented, and bizarre, people really have hair like that, and yet, everything's so real. I'll be in Kevin Smith's next movie yet. Look what it's done for Ben Affleck.
I also had a whopping good time at the wedding--lots of food, open bar, and chocolate fondue fountain. Enough said. Oh and The Couple was really cute and happy. Actually, all the couples were really cute and happy. Wished I was cute and happy, instead of caged in clutches of grievous disease. Alone. But I digress.
Will enjoy the weekend, eat lots of grilled stuff, de-bug myself, and spend time with boyfriend who is, for once, not working. And possibly go to theme park, ride lots of rides, eat funnel cake, ride even more rides, and feel icky. A good icky.
Yay, can't wait.
5.24.2005
5.19.2005
Word of the day
In a world of constant information flow and little time for actual intelligence...I subscribe to the Word of the Day, to keep my verbal skills from sinking into "tha's cool, but y'all can't handle my truth," and because I like confusing the idiot peons of this region. The word of the day also seems to have an almost fortune telling element to it, forecasting how the day will be.
Today, the word was "zaftig." From Yiddish for "juicy and succulent," aka pleasantly plump or fat. So, either I am to be this, called this, or run into this. Hmmm. Check, check, check.
Yesterday, it was "faineant" from the French "fait nient." Do nothing. Idle and ineffectual. Again, amazing coincidence--worked hard on something that became ineffectual, so purposely was idle. See, there is a god.*
*Note: To be taken in jest. If offended or think I'm serious, you are an idiot peon.
In a world of constant information flow and little time for actual intelligence...I subscribe to the Word of the Day, to keep my verbal skills from sinking into "tha's cool, but y'all can't handle my truth," and because I like confusing the idiot peons of this region. The word of the day also seems to have an almost fortune telling element to it, forecasting how the day will be.
Today, the word was "zaftig." From Yiddish for "juicy and succulent," aka pleasantly plump or fat. So, either I am to be this, called this, or run into this. Hmmm. Check, check, check.
Yesterday, it was "faineant" from the French "fait nient." Do nothing. Idle and ineffectual. Again, amazing coincidence--worked hard on something that became ineffectual, so purposely was idle. See, there is a god.*
*Note: To be taken in jest. If offended or think I'm serious, you are an idiot peon.
5.18.2005
5.16.2005
New Life, ad nauseum
I never start a new life, a la munkeigh and countless others, but I am forever trying to alter the awful fix I am constantly in. This month, again tried to:
1) get finances in order & rid myself of high interest debt (aka stupid, bad girl debt) and converting to low-interest tax-deductible debt (aka intelligent, but still debt) since can't ever rid of all debt (aka enlightenment I will never attain!!)
2) make living space nicer without more stupid, bad girl debt (someday I will no longer have crappy broken furniture)
3) eat better (making great advances mentally--I will eat more fruit & veggies!!)
4) move my ass more often (as much as I love it, it's quite lazy)
5) save up more $ in case I'm put in traction or have mental breakdown (both completely possible and either way, will be poor)
6) not spend more money on unnecesary things that I think make me feel better about myself (more clothes...meat tenderizers...)
7) be truly sympathetic and care about people (as most suck and aren't motivating me to be social)
Hate hyper-awareness of faults. Wish I were oblivious to inability to function in society.
I never start a new life, a la munkeigh and countless others, but I am forever trying to alter the awful fix I am constantly in. This month, again tried to:
1) get finances in order & rid myself of high interest debt (aka stupid, bad girl debt) and converting to low-interest tax-deductible debt (aka intelligent, but still debt) since can't ever rid of all debt (aka enlightenment I will never attain!!)
2) make living space nicer without more stupid, bad girl debt (someday I will no longer have crappy broken furniture)
3) eat better (making great advances mentally--I will eat more fruit & veggies!!)
4) move my ass more often (as much as I love it, it's quite lazy)
5) save up more $ in case I'm put in traction or have mental breakdown (both completely possible and either way, will be poor)
6) not spend more money on unnecesary things that I think make me feel better about myself (more clothes...meat tenderizers...)
7) be truly sympathetic and care about people (as most suck and aren't motivating me to be social)
Hate hyper-awareness of faults. Wish I were oblivious to inability to function in society.
5.12.2005
I'm Just So Happy For You!!!
Have visited 3 wedding sites and multiple registries this evening and spent tons of money on joyous friends.
*sigh*
Won't talk about imminent depression.
But I will ask...are meat tenderizers a necessary kitchen implement? Because they've been on every wedding registry I've seen. Maybe I just haven't lived yet as I am meat tenderizer-less.
I think wedding registries are really for "salsa deck umbrellas, set of 2," "triple initial embossers," "breakfast pancake stix makers," "leather recliners with massager setting," and "chrome retro pizza ovens" aka things people always wanted, but are too expensive to buy themselves and/or will never use. I understand pricey kitchen items. Totally wedding-esque. But I draw the line at buying furniture. As if the lack of societal status is bad enough, buying their sofas and deck tables are just a slap in the face!
Have visited 3 wedding sites and multiple registries this evening and spent tons of money on joyous friends.
*sigh*
Won't talk about imminent depression.
But I will ask...are meat tenderizers a necessary kitchen implement? Because they've been on every wedding registry I've seen. Maybe I just haven't lived yet as I am meat tenderizer-less.
I think wedding registries are really for "salsa deck umbrellas, set of 2," "triple initial embossers," "breakfast pancake stix makers," "leather recliners with massager setting," and "chrome retro pizza ovens" aka things people always wanted, but are too expensive to buy themselves and/or will never use. I understand pricey kitchen items. Totally wedding-esque. But I draw the line at buying furniture. As if the lack of societal status is bad enough, buying their sofas and deck tables are just a slap in the face!
5.01.2005
Now that I have a smidge of free time and no brain power whatsoever, I had to try it out:
And who knew? I guess I can switch on the male brain when I have to. Thanks to Alice, via Munkeigh for the link.
And who knew? I guess I can switch on the male brain when I have to. Thanks to Alice, via Munkeigh for the link.
Your Brain is 73.33% Female, 26.67% Male |
Your brain leans female You think with your heart, not your head Sweet and considerate, you are a giver But you're tough enough not to let anyone take advantage of you! |
4.25.2005
Oh and (belated) thanks everyone for the birthday wishes...sorry that it fell on such a busy time for all. Will party later when the barbeque is out (and the deck is not so green colored).
Just in case you wanted to know, at age 29, the Buddha decided to renounce the world and abandon family and posessions. Seven years later, he realized this brought him no closer to the wisdom he sought. Good advice. Go heed this.
And sorry about the angry rant below. Ranting is just under the surface these days of spring happiness.
Just in case you wanted to know, at age 29, the Buddha decided to renounce the world and abandon family and posessions. Seven years later, he realized this brought him no closer to the wisdom he sought. Good advice. Go heed this.
And sorry about the angry rant below. Ranting is just under the surface these days of spring happiness.
4.20.2005
Oh how I wish I were a bonobo. Then I would be intelligent, have sex when I want, and probably a zoo mommy or daddy that kept me in food. Without all the expectations of career advancement, neatness, attention to current events, eye-straining math skills, and a flare for words. Sure there might be some science experimentation, but doesn't it already feel like it's all a big experiment?
Urgh. Will return when brain has returned to more solid form.
Urgh. Will return when brain has returned to more solid form.
3.31.2005
Had a wonderful dream last night that I moved to Vermont to become a left-wing politico (but not a vegan--too pasty) and found my crunchy-granola fuzzy Vermontian professor of some sort of obscure artsy stuff. We even bred fine bouncing twins that we carried around in matching baby bjorn carriers. Awww, I love hormones.
3.29.2005
Disappoint in lack of self-control and need for instant gratification.
I broke down and bought Keane. Only because program failure was preventing my illegal acts (so none committed so there.) I'm such a pop-oholic, especially if the songs are short, sweet, and oh so slightly whiny (but not in an annoying Simple Plan-ish way). And I love the lead singer's voice and the piano accompaniment. Not quite Thom Yorke, but also not quite Chris Martin.
My spree must stop. I don't need Disco Inferno--my ass does not need goading to be shaken. I don't even like Candy Shop--yeah, he wishes. Thus, I will NOT buy "Fity" Cent.
But anyone up for a trip to Boston to see my favoritest-ever soon-to-be-babydaddy-of-my-geeky-children? And the rest of his band too? May 8th!!
