It's generally a bad idea to listen to the playlist you made for a drive out to Vegas on a Monday, 3 weeks before you're going to go.

/sob. I wanna go now.

* Warning *

Egg rolls which feel only warm to the touch can still hold a searing hot filling.



Ouch.

I had a great drive out to Vegas in my Hertz rent-a-speck. I was however bumming about the lack of tunes issue until I noticed the 'XM' button on the radio. From there on in I was "deeptracking" my way across the desert.

Isn't it funny how your brain will occasionally decide that something that is too hot to hold in your hand would be better placed in your mouth?

XM is awesome. We'll have that too. And CDs. It's only a 3.5-4 hour drive but we need lots of music.

I suppose it would be completely geeky to bring my laptop, plug it into the wireless access card and work.

To surf Lot - No.

I hear you. We build our little cocoons of safe people, and then we stay there. But we don't get anywhere doing that.

Congrats!!! :)

That made me giggle. I would do the same thing. :)

It's official:





Obligatory cute polydactylcat photo

Cute!

YAY! They did the right thing in this case. I still need a poly (but I have a VERY lovely girl).

KITTY!

I'm in love...


With the skirt and two blouses I just got at Kohl's! And the $50 skirt I haven't bought yet because, well, it's $50, but it's BOGO, so I have to go back and see if I can find a second suitable garment to make the purchase worthwhile. It's stripey, kind of a box-pleat A-line design, and it has tons of colors in it I already wear: dark brown, light grey, burgundy, and that yummy dark pink I like so much.

Add to that that I've been thinking so much about getting some light, casual skirts, and boom.

I have one version of "Under the Sea" on my iTunes. It is a steel drum version.

Why is it, when you're running late, getting the FNG at your food trough of choice is almost inevitable?

The construction of Togo's Monday special sandwich (Shanghai Chicken, for those keeping score) is literally written on the menu board behind the counter. I get n00b boy who doesn't know that when I say spring mix instead of chips, that I mean spring mix on the side instead of kettle chips (which exchange is advertised on the very same menu board, just above the recipe for Shanghai Chicken), and not spring mix on my sandwich. And despite the provision of recipes for the special sandwiches by Togos to their employees, requiring the construction of my sandwich to take place at the complete opposite end of the counter from me, FNG (effin' new guy) managed to get exactly two ingredients of my sandwich correct without my assistance (he asked me about the bread, and missed EVERYTHING ELSE).

So I have this sad state of sandwich, which held so much promise initially, and had to wait extra long for the privilege.

I know I'm bitching incessantly about a freaking sandwich, but Shanghai chicken is delightful: grilled chicken breast slices, asian slaw (incl. a healthy dose of julienned carrots), fried wontons, mayo, and spicy asian dressing on classic white. Instead I got chicken, wontons, and spring mix, dry on white (after he had to ask me which bread).

Oh, and it's normally served on a covered plate with the kettle chips or spring mix filling the rest of the space.. instead he took a soup cup, filled it with spring mix, wrapped my sandwich, taking extra time, and started to ever-so-slowly wrap it again after cutting in a second sheet of paper, appropriate for sandwiches normally shoved in a bag but completely unnecessary if my sandwich had been properly served on a plate in the first place.

I'm on a conference call at the moment. Obviously a captivating conference call.

TO the Asshat that broke into my car this morning: I hope you enjoy the sunglasses, especially the prescription pair. Also, the 2 lighters you took were not nearly as valuable as the antenna toppers you left behind, or even the cds. Thank you for not taking my cd's. Oh, at the house key (without address) and the remote garage opener do not belong to my address, so good luck with that.

It it's not one thing, it is another.

~Grrr

Somedays you just think, "You know, I'd gladly GIVE you the POS items you stole from me if you just wouldn't break my window, which costs more than everything you took combined."

So... Satuday night I'm driving home after the CHICAGO concert at the Greek theatre and a very late dinner at Bob's Big Boy, when I'm getting onto the 101 freeway right off of Universal Studios I see sparks fly. I am about 1 car lenght onto the onramp when I see sparks and tail lights take flight over the middlesection between the freeway and the onramp, which is made of bricks. Smoke, hubcaps and from my POV, looked like the car was on its roof - lucky it wasn't. When it settled and the female emerged in a tube top, high heals and one of those mini skirts Lindsey is known for wearing, I chose not to stop, as others did so. Maybe I'll burn in hell for it, I don't know.

It's possible she was on her way back from some club drunk off her ass - maybe not. I did think to consider that if the people in front of me at the Bob's Big Boy counter had NOT taken so long to pay thier bill, I might just have been in that car's path.

Anyway...

Ugh, yes yes yes... So sorry this happened, MG. Ugh!

That's why growing up we never locked the house (unless we going to be gone more than a day) or the car doors. We figured if they wanted in they would get in so why have to buy new windows/doors on top of everything else.

I do the same thing anytime I see an incident that Ive missed by mere seconds or moments. "hmm, that stoplight I was so put off by a minute ago/idiot that cut me off/etc might just have saved my life. how interesting"

anyway indeed....

That is just it, no windows were broken. Either they had skinny arms and reached through a window or I forgot to lock it. I did call David and ask him where my spare key was, he is at work and it is in his pocket. He said he would leave it with Boy tonight. The stuff taken was so random, that I know it wasn't him (or her). She would have known that the green RayBans were prescription and that I cared more for my antenna toppers than the cheapy Bic lighters. She would have also known that there is always change in the ashtray.

We didn't lock our house up either... of course, we lived about 50 feet from the guard gate.

As far as car doors though, it's my understanding that insurance won't cover the damage if they find no signs of forced entry?

It was moot. We never had anything in the cars worth filing a claim for (and frequently the cars were in that category).

Well then you must be a lesser of a person if you are not driving a big fuel sucking SUV or a high-end luxury car!

I hope you filed a police report anyways. Never know who it was. Could be shewhoshaltnotbenamed who wanted to make it look random.

Reminds me of a story I just heard. My friends former neighbor is a cop. He used to brag that his house was locked down better than Fort Knox. Someone broke a window, went and unlocked the front door and emptied the house out. Guess they forgot the alarm system too.

Word of the day: paraskavedekatriaphobiaSomebody asked me how it was pronounced and I said "just how it looks."

That is what I thought, at first, too. That was why I called David and asked where the key was.

I'm sorry. A similar incident happened to me about a month ago.

Sweet! We can wear capris, t-shirts and flip flops to work tomorrow.

I'm starting to agree with NA... this thread is getting too heavy to pull up. Might be time for a new one.

That's what I said several weeks ago but almost everybody thought it was fine. Interestingly I've been noticing that it has been opening faster for me lately.

do it! I walked away earlier letting it load, it was still trying when I got back.

It just goes to show you. What i say matters and what you say does not, ;)

I'd call my observations of this thread opening since Alex mentioned it inconsistent. Sometimes it loads slowly, sometimes it loads quickly. It's never been slow enough to pose a particular nuisance to me.

Of course, if the OP requests that it be closed, we'll gladly oblige. Similarly, nothing's stopping anyone else from starting a thread, whether this one's closed or not.

Just what kind of anarchy are you proposing here?

Dang: I wished I worked where you work.

No

Is it possible to PLAN an anarchy?

I vote to let the thread continue. I want to see how big it has to get before it crashes LoT! :evil:

That's how I was voting last time it was brought up (pardon the pun), but since NA mentioned it, I've finally noticed a correlation between load times for THIS thread, and its size, versus how long (or not) it takes to load the other, shorter threads.

Part of me LOVES that we have a thread with this many posts in it. But most of me is incredibly impatient and will not stand for dialup-length load times.

Sorry to start a firestorm here.. just I've changed sides on the discussion.

It's supposed to be in the 90s here for the rest of the week. I don't mind the hot - and I'm trying desperately to move somewhere hotter - but up here we don't have air conditioning. Even at work there's no air conditioning. Blah.

In other news: 25 applications submitted today. Whee!

I personally don't see any correlation between thread size and load time (remember: size isn't everything ;) ).

I have some threads get hung up on load and others not with no dependence on threads size.

My rear view mirror fell off. WTF?

Got in the van after a quick-feeling day at work and there it was, looking at me as I was looking at it. Like someone had removed it and set it down facing me right where I'd see it. I guess it just fell off.

So... I guess the auto part store had some sort of glue or something to put it back on? or something?

I say just weld it back on.

Not!!

Yes, you can buy the glue at an autoparts store. Maybe a drugstore, too.

It is odd how they fall off sometimes. Is it the heat? Quite the pizzer.

That's the (odd) advantage of living somewhere hot: massive air conditioning! :)

It's common. The glue gets weak after a while. The trick is to be sure to put it back in the same place. Get the kit for this- trust me.

You have to first remove all the old glue, then use the glass etching solution, then the proper glue. Or it will fall off while you are driving and scare the you-know-what out of you.

Trust me, I know. My soda straw went right up my nose and I bled all over my hamburger and fries. :eek: Funny to think about now, but wasn't back then.

I'm telling you that welding is the way to go. Take a hot torch to glass and plastic and make that sucker stick!

Kevy you are just evil. Weld it on... Geesch everyone knows you nail them back up.

I thought you were supposed to use screws!

No, that's what you do AFTER you've fixed the car ;)

You're all wrong -


Use duct-tape.

In this case, a hammer and nails would be an option as well.

Ah yes... duct tape. The physical manifestation of The Force: it has a light side and a dark side, and it holds the universe together.

Im voting nailgun

LOL!!!

I just found out it wasmy fault she was not invited to the 4th festivites, that I organized the whole thing. Damn, I am a powerful bitch.

Must be all those drugs you be taking.;):D


They deserve each other, and you deserve better. :cheers:

Haha, MG... you vindictive biznatch :evil:

Tomorrow is a blue jeans day. Jeans may be worn with zoo uniform shirt.

It's also going to be over 100. So the dilemma becomes: the novelty and comfort of jeans, or the coolness of shorts?