I broke down and bought Keane. Only because program failure was preventing my illegal acts (so none committed so there.) I'm such a pop-oholic, especially if the songs are short, sweet, and oh so slightly whiny (but not in an annoying Simple Plan-ish way). And I love the lead singer's voice and the piano accompaniment. Not quite Thom Yorke, but also not quite Chris Martin.
My spree must stop. I don't need Disco Inferno--my ass does not need goading to be shaken. I don't even like Candy Shop--yeah, he wishes. Thus, I will NOT buy "Fity" Cent.
But anyone up for a trip to Boston to see my favoritest-ever soon-to-be-babydaddy-of-my-geeky-children? And the rest of his band too? May 8th!!
3.28.2005
This is late, but this is for Munkeigh (even though she hates this stuff).
What is the total amount of music files on your computer?
7.07 GB and counting, that's not even 5 days worth or half of my CD collection.
What is the last CD you bought?
John Legend and Mars Volta, although I really wanted 50 cent and Keane but I just couldn't do it.
What was the last song you listened to before reading this message?
A Woman's Worth by Alicia Keys
Write down five songs you often listen to, or that mean a lot to you.
Argh. Fine, no ranking. And these don't necessarily remind me of people but times. I disgust myself with the squishiness of this list.
-Yesterday - Beatles
-Lovesong - The Cure
-Julula - Fighting Gravity
-Time in a Bottle - Jim Croce
-Song for a Winter's Night - Sarah McLachlan
Who are you going to pass this stick to and why?
Melanie, it astounds me how much she knows about music. Even though I disagree with the Ben Folds.
What is the total amount of music files on your computer?
7.07 GB and counting, that's not even 5 days worth or half of my CD collection.
What is the last CD you bought?
John Legend and Mars Volta, although I really wanted 50 cent and Keane but I just couldn't do it.
What was the last song you listened to before reading this message?
A Woman's Worth by Alicia Keys
Write down five songs you often listen to, or that mean a lot to you.
Argh. Fine, no ranking. And these don't necessarily remind me of people but times. I disgust myself with the squishiness of this list.
-Yesterday - Beatles
-Lovesong - The Cure
-Julula - Fighting Gravity
-Time in a Bottle - Jim Croce
-Song for a Winter's Night - Sarah McLachlan
Who are you going to pass this stick to and why?
Melanie, it astounds me how much she knows about music. Even though I disagree with the Ben Folds.
Attack of the Giant Microbes
Why do I find these so cute? Maybe it's because I have been housing this for about 2 weeks. And the Black Death is so nice and fuzzy.
Ah, I've got to give these out to young children as presents. Fluffy, instructive, and humorous! The flesh-eating virus has a fork and knife too. Hee hee!
Why do I find these so cute? Maybe it's because I have been housing this for about 2 weeks. And the Black Death is so nice and fuzzy.
Ah, I've got to give these out to young children as presents. Fluffy, instructive, and humorous! The flesh-eating virus has a fork and knife too. Hee hee!
3.25.2005
About freakin time. But Weezer is upsetting me right now.
1) My boys are going to be putting out much delayed album #5 in May 10th. "Make Believe"--very gay name, but I have trust in Rivers.
2) Their first single is Beverly Hills and the video was supposedly filmed at the Playboy Mansion. Ack. Why, Rivers, why?! Oh, wait, I guess you really are a man. Despite being wee and geeky. Here's the audio but not the video of plasticky bouncing. Will air on MTV2 next Tuesday.
I guess musicians will be musicians.
1) My boys are going to be putting out much delayed album #5 in May 10th. "Make Believe"--very gay name, but I have trust in Rivers.
2) Their first single is Beverly Hills and the video was supposedly filmed at the Playboy Mansion. Ack. Why, Rivers, why?! Oh, wait, I guess you really are a man. Despite being wee and geeky. Here's the audio but not the video of plasticky bouncing. Will air on MTV2 next Tuesday.
I guess musicians will be musicians.
3.24.2005
I got into too many arguments over this, but my bleeding heart Sierra Club loving self just had to push it one more time:
ANWR is not the solution. Our esteemed Village Idiot doesn't understand that our problem is oil dependency, not the lack of oil supply.
How's this: put our efforts into creating alternative fueled or more efficient cars. Heck, forget about that non-existent global warming and just go for the political clout of not having to rely on the middle east for our livelihood.
If Americans make bad choices and want to buy monster trucks, make it very economically difficult (OK, more than now) for them. Let them complain about the prices, the taxes, the gas, until they realize it's in their personal interest not to have these trucks and SUVs.
But, as usual, Arianna Huffington says it so much better:
Right on, sister.
Next blog will be on something non-political, I swear...
ANWR is not the solution. Our esteemed Village Idiot doesn't understand that our problem is oil dependency, not the lack of oil supply.
How's this: put our efforts into creating alternative fueled or more efficient cars. Heck, forget about that non-existent global warming and just go for the political clout of not having to rely on the middle east for our livelihood.
If Americans make bad choices and want to buy monster trucks, make it very economically difficult (OK, more than now) for them. Let them complain about the prices, the taxes, the gas, until they realize it's in their personal interest not to have these trucks and SUVs.
But, as usual, Arianna Huffington says it so much better:
Exhibit A is the president's bizarre and long-standing obsession with drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, which just got Senate approval last week. I mean, how retro can you get? Instead of pushing to increase fuel-efficiency standards that could save millions of barrels of oil each day and calling for a national commitment to invest in renewable sources of energy, he's after one more fix of dinosaur byproducts from one of the world's last pristine places.
Which might be understandable if making an Exxon Mobil theme park out of the refuge would reduce our dependence on foreign oil. But it won't. At best, there's only enough oil there to satisfy U.S. demand for about six months. And it won't be available for at least a decade -- which is the only forward-looking aspect to Bush's ANWR dream.
Right on, sister.
Next blog will be on something non-political, I swear...
3.22.2005
Don't you hate it when you start laughing about something and you can't stop giggling whenever you think about it?
Don't you hate relying on cold medicine to get you through the day (and night and day)?
These things aren't related at all. No sir.
hee hee...freakish roadside monuments of the hand of god...ho ha
Really, I can't explain it, or I might have an intervention on my hands.
Don't you hate relying on cold medicine to get you through the day (and night and day)?
These things aren't related at all. No sir.
hee hee...freakish roadside monuments of the hand of god...ho ha
Really, I can't explain it, or I might have an intervention on my hands.
3.21.2005
3.18.2005
I am fucking appalled.
It seems that after a California court ruled that a ban on gay marriage violated the state constitution that the idiot right decided to write a manifesto envisioning a utopia for the "natural family."
I would like to remind people that "marriage" is a legal concept. You can be joined in the eyes of god, you can love someone and stay with them forever until you die, you can breed willy nilly to your uterus's fulfillment. But this is not the marriage that "natural families" are worried to lose. They don't want to lose their privileged status to the state--legally and economically they are better off. And the state has chosen to promote this kind of lifestyle as it is more stable and easily controlled. It's understandable that tradition is hard to change and the elite are reluctant to give up their privileges.
But what the fuck!!??
First of all, the miracle of one woman, one man, and multitudes of children, with the mother staying at home and the father running a small tax-favorable business being paid a wage (by whom?) was normal and reasonable back in the frontier times. It was a hard, confining, purely sustenance lifestyle. It is totally backward and not feasible in today's world. What state can support this kind of life without a strong economy and massive oversight? When did the right start to spout communism?
The worst part of this (and the part I'm most offended by) is the effect of this "vision" on the rest of society that doesn't fit into this mold. There's a taste of coercion to this concept and the stamp of life failure if you don't become part of this "natural family." You are motivated for the wrong reasons to marry and breed early and fast, without any personal development--especially for women. There will be no need for women's rights, education, and concern over welfare. For those not married, you are worthless or at least a lower status in society. Isn't it a good thing that we've progressed from this mindset toward individual rights and personal happiness?
If the right are offended by gays (and incredibly stupid to boot), then fine. Let their vision of the world implode. But they have no right to restrain others from being happy when it hurts no one but their sensibilities. They should not claim higher status and economic benefits because they are codependent and fertile. It is selfish, prideful, immoral, and downright un-Christian.
See you at the Rapture--I'll be holding onto the steering wheel while you cry about being left behind.