It's also two-dollar Tuesday. Always a day from hell.

ron

The nailgun picture got me all randy...

The more I think about it the more I think something big [and not good] is coming. They are doing these little things to improve morale. A fund raiser (for a very good cause) allows us to donate $10 a week to wear Friday casual all week (jeans and polo's). This random super-casual day is unheard of and is only occurring in this office.

They have already laid off 2 marketing people and are looking at getting rid of consultants who have poor service evaluations. Things are not good :(

I don't know... my company has done the donation casual Friday thing before, just because. If they were doing something really bad, they'd probably have their hands full with doing it.

I get to dress like a cabana boy at work tomorrow... oh wait, that's EVERY day I work :)

I found this rusty colored line of dust on my car bumper, just next to the edge of the trunk lid. When the trunk is open I can see a scorch mark in the corner of the frame that smells like fireworks. It looks like someone stuck a firecracker in there. What I can't figure out is when it happened. Most likely it was on the 4th since I know there were all these idiots with fireworks in the alley where I park. But I didn't notice it until Saturday and that was after I'd been taking things in and out of the trunk in broad daylight all week.

I have a friend who keeps getting burgled, and I don't know how to help.

I mean, in the obvious sense, there's nothing I can do. They had their car stolen, their storage locker contents stolen, and their identity stolen. Unrelated crimes.

The common factor is the victim, not the crimes. I feel like they must have a target on their backs ... and there's something about themselves they must change in order to change this pattern.

I just don't know what that might be, or what advice to give them so they could find out what it is.


But something needs to change with them, or I'm afraid they're going to keep getting ripped off.

:(




(and no offense, but those who think being victimized - whether by crime or cancer or hurricane - has nothing to do with the victim, can just take their cluelessness elsewhere and kindly refrain from bothering to call me a whackjob.)

Can I just call you a whackjob cause it's fun?

Damn you, Bumbershoot planners! Damn you for scheduling Gogol Bordello and Rodrigo y Gabriella at the same time!

I picked up my portable DVD player today (I won it last week at an employee raffle) - this is gonna be fun for commuting - I'll probably keep the Lost And Found Video in there to freak out any co-riders :evil:

Which is interesting, 'cause the fabric softener that makes it smell good is called Bounce. What's the connection I wonder??

Bounce fabric softener sheets are also a great ant control device.

Ooooh! That's a tough one. I think I'd choose GB.

So are skunks! That's the connection!!!

Ah... the TRUE way to a man's heart!

Hmm... must be a guy thing.

I'd rather have a router. Or a compound miter saw.

Show me a picture of you in those shorts again !!! *woof* :D

Heck, even this mouse knew that, Lashie. :)

My classmate and I discussed it, and I think that's our conclusion, too. Bigger show. Now I have to decide if I'm going Monday, too, to see Kultur Shock.

...or you could get an aardvark and skip the surgery

So what did you decide?!?!?!

It only works if the skunk sprays all around the house. So de-gland wouldn't work. I did see someone with said skunk on a leash walking it. Very cute, but I don't know what the skunk thunk about it. This was in the 1970s, I don't know if it was illegal then.

I'd go for the ardvark. Is it legal?

Oh, and a goat so I don't have to mow the lawn while we're at it.....

I almost had a pet skunk...the Old People refused to let me keep her. *sigh*

*BOOM*

I really need to pay more attention to the local weather reports. I just about peed myself. We got some real wrath of God type stuff rolling past my window today...

yeah, I heard something this morning about localized thunder etc being possible all over SoCal (along with lightning strikes...which would suck). low to mid 70's here with clouds o plenty. likely hear some of the same here in the next few hours.

Tehachapi is under a 'dry lightening' warning. It is overcast and very hot & muggy. It doesn't even look like there is a breeze.

I am getting nothing done today. And it has nothing to do with being online.

I'm bored... they haven't released me from jury duty yet.

Really? I hadn't heard that! I just wish it came with some wet stuff. I mean cripes, dry lightening with our fire danger and dry brush could spell real disaster!! Yikes!!!:eek:

It sucks, I have a mess of stuff to do at home. It has been uber-quiet here at work and all of my stuff is caught up. But, then, if I was home I would find a way to do nothing at all and ignore the stuff I need to do.

Any 'weather' to speak of up your ways, Capt Jack, Ponine, katie sue?? Any other San Diegans?

I am down by the border and it was a bit muggy but not much else. Right now it isn't sunny but not gray either.

I actually went for a walk at 9:30 a.m. which on a normal summer day would have killed me.

I am home, MG, and not getting much done myself. Getting ready to take the boys up to the theater to see Potter. Soooo much to do. Isn't there another person to tend to this stuff?

It's about the same here in the Rancho Santa Fe/Del Mar area. Kinda muggy not totally clear but not cloudy either.

We just found out that, in addition to (and probably because of) Loose Ligament syndrome, Tori also has scoliosis. She had x-rays today and is being referred to an Orthopedic specialist and a scoliosis phys therapy group.

It's just one frigging thing after another, poor kid.:(

Why do gas stations think that we want (or will tolerate) loud stuff coming from speakers right on the pump?

First all the Hess stations start playing crappy pop music from speakers you have to stand a foot away from (loud enough that inside the car, with the doors shut, someone I'm talking to on the cell phone can identify the song). Now BP plays a commercial as soon as you start pumping gas.

Loudly. Do they think we're all deaf?

:(

Poor Tori.

Hopefully it'll turn out not to be anything too bad. I have a friend who has scoliosis but other than finding some positions uncomfortable it otherwise isn't an issue in her life.

They don't. I remember when gas stations starting piping crappy music outside. It was to discourage people from loitering.

We knew something was up, as her posture just got worse over the past year despite orthotics and excercise. She's grown so fast, particularly in her torso, and that's why it became so pronounced over the past six months. I have a feeling it's going to be brace and/or surgery- the doc didn't even have to do anything beyond look at her to diagnose it. They only took one x-ray and from the looks on their faces it was obvious that it wasn't minor. One thing I am really worried about is Marfan's syndrome- we may be getting genetic tests done as she has several of the symptoms.

WB, don't worry too much. Tori is an amazing girl and will get through whatever is presented to her with your help and the support of the family and friends.

I just did a 5 minute download of information about Marfan's. Is anyone else in your family effected?

Oh WB I'm so sorry. My mother was convinced I had scolosis and I got tested a bajillion times. I'm guessing treatment has changed a lot since the Judy Blume book "Deenie" came out. That was one of my favorite pre-teen books.

Hugs to Tori and Mom!!!

I would like to thank the publishers of the latest Harry Potter book for scheduling the release to be the day after my moot court brief is due, and the weekend before I have to cram for finals, thus allowing me to read it all in one sitting without feeling guilty. And, perhaps most importantly, it's the weekend BT is gone to visit his folks so I can have the book all to myself.

<<<<<<<WB & Tori>>>>>>>>>>

(((hugs to mom and daughter)))

It sucks when the kidlets hurt, or when there is something wrong, and we know there is no quick fix.

Hey, thanks you guys! I'm sure it will be fine, but geez! Enough already! The kid has had one thing after another this year, and I just feel badly for her. She's a trooper, but still.... We'll know what we have to do in a few days- hopefully it's not anything too drastic. If she does have to have surgery, at least we already homeschool and don't have to worry about missing class for an extended period of time. Same goes for any back brace- that is a huge PITA for kids attending school.

NA- there isn't any on my side, but I kind of wonder about Eric's. It's sort of difficult to diagnose, and he's had a few close relatives that very well might have had it but are no longer around to test. It could be that she just happens to have some of the symptoms and not the actual syndrome, but it's nerve wracking to even think about. As far as scoliosis, her aunt Bobbi Jo (the one in Cleveland) has it, and Tori seems to take after her a great deal.

WB - sorry to hear about Tori. Maybe she's going through a lifetime worth of sh!t now just to get it out of the way. She's an awesome kid. Give her a big hug from us...

Take care, Tori and WB

BIG bear hugs to both of you from the LashPair.

Best thoughts to Tori and you WB!

I was at the Cascade Grill today - the nice sit-down restaurant at the front of the zoo. I knew I was spending the day inside in a fairly well controlled atmosphere. I wore my jeans, but shorts were in my locker in case I changed my mind.

Tomorrow I'll be at Africafe. Shorts for sure.

I just sneezed all over my screen... snot should never be backlit yellow.

Hugs to you and Tori, Wendy. We'll keep you both in our thoughts.

{{{hugs}}} to WB and Tori. An awesome girl with an awesome Mom, you'll get through this. That said, I'm sorry you're going through any of this at all. Take care all of you.

While I'm sad this has to happen to any child I'm happy that it happened to one with a mom as strong and loving as you are. I know you will get her through this. Good luck to both of you.

Sooo how can the "Deathly Hallows" Spoilers-o-plenty thread already have 20 replies? Do you people have no sense of mystery? Is it just one more joke I'm not in on?

I didnt read the spoiler parts. just popped in on the last post to get a glimpse...other than that, yeah. Ive been avoiding it too.

I'm dying of curiosity, but I'm afraid to pop in in case any of the rumors are true and it ruins the book for me.

The spoiler is in a link you have to click on to read. There is a discussion about that spoiler, but not much about the spoiler itself. The article linked is very badly written and seems to be from a non-Potter fan. I did not click the link, but it seems to be unreliable.

Ah, thanks.

So.... is anyone else craving Farrell's. I don't know why Farrell's specifically (after all, Thrifty's fine products aside, ice cream is ice cream, right?) but it only sounds good to me if served by a guy in a straw boater with sirens and bells.

Not Farrell's, but I'm craving PeachBerry.

Mmm... never had, but sounds yummerly.

When it comes to icecream, I am craving Dewar's. I love the carmel sauce, even better over their peppermint icecream. hmmm... Sounds like Boy and I will be going to water The Old People's plants sooner than necessary...

Regarding the spoiler thread, I find anything prior to the actual release of the book/movie/whatever to be pure speculation. Once the book is out, or even once more people have it, I don't dare go near the stuff. Same goes for people who had advanced copies that I know have advanced copies. I shun them.

I was just wondering why that thread seems so popular. WTF are you people doing opening that thread?? I won't go near it. A pox on all of you. :p

ETA - I had the ending of Half Blood Prince ruined for me, and I'm still mad about that.

LAME... so I'm in the middle of selling off the old Jeep. Yeah, it's taking forever, but anyway, part of the sale deal is that the buyer pays my overdue registration. Meanwhile, apparently the lovely State has decided to contact my employer to ask for the money :mad: Now I'm going to have to get in touch with the guys who are buying it to make sure they've sent in the payment on that, because they're supposed to have done so while submitting my request for duplicate title (because I lost the original).

Like erica said, technically Hogwarts getting destroyed in the final battle isn't so much a spoiler as speculation.

You're such a jerk.

And I want to put as a smilie on this post so that you know that I am saying that with tongue in cheek, but I know you don't like smilies so I won't.



And why is my explanation longer than the actual post?

I have one client who is a complete nutjob. I don't regularly take care of her cats (thank god) but when I do have to take care of them, I end up rolling my eyes a lot.

The instructions for Saturday's visit included this specific bit of direction: Write this down......Py likes to have ice cubes put in his water. Please make sure you put ice cubes in his water or he will be VERY unhappy with you. Also, take Py out in the backyard for 10 minutes. He may not want to come back in because he LOVES to go outside, but he will be VERY unhappy of he doesn't get to go outside. He will be dying to go out. But, don't leave him out for longer than 10 minutes. Oh and the key is on the tree by the driveway. It is painted black so it cannot be seen. Make sure you identify the key first before reaching for it because it will be hard to find if it drops in the pine needles.

But more importantly, what will Py think of you if you drop it in the pine needles?

Py is also the ONLY cat I take care of that hates me. He hisses every time I visit. I already know what he thinks of me.

He's a Maine Coon, which are usually friendly beasts. I think he's been ruined by the nutjob.

why is it I picture said nutjob as somewhere between 70 and a hundred years old?

She's not. She's probably about 50.

oh...how sad

I used to have to give my brother's cats the filtered water from the fridge door, rather than tap water, because they didn't like tap water.

I make my cat sitters call me. :( I'm psycho, but Boris is on so many meds now that I get really concerned about him. They just use my house phone to call my cell and leave a message to let me know that he's still eating, drinking, pooping, and peeing, and such.

Py is the product of his owner - the ten minute of outdoor time is merely a moment of organized torture as he is first released and then chased around the yard only to be confined to the house and force to lick ice cubes for refreshment.

It's hardly a wonder that Py bit me.

Ooooo! Fresh carrots from my garden and the most fragrant sweet peas I think I've ever grown. I'm in heaven.

I tend to go with this thinking as well. I don't believe that them saying that dies means that that person will die, even though they claim to have hacked the publishers mail servers (and found lots of copies on everyone's computers there - so they say)

He'll be very unhappy...

...And you make Py unhappy he might send you to the Cornfield....

or the house of pain...

Where you can Jump Around

Just got home from the HP movie, and there was a message on the phone from Tori's doc. (They never get back to us this quick!) They reviewed her x-ray and determined that she is probably a candidate for the physical therapy program, which is good news in that they might have caught this early enough for therapy to be beneficial. She is still lining her up with an ortho specialist, but I am happy that they are getting right on this and moving quickly. I am feeling a bit relieved, but don't want to let down completely until I know for sure the degree of damage. We're still doing the genetic testing, because we think she has too many of the markers for Marfan's to ignore, and Trudy thinks perhaps (for a variety of good reasons) it might be something on Eric's dad's side- Tori's aunt also has a lot of the same problems, and if something turns up we can have her and Eric tested as well.

So, thank you all for your hugs and well wishes- it means a lot, and I appreciate your letting me vent. Tori is such a great kid- she knows I'm worried, even though I try not to let on, and she has gone out of her way to be silly and cheerful to try to make me feel better. I'm really very lucky to have such a cool girl, and to have such good friends.:cheers:

I got good news today too!

I finally talked to my lawyer. He said I have nothing to worry about tomorrow, that he sees no problems during mediation (just for custody and visitation). He did mention that when David's lawyer first contacted him she was very rude, saying that I was going for full custody and alreayd denying David contact with his son. My lawyer directed her to read the declaration and talk to her client again. She called him the next day apologizing.

I was also able to get answers to my questions. I have been doing my best not to coach Nickolas on what to say. I did tell him that it will be very important for him to tell the truth to the mediator, no matter whose feelings may get hurt. I told him that tomorrow is all about him and what he wants and what needs to be done to help him through all this mess.

I also had another long talk with my mom (who is currently in Fairbanks). She said I was doing a good job at trying not to say too much in front of Nick. She feels that had Nick been spending more time with his dad he would have been heavily coached on what to say.

Since I know that Dawn will be with David tomorrow I already have a game plan. I plan on totally ignoring her, not even look at her or acknowledge her presence. Since she will probably have the baby with her, as a way to needle me, I have been prepping myself for it. My sister will be there with me, and she can be quite intimidating in her own way.

So, tomorrow at 2, please keep us in your thoughts and send us some of that special LoT spiritual mojo.

<3 WB, Tori & the family.

What a weird, weird evening this has been so far. At least I'm done with this session and have this weekend to relax with the boy. Then, back to the friggin' grindstone. :(

Great news WB! My experience is that if they give PT it should be able to help, otherwise they usually go right to surgery (if that is even an option for that kind of problem- I don't know).

{{{{{{{MG & Nick}}}}}}} Mojo Vibes your way today! I hope it goes well, it's been a rough road and you deserve a great outcome out of all of this.

Thank you, I needed that.

And well of course he wont want to come back. He wants to be an outside kitty. Sheesh.

So just 30 minutes before I head to the airport, I get a phone call from mom. Well, it was actually one of my sisters, calling on behalf of my mom who you could hear screaming in the back. Apparently, nuclear devastation will happen if Brittany can't stay over here.

"Umm... I'm leaving for the airport..."

I hated to pass the burden onto my grandma, but it was the only way. :( Why today, mom? Why today?

Great news WB.

MG - hang in there. The mediators have seen it all and at least from my experience they can see through all the bs fairly quickly. I'll be sending positive thoughts your way this afternoon.

Sending vibes right now, before, during and after, MG.

You're amazing, you know that? :snap:

That's encouraging news WB!

Please keep us posted and I think I can speak for just about anyone, vent as much and as often as needed. (Same for you MG)

Glad to hear she won't need surgery! If she's young enough they might be able to do a lot with a back brace too.

Soo... it's not every day you can make your boss feel "manly" in a work-safe way, but today was one of those days. What can I say, I needed the gatorade bottle opened and I have weak hands ;)

Good news about Tori!

MG, stick to your guns and lets the mediators do their job. And, don't take any bait from the "others".

Things I currently hate:

1) Relying on a VP that's too busy to give a crap about me
2) People who say, "We'll meet again tomorrow at 4:00 to get a status update" who then ask for status nearly hourly between now and the 4:00 meeting. You'll get your damn status at 4:00!

At the 4:00 status update, list how much more *would* have been done had there not been frequent interruptions for hourly updates. I've done that before.

I had a manager barking at me for the last 2 days because she couldn't print to the printer on her desk (but she could print to any of the 6 other printers she has installed on her machine). I didn't have time until this afternoon to look at it. And when I did I discovered that...

her printer cable was not tightly plugged into her docking station.

I'm waiting for the tub reglazing guy to show up.....again. he was supposed to come on monday and didn't show. I called yesterday and he didn't call back. I called today, we scheduled for tomorrow then he called back because he had a cancellation for this afternoon. I told him 3:45 was fine. It's now 4:00 and no call, no knock. This should be that difficult.

I just sent out a request for an estimate from another company. God help me if I ever want to do aything major!

By all means, get a new company to do it.

OK, that was actually FUNNY! The guy shows up 45 minutes late with his "technician" (no phone call to tell me he will be late). I bring him in to look at the tub, moving the laundry I had just hung there to dry. The "technician" says - "We'll need the light". "To do an estimate" I ask? "No, to do the resurfacing!" Ummmm, I just wanted an estimate and we can't do it today anyways since my husband needs to take a shower in the morning. The "technician" gets pissed off, walks out of the house, starts the truck and starts honking the horn.


The owner tries to snooze me a bit and tell me he wouldn't come all of the way out here to give an estimate that he could have done over the phone. Well, maybe you should've actually talked to me on the phone for a bit then or called me back when you said you were going to. Meanwhile, the "technician" is honking outside. I tell the guy to leave, that his "technician is disturbing the neighbors.

Even if he IS the best price, i will NOT give him the job. What a way to run a business.

OMG, what a bozo.

Good news to hear that physical therapy may do the trick! Sending warm and fuzzy vibes your way. :)

stopped by Chipotle to pick up a steak bol with a side of chips and guac. I should have stopped at half. I ate way to much. I think I may pop.

Clean up on Aisle 1.

Oh, I know the pain, BTD.

Not Afraid, what a jerk your 'technician' was. And, doesn't the idiot know you can report him for such unprofessional behaviour?

What a day. I am tired.

Today was absolutely craptacular, and I don't have any vodka!! :mad:

Here CM, enjoy this video. It is a clip from "Whose Line Is It Anyway" where three Loyola Marymount cheerleaders are used as props by Ryan Stiles and Colin Mochrie. VERY funny.

Thanks, I needed that :D

I knew you would enjoy

thank you for all the good vibes!! Things could not have gone any better. First off, he came alone. The look on his face when my sister showed up was great. I was glad she was there. When he and I went in with the mediator he sat in the waiting room with Lorene.

I was incredibly sweet and nice, made sure that both David and the mediator knew I was not trying to keep David from seeing his dad. I did get my points across. I also got my digs in, in such a way that David will be scratching his head for a week trying to figure out what I meant.