It seems that after a California court ruled that a ban on gay marriage violated the state constitution that the idiot right decided to write a manifesto envisioning a utopia for the "natural family."
I would like to remind people that "marriage" is a legal concept. You can be joined in the eyes of god, you can love someone and stay with them forever until you die, you can breed willy nilly to your uterus's fulfillment. But this is not the marriage that "natural families" are worried to lose. They don't want to lose their privileged status to the state--legally and economically they are better off. And the state has chosen to promote this kind of lifestyle as it is more stable and easily controlled. It's understandable that tradition is hard to change and the elite are reluctant to give up their privileges.
But what the fuck!!??
The authors envision a state designed to protect the "integrity" of the home -- autonomous family units composed exclusively of one woman, one man, and as many children as possible. As incentive for the mother to stay home and fulfill her "aptness for motherhood," fathers would be paid a "family wage." "Home economies" would replace the "control of big government and vast corporations," whose demands have eroded the sovereignty of marriage-based families. The tax code would be amended to favor large families and small businesses.
First of all, the miracle of one woman, one man, and multitudes of children, with the mother staying at home and the father running a small tax-favorable business being paid a wage (by whom?) was normal and reasonable back in the frontier times. It was a hard, confining, purely sustenance lifestyle. It is totally backward and not feasible in today's world. What state can support this kind of life without a strong economy and massive oversight? When did the right start to spout communism?
The worst part of this (and the part I'm most offended by) is the effect of this "vision" on the rest of society that doesn't fit into this mold. There's a taste of coercion to this concept and the stamp of life failure if you don't become part of this "natural family." You are motivated for the wrong reasons to marry and breed early and fast, without any personal development--especially for women. There will be no need for women's rights, education, and concern over welfare. For those not married, you are worthless or at least a lower status in society. Isn't it a good thing that we've progressed from this mindset toward individual rights and personal happiness?
If the right are offended by gays (and incredibly stupid to boot), then fine. Let their vision of the world implode. But they have no right to restrain others from being happy when it hurts no one but their sensibilities. They should not claim higher status and economic benefits because they are codependent and fertile. It is selfish, prideful, immoral, and downright un-Christian.
See you at the Rapture--I'll be holding onto the steering wheel while you cry about being left behind.
My pursuit of yet another extraneous degree has some merit. I feel that I'm exposed to things I normally could care less about. I saw in the washington post today that George Kennan (otherwise known as "X") had died at age 101. But for my recent classes in Cold War strategy and policy, I never would have been so affected by his death or realize that he wasn't the war-monger that many paint him to be as the "father of the cold war strategy." Sure it led to a massive arms race, but as usual, I think it was the administration of the policy and not the ideas themselves that caused that. His ideas still apply today:
Uh, Vietnam...uh, Iraq...too bad they didn't listen to him.
A touchstone of his worldview was the conviction that the United States cannot reshape other countries in its own image and that, with a few exceptions, its efforts to police the world are neither in its interests nor within the scope of its resources.
Uh, Vietnam...uh, Iraq...too bad they didn't listen to him.
3.15.2005
Blatantly stolen from Welfare Queen--the ultimate source for entertaining net quizzes--Belief-o-Matic! Ever wonder why you wonder as you wander? Now you can find out. Look at me, I'm the religious left:
1. Neo-Pagan (100%)
2. Unitarian Universalism (93%)
3. Mahayana Buddhism (88%)
4. Liberal Quakers (88%)
5. New Age (85%)
6. Reform Judaism (80%)
7. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (71%)
8. Secular Humanism (67%)
9. Sikhism (67%)
10. Theravada Buddhism (66%)
11. Jainism (64%)
12. Taoism (63%)
13. Hinduism (63%)
14. New Thought (61%)
15. Bahá'í Faith (59%)
16. Scientology (54%)
17. Orthodox Judaism (48%)
18. Orthodox Quaker (44%)
19. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (41%)
20. Islam (38%)
21. Nontheist (38%)
22. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (25%)
23. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (23%)
24. Seventh Day Adventist (20%)
25. Eastern Orthodox (16%)
26. Roman Catholic (16%)
27. Jehovah's Witness (10%)
There goes me ever claiming that I was Catholic. I think the schooling made recognizing the wrongness of it easier. Time to check out that Unitarian church (and all the cute gay men), because I think you can be a witch (pagan) on your own. Blessed be.
1. Neo-Pagan (100%)
2. Unitarian Universalism (93%)
3. Mahayana Buddhism (88%)
4. Liberal Quakers (88%)
5. New Age (85%)
6. Reform Judaism (80%)
7. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (71%)
8. Secular Humanism (67%)
9. Sikhism (67%)
10. Theravada Buddhism (66%)
11. Jainism (64%)
12. Taoism (63%)
13. Hinduism (63%)
14. New Thought (61%)
15. Bahá'í Faith (59%)
16. Scientology (54%)
17. Orthodox Judaism (48%)
18. Orthodox Quaker (44%)
19. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (41%)
20. Islam (38%)
21. Nontheist (38%)
22. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (25%)
23. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (23%)
24. Seventh Day Adventist (20%)
25. Eastern Orthodox (16%)
26. Roman Catholic (16%)
27. Jehovah's Witness (10%)
There goes me ever claiming that I was Catholic. I think the schooling made recognizing the wrongness of it easier. Time to check out that Unitarian church (and all the cute gay men), because I think you can be a witch (pagan) on your own. Blessed be.
Being the terrible government major (and good psychology major) that I am, I always wondered if your average American could pass the US citizenship test. So, I took a tour of a few sites that offered examples of the citizenship test and I now know that the average American couldn't pass it worth a darn, not even the easy questions like who's the current Vice President (RoboDick) and where does the President reside (1600 Pennsylvania Ave, big white house--even terrorists know that). But I admit, some of these questions were tough and I wonder if you all knew the answers (give me some snarky comments). Try these without googling:
BTW, included in the citizenship test and interview are questions that would keep some natural-born Americans from becoming Americans. But these are our god-given rights, non?:
Right, most of them voted for our current President
Dang Greenpeace and PETA
Oops, Mellie wait for your birthday present.
Ha, ladies is pimps, too.
1) How many Senators are there and how long is their term in office?
2) How many Representative are there and how long is their term?
3) How many times can a Senator or Representative be re-elected?
4) Who elects the President?
5) Name all the requirements for being the President. Hint: intelligence and eloquence are not included.
6) How many amendments does the US Constitution have?
7) What are the first 10 amendments called?
8) Excluding the 1st amendment, name 4 other rights within the first 10 amendments.
BTW, included in the citizenship test and interview are questions that would keep some natural-born Americans from becoming Americans. But these are our god-given rights, non?:
Have you ever been a habitual drunkard?
Right, most of them voted for our current President
Have you ever been a member of a communist, socialist, totalitarian group or terrorist organization?
Dang Greenpeace and PETA
Have you ever advocated overthrow of any government by force or violence?
Oops, Mellie wait for your birthday present.
Have you ever been a prostitute or "procured anyone for prostitution"
Ha, ladies is pimps, too.
3.11.2005
Now I know there are many things in this world that are dangerous when eaten undercooked (which led to many people's unusually high aversion to prepare chicken, the non-vegetarian ones that is), but I never in my life would have thought that gooey sweet cassava balls would lead to the death of many schoolchildren. Poor kiddies. But there's food poisoning and there's cyanide poisoning.
Well, I always said Asian vegetables tasted more "interesting" but yikes. I've been eating detoxified cyanide throughout my life. I am quickly becoming a picky eater.
Cassava is a starchy, tuberous root that is a low-cost source of carbohydrates in humid, tropical areas; it is also the source of tapioca.
Cassava contains amino acid-derived cyanogenic glucosides--some more than others--and must be thoroughly cooked to remove toxic levels.
Eaten raw, the human digestive system will convert part of it into cyanide. Two cassava roots contain enough to be fatal.
Well, I always said Asian vegetables tasted more "interesting" but yikes. I've been eating detoxified cyanide throughout my life. I am quickly becoming a picky eater.
3.10.2005
Felt like being silly today, so I give you the everchanging, never boring web quiz (thank you Welfare Queen):
I'm two in fact.
And, an alphabet meme just because (thanks Heathen):
A - Accent: East coast valley/southern...sorry, I'm Asian, it happens.
B - Breast size: 36B.