The mediator then talked to Nick, alone. I guess Nick really opened up. They were in there for quite a while. When Nick came back out and we went back in the first thing the mediator said was directed towards David. He told David that he sees a lot of sadness in Nick, but that Nick also has a LOT of anger towards his dad. David shrank about 3 inches into his seat.

So custody is settled (for now). We have joint legal and physical, with me being the primary custodial parent. That was what I wanted all along.

I would hope he has the balls to tell the crap talkers that I did not do anyting to prevent him from seeing his son.

Good News MG!!! WTG!


Something tells me he won't :(

I still prefer the one with richard simmons. :D

Great news MG!

Summer Storm
 

It's been a week of hot in Portland. The last five days have been in the nineties and low hundreds! Summer in Portland heat. I took a walk along the river after work. It was a beautiful day, with a few high clouds, a light blue sky and a clear view of Mt. Hood.

Most of us don't have air conditioning up here. It comes in handy only about eight weeks a year - other than that we either revel or suffer. I got home, opened windows and turned on fans.

At 9:30 I there were two loud booms from outside. "I couldn't be!" I thought. There was another. Then a flash.

I smelled it first. That dusty, sweet smell of fat raindrops falling on bone-dry pavement. Then I heard the flat splat! splat! outside the window. Looking out I could see the circles of moisture spreading on the parking lot across the steet.

More thunder, more flashes. Then it came. The crackle of thousands of tiny water bombs pouring out of the sky. Rainwater boucing off the street, caught in the headlights of cars that managed to look surprised as they passed. I opened more windows to bring in the freshly ionized air, then closed them as raindrops rebounded from the window sill into my living room.

Twenty minutes later, it's over. The windows are open and the apartment is cooling down with freshly washed air.

I love these times.

Awww, I LOVE the smell of rain on cement! :)

Awesome tidbit, ozron - I wish we had summer storms here.

Please send some of that rain up north, Ozron. It's supposed to get to 105 tomorrow.

I love your writing! I totally experienced it and I love the 'headlights that managed to look surprised...'

Yeah, MG!!!

{must watch those videos!}

Way to go, MG!

This is totally awesome news! I'm happy for you and glad the mediation went so well.

Here's to you and Nick! :cheers:

Thank you!!!

I do believe that I honestly surprised David. One of the things he told Boy was that I had organized everything on the 4th to make sure Dawn couldn't go. So, I said in front of the mediator, that I had already reassured his family that, when they had a family function and wanted both of their grandsons there, I have no problem with dropping Nick off and picking him up later, or that they could come get him any time. I went on to say that I had said this on numerous occasions. That goes against what he thought about the 4th. He looked stunned to find out that I had said anything like that to his family (which is why I made sure to say it).

He seems to have no backbone when Dawn isn't around. I find that funny. I am/was not a controlling spouse. Now he is stuck in a situation of his own making.

The court date is July 30th (my moms's 70th b-day). It will be interesting to see how he tries to slam me over finances. I just hope he has to pay me back child support from April.

Congrats, MG! He is in a hell of his own making, and he deserves it. You stick to the high road and you'll continue to come out ahead.:cheers:

WTG MG!

Stay strong. You know you did nothing wrong. These were his choices and is his creation.

Stick it to him!

You just stay on the high road, you'll always win out in the end -- especially in the eyes of your future-adult child!

Hurray MG. I was hoping things would turn out nicely for you.

I haven't had a coherent dream I could remember the next morning in quite some time. But last night, I dreamt that I was still living at home. And I came home after work or an errand to find both garage doors and the front door open and lights on. And the place was entirely cleaned out. Well, it was entirely cleaned out at first, but then when I went inside I could see it was cleaned out of anything important, but the miscellaneous detritus of daily living was still there.

It was clear that in the dream we had been robbed. All our possessions of any value were gone. Although in my dream my two cats lived there, and we did find them.

I called people to come home immediately. A crowd gathered. We wondered how it was that no one had seen anyone stealing this stuff and leaving the house wide open. At some point, someone outside the family brought me something they'd found down the street - it was something (I don't remember what) that had been in my purse - which apparently had also been stolen.

I asked him where he found it, and some of us went down the hill to that location (a neighbor's lawn) and rooted around in the grass. We came up with lots of little things that had been in my purse. I was particularly looking for my grandmother's wedding rings, which I kept in my purse. (Not in real life, of course. I'm not that stupid.)

We found the Ziplock bag in which I'd kept the ring (also not in real life) and the ring was gone, but in its place was a pendant (that doesn't exist in reality) that had originally been loose in my purse. Why the burglers a) didn't take the pendant, which was valuable and b) bothered to put it in the bag formerly containing the ring, was a topic of much discussion.

Then we were talking about what to do next, because I needed to find that ring. Too much sentimental value. Should I go to pawn shops? In what areas? Or fax photos? And did we have photos?

And then I woke up or something.

Huh... weird. Perhaps this relates to your el jay - that you feel something valuable which meant a lot to you (desired job) has been replaced with something unfamiliar and of lesser value, and you realizing the importance of not accepting the lesser item, and instead finding your way to the more valuable one, and wondering how to make it happen.

Worst real estate property photos collection: http://www.visualtour.com/applets/fl...teamfisher.com

It ends up being an ad for some kind of virtual tour, but it's hilarious, he's got commentary on the bad photos and everything.

great commentary! I particularly like the mystery shack shot.

That's absolutely brilliant!

Very funny.

I rarely have dreams, or rather, ones that I remember, like you said, the next morning. This is good and bad.

I've dreamt of Chris Cornell and Kid Rock. You pick the good and the bad. :rolleyes:

But, one thing the Hubster and I were discussing when talking about school with the Boy, we always have dreams we are back in school. And, that we can never find our classes.

I thought it was just me but he said the same thing, we wander about with our locater cards and can't find the classes or else we get to school and forget where we are going.

I told him I finally figured out it must be because our brains have all of those memories and when we dream they get all jumbled up and it isn't clear. That is all I can think about.

I used to have a reoccuring dream that the giant Tweetybird Jekyll/Hyde was chasing me.......don't understand that one...

Chasing dreams are almost the only ones I ever remember. One in particular I have no idea why I remember, probably because it was so absurd, but I was on a spooky riverboat like you'd see in a Scooby Doo cartoon, desperately trying to run/hide from the bad guys because they were going to take my bottle of vanilla shampoo.

LOL Isn't is funny how we remember the specifics? Vanilla shampoo?!

What I wonder about~ when I was very young, 5 or so {maybe younger, not sure} I had a reoccuring dream that my mother and I were being chased. We were in the south and people were upset because she was Mexican and they were threatening us and we had to get somewhere and hide.

This always freaked me out and I have no idea why a child would dream that.

Perhaps I would watch the news with her? I do remember her telling me much later that she did experience a lot of prejudice there but especially saw a lot directed at Blacks. She said one family broke down and no one would open their doors to let them use their phone to call for help. It could have been raining but that could be an embellishement on my part. :blush: Anyways, she let them in. {she was in the south at some points between 53-69}

And...was your dream a cartoon, Morri?

I have had a few, recently, that I can still remember. One was the morning after Easter. I had finally slept after being up all night cleaning out stuff, I was dreaming that David was standing in front of me. I was slapping him, hard, screaming, "Why did you do this to us, why, why?" Then I could hear the slapping sound and it was my sister at the front door, knocking loudly.

The other one also involves David, go figure. I was at a restaraunt and he & Dawn showed up. I had more than a few choice words for her.

Those 2 themes seem to be running rampant in my dreams lately.

MG~ you are going through a lot, have been for a while now. That turmoil seems to be coming out in your dreams. You seem to be keeping everything else in check, so good with Nick, maybe this is your release?

I am glad to hear you are sleeping, going through this can leave people so upset they don't sleep well.

I wish there was a line we could all get in and take turns slapping him for what he's done.

Nope, scary real. Nasty, swampy riverboat.

And I loved that damn shampoo. That was right around when they (Bath & Body Works) stopped selling it. But the dream was still WAY bizarre.

I will preface my post by saying that I looked at the photos with the sound off (too many close neighbors at work).

However, in just looking at the photos, I would say that only about 1/3 of them were bad. Sure, most of them could have been at least better, but if I am looking at photos of house, I would rather see a lot of marginal quality rather than a few of better quality.

But that's just me.

For the house dream I'll take it at the literal level which sometimes works and sometimes is way off.

You are worried about losing something very personal to you that has value. (you said everything of value was gone in your family's home)

Something that you keep around or close to you (because it was specifically in your purse - something that if, you're like most women, have around you whereever you go and that always know where it is.)

You feel that even if you could replace it with something else that other people thought was valuable, it was not really a replacement at all. (it was in the same bag - replacing the other item of value.)

Whatever you're worrying about is something you feel that you should have already known about - but didn't. (why did no one see people taking your stuff)

If we take the dreamscape as your own internal environment, then in the context of the dream you have lost certain things valuable to you. They may have been stolen by someone else, but in the dream it seems in a way they have either gone missing or have been replaced with other valuables - things other's might value, but not necessarily yourself and your internal thief. The doors left open, things unnoticed by your neighbors (also internal to you) makes it seem like some things that were dear to you may have lost their value.

or it was indigestion

So...I'm sitting at Plaza Gardens waiting for Stompy Jones...

Awww! I wish I was out swing dancing!

OH! How long are they in town?

Are you posting from your new iPhone?

Tomorrow, I'll see if Py really wants to go outside. In other news, the tub refinishing guy has an appointment in "Los Felix".

I was supposed to get my portion of the brief drafted today, but last night I discovered The Case That Makes Everything I've Done Wrong, so I had to basically start over. Considering that I started from scratch, I got quite a lot done - created a preliminary argument structure, weeded through research to find the best/most cited cases for my arguments, and to demonstrate the current agreement of all circuit courts on this issue, and pulled out the major supporting citations the argument will be structured around.

Nothing actually written yet, but my brain is full for the day. I might get some cleaning/laundry/class reading done tonight. Tomorrow is tutoring and dinner with the fam, and Sunday I must turn my "advanced outline" into a coherent near-final draft. I hope I get it done, or my team mate will be pissed!

I have, at most, 10 double-spaced pages to fill, though, so it shouldn't be too hard. It's a fairly straight-forward argument.

Soooo....
 

Just to let all of you know that CM had a seizure and he's home and resting. He was on his way home from work and was taken to the emergency room where i picked him up tonite. He will be online in a few days. He is to rest and no computer for the weekend.

Oh crud. Thanks for the update MMG. Please keep us posted and send him our best wishes!

Soooo....
 

Kevy Baby you got it...

Thanks for the update, Rose. Wish him our best and make sure he gets ome good Johnny time. I know that is important to him post-seizure.

Hugs to you both, MMG, and tell CM to behave and get better, so he can get better and misbehave!

KB, looks like you've got weekend sick-humor detail.;)

Ohhh... the pressure :eek:

Rose - thanks for the info. I like it when the bad news is mitigated in the same post. Please let us know if there's anything we (individually or as a group) can do for him.

Soooo....
 

Ty for all the well wishes for CM. I told him you guys send your best. There really isn't anything anyone can do for him now. He just needs to rest and take care of himself the next few days. I found out his job was basically not giving him a break or lunch til 2pm when he started working at 9am and he just his body can't handle that. But he is in good hands and he was in good hands so i don't worry.

BEst to my buddy Matt!! Get well soon!!!!!

Eeep! MMG: Please tell CM that Ryan and I are thinking about him.

Well, it hit over 100 today, and of course our air conditioner died. We had a tech out last week and he has a new fan on order, but knowing how these places operate, it could be winter by the time it 'arrives'. It's a zillion degrees inside and I'm roasting.

Ozron did send some of his storm up our way today, but not nearly enough. Still, I thought of his elegant prose when I stepped out into the rain today- I could definitely relate to how he felt as he was writing it.

Tori's doc called me at work yesterday, and was impressed when I told her I'd already made appts at the Scoliosis center and the dermatologists. (She said normally it takes forever to get into a dermatologist in the summer). The derm appointment was to look at a lesion Tori has on her arm, just to make sure it's nothing to be concerned about. (She has excema). Anyway, she said her x-ray shows a moderate curve, but she seemed happy to have caught it at this point rather than later. Today we got the paperwork for the Shriner's Hospital; her doc wants us to apply there, as they have the best pediatric spine docs in the biz. She then encouraged us to have the genetic testing done, so I am reluctantly doing so. I really have mixed feelings about this- I don't know why, but I do. Still, we need to know.

I have a feeling she may be in for a tough adolescence, but she's going to emerge an absolute swan, both physically and mentally. I look around at other kids her age and I am sooooo glad she is my kid- she has a great attitude, she's not afraid to talk to me about anything, and she has a very caring, empathetic soul. I just wish she wouldn't tell people I snore.:rolleyes:

(She does, too).

I hope he is doing okay hugs to all

Hey Rose, thanks for letting us know.

Please give Matt some Big Bear Hugs Downunder from me.

....er, you know what I mean.. :blush:

I bet he'd stay in for Bacon.....

so, this morning at 5 am....I popped awake. wide awake. no clue why. no returning to sleep. got up, started getting ready for work...

realized a few minutes ago its saturday. I dont work on saturdays
/sigh

guess I'll make some coffee

Capt Jack, if its any consolation, you aren't the only one up at this ungodly hour. I have a toothache from hell. Can't see a dentist until Monday and can't sleep at all. I'm waiting for the drug store to open to get some clove oil, which I was told will hopefully help. Then, maybe I can sleep.

Otherwise, this is going to be a long fvcking weekend, I'll tell you that.

Rose, please send Matt our well-wishes.

the clove works pretty good. Ive not used it in awhile, but I remember it helping a lot. good luck

I think that is one of the things he is supposed to be avoiding right now

There must be something in the water. While not as early as you two, I too woke up much earlier than desired (been fighting it since 6:00)

That's not exactly legal, I don't think. He should get a 15 min break in the middle of four hours work, right? Then he can at least have a snack and relax.

Best of wishes to Matt. :birdy:

Depends on if he is hourly or exempt. But none-the-less, t'ain't right.

(Sez the guy who never takes any breaks and often doesn't take lunch until 2 or 3 o'clock)

wow. sorry to hear CM isn't feeling well. tell him Lumbo say's hey howdy hey.

SHRINERS HOSPITAL! Do they let the patients drive around in little cars wearing fez's? I want to go there.


I woke up BEFORE my alarm at 6. WRONG WRONG WRONG.

Mickey Lumbo has found a Prince .... yep, at the place we all know and love, Where Dreams Come True.

we will try our best to be at the 52nd birthday dinner meet.

gotta go find Nemo now.;)

OMG!

Thanks for all the well wishes everyone - I'm just majorly tired right now, and I feel like I've been hit by a truck. I was well enough this morning to take the girls for a walk, and feed the menagerie, and I'll probably cook dinner.

Yeah, I'll be you're pretty sore. Feel better :)

Going to see Marylin Manson. WOOHOO!

Oh, BTD, where at? I jsut saw Chris Cornell at the Wiltern and he was awesome. Juliette Lewis opened and she was pretty good, had a lot of energy.

alphabassettgrrl~ 13 drops! Oh, wait, for Friday the 13th. Oh, I am so jealous.

I wanna go there again soon but I am blacked out forever, it seems. :(

CM~ take care of yourself and feel better! Take those gawdamed breaks, too!

Py didn't want to go outside. Py actually wanted nothing to do with me.

Py (and his owner) sounds like a PYain in the ass...

Oh, there was a BIG note for me when I got there. In large red letters were the words

Well, so much for clove oil. Didn't help at all and felt like I would imagine battery acid would have felt, had I applied it to the same area. I ended up scheduling an emergency appointment this morning with a dentist. Got a bucketful of industrial strength Vicodins and some antibiotic horse pills. Then next week, I have a root canal to look forward to after the infection clears up. Yippee!

I guess it was a wise move to purchase dental insurance last week. Of course, today's visit wasn't covered as my coverage takes effect on Monday. At least, I will be paying a lot less for all of the future work. And there will be plenty of that, but at least I made the first step towards getting my long neglected teeth back in order. In a way, it's a hell of a relief. I just could have done without the misery.

Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine.

I don't think the seats are too bad. Terrace Row E.

I know it well. was never big on dentists. a few bad experiences as a kid and I just stopped going.

broke a tooth on a lifesaver a few years ago. finally broke down and went...been going regularly since and theyve never felt better.

that and I talked them into gassing me the first few times for cleanings. :snap:

yeah, I have a cool dentist

feel better soon. probably in a bout 30 min if you took one of the vikes
:p

MBC, "i feel your pain" just doesn't seem the right thing to say, but, i did have THREE new crowns installed this past week. (i said crowns, not tiara's.)

but having SignificantOtherLumbo there to pamper me and make homemade soup made it oh so much better. so did the pain meds.

sounds like you did the right thing with insurance coverage. i found out that my Mouse Dental coverage does not cover crowns. WTF? so now i have a three thousand dollar grill that i can't bar-b-que even a weinie on.

huh? hmm. i should go now.

FYI-Any essintial oil should not be used full strenght. It can be very irritating.

I'm glad you'll be taking care of it soon. I've been luck, I have never had a real tooth ache, and I've had a couple of root canals. Once, the real bad one was two cavaties that met in the middle, so the infection vented itself so no pressure built up, and I had no pain at all. If it wern't for the taste :eek: I'd never known something was wrong (oh, sure a regular visit would have helped).

You people are so lucky. When I needed a root canal (X3 now) the teeth just up and died with minimal warning. Actually the only warning I really get is a headache that won't go away, then the taste, then excruciating pain. The first one was so bad and I had to wait so long that I was actually delirious by the time I got into the chair. They gassed me and I passed out and slept through the whole thing.

(I will refrain from telling my root canal story....)

Good Luck, MC!

Not at the Main Street Opera House, by any chance ??? ;)

Then Py shall have it..... In Abundance !

I would empty the freezer of ice-cubes, but make sure they didn't end in the bowl. That note was just plain ignorant. (unless you're 6 years old, and then it will help you to remember the task at hand.)

nope, but, not too far from there (flag pole). tee hee.

hey, where are those pics anyway?

SignificantLumbo is still sleeping... oh so cute when they are sleeping, huh?

The RAC and I will be at the park today should any horny males like to stalk us.

Wow, I pledged to check up on this thread once in a while ... but it's all horrible bad news. Gak.

Best wishes, CM and MBC. Sheesh. Oh, and Tori, while I'm at it.



ok, I'll um, check back in .... oh, let's say October, shall we?

ah, seeking adventure, you be.:evil:

what ever woke me up at 3am could have been an earthquake, but, what i just felt at 10:08am was most certainly an earthquake.

Wow, I didn't feel it, but 2.7, 1 mile SE of Yorba Linda.

Cal Tech info

And there was indeed a 2.4 in about the same area at 2:49AM

if that location is based upon the civic center, then i was just about on top of it.

If Jerry Falwell were alive, I'd bet he'd have an opinion!

I wish I could say I cared that I forgot about David's b-day being Monday. I wish I could say that I felt bad I didn't have Nick get him a card. I wish I could say that I wasn't still hurt over all the things he forgot about in the past (3 of my b-days, my first mother's day, ect...).

David who?



;)

So... for those wondering what the weight limit is on those jumpy slide things.... here's the proof...

Fun, but far less graceful than you'd imagine.

He forgot Mother's day?? Why that self absorbed slob! No wonder you left him. The fact that you mention it shows you didn't forget. You just chose to ignore it! :D

I have NEVER forgot my wife's BDay, our anniversary, or Mother's day. In 30 years, not once.

That is because you are a Star. :snap:

And, I tell you, every time I tweak my itchy nose or grab a straw, I think of your story and wince. :eek:

So my MIL's birthday was yesterday (Bastille Day), but she had plans to go to a wedding - so we celebrated with her today.