C - Chore you hate: Cleaning bathrooms. Someday I'll have a husband and children to do it for me. Right.
D - Dad's name: Armando
E - Essential make-up item: Does lip balm count?
F - Favorite perfume: Dolce & Gabbana light blue or sicily
G - Gold or silver: White gold
H - Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA. Hence the accent.
I - Insomnia: Only when I take cold medicine.
J - Job title: Senior defense analyst.
K - Kids: Not now, but hopefully someday. See item C.
L - Living arrangements: It's like I never moved from Williamsburg. Townhouse next to the ubiquitous golf course. I have a lot of senior neighbors.
M - Mum's birthplace: Casiguran, Aurora, Philippines. But she's Chinese.
N - Number of apples you've eaten: On average per year? Probably 12. I like oranges better.
O - Overnight hospital stays: 1 for tonsilectomy.
P - Phobia: Needles and sticky hands. Hey, phobias are irrational.
R - Religious affiliation: Agnostic. Make me believe.
S - Siblings: Two. Thank god.
T - Time you wake up: 6:30-7am. Naturally-8am.
U - Unnatural hair colors you've worn: Blue. It's blue now. At least I've never had blond stripes.
V - Vegetables you refuse to eat: Okra (slimy), cucumbers (tasteless), green onions (overpowering), and ampalaya (nasty as hell).
W - Worst habit: Procrastination.
X - X-rays: Teeth.
Y - Yummy foods you make: Desserts.
Z - Zodiac sign: Aries. And a Dragon. I don't eat men alive I swear.
I'm two in fact.
You Are the Very Gay Bert and Ernie! |
 Two grown puppets living together, sleeping in the same room? They've even got coordinating striped shirts! |
And, an alphabet meme just because (thanks Heathen):
A - Accent: East coast valley/southern...sorry, I'm Asian, it happens.
B - Breast size: 36B.
C - Chore you hate: Cleaning bathrooms. Someday I'll have a husband and children to do it for me. Right.
D - Dad's name: Armando
E - Essential make-up item: Does lip balm count?
F - Favorite perfume: Dolce & Gabbana light blue or sicily
G - Gold or silver: White gold
H - Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA. Hence the accent.
I - Insomnia: Only when I take cold medicine.
J - Job title: Senior defense analyst.
K - Kids: Not now, but hopefully someday. See item C.
L - Living arrangements: It's like I never moved from Williamsburg. Townhouse next to the ubiquitous golf course. I have a lot of senior neighbors.
M - Mum's birthplace: Casiguran, Aurora, Philippines. But she's Chinese.
N - Number of apples you've eaten: On average per year? Probably 12. I like oranges better.
O - Overnight hospital stays: 1 for tonsilectomy.
P - Phobia: Needles and sticky hands. Hey, phobias are irrational.
R - Religious affiliation: Agnostic. Make me believe.
S - Siblings: Two. Thank god.
T - Time you wake up: 6:30-7am. Naturally-8am.
U - Unnatural hair colors you've worn: Blue. It's blue now. At least I've never had blond stripes.
V - Vegetables you refuse to eat: Okra (slimy), cucumbers (tasteless), green onions (overpowering), and ampalaya (nasty as hell).
W - Worst habit: Procrastination.
X - X-rays: Teeth.
Y - Yummy foods you make: Desserts.
Z - Zodiac sign: Aries. And a Dragon. I don't eat men alive I swear.
3.09.2005
I've decided that I'm too impatient to click my mouse twice when I can click it just once to feed my obsessive need to read about people I don't actually hang out with (ah, the power of the internet--socializing, bah humbug)...so I bring you Spanish Sheep and Hello Kitty Fan. Yes, they are both men. What can I say, they're interesting in a sick and twisted way. It's like being a psychologist, without those frivolous medical degrees, ethics, and compassion. I also read People magazine, so sue me. Thank you Munkeigh for bringing them into my life.
I really need another hobby.
I really need another hobby.
3.08.2005
Word of the day: Schadenfreude
Feeling a lot better now that the plague has passed my hometown and moved onto greater populated metropolises--sic them politicians, yee ha! Always feels good to level some hurt on others (I'm joking...but not really). For example, felt good to take money from sad, poker obsessed, uber-competitive, angry teachers. (Sorry...OK, I'm not. OK, I only partly am. Mostly about the ones that shout "Playstation Poker! $19.99" Shut up and pay me already!)
And it feels good to inflict this on you all--the fashion fugly. I really hate the word fugly, but the site's quite snarky in a funny way, especially for those of us who agree the Britney Spears is the queen of fug. If anyone can comment on bad fashion incorporating Buffy the Vampire Slayer (but not about the Buffster), you've got to love it.
Feeling a lot better now that the plague has passed my hometown and moved onto greater populated metropolises--sic them politicians, yee ha! Always feels good to level some hurt on others (I'm joking...but not really). For example, felt good to take money from sad, poker obsessed, uber-competitive, angry teachers. (Sorry...OK, I'm not. OK, I only partly am. Mostly about the ones that shout "Playstation Poker! $19.99" Shut up and pay me already!)
And it feels good to inflict this on you all--the fashion fugly. I really hate the word fugly, but the site's quite snarky in a funny way, especially for those of us who agree the Britney Spears is the queen of fug. If anyone can comment on bad fashion incorporating Buffy the Vampire Slayer (but not about the Buffster), you've got to love it.
3.02.2005
Am crazy bag lady thanks to dayquil habit.
Or at least frantically dug into trash in public.
Yesterday, in one of my recent drug-induced highs, I cleaned out my house--threw away all junk papers, magazines, etc. This doesn't sound like a big deal, but if you knew the level of packrat that I live in (black belt), it's about a four feet of trash bin. Felt cleansed, felt revived, then came the oh-shit moment. You see, one good thing about being a packrat and keeping everything is that you have an adaptive system of organization--the pile method--but once the piles have been rearranged (or tossed), you can't find a damn thing. As I found out tonight.
Had a flashback of holding in my hand my recent (and expensive) car registration with attached license plate stickers, without that nice other memory of where I had put it. After searching through every little bit of paper in the house, twice over, for the last hour, realized I must have thrown it out in my manic state. Dodging the watchful eyes of my too-long-retired neighbors, I pulled up my trashcan away from the curb, tried to gracefully lower myself in (the bag I needed was of course at the bottom), quickly hoisted myself and bag out, ran into the house, opened wretched hefty, and voila.
Next up--selling the neighbors' grandkids for crack.
Or at least frantically dug into trash in public.
Yesterday, in one of my recent drug-induced highs, I cleaned out my house--threw away all junk papers, magazines, etc. This doesn't sound like a big deal, but if you knew the level of packrat that I live in (black belt), it's about a four feet of trash bin. Felt cleansed, felt revived, then came the oh-shit moment. You see, one good thing about being a packrat and keeping everything is that you have an adaptive system of organization--the pile method--but once the piles have been rearranged (or tossed), you can't find a damn thing. As I found out tonight.
Had a flashback of holding in my hand my recent (and expensive) car registration with attached license plate stickers, without that nice other memory of where I had put it. After searching through every little bit of paper in the house, twice over, for the last hour, realized I must have thrown it out in my manic state. Dodging the watchful eyes of my too-long-retired neighbors, I pulled up my trashcan away from the curb, tried to gracefully lower myself in (the bag I needed was of course at the bottom), quickly hoisted myself and bag out, ran into the house, opened wretched hefty, and voila.
Next up--selling the neighbors' grandkids for crack.
Dreaming of San Diego, the life of a beach bum philosopher, and the ability to breathe again. I hate being sick. It imposes lumpishness, which is only fun when it's your choice.
Listened to Tori's new album on repeat today at work, in an attempt to distract myself from this waste of my life (verifying data. woohoo!!). The result--I'm calm, but not so much impressed. Tori's getting long-winded and kinda boring. And I'm getting really sick of the word "parasol"...never knew there was such an annoying word. There are a few really good songs (Sweet the Sting, Original Sinsuality, and Hootchie Woman) but generally, there's too much of a floaty soft rock vibe, not in a fun trancey Radiohead way, and not enough variety to sound to break it up. I blame lack of editing and laziness. If you cut the album by about 4 songs--especially the ones that sound just like songs on Scarlet's Walk--it'd be 100% better.