A yummy pancake breakfast at Sears Fine Food was followed by a tour of San Francisco (and the Bay) in a Duck Boat - more fun than you'd expect!

The celebration was over by noon - so H and I decided to grab a bite before returning home to the puppies. We wound up at the Samovar Tea Lounge in SoMa. It was a wonderfully pleasant surprise - with great food and even yummier tea.

...and that's why I'm posting. Heather ordered a tea that I'd never tasted before - Lapsang Souchong. OMFG! NA and €uro posted that they were drinking it (way back in '05), but nobody mentioned that it's smoky flavor evokes BACON! Needless to say, we bought a tin.

(H says that adding milk and sugar enhances the baconiness of the flavor)

I LOVE Lapsang Souchong! It's a very different tea and one of my favorites.

Nice pic of Bornieo with his legs in the air. :evil:

LoT is awfully quiet tonight.

I noticed

I like smashing cans, and cooking dinner

Wow!! Impressive!! Along PCH, too! That must have been very hard!

My Hubby rides a lot of miles regularly and he has said those types {hilly} are killer.

So, I hope you are enjoying a good rest? :snap:

I go home tomorrow at the crack of dawn. Arrive at 7:30AM. Class from 8AM - 4PM.

Not in the least bit happy about it.

:(

Whee! My moot court partner and I have an actual draft! It's not anywhere close to final, but it's an actual put-together draft, with sentences and everything. Now we just need to make it final by Friday at 5.

Yah, Pru!

You don't have to submit it in Latin, do you? 'Cause that would suck.

No, but there is Latin in it.

I did absolutly nothing today.

I let Nickolas go to ice cream with David for his b-day. His parents picked Nick up at 1 and he was dropped off at 4. I just feel so empty when he isn't home. I am going to have to get into the middle room so that I can start making cards again, just to have something to do when the overnight visitations start.

Just got back from attending my first ever demo derby.

God damn the combined smell of bbq and car wreckage is intoxicating.

Where do they have one of those around here, GD?

OC Fair. Unfortunately, they do it only one day per year.

So, was the smell of BBQ emanating from the wreckage?:eek:

Hah, no, from somewhere beyond the grandstands.

At the moment, I believe I'm about 52% fried batter.

The closest we get to a demolition derby is the Bakersfield Speedway. It is a dirt track and most people go to see the wrecks and don't really care who wins the race. I enjoyed going, but my sinus would get so full of all the crud in the air...well... I will leave it at that.

Today begins another wonderful work week. bleh.

So, I'm tired, bone tired. Spent the weekend at the Castro Theater at the SF Silent FIlm Festival, even though I wimped out on a couple of programs, I saw a lot of movies this weekend. None later than 1927 and the earliest being 1900. I saw an archivist light a swatch of nitrate film on stage (and it does burn bright and fast), really good theater. I met Leonard Maltin, though did not get nearly enough time to talk with him. I sat next to JB Kaufman for a couple of movies (the nicest guy, really). I got to hang with some of the board members, who were a hoot and a half. Robert Osborne (of TCM) had the best intro-aside on a film star. He was talking about Nazimova and the 1921 Camille (which also starred a 20 year old Rudolph Valentino) and commented on her acting, and also her hairdo for the film "Her head looks like it exploded." I enjoyed a few minutes conversation with Judy (Wyler) Sheldon, daughter of William Wyler and enjoyed talking about Gregory Peck, and Roman Holiday in which she had her 15 seconds of fame. My final schmooze was a delightful 5 minutes with William Wellman Jr. about Wings and his work promoting the films of his fabulous father. He did mention sometime this fall he will likely be presenting the 1927 Wings at the Egyptian. If I can, I will come down for it, I think it is a movie well worth having a swanking for, it's a corker! This year, the SF Silent Film Festival held a raffle, and winners were drawn before each film. I bought 3 in the hopes for a shopping spree at the McRossky Matress Co (We're Better in Bed") - alas, I did not win that, but I did hold a winning ticket and obtained a very nice photograph from a local artist in their movie theatre series of photos. A great weekend, but though the seats at the Castro are newish, I'm a bit stiff and tired and bleary-eyed today. It was great and I can hardly wait for next year.

<<Envy!>>

so...

how do YOU fend off a foul mood?

some days they just happen. had a good weekend, decent sleep, plenty of caffine...not really anything actively working to piss you off, yet none the less you just feel like biting a chunk out of anything and anyone unlucky enough to come near you.

what do you do?

Of course, I figured there would be. :rolleyes:

Stayed at the park till closing for a change... just like old times. (Except the part where all the faces are new, etc.)

One word.

SEX

;)

Well, first, while I'm still in a foul mood, I warn people I ave to work with, stay away, I'm grouchy. This avoids other problems.

Then, I listen to music I like, and try to let the mood pass, or if I have a significant gripe with the world, I call a friend or email a vent to help me get over it.

Me loves Capt. Jack, so bite away.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19437799/

Pointing this out because the picture is just.... heheh.

Oh, and it must have been all the public executions, guillotine, etc., but in the SF Silent Festival program Retour de Flamme (Rescued from the Flammes), Serge Bromberg, presenter and pianist showed in the short films and fragments, two beheadings, a horrible fall from the sky that resulted in the unfortunate being impaled, a burning at the stake (1902 Joan of Arc), a very scary dancing pig, and a clarinetist who has a piece of furniture fall on him and the result is his clarinet being forced through the back of his head (alas, that fragment of film ended before we would ever know whether or not he or the myriad of people he employed could remove it). Hysterical, and kinda gross, too. Sort of like movies today, just not all the inane dialogue to go with them. The hand tinted films were amazing. There was also a previously unknown film (they have not identified it) short film about a fireman who goes to the Follies Bergere, gets blotto and the rest of the film is filled with his view of th world (very Man Ray in the begining) and then everyone ends up nude (including a clergyman) and this film is important because Josephine Baker also makes an appearence in costume (and topless). Oh those frenchies!;)

that's what i'm afraid of when i go in for a sleep study... or worse, priapism.

phunny pic:snap:

what's with the years of dirt and grime? somebody should polish that thang twice a day!

:D loved your report! really glad you had a great time - you deserve it!

disney music

bite

chocolate

sex

corn dog

not always in that order

How NOT to get an already hostile demolition derby crowd on your side during a karaoke contest (don't ask me why) at intermission:

"Support legalization of gay marriage!!"

Not that I don't agree with the dude, but the phrase "time and place" comes to mind.

Didn't help that he proceeded to not know a single lyric to whatever song he was seeing. Not that it mattered since the crowd was set on booing anyone who took that mic.

How totally cool. And yes, they are cute when they sleep.

<hugs>

I find shooting someone generally helps.

The RAC and I were there from about noon until 8:00 (Sunday) and we didn't see you. What time did you get there?

Uh, weird. We were at the OC fair yesterday too.

(And I have the sunburn to prove it.)

:( No fair for me... I need my fix of spinning rides and crazy carnies.

The LA County Fair is in September - you should be better by then!

Chocolate. Lots and lots of chocolate.

Of course then I'm annoyed because I ate so much chocolate and gained 10lbs from it. :evil:

HA. i was there from March thru July and saw only IsM, Zapp, Fej, NA, Ponine, and Moonliner (with moonchild). oops, forgot CM and his bride.

what gives with you people? fans - schmanz

LA County Fair doesn't have the ride lineup I like...

Big...rides. Big...scary rides. No.

I missed this earlier. Thats what happens when you are overwhelmed by 600+ posts on Monday morning.
I stated this elsewhere, but I eat.
Or sleep. Mostly eat and dwell on what an idiot I am.

Oh you meant to improve my mood? Call a friend. Email someone I havent talked to in a few days. The response usually helps me.
Otherwise, music and bury myself in work. And eat.

Sooo... tired.

Yes, but think about how nice it will be to climb into your own bed tonight, and I bet you sleep very well! Good luck until then!

I am currently munching on Skittles to help me improve my mood. It isn;'t helping with the financial stress, but they are mighty tasty.

well, no, I dont imagine they are helping with the financial stress.
And that could be half my problem right there... I need to win the lotto and get out of the all consuming financial stress.
Until then, potato chips.

Got there around 3-ish, joined up with some MCers (didn't know you'd be in the park). Heard you were around from TicTocDragon, who joined us very late in the evening.

I liked the bed I was in, too. :(

On the plus side, I've given myself a mental day off once I'm done with classes. Found a copy of RCT3 Platinum while I was in Utah, and will be installing it to-nite!

I was smart enough to make enough Tuna Salad (tuna, yogurt, mustard, tamari almonds, grapes, mushrooms, green onions and butter lettuce) to have leftovers for lunch. Unfortunately, I forgot I'd have to fend off cats to eat said lunch.

I picture NA sitting in a locked bathroom with a dozen cat paws reaching under the door.

Apparently, I'm moving out of my house beginning this weekend thru mid-August. I thought I was getting off easy this summer.

Please tell me you are not going to live with Py!!!!!!!! :(

( I never knew that we did not have a crying emoticon)

Is the Hitachi not doing the trick any more?

Feel free to borrow this one at any time:

Or this one should the need arise:

I haven't figured out when best to use this one, but it is fun to have none-the-less:

Something is on fire!! Just heard the sirens... We are beginning to smell the smoke.

Kevy, I like the smilies...

Hahah... EUTube: http://www.slate.com/id/2170306/

*sigh* another day.....

All of that bed talk reminds me I haven't bothered to fix mine yet....

I got a very nice 14 mile recovery ride today and feel quite grand, thank you! :) Got some errands done and I haven't even needed ibuprofen today. I might take some for my back later but that was hurting for a while now, even before the big ride.

Good job! **hugs**

They're exciting but I cry for the cars. They always use the big cars from the 70s and it makes me sad to see them destroyed.

Chocolate. Spending time alone. Reading.

Good luck. It sucks to have those moods.

Just met with my new boss for the first time.

I'm not fired.

In fact, I'm getting a minion....er....direct report.

And a much more impressive title.

But, no raise to go with the title. :(

New title and added supervisory responsibility and no raise?

Baldercrap!

Why? What happened?

I suspect that it has to do with pet sitting and she will have to be doing some overnights. LoTs of overnights.

Yes, lots of overnights. At least the houses all have AC and one has a fabulous pool!

Good to here that's all it is.

This one is just... Disturbing. :eek:

Eh, it's a state job, so I'm not likely to get a raise, now or later. My scope of "ultimate responsibility" is expanding quite a bit (the new minion will also take over payroll, so I'll be ultimately responsible for that, too.) But, it sounds more impressive on my resume, and at this point I need to look as impressive as possible as I look for post-graduation work.

Ahem !!

Yeah! AHEM!!!

Nick and I have 2 folding camp chairs out on our patio. It is where I sit when I feel the need to kill a few lung cells. The other chair is where he sits when he wants to hear what I am talking on the phone about. For the last week or so Chicken has been eyeballing the chair where Nickolas usually sits. Tonight she finally decided to join me. Of course Nick came out and tried to pet her (she likes to be near us, but not touched). I ended up with a Chicken perched on my arm. But for a few minutes it was nice having a Dog at my feet and a Chicken by my side. It all fits with the wierd animal theme we have going on. Earlier I had a flat rat snoring on my tummy.

Tori had her evaluation and beginning PT today- it seems she has just under a 20 degree curve, which makes her a good candidate for PT only. (Yaay!) It is a long, gradual curve that if left unchecked could really mess her up as it twists forward in the upper area, and the other way by her hips, but I think we caught it early enough to head off any permanent damage. (I don't know how someone could miss any greater degree- it was so apparent that something was wrong as it was!) I told her I would do all the home exercises with her,and I think she'll actually make me keep my word.:rolleyes:

Her PT was really nice and very funny- I think Dr. Olds (her ENT) may have a rival when it comes to being silly and cute. She'll go twice a week, and work out at home as well. We still have to go to the orthopedic guy, but I feel mucho better about the whole situation now.

Oh, and I actually bought two items of clothing today that weren't black. Whether I will wear them remains to be seen, but it's a start.

Ahem, I was there, too. One of those preview days for the Subs....

Only for a short time, though.

WB~ LOL what color? Do tell! So glad about the news for your daughter. :)

MG~ I can picture you and it seems quite normal to me. :D

14 miles and you had a book signed by Floyd Landis? What a day!

I'm tired so it is time for bed.

WB- great news!! I'm glad you are an observant parent, sadly some are not. It sounds like mom gets to get in better shape whether she wants it or not. I'm sure you'll have to tighten muscles you haven't used for awhile! I know I did when Zach and I started doing his PE together!

MW- Tori keeps threatening to sic Clinton and Stacy on me, and in the interest of keeping mommy out of jail* I decided to get a pair of light brown/khaki capris and dark brown cargo shorts. (For our upcoming trip). It's weird to see myself in anything other than black, but these weren't too obnoxious. Btw, I got these at Eddie Bauer. I have never shopped there before. I am officially old.


*If Stacy and I ever met irl, I would have to kick her snarky ass.

LOL I do have some browns in my wardrobe. ;0) And gray, I like to pair off my black with gray.

Oh man, I was watching that show the other day and while I do think they have some good points on what is flattering, if they came to my closet and wanted to toss out my concert t's??? Aw, hell no!!! {almost everything else I wouldn't mind just don't give me some mom lookin' jeans, okay????}

Yeah, I feel old, too. I know I am 'supposed' to dress a certain way and that some people probably roll their eyes at me but I do like what I wear. And I am sitting here all in black. :0)

The PoohDog/Chicken relationship has reached new levels. Pooh has become very protective of Chicken. This is the 2nd morning in a row I have witnessed it.

She has been sleeping with him at the back door, he puts up with her "scratching" in his food, but his is actually quite amusing to me.

We have a serious problem with feral cats in our neighborhood. Yesterday I was outside when Chicken let out a series of sqawks. Pooh went out to check on her. Today I heard her squawk and Pooh charged the fence. He is protecting her from cats. She squawks and he runs. It is funny.

Does it roost in a closed enclosure?

I'm not sure where you live but if the answer is no then you may want to be prepared for the chicken getting killed overnight by raccoons. When we had chickens that was our biggest cause of death among them (and they aren't necessarily after eggs or anything, they'll eat the chicken or just kill it because it is there).

She has an enclosure where she can sleep, but she choses not to. Our patio is rather large, and the area by the back door is almost like a breezeway. Racoons aren't an issue. The only threat is the cats.

So.......today I made my final auto-debit car payment. Of course, no papers yet, but the car is mine, all mine and next month I have more money to either use for (1) mad money cause I deserve a goodie or (2) apply to debt reduction elsewhere or (3) go to Disneyland

Yay!

MG this is so cute, got any pics of the two of them? Together? I need an insulin shot in the form of animal cuteness!

WB, this is WAY GREAT NEWS for you and Tori! Fantastic, in fact!

When you get something in hot pink, let me know :p

Congratulations!

On a side note: Will there be a podcast on your experiences from the Silent Film Festival?

Oh maybe! I need to make up for it, I'm way behind. Due to technical difficulties, I was unable to do 2 podcasts I had planned in June. I'm still editing my silent animation podcast

what a great feeling that is, eh? mucho kudo kiddo.

Whoa!:cheers:

I am so freeking tired. Got home from Main St and playing pool about 10:45. Went to bed about 11:30. Upstairs neighbors were doing laundry and vacuuming until 1am :(

I just made resies for Boy and I for DLH in October. This way, after the Hallowwen Treat Oct 12th I don't have to worry about driving home. Yeah!!

Now, I just need $$ to pay for it.

Good for you, MG!:snap: It's nice to have something fun to look forward to.


Snow, congrats on paying off the car! Wonderful feeling, isn't it?


ABG, now i know who you're talking about! When I read his name yesterday I couldn't place him. What do you think as to the truth of the accusations that he doped? I don't think he did, but the poor guy may never be able to prove otherwise. Maybe they'll look more closely at the testing procedures and the possibility that the tests can be thrown off by things like extreme exertion, etc.

I got sent to ballet as my scoliosis PT. My curve isn't as bad as Tori's sounds, though. Still, ballet could be interesting?

What is up with all these typos I've been making lately. Is Lisa contagious? ;)

I'm a giant disease!

No you're not..... Just your typing. :evil:

I will try harder to get a pic of them together. Every time I get close they split up, or he herds her away from me.

So, when will we be seeing you at Disneyland?

September 12th is planned as my next trip to LA.

That said, I take my roomie to SFO on August 16th where she departs for Mexico. After that??? I'm kinda open to suggestions.

Why do people ask for your help or guidance on an issue and then argue with you about the guidance or help you offer?

After long experience that I generally end up forgetting about when it would most help me, I'd say the answer is because when most people ask for help or advice they don't really want help or advice. They want sympathy or reassurance.

(And you realize the nature of your question means you can't argue with any answers?)

Thank you Alex. I was truly wondering why someone would come up to me and say "I was wondering if I could get your guidance... I am going to be doing xyz training and I don't know what I need to do to set it up..." So I told her to 1) make sure our training dept is in the loop and 2) send in a request for the equipment for the date you need it. Which she promptly started arguing about not needing to let training know what she was doing and why she didn't need to request the equipment.

/rolleyes.

Because it is fun.

A lesson I have actually learned. Sometimes, what I do instead is ask questions. I've learned to be careful in making sure my questions aren't too leading to any conclusion. I find that once people can have the stuff in their subconscious brought into their conscious (I know, so Freudian), it really does go a long way in others solving their own problems, finding their own support or even changing their mind. I try to do that while remaining supportive.

Because, yeah, most people really don't want to get advice. It's why few people will ever hear me ask for advice. I only ask when I really need it. If I need to vent, I spell it out and let them know that I just need to get it out. What's irritating is when I don't want advice, specifically request that none be given, and then hear it anyway. But, I guess I have to recognize that by even venting - I am inviting (in a way) anything that might come.

But that's why few people ever hear me vent and even fewer are sought out by me for advice.

ETA: Sorry if this is disjointed or not making much sense. I'm in class and being bad on teh intrawebs.

Does this look infected?

Let me taste it and I can tell for sure.

How pathetic do you have to be to ask us to reimburse you for airfare we paid directly on your behalf?

Because it leads to a greater understanding.

dunno. I figure its worth a shot. all you could say is 'no'

I put it under the 'something for nothing' principle. even if they say no, you've fully recouped your investment...of nothing

At best, they'll get a little money. At worst, it's a fraudulent attempt and could cost more in the long run. Example: If there's a promotion or a need to cut jobs, who do you think they'll look toward first, given that everything else is more-or-less equal? Promotion - the guy that didn't try to squeeze (relatively speaking) a few bucks out. Demotion/Layoff/Total Job Loss - the guy that tried to squeeze a few bucks out.

It's a pathetic attempt. Even if he got the money, it's still paltry. He didn't even pay for it in the first place.

But if you were hiring people and one of the candidates who flew in for an interview requested reimbursement for a ticket you'd bought for them, would you hire that person? Seriously?

Random Space Mountain shot:

While I know there are certain things that younger people are not as intimately familiar with, I have to laugh when my good-natured, perhaps slightly batty (though I am really starting to like her) professor asks "Do you know who so-and-so is?" What seems like such a gimme to me (I remember phones with curly wires, John Lennon, Bob Dylan when he was younger, fall of the Berlin Wall, the first war in Iraq, Seinfeld)... I've discovered that a lot of 18 - 21 year olds just don't know.

No. Either the person is a moron, or he/she has no integrity.

Oh damn, I didn't realize that this was a person trying to get a job with your company... That's extra-super LAME.

With my chapter of the American Marketing Association, we have had a number of guest speakers from a number of areas in marketing. One was the HR person from Saatchi who was responsible for hiring. She shocked me with what people actually do before, during and after interviews. Just shocked. So maybe the airplane thing shouldn't be so shocking, after all.