Listened to Tori's new album on repeat today at work, in an attempt to distract myself from this waste of my life (verifying data. woohoo!!). The result--I'm calm, but not so much impressed. Tori's getting long-winded and kinda boring. And I'm getting really sick of the word "parasol"...never knew there was such an annoying word. There are a few really good songs (Sweet the Sting, Original Sinsuality, and Hootchie Woman) but generally, there's too much of a floaty soft rock vibe, not in a fun trancey Radiohead way, and not enough variety to sound to break it up. I blame lack of editing and laziness. If you cut the album by about 4 songs--especially the ones that sound just like songs on Scarlet's Walk--it'd be 100% better.
2.27.2005
Spent most of last week wondering why I was abnormally unsatisfied with my life. Spent all of today, embracing germs and watching inane movies. Am now pretty happy.
I realized that dissatisfaction with life works in two ways: you aren't doing what you really want to do or you compare yourself with others that are seemingly happy. Typical buddhist issue: unnecessary desires increases unhappiness. My unhappiness doesn't so much stem from lack of liking what I do (although who wouldn't want more time to do everything) but from the bombardment of what I should be doing. I was seriously miserable this last week because my sister and brother were in town, one being recently engaged and the other cruising towards a new job and satisfaction with an adopted family of brilliant and cute people. Added onto the requirement that I needed to allocate almost all my time with the thoroughly unhappy and newly dependent parents with the sibs in town=unhappy me.
But now that I had time to be sick as a dog and have a good excuse to be by myself for a day, I've reassessed. I'm happy, fuck them. :)
I realized that dissatisfaction with life works in two ways: you aren't doing what you really want to do or you compare yourself with others that are seemingly happy. Typical buddhist issue: unnecessary desires increases unhappiness. My unhappiness doesn't so much stem from lack of liking what I do (although who wouldn't want more time to do everything) but from the bombardment of what I should be doing. I was seriously miserable this last week because my sister and brother were in town, one being recently engaged and the other cruising towards a new job and satisfaction with an adopted family of brilliant and cute people. Added onto the requirement that I needed to allocate almost all my time with the thoroughly unhappy and newly dependent parents with the sibs in town=unhappy me.
But now that I had time to be sick as a dog and have a good excuse to be by myself for a day, I've reassessed. I'm happy, fuck them. :)
2.23.2005
Better today, as I've accepted that I've just not that type of woman that uses and abuses men so much that they adore her. If I can't find a nice guy who adores me when I am fun, supportive, cute and loving, they can live a life of misery forever chasing after "the bitch."
But physically worse...all headpounding and backaching. M noted that I'm becoming quite OCD about the lysol, but when surrounded by the plague, lysol is nothing. Sickness is almost destiny. Especially when you run out of lysol and all you have left is lots of purell. Hence the sickness. Not sick enough to be an invalid although still want to lounge and sleep for days. Argh, blech.
Will think beyond physical pains and dream of the next poker game when I will squash the arrogance out of players who like to tell me about my tells.
But physically worse...all headpounding and backaching. M noted that I'm becoming quite OCD about the lysol, but when surrounded by the plague, lysol is nothing. Sickness is almost destiny. Especially when you run out of lysol and all you have left is lots of purell. Hence the sickness. Not sick enough to be an invalid although still want to lounge and sleep for days. Argh, blech.
Will think beyond physical pains and dream of the next poker game when I will squash the arrogance out of players who like to tell me about my tells.
2.22.2005
How to stay afloat today?
Feeling especially horrible about self today. Argh. Lack of sleep, money, happy relationships, and purpose in life, etc. Same old same old. Anywho, perspective all screwy because I have to entertain blissfully happy little sister visiting this week when all I want to do is curl up in a dark movie theater and barrage myself with seductive images of a different life. Ah, fighting demons and lung cancer...that's sounds good right now.
Feeling especially horrible about self today. Argh. Lack of sleep, money, happy relationships, and purpose in life, etc. Same old same old. Anywho, perspective all screwy because I have to entertain blissfully happy little sister visiting this week when all I want to do is curl up in a dark movie theater and barrage myself with seductive images of a different life. Ah, fighting demons and lung cancer...that's sounds good right now.
2.16.2005
The Kyoto treaty is now in effect, in hopes of reducing greenhouse emissions by many industrialized nations.
But not the US.
Other than the fact that Dubya has renounced any such thing as global warming, this is not shocking because the US has ratified (as in not just signed, but put into US law) maybe a handful of multilateral treaties. With lots of exemption clauses, etc etc. But how else could we be signed onto NATO and the UN and be able to enter a military operation against another nation without UN approval? Wait, is it considered an exemption if you just flat out lie? Anywho. Here is a list of some treaties that the US has either not ratified or backed out of...mostly due to opposition of conservatives who'd rather not give rights to women, children nor limit our ability to kill everything on the planet.
But not the US.
Other than the fact that Dubya has renounced any such thing as global warming, this is not shocking because the US has ratified (as in not just signed, but put into US law) maybe a handful of multilateral treaties. With lots of exemption clauses, etc etc. But how else could we be signed onto NATO and the UN and be able to enter a military operation against another nation without UN approval? Wait, is it considered an exemption if you just flat out lie? Anywho. Here is a list of some treaties that the US has either not ratified or backed out of...mostly due to opposition of conservatives who'd rather not give rights to women, children nor limit our ability to kill everything on the planet.
2.15.2005
Still here. Just bogged down with lots of crap, as usual. I really need to learn to simplify. And actually finish stuff on time. Here's the update:
-Bad girfriend moments. Couldn't get reservations for dinner at exclusive restaurant because stupid restaurants are exclusive. Realized there are no Baskin Robbins in the area when looking for requested ice cream cake for the boy's birthday. Wondered of poor taste and tempted to get Carvel. Instead went to Sugar Plum and cake went (mostly) uneaten. blech. Probably not due to cake but to stomach flu (more later). Boyfriend instead got CD.
-Gave up on writing paper only slightly late. Absolutely hate WWII.
-M left the house for the den of wood, taking leaky dog and dryer habit with her. V. sad. Cats are v. happy.
-Valentine's day was spent feeling nauseated and wondering if I was pregnant (probably not, just stomach flu...thanks M.) Roused myself for boyfriend time, wonderful dinner, and chocolate--the best kind--filled with peanut butter!
But enough about my damn self.
The most entertaining article I've seen on the Grammys! Much much better than I could have ever put it, and so nicely disparaging of all deserving folk (sorry Ben). You should read the whole thing but here are some of the best lines:
-Bad girfriend moments. Couldn't get reservations for dinner at exclusive restaurant because stupid restaurants are exclusive. Realized there are no Baskin Robbins in the area when looking for requested ice cream cake for the boy's birthday. Wondered of poor taste and tempted to get Carvel. Instead went to Sugar Plum and cake went (mostly) uneaten. blech. Probably not due to cake but to stomach flu (more later). Boyfriend instead got CD.
-Gave up on writing paper only slightly late. Absolutely hate WWII.
-M left the house for the den of wood, taking leaky dog and dryer habit with her. V. sad. Cats are v. happy.
-Valentine's day was spent feeling nauseated and wondering if I was pregnant (probably not, just stomach flu...thanks M.) Roused myself for boyfriend time, wonderful dinner, and chocolate--the best kind--filled with peanut butter!
But enough about my damn self.
The most entertaining article I've seen on the Grammys! Much much better than I could have ever put it, and so nicely disparaging of all deserving folk (sorry Ben). You should read the whole thing but here are some of the best lines:
Band No. 4 is the mysterious Maroon 5 with that song I hear all the time at the gym. Catchy! The lead singer looks like Keanu Reeves and the keyboardist looks like a PIRG canvasser. They won't be around next year.
There's a reason these two haven't sung together in public before. It's because Marc Anthony is humiliatingly better than Jennifer Lopez. At least with Ben Affleck, it was an even match of talentlessness; the equivalent to J.Lo performing with Marc Anthony would be Affleck hitching his wagon to Frances McDormand.
Green Day has released a concept album with a unique concept: "All the songs are good."
Next year it could easily be Christina Aguilera paying tribute to Billie Holliday, Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey singing the songs of Kenny and Dolly, and J.Lo doing a forbidden, fully synthesized dance with her new husband, Colin Farrell.
2.07.2005
Who's playing in the Superbowl?
Ah, have absolutely no comment on the Superbowl as I really didn't even know who was playing until the day of, and it really didn't improve my life to know. Watched part of the 1st half, remembered why I don't watch football regularly. Football is too soft what with all the padding and stopping. Professional rugby is 100% more entertaining and dangerous--possibly justifying why they are paid millions. Anywho, enough about something I could care less about.
Woke up anxious that didn't accomplish a thing this weekend except maintaining of sanity, spending time with the boy, mindless video game watching, continuing Gilmore Girls plot development, and lots of potato-chip eating. Forget WWII paper, "thinking outside of the box" for report on foreign currency losses, home improvement, and that oh so frivolous cleaning. Nothing like punching holes and organizing to soothe the soul and avoid work. Very happy now, a la bouncing monk.
Ah, have absolutely no comment on the Superbowl as I really didn't even know who was playing until the day of, and it really didn't improve my life to know. Watched part of the 1st half, remembered why I don't watch football regularly. Football is too soft what with all the padding and stopping. Professional rugby is 100% more entertaining and dangerous--possibly justifying why they are paid millions. Anywho, enough about something I could care less about.
Woke up anxious that didn't accomplish a thing this weekend except maintaining of sanity, spending time with the boy, mindless video game watching, continuing Gilmore Girls plot development, and lots of potato-chip eating. Forget WWII paper, "thinking outside of the box" for report on foreign currency losses, home improvement, and that oh so frivolous cleaning. Nothing like punching holes and organizing to soothe the soul and avoid work. Very happy now, a la bouncing monk.
2.01.2005
Herman: the Hunted.
Also known as: well, hello my name is Herman, and I like to chew structural beams.
You're thinking, awwww, so cute! Yeah right. Like with raccoons, cuteness doesn't mask the devious intent to destroy!
Herman, my temporary squirrely visitor, kept me up last night, gnawing away at something (probably very important and roof-supporting) right above my head. I should have known he had dropped by since the cats have been intently staring at the ceiling in my bedroom for the last couple of weeks. But the gnawing--the insane endless scratching--was never noticeable until now.
Woke up thinking that I was in some kind of late night sci-fi moment, eyes bugged out in fright, and looking all around like I would find an alien monster hanging from my ceiling, dripping acid saliva, and making insistent chewing sounds. When I realized that no, it was not extraterrestrial, just painfully annoying and definitely destructive, I knew what it was. But I couldn't convince myself to look into the attic until morning as I couldn't stomach getting up out of a warm bed just to have a rabid squirrel gnaw my face off. Or possibly having my jaw ripped off by some scratching angry Japanese ghost (the probability was low, but hey, it's 2 am).
Anywho, checked in the morning, saw a fist-sized hole and lots of insulation pouring out of it and knew it wasn't a cranky ghost or a bat (I would have kept the bat). I dubbed the bugger Herman. Called company specializing in rodent remover (interesting job), hillbilly answered, and felt assured that he knew how to catch this here skwer-rel.
Hope not to come home to absolute collapse of house. Damn squirrels.
Also known as: well, hello my name is Herman, and I like to chew structural beams.
You're thinking, awwww, so cute! Yeah right. Like with raccoons, cuteness doesn't mask the devious intent to destroy!
Herman, my temporary squirrely visitor, kept me up last night, gnawing away at something (probably very important and roof-supporting) right above my head. I should have known he had dropped by since the cats have been intently staring at the ceiling in my bedroom for the last couple of weeks. But the gnawing--the insane endless scratching--was never noticeable until now.
Woke up thinking that I was in some kind of late night sci-fi moment, eyes bugged out in fright, and looking all around like I would find an alien monster hanging from my ceiling, dripping acid saliva, and making insistent chewing sounds. When I realized that no, it was not extraterrestrial, just painfully annoying and definitely destructive, I knew what it was. But I couldn't convince myself to look into the attic until morning as I couldn't stomach getting up out of a warm bed just to have a rabid squirrel gnaw my face off. Or possibly having my jaw ripped off by some scratching angry Japanese ghost (the probability was low, but hey, it's 2 am).
Anywho, checked in the morning, saw a fist-sized hole and lots of insulation pouring out of it and knew it wasn't a cranky ghost or a bat (I would have kept the bat). I dubbed the bugger Herman. Called company specializing in rodent remover (interesting job), hillbilly answered, and felt assured that he knew how to catch this here skwer-rel.
Hope not to come home to absolute collapse of house. Damn squirrels.
1.23.2005
Today was a good and productive day. If you know me, you'd understand:
Obsessively watched episodes of Gilmore Girls season 1 from bed.
Got up at 10 to pick up my long unused wallet from where I had left it on Tuesday
Drove around a lot
Sang lots of Dixie Chicks and Bon Jovi
Found lots of rich lavender-scented hand cream at L'Occitane (outlet!! I love Williamsburg!)
Finally bought a much wanted big...sharp...Henkels...knife
Gazed at the sparkly iced over trees
Bought 4 new CDs (Jimmy Eat World, Sublime, U2, and Gwen Stefani)
Updated and uploaded days worth of music onto iPod (and not even halfway through my CDs)
Purchased gaudy, shiny, ethnic cabinet with many tiny drawers which actually used to organize bathroom
Obtained and will soon enjoy squishy mattress pad to enhance already mama-bearish bed
Figured out a song on the piano
Played a little SIMs and did not set my SIMs husband on fire (woo-hoo!)
Saw angsty-Achilles Brad Pitt butt
Ate dinner of buttery popcorn and diet coke
Boogied to "September" by Earth Wind and Fire
And, did not do any work at all. Life is good.
Obsessively watched episodes of Gilmore Girls season 1 from bed.
Got up at 10 to pick up my long unused wallet from where I had left it on Tuesday
Drove around a lot
Sang lots of Dixie Chicks and Bon Jovi
Found lots of rich lavender-scented hand cream at L'Occitane (outlet!! I love Williamsburg!)
Finally bought a much wanted big...sharp...Henkels...knife
Gazed at the sparkly iced over trees
Bought 4 new CDs (Jimmy Eat World, Sublime, U2, and Gwen Stefani)
Updated and uploaded days worth of music onto iPod (and not even halfway through my CDs)
Purchased gaudy, shiny, ethnic cabinet with many tiny drawers which actually used to organize bathroom
Obtained and will soon enjoy squishy mattress pad to enhance already mama-bearish bed
Figured out a song on the piano
Played a little SIMs and did not set my SIMs husband on fire (woo-hoo!)
Saw angsty-Achilles Brad Pitt butt
Ate dinner of buttery popcorn and diet coke
Boogied to "September" by Earth Wind and Fire
And, did not do any work at all. Life is good.
1.21.2005
Here's what I think of your "expanding freedom"!!
Ah, inauguration day. The speechwriters for the imminent Bush-Lite have done a good job this time. Too bad it doesn't seem to work well in reality.
Enough about that, it's too easy to tear apart. What really concerned me was the actual and possiblevalue of the crazy celebrations in "our time of crisis and sacrifice":
$40 million: Cost of Bush inaugural ball festivities, not counting
security costs.
$20,000: Cost of yellow roses purchased for inaugural festivities by
D.C.'s Ritz Carlton.
200: Number of Humvees outfitted with top-of-the-line armor for troops
in Iraq that could have been purchased with the amount of money blown on
the inauguration.
$10,000: Price of an inaugural package at the Fairmont Hotel, which
includes a Beluga caviar and Dom Perignon reception, a chauffeured Rolls
Royce and two actors posing as "faux" Secret Service agents, complete
with black sunglasses and cufflink walkie-talkies.
22 million: Number of children in regions devastated by the tsunami who
could have received vaccinations and preventive health care with the
amount of money spent on the inauguration.
1,160,000: Number of girls who could be sent to school for a year in
Afghanistan with the amount of money lavished on the inauguration.
$15,000: The down payment to rent a fur coat paid by one gala attendee
who didn't want the hassle of schlepping her own through the airport.
2,500: Number of U.S. troops used to stand guard as President Bush
takes his oath of office.
26,000: Number of Kevlar vests for U.S. soldiers in Iraq and
Afghanistan that could be purchased for $40 million.
Ah, inauguration day. The speechwriters for the imminent Bush-Lite have done a good job this time. Too bad it doesn't seem to work well in reality.
For a half century, America defended our own freedom by standing watch on distant borders. After the shipwreck of communism came years of relative quiet, years of repose, years of sabbatical – and then there came a day of fire.Did he forget about that little Gulf War that his dad (and America) was involved in?