I too have been shocked and amazed over the years at what people will do, and usually get away with.

And no I would definately not hire the person.

I've written 3 pages today. The first 3 pages of the sample chapter on the 1923 Mineralava Dance Tour. I have a headache, I think I have too much minutia to plow through (not on paper, but too much to choose from), is writing always this hard? I thought if I had a genuine interest in the subject, it would be easier? I feel like I am writing a book report on a book I hated or half read and lost my Cliff Notes. I feel like I am writing too slow, working too hard for each word. Am I nuts?

I think I need a Quickspell Quill.

Of course, I should be happy, I've written 3 pages today (while I should be working). ;)

This is more than I've been able to do at home in the last several months.

When I was at my last job there was the story of Hjm (name unsubtly masked).

When Hjm was an MBA student, so tell some of the people involved, he was recruited by my company and flown from out of state to spend three days doing interviews with us and getting an introduction to the business.

Afterwards, he wrote a thank you letter. In which, beyond simply thanking us, he complained about the hotel where he was put up (the Hyatt Regency San Francisco), the fact that we didn't provide car service (the hotel was less than two blocks away (and not even a long block) and the fact that the flight back home left late.

Apparently this was viewed by the muckety mucks as a sign of moxie and he was not only hired but advanced quickly.

I wasn't there so the story could be apocryphal but I believe it? Why, because I had to work closely with him for two years and he was one of the biggest a-holes I've ever encountered in the corporate world (which, generally, is not nearly so bad as TV sitcoms make it seem) and it would entirely be within character.

So, it isn't shocking to me what people think they can do and get rewarded for.

I disagree. If something was supposed to be covered and wasn't then I don't think there is any problem with politely working to get reimbursed. Everybody involved understands (in my experience anyway).

Any chance that the reimbursement request was an honest mistake? (Not that this would be a good sign of his/her attention to detail.)

Actually, that was my thought as well. It is easy to lose track of such (relative) minutia when traveling.

Well that was short-lived.

In under 48 hours it has been determined that the minion who was to spend 60% of their time taking over some of my duties will be entirely too busy taking on other people's duties, so they won't be taking any of mine. So, I get to keep all my current work, only now I'm responsible for all this other work, too, because it will be a while before this person can be hired and trained and such. Because the other people need relief "now." Monday I was told that *I* would be getting the relief "now."

I'm the closest I've ever been to having myself committed and they're giving me a whole additional FTE to be responsible for? That does all the immediate need stuff like payroll and supplies so I can't put it off or fit it in when I have time?

I'm this close to walking out the door.

Not likely. It turns out that ALL of his expenses were already paid for, and he requested reimbursement. How do you forget that you didn't pay for anything?

Hmm.... Ms Marketing Professor, as much as I like her, buys into things a bit too much. She loved a car she bought 10+ years ago. Bought it at 30K. It's now down to 18-20K, and she said 'with inflation, blah blah blah... now that's a good deal!"

Manufacturers know the value of their product. Chances are, said car comes with less features and may be of lesser quality, as well as a number of other points (good and bad) that may have lowered the cost. Not so much that it's a "good deal." It's a deal. Take it or leave it.

Mind you, the same technology that was top-of-the-line 10 years ago could be hopelessly outdated by today's standards, so that could explain lower pricing, especially if features haven't been updates. Hey, some folks are in love with their dialup - there's all kinds in this world.

Or it was overpriced the first time, and she was dumb enough to buy it.

There is a lot of literature on how technological progress should be incorporated into inflation calculations (that is a big complaint about the Consumer Price Index, it assumes that a 1975 washing machine and a 2007 washing machine can simply have their price compared in neutral dollars when it wouldn't even be legal to sell a new 1975 washing machine in 2007.

I'm having a crappy day and things just keep happening. I peeked at which employers coming to the fall OCI round-up will accept applications from 4Ls. And I have my choice of: Spokane, Yakima, or Wenatchee. Can't you just imagine me tackling "crop damage litigation"?

Oh, and there's also the IRS. Yippee.

I'm so sleepy.

IRS actually has some interesting jobs. I knew a guy who used to be in their enforcement division. Yeah, armed IRS agents...

After all, what do they always catch gangsters on? Tax evasion.

I don't think they give the attorneys guns.

Still going to apply, because I'm desperate.

Trust me, you don't want one. The guy I knew quit working for the IRS and went into life insurance, in part because his dad has the same name as him, and the dad ended up having to spend a year on some remote island in witness protection because the son had helped put away some key member of the Mexican mafia.

Again, who knew the IRS could be so exciting? But you're still not cool.

As well it should be!

Just dawned on me that I forgot to pre-order the next Harry Potter. D'OH!

Me too.

Well, about 12 hours from now, we will be checking Susan into the hospital for her surgery (arthroscopic surgery for endometriosis). Weee...

Is it Friday yet?

Funny, (well, not that endometriosis is funny, but...) but every time I see you mention it, Kevy, it's somehow come up somewhere else for me.

First time you mentioned it, my cousin told me she had an appt for a hysterectomy since she's had trouble with recurrences, which isn't common from what I understand. Today, we talked in class for around 40+ minutes about endometriosis and I immediately thought about Susan.

My thoughts will be with you guys. Regardless of what the future holds, I'm certain that this surgery will bring a great relief to her, as it did for my cousin and many other women who have managed it.

Just got home to a wonderful letter saying that my medical benefits cease as of July 31st 2007 - joy. :mad:

WTF?? Why is that happening?

:D Yay for Susan - Supportive Downunder Hugs for you.
:( Bummer for CM - are the benefits work-supplied ?

Work supplied benefits...

Are they cutting benefits for everybody?

They're claiming I didn't work enough hours the last six months, and that I wasn't available for the right days (Which is BS - as my scheduling manager can attest).

I'll have an update in the next day or two.

I'm glad Susan's having her surgery. I know she will feel MUCH better afterwards (maybe not immediately, but soon). Please le us know if she needs anything while recovering. I'd be glad to help out.


CM, I see a phone call to HR in your future.

I made this!

Aluminum?

What kind of bread?

OK. It's official. We're moving. Yay.

YAY!

Now, people can start bugging you about details. ;)

Random Haunted Mansion photo

Anyone willing to review my resume? PM me with an email address if you are.

Thank you!

Followed by a PA announcement to not use flash on the ride attraction

KB- be sure to give Susan our best wishes and I really hope that she feels a whole lot better very soon!

MP, when's the big move?

Zucchini. It's good, but I think I like the banana bread I made the other day better.

And yeah, I need to invest in some real bread pans.

At least the day ended well, with one of my best voice lessons - or so my teacher says. Now I have to practice opening my sinuses.

I like the banana bread you made the other day better too (not so keen on non decorative uses for zucchini).

And I wasn't mocking the bread pans (I made it so rarely I always use disposable too so I don't have to store them for the years between). It was a lame joke response. "Look what I made!" "Aluminum?"

Now they want is there at 5:30.

Do they not know we are not morning people?!?

5:30.


Surely they mean P.M.? :eek:

YAY !!!! I Love Meatloaf.

Or is it zucchini bread? Either case, looks good.

Today I spent hours feeding documents into a shredder for my departing boss. Yeah, I went to grad school for this...Then, she calls me in to lecture me that my future bosses won't be so understanding about my need for time off to work for hubby...WHA??? I used my vacation for that! And I always thought she respected me for working two jobs all this time...

I really fought the tears at work today. Especially since there have been few nibbles at my resume, at least nothing we could live on. :(

Yay. [sniffle]

I so hear you. My contract was up at the end of June, and my boss asked me if I'd stay until the move in order to work on some projects and train my replacement. Then she goes and hires someone who not only has no ability to grasp the concepts behind the project (and it's really not that complicated) - but is computer illiterate - and the entire job is done on computers. Yesterday, I had to write step-by-step intstructions for (and I kid you not): 1)how to download email attachments, 2) how to rename a file, and 3) how to cut and paste text. It really shows how much they value me and my position.

As far as the job hunt goes... I'm also in the same boat. While H just got a job offer that's good enough to warrant our move down there, this is the first time in a long time that I have absolutely no idea what I'm going to be doing next. I know I only need one job - but the suspense is killing me...

(Did I mention how proud I am of Heather?)

Yeah, NA wouldn't tell us anything!

Painfully, sadly, arduously, no
______________________

So, we're getting everything pulled together for the morning trek and she springs on me, "and if they need to do a hysterectomy..."

WTF?!?




(OK, the chances of needing to do this are virtually nil, but we really must work on our presentation skills!!!)

Lizzibith- did you point out the fact that you did the extra work on your own time? What a crappy, snotty thing for her to do. She's probably feeling insecure about her future and taking it out on you, which is absolute bs. I predict karma will intervene (if it isn't already) and you will wind up with your dream job.

MP- same for you. I think this move is meant to be.

Thanks...I'm also sitting here burning CDs on my home PC for her on my own time since they don't let us do that at work. And yes, I'm also wallowing in self-pity! :blush:

Yes, you're right: she's going through her own sh!t, but she has a six-figure savings back-up, and mine is three-figures...so I'm a tad resentful! What I hate most is that I need building-up right now, not tearing-down. Without confidence job-hunting is really miserable.

Congrats to H, but I'm so sorry MP! Yeah, I was invited to apply for my current position with a huge pay cut. What? The world is just nuts! This is how we are rewarded...:rolleyes:

OMG! That's unbelievable! ... but believable only in the crazy fact that my brother, who has been working in the IT department of a college for about two years, finally got hired fulltime there--but with a pay cut. So, his reward for "officially" getting a fulltime position is to take a $500 pay cut per month for the same job!

lizziebith: Yes, the world is nuts, unfortunately, but you're not the only one going through something like this ... if that helps make you feel just a little better, I hope. :)

It's funny how the world works.... Painfully funny.

Sometimes I think they could use the protection:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9zy37-_0LU