From the day of our Founding, we have proclaimed that every man and woman on this earth has rights, and dignity, and matchless value, because they bear the image of the Maker of Heaven and earth. Across the generations we have proclaimed the imperative of self-government, because no one is fit to be a master, and no one deserves to be a slave.From our founding, only rich white males had rights and everyone else's value was chump change. The second line just appalls me if Republicans really think they are upholding this ideal.
Freedom, by its nature, must be chosen, and defended by citizens, and sustained by the rule of law and the protection of minorities. And when the soul of a nation finally speaks, the institutions that arise may reflect customs and traditions very different from our own. America will not impose our own style of government on the unwilling. Our goal instead is to help others find their own voice, attain their own freedom, and make their own way.This doesn't work well in application. Germany chose to follow the Nazis. China and Korea chose to follow their dictators. Didn't seem to work out. And, the soul of the nation, their own voice...who chooses that soul, that voice? A majority of the people in the nation, the oppressed, the minority government, or the extremists? Basically, if we get rid of all those against us, it seems we've chosen for them.
All who live in tyranny and hopelessness can know: the United States will not ignore your oppression, or excuse your oppressors. When you stand for your liberty, we will stand with you.Who's helping in Africa? Oh, yeah I forgot they're not oppressed (aka economically helpful to us).
The leaders of governments with long habits of control need to know: To serve your people you must learn to trust them.Trust? Our government seems to have a long history of control also--limitations on gay marriage, birth control, abortion, etc. You can't let people be morally wrong!
I ask our youngest citizens to believe the evidence of your eyes. You have seen duty and allegiance in the determined faces of our soldiers. You have seen that life is fragile, and evil is real, and courage triumphs. Make the choice to serve in a cause larger than your wants, larger than yourself – and in your days you will add not just to the wealth of our country, but to its character.Ah-ha! A solution to our overworked and underpaid military, get in teenagers to fill in your ranks. They're stupid and willing, and totally expendable! But wait, what about the real problem? That killing others is evil--yet, you too can be a soldier!
When our Founders declared a new order of the ages; when soldiers died in wave upon wave for a union based on liberty; when citizens marched in peaceful outrage under the banner “Freedom Now” – they were acting on an ancient hope that is meant to be fulfilled. History has an ebb and flow of justice, but history also has a visible direction, set by liberty and the Author of Liberty.Funny how the President has to quote from French history to validate our wars.
Enough about that, it's too easy to tear apart. What really concerned me was the actual and possiblevalue of the crazy celebrations in "our time of crisis and sacrifice":
$40 million: Cost of Bush inaugural ball festivities, not counting
security costs.
$20,000: Cost of yellow roses purchased for inaugural festivities by
D.C.'s Ritz Carlton.
200: Number of Humvees outfitted with top-of-the-line armor for troops
in Iraq that could have been purchased with the amount of money blown on
the inauguration.
$10,000: Price of an inaugural package at the Fairmont Hotel, which
includes a Beluga caviar and Dom Perignon reception, a chauffeured Rolls
Royce and two actors posing as "faux" Secret Service agents, complete
with black sunglasses and cufflink walkie-talkies.
22 million: Number of children in regions devastated by the tsunami who
could have received vaccinations and preventive health care with the
amount of money spent on the inauguration.
1,160,000: Number of girls who could be sent to school for a year in
Afghanistan with the amount of money lavished on the inauguration.
$15,000: The down payment to rent a fur coat paid by one gala attendee
who didn't want the hassle of schlepping her own through the airport.
2,500: Number of U.S. troops used to stand guard as President Bush
takes his oath of office.
26,000: Number of Kevlar vests for U.S. soldiers in Iraq and
Afghanistan that could be purchased for $40 million.
1.18.2005
Wallet.
House keys.
ID.
Money.
Food.
Clothing.
You'd think these things were important--important enough not to walk away from them, drive hours away, walk up to your front door, and then think, Oh shit. Yet, time after time, I leave such objects behind when I'm visiting someone or on the road. Someday, I'll just walk out, without any shoes or coat, without a purse, get into some random car driving to Las Vegas, arrive at the Bellagio, and think, Oh shit, where's my cell phone? And my...oh SHIT. Where the hell am I?
So, tonight, I went over to Heathen's for some scrapbooking madness (I know, shut up. At least it's not Tupperware.) I bring food, belated Christmas presents. I leave with food and Christmas presents. BUT no purse, checkbook, credit cards, ID, no filled out order form with the amount I owe, no address of the person I owe the money to, and no viable brain cells whatsoever. Exactly when does Alzheimer's kick in?
House keys.
ID.
Money.
Food.
Clothing.
You'd think these things were important--important enough not to walk away from them, drive hours away, walk up to your front door, and then think, Oh shit. Yet, time after time, I leave such objects behind when I'm visiting someone or on the road. Someday, I'll just walk out, without any shoes or coat, without a purse, get into some random car driving to Las Vegas, arrive at the Bellagio, and think, Oh shit, where's my cell phone? And my...oh SHIT. Where the hell am I?
So, tonight, I went over to Heathen's for some scrapbooking madness (I know, shut up. At least it's not Tupperware.) I bring food, belated Christmas presents. I leave with food and Christmas presents. BUT no purse, checkbook, credit cards, ID, no filled out order form with the amount I owe, no address of the person I owe the money to, and no viable brain cells whatsoever. Exactly when does Alzheimer's kick in?
1.13.2005
Usually, the new year brings me feelings of happiness and a renewed hope for the upcoming year. So far this year I've been really overwhelmed and depressed. I was blaming it on personal issues--work, family, etc. But no, now that I've thought about it, it's not me, it's the fucking world. I've realized that all the information that I've been bombarded with adds up to "My God we're setting ourselves up to die."
For example, I've been putting together a briefing for my director at work that sums up all the expenditures on the what the military calls the Global War on Terrorism (ha!)--mostly Operation Noble Eagle (keep the crazies out of our country), Operation Enduring Freedom (keep those Afghani crazies down), and Operation Iraqi Freedom (hey, those oil fields are mine!), with some money hidden away for our next attacks on another country that starts with an "I" and ends in an "n"(but you didn't hear that from me). Anywho, here's the breakdown:
- Just last year, we've spent a total of $71 billion (that's with nine zeros) on the Global War on Terrorism
- Also, our federal deficit is now over $4 trillion (that's twelve zeros), which is a major shift from 2000 when we had a surplus of $1 trillion. There goes that Republican theory that a war leads to an economic boom. Something I never understood anyways.
What does all this mean? We're shit out of luck if we want to remain economically viable, hell, the Euro is double the value of the US dollar. Not to mention that we're already diplomatic pariahs. Fucking Dub and his fucking followers.
Here's a more comprehensive article on why Bush is the Tony "fuck the future" Manero of this century. It all makes me want to cry.
For example, I've been putting together a briefing for my director at work that sums up all the expenditures on the what the military calls the Global War on Terrorism (ha!)--mostly Operation Noble Eagle (keep the crazies out of our country), Operation Enduring Freedom (keep those Afghani crazies down), and Operation Iraqi Freedom (hey, those oil fields are mine!), with some money hidden away for our next attacks on another country that starts with an "I" and ends in an "n"(but you didn't hear that from me). Anywho, here's the breakdown:
- Just last year, we've spent a total of $71 billion (that's with nine zeros) on the Global War on Terrorism
- $3 billion on homeland security, $10 billion on Afghanistan,
and $57 billion on Iraq
- this $71 billion is in addition to the $462 billion spent on "peacetime functions"
- the grand total for last year--> $533,000,000,000 spent on our defense, about half our overall federal budget and the highest military spending across foreign countries by about $468 billion. But I guess if everyone is out to get you, you have to spend more.
- Also, our federal deficit is now over $4 trillion (that's twelve zeros), which is a major shift from 2000 when we had a surplus of $1 trillion. There goes that Republican theory that a war leads to an economic boom. Something I never understood anyways.
- half of the $4 trillion deficit is from tax cuts, a third from our
struggling economy, and a fourth from federal spending increases
What does all this mean? We're shit out of luck if we want to remain economically viable, hell, the Euro is double the value of the US dollar. Not to mention that we're already diplomatic pariahs. Fucking Dub and his fucking followers.
Here's a more comprehensive article on why Bush is the Tony "fuck the future" Manero of this century. It all makes me want to cry.
1.12.2005
I promised it, so here it is:
Lost and Found in Bavaria
“Hello, this is Lufthansa Lost & Found at Munich International Airport…we’ve found your sister. We understand the inconvenience that the delay has caused you, but we will promptly deliver her to your house. If you do not receive your sister in the next couple of days, please feel free to call our service desk. Happy Holidays and thank you for using Lufthansa.”
GAO has taught me many things to about how to make travel less painful—limit your baggage, carry no metal on your person, buffer in lots of time between connecting flights, have your tickets/ID/passport always at hand, and above all, be flexible, patient and pleasant. In my recent holiday travels to visit my sister stationed in Germany, these lessons came in handy, but they couldn’t prevent me from arriving 20 hours late after 9 hours in the air and endless hours wandering the airports.
This horrific trip began on an icy Monday morning. The Norfolk field office had closed due to the weather conditions. I should have known better, yet I was still hopeful that my flights would be only slightly delayed. I arrived at the airport the suggested 3 hours early for international travel—my small amount of baggage was checked, and I had seats for all connecting flights from Norfolk to Boston, to London, then finally to Frankfurt, Germany, with hours in between these connections. I was prepared to sit and wait.
Seven hours later, many announcements on flight delays to Boston, and walking laps between various gates, I was reassigned on a different airline to fly into JFK airport in New York so that I could catch my connecting flight to London. That is, if I was lucky and ran from my arriving gate to an unknown departing gate in the span of 10 minutes.
The flight from Norfolk to New York was deceptively pleasant so I was well prepared for the mad dash and hopeful that I could catch my flight given the other delays from JFK. I walked into the terminal and entered a zoo. People and luggage everywhere parked on any space of the floor. I picked out a narrow, winding trail and promptly ran through as fast as I could without knocking people aside. The passageway opened up into an area as large as Central Station, roaring with people pushing, yelling, and jumping over counters. I had walked into a riot. I dodged flying luggage, fists, and NYPD officers and ran to my gate as best I could. Luckily the plane was still in the gate and I was airborne for London soon after. But wait, there’s more!
The flight to London was probably the worst plane ride I have ever been on. It was so turbulent that the flight attendants remained strapped in throughout the 6 hour flight. That meant, no food or drink service, which in the end didn’t matter as everyone was sick to their stomachs.
After the marathon of retching, we safely arrived in foggy London, only 4 hours late. However, that still meant we had missed any connecting flights and the lines to find new flights were not moving. I found out that all flights to Germany were delayed, overbooked, or cancelled, and being a trained analyst, I quizzed them of various other routes to get to my destination—Luxembourg, Hamburg, Brussels, Paris, anything. The best they could give me was standby to Munich on a different airline, if I waited another 6 hours. My pleasant outlook was starting to fade, but I accepted my fate and waited. I also avoided thinking about my very late arrival to a city 8 hours away from my original destination, with no hotel or train reservations, and thought I could handle it when I got there.
My flight to Munich was uneventful, except for getting a glass of Coke spilled into my lap right at the beginning of the flight. Sticky and tired, I arrived in Munich near midnight and immediately went to baggage claim. I watched that track circle round and round until it stopped and then my predicament really dawned on me. No bags, no train tickets, hours late, soda covered, and not able to speak any German. Crushed, I went to report my lost luggage to Lufthansa, expecting very little help at this point. Instead, the angel of mercy behind the counter assessed my situation in one look, sat me down, booked me overnight train tickets to Frankfurt, and gave me a lollipop.
In the end, my trip was wonderful; I loved visiting Germany, but if I could prevent it, never again will this happen to me. New lessons learned: Stay home, don’t travel on the holidays. If you must travel, carry-on bag only, ship everything else, direct flight, bring ear plugs, and wear soda-repelling pants.
Lost and Found in Bavaria
“Hello, this is Lufthansa Lost & Found at Munich International Airport…we’ve found your sister. We understand the inconvenience that the delay has caused you, but we will promptly deliver her to your house. If you do not receive your sister in the next couple of days, please feel free to call our service desk. Happy Holidays and thank you for using Lufthansa.”
GAO has taught me many things to about how to make travel less painful—limit your baggage, carry no metal on your person, buffer in lots of time between connecting flights, have your tickets/ID/passport always at hand, and above all, be flexible, patient and pleasant. In my recent holiday travels to visit my sister stationed in Germany, these lessons came in handy, but they couldn’t prevent me from arriving 20 hours late after 9 hours in the air and endless hours wandering the airports.
This horrific trip began on an icy Monday morning. The Norfolk field office had closed due to the weather conditions. I should have known better, yet I was still hopeful that my flights would be only slightly delayed. I arrived at the airport the suggested 3 hours early for international travel—my small amount of baggage was checked, and I had seats for all connecting flights from Norfolk to Boston, to London, then finally to Frankfurt, Germany, with hours in between these connections. I was prepared to sit and wait.
Seven hours later, many announcements on flight delays to Boston, and walking laps between various gates, I was reassigned on a different airline to fly into JFK airport in New York so that I could catch my connecting flight to London. That is, if I was lucky and ran from my arriving gate to an unknown departing gate in the span of 10 minutes.
The flight from Norfolk to New York was deceptively pleasant so I was well prepared for the mad dash and hopeful that I could catch my flight given the other delays from JFK. I walked into the terminal and entered a zoo. People and luggage everywhere parked on any space of the floor. I picked out a narrow, winding trail and promptly ran through as fast as I could without knocking people aside. The passageway opened up into an area as large as Central Station, roaring with people pushing, yelling, and jumping over counters. I had walked into a riot. I dodged flying luggage, fists, and NYPD officers and ran to my gate as best I could. Luckily the plane was still in the gate and I was airborne for London soon after. But wait, there’s more!
The flight to London was probably the worst plane ride I have ever been on. It was so turbulent that the flight attendants remained strapped in throughout the 6 hour flight. That meant, no food or drink service, which in the end didn’t matter as everyone was sick to their stomachs.
After the marathon of retching, we safely arrived in foggy London, only 4 hours late. However, that still meant we had missed any connecting flights and the lines to find new flights were not moving. I found out that all flights to Germany were delayed, overbooked, or cancelled, and being a trained analyst, I quizzed them of various other routes to get to my destination—Luxembourg, Hamburg, Brussels, Paris, anything. The best they could give me was standby to Munich on a different airline, if I waited another 6 hours. My pleasant outlook was starting to fade, but I accepted my fate and waited. I also avoided thinking about my very late arrival to a city 8 hours away from my original destination, with no hotel or train reservations, and thought I could handle it when I got there.
My flight to Munich was uneventful, except for getting a glass of Coke spilled into my lap right at the beginning of the flight. Sticky and tired, I arrived in Munich near midnight and immediately went to baggage claim. I watched that track circle round and round until it stopped and then my predicament really dawned on me. No bags, no train tickets, hours late, soda covered, and not able to speak any German. Crushed, I went to report my lost luggage to Lufthansa, expecting very little help at this point. Instead, the angel of mercy behind the counter assessed my situation in one look, sat me down, booked me overnight train tickets to Frankfurt, and gave me a lollipop.
In the end, my trip was wonderful; I loved visiting Germany, but if I could prevent it, never again will this happen to me. New lessons learned: Stay home, don’t travel on the holidays. If you must travel, carry-on bag only, ship everything else, direct flight, bring ear plugs, and wear soda-repelling pants.
1.04.2005
BTW, in a depressed state due to many intertwined events: end of cheerful holidays, end of restful holiday break and beginning of anxiety, horrific travel conditions, inability to reach zen state over travel conditions, imminent engagement of younger sister, being given advice by younger sister on finding "the real one," gloomy weather, strong urge to cut overly long hair, death and destruction throughout the known world, etc. How do I cope? Why silly oogling of unrealistically handsome celebrities of course! I haven't had this reaction since Antonio first arrived. And the most recent one is not gay (not that Antonio is). Well, I don't think he is....I hope he isn't...they didn't mention a wife or girlfriend...dang.
Anywho, I proudly present, my newest gasp, oooh guy--Gerard Butler.
*gasp* oooooh! Definitely the first Phantom that wins the "Love the way he fits his pants" Award.
Anywho, I proudly present, my newest gasp, oooh guy--Gerard Butler.
*gasp* oooooh! Definitely the first Phantom that wins the "Love the way he fits his pants" Award.
